AROUND THE VALLE

Around the valle january 2018 Issue no.1

Happy new year !!

Chairmans report by sue jones

Gwilym and I would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2018.

Well, 2017 has been and gone, it’s been quite a busy year and in the main has been well supported by you, the members. We would like to think that we are getting it right most of the time, but we are aware that sometimes we produce an event or trip that is not to your liking. As you must appreciate, it is very difficult to continually come up with new ideas, especially as we are such a small team which is where you come in! If you have any ideas for a trip an event or just

something different for a club night please contact either myself or any other committee member and we will be happy to consider them and to check out the feasibility of such an event.

Better yet, why don’t you consider joining us on the committee, we are always looking for new members who can enhance our team and to replace those who leave.

Please think about it and if you are interested contact one of us for an application form.

As you can see, we have been hard at work planning for 2018, some

things are in the final stages of planning and will be finalised for the next newsletter, or check out the website for updates.

That’s all for this month, take care of yourselves and try to keep free from all the nasty bugs that go around at this time of year!

contents 1 CHAIRMANS REPORT DECEM2 &3 BER MEETING & INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN MALAGA 2018 4 FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS & 5 WALK SCHEDULE DECEM6 BER WALK MEMBER- 7 SHIP REMINDER & DRESS TO IMPRESS DRESS TO 8 IMPRESS CONT.

ITINERARY 9 OF PROPOSED MURCIA TRIP COMMIT- 10 TEEE

december meeting by alan impey The last El-Valle meeting of the year took place on Monday 4th December 2017 at the Camping Bar. As usual with the December meeting it was time to roll out the El-Valle choir for its once a year performance.

Originally the choir was known as the El-Valle male voice choir but over the years it expanded to include female members. This years’ choir had been rehearsing for the four weeks up to the meeting.

At 19.30, bang on time, Sue opened the meeting to well in excess of 75 members and guests. I did hear a couple of comments, “some have only come for the free wine and mince pies" but surely not!!!!! it was the thought of seeing/hearing a live performance of the choir that drew them in!!!!!

After a run through of past/future events Sue also announced that there was to be short Christmas quiz and also a dance demo by El Valles’ very own Natasha.

After a short break it was time for Sue to don her quizmasters hat and she gave us 35 questions all with a Christmas theme and at the end of the quiz, before marking, the team of which I was a part were convinced that we had failed miserably and would score very little.

When we received our papers back our fears were justified, 14 only correct!!!!

BUT as Sue set about asking which teams had scored first 30 or more, then 25 or more, then 20 or more and there was no response our spirits started to rise. Sadly after asking for teams with 15 or more there were two takers!!! both with 16.

The winning team was decided by a tie break question.

IF ONLY we had not changed two correct answers for wrong ones and had had time to add one answer that came to us after we had handed our paper over we would have been winners.

Sue chose the time to announce that the cash box was very close to the €500 figure that triggered the drawing sequence to continue until a winner was found and that if enough tickets were sold to reach the €500 pot then it would be drawn until won!!! Needless to say this sparked a "controlled" frenzy of buying which ultimately meant that the box would be won this night, more later.

It was also time for the wine/mince pies to be served and the committee passed among us offering red/white wine and a mince pie.

After service Sue introduced Natasha who was to give us a solo dance demonstration.

I do not think anyone knew quite what to expect but her routine was superb and it was as well that, as far as I could see, we had an adult only audience.

Congratulations Natasha, you brought smiles to many of the men and possibly a hint of jealousy to some of the women!!!!!!

Following Natasha's performance the choir began to assemble and before long we were in full flow, ably lead and conducted by our very own David and accompanied on keyboard by Hazel.

Mention has be made of Julie, a relatively new member, who has thrown herself heart and soul into all activities in the "Valle" arena and

who had ‘volunteered’ for a solo verse of Once in Royal David’s City, quite outstanding as she has never sung before, let alone solo!!!!

The choirs caroling took around half an hour to be completed and with audience participation I think a good time was had by all.

Once again, thanks to my fellow choristers, to David, Hazel and Julie, not forgetting our audience, who expressed their appreciation.

Time now for the "BOX" with a €505 prize waiting for one lucky person.

As tickets were drawn, keys selected the anticipation mounted and it took until half of the available keys had been discarded before a winner was found when Dorothy selected the correct key and scooped the "pot” Congratulations Dorothy and although everyone buying a ticket has the same chance, and good luck to them, it is nice when a longstanding member and regular attendee of the meetings and events is the winner.

All that remained was for Sue to close the meeting and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thanks as well to Margaret and Dorothy who had agreed to take photographs throughout the evening.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN MALAGA FOR 2018 JANUARY Monday 1st - New Year’s Day, shops, businesses, monuments and museums in Malga do not open. Some bars and restaurants may be open.

Saturday 6th - Three Kings. Most bars and restaurants open, but shops are closed.

FEBRUARY Wednesday 28th - Andalucian Regional Day. This is a day when the region of Andalucia celebrates its autonomical status. Most bars and restaurants are open but shops are closed.

