Sunday, 30 September 2012
Today's surprises
Well, one good one and one bad one.
Let's start with the good.
After the deluges of the last couple of days, it was with much delight that I saw on opening the front door this morning SNOW on top of the two high peaks opposite (Mulhacen & Veleta). Just to provide it...
The bad news regards my ongoing power problems. A very nice chap called Matthias (ex-journalist, ex-Berlin) arrived today as promised and after much wielding of his hydrometer declared that the batteries are, depsite the declaration of the previous owner, past their sell-by date and require a complete replacement (mucho €€€€s). Ho hum.
So he's now gone away to price me up their replacement and also look at getting a wind generator as extra backup. We actually spent more time talking about the organic co-operative that he's part of and managing land naturally! He will be a very useful contact going forward I'm sure.
I did commence the clean out the bodega this morning with much assistance from my neighbour Jose so preparations for the wine harvest are in full swing. Now off to make my generator sing more sweetly...
Let's start with the good.
After the deluges of the last couple of days, it was with much delight that I saw on opening the front door this morning SNOW on top of the two high peaks opposite (Mulhacen & Veleta). Just to provide it...
The bad news regards my ongoing power problems. A very nice chap called Matthias (ex-journalist, ex-Berlin) arrived today as promised and after much wielding of his hydrometer declared that the batteries are, depsite the declaration of the previous owner, past their sell-by date and require a complete replacement (mucho €€€€s). Ho hum.
So he's now gone away to price me up their replacement and also look at getting a wind generator as extra backup. We actually spent more time talking about the organic co-operative that he's part of and managing land naturally! He will be a very useful contact going forward I'm sure.
I did commence the clean out the bodega this morning with much assistance from my neighbour Jose so preparations for the wine harvest are in full swing. Now off to make my generator sing more sweetly...
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Backup
Fired up the backup generator and, lo, I now have power. Although the genny is in the workshop which sits right on top of the kitchen, the noise generated is (very fortunately) less than anticipated. Feel really 'backwoods' today though slightly 'un-green' as I'm burning up Gasoleo 95.
The rain is still coming down and has set a different feel to the landscape. The bright sandy colours have gone and now become 'wet earth' giving a more sombre, though still beautiful, cast to the hillsides.
With some judicious re-positioning of the plastic sheeting on the roof, the internal leaks have minimised. The fire is still lit and keeping downstairs at a nice temperature. The canary (still as yet un-named) has been moved in to the warmth though, with no sunshine, his singing capabilities have not been exercised today.
The solar engineer is coming tomorrow when, we believe, the rain may be subsiding and we start to get some more sunshine. Probably will only be a short respite as the autumn rains generally coincide with the Cadiar fiesta which is one for four days next weekend. Free wine flows from the fountain in the centre of town and I don't think the locals get much sleep. I have a plan forming to spend Saturday night sleeping in the van in town!
PS. Internal leaks stopped being 'minimised' and I'm now back inside after a soaking having re-adjusted plastic sheeting on roof. Time for a coffee and a drying-off in front of the fire!! I hear there are flash floods in other parts of Andalucia; at least on the hill here we're spared those.
The rain is still coming down and has set a different feel to the landscape. The bright sandy colours have gone and now become 'wet earth' giving a more sombre, though still beautiful, cast to the hillsides.
With some judicious re-positioning of the plastic sheeting on the roof, the internal leaks have minimised. The fire is still lit and keeping downstairs at a nice temperature. The canary (still as yet un-named) has been moved in to the warmth though, with no sunshine, his singing capabilities have not been exercised today.
The solar engineer is coming tomorrow when, we believe, the rain may be subsiding and we start to get some more sunshine. Probably will only be a short respite as the autumn rains generally coincide with the Cadiar fiesta which is one for four days next weekend. Free wine flows from the fountain in the centre of town and I don't think the locals get much sleep. I have a plan forming to spend Saturday night sleeping in the van in town!
PS. Internal leaks stopped being 'minimised' and I'm now back inside after a soaking having re-adjusted plastic sheeting on roof. Time for a coffee and a drying-off in front of the fire!! I hear there are flash floods in other parts of Andalucia; at least on the hill here we're spared those.
