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The New Improved Gallinero Kitchen/Herb Garden
It’s blossom time. I think I’ve told you about converting the little irrigation reservoir/swimming pool outside the front door of the Gallinero into a kitchen/herb garden, and how gratifying it was.
Last winter we got a neighbor to tip a couple of lorry loads of fresh soil on top and Mike prepared it with leaf mulch and sheep manure (the fertilizer of the gods…) In his enthusiasm he planted the plants a bit close together and then added two varieties of squash plants. Result: Amazonia. We can hardly get in there to pick the fruit. Still, it’s a lot of fun and we’ve been eating lettuce, onions and zucchini for weeks and we ate our first tomato yesterday. Such an event!
Meanwhile, in the end if we get some lovely butternut squash it will all have been worth it!
In the photo gallery that follows you can see some of the herbs in the garden. By the way, everything in the Gallinero garden is at the disposal of the artists who come here to work with me.
Things We Love About Granada — II/II
- Our Spanish neighbors, tremendously generous, helpful and hospitable
- Excellent fish, fruit and produce
- Paellas and barbecues on the terrace over wood fires
- Good sports facilities in Granada and most of the towns & villages
- Spacious and beautiful countryside for all outdoor pursuits
- Granada kid and lamb
- The lifestyle. Not as “relaxed” as you might think, as we both work, but not as insane as in other places
- Advanced attitudes on issues like human rights, freedom of speech, equality, abortion, social justice
- The roads. We didn’t realize how good they were till we visited the United States
- The way Spaniards hold their drink. In 40 years in Granada we haven’t seen a punch-up.
- Our artist and writer friends
- Always changingl morning and evening mountain light
- Poetry readings, book presentations, art exhibits
- Historic architecture, including the Alhambra
- Coffee/coffeeshops/breakfasts
- Professional waiters
- The outdoor markets
- Gardens
- The way Spaniards cherish children
- Nearby car trips
- Old-fashioned fruit: quince, medlars, madrones…
- Semi-tropical fruit: mangos, loquats, avocados, love apples…
- The morning glories
Things We Love About Granada — I/II
- Mountain hikes and picnics
- Hunting wild mushrooms/pine cones/firewood/aromatic herbs
- Wildflowers
- Breakfasts on the beach at Motril
- Lunch at the beach bar
- Summer nights everywhere
- Strolling in Granada
- Wine and tapas with friends
- Cold, damp winter days, roasting chestnuts in the fire
- Spanish friends who treat us like family
- The incredible little wrens nesting in the morning glories
- Every-day-but-Sunday garbage collection
- A whole new culinary tradition both cooking and eating
- The wines: varied, good, cheap
- The extraordinary health services
- Our stone farmhouse in the country
- The prices
- The climate. We didn’t come here for the sunshine, but we enjoy it.
- The siesta. Quality of life!
- The beautiful graffiti around the city done by “El Niño de las Pinturas”
- The street life. The sidewalk cafes are a way of life day and night.
- The health clubs, pools and spas; fine and reasonably priced
- The reservoir for swimming and kayaking
- The Sierra Nevada skiing, dining and bar hopping
- Grocery shopping at excellent, inexpensive supermarkets
- The water
Fancy a Guitar Making Course in Granada?
Fancy a guitar making course in Granada? Here’s your opportunity: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Granadas-luthery-School/200572580064211. Henner Hagenlocher is an old friend and a consummate guitar craftsman. Longtime Granada resident, he builds some of this city’s finest guitars. Henner speaks everything. Satisfaction guaranteed! 
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"El Gallinero"--An Artists' & Writers' Refuge in Granada 