Archez - a lovely village in the Axarquia

It is a long time since I have written anything on here, so thought it was time.  It must be impossible to walk in the heat in Spain this year and some people  are probably praying for "winter" already.  However, will there ever be a winter as there was over 20 years ago when we used to sit on the balcony of our finca in Competa, drinking gin and tonic, even on Christmas Day. The weather has changed considerably since then, all over the world. The jury is out.  It is hot in those hills and although one can rest under the olive trees the sun soon shifts round so you are no longer in la sombra.  In any case, you are supposed to enjoying the glory of your surroundings and enjoying chatting to the local people, most of whom are probably hiding in their air conditioned fincas, these days.  Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, or any time during day light at all really.  As the skies do not often darken in the summer, unless there is a storm.  

Competa is a delightful village. We purchased our first house there for £12,000 in 1986.  There was no water or electricity, but there was a 20,000 litre water tank under the terrace.  Water was pumped by means of a connection to the car battery and a long pipe if we wanted hot water, though we needed a high pressure pump, and did not realise that at first. There was a hand pump on the wall, but there was a shower, so the previous Danish owners who used to go there for holidays had installed a water system at least to the bathroom and there was a sink in the kitchen.  The minute we saw it, we fell in love with it. 

Some years ago we wrote about the Donana National Park and its parallels with the Flow Country in Scotland.  Recently, we were reminded of that, as the Flow Country became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  So as getting back to nature is very much in the news these days, we thought we would revive it here.  One local person said "Hooray for Huelva".

There are many places in the world to get out and about. Spain has always been a favourite walking destination, and with the Caminos and the Senda Litoral there are so many places to get out and about. 7 June 2025 is World Trail Day and we celebrate by joining with those in Scotland which is also a great place to get out and about.  The route from Durness to John o Groats is a World Trail and last month we introduced our first World Trail Ambassador.

From the Flow Country of Scotland to the Donana National Park, there is something for everyone, so enjoy World Trail Day and get the best of both worlds.

We were thinking about the windfarms in Tarifa recently, which were built on a lattice framework, not on a tower.  Tarifa is the windiest place in Spain and has a wide range of activities.  There are a lot of excellent bars and restaurant and is a favourite spot for surfers.

We remembered then a solar farm near Almeria, so must look that up again shortly.  Off grid is no doubt easier in the south of Spain than it is in the north of Scotland.  We wonder if photovoltaics have improved since the 1980s.

Meanwhile from the transport point of view, juggernauts and lorries are fitted with catalytic converters or have additives in the fuel. Electric cars in the cities are fine. The next job is to look at the electric vehicle charging points in the Malaga area, then compare them with around Asturias on the Caminos and see what is going on there.

The Caminos are great places to walk.  From Santander you can walk all across the north coast to La Coruna, and down the coast to Malaga, and from there along the coast of the Mediterranean. Walking in the north of Spain is great in the summer, as it is cooler than in the south, and with the climate in Spain changing rapidly, we have to adapt with it, and ensure that we have the right equipment and be well prepared.

Asturias is green and beautiful, La Coruna can be quite busy, but full of history and there is a lot to see. The Caminos are a network of routes. They all have their own particular charm and identity, and well worth a visit. 

It is March, and a glorious time to be out walking in Spain before the weather gets too hot.  However, the recent deluge of rain may put people off in some areas.  The weather is changing in Spain and of course, all over the world.  We remember when we could sit outside the finca on Christmas Day eating our paella in glorious sunshine.  On my last trip to Spain in November 2024, it rained and rained and rained, which left a lot to be desired.  However, there are many nice events you can go to.

Spain has been generating its own solar power for years, and of course it has the climate to do so. They were also generating wind in the windiest part of Spain, Tarifa, in the 1990s.  It is old technology now, and we wonder whether it has been decommissioned and how.  We are investigating this in the Causewaymire Windfarm in Scotland, with whom Spain has great heritage links, and will report in due course.

Meanwhile, the tourism sector in Scotland is already getting busy, and it is only March.  Some parts of Spain are suffering from overtourism, but the sector continues to grow. There is still an appetite for beach holidays in Spain.  Scotland is seen to be too cold for beach holidays, but in the summer the hotspots such as a Dunnet, the area is packed with local people enjoying the pristine environment of the north.

There are many marine installations around the coasts of Spain, bringing community benefit and energy to the remote villages.  These are not only windfarms, but tidal and wave energy units. Of course, solar and wind are used in Spain, such as the old site at Tarifa, and it is easier to have solar energy in Spain.  However, as we start to look at marine energy in the United Kingdom, we can see that once again, the Spanish are ahead in their thinking.  It is very interesting to see this.  There is another blog about on Eye on Spain this here.

Art and nature are very much in our minds. Where better to practice your art than in the beautiful village of Competa in the foothills of the Sierras Almijaras.  We have been going there for over 40 years, and enjoyed walking in the mountains, chatting to the local people and even did some drawing of our own.

The peace and tranquillity of the hills around Competa is a haven for artists and writers.