Around the valle DECEMBER 2017 Issue no. 11
Merry christmas
Chairmans report by sue jones
Firstly, may I and Gwilym take this opportunity to wish a a Very Happy Christmas whether here in Spain or in or own country with family and a Happy and Healthy New Year! December is always a very busy time of year and your Asociacion is no exception, the committee have been very busy preparing for the Dress to Impress dinner on the 8th December, which I am pleased to announce is fully sold out! Also some of the committee and many “volunteers” have been practicing very hard to entertain with
with our usual selection of carols and Christmas songs for the Monday night meeting, and I thank them all for giving up their time. We hope you can come along, join in the singing and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie. I would also like to draw your attention to a new platform which has been launched by the British Consulate of Malaga info@supportinspain.info, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the University of Malaga. The Mayor of Alcaucin, Mario Blanke has been collaborat-
ing with the Department of Gerontology and Migration for the past 5 years. Leaflets can be collected at Alcaucin Town Hall or you can visit the website which is most helpful in both languages. Finally, I would like to ask you if you are unhappy with any of the events or trips planned, please can you come forward with suggestions for alternatives, I promise they will all be look at and investigated as to their viability. It is always helpful to receive feedback, if we are doing something wrong, we won’t know unless you tell us!!
contents 1 CHAIRMANS REPORT NOVEM2 BER MEETING & MESSAGE ABOUT MEMBERSHIPS 3 FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS & 4 WALK SCHEDULE NOVEM5 BER WALK SAT.CO & 6 CHRISTMAS IN MALAGA INORMA7 TION ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN MALAGA OBITUARY 8 FOR KIM & MENU DEL DIA ITINERARY 9 OF PROPOSED MURCIA TRIP A DAY 10 OUT & ALCOHOL LIMITS HALLOW- 11 EEN COMMIT- 11 TEE
november meeting by alan impey 150 and still going strong!!!!!!!! Monday November 6th 2017 marked the 150th meeting of the El-Valle Asociacion living proof as to how successful it has been. Over 70 members turned up for the meeting and enjoyed a complimentary drink funded by the Asociacion. Sue opened the meeting at 7.45pm with the usual run through of past and coming events organised by the committee and as usual all details can be found on the web site, in the Newsletter and at Meson Sara on a Friday morning when committee members will be in attendance to offer advice and to take bookings for trips and events.
One comment from Sue is worth mentioning in that it was mentioned that perhaps committee members should not be allowed to buy tickets for the cash box!!!!!! on a personal level I do not agree with this!!! Apart from giving up their time to run the Asociacion they are also members in their own right and are perfectly entitled to purchase tickets for the box. Following a short break Sue introduced the guest speaker, Lyn Cannon, who was to give a talk on the UK Prison Service. A few salient points shared by Lyn was that there were 122 prisons in England and Wales and only 9 of these were women’s prisons and that as of November 2017 there were 82,181 male pris-
oners and 4,004 female prisoners!!!!! Lyn offered up many more interesting facets of information about the prison service and her time within it and she answered many questions put by her audience and was not afraid to say she did not know as and when needed. It was an informed and interesting presentation that was well received. At 9pm Sue thanked Lyn for her attendance and then announced that the cash box stood at €325.00 but no one was able to find the correct key to liberate the money!!!!! 9.10pm saw Sue close the meeting and thank everyone for their continued support.
A note to all you members of the El-Valle Asociacion from your Membership Secretary. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2018 new year. At this time I also would like bring to your attention and remind you that our 2018 membership year starts from JANUARY 1st, therefore it is soon time for you all to renew you membership to the El-Valle Asociacion. You will be able to do this either on a Friday at Meson Sara Restaurant, Puente Don Manuel crossroads, between 11.30 and 12.30am. There will be a committee member sitting at the in the area, or at any of the monthly club meetings at the Camping Bar on the side of the Lake Viñuela. You can also renew your membership at our December club meeting on Monday December 4th or at the January meeting which is on Monday January 8th a little later after the Spanish New Year celebrations. For the 2018 club year, your committee have kept the membership fee again at €10.00 and your annual membership will run from Jan 1st to Dec 31st 2018. If you have any queries, please speak to a committee member or contact me on 647076177. I Look forward to seeing you all again for the 2018 membership year. Regards Stewart Common
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS December 4th
Our usual Pre Christmas meeting with a glass of wine and mince pie
January 8th
PLEASE NOTE 2ND MONDAY Talk on First Aid by Jason Bland
February 5th
Gardeners Question Time, with local garden expert Sylvia - members bring a sample of your problem plants or photographs.
