General Chat

Another warm morning here in Peniscola but did manage to sleep until around 06.00hrs, may have had something to do with the G and Ts last night.
We had a good time at the BBQ and 1000.Euros were handed over top the local Stroke Assosciation which was greatfully received.

We had an attendance of around 50 people , some good food, music and conversation. I won a bottle of wine in the raffle, as it was the last prize Maybe it is cooking wine so will add it t the nest Spag Bog.!

We are having just one couple around this evening so there will be sisx of us for the evening meal One of my visitors is a dab hand at Paella and he is cooking for tonight....we may have Fiduea for a change, all depends on what fresh fish and meat we bye when we go shopping later this morning.

I am leaving descriptions of the area aout of my messages until next week when I shall write about the more rugged coastline and the history of the Peninsula....This area was used for the Film El Cid. Does anyone recall that film.?
Thanks to everyone who has PMd me re the recipes BUT have not noted that anyone else has added a recipe, the idea is to share favourites so come and put some on the link

If anyone is interested in Spanish foods I can do several of those, some given to me by my eldest sons partner. She has stayed in contact even though they are no longer romantically involved but are very good friends.

How about adding what is your fav 3 course meal! and why?


I had my quiet time this morning sitting on the balcony at the back and top of the house...It was very peaceful and calm and Jet and Joe stayed quietly by my side. I thoght How lucky I am to have such peaceful surroundings, to be in a very contented period of my life and to feel satisfied. I recalled times when this wasn't so and hope that anyone who is as I was at those times finds some peace, so this morning my message to you all is Peace and Happiness.

bye for now

Bridget

Culinary Delight now on Chat

bridget!!

Apologies, Apologies will now start Culinary Thread on Chat

Mea culper!!!


Bridget

Haven't seen it yet Julia.

Where is the Culinery Thread I have read about on here
Julia in Derbyshire

Another town very close to where I live is Tewkesbury, it is about 20 minutes by car from here. It is an attractive town which unfortunately suffers from the fact that the main road runs through the middle, there is a bypass from one direction but not from another so there is always a lot of traffic going through the town.

Tewkesbury is an ancient settlement at the meeting of the rivers Severn and Avon. The surrounding rivers and flood plain have prevented the old town from expanding so that its long thin profile has hardly altered since the middle ages. Tewkesbury presents one of the best medieval townscapes in England with its fine half-timbered Tudor buildings, overhanging upper storeys and ornately carved doorways.

A minus to the presence of the two rivers is the fact that it invariably floods and in 2007 suffered badly with many people being made homeless for up to 18 months because of flooding.

Tewkesbury is renowned as having one of the best medieval black and white townscapes in the country and has much to delight the visitor. Discover the hidden charms along narrow alleyways where the eaves of crooked timber buildings nearly touch or take a leisurely cruise along the river.

Tewkesbury is dominated by the 12th-century Abbey. Known to some as the ‘Westminster Abbey’ of the feudal barony, this beautiful building has the highest Norman tower in England as well as rich architecture and artistic heritage. Also here are the fascinating John Moore Countryside Museum, the Town Museum and the Old Baptist Chapel.

(Some of the above has been taken from their web site.)

Tewkesbury was also the site of one of the battles of the Wars of the Roses and I have to insert some text from the web again as I am no historian.

At Bristol Margaret of Anjou was joined by more volunteers and raised funds and some artillery. Continuing north, she aimed to cross the Severn into Wales. The nearest bridge was at Gloucester and the next at Upton, though there was a deep ford at Lower Lode, Tewkesbury. Meanwhile Edward IV reassembled his victorious army and sent messengers ordering the citizens of Gloucester to close their gates against the Lancastrians. Without time to storm the city walls, Margaret marched on to Tewkesbury pursued by Edward. On the night of 3 May the Lancastrians camped just south of Tewkesbury with Edward two miles away at Tredington. Margaret dared not risk being caught with her forces divided to cross the river so her troops deployed in battle order on the higher ground, probably around Gupshill Manor.



Early next morning, Saturday, 4 May 1471, the Yorkists moved into position along the ridge from Southwick Park through Stonehouse Farm. The battle opened with an artillery exchange and a flurry of arrows. Somerset, on the Lancastrian right, advanced to outflank his opposite number, the Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. Somerset did not know that Edward had sent 200 cavalry to search the wooded area of Tewkesbury Park. These `lances' now hurtled down the hill to take Somerset's men in the flank. The Lancastrian right retreated in disorder. Somerset blamed Lord Wenlock who commanded the Lancastrian centre for not supporting him and, according to some sources, beheaded him in front of his own men. The Lancastrians now fled in panic, large numbers being killed in the `Bloody Meadow' and trying to cross the River Swilgate.

