Month: February 2023

Dia de Andalucia or Andalucia Day

It’s a day off work tomorrow – In Andalucia, that is!

What is Dia de Andalucia?

Dia de Andalucia. Andalusia Day is celebrated on 28 February and commemorates the 28 February 1980 referendum on the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia, in which the Andalusian electorate voted for the statute that made Andalusia an autonomous community of Spain.

Many cultural phenomena that are seen internationally as distinctively Spanish are largely or entirely Andalusian in origin. These include flamenco and, to a lesser extent, bullfighting and Hispano-Moorish architectural styles, both of which are also prevalent in some other regions of Spain.

Andalusian food comes from the southernmost region of Spain. It features plenty of fresh seafood, cured ham, local produce, traditional tapas, sugary sweets, and unique drinks such as sherry wines. Regional specialties include salmorejo, rabo de toro, mojama, torrijas, and pescaíto frito, among many more.

Dia de Andalucia, Andalusia or Andaluzia?

I’ve seen all these different ways of spelling the name “Andalucia”. The correct way to spell the name is Andalucía (with the with the accent above the “Ì”. The Arabic name Al-Andalus was originally applied by the Muslims (Moors) to the entire Iberian Peninsula; it likely refers to the Vandals who occupied the region in the 5th century

Is Nerja in Andalucía?

Nerja is situated at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga, 50 kilometres from the city of Malaga and within an hour and a half’s drive from Granada and the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada. 

As far as holiday locations go, Nerja is up there with the best. Famed for it’s caves, the Balcón de Europa ( a walkway that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea) and even the Paella is known worldwide, this is of course Ayo’s Paella on Burriana Beach.

Nerja Beach Holidays have villas, apartments and townhouses for self-catering holidays in Nerja. Use these accommodations to discover other parts of Andalucia, such as Ronda, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz and many for fantastic locations.

There is a fantastic website for the region called andalucia.org/

Why are there shortages of Tomatoes in the UK Stores? Who is to Blame?

No Tomatoes? Oh, dear me!

Fluctuating temperatures, increased production costs and the knock-on effects of Brexit are all contributing to the vegetable shortages that have led some UK supermarkets to introduce rationing, according to Spanish growers.
 
I’m not one for dabbling in politics, I find the whole subject very boring. But, being a regular user of Social Media platforms, one cannot but help to read the endless postings about the lack of fresh produce on supermarket shelves in the UK.
 
Twitter is ablaze with arguments and counter-argument as to the cause of the great tomato shortage crisis.
Those supporting the government argue that the cause is nothing to do with BREXIT * and everything to do with bad weather in Spain and north Africa. This bad weather has caused crops to dwindle or fail. The weather was also said to be the cause of delivery problems for suppliers. Even cancelled ferries have been used as an excuse.
 

Well; there have been bad weather and supplier problems and, of course, Brexit has added to the problem with the extra paperwork and border controls. The government has also a case to answer, or, as some would suggest, for not supporting local growers.

So, it’s a bit of everything. But please, don’t tell them that on Twitter and Facebook, you’ll only start them off again.

Here in Malaga province, we have plentiful supplies, thank you very much. So, if you are coming to Nerja for a self-catering holiday, may I suggest a nice tomato salad?

Brexit (/ˈbrɛksɪt, ˈbrɛɡzɪt/; a portmanteau of “British exit”) was the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020 (00:00 1 February 2020 CET). The UK is the only sovereign country to have left the EU or the EC

MALAGA TO MADRID BY HIGH SPEED-TRAIN

High-speed trains from Malaga to Madrid to increase to 18 a day as ticket prices fall

Malaga to Madrid by Train Via Nerja Beach Holidays

The increase in frequency brought in this week by Renfe and the arrival of private competitor Iryo in March is pushing prices down.

Yet there is more good news for tourists and locals alike. Any reduction in prices, be it for food, clothing, travel etc, is always welcome. There is an excellent article in Sur in English from Ignacio Lillo to explain.

Malaga to Madrid by train

Travel between Malaga and Madrid will become easier from now on as the frequency of high-speed trains between the two cities.  This will increase significantly as the year goes on.

Travellers will find the previous ten departures from Malaga a day, on a service hit last year by cuts and seat shortages, increase to reach 18 in the summer.

This is due to a combination of more trains every day being laid on by Renfe, currently the only operator of an AVE high-speed service between the two cities, and the arrival of the first private operator, Iryo, which will start to offer an alternative to passengers at the end of March.

From this week, Renfe has increased the number of trains covering the service to 13 a day, which is more or less back to the frequency on offer before the Covid pandemic.

Nerja – Malaga- Madrid

Just think; using your self-catering accommodation in Nerja as a base, you can see Madrid in a day. Travelling from Nerja by bus to Malaga, you can get the train to Madrid and be back on the same day. How cool is that?

