Andalucia LIfe Magazine January 2011

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news and views, details of special events and special occasions.

Copy Deadline for February Issue - 15th January 2011

Contributors: Bob Gaston, Dr. R. Gonzalez, Age Concern, Pauline Bowden, Joanna Wyndham, NADFAS, Tracey Parker, John Thurston, Tom Crowley, Zoe Fisher.Front Cover: The Tower, Estepona PortDesign: Hewitt & Hewitt Graphic Design tel: 952 893 970 www.hewitt-hewitt.comDisclaimer: No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission from the publisher. Andalucia Life does not accept responsibility for the contents of articles supplied by contributors nor for the claims made by advertisiers.Andalucia Life S.C. Aptd. De Correos 119, Sabinillas 29692, Manilva, Malaga. CIF: J92740919Deposito Legal: MA-373-2004

Page 6 Editorial

Page 7 Andalucia Life News

Page 8 Health and Beauty

Page 15 View From the Clubhouse

Page 16 Pet Care

Page 18 Technology

Page 26 The Book Review

Page 30 Art and Craft

Page 32 Generalife, - Granada

Page 38 The Urge for Altitude

2 Happy Chinese New Year

Page 44 Discovering Jimena de la Frontera

Page 47 Ruta Gastronomique

Page 48 What’s On

Page 50 Sotogrande International School

Contents


Editorial by Nick Nutter

sponsored by Bruno’s Car RentalC. Levante, Edif. Boquerón, Puerto de la Duquesa

everybody else at Andalucia Life, wish all our

hope they had a good Christmas.During December the weather was pretty

from major airports, even Heathrow closed for a time just before Christmas. The result was thousands of would be visitors to the Costa el Sol spending their hard saved cash in the cafes and bars at the airports instead of here. So, a personal message to all would be travellers,

it makes sense.Well, everybody is looking forward to the 2nd

January. The day the no smoking anywhere policy is introduced. On health grounds and even because

offensive I can understand the policy but the timing? With bars and restaurants closing down due to the recession and would be customers stuck at airports the last thing they need now is a measure guaranteed to further reduce income. When politicians get it wrong they do it with

or delaying a measure is sometimes sensible and not a matter of losing face or credibility.

This month, in anticipation of the Chinese New

calendar. The summary given in the article later

in fact also an underlying ten-year cycle. So complicated is it that even the Chinese are

In anticipation of complaints, the date given

to the Chinese tourist board. Some Chinese restaurants disagree and will be celebrating one day before or after the 3rd February so if

to make sure you are not turning up after the party is over.

All this wet weather has brought the allotment on a treat. Turnips and carrots sowed last month are now well up and thinned out, the

potatoes planted in October have been earthed up for the third, and last, time. We should

potatoes in a salad on Boxing Day all being well. Julie went on an expedition to Alcampo the other day and returned with a couple of raspberry canes and some saffron crocus bulbs. I had to dig out an old Spanish

Country Kitchen book, similar to a Spanish Mrs.

Apparently you only take three stamen and

them and put them in an airtight container.

of saffron maximum, about two paellas worth. I am beginning to see why, gram for gram, saffron is worth more than gold. As for the raspberry canes. I put them in well composted ground in a spot that I hope will shelter them, not from the wind or rain particularly, but from the noonday sun. My Spanish gardening book recommends only growing raspberries above 300 metres in this part of Spain so we will just have to experiment a little. I will let you know as

“I am beginning to see

why, gram for gram,

saffron is worth more

than gold”


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

from Edinburgh on the 2nd April and Easy Jet announced a new route, Gibraltar to Liverpool starting on the 28th March. Both routes open in time for the expected Easter rush. Easter Sunday this year is late, on the 24th April.

New Flights to the Costa for

Easter


HEALTH & BEAUTY

Inguinal Hernias

sponsored by

Dr Gonzalez Medical CentreTop Plaza Ginebra, Sabinillas

A hernia is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or

membrane that normally holds an organ in place. If the opening or weakness is

large enough a portion of the organ may be able to poke through the hole.

Hernias happen more frequently in certain parts of the body, like the abdomen, groin upper thigh, and belly button area. They can also happen in any place where you may have had an incision from surgery.

Inguinal hernias are more likely to occur in boys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal. In boys the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into.

If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet. In boys the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum, which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of

an inguinal hernia might include pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over. These types of hernias require surgery to repair. In fact inguinal hernia operations are the most common type of surgery performed on kids and teens.Except for umbilical hernias in babies hernias do not just go away on their own — you must talk to your doctor and receive treatment. Over time your hernia may become larger and more painful and in some cases, a piece of the intestine could become trapped (this is known as incarceration). In a true surgical emergency, the blood supply could be cut off to the incarcerated intestine (this is known as strangulation). This situation is painful and dangerous because it can cause infection and may cause the strangulated tissue to die, so it is important to call your doctor.

If you have had a hernia operation and you notice redness or discomfort around your incision (the area where the cut was made to perform the operation), be sure to let your doctor know. It could be a sign of infection that will require further treatment.


HEALTH & BEAUTY

STM Nummos Life SL are registered intermediaries for Bupa International and Sanitas. Both companies are part of the world renowned Bupa group. Founded over 60 years ago, it has over 10 million members of 115 nationalities in 190 countries world wide.Bupa International and Sanitas offer a wide

the needs of expatriates and to suit all pockets. We are able to advise on the best plan to suityour personal needs.

STM Nummos Life SL also has a teamof client relationship managers to help and advise on any aspect of your Private Medical Insurance policy.

This includes:

appropriate medical provider

operations & scans

and promotions

We can also assist medical providers obtain

treatment and liaise with Bupa on their behalf on claims and payment issues.

