BLOG - Last week in June 2019

We came for the week to enjoy the Mill in June. Sunny, warm (highs of 27C to 34C) but usually with a cooling breeze. The drive up the autovia from Sevilla airport was decorated by flowering oleander (which was much in evidence throughout the Sierra), and then the lovely drive up into the Sierra, a drive I never tire of. There never seem to be many cars on the road!

The Mill was looking lovely, particularly the gorgeous bougainvillea which is flourishing, and the various flowering bushes on the path up to the house, a profusion of colour. Sheep and a goat in the orchard, and 2 horses and a mule in the stream paddock, keeping the brown-burnt grasses down.

We had a busy time enjoying lunch with friends, a jamón tour at Cinco Jotas, somewhat unbelievably something we had never done (this is very well worth it), a trip out to see the mines at Rio Tinto, and then a drive around some of the nearby villages. We always enjoy Alajár, nestled below the Peña de Arias Montano, and Almonaster La Real with its ancient mosque. The jacaranda was flowering in the villages!

Games of pétanque in the early evening were competitive. And a dip in the albercas was refreshing.

Birding highlights included a flypast from some Griffon Vultures, a lot of noisy Spotless Starlings and many Red-rumped Swallows coming into drink in the albercas.

Fresh lamb from a local farm and fresh Dorada from the fishmonger made for some tasty meals!

Work on the house had shown wonderful results: the “Library” bedroom has a new wall and has two single beds in it, the boiler room has been tiled and painted and has a new door and window and looks very smart, and the new internet provider is working well.

The dehesa was looking healthy and lovely. If only we could have stayed for longer!

Angie & Nick

June 2019