Crunch!

Like everybody else, we haven't been able to avoid the effects of Le Crunch! But we are now conditioned against delays, frustrations and disappointments.

We simply keep bouncing back!

The plans continue in the background. The two extra specialist reports are almost complete. When they are, and when they've been paid for, we can peddle our complete begging bowl to the various lending organisations to see who is in a position to cough up. We are actually quite optimistic about the situation. We already own the property, so the collateral is secure. We aren't asking the lenders to give us the money to buy the property from scratch, we are asking them to fund the building project. If they are prepared to take the risk that they could be stuck with another property if things go TU, then we should be home and dry (pun intended)!

I should be able to post more on the progress in the next few weeks. Joana, our arquitecta, is excitedly impatient (or is that the other way around?), and is pushing this project as if it was her own house that she is building. She talks in positive terms like, "When you're living here, we can ..." Nice to be able to actually appreciate a professional that you've tasked with something you need done.

Until then, you will be served with a few more tales of past memories and some other bits about the pets.

But we'll try to make them as interesting a read as we can manage ...

This is the 'world-famous' Fletch recipe for Sangria. Even the Portuguese and Spanish are envious of it. People from many countries in Europe, and even as far away as Australia, have called around to sample the brew.

I am soooooooo consumed with pride!

The ingredients. 500ml cheap red wine 1 med orange 1 med lemon 3 x 33ml cheap gin (shot glass) 2 x 33ml cheap vodka 1 x 33ml cheap brandy 3 heaped serving spoons sugar
Add 3 heaped serving spoons of sugar to the 500ml of wine. Mix well.
Quarter the fruit and then slice each quarter into 3 segments. Trim the pith and de-seed the fruit. The pith and seeds tend to leave a bitter taste, not to mention unseating your drunken guests dentures! This is you being a good host!
3 x 33ml of cheap gin ...
... 2 of really cheap vodka ...
... and 1 of really, really cheap brandy!
Add lots of ice and top up with sparkling lemonaide which gives it a fizz. You could substitute a really awful 'sparkling wine' and call it a 'Champagne Sangria'! Your choice.
Preparations complete. Give it a good final stir. It is now ready to be served.
I would strongly recommend that you use smaller glasses, especially if there are many guests, or you'll be running in and out of the kitchen to make more, and MORE Sangria!

Endnotes:

• A normal Sangria Jug will serve 6 people if the glasses are half the size of the ones shown in the picture.
• If you decide to make a batch that will serve more, say 12, double the ingredients, but DON'T double the quantity of spirits. It will knock your guests for a six!
• You might want to experiment by adding small quantities of apple or peach to the fruit. More than half a peach will make the drink taste 'sickly'.
• If you think there isn't enough orange flavour, add about 50ml of concentrated orange juice to the mix.

Enjoy ...