Deux Escargots

We cycled down to the closest little supermarket today. By the time that Nell had been walked and both cycles assembled it was actually quite late when we set off and twenty-five past one when we reached the shop… to discover that our research had yielded duff information; they close at one-thirty in the winter, not at two.

Ho, hum, we cycled away to Consum. Consum turns out to be quite a good supermarket by comparison with other shops that we have visited. Oddly though, no fresh olives in store – and we were too late for Antonio’s deli so have come home with a tin.

We filled two rucksacks with one or two necessities and a lot of unnecessary items. Then we cycled off to find a cash machine, picking up wolf whistles for the bikes as we went by a local lad sitting outside a bar. At least I think it was the bikes that attracted him and not our lovely legs!

The mile of unmade road that is involved in both directions is distinctly uncomfortable and dusty riding but apart from that it’s a nice ride on quiet roads and (illegally) through the marina and along the prom. A lovely day for it, sunny and warm but not overly hot. High winds are sweeping in soon for the remainder of the weekend, hence today’s shopping trip despite plans to eat (definitely non-keto) paella in the restaurant tonight.

Chloé remains AWOL, Dusty okay but still subdued and not keen on being outside at all.

Low carb regime is under threat from a sudden realisation that we are once more in The Land of Turron and apparently, Navidad is coming… SO many varieties to choose from; whole trestle tables full of the fabulous stuff.

On the positive side – Don Simon make a Tinto Verano without added sugar. What a find!

The weather has taken a bit of a nose dive. Almost started up the heating this morning, with only 10° outside. We had rain this afternoon and we have a Yellow Warning for wind tomorrow and Saturday.

We had hoped to go into Alcossebre for dinner on Friday but it is a walk of over 4 km in each direction to the restaurant and would be in the dark and unlit through trees. Dinner isn’t served until 8 pm so the walk back would not get us home much before midnight. We have decided that discretion is the better part and have ordered Paella here on site instead.

Not entirely sure what we are going to do with our time but we called into the site library this afternoon and picked up a handful of books. Maybe I will make mugs of Keto Hot Chocolate.

I really must find out where I stashed my knitting.

Chloé still missing. Dusty improved but still depressed. We have no plans to move on just yet but an outline plan/route exists in readiness for our electing to leave.

Chloé is still missing. Although today is warm and sunny, it did become chilly overnight. It does not seem to have driven her home. I become ever more resigned to the idea that she is gone for good this time. I am prefering to believe that she has muscled in on a new family. She is adept at that. It is a better notion than many other options, the ones which I do not wish to dwell upon.

Dusty is tons better and I believe that we need not visit the vet but do need to return to being careful that he does not sneak out. Quite his old self, almost.

Nell and I have been for a walk up the coastal path to the big holiday apartment block and return by road, calling for Chloé all the while but saw no sign of her.

My ankle held up pretty well and we made good time. Mr Snail has cycled into town to the excellent deli that we discovered last winter. I was surprised to be the first one home. And, here he is! With a baguette on his back too… He tells me that he has been naughty. I may report back later.

I was very bored today. Sitting around is not agreeing with me. We agreed that the time has come to get on with our stay and that we cannot maintain a permanent presence at the van in the possibly vain hope of Chloé returning. I strapped my ankle up, donned sturdy shoes and a sun hat and we walked to the lighthouse by the footpath and back by the forest track. I called for Chloé all the way but had no luck.

We went to the site restaurant tonight, planning to order Paella. No. Apparently it now has to be ordered 24 hours in advance, so we will try again later in the week.

I opted for pasta (naughty!) with a mushroom and truffle cream sauce and Mr Snail had the Lomo with egg and chips. There was far too much pasta for somebody who has consumed none whatsoever for the past nine months. I couldn’t finish it but only because I found it very heavy going and heavy on my digestion – there was nothing wrong with the dish itself as the pasta was Al dents and the mushrooms plentiful and tasty. Both were plain and simple dishes. Both were of acceptable quality. Both were in fact miles better than Monday night’s meal. Washed down with a bottle of Cava Brut Nature and topped off with Panna Cotta and excellent coffee, we didn’t feel robbed at 44€. It was a pleasant evening, with cheerful and efficient service. You would not have thought it to be the same establishment.

After dinner we took Nell for a moonlit stroll through the wood and down to the sea, in the hope of spotting Chloé out on a nightime prowl. No luck with Chloé, despite my repeatedly urging Nell to "go find Chloé!" but we not only did some star-gazing and saw a stray meteorite, but were also able to enjoy the startling sight of bioluminescence in the waves.

Sheer magic.

Dusty remains very quiet but is now bearing weight on his leg and seems less lacklustre than he was. He is still eating well. I think he is going to be fine. We have been comparing our swollen legs. He wins this time, I think.