Last posts on Love

Never To Be

2008-09-07T18:15:00+02:00

Love

was served

on a silver platter

but unconsumed

we let it lay

though our starving hearts

beat loud

In silence

we denied ourselves

the undeniable

for both our hand

already given

forced us

to hold out

Time

it wasn't on our side

but hope

never far away

and though

we couldn't speak our heart

the promise of tomorrow

gave strength

But now

death has come

to end the dreams

that sneaked in mind

and I must let you go

crying secret tears

in a heart

already drenched

Bad Love

2008-08-19T00:30:00+02:00

It'll fake its way in

like a depression covered

by manic demeanour

genes of death in its seed

but vain whispers

seem to give it reason

and hope bleeds

in forlorn hearts

Goodbye!

2008-08-12T19:25:58+02:00

Hi...I think this beautiful song by James Blunt will do all the talking for me this time... am too shattered and scared to say anything else...Did I disappoint you or let you down?Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.So I took what's mine by eternal right.Took your soul out into the night.It may be over but it won't stop there,I am here for you if you'd only care.You touched my heart you touched my soul.You changed my life and all my goals.And love is blind and that I knew when,My heart was blinded by you.I've kissed your lips and held your hand.Shared your dreams and shared your bed.I know you well, I know your smell.I've been addicted to you.Goodbye my lover.Goodbye my friend.You have been the one.You have been the one for me.I am a dreamer and when i wake,You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.And as you move on, remember me,Remember us and all we used to beI've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.I've watched you sleeping for a while.I'd be the father of your child.I'd spend a lifetime with you.I know your fears and you know mine.We've had our doubts but now we're fine,And I love you, I swear that's true.I cannot live without you.Goodbye my lover.Goodbye my friend.You have been the one.You have been the one for me.And I still hold your hand in mine.In mine when I'm asleep.And I will bare my soul in time,When I'm kneeling at your feet.Goodbye my lover.Goodbye my friend.You have been the one.You have been the one for me.I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.Love,Adee...

Women And Roses

2008-07-13T12:19:28+02:00

Romance floats in women's thoughts

when the sweet breath of roses

will fill up the air in high doses

So always make sure you've brought

the flowers that'll open up their hearts

and let love sprout by indulging their noses

Painting: The Soul Of The Rose by John William Waterhouse

For a full color view visit: http://www.johnwilliamwaterhouse.com/pictures/the-soul-of-the-rose-1908-2.html

