Spring in the Sierra Aracena

On the 30th April in Sweden it is Walpurgis Night and time to celebrate the beginning of Spring for the First of May. Anna’s blog has some interesting insights into this festival and of course her wonderful art work.
https://fargaregardsanna.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/walpurgis-night-valborg/

Even though this April seems to be going on the record for Spain’s coldest since 1974 , here in the south of Spain we have had glimpses of Spring. The variability and size of Spain means that there can be variation in the weather but this year the news is showing snow today in Cantabria and people sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast!

Iberian frog enjoying plentiful water and sunshine.

At Navasola we are lucky to have had so much rainfall after the drought that lasted throughout the summer and into the winter. Spring has brought much needed rain. One Spanish programme seemed to be suggesting that the reservoirs were now back to capacity. And there’s still some more rain due! These photos are from early April and at a friend’s finca on the warmer south facing side of the valley. Signs of butterflies, bees and blossom are always welcome.

Small blue on Rosemary, early April

Small Wild daffodil, hooped daffodil, early April

Celandine Meadow, early April

Carpenter bee on Rosemary, early April

Close up of large grasshopper, early April.

The Easter celebrations went smoothly in the town of Aracena and it is amazing the dedication and work that goes into the Holy Week processions. The story of the Passion is brought onto the streets and is both a religious and cultural occasion.

Palm Sunday procession in Aracena.

It takes at least 5 x 5 pairs of feet to carry the float. And all around the town too!

And the band keeps playing!

Other celebrations happen in April too and there is a big horse and mule event in the village of Puerto Moral. This involves processions of a different type. As this fell at the same time as Easter the villagers were busy with both on the Easter Sunday. We enjoyed free paella and vino there and lots of decorated donkeys.

Paella for all! Gratis! Y Gracias!

Cabelleros. Get on your horse and eat paella.

A baguette selling shop, bagueteria! In Spain!

My travels and granddaughter have taken me back to the UK and away from a routine and blogging yet again. We spent a glorious day in Kew Gardens with Japanese cherry blossom and temperatures around 27 degrees! Snow and cold weather came back within a week though!

Olivia is now about 6 months and beginning the joy of tasting. But puréed cauliflower didn’t go down well! I love cauliflower but it tasted too strong puréed so it must be the texture of a vegetable that helps and lashings of cheese. However, I am trying vegan again so no cheese although almond milk can make a good sauce base with some flavouring.

I think she knows who I am even after a few months!

I have many ideas for more blog posts and we have been busy discovering nature trails and a bird sanctuary near Doñana wetlands. I have also finally had a reply from a literary agent which though a rejection has made me feel positive. It was very disappointing from some of the previous ones that they could not take a few minutes to reply. Even an auto response would at least mean they had received and read some of it. I have some other agents lined up who do reply and a publisher. I am also impressed with an author who publishes with Pegasus.

The Puerto Moral Stork looking on at the festivities.