Knock, knock....who's there?

 Good morning! Closer and closer, soon we will be sharing breakfast with them

Spring at the finca

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 colour, scent and vibrant green growth. Still not much rain but the first tiny wildflowers stitched with exquisite artistry amongst the fresh green grass are a daily delight. Not so delightful are the local asparagus pickers who were used to the finca being uninhabited , they stumble over our shaky stone walls in pursuit of the first tender green shoots of the wild asparagus or sprue as it is know in England, they are welcome , the asparagus shoots elude me but if only they would enter by a gate and not over the wall, maybe part of the fun?
The daffodil bulbs which I thought were a good idea blossomed but looked rather artificial in comparison to the tiny ochre bells that magically sprang up around them. The Star of Bethlehem flowers appear over night in in perfect little clusters, the first ephemeral miniature irises blooming from bare earth just for a day. White Campion is sprawling amongst the tightly curled fern buds. The most spectacular effect in the sierra right now is the white broom, exploding in pyrotechnic profusion all over our finca, splendid fronds of tiny snow white blossoms dripping in luxurious abandon, followed by a week or two later by the yellow broom which also seems particularly radiant this year. The scent from the broom is intoxicating and seems to sum up Spring!! As you can see I am not too hot on Latin botanical names, suggestions welcome. However, I find the common names rather amusing, the Common Mullein which shoots up its tall spike of yellow flowers from curious furry, glaucous leaves was also know as Quakers rouge, apparently imparting a glow onto puritan faces. I tried this but I think it is the friction rather than any ruddy component of the plant. Also know as the Candlewick plant as, unbelievably, the fine furry filaments of the plant were scraped off and made into candlewicks ….hmm. Anyway it’s an interesting plant, takes ages to develop but is now in its prime. Soon the first signs of the vividly named bluey- purple Vipers Bugloss will start to appear, in combination with the white of Camomile and the yellow of Wild Marigold it’s a sight to see. The holm and cork oaks are also contributing to the general aspect of exploding life, the long tassels of blossom are weighing down the branches and a damn nuisance if they fall on any paved area as they are packed with enough tannin to tint everything they touch with a deep, dark brown stain, must just keep thinking of all those embryo acorns which will feed our horses and donkeys throughout next autumn and winter.
Bird life on the finca is always interesting but particularly so now, even for me, I appreciate nature in a Romantic, airy fairy manner, certainly not at all scientifically. The Eagle Owl is calling quite early, from about 5p.m. with its deep thrilling hoots, the Cuckoo has started in earnest but is not yet driving us mad, last year they went on until the end of May. Flocks of Azure winged Magpies flash brilliantly through the oaks, zany Hoopoes always in pairs, House Martins, millions of Sparrows and Tits, lovely glossy Blackbirds and countless other small birds which I am unable to name but would no doubt send tremors of delight through the heart of any true bird watcher.
Our greatest celebration of Spring was born on 18th February, a most beautiful and sturdy colt from our mare Nadia, we have called him Larios, the national gin of Spain, mother's ruin never the less, I am afraid to say that Larius is the result of a rather unorthodox relationship between Nadia and her previous offspring Haré, fortunately little Larios seems unafflicted by this disgrace as you can see in the photos.........do hope he is not harbouring some deep mental affliction but so far he is gentle and trusting. Curiously Fatboy, a gelding previously shunned by all (shamefully he had to hang out with the donkeys) is now the accepted role model for Larios, his father/brother Haré is now the outsider and of course Nadia is still the big boss of everyone except the donkeys , Ferrari and Willy who do their own thing and are a devoted couple despite Willy's toyboy status as he is several years younger than the still delectable snow white Ferrari, named for her speedy little trot. We call these dramas "The saddle soap".........next episode coming up.