tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90554055690973781482012-01-22T14:13:22.852-08:00A Spanish cortijo in the stunning countryside of the Sierra de Montanchez,a magical atmosphere for your holidays in Extremadurapippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-40962798485130357532012-01-13T11:34:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:12.980-08:00

We are in the second month of the olive harvest. In the olive groves all around the finca we see groups of men shaking the olive trees vigourously with long poles. They don't just bash the trees, it's a more precise movement, inserting the pole firmly amongst the branches and agitating firmly. Olives rain down onto either the bare earth or nets, thankfully nets are coming back into fashion after

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-42364432404163411722011-12-30T01:31:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:12.982-08:00

Lovely Christmas with family arriving from Madrid and Lisbon. Weather was gorgeous so lots of walking in between the feasting. 

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-702482889024283752011-12-27T01:35:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:12:16.893-08:00

The winter solstice was on the 22nd December this year but every Christmas eve there are bonfires lit all over Spain as a combination of Christian festival and echoes of pagan past, a huge blaze during the longest nights of the year. The one at Albala was a mountainous stack of whole oak trees and brushwood, it went up with a whoosh sending crimson spark patterns into the cold night sky. A

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-18417458210413502792011-12-16T04:41:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.267-08:00

There is a wonderful walk from Finca al-manzil on winding lane across olive groves and through cork oak forests. After an hour one arrives at one of the most intriguing places in Extremadura, a unique place with an evocative atmosphere: nature spirits and legends; esoteric rites and rituals; five different cultures; centuries of ruin; a place of sanctuary, decimation, celebration, joy, awe and

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-88362524023191621982011-12-10T08:06:00.000-08:002012-01-22T11:15:57.080-08:00

We had some gorgeous golden autumn days in late November so decided to take a trip to the Sierra de Villuercas to see the autumn colours. There are many more chestnut and oak trees in that area so the change of colour is really spectacular. Always interesting and impressive to visit Guadalupe again although sometimes the religious tourism can grate on the nerves, low key as it is.  The guided

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-67068262610844378432011-11-30T09:22:00.000-08:002011-11-30T09:22:34.791-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-91341570809903488782011-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:12.983-08:00

The meaning of iridescent comes alive in the Spanish word for rainbow, this one appearing after a November rain shower, arching beautifully over Finca al-manzil.

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-14184424472145718512011-11-16T03:44:00.000-08:002011-11-16T03:44:52.453-08:00

Roxy's puppies were born on October 19th, 3 males and 2 females. All went really well, we hardly realized when the birth started and in fact when 2 puppies had already been born we heard a feint mewling in the grass outside and found another puppy, must have been the first born, it is the one we will keep, waiting for inspiration for her name. They are 1 month old tomorrow and looking gorgeous,

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-10376482755225355412011-10-30T14:17:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.269-08:00

The battle of Arroyomolinos was fought on October 28th 1811 on a stormy morning with torrential rain lashing the battlefield. The scene on the 200 year anniversary could not be more different, the Sierra de Montanchez was basking in warm sunshine and the re-enactment turned into a great fiesta with the bars spilling out onto the street, great fun to mingle with the local people transformed in

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-85471278827860496892011-10-29T09:32:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.270-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-60384394370691130032011-10-07T23:58:00.000-07:002011-11-07T23:59:36.726-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-84699360088606385212011-06-21T07:17:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.985-08:00

 

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com010170 Montánchez, Spain39.21310348107432 -6.09191932031251339.10092348107432 -6.215126320312513 39.32528348107432 -5.968712320312513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-36841139454196239122011-06-15T23:56:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.272-08:00

For a long time we have wanted to return to Salvaterra do Extremo to walk through the gorges on the River Erge. It seemed a good day to go on my birthday so we were on the road early(ish) It took the usual 2 hours and we crossed over the ford into Portugal when it was still not too hot. We dumped our picnic under a huge shady tree on the river bank and set off along the track. Passed an old water

