The village Christmas tree.

It's complicated but this year the task of decorating the village Christmas tree somehow landed with us, so that is what we have been doing this evening with our friends Floyd, Joy and John and Rosi with the help of Antonio and his tractor.

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

One advantage of being in a farming community is that there is always someone with a tractor and lifting equipment on call when you need to put decorations near the top of a tall Christmas tree.

We assembled all our weatherproof baubles and with a few other polystyrene discs covered with aluminium foil and lengths of tinsel managed to make the tree look quite decorative.


Around the base of the tree we put boxes which Margaret had wrapped as presents. They were then tied together on a pallet so they wouldn't blow away and pine branches wired on.

The overall effect was quite pleasing.

Hopefully, our efforts will last for the duration of the holiday season!

¡La ermita con la luna!

The ermita de San Juan at Torre del Compte with the moon - well, actually in the late afternoon with a half-moon in the sky above it.

To see the full photo, click on the image.

OK, so it's a chilly afternoon,
but I just love that blue sky!!

Enrique - a tribute.

Enrique was an outstanding craftsman, builder and stonemason working in the Matarraña area. His first major project was in building our house 30 years ago. Since then he has constructed and developed countless buildings to a very high standard in the various villages.

Enrique era un artesano destacado, constructor, albañil que trabajaba en la zona del Matarraña. Su primer gran proyecto fue la construcción de nuestra casa hace 30 años. Desde entonces ha construido y desarrollado un sinnúmero de edificios a un nivel muy alto en los distintos pueblos.

Click with the left button of the mouse on the image to see the photo full size.
Haz clic con el botón de izquierda del ratón para ver la foto en tamaño grande.

In the photo above he is pictured with his wife Mari Carmen at the official opening and blessing of our friends Reg and Paul's house in Fórnoles in March 2007.

En la foto de arriba aparece con su esposa Mari Carmen en la inauguración oficial y bendición de la casa de nuestros amigos Reg y Paul en Fórnoles, marzo de 2007.

However, the construction trade is fraught with danger and Enrique was the victim of a tragic accident while working on a site in Fuentespalda on Wednesday, 1st December.

His funeral in Valderrobres earlier today was attended by several hundred people. There were a huge number of enormous wreaths and floral tributes.

Sin embargo, la industria de la contrucción está llena de peligros, y Enrique fue victima de un trágico accidente mientras trabajaba en una obra en Fuentespalda el miércoles, 1 de diciembre.

A su funeral hoy en Valderrobres asistieron varios centenares de personas. Había un gran número de coronas de flores enormes y tributos florales.

He was laid to rest in the cemetery of Valderrobres which is situated in a peaceful and picturesque location just outside of the town.

He will always be fondly remembered because everywhere you look there is testimony to his excellent work.

Fue enterrado en el cementerio de Valderrobres, que está situado en una zona tranquila y pintoresca a las afueras de la ciudad.

Siempre será recordado con cariño; por dondequiera que mires hay testimonio de su excelente trabajo.

Enrique Vicente Monserrat Antoli, R.I.P. / D.E.P.

To read the account of the incident in the local paper, "La Comarca", click HERE

Para leer el relato de lo ocurrido en el periódico local, "La Comarca", haga clic AQUÍ

With thanks for help with the Spanish translation to our good friend Carmen.

Along the camino.

The colder weather is certainly on it's way but we have had some excellent days this last week.

For the full size picture click left on the image.

Walking up the track away from the village of Torre del Compte we have enjoyed some clear blue skies and some exceptional views.

The sunlight on the green foliage of the trees with the blue sky behind is awesome.


The (near) full moon rising in the east in the late afternoon sky was amazing...


...as were the views towards the mountains, (Los Puertos de Beceite), which lie between us and the Mediterranean.

Ariadna has arrived!

Our friends Carmen and Raúl now have a baby daughter, Ariadna.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

She was born on Wednesday, 10 November at 16:45 and weighs 3.375 kg, (7lb 7oz).

Mother, baby and father are doing well.

Grasshopper porn!

What's going on here then?

Haz clic con el botón de izquierda del ratón para ver la foto en tamaño grande.

A warm autumn afternoon and with nothing else to do, what could be better to pass the time than what these 2 are getting up to?

The wall is vertical but there was no chance of falling off for this pair.

Hallowe'en!!

It's become a tradition in the last couple of years for witches, vampires and other creatures of the night to meet in Torre del Compte for a celebration of Hallowe'en.

Click the photo for the large view.

At the local bar God and a pirate start the evening with a quick drink.

Later, back at their meeting place, the vampires and others assemble.

Before they enter, they pose for a very rare photo.

Even witches have birthdays and it is customary to give presents.

Count Dracula and friend are members of the guests.

And after a splendid meal, the birthday cake is brought to the table.

Now they will all go away until next year.