It’s not the day for sitting out on a terrace watching the world go by. It’s a bit cold actually!
So let’s drink our Vermut inside while I tell you what’s going on for me. I hope to hear your news too – in your own virtual vermut post or here in the comments.
Let’s start with the weather – it is what I call a Cornish day. Grey sky, rain threatening but never getting on with it. Perfect for our run this morning although the chilly wind made the outbound trip hard going. When I started running I had to overcome my belief that running is for tall lanky people. But just a little each day and suddenly I can do 20 minutes without falling in a panting heap at the end. There is something very satisfying about the sound of your feet as they hit the ground and the way your body finds its own rhythm.
Fear of more kidney stones means I always carry water which is a nuisance as it sloshes around in the bottle. Also any part of my body which can wobble – does, and that feels uncomfortable at first. But like many things which are hard to start – after you get going, the going gets better. There were some lovely flowers down by the river as well as the swallows swooping low over the little allotments.Then I had a short introductory session of Trapeze. Again, not something you expect of me but this getting older thing is beginning to worry me so I am trying to do more new things. I did a headstand and then some swinging by my arms on a trapeze. Finally kicking my legs up and hooking them around the bar and, before I could think too much about it, I let go with my hands and ended up head down to the floor. All the recent abdominal exercises must be helping as you need those to get yourself back up again!
Of course I was helped and held by Pep so it wasn’t so hard. Sorry no photos as I couldn’t spare him to take one at the vital moments so you will have to believe me.
My Vermut is finished now – perhaps another little one?
The reason the weather is concerning me is that tomorrow is Sant Jordi and the streets will be full of stalls selling books and roses. It could easily be a disaster if it rains all day. It is a sort of Catalan St Valentine and so much nicer. Roses and books – perfect presents of love.
Which reminds me – I have almost finished reading The Cathedral by the Sea in Catalan and I am now actively enjoying it. It feels like a huge achievement to have got through it and I can see how much more I know now than I did at the beginning. Also as the action happens in the streets in Barcelona Old Town it is interesting to imagine the events – the building of the church, the merchants working in Canvis Nous, the Jewish quarter in the Call where terrible things happened, the big houses in Montcada where the rich people lived.
But what else can I tell you?
After the run we came home to the usual loud music in the living room which sometimes drives me to find quiet corners of retreat. Common tunes are Love is a Gamble, I am a Bitch, I Want You to Take Over Control and Tonight I will Fuck You. When I am in better humour I just relax and dance to the beat! I think of my mother and how she kept up interest in our music. But wasn’t it easier with Del Shannon, The Beach Boys and David Bowie?
After lunch a troupe of young men arrived to play music out in the back. I was looking forward to seeing them sidle spottily though the lounge looking embarrassed and reminding me of Kevin in the TV series. But the Resident Adolescent scuppered that plan by greeting them at the front door and sending them round to the back entrance. You have to be tactically very skilled to win a battle in this war!
Well, time has flown by and I must start my Catalan homework.
Hope to see you next week if we both can make it!
(Visited 31 time, 1 visit today)
Cheers Kate! I am just pouring myself a small vermut now…well, it’s Martini actually but it’ll do.
Impressed by all your physical exercise, maybe it’s time for me to get off my bum and do something myself for a change. Long time since I did anything apart from cycling places and that’s getting from A to B, I don’t think it really counts.
Yes some of the lyrics of contemporary music are pretty basic! I suppose Let’s spend the night together was shocking in the 1960s.
Hope the weather is fine for Sant Jordi tomorrow (what happens if it actually falls on Good Friday or Easter Sunday, does it still go ahead?)
You are right to be proud of your achievement in reading a book in Catalan!
Enjoy your weekend x
I had forgotten about St Jordi’s in a haze of nursing and Catalan…wonder if the man will be able to stagger out for it. I will anyway. I think it will go on rain or shine. I did put up a fairly vermut divendres, but forgot to name it, maybe I’ll go back and modify.
I went for a two hour walk in the hills, not being able to run these days with sicky in the house, too hard to organise my food around his.
Maybe someday soon though!
Cheers!
There, altered!
Know what? I just had a look at google maps, and it wouldn’t be all that long a drive to get to the hills….do you have a license and car? You and Pep should go one weekend up south of the Roca del Vallés, the place is TEEMING with places to walk…heck I could meet you in Orrius one day, we’ve walked there once or twice…..If you went into the Urbanització la Pineda and went uphill for a while, you can see all the little roads and the smaller paths with google satellite….Any of those, even through La Roca…though if that is what I think that is I might avoid it like the plague….
Oh goodness, I knew there was something I was supposed to be doing last night. Sorry I didn’t turn up, maybe next time. I used to run.. well shall we say jog, before I had the kids, and I can remember when I started… actually I’ll do a blog post because this may be long!
I can’t believe I missed the Vermut! And me with my sullied reputation and all! I have kind of been hiding out, doing a painting class that has been taking just about all of my time and making me more quiet about the act of painting. But not to fear, this is the last week and I think I am ready to come out and play again soon. I will admit that I find some of the lyrics of “younger” music kind of crass and full of lack of respect for humankind. But that’s probably just be being an old fart.
Not to worry Jan and Bodhi – you can come next week. I just hope I remember to be there!
I still haven’t done my Catalan homework – perhaps adolescent apathy is catching? and today I was enjoying the music a lot. He looked surprised when I twice asked ‘ who is that playing?’ Of course that is the wrong question – you are supposed to ask who the DJ is.
K x
🙂 you’re super cool…
How about a traditional goatskin bota instead of a water bottle? Fit a camel tube to the end, you won’t even have to stop running to drink