What is probably the biggest discotheque on the Costa Granadina was completely destroyed by fire, during the early hours of the 28th last month.

Aqua Noche is situated at the back of Almuñécar's water park and is, without doubt, the place to 'heave' during the summer's short nights. Only the brick walls stand of the 1,200sq/mtr discotheque now, after, what can only be described as a 'mysterious' fire broke out at four in the morning. Bear in mind that this discotheque still wasn't in use and was due to open on the 12th June, so it is not as though somebody left something switched on, sort of thing. Such was the brief intensity of the blaze that even the SIVE radar and infrared sensors, situated on the Punta de la Mona and Motril, picked it up.

Discotheque Blaze
Barely a fortnight before the opening of Aqua Noche disco for a summer season of late night bopping, an inferno reduced this popular venue to ashes.

Although the fire devastated the discotheque, this will in no way effect the opening and operation of the water park on the 12th June. What it certainly didn't stop was the bikers from celebrating their annual bike-meet at the park the following day, which was organised by the Motril bike club, Los Tiburones.

The fire is being investigated, especially because there is speculation that it could be a case of arson. Strangely enough, it was the Salobreña police that first raised the alarm, probably because the park is visible from there, across the water, even in normal circumstances. They immediately alerted the Guardia Civil post in Almuñécar. They, in turn, alerted the local fire service, who deployed all they had available. The Motril fire service also lent a hand. The judicial police from Almuñécar have asked for help from a group of specialists from Sevilla to ascertain the cause of the fire. At the moment of going to print, the cause of the fire is unknown and no hypothesis has been ruled out.

According to the discotheque owners, the damages caused could be to the value of 600,000 euros, as it had an impressive lighting and sound system installed.

One of the partners of the business has mentioned that as a temporary measure, they are considering the use of a large marquee this summer.

Eye-Witness Account
BY LEN STEWART - BAR CHUPITOS
Around 04:40 that night, I had closed my bar and was just leaving when I saw smoke and an orange glow from around the mountain in the direction of Velilla. I immediately knew something was on fire.

I got there minutes later to find the entire main building completely engulfed in flames. When I arrived, one Almuñécar Bombero unit (the new one) was there, as was one Guardia Civil car. As time went on, two more fire brigade vehicles arrived, one more from Almuñécar and one from Motril (quite some time later). Then a smaller fire brigade utility truck arrived.

Finally, at least 30 minutes after I got there, I noticed a Policia Local arrive on his scooter.

I'm sure that the young British lad involved could give us much better details than were offered by the Ideal newspaper, but in his absence… Apparently he was in a small boat that was being towed behind a yacht, on their way to Marina del Este. However, at some point he came adrift and spent several hours lost at sea in choppy waters. The lifeboat team from Motril managed to track him down and bring him safely to port.

You must have noticed that work on Hotel Mediterráneo has been non-existent for many months. Which hotel is that? Well, it's not the one that was demolished 20 years back, which stood where today's Paseo night bars stand. Nope! This is the name for the hotel that is going up on the main road on the site of the old Restaurante Picadilly. For nearly a year now, the structure has stood dormant; after all building work was stopped because the structure was invading the main road margin. If they haven't done it already, they have until the 6th to demolish the 'offending parts.'

A score of business people from right across the 'property trade' have joined together to express their approval of the new PGOU and to urge all political parties to get their collective fingers out to put it into motion. Amongst this group were finance and investment advisors, real estate consultants and just about anybody else connected with the real estate business. They say that land earmarked for development under the 1987 PGOU is now just about nonexistent. Furthermore, they consider that the new PGOU has the general consensus of the population behind it. "We cannot stand with our arms crossed, watching how our politicians argue, ignoring the problems of the citizens of Almuñécar and La Herradura. From here we urge all political forces to converse and agree upon whatever is necessary, so that a compromise can be reached that will bring this PGOU about, in which so many Almuñequeros hold their faith."

If the new public transport system isn't in force already, by the time that you read this, then it will be within the next week or so. The main novelty is that although there will be fewer bus routes, the surviving ones will be extended. Furthermore, you will be able to cross the municipality on one ticket, which wasn't possible before. There are already signposts bearing information for the new bus routes in La Herradura and around Almuñécar. The bus routes have been cut down to two from four, with three being available during the summer months, but as mentioned above, on one bus route you will now be able to cross town on a single ticket - before you had to take two different buses, necessitating two different tickets. "In La Herradura, not only can you catch a bus at Peña Parda, but you will be able to travel to the Punta de la Mona, right along the beach. This bus route also takes you to the Marina del Este. In the summer, there will be twelve buses throughout the day, with the last one leaving at 00.30 (midnight).

Of the eight people who were nabbed during the Guardia Civil drugs bust at the council estate over from the P-4 main-road junction, three have been sent to gaol (jail). All eight men are from Almuñécar and are between the ages of 18 and 30. The three that have been retained in prison had been busted just under three years ago in a similar raid, hence their 'special treatment.' Many in the housing estate are very happy over this news, as they have been complaining to the authorities for some time about the activities of this gang.

