The Alpujarras seen through the eyes of photographer Jesus Ruiz

We found these videos of photographer Jesus Ruiz on Vimeo. It invites you to take your time and camara when visiting the Alpujarras.


Capileira from Jesus Ruiz on Vimeo.



Trevelez from Jesus Ruiz on Vimeo.

Vicente Amigo complete concert

We found the complete copy of the dvd of one of Vincent Amigo´s concerts (almost one hour). We published the first part earlier in this blog. Take your time to enjoy this, it has some spectacular surprises....



related keywords: musica, muziek, musique, musik

Programme Otoño Cultural Alpujarra de la Sierra 2011

Programe of the cultural  activities in Mecina Bombarón and Yegen from the 28th of October till the 3rd of December 2011



Yegen Viernes, 28 de octubre
12:30 horas. Fonda-Museo Gerald Brenan. Inauguración de la Exposición de Pintura “LA SOMBRA DE BRENAN”, conjunto de obras de pintores afincados en el municipio.

Mecina Bombarón Sábado, 29 de octubre
JORNADA DE LA CASTAÑA en MECINA BOMBARÓN
09:00 horas. BUÑUELADA tradicional alpujarreña en el Salón Cultural.
10:00 horas. Apertura del MERCADO OTOÑAL con productos de la tierra.
11:00 horas. EXPOSICIÓN GRÁFICA de productos de la Agricultura Ecológica y de Alta Montaña en el Salón Cultural. Recogida de castañas siguiendo senderos de la Sierra de Mecina Bombarón.
14:30 horas. La Gastronomía tradicional en Mecina Bombarón. Degustación de productos de la tierra en el Salón Cultural.
22:00 horas. XXV FIESTA DE LA CASTAÑA. “La Castaña Musical en Mecina Bombarón”, con verbena y GRAN CASTAÑADA en el Salón Cultural.

Yegen Sábado, 29 de octubre
VI NOCHE DE HALLOWEEN en YEGEN
22:00 horas. Fiesta de Halloween en el Salón Cultural, con concurso de disfraces, elección de “Reinas” y “Damas” de las Fiestas de Yegen 2011 y degustación de castañas.

Mecina Bombarón Domingo, 30 de octubre
IV JORNADA DE LA SETA en MECINA BOMBARÓN
11:00 horas. Recogida de setas, guiada por micólogo experto, en la Sierra de Mecina Bombarón.
14:30 horas. Degustación de Setas en el Salón Cultural, con la presentación de una excelente “mico-tapa”.
22:00 horas. Velada Musical en el Salón Cultural.

Mecina Bombarón Sábado, 5 de noviembre
11:00 horas. RUTA LITERARIA OTOÑAL, con recogida de castañas, por el Sendero de la Acequia Baja, en Mecina Bombarón.
20:00 horas. II Castañada Alpujarreña en Granada, junto a la Piscina Pública Municipal del Zaidín, de la mano de la Asociación de Vecinos “CASTAÑO-MIRASIERRA”, en colaboración con el Ayuntamiento de Granada, y con la participación del Coro y Música de Cuerda San Miguel, de Mecina Bombarón y de La Casa de La Alpujarra en Granada, que hará entrega de la Castaña de Plata al Alpujarreño Universal.

Yegen Sábado, 12 de noviembre
III JORNADA GASTRONÓMICA OTOÑAL en YEGEN
11:00 horas. Excursión etnobotánica por el sendero de la Fuente de la Salud.
14:30 horas. La Gastronomía tradicional en el otoño de Yegen. Degustación de productos de la tierra en el Salón Cultural.
22:00 horas. Velada Musical en el Salón Cultural.

Mecina Bombarón Domingo, 27 de noviembre
RUTA ABEN ABOO POR TIERRAS DE MORISCOS
09:30 horas. Recogida de picnic y salida desde la Plaza del Ayuntamiento, en Mecina Bombarón.
13:30 horas. Elección de la fotografía ganadora y entrega de premio en el Restaurante El Rincón de Yegen.
14:00 horas. Degustación de productos alpujarreños en Yegen.
15:00 horas. Regreso en autobús a Mecina Bombarón. Plazas limitadas. Más información en el teléfono 958 851001 (Paco Mingorance) o en http://www.alpujarradelasierra.es/contactar

Mecina Bombarón Sábado, 3 de diciembre
VI FIESTA DE LA MATANZA en MECINA BOMBARÓN
11:00 horas. La matanza en la economía familiar alpujarreña. Exposición gráfica y stand de productos derivados del cerdo en el Salón Cultural.
11:30 horas. La Constitución en la historia de España. Exposición gráfica en el Salón Cultural.
12:00 horas. La cultura del agua en la Alpujarra. Paseo otoñal por el sendero de las Fuentes en Mecina Bombarón.
14:30 horas. La gastronomía tradicional en Mecina Bombarón. Degustación de productos derivados del cerdo en el Salón Cultural.
17:00 horas. Tarde deportiva.
22:00 horas. VELADA MUSICAL en el Salón Cultural.

Yegen Sábado, 3 de diciembre
VIII FIESTA DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN en YEGEN
10:00 horas. Plantación de 33 árboles en diversos parajes del municipio
11:00 horas. La Constitución en la historia de España. Exposición gráfica en el la Fonda-Museo de Gerald Brenan.
12:00 horas. Excursión fotográfica por el sendero de Gerald Brenan.
14:00 horas. Elección de la fotografía ganadora y entrega de premio en el Salón Cultural.
14:30 horas. La Gastronomía tradicional en Yegen. Degustación de productos derivados del cerdo, en el Salón Cultural.
17:00 horas. Tarde deportiva.
22:00 horas. VELADA MUSICAL en el Salón Cultural.

Feria de octubre Cadiar 2011

PROGRAMA DE ACTIVIDADES DE LA FERIA 2011.

JUEVES 6 OCTUBRE

13:00 Inauguración de la fuente del vino.
Concierto de la Asociación Musical San Blas de Cádiar.
14:00 Comida homenaje a nuestros mayores, amenizada por el grupo Al-cadí.
19:00 Reapertura de la fuente del vino.
20:00 Encendido del alumbrado de la feria.
22:30 Pregón de fiestas a cargo de D. Nicolás Maldonado Fernández.
23:00 Proclamación y coronación de las reinas juveniles e infantiles de la feria de Cádiar 2011.
23:45 Velada musical amenizada por la orquesta “La Prometida” y el trío “Esfera”.

