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The Canabal Chronicle - Issue 3

26/7/2017

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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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Watch out, there’s a thief about. Authorities have warned local residents to be on the lookout for an opportunist thief preying on unprotected properties. Earlier in the week, a local bird by the name of Jay was questioned about the crimes but later released without charge. The night-time stalker seems particularly partial to ripening tomatoes. One local resident commented “mira, mira!” (look, look!).
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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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Authorities were quick to issue a statement telling villagers “Don’t have nightmares. Do sleep well.”
 
A New Arrival. In happier news, earlier in the week local residents Craig and Melanie Briggs became proud parents thanks to the generosity of their neighbour Pepe. The new delivery weighed 13lbs 5oz on arrival and was christened Calabacin by the lucky couple.
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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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Pepe was surprised and delighted to receive his gifts.
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Later that day, Craig put his culinary skills to the test, bringing a whole new meaning to the “Happy Meal”.
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Terry Touts for Tenner’s. As well as becoming a night-watchman and big game hunter, Terry has been out and about in Santiago de Compostela, Spain’s second most visited tourist sight.
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People were delighted to see him at this historic venue and huge crowds quickly gathered.
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Given his Yorkshire heritage, Terry made full use of his opportunity charging adoring fans a tenner for autographs. It wasn’t long before a snaking queue formed eager to take advantage of Terry’s generosity.
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Doorstep Delivery. Local dairy farm Casa da Fonte goes from strength to strength. Owner Xosé (José) has recently invested in a mobile milking parlour to keep the business moving forward.
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Not only do local residents get a doorstep delivery but so too his herd of cows. In the middle of summer when good pasture is at a premium, the mobile parlour allows him to graze the herd in fields that would otherwise be impractical due to their distance from the farm. Keep up the good work Xosé.
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​This issue of the Canabal Chronicle was brought to you by Craig Briggs, author of The Journey series of books.
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​Amazon links
Journey To A Dream
US -
http://amzn.com/B00D08OJTM
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D08OJTM
REST OF THE WORLD - http://smarturl.it/ayxkc8
 
Beyond Imagination
US -
http://amzn.com/ B010MFS1X0
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B010MFS1X0
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/qh7qj3 ​
​Endless Possibilities
US -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLXZTEG
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LLXZTEG
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/3y9fen
 
Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/craigbriggs.spain 
Website link
https://www.journeytoadream.co.uk
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The Some-day Supplement - issue 2

20/7/2017

4 Comments

 
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Note from the editor - Welcome back to issue 2 of The Some-day Supplement. In today's issue we mix food with love and discover that pies in paradise doesn't always end in love. 
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Canabal Cuisine - Lemon Curd

​Ingredients

 
The juice and grated rind of a lemon
75gms sugar
50gms unsalted butter
2 large eggs
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​Method
 
Place the lemon rind and sugar in a bowl.
In another bowl whisk the eggs and lemon juice then pour the liquid over the sugar.
Cut the butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl.
Place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water.
Stir continuously until the mixture becomes thick. This can take about 20 minutes. If you try to rush the egg whites cook and you get white lumps in your lemon curd.
Once the lemon curd is cool put it in a jar.
It’s best eaten within a week – it never lasts so long in our house.
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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.
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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.

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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.

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Amazon links

Journey To A Dream
US - http://amzn.com/B00D08OJTM
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D08OJTM
REST OF THE WORLD - http://smarturl.it/ayxkc8
 
Beyond Imagination
US - http://amzn.com/ B010MFS1X0
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B010MFS1X0
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/qh7qj3
​
Endless Possibilities
US -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLXZTEG
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LLXZTEG
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/3y9fen
 
Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/craigbriggs.spain 
Website link
https://www.journeytoadream.co.uk
4 Comments

Canabal Chronicle - issue 2

11/7/2017

0 Comments

 
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Note from the editor: due to the unprecedented success of issue one, I’m delighted to bring you the second issue. Some said this project was doomed to failure. One anonymous source was quoted as saying “People aren’t interested in happy news”. Here at the Chronicle we disagree and after just one issue our headline story proves that where the Chronicle leads, others follow.
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BBC Jumps on the Bandwagon Earlier in the week, unconfirmed rumours began circulating that top brass from the BBC had been seen skulking around the offices of the Canabal Chronicle searching for their next big scoop. The story gathered pace after BBC Points West ran an article featuring a Terry the Terrier lookalike. It seems that Terry, in association with the Chronicle, has started a social media trend that looks set to go viral.
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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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Fit to Drop The Sober Keep Fit Society, including the Canabal chapter, celebrated their annual end of course dinner at the restaurant O Regata here in the village. Over seventy residents attended, most of which were over seventy.

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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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No Hard Feelings And finally, to show executives from the BBC that the Canabal Chronicle is not one to hold a grudge. We’d like to share another global first – a grapevine called Jeremy. Earlier in the growing season a thick frost devastated local vineyards. At the time, it was touch and go if Jeremy vine would survive. Thanks to well-wishers from all over the world, Jeremy vine has made a full recovery. Such was the sentiment felt by the general public that people from as far away as California, Nottingham, Chelmsford and Wolverhampton have visited during his convalescence. Thank you, one and all.
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This issue of the Canabal Chronicle was brought to you by Craig Briggs, author of The Journey series of books.

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​Amazon links
​Journey To A Dream
US - http://amzn.com/B00D08OJTM
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D08OJTM
REST OF THE WORLD - http://smarturl.it/ayxkc8

Endless Possibilities
US -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLXZTEG
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LLXZTEG
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/3y9fen
Beyond Imagination
US -
http://amzn.com/ B010MFS1X0
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B010MFS1X0
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/qh7qj3

​Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/craigbriggs.spain
Website link
https://www.journeytoadream.co.uk
0 Comments

July 05th, 2017

5/7/2017

2 Comments

 
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Note from the editor: Welcome to the first issue of our Some-day supplement, a sister publication to the critically acclaimed (more critical than acclaimed) Canabal Chronicle – The home of happy news.
In this issue you’ll find, what we hope will become, three regular features; Canabal Cuisine - a mouth-watering international recipe, Travel – tips and ideas on Spanish getaways, and #normalwisdom – a thought provoking quotation from the editor (that’s me).
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Canabal Cuisine - Tuna Empanada
Ingredients
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For the pastry
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​1 cube fresh yeast (25gms)

2.5 tablespoons tepid water
1 teaspoon sugar
250gms plain flour
125mls warm milk
1 egg yolk
Pinch salt
​For the filling
 
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (frito or similar)
125gms tinned roast pepper (chopped)
190gm tin tuna fish
Saffron
1 beaten egg
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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.
Picture
 Amazon links
 
Journey To A Dream
US - http://amzn.com/B00D08OJTM
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D08OJTM
REST OF THE WORLD - http://smarturl.it/ayxkc8

Endless Possibilities
US -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLXZTEG
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LLXZTEG
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/3y9fen
 
 
Beyond Imagination
US - http://amzn.com/ B010MFS1X0
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B010MFS1X0
REST OF THE WORLD – http://smarturl.it/qh7qj3
  
Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/craigbriggs.spain
Website link
https://www.journeytoadream.co.uk
 
2 Comments
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