Friday, 28 September 2012
The rain in Spain...
Apologies for the lack of posts...the rains have hit (some yesterday & 4" or so today), my builders have gone home (after making unannounced design changes to my new roof), my kitchen ceiling is leaking and my reserves of power (solar not me) are very deleted (oh, and the fire is lit!)
Apart from that, everything's wonderful!
More updates and catch-up posts when I can spare the electricity (repairman coming tomorrow though that could be a Spanish tomorrow).
Apart from that, everything's wonderful!
More updates and catch-up posts when I can spare the electricity (repairman coming tomorrow though that could be a Spanish tomorrow).
Thursday, 27 September 2012
The bread man cometh
Despite being a mile or so off the road, every Thursday morning at 8.15 a van winds its way up the track tooting his horn when in sight of the cortijo. While his prices are, as you would expect, higher than in the local towns, it's a useful service and takes me back to my days of living in a village with no shops.
The bread man goeth...
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Wet
It's raining...first rain I've seen since 25th August. Might settle the dust! Glad to say the builders are waterproof so work continues.
Still in a t-shirt...just
Woke to a very red sunrise and a temperature described here as 'frescita'. Rain looks like it's coming in from the west but having seen the English news I'm not going to complain while I can still see the other side of the valley!
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
... and it went back in again!
Mere hours after my bathroom roof had been trashed, my hopes of a hot shower inside a planetarium were dashed as 9 roof beams were laid and the polystyrene in-fill laid!
Plastering aside, it's full steam ahead with the various roof layers that are going on. Luckily I got the telephone number of a very good cleaner today, post-building clear-ups being a speciality of hers I gather.
Plastering aside, it's full steam ahead with the various roof layers that are going on. Luckily I got the telephone number of a very good cleaner today, post-building clear-ups being a speciality of hers I gather.
..and the roof came tumbling in
"What a lovely shade of blue you have on your bathroom ceiling" I can hear you say. Said ceiling is, of course, the sky. My "Baño con sol" is looking very sorry for itself. However, the excavations to get to this stage have revealed that, due to some seriously dodgy roofing work in the past, another winter would have probably brought the whole lot down in an uncontrolled manner.
I may have mentioned before that the night sky here is absolutely amazing with no light pollution and so my pre-bedtime ablutions should be quite atmospheric tonight! With the protective boarding now gone from the bath, I may even get a shower (...yes, I will move the electricity cable dangling down the wall first!)
Monday, 24 September 2012
Avispas
In common with alot of places, Los Ruices is pestered by wasps (avispas) as summer draws to a close. I was always told to fill a jar with water and jam and that would attract and drown the blighters.
Things are done slightly different here. My builder, Pepe, has constructed 2 marvellously effective devices which over the course of the last week have depleted the local wasp population of at least 100 individuals.
For reference, instructions are as follows:
i) Take 1 plastic water bottle with top.
ii) Undo top and make a small hole in it.
iii) Thread a piece of string through the hole and attach a small piece of sausage to the end (big debate going on as to the best sort but must be meaty)
iv) Put 2" of water in the bottle
v) Insert sausage in to bottle
vi) Trap string between top and bottle and screw down, adjusting top of sausage to mid-way up the bottle
vii) Take cigar (and make a number of holes in the bottle at the same height as the top of the sausage
viii) Hang bottle from suitable point (the sunnier the better)
ix) Watch the wasps throw themselves at the bottle never to return.
You'll never use jam again.
Things are done slightly different here. My builder, Pepe, has constructed 2 marvellously effective devices which over the course of the last week have depleted the local wasp population of at least 100 individuals.
For reference, instructions are as follows:
i) Take 1 plastic water bottle with top.
ii) Undo top and make a small hole in it.
iii) Thread a piece of string through the hole and attach a small piece of sausage to the end (big debate going on as to the best sort but must be meaty)
iv) Put 2" of water in the bottle
v) Insert sausage in to bottle
vi) Trap string between top and bottle and screw down, adjusting top of sausage to mid-way up the bottle
vii) Take cigar (and make a number of holes in the bottle at the same height as the top of the sausage
viii) Hang bottle from suitable point (the sunnier the better)
ix) Watch the wasps throw themselves at the bottle never to return.
