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Fun for all the family

Ah, the Spanish campsite of a weekend: feral children in abundance and constantly barking dogs. Fun for all the family, but perhaps not so much for us. Certainly not fun for Dusty, who keeps retreating to the parcel shelf in the van.

I was hoping that he would have plenty of outdoors time today and be ready for bed when the time comes. Last night he dozed the evening away and I knew that he was going to be a problem later…

Indeed, the wee chap was very perky in the early hours, setting off the four-way flashers, playing with his jingly toy and asking for food. 04:45 hrs. He was up and at ’em again, looking for a way out of the van as dawn broke. We had left the blinds open to prevent his wrecking them in the night but the extra light admitted woke him too soon for our liking.

Blinds closed tonight, we think and I shall be prodding him every time that he looks like nodding off…

The flies here are sending all three of us demented but I shall be cooking outdoors anyway – we are having curry and I do not plan to stink the van out. We might eat early before the evening chill settles so that we can also eat outdoors.

All being well we shall be away on Monday and Dusty can look forward to some grass, a few pine trees and far more peace and quiet. No doubt the flies will be hellish. Also… the expected overnight temperature at our destination when we arrive is forecast to be -2°C. Can’t have everything, eh?

Looking forward to Portugal now, with its lovely empty and peaceful campsites. Let us not forget the curry either – Holi Diwali, here we come! Then of course there are the well-known custard tarts (and the lesser-known but equally appreciated chocolate-filled doughnuts..)

Convenience food tonight and decidedly non-keto. We picked this packet up in the farm shop by the Moho Aire in Lamagdalaine, France. Naughty, but I am expecting nice. I shall be adding cheese, not Parmesan but an aged Spanish sheep cheese with truffle. Lardons or Chorizo may also be shovelled in… We cycled out to get the Vino Blanco and some bits for a side salad. #wp #gastrovanners #gastrovanner #food #convenience #carbs

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Dusty was a bit difficult last night. The frustration seems to be getting to him a little. Luckily the weather is better today so we are trying to give him as much outside time as possible. He seems to be content enough on the end of a line but when indoors with the van shut up he is scrabbling to be out. Leaving him tied out in the evening isn’t an option as he would be defenceless if the marauding tom came around. Last night we had to resort to leaving the blinds open. We also gave him some catnip before bedtime. He is a bit of a junkie and usually crashes out after his excess. We actually passed quite a peaceful night but have only a minute quantity of catnip remaining. I wonder where it can be bought in Spain? We may need to rig up a privacy curtain across the cab. On the positive side, things are quieter and calmer without Chloé and Dusty clashing. He is a more relaxed cat overall. I still wish that she would come home though. #wp #cats #Dusty

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A spin on the Diet Doctor’s Asian Cabbage tonight. I used the leg meat from yesterday’s cooked chicken in place of the usual minced beef and substituted leeks for the unobtainable spring onions. Also, swapped sherry vinegar in for white wine vinegar. A useful van dish as it takes only one pan (but does require a holding dish for the cabbage). We kicked off with keto apero – jalapeño-stuffed olives, truffled mature sheep cheese, chorizo and salted roasted almonds, washed.diwn by Tio Pepe. I could almost warm to Spain … but our sights are now turning to Portugal. No sign of Chloé and Dusty is beginning to be fretful and intolerant of his confinement. The weather has taken a nosedive too. Sagres seems more appealing with each passing day. Looking forward to some very non-keto curry! #wp #gastrovanners #gastrovanner #ketovanning #keto #lowcarb #dietdoctor #holidiwali

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Crème Fraîche, apple purée and cultivated blackberries. #wp #gastrovanners #gastrovanner #pudding

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Not a bad tipple at 4€20. Would buy again. #wp #gastrovanners #gastrovanner #methodtradicional

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