As one year fades away and another begins, thoughts of Michel Bauwens of what could be.
Archive for December, 2016
Satomi Morimoto
December 31, 2016
I had the pleasure of meeting Satomi Morimoto a couple of weeks ago.
I saw her at Teatro Timanfaya where she played jazz with ST Fusion, then a couple of days later when in a classical trio OpenART Ensemble she played music from the film Amelie and the modern tango of Astor Piazzolla.
She is an amazing jazz and classical pianist, and has an incredible voice.
Film is at her house, then centre of La Laguna.
Dorian
December 31, 2016
Berlin Live sessions, Dorian performed by Agnes Obel (piano), with Anne Müller (cello) and Mika Posen (viola), from her album Aventine.
Filming of documentary on bombing raid
December 30, 2016Filming of a documentary of a World War Two Bomber Command bombing raid from the viewpoint of a Lancaster crew.
Interviews with veterans, film footage of raid.
The film, title not yet known, may be crowdfunded, possible available as DVD and streamed on vimeo.
A taster will be posted on vimeo and youtube.
Filmmaker Andrew Panton.
Cappuccino in Coffee Aroma
December 29, 2016Excellent cappuccino in Coffee Aroma.
A somewhat surly guy doing pour over. Not one of the usual baristas who are always very pleasant and friendly and only too happy to discuss their coffee.
High Street packed. Even top of High Street, which is unusual.
Hard frost in the morning
December 29, 2016Third day of hard frost in the morning.
Cold frosty day
December 29, 2016Tuesday, frost all day, it never cleared.
Tuesday night, inky black sky, stars shining bright.
Wednesday morning a hard frost.
The sun was shining in the morning.
Fading light, since early afternoon fog rolling in, visibility dropping by the minute.
And yet only three days before, on Christmas Day, temperature was 15 C in Aberdeen, 14 C in Hull in Yorkshire.
Exposición de Belenes en Casa Ventoso
December 26, 2016The typical nativity scene is a stable, a manger, a few forlorn figures looking on.
Not in Puerto de la Cruz.
In the centre of Puerto de la Cruz, on the south side of la Plaza Concejil is dominated by la Casa-Palacio y Torreón de Ventoso (18th century). Formerly (c 1750) the house of a merchant engaged in the import export trade. The lower half of the house also served as a warehouse, hence its substantial construction. In the 19th century the house served as the Bremen Consulate. La Palacio Ventoso is now the San Agustín religious college.
At the back of this house can be seen a tower – Torreón Ventosa. It is an outstanding example of its type, the only other comparable tower is at Garachico. The tower has recently been reconstructed, though not open to the public. The original purpose of the tower is reputed to have been to enable the merchant to see approaching ships before anyone else, nip down to the harbour and strike the best deal – probably a tall tale.
Casa-Palacio y Torreón de Ventoso is not not usually open, but currently open, entrance free.
Within, in different rooms, streets, workshops, markets, workers, streams flowing through.
Open until early January.
Admission is free, but please give a donation.
All I Want for Christmas is You
December 25, 2016
Christmas song from Jewelia.
Christmas dinner
December 25, 2016Christmas dinner, fresh chicken, roast potatoes, sprouting broccoli and peas.
Fresh chicken from local butcher in Heighington, collected Christmas Eve.
Cooked guidance of Jamie Oliver.
Christmas dinner 2015, carrots, celery, laid in the base of baking tin. This lifts the chicken up off the base, allows air to circulate and aids cooking.
This year a variant. Two carrots, two sticks of celery and a red onion. The celery and carrots chopped into large chunks. The red onion cut into quarters, then halved again.
Chicken smeared with butter (to stop drying out), or would have been had the butter been taken out of the fridge, used olive oil spread instead, add a little salt and black pepper (for flavour). Half a mandarin stuffed inside the chicken. No stuffing. Chicken wrapped in cooking foil to keep in the flavour. Cook for 20 minutes per pound, plus a extra 20 minutes. Weight 5.5 lbs. Cook for two hours at 180 C.
After an hour, remove cooking foil, around the chicken, add roast potatoes and pigs in their blankets.
Last year, par boiled potatoes, then added to roast. This year, roast potatoes from the chiller cabinet in M&S.
Pigs in their blankets, small sausages wrapped in bacon. From Curtis in Sincil Street, a small independent butcher in Lincoln.
Should have stuffed the chicken with a small orange. Er, forgot. Was added, but a mistake as blocked air flow to cook the chicken from the inside.
Sprouting broccoli and frozen peas for vegetables. Bring water to boil, cook for around ten minutes. Add sprouting broccoli, bring to boil, then add peas.
No white wine, white grape juice. Only a con, fizzy water flavoured with concentrated grape juice, sugar added.
Christmas pudding, courtesy of Aldi. Not recommended. Poor quality.
No cream or white sauce, used ice cream.
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