A life in Spain Edition 29 – February 2019 by peter Clarke

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SPAIN A Life in inside...

South Town

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.COM issue 29 FEB 2019

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Sierra Espuña and the Guadalentín Valley

North Town

Salamanca

Places In A Day

Wine Article Let´s talk wine

Big Guns near Puerto de Mazarron

Cover picture by Murcia Golf Homes, see advert on back page

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PAGE 13

ALifeinSpain.com #Edition 29 • February 2019 Contents...

Food & Drink Section

Architects Angle

Buying or selling:

Main article

7 mistakes to avoid.

32 Wine Article:

Let´s Talk Wine

8&9

Coffee in Spain Spanish recipe

Spanish Chicken Pie

19 - 22

Go Plastic free to save the sea Nº4 - 0 Waste & Plastic Free

Sierra Nevada Ski Resort

12 Welcome to the February edition of ALIS. Winter has fully set in now. So it is out with the skis for a trip to the Sierra Nevada. A mere 3 Hour drive away, it is well worth a trip even for the Apre Ski.

Places to visit in a day Big Guns near Puerto Mazarron.

Firstly I need to welcome Andres Gomez to our team of writers. Andres is the Sommelier Manager at La Diligente. He will be writing the wine section and filling us with knowledge about Spanish wines. You can also contact them for wine tasting and purchases. See details on page 9.

For the North town this month we have gone a little further afield to the city of Salamanca. This medieval city is steeped in history, and well worth taking a few days break there.

AgentÂ´s Diary

with Rebecca Serwotka

Places to visit in a day focuses on the Big Guns near Puerto de Mazarron. Also known as The Guns of Navarrone. This is one place well worth a visit. If you are not from the area, then why not combine it with a trip to Cartagena.

24 La Vuelta

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Places to visit in a day

r a e n s n u G g i B n o r r a z a M e Puerto d

If you find yourself anywhere near Puerto de Mazarron, this is unique opportunity to visit the historic batteries at Castillitos and El Jorel. The drive (or cycle ride) is not for the faint hearted as the roads are narrow and steep with concrete protection but no crash barriers. The destination is, however, well worth the journey with fantastic views along the way. The road to it starts from the E16 (Puerto de Mazarron to Cartagena) and is signed for Campillo de Adentro. At first it is a gentle climb which becomes more challenging the higher it goes. After a few kilometers there is a fork in the road. Take the left one. We believe the right one is now closed. Just as you get to see the buildings and a magnificent view over the bay, there is a gravel car park on the right. You will then have to walk about 200 meters to the start of the adventure. There are no facilities and the whole area is totally inappropriate for those of restricted mobility. Children who like to wander about should be left at home

The gun emplacements are a terrific sight and there is no restriction to exploring the buildings and the guns. They were made by Vickers UK and if you look hard at the big turrets you will find evidence of where exactly they were built (between 1926 and 1933). The buildings look like Disney built them but they are original. The large gun turrets have been plugged to stop rubbish being poked down them or even small children for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;photo of a life timeâ&#x20AC;?. There is so much history attached to this place so look it up before you go. And take a picnic as you can spend a good few hours there if you can find some shade. Take care and enjoy!

Wine Article

Let’s talk WINE

l e b a l e n i w ow to read a

In all labels we find general terms that we can easily identify. Here we leave you some tips to “read” the wine at the time to choose. -The first thing that the label indicates and what we look at is the producer and the wine brand. This is easy to identify and very valuable for the winery and also for us of course. -The vintage or harvest. Every day is different with unexpected conditions and possiblities also in terms of weather; a complete year is not the same as the previous one. The heat during the summer, the hours of sun, the quantity of rainfall during the spring, etc. All this has a great influence in vineyards, and makes each vintage harvest different and the wine made with those grapes, of course. The wine maker puts everything on the line to keep his style and to be recognisable in each vintage and harvest. In every bottle and glass of wine. Winemakers have to know their vineyards like the back of their hands if they want to get the best! -Geographical indication. Each country has different regulations to control the wine-production. And some of the most important wineproducing countries also have protected areas with an exhaustive control over the wine quality. Do you know how to recognize a wine with or without a protected geographical indication ? It is on the label, and this also gives us an EXTRA quality guarantee. The Protected geographical indication assures us quality standards shared by all the wineries in this indicated area, typical grape varieties used to make the wines, special wine process during the production like standards that come from the tradition of processing and cultivation. This will help us to get an idea of what will be inside the bottle. And every Protected geographical indication also have similar weather conditions. We can develop the different geographical indications in the world by “country”, “region”, “DO” (denominacion de origen), “village”, “cru” ... All these terms could change depending of the country and also their laws so it´s hard work to know all of them. -The alcohol volume is also required on the wine labels. Wine makers share responsiblity for consumption and this is mandatory in terms of labelling. -Bottled at the property, or in the domaine; It indicates the traceability. All the grape growing, the wine fermentation and bottling has happened in the same place. There is no doubt about where the the grapes come from and who makes the wine. If you are a wine maker, and you are taking care about the grapes from the vine to the bottle, it’s important to show it to everybody. There are also also labelling terms talking about the wine production process: -If the wine has been fermented in barrels, or in an amphora ... Normally labels do not tell us about the alocholic fermentation, so if it is indicated on the label, it is because the wine producer wants us to know; these special elaborations can condition the aromas, touch and flavors of the wine, so it is good to know them and to read it on the label. -Wine Style. The wine has an ageing in oak barrels. Depending of this timing, the wine could be different in fresh and young aromas, or maybe more intense, deep and elegant.

