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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...

Andalucia Holiday Plans, Camping Trips and House Swaps

I´ve been pouring over maps and routes dreaming and planning trips for this summer holidays. With twelve weeks off school from June 22nd and the incredible inland heat a few trips make a welcome change.

Fuengirola is one destination and that is not my choice but the parents are coming over from the UK and decided the seaside would be good! Oh well have to endure that I suppose!

I´m planning a camping route, it´s years, apart from a one-night tester trip last August, since we camped. I´m sort of hoping it will be three of us not five, feeding the older two on a camping stove is a logistical nightmare - why do they have to eat so much?

Puerta de Paloma, Viewpoint, Cazorla


Last year we headed into the heart of Cazorla Natural Park or to give it its full title Parque Natural de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas the largest natural park in Spain and largest extent of protected area in Europe and it´s on our doorstep.

Wild, rugged and teeming with endemic flora and fauna as well as delightful little hilltop towns it really is an outdoor lovers delight.

Rio Borosa, Cazorla


We went river bathing, the lads (hubby too) went waterfall jumping and in the evening we find a bar to which wild boar came to be fed.

Wild Boar, Jabali, Cazorla
Wild Boar, Cazorla



Now camping in August is not ideal, especially in a car without air-con but we had a great time, proving that one night away is worth the effort and certainly feels much longer. I´m trying to convince myself here.

July and August can reach 40c so unless you choose a site carefully it can be very difficult between 11am and 6pm to cope with the heat and tents retain heat pretty well.

Anyway that´s my hope for this year, to do several short trips, camping and house swaps in between holiday home lets, other work and life, starting with an escape for two in Las Alpujarras.



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