Home Grown and Delicious!
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Day 18 Monday 1st Harvest!
Breakfast out of the way. We set off to the hardwear store and get our picker working! Off we go with our appliance to the garden. We make a good start and collect a couple of lovely Mango's. on to 'our tree', it's right in front of the apartment. We collect about 9 more. Then to the other end of the garden, we keep collecting till our bag is full to bursting! We have a chat with a man called Dennis, he says they are not all the same type. Some trees are better than others. We collect 28 in all!
When we get home, Clive thinks we should try and sort and label the Mango's by tree! It's a methodical job. We unpack and he makes a label for each one! I get the apple trays from the fridge and we store them in those trays. When we eat them, we will select the trees to collect from next time. Well that's the theory!
Get some chores done. Clive is busy working- not really sure what at -don't ask!
Monday, 5 August 2013
Day 17. Day at the beach
What a glorious day!
Having breakfast, we tried one of the Mango's Raul had given us from the garden. It was absolutely delicious ! Clive then decided we had to get our own 'picker'? Off we went to the hardwear store. Armed with picker and metal rod and jubilee bands we set off to make our picker even longer, we could then get the best mango's from the top of the tree! We had a little set back, we couldn't get it to extend. We were going to have to go back with it tomorrow, as we had already decided to have a day at the beach.
I packed a quick picnic but Clive thought we could nip to the supermarket for fried chicken. Well, as usual we came out with a picnic bag filled to feed you all! Cherries, crisps, grapes,,chicken, bread rolls and finally he got a filled roll for us aswell. You wouldn't think it, but he actually has a small appetite! I knew this was going to feed us for days, as he also wastes nothing.
We went to Dania Beach, it was glorious. Set ourselves in a shady spot near the pier. It was packed with lots of people. Families, youths and lots of people with boats fishing. We had a lovely day. Two cruise liners set sail around 5.30pm, we then had cruise envy! One off to the Bahamas and one to the Caribbean. It started to get very dark, the sky was looking black and threatening. I suggested we get home, it looked like a thunder storm coming our way! We had only just things in the car and the lightening started. It was so close to us. I was glad we got home and not too wet.
We actually finished finished our book, The Moonstone. It was slightly disappointing as neither of us guessed correctly. It was a mammoth task to read but I think we will kind of miss it!
Looking forward to reaping our own mango harvest tomorrow!
Having breakfast, we tried one of the Mango's Raul had given us from the garden. It was absolutely delicious ! Clive then decided we had to get our own 'picker'? Off we went to the hardwear store. Armed with picker and metal rod and jubilee bands we set off to make our picker even longer, we could then get the best mango's from the top of the tree! We had a little set back, we couldn't get it to extend. We were going to have to go back with it tomorrow, as we had already decided to have a day at the beach.
I packed a quick picnic but Clive thought we could nip to the supermarket for fried chicken. Well, as usual we came out with a picnic bag filled to feed you all! Cherries, crisps, grapes,,chicken, bread rolls and finally he got a filled roll for us aswell. You wouldn't think it, but he actually has a small appetite! I knew this was going to feed us for days, as he also wastes nothing.
We went to Dania Beach, it was glorious. Set ourselves in a shady spot near the pier. It was packed with lots of people. Families, youths and lots of people with boats fishing. We had a lovely day. Two cruise liners set sail around 5.30pm, we then had cruise envy! One off to the Bahamas and one to the Caribbean. It started to get very dark, the sky was looking black and threatening. I suggested we get home, it looked like a thunder storm coming our way! We had only just things in the car and the lightening started. It was so close to us. I was glad we got home and not too wet.
We actually finished finished our book, The Moonstone. It was slightly disappointing as neither of us guessed correctly. It was a mammoth task to read but I think we will kind of miss it!
Looking forward to reaping our own mango harvest tomorrow!
Sunday, 4 August 2013
Day 16. Rainy day!
