I recall an occasion, at London Gatwick airport, a few years ago, where an extra security check was made of hand baggage at the departure gate. Screens had be positioned around tables.
The security girl took my old manual SLR camera (manual except for battery powered light meter) and asked me to switch the camera on.
It took some explaining to her that she was asking the impossible, and that no amount of coaxing could turn a manual camera "on".
With many passengers wathching and listening, I think that her embarassment was sufficient to let me proceed to the plane.
Sunday 19 September 2010
Thursday 16 September 2010
ALMERIA COAST – South East SPAIN Mojacar, Garrucha and Vera
ALMERIA COAST – South East SPAIN
Mojacar, Garrucha and Vera
Still home to fishermen, farmers and shepherds, the three towns of Mojacar, Garrucha and Vera have become a popular destination for tourists and for relocation, whether to retire, or to seek a new working life in a beautiful climate.
Situated on the south east coast of Spain in the province of Almeria, the most eastern province in the autonomous region of Andalucia, the area enjoys the best weather in Spain, and indeed in Europe. Inland is an area officially recognised as Europe’s only desert. The famous 1970 spaghetti “western” films, starring Clint Eastwood were filmed there. Indeed the film set is now a tourist attraction “Mini Hollywood”. The regional capital city of Almeria, 90 kilometres to the south, has many historic features, popular beaches, and ferry port for destinations in North Africa
The three towns have their own character. Mojacar Pueblo, on the hill, had become a deserted village until hippies and artists found it and moved in during the 1960s. The unpolluted air gives that intensity of light and colour, loved by artists. The pueblo was built on the hill to protect the locals from attacks by the Moors of North Africa. The whole region of Andalucia , being close to Morroco and Algeria, has strong Moorish influence, the greatest treasures being the Alhambra and Generalife palaces in Granada. The annual “Moors and Christians” festival sees the locals dressing up and parading through the streets in a three day celebration.
The long coastal strip of Mojacar Playa, was established in more recent times and is a popular holiday location with many bars and restaurants on the edge of the beach. To the south is the Cabo de Gata natural park, a protected area of outstanding natural beauty. Most night-life is found in Mojacar Playa.
Just north of Mojacar lies the fishing town of Garrucha, renowned for the “gambas” – prawns, and boasts many fish restaurants, some just metres from the modern fish market. It is also a small commercial port exporting “yeso” (gypsum) to the world. The port has recently been extended to provide more yacht berths. Two of the long narrow streets come to life each Friday with the local market, attracting visitors from far and wide, to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and much more. Almeria is Spain’s major province of fruit and vegetable production, mostly in controlled conditions under plastic. The plastic “city” has become one of the most visible landmarks on Earth from Space.
Once the sun has gone down locals and visitors take a paseo in the cool of the evening along the length of the seafront. In summer, the Spanish rarely leave the beach before sunset, while the northern European visitors are already eating in the many restaurants.
Inland lies the third town of the triangle. Vera remains a traditional Spanish town, which has thrived from the development of it’s coastal strip, bringing tourists, and foreigners seeking a paradise to live in. Saturday is the market day, but enjoy a coffee in the small central plaza any day and watch the world walk by. Vera Playa, Vera’s coastal strip has developed in the last decade, but the economic crisis brought this to a timely halt. There are now many homes and hotels, serviced by restaurants and supermarkets, but Vera Playa remains a quiet area.
A good length of beach is officially designated “naturist”, and behind it is a whole village of attractive communities, oases of homes surrounded by well maintained garden, community swimming pools, grass and a calm tranquil energy. This is Spain’s premier naturist zone, attracting people from far and wide.
Many residents are grateful to the economic crisis for bringing to a halt excessive coastal development to this area of unique character, as in other parts of Spain. It has become a buyers market, with many properties for sale at bargain prices.
The flat coastal zone rises to north and south with a scenic, undulating and twisting coast road. Hills and mountains can be seen in all directions looking to the interior. This is an area of beauty and tranquillity, and an opportunity to enjoy the best of the Mediterranean life style and climate, for retirees and young families alike.
