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Around the valle august 2016 Issue no. 8
Chairmans report by carol caldwell Hope everyone is managing with this heat don't forget to drink plenty of water and stay cool .I am enjoying my pool one way to keep cool. We went to the beach the other day the sea was so warm but a few jelly fish. We have family out next month
I'm sure most of our members have had family out or about to have them out hard work but so lovely to spend quality time with them. We have a trip to the Dolmans which has just been made a Unesco World Heritage-Site well
worth a visit, El Torcal and Antequerra on the 30th September don't forget to book. Just to remind you all we will not be at Meson Sara for the month of August.
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contents CHAIRMANS REPORT JULY MEETING & NOTES FROM THE EDITOR PICNIC IN THE PARK UP, UP AND AWAY! FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS & WALK SCHEDULE NEWS FROM SATCO & BRITISH AMBASSADOR JULY WALK & DRIVING RESTRICTIONS COMMITTEEE
july meeting report by alan impey 1
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July's El-Valle monthly meeting was opened by Carol at 7.45pm and she told a slightly disappointing turnout of 50 members that we should remember there would be no August meeting. September’s meeting would include a talk on Bee Keeping. Jane took over the microphone and gave a rundown of forthcoming social events and also a reminder that the traffic lights situated at Cruce de Periana were now active and care should be taken. The evening’s entertainment was in the form of a Ho-Down and was aptly taking place on July 4th!!!! The room had been decorated with multiple American flags and bunting and several members had taken the trouble to dress in western garb!!! Our hosts for this event were David Lawrie and Carol Taylor-Johnson, and I would like to apol-
ogise to them for having to leave a little early for a previously arranged engagement. I did however take part in all the dances up to my departure and thoroughly enjoyed myself in all four dances. The calling/instruction was excellent and I am sure that all those who took part also enjoyed themselves and the ones who only watched were treated to an outstanding display!!!!!!!!!! As I said earlier I, and my table, had to leave at 9pm when a break was called but my spy in the room informed me that after the break there was one more dance that went really well and the cash box which stood at €460 was not won!! (Thanks Rod) A lot of effort had been put into the evening so thanks to all who organised the event and to the members who attended.
Notes from the editor
Since the last edition there have been more burglaries, the houses all seem to have been entered by the same method which is to prize open the rejas over the patio doors, force said doors and gain entry. From our own experience and from speaking to others the robbers seem mainly interested in money and jewellery. I would urge you all to do everything possible to make sure your rejas cannot be easily forced and to secure
your cash and jewellery! You do not need to be out of your house for long, we were out less than 4 hours and Gwilym had not planned on accompanying me until the last minute. On another matter entirely, some of you may have seen the recent articles in the local papers regarding the legalisation of houses, if not here is a link you can use to click on the article.
http://www.diariosur.es/malaga/ 201607/21/junta-saca-adelantecambio-20160720234937.html That’s all for this month, remember, no meeting in August so look forward to seeing you again in September. Have a great summer, stay safe, stay hydrated and be careful. Sue
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Picnic in the park
by alan impey
The El-Valle Picnic in the Park took place on Wednesday 20th July 2016 at the same venue as last year, at the picnic area above the embalse ViĂąuela near to the ViĂąuela sports ground.
Sadly all good things have to end and the music stopped, tables cleared away and folk began to leave BUT not our table!!!! Even when the generator was turned off and removed our table remained using car headlights assisted by Trevor and Mo's wind up lamp!!!!!
I arrived at the site about 7pm and saw the El-Valle committee members who had organised the event busy working away preparing tables, clearing a dancing area and generally making sure that everything was in place for a great evening. Over the next 30 minutes others began to arrive until 50 members were there and the evening was ready to commence. We had all brought our own drinks and nibbles but the main food for the night and also the dance instruction were to be
provided by Owen and Anita. It was not long before we were asked to make our way to the food table where there was a good choice of food, salads, meat loaf and rice to name just some of the choices. After a pleasant meal, things were cleared away, the generator powered up, the music started and Owen began calling everyone to the dance area where he demonstrated and led the Salsa style dancing. An encouraging number joined him in the dancing and were obviously enjoying themselves.
We were determined to stay until after midnight as Terry would be celebrating his birthday after the clock struck 12. !!!!! We did in fact stay a good while longer before we too decided to call it a day and make our way home. Once again, a big thank you to those who organised the event. Off to the side was a giant Jenga area where various members were pitching their skill against each other and most of the time against "Emma" the youngest person there and obviously a Jenga fanatic!!!!
