Costa Tropical


Thanks to my friends Pilar, Maria and Teresa, I've had a tour of Maria's avocado orchard and seen a custard apple orchard in absolute prime location in the middle of Almunecar (much to the disgust of local developers)!

Lanjeron Springs to Lecrin Valley


Walked this section of the "GR-7" mountain trek in the famous Alpujarres Ranges. The photos show the start of the thunderstorms that rolled in so most photos are of flora rather than vistas from 4000 feet up.





Nasrid Palaces and Alcazaba


The Alhambra lives up to it's reputation. Although I doubt photographs can do it justice.
Also, a major disappointment was that one of the top 2 attractions (first or second depending who you believe), the Courtyard of Lions, was completely excavated for restoration.

Alhambra - Generalife and Partal

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Camino de Subbetica

Today I walked the Carcabuey to Los Villares section of this Camino, also called "La Via Verde". Subbetica is the most southern section of the Province of Cordoba and produces some of the finest olive oil in the world.
In the photos you will see how old the olives are by their gnarled trunks, how stoney the ground is and an example of the spring water that seeps up everywhere in the valleys and is probably pumped up the hills to irrigate when necessary. Perfect conditions for mediterranean crops and the perfect "bush-walk" for a fruit tree fanatic.
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Cordoba - Jardines de Alcazar and Mezquita

At the Jardines de Alcazar I found some inspiration for our own courtyard and for "under-planting" a public fruit orchard,  project I hope to participate in.
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No Caballos hoy. Manyana.

This weekend, the Spaniards destroyed my precision itinerary.
Firstly both my Plan A and B day tours to Donana and Ronda were cancelled. Never mind, I consoled myself this morning, I'm going to Jerez, the home of sherry and the Andalusian horse, and the opening day of the famous horse festival.
Unfortunately Tio Pepe tastes like dry dishwater and none of the relevant websites bother to mention horses do not make an appearance at the horse festival until the 2nd day.
Symbolically at the maker of Tio Pepe, Gonzalez Byass, you are welcomed in plush surrounds then walk yourself through a exit turnstile into a derelict abandoned plaza with no street signs or directions whatsoever.
My consolation at the Feria de Caballo was the best paella thus far.
Whatever I might think of bull fighting, at least they honour bulls of particular ferocity. On the outside of the Jerez bullring, there is a gallery of gallant bulls that put on a "good show" or even drew blood, with names matching the qualities they displayed. I think one of those shown below translates as "subversive" so presumably he was cunning.
I've been hearing very good things about Cordoba and Granada, so I'm looking forward to the next 11 days.
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A Park/Orchard in Seville

For my friends from Brunswick West Food Forest, Jardines de  Buhaira is a public park within 500m of the Centro Historico, approximately 250 x 80 m, full of Mulberry, Orange and Olive trees. Now to convince council we need the same within the Coburg 2020 footprint!
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