Spanish Eyes, English Words

As a result of the collaboration between Angela Merkel and her new best friend David Cameron, it seems the EU are set to ban siestas, which will impact very strongly on Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain, or the PIGS, as Frau Merkel allegedly referred to them during her cosy chat with  Cameron when she visited the UK earlier in March. Apparently, the thinking is that banning siestas will improve productivity across Europe.

Personally, I don't go in for siestas - although I certainly enjoy a nice long, leisurely Mediterranean style lunch whenever I get the opportunity. However, I was rather concerned that, having done away with siestas to improve productivity, Frau Merkel will now turn her Teutonic attention in the direction of cava. Many a productivity session has been compromised by the enthusiastic imbibing of industrial quantities of cava. It's the preferred Spanish drink of celebration, and although I am Spanish by adoption rather than birth, I have absolutely no trouble  in finding a cause for celebration and a reason to open a bottle - or several - of cava.

Last Saturday it was my friend's birthday, so that was a great excuse. On Sunday, we saw friends who we hadn't seen for almost a year, so there was another good reason to pop a cava cork. Monday was the day that marked a week since I collected my new puppy Paddy from the animal shelter, so I opened more cava as a celebration of that momentous event. Then I opened another bottle since I forgot to celebrate St Patrick's Day properly due to the excitement of collecting Paddy. I'm not Irish, but my dog has an Irish name, so it had to be done.

Tuesday and Wednesday passed without cause for celebration, and  I was beginning to panic, as there seemed to be nothing to celebrate today either. There is a clear and present danger that blood may intrude into my alcohol stream if I don't get more cava soon. Luckily, I've just found out it is my neighbour's cat's 8th birthday today, so the cava is in the fridge ready and waiting.

Unfortunately, the anticipatory smile was wiped off my face when I checked the news headlines before I fed Paddy this morning. The EU has now decided to ban the drinking of cava in Spain, as it interferes with productivity. Spain's celebratory drink will still be produced, but for export only, and the price will be increased to bring more money into EU coffers. The same thing will happen with Prosecco in Italy, Retsina in Greece and Mateus Rose in Portugal. The Portuguese will not be affected by the new law, as they wouldn't dream of drinking Mateus Rose even if it was the only wine left in Portugal, but there is already unrest in Spain, Italy and Greece.

Worryingly, here in Spain, it has been announced that specially appointed Cava Police will begin the momentous task of removing all stocks of cava from every bar, restaurant, bodega, hotel, supermarket and private residence in Spain. As it is such a vast undertaking, the Cava Police will work their way through the alphabet and will initially concentrate all their efforts in cities, towns and villages beginning with the letter A. There have already been riots in Alicante, where local residents have comandeered the iconic Santa Barbara Castle and are refusing to surrender until the new law is scrapped and the inalienable Spanish right of unhindered cava drinking is restored.

In our home village of Algorfa, there is also serious unrest. The village has a small population of just 3,000 souls, but the residents of the neighbouring villages of Benijofar and Benijuzar have also rallied to the cause, as they are very conscious that they will be next on the list. In the interests of solidarity, the nearby towns of Catral and Callosa also offered their services, but by 9.00pm last night, 10,000 cava swilling people were crammed into Algorfa's tiny village square, so the offer from Catral and Callosa was politely declined, even though they offered to bring a trailer full of cava to keep the protesters going in the event of a protracted demonstration.

The new EU law banning the drinking of cava in Spain, prosecco in Italy, retsina in Greece and Mateus Rose in Portugal is set to come into force on 1 April 2014 - unless the protesters win the day, of course. I hope they do, because I can't help thinking that Angela Merkel got this dastardly idea by thought transference, picking up on the impossible idea that flitted through my mind when I read about the proposed ban on siestas. I'm feeling very guilty and more than a little responsible - maybe I'll open that bottle of cava early.

I've wanted a dog for years, but Tony has always said no. However, our close friends have gone back to the UK, taking their Miniature Schnauzers with them. We were pretty much foster parents to Bertie and Tikka, because we looked after them when they went to the UK, took them walks now and again and saw them almost every day, so I was really gutted to see them go. On Sunday, Tony suggested we see what dogs were up for adoption at the various animal shelters here.

When we saw Teddy on the K9 Club website, we just knew he was the dog for us. He was around 7 weeks old, and a Border Collie cross. He reminded us of our own Border Collie, Patch, who died at the ripe old age of 17 several years before we came to Spain. He had similar markings,and we'd always said if we had another dog, we'd want some sort of Collie.

What really tore at my heartstrings though was the back story behind Teddy. He'd been found, with his brother, at the side of the canal behind the K9 kennels. Teddy was covered in mud and barely alive, and his poor brother was already dead. That was on 7 March, but to look at him now, you'd never know he had such a terrible start in life. He's healthy, happy, and very affectionate. We already love him to bits, and couldn't imagine being without him.

What makes people treat animals - especially tiny, defenceless puppies - so badly? Why couldn't they just hand them in at the shelter, or even leave them outside the gate, rather than down by the canal? Then Teddy's brother might have been saved too. Sometimes, when I look at him sleeping peacefully, or zooming around the garden like a mad thing, I could weep for what he must have been through. Happily though, it doesn't seem to have affected him at all.

Why the name change? Two reasons really. First of all, Tony said no way was he going to stand on the terrace steps and shout 'Come here, Teddy'' for all the neighbours to hear. Secondly, Teddy became ours on March 17, St Patrick's Day. What else could we call him but Paddy?

The K9 club has at least another 11 dogs of varying ages who would love to find a new forever home like Paddy has. Is there room for a rescue dog in your heart and home? There are so many lovely dogs around the Costa Blanca who have either been abandoned or badly treated. One less dog to rehome is definitely a result. In the meantime,  I'll keep you posted on Paddy's progress!

We are lucky to have a lovely range of restaurants within easy reach of our home in Algorfa. However, sometimes, especially at this time of year when it's cold at night, you just can't be bothered to drag yourself away from the blazing log fire, yet you don't feel like cooking either. What's a girl to do?

Well, if a girl - or guy - has any sense, they'll check out The Country Kitchen. It's your virtual restaurant in Spain, where you can choose the food for a dinner party for 6 or 16, or a cosy night in for just the two of you. The Country Kitchen is the brainchild of Scotsman Jim Stewart. 6 years ago, they had an offer they couldn't refuse for their busy restaurant and takeaway, and they decided to move to Spain.

Although Jim didn't really want to run a restaurant again, he was tempted to open up a restaurant which had been closed for 3 years. Within months, it was so busy the Spanish owner wanted to treble the rent, so Jim and his wife retired from the restaurant business once more. However, it seems the people of Murcia were not prepared to say 'Adios' to Jim's cooking, because they were persuaded to serve first Sunday lunches, then all the food at Camposol Golf Club.

The idea for The Country Kitchen had been there since they came to Spain, and over the next 4 years, they worked on it. When they received an offer for their business, Jim decided it was time to commit to his idea of supplying home cooked meals to people who either can't or won't cook for themselves. The rapidly expanding client base includes elderly people, busy workers, and those who would rather not spend their spare time in the kitchen, and business is booming.

Customers can choose from 12 different home made soups, various starters, and so many main courses you really will be spoiled for choice. All the food is prepared in Jim's kitchen near Totana, Murcia, under his direction. Whether your preference is Beef Bourginon or the scrumptious sounding Mushroom and Ale Casserole, there's sure to be something to suit your tastes. And with prices from just 1.20 Euro for soups and 2.95 Euro for main courses, the Country Kitchen menu is within everyone's reach. In the unlikely event that nothing tickles your taste buds, just contact Jim and he'll come up with exactly what you want.

One innovative service offered by Country Kitchen is a home visit from the in house Nutrition Coach to work out a healthy menu tailored to your preferences and health requirements. The great thing about Country Kitchen is that they provide individual service and products at mass produced prices. For example, you can choose to have your food delivered fresh or frozen, and from as little as 15 Euro, you can order a custom made hamper full of all the things you love to eat. That's a very handy service for people on holiday who don't want to spend hours in the supermarket when they could be on the beach, soaking up the Spanish sun.

At the moment, Country Kitchen only delivers in Murcia and as far as Alicante on the Costa Blanca. However, Jim is looking at extending their delivery base in the near future. The minimum order is just 20 Euro. To place an order, visit the website or call Jim to discuss your requirements.

Sometimes Facebook has its uses! I belong to an open group called Tickets Benidorm, and today they posted that Terra Natura is offering a free one year pass to anyone who visits and pays the regular price of 28 Euro for adults and 22.50 for over 60s from 1 - 31 March 2014. Accompanied kids can also get a free pass, and for a small extra supplement, you can add Agua Natura Water Park to the deal.

As well as getting you unlimited entry to Terra Natura, the pass also offers discounts for restaurants, shops and special events in the theme park, so it's a great deal.

The offer is ideal for anyone living in or near Benidorm, or holidaymakers who visit several times a year. Even if you don't live near Benidorm, the coach companies on the Costa Blanca all offer day trips for around 10 Euro, and most of them drop off at the theme parks as well as the market and the town centre.

I've never been to Terra Natura, so I just might pay a visit in March, and collect my free pass!

Friends who have been all recommend it, but they do advise taking a picnic, as the restaurant is expensive and the food doesn't look very appetising. There's also a water park, and you can get very close to the 'safe' animals. It's not too busy either, even in summer, so it sounds like a great day out, and with the option to return as often as you like during the year, it'a a real theme park bargain.