Those terms could be “joven”, “crianza”, “reserva”, “gran reserva”…. used in some known regions like Rioja. With these terms the wine maker is also giving different expectations of aromas and flavours that come from the wood in to the wine. Because all these terms have different ageing times. The style that the wine maker will choose are not the same in every region or in every county. So each protected geographical indication has a comite and law regulation for it. - When the wine is made with raisined grapes, with botrytis, or maybe with grapes harvested in the winter ice ....Label terms will talk about sweet wines, and where the sweetness comes from. -State and “terroir”. If the wine is made with a single vineyard, a single plot or terroir; the wine maker can indicate it on the label because of the quality of this piece of land. It is a hard to feel the pulse from a vineyard, which is why this indication is unusual. It is a proud term. In La Diligente we know how to choose wines. We are WSET certified profesionals. We love wine, with a great selection of wine from Spain and other important wine countries, we work with rich wines, well made and ready to enjoy. Around a good wine bottle, there is always a great moment. We will continue interpreting labels and uncorking together to understand the keys that help us to choose well. “Cheers”

h t n o m e Wine of th

NINJA DE LAS UVAS 2017

Grape variety: Grenache 100% Bullas DOP Natural Fermentation with 8 month ageing in 500 litres oak barrel

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Light and bright red wine with a beautiful red berry colour High aromes intensity, mostly with strawberry and raspberry. It also has some light clove and minty notes. Fresh and dry taste in a light bodied wine, with a wonderful red fruit and berries flavours.

Pairing: Perfect choice for grilled or bbq, white meats like chicken and pork, and

it is a really nice option to drink with some fish like salmon or tuna. This wine is very recomendable to enjoy with cesar salad and grilled vegetables. And it is a great option to drink during a casual lunch or dinner.

LA DILIGENTE The Pairing Challenge: Taste this balanced red wine with white chocolate and

MURCIAstrawberries. www.ladiligente.es You will fall in LOVE with ‘Ninja de las Uvas’

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You can find and buy this wine in LA DILIGENTE. Wine tasting from 8€ pp. Min. 8 people. Contact for details. Located in Avenida Murcia, 9 - El Jimenado 30708 - MURCIA www.ladiligente.es Opening Time Monday to Friday 10h - 14h and 17h -20h Saturday 10h - 14h Also delivery contact ladiligente@ladiligente.es

nd 17h -20h Saturday 10h - 14h te@ladiligente.es

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Sierra Nevada If you are wanting a change of scene, and possibly even to try a new sport, then the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort is the place to go. Situated an easy 3hr drive for most of southern Spain it has everything you would expect from a winter sports destination. Europe’s most southerly ski resort, Sierra Nevade sits on the north-western slopes of Veleta, the third highest peak in Spain. The resort boasts over 100km of slopes spread across 124 runs with a vertical of 1200m, from the Pradollano base at 2100m up to the higher lifts on El Veleta at 3300m. In addition, the resort also provides 35km of snowmaking on 44 slopes. Weekends can be busy, and queues may develop for some of the older lifts, especially the chair up the village slope.The lower runs tend to better suit beginners, while there are off piste opportunities aplenty from the upper slopes. Despite it’s latitude, the resort is the most snow-sure in Spain thanks to it’s altitude, with the season running from November till the end of April. Two gondolas go up in parallel to the mid-station at Borreguiles, where there are excellent nursery slopes offering a welcoming and fun place for youngsters to get into skiing. Fast quads go on from there to an impressive 3300m. There are four identifiable sectors, well linked, with a good range of intermediate runs, mostly easy reds, but not a lot for experts. The resort has made some significant developments in recent seasons regarding their freestyle terrain. At the Sulayr Terrain Park there’s something for everyone, including the longest slopestyle slope in Europe as well as the biggest permanent half-pipe in Spain. The resort opens the Loma de Dilar area early on Sundays so from 7.30am to 9am, prior to the general opening hours, you can enjoy blissfully quiet slopes. Night-skiing is offered on the Rio and Maribel slopes on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Most slopes face north-west, but some get the afternoon sun. And when the wind blows, as it can do, the slopes can close. If you want to enjoy a nocturnal non-ski activity, then stargazing is offered at Borreguiles. Even if you’re not a star gazer, there are good views from the top of the plains and towns, and on a clear day across the Med to Africa. The Sol y Nieve hotel with spa and good kids’ facilities has had good reports in the past. A main attraction of Sierra Nevada for many is its proximity to Granada, only 32km away. The resort is only 90 minutes away from the sea too. Source: Ski club of Great Britain

