Heart FM’s Lee Jay Interviews David Laver

Lee Jay of Heart FM Spain interviewed our Estate Agent David Laver last month so here is a copy of the interview for those of you that missed it. Tune into Heart FM on 95.7FM in the Alhaurín El Grande area or listen online at http://www.heartfmspain.com/. Our thanks go to the staff at Heart FM for providing us with the recordings.

What To Do In The Event Of Storms and Floods

Flood Airlift Rescue

The heavy rainfall in Andalucía has affected many of the provinces but here locally, the towns of Alhaurín de la Torre and Cártama have been worst hit. Freak flooding has led to the closure of hundreds of roads and railways around Andalucía. Rivers burst their banks in many parts of the region, leading to hundreds of homes being flooded. The ‘Protección Civil’ from Alhaurín has given these practical tips to bear in mind when faced with storms or floods:

Storms in the Countryside

• Avoid staying on top of hills or high places and do not shelter under trees, especially if they isolated.
• Stay away from wire fences, railings and other metal objects.
• If you are driving and are caught in a storm, remember that a closed car can be a good shelter. Slow down, exercise caution and do not stop in areas where you can a lot of water can collect.

 Storms in the City

Within urban areas there are also dangers from lightning.

• On the street, the shelter from the buildings lowers the risk of lightning strikes.
• When indoors be careful that there are no drafts, as they attract lightning so close doors and windows in case of storms.
• You should protect electrical appliances, computers, etc. by unplugging them to avoid them being damaged by a power surge or giving an electric shock. If it is absolutely necessary to have such items plugged in and operating, install a surge protector or a UPS.

 Preventative measures to avoid the risk of flooding

• Remove from outside the house items that could be washed away.
• Check periodically the state of the roof, the building gutters and nearby drains.
• Place important papers and especially hazardous materials in places where there are less risks of water or moisture damage.
• Do not park vehicles or camp out on dry river beds or river banks to avoid being surprised by a sudden flow of water or a flash flood.

  What to do in case of emergency by heavy rain

• Remain constantly informed through radio and other media about the weather and the current state of the situation
• If the house becomes flooded it is essential to leave as soon as possible the basements and ground floors and disconnect the electrical power.
• Use torches for lighting if possible.
• If you have to travel, try to use major roads and motorways if possible.
• If you are in the countryside, move away from rivers, streams and low lying areas of hill slopes.
• Avoid crossing flooded fords.
• Move to the highest spots in the area.

Home Flooded

For some photos (including larger versions of those used in this post) from the recent floods this month in Alhaurín and Cártama please visit the Diario Sur’s page: http://www.diariosur.es/multimedia/fotos/malaga/51266-temporal-malaga-afecta-alhaurin-torre-cartama-(16022010)-0.html

Can’t Cook – Won’t Cook!

Pepekitchen Web

Have you ever fancied yourself as a kitchen wizard or just wanted to be able to make that perfect Spanish Omelette but you lack the necessary culinary skills? Fear not as help is at hand in the form of José Maldonado.

José is the owner of “Pepekitchen” and is a professional Chef who specialises in giving culinary courses throughout the Málaga province. He has taught several “Cooking For Foreigners” classes in the Mijas Town Hall. He even has his own kitchen workshop in Arroyo-de-la-Miel (near Benalmádena) and offers a variety of courses. Perhaps the most interesting ones from a foreigner’s point of view are his “Cursos para extranjeros”, or ‘Courses for Foreigners’. The courses are made up of small groups (6-7 persons maximum), held in the Pepekitchen workshop on Saturday mornings in Arroyo, and the students learn about the local cuisine and culture amongst other things.

Kitchen Workshop For Foreigners

José also offers tailor made courses according to the individual’s or group’s needs. José will give you a personal assessment with no obligation whatsoever. In the meantime, you can always have a look at the official Website which includes, amongst other things, a recipe for making that famous “Tortilla de Patata”: http://www.pepekitchen.com/articulo/potatoe-spanish-omelette-recipe-tortilla-de-patatas/

The courses are available in English as well, so if Spanish isn’t your strong point, then feel free to contact him in English (or try out your Spanish for that matter if you wish!) using the form below.

