Bedrock

Despite a GREAT start to the year with constant sunshine, we’re currently suffering thunderstorms and heavy overnight rain. Having said that, it is warm now (May ’23) and most mornings have seen some sunshine. This morning I received some new solar lights to review and I gave them a great charge in the sun before the weather finally went downhill.

Of course, not everyone is hating the rain – farmers will be loving it and to be fair, our favourite lake has been suffering from too many sunny days (and a leak).

Take a look in the photo below, that grassy plain in the middle of the photo was a lake only a few short years ago.

The weather has of course been mixed – this morning in Galera was wonderful. This afternoon it is dire (in a Spanish kind of way – it’s still 18c).

Same day as above but in the afternoon

Meanwhile back at the lake, the lovely restaurant by the lake side looks like a scene from post WW3. The colouring is from last year’s Calima.

For those folk who’ve contacted me, asking questions about the area – a quick update…

Bars – the fellow who ran Bar Tutugi is, I believe a candidate for the PP party? Not gotten to grips with local politics yet due to the language barrier… but I THINK that’s a right-wing party as against PPOE – socialists.

So, Bar tutugi continues to run as normal. Meanwhile Bar Terazza has re-opened – staff all pleasant – new chef just this month. On beer and wine – wine is cheaper than Pozas, beer is more expensive. They have a new Pizza oven and the pizzas are ok.

Pizzeria La Posa is running as normal, supposedly closed on Thursday but they were open this Thursday not for the first time.

Bar El Cirilo, not been there for years, not for any special reason – closes 11pm according to Google. Bar el Cruce – still not selling wine and only bottled beer. Bar El Cazador has had a facelift.

Raining this week including right this minute – torrential right now but I expect it’ll make a big fuss then back to sunshine before the day is out.

Summer wouldn’t be summer without Maureen’s maternal instincts appearing… and so, we’re fostering a brace of kittens – four to be exact – and we have them for another couple of weeks before they head off to new homes in Madrid (and we head off for a short trip to the coast).

We’re on a roll and have been since the weather started to pick up – late March we headed up to Segovia in Northern spain for a few days to check out (amongst other things) the Aqueduct and have a good nose around the city. I’m not sure ANYONE’s photos really do this massive feat of Roman engineering justice. It’s all in one piece even today.

Once we were done in Segovia we headed back to Galera for a few days before heading off up to Guardamar to visit friends. Very nice weather and some great food – not to mention the excellent company of our friends Sarah and Rolly.

On our return, Maureen decided we just MUST look after some kittens for a while. I’d forgotten just how much attention kittens need.

And that’s where we are right now, sitting at home looking after kittens!

The weather in Galera has been improving day after day in March and April – still a tad cool overnight but we’ve had lots of wonderful sunny days and clear nights – for example last night (Easter Friday) the sky was superb at 10:30pm

We had a very busy day with Maureen working on her plants etc. and me doing a spot of painting outside to finally get rid of the effects of last year’s sand storm.

New Tech Kit

In between I’ve been having fun with the best phone AI gimbal I’ve owned to date – the new M6 Kit from Hohem – quite possibly the most advanced of it’s kind. Not had a chance to get out and about yet with it but I gave the cloning option a quick shot in the afternoon – this stuff used to need editing, no, I just put camera+gimbal on the garden table, told it to go and that was it. Great fun.

Note the new t-shirt. As you might imagine, the maths is utter nonsense but it’s unlikely anyone will check:-)

Maureen bought me 2 new t-shirts, the other one asks “Have you turned it off and back on again” – that proved popular with friends in the village.

I love being able to wear sandals and t-shirts at this time of year – back in Bellingham I guess the folks will still, by and large be wearing raincoats. I do miss our friends in the area, but aside from that and eBay, I can’t say I miss the UK at all.

Local developments and the heat toll on plants

Meanwhile, most of our plants are fine and Mo’s already taking frequent trips to garden centres – but already some of the hotter days have taken their toll on the odd plant. Mo’s been working hard on the “garden” while I’ve been putting up a new set of solar heater pipes for the pool (not quite warm enough to use yet).

Something new: there has been a load of frantic (but part-time) development going on at the top of the hill as our local builder is turning an old messy farmer’s chicken shed into a large new cavehome and though it has some way to go, he’s also giving it a garden – the first part of which is looking good already (see below).

