baywatch april may 2011
DESCRIPTION
lifestyle magazine for the Costa de ls LuzTRANSCRIPT
Letter from the Editor
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Hi all!After what feels like a very long winter, finallySpring has sprung, the birds are singing, thealmond trees are blossoming, my favourite smellof freshly cut grass is in the air and I am sure allour readers are looking forward to the start ofsome wonderful sunny days ahead!In this issue we have compiled all you need for afantastic Spring: A section on sprucing up yourhome in readiness for summer, a special featureon El Puerto de Santa Maria, a weekend break inthe luxurious Los Castaños hotel near Ronda, arecipe designed for sunny afternoons spent onthe terrace, and last, but certainly not least, around-up of local events in the Chiclana area anda guide to the best April and May fiestas and
ferias in Andalucia including, of course, themerriment that is Semana Santa (I can't wait!)with a special look at events in theAndalucian capital Seville. And finally, animallovers amongst you may be interested inreading our special feature on animal welfare inSpain on page 26. Please note that we have hadmany readers asking us to feature theiranecdotes on various sad stories relating to themistreatment of cats and dogs in Andalucia.
Whilst it would be impossible to publish all ofthem, I would like to thank everyone out therewho is fighting for animal rights and new laws tosee animal abusers brought to justice.Sophie
CONTENTS
Baywatch is a free magazinepublished bi-monthly byThe Baywatch Group
Advertising & SalesPlease call 856 101 803/697 552 936
Email:[email protected]
EditorSophie McAdam
Email: [email protected]
Design & LayoutEmail: [email protected]
Registered address:The Post House
Buzon 72CC Novogallo, Local No.50
Chiclana de la Frontera11130 Cadiz, Spain
Deposito LegalCA-552/06
Copyright The Baywatch GroupAll Rights Reserved
Reproduction of this magazine in whole or partwithout the prior permission of the
publisher is stricly prohibitedThe publishers reserve the right to amend any
submissions. The views expressed by thecontributors & advertisers are not
necessarily those of the publishersAlthough every effort is made to ensure the
accuracy of the content and adverts within themagazine, the publishers cannot
accept any liability
44 Culture: Spring Ferias and Fiesta Guide
66 Semana Santa in Seville
88 Don’t Move - Improve. How to spruce up your
casa in readiness for the summer and visitors!
1122 Property section with Cadiz Casa
2200 Discover: El Puerto de Santa Maria
2266 It’s A Dog’s life: Investigation into animal
welfare in Spain
3311 Health Beauty & Fitness - Digestion Special
3355 News round up from Cadiz and Andalucia
3366 Food & Wine: A look at local restaurants and a
recipe of the month from hotel Los Castaños
4411 Hotel Getaway: Los Castaños, Malaga Province
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4444 Business Directory. Your guide to localbusinesses and services in the area
4433 What’s On in and around Cadiz
CultureSpring Ferias and Fiesta Guide
and Semana Santa in Seville
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Spring is underway, which in Andaluciameans only one thing: Fiesta time! From theDía de Andalucia in February right up untilSeptember, all over the province, ferias,carnavals, fiestas and romerias can be enjoyedby all.
Whether it’s consuming ridiculous amounts ofsherry, flamenco extravaganzas, fireworkdisplays, prancing horses or street parades,Andalucíans know how to celebrate in style andyou’ll find they don’t need much excuse for agood knees-up! Various Saint’s days,deliverance from the sea, the Moors, or theharvesting of products like grapes, cherries,chestnuts and olives all provide the perfectreason to throw a party. Perhaps the mostfamous party of all is the Cadiz carnaval, heldthe weekend after the Andaluz national holidayon 27 February. But if you missed that, thereare plenty more spectacular ferias to visit thisSpring . Here are Baywatch’s top picks forApril and May.
1)What: Feria de AbrilWhere: SevillaWhen: 2 - 8 May
Six days of high spirits, glamourous flamencocostumes, fairylights, music, dancing anddrinking until dawn, horses and lots of colourmake Seville’s Feria de Abril one of the biggestand best annual events in Andalucia.
The fair officially begins on Monday at midnight,two weeks after Semana Santa (see Page 35) andends with a super firework display the followingSunday. The city is packed with revellers andfinding accomodation at short notice can be verydifficult to say the least, that said, it’s well worthvisiting Seville just for a day if nothing else.
The venue for the fair is the 'Real de la Feria'just outside the city centre opposite the MariaLuisa park. Here, along with a huge fairground,there are over 1000 marquees with bars, musicand f lamenco shows. In the city itself, daily atnoon, beautiful girls are carried in horse-drawncarriages through the streets, while in theevenings, the year’s top bullfights are held atSeville’s prestigious bullring. See www.feriadesevilla.andalunet.com.
2)What: Batalla delas flores/Las Crucesde Mayo/ Concursopopular de Patios/Feria de PrimaveraWhere: CordobaWhen: From 25April,throughoutMay
Spring in Cordoba consists of three maincelebrations: The May Crosses (29 April - 2 May), TheFestival of the Patios (4 -15 May) and the annualSpring fair (20 - 28 May).
5Flower-lovers would not want to miss theaesthetic treats of Cordoba in Spring. Startingwith the May Crosses festival, huge crossesdecorated with flowers are put up in courtyardsand squares and the neighbourhood associationsand local clubs set up a bar serving traditionaltapas and drinks to the visitors. TraditionalSevillanas music is played and dance shows areperformed by night. The crosses follow a streetparade called The Battle of the Flowers in whichfloats decorated with flowers are driven thoughthe city to welcome the coming of Spring. Thedistricts of San Basilio, San Andrés, SantaMarina, San Agustín and the city centre offer thebest visual treats.
The festival of the Patios follows in the sametheme, and Cordoba bursts into colour as floraldisplays are proudly shown all over the city,where locals compete to make their patios(traditional Andaluz courtyards) the mostpleasing to the eye. Cordoba’s annual SpringFair is the grand finale, with a fairground in ElArenal packed with women in gypsy dress,horses, and marquees for fino and music opento all visitors. For all events see www.turismodecordoba.org.
What: Feria del CaballoWhere: JerezWhen: 8 - 15 MayJerez hosts the most important and prestigiousequestrian event in Spain, where thousands ofvisitors f lock to see the incredible displays ofhorsemanship and Andalucian thoroughbreds. Shows include dressage, showjumping and
even dancing horses in the Como Bailan losCaballos Andaluces- definitely not to be missed!As usual, festivities are accompanied by muchmerriment, drinking of Sherry and f lamenco.See www.turismojerez.com. Also in Jerez is theannual motorbike grand prix, held from 1 - 3April. See www.moto-jerez.es. And not forgetting…Semana Santa in AndaluciaYou can’t mention Spring fiestas withoutmentioning the icing on the cake, Semana Santa(or Holy Week) itself, which this year falls on 17-24 April. Easter in Spain is a far cry from theBritish traditions of chocolate eggs and bunnies:it is an event that transforms every village, townand city across Spain. Whilst there is always areligious feel to any Semana Santa week, as usualit is also a great reason to throw a seven-dayparty. The biggest and best Easter celebrationsare held in Seville (see our special on Page 35)but there are plenty of other notablecelebrations on the Costa de la Luz. Cadiz itselfhold extravagant, spectacular processions, whileEl Puerto de Santa Maria (see Page 20), Jerez,Arcos, Sanlucar and Chiclana are also famed forthe scale of the parties they hold at this specialtime of year.
