The party kicks off about 2pm on Sunday and includes entertainment from  Lolas boys (If you don’t know the Lola’s boys, they are 2 brilliant, ex west end performers, who put on a fantastic show and get all the audience involved). I have been informed that all tables for food are now booked but many people are just going for drinks and to enjoy the party. If you want to pop down, then I suggest you take a chair or blanket with you. I can see it being standing room only on this part of the paseo….

We at Hamilton Homes will be especially sad to see them go, we have spent many a lunchtime there enjoying their fabulous tapas.  The owners just seem to have got it right, great food at reasonable prices. In these hard times, this was the only restaurant in Sabinillas were you had to book….

We wish them every success in thier new home in Duquesa. The owners, Justine and Phil, are really hard working and dedicated and I’m sure , whereever they are, they will make it a success.

The new restaurant will be located behind banco popular on the top row of Duquesa port. I have heard that the new venture will be called “Dejavu” and that they will be open again on 1st June but this is still to be confirmed.

For more information you can contact them on 672 398 895 or via thier facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-bodega-del-genal-tapas-bar/114666768622383

This years event started on Monday 14th and runs until Sunday 20th. You do not need to have booked tickets. You can just turn up on the day and pay at the gate. Entrance fees for the weekend are listed below.

Advance Tickets     Pay at Gate

Adult         Concession      Adult     Concession

Friday 18^th May  €20.00      €15.00             €25.00      €20.00

Saturday 19^th May  €20.00    €15.00           €25.00     €20.00

Sunday 20^th May  €20.00     €15.00            €25.00      €20.00

Juniors Under-12 admitted free-of-charge when accompanied by paying adult (Proof of Age Required)
Concession prices applicable to 65-years-plus (Proof of Age Required)

If you want to pre-book, tickets can be purchase online at

Spanish: http://tickets.volvoworldmatchplaychampionship.com/esp/
English: http://tickets.volvoworldmatchplaychampionship.com/eng/

or by calling the information & Ticket Hotline: + 34 952 47 48 48

While you in the area, why not call us to view so absolutely stunning apartments that we have for bargain prices, directly overlooking the Finca Cortesin golf course.

http://www.hamilton-homes.com/ref-128-00919P-casares.html

You’ll need to act fast if you want to nab this bargain as, at this price, it won’t be around for long. I can assure you that you would not believe that this property has been repossessed - it is immaculate…

It’s a  fabulous 3 bedroom, spacious family home, situated frontline golf with fantastic views of the  course.  Downstairs, there is a  a fully fitted and equipped  kitchen with a separate utility area with the option to extend the kitchen, a spacious lounge and dining room and a shower room.  Upstairs, there are 3 spacious bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes and a further 2 bathrooms. All the upstairs rooms have fitted carpet and there is a large terrace which extends across the rear two bedrooms. To the rear of the property, there is a large private terrace which overlooks the communal pool  and gardens and there is  a large carport and small garden at the front. As if this wasn’t enough the house is being sold fully furnished and the bank are offering up to 100% finance…

What are you waiting for - call us today to view

There will be various activities for the children including face painting, bouncy castles, and games. The entertainment is includes a performance by the local choir, singing and Flamenco dancing from the two local dance schools - my daughter is dancing at 2pm…..and there are stands offering food and drink from various countries.

Here’s the full programme but please remember, all times are approximate..

12.15 Oppening
12.30 Municipal flamenco school of Manilva, teacher inmaculada Chacon
14.00 Dance & Flamenco school, teacher eva Cabrera
15.30 Singer Osvaldo from Venezuela
17.00 Performance of the “The Parasol Choir”
18.00 Youth music Band

The event is dependant on the weather…showers were forecast at the beginning of the week but it is looking better now so keep your fingers crossed.

I think we should all make the effort to support these events - if we don’t they will stop organising then…

For more information, contact the foreign residents association  in the Castle in Castillo de la Duquesa. The office is open from 8am until 3pm Monday to Friday.

Telephone: 952 893 548.

