Flying solo

Fudgefund

Hi Robin

Just been having a read, sorry to hear you've been hounded recently (see what I did there?) and I hope you are feeling better now the milder weather is upon us.

Your meal from the other night sounds lovely, and it must be the way you describe all of the ingredients because they wouldn't appeal to me normally. Perhaps a career as a food critic beckons?

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Sun.A and Fudgie - lovely to 'see' you both; pull up a chair and help me eat the surfeit of ripe strawberries which need consuming - they got very wet the other day, so are delicious now but won't be much longer.

Fudgie is right, the weather is warming up here; 21'C on the patio but an alarming 33'C in full sun (actually doesn't feel so hot because of a lovely cool breeze blowing in from the sea - of course the thermometer can't take account of that). Bodes well for your holiday, Sun.A, doesn't it?

Is a bit of a worry for me though; need to get a wiggle-on and book the chappies to come and fit an automated irrigation system soon if CD and I are to avoid the worst of the summer heat this year.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to call in at Chappie's work, shake his boss's hand and finally approve the estimate (however much it is, it will be worth it!).

Today am supposed to be checking DH's cottages, see what needs getting in for the visitors who are coming over Easter (like to provide the basics, food-wise, but have no idea what DS2 left in the store-cupboards and freezer).
There's also a job for Plumber; toilet cistern has a slow leak which ought to be fixed to avoid the septic tank filling up with water. Suspect it will involve replacement of both toilet and cistern but heigh-ho, Plumber needs the work.
..Thinking about it, both cottages [STRIKE]probably[/STRIKE] almost certainly warrant a decent spring clean - must find a fit person to sort that out, because it's definitely beyond my strength at the moment.

Fudgefund wrote: »

sorry to hear you've been hounded recently (see what I did there?).

:T Very clever Fudgie!

Fudgefund wrote: »

Your meal from the other night sounds lovely, and it must be the way you describe all of the ingredients because they wouldn't appeal to me normally. Perhaps a career as a food critic beckons?

Now there's a thought. Used to know a bloke who wrote for one of the broad-sheets; went with him several times when he was reviewing a restaurant. Tbh, he was not the best host; everyone had to eat the dishes he selected, and put up with him reaching across the table to jab his fork into their food without asking first. :cool:
..It would be a job I could do - erm, without controlling fellow diners like the critic mentioned above - so thanks very much for the suggestion Fudgie - you must have sensed that the first version** of this post saw me bemoaning my unfitness for paid employment (**abandoned - too depressing; Black Dog still prowling around ).
Suspect it's not so easy to persuade a newspaper / magazine editor that my prose would be worth a wage, though. :rotfl:

......

It's no good; too wobbly to go out in the van today - would be a danger to other road users not to mention CD and self.
Going to brew up a vat of 'green stoop' instead, before energy runs out; seem to have turned the 5 / 2 diet on it's head because am often too tired to care or cook in the evenings.
Still, m' belt is two notches tighter and the scales reckon another kilo has evaporated, so that's great.
Last week's rain pushed on broad beans and the peculiar coriander/celery plant, so after finding a hat, am heading down the garden to see what is waiting to be picked.

chevalier

Is there a reason for hanging onto the other spanish properties, other than the obvious sentimental reasons? Just wondering and forgive if I offend...
chev

*Robin*

chevalier wrote: »

Is there a reason for hanging onto the other spanish properties, other than the obvious sentimental reasons? Just wondering and forgive if I offend...
chev

..Following you around tonight, Chev. Thanks for popping in to the Nest, although I'm afraid you've missed the strawberries (yup; ate the lot! ).

No offence taken, but with the state of the economy there are no house buyers here. Officially unemployment is 25%, but locally it's much higher. Any foreigners with fat wallets are only interested in posh areas [San Pedro, Marbella], not the backwoods where they'd have to learn to speak Spanish, talk to themselves or take a vow of silence, lol.

