Mudéjar

I've never really been a paving cat, but since I moved to Spain I've started to find it quite interesting. The Moors introduced pebble mosaic paving to Spain and it's found all over the place. There are some really intricate designs. I like to hop on the white ones, they get very hot in the summer and burn my pads. Paco the tom says I look like a real prat hopping about, but what does he know. He's a "ginger" so he looks like a prat all the time.

Factoid: Mudéjar is the name given to the Moors who remained in Spain after the Christian reconquest but were not converted to Christianity, and to the style of Spanish architecture and decoration, strongly influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship, that they developed. In erecting Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings, elements of Islamic art were used, achieving sometimes striking results. The dominant geometrical character, distinctly Islamic, emerged conspicuously in the accessory crafts—tilework, brickwork, wood carving, plaster carving, and ornamental metals. Even after the Muslims themselves were no longer employed, many of their contributions remained as an integral part of Spanish building. A particularly fine Mudéjar example is the Casa de Pilatos, of the early 16th cent., at Seville.

Helado

There are days when I feel I've got a raw deal. Today was one of them. Mi amigos treated themselves to a helados blow out and all they brought me back was this picture. How mean is that? I've sat and salivated over it all afternoon. Me gusta mucho el helado.
Factoid: In Spain, helado is a term used to refer to ice cream

Helado de caramelo > Caramel ice cream
Helado de chocolate > Chocolate ice cream
Helado de fresa > Strawberry ice cream
Helado de mantecado > Vanilla ice cream
Helado de nata > Plain ice cream
Helado de vainilla > Vanilla ice cream
Ttarta de helado > Ice cream gateau
Copa de helado > Ice cream scoop
Crocante > ice cream with chopped nuts
Helado de Vainilla con Turrón de Chocolate y Almendras > Vanilla ice cream with rich Spanish chocolate & almond turron
Copa de Helado con Fresas > Strawberry ice cream served with fresh strawberries
Helado de Vainilla con Pedro Ximinez > Traditional Spanish sherry served over organicvanilla ice cream

Kaki volador

I don't believe it. Taking an early morning stroll around the estate and splat! A flying kaki that had been hanging in wait launched itself at me. Ripe kaki's are soft and very sticky, had I not been quick in taking evasive action there would have been no siesta for me for a week. I'd be too busy licking myself clean.

Factoid: Kaki fruit (also known as Persimmon or Sharon fruit) most commonly refers to the edible fruit borne by some species of the genus Diospyros. The fruit consists of a berry resembling a Tomato in shape and texture, the size of an Apple and tend to be light yellow-orange to dark red-orange in colour, varying from 2-8 cm in diameter.

They are eaten fresh, dried, cooked and canned. They are high in glucose and protein, and also have various medicinal and chemical uses. The Persimmon tree is native to China and Japan, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It was introduced to Europe and California in the mid-19th century. It is commercially grown in Italy, Spain and the south of France, where it is known as Kaki, but it is still most common in the Far East.

Justo Gallego Martínez

Interesting article in my Google alerts this morning. A elderly chap and ex-monk Justo Gallego Martínez has been building his own cathedral in the Spanish village of Mejorada del Campo near Madrid. Without formal planning permission or building permits from the authorities and working mainly alone he has been building his Cathedral since 1961.

Now I know that there is a modicum amount of illegal construction in Spain, but a bloody Cathedral. I wonder if the Castillo de Salobreña had planning permission in the 10th century.

Factoid: Wikipedia article on Justo Gallego Martínez
Citynoise article on Gallego with many photographs

Guajar Faraguit

As the past couple of weeks have been quite hectic I decided it was a jolly good idea to head off to the peace and quiet. A gentle stroll to a sunny spot above Guájar Faraguit. Utopia. Didn't take long to drift into a dreamscape. Some while later for a split second it went dark and I awoke with a start. Ah, the shadow of circling eagles. Best I head back to mi casa.

