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AUGUST 2007
Hi All,
And welcome to the August newsletter. It only seems like yesterday that the July issue was being sent out! Time flies when you are having fun. This is the time of the year when we make the most out of the balmy evenings and sun drenched weekends. Normally heading for the lakes or the beaches, where you can dip in and out of the water.
We had a family celebration last week with my father turning 70. Friends and neighbours were invited to the garden party of the year. With enough food and drink to keep a small army, the festivities went on for 10 hours.
For those of you about to make the big move, I thought I would let you in on a little secret. When we first moved to Spain, we would go to the supermarket and buy bottles and bottles of drinking water. Then we were told about the natural springs dotted all around Andalucia. So now, on the weekend, we load the car with empty bottles and head for Torcal. On the outskirts of Antequera, Torcal is known as the Enchanted Mountain Range. For millions of years, water has penetrated the rocks and chiselled out strange figures and formations like some crazed sculptor at work. It´s more like a social gathering, where Spanish families congregate in the picnic area, the women lay out a feast, children play football while the men fill the bottles. The scenery is breathtaking and the water is fresh, cool and clear.
Book a holiday and come and escape the terrible floods in the UK. We have properties to suit all requirements. Let me have the dates when you are here and I will begin the search for your perfect place in the sun. Alternatively, call me for further information on our 4 day/3 night viewing trips.
See you all soon.
Maria
New Payment for new babies
Applications opened last month for the new payment of 2,500 euros to be paid to mothers for each child born in Spain since 3rd July this year. The bill was approved on this date and has been passed to parliament for processing. It is expected to become law from December.
Under this new law, mothers of babies born since 0.00 hours on 3rd July 2007 (including foreign residents who have been living legally in Spain for at least 2 years) will receive the one-off payment of 2.500 euros.
The law hopes to encourage couples to add to the falling birth-rate in Spain.
Mobile phone prices down soon
In June the European Parliament passed new laws which will benefit mobile users abroad, bringing their calls down by around 70%. The new law was supposed to come into effect on 30th June, however the EU gave the operators, such as Orange and Vodafone, 2 months grace to adapt to the new charges. This means that come September if you’re on holiday in an EU country and phoning another EU country, then your calls will be greatly reduced to the region of 24 cents per minute.
New Sleeping Policeman Invented by Vve de Tapia man
A 26-year-old man from Villanueva de Tapia has invented a new type of speed bump which is made from a hollow material containing fluid. Drivers travelling at the correct speed or less will be able to pass easily as the fluid in the bumps moves to allow the bump to collapse. However, if the driver is going too fast the bump will remain hard.
The inventor is Jose Antonio Aguilera who is no stranger to new inventions, having previously designed a pool border which softens the effects of a fall and at the same time heats up the water in the pool.
Ready for take-off!!
The Junta (townhall) has confirmed that the plans for the new airport in Antequera are still going ahead at a cost in the region of 2.6 billion. The airport will be built alongside the new Cordoba-Antequera motorway to the north of the town.
This month we’d like to introduce you to……..another Paul
Remember in June we told you about Paul Barnett who works from our Fuengirola Office, well Paul Dubery also works there and this month we’re going to tell you a little bit about him.
Paul has only been in Spain since December when he and his wife Stella decided that they would exchange the cold and wet in Banff, Aberdeenshire for the sunnier climes of Fuengirola and a more relaxing way of life.
Making the move with Paul and Stella were their 3 children, son Kieran (18) and daughters Gemma (17) and Keely (14).
“Keely has started school here is is doing well, but she is now off for three months……..yes, three whole months for the summer holidays which she spends in the pool, sun bathing and going out with her older sister. Gemma is working here and Kieran is finishing college in the UK but comes over as often as possible.”
Paul started work at Inland Andalucia in March: “It’s a great pleasure being a part of someone’s dream of starting a new life in Spain. The road and rail network are excellent, as well as the food, schools, hospitals, friendly people and, of course, the weather.”
Stella also works, she is assistant manager in a local restaurant. On their days off together they enjoy sightseeing by car, bus or train. The latter two if we fancy a few drinks with our meal. We can get from the coast to the towns and villages inland by bus and/or train for a few euros.
When asked about their new life here in Spain, Paul comments: “We spend every night after work having our evening meal outside on the patio with a glass of Sangria, talking and watching the world go by rather than sitting at home eating and watching television as we used to do. We love the life here.”
Call in and have a chat with either of our Pauls if you’re thinking of relocating to Spain, they’ll be able to give some very useful advice and answer any questions you may have.
In and around the Spanish towns and villages……….
Mollina
The town of Mollina is situated in the Antequera region and is very well located for the A92 Malaga/Seville motorway. With the exception of the Sierra Mollina, the land is flat and occupied by olive groves, cereals and an abundance of vines from which the famous Mollina wine comes from (see below).
The present town dates from the 16th century and was built around a convent, the Convent de la Ascension, rather than a fortified encampment like many Andalucian towns. It is now expanding at great speed and the fact that its only 40 minutes from the coast adds to its popularity. Mollina has a wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants as well as a health centre, dental surgeries, municipal pool, banks and post office. In fact, everything you need for everyday living.
Like all Spanish towns, Mollina celebrates different festivals throughout the year, but the two major ones have to be the summer feria during the second week of August and then the renowned Feria de la Vendimia (or wine festival) during the second week of September. The latter being a celebration of the harvesting of the grapes (which is also a good reason to sample the wine!). Come on over and see how we enjoy our festivals!
We have a super villa for sale in Mollina, 242m² build with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage, standing on a 2,402m² plot. Amazing price of £184,828/268.000 euros. Click here for more details
Mollina Wines
Virgen de la Oliva was founded in 1977 as a co-operative for vine-growers from the district of Mollina. The marketer, Tierras de Mollina, which was created by the co-operative, launched their first young wines of the new DO Sierras de Málaga in 2003, Gadea (red) and Montespejo (white). DO Sierras de Málaga include wines which are not traditional Malaga wines, but ones made from different grape varieties. The other Mollina wines belong to the DO Málaga classification:
Carpe Diem
Naturally sweet – made with the Pedro Ximén grape – strong, white and rosé
Mature – made with the Pedro Ximén grape – a sweet bouquet, mahogany colour
Fully mature – made with the Pedro Ximén grape – a rich dark colour from maturing in oak casks
Montelobo – made with the Pedro Ximén grape – a strong dry white wine with a nutty aroma
Montespejo – made with the doradilla and Muscat grape – straw coloured, clean and intense
Gadea – made with the Syrah grape – a purple-red colour with a berry-like aroma
Grape selection for the Mollina wines is thorough and carried out upon receipt. The sugar content is assessed and the pH and acidity are controlled. The grape is then chosen for either quality bottled wine, wine to sell by the litre or a sulphur-added must (for which only pedro ximén grape is used). The variety of grapes used are muscatel, pedro ximén and doradilla which are all light-skinned and syrah which is dark skinned.
The grapes which are used come from the vineyards belonging to 350 vine-growers who are all members of the co-operative, who supply approximately 7 million kilograms of grapes per year, depending on the harvest.
For full property listings go to:www.inlandandalucia.com
UK Freephone Number 0800 198 0006
Office number 0034 952 741 540
maria.giles@inlandandalucia.com
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