El Valle Newsletter Page 1
El Valle Newsletter Page 2
Chairman’s report
Content Chairmans 2 report & May Meeting
by carol caldwell
Hello and welcome to this , the June edition of the El Valle Newsletter. What an exciting month of May, with the local elections. On Sunday 17�� May, myself and Ben attended a rally in Scirocco for Mario Blanke and Phil Smalley, in aid of the Ciudadanos party, it was well attended; and
then on Sunday 24�� May it was voting day, great result for Mario Blanke in Alcaucin who gained 3 seats, let’s hope he continues to help us all.. Meanwhile in Viňuela it was a poor result for Phil Smalley, not etting a seat; I hope he also continues in all his efforts.
3 may meeting report by alan impey Photo Club, & News from Our May meeting took place thatched with the cannabis Sat.Co on Monday 4th May at the
The Supper Night with film was a great success, thanks to Jane & Elaine for the lovely food. This is always a good night, so let us have input on any film you might want to see in the future. Other evening events are planned for the future, including a Picnic on the 15�� July, hope to see you all soon.
Sue closed the meeting thanking all for attending but beplant. (No domestic's in these Camping Bar and 60 members fore I go I would like to houses then) Fez has the oldturned out to support the Elmention the est medina in Morocco and it May Walk 4 Valle Asociación (for anyone July meeting, Monday 6th, is still functioning today covthinking I cannot spell and the this will incorporate theEl& El Valle ering a vast area. Editor cannot edit, this is the Valle version of "Pointless" a Drama She also informed us that Fez Spanish spelling!!)At 7.40pm popular BBC quiz show. It will May Quad 5 could boast of having the first Sue opened the meeting apolbe presented by Peter GoreUniversity in the world, Report ogising for the absence of our ham and myself and will folfounded in 859 and by a womchair person, Carol, and then low the TV format as closely What's On 6 an at that. The university is went on to introduce Mario as possible. For anyone not called al-Qarawiyyin and its familiar with it, spare 40 minForthco 7 Blanke who gave a brief but founder Fatima al-Fihri. informative presentation on utes one week day and watch Kritzlynn continued with her mng the do's and don'ts of voting an episode on BBC 1 at interesting Events & in the Spanish Local Elections. 6.15pm. Four couples have presentation concluding at Walks Sue then went on to give an already put themselves 8.35pm and from the converoutline of the forthcoming soforward to be the contestants Supper 8 sations I overheard everyone cial events planned by the and Peter is actively engaged had enjoyed the visit and Night with committee and many of which in designing the technical wizthanks to her for stepping in Film were already on sale. ardry needed for the presenat the last minute. At 8pm Sue introduced our tation. Election guest speaker, Kritzlynn AlSo come along in your droves Time for the box, which toResults Taib, from a company called to support not only El-Valle, night, stood at €270.00. The El Rocio 9 "Hidden Morocco Tours" but Peter and myself and the first two keys drawn were not Pilgrimage Kritzlynn had very kindly ofeight "volunteers" who are successful but the third one fered to stand in when the putting themselves and their was and the lucky winner was SOHA 10 pre-arranged speaker could pointless knowledge up for David Lawrie, begging emails not make it. scrutiny. Event should be sent She went on to give a very into??????????@Sharewithme. Forthcom formed yet very interesting com ing talk about Morocco highlighting the places that you would Spanish not normally see and giving us Festivals Committee 11 interesting facts such as the fact that there is a healthy cannabis production in some parts of Morocco and some houses even have their roof's
El Valle Newsletter Page 3
Lake viñuela photographic club
By Doug Poplett
Our April challenge was a technical exercise in “pre and post editing”. The following two “before and after” photos are an example of the process. The exercise was devised to hopefully help give the less able in our group the practice and motivation to try something out of their comfort zone, or, at the very least give them the guidance to enhance their images.
Having had no time to set up a camera, tripod and make the correct adjustments etc, there was only one way to capture this image, to take as many shots of the subject as possible, select the best image and then edit accordingly. The image was cropped, the focus adjusted slightly and then colour popped (turn to black and white and then highlight the subject matter back in to colour). Interested in photography? Why not come and join us, we are a friendly group of people of differing abilities from novice to the more proficient, it’s all about learning from each other, but more importantly, enjoying photography. We meet on the first Thursday of the month (10.30am), currently at Restaurante La Era in Puente Don Manuel. If you are interested, contact us, leaving your contact details at lakevinuelaphotoclub@gmail.com . Our next meeting, Thursday 4�� June.
News from sat.co
by dick atterbury
Some people that are using Technomate satellite receivers may have lost one or two channels in the past weeks. This is due to the fact that they have changed frequency. If you are experiencing problems let us know as we have a software update for the box. It is free for all our customers.
