Naked in Public
Writing a memoir and publishing it, exposing yourself and your innermost thoughts to the scrutiny of strangers is very hard. It’s like taking all your clothes off and walking around in public.
Old Fools Blog
Victoria Twead nagged her long-suffering partner, Joe, into moving from England to Spain in 2004. They settled into a tiny mountain village in Andalucía, became reluctant chicken farmers and ended up owning probably the most dangerous cockerel in Spain. Victoria’s hilarious record of their culture shock and life with the villagers is told in her book, ‘Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools’ and the sequels.
Old Fools’ home for sale
This is probably the hardest village update that I’ve ever had to write since I began in 2008, so forgive me if I keep everything brief.
A Sneak Preview of “One Young Fool in Dorset”
One Young Fool in Dorset is finished! My latest baby is in the hands of my trusted editors and advance readers, and Nick Saltmer has created a beautiful cover. It will be launched 12th June 2015, but is already available for pre-order on Amazon.
And yes, that is a rabbit on a leash on the cover…
Here’s a little excerpt:
The Lost Suitcase
So my Australian visit came to an end. After three wonderful months, I was looking forward to being back with Joe in our little Spanish mountain village. While I’d been enjoying an Australian summer, he’d been in chilly Britain getting various medical tests done.
The bad luck began in the plane at Sydney airport. As the hostesses checked seat belts and locked the doors, black clouds obscured the sky and the captain’s voice crackled into life.
Australian hazards
I’ve spent three wonderful, sun and laughter-filled months in Australia with my daughter, son-in-law and gorgeous granddaughter, two-year-old Indy. Poor old Joe missed out as he needed some medical stuff checked out in the UK. Meanwhile, I’ve enjoyed another summer.
How Victoria Twead turned her life into bestselling novels
Grateful thanks to the Harvard Square Edition and Mary Yuhas for this frank interview.
Chili Rubbed Steak
If you enjoy a ‘kick’ of chili, (or chilli) then this chili rubbed steak recipe is for you! It offers a great flavour and takes on hints of smoky paprika. This simple recipe for Spanish steak served with fresh salad and thick potato chips or wedges will never disappoint.
Two Old Fools and another Fiesta
When we moved to our Spanish mountain village ten years ago, we soon became familiar with the families who lived here. All of them were friendly and charming and we enjoyed watching the kids grow as the years passed. Little Paco next door had a friend, Miguel, who once tapped on our door, eager to show us his white rabbit. The rabbit hopped around our living room and was only evicted when it threatened to nibble through the TV cable.
Mushroom Tostada with Fino Sherry
Mushroom Tostada with Fino Sherry
60 – 70 minutes preparation and cooking
Tostadas are extremely popular in Spain and this dish is ideal served as a tapa or breakfast.
Behind the scenes with Victoria Twead
Does Joe really scratch that much? What do the villagers think about the Old Fools books? What do I miss from England? What do I regret about moving to Spain? Would we ever leave El Hoyo? This chat filled a whole day and more, so grab a coffee before you read on…
Two Old Fools and Wildlife Photography
After 10 years in our Spanish mountain village, we know what to expect in summer. The village fills up with people we haven’t seen for a year as families arrive to escape the heat of the cities. Children, a foot taller than last year, run wild in the streets and the jasmine-scented air is heavy with the sound of our neighbours’ guitar music.
Book Club Discussion Questions for Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools
I’m always being asked for discussion questions for book clubs, and I’ve finally put some together. Help yourself, I hope they are useful!
CHICKENS, MULES and TWO OLD FOOLS by Victoria Twead
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. How did you feel about the title, Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools? Was it apt? Did it make you smile?
Two Old Fools and Jellyfish
With all my thoughts and energies channelled into the launch of Two Old Fools in Spain Again, I haven’t taken much time off this summer. However the book is out now and, with the temperatures still soaring, Joe and I long for a swim.
Cat after cat after cat
Until the Spanish begin to neuter their cats, there will always be a huge feral population. When we moved to El Hoyo in 2004, we were surprised at how many cats roamed the village, but I guess we’re used to it now. Although not domesticated, they all seem healthy and manage to exist on a diet of lizards, birds and anything else they can catch or scrounge.
Old Fool’s Blog – My baby is born
I feel as though I’ve given birth to an elephant. I’m exhausted. In the very early hours of the morning of Friday, 25th of July, 2014, after a long painful labour, Two Old Fools in Spain Again was born, weighing just one pound. That’s the paperback, of course, the Kindle edition weighs nothing at all.
WLM Member Monday – Diane Eliot
Alan Parks: Good morning!
Todays Monday Member is a very special lady, Diane Eliott ExperienceOlvera is an English expat living in Spain as a goatherd! So for that reason I am sure she will be up early! Good morning Diane, and first things first, How and Why?
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00070]](https://www.victoriatwead.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Spain-Again-270x176-170x250.svg "Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00070]")
A sneaky preview of “Two Old Fools in Spain Again”
Fingers crossed, Two Old Fools in Spain Again should be published at the end of July 2014. It’s finished, but it’s being checked, double-checked and triple-checked at the moment.
But if you’d like a sneaky preview of Chapter 1, please read on…
Two Old Fools and Queueing
At loooong long, last – I have written the final words of the last chapter of Book #4, Two Old Fools in Spain Again. Now Joe is wielding his red pen, editing it before it flies off to the advance readers and proofreader.
Two Old Fools and Dogs
You’d think a tiny Spanish mountain village would be the perfect writers’ retreat. Hmm… Not so.
Two Old Fools and the Gas Scam
Spring has arrived here in Spain. The birds are frantically nest-building, bright green leaves are unfurling and the sky is clear and blue. Unfortunately, just one dark cloud hovered above us this month. I’ll tell the story here in the hopes that fellow expats avoid being caught in the same way. |
Two Old Fools and Expat TV
One could almost hear the howls of anguish from expats across Europe this month, and Joe’s was probably the loudest. We’d been warned, although I don’t think anybody really believed it was going to happen. But it did. One day all the BBC channels simply vanished from our screens.
Two Old Fools and a Delivery
It’s an uncomfortable feeling being without passports. We applied a month ago, and paid a hefty fee to have them delivered by courier. Had we filled out the forms correctly? Were our photographs acceptable? Had the passports got lost in the Christmas mail? Were they destroyed in the terrible floods that the UK suffered recently? Receiving mail has always been a bit of a problem in El Hoyo, as it often arrives on the fish van or needs collecting from the Repsol garage at the bottom of the mountain.
