My New Kettle

I love it! It's fast and the perfect colour for my kitchen. Thank you! :)

Bossy Dentisits in Granollers

Good Morning!

Jett's Lunch

At Christmas time I found this reusuable wrapper for Jett's lunch. It's called Boc n Roll. Very useful. Haven't seen anything like it before.

The First Snow of the Season

Last night it snowed nearby for the first time this winter.
It's difficult to see in the picture, but there is a light snow across the Montseny. We can see this mountain from our balcony.
Winter is finally here.

Granollers, Beautiful?

I have talked about this before, but many people complain that Granollers is ugly.
Kate and I were talking about it just last week. But we agreed, it might not strike you with it's magnificence, but it does have it's moments.
Both Kate and I come from places renound for their beauty. Cornwall and Norway, respectively. Our eyes seek out the beautiful. It's second nature. And there is beauty all around us.
This tree struck me today as hauntingly attractive. There was a little fog low on the ground. The sun had just come up. There were a few people already walking.
Another great start to the day.

1.50 Euro for Happiness

As some of you know I've been walking to the Viena and back three of four times a week. It's a 2 hour walk.
I spend 1.50 for a white coffee and mini croissant. I actually don't like the coffee all that much but it's cold and I love the ritual of the break. I enjoy sitting down and warming up and playing wordfued.
My alternative, and one that doesn't have as much comfort, and costs .25 cents more, is to buy the mini salad.
I know I will migrate to this life style choice soon. It's my evolutionary path. But let me enjoy this moment of pleasure of sweet pastry and inferior but warm coffee.

Two Weeks Until Half Marathon!

It's a long run today for Albert and 5 k for Jett. Lovely day. I am walking!

Granollers, is that you?

Bathed in crimson dress as if we were not forgotten.

Catalan Vegetarian Food

As part of my Catalan studies for this year I have begun to read this book. I found it last year in the book shop. The title is '202 traditional Catalan recipes without meat or fish; and how to be vegetarian without compromising Catalanness.' (Blog author translation)
The language is quite difficult, but at least I am interested. And there are no pictures!

My Chakra Flowers!

Finally I have finished selecting my flowers for the yoga room. I love them. Photos I took myself around the world.
One dream has become a reality.

New TV

We've just connected our brand new TV to our computer and we are all very happy.
Thanks to technology.

Good Morning!

I am Very Lucky

The other day I came home from shopping and Jett had swept the house, decluttered and tidied the lounge and was doing the dishes.

I Hate Catalonia

Jett and I were walking home from our training when a man started scraping off the Catalan flags that were placed here and there along the street. While he scratched the stickers off, he muttered to himself in a fearful way.
After following him for some time I finally got this picture.
It was an interesting experience. We were walking close behind him so we were able to observe other people's reaction to him as well. Some people ignored him. Some just laughed. Others were offended.
I just wanted to capture it. I have another photo that is brilliant, but it shows his face.

No Water To Be Found

Jett was dying of thirst while running by the river today. Another moment when we were faced with taps that don't produce water.
Jett even said he'd write to the newspaper about it. Let's hope he does it and it makes a difference.

My Brave Runners

Training for the Half Marathon

Albert and Jett three weeks before their races. Both are in pretty bad shape for various reasons.
I think the goal of the half marathon of Granollers is integral to survive the winters here and get outside. Good luck to everyone!

Sales Assistants

I guess they've had enough of the sales too.

Creeps Me Out a Bit

And I love it!

Palau Church Early Morning

I often walk past this church. It's my turn back point for my one hour walks towards Barcelona along the Congost River.
I know that it isn't a remarkable structure and is quite plain if you want to start comparing it to other buildings.
But I love it.
It's a land mark in these parts. It's bells ring out every 15 minutes. It's surrounded by die hard farm land and refuses to budge to the looming factory buildings of Granollers.
I like that.

Slaughter House

The other day on my walk I heard some screams. But I couldn't identify what was making the noise. It was high and terrifying but could easily have been some malfunctioning machine.
Finally I saw two truck loads of pigs in front of a building across the river.
They don't scream every day. Today they were quiet as I walked past.

Burning Off

Yep. They still burn off here.
I am sure it's illegal in Australia to do that.
And look at the colour of that smoke!! It smelt toxic.
Pretty picture though.

Destination Viena

This is the Viena Montmelo. The one I've been walking to. It takes an hour. Today I jogged a bit too.
The staff are friendly and do their job well.
Their slogan is 'Viena to eat well and fast'.  It's a sandwish bar and has some side salads and sweet croissants.

Goodbye Christmas 2011

They are taking the decorations down! We took ours down on the weekend.
The Christmas period here lasts until Epiphany on the 6th of January.
See you again in December!

Good Morning!

It's difficult to see but that's the moon and a street light. Very cold this morning! Not a cloud in the sky.
Have a great day!

I Love Sunrises!

I am a morning person. I love the morning and I love the morning sun.
Today was a really beautiful sunrise. After I walked Jett to school I started my morning walk and the colour was beginning to saturate the sky.
Even the factories look beautiful in the early morning light.
We often walked in the sunrise on the camino de santiago. Listening to the birds. Perhaps a little frost on the grass.
I love the light on the clouds. I love the quick shift of colour as the sun rises and I love when the sun finally breaks over the horizon and starts to light up everything it touches.
It's the second week of the year. Jett started school today. In new shoes that hurt his feet. Might have to take them back at lunch time. Poor Albert came down with a 'flu and is still in bed. I've been lucky so far and missed the germs going around.
Have a great day everyone!

First Full Moon of the Year 2012

In one hour it's a full moon.
I often can't sleep deeply when there's a full moon coming. But I don't wake tired. I just wake up fully alert.
I went early to the bakery and discovered that they don't open until 7!  There were only a few people on the street. The women didn't give me eye contact but the men were friendly. One even smiled. But I think it was for my hat that looks like a barretina.  There was a garbage man going through the rubbish beside the bins with a fixed look of surprise on his face.
Happy Full Moon from Granollers!

7th of January, the Beginning of Sales

Every year, just after the Three Wise Men leave, the shops open their doors to the New Year Sales.
We living in Granollers, a small shopping town outside of Barcelona. There were quite a few people on the streets when I went for my morning walk, but it was nothing to the frenzy that peeked between 7 and 8 in the evening.
The sales will last for the entire month until 'everything must go'.
I bought sensible black boots, some long sleeved tops and a couple of dresses. And satisfied I am, thank you. Did you buy anything?

Epiphany 2012

January the 6th, 2012.
The celebration of God in human form. And my name day in the Catholic tradition.

Kiddy Crowd Control for the Kings

Granollers is madly getting ready for the three wise men to visit la porxada. You can see the cue controller being put into place above.
There will be tons of children lining the streets to see the three Magi being drawn by tractor and waving benevolently. Their helpers will bombard the children with sweets supplied by the local bank.
Happy Three Wise Men Eve! 

Yellow Light in the Sky

I'm on the way to pick up Jett from the airport in Barcelona. The sky is remarkably yellow for 12:21.

Guess What Time it is?

Yes! Catalan time!
Shall I admit that I have not studied at all during 2011? I suffered a total lack of motivation. My honeymoon stage had worn off and I was left wondering what I had got myself into, studying this language.
2012 is the year to pick up the fragments of what I learnt before and begin again.
Jett is doing great. He's even getting an appropriate accent.
Cheers for a great learning year!

A Walk to Viena

Today I walked to the sandwich bar Viena. It took me 59 minutes from door to door. I saw a baby rabbit chasing a bird. Never seen that before.
Happy New Year everyone.