I spent a very pleasurable day down at the vegetable garden supervising the proceedings. I noted that the tall ones have put up some defences against the wild boar that caused damage recently. This being the case they have toiled under the sun today planting tomatoes, beans peppers - red and chilli - onions and leeks. Peas were also weeded and given some sticks for support.
Apparently now is the correct time to be planting since the moon has moved into the waning phase and so the roots of anything planted will be drawn down into the soil.
Whilst working we had a visit from Dave, our current guests, and we could see he was casting an envious eye on the strawberries, so William presented Dave, Margaret, Gavin and Angela with a selection of the fruit later in the afternoon. Margaret assures us they go down very well with sparkling white wine.
More planting tomorrow.
Yours, from between the rows,
Fergus.
As I mentioned in my last dogblog the summer has arrived and I am not an afficionado of hot weather. Walking is all well and good and presents a chance to encounter new sniffs and cats to terrorise. Despite the limited size of my legs I can often walk 20 kms or more in a day; but please, not in hot weather. Today we took a stroll to a location above the nearby village of Capilerilla, and it was all up hill. I have a lot of body mass to shift with each pace and did not appreciate the sun beating down on my two layers of fur - wire haired dachshunds are well known for their double coat. The tall ones who walked with me, Robert and his sister Philippa, seemed undaunted by the change in the weather and steamed on - no doubt they knew about the drinks and tapas awaiting them at the wooden hut where Haidé and Cristo are currently residing. And speaking of refreshments, not a morsel was cast in my direction.
This week we have welcomed back Margaret and Dave who are here for their fifth stay and have brought two Australian friends, Gavin and Angela. It is always a pleasure to welcome back previous guests to Cortijo Opazo, although Ella always goes a little potty and lets the side down.
Yours, in the shade,
Fergus
May 7th and summer has arrived. Deep blue skies with a light breeze and a strong golden sun in the sky. I've been watching the two tall ones create a new space in the garden. They seem to have extended the 'ruin' they built last year and are now painstakingly laying natural stone on its side to form a patio area. Standing by in the wings are a selection of flowering plants that will be trained over some ancient chestnut beams to create a shady pergola. This along with the improvements they have made recently to the water tank will make the square garden close to the house a veritable paradise to relax in. The only sounds that might break in to arouse ones mind are the gentle croaks from the frog who has taken up residence in the pond.
Tim and Amanda have spent a lovely two weeks with us in 'El Lujar' on the occasion of their honeymoon. Here is the kind message they left for us:
This has proved to be a fabulous location for our honeymoon. Fantastic walks with the added interest of wonderful flowers and wildlife. Thank you so much for the delicious food and your kind hospitality.
Amanda and Tim, May 1st 2009, El Lujar
Tim also wrote and extensive and most interesting list of the wildlife they had seen, but they omitted to mention that pride of place as the most distinguished example of animal life must surely go the the dachshund now writing this blog.
Finally, disturbing news from the vegetable garden. When up taking a dawn patrol this morning Robert startled at least two wild boar as they breakfasted on our newly planted potatoes.
Yours, on the defensive,
Fergus
There's been a lot of snapping and clicking in the garden of late. Not surprising really considering the general beauty of the place and the extraordinary variety of spring flowers that are emerging, but I must say the taking of photographs seems to have had a greater sense of urgency than usual. I've tried posing a few times but it does not seem to be my pedigree features that are being sought after. On closer observation of the taller of my two human companions I have learnt that a new website is being created, one just intended for the garden. Click on the title of this blog and a link will appear, but for your records the address is:
http://www.jardinalpujarra.com
Check it out.
Today, after weeks of sun and barbeques, the rain has arrived and will most probably stay for a few days. Good thing too, the ground was starting to taken on a dry, almost burnt look, which is not becoming for the month of April. It's brought a halt to the good work that has been happening around the pond area of the garden, but more of that in my next blog.
Yours, in bloom,
Fergus
Easter in the Alpujarras. Cortijo Opazo has had a busy time of it recently with people from all over the world checking in and enjoying my company. Most recently have been a family from San Fransisco. A short but none-the-less pleasant visit. She became besotted with the two boys and wouldn't leave them alone - well, she's bought very cheaply, if you ask me.
