Monday 31. 01. 11 Spent the weekend with Alan and Lea in Kitchener. Seemed to have spent the whole time talking altho we did manage to take Melissa’s dog Tucker for a walk a couple of times. Checked out Alan’s studio where he is beginning a new series of paintings based on the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in all seasons. Above is the confluence in winter.
Monday 24. 01. 11 Got back from a week at Cayo Guillermo with Julia yesterday morning at 2.30. An ungodly hour to return to even more ungodly temperatures. We had warm weather and sunshine every day except for a few clouds on the first day and some rain on the last. The resort was about 10 years old and was populated by Canadians and Brits. Besides talking, reading, swimming, eating and drinking we did a couple of trips. The first to a mangrove jungle where we drove our own motor boat and then snorkelled in a channel in the jungle. Lots of interesting tropical fish and even a lobster. The second trip was to Ciego de Avila a small provincial town in the middle of the island. Not Havana but interesting architecture and old cars and motos etc. It even included a visit to a Cuban home which was fascinating and reminded me of my own home in France. It was a long day as we were picked at 7.30 in the morning and didn’t get back until 5.30 in the evening. The guide Jose was terrific – very knowledgeable and happy to answer all our questions about life in the “real” Cuba. I don’t think I would want to stay for much longer than a week as I’m not really a resort kind of person but I do miss those mid-morning Pina Coladas and I didn’t miss not having the internet once!
11. 01. 11 Tuesday It has been a a busy time since I arrived here a month ago. Besides seeing friends and spending time with the family I have enjoyed the usual Maher family Christmas extravaganza and a wonderful New Year’s Eve Party at the Boyden/MacKee residence. Last weekend was spent at Fran and Clive’s cottage so I finally got to see some snow. I’m about to start the initial drawing for the big train painting and then on Saturday I’m off to Cuba for a week with Julia.