On Friday I finished the next draft of my book, which included some big re-writes in the final part. I was so happy to get to the end of it again that a big smile broke across my face when I finished. I then sent it off to Nikki for a read-through, had lunch and went to the gym. It was a good day. That evening we spent at home, but I looked into alternatives for New Year’s Eve and where we could go. Thanks to a bit of searching, prices to Puerto Rico were looking good, and before I knew it, a plan had formed. We also let other people know what we were doing and it’s suddenly become a thing that might involve more than just the two of us. Even though we’re going for New Year’s Eve celebrations, I’m hanging out to see the bays with the underwater bioluminescence. Old San Juan also looks interesting, and of course there are beaches.
Saturday morning I went to St Lawrence Markets while Glen went to a course at the hospital. The markets wasn’t as busy as it usually is in the warmer months so I didn’t have to struggle past too many people. I still don’t like shopping though, and I was getting anxious about all the things I needed to buy to prepare for dinner for that night and Sunday night. Back home, it’s easy because you load up your trolley, then you unpack everything into the car. Here, I’ve got a little wheelie trolly and that’s about it. So Glen offering to leave the course (apparently because they didn’t have any spare seats) was welcome.
What wasn’t welcome, when he met me later in the supermarket next door, was him disappearing to find bacon without telling me. We shouldn’t be allowed to go shopping with each other ever. There are just too many possibilities for arguments. I left him on the train with the bulk of the shopping, while I went to Bulk Barn – alone – to get some other requirements. Apparently, I was gone an hour.
In the evening I began preparing food to take to Ur and Israel’s. Glen organised dinner for their place as a celebration of Israel and Alastair’s Movember efforts, with everyone bringing something to contribute to the meal. Peter and Royden brought appetisers, I bought a tart and salad, Julian brought homemade apple and blueberries pies, and Bec and Alastair brought ginger cake. Ur and Israel provided drinks and chicken pasta (and the house).
The tart I made was a caramelised leek and goat’s cheese tart. I’d never made it before. I don’t think I’ve ever made tart pastry before either. It was all done with the Thermomix so the bulk of it was done without error. The pastry turned out nice…until I accidentally tipped it out and it broke into twenty pieces. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I was tempted not to continue but Glen helped piece it back together into some sort of shape, and I then I filled it. It turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself. Next time, I think I’ll leave out the anchovies or not put so many in. The salad I made was kale and parmesan with pine nuts. People were rude about the kale…but it went anyway haha.
We arrived at Ur and Israel’s at about 8:30 as it was easier with the kids already asleep. We had some drinks, ate a giant dinner (there were a lot of desserts), and shared stories as usual. We were all a bit wiped out though and so left at about 11/11:30, eager for bed. Maybe it’s the weather. Maybe we’re just doing too much. Either way, it was a good night.
We didn’t get out of bed on Sunday morning until about 10. I woke up at 7:30 dozing, while Glen was completely out of it. I did some editing during the day, and then in the afternoon we checked out the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the ROM. Even though Glen and I are members, we don’t go very often, so I was pretty pleased that Glen suggested it. The museum was busy but not as busy as I’d expect, and thankfully the exhibition (which opened this weekend) wasn’t so full that you couldn’t see the photos.
Some stunning images there again this year. I particularly liked one of the Mobula ray migration in Mexico (mostly because I now want to go to Mexico to see it). There were a few from Iceland (once more stirring my desire for a second…and a third…visit). It’s a bit heartbreaking seeing this exhibition because the photos are often of endangered and near extinct species or of places that are rapidly disappearing. The feeling of sadness and loss is compounded towards the end with the portfolio/documentary categories: one was of the canned lion hunting in Africa, another of thousands of shark fins drying on a roof in Hong Kong. It still inspires me to see more places, but I can’t help but feel guilty for contributing to their decline.
We had a bit of a look through other parts of the museum, but our brains got full pretty quick. I also got angry about kids tapping on the living axolotl’s tank, or adults and children touching the heads of the snakes that were brought out for handling. I was really surprised the person holding the snake wasn’t giving instructions to keep away from their heads. I had to walk away.
Back home, I booked our flights to Puerto Rico, and then started preparing dinner for tonight’s roast with the neighbours. I don’t often cook whole chickens so I’m not sure how it’s all going to turn out. I made a nice seasoning for it so I’m hoping it tastes good. There are plenty of veggies too, and I made a flourless almond chocolate cake yesterday which looks really good. It’ll be our last Sunday with the neighbours for a while as we’re in the US next weekend, and I think the following weekend doesn’t work for some reason. So happy to be going travelling again.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?