Blog - written by Oska about life in and around the self catering holiday destination Cortijo Opazo in the Alpujarras, Andalucia, Spain.

This is my page, and that's me, tongue hagning out, enjoying the sunshine. As pedigree dachshund in chief, and officially awarded a prize as best puppy in my class - see link here - my job is quality control and looking after the welfare of the guests staying at Cortijo Opazo. Big responsibility, don't know how I find time for it all, but I think I'm doing OK. Anyway, on this page I bring you up to date with the various happenings at Cortijo Opazo and the world around us. I welcome comments, just address them to Oska at info@cortijoopazo.com. Thanks for reading!

By the way, I am supposed to mention that it's a pretty fab place for a holiday.

Click here to see past blogs:

June 2012

May 2012

April 2012

March 2012

February 2012

January 2012

Blogs from 2011

Blog from 2010

July 2012

Round up of the month

Yes, I know it's the last day of July and I know you have been waiting all month for the arrival of this blog, but what's a dachshund to do? It's summer, the fiestas are nearly upon us, and we've got plans to fulfil. Not only that but it's the Olympics as well so siesta has given way to watching sporting events. Today we were enjoying canoeing with one paddle - talk about hard - diving in unison with no strings attached, and show jumping - it should be called pole vaulting since that is what they do, but I'm told that is something else. I was very interested to see that the Olympics are not just for humans but that animals get a look in too, and I was wondering what events Ella and myself might enter for. Ella, obviously, would do well at the swimming events but it would have to be the freestyle race - has this ever been won by using doggie paddle before? I think she'd be quite good at gymnastics, although I have to say she's past her prime. She'd be no good at the shooting events since she hates loud bangs, but with those long legs, perhaps archery would be her forté. On the track, I don't think she is a sprinter, but anything over 200 metres she'd lick the floor. Ella says that there is a winter Olympic event she would like to find out more about, it's called 'Curling'.

As for me, well, I have many natural abilities it is hard to know where I should start my training. I have a streamlined body so obviously diving off the top board would be a natural choice - I hope you are picturing me now, in a spiralling descent towards the water. But wait a minute, I don't really like swimming. Is it possible to compete in the diving without actually going in to the water? Diving onto a soft matrees, now I'm good at that! Javelin, well, again I have the strength, but it is possible that I would be restricted by the shortnees of my legs. Go on, picture me throwing a javelin. Short legs might be a problem for canoeing; the same goes for beachvolley, handball, basketball and rowing (although I'd make a good cox). Having long ears might prove disadvantageous for sailing if they keep flapping in the breeze, and cycling is out because you are required to shave yourself before entering a race and I'd be forever in the locker room with a box of Gillettes. I think I'd be fine at judo and wrestling, but I can't even spell taekwondo. Pondering on this subject a little further I am starting to feel at a disadvantage, as if all the sports are tailored to tall thin people with long legs and arms. Anyone else feel the same inadequacy?

I have, though, found a sport that used to be included in the Olympics up until 1920, when Britain won the gold medal. It was also part of the programme of the ancient Olympics in Greece, and therefore has more right of a place than something modern like football or syncronised swimming. I am referring to the great and noble sport of the TUG OF WAR. With my sturdy legs, low body mass and strong jaws, I'd bring home the Gold for my home country of Spain, for sure. Better get in training, where's that bit of old rope with a ring on the end? Ella.....

To more news from Cortijo Opazo. Well, July, as expected, is ending on a hot note. It has been dry, which one would also expect for a mediterranean climate. What we didn't have this year, as those of you who are dedicated dogblog followers will know, was a mild and wet winter. It was dry. Very dry. We can remember scarcely more than five rainy days between November and May. Some of the rain came late so we hoped it would see us through, but about two weeks ago we coaxed the last drop of water from the irrigation pipe that reaches the top of the road, and that's it. No more irrigation water until it rains, maybe in September, but maybe not until October. With our reservoir a little more than half full we have had to cut down on watering to a drastic extent. No more liberally turning on irrigation system every night as we usually do. No more excited leaping over the lawn sprinkler for Ella and I. No, we pictured a long hot summer watching the plants getting weaker and weaker without enough water. But guess what? That's not how it is happening. Nature, of which I find myself firmly in the centre, is taking over. The plants are changing and adapting. Yes, it's true that a few of them are looking a bit sorry for themselves but the majority are hanging on in there and demonstrating what a dry climate garden should be like. To this end we are all excited here, coaxing on team CO, hoping to spur them on to survival by making them tough and not spoiling them with lashings of water. And it is working. We now have a way forward for the future of the garden. A radical change in our approach. Yes, the lawn may have to go, but Ella and I have managed to dig several unwanted holes in this anyway. Yes, there are some shrubs and perennials that will have to be changed, but we think we can create a genuine mediterranean dry garden on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and think what a talking point that will be. It's all I can do to stop myself digging up the delphiniums right now! So, before we change it too much, have a look at the garden as it was at the end of June this year by following this link

And with less watering in the garden there is less growth of the plants, which means less cutting back and less weeding, which also means less garden material to get rid of. We are planning now what to do with all that spare time. To this end the tall ones have bought themselves a new solar cooker. Yes, a cooker that works from solar power. Now, I originally thought this would involve a whole load of solar panels producing the high amounts of energy required to heat up an electric oven. How complicated, I thought! But no, it couldn't be simpler. A solar cooker is a clever little box of tricks, powered by mirrors, that can heat the interior up to 200 degrees centigrade. Fantastic! All done by morrors. Cooking lunch no longer makes the house hot, it has become an outdoor activity. The tall ones have enjoyed beef stew with black olives, vietnamese chicken curry, Moroccan eggs, a quiche or two, baked potatoes, and two differnet types of bread. All without spending a penny on fuel - although the solar oven itself wasn't a cheap gadget to buy. If you'd like more information about this marvellous product, follow this link

Or you can see what we've been up to by following this link

So, with many exceptions and omissions, that's July for you at Cortijo Opazo. August will be here tomorrow and already the area is filling up with Spanish coming to the mountains for their fiestas - more of that in the next blog. The accommodation here at Cortijo Opazo is pretty full for this month and next, but we'd always be pleased to see you you again when we have room. If you are thinking of a visit, then here is a link to our calendar. In the mean time, enjoy what's left of the Olympics. We can't wait to find out what will be in the closing ceremony; Danny Boyle seems to have covered everything, there's scarcely and English Rose untouched. Wait a moment, isn't there somebody who once adapted a song to include the line 'Goodbye England's Rose'? You don't suppose HE could be making an appearance do you? Hold on to your hairpiece and watch this space...

Yours, in sportswear,

Oska.

PS Big omission, the new girls are now laying eggs, beautiful white and brown ones, virtually five a day. There's productivity for you but is it an Olympic sport?

Readers' response:

Dear Oska

Thank you for your latest blog, you are a clever dog to send all those wonderful flower pictures.  I think they must feature the biggest display of blooms and colours ever produced in a Spanish mountain garden, I do hope it’s not their Swan Song.  Even so, we look forward to seeing the changes that will evolve in due course –  keep us posted!.

Put any thoughts of Olympic games out of your mind, as you said, your build is not in your favour, you just concentrate on walking and a bit of chasing.

A fanxx