Around the Valle

Around the valle april 2019 Issue no. 4

Chairmans report by sue Jones It’s that time of year again, our AGM is upon us and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the committee members for their hard work during the last twelve months, without them we wouldn’t have an Association! Sadly Anne has decided to step down from the committee and I thank her for her valuable contribution to the team, she will be missed!

March has been a very busy month with both the Petanque tourna-

ment and our Wine tasting evening both of which were very successful.

possible as this has to be booked in advance.

Because we have been so busy we have decided not to hold any events this month but are looking forward to the Cordoba trip in May final payments for which must be

The Hog Roast tickets are now on sale and as you know they will sell very quickly so don’t be slow, get your names down in order to avoid disappointment.

paid by April 26th please. I also need to know how many of you wish to take the guided tour at Bodega Conde Cruz in Montilla on the way home, please let a member of the committee know as soon as

We will now have to start taking firm deposits for the Seville trip as we are limited to a 59 seat bus so it will be first come first served for what is proving to be a very popular trip.

contents CHAIRMANS REPORT MARCH MEETING

1

2

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS & WALK SCHEDULE TRIP TO CORDOBA MARCH WALK

3

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS WINE TASTING

7

4

5 6

8

PETANQ 9 UE & INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL DAY NEWS 10 FROMSAT. CO & INFO ABOUT SEVILLE TRIP COMMIT- 11 TEEE

march meeting by alan impey Monday 4th March 2019 and 60 plus members turned out for a fun evening of good company and quiz action!!!!!

First though!!!! February’s meeting took place whilst I was unavoidably in the UK so I was not able to do a report on events. Imagine my surprise when I opened the latest newsletter to see that I had compiled and submitted a report on the meeting and as I read it I thought to myself “surpassed myself there, that was a good report!!!!”

Turns out that Terry, a good friend, had stepped up and filled the breach but I had received the credit!!!

Back to the present!! Sue opened proceedings at 19:35 with the usual welcome and overview of club events both past and forthcoming and with a reminder that the proposed Sevilla trip in December where names of interested members were being taken had already exceeded 40 and, there would be a limit on places, so if you are thinking about it then make it known as obviously it would be a first come first served scenario.

THE MEET AND GREETERS!

One surprise was the upcoming wine tasting!!! Normally sold out as soon as it was released and there were still places available!!!

As is the norm any further information is available at Meson Sara, Puente don Manuel, on a Friday between 11:30 and 12:30.

The ever popular Hog Roast is rearing its head again, probably in June, so watch out for further details, this always sells out quickly!!!

After a short break Sue then introduced our quizmaster, Adrian, who went on to give a varied and interesting quiz and the usual format had been used where the members were split into teams on an ad hoc basis to ensure fairness.

It was turned 21:00 before proceedings ended with the Quiz and the winning team,

team J, had a credible 69 points although it should be mentioned that out of the

ten teams only nine points separated the top six teams.

For the winning team it was bottles of wine all round!!!

Photos courtesy of Dorothy and Alan Time for the BOX and €340 was on offer but sadly, or otherwise, no one managed to select the correct key!!!!!

Somewhat later than normal Sue closed the meeting at 21:40 and I was quickly away into the dining room!!! I HAD NOT HAD DINNER and I was starving!!!!!

Thanks to all for attending and the committee for arranging and to echo Terry’s comments, do not be shy about putting yourselves forward to join the committee and assist in the organising etc of El-Valle events. If you are interested speak to any committee member on a Friday or make contact via the contact details published in the news letter or on line.

Thank you and good night.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS April 1st

AGM with free draw for members followed by Scottish Country Dancing with George & Hazel Bain

May 6th

CPR Demonstration and general First Aid with Jason Bland

June 3rd

Visit by British Consul, Malaga. MEMBERS ONLY

JUNE 19TH 2019 HOG ROAST AT MIS TAPITAS CATERED BY AXARCATERERS Music by L.A. 7:30 FOR 8PM €12.50 MEMBERS €15 FOR NON

July 18TH Menu del dia at venta el charco OR OTHER VENUE TO BE DECIDED Further details to follow.

September 2019 Trip to guaro for Noche la luna mora (Candle light festival) Date not been announced yet!

Watch this space.

