natjtan I hope you’re having a great weekend! I can’t believe that we’re half way through November! While I’m in a puffer jacket and only just started layering in the evenings a jumper underneath out, the cold hasn’t started here yet. In fact it’s still a little warmer than usual. November’s usually around 16C in BCN with this year midday temps 19-20C. I’m still running in shorts!
Anyway this week’s Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have made me smile or caught my eye recently.
Light
One thing I do like and perhaps the only thing I like about the chiller shorter days is the light. If you’re wrapped up warm the light’s magical.
Birds Song
Catalunya from 06.00 Friday to 06.00 Monday has placed municipal weekend confinements to slow the pace of Covid-19. We’re only allowed to leave said towns and villages for work, medical, essential shopping if we can’t get in it in the said town or village, exceptional travel reasons. However we can walk, run, cycle across municipals. Stores are still open. It’s actually in effect from Thursdays 22.00 as Spain is under a nation wide curfew from 23.00-06.00 with regions able to change it an hour each side. It’s a pain at the weekends more so as the Zoo reopened this weekend and I can’t go. I can cycle around it, not visit. Monday I can! Anyway a bonus is before traffic picks up Sunday mornings you can hear birds singing.
A new store opened in the centre selling Miin Cosmetics. A new Miin store I didn’t know about?! It’s in fact Miin’s sister opening her own shop, Hanhan Official selling contemporary Asian costume jewellery and accessories as well a selection of Miin Cosmetics. The large jar of scrunchies at check out caught my eye. I needed to replace mine and was after ones that wouldn’t snag my hair. The material has to be smooth enough to do so without getting tangled up and pulling out hair. These looked perfect and they were. So much so I went back and got 2 more before they sold out!
Mac Big Sur Update
For some reason after Apple’s last update to the Big Sur, my photo stream from my Mac to my phone is finally working again after about a year or more of not working. TBH I haven’t missed it as I prefer Mac iPhotos editor to the one on my phone. I’ll still be Airdropping. It’s just good to know it’s working again. It’s the small things!
Alpro Mango Soya Yoghurt
When I did Tone It Up’s TIU4YOU challenge the nutrition plan reminded me to opt for no added sugar yoghurt. For my go to yoghurt for a while as been Alpro lemon and lime soya yoghurt. 2nd ingredient sugar! Searching for another alternative I found Alpro no added sugar mango yoghurt and I was converted! It’s perfect for my mid morning muesli snack with it’s creaminess that other soya yoghurts lack.
5 Weeks until the Winter Solstice
I can deal with the cold cold starting in late December as from the 22nd December, a day after the Winter Solstice the days start to get longer even if it’s minute a day. The longer evenings really play with productivity and mood.
‘Battle’ Ropes
Spain’s central government gave limited powers to regional governments to stop Covid-19 cases. Catalunya in addition to closing all bars and restaurants also closed gyms. Back to working out at home. I recently participated partially in Tone It Up’s TIU4 YOU 4 week challenge during which they released new equipment. Sadly the shipping was too much. Either US$50 or $70 for international shipping. The ankles weights I could get from Decathlon. The toning ropes took more hunting. They’re based on battle ropes but are elastic for easier transport, storage and for doubling up as resistance bands. After getting the specs from Target, AliExpresss came through with speed training ropes! These were about €40 including shipping. I think they’re a little shorter but they work just fine. I’ve been adding them to my own workout and enjoying using them. The only con I have is around the anchor point, the metal clips bang on the floor in use. I put my workout mat underneath the length of them to reduced any floor damage and less neighbour complaints. Also included is a storage bag and a harness for sprinting. They burn as just regular ropes. My quads and biceps actually burn more. Will I return to my gym when it reopen?! Yes to escape!
Internet Finds
Raspberry Coconut Protein Bliss Balls. Coconut Bowls. I’ve yet to make these but if they’re anything like how my friend make them they’ll be delicious!
Have rouge orcas really been attacking boats in the Atlantic? BBC News. Orca revenge
Why killer whales are targeting boats in Northwest Spain. El Pais in English. El Pais got there way before the BBC!
Gentoo penguins are four species, not one. BBC New Science
Why do storms get named. BBC Weather
Great Barrier Reef: Scientists find reef taller than Empire State Building. BBC News
Newly discovered primate ‘already facing extinction’. BBC News
An underwater web in the port of Miami has become a lockdown sensation. BBC News
What’s been making you smile or caught your eye this week? Please share in the comments below!