This and that with the letter B

 

Blossom has appeared in the front garden

whilst the camellia is doing its blooming thing in the border next to the French doors.  In the Garden of Perpetual Autumn (no matter what the season, we are always knee deep in dead leaves and twigs in the little plot here), it's always a surprise when anything shows signs of life.

A baby blanket has been cast off

and buttons added to a cardi intended for yours truly.

Brownies (using this recipe) have been baked

and biscuits appeared in (and quickly disappeared from) the tin.

Meanwhile, in his own kitchen up the road, the Baking Boy made bread (a rosemary focaccia)

and blobs (wild garlic mayonnaise, to accompany a fresh from the oven herb and onion tart).  It's good to see presentation standards are being maintained.

Washing has been blowing on the line

and books (blimey, Harry, I really thought you'd breathed your last) read.

But it hasn't all been pink and fluffy.  I've been encountering bone related problems, specifically those in my right foot which have been quietly degenerating and growing bone spurs.  Nice.  Actually, not so nice at all, unsightly and at times excruciating.  The x-ray department has been attended and an up to date assessment is awaited.  A possible solution is filing the bones.  Much more of this painful hobbling and I may be tempted to have a go with the Black and Decker myself. 

In other news, poor Boo has been battling his own health issues.  There has been a raft of examinations and  MRI scans and eating the canine anti cancer diet.  On Thursday he's once again meeting with the vet (his least favourite person after Jeremy Paxman) for a biopsy and surgery.  We're keeping everything crossed that all goes well and he bounces back.

 

Update:  Convalescence day 1

 

To the bottom of the world and back (part 2)

 So.

Tierra del Fuego. 

Or more specifically its capital, Ushuaia ('Ush-why-a'). 

At the southern tip of the South American mainland.

The southernmost city in the world and, at a distance of 4,000 km north, the city closest to the South Pole.

With a fast growing population and sprawl of housing as Argentina has sought to strengthen its position in the area.

Nudging the border with Chile, Ushuaia is stunningly situated on the Beagle Channel where the Andes meet the ocean.

The so called end of the road.

It was very cold and pouring with rain when we arrived.

And our hand luggage, containing amongst other essentials our passports and jackets, had disappeared. (The overhead lockers in the small plane from Buenos Aires were full when we boarded so our carry-on bags were swiftly removed to be stored in the hold.)

Needless to say, sightseeing was largely limited to whatever could be viewed through the steamed up bus windows.

But the weather is constantly changing in Ushuaia and our main reason for being there was to meet up with the French ship which would take us further south.

That hand luggage?  Miraculously, it was awaiting us in our cabin.  Along with someone else's suitcase.

Next stop:  The Falklands and first encounter with wildlife.

 

 

To the bottom of the world and back (part 1)

First stop, 24 or so hours after dropping off Boo at his holiday home, was Buenos Aires.

Capital of Argentina and associated with Maradona, protests and public demonstrations, Evita, dulce de leche, fileteado, the River Plate, ice cream and tango.

Oh yes, and beef. Vegetarian/vegan food was not easy to find.

With no obvious centre, Buenos Aires has a number of very distinct neighbourhoods, including Recoleta, with its European feel, architecture and cementario, San Telmo, one of the oldest comminities in the city offering a wide choice of tango clubs and the lively and colourful,  if touristy, La Boca.

Most areas were largely walkable though it was very hot and street crime (tourists are a main target) is a real problem.  I have to admit I didn't fall in love with Buenos Aires but it was worth visiting and handy for catching a flight to our next destination:  Tierra del Fuego.