Monday, 24 December 2007
Mad Panic
Larisa didn't decline. She said yes. Oh lordy. I've never cooked a full-blown Turkey Dinner for anybody else so it's bound to go wrong, Sods Law dictates such things. Shops early tomorrow for fresh Veg and stuff to finish off my menu then check through the apartment, all the while chewing fingernails. Favio and Ana-Mary gave me a Hamper yesterday (I've not long got it home and opened it to see what's inside) and I think that the bottles contained therein might yield a "calmer downer" that I could do with right now. Only joking of course. No I'm not. Why does she do this to me, put me in a 2 'n 8 so to speak? Luckily I've got a day off tomorrow (which is actually today now) so I think that I can get everything sorted by the time I go to the Dutch Restaurant for dinner.
Sunday, 23 December 2007
It's not True
The rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plain! For 39 hours now we have been inundated with water almost continuously and...oops....there's the first flash & bang.....exactly as forecast much has been extremely heavy. Which is why I'm up, the noise is enough to stop me from sleeping. And now we have thunder. Good 'ere innit! Costa del Agua. The neighbour is up and about as well by the sound of it so I'm not the only light sleeper round here. Another flash and...yes....not too far away judging by the time interval to the bang. Funnily enough the website weather reports are only showing Mist and that's because the 'METAR' from Station LEMG (Malaga Aeropuerto) seems to be defying convention - showing both Mist and Heavy Rain as the weather phenomenon, although mist and rain do not normally go together. Strange. Maybe there's a new boy on the job who can't tell exactly why he can't see very far so he's hedging his bets. There is also a software issue here as well because the available information is not being properly decoded. The first 'weather phenomenon' element in the METAR is "BR" (Mist) followed by "+RA" (Heavy Rain) but only the first is being read by the decoder.
Midday
I'm back up again after a bad nights sleep due to the noise of the rain and I have just sent a txt inviting Larisa to Christmas Dinner with me here at the apartment. She's probably already organised and will decline, we'll see. I also sent her one on Friday asking about seeing her over this weekend and she called me back by voice! Needless to say the comms totally failed due to my inability to understand what she was saying.
Yesterday I broke the record again in the bar. A busy session. And today I'm expecting to have to host a singsong so it could be another good one. Favio must be pleased with the way things are going because as I tried to leave last night (having returned after dinner for a nightcap) Ana-Mary told me to wait, "Favio has something to give to you". A box of bottles by the sound of it but I couldn't bring them home because it was chucking it down at the time so I left them there under the watchful eye of Beryl. It was also nice to meet someone from the UK who reads this blog and came in to meet me in person.
The supermarket got the Turkey joint packs in on Thursday, better late than never I suppose, and I now have mine. I have to do shopping for veg tomorrow (in Fuengirola where I can get a parsnip) then I'm all set. It's a normal day in the bar on Christmas Day so I have to be there at 5pm which means that my Dinner has to be cooked and eaten a little earlier than I would really like but never mind, I have tomorrow off. Beryl is going to open at 11pm or thereabouts which is why I have been able to book a meal in the evening at the restaurant run by Hilde's friend. "Meet me at 7-15 by the lift" she said last night over the bar, to which someone else responded that it is shut between 6 and 7....they think. "OK, I'll make my own way up the steps to make sure that I am not late" I answered. I hope the rain lets up.
Midday
I'm back up again after a bad nights sleep due to the noise of the rain and I have just sent a txt inviting Larisa to Christmas Dinner with me here at the apartment. She's probably already organised and will decline, we'll see. I also sent her one on Friday asking about seeing her over this weekend and she called me back by voice! Needless to say the comms totally failed due to my inability to understand what she was saying.
Yesterday I broke the record again in the bar. A busy session. And today I'm expecting to have to host a singsong so it could be another good one. Favio must be pleased with the way things are going because as I tried to leave last night (having returned after dinner for a nightcap) Ana-Mary told me to wait, "Favio has something to give to you". A box of bottles by the sound of it but I couldn't bring them home because it was chucking it down at the time so I left them there under the watchful eye of Beryl. It was also nice to meet someone from the UK who reads this blog and came in to meet me in person.
