While staying here in the mountains,  i meet a lot of people.   Some are friends,  some just momentary connections.   One thing I have noticed in particular,  is how the people who live here, and especially those who have lived here for years, become the land. The women are tough, strong, no nonsense.  It must be a survival thing.  They live in cortijos with uneven floors, low-beamed ceilings, wood that needs chopping, compost loos, land with wild boar, gardens or wild land which are in constant need of attention, acequias which need maintaining lest they overflow and flood their homes or land.  These women are like rock. Like mountain rock.  I make the observation about the women because it’s such a contrast to the women in the UK.  Maybe that’s partially why i am drawn here. I feel I  need a bit of that energy for a time.  To be honest I am not made for that hard life,  although it’s wonderful to dip in and out of occasionally.  To build fires in the evening and really feel the rhythms of nature, but I feel like a romantic dreamer compared to these tough courageous women.  I don’t need to be keeping nature at bay; i need to be observing it.  I need my painting time, my time to dream and walk and sit and watch.

I live by the sea, so I feel I embody more the energy of water.  Fluid,  malleable, changeable, tidal, soft, sometimes strong, emotional. On further reflection though,  I don’t want to become tough.   My favourite country is still Spain   but i am more inclined to be by the sea these days. The sea and Spain seems like a plan for future days.  Then i can still come and drink mountain water and walk the magic pathways.

The full moon has been very powerful; the light intoxicating.  My trips to Ferreirola for the water have been like manna.  Up there in la Taha the energy is like no other i have encountered.  Rarefied,  magical, otherworldly.  I feel i have taken a journey to another dimension when i am there.

It’s my last evening here. Today i decided to just paint and sit and drink coffee, soak up the light, walk a bit.   I even bought a beautiful dress. It’s hard to find clothes here that are not too hippyish but i found one.

I love the sounds of the church bells,  the mopeds, and just looking at the mountains fills me with rapture.  I feel emotional leaving and can’t wait to come back.

The painting below is entitled The Magdalene Birds.