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
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
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
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
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.
King Ferdinand of Spain sponsored the expedition west in the hopes of sailing to India. In August of 1492, Columbus set off into the Atlantic; two months later he would set foot on the Bahamas, establish settlements on Hispaniola Island and spread Christianity to the New World. Upon his return to Spain, he spoke of gold and riches and thus the Americas were opened up for European colonisation.
This day is a holiday in many countries, but it’s known under other names. October 12 is widely celebrated throughout Americas as Columbus Day (in the USA) or Día de la Raza (in the countries of Latin America).
The Spaniards began celebrating National Day in 1935 as Dia de la Hispanidad, that emphasized their connection to international Hispanic community, the Hispanidad. The name of the holiday was changed in 1987 to Fiesta Nacional. The holiday became one of the two major Spanish national celebrations. The date of National Day had been moved for several times, until a compromise was achieved.
Between Franco’s death in 1975 and 1981, October 12 celebrations remained very much attached to Francoist and imperialist values. King Juan Carlos’s solemn speeches to mark the day repeatedly painted Spain as a civilising force in South America.
But by the 1980s, a redefinition of October 12 was needed. There was a push for it to be used to renovate the old idea of a “Spanish nation”, despite the fact that the nation was comprised of a multitude of culturally differentiated populations, blended uncomfortably into the new democratic consensus.
The different historical nations within Spain (Galicia, the Basque Country and Catalonia) had, by 1981, declared their own respective national days. Catalonia even declared October 12 a normal working day in its territory. What’s more, the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) wanted to celebrate Spain’s national day on the December 6 instead of in October, as this was the day when the constitution of 1978 had been passed by referendum.
Since Oct 12th 2000 it has also been celebrated as a military day with parades of the armed forces.
Anti-colonial and anti-fascist protests are held every year in Bilbao and Barcelona, partly to counteract the rallies of Spanish ultra-right groups arriving from outside these cities on the national date, we hope it all passes off peacefully in Catalonia.
I imagine something will occur in Vera but it is not being publicised as far as i can see, but it’s a holiday and the weather is still fantastic. Enjoy!
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.
