October newsletter

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Around the valle October 2016 Issue no. 10

Autumn leaves, alhama de granada

Chairmans report by carol caldwell

Hi everyone and welcome to the October news letter, I hope you are all well and looking forward to the months ahead for events we have planned for you.

On Friday the 16th of September

we were invited to celebrate Kim and Franks wedding who have been members for several years we had a lovely time at the Day and Night function at the Pantano Restaurant La ViĂąuela

Kim and Frank have moved to England we will miss them but they have promised to visit us.

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September meeting by alan impey

contents CHAIRMANS REPORT SEPTEMBER MEETING

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CHAIRMANS LUNCH & SOHA event SEPTEMBER WALK

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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS & WALK SCHEDULE KIM & FRANKS WEDDING & ANNIVERSAY CONGRATULATIONS TRAIN COMES TO VELEZ MALAGA COMMITTEEE

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Following the August break the El-Valle monthly meetings resumed on Monday 5th September 2016 at The Camping Bar. A very encouraging 60 plus members attended and were to be entertained by the invited guest speaker, Lee Morley, who was talk to us about Bee Keeping.

Through illness and other assorted reasons the committee were short on helpers but still performed valiantly to make sure the evening went smoothly. Sue was to wear many hats and she opened the meeting at 19:45 with the usual overview of forthcoming events, a look back at recent events and then introduced Lee for his talk on Bee Keeping.

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Being honest I did not know what to expect and had wondered if I was really bothered about listening to this topic BUT I am certainly glad I was in attendance.

Lee, caught hold of his audience from the word go, and held all our attention until he had finished.

He told us about the formation of hives, the

makeup of the type of bees and their purpose within the hive and that the bees would travel up to a mile from their hive to gather from flowers.

I never realised that bees have 5 eyes and a very good sense of smell.

One fact that I had heard, but never knew if it was correct, was that pure honey will never "go off", bacteria will not grow on honey and honey that was found in an Egyptian Tomb was as edible as the day it was placed in there.

He advised us that we should be careful of the honeys advertised as "pure honey" in stores as this often was not strictly true and that it was sometimes a play on the words "pure honey" The only totally pure honey had no additives at all, no sugared water, no anything.

Lee's hives are kept and harvested in the holistic manner, everything is totally natural. He went on to give many more interesting facts such as the Queen will lay up to 1500 eggs a day, if bees are "in swarm" they will not attack you as they have nothing to protect,

no hive, no Queen, no young.

Lee ended his presentation at 20:45 and then answered many questions from his audience before finally offering for sale his totally natural honey which he "decanted" into jars as required and there a lot of takers, myself included!!!

There now only remained "the BOX", which stood at â‚Ź575, however, there was no winner and it rolls over to next month.

At 20:50 Sue concluded the meeting with thanks to Lee and to the members who had turned up and I echo those thanks to the depleted committee who worked throughout the evening on our behalf.

Photos by Dorothy

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Chairmans thank you lunch Thursday 1st September 2016 saw the traditional El-Valle chairpersons’ lunch where the committee members and other invited guests gather as thank you by the presiding chairperson for the work done throughout the year on behalf of the El-Valle membership.

All those attending bring a selection of drinks and the host/hostess, in this case Carol,

by alan impey

supply a buffet luncheon. I do know that other help was provided with the food.

Carol and Ben, assisted by their daughter and son-in-law made us all very welcome and it was a shame that not every committee member could be there for varying reasons.

Whilst it was supposed to be "wind down" lunch it became apparent that as I circulated a lot of

the talk between them concerned upcoming El-Valle events so it could easily have been described as "a working lunch".

All in all it was a very pleasant afternoon and my thanks for the invitation, a thought echoed by Maureen.

Thanks to those who took and forwarded photographs.

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SEPTEMBER WALK BY STEWART COMMON

It was Thursday the 8th September and we met outside El Charco restaurant in Los Romanes. Today the walk was led by Stewart and Elaine (Stewart says always a flat walk wherever you go!!). A very good place to start as we will eat here later. Twenty three walkers turned up so we were off to a good start.

Our usual scribe and regular walker rang to say he had an upset stomach (we now know it was self inflicted, so no sympathy here).

We headed off into the hills but instead of going directly up the main steep track we turned left along a gentle rolling track around the hillside. Eventually you have to go up a hill in this area so here it was up through some olives and almonds and on to the top track. Here we let everyone get their breath and take on some water as it was another of the summers hot days. Turning left we walk along the tract to the highest point, stopping under two trees, the only shade available.

At this point there were two options to get back to Los Romanes, back along the top track and down the steep hill to El Charco, a very

nice walk on its own or straight on and down through the vines eventually coming alongside the road to Los Romanes and then back UP through the campo to El Charco, again a very nice and unused route so far.

Facts and figures: Distance - 5.78km Accent to the top - 367mts Walkers - 23 Eaters - 25 Hope all of you who did the walk enjoyed the day, we certainly did.

Elaine led the majority back along the top track back down to El Charco, I led seven more hardy walkers down the steep and pretty section down the hill and then eventually back UP to El Charco. I think some regretted it after. On a cooler day it will be a very nice walk for all to do !!!

We all met back at El Charco within five minutes of each other and then sat down with a couple of extras who joined us to a few drinks and very good Menu del Dia.

The next El Valle walk is led by Barbaran and Ian Taylor and is on Thursday 13th October at 11.00am.

The directions are to meet in the Ferria ground at the entrance to Almachar village. There we will move into less vehicles for a drive to the start point behind Almachar village. They have done this walk route before and there are some tremendous views on the top of the hill behind Almachar. Hope to see as many of you as possible there.

