Progress! This last week I have actually done most of the things on my list. I have started filling a bottle of water to take to school with me and then between every class I drink. The intake of water is definitely on the rise. The only problem now is that the trips to the loo are also on the rise and I am wondering if I seem like I have some sort of small bladder problem to the rest of the teachers. Incidentally, my exercise is improving, not just from my frequent lavatory visits and all that excess walking but I have started dancing n school. Not randomly in the corridors I hasten to add, but rather, teaching the students some dance in PE lessons and also they are teaching me! Bonus, a free workout and a new skill!
Macaroons? What is the sudden fashion for them? Did the Great British Bake Off spur the trend or what? I understand their appeal (nicely coloured, small, a good present idea, different flavours) but really, don’t people want an actual piece of cake and not a bit of chocolate cream between two pieces of air. Perhaps they are supposed to be for the diet conscious so it might be advisable to buy shares in Slimming World now.... hmmm. I wonder whether they come under a red or green day. They are mostly made of egg, so does that mean a red day? But then you only use the white so maybe green? Note to anyone on Slimming World: Check before you eat! So, I thought I would give it a go. They seem easy enough for Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry. I soon realised that without an electric whisk it is hard work! Mrs Stinchcoombe’s voice is in my head (from food technology class) as I’m whisking “If your arm’s not aching you’re not done whisking.” “Is it ready Miss?” “Is your arm aching?” “No” “Then it’s not ready!” So I carry on whisking. Oh no, problem, I only have liquid food colouring, not powdered. Will it work? I think not. By the way, food colouring is like gold dust in the Canary Islands apparently as very few shops sell it. Like reasonably priced toiletries and bagels, they are in the distant future for behind the times Spain!
Anyway, I digress. Turns out liquid food colouring is definitely a no no as it made the mixture, which once formed lovely soft peaks, a runny mess. Perfect for pancakes, not so much for macaroons. Okay, so the first time was a failure, next time will be better.
After a pretty uneventful week, on Saturday I ventured to my friends’ house for dinner. It was like returning home again and that warm waft of nostalgia and relief enveloped me. I took along a bit of a homemade rice pudding or Arroz de Ross (Arohh de Rohh in Canaries). Well, I couldn’t very well take the macaroons! I got there at about 8.45 and was greeting by the usual friendly faces and a mountain of food. Yes, to my delight, there was a trestle table buffet! Only not with the sausage rolls and party rings, but different cheeses, olive, Spanish omelette, bread, cured ham and homemade chorizo. I could not stop eating it. I try not to think where it comes from or how it is made (even though I have seen photos) but the taste is too delicious to leave it on the plate. I also tried some genuine Russian savoury crepes. (Yes I know crepe is French but I don’t know the Russian equivalent). The evening was great and in fact I got home at a very respectable 4 o’clock in the morning. God bless Spanish time!
Well, the start of the week and already made and eaten a flapjack, sorted out more papers in the department and attempted a new batch of macaroons. They are not looking too bad at the moment but probably best to wait until they’re finished. What’s that saying about counting chickens?
