Well, what a week. Midweek we went on a day trip to Setenil near Ronda. The weather was lovely and sunny. We took the mountain route through the villages of Yunquera and El Burgo and on the way we spotted around 50 Red Billed Choughs ( Chova piquirroja ) and then just outside Setenil we witnessed an amazing sight, around 150 Griffon vultures ( Buitre leonado ) circling above us. Some were only 10m above our heads. They seem to be coming from all directions to grab the thermals and we watched them for nearly 20 minutes before they flew off. Fantastic.
This weekend our village, Casarabonela celebrated its Rondeles festival. Every 12th December the village celebrates a sort of harvest festival. The olive oil pressing mats are rolled up and placed on poles and then set alight. The torch bearers have traditional shepherd costumes and are accompanied by children in similar costumes singing traditional Andalucian Christmas carols. The procession carries the statue of the Virgin from the church Ermita de la Veracruz through the narrow streets up to the church of Santiago in the main plaza. As usual this is an amazing sight as the village street lights are turned off and the only light is from the flaming torches.
On the Sunday we where visited by the Classic car club of Andalucia. With cars ranging from Mustangs, Corvettes, E-type Jaguars and vintage Mercedes. Parked up in the main plaza they were an extrodinary sight. After their arrival it was time to sample the Ruta Gastonmica. Ten houses in the village opened their doors and gave the village and guests the opportunity to sample traditional Andalucian home cooking; Food normally not available in restuarants; all washed down with sweet malaga wine.
The weather has turned colder now after lasts weeks high temperatures and so the Crag Martins ( Avion roquero ) have come down to the village to feed and are flying just over the house.
