19th June

Awoke to the sound of birdsong and with the sun streaming into our bedroom.  Although a sleep-in would have been good, curiosity got the better of us and before long we were on the sunny terrace with our binoculars. Our first sighting of a vulture! How fitting that it chose to rest on a site close to the local cemetery.  After breakfast we ventured out, first to the rocks above us for the outlook and then through the village and along a spur for the views and birds.  So many little birds! 

As arranged, we met at Kee’s and Weip’s place for coffee about 11am and chatted about the rental, the village, the surrounding sites and best places to eat in the district as they will be away for a few days.  When I offered to water their potted plants for them they offered us veggies and herbs for the taking.  Conversation drifted off onto gypsies, the economic crisis, nourishing the soul, soccer.......    we got back home at 3pm!  After a simple lunch we walked along the terraces of olive and almond trees and down to the communal veggie garden.  This is one of the two natural spring water sources the village relies on.  Once there were 300 people living here and it never let them down so we are pretty confident we won’t have any problems with water supply now there are only about 35 people here.  The younger generations are moving out because farming is hard work and it is difficult to access all the benefits of the 21^st century here. (Note: we cannot access wi-fi from the Casa Arriba side of the mountain so will only be able to upload updates to this when we visit bars in the neighbouring villages. Any excuse to visit a tapas bar!  No bar or shop here at all). In contrast Kees and Weip, originally from Holland, love the opportunity to live in closer harmony with nature than is possible in crowded Amasterdam.  On returning from our walk we took drinks and reading material to the garden room.  This is a detached building, actually on the other side of the road.  It only has 3 walls, the fourth side is open to the fresh air and wonderful vista.  We lolled on the lounges while sipping beer or sangria until the sun began to move behind the mountains and it was time to pull on long sleeves.  A glorious day in the mountains.