LAND LOG: 2007 Summary
General:
While it was too late for us to plant vegetables this year once we had replaced all our tools, our chickens have worked very hard. They have steadily produced dozens of wonderfully tasty deep yellow-yolked eggs through the year and even managed to hatch one young one who has just started to lay too.
We acquired two cats, twin brothers called Mi and Yow July. They live on the utility terrace and are extra-ordinarily loving despite the fact they spend a great deal of time alone. Mi loves the chickens and somehow can get into the chicken run (but not out again) and we often find him asleep with them. Yow is always first to greet us and follows us purring everywhere we go.
The trees are progressing but the dry autumn and winter has meant that we have had to continue irrigating much longer than last year.
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
We awaited the planning permission that had been due in December 2006.
The Ministry of Public Works passed the application, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Culture still did not respond.
MARCH
The finca was robbed and all equipment, power tools and solar panel were taken. No insurers will insure the property as nobody lives there. It was necessary to find sufficient funds to replace all the stolen items. This took a little while!!
A wall was built behind the Pergola terrace
APRIL
The Ministry of Culture informed us that they required a report from recognized archeologists to confirm that the Finca was historically not connected to the ruined Moorish castle after which it is named (Castillo de los Moros)
MAY
All the planted terraces were cleaned of grasses prior to June’s hot sun and the start of the brush fire season.
Work started on the summer kitchen next to the pergola
The robbers of the Finca were apprehended (4 underage Rumanians, 3 boys and a girl)
JUNE
A company of archeologists were found but were unable to complete the required work until September
Work to make the utility area of the Finca more secure commenced
A new shaded roof was created over the chicken run
JULY
A pergola to provide shade was built over the caravan and a patio base under it.
AUGUST
Steps and a slope were created to access the pergola terrace
The entrance to the Finca was concreted
SEPTEMBER
The archeologists completed their report – it said there was no connection between the Finca and the Castillo
OCTOBER
A 24 hour storm that casued huge damage in the valley left the Finca almost unscathed
A retaining wall was built on the terrace below the summer kitchen
NOVEMBER
Access to the utility terrace and the ground inside the new secure compound was concreted
Gravel was laid on the rest of the terrace
At last the letter from the Council to say we had our planning permission arrived – only five years since we started the process!!
DECEMBER
Construction of walls and pillars for an entrance gate commenced.
Land logs from other months:
Summer 2006
Spring 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
Earlier in 2005
Select these links to find out more about the project.
Introduction
Outline layout
Our project plans
Planting and landscaping
Building activities
Before, during and after images
The team
Casa Amelia at La Finca de Castillo de Los Moros is in the Lecrín Valley south of Granada, Spain.
Email enquiries: info@casaamelia.com