Note from the editor: Welcome to a new issue of the Canabal Chronicle, a light-hearted take on life in Canabal: a rural village in the province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain.
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Villagers reacted quickly, sending out search parties to find the culprit but efforts have so far proved fruitless.
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With the offender still at large, vigilantes are taking matters into their own hands. Terry the Terrier (a reference to his sporting elegancies to newly promoted Huddersfield Town FC) was one of the first to volunteer. As the sun sets over Canabal a chorus of “Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough” echoes over the surrounding countryside.
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Hopes were briefly raised when Terry apprehended a suspect. The accused is known locally as Harry the Hedgehog but immediately pleaded his innocence, “I don’t like tomatoes” he said. After a thorough investigation he was later released without charge. Apparently, hedgehogs don’t like tomatoes.
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​To thank Pepe for his generosity, Melanie set to work baking. She started with Pan de Calabacin (Zucchini bread) and finished off with courgette and carrot muffins.
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Travel
 
Salamanca – Spain’s seat of learning
 
The city of Salamanca in the region of Castile and León has gained the reputation as the one of the most romantic cities in Spain.

Formed in part by the street musicians who serenade young women in the Plaza Mayor. Known as La Tuna the groups of players are made up of university students. It’s a tradition that dates back to the thirteenth century when scholars from poorer backgrounds would sing outside bars in exchange for food. Today’s academics prefer to buy their own meals from the tips they receive.
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For lovers of history, art, and architecture, Salamanca is a dream. Not content with one cathedral, Salamanca has two. The first, was built in the twelfth century. The latest was completed in the eighteenth. To enter these monuments of Catholicism, visitors are asked to pay a fee which although small (€4.75 when we visited) seem a little mean spirited.
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The two cathedrals are linked by Patio Chico, one of the most eye-catching corners of the city.
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​One of the city’s more appealing attributes, especially to a Yorkshire pie eater like myself, is the Hornazo de Salamanca. Weighing in at over a kilo, this colossus of meat pies is packed with the finest iberico pork and hard-boiled eggs.

Salamanca is a bustling, lively city with visitors from all over the world. Students rush along narrow streets, no doubt late for lectures, and groups of foreign school children look vacant as their teacher guides them through the historic alleyways. On the day that we visited (May 18th) the weather was grey and overcast. Not ideal for photography but very comfortable for taking in the sights.
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People say that romance is dead; I disagree. Whether Salamanca is a shining example of it, I’m not too sure. I’ll let you decide. One thing is certain, for anyone planning a tour of Spain, Salamanca is a must-see city.
 
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​And Finally - #normalwisdom
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​This Canabal Chronicle Some-day supplement was brought to you by Craig Briggs (with a little help from wife Melanie) author of The Journey series of books.

​Terry was unavailable for comment. He was busy consoling his friend Gerry the Wolves who’d called round on the off-chance that some of Terry’s Premier League magic would rub off on him – no such luck Gerry.
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To ensure the continuing success of the society, instructor Dunia (centre and slim) chose the menu - churrasco Gallego (mixed grill) and chips. Copious amounts of red wine ensured that everyone went home with a smile on their face.
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Method
 
Dissolve the sugar in the tepid water and add the yeast.
Sift the flour and add the salt. Then add the egg yolk, warm milk and yeast mixture.
Make a dough.
Knead well and divide into two. Cover and leave to rise for about 30 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven 200°C
To make the filling.
Heat the oil and sauté the chopped onion.
Add the peppers, tomato sauce, tuna and saffron. Cook for a few minutes. Cool and add the beaten egg.
Roll out one piece of dough, into a circle.
Place on a greased baking sheet. For an evenly cooked empanada use a pizza sheet with holes in.
Put the filling on top.
Roll out the other piece of dough, damp the edges of the bottom piece and place the second piece on top.
Seal well and make a hole in the top. You can decorate with strips of rolled out dough, sticking them on with water.
Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

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Travel - Why put off today what you can do Zamora?
 
Rome wasn’t built in a day and ‘No se ganó Zamora en un hora’ (Zamora wasn’t won in an hour). A Spanish proverb that’s as true today as it was in the 15th century.
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The old town of Zamora occupies an elevated position on the banks of the river Douro in the province of Castile and León, 50km from the Portuguese border. The city has an abundance of architectural delights from the grand Romanesque cathedral with its intricately carved dome, to the medieval bridge that spans the slow-moving waters of the river Douro. One of my favourite buildings is the Ramos Carrión Theatre located on Calle Ramos Carrión in the heart of the old town. When the building fell into disrepair, the local council ran a competition to give this once grand theatre a new lease of life. The work was completed in 2011 and the new modernist design has created a unique and usable space while keeping the theatre’s original 1916 façade.
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If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, the boutique hotel Horus Zamora is comfortable and reasonably priced with an excellent evening menu at a low fixed price. It’s located in the Plaza Mercada and is within easy walking distance of the Plaza Mayor and all the main attractions. Directly opposite the hotel is the farmers market, Mercado de Abastos built in 1902, where locally produced products are sold daily.
 
Should you decide to visit this diamond on the Douro, why not let the train take the strain. Zamora railway station is part of Spain’s high-speed train network.

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​And finally - #normalwisdom
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This Canabal Chronicle Some-day supplement was brought to you by Craig Briggs (with a little help from wife Melanie) author of The Journey series of books.

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