Showing posts with label living in Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living in Spain. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
New Trains Replace Old at Malaga
The Costa Del Sol coastal railway line (C1 Cercanias line) between Malaga and Fuengirola has seen its last UT-446 EMU train now that RENFE the Spanish rail operator has replaced the entire fleet with new modern and comfortable Civia units. The Civia units can carry more passengers and are more wheelchair friendly. The UT-4 have been in service on the C1 line since 1989. The new Civia trains can reach a speed of 120 kilometres per hour nad have room for 600 passengers.I recently travelled on the new trains and they are a big improvement on the old ones.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Railway Trip To Malaga
Enjoyable Ride on the Costa del Sol Coastal Railway
The Costa del Sol coastal railway runs from the city of Malaga down the coast through Torremolinos, Benalmadena and terminates at Fuengirola. My husband and I recently went for a return journey from Carvaial (Two stops out of Fuengirola to Malaga City.
The line serves a very busy built up costal area including commercial developments, holiday complexes and housing. Carvaial station like those on the rest of the line as been modernized and is kept in good condition. You buy your tickets from a machine that is multi lingual and easy to use. The fares are cheap and there is a train every half hour throughout the day.
The line itself is electrified and serves some 22 stations and is extremely busy. You can get many good views from the train including sea view. It is nice to see a different view of the Costa del Sol than the one you get used to from a car. As you travel into the City of Malaga you can see evidence of work on the new Malaga Metro You can also see the new high speed line and old line from the north trailing in on the left hand side. The new standard gauge high speed line is served by AVE trains to Madrid and Barcelona. The old line has a local service to Alora.
The newly rebuilt main station in Malaga is an impressive complex with many shops and entertainment venues. The railway facilities are first class and give passengers a very favorable impression of Malaga. We spent an hour looking round the station and had nice tapas at one of the many eating establishments in the new station. Our train on the return journey was packed with people standing. At each station those passengers who left were replaces by more who joined the train. It was only when we reached Benalmadena that everyone found a seat.
The old EMUs on the line are due to be replaced later in the year by new citidas units. Plans to extend the line are in hand to extend the line in the short term to San Pedro de la Alcantara and eventually all the way to Algeciras. I would recommend that anyone visiting the Costa del Sol make at least one journey on the line for the views and that it is quite possible to organize a number of days out to various places served by the line as a very cheap alternative to using a car in what is at times an extremely congested road network.
See also www.andaluciandreams.blogspot.com
The Costa del Sol coastal railway runs from the city of Malaga down the coast through Torremolinos, Benalmadena and terminates at Fuengirola. My husband and I recently went for a return journey from Carvaial (Two stops out of Fuengirola to Malaga City.
The line serves a very busy built up costal area including commercial developments, holiday complexes and housing. Carvaial station like those on the rest of the line as been modernized and is kept in good condition. You buy your tickets from a machine that is multi lingual and easy to use. The fares are cheap and there is a train every half hour throughout the day.
The line itself is electrified and serves some 22 stations and is extremely busy. You can get many good views from the train including sea view. It is nice to see a different view of the Costa del Sol than the one you get used to from a car. As you travel into the City of Malaga you can see evidence of work on the new Malaga Metro You can also see the new high speed line and old line from the north trailing in on the left hand side. The new standard gauge high speed line is served by AVE trains to Madrid and Barcelona. The old line has a local service to Alora.
The newly rebuilt main station in Malaga is an impressive complex with many shops and entertainment venues. The railway facilities are first class and give passengers a very favorable impression of Malaga. We spent an hour looking round the station and had nice tapas at one of the many eating establishments in the new station. Our train on the return journey was packed with people standing. At each station those passengers who left were replaces by more who joined the train. It was only when we reached Benalmadena that everyone found a seat.
The old EMUs on the line are due to be replaced later in the year by new citidas units. Plans to extend the line are in hand to extend the line in the short term to San Pedro de la Alcantara and eventually all the way to Algeciras. I would recommend that anyone visiting the Costa del Sol make at least one journey on the line for the views and that it is quite possible to organize a number of days out to various places served by the line as a very cheap alternative to using a car in what is at times an extremely congested road network.
