Early October 2005

We finally achieved actual possession in mid-September and, after hanging around for so long, are anxious to get going. Being Spain, of course, nothing happens that quickly and we are now waiting for the JCB man to come and clear the track leading to the finca, as its too narrow to get anything larger than a Landrover down it, and also to knock the old building down.

We are trying to get fencing sorted out and I've been clearing some of the brush away. Since we are not allowed to use a strimmer or chainsaw at present (fire risk), I've done it manually. Blisters all over the place! On the upside, rain is forecast for the coming week which will allow power tools to be used.

We have decided to build a wooden workshop first so that we can store tools and have an out-of-the-weather place to do carpentry bits and pieces. We are also going to start to keep chickens and hence need to build a chicken shed. Should be fun.

Cropwise, its been a bit of failure this year because of the drought and lack of maintenance over the years. Lemons are OK and we've had around 5 or 6 kgs of almonds but the walnuts were a failure, figs no good and chestnuts too small to be worth the hassle of getting them out of their spiky shells.

We're also in the middle of trying to get a Fire Prevention Plan in place that will enable us to get permission to burn (all that scrub that I've hacked down) and permission to prune and strim (recently found out about that one!)

A recent diversion has been the Jubrique feria which lasted for 5 days. Absolute madness and only for those with staying power! Things get going with the first group at around 2pm and keeps going until 7ish the following morning. Amazingly, everyone from kiddie-winkies to granny is involved and there enjoying it. At 2pm it starts again, and so on for the 5 days. It is interspersed with lively firework throwing and a truly memorable 'toro de fuego' (bull of fire). Basically, its a guy charging around the crowds with half an oil drum on his back with bits welded to it to make it look like a bull and loads of fireworks strapped to it. Mayhem. I've a great video of it but can't seem to be able to attach it to this site - I'll work on it. Here is a still...

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