You'll never use jam again.
Hole? What hole?
You go out to sell a few figs (yes, I did manage to sell some) and get some bread from the local town, come back and find that what was a big hole at 8.30 has by 2pm had 6 concrete beams put in, been in-filled with polystyrene blocks and a layer of concrete applied!
During lunch the builders announced that the bathroom roof was next and so there was a big flurry of activity clearing the decks. As I write, the existing layers of VERY poorly laid roof covering and plastic sheeting are being cleared away. Just waiting for a big bang as the ceiling comes down.
As all the bathroom fittings are covered in protective planks and the washing machine is in the hallway, I predict a bit of a dip in personal hygiene over the next few days! Luckily it might rain on Wednesday so it might be me and a bar of Cusson's Imperial Leather al fresco.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Pleasant Valley Sunday
I was up early for a spot of Sunday morning almond de-husking as I'm sure you were too. Having had one of the parts of my de-husking machine reconditioned, it was with much annoyance that we discovered that the repair shop had been over-enthusiastic and had used much heavier duty components. The result was that the tolerances of the machine were reduced and we did end up with pieces of wood getting stuck when they should have been ejected by the machine. After much tampering, we got the throughput right and de-husked a shed-load (well 2 shed-loads actually) of almonds.
The walk back home was uphill and we were treated to some dust swirls as the wind started to get up.
As is usual on these occasions, I get paid for my time and the machine :-) plus I get to have a cold beer and lunch with the neighbours. Today it was the Spanish version of sausage, egg & chips, i.e. chorizo, egg & chips with the proverbial tomatoes which are coming out of everyone's ears.
Post-lunch, the wind had increased and, not having encountered much wind so far, I didn't take any evasive action. Consequently, on waking from a short siesta, I found that a nice layer of dust had settled on much of the upstairs furniture (including my laptop!) with several deeper collections in corners of the windowsill.
It is still blowing now and quite cloudy (though the wind is very warm). Time for me to brave the elements if I want to gather some black figs before dark ready for my trip to the buyer in Cadiar tomorrow.
The walk back home was uphill and we were treated to some dust swirls as the wind started to get up.
As is usual on these occasions, I get paid for my time and the machine :-) plus I get to have a cold beer and lunch with the neighbours. Today it was the Spanish version of sausage, egg & chips, i.e. chorizo, egg & chips with the proverbial tomatoes which are coming out of everyone's ears.
Post-lunch, the wind had increased and, not having encountered much wind so far, I didn't take any evasive action. Consequently, on waking from a short siesta, I found that a nice layer of dust had settled on much of the upstairs furniture (including my laptop!) with several deeper collections in corners of the windowsill.
It is still blowing now and quite cloudy (though the wind is very warm). Time for me to brave the elements if I want to gather some black figs before dark ready for my trip to the buyer in Cadiar tomorrow.
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Vino
Spent a very pleasant evening at Bodega Cuatro Vientos situated near the village of Murtas, a short distance (as the crow flies!) to the west from me and in a range of hills nearer to the sea.
The purpose of the visit was to meet the manager who is German (and multi-lingual) and to try and source advice/assistance regarding improving the wine potential of Cortijo Los Ruices.
In the company of my neighbour José and his relative José (his son is called José too...), we took the van (known locally as 'La Furgoneta') down a very windy road for what seemed miles and arived at the winery. There we were met by not the man I was expecting (whereabouts unknown) but by a very genial Spanish guy who proceeded to take us round the whole of the bodega. In no particular order, the tour consisted of tasting grapes, looking at very old agricultural tools, sitting in incredible carved chairs, inspecting a garish ladies toilet built inside an old concrete wine vat, visiting the laboratory, seeing the fermenting tanks and, of course, tasting wine. Photos of all these will follow!
Our guide was checking all my photos as I took them and has asked for me to send them on to him. Their website seems to be a very fledgling one and so perhaps there may be an opening...