For more information visit www.sierranevada.es/en Phone: 958 708090 Monday - Friday: from 8.30 to 14.00 and 15.00 to 17.15 Email: sierranevada@cetursa.es

t r o s e Ski R

South Town... Sierra Espuña Guadalentn Valley

Sierra EspuÑa and the Guadalentín Valley

Defence towers, castles, remains of walls, archaeological sites, small palaces and mansions all reflect the long history of this valley. Furthermore from this valley we can gain access to the Regional Park of Sierra Espuña. the largest natural expanse in the Region of Murcia, and enjoy an extensive range of activities that bring us into contact with nature.

www.espuna-adventure.com

Things to See, Alhama de Murcia. Visitors must see the Roman and Moorish archaeological remains of the Thermal Baths of Alhama, Which lend their name to the town, as well as the Church of San Lazaro (16th century) and the remains of the Moorish Castle (19th century). A stroll through the old quarter, popularly known as Plaza Vieja, will enable us to admire the bright colouring of the facades of the town’s stately homes. Totana. Walking from the Town Hall, we will pass the Church of Santiago Apóstol (16th century, featuring a marvellous Mudejar coffered ceiling and Baroque altarpiece) and the Fountain of Juan de Uzeta (18th century) which, together with the San Pedro and “Las Ollerias” arches, are remnants of the emblematic La Carrasca aqueduct dating back to the 18th century when the city was supplied with water brought down from the mountains. Aledo. This walled Medieval town has been declared a site of historicalartistic interest. It is located on a hill and features a Moorish tower known as La Calahorra (11th century), the Baroque-style Church of Santa Maria (18th century) and La Picota, 3 Medieval construction and place of execution. Lorca. Declared a Site of Historical-Artistic Interest. The Visitor Centre is located in the former Convent of La Merced (16th century) and provides the starting-point for any visit. The Archaeological Museum offers us a historical tour through the civilizations that inhabited the town from the time of the Mid-Palaeolithic Period up until the Medieval Period. The old quarter of the town is replete with cobbled streets that run round the Medieval walled enclosure, dotted with numerous churches and convents (15th century-18th century). Among the highlights are the Plaza de Espana, the Collegiate Church of San Patricio, palaces and mansions featuring spectacular coats-of-arms, such as the Palace of Guevara (17th century), one of the most important examples of the Civil Baroque style throughout the entire Levant. Visitors must also see the Fortress (13th century), which has been converted into a thematic centre designed to help us understand the town’s past through a series of exhibitions, interactive workshops and historical scenes acted out live. Neither should we forget to mention the various Embroidery Museums, where we can enjoy a rather different Holy Week throughout the entire year, featuring a series of veritable works of art embroidered in gold and silk. Puerto Lumbreras. Visitors will also be fascinated by the archaeological site and remains of the former Moorish fortress (12th century), as well as the cave-houses located nearby which are dotted along the slopes of a steep hill. Things to do Alhama de Murcia, Pliego, Aledo and Totana. Those who seek mountain climes and enjoy trekking or routes on horseback or by bicycle will love the Regional Park of Sierra Espuña. Visitors can also enjoy climbing in the Valley of Leiva and paragliding in the Sierra de la Muela.

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They might also scale the heights of the Morrón de Espuna (1,579 metres), featuring some magnificent views over the entire valley. Visit the protected landscape of “Barranco de Gebas” and Los Pozos de la Nieve, structures dating from the 16th century in which snow was preserved in order to be used subsequently throughout the summer. Easter Week and the “Los Mayos” fiestas in Alhama are amongst the area’s most interesting celebrations. Lorca. Visitors can also gain an insight into the town’s history, heritage, customs, traditions and cuisine through the numerous tourist-cultural resources that the Lorca Workshop of Time places at the disposal of its visitors: thematic itineraries, the visitors centre, museums and palaces, a castle featuring exhibitions, participatory workshops, live depictions of historical scenes, children’s activities, etc. , as well as tourist transport for sightseeing in the old quarter. Enjoy the town’s unique Biblical-Passion Processions during Holy Week. Puerto Lumbreras. Visit the Natural Site of Cabezo de la Jara, of considerable environmental value, which features its own Environmental Centre, Astronomic Observatory and an entire network of Short Trails (P.R.). Stay at the Parador. Things to Buy and Eat Alhama de Murcia. Local table wines, excellent citrus fruits, homemade cold meats, migas (fried breadcrumbs) and stews. Fried vegetable dishes, rices and salads are prominent in the local cuisine. As far as sweet dishes are concerned, we might highlight the confectionery typical of Christmas and oven-baked flat cakes that are typical during the Candlemas festivities. Totana. Pottery items such as the “Cántara de Totana” or El Lebrillo, which are modeled on traditional wheels in many of the 14 pottery workshops throughout the town. Gastronomic products from the local area”, such as the typical drink known as “mantellina” or confectionery known as “santiaguitos”. Aledo. Spice racks and Roman amphoras produced in the town’s pottery workshops. Lorca. Handcrafted products such as jarapas (rugs made of strips of cloth) and woollen bedspreads, wrought-iron, pottery items and glazed and painted ceramics, such as the “Jarra de Novia” or finely-worked embroidery, all of which can be purchased in the Handicrafts Quarter or at the Handicrafts Centre. Puerto Lumbreras. Handicrafts, cold meats and confectionery. Migas (fried breadcrumbs) and rice With turkey.

