The rhythm of life.

I don't like to think that we have a routine,  that sounds so dull and boring and life here is anything but dull and boring,  but we do have things that we do everyday come rain or shine,  winter or summer.  Dog walking,  housework - as little as possible - cooking and eating, washing and ironing,  they are all routine jobs but not always dull. 

So to be in a rhythm sounds much nicer,  then I got to wondering what the rhythm of life really meant.  A quick google search came up with a  book   "The rhythm of life: living everyday with passion and purpose"  which sounds better than having a routine.   And then a blog  with the heading "routines: define your own rhythm of life".  So they are connected,  but just the change of word from routine which seems dull,  to rhythm which sounds more upbeat,  gives me more spark.

So what have we been doing this past week?   Enjoying the glorious sunshine,  eating all our meals outdoors,  early morning walks,  working outside till lunchtime either weeding or watering or planting or picking strawberries (3 kilos this week)  checking on the seedlings,  cutting back shrubs and deadheading, (a never ending job with the African daisies!)  then swimming and reading in the afternoon.    A friend visited us on Sunday afternoon armed with goodies from UK,  chocolate,  teabags,  and strong cheddar :)   We paid him with a glass or two of tinto de verano and a promise of strawberries when we go to Yator next.

Tinto de verano  just means summer red wine,  it's similar to sangria but simpler to make. Sangria has chopped fruit and maybe a splash of brandy too.   According to wikipedia  tinto de verano is just red wine and gaseosa or lemonade,  but round here they add a splash of red martini as well.  Plus lots of ice, and a wedge of lemon.  Very refreshing. 

This morning we walked towards Yegen,  lots and lots of swallows flying around the high craggy rocks,  I guess they nest in them,  took these pictures but the birds are too fast for me to catch on camera.

So back to my afternoon rhythm now -  first a swim of 60 laps (can you do laps across a round pool or should they be acrosses or diameters?)  then reading time before I need to  think of what to cook this evening.