La Cuesta de Enero

This month is known as La Cuesta de Enero , the hill of January, because it’s very hard work to make ends meet after all the extravagance of the festive season. This year it was the beginning of the month which caused the problems when it seemed that it would never again stop raining and we were starting to wonder if we would end up as a seafront hotel as roads and paths slipped down the mountains.  But all bad things come to an end and now the sun is shining and it looks set fair for a  while once more.  As a result of the storms the whole area is a hive of activity as people get to work on repairs.   So, whereas before there was little work for local people, now there is more than enough to keep everyone occupied and maybe the summit of the hill of January won’t be so difficult after all.  The other Spanish saying, No hay mal que por bien no venga, there’s nothing so bad that some good won’t come from it, has been proved true once again.  There was a disaster, yes, but now at least everyone is busy and their economic prospects have improved for the time being.  The hotel is still on the mountainside with its beautiful views over the hills to the sea; there are exciting new walking routes to explore; and to experience the glorious sunrises we enjoy at this time of year would alone make a visit here worthwhile.