Are you smiling? I'm not!
Why would a photographer ask us to say 'cheese' to make us smile? I have tried this several times and on several occasions but when I say 'cheese' my mouth puckers up and my lips move forward to say the 'ch' sound. Only afterwards do my lips widen a little to say the 'ee' part - and into nothing remotely like a smile. Unless of course, there is a camera pointing at me - and then, the instruction is enough for me to smile automatically. In Spain, apparently, the photographer will ask people to 'mirad la pajarita' (look at the birdie) or to say 'patata' (potato) and that seems to work.
None of this has much to do with this post, other than FR and I went on Saturday into the town centre to sample the wares at the Cheese Festival.
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| Set in the square of the ayuntamiento (town hall) |
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| Prize-winning cheeses were laid out |
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| with plenty of samples to try |
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| The town hall - home to a team of dedicated, professional rubber-stampers |
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As well as cheese, there was alcohol on offer -
obviously not the youth of Alcala la Real who were tempted.
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| A goodly crowd on a hot day, we really enjoyed our samples and made a couple of goaty cheese purchases |
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I said 'Cheese' - say Cheese!
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Actually, FR and I rarely venture out on our own and so, feeling rather daring and liberated, we drank some beer, which, together with the aperitif we had before we left home, and the little samples of fizz, made us rather light-headed and giddy. We were asking these two in the photo above about buying a box of wine which I wanted to give to my sister if we see her in the summer and as we left, I winked at one of them. I don't know why - it just happened and I was mortified and amused at the same time. Goodness knows what he must have thought! I am not to be trusted with a single drop of alcohol, obviously.
We then spent another hour wandering around the streets looking for houses for sale that we hadn't already seen and taking the phone numbers. We're going to see one of them this afternoon. And one day, we'll find one!
Now...lunch today - some toasted goats cheese with my salad, I think!
In the Brotherhood family the word is 'sausages'...
ReplyDeleteNot much use at a cheese festival though!
ReplyDeleteMade me smile! Axxx
DeleteWhich one did you wink at... I prefer the one on the left.
ReplyDeleteThe cheese looks wonderful, and eldest son Matt, says that "seaweed" works for photos....not sure how many people he catches saying "w"
I hope you and FR get more alone time together...it sounds like you have fun. J.xxx
I think it was the one on the right, Janice, and I suspect it was more of a language thing than anything subconscious - I am still not quite sure how to politely take my leave here...but I must make sure I don't resort to winking at people.
DeleteThe cheese was delicious and we tried most of them and bought a very mature goats cheese from Huelva and a fresh goats cheese from a local village. We discovered that neither FR nor I have bought goats cheese in the past 15 years or so cos we both thought the other didn't like it. I think we should spend more time together!!
Axxx
Delighted to see that the square was not a morass of melted cheese....and the cheeses you mention made me think longingly of the delights and variety of European cheese.
ReplyDeleteAs to photographs, all I can remember is 'watch the birdy'.
Yes, Fly - the weather cooled a good 7 or 8 degrees between Friday and Saturday and I can vouch for the effectiveness of the canopies - it was very comfortable. My very favourite was melted - a grilled goats cheese - delicious but it was just a tad too expensive to buy after we'd already bought two other types. I may get some from the supermarket next time though..
ReplyDeleteI could smile if someone said 'goats cheese' now. :-)
Axxx
Fun post. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carole - it's starting very nicely! Have a good one yourself. Axx
DeleteAs I was reading this, I realized that I have never seen cheese from Spain in our shops: cured ham and sausages, wine, fruits and vegetables - yes - but never cheese. I wonder why.
ReplyDeleteAnna
Hi Anna, I think there are several reasons and not necessarily in this order. Until very recently and still to a large extent, the Spanish prefer to eat their own food - it's difficult to get foreign food in some areas although the bigger supermarkets do now stock, for example, Cheddar (at least in this area, where there are lots of Brits!) and also Camembert, Roquefort and Feta. In general, though, the Spanish eat local. I think as well that as a nation, they are not the best at marketing - there is so much that could be shared but there is little evidence of effort being made to do so - other than Barcelona! I think as well that in the minds of much of the other European countries, Spain is not the country of cheese - it doesn't have the wide range of other countries, but it certainly has a passion for it! Manchego is the most famous; strong, mature and full of flavour eaten traditionally with a wedge of membrillo - the quince jam. Perhaps I could go into marketing - heavens, the country needs all the help it can get! We do excellent olive oil and wine too...and don't forget chorizo! Axxx :-)
DeleteLike Anna at the Doll House I don't think I've ever encountered Spanish cheese, but it will be fun to try to find some. I LOVE cheese - it definitely makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteI do confess to preferring French cheese, Nilly...and the French language and French houses...but I fell in love with a Spaniard! Do let me know if you find some Spanish cheese - it's not easy! Sainsburys did start selling Manchego just before we left and it travelled very well - and was cheaper than here. Strange world! Axxx
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a most enjoyable event, Annie, and how nice for your and FR to be able to go on your own for once - such a treat when you have children. I agree that the word cheese doesn't seem best suited to eliciting the proper kind of smile - perhaps 'seed' would work better? As for the wink, he was probably flattered. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe did enjoy it, Perpetua, and it was nice to enjoy the town together too. I prefer to hope he was flattered, rather than horrified that it was a come-on from an inebriated married woman...:-)
DeleteAxxx
Oooo..a cheese festival! My mouth is watering, and my eyes are delighted by your photos! PS Manchego is my favorite! Now I have to get some quince jam.
ReplyDelete:)
You've hit it, Elizabeth. I think of all things, cheese is one of the most mouth-watering. A very descriptive couple of words that so accurately describe what happens when you see or eat a really good thing. Manchego is delicious - but right now, I'm totally smitten with the goats cheese. The quince jam, or membrillo, is not my thing. I much prefer my cheese with my own homemade fig, walnut and orange jam....can't wait for the figs to ripen a bit and then I can make some more! Axxx
DeleteAs a lover of chees; wine and the ocassional beer I loved this post. Now heading out for food shopping.
ReplyDeleteCelia x
I have a feeling you would have really enjoyed this in real life, not just the post. The cheese was gooooood! Axxx
DeleteI was salivating at the photos of this lovely festival and then I read your comment re your fig, walnut and orange jam........... oh my.... it sounds like THE most wonderful combination of flavours.
ReplyDeleteHi MPM, yes, the fig and orange jam is delicious. I did a post on it a couple of years ago and am just watching the figs ripen now...soon for some more jam. Will post the recipe again when I make some - it's very easy and absolutely delicious. And here, all our figs are free!!
DeleteAxx