Christmas In Barcelona

Well it is that time of year again, and yet again I would be spending it in Barcelona. Well you cannot pass up such an invitation can you. England was cold and covered in snow, and Barcelona would be considerably warmer and devoid of snow.

Again a few firsts would be accomplished, I would be driving to airport and leaving car for a week, and secondly flying with EasyJet from Liverpool. Neither would deprive me from sleep, but there has to a first time for everything. No problems getting there, or parking my car on a snow covered car park, so a stress free flight and my arrival in Barcelona was complete.

But not everything went to plan.

Whilst out walking with Shel and the dogs, little Raymond (a dog) had a mild stroke and had to be taken to the vets for tests and observation. That gave us quite a scare, but he was pretty much back to his usual grumpy self later that evening.

Christmas Day was filled with food and drink, more food and a little more drink. No bird, but Beef stuffed with sausage meat and pine nuts, very nice. Of course we had all the trimmings, along with some miniature Chorizo, oh yessss.

Boxing Day we had been invited to Gabi's mums for a family feast, and so along we went using my very limited Spanish to attempt to communicate. As Ray was still not so well, we left early and continued with the drink.

With me I had brought some Indian spices, so curry could be made, and was so. Very good it was indeed, with plenty of spices and sauce left over so Shel could make another.

A few more walks with the dogs filled the days, with explorations around the village. It's great to be in the Spanish countryside and do without all the hustle and bustle of the city. Plenty pics were taken as is the norm with me, and all that was left was for me to zip back to England and pick up my car and drive home. Hurrah.

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The Big Drive - Cornwall October 2010

Now that I am driving it was only a matter of time before making the Big Drive. That being driving to Cornwall. I had kinda planned to do it earlier, but circumstances prevented that, so Halloween was to be the time to attempt it.

One thing that became apparent, was packing. As had no need to limit what I was to take or how neat I need to pack my bags, it was just a matter of chucking stuff in the car, set the Sat Nav, and off went.

That was until I got to Warrington, and had to endure 1 and a half hours of crawling along at 5mph. But all was not lost, having packed some tuna butties, and a grand selection of music, it was just a matter of time, before I was off and running.

Eventually, the road cleared and everyone got on with their respective journeys. Despite the hold up I made good time and got to Cornwall in just over 7 and a half hours.

Once there I slotted into the general Plirtsy routine and had a great time. The weather wasn't always that great, but I drove Pla and Willow to Falmouth to visit John and Lucie on one of the dryer days. Obviously I had to be guided, but no great disaster, and we got back in one piece without any shattered nerves.

Made a difference, deciding who's car to take, now that I have one, but navigating those tiny roads will get some getting used to.

The girls all got dressed up for Halloween and went out Trick or Treating, and my curry was consumed to much hmmming and belly slapping.

Eventually I had to drive back, and did so stocked up on pasties, but much quicker than my drive down. Six hours was pretty good going for my little car, and will probably do it again nearer summer, long weekend maybe.....

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Wild Boar Park, Chipping. September 3rd 2010

I had kinda arranged to drive over to see Sandra at some point on my holidays, but unfortunately she had been working on the days I was free to visit, but on the last Friday of my holidays we were both free and arranged to meet up at the Wild Boar Park in Chipping.

This was a challenge for my driving, lots of country roads to navigate, twists, turns, hills, dips. You name it, it was there, and boy did I have to concentrate. Even with my trusty sat nav it was a complicated drive. Yes I got there, and yes it was worth it.

Set in a small valley is basically a sanctuary for an assortment of animals, from Meercats to Red Deer, the task at hand is to wander about the place and find everything. Most of it is located around the visitors centre, but you can still wander off and explore the woods and discover.

Great place to take your kids, and Sandra had brought Robin, her friend Sally and her daughter Rosa. Again the sun was out, as was my camera, and strangely enough we didn't get to see the wild boars until it was time to leave. Ah well.

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Wild Boar Park Website - Link

Bolton Abbey, September 1st 2010

As this was such a bright sunny day, driving somewhere was obvious, but as to where to go that was the question, do I drive to the sea? and if so whereabouts? It wasn't until I awoke that a thought popped into my head, Bolton Abbey. This was somewhere I visited on a school trip probably over 30 years ago, but for some reason I had never been back, it's not that it's a long drive, probably took me an hour. Anyway, I packed up a bottle of water with my camera, loaded the postcode into the trusty sat nav, and off I went.

The drive there was pleasant enough, easy to find and not too busy on the roads, and the sun was shining brightly in the sky, what else could I ask for. Another great day out, another photo opportunity.

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End Of my Summer Holiday, August 31st 2010

Having finally recovered from my birthday, and the weather being sunny, the car and I ventured forth for more sights to see and pictures to be taken, the first being local to test out a new filter for my camera. A polarizer is supposed to bring out colour and reduce reflection, so what the heck, off I went to see what could be achieved with it.

Witton Park, Blackburn

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42nd Birthday

This year as it would be my 42nd birthday it was decided that I would have some kind of do, that do being a fancy dress do, and a do to be held at St Albans club in Blackburn. Some people did ask, why 42, and the obvious reply was, well it's the meaning of life isn't it. To which I would be issued with a puzzled look and a brief shaking of the head. Many of my friends embraced the idea and came in some kind of Pythonesque attire, even Michelle flew over from Spain for the weekend, just to join in with the crazyness.

As the venue had to close around midnight, and not wanting to transform into pumpkins, we ventured into the night and sought refuge in a local drinking establishment, The Napier. A few heads were turned, but some patrons saw the joke and kindly got into the spirit of it all. In all a splendid night was had by all, a few old faces made their current faces visible. Images of such have been digitally captured for posterity and made available by the wiggle and click of a plastic mouse.

Thanks to all those who made it a night to remember.

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park August 25th 2010

Well considering I have 2 weeks off for my summer holidays, and a car in which I can drive to places, I decided to go visit something. Gillian had mentioned she had visited this place recently and suggested I should go and take my camera with me. So off I went, guided by my sat nav, having great day, with plenty of walking and wonderous sculpture to behold.

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park Website - Here

Kasia is going home

As with most things, they have to come to an end, and so Kasia has decided to go back to Poland. A job opportunity has arisen and it would be foolish to pass up such a great offer, sure beats what she had been doing for the last few weeks. It's just a pity that the weather had not been that good, and chances of outings being few and infrequent, but despite that we did get out a few times, and obviously a few pics taken to document the occasions.

Corporation Park June 20th

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Corporation Park July 4th

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Entwistle Reservoir July 30th

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And so on Saturday 31st July I drove Kasia to Liverpool Airport for her flight home. It was wonderful having her here, and to stay at my house for the duration. Both me and my cat Q kinda got used to her being around, but alas she has gone home, hope all goes well in her new job and she gets a nice flat, well it will give me somewhere to stay when I go and visit.

My first car

As alluded to in previous posts, something that I had started back in October came to fruition on June the 4th, that being, starting driving lessons and passing my test first time. In the last couple of week I had been looking for a car to purchase, and on Saturday 12th June myself and Graham went a hunting for cars, and luckily we found such a thing, and made a downpayment. The following Wednesday, we returned to pick up said car and made probably the scariest drive in my life.

and here it is

Kasia visits from Poland

June the 11th saw Kasia fly to England for an extended visit, for how long she would stay, who knows, but for the next couple weeks, she would be squeezing into the small room at the back of my house. Starting work back at Mellor Electrics allowed her to earn money, but flat hunting would be one of the first things she would attend to. In the interim we would get out whenever possible as long as the weather permits.