Category Archives: Lifestyle

Authentic Curry Virgin!

Can you believe I was an authentic curry virgin?

Sizzling Curry

Sizzling Curry

My friends, the curry addicts, could not understand how I’d managed to reach the ripe old age of xx and had never eaten at an authentic Indian restaurant. In fact, they thought I was joking when I informed them the number of curries I’d eaten in my entire life, cooked at home, parties or otherwise, could be counted on one hand!

Anyone else not tried an authentic Indian curry?

To be honest, I’d never understood the almost cult-like fascination attached to curries until I’d eaten a “proper” curry – I’m now well and truly hooked! After years of Portuguese cuisine a curry can only be described as a food orgasm as the spices explode with flavor on your lips and tongue. However, I hasten to add, there is nothing wrong with authentic Portuguese cuisine; it’s just different a bit like comparing apples to pears.

A tray of Indian pickles

A tray of Indian pickles

The starter was amazing – a tray of various Indian pickles and spicy dips accompanied by poppadoms. I’m not sure which curry I ate except it was no. 32, yellowish in colour, included chicken, the sauce was made with coconut milk and tasted amazing. Not very helpful I know when it comes to identification, but I let my friend, the “Curry Queen” order for us. Mr. Piglet’s curry arrived still sizzling in a cast iron dish!

In hindsight, perhaps my aversion to curry stems from the fact that when I left school and worked in an office the windows overlooked the kitchen and yard of an Indian restaurant. The older women in the office were always making jokes that they served up stray cats and dogs in the curry. I was at an impressionable age and I actually took them seriously!

How gullible I was…

I now want to try cooking my own curry using authentic spices instead of curry paste. Do you have an easy recipe to share please?

So a shout out for the
Saffron Indian Restaurant in Praia da Luz
Near the Church
W. Algarve
Tel 282 768 825

Pigging Oven!

Well folks, my oven saga continues and it’s time for a real good pigging rant!
“What?” I hear you say.
“Ah, but I was only warming up in my earlier oven post”
I Only Want My Oven Mended…please

I’m “chilled” most of the time…honestly.

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s going to take another three months"

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s going to take another three months"

I was sceptical that the oven technician would even come today, after failing to show up Friday afternoon, but “they” did. Yes, and there were two of them – the technician and his side-kick. As the saying goes, “there is safety in numbers”. They were not offered the customary cup of coffee and cookies which I always give the tradesmen as I was still bearing a grudge from Friday’s “no show”. Yes, I know it was uncharitable, but wait!

One of them started making excuses and apologies about the “part” taking a long time to arrive before he’d even stepped through the door. His side-kick, looking decidedly guilty, averted his eyes. I did not believe a word – you can normally tell when someone’s lying by their body language. Their body language spoke volumes.

“Please don’t wind me up further” I thought as I escorted them to the kitchen.

I was having none of his excuses and rather than reply I gave him one of my withering looks I used to give our kids when they were misbehaving. I am sure you must be familiar with the “look” – they certainly were. I then retreated to the study and left Mr. Piglet in charge.

I then heard a bang.

“What now?” I thought, but resisted the temptation to investigate.

Five minutes later I was summoned by a very sheepish Mr. Piglet to the kitchen. Sensing my mood it took a moment for him to pluck up courage to break the news…

I turned on the technicians.

“What, I’ve waited over three months and you tell me you’ve ordered the WRONG part. I don’t believe it!” I wailed in disbelief.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry, such was my dismay!

I looked at Mr. Piglet in sheer disbelief, while the guys cowered by my oven.

Mobile phone already in hand the technician made a sharp exit.

“I need to ring the office”

“Yes, I bet you do” I replied tersely

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s going to take another three months!”

(I wish I could have been a Portuguese fly on the wall to eavesdrop on his conversation)

The other technician, sensing my mood now cowered further into the corner awaiting the result of the phone call.

Am I really that scary? Yes probably. The fuse which had been smouldering over the last three months finally ignited. I was ready to eat someone alive!

Phone conversation finished the technician returned the verdict.

“We need to take your oven away so we can order the correct part”

My goodness, this guy has courage! (he also has something else but as it a family blog I won’t repeat my actual thoughts here)

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s going to take another three months! We’ve been more than patient, it’s now winter and I need my oven”

“No problem, we will bring you a temporary oven on Friday afternoon”

Well that certainly “diffused” my anger…I looked at them suspiciously not quite believing I’d heard correctly.

