Summer in Spain (again) (3 Viewers)

[rico]

On our way to France for a bit of a shake down trip/break and see how we get on with our rescue dog before we escape North to avoid the heat in July/August.
It was 30C in Valencia and the Ebro delta and it hit 33C between Tortosa and Llieda today.
So it is definitely warming up.
We were in Calpe last summer as we had lots going on and it was unbearable. Not good for us or the hound.
Think he is quite impressed by the mountains and the green lush grass around the Ebro.
Happy doggy.

 

[jumartoo]

It's been in the mid 30's here today but, hopefully, it's slightly cooler tomorrow (only about 28° ). It's definitely going to make it easy to get on the road and head north.

 

[cyberyacht]

During our recent trip, apart from Seville at 33C, the rest of Spain from mid April to mid May was at manageable temperatures with some bits being fairly cool on the odd day. Got progressively cooler once we crossed the Pyrenees.

 

[jumar]

During our recent trip, apart from Seville at 33C, the rest of Spain from mid April to mid May was at manageable temperatures with some bits being fairly cool on the odd day. Got progressively cooler once we crossed the Pyrenees.

Now as June is approaching the Days are stable and increasing in temperature...with a steady build up to sillyness in July and August..
Of course as previously mentioned, we are fortunate to be able to lock up "Casa jumar" and head off up north..in search of more moderate temperatures in our northern regions....
A few more modifications to Mr Hymer and a bike refurbishment for our neighbours eMTB and we will be in the road....it's been nearly a month since we were last travelling...so it's time to catch up...

 

[jumartoo]

We've had a ride from home today and, you know what? I didn't take even one photo . Everywhere is dusty and brown, even some of the pines are turning brown.

I can hardly wait to get away to an area with some colour. Thank goodness we had our recent month away with all the flowers.

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[rico]

In France now after travelling up the Vielha route.
Very picturesque with a lot of green fields and red poppies.
No shortage of water in the reservoirs either.
Certainly a change from a very dusty and dry Costa.
Also a very pleasant 21C.
We will see if it changes??

 

[rico]

Sat on a very pleasant aire in Bressols next to the river Tarn. About to watch Castleford and Leeds do battle in Superleague
Lovely park next door and an immaculate free auto cleaning toilet as well ( I know hard to believe ) and all free.
Weather is 21c again although it will be warming up later in the week just to remind us of what we are missing.

 

[InvictaMoto]

I like to see your posts.

I lived very briefly in Murcia not far from the Condominia and Bullring, and the Rincon de Pepe hotel. A friend ran a language school with contracts with the University to teach business English to the profs and graduates. I did a few sessions in the city to adult learners. My partner at the time decided to stay and she taught there and in Cartagena for quite a few years...

Not been back since about 1998 though! Must try again!

 

[jumartoo]

We've had a wonderful mountain ride today. A bit longer than normal, and with a bit more climb, but the ebikes with a big battery make it all so doable.

Some of the route we did today, we've done in the opposite direction recently, but we then climbed up a track, under each the highest peak of Sierra Espuña, and from where we could clearly see the military installations.

From there we went down, passing older installations. The old snow wells of Cartagena, two of which have now been renovated.

A brilliant morning out.

I was hoping to see Arrui (mouflon or Barbary sheep) but they weren't visible to us today.

I'll set a "spot the baby Arrui" quiz from an earlier photo I once took .

But before that, today's photos.

 

[seasideBill]

deleted.

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[jumartoo]

deleted.

 

[jumartoo]

So. See if you can spot the tiny, baby Arrui. It's VERY well camouflaged. It looks more like a goat than a sheep.

(It's taken me ages to find it, and I know where it is on the photo )

 

[CAB96]

So. See if you can spit the tiny, baby Arrui. It's VERY well camouflaged. It looks more like a goat than a sheep.

(It's taken me ages to find it, and I know where it is on the photo )

View attachment 904257

Give up!

Are the snow wells like an ice house?

 

[jumartoo]

Give up!

Are the snow wells like an ice house?

They were built to take ice down to the cities.

Pozos de la Nieve - Sierra Espuña

Los Pozos de la Nieve de Sierra Espuña fueron una auténtica fábrica de hielo en plena Sierra a 1.400 metros de altitud. Hasta 1926, momento en el que se inauguró una fábrica de hielo en Totana, este paraje gozó de casi cuatro siglos de intensa actividad.

sierraespuna.com

 

[jumartoo]

Today, I've spent cleaning the motorhome. I've found dust where I didn't even know the spaces existed. We're still waiting for the bike motor to be delivered, but we've not had confirmation that it is definitely coming today, but we also were surprised when the guy arrived to collect it.

