When my daughters were in the grammar school I used to like reading their set books. This is how I came to enjoy Laurie Lee's 'Cider With Rosie', which I enjoyed so much thatI read 'A Rose for Winter' and 'As I walked out one Midsummer Morning'. In one of his books, Lee says the smell of a pepper tellshim he is in Spain.

This morning, the kitchen was warmed by the scent of the tomatoes I bought in Fishguard yesterday.

I've not been to Spain, but I've been to Pollensa, in Majorca, a few times. In the market there they sell huge brutes of tomatoes, wet garlic, (large bulbs), parsley and chorizo.

Many countries have alingua franca of cooking, basic dishes which, plus or minus some ingredients, have a lot in common. Chorizo stew could be another word forCawl.

When I came home, Imade a version of Spanishstew, using chorizo sausage from Ultra Comida in Narberth, a wonderful Spanish delicatessen. (Here you can taste olives, cheeses, membrillos, and almond cakes. One morning, my daughters and I had a coffee each,toasted ciabatta and honey, plus a cup of thick chocolate. We dipped some of the bread into the chocolate. Divine!)

To make the stew Iused chopped lamb, a chorizo sausage, white pepper, salt, four or five tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic, (fresh or dried, as you like), a tin of chick peas, a swirl of olive oil. All you do is put the ingredients in a large saucepan, cover with hot water (I put a stock cube in as well, flavour is all)and simmer slowly for a few hours.

In Spain, they mash stale bread into the soup to thicken it. I prefer a thick stew, but it depends how much water has evaporated as to whether it needs extra bulk. Accompany the stew with broad beans, not overcooked, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for flavour and sparkle.

Bay Watch on Harry and Oliver: Harry is in Whitesands today.

Last week, in Newgale, a dog named Chunky chased a seagull out to sea. Realising theHungarian viszla could not get back to land, Lifeguard Sam Ellison swam out and brought Chunky back on his rescue board. Chunky lives in Maidenhead and his grateful owners have given a donation towards theRNLI lifeguards.

Oliver and girlfriend are off to the Greek island of Rhodes next week. Hannah got a bit narky with Oliver when he kept dropping off to sleep on the settee when she was searching the web for a holiday.

She can't complain too much though, because he's doing two extra shifts to pay for it. Happy Holidays!