General Chat

Last night I Googled "JBay SA" It is really beautiful.
I see from the weather forecast that the temp. (yesterday) was around 57 degrees F. Not bad for winter! Hopefully you will soon be getting more hours of daylight.
Here in West Midlands, England it is around 74 degrees F (According to my outside thermometer at the back of the house and 64 on the outside thermometer at the front!

I hope that Bridget is gettin some dry days in Ireland. Have been thinking of her enjoying the peace as well as the company of friends and family and the food.

Had a lazy day today, as will be busy (for me) over the next few days. Last Sunday I was at a first birthday party and the week before I had my two younger grandsons (aged five and six,) here to keep me company, and wear me out!

Sorry to hear about your daughters friends. It must have been really scary for all of them, well done to their little boy who rescued them, he should be proud of himself.

Tess

Yes, JBay is truly a lovely place and we are very happy here although would you believe that I don't get to the beach as often as I would like to. I love walking on the beach but sadly it is not safe to walk alone any more especially for a senior citizen!

I had to do a conversion of the temperatures to make a comparison, you are in the middle summer so that tempetature doesn't seem too bad, I think! Summer here is usually about 79 - 97 F, too hot for me.

Have also been thinking about Bridget and hoping she is having a fabulous time, holidays are always too short!

We have the garden service coming to-day to cut the lawn so I cannot do the washing, not sure whether I am pleased or not because now I have it to look forward to to-morrow.

I don't have grandchilden but know how exhausting they can be because I always made do with my brother's grandchildren, especially the two who lived in the same town as us. We did lots of babysitting and they spent a lot of time with us and after we moved here they came for school holidays twice a year, but now that they are all grown up we don't see so much of them.

Think I've waffled on enough for now.

Take care.


Val in SA.

Have been to the nearest shopping centre with the Ring & Ride (a specail free bus service for people who find it difficult to get around).
Managed to get quite a bit of shopping done, but coldn't find the garlic.
However most days I can get to the (very) local (family run), shop, so can get some from there, if needs be.

When my dad was in the (british) army, we lived close to the seaside for two and a half years, in Malaysia.
We didn't even go to the beach once a week!
Not many of the local people sat on the beach there, it just wasn't the thing to do.
We did though go swimming in Pools in Singapore whenever we could. Great fun was had by all.

Have been looking on the internet and catalogues for garden sheds. Now that I have had the weeds cleared, I really need to get a shed, so that I have somewhere to put the garden tools (when I get them ) so that I can keep the garden looking good. (When it is finished).
At the moment, it is just a small patch of soil, eagerly picked over by pigeons.

Hope everyone is well,
Tess

For Bridget to read when she comes back (sorry Bridget I forgot to add this one.

The Blue Dress
My Father’s favourite colour was midnight blue (a sort of Royal blue). At least that is what my Mother told me when I first wore my blue dress. The dress which my fiancé, later to be my husband, bought me was midnight blue threaded with silver. It was made of a type of soft net material over satin, ballerina length, sleeveless with a boat neck. It was my first evening type dress, it was beautiful, and I loved it. It was bought especially as I had nothing to wear at New Year to a local dance.
I wore it to the New Year’s Eve dance in 1958 and felt so grown up. We couldn’t dance much as it was ‘proper dancing’ but we enjoyed spending the evening together, I was eighteen, he was twenty and we were in love, the evening couldn’t fail. If I concentrate hard enough I can still feel that dress, a bit scratchy and stiff because of the net material but it billowed out when we danced and for once I felt graceful and attractive. I can’t remember what shoes I wore with it but they would certainly have been very high stilettos. I think we probably had a taxi home as I certainly would not have managed to walk in those shoes.
In 1959 the dress had another outing to a good friend’s twenty first birthday party, That must have been in January or February as the pavements were icy and the skies were clear and frosty as I walked back to my Aunt’s house where I stayed the night. She only had electricity downstairs in her house and I remember I had to use a candle to light me to bed. My fiancé didn’t go to the party as he was away on duty in the Royal Navy so my friend’s cousin walked me back to my Aunt’s.
Later in 1959 the dress took me to a Royal Naval function, a summer ball. It was quite a grand affair as all Naval functions were in those days, regardless of whether they were for ratings or officers. The catering was excellent, the food delicious and varied and the band that played for dancing in one area was a Royal Marine band. A disco was in another area. That was a wonderful evening and the dress did me proud.
Being so much in love with my dress you might imagine that I would know what became of it. But sadly I have no recollection at all as to what eventually happened to my dress. I can only assume that it became unfashionable. We were married in 1960 so maybe it was just that we didn’t go to so many dressy functions and I perhaps gave it away, or, more likely, I left it at my parents house and my Mother gave it away. I wish I had kept it though, that dress that held so many happy memories, my special blue dress.

