Around this time very year in Spain we seem to get inundated with ants, tiny ones, normal ones, huge ones, they are everywhere, in the house, in the garden, crawling over our plants and fruit trees, crawling over us! This week I decided to try to find a good way to get rid of ants, preferably without killing them, as I am not that sort of chap. I wanted to know if there was a natural product that would deter ants, Doing a quick search on the internet found all sorts of wild and wacky ideas, but the most commonly occurring suggested cider vinegar, chalk, mint, cinnamon and talcum powder. Great so off we go, plenty of vinegar in the cupboard (well its white wine vinegar but the ants won’t notice!), so find some ants to get rid of and give tham vinegar. Well I have to tell you my ants must be different from other peoples ants because they were drinking the vinegar and coming back for more (maybe they died later who knows). I moved on to chalk (they won’t cross a chalk line), blimey my little blighters were running all over it, they seemed to think it was the finishing line for some high speed race, try cinnamon then – they took no notice. What next? Blow it give em a kettle of boiling water, haven’t seem the damn things since.
October 12, 2009
Cartagena Spain
Not to be confused with the city of the same name in Columbia, South America, the Spanish city of Cartagena is located in the Murcia region on a stretch of coastline known as the Costa Calida (“Warm Coast”).
Cartagena has a long and interesting history which goes back to the times of the Punic Wars between the Carthaginians and the Romans. The first settlement there was by the Iberians and called Mastia, upon this early settlement the first real town was built by the Carthaginian General Hasdrubal in 223 BC, making us of a natural deepwater harbour. The Carthaginians named the town Quart Hadas (New City) and it later became an important base for the famous Hannibal (of elephant fame), during his exploits in Spain and beyond.
After the defeat of the Carthaginians by the Romans it was re-named Carthago Novo (New Carthage) and was developed as a significant mining area. Cartagena still has some remains from these early days including the Punic Ramparts and the Augusteum.
Cartagena fell into decline during the Middle Ages but made a brief recovery during the 18th century when it became an important naval base. The collapse of the mining industry caused further depression in Cartagena in the 19th and early 20th centuries, though the city is undergoing renewed recovery as it eases itself into the 21st century.
Places of interest to see in the city include Cartagena port, where you will find one of the world’s first submarines, the Castillo de la Conceptión, the Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine Wall, the Maritime Museum and the Casa Cervantes (Cala Mayor) amongst others.
The area benefits from a superb climate and Cartagena weather is sunny and dry for over 300 days each year so do not expect rain during your visit to the city.
October 9, 2009
Jaen Andalucia
Located in a fertile area in the north of Andalucia, Spain, the city of Jaen is dominated by the Castilla de Santa Catalina fortress and lies at a height of 574 metres above sea level. A significant university city, Jaen is most famous for the production of olive oil and is often called the “World Capital of Olive Oil” in recognition of its proliferous production of what the locals call “liquid gold”. Jaen was the scene of many battles during the long struggle between Moors and Christians and its important strategic position between Castille and Andalucia was largely the reason for this. The old castle looking down on the city was originally a Carthaginian tower built by the famous general Hannibal, it was extended and refortified by the Moors and again by the reconquering Christians. One of the high points of a tour around the city of Jaen is the 16th century cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque and designed by Andres de Vandelvira. There are plenty of other interesting sights to visit and a long weekend trp would be ideal to see most of the main attractions. Jaen enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters but while Jaen weather is suitable for visiting throughout the year, July and August are best avoided due to excessively high temperatures, May and October would be the ideal time for a visit. Jaen does not have its own airport (the nearest is in Granada), so you will no doubt arrive by road, you can take the A45 from Granada or the A4 from Cordoba.
October 7, 2009
Algorfa Costa Blanca
Situated between Almoradi and Rojales in the Vega Baja region of the Costa Blanca, Spain is the tiny citrus farming village of Algorfa. Located on the banks of the River Segura, Algorfa lies on rich and fertile land, its surrounding countryside is full of orange and lemon groves. Algorfa enjoys spectacular views both to the mountains and to the azure blue Mediterranean Sea.