D L SO
O
T U
Petanque tournament January 23 2018 rd
10:30 FOLLOWED BY A MENU DEL DIA AT TANIT €12 MEMBERS €15 NON MEMBERS
Church room under maroma estates With free film Inferno; starring tom hanks February 16 2018 th
Doors open no earlier than 7 pm To allow time for the room to be set up €5 members €7 non members
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR EVENTS IN MARCH!!!
WALKS SCHEDULE DECEMBER 14th
Led by Alan Impey - The start will be at lower car park in Viñuela Pueblo, next to the Coviran Supermarmacado, the park & the Padel courts at 11:00
JANUARY 11TH
Led by Mike & Frances Larner. Start of the walk is in the car parking area at the entrance to Comares before the Arch. After to be arranged and advised at the start of the walk.
FEBRUARY 8TH
Led by Alan & Maureen Impey . Start TBA
MARCH 8TH
Led by Rebecca and Martyn Higgins. Start TBA
november walk BY ALAN IMPEY This month’s El-Valle walk, (November) took place on the 9th and was routed and led by Graham and Sue. The start point was at the end of their drive on the road up to Canillas de Aceituno from the old VelezViùuela road. Over 20 walkers turned out on what started as a clear sunny day but part way round the walk it did cloud over but was still a comfortable walking temperature for the whole of the walk.
We climbed up the right bank to then cross the dam wall and begin a long, but not too hard, climb back up to the Canillas road arriving once again at Sue and Graham's driveway.
We left Sue and Graham's driveway, crossed the road and started out on a level track, then slightly rose before descending down into a valley to eventually meet a tarmac road that took us through a couple of little hamlets where we were joined on the walk by a friendly Husky breed dog that accompanied us throughout the rest of the walk!! When we reached the bridge over a dry river bed we turned left into the river bed and followed this for a good distance until we reached the dam across the river.
The meal had been arranged at a restaurant in Canillas, El Bodegon, but known locally as "Two Jars" ow-
ing the two man sized terracotta jars at either side of the entrance door. Twenty seven of us gathered for the meal, slightly more than the number who walked, and we all enjoyed a good, reasonably priced, meal chosen separately from the menu. Facts and Figures; Distance: 6kms Total Time: 1hr.40mins Move Time: 1hr.30mins Stop Time: 10mins Ave. Speed: 3.7 kms per hour. Thanks to Graham and Sue for their efforts and a gentle reminder that the walk leaders on each occasion go to great lengths to make each walk day an enjoyable experience for all of us. I say this as I did over hear some comments about a previous walk that were slightly disparaging and it would not be fair if any walk organiser became party to hearing the comments. Pic's attached, and thanks to Jane for the group photo and any others she submitted along with mine.
Update from sat.co by dick atterbury The first subject for this month is Spanish Television. Have you ever thought that you are in Span and never watch the TV service. It is ever so easy all one has to do is to erect a small antenna and point it at your local transmitter and use the on board digital decoder in the TV and you will get about 40 odd TV channels FREE. Most TVs built after 2010 have the on board decoders and all you do is to press the Menu button on the TV remote and follow the on screen instructions. When programmes, which have UK or English spoken in the original programmes use, the audio button on the remote to change it to English. For more information call us it’s quite an easy DIY job or if you wish we will fit it for you. The last week has seen the Press full of safety concerns over some imported devices from China. The boxes from some of the manufactures sometimes given the name Kodi devices are having problems
with the plug in the wall power supplies. The main culprit is a company with the name OTT. It is recommended that anybody using such devices that may be made in China should not leave the device plugged in and unattended as there is a risk of Fire from the small plug in power supply. The international protection organisation (IPO) and the British Trading standards have stopped these devices being imported into the UK and issued this warning. We are getting a number of questions of late about Soundbars. It is a good idea to hear one before you buy one so to speak. Soundbars do increase volume and some tones such as base and treble however if you are a little hard of hearing it is not always recommended. Raising the volume may not be a good idea if it is going to offend other listeners in the room. There are a number of different devices that can be fitted to help the hard of hearing. We would need to discuss this with you to help.
