Featuring Jay's Journal – more than a photo blog
Cantante singing group joined the Spanish Zurgena Church Choir (Choral Maria Auxiliadora) for a concert. We sang a few songs together and each group sang a few of the Christmas favourites. This song was written by Donna Walker.
The wind was blowing around the Church tower, later as we drove home, the car was buffeted about, debris was flying around, the power was off. The next morning it was apparent that there had been many thousands of Euros worth of damage.
Holy week, a time when many Spanish homes hang purple or black banners from the windows; processions and parades with bands are planned for Good Friday or Viernes Santo. The holiday period is also an opportunity for families to get together for picnics or meriendas, in the countryside.
This morning I set out to make Hot Cross Buns, they take hours of 
proving, so I did some ironing in between time. I followed Paul Hollywood’s recipe, I used cranberries instead of sultanas and mixed peel, orange zest from oranges from the garden and one of Babs’ eggs; I also glazed them with home made marmalade. They turned out brilliantly, the best I have ever made.
The swallows are back, one even flew into the courtyard and up to the ceramic lamp, I like to think it’s “our” male, hope he finds a female to mate and nest with.
We have serins nesting in the garden and looking forward to the return of Bee-eaters and rollers.
February 28th, marks Andalucia day, the poor weather forecast, including an amber warning for heavy rain and snow was correct. I fed and watered the birds in the rain and got soaked to the skin. The hens, rather than taking shelter under a tree, kept shaking the water away, I don’t suppose they had experienced rain before.
About lunch time the rain stopped and the cloud lifted revealing snow to NW at around 900 metres. The Sierra de las Estancias had a covering of snow, including the monastery at Saliente.
We measured 9mms, in the rain guage, now the sun is shining, Owen had his daily walk, I enjoyed reading my Kindle by the fire.
It is interesting to note, that the weather is often bad on this day, as though winter is compelled to have one last blast before giving way to spring in March.