Tbh, when faced with an influx of two dozen or so family members / friends at the same time, it's actually quite handy to have extra accommodation available.
Am far too grumpy to want 'em piling into the Nest! :rotfl:

Green stoop turned out rather well, something like Thai green curry by the time it hit the bowl. Tasty, and very nourishing. Bar coconut milk and ginger, all the ingredients travelled less than a hundred feet - about as 'green' as possible. :cool2:
Better yet there's enough left for tomorrow - good job as I won't care about cooking after a short night and then going into town.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Just popping by on the promise of juicy strawberries, but I see I'm too late to the party. Never mind, Thai green stoop will do just fine .

I think Fudgie has hit the nail on the head with your new career as a food critic!!

Hope you are feeling brighter today Xx

*Robin*

'Morning World and Lucky, :hello:

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Just popping by on the promise of juicy strawberries, but I see I'm too late to the party.

Nooo - help yourself, there are plenty of delicious jewelled strawberries on the plants (it was just the ones which were already ripe when it rained last week that had to be eaten tout suite; they were delicious but would probably have 'gone over' by today)!

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Never mind, Thai green stoop will do just fine .

For breakfast? Well, ok if you like, or you could share my home-made oaty-nutty-mix with bananas, grapes and strawberries on top?

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

I think Fudgie has hit the nail on the head with your new career as a food critic!!

It is a great idea, isn't it?
..Are there any editors lurking in the Box who'd like to pay for my words? If so, please do get in touch!

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Hope you are feeling brighter today Xx

Hopefully.. Won't know until I've had my shower, still fuzzily half-asleep atm.
Hope you're feeling better today too - not been woken ridiculously early by one of your boys?

One of our inbound visitors is my first [step-] great-grand-son, age seven months. It will be the first time I've met him - can't wait - but am grateful that he and his immediate family won't be staying at the Nest with CD and self. Am too long in the tooth to cope with a baby 24/7, lol.

missrlr

Wow you have been productive and yes to the food critic option! Perfect!
Sorry TBD has been prowling too often recently. Hope you enjoy the company soon

*Robin*

Dear Diary and Lovely MSE Friends, :hello:

Hello Missrlr, thanks for popping in. You're right, by my standards I have been quite active - not sure about productive? - recently. Paying the price today but that was expected.
Yes, food critic would be a great job. Not too many vacancies arise though so am not relying on finding an editor who is prepared to put up with my health limitations.

Yesterday was a 'good day' in everything but one omission (forgot to buy Plumber's chainsaw a new blade, or whatever the technical term is for the dangerous whizzy sharp part).

Called in at Chappie's company, met his Bosses (Mum and Dad). After a fair old search Dad found the estimate Chappie worked out for me - it's about half of what I was expecting [:D] - so booked to have the job done at the end of this month, which is the soonest they can fit it in. :T
Not only shook Boss' hand to seal the deal, but received hugs from both Mum and Dad - turns out Grandma and Grandpa lived in the village below the Nest (which makes me practically family by 'local' standards, lol).

Weather was unseasonably hot, so I was a bit worried about leaving CD in the van at Plumber's favourite supermarket. There is a different group of beggars outside this store; East Europeans who just sit by the door morosely holding out a hand. They're all young and [apparently] fit, but don't even offer to push shoppers' trolleys in exchange for the deposit. Not impressed.
So, yesterday we were lucky enough to find a parking space in the shade, just next to where the beggar was sitting. Opened Van windows wide, then explained that I'd happily pay her to stop anyone stealing my dog..
Got back to find CD hanging out of the van window enjoying cuddles from the young woman, who was also holding a lead.
"Look," she said. "I've already got another dog to keep an eye on!"
Offered congratulations and wages; said this could be the beginning of a useful small business - much better than begging!
Was still packing away my shopping when she returned to tell me she'd earned more by dog-sitting for half an hour than she usually gets in a day begging. Delighted, she offered to look after CD next time we are there. Great.
Hopefully that's a new positive for someone who can't have an easy life - and also good for all the people whose dogs accompany them shopping.