I could imaging the area being unrecognisable in a year or two – now if only Google Maps would keep up with developments – they still don’t have our roundabout and that’s been in place for years (Google Earth on the other hand DOES seem to be reasonably up to date).

This entry is predominently aimed at readers in our corner of Spain who are looking for a better broadband setup and has been dramatically updated in March 2023 and again in June 2023. In the area where we live and in our village of Galera 18840 in particular, choices are limited as to Internet providers… or are they?

This entry – originally started back in May 2022, is primarily (but not exclusively) for people in the outskirts of Galera (and probably other areas including Huescar) who have broadband issues and actually want to solve them. It COULD however have some interest for pretty much anyone looking to escape the clutches of their broadband provider where there is a reliable 4G/5G signal available.

If my experiences seem like they might be of use to you, then further down, for one option, you would need a half-decent mobile signal and be prepared to pick the right Spanish mobile (yes – mobile) provider for the job – keep reading….

I’d like you to read this please, guys, word for word:

Galera is a small village located in the province of Granada in southern Spain. The village is situated in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, providing residents with breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty.

One of the main attractions of Galera is its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The village has a friendly and welcoming community, making it easy to feel at home. The streets are lined with beautiful white-washed houses, giving the village a charming and authentic Spanish feel.

In addition to its natural beauty, Galera is also known for its delicious local cuisine. The village is home to a variety of traditional restaurants that serve up delicious dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. Visitors can enjoy delicious tapas, paella, and other traditional Spanish dishes.

Galera is also a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The Sierra Nevada mountains offer a wide range of activities, from hiking and rock climbing to skiing and snowboarding in the winter. There are also several natural parks and reserves in the area, perfect for those who love to explore the great outdoors.

Overall, Galera is an idyllic village that offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, delicious food, and friendly community. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an active holiday, Galera has something to offer everyone. It is truly a wonderful place to live and visit.

Now that you’ve reached the end…. you need to know something: While that is pretty much how I feel about living here, guess what, I didn’t write this – nobody did – and it did NOT come from a search engine… if you’ve not yet come across ChatGPT – wake up folks – the above came from me typing “Write a 200 word article about how wonderful it is to live in the village of Galera in Southern Spain.” – NO EDITING AT ALL – that’s what came out WITHOUT ChatGPT using search engines – like it or not, AI is truly opon us.

Next time you see an Amazon review of a product or service – ponder CAREFULLY instead of being written internally by, say an employee – as if that wasn’t bad enough – could an AI have written it? Next time you read a definitive article about – well, anything really… ponder the above… I’m so glad I’ve retired away from everything – this is already a blessing for the few – but what if I’d said “”Write a 200 word article about how awful it is to live in the village of Galera in Southern Spain.” Go on then – you talked me into it….

I promise I won’t do this again (I added the photo – that’s my total contribution)… but you need to be aware this is the future – not the 10 year future – but – like – fromabout now…..

Galera, a small village located in the province of Granada in southern Spain, may appear to be a quaint and picturesque destination, however, it is not without its flaws.

One of the main issues with living in Galera is the lack of job opportunities. The village has a high unemployment rate and limited options for those looking for work. This can make it difficult for residents to make ends meet and can lead to feelings of financial insecurity.

Another issue is the lack of infrastructure and modern amenities in Galera. The village has limited public transportation options and limited access to healthcare and other essential services. This can make it difficult for residents to access the resources they need to live comfortably.

The village also suffers from poor air quality due to the nearby industrial area and the high traffic on the road that passes through the village. This can be harmful to the health of the residents and can lead to respiratory problems.

The village also lacks nightlife and social activities. There are very few options for entertainment and leisure activities, making it difficult for residents to enjoy their free time.

In conclusion, while Galera may be a picturesque destination, it is not without its flaws. The lack of job opportunities, poor infrastructure, poor air quality, and the limited social activities make it a less than desirable place to live.

Is that amazing and worrying at the same time – or what? I repeat, not edited, not from a search engine – and already – this is being highly rated by my SEO tools…..

That last paragraph incidentally is wrong… nothing wrong with the air in Galera – the water could do with LOT less calcium – but the air is great.