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-9224068921799586332011-06-14T16:04:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.273-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-19777603688404679962011-06-12T02:41:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.989-08:00

The azure winged magpies come to steal the cat food every morning from the bowl on the back terrace of the cortijo. How privileged I feel to see these beautiful creatures that only exists here in the Iberic peninsular and far  away in parts of China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia. They seem to be very prolific on the finca this year, it's a wonderful sight to see large flocks flying past in a flash

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-65973426086218544332011-04-04T09:11:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.275-08:00

Last weekend there were 3 days of fiesta in Trujillo to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Francisco de Orellana the conquistador mainly concerned with the exploration of the Amazon, the palace that he built is still an impressive reminder of the riches that arrived back in Trujillo from the New World. The  plaza was transformed into a colourful market with plenty of animated

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-89146797030180829202011-03-10T08:57:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.276-08:00

Carnival is quite late this year but it was still chilly in the plaza mayor as hundreds of people came to watch the parade of floats on Sunday. There were several different themes but my favourite was the fishing boat made of newspaper floating on a blue polythene sea, fishermen casting their nets over the lovely, plump and shiny gambas, wonderful costumes with incredible detail.  There were all

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-34135831767744555582011-02-20T13:50:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.278-08:00

THE CONQUISTADOR TRAIL- CULTURE, COOKING AND WALKING IN EXTREMADURA A journey of discovery through historical towns, beautiful countryside and delicious food. Trujillo, view from the castle Walking towards Trujillo One of the magnificent conquistador palaces of Trujillo Imagine staying in one of the most precious towns of Spain, beautifully preserved with a glowing atmosphere; a

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-51299085378368586872010-12-28T07:18:00.003-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.279-08:00

 

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-34198050548355222632010-12-22T12:21:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:57:32.832-08:00

From total lunar eclipse in 2010 to a trip to the moon........re-wind to 1902. It's quite a brain shaker, mixing time and space and cultural perspectives. For the first time in nearly 400 years the lunar eclipse coincides with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. In addition, both sun and eclipsed moon will briefly be visible above the horizon – cloud cover permitting – in an

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-36492514553703568372010-12-10T06:30:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.281-08:00

Changing colours on the finca where we have three different species of oak trees.  Quercus Robur is the "English" oak which creates the dramatic golden splashes at this time of the year as the leaves become golden.  Quercus Suber ,Cork oak and Quercus Ilex the Holm oak stay green all year. All the members of the Quercus family produce acorns but some are not fit for consumption by man or beast

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-35924034843806445952010-11-21T13:13:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:10:09.603-08:00

An interesting photo montage of Montanchez from the 30s/40s from the archives of Eugenio a.k.a. Jimi Blues our local Hendrix. There is a strange insert with comment about the modern day plaza de toros, a dismal place, a rectangular space devoted to the amateur torture of bulls.......we went once and saw drunken idiots baiting a bull in the most barbaric fashion and then botching their moment of

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-59827322453974957742010-11-20T10:15:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:11:22.215-08:00

I had been looking forward to the Medieval Fair as I remember how entertaining it was 2 years ago, it didn’t take place last year as there were too many renovations going on in the ancient part of Caceres. This year we had the company of a client staying for the cooking week* (SEE WEB SITE FOR DETAILS www.finca-al-manzil.com) This would a good opportunity to see some Iberic and Moroccan street

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-3697650725428059932010-11-18T08:55:00.000-08:002010-11-18T08:55:21.558-08:00

A superb time in Venice 05- 11 October -  a complete report soon!

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-7420978942031529772010-11-02T10:19:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.282-08:00

 1 hour from Finca al-manzil Each winter, starting at the beginning of November and continuing until late February thousands of Common Crane (grus grus) decend upon Extremadura from their breeding grounds in Northern Europe. At the peak of their migration there are up to 20,000 between 15 December – 15 January. There are two specific areas where they arrive. One is South of Badajoz and the other

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-58677359174854330052010-09-15T09:52:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.283-08:00

EXCURSION TO PLASENCIA AND LA VERA – 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Finca al-manzil A gorgeous day in the middle of September, Thursday…..market day in Plasencia. The outskirts of Plasencia are not pre-possessing, a town to whizz through on the way to the delights of Salamanca. However, there are many interesting corners in the old part of town including TWO Cathedrals and the market square. I am

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-22002166586207612332010-09-05T08:33:00.000-07:002010-09-06T14:48:15.421-07:00

Every year at the beginning of September Montanchez celebrates its most important fiesta, La Virgen del Castillo. The image of the Virgen stays up in the castle church for the whole year except for these nine days when she is brought down into the church of San Mateo in the village. The journeys down the hill and back up to the castle each involve a procession which is joined by most of the

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-90242310787728556342010-09-02T07:10:00.000-07:002010-09-02T07:14:59.279-07:00

An ancient method of spinning flax yarn W. Eugene Smith was an America photo journalist working for Life magazine. He came to to the Extremadura village of Deleitosa in 1951 and spent some time there recording the daily life of the village. These images are extraordinary, they show a life that seemingly had not changed in its gruelling poverty for hundreds of years. The faces of the people are

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-12134968264305331942010-08-23T05:56:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.285-08:00

I think a performance of Lysistrata must have always been a controversial experience starting with the first in 411 BC.........an amazing 2421 years ago.Aristophanis' play is a comical, verging on farcical account of one woman's unique mission to end the Peloponnesian War. Lysistrata rallies the women of Athens, Sparta and beyond to withhold sexual pleasures from their husbands and lovers as a

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-50702863743598267972010-07-16T10:47:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.993-08:00

I have just received some photos from a client who stayed in the barn last April. He had some good photographic equipment and was able to take this shot of one of the Eagle Owls. They have made at least 2 nests up on the crags above the finca and seem to be in residence most of the year, the place wouldn't be the same without their deep hooting at dusk and dawn. Very difficult to photograph in

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-3578002268528026382010-06-09T22:58:00.000-07:002010-06-09T22:58:01.032-07:00

Here it is in all its glory in the barn meadow, first it was blasted by early June sun of up to 30c and now we have had 2 days of heavy rain which has just about finished it off, the camomile is just sweet smelling hay now. The rain is unexpected in June, I had just put up new shade sails at the cortijo, weather changes again tomorrow, back to blue skies and warm sun and my interrupted excercise

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-84260310329784243892010-05-02T13:17:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.286-08:00

The peaceful little village of Idanha-a-Velha in Portugal some 40KMS East of Alcantara on the Spanish border and 150kms from Finca al-manzil, has an illustrious past. It was founded by the Romans and surrounded by an impressively solid stone defensive wall which still exists today. Then it was the Episcopal see under the Visigoths in the VI century before sinking back into obscurity following

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-967434642259316542010-05-02T05:45:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.994-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-2543415323353455192010-03-18T02:45:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.996-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-51514984087691121412010-02-10T05:17:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:12.997-08:00

HOOP-PETTICOAT DAFFODIL - Narcissus bulbocodium . These sprung up overnight after yet more rain

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-49852607144220185742010-02-03T14:52:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.288-08:00

CLICK TO ZOOMToday was the fiesta of San Blas (St. Blaise) in Montanchez. Starting from the Ermita de San Blas the procession made its way to the Plaza de España and then back to the ermita. The girls, of all ages, were dressed in typical folkloric costumes, colourful apliquéd woollen skirts, heavily embroidered shawls, white stockings and black shoes. They carried trays of various cakes and

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-104712427346865622010-01-30T07:54:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.289-08:00

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR ZOOM Sunday is not the ideal day for an excursion but somehow old rhythms kick in and it's often on a Sunday that we get that "let's go" feeling. My objection to Sundays is because of something lacking in the hustle and bustle of town and village life....i.e. no shops open! Anywhere else it would mean lots of other people with the "let's go" feeling but here in Extremadura

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-2673800858756840372010-01-11T08:43:00.000-08:002010-01-11T09:32:25.943-08:00

