OUR REGULAR NEWS FEATURE FROM

SUNNY SPAIN    

February  2010

February is generally considered the winter month in these parts and so it proved.  Whilst we had a mixed month for weather there was a fair amount of rain

and a couple of frosty mornings ...

and one notably windy day. 

We fared much better than other parts of the Peninsular with floods in Malaga, Barcelona and heavy snow falls in the centre of the country.  

There were some very nice days which make life difficult because one tends to think that we have turned the corner only to be rapidly proven wrong as the clouds roll in! 

The hot weather cooking resulted in me once again incurring a bad burn on my right hand as I put food into our low level oven and pushed up against a red hot heating element.

Quick thinking Susan dashed into the garden and snipped the top of a leaf of Aloe Vera and applied the fresh gel to the rather nasty burn. 

Result – no pain, rapid healing and no scarring!

- click the plant opposite for more info   .....

If it is possible for you to grow some, and if you are as clumsy as I am,

I recommend the plant perhaps in the conservatory. 

The lack of wind has been most welcome although it does mean that I haven’t been able to wear my suede coat which is magnificent for keeping the wind out.  I bought the coat, beautifully made, lined zipped and buttoned from a Moroccan street trader whom I have known for some years. 

He started off at 200 Euros and when I said I didn't have any money that day he said OK how about 100 Euros... At 50 Euros I was still not in the market, but then he said “OK you’re a friend call it 30 Euros”

Well at that time that was 20 pounds sterling for a beautiful suede coat – I could hardly refuse could I?  Although I don't get a lot of use out of it if ever there is a cold wind off the high sierra it comes into its own. 

The street traders can often offer good quality at truly bargain prices so don't write them off but do be prepared to haggle.

I don't know about the beer but the mud and blood were painfully in evidence. 

I hope she was worth it and all the scars across the face which he is now disporting.   

The garden is livening up as the days lengthen and it won't be long before the succulents, gazanias,  and lilies are all in bloom.  I believe that the length of the day has as much to do with the flowering season as warmth or maybe it's both. 

CLICK  EXTRA SPANISH GARDENING

Similarly at present, oranges are at their peak which Spaniards put down to the fact that they have had a frost on them (rather as the English say about parsnips).  It may simply be that the plants have fruited at the normal time after a particularly good growing season – but who knows? 

where on completion of your purchases it is usual to be offered a large bunch of fresh Parsley or Coriander as a "thank you"

Being the run up to Easter, February saw Spain explode into Carnaval,  with our most spectacular local event being held in the Charmingly Spanish port town of Aguilas.  This is now a National Tourist event and in its own small way (not that small really) can rival Rio. 

If you are interested why not Google Aguilas Carnaval (yes here in Spain it is Carnaval)

or just click HERE

plus for a Video click: HERE

However, if semi naked girls in exotic costumes are not your desire you might prefer a trip to Roquettas de Mar  the seaside resort in the south of the region...

where Carnaval is celebrated with the traditional Burial of the Sardine

...No don't ask me why! 

CLICK CARNAVAL

In Almeria itself Carnaval is celebrated with the Fiesta de la Haba  el Bacalao y el Tocino  ( that is a broad bean cod and lard party) 

Even if the menu doesn´t sound awfully tempting the beer, wine, Carnaval songs and original costumes make things go with a swing. 

CLICK ALMERIA CARNAVAL

On the negative side the Palms in the region

have been plagued by

Red  Weevils

Mini-Hollywood and the Almería Film Industry

I was reading recently of Sergio Leone and his Spaghetti Westerns

click my   ALMERIA PROVINCIAL INFO to read what I've added

There are still a number of old fashioned bars where a tapa  is given free with each drink although charging has become more normal and around 1 Euro per portion is general but be prepared to pay perhaps twice that or even more when down at the coast.

Thinking tapas, brings me onto coffee. 

It is a source of total bemusement to Sue and I that you can get a decent cup of tea in Dover - and coffee which tastes as though its made from burnt cardboard ...

and an hour later in Calais there is superb coffee freshly ground and infused, but the tea is bloody awful, normally being a tea bag with a cup of warm water! 

Here in Spain coffee represents one of the two main religions in the country,

[the other being football ]

Sue says remember to click for more in her

Spanish Garden:

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