Tell me why I don´t like Mondays

Ok well the first thing to say is big congratulations to the Spanish footie team who won Euro 2008 last night! The best team won for sure and it should have been 3 or 4-0, against an inept German team. Now I can understand the car horns blowing and the parties continuing throughout the night - particularly in my complex where there are lots of Spanish families, and all the celebrations seemed to be good natured - which might not have been the case if thousands of marauding England fans had been rampaging through the streets. So, bleary-eyed I stumbled into the shower this morning to prepare for another Monday morning at the office, and although I would rather have stayed in bed, I got up early to go to the bank before work. I arrived promptly at 8.30am and joined a queue of three other people waiting for the doors to open. We were greeted (for want of a better word) by a grim looking assistant who managed to shake his head and mutter ´dios mio´ before slumping back into his chair behind the counter. The lady in front of me was trying to pay some sort of domestic bill and the guy behind the counter could not manage to enter the details. The lady insisted she had paid the same company every month for the past 18 months from the same bank and couldn´t see the problem. Eventually he came out with the immortal words ´computer says no´ much to the delight of the Brit bankers and fans of Little Britain. After another 5 minutes the manager sorted the problem and the lady left - not with any apology obviously but at least she managed to pay her bill. I then went over to the local ferreterria to have a key cut. The lad behind the counter swore audibly and continued to complain loudly about the fact he had had no breakfast and why does every ********er want their keys cut on a Monday at 10.am? I then went to a large DIY store to ask if they had any clothes rails. ´No sé´ replied the assistant at the information desk. ´Who might know then´ I asked. ´Everyone´s having breakfast´ she replied with a shrug of the shoulders. ´Oh Good´ I thought - ´I hope she´s taken the miserable bugger from the ferreteria with her.´
A friend of mine never ever calls companies or business associates on a Monday unless absolutely necessary - and I can see her point. Leave everyone to get back into the working week at their own pace - even if their football team did win Euro 2008 the night before.

Finca la Mota

Has anyone been to Finca la Mota recently near Alhaurin el Grande. This great little hideaway has been open for over 20 years, and Arun the owner seems to have been there for even longer! It´s the perfect place to relax by the pool with a few drinks and delicious food. All of the meat is cooked on the barbecue, and the ribs and steaks are fantastic. There is also a great selection of salads including my favourite - coronation chicken, greek and niçoise. New on the menu is a wide range of sandwiches and baguettes with weird and wonderful names such as the Dolly Parton (chicken breast - not surprisingly) with cheese and bacon, and the delicious Brad Pitt - steak with onions and english mustard. The prices at Finca la Mota may well have gone up a bit in the past 20 years, but they are still well below what you will pay in other restaurants around Alhaurin. There is a large patio area, shaded by trees, a pool and sunbathing garden open to all guests. Accomodation is also available in the rustic finca building beside the outdoor restaurant. Only 15 minutes from the coast, Finca la Mota is a favourite with our family, and is the perfect place to take the kids! To get there from Fuengirola, take the Coin road from the Aquapark/Mcdonalds exit of the N-340 and head inland. Pass Alhaurin Golf Course and when you get to the roundabout with petrol station on the right go straight over. Finca la Mota is situated 200 metres past here on the left hand side - look out for the signs. 95 249 0901.

Andy´s Beach - a great place to unwind

One of the best beach bars on the Costa del Sol is Andy´s at Puerto Cabopino. Not only is the beach here protected from the wind, but the sand is white and the water is shallow – making this the ideal place for children to swim and play.
Having lived and worked in Cabopino for 6 years, I know the area well and of all the bars in and around the marina, the most popular and well established beach bar is Andy´s – which is one of only two on the beach here.
After soaking up the sun for a few hours, and perhaps taking a dip in the sea, Andy´s offers a refuge to eat, drink and be merry while still overlooking the Mediterranean and the white sands leading to the sea. We normally spend the morning wandering around the marina looking at the boats, then relax on the beach in the afternoon and go to Andy´s for late lunch or some sundowners – depending on the time of year.
Many beach bars are similar in both appearance, atmosphere and menus, but Andy´s is different. The bar opens from 9am and is the perfect place to stop for breakfast. When I lived close to Cabopino, I used to walk my dog down the beach early morning and stop at Andy´s for a coffee and tostada before work. Even at that time in the morning the staff are friendly and chatty – which can be quite a novelty in these parts.
The choice of food on the menus is incredible, and although Andy´s caters to thousands of tourists and ex-pats, it still maintains its Spanish charm, and also offers many typical Andalucian specialities such as gazpacho, a superb range of tapas and boquerones fritos.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and this place is a throw-back to the late 80´s when beach bars on the Costa del Sol were cheap, fun and relaxing – not fine dining restaurants which many of them now purport to be – and whose owners reflect it in their ever increasing prices. It is normal here for customers to sit at the bar in swimwear, enjoy a few cold beers or sit on the deck for lunch without having to dress up.
When our friends visit from the UK, their favourite place to go is Andy´s and they always receive a warm welcome. At around 11am the chilled tapas display is filled up with fresh dishes of the day, often including the superb mussels vinaigrette, seafood salad, home-made tortilla, and boquerones en vinagre, to name but a few. There is nothing better than sitting next to the beach, sharing a jug of sangria, a plate of olives or tapas, and watching the world go by.
Although very busy in July and August, when visitors come from far and wide, the service at Andy´s is always fantastic, and you never have to wait long for food and drinks. Something we find essential when visiting beach bars with my young nieces, who have no patience whatsoever.
The great music also makes it stand out from the average bar of its kind, and although the music is not intrusive, it adds to the magical atmosphere of Cabopino Beach. Sunbeds and parasols can also be hired right in front of the bar, so you never need move far all day. Water sports facilities are also available in front of the bar.
At lunchtime, the bar gets busier as families troop off the beach for snacks and refreshments. Some fabulous fish is offered including sole, large prawns, squid, rosada and almejas, which are all served with salad or potatoes. Lighter meals include a vast selection of sandwiches and toasties including the fabulous club sandwich with bacon, chicken, salad, mayonnaise and cheese, and the more refined smoked salmon and cucumber. Everything imaginable is available on the kids menu, including hot dogs, beef burgers and spaghetti bolognaise or smaller portions of the adult meals.
We are lucky that our kids enjoy most of the things we like so there is never anything left over from the seafood paella and plates of fresh clams that we normally order. A great choice of ice creams and desserts are also available for afters, and the wine list and bar menu is extensive. From fresh juices, to cocktails, to jugs of sangria and even John Smith´s bitter, Andy´s has it all.
There is no set closing time at this beach bar, and we have been known to still be here at midnight listening to live Spanish guitar music -depending on the season. What you see at Andy´s is what you get, and it has no delusions of grandeur. This is beach bar simplicity at its best. Great food, great music , great staff and an unbeatable location by the sea. Andy´s is a family run business, and has been established at Cabopino for over 20 years. Whether you are new to Cabopino or a regular visitor, you will always find a warm welcome at Andy´s Beach Bar.
How to get there: From Marbella direction take the N-340 east in the direction of Calahonda. Pass Elviria exit and carry on past Las Chapas exit. Exit the road at the sign for Cabopino. At roundabout head downhill towards the port. Take the first turn on the right over the sand dunes to the parking area. Andy´s is here.
Open from: March to November.
Telephone: 0034 95 211 3826.