MARCH

Tuesday 1st - Labour Day. Bars and restaurants open as usual, but don’t expect to find many shops open.

AUGUST Wednesday 15th Ascension Day and a national holiday. Bars restaurants and shops are open.

Monday 20th August 1 of the 2 local holidays and the high point of Malaga Fair SEPTEMBER Saturday 8th September a local holiday in Malaga only, celebrting the city’s 2 martyrs St Ciriaco & St Paula.

Bars and restaurants open but shops closed.

OCTOBER

Thursday 29th Easter Thursday. Most bars and restaurants open but shops are closed

Friday 12th - Spanish National Day. Bars, restaurants and shops open.

Friday 30th Good Friday. Expect bars and restaurants in the main tourist areas to be open. Shops are closed.

NOVEMBER Thursday 1st All Saints Day. Shops, bars etc. are normally open

Easter is one of the busiest times of the year in Malaga with parades taking place throughout Easter Week.

DECEMBER 6th Thursday, Spanish Constitution Day. Bars and restaurants open but shops closed

MAY

Saturday 8th Immaculate Conception Day, shops etc. normally open as usual.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS January 8th

PLEASE NOTE 2ND MONDAY Talk and demonstration on CPR by Jason Bland

February 5th

Gardeners Question Time, with local garden expert Sylvia - members bring a sample of your problem plants or photographs.

March 5th

Visit by the Mayor of Viñuela who will answer pre set questions from members

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

Possible menu del dia on the coast

Watch this space for further details

Skittles match Atilas, puente don manuel Friday 20 april th

11am Followed by a menu del dia at atilas

Price to be confirmed

WALKS SCHEDULE 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, take the A7 from Torre towards Nerja. Take first Nerja exit towrds the coast and then take coast road back towards Torre. After the Repsol garage look for Venta San Miguel on right and park there for start at 11:00

MARCH 8TH

Led by Rebecca and Martyn Higgins. Start will be from the multi-story car park in Canillas de Acei tuno at 11:00

APRIL 12th

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

december walk BY ALAN IMPEY The last El-Valle walk of the year 14th

took place Thursday December led by yours Truly.

There were 14 walkers but were to be 20 diners at Venta la Viña following the walk.

riving at the Alcaucin track which we followed to the right.

After another 20 minutes of steady climbing we reached what would be the highest point of the walk. From here we turned left and began a steady descent which quickly became a steep descent before levelling out to arrive on a track behind the urbanisation Valle del Sol. At this point we were joined by Martyn and Rebecca who had been delayed by a hospital appointment for Martyn.

We set off at 11am from the lower car park of Viñuela and walked up through the village to the road at the top. There we turned right along the road for 100 yards before going left up a concrete track to begin a steady ascent of the hill side.

At the end of this track we veered off left through an olive grove to arrive at a track which we followed right to maintain a level walk for the next 15/20 minutes before ar-

some 9/10 feet down with blood coming from a gash above her right eye.

After first aid was applied she was able to walk down to a driveable track where she was taken to the Centro Salud in Viñuela for treatment.

The rest of us continued the walk back to Viñuela for the meal.

We were joined, after about 40/45 minutes by Martyn and Rebecca who was sporting 12 stitches!!!!!!!!

As usual at Venta la Viña the menu el día was very good as was the service by Monica.

Facts and Figures.

Distance Start height High Point Total Time Average speed hour Whilst descending towards the old Viñuela road, on a narrow path, Rebecca was suddenly no more!!!!!!

She had gone off the edge of the path and ended up on her back

8.75 Kms 140 mtrs 400 mtrs 2hrs 33mins 3.4 kms per

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 and 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

Secretary and Membership Secretary

Dress to impress

by alan impey rectly, NOT drink much, I still enjoyed the occasion.

Dress to Impress, and almost without exception everyone did!!!!

The Christmas offering from the El-Valle Asociacion took place on Friday 8th December at Venta La Viña, Viñuela.

Being a tad early in the month it was not described as a "Christmas Do" but I think most people attending treated it as such.

Unfortunately I was not 100% and had it not been for the fact that we had friends staying over and attending the "do" I may have dipped out!!

However I was there and although I did not eat much or drink much, yes you heard cor-

As last year the entertainment was provided by International

Reality Duo, but unlike last year when it took perhaps half an hour for them to get the measure of their audience they were on the ball from their first number!!! and the dance floor was full throughout the night.

One nice point about the evening was a non-contributory raffle provided by the La ViĂąa owners!!! All seĂąors and seĂąoras had to put their name down on a piece of paper and then later in the evening one name was drawn for each gender and a prize awarded.

choice!! never an easy tasks especially with 90 people attending.

The whole evening was a good value start to the Christmas period and we should all thank the committee for their efforts in making it such a success. There are some photographs I took but I do know many more were taken and I am sure they will be featured in the El-Valle website gallery.

As I said I did eat very much but I did ask the questions from others and I heard not one complaint about the food or service.

As far as possible the El-Valle committee had arranged tables/seating so that everyone was sat with their preferred

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.

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