Farm journal

Notes from daily life at Los Lobos

Small updates from the farm, the rescue horses, the weather, and the rhythm of the seasons in the hills above Villanueva del Trabuco.

9. November 2026

Malaga Christmas Lights Are Up

Book a last minute break with us and soak up the Christmas atmosphere in Malaga while enjoying a mountain break with us

On this day last year our gorgeous Fern died, I still can't believe she is gone 😭. Ten years ago I was enjoying Peanut cuddles, his really were the best ❤. The sky is such a deep blue at this time of year , with the air so clear. Smudge found a bit of shade under the bench - sadly the Almond tree next to it had to be cut down as it had died. Milly has been making the most of the sunny days too, spending all day outside. The Alstroemeria that I have had for so many years I have lost count has sprung back into life again with the cooler Autumn temperatures. We are getting on well with the ensuite renovation, a shame to be indoors where it is actually colder than outside at this time of year 🤣. I have yesoed the sooty chimney breast and Clive has started bricking up the walls where the shower will be , to make a nice square area. The sunsets are the best at this time of year, we had another stunning one tonight and the courtyard looks so calm and beautiful in the dusk light, as the tree lights come on and the crickets are chirping ❤. Hard to believe that the Christmas decorations are up in Malaga already! The switch on is the 27th November - why not book a winter break to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and lights , we are only a short drive

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9. November 2026

Last Guests For A Few Weeks

Our last guests have left - hoping for a few last minute bookings!

Yesterday our last guests until the beginning of December left, it's a shame we don't have any bookings at the moment through November but also good to have a break. We did get a nice booking from a repeat guest for Christmas last night though, so that's our first Christmas booking in but we still have availability over the Christmas and New year period. It was a beautiful hot sunny day so I had a last swim before the pool is covered for the winter. Twiggy was looking extra wooly with her winter coat, it makes her look even bigger than she is , bless her 🤣. In the morning I took Milly down the road to friends to introduce her to their little Podenco Polly. It was with the idea of Milly going for visits occasionally, if we needed to go out for the day, rather than leave her on her own. Sadly it didn't work out as Polly was very territorial and really didn't like Milly. Luckily Milly didn't respond and stayed very calm but it must have been a stressful experience for her. We might try getting them together on leads on neutral territory but we shall see. The bouganvillea is finally in flower again and the Lantana too, both coastal plants, they really don't seem to like our mountain climate. The purple crocus are up , taking over from the yellow ones last month. The guests left a nice review in the guest book and a photo of Bella enjoying the pool with them, cheeky girl 🥰. The weather took a much more Autumnal turn this morning, with a strong wind and grey sky. A good day to be inside, I have been yesoing the beams and Clive made a start on the floor tiles and put up some plasterboard

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18. Oktober 2026

Rain At Last!

lovely to see the garden refreshed and the dramatic cloud all around

Heavy rain woke us at 6am but it didn't last long. At least the garden has finally had a good watering. Milly watched the black cloud coming in. Our little guests were able to do a little pony session without getting wet. Cheeky Marmalade made himself comfortable in the kitchen and the little gecko is still there. The first snow fell on the ski resort, I wonder if it will get enough to open at the end of next month? It's been a good day for ticking off indoor jobs - more painting for me and Clive used his design and metal skills to make copies of some shelf brackets he found ( actually old toilet cistern brackets) so that we can have two sets of matching shelves, he's such a clever clogs 🤣. The grey day sent the guests into the village to try out an indoor play area that I didn't even know was there. It has a café too so it will be nice to recommend it to future guests with young children

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18. Oktober 2026

Autumn Is The Best Time For Sunsets

every night brings a new display!

The autumn brings the most stunning sunsets, especially if there is cloud too!

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Autumn Is The Best Time For Sunsets photo

6. Oktober 2026

Beautiful Iznajar

The beautiful town of Iznajar is just a 35 minute drive from Cortijo Los Lobos

Just a short drive from Cortijo Los Lobos is the beautiful white village of Iznajar. Perched high on a rock, looking down over the biggest lake in Andalusia, with a castle and church, it is a spectacular sight as you approach, via field after field of olive groves.

