The move is all done! It was a close run thing: I am back to work on Monday for two weeks of summer school, so I have a rest day tomorrow to recover from the move. It has been an amazing effort and I am so fortunate to have the support of friends who share the vision of the space I am creating for the donkeys: particularly Carl who has put more muscle power into the work than I could. (Every muscle aches now: I literally cannot any longer raise my arm above horizontal holding a power drill.)
Rubí was the first to visit level 2. It will not be opened to the donks until all the safety bars and fencing are put in place in August. I will give them each a preview (safely on lead-rope) so they can see what is down there and try out the slopes between levels.
Matilde, Morris and Aitana were going crazy watching Rubí on level 2. Enough work for now! It has been more tgan a month since the heavy work began: building on one site; demolishing on the other. The Elca Seriu field is now cleared of every shred of evidence that donkeys ever lived there: the fencing, the posts, the concrete and timber have all gone. The field has been returned to the landlord.
And on Monday I go back to work… For a rest.
Equus Asinus 
I love the red soil. Is it good for growing things in?
Me gustaMe gusta
The soil is really rich. In the future I will be trying to restore the grape vines. The place is called «El Parral» (The Vineyard) but the grape vines all died years ago when it was abandoned. Another long-term project.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Very apt for you to be toiling in the Lord’s Vineyard.
Me gustaMe gusta
Does this mean the name may stay afterall?…The idea of the Lord’s vineyard is a lovely thought. It’s possible that the name may go back further than the existing house.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
There is to be a full moon next Tuesday. Hope the donks enjoy x
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
The new moon will be great in the new place. Donks already looking at it.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Many projects to look forward to and many moons!…
Me gustaMe gusta
When I first moved in, I thought the name should be changed because there is only one vine still left, and that’s down in the valley; so it didn’t seem appropriate. But then it gradually seemed like a good idea to stay with the name. As Alys suggests, the name may pre-date the house (which was built in the 1980s) and the previous casita on that site may have been there simply as a working dwelling for tending the vineyard, with the main house being down in the village in Orxeta a couple of kilometres away. «El Parral» it is, and I would like to explore the possibility of restoring vines to the place eventually. Maybe after advice I could start by taking cuttings from the only one left, down in the valley. Also the biblical reference has grown on me now, after Annie’s prompt regarding the symbolism! I must look at the Gospel of St John again: the vine and the branches.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Hope you can read this. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15&version=KJV
Me gustaMe gusta
More modern translation plus notes 🙂 http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/15
Me gustaMe gusta
It would be interesting to find out more about the history of the place. It’s a wonderful idea to restore the vines from the last existing one. A future cheers to that plan!
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
The last existing vine that I know of, which is down in the valley, was looking in a very sorry state when I first saw the property. I scooped out the earth around the vine stock and flooded the roots regularly. It is now looking quite healthy. I must put up a photograph soon. There may be other ‘lost’ vines somewhere: I still haven’t explored the valley fully, as I have been too busy with the donkey terraces.
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
It looks in very good spirits now! Fresh and green!
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona