Village Life

The senior villagers tell us of the days, only half a century ago, when village life was all a-bustle. Flocks were shepherded through the village from lowland to upland - some were stabled during winter nights in the village itself and even beneath the houses; the terraced gardens were tended and produced fruit and vegetables for all; fields were harvested by hand and the grain carried by mule up to the heras for threshing; each family baked their bread in the village oven; others made honey, soap, lavender essence and harvested the uplands for firewood, nuts and berries. The school was full to capacity and so was the church for Mass. But this was a hard life, in the searing and freezing blasts of a harsh continental climate. Years of ingenuity, resilience and history are etched in these friendly faces. So is the hope that the best of their village life can be restored.