October 2015

AROUND THE VALLEY ISSUE 8 October 2015 Chairman,s report By carol caldwell

Welcome to the October Newsletter.

Some good news, Congratulations to Stewart and Elaine on the arrival of their 1st Grandchild a little baby Girl called Sienna.

Also I mentioned at the club meeting,so for those that weren't there a big thank you to Alan Impey for all his input in the Newsletter he contributes so much for articles and Photographs.

Myself and Ben had a great night at Guaro for the Candle Night the atmosphere was great plenty of Food and Drink the Spanish certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Your Committee are currently working hard to plan many new ideas for Club Nights and Events Sue is working on a trip to the Pantomime in January and we are also planning a trip away in May. The Christmas Meal at Venta La Vina in Vinuela on the 11�� December is soon to be released.

We are back in Meson Sara after it has been closed for a month due to vacation so come along Fridays from 11.30 to 12.30 to book Events or to have a coffee and a chat The Club night is on Monday the 5th of October at Camping Bar so looking forward to seeing you all there.

Asociacion el valle del embalse Editor sue jones

Tel: 680407894

email: newslettereditor2012@gmail.com

Around the Valley 2

CONTENT CHAIR REPORT SEPTEMBER MEETING REPORT PHOTO CLUB REPORT & SAT.CO UPDATE FORTHCOMING EVENTS

EVENTS AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OUT CARLOS HAYA TIPS FOR SURVIVAL SEPTEMBER WALK

TRIP TO GUARO

SEPTEMBER QUAD REPORT

COMMITTEEE

september meeting report After a month’s break the El Valle resumed normal service and 7:30 pm Monday 7�� September saw more than 50 people turn up at the Camping Bar for the usual monthly meeting plus entertainment in the form of a Music Quiz by David Lawrie.

Carol (chairperson) opened the meeting by welcoming all back from their summer break and hoping everyone had enjoyed their summer despite the very hot and humid weather. She began by giving a grateful thanks to Alan Impey (who unfortunately was uncharacteristically absent that night) for all his excellent work in producing articles and photographs for the newsletter and also for coming up with ideas for the various games played in the past.

Carol then went on to cover the forthcoming social events and thanked Sue for her hard

work in rearranging the Guaro trip with the coach company and organising all the refunds for those who were unable to make the new date. She also thanked Stewart for sending out emails to all those who had booked the Guaro trip. Carol then introduced David who explained about the upcoming quiz.

There was a 10 minute break for everyone to replenish their glasses during which time picture and question sheets were handed out for members to study.

The pictures were of singers, but we were not asked to identify the singers, but their backing groups! Not easy!! The music questions made you think outside the box; again most answers were groups, e.g. “No Girls Aloud” answer “Boyzone”! Easy when you know how!!! This was followed by music which had to be identified, all in all a very

enjoyable quiz which got everyone thinking.

The winning team were “Odds & Sods” with a score of 39 out of a

possible 48, very well done.

Carol then announced it was time for The Box which stood at €550, but none of the five numbers drawn and corresponding keys managed to open the box and the prize will roll over to next month.

Before closing the meeting Carol announced that some of the committee members would be staying on in the bar if anyone wanted to stay for a chat.

The next meeting of the El Valle is on Monday 5�� October 2015.

Wanted Does any member have a secure storage area (Garage, part of or store room area) that the El-Valle Asociacion could use/rent for the storage of all of their equipment? We would need to have access to it at all times to collect and return any items used at any time. If you do, please mail Sue Jones on newslettereditor2102@gmail.com or contact any of the members of the committee.

Around the Valley 3

La vinuela photographic club

by doug poplett

As the saying goes, “never work with children or animals”, advice that was not heeded for our challenge for August, “Animal Portraits”. Some of us succeeded in capturing worthwhile images while others struggled, evident by the lack of entries this month, mind you, the hot and clammy weather didn’t help.

September’s challenge is “In the Style of Alfred Stieglitz” not one of our favourite subjects, but one to see who steps out of their comfort zone.

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 by email to; lakevinuelaphotoclub@gmail.com .

NB: Our next meeting, Thursday 8�� October, one week later than normal.

Sat.co. Update

by dick atterbury

Hope you all had a nice summer.

Now that we are moving in to those darker times of the year many of us will be thinking about our TV Entertainment for the long dark evenings.

For those of you that have the Technomate series of boxes there is some new software recently released. This software takes out some of the bugs that have caused problems with the recording onto memory devices.

It is a simple upgrade and if you are a Sat.Co. customer it is free.

Bring your box to us at the

Trapice Market or give us a ring to make an appointment.

For those of you that use devices that use a USB charging system there is a new portable charger on the market. A charger, with multiple sockets, that can be adapted for travelling anywhere in the world and just slips in the pocket see it on our stall at the Market.

