Spanish hospitals...

It looks like Cartajima is under a spell! So many of our "vecinos" have been admitted to Ronda Hospital lately! When Ian hurt his back badly last year and had to be taken in an ambulance to Ronda's emergencies, where he spent 24 hours being administered painkillers and anti-inflammatories in drips, we realised that in this area everyone who knows you, comes and visits you if you are poorly, be it hospital, your home or even the emergencies if you stay there long enough! Bless, 2 of our "vecinos", Antonio and Juan Martin, came to the emergencies when they heard Ian had been taken there! Unfortunately, they missed us as they arrived when Ian was being taken back home in an ambulance and I was following him in our truck!

So now, in turn, we go and visit people we know in the village who are ill. And this year, it seems that's all we've been doing! Barbarita, a delightful little lady so full of energy and still showering in her backyard in cold water with a hose, Winter or Summer, had a bad do and was taken to Ronda Hospital. We went to see her, and it was so great seeing her comfortably sat upright (at 90 degrees without any pillows to support her!) on her bed and her wrinkled little face radiating with a big grin - she won't say her age but she must be in her 80s and she still walks up and down the hills to go to tend her land! What a bundle of energy! A great relief to see she was fine and eating with gusto the afternoon snack the patients are given (a cake and a glass of milk).

Paco, a lovely man who lived away from Cartajima all his working life, came back to retire and kept saying that the village had been asleep for all these years, had also been taken to the hospital on the same day. But, unfortunately, he wasn't well at all and he has since been transferred to a residential home for stroke victims in Malaga. It was so strange and sad seeing such a fun loving man, drifting between sleep and waking confusion. And worse was that in this hospital, a lot of the care relies on the family, which means if you haven't got any, you are quite neglected! Paco having never married, his sister living on the coast, he was left on his own and it was the family of the patient on the next bed, who was looking after him (shaving his growing beard, asking the nurse to change his bedding, clean his eyes, etc...). During our visit, more Cartajimenos came and went, making the whole scene very surreal, as if it were a village meeting place, going from one door to another! Barbarita, Paco and Pepa, our next visit, were on the same hospital floor, not far from each other!

We left Paco to go and see Pepa, the proprietor of the village only grocery shop. She had been admitted because of a very badly infected toe due to diabetes. Many villagers have got diabetes... Pepa was quite moved to see us. She is another lovely lady, probably in her 70s, but difficult to say, very kind and generous (so many times I come home from her shop with cucumbers, courgettes, etc. from her garden she has deposited into my bag!). She looked OK, apart from having been very worried about her toe being amputated. Thankfully, her toe was healing well so it was saved. Bless her, she was on her own in the usual hospital twin rooms and complained about it as it was rather lonely and boring for her. The rooms are all twinned room and have all a television, a telephone per bed and of course a bathroom. But as we found out, no vases!

We had purchased a bunch of flowers for both ladies from a kiosk just outside the hospital, but nowhere could we find a vase for them! The nurses seem to be totally puzzled we should be asking them for such an item and obviously couldn't care less! Barbarita's son, Juan Macho, deposited the bouquet in a Coca-Cola cardboard cup. "Macho" is his nickname - they all have one which is just as well as there are so many Juans, Pacos, etc., you would never know who is being refered to otherwise - and why "Macho" I don't know as he is round and extremely small, with probably the shortest legs ever, so much so that the 3/4 length shorts fit him as normal trousers... Bless him! And he is the most generous person I have ever met! A friend of ours put it brilliantly that way: "you will never go hungry if you live near or know Juan Macho!" So true... But, terribly difficult to get away once he starts talking...