The next question that always comes up is how do we connect it to the TV. We always say with a small optical audio cable for the best results. For those of you struggling with the recording using the Technomate series of boxes should have a look at the new system now rolled out by us and exclusive to Sat.Co. This device is a bit like the old Freesat boxes with a full Electronic Programme Guide showing you all the programmes for the next 7 days. Select the programme press a button and it is set to record. It labels the recording for you and will allow you to watch one programme whilst recording up to 5 others. Select the programme from the list and play it back. Magic Sat.Co will be available over the Christmas holidays. So call us if you are in trouble and we get to you soon as we can. Tel 657 484 853 Have a great Christmas
Christmas in malaga The Malaga Christmas lights are one of the highlights of the festive period particularly those in Calle Larios. This year they were switched on on the 24th November at 7.30 pm, watched by thousands of people. Son et Lumiere shows take place on Calle Larios at 6.30 and 9.30 pm. Three tunes will form part of the show: Boney M’s Merry Christmas, Wizards in Winter by the Trans-siberian Orchestra and Christmas Festival performed by Boston Pops (traditional Christmas music that many British and Americans will recognise.) December has three public holidays; Wednesday 6th December is a public holiday in Spain and banks, shops and businesses will close all day, but expect to find cafes, bars and restaurants open as usual. The same applies to museums and monuments. Friday 8th December is also a public holiday and all the previous will apply. December 25th is also a public hooliday in Spain. Just about everything closes all day in Malaga including restaurants. However, some of the restaurants on the seafront promenade will be open as will many of those on Muelle Uno. Sunday Christmas shopping - shops in Malaga will open on Sunday 17th December and Sunday 24th December.
Christmas events in malaga CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN MALAGA Plaza se la Constitucion - concerts (traditional Spanish carols, flamenco and children’s choirs) will take place every evening etween 7 and 10 pm over the Christmas period. Christmas classical music concert The Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra performs Messiahs by Handel and Mozart on 21 st December 9 pm and 22nd
December 9 pm at the Cervantes Theatre. Tickets from €12. Christmas Ballet -2 ballets in the Cervantes Theatre should get you in the mood for Christmas. Cinderella and Snow Queen, performed on ice by the Moscow Ballet takes place on 11th December at 8 pm at the Cervantes Theatre tickets from €11. Swan Lake, performed by the St. Petersburg Ballet, on 13th December at 8 pm.Tickets from €12 Cathedral Christmas concert Malaga Cathedral celebrates its an20th
nual Christmas concert on December at 8 pm. Entrance is free.
NATIVITY SCENES Nearly 70 nativity scenes are on display around Malaga until 6th January. Ask at the tourist office for a map. Some of the biggest and most famous are; Cathedral - open daily 10 am -2pm & 5 - 8 pm. Cofradia de Estudiantes - open daily 10.30 am - 1.30 pm & 5.30 - 8 pm (on Calle Alcazabilla)
Carmen Thyssen Museum - during museum opening hours, closed Mondays. Diputacion (on Calle Pacifico, next to La Termica cultural centre - get here on the No. 16 bus) - open weekday mornings. This unusual nativity scene includes emblematic places from around Malaga province including the Antequera Dolmens and several resorts on the Costa del Sol. CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN MALAGA With Christmas on the horizon, Malaga markets are a great place to start your Christmas shopping. The following take place during December in Malaga. Muelle Uno arts and crafts market takes place daily during December. See the stalls in the square near the Pompidou Centre entrance. Open daily 10 am to 10 pm until 7th January. Made in Soho market tkes place on Saturday 2nd December in Calle Tomas Heredia, 11 am to 7 pm. As well as arts and crafts, stalls sell vintage pieces, organi fruit and vegetables, plants and second hand clothes. El Rastro Cultural takes place at La 1st
Termica Cultural centre on Friday Decembe from 7 pm to midnight. As well as 40 stalls selling vintage goods there’s a roller disco and food trucks. Christmas Food market at Plaza de la Marina Wednesday 6th December to Sunday 20th December. Sponsored by Sabor a Malaga, the Malaga produce promotion company,
lots of stalls sellin typical produce from the province including cold cuts, cheese, olive oil, fruit and vegetables, honey, wine, beer …. Opportunities to try before you buy. Paseo del Parque - lots of stalls selling Christmas gifts, fireworks and food from noon to midnight during the Christmas period. Christmas market in La Concepcion Botanical Gardens - Christmas arts and crafts, food trucks and fun for kids plus a chance to look round these lovely botanical gardens in Malaga. Sunday 10th December 10 am to 6 pm. Entry free. The highlight of the running year tkes place in December - the Malaga Marathon is on Sunday 10th December starting at 9 am in Paseo del Parque and running 42 k around the city before returning to the starting point. A great way to lose weight before the Christmas excesses! Shorter runs also take place during the San Silvestre run on Sunday 31 December. The 7.5 km race starts and ends at the Rosaleda Football Stadium. WHAT ABOUT NEW YEAR’S EVE IN MALAGA? Head to Plaza de la Consticucion for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Malaga. Free concert, goodie bag with mask, streamers and 12 grapes (eat 1 for each chime of the midnight bells for lots of luck in 2018). Starts fro 10.30 pm.