La Junta de Personal del Ayuntamiento has reported the Town Council to the provincial authorities for the alleged irregular hiring of twelve private security personnel to cover the summer period. The JPA, which is a kind of union, says that this was done to avoid having the conditions of the work contract altered by higher authorities. The Councillor for Citizen Safety, Daniel Barbero, however, says that this is not the first time that the local police have obstructed measures to 'increase and better' the town's security. He claims that this police union also applied pressure to stop 30 municipal policemen being transferred from Jaén. Whatever the case, there is a veritable battle going on between the Town Council and the municipal police department, with four disciplinary measures being issued by the Council against the local police for not providing certain coverage to public events. Lastly, the local Chief of Police for Almuñécar, Fernández Ledesma, has handed in his resignation, citing 'personal reasons,' but denies that it has anything to do with recent tensions. Rocío Palacios, who is the leader of the opposition socialist party, considers that this resignation is very significant. She criticises the Mayor for, in her opinion, preferring to recruit young followers of his political party to cover the summer period, rather than increasing the police staff with permanent trained professionals.

Talking of rescues, the mountain rescue lads had to retrieve a 29-year-old lad from Sevilla, after he fell and dislocated his shoulder, halfway down the Junta de los Rios waterfalls (above Otívar). He was a part of an abseiling group - many of which come from all over southern Spain to this beautifully idyllic ravine with its 1.5kms of waterfalls and rock pools, to practise 'canyoneering.' The Guardia received an alert from the group monitor around five in the afternoon and by seven, they had him strapped into a stretcher and lugged him up to the petrol station at the top (La Gasolinera de la Cabra), where an ambulance was waiting. However, this wasn't until midnight, thanks to the posture of the patient on the stretcher and the ground to be covered by the four-man team. Obviously, had it been a life-and-death situation, a helicopter would have been sent to get him out as soon as possible, as was the case in previous serious accidents at this place of very difficult access.

A group of 24 travel agents from Castilla, La Mancha, belonging to the Halcón Viajes Group, were invited by the Almuñécar Tourist Board (El Patronato de Turismo Municipal) to spend a weekend here, so that they could 'get to know' the product. According to the Councillor for Tourism, Emilio González Pavesio, these kinds of meetings are fundamental in the promotion of Almuñécar and La Herradura.

Peña Escrita has received its bears! Now, whether these creatures will be afforded the 'bare' necessities of living in such a place, is open to discussion. But the fact remains - we have bears up there! There are two male and two female bears, which have been donated by the Department of the Environment of the Catalunyan Government. Daddy bears weigh around 350 kilos, so guess who won't be sitting in their chairs or furniture in general! The housing for these Teddies is quite special, with special fencing going quite deep underground to avoid 'A Great Escape.' (Stop that damned whistling! Oops, that was Bridge over River Kwai, right?). The fencing will also be electrified along the top.

The exhibition at the Casa de la Cultura on castles has been an excellent success, with 1,500 visitors and still a week to run. The exhibition, entitled Los Castillos de Al Ándalus demonstrates how the people of Muslim Spain knew how to adapt existing defensive structures to the modern necessities of the time, as well as build their own. Examples are from the Caliphate period (Xth - XIIIth centuries) up to the arrival of the Almohades. The expo divides up the exhibits into five groups. The town deserves a pat on the back for this event.

Talking of council houses, the new low-budget houses that are to be built a bit further up from the Santa Cruz junior school in San Sebastian, and are destined for the use of young, first-home buyers, have been attracting a lot of interest from that sector. The Town Hall received 300 requests on the first day of the petitions period. All told 63 one/two bedroom flats will be built in the area known as Laderas de Castelar for hopefuls of under 35. Prices start from 80,000 euros. The whole process had been delayed because it was necessary to make an amendment to the existing PGOU, to be able to include this building project. The average floor space for these flats is around 85sq/mts, which, costing around 80,000 euros, is far below market prices.

Josefa Romero, who has lived most of her extensive life in Jete, where she was born, has recently celebrated her one-hundredth birthday. She moved down to Almuñécar five years ago to live in the 'big metropolis.' She is a very lucid person, despite her age. In fact, her daughter admits that, "She's in better shape than I am!" Josefina considers that everybody is rich nowadays, which they are by comparison with Jete, and Spain in General, during her younger years. There were no sub-tropical trees back then and the village had two sugar mills and a flourmill. Everybody grew vegetables for sustenance. Nowadays, she points out, many households have three or four cars at the door. "The end of the month comes round, the people put their hands out, and everything is solved," she admonishes. During her long life, which began in May 1905, she remembers how poverty and hunger forced many people to emigrate to the Americas in search of a fortune; how the Marquesa de Cázulas ruled over the valley and how today's feeble river was the mainstay of the economy, without which nothing was possible. Josefa, like so many elderly folk of Andalucía creases up with the dry humour of TV host, Juan y Medio (my in-laws, who are in their middle 60's and early 70's never miss his mid-afternoon chat show, either).

Farewell to Bruno Jiménez Cabrera and hello to Marion Müller. After four years as Chairman of the Juventudes Musicales de Almuñécar, Bruno passes on his baton to Marion. For anyone who has ever enjoyed the wonderful variety of concerts on offer throughout October-June and available up to three times per month, you may be interested to know that this cultural delight hasn't always been around in Almuñécar. It is the result of the hard work of the Junta Directiva, amongst others, who have tirelessly aimed to promote particularly young musicians, as they start out in their career. Normally focused on classical music, folk and some ethnic groups and soloists, the tremendous quality and variety of artists seems to increase every year. This has been achieved through ongoing finance from members of the association, together with a modest contribution from the Ayuntamiento, as well as the public who support each concert. Bruno has, in turn, played his part to enhance the quality and regularity of concerts by encouraging competition winners to perform in Almuñécar. This month, however, he will retire to Granada, but will continue to enjoy attending the concerts and choral performances. And don't forget to highlight your diaries to attend the inimitable concerts on offer at the Casa de la Cultura in Almuñécar by the Coro de Cámara de la Juventudes Musicales de Almuñécar, scheduled for the 6th of June.