There has been a lot of posts on social media about the Technomate satellite receivers and recording issues. With a little practice it is quite possible to record two programmes while watching a third without any special equipment. All you require is a plug in Hard drive or USB flash drive. If you
have any problems give us a call for a demonstration. Are you having problems with that remote control? Bring them to us for an overhaul we can usually repair most remote controls TVs and satellite receivers.
El Valle Newsletter Page 4
El valle may walk Thursday 14th May 2015, time for the el-valle annual Guaro Walk led by Terry and Jane. This was of course the El-Valle monthly walk but at this time of year it is tradition that Terry and Jane take us on this particular walk. Last year it occurred on April 10th and 22 walkers took part. Numbers were a little down this time as there only 14 walkers. This was perhaps down to the fact that high temperatures were forecast and there was little in the way of shade for this walk but then conversely the views are good.
It had been decided to do the walk in reverse to the usual direction which gave us an uphill start and off we went. It was very warm but every-
El valle drama
by alan impey
one made it to the railway line ridge and after a break of we went following the track towards Periana. Along the way we encountered a goatherd/shepherd and flock and waited at one point for the flock, complete with young, to clear the track.
We soon turned off to the right to start a descent towards, eventually, the Periana/Guaro Road. Now for the difficult part!!!!!!! we had a continuous uphill walk to the village and it was now very hot!!!! We were all strung out and several walkers were feeling the heat more than others. Fortunately two walkers had gone on ahead and one of them, Graham, had the foresight to bring his car back
chicken, pork chop or Rosada (grilled or fried) with a vegetarian option The El Valle Drama’s next production also available. The meal starts at 7:30 p.m. And the show will start is Telephone Belles, a comedy produced by Jill Hayes, on 12�� & 13�� when the meal has finished. June at Trapiche. Tickets at €14 are avilable from John (in Puente Don Manuel) on As usual there will be a meal before 692551385, or from Steve (in Torre the show, with a choice of either
down the road and give the ones suffering most a lift back to the start. Despite the heat it is a very good walk and I for one appreciated it. Lunch as usual was in the restaurant at Guaro and was a good value menu del día. The cold beer and the wine also helped a few of us and rapid changes of who was drive home occurred with the ladies taking over driving duties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Facts and Figures Walk Distance 9.5kms Moving Time 2hr 9mins. Stopped Time 26mins Start Height 650mtrs Low Point 620mtrs High Point 870mtrs Interestingly (to me) on last years walk we took 2hrs 10 mins. with a stopped time of 25mins and covered 9.44kms. Obviously the distance has to be the same but even with the high temperatures we maintained a very similar time to last year.
Del Mar) on 634343933. Or you can email elvalledrama@yahoo.co.uk with your reservation and pick up and payment of tickets can be arranged. PLEASE have your food choices ready when you reserve your tickets.
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may Quad report by mike larner This has been a great month for quadding. At this time of year, it is not yet too hot and many of the spring lowers can still be seen in the campo. However, with the lack of rain it has been a little dusty. We have a covered most of usual routes and eaten at many of our favourite restaurants.
Places visited have included Comares, Guaro, Mondron, Canillas de Aceituno, Benamargosa, Zafarraya, Los Romanes, and much of the surrounding campo. We have travelled into Granada Province and had an excellent Menu del Dia at what we call the Chicken Shack (located on the right just after the Zafarraya railway bridge). We also recently had an unexpected mystery tour over the Arenas Ridge (the leader got lost).
Our Wednesday runs always include a Menu, whilst on Sundays, we traditionally finish at the Trapiche Bar for bacon sandwich and light refreshment. This is month we have found that the Trapiche bar has been refusing to sell bacon sandwiches on a number of occasions, claiming that their kitchen is busy, so we have had to sample new venues at Puente and Benamargosa. Both have been good, with a bonus egg on one occasion.
We continue to meet at Billy's Bar at midday before our runs, and are always looking for new members (male and female), who would enjoy good company and a different way of travelling through the beautiful Spanish countryside.
El Valle Newsletter Page 6
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS JULY 6�� -
Pointless by Alan Impey & Peter Goreham
OCTOBER 6�� -
Numbers Quiz By Martyn Higgins
AUGUST
NO MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7��
Music Quiz by George Bain
OCTOBER 5��
Talk by Geoff Clayton/News of the World Reporter
TRIP TO GRANADA WITH WALK LEAVE ‘MIS TAPITAS’ AT 08:30
LEAVE GRANADA AT 17:00
€10 MEMBERS
€13 NON MEMBERS
FULLY BOOKED
july 15
th
Join us for a picnic in the las mayorales picnic site
Bring your own drink 7:30 for 8:00 Cold buffet followed by salsa demontration €8 members €10 non members
El Valle Newsletter Page 7
September 19
th
Join us for this magical candlelit evening Coach leaves ‘mis tapitas’ 18:30 Leaves guaro 12:00 €11 members €13 non
100 anniversay walk th
1 october 2015 st
led by stewart & elaine & will start at rincon de la victoria and walk to malagacelebrte by having a menu del dia and a glass of cava
name of interested people to stewart & elaine beforehand. A deposit of €10 required EL VALLE MONTHLY WALKS JUNE 11��
Led by Alan Impey. Start 11:00 at the car park of Venta San Miguel, opposite the Hotel Christainas, Nerja. Take the N340 towards Torrox from Nerja & after about 1km it’s on the right just past the Repsol Garage.
