A windy Christmas lunch........

 .......and nothing to do with brussels sprouts. After a night of howling wind and torrential rain that continued into today, we decided to drive to the Bodega La Pitarra restaurant where we had booked our table to celebrate Christmas.

 Near to the Health Centre, the fire service aided by the police were clearing tree branches blown down by the wind.

After parking, we settled down to a delicious meal to celebrate our seventh Christmas here in Olvera. A very Merry Christmas to you all wherever you may be.

Sadly, the Christmas Lottery,....

......known as El Gordo (the fat one), the world's richest lottery draw with a total prize amount this year of 2.5 billion euros (just over 2 billion UK pounds, 3.4 billion USD) has once again passed us by with our numbers not being drawn. Never mind. I guess in so many ways we've already won the lottery so not too worry.......but an extra few thousand euros would have been nice.

A Christmas display.....

.......beautifully created by the students of the "Miguel de Cervantes" school stands underneath the palm tree near to the Bar Rincon.

The notice says "decorated with much love. Please respect". 

An imaginative and colourful Christmas tree made from plastic containers.

Feliz Navidad y un próspero Año Nuevo

 Another year has passed too quickly. Time once again to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has taken the time to view our blog and for all the kind comments and emails we have received. Also, many thanks to all the lovely people we have had the pleasure of meeting during the past year. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and peace, health and prosperity in the New Year.

As always, we hope that in 2014 we can continue to show you all that is the best of Olvera and its wonderful people and more of the beautiful region of Andalucia.

The Christmas spirit........

 ......is unfortunately sadly lacking in those who have mindlessly vandalised the beautiful seasonal display created by the students of the Taomi disability centre for the community to enjoy.

Pictured here, as it was on Thursday evening, in the plaza next to the library.

This picture taken on Friday afternoon and below as it is this afternoon.

The snowman and Christmas tree have been completely destroyed.

It's very, very rare that I have anything negative to say in our blog but I just fail to understand why anyone would do this after all the hard work and effort that's been put in. Just makes me sad and mad.

More Christmas pictures..........

 .........this time of the illuminations in the lower part of town, here on the Avenida Julián  Besteiro.

  The beautiful illuminated tree in the Plaza del Emigrantes.

 The views from Julián Besteiro of the castle and church.

 The Plaza de la Concordia and below looking up Calle Calvario.

 

 The view from Calle Bellavista and below from Calle Mercado.

Christmas is coming

Just a few pictures of this year's Christmas illuminations on a short stroll this evening.

Looking down Calle Llana.

The fir tree in Calle Mercado beautifully illuminated.

In the small plaza next to the library the potted plants have been decorated and a snowman has been imaginatively created from plastic beakers.

 The display is part of a programme involving the students of the Taomi organisation in Olvera.

 

 The florist's shop on Calle Mercado, as always getting into the Christmas spirit. 

 Calle Llana.

Belén del Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

 A beautiful, warm day so no excuse needed to visit the Santuario Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, just outside of Olvera, and view the spectacular Belén (Nativity scene) that is annually created in the internal patio area.

As always, a stunningly beautiful display so not much more is needed to be said apart from enjoy the pictures.