Email: extranjeros@ ayto-manilva.com

Anyway, his professional licenses were due to expire this month and about three weeks ago we received the official notification from Trafico (Spanish equivalent to DVLA).  To renew it yourself means a trip to Malaga which would basically take up a whole day, so most people, especially at this end of the coast would use a gestor to do the paperwork for them which is what we did when we last renewed them five years ago. At the time, that involved a fee to the gestor, a fee to the doctor for your medical, cost of new photographs, plus the hassle of getting them done and in the right size - all in all it cost us around €100.00 but we were renewing about four licenses and it was much easier than a trip to Malaga.

I was contemplating contacting the same gestor again, when the following day we received a letter from the Estepona  Medical Centre where hubby had had his medical done five years ago. They had seen from their records that his licenses were due to expire and wanted to offer their services. Basically, if we had the medical there, they would do all the necessary paperwork there and renew the license for us and we didn’t even need to bring photos. I called them to confirm that I was reading this right.. and they said yes. It would cost €74 all in and we didn’t even need to make an appointment - just turn up between 10.00-13.00 or 17.00 - 20.00.

So, the following evening, off we went. I spoke to the receptionist who told us where we should wait. Our bottoms had hardly touched the chairs when we were called through.. A very nice lady took the details, took the photos and gave hubby a hand and eye coordination test. We then saw the doctor who gave him a medical. Basically, blood pressure, eye test, hearing test and a few general health questions. Back to first room to sign 2 forms and pay the bill (please note they don’t accept card - must be cash) and that was it. She gave my husband a form which allowed him to drive whilst his new licences were being processed and told us to contact her if the new license hadn’t arrived by the date on the form.  And, we didn’t even have to hand in his current license - it is all done telegraphically with Trafico in Malaga.

Don’t you love it when something you think is going to be a real hassle is actually really simple.

The Estepona Medical Centre can be found at:-

Avenida Juan Carlos 1, nº 29. Edificio Parque Central, Portal 5, 1ª. Its on the opposite side of the road to the Estepona Centro de Salud.

Tel 952 80 2208

flyer

We have two apartments on Casares del sol which have just both been reduced to an amazing €76,000 and as if that wasn’t enough of a bargain, the bank is offering up to 100% finance on the purchase.  One is a first floor apartment, the other a ground floor.  Both have two bedrooms, fitted kitchen, fitted wardrobes, large terraces and fantastic views.

Check out the link below for more information.

http://www.hamilton-homes.com/ref-128-00619P-casares+monta%C3%B1a_casares.html

For more about Casares del sol and a video of the development click below

http://www.hamilton-homes.com/dev-128-00071G-casares.html

At this price, these will sell very quickly so contact us now to view

The feria  celebrations involve competitions, processions throughout the town and a funfair at the fairground.  On the 15th, when the feria reaches its finale there will be  a large  firework display but don’t expect anything before midnight!!. For anyone who doesn’t know, the fairground is located in Avenida Juan Carlos 1.

For anyone working or living in Estepona, or whose kids go to school there, please note that Tuesday, 15th is a local holiday in Estepona so many of the shops and businesses will be closed - and the schools definitely will…

Please see below for full programme but remember, this is Spain, and all times are approximate….

Programme:

Thursday, 10th May
7 pm – Estepona Town Centre. Parade announcing the begining of the Fiesta San Isidro Labrador.
8 pm – Fairground. 50% discount on the attractions at the funfair.
10.30 pm – Official opening of the funfair followed by performance by the Miguel Angel Dance Academy and then music into the early hours with local DJ in the Municipal Pavillion.

Friday, 11th May
12 noon – Municipal Pavillion. Dance Music by DJ.
2.30 pm – Municipal Pavillion. An opportunity to taste the tradional “Sopa Campera” a typical country soup.
10 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Flamenco show by the pupils of the Monica Peña Dance School.
11 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Dance to the music of the band “La Cala”.