Servant of Yahweh, Follower of Christ

2008-06-23T01:28:01+02:00

I’ve met many people who have said about themselves, “I’m a very spiritual person but I’m not religious at all.” I suppose these people might believe me to be a very “religious” person; being that I am a minister who spends much of my free time ministering via the internet, constructing weekly ministry newsletters and attending twice-weekly Bible Study. But I truly do not consider myself to be a “religious” person at all, BUT, that is only because of the connotation it gives when I think of the word and how others perceive a religious person. When someone says the word “religious”, for me and for many others, what automatically pops to mind are visions of those extremes that exist in modern society. Like people who speak in tongues, make pilgrimages to shrines or the “Church Lady” from Saturday Night Live.Being newly single for the past nine months and living in a new city, I will often be asked by co-workers and acquaintances that I meet and become friendly with, “What church do you go to?” When I reply that I don’t belong to a church they immediately follow the question up with, “Oh, well you should come to my church. I bet you’d meet someone there!”First of all, since when is church a pick-up joint?Never mind, I digress.I’ll be honest with you. The idea of attending any church makes me cringe inwardly and brings back childhood memories of dread because going to church once a week (and often times twice or more due to the fact I attended a parochial school) was not something I looked forward to. The thought of having to sit through an hour of the “Three R’s” - Repetition, Ritual and Routine - was my reasoning back then because my Schwinn bike with the blue flowered seat and warm clear day had more appeal. Not to mention that it was lacking in proper nutrition.However, unlike when I was a child, my reasons are different know for not wanting to attend any church.…Aside from the fact that the Light of Life Ministry is ordained by Yahweh and Christ and is not associated with any man-made organized religion, denomination (or non-denomination for that matter - in that isn’t a non-denomination still a denomination?) out there.…Aside from the fact that the Light of Life Ministry is the ONLY ministry that shares the light of truth with mankind rather than the watered down versions of truth, mixed truths and falsehoods provided by other religions out there.…Aside from these reasons I truly believe that the proper nutrition needed by each individual is provided directly by Yahweh to all who seek and who have learned how not to lean on their own understanding.…And, aside from the fact that I really have no interest in dating right now as the life I lead is in devotion to the One to whom my life belongs.I just simply believe that being a Christian means that Christ resides within you. And when he does, there’s no need.I also believe that being a follower of Christ is not about Rituals, Repetition and Routine. It’s a learned lifestyle patterned after the life that Christ lead. It’s Obedience to Yahweh, Faith, Loyalty and Love. It’s cherishing The Way and Father Yahweh’s Commandments and Laws. It’s about your heart and a belief in Christ as Lord and Savior.So…what am I then? Religious? Spiritual? A Christian?Well, if you’re speaking of the word religious as defined by Webster’s as being scrupulously faithful and/or conscientious, then yes. I’m also religious. And, I’m also spiritual in that I am not of this world. I’m also a follower of Christ.So I guess you could say that I’m all three.And what does it mean? Well, it means that each day I do my very best to live a life patterned after Christ’s own life. In that aspect I am conscientious of my actions and how what I do, say or think may affect others or myself. I remain at all times, to the very best of my ability while living in this sinful world; faithful, loyal and obedient to Yahweh and Christ and do all that I can to do what would be pleasing in their eyes. I also recognize and fully admit that I am far from perfect. When I stumble, and I do daily, I pray to Father for forgiveness, who then picks me back up and dusts me off and lovingly allows me to continue on my way down the rocky, pit-filled narrow path back home to Her and Her son Christ Jesus.What I have learned most is that it truly isn’t about whether you’re Spiritual, or Religious, what church you belong to or even whether you attend a church at all, but instead it’s a process of learning and growing closer to Father and Christ in how you lead your daily life.In the meantime, I prefer to refer to myself as a servant of Yahweh, follower of Christ and fellow good-for-nothing slave to my brothers and sisters of Father’s Holy Family.

Party Lines

2008-06-06T02:01:16+02:00

Thursday June 5, 2008Today, just like many days I find myself bored and horny. LOL! Sayin that word just sounds so dirty, but it's a true and actual feeling that I have quite often. Being black and single is so hard, but being black, gay, and single is even harder. I seem to find mysef doing things that I would normally not do, like calling a party line to meet men. There are so many party lines out there targeting single people like myself. Those who don't get out much, or as my friends will say "no life". Today was one of those days that comes around at least twice a month, I call it my "hoe day". A "hoe day" is a day when you are so horny and single that you call a party line to have someone come over just for sex, in my case men. But why do I do that? Why not just go out and meet someone? I ask myself that everyday, and still I don't have the answer to that. Well today was just like any other "hoe days", full of disappointment. On these party lines, the voices can really fool you. The men like to potray themselves as something they're not. It's like playing blackjack 21 or some kind of guessing game. You might hit the jackpot or loose all your money. Then when it happens, when the game comes over, that void is filled. That feeling of being alone, the feeling of being single is gone, but just for an hour until he leaves. Now again I'm back to square one, trying to fill that void.

On The Outskirts Of Love

2008-05-27T17:15:00+02:00

Love just needs a face sometimes

So baby come on over tonight

and let my night ballad sing you there

where desire awakes inferno flares

while we dance with synchronized hips

Never once catch our breath

just keep up with what rhythm demands

before the magic fails

and our empty hearts regret

April in Lima, Peru.

2008-05-05T00:29:20+02:00

"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Tim. 4:5

I have experienced so many different emotions this month. It is hard to believe that my year in Peru is now over. It was such a life changing experience that I will cherish and continue to learn from in years to come.

During this month I was able to invite several families over for dinner. It was a great blessing to get to know my students and their families on a much more personal level.

They have all lived such interesting lives. I can't even imagine experiencing the hardships that some of them have gone though. Through the Lord they have overcome all these things and have such joy and peace. They were a great encouragement to me.

This little lady's name is Sofia. She has a fruit shop around the corner from the Bible College. Her son Carlos has been coming to the English classes for the last 4 semesters. He has learned a lot of English, but most of all He has drawn closer to the Lord. It was so great to hear about their lives, where the Lord has brought them from and where the Lord is leading them.

In coming to Peru it was never my intention to create a school that was dependent upon me. The Lord gave me His wisdom in order to organize and start the school. It has been my prayer that the Lord would be the center of everything and that He would remain in complete control.