Prince Edward was killed in the retreat, together with John Beaufort, Somerset's brother. Other prominent Lancastrians took refuge in the Abbey, including Somerset and John Langstrother, Prior of St John. The Yorkists violated the sanctuary of the church and the Lancastrian leaders were summarily tried and executed, probably at the Crescent. Several Lancastrians were buried in the Abbey, notably Edward, Prince of Wales, whose tomb is beneath the main tower from which the sun of York shines down on him. George, Duke of Clarence, a brother of Edward IV, who fought on the Yorkist side and who later reputedly drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine, also has a famous vault in the Abbey. Queen Margaret, after spending a night at Payne's Place, Bushley, was arrested, probably at Little Malvern Priory, and forced to enter London on 21 May with the victorious Edward IV That night her husband, Henry VI, was murdered in the Tower where she herself was imprisoned for several years before being ransomed by her father, the King of France. Edward ruled peacefully and powerfully until his death in 1483. The Yorkists then quarrelled among themselves, enabling the Lancastrian Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, to win the throne from Richard III on Bosworth Field in 1485 and to survive a final Yorkist thrust at Stoke in 1487.

The victims of the battle are still remembered in an annual communion service in the Abbey on 4 May.

Here ends the history lesson

Ann
Glos

Good morning all,

When I looked out across the sea this morning the sun was like a ball
of fire in the sky and the sea was dark. Now we are having a little
rain and it is quite cool.

Otherwise everything is going along quietly .

I look forward to reading the Culinary Thread.




Take care.



Val in SA.

Morning Bridget and everyone,
Yes we had the thunder and lighteneing last night around 10.30, must have been quite away away as there was more lightening than thunder, but no rain. Today it is still undecided, great deal of cloud but still quite hot, very muggy.
Enjoy your day.
Frances
PS Am going to find the Culinary Thread......

Good morning everyone,
Another late start fro me today. I was woken last night at around 03.30hrs by the sounds of Thunder. Earlier in the evening we did have some rain and the thunder etc but it only lasted for about 20 minutes and then the rain stopped although the thunder continued.
The storm was obviously at sea and the sky was spectacular with the lightening which was providing long rods as well as the usual wide expanse of light. The storm continued for about 2 hours and as it moved across the sky the sea became darker and darker. I finally went back to bed and could not believ that no one in the house other than me was woken. However we still have not had the rain that was forecast and the sky looks blue this morning and the sun is shining brightly so looks unlikey to have rain today........

I used this time for my now, 15 minutes, of quiet thinking, I know that sounds strange, quiet thinking in the middle of a storm, but somehow it just seemed to be right.

Frances, I could picture the "typical Spanish village" and your comments about starting a project and then the Spanish not completeing it is a very familiar one !!!! Bless their cotton socks!!!
Also you have been busy with the painting of the wardrobe etc...makes me feel verylazy, but will have to do a thorough clean out next week after our friends have returned home and we get ready for another couple to visit in September.

We are at home all day today but out this evening witha large group of friends to hand over the money to the mayor and the local charity as chosen by the group to support this year.

I am about to put the first recipe on my new thread today and will call it The Culinary Thread as suggested by Ann in Glos.
So please put your favourite recipes on here, it should be fun.


Have a great day everyone and take care


Bridget

Hello Bridget,

I have been without a computer for a couple of days.

I have just read Ann's lovely description of the two towns which seem steeped in history and makes one want to visit.

To-day was a real summer's day here although now 4.30 pm our time the sky is cloudy and the wind is coming up.

I haven't done much over the past few days as I have been keeping an eye on my husband who is having a problem with low blood pressure and
often feels light-headed and dizzy, once passing out in the shower, quite a drama!! He had the clips out yesterday so the leg feels more comfortable.

Take care


Val in SA.

Hi Bridget,
Well yesterday we sorted out the wardrobe in the second bedroom, even painted the inside, hadn't been done in ages, so he will have somewhere to put his clothes!
Very hot and sticky today, cloud cover so no sun.....dare I say we could do with some rain to clear the air!!!!!
Take care
Frances

Well a late start but Happy day everyone.

A quick visit this morning so no rambling , guess you will think"ythank goodness for that!

Ok some messages now.

