Travel Theme: Mountains

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Marianne under Photo challenges

This week’s Travel Theme is perfect for me, as it’s sometimes difficult to take photos without mountains in them, around these parts!

Here is a view towards the rugged Sierras of Tejeda and Almijara Natural Park which stretches across the provincial border between Granada and Málaga. The highest peak in the Sierra Tejeda is La Maroma, a big, flat-topped mountain, which at 2.069 metres, features in many of my local photos.

You might like to look at these other interpretations:

Travel Theme: Mountains | Ese’s Voice

Travel Theme: Mountains « Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

Travel Theme: Mountains « A year in the Life

Travel theme: Mountains | Meg Travels

East of Málaga: The Weather in Winter

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Marianne under Axarquía, Slice of Life

Statistics can give a general indication but don’t show detailed variation. Indeed, one of the things that differentiate the winters (or any of the other seasons, for that matter) from northern European weather is that there is less variation. Although we can have severe rainy periods at this time of year, most of the days in between are remarkably steady. This is due to the high pressure systems that keep storms away from us, in the main.

December is generally a sunny month and this winter it has been exceptionally so, with hardly any cloudy days and afternoon temperatures often well into the 20 degrees Celcius – so typical of a lovely June afternoon in England.

Another very important factor around the shortest day in late December is that unlike English afternoons, when darkness descends by 4pm, here in southern Spain it doesn’t go dark until around 6.30pm – a wonderful bonus!

January, and especially February can seem a little harsh sometimes, especially when we know of the prolonged hot, dry weather to come later in the year. But it is all relative. Yes, we can get stormy weather during the first two months of the year and occasionally if we have two or three dark and windy days together, we begin to doubt the sun will return. Never fear. Very soon the sunshine does come back and we can usually count on temperatures around 18C each afternoon.

Frost is virtually unknown with the very lowest overnight temperatures around 3C, though normally it does not fall below 7 or 8C. After rainy days at this time of year, we may see a dusting of snow on the top of nearby Monte Maroma, but that is at a height of 2069 metres.

It has to be said, though, that a few times each winter there will be very strong winds often coming down from the north, swirling over the mountain peaks and these can be unpleasant indeed.

All in all though, winters here, east of Málaga, are comparable to good spring weather in northern Europe and, as we are situated about 18 degrees of latitude further south of much of northern Europe, the sun is that same degree of angle higher in the sky, meaning that there is genuine warmth in its rays.

Life continues outdoors during the majority of winter days, and long, cold, rainy periods are virtually unknown.

Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:

East of Málaga: The Weather in Summer

Photographs I love …. and why!

CBBH Photo Challenge: VIEW FROM AN AIRCRAFT

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Marianne under CBBH Photo Challenge, Photo challenges

As some of you already know, I am not at home in Spain right now but gadding off around the world, as I often do during our winter months. I was racking my brains to think of a photo challenge I haven’t seen anywhere else and, as I am always camera-ready-in-hand whenever I fly, I thought that VIEW FROM AN AIRCRAFT might produce some spectacular entries for this month’s CBBH PHOTO CHALLENGE.

Whenever I fly, I always request a window seat. I love the view through an aeroplane window – because it means I´m going somewhere! These often spectacular views give a unique look at the world from a totally different perspective, and which simply cannot be seen from the ground. Sometimes I will see countries that I will never set foot in, and even if there is nothing spectacular to see, just looking at cloud patterns or sunrises can be fascinating.

With tight security rules and ever busier airports continuing to change air travel, rediscovering the romance of the window seat may be the most practical way to make flying more enjoyable.

So, Señores Pasajeros (Ladies and Gentlemen) please ensure your seat-belt is securely fastened, your tray table is stowed and your seat-back is in the upright position, and join me in enjoying a smooth approach into Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates; Christchurch International Airport on the South Island of New Zealand and, of course, Malaga’s own Costa del Sol Airport on the south coast of Spain.

Abu Dhabi International (AUH) is one of the fastest growing airports in the world in terms of passenger numbers. I took this shot as we were coming in to land just after sunrise. You can see the first light shining off the houses on the left of the photograph. It’s quite amazing to see so many buildings in the middle of the desert!

Christchurch International Airport (CHC) provides not only the gateway to the South Island of New Zealand but also, with the development of many scientific expeditions, to Antarctica itself. The South Island is divided along its length by the Southern Alps, the highest peak of which is Aoraki/Mount Cook at 3754 metres (12,316 ft). As you can see, there was still plenty of snow on the Southern Alps when this photo was taken earlier this month, even though it is now summer in the southern hemisphere.

I couldn’t finish without a photograph taken on the approach to Malaga’s Costa del Sol airport (AGP). This sight is always good to see, because no matter how much I love travelling, it means I will soon be home – and that’s always a good feeling too, isn’t it?

This month´s CBBH Featured Blogs:

** Jo Bryant at Chronicles of Illusions is an Australian freelance writer now living with a demented fox terrier, two cats and a cockatiel in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Jo always has plenty to say about life and I have particularly enjoyed reading her “Small Stones” Mindful Writing Challenge during the past month. Why not pop over there right away and take a look at exactly what I mean?

Jo takes the most amazing photographs and has something new to post most days. I don’t know how she finds the time, but I’m hoping to find out quite soon, as Jo and I are planning on meeting up when I get to the Bay of Plenty!

** If you want real, authentic, Italian home-cooking, then you should hop straight over to see what John has on offer From the Bartolini Kitchens. His recipes are always easy to follow (often with step-by-step photographs) and I especially loved his recent post describing how to make his Mom’s broth – which is sure to see off even the most dastardly of flu viruses!

John is a passionate cook who shares not only family recipes handed down from generation to generation, but wonderful tales of his childhood and family. How blessed he is to have been born into such a loving and close Italian family. When you visit John’s pages, be sure to tell him that Marianne sent you 🙂

So that´s the CBBH Photo Challenge for February, folks!

Remember, all you have to do is post your entry by the end of the month, link back to this post and, most importantly, don´t forget to share links to any two blogs that you´ve commented on during the past month, so that we can all HOP OVER and have a look. Make sure you FOLLOW THIS BLOG so you don´t miss next month´s exciting challenge!

For more information on how the CBBH Photo Challenge works click here.

I hope everyone taking part enjoys the exposure the CBBH Photo Challenge offers to featured blogs and, who knows, you may end up finding a new favourite! I´m looking forward to seeing your interpretations.

[CBBH logo Image credit: (cc) Mostly Dans]

Travel Theme: Walls

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Marianne under Photo challenges

These colourful items were for sale in one of the little tourist shops in the pretty village of Frigiliana. But you also get a glimpse of the beautiful tiles adorning the lower part of the wall on the outside of the building.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

This post is my contribution to this week’s Travel Theme: Walls

Have a look at some other interpretations:

Esenga’s Voice

True Traveling

Wind Against Current

The Retiring Sort