Summer ever so kindly
seems to have put the really good weather on hold as i buckled down this week and did some serious amounts of work. We've not had the heatwave of easter europe or the torrential rain like England... we've mostly has overcast and temperatures in the early 20 degrees... nice but not summer more like autum without the doom of impending winter. It could be worse. I just hope it hots up a tiny bit for the big party my company is doing next Friday.
It's funny sometimes... being a foreinger in a city that other foreigners constantly remind you of how it used to be... I mean people who moved here 10 years ago and not simply 2 like me... They talk of time when bars were open all night long... live music... party central... now the city has shut down most live music venues... there are strict rules to everything... Franco would be so pleased... but I diregress... Last night I met up with my lovely friend Eric in Gracia. This neighborhood is uptown from where I live and much more like a little village. There are far less tourists and bars actually still exist where you can get a beer for 1 euro! In the evening every single square is jam packed with people meeting their friends and familys for a drink and chat... as always there was nowhere to sit so we ventured to a place just off of one square that had a nice looking garden so we went in, in search of a table... there was one albeit inside but right next to the door... It became apparent not long after we entered that this joint was literally filled with just that... joints... everyone was skinning up and smoking their spliff from the comfort of their tables... Eric was beside himself as a fan of the hash he was happy to find somewhere like this... so there you old timer ex-pats... there is just a tiny remanence of old school liberal Barcelona left... now if only I can remember what the place was called...
Mum and seestor and soon to be hubbie have all booked their flights. I am beside myself with happiness. it will be so so good to see them! I think if I don't burn out from all this work before they arrive I will be lucky! It's actually been a long time since I've worked on a campaign site that I'm excited about. I think it's pretty dang good. I guess sometimes the evil ad agency is not so evil... I said SOMETIMES!
23.6.07
I never imagined...
That the day would come that my seetor would decide to get married... and that I would not attend! I know it boggles the mind but sadly it's true. She and Bryan are getting married on the 17th of July... so soon! They are however are then jetting directly off to visit me in Spain, thus the nonp-logic of spending over 1300 dollars for a flight which would be nothing more than a few days visit. I'm sad, but happy for them, but hey we always do things in my family a bit out of the usual... so we shall instead celebrate together once they arrive to my side of the pond.
I've not got to come up with a fabulous wedding present for them... and quick. I've got one thing up my sleeve that will thrill her to death but I need something else... something a little more tangible... this is deamn near impossible considering she is a person who has EVERYTHING... and since they have decided not to find out if their baby is a boy or a girl until she delivers it... pink frilly baby dresses are not an option... sigh..
Tonight is san juan here in bcn... it is the night that the city does not sleep and it explodes into a massive firework display... people hold all night long beach parties and watch the sun come up in the morning... All good in theory... but as I am detoxing (not drinking) it just seems a bit off pace for me... we'll see what I can manage. Chaira's mami and papi are here from Milano so we shall dine with them tonight... we'll see how long into the night I will make it.
Puppy news puppy news! we have a visit scheduled with a local breeder for next week. He's got a brood of 3 new puppies and he is giving us first pick. He seems really sweet and has even offered to give us a dog for a week to try out to see if we get along with it! I'm counting the days!
Off now to have my siesta... I think I will need it... I shall leave you will Alfredo's favorite Los Morancos (spanish comic duo from the south) you need to speak spanish to understand but if you do, you'll be glad you paid attention during language class as it's bloody hilarious! fiesta fiesta! pluma pluma gai!!!! Enjoy!
That the day would come that my seetor would decide to get married... and that I would not attend! I know it boggles the mind but sadly it's true. She and Bryan are getting married on the 17th of July... so soon! They are however are then jetting directly off to visit me in Spain, thus the nonp-logic of spending over 1300 dollars for a flight which would be nothing more than a few days visit. I'm sad, but happy for them, but hey we always do things in my family a bit out of the usual... so we shall instead celebrate together once they arrive to my side of the pond.
I've not got to come up with a fabulous wedding present for them... and quick. I've got one thing up my sleeve that will thrill her to death but I need something else... something a little more tangible... this is deamn near impossible considering she is a person who has EVERYTHING... and since they have decided not to find out if their baby is a boy or a girl until she delivers it... pink frilly baby dresses are not an option... sigh..
Tonight is san juan here in bcn... it is the night that the city does not sleep and it explodes into a massive firework display... people hold all night long beach parties and watch the sun come up in the morning... All good in theory... but as I am detoxing (not drinking) it just seems a bit off pace for me... we'll see what I can manage. Chaira's mami and papi are here from Milano so we shall dine with them tonight... we'll see how long into the night I will make it.
