Hasta luego amigas/os - a blog break

We know and appreciate that many of our readers look in daily for pictures of Olvera, places we have visited or just to have a look at the weather. My recent spell of ill health has unfortunately curtailed our activities and it now seems that I was rather optimistic in suggesting that I would be back to something like normal within two or three weeks of leaving hospital. It now appears more likely to be two or three months, possibly more. So, not wishing to disappoint anyone, we thought it best to bring the entries on our blog to a hopefully temporary close, at least for a few months anyway. It's possible that we may pop up occasionally with an entry but regrettably not on such a regular basis as in the past.

There are many things that Anne and I have to adapt to over the coming weeks and months that will take up a lot of our time but we sincerely thank you all for looking in over the years gone by. We have made some wonderful, lasting friendships and we hope to make more in the future. 

We are still here of course to assist and help anyone in any way that we can if you have any local queries about Olvera or the surrounding area as we received so much help prior to and since arriving in this most beautiful part of Andalucia. Please just send us an email either through the "Contact us" option on our blog or directly to us at acrosskey(at)yahoo.com and we will be happy to help if we can.

Until then, "hasta luego amigas y amigos" and thank you for your wonderful support. 

Gran pasacalles de Carnaval

Pictures, courtesy of Anne, of Saturday's Grand Carnival procession where the wonderful people of Olvera once again show their fantastic community spirit, whether being participants or onlookers.

A first this year, a contribution from the expat community of Olvera.

The procession was led by big game hunters preceding a large cobra snake. Who's for dinner I wonder!!.

Plenty of pictures below that hopefully show the fun and atmosphere of the event.

Small steps

Still not up to wandering around at the moment so just a few pictures of the views today from our roof terrace on a misty, sunny day with a temperature of about 12°C.

 Ongoing work on a house reform nearby. I envy the amount of insulation and protection that has gone into the roof alone.

 Looking up Calle Azuaga.

Andalucia Day

To celebrate Andalucia Day on Friday 28th February, the Ayuntamiento have scheduled a series of events as follows:

Between 11.00hrs and 11.30hrs in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, speeches and a reading of the declaration that created Andalucia as an automonous region of Spain on the 28th February 1980. The formal speeches will be followed by a performance by the "Banda de Música de Olvera" and then at 12.00hrs the band will parade through the streets of the town eventually returning to the Plaza de Andalucia.

At 13.30hrs in the Plaza de Andalucia, free Chicharrones and chorizo followed by a performance from the excellent flamenco group "La Fragua".

In case of rain, all events will take place at the Indoor Sports Centre. As always, please check the Town Hall website here for accuracy.

Carnaval 2014

"Carnaval" time is nearly upon us and the schedule of events has been published by the Town Hall as follows:

Saturday 1st March at 18.00hrs at the Indoor Sports Centre. The opening proclamation of Carnival 2014.

Sunday March 2nd at 17.00hrs at the Indoor Sports Centre. A Carnival party with popular snacks and performances by the local Chirigota groups "Los que no se pierden una (los voluntarios), Aquí hay candela and Los que salen por la Tele". Also the presentation of awards in the Carnival Mask competition. 

Tuesday March 4th at 16.00hrs. A parade from of the pupils and students from the schools E.E.I. Gloria Fuertes, C.E.P. San José de Calasanz and C.E.I.P. Miguel de Cervantes, arriving at at the Indoor Sports Centre at 17.30hrs for a children's party and entertainment.

Wednesday 5th March at 10.00hrs. A parade of the infants from E.I. Olivo school on Calle Julián Besteiro arriving at the Indoor Sports Centre at 11.30hrs for a party and entertainment.

Thursday 6th March 19.00hrs until 24.00hrs at the Indoor Sports Centre. Performances and music from DJ Pérez.

Friday March 7th commencing at 19.30hrs. The Chirogota groups will be performing at various bars in town on routes as follows; 

Route 1."Los que no se pierden una" - Bar La Noria, Bar El Patio, Bar Copacabana, Bar Juanito Gómez, Bar La Jarrita, Bar Bocanegra, Bar Avenida, Bar Piscina Municipal and finally Cafe Manhattan.

Route 2. "Aqui hay Candela" - Hotel Sierra y Cal, Disco Pub El Frenazo, Bar Mi Pueblo, Cervecería Los Arbolitos, Bar Las Niñas, Bar Lirios, Bar El Traguito, Pub El Bruja and finally at Pub Más Madera.

