About
About Victoria Twead:
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.
Woven into the chapters are a number of Spanish recipes given to Vicky by the village ladies.
Victoria’s hilarious record of their culture shock and life with the villagers is told in her two books, Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools and Two Old Fools - Olé! These charming, beautifully written books will have you laughing one minute, holding back tears the next, and finally reaching for your saucepan.
Awarded the HarperCollins Authonomy 'Gold Star'.
HarperCollins wrote: ‘laugh-out-loud funny...especially the Spanish women heckling over eggs from “The English”...hilarious...engaging... the interspersion of recipes is charming’.
Karen Wheeler, author of 'Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My Heels For A New Life In France' wrote: “Andalucía as it’s never been done before - a very quirky, funny and enjoyable tale - loved the subtle humour, Olé!”
Justin Aldridge, Eye on Spain, wrote: "I absolutely loved it! Funny, honest and impossible to put down."
Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls
Description
<p><span><span>Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.</span></span></p>
Story Behind The Book
Back in 2004, I nagged poor, long-suffering Joe into relocating to a tiny, remote mountain village in Andalucía, and my passion for Spanish food began. When I was writing 'Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools', I wanted to include a few recipes given to me by the villagers. However, I wanted more. What a stroke of luck it was when I found Gayle and Iain!
"Of course!" they said. "Help yourself! Use any recipes you want!"
So I did, and I have shamelessly plundered their recipes and expertise for my books ever since.
There’s not much that Gayle doesn’t know about Spanish cuisine and she tests and tries every recipe, whether traditional or new. Self-taught, she is an instinctive chef with a talent for the taste and colour of Spanish cooking. Iain is the photographer, and his pictures are enough to make one’s mouth water. Their knowledge of Spanish cookware, cured meats and customs is breath-taking and I heartily recommend their website, OrceSerannoHams.com.
I’ve been asked many, many times for a collection of Spanish recipes, and here it is... I hope you enjoy them as much as Joe and I do.
¡Salud! Victoria