VIERNES 7 OCTUBRE

11:00 Pasacalles a cargo de la Asociación Musical San Blas de Cádiar.
13:00 Apertura de la fuente del vino.
18:00 Fiesta infantil con merienda para los niños
Bob Esponja y Patricio.
19:00 Reapertura de la fuente del vino.
20:00 Pasacalles Brasileño con el grupo Brasil 2000.
22:00 Actuación del grupo Brasileño Brasil 2000 en la Caseta Municipal.
23:00 Verbena musical a cargo de las orquestas “La Prometida” y “La Tentación”

SABADO 8 OCTUBRE

10:00 Gran Tirada al Plato Comarcal en los Llanos de Cantarranas.
11:00 Inauguración de la feria del ganado en el rio, con la actuación del trío “Babilonia”
Se invita a todos los asistentes a que acudan vestidos con trajes rocieros.
12:00 Desfile de carrozas.
Premio en metálico a la carroza mejor engalanada.
Lugar de salida: Cruce de la Gasolinera.
13:00 Apertura de la fuente del vino.
14:00 Comida Popular, a la que invita la comisión a todos los vecinos, entidades y asistentes en agradecimiento por su colaboración.
17.00 Festival taurino y suelta de vaquillas en la plaza de toros.
19:00 Reapertura de la fuente del vino.
19:30 Ofrenda floral.
23:00 Gran verbena en la Caseta Popular, amenizada por las orquestas “La Tentación” y “Tropical Show”.

DOMINGO 9 OCTUBRE

06:00 Rosario de la Aurora y despierte.
08:00 Diana floreada a cargo de la Asociación Musical San Blas.
11:00 Concierto de la Banda de Música de Cádiar en la Plaza de la Iglesia.
12.30 Santa Misa en honor del Stmo. Cristo de la Salud y Ntra. Sra. De la Esperanza.
13:00 Apertura de la fuente del vino.
14:30 Paella Popular a cargo de los Mayordomos de Santo Cristo.
19:00 Solemne Procesión del Stmo. Cristo de la Salud y Ntra. Sra. De la Esperanza por las calles de Cádiar.
19:30 Reapertura de la fuente del vino.
20:30 Castillo de fuegos artificiales a cargo de los mayordomos de Santo Cristo.
22:00 Gran Revista de Variedades con las actuaciones de:
- ROSALEZ canción española y rancheras.
- ANA TORRES vedette.
- CARLOS BERROCAL humorista.
00:00 Actuación de la orquesta “Magic Band”.

Inauguration Centro Temático del Vino Alpujárride Torvizcón

Nine months after the first stone was laid, the Centro Temático del Vino Alpujárride above Torvizcón was officially inaugurated this afternoon. The simple, yet stylish design of the buidling provides a pleasant atmosphere inside. Thanks to large windows and balconies, you´re continously in contact with its breathtaking surroundings; the vineyards and almond orchards of the finca Juan de Reyes, part of the Sierra de Contraviesa, Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Lújar and the Mediterranean Sea. The Centro Temático del Vino will be open (on reservation) Thursdays to Sundays from 12.00 to 17.00 hours and on bank holidays.
For more information:
Centro Temático del Vino Alpujárride
Carretera Haza del Lino a Murtas Km. 4, Torvizcón
Tel. Juan Parrillas 622-959500 or e-mail: gerencia@alpujarride.com







Related links:
- Arquitectos José María Olmedo Espigares, José Miguel Vázquez Martín DTR_studio see proyecto BODE

Related articles:
- Wineries or ´bodegas´ in the Alpujarras

Related key words: wine museum, wijn museum, bodega, wine region, wijngebied, wine tastings, wijnproeferij, cata de vinos, restaurant

Walking route PR-A 28 of Bérchules cleaned and signposted

This summer volunteers cleaned one of the must beautiful walking routes of Bérchules. At the moment two collages of this project can be seen at the town hall of Bérchules. This route is described in the visitor guide of the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada that was published in 2004. In this Guía de Visita it is called ´Río Grande de los Bérchules´. Unlike most other walking routes in this guide book, it was not signposted, nor mentioned on the website or brochures of the National Park. It has been waymarked this summer with yellow and white paint marks and wooden posts. This PR-A 28 of 12 kilometres is now one of the official Pequeños Recorridos in Andalucía.
The first part coincides with the waymarked Ruta de la Junta de los Ríos which is a Sendero Local. The green-and-white waymarks at the beginning have been changed into yellow-and-white, which might be confusing for people that do want to do the Junta de los Ríos walk. The last part coincides with the GR-7 that runs between Bérchules and Mecina Bombarón. It is 4 kilometres shorter than our Tajos de Reyecillo walk as we make a detour to follow the beautiful old irrigation channel up to the Cima del Tejar. Another difference is that our walk is described the other way around as we think the part between the village and the Cima del Tejar is easier to ascend than to descend (the gps track of our Tajos de Reyecillo route).

Satyrus actea or Black Satyr

A butterfly that has caught our attention on recent walks is the Black Satyr. According to the online magazine Waste Ideal, there have been cited two subspecies of this ´Negra´ in Sierra Nevada, namely Satyrus actaea subsp nevadensis and the Satyrus actaea subs podarcina. It does not mention in what ways these two subspecies differ, except that the first one flies at higher altitudes. As we mentioned in our article on the ´High route to Trevélez in High summer´ we saw the Satyrus actaea flying in large numbers on the slopes of the Peña de los Papos, only every now and then resting on a stone. On our new route ´Trevélez por el Horcajo´ we saw them close to streams, acequias and barrancos feeding on ragworts, mint and thistles. Like the Parnassius Apollo nevadensis, Pseudochazara hippolyte and the Erebia hispana, this is a butterfly that is being monitored by the Observatorio Cambio Global de Sierra Nevada. Of these four species, it is this Black Satyr that we sight in largest numbers.



