I was just sorting through memory cards full of photos that I have yet to organize or do anything with, when I came across this one. I took it on the 8th March at 8 am (The wonders of modern digital photography triumph over my innate forgetfulness.) That means I was on my way to […]
The Perfect Snow Storm
March 18, 2013 by · 24 Comments
By the time the month of March comes around spring is well and truly on the way in Asturias. Winter is behind us and while we can still spy snow on the high mountain tops we have long since had our one annual day of snow cover here in the hills close to the sea. […]
Thrills ‘n’ Spills and Hot Aches
February 11, 2013 by · 17 Comments
Until today Jack had only ever seen snow either on the far-distant mountain tops or on Caillou (a Canadian kids cartoon that airs on Spanish tv.) Today the snow line was forecast to dip to 300m above sea level (we live at a little over 400 metres). And dip it did. We woke to this. […]
The Early Bird
February 3, 2013 by · 20 Comments
With Jack starting school last September one of the biggest adjustments we have had to make has been getting up at 7.30 every morning, Monday to Friday. (And, of course, weekends too as Jack’s highly trainable body clock doesn’t switch off just because it’s a Saturday. Dammit.) It might not sound that harsh’ I know […]
Good Times, Good People and Goodbyes
February 1, 2013 by · 19 Comments
Living the life of an ex-pat you have to say a lot of goodbyes. There’s the initial wrenching goodbye to your old life, your old country, your family and friends. Then every time you visit ‘home’ you have to say goodbye again at the end of it. And every time your family or friends from […]
Reflections on New Year’s Day
January 1, 2013 by · 15 Comments
It’s been a lovely Christmas holiday here in Asturias. The sun has shone and shone and we have climbed and climbed. Today is cooler and wet – a good day to catch up on a little writing and reflecting in front of the wood burner. As I type my body is aching from this unaccustomed […]
Getting in the Festive Spirit
December 24, 2012 by · 9 Comments
It can be a little difficult to believe that it’s Christmas when the temperatures are in the twenties and you’re climbing at height in the mountains in shorts and a t-shirt. Equally fantastically our local town has only just put up their Christmas lights so we have totally bypassed that commercial build-up to a frenzied […]
And So the Season Turns
December 7, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Autumn is slowly dwindling into winter here in Asturias. A last few stubborn leaves cling to branches but at the base of the trees their fallen brethren pile higher and higher. Where, a couple of weeks ago, my dog walks inspired me to stuff my pockets full of chestnuts, now they send me scurrying off […]
Driving Over Chestnuts
November 4, 2012 by · 15 Comments
I may have mentioned before, but it is Autumn in Asturias. The leaves have turned. The cider lorries collect the roadside sacks of apples daily. And round every bend on every winding back road huddles of people clutching baskets, carrier bags and, of course, sticks hunch to their task of collecting chestnuts. As do we. […]