Christ in various stages of his passion and theVirgin, can seem alien to any outsider visitingduring this time of year.
The traditions go back to centuries of brother-hood, with bits and pieces being added onthroughout the years.
The Cofradias or brotherhoods are clubs whosemain interests year-round, is to provide socialassistance to the community.
During the Semana Santa they take on the hoodand cloak and march in penitence. Originally theNazarenos were sinners who wanted to redeemthemselves of their sins, by walking for hourswithout food or water, while caning or whippingthemselves. The hood and cloak are worn to hidetheir identity as ‘’we are all the same in the eyesof God’’.
While the extreme demonstration of penitence,like caning or whipping, is no longer practiced,the march of penitence lasting at least 13 hours,sometimes barefoot, lives on.
Many of the visitors that come to witness thisevent are art lovers. Each brotherhood depictswith a f loat, either one of Christ’s sufferanceleading up to his crucifixion and later hisresurrection, or an allegory from the Bible.Later the Virgin follows, also exemplifyingdifferent stages of her grief and agony for herSon. These scenes are demonstrations of theskills and techniques of the sculptors,tapestriers, and gilders that devote themselvesto the spectacle that is Semana Santa.
Today Semana Santa has a more festive air aboutit. Sevillian families take this time to reunite,gathering in their red-clothed balconies,chatting and dining gaily while processions takeplace below them. The ́ hipper´ crowd flock thecity in their best attire, filling the bars andrestaurants to over-capacity, or battling it out forthe best spot on the street to watch theprocession go by.
Semana Santa is for the traditional and themodern. The young and the old. The religious,the artist, the historian. It is a living, breathingpiece of history, both perfectly preserved and yetevolving.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Sevillecan be somewhat overwhelming. Thecrowds choking the streets, the heat, andthe shocking scene of hundreds of maskedfigures carrying candles, accompanying
Semana Santa in SevilleGretelle Daffón
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Mark Bates comes from a family ofbuilders and architects, has 25yrsexperience in the trade, and was amember of the Federa.on of MasterBuilders for 10yrs. As a result, all of hisbuilding is done to UK specifica.ons whichmeans damp courses, visqueenmembranes in the floors to prevent waterseepage, stainless steel wall .es, cavitywalls and insula.ons if required. In shortall the standards you would expect froma UK built home.“I used UK Building Services to build a newroof. The prepara.on, workmanship andcommitment to the job were excellent, Iwould and already have recommendedthem to my friends” says J.Cox (Chiclana).“I now only use UK Building Services forboth small and bigger work because oftheir consistent thoroughness and highstandards of workmanship”.
A.Jones (Chiclana)If you have any ques.ons or would like anyfurthe informa.on regarding theseservices then call Mark on 633 344 280.
Extra room extension - before and after
All extensionshave dampcourses and
cavity wallswhichcan be insulated
Architect services andCAD drawingsalso available
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Don’t Move - ImproveTaylor Rose
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A KISS from the talented Taylor Rose collection - Keep It Simple SillyJust by changing the colour of your soft furnishings can lift your surroundings and your mood andwithout breaking the bank too. Take a look at these few tips from interior design expert Taylor Rose. One of the simplest ways to perk up the living room is to take out all those cushions and ornaments(you probably brought from the UK way back in 2005) and take a look at your sofa and chairs andsee what would suit from this season’s colour range.
9*No need to buy cushions if you can recoverthem in fabric (San Fernando Market has goodfabric stalls)*Match up coloured candles, 3 or 5 (alwaysodd numbers) eg 3 in lime and 2 amethyst andin staggered sizes and place on a plain glass orwooden tray *Shopping for candles – Casa (Spain’s answerto Habitat and good for knicky knacky knoos),El Corte Inglés, KA and Zara Home - checkthe web for their nearest outlet - an dtry thelocal bazaar shops too!* On your coffee or dining table, invest in apiece of glass ware, a vase or plate in the mostvibrant of the colours you have chosen – use itfor your candles or flowers*Try to buy all your new coloured things atone go, it´s not always easy to keep colours ‘inyour head’ and you may get home with a mis-match*Maybe a small rug in one of the colours tocomplement the cushions *Finally, and a good way to show off is a vasewith a single coloured flower from yourscheme - not always necessary to have bunches– flowers bring a room to life.Keep It Simple Silly
Time for a new kitchen?
Take a look at the kitchen you are using at themoment and think about what you like anddon't like about it. Are the appliances or storage spaces worn down? Do need a biggerspace for preparation? Do you like theatmosphere of your kitchen, but your equipment do not work properly anymore?
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Getting Started with Home ImprovementsHome improvements can help you turn yourhome into a nicer place to live and increase itsvalue in the long term. So whether you arebuilding a conservatory, converting your loft,making the place more energy efficient, or justgiving it a lick of paint get help from the manyprofessionals listed in this magazine
Do not forget to check your plumbing andelectricity. Ideally, you should do this before anyre-plastering is done. Most of the appliances inyour house are concentrated in the kitchen, soit is wise to check if the existing wiring in thearea has the ability to cope with the load duringbusy periods. Installing a new kitchen will be abreeze, as long as you carefully plan how to do itwith the help of professionals.
Prior to a discussion with a professional,however, it helps to have a pocket foldercontaining photos of kitchens you would like tohave. This will help them understand your needsand taste. Buy magazines, window shop or visitwebsites that offer kitchen and design productsto help you find out what is available in themarket and estimate how much your dreamkitchen will cost.
ExtensionsMany people choose to extend their home as analternative to moving, particularly in areas wherehouse prices are rising fast. Otherwise it mayjust be that you love where you live but needsome extra space. Whichever camp you fall into,remember that good planning is the key to asuccessful extension.
Initially, you need to think about the spaceyou’re hoping to create and what you want it tobe used for. You’ll need an architect to draw upplans for you and a good architect should be ableto make suggestions as to the best way tomaximise your extension and therefore yourinvestment. Once you’ve decided what you wantand your plans have been drawn, you’ll need to
11get the plans passed by your local planningauthority and building control department. Mostarchitects will help with this part of the process,but if in any doubt at all, do call your localayuntamieno
Importantly, you’ll need to find a buildingcompany that will build your extension within atimescale you’re happy with and at a cost you canafford. Recommendations from friends andneighbours are often the best way to find a goodbuilder, but make sure you also fully researchyour builder’s credentials.
Remember:Plan your extension properly. Employ anarchitect and ensure you have fulfilled all thelegal requirements of your local authority beforethe builders start. Do your research – make sure any tradesmenyou employ have the correct credentials for thejob they’re doing. Plan your finances and bear in mind that costsfor large scale projects sometimes exceedoriginal budget expectations.
It’s worth keeping some money to one side incase this happens, in most cases a 10%contingency should cover this. Remember, any building work on your home canbe stressful, inconvenient and dirty – beprepared!
You’ll need to decorate and furnish the new partof your house once it’s built, so make sure youhave enough in the budget to cover this.
