Finca Arboleda, Vera, Idyllic Holiday Accommodation For Discovering Almeria
Today’s leg is from Granada to Roquetas de Mar and can be seen on Eurosport.
Tomorrow, thursday, it starts from Huercal Overa and the warm up is from around 12.30 with the off at 13.58.
It’s a fairly flat leg up the coast to Mar Menor. Tomorrow they start from Puerto Lumbreras to Pozo Alcón and should make
for spectacular viewing as they climb up to Los Vélez.
We’re off to Huercal tomorrow for the start.
https://www.lavuelta.es/en/stage-6
On Saturday, June 9 at 7:00 pm, the Grand Parade (Gran Desfile) of Moros and Cristianos of Vera will take place in honor of the Patrona Ntra. Sra. La Santísima Virgen de las Angustias de Vera. As every year we will also have the Route of the Moros and Cristianos Campamentos, a Pyromusical show in the Plaza Mayor at the end of the Parade at 22.00, and this year we have several novelties, such as the Living Chess in the Plaza de la Verja on Thursday 7th. June, where the children of the four schools of Vera will participate
On the final leg of their Mediterranean journey, the Hairy Bikers are travelling through southern Spain in the footsteps of the Moors, heading for Costa del Sol and the midsummer festival of San Juan.
They begin their exploration of the Moorish influence on the culture and cuisine of Spain in Valencia. Renowned as one of Spain’s most fertile areas, crops have been cultivated here since Roman times, but it was the Moors who perfected the irrigation systems that allowed farming to flourish and, to this day, Valencia is a destination for those seeking out world-class produce.
The bikers head straight for the market to taste a local speciality, horchata, a non-alcoholic drink made from tiger nuts. They meet food enthusiast and amateur historian Anton, who shows them how horchata is made and fills them in on the basics of local history. Inspired by the Moorish influence they are beginning to discover, they cook ajo blanco (a white gazpacho) and pataquetas (crescent-shaped bread rolls).
Back on the road, the bikers head inland to a secret valley where the Moors cultivated crops on dramatic hillside terraces before they were evicted in the 15th century and replaced by Christian families. They meet the descendants of those families to cook a local twist on paella – a rice dish with rabbit and cherries.
In the pursuit of the perfect surf and turf diet, they head back to the coast to an out-of-the-way restaurant with a reputation for seafood. Here, they get involved with the preparation of freshly caught octopus, which is washed and stretched out on washing lines to dry in the sun. In the restaurant kitchen, they see how the dried octopus is cooked. An octopus stew also makes an appearance on the dinner table – the full flavour of the Mediterranean on a plate.
A MARCH FOR THE FULL INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
Asprodalba is one of our closest neighbours. What is Asprodalba? A good question. It was started in 1979 and was the first facility in Andalucia for people with disabilities, mainly learning disabilities. ASPRODALBA offers specialized, comprehensive and personalized attention, maximising the skills and abilities of people, promoting normalization and integration and defending their dignity and rights as citizens.
Amongst other things it offers:
AN OCCUPATIONAL CENTER: where occupational and work skills are worked through with different workshops (ceramics, plastic arts, theater, gardening, computer science, permanent adult education, waiter assistants, etc.) as well as different programs of personal autonomy, social skills, cultural, sports and leisure. Our Finca Arboleda sign was designed and made by Asprodalba many years ago.
A DAY UNIT: for people in need of permanent and widespread support, not limited to a purely assistance work but concerned about developing the potential, skills and abilities to the maximum through different pre-workshops and personalized programs. Has a multisensory room for relaxation and stimulation sessions.
A SHOP: located in the Plaza Mayor de Vera, where artisanal works are displayed and sold in the workshops of the Occupational Center, attended directly by the clients from the center.
See their facebook page here. We are off to support them and and other similar people today. When you come and stay at Finca Arboleda you will pass Asprodalba and now you will know about the great work they do.
Created by Michael
Now is the time to start checking out holiday plans for next year, we are getting enquiries so don’t leave it too late. Check this promotional video for an idea of what this fantastic region has to offer.
