Chiringuitos Saved
The ministry of the Environment has now said that the beach restaurants – chiringuitos – can stay on the sand without disciplinary action being taken against them.
Only those where a move is easily possible off the sand will do so, and only with the agreement of the owners.
This is a new concession on the part of central government, which had announced pans to impose the 18 year old Ley de Costas (coastal law) which decreed that all beech was public land and the restaurants should be moved off it.
It as now been decided that the chiringuitos are now beach installations and no further action will be taken.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Spanish Home Visitors Rules
Visitors Rules
Most of us like having our annual visitors to stay but sometimes the welcome wears a bit thin. On e of my friends, at the end of her tether, sent the following to her family, not entirely tongue in cheek. Does it strike a chord?
Dear all,
Yes of course we would love to see you again this year, but we have to tell you that there will be a few changes:
1 We recommend that you hire a car from the airport as we no longer do free airport pick-ups and deliveries.
2 Day-time flights only, please. We go to bed at midnight, so no middle of the night flights (however cheap)
3 We no longer complete with the all inclusive hotel holiday deals. We do not provide breakfast, lunch and dinner together with all-day snacks and of course alcoholic refreshments. We will of course tell you where the best menus del dia can be found.
4 We do not have a live-in-maid, so you are responsible for making your bed, mopping the floor and keeping the bathroom clean.
5 We do not provide a free laundry service so please bring your own hand, bath and beach towels, or contribute to the soaring cost of electricity to keep washing ours for you.
6 Our daily, free sightseeing trips to local places of interest have been cancelled because we are sick to death of looking at the save caves and views etc over and over again. We will provide maps and information for you to explore on your own.
7 Our free telephone service to the UK has been suspended, use your own mobiles.
8 You may be on holiday and want to stay out until 3 in the morning, but we live here, so keep quite when you come home.
9 Should you wish to spend time lazing around our pool and prefer to stay in, we shall expect help with food preparation, shopping etc, we will operate a joint kitty, from which all food and drink shopping cost of petrol for joint trips etc will be deducted.
10 We are retire and living on our pensions which, due to the awful exchange rate and decreasing each month – so we were considering coming over to you for two weeks instead.
What dates did you say you were booking?
Most of us like having our annual visitors to stay but sometimes the welcome wears a bit thin. On e of my friends, at the end of her tether, sent the following to her family, not entirely tongue in cheek. Does it strike a chord?
Dear all,
Yes of course we would love to see you again this year, but we have to tell you that there will be a few changes:
1 We recommend that you hire a car from the airport as we no longer do free airport pick-ups and deliveries.
2 Day-time flights only, please. We go to bed at midnight, so no middle of the night flights (however cheap)
3 We no longer complete with the all inclusive hotel holiday deals. We do not provide breakfast, lunch and dinner together with all-day snacks and of course alcoholic refreshments. We will of course tell you where the best menus del dia can be found.
4 We do not have a live-in-maid, so you are responsible for making your bed, mopping the floor and keeping the bathroom clean.
5 We do not provide a free laundry service so please bring your own hand, bath and beach towels, or contribute to the soaring cost of electricity to keep washing ours for you.
6 Our daily, free sightseeing trips to local places of interest have been cancelled because we are sick to death of looking at the save caves and views etc over and over again. We will provide maps and information for you to explore on your own.
7 Our free telephone service to the UK has been suspended, use your own mobiles.
8 You may be on holiday and want to stay out until 3 in the morning, but we live here, so keep quite when you come home.
9 Should you wish to spend time lazing around our pool and prefer to stay in, we shall expect help with food preparation, shopping etc, we will operate a joint kitty, from which all food and drink shopping cost of petrol for joint trips etc will be deducted.
10 We are retire and living on our pensions which, due to the awful exchange rate and decreasing each month – so we were considering coming over to you for two weeks instead.
What dates did you say you were booking?
Spanish Travel Tips
Travel Tips Be Careful
Wherever tourists gather, be it at a castle, railway station or in a café bar you are more than likely to be approached by gypsies offering bunches of roses and or other plants. These can be very nice and a good buy but be careful. If this happens, first hang on to your bag. They are often in groups and whilst you are looking at the offerings, another picks your pocket or your bag. It happens all the time.