Here’s a nice example of how you can turn your porch area into an extra room and in thiscase gain a nice sitting area alongside.All workdone by the company Painting & Refurbishment
Property Sectionby CadizCasa
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Q: This is from Angela and Toby “we rented aholiday apartment through an advert on theinternet in Vejer de la Frontera. When we arrivedthe apartment we were shown was not the same oneas we had seen on the internet and the furniturewas not as nice. We pointed this out and were toldthat they do not allocate apartments specifically,you just have to take the one that is available whenyou arrive. Is this the case in Spain”A:This is certainly not the case in Spain and it soundsto me like these people are taking liberties. If youbook a specific apartment then that is theapartment you should get. The only time anotherproperty should be substituted is when there is aproblem like a leaking boiler where the apartmentyou booked is not suitable for use. However, youshould have been informed of this prior to yourarrival and offered a refund if you do not want thenew apartment. If properties are advertised withreference numbers then always give the referencenumber in any correspondence or emails to ensurethat you have written proof of the agreed property.Q:This is from Monique “We rented a villa with apool for our holidays last year, when we arrived wewere told that the pool could not be used as thepump was broken. They said it had just happenedbut the water looked very green so we think it hadbeen that way for some time. We asked for a partrefund as the pool was a very important part ofour reasons for booking but they said it was nottheir fault and we were not entitled to a refund isthat correct”
A: It may not be the fault of the property ownerthat the pool is not usable when you are visiting butit is their responsibility to inform you if there is aproblem before you arrive. From the sound ofthings I think you are right and the pump had notbeen working for some time. In this situation wewould offer a part refund to make up for the loss ofthis facility if the clients were still happy to stay inthat house.
Q: Mark says “My wife and I booked a holidayhome on the Costa de la Luz and on the second dayafter our arrival the hot water failed. We have 2small children so it was a problem for us. I only hadthe number of the lady who showed us in to thehouse but she said she could not help us as theowner lived in the UK and she had no authority todeal with the situation. We spent a very miserableweek having to shower ourselves and bath thechildren at the local pool complex. What shouldwe have done in this situation”?
A: Well Mark living in the UK does not devoid youof your responsibilities to your guests. If the ownercannot be present while their property is onrental then they have to make alternativearrangements through a local managementcompany. You are entitled to a point of contact inthe country you are staying in who can deal withsituations of this nature. We give all our clients thename of our member of staff who will beresponsible for assisting them during their stayand if they need anything all they have to do iscall.
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Property sales and rentals Suenoandaluz has been selling and renting property throughout the region for over 6years and have developed a reputation for honest and correct advice. Whether it’sshort holiday rental or long term residential rentals, Suenoandaluz have managed tohelp many customers fulfill their wishes Property management Coupled with the rental properties on our portfolio we able to offer full propertymanagement, covering all aspects of a property, keeping it in a presentable andfunctional order for paying guests or owners alike. Garden maintenanceOur regular maintenance plans allow the flexibility to maintain your property on aeconomic basis, or supply the man power and tools to give that once a year springclean to bring it back to a manageable level. We also include a garden waste removalservice to the nearest recycling centers in your area.Building project works Our resources also offer small build projects, whether an enclosed sun terrace for thatextra room or wall parameter building to assist in protecting your propertySwimming Pool Maintenance and CleaningConstant maintenance is needed to keep your pool maintained to a safe andenjoyable standard. We offer various services in this field from pool cleaning andgrouting, to regular cleaning and chemical checking services throughout the season.
If you are contemplating purchasing a property, do not leave your commonsensebehind and make sure that you are buying a well built property or at leastyou are aware of its deSciencies.
Many Spanish properties have been built illegally but later legalised by the authorities. Qese have been built without any control or adherence to thecodes of practice at the time. Many problems are hidden at the time of sale,having been tidied up during the long periods of good weather and only becomevisible when adverse weather happens.
Many problems arise through lack ofwater control and poor quality materialsand workmanship.
In the UK a survey is nearly always carried out before a purchase, in Spain for somereason this is rare and a big risk for the purchaser.
So to be sure it makes sense to have a survey carried out. If you employ us you willgain the beneSt of many years of experience of a chartered structural engineer including years of dealing with Spnaish properties. A detailed report for a Sxed feedepending on the property size will be provided.
Call for a no obligation quotation on 617 458 977
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Are you fed up with low voltage/poor qualityelectricity or frequent power cuts? Is yourelectric bill eating up more and more ofyour income? Try one of our invertor/bat-tery systems. These will give you highquality electricity and provide a back-up forthose power failures protecting yoursensitive electronic equipment andvaluable household appliances and givingyou power when your neighbours havenone.
AndJlower your electric bill!! These high quality systems start at just over 4,000 eurosand go up depending on the desired storage capacity. Need a full solar electric system?Our advanced sun tracker can increase efficiency by as much as 70%, reducing thenumber of panels needed and the initial investment. Our Outback inverters and voltageregulators have self-contained, multi-stage chargers which can extend battery life outto as much as 10 years. We have more than 30 years in the alternative energybusiness. We offer the most efficient, modern technology and equipment in themarket today at competitive prices and superior personal service. We live on solarpower in Chiclana; come see our system and learn how it works and what life on solarpower is like. Or, for a no-obligation survey and estimate, contact Bob Hamilton at 678 511 087
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Sun, Sea and Sand FiltersIf you own a pool you probably have themost common method of keeping yourwater clear, a sand filter. Your sand filteris the large, round vessel situated next tothe pump. The media contained in thefilter strains the impuri.es from thewater as the water passes through. Thesand filter uses a mul.port valve to direct the water through the filter or outto backwash. In filter posi.on, the wateris directed over the top of the sand bedand, as the water flows down throughthe sand, the sharp edges of the sandcatch the par.cles in the water. Theclean water is pushed out of the filterthrough the bo/om lateral assembly.The laterals are in the shape of a wagonwheel, with .ny holes, to allow the cleanwater back to the pool and the sand anddirt to stay in the filter.
Filter sand some.mes referred to as silexhas a finite life. We are o�en asked howo�en you should change the sand inyour filter. We would recommend changing the sand, on average every fiveyears. While we have seen filters go 20years or more without changing the sandand s.ll do the job, they are not as efficient as they should be. Filter sandhas been ground to a size of .45 to .55mm in diameter and is very rough whennew. This roughness is what makes thesand efficient at filtering out the par.cles of dirt in your pool water. Asthis roughness is smoothed out - as stones in a stream wear smooth over.me - your filter's efficiency goes down.
This means that your system has to runmore frequently to accomplish the sametask.
Also, this can increase the amount of sani.zer used, thereby increasing yourchemical costs. As the sand ages, it maystart to clump and the water flow canform channels in the sand, allowing thedebris to pass through, channelling. Inaddi.on we have found that a�er fiveyears, your sand has worn enough toallow dirt to penetrate so deep that normal backwashing doesn't clean itcompletely. The result is shorter filtercycles which requires more frequentbackwashing. If you would like a freeinspec.on visit to see if your filtra.onsystem is working at its best please contact us - email, [email protected] You can ring us Billie 658382237. Isabel 687554335. www.clearskyholidayhomes.com
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THERMOAQUA wishes you a very happy Springtime!
