Backroads and Panoramas

It has been a whirlwind of activity, trying to get this well dug before our month in the country is up. A trip to the finca with Vincens, to see about clearing paths for both the well driller and the builders revealed the problem of two pine trees in the way. Rule of law states no pine trees are to be cut down without permission from the "forestal", the land management wing of the government. So down to Falset we headed with Vincens on Friday morning, following his instructions to keep a low profile and show respect. He asked for the boss once we reached the office, and out walked a woman in a very official forest ranger outfit, which set off her cotton candy pink hair marvelously. It was all I could do to keep from blurting out "amazing hair" as I watched Vincens demur. The outcome was that she was willing to send some of her guys out to the finca on Monday to check out felling the small, rangy trees in question. So we wait for Monday, and hope that we catch a break. Amazing system. On the one hand, I am thrilled they are protecting the land, and I adore the pines that surround the finca. On the other hand, come on, two scruffy pines blocking the way of the terrace entrance, give me a break. But attention must be paid, and Pink is my new best friend.
Next day we headed to the finca to collect more firewood, and begin clearing a path for the trucks (just dead almonds, no pines!). Because we wanted to load up the car, and didn't want to schlep wood all the way back to the boulder, where we usually park and walk in, we opted for the "back road", and even more circuitous and amazing dirt road, winding over hill and dale. Made it to and back, our sweet little Opel loaded down with most excellent firewood, bumping it's way through olive groves. On the way we saw more beehives, only this one was suffering damage, with lots of dead bees outside the hives. There was still one that managed to give me a good welt from its' sting, teaching us to not muck around in their area too much.
We capped the day off with a hike up to the Ermita de la Consolacio, one of the small monasteries that dot the countryside, as part of the great route of monasteries. So breathtakelingly beautiful I was reduced to tears. The panorama from the top encompasses multiple villages, multi-million dollar wineries, winding trails that lead from village to village, and a boundless sky. As the sun began to set we could hear the bells of both Gratallops and Vilella Baixa ring the hour. Heaven on earth.