August 1st - 15th 2006
Written by Geoff Forster
We're up and out early.
Paco a friend, has said we can put the donkeys on his land to eat the dried grasses and herbs.
There's plenty of dried grasses here to keep the donkeys happy for a few weeks.
This is Daisy. One of our cats which we brought with us from the UK.
She enjoys her life in Spain, sitting in the sun and sleeping a lot.
Jane spotted this Grasshopper in our Zebra grass.
It's Benarrabá's Semana Cultural starting on August 16th for four nights. It culminates with a fantastic Flamenco festival on the Saturday night. We've been to the previous two and it is a great free event. The plaza is packed and there is some excellent singing and dancing,
The apartment is available if anyone fancies coming to this not to be missed event.
The Flamenco dancer painting is by our friend Marion Henke.
We spent the afternoon with Bernardo and Flora at their finca.
We had a lovely time they are delightful people.
We swam in their pool and enjoyed a lovely meal which Flora cooked for us.
The house and pool are secluded. Completely surrounded by trees.
Cherries, plums, walnuts and lots of Sweet Chestnuts, photo below.
We had a great time. The pool and house are fantastic.
Swallows were diving across the surface of the pool collecting water. I managed to get one in this shot of the house.
We left just after five and drove to move Rosie and Domingo back up the camino to their usual spot for the night.
I was on the computer most of the night, Jane watched films on TV. Film4 is now free view which is good news.
Up early again it is a beautiful part of the day here in Andalucía.
Birds singing, dawn over the mountains and fairly cool air.
We've been out to Algatocín to the Super Genal supermercardo for dog food and veg for gazpacho.
There are still lots of Bee Eaters in the area. They perch on the wires above the mountainside and then swoop down to hunt bees. A wonderful sight. They certainly are an attractive bird.
Jane's still cleaning and deciding how much sentimental value our junk collection has. At one point I was surrounded by cardboard boxes.
Our little Spanish cat 'Mota de Oro' (Speck of Gold) decided to help, then promptly fell asleep next to me on top of the largest pile. She is cute.
Great to hear from Stuart and Christine from Stoke. They've been reading the blog from the early days and still do. We hope to meet up again in September. Good to hear that Lyngard and Jean are also fit and well.
Thinking about it, there are quite a few other blog readers and guests who used to write, that we haven't heard from for a while. Hint hint ...
We went to see Rosie and Domingo. Fed and watered them. They look good.
We had another night in watching more films.
Carmen our neighbour, kindly brought round a bag of vegetables for us. Courgettes and green peppers from their huerto.
Another hot day. Blue, cloudless skies. We sat on the sun terrace, later we walked around the village.
A trip out into the campo to see Rosie and Domingo.
We also went to see Juan's mare and foal. Both look very well.
We enjoyed another warm evening together, a soft breeze was blowing, the Genal Valley looked beautiful as the sun set.
Another great day.
We went to feed and take water to the donkeys.
We also check that Juan's pig has enough.
The pigs shelter was being used as a safe spot to sunbathe by a local campo cat.
We haven't seen 'Ginger cat' for over a week now.
Strange that the day which we show an interest, in fact make a deal and shake hands, it disappears and hasn't been seen since. 'Ginger cat' used to be there nearly everyday.
We can only presume he has been taken and moved because we wanted it. Strange ...
This is the apartment taken through the trees from near where we feed the donkeys.
I listened to the first days play of the Third test match between England and Pakistan. A good start by England.
We watched the remake of the 'Italian Job', it was quite entertaining.
A busy day. Jane's cleaning the apartment. I'm helping but trying to keep out of her way.
I listened to more of the cricket, then later tried in vain to watch the Newcastle United friendly against Villareal. A 3-3 draw. Channel 5 reception is terrible. Most of the other channels work perfectly but for some reason Channel 5 breaks up badly. I couldn't follow the play but occasionally could read the score ...
Our new guests arrived. They loved the village, apartment and views.
They seemed certain that they are going to have a good time ... so they probably will.