Factoid: Only 20 minutes from the coastal resort of Salobrena, this is Moorish Spain at its best. With the ancient Muslim terracing and irrigation systems still used to this day, Los Guajares is a sub tropical valley south of Granada sandwiched between the mountain ranges of Sierra del Chaparral and Sierra de Los Guajares. The valley contains three sparkling white villages that time has passed by, Guájar Fondon, Guájar Faraguit and Guájar Alto. History seems to have paused in this valley where the quietness is only disrupted by the sound of the fresh water running down the streams that invites the visitor to meditate and enjoy the intimate atmosphere.

Ocaso

Another exhausting day draws to a close. One of my favourite things is watching the sunset. They are so dramatic and watching them gives you a delightful feeling, they are so variable. Sunsets make you appreciate the view and the wonder of the world. As the saying goes "The best things in life are free"

Factoid: It is said that Philip II, who ruled Spain when it was considered the greatest power in Europe from 1556 – 1598, was the first sovereign in world history on whose dominions the sun never set. In Europe alone, he held power over Portugal, the Netherlands, and about half of Italy (including Sicily, the Duchy of Milan, and the Kingdom of Naples). On the African shores of the Mediterranean, he controlled Tunis and Tangier; further south were Guinea and Angola. There were holdings in India and--well, naturally--the Philippines, and in the Western hemisphere, there were Florida, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, and "New Spain," which occupied the modern American Southwest and all of Mexico and Central America.

Baños Árabes

Ooooh yes, just there, down a bit. Stop it, stop it, I love it. Happily purring away as my back is massaged. Don Duende & Señora Comecocos are twittering on about the Baños Árabes and accompanying massage. The massage sounds good but I probably wont appreciate it as I have my fair share of massages each day. As for sitting in a warm bath with a crowd of strangers I'll pass.

Factoid: In Moorish times in Al-Andalus (the name given to the Moorish dominions in Spain) there was a bath on every street, gurgling with steaming water, crowded with the devout going about their ablutions. The city of Córdoba alone could boast 600 public baths in its 11th-century heyday. After the Moorish cities fell to the Christians the baths were closed down or demolished but now, more than 500 years on, a modest revival is gaining momentum. “A fiesta for the senses”

Hammam - Arab Baths Granada

Cumpleaños Poca Muñeca

Cumpleaños feliz Poca Muñeca. What better way to celebrate than spending the day at the playa. Loaded up with nosebag, Toffee, dolphin, explorer 2000, all that was missing was the bouncy castle.

You may recall the not so long ago I mentioned that I am more superior than humans, I am also far more superior than dogs. Toffee has a habit when he is near water of dunking and gulping. He did it with the sea, oooooooops. ha ha. This is him looking a tad dogged off. He did enjoy the day though, we all did.

Factoid: Mar Mediterráneo. The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. It covers an approximate area of 2.5 million km² but its connection to the Atlantic (the Strait of Gibraltar) is only 14 km wide. In oceanography, it is sometimes called the Eurafrican Mediterranean Sea or the European Mediterranean Sea, to distinguish it from mediterranean seas elsewhere.

Dieta Mediterránea

Had a browse through the paper today and came across an article about the results of a large Spanish study showing the Mediterranean diet -- with its trademark olive oil, fish, nuts, tomato sauce, vegetables, legumes, fruit and wine -- may reduce some of the risk factors for heart disease by up to one half. Although my diet is not completely Mediterranean, it is macrobiotic and very healthy as can be attested by my fine coat. I took this picture of a painting by my friend Diana. I also particularly like her painting of another one of my favourite nibbles - profiteroles.

Factoid: Diana Adshead, previously Diana Taylor, has exhibited in London before her move to Spain in 2000. Her family has a long connection with art - her great aunt Grace White was a noted artist and had close connections with the Stannard family, the Victorian water colourist. After leaving art school, Diana continued her painting initially in watercolour,her interest in nature being her inspiration. She has specialised in portraits of horses and dogs, and sells wild animal portraits in Kenya. Now resident in Spain she continues to specialise in the endless attraction that is the natural world.

Diana's website

No hay agua

No water today, well not from the taps. There's water everywhere else, the fuente, the barranco, the rio. Am I bothered? Nope, not one iota, I've got my water.

