Mallorca – Palma

As the various personnel from George’s office arrive and check in, I am astonished by how many are seeking me out to say hello and to express how glad they are that I have returned safely from Afghanistan.

The kids are completely amused by me. Of course Papa has talked about you at the office. Of course everyone knows where you have been and what you are doing. Huh? It would never have occurred to me to discuss much of my family, their occupations and doings with colleagues on a deployment. Perhaps it was because I was an augmentee to the unit or perhaps it is because I am senior. As such, if I want to talk, it forces other to listen whether or not they have any interest in the subject. In trying to not inflict myself and my interests on others when it is not relevant to the task at hand it seems that I don’t spend a lot of time talking about the family. There is also the compartmentalising factor: when away for a long time it is easier to assume that everyone is fine than spend a lot of time fretting or talking about them. I concentrate on the “now” and leave to those who can effect short term family issues.

The official program started today with a couple of optional activities:
1) Golf. Forget that noise – absolutely the best way to ruin a perfectly good walk.
2) Marineland. So there I was – one of eight adults in a group outnumbered by those under 120 cm. In fact, I was the only adult in the group not accompanied by small fry. We got to see the dolphin show, the parrot show, walk through a small aquarium, observe some shore birds, seals and reptiles. I am not sure why the monkeys – but they certainly were cute.

Knitting

Four projects have occupied me since I headed out on vacation.

1) The City Sweater. When I packed it the only portions remaining to be completed were the one side section, the collar and the sewing. I can report that it was all finished on the final sea day.

all but the collar and finishing

all but the collar and finishing


collar detail

collar detail


2) The Downtown scarf. Named because it is a take off on a scarf I saw in Downtown Yarns I took slightly less than 100gm of a self-striping long repeat sock yarn and came up with this lovely, flirtatious scarf. I will post directions as soon as I can get Maus to hold still for proper photos.
narrow scarf with flared ends

narrow scarf with flared ends


3) Volane – English instructions for a fun ruffled scarf by a Finnish Designer. Not a planned project, but it just seemed like the thing to do with the yarn I had on hand. Of course if I had read through the instructions to the amount needed I would not have started. I did some adjusting as I went, but still ran out before completely the second bottom ruffle. Since the white with pink and grey is pretty specific, I am going to have to go on a yarn hunt for another ball…..
lots of ruffles

lots of ruffles


4) Chess. Casting on just before I left – I am just a couple rows short of the neck in the front and started the back since it was easier to take along on the Marineland jaunt.
Chess - most of the way up the front

Chess - most of the way up the front

Now – on to the partly fancy dinner tonight!

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4 Responses to Mallorca – Palma

  1. Isobel says:

    Loved the knitting. Hope you had fun at dinner.

  2. Cat says:

    Well now yes of course – have you any idea how worried the rest of us were while you were in Afghanistan?

    (I, of all people, have at least some serious inkling of just how dangerous it is. Dad asked every day whether I had heard from you – and he hardly knows you!)

    Your knitting is progressing much faster than mine

  3. Pat says:

    The collar detail is especially nicely worked!

  4. Mitch says:

    Have you had an opportunity to visit sites related to the fascinating but sobering history of Jewish Iberia? Some members of our congregation have visited them on tours.

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