JULY 9��
Led by Stewart & Elaine. Start 7pm
AUGUST 13��
Led by Bary Bartlett. Start 7pm
SEPTEMBER 10�� Led by Mike Larner. Start 11:00 OCTOBER 1��
100�� Walk Led by Stewart and Elaine and will start at Rincon de la Victoria and walk to Malaga, return by bus if needed, or walk back. Celebrate by having a Menu del Dia and a glass of Cava at a restaurant in Malaga. Name of interested people to Stewart beforehand. A deposit of €10 required for the meal.
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Supper night with film by alan impey Film What we did on our Holiday BBC Film. Filmed in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands. Released 26/09/2014 Run Time 91 minutes Box Office £3.7 million Doug (David Tennant) and Abi (Rosamund Pike) are taking their three children on a trip to Scotland for a big family gathering.(Birthday party for Gordie ((Billy Connolly)) who is Doug's father) They are in the midst of a difficult divorce, and have asked the kids to keep it a secret from their extended family. But as the inevitable feuds kick in, a completely unexpected turn of events involving the children causes further tensions to rise to the surface. And with the repercussions that ensue hilarious and emotional in equal measure - the family are forced to put aside their differences and work together or else risk losing what they hold most dear.
Everyone quickly claimed their places and began nibbling on the snacks already provided.
The night’s supper consisted of a choice between Hungarian Pork and pasta of chili con carne and rice. We were called table by table as space is limited and for myself I chose the chili. Others at my table had the Hungarian pork and all agreed that the food was very good. Thank you Elaine, for the pork/pasta and Jane for the chili. There were "seconds" and in the interests of neutrality I had the pork and was not disappointed!!!
Thirty seven tickets had been sold for the showing but due to illness only thirty five were present and when the doors opened at 7pm Stewart and co. were putting finishing touches to the set up.
The tables were soon cleared away and the room set for viewing and judging from the laughter and, if I am not mistaken a few tears, everyone enjoyed the film, a synopsis of which is above. The film nights are a clear success but do involve a high degree of preparation by the El-Valle committee members concerned so it is only fair to thank them and on this occasion particularly Stewart and Elaine who only returned from an extended holiday in China on Wednesday night.
A brief synopsis of the election results This was the situation in Alcaucin for the last 4 years: 2 seats each for Partido Popular, Partido Andalucia and Los Verdes (Mario) which resulted in a ruling coalition of these three parties Sunday’s votes: PP
353 = 4 seats
CIUDADANOS (Mario) 344 = 3 seats (9 short of a majority) PSOE
322 = 3 seats
PA
173 = 1 seat
In La Viňuela, PSOE got a large majority and Phil Smalley did not gain enough votes so will no longer be a councillor.
El Valle Newsletter Page 9
El rocio pilgramage (huelva) Those of you who went on our trip to Doňana National Park will remember the visit to El Rocío. It is a small hamlet which, for most of the year, is just about deserted. It’s wide, sandy streets are lined with large houses complete with verandas which are usually uninhabited except at the time of the pilgrimage. It’s the pilgrimage which brings El Rocío to life, the Romería Del Rocío, amazingly, perhaps Spain’s biggest festival..
Since 1758 the event has taken place on the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. Those large houses in the village mentioned earlier are actually the bases of the 95 brotherhoods, hermandades, who are the senior members of each romería. The pilgrims, known here as Rocieros, arrive with horses, wagons and elaborately dressed carriages which are designed to carry the silver and gold Madonnas to the Ermita on the Saturday morning.
Where normally the population is around 700 people as many as a million can throng the streets the weekend before Pentecost!
The climax of the whole festival comes in the early hours of the Monday morning when the actual statue of the virgin is brought from the church and paraded throughout the town
The traditional pilgrimage can be traced back to the 15�� century when a hunter from the local village of Most of the ladies will be wearing bright flamenco - style dresses with the men wearing short riding type jackets and wide brimmed boleros.
Villamanrique discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary, in a tree trunk near the park. The wooden figure of the virgin, which is believed by it’s devotees to help cure infertility, mental disorders and other diseases, is kept in the enormous church, the Sanctuario de Nuestra Seňora de El Rocío which is usually simply referred to as the Ermita.
