Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli

EPSB 

This winter has been a great time for brassicas with cabbage, swede, turnips and cauliflowers doing well however, the winner by far has been the early purple sprouting broccoli. The temperate climate of Asturias seems to favour this particular vegetable. Each year it just gets better and better. It is rarely affected by any pests and continues sprouting as we cut and cut again.

Whilst it is so fresh we tend to steam lightly and eat hot or cold. It is sweet and tender and goes with most things. Later on when we just cannot keep up with the glut we will harvest, quickly blanch, then freeze. It is never the same on its own once defrosted but is great in soups.

News about the Donkeys

It is a while since we posted about El Paraiso del Burro the Donkey Sanctuary here in Asturias. Since our last post the Sanctuary has appointed a committee following the formation of an Association. Luis and I are involved in a small way but continue to help out when we can with publicity and developing the association. Marleen, the owner, has always wanted to put on open days where people can come along and meet the team and the donkeys, and tour the finca and beautiful setting.

A series of open days are now planned for the coming year. These are:
Time: 11.00 to 14.00

Sunday 6th February

Sunday 3rd April

Sunday 5th June

Sunday 3rd July

Sunday 7th August

Sunday 2nd October

Sunday 4th December

If you are in Asturias and want to come along, please contact Marleen via email or telephone:

marleen.verhoef @ hotmail.com

Tel: (00 34) 646.188.375

If you have time take a look at the other web resources for the Sanctuary:

http://donkeyparadise.wordpress.com/ - English language blog
http://paraisodelburro.blogspot.com/ - Spanish language blog
http://paraisodelburro.com/ - Dutch, Spanish and English Language web site
Facebook page
Facebook Group

Ribadesella from the Sueve Mountains

Ground Force - update 1

You may remember that sometime ago we helped John and Be to prepare a couple of new vegetable beds in a piece of land next to the Sella river. Well yesterday we all met up there to see how the newly planted veg was doing and to plant yet more.

The cooler weather has certainly helped to keep the weeds to a minimum so it didn't take too long to loosen the soil and remove the weeds that had started to take root. Most things had grown well. The cabbage was small but it was planted late and might not get enough growth in to form anything worthwhile. Needless to say John and Be were really pleased with their first harvest of salad leaves, baby leeks and spring onions.

Weed free veg....

The compost heap was turned, more lettuce planted and two fruit bushes planted, gooseberry and blackcurrant, kindly donated by Nigel. It'll not be too long before a third bed needs preparing and the whole plot strimming. Temperatures of 20-22 degrees this week and high humidity have meant ideal growing conditions for both veg and weeds. We rounded off the morning with a welcome cuppa from Sara and Bill...and some yummy flapjack type slice....

Walking in Asturias 8 - Peña Crespa

The walk up to Peña Crespa is in the Ponga Mountains, a mountain range next to the Picos National Park and popular with walkers. From La Pasera, it takes us over an hours drive along some very impressive mountain roads with fabulous views.

Peña Crespa was the last in a series of five limestone ridges we tried to climb over on this particular occasion and just before all the snow had melted. The views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular and in the distance you can appreciate how impressive the Picos Mountains are.

Any walking in the Ponga area will take you through some stunning pasture lands and meadows dotted with stone huts or cabañas used by the shepherds in the Summer months. Many of the cabañas fell into disrepair when the number of shepherds started to decline in the late 80s and through the 90s. I could not resist photographing the carvings on the door of one of the cabañas still standing. Spending any length of time in any of the cabañas as people did in the old days must be quite an experience. I could see myself spending the odd night in a tent up in the mountains but imagine stopping in the middle of nowhere with a fire for warmth at night, a candle to light up your evenings and having to collect your water to wash yourself from a natural spring running down the face of the mountain ...

These remote environments we enjoy while walking for the day are often viewed very differently by those who still walk these mountains to tender their herds. Whilst talking to a farmer whom we encountered at the end of this walk, it was very apparent that opinions differed over this type of landscape. He had livestock grazing the high meadows and viewed it as a working landscape. Harsh and difficult it maybe but beautiful and enchanting to the visitor.

