Monday, April 20, 2026

The move continues and We WON!!


Morning from the terrace

I can´t believe how quickly the Academia has come together. Our space now has shelves, lighting and tool racks installed. The front room of the space, serves as the woodworking/weaving/basketry room. All the extra space feels luxurious. As soon as the heavy equipment room is situated, it will be time to start creating.


 

 


 

Real Sociedad won the Copa de Rey Saturday. It is impossible, whether one is a futbol/soccer fan or not, to not feel the excitement in the air. Saturday evening everyone was in a bar, in a park (large screen monitors were set up in major parks for viewing with 100´s of your closest friends) for the game except for me, as I continue to fight a nasty spring cold. Yesterday, the team returned home, to much fan fare. Today, there will be another pass thru the city of our heros. 

Tomorrow I travel to pick up Tshirt Cathy for the week. She arrives at the end of the Renfre line in Hendeye. Chaos ensues. 


Sunday, April 5, 2026

The Zurjole Academia Moves

And so did we. 

The Old Academy


It seemed as though we had just gotten everything in order, when Daniel found a wonderful new space for his school. The old place was in fact crumbling, with major repairs on the horizon.

Close up of one of Daniels carvings


The move seemed to be an insurmountable task, with rooms of heavy equipment, work benches and 10+ years of saving stuff ¨just in case you´ll need it.¨ Bless his heart, Daniel was sure 50 of his closest friends would show up and the move would be complete in less than a day.



Some clever student photoshopped giant carving tools 

It was rather a miracle and a huge tell between Spanish culture and American culture. The 50 fifty friends showed up, with 6 vans and proceeded to move almost everything to the new location. More than that, they showed up on a very wet and cold day. Daniels mother, in the kitchen with 8 ladies, provided Tortillas, Russian salad, croquetta's and more. The move and the food was complete by noon. 

 Zurjole. Academia de Arte

Monday, March 30, 2026

It´s been a while

 Seems fitting to try and start blogging again, almost one year from my last post. !It´s THE Anniversary!Time to celebrate neither of us being in prison from killing the other. 

It´s been a big travel year: Croatia,  Greece, Tunsia and of course, stateside to see the fam. 

Tunisa
Croatia
Greece

USA - No Kings 2025

Sarah Lee played in Santander at Bobby´s, the speakeasy. We braved the bus and spent 2 lovely days in Santander before taking the local train to Llanes, Spain, a medieval stop on the Camino.



This year we were graced by visits from Tia M, Zee and O, Tina and Tall Boy and of course, Shirt. 
 
Starting now, the reservations begin for our friends and family who are taking advantage of a free place to stay in EU.
 
 

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Happy Anniversary Bike Ride

What a great place to park our rides  

Happy Anniversary to my flavor-tite Monkey. 24 years and we haven't killed each other yet. We woke up to a beautiful Domingo en Donostia, a perfect day to be out on the bikes. We explored new territory today, as El Centro is packed to the gills with Marathon runners (I think 6000 - The Euskadi love to run!)  Neither of us wanted to spend our ride avoiding collisions with those for the race and the Pasear. Today we explored the vecino de Lorea, on the far edge of the University. Groovyness awaits around the corner.

The bride and las chicas.

Smoked salmon, avocado on crispy toast.

Old Antiquo

Last Domingo on La Kontxa.