BLOGG # 25 HOT CHOCOLATE

    Hot Chocolate                                                             Well, here I am dear readers in Barcelona Spain.  After a long silence your stay at home staid blogger has hoisted her skirts, fastened her boots, collected her traveling gear and left home to meet adventure in foreign parts. Barcelona was chosen as it has all the characteristics essential for adventures.  It is a port, it has a fascinating history, wonderful food, astonishing architecture

and great art ranging from Gaudy and Miro to contemporary.   The other important thing it is known for is high quality chocolate.  This then is the subject of my blogg- chocolate ,-rich dark chocolate- the pinnacle of  decadent swirling darkness-thick and aromatic that takes you back to the longings that encapsulates all the childish dreams of Christmas, Easter bunnies and chocolate sundaes rolled in one. That, dear readers, describes inadequately the level of delights of the Barcelona  chocolate. I happen to be on a restrictive diet and promised faithfully to all concerned that I would follow it and I did quite remarkably well considering the Spanish cuisine. However on Saturday last I met my “Waterloo”  As we wandered down the Rambla- a street that is dedicated to every sort of temptation, my friends who I am travelling with suggested we go to their favourite chocolate shop- a lovely historic place with stained glass and art deco furnishings.  I had already imbibed one glass of” tinto” wine [red] and eaten two tapas- one of prawns and one of mussels, so was floating down the street when this was suggested.  We entered the shop leaving my brain outside. Very easily ‘Hot chocolate” tripped off  my tongue when giving my order. The hot chocolate arrived.  This, dear readers, was not the murky beige lukewarm drink with a lone marshmallow floating on top as we are accustomed to.  No, this was of a dark brown steaming thickness, a liquid like molten brown gold, a cross between melted chocolate and the dreamiest pudding imaginable. I lifted the delicate china cup to my lips and was immediately transported to a blissful place.  This bliss lasted the half hour it took to drink this ambrosia.  We then –wisely as it turned out- decided to head home.  As soon as we arrived disaster struck!  My body, true to the predictions of my medical advisors, reacted predictably.  For two days I suffered for my indulgence.  I am now a saddened and wiser person who will definitely eschew chocolate—at least till the next time.  Do I regret my lapse in wisdom?   No dear readers, I do not!   And now your auntie blogger will give another wise piece of advice to remember.  “Always live your life with no regrets”   Adios  Laurie