The time between Christmas and New Year is a good time to look back and remember all the good moments and give thanks for all the gifts this year brought me.
It started with a full moon and a magical holiday in Port de la Selva
Memories of…..
- travels to Aiguamolls, Madrid, Delta de L’Ebre, Costa Brava, Prades, Canigo, Llaers
- trying out new things, skiing, cooking tortilla, teaching children arty things
- scary bits – driving around here, cooking dinner for the extended Catalan family, dealing with the chicken body parts that the butcher pressed into my unwilling vegetarian hands
- giving up smoking and taking up yoga – again and again!
- teaching tango in Castellano and the patience of my pupils
- bathing naked in wonderful places
- hot mineral bathes with my sister and nephew
- Reiki in the woods with gentle Jordi
- smiles and hugs from friendly people even though we couldn’t string together a conversation
- popping up to Barcelona for the day to see friends and potter around
- fumbling along with Castellano and Catala and……poco a poco /poc a poc… it gets easier
- visitors from home – so lovely to see familiar faces and be able to share my life a little with them
Huge thank you to all the people who have helped me this year. There are so many who have listened and let me talk, supported me in so many ways, hugged me, smiled at me, written to me, texted me, skyped me, sent thoughts and healing. I wouldn’t still be here without your support and friendship. My dear friends in Cornwall – Karen and Tony, Margret and Val – who look after my house and my two dogs – of course without you there would be no Kate walking the Catalan Way – thank you with all my heart.
Living in a new country, in a new relationship and in two new languages is not always easy but I have found it intensely interesting and energising and satisfying. I absolutely could not do it without the love and care of others and I send thanks in bucket loads for that. If you are reading this – this means you! Just the act of reading my blog gives me support and makes me feel connected.
I am very lucky to have a wonderful ‘mother-in-law’ who has been there many times when I needed a hug and encouragement. She spent a year in London when she was a young nurse and didn’t speak much English – she knows how it is.
And huge thanks and love to He Who Does Not Want To Be Named Nor Appear In Photos!
For all the love and the laughter and the places you have taken me and yes – for the things I have learned from you -and for your smiley eyes – Thank you!