Monthly Archives: May 2011

rick stein

11 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by in food & drink, friends, television, travel, video

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So there I was watching an episode of Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey the other night, and the Sri Lankan curries looked so amazing I just had to tweet about them, which started up a twitter conversation between myself, @WeeRascal and @Seville_Writer, both of whom have met Rick Stein and used words like passionate, honest, charming and genuine to describe him.

I had to admit that I’d never heard of Rick Stein before watching this series, which is a wonderful combination of glorious travelogue images and amazing food porn, along with lots of good information about  the local dishes, geography and history.

So imagine my complete surprise yesterday when the doorbell rang and I received an Amazon delivery of Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes, courtesy of that rascally friend of mine. I shall have to find a way of “getting him back” when he next visits (possibly in June) but meanwhile I have just finished watching the first segment of the first episode, which took place in Corsica. Next up … Sardinia. I am totally loving this!

the mirador

10 Tuesday May 2011

Posted by in culture

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[click on image to enlarge]

So remember back when I HATED this place, but after the scaffolding was taken down I found myself quite liking “The Setas“?  Well, the other day they finally opened the Mirador on top and Nog & I went up to have a look. Amazing. I was captivated as much by the cool curvy architecture as with the panoramic views of the city. I was also scared out of my wits at one point when, despite the barrier, there was suddenly just a sheer drop in front of me and seriously wide open spaces. Not the best situation for an agoraphobe like me. So I snapped a few quick shots of that particular view – in which I could actually see my rooftop terrace, including Loki sitting in the upstairs window! – and made it back to the “safety” of curvy structure around me.

I’m also amazed to discover that the Metropol Parasol (to give its proper name) is becoming one of my favourite places in town. The market is wonderful, as is the little bar inside that makes up super-fresh and super-cheap grilled or fried fish, and I’m looking forward to the other tapas bars and restaurants opening soon, including the one on top in the Mirador. If you’d told me this six months ago I’d have said you were nuts.

So, what do you think?

what drives you?

08 Sunday May 2011

Posted by in quizzes

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You Are Driven By Self-Improvement

You believe that if you’re too satisfied in your life, you’re doing something wrong.

You are always trying to better yourself, and that means putting in a lot of hard work.

You want to be the best you can be, and you hardly ever rest. You are a type A person for sure.

You are always trying to make your strengths more robust and your weaknesses disappear.

digital

07 Saturday May 2011

Posted by in photohunt, photos

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Today’s Photohunt theme is “digital”.

About four years ago I suffered serious digital damage whilst straightening out the cover on my sofa … after a particularly hard push to tuck the damn thing in the tendon in my middle digit went SNAP! and I had to have surgery to attach the two ends back together.  It was a good two months before I could use it properly again as I had to have a half-cast on it for a couple of weeks, then a plastic splint thingy for awhile. Even today it’s remains quite bent, though not swollen like in the pic on the left, and at least I can still use it.

photohunter