To find a diary month from our Newsletter,  just click

DIARY DAYS IN SPAIN

AUGUST 2009

AUGUST continued the long hot summer that we have experienced and was indeed the second hottest on record.  Temperatures continued at around 40 degrees daytime and low 20s at night. 

Food thus becomes something of a problem though and our staple diet during the month seems to have been avocado, crab

 and prawns with French dressing!

Mind you this was augmented by grilled fish and other light meats.

This of course, is the traditional holiday month for much of Spain and produces an effective gridlock in the coastal area as Spanish nationals head to our province from Madrid, Barcelona Valencia and other regions of Andalucía.  

It is very much the month of the Fiesta with long celebrations held all over the country as towns and villages continue with their “Patronal” Fiestas that are linked to their male and female saints.  

In our pueblo  the Feria and Fiesta of St Roque ran from the 14th to the 23rd of the month with many entertainments freely provided. 

Sadly our next door neighbours’ little dog died during the month from poisoning.  This was due to the appearance of some “Destroying Angel” toadstools which he had eaten, and I would warn you all as these fungi are common everywhere but especially near oak trees.  

They are particularly poisonous to both animals and humans. 

Further information can be found if you Google “Destroying Angels”. 

+click PET HELP

Still with animals here is a rather poignant local story.

A healthy 76-year-old shepherd set off with his flock and two sheep dogs for the usual day of grazing in the campo. 

Hours later one of the dogs brought the sheep back and the family naturally organised a search ~

...and the shepherd was found lying dead at the base of a gully with the other dog by his side!  It is not known yet what the cause of death was but I do think there is certain sweetness to the tale. 

Incidentally the Spanish shepherd dog is a non descript mutt who wouldn’t be allowed to besmirch “ One Man and His Dog”  at any price. 

However, not all-wild life has taken the month off, with pesky flies everywhere

and, toward the end of the month, wasps providing an unwelcome intrusion.    

Mind you they do provide sport and entertainment in that I keep a selection of swats in all rooms,

whilst Susan prefers the typically sneaky female approach of poisoning with her trusty can of “Murder” or some such aerosol.

During the month Zoo Zoo and Smokey became close friends as you can see from their picture in the supper queue!

... and on one occasion have even been seen eating from the same bowl at the same time! 

The year has proved to be an extremely good one for the Bamboo

which has put on at least a metre, due presumably to a relatively high water table followed by hot growing weather. 

At this rate we will soon be able to keep a couple of Pandas in the garden!

Sue says remember to click for more in her

Spanish Garden:

REMEMBER! To find a DIARY MONTH from our Newsletter,  just click

DIARY DAYS IN SPAIN