Problems in Spain
The problems of the Spanish economy have been widely reported recently and it is to be hoped that the measures being planned by the government help to relieve the economic issues which need addressing.
Today another issue has come to light although it is not expected to affect guests at Hotel Molino del Santo directly. The Qatari Royal Family has shown interest in buying Málaga Football Club and negotiations are at an advanced stage. Representatives of the family have travelled to Spain to finalise the details of the purchase and have run into a very serious problem…..
They wanted to moor their yacht in Puerto Banus, near Marbella, for the duration of their visit – BUT – and here is the problem : the yacht just won’t fit into the harbour. The yacht “Radiant” is 110 metres long and cost 80million euros – but it is just too big to fit in the port. So not only the royal family but also the 40 full time crew have had to relocate to the yacht’s mooring in the port of Málaga capital.
The yacht is due to be moored there for the next two weeks although, fortunately, there are plans to make at least one cruise southwards during this time to relieve any potential boredom.
Molino del Santo regrets that it is unable to offer moorings for boats of this size.
YIKES – unemployment is not looking good in Spain.
For many years Hotel Molino del Santo’s policy has been to offer jobs to people from the local village of Benaoján whenever possible. The policy has paid off in many ways – not least being that the staff stay loyal to the hotel and returning guests see the same familiar faces each year. Another benefit is that hotel guests venturing out in the Serrania de Ronda near to the hotel and meeting local people will almost always find they are kindly disposed to assist in any way they can since the chances are that one of their family members is involved in the hotel.
So it has been a case of all sides benefitting from a relationship of reciprocal assistance and guests’ support of the hotel has been greatly appreciated by all parties.
The latest Spanish unemployment figures give some indication of why the support of small hotels is so important to small communities. Across Spain there are over 4,6million people out of work – 20% of the working population – a figure which has led the government to promise to take urgent remedial action. The main driver of the problem has been the collapse of the construction industry and the loss of jobs that this brings to a raft of associated industries.
But the story is even worse in Andalucia where the rate of unemployment is now 27% so any stable jobs are highly valued. This means that people in work are very keen to keep their jobs and, whilst they have always been willing to work hard, they are even more prepared to do so now.
So if you need an extra reason to visit the Ronda area, you now have it. The area is stunning, the food is great , the weather is fantastic and now you are sure of an even warmer welcome from local people who will be very grateful for your visit.
Jamie Oliver Programme on Ronda
As part of a series of programmes on cookery in various parts of Europe , Jamie Oliver has filmed an episode based on the Ronda Area which is due to be broadcast on Channel Four TV on the 21st April at 9p.m.
Under the title “Jamie Does Andalucia”, the programme looks at a number of culinary specialities of the Ronda area including the famous Pata Negra ham from the black pigs which feed on acorns in the forests of the region. The very best quality ham is more expensive than Foie Gras and many types of caviar. Cut really thin, a skill which Jamie learns, it is a real delicacy.
Jamie also gets involved in cooking a paella for a whole village when he visits Benaoján. Through a researcher of his, Jamie’s team made contact with Pauline Elkin and Andy Chapell the owners of Hotel Molino del Santo in the same village and they helped to organise Jamie’s itinerary. Jamie had wanted to stay at the Hotel but because TV schedules are often last minute there was no accommodation available by the time he came to book.
Oliver had also planned to eat at Molino del Santo but the time that the paella took to arrange meant that the visit to the hotel had to be cancelled.
He showed himself to be a very interesting person with a real feel for his chosen trade and a great interest in the local people and their cuisine. Journalists who have had previews of the programme describe it as a great advert for the region with some stunning photography.
See Flamingoes near Molino del Santo – in large quantities.
It’s shaping up to be a record year at Laguna Fuente de Piedra which is less than an hour’s drive from Hotel Molino del Santo. Every year the lake attracts Flamingoes to nest but the success of this breeding depends totally on the level of the water in the lake – in 2008 for example no chicks were born.
However the winter rains this year mean the water is 1,75metres deep – the highest level recorded since records have been kept in earnest in 1983. This has meant that on the 1st March there were 7000 birds present, rising to 15000 by the 24th March and a week later there are 25000. Committed bird watchers and twitchers alike are in for a treat.
Situated near Antequera, the lake has seen 654,4litres of water fall this winter which is double the average and compares with 1998 when 15387 chicks were born. It is expected that numbers this year could be even higher at over 20000 chicks. Some of the islands where the birds normally nest are submerged but ten new sites have been colonised this year. It is expected that ringing of the chicks which normally takes place in July will be postponed to August this year because there is so much water.
The birds travel overnight to feed and some will travel as far as the Camargue or Algiers in just one day before returning to the nest sites in Andalucia..
The higher water levels mean that the lake is less saline this year which allows more plants to grow which in turn attract a wider range of diving birds. This year bird-watchers can expect to see many more species such as Great Crested and Black-necked grebes, Common and Red- Crested Pochard, Shelduck and the delightful Purple Gallinule.
