Big Mac's Blog

Mijas HHH

macmic1 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:37:12 +0000

Today’s run was in La Cala courtesy of Yogi and Dipstick. We were up in the hills and enjoyed fabulous weather. The beer stop was particularly noteworthy. The hares had found an old fire watch hut and converted it into a beach bar. This was open country but much of it fenced off which presented a challenge in terms of the trail and checks and it was as a result something of a runners’ run. The downside was it was short at only 5.5km. The circle was uncharacteristically short and I was home shortly aft 1800 hrs much to Madam’s surprise.

Sol Classic Car Club Almond Blossom Run

macmic1 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:35:54 +0000

Yesterday was a dreadful day weather wise. It was cold and rainy and we had both the central heating and log fire on all day. We learned that the rains had been heavier still on the coast and caused several power outages. I had intended to ready the Alfa for today’s run but was put off by the cold and the prospect that we would not take part anyway given the weather outlook.

We awoke to clearer but still threatening skies but decided to do the run notwithstanding. We prepared for the probability of inclement weather and left with the hood up, heater on, and clad in many layers. We assembled at the Venta behind the BP garage near Monda and enjoyed our first coffee. We then set off through Monda, then Guaro, after which we climbed into the Sierra toward Ronda. We stopped for coffee and overdosed on tapas en route and the weather brightened up considerably so much so that the hood came down, the heater was reduced and a layer removed! We then had a sherry stop shortly afterwards on a road that was new to the club and offered splendid views. We then motored on to the Venta outside Casarabonela for lunch. This was a veritable “joy of the open road” experience, 40km of good road, almost traffic free, and we averaged 80km/h which the Alfa loved. 17 of us sat down to a pleasant lunch and a nice natter. Then it was another 25km back home and cooler though still decent weather.

Tom Kitchin

macmic1 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:05:43 +0000

Valentines Day was something special this year as Irene and I treated ourselves to a meal at The Kitchin , an award-winning restaurant just up the road from our apartment in Leith. We strode out confidently for our 21:15 hrs table reservation stopping off at The Roseleaf for an aperitif. We then realised that we were uncertain as to whether we had to turn left or right on Commercial Street to get to the restaurant. Needless to say we took the wrong turn and then we managed to walk past it. I convinced myself that we were in the wrong part of Leith and strode off with a reluctant Irene following in the direction of the Malmaison hotel while calling them to discover it was behind us. Even with this knowledge we had still to consult a taxi driver to locate the entrance. The signage is very discreet! Once in the restaurants and relieved of our coats we sat down and studied the menu. there was not a huge selection as was to be expected and there was a predominance of game and fish which would not be to everybody´s taste. Irene chose a mackerel to start but it turned out that the last portion had been sold. She struggled to find something else to her taste but the maitre de insisted she try something and prepared razor clams with chorizo especially for her faithfully promising that the chorizo would not overwhelm the seafood as can be the case. I had scallops. To follow Irene had deer and I had duck. I finished off with a rhubarb soufflee and Irene with a chocolate concoction. The meal was truly fabulous and the bill was too (a bottle of wine GBP50) although I noted with relief that Irene´s starter was on the house. The portion sizes were modest so we were satisfied but not overfull. I treated myself to a malt on returning home!

Sofia’s Naming Day

macmic1 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:59:21 +0000

Irene and I flew back late Thursday and spent the night at our apartment. We picked up a hire car and headed north to Aberdeen, calling in on my Dad on the way past, and checking in to Woodbank shortly before 1500hrs. We then met up with Ailsa at her place of work after which we accompanied her to the nursery in Cove Bay where Sofia spends her days. She beamed when she saw us! We beamed back. Then we went back to Ailsa an Barry’s place and were enthralled by our lovely grand-daughter. We headed back to the Sell Club in time for dinner. We woke up boiling in the middle of the night having turned the heating on rather too powerfully and with too many bedclothes and in a smaller bed than we are accustomed to.

Saturday was Sofia’s big day and she was beautifully presented and wearing the silver bracelet we had given her. We were joined by Sheonagh, Richard and Gordon plus Auntie Sarah and Uncle Ewan. Unfortunately Irene’s Dad called off as he was not up to the trip. We met with the other guests at the Rusty Nail in Aberdeen. The celebrant delivered a very nice address and we tucked into a nice spread of small eats and a lovely cake. Sofia could not have been better behaved and smiled and gurgled throughout.

