Seaside Gazette » La Herradura

Car-Park Update

Editor — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:40:01 +0000

San Cristobal, west end looking east

The Town Hall has just announced that the construction companies are ‘working around the clock’ to have the two controversial underground car parks open for the end of this month.

Despite reiterated promises of having the two installations open for summer, it now appears that the San Cristóbal works won’t be concluded until the 23rd of July, with the Velilla works finally concluding on the 30th of July – with the first month of summer already gone.

San Cristobal east end looking west

To further exasperate Almuñécar’s parking problems, the Parking Leo installations under the municipal market (now Parking Hermanos García), re-opened after nearly a week of being closed with the announcement that the regular clients with annual contracts with Parking Leo will not be able to renew until after the summer. The company evidently prefers to squeeze maximum profits by not catering for reserved parking slots, thus leaving nearly two hundred vehicle owners with the choice of either paying a reported daily rate of around 20 euros, or using the ever-decreasing supply of free parking on the streets, thanks to the constant encroachment of blue-zone parking.

Talking of blue-zone parking, the Town Hall has also announced that they are considering making El Paseo de la China into a blue zone as well, albeit, only over the summer. This is the area between Chinasol and Edifício Los Ramos, which is the last apartment block heading towards Cotoboro

On the other hand, the Town Hall appears to have backed down over their plans to extend blue zoning to just below Hotel Playacálida (Taramay). This stalled plan was highly controversial as there are no commercial premises on this dual avenue to justify blue-zoning – the concept of blue zones was to increase parking turn over in front of shops as business and thus provide greater accessibility to them, which was and is a concept that nobody disagrees with.

However, the blanket blue-zone coverage of Almuñécar and la Herradura’s beaches, from eleven in the morning to eleven at night, seven days a week, is an incredible folly, destined to provide short-term economic relief for the municipal coffers at the price of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs and turning these coastal towns into tourist-wise ghost towns.

Mirador Charity Event

David Darby — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:38:54 +0000

I had the pleasure this week of meeting a fabulous and determined woman, Anne Harwood, from La Herradura, who told me her story about how she conquered cancer. At the age of 65 she was diagnosed with liver cancer and underwent a 10-hour operation. She then spent a further three days in intensive care before she made a full recovery.

So pleased with her Doctor and the treatment she received that she promised her surgeon, Dr Chang she would run the Great Wall of China Marathon and raise money for his charity ‘The Magic Fund’ (Mastering Gastric and Intestinal Cancers) once she was fit and well. And in May 2010 she did just that!
Continuing to support the charity Anne and her husband Keith are organising their next event.

This will take place on the 10th July between 1.00pm and 6.00pm at the Mirador de Cerro Gordo, with the kind support of Alix and Kevin. Tickets will cost 10 euros and will include a welcome drink and endless tasty Mirador tapas prepared by Kevin.

There will be entertainment in the afternoon as well as an ‘Auction of Promises.’ Anne has asked local business to donate fantastic gifts of jewellery, meals in restaurants, introductory dives, boat trips, and, medical checks (MOT), which will be auctioned off in the afternoon to the highest bidder and all funds raised to go to the charity.

If you would like to reserve a table please call Anne or Keith on 958 640 479 or 628 607 041 for your tickets or alternatively you can pay on the door.

Windsurf La Herradura

David Darby — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:17:15 +0000

Stopping off at Windsurf La Herradura and pretending I’m still all sporty and fit is always a treat, and on a recent visit I was lucky enough to have a nice long chat with Louis Schraven, who has run the business since 1979. He’s probably seen more changes in the area than possibly even the ageing Ed!

Both the Ed and myself still dream of owning a kayak or two one of these days, and hopefully we’ll do just that before we get too bloody old to paddle.

As for Louis… well he has been teaching people to sail, windsurf and kayak in the perfect waters of La Herradura bay for as long as just about anyone can remember, and the bay does lend itself perfectly for the pursuit of waterborne sports.
Luis speaks perfect English and Spanish, says that he wishes more local people would become involved in their activities, “We are open all year, but it’s after Easter that things really get going.”

