Sniff, sniff. It's time to say goodbye to Arcos.
For various reasons we have decided to leave Arcos and we have moved to Gibraltar. Yes, it is a bit sad, and it was a tough decision, but needs must.
Clearly, no-one in Arcos reads this blog, but I feel I ought to say it anyway......Thanks for the warm welcome, the support, the friendship and the great summer we spent with you all. I think we will always have very fond memories of Arcos and the people we met. I'd like to make special mention of the Viejos and Viejas (the fogies) of Arcos. I have to say I anticipated resistance to the influx of "outsiders" from these members of the community, but I was dead wrong. I think without exception, the old guard proved to be the most welcoming and friendly people we have ever had the pleasure of living side by side with. I'll never forget it.
Well, we've moved now, and we have landed squarely in the fast lane. No more putting things off til tomorrow, no more lazy afternoons of empty streets and sleeping off the puchero, no more drinks with old men in the pensionista, no more jasmine and orange blossom.........
Oh God, I should never have enumerated all the things that made that place, I think I'm getting a lump in my throat.
Anyway, I could end this entry with "adios", but I think I prefer to leave it with "hasta luego".
Nick
martes, 12 de febrero de 2008
martes, 13 de noviembre de 2007
Calentita
OK, I thought I'd add a throw-away little entry about a Gibraltarian delicacy.
Calentita is essentially chick-pea flour, water, salt and pepper. It gets mixed up into a kind of batter and then baked. It is available as a breakfast item on many cafe menus in Gib, and apparently nowhere else.
This is an ideal breakfast for me because:
1. I don't like crunchy, crispy, or dry things in the morning.
2. It's gently flavoured, so not too much of a shock to the senses.
3. It's inexplicably comforting....like a blanky for your guts (I need comforting in the morning).
4. "Calentita" means er....small warm thing or slightly warm thing. I'm not sure, but it just sounds nice.
I'm going to make a batch at home and see how it goes.
Nick
Calentita is essentially chick-pea flour, water, salt and pepper. It gets mixed up into a kind of batter and then baked. It is available as a breakfast item on many cafe menus in Gib, and apparently nowhere else.
This is an ideal breakfast for me because:
1. I don't like crunchy, crispy, or dry things in the morning.
2. It's gently flavoured, so not too much of a shock to the senses.
3. It's inexplicably comforting....like a blanky for your guts (I need comforting in the morning).
4. "Calentita" means er....small warm thing or slightly warm thing. I'm not sure, but it just sounds nice.
I'm going to make a batch at home and see how it goes.
Nick
Scouting San Roque
This weekend we went to San Roque. It's a small town within the Campo de Gibraltar, around 15 mins from the Frontier.
We're looking for a place to rent here, or here abouts, so that Bianca can work in Gib.
Yes, we're on the move again! Sometimes I think we should just invest in a good tent. Bedouin style perhaps. I could get into reclining on some cushions and eating dates.
Anyway, here are a couple of pics of San Roque, just so you know what we're talking about.
Typical Spanish high-street.
View from the square in the Casco Antiguo, down a side street.
Another side street with a steep incline provides a view of the hill opposite.
I'll let you know what happens...
Nick
We're looking for a place to rent here, or here abouts, so that Bianca can work in Gib.
Yes, we're on the move again! Sometimes I think we should just invest in a good tent. Bedouin style perhaps. I could get into reclining on some cushions and eating dates.
Anyway, here are a couple of pics of San Roque, just so you know what we're talking about.
Typical Spanish high-street.
View from the square in the Casco Antiguo, down a side street.
Another side street with a steep incline provides a view of the hill opposite.
I'll let you know what happens...
Nick
Arcos Landscape
I've been taking a few slightly more considered shots of the town recently. Autumn has brought the clouds back into the sky, and I've been really enjoying them.
The weird light here is skudding under storm clouds. I took this photo in between bouts of rain. I'm not sure if I really got it here, but it was a really odd sight.
Typical sunset from our terrace, all that concrete gets in the way, but makes a nice silhouette.
Nick
The weird light here is skudding under storm clouds. I took this photo in between bouts of rain. I'm not sure if I really got it here, but it was a really odd sight.
Typical sunset from our terrace, all that concrete gets in the way, but makes a nice silhouette.
Nick
Toms Birthday
In the worlds latest attempt to make us feel old, Tom went and turned seven this week.
