Blog #Rita

Partiendo de Ronda, nos dirigimos al inicio del Valle del Genal, que comienza con el hermoso Bosque Encantado de Parauta. Luego continuamos hacia Cartajima; al pueblo azul de los Pitufos, Juzcar; pasamos por Farajan; y llegamos a Alpandeire, ciudad que venera a Fray Leopoldo, un santo de reciente canonización. Almorzamos en Alpandeire.

"Animal House" is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce and Donald Sutherland. ​The film is about a trouble-making fraternity whose members challenge the authority of the dean of the fictional Faber College. "Animal House" became one of the highest-grossing comedy films of all time. This article has absolutely nothing to do with the film, by the way.

I turned 75 on May 18th 2025, last Sunday. I was in Germany at the time attending the confirmation of my third German grandchild, which was on the same day. On May 19th I started two-and-a-half-weeks "de Rodriguez". On that date I flew back to Spain, while my good lady, German Rita, lingered in Germany to catch up with family and friends and to attend the latest Familientreffen, family reunion.

The last four weeks have been incredibly busy for us, with lots going on. It all started with the death of a Pope, continued with a massive power cut in Spain and Portugal, May Day, my dad's birthday, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the naming of the new pope, a confirmation in Germany and ended on my 75th birthday. Let's take a look at what's been going on .....

I grew up in a rural area in North Devon (England) where I lived in three different houses between the ages of nought and 14. I remember that my Dad, from rural South Wales, always had either a garden or a big allotment. Here's my story of how I went from being a novice English gardener to an apprentice Spanish jardinero, despite the challenges: hot sun; ice cold winters; heavy rainfall; pests; exhaustion; poor quality soil.

The Olive Press has recently published an article about five less well-known places away from the popular big cities, like Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Málaga, Sevilla, and Valencia. The choices are good ‘uns. I’ve been to all five. Here’s what I think:

Justo cuando me estoy preparando para solicitar la ciudadanía española (el plazo finaliza a finales de enero), el país está haciendo todo lo posible para disuadirme de hacerlo. En primer lugar, dos de las fuerzas policiales españolas me han cabreado muchísimo y, además, dos lugares me han convencido de no volver nunca más. ¿Cuál es la historia?

Eso será diferente. ¡Mi primer "de Rodríguez" navideño o "Home Alone"! "Libre y sin preocupaciones". ¡Por primera vez en 74 años! ¿Qué está pasando? ¿Mi esposa me ha dejado? ¿O hay una explicación más sencilla? Esto es lo que estoy planeando...