If you want to gain a new skill during your holiday, or even if you live here, you can get courses in sailing, windsurfing or kayaking, all at extremely reasonable rates, and with the highest levels of tuition.

When you arrive in La Herradura, go down to the beach, turn right, go past the school and the supermarket, and the shop is on the right with the school opposite on the beach.
Windsurf La herradura, Paseo Maritimo 34, La Herradura, tel. 958 640 143 info@windsurflaherradura.com

Jeannot

David Darby — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:56:48 +0000

It is true that Jeannot on the Paseo in La Herradura does serve some of the finest fish dishes available in the area, but what I love about the place is not just the variety of food available, but the variety of people you meet or see there.

I am lucky enough to get to see a lot of bars and restaurants, but Jeannot is the only place where I have heard eight languages being spoken, and that was just on the terrace!
Great food, great wines, and a really nice atmosphere and I could sit there all day and watch the world go by if the Ed would let me.

If you’re visiting the area, or have never tried this cracking little restaurant before, it is well worth a visit.
Jeannot, open from 12.00 to 17.00 daily, perhaps you can ask Pepe why the sign outside is incorrectly spelt. Or is it?
Coming into the village, turn left when you get to the beach and continue along the front. MapSpot 3 – Tel 958 618 615.

Obituary

David Darby — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:54:55 +0000

Elizabeth Ann Slayter Burrows

01/11/51 – 09/06/10

It is with deep regret that Elizabeth’s family informs the Gazette of the passing of our dearest sister Liz on the 9th June 2010.

Liz was brought back home to La Herradura, from Alicante province, on the 27th April to be, once again, in the bosom of her family where she stoically fought her corner and finally succumbed at Finca del Phoenix on the evening of the 9th June.

We hope that those who knew of Liz’s character and determination will include her in their thoughts for a moment whilst reading this.
If anyone wishes to make a donation in her memory then the AECC charity would be most appropriate.

She is survived by her brothers Ian, Michael, sister Wendy Lees (Slayter) and sons Gyles and Nicholas Foster, granddaughter Elsa and six nieces.

Wendy, Brian & Katie Lees

Caught in a Gale

Editor — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:40:10 +0000

At the beginning of last month, a gale whipped up and caught two lads out fishing, whose boat then sank under them – this happened just off Almuñécar.
The men were fished out of the sea by a merchant ship, fortunately, and dropped off in Algeciras, which is just across the bay from Gibraltar; in other words, a 3-day camel trek and a packed lunch from where the two men, of 32 and 34, had set off for a spot of fishing.

Kürbis & Kaviar

Mette Owens — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:58:34 +0000

There is a little hidden gem located opposite the church in La Herradura. It is called Kürbis & Kaviar (kürbis is the German word for pumpkin). It is a combined art gallery and studio owned and run by two very creative and talented ladies, Andrea Auer and Rosario González.
Of course, this being a column written for and about wise women such as them, I was curious to learn more. When I stopped by, Andrea was working on her newest and very beautiful painting of a horse in full gallop. Andrea is originally from Salzburg, Austria, but like many other artists who live here, she was drawn to the beauty of the Costa Tropical and decided to make the move to La Herradura two years ago.
Before moving here, she owned and operated an art gallery in Austria, also called Kürbis & Kaviar. She has had a passion for painting for many years and has studied under various famous painters such as Bernhard Vogel and Gerhard Almbauer. Although she masters all painting techniques and mediums, her preferred choice is watercolour.
She told me she met her Spanish business partner, Rosario, while exhibiting her paintings at Felicia Hall, where Rosario worked at the time. When Felicia Hall closed its doors, these two talented ladies seized the opportunity and decided to partner together and open Kürbis & Kaviar. They celebrated their first anniversary on March 21st.
What makes this place so unique is that it is a combination of an art gallery – offering ongoing exhibitions of local and outside talent – as well as an art studio. If you are strolling about in La Herradura, I recommend that you stop by and admire the vast collection of paintings, ceramics and sculptures on display here – admission is free, of course.
They are open every day (except Sunday afternoon and Mondays) from 11:00 – 14:00 and from 17:00 – 20:00. The location is pristine, open and spacious with many art objects for the eye to behold. There is also a beautiful and serene garden at the back where some of the sculptures and ceramics are showcased as well.
More than likely, you will get of glimpse of Andrea working on her latest painting or Rosario giving a demonstration at the pottery wheel. If you stop by on Wednesdays or Fridays between 11:00 and 13:00, or on a Saturday afternoon, you will see art-in-action, seeing as these are the days when students come to be taught and inspired by Andrea and Rosario.
The two ladies have combined their respective talents – Andrea teaches painting classes and Rosaria teaches ceramics. In fact, there is a ceramics course during Easter week if anyone is interested. Andrea says that anyone, no matter what level, can join in their classes and workshops. Her philosophy is that anyone who wants to paint can learn. Painting is meant to be fun and joyous. Read more about them and this popular place at www.kuerbis-kaviar.com.