A council commission, made up of representatives of the political parties in the municipality, will decide on who will be the next Almuñécar & La Herradura ombudsman. The change of office came about after the PSOE called for the cessation of the actual ombudsman from his post and the creation of such a commission. The post of ombudsman in Almuñécar was created on 12th June 2001, however, the post was not filled until 7th September 2004, when the present council appointed Marisa Iglesias to the post.

The first phase for the construction of the town's new fire station is underway, with a budget of 731,395 euros. This phase entails the clearing and levelling of the site, the foundations and the concrete structure. The fire station is being built just under the municipal plant nurseries, halfway up the road that connects Velilla to the main road (Al Club road).

The proposed four-star Alcázar hotel, which is at the entrance to the Marina del Este, is in danger of dying on the drawing board. The Town Council has agreed to cancel its building permission, considering that it has expired. Six months have passed, say the authorities, since work began on site and was then halted - six months of inactivity.

Only two beaches along the Costa Granadina have failed their exams, so to speak, as far as European regulations go: Playa El Cable of Motril and Playa El Pozuelo of Almuñécar (Taramay). Only two other beaches in the whole of Spain's southern coast - both in the province of Málaga - also failed, although the European report does not go into details why they have not come up to scratch. Two important points to take into account: firstly, although it is implicit that you shouldn't bathe there, it remains that - only implicit. Secondly, this European test only concerns the condition of the water - not the beach itself. So, although you might have the best-kept, cleanest-looking beach around, you can still fail if you do not come up to scratch over the quality of the water.

Benny has got away with it again! The TSJA (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Andalucía, or in other words; the regional supreme court) has sided with the Town Hall over the building of a14-apartment building on the Paseo de Velilla, next to the Calle Nevada turning. Basically the TSJA upheld the appeal made by the Town Hall on the 29th October 2004 against a ruling handed down by the Junta de Andalucía that same year. The Junta had taken action to force the Town Council to withdraw planning permission for this controversial block of flats. Miguel Ángel López Ligero - the Councillor for Administrative Organisation (another Lucky Bag title?) - called for, "an end to the manipulation and poisoning campaign that is being carried out against Almuñécar, which has been going on for too long." On a personal note: just because we enjoy a wonderful view, it doesn't mean that we provide a wonderful sight for others that view us. Ooommm!!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Lone Ranger - who was cleverly camouflaged as his own left nostril - had his disguise blown! Now, I bet you didn't know that - not many people do, in fact. I'm flagging, Ladies and Gentlemen, halfway across the great expanse of the Almuñécar section… I think I'll go downstairs, make myself a coffee, and draw horns and clown noses on any spare Bush photographs that I have hanging around for just such an emergency!

…so I said, Gandhi, my old mate, just where did you buy those God-awful sandals, which was when he tried to strangle me with his loincloth… Right, we're back are we? I was just making some notes for my next book, Entitled, One hundred and One Things to Do with a Freshly Laundered Loincloth. Back to the riveting local news… The Junta de Andalucía is set to invest 3.9m euros in Almuñécar's new law courts! (Yawn!) As you will probably remember (barring a spontaneous lobotomy) the Palacio de Justicia will be built (eventually) behind the Las Gondolas buildings, between the P-4 and the beach. (Amen and bring on the West-Riding Farting Clowns and their fluorescent, inflatable haemorrhoid cushions) Good Night. I'm going to bed. I'll be much more sensible tomorrow! Zzzzz!

Hmmm! Sorry about last night's meltdown… and it's on with the show! The hoteliers' association has come out in favour of the PGOU, as well. It too urges all political parties to arrive at an agreement, which allows the PGOU to become reality as soon as possible. For this association, the new PGOU contemplates an urban design that is both social and economical, 'with a pronounced development of quality tourism whilst respectful of the environment.' This declaration was signed by Rafael Lamelas (owner of Hotel Helios) and the Chairman of the Association of Hoteliers for the Costa Tropical.

Otívar held its Day of the Níspora on the 1st of May (which was obviously too late for our May edition). As it was, the festival was delayed because of the frosts, which set back the harvesting period. Otívar, which was not so long ago a forgotten village, has made strong efforts to promote itself. This is probably thanks to Juan Manuel in the Town Hall, who has been behind many of the village's recent new fiestas. Saludos to Pepe Luis, who is the backbone of the town hall and Antonio, the village policeman. Oh, and if you're up that way, say hello to Antonio, Vincente, Eva and Loli at the Bar Madera for me.

The Madrid Train Blasts seem a long way away in both time and space, but for those who were scarred by it, it isn't, which is why the Town Hall invited a group of the families of the victims to spend a weekend in Almuñécar, at the town's expense. All told around 20 people took up the offer. The idea was put to the Asociación de Victimas de 11-M a few months back. Accordingly, the association chose 20 of its members. On the first day of their stay, they were taken up to Peña Escrita, where there is a memorial park to the victims of calamity. There is a tree with its own plaque for each one of those that lost their lives on that day.

