We made a quick trip to El Altet today, not far from Gran Alacant and typically Spanish; the reason for this trip? Just to get some cigarettes. Getting a packet of twenty Lucky Strike can be a difficult undertaking, especially at this time of year. It seems that our local tobacconist has a licence to sell sell cigarettes, during the lucrative summer months, but has it taken away during the winter, so we either have to buy individual packets from a machine or travel the 5 km’s to buy a sleeve, which happen to be cheaper. Spain has certainly changed a lot, since I first holidayed here in the 1980s, then you could buy cigarettes on every street corner. Still, at least they are reasonably priced, without that ridiculous black packaging that the UK has adopted, in their thankless quest to stop seasoned smokers, smoking. If you are going to smoke, you will do, no matter what the price, it is just a money making racket, raking in tax for the British treasury. I am quite lucky, only smoking about five a day now, so that sleeve, should last me a couple of months….(End Rant!)
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​I have never been to the tobacconist in El Altet, but it is worth the visit. The people are very accommodating and helpful. I bought ten packets of Lucky Strike Spearmint click cigarettes for 44´50€. Today, as it happens, they were promoting Lucky Strike with gusto and had an English speaking representative on hand to bully and cajole. As a gift, I also got six free lighters, a USB charger for the car and a 2018 diary; only in Spain would they push the sale of cigarettes this hard.
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​After buying my supply of cigarettes, it was off to Zest for a quick drink and a catch up. I haven’t been to my old local lately, as I have been so busy. The sun was out and it was warm sat outside, perfect for a cold pint of Mahou and a cigarette. After Zest, we made our way to Quicksave on Av Escandinavia. I needed supplies for a bread pudding I am cooking tonight, one of my favourite British deserts; easy to prepare and cook and in my opinion a great alternative to Christmas cake. I also picked up a supply of baked beans, Marmite and curry powder; good old British staples, without which I couldn’t survive.
Just time to bake some bread, using my trusty old bread maker, something I haven’t been able to use in two years, as I haven’t had enough space in the kitchen to use it. Now, I’m spoilt for choice, not knowing which counter top to use….I have six to choose from, in the old house, I literally had no work top, having to use the hob as a surface to prepare food, not ideal. When these houses were built in Gran Alacant, the kitchens were certainly an afterthought. I have always liked a big family kitchen, not a cupboard at the end of the lounge. Now I have the room, I am certainly going to make the most of it. I have always enjoyed cooking, so Mrs Beeton here I come.
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​After a massive shop in Lidl and unpacking the hamper Darrell was given from work, my cupboards are bulging, ready for celebrating Christmas Day. Darrell’s gift from work included Cava, a bottle of whisky, three bottles of red wine, a bottle of desert wine, six boxes of chocolates and many more Spanish delicacies; a very generous present, that will certainly come in handy!
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While I wait for the bread to finish, I’m going to finally finish chapter three of the book I am writing. I’ve been working on this book for about a year now, but really have to be in a great place to even consider putting pen to paper. I guess you could say I’m in that place right now, especially since moving; fingers crossed this positivity continues!
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