Walk the streets of Galera and you’ll begin to get a feel for the place. A labyrinth of narrow lanes and alleyways lead you to who knows where?

Enjoy the square on market day (Wednesday) and the hustle and bustle of life. Or see how it transforms itself into an open air theatre, accommodating a travelling band of entertainers, or the latest movie, but remember to bring your own chair along!

In the cool of the evening, those same streets that are deserted through the siesta come to life. The old folks bring out their chairs to chat to neighbours. Young and old alike all have time and respect for each other.

Of course this little village can’t provide everything but that’s not the point.
For us, we don’t want to be living in a seething metropolis – Galera suits just fine, in fact its just perfecto.

Apparently the doctor is very good and the next town along (Huéscar) has a 24 hr drop-in medical centre. I understand we have a village policeman, but as we have no crime, little wonder we have never seen him. As for the shops - Well, I guess it seems like England was decades ago. No big chains, just tiny shops serving the community, for example a selection of small supermarkets all with deli/meat counters - the butcher, the bakers, a fishmonger and even a candlestick maker.

The tobacco shop just selling tobacco and stationary (plus stamps) A great little news agent come gift shop come shoe shop and a lovely little general store selling hiking boots, dust pans, vases, hats, fly swats etc., in fact, you name it they sell it. You get the picture. Oh and there’s a local builders yard, a good iron mongers, a furniture store, local joiners, a post office (funny hours, and often no stamps), a chemist, three banks and a museum that’s brilliant. Not to mention the bars and all that lovely tapas- phew!
Did I mention the historic church with a ceiling of such beauty and historic significance?
I think, not bad, not bad at all.

This is Galera, I love it!