Civic Centre Repairs

David Darby — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:57:01 +0000

The Mayor, at a recent Town Council Meeting made an announcement that work was to commence on the repairs to the auditorium of the Civic Centre in La Herradura. Of course, this immediately brought some criticisms from the socialists, who were annoyed that the work hadn’t been carried out before, and also that the carnival celebrations were not allowed to be held in the auditorium, despite the venue being booked in advance.
The recent rains caused a large area of the wooden flooring to rise up, rendering it useless and even dangerous, so Mr. Benavides explained that the event could not be held because of the damage caused by the rising water table. He also announced that approval had been received from the insurance company for the work to commence imminently.
The socialists complaint did appear somewhat justified as the damage didn’t seem to effect other scheduled events in the auditorium including cinema events at the weekends.
A pump was used to keep the water level down in the area under the auditorium until the water table receded.

Youngsters Injured In Collision

David Darby — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:53:07 +0000

Three of the four people who were injured in a multiple collision on the N-340 on Sunday 21st March have been released from hospital after suffering only minor injuries, a fourth however is now in the Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital in Malaga, after being transferred there by helicopter.
The young man suffered head injuries, and his condition is said to be serious but stable. The other youngsters were treated at in Motril, with one remaining overnight for observation.
The accident occurred at 6pm, and was attended by Police, Fire and Ambulance services, with cutting equipment being used in the rescue operation.

Independence Day

David Darby — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:47:58 +0000

We reported last month on the movement created by a group of young Herradureños, to make La Herradura a local autonomous entity. In other words, to break free from Almuñécar and have it’s own Town Hall and control over a local budget. It seems that, not only has the movement gained momentum with a large number of new members, but has also attracted the attention of the four opposition parties, according to their spokesperson Juan Carlos Cacín Barbero.
The weekly meetings have recently been attended by representatives from the PP, PSOE, IU and PA, all of whom have voiced ‘initial support’ for the movement. Let’s face it, politicians will hang onto the coat tails of any movement that appears even slightly popular, until it’s not longer needed of course.
The independence group have even tried to get a meeting with the Town Hall to voice their views, but they appear to have been ‘knocked back’, or at least slowed down, “After a meeting with the PA, which was attended by Louis Aragon and Manue Novo, we completed the first round of interviews and requested a formal meeting through the Deputy Mayor for La Herradura, Maria Victoria Ruiz. However, we have been given a preliminary date for this meeting to be held next June, the reason given that there are no free calendar dates until that time. We have taken this as a ‘no’, but we would still like to know the present and honest view of the government, and we have done everything possible to establish this”, said another group spokesperson, Mark Arenas.
The group are looking to hold a meeting involving all the parties just after the Easter holidays, in order to get cross-party agreement which would lead to a full council meeting where their proposals for independence could be heard.
In the meantime, the group continue to recruit members, which seems to be going very well, with over 100 joining in the first couple of weeks according to Mark Arenas. In addition there will be information published locally, “Where we will provide information to local people and interested parties on the movement and its goals. The campaign of information will also include flyers and brochures explaining what it would mean to have more power in La Herradura, and how taxes could be reinvested in the town itself, for example”, said Cacín.
We will continue to report on the progress of the group as they press for their dream of an independent La Herradura.