Hash

macmic1 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:26:20 +0000

Sunday´s run was in familiar territory - Ranco La Paz – set by novice hares Uncle Fester & Sticky Tart. The weather had improved considerably to the point where I was able to run in just a t – shirt for a spell. It was however woefully short at only 4.5km. As soon as the sun dropped on the horizon so too did the temperature so I was glad of the extra layers. One of the Russian girls was celebrating her birthday so my body warmth was also boosted by a shot of vodka!

Burns Night Mk II

macmic1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:28:18 +0000

Last Friday Irene and I attended the T.O.P.S. (?) Burns´Night Supper at the Restuarante Carolina in Alhaurin el Grande. I addressed the haggis. As the group is an amatuer dramatics/musical society this involved two reheearsals. At the first I addressed the haggis in the traditional manner reciting Burn´s poetry as writ. The organiser stunned me by asking me to anglicise it! At first I was ready to decline in a fit of pique but I decided to sleep on it. I had various ideas about reciting the orginal abnd then a translation, or simply having the translation on the menu card. Then I found an official translation and I though what the hell I will learn it. Of course this proved harder to do than I imagined as kept lapsing into the original!! Anyway with help from Irebne I committed it to memory. We arrived at the restaurant to find a crowd already there including soem friends. We were seated at the top table an I had volunteered to be a go-between to the kitchen as I speaka de Spanish. We had a welcome drink and then the soup a cock a leekie without the chicken was served. Chicken arrived a litrtle later to be added! I guess this was both a veg and non veg dish! Then I retired to the kitchen to grab the chef and we entered with the haggis sadly without piper but with appropriate music. I then set about my business and by all accounts I did a great job. The haggis was the main course. Trifle followed .. not bad. Then we launched into speeches, some better than others. To round the evening off we were entertained by the musicians and some poetry recitals. This was rater good for an amatuer group with scarceley a Scotsman among them. Unfortunately there was a table near us which continued to engage in loud conversation, showing no respect and spoiling it for others.

This is the translation I rendered:

Fair is your honest happy face Great chieftain of the pudding race Above them all you take your place Stomach, tripe or guts Well are you worthy of a grace As long as my arm

The groaning platter there you fill Your buttocks like a distant hill Your skewer would help to repair a mill In time of need While through your pores the juices emerge Like amber beads

His knife having seen hard labour wipes And cuts you up with great skill Digging into your gushing insides bright Like any ditch And then oh what a glorious sight Warm steaming, rich

Then spoon for spoon They stretch and strive Devil take the last man, on they drive Until all their well swollen bellies Are bent like drums Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp) Be thanked, mumbles

Is there that over his French Ragout Or olio that would sicken a pig Or fricassee would make her vomit With perfect disgust Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion On such a dinner

Poor devil, see him over his trash As week as a withered rush (reed) His spindle-shank a good whiplash His clenched fist.the size of a nut. Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash Oh how unfit

But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot The trembling earth resounds his tread Clasped in his large fist a blade He’ll make it whistle And legs and arms and heads he will cut off Like the tops of thistles

You powers who make mankind your care And dish them out their meals Old Scotland wants no watery food That splashes in dishes But if you wish her grateful prayer Give her a haggis!

Fitness Fanatic

macmic1 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:41:51 +0000

Even by my own standards I overdid it this weekend. The Malaga hash was a good 6km of cross country on Saturday. On Sunday morning Irene and I did a close to 10km walk in Guaro to view the almond blossom. The weather could not have been better. The hills could not have been steeper! We ere joined by the Michies, Buxtons and Chishicks although only Irene, Sandy & I took on the long walk; the others opting for a 4km stroll! To cap it all I then dashed to the Mijas Hash to be told by the hare, Kindergarden Cop, that he had laid a “ball-breaker” alternative with me and other runners in mind. Meantime Irene et al tucked into a nice lunch. My run turned out to be a 12km one through what can best be described as country lanes. It was excellent and I amazed myself by mostly running it making my weekend total some 17-18km. Both Irene and I have sore muscles this morning!