Jane was tired from her cleaning efforts. So I walked across to see the donkeys. It was a lovely evening and the walk out was enjoyable.
I fed the donkeys and watched a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying from tree to tree in the Olive grove.
A lovely e-mail from Carole Beetham and her husband Dave. They are both enthusiastic bird watchers. Carole enjoys reading the blog. Dave likes the bird photos. Thanks to them for taking my 'e-mail us' hint and getting back in touch.
If you haven't written for a while please do ...
We watched a strange but intriguing film about an outbreak of VD in New Zealand during WW2.
Yes .. the weathers good! A mountain breeze is making it very pleasant.
We drove with more water to the donkeys.
We noticed some men cutting cork up on the mountainside across the valley.
Back home I'm about to listen to the cricket.
The Hungarian Grand Prix is on this afternoon. It is one of the circuits where overtaking is nearly impossible and the race is usually a frustrating, boring procession. I hope this years is better.
What a race ... Jenson Button wins from 14th on the grid. Lots of exciting moments and some great overtaking. Shame it doesn't rain at all the Grand Prix's.
You see ... sometimes you do get what you ask for! I'm going to try this again. There's a big summer lottery being drawn in Spain next week ...
The cricket also goes well with a late Pakistan collapse.
We walked across to see Rosie and Domingo for a second time.
We gave them some extra seeds.
I saw a family of four Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Here's one, the light levels weren't good.
We walked back to Benarrabá.
We invented a strange concoction with broad beans and chicken breasts. The diced chicken had been marinated in lots of Oregano, Black Pepper and Olive Oil overnight. We then fried this for five minutes then added the jar of baby broad beans. It was a surprisingly good combination which we'll be having again.
We watched a very predictable film on Action Max about US Rangers starring Daniel Baldwin.
Later we watched 'Ghost Dog' Way of the Samurai. An unusual but good film about a hit man influenced by Samurai philosophy.
It's hot again!
We drove over to take water for Rosie and Domingo.
We also moved them down to Paco's land for a good feed.
Back in Benarrabá we went to the bank and then shopping in Algatocín.
We called in to Café Bar Guayacán. I had a small ice cream.
We were followed in by this baby goat. (This sort of thing happens here!)
Back home I listened to the cricket.
At around 15:00h. we walked into the campo to move Rosie and Domingo back to their usual spot.
I guess the hill is about 15-20%. It feels even steeper during the afternoon. We were both pretty hot by the time we got home.
We hydrated ourselves then decided our plants needed similar treatment so we watered them.
We went to see Juan's mare and foal.
Here's the proud mother.
Her pretty daughter.
I'm now listening to the cricket. Surprisingly it is still in the balance.
The match has swung one way the the other. At one point a draw looked the firm favourite but now it is poised. Pakistan have to go for it to try to draw the series. It could be an exciting last day tomorrow.
We stayed in watching films. A true story about the development of the atom bomb during WW2.
Jane made a beautiful salad. She's cleared the spare room so we can set up our gym equipment. Lots of keeping fit and eating salads is planned ... but for how long?
No need to mention the weather!
We drove over with more water for the donkeys. We took extra. We're planning a day out tomorrow.
We walked them down to Paco's land and left them there to munch the long dried grasses.
At around 14:00h, just when it's warming up a bit ... we walked back to move Rosie and Domingo back up the hill to their usual spot.
Back in Benarrabá the cricket goes well and England win easily.
We went for a walk down to Café Bar Guayacán for an ice cream.
We passed this cat and kitten on the way.
We had a lovely large tiramisu ice cream. A quick chat with Yolanda and Flora. Then we walked around the village.
This is the beautiful fountain in the plaza with the small Ermita at one end.
Benarrabá taken from near the school.
Back home we watched Gallipoli with Mel Gibson.
Jane prepared another salad. I did do some exercises!
We're up early. We're going to spend a few hours on the beach before going shopping in Carrefours (Los Barrios).
This is just as the August sun rises over the Sierra Bermeja.
Photo's later of us on the beach by the Mediterranean ... hope it's not raining in Stoke!
