Autumn 2005  

Can't see the pictures and text? Try www.valle-de-lecrin.com/newsletters/vdl_news_autumn_2005.htm
 

The contents of our new, exciting and light-hearted letter are in no particular order, as follows:

• Property Update
   

• Granada Airport - How the no-frills flights are working
   

• Skiing news for the winter
   

• The Jazz Club at Alhendin – Grrreeeaat - A review
   

• Corpus Christi 2005 - Review of this years fiesta and celebrations
   

• Local Recording Artiste Manolo Fabajan -"Yo soy un hombre de la campo" – His latest release available here and reviewed by top Spanish DJ Tommi F
   

• Bullfighting - 'The Corrida in Perspective' by respected Torromaquia journalist 'Tobi Trantero'
   

• New - Our big prize Caption Competition - with rising local art-house photographer 'El Milnio'

Properties and Land – For Sale
Since our last newsletter in the spring we have sold out of properties to restore but still have land for sale in the Lecrin Valley with planning permission for new build houses with pools. Given the way residential property and land has escalated in price these plots really do represent great value for money. All are in stunning positions with views. Click here to review all of those sites.

Apologies to the half dozen or so people we had to disappoint on our Bermajales Cortijo project, we had to deal on a first come first served basis in the end but we are actively seeking a similar site in the same area as I write this piece.  We have two houses for sale in Jatar village 30 minutes from Granada airport, a 3-bedroom house with garage and roof-terrace fully restored to a high standard - £98,000 and a 5-bedroom to restore - £50,000.

The above photo shows the view from the roof-terrace of one of the properties.

Contact us on the usual numbers and e-mail below if you need any further details.
 

All is progressing well with flights coming daily from Luton, Stansted (Chav Central), Liverpool (minus hubcaps) and Gatwick. I took an early flight from Stansted wearing dreadfully cheap sportswear from Sports Soccer just to blend in with the rest of the passengers, including the pilot who was wearing a nylon basketball vest and, although the in-flight magazine was torn and I caught scabies from the seat fabric, I still thought the £36 a fair price.  Reports of early flights doing a bit of crop-spraying before leaving the UK are clearly overstating what was an isolated case.



The airport itself is well run and well presented with some limited but attractive retailing. Crown Car Hire are by far the cheapest at the airport and representatives meet you off the flight and drive you to a nearby compound - very slick and well priced.  Avis, Hertz etc although in the Airport building are very dear by comparison.
 

Following the success of last season in Europe’s most southerly resort, we look forward to another great season of skiing. With many new slopes opening in this expanding ski area we should be able to enjoy well over 100kms of runs this season.

As always avoid public holidays and weekends by contrast mid-week skiing is really quiet. The views from nearly 12,000 feet are stunning, although the air feels a bit thin at this altitude.

Take a full range of inhalers if you struggle in the breathing department or have ever smoked. Avoid cigars after a high altitude lunch...

For full and up-to-date skiing conditions, news and advice feel free to call at any point on the usual numbers.

01535 271184 or 07836 013970

Jazz Club, Alhendin
In the unusual setting of an old tobacco drying room the Sigadero Jazz Club presents an eclectic mix of Jazz styles many of them linked to the popular local flamenco music or with Latin nuances. Greeaat Jazz Club...

It has been known for local up-and-coming talent to 'do a turn'.  Shown here (below) is our very own Marco de la Puebla serenading one of many Spanish beauties who flock to see him.



Shows start late and are usually Thursday to Sunday.  Arrive at 11.30-ish for an evening to remember.  The club is a short drive from most of our properties.

This is the main festival in the religious calendar in Granada.  The fiesta is in late-May/early-June and is well worth a visit.  The festivities last a full week and are punctuated with parades, daily bullfights and night-long carousing in the open air at the main fiesta fair ground at Maracena.  We were privileged to be accompanied by local singing star Manolo Fabajan who gained us access to the best areas including the Alcalde (Mayor) of Granada’s party.



The highlight of our visit to the fiesta was to be introduced to International singing sensation Elsa Rios from Malaga.  We also saw Elsa’s show from close quarters and what a singer, truly superb. 

Local DJ, Tommi Fresno, 53, says of the new CD,  “It is suitable for all occasions.  I have played it on many occasions and it certainly gets the Spanish crowd tapping their feet and clapping their hands”.  Praise indeed...

 

Like it or loathe it the Corrida is part of Spanish heritage and is here to stay. There are 257 bull farms or Ganaderia in Spain producing the 26,000 bulls for the rings in every city or large town in Spain. Obviously if totally repulsed by this cross between ballet and a short shift in an abattoir give the Corrida a big swerve. On many occasions I have seen whole coach parties of tourists from northern Europe leave en-masse before the first bull has been despatched.



However if only mildly interested you should go at least once to observe what is a fascinating spectacle.

The current top Torero in the whole of Spain is David Fandilla, a.k.a. El Fandi.  He is from Granada and is a local hero to say the least.  Although few bulls survive the ritual of the fight many fighters suffer cornada or horn wounds for their art. 

Click here to see some more pictures of the man in action, but not if you're a bit squeamish...

Many of the top fighters have been injured in the last year including the David Beckham of the corrida, Rivera Ordonez, who is married to the Duchess of Alba. (I quite like the cut of the Duchess's jib and felt slightly jilted when Juan Fran Rivera Ordonez stepped in, a bit like when Charlotte Church started cavorting with Gavin Henson, heart breaking...), Jesulin de Ubrique, Enrique Ponce, El Juli and El Fandi himself.

Durcal has a bullfight for the fiesta de St Blas in late August, with a temporary bullring being erected for the purpose. Take a hat, the kids and a few drinks for a late afternoon that will be forever etched on your mind. Great value.

This article was written by local journalist Tobi Trantero, 52
 

Local art-house photographer ‘El Milnio’, 27, captured this image on Salobrena beach earlier this year while making a pebble sculpture with his son ‘El Milnio Menor’.



We invite the quick-witted amongst our readers to submit a suitably humorous or apposite caption.  Although there are realistically only a couple of answers, the best entry will receive a copy of an entertaining and informative book featuring our part of Spain.  Good luck!
 

Hasta Luego 

www.valle-de-lecrin.com

07836 613970