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| June 17th, 2010 This is my fellow – Dorada, a fish caught locally.
Method: Then you mime madly – Here I have an advantage, having learned general stage skills at Miss Pinchmead’s School for Young Ladies. However, I digress – Now you signal wildly to indicate that you would like the strikingly attractive young Spanish girl to gut your fish. Okay, she says, scaling frenetically – At which point, if you’ve any sense at all (hard luck for me) you stand back – or you will leave the fish market gleaming like… well, a fish. And don’t put your best suede purse down on the counter either as I did. (who’d have guessed) As that water you just lifted it out of is fish juice. Nice, huh?! Off with it’s head! you mime with a dramatic slash across your throat – I don’t want that fishy eye staring at me as I tuck in
And now let’s get down to the real carnage – fillet it please – Take your own route to achieve this in translation – I favour the soundtrack method, followed by a slump as I indicate that my backbone has been removed (did I ever have any?) Now you have two delicious looking fillets which you can put on the barbie, or, as I did, wrap in a loose foil parcel, having oiled the foil first – add some butter, rock salt and a scrabble of pepper, squeeze a lemon in your hands, catching the pips – no need for fancy juicers – add whatever fresh herbs you happen to have around, and now bung in a fairly hot oven for 15 minutes.
The result, ladies, is the most delicately flavoured white fish – watch out for any remaining bones – serve with crushed new potatoes slathered in butter and seasoned with black pepper, rock salt and herbs, and escalivada – more of which tomorrow Escalivada – which the French call ratatouille – and I call delicious Have a great day with plenty of delicious food to eat June 16th, 2010
When I’m here I wake up at my usual time – 5am – and promptly go to sleep again. Shower and a brisk walk up and down hills that rival any Yorkshire has to offer for freshly baked croissants and a roll of bread for lunch – and back again to sit here looking out across the harbour as I drink yet another cup of coffee and slowly start to put my brain in gear – and sometimes I just never make it! Join me in the kitchen tomorrow – you know you want to
Hasta Manana, Senoras y Senoritas! June 15th, 2010
We had a tropical rain storm last night. The rain thundered – and I mean thundered down. This morning looks pretty grim too with black skies and a skittish wind that seems to be chasing its tail – but that makes me think that its only a matter of time before we start last night’s bravura performance all over again.
Wishing you a much better Tuesday – though of course, this is perfect writing weather June 13th, 2010
Really loving my latest Manga cover. Totally in awe of the amazing talent that produces such fabulous fairytale images. And, something spooky here – it’s the very first book I wrote for Harlequin Mills and Boon, for which I found the inspiration here on the Mediterranean island of Menorca…
Oh, yes, ladies – it’s a sign. Of what, I’m not quite sure yet And DH just leaned over my shoulder as I’m typing this to comment dryly, ‘Well, whaddya know – that could almost be us…’
Oh, yeah, er, I can see that… Sxx June 12th, 2010
Release your imagination and give it wings. June 11th, 2010 This morning we walked the couple of miles to La Mola, the old fortress protecting the mouth of the harbour of Mahon. And tonight we’re going to a classical concert performed by students of all ages in the elegant old cloisters at the centre of Mahon’s market. I think it’s a most beautiful building and I’m sure the accoustics will be amazing. Apart from the wonderful scenery there is so much history here – from these stone cairns There is so much water-born activity here the beautiful and very lush interior is sometimes overlooked – in the right season you could mistake this for the fields behind my house in Yorkshire Wishing you a varied and interesting day full of music, ice cream – did I mention how scrummy that is here? Crema de Catalan is diet-crashing stupendously delicious!! – Viva Menorca! June 9th, 2010
It's a tiny map, but you can see where I'm staying now if you look at Mao/Mahon, the capital, and the great harbour it stands on. This a photograph of the old religious capital in the north of the island, Cuidadela
Menorca is also very much a ‘bare-foot’ island – a place where pretension doesn’t exist – yet another reason why I enjoy coming here – it’s possible to stick on your shorts and flip-flops and go out from dawn ’til bed-time and you’re absolutely correctly dressed There’s also a few more good reasons for a romantic novelist to venture into the Mediterranean – though the fabulous tennis player Raffa Nadal is a native of the neighbouring island Majorca – don’t all rush at once, we don’t want it to sink
Wishing you all a wonderful day, June 7th, 2010 My camera crashed today, which is not good. Use mine, offered DH. His crashed too Wah! Not to be beaten, I bring you this I thought it might make both of us smile June 6th, 2010
Threw a party last night for friends and neighbours here – so this jolly shot of me is somewhat misleading – fortunately I found some invisible pegs to keep my eyes pretty much open – and, of course, you can’t see me slumping onto the table softly snoring now
But… Missing the twinnies, who are camping in Cornwall this year Sxx June 4th, 2010
/> Recent research suggests this horse may be of Berber origin and it is certainly one of the few totally black horses preserved in Europe today. The islanders take a pride in its haughtiness and it is thought this horse has never been a working animal as field work was traditionally undertaken by donkeys. We went to see a performance last night by these wonderful creatures, but unfortunately, the Robster (Wiggy’s fiance) had to leave the show halfway through as his allergic reaction proved stronger than his enjoyment of the spectacle. I won’t even bore you with the list of allergies this family shares between its various members – Are we all becoming allergic to the world we live in? Just a thought. Off for a walk- and to brave the pollen count – after I spray my nose, pill-up and put my eye-drops in, of course Have a great day with no sneezing! |
Yeah, I wish!
Small wonder I love this island set like a tiny jewel in the Mediterranean sea. It was here I got the inspiration for my first book - A Spanish Inheritance.
And here’s another lovely view
Simple pleasures are the best –
The Menorquin are great horse lovers as well as great masters of the equestrian arts. The distinctive jet black Menorcan horse takes pride of place in festivals the length and breadth of the Island. The breed is incredibly skilled at bucking and walking on its hind legs and is particularly elegant. 