December 2012

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IN THIS ISSUE

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1. FROM THE CHAIR NOVEMBER MEETING NOTES 2. MEETINGS & EVENTS. 3. LAKE VIÑUELA PHOTO CLUB 4. WALKING GROUP 5. MESSAGE FROM MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY & SKITTLES EVENT 6. QUAD DIARY 7. NEWSBITES & FOR SALE 8. COMMITTEE

EDITORIAL by Sue Jones I have been told of another scam which is designed to part us from our money! Apparently some clever fraudster has now found a way of cloning your credit/debit cards whilst they are still in your purse/wallet!! All they have to do is walk beside you with their device in their hand and it can read the details of your cards. The best way to counter this is to keep your cards in a metal case; the device cannot read through metal. I can’t confirm this information is absolutely 100 per cent correct but I thought it best to pass it on, better to be safe than sorry.

It just remains for me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas wherever you are spending it, and to give a big Thank You to Doug for this months’ cover picture.

“The Diabetes Support Group” Contact Ann Bowles:952.464.184 / 607.879.450 abowles@terra.es / www.lacaladiabetics.com

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FROM THE CHAIR a message from Lyndsey Padley It’s that time of the year again!!!

Hoping you have weathered the storms of last weekend!! (no pun intended!!) Driving around we have seen much devastation, damage to properties, roads and great flooding. Which nicely brings to mind “Guarro”, for those of you who have never visited (on the road from Periana to Mondron, off to the right), well worth a trip.

I was invited, some time ago, by my neighbour Sue, to join the photography group on one particular morning, after experiencing severe rain. The waterfalls are breathtaking, one of the sources (if not the main one, please don’t quote me on this though) of Lake Vinuela. If I have tempted you, do take a visit, there is also a good restaurant there – exiting the village from the opposite direction to that which you entered.

With Christmas approaching, please do be extra vigilant with your wallets and handbags, especially at supermarkets and other areas largely populated.

Finally, may I wish you all, on behalf of all of your Committee, an enjoyable Christmas, starting with carols and rd mincepies on 3 December hope your vocals are tuned!!!

NOVEMBER REPORT

by Alan Impey

Monday 5th November 2012 saw the el-Valle monthly meeting take place at its usual venue the Camping Bar, overlooking Embalse Vinuela. Approximately 50 members/guests attended which, given that the main event of the night was an update by SOHA, seemed to be a relatively small number.

Lyndsey opened the meeting with an update on the el-valle website. After many years of running, maintaining and updating the website, both from Spain and England, Mike Hickman was standing down and as no-one had come forward to take over it had proved necessary to outsource this position. Lyndsey expressed her thanks to Mike for all his work and even though he is still in England he received a sustained round of applause.

Lyndsey also announced that the coming year required all members to complete and submit new application forms for membership, not just a renewal. It had also been decided to break with tradition with the cash box!!!!!!!! In previous years at the December (Christmas) el-Valle meeting the cash box was drawn until a winner was found. The new format was to wait until the box held €1,000 and then draw until won, (current contents €600.), unless of course someone was lucky enough to win it in the preceding months.

Lyndsey then handed over to Jane who gave an overview of the forthcoming social events into the middle of 2013. More detail as usual in newsletter and on the website.

It was now time for the SOHA presentation and the meeting was handed over to Mario Blanke, Philip Smalley and Haro Posthumus all active members of SOHA not to mention active local councillors for Alcaucin and Vinuela.

All three guest speakers gave an account of how things stood with our two local councils on the position of illegal/irregular housings and how they saw things progressing. The work of SOHA and in particular the speakers here tonight should not be treated lightly and a lot of time and effort is put into trying to help not only the 400 SOHA members but everyone else in the same position. We will all benefit from any advances/concessions they achieve so it was perhaps a little surprising that after all three speakers had concluded there were only three questions from the floor regarding the presentation.

