Newsletter Summer 2010

As the summer sun beats down, through the day the only place to be is under the pergola or in the pool! Jobs needing any energy have to be finished by 9 am. As the sun goes down we begin watering and you can almost hear the plants sighing a grateful “aaahhhhh”. We had our first red chilli this week, a Thai Dragon. We have quite a few green chillis and a profusion of flowers promises more. The vine is heavy with sweet Moscatel grapes. I’ve been asking around to find out how to make vino del terreno (country wine) so that next month with clean feet I shall be squishing and treading. Who cares if no one else wants to drink it! I shall quaff it and give thanks under the shade of the vine that produced it.

We have more “fruit for free”in the form of chumbos from the Prickly Pear or Chumbera which grows in Andalucia like a weed. The plants have lovely yellow flowers which will progress to orange red fruit filled with seeds like passion fruit and taste similar to melon. Soon we will see locals risking life and limb, balanced on the mountainside with specially prepared long canes split at the end to “cup” the fruit and take it from the cactus. Both plant and fruit have hairs which can be blown off by the wind and irritate your skin beyond imagination! However, the fruit is a good source of pectin which lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol. It is also said to stabilise blood sugar. Some Campesinos hand weave the fibre from this cactus into rope.

Prickly Pear originates from Mexico and was introduced to Spain because it is host to a scarlet beetle that is the source of cochineal. Vivid red cochineal dye was used in the clothing, food and cosmetic industries. This has largely been replaced by synthetic dyes so demand for the beetles has diminished but the prickly cactus continues to flourish!

Our next structured retreat called HelpYourself is in August.(see retreats page).

We can organise a yoga retreat with accommodation for up to 7 people at quite short notice with Helen or Ankie. We teach Integrated yoga at Finca Colina but the emphasis is on Hatha Yoga. All sessions are suitable for all abilities from beginners with no yoga experience to the very experienced yoga practitioner. If you prefer to “retreat” without structure but with a “dip into yoga” during your stay we continue to offer Yoga every Monday and Wednesday morning with Helen, a very good teacher in a nearby pueblo. For the sum of 5€ you can have an hour and a half session. This price includes chat with coffee, tea or cold drink at a local bar afterwards! I will drive you there, exercise with you and introduce you to a lovely group of women. There is a typical Spanish market on Mondays which we can also visit if you’d like to soak up the atmosphere.

We continue to offer transport to and from the airport (70€ return) so you don’t have the hassle of car hire. We can provide meals or stock your fridge if you give us notice (menus and shopping list available) and Paco with his mobile shop comes every morning except Sunday.
At any time you can take part in a Bach workshops held over 2 mornings so you can enjoy afternoon relaxation. This could be combined with yoga / life coaching sessions during your stay

The Wrinkly Ramblers have ceased rambling until cooler times. We have explored many of the paths and tracks around us and walks farther afield such as El Chorro so from late September we could accompany you on these or give you laminated maps if you prefer to go unaccompanied.

Our local lake is still brimming with water and we’ve seen more turtles under the bridge at the bottom of our road. We’ve been swimming in the warm water amidst shoals of tiny fish with Badger (our dog) and his friends. You could have a very pleasant early morning walk to the river, watch the turtles, fish and birds, have a picnic and return. If you prefer we can take you then bring you back by car after a few hours. (complimentary).

If you’re interested in bird watching we can arrange outings with an expert.

…And as the sun sets lie back in your lounger under a breathtaking canvas of stars and planets. With no light pollution you’ll be amazed by the spectacle that awaits you. … or bask in the pool as you stargaze and dream. August is particularly good to view the meteor shower.

Finca Colina continues as a place of “retreat” where you can be as lazy or as active as you want. You can sleep all day, read all day, walk all day, swim all day, paint, write or cycle…. It’s completely up to you. Space and time is all yours from the minute you walk through our gates until you leave.

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