La Noche Vieja

Another year is almost over, what a year it's been. I've had a pretty full year, there hasn't been a week gone by when there hasn't been a fiesta, party, barbacoa or similarly enjoyable social gathering. My loafing time has been seriously impacted. Así es la vida. It's been a great year though.
¡Adiós 2006! Feliz Año Nuevo to you all.

I'm off now to hide under the duvet before Don D. makes me eat 12 grapes.

Factoid: Having a unique touch and style, New Year in Spain is celebrated with with a traditional custom. People keep 12 grapes ready and as soon as the clock strikes 12 at midnight, they eat the 12 grapes symbolising the 12 months of the year. With the first strike of the clock, millions bite the first grape and continue to do so for the next 11 seconds in sync with each chime of the clock. This tradition was started by the king of Spain ages back, when he gave grapes to everybody to eat on New Year's Eve and till now it's followed with full jest and enthusiasm by Spanish people.

Fuego De Turrón

What a cracking day I had. Up bright and early for a long walk. 30th December, cloudless blue sky, very warm, Juan told me it was 23 degrees, I think it was more like 25. Had only been back at mi casa for a few minutes when I was advised that lunch was to be had at mi amigos. A most pleasant afternoon dining on the terrace. How much did I eat, mucho carne y Turrón. I made a quiet exit when the impromptu singing started.

Factoid: Turrón is a nougat confection, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, coated in crushed, toasted almonds, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake. While turron is available all during the year it is a treat that everyone eats during the Christmas season. There are many different kinds of turron made of many different items. Examples of different kinds of turron are Turron de Almendra (almond), Turron de Cacauete (Peanut) and Turron de Avellana (roasted hazelnut). The two most famous kinds of Turron come from Alicante and Jijona.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Cariñoso!

Today is my favourite aunts birthday. When I first came to Spain she flew with me & Don Duende. I remember how exciting it was sitting on her lap in the car all the way from the airport to the new casa. It was the first time I had seen the sea and she was explaining to me about Spain. We practiced Spanish. It was such a fun journey.

This is a picture of my cousin Charlie. She lives with Summer puddin' & mi cariñoso.

Factoid: Alfonso XII of Spain (November 28, 1857–November 25, 1885), was king of Spain, reigning from December 29, 1874 to November 25, 1885, after a coup d'état restored the monarchy and ended the ephemeral First Spanish Republic. He was son of Isabella II of Spain. His biological paternity is uncertain, though his legal paternity is not: his mother was married to her (presumed) homosexual cousin Francis of Asissi de Bourbon.

Gotcha. El Día de Los Santos Inocentes, falls on the 28th December. What does it mean? Well, it is the Spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day. This day recalls the killing of the "innocents" by King Herod whose intention it was to eliminate the recently born baby Jesus.

Día De Los Santos Inocentes

Out for an evening stroll around the estate when I was startled by a horrific noise emanating from the barranco. I rushed to investigate and almost collapsed in shock. Happily chewing away at an olive tree was a most fearsome creature, the like of which I had never seen before. I have heard tales that a fearsome creature of lore stalks the misty hills of Los Guajares in search of feline prey. Some kind of huge creature with slashing claws and huge fangs. The fearsome creature is reportedly golden and has a piercing scream, much like that of a woman in distress or a baby crying. It is reportedly as tall as a man with claws strong enough to scrape bark off trees, and as swift as the wind. Sound scary? Ha, ha.

Factoid: Humongous plant-eating dinosaur unearthed in Spain. Scientists in Spain have found the fossilised remains of one of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth, a gargantuan plant-eating dinosaur up to 37 metres long and weighing between 40 and 48 tonnes, or seven elephants. Turiasaurus riodevensis, named for the region and village in Spain where it was found, lived about 145 million years ago and was a sauropod, that familiar kind of dinosaur with a long neck, long tail and massive body that walked on four stout legs and was probably Europe's biggest ever dinosaur. Turiasaurus riodevensis was a herbivorous dinosaur, in spite of the ferocious appearance of its teeth.

Copas Y Tapas

After the past few days excitement I had intended that today was going to be a recovery day. Not so. I did manage to get some shut eye but then mi casa was full with the sound of music and chattering voices of amigos. Don Duende was in full swing in the kitchen preparing tapas while Señora Comecocos was in full swing with the copas. She also did a good job recharging glasses of gathered amigos. I do like being fussed over and purred away much to everyone's delight.

