Arco de Peñón del Cerretillo ?

Is this the newest arch to be built in Olvera ?.

We were walking down to the bank this morning, passing by the new steps being built from Calle Victoria to link up with the Peñón del Cerretillo, a new park area being created by the Ayuntamiento, and noticed this impressive entrance that has been created virtually overnight. We're sure it wasn't there a few days ago !.

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El Peñón del Cerretillo

We sat for a while in the Plaza de la Concordia just enjoying the warm sunshine. The temperature indicator on the way down Calle Llana at 10.30 said 22.5°C but it certainly felt a lot warmer.

We headed back home, Anne nipping off to do some shopping, so I walked up to the Plaza de la Iglesia to look at the restoration work being done on the Church. A lot of the exterior has now been replastered and partly repainted but judging from the sound of men and machinery coming from the open side door, work now appears to have moved indoors.

I carried on walking down through the Barrio. As usual when we pass this way, hung outside and around this house are six or seven bird cages containing several varieties of canaries.

The views to the south and west of Olvera.

Tapas tonight

Tonight we fancied eating out, so we walked down to what is becoming one of our favourite tapas bar's, Juanito Gomez on Calle de Bellavista.

Arriving at about 8.30, we sat outside for a while on a warm evening, watching the passing traffic before deciding to go indoors for something to eat.

The atmosphere here and the selection of tapas is very special. I particularly like the "Morcilla de Burgos", a spicy black pudding but to pick one in particular doesn't do justice to the excellent range of tapas on the menu.

By 9.30, the bar was packed, inside and out. Well worth a visit if you get a chance.

A short drive out...

This morning, I drove the short distance to the Cortijo, just outside of Olvera, intending to fill our water bottles from the spring. However, on arrival the water was little more than a trickle and with six five litre bottles to fill I would have been there quite a while.

So I headed off to the town of Algodonales, about twenty minutes drive away, hoping that the spring there would be in full flow, as it usually is.

It was a lovely morning, a few clouds floating by but warm with a pleasant breeze.

Passing by Olvera, I turned off onto a dirt track to snap these pics of the Church and Castle.

After filling the bottles, on the way back I turned off the main road onto a track signposted " Monastejo", hoping that it would eventually join up with the main road near the village of La Muela, which it eventually did.

The fields amongst the sunflowers were being harvested.





Looking across a field of sunflower's towards the Sierra de Lijar, a popular jumping off point for the many hang gliding enthusiasts that come to this area.

June/July/August activities

The following information is taken from the excellent Olvera official town website, click here for information, and lists the activities organised by the Ayuntamiento for the coming summer months. There's quite a bit to keep the youngster's occupied and also plenty for us more mature folks to enjoy.
We thought it might be useful for parents, residents and visitors to know what and where events are taking place. Apologies that a little may be lost in translation but if you are unsure, please check with the website. As follows:

JUNE
June 22 .- Local League Soccer . Campo de Fútbol.
June 29 to August 22 .- Swimming course. Municipal Pool

JULY
July 1 . Football League Base. Indoor Sports Pavilion
July 1 of 3x3 Volleyball Championship. Indoor Sports Pavilion
July 1 .- Championship Basketball 3x3 Base. Indoor Sports Pavilion
July 1 .- Petanque Championship. Entrecaminos Park. 9:00 pm
July 8 .- Chess Tournament. UNED.20.30h.
July 9 .- Pop-rock concert with 'The Robledo". Patio de la UNED. 22.00 h.
July 11 .- Verbena (open air dance) 'Old Vereilla ".20:00 am
July 15 .- II nightlife Cycling. Olvera emblematic streets. Exit Plaza de Andalucia. 20.30.
July 16 .- Literario presents: 'The Three Little Pigs'. Parque de la Victoria. 21.00h.
July 23 .- Fiesta Infantil (inflatables and games). Entrecaminos Park. 21.00h.
July 25 .- Verbena del Socorro (open air dance). 20:00
July 27 .- Tennis Tournament. Indoor Sports Pavilion
July 27 .- Paddle Tournament. Indoor Sports Pavilion and the Campo de Fútbol

AUGUST
August 1 .- Basketball Show. Indoor Sports Pavilion 09.30h.
August 6 .- Adult Storytelling. Vía Verde de la Sierra. 22:00
From August 6-8 .- Days Classical Guitar City Olvera
August 6 Days Classical Guitar Concert .- Samuel Diz. Maison de la culture. 20.00h. 7 Days Agosto.-Classical Guitar. Concert Rodolfo J. Rodriguez. Casa de la Cultura. 18.00h. Workshops Classical Guitar Duo Concert Artelinkado. Casa de la Cultura. 20.00h. 8-Days Agosto. Classical Guitar Concert Bailo José M ª. House of Cultura.18.00h
Classical Guitar Workshop Concert Carles Trepat. Casa de la Cultura. 20.00h.
August 12 .- Child Storyteller. Public Library. 12.00h.
August 13 .- Fiesta Infantil (inflatables and games) Plaza de Andalucía. 21.00h.
August 15 .- Dance Equestrian. Wide sidewalk. 22:00 'Association Olvera riding,' Riding Center Platero and Group 'The sonata' (Olvera).
August 22 .- Trofeo Ciudad de Olvera de Basketball. Indoor Sports Pavilion. 20.30.
August 23 .- City Olvera Football Trophy Cup. 19.30h.
August 24 Swimming Championships. Municipal Pool. 10:00
August 24 .- Delivery of Trophies JUDECU, 09. Municipal Caseta. 21:00
August 25 .- Fiesta del Agua. Municipal Pool. 10:00

SUMMER WORKSHOPSWorkshop for boys and girls .
From 13 to July 17. 12.00 h. UNED. Animation workshop to reading. Public Library.
From July 20-24. 10:30 - 12:30 Registration until July 15. 6 to 10 years. Digital Photography Workshop. UNED.
From 13 to July 17 (19.00-21:00 h). Riding Workshop. Equestrian Center Platero. 4h. / week. Entry in the Riding Club Platero. Summer School. Colleges Cervantes (Child) and Calasanz (Elementary).! 0.00h-14: 00h. Entries in the workshops can be formalized in the Municipal Public Library from 10:00 h to 14.00h.