Here's a juicy one: INEM (Instituto Nacional de Empleo) had told our town hall that it will have to hand back 180,000 euros that had been used for 'irregular expenses.' These 'irregularities and corruption' were committed back in 1993 during the building of the Castillo de San Miguel social workshops. And this time, it wasn't Benny, because the PSOE was in power under the socialist mayor, Juan Rodríguez. In April 1996 the Town Hall - by then under Benavides - was informed by Madrid that they wanted their money back, because funds had been used for carrying out building work on the PSOE offices, instead of the castle - the funds were destined for the restoration of the San Miguel Castle. The Town Council appealed against this decision, but in 2001 it was rejected. Now the Regional Supreme Court has said, 'pay up!' Strangely enough, the PSOE, under its present leader, Rocío Palacios, hasn't made any comments to date. Benny's crowd, on the other hand, have said that they will start legal (criminal) proceedings against the local PSOE and suggested that they make good the fine from their own funds, as 'taxpayers shouldn't have to finance renovation work to the offices of political parties.' The PA (Benny) has also demanded that Sra Palacios should remove the councillors from their posts that were involved in this previous municipal council. If the money had been refunded in its day (26m pesetas) it would have been less painful, because in the time that has elapsed, interest on the amount has brought it up to 30m pesetas (180,000 euros). Another little irregularity of the time was the donation of a public fountain to the village of Molvízar, which just happened to be the birthplace of the then mayor. So you see, the PSOE (nor the PP) has any moral high ground to criticise Benny, even though he might well deserve it. The whole political class of Almuñécar has grubby hands.

There is a growing drain on the public health system (SAS) by immigrants, who do not belong to the public health scheme - and the figure is rising sharply. For example, during 1999 a total of 131 immigrants were attended by public hospitals in the province of Granada - by 2004 the yearly figure had grown nearly 30 fold, to 3,387. Under Spanish law, the citizen of any country, regardless of his legal situation here, has the right to medical assistance. Immigrants are issued with a special public health card that has to be renewed each year. Most of the nationals that enjoy this free service are from Rumania, who represent 42% of the total (1,420 persons). This is followed by Morocco (12% = 410 persons), Argentina (9% = 306 persons), Lithuania (7.5% = 255 persons), Bolivia & Russia (both 5% = 176persons) and finally Ecuador (4.5% = 150 persons). So far this year, the public health area Granada South has nearly 10,000 immigrants of 61 different nationalities, who do not make any financial contribution to the Public Health System. Before, immigrants who were here illegally - without work permits or residency papers - feared approaching any government institution for fear of discovery; this is now a thing of the past. It is passed by word of mouth that Spanish doctors don't charge you and do not pass on your personal details to the immigration authorities.

Almuñécar delights - Tienda Danesa. Situated at the top of Calle Alta del Mar next to the fork in Calle Real, (which comes down from the town hall square) for one year now, Violette and Ebbe have been designing and creating impeccable jewellery since the 1960s. Originally trained with Georg Jensen in Denmark, Violette's particular skill lies with 'chasing.' The couple work only with silver and gold, so you can be guaranteed a certain level of excellence and quality that has become the hallmark (excuse the pun!) of Danish jewellers around the world. Violette and Ebbe work together on the premises to produce a distinctive range of jewellery and precious items, which are clearly recognisable for their clean and simple lines, plus the unusual use of matte silver. They are flexible enough to work with your design, copy an existing item (particularly handy for those of us who are in the habit of losing just one earring!), and undertake any repairs of those personal and precious items which just can't be replaced. All this in a time frame that should please you, as this friendly pair normally has your items ready in one week. Why not pop in for a chat?

Paseo News
I had a very interesting conversation with someone in the know. The company that is working at a good speed, in such contrast to the original and subsequent companies, laid down its conditions before the Town Hall, saying, "Take it or leave it!" The Town Hall - with the second summer approaching with only a crater to show for its grand project - accepted with greased alacrity. The result: a lot of concrete going down. Ah, but at what price! Rumour has it that the company demanded exclusive management of the car park for the next 60 years! Furthermore, all the parking slots will belong to them. And lastly, the Paseo bars and cafeterias will only be restored to the original owners if they are willing to pay the rent that the company deems adequate. If not - tough!

Where does this differ from the original stipulations laid down by the Town Hall? In just about everything. Originally, the bar owners were going to recuperate their premises at around the original rent. They would receive about 50% more space, but have no compensation for all the decoration and furnishings that were lost. In other words, they were to receive a bare shell to modify to their original design. As these premises were Town Hall property, in some cases the rental payments were a joke - symbolic even. Well that's history! Secondly, a certain number of parking slots were to be reserved for locals from the surrounding buildings - history, again. Lastly, the Town Hall was going to get a juicy slice of the cake. They were to receive a percentage of the takings and the whole thing was going to revert to the Town Hall after 30 years, I think I recall - this, of course, has gone out of the window. Regardless of the accuracy here of what the exact original conditions were, the fact remains that the present conditions agreed upon with the present construction company represent a complete surrender on the behalf of the Town Hall. They have agreed to everything, just so as to be able to get the bloody thing finished. Politically, the present council would not have survived another summer of snail progress on 'The Pit.'

On an almost anecdotal note, it is worth mentioning an embarrassing development on the building site. For many months, the old concrete sewer pipe stood in stark accusation - in plain sight - making obvious that such an important thing had been overlooked when excavation work began…

Such was the rush to destroy the gardens at the top of the Paseo before sufficient protest could emerge that they bumped into this bloody great smelly artery. It could not have been made clearer, that work had begun in that sector without even surveying what was underneath. This was the Town Hall's problem. The answer was to replace this large concrete sewer with two parallel PVC (?) ones. Bear in mind that the original one was designed to handle the area's 1960's unsavoury traffic, therefore the new one would logically have to be bigger. But this was repeatedly postponed - no rush, as nothing was happening. When the boys from the new company got to work, the Town Hall workers stood around in amazement for a while, marvelling.

