No Bells!

Still not feeling well but we walked down to the sea front in Sleima and wandered along the prom; Nothing much of interest to see though I suppose we could have gone into the church to look around and pray for an early recovery. With the strong Italian influence very evident, Christian wanted to eat pizza so we went into a trendy looking place which looked down over the sea. I had ravioli (must remember to ask for 'no oil')which I could only force down half of and Christian was mightily disappointed with his soggy based pizza.
Made an effort to dress up for the gala dinner by which time I was really full of aches and pains. still no appetite and all I managed to eat was half a portion of salmon. as for drink ... nada! So, dear friends, my great idea to go away at New Year was hardly a great success and we were in bed by 10.30pm.

Almost the Raj!

Left the house at 4am for an early flight to Malta. As we couldn't check into our hotel until after lunch we set off in our hire car for Mdina and Rabat. All was very quiet but there again, Mdina is called the 'silent city'; it was a beautiful place and not too spoilt. Ate rabbit for lunch, an island speciality, after which we were ready for a wee siesta. Neither of us was feeling on top form and unusually for me I had next to no appetite.
Let me tell you about the hotel which was one of those places of fading grandeur. We had a good sized bedroom but being pretty cheap it didn't have any kind of view. The clientelle, needless to say, was mostly British, some of whom had been coming back for years. There was a kind of "forced" family atmosphere that prevailed and as you can imagine, there was one who saw himself as head of the household. You know the kind, all knowing, ever present with a word for everyone. Still, the staff were pleasant, the gardens pretty, even at this time of year and a lot of effort had been made to decorate the place.
We found it on the net and interestingly, Trip Advisor comments were very mixed. There were those who found it comfortable, friendly and clean while for others it was the exact opposite. We found it absolutely fine, especially for 20€ each B&B and an evening meal at 10€/head ... so what if the shower head fell down every now again and there was only BBC World on the satellite telly. It's like Ryanair ... you get what you pay for.

Heading Home

Time to wend our way home by of Platja d'Aro with a bit of window shopping in mind. In the end it wasn't very interesting and seemed quite expensive.stopped off in Palau Sator for lunch in a down to earth village restaurant where we ate well, we're served by nice people and didn't pay a lot for the experience. Although you can't see it from the photo, this would be pleasant place for abit of al fresco dining in the warmer weather.

Costa Brava

Today we went in the opposite direction down to Tossa de Mar following the rugged coast which gave it its name.It is wild and savage, that is if you don't have any tourist developments in view. Weather is still cold and sunny and of course there is very little open, it being Sunday. We were surprised that there were so few restaurants open so after I'd zig-zagged up to the lighthouse (Christian gave it a miss)we retraced our steps in search of something to eat. Finally ended up back in St Feliu where we had a late but reasonable lunch. It's a good job that our room was a comfortable one as we spent another quiet night in.

Idyllic

Christmas day dawned over the sea before our eyes. What could be better than to wake up to such a glorious sunrise and to go to sleep to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach below? Took ourselves off to Platja d'Aro just a few kilometres away, a resort with a long sandy beach much beloved by German tourists . It was cold but lovely in the sun so we had a brisk(ish) walk and a hot chocolate before heading back to the hotel in time for lunch. Treated ourselves to a cava on the hotel terrace and then tucked in to our Christmas lunch which included patridge.
Another walk in the afternoon, this time along the coastal path and a quiet night in completed the day.

Christmas Eve Picnic

Cold but with blue skies and sunshine and we had enough time in the morning to go over and see Josette to wish her "Happy Christmas". Her prodigal son arrived as well so it was a profitable journey.
Left after lunch for S'Agaro on the Costa Brava armed with some foie gras, champagne and chocolate raisins as we knew that the restaurant in the hotel was going to be closed. Had a wander around but off course it is a quiet place and there was only one other hotel open. We were toying with the idea of eating there but as we were looking at the menu, a German saga tour arrived and we decided to stick to our picnic.
The hotel was very nice; large room, huge bed, spacious shower and wall mounted flat screen tv. As there was nothing in French and very little in English we were pleased that we'd taken a recording of Wallander to watch. Oh yes, and there was a fabulous view from our room over the sea.

Festive Apéro

At long last Michelle, Jean-Jacques and Michel managed to get together for an apéritif just in time to toast Christmas.I did the savoury and Michel did the crêpes.

The Rain from Spain

The rain had stopped when I decided to go out and deliver the Association's messages but sod's law ... the skies opened when I was half way round. Did I give up? No of course I didn't; I just kept going and arrived at Jany's for tea like a drowned rat.

Winter Solstice

Waking up to find the space where the over loaded ironing basket usually sits was empty was a real pleasure. I haven't bored you with a blow by blow account of the ironing marathon that I've been doing but my goodness have I been working hard. Ironing and the blog just seem to run away from me. Maybe there is a New Year's resolution in there somewhere.
Tea at Michel's was a just reward.

Lunch Break

Out with Anne and Henry for lunch in Thuir. One of those cheap and cheerful menus which confirm my feeling that our local bar is overpriced. We promised ourselves that we wouldn't leave it so long again but I think that we've said that before, maybe more than once. The rest of life and different valleys just seem to get in the way.

What Crisis?

