FANTASTIC FRIDAY

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Back in Europe!!!!

Wednesday was Cadiz. Our first day without a formal tour. We got going in a leisurely fashion, sleeping in a bit and letting the others head up to breakfast before their tours.

We walked off the ship and almost directly into town. It would have been directly but we had to walk out of the port first.

We walked and walked. Over the next couple of hours we explored the medieval and Roman parts of the city, enjoying getting 'lost' in the maze of narrow streets. There are published walking tours, with the route marked on the cobblestones by a solid line corresponding to whichever walk you are taking.

That makes the navigation much easier – at least until you get to a small square where the green line we are following exits each of the three alleys leading into the square!

And the beach! It was stunning and took our breath away.

We returned to the ship for lunch and then headed out to take a local bus to the end of the line. Beyond that was a beach for Ken. We split up at that point and I started to walk back to the ship along the beachfront promenade.


The views were stunning but after a while I turned into the streets and wondered around there. I wanted to go to El Corte Inglés, a Spanish department store, so followed the signs directing traffic to their parking lot. Along the way, I went into a large supermarket, came out, lost sight of the directions signs, so wandered aimlessly through a series of residential apartment buildings, stopping to have a rest on a bench by a children's playground so I could watch the little ones playing.

While sitting there, a siren blasted and I checked my watch. It was 2 p.m. time for siesta. The store hours are 10 - 1:30 or 2:00 and the 5 or 5:30 until 9. Big stores stay open, but the small stores and many cafes close up at this time. Even many of the souvenir shops close, making it hard to buy anything if you are on tour in the morning and all-aboard time is 5 p.m.

Deciding that I really had no clue where I was, I walked towards water. Cadiz is effectively an island, connected to the mainland by a bridge and an isthmus. So walking towards the water is an effective way of oriented oneself. It helps that one side of the island is beach so if there is no beach or isthmus, I'm obviously on the other side of the island!

Thus oriented once more, I headed back towards the port and within a block stumbled across El Corte Inglés. I went in and was amazed at the size of the place. It is a department store, I think on a quality of goods par with Macy's but with a much wider selection. Within the store was a Walmart style HyperDino store, with checkouts that lead you back into the department store. That sells food and cheaper clothing and housewares and goodness knows what else because I was too tired to stroll around it too.

The El Corte Inglés had 6 storeys and I really just explored two of them. The basement had all sorts of furniture, appliances and bathroom fixtures. European bathroom options are so much more imaginative than North American ones! On the main floor was a large perfume/makeup/jewelry department, a large pharmacy and lots and lots of accessories. Plus a great purse department. I was getting rather tired now and still had a long walk back to the ship so decided to use the restroom and head out once more.

I had walked about a block when I came upon a bus shelter that had a map of the bus system on it. That showed me that I had a long walk still and a bus pulled up headed to Plaza D'Espana so I hopped on. That one Euro was well spent even though I only went about 1.5km. Most of that was very boring with high walls on either side of the road: the port on one side and the train yards on the other, so I missed nothing by whizzing by it all on the bus.

I rested again at Plaza D'Espana, then walked back through a part of the walking tour that we missed in the morning and then back to the ship. The crew member manning the gangway smiled as I walked up and said the Mr. Holman had told him to tell me he was in the steam room.

I walked 7.3 km in the afternoon, for a total of 10 km for the day. And was very, very, sore so immediately did a round of physio when I got back to the cabin. Ken came back and we went up for tea. I ended up having 4 items off the 'tower' (three level plate of tea sandwiches and pastries) as well as my scone!

I love Cadiz and we will be back, not for a short visit but for at least a few weeks, renting an apartment either overlooking the beach or on one of the picturesque medieval streets we passed. We'll laze on the beach, explore the nooks and crannies of this charming town and take the train, ferry or bus for day trips to explore other areas along the south of Spain.

[Harriet]

About media affecting one's thoughts - Bravo, OKay for staying on top of Input! I know that after I read a book written in a certain vernacular I may suddenly surprise myself by speaking in something close to that for hours afterward. This has been documented, for instance, when a child reads Harry Potter and speaks like Hagrid afterward. But even a Jane Austen book could do it, and when I read Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt over the course of a couple days, I was speaking like his main character the whole time, because her "voice" was close to many of my elders. For writers, this is considered an extension of "The suspension of disbelief", and, of course, if you can't convince your reader to suspend disbelief at least a little, your book won't be enjoyed much. But since we have this evidence that media can affect thinking and responses, it does make me aware that I don't want to put media into my brain willy-nilly. It is important that I choose Input thoughtfully!

CUOP
Nancy, your house looks lovely! Proud of your dh for a clean desk - I've heard of those...
Kathryn, I smiled at your first "remember" nod. Casablanca sounds so romantic, but despite name and movie, of course the place wasn't - even in the movie. When I read Cadiz I thought - now, finally there WILL be water. I remember reading about Cadiz' spectacular beach. I think it's wonderful you are able to make memories walking since walking is so natural to you. I'd imagine some of your ship companions have to avoid distant walks.

[Emptynester]

Good Morning All.

I'm sitting here watching several pair of Gambel's Quail run around outside my window. There is also a huge bush of Claret Cup hedgehog cacti blooming across the street that has caught my eye.

