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    Interview With Amanda from 'Chez Le Rêve Français.'

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    In today's blog entry, I have had the pleasure of interviewing a fellow blogger, Amanda Wren-Grimwood (46). Myself and Amanda go back a long way, we grew up in the same market town of Fareham, on the south coast of England, attending the same schools together.

    Like most school friends, we lost contact, after exams in 1987; a long time ago; discovering one another again through the medium of facebook.

    Amanda is an accomplished cook, blogger and writer, as you will see from our interview. I myself enjoy cooking and find Amanda's website Chez Le Reve Francais a joy to read, as I'm sure you will. Now living in France, Amanda kindly agreed to take part in an interview, that I know will be of interest to my readers. As a fellow Expat, who took the decision to leave the UK, she is well aware of the obstacles we all face while forging a new life in Europe.

    I always enjoy talking to other bloggers, who understand what it is like to dedicate time, writing about subjects close to their heart; you can see the passion in their words! Amanda has always been supportive of me, through my blogging endeavours, both of us documenting important aspects of our life, for the enjoyment of others.  I have learned a lot about cooking through  ​Chez Le Reve Francais, as I know you will too!

    Amanda has included links to her three favourite recipes in our interview, please click on the title of each one, to take you to her website, where you will find further deatails. 

    Thank you Amanda for taking the time to share your thoughts with the readers of 'Spanish Views;' I wish you good luck for the future, in all you do!
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    Chez Le Reve Francais

    What made you decide to start blogging?

    I’ve always been mad about food and my first thought of the day is always what we are going to be eating for dinner. My dad was an intuitive cook, throwing things together and I used to hunt and fish with him so I’ve been brought up with it. I’ve always made recipes up, not always successfully, but my passion has not waned. I was always posting pictures of food on Facebook and people suggested I should start a blog. It started as a family cookbook to document all my dishes and now I have to be a web designer, photographer and social media expert. It’s a huge learning curve but it fulfils my creative need and gives me an excuse to cook!

    How long have you been blogging for?

    I started my blog in July 2015 after reading a few books about it. I was under no illusion that I would suddenly become rich and famous and that has never been my aim. I never realised how sociable blogging is and I’ve connected with some lovely people. I’ve now had several recipes featured in a cookbook and have a regular magazine feature coming up but I won’t be retiring to Monte Carlo!

    Tell me a bit about your life in France. What made you decide to relocate?

    After 18 years in banking I was made redundant, which was life changing as my husband was made redundant from local government soon after. We always thought we were in safe jobs so we made the decision to sell up and do something completely different, leave the rat race and lead a simpler life. We have been running gites for the last 7 years and living here for 3 and this means that we have the winter off and the rest of the time we have guests in the farmhouse and pool. It’s loads of hard work but we meet lovely people and I have enough time to follow my passions.
     
    Do you miss the UK at all? If so, what aspects do you miss the most?

    We live in beautiful farmland and it is exceptionally quiet which is wonderful but means that shops and restaurants are not easily accessible. Although I love to cook you can’t just ring up the takeaway for a quick delivery when the day has been manic. The nearest we have is a pizza van on a Monday in the village. I can’t deny that I miss an English pub; not that I used to spend much time in them, it’s more the assumption that you can pop in at most times of the day and eat, drink and socialise which you can’t here on a rainy day. I can get most food items that I miss by mail order and things like mango chutney I make. I don’t miss the traffic and bustle at all or the rudeness. Oh yes, I do miss fast internet!
     
    Amanda, you blog about food and are obviously an accomplished chef in your own right. What is your favourite dish? What do you enjoy cooking most? What makes food, your passion?

    I am just a home cook but I’m not afraid to try to make anything. My blog recipes are of the food we are eating and, as my family are not dessert lovers, there are lots of main dishes. They love spicy or well flavoured food and my passion comes from feeding people and their reaction so I’m always looking for new flavours and ideas. I love to cook Asian dishes, especially after going to cook with Reza Mahammad for the day a couple of years ago. I have three masala dabbas so you will see regular Asian dishes on the blog and on my table. My favourite recipes from the blog are:
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    Seared Scallops on Peas with Chorizo
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    Do you like French cuisine?

    I love French food but actually quite a few restaurants can be disappointing in the countryside as they mainly cater for the lunchtime worker trade. People have very simple food tastes, eating vegetables predominantly with small portions of meat or fish at lunchtime followed by bread and cold meats and cheese in the evening. We have been to some amazing restaurants on the coast and I try and emulate some of the dishes but I still give the brains, tripe and pig head a wide berth in the supermarket!

    Of course I remember you, Amanda from School. How do you look back at those days, with fondness or dread?

    My initial thought is that I did love my school days, but only from the point of learning. I hated sports lessons, especially rounders and gymnastics and ironically I am more active now than I ever was at school. I wasn’t clever but I worked hard and wanted to do well and loved Maths, Art and English Literature, although I didn’t get a degree in English until 2014. Like many people I was bullied, mainly by girls in the years above who used to kick and punch me on the way home.

