Author: Jennifer Smith

Olive Oil:With olive trees as far as the eye can see in every direction it occurred to me – just how much olive oil does Spain produce? 50% of the world’s olive oil and over three times as much as…

There’s a lovely hiking trail in the hills overlooking Antequera – almost four kilometers of relatively flat, rock-strewn sandy path. It meanders its way past the remains of 17 Roman Arquillas – a system which carried water into town, while…

Jabbing a finger on the map and then taking whatever road led to a tiny village is pretty much guaranteed to delight every sense. Not far from Antequera is Archidona –  famous for its international film festival which has promoted…

The caves at Nerja came highly recommended as a place NOT to miss (thank you Sue) so, rather than taking the usual A45 highway into Malaga, we plotted a back route via the 7204 and A356 through the hills, villages…

We’re off to Malaga!  It’s National Day in Spain – a contentious subject in some parts as this is the day Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) ‘discovered’ the Americas.  Known in some places as Columbus Day, others have changed it to…

Showers have been predicted over the next couple of days, so this morning’s clear skies enticed us to go exploring.  Towards Ronda, perhaps?  The huge wind turbines were spinning a bit faster today as we left Antequera behind – some…

A short drive from town, in the direction of Malaga, is the small town of Fuente de Piedra … best known for its lake – Laguna – where each year tens of thousands of flamingos come to nest. https://andaluciainmypocket.com/fuente-de-piedra-where-to-see-pink-flamingos-in-spain/  These…

We’re on a nodding acquaintance with some of the neighbours now … and a cheerful “Hola, Buenas” usually gets a smile and response.   The traditional greetings  of Buenos Dias and Buenas Tardes – although still used, often get shortened…

The wind finally subsided. Yesterday all the doorway curtains were billowing and flapping like spinnakers in a yacht race.  It’s warmer too, but the whole valley is draped in a hazy mist . . . like looking through a net…

Everything felt fresh after the rain … the sun was out but a cool breeze made it a little chilly for coffee al fresco first thing … although it warmed up nicely by mid morning.  Despite cereal and fruit for…