The supermarket got the Turkey joint packs in on Thursday, better late than never I suppose, and I now have mine. I have to do shopping for veg tomorrow (in Fuengirola where I can get a parsnip) then I'm all set. It's a normal day in the bar on Christmas Day so I have to be there at 5pm which means that my Dinner has to be cooked and eaten a little earlier than I would really like but never mind, I have tomorrow off. Beryl is going to open at 11pm or thereabouts which is why I have been able to book a meal in the evening at the restaurant run by Hilde's friend. "Meet me at 7-15 by the lift" she said last night over the bar, to which someone else responded that it is shut between 6 and 7....they think. "OK, I'll make my own way up the steps to make sure that I am not late" I answered. I hope the rain lets up.
Monday, 17 December 2007
Get Derek!!
Well, I was planning to go and get some mince today to stuff a pepper with but stuff that, it's raining, it's cold and it's just downright miserable outside so I'll stuff myself later with something else that doesn't involve going shopping. Talking about stuffing, Tina & Barry's meal yesterday was the stuff of 5 star restaurants. Incredibly delicious. I'm not going to give an account of it blow by blow but the starter, a prawn cocktail, deserves special mention and a copy of their creation will be produced here in My Kitchen quite soon. I did wear the jacket that Juan gave me plus matching trousers, shirt and tie and turned up at the their door to "gould luv us ducky, we're all dressed up, got somewhere to go have we?" I thought that I looked the "bee knees". In fact, I was so pleased with my appearance that I went straight on to work after rather than change into something else at the apartment on the way by.
Mistake. I should have known better. David and Ann called in on the way back from the shops and David just loves a tease. Later, after they had left I was standing in the doorway rocking on my heels when Juan himself drove up and with a squeal of brakes skidded to a stop just past me. A quick flick into reverse and through the electrically opening window as he backed up came "muy guapo, ohh la la!" I gave him a twirl there and then after which, and with a satisfied smile, he went on his way "to watch football, see you later maybe."
Life was suddenly quiet again. Barry came by and dropped off the Loaf Tin I'd asked him to get for me on one of his shopping trips (he goes to shops where they sell that kind of thing, I don't). 8 euros changed hands and I now have the technology to make my own bread. And why not, my new chef's assistant came with a dough hook and I want to put it to good use. Then a group of noisy Geordies called in. "Sorry about all the swearing guv". "There are no ladies present so I'm not unduly bothered " I replied, which they accepted, and after 1 round left, heading back to their hotel and, probably for some, the mother of all headaches.
All quiet again so I put a Queen disc in the player and began listening to Freddie Mercury. "You are all on your alone Derek!" "Yes Hilde, will it be your usual?" "Yes, I take just one then I go home, I have been to Benalmadena with my girlfriend, to a Japanese restaurant, I just get back and I am tired." Now, I've got a tie on and I can't hide that fact and I'm getting worried that she's going to tease about that because I suddenly remembered her telling me some months ago "DON'T wear a tie!! No!!" But she preferred to talk about her meal and gave me a colour brochure from the restaurant to back up her description of what she ate. When I tried to give it back to her she said "no, it is for you". As it happens I do want to try Japanese food sometime and now have a picture of what suchi and suchimi look like. I offered her another wine 'on me' which she didn't refuse..."oh all right, I stay for just one more then I go home!" Yes Hilde.
The reason why I'm working is of course because Beryl et al have gone to dinner with Ana-Mary and Favio. Having finished the meal Favio taxied everybody back to the bar and in they came. Sober. Sober? "Too much food, no time to drink, give me a vodka, quick" said Randy (Beryl's American Husband). "Muy elegante, muy elegante" beamed Ana-Mary in my direction. Why thankyou said I in return. Then this american accent came back over the bar "yeah, but shame about the tie" Here we go. Get Derek. Again. "What's wrong with the tie?" "Too, er, thin, and anyway, where's the funeral?" "It's brown not black, I'm colour cordinated" I countered, laying the tie over my arm and the jacket sleeve to press home my point. "Well, it's still too thin". And on the banter went over the first drink that was Favio treat, who with a faint nod towards Hilde's glass had silently told me to top hers up as well. "No, please, I go home now". Too late. She did eventually grasp an opportunity to leave, vacating her stool that was then very shortly reoccupied by Lisa. Lisa works in a bar along the road and usually closes before Ana's Bar does, sometimes calling in for a wind-down snifter on her way home. She adores cats and the local moggies adore her, very often following her as she goes on her ways and, tonight, she'd had to put up with the noisy Geordies before I did and was glad to have a moment or two of relaxation at the bar I think.
