A perfect day?

I suppose rationally speaking there is no such thing. So when I was struck by the thought 'today's been perfect' as I wandered up the rough track through the olive grove back to the van, it was probably because I had just taken a few extraordinary photos of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. 

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The fact that this happened to be my third photographic excursion of the day, each time to the same vantage point overlooking the village of Beas de Granada, every time the mountains beyond it taking on a differing aspect as the sun declined, then my sense of perfection was probably cumulative, a series of small pleasures, sparking enough endorphin rich moments for my brain to momentarily overlook the day's more predictable mundanities.

So is perfection all about the view?  British people do like a picture perfect vista. It's no accident that arguably our two greatest artists were both landscape painters. Moreover, the idea of the 'sublime' and the conventions of the 'picturesque' can both be traced back to British thinkers. Years ago I remember watching Germaine Greer sending-up this particular national quirk, arguing that Brits had no interest in environmental issues until they threatened to ruin the view. It's only funny because its partially true.

There are other factors, today's picture perfect conditions had as much to do with the seasons and the weather.  Ten days ago the torrential rain associated with storm Gloria fell as snow on the Sierra Nevada. Since then the weather has been clear and calm and unusually mild. In fact, yesterday in Granada and here this afternoon it was bordering on hot - nudging into the mid twenties later in the afternoon. Windless and wall to wall blue, soon I was scrabbling through the cupboards looking for  my beach bum hat and suncream.

Two days of spring-like weather and the almond trees are blossoming all over the place. Put all that together, clear blue sky, low humidity, snowy mountains, flower covered trees, no wonder both of us kept wandering off to take yet another couple of shots. 

It helps too if you are in a good mood. My spirits have definitely perked up since we moved from the coast. There is something demoralising about the busy sites and areas autocaravanas strung along Spain's Costa's. They don't feel welcoming. That only becomes obvious when you arrive somewhere that does. Where we are now, Camping Alto de Viñuelas near Beas de Granada, is a great little site. Set on the side of a valley full of olive farms and fruit trees, it has a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada. It feels remote, in fact it's only a 20 minute bus journey to the centre of Granada. 

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It seemed a friendly place too. Maureen and George, British caravanners from a nearby pitch, were great to talk to. They were heading for the ferry at Algaciras to begin a three week organised trip around Morocco. Excited but nervous I think is the best way of describing how they felt. Though we are experienced travellers, I think we would be somewhat wary of travelling alone in North Africa. I can see how travelling in convoy might be a good way to overcome first time nerves. My problem is that I would be as nervous about the others in the organised group as any of the cultural challenges the country posed. Maureen explained that they already knew some of their fellow travellers. I could see how that might help.

It is not just the view which made this a memorable day. It was great to be able eat outside and relax in the sunshine. That's not always the case in winter, even this far south. Friendly people help too. That's not always the case either. Perhaps to say today was perfect is an exaggeration, but it was a good one and extraordinarily beautiful too.