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7. September 2026

Our New El Jaral Apartment

Available for extra accommodation for retreats or returning guests

Our beautiful El Jaral apartment is available from October 2026. Perfect for 1 or two people, with one bedroom, small living room and shower room upstairs ( not suitable for people with mobility issues) . Downstairs is a gorgeous fully equipped kitchen with dining table. A sun room links the apartment to the main farmhouse where there is an additional guest bedroom and shower room if more space is needed. The apartment has it's own entrance but is accessed through the farmhouse courtyard. You will have full use of this lovely courtyard area with dining and relaxing areas and gas BBQ. Though this is technically a shared courtyard with us, we have our own courtyard at the front of the house and will do our best not to disturb you. Due to the close proximity to us, this apartment is only available for retreats or to people we already know 😊.

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5. August 2026

A Busy Week For Riding

It's been a busy week for early morning rides

It's been a busy week for early morning rides and the horses have been real stars ❤️. Bella and Smudge looked like they wanted to ride too 🥰. Clive found an eagle owl feather on the ride this morning and we watched a young eagle sitting in the top of an oak tree, calling it's mum who was flying around above us. The naughty chickens have been at it again, I moved a bale of hay and found 12 eggs in a hole. The El Establo guests left and wrote us a lovely review in the guest book and on Google - really appreciated especially as people are not so likely to write reviews these days. I've got a lovely little self set carob tree growing in one of the plant pots, I will be planting that in the garden in the autumn. The lantana is finally in flower - so abundant on the coast but it really doesn't like our climate. The Budlea attracted a very pretty yellow butterfly, unfortunately I couldn't capture it on camera with its wings open but it was so bright. The date palm is in flower and the bees are loving it. Poor Clive had to rush out and buy a new water pump part for El Establo during the changeover yesterday so then spent an hour grovelling in the hot pump house fixing it. So lucky that he can do these jobs or life would be very difficult. I cleaned El Establo and the secret garden ready for new guests, photos just don't get across how beautiful and tranquil the secret garden is, it really is the perfect, peaceful hideaway. I had a little read in the rock pool once I'd finished my jobs

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21. Juli 2026

First Ride On Picasso In Two Years!

Picasso hasn't been ridden for two years but he was the perfect boy this morning

I had a lovely ride on Picasso this morning, he was pretty perfect, I'm so proud of him considering he hasn't been ridden for 2 years, the last time being just before the very random accident where he stood on my arm and pretty much de-sleeved it 😬. It wasn't his fault but I was out of action for a good few months afterwards and then it was winter and time just went on, I never intended to leave it two years to ride him again, especially as the accident wasn't even riding related but it's funny how these things affect you psychologically. Last summer I used Fern as my lead horse but of course she's no longer with us 😭. Bella looked like she was ready to ride before we set off ❤️. I caught Picasso and Spirit mutual grooming on the horse camera at dusk last night 🥰. Clive managed to bring home a dead beetle and a snake skin today, what is he like 🤣. He has finished our apartment shower renovation and it looks lovely 😍

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First Ride On Picasso In Two Years! photo

20. Juli 2026

A Typical Summer Day At Cortijo Los Lobos

There's never a dull moment on the farm and always lots to do!

I had to clean a line of sun cream off the top of the secret garden pool so it was a good opportunity to enjoy a little bit of time down there , I really do need to go there more often, it is so beautiful . We've had a busy couple of days , taking young guests riding, (coming back to find that a bit of the oldies stable roof had fallen down! - so lucky they weren't hurt) , we tick one job off and two more are added . Marmelade kept me company while I did the hay, such a special boy . The hot temperatures have finally reached us, though we are lucky that we have a dry heat here in the mountains, so far the shade temperature hasn't gone above around 35 in our courtyard but down at the horses this afternoon it was 41 on the thermometer, maybe not totally accurate as though it is in the shade, the wall does get sun at some points during the day but you could really see the heat haze and the horses were all hiding inside when I went down to feed them. Clive decided to try the awning that he has for his landrover over the table on the front patio and it works really well, better to use it than have it packed away all the time. It was great timing for Milly as she had her hair cut today, she must feel so much better without that thick curly coat. I have been doing lots more painting today and Clive made some of his delicious mango chutney, if only I could post the smell, it is so amazing. Last night we had some lovely repeat guests for dinner, the last time they came was just before Covid so it was so good to see them again. Sadly a lot of our pre covid regulars haven't come back again, I suppose after a big gap the regular routine changes and life moves in a different direction but we love returning guests , it is like having friends visiting . We had such a lovely Spanish lady with her 7 year old son Jaime in the secret garden and she has posted two really heartwarming reviews on google and air bnb, reviews mean so much to us and it is so rewarding that she recognised all our hard work

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A Typical Summer Day At Cortijo Los Lobos photo