Biking & Baking in Las Alpujarras

We've had a busy and useful couple of days down on the huerto (kitchen garden), getting ourselves on the road for 2012,  What shall we plant and where?  How much goat shit do we need and are we ready to dig some in yet?  Can we remember where things went last time so we rotate our crops properly?  Today we sat in the sunshine with pad, pencil, thermos and biscuits, gazing out over the available space and pondering on the possibilities.  Then we did a lot more digging, put in a crab-apple tree, a redcurrant and a blueberrry, and lightly watered the broad beans (habas) and winter lettuces (lechugas).  The garlic is already out of the ground and looking good.

Tomorrow we will go for a walk as it is St Nicholas Day, my birthday (Steve's was yesterday, the poor old boy - 2 days older than I am) and forecast to feel like 17 degrees.  Probably about 0 just now with the moon up and a clear sky, but oh what fabulous sunsets we're having!  Or we might put on our leathers and get out on the roads...but so will half of Andalucia so maybe not! 

We are also planning a supper for our French and Spanish walking friends, sometime before Xmas, and my 'pudding' plan is three-fold: chocolate & chestnut truffle cake, pears in red wine sauce and delicate Florentine biscuits.  All fairly easy and can be made in advance to some extent.  The main course might be wild boar with mushrooms and the starter something with prawns and chilli, but not sure yet.  The there's tapas to consider as well...