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The Wild Asparagus Hunters are Out and About

It´s that time of year. Cars parked in odd places, the solitary person - usually a man, popping up above a bank or from behind an olive tree. The hunters of the wild aparagus are here. The plentiful rain scattered with a day or two of sunshine has brought them out in droves. Some have their route, others instinctively know where to go. They appear, walking back to their cars, with a huge bundle of foot long green spears of asparagus. And off they go, probably not to be seen for another year - or another week if the rain continues. No matter how hard the shoots try and hide the older men hunt them down with stick in hand, to fob off the spiky old growth, and uncover the tender new stems of wild asparagus. Everyone has their favourite way of cooking them but the most common seems to be in a Tortilla - the thick Spanish potato omelette to which you can add anything that comes to hand - or is hunted down. My one or two shorter stem finds don´t come close to the experienced hunters catch. I...
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Paradors of Spain - What is a Parador?

I love a good Parador. Whatever city I visit if there is a Parador there I have to go, if only for coffee, or depending on the time of day, a beer. The older they are the better I like them. Modern buildings don´t tick my boxes so much, but once inside a Parador is a Parador. A touch of good ol´ service and reliable standards.

Parador de Gredos
Gredos Parador

Founded by King Alfonso XIII, there are at present there are 96 hotels in the government run chain, a few less than when my passion for them began! Five are located in the Canary Islands, one each in Ceuta and Melilla (Spainish territories in Northern Africa) leaving 89 on mainland Spain - I haven´t been to them all, not even nearly, but have been to most of the 19 in Andalucia. There is now also one in Portugal,

There are urban ones, country ones and historical ones in incredible locations and gorgeous buildings.  The first one opened its doors in 1928 and then grew under Franco´s regime to one in every province (there are 50 provinces, in 17 regions) with the idea of encouraging tourism to the interior of the country and not just the booming coastal strips.

Cazorla Parador

The Parador de Gredos in Ávila was the first one followed by one in Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca built in 1929 and the one in Jáen in 1930. The Parador Oropesa was the first one within a historical building, in this casa a castle which had been a national monument since 1926.

The years of the Civil War put a halt on everything and it wasn´t until the 1970s that tourism and the slow plod of the Paradors began again.

My favourite Paradors

These are my favourites of the ones I´ve visited so far and in no special order. 

Jaén Parador - it´s my local so has to be on the list.



Almagro Parador - In a 17th century convent. Almagro has a fantastic ancient Plaza Mayor and an open-air theatre also from the 17th century - Spain´s Stratford-upon-Avon.


Arcos de la Frontera Parador - I loved the gorgeous interior patio with black and white stone mosaic, the views from the terrace are pretty majestic too.


Zagra Parador - Once a Moorish fortress then a palace this beautiful old building has lots of original features. The interior patio is just the place for coffee or perhaps afternoon tea?


Read my old post on Historical Paradors in Andalucia.

See the Monday Morning Photo - Plaza Grande de Zafra.

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