In our shop in El Colorado (Conil) you will find abrand new SHOW ROOM with all ourproducts and MUCH MORE:
- HEATING SYSTEMS: big variety of boilers, radiators, PELLET STOVES, underfloor heating& accessories- SOLAR ENERGY: all panel sizes and tank capacities – for hot water only, heating and/orPOOL HEATING- POOLS: everything you need for your pool!Pumps, filtering systems, chemicals, accessories& POOL COVERS! - WATER TREATMENT: water analysis, softeners, filters – clean & healthy water!- PLUMBING: tubes and pipes – from your wellto your taps and to the pit!
All installation jobs done by our experiencedprofessional team!
Come and visit us or ask for aFREE QUOTATION!
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We are one of the longest established, multi lingual, fully registered estate agents on theCosta de La Luz.
We provide a fully comprehensivesales, lettings and managementservice. Call us today to discussyour requirements!
All our properties have independenttitle deeds and are mortgageable(subject to bank and client status).Hundreds of dream villas,appartments, townhouses, andplots.
to suit all budgets and tastes, pricesreduced by up to 50%
A professional, friendly and honestservice.
95% of our clients have or wouldhave recommended us to their fa-mily and friends
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Discover: El Puerto de Santa Maria
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The town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, 10kilometres from Cadiz, is best-known forbeing the third town in the ‘Sherry Triangle’,also comprising of Jerez and Sanlucar.
It was also the port from which Colombussailed on his second voyage to the Americas:El Puerto came to prominence in the 18thCentury as a place where seeds were broughtfrom the New World.
This made the town very prosperous and it became known as the cuidad de los cien palacios,the city of the hundred palaces. Indeed, in addition to its many Majestic casas grandes, El Puerto de Santa Maria also boasts a medievalcastle, many splendid churches, and Spain’s mostprestigious bullring after Madrid and Seville.Much of the town is very pretty and picturesque:traditionally Andalucian, with white-walledstreets and flowers tumbling from windowledges.
Bodegas Like Jerez, El Puerto de Santa Maria has manybodegas open to the public, the most famous ofwhich are Osborne and Terry. Both of these,named after Irish merchants who settled here,export sherry and brandy worldwide. In the cellars of El Puerto, the dry, pale sherry knownas Fino, along with Muscatel and Oloroso, areproduced using traditional methods..
The Osborne bodega offers daily tours at10.30am. You can book by calling 956869100,or ask for more information in the tourist officeBeachesEl Puerto de Santa Maria is also home to severalclean and attractive beaches, the best of which areVistahermosa, Valdelagrana, and La Puntilla.Valdelagrana and La Puntilla are said to be thebest of the bunch, but in the summer months theycan become very crowded, and if you don’t caremuch for lively bars and discos you should avoidPuntilla and Valdelagrana in favour of Playa SantaCatalina, a little further west.
Plaza de TorosEl Peurto de Santa Maria
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In July and August there are evening boat tripsaround the bay. They begin at 9.45am, last for 90minutes and cost five euros. All details can be givenby the tourist office, which also produces a handymap of the town, all its palacios and other key attractions. Eating and DrinkingEl Puerto de Santa Maria also has some of the bestseafood restaurants on the Costa de la Luz, Apartfrom the bars lining the beaches of Puntilla andValdelagrana, many of the best tapas and seafoodbars can be found on the Ribera del Marisco, astreet upstream from the ferry dock near to thePlaza de la Herrería. Try Restuarant Andaluz inAvda. Michaela Aramburu - fabulous local fayre!Ferias and FiestasEl Puerto de Santa Maria is quite lively and is hometo many fiestas and ferias. The ones worth notingare the Feria de Primavera, held on the fifth orsixth week after Easter, and the Feria del Vino inmid-May. This sees 180 thousand bottles of sherrydrunk in four days, complemented by peopledancing Sevillanas in the street. Semana Santa inEl Puerto is as lively as any Spanish town, with processions daily from Palm Sunday to EasterSunday, and like other towns on the costas, thetown also celebrates the Hogueras de San Juan onJune 23rd with midsummer bonfires and fireworks on the beaches.
Finally, on 16 July El Puerto celebrates the Dia dela virgen del Carmen, a patron saint whose statueis taken from the church, carried into the sea onboard a fishing boat, and paraded around the town.
Things to see - Churches, Monasteries, Museums and more:•El Puerto’s plaza de toros dates back to 1880 andseats 15 thousand people. •Iglesia Mayor Prioral, a baroque and gothicchurch dating back to the 13th century.•Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1364 over theremains of a 10th century mosque.•Casa de la Marquesa de Candia- showing ar-chaeological finds from the local area, and artwork.•Fundacion Rafael Alberti (www.rafaelalberti.es)which is a museum dedicated to El Puerto’s artistand poet, friend and associate to other Spanishgreats such as Lorca and Picasso. •Monastery of the Victory (early 16th century•Hermitage of Santa Clara (16th-18th century)
Casas de Palacios:•Palace of Aranibar•Palace of Almirante Valdivieso•Palace of Imblusqueta•Palace of Marqués de Villarreal y Purullena
•Casa Vizarrón (Casa de las cadenas)
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GRUPO PACC is a nationwide insurance broker with offices all over Spain. Qere are two offices the province of Cadiz, one in Jerez and the other one in El Puertode Santa María. We also have an agent in Chiclana.
We have bilingual employees, ENGLISH and GERMAN, to give personal and directservice for EXPATS.
We are UNE ISO 9001 2000 CertiSed and registered with Qe General Directorate ofInsurance in Spain (Dirección General de Seguros de España) registration number J340. Why choose a broker instead of an agent? Well, By law agents work exclusively with oneinsurance company which limits their scope, whereas a broker (correduría de seguros) canoffer you quotes from a number of different insurance companies which gives them theopportunity to offer you the best option for each case.
We have speciSc products tailored to expat clients' needs, a range of products availablein English and German: • Motor insurance• Home• Accidents• Communities, Golf, Boats, Business, Life, .....• Funeral policies
Special terms and guarantees and Texible underwriting, including “All Risk” in homepolicies.Liability in home policy up to 1.000.000€Car insurance, all models and values, even with a foreign number platesCar insurance no claims discounts of up to 65% Claim Credit (protection of no claims bonus for the Srst accident) Key-Facts adapted to British law and English speaking experts.Customer service in English and German for travel assistance and home assistance.
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CADIZ TO EL PUERTO DESANTA MARIA FERRY(Timetables opposite)
If you fancy something a little bitdifferent to while away a few hoursthis Springtime then why not takea ferry from Cadiz to El Puerto deSanto Maria and back. Whilst ondry land you can shop, have a longrelaxing lunch or do some sight-seeing in these beautiful cities,and what better way to avoid thetraffic than by making the journeyacross the delightful bay of Cadizand see the scenery from a diffe-rent point of view. It’s cheap, funand makes a nice change!
It’s a Dog’s Life Investigation into Animal Welfare in Spain
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Kira, a German Shepherd Puppy, is lying onmy sofa and staring up at me with the biggest,sweetest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. I’mcompletely in love with her, butunfortunately I rent my home and I’m notallowed pets. This is the third time I’verescued a dog that I am in no position to lookafter, but I don’t seem to be able to helpmyself.
I discovered her in a friend’s stable where shehad spent all her five months of life alone,whimpering, cold, and crying out for some loveand affection. I was told with a shrug of theshoulders that another friend of ours wasplanning on using her to guard his sheep andthat she’d soon be out of the dark, depressinghole. After some investigation, it latertranspired that she was ‘getting too old’ andsince the sheep hadn’t actually been purchasedyet, she would probably live alone in the stableforever and be replaced by a younger puppy in afew months. Before I knew what I was saying, I’doffered to take Kira home. I have now re-homedher, but many puppies aren’t so lucky.
