Great Expectations!

Hello Dogblog followers, I hope we have all overcome the trauma of the previous entry.  Ella has been put in her place I will make sure it never happens again.  Of course nobody could have understood what she was gabbling on about, I blame her modern education system - or complete lack of it.  In the meantime, let's ponder on some pleasanter matters, namely the holiday enjoyed here recently by Patsy and Colin.


    This is our first stay in the Alpujarras and indeed in Southern Spain and it won't be our last!  
    Cortijo Opazo was our final venue in our three week holiday, having stayed near Orgiva and then Lanjaron before coming here.  We can honestly now say that we saved the best till last; it has exceeded all our expectations.
    Robert and William are perfect hosts, very welcoming on our arrival, friendly and helpful, there when needed but unobtrusive.  The apartment is clean and stylish; a place we really enjoyed retreating to.  There is nothing they have not thought of to make for a very comfortable stay.
    Of course we loved the garden and have great admiration for the obvious hard work they have put into it to make so many unique and interesting features.  We have spent many an hour sitting on the patio looking out through the brightly coloured flowers and foliage to the spectacular mountain scenery beyond, with only the sound of the water falling into the pool and the occasional croaking of the frogs.  Whichever way you turn there are flowers, shrubs and trees in different settings; all so pleasing to the eye.  An artist's delight!
    A real treat was the four course meal cooked and served by our charming hosts.  Absolutely delicious!  Beautifully presented! (We would liked the recipes for each of the courses! The lemon ice cream was something to die for!)
    We did not walk as much as we'd intended! The tranquil, beautiful surroundings held us here.  We read a lot.  A great read was Gerald Brenan's "South of Granada".  Our furthest walk was to the delightful little villages below Cortijo Opazo, stopping at the teashop in Ferrierola for a very pleasant, simple, lunch.  The villages of the Poquiera valley are well worth visiting too.
    Further afield we found the Alhambra Palace just magical with all its exquisite architecture, decoration and gardens.  Difficult to take it all in first time around.
    Well, sadly we now leave Cortijo Opazo, the sunshine, the natural beauty and the peace, but this taster has left us determined to return very soon!

    With grateful thanks,
    Colin and Patsy
    October 2009.

Apparently they only saw me once, and that was on the last day, but I would like to assure them that whilst not always visible I was there, making sure they had everything they could need for what seems to have been a jolly good holiday.


Yours, incognito,


Fergus