:12:00
But the olives are usually eaten by insects.
:12:05
The best animal for such infertile land is the goat.
:12:09
Its milk is reserved for the gravely ill, who mop it up with bread...
:12:13
...brought from afar by the beggars, and given only to the sick.
:12:29
Goat meat is only eaten when a goat dies.
:12:32
This happens from time to time on the steep slopes.
:12:41
The main industry in Las Hurdes is apiculture.
:12:45
But most of the hives don't belong to the Hurdanos.
:12:48
And the honey the bees get from heather is very bitter.
:12:53
The owners of the hives are from La Alberca.
:12:56
They only let the Hurdanos have the hives in winter.
:13:00
It's milder here than in the neighbouring province of Salamanca.
:13:07
In spring they take the hives to Castilla.
:13:10
Then, it's common to see pack animals laden with hives...
:13:14
...heading for Castilla.
:13:17
One day, we came across a donkey laden with hives.
:13:20
Two Hurdanos are taking it to Salamanca.
:13:24
Later, while we were eating, we were asked for help.
:13:28
The donkey was tied up and one of the hives had fallen.
:13:32
It was being attacked by bees.
:13:34
It tried to defend itself...
:13:37
...but more hives had fallen.
:13:39
And swarms of bees had descended on it.
:13:44
An hour later it was dead. A month before our arrival...
:13:48
... three men and eleven donkeys had died the same way.
:13:57
May and June are the hardest months in Las Hurdes.