Welcome to smileyourinspain.com

Hopefully this website will be of interest to everyone reading it, certainly those interested in Spain, in particular Andalucia, and also to those of you who are perhaps,  thinking of living the dream.  

We live in a beautiful mountain village in Andalucia, southern Spain. Nestling in the mountains. It is one of the villages known as "los pueblos blancos " (the white villages), which can only be described as the real Spain. 

Although this term is used quite "ad hoc" these days, the village we live in has been here for two thousand years and although there are a lot of "extranjeros" (foreigners) living here, including us!. The village is still very much Spanish, virtually no English is spoken.  Not as frightening as it first sounds, because you only have to say, ¡Hola!  (hello) to anyone you meet and you are greeted with a smile.

Those of you who have been here may recognize the picture, which is of course Cómpeta.  (Location). Those of you who have not, can look forward to a stunning experience. It is a working village, thriving, and hopefully will remain so. It welcomes visitors with open arms, and to be here during one of the local fiestas, is a delight not to be missed.  Cómpeta is famous for it's wine, which is made from a variety of muscatel grape. During July and the beginning of August the hills are green with this beautiful fruit. One of the local fiestas I have just alluded to is "la noche del vino"  (" the night of the wine"),  which is held every August 15th. Photo Album. This involves a lot of dancing, singing and the consumption of copious amounts of free sweet Cómpeta wine and migas. (fried breadcrumbs, served  with grapes & salt cod, bacalao). When queuing for this, it is amazing how many friends you make!.

Situated in the area known as  "la Axarquia" " the land to the east",  Cómpeta nestles like a jewel in the Sierra Almijara, with "La Maroma", the largest mountain in the range, as a backdrop. It is located at the top of the Sayalonga valley, where it is said that everything from a tomato to a pineapple is grown, although aguacates (avocados) seem to be the predominant crop at the moment, due to the high financial return they bring.

From here there are beautiful views of both the Mediterranean & the mountain rages, also within a short walking distance is the start of the Sierra Tejeda National Park, 40,000 hectares of unspoilt countryside, a magnet for walkers. 

In the village the scarlet geraniums accompany other colourful flowers cascading from the balconies, sleepy cats stretch in the afternoon sun, old ladies sit in their doorways, reminiscing of times gone by (one can only wonder at the changes they have seen) and old men sit in the main square playing dominoes.

When evening comes and the sun goes below the mountain to mark the passing of another day, for a few moments the valley turns pink. Then it is time for the moon to take over, it seems to light the night sky, amongst what seems like a million stars. 

In spring the hills are alive with wild flowers & herbs, Bermuda buttercups, red poppies, wild sweet peas, and others too numerous to mention abound. http://www.andalucia.com/environment/wildflowers/home.htm. They are like a mosaic carpet under the olive & almond trees. The green of the olive leaves seem to compliment the pink & white blossom of the almond which cover the hillsides. Then there is the pervading aroma of orange blossom and jasmine.  It has to be experienced to be believed. 

For those ornithologists amongst you, La Axarquia is one of the migration routes for many birds to and from Africa, notwithstanding the birds indigenous to the area.  www.andalucia.com/rural/birdwatching.htm

There are also several other beautiful white villages in the surrounding areas , Canillas de Albaida, Archez, Curumbela, Sedella, Canillas de Aceituno, Sayalonga, Torrox and of course Frigiliana, (the last bastion of the Moors) Potted History

If your sojourn takes you to Cómpeta, I know you will enjoy your visit, but wherever you go in Spain, it is something you will remember, for it truly is a magical place. ¡Buen viaje!

Please contact me at smileyourinspain@smileyourinspain.com  if you have any questions, either about Cómpeta or the surrounding area.

Enjoy the site !                         

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