Le Jardin

Fresh Young Leaves from the Garden

Chris, Skipping Rocks

Old New Newer

Lazy Sydney Sunday

Pool by the Sea, Bondi

The Opera House

Catalan Dinner

Uluru from Up High

Catalan Water (Wine) Stop

Always good to have water/refreshment tables during a 35km hike, but wine? It was great - that delicious 'homemade' variety which goes from foot-stomping to barrels to this little flask - from which you drink directly. Don't spill!

Panaramas de Catalunya

Unió Excursionista de Vic

A monkey and I

In the Woods

Agnes signed four of us up to a 35km walk-hike-(run) from a mountain peak down to the town of Vic, in the heart of Catalunya. We were very enthusiastic early, immersed in the autumn colours of the forest, spectacular views and fresh feet. The sun set the landscape alight, and for a short while, our pace was brisker than the day...
Here Anna and Agnes are enjoying the views.

Autumn Leaves

Winter swimming

A little spacer

Spain was beautiful yesterday as I arrived. One of those cool, fresh days, but with such a blue sky and warm sunshine. A really small, thick, Spanish hot chocolate and something from the patisserie. Outside in a piazza of a very Catalan town called Terrassa.

Meanwhile, there is no better way to draw a line in the sand than jumping on a plane to another country. I have two weeks off work before I 'officially' (and finally) begin as a graduate at a law firm. Given that I was working there as a paralegal since returning from Europe 2 months ago, it's quite fortuitous that I have this little break - so that I'm not just turning up the next day with a new title. A new start.

And I'm in Spain! Quite a long way yes, and I was almost guilty of committing 'death by surprise'. But it's so good to be back, and to see Anna and other wonderful friends - Estel, who picked me up from the airport, fed me and helped with the surprise; Chris who is just as silly as me and is visiting last minute from London, and hopefully Marine et Laurent who will be just over the border in France this weekend with their 1 month old boy. These Europeans - not Europe - are the reason I am here.

The Catalan Way

Estel looking after me after an impromptu 26 hour flight