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Find us at: Playa Flamneca on Saturday Zoco Market on Sunday

Go Plastic free to save the sea

Choose sauces and spices in glass..... as my journey continues, I am now getting down to the nitty gritty. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, olive oils and spices. In my local supermarket Lesco I can find olive oil in glass bottles with metal lid, mustard and HP sauce. However, I have been looking for BBQ sauce everywhere and eventually found one in El Campillo Gourmet Supermarket in San Javier. There I found pricey Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce at almost 5€! I bought it and a bonus was the spice range, good sized jars and well priced. I stocked up on cayenne peppers and jars of Thai green curry paste which is hard to find in Spanish Supermarkets. I love the new minimalist aspects of my life, it’s easy to chose a product like a yogurt or a sauce from the overpacked shelves. Sometimes too much choice is stressful, it also seems to devalue the product. Having found artisan yogurt in a beautiful ceramic pot in Carrefour I am delighted. However when you can’t find what you need and you have to buy plastic it is really frustrating. But little changes make big waves and my journey is bringing me to new and interesting places. By, Hilary from Murcia Golf Homes

Nº5 - 0 Waste & Plastic Fre

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Coffee

Food & Drink Section

When it comes to coffee, Spain is never mentioned in the same breath as France or Italy. Yet, coffee in Spain is as varied as delicious as that of its European neighbours. There are a number of understated cafes in the country that serve good coffee at reasonable prices. Coffee culture thrives so well here that you can visit one café daily while spending weeks in Madrid and not visit the same café twice due to the sheer number of cafés present! The FEC (Federación Española del Café, or Spanish Coffee Federation) maintain that the very first Spaniard to drink coffee was a Jesuit missionary named Pedro Paez. The experience may have held bitter memories for Paez as he had been enslaved at the time, in the early days of the 17th century in the country now known as Ethiopia. His memoir, “História da Etiópia”, describes the drink as a dark, bitter infusion. It then took another 100 years before the Borbon dynasty brought coffee to the country, formally introducing the Spanish to coffee. Ironically, the first café in Spain was opened in Madrid in 1764 by the Gippini brothers, who were Italians. The Spanish were quick to recognize a good thing when they saw it, and more cafés quickly sprang up in the cities of Barcelona, La Coruna, Bilbao, Valencia and Cartagena, eventually taking root all over the entire country. As of 2007, the Spanish Coffee Federation (Federación Española del Café, or FEC) estimated that more than 24 million cups of coffee were drunk in Spain every year. This is equivalent of each person in the country imbibing 599 cups every year! Continues on next page.

& Foo D d rin k

Coffee in Spain

Many of the café chains found in major cities around Spain are of Italian origin and attracted by the locals’ love of coffee. However, there are also a number of locally established cafés that have been in business for hundreds of years. One of the oldest cafés in the central Spanish region of Madrid is the simply named Café Commercial. In operation since the 1880’s, the café boasts both modern and classic trappings, boasting an internet café upstairs and old-fashioned lounge downstairs. Further down south in Malaga, it may be interesting to note that the current site of Café Central is a combination of 3 separate cafés, namely the original Café Central Café Munich and Café Suizo Other notable cafés in Spain include Cafetería Glorieta in Valencia. While, the city itself promises a blend of Madrid’s frenetic energy with Seville’s friendliness and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Barcelona together with its own relaxed beach-town nature, the retrospective fittings of the café itself promise to transport coffee-lovers to a bygone time. In Barcelona, the beautiful Mauri café serves chocolate-filled croissants and other exquisite pastries for both eat-in and to-go as it has since 1929. These are only some of the oldest and most well-known cafés in Spain, and hardly serve as an accurate representation of all the outlets that are waiting to be discovered. “Un Café Solo, Por Favor!” As a country that possesses a vast vocabulary when it comes to all things coffee, ordering a plain “café” will get you quizzical looks from the server. While coffee beans are usually a Spanish roast or dark French roast or “torrefacto” (roasted with sugar), there is a virtual dictionary of coffee terms spanning café con leche and carajillo. Some of the more common terms, and their variations, in the espresso-based coffee lexicon of Spain are: Café Solo – single espresso or black coffee. Ask for café solo con agua caliente (single espresso diluted with hot water) for a weaker drink. Prepare to be the subject of derision if you do. Café Doble – a double espresso. Café Suizo – a café solo topped with whipped cream. Café con Leche – literally “coffee with milk”, this is coffee with milk usually in equal portions. Café Cortado – espresso cut with just a drop of milk. If you’re picky, you can specify the amount of milk you want and whether you prefer it hot or cold. Café sombra – the intermediate between café cortado and café manchada. It’s supposed to contain more milk than coffee, though the coffee to milk ratio may vary between establishments. Café manchada – the polar opposite of café cortado, comprising a spot (“mancha”) of coffee in milk. If you’ve kept up with me to this point, it’s also known as “nube” (“cloudy”) or “leche manchada” (“spotted milk”) in some areas. Café con Hielo – espresso served with a glass of ice. Pour the espresso over the ice, and not the other way around. This can be quite messy and it’d be a shame to dilute a perfectly good coffee though, if you asked me. Carajillo – espresso spiked with brandy or whiskey. Anisette and rum is also used. Trifásico – a Catalan specialty, this is essentially a carajillo with a bit of milk.