This is just one of the many advantages of using self-catering accommodation.

There are many more great destinations you can reach, by car, bus or rail, from Nerja. Do your homework and you can have the very best self-catering holiday ever.

Madrid for the Tourist

Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry. ― Google

Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Madrid

 

Cosori Air Fryer – I have a new Gadget in the Kitchen to play with

I decided I needed an Air Fryer in my life – Stand by for loads of recipe posts

I have bought gadgets for the kitchen, just like anyone else. I have also resisted buying gadgets for the kitchen due to the ones I bought ending up stored away. I’ve had coffee machines, sausage makers, mincing gadgets, pasta machines and all sorts of “kitchen aides”.

The new kid on the block is a machine called an Air Fryer. It would seem that I’m the only person I know that isn’t using one. My sister has one, and my sister-in-law has one and they both swear that an Air Fryer is both quick, easy and cost-effective.

Looking at Air Fryer Machines

We decided that we would investigate these new-fangled food machines. Thanks to Youtube, there were endless videos of all types and makes of this frying machine. I must admit; on the face of it, I was impressed. They all had bells and whistles on them (figuratively speaking) and they all cooked food quickly and with little mess. They also used a lot less electricity, definitely a bonus in this day and age.

After much humming and ahhing, we decided on a Cosori 5.5 litre air fryer.

Cooking with an Air Frying machine

After taking delivery of our new toy, we set about reading the documentation that came with it. One is a great recipe book and the other user guide and cooking instructions. You know; do not put plastic objects in the fryer, type of thing. For this machine to work, you need to plug it into the electric supply, and so on.

On the first day, we had a little play with it and found it was quite easy to use. There are little pictures of fish, chickens, chops and so on, so you know which setting to use for your chips etc.

Finally, we decided to have a go at cooking something. Frozen fish in breadcrumbs was the food of choice. Cook from frozen, for 8 minutes (5 minutes to warm the machine up). Rub a little oil on the fish, place it into the basket of the machine then just press the snowflake icon. That was it!

Halfway through the cooking process, the machine (I must give it a name) gave a series of alarms, to let me know I should turn the fish over.

Job done! Fish cooked and ready to eat.

Stand by for a load of cooking posts

I must admit, it takes some of the excitement out of the cooking process ( Yes; I get excited about cooking) and the preset timings mean you don’t really have to think much about how long you should cook things. It is also quite clean to use as it uses very little cooking oil.

I think I will be adventurous and start cooking the Spanish dishes that I like. I wonder what Rabbo de Torro will come out like. I will post any of the dishes that might be interesting to readers of this blog. I will also post any disasters and how to avoid repeating them. Watch this space.

Cosori facebook page.

Nerja 2-Bedroom Self-Catering Apartments – Acapulco Playa 35

A two-bedroom apartment right in the heart of Nerja

Nerja Beach Holidays have some of the best apartments, villas and townhouses in Nerja. This particular apartment is no exception and you will have the best of both worlds. Sea views and central location. What more could you ask for?

Description – Acapulco Playa 35

​Situated in a prime location, only a 5-minute walk to the iconic Balcon de Europa. This 2-bedroom apartment is located on the 3rd floor in the quiet building of Acapulco Playa overlooking the Mediterranean sea and the beach of Caletilla. There is easy access to the apartment via the lift/elevator. The building also has a private gated parking area.

As you enter the apartment, you will find the open-plan kitchen with a dining area. The kitchen is equipped with all the essentials for your self-catering holiday, complete with a fridge/freezer, oven, hob, kettle, toaster, microwave, and washing machine.

Leading on from the kitchen area is the cosy living room area complete with a TV with international channels, a sofa and 2 armchairs. Free WiFi is provided.

The living room opens onto the spacious balcony with scenic views over the communal gardens, and pool as well as the sea and Balcon de Europa.
The apartment has two bedrooms – one master bedroom and one single room.​

The master bedroom has a double bed with a TV and a sea view. The single bedroom has a single bed and storage area. Both the bedrooms and the lounge area benefit from air conditioning/heating units. (COMING SOON)

More than just a 2-bedroom Apartment

The apartment has a bathroom with a walk-in shower, a washbasin and a toilet.​

The building has a communal swimming pool with grass and shaded areas.​

Balcon de Europa and Caletilla Beach are approximately a 5-minute walk away.

There are a large variety of shops, bars and restaurants in the vicinity of the building.

If this is exactly what you are looking for, then, take a look at the Nerja Beach Holidays main website for full details and more photographs.