This year Tom decided that he wanted a bike, so while we were in Gib we went to the bike shop and found a cool silver number with six gears and a decidedly rugged look. Tom seemed more than satisfied.
This morning (I'm going to write it as though I'm not several weeks late in making the entry), we wheeled the thing into the living room and presented it to him. He was chuffed.
I think I should mention that he was also delighted with ALL the presents he received despite the fact that his parents did not go to the effort of thanking everyone. Please accept this as an apology and a blanket thanks to you all. Sorry.
Anyway, back to Tom.
We had breakfast, and then after preparing him for the possible disappointment of not managing to ride without stabilizers immediately, we headed out to the hill behind the house to give the new bike a try.
Tom was riding on his own 3 minutes later. Yes, I gave him two pushes and on the third I just let go. It seems he's a natural.
Later we went to the park and he continued in the same vein. He was in sixth gear and smirking before too long. OK, there were a couple of headlong crashes into the fencing and a few stationary falls (I'd forgotten how easy it was to do that, but when your only just reaching the floor....), but by and large he seems to have got the hang of it without any difficulty. Cool.
This picture shows Tom on his new "proper" bike. That's his old bike on the edge of the frame. Looks a bit silly doesn't it? Don't tell Ollie.
Trying to take picture of Tom riding was a lesson in that fact that focusing a camera on a moving target is REALLY hard. Here's a photo of him on the move. It's not great but at least it is in focus.
He also got a pair of inline skates for his birthday, with helmet and pads thankfully. I don't have any pictures just yet.
It was a bit of an unconventional birthday this year. He didn't have a birthday cake (poor thing). I've just been trying to remember with Bi, but there was a candle to blow out. I think it was lodged in a plate of potato salad or something. Anyway, famous bike riders don't eat cake. Which brings me to another thing. While Tom was showing off to me in the park we were talking about how he would become a famous rider (on account of him being really good at it) and Tom decided that in fact there was a down side to being famous. Apparently it is that when you have to go home because it's tea-time "all the people will get sad and cry" because they want to keep watching your amazing bike skills. And those are his words.....
Writing this reminds me that I must give him a a big hug when he gets home......shucks.
Nick
This year Tom decided that he wanted a bike, so while we were in Gib we went to the bike shop and found a cool silver number with six gears and a decidedly rugged look. Tom seemed more than satisfied.
This morning (I'm going to write it as though I'm not several weeks late in making the entry), we wheeled the thing into the living room and presented it to him. He was chuffed.
I think I should mention that he was also delighted with ALL the presents he received despite the fact that his parents did not go to the effort of thanking everyone. Please accept this as an apology and a blanket thanks to you all. Sorry.
Anyway, back to Tom.
We had breakfast, and then after preparing him for the possible disappointment of not managing to ride without stabilizers immediately, we headed out to the hill behind the house to give the new bike a try.
Tom was riding on his own 3 minutes later. Yes, I gave him two pushes and on the third I just let go. It seems he's a natural.
Later we went to the park and he continued in the same vein. He was in sixth gear and smirking before too long. OK, there were a couple of headlong crashes into the fencing and a few stationary falls (I'd forgotten how easy it was to do that, but when your only just reaching the floor....), but by and large he seems to have got the hang of it without any difficulty. Cool.
This picture shows Tom on his new "proper" bike. That's his old bike on the edge of the frame. Looks a bit silly doesn't it? Don't tell Ollie.
Trying to take picture of Tom riding was a lesson in that fact that focusing a camera on a moving target is REALLY hard. Here's a photo of him on the move. It's not great but at least it is in focus.
He also got a pair of inline skates for his birthday, with helmet and pads thankfully. I don't have any pictures just yet.
It was a bit of an unconventional birthday this year. He didn't have a birthday cake (poor thing). I've just been trying to remember with Bi, but there was a candle to blow out. I think it was lodged in a plate of potato salad or something. Anyway, famous bike riders don't eat cake. Which brings me to another thing. While Tom was showing off to me in the park we were talking about how he would become a famous rider (on account of him being really good at it) and Tom decided that in fact there was a down side to being famous. Apparently it is that when you have to go home because it's tea-time "all the people will get sad and cry" because they want to keep watching your amazing bike skills. And those are his words.....
Writing this reminds me that I must give him a a big hug when he gets home......shucks.
Nick
Mums Visit
She was the first to book a trip and the last to arrive, probably to give us plenty of time to settle in. This week my Mum paid us a visit. I nipped over to Malaga to pick her up, then we took a quick detour into Gib to see the Sanguinettis and pick up the rest of the Feeks, before heading to Arcos.