I feel sad and angry sometimes as an expat inAndalucía that so many of my close Spanishfriends treat animals in a way that most Britswouldn’t dream of doing. Traditionally, dogsserve a purpose, nothing more or less: theyguard homes or fincas or they hunt, and are tiedup indefinitely as a consequence of their
practical, not emotional, role in life. When theyare too old, or otherwise useless to a man of thecampo, the poor animals are made redundantfrom work and usually abandoned without mercy
I was told by one friend that puppies in ourvillage are still systematically drowned in bags orbeaten over the head with a club at birth to avoidexpensive veterinary fees that would protectagainst unwanted preganancies. In Britain,killing puppies would (rightly) warrant blazingtabloid headlines, a torrent of hate mail and apossible prison sentence.
One of the most gruesome and shocking tales ofanimal cruelty here is the plight of the galgos, agreyhound breed used by many Spanish hunters.When the season is over and the dogs are nolonger needed, it is traditional to kill them. Thisis often carried out by a brutal hanging, and asOlga Fernandez-Flygare of KIMBA points out,‘It's an agonizing death and the hanging isintended to be long and painful. It is happeningright now, at the end of the hunting season.’
But it’s not just dogs that often have unfortunatelives. Stray cats are often seen as vermin, withpoison being used to rid villages of theirpresence, One reader, Julie Crowson, has beencampaigning on behalf of Rota’s street cats formost of the twenty years she has been living inthe area, and contacted Baywatch with herconcerns.
27‘Last year a tourist was bitten by a flea and and sothe harbour master decided to kill the 100 catswho live on the harbour,’ she explains. ’I startedpetitions, slept on the harbour and tried to finda way to get the cats neutered.’
Julie’s determination paid off and she eventuallyfound a local vet willing to neuter the cats. Butalthough this meant last winter 140 females wereneutered and subsequently only one litter wasborn, unfortunately the success was short-lived,and her contact cannot help Julie’s crusade thisyear.
‘I have sent out 80 emails for help and have onlyhad one reply,’ Julie says. ‘The local councilwash their hands of the problem because catsdon’t generate money for the town, and thesituation is desperate.’But Marjorie Bedford of charity ADANA thinkswe need to look at the problem of animal mis-treatment from a historical and culturalperspective.
‘I think that we sometimes forget, or don't evenrealise how pampered we can be living in orcoming from Britain and that even in modernEurope things can be very different,’ she says.
certainly, many people I spoke to regardingcruelty in Spain cited tradition as a key factor inthe treatment of animals. Many local ferias andfiestas involve an element of animal cruelty,especially towards bulls, while in thecountryside donkeys’ feet are tied together withrope so tight that they no longer have any hairaround their ankles and the skin is very red andpainfully sore. In January, Refugio de Fuente deAntequera Donkey Sanctuary reported a 30%increase in abandoned mules, while the manager of the smaller sanctuary in Nerja saidhis shelter was receiving calls from farmersthreatening to put their animals down if theywere not taken in.
But it’s important to note that Andalucia isSpain’s poorest region and many people still liveentirely from the fat of the land. Clearly in mostcases, treatment of animals is more a question offinance than a case of over-simplified ingrainedcultural cruelty. Unfortunately donkeys are oftenthe first thing to go if a struggling farmer facingsignificantly reduced payment for castanas,olives and other produce can no longer survivethe costs of feeding a once-essential workinganimal.
However, integration and education can be auseful tool. In my village a British friendsuccessfully persuaded a mutual Spanish friendto allow his horses to run free, rather than beingtethered in a 350 hectare plain that they had noway of escaping from. As a result, a few otherneighbours followed suit, and now at least 20horses have been saved from a miserable life.
28Talking about animal rights to Spanish friends
is, I have found, a great way of campaigning veryeffectively; although it goes without saying thatas expats, we need to be respectful andunderstanding of the culture we have chosen tobe part of. Consider, for example, that while theRSPCA was set up in 1824, the first NGO foranimal welfare here in Spain was founded in1976. Without a doubt, Spain is a late starter,but nevertheless things seem to be slowlychanging for the better. Last year Catalunabanned bullfighting, and earlier this year the‘sport’ was also banned from TV. According toEddie Taylor of ADANA, ‘We now have moreSpanish visiting the kennels than we used to andtheir attitudes have changed considerably overthe 20 years I have been here. More often nowit is the Spanish that are denouncing people thatmistreat animals.’
Eddie’s experience is reflected in a recentsurvey, which showed that 98% of Spaniardsbelieve you should go to prison if you abuse ananimal. The sad fact is, quite often it is the ex-pats that are adding to the number of abandonedcats and dogs in Spain. Many animal charities onthe Costa del Sol report that the recession isforcing some Brits to give up their Spanishdream, and also, in many cases, their pets.According to Mary Page, vice-president ofADANA. ‘Sadly, many British people in Spainhave a poor attitude to animal welfare and regardtheir unwanted pets as items to be handed overto shelters or abandoned when circumstanceschange for them - when money is tight orunemployment occurs.’
And Peggy Klain, a long-term volunteer withRAWL and Siempre Contigo Protectora, agreesthat we cannot simply point the finger at theSpaniardswithout acknowledging the wonderfulwork they do. ‘I know so many wonderful,loving and involved Spanish people that worklong hours in the name of animal rights and res-cue,’ she says. ‘The people at Siempre ContigoProtectora and KIMBA are incredible. They tryso hard without proper funds, only donations.’
Despite the fact that animal charities herereceive little or no financial support from localand national government, the number ofSpanish-based animal charities is increasing,and more financial donations are f looding infrom Spaniards themselves.
Luckily, the younger generation of Andaluzestend to have the same attitude as the majority ofwe animal-loving Brits.
Beloved pets usually live in the house and aretreated as part of the family rather than tools, anddogs are increasingly sought in rescue centresrather than from a breeder, recognising the factthat so many are already in need of homes.
As Mary Page puts it, ‘A real change can only beachieved through education, and progress isbeing made in this respect. The chief hope for amore humane attitude will come from the moreenlightened younger generation. Change willcome but we need to expedite it!’
29If you would like more information on any ofthe animal charities in your area, or if you canhelp reader Julie Crowson find a neuteringproject, please contact us and we will put youin touch: [email protected]
We also had an email from a reader who told usthe tragic story of a dog knocked down in Pagoel Humo who desperately needs veterinarytreatment. If anyone wants to know more orcan help, please contact Michelle at: [email protected].
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CLINICAS VETERINARIASAVILA
We have an excellent team of veterinarians, auxiliary and biologists,divided between our three centres:
•Chiclana: Fernando Magallanes,17.Phone 24hrs: 956 402972.•Puerto Real: Ctra. Medina Km 1,5.Phone: 956 804543 & 24hrs: 956870717.•Puerto Santa Maria: Plaza de la Espe-ranza,1. Phone 24 hrs: 956 870717.Also we can advise on preventive medicine and internal medicine. Wehave a wide range of specialities foryour pet: exotic animals, ethology, cardiology, geriatrics, neurology, reproduction, and ophthalmology.