Women interested in getting a ribbon to embroider or paint it and participate, can do so contacting through the Commission of Celebrations, from September 1st. More information at the Tourist Office. It will be a fun afternoon!
The carrera de cintas, or belt race, is a traditional sport often played during the feria patronal in Spain and Latin America. In the carrera de cintas, short belts with loops on one end are hung from a wire suspended between two posts. Contestants, who may be on either horses or bicycles, ride towards the wire and attempt to capture a belt by putting a peg through the loop. Traditionally, the belts are given to a group of women who then award prizes. The origin of the sport is not known.
I couldn’t find a video from Vera but this gives an idea of the fun to expect.
The annual fiesta and a promise of late nights starts on 21st September with one of the highlights for some people being the bullfights.
More information regarding the bullfight.
Reservation of tickets and more information can be obtained on the following telephone numbers: 676 385 583 – 650 275 262, and on the website: www.grupovientobravo.es
Given that the patron saint of Vera is the Virgen de las Angustias (Virgin of Sorrows), this is not a major celebration. However, devotion brings neighbors to the shrine located on the outskirts of the town year after year. The pilgrimage is held to pay homage to the people of Lorca who assisted Vera´s population when the town was besieged by the Moorish king Aben Humeya in 1569.
In fact, the city of Lorca did not have to intervene. The Moorish king turned back when he heard relief was on its way shortly after the attack on Vera’s walls had already begun. Thus began the memory and gratitude towards the patron of Lorca.
The celebration is marked by parades of horse drawn carriages that are colourfully decorated flowers and it wouldn’t be Spain without some loud music and dancing. The parade passes the local roads and reaches it’s destination at the Heritage. There the party will continue with Flamenco dancing music and fireworks until late in the night.
On Sunday it will all start again and will include a large Paella and a Children’s Piñatas Contest. There are some links and a google translation of the programme below. Sounds like fun!
ROMERIA VIRGEN DE LAS HUERTAS 2017 PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY 2
17:00 h. Begin the journey from La Legua through the usual roads, with all those floats and horses that want to accompany to the hermitage to snack.
9:30 p.m. Performance of the Flamenco Dance Academy “Las Chibancas”
10:30 p.m. Fiesta with the performance of “Ensía de Almería”
00:00 h. Great Musical Piro Show.
SUNDAY 3
11:30 a.m. “Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Huertas” from its hermitage to make the habitual route.
We want to encourage everyone to participate in our Pilgrimage, dressing in the typical costumes, as well as decorating floats and vehicles without missing horses and riders to give a great color and splendor.
The Queens and Ladies of Honor for children and youth 2016 paraded in a chariot adorned for the occasion, accompanying our Virgin of the Huertas.
2:00 p.m. Arrival of the Romería to the Hermitage and we will be able to taste a paella.
5:30 p.m. Awarding of prizes of the Children’s Piñatas Contest, we encourage all the children to present their original piñata.
6:45 p.m. Performance of the flamenco group “Virgen de las Huertas”
7:30 p.m. Holy Mass officiated by our parish priest D. Carlos Fortes García, accompanied by the Choir of the Fraternity of Our Lady of Rocio de Garrucha.
Then, as is traditional, the Raffle will be held in honor of Our Lady of the Huertas several prizes that will be displayed at the entrance of the hermitage.
To end the party we will have the live music performance of “El Bartolico”
Here you can see some photos and videos of previous years.
A map of the location, click at the top right to enlarge.
It has been very hard to find exact information about the route La Vuelta will take through Garrucha and Mojacar but Garrucha town hall have posted this, so you would hope they know which roads need to be closed.
It is fairly self explanatory but is different to the last route I published. I f anyone knows the exact route further along please let me know.
If you’re in the UK be sure to catch the highlights at least, they are on ITV 4 at 7pm on Weds 30th August.
Queen Tribute Act Like You’ve Never Seen Before.
The Plaza de Torres in Vera will host the tribute show “We Love Queen” from 22.00 on 19th August. It promises to be a spectacular celebration in Dance and Music of the popular band.