Small Talk diary page
February 2008

 

Count
the corks

 Readers may recall the cork house which was used to raise funds for Cudeca. Now Bruce Walker has been at it again only he has gone larger and constructed a cork castle.
He is again asking people to guess how many corks are in the castle but this year the competition is in aid of the Hermanas de la Bueno Samaritanos building fund. 

Last time the house was given to Cudeca for their children’s room but this time Bruce is hoping that someone will feel that they must have it for a special grandchild and is looking for offers. All the money raised will be passed to the nuns. 

The competition is closing soon and the winner will be announced at the Royal British Legion Nerja Branch lunch on February 21. 

Bids for the castle should be forwarded to by email here or telephoned to (+34) 95 252 7354 by February 27. The castle will be available to the highest bidder the following weekend.
 

€1500
 for Cudeca

 The treasure hunt in aid of Cudeca organized by Nerja Solutions was a great success raising a total of €1500 between 52 people.

A surprise auction of 12 Callaway golf balls was the highlight of the evening, raising €401. And a kind donation from an anonymous donor of €247 rounded the total up nicely to €1500.

The treasure hunt took the teams of four on a 40 km round trip of the Cómpeta area, where various points of interest and challenges were completed. One such challenge took the teams to a mountain retreat (Casa de la Mina) where they had to complete the task of saddling a horse, mounting it then doing a “round the world”. Other locations included the local grape crushing plaza where entrants were made to roll up their trousers, remove their socks and shoes and have a good old splat. There was also a blind wine tasting at Finca el Cerillo and a visit to the local flower shop to buy a pansy. All this was done while dressed as Pirates.

All the participants enjoyed the day and the winning team, competa Jeep.com, gave half of their €200 prize back to Cudeca. The evening was topped off with a huge paella and buffet, along with music and entertainment from Sasha who donated the proceeds of all her CDs sold on the night. The raffle made €540 euros towards the total and Nerja Solutions would like to thank all those who donated prizes.
 

... and €320
more

 Irish Annie’s would like to thank everyone who took part in the annual Christmas raffle in aid of Cudeca which raised €320.

First prize was won by Brian from Punta Lara who is a regular at the bar, second prize was won by Nan, whose ticket was bought by her daughter Elspeth from Smiffs book shop, and third prize by Lief, a visiting Norwegian who bought his ticket just an hour before the draw and was present to collect his prize. The draw took place on January 1 in the early evening.

Later that night, people were still feeling very generous when Lynda Coote, a long time resident of Nerja, and Alyson Forsyth, a regular visitor, came into Irish Annie’s after a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary earlier that day. They discovered that the sanctuary was in desperate need of a microwave to heat the medication for the sick animals and when they talked of this in Irish Annie’s with regular visitors, Jim and Susie from Belfast, they kindly donated €30 to buy the microwave. Upon hearing this, Joe, a first time visitor to Nerja, originally from England but living in Poland with his Polish wife, Yolanda, kindly donated €50 to help towards the microwave. On hearing of the generosity of her customers, Irish Annie then donated €20 to make it an even €100. In total, Lynda succeeded in collecting a total of €138.70 in one hour in Irish Annie’s.
 

Charity
dinner

 A charity dinner dance at the Hotel Al Andalus raised €800 in aid of Taller de la Amistad and Hermanas del Buen Samaritano. 
Jan and Dave Neale, who organised the event would like to thank everyone who supported them by giving so generously. Special thanks to Rafael (Hotel Al Andalus), Angie and Peter Smith, Elspeth (Smiffs), Ros (Allsorts), Thomas (Rib House, Torrox), Pepé (Old Cellar), Asian Ben Restaurant and Keith, Beryl and Martin (El Ancla, Torrox) for donating prizes. 

Pictured are Jan and Dave presenting the money to the Mother Superior and Christina of Taller de la Amistad.
 

Help
for Milly

 Two groups of people have recently raised money that will go towards the life saving treatment needed by a stray, starving little dog that was found near Cómpeta.

