VERANILLO

Veranillo means little summer, similar to Indian summer. In Spain it can be anywhere between Veranillo de San Miguel, 29 September and San Martin, 11 November.

Here in Extremadura it started on 17 October and still continues in all its splendour. We enjoy it even more after 2 weeks of rain, beautiful after the long dry summer but  just about enough. Thankfully the sun broke through the mist and it is glorious. Temperatures of up to 29c during the day,  balmy nights with no wind, still eating outside, haven't unpacked sweaters yet!

We have been out and about for short trips in the immediate countryside to two different lakes, Aldea del Cano and Lacara are both beautiful and tranquil walks around large areas of water which attract a lot of birds.

Some of the most rewarding walks are right here on the finca. The path up to the peaks and the high olive grove with an ancient choza (primitive shelter) is particularly wonderful.The choza has been investigated as the site of an iron age fort, it certainly has extensive views. The walk from the finca up to the olive grove and choza takes 20 minutes.

              LOTTIE SURVEYING THE OLIVE GROVE 

The rock formations up there are amazing. Lottie loves exploring all the twists and turns of the magical path through the woods. Pure nature, we have left everything as natural as possible, the horses keep the path clear with their walks up  in the higher parts of the finca. Birds find an idyllic sanctuary in the silence of the woods.  

                BLINK AND IT'S GONE, AN AUTUMN COMMA BUTTERFLY ON CORK OAK BARK