Sand between my toes

                                                   

As of today we have 70 days left of our amazing adventure. I can't believe how fast the time has gone and how easy it has been to become distracted with thinking about what we are going to do when we get home. We are on the Coasta Del Sol just meters away from the beach, enjoying 65+ degree weather in November, eating fresh seafood, drinking ridiculously cheap but good wine and we are thinking about home?

We finished up the last few weeks of our 90 day stay in the UK in Bristol. What a super cute town, full of art (Banksy being one of the most famous) a fabulous harbor and a great cooking school (instructed by Chef Kelly at Bourdoux Quay). I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at The Bristol Skipchen. A group of people who "skip" for food that would normally be thrown out (grocery stores) and then turn it into hearty dishes and serve it up in their Pay what you feel cafe. Atlthough we loved the city and all it had to offer we were over the cold and the rain, for the record a summer in Bristol should not be missed but we were ready for some sun and heat.

                                               

Bristol Harborside

Bristol Christmas market

Christmas treats 

Skipchen bounty 

From garbage to grub 

Duck confit with pomegranate molasses

 

Butter! 

I finally cashed in on my Christmas 2013 present which was supposed to be a cooking class in Paris but the timing just never worked out. Ironically I stumbled across a class in the UK, I know Bristol is not Paris but it was a blast, I left there with not just one dish but a few dishes and tricks...I can now make my own butter in less than 5 minutes and create duck confit. The style of the class matched perfectly with my style of cooking...basic recipe of ingredients but it is all about the look, taste and smell.

When we finally arrived in Bendalmedina Spain (a coastal town outside Malaga on the Costa Del Sol) we dropped our bags, traded boots for flip flops and welcomed the vacation from vacation. Although this time of year is off season there is still plenty to see and do. It's a tourist town full of visitors from the UK and Scandanavia so the language barrier is pretty easy and if you are looking for an English breakfast you don't have to go to far. We spend our days building sand castles on the beach or walking the marina that goes on forever and you can stop at any point, grab a tapas or two and of course a pint of beer or glass of wine. Speaking of wine, one would think a 1 Euro bottle of wine would be equal to crap but oh no the Tempranillo goes down smooth and it is cheaper than water. Don't even get me started on themerou pastries, empanadas and cookies.

                                               

Tapas, tapas, tapas

Dessert? 

More dessert

Bendalmedina butterfly house

Stunning 

The life 

Building the dream

Transportation around town is very simple and affordable so exploring the neighboring villages is a must. We took a bus excursion to Seville ($30US) and had a great time but 4-5 hours is just not enough time to see it all. We still have Granada and Gibraltar on our list. After here, we head to Madrid for a couple of days and then the Christmas holiday in Barcelona. Being in Europe for the holidays has been different. There has been no mass marketing of Christmas, no Christmas Carols,no mall Santas and no Black Friday. Our Thanksgiving was spent at the mall (it was a rainy day so we thought we could still venture out and stay dry BUT it was an outdoor mall) and our Thanksgiving dinner was Taco Bell. I looked at numerous stores and could not locate turkey or cranberries( plus our apartment does not have an oven) and upon seeing Taco Bell I just had to have something that reminded me of home. ( also a good reminder that I don't want this type of food any longer) We finally did find fresh cranberries but they were about 5 Euros for 2 cups...um no!

                                                   

Burros of Mija, Costa Del Sol

Mjas blue pots

Seville

Worst bloody mary ever!! 

Roman baths of Bath, England

I miss home, friends and family and the celebrations but I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be and my heart is full of gratitude. Happy Holidays!!!

                                       

Fun on the beach

My heart is full