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Bones and the Motherhouse

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  This is going to be an odd day.  We begin with a walk in somewhere which feels so rural, empty and peaceful.  We then sink into the valleys around Granada, with houses packed into every available space and even unavailable spaces. So, here we are, minding our own business, looking are Spring spread its tendrils across the landscape and then a huge building hives into view on our left.   It is the Abadía del Sacromonte and we are approaching it from the least impressive angle.  It has history, as you will expect. Picture the scene. It is 1595.  The Counter-Reformation is doing its bit and things are a bit sharp in Europe. People are wandering around looking at things and in the Sacromonte area of Granada some chaps found some bones.  These were declared to be those of Saint Caecilius.  Who he? I hear you say, you ungodly wretches.  Apparently he was one of the seven fellows ordained in Rome by Saint Peter and Paul and sent to Spain to Spread...
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Explosive Orchards

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  We are heading for the Alhambra.  Of course we are.  To get there we are crossing the A-92 and head south, over the hills and valleys. A lot of today was taken in March ‘23 so enjoy the reality of today. Most of the start of today is amongst the blossoms on not quiet roads. We are heading into El Fargue.  El Farque is what is a carmen.  I am quoting wiki in all: ‘A carmen is a type of urban dwelling typical of the city of Granada ( Spain ), with an adjoining green space, a garden and orchard combined, which constitutes an extension of the house, according to the classic definition of Seco de Lucena . [ ] The carmen is a space enclosed from the outside, surrounded by walls about two meters high, usually whitewashed, with lush vegetation. It is characteristic of the neighborhoods located on the hills of the city, Albaicín and Realejo , and therefore its land is usually arranged in terraced levels. "It is not only a garden, nor only an orchard" and "generally, ...
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All the zip lines lack empathy

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  It is a day where it feels so quiet, with gentle sun and a purity to the air. I suspect the Streetview boys and girls got up early when they went out in October 2019 to take these shots. High up amid the pines we come, early on in our trek to Aventura Amazonia, because nothing says rain forest like Southern Spain. To be fair, the website does day Multi-adventure in trees so we won’t worry about the lack of rain. https://aventuraentrepinos.com/actividades/multiaventura-en-arboles/   Almost 1000 people have reviewed the place and give it 4.6 stars. The top words are screen, zip line, activity, circuit, security, earrings and harness.  Six days ago Eva gave the full five. ‘My 8-year-old daughter really enjoyed it. She couldn't do level 4 because of her height, but otherwise it was fantastic. Bring fingerless gloves (like cycling gloves), they're essential, although you can buy them there.’ Now, I like direct translations. Sometimes they do things to English which are amus...
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May fortune bring you the left footed dog of happiness - because owls are bastards.

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  Whoops!  Ok, turn round and back up the track.  We are going up a bit, down a bit and up a lot more. It is a descent track and we don’t have a lot to look at, save beautiful nature, so let’s get superstitious in a nature sort of a way. Owls.  Well, it is day time but we can note Granada has Eurasian Scops-Owls, Eurasian Eagle-Owls, Little Owls, Tawny Owls, Eared Owls of both Long and Short varieties.  Owls are symbols of wisdom or mystery. An owl hooting at night foretells death or serious misfortune.  If an owl stares at your house someone will become ill.  Clearly owls are bastards. We don’t have a dog with us. This may be a shame but it does mean we are safe from the random nature of dog-luck.  Fido, apparently, is able to issue fortune from its bum.  Should you tread on doggy doos with with your left foot then luck will be your lady tonight.  If, however, you place your left shoe forward you will be literally in the shit. While we ...
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