Factoid: "Tanta carne y yo comiendo bacalao"
Translation: So much meat, and I'm eating cod / and I with no teeth.
Interpretation: So yummy and I can't enjoy it. (in referring to an attractive person who may be out of one's league); water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink.

Reflexión

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
whatever we were to each other
that we still are
call me by my old familiar name
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used
put no difference in your tone
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together
pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was
there is unbroken continuity
why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well

Henry Scott Holland
(1847-1918) Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

Ensueño

Went for a walk this afternoon, found this dreamy spot above Almuñecar. Had a fantastic daydream. It's about cat revolution. I get all the cats to dream of a world where cats rule people, as it has apparently been in the past. If enough cats dream it, the world will reflect the dream. But not exactly change--it will just be as it has always been, history will have always been that way. Fantastic.

Factoid: The Siamese cat exists at the top of the hierarchy of the feline world with respect to beauty, grace, loyalty and intelligence. It's sapphire-blue eyes are a one-way mirror to it's soul, allowing him to see us, but us not him. His loyalty is unparalleled, his love has no limits. He waits, for what we are not sure.

Legend has it that these former temple cats greeted the souls of the virtuous upon their deaths. Long and sleek, Siamese Cats are remarkably intelligent. There is no better friend, or perhaps no worse enemy, than a Siamese cat. His powers of discrimination are keen. He knows you better than you do.

Ruta Del Rio De La Toba

Had a dilemma this morning. Toffee enquired if I would like to join him, Don Duende & Señora Comecocos on a gentle stroll. A gentle stroll, hummmm. They planned to take a mountainous walk along the Ruta del rio de la Toba from Guajar Alto to Guajar Faraguit. My idea of a gentle stroll is a 5 minute wander around the estate not a 3 hour hike in the mountains. I tactfully declined using the excuse that I had to check the olives. We they returned they were quite ecstatic, fantastic views, stunning scenery. No mention of exhausting. The olives are fine.

Factoid: The Time Before 700. Spain has a long and unique history and the oldest historical findings dates back to about 30000 to 50000 b.c. Among the most important remains of this period are the caves Cova Negra (Játiva) and Piñar (Granada). The Iberian population are thought to have arrived from north Africa and to settle in the south of Spain. The next important invasion came when Celtic tribes by 1200 b.c. entered the peninsula from the north. The Celts mixed up with the Iberians and generated the Celt-Iberian race. By 1100 b.c. Phoenicians and Greeks arrived to the peninsula and founded colonies in the southern Spain, along the Mediterranean coast. During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthago, Carthaginians invaded Spain and conquered large parts of it.

The Romans entered Spain defeating the Carthaginians, who had settled mainly in the eastern parts of Spain, in Ibiza and Cartagena. In a short period of time the Romans ended up conquering the entire peninsula. Spain became an important part of the Roman empire and the Roman culture and language made a great influence within the Iberian Peninsula.
In 409, when the Roman empire started to fall, Gothic tribes invaded the peninsula and established their kingdom in 419.

Granada y la Alhambra

After a very lazy Saturday I woke up bright and early this morning. I was in high spirit and feeling splendid. I thought about the two lovebirds. Bet they didn't have an early night. Strolled around the estate purring the song Granada. In Spanish of course.

Granada tierra soñada por mi.
Mi cantar se vuelve gitano cuando es para ti.

Factoid: The celebrated Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions) is an oblong court, 116 ft (35 m) in length by 66 ft (20 m) in breadth, surrounded by a low gallery supported on 124 white marble columns. A pavilion projects into the court at each extremity, with filigree walls and light domed roof, elaborately ornamented. The square is paved with coloured tiles, and the colonnade with white marble; while the walls are covered 5 ft (1.5 m) up from the ground with blue and yellow tiles, with a border above and below enamelled blue and gold. The columns supporting the roof and gallery are irregularly placed, with a view to artistic effect; and the general form of the piers, arches and pillars is most graceful. They are adorned by varieties of foliage, etc.; about each arch there is a large square of arabesques; and over the pillars is another square of exquisite filigree work. In the centre of the court is the celebrated Fountain of Lions, a magnificent alabaster basin supported by the figures of twelve lions in white marble, not designed with sculptural accuracy, but as emblems of strength and courage. It has been said that the lions were most likely sculpted by members of the Caliphate's Christian community, as making such representational sculpture was not considered allowed by the followers of Islam. The twelve lions functioned as a clock with water flowing from a different lion each hour. The Christians of the Reconquest took apart the clock to see how it worked and it hasn't worked since.

