About 45 minutes ago,  we were sitting in the living room – me watching television, Lisa on the computer when there was  ”grinding then cracking” noises from our hallway/apartment entrance. We both went to see what was happening, the noise increased and the floor tiles started to buckle. This lasted about two minutes. My daughter went to check the shop below, nothing untoward there.

The floor tiles are damaged but the floor itself appears sound.

But … I feel nervous. I have witnessed the collapse of so many building in Spain where the cause has been unknown – they just tend to fold like a pack of cards.

The workmanship in many Spanish apartment blocks is appalling – we had one new apartment where lovely tiles were laid on the balcony – just before we left one of the tiles cracked and a piece fell off into the street below – whilst no one was on the balcony. This revealed a lovely view of the path – nothing between us and the ground three stories below except several slender pieces of metal holding up the balcony – these went into the building and were attached to the railing surrounding the balcony. On closer inspection we ascertained the tiles were laid directly onto these pieces of metal! There was no other support. Does this fill you with confidence as it did me?

Getting back to today, initially I thought it could be one of the minor earthquakes we have experienced since moving to Andalucia – in our first house the walls actually moved. On reflection, it may be that the glue has failed, at least I hope my daughter´s reasoning on this issue is sound.

After spending a lovely evening watching the Three Kings enter the Balcon de Europa, we decided to make our way home. Paid our bill and waited until the streets had cleared a little then left on our way through the narrow streets leading back to the Torrecilla area. Upon entering Plaza de Cavana we were approached by young woman (and neither of us had seen her approach), had flowers thrust into our hands with a demand for a few cents – within seconds four of these girls surrounded us; two asking me for money (I was not carrying any at the time) and two trying to get into my daughter´s purse and bag. This is the first time we have experienced anything like this in Nerja; not unfortunately the first time someone has stolen from my daughter whilst living in Spain.

Normally we are street wise, but we were both distracted, most certainly a stupid thing to do at this time of night. Luckily an English man approached very quickly and told us not to give them money and explained they were thieves; the “flower girls” disappeared as quickly as they had appeared and having thanked the couple who helped us, we made our way home without incident. Apparently they approach people who are distracted, often women on their own who, like me, are vulnerable.

These women are often at the local markets and were well known in the area; though I am sure there is more than one “gang”.

If you are visiting Nerja (or in fact any other tourist resort in Spain), be aware that there are pick pockets and other thieves in the area. One person was robbed twice during their eleven day holiday but many visitors enjoy their time here without experiencing problems.

We have become complacent since living in an inland village, carrying a bag when we go out, keeping our money and cards in one purse and so on. Had we followed our own rules, this incident would not have occurred.

Tips
- do not carry a bag (quite common for someone on a scooter to snatch your bag and sometimes your jewellery out of your ears or off your neck/wrist).
- carry valuables, including passport, driving licence, credit/banks cards and cash separately –  best carried in a body belt or in hidden pockets on the inside of your clothes. IMHO bum bags are easily removed, especially when worn so they are actually facing backwards.
- take only the money you need for the night out and not all in one purse or wallet or by one person in the group – divide it up – putting it under the baby in a push chair is not a good idea!
- if you go to an ATM to withdraw money, have someone with you who constantly watches your back, and anyone who is too close. We find it best to actually go to the bank during opening hours, it is much safer; and to put the money away before leaving without allow anyone to see where the money is kept.
- be aware – watch for people following you either on foot or on a scooter; it may be innocent, but be aware anyway.
- “No” is the same in Spanish as in English, with just a shorter vowel – so say it loudly, show confidence and get rid of them. I have considered carrying a pepper spray, but am unsure whether this is legal.
- for personal safety, women alone should not walk up an unlit quiet street.

All this we “forgot”. So the most important tip – be aware and do not “day dream” when out; do not allow yourselves to become distracted and do not advertise your “wealth” by wearing so much jewellery you look like a “Christmas Tree”.

An earthquake occurred at 22.48 yesterday, measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale, with an epicentre in Jayena, Granada, was felt by some residents of Nerja (my home) and Maro (a nearby village) last night; no damage reported.