I was correct. On waking I couldn't have possibly eaten the meal again! Clive still wanted to have the 'Food '- that's what the root products are called in Jamaica. They traditionally eat this Salt Fish and Ackee for breakfast. So we don't rush but I make it for him and he also struggles to eat it, but he just enjoyed it so much! You could see it in his face. He can't wait for the week all- inclusive in Jamaica! ( nor can I, but for different reasons! Mmm Rum Punch with nutmeg!)
It's a weather day, as Clive calls it. We scan through the 500 movies he has put in a line on Net Flix. Make our choices. I thought they were going in a queue, but no, I was supposed to have remembered them! We watch a couple and just have a quiet day.
It's amazing how time seems to go by so much quicker when you're with someone.
It's a weather day, as Clive calls it. We scan through the 500 movies he has put in a line on Net Flix. Make our choices. I thought they were going in a queue, but no, I was supposed to have remembered them! We watch a couple and just have a quiet day.
It's amazing how time seems to go by so much quicker when you're with someone.
Saturday, 3 August 2013
Day 15. Quiet day at home!
After the past couple of busy days, we decide to have a day at home. Clive says he has work to do and I need to do laundry and wanted to get to the pool. Life seems to have away of doing its own thing!
After breakfast we decided I would get the laundry and some cleaning done, and Clive was going to start his marathon cooking session. Soup and the Jamaican National Dish - Saltfish and Ackee! This meal was to be servered with yam - yellow and white variety, sweet potatoes, green banana and bread fruit!!! He has never really cooked this before - very ambitious me thinks! He makes the soup (which was a staple before I came). I had to be instructed in this art! My time is passing by. Then we start on the evening meal. We sort of make a timetable and also have to watch a video of cooking bread fruit, well, to be honest, we must have watched six videos!
Got the breadfruit baking and then watched ' The Iron Lady'. Great movie! Time seemed to go by quickly and it was time to prepare the balance of the meal. All went well and by 8.30pm we were eating the enormous plate of food. It was actually very good! Clive thought it was very authentic! He should know. After we finished he said " we can have what's left for breakfast!. Maybe he will! Me far to full to eat it again in the morning!
After breakfast we decided I would get the laundry and some cleaning done, and Clive was going to start his marathon cooking session. Soup and the Jamaican National Dish - Saltfish and Ackee! This meal was to be servered with yam - yellow and white variety, sweet potatoes, green banana and bread fruit!!! He has never really cooked this before - very ambitious me thinks! He makes the soup (which was a staple before I came). I had to be instructed in this art! My time is passing by. Then we start on the evening meal. We sort of make a timetable and also have to watch a video of cooking bread fruit, well, to be honest, we must have watched six videos!
Got the breadfruit baking and then watched ' The Iron Lady'. Great movie! Time seemed to go by quickly and it was time to prepare the balance of the meal. All went well and by 8.30pm we were eating the enormous plate of food. It was actually very good! Clive thought it was very authentic! He should know. After we finished he said " we can have what's left for breakfast!. Maybe he will! Me far to full to eat it again in the morning!
Friday, 2 August 2013
Day 14. Two week mile stone!
Up early and off to the hospital. Clive is seeing a cardiologist - I know, I've only been here two weeks!!
We have to be there for 9 am. All goes well, we fill the car with gas and off we go. He gets seen really quickly but is gone for over an hour and a half. I was beginning to feel a little concerned, but also thought it good they were really checking him out. Eventually he comes out with lots of paperwork and a very serious face. Sits down and says they are going to admit him! I took a sharp intake of breath, I was thinking, what the hell am I going to do! I can't drive, the hospital was miles from home! Also what was worng with him! He then burst out with laughter, he was only joking! He was ok, few more test to have and different docs.to see. He really had scared me.
It was a lovely place. It had a great restaurant which we ate at. Also we had seen this little farmers type market outside on our arrival. We went out and browsed, there were some good stalls, food , jewellery, bags etc. Clive found a bread fruit, so we now have that to add to our meal he is going to prepare!
