No smoking laws

The affects of the new smoking laws here are very noticable, bars and restaurants have all created outside areas of tables and chairs for people who wish to partake in the "habit".its most noticable to us in establishments we previously had thought were closed but is now more obvious they are open, i am pretty sure that some businesses will loose trade, because sitting outside in winter does not have the bar type social atmosphere. An enterprising person in Guardamar has opened a "Smoking Club" which because it has membership is allowed, although they are not meant to serve food or coffee.

Happy Birthday Pedro

Our Popular local Bar proprietor Pedro celebrated the big 50 yesterday. Pedro and his wife have run the Bar in the pool square for 4 years now. They work long long hours but are always excellent hosts, friendly cheerful and welcoming to one and all. Pedro showed his usual community spirit when he gave everyone a free drink. He was obviously well pleased when we all sang Happy birthday to him followed by three rousing well deserved cheers.

Warming up for a swim

Weve not plucked up the courage for a swim in the sea yet, although with this bout of hot weather the sea must be warming up a bit, the swimming pool down the road is still in its winter state, brown and with plenty of floating debris, so hopefully work will soon start to get it up and running, for an early opening at the beginning of June, There is no sign yet of Pedro opening the bar in the square. Still it gives us even more to look forward to.
While we have been away the property department of CAM bank have been getting a lot of the repossession properties in the area on the market, looking at there website, apparently first they advertise at debt value plus a little extra,then reduce the price to the debt value, and finally if still not sold, interested purchasers can place a bid online. Definitely time to pick up a bargain. Also while we have been away i understand there has been a lot of new developments with the Council and the police, will update as soon as we get the latest on this.

Sams Bar

Sams Bar has now been open for three weeks, situated near the Segura river at the Millpool end of Formentera and next to the sports grounds. It is very airy and the seating is well laid out, There are plenty of seats and tables outside, beer is €1 a half pint and service is friendly and good, Tapas are available and live music nights are being arranged. It is owned by an Anglo Spanish couple.

Rock at the Rojales cave bar

Every Friday the Rojales cave bar has live entertainment, last week they had a blues, rock quartet, who played a variety of music including Stones, Led Zeppelin and Beatles, well attended by a very mixed audience who sang along, danced and were able to partake in an ice cold beer or a wine served at the bar, A very pleasant setting with great acoustics on the terraces of the caves overlooking the old town of Rojales. The caves are the original town and many are still used as homes and places of work. The spot where they are situated commands an impressive view over the whole Veja Baja.

Hurrah it's Summer

The bar next to the swimming pool at the end of the road is open again for the summer, they open at 10:00 in the morning and stay open till about 3:00 the following morning. The drinks are cheap and the beer is cold in ice frosted glasses. It not just a bar but a real social point, its great to see all the nationalities getting together in this open air venue in the square, dominoes, backgammon, cards and Spanish ludo are all available if you fancy a game, sometimes people play petange, which we fancy having a go at, we´ve got the balls.

Medieval Craft fair at Rojales

All this weekend, there has been a Medieval craft fair at the Caves of El Rodeo in Rojales. The stallholders dressed in Medieval costume were selling a vast variety of craftwork, and demonstrating their skills. There was copper plate printing, pottery making and brass-etching among other things . One stall was selling large loafs of bread of unusual varieties, another a large variety of dried plant leaves to make infusions to treat every ailment you could think of. A lot of the caves are inhabitated and the owners were selling there crafts from within them as well as serving tea coffee, cakes and paella. The Cave bar was also doing a brisk trade and is open throughout the year, winter opening is at weekends and it normally some musical entertainment. There is a great view over Rojales and Formentera from the bar terrace, perfect for sitting and relaxing with a Cerveza.

Last night of la Plaza bar

The bar in the square is now closed for the winter. It will be opening again in May 2007, it has been a meeting place and watering hole for the community throughout the summer, opening at 11.00 in the morning and staying open untill the early hours. As it was the last night we had a grand finale with our hosts Pedro, family and friends supplying traditional food, entertainment and serving plenty of the amber nectar , there was of course Fireworks as well. With the pool closed and now the bar we shall have to create our some of own entertainment in the square, petanqe is a popular idea. Pedro has gone back to his bee keeping for the winter so the honey will be flowing.