Thanks were offered to the guest speakers and then Lyndsey started proceedings for the cash box draw which as previously mentioned stood at €600.00. There was no winner and the prize rolls over to December.

The meeting was then closed at 8.30pm with thanks to all for attending.

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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS ALL MEETINGS START PROMPTLY AT 7.30pm MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER, MEETING FOLLOWED BY CAROLS & MINCE PIES MONDAY 7TH JANUARY, MEETING FOLLOWD BY “POINTLESS” WITH ALAN IMPEY MONDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, POSSIBLE VISIT BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH CONSULATE

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DATE: MONDAY 10 DECEMBER BUS LEAVES HOTEL ROMERO 9:00 am INCLUDING VISIT TO RUTE ANISETTE MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF HAM, TURRON MUSEUM & THE CHOCOLATE BELEN (NATIVITY) MEMBERS €18 NON MEMBERS €20 LUNCH INCLUDED

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DATE: FRIDAY 18 JANUARY FILM NIGHT

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DATE: THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY BEATLES TRIBUTE NIGHT AT CAMPING BAR 7 PM 7:30 FOR FOOD MEMBERS €15 : NON MEMBERS €17

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

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Lake Viñuela Photographic Club Having now outgrown Moreno’s bar, November’s meeting was held at our original home of Chiringuito Antonio’s. Thanks to the owner and staff of Moreno’s for putting up with us over the past months.

Photo by Catherine White

The October monthly challenge of “Abstract“ found us out of our comfort zone, a few off the wall creations but on the whole well supported, as this Picasa album of thirty six photographs illustrates http://tinyurl.com/btjpcsh.

Our photo of the year is next on the agenda, expected to be revealed in January’s edition of the newsletter.

The current month’s challenge of “Architecture” (definition: the structure or design of anything, particularly buildings), it should be less demanding.

Lake Viñuela Photographic Club. www.lvphotoclub.com / email: info@lvphotoclub.com

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MONTHLY WALK DECEMBER 13th By Alan Impey.

It was with some doubts that I went to the start of the latest el-Valle walk on Thursday 8th November 2012.

The weather for over a week had been unpredictable with lots of rain and cloudy skies and I wondered just how many would turn up given the days poor weather forecast. I was also concerned that today’s walk leader, Alan Clay, had not routed and led a walk for el-Valle although he is a very experienced fell and mountain walker. My concerns were solely that he would not be put off by a poor turnout. I needn't have worried, despite a heavy shower at the start point thirty people turned up for the walk and after the shower the sun came out for the whole walk.

As we left the car park in Torrox Pueblo we made our way up and around the edge of the village always looking down over the pueblo. We eventually started to drop down the far side of the pueblo before branching left into the campo on a good track. We were now walking on a level track passing through avocado and mango plantations before once more climbing steeply on a footpath to reach a higher level track and turning left to once again traverse a good level track with views out to the coast and over Torrox Pueblo.

As we dropped back down to the pueblo Alan took us through the pueblo which is a typical Spanish style to eventually arrive at the Bar Rubio where a very good menu del dia waited for us. At a cost of 7â‚Ź we enjoyed a salad, three courses, bread and a generous drink. There was a lot of choice for our main course and I was not aware of anyone being dissatisfied with the meal.

Normally the meal is the end of the walk but in this case we were taken by Alan through more of the village, passing his house, (the one with the pink/red bougainvillea, see photo's) and eventually back to the car park.

Many thanks to Alan Clay for what hopefully is only the first walk to be led by him.

The December walk to be routed by myself, assisted by Maureen, starts from the car park at Venta de Zaffaraya. From Puente de don Manuel take the A 402 direction Alhama de Granada and at the head of the pass as you go under the old railway bridge turn immediately left and up to the car park at the side of narrow gauge railway. The start of the walk is quite steep but once this is out of the way then the walk meanders/contours round the hills with quite spectacular views. (Weather permitting) Some of the walk is on narrow paths, (no steep drops) so if you do bring your dog please ensure that when required he/she is on a lead.

