December 2016 - Week 1

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th December 2016

Thursday I shopped and cooked ahead of Sam’s return. For dinner I sautéed onions, red peppers and chopped tomatoes, seasoned it with chilli and ground coriander and poached eggs in it. I had it with crispy wholemeal toast and it was all very quick and tasty.

Friday Sam came home! When we got back to the flat I was dragging her suitcase when its handle broke off revealing two lethal-looking metal spikes. The case rolled sideways and one of the spikes impaled itself in my right calf and sliced its way down in a three inch arc. We’ll have to see how it scars but, given its shape, we may be able to claim it as a shark bite! I did a couple of good walks in the afternoon and after dinner. (Which perhaps tells you that my leg wasn’t exactly hanging off.) For dinner I made beef with mushrooms and pickled walnuts braised in Guinness. I served it with roasted root vegetables. A perfect winter dish, even if the daytime temperature is still over 25°c.

Saturday we went to Munchies at Golden Bay for excellent cappuccinos. We sat outside soaking up the views along the cliffs and out to sea. The light is magical this time of year with the sun low and clouds brooding greys. We drove on to Mambo at Armier Bay for brunch; a bruschetta for Sam and a bacon toasty for me. For dinner Sam had the left over beef casserole which she turned into a pie with a puff pastry lid and I had fish fingers.

Sunday the weather was stunning again. I did a fantastic power walk first thing. We spent the morning sunbathing and chatting but by lunchtime it was getting a bit too hot. Sam stayed on the terrace, in the shade; I went for a walk and stopped at Sotto Zero for ice cream. In the evening we went to Fat Harry’s for a couple of beers then to Benjawan for dinner. It was okay but nothing special.