To go back to the flowers, Pepa rung her daughter-in-law from her mobile to ask her to bring a vase! Sorted! A week or so later, we took more flowers to Amalia this time, who badly broke her leg in 2 parts and dislocated her left shoulder, but this time we were prepared! Spanish style, we took with us a cut plastic bottle! Not very aesthetic but at least practical! Amalia (looking lovely in the above photo), a gentle, hardworking and quiet lady, is the proprietor of Cartajima bar/restaurant "Casa Amalia", and she never ceases to amaze us how she can prepare fresh delicious meals, at the drop of the hat, for a full restaurant (probably sometimes amounting to 100 or more people in busy Summer evenings!), in her tiny kitchen! With orders being served at the same time per table by her husband, Baltazar, walking briskly with his chest puffed out like a cockerel, laden with mouthwatering plates.

We found out later, while talking to Amalia's Venezuelan daughter-in-law, Gabi, who just got married (see photos in earlier blogs, further down) and just gave birth to a lovely boy, and Gabi's Mother, that they were surprised that everyone brought her chocolates and sweets at the hospital when she had the baby! The custom in Venezuela is to bring flowers or fruits. I realised then that bringing flowers to hospital patients is obviously not the custom here, in this part of Andalucia!!! You just live and learn!

Singles special offers - April walking holiday

Are you in need of a holiday, but not sure what to do or where to go? If you enjoy walking, why not join our small friendly singles group and enjoy a carefree walking holiday in Andalucia in April?

Contrary to most organised holidays, we believe in taking the time so that you enjoy your walking and your surrounding, and feel totally relaxed, and go back home feeling refreshed and with a better understanding of the area you visited, its culture, its history and its people.

To make sure you have a carefree holiday, we include airport transfers and all transport, welcome drink, 7 nights in a lovely hotel (either B&B or half board), 5 guided walks and 1 guided tour of Ronda, which is a fabulous little town worth visiting.

As well as enjoying stunning scenery, you will have the opportunity to visit typical Andalucian white villages, 'Pueblos blancos'. More over, we believe food is also a big part of getting to know an area, so you will be able to sample delicious tapas lunches in some lovely restaurants in these villages.

For total relaxation, we have also massages and other well being therapies on offer, for you to enjoy after walking, in the comfort of your hotel room.

Our next singles special offer is for our Spring walking holiday - 18th to 25th April 2010.
10% discounts - offer valid until 14th February 2010.

If this is your kind of holiday, do contact us or visit our walking holiday special offers.

Spanish Wedding (continued)

Here are a few photos of Baltasar and Gabriella's wedding celebrated on 09 January 2010, in Cartajima, Andalucia, spain. For an account of the wedding, see blog bellow

Spanish Wedding

Last Sunday, we had the privilege of being invited to a Spanish wedding. Baltasar (son of Baltasar and Amalia who run the bar/restaurant Casa Amalia in Cartajima) and Gabriella were wedded in the church of the village of Cartajima, just 20 minutes from Ronda. We were all blessed, as the torential rain stopped and the sun shone all day instead! It was terribly cold though, but what a lovely day nonetheless (and it snowed all day the following day!!).

The church ceremony was scheduled for 12 am. Church bells rang half an hour before the service was due, to let everyone know in the village about it, and rang again 15 minutes later. We then assembled with everyone else outside the church to watch first the arrival of the Groom and his mother and then of the Bride and the "Padrino de boda", Martin Berasategui. We then followed the bride and the padrino into the church and a lot of poeple stayed outside, sunning themselves in the sun. The ceremony was short and very cheerful. The young priest had a good sense of humour and made everyone laugh!

After being pronounced Husband and Wife and signing the wedding certificates, the wedded couple made a quick exit through the rice and petals, with a few brief pauses to receive congratulations and photo taking, and departed in a beautiful vintage car to go and do the wedding photos with the Groom's mother and the padrino, who followed in another vintage car both owned by Amalia's brother, Alfredo Corbacho, who collects vintage cars.

We then made our way to the Hotel Reina Victoria in Ronda where the reception took place. A lovely apperitif was served and followed by a very nice sit down meal. A plan of the table arrangement with names per table was displayed in the lobby of the hotel so you could find where you were sitting. We knew we were placed with Charo, the wife of our dearest friend Juan who passed away last September, and her family. It was only a question of finding out where the table was. Not so easy when there was at least 400 guests!