From the depths of the duvet, I caught a tv report about a hotel in Paris that costs 20,000€/night and I don't suppose that that includes breakfast. Eye watering stuff, n'est-ce pas?. We spent a lazy day by the fire and entertained Jean and Françoise to tea and it didn't cost them a thing!

Senior Citizens

The annual OAPs lunch saw us tucking in, laughing, joking and dancing with the best of them. A super meal and a lot more fun that you would think. Should we be starting to worry? Then in the evening we were invited to Anne and Ian's for carols, mincepies and music. All very jolly!

Gaudiland

Started early for a day out in Barcelona organised by the Association. Fortunately the weather warmed up a bit during the day and there were no major problems. 50 of us left the village on a coach, 50 of us managed to meet up at the restaurant for lunch (even if some did complain that it was too much for what it was) and 50 of us made it back again.

A New Arrival

Extremely cold today so once again there was no walk. Workwise I had an Association meeting and Christion had a full council meeting. But it wasn't all work; we had coffee at Michel's and heard all about his trip to Thailand and took delivery of the new telly which is rather smart.

Visit from Santa

No walk again and today's excursion was to the Foyer for the Mairie Christmas apéritif and distribution of presents by Santa to the staff and their children and to the councillors. No, not a crate of champagne, a little box of delicacies.

À Table!

It was far too cold to walk today so our only excursion was to Jean and Françoise's for dinner along with Linde, Kathy, Michelle and Christian. There was a hearty Moroccan soup on the menu and plenty of chat.

I Can See You!

See, there aren't just birds at the lake.

Christmas is Coming

This year there was no getting up in the dark to set up the Christmas market and this year the weather was glorious. Warm enough to stay out all day. The Association had it's usual cake stall and we sold off some of the better pieces of jewellery, so no complaints there. Not particularly Christmassy but there was flamenco as well but it was a rear pleasure to watch. I suppose the Christmas carols, Santa and St Nicolas added the festive touch as did our bonnets.

Life's Up and Down Side

Went to the market and then treated ourselves to lunch up in the mountains which stood us in good stead to put in an appearance at the end of term school fête. Needless to say there were a load of hyperacive, screaming kids there as well as us. To make matters worse we won nothing in the rafle. Oh dear, I think I'm getting to become a Victor Meldrew.

Olé

Struggled through the Spanish class and didn't do much else of interest.

Becoming a Twitcher

Only went to the Language Exchange for coffee and came home to do some work on the computer. Managed another walk this afternoon and saw a whole bunch of cormorants perched in a tree. Although the photo was taken from a distance, they're a bit more visible than the woodpecker. Not sure that you'd know they were cormorants though if I hadn't told you.

I Spy

My hedonistic Association took up a fair part of today with a committee meeting and preparing an session for the English workshop in the morning, sorting out the left over jewellery at Maggie's in the afternoon and a meeting at the mairie in the evening. Our only 'us' time was a walk around the lake where I saw and tried to photograph a green woodpecker. Go on, look harder and you'll see it! I'll give you a clue; it's on the right.

Another World

The Association which supports some women in the Congo gave a presentation about Linde and Marie-Andrée's visit there to take equipment. They had numerous adventures along the way in difficult circumstances.I don't think I could now put up with such privation however good the "cause" but they are obviously made of sterner stuff.we were all very moved by what they had to say and from their experience there, a new goal was suggested for the next year to break the pattern of women's devaluation. It is hoped to sponsor a number of girls to go to secondary school as at the moment the custom is for them to stay home, work or marry once primary school is finished. The boys of course, continue their education. I came away feeling that I really must review where I put my energies this year; into an Association that revolves mainly around enjoying yourself with a committee that doen't want to look farther than it's own navel!

Let Sleeping Ducks Lie

A bit warmer today so we ventured out to the lake for a walk. Not everyone was as energetic as us it seems. First Monday of the month and I accompanied Christian to his surgery. Once again no one came, once again we were the only people in the restaurant where once again we ate duck.

Easy Does It

There was a cold wind and we were both very tired so we lit the fire, heated up the wid boar stew that we bought yesterday at the Téléthon and just took it easy. Well, that is until Jean called by for an apéritif.

Téléthon

2nd
The annual Téléthon (Children in Need) swings into action in earnest this weekend but the Association as usual set up a stall at the market. This year we gave up selling plants in favour of cast off jewellery. Much less hard work but it was really cold standing around. Maggie still sold horse maure willingly provided by her faithful friends... 26 huge bags of it. Christian went into the Cardiologist's to have a 24 hour heart monitor put on so neither of us had any enthusiasm for a walk.
3rd

Went back to the Spanish class this morning though I'm not sure that I'll be able to keep it up as the others are so much more advanced. We made the effort to go to the lake but still feeling shivery, I only had the energy to do one circuit. We did however, put in an appearance for the release of the Téléthon balloons.





4th
At the village hall to join in the Catalan brreakfast which was nothing but calorie laden charcuterie and pastries. I wasn't feeling very hungary but Christian did his best but later on had to go home feeling unwell. I stayed onand spent the rest of the day there selling the jewellery and being jolly despite feeling like ....!

The Usual

Filled the fridge, walked around the lake where Christian tried out the hat that I'd knitted for him while we were away. In the evening it was my turn to help out at the English workshop so as you see it didn't take long to get back into the swing of things.