Casa Rural Cortijo Roman

July in Jimena

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The heat of the summer is now here although this year it has been relatively cool in comparison with other years; the temperature only rising above 40 degrees on 3 occasions and the breeze staying refreshingly cool. Although the countryside is now brown from continual baking in the sun and only the hardiest of wild flowers remain, the cork oaks and the Mediterranean Pines retain their green colour and everywhere has a certain Andalucian character and beauty.

The snails have an interesting habit in that, during the heat of summer, they effectively "hibernate" (estivate) by climbing up the stems of plants and sealing themselves off to reduce moisture loss. However, from their point of view, the disadvantage of this strategy is that it makes them very easy to collect. The small snails (caracoles) are sold in the markets and many bars offer them cooked in a herb sauce as a tapas to eat with a glass of sherry. Also many locals collect them to cook and eat at home.

The river is low but, because this summer has not been so hot, there is enough water for swimming and the temperature is very pleasant. Many afternoons we go down to one of the beaches near to us. There are a number of small shingle coves and bays on the Mediterranean coast, 35 minutes drive from the Cortijo, where there is excellent snorkeling and rock pools for exploration as well as places to swim. Most beaches have a Chiringito, a beach bar, where you can buy reasonably priced fresh fish lunches, ice creams and cold drinks. The Atlantic coast, starting with Tarifa, has long golden sandy beaches and fantastic waves for surfing either with or without a board. There are 2 predominant winds in the Andalucian coast, the Levante and the Poniente. If the Levante wind is blowing then the water in the Atlantic will be the warmest but when the Poniente is blowing it is warmer in the Mediterranean.

The VI Jimena International Music Festival took place from 15 to 22 July. This is a major event with concerts taking place at different different indoor and outdoor venues in Jimena and Estacion de Jimena. There are usually four themes to the Festival; Classical, Flamenco, Jazz and one further class which, this year, was African music. The four venues are the football stadium, where the largest concerts are held, the town square (the paseo or plaza) which offers free concerts in a fantastic atmosphere, the old convent in Estacion de Jimena, where most of the classical and some of the Jazz concerts are held, and the square next to the Victoria church in the old part of the Village.

There is also an Andalucian market in the evenings, this year selling, amongst many things, fresh, soft, goat's milk cheese cooked on a BBQ - fantastic!!!! Each venue creates its own ambience and the overall effect of the festival is excellent.

What's happening on the Farm?

The farm is quiet at this time of the year, the goats carry on eating away in their field while the young ones get bigger and less playful. The chickens have nearly gone off lay at the moment due to the heat and won't go back to full production until the end of August. The wild life comes out in the cool of the late afternoon and evening. Geckos can be seen catching the moths around the lights in the porch at night and the second brood of swallows nesting in the high rafters on the porch have now flown. The wild Penny Royal which grows on the cooler parts of the farm is now in full flower and we have harvested quite a few bundles for us to make into a wonderful minty tea.