Friends of Bridget at Spectra Properties took the sick dog in for a short time and Bridget’s vet, Dolores, treated it initially free of charge. But the dog, Milly, has Leishmaniosis, a life threatening disease that requires a lot of treatment. Bridget, friends and dog came to the Costa Animal Society’s Saturday Market that is held near Bar Esquina de Miguel each week when the weather permits. Local people responded to their appeal and the magnificent sum of €170.66 was raised to help Milly.

Then Brogan Estates bought fireworks for a party hosted by Lynne and Mick Lafar and donations from guests raised another €120. If you think you might want to offer Milly a home, go in to see Bridget.

Tomoto of Vélez Málaga has donated a brand new Minelli 50cc scooter (pictured right), valued at €800, to CAS. The scooter is to be raffled and tickets are now available from the CAS office at €5 each. The draw will take place on April 30. 

 

Classical
concert

Cellist David Gee and pianist Lynne Mackey are performing at the Nerja Cultural Centre on February 8.
David has performed as soloist, quartet member and orchestral cellist in America, Europe and Africa and has given national radio broadcasts on National Public Radio and Spanish National Radio.

Lynne has performed in solo and chamber music settings in the US and Europe and is currently on the tour roster of the Virginia Commission of the Arts. The Gee-Mackey Duo has performed from New York to Florida on a variety of library, university and private recital series.

This season will see them performing and lecturing in Spain, Britain and Africa as well as performing fundraisers for international non-profit groups and offering regular recital series in the United States.
 

The Nerja programme is: First half - Suite Française (Paul Bazelaire), Peace Dance Craig Naylor), Elegy (Gabriel Faure), Oblivion (Astor Piazzolla), Cristal (Cesar Camargo Mariano). Second half - Sonata in A Major Opus 69 (Beethoven), I Allegro ma non tanto, II Scherzo - Allegro molto, III Adagio cantabile - Allegro Vivace.
 

Multimedia
show

 The Spirit of Andalucia, a multimedia art exhibition featuring paintings, ceramics and textiles, opens at the Frigiliana Cultural Centre on February 10 and runs until March 1.

Opening hours are 9am-8pm, Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturdays and 10am-3pm Sundays. There is a preview on February 9 from 11am to 1pm.
 

Ride
 for
the disabled

 Nerja Riding Centre is doing a sponsored three hour trail ride on Febuary 14 to raise money for Nerja Riding for Disabled Children.

All riders are welcome and if you haven’t got your own horse or want more information about the ride, contact Gill on (+34) 664 552 658 and she will be happy to provide one of her horses.

The organization ran a Christmas party for the children and Sue, who runs the riding club from Nerja Riding Centre, was presented with a plaque by one of the mums in appreciation for the past year working with the team of volunteers to give the children riding lessons and the chance to be with the horses which is a wonderful therapy for them. Gerry, one of the volunteers, accepted a plaque for the Anglican Church in Nerja, thanking them for providing a donation for specialised equipment to enable the children to ride safely. 

Call Sue on (+34) 645 474 183 if you would like to be a volunteer or a sponsor.
 

New
logo

Ramsey Douglas are in the process of updating all their vehicle graphics, as well as launching a new advertising campaign.
“We increased our turnover significantly in 2007 with the launch of our new web site” explains Ramsey, founder of the company, “and already the level of enquiries this year is very high.

"Our clients really appreciate the personal and individual service we are able to provide and we receive many recommendations but we also want to establish our new logo and our advertising campaign begins this month.”

Serenading
Gershwin

 The Serenaders are currently in rehearsal for their spring concert, “By George”, the songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

It will take place at the Nerja Cultural Centre on March 12, and is divided into four sections: Gershwin on Broadway, Gershwin in Love, Gershwin at the Movies and Gershwin at The Opera. George Gershwin was one of the most creative of composers for the Broadway stage and went on to make a name for himself as a classical composer. His brother, Ira, was one of the best lyricists of all time and together they made a remarkable team.

This production will be for the benefit of the Costa Animal Society.
 

