My holidays have sadly come to an end. That's it. No more sangria, no more siesta, no more tapas... no more sun, even if the calendar still says it is August around here. It has been pouring non-stop since we came back. I have unpacked my 3 bikinis with tears in my eyes, with the uncertainty of when I will use them again.

So I've decided to write down a list of things you can do to come back from holidays without drowning in despair.

Monterias or Stuffed Mussels

This week we've been visiting my husband's family and friends. They live in Cazorla, one of the most amazing villages in Andalucia, Southern Spain. Boasting an abundance of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, crystal clear rivers & tranquil alpine meadows, Cazorla is a charming place.

Covering over 2,000 km2, it is the largest protected reserve in Spain and the second largest in Europe. It was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983.

Two of the Spain’s most important rivers, the Guadalquivir and the Segura, have their sources in Cazorla. Water is abundant in the park, with innumerable crystal clear, trout-filled rivers winding their way through some of the wildest scenery in Spain.

Courgette & Date Bread

We are on holidays!!! Yay!!! I'm sleeping so much that my muscles ache. I'm eating more than I should. I'm having fun. I'm not getting worried about anything. I'm visiting family and friends. I'm remembering how bloody hot Spain is.

Honestly, really hot. Almost unbearable.

Quite often my British friends ask me what took me to swap the sun for the rain. Well, if you were here with me at the mo, you wouldn't need me to answer that question.

Anchovies, Capers & Swiss Chard Tartlets

I love barbecues. The whole ritual around it, the great atmosphere of real charcoal, lighting the fire, a glass (or two) of pimms, the smell of grilled meat and vegetables, talking with friends around the ashes. 

But, sadly enough, I have never had one. Until last weekend.