Regional Variations

Any list of drinks, as extensive as it is, is always made at the risk of leaving out a number of variants. Regional variations for some of the coffee you find in Spain may prove quite confusing to newcomers. For instance, in the northern region, a cortado is a tiny cup of dark, strong coffee with just a touch of milk and can be finished in 3 sips, while a café con leche comprises equal volumes of milk and coffee but in a similarly modest serving of 5-6 sips’ worth.

However, as a traveller moves further south, such as in Seville, a cortado is more similar to a café con leche, while the café con leche becomes something even milder; being made up of milk with a small shot of espresso. A more accurate term for this last drink would be “leche manchada”.

is brewed. Patrons new to the Spanish café scene should know they need to flag down a passing waiter or waitress (“Oiga, por favor!”) to place an order. Coffee is usually priced around 1 Euro, and there are no fixed terms for tips, though you usually leave your change in the saucer.

Different regions of Spain also boast of coffee that is unique to the area. The sweet-toothed can rejoice if they visit the western Alicante region and order a café bonbon. This is a café solo served atop a generous serving of condensed milk that fills a third of the glass. Ordering it “con hielo” will bring you an accompanying glass of ice, ala café con hielo. For more coffee served with more than a note of milk, the warm leche-leche from the Canary Islands contains evaporated milk at the bottom of the glass which is topped with espresso and foamed milk.

Still, while social graces may change, some brews remain perennial favorites. One of the most popular drinks at breakfast, or at any other hour in Spain is café con leche. The beverage is served by simultaneously pouring hot, dark coffee and steaming hot milk into a cup. The preparation of the drink is can be a source of anxiety for the uninitiated, seeing as how both liquids are carried to the table in giant pots balanced on the same tray. Where the weather is colder, locals prefer a carajillo to get their day started. Self-proclaimed pundits hold that coffee is second only to drinks that contain alcohol as the most popular beverage in the country.

For individuals who prefer decaffeinated coffee, the choice of café descafeinado, sadly, lies between cortado, Americano or cappuccino de maquina (machine-brewed decaf) and de sobre (instant coffee from a sachet).

Coffee Culture

Modern coffee houses are quite a contrast to what Spanish coffee houses used to be like in the late 19th century. Back then, coffee houses were the places where cognoscenti of the time, intellectuals, artists, poets, writers and philosophers alike, gathered. The surroundings bristled with good taste and luxurious fixtures. Then, as it still is now, cafés were places to see and be seen, although the atmosphere was more restrained, less casual and more akin to that of a fine dining restaurant. Customers were served by elegant waiters dressed in black tie. Now though, even if a person visited a café alone, it would be impossible to feel lonely. Spanish cafés are boisterous, proving to be a lively backdrop to any conversation, providing a near constant stream of hissing and banging as coffee grounds are thumped out of their containers to be discarded after each cup

Coffee is also a mainstay during the mid morning/early afternoon break known as merienda, where café solo is a firm favorite for many. Generally, each meal is accompanied or ended with coffee, and of course, it’s needed to get started again after that 2 hour siesta. It’s also an apt way to end a day, especially after a particularly long and gruelling tapas bar crawl. At the end of a long day, a carajillo comes in handy to revive the spirits. Hardly anyone gets their coffee “to go”; having a coffee is an end in itself. The emphasis is on creating close social bonds, and a café is often the social nexus of any given neighborhood. In Spain, a cafe isn’t just a convenient rest stop where one orders a coffee and pastry for the simple purpose of refueling. It’s also a place to watch passers-by, read a newspaper, think, or even make a phone call. Given that many of the cafés also serve decent food, although menu choices may be limited, it is incredibly easy to while away a few leisurely hours just dawdling over coffee like the locals do. Why else would pastries accompany the coffee if not to give a person a reason to linger a little while longer?

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Spanish recipe

Spanish Chicken Pie

. . . s t n e i d e r g n I

. . . t i k o o c o t How

Ingredients for 4 people:

Preparation:

•1kg potatoes •3 tsp paprika •2 tsp olive oil •2 onions •2 garlic cloves, crushed •2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes •300g cooked chicken, shredded •140g roasted pepper from a jar, sliced (we like Karyatis) •handful Kalamata olives

1.Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. 2.Boil the potatoes for 15-20 mins until tender. 3.Drain, return to the pan, then mash with some seasoning and 2 tsp of the paprika. 4.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan, then fry the onions and garlic for a few mins until softened. 5.Stir in the remaining paprika for 1 min, 6. Add the tomatoes , then, bring to a simmer. 7.Tip into a large ovenproof dish, then stir in the chicken, peppers, olives and some seasoning. 8.Spoon over the mash 9.Then bake for 15 mins until the mash is golden on top and the sauce is bubbling.

La Vuelta 2019.