Picture
news

  
Shortly after performing live on BBC Radio back in the UK, Amsterdam turned up in Nerja to do a gig at the Black and White. Many UK high street fashion brands have come to Nerja with the opening of Kit and Kaboudle on Calle Gomez (by the church on the Balcón, on the corner of the Sabadell Atlantico Bank).

Our picture shows the preview night last month.

   Fancy a dinner with a difference? Why not try the hot stones at Capilla del Mar on Calle Cruz, 16, Nerja? You get three fat prawns, two pieces of beef and a pork fillet all to cook yourself at your table. They’re accompanied by salad and garlic potatoes but you need to book 24 hours in advance on (+34) 95 252 1993.
 

Queen's
Jewellery

 Covered with Diamonds: Queen Charlotte’s Jewellery is the next lecture of the Nerja Decorative & Fine Arts Society. Given by Judy Rudoe FSA, it takes place on February 12 at 6pm at the Nerja Cultural Centre.

Queen Charlotte owned prodigious quantities of jewellery, yet today barely a handful of pieces survive. She came from Germany to marry George III in 1761. He gave her the magnificent Hanoverian jewels, which she wore to dazzling effect at the wedding and Coronation. She continued to collect jewellery for the next 60 years and on her death over 1,000 pieces were listed. Her contemporaries were amazed by her diamonds but she much preferred the sentimental tokens containing the hair of her children and the jewels with messages of love and affection exchanged between the various members of the Royal Family.

The lecture is sponsored by Property Market, Nerja. Visitors welcome, €10 at the door.

Further information, Ruth Lucas on (+34) 95 253 4282 or go to the new website here.
 

Beating
the offal ban

 Scots all over the world remembered their national poet, Robert Burns, on January 25. The anniversary of his birth in 1759 is celebrated annually with traditional suppers at which The Bard’s memory is toasted, the haggis is addressed and his works are recited.

However, many restaurants had problems sourcing haggis this year because of a ban on importing offal into Spain following outbreaks of bluetongue and “mad cow” diseases. Some feared they might have to pipe in a steak and kidney pie instead.

But Richard at Nerja’s Café del Mar managed to source some locally produced haggis which is being made by a Scottish butcher who now lives in the area.

So Alastair McFarlane, a regular visitor to Nerja, pictured here welcoming guests to Richard’s Burns’ Night celebration on Burriana Beach, was on duty there again last month to pipe in the Scottish delicacy in the traditional manner.

King
of Hearts
tournament

 The King of Hearts Bridge Club’s 18th annual tournament will be held on February 28, at 2.30pm at the Haveli, Nerja. 

The event will be followed by an Indian buffet dinner and dancing to Cantando & Co. The club’s ninth annual Discover Nerja International Bridge Tournament will be held on March 12 -16, with mixed pairs on March 12 and 13.and open pairs on March 14-16.

Telephone Eva or Amit for details, (+34) 95 252 7020.
 

Bridge Club
dates

 Nerja Bridge Club is holding several special events in February, starting with the bridge and supper evening on the 9th at 6pm followed by the annual club pairs championships on the 18th and 25th.

On March 1 there will be the annual teams match in La Herradura against a team from the Almuñecar and La Herradura clubs. Regular duplicate sessions are held on Mondays at 7pm and Wednesdays and Fridays at 2.30pm.

For partners and information call (+34) 95 252 5425 or (+34) 617 534 342.
 

Feel like
getting away?

 If you feel like getting away for a weekend, Torrox travel agent, Viajes Alcodalla, is organising a three-day trip to Doñana, starting on February 29 at 3pm.

Arrive on the first day to Matalascañas (optional walk along the wonderful beaches).

The following day you will start with a guided visit to the National Park of Doñana and after lunch a visit to the natural wetlands of Odiel with a boat trip and visit to Punta Umbría.

On Sunday, the last day, the visit starts at to the mines of Rio Tinto where you take the tourist train to the mining park area. Back to Torrox after lunch.

The visits including coach, three or four star hotel - full board, insurance, English-speaking guide, boat trip, entrance fee to Rio Tinto Park and train is a mere €175 per person.

More information and reservations on (+34) 95 253 8119 or email them here.