A Lovely Habit

My opening gambit is, as more-or-less always, the weather! Some rain and showers have been forecast for the next couple of days and, judging by the sky that I made a point of observing while shopping for some Oxo cubes earlier, that is exactly what may be about to happen. Grey skies are coming in from the West and heavy Cumulonimbus clouds are being pushed high over the Sierra Nevada on their way East. I'll be taking my umbrella into work this evening just in case.

Cristina arrived early this morning. I didn't hear her because I was still sound asleep after a few vodkas last night on my "day" off but at 1145 the door downstairs into the street was rapped upon and, not knowing that she was here, I went down to answer it. The workmen waiting didn't look like painters to me but I let them in anyway and as they began to lug some heavy gear up the staircase Cristina's voice came from above "Derek! No tuyos, solamente para mi." So, as I retired back through my own front-door I waved them on up to the second floor. A little while later a quiet rap on my door brought me face-to-face with a really rather very attractive Nun. Ignoring the presence of another workman splattered in paint I found myself involuntarily exclaiming "Cristina! Muy diferente!" " Si" she replied, "Un experiencia religioso para mi." I'm going to have to ask permission for a photo. I just have to!

My kitchen walls are now repainted, as is the bathroom after a disastrous visit by an electrician last Saturday to sort out the problem with the water heater. Guess who drilled through a water pipe in his efforts to move an electrical socket that didn't need moving, just replacing. The painter was (is) Moroccan and, upon noticing my Tagine, he started talking about cooking, Morocco and other such stuff in Spanish, French and English! We had a great time together for an hour or so.

I've currently got mince, mash and cabbage on the go for my dinner later, inspired by a man-sized portion of mince and rice that Margaret sent into the bar especially for me a night or three ago. Yesterday, though, I braised some pork loin with apple and white wine. Absolutely delicious it was so, when I have the time I'll tell you more about it. Now, where's my camera?

PS On my shopping trip today I noticed Yorkshire Tea on the shelf in the local "corner shop" that I use. I doubt that it is a permanent addition to their range. Vamos a ver(We'll see.)