Our aim is to provide members and providers alike with a highly personal service which capitalises on our local knowledge and close working relationship with Bupa.

Monday – Friday 09:00 – 18:00.24 hour 365 days helpline

Sonia Fendley – [email protected] Thomas – [email protected]

Telephone: +34 956 796 148Address: STM Nummos Life SL,Avenida de Los Cortijos 8, Urb Sotogrande, 11310 CadizOR VISIT OUR STAND AT THE LIVING WELL SHOW AT THE PUENTE ROMANO HOTEL ON

TH TH

STM Nummos SL are registered with DGSFP in Madrid (registration number AJ0038).


HEALTH & BEAUTY


HEALTH & BEAUTY

Maintaining a Healthy WeightIt’s that time of year, after the festivities, when many people make resolutions about losing weight. A client said to me recently ‘I have no problem losing weight, absolutely no problem, but I can’t keep it off’. Lots of people have the same issue in that they can keepto a diet for a certain amount of time before life gets in the way.

sponsored by

Zoe Fisher Nutritional TherapyAt clinics in Estepona and Gibraltar

I think part of this is the mindset, the concept of a diet, a short-term strategy to reach a weight goal, rather than a different way of eating, on-going. The challenge with on-going is that this requires a permanent change in behaviour, which works best when it includes whoever shops, cooks and eats with you.In business one strategy is to copy the successful. In the US there is the National Weight Control Registry which is a database of successful weight losers who have lost at least 30lb (approx 2 stones/13.5kgs) and kept it off for at least one year. Looking at this database there are somecommon themes:1. These people eat breakfast almostevery day. This helps control blood sugar and helps tostop you snacking on sugary foods later on.

body the wrong message about its food supply and can lead it to hang on to more calorieswhen you do eat.2. They do a lot of physical activity - on average 1 to 1 ½ hours a day. The most common activity was walking but most walked along with another, planned exercise like swimming, cycling or an aerobic class. This level is greater than many current government health advice recommendations but physical activity has such a huge effect on health, not just weight. People who are physically active suffer less from conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Exercise variety is a great idea as it stops your body becoming accustomed to one activity and burning off less calories as it becomes

motivating especially if the activity is sociable.

3. They weighed themselves frequently, at least once a week. This self-monitoring was often accompanied with a plan of what to do if the scale reached a certain level.Planning and self-monitoring seems a key part of sustained weight loss success in research

when faced with temptations such as Christmas, family celebrations, holidays or eating out. This is particularly tricky on the Coast where so many people have a multitude of visitors in ‘holiday

individual plans that work for them, like deciding beforehand exactly how much or what they will eat or drink, skipping a course, sharing portions, or just avoiding the temptation altogether.4. 98% of them altered what they ate to lose weight, with the majority sticking to a low-fat, high carbohydrate plan.Research shows that weight loss over a year, although it may differ initially, is virtually the same on a variety of different diets studied. But some diets give better results for different health measures like control of blood sugar or fat and cholesterol blood measurements which can be very important depending upon the individual and the reason for losing weight. Most healthy eating regimes are very similar to a low-glycaemic index Mediterranean style diet which ensures healthy

the Coast!Perhaps, rather than focusing on diet andweight loss, the focus should be on an overall eating ‘plan’ along with activitylevels to keep the weight off.


HEALTH & BEAUTY


HEALTH & BEAUTY

Charity Dinner at Los ArquerosWe finally rounded up the year with a greatgolf day at Los Arqueros, followed by our prizegiving dinner with a plethora of prizes for all.63 players turned out to play in December sunshine in our mixed invitational competition.There were many winners on the day, not justfor golf, but for some special people also whohelped make our first year such a success. Wegave prizes to Patrick and Adam, our resident

Support Player, and there were many winnersof gratis green fee vouchers in our “on thetable raffles”.On the golf, Fran Whelan won the day witha very respectable 37 points off his G.I.T.S

handicap of 8. DaveDalton took the2nd prize with firsttimer Terry Spencer winning the 3rdprize. Nearest thepin was won byPepe Torres.

We also held an auction prize for our chosencharity, Ciudad de los Ninos, of 4 green feesand 2 buggies at Valderrama, which was so

General Manager, Derek Brown. A bidding war between Ruud and Terry Hibbert finally endedwith Terry picking up this prestigeous prize for 800 Euros. Thank you both Derek and Terryfor your generosity.

olf in the Sun Celebrates First YearThe Golf in the Sun Society was formed less than

12 months ago by Paul Allies and Barry Gill.The express aim of the society, is to provide golfat reasonable rates for guys who either live here,

or regularly visit the area, and wish to play competitive golf in a friendly environment.

Next year promises to be even more exciting as we plan two more golf days throughout the year (10 in total), and with a more solid base of members than we started with last year, we anticipate our numbers growing ever faster. If any golfers are interested in this format then checkout our web site at www.golfinthesun.org.Any donations to our charity pot would be greatly appreciated and anyone wishing to donate should contact Barry Gill on 661 297209 or email at [email protected]

sen from 40 to over 200 members mainly due to the policyof free membership. “We decided from the outset that we wanted a golf society that was notabout money. We wanted to create something that that would grow year on year based on goodorganisation, reasonable green fees, and great prizes. Based on the fact that our membershiphas grown from 40 to well over 200 in 12 months is confirmation that we must be doing something

The other aim of the society was to raise money for a worthwhile local charity. After muchdeliberating they decided to support Ciudad de los Ninos (The City of Children), in Málaga.The centre is for disadvantaged children and young people and is approved and monitored by theAndalusian Regional Government. On-site residence is provided for destitute children and thoseremoved from parent custody while the on site school is also open to children from low incomefamilies and caters to their special learning needs. The charity relies heavily on donations andwe feel proud to be able to help via our golf society. To date the society has raised nearly 1,000 Euros and by the end of the year we hope to increase this substantially.