LG have just released a whole new range of TVs we are at the stage of giving them a good test so will be able to give you a report soon. First tests look really good.

Don't forget to follow all the Rugby world Cup on ITV, some of it is being shown on the Spanish TV channels as well.

Around the Valley 4

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS OCTOBER 5��

- Talk by Geoff Clayton, News of the World Reporter

NOVEMBER 2ⁿ� - Fun and Games by the Committee DECEMBER 7�� - Carol Singing by the “El Valle Choir” followed by Mince Pies & a glass of wine JANUARY 11th

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE Picture Quiz - “Where in the World?”

By Elaine assisted by Sue

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

Now full

october 23

rd

Church room under la maroma estate agents Doors open 7pm supper night with free film 100 foot journey With helen mirren Members €5 Non €7

Wine tasting With tapas 13 november th

La Vinuela social room 7:00pm €5 members €7 non Sold out

El valle annual xmas dinner December 11 2015 th

Venta la vina 7:30 pm for 8 pm €12.50 members €16 non members Music by Alan miles EL VALLE MONTHLY WALKS

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.

OCTOBER 8��

No Walk see October 1��.

NOVEMBER 12�� Led by Pam Dyke and Sue Smith (Canillas) Start at the multi storey car park in Canillas at 11: 00 DECEMBER 10��

Led by Stewart & Elaine. Start at El Charco (Miguels) Los Romanes at 11:00. Try not to park in his car park please.

Around the Valley 6

An alternative day out

by alan impey

Visitors over and don't know what to do with them or just stuck for a day yourselves, try this!!!!

Get down to Torre del Mar bus station for 9.45am and take the next bus to Malaga. Get off at the Port stop and walk into the Port towards the shopping area and where they currently hire out Segway machines, you will find opposite, the booking the booking point for the Mundomarino ferry from Malaga to Benalmadena, sailing at 11.30.

The ferry takes one hour and then you can explore the Marina at Benalmadena, the shop, restaurants etc. The return ferry will be 6pm getting to Malaga at 7pm your return bus to Torre.

Our itinerary in detail on Friday 28th August was as follows.

09:50 bus to Malaga € 2.67 each way 11:30 ferry to Benalmadena €15 euros return. (We paid €19 which included entry to the Sea Life Aquarium at Benalmadena. This would cost €15 p.p. on its own!!!!! ) Time to visit the Aquarium/shops/leisurely lunch/stroll/drinks etc.

18:00 ferry back to Malaga 19:00 Malaga, optional extra, the Malaga Eye is now operational at a cost of €10 p.p. for three slow revolutions lasting ten minutes.

Bus back to Torre where we had drinks/tapas before returning home.

Be warned, it is quite a long day but very enjoyable.

All above prices/times are for this year so please check for yourselves by putting Mundomarino ferry MalagaBenalmadena into your computer search.

Ferry this year operated Low Season May to 14/6 High Season 15/6 to 15/9

C/Fwd to next page

B/FWD from previous page 1. La Noria de Málaga (as it will be known) stands 70 metres tall – that’s just short of 230 feet.

2. Weighing in at 600 tons, the Mirador Princess ferris wheel is Europe’s largest transportable attraction – yes, it’s moveable!

3. There are 42 air-conditioned cabins, each accommodating up to eight people.

4. Each cabin offers 360 degree panoramic views across the city, port and Mediterranean Sea and, on a clear day, vistas of up to 30 kilometres 5. Maximum capacity is 1000 visitors per hour.

6. An operating licence has been granted for an initial period of eight months.

7. The wheel is LED illuminated, offering a stunning after-dark show.

8. La Noria de Málaga is suitable for disabled passengers 9. A full turn of the wheel takes four minutes.

10. It takes 25 special trailers to transport the wheel between sites, and 25 men working for two weeks to put it together on arrival, with a little help from a 300 ton crane.

If you’re inspired to ride on La Noria de Málaga, the observation wheel is open daily from 11am to 11pm (1am at weekends).

carlos haya hospital - a few tips The only way to survive is to be fluent

eight hours to get through the ancillary

post Carlos Haya. At the traffic lights

in Spanish or use the multilingual Pa-

appointments and the treatment. It can

take left lane and turn left straight on

tient Support Team. These are not just

take an hour just to queue to get into

for about. 5 km. KEEP IN RIGHT HAND

translators but also make appoint-

the chemotherapy suite. All queues are

LANE. Turn right off Ave Carlos Haya at

ments for you, collect prescriptions,

big, noisy and crowded with patients

the lights opposite the main hospital

make sure you are in the right place at

that sometimes have up to three rela-

entrance. (On Left) Underground park-

the right time and most importantly

tives in support. All this could be called

ing down small slip road on right.

cope with the tedious paperwork

organised chaos but it somehow works.

