Summer in Andalucia

Doors and shutters closed

Most things we do to ensure that the heat doesn’t overpower us are just plain common sense.  We don’t walk out in the heat of the day, which is normally between 3pm and 7pm.  We wear hats and sunscreen and never go out without a bottle of water.  And we stay in the shade, or indoors. 

Our doors and shutters are closed at different times, depending on the sun’s position. So our sitting room is in the dark during the morning, and the kitchen and dining room during the afternoon and early evening.  And we’ve bought big shade sails for the front and the back of the house, and also now one for outside the kitchen window – making a big difference to the temperature inside and outside the house. 

Cooling food and drink

Over the past few months, we’ve realised that we can cool ourselves down by having cold food and drinks.  We drink coffee in the mornings, and if it’s very hot, the best way to drink it is on the rocks  – café con hielo – also available in bars and restaurants at no extra cost.  Basically, you make the coffee the way you like it (milk, sugar, black) and then pour it into a glass full of ice cubes, which cools it down instantly. 

A neighbour told me that when she was young, her grandparents would look after her over the summer months.  And during the afternoon, when it was really hot, they would give her a glass of very cold water with just a small glug of Anise added to it.  Apparently, this quenches thirst really well – I must try it one of these days.  And what a great use of a dusty half full bottle of Anise that has been in our kitchen for more than a year!

It’s also the time of year to eat lots of salads, and eat (or is it drink?) Gazpacho soup or Ajoblanco (a cold almond and garlic soup with grapes – well worth a try!).  Melon with jamon serrano is also a favourite at this time of year, and instead of the ham, the melon can be served with manchego cheese – a variation recommended by our neighbours, and utterly delicious.  

The cool of the morning

We’ve started to appreciate early mornings – which is a miracle for those who know me well!  But it’s such a fantastic time of the day when everything is cool and pleasant, and the rising sun colours the house a soft pink.  We’re starting the day at 7am with a coffee on the front patio, when the cats are clambering about in the garden and shooting up and down the olive trees, full of early morning energy.  A delight to watch.   

The peace of the afternoon

When work allows, we take a siesta in the afternoon, because there’s nothing very much else we can do.  It’s too hot to be energetic, shops are closed, all our neighbours are resting, no tradesmen will call.  So we sleep, rest or read for a few hours, which gives us renewed energy for the rest of the day.

The wonderful nights

From around 8pm, the temperature begins to drop – slowly.  It’s the best time for eating outside, taking a little walk (a paseo) like many of our neighbours do, or simply watching the night sky.  A good friend of mine sent me a wonderful present through the post – a telescope.   The moon and stars are not as far away as they seem!

Other cooling down measures

During this summer, we’re looking after our friends’ pool – and in return we can use it.  A great exchange from our point of view, though the only problem is that after our swim, the track back up to our house is steep and up-hill, and so by the time we get home, we’re hot again.  Still, well worth it for that hour of cooling bliss in the pool. 

We’ve also installed air con in our sitting room and we’re investigating a misting/fogging spray for our front patio.  This last month we’ve learned a lot about managing the challenge of summer in Andalucia, and I think we’re beginning to crack it. And if August is even hotter, I may may be tempted – COVID-19 permitting – to visit my family in Holland for a bit of a heat-break!