The Andalucian - March 2013 by The Andalucían

Editor’s Slice

Hello

This month we officially welcome Spring as we get ready to put the clocks forward – don’t forget to do this on March 30! We’ve got lots of things for you to do in this issue, as well as discovering the meaning behind the Spanish Easter celebrations with our article on Semana Santa. I’m sorry to say that last month, Dr Suzanne Wildman-Chard passed away – she will be greatly missed in the village and I know many of our readers have been customers of hers in the past. Our love and deepest sympathy go to her friends and family at this sad time. We are also sending our thoughts to the Wiletts family who lost Pete last month, too. Along with his wife, Les, they were avid charity fundraisers for breast cancer charities, organising walks through Fuente de Piedra. With charity in mind, I hope you’ll take time to read the article on the request for food donations in Loja on page 21. Both Alice and Claire have had an enthusiastic start to their 5x50 Challenge for Cudeca; catch up with Claire through her blog to see the progress she’s making. www.theandalucian.com/blog and Fran’s update on page 20. We are always trying to bring really special opportunities to our advertisers and we have never had such a good one as we are offering this Spring – just 50€ for a half page advert in the most widely distributed and read inland magazine. To get more information, email us at info@theandalucian.com It gets better, too! If you book for two consecutive months, we’re slashing the prices a further 10% – so make sure you don’t miss out on this one! Have a great Easter... Till next month

Mike

The Andalucían X5092417D Calle Juanito Romero s/n Campillos 29320, Malaga

Next deadline: 22 March

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/theandalucian

Owner: Claire Marriott Editor: Mike Marriott

See our Spring Deals on page 15

Special thanks to our writers and contributors Alice Marriott John Sharrock Taylor Beckii Smith Stuart Langley Ella Durham Tricia Johnson Fran Rajewski Viviane Van Kessel

Interesting Facts

The origins and symbols of Easter To followers of the Christian faith (Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Anglicans, Baptists...) Easter weekend is the time they reflect and celebrate not only the crucifixion, but also the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the past, Easter Sunday was generally reserved for the baptism of a large number of catechumens (people undergoing instruction in their religion). Also, the council of Lateran (1215) ordered that those who reached the age of reason had to take Holy Communion at least once a year (in French "faire ses Pâques"). So Easter soon became seen as the most important Christian celebration of the year. In Romance languages (such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Romanian), Pâques or Pascua is derived from the Greek word "Pascha." In the Germanic languages (including English, German, Dutch and Scandinavian), "Easter" - also called "Pascha" - was taken from "Eastre", the Saxon goddess associated with Spring. Indeed, many years ago, the Saxons celebrated the god of Spring, called "Eostre," and held festivals every year to celebrate the Spring Equinox, when the day and night were of equal length. These festivals were celebrated to ensure fertility across the land and the people. The Saxons converted to Christianity and the name of their celebration became "Easter" in order to celebrate both Spring and the religious Pascha times. The ideas behind the two occasions are different, but they share common symbols and traditions that people still use today. Briefly explained, Christian Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the full moon which follows the spring equinox (according to the Gregorian calendar), except for the Orthodox church which still refers to the Julian Calendar (13 days behind the Gregorian calendar). Easter is a mobile holiday which occurs between March 22 and April 25. Easter Monday is just a bank holiday and has no religious meaning. For many centuries, in addition to the religious traditions, people celebrate the festive Easter season by organising family gatherings, giving presents, sending greeting cards and much more. Easter, both religious and popular, has its symbols. 4

Here are a few: Easter Bells In some European countries, Easter bells have a great symbolic aspect. In ancient times, the bells of our churches would ring every day of the year to invite people to attend Mass, celebrate a royal wedding, the birth of a prince or for any other public event. On Maundy Thursday, all the bells stop ringing: they ‘leave’ our countries for Rome where the Holy See is located; they will be blessed by the Pope. Since Jesus died on Good Friday and was resurrected on Easter Sunday, these days of silence are a symbol of mourning and recollection. Therefore, the bells will ring again on Easter Sunday, returning from Rome where they collected Easter eggs which they will drop in our gardens. Besides Jesus' resurrection, Easter bells also symbolise the rebirth of Spring. Easter Eggs The use of eggs in celebration existed long before our modern day observance. Indeed, in Egypt and ancient Persia, people used to dye eggs with the colours of Spring and give them to their relatives. Eggs were considered as symbols of rebirth. Centuries ago, Christians gathered in public places and would look for eggs; after the privations of Lent, Christians appreciated the chance to eat eggs. This tradition was the forerunner of our Easter egg hunts. Another custom was that at the end of the Easter Mass, our kings distributed eggs (usually made from a luxurious material, painted, engraved ...) to the noble of their court; the most famous are the Fabergé eggs. Thus the tradition of Easter eggs is not just commercial, but an old tradition. The Easter Chicken Where do the eggs come from? From the chicken... so, as the chicken gives her eggs (decorated or not) it's an essential Easter symbol. The Easter chicken custom is popular in many countries but originated in Austria. Today, it is often symbolised by a chicken made out of chocolate.

Interesting Facts Depending on the country, the Easter chicken is replaced by chicks, cockerel, stork, cuckoo, etc.

In Anglo-Saxon countries, people bake hot cross buns which they eat on Good Friday.

The Easter Bunny The first animal associated with Easter was not the rabbit, but the hare. The hare is an animal symbolising abundance, proliferation and renewal. It was regarded as being very prolific — especially in the spring — and was a symbol of life and fertility. It may have its origins in an ancient oriental culture.

The lily The lily, another Easter symbol, is Japanese. It is the symbol of the arrival of the Spring, purity and holiness, and known for its beauty and its pride. A legend says that when Jesus went to a place, all the flowers, plants and animals bowed to his passage except the lilies — they were too proud. But when they saw Jesus on the cross, their heads bent and since that day, they continue to bend their heads as a sign of respect.

The rabbit was the symbol of Eastre, the Saxon goddess, and the idea using this animal as a part of Christian tradition was introduced in colonial days by the Germans. The hare and the rabbit were associated with Easter eggs for the first time in Alsace and Germany six centuries ago. In some countries, children are taught that the Easter Bunny brings treats on the night before Easter, so eggs, rabbits and chocolate are closely linked! The Lamb In the New Testament, Jesus is often identified with the lamb — and especially the paschal lamb. There is a parallel between its death and his, and the lamb is sacrificed in both western and eastern religions. By the blood of Jesus Christ, the people of God are released from death and can enter into a new life. So, in many countries, people eat a leg of lamb on Easter Sunday. The Cross The symbol of the cross has been associated with Christianity and Easter since the first centuries after Jesus' death. The cross was a symbol of Jesus, who died to save all those who receive baptism. It was also a symbol of cruelty throughout the Roman Empire. Today, Christians view the cross as a symbol of courage and salvation.

