El Perro Negro

View from the morning dog walk. Snow from 2700 metres upwards on the south side of Cerro de Caballo, Sierra Nevada

We collected 240kg of olives from our land over the past couple of days. Today came the exciting part when we took them down to the local mill.

Here they do the first press of the olives and in return we receive back our very own oil. 40 litres of thick, dark green extra virgin olive oil. No money changes hands. Olives for oil.

A friend just sent me this short video from her house in the centre of Malaga.

Storm clouds are rolling in and heading this way.

Sometimes I despair of the human race. Friends of mine have a small B&B in the hills above us. They provide a homely service so the apartment has full drinks cabinet & honesty box for people to leave money.

A weathy couple of Realtors drank €38 & then left €6. When asked politely for the remaining balance response was...

"Write the balance off as a learning experience. Next time present a bill in a timely manner. Get yourself organized and focused."

Hangs head in disbelief!

Not quite a blue sky day with some afternoon clouds building. Tomorrow we are on alert for rain. Much needed still despite the tragic events of Valencia

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.