Date night

With all of the younglings otherwise occupied, James and I decided to go out for dinner and then to the cinema. We went to a new and very unusual Indian restaurant called "Horn Please" which a colleague recently recommended to me. From its minimalist but somehow friendly decor to its tasty and surprising menu, it was a fantastic experience. Although there were plenty of spices in the food there was only one traditional "curry" on the menu; apparently this is contemporary cuisine which has become popular in Indian cities. We both absolutely loved it and will definitely be back. 

And so we proceeded to Cineworld where we watched "Passengers" - an unlikely but absorbing adventure set on a space ship which is on a one hundred and twenty year journey to colonise a new planet. However something goes wrong and one of the five thousand passengers wakes up ninety years early from his suspended animation. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are on good form as the main characters but Michael Sheen totally steals the show as the android barman! It was a good evening.

Social and Solitude

I had some more road trips today in a final whirlwind of social activity before the end of the holidays! First of all I went over to Bishopton (it only took me half an hour) to have coffee with Jennifer and Elspeth at Mar Hall Hotel where they are having a spa break. It's a beautiful place and we had a lovely chat - to my surprise Jennifer totally spoiled me some extra birthday presents! I was a tad concerned that I might be intruding on their spa break and time together but they both made me feel so welcome that my fears were allayed.

Another pleasant half hour of driving took me straight along the M8 and M74 to the Bothwell Bridge Hotel where I met my former colleague David for lunch. It was great to catch up with him and we had a good chat.

When I got home I tidied round a bit then settled down to finish Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (or "Crapitude" as I have jokingly been calling it when discussing it with Ally!) Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Let's just say that the ending was certainly appropriate for the book! I still don't regret reading it though! 

Back to Dundee

I went on a wee road trip to Dundee and back today. I was taking Davie and Chanel back to University for the new term, and they needed a lift because Davie was transporting various gadgets and Christmas gifts which would have been to bulky to carry on the train. For example one of his Christmas presents was an A3 Laminator; perhaps not a typical gift for a twenty-one year old to request but that's our Davie! 

It was a lovely day for a drive, and when we arrived in Dundee the three of us had a tasty lunch in our favourite Bridgeview Station Restaurant. After a quick trip to Tesco I dropped Davie and Chanel off at Davie's flat and enjoyed a pleasant drive home while listening to my music. 

Invitations

Today I went to Stobhill Hospital for a routine Gynaecology appointment. I didn't enjoy it but I appreciate that it was necessary for my well being. Readers will be delighted to know that I am not about to relate any further details, apart from the fact that all of the staff that I met were both efficient and pleasant. 

Instead I will mention the two lovely social occasions to which we have very much enjoyed over the last two days. 

Yesterday we went to Janet and Peter's in Edinburgh for lunch. Janet had made a truly wonderful Spanish meal with all sorts of different dishes such as paella and patatas bravas meatballs, finished with key lime pie. Then we spent the afternoon laughing and chatting; they are relatives who have also become great friends. 

And then this evening we went to Christine and Gerry's for dinner. Christine made an amazing fish pie and a melt in the mouth toffee dessert. We also had a delicious Swiss cheese called Tête de Moine which is served in an unusual way; you use a blade to scrape the cheese as you turn it which produces thin shavings. Again the company was great fun and we sat in the lounge after dinner discussing all manner of interesting things. 

Now that I have somewhat addressed my work life balance and I am looking ahead to the next phase of my life, I would like to get back into proper home cooking. I used to be an enthusiastic cook but it kind of fell by the wayside - maybe I can get my cooking mojo back! 

One Hundred Years of Solitude

I am currently reading "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Alasdair read it during his travels in South America last year, and recommended it to me. It was written by Marquez in 1967 and is seen as his most important work. 

I have been finding it rather hard going, but now that I am about two thirds through it I am becoming obsessed with the fate of the Buendia family. The novel tells the story of several generations of this fictional family, who first found and then live in a mythical town called Macondo in Colombia in South America. 

Although I haven't finished it yet I can see that one of the main themes is repetition; in the names of family members, the events that happen to them and the mistakes that they make, in fact it all goes round in circles. Another main theme is the solitude that the Buendias either end up seeking or have thrust upon them. There are also themes of war, trade, money and friendship that are woven throughout the book. According to Ally the story of Macondo is meant to tell the history of the 19th and early 20th centuries in South America, and the book is on every school's curriculum in Colombia. Since I don't know anything about South American history this is difficult for me to discern, but I can see many references to colonialism, especially when the "gringos" arrive and change the nature of Macondo. 

It's written in a style of writing called magical realism, in which supernatural events are presented as everyday e.g. nobody is surprised that Rebeca's parents' bones keep click clacking even after they are buried, and even ordinary things like meal times or doing the laundry are given a surreal spin. The family's ghosts don't really leave after they die and therefore can be found hanging around the house and garden! 

I haven't really made up my mind whether I even like "One Hundred Years of Solitude", but I have a feeling that it's one of those books that gets into your head and stays forever. 

Brilliant day

This has been one of those really great days when everything just goes right from morning until bedtime. 

We went over to Lenzie for our traditional New Year walk with Ewan and Heather. It was crisply cold with blue skies - perfect weather for an enjoyable and friendly winter hike. We walked to Torrance via Lenzie Moss and stopped for a drink before striding along the canal towards Kirkintilloch. The Stables pub proved to be very busy on this fine day so we continued onwards to Nonna's Kitchen where we had a tasty and convivial Italian meal. On the way back to Ewan and Heather's house we saw the crescent moon with a very bright planet Venus beside it. We had walked nine miles and although my legs were tired I felt really energised.

When we got home I asked Ally and Cat to show us their South America photos from last summer, which I have noticed them editing these past few days. They obliged and James, Davie, Chanel and I had a fascinating time looking at the photos on the big screen of James' computer which Ally brought through to the lounge. It was warm and cosy beside the fire and Ally and Cat told us lots of stories about their brilliant holiday. I had heard about some of their adventures before but it was great to hear the full story; they had such fantastic experiences! 

The whole day was just delightful; friends, family, laughter, healthy exercise and relaxing!

Delicious New Year Dinner

Welcome to 2017. We brought in the New Year with Davie and Chanel; Ally and Cat were at a party. The cats arrived indoors shortly after the bells; there were fireworks being set off so they preferred to come indoors! We didn't stay up too late because James, Ally and Cat were planning to go hill-walking in the morning.

Sure enough they set off quite early to Meikle Binn while the rest of us had a relaxing day in the house.

We had a magnificent leg of lamb for New Year's Dinner, marinated by James for three days in oil and red wine vinegar with garlic, rosemary and juniper berries. I made a traditional gratin dauphinois to go with it and we also had roasted root vegetables. It was all delicious and a fitting meal with which to welcome in the New Year.