Mind the doors please!

                

I can now open my study door to let the sunlight and the sound of the birds in. Spring has definitely sprung here and the sun feels like it is warming up. We had some glorious weather last month which meant we got lots done in the garden- mainly weeding to be honest.

Our to-do list is looking quite busy, it includes:- weeding, taking down an old shed, more weeding, painting the garage and removing some wooden cladding on the wall next to it oh, and more weeding. We are now getting some help from our friend Joel who comes in once every two weeks and his nickname is the exterminator as he leaves nothing in his wake.

Had a wonderful time in Madrid, so lovely to sit out in the sun in February. Everyone was friendly (and not just my friends), food was amazing and our tour guide Niamh was fabulous. As, we knew we had Niamh to show us around we did not do any research, not a guidebook amongst us. As we stood in the centre of the city and admired the view,  I asked the question where is Madrid anyway (meaning in Spain) none of us knew so I looked it up -it's in the middle by the way and then I asked, is it the capital of Spain ? again none of us knew, so I looked it up and yes it is. 

Don't think I've ever been so badly prepared for a trip, normally I am there with my map and a list of things to see and do. Yes, I am that person who organises trips -part of the fun of going if you ask me.  

There was a gorgeous cafe near our hotel and I went in on the Sunday morning to get us a cup of tea (nothing in the room and we wanted to eat breakfast out). Well, I did not get in as they opened later on a Sunday morning, the lady that worked there kindly walked outside to show me the opening times on the door, unfortunately for her, as she did the sliding door closed behind her leaving her bags and keys on the counter inside. I felt very guilty, apologised and slinked off find tea elsewhere. I walked past 10 minutes later and it was still closed. When we came back later that day it was still closed with her bag still sitting on the counter - oops!!

My thoughts now turn to getting summer fit, ie getting my legs out in public, not a pretty thought or sight. So, I shall be running and swimming like a pentathlon athlete- well I've got some swimming goggles, so I am halfway there. 

Talking of which, I went swimming last week - lunchtime is a great time to go by the way - applies to most things in France providing they are actually open at lunchtime. 

I already had my costume on so I quickly underdressed and starting to put my things in a locker, I then had to take them out again as the locker was not working. As I had walked in, I had noticed that a man was in the changing rooms. By the time I had sorted out my things there was another man in the changing rooms wearing his towel at a very risky level (think Aiden Turner in 'and then there were none'- I can provide a pic if needed), saucy I thought, as I headed towards the pool. He stopped me and said Madame "c'est pour les hommes." Yes, I had got changed in the men's changing rooms. I laughed and said désole!. I was annoyed as I had to get my things out of the locker, again!. 

Anyway, off to do more weeding.