Daily Spread

We had to go to the supermarket this morning to get spread for breakfast bread. This was a joint effort. We have also noted that supermarkets do not seem to sell butter or margarine, although do have the odd one under the counter. Luckily gesticulation and pointing secured us what we wanted. Wonder if butter is sold in the butchers/cheese shops that sell local produce. We know that butter and spread are just not used on bread like we would in the uk and olive oil is used instead, so perhaps we are just seeing that there is just not the need to stock loads of them. There isn’t a big dairy industry around here, and although there is an overwhelming selection of milks in the big supermarket, they are all uht.

This morning was market day and we stocked up on spices. I have no idea what the nice man was saying to us, but as he was pointing to some vivid red and orange powder, I think that he was saying it was paella colouring or pure powdered ‘e numbers’ perhaps. The market was quite bustling but with just a few stalls, a shoe stall, veg stall, clothes, a stall selling crochet cotton and odds and ends and the man selling spices and seeds. But there was enough going on for there to be a busy feel.

Today the weather cleared and the snow disappeared. Torrents of water came from roofs and walking on pavements inadvisable unless feeling Gene Kelly-esque. The drain pipes from the roofs stick out quite a way, which is not normally apparent, but today meant that walking within 4 feet of the pavement was like walking in a shower.

The temperature rose to 20c, and it was such a fine afternoon we went out for a walk about 4ish. This is the end of siesta time and we were surprised by the number of people walking. We had headed off past the police station on the other side of a road, going up a track we had commented ‘where does that go’. This headed up to the railway line. I guess that at some stage there must have been a station here, but the track just heads up there and goes no where else. As we walked up there the sun was shining and the hills could be seen on the horizon with snowy caps and it was a very pleasant afternoon. We went back into the village the Llerena side and wandered back towards the house.

Basil enjoyed his walk and didn’t get to many screams which was good, and even caught the attention of some school girls which he thought was even better.

We went to the garden/agricultural/pet supply place in Llarena today and they had some new trees for sale in the yard, we were looking at almond and pomegranate, as well as a couple of others I didn’t recognise. We are hoping to get some pots and to fill the back yard with plants for both colour and shade. As well of course as growing some produce. At the moment the courtyard is quite bare, and will benefit from some plants. We bought chews for the dogs and therefore were guaranteed a night of alternated quite whilst they quietly chewed their chews followed by barking, growling and running around as they tried to pinch everyone elses. Basil of course finished his in record time and then tried to intimidate Tinks into giving him hers, however Tinks was not to be intimidated and won the day by laying on Basils back to finish her chew, and Basil knew when he was beaten.

Still no news from Telefonica and still no sign of the post office.