Related key words: papilio actaea, actaeon, hipparchia actaea, petite coronide, kleine saterzandoog, vlinder, butterfly, schmetterling, papillon, nymphalidae, satyrinae, satíridos, satyridae, satyrinae, natuurreis, vlinderreis, nature holiday, turismo de naturaleza

XXI Festival Flamenco de Fondón 17 agosto 2011

Website : http://fondon-andarax.blogspot.com/2011/08/cartel-xxi-festival-flamenco-de-fondon.html

Related key words: gitaar, guitar, flamenco, alpujarras, valderrama, tomatito, sonidos blancos

De Bérchules a Trevélez por el Horcajo

Yesterday we checked out a walking route of 19 km from the Plaza de Lobos above Bérchules to Trevélez. It involves a landrover drop off at 2600m from were you start following an irrigition channel. Right from the beginning you have spectacular views of a number of the high peaks - like the Mulhacén - and you can see Trevélez in the distance. After 4 km you get to the Barranco de las Albardas from which the high Acequia de Bérchules takes part of its water. Another 2 km further on you arrive at the Barranco de Río de Jérez, the origin of the Río Trevelez and with its borreguiles a very lush place. From here you start following another irrigation channel which even in high summer is bordered by green grass and flowers. This part is not suitable for people with fear of hights, because you need to walk on small, steep stretches with loose stones. Southwards you can see on a clear day the sea in the distance and to your right the views of the Alcazaba are impressive. You get to a crossroads with a sign for the Lagunas Vacares and the Puerto de Jérez.  From this point you follow the waymarked Puerto de Jérez route to El Horcajo and from here you walk along the river down to Trevélez. More information on these routes can be found in the small booklet Rutas por Trevélez.
If you are interested in doing this walk to Trevélez, or use the Plaza de Lobos as a starting point for any other route, you can contact us for more information on a landrover ride up to this excellent viepoint. If you just want to spend a few hours high up, something can be arranged as well, just driving up is already a great experience. A nice alternative is to just walk to the Barranco de las Albardas, a great place for butterfly sighting. Here we photographed, amongst others, Dusky Meadow Browns (Hyponephele lycaon), the endemic Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania), Black Satyrs (Satyrus actaea), Dark Green Fritllaries (Argynnis aglaja) and the Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) with the rolled up proboscis. This photo journey gives an impression of the spectacular route ´Trevélez por el Horcajo´. Here we offer the GPS track of this walk






High mountain walking without climbing, a perfect high summer option.

Related articles:
- Rutas por Trevélez
- Horseback riding with Virgen de las Nieves from Trevélez
- Cerro del Gallo, the highest mountain of Bérchules
- Acequia de Bérchules

Related key words: wandeling, bergwandelen, hiking, trekking, las alpujarras, hooggebergte

A slide show of the high route to Trevélez in high summer

Having now a better idea of the different butterflies in the area, we decided to count the number of species on an August day on the high route to Trevélez. While ascending through the pine forest we saw a number of graylings resting on trees. In a clearing we saw a Tree Grayling (Hipparchis statilinus) with marbled looking underwings resting on a stone with exactly the same colouring. Almost at the end of the forest, close to a small pond, we saw a number of Iberian Marbled Whites (Melargia lachesis). After having left the forest behind, we entered the world of slate and Black Satyrs (Satyrus actaea), there were literally hundreds of them. At 2400m we saw a Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) polinizing a Centranthus nevadensis, an endemic type of valerian. Just before the highest point of the route we saw a number of Blues that we have not identified yet. On the top of the Peña de los Papos (2538m) a Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron) and a Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera) were sunbathing. Another highlight was the reservoir at the top of the Barranco de los Castaños were we saw more Iberian Marbled Whites, apparently they want to be near water. Here we could also take photographs of Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus), Fritillaries, Lang's Short-tailed Blues (Leptotes pirithous) and other types of Blues, all atracted by the flowering ragwort, mentha and thistles. On the descend we saw Dusky Heaths (Coenonympha dorus subsp andalusica), another Large Wall Brown feeding on a yellow thistle, a Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) that did not want its picture taken and more Blues while crossing a stream. In the slide show we included a Striped Grayling (Hipparchia fidia), not a very good photo but the first one we sighted ever. Apart from the fifteen different species of butterflies we counted, we also saw a number of different grasshoppers and two different types of dragonflies, a male (blue) and female (golden) of a Broad-bodied Chaser (Libelle depressa) and the striking Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) near a small natural pool close to Trevélez. We made a slide show with photogrpahs of these insects and their habitats, and of course of the excellent views. For those interested in doing this route, we offer a taxi drop off to the pine forest at 1900m.  This means you could arrive in Trevélez at lunch time, when you do not get off too late, which can be nice on a warm summer day.

Sierra Nevada, a paradise for nature photographers

One of the interesting phenomena of the Sierra Nevada are the insects inhabiting the high peak areas. According to an article on the Fauna de Sierra Nevada on the website of Waste Ideal, there are possibly about five thousand species of invertebrates of which more than a hundred are endemic to this mountain range. A few days ago we took the microbus up from Capileira the Mirador de Trevélez (2,650m) and enjoyed taking pictures of the flora and fauna in the vicinity of this viewpoint. We wandered about on the boggy pastures or borreguiles of the Barranco del Postercuelo and the Barranco del Peñon Negro above the dirt track going to the Refugio de Poquiera. The Estrella de las Nieves immediately caught our eye and we were pleasantly surprised by the number of Apollos, Fritallaries and colonies of Silver-studded blues. We saw one Plebejus Argus being caught in a spider web. We came across a longhorned beetle, Iberodorcadion lorquini, and and a ´smiling´ grasshopper. While walking cross-country up through pebbled terrain we saw many endemic plants, like the Sierra Nevada violet and a black beetle called Pimelia monticola. We followed the Pista de Capileira (antigua carretera de Sierra Nevada) back to the Mirador de Trevélez and photographed a Baetica ustulata holding on to a flower of the Jurinea humilis and an Eumigus rubioi, an endemic wingless grasshopper, enjoying his lunch. A Silver-studded Blue was comparting a flower of the Reseda complicata with a couple of interesting looking insects. While we still had some time left before the microbus would take us back, we climbed up the Alto del Chorrillo, an excellent watch out point with a large ruined building that was used to store supplies in the Civil War. Our selection of photographs of Monday the 25th of July shows that if you´re interested in nature photography in the high peak area, but don´t want to walk for hours, taking the microbus up from Capileira to the Mirador de Trevélez is an excellent alternative. On the way back somebody showed us his inspiring pictures of beautiful flowers, mountain goats and birds. At that moment we were confirmed in the thought that the higher zones of the Sierra Nevada is a paradise for nature photographers, especially in this time of the year.

