Water a'plenty....

In grey, overcast weather today and needing to get out for a break, we drove the short distance to the reservoir at Zahara de la Sierra, about twenty five or so minutes drive from Olvera.

Zahara is a beautiful "pueblo blanco" set on the side of a hill overlooking the normally azure blue reservoir but today it only reflected the grey skies above.

We stopped on the top of the dam to take a few pictures before skirting around the edge of the water to rejoin the main A-374 Ronda to Algodonales road.

The reservoir is now apparently completely full. Not surprising after the heavy rains of the last two or three weeks, the first time we have known it to be so since moving here nearly three years ago.

The snow is coming........

A beautiful day, clear blue skies, thankfully no rain and temperatures at about 4°C.

Snow has been forecast for this area but at present the nearest to us is on the surrounding mountains, as these pictures taken from the terrace this afternoon show.

Looking towards the east with the village of Setenil just visible in the valley below.

Not more rain.....!!

After a couple of reasonably rain free days, last night the rain came back with a vengeance and has carried on throughout this morning.

So not so much a post of views of Olvera today, more of a weather report.

I wandered down to the library to have a look at the expanding range of english language books before popping to the post office to send a long overdue letter to friends in the UK.

Pictured above and below are the "views" from outside the library. Not a lot to see though as the cloud level is so low.

The short walk to the post office proved disastrous for my umbrella;a short gust of wind from a side street bending a couple of the struts inside out. Never mind, it's still just about useable but will no doubt shortly join the many others that have been discarded in the atrocious weather we've had over the past few weeks.

Here, the view towards the castle in the mist whilst sheltering from the elements outside the post office.

Oh, for those sunny days when we jumped in the car for a trip out somewhere. They'll be back soon though.

Fiesta de Los Reyes

Tonight, we joined the throngs of people in the annual parade celebrating the arrival of the Three Kings in Olvera, the eve of "El dia de Los Reyes" (The day of the Kings), the day when it is traditional to give and receive Christmas gifts here in Spain.

It reflects the time when the Three Kings arrived in the Holy Land bringing their gifts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The highly decorated floats carrying the Kings and their attendants drive through the streets of the town throwing out confetti, sweets and small gifts to the excited children and it seems to the even more exciteable parents, all hoping to fill their pockets and plastic bags with lots of goodies.

We followed the parade to Calle Mercado passing underneath the floodlit castle picking up many of the sweets that were lying discarded in the road.

The event ended with a firework display from the park above the Plaza de Andalucia and at about 8.30pm we retired to the warmth of Bar Juanito Gómez for a few delicious tapas and a couple of beers.

Another brilliant evening, the first of many fiestas throughout 2010.

We look forward to the next one being the Carnaval, one of my favourites, that usually takes place at the end of February or early March.

Snow in Olvera....!!

We walked up to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento yesterday afternoon to witness the visit of the Royal Postmen. They were here to collect letters from the children of the village to give to the Three Kings, all hoping to receive their requested gifts on the 6th January, the traditional day in Spain for the opening of Christmas presents.

The postmen were followed into the square by the superb band of Olvera, adding to the flavour of the occasion.

The atmosphere was building and the snow machines around the plaza went into overdrive as the postmen took their seats in front of the excited children and parents alike.

In near blizzard conditions, the children went forward to present their letters and the postmen's sacks were soon filling up with the hopeful requests.

A brilliant afternoon that precedes the procession of the Three Kings through the village on Tuesday evening, when small gifts and sweets are thrown to the crowds along the parade route.

We'll be there, weather permitting, jostling and grabbing as many sweets as we can.

Feliz Año Nuevo

A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to everyone who has kindly looked in on our blog during the last year and in particular to all who have posted comments and sent us emails.

Our apologies that we have not posted for a while but the truth is that the weather has been so awful over the last couple of weeks that there have been few opportunities to get out without getting soaked.
However, after a lovely evening celebrating the New Year at our friends home last night, I took advantage of a break in the weather and took a stroll out this morning in a very quiet Olvera.

Walking up to the top of town, here where Calle Portillo splits to the right with Subida a Villa to the left.

Looking out from the front of the Plaza de la Iglesia.

Our friends Mark and Kelly's home, sadly now up for sale but if it's a house with spectacular views that you're after then this is the place for you.

A deserted Calle Llana showing a "chilly" temperature of 9.4°C.

Looking down from the park in the Plaza de Andalucia over Calle Guarino.

The entrance to the park from the Plaza de Andalucia and below, the Plaza from the park.

We now look forward to the "Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos", the procession of the Three Kings, that takes place on the evening of the 5th January, when crowds of children and adults eagerly follow the procession through Olvera collecting the sweets and gifts thrown by the Kings. Hopefully, the rain will not spoil the occasion.