Our House Is In Order

David Laver

Alhaurín el Grande is surrounded by charming countryside, yet is only half an hour drive to Málaga or the coast. This enviable location is making the town more and more popular with clients from northern Europe, alongside a growing Spanish market.

The best news is that over the last year, property prices have dropped significantly bringing in some exceptional bargains. In particular, with the weakness of the Pound to the Euro, we have seen many UK owners who are returning home able to reduce the price of their property without actually affecting their Sterling bottom line.

The majority of our clients looking to buy, want the rural dream of a peaceful location with a plot of land populated with olive, orange, fig and avocado trees. They want the pretty home with terraces from which they can enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains after taking a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. As it is now impossible to build a house or a swimming pool in the countryside, these existing country homes are in short supply and in high demand. That said, we do still have a good selection that we can offer you.

Ideal Country Property has been based in Alhaurín El Grande since the company formed in 2007. With the property market slowing down considerably since then, the number of Estate Agents in the town has decreased from 30 to just 5, leaving Ideal Country Property as the predominant inland specialist.

Part of the reason for many of the agencies closing down is the Junta de Andalucía inspecting Real Estate Agents for compliance to the ‘218 Decree’ (“Decreto 218″), which regulates the information given to customers purchasing or renting homes in Andalucía. Many agents did not comply, failing to supply all the information required on each property and ended up with large fines. We have been inspected twice and have passed with flying colours, getting commended both times on how much information we actually give to our clients.

In this day and age it is essential to be able to assure the clients of the legality of their new property and we are pleased to be able to do that. Buying in Spain has become more complicated and it seems like every week a new property-related law is passed or changed that affects what can and can’t be done in the Andalucían countryside. To keep abreast of these changes we have regular meetings with local solicitors and architects so that the information we pass on to our clients is relevant, correct and up-to-date. Coupled with years of local real estate experience, this equates to being able to offer in-depth local knowledge and advice to our clients looking to buy or rent, and owners hoping to sell.

We are  expecting this to help us have a busy and successful 2010.

You can find us at our new addess on the main street (Calle Gerald Brenan, 83) next to Casa Paco.

Picniks – Confectioners Of Distinction

Picniks Of Alhaurín

PICNIKS  is a local British cafeteria that I would describe as being like “Starbucks” but with style.

The owners take an active interest in their customers and never give you the impression that they want you to eat up and leave so they can fit more clients in. There is a wide variety of homemade food available and the quality is superb. In addition to the set menus there are daily specials to satisfy even the most demanding appetite. One such example is the homemade beef burger. I tried the 100% season beef burger last week and when I first saw it I thought that the whole cow had been used due to the size of the meat! The seasoned meat is not only ample but deliciously seasoned and served with a rasher of bacon, melted cheddar cheese, salad and crisps. I’d even go so far as to say that this is the best beef burger I have ever tasted in my life! Try this and you’ll probably never want to eat in a McDonalds again!

As well as the fine quality sandwiches, soups and cakes (including deliciously soft and large ice buns, which on their own put Picniks on the map) there are a range of speciality hot and cold drinks. Of course, if you’re just looking for a great cup of coffee and a friendly atmosphere, then Simon, Debbie and Kate are happy to oblige. You can choose to sit inside or soak up the sun and watch the world go by outside on their ample terrace. Kate also makes celebration cakes to order and has an ample variety of eye-catching and fun designs. CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO SEE LARGER VERSIONS.

DOWNLOAD SANDWICH & MEAL MENU

Alternatively you can contact Picniks directly by filling in the form below.
PICNIKS CONTACT FORM

We Have Moved Offices!

New ICP Office

If you have ever visited our old office on the Cártama road in Alhaurín El Grande, you will know that we were already long overdue for a move. The office seemed to get smaller and damper by the month! Now we have a lovely, shiny, bright & spacious new office that is not only better for us but also for our clients. We even have two new sofas, in ICP trademark Orange, for you to sit down and relax whilst you wait.

The move went well after weeks of intensive preparation. The new office needed four coats of white paint to cover all the old green, blue, red and black paint that was used by the previous tenants! We have a new alarm installed and are now Authorised Agents for “Securitas Direct” alarms, which means we can give you a great discount on a similar installation in your own home or office.

Where exactly are we located? Just two minutes walk from our old office. We are on Calle Gerald Brennan, number 83 in what was the old “Videoclub Milenium”, next to the “Casa Paco” Fish Restaurant and directly facing “Cafetería Fahala”. If you get to the BP Petrol Station then you’ve gone too far!

Local Bus Timetables

These are the new bus timetables for buses leaving Alhaurín and Coín. Other areas covered are Cártama, Fuengirola, Guaro, Málaga, Marbella, Mijas, Monda, and Tolox. The prices and the journey times are also included as well as the times for the return journeys.

 Please bear in mind that with the road works on the Alhaurín to Mijas road, the journey to Fuengirola and Mijas could take up to 45 minutes longer.

Alhaurín Bus Timetable OCTOBER 09 (File Size=362kb)

Coín Bus Timetable OCTOBER 09 (File Size=369kb)

To view the above files you will need Adobe Reader, which you can download for free from here:

Urb. Las Peñuelas Gets the Green Light

Road Works Las Peñuelas

Alhaurín town council has given their approval to start developing the urbanization known as “Las Peñuelas”. This will mean significant improvement in the areas between “Huertas Altas” and the southern ring road.

The area comprises of 19,000m² of land and the work has already begun next to the “Parque de la Libertad” (‘Freedom Park’, next to the roundabout at the top of the ring road heading up from the ‘Stone Cross’).

The current home owners in the area have been arguing amongst themselves about how to improve the urbanization so finally the town council itself has taken the matter into their own hands and approved the work to be done, given that it will be a significant improvement and benefit to all.

No doubt those of us who have had to travel up that bone-shaking, pothole-dodging track will be most appreciative of the new and improved tarmac, 10-metre wide road. Now that we won’t have to be constantly repairing our car suspension and tyres, what will we spend our money on?

New Underground Recycling Bins for Alhaurín?

Bins in Alhaurín de la Torre

Bins in Málaga

After approving a motion from the local Spanish Socialist party on the 21st of this month, the Alhaurín town council are going to do a study as to which areas it is viable to install new underground rubbish bins. If you’re wondering what they look like, then take a look at the photos on the right. They are very futuristic looking and have several advantages over the normal, unsightly and smelly green waste bins that can be seen on the streets. This new type of rubbish disposal can be seen in Coín, Alhaurín de la Torre and Málaga. Some of the benefits are:

• They promote recycling (thus benefitting the environment)
• It is easier to choose where to put each type of rubbish
• Bad odours are significantly reduced and suppressed
• They take up less space
• They are not as susceptible to vandalism
• They cost less to maintain

At the council meeting it was suggested that studies be undertaken to first see which areas in the town centre it is physically possible to install such bins as well as the system in which they operate. As for new urbanizations being built, this type of rubbish disposal will be the decision and cost of the promoters. It looks as if Alhaurín is finally moving into the 21st century!

The Gerald Brennan Improvements Have Started!

Alhaurín Roadworks

The road works to improve the area between Calle Cilla and the entrance to the Health Centre in Alhaurín el Grande have an estimated cost of €256,000 and the work has already begun. What are the road works for? Apparently it is a comprehensive facelift that covers a surface area of approximately 1,200 metres squared. The existing drainage and sewerage systems will be updated as well as new underground telephony, electricity and public lighting cable installations. There will also be new road surfaces and pavements put down.

 The Mayor Juan Martín made a statement saying that given the location of the work being done (the main entry and exit point of the town centre), the initial time estimate of six months has been reduced to three or four. (Editor’s note: How long it will actually take remains to be seen!)

 Of the €256,000 cost estimate, 50% has been funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Sports under Commercial Jurisdiction, and the other 50% corresponds to the town council.

 The person in charge of the project is the Municipal Technical Architect Salvador Ramón Pérez Burgos.

SOURCE: infoalhaurin.com