Our Veterinaries have Emergency Services 24 hours a day every day of theyear. We have a fully equipped Laboratory room ready to do tests in minutes. Also we have all the necessarydiagnostic equipment, ultrasound, radiology and electrocardiogram.Fully equipped operating rooms wherewe perform all types of soft tissue surgeries such as sterilization, biopsy,mouth cleaning, and trauma surgery &ophthalmology specialties. Qe centresprovide hospitalization and intensive careunit.
We have everything your best friend mayneed, and most importantly, the personalised attention that your pet deserves.
Health, Beauty & Fitness Digestion Special: Getting to the Guts of itKirsty Davies, nutrition guru
Our bodies are talking to us all the time - and formost, none more loudly so than our stomachsand digestive systems. With our digestive systembeing so interactive, responsive, and central toour physical and mental wellbeing, it seems surprising to me that we know so little aboutwhat it is trying to tell us. The discomforts of indigestion are so commonin today’s society that indigestion is almost considered normal.
The fact that over two billion dollars per year arespent on antacids is proof of this. But rather thanusing drugs to suppress the symptoms of indigestion, wouldn’t it be wiser to learn how tounderstand what they mean and how we can tackle the root causes?
Knowledge about 'Food combining' is a basiccomponent of optimal nutrition. It makes thingseasier for the body to digest and utilize the nutrients in our foods to their full extent.
The principles of food combining are dictatedby digestive chemistry. Different foods are digested differently... • Starchy foods (carbohydrates) require an alkaline for digestion. This is called ptyalin andproduced in the mouth)• Protein foods require an acid for digestion (inthis case, hydrochloric acid, also produced bythe body)
Three Basic Rules of Food Combining 1. Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods atseparate meals. 2. Neutral food can be eaten with either proteinor carbohydrates.3. Don’t eat more than one kind of protein foodat a meal. 4. It is recommended that you don’t drink (evenwater!) with a meal, as it can debilitate the body’s digestive juices.Food combining can be a daunting area whenyou first look into it, but one way to find outwhat is right for yourself is to experiment. Try it and see how you feel. Listen to your body.What works for one person may not work foranother person. Overall, food combining is a lifestyle, not a diet. You can eat pretty mucheverything, just eat smarter!
Basic Food Types A. ProteinAlmonds, Cashew nuts, Hazel nuts, Hickorynuts, Lentils, Peanuts, Gooseberry, Avocados,Pecans, Pine nuts, Pistachio nuts, Soy beans,Walnuts, Sunflower seeds, Coconuts.
B. Starches (carbohydrates)Artichoke, Bean (lima)*, Beets, Chestnut, Carrots, Corn, Hubbard squash, Jerusalem artichoke, Peanuts*, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin,Yam (* Peanuts, lentils, beans, and all cereals areconsidered as protein and starch combinations).
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32D. FruitShould always be eaten on an empty stomach,and with nothing else.
C. NeutralBamboo shoots, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Romaine, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard,Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi,Lettuce: Boston, Bibb, Leaf, Romaine, etc.,Okra, Parsnip, Pepper (sweet), Rutabaga, Sorrel, Sprouts: Mung bean, alfalfa, wheat, barley, etc., Squash (ex. starchy), Turnip.
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For all advertising enquiries call Sales on 856 101 803 or
697 552 936EMail:
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Barefoot & Beau�ful is a brand new FootSpa & Nail Salon coming soon to Chiclana.The salon will be offering a unique pedicureand manicure experience using Grarra RufaFish. These fish were first discovered inTurkey in the 1800´s, and are fast becomingthe most popular way to rid your feet ofproblem areas. There will be a double spawith two separate tanks, which are filtratedand hygienically monitored to ensure yoursafety. Client’s feet are placed into warm waterthen the fish go about their natural businessof exfolia.ng the dead skin, leaving itfeeling so�. Healthy skin is le� untouched.The treatment is totally painless as the fishare just sucking which s.mulates and boostscircula.on. This treatment is a must foranyone with skin problems such as eczemaor psoriasis.The new salon will be situatedin Los Gallos next
to Monopoly and will be open in April. Theowner Lisa Clark, a professional nailtechnician and beauty therapist, is alreadywell known in the Chiclana area and shesees this new venture as an exci.ngextension to her already successfulbusiness. “Foot spas are extremely popular in the UKand the rest of Europe and now I ambringing them here to Chiclana” says Lisa.Also on offer in the salon will be a widerange of nail treatments including: Crea.vemanicures and pedicures, Crea.ve acrylicnail extensions and overlays, Bio sculpturegel nails on fingers or toes and the new andexci.ng minx nail coverings.If you need any informa.on about the footspa or any other treatment, please don´thesitate to contact Lisa by phone, email:[email protected] or visit:www.baywatchonline.org
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News Round Up Cadiz & Andalucia
NationalGood news for illegal homeownersThe British Embassy has welcomed aforthcoming decree that would enablethousands of illegal property owners acrossAndalucia to request regularisation of theirproperty through their town hall, and to beissued with a licence of first occupation. BritishAmbassador to Spain, Giles Paxman said: “Thisis a real step forward. The announcement willbring relief and hope to many people whose liveshave been blighted by property and planningirregularities.” For more info please visitwww.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk.EU takes Spain to court over its refusal to giveexpat pensioners free healthcareThe European Commission has accused Spainof discrimination against pensioners fromNorthern Europe amid controversy that manyretired expats are currently denied freehealthcare. Under EU law, pensioners living inSpain should be allowed to use their EuropeanHealth Insurance Card to receive healthcareunder the same conditions as Spaniards. But theSpanish health ministry claim that because thecard does not specify whether or not anindividual is a pensioner, they have the right todeny free medication. The case will be taken tothe European Court of Justice.Spanish air traffic controllers to strike fromApril to AugustSpanish unions are threatening a series ofsummer strikes to protest against privatisationby airport operator AENA.
Spain’s tourist industry fears a ‘black summer’after 22 strike dates were released. These are:• April 20, 21, 24, 25 and 30• May 2, 14, 15, 19 and 20• June 13, 23 and 30• July 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31• August 1, 15 and 31Unions claimed they had tried to negotiate withAENA but did not receive a reply, but after theirstrike announcement AENA called for a meetingto discuss negotiations. We will keep readersupdated. National Animal Welfare Day March 25thThe first Nationwide Rally against Animal Abuseis being organized by a Spanish pressure groupfor March 25 all over the country. For thisunprecedented event to be successful, it isessential that all associations, charities, no-killshelters and individuals struggling to changeSpanish laws on the subject participate. Readersare asked to visit www.noalmaltratoanimal.organd follow instructions to help in changing thefuture of animal welfare in Spain. Please also seeour special feature on this subject on Page 26.Community and Cadiz ProvinceGlenn Hoddle Academy cuts ties with JerezindustrialThe former England manager has severed hisrelationship with the Cadiz province club in arow over money. Hoddle lent 150,000 euros tothe third division Spanish team last July but hasnow pulled his players from the team after theyfailed to pay the money back.