Puppy news puppy news! we have a visit scheduled with a local breeder for next week. He's got a brood of 3 new puppies and he is giving us first pick. He seems really sweet and has even offered to give us a dog for a week to try out to see if we get along with it! I'm counting the days!
Off now to have my siesta... I think I will need it... I shall leave you will Alfredo's favorite Los Morancos (spanish comic duo from the south) you need to speak spanish to understand but if you do, you'll be glad you paid attention during language class as it's bloody hilarious! fiesta fiesta! pluma pluma gai!!!! Enjoy!
20.6.07
With all the excitement...
of seestors impending wedding and sprog, I forgot to rejoyce at some very exciting other news. After nearly 8 years my lovely relationship with OSAP has come to an end. Debts have been paid and that the good lord and my mum (who helped lots over the past few years) it's now finished! I remember feeling great despair when I signed the forms 8 years ago and accepted that by the time I was finished paying my loan off I would be 33 years old... but with some help from mum and my grandma it's all done... and 2 years early! Now if I could only find a use for my degree in second language aquisition... Do you think I can apply for a re-fund on my degree?
We have two new additions to our wee flat and they are so cute! One is called Olletta (named after Ollie who bought it for us) and the other little jane (whom bought it for us). I'm loving this new custom of house guests buying plants as thank you gifts! We are so fortunate! Now lets just hope I don't manage to murder them...
Little Jane
Oletta
of seestors impending wedding and sprog, I forgot to rejoyce at some very exciting other news. After nearly 8 years my lovely relationship with OSAP has come to an end. Debts have been paid and that the good lord and my mum (who helped lots over the past few years) it's now finished! I remember feeling great despair when I signed the forms 8 years ago and accepted that by the time I was finished paying my loan off I would be 33 years old... but with some help from mum and my grandma it's all done... and 2 years early! Now if I could only find a use for my degree in second language aquisition... Do you think I can apply for a re-fund on my degree?
We have two new additions to our wee flat and they are so cute! One is called Olletta (named after Ollie who bought it for us) and the other little jane (whom bought it for us). I'm loving this new custom of house guests buying plants as thank you gifts! We are so fortunate! Now lets just hope I don't manage to murder them...
Little Jane
Oletta
19.6.07
14.6.07
Evil thy name is Ikea
I am normally not too bothered by the trekk that is generally involved when going there but yesterday I guess I was just not up for it. We don't have a car but there is a a really good bus service that take you straight there... The main thing I was going for was a sun shade for the terrace... of course it was sold out... and after 45 mins of waiting and asking they told us that we could not have the display one as they could not take it down until all the stock has gone (there were are few items left in a hideous stripy colour) argh... What I don't understand is that they told us they were not re-stocking so what's the big deal? Give me my damn white sun canape!!!! Ikea says no.
But we did manage to still get a few little bits which were delivered bright and early this morning (before 9am!) by three lovely little south american men... Ikea in Barcelona seems to sub-contract the delivery work out to these guys. It makes me quite concerned as I can't imagine them making more than 5euros and hour... talk about brutal work! I live on the equivalent of the 6th floor and there is no lift... I feel bad for them but the guys who deliver groceries are not much better off... although the delay for grocery delivery is 1-2 days it only costs 4 euros... and it's worth it... to avoid bringing up 4 8litre bottles of water plus all our other goodies like wine and juice and food... now that sucks.... I am indeed greatful and yes of course always tip!
My funky little dressing room is looking just that... pretty funky... Fredu set up the mirrors for me and I put together the little wooden box myself... I'm generally not very good at such tasks but I managed that as well as installing the missing clothes rail in our wardrobe which was finally back in stock! Fredu also deserves credit for building the shelving unit himself... no ikea needed there... wood was bought from a local shop in our neighborhood... he painted it white of course... my little wooden box will soon follow suit.
Shoe order and other such delights of the dressing room!
I am normally not too bothered by the trekk that is generally involved when going there but yesterday I guess I was just not up for it. We don't have a car but there is a a really good bus service that take you straight there... The main thing I was going for was a sun shade for the terrace... of course it was sold out... and after 45 mins of waiting and asking they told us that we could not have the display one as they could not take it down until all the stock has gone (there were are few items left in a hideous stripy colour) argh... What I don't understand is that they told us they were not re-stocking so what's the big deal? Give me my damn white sun canape!!!! Ikea says no.