Val does JBay stand for Jervis Bay? If so that was the name of my parents bungalow, where I grew up. Named after the ship that my Mum sailed to Malta on to join my Dad who was serving there in the R Navy in the thirties.

Your poor friends being robbed. Stay safe wont you?

Goodmorning all,

Ann, JBay is Jeffreys Bay, it is a lovely seaside town at the southern part of South Africa,in the Eastern Cape Province on the Indian Ocean, famous for its surfing.


Late yesterday afternoon the town was covered in a very heavy mist which when I opened up the house this morning was still there. I heard a strange bird in the garden yesterday but unfortunately I couldn't find it so couldn't identify it.

I have been sitting in my daughter's workshop patiently waiting for a customer to collect a computer, he has just been so I can now go back into the house and have a cup of tea!

Enjoy your day.



Val in SA.

Val, somehow it seems strange that although you are thousands of miles away. in a different hemisphere and in fact a diffrent season, you are in (about) the same time as you in the UK.

Perhaps your strange bird got lost because of the mist. Maybe you will hear something in your local news, if a lot of the same type of bird paid an expected visit to J/Bay.

Ann, your dress sounds wonderful. Happy memories fro each of the special times you wore it. I bet that Bridget's and Val's stories bought it all back to you. Have you got any photos of you in the dress? Though of course, photos of that time were mainly black and white.
It might be worth, (if you can find one), writing the story of the dress to go with the photo, both for your own pleasure and for generations to come.
Have you spoken to your OH recently about it, how special it was etc.? I am sure that it would make him feel good that his generosity and good taste are still appreaciated. (Well done Ann's OH).

It was time I went to bed so good-night one and all

Tess

Hello to Val in SA, Tess (aka) the fidget, Ann in Gloc and anyone else who posted their stories whilst i was away. we arrived Home about an hour ago so will be going to bed very soon but I will add info about the holiday etc tomorrow.

Bye for now and ggod night

Bridget

Goodmorning,

This morning the sun was a large red ball in the sky when I looked out this morning, quite amazing. There is a bit of a breeze at the moment and I think to-day might be cool. Yesterday the sea was very choppy lots of wnite horses as it was windy.

Tess at this time of the year we are an hour ahead of the UK. I didn't hear the bird again so I guess it went looking for pastures new!! It is lovely to watch the birds in the garden especially when they are having a bath, although now that it is so dry they are quite scarce.

Our electricity will be off on Thursday morning for maintenance it is a bit of a nuisance but I guess it must be done or we'd have more moans human nature being what it is.

Am off to yet another birthday tea this morning, all these teas are not good for figure, this particular friend always has a lovely spread.

I did a bit of weeding yesterday as we do not yet have another gardener, boy getting down on the ground is one thing but getting up again is quite another! The weeds certainly grow rain or no rain.

Look forward to hearing all about your holiday Bridget.

Take care everyone.


Val in SA.

Good morning every one.

Val in SA, I have read all your postings sent whilst I was away and I am so delighted that you and others have kept this thread alive. Thank you.
I must say that you do seem to have a lot of friends with birthdays at this time ofthe year! What a wonderful reason or excuse for eating all thoose delicious foods we all seem to enjoy even though we know that perhaps we shouldn't!
below is a short background to the area of Ireland we stayed in. My ysisters' husband have lived in Killkee for as long as anyone can recall. whilst some of his siblings have moved elewhere, 2 in America, one in the UK the othres have stayed local and have thriving businesses, wonderful homes, all at leasts 6 bedrooms with magnificent views across the Atlantic.

