Cortijo Los Lobos - Rural mountain retreat

24/01/2025

I have just realised that I have a thing about Oak trees 😁, I can't stop taking photos of them. Luckily we have lots around us . It was such a beautiful day , reaching an incredible 20 degrees in the shade on the thermometer down at the horses. I made some curtains for Lily before the sun came up but had to take the dogs for a walk once it warmed up, too good to miss. Milly enjoyed a swim in the river and this evening, after a few hours of painting indoors I even persuaded Clive to come for a walk with me . We walked along the river and up to the Cien Caños water pipes. There is very little water, hopefully some rain forecast next week might top it up. We passed the little grotto further up and the Virgin del Pilar hermitage. I can't resist taking photos of the houe and garden through trees, there is something about the light, though it never looks as magical on camera. The view through the carob tree down to the horses is one of my favourites, as is the gravel courtyard area. Another obsession seems to be taking photos of Bonny and Twiggy, why are they so photogenic ? 😍. Naughty Annie was at it again eating the cat food. I moved the dishes down to the bench and then another hen started eating it! Poor cats, funny that they let the hens scare them off 🥰. Still musical beds in Lily's kitchen, this time Olive was on Milly's bed

23/01/2025

Last night we got a last minute booking for arrival today for two couples and a baby for El Establo. I like the way the twin room looks when it's made up as a super king ❤️. Clive trimmed Fern's feet this morning then he put a new tap on the El Establo shower as the old one was dripping and it wasn't a case of needing a new washer. After getting the cottage ready and doing some more painting I took the dogs for a walk. I don't think I've seen such thick almond blossom, it was like a fluffy cloud. Talking of clouds, there were some distant white clouds on the walk with some strange looking very dark grey clouds inside, almost like smoke. I must have tired the dogs out, Milly was straight on Chino's bed when we got back but Chino didn't care, he just got on the sofa 🤣.

22/01/2025

The horses were very glad to be back on their paddocks today. The ground is already so hard it's as if it never rained. I thought we were going to get more than just a few hours of rain on Monday. Never mind, I think we've got more heading our way next week. Bracken had her feet trimmed and naughty Fern wasn't happy that she wasn't getting treats too, so knocked Clive's tool box on the floor. Marmalade thought Milly was a comfy surface to sit on 🤣. Poor Annie, she was nesting over Christmas but abandoned it due we think to being disturbed but then started another nest in the garden. She had got to 18 eggs again with Clive swapping some every day for eggs laid by the other hens to hopefully give her some fertile ones. Sadly, two days ago the plants surrounding the nest had been flattened by something, probably one of the dogs, and Annie has now started laying in the hen house, poor girl. So now we have a mountain of eggs to eat as they are all quite fresh still. I started filling the cracks in the dining room and Clive decided to make some new brass weights for our old weighing scales - such a clever clogs 😊. It was 18 degrees this afternoon so I took the dogs for a walk down to the river. The periwinkle is in flower everywhere ❤️

21/01/2025

I think the garden looks happier after the little bit of rain yesterday and the Marigolds are popping up everywhere. I made a start on decorating the living room, taking the curtains down and washing them. I'm surprised they didn't disintegrate as they are over 30 years old! Lots of cracks were revealed, all part of the joy of living in a very old house with no foundations, luckily it moves back and forth so it won't fall down 🤣 ( and the cracks are only hairline). It does mean that filling the cracks is a thankless task though as, when it moves back the filler is pushed out as the cracks close again, all good fun 😁. The horses look like fluffy teddy bears, their coats are so thick. Picasso was determined to get Leo's evening feed, naughty boy and Olive looked like she had her eye on Bella's too! I started a jigsaw in the rain yesterday and have found this one quite addictive. Luckily I've finished it now so I might get some more work done tomorrow 🤣

20/01/2025

Quite apt with today being blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year that we had grey skies today and a bit of rain this afternoon. The horses are safely on the concrete in case their mud gets slippery, shame to have to mess about as it is supposed to be sunny again tomorrow but worth the effort. Strange how the weather can vary so much. On this day last year we were grouting the pool in hot sunshine and 10 years ago we had snow! A coincidence that my photo memories also showed that we decorated the living and dining room 8 years ago as we are planning to decorate again this week. If you're feeling fed up today why not think about booking a holiday with us to have something to look forward to? Mention this post and we'll give you a 10% discount 🥰.

19/01/2025

I noticed this fallen oak tree trunk again today on my dog walk. It has been laying there for at least a year - all that lovely firewood! Bella followed the dogs around when we got back, I'm glad she doesn't still try to join us on walks, it always used to worry me. After poo picking and trimming Leo's feet,Clive sanded down and oiled the wooden worktops in El Establo. Some guests just before Christmas burnt a big ring next to the hob with a hot saucepan. Unfortunately he couldn't get rid of the mark completely but it's not too bad. He also put a rubber fl**ge around the trees in the tree house roof to stop any leaks before the rain tomorrow. The Chinese gooseberry plant is in flower, I do wonder how it tolerates the cold overnight temperatures at this time of year but we are lucky that it is very rare that it drops below zero even down at the horses where it's more exposed and the courtyard is a bit more sheltered . My afternoon read by the pool to make the most of the sun before a wet looking week ahead was badly timed as a big patch of hazy cloud blocked the sun. Of course as soon as I went in the sun came out again 🤣.