But we did manage to still get a few little bits which were delivered bright and early this morning (before 9am!) by three lovely little south american men... Ikea in Barcelona seems to sub-contract the delivery work out to these guys. It makes me quite concerned as I can't imagine them making more than 5euros and hour... talk about brutal work! I live on the equivalent of the 6th floor and there is no lift... I feel bad for them but the guys who deliver groceries are not much better off... although the delay for grocery delivery is 1-2 days it only costs 4 euros... and it's worth it... to avoid bringing up 4 8litre bottles of water plus all our other goodies like wine and juice and food... now that sucks.... I am indeed greatful and yes of course always tip!
My funky little dressing room is looking just that... pretty funky... Fredu set up the mirrors for me and I put together the little wooden box myself... I'm generally not very good at such tasks but I managed that as well as installing the missing clothes rail in our wardrobe which was finally back in stock! Fredu also deserves credit for building the shelving unit himself... no ikea needed there... wood was bought from a local shop in our neighborhood... he painted it white of course... my little wooden box will soon follow suit.
Shoe order and other such delights of the dressing room!
11.6.07
The Screaming woman
There is this woman who lives in a flat who's window faces into an interior patio out onto which our bathroom window looks out into. Here in Barcelona the old buildings have lots of these secret patios which are I think designed to let light into the dark recesses of some areas of the building. You can't acess them but they are just there... Not all of them work... The tiny interior patio which the spare room, dressing room and salon all have windows to, brings in a tiny ray of sunlight for approx 10 mins every day. The rest of the time it's DARK and grey and serves no visual interest whatsoever... Anyway, back to the bathroom interior patio. Every day at around 11am there is a woman who screams out her window into this interior patio. It's very regular and it's rather upsetting. I've never seen her, I only hear this agonising scream... Every day like clock work. Ollie says it's a common thing in Russian villages... Old people suffer from it and it has something to do with isolation. I'm not too sure if that is the case here as we're right smack dab in the middle of bcn... there are hundreds of people around all the time and although you can still feel isolated when in a huge mass of people... well you get the idea... I sometimes worry that she's locked in... or being tortured or other times just think perhaps she's mentally ill and can't help it... either way it's pretty unsettling... especially for unsuspecting house guests! I don't know how to ask my other neighbors about it... maybe they know the secret...
There is this woman who lives in a flat who's window faces into an interior patio out onto which our bathroom window looks out into. Here in Barcelona the old buildings have lots of these secret patios which are I think designed to let light into the dark recesses of some areas of the building. You can't acess them but they are just there... Not all of them work... The tiny interior patio which the spare room, dressing room and salon all have windows to, brings in a tiny ray of sunlight for approx 10 mins every day. The rest of the time it's DARK and grey and serves no visual interest whatsoever... Anyway, back to the bathroom interior patio. Every day at around 11am there is a woman who screams out her window into this interior patio. It's very regular and it's rather upsetting. I've never seen her, I only hear this agonising scream... Every day like clock work. Ollie says it's a common thing in Russian villages... Old people suffer from it and it has something to do with isolation. I'm not too sure if that is the case here as we're right smack dab in the middle of bcn... there are hundreds of people around all the time and although you can still feel isolated when in a huge mass of people... well you get the idea... I sometimes worry that she's locked in... or being tortured or other times just think perhaps she's mentally ill and can't help it... either way it's pretty unsettling... especially for unsuspecting house guests! I don't know how to ask my other neighbors about it... maybe they know the secret...
7.6.07
Since my seestor
Has failed to blog about this herself... I have no other recourse to announce that I will soon be an auntie! How clever is that? Congrats to her and Bryan. Such excitement... I've known since my trip to Canada but have had to keep it to myself all this time! Not easy for someone like me!
Seestor!!!!!!
The puppy search continues but the pickings are slim unless I want to part with the better side of 1k... which lets face it, is not such a hot idea financially.
Work work work and more work... when is a girl to find time for some much needed shopping?
Has failed to blog about this herself... I have no other recourse to announce that I will soon be an auntie! How clever is that? Congrats to her and Bryan. Such excitement... I've known since my trip to Canada but have had to keep it to myself all this time! Not easy for someone like me!
Seestor!!!!!!
The puppy search continues but the pickings are slim unless I want to part with the better side of 1k... which lets face it, is not such a hot idea financially.
Work work work and more work... when is a girl to find time for some much needed shopping?
5.6.07
Its far past my bedtime...
but I've simply just run out of time for a lot of things lately... work and such is getting in the way. I'm longing for a holiday... just a few days away from all of the daily grind... the villa seems an eternity away as it's the end of July. I'm counting down the minutes!