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2013 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION from Stewart, membership secretary A note to all members of the El-Valle Asociacion from your Membership Secretary.

Hi. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2013. st At this time I would also like to remind you that our 2013 membership year starts from JANUARY 1 , 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 at the Friday Market, Puente Don Manuel, at Billy´s Bar, between 11.00 and 12.30am. There will be a committee member sitting at the bar which is inside the gates to the market and then turn to the left to the bar, or at any of the monthly club meetings at the Camping Bar on the side of the lake Vinuela. rd You can renew your membership at our December meeting on Monday December 3 or at the January th meeting which is on Monday January 7 after the Spanish New Year celebrations. For the 2013 club year, the st committee have kept the membership fee again at €10.00 and your annual membership will run from Jan 1 to st Dec 31 2013.

For 2013 we start again requiring each person or couple to complete the full application form (i.e. 4-year form) filling in all the information required on the form (Name, NIE, address and contact details, phone number(s) and most of all your Email address). We need to have this form completed so we have all your updated contact details for our records. Next year once this form has been completed we will again go to the short version form agreeing that the details that we have on record are correct for those members renewing for 2014/5/6. New members are required to complete a full form.

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 2013 membership year.

SKITTLES EVENT By Alan Impey Friday 9th November should have been the day of the el-Valle skittles tournament, at Attila's Bar, Puente de don Manuel. Unfortunately the weather played its hand in causing the event to be cancelled but only in so much as we could not play outdoor skittles. The el-Valle committee quickly assured everyone that whilst skittles was off the afternoon/evening out was not.

A quiz was quickly put in place and the six teams of six, originally the skittles teams competed against each other in the quiz which was based on T/V quiz shows. The quiz shows were, Question of Sport/Call My Bluff/Who Wants to be a Millionaire/Catch Phrase/They Think it's All Over/Block Busters/ Family Fortunes and name that Tune.

At the half way point the team, who had named themselves, "Six Amigos" were clear leaders with 16 out 18 points. At the close of the quiz fortunes had turned and the outright winners were "Willie Wonkers Workers" with a worthy score of 29 1/2 points which won the team €60.00. Team Members were Ben Caldwell, Lyndsey Padley, Christine Goreham ,Gwilym Jones, Yvonne James and Kim Rogers. The last team, "Mud Larks" were awarded a complimentary bottle of wine. Following the quiz it was time for the pre ordered dinner of either lasagna or chicken curry.

I was not aware of anyone being unhappy with their meal so it is fair to say that a possible disaster was avoided and a good afternoon/evening was had by the 36 members/guests who turned up.

Thanks to all who helped in the organisation of the event and also the staff of Attila's.

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QUAD REPORT by Chris Pegman

My Geography Teacher‘s mantra was- ‘Mediterranean Climate, Hot Dry Summers, Warm Wet Winters.’ This year has so far proved him right, particularly on the ‘hot’ then ‘wet’ parts! The amount of rain has certainly affected our quadding outings recently. Day after day of rain made some of us go stir crazy and risk going out on days when most sane people would have stayed tucked up indoors! The method in our madness was to meet as usual at Chiringuito Antonio and turn through 360 degrees to see in which direction the sky looked brightest. When we had decided that it didn’t look bright anywhere, we devised a cunning route involving a journey with safe-havens dotted along the route! Hence an increase in takings at the Trapiche Bar, the ‘Ghost Bar’ in Los Gomez and a warming stop at ‘Roger’s’ near Rubite, when hot drinks were the order of the day (and the wringing out of a variety of garments!)

On the occasional sunny days we enjoyed outings to destinations further afield such as Canillas de Albaida and Caleta for enjoyable ‘menu del dia’. The state of the tracks, with landslides and serious ruts, has had a knockon effect on the number of punctures we have suffered recently. The pressurized puncture repair cans have become a necessary addition to our emergency toolkits!

