Drying out

It seems rather trivial to talk about the recent rain in Olvera, particularly when there's been so much devastation and tragic loss of life in other parts of Andalucia due to terrible flooding. Today however, although still cloudy, the rain has at least stopped so a wander this morning on drying streets in a temperature of about 18°C.

The Plaza de la Iglesia.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the iconic Church at the top of town.

Views here and below from the front of the Iglesia in the plaza.

Calle Calzada leads from the plaza to Calle Llana at the bottom of the steps.

Calle Carnero.

Calle Mercado.

Looking over Calle Bellavista.

A reflection of the Iglesia de la Victoria.

Un buen dia (a good day)........

 .....was the favourite comment from friends that I met on a walk out this morning. Good, because throughout the night and continuing into today we've had a steady period of rain.

 Apart from the brief heavy storm we had last week, we've had no significant rain since April so today's downpour and more expected over the next couple of days is more than welcome for the campo and to replenish the reservoirs.

 Looking over the Plaza de Andalucia.

 The park in the plaza was open so a few pictures of the flora and fauna within.

  The view north. 

Looking from the viewpoint to the south.

As forecast.......

.....the weather this morning was slightly overcast but this afternoon had cleared a little to let the sun through and raise the temperature to a pleasant 27°C. Here, looking west to the Sierra de Lijar.

 One of the old roads out of Olvera and below the water trough at the bottom of Calle Salada.

Looking up one of the steepest streets in town, Calle Salada.

 The view to the south and the Sierra de Grazalema.

 The palm tree and its fruit outside Bar Rincon on Vereda Ancha.

  Vereda Ancha.

 Looking up Calle Fuente Nueva.

 Chilling in the plaza.

 Calle Calvario.

 Calle Llana.

El Burgo

A drive out today to the pueblo of El Burgo, a village we had passed by a few times but never actually stopped at. Our route took us south to Ronda and then east onto the A-366 along one of the most scenic routes of all our travels. Looking back at Ronda from the viewpoint at puerto del Viento.

 

Along the route is the "Mirador del Guarda Forestal" where we stopped to take in the stunning scenery and views of El Burgo in the distance.

At the top of the Mirador is a striking statue, erected in 1977 to commemorate the centenary of the formation of the Rangers who patrol and protect the beautiful landscape. The child symbolizes the legacy being left for future generations to enjoy.

We arrived in El Burgo and found that parking was not that easy so we continued driving uphill through the village until we reached the 16th century (although restored several times since) Iglesia de la Encarnación below. 

We parked and wandered slowly downhill to start our exploration. At the entrance to the village is a small park with a statue dedicated to "Juan Mingolla Gallardo" (alias Pasos Largos - Large Strides), born in El Burgo in 1873 and who is remembered as the last Andalucian bandit, dying in shoot out with police in 1934. Scroll down the link here to read of his exploits.  

 An Ibex, an emblematic symbol of this rural area, standing proud on a roundabout at the entrance to the village.

 El Burgo is a fairly small village with about 2500 inhabitants and many narrow but pretty streets, more suited to mules than cars.

 The Ayuntamiento.

 The new bridge into the village spans the Río Turón.

  

 Tapas and non alchoholic drinks were most welcome in the 28°C sunshine.

 One of many water fountains throughout the pueblo.

 The remnants of the old castle.

 The "Puente Romano" - Roman Bridge, restored in the 17th and 18th centuries and still in use today. 

We left the village, a very pretty place in a lovely location, and headed home in a different direction towards Cañete la Real on the MA-5400. The excellent road took us through pine forests and fabulous scenery with hardly another car in sight.

 Cañete la Real in the far distance.

 We cannot pass by Cañete without stopping to view the vultures that sit along the ridge overlooking the village.