I think DH is getting better. He is only taking 2 prescription meds per day vs. 4 and it using OTC meds the rest of the time. I am urging him to take one in the morning and one before bed to help him cut down.

Yesterday we were able to round up the household garbage and take it to the transfer station plus pick up the mail. He drove for the first time in 2 weeks.

Our friends are coming back today to finish the paperwork on the lot they are trying to buy plus go to an auction with us tomorrow.

I best get on the road to the grocery store so we have something in the house to eat. I think I'm going to make Cake in a Cup for desert tonight.

[Kally]

It is a Fantastic Friday! Spring is coming to my part of the world. The lawn has a greenish tint & the dandelions are beginning to show. Wish I had the strength to pull some of them. Maybe it's the ambition I'm lacking.

OKay, I like what you said: "Retirement has brought me freedom to choose how I spend my time, and I want to honor those choices by actually doing them!" Me too, 10 years later........

Kathryn, Cadiz sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Emptynester, glad to hear your dh is feeling better.

Yikes, Booksaver! I would be in a state of panic at the thought of an inside inspection/assessment. We are supposed to report inside improvements periodically, but no one comes to check it out, thank goodness. That would be met with quite a bit of opposition here.

Need to call DMother & see how she is doing. I'll be back later!

[Harmony]

Kathryn, I love reading about your travels. I will never see those places.

MT I'm glad your DH is recovering.

I am hot and now my back is still. I went outside and finished weeding and pruning the foundation plants across the front (side still needs done) and the front lawn where clover is taking over and choking out the grass. I raked it up into a big pile not gathered up yet. I just couldn't bend any more.

Stopping to cool off and drink water. BBL

[Elizabeth]

Good morning! Last night, I got to my church meeting, lent out a cat trap to a friend, did some clean up in the sewing room, and exercised for 5 minutes. I also stayed up too late. Next week is spring break for DD10 and the week from Hades for me. I have her the whole week and I will be doing all the transport and lunches and snacks and dinners! YIKES YIKES YIKES!!! XDH was always better at this sort of thing than me. She has a 730 (YIKES!) orthodontist appointment on Monday! I have to get her to child care every day, fortunately near where I work. I will have to be early every day. I have to deal with breakfast. (For me breakfast is a cup of cereal in the car). Wednesday, I have a animal organization board meeting and DD may have to stay with XDH that night. I have to arrange for that. How on earth am I to get this dealt with? How will I keep her entertained? She has hardly any toys at my house. I am not looking forward to this. I know I am not supposed to dread time with DD, but right now, I do. Frantic, frantic, frantic.

[Sadie]

Good Morning Dear Ladies,

Yes! I made it here while it is still morning.

Okay, I'm with you about time choices, I stopped watching Hoarders because it take up my time covering the same thing each time, same problems and they actually seem to pick some very gross situations to air lately. Had enough of it for now.

Things taking longer because of age: I really noticed this at work, where I'm usually one of the fastest ladies hanging up things. We're all 50+ except now we have one 20 year old. The 20 year old started hanging up shirts and WOW her hands were just flying it seemed to me and I couldn't keep up. I didn't realize how slow I had gotten. I know it takes me longer to do things here at home too.

I've been getting lots of interruptions from Dboys while I work but I'm telling myself to enjoy these times while they are still with us here, there will be times they won't be and I'll have plenty time to dust and sweep.

And Danielle Steel's books usually have some sad plot to it. Don't think I can read book after book of hers like I usually do with authors. Will have to split it up with some happy ones.

Well back to the house. Work day here for me too.

Have a fantastic day all!

[OKay]

Today has been such a FANTASTIC day!

** The sunshine is so inviting. We enjoyed our time outdoors and have plans to visit local park and play more after nap time.
** Asparagus season has started! I devoured them right on the spot. Sooo tender and yummy!
** Radishes, fresh greens, turnips and carrots were also picked and then served at lunch today.
** fed-ex just delivered LO bedroom order. Wall decoration....bedding....curtains....to transform the room into total little boy (truck, tractor, planes theme)

[Elizabeth]

Friday is not so fantastic anymore. I just got a call from DD10 at the urgent care (she was with her dad). She may have broken her wrist. It was a result of some real excitement at her school. They blew the lockdown whistle because a man was being chased through the halls by police. In the rush to get to where she was supposed to be she fell. Of course, this is her writing arm. AND her child care arrangements for next week's spring break are great because they include SWIMMING! She is also supposed to have a sleepover tonight. Unless the doctors say otherwise, I am keeping the sleepover and laying in a supply of movies for them.

[Harriet]

((Elizabeth's dd)) Sure hope it is a more minor injury and that she feels better soon. If indeed she does have to use the other hand for writing, perhaps she will gain some dexterity and not feel too awkward.

I enjoyed seeing the links, Emptynester. We have no quail left now that coyotes have taken over as the dominant predator. So glad the meds are not as important any more.

Made a DPC and got a return call on that with promise of an email soon, so even though I'm not yet satisfied I know I'm trying and haven't left the matter in procrastination land.

Right now hanging on to a good eating day. I hope I can see it through until night. Last evening, some Italian take-out HRH had brought in got the better of me.