Unfortunately it is too late for you to go this year, but should you want to go in the future be aware that finding somewhere local to stay is going to be almost impossible unless you are camping and that access to the area around El Rocío is severely restricted at this time of the year. Dates of the El Rocío Festival (Lunes de Rocío) 2016
25�� May
2017
5�� June
2018
21�� May
It is one of Spain’s biggest yet least known festivals and well worth the effort. The procession lasts until evening & is accompanied by masses of followers chanting, clapping and beating drums and the playing of tambourines, flutes and guitars.
It is the ideal place in which to experience that strangely Spanish combination of religion and partying.
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Upcoming soha event SATURDAY 13TH JUNE WE ARE HOLDING A BIG FUN QUIZ AT BAR ATILA AT 7pm IT WILL BE BASED ON TV GAME SHOWS WITH A BUFFET - RAFFLE - PRIZES TEAMS OF UP TO SIX €10 PER HEAD TICKETS FROM BAR ATILA 663393987
FORTHCOMING SPANISH FESTIVALS Corpus Christi 4�� June - A solemn and magnificent procession bears the consecrated host through the streets. Although it is celebrated throughout Andalucia, it is most famous in Granada, where this religious celebration fused with the annual “feria” so many years ago.
In Andalucia, San Juan is celebrated on the night of June 23�� with some towns, such as Almuňecar allowing the beaches to be used as campsites for a single night.
earlier in the week. The highlight of the festival is the tomato fight which takes place between 11 am and 1 pm on that day. The event has become one of the highlights on Spain’s summer festival calendar with thousands flocking to this little Valencian town for this chaotic event.
On the beaches of Malaga it’s common to see people jumping over fires which, according to legend, The annual International Festival of cleanses the body and soul! Jumping Music and Dance, which takes place in the sea at midnight is supposed to The Feria de Malaga takes place in around the third week of June be a way to wash away evil spirits August, usually for 10 days around provides the perfect experience for and to gain eternal beauty!! the 15�� of August, and begins with lovers of music, dance and Granada the ‘Pregón de la Feria’ which is the If you are on the south coast on the to truly indulge themselves. Venues official announcement of the opening where events take place include the 16�� July you will come across a range of the festival which is read out by a of different celebrations of the Día de famous local celebrity from the King Carlos V Palace, the open air theatre in the Generalife Gardens, in la Virgen de Carmen. Most of the balcony of the town hall. El Patio de los Arrayanes in the heart traditions involve at least one parade of the Alhambra and various other of through the town, making its way to The Jerez sherry Festival takes place the sea front. Usually a floweron the first Saturday in September Granada’s historic churches and strewn effigy of the Virgin is carried every year as part of “Las Fiestas de buildings. through the streets by a group of la Vendima y Otoňo. This is a three The region of Alicante is one of the local fishermen. When they reach week party involving sherry, horses biggest celebrations of San Juan. the sea, they are usually met by a and flamenco. The origin of the Here it is know as ‘Las Hogueras de flotilla of illuminated and decorated festival is the annual celebration of San Juan’ (Bonfires of St John) and boats, all sounding their horns. After the grape harvest. Jerez de La the celebrations take place from the prayers are said for all those at sea, Frontera, one of Spain’s three sherry 20�� to 29�� June. In the city of the statue is then customarily taken producing towns, celebrates its wine Alicante there are large wooden and on a boat, around the local harbour harvest with an abundance of colour papier maché figures which are as the fireworks and bands and joie de vivre on the weekend displayed in the city’s main squares accompany her journey. closest to 8�� September, with feast and are burnt down on the night of of the Nativity of Our Lady. One of Spain’s maddest festivals has San Juan (24��). The burning begins at to be the La Tomatina tomato fight in I hope you have enjoyed reading a midnight once a palm tree shaped Buňol near Valencia which takes little bit about the various festivals firework display has been released place on the last Wednesday in Spain has to offer. The Editor from Alicante Castle. August though the partying starts
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ASOCIACIĂ“N EL VALLE DEL EMBALSE COMMITTEE 2015-16
Chair: Carol Caldwell : - 635291532
Tresurer: Chris Wishart - 609952926
Almoner: Christine Goreham - 635361233
Secretary: Stewart Common - 647076177
Editor: Susan Jones - 680407894
Publicity: Alice Venus - 685421669
MEMBERS
Elaine Edwards: - 647076177
Jane Harris : - 633615154
Judy Maycock:- 673847608
Barbara Jenkinson: -616264067
Pauline Ward:- 665886474
Peter Girven :- 676320615
Doroth Girven:- 676320615
David Evans:- 622690581
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 MAISON SARA