Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Complete Closure
Tina & Barry had a wee little celebration yesterday in the bar; they closed the sale of the Red Lion earlier in the day after delays amounting to 5 weeks or so while Bureaurcracy untangled the red tape it had got all twisted. So, that's it, the Red Lion is no more, dead and buried, gone forever. Mine ex hosts are now bumping into people who did not know and have come to Torre expecting a Christmas Dinner, a New Year Bash etc etc in their favourite venue only to find that there is nothing. I'm sure that Tina was telling me yesterday over the bar that some have vowed never to return because Torremolinos is "not the same anymore". Some legacy.
Monday, 10 December 2007
Here's more.....
Pipe Nightmares
I think that Favio is at his wit's end. Obviously digging the floor up is, at the end of the day, all things considered, going to cost an awful lot of money. Probably a necessary evil but just right now not one he seems prepared to face up to. Next move is, I believe, to employ a camera, poke it down the pipe from one of the toilet pedestal terminals in order to find out just what is going on. At least doing that might mean that the hole can be dug in the right place and kept to a manageable (costwise) size. In the meantime though, yesterday, Ana-Mary (Favio's wife) found herself mopping out while she was finishing decorating the tree and I noticed Favio himself doing it again somewhile later during the family get-together they held in the bar last evening. Of course due to my cold I can't smell it! Welcome relief. But enough about pipes. Talking to Ana-Mary while she was with me last night (decorating the tree) she was kind enough to comment that my Spanish is coming along very well. Which can, in no small way, be attributed to my lack of the Russian language and Larisa's lack of English and that brings me on to my favourite subject..........
Never say No
My cancellation last Friday was not taken lying down. Oh no. Part of the "Get well ditty" I received was a recipe for a Salt & Bicarb gargle and a mention of "Crema Antiseptika." Then Saturday morning, 11am, my convalescent snoozing in bed was disturbed with "Hello how are you? Well I hope" to which I replied "Sore throat is better but now I have a Cold and still staying in bed. I'll call you when I'm better" That should do it - peace and quiet for a few days. Nope. Saturday evening, 8-30pm, while at work, I got "If tomorrow you are well you can come to my place to eat". I gave in - "OK, what time?" And got immediately back "1200, 1300, when you want. Call me when you are on the way and I'll meet you at the bustop" She had a cold just the other week remember? I left her alone until she called, having recovered, remember? But she knows that I am not at death's door because she knows I am still going to work every evening 'cos I told her, so she's got me by the short 'n curlies, no excuses.
You no Listen?
This last weekend, actually starting last Thursday, has been a major National Holiday with shops closed left, right and centre. But luckily, yesterday, Sunday, the Supermarkets opened for a few hours to catch up on lost trade so I was able to buy a bottle of plonk to take with me. "Marquesa de something-or-other" it was. A half-decent dry white.
Here we are in early December hurtling towards Christmas at umpteen thousand miles-an-hour through space only to find me txting from Fuengirola that I'm catching the 1145am 220 in 25C in the shade!!! There must be some truth in this Global Warming mullarkey. Some while later, still clutching said bottle and with streaming eyes and running nose (yes I know, but life ain't always just about roses) I met her as arranged, only to be greeted with "Mr Derek!! I said only if you are well!" 'Scuse me? I've been trying to tell you that I am not well for the last two days! "Did you make the gargle?" A diplomatic "yes" left my lips. Then I asked about the crema. "Ah. In Russia we can get a cream which you apply to the top of the throat with a suitable thingy but I don't think that you can get it here." Remind me not to ever go to Russia with a sore throat. I do NOT fancy a thingy stuck down my throat with a splodge of Antiseptic cream on the end. Give me a Zube any day. Continuing to natter (in Spanish of course), on we went up the hill. I'm sure that it was steeper this time and in the heat I began to leave much of my cold in little wet patches at my feet. But eventually we got to the top, indoors and then, out on the terrace in the (almost) searing heat, I was allowed to collapse onto a garden lounger.
No, sólo descansas!
I remember giving her something to do in my Kitchen that day I had her, Katy and David over for a Dinner Party and then having to watch her promptly "take-over" the whole caboodle. I actually enjoy the togetherness while squabbling over the potato peeler but my offer of help was met with "no, you just rest!" "Can I have some wine then?" "Yes, the corkscrew is in the drawer". "Do you have any ice? This wine is red hot" and out I went, back to the lounger. When I opened my eyes again a short while later (to a very soft and very Russian accented "pliz" - she was saying "por favor" in English) the terrace table was laid and ready and I hadn't heard a sound. Not one.