Factoid: It has been said that the wine of La Rioja in Spain is "the best wine in the world in terms of value for money." This region in the north of Spain produces red, white and rosé wines, as well as the idiosyncratic clarete. The red wines are those of most interest.
La Rioja wine is classified into four types, according to its quality and aging. For red wine, the types are:

_____________________Aged in barrels____Aged in bottles

Vino de crianza min._______1 year min.______6 months
Vino de reserva min.______1 year min._______2 years
Vino de gran reserva min.___2 years min______3 years

Rioja Wine

Titanic

I don't believe it. I was downloading photos from the camera and came across some taken on the Titanic. I was initially confused as Don Duende, although showing the passage of time, does not look old enough to have been on the Titanic. It then clicked, the scoundrels had secretly gone off last week to the exhibition being held in Granada. I've never been on a boat. Looking at the pictures though, I could imagine myself strolling up the stairs and dining at the captains table. Rather charming, don't you think?

Factoid: The Parque de las Ciencias in Granada is an open-air museum. There is over 30,000 m2 of outdoor space holding different premises and scientific experiences. The main building, with the most up-to-date facilities, is divided into two separate areas, joined by a large glass hall. The rooms in this building hold the permanent exhibitions: Biosphere, Eureka, Perception and Explore. Outside, the Marie Curie Plaza is surrounded by the other buildings: the Observation Tower, the Astronomy Garden, the Tropical Butterfly House, the Botanical Walks, the Plant Labyrinth or the "Almazara" (oil mill).

Parque de las Ciencias Granada

The only European exhibition about the most luxurious and mythical ship of all times, Titanic

Día De Navidad

¡Feliz Navidad! Don Duende wasted no time in getting el espíritu navideño. Nochebuena at various watering holes, he crept in at 4:30. The rest of mi casa were up bright and early and in full spirit. Don D took some time to warm up. Señora Comecocos prepared a fine comida de Navidad. El pavo and all the trimmings followed by the most exquisite ice cream sundae. Un gran dia. Even Toffee was Christmassed out and took a powernap by the fire.

Factoid: Christmas day in Spain is more or less a continuation of what began the day before. People spend time with their families, they eat another large meal, although not as big as the one the day before, and in many families, children enjoy the gifts that they have received from “Papa Noel”, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as it is in many countries, as Spaniards traditionally wait until Three King’s Day to exchange gifts.

Nochebuena

Don Duende & Poca Muñeca and many amigos took Toffee into the mountains to play in the snow. Señora Comecocos and I passed, we don't do snow. DeathMetalMunchkin stayed in bed. It was Toffee's first experience of snow and he loved it. He was bounding about, snuffling head first looking for snowballs.

I feel it's going to be a long night ahead.....

Factoid: Christmas Eve in Spain, called “Nochebuena”, just like in many parts of the world, is celebrated with two very important traditions, eating an enormous and decadent meal, and going to Christmas mass. There is a wide variety of typical foods one might find on plates across Spain on this night. Each region has its own distinct specialties. Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are roast lamb and suckling pig (typically served in the regions of Castilla León, Castilla la Mancha, and Madrid), foul like turkey or duck (commonly prepared in Andalucía), and an enormous variety of seafood, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and various types of fish like hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and salmon (common in many regions, but mostly on the costs). For dessert, there is quite a spread of delicacies, among them are turrón and marzapan, desserts made of honey, egg and almonds that are Arabic in origin, as well as polvorones, a sweet bread kind of like elephant ears, and a variety of nuts and dried fruits. To drink, one must have a glass of cava, the Spanish equivalent of champagne, although the Spanish say that cava is much better. After the meal, many Spaniards get their second wind and go to midnight mass, known as “La misa del Gallo”, or “Rooster Mass”, named such because the Rooster is known as the first to announce the birth of Christ.

Blanco y Negro

Don Duende, Antonio and Horatio went to collect some jamón today. It's a bit of a trek into Las Alpujarras and started snowing as they climbed the mountain road. It didn't deter them though, they were on a mission. As the snow was so bad they then had to spend a good portion of the afternoon in Resturante Haza Del Lino sampling fine pork washed down with local wine. One can assume they had a fine day. The jamón tastes good.

