A Stroll in the Park

Today, in a moment of madness, I ended up walking all the way home from Avenida de America to my house, which took me about two hours. As usual walking so far was not the proposed plan of action, I had decided to walk to Manuel Becerra to catch the 71 bus to my barrio but as always I miscalculated, went in the wrong direction and before I knew it I was on Calle Serrano. (can you believe that after four years in this city, I still can't find my way around!) So I though what the hell, I've come this far, I may as well take a walk in the Retiro and catch a bus at the other side of the park. By the time I had crossed the park, it was only another four metro stops to my home, and although it was all uphill and the sun was beating down, I decided I may as well go the distance.

My unplanned wandering around the city was very pleasant, I hardly ever go into the centre or the park and I forget how beautiful Madrid really is. And how is it that I can live so close to such an amazing green space and never pop in for a quick stroll around? I get so caught up in the hecticness of city life that I sometimes forget to take the time to enjoy it and it really is worth taking the time to do! And on this occasion, not only did I have a lovely walk, get some much needed exercise and see the city a little, but I also got to finally finish A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens while I was walking home. (Dangerous I know, but I can't help but walk and read, as you know I have 1001 books to read, and I have only just finished number 70!)

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The waiting is over and I can breathe again! I have passed the DELTA! What a relief and a weight off my shoulders before I go away on holiday. I am so happy and I have more letters to put after my name if I wish to be Poncy! I introduce you to Miss Faye Hobson, BA, CELTA, DELTA. Mmmm, perhaps I should think about doing a Masters next, I have 20% of it already with the DELTA under my belt.

Birthday Celebrations al estilo Spanglish

The birthday celebrations began last night with some lovely fish and chips in a British fish shop I stumbled across one day last month when I got lost on the way back from a class in the centre. The café, which goes by the apt name of Fat Tony's, serves all sorts of coronary-inducing delights to please the hoards of ex-pats and Brit holiday-makers in the Spanish capital.

After the fish and chip supper we went to Santa Ana to sit on the terrace and sup a few glasses of Tinto de Verano and open presents and generally laze about chatting and catching up. Then as the terraza closed the last men standing went on for a final drink in a bar near the plaza, which for me was a very refreshing mojito.

Birthday Dinner

Just been out for a lovely meal with Jaime for his birthday to an Asian restaurant that we have been meaning to try for years but we have never got round to it. It's called Bamboo and it is not too far from our abode. We had the Indo-China Taster Menu for two and there was so much food that I can't move! Very nice though and the service was fast, friendly and efficient, something that is not always easy to find in the capital!

Life begins at forty...

Happy 40th Birthday to Jaime, who came into the world on this day back in 1967 and into my life in 2003 and I hope we will be able to celebrate at least another 40 years of life together.

A weekend away

Jaime and I have just got back from a lovely. long weekend in the pueblo with Jaime's parents. As you can see, the estate is looking particularly picturesque at the moment with all the sunflowers that they have planted. We had a great time relaxing and not having to worry about work. I enjoyed pottering around the garden and down by the river checking out the orchard and the little baby chickens which were born a couple of days ago. It was fantastic being able to sleep a full night at last without having to wake up to disentangle yourself from sweaty sheets in the Madrid heat. We had great food as always and Jaime's mum prepared us some river crabs since Jaime loves them so much. On Saturday we spent the day on the beach at Liencres where I caught painful sunburn on the parts I forgot to cream, namely my buttocks! Ouch!