The meal was extremely good, with gambas, oysters, concha finas, jamon for starter, leg of lamb or fish or steak for the main course and a lovely desert, all copiously accompanied by champagne and wine. We were actually contacted the day before by Auxi, Baltasar's sister, to choose our main course in advance. How organised is that?!

The meal was very emotional to say the least! Juan was obviously being terribly missed by everyone who knew him and we all shed tears. Then, the padrino, Martin Berasategui, brought everyone to tears with his speach. As some of you might have wondered, Martin is indeed the famous Spanish Chef, in fact one of the best Chefs in the world (http://www.martinberasategui.com/). Baltasar chico has been working for him for a few years now and according to Martin, Baltasar is the No 1 chef and he believes he will make his mark in the Spanish cuisine but also in the World cuisine. He also said that he considers him like his own son... Wow, what a compliment!

On a lighter note, plenty of flamenco singing was to be had and good laughs from other friend's speaches. At the end of the meal, during the dessert, coffee and liquors, the bride and Auxi came round all the tables and pined a delicate porcelaine jasmin flower to the women's top (married women with the flower stem going down and single women with the flower stem going up) and the padrino went also round the tables to give cigars to the men. This is the time when you give your envelop filled with money (the custom is to give at least the cost of the meal) to either the bride or the padrino. No wedding lists here! Most people I saw giving an envelop, gave a very small envelop with their own names written on it (so that the bride and groom know who it is from). We didn't know about the particulars of the envelop, so we gave them a card with our best wishes + dinero, of course. No wonder Auxi looked perplexed with our bigger envelopp addressed to Baltasar and Gabriella!!! Chatting to Baltasar's and Auxi's grand mother about it, she said that unfortunately there are always a few people who if they can get away from giving the envelop, they will do their best!

After the meal and exchange of envelops/brooches/cigars, we all went back to Cartajima. Baltasar and Amalia had extended the bar/restaurant to cater for the number of guests by adding a big marquee from the restaurant's door, in which a great little band was playing. More drinks and more delicious food as well as dancing all night were had by all! The night was perishing cold, but a portable gaz heater was wheeled into the marquee, which meant you had to remove some layers of clothing if you were dancing!!!

It couldn't have been a better day! We had such a fabulous time amongst great people! See next blog for a few photos of the day

May women only walking holiday

Happy New Year everyone! We hope you've all had a relaxing Christmas break and a good start to 2010. If however, you've got winter blues and feel you could do with a break to unwind fully, why not come and join us on our May Spanish women only walking holiday?

Whether you are widowed, single, divorced or married but travelling on your own, come and enjoy stunning walks, at your own pace, in a safe, comfortable environment, and take the time to get to know the Alto Genal, a beautiful and unspoilt part of Andalucia just 20 minutes from Ronda, and enjoy its delicious gastronomy.

Our philosophy is that holidays should be relaxing and reenergizing as so many women lead stressful, hectic lives. Therefore we have designed our walking holidays with that in mind:

• We offer different levels of walking to suit all needs.
• Airport transfers and all transport are included.
• Lovely, comfortable accommodation with swimming pool in the charming Hotel Bandolero situated in the white village of Juzcar.
• No early bird start or rush in the morning but instead enjoy your breakfast and get ready at your leisure.
• No rush either during the walks - walk at your own pace and take the time to enjoy the stunning scenery and chat.
• Enjoy delicious Spanish tapas/meals at lunch time in typical Andalucian restaurants in the "Pueblos blancos" we walk to. And in the evening, savour Ivan's gourmet cuisine, the Hotel Bandolero's Cordon Bleu Chef.
• Visit typical Andalucian white villages as well as beautiful, historical Ronda.
• For total relaxation, enjoy well being therapies after walking, provided on request in the comfort of your hotel room.
  
  If you fancy getting away from it all, do join us. Our next available women only walking holiday is 24th - 31st May 2010. For more information, contact us or click on our walking holiday package.