Factoid: Jamón Ibérico de Pata Negra. Pata negra is a type of jamón serrano and is considered to be of the highest quality. Pata negra literally means black hoof in Spanish. It is produced from a venerable strain of Iberian hog, native only to Spain. Jamón Ibérico is the formal name. Some people also call it 'Jabugo' as the most famous "Pata Negra" comes from the town of Jabugo (Huelva) in the region of Andalucia.

El Gordo

It's El Gordo. It's the most boring and monotonous TV show in the world. Just a handful of little orphan children with sleek hair and Sunday-best clothes chanting an endless series of numbers into a microphone. Yet for five non-stop hours on December 22 it holds Spain enthralled. Those who can't get near a TV set follow the hymn-like singing on radio. Bars, factories and offices grind to a standstill as millions of people strain to catch every vital numeral. The interminable pop number will never make the Eurovision song contest, but for Spain it is the greatest hit tune of them all. By the time the singing has finished, the lives of thousands of Spaniards will have changed for ever. Many will be millionaires. Whole villages will begin a new life of prosperity. Children yet unborn will stand to inherit fortunes.

If my number 12069 had won I would have ditched the macrobiotic diet and lived on biscuits made with smoked salmon and fine caviar and hand rolled by one legged midget monks from the San Jose de Compelosta de Santiago monastery. Bollocks, stupid El Gordo.

Factoid: Ticket sales El Gordo, or The Fat One, reached EUR 3.5 billion. As every year, students from the San Ildefonso School in the Spanish capital read off the winning numbers when the draw takes place in what is regarded as the world’s richest lottery. Punters usually buy a 10th of a ticket, or “decimo” which costs EUR 20 and if the number wins the top prize, the ticket holder will be richer by EUR 300,000. With 153 million “decimos” in play, chances of winning even one of the smaller prizes are infinitesimal. Started as a way to raise revenue by King Carlos III in the 18th century, the yearly lottery has since been held 196 times and is seen by Spaniards as the start of the country’s long Christmas season.

Solsticio De Invierno

Poca Muñeca was on stage again today. This time it was as la Pastora in the school nativity. I translated from the Spanish as best I could.

Angel Carmen: Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news. Tonight, in Bethlehem, a baby has been born who will be the saviour of the world. You will find him in a stable, under a bright star.
Pastor 2: Okay, let's go find the new baby.
Pastora 3: Hey, what are we gonna do with all the sheep?
Pastor 1: I don't know. We'd better take them with us.
Pastor 2: What all one hundred and fifty eight and a half of them?
Pastora 3: And a half? Are you sure you counted them right?
Angel Carmen: So the shepherds set off to Bethlehem, with their 158.5 sheep. It didn't take them long to find the baby because there was a bright star above the stable, showing them the way.

Today was also winter solstice. Yippee the days start getting longer. More time to sun myself on the terraces.

Factoid: As the Earth travels around the Sun in its orbit, the north-south position of the Sun changes over the course of the year due to the changing orientation of the Earth's tilted rotation axes with respect to the Sun. In the northern hemisphere, the Winter solstice is day of the year when the Sun is farthest south. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, respectively, in the sense that the length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a minimum for the year.

In Spain there is one tradition, not at all common elsewhere. The tradition of making "Hogueras" (bonfires) originated long before Christmas itself. It is connected to the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter. It is characterized by people jumping over fires as a symbolic protection against illness. This fire-jumping can be seen primarily in Granada and Jaen.

De Belén En Belén

Took Toffee to see the Nativity scene. He was very confused. "How can everyone be so small Mickey? Look at the little cat, the little donkey, the little dog. They're soooooooooooo small" I was in the process of explaining the meaning and concept of the Nativity scene when Paco walked past. I turned to talk to him. Big mistake, very big mistake. The second my back was turned Toffee started to devour the small plastic figures. Paco shouted at him to stop, but it was too late. Toffee raced up the street with a cow and a wise man hanging from his mouth.

Having spoken to my legal council I decided it was best not to post the photo taken after the carnage.