    Can you explain to readers, of my blog, ‘Spanish Views’, a little bit about your blog, ‘Chez Le Rêve Français.’

    It started really as a chronicle of things that were going on in our lives and the frustrations we had doing things in France as well as the things we achieved with the odd recipe thrown in but now I focus on recipes, reviews of places I’ve eaten and places we have visited. All of the recipes have to be adapted to ingredients that I can get here, for example, I can’t buy cream like I can in the UK so have to find alternatives. I love to recreate French classics without all the fuss and add my own twist to things.
     
    Finally, to anyone thinking about moving abroad, what advice would you give them!

    Do your research on healthcare and other paperwork that you will be faced with and make friends with people quickly; you will need lots of support! Find out about the area too and what happens during the year. It sounds daft but we are so rural that at Christmas very few restaurants and bars are open.
    If you have done all that and still have doubts do it anyway! Living away from your home country gives you a fresh outlook, new friends and a chance to learn new things. When people used to say to me that I was brave, I wasn’t. I just never wanted to get to the end of my life and say ‘Why didn’t I try that?’
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    Chicken Curry!

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    Chicken and vegetable curry tonight. I have eight portions of the stuff in the freezer, so time to start plowing through it; spiced up with a bit more chilli!
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    Principles!

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    In today's entry, I just wanted to talk briefly about 'principles.'  I have been told on many occasions, that I have too many principles, in fact so many, it has held me back in life. Recently, during a conversation, the same subject popped up again, as someone else, tried, to judge my character, somebody I don't particularly know, who assumed they knew me well enough, to question my principles. I do have a moral compass and will never deviate from what I believe to be right, because it has shaped me as a person and been a constant in my life, throughout many successes and failures and allowed me to hold my head high. Some people might call me self righteous, but I am committed to my beliefs and will not forget them, for short term gain.

    Over the last few years, I haven't met many people with principles. For me, this is disheartening. I believe a principled human being is a person of character and substance. Don't get me wrong, I am no saint and have not always been so conscientious; however times change and I have learned a lot from past mistakes and indiscretions. Life is a learning process; whether or not we use our knowledge positively for change or negatively, looking backwards, following the same path, we were on before, is up to us. 

    Even at my worst, I still had ideals, a set of rules I have always lived by. I could never understand how others, just drifted through life, uncaring, doing damage to all those they meet. I have crossed paths, with many people like this, individuals with no conscience, who will walk over their own Grandmother, to get what they want in life. I have never believed in hurting others, to get where I want to be. It is fundamentally wrong to harm or damage anyone, whilst trying to achieve your goals. The fact that I don't act in this way, has equally exposed me to a lot of pain and upset, above and beyond, what anyone should expect. When confronted by a non principled individual, you can quite easily believe they are the complete opposite, falling for their charm. Staying ahead of them, every step of the way, is key to surviving. One doesn't have to lower ones self down to their level, just be aware of who they are.

    Bad people, will always use people like me, to legitimise their dishonesty and personality flaws. If you are not careful, they will entrap you, faster than you can pull away; before you know it, you are dragged into their deceitful lies; becoming people aware is important. Since moving to Spain, I have been constantly on my guard and will always prejudge others. I suppose you could say it is another one of those principles, I adhere to. I have met many people, who I have fallen head over heals with, both in relationships and friendships. They have offered me everything from a good night out, to a friendship akin to family, but I have had to learn restraint, walking away, when I know their intentions are less than honourable. Sometimes it has taken longer than others to discover the truth, leaving more pieces to be picked up.

    I pride myself on honesty, I don't hide who I am, don't pretend to be someone I am not and have no agenda. If people tell me about themselves, I believe what I am told. I don't think for one minute, they are hiding who they really are and blatantly lying to my face; in reality, many of them are. As a principled person, when I believe someone to be corrupt or immoral, I have a duty to stay away and keep my distance. In some cases, I will confront these people and warn others of their deficiences. This is all making me seem over bearing, sanctimonious and haughty, I know that; I don't mean to be. I am just making it clear, that I am fully aware of 'TOXIC' people now and won't hesitate to remove them from my life.

    Let me return to the subject of principles, before I deviate away from the subject. There are certain things I get passionate about, one of them being ‘bad people!’ I suppose I was brought up in a very principled household. My father was into politics and had convictions that he would never change, even if that meant losing an election and his party remained in opposition. I didn’t always agree with his politics, but I did believe in his steadfast ideals, which taught me a lot in life. I have some very strong views on a number of different topics and would never change them, just because it is popular to think another way, or I may lose a friendship with someone as a result.

    As a person who has been a victim of bullying in the past, I have made it my mission in life, to help eradicate this scourge against, not only children, but adults also. If I saw someone being bullied, verbally or physically, I would interject, I would not hesitate to get involved to bring it to an end. I also have very rigid attitudes towards friendship, trusting in loyalty. Friends should support one another during difficult times and not walk away. If I believe someone is right, I will always offer my endorsement and never sit on the fence. For me, principles, are about putting your money where your mouth is, standing up for what is right, fighting to the bitter end, even if that means losing everything and never, ever being taken in by the wrong people again. Listening to ones inner voice and gut instinct is key. Above all never ditch your beliefs.