18/01/2025

I'm making the most of the dog walks in lovely weather before the rain comes on Monday. It was the perfect day for getting jobs done outside, first putting horse manure on the trees in the secret garden. It is so beautifully rotted down it looks like potting compost. Marmalade and Bella kept us company on the deck, I do love the peace down there, we will get around to having a little sleepover one of these days 😁. Also my favourite place to view the horses. The Pyracantha is in flower and I love this delicate pink creeper on the car park, I can't remember what it is called but I have a feeling it is related to Vetch. The other major job was to remove the processionary caterpillar nests, not a job for the faint hearted. I had a nice read by the pool this afternoon and noticed that the ash tree has suddenly sprung to life, spring is just around the corner though the weather is so confused I think it might have started in November! There were some cute little clouds over the mountain in an otherwise clear blue sky. If anyone is thinking of a winter break, you could be this lucky 🥰.

18/01/2025

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Thinking of an Easter break? We are almost fully booked but have the following dates :- El Establo up to the 10th April, El Granero 3 nights 19th to 22nd April . The secret garden is available for the whole of April at the moment. Dates are starting to fill for late spring and summer so don't leave it too late. You could also book a last minute winter break, you can be very lucky with the weather and could even fit in some skiing! We have lots of availablity in January, February and March.

Come enjoy the breathtaking mountain views and a spectacular rural location, heated pool and whirlpool bath in our charming farmhouse accommodation near Malaga.

17/01/2025

Today we decided to do a walk that we had wanted to do for a while, since we saw the signs from the view point at Hondonero in the mountains above our neighbouring village Rosario . We decided to start it from our end, by the quarry and set off in the direction that the sign was pointing. There were literally no further posts and we had to rely on Clive's maps on his phone, which fortunately kept signal. We clambered through olive groves, mostly up hill, over streams and through brambles, it was quite an adventure and we kept in the general direction. We finally found a post and the trail that led to the view point and then started following it back towards the car in the hope that in this direction it would be easier. It was great until we got to the quarry where everywhere was fenced with high fencing and barbed wire , a lot of it looked new and we can only think that as the trail fizzled out there that it was supposed to carry on . We tried to walk around but the only way back was to climb through some fencing , it was quite a challenge but good fun. It's a shame that the sign posts are so few and far between and the track ends so abruptly or it would be a lovely walk. We saw more caterpillar nests and lovely gorse in flower everywhere. The mountain iris were also in flower, it was very beautiful. Lots of signs of wild boar too, slightly intimidating when we were in the middle of nowhere 😁, I just kept telling myself that they were nocturnal, though I have seen them a few times in the daytime. I was so relieved to find Bracken looking quite happy in her stable this morning and she was very keen to get back out with Fern. I messaged the vet who told me to keep an eye on her and she was still fine this evening, though walking a bit stiffly which is understandable after her fall. At 26 she will feel more aches and pains, bless her. This photo of another old hairy horse, our lovely Hercules, popped up today, he was such a nightmare with his long coat, if he rolled in the mud and he hated being groomed

16/01/2025

It was such a perfect day that after trimming Bonnie's feet I decided to put Blackie, Lola, Fern , Sierra and Bracken out on the verge for some grass, they certainly looked pleased about it and the grass is so much easier for the oldies like Blackie and Lola to eat than hay. I then took the dogs for a long walk up the mountain, I will never be complacent about how lucky I am to get these views and trails straight from the house and I'm determined to find time to walk every day when possible 😍. Chino and Milly seem really well at the moment and there is no sign of the limp that Milly had in her back leg, I even risked letting her off for a run, though I don't risk it with Chino otherwise he is too stiff the next day, bless him. The sky was so blue and clear that I could see the Sierra las Nieve mountains through the gap , not always visible , even if the sky appears to be clear. The almond blossom looked so pretty against the blue of the sky. After lunch I treated myself to a bit of reading by the pool. When I went down to do the afternoon feed and get the horses in, they all came in as usual , with Bracken running in through the gate, but suddenly she just dropped to the ground and started having what looked like an epileptic fit, her legs running in the air. It was very frightening to watch but was over in seconds and soon after she was happily eating her hay with Fern. I will be keeping a close eye on her but hopefully it was just a one off. We used to have a dog with epilepsy and she was fine but i've not seen it in horses before 😌. Clive found out why Annie has stopped laying eggs in the hen house again - she has made a new nest in the garden, having abandoned the other one just before christmas, she really is a nightmare! There are 16 eggs so she will be starting to sit any day now, meanwhile Clive will be swapping her eggs for the other hens each day so that she keeps the same amount but will have fertile eggs under her (she doesn't let the cockerel near her 🤣). Her first broody session didn't yeild any chicks due to this, so last time we swapped some eggs and she ended up with little Suzie. Hopefully this time she might get a few more 🥰

