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JACQUI'S
MUSINGS
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| 01 |
Javea:
a little bit north of Perleta Magic, where their August
festival is a
little bit dangerous, perhaps a bit more reckless than running with the
bulls but it's hilarious and
also quite delicious.
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| 02 |
Santa
Pola: where did all these people come from.
Going into town
for a quiet evening drink, we obviously missed an announcement
somewhere as it looked like the Moorish invasion was on again..
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| 03 |
Festive
Season Fare: cold
weather, hot drinks... and by hot we don't mean tea or
coffee.
Replace chill without chillout, with these festive heart (and
toes/fingers) warmers.
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| 04 |
Vibrant
Culture in Spain:
This festive season, 'Belen' comes to Elche.
What on earth is
a Belen? Is it a hot drink, a dance, or a cold
weather cloud formation? None of the above - it's a Spanish
Christmas celebration.
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| 05 |
The
fruit basket has been swamped:
A few oranges ok, but 18 trees worth? No fertiliser or
pesticide
is used, the things grow naturally and in abundance... we have
to
try and use
them somehow - why not make some jam or marmalade?
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| 06 |
Usual
Suspects or Unusual Lip-Smacks?
What to eat on Christmas Day: do you adopt the host country
favourites, draw on your own heritage, or do something completely
different?
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| 07 |
New
Years Eve?
Going native is sometimes a leap into the unknown,
although
our previous experiences have always been positive going on
spectacular, whether it be Antigua, Australia, or Spain. When
we're 90, we'll still be first in the queue for an all-night party...
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| 08 |
I
thought there was only one king?
Not recent stuff, the traditional Christmas story kings
-> Caspar, Melchior,
and Balthazar; continuing the festive
celebration, Spanish-style.
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| 09 |
Variety
is the spice of life:
Spanish cuisiine is wonderful, but not a paella every day...
need
to have some change. Why not make a Turkish delight in your
own
kitchen?
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| 10 |
Love is
sweet: many songs tell us this, so might as well
continue the tradition. An easy and delectable treat to make.
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| 11 |
Sweet
as in half-savoury:
Spanish cuisine with a twist. Take a local speciality, change
the base, and add a dip of chocolate to arrive at a novel treat to
share with your loved one...
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| 12 |
Buy
Them Where They Are Made:
Offer a woman the choice of chocolate, or champagne, or a
factory
outlet with ridiculously low prices for top quality shoes (where they
are made just around the corner). Which would they choose? (a
silly man asks this question)...
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| 13 |
What is
the magic threshold?
Credit Crunch, Post-Christmas, and the rigours of a recession.
Your clothes shopping gene (all women have at least one)
disregards 10% discount with disdain. 50% gets its interest.
What does 70% do?
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| 14 |
Rio/Venice/New
Orleans...They're
not the only place to enjoy the medieval spirit of
Carnival... Alicante is a delightful surprise, given
that Spain is the top party country on the planet.
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| 15 |
Foodie
Surprise in Valverde...
The sign says all you can eat for 7 Euros... a handful of groceries
cost you more in the supermarket... is this a con trick, or is it the
find of the century?
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| 16 |
Handbags...
another one?: yeah, why not... Men have their DIY
power tools, we ladies have our handbags. But not for a Kings
Ransom...
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| 17 |
Appreciate
your Mum day... Card, gift, or maybe a meal out.
Better than that, make her a meal in...
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| 18 |
It's
more than just Easter eggs...
big Palm fronds, bigger processions, some serious colour, and really pointy hats.
The Spanish really celebrate Easter in style...
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| 19 |
Hurdy
gurdy, jugglers and roasted mystery meat... 13th
century comes to town for a weekend.
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| 20 |
Ball
gowns, huge paellas, and lots of fireworks: as
if awakening from a long slumber, our local village comes alive...
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| 21 |
From
the sublime to the unexpected: typical
Saturday, and then a snap decision for a late dinner - including 'Spain
Has Talent' at a table near you even though it wasn't on the menu...
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| 22 |
No
argument: nature has the best colour palette:
May Day is a spring rite/holiday in Europe. An Alicante
suburb
combines its annual fiesta with a riot of floral colour...
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| 23 |
Driving
to taste (not driven to drink): a wine route
permits you to sample different varieties and tastes.
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| 24 |
Boil
me, simmer me... please: spas
have existed around this area since... oooo,
millenia?
If a Roman centurion can have a bash, then maybe I can give
it a
go... (If you wear a plastic swimsuit, are you called boil-in-a-bag?). |
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| 25 |
Hogueras de San Juan Fiesta: street
parties appear to be
a little more than just a few beers, sandwiches, and a bit of music.
Burning down the house then torrential flooding takes it to a
completely different level. | |  |
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| 26 | Santa Pola Fiesta - Virgen del Carmen: going
out into the Med for a spot of fishing sounds like fun,
unless you do it most days and its a job; sometimes its very dangerous.
So it's a good idea to annually celebrate the saint that
is looking over you... | |  |
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| 27 | Party within walking distance: we've been looking forward to the annual Valverde fiesta, and a fine affair it was too. Exhausting yes, disappointing no. | |  |
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| 28 |
Why have one theme when you can have three?: Elche does not do things in small measures if their annual fiesta is anything to go by...
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