The airport of Almeria is 45 minutes away with daily connections to the main international hubs of Madrid and Barcelona, and to the national network of regional airports. Driving in Spain is a pleasure with miles of good open roads.
Enjoy the famous wines of Spain, at supermarket or bodega prices. Enjoy the extra virgin olive oil, cured meats, large salad tomatoes, avocados, almonds, melons, oranges, and seafood. Take a drive in spring time through valleys of almond trees in pink blossom.
There is a thriving English speaking community, but what pleasure to make Spanish friends and immerse into the lifestyle of siesta, of meals eaten at an unhurried pace in the fresh air, of staying on the beach until the sun goes down. Most shops open at 10am. Manaña rules. The shops close at 2pm, then reopen from 5pm to 8pm. Life is taken at an enjoyable pace which many have forgotten working in cities. Banks open at 8.30am.
Come once and you will want to come again. Then dreams start, dreams of moving to live in this paradise. With more internet based business more people can relocate here and have the income they need. The cost of living is certainly lower than in many western European countries.
To buy a house, or to buy a car, one should register as a resident, or as a non-resident (under 183 days a year). Compared with much of western Europe the cost of living is low.
Take advantage of eating out at lunchtime, from 2pm, at many restaurants offering the “menu del dia” package. Many of these offer three course meals, with a bottle of wine between two people, which costs under 10 euros per head. See you soon. Hasta luego!
Copyright David Millner
16 September 2010
Sunday 5 September 2010
Thursday 26 August 2010
THE LONELY ROAD
THE LONELY ROAD
Each of us feels the call, or urge, to take a certain direction in life. In fact many directions will call, through a lifetime, sometimes more than one at a time. We must then make choices at the fork in the road. Some roads we will never walk.
Other people will try to steer us in other directions, to suit them, or to remain with the crowd. We may indeed walk with the crowd; some never leave it. But we have the choice to leave the crowd if we don’t like the way it travels, or it ceases to travel while we need to move forward.
Did you notice after being away for a long time that the same people drink in the same bars, and talk about the same things. They are going no-where. If we have moved on there is no longer common interest.
There is being alone, and there is being lonely. They can overlap, but we all need some time to ourselves, and even couples are better being independent spirits who are at ease both with each other, and alone, away from each other. When one depends on the other, or each depends on the other, it is an unhealthy situation. Where each is independent that creates a stronger relationship.
As we choose our path through life we will meet fellow travellers and share a moment, a day, a week or even a lifetime. There will be inner peace as we are completely free to choose what we want to do.
We can go with the flow, and no-one is there to force us to do the opposite.
Copyright
David Millner
26 August 2010
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Love will find a way
RISHIKESH - INDIA (Yoga capital of the world)
RISHIKESH - INDIA (Yoga capital of the world)
Set in the foothills of the Himalaya mountains, and on the banks of the holy Ganga River (Ganges), lies Rishikesh, one of the most sacred places in India. Hindu temples abound, together with small market stalls selling everything the visitor needs, incense sticks, music CDs of mantras and devotional music, jewellery, food, clothes etc.
Visitors are by no means all Hindus as the yoga practice of the Hindu religion has become a world famous way to relax and to keep fit. Indeed many yoga aficionados are unaware of the Indian roots of the yoga lifestyle, and the philosophy behind yoga, and only see it as a fitness activity.
Yoga and meditation schools are everywhere, as are places to have ayurvedic treatments and training. In addition there are many ashrams, defined as “usually secluded residence of a religious community and its guru”, which welcome devotees from India, and spiritual seekers from all parts of the world, and from all beliefs. Ashrams usually house orphans who are educated and brought up as monks, and welcome strangers to stay. For many it is a place for a quiet retreat, for others a place to gather wisdom, for some a relaxation before exploring more of India..
Rishikesh lies on two sides of the fast flowing river. Two suspension bridges connect the two sides. The bridges are always busy with people, monkeys, sacred cows, which wander everywhere, and motor bikes.