Easter Water This is an old custom which is almost unknown today. Easter water was an important element for our ancestors as it was deemed to have very beneficial virtues. Early in the morning, before the sunrise, people went to the river and collected several gallons of water. This, and a branch which people received at the church on the Sunday before Easter Sunday, were used to bless the home and protect it against inclemencies. People also drank this water to cure diseases. Now that you know the origins and symbols of the holiday of Easter, I wonder which ones you will be honouring this year. Whichever you choose, I wish you a happy Easter!

Health & Beauty

Achieving the perfect skin this Spring

by Beckii Smith

Spring refers to the ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. With summer approaching as fast as the months are going, now is the perfect time to live up to the ideas of rejuvenation and renewal. Following on from February’s “New Year, New You” look which we covered in last month’s issue, we now move on from the dramatic and statement changes for your hair, along with getting it in perfect condition from home. We now need the glowing, fresh-looking skin and effective make-up to suit any age and style. When it comes to beauty looks, bare is always beautiful — but so is a bit of colour on our faces. Make-up artists working for the likes of Stella McCartney, Burberry and Jason Wu have all offered us options this Spring. Somewhat 50 shades of colour, with blues and greens on the eyes, crimson hues on the lips, then emphasised neutral lips and glowing skin and shaded brown blushes from Dolce and Gabbana. And this seems to be the year and season to mess around with those 80s lashes and major brows, all balanced by softly smudged-in eyeliners. To achieve that glowing, healthy looking skin you don’t need to go out and spend a fortune. You can open your fridge or cupboards and you’ll have it there. Here are some of the Perfectas Home remedies for that perfect skin . . . 1. Grate a cucumber and squeeze to take out the juice, apply to your face and leave for 15 minutes and then wash off. Juice of a potato or carrot is ideal for oily skin sufferers 2. Soak apricots overnight and in the morning, mix into a paste using a few drops of olive oil. Apply to your face and again, leave for 15 minutes and wash off. This is a great cleanser and moisturiser, helping to remove all the dead skin from the skins surface 3. A mashed up papaya evens skin tones and brightens the skin, so mash one up and apply to your face for 15 minutes, then rinse So stay at home with your feet up and enjoy these easy and economical remedies. 6

The team at Perfectas Salon is always working on bringing our clients old and new hair and beauty treatments, which you may think can be indulged upon once in a blue moon. However, these are professional, of quality and affordable for all. Along with our set price list you will always find something to suit your budget, as well as enjoying even lower prices with daily offers and competitions. How about this, though!

Now's your chance to win a day of pampering and luxury including a makeover and professional photoshoot. Are you bored with the same shop-bought colour and long unstyled hair? Want the chance to change and have a brand new style? Win a new style, including a cut and colour, full set of acrylic or gel nails or deluxe gel manicure, gel toe pedicure, mini revitalise facial, body glow scrub and make-up. You will have your hair and make-up designed and styled by our professional team, and be given the chance to have a choice of three different outfits — including changes of hair and make-up styles — for your photoshoot. All you need to do is send us a photo of yourself, a bit about you and tell us why you deserve to win this fab giveaway, or why not take the opportunity to nominate someone who deserves this wonderful treat? Email your details to me at perfectas@hotmail.co.uk So until next month, keep glowing! For full contact details and other great offers see Beckii’s advert on page 11.

Alice in Wonderland

The Snow of Semana Blanca Hi, it’s Alice again. Isn’t it really cold at the moment? So cold it even snowed! I got so excited when I woke up and everything was covered in white. It hasn’t snowed like that in years! It was nice but didn’t even last the day. As fun as it was to see, I must admit I do hope that summer comes soon because I’m really missing the hot sun and I think Dad’s sick of chopping logs!

I’ve been off school for a week ─ Semana Blanca, the half term holiday. It’s gone very fast though, so I can’t wait until Semana Santa, the Easter holidays, in a few weeks. School is going well. I have a lot of exams coming up to finish the second term, so I’ll be studying most days. Becky’s driving now; she even drove my dad and I home one day last week! Now that was scary. She was very nervous; not sure if she was more nervous than Dad and I though – she was especially cautious in the town. She seems to drive safely though, which is a good thing. My cousin in England, Shannon, has passed her theory driving test too so now she’s allowed to practise on the roads! I have signed up to the 5x50 Challenge (www.5x50challenge.co.uk) with my Mum, so I’m on the Wii Fit Plus a few times per week to run my five kilometres. It’s all for the Cudeca cancer charity so it would be great if more people signed up to raise more money. Mum’s friend Fran has a facebook page too called 5x50LasSalinas; please go on and like it – with the way Mum’s going, they need all the support they can get! I’ve given up chocolate for Lent. So far I have found it really hard, especially with my Dad buying loads of chocolate just to annoy me: he filled a whole shelf in the fridge just to see if I would break – I didn’t! I’m just as bad, though, as he has given up sweets ─ mint sweets to be precise ─ and I keep them in a bowl beside him.

I tried to make my Mum give up cigarettes but she chose cheese. She didn’t manage it though; Dad took her to a bar for a tapas and the owner, Antonio, often gives them a little taster of a new dish he’s doing. On this particular day it was slices of goats’ cheese with special olive oil – Mum forgot all about Lent and had a slice! I’ve been helping Grandma at the auctions on a Saturday while Diane’s Mum Vivienne is getting better at home after her operation – get well soon Viv; we miss you and Stan. I’m really nervous and worried at the moment, waiting for my Mum’s results to see if she’s got cancer. She went to the hospital but now has to go back for another scan ─ an MRI this time. They had to find out what type of metal she has in her back before she can go in the machine; she says she doesn’t want to blow all the electric in Málaga if it’s the wrong kind! Apparently, Mum’ll be fine as she’s got titanium screws in there – she says she’s worth more in scrap! Back to the consultant on March 22, which seems such a long time away yet, so it’s hard at the moment but we all have to be brave and just wait. My friend Nadia went to England at half term see the One Direction concert and she seems to have really enjoyed it. They went to the museums too ─ I haven’t been to England in nearly ten years so I’m really excited about this year because Becky has said she will take me for a few days — I can’t wait! Before I go, I must just say – Steve, if you’re reading this, see I promised not to write about the padel game! Love, Alice x 7

Short Story

Smile! by Ella Durham The slim white envelope landed with a schlap on the doormat. Although she heard it, Carol-Anne ignored the letterbox and continued to busy herself in the kitchen. She concentrated on buttering wholemeal toast and cutting up pieces of fresh, crunchy apple to add to her bowl of ‘Healthbran’. Carol-Anne firmly believed in maintaining a healthy diet. “Would you like some chunks of this lovely apple to add to your bowl of Choccieflakes, Billy?” she asked her seven-year-old. Billy screwed up his nose, shook his head and picked up his comic which lay on the breakfast table. “I love eating apples, Billy, but look, you can share this one with me. It’s really tasty. Mmmmmmnn. Yum-yum!” she added, popping a large piece into her mouth and chewing it noisily, in an effort to convince her son to try it.

