Starting The New Year at Home............ — Steve Chivers Photography

After the Christmas and New Year festivities our first port of call is Los Alcazares Spain to visit my mum, or as we call her Mudger. January is a very quiet month in Spain, the tourists are nowhere to be seen and whilst there is sun, the mornings and evenings can be quite chilly. None of that matters to me as I love to visit Mudger and our family home, somewhere where I automatically de-stress and relax.

Los Alcazares is an old school sort of place and so from a photographic standpoint I decided to go old school, leave my Leicas at home and give my Fuji Xpro2 and Fuji XF 35mm F1.4 (with 3 stop ND filter) a long overdue outing. I just felt a change from my usual gear and routine might produce a creative spark to start the new year.

Mediterranean life is very simple and for us the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Nothing really moves in Los Alcazares in January before 10.00 a.m. We take the 5 minute drive down to the shores of the Mar Menor to Julian’s, our favourite breakfast destination.

Breakfast is very simple; half a toasted baguette, a drizzle of olive oil, a generous layer of chopped tomato and a sprinkling of salt, all washed down with a steaming hot cortado. I always start the day from my happy place.

This is how I like to drink my morning coffee.

There is nothing better than spending a morning walking along the corniche. I find being by the sea has such a calming influence and creatively there is plenty to keep me busy.

This visit I made a New Year’s resolution to do some exploring during my visit home. Normally everywhere is teeming with tourists but practically having the place to ourselves meant we were pretty much undisturbed.

Our first trip out was to a small mountain village called Aledo, home of the beautiful Aledo Santa Maria Church. We parked in the Centre of the village and walked the 10 minutes to the church. With no tourists the streets were eerily quiet.

Reflecting the historic roots of Spain this beautiful church was originally a mosque but in 1257 became a Christian temple. We stepped inside this beautiful church and we were the only people there. It was serenely beautiful and allowed us a few moments of quiet reflection.

The Castle of Aledo actually encloses the village and was built in the 11th Century. Next to the church is the Homanaje Tower, which forms part of the emblem of the municipality. From the outside it was not exactly photogenic but for a couple of euros I climbed the tower and from the roof the views across the rooftops of Aledo and the surrounding countryside were stunning.

Of course, after all this walking and sightseeing lunch beckoned. So a walk back in to the Centre of town to the only cafe that was open, La Muralla De Aledo. We sat amongst the locals with a cold beer and bocadillo of Iberian ham and tomato. Simple but delicious.

Our other outing was to take the drive to Murcia and then up in to the surrounding mountains to visit the Sanctuary of La Fuensanta. En route we stopped for a quick lunch at La Balsa Redonda Del Valle. We sat in the cool mountain air, sipping cold beer and eating the usual Iberian Ham with Manchego cheese. Nothing like it.

The road through the mountains to the sanctuary is not for the feint of heart and I certainly wouldn’t try it at night. On arrival we were rewarded with spectacular views across Murcia and of course, the beauty of the sanctuary itself.

It is a traditional temple consisting of three naves, a larger central and two sides with chapels. Unfortunately we had enjoyed our lunch a little too much and when we arrived the chapel had just closed. Nevertheless, we spent an hour or so walking around the outside which definitely was a photo rich environment.

Enjoying the highlights whilst embracing the shadows.

It was great fun using my old Xpro2. Still a fantastic camera even though it is 9 years old. It produced great images when I bought it and still delivers great imagery today, especially when paired with the perfectly imperfect original XF35mm F1.4. What a great combo and has certainly ignited my creative juices. If you find this combo on the used market do not hesitate to buy. You will not regret it.

What a fabulous start to our year. Mudger was on top form and as always I left Spain several kilos heavier than when I arrived!

Stay tuned for more creativity in my next Blog as Mrs C and I visit our “Haven on the Moor”.

Regards to all from a sunny but chilly Plymouth.