Summer in the Sierra
Dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we are writing to you with the next issue of the Taramona Diary.
The month of August in Cazalla de la Sierra is a never ending series of Fiestas and Ferias showcasing the local culture. Our favourite of the summer is the Carrera de Cintas or a ribbon race on horseback. The main square is layered with a fresh coat of Albero (the yellow earth which gives that iconic brightness to the bullrings of Spain) in preparation for the revival of a medieval tournament where the ‘knights’, in this case any villager with a horse, showcase their valour and athleticism, galloping with a spear or hook towards a set of hoops on ribbons to a chorus of booing, heckling and cheering from the crowds.
The huerta has outdone itself and it looks like we may be eating sun dried tomatoes into Spring next year. We even managed to load up the car with suitcase-fulls (Yes - suitcases!) of green peppers, chilli peppers, baby aubergines and greengages to take to our family on the coast. The children partake in the watering of the vegetables daily, completely ferrel and naked, they dig out gullies between the rows of tomatoes and cake themselves in the cool mud formed by the water that flows from the spring. The flavour that comes out of our produce is most definitely thanks to the giggles and joy that permeate through the garden at watering time which has become a wonderful family ritual and a great tool to get anyone to eat some vegetables. Somehow when they pick it themselves they are more enticed to try a green bean… I think I’ll start organising dinners in the vegetable garden next summer.
Our old wooden ladder is permanently waiting at the foot of the pear tree for our frequent visits to its highest branches and the arrival of the figs marks the beginning of the end of the heat, a bitter sweet feeling as we also begin to spend more time preparing for the upcoming season. We’ve been stewing pears in red wine and indulging in Nacho’s Fig Tart.
We are excited to share that in the Spring we harvested our first batch of Merino Wool from our neighbour’s flock. Although the Merino breed originated in Spain in the 12th century, the wool production for garments has been lost, and today, the wool itself holds no real value. In its hay-day it was as valuable as gold and we think this lost culture is worth trying to revive. So, we sent our wool off for cleaning and have been delivered enormous skeins of soft, natural coloured, Andalusian, Merino Wool which still smells of the country it was grown in. Together with our local experts (AKA the village grannies) we have designed Jumpers and Cardigans inspired by the traditional country-wear of the Sierra, all fastened using our hand made deer antler buttons and hand knitted by wonderful women who have endless stories of the wool and our town Cazalla.
The Merino Wool Jumpers will be the centre piece in our recently opened Taramona Farm Shop. When you come and stay with us, be it on a ride with George or to enjoy the house, the shop is there for you to browse. It’s a representation of artisanal and local traditions from the area and Items range from dark green, hand painted bowls from Granada, hand woven woollen ponchos from Grazalema, locally made deer antler pocket knives, traditional riding boots from Ubrique and delicious chorizos, cheeses, honeys, Seville orange marmalade and prized Jamon Iberico.
While preparations for the start of the riding season are underway, we’ve also been plotting and planning a few new events for the Calendar. Come and join us for a weekend of walking and foraging through the Sierra Morena, or be a part of our Olive Harvest and take home your own hand pressed extra virgin olive oil. Stay over Christmas and enjoy Taramona in the down season with long walks followed by candlelit lunches in old dining rooms with crackling fires.
Next Spring our friend Sally will be joining us to host our next Taramona Yoga Retreat. Think large Rajasthani tent perched on a hilltop as a Yoga Shala just a short contemplative morning walk through nature from our XVIth century home, meditative nights under a canopy of stars (the best in Spain), and deliciously nourishing meals cooked by Nacho. A weekend immersed in nature that will realign the senses and restore you.
We’re excited to share all of these wonders with you.
Héloïse and Gigi