Water troughs

 

 

 

 

I loved finding these hand carved water troughs all over the place on the continent. We take our water so much for granted these days, and especially in this country, and so when you first encounter these troughs it makes you realise how easy it is for us to simply turn on the tap and hey presto – instant hot or cold water.

 

Caravanning and camping especially has made us very aware of the chores involved with water, that when it is needed it has be fetched and later it has to be taken away again and disposed of ! double trouble so to speak ! and the sheer effort ....and all that trotting back n forth.....

When in Switzerland 2010 (we were there specifically for the Orienteering World Masters) we came across a very interesting ancient tradition. We were staying on a campsite high up in the mountains at a small town called Le Locle …………….. One of the garden features there was an enormous tree trunk trough into which a spring was fed via a pipe and spout. It was all very rustic looking but in excellent working order and this spout was where we actually got our drinking/cooking water.

 

 Lovely fresh spring water straight from deep in the the mountain. What could be better n free too ?

Imagine our surprise when it was all dismantled and set on fire one night (August 1st) and a gigantic new tree trunk brought in and carved out on site to replace the old one. Quite an event. It was a time of great festivity with music, an oompah band, accordions, guitars and local singers. It all ended with a fireworks display which went on for seemingly hours. A highlight in their year and lots of fun… a sort of Swiss Bank Holiday.

 

 

Again while staying in Flimms, Switzerland on a different campsite in 2012 we came across the same tradition but in a more modern style with a rock band and not so much audience participation - except for the dancing of course! But the burning old wooden water trough smoked on quietly for days just the same.

Funnily enough this particular campsite was very un-Swiss, rather ramshackle with a laid back feel and it even had a yurt for rent along with some traveller buses which seemed to be permanent ? The best bit for me was the freshly baked pizza in the wood fired outdoor oven. The baker made the dough in the morning, let it prove all day and then evening time get cracking with the rolling out and topping. Quite delicious and crispy based.

 

 

It has been interesting to notice quite how many of the older properties in Britain still aren’t on mains water. The nearby well or spring still has a place even in our modern society. I must admit though that I am looking forward to having water from my own tap again – a luxury that we take for granted until it is not there!!

Secret gardens

I have a confession to make - I am a nosy parker ! When it comes to peeping in over people's garden gates, over garden walls or into any kind of space that might have a plant or two lurking in there - well, I just can't resist.

For me, there is a fascination in discovering what I call 'hidden treasures', that is, people's gardens whether they be acres or just a simple backyard or even better a few plant pots scattered around the doorways and steps. All of interest to a gardener who is delighted by any effort at cultivation.
Ah, the simple pleasures that I have.

To me it is quite wonderful that however mean and concrete the surroundings there is always a person here and there who will try and soften and beautify their surroundings with plantlife.


It is almost like a primal urge for some people - a return to the roots almost ! We have found it very hard on our travels not to start gardening on our little sites on the camping areas - a quick tidy up, hoick out a few weeds, trim the hedges a little....


Plants keep you grounded - they need attention just like children - to neglect is to imperil. The rewards are well worth the efforts involved, a beatuiful blossom here and there, a vegetable to eat with delight, and the sheer excitment of seeing what is happening is often enough on its own.


Well, here are a few photos of my findings.

Lagoons

This series of wonderful sea water pools were my haven during our holiday in Puerto de la Cruz. The complex was actually called Lago Martianez - Cesar Manrique was the local architect who envisaged the whole project back in l977. Genius, as the Atlantic Ocean is no great friend to a swimmer, tackling those great surging tides would demand a lot of effort from a very strong and brave swimmer - not me sadly.


It was just wonderful to be able to swim distance in safety and not to have to turn round at the end of each length as in a normal swimming pool ! I think I should have been born as a mermaid as I just love being in/on/around water so much !

My element indeed.

We went three times in all I seem to remember, and had a wonderful swimming, lounging, basking, munching time. The whole place is beautifully designed with masses of palm trees for shade, interesting landscaping, plants everywhere, lots of rambling areas, and also many gentle slipways for easy access to and from the waters. Acquatic heaven ?

And, of course, the general facilites were everything you could want - loungers, umbarellas, changing areas with showers, bars, cafes etc....pretty damm good really. We were the last to leave one day and by then the teams of cleaners were in action. Spotless always. Not a drop of litter in sight ever.


All this for 3 Euros a day.......less than a session in my local swimming pool in Wiltshire which is in fact an awfully grim place in comparison. Mouldy walls in changing rooms, practically opaque pool with god-knows-what floating around.
(I make a real effort never never never to swallow any water whatsoever !!).

Don't start me on the pool and sauna at Bradford-on-Avon !!
hush now ....