15/01/2025

We got down to zero last night but it turned into a beautiful warm day. After finishing off Twiggy's feet we took Carlotta for a walk. Clive was glad of his warm jacket when we got to the river where there was still frost even at midday. On the way back we noticed several processionary caterpillar nests in our pine trees which will need to be removed as soon as possible, once the caterpillar hatch and leave the nest they are so dangerous to animals. Lily and Martin headed off to Germany for two weeks this afternoon so the girls played caves under the table while Lily packed. I've done my Christmas jigsaw, it's so pretty, I need another one now 😁.

14/01/2025

Lily took some photos of the horses yesterday enjoying the sunshine. Today the clouds were gone and it was a beautiful though coolish day. Lovely to see the Bougainvillea still flowering and the English lavender has flowers already. We looked after the girls all day today, Matilda wanted to make cookies and watch Peppa and Bluey with a break for Grandad to read a story. We did get Carlotta out for a nice walk and nap for her, the fields are looking very green ❤️

13/01/2025

It was supposed to be a lot colder today so after doing Twiggy's feet while the beautiful moon was still up we took the girls for a walk with my parents to make the most of the sunshine. Matilda thought it was great fun to run on the road (while there were no cars of course) , then run back to sit in the pushchair for a rest, while Carlotta had her morning nap along the way. Olive was straight in her nicely warmed pushchair when we got back, then moved into our sun room once it cooled down, cheeky girl. This photo of three of our cats sadly no longer with us popped up today. Dear little Jet, named for the fact that we found her at the airport as a tiny kitten with her best friend Tinker who was dumped here as a similar age kitten at the same time and our lovely Merlin, a very special cat.Later Carlotta kept me busy with lots of activities while Matilda helped Lily do some painting. We had to take 'baby' to the swings and then ride Matilda's bike because hers was a baby bike! 😆. My Dad went down for a last look at the horses before they go back to the Uk tomorrow. There is a beautiful rose in flower near the playground. The cloud started coming in this afternoon making it feel cooler out of the sun but looking very pretty

12/01/2025

After the usual jobs this morning I decided to have some time reading in the sun, though the animals decided that I wasn't allowed to have me time, first Chino then Bella . She did decide that sunbathing with Milly was ok when I had to get up. Clive did some fibreglass repairs on the pool skimmers and put the wood burner back on the new tiles. The daisies are still flowering, I don't think they ever stop! Matilda and Carlotta played going in a boat to see their cousins then had fun with a very funny crab toy that my parents brought for them today. I made a cake for dessert tonight, the colour of our chickens eggs are ridiculously yellow! My parents saw these gorgeous yellow ducklings today,on their way to us, so cute ❤️

11/01/2025

Yesterday my brother and parents walked the Camino del Rey - pretty good going for two people in their 80's! Another amazing thing our lucky guests can do, we really are so lucky to be central to so many great places. Our guests are starting to appreciate this and we had another Easter booking today - this is the El Establo calender for April and May - don't leave it too late if you are thinking of a spring break. Today our blue sky disappeared and we had mostly cloud. The horses were happy to be back on the mud and enjoyed a good roll. Sierra had her back feet trimmed - poor Clive can only do half a horse a day now ❤️. Marmalade was enjoying the heat of the black plastic covering the bedding straw, he does like his comforts ❤️. This photo of a cute, young Peanut popped up today, when he used to wear a plastic pipe on a harness to prevent him escaping through the cattle fencing 🥰. The Rosemary is in bloom all over the garden, we're lucky to always have some colour somewhere. Clive has recycled the tiles Lily and Martin took off the wall in the kitchen to go under our wood burner, nice not to waste them and it will be easier to clean. I did some painting in Lily and Martin's kitchen while Martin put up some plaster board. It's incredible how dirty the walls get with a log burner.

10/01/2025

There was a stunning sunset last night and today, after a bit of mist in the valley, turned into a beautiful warm, blue sky day ❤️. Carlotta is really getting into poo picking now - just as well as Matilda seems to have lost interest 🤣. She also has a thing about brooms at the moment. We trimmed Sierra's feet then Clive got on with more jobs, cleaning fixer off old tiles to re-use and filling the holes in a door made by enthusiastic darts players at Christmas 😁. I am so pleased that we put the tables and chairs on the pool patio for the winter, it's a real sun trap, perfect for having lunch. Old Chino got off his bed and enjoyed some time in the sunshine, 9 years ago today we lost another precious oldie, our gorgeous Hercules, what a legend he was, such a special horse 🥰. Three years ago today we drove up the mountain to find snow , too hot for that today!