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The Wild Asparagus Hunters are Out and About

It´s that time of year. Cars parked in odd places, the solitary person - usually a man, popping up above a bank or from behind an olive tree. The hunters of the wild aparagus are here. The plentiful rain scattered with a day or two of sunshine has brought them out in droves. Some have their route, others instinctively know where to go. They appear, walking back to their cars, with a huge bundle of foot long green spears of asparagus. And off they go, probably not to be seen for another year - or another week if the rain continues. No matter how hard the shoots try and hide the older men hunt them down with stick in hand, to fob off the spiky old growth, and uncover the tender new stems of wild asparagus. Everyone has their favourite way of cooking them but the most common seems to be in a Tortilla - the thick Spanish potato omelette to which you can add anything that comes to hand - or is hunted down. My one or two shorter stem finds don´t come close to the experienced hunters catch. I...
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The White Town Route - Andalucia's White Villages


The White Town Route, although not exactly a mapped route but a collection of towns, was established by the Spanish Tourist Board in the 1970s. The towns and villages not only here but in the majority of Andalucia have been white for a lot longer.

At the beginning of the XIX century the yellow fever, thought to have been brought back by the ships that returned from the Americas, became rampant. People fled the coast into the hills to try and escape but the infection spread rapidly. The King ordered that all houses were painted with cal or limewash, a disinfectant in Moorish times, to quell the disease. Since those days the villages and towns have been white. They all have a rich history from the Moors, Romans, Christian invasions and bandits.

The White Town List

Alcala del Valle
Aalgar
Algodonales
Arcos de La Frontera
Arcos de la Frontera
Benaocaz
Bornos
El Bosque
El Gastor
Espera
Grazalema
Olvera
Prado del Rey
Puerto Serrano
Setenil de las Bodegas
Torre Alhaquime
Ubrique
Villaluenga del Rosario
Villamartín
Zahara de la Sierra

Most of these towns lie within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in Cadiz province and some straggle over the border into Malaga province.

The White Town Route - Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos

Enjoy magnificent views, amazing history, decorated streets, courtyards and local food with natural ingredients. There are many beautiful white hill towns, 19, some of my favourites are Benaojan, El Gastor, Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, Setenil de las Bodegas and Zahara de la Sierra.

Arcos de la Frontera

Larger than most other towns, like a princess Arcos sits athrone a rocky ridge, spreading along the top. The lovely Plaza del Cabildo has the best views of the area looking across from its cliff top perch. These days it's two towns in one, the old and the new. Both are worth a wander and peak.

The last remaining convent still make and sells freshly baked cakes and biscuits. Ring the bell and some delicious goodies will appear on the tiny turntable for your appraisal

Grazalema @andalucia.org
Grazalema

Grazalema

Another pretty hill town has a royal balcony for great views. It's very rural being in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Spain's wettest spot, but very often it doesn't reach the town.
Zahara de la Sierra
Zahara de la Sierra

The tiny town of Zahara has a magical Moorish castle which is well-worth the climb up for some spectacular views. Walk the cobbled streets and there is also a great olive oil mill to visit.


See my post about Setenil de las Bodegas or if you like castles - Castles in Cadiz Province



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