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Almeria 2009
 monthly
newsletter |
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 OUR
REGULAR NEWS FEATURE FROM
SUNNY SPAIN |
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APRIL 2009
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APRIL
began as March ended, with some
dismal cloudy weather ~ but not for long. The clouds turned to
rain to celebrate the Easter Holiday!
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Although there were many sunny spells. |
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The Easter Bank Holiday in Spain lasts from
Maundy Thursday through to Easter Monday making a welcome 5 day
break except for those unfortunates who work in modern style
shops etc. who have to turn in to work on the Saturday.
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However Easter has been described as the Fiesta of Fiestas...
and
from the smallest hamlet church to the largest city cathedral
the religious idols were on display ...
and throughout Easter the traditional parades in the streets
saw them shouldered by scores of men with the iconic sculptures
resting on wooden thrones.
The men bearing the weight of these extremely heavy symbols
are usually well fortified in the local bar to enable them to
face the task! |
The Easter break may give the visitor the
impression that Spain is still a very devout country however the
Catholic church early on recognised the Spanish love of a Fiesta
and with true marketing flair ensured that all religious
festivals are accompanied by a suitable “knees up”.
However with the advent
of the motorcar many inland Spaniards make a “solemn” pilgrimage
to their favourite seaside resort where of course the
festivities can continue....
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Although not yet settled to sunshine the weather is certainly
warming up and early April saw the summer duvet go on our bed
...and my socks and long sleeved shirts etc were packed away until
the backend.
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The garden has been
a hive of activity with the grapevines beginning the month as
bare stems and by the end of the month being covered in green
and requiring pruning twice a week! The speed at which the
grapes grow never ceases to amaze. |
The lilies have now
been and gone for another year |
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but in their
place we have the beautiful Strelitzia Reginae ~ Bird of
Paradise Flower which is one of my all time favourites
Incidentally
the common name is exactly the same in Spanish Ave del Paraiso.
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The Gazanias
and succulents etc are in full bloom and present a most
attractive medley of colour and form.
see our page
SPANISH GARDEN for some further up to date pics |
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Up in the air the early part of the month
saw the annual fly past by the
Arctic Terns
on their marathon
journey to the north pole (or thereabouts) .
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Apart from starting
off in Antarctica I don't quite know for certain their travel
itinerary but regular as clockwork they pass over our house
heading for the coast in early April and once at the coast I do
know they go north to the Ebro Peninsular...
but from thence who
knows? [click the link] |
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The Bee Eaters are now well settled for
their summer stay and fairly shortly will get down to some
serious breeding!
The Screech Owls can also be heard in the
evening when to the uninitiated their eerie cry can be likened
to a woman or child in distress. It is still too early for the
Rollers though.
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On the domestic front the unpredictability
of the weather has dictated that all food must needs be “dual
purpose” in that it can be eaten indoors having been cooked in
the kitchen or Al fresco with salad etc.
It will soon be the
latter. ..
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TOUR
SPAIN
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ALMERIA PROVINCIAL INFORMATION |
NEW!
PETS
CORNER -
OUR ALMERIAN PETS |
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El Gato - enjoying the sunshine ! |
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REMEMBER! To find
a DIARY MONTH from our Newsletter,
just click
DIARY DAYS IN SPAIN
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And
see more recipes at
MIKE'S TAPAS BAR |
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©
PLUS
keep looking ...
2006