Summertime

Happy Belated Summer!

And she’s back after a few weeks absence. I took a few weeks off blogging, partly lack of motivation repeating the same old, not much going on, who wants to hear my thoughts vs how many zoo photos can I share, to my brain slowly feeling like it’s loosing cells not being *cough* creative, using it it.

Loosing brain cells won. Expect more zoo photos and I still haven’t completed my cv. That would be as I’m not still not sure what to write on the about me in x amount of words bit. And it’s getting all the more urgent as nobody at this moment knows how much longer the UK will be in the EU. I was eligible to vote, however I’m still waiting for my postal vote to arrive (leave camp in charge of posting them?). I’m also ashamed of the increase in reported racism since the referendum that’s being highlighted in the media. British are a mix of Europeans. You only have to look at history.

Anyways, P’s been here for a few weeks so I’ve been out a few times, the cats passed their last vet visit. Diesel aced his thyroid blood tests and Aj aced his heart scan (he had a seizure scare a few weeks ago, which after various tests the vet put down to his chemo medicine he’s since stopped taking. The only changes in his heart to his scan a few years ago (sadly his litter siblings had heart complications which their hoomin Mama’s were kind enough to let me know) is down to age), my headstands are starting to get more fancy with legs here and there. Graceful dismount also’s progressing, handstands, pull ups and muscles ups continue to be my nemesis’s. And there’s been some zoo photos.

I just made the last of the Summer Solstice sunset. I missed the sunrise and the sun setting.

Summer Solstice Strawberry Full Moon

The heat’s here, but it arrived late so it’s not as warm yet as usual. The wind’s still not easing it up making the beaches chilly past 6.30pm. Not that I’m complaining too much. Being able to stop by the beach at 6.30pm to toma sol is something I look forward to. Thanks to the wind I haven’t been able to jump in the sea to cool off. The wind takes the edge of feeling hot and I’d just freeze with blue nails afterwards if I went in. The wind however running along and on the beaches I like. Cools me down running and as it’s usually from the SW, a little turbo boost looping back. I ran the 4th Cursa del Port de Barcelona night run, my 3rd year running it. A 11.45pm start’s the selling point and access to areas usually off limits to the public. The past 2 years  it’s been warm, however this year it was leggings. It’s a fun fast run with the best bit running down the port bridge 1km from the finish. That bridge’s a monster. I believe it’s a drawbridge but it still has to be steep enough to accommodate cruise and container ships. One side is long the other short, steep and curving. Every year the city hosts open air movies. A few years ago we watched Grease on Montjuic and I think everybody sang along. I’m still on their mailing list and few weeks ago I received an email of a open air screen of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc with a live orchestra. Initially I dismissed it. It was on the other side of the city for me to attended on my own (plus the tickets were hefty). If it had been on Montjuic, I’d have gone as I’m familiar with that area. Growing up I wanted to be Indy and a Pink Lady so I’d have gone in an instant. P mentioned he was going to be here, so well we went. We got there in true Indy fashion by the seat of our pants and has blast! The orchestra was fantastic! It was a screening part of the Festival de Pedralbes hosted in the Jardins Pedralbes grounds which are amazing in themselves. The grounds lit up in low light and moonlight were beautiful accompanied by frog song. And portapotties, the poshest ones I’ve yet to use and I was grateful I took blankets as it got chilly. Open air movie pro! 

For St Juan we took a motorbike trip out to Gava and Castelldefels a 5km beach 20 minutes out the city for the afternoon. Apart from miles of soft sand you can wade out about 150meters and the water’s still shallow. As we took an exit earlier than usual, exploring afterwards we discovered about 3km of broad walk through the sand dunes which reminded me of Florida and South Carolina.AJ and D just because And zoo photos.

Capybaras cooling offWhile some flamingo chicks are still to hatch, the older ones are now in high school.Otter nappingDance off at dinner time1st peacock chickSummer light making Via Laietana look clean. This is one of my favourite streets to cycle in the city. The only downside is that it’s extremely polluted. Right now I’m enjoying cycling minus layers. Summer :)Sea or swimming pool, beach or mountains in the summer?