A call for mass opposition against the EU Directives & Codex Alimentarius

While you were peacefully sleeping, the European Commission have been secretly preparing over 300 Directives & Regulations which threaten to destroy our health; natural foods, vitamins and herbal supplements; anciant traditions and practices; healthcare businesses; animal welfare; the environment; plus take away our 'consumer rights and choice'. Sadly neither the media nor the Government are informing us of these life threatening issues!*

Please visit urgently Joining Hands in Health to find out more about these threatening EU Directives and Codex Alimentarius and to see how you can help protect your consumer right and health choice. We must act before the end of December 2009 otherwise it will be too late!

*Taken from Joining Hands in Health website.

Walking poles/walking sticks - just a new craze? All you need to know about walking poles

Is walking with walking poles or walking sticks just a new craze or is it really good for you? Judy, one of our walking guests, introduced me to pole walking or Nordic walking. We actually bought a pair of walking poles for her to use while walking with us, as she was travelling light and couldn't bring her own and we thought it would be a good idea to offer such service to our walking guests. Judy was a mine of information and she kindly explained to me how to use the walking poles. Many of our successive guests have since used our walking poles but I am surprised to see that not many people actually know how to use them to their full capacity. Please read on to find out more on how walking with walking sticks is good for you, how to choose walking poles, how to set up your walking poles so you can fully benefit from them and if it is better to walk with one or two walking poles.

Walking with walking poles/stick is actually good for you because:

• It helps with your balance (ideal also when crossing rivers or on slippery terrain).


• It supports your body weight and thus reduces stress on your feet, legs, knees, hips and your back (especially when going downhill). So if you have any problems with any of these body parts, the walking sticks will be a great help. And if you haven't got any, they will lessen the normal "wear and tear" associated with walking.


• It helps when going uphill by giving you that extra push.


• It gives you a better posture and enables you to breathe more efficiently.


• It is very good for working out the upper body such as the arms, shoulders, upper chest, neck and the upper back, while helping to loosen any tensions that normally accumulate in the neck and the shoulder area due to stress, working at a desk/computer, etc...


• It increases your heart rate without your feeling it (easier cardio workout).


• You burn a lot more calories.

My 5 top tips for choosing walking poles:

• Despite people saying the one piece poles are more secure and durable, I find telescopic walking poles more comfortable for walking on mixed terrain as is the case here in the Serrania de Ronda. You can then adjust them depending on the terrain (see how to set them up for more info on walking poles adjustment).


• Choose poles with a comfortable handle. I prefer soft textured handles that feel smooth to the touch. Plastic ones can be a bit rough after a while and a bit slippery with sweat on hot days.


• Choose poles with comfortable straps designed to support your wrists.


• An added comfort is the shock absorbing features that some poles have. Some says this feature adds some weight to the poles, but it cushions impacts on your wrists when walking on hard ground or on rocky slopes.


• Light weight poles are indeed a must.

How to set up your walking poles/sticks:

• The height of your pole is very important so as not to strain your back or your elbows: while standing tall and holding your walking pole, the inside angle of your elbow should be at 90 degrees.


• When walking uphill, you will need to shorten your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.


• And when walking downhill, you will need to lengthen your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.


• Use your straps instead of holding firmly your walking sticks: put your hand through the strap and adjust it so that while holding lightly the handle, the heal of your hand rests comfortably onto the strap (that's why it's important to buy walking poles with ergonomically designed straps). While walking, apply pressure onto the straps instead of gripping the handle. This way, your hands and wrist don't get tired.

Walking with one or two walking poles?

Well, the general consensus seems to be that it is much better to walk with 2 walking poles for a good walking rhythm, balance and general workout. However, the main thing is your being comfortable. If it feels weird walking with 2 poles, I would use just the one. You won't get the full aerobic benefits but it will still give you some support to relieve your knees, hips, legs and back.

I would like to thank Judy for sharing with me her knowledge about pole walking and I hope you will have found this information interesting and helpful.