The forecast was a bit dire for the weekend.
Plummeting temperatures for the whole of Spain. Here in Andalucia, we thought we'd get away lightly.
So some friends came over on Saturday afternoon; some of us wrapped up and we all set off on a little walk.
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| I can't resist taking a photo of my house - must get those ruins sorted out though... |
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| Poppies are everywhere just now. Here was a stray one. |
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| The expedition leaders |
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| No idea what this is but it was really pretty. |
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| Lots of trees in blossom too.. |
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| The stragglers....(not Romy!) |
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| A view across the fields to La Mota - Alcala la Real - in the distance |
By the time we reached the top of the hill, we'd discarded jumpers and scarves and were enjoying the sunshine. What rubbish these weather forecasters talk.
The next day, we had snow!
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| Our very own 'sierra nevada' - or snowy mountain. |
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| The snow etching patterns in the olive groves |
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| Not 'the' Sierra Nevada but one a bit closer to home. It has been a chilly day! |
Very glad we have our woodburning stove. Can it be May on Wednesday? Really??
Olives under snow!
ReplyDeleteThat I didn't expect to see when I started to read your post with those photographs of spring blossom...
Does it seem odd to be walking towards or round Alcala la Real instead of walking out from it?
Keep warm!
As we're at almost 1000m above sea level we do get snow - but we don't usually see it so close to May! I fear for those spring blossoms...after a horrid winter, it seems such a shame that the trees were briefly fooled into thinking that they could safely flower. It's snowing again as I write - my 'prison' view is bleak today.
DeleteWhat I love about Alcala is that you can see it for miles - La Mota pulls the eye towards it so it never seems far away.
Fire's burning!
Axxx
Beautiful photos. It is really a lovely place to live isn't it? The weather everywhere is very strange. We had a couple of glorious days here in England followed by freezing weather...back home today to temps around the 30 degree mark.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ayak. It's not too difficult for a fairly incompetent photographer to capture one or two lovely snaps, so lovely it is. Glad to hear you managed some pleasant English weather - this was always my favourite time of year in the UK. Hope you've had a wonderful time! Axxx
DeleteWow - what a changeable weekend weather wise. I love the photos though and so lovely to see where you live. Looks beautiful x
ReplyDeleteSophie, two weeks ago, it was 35 degrees! That was odd, I admit, but to go from that to 0 degrees is absolutely bizarre. I'm so glad I'm not a tree - however pretty they might look, with or without snow!
DeleteAxxx
The weather here is a bit odd too. We have jumped straight into mid summer with 30 degrees C.
ReplyDeleteI predict snow for you too then! Seems to be how it is at the moment. SO difficult to decide what to wear ;-)
DeleteAxxx
I hope we don't get anymore snow.... or rain... but then again if we have five dry days in a row they'll be calling for a hosepipe ban.
ReplyDeleteSx
Snow should only fall in designated spots. On my house, in my garden and wherever you are should not be amongst those designated. If we want snow, we can go and find it. Hope you get your five dry days, hosepipe ban or not.
DeleteAxxx
The weather patterns everywhere have been unpredictable. However without the snow you wouldn't have had those beautiful pics to show us.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about 'being there'...
You definitely have a point, Gaynor. My friends in the town were posting lots of pictures of Alcala in the snow - really pretty - and at least it has gone now. Not much sun just yet but forecast for tomorrow. If they got the snow right, I hope they've got the sun right too. Hope your weather is good! Axxx
DeleteSnow in Andalusia in nearly May ... the weather's gone mad ... but that etching shot, marvellous!!!
ReplyDeleteYou live in such a beautiful place :)
That centipede ... eugh!
Mad weather, amazing sights. I suspect my centipede put a lot of people off visiting my pages - I had a real drop off in visitors! It's gone! Don't worry!! Perhaps I should put the photograph up of it in its dead state....or maybe not.
DeleteAxxx
I saw the report on the snow in Spain on the BBC website and immediately thought of you, Annie. At least you managed to have a lovely walk through your glorious countryside before winter came back with a vengeance.
ReplyDeleteI love the view of your house set against the hillside, but had no idea you are so high above sea-level there. Does that mean it may be slightly cooler in summer than lower down?
It's lovely to know you thought of me, Perpetua - nice to know we have friends dotted around the world. The snow has gone, though it was coming down thick and fast earlier this morning but we are forecast sun for tomorrow - more walks soon!
DeleteWe are high and it makes for cold dry winters (usually!) - and whilst it is slightly cooler in the summer here than in much of the rest of Jaen, 'cool' isn't quite the word I'd use to describe it! It's searingly hot but again, very dry so not energy-sapping like a more humid temperature. I like it though it does feel as though the daytime in August is wasted - you have to stay indoors or risk sizzling. The night time is wonderful. Especially if you're an owl. Hoot!
Axxx
Are those olive trees blooming, or trying to in the snow? There was a special event at the Chicago Botanical Gardens last week; an author who reclaimed an olive orchard in Spain, and a presentation about olives. How I wish I could have gone. I thought of you, Annie, and now I see this snow. Your photos are breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if the olive trees are actually blooming just yet but the cold snap won't have helped. The cherry and almonds were all in blossom and the snow has cut their beauty a bit short. Olives are lovely trees - very ancient, very biblical - they do look strange clothed in snow. I wish I could take good photos - mine don't do the landscape much justice, really. It is breathtaking!
DeleteThank you for your thoughts, Penny, it's lovely of you!
Axxx
I always feel guilty when I say "my" house - but I can't help doing it quite often!
ReplyDeleteDid I just say that? Sounds just like me if not! Axxx
DeleteOur house is what I meant, of course....:-)
DeleteThis weather is incredible isn't it ? It has been so strange, all over Europe. We have some sun today, but it is still cold. I cannot wait for that warm bone feeling. La Mota looks so beautiful, and those mountains are just wonderful. You need to find a few angles...and then take photos from the exact same spot , during various weathers. I always intend to do it, but usually forget the spot I chose, so get the angles wrong. Hope its warmed up since you posted. love Jxxxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, Janice, I understand your need for that 'warm bone feeling' - I do hope you get that feeling very soon.
DeleteI have thought about photographing from the same angle but already have missed several opportunities...I guess it's not too late but I'll have to apply brain!
It snowed again yesterday, but today, the whole silly episode of bad weather was forgotten and May started off with lovely warm sunshine and a few fluffy clouds. Not sure it will continue but when the sun does shine, everything in the garden is definitely rosier!
Axxx