Coming soon: Making hand cream; The Palette; Cultivating Seeds.

New Year Challenges

New year resolutions are not for us. What is the point of promising yourself that you will give something up or start doing something you don't like doing simply for the sake of it?

We do however make a point of talking about the things we want to achieve in the coming months and see them as personal challenges and goals. It doesn't really matter if life gets in the way but at least it gives us a focus for our time over the next few months.

We have a range of general challenges that we aim to face and tackle, some are not for public broadcast whilst others maybe. You may have noticed that we have links to four new pages connected to the Blog: The Artisan, The Gardeners, The Photographer and The Writer. Have a look and check out the links and slide shows. We have set ourselves challenges in these four areas they are:

The Artisan - to continue developing new skills and to continue with mosaic projects currently planned for the garden.

From a series of mosaics that form steps down into the garden

The Gardeners - to grow more chemical free food and to use what we do grow more effectively.

Fresh fruit and vegetables on the menu

The Photographer - develop and strengthen camera and lens knowledge with a view to taking photographs that inspire and inform.

Such grace

The Writer - develop techniques and strengthen personal discipline to ensure I write regularly.

From: People on Platforms

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who takes an interest in our life and pastimes here at La Pasera and to say how much we appreciate the many kind words and comments we receive. It never ceases to amaze us how many people regularly visit our Blogs. Luis has had 100,000 visits to his blog in the past 12 months! Keep in touch and may all your dreams come true.

And finally, Wentworth and Gawber continue to play an important role here at La Pasera, now fully grown they add a quality to our life that only another animal can......who could resist?

Wentworth and Gawber

Feliz 2011

A happy and healthy new year to all

Gathering winter fuel

Our main source of heating is wood-burning stoves, as well as in the house we have a small wood-burner in the workshop that we use when working on mosaics or other projects. We have a central heating system that uses diesel but our main preference is for a great log fire. We usually buy wood for merchants who source, fell, split and cut wood for sale to the general public but it isn't particularly cheap here in Asturias so whenever we get the opportunity to get free wood we jump at the chance as it makes sense financially and environmentally.

Luis is very good at identifying wood cleared from common ground or fallen trees that no-one is claiming or processing. He had his eye on this lot for a few months now - a supply of logs from a Cherry tree that was felled on common land near to the railway line. Permission is always sought. After an hour with the chainsaw and axe we can replenish our stock with graded wood for the house and workshop. We have a large wood store that is partially protected from the weather - currently full but more than half of our supply isn't dry enough and is still too green to burn. With this additional load of free Cherry wood we should manage.

Gathering winter fuel

It is good to keep a good level of dry stock for burning when we need it, this winter is particularly cold and we soon get through a fair amount of wood. In March we will buy further supplies so that it is dry and ready for next autumn/winter.

Happy Christmas - Feliz Navidad

Best wishes from Ian and Luis x

Distant echoes and light amongst stone pillars.

To visit and appreciate temples and churches for their architectural and cultural value has always been one of my passions. The way the architecture of a particular building captures and reflects human thinking during a particular moment has always fascinated me, I like to pay attention to the way the artistic style of the temple captures some of the believes and ideologies of a specific era.

Oviedo´s cathedral is an incredible building with many gems both within its exterior such as its impressive Gothic tower and those housed within its interior such as the superb High Alter piece, some of the side chapels and the famous Holy Chamber, an earlier pre-Romanesque structure that houses numerous Pre-Romanesque jewels.

Gregorian chant is a musical style I have always appreciated and what better place than a Gothic cathedral to listen to its beautiful sounds. There is no need to agree with or believe the religious ideology it is associated with in order to appreciate its beauty and enjoy the chants purely on their artistic merits. To listen to the pure sound of the monks´ harmonious voices while walking amongst the pillars of the central nave in a cathedral is something to be experienced. Listening to Gregorian chants in a Gothic cathedral would equate to singing and dancing amongst a vibrant Gospel choir - exhilarating.