We got home late and knackered.
She was soon eating prawns...
During Mum's stay we went out and about when we could. I was working for a good chunk of it unfortunately.
We spent a morning looking around Jerez, took a trip up to the hills at El Bosque and went, for the first time for all of us, to Bornos.
When we were in Bornos we stumbled upon a beautiful garden and palace. I guess any number of web sites and guide books would have told us about it anyway, but it was much better to just find it. It as a lovely day, and the gardens were very lush.
Pond.
I believe Mum took more (and better) photographs of her stay here, but I forgot to get them before she left. I might ask her to send some of the nicer ones to me so that I can add them.
Anyway, photographs or not, we all had a good time, and Mum helped a lot while she was here. As usual with our visitors, we were sad to see her go.
Nick
We got home late and knackered.
She was soon eating prawns...
During Mum's stay we went out and about when we could. I was working for a good chunk of it unfortunately.
We spent a morning looking around Jerez, took a trip up to the hills at El Bosque and went, for the first time for all of us, to Bornos.
When we were in Bornos we stumbled upon a beautiful garden and palace. I guess any number of web sites and guide books would have told us about it anyway, but it was much better to just find it. It as a lovely day, and the gardens were very lush.
Pond.
I believe Mum took more (and better) photographs of her stay here, but I forgot to get them before she left. I might ask her to send some of the nicer ones to me so that I can add them.
Anyway, photographs or not, we all had a good time, and Mum helped a lot while she was here. As usual with our visitors, we were sad to see her go.
Nick
The Wedding
This weekend was Ernest and Yvette's church wedding. I say "church" because they are already Husband and Wife, but they were married in an English registry office. They decided they wanted to seal the whole thing with all the trimmings, and why not?
So in the morning, all over Gibraltar, Sanguinettis and Gonzales' (and a few Feeks) were busy zipping dresses, tying ties and applying make-up, and generally preparing for the event.
Here are the boys with their cousin, Ewan.
The men.
All the men.
And here is Bianca and me, hoping we cut the mustard. I think we do, despite the fact that I look a bit sick.
They were married in the Cathedral in the center on Gibraltar, which is an Main Street. For those of you who don't know, Main Street is like the high-street of Gibraltar, so the walk to church was a very public thing. It's really nice, the people in the street get a little show, and the wedding parties get to show off their get-ups.
Anyway, Bride and Groom were beautifully turned out. The Bride was blushing and in the long tradition of healthy and successful weddings, we were all left wondering why she would marry him. Earnest: In case you read this, that IS a backhanded compliment.
The wedding went smoothly, though Yvette did get the giggles, because the wedding vows unearthed a well kept secret. Ernest has a mystery middle name, given to him by his Mum at birth, and mentioned never more until today. Ernest Sandro Sanguinetti. I like it.
After the wedding we went to the Botanical gardens for a photo session. I've yet to see the official photo's, but Yvette's dress was lovely, and when I get hold of something, I'll post it here.
There was a reception, and I'm glad to say that I was too busy having a good time to take any photographs. Good.
That's all for now,
Nick
So in the morning, all over Gibraltar, Sanguinettis and Gonzales' (and a few Feeks) were busy zipping dresses, tying ties and applying make-up, and generally preparing for the event.
Here are the boys with their cousin, Ewan.
The men.
All the men.
They were married in the Cathedral in the center on Gibraltar, which is an Main Street. For those of you who don't know, Main Street is like the high-street of Gibraltar, so the walk to church was a very public thing. It's really nice, the people in the street get a little show, and the wedding parties get to show off their get-ups.
Anyway, Bride and Groom were beautifully turned out. The Bride was blushing and in the long tradition of healthy and successful weddings, we were all left wondering why she would marry him. Earnest: In case you read this, that IS a backhanded compliment.
The wedding went smoothly, though Yvette did get the giggles, because the wedding vows unearthed a well kept secret. Ernest has a mystery middle name, given to him by his Mum at birth, and mentioned never more until today. Ernest Sandro Sanguinetti. I like it.
After the wedding we went to the Botanical gardens for a photo session. I've yet to see the official photo's, but Yvette's dress was lovely, and when I get hold of something, I'll post it here.
There was a reception, and I'm glad to say that I was too busy having a good time to take any photographs. Good.
That's all for now,
Nick
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