Our lovely houseguest for the past two weeks, Ollie, treated us to a lovely supper tonight at a nice restaurant in Raval. It will be strange around the house without him here... and Alfredo's bicing card will experience a sharp decline in usage! Not to fear though... the Sonar peeps arrive next Thursday so just enough time to clean all the linnen! I can't wait to meet Jo Jo's new lady!!! I hope the icecream shops in town are well stocked up... Jo jo hits them hard when in town! With her she will bring supplies such as the latest issue of Gratzia, marmite, tea, and vip toilettries from Boots! Whoot!
Lovely mini me is maxxing it up in Valencia on a boat watching the America's cup. Lucky ladee! Should catch her up this weekend at mele and nicolas' bbq!
sleep beckons... sleep always wins. buenas noches!
but I've simply just run out of time for a lot of things lately... work and such is getting in the way. I'm longing for a holiday... just a few days away from all of the daily grind... the villa seems an eternity away as it's the end of July. I'm counting down the minutes!
Our lovely houseguest for the past two weeks, Ollie, treated us to a lovely supper tonight at a nice restaurant in Raval. It will be strange around the house without him here... and Alfredo's bicing card will experience a sharp decline in usage! Not to fear though... the Sonar peeps arrive next Thursday so just enough time to clean all the linnen! I can't wait to meet Jo Jo's new lady!!! I hope the icecream shops in town are well stocked up... Jo jo hits them hard when in town! With her she will bring supplies such as the latest issue of Gratzia, marmite, tea, and vip toilettries from Boots! Whoot!
Lovely mini me is maxxing it up in Valencia on a boat watching the America's cup. Lucky ladee! Should catch her up this weekend at mele and nicolas' bbq!
sleep beckons... sleep always wins. buenas noches!
4.6.07
Congratulations are in order....
I'm so excited... but I must leave the revealing of the details to my seestor... it's been a month that I've had to keep my mouth shut about what she had to announce and now the cat is out of the bag... well almost... I think I must wait till she writes about it herself on her blog... drop her a line and see if she'll post about it...
I've been sequestered away this weekend. Saturday morning started bright and early for some whom had oh so cleverly picked up a nasty bought of food poisoning from my favorite restaurant during my lunch there on Friday... I wonder if the calories still count if it all comes back up 15h later??? All I can say is ewwwwwwwwwwwww! Semi-monthly food poisoning is just one of the minor glitches that come along with living in a hot country. I'm getting used to it. I don't like it but I would take it over a snow storm any day!
The cute puppy in the picture looks like it will forever remain the cute puppy in the picture as I think we waited too long to confirm that we wanted it and the owner sold it to someone else :( I can only assume that's why he has not returned our calls. Ah well, back to the drawing board... Look forward to more cute puppy preview pics. There is always a postive side of course!
It's segunda pasqua here today in Barcelona. Nowhere else in Spain has the day off but here all is shut down. Exactly what the second easter thing is, I'm not quite sure... so I'll stick to listening to the second coming by the stone roses and leave it at that...
I'm so excited... but I must leave the revealing of the details to my seestor... it's been a month that I've had to keep my mouth shut about what she had to announce and now the cat is out of the bag... well almost... I think I must wait till she writes about it herself on her blog... drop her a line and see if she'll post about it...
I've been sequestered away this weekend. Saturday morning started bright and early for some whom had oh so cleverly picked up a nasty bought of food poisoning from my favorite restaurant during my lunch there on Friday... I wonder if the calories still count if it all comes back up 15h later??? All I can say is ewwwwwwwwwwwww! Semi-monthly food poisoning is just one of the minor glitches that come along with living in a hot country. I'm getting used to it. I don't like it but I would take it over a snow storm any day!
The cute puppy in the picture looks like it will forever remain the cute puppy in the picture as I think we waited too long to confirm that we wanted it and the owner sold it to someone else :( I can only assume that's why he has not returned our calls. Ah well, back to the drawing board... Look forward to more cute puppy preview pics. There is always a postive side of course!
It's segunda pasqua here today in Barcelona. Nowhere else in Spain has the day off but here all is shut down. Exactly what the second easter thing is, I'm not quite sure... so I'll stick to listening to the second coming by the stone roses and leave it at that...
29.5.07
A family act
Today in paseo del borne there was a small family performing a musical trio. They had 3 children but the two youngest who were boys were too small to play with them. The highlight of the act was the young girl who played the bongo/jimbe. She had such incredible rythm. It was the first time I've witnessed someone so young play that instrument so well. The mother had a beautiful voice! They drew a small crowd quite quickly and by the end of the 1st song they had pulled in easily 12 Euros. Now that's a good business idea... my only other question is... why the devil was she not in school?