An Old Problem Returns to the Costa del Sol – Calima is back

Calima is dust from the Sahara but mix it with rain…

Calima: A right old pain

Many towns and villages were turned from Pueblos Blancos (white villages) to Pueblos Maronnes (brown villages) the last time this dust nuisance paid us a visit. Usually, the Calima blows in, covers your car, dog etc with a fine layer of red dust and then it blows away or gets brushed off. Mix this Calima with rain and, you have reddish-brown paint!

The last visit decimated towns, villages and even cities in Spain. To say the landscape looked “biblical” is not an exaggeration.

What is Calima?

Calima in Andalucia - Weather report
The last visit of Calima caused lots of buildings to look like this

‘Calima’ is set to return to Malaga and the Costa del Sol this Wednesday, 15 February, the director of the Aemet weather centre, Jesús Riesco, has confirmed. Calima, or haze, is the Spanish word used when there is Saharan sand or dust suspended in the atmosphere, resulting in orange martian-like skies and red dust colouring pavements and balconies.

“It will be a moderate to weak episode, very typical in southern Spain; in principle, it will not be like last year,” the meteorologist said. He was referring to the calima of March 2022, which saw the highest concentration of dust since historical records began. Then the orange skies lasted for days with many streets and façades dyed red by the mud-like rain.

This week the skies should clear by the weekend. “The low altitude depression over the Canary Islands eases by the weekend so that Saturday would be the last day,” said Riesco.

Sur in English

As usual; the good news of this latest “blessing” is brought to you by our friends at the Sur in English. From here you can read the rest of this report. Undoubtedly, those of us who spent days behind a power washer, cleaning our houses, will be holding our breath.

Properties for Sale on the Costa del Sol – Welcome to Olive Grove Realty

New Link Partners; Olive Grove Realty

Olive Grove Realty Spain - Properties for sale along the Costa del Sol, Spain.

Welcome to our latest link partner; Olive Grove Realty. Based at Mijas Costa which is located west of Malaga city on the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain. Nerja Beach Holidays are happy to be associated with this excellent company.

Mijas Costa

Mijas Costa is a diverse stretch of coastline on the Costa del Sol, nestled between Fuengirola and the east Marbella resort of Cabopino.
The area encompasses the popular holiday resorts of Calahonda, Riviera del Sol and La Cala de Mijas. Mijas Costa is an ideal destination for both family and friend holidays, with safe beaches and local shops, bars, restaurants and golf on hand in each resort.

Olive Grove Realty is an independent family-run business that offers that personal touch in helping you purchase the home of your dreams.
Whether you’re looking for a holiday home, an investment property or looking to relocate, we are here for you.

We believe in listening to your requirements and showing you only the best and most suited options.
We pride ourselves in delivering top-class personal service in this highly competitive market!

Properties for Sale and Other Services

With Olive Grove Realty Spain we have thousands of homes, villas, apartments and other properties for sale on the Costa del Sol. We can help with your Search, for instance, the latest new developments for sale, luxury apartments, villas, penthouses and townhouses along the Costa del Sol. We also offer the best advice on buying a home in Spain, including, purchase costs, the property-buying legal process & so much more.

It’s not just property – We can help with a range of services

We have a list of local contacts in all aspects of the Costa del Sol property market that we are happy to recommend, whether that be help with obtaining a mortgage, a builder, architect, or surveyor and we have a team of local independent lawyers that speak all European languages who will ensure a smooth and effortless buying process.

We will accompany you on this journey from the start to the very end and we offer after-sales care that is unparalleled so get in touch today and let’s begin this journey together!

Olive Grove Realty Spain
Calle Granada, Urb El Faro.
Mijas Costa. 29649. Malaga
Tel: 0034 711 068 439
Email: info@olivegroverealtyspain.com
Website: https://olivegroverealtyspain.com/

Best Self-Catering Holiday Company in Nerja 2022 Award goes to Nerja Beach Holidays

Nerja Beach Holidays – Spain

Best Self-Catering Holiday Company in Nerja 2022 Award gors to Nerja Beach Holidays

 

Best Self-Catering Holiday Rental Company 2022 – Nerja

Well, according to the Lux Review website, Nerja Beach Holidays scooped a great award. Yes! really!

Imagine our surprise (not at being recognised for our excellent services and accommodation, but to be told we had won an award for being so good.) when the award announcement dropped into our email.

Travel and Tourism Awards 2022

We are not complaining; oh no! we go out of our way to make sure our clients receive the best accommodation and service that we can provide.

Lux Life Magazine

LUXlife is delighted to announce the return of the Travel and Tourism Awards for 2023! Now in our seventh year, the Travel and Tourism Awards 2023 will pay homage to the experts within the industry and welcome nominations from businesses and individuals across the globe. From travel agencies, guided tour experts, food and beverage service providers, sustainable travel specialists and everything in between, the Travel and Tourism Awards will recognise these prestigious companies by revealing their dedication and hard work.