We get home, only to find he had turned his phone off at the hospital, and he had a message to say his car repair was finished and could he return the loan car later in the day. He suddenly realised, we had put sixty dollars of gas in that morning! We had thought of driving to the keys over the weekend. He has been waiting six weeks for his car. He was pleased to get it back but miffed about the fuel. I suggested he ask if by any chance they would fill his for him in exchange. We didn't holdout much hope but he asked and they did! So good result - remember if you don't ask you don't get! A man also came in an announced he had been driving the loan car un licenced, no one had realised as he had the car so long!
We went to the beach after collecting the car. We went to a bar on the pier, it was fab. We had Sushi and wine! It was perfect!
On the way home I suddenly said to Clive, " what if we had gone the right way to the restaurant yesterday and got caught up in the police thing. It could have been really bad for us - a Blackman, in a brand new Mercedes rental car, that wasn't licenced!" When you watch the news, you know there are two sets of rules out here - one for whites and one for blacks. I now know you should go with whatever happens . 'Everything happens for a reason'.
Take care everyone!
We have to be there for 9 am. All goes well, we fill the car with gas and off we go. He gets seen really quickly but is gone for over an hour and a half. I was beginning to feel a little concerned, but also thought it good they were really checking him out. Eventually he comes out with lots of paperwork and a very serious face. Sits down and says they are going to admit him! I took a sharp intake of breath, I was thinking, what the hell am I going to do! I can't drive, the hospital was miles from home! Also what was worng with him! He then burst out with laughter, he was only joking! He was ok, few more test to have and different docs.to see. He really had scared me.
It was a lovely place. It had a great restaurant which we ate at. Also we had seen this little farmers type market outside on our arrival. We went out and browsed, there were some good stalls, food , jewellery, bags etc. Clive found a bread fruit, so we now have that to add to our meal he is going to prepare!
We get home, only to find he had turned his phone off at the hospital, and he had a message to say his car repair was finished and could he return the loan car later in the day. He suddenly realised, we had put sixty dollars of gas in that morning! We had thought of driving to the keys over the weekend. He has been waiting six weeks for his car. He was pleased to get it back but miffed about the fuel. I suggested he ask if by any chance they would fill his for him in exchange. We didn't holdout much hope but he asked and they did! So good result - remember if you don't ask you don't get! A man also came in an announced he had been driving the loan car un licenced, no one had realised as he had the car so long!
We went to the beach after collecting the car. We went to a bar on the pier, it was fab. We had Sushi and wine! It was perfect!
On the way home I suddenly said to Clive, " what if we had gone the right way to the restaurant yesterday and got caught up in the police thing. It could have been really bad for us - a Blackman, in a brand new Mercedes rental car, that wasn't licenced!" When you watch the news, you know there are two sets of rules out here - one for whites and one for blacks. I now know you should go with whatever happens . 'Everything happens for a reason'.
Take care everyone!
Day 13. Out for breakfast,
Today Clive has to go for some blood tests at the clinic. We were going fairy early in the day, so I suggested we had breakfast out. We have been really good and eaten at home a lot ! All went well at the clinic. Whilst we were there Clive was talking to the guy booking him in and asked if there was a Jamaican restaurant nearby. He had decided we would have a Jamaican breakfast , salt cod and akkie - don't forget, we had salt cod soaking at home and two more cooked meals now in the freezer! He got directions and off we went. Well, we must have been travelling around for about 45 mins and we still hadn't found the restaurant. I could tell, he was again a man on a mission, we WERE having this Jamaican breakfast! Eventually we turned and went the other way and found the turning to get to it. BUT, a police cordon, lights flashing, street blocked off and all looked a little scary. So he reluctantly decided to get nearer home and go to IHOP. It was delicious. I had waffles, Mmm! ( I was secretly thrilled with the choice). By the time we had breakfast, it was almost lunch time!
Not far home.
We continued with the book! Later we took a walk nearby. It was a lovely evening.
Not far home.
We continued with the book! Later we took a walk nearby. It was a lovely evening.
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