Today in paseo del borne there was a small family performing a musical trio. They had 3 children but the two youngest who were boys were too small to play with them. The highlight of the act was the young girl who played the bongo/jimbe. She had such incredible rythm. It was the first time I've witnessed someone so young play that instrument so well. The mother had a beautiful voice! They drew a small crowd quite quickly and by the end of the 1st song they had pulled in easily 12 Euros. Now that's a good business idea... my only other question is... why the devil was she not in school?
28.5.07
A huge Thank You
To Amanda at www.hitflip.co.uk for sending me a T-shirt.
Do check out the site it's way cool! I wish we had something like this down here in Spain, you know how I'm always desperate for new English books!
They are a swap site for you DVDs, games, music CDs, audiobooks, and books.
Go, surf, swap, prosper!!!!
To Amanda at www.hitflip.co.uk for sending me a T-shirt.
Do check out the site it's way cool! I wish we had something like this down here in Spain, you know how I'm always desperate for new English books!
They are a swap site for you DVDs, games, music CDs, audiobooks, and books.
Go, surf, swap, prosper!!!!
So the vending machine just didn't do it for you...
what's wrong people! That's classic!!!????
I'm over it!
On to more totally un-interesting observations... Ollie who is still here visiting took me out for a meal last night. And the restaurant served this!
Canada Dry Cola! Who knew... I don't think I've ever seen this... am I just a bad Canadian? Probably.
Work is eeeeeevil... but one more month and I should be officially free from my duties.
No updates yet on the cute puppy... I hope to have one soon.
And just for the record Joey... my washing is blowing off the line.
what's wrong people! That's classic!!!????
I'm over it!
On to more totally un-interesting observations... Ollie who is still here visiting took me out for a meal last night. And the restaurant served this!
Canada Dry Cola! Who knew... I don't think I've ever seen this... am I just a bad Canadian? Probably.
Work is eeeeeevil... but one more month and I should be officially free from my duties.
No updates yet on the cute puppy... I hope to have one soon.
And just for the record Joey... my washing is blowing off the line.
25.5.07
Another really cool thing about Barcelona...
Is that it is awash with really interesting vending machines. There is a book vending machine at the major train stations and metros... there is a flower bouquet vending machine at the airport an ice lolly/magnum ice cream vending machine at my gym... also found at my gym is this machine...
I know in english if you look at the picture you will read 'anillo' and no that does not mean anus... it means 'ring'... it's a vibrating cock ring no less! Next to it you will also find, tissues, cough drops, slimming patches and of course what every gym goer requires... a blood alcohol tester! All fairly normal? DEAR LORD NO! Ollie and I just had to see how much the vibrating cock ring cost... it was a bargain at 4,50 Euros!!!
Now the the important question...
What is one sale in the remaining rows of said venting machine?
Or moreso... what on earth are people in my gym getting up to while they are there??? Am I missing something?
More rows of this vending machine will follow... bet you can't guess what they vend further down...
Now who says my life is boring?
Is that it is awash with really interesting vending machines. There is a book vending machine at the major train stations and metros... there is a flower bouquet vending machine at the airport an ice lolly/magnum ice cream vending machine at my gym... also found at my gym is this machine...
I know in english if you look at the picture you will read 'anillo' and no that does not mean anus... it means 'ring'... it's a vibrating cock ring no less! Next to it you will also find, tissues, cough drops, slimming patches and of course what every gym goer requires... a blood alcohol tester! All fairly normal? DEAR LORD NO! Ollie and I just had to see how much the vibrating cock ring cost... it was a bargain at 4,50 Euros!!!
Now the the important question...
What is one sale in the remaining rows of said venting machine?
Or moreso... what on earth are people in my gym getting up to while they are there??? Am I missing something?
More rows of this vending machine will follow... bet you can't guess what they vend further down...
Now who says my life is boring?
24.5.07
20.5.07
Incomming
Two paintings comming up... one pinkie and one greenie and bluie... they're in progress but I want to finish them by the end of the day as I've got 4 more after them to do to finish the newest chapter in my collection in preparation for the exhibition.... I've not painted since xmas, it feels strange but good. I don't want to do anything else... I think I am taking advantage of having time on my own here in the flat... our back to back guest hosting commences soon so I know alone time will be a bit more challenging!
gym, i swear I will make it today!
The river up in Sort is running wild, Fredu has been up there all weekend with a group who are taking full advantage and rafting and kayaking like mad. Water doesn't last long here... too hot.