Valerie. How are you and what have you been doing these last few days. Have you had any more chats with the friend who contacted you recently?

Mummo, we haven't heard from you in awhile, hope you are OK

Jennie X Did you go to visit your friend in South Wales? I have sons who live in Swansea, well one does and his twin brother is also butying the house with hime but as he is in the Army he is not there often. I hope that your friend felt better for seeing you.

Frances, are you ready now for your sons visit, it will be pleasant to have him to yourselves for a while.

Ann in Glos. What are you doing this week and yes I am going to start the Culinaru Club so look out for it this week...hope it works!!


Keith, now I was going to say that you cheated about the info for your area, but as I am in agood mood I shall simply say Thanks instead and look at all three sites..


Next week I shall write about some other palces where I live and though t that I would start trying to describe the mountans and the National park area, I will see if it works.



I shall as usual now go and spend 10 minutes or so and wander around the garden thinking of anyone who is feeling low, worried, concerned, unhappy and try to send positive thoughts to them.

Well Jet and Joe the cocker Spaniels have finished breakfast and are nudging me outside so bye for now

Bye
Bridget

Kirkby wildflowers - Old Rough on Flickr - Photo Sharing!Kirkby wildflowers - Old Rough. Kirkby wildflowers - Old Rough by digirose. its an awesome sight for all who pass this way. ...
www.flickr.com/photos/37731655@N07/3476008840/ -

Kirkby TowntrailThe use of sandstone is a good indication of an old Kirkby building. Further along stood the Post Office (KB43), the site is opposite Holy Angels School. ...
history.knowsley.gov.uk/.../print_text.msql?name=Kirkby...

Where i live


Kirkby Old Photographs, Old maps, Old photos, People and Places ...Kirkby Merseyside old pictures, old maps, Merseyside historic books, Merseyside historic maps.
heritage.ukvillages.co.uk/old_pictures/Kirkby-Merseyside

Morning Bridget and everyone,
Still haven't managed to wake up before the dawn...
Once again hot & sunny here, don't think there is much chance of rain though I have been known to be wrong, not often mind!! lol!
We live in a very green valley full of almond trees and orange trees. It is a picture in late January-early February when the almond trees are in blossom, people come from all over the place to see it. Our village is a typical small Spanish one, not very picturesque, clustered around the church, and there is a watchtower, there is also a museum which in typical Spanish style is yet to open...the renovation was finished almost two years ago but inside is just an empty space!!!
There are three bars, Spanish owned, in the main square and one, foreign owned, at the far side of the village. We have several restaurants on the outskirts , all serving a variation on 'English' food and all suffering to some extent from the economic downturn. We tend not to use them and go further afield for decent, cheap Spanish food.
We chose this area because of the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and the stillness. The coast is about 20 minutes away and the main roads about 15minutes so if we want to explore we are very well-placed.
Enjoy the day
Frances

Start a culinary thread Bridget.
Glad you liked the descriptions. Maybe I will write one on Tewkesbury next although I am not quite so familiar with it.

Good morning every one


Ann what a wonderful description of the two towns, I am going to attempt to save it as you kindly supplied the info on how to do this.
When reading your message ifelt as if I was walking around the areas with you and thik that now I will definetly have to visit. Please keep us informed of the progress made.


Keaith and anyone else who may visit today how about submitting a description of the area in which you live,?

Today the weather is a little cooler and we are promised rain tomorrow, of course what we would really like is for it to rain overnihgt. maybe even have a magnificent thunderstorm and then we could sit on the balcony drinking some white wine whilst we watched it!

I didn't get out of bed this morning until 08.00hrs...now that is VERY LATE for me , so still have to find my quiet time and suspect that this will not happen until sometime this afternoon...

Yesterday watched Wigan win the Rugby match and England win the cricket,,,what more could I have asked for. Well done to both teams!!!!


A few days ago I suggested that we should write our favourite recipes, well today I am making a tiramiso and am willing to share the recipe supplied by an Italian chef I know..it really is both easy and excellent. Now the big question..shoiuld this be on this thread or should I start a new one just for Culinary Skills..I await you replies.

I will be back on here thisafter noon so hope others have by then had some time to write a message or two.


bye for now



Bridget

Just reading your post Ann i love to read the history of towns and any old city its good to know the past history

Good morning everyone
Not a lot to report today
Just have a good rest on Sunday A bit of reading and garden tidy up
Back to work today hope its a easy day , Then if i feel like tonight maybe i may just do some work in the house SHOCK lol

have a great day all bfn
KEITH