Crane over the house!

A length of guttering had blown loose in the high winds this last winter so at 8.20am the men arrived to fix it. It had originally been put up by our builder a couple of years ago as he laid on the roof with his companion holding his ankles.

For a larger image, click left.

However, it is a very windy corner and it blew loose. We had it put back up last year by another builder - this time using a scaffolding tower for access.

Let's hope that these guys have done the job so that it is weather resistant!

Pear blossom!

Today, the pear tree was covered in blossom.

To see the photo bigger, click left on it.

Judging by the amount of blossom, we should be having quite a few pears later this year.

Surviving in Spain!

This week Floyd, Margaret and myself have given our "Surviving in Spain" presentation at three schools in the region, (Alcorisa, Andorra and Caspe), to groups of Spanish people learning English.

To see the photo full size, click left with the mouse on any image.

Each group had more than 20 people and our presentations lasted just over 2 hours.


During the talks we had team competitions with some very keen competitors! The prize for the winners was a Cadbury's creme egg - but then everyone was given one.


At least it gave our suits an airing - they do not get worn at any other time here!

A blip in the spring!

After a few promising days when the almond trees have been buzzing with the sound of flying insects enjoying the nectar and blossom we have now turned the clock back a few weeks into winter again.

To make the image full size, click on it with the left mouse button.

We were told when we came here that we could expect snow perhaps once every 10 years.


This winter it has snowed 3 times - so that will be it for the next 30 years then.


Although it does look rather picturesque the snow won't stay around for long this time - warmer weather is definitely on the way.

The women of the Matarraña at Valderrobres

18 women from Torre del Compte set off at 9:15 am by coach for Valderrobres to join women from 14 other villages in the Matarraña region.

Click left on the images to see them full size.

Breakfast was served at the school, ham sandwich, bocadillo de jamón, cake, pastel, served with tea or coffee. This was followed by a short talk on the Comarca del Matarraña, the local region.

They were shown around the town including the castle and recently renovated church.

To identify them from other groups the ladies were given scarves to wear. It's a good job that the colour co-ordinated with Margaret's outfit!




The only man in the group of 80 women was the well informed charismatic guide who also spoke English.


In the castle there was an exhibition of lacemaking, above is "bobbin lace"...


...and in the picture above are antique dolls.


Lunch for 400, served in the Sports Hall, consisted of 3 courses: entremeses, cold cuts of meat, carne magra al horno, pork chops from the top of the leg done in the oven, pictured above...


...followed by flan with tinned fruit salad, coffee and regional biscuits/pastries, not forgetting wine, water and bread plus a selection of spirits. A big effort was made by everyone to stay awake after all of this for the theatrical presentations from 3 villages which followed! The coaches brought everyone back in the early evening after a thoroughly enjoyable day out for a total cost of 6 euros each!