Back in the sunshine of Vejer following 2 weeks of toast, butter, marmalade, cakes, chocolate biscuits, salt & vinegar crisps –I made my up mind that action had to be taken. Hello fruit, vegetables, chicken and less Sherry!
I opened the creaky door to a beautiful sunny day filled with crisp clear air – spring had definitely sprung. I could already feel the fat cells dissolving as I clip clopped along the cobbled streets.
However, turning the corner – shock horror - my fish shop was closed. Lovely, clean and empty. So chicken it would have to be. But on turning the corner, Paco Melero’s butcher shop was closed too……………………..my watch was still on UK time
However, behind his closed door, Paco and the boys were cleaning up. Tap, tap – ''can I have 6 eggs please?'' How could I ask them to start boning chicken thighs?? Lots of happy smiles and chats but then, a huge loaf of warm bread was thrust into my hands. It was pale golden with a charred and crispy crust. It smelt DIVINE!!! I was informed this was a special weekend bread, from a wood burning oven, on the road to Barbate. This was my welcome home gift from Paco. My face must have displayed disappointment and disapproval (I was thinking I can’t. I mustn’t!) because he very quickly followed with another gift, a tub of his exquisite Almuerzo Campero. Paco issued instructions in his friendly and joyful way of how I was to warm through the paprika infused pork chinks and then serve it on slices of the fabulous bread.
I was totally speechless. My resolve in tatters. Here I was in a wonderful Spanish pueblo blanco being given some wonderful locally made gourmet delights by an artisan butcher and on a beautifully sunny day too. It’s what dreams are made of!
Thank you Paco – they were fabulous, especially with my large glass of chilled Fino.