"Ana-Mary has told me that you have an admirer" announced Beryl. Oh! Was I the topic of conversation over the canapes? But, and before I could comment, back came that American accent again, "yeah, and she's insane!!" More banter followed during which it began to become clear that I was not going to be told who this insane admirer was. Lisa was taken into the confidence. But not me. I began to guess (in my own mind) and actually got it right because Ana-Mary eventually relented and gave me a rock-solid clue or two. I've met the Lady once. She is not insane, she's actually a Lawyer but does lead a stressful life coping with an elderly and infirm Mother I believe.
Mistake. I should have known better. David and Ann called in on the way back from the shops and David just loves a tease. Later, after they had left I was standing in the doorway rocking on my heels when Juan himself drove up and with a squeal of brakes skidded to a stop just past me. A quick flick into reverse and through the electrically opening window as he backed up came "muy guapo, ohh la la!" I gave him a twirl there and then after which, and with a satisfied smile, he went on his way "to watch football, see you later maybe."
Life was suddenly quiet again. Barry came by and dropped off the Loaf Tin I'd asked him to get for me on one of his shopping trips (he goes to shops where they sell that kind of thing, I don't). 8 euros changed hands and I now have the technology to make my own bread. And why not, my new chef's assistant came with a dough hook and I want to put it to good use. Then a group of noisy Geordies called in. "Sorry about all the swearing guv". "There are no ladies present so I'm not unduly bothered " I replied, which they accepted, and after 1 round left, heading back to their hotel and, probably for some, the mother of all headaches.
All quiet again so I put a Queen disc in the player and began listening to Freddie Mercury. "You are all on your alone Derek!" "Yes Hilde, will it be your usual?" "Yes, I take just one then I go home, I have been to Benalmadena with my girlfriend, to a Japanese restaurant, I just get back and I am tired." Now, I've got a tie on and I can't hide that fact and I'm getting worried that she's going to tease about that because I suddenly remembered her telling me some months ago "DON'T wear a tie!! No!!" But she preferred to talk about her meal and gave me a colour brochure from the restaurant to back up her description of what she ate. When I tried to give it back to her she said "no, it is for you". As it happens I do want to try Japanese food sometime and now have a picture of what suchi and suchimi look like. I offered her another wine 'on me' which she didn't refuse..."oh all right, I stay for just one more then I go home!" Yes Hilde.
The reason why I'm working is of course because Beryl et al have gone to dinner with Ana-Mary and Favio. Having finished the meal Favio taxied everybody back to the bar and in they came. Sober. Sober? "Too much food, no time to drink, give me a vodka, quick" said Randy (Beryl's American Husband). "Muy elegante, muy elegante" beamed Ana-Mary in my direction. Why thankyou said I in return. Then this american accent came back over the bar "yeah, but shame about the tie" Here we go. Get Derek. Again. "What's wrong with the tie?" "Too, er, thin, and anyway, where's the funeral?" "It's brown not black, I'm colour cordinated" I countered, laying the tie over my arm and the jacket sleeve to press home my point. "Well, it's still too thin". And on the banter went over the first drink that was Favio treat, who with a faint nod towards Hilde's glass had silently told me to top hers up as well. "No, please, I go home now". Too late. She did eventually grasp an opportunity to leave, vacating her stool that was then very shortly reoccupied by Lisa. Lisa works in a bar along the road and usually closes before Ana's Bar does, sometimes calling in for a wind-down snifter on her way home. She adores cats and the local moggies adore her, very often following her as she goes on her ways and, tonight, she'd had to put up with the noisy Geordies before I did and was glad to have a moment or two of relaxation at the bar I think.
