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.

This is a wonderful Tapas bar, set in the main square of the village near the church and the village shop. When we first arrived in Sedella last October the bar was open, albeit reduced hours, but the Tapas on offer were truly delightful. Unfortunately it closed over the winter.

I enjoyed the chicken, totilla espanola, potatoes and of course the olive and bread. Plus the beer!

The bar reopened on Thursday and it has been busy ever since with free Tapas on offer during the first few days. How long will this continue? Not sure really, but most people are making the most of it, and enjoying the experience.

The atmosphere – in this traditional tapas bar – is excellent, the staff friendly and polite, the food excellent, the locals friendly and welcoming. Try it and see.

Update – unfortunately since writing this post, the bar “appears” to be under new management – at least the lady who cooked our wonderful tapas and was so friendly and inviting is no longer there. It seems quieter (that is fewer customers – as opposed to noise – and it is often very noisy/roudy, particularly late a night), the bar does not open until after midday, remains open late into the night (or should I say early morning – could be until the last person finally goes home). Some of the “clientèle” and the “staff” … not really sure what to say here other than it no longer appeals to me and I will not be visiting again.

Should you wish to visit the bar, bear in mind it closes all day Monday.

Address: Plaza de la Constitucion, Sedella. Telephone: 952 508 818

Now that I have finished reading the books published to date, we have been discussing the possible endings. From the comments by the author, Sookie will not become a vampire. So … who will she end up with?

Many of my friends love vampire books, I have been reading vampire books and watching films from being a young girl. As a vampire novel fan, I feel the author does not realise how (many of) her readers would like this series to end.

Not happily ever after with boring old Sam – the character could be so much more than a waitress.

For me she has in some part ruined the suspense by saying she will not be made a vampire, by stating she considered killing Bill off and then came up with a lame ass storyline having him go off with a “sister” who has not been mentioned previously. By stating readers forget what Eric is other than the sexy male … well I think those of us who read vampire fiction know what a vampire would be capable of if they existed.

For me … Sookie is a very er … physical young lady and I cannot see a human male being able to satisfy her, particularly as she is not wholly human herself. I know he is a shifter, but oh … the character Sam is boring, too boring for words.

The author should be true to her character – an ending where she was with Sam would disappoint, and that is an understatement. A happy ever after ending with a human isn´t what the fans – as a whole – want.

Come on Charlaine, GIVE US AN ENDING WORTH OF SOOKIE.

Steve Alten is a best selling author and one of my favourites. Initially I was excited to hear about the publication of this book, inspired by the first part of Dante Alighien´s 14th century epic poem Divine Comedy, of which there are three parts – Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. Inferno being Italin for Hell. The poem describes Dante’s journey through Hell, depicted as nine circles of suffering.

Steve Alten takes us on the classic journey of good versus evil, transformation and redemption.

The story is set in Manhattan, New York and brings in moral corruption in Europe before the Black Death, present day greed and deception and also the cruelty in today´s society

This book took two years to research and complete and is the first part of a trilogy.

Mary Klipot is a scientist working on the development of a bio-defense weapon called Scythe, a version of the black plague, while working in the lab she discovers she is pregnant and is convinced she is going to give birth to “Jesus”.

The “hero” is war veteran Patrick Shepherd who is hospitalised recoving from an explosion which resulted in him losing an arm, he has an estranged wife (who he has not seen for 11 years) and daughter, like many war veterans he is a “damaged” individual – not just physically but mentally. He is chosen by ruthless politicians who require his services to aid the war effort, thus receiving much needed treatment and psychological guidance.

Mary is in the same hospital in labour and gives birth to a baby girl, her child of Christ. She has an antidote to the DNA modified black plague and instructs Patrick´s physician where to find it.