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Up up and away !!!!! Up Up and Away!!! On Tuesday 12th July 2016 along with Trevor, Mo, Terry, Jane, Maureen and I set of for Burriana Beach at Nerja. It was not to be a beach day, far from it, we were reaching for the sky and intended to go parasailing!!!! We arrived 10.30'ish and as parking on the paseo was impossible we used the underground car park which at least ensured we eventually returned to cool vehicles. We made our way to the parasailing booking point which is at the eastern side of Burriana almost in a direct line from the renowned paella restaurant. We booked for 12 noon at a cost of â‚Ź70.00 per couple, for a single flight it would be â‚Ź45.00. We had time for a drink before returning to the beach where we were issued with life jackets!!!!!! then it was into an inflatable for the short trip out to the parasailing boat. The crew assisted anyone who required help by simply lifting them into the inflatable. The transfer to the bigger boat was flawless!! Once settled our captain explained safety rules and we were all fitted with our flight harness.
by alan impey
First to fly were Trevor and Mo and the transition from deck to airborne was seamless.
They were taken along parallel to the coast, past The Balcon, before turning in the return direction and then another turn before it was time to "Walk on Water"
Our captain reduced speed which caused the para sail to reduce height and Trevor and
Mo were then maintained at a height which ensured they were "feet wet" and walking on water. An increase in boat speed lifted them once again "sky high" before the winch began operating to "reel" them in.
The whole operation was repeated for Terry/Jane and Maureen and I. It was a great experience and well worth the cost. If anyone fancies it then do not be put off, the average age of our group of six works out at 72 years so age is not a barrier.
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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS AUGUST
NO MEETING
SEPTEMBER 5TH
“Bee Day” by Lee the ‘Miel Man’
OCTOBER 3rd
Los Romanes “Verdiales” Or Origami
NOVEMBER 7th
Picture Quiz “Local Scenes from Unusual Angles!” By Sue
Visit to antequerra & el torcal 30 september th
Leave for antequerra at 9:00, leave el torcal at 18:30 €14 members €18 non members Includes an english guide
Friday 14 october th
Supper night with free film In the church room undeer maroma estate agents Women in gold With helen mirren Doors open at 7 pm Members €5 non €8
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November 28
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A winter ball will be held at the nerja caves There will be A bus, provided we have sufficient numbers Cost €27 members €30 non members Bus €8 members €10 non members Tickets on sale now WALKS SCHEDULE
AUGUST 11th
Led by Stewart & Elaine. Start at 19:00 Start at Caleta de Velez outside the Piramides Muebles showroom. Park where you can. Start at 7-00pm
SEPTEMBER 8th
Led by Stewart & Elaine. Start at 11:00 El Charco restaurant in Los Romanes. Park on road after at El Charco
OCTOBER 13th
Led by Ian & Barbaran Taylor. Start TBA at 11:00
NOVEMBER 10th
Led by Ray Edwards & Jeanette Mogg. Start TBA 11:00
DECEMBER 8th
Led by Mike & Frances Larner. Start TBA at 11:00
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News from sat.co
by dick atterbury
This time I would like to spend some time talking about Sound or the lack of it. A number of people have asked us, How can I improve the sound of my TV? Well the simple way is to use the TV or Satellite Receiver Menu. Okay I know you are frightened to go in, in case you mess it up! You cannot break it and you can always give us a call. Look at the sound menu carefully and adjust the Bass and treble until you find it better. Another way is to fit a Sound bar. Most TV manufacturers produce them now and they can be adjusted to your hearing. These sound bars are now connected using an optical cable sometimes known as a Tosslink cable. Again use the menu to adjust the sound to your hearing or volume. Most of us as we get older start to lose some of our hearing ca-
pacity so maybe we have to resort to something a bit more special .The other problem is there maybe somebody else to consider who is watching the same programme. There are some special devices on the market that can help but may need demonstrating to suite your needs. If this is the situation you find yourself in give us a call at Sat.co and we will give you a short demonstration and advice. A question that often comes up is “Why do we lose the satellite picture when it rains”. Well the simple answer is that with a large volume of water passing over the dish the signal from the satellite is distorted and is unable to be translated into a picture, the larger the dish, the greater amount of water passing over it.
Next F Plugs. Okay some of you are saying what is an F Plug? well it is the small, soft metal plug that fits on the ends of the coax cable. One end fits on the dish the other connects to the Satellite receiver. Please be careful not to over tighten these especially only make them hand tight. Do not use tools. Sometimes we find that the connections inside the receiver are damaged because of the use of tools. Yes I know it looks like you should use a spanner on the connections but the trade strongly recommends you do not. Lastly his time do not forget that channel 5 is now available free to air and for a simple upgrade of the software to your receiver you can have another free channel.