Kilkee is situated in County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland. The old Irish name for the long triangular peninsula stretching to Loop Head and forming the northern boundary of the estuary of the River Shannon is 'Corca Baiscinn'. About mid-way on the Atlantic shore on this peninsula is Kilkee. It is situated on Moore Bay, a bay of horse-show shape. The splendid reef known as Duggerna Rocks guards the entrance to this bay.

Development as a Tourist Resort
From the 18th Century Kilkee began to develop as a tourist resort. One of the main reasons for the growing popularity of the area was its climate. It is one of the most westerly seaside resorts in Europe. Across the broad expense of the Atlantic Ocean comes the west wind, warmed by the Gulf Stream. The former gives the resort its bracing, healthy character, the latter its mild and equable climate.

The resort itself developed along a semi-circular strand, nearly one mile in length, with a good stretch of sands between the promenade and the sea. It has long been recognised as the best and safest bathing place on the western coast and although it is exposed to the full force of the Atlantic, the town, is protected on the westward side by the long rocky Duggerna Reef.

Kilkee today continues to attract a large number of visitors. Though situated on the extreme westerly seaboard, it is easily accessible by road and air. 48Km directly inland is Shannon Airport, there are bus services linking Kilkee with all important cities and towns of Ireland and roads connect Kilkee with Ennis (56km), Limerick (92km

Despite what the above blurb says, the whole of Ireland is suffering a depression,with the unemployment level being catstrophically low, visitors to Ireland are well below average, the cost of living has escallted beyond belief and everyone is worried about the next 5 to 10 years.

I will try to add some photos so that yu can picture it in your mind so will write more later.
It is very wet here in Hastings area, with grey sky and a fair amaount of mist, I have even put the heating on and it is AUGUST.
Today is my only daughters birthday and I can recall with great clarity what a wonderful hot sunny day it was when she was born just after 12 mid-day....

Bye for now
Bridget

I found this on the internet, it has inspired me to write about a different region, maybe tonight or tomorrow.
By Lawrence Bohme
Here in Montefrío, you are far from the international restaurants and British pubs of the Costa del Sol - the system is andaluzian only. Few small Spanish towns have proper restaurants what people have when they want to eat out is tapas. Tapas are the tasty titbits you are always served free with each drink, one of the nicest things about living here! If you want to have a meal, you simply take a table and order a "ración" a rather large portion or-you can also ask for a "media ración", a half portion) of the various tapas. A few raciones plus a dish of salad and bread will do a hungry couple very nicely. The custom is for everyone to eat from the same dishes by jabbing what they want Arab style, but if you ask, individual plates - platos will be brought to you.
The big favourite (everywhere in Spain, no matter how far from the sea) is deep-fried fish: calamares rings of squid; boquerones are fresh anchovies (you munch the whole crispy thing); lenguado are small sole; gambas are shrimp or prawns of varying sizes, usually served a la plancha(in Spanish, "frito" means deep-fried and "a la plancha" means pan-fried) with heads, legs and all - you peel them yourself (it's messy, but fun). Slices of deep-sea fish are usually done a la plancha: aguja (needlefish), rape (this is the one which makes the Brits howl, especially the usual translation of the dish "rape a la marinera - rape, seaman's style") which is nothing more frightening than angler (what the French call "lotte"), and pez espada (swordfish). Salad is "ensalada" and usually of tomatoes, lettuce, onions and olives and served without dressing - you pour on the aceite (oil) and vinagre yourself.

One thing about Spanish cooking is the inability to make tasty salads- they don't even shake the water out of the lettuce! But they make up for this minor crime with what is perhaps Spain's greatest contribution to world cuisine: gazpacho, a summertime chilled soup which is essentially a liquid salad thickened with bread dough, and flavoured up with lots of rich olive oil, garlic and vinegar (to be good, it must be made with virgin unrefined oil). It can be drunk as a soup, or simply as a beverage to accompany your fried fish (that's the way it's best, I think).

