March [Marzo] 2026

 Happy April, everyone. 

So, wow. What a dramatic change a few weeks can make. The weather has taken a turn for the better and during the first half of the month the almond (almendro) trees were in flower and it was just gorgeous. White and pink blooms everywhere. They have since turned lost their flowers and sprouted an abundance of green leaves instead, but the promise of almonds later this year lingers on. 

The first week of March was still very cold and rainy. We got an invitation to go to dinner with some new friends at the newly opened (for the season)  Moto Albergue Farango. They have an amazing Hamburguesa, good beer, and a nice view, not that we could see it that night for all the rain. Its a cute little lodge for motorcyclists, but the restaurant is open to the public. The kids played some board games while we struggled through the language barrier and all in all it was a lovely time.

The second week we all got sick. It seemed like everyone in town had a cold. It was a 2 weeks of coughing and sniffles, but eventually the sun came out and the ick wore off and it felt like Spring had finally arrived. When we did leave the house, we began to see an absolute explosion of local flora. There are so many forage-able items just, like, around. I picked up a particularly lush bunch of dandelion greens and we made some pizza on the fire that night with jamon and dandelion greens. It was so good.

Our new friends have been very patient with me and helpful, and a lot of them have started trying to learn English too, which is fun. We get to learn together. I still have a long way to go, but I'm picking up new words all the time. On Saturdays we've been going to the Parque de Sant Medardo. There is an old religious structure there, a 400 year old (I think) black walnut tree, as well as your standard issue park stuff., playground, BBQ, etc. They cook insanely good food and everyone contributes something and we all sit around and gossip (well... I listen (escuchar) and try to learn (ayudar). 

Week 3 was spent still recovering from the ick, so we didn't do much. I've been working on some art and Beau finally got to work on some fun stuff in the shop. His lathe came in, so all bets are off now. Every piece of wood not nailed down or growing from the ground better beware... its gonna get turned into a bowl or a dish or something pretty and useful. I did manage a solo hike one day up to an abandoned ermita, I can't recall its name, but the view was absolutely insane. Took some pictures, foraged some rosemary and thyme, found some little broken pieces of old pottery that I took and hopefully didn't piss off any ghosts. It was worth it. 

This last week the kids had a charity run at the school. A decent crowd turned out for the races. The kids took it in turns and ran by grade, with a few parents and teachers sprinkled in for good measure. It was a beautiful last day of school before the Spring break. 

This week the kids are off and the town is absolutely bustling. Easter is a very big deal here. The next couple of days are a holiday for everyone, but it already feels like everyone has timed out. I was just saying to a friend yesterday that its hard to get anything done when a warm, sunny Tuesday has Friday energy. The kids and Beau have busted out the shorts already and the sound of glasses clinking, laughter, and conversation echoes through the streets (calles). Its a magical time here in Benabarre.

Sorry if this felt rushed, tthough perhaps more cohesive than my last couple blogs. I've felt so tired lately (the last vestiges of winter clinging to me) and its been a struggle to stay focused and not want to just find a sunny spot to lay in all the time. 

As usual, the pictures are in the album, so keep watching it, I update it pretty regularly.

Love ya'll💕