Then it dawned on them that they had to get the new sewer pipes in place pretty sharpish. But it wasn't 'sharpish' enough, as the concrete roof was already in place before they could finish getting the top pipe in place. Each section was too heavy to lift, even by a team, and the low ceiling wouldn't permit any machinery. God knows what they did in the end.

Spring leaves its mark. Ever since time began and some signs of documentation were attempted (I'm inspired of course by our recent visit to La Cueva de Nerja and the cave drawings), spring has held an almost mystical place amongst the seasons. Casting off the cold and murderous winter and embracing a fresh green world has given light to new life and hope for the year ahead. All the festivals we still actively celebrate at this time of the year echo this feeling: Easter, its pagan predecessor and even our own Dia de la Cruz are a prime example of regeneration, hope and the promise of things to come. This year, however, the reality has smacked of some truly worrying signs, including what many feel to be insufficient resources, inadequate medical care and what we all recognise as desperate tragedy culminating in the death of another infant in the early hours of 1 May. Our thoughts go out to this grief-stricken family.

The village took on a frenetic buzz as various groups collaborated to compete for the prize of the best Cruz display. For anyone who is new to La Herradura, or indeed to Spain, this is a tradition which has part of its origin at least in the festival of Santa Cruz. In each pocket of the village (but particularly centred around Plaza San José, behind the Hotel Almijara as you're exiting La Herradura), you could find a number of displays, ranging from the ingenious efforts of youngsters, looking for donations (you may have heard "Un chavico por la Santa Cruz"), to the elaborate displays of groups of 'professional' Cruz makers, whose efforts seem to get increasingly complex with each year that passes. One thing that does strike you, is the emphasis on colour and aroma, using a unique combination of the fantastic variety of flowers available at this time, together with the typical gastronomic delights of Andalucía, such as Sardinas y migas (gives new definition to the word 'fragrant,' really!), Melcocha (toffee) and buñuelos (a type of doughnut). This, in tandem with the beautiful lacework, indispensable apple pierced with scissors to ward off bad luck, tremendous imagination (take the inclusion of Miguel de Cervantes in a key Cruz in order to celebrate the anniversary of his death) and tireless party spirit of the villagers, made for a truly mystical event.

Sadly, one thing that continues to be a mystery in La Herradura, is the resurgence and persistence of meningitis, leading to an additional infant death. Yet another family (the third in the space of less than a year) has had to endure the shock through loss of a child, owing to this disease. We must be careful not to confuse this horror with the issue of pushing for a permanent paediatrician in the year. However, clearly this case, teamed with the recent efforts of parents and other supporters, has meant that finally La Herradura is being listened to by medical authorities in Motril and Granada. And certainly due to the solidarity of villagers, including yet another protest march and blockade of the N340 during the national holiday. On the 2nd May, local press and visitors to the area were made aware of the call for an investigation and the call for a paediatrician. A public information meeting ensued on the 5th May, where medical professionals attended to allay the fears of parents and provide some useful details on how to protect our children and recognise any danger signs. At this point, it is very difficult to determine some real cause and effect as to why we have experienced this resurgence, so naturally, the authorities have called for an investigation, which has involved some 1000 random families being called up to take a saliva test that may indicate just how many villagers are likely to be carrying the offending bacteria. And as this publication goes to print, samples are still being taken, as up to 1000 villagers are being called upon to participate. In the meantime, a paediatrician has been appointed to look after the children here. However, this is merely promised only on a temporary basis, until the investigation is complete and any conclusions are drawn. Before any panic does set in, however - there have been rumours of people avoiding or even leaving the village altogether until the situation is resolved.

Please Note: the authorities have confirmed that an important guide is for those who are most vulnerable (sick, infants and elderly) to avoid closed spaces and intimate contact with others, just the kind of thing we tend to take as an unspoken rule over the cooler months, anyway. And you may feel reassured to know that the authorities are also taking no chances, as any children specifically from La Herradura who are showing signs of fever or even vaguely potential indicators of meningitis have been instructed to go directly to Motril's Santa Ana public hospital to be admitted, kept under observation and treated as suspected meningitis cases. So they are certainly being taken seriously.

Virtually across the road from the existing clinic, (just beside Felicia Hall's stunning art gallery) the new paediatric clinic opened its doors on 25th May, inaugurated by the Mayor Benavides and the District Health Authority South representative, Director Masimiliano Ocete. Plataforma Pro Pediatra, has been fighting tirelessly for the right to have a paediatrician dedicated to the some 550 children in the village. After several meetings, collections of signatures (you may have been one of the people approached along the beachfront and identified as a supporter with their bright pink ribbon), and two protest marches, during which the N340 was blockaded, their objectives seem to have been achieved. And talking about ribbons, there have been some recent efforts among other elements of the community, doubtless aiming to support the cause, sporting green ribbons. The Plataforma Pro Pediatra (in other words, the Spanish parents) is very keen to stress that they are not part of the same group. At no point have they expected, or indeed requested financial contributions from the public; just simply agreement and support. What they've done is used the customary Spanish channels by approaching the health authorities and the Ayuntamiento to achieve their aims of a paediatric presence in the village. The rest is down to government funding and the organisation of a very determined, passionate group of parents. Quite an accomplishment! Although it still can't be confirmed that the paediatrician will remain a permanent feature of the village (9am-2pm Monday-Friday), this building and its current availability certainly appear at least to be a pretty firm step towards a long-term placement.