All of the students completed their final exams and almost all of them moved up to the next level. They are all growing in their confidence and enjoying the classes. The best part however is that they are inviting their non-Christian friends and neighbors to come to the English school, and to church.

Thank you so much for your prayers about the Lord providing a new director in my place. He did. Her name is Rachel Mach, please keep her in your prayers.

Classes start May 5 so she has a lot to do in order to get everything ready. Please continue to pray for the students that will be coming this semester.

My last week in Lima was filled with such bittersweet emotions. I knew that the Lord had called me to go back to Bullhead City, Arizona and establish an Christian English School there. But at the same time my heart ached to remain with the amazing Peruvians that had become not just my students and my friends but my family!

The Lord is faithful and i know that if it is His will I will return to Lima someday soon perhaps not long term, but like Paul to encourage and comfort the body of Christ there.

About 10 of the Peruvians came to the airport to send me off. That was such a huge blessing to see all of their love to come out so late and be there for me.

My flight left Lima at about midnight and got to Ft. Lauderdale at 6:00 am. I had a layover till 12:00 pm but it was totally God because I had the opportunity to talk with a lady there in the airport and encourage her in her walk with the Lord.

At noon I left Ft. Lauderdale and went to Orlando. I had to switch planes again and left Orlando at 2:00 pm. My plane stopped in Albuquerque for about 40 minutes and then finally to Las Vegas where my Mom picked me up from the airport.

We went out to dinner with my sister and niece. It was a nice time to be with them and share a little bit about what the Lord has been doing in Peru.

This morning I went to church in my Peruvian outfit, and was blessed to see everyone. Some time this next week I'll have a time that I can share with the whole body the great work that has been started in Lima. Peru.

This is a picture of me and my Pastor after church today

Now I am here in Bullhead City, Arizona. I am now a national missionary to the United States of America. The Lord has put it on my heart to reach out to the Latino population here.

During the next couple of weeks please join me in prayer as it is my heart's desire to start an English school here in Bullhead. There is a lot of preparation that goes into starting a school many materials that need to be purchased, and teachers that need to be trained. But the most important part is that everything is covered in prayer.

Perhaps you or your church might be interested in hearing about how to start an English as a Second Language school at your church. I would be glad to come and share how the Lord has used this ministry to bring so many people to Him.

Thank you so much for continuing to prayerfully support me in this new ministry. I know that the Lord will be glorified and that many people with come to Him.

May God richly bless you and keep you. I would love to hear from you.

En Cristo, Grace

(This is a picture of me and my Mom. She was very thankful to have me back home)

Desert Of My Heart

2008-04-18T20:45:00+02:00

In the desert of my heart

past loves are left to wither

Their bones scattered

bleached and dry

half covered in sand

that burns without flames

No survivors

Prompted by Writers Island

for more takes on the prompt go to:

http://writersisland.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/prompt-link-triumph/#comments

Heart Behind Barbwire

2008-04-06T17:50:00+02:00

My heart's caught

in the barbwire fences

surrounding yours

and every time it tries to free itself

it gets stuck worse

You left it struggling there

bleeding from its puncture wounds

to undergo a slow and painful death

unmerciful you move on

not one glance back

Truth

2008-03-19T15:15:15+01:00

Seen in eyes promising at night

and in passion of the moment

but gone like darkness in light

when morning awakes and eyes refocus

Heard in a lover's dulcet song

and a friend's solemn promise

but gone as time leaps on

and ears fall deaf while hearts dismiss

Felt in the tightest embrace

and the lightest fingertip trail

but gone when love needs more space

and hands let go while arms fail

A Mouthful of Sky

2007-12-03T20:40:00+01:00

If I can have the whole world to myself

Even for a day

I would make it see the sweetest dream that I’ve imagined

At every day-break the birds will chirp and sing

Extolling a freedom seldom seen

Teardrops from innocent faces drying up

Before it washes down the smile

Rainbows- so vibrant and shimmering

Helping to spread the good vibes

Like a young brave artist—not yet drunk on melancholia

I’ll try to paint the world…

Red, green blue and many such hues

If I can have the whole world to myself

Even for a day

I’ll make every child’s bedtime wish come true

Every broken heart, every lonely soul

Hey! Don’t yet fold…

Someone, somewhere you’ll surely find…

With whom life will be a joyride

Believe me when I say--Lifetime memories will be erased

When thy beloved clutch on to you!

