Larry Lamb, Billy Kid and friends come visiting.

In Madrid on the last Sunday of October each year since 1994 nomadic 'Trashumancia' shepherds have exercised their right of passage for their flocks through the streets of the city. With the 'Trashumancia Fiesta' they are following and maintaining sections of the 78,000 miles of ancient livestock migration paths known as the 'Camino Real' that exist throughout Spain. Ancient migration, droving and grazing rights have existed since the 13^th century.

I mention this tradition because it was on Sunday 20^th January 2013 that we experienced an example of it – directly outside of our house, here in Orihuela Costa.

Close to lunchtime we noticed a noise that at first we thought was a baby crying. Gradually the noise level built to a crescendo, a cacophony of wailing. On opening our front door to investigate we were greeted by the sight of a flock of sheep and goats that probably totalled in excess of 750 animals on the land on the opposite side of our road. There used to be orange groves there before the developers moved in. Because of the crash in the property market the site has been abandoned and nature is reclaiming it.

This video is a précis recording of the visit: some of the animals crossed the road to attempt to devour the ivy growing on our front garden wall.

 

If you would like to know more about trashumancia here is a link to another video to watch: Pastores y Trashumancia

Coincidence or What?

During the last couple of weeks I have been reading a book entitled 'In the blood' [A genealogical crime mystery] by Steve Robinson. I hadn't read any of it for a couple days as I have been concentrating on writing my new short story: late this afternoon I decided to get back to reading the book.

A few minutes ago; at about 18:05 hrs. I read the following sentence: “According to the IGI Mathew Parfitt was christened on November 23^rd, 1803.”

How strange that today is November 23^rd. How curious that November 23^rd is also my birthday, not quite a christening, but close enough.

Is it a coincidence, is it a sign, or what? I think at least it might be an idea sometime for the plot of a short story.

Change of Life Journey 16 - Epilogue

I started my short series of  'Change of Life Journey' articles in the knowledge that our 6 to 7 week journey to the United Kingdom would almost certainly change the remainder of our lives; it would probably change how we live and possibly where we live in the future.

Having been back at our current home base in Orihuela Costa for a few days we have had time to reflect and evaluate. Our decision has been made. Our new plans for the future direction are being collated, co-ordinated, costed, and converted towards a more conclusive basis for a compatible future for us.

Our decision, like a pebble dropped in a pond, will cause ripples of reactions around us, decreasing in strength as time and distance goes by; the majority strong and good and a few not so good.

The recent short journey has now been drawn to a close as has this series of articles.

Our new extending future journey begins.