Miserable Weather

    After some truly lovely Spring weather earlier this month, it has turned nasty to end April. Lots of rain, some hail, and cold winds plus this morning there was frost on the rooftops and only zero when I got up. We haven't seen the sun all week and I have had the fire on in the evenings. Back to winter coats and gloves!

   Out for lunch (Greek chicken wrap and fries) with the Probus ladies today after a stint in the coffee shop at the Senior's Centre. This is my second lunch out this week as I was at the RWTO lunch on Tuesday. This one was much cheaper - only $12, and I have enough leftovers for supper! Tuesday's was salad, roast beef (very nice but no horseradish) and a chocolate covered cheese cake to die for! I didn't need any supper that night.

   On Tuesday we had Terry Fallis as our speaker. He's the author of many humorous books, the last one being "No Relation" which we read at my book club earlier this year. He was very amusing and kept us in stitches for an hour.

   Got my tax return completed yesterday despite several gaffs and redoings. Although I was required to pay two instalments of tax during the year I still owe them some more money which will clean me out for this month. Luckily my pension arrives before the cheque will be cashed! Converting my RRSP to a RRIF (which I was required to do because of my age)  is what put up my income but, hopefully, I will have it all straightened out before next year's return has to be completed.

   Babysat the grandkids on Saturday (what fun) and also got to see the last episode of "Downton Abbey" which I missed while I was in Portugal. It wasn't the cliffhanger I was expecting but quite a satisfying season ender. Looking forward to the next (and last) season next January. Right now I am into the second season of "Outlander", the series based on Dianne Gabaldon's books, which I love. Rather violent but very intense!

A Weekend at Home

   I have the fire on tonight as it is decidedly chilly. The temperature didn't get up past 12C today. Stefano is on TV frying wedges of breaded avocados in oil - looks scrumptious but a bit finicky. I love avocados but usually eat them in salads or mashed for a dip.

   A busy weekend, especially as I can now get SN1 (the tennis channel) on TV. I have been watching the tournament in Monte Carlo between shopping and chores. I was out at Markham last night to babysit the grandkids and got to see the last episode of Downton Abbey, which I missed while on vacation.

   This afternoon was the last demo practice until September. We learned or reviewed a couple of new dances. There is one more demo in June but no details yet. Too cool to work in the garden - a strong wind and not much sun. There is supposed to be rain tonight. Now Stefano is making an avocado salad with bacon! That might be one to try.

Wall-to-wall Sunshine

     We have just experienced the first truly spring-like weekend (out without a jacket yesterday) and finally things are beginning to grow. Today started off at 10C and was up to 19C by lunch time. Now it is raining and giving the garden a good soak so there should be even more new growth by tomorrow.

   I started raking the lawns yesterday but gave up after half-an-hour to bask in the sun with a cold drink. Today I was busy out and about (invited to play bridge this afternoon) but if the weather holds, I will get the rake out again tomorrow. Then it's on to fertilizing and overseeding the lawns.

    One last picture of my Portugal trip:

Spotted outside a bar in Albufeira. Not a sentiment I particularly endorse but I have to admit to indulging while on holiday!

Seville Spain

A bit warmer today, 10C but very windy. The garden is very soggy after an overnight thunderstorm, so no chance on getting a headstart on gardening. The only bit of colour in my garden is some pansies (from the Garden Centre) at my front door and a few small blue hyacinths in the sunnier part of the back garden.

   One more set of photos to share - they are of Seville, a city in the south of Spain we visited briefly. It has quite a Moorish influence and I really liked what I saw of it and would like to go back for a more thorough exploration. Despite an early start, it was mid-morning before we arrived in Seville and started with a bus tour of the city. Many of the buildings we passed had been built for the 1929 World Fair and belonged to different countries - quite fascinating!

Plaza de Espana

    Our first stop was at Plaza de Espana which was originally part of the royal palace but is now a public park. Then we started a walking tour with a local guide and learned some history of the city. We ended at the Cathedral which is truly magnificent with many valuable treasures. It also contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus, although he was in fact Italian, not Spanish. I climbed the tower for a great view of the city before returning to the bus. On the way back I stopped at a tapas bar to sample some of the local delicacies.


View from the tower of the Cathedral.

    One day really wasn't enough to see this beautiful city but we had to keep moving. Another long bus ride to Algecira and then dinner in the hotel. Best part was Crème Caramel for dessert.






Christopher Columbus' tomb in the cathedral.

Where we had lunch.

 

One of the Spanish provinces portrayed in the plaza.