Saturday, 12th May
11 am – Municipal Pavillion. Local wine tasting competition.
Midday – Fairground. Chainsaw contest.
1.30 pm – Fairground. Axe skills contest.
5.30 pm – Fairground. Horse Show.
10 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Dance to the music of the band “La Cala”.
11.30 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Performance by the “La Milana” Dance Academy.
00.30 am – “Coplas” Night with local and provincial guests.

Sunday, 13th May
11.30 am – Fairground. Horse Gymkana.
12.30 pm – Fairground. Horse Competition.
1.30 pm – Fairground. Ribbons Horse Race.
1 pm – Fruit, Vegetables and Citrus Contest at Cooperativa Agrícola organized by Delegación de Agricultura.
10 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Dance to the music of the band “La Cala”.

Monday, 14th May
10 am – San José Church. Floral offering to the saint patron
6 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Children’s Party.
11 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Flamenco Night by Fco. Espejo, Miguel Espinosa, Antonio Soto, Diego Reyes, Angel Hamburgo, Juan Santana y El Chanquete Rubio & the guitar player Joselito Pérez.
Dance to the music of the band “La Cala”.

Tuesday, 15th May Patron Saint Day – Local holiday in Estepona
8 am – San José Church. Official offering to the Patron Saint.
10 am – Iglesia San José. Holy Mass in Honour of San Isidro Labrador
11 am – San José Church. Performance of typical dancers of Málaga.Typical Andalucian Dance with the Miguel Angel Dance Academy
Midday – Plaza Antonia Guerrero. II “San Isidro” Domino Championship
1 pm – Estepona Streets. Typical Andalucian Horsemen Parade. Visit to the Altars in honour of San Isidro Labradror.
Typical Andalusian Dance
6 pm – Procession in honour of San Isidro Labrador. Route: Iglesia San José, Valencia, Zaragoza, Papuecas, Montecillo, Casares, Pilar de Farinós, Coto Doñana, Avda. Andalucía , Cooperación, Bda. San Isidro, Pilar de Farinós, San
Juan, Pozo Pila, Africa, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Terraza, El Cid, Goya, & Iglesia San José.
10 pm – Municipal Pavillion. Dance with the music of DJ
Midnight – Fairground. FIreworks finale.

It is just a short walk down the hill to the beautiful Monte Duquesa square with its bars and restaurants and maybe a few more minutes into Duquesa port itself.

These 3 bedroom townhouses are very spacious, with private rear gardens and terraces and and off street parking to the front.

Additional features include marble floors, pre installed hot & cold air conditioning, fully fitted kitchens and utility room and fireplace. The south east facing terraces and gardens allow you to enjoy the sunshine although the covered terraces provide shade if you need it.

All in all - perfect family homes or great rental investments

Calzados MayRa is situated in Calle Miguel Delibes, just along from the lottery shop - next door to the new clothes shop http://www.hamilton-homes.com/blog/972-e-f-modas-y-complementarios-new-clothes-shop-in-sabinillas.html

(people who have been in Manilva a few years will remember that both units were once  a dentist)

The shop caters for men, ladies and children. Some of the kids shoes are really cute and cost as little as €8. Can’t say I took much interest in the men’s shoes (well, us ladies, wouldn’t would we..) but some of the ladies shoes are stunning. I must admit, the “killer heels” didn’t appeal to me although my 18 year old daughter took quite a shine to a cobalt blue pair (would go with her new dress…) . The selection is varied and affordable. In these hard times, most of us can’t afford to spend €70 - €80 on a pair of sandals so it’s great to see some available locally at around the €20 mark.

Official opening hours are Mon - Fri 10 - 2, then 5 - 8 and 10-2 on a Saturday, however, when we popped by last Saturday at around 1pm they were closed, but hey ho, this is Spain…

The villas are built in a colonial style, and are extremely spacious with All bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and en suite bathrooms. The large living rooms, open out onto a good sized terrace which leads into the garden. Also  included are marble flooring, fireplace, video entry, pre installed hot & cold air conditioning, satellite TV and carport.

We currently have a bank repossession in this development where the bank is offering up to 100% finance.  Check out the link for more details

http://www.hamilton-homes.com/ref-128-00883P-torreguadiaro_sotogrande.html