Alhambra information

Mirador de San Nicolás

Whohoooo Don Duende & Señora Comecocos have gone to Granada for escapada de fin de semana. I've got the casa to myself, I can sleep all weekend. No change there then ;-)

Factoid: The “Mirador de San Nicolas” is the most famous viewpoint in Granada. Located in the Arabic district of Granada: “the Albayzin”. The views over the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background are unforgettable. When Ex-US President Bill Clinton visited Granada he said "This is the most beautiful sunset I've ever watched". He didn't lie.

What did Monica say?

Málaga

How cool are these flowers? The botanist in me tells me they are orchids. They are almost as beautiful as me.

Don Duende and Señora Comecocos went to Málaga today. For what? Who knows why? By their cheeky grins when they returned I assume they had a good day.

Factoid: Malaga is a city steeped in more than 3,000 years of history. Excavations have discovered evidence of the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Moors. As a result, there is a large selection of historical monuments in this city. Malaga’s cathedral is known as La Manquita, meaning “the little one armed lady”. Due to the length of time, which it took to build the cathedral, it denotes Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-classical styles.

Close to Malaga cathedral is the Alcazabar, which is a fifteenth century Moorish fort and is one of the most important in the area. The roof of the Alcazabar offers panoramic views of Malaga city and the port. Further on from the Alcazabar is Malaga’s Castle, which stands on Monte del Faro (Lighthouse Mountain). At the foot of the hill, Malaga’s ayuntamiento (town hall) is located, next to the city’s museum in the Palacio de la Aduana. In fact, Malaga has so much to offer as a result of its history, that the best way to see it is by open top bus and there are many in the city.

Malaga Tourism website

Cascada Roto

Toffee is still concerned that his dunking is going to be curtailed. The cascada also suffered and the plunge pool has disappeared. To cheer him up I told him a joke, he howled but I'm sure he didn't get it.

How to cross a river... One day three men were hiking along and came upon a raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do it. The first man prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours. Seeing this, the second man prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and ability to cross this river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about three hours. The third man had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength, ability and intelligence to cross this river." And Poof! God turned him into a woman. He looked at the map, then walked across the bridge.

Factoid: In Mediterranean Spain, rainfall tends to be concentrated in just a few days, and within this sometimes within a few hours. Figures of 100mm are common, and figures of 250 not exceptional. The absolute record is a remarkable 817mm in Oliva (Valencia) on 3 November 1987, followed by 600mm in Albuñol (Granada) on 19 October 1973 and 426mm in Cofrentes (also Valencia) on 20 October 1987. Another example: 119mm fell in one hour on 1 July 2003 in the village of Manuel in Valencia.

Arena y Roca

Had a chat with Toffee today. He is still shell shocked from the tormenta. His usual haunts are not quite what they were. He was dogged off about the pool. "It's alright for you pussy cat, but I can't go dunking any more"

The cleaning up in the pueblo is in full swing. There are dumper trucks, diggers and men with shovels everywhere. The vecinos still have their pool but they are debating whether they should open up a mud spa treatment centre. I suggested to Toffee he went dunking there. He was not amused. I thought it was funny.

Factoid: The tormenta was headline news in the Spanish press today. La violenta tormenta de agua con 'granizos como melocotones' Hailstones as big as apricots. hummmm, I don't think so.