About 20€ for the day or find a free

thrust upon you for any item of treat-

For about 30€ from the front door of

place to park in a nearby street .Take

ment, medicines, or appointments you

the hospital to the time you leave, the

every piece of paper you have been giv-

will need in different parts of the hospi-

freelance Patient Support Team is there

en by your doctor or health worker in a

tal to complete your treatment. Most

to save you from the chaos, get you to

plastic wallet and in date order with

out patients have at least two appoint-

your destination in the enormous hos-

the latest at the front; these are your

ments in different places e.g. a blood

pital and do your paperwork whilst

medical records and will be needed for

test (in a totally different building) be-

translating what your Spanish doctor is

reference.

fore you see the doctor and collecting

saying. They know the staff, the sys-

Take your Spanish health card and your

medicine from the Farmacia in the

tems and the location of all services.

E 111 if you have an in-date card (this is

basement. Sometimes you will need a

They are multilingual and take all the

essential if you are waiting for your

stamped document, not only from the

stress out of your visit .Tips on surviving

Spanish health card which often takes

doctor but sometimes from a com-

your visit to Malaga's famous

up to four months to be sent to you af-

pletely different official in a different

hospital:Ring (+34) 666 284 996 29002

ter becoming a resident) This card is

part of the hospital. You will probably

Email: autosjose@hotmail.com to talk

essential if you are a Non Resident.

have to queue for both.

to JOSE ARROYO (team coordinator) to

Take your passport in case you are

There are queues for every visit to eve-

book a member of The Patient Support

asked.

ry medical service in the hospital and

Team .Make sure you are 30 minutes

Take a good book, Kindle or tablet with

time becomes irrelevant. If you have an

early to start you visit. Take the right

a couple of films downloaded or pro-

appointment for chemotherapy for ex-

filter lane off the Autovia just before

grammes from BBC iPlayer.

ample, you will need to allow six to

the short square tunnel entrance sign

Around the Valley 8

El valle september walk This month's walk started just outside the white hillside village of Rubite. With a population of about 20 (when everyone is at home), Rubite is one of the smaller villages in our region of Andalucia, pedestrian access only and only one road ending in a small car park,no shops or bars and just one tiny church that used to double as a school many years ago. Oh, and a public toilet that is kept locked except when the fiesta is on!

by mike & frances larner

group, who had taken slightly less arduous route to a scenic set of dustbins and attractive letterboxes at Las Navas. Joining another dirt track we made our way gradually uphill to Montes Negros.

From here we climbed up a winding dirt road and followed a track along a ridge passing through the middle of an old Finca ruin.

The walk, just over 6km, included a variety of terrain, rocky pathways and campo tracks as well as a number of ups and downs, between 200 and 400 metres. 22 walkers and two dogs (later joined by Skippy, a campo dog), set off down a path that displayed copious evidence of having been used for keeping horses. After crossing a dry stream bed, we walked for a short while along the Rio Rubite, a tributary of the Rio de Velez. Then made our way uphill past mango trees to join three of the

towards Mount Maroma and the Lake Vinuela.

Our walk continued down hill to the back of Rubite, passing a recent campo fire that surrounded a house but luckily did not destroy it. We entered the village and walked through (blink and you will miss it), arriving at our cars.

We then drove down to La Vinuela village where a we had an excellent menu del dia at the Antigua Venta La Vina

Then the final uphill push took us to Castillo Luna where again we walked along the ridgeline with great views

Carlos haya, b/fwd from page 7 Do not forget your headphones! There

are waiting, but there are drinks and

is no WiFi at the hospital so expensive

some snack vending machines on some

data roaming has to be used if you

floors.

want the Internet.

Listen carefully for your name over the The cafe is on the ground floor and has

tannoy and the number of

a range of both takeaway and cooked

your consulting room.

food. Useful to send you partner off to grab some coffee and a cake while you

One of the best value places to eat at any time of the day is in the Spanish

restaurant across the road from the hospital; a place to get away from the cultural shock, and confusing systems until you know your way round the famous Carlos Haya / University of Malaga Hospital.

Get well sooner with the Patient Support Team!

Martin Robinson

GUARO TRIP

BY PETER GOREHAM

Guaro´s 14th Luna Mora Festival Thursday 11th September.

The coach left Puente Don Manuel at 6pm collecting Christine and me at a garage before we hit the motorway.

It took about an hour and a half to get to Guaro.

On the way Sue passed on a message from the coach companies’ office! "Something about a revolutionary Tax!! and the Town Hall had decided to charge 1€ for each visitor. This was to be collected on entering the town."

As we approached Guaro the coach was diverted into a field that had been prepared for car parking.

There were many cars already parked and a queue for a shuttle bus into the town.

