Finca Arboleda

The Trip to Spain: La Posada del Laurel

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest , 0 Comentarios

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

Lunch At Boracay Restaurant, Garrucha.

Michael Petty Bars and Restaurants, Finca Arboleda , 1 comentario

Boracay restaurant is situated on the beach at Garrucha with tables outside or indoors. It is very stylish and modern. They do not serve a budget menu del dia but offer a wide selection of tasty tapas, raciones and fish or meat main courses.

We were a group of eight and had a selection of raciones of fish dishes, mussels, large hake balls, cod and squid all well cooked in different sauces. This was probably enough but we had already ordered a mixed paella for six people. It was quite moist, which is how I prefer it and was full of chicken and fish and decorated with mussels and prawns. Although full one of our group insisted that I join him by having a chocolate brownie! We brought home a substantial doggy bag for Stig and he gave it his approval.

Verdict? Not cheap but a lovely restaurant in a beautiful setting, the food was excellent, well served and we all enjoyed it. Certainly one for a special occasion or just pop in for a beer and tapa, you won’t regret it.

 

Dia de la Vieja (Day of the old lady)

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest 0 Comentarios
piñata’s of old ladies

This is a very local fiesta celebrated around Mojacar, Villaricos and Vera. It takes place during lent on a Thursday, 3 weeks before Holy Thursday.

Families head off to the campo in the afternoon for a picnic, Later on piñata’s of old ladies are hung from trees and children hit them with sticks or throw rocks at them. Eventually the old lady is demolished and sweets break out from the inside and the children all run to grab them. And that is Día de la Vieja. Now aside from those wonderful things, I have no idea why it is only celebrated in our area. Most people have probably never heard of it.

A theory is that it provides light relief for the children who were taken for a day out by their Grandmothers as a treat halfway through lent, hence the sweets inside the old ladies.

Even if you miss the event you always know when it has occurred just by seeing the rubbish that has been left behind in true Spanish style !!!

piñata of old lady
piñata of old lady

 

 

 

GASTROANDALUCIA

Michael Petty Bars and Restaurants, Finca Arboleda, Local Interest, Whats On 0 Comentarios

17,18 and 19 February in the park El Palmeral in Vera.

Vera offers a festival for all employers in the food, crafts and culture, who will share their specialties with all visitors coming to the Fair “El Palmeral”, on the 17,18 and 19 February 2017, during the First Edition of GASTROANDALUCIA. Popular tastings, craft exhibitions, food festivals, dances … and for the little ones a children’s gastronomic competition; will be some of the activities that will complement the fair.

Vera Gastro Programme
Vera Gastro Programme

 

Sorbas. Karst Natural Park of Gypsum.

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda, Local Interest 0 Comentarios

Karst topography is a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves.

The caves at Sorbas are some of the best preserved and are open for tours of different difficulty depending on the individual. As someone who is a little claustrophobic I’m happy to hear about your adventures and post your pictures here.

There is a web site with details here. 

Sorbas caves
Sorbas caves