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 10 March 2021

Looking from the other side

 


Finally! Some restrictions have been lifted and we can leave the city and go out to the beaches or up into the mountains as long as we remain within the Valencian region.   

Nevertheless the weather wasn't in harmony with our thoughts Sunday morning as it had been raining since early that morning.  All the same we did go to the Arenales beach for awhile just to get some well received blustery fresh air and a good walk along the sea front.  I always feel better when I go for a walk by the sea even if this time it was an angry sea.  The sea air always improves my breathing even if they do say that the sea air is thicker it does also clear my throat . I  feel so much more energetic after a walk by the sea.     

As the wind started to pick up again we decided to go back into the city and this time we went up to the St Fernando Castle which overlooks the city and faces Santa Barbara castle.

 

Taken from the walls of San Fernando castle facing Santa Barbara Castle

 


 This castle , called a castle but really a fort, was built to guard the Western entrance to the city during the time of the French invasion in the early 19th century.


It was also used during the Spanish Civil war as a military prison.  In actual fact my father-in-law was imprisoned there by General Franco's troops. My father in law would not talk about his time in the Republican Army at all but there was just that once.  

We used to take my in laws for Sunday morning outings and there was that one a morning we went for a walk in the Castle grounds and we had gone over the bridge crossing the moat and as we were walking into the old court yard Papa just turned to me and said "those were the old barracks and that is where we were imprisoned ! " and that was all. He just moved away after that and as much as I would have liked to ask him more I just felt his moving away meant he didn't want to say any more about it.   

I couldn't take a photograph of this area of the castle because the bridge to get there is cordoned off as they are restoring the old wall.

 On a more pleasant note the castle and castle slopes are now a massive park area. It is a very large recreational space, home to monuments and statues, forest picnic areas, gardens, a music conservatory and two sports fields,with the option of playing mini-golf, skating or rock climbing, among many other activities and even life sized chess. I do remember roller skating with a friend there for a couple of hours a week a few years back. 

Google image                       


 I really loved my skates then they were the best (so I thought!). They were similar to these but in bright orange and yellow. I wanted to make sure the people could see me coming 😁 !!

 

 

RAOCKs

Crocheted Easter egg. 

Now I have never made one of these before and I doubt very much I shall again. I filled the egg with fiberfill until it was really tightly packed but even so it loses its shape very quickly when touched which annoys me. I keep having to poke it back into shape. No I don't think I'll be making another.   

I hope to drop this off when I am out walking next week.


Front


 

Back


Food

As it was a chilly day I thought a nice veg main course soup would be ideal. I really can't remember where I got this recipe from as it was quite some time ago.  It is a favourite with all the family as it contains loads of different vegetables,pasta and a few frankfurt sausage slices.






Keep well


Amanda :-)

 




28 comments:

  1. I bet you felt so much better after that beach walk Amanda, I feel the same when I walk along the beach it invigorates me and lightens my mood. What gorgeous scenery of the city and castle and how fascinating to hear that your father-in Law was imprisoned there. It's a pity he didn't elaborate but obviously it holds painful memories that he just didn't want to revisit. I remember my Dad never spoke about his time during the war my mother hinted that he'd been through hell and just not to go there. The Easter egg RAOCK is lovely I bet someone will be very excited when they find it but I can understand your reluctance to make another. Take Care and have a lovely week. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I certainly did Linda...it is the best thing if I am feeling down :-) My FIL was very much a closed book and quiet type,although when he spoke everyone else shut up. I greatly respected him and not just because he was my FIL but because he was a good hard-working family man. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone needy. I miss him! A x

      Delete
  2. Loving your RAOCKs.
    My grandad was in the trenches in WW1 and he never, ever spoke of his experiences afterwards. Not onbe word to any of his family, ever.

