Don't know what to call this

This has no title because it's just a general update about things since the last post of 10 days ago...

..our neighbour Mariano came down from Valencia for a week and dropped in to say hello and did we know the track up from Yator to Montenegro is due to be concreted in the New Year? Depends on who you talk to as to which month it'll be started, anything from January, March or April with about 3 months work, so watch this space for photos etc.

..we pruned out lots of the new growth from the almond trees that overhang the side vegetable garden and the sheds, burnt the trimmings and other rubbish and dug the ash into the raised beds.

..took the Hyundai 4x4 to Motril for it's ITV (spanish MOT) but needed a new tyre - yes, another week, another car, another new tyre, but that's living up a track for you! Luis in Cadiar can't get another one for a couple of weeks so it really is an off road car till then!! Not all the tyres have to be the same make, but the front pair and back pair do, you can't have 3 + 1 so we had to re-order from Luis. When your car passes it's ITV you get a sticker for the windscreen, November 09 is pink, drive it past that date and it's obvious that it's illegal and the Guardia will stop and fine you.

..still picking and drying chillis, it's getting difficult to see out of the kitchen window now as they are all hanging outside, along with bunches of sage drying. It's a really good place to dry stuff as it gets the sun and breeze but is recessed so protected if it should rain. We've dried basil and mint there this year already, but the chillis are much more colourful.

..raking up about 2 large bucketfuls of leaves a day for the composts, that is if I get to them before the breeze blows them away! It's easy in the front garden as they all collect in the corner, but outside where we park the cars, the wind blows them all into the chumba (prickly pear cactus)

..and finally, the sun continues to shine. Although it is cooler first thing - 11 when we went out this morning but it was nearly 19 in the shade this afternoon. Definitely t-shirt weather and still no need for a fire at night. November 30th last year it snowed! 4 inches when we woke up that morning but unless there is a huge change in the next day or so, I don't think we'll see snow this month.