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!

Spring has sprung!

It's been a long hard winter but at last the first sign of spring is here with the almond trees being in blossom.

To see the image full size, click left on it.

Last year the blossom was out 3 weeks earlier. Let's hope the weather keeps improving.

Santa Águeda

Saturday was the fiesta of Santa Águeda which is celebrated by all the women of the village of Torre del Compte.

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

The celebration starts with breakfast in the bar. You can see that the diet is going well!

Members of the organising group dress in less traditional headwear.

In the afternoon the cakes are taken to the church to be blessed at the special service...


...and then taken to the hall next door to the bar to be consumed along with cava and soft drinks. Yes, the cakes are supposed to represent a breast as Santa Águeda lost hers.

Entertainment follows...

...donations are displayed on the line...

...and everyone has a good singsong and dances along to the music.

Later that evening, our group, (including men this time), enjoy a meal at the restaurant...

...and quite delicious it was too!

Gran Canarian holiday!

We have just returned from a most enjoyable 2 week holiday in Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria. The weather was exceptionally good only let down by the last 2 days which were rather wet.

To see any photo full size, click left on it.

The view from our apartment was terrific across the busy little harbour. The beach was very popular and had the sun lounge beds neatly set out.

The sun came up around 8.15am and our balcony was bathed in sun until late afternoon.


A short walk along the sea front takes you to Playa de Los Amadores again with the sunbeds very neatly laid out.


One day we drove around the island, (it's quite small). For some reason this stretch of cliffs is known as Montaña Tablada or Table Mountain and we viewed it from the Mirador de Balcón or Viewpoint Viewpoint. Lunch was at the north-west tip of the island near a village called Sardina where we had fish and chips. Sardines weren't on the menu.


Another day we drove to the centre of the island. Everywhere the almonds trees were in blossom.

It is a most picturesque island with very striking scenery around every corner.

The highest point, where this photo was taken, is Pico de las Nieves at 1,949 metres, but there was no snow when we were there. You can see Mount Teide on Tenerife poking through the clouds in the distance looking to the west in the photo above.


To the south there are phenominal views of the countryside with winding roads, little villages and lakes.


Also near the centre of the island is the Parador Nacional Cruz de Tejeda. We had a coffee there. That's another one to be crossed off the list!


We visited the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It even has a Marks and Spencer.


Back in Puerto Rico we were still having the best weather anywhere on the island.


Certainly worth a visit is Palmitos Park which is tucked away up a beautiful valley in the south of the island. They have a very wide selection of animals, birds, fish, insects, cactii, orchids and other plants although you won't find any of the big five.

A green monkey...

...coatis, also known as Brazilian aardvarks...

...a yellow and brown parrot...

...some very noisy birds clattering their beaks...

...everywhere the gardens are well laid out and have interesting plants.

The butterfly house is amazing...

...but fish do not like having their photo taken, (even without flash).

We saw the 3 shows. The parrot show, where parrots and cockatoos perform tricks, the exotic bird show where the parrots, cockatoos and others fly in the open and the birds of prey show where eagles, a vulture and hawks fly off into the mountains and down the valley but eventually come back. Amazing!!

The monkey was a bit of an exhibitionist.

The orchid house had a wonderful variety and all in full bloom.

All the creatures got on really well together. A great day out.

Puerto Rico itself is a testament to mans ability to build in even the most difficult places - in this case building into the sides of cliffs. This does tend to make it a tiring place to get around - the short walk up from the beach consisted of climbing 165 steps and a further 56 to get from the road to our apartment. It certainly helped burn off a few calories from all the over indulgence in food!