Obituary for kim rogerson - craven 02-02-58 to 31-10-17 Kim moved to Vinuela with her first husband Barry (Barry the bobby) in 2004, they had many wonderful years together in their beautiful villa in the sun and thoroughly enjoyed the expat life. Tragically Barry died aged 51 in 2010 from a massive heart attack. Kim being Kim bounced back and threw herself into the local expat community, joining El Valle and she soon became a hard working member of the committee, offering friendship to everyone, unfortunately I’ll health took its toll and she had to resign from the committee, but she was still an active member. She met Frank Craven through El Valle and they really hit it off enjoying evenings out and various holidays together, but after a few years they decided to move back to the UK for health reasons. Kim and Frank married in August
2016 and I’m sure you all remember the big party they had in September 2016 at the Pantano restaurant surrounded by all their friends. They returned to Sheffield and within a month Frank was diagnosed with cancer and died just before Christmas 2016. By this time Kim was also very ill and needed a very complicated operation which was done in May 2017, at first all was well, but within a few months all was not well and she was then diagnosed with cancer and she passed away on 31st October. This poem was read at her funeral.
A smile for Kim by P A Revell As you sit here reflecting on the life of Kim What is it that you remember most
about her That she was kind and generous and had a good heart That she worked hard That she spent happy times with friends That she was there for anyone who needed her That she lived her life for us, all of us, always Or is it her humour and her laughter and her smile That when she smiled at you, it made you smile back So now as you reflect on her life Smile, for you have known our Kim We had a memorial for Kim on 14th November and we had a collection for the McMillan cancer charity, we managed to collect 148€, thanks to all who donated.
Menu del dia by alan impey "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!!" a saying that would seem to apply 100% to the El-Valle organised menu del día events that have really proved popular with the membership!! The reason why must be that we all like to be sociable and get together when we can because, let’s face it, any of us can go out for a menu del día whenever we feel like it but when El-Valle announce one we gather in our 30's and 40's to be there. You cannot even say that we are saving money as the price we pay is
the price of the menu at whichever venue!!!!
This times venue was Pippo's at Algorrobo, a restaurant I have not used before, or even noticed, but it is one I will be happy to visit again. Forty two places were sold, but two no shows and two ill health’s brought the number attending down to thirty eight. Food choices were made on the day from the menu and service was very good to say that, apart from our
very large group, the restaurant was also very popular with the general public.
Once again the committee had got things just right and although I am sure the whole committee at some point will have been involved special thanks to Dorothy, Barbara and Sue who seemed to be the ones most involved on the day!!!! and I seem to recall that Dorothy was taking photographs so no doubt these will appear in the newsletter or on the web site in due course.
EL VALLE TRIP TO MURCIA AND SURROUNDING AREAS 14 MAY 2018 Departure at 7.00 hours from La Viñuela to Lorca. Short stops en route for breakfast. Arrival in Lorca at 12.00 p.m., a city declared Historic-Artistic Complex and called "the baroque city" for the important monumental legacy that houses its historical centre belonging to this style. We will have a guided tour of 2 hours approx. to see the most characteristic of the city. Free time for lunch. Then, depart to Murcia, arrival to the Hotel and distribution of rooms.
15 MAY 2018 - VISIT MURCIA Breakfast included in the hotel and departure to visit the city of Murcia with local guide, city with historical street that have kept the names of the guilds that occupied them, such as Platería, Trapería and Vidrieros. The square of Cardinal Belluga concentrates the two architectural jewels of the city: The Episcopal Palace (entrance included) and the Cathedral. At 11:00 am guided tour of the Cathedral with entrance included (duration 1 hour approx) where you can visit the Interior and Exterior of the Cathedral. Free time for lunch and free afternoon to continue visiting the city.