    How lovely to be able to get out and about a bit, just as the weather is picking up a little bit. OK, windy and blustery but I find that invigorating.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. War is horrific we just don't understand what they went through! Just a simple walk along the beach works marvels. A x

      Delete
  3. Being by the sea always seems to blow those cobwebs away, doesn't it? You have some great views across the city.
    I am sure someone will love to look after that Easter egg!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ellie, It was a blustery day and chilly up on the castle walls but the view was very good. I don't usually take photos from that perspective they are usually of the big castle. A x

      Delete
  4. The Easter egg is gorgeous and thank you for sharing those photos of your walk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rachel thanks for popping in :-) I'd prefer a nice bid choccy Easter egg instead of a crochet one but not allowed...sigh! A x

      Delete
  5. Yummy soup and wonderful views. I really enjoyed your tour of the city and surrounds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chris,thanks for calling in :-) It was a lovely hot soup just right for that sort of day. A x

      Delete
  6. There must be some memories that just do not want to surface - just too painful. I have crocheted toys in the past and even with stuffing so tight it is fit to burst, they do not keep their shape - quite annoying!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank for dropping by :-) Things that hurt we push to one-side! My Dad used to do that too when there were comments about WWII he always avoided the subject. A x

      Delete
  7. Someone is going to be VERY happy to find your Easter Egg! I think it turned out wonderful! I have made a basketful of them for my table at Easter time and I can't wait to bring it out, but have to wait a week as I still have my St. Patrick's Day decor out. LOL! Thanks for showing the fort, what sad memories for your FIL. Take care and enjoy your wonderful home area. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Teresa. Thank you. I do hope that the crochet egg makes someone happy. I look forward to seeing your Easter decorations this year. A x

      Delete
  8. I am so pleased to read the restrictions are starting to ease for you Amanda - its such a stunning place where you live. I really love that latest RAOCK you have made - just gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Julie. Thanks :-) It is indeed nicer now not having restrictions and being able to get out further than just the city perimeter. A x

      Delete
  9. Beautiful pictures, your walk sounds energizing. Sea air has a refreshing aspect, it is good for the soul.
    Sad for your father in law. Yet, a treasure memory to be there when he spoke those few words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sea air is the best and yes definitely good for the soul A x

      Delete
  10. Lovely to see the views of the city. We have never really explored the city, only tending to go to various appointments, or from afar on the AP7. The weather has not been very kind of late, but today was a great improvement. Love your Easter egg, nice to give something a go even if you have no wish to repeat it. How lovely for you to enjoy your walk along the beach, even if it was a bit moody. Nothing like a filling hearty meal, comfort food. xcx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chrissie,thanks for calling in here. The weather here is lovely now in the city, an early spring feeling to it. I hope you are getting the same up there on the mountain. A x

      Delete
  11. How sad he was imprisoned there, it is such a beautiful [place as much of history is in a beautiful place but sad things have happened there. Love your eggs, so wonderful! Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was very tough for my FIL Mere and that fort must have been an awful place to have been imprisoned. You wouldn't believe it could have been such a horrible place seeing it now converted into a park. A x

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Many thanks Kathy. I love your cashmere cowl :-) A x

      Delete
  13. Nice to take a walk on the beach, I walk along the sea almost every day, just see the water, then my day is good again.
    I think your father-in-law doesn't want to talk about his imprisonment because it hurts too much.
    Beautiful pictures of castle and fortress, so beautiful view.
    Nicely made Easter egg!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Loes, Thank you :-) I would like to walk along the beach every day too but we live in the higher part of the city. I do though sometimes walk down to the city beach. It has become popular to do daily keep fit exercises there now and anybody can join in. A x

      Delete
  14. Oh for a walk by the sea! That's the only thing I miss about California. How nice that things are opening up a bit there, and that you got to enjoy some ocean breezes.

    Those forts look fascinating, and how tantalizing of your father-in-law to say what he did! My dad used to be very reluctant to talk about his war experiences (WWII and Korea), but now if I ask him questions he'll tell me all kinds of stories. It's amazing how much he remembers.

    That soup looks delicious, and the crochet egg is very pretty. Someone will enjoy finding that. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue Thanks for calling in. Elderly people don't always want to talk about their past which is a shame because they have so much they could tell us. They have lived history...so fascinating. A x

      Delete

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