Camino Frances - the path Rodney and I walked the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostella. From hundreds of photos, we share just a few - a flavour of our experiences walking this very ancient path trodden by millions before us. Rather than being chronological, I'll group them into various themes. Here's the first, some photos of the path we followed (there are many alternatives) for 800 kilometres starting the week after Easter and arriving in Santiago at the end of April. From St Jean Pied de Port, up through the Pyrenees via Valcarlos and the Puerto de Ibaneta - the Route de Napoleon was closed by snow. And into the snow. The top of the pass. Through snowy woods from Roncevalles to Larrasoana. Crossing the boundary from Navarra into Castille and Leon. Through Riojan vineyards. Always heading west. Early starts meant towns and villages were still asleep. Sunrises were behind us in the East. Crossing the border into Galicia. The highest point on the Camino, Punta Alto, 1,515 m. Following signposts along the way. Under maize stores in Galician villages. Amazing wild flowers. April showers. Galician chestnut woods. To the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Sunday walk The cortijo is is a wonderful location for walking but planting, clearing and tidying up has taken precedence. Now that our plans to walk the Camino Frances are firming up we need to firm up our muscles too! Where better to start than to walk out of the door of the cortijo. We climbed up to the azeicia and followed it - more or less along the contour - to the take off at the river. At times the channel is cut into the cliff and the drop alongside is vertiginous. The water in the river was icy cold, not surprising as the snowline is not far above at the moment. Here it cascades down over a series of waterfalls and is diverted into our azeicia through gates. Along the way we were surprised by four cabras - the native mountain goats. Spot them if you can! The chestnuts are not yet in leaf, but pussy willow and many wild flowers already bloom abundantly on the banks of the azeicia. The little white spot on the slope directly in front is our car. Just below and to the left is the flat roof of the cortijo. Beyond in the distance is the coast.

Almond blossom and icicles Clouds of pink and white almond blossom everywhere - more near the coast and lower down - but even up at 1,200 metres at the cortijo the buds are bursting. Narcissi too are blooming. But nights are still cold and the water in the azeicias cold enough for icicles to form along the banks.

Experimental salchichas at Bordaila

Encarni told me that this was the first time they had tried to make sausages. 'It's an experiment' she said. Our neighbours bought 15 kilos of leg of pork which the men minced up by hand. Fortunately they had a house full of friends to help.

The women were in charge of the mixing. In go minced garlic, minced red peppers and a variety of other spices - my spanish isn't good enough to catch what they all were.

Then, mix well. Take a little, fry and taste. Lubricate the whole proceedings with a little homemade vino dulce.

We missed the next bit as we had to leave for Salobrena but it was going to be filling the intestines.

Three Kings in Malaga January 6 is the fiesta of the Three Kings when children in Spain receive their gifts. The previous evening, the streets are thronged as children on spectacular floats throw sweets to the crowds. Sweets are great but champagne cocktails and tapas with friends Sandy and Jim even better. A shop window full of traditional 'crown' cakes.

Sunday lunch in Montes de Malaga, a natural park minutes from the city with Jim, Sandy and Mike. The view was spectacular - across the Mediteranean all the way to Africa.

The fare was traditional rustic - ideal fuel for hikers.

No hiking, just a post-prandial stroll through the pine woods.

Santas and the Three Kings in Salobrena

Here's to 2008 A very happy, healthy and successful New Year to all our family and friends. May 2008 be a good year for you all from us here in Salobrena.