Madrid Burns´Night cum Weekend

macmic1 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:20:44 +0000

I collected my co-conspirator, Gerald, last Friday early morning and we headed off to the airport parking where the car would be left for Irene to collect on her return from Edinburgh on Saturday. The courtesy bus dropped us at the airport from where we took a local train (Cercanias) to Malaga Maria Zambrosa station to connect with the AVE (high speed train) for the 2.5 hour journey to Madrid Atocha. The AVE was everything it had been billed, clean, efficient and fast. We watched in awe as the speed hit 300km/h and arrived in Madrid bang on schedule. After a short hop by taxi to the Hotel Abba we were ready to join Gerald´s other friends who had flown in from London that morning for lunch. Unfortunately, the cold that I had been harbouring for more than a week was till very much present and my sense of taste and smell non-existent. The group had chosen a nearby Asador (Steakhouse) and I was somewhat put off by the quantity of food on offer especially given the feast that probably awaited us at the Burns´Night later in the day so I opted for soup and a starter and watched in envy as they tucked into suckling pig and lamb! A siesta was called for and we met in the lobby for drinks at 2000hrs and then were ferried by taxi to Lhardys - a very traditional restaurant in downtown. I had been there last in 2006 and it was unchanged as I suspect is likely to have been the case for many a long year. And so the night got underway. This can best be described as a traditional event, men only, whisky only! We had our initial drams in an ante room and then moved on to the private room in the restaurant. After the soup the haggis was piped in and addressed (more whisky) and then we had the main course of turkey followed by stilton and oatcakes. (more whisky). Then we had speeches, piping and singing (more whisky). The speeches were long, mainkly seruious affairs and by the time the last was delivered the effects of alcohol were evident! It was 0400 hrs when we finally exited to find the streets of Madrid still abuzz!

I did not sleep too well due more to the cold than the whisky but roused myself at 1000hrs and went to a chemist for a cold remedy and then found somewhere for a light breakfast. The others surfaced at about 1100hrs and I joined them for coffee. They then set off to Retiro park and I suspected more food and drink so I took the safer option of a city open-top bus tour. I do not know Madrid and this proved an excellent means of getting my bearings. I should add that the weather could not have been better, Madrid has a pretty nasty climate, super hot in summer and it can be cold and damp in winter but we were blessed with fabulous weather, blue skies and all. I toured Madrid on both bus circuits and I must say that I was impressed with the city.

My earlier opinion of it being austere was clearly unfounded and there was little sign of the crisis! As agreed I called Gerald on completion of the tour but got no response so I started to head back to the hotel when he did indeed ring back from the German bar in the Santa Ana Square. My knowledge of Madrid geography was now greatly enhanced so I got off my bus and walked the km or two to the bar. The group had enjoyed a beer or two, a sherry or two and a glass of wine or two and were tucking into octopus. I joined them in a glass of wine and then we proceeded on an unbilled pub crawl! We had the mother of all G&Ts in one bar! By about 1930hrs we decided it was best to head back towards the hotel and eat solids nearby. We failed to agree upon and find a suitable restaurant and ended up having a cheap if unspectacular meal and then a nightcap at the hotel. All in all we probably imbibed more that night than the previous one.

We arranged a slightly earlier start on Sunday and had breakfast in a nearby cafeteria after which we checked out and headed back to central Madrid. Gerald´s friends had a 1700hrs flight so chose to have a light lunch while Gerald and I went to the flea market and then the main square (Plaza Mayor) for a coffee. We got to the agreed rendezvous point – The Espejo - at 1400hrs but there was no sign of the others. We had a beer and as we were leaving they appeared over the horizon. However, there was no time for further refreshment and we headed back to the hotel and said our goodbyes. Gerald and I then set off for our late lunch for which I was now ready! We found another asador, known to Gerald and had an excellent meal. I had an entrecote steak which not only overfed me but also overfed Irene later in the day from the doggy back I uplifted.

Finally we collected our luggage, grabbed a cab to the station and boarded the return AVE. We were delighted to find Irene and Elsa at the station and to be in our respective beds that night after a heavy but happy weekend!

Los (ex) Olivos

macmic1 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:31:15 +0000

Below are some Armageddon phots taken in teh top garden after the heavy pruning of the olives and almond trees. the intention is to make the olives more ornamental than productive.

Ballet

macmic1 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:53:20 +0000

We went to see Sleeping Beauty performed by a Russian ballet troupe at the Teatro Las Lagunas in Fuengirola. We went with several members of our kitchen bridge group and the performance was very good. The theatre is quite new and small so we had excellent views and the dancers were consummate professionals. There was no live orchestra of course and initially I thought this might detract but I soon forgot about it! There was no bar either so the intermission was lacking in that respect too! This was no Bolshoi or Marinsky but, hell, it was pretty good!