12 Feb 2007 5:39 PM:

Hello everybody

The fiesta in the last 2 weeks of July is fantastic! It celebrates the battles between the Moors and the Christians which finished with the Moors being evicted from Spain. It actually lasts 2 weeks with something on in the square every night. The big nights are the last Friday and Saturday with the parades and parties.

In the summer there is also open air cinema in the square which is free - about 9 pm I think, all in Spanish of course but on a big screen. There are other things happening in the square and lots of little street parties everywhere because it is too hot to stay indoors.

Valstanne

Community thread: Question for Maria de Castro

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14 Jan 2007 5:04 PM:

Hi everybody

I was there over Christmas and New Year. It is traditionally a quiet time in Spain. They go to church instead of going out, but there are lots of parties in homes if you get to know the locals. I think another year we can organise our own.

The 3 Kings fiesta was excellent but smaller than the summer fiestas because it was a children's fiesta. There was a procession - early for Spain - at about 6.30 led by Djins (genies or spirits), dancing girls, warriors fighting with real swords and lots of Disney characters. The finale was the 3 kings in procession on floats with their courts and helpers. Lots of presents were thrown into the crowd and the children scrambled for them.

After a brief church service, They went on to a stage which was stacked with presents (previously delivered to the Town Hall by parents and guarded by the police) Each child was called on to the stage and given his or her presents by one of the kings. Apparently they don't get presents on Christmas eve.It was great to see, but there was not a lot for the English.

You will find that on Public holidays, most places are closed. Shops and bars do not open on Sundays, except on rare occasions.

Looking forward to seeing some of you either at Easter or summer.

Valstanne

Community thread: Question for Maria de Castro

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14 Jan 2007 4:46 PM:

Hi everybody

I've been away and have just seen the messages about furniture. If you want grey hairs then buy your upgrades from Muebles Beatrix in Torrevieja. They supply the furniture packs. Naomi in the shop speaks good English but will stitch you up every time. Everybody in the apartments has a horror story to tell about Naomi and furniture. I wish I had never tried to upgrade. In fact, I wish I had just taken the allowance and gone down to Ikea, because I had to buy most stuff from there in the end.

Naomi charges high prices, changes things after you have left the shop, says she will work out costs and fax them to you - she doesn't. They delivered me an upgraded sofa bed with the wrong cover on it in June and I am still waiting for the replacement. I have now got my lawyer involved. I upgraded to the Bahia pack which is quite nice, but Naomi kept sending the wrong things or nothing at all. the store still owes me for a dining table and chairs, bed heads and bathroom fittings, all of which Naomi now denies I paid for. I paid for them in January and they should have been delivered in June.

I got very stressed out all summer trying to deal with it all.Now I accept that it is partly the Spanish way of doing business and mainly Naomi making extra profit. I'm leaving it all to my lawyer. I have a lovely apartment, furnished mainly from Ikea, which is only down at Murcia, and I'm not going to get stressed out again.

If you can get out of any arrangements with Muebles Beatrix, I strongly recommend that you do. If you are happy with that appalling sofa with the maroon cover, leave well alone.

Valstanne

Community thread: Furniture Pack

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07 Nov 2006 5:47 PM:

Hi everybody

Just got back from Spain and catching up with website - I have no internet in Spain.

Sorry to have missed LeeAbby. You must have come round when I went shopping. I will be there every school holiday, so we will catch up at some time.

I think there is a problem entertaining children in the evenings near to the apartments. We have had problems with some very noisy children running around screaming at 11 pm or midnight because the parents have gone out to a bar and left them. The kids are bored, the residents are inconvenienced and some parents don't seem to care.

The Spanish take their children out with them and they often play in the square or the pedestrian area when they get bored with eating or drinking in bars. I've seen them with balls and skipping ropes, etc. Nobody minds and they are quite safe. A lot of children play on the school yard near the apartments, but it is all simple old fashioned play. I recommend bringing any suitable play things for outdoors. I've got a badminton set, a frisbee and a ball for my grandchildren for when they come out. Any other suggestions gratefully received. Valstanne

 

Community thread: Broadband in Spain

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15 Oct 2006 3:55 PM:

Hi Leeabby

Have been busy working flat out so I can relax in Spain. Do knock on my door if I don't see you around the complex on 28th. I'm in 103

Looking forward to meeting you

Valstanne

Community thread: First Meeting.

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