See also www.andaluciandreams.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
El Burgo In the Sun
Just joined twitter, thought it was time to promote our home a bit more, we have
found several houses that we like just need a buyer for ours.
The summer fiestas are upon us and there's a lot going on. The weather here is great we have not had any rain for 6 weeks and I have got my tan back, this Sunday we have a fiesta which is held down by the river in the National forest.
The fiesta will start in the village of El Burgo at the Church The Virgin will be taken down to the river carried by 20 plus men, the journey goes from the church down 100 steps down the main street and on to the the river a total of 2mile.
People of all ages will be singing, dancing and enjoying the free food and entertainment provided by the town council of El Burgo. Time to meet old friends and make new ones.
The Paella is always cooked by the local women and everyone as to have a stir, the music and dancing take place looked on by the Virgin of the Sierra de la Nieves
Tomorrow we are going the the lakes will take pictures and load them on to photo gallery for you to see. Will hopefully have others sorted out to put on as well
Please pop by again and don't forget to leave a comment
www.my1standalucianhome.webs.com
found several houses that we like just need a buyer for ours.
The summer fiestas are upon us and there's a lot going on. The weather here is great we have not had any rain for 6 weeks and I have got my tan back, this Sunday we have a fiesta which is held down by the river in the National forest.
The fiesta will start in the village of El Burgo at the Church The Virgin will be taken down to the river carried by 20 plus men, the journey goes from the church down 100 steps down the main street and on to the the river a total of 2mile.
People of all ages will be singing, dancing and enjoying the free food and entertainment provided by the town council of El Burgo. Time to meet old friends and make new ones.
The Paella is always cooked by the local women and everyone as to have a stir, the music and dancing take place looked on by the Virgin of the Sierra de la Nieves
Tomorrow we are going the the lakes will take pictures and load them on to photo gallery for you to see. Will hopefully have others sorted out to put on as well
Please pop by again and don't forget to leave a comment
www.my1standalucianhome.webs.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Spanish Visitors Rules
Many of us living in sunny Spain like having our annual visitors to stay but sometimes the welcome wears a bit thin. One of my friends, at the end of her tether, sent the following to her family, not entirely tongue in cheek. It really does strike a chord.
Dear all,
Yes of course we would love to see you again this year, but we have to tell you that there will be a few changes:
1 We recommend that you hire a car from the airport as we no longer do free airport pick-ups and deliveries.
2 Day-time flights only, please. We go to bed at midnight, so no middle of the night flights (however cheap)
3 We no longer complete with the all inclusive hotel holiday deals. We do not provide breakfast, lunch and dinner together with all-day snacks and of course alcoholic refreshments. We will of course tell you where the best menus del dia (mid day meal) can be found.
4 We do not have a live-in-maid, so you are responsible for making your bed, mopping the floor and keeping the bathroom clean.
5 We do not provide a free laundry service so please bring your own hand, bath and beach towels, or contribute to the soaring cost of electricity to keep washing ours for you.
6 Our daily, free sightseeing trips to local places of interest have been cancelled because we are sick to death of looking at the save caves and views etc over and over again. We will provide maps and information for you to explore on your own.
7 Our free telephone service to the UK has been suspended, use your own mobiles.
8 You may be on holiday and want to stay out until 3 in the morning, but we live here, so keep quite when you come home.
9 Should you wish to spend time lazing around our pool and prefer to stay in, we shall expect help with food preparation, shopping etc, we will operate a joint kitty, from which all food and drink shopping cost of petrol for joint trips etc will be deducted.
10 We are retire and living on our pensions which, due to the awful exchange rate and decreasing each month – so we were considering coming over to you for two weeks instead.
What dates did you say you were booking?
Dear all,
Yes of course we would love to see you again this year, but we have to tell you that there will be a few changes:
1 We recommend that you hire a car from the airport as we no longer do free airport pick-ups and deliveries.
2 Day-time flights only, please. We go to bed at midnight, so no middle of the night flights (however cheap)
3 We no longer complete with the all inclusive hotel holiday deals. We do not provide breakfast, lunch and dinner together with all-day snacks and of course alcoholic refreshments. We will of course tell you where the best menus del dia (mid day meal) can be found.