In Spain, some 155 dailies exist, the majority of which are local or regional. The main newspapers in Spain are:-

EL PAÍS
ABC
EL MUNDO
IDEAL

Tormenta Tropical

Awoken from my dream at 1:15 this morning by thunder and lightening. Went and sat on the terrace to watch the show, quite spectacular. Then the rain started and did it rain. 5 hours very heavy and just to add to the fun a 40 minute hailstorm thrown in for good measure. Apart from Poca Muñeca, who slept through it all, the rest of the village was up. The electricity went, the water went, the telephones went. Took myself off to bed for a couple of hours.

At first light Don Duende & I went out to survey the devastation. Mud and rocks everywhere, torrents of water still running down the streets, trees stripped of leaves. The barranco which was 3m wide and 2m deep is now full of mud. Met up with Antonio. He and Don Duende along with Antonio, Paco and Antonio decided they would go further a field. I passed. Warm duvet or cold wet rain? No brainer really.

As I was up half the night no factoid today. Here's another photo instead.

"Did I really park my coche there last night?"

11 de septiembre

There was a lot of coverage today on the TV about the events of 11 de septiembre. In my life it happened 36 years ago, that's 5 people years. A lot has changed in the world since then, what I found reassuring though was that there is still plenty of good in the world. I've only lived in Spain for around 8 cat years, 2 people years. Everyone has been very friendly and they have welcomed us into their lives. Viva Espana.

Factoid: The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced "nine eleven") consisted of a series of coordinated suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly targeting civilians, carried out on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. In Spain the attacks are referred to as 11 de septiembre or 11-S

wikipedia

Tranquilo

Where does the week go, domingo already. Another día de descanso. Took a stroll into the hills today and thought about how tranquil it is here. I'm lovin' it.

I have a strange feeling in my bones, can't quite put my paw on it...

Factoid: Andalucia is the Spanish Autonomous Community with the greatest number of inhabitants and the second in surface. Its varied landscapes, the benignancy of its climate and the friendly character of its population have turned it into one of the most attractive regions.

3000 hours of sun per year, many kilometers of golden sand beaches and those beautiful natural ports made it a safe refuge already for Phoenician navigators, thousands of years before Christ.

Perro de montaña

Toffee went climbing today. I declined his offer to join him. Being the pup he is he's quite happy to bound endlessly about. I told him in no uncertain terms that I had much better things planned and it was "no way José"

Factoid: Richard Ford, the 19th century traveller and first British hispanophile, jokingly said in ‘Gatherings from Spain' that the country is just one big mountain. 24% is above 1000 m and 76% between 500 and 1000 m. Spain has an average altitude of 660 metres. In Europe only Switzerland is higher (by a long way - average altitude of 1,300 metres). The highest peak in mainland Spain is Mulhacén, Sierra Nevada (Granada) 3,478m

Hojas

Played a new game this evening. As cloud watching is not very rewarding I counted leaves. Gave up at 362,121 : trescientos sesenta y dos mil ciento veintiuno. Went and chilled on Don Duende's lap. Very happy.

Factoid: Numbers 1-20
1 : uno
2 : dos
3 : tres
4 : cuatro
5 : cinco
6 : seis
7 : siete
8 : ocho
9 : nueve
10 : diez
11 : once
12 : doce
13 : trece
14 : catorce
15 : quince
16 : dieciséis
17 : diecisiete
18 : dieciocho
19 : diecinueve
20 : veinte

Lagarto Psammodromus algirus

Caught up with Larry el Lagarto this morning. He told me this story about his cousin who lives in Africa. Had me in fits.

A monkey is sitting in a tree smoking a joint when a lizard walks past and looks up and says to the monkey “hey! what are you doing?”

The monkey says “smoking a joint, come up and have some.” So the lizard climbs up and sits next to the monkey and they have a few joints.

After a while the lizard says his mouth is ‘dry’ and is going to get a drink from the river. The lizard is so stoned that he leans too far over and falls into the river.

A Crocodile sees this and swims over to the lizard and helps him to the side,then asks the lizard, “whats the matter with you?” The lizard explains to the crocodile that he was sitting smoking a joint with the monkey in the tree, got too stoned and then fell into the river while taking a drink.

