Wednesday, December 11, 2024 →
⏰ I somehow fell back asleep after this morning’s alarm. Now I feel a sickening combination of panic and exhaustion, even though I had a good eight hours sleep. Good thing I’m working from home today!
📸 And now the festive wreath is hanging on our apartment’s front door. 🏳️🌈
🍹 A new taste experience. While in Porto last weekend, I thought it would be rude not to try some port! This was a port and tonic, with a dash of raspberry liquor, over lots of ice. Absolutely delicious and I definitely had more than one!
🎄 It’s that time of year. The tree is up and the lights are on. The countdown to Christmas has officially begun in our apartment…
The first day back in the office after a long weekend in European sunshine is… challenging. Absolutely loved my few days in Porto and really feeling the lack of sun up here in London.
✈️ I’m Porto bound. 🇵🇹
I just turned on my ‘out of office’ notification and I’m heading home to pack my bag. Tomorrow afternoon, we fly to Porto for our first ever visit and I can’t wait.
Today is my Friday, as we’re off on our long weekend trip to Porto tomorrow. Only a few (dozen) things to get off my todo list, before I can pack and ease into weekend mode. Including a two-hour workshop this afternoon. I really have to have a word with whoever plans my schedule.
That would be me.
📸 A welcoming seat?
Snapped these in Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf, on my way home this afternoon. And yes, they’re illuminated from the inside.
Momentum
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
I wrapped up work a little early this afternoon and, instead of heading straight to the sofa with a drink and a snack, I went downstairs to our apartment building’s gym for a workout. I’ve realised that as long as my ass doesn’t hit a comfy chair, I can keep going to get some exercise. If I sit down after work, for any length of time, I’m snookered. The sofa is too comfortable and enticing and there’s so much to read on the internet.
🎥 Went to see Gladiator II after work and it was… meh. Some great scenes, lots of padding, and a ton of violence. Pedro Pascal was amazing, as always. Space Daddy doing a turn as Roman Daddy. But I think I could have waited to watch it on TV at home next year.
I made it to the gym after work and spent my time on the elliptical watching the latest episode of ‘Dune: Prophecy’. This series just keeps getting better and better. Plus, it keeps me on the machine for an hour at a time!
📸 The weather is atrocious, so it’s a day for comfort food. Just inhaled a most delicious fried egg sandwich (finished before I could snap a pic!), and now relaxing with a big mug of tea.
Watching Ireland’s election coverage via the RTE Player app, only for Bertie Ahern to pop up on screen and cause me a few moments of absolute nausea slash fury.
Awake far too early for a Sunday morning. So back in bed it is, with a coffee and my laptop, to catch up on all the election news from Ireland. Looks like it’s going to be a big steaming pile of ‘More of the Same’. 🙄
📸 Feet up, sweatpants on, glass of beaujolais nouveau in hand. Keeping an eye on the Irish election results while catching up on last night’s “Have I got news for you”.
✏️ Just spent a very pleasant time setting up my new Hobonichi for the year ahead. Mostly adding a plethora of birthdays, anniversaries and trips abroad. The real detail kicks off in January with daily notes.
☕️ Up with a coffee and reading coverage of yesterday’s Irish election.
It will be very interesting to see what kind of coalition government emerges from this virtual stalemate, and whether it has the guts/competence to make the significant changes the country needs. I’m fearful we’ll end up with another FG/FF government, reliant on a rabble of right-wing independents.
🍷 After socialising the last couple of nights (I know! On a school night!), we’re having a quiet night in. I’m making meatballs and pasta and we’re going to watch some more of the excellent ‘Day of the Jackal’ series. While enjoying some of the lovely Beaujolais nouveau we picked up last week.
📸 Golden hour reflected beautifully in the building next door. Gently easing into Friday evening and enjoying the views from my living room.
📸 Incredibly clear and blue skies over Canary Wharf just now. No filters or other edits. Absolutely gorgeous.
