“Salud, dinero y amor”

That is Health, wealth and love, which is what we are wishing for all our friends and guests past and future for 2010.  Last year ended with almost catastrophic storms; heavy rain for days on end caused landslides and waterfalls and winds gusting to gale force brought down trees and disrupted the electricity supply so the New Year was welcomed in a blackout.  But to look on the bright side, thanks to a few handy generators people were still able to eat their twelve grapes – the tradition here in Spain is to eat one grape at each chime of the clock at midnight – and then the party starts.  The festive season goes on until 6th January, the day of the Three Kings, or Los Reyes Magos”, when the children get their presents and in every town and village there is a procession of The Kings and their followers who throw sweets and goodies at the people lining the streets.

When all gets back to normal after the celebrations there will be plenty of work repairing storm damage, mending dykes and ditches, retaining walls and footpaths.  Then with any luck we should be able to look forward to a really beautiful spring with masses of wild flowers and birdsong, gushing mountain streams and green pastures.  It will be a joy to behold because when the sun comes out and the days get longer you can feel the energy in the air as nature bursts into life once more.  So if you haven’t yet made your New Year resolutions perhaps you could add one as a special treat for yourself – a visit to Berchules in Spring.  We are waiting to welcome you and help you enjoy it.