02 Aug 2007 12:07 PM:

Hi Ian,

The number is 952834329. Come off at the Don Carlos and then cross over the bridge to the beach side. Go straight over the first rounabout in front of the Alanda and then right at the second. Follow the road signs to the Beach House .. BUT.. as the road takes a left you need to go right as if you were heading back to the N340. Just before you reach the N340 take a left into a large parking area (they hold the Elviria Friday Market in the car-park infront of the Restaurant). Rubyana's is the white building with lots of green bushes etc. During the summer you eat outside to the left and in the winter inside to the right. We will no doubt be going again soon, so will double check the directions!

Fiona

Thread: Calahonda area restaurants -

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01 Aug 2007 10:29 PM:

We relocated to Elviria, Marbella, 2 years ago and both girls now 8 and 13 went to Spanish school (with the bare minimum of language) straight away. We couldn't really afford international, but had thought it was best for the same reasons etc should we return. We looked at a couple, but didn't like the atmosphere during our visits and on top of that they could only take the younger one as the other year was full. Having just completed their second year in Spain and both being promoted to the next year (no messing here, if you don't make the grade you repeat - no arguments!) I couldn't be more relieved that we made the right choice. Whilst it hasn't been plain sailing, the obstacles aren't major - it is just different, and that's what you would expect. I have resisted the tempatation so far, as I am regularly accused of embarassing my children, to join the equivalent of the PSA (an ex member in the UK plus Goverenor), but now my Spanish has improved I am going to give it a go in September.

The younger one has an accent 'to die for' and the older one (having completed year 6 in the UK) is finding the style of learning less stressful. Other parents we have met that have ended up being here for a few years (they had the same reservations when they first landed) who sent their children to international school, have found that their written spanish is not good enough to stay on here for further education, so are having to go back to the UK to stay with relatives and study there.

The Spanish system is reminiscent of when I was at school (40 in October) - back to basics. And the best thing - the children hug the teachers and they hug back. I think we were very fortunate that the school we happened to enrol in (we were very lapse with our research and just went for the closest one) has a very good 'foreigners department' and caters very well for non-spanish speaking students and families. Every lesson and letter home is in Spanish, and it makes you try harder. We have over 30 different nationalities at our school, with a flag for each one on a big world map at reception. The age range is from 7-13; no guns, knives, drugs and no racist taunts.

Re the actual title of the message as to where to live in Spain, no idea - but don't think about it too long, or it will be too late!

Regards,

Fiona

Thread: Where to Live in Spain...and Why?

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01 Aug 2007 9:52 PM:

We (two girls 8 and 13 plus hubby) like the Feng Shong chinese on the main strip in Calahonda. It was recommended to us a couple of years ago by a previous lady captain of Santa Maria golf. We have tried a few others closer  to us in Elviria one in Riviera and one in La Cala, but always go back to that one. You can find it set back from the road just up from Bogarts. - which my friends highly recommend for Sunday Roast. When the same friends were visiting us last year we tried the all you can eat buffet on the beach side at Calahonda (you always find their flyers under your wiper at Lidl) -it was awful. Don't rate the chippy near the top of the hill and have tried the other chippy in El Zoco and didn't rate that much either - Peggoty's near Estepona definitley has the top vote (they are opening another in Nueva Andalucia soon) We have also tried and liked the TakeOut near Mercadona - they do Indian, Pizza and Baguettes. Apart from that we rarely go to Calahonda to eat. Our favourite restaurant is in Elviria called Rubyana's. I would consider us regulars there, to the point that Carlos recognises my voice on the phone! It is Spanish owned and run - the staff don't speak much English so it is the perfect place to practise the lingo. Their speciallity is a roast lamb dish that you have to order the day before, you get a huge portion plus veg and at 13 euros a head it is excellent value for money. They also do a special menu at lunch - working men style - but unusually also do a special menu at night for 8.50 a head.

I think Da Brunos and ElOceano are a bit over priced, but would go along with Beckitts.

I realise I have rambled somewhat above, so apologise if you are bored already - food is one of my favourite subjects - can you tell?

Hasta,

Fiona

Thread: Calahonda area restaurants -

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28 May 2007 9:30 AM:

Hi,

We (as in committee) found some details of the 10 year insurance policy in the Libro del Edficio - the big book thing that should be given to you by your lawyer on completion. It showed the policy number of the Seguro Decenal and other policices that were valid during the build process. The reason we went looking for it was, as usual, because there were various faults developing within the complex that were not covered by individual or community insurance, so we thought we would try the elusive 10 year guarantee. As you would suspect it doesn't really cover very much. The guy from Mapfre was generally quite helpful and understood where we were coming from, but his hands were tied.

The Decenal is only there to cover re-build or repair if the damage or fault could lead to the collapse of the building. He drew a helpful diagram explaing how the building was contructed and that most of the cracks etc were superficial, and not to worry. Our main concern was the amount of water we have seeping from various sources into various areas. I asked if surely this water ingress and subsequent damage would not eventually lead to the collapse of the building. He wasn't convinced, but said he had noted my concerns and that if the building did collapse within 10 years to get back to him, as we may have a valid point! In the meantime the problems we were experiencing were due to shoddy workmanship and to get the original promotor to fix them. I said we had tried that, to no avail. He just shrugged his shoulders and left.

If you cannot find the policy number for the decenal try asking the same company that covers you for community insurance - i.e standard loss of roof tiles and public liability - ours are both with Mapfre. Many owners also use Mapfre and we find the continuity in companies helps a lot and resolves issues fairly quickly. (of course only ones within the policy)

It would seem from here on in that our community will liable for the cost of repairs of pretty much everything - even those items that the builder said they would see to and never quite got round to. We have been advised to get reports from the insurance company everytime something needs repair, so it can be shown in black and white that the problem is because of 'mal constructora'. Then to collate all this and any costs involved. Once the outstanding amount gets to about 50,000 euros it would be worth starting a claim against the promotor - before that the amount holds no significance and they would just tell you to get lost ,or ignore you - which would be the most likely reaction

I hope the above helps someone. Sorry it is so long - this is my first ever posting on any forum ever!

Thread: URBANIZATION COMMITTEE - SNAGGING BEFORE HANDOVER OF ALL AREAS TO COMMUNITY COMMITTEE

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