But Billy wasn’t listening. “Don’t know why I bother,” she muttered under her breath. “You try and give them ‘five-a-day’ and look what happens. I’ll be classed as a bad mother when his teeth all fall out.” Carol-Anne shuddered at the thought. Honey, the golden retriever, did her job and picked up the envelope from the doormat with her soft mouth. Wagging her tail as she entered the kitchen, the dog delivered it up to her mistress like a prized partridge in a game shoot. Carol-Anne licked her buttery fingers, wiped them on her trousers and took the envelope from the drooling mouth of her beloved pet. “What’s this, Honey?” she asked, gazing at the name and address. She grimaced when she saw the A and the H of, ‘Mrs C.A. Howard,’ had been covered in doggy, slobbery goo which made the ink run - so that it actually read, ‘Mrs C oward’. She cringed. She’d been expecting this but dreading its arrival. Now she would have to formulate a plan. “Morning! How’s my favourite wife and son today?” her husband asked as he breezed into the kitchen and gave Carol-Anne a squeeze. “What? Oh, yeah, morning, Terry. Tea’s in the pot,” she replied, surreptitiously waggling the white envelope under her husband’s nose while Billy continued to read his Spiderman comic and shove Choccieflakes into his mouth at a great rate of knots. “What’s that?” Terry whispered, flinching back from the envelope’s razor cutting edge. “Dental appointment. For a filling,” she whispered back with a frown. “I’ve been expecting it and you know what this means, don’t you?” Carol-Anne cocked her head and cast her eyes in Billy’s direction. Her husband followed her gaze towards their son.

Short Story “Oh, I see,” Terry replied in a low voice, implying he understood the importance of this news. “Do you want me to go?” “You can’t. You’ve got that residential management course to attend this week. I’ll be OK. So will Billy, I hope,” said his wife, crossing her fingers in front of her face. “Well, if you’re sure. I’ll let you break the news to the little lad. Look, I’m running late. I’d better get going. Bye, love. Bye, tiger.” Terry grabbed a slice of toast, kissed his wife on her cheek and ruffled Billy’s hair. Billy nodded but didn’t lift his eyes from the comic. Carol-Anne heard the front door close. She leaned out into the hallway, looked out of the window and saw Terry’s car backing out of the driveway. Then, she pushed the white envelope into her pocket. A corner of it stuck out, still visible. She crouched down beside her son at the table and took a deep breath. No point putting it off. Billy would have to know sooner or later. “Billy. I want you to do something for me,” she said. “I need you to be really brave. Like a big soldier. Can you do that for me?” The boy put down his comic and looked puzzled, but nodded slowly at his mother. His eyes shifted towards her trouser pocket. “What’s that in your pocket, Mummy?” he asked, pointing to the envelope corner. He caught her unawares with the question and before she realised it, she’d replied, “Oh, that. It’s just an appointment.” “Appointment? What sort of appointment?”

“Why do I have to be brave, Mummy?” asked her son, wriggling in his chair and trying to get down from the breakfast table. Carol-Anne deflected the question by pushing the comic off the table onto the floor. Billy jumped down after it. It had done the trick. He was diverted. “What about the opshinishens, Mummy? Do I get to leave school early? Will you come and get me?” “What? Oh, yes, yes, of course. Look, go and brush your teeth. We don’t want to be late for school.” The boy picked up the comic and ran upstairs. Carol-Anne ripped open the envelope from her pocket and stared. Her eyes flew across the page, digesting the instructions. Yes, it was just as she feared. There wasn’t much time. Billy would come back down the stairs at any moment. She leapt for the phone and dialled. She felt her pulses race and her breath quicken as she waited for the call to connect. She had to get this over with. At last, they picked up. “Yes, hello, this is Mrs Carol-Anne Howard. I got your letter this morning about the appointment. I really don’t think I can do this. My son still remembers what happened the last time I brought him to you. Perhaps we could put it off for a while. No? Oh, not your policy, eh? But please understand, it could have a terrible effect on my son in the future. You don’t understand, I…What? Today? Well, um…. yes, very fortunate that I should ring. No, I suppose not. Yes, I did agree to this. Yes, yes, I’ll be there. So will Billy. Until 4.30, then. Bye.”

She froze. She had to think fast. It would never do to blurt out the truth. “For the optician’s,” Carol-Anne added quickly. “Your teacher recommended we arrange an eye test – just to be certain you don’t have eye strain from reading too many Spiderman comics.” “Oh, that’s OK. As long as it’s not for the dentist’s. I don’t want to go there again. It was horrible the last time I went there.” “I know, son, but you will be brave for mummy, won’t you - if I ask you to be?” The child nodded. “Good boy. And, afterwards, I’ll be sure to tell Daddy what a brave little man you were.”

Carol-Anne felt defeated as she felt the prickle of cold sweat begin to trickle down her back. It was too late to back out now. She’d just have to go through with it and pray that Billy would be good. Continued on page 10 9

Short Story She collected him from school at 4 o’clock. It was a short ride in the car. She didn’t want to do it but she had no choice. It was going to be painful for her and she knew it. She only hoped that Billy didn’t suffer too much from the experience. She parked their car at the back of the building. As they neared the entrance, Carol-Anne felt her courage fade. She really hated putting her son through this but she had no option. A lot of people were afraid of the dentist and yet they managed to go. She took a deep breath and took hold of Billy’s hand. “Ouch! Mummy, you’re hurting me,” he cried, trying to pull his hand free. “Sorry, darling. Mummy didn’t mean to. Come on. You said you’d be brave for me. Now here’s your chance.” Together they walked down a long, bare corridor. The sound of her high heels clicked as an echo as they walked. There was no-one else around. She held Billy’s hand firmly, not permitting any escape. She felt her throat tighten. The little boy struggled to keep up with her fast pace.

“Where are we going, Mummy? Is this the opshinens?” “No, no opticians. It won’t take long, Billy. I’m sorry I had to tell you a little fib, darling but…,” her voice trailed off as they neared two doors. Carol-Anne stopped short as she heard an awful noise of apparent torture coming from inside one of the rooms. Like a banshee screaming. She knew what it meant but she had come too far to stop now. She prayed Billy wouldn’t suffer any ill effects from all of this. She took a deep breath and walked in through the one marked, “Dental Surgery.” They approached the desk where a woman in a white overall sat. The receptionist greeted them with a smile. “Can I help you?” “I’m Mrs C.A Howard. I’m here for my molar filling, discovered at my six monthly check-up. This is my son, Billy. He’s here to hold my hand. You see, I’m simply terrified of dentists!”

Things to Do

The TAPAS Easter Bake Off This month sees the first ‘TAPAS Bake Off.’ Following on from the success of the BBC Great British Bake Off, TAPAS has decided to try its own version. The event is being held on March 23 at Los Arcos (A7059 – Ctra Coin/Cártama between Km6 & Km5) starting at 12 noon and will feature a number of stalls selling their goods as well as the always popular Betty’s Tea Room. Those wishing to enter the Bake Off must register by March 16 (either email: info@tapassociety.com or visit the website: www.tapassociety.com). You can find more details of the rules and categories for the competition from the website, or by email as well. Entry to the event, which is for the Cudeca cancer charity, is just 2€. See advert on page 31.

