tapas

The Dog Walking Group

~ Kate Wilson ~ 2 Comments
A few months ago a fellow dog walker in the New Park (Park Lledoner is its real name) told me about a group that goes walking with dogs once a month in Sant Pere de Vilamajor.    The walks are organised by the Associacio Vilanimal, an organisation that rescues, cares for and, where possible, rehomes animals around Cardedeu.

I joined the Facebook group and every day am tempted by the faces of lost and abandonned dogs and cats, kittens and puppies. The group is run by dedicated volunteers and they now have a shop in the centre of Cardedeu although they rely on foster carers to look after the animals at home.

Today we went on our first walk.  Everyone met at a car park in Sant Pere de Vilamajor and about 50 people and 30 dogs went for a stroll in the hills in the evening sunshine

One of my favourites was Bruc, a Catalan shepherd dog, who reminded me very much of a bearded collie that I know.  He was full of fresh energy.  He raced up and down the pack, barking wildly and occasionally setting off little battles of wills. We walked for two hours to the sound of his owners voices calling “Bruc Bruc!  Come back here Bruc”

But the only one who could control him was a beautiful Golden Retriever who had taken on the role of Group Marshall and when she snapped at Bruc he would stop his antics, for a few minutes

There was a moment of worry when a small brown dog accompanying a couple with a baby in a sling got overcome with the excitement and the evening heat.  She went into a fit of panting and shaking and had to be carried part of the way home. But in the end she recovered totally and was able to walk to her car

Bonnie was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds and her favourite part was when we stopped by a stream to drink and have a pee and the rest of the group disappeared over the hill. Her tail started to wag and the bounce returned to her step.

She seemed to be saying ‘ thank God we’ve lost that lot…. now we can enjoy our walk’

But I think it did her good in the end as everyone, dogs and people, were friendly and sociable and it is what she needs to help her overcome her recent fears.  And as always she was very popular with everyone she met.     We went for tapas afterwards in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor……………

Trip to town

~ Kate Wilson ~ 3 Comments

Suddenly there is a backlog of stories to tell and photos to show. I don’t know where to start nor do I want to write several posts all at once and overwhelm you!
So I will begin with now and work backwards, hoping to get round eventually to some of the interesting things which happened weeks ago and but have been waiting patiently in the wings for me to find the right moment to write about them.
I went to Barcelona for 24 hours and came back today to the cooler air of Granollers.
Summer has arrived at last!  It was my first night sleeping under just a sheet and still feeling too hot.
I went up yesterday to dance some tango in the park. After meeting friends near Arc de Triumph we walked to Ciutadella and found the gates closed.
Strange.
Dogs waiting for their evening stroll

Policemen and cars inside

People were slowly gathering and some sat down to block the traffic. At last I remembered it was a protest, a gathering of the indignats who have been camping out in many towns as well as in Plaça Catalunya (and Granollers) to remind us all of the lack of true democracy which allows politicians and bankers to create laws to suit their own interests

 And calling for the dismissal of those who ordered the police violence on May 27th

We found the other tango dancers and decided to move to the Born to dance in the street

 On the way passing crowds of protesters arriving to lobby the Catalan government and keep up the pressure against the huge cuts in public services. This mornings newspapers had photos of massive crowds later in the night but we saw only the beginning

After dancing, (with eyes open for once as I kept my eye on the bags which felt more vulnerable than when we are in the enclosed space of La Glorieta,) we went for some tapas and a drink

Full of locals and tourists (see above?)  the place was very welcoming, a cava bottle brought out regularly to fill our glasses and the food was delicious

I don’t want to say where it was – it was busy enough already – but if you really want to know then leave me a comment and I’ll tell you! Those little cheese filled peppers were very very nice.
This morning, a visit with Oreneta to a wonderful exhibition in CCCB which as well as teaching me lots of interesting things I didn’t know about Trieste, also was a great example of how to create an inspirational space about things which could be quite dry and boring!
James Joyce spent some time in Trieste and finished writing the Dubliners there! And have you ever seen his letters to Nora? They are very steamy….
On the way to Passeig de Gracia and the train home I had a look at the acampada in Plaça Catalunya

It seems very settled there now, sharing space with pigeons and tourists, some of whom, perhaps not the pigeons but who knows, also take the time to read the information about the protests. There are beds installed high up in the trees, tents and kitchens, a garden and decorations around the statues in the square. I don’t know where it is all going but it feels good that there are people there, a change from the years of passive acceptance and feeling powerless.
So, that was my trip up to town.

Tapas with friends in Barcelona

~ Kate Wilson ~ 4 Comments

Two friends from Penzance arrived in Barcelona for the weekend to celebrate their 7th anniversary. What a good opportunity to pop up to town once more for tapas. We went to La Bodegueta on Rambla Catalunya but don’t tell anyone as it’s hard enough to get a table as it is.

Here are the floor tiles – a little dirty but so beautiful that I didn’t notice until I saw the photo.
Congratulations John and Erwin and thanks for the tips on using the camera!

I always wondered what those black grids were for…..