Factoid: One symbol of Christmas that still maintains much importance throughout Spain is the Nativity scene. These scenes occupy plazas in cities and small towns throughout the country, and can also be seen in the doorways and entrances of many Spanish homes, as well in storefront windows, and they can be quite elaborate. In many small towns, during the nights just before Christmas, plazas might even have a live Nativity scene, with actors and actresses playing the parts of Mary and Joseph and the three wise men as well as live animals that are often associated with the birth of Christ, like lambs, sheep, and donkeys.

Papá Noel Es Ladrón Que Escala Paredes

A new crime wave is about to reach Spain. It is one that the mainstream media and authorities do not appear to be concerned about. All over Spain criminals disguised as Papá Noels can be seen scaling buildings. It appears that everyone just thinks they are part of Christmas and therefore just smile and continue to go about their business. I know better. Remember you read it here first.

Factoid: Christmas was once a more religious holiday in Spain. But in recent years, as Spain has broken from its cultural isolation behind the Pyrenees and become more a part of Western Europe, the more familiar celebration and commercialisation of Christmas has spread here. Today, Christmas and the Day of the Kings are equal competitors, merrily stretching out the season. Papá Noel, as Spaniards call Santa Claus, has grown in stature with the higher profile of Christmas. Apart from climbing walls you will probably not find the jolly round man in attendance. Rather, it will be the three wise men, sitting in a row in Arab robes listening to the wishes of children.

Luces Navideñas

Don Duende & Señora Comecocos were up before me this morning and snuck out so I took breakfast alone. My suspicions that they went to do some Christmas shopping were confirmed when they returned with muchos bolsas. All they brought me back was a picture of the sunset, the Christmas lights weren't even on. Pah! Hopefully my presents will be better.

Factoid: As temperatures fall, people start to talk about Christmas. At this time of year Spanish towns and cities come alive with a host of cribs, choral music, busy restaurants, markets and illumination by night, ideal for a romantic stroll. The streets are lit up with coloured lights, shop windows fill with unusual gift ideas, Christmas decorations and toys, people can be seen getting together even more in the streets and bars, wrapped up warm against the cold, and there is even more joy to be felt in the atmosphere. All this can mean only one thing - Christmas is on its way.

Ala Delta

A really nice warm winters day. Went to the opening of Diana's painting exhibition. I went for a bimble along the beach. It was pleasantly peaceful until from over the mountains of La Herradura bay there was a rustling and flapping followed by a flock of hang gliders bearing down on me. I gave them the paw and they flew away.

Factoid: Juan de la Cierva was born in Murcia, Spain on September 21, 1895, and by 1908-9, had decided to make aviation his career. In 1911 he enrolled at the Civil Engineering College of Madrid (Caminos, Canales y Puertos) and in 1912 with his friends "Pepe" Barcala and Pablo Diaz constructed the first Spanish airplane, the BCD-I, known as "EI Cangrejo" - the "Red Crab", becoming the "Father of Spanish Aviation."

His first successful flight with the autogiro took place on January 9 1923. The craft was equipped with a conventional propeller for forward flight and an articulated, or hinged, air-powered rotor blade that could be adjusted to balance lift. This technical breakthrough was necessary for the successful development of the helicopter, which ironically, replaced the autogiro around the time of World War II.
Cierva moved to England in 1925. His aircraft were further developed by the Cierva Autogiro Company of Great Britain, as well as by U.S. and various continental companies. They were used widely in France, Germany, Japan, and the United States until World War II, when the helicopter replaced them.

Cierva died in an airplane crash on December 19, 1936, near London, England.

El Factor X

Mi casa, including Toffee were glued to the big screen watching the X-Factor final, Sad Muppets. Battle of the stars, I don't think so. Some bint with permed hair and called Leona won. I can understand how this drivel won a comedy award. Rumour has it that there will be a "Euro X Factor" within 2 years - can't wait - not!

I had a evening out on the streets with Carmen the golden girl, jolly splendid evening it was.

Factoid: The X Factor is a British popular TV music talent show. The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. Some acts also accompany themselves on guitar or piano, though almost always over a backing track. The single most important attribute that the judges are seeking, however, is the ability to appeal to a mass market of pop fans.

At the British Comedy Awards 2005, The X Factor beat Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway to take the award for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme (rather bizarrely, since it is not intended as comedy).