The TAPAS Cook Book

Are you a secret cook with many a family recipe? Do you have a favourite recipe? Would you like to share it? Well now you can. Elaine is putting together a TAPAS recipe book and would like to include some of your favourites. If you are interested, please email Elaine on info@ tapssociety.com for more details. A map to Los Arcos, the home of TAPAS, can be found at www.tapassociety.com/2010/03/how-tofind-us/

Lifestyle

How to write all about it Every story begins with an idea. One has to write about something, right? Ideas can come from anywhere. Something you hear on the radio, such as a lyric from a songâ&#x20AC;Ś something you see happening around you or on the television; something in the shape of a tree you see when you take a walk through the forest: ideas can come from everywhere. Having had an idea, you have to put it on paper. Some authors immediately have the whole story inside their heads and they create an outline. This means that they write down what should be happening at the beginning of the story, in the middle and how it should end. Often, the characters are worked out in that outline as well. Some go even further and make a timeline â&#x20AC;&#x201D; setting out what should happen when. Authors writing mystery novels often use that method so there are no mistakes in the chronology of the story and it all fits together at the dramatic conclusion.

When writing was still done by hand and on paper, some writers had blank page fear so they wrote on rolls of wallpaper so there would not be a new empty page to fill. For many writers, this is the perfect way of working and in many cases it is; it is a sort of lifeline to hold on to. For me it doesn't work. If I use that way, I feel like I'm tied to follow the line set out. When I start a story, I haven't got the foggiest where the story will take me, what characters will show up or what is going to happen.

Lifestyle A very faint idea runs around in my foggy brain for a while and then I see or hear something that makes some cog wheel fall into place. I let them run for a while and then I sit behind my desk to paint a picture with words. I see the picture in my mind’s eye and it starts to move like film; I simply write down what I see happening. Some who read my stories always say each one is written like a film.

Consciously, I don't know yet where the story will take me. Without doubt, the whole story is in my subconscious mind, already steering me where I need to go. When I have written about 50 or 100 pages, it slowly begins to dawn on me where I want to go to — but not what is going to happen on the way there. So I make all kinds of sidesteps which, in some inexplicable way, always have an effect on the whole story. Sometimes it explains something; other times it is to find something which is needed later in the story, but it always adds pages.

What is most important is that writing should be fun. In the way I write and deal with it, the characters are not just names on a piece of paper — they are living and breathing beings to me. I feel their pain, their joy, their fear and their hope; this is also why, when I finish a story, I am sad for a few days because I have said goodbye to people that have been part of my life for a longer period of time; people I will never see again. Find your inspiration from wherever you can, place pen to paper — or finger to keyboard — and let your imagination flow. Maybe you have experienced a life which will inspire others, or can educate the masses to a situation which has happened to you. If there is a budding writer inside of you then why not try; you never know, you just may be the new JK Rowling or Ian Fleming!

The fun of writing this way is that people who read it get dragged into the story, and find it hard to put the book down once they start reading. Another thing that is fun — especially when writing fantasy, my genre of novels — is that you can make all things happen and you can create all kinds of creatures. In fantasy stories, the only limit is your own imagination.

Spotlight

The World from Cortijo del Rector

by John Sharrock Taylor

As Val would be the first to admit, she's a town girl at heart. Shortly after our marriage, when we were still living in a rented flat in a former Victorian nunnery, I took her to see a remote country cottage advertised for sale in the Lune Valley. It had no mains water or electricity and needed total renovation. When she had recovered from the shock, we ‘compromised’ on a nice split-level detached house — brand new and wonderfully convenient, with views of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland hills. It took me another 11 years to convince Val that I’d found our ideal house in the Cambridgeshire fens. It was called Rector’s Cottage and it was wonderfully inconvenient, with low oak beams, an inglenook, a secret passage, a staircase as steep as a cliff, a resident ecclesiastical ghost — but nowhere was there the ghost of a right angle. When we asked our surveyor how old he thought it was he said 'Most of what you can see dates from about 1500. What you can't see is a lot older than that. Did you know you'd got a tunnel in your cellar? It runs under the road to the cellar of the Manor House. The Manor House? It used to be owned by the man who shot William Rufus.' We loved it and though our careers eventually swept us on to El Salvador, Chile, Ecuador, Malawi, Malaysia and India, we’ve never forgotten it. It was while we lived at Rector's Cottage that Richard, our long-awaited firstborn son, was born. Rector’s Cottage, Fowlmere, Cambridge January 16th 1980 A pale brass sun Slides down a tinplate sky The level light Elongates Cambridge fields Water glitters in the ruts Like steel Iron trees stand stark The hedge is a black mesh A brown hare darts across My homeward road Village lights glow gold The silent house Smells of the years and of wood smoke You are two hours old My son 16

In December 2001, while we were on holiday from our jobs in Malaysia, we bought a small finca in the Sierra Subbética of the Málaga Province of Andalucía. The 80 olive trees and the dozen or so almonds were wildly overgrown and the rambling old stone house sadly neglected. Half the roof consisted of rusting corrugated iron, the wiring was by HeathRobinson's Spanish cousin and both the internal and external rendering were falling away in chunks. Corresponding by email — a risky strategy and not one we’d recommend — with a local builder who, fortunately, was reasonably efficient and only semicorrupt, we managed to complete the earlier stages of restoration just on the solvent side of bankruptcy. By the time we returned in June for a six week stay we had a new roof, a new kitchen and an ensuite bathroom. The ugly concrete access to the upper storey had been replaced by an open-tread hardwood staircase which has united three pokey rooms into one pleasant living area, heated by a wood-burning stove. An archway to the extended kitchen opens onto a broad sunny terrace with a westerly view down the valley through the olive groves to the distant blue mountains of the Torcal de Antequera. We have resisted the temptation to over-restore and our house remains rustic. The whitewashed stone walls are three feet thick. The ceilings are low and supported by heavy un-squared beams of olive and poplar. With the exception of a larger shuttered one in the kitchen, the windows are small, to keep out the bitter winter cold and the blinding sun of the Andalucían summer. After 20 years of travelling on four continents it is a place to come home to. In memory of our son Richard’s first home, Rector’s Cottage in Cambridgeshire, we have named it Cortijo del Rector, literally The Headmaster’s Farm. As TS Eliot put it: ‘In my end is my beginning'.

