February update

Lots of interesting events happening this time of year.  We had the pigeon races a couple of weeks ago.  Last week we had cold, fierce winds that blew roofing tiles off and sent them crashing into the courtyard; scattering shards like shrapnel.  The blow kept me off the bike for five days.

Then a warm spell which brought the almond blossoms out early.  The cycle group did another foray over the mountains and into the Hondon Valley in which some orchard areas appeared snow-covered.  Back over the mountains again into the Vega Baja and homeward.  When I got near home, I decided to go an extra thirty kliks to log 161 and complete my (imperial) century for the year.  That leaves the Whaleback as the only cycling "must" this year.

Is and I cycled to Formentera on the Segura River trail yesterday; marveling at the fact that it was the first of February, and we were sweating in our shirtsleeves cycling in bright sunshine.  Pardon me while I crow about the weather.

Today was cool and windy again, but we hit the Orihuela medieval market again, this time with David and Margaret.  A great time, weather notwithstanding.  We gave paella a miss and hit the "massive bread" counter.  Dave and I had foot-long slices, an inch thick, topped with Morcillo (black sausage) and chorizo Criollo, respectively.  The ladies settled for monster slices of pizza.  A bottle of Jumilla crianza washed it all down well.  I couldn't finish mine, and brought one chorizo home wrapped in a third of the bread.

Next year we might have to have half a suckling piglet, or a rack or ribs or any of the countless other temptations that assaulted our nostrils as we wandered for hours.

Monday, we jump on a train and head off for Madrid to start the passport renewal process.  We'll take in the Thyssen Museum, do a couple of day trips to Toledo and El Escorial then return Friday.  "'talogo" (the Vega Baja way of saying, "Hasta luego")