The beach at San Luis de Sabinillas is sandy, wide and well looked after. It rarely gets busy. We walked down to the rocks in the Estepona direction then back up to near the marina at Duquesa. Then we walked back again.
Jane said it was my turn to be photographed today. (Sorry)
Sabinillas has a fleet of small inshore fishing boats which are hauled onto the beach.
We drove to Los Barrios and the shops. They were quiet which was a relief. I hate shopping.
We drove back to Benarrabá.
It was a good day for Bird watching as we drove around.
We started the day with a hundred Bee Eaters on the wires above Benarrabá at sunrise.
As we drove around we had two Booted Eagles fly very close to the car.
We saw the White Storks at Estación San Roque, Two Woodchat Shrikes on wires near Estación Jimera and a (rare this year) Short Toed Eagle near Gaucín.
We walked to see Rosie and Domingo. We gave them some carrots as a treat,
We cooked a healthy chicken curry and had some not so healthy ice cream.
We had walked quite a few km today and I'd done a few stomach crunches (75) so the exercise regime is still on course.
A lovely e-mail from Tom who lives in North Carolina USA.
Tom loves Spain, and is coming over shortly to follow 'La Vuelta' The Tour of Spain cycle race. It starts in Málaga but at one point when Tom is here it is in Granada. Tom is planning to drive over to Benarrabá to pay us a visit. He hopes to meet Yolanda and Andrés Sánchez. We're looking forward to his visit.
We took guests Mike, Barbara, Sam, Tom and Nick Davison to see the donkeys. Here are a few photo's.
Sam, Tom and Nick.
Mike gives Domingo a carrot.
Nick, Tom, Barbara, Sam and Mike Davison.
We enjoyed our walk out together to see the donkeys. A lovely family.
Jane took this photograph of our oldest cat Laura (14).
Laura spends a lot of time looking out of the window in the back bedroom. There's a large climbing rose which gets full of sparrows. They seem to keep her entertained. She rarely goes outside.
We planted quite a few sunflowers in pots at the front and side of the house. One was huge. This one has been stunted and came out today.
It is only about sixty centimetres high.
We drove over to see Rosie and Domingo. Topped up their water and gave them some seeds. We filled our own water bottles up on the way back.
Jane prepared a salad and I made Tandoori style chicken pieces to mix with it.
I listened to Ventspils v Newcastle United in the UEFA Cup qualifying round first leg. We won 0-1. We should go through ...
An early night. Our guest the Davison's leave early tomorrow morning.
We'll get up to wave them goodbye.
Up at 5:45h. A couple of cups of tea and we checked the internet for any flight delays or cancellations for our guests. Their flight looks okay. We wished them a safe, delay free journey home.
We made an early start on cleaning the apartment. More guests arrive later today.
This photo was taken the moment the sun rose over the Sierra Bermeja this morning.
Jane's been busy all morning loading the washing machine and cleaning.
We got an e-mail from the Davison family. They arrived safely back in the UK.
Our new guests Edd and Julie arrived. They loved the apartment.
They kindly invited us to Cafe Bar Guayacán for a drink and tapas.
This is Edd.
We had a great time in Café Bar Guayacán. Flora had been making tapas! So it was excellent timing. We had a feast! Washed down with some excellent Crianza 2002.
We walked down to Bar Andrés Sánchez.
The street was busy with people enjoying the warm evening outside the bars.
We had a really good quality Conrad Soleón wine from a vineyard near Ronda. A quick check on Google and a London restaurante has this to say about the wine.
"Awesome. Reminiscent of a top young Bordeaux from a great vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend from Ronda in the deep south of Spain, made by a Swiss winemaker! Unusual perhaps, but the result is breathtaking - £34.50"
Needless to say we didn't pay that much for it, although it is very expensive by local standards.
I think Julie and Edd were surprised and delighted by the wonderful relaxed family atmosphere to be found in Benarrabá.
We had coffees, then headed to Disco Bar Embrujo. Usually a dangerous move and tonight was no exception!
The music was good, loud latino mix. We enjoyed three or four hours dancing into the early hours.