The crocodile says he has to check this out and walks into the jungle, finds the tree were the monkey is sitting, finishing a joint, and he looks up and says “hey you!” The Monkey looks down and says “faaaaaaark dude…….how much water did you drink?!!”

Factoid: Reptiles find sunny Spain to their liking, especially thanks to dry conditions and plenty of hiding spaces. Two widespread gecko species, for example, frequent rock walls and houses in both town and country. The Turkish gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is more of a Mediterranean fixture, living in low, warm areas, usually close to the seacoast. The Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) enjoys a far wider range, penetrating the interior and reaching middle altitudes, such as the suburbs of Madrid. These insect hunters frequent bug-attracting lights and are a familiar summer sight.

In Spain and the rest of Europe, by far the most diversified lizard family is the Lacertidae. Mainland Spain is home to 16 species, some localized, others widespread. (Seven more live on Spain's Canary Islands.) The largest is the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida). This blue-spotted green-skinned reptile grows to 20 inches or longer, living in a variety of habitats throughout Spain, from sea level to 6,000 feet. Highway margins, olive groves, and vineyards fit the bill in many warm areas, where stone walls, rock piles, rabbit holes, and shrubs provide cover for these hunters. The lizards themselves are hunted by hawks, eagles, foxes, and other predators. Ocellated lizards eat mainly insects, but also may consume other lizards (including geckos), as well as baby rabbits and other small mammals, birds' eggs, and fruit. Spain has its share of snakes, too. Some, such as the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), find stone walls to be ideal habitat.

Pontificado

As a cat, I am inherently superior to you humans. I'm also a neutral observer. These two important points make me well qualified to give you wisdom and guidance, and point out all your silly -- if usually entertaining -- faults. So it came as a bit of a surprise that there has been such a kerfuffle over the snap I posted at the weekend. Accusations of the photo being staged have been flying around. I was merely taking in some rays when suddenly all around me were bottles of cava.

May I suggest that the critics among you take a look at
"The Corruption of the Media"

Factoid: Some of the oldest human remains to be found in Europe were excavated in Spain. After the last Ice Age early settlers came from north Africa: Celts later migrated from the North. The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Carthaginians set up trading posts. The Romans and the Carthaginians fought for the control of Spain.

Spain was part of the Roman Empire for around six hundred years until the invasions of the Franks, Vandals and finally, the Visigoths. The Moors overran the Visigoths in the eighth century and Spain began its Islamic period. The principal Moorish cities were Toledo, Granada, Seville and Cordoba (which became a centre of learning).

Centuries of conflict followed between the Christian and Moorish kingdoms. The final defeat of Moorish Spain came with the conquest of Granada in 1492.

Nublado

Shock horror, just to get me back at my failure last week in the cloud watching game the heavens got their revenge. Woke up this morning to find one huge nublado blanketing the sky. Doh, may have to bury myself in the duvet.

Being the linguist that I am how about this Spanish proverb "No hay mal que por bien no venga" Its translation is "There is no misfortune that doesn't come with good" The English say "Every cloud has a silver lining"

Factoid: Sheltered by the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Costa Tropical Granada enjoys a natural weather-break and protection from the worst of the European winters, while Africa, to the south, helps to reduce the harshness of both the Mediterranean and Atlantic weather. The costa takes its name from the sub-tropical climate which enables the cultivation of exotic crops. With warm winters and long hot summers, the average year round temperature is 20C. The Costa Tropical has the healthiest climate in Europe and second in the world as stated by the World Health Organisation.

Granada province weather forecasts from the National Institute of Meteorology

Aceituna

Where does the week go? It's Monday again. Was up early this morning. The holidays are over and the construction workers are not happy. As if to make a point, what would appear to be every item of pneumatic machinery crashed and bashed. It's not easy to attain Duende with the sound of drills and hammers ringing in your ears.