WALKS SCHEDULE APRIL 11th

Led by Terry, Rubi and Jane Frost. Walk will be out of Guaro, just north of Periana, start 11:00 at the Bar/Restaurant in the village and after, lunch at the restaurant.

MAY 9th

Led by Rebecca and Martyn Higgins. Start will be at the second picnic site in the Alcaucin Natural Park at 11:00

JUNE 13th

Led by Neil and Pauline Marland. Start 11:00 TBA

JULY 11th

Led by Stewart and Elaine. Start 7pm, TBA

AUG 8th

Led by Jan & Barry Barnett. Walk will start from Pepe Molinos car park in Almayate. Turn right from Torre del Mar and it’s the first carpark on the left. Walk starts at 7pm.

Description: 1.5 hrs, 5km, Flat, good tracks

SEPT 12th

Led by Mike and Frances Larner start 11:00 TBA

TRIP TO LOS PATIOS CORDOBA

13th MAY 2019 DEPARTURE AT 7:00 AM FROM PUENTE DON MANUEL, TO THE HOTEL EUROSTARS CONQUISTADOR IN CORDOBA. ARRIVAL AT HOTEL, AND FREE TIME FOR LUNCH. AFTERNOON TO VISIT CORDOBA, AND GUIDED VISIT TO THE FESTIVAL OF THE CORDOBA PATIOS, AS EVERY YEAR THE CORDOBIANS PREPARE AND OPEN THEIR PATIOS TO THE PUBLIC TO ENTER IN A CONCOURSE WHERE BEAUTY AND DECORATION ARE VALUED. FREE TIME FOR DINNER, ACCOMMODATION AT THE HOTEL.

2nd DAY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. IN THE MORNING, FREE TIME TO CONTINUE VISITING THE CITY OF CORDOBA. AFTER LUNCH, DEPARTURE TO MONTILLA TO BODEGA CONDE CRUZ FOR A GUIDED TOUR AND TASTING, THIS IS OPTIONAL AND WILL BE AN EXTRA COST, AFTERWARDS WE CONTINUE TO POINT OF ORIGIN COST PER PERSON INCLUDING BED & BREAKFAST IN THE HOTEL, GUIDED TOUR OF THE PATIOS IN ENGLISH AND COACH TRIP THERE AND BACK

€102.50 PP FOR MEMBERS inc. Tip for driver CONTACT SUE ON 680407894 OR EMAIL newslettereditor2012@gmail.com FINAL PAYMENT DUE BY APRIL 26TH

March walk by alan impey A glorious day for a walk in the campo with guaranteed views of 360 dgrs. The weather was superb and 24 walkers gathered at Ray and Caz’s home in the countryside near Arenas. Two of the walkers, Carol and Paul were new El-Valle members and they were welcomed into the group and as it transpired it was Carols birthday so there was an impromptu chorus of “Happy Birthday”

Prior to the walk starting at 11 am Caz took numbers for those choosing to eat after the walk and, where required, the choice of specials from the menu.

A reasonably prompt start was made by the walking folks leaving behind with Caz, Barbarann, Christine and ‘she who must be obeyed’.

We set off climbing steadily and heading south towards the coast but very soon turned to the east and paralleled the coast albeit a good deal inland.

It was very warm and the frequent stops were most welcome. Part way into the walk we lost a total of four walkers, at different times, when they turned back to return the start. It was not that the walk was too difficult but injuries were being carried by some and another had an airport run to do although he made it back in time for the meal!!!

As I said earlier the views in the area we were walking were superb and the going underfoot was great meaning we could all look around and not have to stare at the ground.

The walk was not overly long or arduous and we were soon back at Caz and Ray’s and then down to the restaurant in Velez for menu del dia.

We were dining at A’Bocados, formally Limonar, which we have used in the past.

The meal was good value at €9.50 and the staff attentive and helpful in spite of a couple of occasions when an ordered meal was not claimed!!!!!

I think myself and “she who must be obeyed” were the first to leave around 4pm.

Thanks Caz and Ray for your efforts that made it a great day out.

Walk Details.

Start Height 240 mtrs Walk Length 5.36kms Max. Height 414 mtrs Moving Time 1hr 21 min Stopped Time 21mins Total Time 1hr 42min Moving Average 3.9kms per hour.