After much "discussion" between our driver, car park officials and the Guardia, the coach was allowed to proceed to the town to drop us off.

We were asked to be back at the drop off point by midnight for our return journey.

Whilst it was still daylight most of the people from the coach took the opportunity to get something to eat and drink.

Our little group found a bar that served Chicken Pinchitos with Chips amongst other delicacies. This went down very well with a gin and tonic or beer!

Most of the attractions were on or near the main road through the town. The road was lined with stalls selling food, trinkets, drinks and

clothing. There were many Artisan stalls selling hand crafted jewellery, toys and "mojitos".

I understand there were 25,000 candles in the town. They were on almost every flat surface, doorway and window sill. With the street lights turned off the town resembled a fairyland.

The event offers a colourful night time Moorish market, concerts in the town´s 1,800 seat auditorium,

dance shows at various locations and street entertainers.

The festival provides the town´s restaurants, bars and shops with their busiest weekend of the year.

As we were walking up through the town we heard Moorish music behind us! We were being followed by "Aladdin" (on stilts).

He was accompanied by two other men in Arab dress (also on stilts).

Following them came six, very shapely, Arabic dancers (not on stilts), with the music player bringing up the rear. I saw a few of our company have their photo taken with at least one of the dancers!

Having walked the length of the town, we made our way back, stopping for a final drink, before returning to meet the coach.

Everyone was on time and we left Guaro promptly at midnight.

It is worth mentioning that we passed many cars and coaches making their way to the town as we made our journey away. Maybe we could have stayed a little longer.

A big thank you to Sue for organising a very enjoyable evening.

Around the Valley 10

September quad report by

roger & jackie frewin

Well thank goodness the weather has now cooled down a bit. We’ve actually seen a bit of rain this month, a very welcome sight, although it did stop us from quadding for a day, which was a bit of a disappointment. Members of the group are gradually coming back from their travels, so our numbers are finally starting to increase now.

Early on in the month just 2 quads embarked on a trip, new to the group, which took us along concrete and rugged tracks from Trapiche to Velez-Malaga and then up along Arroyo del Mineral towards the masts that overlook Algarrobo. From there we dropped down to rejoin well-known tracks skirting Arenas and Daimalos to eventually arrive at Canillas de Albaida for a leisurely lunch. The return trip followed a shorter familiar route with no refreshment stops for a change, though more because there were no bars en route than by choice it has to be said.

Again there were just 2 quads that turned out to visit Alfarnatejo, one Wednesday. We travelled via our normal route traversing the gorge of the Arroyo de la Cueva between Rio Gordo and our lunchtime destination. As usual the menu del dia at Los Pirineos was thoroughly enjoyed and was exceptional value for money. A slight detour on the return trip took us to the Baños de Vilo, the old Arab baths, between Periana and Guaro.

Following the success of our first trip along the new route above Velez-Malaga we returned there with 4 quads a little later in the month. This time after dropping down beyond the ridge we joined our familiar route to Canillas de Aceituno and stopped at Restaurante La Maroma for refreshments.

Another Sunday trip saw 6 quads leave Mis Tapitas and head towards and then down behind the dam, along the old concrete road, then up along the ridge to the estupa, where what appeared to be a festival was taking place. The Buddhist Centre, Karma Guen, often hosts meditation festivals so, seeing the area dotted with a vast number of colourful tents and lots of people, we imagined that was what had attracted them all. We were even more surprised to find out that what was being hosted on this occasion was a basic Tibetan language course. From the Estupa we followed the ridge towards Los Romanes and travelled down to the river bed. Unfortunately, the little rain we’d had was insufficient to reduce the dust and minimise the smells that make this area one to avoid for many months of the year. It would be best avoided until more rains come. We stopped at Benamargosa for refreshments then continued along the river bed to Triana/Trapiche airfield planning to stop at Chiringuito de Madera in Los Vados for some welcome refreshments but as it was closed we said our goodbyes and disappointedly made our way home instead.

Do you think you might be interested in joining our friendly group. It’s a really fun way to explore and appreciate the area.

You’ll find more information and contact details on the El Valle web page at http://www.el-valle-asociacion.com/the-quaddies/.

Asociacion el valle del embalse Committee 2015/2016

Chair : Tel: Carol Caldwell 635291532

Secretary: Stewart Common Tel: 647076177

Treasurer: Chris Wishart Tel: 609952926

Newsletter Editor Sue Jones Tel: 680407894

Almoner: Christine Goreham Tel: 635361233 MEMBERS

Elaine Edwards Tel: 647076177

Jane Harris Tel: 633615154

Judy Maycock Tel: 673847608

Barbara Jenkinson Tel: 616264067

Pauline Ward Tel: 665886474

Dorothy Girvan Tel: 676320615

Peter Girvan Tel: 676320615

David Evans Tel: 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