Tomorrow we are going to visit two puppies from the same breeder from which came the lovely brown one I posted about a while back. They are soooo cute. I want to get an idea as to what kind of breeders they are... and if there is even a whiff of puppy mill... then no matter how cute they are I'm not buying! Thanks to Joey to contributing to the puppy slush fund as my b'day gift... and no, just because it's a puppy slush fund doesn't mean the dog will be blue (he he he)
Two paintings comming up... one pinkie and one greenie and bluie... they're in progress but I want to finish them by the end of the day as I've got 4 more after them to do to finish the newest chapter in my collection in preparation for the exhibition.... I've not painted since xmas, it feels strange but good. I don't want to do anything else... I think I am taking advantage of having time on my own here in the flat... our back to back guest hosting commences soon so I know alone time will be a bit more challenging!
gym, i swear I will make it today!
The river up in Sort is running wild, Fredu has been up there all weekend with a group who are taking full advantage and rafting and kayaking like mad. Water doesn't last long here... too hot.
Tomorrow we are going to visit two puppies from the same breeder from which came the lovely brown one I posted about a while back. They are soooo cute. I want to get an idea as to what kind of breeders they are... and if there is even a whiff of puppy mill... then no matter how cute they are I'm not buying! Thanks to Joey to contributing to the puppy slush fund as my b'day gift... and no, just because it's a puppy slush fund doesn't mean the dog will be blue (he he he)
19.5.07
This isn't one of those posts where I...
speak of winning/earning a million Euros... no no this is one where I write about if I won/earned SEVERAL million euros...
If or should I say more positively when I achieve this i would love to buy this place. Not hard to figure out why really... Until then I shall remain positive and focus on other more pressing things like...hmmm REALITY!
speak of winning/earning a million Euros... no no this is one where I write about if I won/earned SEVERAL million euros...
If or should I say more positively when I achieve this i would love to buy this place. Not hard to figure out why really... Until then I shall remain positive and focus on other more pressing things like...hmmm REALITY!
18.5.07
I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joey would get this... as in her head she can hear Fredu, Her and I singing this in the street (way off tune) last weekend while walking home... i think she has some low light video of said singing crime but lets not metion that!
But back to bikes... I have been an apassionado of bikes since about 2000 everywhere I end up living it's my choice mode of transport! I still don't quite get it how I had no fear cycling in central london... that was madness!!! Anyhow I dirgess. Here in Barcelona cycling is fantastic. Most of the city is fairly flat and where there are not bike lanes the footpath is sufficiently large to accomodate both pedestrians and bikes, and in general as long as you are very careful no one seems to mind shairing footpath space (roads on the other hand are not an option as the cars and scooters use you for target practise!)... well I have a lovely old bike which I affectionatey call B jr (after fredu's bike which I named B as it's a B&H which is a Spanish brand) but now I have hundreds and hundreds of bikes!!!!!!!
Barcelona has just introduced this really cool suppliment to their urban transport system... other cities listen up! They have introduced www.bicing.com. The concept sees thousands of bikes set up around the city close to metro stations and other busy areas. The concept is that locals sign up and pay a small annual fee which then entitles them to use any bike they want for 30mins for free. They then drop it off at the nearest parking spot and that's it! If you wish to keep the bike for a longer time frame the cost is like 30cents per additional 1/2h... it's brilliant!!!!!!!
The only problem for me is that I already have a bike and now I have so many more I am spoiled for choice I can't quite figure out when to use what!!! Like a kid in a candy store I tell you!
The other day I was filled with glee after a trip up-town to visit my accountant... We realised it was a perfect opportunity to get on the free bikes! we touched in our access cards which had arrived in the post on Tuesday and away we went!!! Now they are not necesarily the prettiest of bikes but weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it was fun!
Super cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joey would get this... as in her head she can hear Fredu, Her and I singing this in the street (way off tune) last weekend while walking home... i think she has some low light video of said singing crime but lets not metion that!
But back to bikes... I have been an apassionado of bikes since about 2000 everywhere I end up living it's my choice mode of transport! I still don't quite get it how I had no fear cycling in central london... that was madness!!! Anyhow I dirgess. Here in Barcelona cycling is fantastic. Most of the city is fairly flat and where there are not bike lanes the footpath is sufficiently large to accomodate both pedestrians and bikes, and in general as long as you are very careful no one seems to mind shairing footpath space (roads on the other hand are not an option as the cars and scooters use you for target practise!)... well I have a lovely old bike which I affectionatey call B jr (after fredu's bike which I named B as it's a B&H which is a Spanish brand) but now I have hundreds and hundreds of bikes!!!!!!!