They then made a hasty retreat with my oven and loaded it in their van. I probably should have asked for some paperwork in hindsight, in case they lose it. You think I’m joking?

After all the excitement I needed a coffee. Switched on the kettle and there was no electric. The “bang” I’d heard earlier had “tripped the electric.

I looked at Mr Piglet in horror

“Do you think they’ve damaged our oven and that’s why they’ve taken it away…?”

Ponderous…

Until Friday!

Related posts: I Only Want My Oven Mended…please and Weekly Photo Challenge ~ Broken

PS I was going to add a poll as to whether my oven arrives or not on Friday, but the process looked a little complicated so please just vote yes or no in comments :)

101/1001 challenge


Although I love to set myself goals I must confess I’m the worlds worst at keeping my New Year’s Resolutions. However, when I spotted the 101/1001 challenge on Sarsm’s Blog I thought it sounded great fun especially as you have the support of other 101/1001 bloggers.

So what is 101/1001? You set yourself 101 tasks to be completed in 1001 days. Sounds easy? I think not, but I am going to at least try!

I started the challenge after much procrastination on the 18/10/2011. The list is not complete so have set this as one of my challenges!

101. Think of 101 challenges!

Development
1. Improve my French Vocabulary: Learn 1001 words in 1001 days. (started 27/10/11)
2. Writing Circle: Locate and join a writing circle (Not easy considering where I live)
3. Read 5 books
4. Research children’s and age appropriate writing styles
5. Write a children’s book and illustrate
6. Write a poem or ditty
7.
8.
9.
10.
Health and Life Style
11. Anti-inflammatory diet: Embrace the diet initially for 101 days to assess health benefits and post to blog.(started 18/10/11)
12. Gluten and Dairy free recipes: Adapt and cook 101 different recipes and post to blog.(started 18/10/11)
13. Lose 20 lb in 101 days. (started 18/10/11)
14. Lose 10 lb in 101 days
15. Exercise: Aerobic style exercise 3 times a week for 1 hour plus for 101 days (Hopefully, this should be habit forming and once I see the results I will be keen to continue.(started 27/10/11)
16. Floor Exercise: 1001 sit-ups in 101 days (May not seem many but it’s probably more than I’ve done in my whole life to date)
17. Dance Classes: Locate and join a Zumba Class
18. Exercise DVDs: Complete 101 minimum 30 minute sessions
19. Zumba online: Find some beginners classes on You Tube
20. Research the uses and benefits of Aloe Vera
21.
E.t.c.
I have created a page to keep track of my progress which can be viewed at: My 101/1001 Challenge List

Come on why not join in the challenge?

Escape from “La-La” Land

When the sun sets on your dreams

When the sun sets on your dreams

This week I felt extremely sad as yet another close friend, who opted for early retirement, announced she is “selling up” and returning home to good old blighty (UK). Not only is Portugal not the “promised land” she had imagined, but now the honeymoon period is over, at fifty two years old she is totally disillusioned and suffering from boredom.

Here is an energetic and intelligent woman who’d retired at forty-nine. She had not only a challenging career but was also actively involved in a whole range of voluntary work back home. I hugged her and as the tears rolled down my cheek I remembered my other friends who had returned disillusioned back to the UK for various reasons. For some it was financial, as there is no work in Portugal, others strong family ties or sheer boredom.

Early retirement and a more relaxed lifestyle seems a great idea when you are up to your neck in office politics, languishing in a dead-end job or just fed up with the endless miserable grey skies of winter or and even some summers! You may think “Beam me up Scottie to a warmer climate and let me escape the drudgery of my present lifestyle”, but for some, their “dream” and “reality” are worlds apart. Dreams then turn into a living nightmare from which they need to escape and take control.

Life, I have learned, has to have a purpose and structure otherwise there is a real danger one day will just drift aimlessly into the next. There are only so many weeds you can pull, DIY (do it yourself) projects to complete, ladies lunches, coffee mornings, walks etc. There is more to life!

I must be a bit strange because I have so many varied interests and hobbies I don’t have the time for boredom and there are simply not enough hours in the day!

She will be sorely missed as she has so much “get up and go” but in a different way to myself. If you cannot find what you are looking for it takes courage to move on. Hugs to a dear friend the place will not be the same without you!

Have you retired early, or maybe you’re a Mum at home also in “La La” land gradually going stir crazy? Maybe you are even considering moving abroad. Please share your story