Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Over the rooftops

 

Our microwave caught fire three days ago. 

Scary!!


I had just heated something up and taken it out of the microwave and closed the door. There were a few seconds left of heating time so it continued switched on while the timer ticked away. 

 

I returned to the living room to start our lunch when I heard a sizzling and spitting and then a loud bang. I instantly smelt smoke as I came into the kitchen and cautiously opened the door to the microwave and I saw the side panel alight and a flame shot up along the panel.

 

Does not look like much now but when it was in flames it did!!

  I quickly closed the door and called Sr P but by then the microwave had switched it self off.

I was quite surprised it did not trip the lights and cut the power  but it didn't! We do have a safety switch which turns off the lights if it detects overheating or a fuse blows but it didn't go off!   Sr P is going to get the electrician in to check it out to be on the safe side and at the same time disconnect the mircowave and help him dismantle it from the wall fixture .It was 9 years old so I don't think it will be worth the bother to get it repaired.

Buying a new microwave is presenting a few difficulties because it has to be exactly the same size as the old one to slot into the wall fixture and I also need it to match my oven and fridge which is stainless steel. 


Sunday whereabouts 

Beware eye candy overload!!

The Covid restricts have been prolonged to the 1st March so we still cannot leave the city! 

We thought this Sunday we'd go to the top of the top and look down over the rooftops of Alicante. It wasn't the prettiest of day as it was overcast ,chilly and quite hazy; right... so it can't be blue skies every day.

The top is the castle but we decided we would rather go for a walk up to the Hermitage of the Santa Cruz an area which is at the top of the old town situated on the castle slopes.

We  used the new pathway up to the Hermitage and the Santa Cruz area of the old town (still called new even though it is about 4 years old), it is a good place to be able to look down over all the city centre new and old. 



The Hermitage was our first stop. It is closed of course due to Covid but the view from there is fabulous. It is a bit of a climb but here in the Santa Cruz area of the old town everything is a climb wherever you go.



La Hermita de la Santa Cruz


This hermitage is where they house the Santa Cruz (The Holy Cross float) which only comes out at Easter and the Santa Cruz brotherhood carries it and parades it along these narrow narrow streets and the procession takes the cross down to the cathedral to be blessed.  It takes  ten men to carry the Crucifixion float (the Santa Cruz) down all those streets and then take it back up again... no mean feat!

We went up a little further to a small mirador(viewpoint); part of the castle wall .


 

 

At the top of the Old Town

Looking down...


 



We then took another route down through the labyrinth of streets to get back to the car. These streets do seem confusing and you can easily loose your sense of direction but as Sr P told me years back you just have to remember to keep going downwards towards the sea. 




 



 Definitely no cars up here! 

I often wonder about the elderly people who live in this neighbourhood. They must be tremendously fit with all the steps they have to climb!


Some of the old houses have been restored and are used as summer accommodation.

 

My legs ached lots after all those steps but it is worth it as I always feel better for it. 




RAOCKS

Latest large RAOCK 6 inch flower to be dropped off very soon with a few others from my stash.

 


 No pattern all free-form. Made with bits of leftover yarn,hook 3,5 and a yellow marble in the  middle. 


🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

 

Welcome to my new follower! 💐

 
I haven't been able to find out exactly who you are on my followers connect list.  However when you have the time please pop in to say hello so I can go over and see your blog too and also add you to my blog list here.

 

Have a great day!

