Pamper Day

 I’m coming down with a little bump today. Yesterday I was busy coming home, and when I got home, I was busy washing clothes, washing throws and shopping at the supermarket, where not only did I buy provisions and dog food for the week but filled the hamper ready for Flower Show in two weeks time. I have photographed it to publicise the show and to galvanise the TCA volunteers into helping then will put it safely in the hall

It’s the first day of the school holidays and The Storyhouse is nose to nipple with effing kids activities , films and plays. theatre Clwyd only has a comedy on Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet in 40 minutes which sounds dreadful, so I’ve not been tempted to go out.

Now this is good. 

I’ve lived off being busy for a month now, so a day for me alone at home, is the order of the day.

So saying that, the dogs and I went to Dyserth for a walk. 

It was pissing down and I loved it.

There is nothing better than getting that refreshing wet first thing in the morning.

My third best Walking Dead T shirt was steaming nicely when we got home and by 8 am I was planning my “Pamper Day” with the Mokka pot bubbling away on the stove.

Tidy cottage so that I have set the scene

Hot shower and shave after Roger and Mary showers

Moisturise and facepack ( an unused gift from Chic Eleanor from five years ago when my ex left) “ John you must attend to those little indulgences to keep your head above water!” 

Fresh clothes

Catch up And Just Like That and The Great British Sewing Bee

Cry at The Repair Shop

Phone Call Catch up with Nige

Scrambled eggs on hot buttered toast

Bird box Barcelona and Brazilian Zombie Reality Z on Netflix

Hummus and low-fat nachos

Light fire if rain continues

Read another beautifully written few chapters of A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe a drama set around the Aberfan disaster.

Beans on toast for supper

Bliss

Keep Going

Such fun, Colin 
 

The National Portrait Gallery

 I’ve missed The National Portrait Gallery. For the last few years it’s been closed for renovations so my go too place for a quick mooch, coffee and think disappeared for what seemed like an age. 

The gallery is open now.

Slicker.

Brighter and more airy.

I liked it 

Marlene Dumas’ Amy Blue was a standout version of Amy Winehouse as was Colin Davidson’s Ed Sheeran. 

I also slightly fell in love with Lady Colin Campbell by Giovanni Boldini who was the La Traviata of her day and in my minds eye the perfect Violetta.

We had a nice meal at Côte in St Martins Lane then ambled to the Duke of York’s to see the revival of The Pillowman with Lily Allen.

The Pillowman proved to be a dire, badly acted , gloomy affair which has a lot to say about Child abuse and man’s inhumanity to man .

Too much so.

Nu and I walked out, which was a shame 

The train system is messy this morning.

I hope to be home lunchtime

Im going to take the dogs to be the beach

Shopping

It was joyful being back at the Royal Opera House, and La Traviata with its lavish first and second act sets, full of colour was a treat, especially as the Russian Kristina Mkhitaryan totally stole the show as Violetta. The audience went wild for her.

And quite rightly so.

She was stunning

Today is sunny and warm. Nu has things to do, and I want to shop, so after breakfast I walked up to Ealing Broadway and got the impressive Elizabeth Line straight into Bond Street and John Lewis.

I found a small cafe off Harewood Place to write the blog before indulging in a shop.

Im not a big shopper so IT IS an indulgence.

I’ve arranged to meet Nu at three for the National Portrait Gallery then an early supper in Covent Garden and theatre again to see The Pilllowman at the Duke of York’s 

I’m looking over at the green of Hannover Square

And there are parakeets in the trees

La Traviata

 La Traviata is like a fine Spanish Cathedral 

If you haven’t seen it before, it kind of takes your breath away.

I’m approaching London

And although there’s no strikes today , the drivers are working to rule.

I left early.

And now am having a cool drink in Camden,under the shade of Maple trees and next to an inner city waterfall fountain 

Meeting Nu shortly at Kimchee

Hey ho

I’m not one for souvenirs, but this delicate folding paper sculpture of the Sagrada Familia sort of grabbed my eye in Barcelona. 

I’m looking at it now, as I sip a McCafe in the cool and quiet of the kitchen.

It’s 15 degrees and pleasant 

And there’s no radio or bustle.

Which is what I want after Spain and a mad work day yesterday.

Today will be serene in comparison .

Tourists can spoil holidays, even if you dare to realise that you are a tourist too!

But despite my fellow travellers , I adored Barcelona. With its wide tree lined avenues contrasting so much with the gothic alleyways, and it’s history and grandness…I enjoyed the city so much.

Of course the Sagrada Familia was the highlight for me as when Jane and I walked though the door blinking away the harsh sunlight , we were literally overwhelmed by a brilliant cave of colour and a blast of fanfare from the huge cathedral organ.

I had a lump in my throat 

And could literally only mutter “ wow!” as soaring pillars fashioned into the trunks of giant trees took my breath away.

Gaudi ‘s house  Casa Batilò had the same effect on me as I was overwhelmed in tears by listening to the words of one of the Batilò’s daughters as she recalled her idyllic childhood in a home, so delicately designed, it almost hurt to experience it.

I’m feeling happy

Happier than I’ve probably felt in a few years and like a child may wish for when at a friend’s wonderful birthday party, I don’t want that feeling to end

Hey ho

 

Two Old Queens

 Dog walking early and back to work today

Oh lord I’m totally buggered but happy …it was worth it.

Jane gave me a gift when I met her in Sheffield and it’s been with us to Manchester Airport then back to wales where she’s sat in my window seat enjoying the view over Trelawnyd’s fields 

Two old Queens live in the village 

Homeward

 

It’s almost time to leave for home.

Barcelona has proved to be a bit of gem and it is a city that I would quite happily return to on my own if the need arose. 

I’m sat with my third leisurely coffee. Jane is off walking the streets, and it’s still incredibly hot.

I feel very fortunate that that I finally got here given the flight cock ups of last year, but also lucky that in a few days time I’m off to London to see Nu and the National Opera.

Strike that, I’m not lucky, but I am fortunate 

I’m fortunate that I’ve saved my overtime money and am able to do these nice things in Life.

Life feels so much better when you make the effort……