A Beautiful Day [Un Día Hermoso]

I know one of my objectives in leaving Dubai was to live somewhere with proper weather that changes seasonally, but I have to admit the Madrid winter has been getting on my tits a bit recently. It has been grey, cloudy, rainy and cold. But today was exceptional - we had a clear sky and bright sunlight, and a peak temperature of 17 degrees. For the first time in months, I was able to venture out onto the terrace in only a shirt and jeans, dispensing with the usual sweater and jacket. In fact it was so pleasant that I was able to take Bonzo out with me, and together we drank beer and read the Guardian.



Did I not tell you about Bonzo the Bonsai? Papa Noël brought him on Christmas Day, and I haven't managed to kill him yet. I screwed up the other day, though. It was the Feast Day of San Antón, who is the patron saint of pets (well, domestic animals, actually). The Church of San Antón is a mere stone's throw from our house, on Calle de Hortaleza, and people take their dogs and cats, gerbils, hamsters and ferreterias there to be blessed - had I known, I could have taken Bonzo there for a splash of Holy Water. Ah well, next year.

UPDATE: For the record, I've just found the little booklet that came with Bonzo. He is five years old, of the species Zelkova sp. Whatever that means.