Autumn days

I gave Ella a pinch and a punch this morning to mark the occasion of the 1st of October but she didn't appreciate the reminder and ran out of the house yelping. But today truly is a glorious Autumn morning, the mist is gathering and dispersing in the valley below whilst above the sky is a bright blue. A heavy dew sits on the leaves and branches in the garden, and our morning walk freshened our very cores - I would have said 'soul' but I believe there is a debate as to whether animals actually have 'souls' so I will leave that issue to one side. Below is a picture of some of the dreadful weather we have experienced here recently, sent courtesy of Jim Beale. What a downpour it was, just look at the cascade of water on the right hand side, tumbling over the rocks and into the courtyard. Luckily more characteristic sunny weather has returned, today we went for a walk on the beach at Motril and it felt for all the world as though summer had returned, and you must know how I feel about summer.


Christine and John Rabjohns were fortunate enough to have missed these extreme conditions and have recently returned back to the UK after 10 days of walking in some very good September weather. Well done to them for having covered such a good amount of the numerous walks that are available here.

As I write this I can hear, coming through the window, the clack clack sound of the sticks beating the almond trees in the grove across the way from us. It is almond harvesting season here. Below the trees are spread green nets. The men thrust long sticks into the trees and beat the branches whilst the women gather the nuts that fall below. Afterwards they have to be husked and the hard shells cracked off. It's difficult work, but seemingly enjoyable, working outside as a family in the Autumn sunshine. This year the harvest is very good indeed since there were no late spring frosts to kill off the tender flower buds. It is good that we have a strong almond harvest since much of the locally grown fresh produce has been destroyed by the hail stones that fell in the aforementioned storm. All our tomatoes have damaged skins and are now in the stew pot; we are unlikely to see any more this year. But in hope of harvests to come now is the time to be planting our winter vegetables. As foreman of this self contained little empire here it is time I organised my workers.

Yours, with clipboard in paw,

Fergus.