Quite a drama yesterday afternoon when snow began to fall gently, it rapidly developed into a snowstorm with driving flurries of snow being blown about by a strong wind. This continued for 4 hours and by dusk the whole sierra was covered in about 20cms of packed snow. This is the most we have experienced in Montanchez since we came to live here 6 years ago. Quite beautiful and didn't create any

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-5392672203659868312009-12-14T05:07:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.291-08:00

It's getting chilly so our long walks tend to be transformed into a drive in the car and a short walk with some central point of interest and a few things to see along the way. Last weekend it was a trip to Ciudad Rodrigo, about 180kms from Montanchez nearly on the border with Portugal. Yet another siege and battle scene from the Peninsula wars, famed for its extensive and complete defensive

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-41326682191785366672009-11-22T09:46:00.000-08:002009-11-22T09:54:50.990-08:00

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-2382924952112552452009-10-29T14:33:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.292-08:00

The Encina la Terrona is a huge Holm oak tree a little distance from the village of Zarza de Montanchez. Last week we set off from Zarza on a country lane passing by the giant tree and continuing for another 5 kms along the old droving track until the village of Salvatierra de Santiago an ancient stop on the way to Santiago de Compostella. A very interesting village with many old houses including

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-43261189373476760192009-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:002009-11-01T09:04:14.234-08:00

Today is the 198th anniversary of the battle of Arroyomolinos which was fought in the morning of 28th October 1811 during a wild storm. Fortunately for us the weather was perfect this morning, sunny and warm and not a desperate French hussar in sight as we set off for the walk which follows the path taken by Spanish guerrilla fighters hoping to cut off the retreat of General Girard and what was

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-1531698261284107582009-09-19T03:22:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:12.999-08:00

The storm on the morning of 17th September was quite amazing. The finca was battered by huge hailstones for at least 15 minutes........................ Then a stupendous thunder storm with torrential rain. Soon there were rivers flowing down the mountain carrying earth and fallen leaves down to our bottom wall. The drainage holes had become blocked up over the last year so the mud accumulated

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-29220517022601297802009-09-05T09:03:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.294-08:00

Arroyomolinos is the nearest village to Finca Al-manzil and can be reached by a delightful path directly from the finca. The village is very peaceful and claims to be the largest producer of figs in the Extremadura. There is a 15th century church with a marvellously intricate stone entrance. The battle of Arroyomolinos was a decisive battle in the Peninsula Wars and was fought on the plains

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-24868130119647281812009-08-17T09:38:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:13:23.296-08:00

We went for a long walk in the dehesa near the embalses Horno Tejero and Boquerón, although only 20 minutes from the finca, already in the Badajoz province. Very beautiful open parkland with some ancient cork oaks, plenty of pigs and sheep grazing. Some old cortijos on extensive estates, all beautifully maintained in the old manner.In the distance on a small hill we saw crumbling ancient stone

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-76375283030852050882009-08-17T07:27:00.000-07:002009-08-17T09:37:50.575-07:00

A long gap in the blog but we've been mega busy..........despite the dreaded crisis we have had the best year so far at the finca. I wonder why? Maybe people are not going to long haul destinations this year, concentrating on European destinations....could be. This year most of the clients for the cortijo and barn are still British but with many Belgiums and Dutch, our first French family,

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-19521647648319196402009-03-28T02:30:00.000-07:002009-03-30T13:12:07.211-07:00

Rather a long break.......but we have been busy. On Christmas Eve the dining room extension in the cortijo was finally finished......that is the builders left after the last swipe of the trowel leaving walls and ceiling saturated with the 100s of litres of water necessary for the building process. It has taken 2 months for the walls to dry out sufficiently for painting and another month for me to

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-25786055552430989812009-01-28T06:56:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:13.003-08:00