Erebia hispania or Spanish Brassy Ringlet

The Erebia hispania is now considered to be endemic to the Sierra Nevada and therefor one of the highlights of butterfly lovers that visit this mountain range. The habitat of this Montañesa excéntrica are stony and wet grasslands between 1,800 and 2,900m. On Waste magazine we can read that the number is reducing of this Nymphalidae and that it is listed as ´threatened´. It also says that it flies in the Pyrenees as well. Tristan Lafranchis, in his latest book on identifying European species, divided hispania into two distinct species, ´Erebia hispania´ occurring in the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain, and ´Erebia rondoui´ or the Pyrenees Brassy Ringlet as confined to the Pyrenees. On the fore-wing upperside of the Spanish Brassy Ringlet the orange band becomes abruptly narrower and the black ocelli is reduced ormissing on the male hind-wing upperside. Its primary foodplants are gramineae (grass) and Festuca (fescue). We photographed our Spanish Brassy Ringlet in a ´borreguil´ close to the Barranco de las Albardas (2,600m) at the beginning of August last year. It was sharing its habitat with a Parnassius apollo. We are now planning to go back there in the same week hoping to reencounter this unique Erebia. In Dutch its name is Spaanse glanserebia and in French it is known as Moiré des Ibères.
PS On the 7th of August 2011 we did indeed reencounter a Spanish Brassy Ringlet in the same barranco, see article De Bérchules a Trevélez por el Horcajo.





Related key words: nymphalidae, satyrinae, satíridos, satyridae, satyrines, satyrids, browns, bruintje, brush-footed butterflies, vlinder, schmetterling, papillon, natuurreis, natuurvakantie, turismo de naturaleza, nature holiday

Programa festivo San Pantaleón 2011 in Bérchules

This is the programme of the fiesta de San Pantaleón, the patron saint of Bérchules. The procesion in his honour will be held on the 27th of July at 21.00 hours.

related keywords: programma , alpujarras

Pseudochazara hippolyte or Nevada grayling

The Pseudochazara hippolyte is called Cuatro ocelos de Sierra Nevada in Spanish as it has four ocelli. This Nevada grayling can be seen flying in Sierra Nevada at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,700m from the third week of June to mid July. The female lays eggs on Festuca Indigesta (fescue grasslands or Nevadan stripped grasslands) that grows on the siliceous upper slopes and summits. The Pseudochazara hippolyte is included in the ´Libro Rojo de los Lepidópteros ibéricos´ (The Spanish Invertebrates Red Data Book), but classified as not threatened. In the Libro Rojo de Invertebrados de Andalucía it is classified as vulnerable. This Red Data Book is available on the internet as PDF and this is for us a good source of information on this butterfly. As there are isolated populations in the different mountainous areas different subspecies are described. In the Red Data Book it mentions that in Sierra Nevada there is a subspecies known as Pseudochazara hippolyte williamsi and that three other subspecies in Spain exist: Pseudochazara hippolyte augustini in the Sierra de Gádor, Pseudochazara hippolyte aislada in the Sierra de María-Orce and Pseudochazara hippolyte reverchoni in north-eastern Andalusian Sierras. According to the information available in 2001, it is mentioned that the populations of the Sierra Nevada are not endangered, whereas the other three subspecies must be regarded as vulnerable because of the low population density, the small number of colonies and the small area they occupy. There are also populations of the Pseudochazara hippolyte in the Ural, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, southern Siberia, Mongolia and China, where they fly at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000m.
We had the privilige to see a number of Nevada graylings two days ago at an altitude of about 2,500m while walking over a ridge between the Alto the las Chorreras and the Peñon del Lobo in the sierra above Mecina Bombarón. The photo below gives an idea of the fantastic views from this ridge as well as of the habitat of the Nevadaheremiet as it is known in Dutch or Ocellé andalou as it is known in French.




Related links: European interests group of Butterfly conversation in Spain; in the text on the highlights of the Sierra Nevada, Pseudochazara hippolyte or Nevada grayling is mentioned.

Related key words: insectos, lepidóteros, ropaloceros, nymphalidae, satyrinae, satíridos, satyridae, nymphalidés, papillons, vlinders, natuurvakantie, turismo de naturaleza, nature holiday

Libelloides longicornis

Just after writing an article on the Libelloides baeticus, we saw a large number of a different species of owlflies near the Peñon del Lobo in the Sierra above Mecina Bombarón at an altitude about 2,400 metres. We were delighted to see two of them resting on a stem that kept still just long enough to get a picture. A little bit higher up we reached a mountain pasture, and there they were flying around in even greater numbers. The ones we photographed yesterday were the Libelloides longicornis, which occur in a number countries in southern Europe. We found an informative text on the Libelloides longicornis in Dutch on the website of the Soortenbank. We are now looking forward to photograph the other four species of owlflies of Spain: Libelloides coccajus, Libelloides ictericus, Libelloides hispanicus and the Libelloides cunii.



Related key words: ascalaphus libelloides, insectos, neurópteros, ascalaphidae, vlinderhaften, insecten, netvleugeligen, alpujarras, sierra nevada, andalusia, andalucía, spain, spanje, turismo de naturaleza, nature holiday, natuurvakantie, aAscalaphe commun, langfühlerige schmetterlingshaft, netzflügler, schmetterlingshafte, ascalaphidae

Maniola jurtina or Meadow Brown

The Maniola jurtina or Meadow Brown is one of the more common European butterflies and on the terrain of  casa rural El Paraje it is well represented as well. It´s Spanish name is Loba and in Dutch Bruin zandoogje. Last week we took a photograph looking one in the eyes and today we were lucky to take a picture of two of them together. We also found out that the one on the last photograph that is somewhat brighter orange, is actually considered a subspecies. According to Matt Rowling this subspecies called Maniola jurtina hispulla flies in Spain, North Africa and southeren France. He writes that it has orange markings in the underside hindwing post discal band.