 

Keep well

 

Amanda :-) 





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32 comments:

  1. Ellie Foster24 February 2021 at 16:10

    Sorry to hear about the microwave, but it was good that it wasn't worse and that no-one was hurt. You live in a very picturesque place - I love the views across the Old Town.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 09:38

      Thanks for dropping by Ellie :-) Just a big scare I never even imagined it could do that! A x

      Delete
  2. Betsy24 February 2021 at 18:55

    Good Morning Amanda! What absolutely gorgeous photos you've shared with us today. If we can't travel right now, your pictures are the next best thing. You live in a beautiful place. I honestly can't imagine living somewhere that you can see the sea. Dennis and I both love the ocean and that's one thing we'll miss living in the center of the country. Not many opportunities to get to the coast which we love to visit. Especially the Oregon coast.
    I'm so sorry about your microwave. I'll bet that was really scary for you. It would be for me as I don't know what I would do. Water would be wrong on an electrical fire! :-)
    Your RAOCK is so, so pretty. You make up the most beautiful items. I may stare at it long enough that I MIGHT be able to duplicate it.
    Take care my dear friend and stay safe. We're still waiting to be able to get Dennis an appointment for the vaccine but I'm still not eligible. I guess patience is required.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 09:43

      Hi Betsy, Thanks! By all means duplicate the flower. If I get to write up the pattern some day I'll send it to you. Absolutely essential that we live by the sea. Sr P and I are both coastal people and have lived all our lives by the sea. When I lived in London I felt boxed in! Hope you get your vaccines soon! A x

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  3. linda24 February 2021 at 19:01

    Oh wow what beautiful photos Amanda, so interesting it looks like a lovely place to visit, hopefully I will one day. What a good thing that the microwave didn't start a fire, I bet you got an awful shock. I've had mine for years too but it seems to be working ok although it is a bit noisy. I hope you find a replacement. Lovely RAOCK you are so clever to make them freeform without a pattern. Have a lovely week. Xx

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    1. Crafty in the Med3 March 2021 at 16:31

      Hi Linda I hope you will visit too and we can finally meet up A x

      Delete
  4. crafty cat corner24 February 2021 at 19:55

    Love all those little houses and the colours. What a scare with the micro wave, could have been worse I guess. I wouldn't be without mine, so useful. the 'daff' is beautiful, well, it looks like a daff to me, lol
    Briony
    x

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    1. Crafty in the Med2 March 2021 at 15:15

      Thanks for stopping by Briony :-) I am missing my microwave already! As it is such a fuss to get the right sized microwave so it fits in the wall fixture we have decided to see if it is possible to get this one repaired. The flower can be whichever type you like as it is the product of my imagination. I could very well have been thinking daffodils when I made it. A x

      Delete
  5. kjsutcliffe24 February 2021 at 22:02

    Our neighbour (rather elderly lady) rang us one afternoon and said ... my microwave is on fire ... what do I do?' As a family we galloped around to her house and unplugged and threw the offensive microwave out the kitchen door as soon as we could! The smell was awful!
    It is lovely seeing your photos - it is armchair travelling - perfect for things as they are now :)

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    1. Crafty in the Med3 March 2021 at 16:30

      Thanks for stopping by. It was a bit of a fright! That lady is lucky she has such good neighbours :-) A x

      Delete
  6. Chris24 February 2021 at 23:42

    Wonderful views of your town - definitely on my list once we are able to travel again! Sorry about the microwave - I had one do something similar but it was easy to replace. Good luck in your search for a replacement.

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    1. Crafty in the Med1 March 2021 at 13:05

      Thanks for calling in Chris :-) Alicante is well worth visiting...lots to see and beautiful beaches too. A x

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  7. Salty Pumpkin Studio25 February 2021 at 00:33

    I am glad nobody was hurt. I didn't know microwaves can go off like that.
    Your flower is pretty. What a view! Scenery like that is worth the climb.

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 09:37

      Thanks :-) It was well worth the climb even if it was a muggy day. We got to blow the cobwebs away LOL! A x

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  8. kathyinozarks25 February 2021 at 05:19

    wow how scary-I had never heard of a microwave catching fire-good that it went out easily Hope you are able to find one that will work in your space. I enjoyed the walking tour-allot of buildings in a small area-I seeing the different architectures. pretty flower to share.