I too had my time, I lived my dreams

I am walking now the thousand lonely miles…

Hoping that… someone will walk the few hundred steps to meet me!!

At the end of the day… when the sunset comes…

And angels come knocking at my door…

Telling me that my Time has passed

I’ll be happy that I had the whole world to myself (even for a day)

Happy with what I’m leaving behind---

-The birds flying

-Couples in embrace

-Springtime all around

-Lost souls finally reaching home

-No greed, no hunger

-People singin’ and dancin’ and believing in Love

An Introduction

2007-08-15T06:38:13+02:00

How can I begin this without being complicated? I've had this blog for a long assed time and I've never even written anything in it. Like a great man (Kinky Freedman) once said, "There's nothing like looking down at a blank piece of paper and realizing it's as empty as your life." My life isn't empty per se but I'm not sure that I should be here, in this life, in this picture, like I'm a puzzle piece that was just crammed in; made to fit somewhere I absolutely don't belong. Or maybe belonging is not belonging somewhere long enough to realize that you don't. I guess I'm writing this for a sense of self-gratification, so that I can look back and say I didn't turn away from that blank page, that I said my life was full of color and sound, of love, and passion. Just like music.

Music to me are the colors of ebony and ivory, and agile hands that stroke your heartsrings like chords, in an undieing rhythm with the beat of your heart. And every breath you breathe you breathe for that one chance that you can create again what your broken heart so ruthlessly destroyed. That raw truth that you were blinded from, before your world crumbled around you and you realized that loving someone is giving them the power to destroy you and trusting them not to.

In our life we make descisions. They are not based on what other people think or say, they are based on what we know, and what we feel would be best for us, in the event that the trust you instill in someone doesn't turn around and watch as they reopen those scars you thought you had so well mended.

Women are fucking ruthless.

I know this because I was with one for half a year of my life. Lovers can turn against you just as easily as they turn with you. They use your own hand in pulling yourself apart, so that they feel nothing. I remember the first night I looked to the stars, and it was as though the sky was blind. Like the gods were playing such a cruel practical joke on me that I should've realized it by then, when I looked up and saw nothing but an inky black that pressed down on the very essence of my soul. I did not listen, I didn't use the blatant aid I found just then, to end it and say no more.

But love has a way of making you fall countless times before you hit the ground and realize that they were never really catching you in the first place, they were just leaving you suspended like a marionette, wating for just the right moment to cut the strings.

24-26th December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-02-04T12:05:00+01:00

Christmas Eve December 24th 2006

Busy times ... lots of good food and drink so no different to the rest of the year!

Jane and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We're having a few computer free days, it does tend to take up lots of my time so a bit of a break is needed.

Our cat 'Mota de Oro' was last seen on Christmas Eve at 09:00h. She didn't come home all day and night. Lots of searching ...

This is Daisy. She's 14. We brought her with us from the UK.

Our female donkey Rosie. Enjoying the Christmas sunshine in the orange and lemon grove.

We went out on Christmas Eve. The bars close early for a big family meal.
They then reopen for a late night party.
We were home before midnight and wished each other Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day December 25th 2006

Christmas day and no sign of Mota de Oro.
I searched all morning. Including the road. I was dreading to find her up there.

We had a lovely Christmas lunch.
Later we went out. There was a great atmosphere in the village. People singing and partying.

We were in Guayacan until late. Then Flora invited us to her house for a bottle of wine and tapas.

We got home around 04:00h. I took the dogs out for a long walk around the village, keeping my eye out for 'Motty'. No sign of her. We're really worried now. It's not like her to be out this long.

Boxing Day December 26th 2006

Still no sign of Mota de Oro. We're up late, but we're soon out looking for her.
Jane and I go out up onto the road again, fearing the worst. I go down onto the small track where we walk the dogs. We meet back at the house. Jane decided to go around the back of the house. I've checked here about five times in the last two days. No sign of the cat.

I was looking for Jane coming up the street to see if she'd had any luck.
She called into our neighbours hay shed. Out pops the cat from on top of some straw bales.
Had she been asleep next door for three days and two nights?

Here she is safely home. The cat who spoilt Christmas. A good title for a kids book?

We went down to Guayacan to see Yolanda. To tell her the good news about the cat.