On Wednesday 19th December Harry and I were invited guests to the 2019 La Vuelta Presentation in The Auditorium Provincial in the centre of Alicante. This will be the 74th edition of La Vuelta. We arrived at 7pm sharp presented our passes to the steward’s at the door and made our way to the grand foyer where everyone was gathering. After a few handshakes and a picture or two, we made our way into the main auditorium where the presentation started at 7.30pm with a 15 minute video showing all the stages that have taken place in the Costa Blanca region in previous years. There were many speeches from various people including Simon Yates who was last years winner of La Vuelta. It was his first grand tour victory with Spain’s Enric Mas finishing second and Columbia’s Miguel Lopez in 3rd place. Simon did a really nice talk about his experiences and the stages of last years event (the only part of the whole evening that was in English). All of the 21 stages for the 2019 La Vuelta were then revealed, the most important one for us was the start which will be an 18km Team Time Trial starting at Las Salinas in Torrevieja on Saturday 24th August. The final stage will be 105km from Fuenlabrada to Madrid on Sunday 15th September with 3272k of racing in between, there are 59 climbs this year which is 13 more than last year. A mountainous second stage starts in Benidorm heading back towards Calpe. .

It was great to hear and see all of the stages on the large screen and also to see all the top Spanish riders, Contador, Valverde, Rodriguez and many more all giving speeches, Valverde’s team were all there supporting him and it was amazing to see so many people at this event, everyone who has anything to do with cycling was there. It was fantastic to be invited to this event and poor Harry had to sit and translate for me all evening. A well organised evening so here’s looking forward to a great well organised 74th Edition La Vuelta 2019. Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday night’sat 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 120kms at a moderate to fast pace so, if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. Looking to improve your fitness,riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.

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a v e u N a Day

The village of Daya Nueva is small enough to easily get to know people, but also large enough to maintain your privacy. There is a well-balanced and harmonious Spanish/Expat mix making up the resident population, a harmony clearly demonstrated during the annual Fiestas.

There is a fantastic road and motorway network on our doorstep. A 10 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive will take you to the outstanding beaches of Guardamar, or to the heritage city of Elche. 35 minutes to the airports of Alicante and Murcia, and 40 minutes to the cities of Alicante, Cartagena and Murcia.

The village has all that you need, including a supermarket, several shops, butcher, bank, hairdresser, doctor, chemist, church, school, garage, bars, restaurants, bodega and social centre. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extremely easy to get around, as everything is on the level. There is little traffic, so many locals use the bicycles to get around, all at a very leisurely pace!

In close proximity, there are three excellent golf courses, and several others in the area, as well as horse riding, cycling, bowling, paragliding, coarse fishing and all forms of sporting activities connected with the sea. Many different social clubs and activities going on in the village, should you wish to become involved, or just chill out, relax and enjoy the big blue skies and a tranquil village life.

The nearest large town AlmoradĂŹ, only 2 kilometres away with several major supermarkets, lots of shops and a huge Saturday market selling pretty much everything, including fresh locally grown produce.

Intasun Homes Email: info@intasunhomes.com Tel: 966 290 781 Website: www.intasunhomes.com

North Town...

Salamnca

Salamanca

Salamanca is part of the Spanish region known as “Castilla y León” (Castile and Leon). Despite being a medium-size city (with around 170.000 inhabitants), Salamanca is famous in the world for its culture and for its student atmosphere. In fact, the University of Salamanca is said to be the third oldest university in Europe, founded in 1218.

Located in the western part of Spain, right besides the border with Portugal, Salamanca is in the inner part of the country, 200 kilometers west of Madrid, which made it difficult to reach for tourists. Thanks to the recently renewed airport of Valladolid, which offers flights with Ryanair and Air France, now Salamanca is an accessible destination, only at a one-hour drive from Valladolid. Salamanca also features a small local airport which receives international and domestic flights. The airport is located around 15 km from the city and you can hire a car at Salamanca airport to get to the city centre. Tourism is probably the most outstanding industry of the city, thanks to its historical heritage and to the charm of the city itself, since Salamanca can be considered one of the most beautiful Spanish cities. It is also in Salamanca, where the purest Spanish (or “Castellano”) is spoken, which makes the city a popular destination for students wanting to learn Spanish. The city of Salamanca, or “Helmantika”, was founded in the 4th century BC by the Celts and Romanized short after. It constituted an important link of communications of the Ruta de la Plata, the Roman “Road of the Silver” which crossed the Peninsula from North to South. Helmantika was later called Salmantica and finally, since the 13th century, the city got its present name, Salamanca. In the 8th century, during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, the city was conquered by Musa Ibh Nusair, and Muslim culture took over Christianity.