However, it's time CD got used to staying at the Nest where it's lovely and cool inside with the sunny-side shutters closed, rather than coming out in the van which can get dangerously hot for her.
She doesn't like it though.
We had a practise while I took Plumber back up the mountain; returned home to find shed fur all over my duvet, muddy paw-prints on the loo seat - trying to escape through the bathroom window - and all the avocados in the fruit bowl had been relocated to CD's favourite chair! :rotfl:
She was barking her head off too, although I suspect that only started when she heard Van's engine as I got back. Luckily there are no neighbours close enough to be annoyed, even if CD makes a racket every time she's left alone.

Confession time. Am terrible when faced with an unfamiliar supermarket, as it's not possible to bypass all the wants because one doesn't know where one's needs are located.
On the plus side; found some irresistible half price strawberry plants and sufficient Easter treats to live up to visiting family youngsters' expectations. Oh yes, and a replacement for the expensive garden hose which I took back and swapped for a credit note a few weeks ago - saved £45 there!
On the minus side; total bill came to £85. _pale_

Still, overall the day was a success, and for once I felt full of energy even after taking Plumber home.
Decided to re-pot the new strawberry plants - then made a stupid, stupid mistake: Rather than decanting potting compost into buckets, Muggins decided the part-full sack was light enough to carry up the steps to the Nest (it was dark by then so needed patio lights to see what I was doing).

It was a gorgeous warm night; bright crescent Moon and uncountable twinkling stars above, a couple of nightingales singing to each other somewhere in the dark garden with the frog chorus backing them from the riverbed below. Bats swooped around - very close - guess they were picking off insects attracted to the electric lights? Three times the haunting call of migrating geese passed overhead..
<Sigh - magic moments :A>
Had to press both washing up bowls and the clean-laundry box into service in order to give the new strawberries an overnight soak - which has perked 'em all up, think they'll survive and thrive.
Actually they are still soaking, because at the moment I can not lift the pots - spine is rigid and agonisingly painful.
So there's my excuse for not washing up - can't retrieve the bowls.
<Fool, fool, when will I learn? :cool:>

CD has a weepy eye today - wonder if she bruised it trying to force her way through the bars on the bathroom window? She's getting the teabag treatment for now; see how it looks tomorrow.
Bless her; she knows I couldn't negotiate steps let alone walk any distance - hasn't hassled, just contented herself with an inspection of the scents around the garden. :T
< my Clever Dog!>

*Robin*

Good morning World, :hello:

"Peep beep."
Hmmm?
"Peep beep."
'Phone? Who's calling at half five in the morning?
"Peep beep."
No-one. Must be a migrating bird...
"Peep beep."
CeeDee why has that bird been calling on our roof for the last hour?
No idea - time for tummy tickles over here, Mistress, please!

..Happens every time. Simply cannot understand how people get themselves addicted to opiates recreationally; they just knock me out without warning.
Woke up fully dressed on the sofa, listening to the oven desperately trying to tell me that last night's dinner is ready..
Hmm. Reckon I can salvage the baked spud, but CD will find the so-called 'easy option' sausages in her bowl at lunchtime - anyone inspecting the Nest's kitchen today might suspect I have a penchant for roasting male members, because those wrinkled items in the oven resemble nothing else (- not that I've ever actually seen a cooked pen!s :eek:).

................

:think: Reading ^^^ back, am obviously still smashed.
Left the hot water on overnight too - that'll cost - better take advantage of it, see if the shower can blast Dear Doctor's drugs out of my system and remove the million sharp spikes pressing into m' spine..

missrlr

Oh my life Robin do please please be careful! I know sometimes you have to take strong drugs but perhaps stick to cold food on those occasions? Much better than an unintended heating up of the Nest into a flammable situation!

Now have to run as have a plethora of meetings to get my head around .... when can I retire?