I was reading at the time, my daughter was designing a client´s website – I turned to her and asked “what was that noise”, “don´t know” the reply! then we went back to our work. While this earthquake was relatively minor, the one we experienced in Huescar shortly after we arrived in Spain was not though it wasn´t a bad one either  - oddly enough I was reading, and my daughter – designing a website at the time it occurred. The walls shook and made a sort of … grinding noise, then all was peaceful again.

One day we may well regret not paying attention to what is going on around us, hope not … but just think we might!

These small cakes are traditionally made using olive oil, if you prefer use cooled melted butter in its place. Many of the Spaniards I have known while in Spain (both adults and children) ate these before leaving the house for work or school, served with a cup of milky coffee or milk, breakfast itself came later around 11 am.

2 large fresh eggs and their weight – in the shells in the following:

• unrefined caster sugar
• plain white flour
• olive oil (or unsalted butter)

Pinch fine sea salt
1.25 tsp baking powder
Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
Granulated sugar – to sprinkle on top of the cakes (optional)

Tip – the mixture should be quite thick, but I found them a little easier to work with when I added a little milk or lemon juice; I added about a teaspoon.

Preheat oven to 180ºC
Line a muffin tray with cup liners – either standard or mini muffin tins

Method 1

1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, reserve.
2. Whisk the eggs until frothy.
3. Add the zest, gradually add the sugar – while whisking constantly – until the batter is smooth.
4. Continue whisking, while pouring in the oil (or melted butter) in a slow steady stream.
5. Sift in the dry ingredients, fold in gently.
6. Spoon the batter into the cups.
7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes – baking time varies depending on the size of cup.

Method 2

I watched a chef making these cakes without raising agent

1. Separate the eggs, put the yolks, sugar (reserve two tablespoons for the egg whites) and lemon zest into a bowl, whisk until pale and fluffy
2. Whisk in the oil – added in a thin steady steam.
3. Sift the flour and salt into the bowl, gently fold in.
4. Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form, gradually add the sugar while whisking until stiff peaks form.
5. Mix one third into the batter, fold in remainder.

Apparently, eggs are sized on their weight, as follows:-

1. Small – 53 grams and under
2. Medium eggs weigh between 53 – 63 grams
3. Large eggs weigh between 63 – 73 grams
4. Extra large eggs weigh more than 73 grams

After having one of our sites attacked over a period of 2 to 3 days (all 24 hours) – not sure which it went on for so long. I wonder … who has the time to spend doing these stupid things. His reason for attacking one of our sites is not clear as it is not one of the top sites on the web. My daughter tells me it isn´t personal, it´s automated (whatever) … when someone does this to my site (my favourite site), when a person wastes my precious time doing stupid things, then it becomes personal.

We know who the person is; we know in which town he lives; we have server information and believe it or not – an email address. Though when he (and I am sure it is an “he”), finally realised we were on to him, he tried to cover his tracks. He failed, though of course he could be guilty of identity theft which is a different ball game!

Last comment on this ever … this man really needs to get a life, find something useful to do that will benefit society, find a girlfriend or partner, sell his computer.

I used Google to search for a lamb recipe, something just a little bit different from our lovely British recipes. I found one that pleased – I was asked “This page is in Portuguese”. “Would you like to translate it”? Buttons for – “Translate”, “Nope”, “Always Translate Portuguese”. So I clicked “Translate”.

My daughter came into the computer room in haste when she heard me laughing.

There were some really interesting ingredients – so I changed it back to Portuguese and translated them myself with the aid of a dictionary. Then back to English.

Onto the method – I finally got the gist of the first line that caused me amusement – after mixing some of the ingredients it came up with “Arrange the lamb and spread it with the porridge” – as I had just mixed herbs, onions wine and so on – I assumed this was the “porridge”. Simple, so onto the next stage.

Some more instructions followed which were fairly easy to understand, then another line “The next day, sprinkle the lamb with the remaining wine and white around the potatoes cut into available rooms”.  I can make a guess and peel/chop the potatoes, but the exact meaning really is unclear, isn´t it?

