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Monday Morning Photo - Wisteria Time in Andalucia

How quickly spring comes around after the short winter here in the Sierra Sur de Jaén. After lots of very much needed rain we´re back to the normal cloudless blue.  My garden is shooting incredbily with the moisture and now sunshine. And my beautiful wisteria flowers grandly albeit it short-lived. The big black carpenter bees love it. Each flowering season reminds me of the Botanical Gardens in Malaga and the ´tunnel´ of wisteria that I haven´t yet caught in bloom. April is a good time to plan to go if it´s on your list.  Here´s the botanical garden link La Concepción Botanical Gardens. And a sneaky peak at the wisteria. See the Monday Morning Photos list.

Solo Travel - One Middle-Aged Lady in Andalusia

Just got back from a two day escape, checking out cave houses and exploring Guadix and the surrounding area. What fun and how beautiful is this land I live in.

From the lunar landscape around the Altiplano de Granada and the aquamarine reservoir of Negratin to the soaring pine covered mountains of Sierra Magina it is stunning. Here´s a photo or two to whet your appetite until more detail is posted.

Cave Houses and View in Guadix


Guadix Cathedral


Embalse Negratin
Embalse de Negratin and bar table

This trip stemmed from my reading about the horseback explorations of Penelope Chetwode in 1961. Two Middle-aged Ladies in Andalusia was one of those books on my reading list that finally I ordered from good ol´ Amazon, I wasn´t disappointed.

Rather the opposite in fact I was animated, not wanting to jump on a horse but certainly follow in her footsteps. Which I partially did. With my escape from home, hubby and kids planned I headed south to Granada province and the troglodyte town of Guadix. Staying overnight in the lovely cave houses Cuevas de Rolando, a family owned and run business two minutes out of Guadix town, I explored all around.

Guadix is a fascinating town with a cathedral, cave houses, cave museum, alcazar and gorgeous ceramics. I could have done with another night or two. It´s definitely somewhere I want to return as I only scratched the surface.

The rest of the trip following Chetwode´s route is yet to be written.

If you are a solo traveller heading to my area and would like to make contact, maybe to meet up, share a meal or stay in my holiday home in Jaen please get in touch. My email address is rachel dot martos at gmail dot com.

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