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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS OCTOBER 3rd

Surprise night from our Social Secretary

NOVEMBER 7th

Picture Quiz “where is it” By Sue

DECEMBER 5th

El Valle Choir with mince pies and wine

Friday 14 october th

Supper night with free film In the church room undeer maroma estate agents Woman in gold With helen mirren Doors open at 7 pm Members €5 non €8

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Wednesday 9 november th

18:30 The cultural centre, Viñuela wine tasting and tapas Non members €7

Price €5 members

November 28

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A winter ball will be held at the nerja caves There will be A bus, provided we have sufficient numbers Cost €27 members €30 non members Bus €8 members €10 non members Tickets on sale now WALKS SCHEDULE OCTOBER 13th

Led by Ian & Barbaran Taylor. Meet in the Feria grouns at the entrance to Almachar. Move into less vehicles for drive to th start point behind Almachar village. Start 11:00

NOVEMBER 10th

Led by Ray Edwards & Jeanette Mogg. Start at Km 4 signed Los Almendras. This is on the MA-4111 from Velez Malaga to Arenas road. At this junction go down the concrete road and park by the river bridge. Walk starts from here at 11:00. After in arenas village.

DECEMBER 8th

Led by Mike & Frances Larner. Start 11:00 on the road to Rubite. As the road comes to a crest when you see the village there and a number of bins and post boxes, the car park is just beyond here on the right ( we have strted from here be fore)

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Wedding celebrations of kim and frank by Alan Impey On Friday 16th September Maureen and I were delighted to be invited to help celebrate Frank and Kim's recent wedding. The celebrations were held at El Pantano, overlooking the embalse and as if on cue as the celebrations started we were treated to a beautiful moon rising from behind the La Maroma range. My phone photos do not do it justice so hopefully out there are better photos.

A slight 'down' side to the celebrations was that Frank and Kim had also decided that they were going to return to the UK and make it their permanent home BUT I understand that they still have their house here so no doubt they will be frequent visitors.

a male female duo who performed songs from the 60's right up to present day.

Kim was beautifully dressed in her wedding gown and as they say "looked a picture" Talking of which I have attached some of mine but no doubt there will be better ones out there!!!!!!

A lovely buffet was provided and a plentiful supply of drinks, thank you Frank and Kim.

Entertainment was provided by

Anniversary congratulations - 58 years!

Last Tuesday, 27th September saw two of our members, Glyn and Marj Morgan celebrate their 58th Wedding Anniversay, quite an acheivement, and as they say - still smiling.

They celebrated this event at their home with a small gathering of friends.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the El Valle Asociacion to wish them all the very best and Congratulations to you both.

It only remains to thank you both for your work and support on behalf of the El-Valle group, your presence will be missed but we wish you every happiness in your future life and look forward to seeing you as and when you visit.

Hasty luego

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Trains return to velez malaga Every Friday in August & September there is a train running in Velez Malaga!!

On 10th of August 30 members of Greenfingers garden club, some of whom are also El Valle members, met at 10.00 outside the old bus terminus in Velez for a pre booked trip on the Tourist Train around the historic sites of Velez.

The trip lasted for around three hours and visited many historic sites in the town most of which we knew of, but hadn't actually visited as they'd either not been open or we had driven past. First stop was La Fortaleza which has been restored and offers fantastic views over the area and out to the sea. We had an entertainer dressed as a Moorish lady "Fatima" who gave us a recitation and also berated us for not responding appropriately at the

by dorothy girvan

correct time. She was most entertaining.

We also visited the Semana Santa museum which is close by and very well worth a visit. Next stop was La Ermita de los Remedios which is absolutely stunning and I personally did not know existed, a definite must see, though I'm not sure what the opening hours are. We then headed into the old centre of Velez, across country, literally!! I didn't know it was a 4 X 4 train!! Historic town centre first stop was Palacio del Marques de Beniel which is a beautiful building with a large central courtyard, most of which is utilised by the Ayuntamiento for various offices and art exhibitions.

We then walked down to Casa Cervantes a similar style of building, though not quite so grand, which houses more Ayuntamiento offices and a language school, where we had another entertainer portraying Cervantes, in full period costume, who gave us a vivid insight into some of Cervantes life.

There are also several rooms depicting the history of Velez, from the 16th century with old maps

& prints showing that they used to sail boats up the river to where it splits at Trapiche and Benamocara, where apparently there used to be a small harbour.

Our last stop should have been Entorno de San Francisco, we didn't actually manage to see it as we ran out of time!! On the way back to our drop off point, we caused chaos on the fountain roundabout at the old post office, when they didn't seem to have changed the points, and we went round and round and round and round, there was much laughter and shrieking from the passengers, but I don't think the cars behind us on the roundabout found it as funny!!

The train is being run as a combined Tourist and Cultural venture and is currently free of charge, though this may change next year, as they have been surprised by the response of all nationalities and its popularity. It has been fully booked on most Fridays and has been extended, I believe till the 7th of October. It was originally planned for August only!! Seats are only available by pre booking on 952 543 182 or for more information.

Our trip was being filmed and the mayor of Velez Malaga was interviewed by what appeared to be a TV crew at several of the stops. The excitement of it, we may be in the next tourist film for Velez Malaga!!

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Asociacion el valle del embalse Committee 2016/2017

Stewart Common Tel: 647076177

Chair : Tel: Carol Caldwell 635291532

Treasurer: Chris Wishart Tel: 609952926

Almoner: Christine Goreham Tel: 635361233

Newsletter Editor Sue Jones Tel: 680407894

Head of Social Jane Harris Tel: 633615154

MEMBERS

Elaine Edwards Tel: 647076177

Barbara Jenkinson Tel: 616264067

Pauline Ward Tel: 665886471

Dorothy Girvan Tel: 676320615

Peter Girvan Tel: 676320615

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