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Organic Farming, Winters in Spain and the Author of Azalea and I
Continuing the fascinating experiences of Roberta, our author, this latest instalment introduces us to more influences that find their way into the exciting book and no doubt in the sequels to follow. Organic Farming, Winters in Spain, and The Author of “Azalea and I – On the Road” is part of a fascinating series, written especially for us. Sit back and enjoy the latest snippet from Roberta’s life…..
“Organic farm!
This was the next step. So much more peaceful. Another learning curve and trips around small farms or just peoples back yard plots. The Spanish love to help.
Once again, my little car was on the road. Cheaper to run than the large van and a bit more reliable. A lot more reliable – even if the heater was either off or one hundred per cent on full blast. This only mattered in winter of course when we would nearly die from too much heat in the car. Opening a window was not an option as my friend would immediately start shivering. I have practiced tolerance for a long time! Must do more.
It certainly can get cold in southern Spanish winters. Some days you can be in a T shirt and the next day you have a winter coat on and as many free-standing gas fires as you can afford in your house. The average house has gas bottles for cooking and heating. I am talking some years ago, but it hasn’t changed that much in the smaller towns.
Well — the new products on the finca came along. Fertiliser, seeds, part grown plants, curious Spanish who wanted to help but see what the strange Brits and Germans were up to – and how. Especially how. If you weren’t a Spanish farmer, it was assumed you wouldn’t know what to do. Even with advice. Maybe they were right.
My friend and I were not natural farmers though I have to say we gave it a very good shot. The plants grew, they were well tended, orders were taken from local shops and re-ordering was good. Not enough but that’s life.
It wasn’t all work and no play. After the 2 pm Menu del Día lunch which consists of three courses for a very reasonable price, while most headed home if they could or back to an office to snooze, I went to the beach. I would find a nice palm tree to sit under with a bottle of water and book. When it got too hot, I went for a swim. On one occasion heading for my dip I found loads of beached jelly fish. I was so sorry for them I found a plastic bag and started scooping them up one by one and returning them to the sea as far out as I could. Any time I found them I returned them, so I always had a plastic bag with me. The Spanish thought I was the mad English woman. Probably not only the Spanish — but I didn’t care. My conscience was clear helping these creatures.
So, what happened next? We did research opening a club. Now that in Spain is not a club. It is a type of “club” and they are completely legal (but this type of “club” are not legal in the UK!! If you get my drift!!). We decided against it due to total lack of experience and the fact that other local “club” owners would not have been happy! Maybe I’ll expand on that venture another day!”
R.M. Howe is an author, living in the Lake District, whose latest book, Azalea and I is selling fast on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats re – launched by Golden Storyline Publishers. Also in Waterstones. Azalea and I- On the Road is a light-reading novel, following two ladies as they romp across Europe in a chase of murder, mystery, suspense and comedy. The book has been described as a “refreshing read” and as we learn more about the author, we can understand how the characters of Barbara and Azalea from the book are influenced by the authors own life, experiences and the land around her, wherever she may be…..Roberta, our author, gives us a sneak preview into the life and times of a self-published author……