Some interesting wines were had. A very nice 2006 Marques de Contraviesa red which gave the impression form the nose that something was about to hit you yet was extremely light on the palate. Having expressed an interest in their dessert wine ( a red one made with Merlot, Shiraz and Tempranillo), I was surprised as how un-sweet it was. 'Twas chilled though and I would like to try it a tad warmer.
One of the speciality grapes of the Contraviesa is Vijiriega which is only found here and in the Canary Islands. I got to try wine made from them and it was very intriguing.
As I was driving though, tasting was kept to a minimum and so I'll have to co-opt a chauffeur sometime and spend longer getting acquainted with the wines. With the state of the track that heads up behind the house which has to be negotiated to get to a main road, I think I might be waiting for some time! Said track is, of course, the track I came down in the dark with my neighbour on the way back. Suffice to say we arrived safelyand 'La Furgoneta' got a big pat on the dashboard for her efforts.
The purpose of the visit was to meet the manager who is German (and multi-lingual) and to try and source advice/assistance regarding improving the wine potential of Cortijo Los Ruices.
In the company of my neighbour José and his relative José (his son is called José too...), we took the van (known locally as 'La Furgoneta') down a very windy road for what seemed miles and arived at the winery. There we were met by not the man I was expecting (whereabouts unknown) but by a very genial Spanish guy who proceeded to take us round the whole of the bodega. In no particular order, the tour consisted of tasting grapes, looking at very old agricultural tools, sitting in incredible carved chairs, inspecting a garish ladies toilet built inside an old concrete wine vat, visiting the laboratory, seeing the fermenting tanks and, of course, tasting wine. Photos of all these will follow!
Our guide was checking all my photos as I took them and has asked for me to send them on to him. Their website seems to be a very fledgling one and so perhaps there may be an opening...
Some interesting wines were had. A very nice 2006 Marques de Contraviesa red which gave the impression form the nose that something was about to hit you yet was extremely light on the palate. Having expressed an interest in their dessert wine ( a red one made with Merlot, Shiraz and Tempranillo), I was surprised as how un-sweet it was. 'Twas chilled though and I would like to try it a tad warmer.
One of the speciality grapes of the Contraviesa is Vijiriega which is only found here and in the Canary Islands. I got to try wine made from them and it was very intriguing.
As I was driving though, tasting was kept to a minimum and so I'll have to co-opt a chauffeur sometime and spend longer getting acquainted with the wines. With the state of the track that heads up behind the house which has to be negotiated to get to a main road, I think I might be waiting for some time! Said track is, of course, the track I came down in the dark with my neighbour on the way back. Suffice to say we arrived safelyand 'La Furgoneta' got a big pat on the dashboard for her efforts.
Gluttony follows glut
Overrun with peaches, there was nothing for it but to attempt last night the first cake at Los Ruices. With a gas oven that has marks on the knob but no numbers (temperature or gas mark) it was pure guesswork at picking the right one but, thankfuly, the peach upside-down cake came out well.
Having just given half to the neighbours (in a vain attempt to redress the balance for all the vegetables, fruit & cheese that head my way), breakfast has just consisted of freshly-brewed coffee with the cake and spoonfuls of goats milk yoghurt (which I also made last night). I'm claiming 'healthy' but think I'm pushing it!
With luck, it will pull me up them...
My head builder, Pepe, was yesterday the source of good new when he said in the course of a chat (yes, I've progressed beyond 'restaurant Spanish') that, contrary to previous advice, there is a buyer in Cadiar who takes fresh black figs. I'd previously being told they were unsaleable and only good for cattle food. The price is good, you don't have to dry them, I have lots of them and there is a big demand in Madrid & Barcelona. Guess who I'm going to be talking to on Monday!
Having just given half to the neighbours (in a vain attempt to redress the balance for all the vegetables, fruit & cheese that head my way), breakfast has just consisted of freshly-brewed coffee with the cake and spoonfuls of goats milk yoghurt (which I also made last night). I'm claiming 'healthy' but think I'm pushing it!
Much more progress being made on the culinary front than the agricultural front but the logistical problems of moving the crop from source to home should clear next week (if I can persuade myself to part with more money!) with the delivery of a barrow on tracks that can handle 40 degree slopes.
With luck, it will pull me up them...