Spotlight Thirty-odd years of school bells were more than enough for us and here at Cortijo del Rector, life is ruled more by the calendar than by the clock. Depending on how late I’ve rolled into it, I roll out of bed at some time between five and six o’clock in the morning and, as the coffee perks, proof-read yesterday’s effort before starting to draft today’s thousand or more words. The dogs studiously ignore me until they announce at precisely six-thirty that it’s time for breakfast, followed by a stroll through the olive groves to chase hares and chat with José and María further up the valley. I take Val her wake-up coffee some time between eight and nine and then it’s time for such things as chainsaws, pruning hooks and one or other of the dozens of jobs which are part of day-to-day life on an olive farm. If my five o’clock start sounds Spartan to you, let me add that the traditional two hour post-lunch siesta is an honoured custom at Cortijo del Rector. When our beautiful, great, golden Basil died three years ago at the age of 13 we were grief-stricken. Born in Africa, he had enjoyed a splendid life being petted and admired by children in international schools in Latin America and Asia, and his last three

Bas

Bor

years were spent tramping the hills of Al Andalus with me and intimidating the rowdy local curs with no more than an aloof, imperious stare which said, ‘If you want to make something of it, go ahead — but I really wouldn’t advise it’. We missed him sorely and nothing will ever replace him but life without a dog seemed unthinkable. I emailed Pepi’s Refuge: ‘We are looking for a big dog. Toys ‘R definitely not us’ (that was before Biggles exploded into our lives). Continued on page 18

Spotlight

Boris is one of Nature’s gentlemen, which is surprising given his start in life. Born of an unlikely and no doubt transient relationship between a Mastín (Spanish mastiff) and a Galgo (Spanish greyhound), he was clubbed over the head and left to die in a ditch. Workers on the tracks for the new AVE high-speed train heard the puppy whimpering and brought him, bleeding and bedraggled, to Jane and Alan at Pepi’s. He grew up into a big, white, handsome Borzoi-like fellow with long legs, huge paws and floppy, spotty ears. The helpers at the refuge loved him, walked him and played with him and during his two-and-ahalf years there he became a Pepi’s mascot. But nobody adopted him. Big dogs are generally less in demand than small ones and perhaps Boris’s wellknown history put prospective owners off. Surely a big, powerful dog with such a history would carry a lot of emotional baggage. Boris does have his hang-ups but they are amazingly few. The moment he lopes into view our friends José, Antonio and Alberto whip off their gorras and stuff them into the pockets of their dungarees. Evidently the man who beat him wore a baseball cap and he is still nervous of them. Oddly enough, our elderly neighbour Gamba, who loved animals and fed all the strays, could take the most flagrant liberties with him — even to the extent of pretending to threaten him with a stick while Boris stood there and looked soppy. Gamba died a few months ago and we miss him.

Another of Boris’s pet hates is birds. Having lived in Africa, where the hammerkopf herons used to swoop down and strafe Basil and his brother then soar away with a mocking Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! we wonder if the local birds at Pepe’s Refuge have a similar habit of taunting the inmates. For quite a while after they joined us, the sound of chirping on our terrace would send Boris and his small henchman Biggles skittering out with excited barks to see off the interlopers. Not any more. In the stifling heat of the Andaluz summer, two of last year’s brood of swallows took up residence under our porch. In the daytime, they perched on the reja, the security grille of our front door, only a couple of feet over our heads. At night, they roosted on the lantern above the door and when I opened it at dawn, I was greeted by a ringing burst of song. After a couple of attempts to compete, Boris and Biggles bowed to the inevitable and decided to ignore them.

When he joined us at Cortijo del Rector, we thought in our innocence that we were adopting Boris but in reality, of course, he was adopting us. When we call him in because we need to go to the village market he reproaches us with a tragic stare and when we return home, he hangs his head in mock misery and raises a shoulder in a hunchbacked pose reminiscent of Sir Lawrence Olivier in one of his iconic roles. ‘Ah,’ I tell him understandingly, ‘Boris the Third’.

Charity News

Change your life forever in just 50 days

By Fran Rajewski

Margaret Thatcher once said: "Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it."

Steve and Steffi at Cortijo Las Salinas, Sabariego, Jaén, are very happy to host one of the sponsored walks/lunches in aid of the Cudeca charity, combined with the enthusiastic 5x50 team.

5x50 is this incredible initiative, created last year in a bid to help us form a new habit in just 50 days — and ultimately get us all out and off the sofa. Whether fitness is your motto and you are looking for a new kind of challenge, or if, like me a few months ago, your sole exercise is lifting glasses of cava, then this challenge could be just what you need to get you in the shape you are dying to be. By early March, it is fair to say New Year’s resolutions are usually long forgotten. So why not take the pledge to run, walk, jog, cycle, swim, kayak, Zumba, dance, box or any other kind of exercise for 30 minutes minimum or five kilometres every day for 50 days, and thus form a new habit that will last for a lifetime. The challenge — and it will be a real challenge for most of us — starts on Sunday March 31 and will run until Sunday May 19. 5x50 Las Salinas, https://www.facebook. com/5x50LasSalinas, your local team of fitness wannabes, has decided to help Cudeca, http:// www.cudeca.org/, whose aim is to “care, relieve, accompany and offer the specialist care that is involved in treating patients resident in the province of Málaga, who are suffering from advanced or terminal cancer, which includes giving support and comfort to their family”. After registration you can choose to continue raising funds for Cudeca, or simply take part. And if the challenge seems too much for you at present, you can simply choose to donate or join us in one of the sponsored walks we will be organising in April and May.

Cortijo Las Salinas is the perfect venue for walkers and ramblers. It has many walks of all levels directly from the cortijo, along with walks further afield which can be reached by car. The cortijo also has a fully equipped casita which has a bar-b-que, pizza oven and plancha, perfect for large gatherings or parties; all this and an azure swimming pool too! Come and register for our mid-challenge sponsored walk https://www.facebook.com/ events/177190162428690/ And if that has not yet spurred you to join or donate, ‎remember the words of H Jackson Brown : "Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein."

So what are you waiting for? Come and join us http://5x50.co.uk/register

Health & Beauty

To Pee or Not to Pee... Many men experience an increase in the frequency at which they have to urinate as they get older. It is exceedingly common among older men, and this does not mean there is a problem. However, if you are a man that is "always having to go," don't just dismiss it as ageing. There are many causes of frequent urination and the symptom needs to be checked out by a doctor. Frequent urination Always having to go or feeling the need to urinate more often than is usual is called frequent urination. This differs from urgent urination, which is as the name suggests, is an urgent, compelling need to wee. This can often be accompanied by bladder discomfort. If the need to urinate occurs at night, it is termed nocturia. Normally, a person can sleep for between six and eight hours without the need to urinate.

All of these are known to cause frequent urination, but there is one extremely common cause that is overlooked by many men. That is an enlarged prostate and affects more men than you probably know. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland which secretes seminal fluid (the fluid which carries the sperm cells). The gland itself surrounds the urethra, which carries urine out through the penis. As the prostate grows larger, it may exert pressure on the urethra and cause problems with frequent urination. Causes of enlarged prostate The prostate wraps around the urethra between the rectum and the pubic bone. Early in the development of an enlarged prostate, the muscle of the bladder contracts more powerfully than usual and pressurises urine through the urethra. The bladder muscle responds by gaining thickness and sensitivity. This causes the need to urinate often. The larger the prostate grows, the tighter it squeezes. The bladder then cannot compensate for the problem and empties entirely.

