What better way to start one’s sabbatical than with a jolly
trip to Portugal with the in-laws. The weather was amazing (an autumn tan is so
nice) and we enjoyed 7 days of pools, dolphins, boats, sea and food…lots of
food! Oh, and coconut/pineapple juice.
Wherever we go, D looks out the most promising restaurant in
the area. For this trip we found the wonderful Vila Joya, a beautiful hotel
looking out over the sea. We sat under sun umbrellas and enjoyed one of the
best meals we have ever eaten. I can’t even begin to tell you what we ate as
there were so many courses. And they were all delicious – really delicious!
Vila Joya also had two sweet love birds that I got to chat to after our food.
While on holiday I read two and a half books. The first was
triathlete Chrissie Wellington’s autobiography. I have had this on my coffee
table for two months and have been looking forward to reading it. It didn’t
disappoint. Wellington is a very inspiring athlete, someone who is disciplined
yet reassuringly normal…or at least as normal as anyone who does Ironman
events. I have been enjoying ‘Road to Kona’ on Sky Sports over the past few
weeks and really admire the Ironman guys. They are awesome, if slightly barmy.
D keeps suggesting I train for one – I’m afraid that I simply couldn’t cope
with the pain! I am, at heart, a big wuss.
The second was Neil Peart’s book about cycling in Cameroon.
I read his poignant ‘Ghost Rider’ earlier this month. This one was completely
different yet still had Peart’s intellectual approach. He is such an insightful
guy. Reading his books has made me admire Rush’s music (while not always liking
it). D is determined to convert me though as Rush plays almost constantly in
the car (though it must be said, that on the way back from the airport, he put
on a bit of The Boss for me – by the by, did you see that Bruce played until 2am the other night in NJ…the guy is a LEGEND!).
Anyways, the whole holiday was wonderful and relaxing.
Thanks to the in-laws for letting us come and crash their vacation!
CSW
No comments:
Post a Comment
Want to say hello?