Welcome to the New Golf Page fromTom Crowley of Clubhouse Golftours.Clubhouse Golftours have been operatingthroughout the Costa del Sol for the past 3years and Tom himself has been playing,reviewing and organizing golf on the coastsince 2002. Operating from The ClubhouseRestaurant (over The Eroski Supermarket) Tomis committed to offering his clients the very bestin service and quality.

Here is just a sample of what is on offer:

Ladies & Gents

transport & accommodation

Clubhouse Restaurant including private functions, prize giving’s & presentations.

The Trafalgar TrophyMarbella Golf & Country Club was the venue for theTrafalgar Trophy last September. It was organized byour semi-regular, Geordie Stan Storer. Nearly forty ladiesand gents played on that Wednesday afternoon in lovelyconditions. Stan claims that it was Vice Admiral Collinwood,who is coincidentally a Geordie himself and not ViceAdmiral Nelson who won the famous battle that tookplace only up the road in Cádiz in 1805. The winner ofThe Trafalgar Trophy was William Hessert the Major Generalof U.S Air Force (retired). Nelson must be turning in his grave!

Stan Storer with Trafalgar TrophyWinner William Hessert

Doña JuliaAs we go to print it is greatto hear that Doña Julia isre-opening its 18 holes.Good news also is thatCaddy Master PaddyRobinson is back again tohelp and assist all with hischeerful manner.

El Paraiso - €902 Greenfees incl. Buggy

Call Tom on 646 420 547.

Clubhouse Golftours Offer of the Month


PETS & PET CARE

The Feast Day of St. Anton– Patron Saint of Domestic Animals

Please bring your pet – of any type or size -to join the procession culminating with a blessing in

12.30 and walk along Calle Real and Calle Terraza to be met by Padre Pedro who will performthe benediction.

Remember – all pets – and their owners are welcome!


PETS & PET CARE

Spring Equine Event Against Drugs- 101 km’s in 24 hoursThe Foreign Legion began this event over 10 years agoand some 8000 runners and mountain bikes take part. Wehave convinced them to allow horses to enter. We have alsreceived permission to participate in the VII HOMENAJE D

atmosphere will be fantastic.

Show everyone that a horse is to enjoy all year, not just atthe feria. We have set the speed limits low so you can enjowhat will promise to be two fantastic experiences and helpa good cause. Get training (you and your horse). Ridersage 10 upwards can participate. For the advance program,rules, inscription and a basic training plan email [email protected].

Come and see for yourself how our barefoot horsesperform. We are so excited for this opportunity to openthe doors of the equine world to another discipline.One the whole family can enjoyOne the whole family can enjoy. Tracey ParkerTracey Parker.


Technology The Importance of Listening to Google

sponsored by Plasabi Computer ShopC/Miguel Delibes 2, Sabinillas

One of the measures mentioned in that earlier article, introduced in December 2010, was the

web page can be easily read and understood by a person of an age likely to be interested in the subject matter then the website achieves

and understand. Google recognises that if your site is examining nuclear physics or exploring the intricacies of DNA analysis then it is likely to be understood by fewer people than one that, for instance, sells books or tells you about herbivores. The readability factor is not something that Google has dreamed up, it is a recognised set of rules known as Flesch Kincaid used for many years to assess the readability of books and categorise them according to the age group likely to read them or for which the book is suitable.

The same rules apply as for writing an article. Ensure that words are not spelt incorrectly. Keep sentences as short as is practicable. If there are two words that suit any situation, choose the one that more people will understand. Use correct grammar, and that

word at the beginning of a sentence. Use a font size that is easily read on a standard screen and colours that allow the text to stand out from the background colour. Try to have an

introduction, a main body and a conclusion.A new option will soon be appearing alongside the Google Search Box that allows you to set a reading level of basic, intermediate and advanced.

The question is, in which category do you want your website to appear?

Part of the readability test looks at the use of titles, headings, sub headings and bold text. Those four items are opportunities for you to use key words and Google will recognise them as more important than the text used in the

Keywords and phrases used in meta tags, the invisible tags used by search engines to discover what a site is all about, must appear on the page in visible text or you will be awarded negative points with consequent loss of position in the search result rankings.

www.costadelsolwebdesign.com

Earlier this year I wrote an article alerting people to the measures Google would be

going to the web address at the end of this article.


Health, Wealth and Happiness for 2011How many New Year resolutions have we all made and broken?

Let’s start a new trend for 2011. There are the three basic wishes listed aboveand I wish all Andalucia Life readers a Healthy, Wealthy and Happy New Year.

HEALTH. None of us know what is around the corner. Do you have adequate provision for future health care requirements? The Spanish Social Security system is very good but like everywhere there are waiting lists. Private Health Insurance can be a lot less expensive than you might think. There are many types of private health cover to suit

resolution Nº 1 should be to ensure that you have your future health care requirements secured.

If you are already wealthy then you need to ensure that you are protected against

understand the complicated Inheritance Tax situation regarding assets inside and outside Spain. If you want to acquire future wealth for retirement or simply a better lifestyle for you and your family then savings and investment

HAPPINESS. This is a state of mind and being which is very personal. Happiness to one person may be misery to another.

circumstances, needs and priorities are different.

If you would like more information or

security or details of different private health care plans available in Spain, call Pauline Bowden now on 95 289 0383.


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

With the whole world waiting with bated breath for the next tranche of secrets to be revealed on the Wikileaks website it was with a sense

proper mention in a document dating back to 2008 that revealed the ‘Extent of Spanish

the GSLP/Liberal Opposition. The Opposition may be surprised but not many others were. In 2008 the new Spanish defence minister, Carme Chacon, raised the question of United States warships calling at Gibraltar during a meeting with the US Ambassador in Madrid whilst simultaneously encouraging the use of Rota.

