If you came across this monster in a snow covered winter forest you might just be tempted to turn and run! In fact, today I am remembering my beautiful Leonberger, Bruno. A big dog (he was 70kg+) but extremely friendly and very family orientated. A gentle giant indeed.

Tranquility! Fisherman and dog alongside the Mediterranean this afternoon.

Beach day for the dogs. Think they enjoyed it!

A photographer's beautiful timelapse showing the onset of winter. It took him five years to shoot. Amazing!

https://vimeo.com/896231378

There's nothing quite like fireside dreaming on a winters day. This last week my wife & I have been doing a lot of this & are delighted to announce that as a result, we have booked flights so we can attempt the long distance "Alta Via 2" trail in the Italian Dolomites in July.

It's 10,000m ascent/descent +150km of tough mountain scenery to negotiate. Staying in refuges so we can travel light. I shall be 69 years old by then, so will be a tough enough challenge!

Snow and ice on the highest peaks of Spain's Sierra Nevada yesterday. Mulhacén 3482m, Veleta 3394m and Alcazaba 3350m

The northern faces of the Sierra Nevada, Spain seen yesterday from the Alto de Calabozo 1651m

Cold, but beautiful morning here in Lanjaron. Have a good weekend all!

I can't remember seeing almond blossom appearing pre Christmas. Just shows how warm and dry it's been this December.

Lots of fun had by our weekly hiking group on the new Via Ferrata at Cadiar. Thanks to Felipe for helping me out and making sure we were doing things in a safe manner. Recommended if you are in the area and have the correct equipment and, more importantly, know how to use it!

Strange winter so far. We have had 25c+ temps last few days and last night a fire ignited on the next hillside to us. This meant a long night monitoring the situation in case the wind changed direction. Fire stabilised this morning. We have only just been given permission to have burning fires and suspect the culprit didn't hose down and eliminate his burn before the high winds started in the afternoon. Anyway all ok now, thanks to the overnight firefighters!

Amazing what can be done these days. The doctor today connecting via Bluetooth to my pacemaker/defibrillator and making small adjustments, some of which I could instantly feel the change. Although I'm very active, hike, climb mountains etc I am so very, very lucky to have this back up "system" in place. No idea why he rolled his trouser leg up though :sablobsmilehappy:

Arko, our husky/malmute cross, just about to take off 😂

Good morning all, from a beautiful Sunday morning here in the Alpujarras

A nice sight to see. Water flowing down the "acequias" (irrigation channel) this morning, illuminated by the morning sun.

Atmospheric! Rain and clouds clearing over Lanjarón.

I've read a lot about the early polar explorers, Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton etc. One that passed me by until recently was Douglas Mawson. "This Accursed Land" tells how Mawson declined to join Scott's ill-fated British expedition & instead lead a team to explore the far eastern coastline of the Antarctic continent. A gripping and well told story of his lone struggle for survival, starving, poisoned, exhausted and indescribably cold. Recommended reading.

It may be cold and dark early but we do continue to get some wonderful sunset shows. Got to be quick though because they don't last long

3 Dec 2010. Patagonian Icecap. Probably my most difficult mountain day ever. I remember well the exhaustion and tiredness and also the relief when we were able to retreat the following day, albeit a touch snow blind.

"Blizzards, snowdrifts, gales, frostbite, snow-blindness, buried tents, floods, hardship, cold, sleepless nights. It must be summer then in deepest Patagonia 😀 "

Stunning sunset tonight