If you add the chanting voices of the monks and the way the sun floods into the central nave through the vibrant colours of the stained windows above, what else could you wish for whilst enjoying the quietness of the place... Occasionally, the silence would be broken by a solitary figure or a group of people coming in and going out. The way those people behaved while in the church mirrored the different reasons for them being there. It was obvious some people came in to admire the building and others came to pray while someone else would came in searching for solitude.

I wanted to listen to the sounds coming through my headphones while walking amongst the stone pillars and arches while distant echoes occasionally broke the spell.

The main altar piece in this cathedral is such a joy to appreciate when lit up. It is a magnificent work of art created in XVI century by some of the most famous artists of the "Spanish Golden Era" such as Berruguete who incidentally was born in Palencia, my province. This alter piece is the third most important in the country after the one in Toledo and Sevilla, only one to go to have seen the three.

One could always argue whether or not the expense of creating such pieces can be justified if you take into account the reality that many human beings lived through while such works of art took place. Personally, I will leave such argument for another time and on this occasion I just enjoyed two of my passions and appreciated the sunlight flooding in until Faithless broke the spell of the moment and I walked out onto the sunny streets of Oviedo. Luis x

Flowers for Christmas....

Just in time for Christmas - a wonderful crop of crisp white cauliflowers. Cauliflower cheese, cauliflower soup, cauliflower pasta, baked, roasted, steamed...Yum yum. We must remember to check out the sprouts as well....

Christmas is coming.....

Having just spent the best part of November back in the UK, it was difficult to escape the hype and hyperactivity that has become synonymous with Christmas and the ever lengthening run-up to the big day. That was until a few days back here in the peaceful tranquillity that is Asturias.

The Spanish celebrate Christmas but not in the same way or even at the same time as friends and family do back in the UK. Firstly, presents are not given until the Epiphany on the 6th January, by far a greater celebration for the Spanish than Christmas day. Boxing day doesn't exist and Santa Clause is in the main redundant due to the good work carried out by the three Kings who distribute presents in fine fashion. The main gatherings here in Spain are Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Christmas cards or should I say the wholesale mailing of cards to all and sundry, is not common practice and neither are the obligatory list of presents and stocking fillers. Stockings and pillowcases are also scarce as Shoes have taken their place for the depository of gifts. The shops and bars are tastefully adorned with Christmas decorations and a few homes have placed subtle Christmas references on the outside of porches and balconies. Having no television, it is only the arrival of cards from family and friends that remind us that Christmas is on the way.

Whilst out for a walk yesterday we stopped at the village chapel after spotting something glistening in the entrance. Members of our Village's Festivities Committee had decorated the Ramu as a tree using pictures of the villagers as baubles. It was great to see the 30 or so faces of our friends and neighbours brought together in this way and it served as a timely reminder that we need to make plans, put up decorations and plan gatherings.

Unfortunately, globalisation has recently introduced Santa Clause as another way of selling us all lots of things we don't really need, resulting in two Christmases for a growing number of Spanish people.

Whilst making lunch I spotted this little fella making his way to safety, away from the hunters that are currently active and eager. I hope he makes it.

Dusk at La Pasera

I just wanted to share with you two photos that show the fabulous sunset I experienced today while I had a moment of solitude with Gawber sat next to me and the beautiful song of numerous birds around me.

 

A good challenge- cycling to El Fito

The Fito viewing platform is one of the nicest viewing points in Asturias. It is a concrete structure built in 1927 in the protected area of the Sueve Mountains that rest between the Picos Mountain National Park and the  Eastern coast of Asturias. The views of the coast and the distant Western Massif of the Picos are spectacular on a clear day. El Fito is one of my favourite places where I like going up the steps when there is no one around and enjoy the 360 degree view. I frequently look out for the peaks within the distant Western Massif, especially those I have climbed. I can easily lose myself within the emerald green of the grass in the numerous valleys below and as they drop down towards the golden sands of the long and numerous beaches just a few kilometres away I can see myself enjoying a walk on the beach.

The foto shows the Sueve Mountains as I was approaching it from the coast. El Fito is half way up a winding road  that takes you from the inland town of Arriondas down the village of Colunga in the coast. It is some time since I started cycling up El Fito as you approach it from Arriondas and recently I decided it would be a great challenge to cycle up the the viewing point platform from the coastal plains. Although from there the distance to climb from the coast is shorter, it is a greater physical challenge and mentally is more of an endurance test as you are constantly looking at the road as it climbs up the mountain ahead of you. From the other side, the woods cover the top.

