Gastor, Spain

July 18, 2015

The pueblo blanco El Gastor is bounded by the El Algarín and Las Grajas mountains. The region has been settled since prehistoric times and around El Gastor evidence has been found of dolmens, or Megalithic burial grounds. The most famous of these is El Charcón, commonly known as the ‘Tumba del Gigante’. This ‘Giant’s Tomb’ dating from the Bronze Age is formed by three-meter high stone pillars and a nine-meter long passageway, similar to the Dolmen de Menga and others near Antequera. The town is crazy steep and it was almost scary to drive up through the town.  Then the walk up to the Dolmens was also ridiculously steep.  A fun event of the town is a running of the bulls’ type of thing with three separate bulls at different times of the day go through the main streets in Gastor. How’s that for traffic issues. Gastor also has a museum dedicated to El Tempranillo, one of the most famous bandits in 19th-century Andalucía.

June 2015 Anchor

The lawn 15SEP15 progress.  Thanks to Rod and Ileene for keeping an eye on the yard.

This was from our visit to the Anchor in June. The projects were to dig six inches down for the eventual placement of the back patio/porch, the irrigation system and a couple finishing things in the kitchen and bathrooms. We also were able to fly over the house with Rod and take some pictures from the air.

The irrigation system was completed mid-July.

Espera, Spain

July 11, 2015

At the peak of the hill over the town of Espera is the Castillo de Fatetar. The high vantage point lends the site to be an excellent for defense. The view over the surrounding lands is extraordinary. The foundations are Roman with evidence shown in finding pottery and coins.  Arab control came in 914 AD by Abderraman III. His contribution to the structure is the square-shaped keep and window openings framed with an alfiz, both typical Arabic construction styles.  Then the castle went into Christian conquest in the mid 13th century, who also added more expansions and renovations. It was abandoned by the 16th century. Then the French moved into the castle during the Napoleonic wars and restored the castle in 1810.  At the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1814, the castle once again fell into disuse.  In 1984, a full restoration began to its present state. The castle has a rhomboid shape with access through a pointed arch gate onto a ramped corridor.  Then inside the outer wall is the cubical keep with a very thick wall.

Month 12

Month 12 was happily spent back in the US in Wyoming and Maryland.  It was so amazing to spend that much time with family.  He loves his walker and standing up.  He is also an avid climber and will get into everything forbidden.