British ambassador and consul listen to eu referendum concerns On Tuesday 19 July, local British residents had the chance to put their concerns about the recent EU referendum outcome to the Deputy Ambassador, Tim Hemmings, and Consul for Alicante, Sarah-Jane Morris. The British Embassy representatives promised to keep them up to date with developments concerning the UK’s exit from the European Union. The meeting discussed the practical implications of the referendum outcome, and was hosted by the provincial government of Alicante. Local government officials, hoteliers and legal specialists spoke to the recently appointed Mr Hemmings about the key issues facing British nationals in Spain after the EU membership referendum. The meeting also heard the views of representatives from local English speaking associations. Tim Hemmings reassured British residents that they would not experience any immediate changes in their circumstances. Recognising the high number of Brits living in the Valencia region, he explained: the rights of both British and Spanish citizens to live work and study in each other’s countries had not changed, and the UK would remain a full member of the EU until exit negotiations were completed. The Deputy Ambassador emphasised the strong trade and investment links between the UK and Spain, and said that the UK’s relationship with Spain would remain close after the UK’s exit from the EU. Alicante Consul Sarah-Jane Morris added: We are committed to listening to the concerns of British nationals in Spain, following the referendum. It is also important that we keep British nationals up-to-date with any changes as we negotiate our exit from the EU. More information on what the EU referendum means for British nationals travelling and living in Europe is available on the UK government website
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JULY WALK
BY ALAN IMPEY
Thursday 14th July 2017 and the first El-Valle evening walk of the year although to be fair there are only two and the next is in August!!!! This month’s walk was routed and led by Peter and Anne and the meeting point was by the side of the Hotel Viñuela at 7pm.
Seventeen of us turned up which, given the high temperatures we have been experienc-
ing, was very encouraging. We set of from the side of the hotel down towards the embalse where we turned right to parallel the shores of the embalse and the temperatures were actually not too bad and there was a slight breeze to accompany us. We continued on an undulating course, nothing too strenuous, until we reached one of the main embalse water inlets which was practically dry given the lack of rainfall. At this point we turned right for a short, sharp climb up to the old railway line. After a break to gather our breath we continued across the line of the railway and climbed gently across the section of land that many of us
were told years ago was to be the site of Romero 3 golf course. We are still waiting for the ground to be broken!!!! We quickly reached the highest part of the walk and turned right along a track that took us back in the direction of our starting point, The Hotel Viñuela. Having reached the hotel it was time to head off for Restaurant La Viña in Viñuela Pueblo where our increased number of twenty enjoyed a welcome dinner and drink (or two). Thanks again to Peter and Anne for organising the walk and remember the next walk is also a 7pm start at Caleta Port on Thursday 11th August.
Driving restrictions for pensioners This information was taken directly from the N332 website, I thought it might be of interest to our members: Drivers over the age of 65 may face restrictions on their driving based on medical conditions. Depending on the type and severity of medical failures, the traffic department have issued a list of guidelines on restrictions that the over 65’s may face, The first restriction could be based on distance, with older drivers restricted to journeys not exceeding either 20 or 50 kilometres distance. Elderly drivers may also face permanent bans from
driving on the motorways, or at night. Drivers may face restrictions in the maximum permitted speed which the vehicle they are driving may travel. The actual restrictions will be assessed by the driving examiners based on medical evidence but could restrict vehicles to a maximum of either 70 or 100 kilometres per hour. Driving licences will have to be renewed every 5 years for the over 65’s rather than every 10 years for those under the age bracket. However, the 5 year renewal is based on a person of optimum health, the examination may result in a forced renewal
every 2,3 or 4 years, which may alter after each renewal depending on how health has declined. The over 65’ must also provide a certificate from the family doctor in the case of having been diagnosed with a chronic disease which may affect driving ability, if they have had cataract surgery or heart surgery and if they are diabetic or taking medications such as Sintrom or other anticoagulant drugs. As I said at the beginning, this information was taken from the N332 website, if any of it affects you it would be worth checking it out for your own piece of mind.
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Asociacion el valle del embalse Committee 2016/2017
Stewart Common Tel: 647076177
Chair : Tel: Carol Caldwell 635291532
Treasurer: Chris Wishart Tel: 609952926
Almoner: Christine Goreham Tel: 635361233
Newsletter Editor Sue Jones Tel: 680407894
Head of Social Jane Harris Tel: 633615154
MEMBERS
Elaine Edwards Tel: 647076177
Barbara Jenkinson Tel: 616264067
Pauline Ward Tel: 665886471
Dorothy Girvan Tel: 676320615
Peter Girvan Tel: 676320615
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