Wikileaks Reveals a Spanish

Obsession

According to a leading European airline reservation portal, Málaga is no longer the number one destination for holidays in Europe. That place, in December, goes to Tenerife with Málaga second and Alicante third.

Málaga Loses the Top Spot


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Art Exhibition by Axarquia Art

“New Year – New Art”

New Art” exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum, Riogordo. Since its formation last August the group has grown rapidly and attracted many new artist and associate members. The exhibition shows high quality work from 10 artists, many well known in the Axarquia region. Work being exhibited includes Ceramics, Paintings in a variety of media and Sculpture. The exhibition runs from Saturday January 15th 2011 until Saturday February 12th 2011. The museum, situated at Calle Iglesia 14, Riogordo is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am until 2.00pm and 4.00pm until 8.00pm. Further information is available on the groups website at: www.axarquiaart.blogspot.com or Email [email protected]

Mast of Fear Book LaunchOn the 10th December Bar Duquesa took on a literary atmosphere as William Downes (Billy the Fish) appeared to

academic in a chequered bow tie and pinstripe suit, Billy declared himself pleased with the attendance as he sold yet

announce that 22nd May 2011 is the date set for the next municipal elections in Spain. If you are an EU citizen (or from certain other non-EU countries), hold a NIE number and you have registered on the local population census (“padrón municipal”), you are entitled to exercise your right to vote in both local and European Elections.

If you have not voted in Spain before, we would like to let you know there is a deadline to register

2011

Spanish Elections


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Age Concern, Estepona and Manilva operate a telephone service called Lifeline. This gives the individual a direct point of contact with the charity. The telephone number is 650 163 928.

Firstly may I wish all of you, on behalf of Age

Concern, a Very Happy New Year and hope

that the Christmas Season passed peacefully.

th last year had tobe cancelled because of the atrocious weather on the 27th

course director rightly took the decision to call the game off. Guess what, the 28th was a lovely wall towall sunny day, but the course was far too wet to play. Thanks have to go to all who put their namesdown to play and to the main sponsor, Ibex insurance.

What was a success, though we would haveliked more people to attend, was the talk onstrokes organised by Age Concern and givenby Dr. Mark Sageur, a neurologist specialistfrom Hospiten, held on the 25th November atPadre Manuel, Estepona. The doctor gave aninformative talk about the different types of strokes, how a stroke can be recognised, whattreatments are available and how the likelihoodof a stroke can be minimised.

The important message was, and is, forpeople to remember how to spot someonehaving a stroke – FAST, which can besummarised as follows.

HOW TO SPOT SOMEONE HAVING A STROKE

dropped on one side.

drop when both arms are raised?

slurred and/or does it make sense?

then use T which stands for time.

Act at once and call the emergency services asthe earlier treatment starts the better chanceof recovery, or in the case of a transient stroke(where the person recovers fairly quickly) theavoidance of a full stroke.

Palacio de Congresos, Estepona on the 27th and 28th November.Thanks to the organisers, Sports and Leisure Promotions Limited.In spite of the horrendous weather on the 27th both days sawbrisk trade with people wanting advice and information and those

work of volunteers working in the community with older people –

Hotel Molino del Puente, along with individuals whodo not wish to be named.

We have had a few delays in getting to the stage where wecould open the Drop-In-Centre but we took the decision to only

the building work had been completed and the electrics sortedout the place had to be decorated. We were very fortunate ingetting the work done for free (apart from the paint that is) and

in Estepona. By the time you read this we may well have

What’s in store for 2011 – watch this space!!


ART & CRAFT

Combining themes taken fromher academic background as aProfessor of Philosophy and her love of Japanese culture (whereBarbery now lives) with motifstaken from Tolstoy, the novel isat times hard to follow, but myrecommendation is to stay withit and you will, ultimately, berewarded with a tale that blossomsand that at the end might justbreak your heart.Set in Paris, we meet Renée,a post-menopausal womanwho is the concierge of a grandapartment block on the Left Bank,and Paloma, a pre-pubescent twelve-year oldgirl. The lives of these two females becomeintertwined and, although they are from verydifferent backgrounds, they converge in asurprising way with the arrival of wealthyJapanese tenant, Kakuro Ozu, who befriendsthem both and transforms their lives. The story

narrative), the precocious but brilliant daughter of rich parents who plans to commit suicide onher 13th

an autodidact and has a greater understandingof literature and the arts than any of the upper-class, snobby residents in the building shelooks after.

all doom and gloom. There are some trulycomical, laugh-out-loud moments such as when

Requiembooms out. “I should have warned you. This is a Japanese thing… my daughter’s idea to import it. When

heexplains. The title of the book isexplained by Paloma who opineshat Renee “

but my gut feeling is that on the

This book celebrates the meaning of life andmakes a connection between beauty anddeath whilst also making a radical commentabout class and hypocrisy. Barbery highlightsthe irony of a concierge looking down on theintellectual pretensions of the residents of her building in much the way she imagines thatthey look down on her. A case of ‘do not judge

Decide for yourself whether it lives up to the

struggling with the philosophical bent, pleasepersevere – it does get more readable after the

that I shed a tear at the surprising ending!Joanna Wyndham

The next meeting of The Estepona Reading Group will be held at the Elemi Café, near Estepona Port on Thursday, 20th January from 6pm until 7.30pm, when we will be discussing Paper Money by Ken Follett. For Further information call 956 794 279

Estepona Reading Group Book Review

The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel BarberyIf you are looking for a book that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions,

then this is the one for you. You’ll hate it and then you’ll love it as Muriel Barbery

takes us up and then brings us down again on a philosophical journey through this,

her second novel which has been translated from the original French into more than

thirty languages, and which has made Barbery something of a literary phenomenon.