Factoid: Olive growing and the production of olive oil have been important in Spain and in the rest of the Mediterranean region for thousands of years. Spain is the world's largest cultivator of olives, producing 970,000 tons of olives annually. There are over 4.7 million acres of olive trees under cultivation with over 300 million trees. Spain is the number one producer of olive oil at 35% of world production, with 75% of that coming from Andalucia. Spain was the first country to establish a "Denominacion de Origin" for olive oils. The types of olives grown in Spain are the arbequina and verdial varieties of Catalonia, and the hojiblanca, piqual, cornicabra, and lechin varieties of the south. The piqual variety of the south accounts for 50% of all olive trees in Spain. The principal olive producing regions in Spain are Catalonia and Andalucia.

Presa de Rules

Ahhhhhhh Sunday. Don Duende seems less that estupendo this morning. I wonder why? Answers on a postcard please. I can only assume he had a good birthday. I did suggest that he went a had a swim to clear his head but he concluded it would require too much energy. I agreed that expending energy was not good and retired to the terrace for a siesta.

Factoid: The Rules Dam on the River Guadalfeo, to the south of the Sierra Nevada, will create a 117 Hm3 capacity reservoir which, in conjunction with the Béznar reservoir, will regulate 85% of the basin's runoff to meet the water supply demands of the Granada coast which has a summer population of over 250.000 people. The dam will guarantee the irrigation of subtropical and hothouse crops throughout the coastal area and will provide defence against freshets in the delta of the river and in the port area of Motril. The 130 m high arch gravity dam has a 620 m long topping and works include the construction of check dams in various channels within the basin and other auxiliary works.

Feliz Cumpleaños

Cumpleaños feliz
cumpleaños feliz
te deseamos Don Duende
cumpleaños feliz.

Don Duende's birthday. It's going to be a good day. Bien fiesta para muchos amigos. Cava's flowing............

Factoid: Cava has a 140 year tradition of being produced in Spain. It’s much more than just the poor cousin of France’s Champagne and, in many respects, constitutes much better value than the product of their European neighbours to the north. Cava is a sparkling wine in its own right with its own grape varieties and its own unique history. “Cava” (Catalan for “Cellar”) refers to the underground cellars in which sparkling wines are aged. Many years before Cava became a household name for Spanish Bubbly, it was referred to as Spanish Champagne. In 1970, the European Union banned the use of the term champagne for all but sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France. From then on, the use of the name Cava became widespread to describe Spanish sparkling wine made according to the Metodo Tradicional.

It is largely due to the perseverance of one Josep Raventos and his fellow enthusiasts, in late nineteenth century Cataluña, that we are, today, able to enjoy the delights of Spanish Bubbly. Josep Raventos was a member of a group of wine producers known as the “Seven Creek Sages” from the Sant Sadurni d’Anoia area. The group met weekly to exchange ideas about how to produce a quality sparkling wine that would rival the very best of French Champagne. They understood the techniques used in the production of Champagne, but decided to explore the possibilities of using grape varieties native to Spain. The group evaluated several methods of production and invested heavily in vineyards, equipment and staff. In 1872, Josep Raventos, independently, succeeded in producing 3,000 bottles of the finest quality sparkling wine.

Freixenet The producers of Spains most famous Cava

Aeropuerto Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén

Don Duende went to the airport today to pick up los vecinos. They have been travelling to the far corners of the world for the past 5 months. I've missed their greetings as I loaf on the back terrace.

A new mother boarded the aircraft with her little infant. Very proudly gracing her way to her seat...and settling in.. she uncovers the infant's head..
The passenger seated next to her said, 'Lady, that is the ugliest baby I've ever seen, IT LOOKS JUST LIKE A MONKEY!'
The new mother became extremely upset and started crying... The flight attendant heard the lady crying and walked over to console her.
Flight Attendant : Ma'm may I get something for you? Coffee, tea, milk, or a banana for your monkey?

Factoid: Granada Airport (GRX) officially known as Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport, is the airport serving the provinces of Granada and Jaén in Andalusia, Spain. The airport is located in the area known as Vega del Genil, or plains of the River Genil, 17 kilometres west of the city of Granada and near the small town of Santa Fe. The airport is 40 km from the Sierra Nevada ski resort and about 60k km from the Mediterranean beaches of the Costa Tropical.

The official AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea ) website for Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén airport