We've been asked if Rosie can be used in the Three Kings procession. A TV crew from Andalucia's Canal Sur are coming to the village tomorrow to film a special dress rehearsal. They'll air the programme on the 5th/6th January 2007.

We'll have to put a star on her stable door.

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23rd December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-02-04T09:00:00+01:00

Saturday December 23rd 2006

Another lovely day. I took the dogs out for a walk into the campo.
I listened to Newcastle United cruise passed Tottenham Hotspurs to take all 3 points.
A good start to the day.

Jane's been trying on most of her wardrobe for tonight's fiesta in Café Bar Guayacán.

Our Border Collie Jake.

We went to Bar Barroso to start off the night.
Then on to Bar Andrés Sánchez.
This photograph is for Andrés girlfriend Verónica, who lives in Peru.
Good news is that she will very shortly be coming to live in Benarrabá.
Everyone is looking forward to meeting her.

On to Pub Bar Dami.
Dami was on good form and getting into the spirit of the festive season.

Dami had his nativity scene set up.

Onwards and upwards to Guayacán where the party is about to start.

This is Juan Jesús and Ivan. They are 'Malacai'.
(A Reverend Malacai contacted us last week about our El Gastor visit. He liked the photo's.)
Hope he likes having a band sharing his name.

Yolanda has gone for the Brylcream look with a quiff.

Flora and Jane start off the dancing. Malacai are only doing a sound check ... it's going to be a good night!

The bar was beginning to fill.

Ivan and Juan Jesús.

Diego and Yolanda. Diego was helping out behind the bar.

Cristina and Diego.

Flora and Bernardo.

A shameless plug.

Me and Platero.

Eva and Platero.

Our neighbours Cristóbal and Carmen's son, Adrian.

Mercedes and Javier's daughter, Carmen.

Flora and her English daughter.

They learn to party young in Spain. No need for baby sitters. Everyone will have fun but there'll be no bad behaviour so children are welcome. Besides her dad is Juan Jesús half of 'Malacai'.

Yolanda, Jane, Adelia and her youngest son Antonio.

Adelia's eldest son Francisco.

These girls partied hard. They danced all night.

This girl partied hard as well! Here she is going up for a prize from one of the JB Nightology girls.

The JB Nightology girls.

Jane and I both won T-shirts. Jane won a London shirt and I won an Amsterdam shirt.
Malacai played all night.

I'm not sure what this thumb kissing pose is all about but ... Feliz Navidad.

We got home ... I'm not sure at what time but at least we got home ...

Yolanda said people came in all night. The music was still playing at eight in the morning.

More photo's soon on www.benarraba.com

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Andalucia Blog by Geoff Forster and Jane Forster - Low cost web design by Spanish Spider. This Blog, Photo Journal,is just one of many Photography Journals, it's a Diary,about Love, about our love of Art, hopefully it will be Fun, an insight into Life in Andalucia Spain , Sometimes we write about Food, we love listening to Music,we love Writing our blog,I love Sports,especially Football and my beloved Newcastle United.

22nd December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-02-03T23:55:00+01:00

Friday December 22nd 2006

Another lovely day. again quite fresh.
We spent the day around the house.
We had a roast dinner mid-afternoon, as we're going out tonight. A trip down to San Luis de Sabinillas to look at the Christmas lights.

We set off at 17:50h. so we'd catch the sunset over the Valle de Guadiaro.

A minute later and the sun is dropping to the horizon very quickly. Zoomed and under exposed.

We watched the sun set then drove through Gaucín and down towards the coast. We stopped near the Sierra de Crestellina to take this photograph of the after glow of the sunset over Jimena de la Frontera.

We drove passed Manilva. There's a beautifully decorated roundabout on the southern edge of the pueblo. Unfortunately they must be having power problemas as it wasn't lit up.

In San Luis de Sabinillas we paid a quick visit to Lidl's before walking around looking at the lights.

We parked near the children's play area and walked back towards the Police Station.
This lovely display was in a designer clothes shop window we passed.

The church has lights all over. Accentuating the shape of the tower, roof and arches. Really beautiful.
The palm trees are covered in lights. An area in front of the church has trumpeting angels and reindeer in a white wire frame covered in lights.

I'm afraid that the Poinsettias aren't faring too well. All over Andalucía, thousands are planted and they don't seem to survive for more than a few days. Either they are inadequately watered after planting or the shock being transplanted from a greenhouse to the open air kills them off.

