Runner beans.

On the way up to Yegen  about half way there on the right hand side,  is a very large flat area that in September is planted with runner beans.  This year 2 crops have been planted, the first in May and now the second lot are in.  This year for the first time we have heard an automatic bird scarer firing, when we first heard it we thought  'hunters'  but it was way out of season for them.  Mariano put us right about that when I asked what it was!  

Also for the first time we have seen lots of workers there.  In past years the beans and bamboo stakes have just appeared with no obvious signs of people - yes, I know someone's done the work but not when we've been out and about.  But this year there have been groups of people - about 8 or 9 - staking, picking, whatever.  We think it must be irrigated from the deposito that is on the hill above it and that is fed by a large tube from the stream that runs across the track between Montenegro and the entrance to the bean patch.

7.45 am - the start  of the days work and bundles of canes ready for staking the beans.

It's difficult to judge the size of the patch, but we reckon about 100 metres  each way which is going to produce one hell of a lot of crates of beans!  They must be for selling direct to the wholesalers,  one of our Paco neighbours sells his broad beans like that, half the market price but a guaranteed price.  Similarly 2 guys from Yator who grow cherry tomatoes get a set price from the wholesaler - 60 cents a kilo I'm told - maybe not much but a definite sale.

Talking of cherry tomatoes, ours haven't blown up or popped the lid or anything nasty so will do more soon.