CdR News, September, 2013

There are no plans regarding a future CdR, so probably best to treat this site as an increasingly historical item. However, I will continue to post exciting things when (or, more likely, well after) they happen.


Saturday, 25 September 2010

It´s Hail, Mary...

Extreme weather is not that unusual here.
Last winter brought the floods, and this summer has been really hot with temperatures in the 40s. The swimming pool did good business....

This week has been ridiculously windy, with all sorts of stuff flying around the village. But worst of all happened last month.

In the middle of August, with high temperatures, a freak combination of conditions led to a really heavy build up of clouds.


Even the swimming pool closed early having been given warning of what was to come. It got darker and darker, then the thunder and lightning started, followed by hailstones. We were in the car, having just parked outside the house, and the noise inside was ear-splitting, as though army of drummers were banging on the roof. We had left windows open in the house, so I had to make a dash for the door and even in that short distance I got soaked and whacked by lumps of ice the size of grapes. I dashed upstairs and closed the shutters, then went up to the roof terrace. The cotton sunshade was almost touching the table underneath, so full of hailstones it was. It took half a dozen pushes to gradually empty it out onto the roof. I reckoned there was maybe 10 buckets-full of ice. One load landed on the terrace, so I took a pic.















Then, of course, a village load of ice melted and the streets were flooded instantaneously, though thankfully only for a few minutes.

I've never seen anything like it - ever.

The weather does give us some great images though. Like this pic of the church with the storm clouds behind.




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Spring

Spring
In a hidden valley above Jimera, where the almond trees are covered in blossom and the ground covered with irises. The wild flowers in the early months of the year are breathtaking. Swathes of yellow, red, blue and white.

Jimera in the evening

Jimera in the evening
The westerly aspect of the village means that in summer the sun shines on the village until late in the evening.

On the road to Jimera

On the road to Jimera
Jimera is tucked into the mountains. You can just see the top of the church above the first ridge.

The garden of the Guadiaro

The garden of the Guadiaro
The part of the Guadiaro valley where Jimera is situated has its own micro climate which allows oranges and other fruits to flourish in addition to the almonds and olives typical of the area.

Jimera looking south west

Jimera looking south west
The village does not get the same valley mists and winter rain that affect villages nearer the coast. Often, the sky is clear when Cortes de la Frontera, the next village to the south west, is hidden by cloud.

Near the village

Near the village
Surrounding the Village there are numerous tracks and paths, some dating back to roman times and beyond, which you can follow and find a quiet spot to sit and read or write. Or just sit.

The swimming pool at La Jara

The swimming pool at La Jara
Don't forget your swimming costumes, although a few prefer the more social aspect of the village pool.

El Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas in winter

El Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas in winter
It doesn't snow very often, but, when it does, it is a big event. Here at the Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas (Pass of the Drunken Holm Oaks), there was enough snow two years ago to close the road for a day. The next day though, it was sunny, if a bit cold.

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