Barcelona has just introduced this really cool suppliment to their urban transport system... other cities listen up! They have introduced www.bicing.com. The concept sees thousands of bikes set up around the city close to metro stations and other busy areas. The concept is that locals sign up and pay a small annual fee which then entitles them to use any bike they want for 30mins for free. They then drop it off at the nearest parking spot and that's it! If you wish to keep the bike for a longer time frame the cost is like 30cents per additional 1/2h... it's brilliant!!!!!!!
The only problem for me is that I already have a bike and now I have so many more I am spoiled for choice I can't quite figure out when to use what!!! Like a kid in a candy store I tell you!
The other day I was filled with glee after a trip up-town to visit my accountant... We realised it was a perfect opportunity to get on the free bikes! we touched in our access cards which had arrived in the post on Tuesday and away we went!!! Now they are not necesarily the prettiest of bikes but weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it was fun!
Super cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15.5.07
Pictures a promised...
The guests have come and gone and it was a really fun weekend. We even had the added treat of Richard joining us fresh off the plane from oz... how jet set... oz to london to barcelona in the span of a few days!
We ate, shopped, rode bikes and mostly behaved ourselves... what a difference a few years make!
I'm amazed to announce that the villa was quick and painless this year and that london crew are booked in for July 21st-28th. Should be good! Now it's just to see if CDN crew are going to come and if some of that crew will manage to get married while they are here??? I am mostly re-searching the possibility but it looks slim as you can imagine that the bureaucracy here is most definately SLOW.... veremos!
I'm starting up Luke's distance training program soon which will see me mostly strive blindly into the attempt to rock the bikini season in the next month... Sarong anyone? He he he.
Ah yes the pictures and there are lots!
Joey and Monkey- How cute are they?
Stairs! Did I mention the 106 steps (I counted after Richard claimed there were 96 steps up to our flat) I tell you... no need for stair-master in our lives!
Joey and Fredu - Such a cute pic... Joey is as glamourpuss as ever!
Supper at Salamanca on the beach... still not quite summer yet as jackets were required
Me, Richard and Fredu at our front door... can you see the evidence of the ultima de la ultima in the boy's hands? Bless the beer sellers in the street.
Richard, just loving Passetore Pizza lunch on Friday afternoon!
Did I mention the part where girls at the beach bar asked Alfredo if Richard was Mick Hucknall? He did not tell them that he was not... so some poor american girls are living the false dream of having sat next to a music legend... Richard you rock babes!
60th wedding anniversary pics from Canada
My gramps and my cousin named Steel from Devon... rocking the fly suit!
Gramps and their daughters minus one... my mum is on the right
Gramps and their grandchildren minus 3
Grandma looking beautiful! I did her makeup :)
The guests have come and gone and it was a really fun weekend. We even had the added treat of Richard joining us fresh off the plane from oz... how jet set... oz to london to barcelona in the span of a few days!
We ate, shopped, rode bikes and mostly behaved ourselves... what a difference a few years make!
I'm amazed to announce that the villa was quick and painless this year and that london crew are booked in for July 21st-28th. Should be good! Now it's just to see if CDN crew are going to come and if some of that crew will manage to get married while they are here??? I am mostly re-searching the possibility but it looks slim as you can imagine that the bureaucracy here is most definately SLOW.... veremos!
I'm starting up Luke's distance training program soon which will see me mostly strive blindly into the attempt to rock the bikini season in the next month... Sarong anyone? He he he.
Ah yes the pictures and there are lots!
Joey and Monkey- How cute are they?
Stairs! Did I mention the 106 steps (I counted after Richard claimed there were 96 steps up to our flat) I tell you... no need for stair-master in our lives!
Joey and Fredu - Such a cute pic... Joey is as glamourpuss as ever!
Supper at Salamanca on the beach... still not quite summer yet as jackets were required
Me, Richard and Fredu at our front door... can you see the evidence of the ultima de la ultima in the boy's hands? Bless the beer sellers in the street.
Richard, just loving Passetore Pizza lunch on Friday afternoon!
Did I mention the part where girls at the beach bar asked Alfredo if Richard was Mick Hucknall? He did not tell them that he was not... so some poor american girls are living the false dream of having sat next to a music legend... Richard you rock babes!
60th wedding anniversary pics from Canada
My gramps and my cousin named Steel from Devon... rocking the fly suit!
Gramps and their daughters minus one... my mum is on the right
Gramps and their grandchildren minus 3
Grandma looking beautiful! I did her makeup :)
10.5.07
The people are coming the people are coming!
