Sunny Southern Spain

Between the sunrise and the moon-rise the days were bathed in sunshine. And so were we – at 37ºc outside, in the pool was the place to be.
A backdrop of wonderful views and buzzing bushes of lavender full of pollinating butterflies and bees, we had the local flies feasting on us, while we feasted on the local produce !
Acclimatising to the Spanish Way – early morning activities > siesta > late dinner – was something we never quite mastered in just seven days. It made total sense but with our minds and bodies firmly in holiday mode, we really didn't care less: "I'd love another beer/glass of wine" a more pressing decision than the time of day.
This relaxed regime of sun-bathing, book reading and al fresco tapas, fitted in well with another dip in the wonderful pool.

37ºc or 98.6º F    and my phone: weather info 

WEATHER WATCH >
Beautiful blue skies, until Wednesday when a wispy white cloud caused mild excitement. Followed late afternoon on Thursday and Friday, when some other clouds of an altogether more menacing colour brought rain with added thunder and lightning to great effect. Our high up vantage point provided a grandstand view.

Enough of all that, here's >
The FACTS and PHOTOS
We had previously visited Montefrio and stayed at Claire and John's lovely house seven years ago. Not much had changed but the garden certainly had.

(Top shot) in 2010.  (Lower view) this time.

For the first few days we were joined by friends Steve and Gill (who'd been in Granada before we arrived) and like mad dogs and English people we had walked around the town and in the heat of the afternoon visited the nearby Las Penas de los Gitanos (Neolithic archaeological site) and met Pacqui - who I suspect none of us will ever forget. In the shade she walked us through the site, but stopped short of walking along with us, providing strict instructions, water and trusting us with the gate key!

(Clockwise) The town of Montefrio from the top of the castillo / Archaeological site on a hot afternoon / and the dreaded selfie with scenic background.

The insect life in the garden was always present. One very strange looking creature, no more than 2cm long caught my eye as it appeared to hover and take the pollen almost like a bird. I discovered it was a 'hummingbird moth' - and even took a picture (of sorts).

(Left) Swallowtail butterfly.  (Right) Very strange hummingbird moth.

We did manage a morning walk on a footpath that circled away from the house and then back into the town. A coffee stop and a plan for dinner followed this, but the thunderstorm prevented any such repeat the day after.

Beer o'clock time. CHEERS 

Our final excursion on Saturday was to Granada before the airport. We'd been there on our last visit so we just wandered around the narrow winding streets of the moorish Albaycin district. However the heat beat us and we subsequently arrived early at the airport to a temperature reading of 41ºc >>>



I'll let Margaret wind this up by announcing: 
"During this year (within 4 months) I've experienced my coldest temperatures ever in Sweden (-15ºc) and now the hottest (+41ºc) in Granada". 

Panorama - Las Pilas de la Dehesa, Montefrio.

Few more photos >

(Left) Margaret 'shaking her tail feather'.           (Right) Outdoor wining and dining.

(Bottom left) Rooibos Cannabis Tea, Granada                                                     Moon-rise, Montefrio