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    1. Crafty in the Med28 February 2021 at 20:05

      Thanks Kathy :-) We are going to see if it is possible to repair first and if not then we will go for a new one if we can find one to fit in the wall fixture. What a bother...still it could have been worse! A x

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  9. Julie25 February 2021 at 07:18

    Hi Amanda - our microwave caught fire like that once & the Electrician was just able to replace that side bit .... its called a wave-guide I think. I hope you can get yours sorted out. Your photos are just lovely.

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    1. Crafty in the Med25 February 2021 at 11:15

      Thanks for this very handy information Julie. I am going to contact the tech service and see what they can do. A x

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  10. happy hooker25 February 2021 at 09:17

    I hope you're able to find a replacement microwave, and glad it was just the oven that was damaged! Your town looks so interesting, but all that climbing. You certainly have to be fit! xx

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    1. Crafty in the Med25 February 2021 at 18:24

      All good exercise HH. I really don't want to have bad knees for lack of exercise so I use the steps as much as possible. My sister had to have a new knee a few years back I hope I will avoid this if I keep using the steps :-) A x

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  11. joy25 February 2021 at 09:45

    Thank you for showing all the lovely houses.GM and I are in our early 70s and have just moved into our forever home, a 3 storey house, purchased specifically to keep us fit climbing up and down the stairs frequently. Joy x x

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    1. Crafty in the Med25 February 2021 at 18:21

      Hi Joy thanks for popping by:-) That I would say is positive thinking! The fact is steps do give you loads of exercise both up and downstairs. I try to use steps all the time and never use the lift if I can help it. Hope the move went well. A x

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  12. mamasmercantile25 February 2021 at 10:43

    Sorry to read about the microwave, scary times. You took us on an amazing tour, it was a delight to see the houses and views from the top of the town. So many steps, it certainly keeps you fit. Love the ROACK, hopefully it will bring so much pleasure.

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    1. Crafty in the Med25 February 2021 at 18:16

      Thanks for stopping by :-) Lots and lots of steps indeed which is really good exercise as you mention. Trouble is we don't go that often. Even Sr P gets out of breath by the time we get to the top and he is pretty fit. Our next visit will probably be over Easter to watch the processions that is if they are allowed. A x

      Delete
  13. hobbyloes25 February 2021 at 22:43

    Oops, I had that once, heating something up and there was still a piece of aluminum foil on it. I heard loud bangs and was too late to turn off the unit was completely broken so had to buy a new one.
    What a beautiful old city, it is enjoyable there!
    Beautiful crocheted flower !!!!

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 21:46

      Thanks Loes :-) It was a bit scary but at least it was just the microwave and nothing else caught fire. I think I will have to buy a new one too. A x

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  14. kathy b26 February 2021 at 01:09

    what a fantastic flower ....and free form? I love the town tour. Thanks. We hope to visit Zach in Mexico as soon as we are vaccinated. We are now eligible! But finding a dose is very stressful and we have not succeeded yet, but we will

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    1. Crafty in the Med28 February 2021 at 17:28

      Thanks Kathy :-) I am sure you will have a lovely time in Mexico especially as you have someone there who knows his way around. A x

      Delete
  15. Teresa Kasner26 February 2021 at 03:05

    What a strenuous hike you two went on.. but wow.. you saw a lot! Thanks for taking us along, I will never get to see your beautiful city in person so I really appreciate it. Wouldn't it be fun to know who takes your beautiful flower and what they do with it? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 19:35

      Hi Teresa. I shall be putting my flower out next Monday. The last two RAOCKs disappeared within an hour. I would like to know who takes them but as I prefer to be anonymous I don't think there is a chance of that. I just hope they like it. A x

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  16. Meredith26 February 2021 at 18:46

    SO glad the fire was just in the microwave and not out of it and into your kitchen. Your walk looks wonderful. Stay safe.

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    1. Crafty in the Med26 February 2021 at 21:44

      Hi Mere, Yes it was just in the microwave so we were lucky :-) There are loads of good walks here and after 40 years I still find new corners I haven't seen before. A x

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)

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