4 We do not have a live-in-maid, so you are responsible for making your bed, mopping the floor and keeping the bathroom clean.
5 We do not provide a free laundry service so please bring your own hand, bath and beach towels, or contribute to the soaring cost of electricity to keep washing ours for you.
6 Our daily, free sightseeing trips to local places of interest have been cancelled because we are sick to death of looking at the save caves and views etc over and over again. We will provide maps and information for you to explore on your own.
7 Our free telephone service to the UK has been suspended, use your own mobiles.
8 You may be on holiday and want to stay out until 3 in the morning, but we live here, so keep quite when you come home.
9 Should you wish to spend time lazing around our pool and prefer to stay in, we shall expect help with food preparation, shopping etc, we will operate a joint kitty, from which all food and drink shopping cost of petrol for joint trips etc will be deducted.
10 We are retire and living on our pensions which, due to the awful exchange rate and decreasing each month – so we were considering coming over to you for two weeks instead.
What dates did you say you were booking?
Spanish Travel Tips. Be On Your Guard
Travel Tips Be Careful
Wherever tourists gather, be it at a castle, railway station or in a café bar you are more than likely to be approached by gypsies offering bunches of roses and or other plants. These can be very nice and a good buy but be careful. If this happens, first hang on to your bag. They are often in groups and whilst you are looking at the offerings, another picks your pocket or your bag. It happens all the time.
You will come across beggars everywhere, outside supermarkets at the bus station and again at tourist attractions. They often have a sign printed in English telling you their story. You may be approached by children or by young women with a card saying that they are refugees and have no money. If you feel strongly about these issues you should make a donation to a registered charity as often money given in the streets ends up in the pockets of organized gangs.
Finally, how to deal with the Looky, Looky men of African origin who sell CDs DVDs and watches, toys and sunglasses. More and more they drop by your table as you enjoy your coffee in the sun. They have a great sales pitch but the goods are sometimes worthless. If you are tempted to buy it is always a good idea to ask around bar owners and local residents to find out who are the regular and reputable Looky, Looky men because some of their stuff can be ok. If you do not want to do business with them Keep your money in you wallet or purse Smile and say no thank you and they will go away.
Wherever tourists gather, be it at a castle, railway station or in a café bar you are more than likely to be approached by gypsies offering bunches of roses and or other plants. These can be very nice and a good buy but be careful. If this happens, first hang on to your bag. They are often in groups and whilst you are looking at the offerings, another picks your pocket or your bag. It happens all the time.
You will come across beggars everywhere, outside supermarkets at the bus station and again at tourist attractions. They often have a sign printed in English telling you their story. You may be approached by children or by young women with a card saying that they are refugees and have no money. If you feel strongly about these issues you should make a donation to a registered charity as often money given in the streets ends up in the pockets of organized gangs.
Finally, how to deal with the Looky, Looky men of African origin who sell CDs DVDs and watches, toys and sunglasses. More and more they drop by your table as you enjoy your coffee in the sun. They have a great sales pitch but the goods are sometimes worthless. If you are tempted to buy it is always a good idea to ask around bar owners and local residents to find out who are the regular and reputable Looky, Looky men because some of their stuff can be ok. If you do not want to do business with them Keep your money in you wallet or purse Smile and say no thank you and they will go away.
Spanish Beach Bars Saved
Chiringuitos Saved
The ministry of the Environment has now said that the beach restaurants – chiringuitos – can stay on the sand without disciplinary action being taken against them.
Only those where a move is easily possible off the sand will do so, and only with the agreement of the owners.
This is a new concession on the part of central government, which had announced pans to impose the 18 year old Ley de Costas (coastal law) which decreed that all beech was public land and the restaurants should be moved off it.
It as now been decided that the chiringuitos are now beach installations and no further action will be taken.
The ministry of the Environment has now said that the beach restaurants – chiringuitos – can stay on the sand without disciplinary action being taken against them.
Only those where a move is easily possible off the sand will do so, and only with the agreement of the owners.
This is a new concession on the part of central government, which had announced pans to impose the 18 year old Ley de Costas (coastal law) which decreed that all beech was public land and the restaurants should be moved off it.
It as now been decided that the chiringuitos are now beach installations and no further action will be taken.
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