I would imagine that the 'flashes' were reflections on glass similar to those from car windscreens.It would be a lot easier,cheaper and much more defined using satelite imagary ie Google earth.
The photo  of our place is not very good resolution and clearly a good few years old.We have done a few 'minor modifications' since then which obviously are not on the photos and if they were,would be difficult to see using the system that had been used.

I still think that they are spotter planes.  There is no other reason for a plane to come down the valley - we don't even get fly spraying planes.  All other planes fly over and across.

Also last year we heard voices at the end of our land where several of us have access to our properties and I went up to see what was happening.  There were 3 guys there (one of whom I recognised from the local ajuntemente.  Thye had cameras, tpae measures and surveying equipment with them.  When I asked the local guy what was going on he said that they were updating the property registers, so whatever you say locals and newcomers are having an eye kept on them, just as whould happen with the rating officers paying visits in the UK.  Only difference is that the Spanish don't let you know who they are and why they are here. 

My advice is don't do anything (and more) over here that you would not do without similar planning permission in the UK (remember the Essex MP who got in trouble for replacing her windows with a different completely inappropriate style).  Too many Brits come over here and just set about doing the things that they would complain about other people, such as travellers, doing in the Land of Grey.  Why they think they should be able to do so and then grumble and moan when they get rapped over the knuckles I just don't know.  Nuff said.

Hi Nigel That Map site is realy good ,1st time I have managed to find my Shack !!! I will keep on checking it out to see how the weeds, trees, are growing !

My refuge/casita/manor house looks a little bit bigger than original
i would guess the picture was taken within the last year probably autumn judging by the stage the building was at.
Tree count was spot on.

It's interesting to see on the icc.map that you can tell from the Legend the condition of your building,either derelict,semi-derelict or -----  ?

You're welcome Phil.  I find it an interesting and useful site.  It's a shame it's not at a slightly higher resolution and not updated more often (perhaps that's a good thing for dodgy buildings if they do check  ).  I expect arial photo surveys are expensive exercises.  Using this site in combination with Google Earth and the Sigpac site enables you to glean all sorts of info i.e. the boundaries of your parcellas, areas and distances etc.

I know a very hard working and reliable English builder who operates from Torstosa.  In fact he works so hard that if you're labouring for him, you'll have a job to keep up.  He's done work for me in the past and has just finished refurbishintg my bathroom.  I've checked with him and at the moment he's available in April but may not be for long.  If you want to use him, let me have some details and I'll fix it up if you like.

We have recently used an excellant chap based in Bitem, good quality work, reliable and value for money. If you are still looking for someone then please PM me.