Food & Wine - La PampaArgentine Restaurant
Chiclana
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Argentina is one of the high qualitymeat producers in the world. Theirmeat has an unique flavour due to theright balance in nutrients. Parrilla LaPampa imports their meats directlyfrom Argentina. This makes Parrilla Lapampa a “must place”to visit if you loveArgentinian food.Parrilla La Pampa has traditional foodsfrom their “criolla cuisine”:Provoleta (melted cheese)Empanadillas(pastry with mince meat)And the typical Parrilladas (BBQ).Spanish Cochinillo (piglet) Cordero(lamb)Together with home made pasta like“spaghetti” & “canelones”, various salads, omelettes and fish.
At dessert time, indulge in “dulce deleche” (toffee caramel), pancakes &puddings. The Restaurants are cosyand homely and make the right choicefor you to spend an evening withfriends, on any occasion.10% discountwith all reservations. (Please mentionBaywatch when you do your bookings)TASTE, FEEL AND BREATHE ARGENTINA...
Food & Wine - Recipe of the Month fromDi at Los Castaños
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Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breast withHerby Couscous and other delicious accompaniments
An essential ingredient for this incredibly simple but wonderfully succulent dish is Ras ElHanout - a blend of spices used a great deal inMorocco. Spicy not picante! You can make yourown and I give a list of ingredients below**
The Chicken:1 chicken breast per personOlive oilRas El Hanout
For each chicken breast mix a tablespoon of thespice with about 3 tablespoons of oil. Slice thechicken diagonally and marinade in the spicedoil for several hours at least.
Heat a griddle pan and lightly sauté each piece ofchicken until it is golden brown. Serve immediately.
The CouscousHere is Spain we can only get instant couscouswhich is fine - it's simple and fool proof.
Make the couscous according the the packet directions. When you fluff it up after the soaking period add the following:•chopped black olives•chopped herbs: parsley, cilantro, mint, basil •lemon zest and juice of half a lemon•salt and pepper•olive oilCan be prepared in advance and microwaved.
The Vegetables This dish goes excellently with simple steamedleeks, carrots and courgettes.
Once on the plate, dress them with a hot blendof butter, honey, cumin, lemon juice and garlic
Two SaucesTwo sauces are de rigueur these days so -
Minty yogurt - mix thick Greek natural yogurtwith a touch of mint sauce
Harissa - this is readily available and adds a realkick!
Que aproveche!
WineThis is a hearty dish with big flavours and ourguests have enjoyed it with a red wine from theRonda area: Chinchilla Seis y Seis which is amixture of Tempranillo and Syrah grapes with6 months in French oak. It is strong and richwine that complements the strong and richflavours of the plate. **Ras El Hanout1 teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon ground gingerI teaspoon turmeic1 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
381/2 teaspoon cayenne1/2 teaspoon ground allspice1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon ground cloves www.loscastanos.com Cartajima, AndaluciaTel: +34 952180778Fax: +34 951160236
Are you looking for a very enjoyable way tospend a couple of hours? Would you like somewhere near to Chiclana to take yourfriends to experience the delights of sherryand Ene wine? Qen why not take a tour round this smallSpanish family run and owned business, theBodega Sanatorio between Chiclana and ElColorado on the N340?
Qis quintessential, inviting and very friendlyBodega is delighted to receive visitors to tourits sherry making distillery and then taste thesuperb range of wines they have for sale.Complimentary wine tasting is encouraged toenable you to try before you buy, and believeme there are some fabulous varieties to try.Whether your palette favours dry or sweetwines, there is something for everyone.Afteryou have looked around, why not enjoy a relaxing drink and tapas in the reception areaamongst the many special offers the Bodegahas on show.
Qe local tapa delicacies include Butifarra,Chicharron, Morcilla, Lomo and Quesoamongst others. Qe Bodega is open everyday including Saturdays and Sundays andPublic Holidays. Qe opening times are as follows:Mornings from 9am until 3pmAfternoons from 5pm until 8pmFestivals 10am until 3pmFor groups of 12 or more personx call 956 400 756 - otherwise just pop in whenopen, you’ll be pleased you did.iinnffoo@@bbooddeeggaassaannaattoorriioo..ccoomm
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Now if you are a fan of pizza then this is arestaurant you must visit.
As you walk through the door youinstinctively know that you have made agood choice. Qere is a warm and cheeryambience to the place enhanced by thefriendliness of the owners Antonia &Lorenzo and their staff. Now, the heart ofany good pizza restaurant is a genuinestone pizza oven and the skill of the chef isto turn out authentic, freshly made anddelicious pizzas. Well there is no need toworry on either score here as this chefmakes some of the best pizzas we haveever tasted in his wood Sred oven.
Don’t worry if you’re not a pizza fan asfresh salads and pasta dishes are alsoavailable on this extensive menu
However the pizzas are deSnitely the starsof the show with a fabulous variety tochoose from. Good, reasonably priced wineto accompany your meal and deliciousdesserts to Snish - fantastic! So the nexttime that you are in El Colorado andfeeling hungry, go on, pop in and give it atry. It certainly won’t break the bank!
Normallly La Artesana is open weekdaysfrom 7.30pm -12.00mn and at weekends1.30pm - 4.00pm and then 8pm -12.00mn. Closed on Tuesdays. Qeowners are especially keen to welcomegroups for celebrations, especially partiesduring the week and will open atlunchtimes for you if you wish. LaPizzeria Artesana is situated on the mainN340 in El Colorado, alongside, andslightly behind, the Venta Andaluz - youcan’t miss it.
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Hotel Getaways: Los Castaños, Cartajima, Malaga Province
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‘I wanted to create something extremelybeautiful and luxurious,’ proprietor Di Beachtells me. ‘You look out from this charming placeto see rough and rugged mountains and houseswith tumbledown walls.
It looks poor, and the road is difficult, then thevalley opens up. It’s the contrast between theluxury of the hotel and the traditional lifestyle ofthe village that I love. Some people have anepiphanic moment when they come here.’
Cartajima is one of seven villages making up thepicturesque Serrania de Ronda; the area southof Ronda where pine, chestnut, cork, oak,almond and olive trees cling to the steep forestedmountains of the Genal Valley, dotted with themost beautiful of the pueblos blancos.
In Autumn, Cartajima (population 300) is abeautiful riot of colour, as the castaños(the chestnut trees after which the hotel isnamed) come to fruit and the valley becomes ablaze of golds and oranges. Chestnuts areharvested in October and November, providingan excuse (along with Autumn’s annual Cata deMosto festival which shouldn’t be missed) formuch local merriment.
The HotelAll rooms at Los Castaños are en-suite and boasta king sized bed and balcony. Di bought thebuilding 10 years ago and has been open foreight, after two years painstakingly rebuildingand redecorating the hotel to its lavish, five starMoroccan style.
42Di lived in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in
the 1970’s, which at that time was a small andvery traditional fishing village, and then spentyears yachting around the world on a boat shehad built with her ex partner, raising twochildren, studying anthropology as a maturestudent and finally putting down roots in SanFrancisco. ‘But after 13 years in the States, Iknew I wanted to be back in Andalucia, the placewhere I’d left my heart.’ Di explains. ‘I’d alreadyconceived the idea of running a hotel,’ she says.‘But this isn’t a money-making venture, it’s alifestyle: my own personal stage.’