ASOCIATION EL VALLE DEL EMBALSE

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS JAN 1ST - DEC 31ST 2017

Income Subscriptions Cash Box Donations

2017

2018

€ 1450 0 60

€ 1530 38 0

1510

1568

90 632 429 242 100 63 88 22 7 12

275 690 446 321 100 61 104 75 33 0

1685

2105

Expenditure Newsletter and Website Members Meetings Social Events Subsidy Stationery Telephone Almoners Expenses Bank Charges Laser Printer/Printing Speaker System Cash Box

2018 SUMARY INCOME EXPENDITURE EXCESS EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME BALANCE AT 31ST DEC 2017 BALANCE AT 31ST DEC 2018

Chair Sue Jones

1568 2105 537 5762 5225

Treasurer Chris Wishart

WINE TASTING BY ALAN IMPEY Friday 22nd March 2019 and the latest wine tasting evening was with us. Twenty eight were expected for the event but as the time approached rapidly to 7.30pm we were still several people short at the Evangelical Church rooms where the event was happening.

Mike was rapidly dispatched to go and check at the Cultural Centre in Viñuela which was the original venue prior to the change to the church rooms. As 7:30 pm came and went we had managed to increase the numbers to 26 and Sue decided that it was time to start come what may.

Sue introduced our hosts for the evening, Pepe and Arturo, from the wine shop, Vinomar, in Torre del Mar. They were both resplendent in the green cotton and leather aprons!!!!!!!

All the wines on offer for tasting and purchase were from the Barbadillo Winery which was founded in 1821 at Sanlucar de Barrameda near Cadiz and which is still 100% family owned. This winery is especially renowned for its white wine, Barbadillo, and its sherries, in particular “Manzanilla” which is unique to Sanlucar.

The company also owns the Vega Real winery in D.O. Ribera del Duero and Bodega Pirineos in D.O. Somontano which both produce excellent quality wines. As a confirmed fan of Ribera del Duero wines I can attest to that, (you can keep your Riojas) personal view only!!!!

The tasting of the Manzanilla did not do a great deal for me, I found it far too dry but what do I know it is well renowned.

Shortly after the first tasting our missing two members put in an appearance!!!

The white wine on offer, a Verdejo/Sauvignon, “Blanco de Blanc” was to my palate also a tad dry and I must confess to preferring a pure Verdejo as my white wine of choice.

The next wine up for tasting was a Rose, a Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, which I did enjoy.

Time for the red wine now, a 2014 Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz, Tempranillo/Merlot and Tintilla de Rota bottled under the name Quadis and at 15% by volume it was full bodied. The colour was very deep and this wine was aged for 11

month in the barrel. This one I liked and I bought!!!!!

Final offering for the night was a sparkling white wine, (Cava type) which was again very dry but I did like it and I did buy it!!! This wine, Beta Sur, is produced from the Palomina Fina grape and the Chardonnay grape and actually undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle which is responsible for the fine and natural bubble.

Pepe and Arturo were excellent hosts and knew their products well, answering all questions clearly and in a way that was easy to understand.

At the conclusion of their presentation Sue thanked them warmly for their input and then advised us all that evening was not yet over!!!!!

As Pepe and Arturo made their exit Sue, along with Barbara, Bethune and Dorothy, began producing plates of various tapas from the kitchen area and we were treated to ham/cheese, topped biscuits and such along with yet more wine!!!!!!!

At €5.00 a head what was not to like!!!!!

Thanks again to Sue, Barbara, Bethune and Dorothy for their efforts to make the night yet another success.

Petanque tournament by alan impey Tuesday 12th March and time for the annual El-Valle petanque tournament organised as usual by Chris Wishart.

Format same as usual, participants split into teams, on this occasion teams of three, and the teams split into two leagues of four teams. If you have got your maths right then you now know there are twenty four players.!!!!!!

In the main it was all good natured fun although competitiveness did rear its head on occasions but there was no need for yellow or red cards to be shown!!!!!!!!

The teams in each league played each other, hence three games, and the winners of each league then played in the final.

The final was between Team Chris, (Chris, Lynette, Ken) and Team

Shirley, (Shirley, Val, Graham). A closely contested final was expected but sadly on the day it was all over before it hardly started with Team Chris running away with a 101 victory!!!!!!

Afterwards it was on to Tannit for a menu del dia lunch and the awarding of prizes.

Team Shirley went away with a bottle of wine each, Team Chris with the wine and a new set of balls each, petanque balls that is!!!!!!!!