Fried potatoes - patatas fritas, fried in olive oil like everything else - are usually good; the local way of fixing potatoes is "patatas a lo pobre" (potatoes poor man's style) which is delicious but only for those who don't mind large amounts of olive oil!

The Spanish eat lots of eggs, but never boiled - they either fry them (huevos fritos) or make an omelette - tortilla (no relation to the Mexican variety). There are two basic kinds of omelette - "tortilla española" and "tortilla francesa". The Spanish type is a potato omelette, with lots of potato and onions - delicious, very filling and always a good stand-by if you don't know what else to order (it's often served cold, in wedges, as a tapa). The "French" type is a plain omelette with nothing in it (shows what they think of the French -. Lightly-done omelettes are unheard of - they're fried to the consistency of leathery pancakes.

Ham is the great delicacy here, but not the cooked kind you're used to, which, strangely, is called York Ham - jamón de York (pro. The local cured variety is similar to Parma Ham, and is called jamón serrano, mountain-cured ham. Try a bit to see if you like it, it's delicious but takes getting used to - here we like it on the pink, raw side, but in the cities you can get the more cured varieties. Ideally, Spanish ham should be sweet rather than salty. There are several varieties of pork sausage, mainly chorizo (spicey and tender) and salchichón (drier and very similar to Italian salami).

Beef is something of a luxury here and called ternera, which means veal although real baby veal is unknown. You can order a "filete de ternera" in any decent place, this being a thinnish beefsteak fried in... olive oil. You can get lamb chops in most eating places: "chuletas de cordero". They mercilessly over-fry them, for my taste. Strangely, herbs such as rosemary and thyme are not used in Spanish cooking, except to flavour table olives and making medicinal tea;

I cannot say that I wrote all of this because that would be a fib But it does demonstrate everyday life in a particular part of spain.but the special days, etc are wonderful. this real;ly is only chapter one...more to come which I shall write!

Good morning everyone from a grey dismal day, so far, near to Hastings UK.

Yesterday I promised to post something about Spain so first I sent some info about food in one region, please recall how big Spain actually is and today I am starting with the place I live in
.
Peñiscola is an ancient town and was founded by the Moors during the Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsular, it is often called ‘The Gibraltar of Valencia’ as it is a fortified town with a lighthouse constructed on a rocky headland, which rises to a height of 220 feet.
The castle is notable for a number of reasons, not least because it was the location for most of the filming of the epic ‘El Cid’, starring the recently deceased Charlton Heston. It was also the residence of Papa Luna (Benedict XIII) who was Pope during the late 14th century.
The castle was started around 1294 upon the site of an earlier Moorish fortress,was finished by 1307 due to the resolve of the Knights Templar who undertook the task.

We also have a maze of narrow winding streets, lined with old white-walled houses,with fantastic window boxes filled with geraniums which against the pale walls are truly a fine sight. It is surrounded by huge ramparts and entry is through the San Pedro Gate or the Fosch Gate.

Modern Peniscola is a popular holiday resort,especially for the Spanish and for the French. The Costa del Azahar has a superb marina, backed by a fine selection of restaurants, its main beach to the north is five kilometres long and 44 metres wide, comprising both sandy and rocky areas, small beaches to the south are bounded by rocky coves and cliffs, and is a renowned area for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Apart from Peniscola castle and the old town, other places worth visiting in Peniscola include the Sea Museum, the Hermitage of Mare de Déu and the Parochial Church of La Virgen del Socorro (15th century).

Peniscola is the location for some significant cultural events including the International Festival of Cinema Comedy held in May / June, the Short Story Award judged by a jury formed from members of the Spanish Royal Language Academy, and the International Festival of Ancient and Baroque Music (held in August).

We enjoy a superb all year round climate with plenty of sunshine and very low rainfall. Peniscola has though had snow since we moved there and most of the winter population ran outside taking photos of such an unusual event. Winters can be hot or cold, our first Christmas day there the temp was very hot about 30c but last year it was Cold!