Currently we are enjoying the company of two Spanish couples who have brought with them three dogs, two of those hairy brutes they call Perros de Agua - sort of chunky standard poodles with dreadlocks - and a little mongrel of dubious parentage, but pleasant demeanour. She is a bit nervous about all these intrudors and is feigning a bad leg, but for me, it just adds to the number of disciples which is, of course, an appropriate collection for me to be making in Easter week.
Weather has been delightful, Spring in full force. The tall ones have been prompted into buying a new barbeque machine, which produces the most delightful aromas. Today, however, the wind is back with us and maybe some rain. There is still plenty of snow high up that is delivering water in the form of run-off in the streams, but apart from that we have seen no rain for weeks now and the soil is starting to dry out. I could say that we are waiting for rain, como las aguas de mayo, but I'm not sure that makes sense. Back to my language studies.
One of my human house mates has been out performing this week as a member of the choir. An Easter musical concert was held in the Salon de Actos in Pitres. Went very well by all accounts.
Yours, from under the barbeque,
Fergus
Once more up the Loma de Jabalí in search of prey. No joy this time, but none the less a splendid and well deserved walk. Traced a round trip by leaving the car above Pórtugos, then climbing up the ridge on the left hand side of the Rio Bermejo, above the waterfalls, trekking through the pine forest and eventually leaving the tress behind at the top of the Loma and catching a glimpse of the high Sierra Nevada all covered in snow. Had to trudge through a few snow pockets ourselves, but not as much as the last time I was up here. From there we walked up the valley of the Rio Trevelez, heading north for awhile. She found an alberca to go swimming in and didn't seem to have any reactions to the fact that it can only have been one degree above zero. Once we hit the forestry track we turned to hike back towards Pórtugos and where the car had been left. Just as the snow started to fall once more I caught a scent of a wild boar and off I went. Didn't catch it but gave a good chase. The tall ones didn't seem so pleased when I reappeared 20 minutes later.
Enjoying this cold snap by the fire side,
Fergus
March has certainly been a busy month for us all, so busy that I haven't had time to put my paws on the keyboard and publish a blog. It's been a busy time since there has been much for me to inspect, such is my role here as foreman. The weather has been consistently warm and sunny with not a drop of rain, so the two legged ones have been getting on with plenty of work in the garden - with the help of these people known as WWOOFers - see my last blog. Much weeding has been done, along with some construction work up by the reservoir. They seem to have put the irrigation channel into a pipe then built two small tanks for the water to flow in to before it hits the main tank - something about allowing the sediments to settle out. Then, of course, there was all that mud they dredged out of the bottom of the reservoir. It was a bit smelly so I kept my paws well clear of it, which is more than I can say about her. After all this and more weeding they got on and added another stone area to the walled garden, using a technique of putting stones on edge in a dry mix of sand and cement. In Spanish it is called 'Empedrada', the putting in of stone.
Now we have two more WWOOF volunteers with us, Stina and Jennica, from Sweden. They have mainly been weeding along the newly established hedge, but seem very cheerful and chatty - they spend too much time talking to Ella, though, as if she can understand a word they say. I even heard one of them describe her as an intelligent dog!
We've had some other less wanted visitors in the form of a local cat who chose to have kittens right next to the garden shed. How stupid! With two dogs around! They seemed to disappear after a day or so, mother and kittens. Can't imagine where they have gone to, but both Ella and I seem a little off our food.
On the subject of food, it seems that the rhubarb season is upon us and each day armfuls of this pinky green vegetation matter are brought up from the vegetable bed area and prepared in the kitchen, stewed, crumbled and put in a tart. I'm still waiting to try some of last year's rhubarb chutney.
So, that's March. A perfect month of sun and spring blossom. So saying, the national news authorities have issued a bad weather warning for the whole of Spain, forecasting heavy rain and snow for the next 24 hour period. The skies are currently dark, so we shall just have to see what comes our way.
Yours, from the foreman's seat, umbrella firmly under paw,
Fergus.
