Civil War Relic

Posted on November 26, 2018 by JMN

A “nido de ametralladora” (machine gun nest) from the Civil War. It’s in an isolated coastal stretch near the old port of Salou.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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Cheese

Posted on November 26, 2018 by JMN

Many of the savory cheeses made on this farm are from goat’s milk. It’s on the coast near Al-Metlla de Mar. The goat milk soap was prominently hyped, but missing from inventory.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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The “Mas”: Water

Posted on November 26, 2018 by JMN

Of old, clothes were washed in this outdoor area.

The water supply for the “mas” comes from this 60-meter-deep well.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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“Soap Goat Milk”

Posted on November 25, 2018 by JMN

This farm sells great goat cheeses and other homegrown products.

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Produce

Posted on November 25, 2018 by JMN

Mushroom gathering is a lively Catalan tradition. Eduard collects a batch most days and they are sauteed in oil and garlic for meals. He knows five species that are consumed, and those to avoid. Today he was excited to find a patch of what are called “rubellons” growing in the “mas.” They’re the kind pictured above. He usually gets them in the nearby mountains. The grandfather who built the mas made his fortune in hazelnuts. This nut is much prized here, and Catalans believe the locally grown ones are the world’s best. I haven’t tasted all the world’s hazelnuts, but I’m happy to concede the point on faith.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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Airport

Posted on November 25, 2018 by JMN

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Trying to figure markers out

Posted on November 25, 2018 by JMN

When you try to add color, they insist on making a line. Is that how they get their name?! This project is definitely up hill. Maybe just try black and white for a while. Can do virtually no image editing on the iPad, not even rotate.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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Helena Draws Me

Posted on November 25, 2018 by JMN

The “mas,” Reus.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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Saturday at Salou

Posted on November 24, 2018 by JMN

A delightful outing today to the seaside. My son-in-law is an excellent driver. His get-on-down-the-road style of motoring keeps getting my attention. For example, a complex stretch of street, a twisty interchange involving circles, invites attack rather than sedate traversal — a kind of throw-down that challenges the sacred bond between tire tread and asphalt. An experience to be had. We did a bit of trolling for fish so I could see his technique, but the season is over except for squid, he said. He uses artificial lures. There was a brisk southerly breeze and a light chop under a dazzling blue Mediterranean sky. A break from days of storm and rain.

(c) 2018 JMN.

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The Mas: Homework

Posted on November 21, 2018 by JMN

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