Related links: ´Butterflies sighted at El Paraje´, album of photos on our facebook page

Related key words: epinephele splendida, papilio hispulla, große ochsenauge, myrtil, ninfálidos, nymphalidés, edelfalter, vlinder, schmetterling, papillon, satyrinae, satíridos, sayridae, alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, stappen, trektocht, standplaats vakantie, hiking, trekking, berchules, B&B, hotel, wanderungen, turismo de naturaleza, natuurvakantie, natuurreis, butterfly holiday 

Pyronia bathseba or Spanish Gatekeeper

This last week we have seen a fairly large number of Pyronia batshebas on different parts of the finca, in general skulking low down about entwined twigs and branches of scrub. Today we encountered a cooperative one posing on a flower just above the house. According to the drawing of the Spaans oranje zandoogje on the website of the Soortenbank we photographed a male Pyronia bathseba. In Spanish this butterfly is called Lobito listado. The white stripe on the underside hindwing is distinctive for this Spanish gatekeeper and it has an orange upperside with broad brown borders. Larvae feed on Brachypodium grasses, tussock or bunch grasses that grow abundantly on our terrain. Apart from the Iberian Peninsula, this butterfly can be seen in North Africa and across southern France as well.





Related links: ´Butterflies sighted at El Paraje´, album of photos on our facebook page

Related key words: l'ocellé rubané, tityre, ninfálidos, nymphalidés, alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, stappen, trektocht, standplaats vakantie, hiking, trekking, berchules, B&B, hotel, wanderungen

Bar - Pizzeria La Posada in Bérchules

A few weeks ago bar La Posada in Berchules reopened. Two brothers, Valentín and Ezra Ocaña, run this small but cozy place at the Plaza Abastos square. They serve home made pizzas, salades and soups. A place that makes a difference and is worthwhile checking out.
Opening hours are from 10.00 till 23.00 hours. Mondays closed.
Telephone Valentin: 669023972 Ezra: 628577021
La Posada on Plaza Abastos used to be a Bed and Breakfast (hostal) but rooms are no longer rented out.
The owners have renovated another guest house (casa rural) in the villages in calla La Platera

Melitaea didyma or Spotted Fritillary

The Spotted Fritillary is a very variable butterfly and it is said that the underside is the best means of identification. As we have no photographs of the underside yet, we consulted Matt Rowlings. The Spotted Fritillary can be found on his excellent website on European butterflies.
He wrote that he considered the changes in colouration of our ´Spotted Frit´ within the normal range and that it looks like a female judging by the rounded abdomen. We took this photograph of the Melitaea didyma last Monday, an excellent day for butterfly watching. In a few hours we spotted a number of species we had not seen on the finca before like the Spanish Marbled White.



Related links: ´Butterflies sighted at El Paraje´, album of photos on our facebook page

Related key words: doncella tímida, red-band fritillary, tweekleurige parelmoervlinder, la mélitée orangée, damier orangé, didymaeformia didyma, rote scheckenfalter, edelfalter, ninfálidos, nymphalidés, alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, trektocht, standplaats vakantie, hiking, trekking, Berchules, B&B, hotel, wanderungen

Alectoris rufa or Red-legged Partridge

Yesterday guests that were having a drink on the terrace were treated by a close look at a pair of Red-legged Partridges. As they were keen birdwatchers they had there binoculars within reach and enjoyed following this game bird and looking at its colouration. We quite often hear this Perdiz roja and we sometimes see them in the kitchen garden, but so close to the terrace was quite special. A Russian ornithologist who stayed with us in April had taken a number of photos of this bird of which we incorporated one in a slideshow. Here is another photo of this Alectoris rufa taken by Sergei V. Drovetski.



Related key words: rode patrijs, rothuhn, perdrix rouge

Melanargia Ines or Spanish Marbled White

Quite often we see the Spanish Marbled White on our walks and quite recently also on our own finca close to the Barranquilla de Agua. Today we were lucky enough to take a photograph of this Melanargia inés, a species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. It is said to be quite common in southern Spain and Portugal. According to the butterfly-guide.co.uk, the brown ocelli on the underside hindwing of this Spanish Marbled White separates this from other Marbled whites.
Its larvae feed on various grasses and on the text of this butterfly on Waste Magazine it is said that this Medioluto Inés flies in May and June. For our Dutch readers we would like to mention that it is called Moors dambordje.



Related key words:  échiquier des almoravides, ninfálidos, nymphalidés,mariposa, vlinders, schmetterling, tagfalter, familie der edelfalter, B&B, alpujarras, sierra nevada

Linaria aeruginea subsp. aeruginea

Linaria aeruginea subsp. aeruginea is a type of toadflax which grows only on the Iberian Peninsula and can be found mainly in the south east. We have a number of these ´linarias´ on our terrain and they are in flower at the moment. We love it when we can add a new species to the list of flowers of the finca of El Paraje, especially when they are as beautiful as this one.



Related key words: leeuwenbek, vlasleeuwenbek, leinkräuter, plantaginaceae, weegbreefamilie wegerichgewächse

Zerynthia rumina or Spanish Festoon

The Zerynthia rumina or Spanish Festoon is a butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. In Spanish this charming butterfly is known as ´Arlequín´. Its flight period is from March to May, but in Andalucía a second breed in autumn is not uncommon. Articles and reports consider this butterfly’s existence in Spain threatened on the basis of global warming theories.
This morning we came across an interesting article on a Spanish Festoon survey in Cala Higuera in Cabo de Gata and Busquístar in the Alpujarra. One of the observations is: "is interesting to note the variation in colour saturation and pattern. The differences are quite wide and don’t match illustrations of gender difference. Perhaps the wings are not fully expanded on the Alpujarra specimen? The sites are 115Km apart and at very different altitudes (40 m Higuera and 900-1000 m Busquistar."
The larval food plant of the Zerynthian rumina are different of Aristolochia species and because of the rarity of larval food, the Spanish Festoon are not common. Aristolochia baetica is an evergreen climber that can be found along the GR-7 footpath between Montenegro and Mecina Bombarón, it is therefor not surprising that one guests photographed this extremely striking species on their walk from Yegen to El Paraje at the beginning of April. From now on we will pay better attention to the Dutchman´s pipe, which perfectly explains the Dutch name of this butterfly, namely ´Spaanse pijpbloemvlinder´.
PS On the 10th of April 2011 we did see a Spanish Festoon on our estate, but were not able to get a good picture.