Keeping fit with Cristine and Dawn. Just when you thought you came to Spain to take it easy and let yourself go, Christine and Dawn are here to help you keep healthy, or indeed get that way, if you're not already there! Based behind the Plaza de San José, these ladies offer a whole range of fitness options, flexible enough to suit every level and preference. So, Whether it's enhancing your aerobic stamina through cardiovascular step and interval training, or indeed, improving your strength and flexibility through conditioning, pilates and that old favourite, 'Bums and Tums,' Christine and Dawn can take you through your own personal training programme. They can also advise you on the small group classes that they have already set up, which are designed to meet your needs, in premises located in the passageway alongside the Hotel Almijara. And the good news is that both Christine and Dawn have several years of experience under their belts, both in England and Spain. Between them, they can also cover massage, sports injury conditions, advanced GP referrals, such as recovery from triple bypass or even head injury, weight loss programmes, as well as advice on diet and nutrition. So if you're serious about looking and feeling good on the beach this Summer and want to enjoy a friendly and positive approach to getting there, why not contact Christine Harrison on 657627527 or Dawn Robertson on 660159601?

T.A.G.S.
The Anchor Golf Society (TAGS) held its first major tournament, El Ancla Masters, at Baviera golf course on 15th May. The Society, which started last November, now has nearly 60 members representing eight nationalities. The competition was an individual 18-hole Stableford and will be an annual event. On the day, 28 members and guests competed for the honour of being the first person to have their name on the El Ancla Salver. The silver salver was kindly donated by bar/restaurant El Ancla, La Herradura, who hosted the prize giving and supplied a sumptuous buffet on the Sunday evening. Jean Booth (El Ancla) and David Byers (Chairman) presented the prize to winner Neil Hancock.
Top quality prizes were awarded in five categories and the winners were as follows:-
Winner: Neil Hancock
Highest Score 18 and Under Handicap: Gordon French
Highest Score over 18 Handicap: Terry Miller
Nearest the Pin: Viv Fennessy
Longest Drive: Pat Jones
Guest Highest Score: Ken Povall
All involved declared the day a major success and extremely enjoyable.
The society plays every Sunday at Baviera and details of fixtures can be found on the notice board in El Ancla.
More information can be found on the society web site: www.tagsgolf@bravehost.com
or email to: tagsgolf@terra.es or by phone to 958 827 278.

Why I live Here
By Martín Myall
I know now - or better said; I remember - why I still choose to live here. Places that you love; those private corners where nobody went, despite their natural beauty, disappear under the onslaught of tourists. Every conceivable breathing space within the town sprouts a notice heralding to the arrival of bricks and mortar. Once empty streets of the winter months ooze traffic and improbably parked cars, in the 'quietest' moments of the year. And so, one day you stop and ask yourself what you are still doing here. You confide this heretical doubt to a friend, who, far from expressing surprise, confesses a similar affliction. You start looking at maps of South America, where the language wouldn't be a problem. Talking with others you hear that you can buy a lot with little there - much as you could do here, until recently.

And then one day you grab your camera and notepad to cover a sad event in La Herradura. Moved by anger, grief and fear, the locals have cut (blocked) the main coast road in the middle of a bank-holiday weekend. Things are bound to get ugly… but they don't. This is where I am leading to. I'm still here because although the local Spanish landscape might change, the Andaluces haven't.

I'll admit that I had started off in a dark mood because I had been looking forward to getting up into the hills to spend a quiet couple of days in the cortijo - far from the maddening coast, but instead it was all change and into the thick chaos, with kilometres of traffic jams to negotiate. This grumpiness was selfish, considering the cause of the turmoil in La Herradura, but I was going to have the hump, so that's that!

Yet the closer I got, and the more people that I ran into along the way, the more awake I became to the emotions of others. I had tried to get down the Camino Real, but the street was so congested with badly parked and involuntarily immobile cars that not even my motorbike could pass, so I headed back up to the Punta turn off just west of the tunnel. The Guardia were there, impeding access to the main road, because of the problems on it. I explained that I was from the press and needed to 'get to the scene.' To do this I had to turn left, which is not allowed there. No problem! He stepped out into the road and waved me out. I didn't have my headlight on, which is a finable offence - he didn't mention it and I didn't pick him up on it. As I came to the top of the long, straight stretch leading down to the traffic lights, I stopped to take a photo and was greeted with a cheer from the motorists, standing beside their cars. "Hey, it's the press and he's going to take our photo," one said, and they started to clown around for the occasion. I asked them how long they had been there and was told, "Three hours!" I marvelled. Three hours stuck in a traffic jam and they were joking and laughing!

I continued on down. Here there were no signs of merriment - just bleak determination. I asked the policeman in charge, if he had orders to break up the demonstration after a certain time. He said that he hadn't. Hundreds had turned out, lining the road, whilst others stood with the protest banner across the road. The protesters were hanging on for the national press, but none had deemed to turn up. The police knew that this was causing the protest to drag on, but far from losing patience, they hung on too - the death of an 18-month old child was cause enough. The police officer reasoned with the most determined of the protesters that there were young children trapped in the vehicles along the road, and had been so for hours. Finally, even though the finicky national press hadn't graced the occasion with the attention that it deserved, the grieving throng agreed to lift the siege. The many Guardia Civil policemen sprang into action to filter the traffic.

It was at this point that my personal revelation came, because as the cars began to flow by, the crowd clapped and cheered at the drivers' patience and the people in the cars waved and tooted their horns. Some even managed to clap back, out of the windows - not the drivers, of course; there were too many police about! Several foreigners drove through with glum expressions, while others - infected by the 'fiesta' spirit - beeped their horns and waved too, probably wondering why they were doing it.