Seafood soup? No. Lentil Soup, Lentejas. Followed by Russian style Ravioli (with a salad). Knowing full well that I adore Lentejas just as much as I'm addicted to Seafood Soup she still asked "do you like Lentils". And she won't have forgotten that together we bought Ravioli for me in the Russian Grocers in Málaga once.
I wasn 't late for work, and conversation with Ana-Mary was easier. Practice (even with a Spanish speaking Russian) makes perfect. But I'm still not brave enough to use the phone properly. Body language and comprehension go hand-in-hand still. I never ask her to slow down either. Many foriegners here (including me) speak their Spanish quite slowly but Lary doesn't. She fires it off like a natural. Full of mistakes of course, because it's not her native tongue, but nevertheless full of confidence and nowadays I rarely misunderstand her. For me, talking to her is proving to be exceptionally good practise. I have never forgotten that day, a couple of years ago now, sat in Restaurante Lanjáron Neuvo when she said "talk to me" and my ensuing blank expression prompted her to pick up her Russian newspaper and start reading. I have never given her that excuse again. That was one salutory lesson, very cleverly exercised.
I've been given Katy's email address so that I can chase up those photos that she promised to send me and hasn't, yet.
I think that Favio is at his wit's end. Obviously digging the floor up is, at the end of the day, all things considered, going to cost an awful lot of money. Probably a necessary evil but just right now not one he seems prepared to face up to. Next move is, I believe, to employ a camera, poke it down the pipe from one of the toilet pedestal terminals in order to find out just what is going on. At least doing that might mean that the hole can be dug in the right place and kept to a manageable (costwise) size. In the meantime though, yesterday, Ana-Mary (Favio's wife) found herself mopping out while she was finishing decorating the tree and I noticed Favio himself doing it again somewhile later during the family get-together they held in the bar last evening. Of course due to my cold I can't smell it! Welcome relief. But enough about pipes. Talking to Ana-Mary while she was with me last night (decorating the tree) she was kind enough to comment that my Spanish is coming along very well. Which can, in no small way, be attributed to my lack of the Russian language and Larisa's lack of English and that brings me on to my favourite subject..........
Never say No
My cancellation last Friday was not taken lying down. Oh no. Part of the "Get well ditty" I received was a recipe for a Salt & Bicarb gargle and a mention of "Crema Antiseptika." Then Saturday morning, 11am, my convalescent snoozing in bed was disturbed with "Hello how are you? Well I hope" to which I replied "Sore throat is better but now I have a Cold and still staying in bed. I'll call you when I'm better" That should do it - peace and quiet for a few days. Nope. Saturday evening, 8-30pm, while at work, I got "If tomorrow you are well you can come to my place to eat". I gave in - "OK, what time?" And got immediately back "1200, 1300, when you want. Call me when you are on the way and I'll meet you at the bustop" She had a cold just the other week remember? I left her alone until she called, having recovered, remember? But she knows that I am not at death's door because she knows I am still going to work every evening 'cos I told her, so she's got me by the short 'n curlies, no excuses.
You no Listen?
This last weekend, actually starting last Thursday, has been a major National Holiday with shops closed left, right and centre. But luckily, yesterday, Sunday, the Supermarkets opened for a few hours to catch up on lost trade so I was able to buy a bottle of plonk to take with me. "Marquesa de something-or-other" it was. A half-decent dry white.
Here we are in early December hurtling towards Christmas at umpteen thousand miles-an-hour through space only to find me txting from Fuengirola that I'm catching the 1145am 220 in 25C in the shade!!! There must be some truth in this Global Warming mullarkey. Some while later, still clutching said bottle and with streaming eyes and running nose (yes I know, but life ain't always just about roses) I met her as arranged, only to be greeted with "Mr Derek!! I said only if you are well!" 'Scuse me? I've been trying to tell you that I am not well for the last two days! "Did you make the gargle?" A diplomatic "yes" left my lips. Then I asked about the crema. "Ah. In Russia we can get a cream which you apply to the top of the throat with a suitable thingy but I don't think that you can get it here." Remind me not to ever go to Russia with a sore throat. I do NOT fancy a thingy stuck down my throat with a splodge of Antiseptic cream on the end. Give me a Zube any day. Continuing to natter (in Spanish of course), on we went up the hill. I'm sure that it was steeper this time and in the heat I began to leave much of my cold in little wet patches at my feet. But eventually we got to the top, indoors and then, out on the terrace in the (almost) searing heat, I was allowed to collapse onto a garden lounger.
