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Sunburn – a film set in La Alpujarra

Unsurprisingly, La Alpujarra attracts Andalucian tourist board and documentary film makers extolling its beauty. Aside from 1971’s ‘The Last Run’ (Fuga Sin Fin), we’re unsure what ‘proper’ films have been made in this area except, that is, Sunburn (2018) – a thriller/horror filmed in, and around, Bubión in 2016. We were hoping to write a … Continue reading

Lanjarón’s 2018 tapa extravaganza

[This event is now over.] Following our previous post about Venta Maria reopening, we continue the food theme but this time a post with an ‘eat by’ date – IV Ruta de la Tapa 2018. Running until next Sunday (2 December), it’s a chance to savour different tapas offered up by the bars and restaurants … Continue reading

Venta Maria returns – è italiano!

There’s been an American in Paris, an Englishman in New York, and now; an Italian in Órgiva – a bar, that is. The much-missed Venta Maria bar closed down a couple of years ago only to be reopened by the World’s most miserable owners who would greet you, arms folded, as if you’d shot their … Continue reading

Órgiva: Feria y Fiestas 2018

[Note: this event has ended.] Judging by the preparations, Órgiva’s annual knees-up, which starts this Thursday 27 September, is the biggest for quite a while. The top of town – from the municipal car park near Baraka to the Plaza Cultural – is full of play rides, performance stages, bunting and more. So, what’s in … Continue reading

El Jardin de los Sabores, Capileira (the curry menu)

Head for Capileira – one of the ‘pueblos blancos‘ of the region – and a restaurant awaits offering something more spicy than traditional Spanish food – and in a place you’d least expect. El Jardin de los Sabores (‘Garden of Flavours’) is a lovely spot with spectacular valley views. You can wile away a leisurely … Continue reading

One Man and his Jog – La Alpujarra food film

La Alpujarra is simply beautiful as anyone who lives here – or has visited – will testify. It’s not the first time we’ve stumbled upon a TV programme about the area and here’s another. It’s basically a long, but lovely, advert focusing on the food typical of the region. In short, a chef – ‘Atleta … Continue reading

Summer in Órgiva 2018

NEW: Órgiva: Feria y Fiestas 2018 – September 27-30 September The great thing about Órgiva is that the town is near lots of stuff: mountains, rivers, beaches and Granada. And if you’re here with kids, there’s plenty to do locally and further afield. There’s a selected events list at the bottom of this page. Enjoy … Continue reading

The best coffee in Granada

A day rarely passes without a coffee at some point. It’s either a café con leche (with milk), a solo (like an espresso) or a cortado (a solo with a splash – or ‘cut’ – of milk). Like Italy, it’s hard to get a truly awful coffee in Spain, but it can happen. Here’s our guide … Continue reading

Abandoned Tablate village – and Puente Nazari

We pulled off the motorway to Granada, stepped out of the car and were ankle deep in a sea of yellow oxalis. Spring’s unusual weather continued as splats of rain reminded us that summer hadn’t quite yet arrived. Dwarfed by dead palm trees we walked up a short incline. We were at Tablate in the municipality of … Continue reading

‘Walking and trekking in the Sierra Nevada’ – book

While perusing a local shop aimed at healthy people – hikers, trekkers, climbers etc – we came across a cute book all about our local mountain range – mainland Spain’s highest, second only to the Alps in western Europe: the Sierra Nevada. We never cease to marvel at its beauty as we drive to Granada, … Continue reading

Wet Órgiva update

Poco a poco, Órgiva is changing; but not in any big way. This relentless rain reminds us of those Japanese TV endurance games where contestants have pepper dusted into their eyeballs – only, in our case (and much of Spain), it is to: ‘endure a never-ending rain shower and all that this entails.’ This includes: bored … Continue reading

Órgiva’s 2018 promo film

A few weeks into the new year and Órgiva’s town hall have finally returned from the local café, and – with the input of the Andalucía tourist board – have produced…er…something: Sencillamente Órgiva – Simply Órgiva. (Whenever we see the word ‘simply’ we always think of the fine sausage company from years ago in London, but enough of … Continue reading

Órgiva Then and Now – #15

Seeing as it dominates the town centre, it’s no surprise that we’ve featured Órgiva’s church previously. We captured it today as low pressure from North Africa nudged its way over the Alboran Sea into Andalucía making the skies dull and grey. No doubt when the 1933 photo below was taken it was a glorious day … Continue reading

The Last Run (Fuga Sin Fin) – 1971 film

1971, it was a very good year…for films: Fiddler on the Roof, Play Misty for Me, Diamonds Are Forever and, of course, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. But like any year, there were flops including The Last Run (you’ve never heard of it, right?). We have to come clean and say we hadn’t either. However, … Continue reading

The best tapas in Granada

Granada: home of free tapas – what a fine thing! You really do not need to spend money on food in Granada city (or province) if you go for the free tapa option. Just order a wine, beer or soft drink and wait to see what turns up. A few drinks and that’s lunch done … Continue reading