ART & CRAFT

CAP Raise 2,300€ for CUDECAOn the 2nd and 3rd December Club Charity and Pleasure raised 2,300 Euros for Cudeca withtheir fund raising show, ‘Capricious Capers’ held at El Paraiso Country Club Benavista.’


ART & CRAFT


In the 13th century you could have been sat in the whimsically named Vegetable Garden of the Gypsy Festivity Organiser and, a few years later in the Governors Garden. Today it is

for choosing the most attractive surroundings in which to relax and the Generalife has to be one of the most idyllic spots in Spain situated on a small hill called Cerro del Sol, overlooking the Alhambra, the city of Granada and the valleys of the rivers Genil and Darro.

The gardens were built during the 13th century as a refuge for the nobility from the hectic court life and intrigue within the Alhambra Palace itself. Despite being within easy walking distance of the Alhambra, Generalife was always considered to be outside the city.

Mohammed V (1353 – 1391) was relaxingthere when a rebellion broke out in the palace itself which probably saved him froma premature end.

Nowadays the main part of the garden is called the Patio de la Acequia, Patio of Irrigation. As the name suggests the principle feature around which the garden is formed is water. A central channel is fed from the main water supply to the Alhambra. In the channel there are a number of small jet fountains fed from a water source at a higher altitude than the main supply so that the water pressure feeding the jets creates the small fountains. It would be considered very clever today and this feature is six hundred years old.

Careful planting of myrtle bushes, orange trees, cypresses and rosebushes create a wonderfully peaceful and fragrant atmosphere. The garden is a walled garden with one wall inset by eighteen arches, the central arch leading to the lower gardens. A similar arch on the opposite wall leads to the upper gardens.Next you arrive at the Patio de los Cipreses, Patio of the Cypresses. The old Cyprus trees date back to the Muslim period and the most famous one is called the Cipres de la Sultana,

Get Away From It All –

Generalife Granada


to meet a knight of the Abencarrajes family. The triste had unfortunate consequences for

put to death by having their throats cut. Again water is a primary feature of the garden within which there is a staircase, considered the oldest staircase in the gardens, that is divided

handrails that are actually channels taking water to the lower levels.

Generalife can be visited separately to the Alhambra but why not treat it as part of the overall tour? After spending three or four hot, energetic hours touring the palaces and

gardens allows you to fully appreciate why they

To enjoy a tour of Granada and a guided tour of the Alhambra, including pre-booked tickets for the Nasrid palaces, and Generalife, without the hassle of driving yourself, you can call in at Estepona Port Business and Internet Centre.


ART & CRAFT

Estepona Floral Art Club

For information on the above events and future events please contact our Chairman Marilyn Pemberton on Tel: 952 928 197 Alternatively go to our website: www.thebestofmarbella.com and click on the link, Culture and Associations, or enter Estepona Floral Art Club in the Google space bar,to view all our forthcoming events.

A very Happy New Year to all our Members, Visitors and

Readers! We hope that you all had a very Happy Christmas and

are now ready for the great programme of design, colour, and

entertainment, that we have planned for the coming year.If you feel that your afternoons could do with a lift after the busy festive season, then come along and have an afternoon of good entertainment which will give you plenty of inspiration and ideas to bring colour into your homes!

All our Demonstrators arrive from the UK, and are either NAFAS National or Area Demonstrators. We are very fortunate to be able to bring to Spain each month such high expertise in the art of Flower Arranging. NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangers Society) is a World-wide organization so if you would like to become part of such a great club then please attend our demonstration.

Each month we have a well-stocked Sales Table where all your purchases for Flower Arranging can be made at extremely reasonable prices.

Plus, we run at certain months in the year, for all levels

of abilities, so even if you have never done anything like this before now is the perfect chance to learn a new skill and make new friends.

Estepona Floral Art Club will be getting the

Stephanie Laing NAFAS Area Demonstrator from East Grinstead, Sussex, on Tuesday, January 18th 2011.

The demonstration will take place at ‘TheBenavista Country Club’ Benavista, N340 Km

the programme commences prompt at3pm until 5pm.

Refreshments will be available before and after our demonstrations.

A raffle at the end of each demonstration ensures fivelucky ladies take home a

stunning arrangement.


ART & CRAFT

International Club Of EsteponaICE is for all English speaking people and meet at Urbanisation Bahia DoradaEntrada 4 or 5 at km 149, A7 Estepona. Tel 952 802 549VISIT OUT WEBSITE www.siberme.comEvery Sunday from 12.30 to 2.30pm and every Tuesday from 11.00am to 2pm the baris open for drinks and tapas. Every Thursday from 10.30am to 2pm the bar is open fordrinks and lunch. Weekly meeting 11.30am. New Members always welcome.

Special Events JanuaryWednesday 5th January - Trip - The Russians Are Coming

The Russian Army Choir and Dancers are coming to the beautiful Cervantes Theatre in Málaga.

Friday 7th January - Quiz NightMonday 10th January - Film NightWednesday 12th January - Ladies & Gents LunchesFriday 14th JanuaryMonday 17th January - New Members Welcome NightSaturday 22nd JanuaryFriday 28th January - Music NightSaturday 29th January - Evening with Maureen Calaghan & Sean Connaughton

7.30 for 8.00pm Maureen will introduce her book ‘A Note to Self’www.siberme.com


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

El Camino – March 2011The Animals Return to the Camino!The Spanish Animal Protection Association “planeta animal” whose

main objective is to raise awareness in the human population through

targeted projects, invites everybody to walk with them to Santiago de

Compostela, a pilgrimage for the animals.

