Cant see the broccoli for the trees

GROWING up in Surrey all of us kids would get very excited when we heard the distant but all too slowly approaching sound of a terrible and tinny sound system heralding the arrival of the ice cream van. Nowadays in Spain we can all enjoy the same sound effects whenever there are elections. Round and round drive the cars with hi-fis from home plonked on the roof rack.

The best of it is that it’s always impossible to work out what the screeching actually means. Near where I live a van passes through sometimes loudly announcing it has potatoes for sale. In the summer months other vehicles blare out the joys to be had if we pay good money to go and watch bulls being murdered.

When people are asked why they moved to Spain a popular answer is the sunny weather. As I write this there has been rain yet again with even more forecast. I was chatting to an old lady Spanish neighbour and she said how strange the recent weather is. I commented that at least it was good weather for ducks in my best(ish) Spanish. She laughed out loud as did her friend so perhaps my lame jokes sound better when translated from English.

I have been a busy chap so far this year with trips to Barcelona, Milan and London to see the fabulous stage show The Wall performed by Roger Waters and crew. Also a boyhood dream visit to Liverpool was only marred as I stood in The Kop to watch Spurs beat us soundly (Bill in Arboleas stop gloating or you will spill your pint.)

Once or twice a year I am also normally spirited away to assist on travel shoots and now Italy beckons in a few days with a 9 day trip to Rome, Florence, Pisa and the Amalfi coast. I don’t bother anymore trying to explain to people just how hard work it is as no-one ever believes me, I just get out the worlds smallest violin and start to play!

Clients of mine were commenting on why when there are vegetable farms all over the place (they live in Murcia surrounded by market gardens) is it almost impossible to get fresh produce when ordering a meal in a restaurant.

Its strange how with all the amazing fresh salad and vegetables grown in Almeria none of it ever seems to reach a Spanish restaurant table. Normally it’s a plate of protein and carbs with not a green to be seen. Sometimes, when a salad is ordered it’s served with the dubious contents of various jars of pickled vegetables. Surely a meal can be served with a few fresh greens on the side? One notable exception is La Mesa in Mojacar with a superb value Sunday roast served with one of the best vegetable selections to be seen in all Christendom.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

Picture Credit: crabchick