I think it might be interesting for you to know how we managed our water and all the other waters we use and are nearby.
To make it very clear: all this was created and invented by my partner, John. I am just the observer and user. So when I talk about ‘we’, just have that in mind.
Although the Spanish water-company has a building very near by, it was not possible to get a connection to their water supply. So what we did was buying a big container for 10.000 liters. We use that water for doing the dishes, cooking and showering. We have been here nearly fulltime for a year and we had order new water twice. but it all depends how many times we spend here in Cabanes. Now we have chickens we are here far more often.
The two watertanks that collect water from the roof and terrace of the house were already here, but recently we bought two extra black containers, just to have more water reserved.
That’s also for the big water reservoir. The only thing we did was covering it. The plan for the future is one day to reform it into a swimming pool, but for the time being we use this water , as wel from the watertanks , for watering the plants. There is a kind of wateringsystem, but that is not functioning right now. The only trees that need extra watering are the orange-trees, but we do that, if necessary by hand.
The previous owner had made a well, but he took with him the pump and said that it wasn’t functioning. So we decided not to buy a pump to try it out. A few months ago our neighbour, Toni, came to visit us, most of the time to bring us vegetables and bread , for us and the chickens and this time he took with him his ‘divining-rod’. Not so sure if I use the right name for it, but I am familiar with it on other subjects. He searched all over our area where there was water underground and tried to learn it to us as well. We were not so fast pupils.
pendelen
There is lots more to share about water around our house. Very nearby, let’s say 100 meters, there is a very big waterreservoir, which was used for making the tiles in the tile factory, also on the same area. This tile factory, was created in the 16th century for making the rooftops of a big church nearby. I am not sure if this water reservoir is there since the 16th century, I would like to find out about that, but it’s big and since closing of the factory, since about 50 years , that’s what I heard, not sure about that as well. But now only a few ducks are using it and birds collecting water and maybe there is some fish.
In the village there are two places where people can collect water and the washing area is still there and such a nice area. We drive by every time we go to Castellon and many times I see older women washing their clothes and when it is later in the day there are small groups of youngsters coming together there. There are two fountains in the village and I heard the water is coming from the mountains. There are always a lot of people filling bottles with water, I presume these people have houses in the country with no water.
So there are two fountains with fresh water flowing 24 hours a day, but the river is dry. I wonder why they build such a big river, while most of the year it’s dry. In fact, I never saw water there, so as soon it has been pouring rain, I am going to have a look there. It’s even have a name: Barrac del Ramachol. So, something to find out .
Also water, but fresh, salty and a joy to swim in is the sea. It’s a 25 minute drive by car on a road through the mountains (of course not so high) and a 10 minute walk, a lovely beach is waiting to be used. Sometimes we are the only one and sometimes there are more people, but never over crowded.