Bedrock

For some time now I’ve been into having a simple Cafe Con Leche and Tostada Con Tomate breakfast – many of the local cafes do a decent job of that combo – and not expensive (2-3 Euros for the lot) which means going out for breakfast almost every day is very practical – not to mention that with no butter, the tomato is quite good for you. (obviously you would add a little salt and Olive Oil – well, I do anyway).

Well, didn’t we just discover this (thanks to our good neighbours). Mermelada Con Tomate does not taste as you might expect, the tomato flavour isn’t that strong – but it makes a great marmalade.

Now, if only they’d make a version that uses Stevia instead of sugar, I’d be VERY happy with this new variation, as it is I’m guessing tha occasional use will do no harm.

Took the two boys up the hill this morning, meanwhile it seems we have the virus in Galera, so no doubt there will be some panic until the novely wears off. Thankfully, living on the edge of town it is relatively easy to keep out of the way.

I just watched bits of the RNC (USA) on the web – I’m wishing I’d never taken any notice of the last few years of American and British politics. Here in the wilds of Andalucia (I’ve yet to figure out if that should be “s” or “c”) it is just about possible to simply say “to hell with it all” and enjoy the simple life along with a nice set of neighbours.

Don’t get me wrong, “simple” for me includes high speed broadband but that is slowly happening out here.

Not a bar we normally visit, Cafe El Cruce is on the edge of Galera and the atmosphere in there has recently improved as you can probably see in the panorama below.

Meanwhile in-between the odd (careful) day-trip out with various friends in the scorching summer heat including the odd rip to the one still-available lake in the area (thanks, Covid and those who help spread it), Maureen has been working on the house and garden and I’ve been upgrading our home control. Too hot in August to do much physical work outside.

Electronics growing on trees in the garden 🙂 – I’ve been writing lots of reviews during these restrictive times – no chance of getting bored here.

Below, slightly out of date panorama as we’ve had the broadband dish moved to free up wall space on the main building (left).

After that trip to the lake, we’ve been lying low other than a solitary trip to the pub to see friends. Maureen’s been working on the house and I’ve been working on a proper VPN back to the UK – I’ve struggled with really understanding how this works for some time and finally grasped it – so now from a TV perspective we’re well and truly in the UK while enjoying the many benefits of Spain.

The cats of course could care less as long as it is sunny and right now, almost without exception, it is.

Social distancing at the local…

If I had to get out of bed and travel to the office I’d be unhappy but as we’re not doing that, we’re making the best of the sun and yesterday visited one of very few open lakes. The locals must be spooked as there were only two other couples anywhere in view in the morning and ultimately there were just the four of us with a large lake all to ourselves. We got some relaxing swimming in. I even thought it might be good drone weather – that’s what I get for thinking – first attempt I lost a bolt – that’ll be fun to replace.

Still, we had a very nice morning followed by a light lunch at a nearby hotel – sitting outside, naturally. This water is unbelievably nice – still very low compared to a few short years ago. We can only hope it gets replenished over the winter. In the meantime, it is refreshingly cool instead of just plain cold.

The land I’m standing on, no more than a couple of years ago was under water. As for our friend’s dogs, they loved it. Should have taken our cats but it was a bit hot in the car for them. I can see a return trip in my future, armed with our blow-up boat.

And wonderful it is, after a miserable winter back in the UK, extended by months thanks to Covid – or rather thanks to those who choose to ignore government guidelines and hence who have helped to keep the disease running. Overall, things are great now we’re back in Galera – it is certainly great to be here, we’ve not had a chance to meet up with friends yet (with a small number of nearby exceptions) as we have so very much to do – but even here the “we’re all in it together” mantra seems to have fallen on deaf ears in some cases.

Only days or weeks before we returned to our corner of Galera, some bastard took the time to steal one of our better solar lights – the replacement is on it’s way and will be armed. To our many friends here, I hope you are all well – to the person who stole our property – I hope you die a violent death, alone, coughing your guts up.