I'm Back !

I know it's been simply ages and we don't know where the time has gone.  Can you believe it, but we will be home in less than four weeks.  And I guarantee that we will be saying, we didn't do this and we didn't do that!!

Well this blog will be a gentle ramble again through some of our experiences.

As you know, Rod is partial to a bit of cheese here and there, and having the market just down the road has been fatal.  We have stuck to trying out Spanish cheeses and my waistline is suffering.  The Manchego which most people know, is confusing, as there are about 200 different types from different areas and different maturity, a bit like Cheddar.  They don't go in for anything like Camembert and Brie, but do a lot of fresh cheese, and we have found one blue called Perla, which is lovely.

Then there is the local blue called Cabrales, award winning and strong.  We decided to have a go!  well what can I say, don't think I have ever tasted anything so strong.  We were even contemplating putting it in a plastic bag and hanging it out of the window at night.  You know the sort of cheese that gives you a slap when you open the fridge.  An interesting tasting, but might give it a miss next time.

Even looking at this picture makes my toes want to curl.

I think we managed to find the ugliest building in Valencia.  It is quite the most eye wateringly grey and drab building ever, right next to a lovely row of shops and houses. 

Right around the corner from this!

We spend our days just walking around the place, finding new streets to wander down and finding little squares full of orange trees.

This guy sits in the fountain in front of the Basilica.  It must be difficult to look cool being naked with a pidgeon using you as a perch.

And again to more food and wine.  Last Saturday we went for a wine tasting our Gastrotecha of wine from a Valencian Vineyard called Las Frailes.  The place was heaving and we think people were on a roll. It started off quiet with everyone sipping their wine and being civilised.  But as usual when a bunch of Spanish get together with a glass of wine, it reached crescendo point at 9pm.  Great fun and fabulous organic wine.  We are also finding out that our Spanish improves immensely after a glass of wine!

We won't show you the after pictures.

Isn't this gorgeous.  A Las Fallas outfit for a two year old.
M