Tip – this translation software – or whatever deals with the translation – urgently needs more work folks.

Its just a little warm, well maybe just a little bit hot!

Is that an understatement, well yes. The temperature on our balcony yesterday and the day before was 44ºC and 45ºC respectively. And it is set to be a little warmer today. I can´t wait.

The best time of the day to be out of bed is night. I finally gave up trying to sleep at just after 5 am this morning, it was already about 24ºC in the apartment. No air con, but we do have very efficient fans which give some help in keeping us – and the JFT – cool. Of all of us, the computer is suffering the most.

Even though it was hot yesterday morning, it was cloudy and the sea was rough, so my daughter was able to bathe in the Mediterranean, but I was not. I think she made the life guard just a bit nervous – he was clutching the arm rest on his tower along with his “flotation device” looking extremely nervous. She was the only one silly enough to go in the water, and … she did have an audience!

I have been swimming for the first time in two years in the Mediterranean sea, not a bit like the mill pond described in many brochures, lovely waves and lots of pretty fish to look at. But the best part – it is finding out that at 64 I am still able to play in the sea and enjoy it. You have to respect the sea though, very powerful when you least expect it.

Mum often said to me – “you should have a hair style befitting your age”, “or you should act your age”. My mother was an old woman in her thirties – behaving the way she though she should. She tried to make me do the same, not bloody likely. I like having fun and intend to do so while I am able, though not so able now.

Loving it – the new apartment, the town, the sea close by, our view of the sea, the restaurants and bars, the shopping. Fantastic!

I left the village where we had been living since October 2010 on 1 August and have not looked back. It was virtually impossible for me to get out, the bars and restaurants were too far to walk, and the hills were impossible for me. I should have expected hills in the mountains? Looking back, the last time I left the house was 5 January 2011 – nearly 7 months without leaving the house!

We recently visited the Curry House which is located on the Av. del Mediterraneo, Edif. Toboso II, Local No 9 in Nerja for my first ever Indian meal in a restaurant – we usually have take away! It was absolutely fabulous.

We opted for the safe option and had a mild but tasty Chicken Korma – said to be a suitable dish for beginners, either way it was yummy. I loved the fresh cream and almond sauce, but then again I love almonds. We also had a lovely mixed vegetable curry – a little bit hotter but again, so good. Rice flavoured with saffron and herbs, garlic naan bread and for me – chips! Had to beg for them as my daughter said I am eating far too many chips, but we did share them! And we had beer.

I was so stuffed that we decided to call it a night and not eat anything else, no dessert.

I would heartily recommend this restaurant, which has a good reputation here in Nerja, to anyone visiting the area. There are dishes on the menu to suit everyone. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, friendly without being over familiar and efficient. The food was freshly cooked and hot when it arrived on the table. It was a wonderful night out in our new home town – we will be returning in the not too distant future. They also do a “take away” service.

Finally – we are here in Nerja. After nearly five years of trying to find an apartment that was suitable, we have finally found one near to the amenities and sea (about 100 yards walk to the nearest beach), with the added bonus of a sea view. The apartment is all that we wanted and more. Like all rental accommodation, it has its draw backs – the only one so far is that there was a leak from the waste pipe under the kitchen sink. Simple to fix and for us not really a problem at all.

We have been out to late dinner at four different bars/restaurants and have four lovely meals. The last one being to a Tapas bar on the ground floor of our block of apartments – not on the tourist trail. I simply cannot understand why it is does not have more trade, the food was fabulous, service attentive without being intrusive. An Indian restaurant very close by is popular and the food was excellent – this is the first time I have ever been into an Indian restaurant, usually we have take away. It was an experience not to be missed.

This is the first apartment that I do not want to leave – but this is only our eleventh day! Only time will tell whether I can settle down or not. At the moment, I love it.

When my daughter reminds me of the bar/restaurant names, I will post a review of the food.

Just worked it out – this is our eleventh home since arriving in Spain – an average of 5 months per home!