A quick visit to Spain!

Yesterday i returned from a short two day trip abroad to a small village in Catalonia called Granyena. The reason for this trip was to meet two of the farmers from the village who i am now selling olive oil for in the UK. Granyena only has a population of 150 and relies mainly on the production and sales of olive oil. I decided this year to take on the task of setting up a business to selling the oil and other products produced in the village.

Granyena

Me Stood next to an olive tree over 1000 years old!

I'd spoke to them by email before going to Spain but felt like i needed to visit to learn more about the oil and where it came from. So that's what i did. I was taken of a tour of the mills and the olive groves which went on for miles and miles. As well as the olives and oil, they also produce almonds which grow between the olive trees and organic honey made by there own bees. It was a great trip and i could tell that Xavi and Cisco (the farmers) were extremely passionate about what they were doing which has made me want the make this business work even more.

The Old Mill

The Old Olive Grinder

These used to separate the water from the oil

The Old Reservoir for Granyena

An Old Well, still fills with water when there is rain

Cisco cutting down an olive branch so more sunlight gets to the tree

The farmers use tools as a pose to machinery so they do not damage their trees

Cisco, Me and Xavi

Me, Brian (Irish Translator and farmers friend), My Dad, Cisco & Xavi

I've set up a website from where i'm going to sell their products (www.prima-oliva.co.uk). This summer, as a way of promoting the site, i will be touring around the UK in a van attending various agricultural shows and also visiting delis and farmshops to try and get them to stock the products. I'm also on the lookout for anyone who knows and celebrity chefs to try and get them hooked too.

I'm back in England now but not for long; tomorrow i will be flying out to Taiwan where i'm going to do some sight seeing, some work and hopefully learn a little Chinese. I'll be travelling by myself which might be quite different as i only know how to say hello and thank you in Chinese, this could pose a problem. It's going to be extremely different to what i'm used to but should be a bit of a challenge, i can't wait!