Related key words: mariposa arlequín, westlicher osterluzeifalter, spanische osterluzeifalter, proserpine, pages, grote pages, papilionidae, papillon, famille des papilionida, vlinders, mariposas butterflies, schmetterlinge, famille de lépidoptère, alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, wanderung, B&B, hotel, hostal, hostel, bérchules, trektocht, hiking, trekking, standplaats vakantie, wandelvakanties, holiday, urlaub, vacances, GR7

Photo impression San Marcos Bérchules 2011

We were too occupied ourselves to visit the procesion of San Marcos and San Isidro, but our guests Brigitte and Wim did enjoy the local festivities and took some pictures. These photos give an impression of one of the most important days of the village.

Encuentro con Gerald Brenan, Saturday the 30th of April in Yegen

This coming Saturday the 30th of April an ´Encuentro con Gerald Brenan´ is organized in Yegen. Tribute will be paid to Juliana, the mother of the author´s daughter.

San Marcos and San Isidro program Berchules 2011

In Bérchules and Alcútar the patron saint of the animals is honoured every year. After a Holy Mass the figure of San Marcos is carried out of the church together with the figure of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers. Children in colourful clothes, youngsters in covered wagons, riders and villagers with their animals join the procession that slowly moves to Alcútar. Back in Bérchules ´roscos´ and animals are blessed and the breadrings are then handed out. (see post of 2010 with slideshow)
The San Marcos festivities are celebrated Saturday the 30th of April and Sunday the 1st of May.
This is the program of San Marcos 2011:

A few excellent bird photographs taken by an ornithologist

The Russian ornithologist Sergei V. Drovetski who stayed at El Paraje recently shared the wildlife photographs he took in the area. It is a great pleasure for us to be able to offer a slideshow of a selection of his bird shots and we feel really grateful for this opportunity. We hope other people will enjoy the photos as much as we do.



Falco Tinnunculus - Common Kestrel - Cernícalo vulgar - Torenvalk
Alectoris rufa - Red-legged Patridge - Perdiz roja - Rode patrijs
Galerida cristata - Crested Lark - Cogujada común - Kuifleeuwerik
Saxicola Torquata - Common Stonechat - Tarabilla común - Roodborsttapuit
Oenanthe oenanthe - Northern Wheatear - Collalba gris - Tapuit
Oenanthe hispanica - Black-eared Wheatear - Collalba rubia - Blonde tapuit
Certhia brachydact​yla - Short-toed Treecreepe​r - Agateador - Boomkruipe​r
Lanius senator - Woodchat shrike - Alcaudón común - Roodkopklauwier
Serinus serinus - European Serin - Verdecillo - Europese kanarie
Emberiza cia - Rock Bunting - Escribano montesino - Grijze gors
Miliaria calandra - Corn Bunting - Triguero - Grauwe gors

Ophrys tenthredinifera or Sawfly Orchid

Right along the GR7 footpath between Cádiar and Lobras (close to waypoint 15, see map) we saw this beautiful Sawly Orchid. It is name can be explained by the fact that it is a sawfly that pollinates this orchid. The mimicry is even carried as far as the orchid producing the same scent as the receptive female insect, see text on this Sawfly Orchid on the website Andalucía Life Magazine.

In Spanish this Ophrys tenthredinifera  is known as ´flor de avispa´ or ´abejera´.

This orchid grows in the same area as the Ophrys lutea (between waypoints 14 and 15). Last week we saw a particulaly large number of this Yellow Ophrys close to the riverbed, la Rambla de Albayar.



Related key words: abejita, abejorros, flor de abeja, flor de la abeja, lila de monte, orquídea, orquídea avispa, testículos de perro, bee orchid, spiegelorchis, wespen-ragwurz, ophrys guêpe, ophrys tenthrède, ophrys à grandes fleures, familia orquidáceas

Timon lepidus or Ocellated lizard

One of the special moments of the spring Bird Census last Saturday was watching a pair of Ocellated lizards through Gary´s telescope. Antonio Ramos, guide of the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, took a good photograph of these ´lagartos ocelados´ basking in the sun. We read on Wikipedia that this Ocellated lizard  is part of the cuisine of Extremadura. "In this region there is a speciality known as lagarto con tomate. This dish is made by frying slices of lizard in olive oil, after which they are stewed with tomatoes and onions on a slow fire in an earthenware pot." This is something that never would have crossed our minds while watching this wall lizard along the GR7 path between Cádiar and Lobras.



Related key words: parelhagedis, perleidechse, lézard ocellé

Report of the IV Censo de Aves or Alpujarra bird count

Yesterday the 16th of April the IV Censo de Aves took place. The census was led by Antonio Ramos, guide of the Sierra Nevada Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, and the local wildlife specialist Gary Morrell. Five people, of three different nacionalities, participated. A total of 45 species were counted of which 7 birds were not seen or heard on earlier bird counts: Sparrohawk (Gavilán), Cuckoo (Cuco), Little Owl (Mochuelo común), Pallid Swift (Vencejo común), Nortern Wheatear (Collalba gris) and the Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón común). The Collalba gris (Oenanthe oenanthe, Tapuit in Dutch) and the Collalba rubia, the Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica, Blonde tapuit in Dutch) were regarded as the´Birds of the Day´. We saw a male and a female of the Collalba rubia in an abandoned vineyard and we could follow them closely as they were posing on the trunks. The guides agreed that there could very well be a nest somewhere between the vines. We ticked off the bird species that were observed on this census on the ´Listado de aves avistadas en los censos de Alquería de Morayma´ (see related links below).
Apart from counting species, the participants appreciated all aspects of wildlife on a glorious morning in an area of great natural beauty. Four different types of orchids were counted, amongst which the Ophrys lutea or Yellow Ophrys and the Ophrys tenthredinifera. Footprints were found of a Genet and a couple of Ocellated Lizards were observed through Gary´s telescope. Like last time we followed the GR142 to Lobras and returned to the Alquería de Morayma on the GR7. This walk is a route that we offer our guests as well (see map below), but it must be observed that parts of the path along the Rambla Albayar have disappeared. Some people will find it difficult to find their way through this riverbed. You should not mind improvising a little bit following the watercourse northwards until you get to the crossing of the two Long Distance Footpaths. Almost all waymarks of the GR142 have diseappeared on this stretch.





