August at La Pasera

Summer is well and truly here. Along with the hotter weather, influx of tourists, much needed rain and more events than you can shake a stick at, it's all happening in and around La Pasera.

We have had an exceptionally dry May, June and July with little or no rain which is unusual for Asturias. The clay ground had started to crack and the normally green grass became scorched and brown. Thankfully the rain came a few days ago and after several heavy showers and a few half days of persistent drizzle, the land is looking greener and the crops are perking up.

We are currently harvesting lots of beans, chili peppers, tomatoes, beetroot, raspberries, marrows and cucumbers with many more crops to come over the next few weeks. One plant we haven't grown before is Lemongrass, we know when it will be ready to harvest but would welcome ideas on preparing it, and preserving it for cooking. Get in touch if you've grown it and can advise us.

We have had another load of wood delivered in preparation for winter. It is mainly Oak and needs to dry further but it was a good price and a decent amount.

We are staying away from town (Ribadesella) for the next few days as life is about to change as thousands of tourists arrive in preparation for the 78th International Descent of the River Sella. There will sound stages, closed roads, outside bars and toilets, lots of partying, camping in every available patch of grass....litter and of course the canoe descent with over 1000 competitors from all over the world. We might walk down to watch the race although once the winners have passed the finish line there is not that much to see but there is a great atmosphere in town for the rest of the day and weekend.

Once the visitors for the canoe descent have disappeared, although busier than the remainder of the year, August brings many fiestas, street markets and fairs. We are busy preparing for a street market where we will sell a few chairs and stools, give a live demonstration of bergere cane work and hopefully make a few useful contacts for future work.

The weather takes a turn...

The cats know when the weather is about to change, you can tell by the change in their behaviour. They become excitable as the breeze gather pace and their sense of smell is heightened with the rising humidity. Both Wentworth and Gawber change their routine and reside themselves to the fact that rain and colder weather is on it's way, despite the brief periods of warm sunshine. They don't venture far and take their comfort inside when necessary.

The gathering clouds signals stormy weather ahead. The winds gain momentum and sheets of strong cool rain advance across the meadows.

The remaining sweet chestnuts are blown from the branches, protected by their bright green but dying spiky casing. The seed-heads release their seed as they rock to and fro in the gathering winds.

Roe deer take greater risks due to increased hunting activity. These two were spotted in the garden at lunchtime - most unusual.

Daily walks to the coast now have a new incentive, with storms out at sea and the high autumnal tides bringing life to the many blow-holes formed in and amongst the jagged limestone cliffs. A high tide of nearly 5 meters ensures a spectacular display of 200 meter plus plumes of sea water and sand ex-pulsed into the air only for the wind to disperse.

Luis on the cliffs watching the blow-holes; some of them reaching 200 meters high. You can just see the people and cars on the other side of the cliffs.

Colour in the garden

Approaching our village on the Camino de Santiago

Asturias is not known as a Natural Paradise without reason. It's lush landscapes, almost pristine coastline, soaring majestic mountains and mosaic of many colours however, come at a price: rain. Generally speaking this temperate climate is lovely but when the rain comes it certainly makes its presence known. Hard, long, persistent and powerful rain.

As we head though Spring the colours are vivid, all around the meadows are blooming, trees are blossoming and flowers bow from bud to bloom and fade from bloom to fruit and seed. The cherry trees have suffered these past few days with the intense hard rain and occasional hailstorm. Thousands of tiny flowers have been stripped from the branches and pollinating insects have been few.

Between rain showers is is always good to wander around the garden and appreciate the beautiful spring colours in the beds, borders, trees and bushes.

We encourage a mix of semi-formal planting and wild, natural areas where orchids, bluebells and grasses can thrive.

It never ceases to amaze us how quick things can grow and spread here. Perhaps it is the warm and humid conditions.

The vegetable beds have been cleared of the last broccoli, celery and beetroot plants. Whatever we collect, we compost and add back into the beds later on in the year. We are currently harvesting cauliflowers, the last of the leeks, broccoli and mange tout. We also have many lovely local avocados kindly gifted to us by friends.

    

The rain in Asturias

When friends and family visit Asturias they are always impressed with the lush green landscapes. The bedrock is clothed in swathes of woodlands, pasture land, coastal plains and scrub-land which provides an ever changing tapestry of greens, golds, reds and yellows. In sharp contrast are the silver-grey limestone rocky outcrops, golden beaches and dramatic skies.

We often hear people describe Asturias as looking like Switzerland, Austria or Scotland, and it does to a point, all of them.

Of course our landscapes are partly dependant on the weather. Asturias is so beautiful and green because of the rain and temperatures. We usually have rain most of the year but not for prolonged periods, the rain in Asturias comes hard and fast, and no more so than in winter. In winter the rain can visit with a vengeance especially when accompanied with storm winds.

Being sited on the coast of the Bay of Biscay we are periodically subjected to storms coming across the Atlantic. Today, such a storm is visiting us and really making its presence known. The cats are snuggled up together in the warmth of the house, the plant-pots and other garden items moved and secured and, the log fire is lit.

Last night, we spotted this little fella on the terrace. Obviously to a toad, rain is just the best of weather.

It has rained hard for a few days now. The fields are flooding, drainage compromised and pools of water are collecting on roads. There are high tides as well at the moment so there is always the danger of flooding along the banks of the Rio Sella or Rio Guadamia. Rainfall is measured in litres per square meter here so to give you an indication, since 8 am this morning we have had 30 ltrs of rain up to 6pm.

Fields flooding next to La Pasera

One quirky thing I really like here in Asturias is the umbrella covering machines you find in many shops and bars. You just slot your umbrella into a sleeve and it keeps it from dripping all over the place and making the floor slippery. Most smaller shops and coffee bars have an umbrella stand which at this time of year are always full. The trick is to make sure yours is difficult to get at as they have been known to go walk-abouts...