Cake and new friends

Sharon is now enjoying a stay with her sister at her gourmet hotel in Wigtown, Scotland.

On a roll in her wheelchair around the little town, which is Scotland's booktown, she managed to spare time to sample a big slab of iced carrot and orange cake at the Reading Lasses cafe and bookshop to keep her energy levels up.

With mild weather and plenty of new people to talk to she says she is "making lots of new friends."

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Fiesta time in the Campo

It´s fiesta time in the Campo de Cartagena and all the villages are partying once the sun goes down.

We were at the fiesta a few nights ago in a nearby village and a great time was had by all. These are very popular occasions and are supported by both Spanish and foreign residents alike. The Brits tend to arrive early, while the Spanish night owls really do party all night. A rocket went up at 9pm, perhaps to warn the village to get ready. Two rockets went up at 10pm to announce that the fun was about to begin.

The music was provided by British musicians Martin and Stewart and, as ever, they had everybody rocking. Although in her wheelchair, Sharon did a wonderful twist. There was an outdoor bar and inside the village social centre pork fillets and longaniza sausages were being cooked up to be served in buns. Micherones, a great local favourite, were also popular. This is a mix like breadcrumbs with pieces of chorizo and other good things scattered about.

Though we left early, tired out, at midnight, everyone else was settling in to continue enjoying the fun throughout the night.

“It was great,” said Sharon. “It was lovely to catch up with all my old friends and to enjoy a night out.”

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©Phillip Bruce 2009

Everyone swims in Spain

When the sun is beating down the best way to cool off is with a dip in the sea and the beaches of Murcia have excellent facilities for everyone – including the disabled.

There are special areas for people with mobility problems and these include special wooden paths across the sand so that wheelchairs can be rolled easily down to the water´s edge where there are shaded areas. Lifeguards, some of whom are specifically trained in helping the disabled are on hand together with amphibious wheelchairs which allow the bather to float out into the warm waters.

Once at a suitable depth it is easy to slip off the floating chair and kick around in the water. As well as being excellent exercise, with no weight on affected areas, this is just fun. And of course, the seawater helps recovery – particularly in the Mar Menor inland sea which is noted for its minerals and restorative properties.

After the dip it is always time for a drink in one of the beachfront cafes and a spot of time just watching the world go by.

©Phillip Bruce 2009

The dreaded castor oil plant

People of a certain age will remember the feared remedy of the 1950s and 1960s for all juvenile aches and pains – castor oil.

This foul tasting liquid was dispensed in great quantities whenever complaints arose with the general attitude being that the kids ought to pull themselves together and toughen up and a dose of powerful laxative couldn´t do any harm. Mind you, the mere threat of castor oil did have a remarkably powerful effect in curing all sorts of juvenile ailments.

The plant itself was spotted growing in the garden of a friend, the first time we had seen one of the beasts. It has a very distinctive flower with big palm-shaped leaves. The castor oil plant probably comes from Africa though it is now found wherever there are tropical conditions. As well as the terrifying medicine the oil is also used in the manufacture of industrial lubricants.

Never mind Asbos, how about compulsory castor oil?

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©Phillip Bruce

Cactus fruit soaks up the sunshine

Cactus fruit soaks up the sunshine

Around the Campo the big cactus plants with the flat pads are sporting plenty of fruit.

These fruit are enjoyed by the locals but they are difficult to harvest. As can be seen from the picture, they are covered in large spikes. But there are also small, sharp, hairs that puncture the skin if not properly prepared. Cactus gourmets gather the fruit carefully and then treat them to make sure that the small hairs are completely removed. Then the fruit can be cut open and the juicy flesh enjoyed.

These big cactus are a feature of the landscape but they are a relatively new arrival to Spain, being brought from South America by explorers.

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©Phillip Bruce 2009.