No, sólo descansas!
I remember giving her something to do in my Kitchen that day I had her, Katy and David over for a Dinner Party and then having to watch her promptly "take-over" the whole caboodle. I actually enjoy the togetherness while squabbling over the potato peeler but my offer of help was met with "no, you just rest!" "Can I have some wine then?" "Yes, the corkscrew is in the drawer". "Do you have any ice? This wine is red hot" and out I went, back to the lounger. When I opened my eyes again a short while later (to a very soft and very Russian accented "pliz" - she was saying "por favor" in English) the terrace table was laid and ready and I hadn't heard a sound. Not one.
Seafood soup? No. Lentil Soup, Lentejas. Followed by Russian style Ravioli (with a salad). Knowing full well that I adore Lentejas just as much as I'm addicted to Seafood Soup she still asked "do you like Lentils". And she won't have forgotten that together we bought Ravioli for me in the Russian Grocers in Málaga once.
I wasn 't late for work, and conversation with Ana-Mary was easier. Practice (even with a Spanish speaking Russian) makes perfect. But I'm still not brave enough to use the phone properly. Body language and comprehension go hand-in-hand still. I never ask her to slow down either. Many foriegners here (including me) speak their Spanish quite slowly but Lary doesn't. She fires it off like a natural. Full of mistakes of course, because it's not her native tongue, but nevertheless full of confidence and nowadays I rarely misunderstand her. For me, talking to her is proving to be exceptionally good practise. I have never forgotten that day, a couple of years ago now, sat in Restaurante Lanjáron Neuvo when she said "talk to me" and my ensuing blank expression prompted her to pick up her Russian newspaper and start reading. I have never given her that excuse again. That was one salutory lesson, very cleverly exercised.
I've been given Katy's email address so that I can chase up those photos that she promised to send me and hasn't, yet.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
OKOKOK
The clamour has been deafening so I carry on (it's only gossip about me, by me, anyway).
Re: Ann The Doctor, on his rounds this morning, asked her if she'd like to go home. She was very quickly on the phone to David who organised her collection from the ward and she is now back at the apartment. Home.
Where was I? Oh yes, planning lunch with Lary. I cancelled. I sent her a txt at 8am yesterday (after a sleepness night) saying that I had a sore throat and was going to spend the day in bed until it would be time for work. Which I did. She sent back a "get better soon" ditty. Very nice. At work Beryl took pity and fetched me some lozenges to take. I had them all. 6 of them. All within the space of an hour or so. I'd also overdosed on Vits C and D through the day in an effort to minimise collateral damage due to the effluent problem (the stink) in the toilets. It's how I react to strong smells, I get a sore throat then a cold. Even a lady's (strong) perfume can trigger the reaction in me if I allow exposure for long enough. Anyway yesterday a lorry came; one of those things bristleing with pushers and pullers, suckers and blowers, brushes and dusters and a bloody great big tank to gulp the sludge into. Salvation. Er, no. They told Favio that "you gotta break, mate, in yer pipe. You need t'dig 'ole and put some band-aid rahnd it. Not our job, nuvver lorry, diff'rent union."
----there's more------->
Re: Ann The Doctor, on his rounds this morning, asked her if she'd like to go home. She was very quickly on the phone to David who organised her collection from the ward and she is now back at the apartment. Home.
Where was I? Oh yes, planning lunch with Lary. I cancelled. I sent her a txt at 8am yesterday (after a sleepness night) saying that I had a sore throat and was going to spend the day in bed until it would be time for work. Which I did. She sent back a "get better soon" ditty. Very nice. At work Beryl took pity and fetched me some lozenges to take. I had them all. 6 of them. All within the space of an hour or so. I'd also overdosed on Vits C and D through the day in an effort to minimise collateral damage due to the effluent problem (the stink) in the toilets. It's how I react to strong smells, I get a sore throat then a cold. Even a lady's (strong) perfume can trigger the reaction in me if I allow exposure for long enough. Anyway yesterday a lorry came; one of those things bristleing with pushers and pullers, suckers and blowers, brushes and dusters and a bloody great big tank to gulp the sludge into. Salvation. Er, no. They told Favio that "you gotta break, mate, in yer pipe. You need t'dig 'ole and put some band-aid rahnd it. Not our job, nuvver lorry, diff'rent union."
----there's more------->
Final Post
It appears that much of what I say here is perceived as gossip. So, this blog is now closed. My letters to my Mum will now go back to being private. Shame. Byebye
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Angels do Exist.