What other place in the modern world would you find that solidarity? In the UK you would have had road rage and fist fights. You could only admire the professionalism and patience of the police, the solidarity and good humour of the trapped drivers, and the determination of cause and respect shown by the villagers towards their unwitting victims.

I might be disenchanted with this land's 'body' but I'm still deeply in love with its 'mind.'

¿Habla Español? Days can go by without native English speakers being required to speak a word of Spanish. It seems that every waiter speaks at least three or four languages. Learning Spanish is treated as a choice not a necessity here. What a pity. Foreign residents and visitors that do make the effort to learn some Spanish can tell you how much just a little can go a long way to enrich their experience. Well, Spaniards are getting more than a little annoyed at foreign business owners that make no attempt to communicate in any way - written or spoken - in the language of their new country. The Nerja Tourist Office is reporting that there is an increase of Spaniards filing complaints that they enter businesses in the centre of Nerja and not only does the staff speak not a word of Spanish, but there is also no written material in Spanish. One Nerjeño, Rafael Rodriguez, said that he was in a bar trying to order a 'cerveza' and could not get one until he ordered one in English. Incredible! Turn that around and imagine being in a small seaside resort in the UK and finding foreign owned businesses that required you to speak their language before providing you with their services! Not a pretty scenario, is it?

Plaza de Juan Pablo II? Yes, Calle de Juan Pablo II. Nice ring to it, yes? Glad you like it, because around 500 Nerjeños have petitioned the Town Hall to name a street or plaza in Nerja after the recently deceased pontiff. They want Nerja to give recognition to a person who devoted his life to promoting peace and working to open dialogues between all cultures, countries and religions.

Did we tell you last month about the planned expansion of the Nerja cemetery? In a classic bureaucratic fashion, the work has yet to start. The Town Hall wants the Junta to help finance the enlargement and does not seem completely satisfied with the plans. Who starts it and who pays for it matters little to the people of Nerja, who are starting to worry that, with very few niches left, they will have to bury their relatives outside of Nerja! Come on, this is not something you can delay! People are dying to get in! Sorry could not resist that. Little bit of statistics and history for all you that love to fill your minds with insignificant but interesting details: The current cemetery had two yards and a chapel with 2,483 niches, 438 bone containers in the charnel house and 28 pantheons. It was built in 1853 to replace the old, 18th-century cemetery that had been located near the La Ermita chapel, where the Guardia Civil is now.

Education Councillor, Angélica Portillo, has announced plans to build a new bilingual school in the Fuente del Badén area. The obvious benefit for the students of this planned school is a second language learned at an age when it is not neuro-physiologically painful. In other words, kids learn languages a lot easier than adults!

One Saturday evening in May found the local police and the Guardia Civil investigating another incident of domestic violence on Calle Ruperto Andúez. This one had a switch to it - a son hit his mother. Why? She was so disturbed at his Internet 'addiction' and lack of studying that she disconnected the computer. Good mother! Unplug the drug!

Summer is a'coming. The early signs are here. The winter residents have more or less fled to the cooler climates and the streets are filled with tourists garbed in beach clothing and holding maps. The charm of the sun and water intoxicates them until the Spanish summer night comes with its own special magic. The streets of old Nerja come alive when the sun goes down but no place as much as on the Balcón de Europa. A carnival like atmosphere is created as the many performers, artists, ice cream carts and vendors compete to attract the tourists' attention and money. Amongst the artists there is a surprising variety of styles from cartoon, quick-sketch caricatures to beautifully detailed pastels. One artist that attracts attention with her sensitively rendered portraits is Maria Jose Larousse. French born Madame Larousse is a professional artist and art instructor at the Nerja Art School. It is not only her expressive art that you notice, but also her laughing charm, as she talks to the regulars that pass through the Balcón. Madame Larousse is one of several outstanding artists that offer portraits for a very affordable price.

While the artists all seem to have high professional standards, the same cannot be said for the musical acts seen on the Balcón each evening. Their quality ranges from outstanding - notably early music played by a classical music trio, dressed in costumes of the period - to individuals, whose noise making should not be called music. In both cases, I have given them money: in appreciation for the classical musicians and with the other end of the spectrum in the hope that perhaps the noisemakers will get some music lessons. My pet peeve with summer music is accordion music. The accordion is a unique instrument, usually used in folk music to bring either special joy or special pain. Unfortunately, it is usually the later. This instrument is close to my heart, as my grandfather left me a beautiful turn-of-the-century accordion that can only be described as a work of art. When driving to Spain from home, I brought along this special heirloom - carefully perched on the back seat of my car. In mid meal, at a highway café in Italy, I remembered that I had left my precious accordion uncovered for all to see. I rushed out but it was too late. The back car window had been smashed and four more accordions were in the car with mine. Please remember my tale when you next have an accordion busker alongside your table.

On Wednesday nights, take a slight detour off of the Balcón, go through the arch leading down to Playa Calahonda, sit under the thatched roof and enjoy the sounds of 'soul flamenco.' The music seems a mixture of jazz, flamenco and soul. You will find local Almuñécar legend "Mike Jingles" playing guitar. This outstanding flamenco musician may have been born in the UK, but his hands and heart are from Andalucía.

