The almond field is a lozenge-shaped field, isolated from the house, down beside the river. We call it the almond field because, not knowing what else to do with the space, we planted some almond trees. This small space has changed dramatically over the last 10 years.

The first two photographs were taken by our predecessors, in December 2004…

… and May 2006.

The field is enclosed by the hill on one side, and the river on the other, being a lozenge there are no more sides only pointy ends! It is a quiet spot, with only the sound of the waterfall. The two young walnut trees seen in the photograph above are now much bigger [below] and offer welcome shade in the summer months.

In March 2009, the field looked like this…

In February 2010, after the big storm the previous month, the holes were dug ready to plant the almond saplings. We have lost two trees to frost since then, but on the whole we are pleased with our field. We are yet to crop the nuts, hopefully this year will be our first harvest; last year the blossom was killed by an early frost. But the signs are already good. 

5 to remember

una pastilla – a lozenge
aislado/a – isolated
dramáticamente – dramatically
durante las ultímas diez años – over the last 10 years
cerrado/a – enclosed