Here's a few photo's of us having fun.
A wonderful night with two great new friends.
We got home around 04:00h.
A late start! We're both fit and well which is quite a surprise.
We went to see the donkeys, they also looked fit and well, but they hadn't been out for eleven hours around the bars of Benarrabá!
We're moving them tomorrow to some land just behind the house.
Juan's moving his mare and foal into the campo.
There's less space for them but it'll be good to have them so close.
We walked down to Café Bar Guayacán for some tapas. Edd and Julie arrived seconds before us. We had a few beers and tapas together.
We went home and had a much needed siesta.
Later we watched a film and Jane prepared another beautiful salad.
We're up early.
We moved the donkeys from Juan's land to Paco's land.
Juan took the mare and foal from behind the house to the campo.
This is Juan Diego with the mare.
Edd and Julie have been having a great time in the village. They are definitely in love with the area. They are off exploring Cortes de la Frontera this morning. There are so many wonderful cities, towns and villages in Andalucía, we're so spoiled for choice that it's often hard to decide where to go.
We enjoyed tapas and a cold beer in Café Bar Guayacán.
We brought Rosie and Domingo back up to the house.
We had a quiet night in watching films.
A cooler start to the day. High cloud keeping temperature a little lower than usual.
We went to Algatocín in search of Miguel who sells straw.
Just outside the village we saw him heading in the opposite direction.
A quick change of plans and we went down to the venta at San Juan.
We were hoping to see the man we bought Rosie from.
The bridge over the Rio Genal is a popular spot with Spanish holiday makers. The river is pure and clear, the pools make it ideal for swimming.
We watched this boy and his dog swimming in the pool.
A little further upstream families had picnic tables set up on the river bank in the shade of the overhanging trees.
We enjoyed an hour in the venta before heading back to Algatocín.
Algatocín.
We searched for Miguel in Algatocín's bars.
This is the plaza. We'd never been in the bar at the end. It was really lovely. Small but a good atmosphere and a no smoking bar. Which is really unusual in Spain. We found Miguel in here.
Inside the bar the window had wooden shutters, ironwork and some beautiful plants.
We arranged for fifty bales of straw to be delivered tomorrow.
We called into Café Bar Guayacán for tapas.
This is Juana, her son and friends. We bought our house from Juana.
We met Edd and Julie. We went up onto the newly opened sun terrace.
We enjoyed sitting on the terrace. The views are great and there was a gentle breeze.
Here's Julie, Yolanda and Edd.
We walked with Julie and Edd to bring the donkeys back to the village.
Here's Edd leading Domingo.
Here's Julie with Rosie. Both donkeys were on their best behaviour and we walked up to the house with them and put them in their enclosure.
Tomorrow is a fiesta day. Many people born in the village who now live away return for a short break.
Jane took this of Julie And myself.
Yolanda's dog Blackie was asleep on Julie's handbag under our table.
Jane fell in love with this cute little dog. It belongs to Rosi. We called in to see Rosi on the way home. She gave Jane a beautiful Siamese cat!
We put the cat in the washroom, with a blanket and some food.
We'll give it Frontline tomorrow and start worming it. We have some Penicillin we bought for 'Ginger Cat'. Street cats and campo cats all tend to have chest infections. The vet is in Gaucín in about nine days time. We'll take her to see him then. It is a stunning blue eyed Siamese, one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen.
We took this photo' of the Siamese and her friend in June.
It's a fiesta day in Spain, 'Asunción Virgen'. Our guests Edd and Julie leave today we'll miss them they were really great fun. We certainly had an entertaining weekend.
Miguel turned up with our hay delivery. 50 bales in and on top of a transit size van. We unloaded and stacked it.
We got back home and said goodbye to Edd and Julie. We hope they have a safe journey home. We'll see them again very shortly.
We fed the donkeys hay and they seem to really like it which is just as well!
Jane started washing the bed linen and I worked on the PC.
Later we ate salad and watched films on TV. The exercise regime is back on!
An e-mail from Edd and Julie they got home safely.