Common causes When experienced simultaneously, a frequent, urgent need to go to the bathroom is a classic symptom of an infection in the urinary tract. Typically, the infection will cause an inflammation of the bladder which, in turn, reduces the bladder's capacity to hold urine. In this case, even a small amount of urine can be uncomfortable. These symptoms can also be caused by: 1. Diabetes 2. A condition called interstitial cystitis, which is a chronic, constant inflammation of the bladder. This is more common in women than men, but it is worth checking out 3. Diuretics as well as other medicines 4. Therapeutic radiation 5. Dysfunction of the bladder 6. Cancer of the bladder 20

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate Actually, an enlarged prostate is accompanied by no symptoms at all. There are a few things to watch for, though, such as: A weak stream of urine or a stop/start during urination. Finding it difficult to start urinating. Dribbling of urine after urination. Feeling like you are not done. Leakage of urine (incontinence). Frequent urination or an urgent need to go, especially during the night. If you have experienced any of the above, go to a doctor and get checked out immediately. An enlarged prostate only gets worse over time if it is overlooked. It could lead to other more serious conditions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore the signs your body is sending you. Some men find this subject an embarrassing one to speak about, but remember, even if you are embarrassed, the doctor will not be!

Charity News

Spreading Love Throughout Loja After all the New Year festivities, Peter and Patricia Love of the Informal English Group of Loja discovered that many local people were finding everyday life somewhat difficult. Of course, the majority of us have to budget and watch the purse strings more, but rather naively, the Loves believed that Spanish families were helping their relatives to manage. Apparently, though, this was not the case. As the crisis continues to hit Spain hard, many people are simply unable to help family members and there are hundreds of Spanish people in Loja and the surrounding villages who are in absolute dire straits. So many communities are now suffering and finding it almost impossible to see ends meet. Numerous families have fallen victim to unemployment — the main wage earner thrown out of work — and with little or no hope of jobs for their younger relatives, life is becoming unbearable.

Peter will arrange for delivery in bulk to the Spanish organisation Cáritas, which is overwhelmed with requests for aid. It is hoped that you will support this appeal. You can leave items at Clinica Veterinaria Victoria any Tuesday morning. The times have to be limited due to opening hours, so please only leave items between 10:00 and 13:30. The clinic is next to the Bar Alcazaba (the old coach stop) almost opposite Flati on the road up past Día in Loja. There is ample car parking. If you prefer, you can make a cash donation through any bank. The reference account number is: BBVA 0182-3520-76-0201501593 Cáritas de la Parroquia de la Encarnación de Loja (Granada). This account has been established purely for those in need in Loja. It is a local account for Loja locals— the money does not go into a national account.

In their own small village, Patricia and Peter are friendly with many locals who have worked all their lives. But these people have suddenly, without warning, joined the ranks of the unemployed. They do not find themselves in this situation because they don’t want to work — they are hard workers. As with most inland villages and towns, there simply is no work. They want to provide for their households, but their pride and self-esteem has been shattered through no fault of their own. Some of us are lucky enough to have sufficient to live on — albeit on maybe more of a budget than years gone by — but Peter and Patricia are asking if those of you who are more fortunate would be willing to contribute to helping the people who have welcomed us into their country. To this end, they have arranged for donations of food: rice, pasta, flour, coffee, sugar etc. and any non-perishables in packets or jars to be collected at the Clinica Veterinaria Victoria. It is not only food that is required: everything from toilet rolls to soap is also needed. It would be of great help if donations could be in bags or boxes.

Health & Beauty

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Lose Sleep Over It There are millions of people all over the world with serious sleeping problems. If they are able to snatch an hour or two of sleep at night, they consider themselves very fortunate. After struggling for years to find an effective cure for their insomnia, they finally give up and accept their condition as something they must learn to live with. However, understanding why we need sleep and knowing the root cause of insomnia is often the first step in treating it. If you lose sleep every now and then, you may eventually suffer from having eye bags or dark circles under the eyes for a day or two. However, if sleep deprivation becomes chronic, it can cause more than just puffy raccoon eyes. Studies have shown that people who regularly skip sleep or do not achieve deep slumber can speed up their ageing process. Frequent sleep loss also slows down metabolism and increases the risk of developing serious health conditions. Recent research also showed that the blood sugar levels of sleep-deprived men take about 40 per cent longer to drop following a carbohydrate-rich meal, compared to those who are able to sleep well. The sleep-deprived person's ability to respond to or secrete insulin can also be impaired by 30 per cent. However, the same research also confirmed that such changes could easily be reverted after a period of sleep recovery. Insomnia or sleep deprivation are the terms used to describe a lack of quality sleep: either taking ages to get to sleep, difficulty in staying asleep or waking up too early and being unable to get back to sleep.

People who suffer from this tend to be irritable, inattentive, lacking energy and accident prone. They are more likely to suffer from depression, heart disease and strokes. Continued sleep deprivation brings about changes in the activity and timing of important hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, leptin, thyroid hormones and prolactin. Studies have shown that this has also been witnessed in sufferers from depression and in age-related chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. No-one really knows exactly how sleep works. For centuries it was believed that sleep was just a neutral state of mind and body, but modern science is beginning to identify its many positive effects. Moods During sleep, the brain's metabolic rate and temperature are reduced, allowing certain brain cells to regenerate. We do most of our dreaming during our deepest sleeping, during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. This is when the receptors of the essential drugs serotonin, histamine and norepinephrine take a rest, restoring them to the appropriate level of sensitivity. This is believed to be important in regulating our moods during waking hours. Sleep and weight loss If you're trying to lose weight and believe that sleep loss won't adversely affect it, think again. In childhood, human growth hormones (HGH) are responsible for tissue production, but as we grow into adults, HGH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; only released when we sleep â&#x20AC;&#x201D; becomes responsible for weight regulation, among other things. Sleep to learn Studies have shown that whatever we take in and learn during the waking hours needs to be processed and consolidated before it is put to memory and reflected in our abilities. The process of sleep enhances this.

Health & Beauty

So what is the main cause of insomnia? There may be many reasons but the main cause is simply stress. Our lives, like those of any other organism, are mostly kept in optimum balance. Our hormonal secretions, fluid levels, temperature make our mind and body perform at their peak. When being confronted by a predator, ‘flight or fight’ is the most common stress response, but it can also be triggered by events such as crowding, noise or darkness. It can also happen in response to events such as fear, anger and even extreme pleasure. Prolonged states of stress can leave the body in a constant state of alarm and imbalance. The process of sleep has the opposite effect. Falling asleep involves the gradual shutting down of systems, a decrease in metabolism and the cessation of the readiness for action. We are less alert and arousal decreases. The hormones secreted in stress responses excite the body's systems. When stress is chronic we are hyper-aroused and then we can't sleep. If the stresses in your daily life impact on your night-time sleep, there are techniques which can maximize the quality of sleep, bringing enrichment to your days.