Half way up the road the views down to the coastal plain are magnificent, unfortunately it was a grey day when I took this picture. The stop was very welcomed and I took the opportunity to replace the fluids I was loosing through perspiration.

The last two times that I went up El Fito I cycled from La Pasera on the old coastal road for 27 km and in the village of Colunga I took the smaller road that starts climbing up about 3000 feet while you cycle along for about 6 km. You forget the hardship once you are greeted by views like the one I show you with the last photo taken from the base of the viewing platform and looking across the valleys and the distant peaks. The return home takes me on the road that runs parallel to the river Sella and as you start entering the long and wide river estuary near Ribadesella I can feel the warmer air that comes from the coast before completing the last leg of this 60 km circular rute from La Pasera, altogether and enjoyable challenge.

Autumn sunshine and colour

While Ian is in the UK for the next three weeks, I am  enjoying the company of Gawber and Wentworth while I catch up with some jobs around the garden. The wild flower meadows have been cut and the bare ground in part of the vegetable plot needs to be planted with oats, green manure, to help nitrogen retention in the soil as well as helping to improve the soil structure in readiness for next year´s planting.
This afternoon I decided to go cycling up into the mountains in preparation for my attempt to cycle up to the lakes in the Picos Mountains, a tough cycling route usually incorporated in the Spanish Cycling Tour. Today´s cycling route took me along the coastal road for 15 km before I turned into the small and winding road that leads up to the Hortiguro Heights- a 12 km climb. As I was nearing the top and I got over the cloud line, I was able to enjoy the Autumnal warn sunshine and the changing colour in the trees. I could not resist the temptation to stop to take this photo. On my way back, I took a short break to enjoy the pounding of the incoming tide on the shore of St Antolin´s beach, a beautiful spot with just a handful of people.

Ground force

We recently helped two people John and Belinda to prepare virgin ground for a new vegetable plot on the banks of the River Sella. The land is being loaned to them by Bill and Sara from La Rondita so that they can grow their own produce until such time they have a garden of their own.

The plot lies on the banks of the river and is totally overgrown with brambles and weeds. Armed with strimmer, spades, brush cutter and edging tool we set about clearing a decent sized plot for the intial two-three beds. Although it is late in the year we felt that if we could plant a few vegetables for over winter, then it would help keep the ground clear and with a bit of luck, a few tasty home-grown vegetables for spring.

Before

Under the strict and watchful eye of Luis, we were each given jobs to do and instructed in the correct methods........say no more. Before long we made excellent progress and managed to clear a large area - the soil is lovely black gold. 

Planting begins under the watchful eye of Luis

100 leeks, red cabbage, cabbage, onions and two types of lettuce were lovingly planted, watered and tended. Oregano, sage and chives were transplanted into one end of the first bed and black plastic was secured over the second bed to suppress the many weeds that will inevitably grow over winter. 

Job well done

Already John is looking worried at Be's plans for a third, forth and fifth bed with plans afoot for fruit bushes, rhubarb, bird hide, compost bin, irrigation system.......watch this space.

The resident toad - keeping guard for slugs and snails

Walking in Asturias 7- The Sajambra villages

The Sajambre valley lies in the Castille and Leon side of the Picos Mountains National Park. Every time we go back to my birthplace in north Palencia to visit my family, we drive on the road that takes you through the stunning Sajambra valley which lies about 1 hour´s car journey from La Pasera.
To do this 7.5 mile circular walk, we need to drive along the narrow and winding road that runs alongside the river Sella as it cuts its way though the rock to form the impresive Beyos Gorge. After 1 hour´s drive and as we leave this beautiful gorge, we drive through the villaje of Oseja de Sajambre where we can park the car and start the walk. If we follow this road, we will climb up to the mountain pass of "El Pontón" one of the three mountain passes that connect Asturias with Castille.

