Grumpy in Madeira

This morning I’m up at 7: 30, noisy bastard dogs. 😡

I’m usually awake between 7-8am, because Smokey and Bandit bark at people passing on their way to work. 

Kettle on. Coffee, then I feed the dogs and cat (Cookie). I have to check what damage Smokey has done during the night, he’s either pulled over and chewed Maria’s plants. (that she absolutely hates), or chewed a tool or something of mine that I’ve left out, (that I absolutely hate).

Today he’s been a good boy 😀 nothing eaten or damaged!!! Bandit has never been destructive but Smokey has been called a “BASTARD” or “LITTLE FUCKER” more than once. He will eat ANYTHING!!! 😡

So onto the day and today I need to do a bit of gardening. I’m not the green fingered one, Maria is, I do as I’m told in the garden. I’ve been told to take the weeds off the wall. Not one of my favorite jobs but hayho. I’m not keen on doing it because I get covered in dust, soil, and bits of weeds. I nearly fall off the ladder when a lizard surprises me by popping out from its hidey hole. Yes, you heard right. Madeira is full of lizards. They are little gecko types. They are cute and keep the population of mosquitoes and bugs down. However, they are fast movers and give you a fright when they pop out in front of you. 😡

It’s a beautiful day, sunny and warm, 24 degrees. I got it done in three hours, weeded, swept and bagged and with only a few “Bastards” yelled. I’m proud of a job well done!!!

Ok……it’s beer o’clock. Doctor’s orders, he said “when it’s hot, drink plenty of fluids”.

I sometimes overdo the keeping hydrated thing. I didn’t seem to get round to doing much else for the rest of the day.

EXCEPT!!!!!!!!! While I was having a beer. The little Bastard Smokey was chasing lizards. That is fine, but he has broken the compost bin, trying to dig out the lizard.

I chased the little Fucker around the garden. What with the heat and a belly full of Cerveja (beer) I nearly had a heart attack. I couldn’t catch him, so i had a few more beer’s.

I’m cooking tonight, albeit with one eye.

I’m making a traditional Portuguese dish for dinner today, Caldo Verde. (Green Soup) potatoes, cabbage and Chorizo. There are loads of recipes out there. This is my version:

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp Olive Oil

8oz, Chorizo sausage, cut into rounds or diced (i do small, to fit my petite mouth) 

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 kilo (approx) potatoes of your choice, cut approx 1-inch pieces

1 litre (approx) of stock (chicken,or veg) just enough to cover potatoes

1 bag shredded green cabbage or (750 g) loose shredded cabbage

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

First I peel and dice Potatoes, cook in slightly salted water. Just enough to cover potatoes. Boil until soft

While potatoes are cooking, put Chorizo, onion, garlic, cabbage into a frying pan with the olive oil. Cook until the onion is translucent.

When potatoes are cooked, mash in the pot with the water. Do not mash too much. You want them to be a little lumpy still. Then add the shredded cabbage. We get this ready shredded, from local supermarkets Pingo Doce or Continente

Then add the chorizo, onion and garlic mixture. 

Stir well and simmer for 5 mins, add more water if it’s too thick for your liking.Serve hot and with local crusty bread and a Vinho. Delish!!!! 🍷

Ok guy’s, I made it through dinner without Maria giving me a bollocking about being half pissed. I think I should go to bed.

BOA NOITE.