As the sun sets the young monks chant and pay homage to the Lord Shiva, whose statue sits proudly above the river bank. Many foreigners join the nightly ceremony.
Life goes on as in many parts of India, bathing and washing of clothes in the clean waters of the river, people sleeping in the shade of trees, or sitting around for hours in the presence of a Baba, a Holy Man, for inspiration and guidance. People just “be”, seemingly doing nothing for hours.
The whole region lives a vegetarian lifestyle, The cow is sacred, but all life is also sacred. On asking permission to photograph a monk, offering food to passers by outside a monastery, he replied, “no, I am not important”, and presented his food offering. This humility is everywhere.
Getting there is another story, another article. However Delhi is the nearest airport, and taking a first class seat in a train, the most comfortable and cost effective way. But don’t arrive at New Delhi station and expect to buy a ticket.
And don’t expect to return to your home country without some effect from the strong energies of the place. A visit is for many a true life changing experience.
Thursday 5 August 2010
Excursion by ancient bus – Malta
Excursion by ancient bus – Malta
I am living in Mellieha, in the quiet north of the island of Malta, where the Maltese like to visit for weekends.
Previously I had donated my nineteen year old car to the technical college for the mechanic students to practice on, so now use the bus. That’s another story.
So in the heat of mid-morning I walked up the hill to the start of the village, and the bus stop. I hastened my step as I could hear an ancient bus struggling up the hill behind me. Was it mine? Miss it and wait twenty minutes for the next.
It was mine and I reached the stop on time. The bus was full and I thought I would be waiting for the next one anyway. But after half of the passengers had stepped off, and others had boarded, I paid my 54 euro cents for the forty minute journey to Msida Creek, just before the walled gem of a capital city, Valletta, mostly surrounded by water in the form of two harbours.
It was standing room only, all the way to Msida, and I needed to duck my head from time to time to see where we were. It was cool from the drafts from the open windows, and lack of door.
Unscathed, I walked along the edge of the creek, home to a large sheltered yacht marina, and brightly painted local fishing boats, to a shop and an office I needed to visit.
I walked back along the side of the creek, and crossed the busy main road to the bus stop. Conveniently situated at the stop is a pastry shop, so I bought the local delicacy, a ricotta cheese pastizzi for 25 cents, and ate it while waiting for the return bus.
Copyright David Millner
August 2010
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Postcard from Malta – A walk around Ghadira Bay, Mellieha.
Ghadira Bay is a large sheltered bay in the north east of Malta. Despite some hotels, apartments and villas, there is plenty of nature. At weekends the locals flock to the bay to enjoy the wide, sheltered sandy beach with gently sloping shallow waters, joined by tourists and boat owners.
So at noon on a high summer day, I set out to explore the northern arm of the bay, from the village of Mellieha past the popular beach. Rows of yellow, and of blue and white sun umbrellas shaded the throng taking shade from the midday sun.
Walking slowly in the hot sun I turned into the road leading to the Mellieha Bay Hotel, and past the rear of the building joining the narrow but well used coast path.
The first obstacle to the walker is the delightful and sheltered tiny circle of a high sided bay, known to some as the lovers bay. A dozen small boats were anchored, the occupants swimming, sunbathing and eating.
Having climber around the rim of this circle I continued on easy ground to an area accessible by 4x4 vehicles. Two Land Rovers with roof bars had parked parallel so that they could drape an awning to provide shelter for the day. There is a small quay here and a few visitors had come by boat.
I used the shade from a deserted building to take my lunch snack. Continuing, the landscape changed with some pine trees and other shelter, and the first fig trees. It was a joy to pick the ripe figs and enjoy them, warm from the sun.
At the end of the peninsular, I looked down at the azure blue waters above a cave, and spent a few minutes in the cool of the tiny chapel, before descending to the minute, sheltered Slug’s bay to swim in the warm waters. There is virtually nowhere horizontal to relax, so I sat on the rocks, to dry off and enjoy a rest, before retracing my steps to the village.
Copyright
David Millner
August 2010
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