The Rain in Spain...is nonexistent!

So...the last time I posted on my blog it was springtime in Ireland and I was all abuzz with flowers and green things.  I suppose those of you who follow my blog have probably been wondering what I've been doing in the meantime.  Well to begin I spent two amazing, wonderful, mind-blowing months in Norway and will never be the same.  It is impossible for me to describe the sense of joy living in such a beautiful place gave me.  From sea kayaking with seals to hiking under the midnight sun, everything I did was surrounded by surreal mountains of mist and glittering glass-like bays.  Despite recent attacks in Oslo, Norway is still in my top 5 places to live the remainder of my life.

But Norway is in the past now and as I don't like to write about the past, I will have to skip over the more impressive parts of that trip and fast forward to present day.  Now I am in Spain, roughly 22k from Vilafranca de Pendes, high in the mountains with views of the vineyards and distant peaks.  Whereas in Norway I was managing a campground and renting out kayaks, here I am taking groups on bike tours through the countryside and tasting cava (spain's version of champagne) for a new review of the 50 greatest cavas in Spain.  I also sample a selection of fine wines every evening with my gourmet meals.  Yes my life is very hard indeed.  In addition to my blissful work, the weather here is absolutely perfect.  Warm, dry heat fills the afternoons and then tappers off to perfect cool evenings with light breezes carrying over to the following mornings, making my morning runs delightful!  And this isn't just a rare occurrence to be treasured...this happens every day!  You don't even need AC.  I thought that Spain would be sort of miserable for me since I despise heat in any form, but I actually LOVE it here!  I am already planning a more in-depth tour of Spain for next summer...any takers?  Add-ons are welcome!

Unfortunately I only stay here for 1 more week before returning to dreaded Arkansas where I hear the summer weather has been abysmal.  Oh well.  At least I have a road trip to Cali to look forward to followed soon after by a return to the arctic.  Dreaming of the arctic chill makes the Arkansas humidity seem a little bit more bearable...but only a little.  For other blogpost updates from me, check out my blogs on www.winepleasures.com.  See you stateside!

Em