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

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

Free Textbooks for 1st and 2nd Year Alhaurín Students

Free Textbooks

The Andalucian free textbook program will start next term and benefit almost one million students. According to the Department of Education the figure will be 931,730 students; the complete number of students in compulsory education. This means that families with children in the 1st and 2nd year of compulsory education, whether in public or privately funded centres, will not have to pay out for their children’s textbooks.

 The education centres have already begun to hand out the “cheques-libro” (Book Vouchers) corresponding to the first and second year, as well as for the rest of the courses whose textbooks need renewing. The centres will have until this coming September to hand out the remaining vouchers. Once received, families can exchange the vouchers in book shops and shopping centres of their choice.

 The Free Textbooks program started in 2005 and is designed as a loan system. Therefore the books are actually the property of the Education Board and once the academic term has been finished, they shall remain in the centre where the student has been going to school so that they can be used by other students the following years.

 As well as supporting families in Andalucía, the purpose of this program is to teach the student about their obligation to care for their schooling material and keep their books in good condition for their use by other students later on. It aims to build values such as equity (or fairness), joint responsibility and solidarity in the care of both community and private belongings.

SOURCE: infoalhaurinelgrande.com

Spotlight On Alhaurín El Grande

The beautiful whitewashed town of Alhaurín el Grande is located at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range in the Málaga region of Spain. It offers wonderful views over the stunning Guadalhorce valley, which is made fertile by the rivers Pasadas, Fahala, Jurique and Torres that flow through it. In fact, the region produces an abundance of fruit, vegetables and cereals, and boasts numerous olive groves.

During Roman times, the settlement was thought to have been blessed by the gods due to its fertility, favourable climate and proximity to precious mineral deposits. This led the Moors to later name the town Alhaurín, literally meaning the “Garden of Allah” (or “God’s Garden”).

The town has undergone many tribulation, including an earthquake in 1680, various plagues, and numerous invasions and occupations by the French, Romans, Moors and others. Today it is a prosperous town with a population of 27,000 of which roughly 2,000 are foreigners.

Why buy there?
With only a short drive from Málaga’s famous beaches and close to the Sierra Nevada ski resorts, Alhaurín el Grande is perfectly situated for those seeking a traditional area untouched by tourism, yet close to all the attractions and amenities of the Costa del Sol. It is close to Málaga’s major cities, being just south of Coín and north of Mijas, and it is only 15 kilometres from Málaga airport. It lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with a number of lakes and waterfalls in Barranco Blanco, while to the southeast there are extensive forests, dotted with Neolithic remains.

Alhaurín el Grande enjoys an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and is a pretty town with whitewashed houses and colourful window shutters. There are a number of attractions including the 12th century Moorish Archway, the old Arabic fort and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its Roman columns and town church. The Churches of La Ermita de San Sebastián and El Convento y las Agonias are also well worth visiting.

The town is famed for its many traditional celebrations, including the “Feria de Mayo” and the “Día de la Cruz” in May, “Día de Jesús” in June, and the “Día de la Virgen” in August. In addition to these the Easter week celebrations attract tourists from across Europe. Improvements are currently being made to the area’s infrastructure. However, there are already two golf courses nearby, while the surrounding countryside offers plenty of hiking, cycling and climbing opportunities.

Where to buy
There are many nationalities purchasing property in Alhaurín, and demand from foreign buyers is high, especially within urbanisations such as the Alhaurín Golf & Country Club development. With strict building regulations in place, fincas to renovate and traditional whitewashed townhouses are extremely popular and this has caused prices to increase significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, property in this area remains significantly cheaper than on the coast.

Typical properties
There is a healthy mix of the old and new in Alhaurín. Property in the area includes newly built apartments in the centre of town, while there are a number of villas available in the urbanisations on Alhaurín’s outskirts. Look outside of Alhaurín’s boundaries and you will see a plethora of cortijos and fincas to be found in the surrounding countryside.

Most buyers are looking to purchase a traditional country home, complete with two acres of land and some fruit trees. Wherever you buy, given the geographical situation of Alhaurín, property is virtually guaranteed stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley.

If you live in the Guadalhorce valley, you’ll find that you’re never more than 25 minutes from the coast, which makes this area hugely popular among tourists. Consequently, it can be very profitable in terms of rental income As well as offering a healthy short term market, there is also a strong long term rentals market, as many potential buyers arrive in Alhaurín with the intention of renting for between six months to a year before they buy.

Living Here
An area of outstanding natural beauty, life is lived in a traditional Spanish vein in the Alhaurín area, with centuries of culture and tradition being evident. In fact, values reflect those seen 30 years ago in the UK. Even though the town of Alhaurín has become very cosmopolitan and there are a large number of foreign residents living here, life maintains a Spanish feel. This is enriched by the local cuisine, such as “Migas” (breadcrumbs fried with garlic) and “Gachas Cachorrenas” (porridge with spices).

The local population refer to Alhaurín as ‘inland Marbella’ due to its thriving economy and beauty, plus the local government is currently undertaking a project to develop the town, with plans for many new facilities. It already boasts a great selection of bars, clubs and restaurants, which makes the area great as a family holiday or rental destination.

John and Lynda Laver decided to leave their Bedfordshire home for warmer climes and a more relaxed way of life. Both had stressful jobs in the UK but neither of them felt ready for early retirement they just wanted to work fewer hours and spend more time together, and with their family. They settled on Spain, but from there it was important to ensure the area they chose was accessible, as they had a daughter with young children who needed to be able to reach them easily. John and Lynda had visited the Costa del Sol many times but didn’t want to live in the busy coastal area, instead seeking a location that offered a more Spanish lifestyle.

“A friend recommended that we look inland from Málaga Airport, and suggested towns such as Alhaurín el Grande, Coín and Monda. What we found was the Guadalhorce Valley, an area largely untouched by tourism with stunning villages and countryside,” says Lynda. They knew it was exactly what they were looking for and had soon purchased a brand new, four bedroom house in the countryside surrounding Alhaurín el Grande. It came complete with an acre of land, fruit trees and a working well. John enthuses: “We’ve spent many hours working on the landscaping and have now created a beautiful home where many of our family friends have spent happy holidays with us.”

Fans of outdoor activities will find that there are many leisure activities to pursue, while the beach is only 15 kilometres away. There are local and international schools in the region and both private and state healthcare are available. Despite there being a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities, it is still important to learn the language and make a real effort to integrate yourself into the local community. That way, you can make the most of living in a traditional and welcoming environment.

So why not visit Alhaurín El Grande for yourself and treat yourself to the taste of real Spanish living.