After four months of looking for the perfectlocation (Estepona had by this point become ahaven for expats and in Di’s view had lost muchof its charm), Di noticed she had overlooked thewhite villages south of Ronda, and immediatelyknew she had found the right place when shefirst arrived in Cartajima. ‘I had several criteriato meet’, She explains. ‘To be the first foreignerin a village; to be in a traditional and challengingplace, to be within easy reach of both the coastand a large town, and to have gorgeous scenery.’Di runs the hotel with her partner John, whomshe met when she was ten years old. She wasborn in England but had spent her childhood inCanada up until that point. ‘I was taken back toCheltenham,’ she explains. ‘But it wasn’t hometo me. John was in my class and he fell in lovewith me. He held my hand and made sure I wasok.’
Just four years ago, Di attended a school reunionand saw John for the first time since childhood.‘The spark was still there,’ she laughs, ‘so hecame to join me in Spain.’
Food and DrinkA typical meal at Los Castaños would beGambas al Ajillo followed by Moroccan Chickenand Couscous (see Di’s recipe on Page 37)followed by chocolate brownies. The winechoices, apart from a selection of Riojas, areRonda’s finest, one of which is also featured onPage 38).‘Food is very important and very interesting tome,’ says Di. ‘I love to cook and I love toexperiment. I try to blend North African flavourswith traditional food of Southern Spain.’ ‘When I first opened I wanted to sourceeverything locally,’ she explains. ‘I startedinvestigating local wine and back then I foundthere wasn’t much, but now there are 17vineyards around the Ronda area, two of whichare ecological and organic; the wines aresuperb.’One Baywatch reader, Ann Harding, contactedus to recommend Los Castaños. She went therewith husband Alan to ‘get away from it all’ andthoroughly enjoyed her stay.
‘Los Castaños proved to be the perfect place fora very relaxing week,’ Ann told us. ‘The hostessprovides a very substantial breakfast and cooksan evening meal by arrangement with her guests.The food is excellent and the hotel extremelycomfortable.’ For more information andbooking, please see www.loscastanos.com.
One day Emergency First Aid Training18 May 2011 at La Vista Medina Hotel,Medina Sidonia from 10.30 am to 4pm
Would you know what to do if your spouse,partner or friend had a heart attack andstopped breathing? No? Then read on.....First Aid Spain’s one day Emergency First Aidcourses are designed to be clear, simple,practical and enjoyable. Among the mainelements of the course will be how to ´Identifywhen and how to administer Cardio PulmonaryResuscitation (CPR) and ´First aid for the un-conscious casualty – the recovery position.´What to do in case of: *Heart Attack *Stroke*Choking *Bleeding *Injury *Burns *Epilepsy *Diabetes *Other topics as appropriate. All courses are directed by LyndaPudney RGN who is both medically qualified andalso holds appropriate teaching qualifications. If you would like to attend then contact Garyat the hotel, text or call (+34) 646 48 90 69.Email: [email protected] orsimply call (34) 956 42 00 69. The courseprice including La Vista de Medina lightlunch (menu del dia) is 49 €
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CAR BOOTS for animal charities Kimba andHappy Ending held in front of Casa Curro andAutoservicio Santa Ana (Marquesado Rd)10am- 2pm every Sunday. Wanted - articles in goodcondition Call Marguerita 617 099 706.Animales de Andaluz now in El Coloradobetween Hotel Antonio & the Pharmacy infront of Bonia Frutas 10am to 3pm on the
last Saturday of every month. Good articlesalways wanted for sale call Trudy 692 470 489Charity Quiz Monday nights at Domingo´sAGE CONCERN on11 April & 9 May and forHAPPY ENDING 25 April & 23 May. Pleasebook your meal 956 538 266 (See ad on P48)PLEASE NOTE the Golf Tournament for AGECONCERN atVilaNueva Golf was postponed(due to bad weather) to Saturday 16 April. Please contact Edwin Cherrey 691 486 985. Coach tript to Seville 12€Tuesday 12 Aprilin aid of Happy Ending. Departs at 08.15 SanAndres Golf or 08.30 Cadiz bus stop outsideMebles Barlac/Eroski. Call Sue 956 531 566.Restaurant Patria open lunctime over Easterfor their fantastic special buffets - Thursday,Friday, Saturday & Sunday 21 to 24 April, plusa la carte menu on Saturday evenings(see P48)RIGHT ROYAL KNEES UP - in aid of theAge Concern Project on Friday 29 April atCasa Blas, Pago del Humo See P38 for details.
COMMUNITY NEWSCarol on behalf of AECC local cancer charitywishes to thank the Azahar Costa, Kris Codyand Los Intocables for their support at theAECC dinner-dance, which raised 1966.50€.SAMMY IS MISSING 100€ reward for thewhereabouts of a beloved 18mth old black cat.Sammy has pointy ears and a red collar and waslast seen in Rana Verde, Chiclana beginning ofMarch. Please call Bob and Jean 625 184 225.BEN IS MISSINGWhite and brown cockerspaniel/labrador cross missing since the 12February in the woods at Novo Sancti Petri. Ifyou know the whereabouts of Ben please callsad and worried Matt or Helen 677 192 779.
What’s On43
Business DirectoryAdvertise in Baywatch to boostyour business now!Call Sales on 856 101 803 / 697 552 936 or Email: [email protected] Date for Issue June/July 2011 13 May 2011
Prices from as little as €6 per week/€48for 2 months
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Yes, it’s "What shall I get him/her for Easter?"time again! .Choccy Easter Eggs are all right,but they tend to melt in the heat here, flowersonly last a day or two and that's about it.. untilnow that is! Graffiti have come up with anothergreat gift idea .It won't melt, droop or otherwise become useless in a few days, in factit's a gift that will last virtually for ever. It's a fullcolour print of your favourite photo on qualitycanvas. It looks like an oil painting that has beendone by someone who can really paint! Graffitihave a really special Easter Offer for you - an A3print (420mm x 295mm - or nearly 17" x 12"in real money) for just 11.50€. What about thatfor value…it doesn't cost much more than acard, but means much more. Why not have yourspouse's favourite picture of him or her (or youboth). For the kids, there's a picture of themwith their cat, horse, dog or ferret. Yourboyfriend can have a full colour picture of himself throwing up after a night out….the possibilities for either a nice romantic gestureor a bit of a laugh are endless. Contact Lee at Graffiti and he'll sort it out foryou. Just provide a good resolution photo andhe'll do the rest. See the Graffiti ad for contactdetails.
Health &
Beauty
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Restaurants &Bars
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49
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STOP PRESSFOR SALE
1.9 Renault Scenic Megane dieselRegistered 1999
very good runner andin good condition
€1500.00Phone Alan670 429 406
BBOOOOSSTT YYOOUURR BBUUSSIINNEESSSSWWIITTHH
BBAAYYWWAATTCCHHFor all advertising enquiries call
Sales on 856 101 803 and 697 552 936 (Español)
Email: [email protected]
Knowledge of the electrical regulations and installationmethods is vital if you are going to do any job involvingelectricity here in Spain. Steve Harris has worked inSpain for over 8 years and has been dealing with a widerange of urgent and non-urgent domestic electrical pro-blems on a daily basis since moving here from the UK.
Steve has customers all over the Cadiz region, Jerez andas far as Estepona, is always prompt and efficient, givingexcellent service and good advice to his customers newand old. If you have any electrical problem, from men-ding a fuse to re-wiring your house, give Steve a call.Remember electricity is dangerous and if you don’t un-derstand the complexities of Spanish installations thendon’t meddle, it’s not worth it!
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