Orxata in La Perla Granollers

It was 8.30 before the streets cooled down enough to take Bonnie for a walk.
For a Birthday walk as she was 10 years old today. The clock on the pharmacy still said it was 30C but a cool breeze was blowing down the main street and it felt pleasant.
I decided to stop for an orxata – the delicious drink made from tiger nuts, water and sugar.
But I didn’t stop at that, I ordered a cubano which is a glass of orxata with a large dollop of ice cream inside.  Usually I have vanilla ice cream but tonight I wanted coconut

It came with a straw which had a little spoon attached at the bottom, so you can alternate between drinking and eating

I’m afraid I then ordered another – exactly the same. Well it is Summer Solstice.

Virtual Vermut

It’s a long long time since I invited you to a virtual vermut.   I saw this copy of Time Out in a bar last week and it nudged me into throwing open the doors to invite you for a virtual drink

Notice it is in Catalan – I thought that was impressive!

I got back to Granollers on Tuesday night.
As always there is lots going on – in my head mostly. But we also have done a few things.
Like going to a jazz concert in Anonims Bar in Granollers which is an alternative sort of place run by an anarchist. There are shelves of books, they serve vegetarian food and I quite like it but we hardly ever go there for some reason. Perhaps because we don’t go out to bars that often?
The band was very experimental

and I didn’t stay much longer than the time it took to admire their space helmets made from two bowls taped together. Very clever.
I left early as I needed to get to bed in preparation for going to the gym at 7.30 am.
Tiffany was going to give me a yoga lesson on the roof terrace. Yes, it’s the start of a new exercise regime…..there is something seriously wrong with my stomach – surely I can’t be pregnant? Ha. Ha.

We went to the beach at St Pol and managed to spend a few hours there without the dogs fighting. They each had their own umbrella and were allowed off the lead only under supervision. At the least this thing is making us super organised.
It is the annual Jazz Festival in Granollers and in the programme I noticed John Taylor was playing at the Casino on Friday

 It was emotional for me as I used to know him years ago when he was married to a very close friend of mine Diana. She died about 8 years ago and meeting John and hearing him play brought back very intense memories of her, her paintings, her garden, her piano playing and her wonderful wicked sense of humour.
The music was incredible and I tried unsuccessfully to get a photo of Johns feet which dance around joyfully when he is playing – like two excited kittens they jumped and frolicked while his hands were working the keyboard.


On Saturday we walked in the mountains at Montseny, picking sweet wild strawberries along the way.  The river there has large deep bathing pools which Bonnie plunged into until her excitement made Duna too agitated so we had to stop. Something in her eyes tells you there is danger of an attack.  Things still not peaceful there but we are doing our best with leader of the pack training.

Today we went to a sushi party prepared by Tiffany, Albert and Jett.
Bonnie won the toss and came too. She made friends with Jett and didn’t bark at anyone

The food was wonderful -how fantastic to have vegetarian friends here – we rolled out own sushis and I certainly ate too much.  Could that be connected to the stomach problem?
I met there the most friendly baby whose whole face lit up like the sun when he smiled. He was only 11 months but managed to work his way around the group, charming all in his path.
He’ll go far I am sure.


So, now I look at it I can see it’s been a full week. And a good one. I’ll show you one more picture – it’s my quick drawing of Venus Passing the Sun which happened on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Triggering, I hope, an outpouring of creative and love energy all over the planet!

ascension fair in granollers

We finally made it to the fair.  It was in a muddy squelchy park which must have been disheartening today with so much rain stopping people coming. 
It felt like a British outdoor event.
Except for the cheeses!

And this  which doesn’t interest me at all but I know there are some who would love to buy some!

Caprabo

We tend to try out different supermarkets each time we go – no loyalty I’m afraid!
But I was impressed by a couple of things at Caprabo last time we went.
First a bit of history – it is a Spanish owned supermarket chain started in 1959.
The name comes from the first letters of the surnames of the three founders, CArbó, PRAt and BOtet.
Bet you didn’t know that!  It now

Thing Number One
One of my pet hates here is that when you arrive at the check out with perhaps 150 euros worth of shopping, all they want to do is rush your through and get the money before you’ve had a chance to sort and pack your stuff. this brings on an attack of passive aggression in me so I take my time and refuse to pay until it is all in the bags. But I notice most other people, including those close to me, practially having a heart attack trying to get it all out of the way before the next persons Vi and Pa comes shooting down the belt.

But yesterday the guy in CA/PRA/BO was very chilled out, he even came out from behind his till to help load some stuff.
This is unheard of here!
Normally you hear nothing of ‘Would you like a hand packing your shopping madam?’
It is more  of a ‘ Now we have your money can you please now Piss Off?’
But at least in Caprabo Granollers there is someone who does it differently. I even thanked him for not rushing us.

Thing Number Two

Here it is – a magnifying glass attached to the trolley so you can see the small print.
Isn’t that amazing?

on the road

off to almeria for easter and peps birthday. the motorway service area is just as overpriced as in the uk. normal lunch menu is around 9 euros. will post updates when i have internet. happy april fool!