After the Christian Reconquest, in the 13th century, the king Alfonso IX boosted the development of the city and founded the University of Salamanca, which was ratified by the Pope Alexander in 1255. The city and its university reached great prestige at the time and afterwards, with outstanding figures such as the famous writer Miguel de Unamuno, who was vice-Chancellor at the University of Salamanca. Another outstanding episode of the Spanish history takes place in Salamanca, when during the Spanish war of Independence, the French army was defeated in the Battle of Arapiles, in 1812. Salamanca was also a key city during the Spanish Civil War. All the documents obtained by the national troops during the occupation of the country where concentrated in Salamanca, creating a famous archive of documents of the Spanish war. In its gastronomy pork meat is the star, the cured hams produced in Guijuelo, a village in the Southern part of Salamanca, are among the most famous Spanish delicatessen. Salamanca has been declared World Heritage City by the Unesco, and in 2002, it was chosen as European City of Culture, together with Bruges in Belgium. Dance, music and art filled the streets of the city, and remain still today.

  - -

El Escobar Retreat

re c e s n e ’s hidd

Spain

A unique concept to spain, and situated just 10 minutes from Corvera airport. El Escobar Retreat consists of 4 self contained, fully equipped studio villas. The villas are sited around an Inviting, private swimming pool. There’s also a Fully stocked bar where you can enjoy a drink in a friendly atmosphere. We’ve all had the situation in the UK where we stay at a hotel prior to our flight, and then leave the car there, nice and secure until we return home. Usually with the hotel offering free shuttle service to and from the airport. The convenience this offers is great, basically starting your holiday a day early and no rushing around on the day of departures trying to sort out where to go and at what time. This service was never available in Spain, until now. Husband and wife team Paul and Carol King are the owners of El Escobar Retreats. They offer self contained studio apartments in El Escobar. These can be rented out for, Self catering, B&B or B&B+ dinner. They also offer a stay and park service with transport to/from Corvera Airport. The concept is simple. Arrive at the retreat the night before you fly. Enjoy a nice home made dinner, with drinks at the pool side bar before retiring to bed. Then get up the next morning, have breakfast and allow Paul to take you to the airport. He will pick you up on your return and bring you back to the retreat where your car will be waiting, where you left it in their car park. AND, all for an all inclusive price. ***drinks not included in the price*** The apartments are also available for holiday rental, and would be a great base to explore the area, house hunt, or for golfing holidays. Book early to avoid disapointment

www.alifeinspain.com - AUG 2017

Buying or selling: 7 mistakes to avoid.

The bank`s offer may not get close enough to the price of the purchase and the operation will go awry. This is probably one of the most common mistakes in the sale. During my professional career I have been asked many questions on buying or selling properties, however most of the time the questions are asked once the property has been bought or sold and therefore the questions are somewhat rhetorical, desiring a slap on the back rather than a truthful reply. When selling or purchasing a property in Spain, there are aspects that are not what they seem. Not to be able to identify these anomalies or incongruities are linked to ignorance or what is even worse to neglect. Discover in this article the seven most common mistakes you should avoid if you are going to purchase or sell a home. Error 1: The price of property never goes down. Well, we have learned the lesson haven’t we? The most basic of mistakes when buying and selling is to think that the price of housing cannot go down. For many years we believed most profoundly that the price of housing would never decline, however many people included yours truly believed it so, however during the past crisis, the value of properties in Spain plumetted 50%, in some areas. This can be seen in some areas of the periphery of cities or in coastal areas. It is true that this event only happens every ten years or so when prices do halt for a period but I have never experienced a collapse in prices as we did see in 2007-2008. So, beware, prices can go up (most of the time) but sometimes it may descend. Error 2: The price will drop even more. Life is not that simple my friends. When you thought that you have the marketplace under control the market goes and spoils all. The price will drop even more or vice versa, the opposite may also happen. When an eventual buyer sees an advertisement, the buyer may think: “This property will go down even further, I will wait”. Well that will depend. Before making a decision it is advisable to analyse the area in greater detail because it may be one in which the price has touched its threshold of descent due to lack of supply and there is an increase in demand. And this means losing the opportunity to have your dream house. It occurs in central areas of major cities where supply is scarce or in some areas on the coast, where there is a lot of interest and the price of an apartment or villa comes to the market at a reasonable price. Error 3: We can afford it. Before, you could think that the bank would provide what was needed and that the bank evaluation would adjust to the value of the purchase. Things have changed and banks estimates on mortgages are now lower than they used to be (they also learned their lesson) Factors such as age, length of time you have been working with the bank, a low level of savings or family burdens may cause the bank not to lend the money that is needed or expected.

Error 4: Put a high price and then lower it. Here we have another extended myth. Many think that the buyer is going to ask for a rebate therefore it is better to be prepare and raise the price and then lower it during the negotiations. The overvaluation drives interested parties to look somewhere else in the first months and the precious time when the property comes out into the market is misused. So no offers are made on the property and obviously the price of the property have to be adjusted during the time is on the market and too much time is lost. The property is “burned out”. In short, the price should be fair, with a correct valuation of the house. A value above that prevailing in the area will drive away good potential buyers and purchasers will lose interest. A property that is too long in the market make makes people suspicious and cautious. Error 5: Ideal moment for the sale. Experts say that there are no better or worsetimes. There are always buyers looking all year round for your property somewhere. Focusing on summer or spring closes the door to potential applicants. Now is always the best time. Error 6: Purchase Offers. Before accepting an offer, it is always better to talk to the buyer and analyse their concerns. A buyer`s offer may be ruled out because it is too low, and at first sight the offer he has presented does not meet your expectations, but after talking to the buyer, an agreement may be reached. Negotiation is important so don`t lose the opportunity of meeting the buyer. It is very important. You may have important information for the purchaser that may tip the balance to your side. No one knows the area or your property better than you. Error 7: The inside is the important thing As important is the exterior of the house as the interior. Many sellers only take care of the interior of their homes when it comes to sale, but the exterior is also vital as it is the first impression that the potential buyer will have. With the interiors try to have as little furniture as possible, it will make the spaces look larger.

