Finally Spring!

   A beautiful day today - I managed an hour in the garden, tidying up and then just sitting basking in the sun. It felt so warm on my face, I could almost believe I was back in Portugal! Some Spring flowering bulbs are beginning to push up but it will be some time until they are in flower.



Inside "The Angry Friar"



    One of my favourite tours while based in Albufeira was to Gibralter where I dined in true Brit fashion at the "Angry Friar". I had a sumptuous feast of Steak and Ale Pie with loads of "chips". I also shopped at Marks and Spencers for some traditional English goodies - battered fish and Rhubarb Crumble. Luckily we were heading back to Albufeira that day so I had it for dinner.

   We also visited St. Michael's Caves which has a magnificent display of stalactites and stalagmites. This is where the Barbary Apes hang out but they were in small numbers as the day was wet and windy. The grotto was quite spectacular with colourful displays. Gibralter itself is a quaint little town with windy pedestrian streets which we explored in the afternoon. 
 

This is a cross-section of a very large stalagmite showing the layers that formed over billions of years.





A White Covering

   It hasn't been so cold the last couple of days but we have had snow - and lots of it! I have finally got the driveway cleared - my snowblower was only going in fits and starts, I think I didn't have the battery charged enough. I have left it charging overnight and will give it a go in the morning to see if that's the problem.

   I have started collecting all the paraphernalia I will need for my trip and will start packing tomorrow. The temperature in Portugal is mid-teens so a lot warmer than here. By the time I come home at the end of March it should be positively balmy!

   My fish pie yesterday was yummy and, as predicted, lots of leftovers, so no need to cook tonight.  I managed to squeeze in lots of vegetables and the cheesy (and garlicy) potato topping was delicious! I love one-dish meals, so easy to prepare and clean up. I still have some yogurt to eat up so that will be dessert along with some fruit. All the rest of the perishables will go with Judy on Tuesday when she comes to take me to the airport. I am getting quite excited!

Playing Bridge

   I have been very remiss in writing my daily blog but have been caught up in an online bridge game. I do much better there than in real life games so it is quite a boost for my confidence. I will take my cards with me next week and, hopefully, meet up with some other bridge players on my trip.

   Out to Judy's today to say goodbye to the grandkids. I don't think it's a big deal to them that I will be away for a month but I will miss Elliot's birthday. I took over his gift and a card. so he will know I was thinking of him. Judy gave us a nice brunch but I didn't stay long as it was snowing and the driving was quite tricky.

   I have made a fish pie tonight which should last me until I leave on Tuesday. It has lots of vegetables in it (all the ones that won't survive a month in the fridge) and has a cheesy potato crust - looks very appetizing! I will have it with some pickled beetroot.

Milder and Sunny

   Not as cold today but the frigid temperatures are only in temporary abeyance. It has been an indoor day for me except for half-an-hour shovelling the snow off the driveway. It was quite a light accumulation so didn't take long to clear - no need for the snowblower! The cats leave tomorrow so I had to make sure Steve and Alison could get to their car in the garage.

Cabbage and lamb dumplings in honour of Chinese New Year.

   I made some Chinese dumplings today with some ground lamb that was lingering in the freezer. They were quite tasty but needed a better ratio of vegetables to meat. I will know better next time.

   The cats continue to amuse. Duffy really likes high places.

Duffy on top of the refrigerator.