Thankful

A week ago, last Saturday morning, I woke up to a series of messages from home. Dad had had a fall and was in hospital. I managed to get hold of him and he was upset and disoriented. A fracture to his sternum. I alerted the man and Bear. I was needed at home.

It took 24 hours for to door to get home. By then dad had been warded in the hospital. Mum was waiting alone at home as my taxi pulled in past midnight.

I went to see dad first thing. It could have been worse. We went back to see him at lunchtime and he looked much better. Visiting hours were only during lunch and early evening. I had to work (yes!) so mum went to see dad in the evening.

That became our routine. Breakfast, off to see dad at lunch, back home for 3pm, log on to work, mum goes to the hospital, a quick dinner and I would log off at 1am. Work is relentless and I’m suffering from jet lag.

Dad got discharged from hospital on Friday and he is glad to be home. His movements are somewhat restricted but he is a trooper. He did have another fall during his stay at the hospital and luckily the head CT ruled out any trauma.

I will be here for another week minding the folks. Very thankful that dad is doing well.

Easter 2024 in photos

Hardelot Plage

Moules marniere

Coffee and a pain au chocolat

Crepe au Nutella et banane

The Easter Bunny came!

Weekend recap

After a busy long week in London, I was grateful for the weekend.

On Friday evening, we had dinner put in a local restaurant. Steak for the bear, chicken for the man and seafood pasta for me. We had fun and it cheered us up.

Saturday morning was an early start. I had an appointment at the beautician. Afterwards we tidied up the house.

I made us an early dinner of spicy rice and grilled chicken. The rice dish was cooked with arborio rice, turmeric, paprika, stock, herbes de Provence. It wasn’t a risotto, much drier but full of flavour. I added onions, red peppers and green peas, served with a side of broccoli.

We observed Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Lights out, and played scrabble by candlelight. It was so much fun!

On Sunday, we were up early for Palm Sunday mass. Afterwards the Bear and I did some grocery shopping and we spent the rest of the day chilling.

I made us a roast chicken for dinner and all of us craved Apple crumble. All to come after Easter!

6/4/23

It’s a free day today. We have no real plans. The man wants to drive out to San Antonio. We get there and it looks rather run down. We take some photos and decide to drive back into Eivissa.

We stop for lunch en route. Salads for the grown ups and burger for the Bear.

We drive to Eivissa and have a walk around the town before tracking down churros.

We go back to the villa for a rest. The man then suggests a drive out west to watch the sun set. We stop at Cala Molí and catch a spectacular sunset.

Dinner is at a Thai. We are tired at this stage. Our last night here. There is a full moon.

We had packed earlier in the day. All we need is a good night’s sleep.

5/4/23

Today is market day at Es Canar It takes us just under 30 minutes to get to Punta Arabi. Parking is a flat fee of €5.

There was plenty of crafts and local souvenirs. The Bear wanted a dream catcher. I bought a bookmark and a Keep Calm sign. We are planning an Ibiza corner for our house!

We stop for lunch at Santa Eulalia and everyone ordered burgers. It is a fine day. We walk along the promenade and stop for ice cream. Even the ice cream parlour has a cool vibe.

We go back home to rest before driving out to Rs Vedra for dinner at El Carmen. The food is great, views spectacular and the sunset is something else.

We drive home guided by the light of an almost full moon.