Chani's Creative Space

Wind is always present in some areas, especially along the Atlantic coast.  Wind, birds and rocks.  You are there and find this lighthouse, which is nothing special, but reminds you of many lighthouses that are crime scenes in Nordic noir books. Here, far in the south of Europe, you hear the cry of the seagulls and simply enjoy the song of the wind. Nothing is dangerous here. An exception in these days. View of the lighthouse in Sagres (Vila do Bispo, Algarve, Portugal) Other view of the lighthouse in Sagres

I love small villages with old houses, weathered doors, trees and cats all around. Like in Raposeira (Vila do Bispo, Algarve, Portugal).  Old door and medlar in Raposeira (Vila do Bispo, Portugal) Red door with potted plants in Raposeira Typical narrow street in Raposeira

There are many places that I would like to discover, there are some places that I would like to return to, and there are other places that I can visit over and over again, once or twice a year, without getting bored and always finding something new to marvel at. One of those special places is the small Spanish town of El Escorial, near Madrid, with its royal site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (World Heritage Site), but most of all, its park and gardens. (With my family close by, I am even obligated to be there twice a year ;-) For someone coming from Andalusia, it is so green and quiet. Yes, even with the tourists, if you take the train early enough.  Here some impressions from the park. Enjoy! Flowers in El Escorial Some fallen catkins in El Escorial Quince fruits on the ground in El Escorial Rock and moss  in El Escorial Moss on a wall in El Escorial

For a few days now we have had calima here in southern Spain, which means that a layer of red dust and sand from the Sahara is in the atmosphere, preventing the sun from shining through. However, the sky is not as orange as it was two years ago . Strong winds and high waves made some walks impossible today. Torremuelle (Bénalmadena, Spain)

A few weeks ago we discovered the Arroyo del Pantano river trail in Benalmádena (Málaga province, Andalusia, Spain). I found it by chance when I had to go to a nearby hospital: some workers were finishing the stairs. Of course it is not wild nature, but it is nice to walk there: you will see some trees and fields, hear some water (yes, water!) and birds.  View from the valley Arroyo del Pantano (Benalmádena)

Five months of life with us, day and night, dog from the cage! We adopted you like a cat in a bag because we saw five pictures. You're not perfect, but we didn't expect that. Neither are we. I like the idea of improving together. You are strong, full of surprises and your inconditional love show us every day that I life is beautiful.

These cherry tomatoes have been resisting bulldozers for months. Without water, without care. The big garden with the old manor house is gone. So is the beauty of the place.  Torremolinos, Montemar (Spain)

Last week we had some rain, finally! Only one day, but we tried to harvest as much of this precious liquid as possible. It is hard to live in a region with a permanent water shortage.  I wish we had better policies.

Neighbors are one of the best inventions in the world. If there is a place we have not been or something we have not seen, they have and they can tell you. For example, that in El Boquetillo, in Fuengirola (province of Málaga, Spain), there are many wonderful murals in Calle Valladolid and Calle La Paz. On houses that would probably qualify from "not special" to "rather ugly", artists have left their mark on the landscape. Their names are Mon Devane, Lula Goce, Lidia Cao, Murfin, Steve Camino, EL Alfil, Not Japi, Kato, Francisco Alarcón Pérez, Lalone, Nesui, José Fernández Ríos, Slim Safont, Wedo Goás y Lily Brick (I found them in a newspaper and I hope I did not forget anyone). I will go back there for sure. In the meantime, just enjoy!

In other parts of the world, people would eat these oranges, which are not good enough for us here, and whose only purpose is decoration. Until they fall to the ground. Fallen oranges in the calle Ermita (Torremolinos, province of Málaga, Spain)

  Sometimes, you need a new perspective in order to rediscover beauty.  The small park "Jardines del Muro" in Benalmádena Pueblo (province of Málaga, Spain)

I guess the new year has already become normal. Between horror stories and consumerism.  I thank those who do not give up their values and whose conscience still guides them on the path of life. Trail mark near the beach in Benálmadena (province of Málaga, Spain)