Immediately after working out, you may feel pumped up and ready to go. However, after a few hours you will realise that you are tired; this might help you catch the deep slumber that you have been yearning for. Many people end up having difficulty catching a snooze because they have resisted their urge to sleep in order to catch a TV programme, finish some work or spend time with friends and family. If this is only occasional, then no matter. However, if you consistently defy your body's sleep signals, then your body clock might be disarrayed, causing more sleepless nights. It would be wise to heed the call of sleep once you feel it. During the week, people usually maintain a routine of sleeping and waking up at the same times each day. However, during weekends, many drastically change their routine. This can actually affect your sleep patterns the following week, so stick to your routine as much as possible, even during weekends. Many famous people have had very serious sleep problems, including numerous authors, artists, scientists, film-stars, politicians and many celebrities. Napoleon – claims to have had as little as three hours sleep a night. Winston Churchill - also suffered from severe bouts of depression that persisted until old age. He referred to this depressive state as his “black dog”. Sir Isaac Newton - also known to have suffered from severe depression and inability to sleep. Continued on page 24

People who are anxious or preoccupied about something usually find it difficult to sleep. The only thing you can do is to try to relax. There are many relaxation and meditation techniques which can help keep your mind off your work or problems. Stretching, T’ai Chi, yoga, listening to soothing music and imagining you are in a calm and serene place can all help you unwind. Drinking coffee or tea in the morning may help you wake up and keep you alert, but if you drink beverages with caffeine — such as soda, coffee and tea — in the afternoon and evening, you might find yourself awake all night long. If you cannot fall asleep at night, loading up on caffeine after lunch may be the culprit. 23

Health & Beauty Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet, frequently referred to his fits of melancholy and anxiety and his inability to enjoy the comfort of a full nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep.

with as little as two or three hours of sleep a night does not necessarily mean that you can do the same without endangering your health.

Other noted insomniacs include: Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Theodore Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher, William Shakespeare, Dickens, Marcel Proust, Scott Fitzgerald, Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.

The benefits to both mind and body of deep, relaxing, refreshing sleep every night are universally recognised. There is no doubt that people are able to function far more effectively physically, think much more clearly and work more productively.

In spite of the discomfort, frustration, stress and tension these famous people must have suffered during their own battles with insomnia, they still managed to achieve distinction in their chosen fields. They never allowed their insomnia to stand in the way of their goals. It is interesting to note, however, that so many of them, forced to cope with their sleep problems, also suffered from problems of depression and anxiety.

If you feel that you are not getting enough sleep at night, it is very important to be aware of the serious dangers to your health. Sleep deprivation is a condition that can be avoided; insomnia is not an incurable disease.

In the same way as individuals respond in different ways to the effect that food has on their bodies, due to variations in their metabolic functions, there is a wide disparity in the amount of sleep different people need. The fact that a famous person could get by

Sleeping problems can be solved without sleeping pills, drugs or medication of any kind. If, at present, you feel you are not getting the amount of sleep you need to remain healthy, it is important for you take steps to remedy the situation. Effective solutions to solve insomnia and long-standing sleep problems are definitely available, so do not suffer. Go and speak to your doctor to see what you can do to finally get some shut-eye.

Around Andalucía

The translation of Easter in Spanish is Pascua. This word rarely heard, though, as Spaniards normally refer to this period of the liturgical year as Semana Santa (Holy Week). After witnessing the Holy Week celebrations and such large, impressive, striking demonstrations of faith, it is not so difficult to understand why Spaniards reckon that the week preceding Easter Sunday is more important than the day which conferred on Christianity its meaning. Sevilla and Málaga are the Andalucían cities which display the most magnificent displays of Holy Week and a spectator arriving from abroad can be completely astonished, confused and stunned. The origin of the celebrations are due to the Marquis of Tarifa, Don Fadrique Enríquez de Ribera, who, on his journey to the Holy Land in 1521, decided to organise a large Via Cruces — Way of the Cross — which crossed the city of Sevilla. The holy performance also had a didactic aim, to enable the poorer folk to understand the story of the Passion of Christ. This event was then repeated and the custom spread to other cities and countries. Over the centuries, the original rite changed and little by little, became more grand. The processions multiplied and turned into the present representations of the Passion scenes, involving a large number of people grouped into several cofradías — brotherhoods. For seven days — there are none on Holy Saturday — the processions pass through the streets. Worshippers follow the floats, which carry sculptural groups whose inspiration dates back to the 17th century. The “pasos,” as they are called in Sevilla — or “tronos,” as they are known in Málaga — are carried by “costaleros” from the church where they are kept during the year to the city cathedral (or church in smaller villages), where the floats proceed to the Station of Penitence, before reaching their church again. Each of these processions takes between five to eight hours.

Nazarenos represent the followers of Jesus, but it is not clear why they wear a hood. Some say that this is a sign of humility as well as protection, but there is also a theory which says the hood dates back to the Inquisition when the head of the accused was covered with a sack. From that moment, all the worshippers who wished to expiate their sins wore this costume as a symbol of sacrifice. It is also not unusual to see nazarenos march barefoot as an additional effort to atone for their sins. The costaleros are the men who carry the floats and they consider themselves lucky and proud to be charged by this heavy burden. Some of them walk the entire route barefoot or blindfold to beg pardon for a sin or to thank heaven for a grace. The number of costaleros varies from float to float and from city to city, depending on the weight of it. Málaga has the largest floats in Spain and its small floats are carried by a minimum of 42 costaleros, whilst huge floats are carried by 270 men. Málaga celebrates Holy Week quite differently from other Andalucían or Spanish cities. Far from being silent and meditative, this week is noisy, euphoric and joyful. People applaud the floats and sing flamenco verses, and military parades march in front of the floats and sing their hymns. If you would like to experience the most deeplyrooted tradition of Spain, the perfect place to do so is Andalucía.

The members of the various brotherhoods, dressed up as “nazarenos” — hoodie penitents, with tunic, cloak and coat of arms — march in front of the heavy floats, often carrying a large candle. The conical shape of the hood evokes the approach of the penitent to heaven. Although the costume may seem similar, it has nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan — in fact, it is thought the American ‘hate’ organisations may have got their image from watching the nazarenos! 25

Own a Historic Character and Charm

Properties with this much character and charm rarely appear in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market. Here is a unique opportunity to own the major part of a 19th century Palacio known as a palacete, situated in the town of Teba, 40 minutes from Ronda and one hour from Malaga and Marbella, in the mountains of Southern Spain.

Fiestas

The Romeo and Juliet balconies off the master bedroom and the lounge afford marvellous views of the local fiestas. One fiesta in particular attracts international attention, celebrating the ultimate sacrifice made by Sir Douglas of Scotland who, returning from the crusades in 1329 with the heart of Robert the Bruce, died while helping to defend the town from the invading Moors.

The Region Is Renowned For

Nestling in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the town is world renowned for its country walks through the surrounding hills, mountains, woodlands and the lakes of Guadalteba, all of which act as popular sites for bird watching enthusiasts. International cycling teams use the area for training and hang-gliders use the mountain shelf to the west of the castle as a launch site. The mountaineering region of El Chorro is very close by.

Historic Property

This historic town house best displays its heritage through the abundance of original 19th century architectural details; and has original decorative tiled flooring throughout.