Best Self-Catering Holiday Company in Nerja

With travellers once again welcome to explore, experience and enjoy long-awaited excursions to global destinations, the industry is finally returning to its former glory after what can only be described as a challenging couple of years.

Now as we approach 2023, holidaymakers are making up for the lost time by upgrading elements of their latest adventures and relying more on travel professionals to make their trips perfect. Industry authorities are excited to note that revenue has climbed to 81% of pre-pandemic levels, and by 2023, is expected to make a full recovery and is estimated to contribute almost $2 trillion to the US economy alone – a positive future for tourism!

Check the website for yourself.

It’s nice to be recognised.

UK to Spanish Driving Licence Exchange News

Spanish Government’s driving licence exchange review imminent says British Embassy

UK to Spanish Driving Licence Exchange News and updates

Spanish Driving Licence Exchange

There is great news for all of those people waiting to change their UK driving licence, to a Spanish one. It’s been a long time coming and people have been getting angry and frustrated but, here we have it. From the Sur in English, the English version of the Sur for the south of Spain.

An agreement allowing British residents to swap their UK licence and be able to drive in Spain without taking a test is expected at a Cabinet meeting “very soon”

The British Embassy in Madrid has issued an update on its negotiations with Spain, where British residents who were unable to exchange their UK licences for Spanish ones within the allotted time period are currently not permitted to drive. Posting on the Brits in Spain Facebook page this Wednesday morning (8 February), the message was as follows:

“We know you are anxious for news about when the driving licence agreement will go before the Consejo de Ministros (Council of Ministers). Also, we continue to press the Spanish Government for a precise date and, while they have not confirmed one yet, they have assured us that it will be very soon. We recognise this is frustrating but, as a Spanish Government process, it is not in our hands. Thank you for your patience.”

Previously the embassy outlined provisional answers to pertinent questions from worried drivers:

My UK licence has expired. Will I be able to exchange it without taking a test? Yes. The text includes a provision for expired licences to be accepted for exchange, provided they were valid at the time you began living in Spain.

Do I have to give up my UK licence? Why can’t I keep both? Once an exchange agreement is in force, you can drive in Spain on your UK licence for the first six months of living here, during which time you must exchange it for a Spanish licence. It is not possible to hold licences issued by the UK and Spain at the same time. If you return to live in the UK at any point, you will be able to exchange your Spanish licence for a UK one without taking a test.  See more

Remember to keep an eye open for the great offers on the Nerja Beach Holidays website. There is a great year ahead for Nerja and the Costa del Sol. Don’t miss out on a wonderful Spanish holiday in 2023.

Spanish Olive Oil – Olive Trees are Everywhere!

18,000 New Olive Trees were Planted in days

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Olive Oil in Spain

If you live in Spain, it’s impossible for olive oil not to be a part of your daily life. We douse our toast with it for breakfast, swirl it over our salads for lunch, and begin practically every recipe with it for dinner.

In a country where people consume more than 2.5 gallons (10 litres) of oil per year. It’s almost impossible to find a plate without at least a few drops of liquid gold. And while deciding among the dozens of bottles of Spanish olive oil at the grocery store may seem intimidating, it’s worth brushing up on the basics so you can choose the best. You can read much more from this great website.

So, why am I writing this blog about olive oil?

Well; I live (or did live) in the middle of wheat fields that are surrounded by olive groves; not now though! In the last week, acres of land around me have been covered in new olive tree saplings; 18,000, to be exact.

It happened, almost overnight. Some farmers turned up with tractors that plant the saplings semi-automatically. Hundreds of trees were planted on the first night, and, by day three, almost 3000 had been deposited into the soil. This new method of farming olives to make olive oil will make the process more high-tec and less reliant on manual labour. Planted in rows, these trees can be harvested by one machine and a lorry. Like in this Youtube video.

Andalucia is the biggest Olive Oil producer in the world

Andalusia, the world’s largest olive oil-producing region by a wide margin, saw its olive groves increase by 0.6 per cent in 2021, rising to 1,673,071 hectares – an area slightly larger than Connecticut.

After Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha is Spain’s second-largest olive-growing region and experienced slightly more growth with olive grove surface area rising by 1.3 per cent to 449,388 hectares. See more of this article.

I live smack-bang, right in the middle of all this olive oil. The olive factory is 1 km from my house. Now I have the trees closing in on me!

Never mind, I won’t go short of something to put on my salad.

Be sure to check out the different varieties of oil when you come and visit Nerja.

You can also go on tours of the olive oil factories at different locations. This is a very interesting production process and well worth a visit. It is also a pleasant day walking through the groves, some of which can stretch for endless miles.