In 2009 many people joined a magical

following the St.James Trail to Santiago.Some came from animal protection backgrounds, to experience another way to

solve for years. Others had no experience of the groups working for years to highlight ill treatment of animals and promote their care and protection, but liked the idea of hikingwith a dog.

legged hikers, gained respect from many who witnessed them along the way. Just to see them arrive tired but happy, after another long days walking and to witness the shared feelings of the two and four legged beings, made people think a bit more aboutthe animals.

“We live in a world full of needs and do not see that everything is related. If we do not teach our children to respect the animals and nature, they will not respect their fellow citizens either. And we all know that respect is the basis of a functioning society”, says Johanna Mayrhofer, the director of El Camino Project.

to take part in ‘El Camino 2011’

existence between human beings, animals and our natural planet.

Those who do the walk will have a great opportunity to combine a responsible week long holiday with a chance to experience the legendary pilgrims trail. The Silver route will take us through some of the wonderful, unknown landscapes of Spain, up to Astorga, then continuing on the French route toSantiago de Compostela.


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

MARCH 19th to APRIL 29th 2011“The animal companions on the Camino

bring another animal, as long as they aresure that it would be capable of covering 24kilometres a day.”

Planeta Animal will provide all thelinfrastructure needed by human and animaltravellers, with guides, accommodation (inpilgrim lodgings, rural houses, hotels etc.),food and water, transport of baggage etc.Volunteers who want to take part, can doso in periods of one to six weeks, choosingthe most attractive week of the route andmaking sure of a realistic distance fortheir own animals.

Those who cannot join us walking will be ableto follow our progress through a blog on the

one of the four donkeys doing the Camino, oneeuro per kilometre.

nationwide education programs.

For more information, visit our webpage:www.planeta-animal.org


Imlil is the road head for the start of the climb, just one street and a couple of hotels of the basic sort. The plan was to make late start, reach The Neltner Refuge before dark, spend a night there, ready for an alpine start next day, in order to do the top and get down before the regular afternoon thunderstorms sweep in.

Spurning guides and mules standing in a shady area, I strolled upwards through the village, turned left at the last house and zigzagged

reached the Kasbah, where Scorsese made

walking along an irrigation canal brought me to a bridge and a steep climb to a dirt road, all the time being passed by muleteers trying to tempt me to ride like a proper tourist. Another half hour in the strong sun got me into the village Aroumd. Ahead through the trees that surrounded the houses I could see a broad stony riverbed, dry then but obviously formed

to the right a small walled orchard, the path led on across the stony watercourse until it became obvious that it was necessary to climb up to a contouring path on the hillside leading to a sluice gate on a water channel, overlooked by a half hearted hut. A local entrepreneur attempted to sell me a bottle of water from several cooling in the ditch. The all had different labels so I feared he had bottled them himself from the channel at his feet. We parted with no ill feeling but no sale either and a rocky scramble brought me out on to a broad level track that delivered me to Sidi Chamharouche, a blindingly white marabout tomb in good condition but closed to non-believers. Nearby however the was a huddle of huts along a shaded street, to refresh any visitor or pilgrim, with fruits, juices and trinkets.

Even after three hours of climbing I resisted the offers to mount some very strong looking four-legged assistants and pushed on up another

of Djebel Aquelzim, until the gradient slackened and was comfortably gaining height on a gradual incline that took my eager eyes up the to the valley head, and there on the left skyline

tantalisingly far away.

In the foreground a huge rock narrowed the path, where two builders were narrowing it even more to turnstile width by constructing a drinks and trinket shop.

Eat your heart out Carrefour!

Once past the nascent shopping centre, I saw in the distance just beneath, the start of a clearly visible path to a col called on my map

the newer is called the Neltner Refuge. Half an hour later I was there booking a space on a communal mattress, an early call and a breakfast.

As night fell on the mountains and while waiting my turn on the cooker, I was conscious the

in the morning. With the intention of being away before the mass exodus, I brought forward my reveille call and got into my sleeping bag, listening to the wind from the Sahara moaning round the thick walled building. After a lot of youthful Moroccan chatter to keep me awake, it was possible to sleep until I had to drag myself out into the dark morning.

The route went gently past a waterfall falling

The Urge For AltitudeAcross the Strait lies Africa and a drive through Morocco leads

to the High Atlas. Does not the name draw you? It did me five years ago

in the summer of 2005. Djebel Toubkal was waiting, the highest peak

there. At 4167metres there is the possibility of mountain sickness so it’s a

serious ascent.


facilities and became a good narrow track on

after which it deteriorated into a confusedscramble over boulders getting graduallylarger. After about thirty minutes on my own Iheard chatter behind and in ten minutes, asday was dawning over the skyline up ahead,I was overhauled by my room mates of thenight before, effortlessly leaving me strugglingbehind. No amount of will power or gritting of teeth could stop me falling further and further behind. They did show the route but also themassive scale of the huge scree shoot I wasnow ascending. All this time I was stopping for deep breaths and to take photographs of thestupendous surroundings. Just as I passed acluster of house sized rocks I looked to see tiny

steps up and one back, so it was another two

As I did so the crowd of spring-heeled jackscame running down the scree with many criesof happiness and encouragement. The joys of youth.

The summit was slightly disappointing, rubbishstrewn and equipped with a huge steelsurveying tower. The temperature as soon asI stopped was distinctly chill and storm clouds

the sun was covered and it was time to get off the highest peak of the High Atlas. I wished mylegs were strong enough and young enoughto run the scree, but caution and sundry achesadvised against it and slowly and painfully Iretraced my steps, taking almost as long to getdown to the refuge as it had taken me to reachthe summit. When I reached the Refuge therain was spattering heavily on the rocks, thecrowds had gone and the valley was calling.

