Midsummer review – Tales from Toriello

Asturias is once again quiet. The beaches are empty, the car parks have spaces, hotels, bars and restaurants are subdued and the villages are almost back to their usual peaceful existence. It is good to see an influx of people during summer but being able to enjoy our environment without lots of holiday makers is better.

The vegetable garden is producing well after a disappointing start. The tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash and marrow plants are weighed down with fruit and the winter crops of cabbage, swede, fennel, celeriac, celery and cauliflowers are well ahead of schedule with ample summer rain and warm weather helping them on their way.

Luis has been busy repairing cane and rush seating with a steady flow of work throughout the summer. In addition he has just been given a huge piece of work that involves blind re-caning an antique bergere three piece suite from the 1920s. This is likely to take him the best past of 4 months as each piece of cane has to be individually cut to size, woven and secured. The next chair recaning course takes place in October and there are still places available. If anyone is interested get in touch. He has also completed several new mosaics in readiness for his exhibition that will now take place in October, and another mosaic has been commissioned that he is currently designing.

I have been busy with my photography and writing with several projects on the go and several more in the pipeline. Earlier in the month I was surprised to be highly commended in a short story competition run by the Bat Conservation Trust, The stranger on the bridge is one of eight winning pieces now published in a pdf booklet:   Bat Tales

Together with our friends John and Be, we managed to capture some great night time images in and around La Pasera including a stoat, fox, beech marten and rato topo (being captured by the marten) and a couple of neighbouring cats.

Wentworth and Gawber and sleeping most days and active most nights due to the heat. Wentworth manages to catch and eat several land voles each night leaving just the head and entrails on the doormat for us to see each morning. Gawber catches as many but rarely eats them, just the odd nibble to the hind leg or flank. Young lizards continue to entertain them both and can be often seen tailless warming themselves on rocks and pavements.

All in all it has been a productive summer with some great walks, many ongoing projects and numerous fiestas and events. We are looking forward to autumn which is often much nicer than summer with warm sunny days and beautiful diffused light. I am currently in the UK and hoping to photograph a whale, dolphin or porpoise from the deck of the ferry.