Don’t miss out on seeing one of nature’s spectacles – and there is an information centre equipped with binoculars and telescopes as well as explanations of the birds’ lives.
New Improved Edition of Walking Book
Many people visit the Serrania de Ronda for its stunning landscapes and a percentage of these folk explore on foot the many tracks and footpaths that criss-cross the sierras.
It is not surprising that a number of guide books and pamphlets have been assembled by authorities and individuals to describe the best routes and enable individuals to make new discoveries of wonderful places.
The undisputed leader in the field of walking guides to Andalucia for the last ten years or more has been the book “Walking in Andalucia” written by Guy Hunter-Watts, a confirmed lover of the area, its people and its customs. Guy has also been commissioned by Molino del Santo to provide walking routes starting from the hotel which have proved very popular over the years.
Now in its sixth edition, the guide has shown its value through the experience of users. Covering in the region of 50 routes across the whole of Andalucia, the guide has always been known for its accuracy and attention to detail – being able to trust route descriptions is of course essential to any serious walker.
There are new walks in this new edition and all of the old favourites have been re-walked and re-mapped. In addition there are new features in this expanded edition including a check list of both birds and flowers provided by local experts as well as GPS references for all of the routes – features that many will appreciate. However the book is still a handy size to fit into a walker’s pocket.
In the Ronda Area there are a total of 8 routes varying from a gentle couple of riverside hours to all day hikes on mountain ridges.
Not published until the 29th April in the UK, the book, which has been published by Santana Books, is now available in Spain and from Hotel Molino del Santo in Benaoján. The cover price of 19,90euros can easily be recuperated from the pleasures of completing just one of the routes.
Coming soon! A book of more gentle walks in the Ronda area – over 30 routes of an average of two hours for the less committed explorer. Full details as soon as they are available.
SPANISH TRAINS A BARGAIN!
We’ve known for years that we should be using the trains that pass close by to Molino del Santo – they’re reliable, efficient, clean and comfortable. Now a survey published recently has proved that Spanish trains are good value too.
The study looked at how far the equivalent of 12 euros will transport you in different European countries. In the UK that amount of money will buy you 38kilometres of travel – in Spain the same price will move you over 94 kilometres. Portugese travellers fare even better – 172 kilometres for 12 euros.
The investment in Renfe, the railway company, has been cut back a little in recent months as the Spanish economy struggles to correct itself. However a six month project has been taking place to upgrade the line from Ronda to Algeciras with a reputed investment of 170million euros. The railway is being prepared for faster Talgo trains from Madrid.
It’s going to be a great Spring
Finally the winter rains are abating and Andalucia is beginning to take on its spring colours. After a period of sustained rainfall that has seen over 120cm (45inches) of rainfall in less than three months, the sun is beginning to win the climatological battle.
Whilst the rain has caused much damage to the countryside, roads and buildings, the upside is that there is general agreement that the spring is going to be sensational. Everywhere is very green right now but without huge amounts of floral colour. However now that the days are warming up and the sun is shining, all of those seeds and buds are just waiting to explode into vibrant hues that will make this a great spring to visit this area.
May is traditionally the time when the balance is perfect for exploring the area as the temperatures are perfect and the light is clear and ….well, it’s just wonderful.
Biological experts are predicting that this spring will be the most impressive of the last forty years given the combination of influencing factors. The area around Molino del Santo is always lovely in the springtime but is certain to be especially stunning this year.
NEW MALAGA AIRPORT TERMINAL – but only for some.
On Monday the 15th of March the King of Spain, Juan Carlos accompanied by his wife Sofia, opened Terminal 3 at Málaga airport. Whilst it was not specifically mentioned in his speech, the King probably meant to say that the new terminal would make getting to and from Molino del Santo even more comfortable than it used to be.
The new building is spacious and feels customer-friendly with high ceilings and a calm air about it. There are 86 new check-in desks and 15 machines for automatic check-in. Staff are well-trained and it is certainly an easier experience than the old arrangements – there are many more security-screening machines for example in a much more spacious environment..
Connections to local transport networks are far easier in the new terminal and there is a range of new parking facilities and easier drop-off zones. Spreading the load of passengers over a larger area makes the airport feel more manageable.
The new area will be used by passengers flying to destinations covered by the Schengen agreement – of which the UK does not form a part. Passengers flying to and from the UK with the majority of budget airlines will still embark via the old Terminal 2 but will be security checked in Terminal 3 and will have access to all the new airside shopping and a range of 21 restaurant facilities. There is a suggestion that flights of flag carriers like Iberia and BA will use the new terminal but this is not quite clear as yet.
The building works have taken four years and a budget of 409,7million euros to reach this stage. Plans and building are well advanced for a second runway, expected to open in 2011. It has been estimated that almost one third of the wealth and employment of Málaga province can be attributed to the airport. No wonder the investment has been, and continues to be, made in this facility.