El Poleo, Andalucia 30th Aug

As we crossed into the province of Andalucía we were totally gob-smacked by the change in scenery. It is STUNNING! We have also never in our lives seen so many olive trees. They are everywhere!
We were invited to stay at Pat's girlfriend's villa in the village of El Poleo, Pat mysteriously told us to park at the church, and then phone them, and they would come and meet us. However Tomasina, let us down! :-( She didn't recognise El Poleo, so I tried Priego de Cordoba, which is the nearest town, where Pat lives, but we ended up in the completely different village! We called Pat for help, and he gallantly drove out to us, suggesting that we wait in the garage where we had just filled up. I think we worried the lady there a bit, maybe she thought I was after another free lollipop!
We followed Pat up olive tree strewn hills to El Poleo, and then understood why we had to park in the village. The track to the house was almost non-existent in places, and way too narrow for our van where the road literally fell away on a tight bend, the gradient was also about 1:4, which was no problem for Pat's BMW. But then we got to the house! And the VIEWS!!!
We are staying here for 17 days - can you blame us?
They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, so I'll let Nick's Nikon do the talking:

House from the pool;

The dogs have total freedom here to wander where they like. There are no roads nearby and no livestock to worry about. There is a bar in the village, but it has been closed for the Fierra (holiday period), so Ginny hasn't found it yet!
We climb up to a track above the house, and then we can walk for miles with the dogs, the only people we see are those working on the olive trees. The dogs take themselves off when the want to. I don't think they are going to be too happy when they are trapped in the van again!

There are loads of ruins in Spain. Edwina's house was one - once!

Edwina's house seen from above:

Olive trees galore:

Happy labs!

What a place to live!!

Nick's favourite picture. He says it says it all: House, pool, mountains and olive trees - and of course the rising sun!

This one looks like a peacock - or a firework!

View from one of our bedroom windows:

Living room:

One of the patios with orange trees:

The pool is fabulous, perfect temperature, 10 meters long. I have got up to 20 lengths without stopping which is pretty good for me. The dogs have been very good and not attempted to get in, but it is like a role reversal, with them running up and down while I swim. When I take them to Churston  or Elberry cove, it is me running up and down while Suzy swims!