On the main roundabout, the three Kings were represented, again in the white wire frame models, which are very effective.

From road level you can see the message in lights on the roundabout.

We drove to Casares.
Casares has lots of purple lights.

The tree could have done with more lights.

We stopped in Gaucín on the way home to photograph their tree.

I'm afraid Benarrabá doesn't have a tree ... yet. There are lights up across the streets and some new ones have been strung between some pines on the way down into the pueblo. Also a star has been placed on a pole high above the village but isn't working yet. We'll save this light show extravaganza for another blog.

Jane took her camera. Here are a few of her photographs from San Luis de Sabinillas.

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Andalucia Blog by Geoff Forster and Jane Forster - Low cost web design by Spanish Spider. This Blog, Photo Journal,is just one of many Photography Journals, it's a Diary,about Love, about our love of Art, hopefully it will be Fun, an insight into Life in Andalucia Spain , Sometimes we write about Food, we love listening to Music,we love Writing our blog,I love Sports,especially Football and my beloved Newcastle United.

21st December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-02-03T23:45:00+01:00

Thursday December 21st 2006

More good weather, a few clouds floating across blue skies.
The air still feels fresh, so we're wrapping up well for a trip to Gaucín.

First Jane made an early morning visit to the Benarrabá Post Office (Vincente's House). It opens half an hour a day, Monday to Friday 09:10 to 09:40h.
We got some Christmas parcels from family in the UK and some special liquid 'Eclipse' and 'Sensor Swabs' for cleaning the sensor chip in the DSLR camera.

In Gaucín we saw friends Chris and Carol with some other hardy hikers. They'd been out for a regular Thursday morning walk into the campo.

An Andalucian Christmas scene? Red Berries and a Yucca.
The view from Gaucín across the Valle de Guadiaro towards Cortes de la Frontera.

We called into Manolo's bar and later Venta El Socorro to put on our Euromillions lottery ticket.
We put up some posters for the Guayacán Fiesta.

In Venta El Socorro we met John and Evelyn from Ilkley West Yorkshire. They've been reading the blog prior to their visit. We were delighted to meet them. Especially as it was Evelyn's birthday. So Feliz Cumpleaños to Evelyn.

In Gaucín a large Christmas tree was being erected. We drove to Algatocín to the Super Genal. Then we went down to the plaza to put up more posters.
In Algatocín they've taken advantage of having a living pine growing in the plaza. It's covered in tinsel and packages.

In Benarrabá we fed the dogs and donkeys.
Our Border Collie, Jake.

A couple of our cutest Border Collie Sally, Jake's mother.

We went for a walk around the village and put up two more posters in strategic spots.

Jane's been watching a lot of cookery programmes lately, especially the Gordon Ramsay series ... We've noticed that none of the staff in these kitchens wear hats. (They also mess around with your food a lot with their fingers and wipe plates with dodgy looking cloths, all for good presentation!)
Yolanda on the other hand, as well as keeping a spotless kitchen, wears a hat when preparing food, which we caught her in when we called into Café Bar Guayacán. Guapa.

Val Forster.

Jane insisted she took one of me and my mother.

We enjoyed a quick chat with Yolanda. We hope that the posters bring in a few people from neighbouring villages to Saturday night's fiesta.

Back home we cooked two roast chickens, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips. I also made a gravy using a finely chopped leek, celery and some of the above veg. It was cooked with some of the chicken juices and then mashed through a sieve. Not your traditional brown gravy but it was very tasty.

We watched 'Bruce Almighty' starring Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman as God.
A very silly comedy.
Later we left Val, who's not into movies, to read her 'Wilbur Smith'.
Jane and I watched 'Serendipity' starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. One of Jane's favourite 'soppy' movies.

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Andalucia Blog by Geoff Forster and Jane Forster - Low cost web design by Spanish Spider. This Blog, Photo Journal,is just one of many Photography Journals, it's a Diary,about Love, about our love of Art, hopefully it will be Fun, an insight into Life in Andalucia Spain , Sometimes we write about Food, we love listening to Music,we love Writing our blog,I love Sports,especially Football and my beloved Newcastle United.

20th December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-02-03T23:27:42+01:00

Wednesday December 20th 2006

The good weather continues ...
We're off shopping to Carrefours at Los Barrios.
On the way we saw lots of Common Buzzards, White Storks, Griffon Vultures, Cattle Egrets, Spotless Starlings, Crested Larks, a lone Kestrel and lots of Spanish Sparrows.