Análisis De Sangre

Toffee went to the vet today to have his blood test for his rabies jab. He was very relaxed about it but he was a bit peeved that he had his leg shaved. He did enjoy chasing pebbles on the beach though. I think his logic is "If it's spherical it has to be thrown and then retrieved" I took some photos and then spent the afternoon blogging.

Factoid: Useful phrases at the vet
My donkey is dead > Me burro esta muerto
The leg has fallen off of my dog and so I'd like to buy some sort of replacement wheel please > A mi perro se le ha caido una pata y querria comprar una rueda de repuesto, por favor. .
I am travelling back to the UK with my ferret under the Pet Travel Scheme > Voy a volver al Reino Unido con mi hurón de acuerdo con el Plan para el traslado de animales de compañía
Can you read my pet's microchip? > ¿Puede leer el microchip de mi animal?
Do you have a microchip reader? > ¿Dispone de un lector de microchips?
The microchip is located here > El microchip está aquí.
My dog has been vaccinated against rabies and successfully blood tested. > Mi perro ha sido vacunado contra la rabia y se le ha realizado con éxito el análisis sanguíneo.
My vet took the blood sample for the blood test on ....... > Mi veterinario tomó la muestra de sangre para el análisis, el (date/fecha).......

La Planta De Navidad

Christmas is definitely not far away, what with climbing Papá Noels everywhere, turrón lined supermarket shelves and avenues planted with ponsettias. They look really nice. I told Toffee about the history of the plant but he showed little interest. His only interest in plants is those that are edible. I don't think he will be a botanist when he grows up.

Factoid: Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima. No plant is more redolent of Christmas than the Poinsettia with its gorgeous exotic looking bracts set against large almost velvety dark green leaves. Also known by its beautiful Spanish name of flor de nochebuena, or "flower of Christmas Eve," the poinsettia is indigenous to Central America and tropical Mexico. The story goes that a poor Mexican child on her way to church on Christmas Eve wept because she had no gift to place before the altar of the Virgin and Child. Through her tears, an angel suddenly appeared and instructed her to gather weeds from the roadside. When the child arrived at the altar with her wilted offering, starry crimson "blossoms" burst forth from every stem.

Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico being appointed by President Andrew Jackson in the 1820's. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. The Poinsettia was named after him.

El Código Da Vinci

Movie night. Fire roaring, chilled wine and nibbles. Snuggled up with Don Duende, Señora Comecocos to watch "The Da Vinci Code" I did read the book which I quite enjoyed and having been caught up in the hype expected the film the be just as thrilling. It wasn't. Señora Comecocos fell asleep, she denied she had fallen asleep but her twitching gave it away. Silas is a right dodgy character. I did fall in love with Sophie though. xxxxxx

Factoid: The Da Vinci Code is a 2006 feature film based on the bestselling 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code, by author Dan Brown. The novel is based on the controversial premise that there is a conspiracy within the Roman Catholic Church to cover up the true story of Jesus. The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. According to this premise, the Vatican knows it is living a lie, but continues to do so to keep itself in power. Because of some controversial interpretations of Christian history, both the book and movie version of The Da Vinci Code have been the target of criticism by the Roman Catholic Church. It is the second highest grossing movie of 2006 worldwide - grossing an impressive $756,270,019 U.S. as of November 2, 2006.

The Da Vinci Code - Official Site

Un Calendario De Adviento

Advent calendars. What are they all about then? They are quintessentially German where apparently they originated. Only Germans, being so efficient, would need another calendar to tell them how many days it is until Christmas. They are efficient, German and dull. "Ick bin fhergul, ich bin sehr gut fhergul. Willst du nich mit mir spass machen? Aufwiedersehen"

Factoid: An advent calendar is a card or poster with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture. This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy bears, pieces of chocolate.

Trasplante De Manos

Interesting news item today, "Spanish woman has double hand transplant" Isn't medical science fantastic. It's possible to transplant almost anything nowadays. Aren't hospitals and doctors and veterinary surgeons brilliant. I wonder what it would be like to transplant Toffee's paws?

