Burriana Billboard
 February 2012
 

 

Once again the main talking point along the paseo during January was the weather. Following on from December’s unseasonably warm days the past four weeks have, for the best part, done their best to rival last month.

 

The evenings were, as expected at this time of year, on the chilly side, and on a handful of occasions the daytime temperatures were quite cool too, but more often than not it was the t-shirts and shorts brigade who were in the majority. Parking space became an issue on a couple of weekends, with an influx of visitors from the surrounding towns and villages making Burriana their destination.

 

This is a difficulty more associated with the high season, and something that becomes an acute problem during July and August. In the summer months we’ve often seen drivers giving up and going elsewhere, much to the despair of the hard-pressed business owners, and it is something that the town hall have been promising to address for a number of years. Well, at last it seems that something has come as a result of the efforts of the town’s administrators.

 

At the beginning of January it was announced by the councillor for Nerja’s infrastructure, Antonio García, that central government funding has been obtained to build a three floor, 200 space, underground car park on the land at the junction of C/ Lucena and the main beach access road, C/ Fillipinas. This is the site that is used as an open air car park during the summer months, administered by Mr Parkin’ as he is locally known, due to a spelling error on one of his boards.

 

Almost immediately following the announcement a JCB was seen working on the site, so it may be the case that the estimated 18 month construction time of this much needed facility could be achieved. There’s only one worry in our minds, and that is what will happen to the river that runs straight across the land?

 


Underground car park site.  (J. Peatey)

 

It is a dry bed for the great majority of time, and a lot of folk don’t know of its existence, but there are those who remember what happened in the flood of September 2007, and, to a much lesser degree, when the area has been subjected to heavy rainfall on a couple of occasions since then. The resulting water channels and debris are always quickly smoothed over by a bulldozer following such occurrences, hence it being something of a little known fact, but it is a detail that we hope will be addressed by the contractors, otherwise there could be a big problem.

 

During January the town hall also announced that the children’s play-areas on the beach were being re-furbished. The councillor for Parks and Gardens, Nieves Atencia, made it clear in a statement that the work was being undertaken by the company that originally installed the equipment, and that there was no cost involved for the town’s administration.

 


Blue Med friends say goodbye  (J. Peatey)

  

t was sad to have to say goodbye to Lenny and Di, who ran Bar Blue Med for nearly two years. A large number of friends and customers turned up for their farewell party, and not unexpectedly it turned out to be a night to remember. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you both all the very best for the future, and our heartfelt thanks for the many great times we enjoyed in your company.

 

Dean, Jill and the team along at Over Land And Sea (OLAS) have had a busy time since returning from their holidays, in time to open the bar for their Christmas Day party. Over 60 people enjoyed what one partygoer described as, “A day and a night that won’t be forgotten quickly – I didn’t know I could still keep up that sort of pace!”

 

Another fantastic party took place on New Year’s Eve when Dean and Jill, sorry Russell Brand and Cheryl Cole, were joined by many other celebrities including JLS, Take That, The Cast of Dragons Den, Wayne Rooney, John Terry and over 50 other ‘names’.

 

Following that night to remember, on New Years Day over 40 brave souls got together down on the beach for The Great OLAS New Years Day Dip. Mad, but great fun for all who had the courage to take part in what has become an annual event on the OLAS calendar.

 

Looking forward to this month, and on Sunday February 5 the bar will be staying open to show the American Superbowl, at midnight. The USA’s biggest sporting event may even see Dean offering hot dogs and popcorn, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this event has been shown on Burriana.

 

  


Making a run for it.  (Dean OLAS)

The bar has been following the African Nations Cup since January 22, and with so many English based
players taking part in the competition it certainly provides a different footballing perspective. There are some big Premiership games coming up this month, starting on Wednesday evening, February 1 and carrying on during the following weekend.  For information on the games, and all of the other sports coverage on offer at OLAS, have a look on the boards outside, find them on Facebook, or, the best option in our book, pop along for a drink and ask in the bar.

 

Following the huge success of the Mr and Mrs Quiz last year it’s going to be the same again on Valentine’s night, Tuesday, February 14. Bookings are advisable for this buffet evening with a special love theme. “It will be a bit of a giggle as well as being romantic,” Dean tells us, “with prizes to match the 2011 quiz.

 

Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19, is FA Cup weekend and in addition to the football action on the five screens in the bar Dean hopes to hold the first volleyball tournament of 2012 on the beach at around 2pm on the Saturday. If you are interested in taking part in this six-a-side competition please let him know in the bar or on 95 252 3683.

 

That evening sees the first of the year’s Charity Quizzes taking place, starting at 8pm. Booking is highly recommended for this event, once again hosted by Coastline Radio’s Mr John ‘Boy’ Holmes, and featuring the famous OLAS quiz buffet. There’s a maximum of six players per team, so why not make up a team and see if you can win the evening’s cash prize?

 

Dean tells us that pizzas are going on to the menu later this year and they will be trying out various toppings during this month, so you can go along to give your favourite topping a vote. On the last day of the month, Wednesday, February 29, the bar will be showing the friendly football match between England and Holland. The match should have been played at the new Wembley in August 2011, but was postponed due to the riots taking place in the UK at that time. Kick-off is at 9pm Spanish time.

 

JJ’s Café del Mar are hosting a Valentine’s candlelit dinner on the 14th. Tables can be taken from 7pm onwards, and if it is anything like the Christmas Day lunch laid on at this popular venue then diners are in for a very special treat on this romantic occasion. Gentlemen beware! It is a leap year and tradition has it that the ladies can do the proposing of marriage as a result of this.

 

Miguel and Graham will be paying careful attention to their client’s requirements out front, whilst Janet and her team serve up their wonderful fare from the kitchen, on what promises to be a very special evening. There are only a limited number of tables left for this event, so bookings are absolutely essential on 95 252 5194.

 

The new patio heaters at H20 are proving to be a real draw, keeping the popular terrace area very snug and cosy. Also extremely popular with customers are the two fire pits, around which you can sit and keep warm, and, by special request, toast marshmallows and crumpets. At the time of going to press Alex and Lili were busy putting a special Valentine’s cocktail together, so if you fancy a pre- or post-dinner treat pop in and see them on the 14th.

 

And finally, going back to the underground car park story. The agency funding the project goes under the catchy little name of Fondo Financiero del Estado para la Modernización de las Infraestructuras Turísticas. Or, according to the Spanish press, the acronym of FOMIT.

 

JOHN PEATEY