Create and enjoy sumptuous Moroccan, Middle Eastern and Iberic feasts at the cortijo of Finca al-manzil http://www.finca-al-manzil.com/  One week each month March – June and September –December according to availability. Cooking, mountain trekking , well-being, cultural visits, country life. ALSO A SHORT BREAK FOUR DAY HOLIDAY WITH THE 3 COOKING DAYS IN A ROW. N.B. This holiday can be run for

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-1597407195697823852009-01-17T13:32:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:13:23.297-08:00

A brief guide to a very long walk.............a spectacular 1000 km walk, the Vía de la Plata is an ancient pilgrimage route from Sevilla, Andalusia in southern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia in northwest Spain, the longest of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes in Spain. It passes within 10kms of Finca al-manzil at the village of Alcuescar. medieval pilgrims with emblemic scallop

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-61884875560691208672009-01-15T13:43:00.000-08:002009-01-23T03:17:13.126-08:00

The Musée Tiskiwin is a beautiful double riad in Marrakech containing the private collection of ethnological objects belonging to Dutch collector Bert Flint who lived in the riad during the 50s and 60s. This small, dusty, and appealingly quirky museum leads visitors on a journey from Tuareg artifacts of the Sahara to the talismanic Berber adornments of the Atlas Mountains. Despite being around

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-80333509688690673782008-12-31T11:07:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:10:09.606-08:00

The Christian armies fought a long, hard campaigne against the Moors, slowly gaining territory on their way south during the early 13th century finally crossing the Douro into the land that became known as Extremadura, liturally the land beyond the Douro. Most of the Extremadura was under Christian rule by the middle of the 13th century , the very last stronghold of the Moors was Granada which

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-75989170894440965352008-12-02T10:35:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:13.007-08:00

Introducing Zeru and Roxy our two Weimaraner puppies. They are now 2 months old and are just getting into their stride as quite naughty puppies, our decor now includes a permanent bucket and mop but they are getting the clue . At the moment they spend most of their time tucked around the back of the wood burner but are quite up for a brisk walk twice a day. More photos as they grow and grow and

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-79057292686436368872008-12-01T09:01:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:10:09.598-08:00

Mérida is the capital of Extremadura, it is 40kms to the West of Finca al-manzil, we are very lucky to have this amazing UNESCO site so near. It has the best ensemble of Roman buildings besides Rome itself. Today it lies on both sides of the Guadiana river but originally it was built on the Eastern side approached by an impressive bridge spanning the highest navigable point of the river, know as

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-29017428343399951192008-08-13T06:36:00.000-07:002009-11-01T09:11:17.780-08:00

As usual in the second half of August temperatures have dropped, the weather is just about perfect, hot but not stuffy, coolish at night and the early morning. I can resume my evening walk at 7.30 -8.00 which is perfect before dinner, for the last few weeks it's been impossibly hot until after 9.00 which really messed up the evening.It's a simple walk, hop over the stone wall of the finca aided

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-18510687824519450632008-08-10T07:07:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:13.008-08:00

Just in the last week I have noticed many bee-eaters zooming around the finca, flashes of gorgeous colour and the high pitched trill making one look up to see the distinctive wing pattern of these delightful birds. On the finca they nest in a colony in part of the exposed earth of a stone terrace in the horses' field. The nests are made by excavating long tunnels into the earth bank, the 5 to 8,

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-30296207203975471742008-08-05T07:33:00.000-07:002008-12-09T19:56:31.002-08:00

Some Impressions and images of our Moroccan trip follow.We have been back for over a month and very busy with Summer business but the memories live on..........Food will be richly spiced for a few months to come. My babuche slide smoothly over the floor, pink ones, purple ones and orange ones.My determination to start the Iberian/ Moroccan cooking course, plans are taking shape, I hope it can

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-29158053563833602582008-07-30T07:53:00.000-07:002009-02-09T14:18:46.930-08:00

14th - 15th June 2008Two days in Marrakech.... quite negative feelings, it felt as if this was going to be the long goodbye to Morocco. Of course, we knew very well that Marrakech was not representative of Morocco......... even though it was known as 'Morocco' in the 19th century. As you will see later this was an over emotional first reaction, yes things have changed but maybe at last for the