I lost custom today; turned one away while up to my neck in effluvium and then shut the doors for 45 mins while mopping up which, incidently, is beginning to give me a sore throat. Three incidences today, one of which was particularly bad...the stench was awful. Mind you the tree was decorated tonight. I must look up the meaning of Priority in the Oxford English. Never mind, tomorrow Lary is coming into town and hopefully we will meet for a few hours which will take my mind off the prospect of having to go to work and back to the mop. Actually it's a damn good job that I'm there in the early evening otherwise the "old" opening at 9pm would be fraught with problems. How's that song go? "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", she'll never know just how important the possibility of seeing her is just at this moment, her message at 2130 was manna from heaven.
Re: Ann I overheard David telling folk in the bar today that Ann might well be coming home at the end of next week. She is improving day by day.
Re: Ann I overheard David telling folk in the bar today that Ann might well be coming home at the end of next week. She is improving day by day.
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
What a Smashing Time Lately
I smashed all previous records today, not only in the "take" but also in tips. I've actually made a profit on the day, even after a trip to the shops to buy a trolley load of goodies!!! And it all could have been better perhaps except that the toilets blocked up and most punters decided to leave rather than sit there with crossed legs. Understandable, but a shame; maybe Favio might now do something about the drainage system. He was pleased with November's figures and the way that things are already, December stands a good chance of being excellent businesswise, except for the toilet situation........
Re: ANN I didn't see David today but Ann S did and she tells me that Ann is in her own room, sitting in the bedside armchair every moment that she can, enjoying hospital life as best she can. David now has unlimited visiting etc etc. Won't be too long before she is home methinks.
Talking of Ann S....she had something to celebrate last week and before I could say
"what the..." I found myself embroiled in a hectic dance session to a piece of music that she liked the beat of. It's a long time since I've done anything akin to a Ballroom Jive but I don't think that the snap taken by Elsa-Britt and Ole-Erik shows me disgracing myself. Maybe all the practise in the local discos with Larisa these last 3 years or so has held me in good stead for such a sudden, impromptu fling. But who can resist an invitation along the lines of "come 'ere you an' dance wiv me". I couldn't. And luckily I was off duty. Ann & Bill also invited me to lunch on Tuesday, for Steak and Kidney Pud. Oh boy, was I glad that a dinner date with Lary had fallen through (now tentatively rescheduled for the weekend sometime). With fresh Sprouts, brocolli, carrots and Roasties to die for it was a meal par excellance. Shame I had to go to work after and couldn't just sit down with a Port and some Stilton to finish off in style. But good job that I did go to work because I've now got a Christmas Meal booked for Christmas Eve, via Hilde, at a Dutch restaurant run by a friend of hers. A bit of Social Networking going on and jolly good too. As it won't be Turkey (that's not the Dutch way) I still plan to cook my own Turkey Dinner on Xmas Day just as I have done for the last 2 years.
Re: ANN I didn't see David today but Ann S did and she tells me that Ann is in her own room, sitting in the bedside armchair every moment that she can, enjoying hospital life as best she can. David now has unlimited visiting etc etc. Won't be too long before she is home methinks.
Talking of Ann S....she had something to celebrate last week and before I could say
"what the..." I found myself embroiled in a hectic dance session to a piece of music that she liked the beat of. It's a long time since I've done anything akin to a Ballroom Jive but I don't think that the snap taken by Elsa-Britt and Ole-Erik shows me disgracing myself. Maybe all the practise in the local discos with Larisa these last 3 years or so has held me in good stead for such a sudden, impromptu fling. But who can resist an invitation along the lines of "come 'ere you an' dance wiv me". I couldn't. And luckily I was off duty. Ann & Bill also invited me to lunch on Tuesday, for Steak and Kidney Pud. Oh boy, was I glad that a dinner date with Lary had fallen through (now tentatively rescheduled for the weekend sometime). With fresh Sprouts, brocolli, carrots and Roasties to die for it was a meal par excellance. Shame I had to go to work after and couldn't just sit down with a Port and some Stilton to finish off in style. But good job that I did go to work because I've now got a Christmas Meal booked for Christmas Eve, via Hilde, at a Dutch restaurant run by a friend of hers. A bit of Social Networking going on and jolly good too. As it won't be Turkey (that's not the Dutch way) I still plan to cook my own Turkey Dinner on Xmas Day just as I have done for the last 2 years.
Monday, 3 December 2007
Re: Ann
Last night David was telling me that Ann is continuing to improve, that she has got her appetite back and, hopefully, will be transferred from IC to the ward today.
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