"Ana-Mary has told me that you have an admirer" announced Beryl. Oh! Was I the topic of conversation over the canapes? But, and before I could comment, back came that American accent again, "yeah, and she's insane!!" More banter followed during which it began to become clear that I was not going to be told who this insane admirer was. Lisa was taken into the confidence. But not me. I began to guess (in my own mind) and actually got it right because Ana-Mary eventually relented and gave me a rock-solid clue or two. I've met the Lady once. She is not insane, she's actually a Lawyer but does lead a stressful life coping with an elderly and infirm Mother I believe.
Sunday, 16 December 2007
Lunch Party
Today I'm invited to Tina & Barry's along with Ann & Bill for lunch. 1-15 for 1-30 is my instruction. So shortly I've got to iron some clothes and I think that I'll give that Jacket Juan gave me an airing. Tina & Barry dropped into the bar yesterday and dropped some hints about the menu today but it is still more-or-less a surprise. I have said that I'll take along a bottle of Malaga Virgen for Aperitifs so first I've got to go to the corner shop to get one.
Yesterday Cecilia came in after a short absence. I'd thought that her disappearance was due to the fact that she'd gone to Mexico to join her Husband who has been posted there by his firm. But I was wrong. Anyway on her way back to her apartment last evening she called in and gave me a load of Plum Tomatoes and Red Peppers that she'd bought on her travels. Tomato Chutney seems like a good idea and stuffed peppers is also on the agenda now but, first, Tina's soiree and then a full session in the bar until closing because Beryl & Randy are going to Dinner tonight with Ana-Mary and Favio leaving me in charge. I'm quite looking forward to the day (which is cold, grey and threatening to be quite wet).
Yesterday Cecilia came in after a short absence. I'd thought that her disappearance was due to the fact that she'd gone to Mexico to join her Husband who has been posted there by his firm. But I was wrong. Anyway on her way back to her apartment last evening she called in and gave me a load of Plum Tomatoes and Red Peppers that she'd bought on her travels. Tomato Chutney seems like a good idea and stuffed peppers is also on the agenda now but, first, Tina's soiree and then a full session in the bar until closing because Beryl & Randy are going to Dinner tonight with Ana-Mary and Favio leaving me in charge. I'm quite looking forward to the day (which is cold, grey and threatening to be quite wet).
Saturday, 15 December 2007
An Early Goal!
Re: Ann She brought David into the bar to see me yesterday just after I'd opened. He's improving rapidly, his drinking arm has lost it's cramp and his face is showing signs of a smile now and then. Ann was, of course, her usual radiant self, wrapped up well in a heavy overcoat to keep the chill out, bemoaning the fact that she's lost a few ounces and is trying to find them again. She stayed for 45mins or so until she perceived that David was showing signs of tiredness and then gently helped him out, down the step at the door, and away home.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Cut & Dried
That's the Christmas Cards away. Hopefully I'm in time although word is that the last day for posting was the 12th. A little blustery outside today with plenty of grey clouds around and some extensive rainfall evident on the Eastern horizon which, on the easterly wind, could be coming our way. I've just got back from Leena's Hair Salon in the nearby hotel having had my hair cut (and a free blow-dry while walking back home). So now I'm all set for the Christmas and New Year Festive season which kicks off here on Sunday as far as I'm concerned with a (late) lunch with Tina & Barry. Tina has invited several people and been kind enough to schedule everything to accomodate my need to get to work at 5pm. Beryl and her husband are invited by Favio and Ana-Mary for Dinner in the evening so I have agreed to work through until close on Sunday. A busy day all-in-all.
One of the regulars (Juan) in the bar gave me a rather expensive Jacket the other day. Having bought and worn it just 2 or 3 times he decided that it wasn't "him" and looked for a new home for it. Me. Now I just need to elicit some help in finding a matching pair of trousers so a certain young lady will be press-ganged just as soon as the opportunity arises. Maybe the combo can then become my "new Party Frock" for the meal on Christmas Eve (the menu of which, incidently, I have not been able to clarify because Hilde did not have the info in her handbag last night when I spoke to her).
Re: Ann
David tells that she is steadily improving each and every day and I am pleased to hear that she has set herself a 'goal'...to gain enough strength to accompany him one day next week to the bar followed by a meal in one of the local eateries. Life is getting back to normal, slowly but surely.