As there was set of balls going spare the team with the lowest score throughout, Stewart’s team, (Stewart, Julie, Judith) with a score of 12, were offered the consolation prize.

To decide which team member received new balls their names were put into a hat and a winner drawn, yes, you guessed it, STEWART. After a leisurely meal folk began drifting away about 4pm after a good day out.

International cultural day in la Viñuela International Cultural Day this year falls on Sunday 7th April 2019 and is the last day of the La Viñuela Cultural week.

As soon as the full program is published it will be posted on the Ayuntamiento website.

The Inter Cultural Day is a coming together of all the nationalities represented here in this community, to share food, music and dance and get to know each other.

It is a fun family occasion.

We are hoping for full participation from as many countries as possible.

Therefore we are asking anyone who will be here at the time, what-

ever nationality, to prepare a dish which might be typical of your own culture.

If you don’t feel you can do that then perhaps you could support the event by attending that day. It is held in the Park in La Viñuela and starts at 12.30 approx.

If you are willing to prepare a dish, hot or cold, or help out in any way please contact riaob1@gmail.com or call 667966884. The next meeting to finalise arrangements is 28th March.

Some pictures from last year’s event.

News from sat.co by dick atterbury Talking to customers about problems and fixes often brings to light some of the things that are going on in the industry. One of my worrying thoughts at the moment is the number of people who have an internet TV service are taking down satellite dishes and throwing them away.

Please be careful of doing this as they are very expensive items. By all means take them down but store them. With all the changes that have been created over the last 20 years in this part of the world you never know when they may be needed again.

We recently visited a customer that reads these articles in the newsletter and we were delivering a new

TV. As soon as we had set it up she popped into the kitchen and came back with some cling film and rapped the remote in it. Great I said it really does still work. Still to us some of the biggest calls to customers are the remote controls needing attention.

On the same subject we keep a large stock of new remotes for most TVs or boxes. We repair them as well.

If you are viewing TV from Intelsat 907 you will by now have seen the changes from Film4+1 to More4+1.

This is out of our control as the provider who controls station allocations has done this.

Buying any item off the shelf is always a concern so before you buy any type of equipment seek advice help and a demonstration we are always happy to do that at Sat.Co Just a few minutes of your time about Fibre optic cable. Currently many towns and villages are being fitted with this glass fibre cable.

This will increase Broadband speeds dramatically. Be aware of the implications of signing into contracts with providers and the promises they make. If you are not sure seek advice. Companies are putting leaflets through doors at the moment in our area. So read the small print carefully. I have a little laugh at some of the statements they make!!!

Overnight trip to seville 3 & 4 december 2019 rd

th

DEPARTURE AT 09:00 FROM MIS TAPITAS TO SEVILLA, WHERE WE WILL ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS ENVIRONMENT AND ITS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACCOMMODATION AND BREAKFAST INCLUDED IN HOTEL DON PACO IN THE CENTRE OF SEVILLE. ON THE NEXT DAY, FREE TIME TO CONTINUE VISITING THE CITY OF SEVILLA. AFTER LUNCH, RETURN TO PUENTE DON MANUEL

COST PER PERSON B&B €62.50 MEMBERS €70.00

NON MEMBERS

As we have so many people interested and we are limited to a 59 seat bus we will need to start taking firm deposits by the June meeting.

Asociacion el valle del embalse Committee 2017/2018

Chair & Newsletter Editor Sue Jones Tel: 680407894

Treasurer: Chris Wishart Tel: 609952926

Almoner: Christine Goreham Tel: 635361233

Secretary: Stewart Common Tel: 647076177

Joint Vice Chair

Barbara Jenkinson Tel: 616264067

Joint Vice Chair Dorothy Girvan Tel: 676320615

MEMBERS

Elaine Edwards Tel: 647076177

Peter Girvan Tel: 676320615

Anne Dibden Tel: 605826358

Bethune McCarroll Tel: 634327202

Louis Pollitt Tel: 622382851

INFORMATION NEWSLETTER EDITOR newslettereditor2012@gmail.com WEBSITE - www.el-valle-asociacion.com A REPRESENTTIVE OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ON DUTY EVERY FRIDAY BETWEEN 11:30 AND 12:30 AT MESON SARA EXCEPT IN AUGUST