The Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club) celebrated its Christmas Party last night, 10th December.
This group of foreign journalists and media people, who are based in the wider Malaga, Marbella, Mijas and San Pedro de Alcantara area, got together at Restaurante Manovra in Cala de Mijas, number 2 out of 123 restaurants in the area according to Trip Advisor, to relax and celebrate Christmas.
Restaurante Manovra [Ayuntamiento de Mijas]
'Secret Santa' popped in, and there was a 'Christmas Quiz'.
How'd it go?
The mood was festive, relaxed and fun. There was nothing serious that had anything to do with media and journalism.
After a pre-dinner drink (included in the price), during which members and their guests caught up with old acquaintances and friends, and new people, mainly guests of members, were introduced, we sat down for our three-course Christmas Meal.
I went traditional with soup, Christmas roast and Christmas pudding, while my guest, my wife, opted to avoid the roast and went for fish - Rita is German and not a fan of English roasts.
We were sitting opposite Sara, from Australia, and her guest Emma, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a former girlfriend of mine. Emma is English, but has lived in Spain for 28 years!
[Trip Advisor]
Sara is a member of the CPC and is a journalist. She lives in Alhaurin El Grande.
Emma was for many years an estate agent on the coast and is now considering her options away from the cut-throat world of real estate.
Also nearby were Andrew, English, and a long-time amigo mio, and Joanne, also English, who has lived in southern Spain for donkey's years and is married to a Spaniard. She organised the evening.
Two Spanish "guests" were also within earshot. It turns out that they are the children of another long-standing CPC member, Joan Fallon, a celebrated author originally from Scotland. So Roberto and Maria are, of course, bi-lingual.
At the other end of the table was another newcomer/guest called Lily. She was born in Spain of English parents who had emigrated to Spain in search of a better life. She attended secondary school in England and went to university there. She is also bi-lingual.
Joan Fallon [Facebook]
My wife observed that of the 33 people dining, only five were men, four active members and a guest.
Nationalities represented last night were, in alphabetical order, Australian, English, German, Scottish, Spanish and Welsh, although the membership also includes people from Argentina, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand, who all live in Spain full-time.
Everyone speaks Spanish to a greater or lesser extent.
Five of us have degrees in Spanish: committee member Jennie Rhodes (Newcastle); retired president and former editor of SUR in English Liz Parry BEM (Birmingham); current president Neil Hesketh (Manchester); editor of SUR in English Rachel Haynes (?) and I, retired member and blogger Paul Whitelock (Salford). In addition, current trainee Enya Soares is an undergraduate at Bath.
Liz Parry BEM [Central Bylines]
Lots of photos were taken, officially by Gary Edwards, a professional photographer member, and by others present, including myself.
More photos of the actual evening, from Gary, me and others, are still to come.
We shall add them in the next few days.
Gary Edwards [Costa Press Club]
Photos:
Ayuntamiento de Mijas, Central Bylines, Costa Press Club, Facebook, Gary Edwards, Paul Whitelock
© Paul Whitelock
Links:
Magnificent, under-rated Málaga
Mini-break in Malaga
Thanks:
Costa Press Club, Facebook, Gary Edwards, Paul Whitelock
Tags:
Ayuntamiento de Mijas, Central Bylines, Costa Press Club, Enya Soares, Facebook, Gary Edwards, Jennie Rhodes, Liz Parry BEM, Neil Hesketh, Paul Whitelock, Rachel Haynes, SUR in English