One of the regulars (Juan) in the bar gave me a rather expensive Jacket the other day. Having bought and worn it just 2 or 3 times he decided that it wasn't "him" and looked for a new home for it. Me. Now I just need to elicit some help in finding a matching pair of trousers so a certain young lady will be press-ganged just as soon as the opportunity arises. Maybe the combo can then become my "new Party Frock" for the meal on Christmas Eve (the menu of which, incidently, I have not been able to clarify because Hilde did not have the info in her handbag last night when I spoke to her).
Re: Ann
David tells that she is steadily improving each and every day and I am pleased to hear that she has set herself a 'goal'...to gain enough strength to accompany him one day next week to the bar followed by a meal in one of the local eateries. Life is getting back to normal, slowly but surely.
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Yorkshire Tea & Crumpet
"Can we bring you anything back from Gibraltar?" asked Ann S a week or so ago "because we are going there for a day or two soon". My shopping list was Yorkshire Tea and Beef Suet. They (her and Bill) came into the bar earlier this evening sporting a carrier bag. "For you" said she. "15Euros" said he. Deal done I poked a nose in - Yorkshire Tea, no Suet but, and wait for it......., crumpets!! "Couldn't get Beef Suet, they only had the veggie one". OK, the puds are on hold, dumplings I am doing suet-less now anyway but I could die for a bit of crumpet. I reckon that Ann's got a seventh sense or maybe she reads this blog or maybe I natter about things in the bar. Who cares. I got 6 crumpets. Well, I did have, they are all gone now. Some greedy bugger ate the lot earlier and is now suffering indigestion bigstyle. But I now know that my homemade ones are very close to the mark; just got to get the right number of holes in each one. I must get back on that quest having also proved tonight that the Marmite idea works very well. Oh yes.
Quick trip back down to the bar after dinner for indigestion medication. ???. "I got something for you Derek". Eh? What is this, Christmas? Oh, hello Hilde. "You want know what to eat? My friend has made menus, you should choose and me tell". Isn't Dutch so much like English!? There's a little story to this actually. Yesterday, before I went back to the bar after dinner, Beryl had said to Hilde that Derek wants to know what the menu is. "I don't tell him, it's a surprise" said she. When I walked in she repeated that..."I don't tell you what you eat, Derek, it's a surprise" My vacant expression caught Beryl's attention and she explained what had come to pass in the previous hour or so. I can't remember the rest of the banter that passed but Hilde enjoys a good giggle and that she had for sure. But now she has my choice of Prawns in Whisky sauce, Steak Fillet Roses in another kind of sauce and Salmon Fillet in yet another kind of sauce (I wrote it down for her but not for me. Tomorrow I'll clarify it all here.) But it all sounds very nice, Chef has me sorted at least and I'm happier about how my 40 euros is to be spent. It's a champagne reception by the way.
As for my Vodka, sorry, medication - it was taken in solitude after Hilde left. Favio will play Spanish music, loudly....it's Tuesday you see, Beryl's night off. My shift went very nicely, thankyou.
Quick trip back down to the bar after dinner for indigestion medication. ???. "I got something for you Derek". Eh? What is this, Christmas? Oh, hello Hilde. "You want know what to eat? My friend has made menus, you should choose and me tell". Isn't Dutch so much like English!? There's a little story to this actually. Yesterday, before I went back to the bar after dinner, Beryl had said to Hilde that Derek wants to know what the menu is. "I don't tell him, it's a surprise" said she. When I walked in she repeated that..."I don't tell you what you eat, Derek, it's a surprise" My vacant expression caught Beryl's attention and she explained what had come to pass in the previous hour or so. I can't remember the rest of the banter that passed but Hilde enjoys a good giggle and that she had for sure. But now she has my choice of Prawns in Whisky sauce, Steak Fillet Roses in another kind of sauce and Salmon Fillet in yet another kind of sauce (I wrote it down for her but not for me. Tomorrow I'll clarify it all here.) But it all sounds very nice, Chef has me sorted at least and I'm happier about how my 40 euros is to be spent. It's a champagne reception by the way.
As for my Vodka, sorry, medication - it was taken in solitude after Hilde left. Favio will play Spanish music, loudly....it's Tuesday you see, Beryl's night off. My shift went very nicely, thankyou.
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