A Jesuit archaeologist from Orihuela made an interesting discovery in 1903 in the area of Algorfa which gives evidence of settlers as long ago as 3,000 BC. The remains of twelve humans and some tools and implements are all that is left of Algorfa’s early inhabitants.
When a privilege was granted by king Alfonso II in 1328 the municipality of Algorfa officially came into being and the village consisted of 15 homes and 15 families. After the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) Felipe V withdrew the privilege, though it was later restored king Carlos IV towards the end of the 18th Century.
Modern day village life in Algorfa centres mostly around the pretty village square, this is where most of the traditional local fiestas take place and also other activities and celebrations. The square is also where the Town Hall is located, together with the church and the police station. The village square is a popular place to enjoy a quiet drink or a snack. Algorfa is an exceptionally friendy place and visitors are always welcomed with a smile.
Sunshine is the order of the day in Algorfa and its inhabitants can expect to see over 300 days of it during an average year. Rain is scarce and usually limited to the cooler winter months (the most common months for rain being February and November), and an average yearly temperature of about 19 degrees centigrade is normal.
Also worth seeing whilst in Algorfa are the quaint cave dwellings at nearby Rojales, the Parque Natural de La Mata y Torrevieja (a fine Natural Park with walking routes and rich wildlife), the substantial gardens at the Palace of the Marquis de Fontabla at Jacarilla and the 19th C neo-gothic church on the road to Benejuzar.
Algorfa is an excellent location for sports and leisure pursuits, there are some fine walking and cycling routes in the area, superb water sports facilities in the coastal towns and a beautiful golf course nearby. There is a fine recreation centre in the village offering various sporting facilities such as tennis, swimming, squash and five-a-side football. The golf course is at La Finca Golf Club, an excellent 18 hole, par 72 course set in wonderful surroundings with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
For those who like the beach and the sea, the coastal town of Guardamar del Segura is just a short drive away. Guardamar has some beautiful sandy beaches which are very popular during the summer months.
Thus ends our little trip to Algorfa – the tiny Costa Blanca village with a big heart.
Get more information on Algorfa here: http://www.algorfa.my-costa-blanca.co.uk
Fires Near Altea Spain
After a long spell of dry weather, a fire broke out on the Sierra de Bernia, close to the Costa Blanca town of Altea. The emergency services were soon on hand to fight the blaze and worked throughout the night to bring it under control, which they achieved by early light, but remained on hand in case the fire re-started. In all 2 helicopters, 4 air tractor planes and forestry brigades were used in the operation. The area where the fire occurred is luckily largely uninhabited so few properties were threatened, though 4-5 hectares were damaged by the fire, Altea itself was unaffected.
October 6, 2009
Tenerife Canary Islands
The biggest and perhaps the best known of the Spanish Canary Islands, Tenerife has a resident population of approximately 850,000 and is a very popular, all year round holiday destination. Tenerife is divided into two distinct areas by a large mountain range, the area to the north is lush and green with a rugged coastline, the area to the south is arid and sparsely vegetated with plenty of fine sandy beaches and most of the island’s popular resorts. In the centre is the highest mountain in Spain – the Pico del Teide (3,717 metres). Two areas of great beauty on the island of Tenerife are the Orotava Valley and the Las Canadas National Park which are both worth a look if you are visiting the island. Some of Tenerife´s best known resorts lie on the west coast and include Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes, Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and Puerto de la Cruz, most of these within the municipalities of Arona and Adeje. The vast majority of visitors are attracted by the superb all year round climate, with Tenerife weather being particularly pleasant during the winter months (the best time to visit), the north of the island can experience a significantly different climate and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island, in the north-east is often wetter and cooler. Tenerife Map.