Waiting expectantly on the level area used for camping was the smallest skinniest mule I had

was weak and I allowed the muleteer to putmy rucksack in one side of the straw pannier,followed by a huge rock as a counterweight inthe other. Its owner, who hoisted me onto the

a single rein, ignored silent looks of reproachfrom the animal.

Away we went, the owner following. At steepparts of the path he held us by leaning back

encouraged the poor critter doing unspeakableinvisible things to it with his stick. I told him Iwas slipping forward and he showed me howto put my feet inside the deep panniers. I thenrealised that if the overloaded animal lost

probably not be able to get free as we rolleddown the rocky hillside. I was not a happyhiker! He must have got the message, becausewhen we got to the shrine, he handed me over

out a huge mule the size of a warhorse. Onwe went at breakneck speed over the easinggradient until at the dry riverbed he insistedon climbing up behind to persuade the willinganimal to gallop. We stormed through Aroumdlike Valkyries until the mad ride ended at thelast zigzag into Imlil.

By this time I had got the hang of the singlerein and asked my driver to let me go on intotown like Clint Eastwood. So hat brim over my eyes, cigar smoke drifting lazily behind,one hand on hip, I prepared to give my wifea visual treat should she be waiting on thehotel terrace. As I slipped professionally to theground and threw the rein casually over the railas all desperados do, I was informed in Frenchthat my ever-loving had driven off to a famousmosque seventy kilometres away with a onelegged taxi driver.

John Thurston 25 Nov 10.


The end of 2010 was celebrated with a seasonal Hog Roast

at La Vizcaronda in Manilva.This event is proving to be so popular with membersand friends that we are sure it will become an annualoccasion. What better place to be in December thanenjoying drinks on the verandah in beautiful sunshinebefore moving inside to devour a scrumptious lunchand then, to top it all, singing carols in a rousingmanner and getting us allin the festive spirit!

Dfas De La Frontera and

The Sacred Art Of Tibet

More information can be obtained by calling (00 34) 956 796 622 or 956 794 279or at our new website www.nadfas-delafrontera.org.

Independent Art Consultant, lecturer andexhibition curator Zara Fleming will be givingan illustrated presentation about The SacredArt of Tibet. Isolated from the outside world for centuries, Tibet is home to a rich and vibrantBuddhist culture and artistic tradition. Zara will

explain how the paintings and sculptures arecreated and used as visual aids for meditationand will also give an overview of Tibetan historyfrom the time of the great Tibetan Empire(6th-9th Century) up to the present day. Zara

tour to Tibet in 1981 and has travelled and ledtours to this part of the world ever since.

The de la Frontera lectures are held at 11.00amon the third Wednesday of the month at theSan Roque Golf and Country Club, Km. 127(A7). There is a chance to socialise with

members and friends at our after-lecture drinksreception and an opportunity to win a book on


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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Gong Xi Fa Cai

The very old Chinese used a lunar calendar.

Chinese lunar calendar, which comes on the day of the second new moon behind the day of the winter solstice, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to

case, the Chinese New

moon after the solstice. The Chinese calendar has been in use since the 12th century BC. Simple when you know.

The Chinese years are represented by the so-called 12 Earthly branches. In order they are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and a pig. A legend explains the sequence in which the animals were assigned. Supposedly, the twelve animals fought over the precedence of the animals

in the cycle of years in the calendar, so the Chinese gods held a contest to determine the order. All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side. The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water. At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto

was steady and hard-working so that he did

Why does the Chinese New Year fall on a different

date every year?

The answer is quite simple.

The Chinese use a different calendar o that used by

the western world.


ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

not notice a commotion on his back. In the meanwhile, the rat sneaked up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat

lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth

named after him, the ox got the second year, and the pig ended up as the last year

any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.

2011 is the year of the rabbit and the 3rd

February sees the start of this particular

rd January, 2013 on the 10th February, 2014 on the 31st

January and 2015 on the 19th February.

culminates with the Lantern Festival. Red is favorite colour for Chinese people and that clearly appears in the masks they

gods, spirits of ancestors, legendary beings, good or evil, the dead, animal

spirits, and on the beings who are believed to have supreme power over human beings. These traditional masks

only respected but are also worn during the various rituals performed in Chinese

dragondance or lion dance wearing those masks.


The luxurious guest house, Vina de Linan,offers a superb base from which to explorethe village and it is from there that we start our exploration.As you passthrough the guesthouse gatesyou immediatelyemerge in alush, narrow,green ravine withrocky buttressesemerging from thewoods opposite.A track leads rightup to the middlelevel of the villagewhere you can turnright and walk tothe castle in about

the more scenicoption is to turn left. This track takes you down to the Hozgarganta where you turn lefton a well-worn footpath with the river on your

across a narrow, deep, canal. This was builtin the 19th century to supply water to a setof bellows that fed a furnace in a cannon ballfactory 650 metres further downriver. Many of the cannonballs were used during the GreatSiege of Gibraltar. Stay on the unmade roadas it takes you back into Jimena with the castleappearing in view above on your left. Theunmade road joins a proper road where youturn left and climb into the village.Keep on walking uphill through the narrow

plodding along or tethered to the grills. Thispart of town dates back to the 15th centuryand, as you reach the higher parts becomes

older until you reachhe castle itself. Thegateway through whichyou pass to enter thecastle proper dates

AD but it has been

18th and 19th centuries.Similarly the large tower s built on the remainsof earlier towers datingback to Roman times.More obvious Romanruins can be seen justoff the crest of the ridge on the western

side. Be careful here, there is no attempt toprevent people wandering amongst the narrowcrumbling ruins of walls and it is easy to slipoff into what were probably storage rooms andcisterns.More modern cisterns were built by the Moorsand they occupy a large area at the northernend of the castle. Still largely intact it is hardto imagine they have lasted almost twelvehundred years.To return, turn left onto Misericordia and followthis street to the end where it joins the mainroad through the village. Turn left down a smallside street that will take you back to La Viña delLinan.

