Just a quiet week with lots of work, not worth photographing, and trying to recover from the loss of Cheeta. Work, cycling, and good food help–so that is what this short blog is about.
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Some pictures from the office to start. We have had one of the driest autumns since records have been kept, but there was one rainy night which provided a picture opportunity when I arrived for work. This is our padel court at the office:
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A couple of times a year, we host meetings of judges from all over Europe, who have an interest in Intellectual Property. Part of the tradition is that they bring products from their countries that are protected by the Geographical Indication scheme:
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A Romanian salami. After the meeting is over, we “take care” of the goodies:
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Another grab shot. Two doggies wait for their human outside a pharmacy in my neighbourhood:
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On Saturday morning I cycled south, to Elche and Santa Pola. This is an easy 75 km ride, with no serious climbs. I stopped for a brief break after about 50 km, just north of Santa Pola. The beach was largely deserted, although the weather was pretty nice, around 20-22C:
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A faded sign, indicating hiking routes. In the background the island of Tabarca:
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Although religion does not intrude on daily life in Spain nearly as much as it does in other countries such as the US or the Muslim countries, Spain still is a deeply Catholic country with many magnificent cathedrals and also modest little chapels like this one on the coastal road from Santa Pola to Alicante:
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A bit further north, I was amused by this battle of ideas–a billboard for the Catholic Church is flanked by advertisements for Budweiser:
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Saturday afternoon, we attended a charity lunch organised by the local Rotary Club to raise funds for various good causes. It was Oktoberfest-themed, and held at a seaside restaurant from where I had a good view of Playa San Juan where I live, and the road that is my daily commute:
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Breaking the waves:
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The event had the Oktoberfest theme, and while the beers were wimpy-sized, the food was fairly authentic, starting with the appetiser:
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And continuing with the classic German dish, Eisbein und Sauerkraut:
