It’s not the first time we’ve had a guest post from Charlotte, who lives in the US. She loves the Alpujarras as much as we do. Her previous stories – A Quiet Escape on the Ruta Olivos Centenarios and On the buses – an American in Paradise are a joy to read. So it’s a … Continue reading
A recent town hall meeting involved, among others, the mayor (Raúl Orellana), the Guardia Civil, Medio Ambiente (environment), representatives of the ‘Government and Sustainable Development’ and the police. News sites, including Granada Digital, covered the issue of ‘asentamientos ilegales e irregulares‘ – illegal and irregular settlements. The focus is on the local alternative community, many … Continue reading
Infrastructure plans – first mooted back in 2005 – are back on the table; this time though, things are looking up. Lanjarón’s town hall, the Junta de Andalucía and other local municipalities – including Órgiva – recently presented and/or attended a project to improve access to the Alpujarras from Granada, shortening the journey time and … Continue reading
As kids we would be be dragged around the south of England’s damp churches that smelt of varnished pews and candle smoke. If you were lucky you could take a trip up the bell tower. Stepping ever higher the dark, satanic bells seemed like monsters but then you had those views over chess board fields … Continue reading
This post will only be of interest to those who know Órgiva and, even then, it may be the most boring thing they’ve read in ages. The Bridge over the River Kwai Chico is having a facelift. It was deemed unstable a while back having largely withstood (since the 1920s) first, horse/mule-drawn carts, then cars … Continue reading
We’re fans of both Órgiva and Lanjarón and, while based in the former, a trip to our nearby spa town is always something we enjoy. They’re neighbouring towns in La Alpujarra competing for your affection – so just what is the difference between the two places? How dare you call me an egg-seller! Lanjarón may … Continue reading
We’ve borrowed a photo of Órgiva from an earlier post to compare the same scene painted many years ago. The picture hangs upstairs in Galindo’s bar next to the church. We don’t know anything about the artist – L Medina – but they had a good eye, capturing the whitewashed facades and evergreen valley which … Continue reading
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
[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
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
[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
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
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
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
[Update summer 2021: Eduardo is leaving Andalucía and now only runs online courses] We’ve been here a while and our Spanish has only improved slightly. It’s been a bit like hanging around a restaurant’s kitchen for ages and learning only how to peel potatoes. It’s surely now time to make a tortilla. We do our … Continue reading
