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Self catering Watermill and village houses in the white village of Grazalema, at the heart of the Parque Natural "Sierra de Grazalema". Stunning country side. Selected houses also for sale


Sue taking a photo of an orchidIn this web-log you will read about the changing colours of the Sierra de Grazalema and surrounding areas through the seasons. Verdant spring is alive with birdsong and wild flowers, this melds into the summer heat with its chirring cicadas and a heavy scent of natural aromatic oils. The autumn rains signify re-growth as dormant seeds germinate within days blanketing the soil with green once again. These are a keen amateurs notes about the flowers, wildlife and general nature in and around the parkland. Some of the areas we explore may pique your interest for a future holiday or solve a question from a previous visit. Please make use of the comment board.

If the idea of a nature orientated holiday somewhere in Iberia interests you then search through the wide selection in our website Wildside Holidays



Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in March Print E-mail
Plants
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 00:00

Narcissi fernandesii group in the fieldMarch is accompanied by many spring flowers, the number of species rising throughout the month. Many can be seen adorning roadsides, pastures, arable field edges, mountainsides etc. Some of the larger bushes are obvious from a vehicle but other, smaller plants will remain hidden until you walk about if they are in singles, or are occasionally seen in swathes carpeting orchards.

 

Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 March 2010 21:45
 
Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in January Print E-mail
Plants
Friday, 15 January 2010 00:00

Almond in bloomJanuary is a busy time for harvesting the olive fruit and during this same month the almond trees begin to flower. Slopes scattered with these stark black, wizened trunks which appear lifeless, quickly turn to delicate shades of soft pink. Although these are orchard blooms, they are very photogenic and especially pleasing to the eye when combined with the wildflowers of broad-leaved iris beneath.

 

Last Updated on Sunday, 17 January 2010 21:36
 
Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in December Print E-mail
Plants
Monday, 07 December 2009 00:00

 

Red Mistletoe Berries

Although December may bring rain and frost to the mountains it is a time of growth, spurred on after the prolonged rest enforced by the heat of summer. This rainfall nourishes the ground and triggers the flowering and fruit production of a few species, a process which now picks up spead with more and more flowers appearing each month until the summer heat strikes again. This is part of an ongoing project to create a complete flowering calendar for the sierra.

 

Last Updated on Monday, 07 December 2009 20:34
 
Weather in Grazalema Print E-mail
General Nature
Sunday, 29 November 2009 00:00
An unusual cloud against a blue sky‘Grazalema has the highest rainfall records in Spain’, this is a phrase that is commonly found on the internet, but without further explanation could be very off putting to the holiday maker! Mountains will always alter their local climate where-ever they are in the world, and this is no exception. Note that only a few hours drive away at the eastern end of Andalucia is Europe’s only desert!

Last Updated on Sunday, 29 November 2009 10:14
 
Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in October Print E-mail
Plants
Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:39
Common Sternbergia
As the leaves begin to fall from the trees there are a few flowers to discover. Berries and acorns are ripening, decorating the countryside and providing food for wildlife. Many plants will only just be emerging as the rain will usually have encouraged the germination of many seeds by now, giving a lushness to the pastures and roadsides that had been dry during the summer. This is part of an ongoing project to create a complete flowering calendar for the sierra.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 19:24
 
Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in May Print E-mail
Plants
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 00:00
Yellow Retama covered hillsideMay is a fabulous time to walk, cycle or drive through these mountains as roadside verges, pastures and scrubland turn glorious colours with a varied selection of wild flowers. The springtime rains have ensured a vivid display and many plants compete for space in a hurry to flower and set their seeds before the ground dries out during the summer months. Hillsides can turn yellow with shrubby Retama, whereas the many meadows are a tapestry of pastel shades brimming with annuals.
There are also some flowers from the April wildflowers page still continuing to bloom.
Last Updated on Monday, 18 May 2009 13:55
 
Wild Spain by Teresa Farino Print E-mail
General Nature
Monday, 11 May 2009 14:59

Wild Spain by Teresa FarinoTeresa Farino's latest publication comes as a great surprise.... With many beautiful photographs supplied by Carlos Sanchez this book is a must for any visitor or resident with an interest in the wildlife and geography of Spain....I must admit I was expecting a kind of pocket or travel companion guide but at 24cm X 31cm this is more of a coffee table edition. That said if you are travelling to Spain and have the space... Take it....Well done Teresa, absolutely brilliant! Click the read more for more information and a link to buy the book!

 
Sierra de Grazalema wildflowers in April Print E-mail
Plants
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 08:46
Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum)
During the month of April the field borders and roadside banks transform after the spring rains from a lush green to a profusion of mixed colours as the flowering plants make the most of these ideal conditions. Bright 'planting schemes' can appear where soil has been cleared from winter landslips and left in mounds, now smothered in fast growing annuals that reach their peak before the summer heat arrives. As with the March page I have divided a selection of the more obvious wildflowers into colour sections.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 19:27
 
Spanish Fir tree history Print E-mail
Plants
Sunday, 01 March 2009 18:10
Mature Abies pinsapo in the Grazalema mountainsThe Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo), referred to in Spanish as 'Pinsapo', is one of the most appreciated plant relics of this area. It is an endemic tree species  which has both a high cultural and ecological value, although protected its status remains vulnerable. Once forming wide spreading forests which spanned the area there are now 3 mountain-side woodlands in South West Andalusia where this species can be seen.
Last Updated on Sunday, 01 March 2009 20:14
 
Beware of Pine Processionary Caterpillars Print E-mail
General Nature
Wednesday, 14 January 2009 11:02
'Candyfloss' nest of Pine Processionary caterpillarsWhen in Spain many people may wonder about scorpions, spiders and venomous snakes and will not be aware that they are much more likely to endanger themselves and their pets by getting too close to an innocent looking line of caterpillars that can be found crossing a pavement, road or footpath during the first months of each year. The pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) will, during late winter/early spring, be coming out of pine trees and forming conspicuous snakelike lines.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 15:42
 
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Where to Eat

The best places to eat in Western Andalucia!
Restaurant Al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
A stunning setting with lake views from the terrace in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch, dinner or innovative tapas. Chef Stefan Crites, who trained in New York for many years, re-interprets some of Spain’s culinary classics with a creative and exotic touch using local organic vegetables, top quality meat and fresh fish from the markets in Cadiz.

Hotels in the Area

Guest houses, Hotels and b&b's
Las Truchas
Las Truchas is a small hotel with a home from home atmosphere, located in the quaint town of El Bosque. Explore the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the White Towns Route (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos) that are situated within easy reaching distance of this hotel. You can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape from the hotel rooms.

Villa Turistica Grazalema
This hotel is located 500 metres from the charming village of Grazalema, a place characterised by its whitewashed façades, its narrow and windy streets and set in the centre of the natural park

Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Situated in the heart of the sierra de Grazalema natural park, Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a paradise for outdoor walking enthusiasts and is set in oak woodlands 5 kilometres from the village of Grazalema. It makes an excellent base from which to discover this stunning part of western Andalucia

Cortijo Valverde
Beautiful hotel with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside providing that special vacation destination for either a restful holiday, or a base from which to explore the many treasures that Andalucia and Inland Spain has to offer.


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