Los Albentosa park

Being a nice day we decided to take a picnic and try out the new Los Albentosa park, the park is located at the back of the cemetery on the La Mata natural park, where there is plenty of car parking. The area covers 125,000 square metres and features loads of picnic tables, a childrens play area and an adult exercise zone with full size equipment, also there are toilet facilities -not open yet! water points and plenty of rubbish receptacles.
There are around 5000 pine trees and a selection of other trees that have been planted by local organisations, so there is plenty of shade. Although the sign at the entrance has no camping as one of the rules, the town hall say it will be permitted over the Easter holidays. The sign also says dogs must be kept on a leash but while we were there, that rule was being ignored.

Queen Suzi

With all this talk of dogs thought I had better give Suzi the cat a little blog space. Suzi is a bossy cat and soon puts any foster dog in its place, which she sees as second to her. She is not to naughty, just a little tap on the nose when they first meet, after that she will tolerate the incomer and has even been know to be friendly, all on her terms of course. Well she is top dog so to speak and must be treated as such. Suzis always done the odd crazy thing the latest is sitting in the bath, don't ask me why I have no idea,cats are strange and amazing creatures. When we first moved here the place was over run with feral cats, poor things that lived by there wits. Leo was a street cat until he moved to Becs. There are very few feral around now mostly due to the hard work and dedication of some of the animal loving Brits and the local vet Javier. Lots of time was spent catching the cats and getting them neutered. Just about everyone we know has a cat or dog that was rescued. There not all as bossy as Suzi but then she is the Queen of queen cats after all..

S.A.T.Animal rescue

ROCKY THE PUP LOOKING HAPPY TO BE GOING TO A NEW HOME
Bec has been wanting a dog for quite a while now, now she is in the position to have one she made an appointment and went to the S.A.T. Animal rescue at Dolores, they have over a hundred rescued dogs at the moment ranging from young puppies to older dogs, from small to large, there is a lot of work involved in looking after the animals and undertaken on a voluntary basis, new volunteers are always welcome for what ever amount of time they can afford. There are also the charity shops in Almoradi, La Marina and Guardamar, that need staff to help.
If you want a dog, there is plenty of choice and taking one in need of a home, is a great way, The telephone number of the centre is 966 710 047, to get there from Benijofar, Benimar and Rojales go over the Rio Segura and carry on to the roundabout under the main road to Guardamar, following signs for Elche. Go over first roundabout and also the second one, signed Daya Vieja and Day Nueva, at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit signposted Dolores. Follow this road straight through to Dolores, about 6km. Pass the new school on right and take Elche direction at the roundabout. After 200 metres you see Cartonajes Vega Baja with a green roof and car port. Turn left directly after it and proceed 300 metres to the road on the right signed Vereda del Pozo. Turn here and SAT is the last property on the left, number 48,this is about 3 Kilometres along the road. please park on the road. The centre is open every day 11am - 1pm (except Wednesday when closed for Vet visits)

The processionary caterpillar

If you look in the pine trees at this time of year, you are sure to see a weblike covered cocoon, in it are hatching and growing processionary caterpillars, Not only do they devastate thousands of hectares of pine woodland every year. They cause bad skin irritation and can cause blindness, sometimes permanently, if handled. Dogs and cats are inquisitive and can suffer very painful death if they sniff or lick them.
If you have them in trees on your land the best thing is to try and set fire to the nests or cut out the branch and burn it.