Patrick overhears a conversation with the Secretary of Defence discussing the plague which has hit Manhattan and eventually escapes from the hospital using a helicopter and taking the antidote with him.. His main aim is to save his wife and daughter. Eventually, after his helicopter is shot down, he finds himself in a dark wood and aided by Virgil, his psychiatrist, he goes on a journey through the streets of New York, now plague-ridden. To be reunited with his family, he descends his own Nine Circles of Hell to cleanse his troubled soul, be reunited with family and of course in true hero fashion, save humanity

While many people say this is the best book Steve Alten has ever written, I politely disagree. It is well researched and written as is expected of Steve. In many respects an excellent read, but … there must be a “but”. I found it difficult to read, it was not a book I had difficulty in putting down. Of its type, this book is excellent, however, I doubt I will read it again and this is a first for me as I read his other books over quite often, when the mood takes me!

See larger image Grim Reaper: End of Days (Hardcover) By (author) Steve Alten List Price: £16.57 GBP New From: £9.99 In Stock Used from: £9.98 In Stock

I received this book as a Christmas present from a family member who is aware of my love for the Steve Alten Meg books.

This is not a critique, just my ramblings.

I have to admit that I was a little shocked when I realised the content and found it hard to ´get into´ but it is a very good read. I would not go so far as to say it is the best book I have ever read as some critics have done, it is well written, informative (as are all of Steve´s books), and of its type (and I am not a fan of this sort of book) is excellent. Whether I will read it more than once is debatable.

The hero is Patrick Shepherd who had a promising career in baseball before 911. Following 911, he enlists in the forces and serves 11 years, eventually being hospitalised, and like many who served in this period, a traumatised damaged individual having lost an arm and seemingly mentally unstable experiencing nightmares about the war.

On 21 December 2012 a scientist (working at a bio-hazard level 4 laboratory), takes Scythe, a version of the Black Death with altered DNA into Manhatton, Mary believes that God has chosen her to ¨bring forth the end of days¨, she infects herself with the virus. Many world leaders are trapped including the American president and the officials rush to seal off the island.

And this is as far as I have read, but glancing swiftly through I notice that nine of the chapters are named after the nine circles of hell from Dante´s Inferno. A poem (I hate to admit) I have not read!

I just cannot read a book without checking out the ending first, and this was one big surprise. Just try and guess who becomes the Grim Reaper!

Restaurante La Herradura, Prol. Avenida del Mar, s/n 03187 Los Montesinos, Alicante, Tel. 96 672 10 78

We visited this lovely old restaurant on UK Mother´s Day for lunch. The meal was wonderful, the service excellent, the staff friendly and welcoming, plus English was spoken for those of us whose Spanish language skills leave a lot to be desired.

We started with Special bread la Herradura with tomato and garlic. Alsolutely gorgeous and for those of us who love Spanish bread, this tops any I have ever eaten. With the Alioli and tomato, it was fabulous.

We decided to be a little adverturous with the starter – and chose a Canneloni stuffed with spanish black sausage (Morcilla). It was absolutely sublime, I mean seriously – the combination of morcilla sausage, crispy canneloni and cream of mushroom sauce was just, well, it was out of this world.

For our main course we both chose Chopped Sirloin with Spring Garlic, vegetables. The spring garlic and chopped sirloin combination was excellent and whilst I have never been a fan of caramalised garlic or onion, this was beautiful.

To finish we had a homemade cheesecake with a berry coulis. It was a rare treat for me as I haven´t enjoyed the cheesecakes served in restaurants whilst in Spain until Sunday. They are usually watery and tasteless, not this one.

We had house red wine, water and finally Cafe Solo followed by a complimentary glass of Cava.

We were met at the door by the lovely head chef who chatted to us for some time and after each course asked if the meal was up to standard. During my time in Spain, I can honestly say this was the best restaurant I have ever visited. The meal was excellent and I will be returning in the not too distant future.

On Friday evening, La Herradura has a Flamenco night, which I am told is very good. I look forward to seeing it.

They also have a website and it is well worth a visit restaurantelaherradura.com