MAY 16, 2018 - MURCIA- CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ: SANTA CITY, CEHEGIN AND THE BULLAS WINE MUSEUM Breakfast the hotel and departure towards Caravaca de la Cruz, catalogued as one of the 5 Holy Cities that have the privilege of celebrating a jubilee year in perpetuity; Cehegín, considered one of the 15 most beautiful towns in Spain; and Bullas Wine Museum (entrance included). Full day guided tour. Return to the Hotel
MAY 17 2018- MURCIA - >> CARTEGENA >> PLACE OF ORIGIN Breakfast and departure to Cartagena, where is located the prototype of the submarine of the inventor Isaac Peral. The wall of the Sea delimits the old town in which stand out the Town Hall, jewel of modernist architecture and the old Cathedral. We will visit the remains of the Roman Theatre and finish the visit at the Naval Museum (entrance included). Free time for lunch, and after lunch return to the point of origin. PRICE PER PERSON FOR BED AND BREAKFAST - €190 members €210 for non members The price includes: Hotel Churra (Murcia) bed and breakfast only Travel insurance Guided visit (in English) in Lorca ½ day Guided visit (in English) in Murcia ½ day Entrance into the Cathedral of Murcia ( with a guide in English) Entrance to the Episcopal Palace Full day guided visit to Caravaca de la Cruz – Cehegin – Museo del vino de Bullas Entrance to the Museo del vino de Bullas and tasting included Guided visit to Cartagena (in English) ½ day.
Idea for a day out by alan impey Visitors arrive; struggle to think what to do!!! here is one idea!! Four of us drove to Marbella, OK a one and a half hour drive but not a bad journey. We parked at the east end of Marbella and whilst I know of parking places from previous visits they are hard to explain so sort your own spot then get onto the prom!!! Start walking on the prom, and apart from drinks, do not stop until you reach Puerto Banus. You know you are there when you see the statue in the attached photo, just after crossing an impressive new footbridge.
It took us one and a half hours which included drink stop and the walking is easy and 100% level. We arrived about 1.30pm and chose eat lunch straight away at Picasso's, an Italian on the Puerto banus prom. Prices were good as was the food and between the four of us choices were totally varied with salad/rib's,/pizza and mussel risotto, all of us enjoyed our own choice and with the house red, Faustino V11, on special offer at €9.00 a bottle what's not to like!!!!
After lunch it was on to the super yacht's and flash motors, a few selfies, with yacht's in the background before catching the catamaran ferry back to Marbella, another drink before returning to Torre/Puente or wherever you started your journey!!
The ferry runs every hour from Puerto Banus and takes half an hour at a cost of €8.50 one way. For those not inclined to walk you could ferry both ways of course at a cost of €15.00 return. Children €8.50 return, €5.00 one way. It may be worth checking how long the ferry operates date wise at info@fly-blue.com or tel. 663 827 986. At the moment the last ferry from Banus is 7pm.
Alcohol limits and penalties It is often not realised that the maximum permitted alcohol limits in Spain are considerably lower than many other European countries including the U.K. It is also worth noting that these limits are precisely that, a maximum that is permitted. Alcohol affects people differently and the only real safe limit is zero! That said, in Spain the maximum legally permitted alcohol is in general 0.25mg/l (or 0.15mg/l if you are a learner driver/professional drivers). If the amount of alcohol exceeds this limit, the driver will be heavily fined and lose several points from their licence. In the event such amount of the breathalyzer exceeds 0.60 mg/l, the driver becomes subject to a criminal proceeding and will be arrested. THE FINES Professional/Novice drivers - 0.15-0.30 mg/l - €500 + 4 points, from 0.30 mg/l - €1000 + 6 points. Other drivers - 0.25-0.50 mg/l - €500 + 4 points, from 0.50 mg/l - €1000 + 6 points. A blood test is only available when you have finished the alcohol test and you disagree with the result. Refusal to co-operate is also considered a criminal offence.
Halloween in malaga by margaret & chris wishart ple took to the streets in fantastic costumes all heading for the nightclubs at midnight. It was incredible that thousands of people had made such an effort to dress up for the evening. When we all met up at 1.30am for the return coach, the conversations were "Did you see, the seven brides of Dracula, the family of ghost busters, the funeral cortège, the girl in the bed whose head swivelled round, pushed by a demented nun? Everyone agreed it was a great evening certainly not to be missed.
The El Valle Halloween coach left Puente for Malaga a little after 6.30pm accompanied by witches, a lion, a werewolf and of course Count Dracula. It was a very warm evening for late October and many bars with seating outside appeared as if "by magic". We certainly hadn´t seen them in daylight!!
The Malagueños paraded around the Port, the Paseo Larios and the surrounding streets and were only too keen to stop for photo calls. Whole families were out together dressed up including several baby devils in prams and very very old abuelos and abuelas, or maybe that was just the makeup. As the evening wore on many young peo-
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
Carol Caldwell Tel: 635291532
Bethune McCarroll Tel: 634404169
Yvonne James Tel: 666619145
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