You will come across beggars everywhere, outside supermarkets at the bus station and again at tourist attractions. They often have a sign printed in English telling you their story. You may be approached by children or by young women with a card saying that they are refugees and have no money. If you feel strongly about these issues you should make a donation to a registered charity as often money given in the streets ends up in the pockets of organized gangs.
Finally, how to deal with the Looky, Looky men of African origin who sell CDs DVDs and watches, toys and sunglasses. More and more they drop by your table as you enjoy your coffee in the sun. They have a great sales pitch but the goods are sometimes worthless. If you are tempted to buy it is always a good idea to ask around bar owners and local residents to find out who are the regular and reputable Looky, Looky men because some of their stuff can be ok. If you do not want to do business with them Keep your money in you wallet or purse Smile and say no thank you and they will go away.
Wherever tourists gather, be it at a castle, railway station or in a café bar you are more than likely to be approached by gypsies offering bunches of roses and or other plants. These can be very nice and a good buy but be careful. If this happens, first hang on to your bag. They are often in groups and whilst you are looking at the offerings, another picks your pocket or your bag. It happens all the time.
You will come across beggars everywhere, outside supermarkets at the bus station and again at tourist attractions. They often have a sign printed in English telling you their story. You may be approached by children or by young women with a card saying that they are refugees and have no money. If you feel strongly about these issues you should make a donation to a registered charity as often money given in the streets ends up in the pockets of organized gangs.
Finally, how to deal with the Looky, Looky men of African origin who sell CDs DVDs and watches, toys and sunglasses. More and more they drop by your table as you enjoy your coffee in the sun. They have a great sales pitch but the goods are sometimes worthless. If you are tempted to buy it is always a good idea to ask around bar owners and local residents to find out who are the regular and reputable Looky, Looky men because some of their stuff can be ok. If you do not want to do business with them Keep your money in you wallet or purse Smile and say no thank you and they will go away.
Monday, July 13, 2009
El Burgo
At the moment the Almond trees are in full blossom, the olives are just coming into flower and the fruit trees are in bud. Each day as we take the dogs for their walk we can see the land changing wild flowers and herbs are popping all over the place all tell tale signs that we are well into Spring and that we can start to look forward to a nice long warm summer.
El Burgo
This mountainous town on the road between Ronda and Coín is dominated by the limestone outcrops of the surrounding mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. The bizarre rock formations of El Torrecilla (1900m) and its surrounding parque natural overlook the town and provide the source for the Río Turón that runs through it. The nearby Sierra de las Nieves (Snow Mountains) are home to vast numbers of the indigenous and rare pinsapo pine trees, as well as the rarely-sighted mountain cats, foxes, otters, storks, and eagles. Miradores (viewpoints) flagged by the road give stunning views south.
The Río Turón is barely a stream as it passes through El Burgo, but it provided sustenance for human settlements as long ago as the 8th century BC. Its earliest settlers would have husbanded sheep and goats, as well as meagre crops in protected valleys, but it is likely that they also traded with pre-Christian Phoenician and Greek explorers who roamed the region. These early visitors also imported key crops such as olives and grapevines. The only remaining evidence of a settlement from this time is the weathered outline of a small hill fort, similar to Iberian/Celtic structures, 2km outside the pueblo on the Ardales road.
On the south side of the main bridge by the pueblo that crosses the river Turón, is a track that leads upstream. Just about passable by car this is a circular route that takes approximately two hours to drive (not recommended in rainy season) or six hours to walk and emerges two kilometres further down the Málaga road (see La Fuensanta).
Running parallel to the river the fields to the left are filled with poplar and olive trees which soon leads onto dense woodland. Two kilometres on, a series of reservoirs are used during the early summer for bathing. Numerous shoals of fish can be seen in the many pools and the river is dammed at a spot known as Dique de Fuente de la Zorra. Past the first lagoon an old mill can be seen and continuing upstream the valley closes in a semi-gorge. This stretch of river is considered one of the last virgin stretches of water in the province of Málaga, clean enough for otters to nest in the area. During August, the river valley runs dry past this point. Overlooking this spot high up is the gleaming white statue of Mirador del Guarda Forestal.
