Hi All, we are now well and truly settled in for the winter. We have organised Spanish and Art classes, Ann is doing Pilates and I have gone back to the choir. Quite pleased that they are performing a carol that I have written for their Christmas concerts, though not sure how that squares with being a confirmed atheist! We have got back in touch with friends, started yet another effort to lose weight, and two tonnes of firewood is due to arrive on Thursday. In fact it all seems a bit like coming home, and I suspect that there are further discussions to be had about the merits of living in France or Spain. Mid October and the temperatures are still in the high 20’s so we can swim every day. It makes such a difference to be warm!
The oranges are just beginning to ripen, and the almonds and grapes have just been harvested, but the crop of all three has been very poor this year due to a continued lack of water. We sat on the patio and watched a tremendous thunderstorm sweep up the valley the other night, until a bolt of lightning hit the garden next door, whereupon we scuttled rapidly for shelter. Unfortunately it produced only a massive downpour for fifteen minutes, which promptly evaporated and did no good at all. If we do get a “gotta fria” which is a massive downpour which can last up to a week and occurs every five or six years, it will cause complete chaos. All the riverbeds are dry and filled with rubbish and vegetation.
A very happy birthday to our granddaughter Chloe who is 11 today. It hardly seems possible!
Holiday bookings now being taken if anyone wants to pop out for a few days while we are here. February is very pretty when the almond blossom is out.
All the best,
Andy
ann and andy lawrenson 