Contrary to popular belief – YES, it does get cold here in sunny Spain in winter!

Don’t get me wrong – even in the depths of February we usually have sunny days with blue skies, but as soon as the sun begins to drop behind the nearest hillside, it’s time to change into jeans and thick socks ready for the cold evenings and nights.  By European standards, the temperature doesn’t drop very low (around 6 Celsius) – after all, that’s one of the main reasons we moved here from England’s perishing winters, but it surely feels cold.

Houses around here are built to keep out the warmth of the sun during the long, hot summer months rather than for keeping warm in winter.  Village houses are built close together (causing shade), and with small windows.  More modern houses, like ours. might have patio doors and larger windows, with insulation in the walls – but we still have tiled floors rather than carpeted ones and inadequate heating (by UK standards).

Fortunately, on our land we have 47 almond trees, which come in handy when pruning time comes around during the autumn months.  Branches here and there are  selected for firewood – after which I send my hubby out with the saw.

Here cometh the first benefit!

On another day, the branches need chopping into smaller logs to fit in the fireplace, before being stacked in a dry place.

Thus comes the second benefit of the log fire – and still without a match being lit.   (Well, my hubby certainly always leaves me in no doubt how warm he gets whilst sawing, chopping and stacking!)

Later follows the third, warming benefit ….. and the bit I like best – the log fire!

See how much better warming value we get, rather than telephoning a local supplier for yet another load of logs to be delivered.

WHAT???

Do you have a log fire and do you get such good value from yours?

Other posts you might enjoy:

The Green, Green Vegetables of Home

East of Málaga: The Weather in Winter

Chickpea and chorizo soup with smoky paprika bread