In Oseja de Sajambre is where the walk starts and as we follow the way marks and start walking along the very well known "archdeacon´s path" (senda del arcediano) which is a linear walk taking you deep into the Western Massif, one of the three massifs that comprise the Picos de Europa National Parrk. In time, the Archdeakon's Path takes us trough a deciduous woodland on the mountain side and gives us an opportunity to enjoy the views across the valley before reaching Soto de Sajambre, the next village on our path.

Soto de Sajambre is a village slightly off our path but well worth the extra few yards walking. I normally like to take this short detour as this small village has some very interesting architecture, we can enjoy a coffee stop while admiring the impressive surrounding scenery. Wandering along the two streets is almost like walking through a village that seems half forgotten by time and where a nice sun dial rests against a wall telling us that "time does not stop".

Retracing our steps, we soon pick up the path to the Upper and Lower Ribota villages. This stretch of the walk presents us with some of the more exciting opportunities for admiring a rich alpine flora that varies with the passage of the seasons. During late Winter and as soon as the snow melts away, the primulas, violas, hepaticas and four spices of Asturias wild daffodil are some of the alpine plants that I most enjoy.
During late Spring, there is a profusion and great variety of wild flowers producing a riot of colour. Counting number of the different types of wild orchids is one of my distractions on this leg of the path during the month of May. The sighting of all four species of Asturian wild daffodils on the same day is something that I treasure.

Lower Ribota is a good stop for lunch next to a very fast river Sella. This is a village where have been tempted to stop and sit quietly on one of those village benches where many local affairs had being discussed on days gone by and before the population of these villages started to decline in the 80's and ever since. One day while having lunch on one of those benches, we were joined by a mastiff dog carrying a big piece of stale bread in its mouth that would not eat after being treated to some of our home made bread. From the lower Ribota, the walk follows a path parallel with the river where the hedgerow is very thick and it is a good place for some bird watching. We soon start climbing up towards Oseja de Sajambre where the car awaits us passing through some very open meadows that are full of wild flowers, insects and birds; an ideal place to lie in the grass for a while and let you mind relax. 

Just as we reach the end of this beautiful walk, there is an interesting farming complex turned into a small ethnographic museum that provides a glimpse into a very traditional way of farming with little dependence on solid fuel that can occasionally be seeing practised when we walk through high pasture land in early Summer.

European Tree Frog

We had a wonderful surprise a few nights ago. The south winds were blowing a steady warm stream of air and the sky was crystal clear and showing off its many stars and milky way. Returning from feeding Wentworth and Gawber we spotted this tiny little fella. At first sight it looked like a small moth or large spider as it was so small - about 2.5cms in length. He was stuck to the wall about 2 metres from the ground on the back terrace. Luis remembers them from when he was a little boy in Spain and known to him as St Anthony's frog - apparently they are fairly rare these days so it was great to think that the environment we are providing here at La Pasera is attracting such fine creatures. His official name is:  Hyla Arborea (click to access Wiki Link).

Hyla Arborea - European Tree Frog

Tiny fella

Just landed on a candle sconce.

Our river - Rio Guadamia

This week we took the opportunity to visit our local river and estuary at Guadamia. While Ian waited for wildlife to photograph, I just sat by the riverbank and listened to the water as it rushed down three little cascades before merging with the salty water of the incoming tide.

As I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the water, I could tune into the different sounds that each of the three cascades was producing. In time, the incoming tide travelled up the river and as it reached the first cascade the sound coming from it would disappear to return a few seconds later once the tide retreated back towards the sea. After a few cycles, the tidal surge would be big enough to reach the second cascade and leave me only with the sound of the third cascade. Soon the water surge would retreat and I would be able to tune into the sounds originating from any of the three cascades.

The tide kept coming in and eventually would be big enough and gather momentum up the river to cover the three cascades and drown away the sound of the river until it started to retreat back into the sea letting me once again enjoy the sound of the water rushing down the cascades.
After watching the fish swimming up the river in search of food and rushing back as the level of the water decreased with the retreating tide, we made our way back to La Pasera enjoying the autumnal light and hot south  wind that we tend to experience at this time of the year.