Foreign: Not all those who wander are lost

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Photo challenges

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

This simple sculpture of a world map (mapa mundi) can be found within the grounds of Málaga´s Botanical Gardens.

Being an English expat living in Spain, many things that I once might have considered foreign, have now become the norm.

Besides, the concept of “foreign” is all relative, isn´t it?

So, here are some things that you might think are foreign, but which are now part of everyday life here in amazing Andalucía!

This young girl was wearing her Yo Soy Español (I am Spanish) tee shirt to watch the Spanish national team play football on TV during Euro 2012, at the La Noche de San Juan celebrations.

Sunshine, the blue Mediterranean Sea and palm trees off the Balcón de Europa in Nerja, Spain.

Stunning yellow blooms of a cactus plant.

Herbs and spices for sale at a Spanish street market.

Delicious paella, freshly-made each day over wooden fires.

Street sign in the village of Torrox, which claims to have the best climate in Europe (mejor clima de Europa).

This post is my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign.

Other photo challenges you might enjoy:

CBBH monthly Photo challenge: Windows

Travel Theme: Curves

Weekly Photo challenge: Near and Far

There´s always sunshine through the clouds

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Slice of Life

One of the things I love most about living in southern Spain are the mountains. They always make the views spectacular, both morning and evening, as the sunlight falls across the ridges of the nearby foothills, but never more so than when it rains. It´s always a delight to watch the clouds surging up the valley from the Mediterranean Sea between the ridges – almost making it look more like smoke than clouds.

The past few days have been cloudy and raining, so in between the heavy showers, I have tried to pop outside to capture the raindrops on the flowers and trees, as well as the rapidly changing cloud patterns. They are so pretty. Isn´t nature wonderful?

Some other rainy day posts you might enjoy:

Welcoming the rain in Spain

Travel Theme: Foliage

La Viñuela reservoir: Water levels

Patatas a lo pobre: Poor man´s potatoes

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Marianne under Recipes

Patatas a lo pobre is a classic Andalucían dish that can be served either as tapas, or to accompany a wide variety of fish and chicken dishes.

I have my own version that I sometimes cook in the microwave, using less olive oil than in the traditional way of cooking in a frying pan. It is just as delicious!

Ingredients (adjust according to taste/numbers):

Potatoes, sliced

Onions, sliced

Garlic, chopped

Green peppers (Italian), sliced

Red pepper, sliced (I just add a small amount for the colour)

Salt and pepper

Mixed herbs

Extra virgin Olive oil

Layer the ingredients into a glass Pyrex-type dish, drizzle with olive oil, cover with pierced cling-film and microwave on full power for approximately 20 minutes (or until potatoes are cooked). I usually check about halfway through, give it a little mix around and add more olive oil if I feel I need to.

Que aproveche!

Have you ever tried cooking tapas, at home?

You might also enjoy these posts too:

Fresh Figs Stuffed with Goat´s Cheese and wrapped in Smoked Bacon

Let’s talk about tapas!

All at sea with the Virgen del Carmen

Roadside Advertising: Not just a Load of Bull

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Marianne under Laws and Customs, Photo challenges

Around many parts of Spain, you will see the famous Osborne Bull (Toro de Osborne) silhouetted against the impossibly blue sky. The 14 metre high black image of a bull in semi-profile, has come to be regarded as the unofficial national symbol of Spain.

First created in 1956 and erected close to major roads by the Osborne Sherry Company to advertise their Brandy de Jerez, the bulls used to feature the brand name “Veterano” in red, emblazoned across them. In 1994, a law in Spain was passed which prohibited roadside advertising which meant that the hoardings would have to be removed. However, there was a public outcry as the bulls had become much loved, so in order to comply with the law, the bulls were completely blacked out to remove all reference to the original advertisers.

Only two bulls remain in Spain with the word “Osborne” still written on them. One is at the airport of Jerez de la Frontera in Cadiz province, and the other is in the nearby town of El Puerto de Santa María, where the headquarters of the Osborne company can be found.

The image of the bull is now proudly displayed in stickers, key rings and memorabilia throughout Spain, and at sports events where a Spanish team or individual take part, the bull is embedded by supporters into the Spanish flag in the manner of a coat of arms.

[Image credit: CC Wikipedia]

There are 23 of these bulls to be found within the region of Andalucía – so keep your eyes peeled on your travels!

This is my response to the WordPress Photo Challenge: Silhouette

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The Buddhist Stupa of the Eastern Costa del Sol

When life gives you curves, flaunt them!

The heart of Cómpeta: El Paseo de las Tradiciones

Málaga´s Botanical Gardens: Can you dig it?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Places

Botanical gardens around the world are often well worth a visit while travelling, and Málaga’s La Concepción Gardens are no exception. Just to the north of the city, the stunning Jardín Botánico-Historico La Conceptión has justifiably attracted a reputation for being amongst the best in Europe.

The gardens were founded in 1850 by Amalia Heredia Livermore and her husband Jorge, the Marquis of Casa Loring, who travelled the world in search of tropical plants for their garden, in the centre of which they built an Andalucían mansion, complete with indoor courtyard.

During the Loring´s occupation of the property, Finca La Concepción was well known for the dinner parties which took place in the Wisteria Dining Arbour, often followed by short walking tours of the gardens. At the time of our visit, the Arbour was being prepared for a wedding, which must be a particularly spectacular setting in April each year, when the wisteria is in bloom.

Jardín Botánico-Historico La Conceptión was declared a historical and artistic garden in 1943, but fell into decline over the years until the garden estate, comprising 49 hectares of established gardens and surrounding forests, were acquired by Málaga City Council in 1990. Following an extensive programme of renovation, the gardens were opened to the public in 1994.

As well as many thousands of plant and tree specimens, architecturally the gardens also contain a few memorable buildings such as the finca, a Doric-columned Museum of ancient Roman sculpture, a number of small bridges crossing waterways, and an Alhambra-inspired pool with pagoda, offering great views over Málaga city.

Even on a hot summer´s day, it´s a pleasure to enjoy the cool green shade and occasional sprinklers which may catch you by surprise as they irrigate the surrounding plants. I was delighted to even capture a rainbow dancing in the water droplets.

The romantic, landscaped design transports you to a tropical paradise filled with waterfalls, streams, carved benches, lily ponds and thousands of plant specimens from all over the world. Add to that the beautiful sound of birdsong, turtles, frogs and the occasional squirrel looking for something to eat, and you have found yourself a very pleasant way to spend a sunny morning.

We took about three hours to wander around the gardens, which includes the impressive “Around the World in 80 Trees” exhibit, showcasing trees from every continent.

To find the Botanical Gardens (driving from the Axarquía, east of Málaga) take the Autovía towards Málaga, turning onto the A45 before the city, towards Granada, Córdoba and Seville. After only a kilometre or so, you will see signs for the Jardín Botánico-Historico La Conceptión. Exit the A45 at km 140 and follow local signs to the Gardens. For further details of opening times and entrance prices, visit their website.

Whilst you´re here, you might also enjoy:

Textures of Tree Bark

Foliage after the Rain

CBBH Photo Challenge: Windows