The hippodrome

The hippodrome at La Cala de Mijas is now planning its summer season, when night racing starts from 10pm. For horse racing fans, the hippodrome is one of the best sporting days out on the Costa, and the only reason you don´t see it advertised any more is because none of the local papers will run ads for the hippodrome as the previous owners left a trail of unpaid bills (yes really). The new owners have promised smarter and better organised events to once again attract the crowds. Some of Spain´s top horses race here, and the hippodrome boasts several bars, restaurants and a roof top terrace - often hosting live music. Last time we went entry was €5 each, and bets can be made at the course. For more information and race dates, call 95 259 2700.

Probably the best salad dressing in the world

Lipsmackingly good

Summer time in Spain is the best time to discover new salad dressings and I have a great one to share. Pesto and Lemon
1.Add one pot of fresh pesto to dressing shaker or bowl (fresh can be bought from supermarket but dont use pesto in jars).
2.Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
3.Add juice of half a lemon.
4.Add one tablespoon of honey.
5.Add finely chopped fresh mint.

Hey presto - or should I say hey pesto- probably the best dressing you will find anywhere - also great with goats cheese.

I love Gibraltar

Now you may not hear that said very often - but I really do enjoy a day in Gib! I wouldn´t choose to live there and, although I have lived in Spain for 14 years, I still sometimes crave a bit of Britishness. - Main Street Gibraltar is much like most main streets in England, and the shops are great. The BHS Home Store is a good one at the bottom of Main Street, and of course what sort of a high street would it be without M&S at the top end? From the Marks food store try the home made chocolate chip cookies and a great range of herbs and spices. All the summer stuff is in now too, and there is a great range of swimwear and sarongs for beachlovers. I always find that the cafés on Main Street are a bit of a rip-off, but if I go with my dad he insists on sitting there so he can watch the old soldiers parading up Main Street on a Saturday morning. If you want to make a day of it, go out on the dolphin boat from the Marina - it´s only about €20 each, and unlike many similar trips, you are guaranteed to see hundreds of dolphins, which swim into the Bay of Gibraltar as the warm water attracts them. And don´t forget a trip up the rock to see the apes. The last place I lived in the UK was Mansfield, and although this was no green, leafy suburb of Shakespeare´s England, it was very similar to Gibraltar (Apes and all!) Hmmm perhaps that´s why I feel so at home on the rock!

Romeria de las Lagunas - what a day

Romerias can be spectacular occasions when the statue of the Virgin is carried through the streets, followed by horses, carriages and local people donning traditional dress. I went to the Romeria de Las Lagunas last week, which takes place annually in the Parque El Esparragal, just past Mijas-Golf. What a fantastic occasion. We always go mob-handed and get there around 11.30am to make sure we get a table (by the bar obviously). The Virgin de la Paz is carried into the park on a flower laden carriage pulled by two oxen - accompanied by drumbeats and live music from the stage in the park. A huge paella was cooked for the crowds, and although the queue took around an hour to get to the front of (not for me as I was busy at the bar - but for my friend´s daughter and friends who had been sent on the paella mission) - it was delicious. Manzanilla (dry sherry) and Malaga wine were also served free of charge, and the pub in the park was also packed with revellers. The serious dancing started around 5pm when locals and holidaymakers boogied the afternoon away. The best part of the day was undoubtedly the greasy pole climbing competition (really) when lots of macho local youths compete to see who can climb up a vertical wooden pole and yank down a whole jamon serrano from the top. After many failed attempts, one courageous lad shimmied his way up to the top to claim the prize - to the adulation of the local girls! Altogether a brilliant day out - and even time for one for the road at the makeshift bar at the other end of the park where the horsemen were congregated to show off their trusty steeds!