West of the Town

Saturday 28 September 2013

The streets of Paris

I needed some air. Well the Paris streets have air and near the river it is reasonably fresh! But I veered off to get out of the more tourist areas, if that is possible?

And I wanted to use my new toy. A panoramic picture taker for the iPhone. So these are just views for the sake of it. I was too late for the acrobats, by the time I arrived they were asking for money. The costume people were there just for fun, I asked so I know. But for one lady that did not include having her photo taken. What fun is that?

Then there was the pub called- well you can see the photo. Who says the French can't laugh at themselves?

Thursday 26 September 2013

Chile beginning

Well I am not proud of never having learned to cook (other than the basics). But with June as a wife there seemed no point. So today I started my self improvement course. A chile con carne.



Here it is cooking on the stove. And it looks quite good in the photo. Of course I made some mistakes, mostly when I halved the ingredients. I remembered to halve the meat, beans, tomatoes, and things I added off my own bat, but then I put the whole packet of chilli powder in and had to scoop what I could out again. So too, I nearly added the full quantity of liquid. I meed to practice.

I owe many people thanks for remembered inspiration. June for getting me to like chile in the first place, and for halving the ingredients when necessary. Andy for throwing a few things in that you like despite the recipe. Dad for using wine in place of water (a bit Biblical that one. If I had the faith for it I would have used water and prayed over it. But in the event I had some wine that needed using up). Even Evangeline who when she visited made me a chile using packet sauce, said that it was easy, then left me a second packet saying "you are going to need to learn to do that for yourself when I have gone". She was sensible enough to say "when I have gone", now, long after, I found the second packet and took the plunge. And not least Mum, who said that cooking for 1 is awkward so cook for 2 and have the same again the next day.



So here it is (1 portion). And a second is cooling ready for tomorrow.

I hope it is good.

Terry
Envoyé de mon iPhone

PS

So today (Sat) I tried a spaghetti - mostly because I still had lots of mince left. @ portions again but only 1 portion of spaghetti and parmesan. What? You wanted a picture? Just imagine spaghetti topped with meat in a bowl, and completely obscured by parmesan all over.

So what did I learn this time? Well I have invented a new dish! Spaghetti curry. You see I forgot to buy tomato puree but I found a tube in the kitchen box I was unpacking. But it was a pimento (a hot version it said on the side). I used it as I would use normal puree.

Phew! To be eaten in shorts and T-shirt, outside in the snow, during a gale!
In pure self defence I poured myself a cold beer half way through. Even then it was hard to finish. The ice-cream I had afterwards tasted hot, but it also went a long way to cooling off my mouth.

June was right when she never let me cook for her.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

All over by 9am

Today is moving in day - for my furniture that is. And the removal men had booked a visit for 8am, a keen lot but they told me that they wanted to miss the Paris traffic and had stocked the van the night before. Still it was a 4am start for them.
Parked up and unloading. My stuff was only a small part
of this van. Nicely decorated.
And a 7:30am wake up call on my mobile when they arrived early. They could not find the flat, but they were close and we soon sorted out a parking place.
3 men, 2 to move stuff into the lift and press the button for the 1st floor. Then 1 man and me to receive the goods from the lift and chose where to put them in the flat. Clockwork.
So then it was all over. Several documents to sign in the typical French style, a couple of cheques (storage and removals) and they were off. I looked at the clock. 08:56. So I was in, but no way established.

But I can say I feel like I have arrived at last. Unpacking the kitchen reminded me strongly of June as I unpacked things that were definitely her domaine, but now are my domain. So here are some pics.

Kitchen
Living room

Spare room
Leaving. It was a tight spot.


Sunday 15 September 2013

classical Spanish style


A man plays an acoustic guitar through an amplifier under the footings of the Alhambra palace. It is classical Spanish style, his girlfriend sits in the shade of the nearby low wall. Because of him I turned back and dropped a tip in his hat. Then I stopped for a beer in the cafe within earshot. 

The man's hair has not been washed for some time and the girlfriend smokes his profits in the form of a roll up. He is an attraction and the cafe should employ him. Except that he would probably hate that. 

The beer turns up with bread and cheese, and olives on the side. There is some sauce on the cheese. A rare treat! 

Hardly anyone tips the guitar player, but he has the air of doing it all for pleasure. Perhaps the girl will bring a hat round later? Or perhaps they are rich? But no, it is he who is now walking among the diners with the hat. It is good to see people reaching out to him to give. He was good and it looks as if others thought so too. 

After this he packed up the guitar and walked off with the girl who shared her spliff with him. Time for me to drink up and go too. 

Cordialement 
Terry

Envoyé de mon iPhone

Saturday 14 September 2013

Córdoba

Now the photo above may look impassable but I guarantee you can drive down it. You see I did.

What should by rights be a pedestrian way, is also accessible to cars. Not that any sensible person would want to drive down it. It is just that I had spent over 1/2 an hour looking for a car park that was not full, and I had turned down a small street thinking it led to parking. Once committed, there is no turning back. At junctions, only 1 option is offered to the driver who advances in the faith that what appears impassable will open up at the last minute. It always does.

The people part for you too. At the last minute. And you pass that way in 1st gear or neutral.

Once I had parked, I went back and walked the streets. I met no cars.

This happened to me the last time I was in Córdoba. I am sure I will learn what not to do in time.

Cordialement
Terry
Envoyé de mon iPhone

More pics
I drove down this street too.

Shopping options were limited

This man's pet was unusual enough to phograph

Monday 9 September 2013

Hotel Ciudad

Having taken a late plane from Paris, I arrived in Martos about midnight. It was then that I realised I had not written down the hotel address. Some young dog-walkers directed me. 

The hotel was shut up for the night but the doorbell was promptly answered and the shutters raised to allow my entry. A surprisingly cheerful man greeted me and gave me a key. He showed me how to gain entry late at night and said he would register me in the morning. But in the event he was not there when I left so registration is still to be done. 

So I went back there for lunch. The menu was on the waiter's pad and he did his best to explain it. In the rare moments when he knew the English word he used it. Chicken. Potato. But otherwise he resorted to describing it in rapid Spanish. I went for the safe option. Chicken. Potato. 

I explained I was in room 105 since he had not seen me before. Ok he said although I offered no proof. The meal was un-priced but was 3 courses as standard. I added a coffee. Partly to know the cost I offered to sign a chit before I left. No need. So I just walked out. 

I have no idea what I just spent. He has no real idea who I was. Friendly. 

One good point was that the Internet connection finally worked and I could email and Viber again. Tonight I could even blog this prepared text! But if you are reading this, then I did. 

T

Cordialement 
Terry

Envoyé de mon iPhone