Casa Rural Cortijo Roman

November in Jimena

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In many ways, November is the start of the Spanish springtime. As soon as the first rains arrrive so the countryside is quickly transformed into a rich green and wildflowers begin to appear. Also many of the domestic and wild animals start the breeding cycle so that the young can take full advantage of both the cooler but mild weather and the plentiful food supplies.

The whole area around Jimena is an important orange-growing region and, in November, the nearby village of San Martinde Tesorillo holds an agricultural fair devoted to orange cultivation. There are large marquees displaying the latest machinery and other equipment but, in addition, there are stalls devoted to local foodstuffs, crafts and many other items of general interest. In the evening there is an exhibition of Andalucian horsemanship and dancing.

Flamenco Dancer
San Martin de Tesorillo

A traditional Andalucian breakfast is Churos which is basically a thin doughnut mixture which is piped into very hot oil to form a sort of spiral doughnut. These can be bought at a little kiosk on Jimena town square on weekend mornings. They are best eaten piping hot dipped in sugar (sometimes salt)and accompanied by hot chocolate or coffee. It is possible to buy churos at the stall and take them into one of the bars who will provide the chocolate or coffee. Bad for cholesterol but very pleasant in moderation!

What's happening on the Farm?

We have made a start on establishing our organic vegetable beds which we hope will provide tasty fresh vegetables for our family, for our guests and for sale at our Farmers' Markets. The area we are working on was a kitchen garden about 40 years ago but has since become somewhat overgrown! After clearing it we intend to level it a bit and then dig in several tons of very well-rotted manure which we obtained from the local dairy farm last Spring. We have already established a nursery bed where we have several hundred herb and plant cuttings ready for planting or potting-on in February.

The wild flowers are beginning to show themselves; in particular the Camomile Daisies cover whole hillsides and give off a delicious scent as one walks through them. In fact, it is even better if you roll down such a hillside - we claim that it is just to entertain the children but really we enjoy it as much as them.

Mandrake