Route 3. "Los que salen por la Tele" - Cafetería Hipanova, Bar El Parque, Cervecería Entrecaminos, Restaurante Gaby, Restaurante La Bodega, Restaurante Alfonso, Restaurante El Puerto,, Peña Madrilista and finally Café Bar Buddha.

Saturday 8th March commencing at 16.00hrs from Calle Llana. A grand carnival procession starting from Calle Llana and proceeding along Calles Victoria, Calvario, Plaza de la Concordia, Julián Besteiro, Cañada Real, Veredo de Pino and Los Ángeles, finishing at the fairground.

Between 19.00hrs and 24.00hrs a party with entertainment provided by DJ Chivo.

At 20.00hrs, judging and presentation of prizes for the best carnival costumes.

Between 02.00hrs and 06.00hrs, entertainment and music provided by DJ Pérez. 

Sunday 9th March at 13.30hrs in the Plaza de Andalucia (or the Indoor Sports Centre in case of rain). Performances by the Chirigota groups "Los shuntenticos chunguitos" from Seville and "Los niños cantores de viena ó de manolete". Also party games, face painting and bouncy castles for the children.

As always, please check the Town Hall website here for accuracy of times and information.

Have a great time at what I consider to be the best event of the Olvera calendar.  

What next

Well, it will take awhile to regain my strength and to catch up with responding to emails and other necessary tasks but slowly over the next few days to a week I hope to regain some sort of routine. Hopefully it won't be too long before we're once again wandering the streets of Olvera and beyond, putting more pictures of the place we love on our blog. Can't wait.

Back home

After an unintentional two week stay in Ronda Hospital I am now back at home. What started as a minor infection in mid January spread quickly through my kidney to my lungs, resulting in pneumonia and other complications developing.
All better now though and I cannot thank the doctors, nurses and all other staff for their magnificent skill and care during my time there. Many thanks also to our friends in Olvera and further afield, and family of course, who rallied around with practical help and good deeds, giving your love and support at the time when we needed it most. No names, you know who you are. Everyone of you outstanding and very special people.
Never least,  to my lovely special wife Anne who has borne the emotional turmoil of the last few weeks with love, fortitude, patience and the strength of the Welsh. I love you to bits.

Después de una involuntaria estancia de dos semanas en el Hospital Ronda, ahora estoy de vuelta en casa. Lo que comenzó como una infección menor a mediados de enero se extendió rápidamente a través de mi riñón para mis pulmones, dando lugar a la neumonía y otras complicaciones en desarrollo. 
Mucho mejor ahora, sin embargo, y no puedo agradecer a los médicos, enfermeras y todo el personal por su magnífica destreza y cuidado durante mi tiempo allí. Muchas gracias también a nuestros amigos en Olvera y en otros lugares, y la familia, por supuesto, que se reunieron en torno a la ayuda práctica y las buenas obras, dando a su amor y apoyo en el momento cuando más lo necesitábamos. No hay nombres, ustedes saben quienes son. Cada uno de ustedes excepcional y gente muy especial. 
Nunca menos, a mi encantadora esposa Anne especial que ha llevado la confusión emocional de las últimas semanas con el amor, la fortaleza, la paciencia y la fuerza de los galeses. Te amo en pedazos.

The sunset tonight

 A few pictures of the setting sun this evening. 

After the storm

 The torrential rain and gale force winds of last night finally eased by mid morning today, giving rise to some hint of blue sky this afternoon. Here, dark clouds looking down Calle Salada.

Four or five vultures were taking advantage of the thermals before returning to their resting place on the Peñón de Zaframagón pictured below.....

.....at just over 10 kilometres distance to the west of Olvera as the vulture flies!.

Views southwest towards the 1041 metre peak of the Sierra de Lijar, a mecca for hang gliders and paragliders and a perfect area for walkers to enjoy the natural habitat and birds of the area. A link to a walking blog here  shows some of the spectacular scenery.

 

 The outstretched arms of the "Monumento al Sagrado Corazón" at the top of the park area in the Plaza de Andalucia.

 Looking to the north.

  The skies to the east and below looking up Calle Mercado.

 A strong breeze blows the flags outside the School of Music and Dance building on Calle Llana, pictured below.

  A final view to the southeast from our roof terrace.