I hope that this gives a picture of where i live. In fact we live halfway up a very large hill or small montain so our views are wonderful and I have just realised that I forgot to mention our fantastic fishing area. Will do that in part 2``


Bye for now

Bridget

n

At approx. 5 am the fishing boats leave Peñíscola harbour in search of fish. When i first watched them leave the harbour not long after we moved to spain I was mesmorised at the different size boats going out each morning. I learnt to also look out for their return at around 4 or 5pm, this happened because one that very first day we heard a siren go off for about 2 or 3 minutes and wondered what on earth it was for. Had there been a major event, was iit a warning, but if so what sort of warning? So we went to the lady along the road and using pigeon spanish discovered that this was a daily event and meant that the first fishing boat was back and a second siren would sound when the last fishing boat was back!

There used to be a vast variety of fresh fish & seafood which could be purchased straight from the boats at very good prices. Over the last few years the amounts have fallen as the fish stock is falling rapidly due mostly to the large trawlers fishing almost everyday from far distant places.
However the fishermen coninue four days a week and we staill get our fresh fish.

This is what happens once he fish has been landed and sorted by the fishermen. Another siren sets off two sharp short blasts and then everyone knows that they can go to the harbour and buy beautiful fresh fish. Some is auctioned to the local restaurants and the rest is sold by ladies dressed all in black usig old fashioend scales and stones, yes real staones from the beach to estinate how much one wishes to uy. Pease do not ask me how do they know what to charge as i have never been able to work that answr out...all I kknow isthat the fish is beautiful, needs lttle cooking and tastes delicious.
They do think that I am a bit of a wimp as I always ask for my fish to be cleaned and filletted for me.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about where I live, well most of the toime, and look forward to hearing your comments.

Bye for now
Bridget
Apoligies for any errosof spelling etc, feeling tired as I couldn't sleep very well last night.

Went to Peniscola in June for a weekend - wonderful place. Will revisit again one day.

Thanks for telling us all about it Bridget. Wont be long and you will be back home in Spain.

Love Mary xx

Thanks Bridget, for telling us about Ireland and Spain, I found it all very interesting. Will be waiting for the pictures!

We have had two very cold and windy days here, yesterday the wind reached 104 km an hour and in a nearby town did a bit of damage in the township. This morning it has been trying very hard to rain but the wind is blowing the rain away.

When we first arrived here we also used to go down to the beach front to watch the fishing boats being launched and then also when they returned with their catch. We were also able to buy fresh fish there, but a couple of years ago the powers that be stopped the boats from launching here and they now do so further along the coast.


Val in SA.

Sorry everyone, not too well at the moment, will be back when I am better.

Tess

Sorry to hear you are not well Tess, hope you are feeling better soon, take care of yourself.

Well, the wind has subsided which is nice.

Went to a fashion show with a difference yesterday, put om by the ladies of our Women's Fellowship, it was absolutely hilarious, I haven't laughed so much in a long time and the introduction of each "model" was was brilliant. This show was first put on at our monthly meeting a few weeks ago and when the ladies from the local Anglican church heard about it they asked if it could be repeated for them. Afterwards we had tea and eats, again! I thought we Presbytarians always prepared so much to eat but yesterday I saw that the Anglican ladies gave us a run for our money!!

Time to have a cup of coffee.



Val in SA.

Interesting to read about where you live in Spain bridget, thank you.
Tess sorry to hear you are unwell. I hope you will feel better soon. I had a bit of a fall at the weekend and have some pretty bruises to show for it, the stiffness is gradually going, I am just grateful that no bones were broken! The story is on gen on the Just Jean thread. I was in a bar restaurant at the time.... Soooo embarrassing. And I had only had a sip of wine!!!!

Dear Tess, so sorry to hear that you are not feeling very well, I will say a little prayer for you. take care of yourself.
Val, pleased to hear that the wind had subsided and your visit to the fashion show sounds like fun was had by all....

I have been very busy for the last few days and oh is away all of next week so trying to give him a little more of my time this week.

I must look at Just jean thread

Bridget