Here the track leaves the water course and passes a further two lagoons. A number of interesting ruined fincas are worth a short stop. This river valley was the course of the old Roman road. It is no longer possible to drive all the way to Ronda, although barely a mile of new road would complete the route. The track winds south until you reach Puerto de la Mujer, the ‘Woman’s Pass’. At nearly 900 metres above sea level, this is the highest point on the track.
The track then leads down to the Fuensanta valley and the turning to the convent as well as the campsite of Las Sauces. This spot can be reached by a different route.
LA FUENSANTA & LOS SAUCES
The holy spring, en route to the ruined monastery, can be approached from below the pueblo, rather than taking the circular dirt track from the bridge. Look out for Km27and a cross, which are very near to the turn off along the forest track. Following the Arroyo de la Fuensanta upstream, the track passes a tree nursery, used to replant state forest lands in the protected park. After three kilometres, there’s a recreation area with a pleasant picnic spot and, beyond, the old mill and a tall Galician stone cross. For most walkers this is the limit but the route continues for a further hour, reaching another tall stone cross at a track junction. This track leads three kilometres to the rather basic campsite of Los Sauces, with few amenities beyond a space for walkers to pitch a tent overnight. Most of these places do require a permit in advance. One of the most historic sites in the area is the Convent, which can only be seen from this point, as it is on private land.
Visit us at www.my1standalucianhome.webs.com
El Burgo
This mountainous town on the road between Ronda and Coín is dominated by the limestone outcrops of the surrounding mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. The bizarre rock formations of El Torrecilla (1900m) and its surrounding parque natural overlook the town and provide the source for the Río Turón that runs through it. The nearby Sierra de las Nieves (Snow Mountains) are home to vast numbers of the indigenous and rare pinsapo pine trees, as well as the rarely-sighted mountain cats, foxes, otters, storks, and eagles. Miradores (viewpoints) flagged by the road give stunning views south.
The Río Turón is barely a stream as it passes through El Burgo, but it provided sustenance for human settlements as long ago as the 8th century BC. Its earliest settlers would have husbanded sheep and goats, as well as meagre crops in protected valleys, but it is likely that they also traded with pre-Christian Phoenician and Greek explorers who roamed the region. These early visitors also imported key crops such as olives and grapevines. The only remaining evidence of a settlement from this time is the weathered outline of a small hill fort, similar to Iberian/Celtic structures, 2km outside the pueblo on the Ardales road.
On the south side of the main bridge by the pueblo that crosses the river Turón, is a track that leads upstream. Just about passable by car this is a circular route that takes approximately two hours to drive (not recommended in rainy season) or six hours to walk and emerges two kilometres further down the Málaga road (see La Fuensanta).
Running parallel to the river the fields to the left are filled with poplar and olive trees which soon leads onto dense woodland. Two kilometres on, a series of reservoirs are used during the early summer for bathing. Numerous shoals of fish can be seen in the many pools and the river is dammed at a spot known as Dique de Fuente de la Zorra. Past the first lagoon an old mill can be seen and continuing upstream the valley closes in a semi-gorge. This stretch of river is considered one of the last virgin stretches of water in the province of Málaga, clean enough for otters to nest in the area. During August, the river valley runs dry past this point. Overlooking this spot high up is the gleaming white statue of Mirador del Guarda Forestal.
Here the track leaves the water course and passes a further two lagoons. A number of interesting ruined fincas are worth a short stop. This river valley was the course of the old Roman road. It is no longer possible to drive all the way to Ronda, although barely a mile of new road would complete the route. The track winds south until you reach Puerto de la Mujer, the ‘Woman’s Pass’. At nearly 900 metres above sea level, this is the highest point on the track.
The track then leads down to the Fuensanta valley and the turning to the convent as well as the campsite of Las Sauces. This spot can be reached by a different route.
