Hello again Xanadu-ers!
Summer is here – well it is for us Brits. The Spanish are not sure and are still wearing jeans and jumpers and carrying a jacket in the evening! We’ve noticed from living here for almost 5 years now that, for the Spanish, summer begins at the end of June and finishes promptly on the 1st of September, even if it’s still 30 degrees in the shade! I’m only mildly exaggerating but it is one of the little things we love about Spain and the Spanish way of life, up here in the mountains at least.
Our season has started with a bang. Not literally thankfully but with some great weather to welcome our first guests of the season. There’s nothing that screams ‘holiday’ as much as a clear blue sky and we’ve had plenty of those and the rain we had during the early part of the year has left the garden looking fairly lush..at least for now. As you can see from the photo, the Boule court is finished and we’ve added a new small terrace with a Bali bed so our guests can enjoy lazing around in yet another location if they get tired with looking at the pool!
So far this year we have had some new visitors as well as returning guests and nationalities ranging from English to Spanish, Dutch and even South African! We are becoming truly multi-nationalJ So far everyone has walked onto the pool terrace and said ‘wow’ at the view and they’ve enjoyed the food (thank you to one of our lovely guests for calling it 5 star but I don’t want to raise expectations THAT muchJ) and the ambience here at Finca Xanadu – what more could we want!
In May some of our guests wanted to go walking and, as it was just the four of us we took off for a couple of walks during their stay. Basil the dog was very happy with these guests! We had a great walk – about an hour and a half – around the valley from the house where there are several ruined mills and past the Caves and prehistoric burial ground where the ayuntamiento (town hall to us) have put boards telling you about their history. Our second walk was in the Natural Park in the Sierra Maria where we walked through the pine woods to a Mirador at the top looking across the spectacular view of the Sierra…and finished off with beer and lunch at the wonderful restaurant in the park before returning for a well-earned swim and doze by the pool. We enjoy walking and are happy to take you if we are able (although in high summer it’s a bit too hot) or give you directions if you want to set out alone. Likewise for other local sightseeing trips.
Of course not all our guests want to do anything strenuous at all. For many a good book, good food, cold drinks and a sunlounger are all they need and we are happy (except Basil of course!) to fit in with their needs.
At the moment we still have some availability in September although starting to fill up in the first 2 weeks and in early October for the slightly more hardy so if you want to join us this season get in touch quickly!
Whatever you’re doing, have a great summer!
Gina & Richard x