World Beach Tennis Cup in Vera

Beach Tennis VeraOn 27th – 28th May Indalo Beach Tennis Club in Vera Playa will be hosting the Spanish Grand Prix with a first prize of €1500.
For those that don’t know Beach Tennis is played on a standard Beach Volleyball court with a tennis ball and paddle or racquet.
It has really risen in popularity in the last 10 years and this athletic sport is quite a spectacle.

If you are visiting the area and looking for accommodation we are about 10 mins  away and an ideal relaxing base for you.

This official ITF video outlines the basics for you.

 

 

A Place In The Sun

A Place In The Sun has been popular viewing for those wanting to live the

dream for a long time now, if fact we were filmed 13 years ago as innocent

bystanders in Mojacar!

A Place In The Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

The programme often features Almeria province and Finca Arboleda would

be the perfect base for independent travellers who want to get a feel for the

area and maybe check out a few properties with local agents without feeling

tied to one of them.

We visited the area 3 times over a one year period before we took the plunge

and have not regretted our decision to buy Finca Arboleda one bit.

If you decide to come out a car is essential for looking around. We have a lot

of local knowledge and if you would like to ask any questions we are

happy to help or to point you in the right direction to get the answers

you need. We are ideally situated for looking at property in Mojacar,

Garrucha, San Juan, Albox, Arboleas and of course Vera.

When you are not property hunting our 5000 square metres of fenced garden

and fantastic pool will let you experience the dream before you purchase.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the area, our

accommodation or would like to stay at Finca Arboleda.

Caballos del Vino 2017 Caravaca

Caravaca Horse

Caballos del Vino 2017 Caravaca dates back to the thirteenth century , although the documented origin of this celebration is from the nineteenth century .

Legend has it that Caravaca was surrounded by the Arabs from the Kingdom of Granada and the Templars defended it from within the walls . The lack of water and its poor quality caused an epidemic , the Templars had to travel outside the walls to find some water to give to the population; Instead they found wine (sounds like a trick worth learning!) they loaded it on their horses in a few hidden places, rode back with it and give it to the sick who were then healed; Hence they take the name of the wine horses .

The festival used to be a procession but now it has developed into a race. Watch the video from this years celebrations but don’t let “health and safety” see it.

Some of this information is from http://www.tradicionesyfiestas.com/

Extreme Adventure Mojacar

I came across an advert for these people and must admit I’d not heard of them but it

looks interesting especially if you are here with the kids or just young at heart.

Camel rides have been popular on Mojacar beach for a few years and it’s part of

“Extreme Adventures” portfolio.

Camel Rides Mojacar
Camel Rides Mojacar

There really are too many things on offer to list them all, maybe Paintball is your thing or

maybe like me you’ve never tried it.

Paintball Mojacar Adventure
Paintball Mojacar Adventure

Archery might be your thing or something new to try.

Archery
Archery

They also offer Karting, Quads, Buggy rides, Horse riding, Childrens park and loads

of water activities including Kayaks, Jet Skis, Flyboards and boat trips.

They are based on the AL-6111 Turre to Los Gallardos road.

Give they a call on 950 615 343 or 687 919 840

Or visit www.extremeadvmojacar.com

 

 

 

LOS CABALLOS DEL VINO (WINE HORSES), CARAVACA

Tomorrow we are off to Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia for the festival of the Wine Horses.

The beginning of the fiestas is on April 30th with the Noche de las Migas (Night of the Breadcrumbs). Streets are crowded with charanga bands, batucadas (music events consisting of a group of percussion instruments) and the colouring of the peñas migueras, groups of people meeting to cook this typical dish made of breadcrumbs, garlic, sardines and sausages, that later get together in Plaza del Hoyo to choose the best migas. On May 1st there are very popular events such as the Flower Offering, the Contest of Bareback Horses and the Exhibition of Capes, real pieces of art woven with silk and silver and gold threads that will decorate horses the following day.

In the morning of May 2nd Caravaca celebrates the Caballos del Vino (Wine Horses), the big day of the fiestas. The only requirement for not being out of tone is to wear a red shawl, a white shirt and to bear in mind that you’re going to attend one of the most deafening fiestas of Spain.

Hundreds of thousands of people meet together for the legendary race. Everything happens in the blink of an eye. Four lads run next to each horse in an intense gallop that finishes at the open area of the Castle. This race recalls an incredible event that happened 700 years ago. According to legend, when the Muslims besieged the castle of the sacred city, a group of templars was able to break the siege, introduce saddlebags full of wine with the aid of their horses and prevent the population from dying because of the poisoned water that the enemies had used to contaminate tanks.

You can a video here.  https://youtu.be/v9XCSy9sOeg

Second Chance Summer: Tuscany

We’ve never seen this programme but tonights episode on BBC2 might be interesting for people who have stayed here or indeed neighbours as it focuses on the Olive harvest

It is about Ten strangers, all at a crossroads in life about to embark on an experience that could change their lives forever. From the makers of The Real Marigold Hotel, five men and five women arrive in Tuscany to see if their dream to make a new start in the Italian countryside can become a reality. Sounds dreadful but we’ll be watching tonight!

Finca Arboleda has 56 trees and yields vary but last year we harvested, with the help of guests and friends over a tonne of olives which gave us about 230 litres of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. There really is nothing like the real thing and it will be interesting to see how these guys do. We pick in November so i’m not sure when this was filmed.

Olive Picking 2016 at Finca Arboleda
Olive Picking 2016 at Finca Arboleda

Spectacular Spain With Alex Polizzi, Seville

SpectacularSpainWithAlexPolizzi
SpectacularSpainWithAlexPolizzi

Alex continues her fantastic journey through Spain on channel 5 tonight. She is still in Andalucia moving west from Almeria and Granada, which were a real treat last week.

She starts in marbella and enjoys Manzanilla in Jerez, the gorgeous city of Seville and one of our favourites Cadiz. Can’t wait!

If you missed last weeks or indeed any of the episodes they are on You Tube here  http://tinyurl.com/mbmz2h3

The Trip to Spain: La Posada del Laurel

Spain really is the place to be this year, whether it’s Alex with her fantastic “Spectacular Spain” series, endless car adverts with their pristine models stretching their “legs” around our fantastic empty roads or Rob and Steve in this wonderful series.

If you haven’t seen Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan in this spoof that sees them staying in beautiful places and eating great food while supposedly working for a broadsheet with Steve writing a foodie column then you’ve missed a treat. It is amazingly low key with the guys cruising around in their Range Rover before spending time over good food and enjoying the type of conversation good friends indulge in when the wines finished and the Port is on it’s 2nd round, Great entertainment from two masters and Rob’s “Little Man in A Box” always brings a smile. The fact that this, the third series, is in Spain only adds to the joy.

This series is bing shown on Sky Atlantic on Thursdays but it is also to be found on You Tube, please try and find it, you will not be disappointed.

#spectacularspain #thetriptospain #robbrydon #stevecoogan #spainontv #fincaarboleda #The Trip to Spain: La Posada del Laurel.

TheTripToSpain
TheTripToSpain