Stumbling across the Granada region of Las Alpujarras, in Andalucía, southern Spain is a delight, an unexpected discovery, quite different to anywhere else…now, in May, the prettiest time of the year when the mountains are strewn with a garland of riotous colour…Come on then!
Seasons in the sun
After over 5 years here in this stunning area, we will never tire of the seasons, living at 1114m above sea level in our traditional village brings sharp season changes, Autumn with it’s glut of figs and fruit readily shared by neighbours, greedily devoured. Chilly Winters filled with the scent of Almond woodsmoke and clear views to Africa, hot dry Summers, our blue sky escape. But by far the season that wins the popularity stakes is Springtime in Las Alpujarras. Situated between the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Mediterranean sea, come and explore!
WOODCOCK ORCHID
How many?!
An unbelievable 2,000 plant species have been recorded here to date, goodness knows how many unrecorded. Every walk brings a new discovery. For us, a short stroll from the village brings wild flowers in abundance, we can be surrounded by the colour and sight of Wild Vetch and Poppies ranging from blue to dark red, languishing underneath the Olive and Almond trees. The Holm Oak and Chestnut woodlands (the latter of which provides a crop of nuts in Autumn) also are the haven for wildlife such as the Cuckoo, Woodpecker and Golden Oriole. As well as mammals such as Genets, Wildcats and Foxes. Not to mention the Wild Boar who feast regularly on my vegetable garden!
WILD GARLIC!
High rise apartments
We have those too. Well, if you’re a House-Martin.
Their precarious nest building high in the air reach to the top of the largest Church in the Alpujarras, right in our village. A little like a tenement building or a Moroccan Medina, crowded together, jostling for space and noisy!
A trip to the shops of the nearest town means not watching the road so closely - well, there are no other cars - but a beady eye can easily pick out the azure blue of the Roller or the multi-coloured plumage of the exotic Bee Eater or Hoopoe. Lucky days bring a majestic Eagle soaring overhead on the thermals, maybe a Bonelli or short-toed, or a Griffon Vulture, a veritable flying barn door!
EUROPEAN ROLLER
Stroll or serious walk
Whatever is your activity of choice, after a day exploring and discovering, call into your local bar for a quick (free!) tapas with your drink. Later on, after dinner, clink the ice into that G&T or pour another cold beer and pull up on your terrace and just listen. No music required when the best orchestra in town is the classic one in your own backyard! The insistent whoo- hoo of the Scops Owl as he flirts outrageously across the valley, the vuvuzula- like chant of the Cicada and the Greater Horseshoe Bat swooping in to say goodnight.
Enjoy the flower photos, my husband took them all himself, and all within just one mile of our house this Spring.
YELLOW BEE ORCHID
VETCH IN THE ALMOND GROVE (Perfect for picnics!)
TASSEL HYACINTH
COMMON ASPHODEL
PINK BUTTERFLY ORCHID
GREEN WINGED ORCHID (And the photographers favourite!)
Most beautiful photos. So fortunate to be able to experience nature in all its glory x
Thank you Lynsey. It’s amazing what Spring brings!
Carol, just adore your blog..I am also Irish and living back in my native Waterford after many yrs in Spain,Dublin,Drogheda…I travel to the costa del sol a few times a year but we have promised ourselves ..sometime to travel around the areas that you describe..we are not happy driving in Spain..we are Seniors..are there any tours taking in this area from sth. Spain? Best Wishes…Brenda Bergin
Thank you Brenda. Yes it’s a very different area to the Costas, well worth visiting. Best advice would be to choose and book accommodation in the village you like best…there will always be someone happy to take you on day tours. The roads are, incidentally, much improved in the last couple of years – and of course no traffic!