I had a triffic day on Wednesday visiting Jaén apart from the fact that I forgot my camera that is and also the oldest tapas bar in Jaén that we were seeking was actually closed. Well, I suppose everybody is entitled to a day off even the owners of a bar that has been in the same family since 1881. I had read about Taberna El Gorrion in a blog Andalucia Explorer by Rachel Webb.

This was an uncommon day for me as I typically spend time in Jaén standing in queues in official buildings sorting out paperwork but on this occasion I was able to see the cathedral, Arab baths and the indoor food market as well as some fine tapas bars down windy streets that had probably been frequented by non-camera wielding Jiennenses* since, well from 1881 onwards.

The photographs and the oldest tapas bar around will have to wait for another day.

Meanwhile, whilst I was out and about my new cactus, kindly donated by friends in my village, had developed ears and that evening decided to burst into bloom.  If you want to know what a flowering triffid looks like then see below.

*Inhabitants of Jaén are known as Jiennenses.

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I have an agreement with the ants in my garden. They keep out of my house and I leave them alone after all they do a good job of cleaning up dead insects and aerating the soil as they go about their business. On the whole they help to preserve our ecosystem.

And if by chance they do chance their arm by entering my house I deter them by spraying a solution of vinegar mixed with water around the door entrance and window frames. It works for me and we all live happily.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; "We have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need.

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Or in my case a caminar en el campo. Within seconds of my front door is a track that skirts around my village through the olive groves. I walk this a route often, enjoying the tranquillity, wild flowers, rabbits, hares, birds and an occasional butterfly. I didn't see a single soul in the groves. I like that.

Chicória (Chicory)

The last of the poppies

I am in the heart of Andalucia’s olive growing region and no matter in which direction you turn you can see nothing but a green sea of olive groves.  If you don’t like olives then you’ll probably not enjoy this walk very much but I love it.  

Reserved for hunting

Caperones

The route takes a bit less than one hour which includes a visit to Frutas Mati for some fresh vegetables on the way back. Later I am going to cook something with the fresh and vibrant red and yellow peppers that winked at me in Fransisco’s shop.

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