LA FUENSANTA & LOS SAUCES
The holy spring, en route to the ruined monastery, can be approached from below the pueblo, rather than taking the circular dirt track from the bridge. Look out for Km27and a cross, which are very near to the turn off along the forest track. Following the Arroyo de la Fuensanta upstream, the track passes a tree nursery, used to replant state forest lands in the protected park. After three kilometres, there’s a recreation area with a pleasant picnic spot and, beyond, the old mill and a tall Galician stone cross. For most walkers this is the limit but the route continues for a further hour, reaching another tall stone cross at a track junction. This track leads three kilometres to the rather basic campsite of Los Sauces, with few amenities beyond a space for walkers to pitch a tent overnight. Most of these places do require a permit in advance. One of the most historic sites in the area is the Convent, which can only be seen from this point, as it is on private land.
Visit us at www.my1standalucianhome.webs.com
Spanish Summer Nights
The other evening I was sat on the patio looking at the mountains and I wondered how different life would have been if we had moved into a town when we moved to Spain instead of moving to the campo. (Countryside)
Where we live is about as far into the mountains that you can get before coming out the other side.If you get home and have forgotten something from the supermarket its a case of waiting until you go into town again.
I wonder if a lot of people in the towns know what its like to live in the campo. For a start there are no amenities like street lights, rubbish collection or postal deliveries, there is no mains water supply, all water is pumped from your own well or brought in by road tanker. the road surface is usually bad.
So why live there? you may ask. Well for one thing the scenery is fantastic, the local people are really friendly and you can find peace and tranquility. Also the wildlife is great. During the spring the place becomes a riot of colour with wild flowers and almond blossom. During the summer we have eagles and griffins in the sky.
All these things make it a fantastic place to live, but as I have pointed out there are always plus and minus points. Anyway when I look at the whole I think that we are lucky in that we have the best of both worlds, both town and country. It certainly gives a more balanced look at life in Spain.
Where we live is about as far into the mountains that you can get before coming out the other side.If you get home and have forgotten something from the supermarket its a case of waiting until you go into town again.
I wonder if a lot of people in the towns know what its like to live in the campo. For a start there are no amenities like street lights, rubbish collection or postal deliveries, there is no mains water supply, all water is pumped from your own well or brought in by road tanker. the road surface is usually bad.
So why live there? you may ask. Well for one thing the scenery is fantastic, the local people are really friendly and you can find peace and tranquility. Also the wildlife is great. During the spring the place becomes a riot of colour with wild flowers and almond blossom. During the summer we have eagles and griffins in the sky.
All these things make it a fantastic place to live, but as I have pointed out there are always plus and minus points. Anyway when I look at the whole I think that we are lucky in that we have the best of both worlds, both town and country. It certainly gives a more balanced look at life in Spain.
Our Home In Spain
Our Home in Spain
Are you thinking of coming to live on the Costa del Sol?
Hello
We have been busy collecting the olive crop from my smallholding. This is hard but satisfying work beating the trees with a long pole, collecting the olives in nets on the floor, filling sacks and taking the olives to the local olive factory for processing into virgin olive oil.
We have had additions to the family, my bitch Becky as given birth to three pups, Maggie, Rosie and Paca, they are beautiful little things. Their proud father Pepi plays with them all the time.
On January 31st 2009 we decided that we will sell our current home in Spain, I am very excited that we have taken the decision. My husband is not well and moving nearer to family on the Costa del Sol will be a help to me if needed.
That said we will treat it as a new adventure and we are looking forward to the move, they say the housing market in Spain is depressed and nothing is moving, that may be so however we believe that every house as a buyer waiting for it so here goes.
Thinking of coming to live in inland Spain? Our home is nestled in a valley midway between Yunquera and El Burgo in Malaga Province, Anderlusia. On entering the valley you encounter a rough road which is made good each year by the National Park. Drive along a little way and you enter the valley proper.
There are 20 plus property’s here and it is so beautiful and peaceful,a place to die for as they say. Only three homes are occupied full time the rest are weekend homes for people who live and work in Malaga and Ronda
Low and behold Thursday February 12th 2009 the electric people have arrived to start installing the high tension power so that at last we will have real electricity, wow thought we would have moved before it arrived.