    As an ethical person, I have been held back in life somewhat. I suppose that is a cross one has to bear. Let me give you a few examples. After I found out my boss, at Oxfam was a sociopath, I was asked by my HR department, to stay on, working with the charity, despite her insidious agenda. I could not even contemplate staying in situ, working for an individual, who stood for everything I detest in people; not forgetting this charity is continuing to employ such a person. I lost my job, career and home and left the country, taking the advice of others and sticking with that gut instinct. I remember someone in HR said to me at the time, ‘you could stay and play her at her own game.’ The thing is, I am not a game player, she had hurt a lot of people and was responsible for illness, homophobia, discrimination and pushing colleagues towards the brink of suicide. How could my principles, allow me to continue working for such an evil individual? Others of course may think differently, ditch their ethicalness and conform to what she wants. Many people, still working there, have forgot who they are and the reasons they work for this charity. They have seen good people destroyed, yet turned away and allowed it to happen. I’m afraid that isn’t me!

    I have in the past, given up my time and money, to work for causes, that are close to my heart. I volunteered for a children's charity, undergoing harrowing training, in order to help and work with vulnerable children, abused and scarred by people at difficult times in their lives. I detest bullying, violence and abuse of any kind and wanted to give something to those suffering, using my own experience as a tool to try and repair the damage done, by some truly dreadful men and women. A lot of us, sail through life, without thinking about others misfortune; I have never done that, believing we should help others if we have the chance. The time I spent with ‘Action For Children,’ although difficult and challenging at the time, taught me much about myself and life. If you have strong values, always put them first, especially if others benefit as a result. Conventionalities give us a conscience; if I sleep at night, I am aware my conscience is clear; a clear conscience, means you have done all you can to uphold the morals you live your life by; that is the right thing to do!
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    Bleach!

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    Darrell has been bleaching down the walls today. We have had such a problem with mold in this house, that we have  had the bed replaced, for a second time, since moving to Spain. I  continue to suffer with chest infection after infection, as the damp continues to cause issues! 
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    Terms of Reference- Refresher!

    I thought it was about time, I updated the aims of my blog, ‘Spanish Views’. It makes sense to update the terms of reference now and again, to clarify to ones readership, just what this blog is all about. This is a detailed explanation, rather than a mission statement.

    I started blogging in 2015, after an illness, brought about by bullying in the workplace. I began writing ‘Bipolarcoaster’, encompassing the trials and tribulations of dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar. At the time I was experiencing turbulent times, working for the large international charity, Oxfam. My second blog ‘Forever Enduring Cycles,’ details recovery from illness and coming to terms with what happened to me, during my time at this charity.

    In December 2015, I began writing my third and current blog ‘Spanish Views.’ This blog documents my new life in Spain, after leaving the UK, to start a new life, away from the memories of the past. Living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca, I write about daily life in this little part Valencia. As a writer, I include articles from my column ‘Chatter,’ written for a local magazine; as well as a one stop shop, for readers to buy my books, currently on sale, at Amazon.

    ‘Spanish Views’, also references my struggle, campaigning to bring Oxfam to account for allowing the bullying of myself and others, to go unchecked.

    The bullying I experienced, ultimately made me decide to move to Spain and remains a large part of my life. ‘Spanish Views’ compares and contrasts two different lives; one in the UK, one in Spain, brought together, through adverse times. My new home has helped aid recovery and allowed me to finally live the life, I would have chosen; fulfilling dreams, pursuing ambitions, goals and aspirations, stored away until now!

    ‘Spanish Views’ is written as a diary, a personal account of my time, living in Gran Alacant. It aims to discuss the issues important to my friends and neighbours who live here, referencing my life in the UK, as and when appropriate, as I continue to wrestle the ghosts of the past, in order to move towards an untried and as yet untested future.
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    Oxfam!

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    The latest review on Oxfam, at 'Glassdoor!'  Without wanting to prejudge, I think I might know the person who wrote this. They were clearly a Manager in the same region as myself and making a direct reference to Darrell and I.

    To be honest there could be any number of former colleagues, who could have written this entry. A lot of Managers left at the time, through difficult circumstances. Many others have also left since my time at Oxfam, as the perpetrator of some terrible acts of bullying, continues to remain in place. I am just glad that colleagues are now coming forward with their stories. In time, I hope Oxfam gets to grips with these complaints and dismisses all those responsible, for the damage caused to people like my partner and I.

    I am well aware that employees from Oxfam continue to read this blog. Only two days ago, I had another email of support from an ex colleague at Head Office, Oxfam House. I am still being kept in the loop, which I am grateful for, because I wont rest until justice prevails.

    Keep writing your appraisals on 'Glassdoor', they are read not only by people like me, but also those still at Oxfam, who can make a difference. I always enjoy receiving your letters of support, so please keep them coming. Finally to the person responsible for causing so much harm to me and others; your time is gradually coming to an end!
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