Locals get to know The Lost Fjords. This group of happy-go-lucky guys can always be relied on for a lot of musical fun, as most of the 'audience' that ends up singing or dancing knows. The Lost Fjords consists of Norwegians Totto (the one with the great voice) and Ulle (on bass) with assorted other musicians joining them. With Ulle heading back to Norway, the question is will the music continue? Will there still be The Lost Fjords? Rumour has it that Totto will continue with the help of Andy (British) and Karl (American). Our next question is will they change their name to The Lost Fjords, Inlets, Fiards, and or Firths?

Clients of Clinica San Fernando, one of the most popular veterinary surgeries in Nerja, have been wondering what's happened to veterinary assistant, Michelle Ford. For years, Michelle has been using her after-hour passion for photography to help raise money for charities, primarily the Costa Animal Society. Her time behind the camera lens has paid off and Michele is now a professional sports photographer, travelling all over Europe, covering major sporting events. Congratulations Michelle but our moggies and doggies will miss you.

Happy birthday Federico, happy birthday to you. The fifth of June is the birthday of one Spain's most deeply appreciated and highly respected poets and dramatists - Federico García Lorca. His brutal murder by the Nationalists at the start of the Spanish Civil War thrust him into international fame. Instituto secundario, Sierra de Almijara professor Jose Manuel Cabezas will join Paula on RSA 99.1fm on 3rd June 'a las cinco de la tarde' to discuss the work, life and death of this famous Andaluz.

The feast day of St John the Baptist 'San Juan de Bautista' - 24th June- is a national holiday in Spain. The night before brings out intriguing rituals all over Spain that hark back to the remote past of many pagan cultures along the Mediterranean. The centuries-old tradition of celebrating the summer solstice by lighting bonfires along the seashore has been integrated into the Catholic calendar with the Feast Day of John the Baptist. In Nerja, this custom continues as thousands of people camp on the beaches and light bonfires. Families and friends drink, eat, chat, sing and dance on the beach and celebrate together the shortest night of the year. Fire pays an important role in the celebration- symbolic of the Sun- but also to 'purify the sins of man' (I have a list I would like to present with those, but they are mainly sins of politicians) Huge symbolic effigies are built, only to be burnt before midnight. Some people prepare beds of hot coals running barefoot through them. At midnight, in a generations old ritual, young and old alike make their way to the ocean to swim and jump through the waves as they make a wish that they hope will come true. The celebration of the summer solstice is as old as humanity. Join in and celebrate with all of Spain the night of 23rd June.

To market, to market to buy… just about anything. We told you last month that the Sunday Car Boot Sale was moving to near the Urbanización Almijara at the beginning of May. Guess what? It didn't! Rumours are rampant as to why the move did not occur as scheduled! Our latest contact with the Lions Club of Nerja, who diligently organise the Sunday market, is that the first day will be 12th June. Mark your calendars!

The Junta de Andalucía is continuing its cultural mission of bringing to small pueblos the most incredible Spanish artists and the end of May brought one of the foremost flamenco guitarists in all of Spain - Gerardo Nuñez. The Jerez-born musician plays furious flamenco courses and rhythms on his guitar. His latest CD, Andando el Tiempo, has been a worldwide success but, as sensational as it is, it does not do justice to his live performance! The audience was completely transfixed with the intensity of his jazzy flamenco. The fiery flamenco dancer, Carmen Cortés, practically ignited the stage with her dancing. Nuñez is in the midst of his international tour, highlighted by a performance at London's Royal Queen Elizabeth hall at the end of April. Before his concert, Geraldo Nuñez took time to talk about his vision of flamenco music with the Seaside Gazette and RSA 99.1fm (Paula and Mark Shurey).

There are outstanding musical, dramatic and artistic experiences featured every month at the Centro de Cultura. Here are some of the superb evenings available in June. On Tuesday, 7th at 21.00h, the National Cuban Drama Company will be paying homage to the Golden Age of Spain and the two literary giants: Molière and Cervantes. Another outstanding flamenco evening is in store on Saturday 18th at 21.00h with the contemporary, flamenco dance interpretation of the myth of Pygmalion. Flamenco dance company El Pipa takes pure and orthodox flamenco to relate the story of the sculptor who falls in love with his own sculpture. The Moldavia National Ballet will be presenting 'Romeo and Juliet' Saturday 25th at 21.00h. Classical music will be performed by eight musicians from the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Cologne, Germany under the direction of Volker Hartnung on Tuesday 28th at 21.00h. And finally, my favourite musical event for June - the free concert, given by the Nerja Municipal Band on Wednesday 29th at 21.00h! With prices starting as low as 6 euros, the Centro Cultura de Nerja is one of the greatest values in the area! Come on! You can still enjoy some wine after the concert!

Lastly, local psychic Cesar Eneldo has reported his latest vision: The charming German lady having the au natural little picnics with the handsome French man should worry about more than ants showing up!

Did you know with the closing of the Nerja Video Club, the Nerja Book Centre is bigger than ever? In two shops, on one and two levels, it is the largest International second-hand bookshop in mainland Europe with 50,000 books in 14 languages. You can wander through a maze of rooms finding books on virtually any subject from good beach reads to classics, biographies to philosophy. All categories are clearly marked. The books are predominantly in English, although there is a huge German section and the other main languages are well represented, including Chinese.

The shop has been recommended in most travel guides, including the rough guide and, Let's Go. It has featured in Best magazine, the colour supplement of El Pais, and has appeared on BBC TV on two occasions. It is one of the longest established businesses on the coast, having opened in February 1983. Next time you are in Nerja, a visit is not to be missed.

The Nerja Book Centre is situated in the heart of Nerja at Nos. 30 and 32 in Calle Granada, telephone 952 520 908.