Amazing Catalan donkeys!

Rainy September morning. Off with Inigo and Josep to the Berga area, in the heart of Catalunya. We meet Joan Gasso Bertran and his 150 donkeys in Fuives. Some amazing individuals like the jacks Galet and Trill (below), a 38 years old jennet,... We discuss ideal size, the future of the breed - probably something in the range of 800 individuals today -, the evolution of their teeth,...

Joan even set up a little museum with all sorts of objects

The visit ends up with watching a little movie, buying some donkey milk soaps and ... having lunch in Berga to continue the conversation. Catalan donkeys are definitely the Rolls Royce of donkeys: elegance, the black and white contrast,...

Jeropiga, mirandesa tosquiada e... calçada (Verao 2015)

Jeronimo - pelage d'été

Jeronimo a passé le cap de la première année et il semble se plaire en compagnie de la petite ânesse et du cheval arabe blanc du Monte dos Albardeiros. Il n'a pas été tondu mais son pelage noir brille au soleil! Du changement depuis sa naissance, comme on peut le voir ici (une semaine), ici (quelques mois), ici (au coeur de l'hiver fleuri) et ici (dans la lumière du printemps).

Sharp-ribbed salamander/Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl)

Late july. We were emptying the tank's water at the Horta and Marion discovers this amphibian that was unkown to us. We have no clue about how it arrived there as the walls of the tank are vertical. So far, we had observed Triturus pygmaeus, Hyla arborea, Bufo calamita, Pelodytes punctatus, but never this kind of urodeles. So, we asked around and Marc Franch told us that it was a Sharp-ribbed salamander (in Portuguese: Salamandra-de-costelas-salientes). It is not rare in the south of Portugal. The defense function of its ribs is quite interesting and the species has also travelled several time... in space! So, a new species for the Monte and quite an intriguing one!

Sunset at the Monte

Solar dos Condes de Portalegre (Evora)

At the back of Evora's cathedral, you will find the most delicious vegetarian food in town. The menu changes every day and the food is served in a garden located within the small Palace of the Counts of Portalegre. It is actually possible to visit the palace as well, which we did the other day with Alicia and Tim. There is a nice mix of different styles and the view from the top is absolutely stunning!

Cante diurno na Rua da Sociedade (Campinho, Agosto 2015)