English Language Publications for FREE!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Marianne under Axarquía, Laws and Customs

Whilst you are visiting any town or village throughout the Axarquía region, a selection of English language newspapers and magazines is available for you to collect, free of charge.

These publications, including Spanish Insight, SolTalk, Streetwise, Marketplace, Grapevine, Sentinella and Euro Weekly are useful for both tourists and residents alike. Each contains information about ‘what’s on’ in the local area as well as some well-written articles on a wide range of topics, recipes and items for sale – including properties. (You can CLICK on the links to be taken to the online versions of the publications).

Sadly, in order to make-ends-meet with their budgets, these magazines contain more advertisements and fewer articles as time goes by, but I guess that happens round the world.

You will find these free magazines in many estate agents, bars, cafes and other such popular places.

How do you like to discover what’s happening in your local area?

Sweet memories: San Joaquín sugar mill

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Places

Located on the old N340 coast road between Nerja and Maro, the San Joaquín sugar mill´s ruined buildings serve as a reminder of the importance that the sugar industry played in local history.

Sugar manufacturing has been part of the Mediterranean way of life for centuries. Earliest records of sugar cultivation in Andalucía date from the 10th century on the coast of Granada province, due to its exceptional climate.

In 1585, the first mechanical sugar mill in the area was built in Maro, the ruins of which still form a central part of the old village, today. Further mills followed in Nerja and Frigiliana, before the San Joaquín sugar mill and distillery was erected in 1884 by master builder, Francisco Cantarero, for the Marquis de Tous.

To supply the factory, large areas of sugar cane were planted nearby with water flowing through irrigation channels from the newly-built Eagle Aqueduct (Acueducto del Aquila). This established a close relationship between the cultivation and industrial processes, a project that became known as The Agricultural Colony of Las Mercedes and Maro (La Colonia Agrícola de las Mercedes y Maro) and which continued until 1911 when the San Joaquín sugar mill closed. The Larios sugar company acquired the mill in 1930 and production continued until the second half of the 20th century. Since then, buildings have fallen into disrepair.

Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:

The Alhambra Palace, Granada

La Noche de San Juan: Families, fires and football!

Churros served with thick hot chocolate

Travel theme: Night

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Photo challenges, Places

Here is the pretty 17th century Church of El Salvador (Iglesia de El Salvador), situated beside the Balcón de Europa in the heart of Nerja. Although a religious site since 1505, the existing structure was not completed until 1697.

One of the tallest trees in Nerja, towering high above the church itself, stands outside, casting wonderful shadows on the exterior of the building during the hours of darkness.

Because of it´s picturesque location, the Church of El Salvador is a very popular venue for weddings.

This post is my response to the Travel Theme photo challenge – Night

You might also enjoy reading:

Following in the footsteps around Comares

Photographs I love …. and why!

Live webcams around La Axarquía

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Marianne under Places

It´s always great to have an up-to-the-minute view of what´s happening here, east of Málaga.

Just click on the link to view…..

Lake Viñuela

Torrox

Nerja – Capistrano

Nerja – Burriana Beach

Do you know of any other webcams that readers can link to? Please share them in the comments section….thanks!

East of Málaga: The Weather in Autumn

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Marianne under Axarquía, Slice of Life

Towards the end of August we usually start to look forward to some relief from the long hot summer. This year, we were hoping that the autumn thunderstorms would arrive on time to bring some relief for the parched ground. The normal pattern would be that these first autumn rains arrive anywhere from mid September to early October. This year has proved to be an exception, as by mid October, we still await a break in the weather.

Typically the warm sun continues towards Christmas-time with a few rainy periods in between. The autumn and early winter sun can be surprisingly warm, but this year has proved warmer and drier than normal, with virtually unbroken sunshine and temperatures between 24-28C, which would make a beautiful midsummer day in northern Europe. A by-product of this has been brilliant clear blue skies.

What is certain is that, together with May and June, the climate here during September and October can be the most pleasant of the year. Visitors from the north would still be wise to take similar precautions against the sun as in summer, but the nights are more comfortable to sleep with overnight temperatures in the range 15c to 18c compared with the low to middle twenties Celsius during July and August.

All in all, it is a wonderful time of year to visit our area to the East of Málaga.

You might also enjoy:

East of Malaga: The Weather in Summer