There's still time ...

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[jumartoo]

Okay, so only one taker for "Spot the Arrui". It's here ...

Pretty well camouflaged, aren't they?

 

[dryad]

Okay, so only one taker for "Spot the Arrui". It's here ...

View attachment 904463

Pretty well camouflaged, aren't they?

very well camouflaged, still have no idea which of those 'blobs' is the baby sheep..
will have to take your word for it..

.

 

[jumartoo]

very well camouflaged, still have no idea which of those 'blobs' is the baby sheep..
will have to take your word for it..

.

Can you see it now?

It's looking directly at you!

 

[dryad]

Can you see it now?

View attachment 904483

It's looking directly at you!

sorry m'dear, its too blurry for me, even with a magnifying glass..

.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Can you see it now?

View attachment 904483

It's looking directly at you!

Looks a bit like a calf

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[jumartoo]

Looks a bit like a calf

Phew. Glad someone else can see it

 

[Peavy]

Can you see it now?

View attachment 904483

It's looking directly at you!

What? Impossible to guess!
Very interesting photo

 

[Peavy]

Fun fact, we are in a small German town and they have nectarines from your neck of the woods

 

[jumartoo]

I went to buy some onions last week. They are being dug up here right now, we drove past some of the fields. The first ones I picked up in the shop came from ..... Peru! I didn't buy them. They did have some more, origin España. They went in my basket.

 

[jumartoo]

Fun fact, we are in a small German town and they have nectarines from your neck of the woods
View attachment 904737

They're from the area that has the floración in February/March

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[InvictaMoto]

Fun fact, we are in a small German town and they have nectarines from your neck of the woods
View attachment 904737

When my ex-wife taught at the University in Murcia, some of the scientists there were working on projects to genetically alter peaches to determine the "suede" effect of the skin... Not too hairy, not too smooth .. this was the mid 90's .. I thought a smooth peach was basically a nectarine ...

 

[jumartoo]

When my ex-wife taught at the University in Murcia, some of the scientists there were working on projects to genetically alter peaches to determine the "suede" effect of the skin... Not too hairy, not too smooth .. this was the mid 90's .. I thought a smooth peach was basically a nectarine ...

Did we have both peaches and nectarines before then?

I might have to Google the answer

 

[jumartoo]

Today was going to be a bike ride for us both, but my old bike motor didn't arrive yesterday, and word is that it's coming today.

So I stayed at home whilst Martin went for some bits from the ferreteria (type) shops and then I went out locally on my own whilst he put his purchases into use and stayed around, jic!

I rode, what used to be one of my favourite routes at this time of year. Unfortunately, this year its quite uninspiring. No flowers, except for a few caper plants, with their beautiful flowers, and a bit of yellow broom.

The ermita on the hill is in need of a lick of paint. That's easily spotted with my camera zoom. Not so evident from afar.

I eventually arrived at some ruined houses with an old well. I thought I could hear animals in the well, but as I crept closer I could hear that they were birds calling to their parents for food. There's a hole in the capping, allowing access. Phew. Finding stray animals whilst on a bike ride, well away from civilisation, is always a problem.

The well.

And on my homeward stretch, a track that is normally flower edged, with a grassy centre, at this time of year. Sierra Espuña is the backdrop.

As I sit and write, we're still waiting for the motor delivery. A morning ride for us both would have been possible. Sods Law, I think!

 

[royandsharont]

I went to buy some onions last week. They are being dug up here right now, we drove past some of the fields. The first ones I picked up in the shop came from ..... Peru! I didn't buy them. They did have some more, origin España. They went in my basket.

We always try to purchase Murcian grapes wherever we are. Getting harder as each year goes by but we eat grapes daily so we want what we like. Lots of Indian ones in the shops at the moment and we don’t like them.

 

[jumartoo]

We always try to purchase Murcian grapes wherever we are. Getting harder as each year goes by but we eat grapes daily so we want what we like. Lots of Indian ones in the shops at the moment and we don’t like them.

They're only just turning into fruit here at this time of year, smaller than petit pois! There should be a good supply in the autumn, if they can get enough water to the plants.

The irrigation water in the canal is looking quite good. Higher than previous years, so

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