Blogs from Sierra Nevada, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

Rundtrip von Granada aus. Zuerst in den Norden der SN. Auf der Suche nach Höhlenwohnungen kam ich zu einem Friedhof. Es gibt Gräber mit Panoramafenster oder mit Regenrinne. Außerdem herrscht Plastikblumenzwang und es gibt einen florierenden Immobilienmarkt. Im gleichen Ort gab es auch einen Markt und die ersten Höhlenwohnungen. Im weichen Sedimentgestein ist es leicht, zu graben. Vorne wird oft eine weiße Fassade eingebaut. Aber die Tür führt direkt in die Höhle. Und aus den Hügeln ragen zahlreiche Kamine.... Auch eine Kirche gibt's unterirdisch. Im Norden ragt die Sierra Nevada recht steil auf und die Schneeregion war sehr eindrucksvoll. Nur an einer Stelle kann man sie von N nach S durchqueren, sozusagen der Brennerpass der SN. An der tiefsten Stelle ist die Passhöhe immerhin noch 2000m. Es war kühl. Ich war gerade am Überlegen, warum keine ... read more

Day 8 and it's time to go home already. Where has this week gone?? Can't say we've sat on our backsides and done nowt though eh. Wouldn't want to be a holidaymaker now! I've decided that's worse than being a tourist as at least tourists go and see things; at least they have some reason for living. Unlike the man in beige I saw earlier....head to toe in beige....if he'd had socks and sandals on as well he may as well just lie down and die as he's obviously given up in life. Anyway, we checked out of our apartment which we have had free for a week thanks to CLC world. We couldn't fit into their definition of a holidaymaker...obviously....so we had seven nights accommodation for nothing. Even I can afford that! I wouldn't say ... read more

POVERTYJETSET'S SUPERBOWL BLOG EDITION SPECIAL Even though I've been back in the US for nearly 3 weeks, I've still got a ton of info and pictures to process from The Trips To End All Trips. After Morocco, I headed back to Algeciras, Spain then Porto and Lisbon, Portugal before flying out of Madrid. I easily could have spent much more time in Spain and Portugal but I wanted to be back in the US for the New England Patriots march to Superbowl XLIX. Plus I need a job so the timing was convenient... GO PATS! The easier winter route up the Iberian Peninsula's highest peak, Mulhacén, 11,413' or 3,479 meters, involves ascending via the Loma de Resuello. "Resuello" is best translated as "wheezing" which is appropriate because I was, in fact, gasping for breath at that ... read more

Another day off (yippee). Dee had decided that after yesterdays exploits she was going to have a day off from tourism and do some relaxing. Being unable to sit still myself, I had planned to take a trip to Motril to see some more shops, but even though I woke early at 7am, by the time I had washed, dressed, had breakfast, connected to the internet and checked the bus time tables I had missed the only bus of the day that leaves at 8am (sigh!), so instead I decided to take myself off up into the hills and go for a nice hike. Kate gave me some very sketchy directions to what she called the waterfall walk and after deliberating about walking poles and waterproofs and deciding against taking my big pack, I set off ... read more

Today we finally completed our tunnel and moved out of the store room and into our very own Casita. All the guests have now departed so we are finally able to have a Casita to ourselves. Kate had departed early to the airport in Malaga to pick up some friends so we were left to our own devices. While I attended to the daily chores and lugged beds and mattress’s up and down the hill from the tool shed, Dee set about scrubbing our new abode from top to bottom and we also managed to sneak some washing into the “clean” guests washing machine. After a long day and lots of hard work it was nice to be able to finally have a decent shower and relax in our own place and Dee was ecstatic at ... read more