Lorca Castle Invaded By “Hairy Bikers”

Michael Petty Culture, Finca Arboleda, Local Interest, Things to Do , , , 0 Comment

BBC-Hairy-Bikers-chefs-LorcaThe BBC chefs “The Hairy Bikers” were in Lorca a few weeks ago to film for their new series on Mediterranean cuisine which will air in February 2018.

Lorca Castle is about 40 minutes from Finca Arboleda just over the border in Murcia. It was built between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista. It is listed as a Site of Cultural Interest.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times. There were archaeological excavations conducted between 1999 and 2011, in conjunction with other excavations conducted in the centre of the town of Lorca. The excavations revealed the existence of an Argaric town that extended from the castle to the actual site of the current town. The excavations revealed funerary sites, homes, and a wall.

During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

The Castle is well worth a visit and entry costs from only €4 They have lots of events there and the night visits look lovely. Their web site in English has loads of information Castle website

Our Latest Review. Guests Love Staying Here !!

Michael Petty Reviews , , , , 0 Comment

Lee`s reviewA secluded private piece of paradise. If you want peace and quiet and to be surrounded by nature this is the place to come. The hosts are warm, friendly and very accommodating. The accommodation was clean and tidy and very practical. Thank you for allowing us to stay at your wonderful Finca and we hope to see you again soon !

Posted by lee airbnb

Car Hire Tips

Michael Petty Car hire , , , , , 0 Comment

car_holiday_hireOne of the most asked questions we get from guests is “Who Do You Recommend For car Hire?”

This year guests have been picking up some absolute bargains with prices from 5 Euros a day! We always suggest buying an independent insurance policy to avoid the hard sell when you collect your vehicle, but be aware this will probably mean the hire company will put a large retainer on your credit card.

Another thing to consider is the fuel, if you are not going to use a full tank, a full out, full in policy may be best for you.

Automatics seem to be at a premium so make sure you book early if this is important for you.

We also have a few tips on http://www.fincaarboleda.com/carhire.html

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at holiday@fincaarboleda.com

 

Finca Arboleda’s 100th Review

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda 0 Comment

 

Celebrating 100 Great ReviewsWow! we have just received our 100th guest review on our own independently hosted guest book.

We had stopped using the guest book for a while as listing sites like Owners Direct, Spain Holiday, Trip Advisor pressure it’s clients to get guests to post reviews  and we are very aware that people returning from their holiday have better things to do than post multiple reviews. There are more than 100 more reviews scattered around the web but our own guest book is the one that stays with us.

A big thank you to all the guests who have taken the trouble to review us over the last 11 years. I’m going to look back at some of the early ones but they are all here if you are interested http://tinyurl.com/yc98pex

 

100th Review Received

Michael Petty Finca Arboleda , , , , 0 Comment

Celebrating 100 Great ReviewsWow! we have just received our 100th guest review on our own independently hosted guest book.

We had stopped using the guest book for a while as listing sites like Owners Direct, Spain Holiday, Trip Advisor pressure it’s clients to get guests to post reviews  and we are very aware that people returning from their holiday have better things to do than post multiple reviews. There are more than 100 more reviews scattered around the web but our own guest book is the one that stays with us.

A big thank you to all the guests who have taken the trouble to review us over the last 11 years. I’m going to look at some of the early ones but they are all here if you are interested http://tinyurl.com/yc98pex

Dreambeach Festival Villaricos 2017

Michael Petty Culture, Local Interest, Things to Do, Whats On , , , 0 Comment

2017 is the 5th anniversary of the Dreambeach Electro, Techno, Dance festival at Villaricos. It runs from August 10th until 15th.Dreambeach line up 2017

I must admit the only people I’ve heard of are Chase and Status and that’s only because I’ve seen them plastered all over the London tube a couple of years ago.  But hey it’s for people a lot younger than me, a bit like when my parents couldn’t understand why I sat in a field all weekend listening to people who needed a damn good haircut, happy days!

When we first moved here the festival was part of the Creamfields group and did use to feature some more mainstream acts, even The Pet Shop Boys played one year. Other acts included The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Goldfrapp,Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, Groove Armada and Basement Jaxx who I’m familiar with but wouldn’t go and see.

Four days of music on 4 stages will be enjoyed by over 100,000 people with the campsite holding around 30,000. The first sign that something is happening is when the average age of people in the supermarkets plummet as the sales of booze rises. We then realise there is a bass pounding in the distance at bedtime and that it is still there when we wake, great stamina these kids.

It normally passes without incident and we hope they all have a great time.

Dreambeach Villaricos 2017

Vera Media Maratón

Michael Petty Local Interest, Whats On , 0 Comment

Vera Half Marathon 2017Vera’s half marathon as well as 5K and 10K races will take place on the evening on 15th July 2017.

Deadline for registration is 12th July and it costs €12 for all categories. It is designed to be a basically flat course as you would expect being by the playa.

TELÉFONO / FAX: 627 866 423 (Félix) / 670 028 833 (Pedro) for information.

If you need accommodation for that weekend our one bedroom garden bungalow has availability at the moment from the 8th – 17th July, minimum stay is 3 nights but it would make the ideal place a a summer break.  http://www.fincaarboleda.com

 

Traditional Pottery Workshop in Vera

Michael Petty Culture, Local Interest, Things to Do, Whats On , 1 Comment

Vera Pottery CourseStarting yesterday Vera will be holding holding traditional pottery workshops.

They will be held by local craftsman, Salvador Hernández.   The workshops, which will be held in the Plaza de Toros from June 19 to September 15, will be divided into 4 groups with a maximum of 8 students per group , thus giving personalized attention during the training. It will include everything necessary to make the pieces.

The cost of registration is 50 euros for a month, or 120 euros for the entire three months duration of the workshop. For more information you can contact by phone 600 06 26 87.

50 euros for a months pottery course has to be a great offer and will no doubt be very popular.