Rising Temperatures.

   Very hot today, up in the 30's, but the house has stayed quite cool - only 21C downstairs although the bedrooms are hotter. The air conditioning didn't come on (I have it set to 24C) and if I open the windows overnight I might be able to get it down to the 'teens.

    I was "on the desk" at tennis today and was quite happy to stay in the shade while setting up the matches. I did play a couple of sets once my shift was over but that was enough. I drank a whole flask of water on the drive home. Must keep hydrated.

   I worked in the garden (mostly in the shade) this afternoon and needed a shower when I was done. I would have loved a swim but the pool guys won't be here until Monday to open the pool. Even then it will be a couple of days until the pool is filled and the chemicals are balanced - so end of next week probably.

   I took a chicken breast out of the freezer today but it wasn't defrosted by dinner time so, back in the fridge for tomorrow. Instead I had quite a delicious salad, just a mix of things I had in the fridge and cupboard plus a sardine. I toasted some walnuts and added a dried apricot, a sun dried tomato and a handful of dried cranberries. It was quite filling. Some nice cold ice cream for dessert!

My Trip

   Back from two weeks on a river cruise. We started in Budapest and sailed up the Danube, then the Main River Canal to the Rhine, ending in Amsterdam. We stopped in Bratislava, Vienna and several small, quaint German towns and Cologne. Weather was mixed but no rain and the food on the boat was seriously good. Find me on Facebook if you want to see some photos.

Everything Outdoors

   Spring is truly here and I have been outdoors almost all day. It's up in the low 20'sC and blue skies from wall to wall.

   I started the day with an hour on the tennis courts - Paul and me against Susan and Iona. We started out slowly and were 4-1 down at one point. But we came back and won the set 6-4. I guess we are slow starters!

   Home for coffee and a shower (it was sweaty weather) then I started on the grass. I cut the front before lunch, had lunch and a nap, then cut the back. It probably won't get a cut again until I am back home in two weeks. I did a bit of tidying up in the back yard and picked some rhubarb. I decided it would be pretty dried out by the time I got back so picked enough for a rhubarb crumble. It is now cooling off and I will see if Judy wants it when she comes to take me to the airport tomorrow. If not I will put it in the freezer.

   The house is tidy, my clothes are clean and I just need to pack them first thing tomorrow. I have a busy day (optometrist at 9:30, Hava java at 10:30 and Bridge at noon) but will be ready to head for the airport by 4:00 p.m.

   I am cooking a piece of pork tenderloin for dinner tonight. First I will cut it in slices, then flatten it before frying it for a few minutes - it doesn't need long. Last step will be to slather it in a tasty sauce - probably salsa as it needs to be used up, but last time I used my rhubarb chutney and it was very tasty.

   Almost everything in the fridge is used up except for my breakfast yogurt and something for lunch. I will save a banana to eat at the airport with a granola bar. You never know how long it will be to your next meal!

A Better Day than Yesterday

   A much better day today although the morning was rather damp. My outdoor thermometer says it's 20C but it isn't even close to that indoors. I will need to go out and warm up soon!
  
   It was my day in charge at the tennis social and it took a couple of hours until the courts were dry enough to play. Only about 16 people showed up and we had to stop a couple of times when there was a little rain. I got two good sets in between the showers and was quite happy to sit and watch after that.

   I typed up the Minutes from yesterday's meeting and sent them off to the executive. That's one more job off my plate. I also cancelled the newspaper for the two weeks I am away and sorted out which clothes I am taking - some will need a wash before I pack them to freshen them up. Some I haven't worn since last summer.

   No errands today and just fish to bake for dinner. I am going to try to change my daily schedule to adjust slightly to the time change I will be experiencing next Tuesday - going to bed earlier and getting u earlier each day. Today I woke at 6:30 and will try to go to bed at 9:00 p.m. but I doubt I will be able to sleep.

Stay tuned!