We saw some Flamingoes - honest

Last Thursday saw a full coachload of friends and supporters set off for a day trip. Over the past few months the ultimate destination of this trip has changed a number of times so although it wasn't billed as a mystery tour those of us who had sat in meetings where each new possibility was raised kept our fingers crossed


Our first stop for the usual tostada and coffee. Later we returned for a pretty reasonable lunch.

Excitement mounted as we then headed for Fuente de Piedra and the Flamingoes. It is early in the season for them but the winter was wet enough to encourage hopes that they would be there and they were. BUT only those with binoculars could actually see anything very much. There was a small group who were clearly very pink but mostly they were white. Still all around were other water birds and the weather was terrific with a gentle breeze so nobody was complaining (except possibly you as I couldn't get a photo, sorry). If you go independently it seems you can get a bit closer with a car than is possible with a coach.
















So after lunch it was on to Estepa. First impressions were good as we approached along a country road and could see the castle on top of the hill with almond trees in blossom reaching the road. Between then all was green after the recent rains. The coach took us up to the castle which presents rather a strange sight as it is the process of being restored so medieval stones were butressed by plain concrete.













The monastery of the Franciscans at the other end of the hill was closed to the public. it looked rather German than Spanish. It would be intersting to hear if anyone knows how well occupied it is as the building looked well maintained and was quite large.
We followed this with a ride through Estepa and then to the chocolate factory which only makes chocolates between September and Christmas. Never mind, there was cafe for those of us who wanted a little tea and a fancy and lots of good local produce - including chocolate - on sale.


A final view of Estepa before the bus home to bed.











The trip turned out to be a good fundraiser for the theatre so thanks to all who came, we hope you enjoyed it.

A Good Week in Fuengirola

We have had a very good week this week. On Tuesday I went to see the Music Hall at the theatre and as it often does it got me musing on the very English concept of AmDram. The theatre was packed and the audience loved it. The audiences we get here are used to high standards for free. There are many bars you can go to where, for the price of a drink you can watch professional entertainers, many with a background of training and performing going back a long way and yet 300 people every night sat in our theatre having paid 12 euros for the privilege and thought it worth every penny. This particular show depended very heavily on one performer who was not only pivotal since he was on stage all the time but also set a standard the others had to reach if they weren't to seem, well - amateur. The Chairman wasn't the only performer on stage who has been a professional and however much it showed I have still heard, then and later, 'superior' remarks about amdram. When I last visited the States even the small towns we went through had a theatre (in the British English sense of the word) and some had several. Whether the performers were getting paid or not the description of the theatre was usually 'Community Theatre' and this is what we have in Fuengirola. The theatre is a serious community resource not just for the expat English here and the many visitors who have been attracted to Fuengirola's tourist industry but also local Spanish people who are using the theatre to improve their language skills or surprise, surprise - enjoy themselves. So if you are involved with the theatre no more negative 'amdram' comments and if you aren't then come along and find out if you agree with me. Let me know - there is a comment button.
The next bit of good news this week has been the weather (until today). I arrived at the FOTA desk on Wednesday in hot, by English standards, summer sun and was told that the trip to Motril and Salobrena was fully booked. I have put our latest programme at the end of this blog so leaving things to the last moment can be avoided. Let us hope the weather is kind to all on Thursday.
Today we had the auction on the theatre café forecourt and every seat was taken. There was some enthusiastic bidding but some incredible bargains were to be had too. All told we raised nearly 250 euros for our funds. Leaving the auction I bumped into the cast of 'The Heiress' which opens this Friday, February 23rd at 8.00. Normally a cast shows signs of quiet desperation at this stage but there was a confidence that the show will be a good one. I stayed on to sit in on a rehearsal for 'The Dancing Years' . All I can say is that I wish I could pick up a routine as quickly.
FOTA's Programme:

Here are the dates for your diary:

March 1st: Lunch at Casa Rustica

March 29th: Trip to Cuevas in Granada Province

April 5th: Lunch at Meson La Costa (just up from the Horses' head roundabout)

April 26th: Trip to Nerja, the Caves and Burriana Beach

May 1st: Lunch at Antonio Verduras

June(date TBA): Trip to the Lakes with a bring your own picnic.

We shall look forward to seeing you at the desk on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings.