Trialthon training in Almeria

20 Sep

Up by the dam at Cuevas del Almanzora is a huge man made lake and clubhouse which was built in 2004 for the rowing and canoeing events of the 2005 Mediterranean games. The thought of rowing and canoeing in the desert has always made us chuckle.

After the Games it just sat unused –we couldn’t believe what a waste it was – until earlier this year Kinetic PB run by Oliver Watts took it over to launch a very impressive triathlon training camp. We met Oli when some friends came to stay and one of them wanted to hire a bike and found him on the internet.  So we thought we would get in touch with him too as we thought it may be of interest to people who stay with us.

The Tri Lodge (10 minutes from here) is at the centre of all training activities – obviously it is ideal for winter training when the UK is pretty grim so makes a brilliant base for athletes.

The lake (or swimming channel) is pretty impressive at 1,150m long and 115m wide offering controlled environment swimming right next to the camp HQ and Kinetic also have their own indoor swimming pool.

Cycling in Almeria is already recognised as one of the best places to train, again particularly during the autumn and winter months as we get so much sunshine during the days.

Oliver is very helpful and obviously enjoys what he does and has a great atmosphere going up at the Tri Lodge along with the equipment and facilities.

Several top coaches work up there during the year but you’ll have to visit the website for a full schedule or just call Oli direct at Kinetic PB.

For those of you who live nearby, do go up and take a look – it is so great to see this structure being used for something sporty!  It is only around 10 minutes drive from Cuevas itself.

Kinetic PB telephone number: +44 (0)7976275503

Mojito

17 Sep

As some of you know I have been on a diet so when I have been allowing myself a sundowner I have been conscious of how many calories I am having!  Spritzers get a bit on the dull side and so I consulted my trusty cocktail book and decided that the Mojito was the diet drink of choice for last night!  (Mind you, only the one otherwise it is a bit of a pointless exercise!).

 

The Mojito was first made in Cuba where rum was served to slaves for medicinal purposes (no really) and mint, water and sugar was added for a pick-me-up.  It literally means “something a little wet” – Mojito sound nicer!

 

It is still hot until late into the evening and so this lovely cooling drink is just the thing and very easy (like a lot of cocktails).

 

Ingredients

 

1 tsp white sugar (or low calorie sweetener if you are really serious about the calories!)

a good squeeze of Lime juice (you can use lemon if you don’t have limes in the house)

a handful of mint sprigs (this is essential so if, unlike me, you don’t have a herb patch, you need to pop out and get some).  Don’t cut off the stalks because there is a lot of mint oil in them which enhances the flavour.

Soda water

50ml white rum

A dash of Angostura bitters (anyone who likes cocktails will always have a bottle of this strange stuff!!!)

Slices of lime to serve

 

138k calories per cocktail – yippee

 

Put the sugar in the bottom of a glass and pour the citrus juice over just to cover.

Add 2 long sprigs of Mint and gently “pound” with a spoon.

Add lots of ice and fill two-thirds full with soda.

Add the rum, stir and then add a dash of the bitters.

Throw in a couple of slices of lime and enjoy!

Sorbas

8 Sep

We have some guests staying at the moment who like combining beach holidays with a bit of exploring – September is certainly the month to do it as it really has cooled down (I think it is only about 80 degrees today!) and therefore is conducive to taking leisurely drives to hilltop villages.  One of these that I always recommend is a gorgeous little town called Sorbas.  There are three good reasons for visiting here – the beautiful old fashioned little town itself – a typical white Spanish village on top of hill, reached by a tiny, winding little road which circles its way to the top; the wonderful array of pottery you can find here (and visit a working potter); and the caves, which are found just outside the town, with their amazing stalactites and stalagmites and just experience the coolness inside.  If you have never seen caves then this really is worth a visit.

When you reach the village, it seems like you are going back in time (like many places around us) – it is uncrowded, untouristy and you can just wander around the charming streets, popping into the odd grocery store where no-one is in a hurry, or ending up in the square for lunch or a drink in one of the two restaurants there.

Sorbas is very easy to get to from here, and you can still cram in a long afternoon at the beach as well.  It is one of the things I love about this area, there are loads of really interesting places to visit which don’t take a whole day and you really get to see how very simply some Spanish people still live.

Pumpkin Pie

31 Aug

Yes, I know it is August but my cousin came down via some friends in France last week, bringing with her from them, of all things, but a pumpkin.  I adore pumpkin soup but this was a monster and I thought that I could make several recipes from it – I could have left it until Halloween but then it would not have be good to eat!  Anyhow, having never made a pumpkin pie in my life I thought it would be fun to try so when Halloween does come around, maybe you may like to have a go too.  It is dead easy and the result is a kind of unusual flavoured custard pie!  It is really good with vanilla ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

This is a BBC recipe by Antony Worrall Thompson

To begin, either make and bake blind a pastry case or just buy a sweet short crust case, 9 inches in diameter.  This enough for around 6-8 portions.

For the pumpkin filling

450 g prepared pumpkin flesh cut into small pieces

2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk

75 g soft dark brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

half level teaspoon each of grated nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves and ginger

275 ml double cream or evaporated milk.

To make

Pre heat oven to 180/350 gas 4

To make the filling, steam the pumpkin until very tender and then put into a food mixer.

Whisk the eggs and egg yolk together in a bowl

Place the sugar,spices and cream in a pan and bring to simmering point. Mix everything together and pour over the eggs and whisk again briefly.

Now add the pumpkin puree continuing to whisk

Pour into the pastry case and bake for 35-40 minutes – it will have puffed up by the end of cooking but still be a little wobbly – don’t be tempted to overcook as in the cooling and chilling process it will firm up but still be lovely and light.

Put the tin on a cooling rack and then transfer to the fridge for a few hours.  Serve with crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream with a dusting of icing sugar or cinnamon.

Triana Bar & Restaurant, Valle del Este, Vera

26 Aug

Last weekend we went up to the pool at Valle del Este, 10 minutes from here.  We used to go here a lot at weekends before we had our own swimming pool as they have a beautiful one and as long as it is not too busy, they let you use the pool, I guess because you will have drinks and lunch etc.

 

Next door to the pool area is a commercial centre albeit a small one.   There are a couple of restaurants and bars here and our favourite is one called Triana.

It has recently been refurbished and extended and has lovely views over the hills beyond the golf course.  It is a family run business, and the very charming son speaks English very well.  Mum cooks the most delicious food – there is an extensive tapas menu which we normally choose from, dishes ranging from 1.50 euros for a small tapa to 5/8 euros or so for a racion (a larger portion suitable for 3 or 4 to share).  Our favourite is the aubergine deep fried and drizzled with honey – it is divine and no matter how I plead, they won’t give me the recipe!  There is something for every taste (including children, who don’t normally go for tapas in a big way!), from prawns to chicken “tears” (a little like tiny chicken nuggets), and clams, chorizo – the list just goes on.

If you do want a more substantial meal and you like fish, order the cod – it is fantastic. They are also famous for their rice dishes on a Sunday, but you have to pre-order these. The meat dishes are delicious too and there really is something for everyone.

Do try it for a lovely relaxed early evening drink, or a linger over a selection of really fantastic dishes – as it is only 10 minutes from here, it is lovely to go there when I feel like a night off!

Triana Bar & Restuarant, Valle del Este, Vera telephone number: 950 461 182

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Canadas Bar & Restaurant, Cuevas del Almanzora

19 Aug

My cousin April is with us at the moment, with her partner James and part of their fantastic brood.  James has triplet boys and April has one of her daughters here too.  They arrived a few days ago in an absolutely brilliant motor home, taking their time and stopping nearLeonto stay with some friends.  We all decided we needed a night off from cooking and cleaning up and we also wanted to go somewhere low key and away from the crowds.

So, what better place than the “brasa” opposite the castle in Cuevas.  April and James have been here before, and like us, they love it.  Ok, you don’t get a sea breeze ( neither the cocktail, nor the literal one) but what you do get is the most fantastic array of grilled meat – racks of pork ribs, spicy pork kebabs, quail, chorizo and morcilla (black pudding) to name a few things on offer here every night of the week, every month of the year.  Add a huge salad and some fries and all the kids are happy as well as all of us too.  In August when everyone else is at the beach, they are delighted to serve us.

Not a word of English is spoken here but lots of great and friendly service.  It is a family affair, with mama doing all the cooking over a roasting open brasa – no mean feat in 90 degrees!  Whatever you order here, including drinks, always seems to come out at around 15 euros including a tip.  They also seem to have cottoned on that us “visitors” like reasonably decent wine with their food, and now serve very good white and red rioja, previously the wine, it has to be said, was undrinkable and only came in the house red variety!  There are some fabulous photographs of Cuevas del Almanzora in days gone by (when there was a proper river flowing through it!) so take a moment to look at these wonderful momentos.

This really is an experience not to be missed and we go there all year round – in the winter it is lovely and cosy and we sit inside, being toasted by the wood burning grill, and in the summer, we enjoy eating outside and staying late until it gets cool, and mingling with the locals.  Do give it a try the next time you just fancy some great barbeque and salad and a lovely glass of vino.

 

It’s cocktail time…Cuba Libre

16 Aug

It is so hot at the moment and Mick and I have had a couple of days at the cortijo on our own.  We have been working hard and even when people leave there is always a lot to do to keep on top of everything.  At the end of the day, on occasions, we feel we deserve a sundowner (not every day of course!).  It is nice for a change to our usual tipple of a glass of wine or a G&T to make up a cocktail from one of our cocktail books or to experiment with new ones.

 

This one, however, needs no looking up as it is so simple and very refreshing on a sweltering evening by the swimming pool.  Also, it is not to potent as there is only one shot of alcohol (lots of our cocktails contain at least 2 or 3 different alcoholic ingredients!).

 

Try this one for yourselves – it doesn’t even need a cocktail shaker!

 

To make one cocktail

 

2 shots dark rum

A good slug of freshly squeezed lime juice

Coca Cola (I must say that no other cola will do for me – diet coke obviously reduces the calories)

Lime wedge to serve

 

Pour the rum and lime juice into an ice filled highball glass and top up with Coca Cola and Stir.  Garnish with the lime and a couple of straws if you like and sip away.

Mi Casa Bar and Restaurant, Antas

9 Aug

We are spoilt for places to eat and drink in and around Cuevas – we have everything from a funny Spanish “pub” in Cuevas (it is the nearest thing we have to a proper Irish pub, but it is very Spanish!) to beach bars and restaurants, which you know I feature regularly, but both in and out of season. Mi Casa is a gorgeous bar near us which is part of a small hotel on one side of the road, and a restaurant/bar on the other!  It has recently been refurbished and now the interior could actually be a bar in any big city so chicly has it been done.  In the summer there is a long terrace facing the road but still lovely as it is shady and is surrounded by plants and trees and you can watch the world go by.

We call the owner Tommy Lee (as he reminds us of the actor!) – he is lovely and usually can be found about the place.  It is about a 6 minute drive from the house (2 of those are on our track!) and is just a great place to have a well earned, end of work, end of the week drink.  They do a mean gin and tonic over loads of ice or a chilled glass of wine or beer.

The restaurant is great too, though I feel a little on the pricey side, but then as said, it is a bit more sophis than usual for around here.  The food is excellent though, they always have a great selection of fish, shellfish or meat, salads  or just have a tapa or two in the bar or on the terrace.

Next time we have a night off I think we will mosey on down there. We especially love this photo of Mi Casa from 1973.

Mi Casa Bar & Restaurant Telephone Number: 950 453 048

Chiringuito D’Maruja, Puerto Rey Playa

5 Aug

Yesterday I managed to drag Mick out of his office to meet up with our lovely friends, David and Graeme, for lunch!  As it is August, London business is quieter for Mick, whilst of course, mine is full on, so it is important to get away for a few hours and take a bit of holiday time ourselves.  David and Graeme have been here for a long time and so know all kinds of out of the way places – they are also very chic and therefore I am always eager to go anywhere that they like!

So off we went at1 o’clock and had a pre-lunch cocktail at their beautiful place near the beach, only 15 minutes drive from us.  David called the restaurant to make sure we could have a table upon arrival – top tip, never leave it until 2 pm in Spain to lunch anywhere on the beach – the Spanish literally take every table in sight during July and August at five to two!  So either book, or arrive at 1.30 pm.

Anyhow, with an assurance that our table would be waiting (David and Graeme are well known here!) off we went.  Well, I have never come across this part of the beach in 7 and a half years of living here.  A little tricky to find, it is situated between Vera beach and Garrucha, D’Maruja is only one of two Chiringuitos on this stretch of beach.  The other thing that should be noted is that the beach itself is simply divine –white sand all the way and the water as calm and blue as anything.  There are beds and umbrellas for hire in front of the restaurant and so it makes a perfect location for a whole day out.

But back to D’Maruja itself – ok get this – they only have to open for around 7 weeks a year and so after the 1st week in September you will have to wait until the middle of July next year to dine here!  It is basically a huge structure covered with canvas – there are lots of kind of portable kitchens at the back, cooking the most amazing array of delicious food and a little different too than the normal fayre.  I guess they have enough tables for 100 people here and puts me in mind of Le Club 55 in St Tropez (the first beach bar there) only about a million euros cheaper!  Go for the berenjena, pimiento y cebollo (Tempura of aubergine, green peppers and onion rings like you have never had in your life).

Next time we go, I am taking a small pot of chilli sauce with me!  Then there is the usual fantastic salad and after that a huge choice of meat or fish – we all had veal escalope just because I had cooked fish for two days running at home and I needed a meat fix!  But you can be sure that everything here is freshly cooked and absolutely delicious because their clientele is clearly very important to them (most of the houses on this stretch are upwards of a million euros and so standards are high).  We didn’t have any room for dessert – I would concentrate on the starters and mains frankly.  We had a few glasses of wine and the boys drank beer and lots of water.  Our bill came to an amazing 20 euros a head with a tip!  You can’t complain at that can you?  Suffice it to say we will be cramming in as many visits as possible before they close during the second week of September!

David and Graeme have come up trumps again!

Chringuito D’Maruja, Puerto Rey Playa Telephone number: 629 614 880

Las Nenas Restaurant, Huercal Overa

1 Aug

Last night we headed off to one of our larger local towns, Huercal Overa, to meet up with friends for dinner.  It was our friend Sue’s birthday and so we were taken to a new discovery by them – we were warned that it was “on the pricey side” but thought, hey, we deserve it!  Anyhow, we love Huercal Overa old town with its pretty squares, arches and old church and don’t really go there often enough, even though it is only 15 minutes drive away, so we parked the car and took a stroll towards where Gordon had directed us.

We arrived first and so sat outside for a pre dinner drink in the pedestrian street – the décor inside the bar is very modern and beautifully done. The owners hail from Huercal Overa itself, but the chef, Semi Garcia, previously worked in a two star Michelin restaurant in Alicante called El Girasol (The Sunflower).

The restaurant is set on the first floor of this beautiful old family home, reached by a marble staircase,  and  has been elegantly converted to a series of stunning dining areas, rarely seen, it has to be said, in this region.  There are two private dining rooms and then the main restaurant which is made up of tables for two or four, whereas the private dining rooms are for larger parties of around 10 people.  They can offer tailor made menus for special occasions or dietary requirements at a fixed price.

Gordon and Sue have been here twice before and so knew what a treat we were in for!  Semi Garcia and his partner are clearly passionate about what they do and he explained that although it is a legal requirement to provide a written menu, much of what he was offering us didn’t appear on it!  He is a great salesman and before we knew it we had ordered far too many starters.  His partner has a great command of the English language too and so was able to explain in great detail, what was on offer.  They have an array of salads which are more likely to be seen on menus in foodie regions such as San Sebastian than around here, beautiful leaves, grilled goats cheese, pineapple, top quality pata negra (the jamon from the acorn fed pigs) and served with a complex tasting dressing.  We had the plumpest and softest steamed mussels with a hint of lemon and wine, fried baby squid and boquerones (fresh anchovies, a little like whitebait), pate – more like a home made terrine – so we all dove in and then panicked about leaving room for the main course.

The boys had cod roasted with a little chilli and olive oil served on a bed of finely chopped vegetables – I thought of my father when this arrived – he has a passion for cod, and the size of these pieces were enough to make me remember to take him there when he is here next.  Sue has solomillo de buey – fillet of Ox – just incredible in size and quality, and I had Secreto iberico, literally secret pork – it is a cut which is not pretty to look at, but I have cooked it myself at home and the flavour is sensational. It is a cut from the back of the shoulder and is marbled with fat (hence the taste!).  The portion was so massive it would have been enough for 2 or 3 people.

Unfortunately we just could not manage any of their home made desserts this time – but they look pretty amazing.

With a couple of bottles of wine, drinks and plenty of mineral water plus coffee our bill came to a reasonable 35 euros a head.  This is one of the best restaurants I have eaten in since we moved here 7 years ago.  Please try it and make sure that it keeps going!

Las Nenas Restauarant Huercal Overa Telephone Number: 950 470 185

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