Related articles:
- Report I bird census, II bird census, III bird census

Related links:
- List of birds censuses around Alquería de Morayma (word doc)
- GPS track of the walk
- Slideshow of photos IV Censo de Aves
- Crónica de Carmen: IV Censo de aves de la Alpujarra desde la Alquería de Morayma


Related key words: vogeltelling, orchid, orchidee

Colias alfacariensis or Berger's Clouded Yellow

A couple of days ago we took this photograph of this Colias alfacariensis or Berger´s Clouded Yellow (we think) close to the wall of our large terrace. They say that the Berger´s Clouded Yellow is very difficult to distinguish from the Pale Clouded yellow (Colias hyale). The only thing we go by is comparing pictures and reading about the differences. The Berger’s Clouded Yellow was identified as a distinct species from the Pale Clouded Yellow in 1945 and is named after the Belgian entomologist, L.A. Berger, who made this discovery. This species is considered one of the rarest migrants to the British Isles. In the Netherlands is has been sighted only nine times in the past century, according on the information on this Zuidelijke Luzernevlinder on Vlindernet.nl. On the Guía de Mariposas of the online Waste magazine only the Colias alfacariensis (´Colias de Berger´ in Spanish) is mentioned, would be interesting to know whether this is because this one is the only one sighted in Andalucía.



Related key words: pieridae, piéridos, witjes, weißlinge, gelblinge, coliadinae, dwaalgast, wanderfalter, zuidelijke luzernevlinder, hufeisenklee-gelbling, südliche heufalter, hufeisenkleeheufalter, federfühler-herbstspanner, fluoré, jumeaux, soufré austral, vlinder, schmetterling, B&B, bérchules, alpujarra, sierra nevada, andalusië, andalusia

Vanessa atalanta or Red Admiral

This week we discovered a small corner on our finca that seems to be particularly popular with butterflies. Our white arrow route passes this sheltered spot before you start walking northwards. We visited this ´butterfly corner´ a number of times and saw different types of Whites (Pieridae), an abundant number of Old World Swallowtails, Scarce Swallowtails and the Vanessa atalanta. At first we did not see this Red Admiral (´Vulcana´ or ´Numerada´ in Spanish) butterfly of the Nymphalidae family rest for a single moment. Yesterday it was later in the afternoon and finally one of them decided to have a little break for a moment. Like the Vanessa cardui or Painted Lady it is a migratory butterfly that will fly north later on in spring, maybe to our native country where this ´Atalanta´ is one of the most widespread species.





Related links: 
- Guia de Mariposas on the online magazine Waste Ideal

Related key words: vanesa, almirante rojo, admiraal, admiraalvlinder, ninfálidos, nymphalidés, familie der edelfalter, vulcain, papilio atalanta, pyrameis ammiralis, vulcano, mariposa migratoria, trekvlinder, vlinders, B&B, alpujarras, sierra nevada

XVI Feria ´Hecho en la Alpujarra´ 2011 in Orgiva

From the 21st to the 24th of April, the trade fair ´Made in the Alpujarra´ is organized for the sixteenth time in Órgiva. This Feria del Turismo, Artesanía y Alimentación ´Hecho en la Alpujarra´ 2011, is a an exhibitition of tourism, crafts and local products that can be visited on four consecutive days from 11.00 to 22.00 hours.


Related links:
- Facebook event
- Article in the IDEAL newspaper 2-April-2010 on the feria 2010
- Official blog with all participants of the feria Hecho en la Alpujarra 2009
- Web of the town hall Orgiva (ayuntamiento)
- Orgiva on Turgranada tourist board
- Videos on Youtube of the feria 2009










Related key words: eventos, evenementen, evénements, veranstaltungen, comer y beber, eten en drinken, manger et boir, essen und trinken

Bérchules - Trevélez - Bérchules

The part of the Alpujarras between Bérchules and Trevélez is quite interesting for walkers. The GR7 route connects Juviles and Trevélez and there are a few possibilities to pick up this route from Bérchules and of course from El Paraje. Thanks to the ALSA bus service, it can be done as a linear walk (another option is to organize a taxi transfer).
For keen and fit walkers we offer a special connection with Trevélez (our ´high´ route) that does not bend around the mountains but that goes right over them, passing the Peña de los Papos at 2,535 metres.
If you prefer circular walks, or if you like trail running, you may consider combining the two. This leads to a 32 kilometres walk or run that really is spectacular.
This route connects El Paraje (01) with the pista forestal (06-09) that also can be reached using the access dirt track to the sendero Sulayr Gr240 from the Cruz the Juviles.
(At 04 you can choose a less steep option going west on the dirt track and connecting lower down with the pista forestal. This may be a good option for runners, see map)
From point 09 to 13 a single track leads through the pìne woods, almost up to the ridge. You follow the ridge until 15, take a small track right until 16 after which you cross the barranco. Descend to the pine woods (19) and along those pine woods to a  water reservoir (19) of a small farm house. Descend over a meadow another 400 metres to the border of another pine forest (20 chalk crosses on big stones!). A clear track zigzags down and connects with the GR7 (21).
From 21 to 27 the GR7 is well waymarked. At point 24 the Sulayr goes left steeply up, while we continue straight on.  Where the single track of the GR7 reaches a dirt track (27) you can go on to Juviles or go left, leaving the GR7 and follow a beatiful shortcut to El Paraje.
This is the GPS track of the route. For guests we have a more detailed description in English, Dutch and Spanish at El Paraje, together with a print of this map.







Related key words: wandelen over de GR7, trekking through the sierra nevada, wandelroute, B&B, hotel in de alpujarras

Orchis papilionacea or Butterfly Orchid

On the same spots were we saw the Sword-leaved Helleborine last spring, they reappeared again this year, only a few weeks earlier. We saw a Southern Early Purple a lot closer to the house and a month earlier in bloom than last year. Our biggest surprise yesterday was to see a new type of wild orchid on our finca, a magnificent butterfly orchid. There are apparantly many subspecies, but ours is exactly as the Orchis papilionacea or the Orquídea mariposa on the online magazine Waste.



Related key words: flowers, bloemen, anacamptis papilionacea, vlinderorchis, schmetterlings-knabenkraut
orchis papillon, familia orquidáceas, orchid family, familia de las orchidaceae, orchideeënfamilie, familie der orchideen, casa rural el paraje, bérchules, las alpujarras.

