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The Wild Asparagus Hunters are Out and About

It´s that time of year. Cars parked in odd places, the solitary person - usually a man, popping up above a bank or from behind an olive tree. The hunters of the wild aparagus are here. The plentiful rain scattered with a day or two of sunshine has brought them out in droves. Some have their route, others instinctively know where to go. They appear, walking back to their cars, with a huge bundle of foot long green spears of asparagus. And off they go, probably not to be seen for another year - or another week if the rain continues. No matter how hard the shoots try and hide the older men hunt them down with stick in hand, to fob off the spiky old growth, and uncover the tender new stems of wild asparagus. Everyone has their favourite way of cooking them but the most common seems to be in a Tortilla - the thick Spanish potato omelette to which you can add anything that comes to hand - or is hunted down. My one or two shorter stem finds don´t come close to the experienced hunters catch. I...

Two Middle-Aged Ladies in Andalusia

And no! I´m not talking about me.

I finally have received a copy of Two Middle-Aged Ladies in Andalusia a book I´ve been wanting for ages. Amazon finally did me proud and only 22 days or so after ordering (yes, I was counting) it arrived.

Fortunately my neighbour delivered it, as he does when the postman can´t be bothered to travel that bit further to my house, after dark so I didn´t have long to wait until I could get stuck right in.

The authoress Penelope Chetwode, wife of John Betjeman, first published it in 1963 (good year that one!). My mind runs riot as to the state of Andalucia in those days, the years of hunger my neighbours call them. Franco was still in power and poverty the norm.

Not an ideal moment for a woman travelling alone with just her mare (the other middle-aged lady) and with only a smattering of Spanish.

I´m going to enjoy this and try not to rush it. Watch out for my review of it (not too soon) I hope.


Update 3rd Sept - see the review.

Two Middle Aged Ladies in Andalusia is available from Amazon, I bought my copy from there.


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