Pages

7/21/06

Keeping a cave fresh

With full electrics in the cave we could use plug in air fresheners - all very nice but with such an abundance of natural air fresheners available why not go traditional? We use both, but the plants detailed below don't just add freshness to the cave - they also look good. Lavender is grown in the garden and after 2 years seems intent on overtaking the garden so in the summer we trim it and bunch together the flowers and display them in the cave.


In the bathroom...A small length of an olive branch plastered into the wall provides the ideal place to put a tied arrangement of lavender.




Camomile, grows freely in the campo and an attractive addition to any cave room - but beware...


There are a variety of wild plants growing in the countryside such as camomile, however a law was passed a few years ago making it illegal to pick wild plants (so obviously our camomile was bought in a shop.) You will no doubt see people out and about collecting plants, as many are of the opinion that out here in the middle of nowhere, this law does not apply. However a good friend who has lived in our village all her life told us that a while back, an old shepherd was arrested for collecting wild plants. (There is a special division of the guardia civil responsible for the protection of the countryside) The shepherd could not afford to pay his fine so was put in prison for a few months to contemplate the error of his ways. Now, it is up to the individual as to how seriously to take this, but just exercise caution if you wish to bring a little of the countryside into your home.....

Apart from looking attractive and smelling wonderful, camomile also has many health benefits. For a variety of local uses see: www.tapas-recipes-andalucia.blogspot.com

Next up: more storage and shelving, forget cement - yeso will do...

2 comments:

DCveR said...

No wonder they passed such a law, during the last few years "natural shops" have boomed throughout Europe, plants like chamomile could simply be cropped into oblivion by unscrupulous people. Of course one thing is someone getting a bunch of plants to take home as air freshener or for making tea and another is someone cropping bags and bags of plants to sell.

Unknown said...

Dcver: The law was passed for exactly that reason, it does destroy the countryside to a degree - all because of money. Areas like this can substantiate the locals getting a few plants but the guardia will be watching if you have sacks on a trailer!

thanks for your comments

CR