Anthocharis euphenoides subsp andalusica or Morocco Orange Tip

Sunday afternoon while walking down our own dirt track enjoying the last moments of sun, we were lucky to photograph a female ´orange tip´ that we had not seen on our finca before. To find the names of new butterflies we always first consult the online magazine of Waste Ideal. Looking at photographs on this website an flora and fauna in Andalusia, we now think that the one we saw is an Anthocharis euphenoides subsp andalusica, a butterfly in the Pieridae family. Another name is mentioned between brackets: Anthocharis belia euphenoides Staudinger, 1869. The Spanish names given on this website are ´Aurora meridional´ or ´Bandera española´ and the English name ´Moroccan Orange Tip´. It apparantly closely resembles to the Provence Orange Tip (Anthocharis euphenoides). In an article on the Provence (Moroccan) Orange Tip by Matt Rowlings from his website dedicated to European Butterflies, we can read that the Provence Orange Tip has only recently been split from the Moroccan Orange Tip. Of this beautiful species he mentions that it flies from April in one generation and that it mostly is over by the end of May. The Morocco Orange Tip (Anthocharis belia) and the Provence Orange Tip are both said to fly in Spain. We hope to be able to take more pictures soon so that we can learn to distinguish them better.
PS We often see the male Morocco Orange Tip - much smaller and yellow with orange tips - flying around today (the 8th of May) we saw it res for a moment for the first time (see last photograph).







Related links: 
- Guia de Mariposas on the online magazine Waste Ideal

Related key words: familia peridos, familie pieridae, witjes, geel oranjetipje, vlinders, alpujarras, sierra nevada,  bérchules, trektocht, trekking, wandelvakanties, holiday, urlaub, vacances

Bird Count, IV Censo de Aves de la Alpujarra 16 de abril de 2011

This coming Saturday the 16th of April at 08.00 hours the second spring bird count will take place starting at the rural hotel Alquería de Morayma in Cádiar. Last year the spring bird census was done on the 18th of April, during which 37 different bird species were counted. It will be the fourth censo, as two other autumn countings were organized. From the map of this announcement the first loop will be done which is a walk of 8,5 kilometres through the beautiful valley of the Río Guadalfeo. Anybody interested is welcome to participate. The ´IV Censo de Aves´ will be led by Antonio Ramos, guide of the National Park Sierra Nevada and by the enthusiastic expert and local wildlife guide, Gary Morrell. For more information you can call us at El Paraje, the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada or Alquería de Morayma.



Related article:
- Report of the II Censo de aves de la Alpujarra 18th of April 2010

Related key words: censo de pájaros, bird census, vogeltelling

Margaret Drabble at Casa Ana in Ferreirola

For creative people the Alpujarras can be an inspirational and pleasant setting to work. Therefore Casa Ana in Ferreirola is sometimes used as a base for writing holidays organized by The Literary Consultancy (TLC). At the moment two Literary Adventures Writing Courses are run during which guest writers are invited. Last week visiting speakers were Chris Stewart and Michael Jacobs, an event that we personally enjoyed very much.
This coming Monday the 4th of April Dame Margaret Drabble will give a presentation at 17.30 hours.
Margaret Drabble's work includes seventeen novels amongst which ´The Sea Lady´, ´The Seven Sisters´, ´The Peppered Moth´ and ´The Needle's Eye´, and various works of non-fiction. She has won numerous prizes, including the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and was made a Dame in 2008. She will be reading from a collection of Complete Short Stories, ´A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman´ that is due to come out in May 2011.
The fee to assist this literary event ´To live as a writer´ is 5 euros. For more information call 958 766 270 / 678 298 497 or email info@casa-ana.com.

Ruta Medieval through the Alpujarras

The Ruta Medieval is a beautiful linear walk connecting the villages Pórtugos, Atalbéitar, Ferreirola and Busquístar in the Taha valley and Cástaras, Nieles and Juviles. The wooden waymarking posts guide you from west to east.

We have a description and a map of a route of 20,7 kilometres from our small country hotel ´El Paraje´ to Busquístar, following the medieval paths from east to west.

Click on the image to enlarge.

This is the description and the GPS track that includes the stretch from us to Juviles.
The idea is to come back using the Granada - Bérchules bus, click here for schedules of the ALSA bus services), or arrange a taxi transfer.

profile from El Paraje to Busquístar.

Other documentation on this route PR-A299 can be found on the Spanish website of the  Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Alpujarra Granadina.

The GPS data of the whole route (including the stretch Busquístar - Pórtugos) can be found there

stage 1 Pórtugos   - Busquístar 4,7km, details  and profile

stage 2 Busquístar - Portichuelo de Castaras 4,2 km, details and profile
stage 3 Portichuelode Cástaras - Nieles 5,6 km, details and profile
stage 4 Nieles - Juviles 6,5 km, details and profile

A nice two day round trip suggestion might be:

day 1: Pórtugos or Busquístar to Juviles (or El Paraje) following the Ruta Medieval

day 2: Juviles (or El Paraje) to Trevélez and Busquístar (or Pórtugos) following the GR7

The web Recuerdos de Castaras has a comprehensive article about the oficial spanish leaflet on the Ruta Medieval.

Click here to search accommodation per village.



Related keywords: alpujarras, hiking through the sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, wanderung, B&B in Berchules, hotel, hostal, hostel, , trektocht door bérchules, hiking, trekking through Andalusia, standplaats vakantie, wandelvakanties, holiday, urlaub, vacances, GR7 wandelpad

Cistus albidus or Grey-leaved Sunrose

In the Alpujarras various types of sunroses can be found like the Cistus clusii and the Halimium atriplicifolium, amongst others. The only kind we have so far seen on our own terrain, is the Grey-leaved Sunrose or Cistus Albidus. In general this Grey-leaved Sunrose has rose-purple flowers, but a white form is found as well. The petals have this special look of crinkled paper which is distinctive of most rockroses. Last week we saw masses of this beautiful bush, native to the Mediterranean, while walking the GR7 between Montenegro and Mecina Bombarón. It was nice to see that the first flowers had come out at an altitude of about 900 metres. Our Casa Rural ´El Paraje´ is situated almost 500 metres higher than this and we think that it might still take at least a month before we will be able to see our own sunroses in flower.




Related key words: jara blanca, estepa blanca, jaguarzo blanco, ardivieja, weißliche zistrose, ciste cotonneux, arbrisseau, familia cistáceas, cistaceae, rockrose family, zonneroosjesfamilie, zistrosengewächse,  alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, wanderung, B&B, hotel, hostal, hostel, bérchules, trektocht, hiking, trekking, standplaats vakantie, wandelvakanties, holiday, urlaub, vacances