We use a generator for electricity, we have our own legal well and get good sweet drinking water. There are three good size bedrooms, a large bathroom, living room and kitchen with breakfast bar, every window looks out onto fantastic views. Plus it is a legal build
The property sits in 25,000m2 of fenced land it is in 2 plots one with the house on and the other has a footprint for a house, we have olive, lemon, orange, fig, almond, avocado, walnut, carob, cherry, apple and pear trees.
Two years ago we planted a fruit orchard of quince, pomegranate, peaches, apricots and plums, we also have an allotment for growing our own vegetables.
We have 5000m2 of pine forest which is part of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park with pine and cork trees, wild rosemary, lavender, sage and lots of rare wild plants plus wild mushrooms, many of the plants I'm still trying to find out the names of. We get plenty of wood for winter fires, the national forest workers cut it leave some for the locals to collect plus there are always thousands of cones to collect which are great for starting you fire and helping to keep it burning if the wood gets a bit damp.
We have set aside land for a swimming pool and greenhouses, leaving plenty of land over for growing other crops, and keeping animals. With 34 chickens keeps us in eggs with some left over which we sell to the locals in the village of El Burgo.
We are ideally placed for rural tourism which can be grant eligible, The Spanish Government are looking to give help to bring tourist and jobs to Spain
More posts to come with infomation on the villages, people and lots of other things.
Are you thinking of coming to live on the Costa del Sol?
Hello
We have been busy collecting the olive crop from my smallholding. This is hard but satisfying work beating the trees with a long pole, collecting the olives in nets on the floor, filling sacks and taking the olives to the local olive factory for processing into virgin olive oil.
We have had additions to the family, my bitch Becky as given birth to three pups, Maggie, Rosie and Paca, they are beautiful little things. Their proud father Pepi plays with them all the time.
On January 31st 2009 we decided that we will sell our current home in Spain, I am very excited that we have taken the decision. My husband is not well and moving nearer to family on the Costa del Sol will be a help to me if needed.
That said we will treat it as a new adventure and we are looking forward to the move, they say the housing market in Spain is depressed and nothing is moving, that may be so however we believe that every house as a buyer waiting for it so here goes.
Thinking of coming to live in inland Spain? Our home is nestled in a valley midway between Yunquera and El Burgo in Malaga Province, Anderlusia. On entering the valley you encounter a rough road which is made good each year by the National Park. Drive along a little way and you enter the valley proper.
There are 20 plus property’s here and it is so beautiful and peaceful,a place to die for as they say. Only three homes are occupied full time the rest are weekend homes for people who live and work in Malaga and Ronda
Low and behold Thursday February 12th 2009 the electric people have arrived to start installing the high tension power so that at last we will have real electricity, wow thought we would have moved before it arrived.
We use a generator for electricity, we have our own legal well and get good sweet drinking water. There are three good size bedrooms, a large bathroom, living room and kitchen with breakfast bar, every window looks out onto fantastic views. Plus it is a legal build
The property sits in 25,000m2 of fenced land it is in 2 plots one with the house on and the other has a footprint for a house, we have olive, lemon, orange, fig, almond, avocado, walnut, carob, cherry, apple and pear trees.
Two years ago we planted a fruit orchard of quince, pomegranate, peaches, apricots and plums, we also have an allotment for growing our own vegetables.
We have 5000m2 of pine forest which is part of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park with pine and cork trees, wild rosemary, lavender, sage and lots of rare wild plants plus wild mushrooms, many of the plants I'm still trying to find out the names of. We get plenty of wood for winter fires, the national forest workers cut it leave some for the locals to collect plus there are always thousands of cones to collect which are great for starting you fire and helping to keep it burning if the wood gets a bit damp.
We have set aside land for a swimming pool and greenhouses, leaving plenty of land over for growing other crops, and keeping animals. With 34 chickens keeps us in eggs with some left over which we sell to the locals in the village of El Burgo.
We are ideally placed for rural tourism which can be grant eligible, The Spanish Government are looking to give help to bring tourist and jobs to Spain
More posts to come with infomation on the villages, people and lots of other things.
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