100th Review Received

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

Another Couple Living The Dream

We left the UK 14 years ago to start a completely new lifestyle adventure at Finca Arboleda. This programme on Channel 5 tonight features another couple making the leap. It’s always interesting for us to see how they get on but the main reason for watching this particular one is that the lovely Alex Polizzi is presenting. If you didn’t catch her “Spectacular Spain” series which finished a few weeks ago make sure you look out for it on one of the catch up options that are around.

Casa Cuevas Alex Polizzi lends her expertise to British expats Mark and Shirley, who have spent the past eight years living and working on the southern coast of Spain. A weekend break to a traditional Spanish cave house has inspired the pair to open their own. Setting their sights on a hillside in Granada, the duo plan to use their 25,000-euro savings and a £50,000 inheritance to set up a three-bedroom B&B, but an ambitious 10-week turnaround period could leave them struggling to open the doors on time.

Cuevas Helena

A Place In The Sun

A Place In The Sun has been popular viewing for those wanting to live the

dream for a long time now, if fact we were filmed 13 years ago as innocent

bystanders in Mojacar!

A Place In The Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

The programme often features Almeria province and Finca Arboleda would

be the perfect base for independent travellers who want to get a feel for the

area and maybe check out a few properties with local agents without feeling

tied to one of them.

We visited the area 3 times over a one year period before we took the plunge

and have not regretted our decision to buy Finca Arboleda one bit.

If you decide to come out a car is essential for looking around. We have a lot

of local knowledge and if you would like to ask any questions we are

happy to help or to point you in the right direction to get the answers

you need. We are ideally situated for looking at property in Mojacar,

Garrucha, San Juan, Albox, Arboleas and of course Vera.

When you are not property hunting our 5000 square metres of fenced garden

and fantastic pool will let you experience the dream before you purchase.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the area, our

accommodation or would like to stay at Finca Arboleda.

If I was lucky enough to own such a slice of paradise….

We had a great break away and will definitely be returning to the area and to the Finca Arboleda if they have availability when the time comes. If I was lucky enough to own such a slice of paradise, I’m not sure I could share it with others!! Regards Rodney & Carolyne, Cavan, Ireland.

Just received this fantastic review, somehow makes all the hard work seem worthwhile See review here

Orange Grove In Flower
Orange Grove In Flower

Extreme Adventure Mojacar

I came across an advert for these people and must admit I’d not heard of them but it

looks interesting especially if you are here with the kids or just young at heart.

Camel rides have been popular on Mojacar beach for a few years and it’s part of

“Extreme Adventures” portfolio.

Camel Rides Mojacar
Camel Rides Mojacar

There really are too many things on offer to list them all, maybe Paintball is your thing or

maybe like me you’ve never tried it.

Paintball Mojacar Adventure
Paintball Mojacar Adventure

Archery might be your thing or something new to try.

Archery
Archery

They also offer Karting, Quads, Buggy rides, Horse riding, Childrens park and loads

of water activities including Kayaks, Jet Skis, Flyboards and boat trips.

They are based on the AL-6111 Turre to Los Gallardos road.

Give they a call on 950 615 343 or 687 919 840

Or visit www.extremeadvmojacar.com

 

 

 

Second Chance Summer: Tuscany

We’ve never seen this programme but tonights episode on BBC2 might be interesting for people who have stayed here or indeed neighbours as it focuses on the Olive harvest

It is about Ten strangers, all at a crossroads in life about to embark on an experience that could change their lives forever. From the makers of The Real Marigold Hotel, five men and five women arrive in Tuscany to see if their dream to make a new start in the Italian countryside can become a reality. Sounds dreadful but we’ll be watching tonight!

Finca Arboleda has 56 trees and yields vary but last year we harvested, with the help of guests and friends over a tonne of olives which gave us about 230 litres of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. There really is nothing like the real thing and it will be interesting to see how these guys do. We pick in November so i’m not sure when this was filmed.

Olive Picking 2016 at Finca Arboleda
Olive Picking 2016 at Finca Arboleda

The Trip to Spain: La Posada del Laurel

Spain really is the place to be this year, whether it’s Alex with her fantastic “Spectacular Spain” series, endless car adverts with their pristine models stretching their “legs” around our fantastic empty roads or Rob and Steve in this wonderful series.

If you haven’t seen Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan in this spoof that sees them staying in beautiful places and eating great food while supposedly working for a broadsheet with Steve writing a foodie column then you’ve missed a treat. It is amazingly low key with the guys cruising around in their Range Rover before spending time over good food and enjoying the type of conversation good friends indulge in when the wines finished and the Port is on it’s 2nd round, Great entertainment from two masters and Rob’s “Little Man in A Box” always brings a smile. The fact that this, the third series, is in Spain only adds to the joy.

This series is bing shown on Sky Atlantic on Thursdays but it is also to be found on You Tube, please try and find it, you will not be disappointed.

#spectacularspain #thetriptospain #robbrydon #stevecoogan #spainontv #fincaarboleda #The Trip to Spain: La Posada del Laurel.

TheTripToSpain
TheTripToSpain

Lunch At Boracay Restaurant, Garrucha.

Boracay restaurant is situated on the beach at Garrucha with tables outside or indoors. It is very stylish and modern. They do not serve a budget menu del dia but offer a wide selection of tasty tapas, raciones and fish or meat main courses.

We were a group of eight and had a selection of raciones of fish dishes, mussels, large hake balls, cod and squid all well cooked in different sauces. This was probably enough but we had already ordered a mixed paella for six people. It was quite moist, which is how I prefer it and was full of chicken and fish and decorated with mussels and prawns. Although full one of our group insisted that I join him by having a chocolate brownie! We brought home a substantial doggy bag for Stig and he gave it his approval.

Verdict? Not cheap but a lovely restaurant in a beautiful setting, the food was excellent, well served and we all enjoyed it. Certainly one for a special occasion or just pop in for a beer and tapa, you won’t regret it.