TIM Magazine™
Delights of the area of Fortuna
SONRISA CHARITY
Where do you find Flamingos in Murcia? Why, Fortuna of course. And not just a few. I was shown 56 on the Pantano de Santomera in October by Carlos, a park ranger of the Medio Ambiente.
Hondon de las Nieves
7000 EUROS That is the amount we have raised for charity since our first treasure hunt a little over two years ago. Donations have been made as follows -
The Hondon de las Nieves Nursery School The Company The Manor House Amateur Dramatic Society La Montanosa Swimming Pool The Royal British Legion Help for Heroes Sports Trophies The Sienna Trust Paul Cunningham Nurses Total Donations
Euros 440 1,393 40 502 273 22 2,305 2,025 7,000
Thanks to everyone who has supported our events and, as always, we would love to hear from folks who would like to join the Sonrisa team or be prepared to sponsor future events. Please do not forget our Christmas Fun Quiz on behalf of the Sienna Trust, at Bar Rocas on Saturday, December 10th - price 5 euros per person. Tickets are selling fast. The emphasis will be on Christmas & fun, so festive attire will be welcomed. The evening will include seasonal songs & carols, Christmas snacks, spot prizes and a super raffle. We have extended an invitation to Santa Claus. Please see our posters for further details or contact Joan 687 074 097 - Son.risa70@yahoo.com
After a fortunate introduction to Carlos, and because I plan a walking group. He set about educating me in the delights of the area of Fortuna. First up, the Pantano on the southern edge of Fortuna. It is a salty lake fed by one salty stream from a neighbouring valley with salt mines. Other streams feed in but not enough for fish to live. This is where flamingos like to be, along with a myriad of other birds. A walk round the Pantano is recommended. Allow around five hours because of all the inlets that have to be walked around, or tailor your walk to the time available. Next, we visited the salt mine area back towards Fortuna on the left. You can visit the museum here by appointment and see the mines and salt pans. Go to the Fortuna Information Centre and they will arrange it. Then for the biggie. Mount Pila. 1265m high, with its crowning white “bola”. Do you know that some Fortuna residents blame the white ball weather station for the droughts of the area! After a long windy trek upwards passing a refuge, many steep drops and planted roadside trees, we arrived at the fire watch station on the lower peak. The journey is okay for the average car, if a bit rough. See gob smacking flowers in spring. Fire watch is taken very seriously by the Medio Ambiente and with good results, no major fires recently. Fire breaks with ground clearing is maintained. The fire watch platform provides brilliant 360 degree views of mines/canteras, peaks/sierra aguilas and birds. Here earwigs were climbing rocks and flying off to who knows where. More trips with Carlos are planned so watch this space. What is certain is that Fortuna is a splendid place to visit. Colin Bagnall colbagnall@gmail.com. Contact if interested in a free walking group in January. Or joining in with and embryonic choir, at the moment called- Can’t sing but will sing 4U. We will be singing at MABS on 2nd December at Las Palmeras and at the Castle Bar on 22 December in the evening carols of course!
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