Trials are being carried out by the train company RENFE and the infrastructure administrator ADIF in order to further reduce the journey times on AVE trains. An advanced safety and signalling system is being trialled so that the trains can reach speeds of up to 350 kph on certain stretches of track. The trials will continue gradually over many months but the final results may be limited by the lack of platforms at Madrid Atocha station. Already, times are frequently down to two and a quarter hours for the non stop Malaga to Madrid run, fifteen minutes less than scheduled.Copyright © 2002-2008 1Casa Affordable Homes, all rights reserved (but feel free to copy it, post it, think about it, talk to others regarding the contents and send it to friends and family anywhere you think anyone will benefit from it.)

Best Restaurant Again

 

The Spanish restaurant El Bulli, situated near Girona in Catalyuna and owned and run by Ferran Adria was for the third year running voted best restaurant in the world in the gala organised in London last week by the gastronomic magazine “Restaurant”. Two other Spanish restaurants finished in the top ten.

 

 

Malaga Port Busy

This week sees the stepping up of activity at the port of Malaga with the arrival of several large cruise liners bringing more than 6500 visitors to the city. This year is likely to see a 50% increase in the number of passenger numbers over 2007, from 35000 to 50000. The month of April will have seen more than forty cruise liners arrive at the port.

 

 

Dia de la Provincia

This Saturday is the fifth edition of the day of the province, which will take place in Malaga presided by the minister of development, Magdalena Alvarez. Four Malaga people will be recognised for their work this year; novelist Antonio Soler, Chef Daniel Garcia, actor and theatre director Oscar Romero, and handball trainer Antonio Carlos Ortega.

 

 

Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Last week the Ayuntamiento of Malaga gave its approval for the huge Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza museum project to go ahead. The project involves the complete rehabilitation of the Palacio de Villalon in the centre of Malaga for the main museum building and the construction of a building to house the Fundacion Carmen Thyssen and one for a library and shop. The project will cost 18 million euros and will be finished in 2010. The art gallery will display 180 famous paintings loaned by the Baroness Carmen Thyssen.

 

 

Flamingos

Further to last week’s story about the flamingos on the lake at Fuente de Piedra, recent rain has increased the water level to 28 cm, 2cm below the minimum level required by the birds. Also, over two or three days the number of birds on the lake has increased from 260 to 1300. Environment observers have seen sudden egg laying activity commence so it seems more than likely that breeding will go ahead this year.

 

 

Archidona Dog Show

La XVI Feria del Perro de Archidona takes place next weekend May 2^nd to 4^th.It is expected that the number of dogs on show will exceed the 5200 that featured last year, and visitor numbers will be as many if not more than the 40,000 that attended then. The show is rapidly taking on importance of international standing and the Junta de Andalucia is to declare Archidona as the Ciudad de Perro Espanol (City of the Spanish Dog).

 

 

Underpass at Cartama Train Station

The underpass already being constructed at Estacion de Cartama will require the compulsory purchase of 4206 sq. m. of land from 13 adjacent properties. The work is being carried out to eliminate the level crossing at the station and will cost 1.3 million euros.

 

 

Protection for Old Buildings in Pizarra

The Ayuntamiento of Pizarra has approved a new ordinance to protect old buildings regarded as representative of the local style. This measure will ensure at least that the facades or other important features are preserved when commencing work on such properties, thus avoiding repetition of the case of the Casa de Don Juan which was demolished a couple of years ago to build a new block of flats.

 

 

Pact to Promote Economic Growth in Alora

AECA (the local chamber of commerce) and the Ayuntamiento of Alora have agreed to sign up to the Pact for Employment and Economic Development for Alora. This will promote a series of measures to increase the growth and wealth of the town through areas of industry, tourism, commerce and urbanisation.

 

 

Alora Uses Less Water

 

According to a study carried out through satellite observation by the Agencia Andaluza del Agua, Alora is one of the municipalities that uses least water for irrigation and bathing pools in the Guadalhorce area. The other two are Coin and Pizarra. Alhaurin el Grande and Cartama are the largest consumers.

 

Formula One

The president of Ferrari has affirmed that Fernando Alonso is not wanted in their team next season.  According to Luca de Montezemolo in an interview for an Italian magazine “to have Raikkonen and Alonso in the team would damage us” and “anyway the post is already occupied”.

 

Football

 

Malaga managed a hard earned point in the rain in La Coruna with a 0-0 draw against Ferrol last weekend. This weekend they had a home game against one of their nearest pursuers, Real Sociedad, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.

 

 

Women’s Football

Atletico Malaga finished the season as champions of Primera Nacional Grupo V with a resounding 10-0 win against Jiennense.

 

Next season they will be in the women’s Superliga.

 

Round of the Andalucian Trial 4x4 Championship

 

LOCATION: Urbanisation Hoya de la Mora

DATE: 11th May 2008

Time: 9.30 am FREE entrance.

 

In conjunction with the Town Hall of Velez de Benaudalla, we would like to invite newsletter readers to take advantage of this Championship round of 4x4 Trial event.  To enjoy a day out, please register your interest by return for confirmation.