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Spain
Now living in l'Olleria, south of Valencia

Saturday 27 February 2010

English Country Garden


I now have a beautiful front garden, done in the English style, with rock borders and a stone path!

However, needless to say, the plants are not too English! In a flash of inspiration, we have emptied out most of our tubs, and put the shrubs into the ground, where they will probably do much better. A few strategically placed rocks and it looks great. I will sneak into the countryside and obtain some lavender, sage, and thyme which will finish it off.

It's amazing how much you can get done, in a short time, when you have the right tools, and the knowledge of how to use them.

Thursday 25 February 2010

Almendras


The almond trees are now comming into flower in our part of the valley. We are a little benind, as we are further inland, as well as around 1000ft above sea level. Further towards the coast, there will be orchards full of flowering trees.

The smell is really sweet, and evidently attractive to the bees, which are busy doing their job...

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Spring Has Sprung


Well, I'm very sorry for not having posted much on here this month.

Just like the rest of Europe (or even the whole world), it has been a long cold winter in Spain. Thick snow in places (several sprinkles here) terrible winds (we got them too) dreadful rain (missed that this year) and thick fog (got that, since we live so high up).

Last week, looking at the outside thermometer at 7 degrees or so, I lamented that there should be a 1 in front (preferably a 2)and this week it has arrived. In the space of a few days, we have day time termperatures nearing 20 and night time temps in double figures. At last. Wonderful sunshine and warm days. Ed has gone back to finishing off the front wall and my nasturtiums have decided to show their little heads. 17 seedlings so far, with more popping up every day.

Hope to take the bikes out this weekend, and gets photos of the cherry and almond orchards in full bloom (if we are not too late).

Saturday 13 February 2010

Stairway to ...




At the front of the house, we have inherited the world's worst built steps! Every step is a different width and not particularly square to the house! The bank at the side of the house has no definition, so soil is always falling onto the steps, without the help of Paddy or Max.

So, time to build a wall... another one...

Ed has built a staged retaining wall, giving both the steps and the garden better definition. The wall will be rendered and then painted white, and the steps will be finished off (and squared off) with the same slabs that we have laid around the house and patio, tying it all together beautifully.

I persuaded him to leave a couple of blocks open for me to grow some herbs in, so hopefully I will have some sage / thyme / whatever flourishing in a few months. (It depends on which ones I can find on the mountain!)

I must admit, he could have picked a warmer week to do the work!