The Common Buzzards teased me by either being on the wrong side of the road, flying off as we slowed down or sitting posing when it was impossible for us to stop.

This is the best I could do from a moving car ..

We got a lot of shopping in Carrefours including a fresh turkey at a very reasonable price.
We'll have the Benarrabá pork at New Year.

On the way home I was going to photograph the White Storks, but all the nests that were overflowing with Storks an hour before were now empty.

We called into Venta Carrasco a favourite bar just before Jimena de la Frontera.
There was a silver donkey on the hillside. I was about to take a photograph when a construction wagon drove down a nearby track and kicked a ton of dust into the air which refuse to clear.

So not a very successful day with the camera.

Back home we sorted out the shopping and cooked an interesting stir fry with a tandoori flavour.
I listened to the Newcastle United v Chelsea, Carling Cup Quarter Final. Unfortunately we lost 0-1. We played well for parts of the game, but it wasn't to be.

We watched 'Resident Evil' starring Milla Jovovich. We'd both seen it before but had forgotten most of the plot. The zombie Dobermans are great, the film is worth watching just for that scene.
Later we watched 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' Guy Ritchie's great movie starring Vinnie Jones.

These were taken on Tuesday evening, I forgot to put them on yesterday's blog.

Sandra and Auxi.

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Andalucia Blog by Geoff Forster and Jane Forster - Low cost web design by Spanish Spider. This Blog, Photo Journal,is just one of many Photography Journals, it's a Diary,about Love, about our love of Art, hopefully it will be Fun, an insight into Life in Andalucia Spain , Sometimes we write about Food, we love listening to Music,we love Writing our blog,I love Sports,especially Football and my beloved Newcastle United.

19th December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-01-25T15:35:00+01:00

Tuesday December 19th 2006

Another beautiful day, although the air feels a little fresher.
We went to Bar Andrés Sánchez for tapas. Salmorejo de Carne, which is pork pieces cooked in white wine with roast garlic and onions. Beautiful.
We walked to the lower part of the village where there is a house for sale.

Benarrabá Town House For Sale

We walked up to Café Bar Guayacán. Caty had cooked a lovely pork dish in a different style to Salmorejo de Carne. We had some of that as well.

The Christmas decorations look good.

Jane, Flora and Val.

José joins them ...

Salud.

Guayacán do cakes as well!
Yolanda seems to enjoy them.

José, Jane, Eva, Platero and Carmen.

A tomato delivery arrived for the kitchen ...

We went home. I designed the poster for the JBNightology Fiesta in Guayacán on Saturday night.
Entry is free. Malacai are playing. If you live locally you should try to get here. Taxi's are only a few euros ... a great way to start your Christmas festivities.

We went back to Café Bar Guayacán to get some of the posters printed off. We'll put them up around the villages.

We had a good evening. Eating lots of good tapas. I'm quite looking forward to Christmas this year. I'm not usually a big fan. Christmas in Spain is more laid back and more fun than in the UK.

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18th December 2006 Andalucia Spain Blog

2007-01-25T13:30:00+01:00

Monday December 18th 2006

We're up early. We introduced Val to Rosie and Domingo.
Out in he street our neighbour Francisco's daughter Zulema had some tiny rabbits she was feeding with milk. The mother had died and she's hand rearing them.

They were very small, we hope that they all survive.

Oxalis Pes-Caprae in flower along the wall near the apartment.

We went to the carnicería to order some pork for Christmas.
Then we went to Pub Bar Dami for a coffee.

Later we walked to the bank and then on to the plaza.

We watched some Griffon vultures perched on a crag. There were thirty more wheeling high in the blue sky. (It really is this blue!)

We went to Algatocín to do some shopping in the extended Super Genal.
This is Algatocín.

Back in Benarraba we called in to see Yolanda. We enjoyed some fantastic tapas.
There's a fiesta in the bar on Saturday night. It starts around 23:00h.
The group 'Malacai' are performing live.
There is also a promotion as part of the JBNightology weekend.
JB Whisky are giving away 365 trips for 3 people to different European cities.
You could win one of these prizes if not 300 more prizes will be given away in the bar.
It should be a really great evening.
Come to Benarraba on Saturday night and start the Christmas fiesta with a bang!