A Walk Through Jimena de la FronteraDating back to pre-Roman times when it was known as Oba, Jimena de la Frontera

is a typical Andalucian white village. Any visitor cannot fail to notice the town’s

most prominent feature, its castle. Perched on a high ridge between the rivers

Hozgarganta and Guadiaro the castle is imposing rather than looming, it must have

been a reassuring edifice rather than a threatening one. As with most of the villages

in southern Spain, the best way to appreciate Jimena is on foot.


RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

Sudoku For Fun

2 9 75 1

8 3 7 99 4 1 8

8 2 9 49 1 6 35 2

1 4 5

A new sign in the Bank Reception reads: “Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts. After months of careful research, MALE and FEMALE procedures have been developed. Please follow the appropriate steps for your gender:

1. Drive up to the cash machine.2. Put down your car window.3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.6. Put window up. 7. Drive off.

1. Drive up to cash machine.2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.3. Set parking brakes, put the window down.4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.6. Attempt to insert card into machine.7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.8. Insert card.9. Re-insert card the right way.

PIN written on the inside back page.11. Enter PIN.12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.13. Enter amount of cash required.14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.15. Retrieve cash and receipt.16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.18. Re-check makeup.19. Drive forward 2 feet.20. Reverse back to cash machine.21. Retrieve card.22. Re-empty handbag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided.23. Put window up. 24. Drive off.

There is a light at the end of

every tunnel, just pray it’s

not a train.


RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

Parking in Sabinillas

The Spanish economy is the fourth largest in the eurozone, larger than Greece, Ireland and Portugal together and represents 11.5%

Spain needs an Irish style bailout, which some experts consider a possibility, it will cost 420 billion euros. With only 490 billion left in the euro coffers and a bail out for Portugal soon to be determined there may be nothing left for Spain. Strong economies such as Germany are not likely to contribute more to the emergency fund as this would be seen as a bad move by voters. The Spanish Government continue

is still on track and that no bail out will be required.

The Ayuntamiento in Manilva have introduced a new parking scheme in Sabinillas. Blue lines delineating parking spaces indicate that, between the hours of 9am and 2pm, parking is restricted to one hour only. Parking is still free. The measure is a welcome move designed to provide more spaces on roads for shoppers at the expense of those who park their vehicles on main shopping streets all day.

December Economy


RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

What’s On Along The Costa

sponsored by Ryders The 19th HoleTop Level, Puerto de la Duquesa

All Areas - Three KingsThe 5th January is the day of the Three KingsProcessions in all the towns and villages. TheCabalgata de Los Reyes is normally one or

attired and accompanied by bands and variousperformers, make their way through the streetsaccompanied by crowds of children who pickup the sweets thrown to them by the Kings.Times of processions vary.Benahavis5th January - Procession of the 3 Wise Men.Kids food and attractions in the Pabellon.Estepona

Kings at the Palacio de Congresos11.30am – The Three Kings are awarded theKeys to the Town at the Town Hall5pm – Procession through the streets.ManilvaThe procession starts at Castillo at 5pm,makes its way to Duquesa and Sabinillas and

MálagaThere is an exciting new exhibition at theMalaga Picasso Museum titled ‘Toys of the Avant-Garde’ which runs until January 30,2011. This exhibition is interesting for thewhole family displaying puppets, miniaturetheatres, dolls, games, furniture, booksand more, which is a result of the effort byartists to integrate art and education. Thisexceptional collection of objects includesworks made for massproduction as wellas one off pieces for friends and family,such as the Car “Wooden toy paintedby Pablo Picasso”which he made for his

also see the televisionthat Picasso converted into a toy horse for hisgrandson. Toys of the Avant-Garde includes

artists from the 20th century and includesobjects from various movements such asConstructivism, Futurism and even Bauhaus.

Estepona15th January – 14th February. Art ExhibitionHistory in the Making at Estepona PortBusiness and Internet Centre.


RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE


The Kindred Project isSotogrande InternationalSchool´s own independentNGO. We set this up earlier this year with the

together under one umbrellathe numerous overseasinitiatives which the schoolis currently involved in andto further develop outreachprogrammes with others worldwide to helpenrich the lives of disadvantaged childrenand adults worldwide through a variety of education related projects

This year M4 are undertaking an excitingproject in their Intercultural Educationcurriculum with a real world application. The

a very successful initiative here at Sotograndeand will continue in years M1-M3. M4 will bethe recipients of a newly created InternationalKindred Project Award in conjunction with

Kindred Project pop-up shopStudents in M4 will bepioneering the ‘Kindred

was recently launched at theChristmas Bazaar and will beopening in school in the near future. On sale have been anumber of solar power packs

for recharging i-pods, mobile phones andlaptops, as well as solar lights and toys.Students are also sourcing fair trade itemslike coffee and chocolate to sell in their shop.

Linked to this initiative is the constructionof the Kindred Project bank and a micro-

groups of Ugandan students to borrow smallsums of money to start small businessesto enable them to pay for school fees andequipment. This sustainable project offersthe opportunity for Ugandan students topay back the original loan and no longer betrapped by poverty. Our students will be veryclosely involved and will learn about social

trade.

A number of students will be travelling toUganda at Easter, to the William Hills Schooland Orphanage to work on a project to bringwater and electricity to the school. We havebeen working hard to raise funds to take tohelp realise this goal.

Along with projected trips to Morocco inthe next few months, SIS students are very busy forging new relationships with other communities round the world.


RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

Andalucia LIfe Magazine January 2011

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Transcript of Andalucia LIfe Magazine January 2011