The House In Detail

19th Century

Refurbished in 2005 with new bathrooms, new kitchen, central heating and the building of the rear wing terrace and swimming pool, it covers 360m2 over three floors. The house currently has three bedrooms, with space for a further three to four with en-suite on the 120m2 third floor. The ground floor has one guest bedroom, a reception area and hallway. The marble-tiled staircase, featuring original 19th century wrought iron balustrades, leads to a first floor reception room with exquisite art nouveaux decorative painted ceilings and high-end plaster cornice-work, along with the finest quality bevelled glass, carved wooden doors.

For more information, photos or arrange a viewing contact

If you would like us to feature your property please

Palace in Teba The Private Buyer

This is an ideal property for those of you who are looking for the tranquillity and natural beauty of rural Spain. Properties of this quality, in this vicinity, rarely appear on today’s market, offering as it does the best of both worlds. Teba’s location presents one with the opportunity to own a property of historic significance in a region of overwhelming natural beauty, with well-defined nature walks, bird-watching, mountaineering and cycling routes all on offer locally, while maintaining quick and easy access to the beaches of the Costa del Sol in the summer, along with the ski-ing resort of Granada in the winter.

Palacete From this room, to the left, we have the second reception room, leading in turn to the large lounge, two bedrooms — one with en-suite — and the staircase leading to the third floor. All rooms feature the same quality art nouveaux decorative painted ceilings, all accessed via their original, tall, 19th century, marquetry-panelled wooden doors. To the right, the dining room, kitchen and utility room, second bathroom and hallway leading to a rear terrace with swimming pool with fine views of the castle. The third floor covers 120m2, and gives ample space to develop a generous lounge/roof terrace, or an additional four bedrooms with en-suites.

As A Business Opportunity

As a business opportunity, this property offers investors an opportunity to capitalise on Spain’s largest growth market of 2012: rural Spain. These inland beauty spots are attracting more visitors to outdoor pursuits every year. And while other sectors of the market close for the majority of the year, this is a year-round opportunity. It is the only area of Spanish tourism that continues to grow year on year and has the largest sector growth p.a. in Spain for 2012. Hence this property would also be suitable for conversion to a sizeable hotel or bed and breakfast.

Greatly Reduced Price

At a greatly reduced price of 375,000€ ovno, this represents outstanding value for money for such a unique property in one of Spain’s finest historic towns, situated in the most picturesque surroundings this country has to offer.

Liz on lizhutchinson@28hotmail.com or 658 315 295. email info@theandalucian.com for more details.

Things to Do

Sculpting a New Life in Almuñécar This month we have been speaking to a very talented ceramic sculptor who has recently settled in Almuñécar. Viviane Van Kessel, originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has lived in many places but most recently, moved from France to Andalucía on a permanent basis. To share her talents, Viviane has started her own workshop, where she offers classes in ceramic hand modelling/sculpture and Raku. The classes can be taught in French, English or Spanish.

San Francisco and Anchorage, Alaska, I understood that the contact of my hands with the clay and the promise of working on three-dimensional creations was what I really enjoyed.

TA: Studying in the early 1970s in San Francisco, which is 'where it was all happening,' what prompted you to go into arts in the first place? VVK: Since I was young I was always attracted to learning all sorts of handicraft.

TA: Many of your pieces are finished in Raku; can you explain what this is? VVK: Raku, meaning “joy” and “happiness” in Japanese, is originally a Korean glazing technique frequently associated with Zen Buddhism and the Japanese tea ceremony. It was further developed in Japan in the 16th century.

TA: What led you into sculpting rather than drawing? VVK: After a few years attending painting, drawing and sculpture classes at the School of Fine Arts in

The Raku finish (crazing aspect or crackles on a glazed piece) is achieved as follows: after a piece is removed from a kiln at very high temperatures, it undergoes a thermal shock caused by the rapid cooling. Then the extremely hot piece is placed into a container with sawdust which produces thick black smoke. The carbon infiltrates the porous clay body, blackening the clay and accentuating the crackle pattern of the glaze. It is always a surprise to see the end result after the piece has undergone this process. This is what I like particularly about the Raku finish. TA: Your work appears to be influenced by many cultures; which ones do you glean your inspiration from? VVK: Indeed, for being raised in a cosmopolitan family, having travelled extensively and having lived in many different countries since my childhood, all these cultures and countries inspire and nourish my sculptures. I particularly like Japanese art — some of my sculptures originate from semi-naïve Brazilian art and I particularly enjoy sculpting animals. TA: You have you lived in many countries — many very exotic — and speak an amazing seven languages, but what has led you here to Andalucía? VVK: Being Brazilian, and after having lived the last 30 years in France, I was looking for a more pleasant climate, not too far away from my family in France. It also had to supply a cultural and artistic

Things to Do environment that would allow me to meet artists and have resourcing exchanges. This is how I fell in love with the Tropical coast and decided to move to Almuñécar, which is quickly becoming a centre for artists coming from all over the world: “Almuñécar, la ciudad de los Artistas.” TA: Would you say that anyone can do sculpting and modelling? VVK: Certainly anyone can make simple objects, and then it becomes a matter of personal ability to shape with your fingers what you see in your mind. My objective is to help my pupils achieve their goals. TA: What kind of things can people hope to learn or achieve in one of your courses? VVK: I show my pupils several methods used in ceramic sculpture, starting with preparing the clay up to applying the glaze and firing a Raku piece. I assist them in creating their own unique pieces and even after just the first session, they will have the pleasure of finishing the course with at least one creation of their own.

Why not see Viviane’s work, along with that of other painters and sculptors, at the upcoming exhibition in April at the Casa de la Cultura in Frigiliana (AXARQUIA Art Group) or from May 6 to 12 in the Casa de la Cultura in Almuñécar “Exposicion de la Francophonia Andaluz” (Exhibition for the French Speaking Community in Andalucía). To discuss classes further, contact Viviane at vkviviane@hotmail.fr or 666 221 791 or visit her website www.artactif.com/viviane

TA: How large will the classes be, and how long will they last? VVK: My courses last for three hours and they are carried out in my own workshop in Almuñécar. I prefer working with small groups of maximum four, but a minimum of three pupils is required to start a course. TA: What is the price of a course and how can people join? VVK: My price is 7.50€ per hour or 20€ for a three hour session. Anyone interested can contact me either my email or by phone: vkviviane@hotmail.fr or 666 221 791. TA: Would you say that anyone can expect to achieve a good standard of sculpture from attending one of your classes? VVK: Depending on their own skills, yes! TA: When are your next dates for classes? VVK: My classes are on Mondays and Thursdays, either from 10 am to 1 pm or from 3 to 6 pm. 29

Classified Adverts Deposito Legal MA-1110-2004

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Meetings LOJA BRITISH LEGION meets 4th Wednesday of every month at 12:30 at Bar Rinconcillo, Plaza de la Constitucion, Loja. Everyone is welcome - you don’t have to have served in the Armed Forces. For details phone 958320872 or just turn up on the day.

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