We don't ever regret utilising and repurposing the swimming pool as a greenhouse. I'm not much of a water baby and swimming pools take a lot of maintenance. How much better to use that water to grow fresh produce. Satisfying.


Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain
Since Dec 2022 we have been running our own Mastodon & GoToSocial servers. What a breath of fresh air the Fediverse has been. We have made many hundreds of new friends from around the world, mostly related to our mountain, tech and nature interests.
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We don't ever regret utilising and repurposing the swimming pool as a greenhouse. I'm not much of a water baby and swimming pools take a lot of maintenance. How much better to use that water to grow fresh produce. Satisfying.


Bit warm to be walking below 2000 meters but the cool breeze and forest foliage helped. Yesterday we did a walk in the Sierra de Huetor, combining the Cañada del Senero with an off piste ascent of Cerro del Corza 1606m.
My first visit to Cerro del Corza. It's a wonderful viewpoint for not only the Sierra Nevada, but also the Majaliar and Peñon de la Mata peaks.
Cold beers back in los Faroles, Lanjaron were most welcome




Lots of very happy and colorful people enjoying the great outdoors! A good turnout from our weekly walking group yesterday.

Views from the morning dog walk. Have a great week y'all. Lanjaron, Alpujarras.



I really enjoyed watching the KAOS TV series, a dark comedy and modern take on Greek mythology. Actually made me want to take a peek into Greek mythology as I never covered it during my educational years.
Short (3 min) video I put together showing our 2 day backpacking hike up Alcazaba 3369m in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains.
Alcazaba 3369m is the 3rd highest peak in the Sierra Nevada and yet, in my opinion, it is undoubtedly the finest.
Alcazaba, the Fortress, is well named, guarded on 3 sides by cliffs. A few days ago we started from Laguna de Borreguil & reached the Alcazaba summit plateau via a steep scree gully named "El Colaero", which brought us out at the col between Puntal de la Cornisa 3316m & Peñon del Globo 3296m. A short stroll from there to the summit.




We never camp at Laguna Hondera. It's popular, noisy & frequented by hungry foxes. Head a little uphill however & there are some delectable places to bivouac (make sure you don't camp on the fragile "borreguiles", grassy areas adjacent to the lake). We found some pre prepared bivouac spots near Laguna de Borreguil where we watched the sun set & cooked evening meals.Then laid back to watch the stars & milky way pass overhead. Life is simple, but good.




The walk into Siete Lagunas a couple of days ago involved passing two small hidden lakes, rarely visited by other humans. Laguna Prado Negro and another further north which doesn't have a name. It should, it's stunning! The wonderful wild side of the Sierra Nevada that few others get to see




Arrival of the sun at Laguna Borreguil, Siete Lagunas in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountain range this morning

Packing for a two day trip to climb the mighty Alcazaba (3350m) starting tomorrow. The finest peak in the Sierra Nevada. Bivouac at Laguna Altera (Siete Lagunas). Will be able to travel lightweight, no need for tent just open bivouac (groundsheet, quilt, pad) Total 4.5 kilograms (incl cooking/camera gear & normal hill pack) + about a litre of water to add.

It's going to be one of those days. 🐱 Have a great weekend all!

Nothing better on a hot summer Spanish day than home made cold Gazpacho soup containing vegetables from the garden - cucumber, tomatoes, garlic, cayenne peppers & onion. The bread was home made too. Simple but tasty.

Definite autumnal feel to the morning dog walk. Lovely colors, especially when the first rays of the sun hit the hillsides. Cooler with a slight breeze. Maybe end of the early morning/pre sunrise start of summer dog walking?



Cracking light show last night. We even had some drops of rain! Lanjaron, Andalucia
Arko hates his photo being taken but this morning he knows I've just baked him some liver cake for his walks :dance_cool_doge:

Exciting news. I'm going back to the Dolomites for a week at the end of September as I feel there is some unfinished business. This time, instead of just trekking, we are aiming to do 6 high level Via Ferrata routes in the Sella/San Martino mountain range in 5 days. Will use two refuges as a base. Really looking forward to it.

Today's pick from the garden. Think some hot and spicy sriracha sauce might be coming up

The Vuelta de España passing through my town of Lanjarón this afternoon.
178 kilometre mountain stage with 4,370 meters of ascent. It's hot and humid. Respect.
Silent Hiking Laguna Misterioso and Molinillo Waterfall
An August summer day in the Sierra Nevada and yet almost alone for all of this 6 hour hike visiting hidden lakes and spectacular waterfalls. No need for music in this short video, I shall let the wind and water speak for itself.