My head builder, Pepe, was yesterday the source of good new when he said in the course of a chat (yes, I've progressed beyond 'restaurant Spanish') that, contrary to previous advice, there is a buyer in Cadiar who takes fresh black figs. I'd previously being told they were unsaleable and only good for cattle food. The price is good, you don't have to dry them, I have lots of them and there is a big demand in Madrid & Barcelona. Guess who I'm going to be talking to on Monday!
Friday, 21 September 2012
A big hole
Between lunch (and the vulture) and now, the builders have started to tackle the (known) problem of replacing some beams in the stables below the terrace. And I now have a big hole!
It'll be nice when it's finished... :-)
It'll be nice when it's finished... :-)
Eyeing up my chorizo
No, no, no ... that WASN'T a euphemism. But Mr Buitre Leonardo (Griffon Vulture to you & me) obviously was on the scout for something tasty as he flew over while I was eating my lunch outside with the builders. Beats being pestered by seagulls.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Jesus is building my roof
That's not in any way a religious comment (one does have to be so careful these days). It's a 'constructive' comment in the sense that my builders have commenced work today on resurfacing my terrace and one of the three is called Jesus. The others are called Nene & Pepe (I'm sure I bought one of their records in the 80's...).
The work will give me a perfectly smooth, insulated, waterproof concrete terrace which, along with some internal work, will mean that my bathroom and kitchen are properly sealed. Likely to be some daylight while showering for a while (but the stars are so beautiful & plentiful here!) but as it's only me and the (as yet) un-named canary in residence until mid-October that's no major inconvenience.
As you may gather, this blog has been a little slow in its delivery with my having being here 24 days already but, as with any house move, there have been things to do to get the house straight. Ally to that the fact that harvesting is in full swing and that the almond & fig trees form a large part of my 75 acres and you may forgive me for the delay. Suffice to say that I will post some retrospective blogs which are currently in note form.
It all seems a million miles away from Bristol which, apart from the people, is not registering very high on the imissitometer. I have fabulous, kind, helpful neighbours who actually (for the most part) understand my Spanish and have made the transition so much easier. It feels like home.
The work will give me a perfectly smooth, insulated, waterproof concrete terrace which, along with some internal work, will mean that my bathroom and kitchen are properly sealed. Likely to be some daylight while showering for a while (but the stars are so beautiful & plentiful here!) but as it's only me and the (as yet) un-named canary in residence until mid-October that's no major inconvenience.
As you may gather, this blog has been a little slow in its delivery with my having being here 24 days already but, as with any house move, there have been things to do to get the house straight. Ally to that the fact that harvesting is in full swing and that the almond & fig trees form a large part of my 75 acres and you may forgive me for the delay. Suffice to say that I will post some retrospective blogs which are currently in note form.
It all seems a million miles away from Bristol which, apart from the people, is not registering very high on the imissitometer. I have fabulous, kind, helpful neighbours who actually (for the most part) understand my Spanish and have made the transition so much easier. It feels like home.
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Jamie
Was nice to have Jamie here for a short time before he embarks on his round-the-world trip with Laura. He's gained his fig-picking badge though circumstances prevented him moving on to his almond-bashing diploma.
The neighbours commented on how good his Spanish was though not sure how widely spoken it is in Vietnam where he's headed!
Please can all prospective visitors note that I will be requiring them to confirm their departure times through physically presenting their boarding details to me. 'La Furgoneta' cannot take too many 75mph runs to Malaga... :-)
The neighbours commented on how good his Spanish was though not sure how widely spoken it is in Vietnam where he's headed!
Please can all prospective visitors note that I will be requiring them to confirm their departure times through physically presenting their boarding details to me. 'La Furgoneta' cannot take too many 75mph runs to Malaga... :-)
Monday, 3 September 2012
Annie in a hole
The van (Annie to her friends)went off-road today...but slightly TOO off-road.
Situation recovered by nice man with caterpillar tractor and barely a scratch to show for everything. The urgency of getting a quad bike has somewhat increased...
Passenger evacuation was through the driver's door as the emergency chute failed to deploy.
Passenger evacuation was through the driver's door as the emergency chute failed to deploy.
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