St George

St George is the patron Saint of Aragón and so the 23rd April is a public holiday here.


He is celebrated with a presentation which takes place in the main square of Alcañiz, the Plaza España.


There were hundreds of people there to watch the dancers, the knights on horseback and to listen to the extremely good orchestral music and choir.


And of course there was the dragon which, by tradition, met it's end at the hand of St George.


After the presentation there were other figures of entertainment around the streets...


...as well as the traditional buying of books and flowers.

To see the full length video of the event, click HERE.

To see the shorter "trailer" for the video, click HERE.

Pablo's 50th birthday presentation

Last month was Pablo's 50th birthday and this evening we gave him his presents; a hunting jacket and a pair of super hiking boots.

Of course, this meant another opportunity for a party of "aperitivos".

To see more photos of the evening, click HERE

Even more Spanish recipes

Here are 3 more delicious recipes from Chef Carlos from his demonstration with the Amas de Casa of Torre del Compte this afternoon.



On the menu today is Goats cheese salad with violet jam, Ensalada de queso de cabra con mermelada de violetas,...




...Rolled salmon with tomatoes and lemon yoghurt, Canelon de salmon con tomates confitados de yogur al limón....




...and Apple pie, Tarta de manzana, one of my favourites!


For all the details step by step in English and Spanish, click HERE

Sudoku, 99% better.

It had to happen!

Today Margaret set a new record!!

99% better than 1,780 other players!!!

Well done!!!

Easter Monday at Arnes

First we went shopping to Alcañiz. This meant we had breakfast in La Oficina. This was followed by buying the meat from the butchers at La Fresneda.



Then it was to Arnes and to the "rabbit farm" of Lola's sister and brother-in-law.

No, we didn't have rabbit. The meat we bought was lamb.

First, the artichokes were cooked on the BBQ.

The lamb was next...

...and then it was a walk along the Riu dels Estrets into the Ports de Beceite for some wonderful views.

Another perfect day.

To see all the photos in the album, click HERE

Easter Saturday market

It's not battered fish being fried, it's Crespells - or at least that's what they call them here, (although they have nothing to do with the traditional Crespell of Mallorca apart from the fact that they are eaten at Easter.)


What these Crespells consist of are (hairy) leaves from a green plant which grows locally down by the river, (a plant called Borraja, or Borage which is very good for your health), battered and deep fried in olive oil then eaten covered in honey. They are delicious.


More pasteles made by the ladies were Rollets and Casquetas which sold like hot cakes as the saying goes, despite being cold!


Other items on offer from the Amas de Casa in their market this morning were plants...

...home made soap...

...and home made nut wine.

There was a very good turnout and the funds of the Amas de Casa were boosted for another year.

Casquetas

In preparation for the "market" tomorrow, the ladies of the Amas de Casa have been making their casquetas.



To see more photos of the preparation, click HERE

A birthday treat

A drive down to Benicarló for lunch and then a look around the shops because it was Margaret's birthday made for a great day out.


Margaret's plate isn't empty; it's just that she hasn't started tucking in to her paella which has been brought to the table. I'm having one of the local sausages.

Cretas Medieval Fayre

This afternoon we went to the 13th Medieval Fayre held at the neighbouring village of Cretas.


There were loads of stalls selling everything from lavender...

...recycled shoes with actual tyre soles...

...genuine carvings...

...lots of stalls with their finest sausages...

...and crafts such as basket weaving, etc.

For such a relatively small village their church was magnificent!

To see lots more photos,click HERE