Lavuelta 2018

Spain’s version of the Tour de France is approaching.

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

La Vuelta 2018

Just returned from a peaceful and relaxing two weeks stay at the Old Stables.

holiday beach

Just returned from a peaceful and relaxing two weeks stay at the Old Stables. We would like to thank Mick and Pirkko very much for their great attention to detail in preparing and equipping the villa with everything you need for an easy stay. In particular providing beach towels (saves on luggage weight), shopping bags, having a reliable internet and UK TV (life saver for the World Cup!) are all nice touches. Combined with the tranquillity of the gardens and pool area, we really enjoyed our time here, the villa is clean, comfortable and as regular renters in Spain, lacking nothing in our opinion. Having fresh hen’s eggs and home produced Olive Oil are also nice bonuses. Although we chose to stay in the Stables, having viewed the Orange Grove during our stay, we would recommend either place for quality and attention to detail.
Mick and Pirkko are always available for local advice, information and general chat, especially for football banter!
If you are planning a trip to this area, just book here, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. There are many places of interest within a one hour drive, superb beaches and lots of quality restaurants in surrounding towns and villages. We will definitely return to book either property when next in this area.
Thanks again to you both for a wonderful stay! C&L Manchester. 2/7/2018

Parade De Moros y Cristianos De Vera 2018

Moros y Cristianos Vera 2018On 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

Dogs and Guest Review.

As dog owners ourselves we are more than happy to welcome them here. We are mindful that other guests may not be so fond of our four legged friends so tend to restrict it to one per guest or maybe two small ones. We also are not so keen on having them in the peak summer months, they are generally not allowed on the beaches here and they are strictly not allowed in our swimming pool.

Well that’s our position, we have just had a lovely couple staying for five weeks with their miniature dachshunds and this is what they had to say…

We had an extended stay in the Old Stables during April to early May, which was so enjoyable. The accommodation was spotless and every attention to detail catered for with a very well equipped kitchen, a wonderful shower room and two delightful bedrooms with super comfy beds. The location of the Finca and the peaceful ambience make for the perfect place to relax and revive the soul.
The whole area is naturally beautiful and the views across the olive groves to the sea are enchanting. Thank you Mick and Pirkka for making our stay so comfortable and being perfect hosts. Janet and Graham and particularly Phoebe and Oscar our dachshunds

 

Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure

Shown on BBC 2 on 8th February

Hairy Bikers Mud Bathing

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.

See their web page here.

I MARCHA POR LA INCLUSIÓN PLENA DE LAS PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDAD.

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

Fancy A Yoga Fix On Holiday in Vera?

Fancy A Yoga Fix On Holiday in Vera?

Whether you are experienced in yoga or have just always fancied trying it, why not make it a must do on your holiday.

We have a friend who is a very highly qualified instructor and we can help you with details of where she has her classes in Vera or other places close by. It is also possible that she can visit here and give private tuition under our Orange trees by the swimming pool, sounds idyllic doesn’t it.

If you would like more information just contact us through the web site. I will post more details on this when I have spoken with Ashlí.

Created by Michael

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Valencia.

Not exactly Almeria but only 4 hours up the coast.

Travel man in Valencia

If you haven’t seen this long running channel four series you are missing the best travel show since Rob Brydon and Alan partridge climbed aboard for “The Trip” This week he has the lovely Sara Pascoe for company, lucky man!

This week the sarky but entertaining Richard Ayoade is soaking up the history and culture of Spain’s third largest city with Sara Pascoe. Among the highlights: a paella lesson-turned-Wicker Man-style ritual, which Ayoade says is “a compelling argument for Deliveroo”; discovering the super-alcoholic Agua de Valencia, which leaves them both worse for wear; and ditching the city’s cultural centre to go zorbing. Hannah J Davies in The Guardian.

If you haven’t seen the show this clip gives a flavour of what to expect.