Forgive me if the above picture gives the impression that I spend my days idly baking in the sun; far from it. This has been a busy day, saying goodbye to our guests and preparing the accommodation for the next arrivals. Dave and Margaret have been with us this week, for their fifth time! This year they brought with them their Australian friends, Gavin and Angela. As always, the weather has been kind and they have seen much of the beauty the area can offer in May. Evenings have been spent watching the sun disappear behind the mountains. Ella has done more that anyone wanted in terms of entertaining but we all know what a nuisance she can be.
I happened to glance at the visitor's book as I was carrying out my usually inspection of the prepared accommodation; here is what out guests have been kind enough to write:
Dear Robert and William,
Thank you so much for our stay. Our first time in Spain, what a beautiful introduction to a new country for us. We will treasure this week for the rest of our years, remembering the various walks and villages in the surrounding area. The friendly people and beautiful food and fauna have enhanced a memorable week.
Gavin and Angela, Brisbane, Australia.
And from Dave and Margaret themselves:
No wonder people keep coming back.... a little piece of heaven on earth (5th year in a row)
Along with preparing the accommodation the two tall ones have been busy baking bread and preparing a feta cheese and spinach lasagna for our next guests. Tonight we welcome back Jim and Sophie, who are returning here for the third holiday with us, this time with their new baby. I'm not sure I heard them correctly but it seems she is called Ella!
Yours, from the sun chair, aghast,
Fergus
The two tall ones have been busy again today, adding adornment to the house in the form of a gorgeous display of bedding plants potted up in tubs. Such a display of colours seldom seen in the Alpujarras. The house is already famous for its window boxes of bright red geraniums - all you have to tell people is that you are staying at the house with the red geraniums and they instantly know what you mean. Now we shall give passers by something else to marvel at - not that we have many passers by along the quiet lane to Atalbeitar.
You are probably wondering how I can appreciate such an array of colours since dogs are supposed to be colour blind. That may be true for creatures such as Ella, but you have to remember that as a dachshund, I have special abilities.
Yours, in multi colour,
Fergus
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
