17 Apr 2009 - Spanish Tree Cutting

In the three years since we moved here to Parcent, the trees in front of our house have grown considerably. However the one in front of our house is not as bad as further down the road There are a particular problem when we have our regular strong winds, as the swimming pools quickly become clogged.

Because the trees are on ground belonging to the house owners, we are allowed to trim them, and earlier this year it was decided to do so. A Spanish tree expert was given the job and he turned up with two helpers.

The "gaffer" came with helmet, goggles and thick gloves. The "helpers" came in jeans and short sleeved shirts. He was quickly up the ladder and lopping left, right and centre. They were below trying to avoid the branches raining down on them, and clearing them away as quick as they could. Certainly none of this health and safety business here in Spain!

It was sad to see the lopped trees when they had finished. And there were a lot of confused birds flying around looking for their recent tree top homes. But it has made a great difference to the swimming pools. And we now have an even better view than we did before.

6 Apr 2009 - Gerald Pinos Walk

This is the second walk from Pinos in the same month. Despite starting from the same place, it is in fact a different walk. This area is a particular favourite of Gerald, who had been walking with both CBMW and Monday Club for some time. He lives in UK, but has a holday home here. He was asked to lead a walk of his choice, and he offered this one. Despite being in the same area, it is a walk we all greatly enjoyed.

At this time of year there are large numbers of wild flowers, and our group has taken to frequent stops to admire and photograph them. So much so that we now have three types of stops. First lunch stop, second water stop, thirdly flower/photo stop!

23 Mar 2009 - Monday Club Pinos walk

March is one of the best months for walking in this part of Spain, warm sunny days but not too hot. And Pinos is a lovely spot to walk from. This walk took us around the lower slopes of Bernia and takes about 5 hours - including a considerable stop for a picnic lunch!

As always we stopped for a drink after the walk, but this time we were in for a treat. At a nearby table a group suddenly started to sing, or rather to yodel. They turned out to be a group of Austrians, and they had an even greater treat for us. As we were about to leave, one of them asked us to wait a few minutes. Four of them went to the car park, and returned with these huge alpine horns. They played a couple of tunes, to the great entertainment of all the customers in the restraurant.

A lovely end to a lovely walk.