Brian has finally taken delivery of his long awaited new quad- delays on matriculation and insurance have been caused by the fact that new models seem to take time to work through the bureaucratic system! It was worth the wait- a really good looking quad. A quad which is unfortunately caught up in a repair black-hole is Gwilym’s. We (and the Welsh Wizard himself!) are looking forward to him finally getting back on track. We miss his Mystery Tours! Helen was delighted her totally co-ordinated red mini-beast sailed through its itv for another two years. We are looking forward to being rejoined by our missing colleagues and enjoying a more prolonged period of dry weather and, of course, our Christmas Bash!

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Newsbites by Jenny Wright One of my friends recently mentioned that she put her lemon pieces of peel, when finished with, in her dishwasher basket which gave an extra sparkle to her dishes. Waste not, want not!! Lemon is a powerful alkaliser so if used in hot water will help with flushing acid from the body. Acidity will cause many inflammatory illnesses, such as arthritis. If you want to protect your teeth when having lemon drinks, or cider vinegar, which also acts in a similar way, use a straw. Spanish scientists have also discovered that a diet high in nuts – almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, also help where inflammation or metabolic syndrome is a problem.

Many of you will have had a ‘flu jab earlier this autumn but remember that if you get a cold or chest infection, fresh lemon or orange will give you vitamin C and you can also boost your immune system with Echinacea.

Drink plenty of fluid, preferably not alcoholic!

The recent heavy rain falls have caused havoc with the tracks and roads, but also managed to cause our pool to lose water, rather than overflow!! Different, you must admit, and if you did not laugh at these things you could go mad. I am half expecting our bedroom ceiling to come down if we have any more rain, but it all helps to keep someone employed! th

The next meeting of the FHT Therapists Support Group will be held on Wednesday 30 January at 7.30pm at the Camping Bar Restaurant, Vinuela when Madison King will present a Master Triad of Techniques. Her previous evening was a great success and will be just as lively. For further details telephone Jenny on 951321613 or 663759988 or email: jennywright04@gmail.com

FOR SALE 2 APELSON ELECTRIC OIL FILLED RADIATORS, not new but hardly used and now surplus to requirements, both in first class condition: One is 2000W with multiple heat settings and variable thermostatic control The other is 800W with variable thermostatic control 1 BELKIN WIRELESS MODEM ROUTER, MODEL SURF N150: acquired in July 2012, never used, still in original box and includes cables.

All sensible offers will be considered.

Available near Lake Vinuela. Telephone 951167170 or 605826358. email pdibden@hotmail.com

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ASOCIACIÓN EL VALLE DEL EMBALSE COMMITTEE 2012-13 Chair: Lyndsey Padley - 628655801 Vice Chair: Jane Harris - 633615154 Treasurer: Terry Frost - 697569141 Secretary: Stewart Common - 647076177 MEMBERS  Linda Kemp: - 951167088  Elaine Edwards: - 647076177  Anne Dibden: - 605826358  Carol Jackson: - 635291532  Kim Rogerson: - 696126204 Editor: Susan Jones - 680407894 Almoner: Christine Goreham – 635361233

INFORMATION.  WEBMASTER – MIKE HICKMAN 

webmaster@el-valle.org WEBSITE - www.el-valle.org

A representative of the committee is usually on duty between 11am – 12.30pm at Mis Tapitas (“BILLY’S BAR”) during Friday Market - Chiringuito Antonio Asociación El Valle del Embalse normally meets at 7pm on the first MONDAY of each month with the exception of August, at the “Camping Bar Restaurante” by Lake Viñuela (km 31/32 A356).

ASOCIACIÓN MOBILE ‘PHONE. 676.641.577 NB: THE ASOCIACIÓN MOBILE IS ONLY IN USE DURING TRIPS OR EVENTS PLEASE USE THE NUMBERS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO CONTACT A COMMITTEE MEMBER AT OTHER TIMES.