Bloody Arsenal

February 26, 2012

WE’VE spent the last two days birdwatching in the Monfrague national park.

Despite decidedly bendy and narrow mountain roads, causing an occasional attack of the jitters to the passenger in a certain large vehicle, it’s a wonderful place, with zillions of vultures – griffon, black and even a couple of Egyptian - circling just a few feet over our heads, not to mention a golden eagle, black storks, and black and red kites.

The Hymer has behaved beautifully, and it’s so nice taking your home with you everywhere you go, so you can make a cup of tea – not to mention a smoked salmon sandwich - wherever you want. Glen has adapted happily to spending most of the day snoozing on one of the seats, and only occasionally barking at passing Spaniards when we’re parked. As long as he gets a good walk before we set out and again when we get back to the camp site, he’s fine.

Another new bird for me yesterday was a very pretty blue rock thrush, posing obligingly for a photo. David saw a Spanish imperial eagle but I managed to miss it. We’ve seen thekla larks, a black redstart, a hoopoe, and cormorants with white necks, which turned out to be a North African race, rather than a separate species.

The sheer numbers of birds in Spain, compared with Italy, are a joy. Even on our site, the air is filled with the chirping of countless sparrows foraging for crumbs. And up in the mountain viewpoints, or miradors, the trees are alive with the humming of bees, going about their business without bothering anyone. In fact, the absence of insects of the pesky kind is a real bonus.

We breakfasted today on toast – dry-fried in the frying pan  - with Alison’s marmalade. And the night before last I ate goat for the first time – a kid stew in the site restaurant. It was tender and not at all goaty, although this being Spain, it was very oily. Felt very daring. Other than that, we’re barbecuing.

Oh dear, and Spurs lost 5-2 to Arsenal after being 2-nil up.