WE'RE BACK

Hello everyone… After a break of 4 months we're back, although not exactly with a bang! We have had an extremely quiet summer, mainly due to the fantastic weather we have experienced here. Virtually every day throughout July, August and September we have enjoyed temperatures in the high 30’s and on more than one occasion it went to over 40!

The weather through October and now into November/ December has been almost as good with mostly clear skies and pleasant sunshine! However, this has been disastrous for this year’s olive harvest; the lack of rain and high winds has resulted in under ripened olives and huge premature losses.

We did have a few guests throughout the summer months. Becky came out for a week (5th - 11th August) followed almost immediately by Karen.

Whilst Becky was here we spent a day at the lakes at Ardales, officially known as the ‘Embalses’ of El Chorro, and also the ‘Pantanos del Conde del Guadalhorce’, although there are known more simply by the ‘ex-pats’ as the local Lake District! They are about an hours drive from us along peaceful country lanes with some marvelous open views from the Campillos area. The change of scenery from dry and arid to lush and green is startling. We had a super lunch at our favourite restaurant there ‘La Mirador’ which enjoys wonderful views across the turquoise lakes.

After lunch we decided to hire a pedalo for the afternoon to explore the inlets and hidden coves that surround the lakes. Whilst we were drifting around the lake, Becky spotted a group of teenagers that were diving into the lake from the cliffs! ‘I’d like to have a go at that’ she says and before I could say ‘Are you completely bonkers’ she had joined them and as you can see from the photographs, was also taking her life in her hands……………

Very brave or stupid.......

but she survived......

Sophie came over on the 14th September and stayed until the 21st and at the same time Lin traveled back to the UK to spend a week in Suffolk with Karen & Eddie. Sophie was starting Bournemouth University on the 5th October, so it was a great opportunity for her to chill out before the hard work commenced. As you can see Sophie has a great rapport with Luna and Nuri and they really missed her when she left.

Sophie with Luna.....

What's the matter with you?

Contentment!!