f l o G a s o M

Do you dream of a typical Spanish place to live for the rest of your life? Do you imagine Sun almost all year round, in a peaceful and natural environment, where your children can play safely outdoors? MOSA GOLF is - in fact - that place. Its strategical location makes Mosa Golf very interesting since it is right in the middle between the Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four cardinal points: - Murcia city, only 10 minutes by car, which will offer you everything you need from malls to the best restaurants you can imagine. - Cartagena city, also only 10 minutes drive, with its roman historical background that makes it so special. - The famous Mar Menor beaches, 20 minutes by car, and their white sand. - The newly opened International Murcia Airport (5 minutes by car) that will allow your family visit you very comfortably without major travel plans.

Sun Villas Murcia Email: tina@sunvillasmurcia.com Tel: 661 207 385 Website: www.sunvillasmurcia.com

You neither should be concerned about how your kids will get adapted to the Spanish educational system as in Murcia you can choose between some of the best International bilingual schools, some of them even follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales. Though Mosa Trajectumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Course has been closed for the last few years, in middle 2018 an investment company bought it and works for the so expected reopening are being carried out at this moment. Last news about Mosa Golf appoint that the golf course will be relaunched throughout this year 2019 as a new project and with the best specifications. So the plans to boost the development are finally coming true.

o m a l A l e acienda D

Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Resort offers secure friendly homes both for holiday and permanent living. The stunning views offered are second to none and consist of golf course, pool and mountain depending on the home. It is a safe and gated resort with a 24 hour security guards who keep the entry gate safe but also can assist in any emergency, such as health and motor. The resort is one of the best run resorts in the Murcia golf area. The resort offers several bars and restaurants as well as a 5 star hotel. Alongside the 18 hole, Dave Thomas designed golf course, there is also a 6 hole academy course, pitching, putting and a drive range to help you perfect your game before taking on the challenges of the 18 hole course. There are also numerous swimming pools, tennis, paddle, football pitch, bowls green and much more on offer.

Murcia Golf Homes Email: info@murciagolfhomes.com Tel: 691 403 018 Website: www.murciagolfhomes.com

It is a very safe place for children and families, with large green areas to play and enjoy the countryside together with many playgrounds for the younger children. It also has a supermarket, as well as a hairdressers and beauty therapy salon. It is about 2 kilometer to Fuente Alamo town which offers restaurants, bars and great fiestas during the summer. And of course the golf course itself is one of the best and most popular 18 hole Championship golf courses around.

Agent´s Diary with Rebecca Serwotka

How To Tell If Your Home Buyers Are Serious Everyone loves to see an excited home buyer walk through their door. They love to hear the ooh’s and ahh’s as the buyer takes their time, and walks through their home. Hearing the buyer say “this is exactly what we’re looking for,” and “this is the house for me, I can feel it!” as they excitedly hold their chest, would make any home seller think they’ve found the perfect buyer for their home. But, as everything in life, it’s not what people say, it’s what they do that really matters. It’s hard not to get your hopes up, as a home seller, when you hear such comments, but when the buyer doesn’t follow through and disappears into the night, it leaves you with a feeling of disappointment and thoughts of “did we say something wrong?”

3. A cheeky offer: Everyone wants a bargain – BUT, if the buyer is offering an unreasonably low amount, this is a sure sign that they don’t really want the house. Serious buyers make their best offers, because they don’t want to lose the house. When buyers know their low offer was refused, this gives them an excuse to walk away without any shame. I call it their, “get out of jail free card!”

Here are 4 signs that a buyer isn’t serious about your home: 1. The buyer is flying solo: If only one half of the couple is out on the viewing appointment, and their other half is not with them. This is usually a sign of lack of interest in the home. 98% Of the time, the buyer cannot and will not make a decision alone, without their partner viewing the property with them. 2. A speedy visit: Time is everything, and when a buyer is quicker than Speedy Gonzalez, this is the biggest telltale sign that they have no interest in your home whatsoever. When they make you feel like you have to push them inside the rooms, to make them look around, means you are losing the battle from the start. Body language is everything, and although the buyer may think they are being polite because they aren’t saying much, their body language is speaking volumes of what they really think.

4. Lots of nitpicking: When a buyer says in one breath, “you have a wonderful home,” then in the next “but there are lots of things that need changing” this means they are trying to find as much fault with your home as possible. If someone was genuinely interested in your home, they would see past any minor issues, but when they come along with their long list of “things in the home that need attention” means they are obsessed with finding fault, and more importantly provides them with an easy exit. Remember, if your buyers are taking their time to have a good look around, they are trying to imagine themselves living there! Slow and steady, wins the race!