Monthly Archives: June 2011

ghost cat strikes again

20 Monday Jun 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, cats, home

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Remember Ghost Cat?

It used to be one of Loki’s favourite games at the old casa az, and so he was pleased to discover that the proximity of the balcony window to the bed here allowed for a slightly different version. And yes, he has chewed huge holes in this new pair of curtains too…

Meanwhile, Azar prefers less destructive pastimes such as sitting on the corner of the bed in front of the balcony doors after breakfast and enjoying the morning air. But this morning Azar’s peaceful interlude was interrupted by Ghost Cat, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He lay still for several moments thinking he was Completely Invisible, but the contented flicking back and forth of Azar’s tail proved too much for Ghost Cat and he eventually gave himself away.

Azar was not amused.

house and holmes

19 Sunday Jun 2011

Posted by in films, television

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So this afternoon Nog and I were escaping The Heat by staying in and rewatching this rather delightful interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, starring the fabulous Robert Downey Jr.

And during a scene in which Holmes and Watson were bickering I said to Nog – ” Hey, they sound just like House and Wilson!”

And then the penny dropped!

Is House a play on words for Holmes? Both famous for their detective work, and both with a sidekick that has the initials J.W.

What do you think?

Am I on to something? Or have a zillion other people come up with this before me and it’s a load of bollocks?

I have to say that I’m tiring a bit of House as there doesn’t seem to be much development going on there with the various characters and storylines.

On the other hand, I am waiting with baited breath for season two of the fabulous Sherlock, which is a very innovative take on the Doyle classic, taking place in modern day London (and the next season will also have Stephen Fry in it!).

I first read The Complete Sherlock Holmes when I was about 15 and, even though the stories did get a bit repititious towards the end of the two volumes, I enjoyed them very much. He’s still my favourite detective.

Who is your favourite detective?

my poor darling

17 Friday Jun 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, cats, health & happiness

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Looks like I won’t be going away this weekend. Azar hasn’t had a bowel movement since Monday and today he is decidedly unwell. If things change for the better overnight (this has been happening for awhile now – days with nothing then boom!) then I may reconsider. A Spanish speaking friend had offered to stay “on call” and go with Nog to the vet if Azar took a turn for the worse, but this was a precaution before he got so floppy. I couldn’t leave him the way he is looking now. And if he hasn’t had a poo by tomorrow I’ll be taking him in to see the vet myself.

 The weird thing is that he’s still got a good appetite and is drinking lots of water. But even with daily servings of steamed asparagus and malt extract (and, since yesterday, two doses of paraffin) he still can’t go. As I say, for the last while he’s only been going every two or three days, but four days is new, and just way too long.

I have to go out on a tapas tour tonight, but I’ll just be a phone call and a few mintues away if anything happens. Will keep you posted.

weekend plans and other stuff…

16 Thursday Jun 2011

Posted by in food & drink, friends, restaurants, spain, summer, tapas, travel, trips, work

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So what the heck.

Have been invited to Vejer to participate in a cooking class headed by the fabulous Annie B, and I am to stay over in the “yellow guest suite”, which sounds delightful. The next day Annie is going to drive me down to Zahara de los Atunes where we will have a delicious lunch in the village before she drops me off in Atlanterra so I can get down to work.

Said work involves taking photos and lots of notes about my Seville client’s sister restaurant in Zahara, which I already know well from my visit there two years ago. You may recall the time my friend Agustín asked me to look after their old pup Mini while they were away in Mexico. Not sure if this time I’ll be able to stay over at Agustín’s because he’s having work done on the place, but if not my client Charo says she can put me up. So why not?

And since you’re probably wondering… no, it never occurs to anyone to pay me extra for going out of town or spending days at events with them. At least, not so far. And so far I am more or less okay with that because I am trying to prove myself to them, that I really am a valuable asset. And, it must be said, a lot of the extra work is actually quite fun. But it doesn’t pay the rent.

There will be another trip to Zahara in early July – just overnight again – to make a video of a wine and food pairing evening with two of my clients. Which I think is going to be amazing. Stay tuned…