Spring 2009
Spring is quite advanced
now, almost summer, with the village old ladies already
complaining it is mucho calor.
My roses are in full bloom, the bee eaters are back,
chattering on the overhead wires in all their colourful glory, the
swallow’s fledglings are practising their flights, and our
family of Andalucian tortoises are out of hibernation and slowly
exploring the garden. The
babies are so tiny we have to watch where we walk the whole time. Brave David has ventured into the pool at a temperature of 21
degrees. I shall wait
until it is at least 24, coward that I am.
We have enjoyed, and I use the word advisedly, quite a wet
spring, with more rain than usual, and the Andalucian government
is saying that the region’s trees have had sufficient water to
survive any summer drought. Water is a scarce resource here, naturally, although Spain
now considers itself a world leader in desalination. The argument over whether water should be taken from the
northern rivers to feed the tourism and agricultural industries of
the south was won by the environmentalists, and the rivers are
safe. Which is good news, I think.
The Mediterranean fish, however, are doing less well and
fish farms are now being set up to preserve and replenish lost
stocks. If you come
to Spain this summer, be prepared to pay more when eating out to
enjoy those delicious fish. The
exchange rate is not in our favour at the moment, almost on a
parity with sterling, although the pound is slowly strengthening.
So what have I been
doing since last I spoke to you?
Writing, of course. I’ll
tell you more about what I’m working on next time.
I’m at my desk by 9 each morning and work through to
almost 2 o’ clock, with a short break for breakfast around
10.30. In the
afternoons I walk, garden, read, sometimes try my hand at painting
a picture, with varying degrees of success. Then back at my desk by 4.30 for another couple of hours
editing and revising.
In February, David and I
drove up the autoroute and enjoyed a few day’s exploring
South-West France. We
stayed in Nérac which is a delightful Medieval town set in a
softly rolling, wooded landscape, and the location for the filming
of Chocolat. We
then went on to Pau with its magnificent views of the Pyrenees,
and its beautiful Palace which belonged to the Kings of Navarre.
Last week I visited a delightful Roman spa with friends,
where we wallowed in thermal waters, took part in some gentle
exercise and massage, and enjoyed a superb lunch. All for 15 euros. Can’t
be bad, although if I’d hoped to lose any
weight I was disappointed.
I’ll have to continue working on that one.