Finca Arboleda

Lorca Castle Invaded By “Hairy Bikers”

Michael Petty Culture, Finca Arboleda, Local Interest, Things to Do , , , 0 Comentarios

BBC-Hairy-Bikers-chefs-LorcaThe BBC chefs “The Hairy Bikers” were in Lorca a few weeks ago to film for their new series on Mediterranean cuisine which will air in February 2018.

Lorca Castle is about 40 minutes from Finca Arboleda just over the border in Murcia. It was built between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista. It is listed as a Site of Cultural Interest.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times. There were archaeological excavations conducted between 1999 and 2011, in conjunction with other excavations conducted in the centre of the town of Lorca. The excavations revealed the existence of an Argaric town that extended from the castle to the actual site of the current town. The excavations revealed funerary sites, homes, and a wall.

During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

The Castle is well worth a visit and entry costs from only €4 They have lots of events there and the night visits look lovely. Their web site in English has loads of information Castle website

Finca Arboleda’s 100th Review

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda 0 Comentarios

 

Celebrating 100 Great ReviewsWow! we have just received our 100th guest review on our own independently hosted guest book.

We had stopped using the guest book for a while as listing sites like Owners Direct, Spain Holiday, Trip Advisor pressure it’s clients to get guests to post reviews  and we are very aware that people returning from their holiday have better things to do than post multiple reviews. There are more than 100 more reviews scattered around the web but our own guest book is the one that stays with us.

A big thank you to all the guests who have taken the trouble to review us over the last 11 years. I’m going to look back at some of the early ones but they are all here if you are interested http://tinyurl.com/yc98pex

 

100th Review Received

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda , , , , 0 Comentarios

Celebrating 100 Great ReviewsWow! we have just received our 100th guest review on our own independently hosted guest book.

We had stopped using the guest book for a while as listing sites like Owners Direct, Spain Holiday, Trip Advisor pressure it’s clients to get guests to post reviews  and we are very aware that people returning from their holiday have better things to do than post multiple reviews. There are more than 100 more reviews scattered around the web but our own guest book is the one that stays with us.

A big thank you to all the guests who have taken the trouble to review us over the last 11 years. I’m going to look at some of the early ones but they are all here if you are interested http://tinyurl.com/yc98pex

Another Couple Living The Dream

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest , , , 0 Comentarios

We left the UK 14 years ago to start a completely new lifestyle adventure at Finca Arboleda. This programme on Channel 5 tonight features another couple making the leap. It’s always interesting for us to see how they get on but the main reason for watching this particular one is that the lovely Alex Polizzi is presenting. If you didn’t catch her “Spectacular Spain” series which finished a few weeks ago make sure you look out for it on one of the catch up options that are around.

Casa Cuevas Alex Polizzi lends her expertise to British expats Mark and Shirley, who have spent the past eight years living and working on the southern coast of Spain. A weekend break to a traditional Spanish cave house has inspired the pair to open their own. Setting their sights on a hillside in Granada, the duo plan to use their 25,000-euro savings and a £50,000 inheritance to set up a three-bedroom B&B, but an ambitious 10-week turnaround period could leave them struggling to open the doors on time.

Cuevas Helena

A Place In The Sun

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest , , 0 Comentarios

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.

If I was lucky enough to own such a slice of paradise….

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda , , 0 Comentarios

We had a great break away and will definitely be returning to the area and to the Finca Arboleda if they have availability when the time comes. If I was lucky enough to own such a slice of paradise, I’m not sure I could share it with others!! Regards Rodney & Carolyne, Cavan, Ireland.

Just received this fantastic review, somehow makes all the hard work seem worthwhile See review here

Orange Grove In Flower
Orange Grove In Flower

Extreme Adventure Mojacar

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest, Things to Do, Whats On , , 0 Comentarios

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

 

 

 

Second Chance Summer: Tuscany

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest, Olive Oil , 0 Comentarios

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