Factoid: A Spaniard has become the first woman in the world to receive a double hand transplant. A team of more than 10 medical professionals, including surgeons and anaesthetists at Hospital La Fe in Valencia carried out the pioneering operation. After 10 hours in the operating theatre, doctors say Alba, 47, from Castellón is recuperating well. The surgeons performed the transplants on both arms simultaneously after adjusting Alba's forearms to match the size of the donor's. Bones were fixed with metal plates and screws, and microscopic surgery was used to attached the arteries, veins and nerves. Alba had both her original hands amputated after an explosion in a laboratory where she was studying chemistry nearly 30 years ago. Alba said after waking up from the anaesthetic and seeing her new hands for the first time, she thought: "They look beautiful!"

Una Cesta De Navidad

Señora Comecocos and Poca Muñeca got back home today. They were laden with a hamper of Christmas goodies - mince pies, mince pies, mince pies, proper English sausages, mince pies and really really strong cheddar cheese, one of my favourites. Don Duende cooked a roast chicken dinner, another favourite of mine. We did have a jolly time indulging. I'll have to make sure I stick to my macrobiotic diet for the next few weeks.

Factoid: Spanish Christmas food words
pastel de fruta y especias típico de Navidad > mince pie
un tronco de Navidada > Christmas yule log
un pastel de Navidada > Christmas cake
el pavo > turkey
Langostinos > king prawns
Mantecados > traditional Christmas sweet made mainly from lard and almonds very similar to a "polvorón"
Polvorones > typical Spanish sweet, dry and powdery and made with almonds
una rosca de Reyes / un roscón de Reyesa > large, round bun baked for 6th January with candied fruits and things hidden (coins, etc.) inside
Turrón > Spanish sweet eaten at Christmas made with ground almonds
Mazapán > marzipan
una cesta de > Navidada Christmas hamper
(una copa de) cava(a glass of) Spanish sparkling wine, similar to champagne

El Gato Negro

Toffee has a new friend Leroy. His real name is actually José Manuel González, but he likes to be called Leroy. Anyway, Toffee was not quite sure how to deal with Leroy's advances and was more interested in Don D. throwing an orange for him. Did you know that Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten.

Factoid: The black cat is a feline whose fur is uniformly black. It is not a particular breed of cat and may be mixed or of a specific breed. The all-black pigmentation is equally prevalent in both male and female cats, and typically skips one generation due to the characteristic's association with the X chromosome. In Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of bad omens although they are considered to be good omens in other cultures.

Día De La Inmaculada Concepción

El 8 también es festivo, por el Día de la Concepción - The 8th is also a holiday, for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. I always look immaculate and wondered how fat I'd be if I had a feast every day. I suppose it would get to a point that I'd be so fat I'd no longer be immaculate, would have to adopt a macrobiotic diet, get immaculate, feast, get fat. Repeat cycle.

Factoid: Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception has nothing to do with the conception of Jesus. It means that Mary herself was immaculately conceived, i.e. without original sin.

The idea is central to the belief in her absolute perfection and purity as the vessel of Christ's incarnation. She is the second Eve who will undo the trouble caused by the first one. She is part of God's plan for the redemption of humanity, and she was there from the beginning. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception did not become official Catholic dogma until 1854 but it had been passionately held by many Catholics for centuries.

Neblina Morado

After the past few days excitement I decided that I'd go for a stroll. I find it very therapeutic to be out in the wilderness. I was in a purple haze and had lost track of the time and it was only the sun going down that alerted me to head a la mi casa para cena. A quiet evening in front of the fire.

Factoid: púrpura o morado? Showing a red instead of a purple lion in the Spanish coat-of-arms is a usual mistake even in Spain. The truth is out there.

Flag Urban Legends (Spain)

Día de la Constitución

El 6 de diciembre es el Día de la Constitución - December 6th is Constitution Day. Another public holiday, they have quite a lot of holidays in Spain. I've been toying with making a request to the Senor Alcalde to have a holiday in honour of me. I'll name it Día de Loafing.

Factoid: After the death of Spain's dictator, Francisco Franco, in 1975, Spain became a democracy and on this day in 1978 a new constitution was adopted by referendum. The 1978 Constitution provides that Spain be established as a social and democratic State subject to the rule of law. National sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people, from whom all state powers emanate: legislative, executive and judicial. The political form of the Spanish State is the Parliamentary Monarchy.