I remember this mad voiceover in the old old old from way back when TV commercial for African Lion Safari. See I do remeber Candaian things every once and a while! Well yea it had voiceovers for the animals and I think if I am not mistaken it was the girafe that exclaimed that the people were coming! Well as the girafe did all those years ago... I too can say the same thing! The people are coming and they are Joey, Sally, and now Paul and Richard!!!! Fresh off the plane from Oz! I'm so excited!!!
Best get my house sorted quickly. Fredu has been hard at work putting up shelves in our funky little dressing room situated right off the bathroom! Storage soloutions rock!
I'm slowly recovering from a full day meeting yesterday with the peeps from the evil ad agency's other offices around Europe... the long meeting was followed up by a city tour on a Trixi and then tapas in Raval and dinner in the gotico... too bad that a lot of people were then subsequently poisoned by the food at Caracoles... I was lucky as I was so stuffed from the Tapas I did not eat much! My poisoning came more from the karishnakofs we drank at the small bar afterwards... so much for resting before the feiestivities of this weekend...
The villa for this summer may just be all sorted... quick quick quick... Hope that we get it and it was really that simple... last year's searching was madness! I don't think cdn peeps are coming this year but the london crew will be in full force so that's okay!
off to clean house and organise life!
Ciao todos!
I remember this mad voiceover in the old old old from way back when TV commercial for African Lion Safari. See I do remeber Candaian things every once and a while! Well yea it had voiceovers for the animals and I think if I am not mistaken it was the girafe that exclaimed that the people were coming! Well as the girafe did all those years ago... I too can say the same thing! The people are coming and they are Joey, Sally, and now Paul and Richard!!!! Fresh off the plane from Oz! I'm so excited!!!
Best get my house sorted quickly. Fredu has been hard at work putting up shelves in our funky little dressing room situated right off the bathroom! Storage soloutions rock!
I'm slowly recovering from a full day meeting yesterday with the peeps from the evil ad agency's other offices around Europe... the long meeting was followed up by a city tour on a Trixi and then tapas in Raval and dinner in the gotico... too bad that a lot of people were then subsequently poisoned by the food at Caracoles... I was lucky as I was so stuffed from the Tapas I did not eat much! My poisoning came more from the karishnakofs we drank at the small bar afterwards... so much for resting before the feiestivities of this weekend...
The villa for this summer may just be all sorted... quick quick quick... Hope that we get it and it was really that simple... last year's searching was madness! I don't think cdn peeps are coming this year but the london crew will be in full force so that's okay!
off to clean house and organise life!
Ciao todos!
7.5.07
I'm back
I'm jet lagged but I'm back.
I'm happy to report although this entry will be less amusing because of it... neither of my feet nor other appendages managed to cause me humiliation during my 30h of travel that I've undertaken in the last week. My right leg did it's very best to go completely numb just as the left one did in my fated Amsterdam flight but I was smarter this time and revived it before attempting to use it for mobility purposes... I must be getting old... circulation is clearly a challenge for my limbs on flights.
I had a brilliant time at home and really enjoyed the quality time spent with my mum and my sis and the rest of the family. Although we had lots of jetting around to do to acomplish all the shopping that was needed for the party and for other purposes, it was really really nice!
The weather in bcn has decided to play nice again and we're back in the business of being spring and we're looking at 22 degrees right now which is just fine by me. Smelling the sea air again is nice... spending a bit of time away from here helps you notice the things that you can stop noticing after a while. Someone once told me that after a while living in Vancouver you stop noticing the Rockies... maybe because they are always covered by rain clouds? he he he...
The week is filling up at a rapid pace and the girlies arrive friday for a whirlwind of fun.
Pictures will follow...
I'm jet lagged but I'm back.
I'm happy to report although this entry will be less amusing because of it... neither of my feet nor other appendages managed to cause me humiliation during my 30h of travel that I've undertaken in the last week. My right leg did it's very best to go completely numb just as the left one did in my fated Amsterdam flight but I was smarter this time and revived it before attempting to use it for mobility purposes... I must be getting old... circulation is clearly a challenge for my limbs on flights.
I had a brilliant time at home and really enjoyed the quality time spent with my mum and my sis and the rest of the family. Although we had lots of jetting around to do to acomplish all the shopping that was needed for the party and for other purposes, it was really really nice!
The weather in bcn has decided to play nice again and we're back in the business of being spring and we're looking at 22 degrees right now which is just fine by me. Smelling the sea air again is nice... spending a bit of time away from here helps you notice the things that you can stop noticing after a while. Someone once told me that after a while living in Vancouver you stop noticing the Rockies... maybe because they are always covered by rain clouds? he he he...
The week is filling up at a rapid pace and the girlies arrive friday for a whirlwind of fun.
Pictures will follow...
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