My son and I live on the edge of the Sierra Subbética mountains right by Andalucía's largest lake, Lake Iznájar - where we can do any kind of non-motor-based water sports we like. So last weekend, my "family" of friends and some of our B&B guests disappeared for the day for a big barbeque on the banks of the lake followed by some kayaking.
I've never done anything like it in my life before and was a bit nervous to be honest, so the director of Adventure Sports Spain, Rob Greville, gently took me through my paces - teaching me how not to get blisters!
We kayaked (if that's the right way to say it) right across Lake Iznájar to the other side where huge fish were literally leaping clear of the water in search of a sumptuous grub or two ... and the dragonflies hovered so close you could see their markings.
The wild spring flowers on the banks were stunning and the views of the extraordinary Moorish town Iznájar were absolutely breathtaking. My son (aged nine) was as happy as the proverbial Pig in the Poo - wading about in the shallow water with a fishing net catching tiny fishes for our three year-old friend Ben to accidentally crush, all overseen by a large gathering of responsible adults!
Iznájar means Happy Castle, and I have to say when you're out on the water, listening only to the sounds of the lapping of the wind-created waves and your own exhalations, it is truly one of the most lasting memories I have had since arriving in the Andalucían province of Córdoba some 18 months ago.
Amanda Hamilton runs Casa La Celada Luxury Guest House B&B in Iznájar, close to the cities of Málaga, Granada and Córdoba in Spain where she paints and practices reflexology.
For more information about Casa La Celada log on to www.casa-la-celada.com or email Amanda@casa-la-celada.com