The King is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence. He arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations, especially with the nations of its historical community, and exercises the functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and the laws. The Spanish Parliament, known as the Cortes Generales, represents the Spanish people and exercises the legislative power of the State. The Cortes Generales consist of two chambers: the Congress of Deputies, or lower chamber, and the Senate, or upper chamber.

Bien Viaje

Señora Comecocos & Poca Muñeca took flight today. A pre Christmas shopping trip to the old country was called for. Peace and quiet. Doesn't the fairer sex sex twitter on? The boys - Mickey, Toffee, DeathMetalMunchkin & Don Duende - are back in town. Fiesta.

Factoid: Spanish - Useful Phrases & Words at the airport

¿Para dónde sale Ud.? > Where are you headed?

Voy a la luna > I'm going to the moon

La terminal norte es para los vuelos internacionales. > The north terminal is for international flights

¿Dónde está el reclamo de equipaje? > Where is baggage claim?

Mis maletas están perdidas > My suitcases are lost

el aeropuerto > airport
la maleta > suitcase
el seleccionador de rayos > x-ray machine
el pasaporte > passport
el pase de abordar > boarding pass
el vuelo > flight

Segundo Aniversario

Today is my 2nd anniversary living in Spain. I had a little Cava and pontificated.

Amo el vivir en España. El tiempo es fantástico. Es caliente. La gente es grande y tengo muchos amigos. España en el corazón. Viva España.

Factoid: 10 Best things to do - Costa Tropical Granada

1 Dine on free tapas at a bar

2 Visit Granada & the magnificent Alhambra

3 Ski in the Sierra Nevada's

4 Visit the villages of Las Alpuharras

5 The beach followed by grilled sardines & a cold beer

6 Walking in the mountains of Los Guajares

7 See a flamenco show and get Duende

8 Scuba dive

9 Party all night & day at a fiesta

10 The matanza

........Live Life

Naranjas

The oranges are really ripening now. Almost everywhere you look there are trees covered in oranges. They do look cool. Toffee tells me they taste great. I don’t do orange juice, Don Duende and Señora Comecocos get their full quota of vitamin C. Mind you, they need it.

Factoid: The word orange is derived from the Sanskrit "naranga" which means 'orange tree'.. Spain clung to the original by calling the orange "naranja".

The first orange was brought to Europe by the Moors, who used oranges medicinally, as well as in their religious services, they also brought irrigation technology as the orange had flourished in Spain, despite the country's arid weather. Arab merchants brought the bitter orange tree to Andalusia, Seville and Valencia. Sweet oranges were first planted in the 15th century. When oranges first reached Europe, they were so rare that they became a symbol of opulence to be offered as luxury gifts. It was the Spaniards who introduced it to South America and Mexico, and today, Brazil and the US account for over two-thirds of the world production.

Conquistador

Did some Spanish history research today. Came across this viejo amigo called Hernán Cortés. The old chap was quite an adventurer by all accounts. Don’t get chaps like him around nowadays. He looks rather dashing don’t you think? I suggested to Don D. that he ditches the T shirt and jeans and went for a more contemporary fashion style. He told me “quedar como un tonto” (He would look rather daft and silly)

Factoid: Hernán(do) Cortés, Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca (1485–December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who is famous mainly for his march across Mexico and his conquering of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Cortés was born in the Spanish city of Medellín in 1485. When he was a young man, he studied law, but he soon gave that up to seek his fortune in the New World that was just being discovered by Columbus and others.

http://hernan-cortes.com

Hace Un Día De Sol Estupendo

December 1st. Cold, grey, wet. Ha ha fooled you, that's the weather in the old country. It was nice and sunny in Spain. Don Duende, Poca Muñeca and Toffee went for a long bike ride. Toffee can't ride a bike yet so he just ran ahead, behind and between them. He has no road sense when it comes to bikes. I took it easy today and loafed on the terrace. No change there then.

Factoid: Southern Spain has a warm, dry winter with average maximum temperatures of around 17C (62F) along the coast. Around 24 days each month should be rain free during our winter months.

Average Weather in Granada for December
Sunlight 6 hours a day
Average daily temperature 14 Centigrade
Coldest December temperature 3 Centigrade
Warmest December temperature 25 Centigrade
Wet days for December 3 days