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-2128410683069989902008-07-29T14:32:00.000-07:002009-01-02T07:47:04.627-08:00

15th June 08.Only one day to dive into the souks before we headed South......... ...........well, o.k. there would be another day on our way back but still, no time to waste.The hotel provided a perfectly adequate breakfast on the roof terrace but we skipped it to follow the rat-run lanes out of the medina to our affectionately remembered little breakfast place just off the Djemma..........I

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-38815084335728480372008-07-28T07:20:00.000-07:002008-12-09T19:56:36.204-08:00

17th -19th June 2008We crossed the Tiz n Tichka pass to Ouzarzate, it was easy, the road was good, no mud slides at this time of the year. By late afternoon we were in Agdz the start of the of the Draa valley palmeraie, we had crossed 100kms of moonscape barren mountains from Ouzarzate to reach this dusty little town but somewhere around here was the little pisè house in the palm trees that had

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-40022146279385531912008-07-27T05:23:00.000-07:002009-01-06T12:05:08.927-08:00

19th - 22nd June 2008Many places in Morocco are haunted by happy memories but the tendency is to over- romanticize, some places acquire a rose tinted aspect, unhappy memories (few) simply disappear or become so blunted by time they no longer hold a sting. Rissani is a happy memory, we have visited only once before, about 15 years ago. We loved the very authentic souk and bought many battered palm

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-3894073543528387082008-07-26T09:56:00.000-07:002008-12-09T19:56:42.985-08:00

22nd- 23rd June 2008From Rissani it was time to head back in the general direction of Marrakech.Not sure of where we would stop on the way. We were tempted to explore the Ait Bougmez valley in the high Atlas but were daunted by the 80 kms of rough track that showed on our map.We had read about the valley and it sounded extremely interesting, the river made intense agriculture possible in this

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-25407104643145529512008-07-25T05:52:00.000-07:002008-10-30T06:06:29.590-07:00

MOROCCAN READING LISTDreams of Trespass: Tales of a HaremFatima Mernissi."I was born in a harem in 1940 in Fez, Morocco..." So begins Fatima Mernissi in this narrative of a childhood behind the iron gates of a domestic harem. She weaves her own memories with the dreams and memories of the women who surrounded her in the courtyard of her youth - women who, deprived of access to the world outside,

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-78813397346108495242008-04-15T03:37:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:08:13.010-08:00

What? Well Viper's bugloss will be familiar as I am always saying how spectacular the fields around here become in late Spring with carpets of scintilating purple/blue/pink Viper's Bugloss but fastigiated? We had a botanist staying and apparently fastigiation is the term for when a plant mutates by growing several normal stems into one thick stem thus producing this very weird looking plant.

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-58457595018975516002008-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:002012-01-22T14:10:09.599-08:00

HELLO AGAIN AFTER A VERY LONG BREAK.........CALL IT HIBERNATION.......... Last time I was talking about the delights of lighting the first fires of autumn and now we are thinking what a relief it will be forget the kindling collection, the log splitting, and the endless ash distribution. But the alternating seasons are part of the pleasure of living in Extremadura . Spring is an explosion of

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-46431844273613137372007-11-14T06:50:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:13.013-08:00

Our view of the sierra peaks just before a recent storm, the photo doesn't really convey the gorgeous light filtering through the storm blue sky. In fact this storm was a rarity this autumn which has been unusually mild with golden days ideal for hikes which were impossible during the heat of the summer. Still discovering new walking paths in the sierra even after 4 years, the most delightful

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055405569097378148.post-4690304906157366202007-11-05T05:11:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:08:13.014-08:00

In 2002 we decided to move from our former touristic place in the Alentejo, Portugal, Moinhos de Madragoa, because at the time we were very involved with horse riding treks and our 1 hectare of land around the watermills was simply too small to sustain the horses. We couldn't find anything suitable around our area and gradually started looking further afield and then over the border into Spain.

pippahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13871842436224347431noreply@blogger.com0