Views from the terrace

Just a few pictures taken at seven this evening, temperatures still at about 30°C, looking over the rooftops to the fabulous views beyond. The landscape over the past few weeks has definitely changed under the hot sun, reverting from the lush greens of spring to the light and dark browns that we'll see over the next four or five months until, dare I say it, winter appears again.

We've had a fairly quiet day, just popping down town to buy me some sandals.......me in sandals !!!. We found some nice soft leather ones, unfortunately in black rather than my preferred brown due to size, then called in at our friend Gerry's for a beer and a haircut, ably done by Anne, who's getting to be quite an expert with the hair trimmers.

Looking up to the Iglesia, which I'm pleased to say is looking a lot better with the painting and reformation that is currently ongoing.

Tomorrow see's the final dance at the Centro de Personas Mayores, so we'll head up at about 2.30 pm for a few hours of "tripping the light fantastic"....or in my case tripping over my own feet. It'll be good fun anyway.

Área Recreativa Arroyomolinos

Today, we drove the short distance to Zahara to visit an outdoor recreational area recommended by several of our friends.

Leaving Olvera at just after 9.30, we headed toward Algodonales before turning off to Zahara.

Going past Zahara, after about 3 kms, we saw the signpost for Arroyomolinos.

The area did not open until 11am so we had a short wait, opting to go for a coffee in Zahara.

However, it appears that Zahara has been overrun with No Entry signs. Where, on our last visit you could drive into the town centre, this is now only accessible for residents. We turned round looking for another access road, saw a temporary sign saying Centro, headed up the road to be met with more No Entry signs.

There appeared to be no obvious route into town, the intention presumably to limit access to vehicles.

Well, they certainly succeeded with us as we left and headed back to the recreation area.

We joined the short queue of cars, paid our 1€ parking fee and 2,50€ each entrance fee and wandered off to find a place to settle down.

The area was quite large with many tables and benches around and many sheltered area's under the tree's.

The large freshwater lake gently sloped from the concreted shallows at the edge to the deeper waters in the middle, watched over by several life guards.

On a hot day, the water was very inviting and though initially chilly, soon warmed up the longer you stayed in it.

After a few hours and several dips, we retired to the on-site restaurant for lunch. At 10€ a head for a salad, main meal, dessert and a drink, we thought it was good value.

In fact, we thought the whole centre was very good value for money and will no doubt return sometime during the summer.

Encuentro de las Culturas

Last night, at the invitation of our friend and neighbour Maricarmen, we walked down to the Miguel y Cervantes Infant and Primary School to watch the end of term fiesta performed by the children of the school.We arrived at about 8.45 to a packed playground area and an audience eagerly awaiting the start of the performance.

The theme this year was the "Meeting of Cultures", the different cultures ably and enthusiastically performed by representatives of each year of the school.

The work and effort that had been put into the costumes and the performances of the children was deservedly met with great applause at the end of each scene.

A brilliant night ended at just after ten so we headed off for tapas and a couple of beers, our hearts warmed again by this lovely community in which we live.
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School's out......

Just for Mel...

Remember this place Mel?. I don't know why but sitting outside we often think of our good friend Mel, who emigrated to the Republic of Cornwall, UK several months ago. Your ghost is still here !!!.

We were passing by Bar Pepe Rayas yesterday and popped in for a beer and coke and were pleasantly surprised by the new decor.

The bar has been brightened up with a fresh coat of paint, new TV and bar stools.

Mel's life back in the UK is documented on his brilliant blog, "Mel's Cornish Adventure", with witty comment and great pictures of the beautiful area that is the south west of England. Click here to view.

Corpus Christi

Yesterday saw the annual festival in Olvera, when several streets in the old part of town were decorated with greenery and flowers in honour of Corpus Christi, a celebration dating back to the 13th century of the victory of the Resurrection of Christ over Death.

The community in each street make a real effort to decorate their houses and take great pleasure and pride in the many visitors, both local and from other area's, who take the time to stop and admire their efforts and hard work.
So quite a few pics of the event.

Pictured right is the view down Calle de Azuaga........"one day, when we're old, we'll have to do all this".

The view of Calle del Pozo and the shrine prepared by the residents.

Our neighbour and friend Maricarmen's daughter, with her friend.

One of the shrines in Calle de Carmona. Each street prepares one or more shrines that are blessed by the priest during a procession that takes place during the evening.

Our lovely friends, and unofficial spanish language tutor José, who with his wife Carmen pictured below were decorating their house as we passed by.

Calle del Peñón.



The beautifully decorated Calle Jose Chico.























Calle Jesus.

Calle Llana, looking up to the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Encarnación.

The shrine dedicated to the Patron Saint of Olvera, Nuestra Senora de los Remedios, at the entrance to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.







Calle de Azuaga again and the shrine below prepared by the residents.

At just after eight in the evening, the large procession left the Iglesia Santa Maria de la Victoria on the start of the route to bless the altars and shrines.

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Corpus Christi in Olvera