31 August 2025
Whims with the flock
Our flock of chickens gained five new hens. The real summer is behind us, the harvest is in and the fifth Olive week is coming.
We ourselves find September, October, November, April and May the nicest months: good temperatures to be active. Come and relax, recharge and enjoy.
And did you know that in Dutch a group of chickens is called a 'klucht', 'kluft' or 'toom'?
Five hens joined the flock
In earlier posts we reported on the foxes, who liked to come and see whether there was still a chicken to be nabbed. Reason enough for us to fit the entire outer fence with barbed wire, in the hope of keeping the fox out. That matters, because we have added five new hens, rescued from small cages in the shop.
The 'old hands' took them straight out on a tour of the garden. For the first few days the newcomers stay close to the night coop, but gradually their territory expands. Led by Nora and Mica, they now do the rounds of half the garden. And a visit to our guests is, of course, part of the tour.
From the rock you see everything better
And what we hope for, of course, are the eggs. Cackling fresh, and you may take that literally: after laying, the achievement is announced with a great deal of noise, so the whole neighbourhood can share in the joy.
Do not let the weather hold you back
While large parts of Spain struggled for weeks with temperatures above 40 degrees, we were once again spared. In the news Spain is often seen as one whole, whereas the differences are enormous in a country twelve times the size of the Netherlands.
In our green, mountainous region a pleasant breeze blows through the valley every afternoon. For one week the thermometer here touched 40, but it feels different. For most of the summer our guests enjoyed temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees.
A rich harvest
The result of a wet spring and a not-too-hot summer: lots of figs, almonds and the black pods of the carob tree. And this year we picked almost 800 kilos of grapes, of four varieties: Giro, Syrah, Monastrell and Tempranillo.
After picking comes the sorting
The grapes are now fermenting and we have high hopes for them.
Book more than three months ahead, before 31 December, and you get a 5% early-booking discount.
Julia found a successor: Martha
Julia, Sacha's KitchenAid food mixer, gave up after 25 years. Luckily Martha was ready within a week, so hardly anyone noticed that the baking briefly faltered.
The most delicious cakes and pastries come out of the oven again; on Sunday mornings we treat our guests to them, as many reviews also mention.
Olive week 2025, the fifth edition
The fifth Olive week takes place from Monday 27 to Friday 31 October. Four days, fully catered, among the olive trees: a little physical work in the morning, then enjoying the valley, culinary highlights and each other's company. You take the beautiful olive oil from 'your olives' home with you. We still have a few places, so do not wait too long.
See the Olive week →First the low-hanging fruit
What participants say
Marcel van Houten, Olive week 2023
Seize the day. Picking olives with other people who love life, and tasting the first oil after pressing, leaves you wanting more. The lovely catering, the walk, the wine tasting and the good conversations make it complete. From now on, olives will remind you of this wonderful experience.
Out and about
Book for autumn or spring
September, October, November, April and May are, as far as we are concerned, the loveliest months, with pleasant temperatures to be active: padel, hiking, golf, or simply doing nothing under a carob tree. Come on your own or with a group, and we will put together a tailor-made programme. Sunny greetings from Lliber, Sacha and Schelto.
Plan your stay →