The plane leaves tomorrow. I have almost finished packing and I'm excited. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my camera and generally taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of many cities.
In about 10 days I fly out to New York, then Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Italy and beyond! The last two weeks have flown. I've not done much else other than be caretaker to Mr T who had his appendix out last week and studied for an assessment I had today. Relief that's over! I give myself permission to get out and about again.
Prior to my work departure my new cubicle-mate offered me some of her home grown tomatoes. Never one to decline someone's harvest I happily took the bag knowing exactly what would be done with them.
There as been much reason to celebrate of late. My Mum's 60th birthday, Mr T's Mum's birthday, the arrival of a friend's healthy baby girl and the moment I thought would never quite come, my last day of work for six months.
Who could blame me for opting to sit on the beach drink in hand rather than camera? Not I, but there was request (from my biggest fans; thanks Mum & Dad) for a change of scenery. That's exactly what I got as I spent two and a half weeks on the coasts. That mobile is the epitome of summer for me. It hangs on the porch down at Mr T's family beach house. We've spent plenty of time there of late.
... to our hot weather is homemade icy poles. This one is mango, natural yoghurt and cardamon. Not too sweet, but so refreshing. Experimenting is the key.
10 things in 2010 could only be followed by you guessed it, 11 things in 2011.
1. Take French language lessons: Not done. But I do have plenty of listening material on my iPod. 2. Read 12 books: Done! 15 books. Nothing outstanding, but I do credit the Stieg Larsson Millennium series for getting me back on the reading wagon. 3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09): Done, sans hangover. 4. Run something with the word marathon in the title (half or full - I haven't decided): Done! Half marathon ran in July. 5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year: Still going. 6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing: Not quite 10 hours yet, but summer's here and I'm keen to get out there again 7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group: Joining a running group saw my times improve dramatically. So worth it. 8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes: I think I only did a term, but I did enjoy it. 9. *Insert Financial goal here* You can never really have enough. But I should be set for my six months off work including two months in Europe. 10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish. Not quite the five dishes mastered, but I do feel more comfortable cooking with fish (and meat as it turns out). This chicken satay dish converted really well to fish (see above) and of course a whole fish was cooked. I also had a go at curing fish.
Happy New Year, belatedly! The hat is getting a good workout at the beach. Hope there's time to wind down and relax where ever you are.
With the impending OS trip, my family decided on a no presents year and Mr T and I decided that instead of Christmas gifts we'd treat ourselves to a night of decadent food and wines in the new year. Of course I'd bought a couple of gifts during the year before we'd made the arrangement, so there will be a present or two opened.