El Perro Negro's Day to Day Ramblings
Earlier this year we planted two small apple trees (Royal Gala & Pink Lady) and have religiously made sure they have been well supplied by water throughout the summer. Very satisfying today to be able pick and enjoy a tasty Pink Lady although it's this obly one so far. Early days
Glorious sunset tonight in Lanjarón, Alpujarras.
@khusky and I have been collecting olives today. We collect by hand rather than hit the branches with sticks or use machinery. It takes much longer and is not as efficient but in a funny sort of way is quite meditative and rewarding. 60kg collected so far and maybe another 150kg+ to go.
Lunch with a view!
One of my favorite hikes in the northern Sierra Nevada reaches the Cortijos del Hornillo from the Vereda de la Estrella. From here the north faces of the Sierra Nevada look like something from the Alps, Rockies or Himalaya. Have to pinch myself sometimes that this is indeed southern Spain. These spectacular views are the main reason I came out here nearly 22 years ago.
Heading up the Vereda de Estrella trail on yesterday's hike. This is a wonderful walk, especially with the autumn colors and when the northern faces of Alcazaba 3371m and Mulhacén 3482m have snow on them.
Yesterday I had a little fun on a hike with a manual focus TTArtisan lens (F2/25mm APSC). This was a very cheap lens (€75!). Aperture and focus set manually via the lens.
When you are used to auto focus lenses it's a bit strange at first but I think I got the hang of it by the end. Images and descriptions below.
Ruta de Pavilla - a short but spectacular hike from Niguelas
Topical photo for and .
A scary looking cat called Sooty who is actually a nice cat and not a vampire. Just caught on an off day 🤣
Beautiful light coming through the clouds above Lanjarón this evening
Arko enjoying his autumn dog walks now that the air is cooler and he has a steady supply of water to swim in
Connected the LilyGo LoRa32 board to the app of an old phone. Now to get a second and then start testing the range it can achieve.
These type of floods happen every autumn but I can't remember a year with the damage and loss as bad as this. Thoughts with all those people affected
And just like that, the "acequias" are starting to flow again above Lanjarón 🙏
The forecast was poor with low cloud, mountain mists, cold winds & rain arriving later. We planned an easily escapable, short 3hr hike up Peñon del Jorobado, Sierra de Huetor.
The day was predictably grey but approaching the summit the strong winds opened up a gap in the cloud cover to the south. We were rewarded for our efforts by some fine views of the snow covered Sierra Nevada. I reached home as it started raining.
Hiking in t shirts and shorts last week. This week it's full on winter layers with a -7 windchill! At 1744 meters on the Peñon del Jorobado in the Sierra de Huetor today with @khusky and @chriswright
Lanjarón this morning from the dog walk. A fine day but rain is forecast this afternoon and for the next few days. Good news for the land. Snow above 2000 meters.
Productive first full day back in Spain 🇪🇸
Homemade granola bars for hiking trips and a large batch of homemade limoncello on the go. Just got to process those magnificent pomegranates
A visit back to middle England for me this week. It's nice to see friends and family but I don't enjoy the crowds, costs and stresses, which are somewhat alien to me living in rural Spain. What England does have though is an interesting, beautiful and historical network of canal waterways. A heritage from its industrial past. Here's a couple of shots from a short walk I did today with @khusky
Somewhere over the rainbow. Lanjarón, Alpujarra.
Came across these old building remains during my Tabernas desert hike. Turns out they were part of a film set, originally built to portray a small village in "Chino" (1973), a spaghetti western starring Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland.
Also used in "Straight to Hell" (1987) starring Courtney Love, Joe Strummer, Sly Richardson & Shane MacGowan.
Better go and watch those movies I guess 🤔
