The Carnival starts in earnest on 24th February 2012 with the opening speech that this year introduces local singer Mayka and mejillonada XI tperforming from 20:00 in Mezquita square in Arroyo de la Miel. On Saturday the 25th at 12:00 is the final judging of the children's carnival costumes in Mezquita square. And from 22:00 h. the final judging and carnival groups of street musicians, a must for lovers of carnival. Sunday 26th 13:00 the official reception and inauguration of the Carnival King and Queen followed immediately by the prize-giving for the best fancy dress groups. Friday 2 March at 10:00 The twelfth Drag Queen competition will take place On Saturday 3rd March between 17:00 and 18:00 The grand parade of the goddess and the god Momo sets off from the entrance of Tivoli World through the streets of Arroyo de la Miel arriving at Plaza Mezquita, where from 20:00 the "Grand Ball" brings the official Carnival to a close. On Sunday 4th at around 12:00 the solemn parade of the lizard sets off from Mezquita square and processes down to the Feria ground where with much wailing and weeping it is set alight. Do try to catch this parade it is well worth the effort.

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Congress approves the new anti-smoking legislation Oct 21, 2010 It's expected the ban on smoking in all closed places will come into effect on January 2 2011 The Health Commission in Congress on Wednesday voted to approve the new tougher anti-smoking legislation which is expected to be enforced from January 2 2011. Following the Commission approval, the legislation goes straight to the Senate. The main measure is the banning of smoking in all closed public spaces, both on inside patios and outside hospitals, and in children’s parks. The only closed spaces where smoking will be allowed will be prisons, psychiatric institutions, and disabled and pensioners residences, although only if specially prepared rooms are ready. The text outlines how hotels can reserve upto 30% of their rooms for smokers, and a terrace is defined as an open air space provided that there are no more than two walls. The new law will see the introduction in schools, as young as infant, of content designed to prevent children taking up smoking, and teachers will also receive instruction in the area. Anti-smoking treatments will now be sent to the Inter-territorial Health Council for approval, and their possible inclusion in the list of items covered by the National Health Service.

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Another year another Feria, and I have pretty well covered what happens during the Feria, but this year (2010) there has been a major improvement in that the Town Hall has decided to follow the example of Malaga and involve the "village" of Arroyo. During the day for the period of the Feria there will be lots of events, offers street bars and things of interest to visitors and locals alike.

Link

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Today I eventually took the bull by the horns and decided to get underway with changing my UK driving license to the Spanish version. Having read in several places that you are allowed to drive in Spain on a UK license I have stuck with mine since we arrived here, but I have recently discovered that even if you are driving on a British license you are required to pass a medical and present the certificate to the police, not having this certificate if you are resident in Spain can invalidate your insurance. So if I have to do that I might as well apply for the license as well. Spanish bureaucracy is always intimidating, and I set off for the new "Trafico" building (just further on from the Palacio del Ferias on the right hand side), which in spite of being brand new and dealing with all things relating to the internal combustion engine has been built out of town, so you have to drive, and conveniently there is NO PARKING. Although you can park in the Feria ground over the road and cross the dual carriageway. The "Informacion" desks use the disneyland queuing system but if moved reasonably quickly and the lady on the desk had very little English but was extremely helpful and supplied the appropriate (simple) forms and instructions on my next move, which was to cross the room queue again and pay the fee. This was just over 25 euros and I was given the receipt and a "Su Turno" ticket and pointed further into the building. This time there was no queue and all of the paperwork was dealt with pleasantly and efficiently and I was told that they would telephone me in about 6 weeks when I should return to exchange old for new licenses. When I should also bring my medical certificate which would validate the license for 10 years. Outside the "Trafico" building and just about 50 metres down the road there is a cluster of Offices/surgeries that specialise in the drivers medical. The fee for this was 35 euros and quite amusing, but I suppose that it proves that you are not quite dead yet. A Summary eye test and a colour blindness test followed by a blood pressure check, and a tap on the knee to check reflexes and answer a few questions about your general health and you are presented with the stamped and certified certificate. As with all of these things in Spain you will need to go prepared, take along the original and copies of: Your current driving licence Photocard and Paper version. Residencia. Passport. 2 passport sized photos And in case you don't find the friendly ladies who speak English you are going to:- El centro de reconocimiento de conductores and the form you need is Solicitud de canje del permiso de conduccion.

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Although something is going on somewhere in Benalmadena from the 12th to the 18th of July the Big day (or evening) is the 16th when at 19:30 hours, the image of The Virgin will be paraded through Benalmadena Costa. Carried shoulder high the virgin will take the following route from the "MAS" church by Bonanza square, Avenida Bonanza, Flamingo, Carril del Siroco, Antonio Machado, Alay, Juan Sebastian Elcano, and finally, to the yacht club, accompanied by the Banda de Música Nuestra Señora de la Paz of Malaga (band of bugles and drums). At around 21:30, the Virgen del Carmen will be put aboard the boat "Torremolinos", Alonso Gallardo, which each year takes the procession out to sea. Dozens of boats accompany Virgen del Carmen who is also applauded by the thousands of faithful who line the shore. While the boats travel the coast from the Marina to somewhere about The Santa Ana beach, those remaining in the Marina will be presented with a glass of wine served by venenciadores, courtesy of the Delegation of Celebration, and will begin dancing with Orquesta Nuevo Día Upon its return, around 22:30 pm the Virgin is received at the Yacht Club by a soprano and a tenor accompanied by saxophone and piano. This is followed by a spectacular firework display from the beach Malapesquera beach And from midnight in the Puerta Marina there is a big band and dancing until dawn.

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For those of us living in spain unsolicited telephone calls selling all sorts services messages are a pain in the neck. As of July 1st 2009 you can subscribe to ListaRobinson.es where you can opt out of theses calls to your landline and or your mobile. You can also opt out of postal junk mail from spanish companies and email - SMS and MMS messages. Sounds like bliss I have registered and I really do hope the system works. The site is in spanish, click on Registro web under the CIUDADANOS section the click on the centre option and fill in the registration. You will receive a confirmation email and you must click the link to activate your account you can then select which services you want excluded. REMEMBER TO USE THE LINKS UNDER CIUDADANOS NOT Entidades as I did :oops:

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We took the ferry from Benamadena to Fuengirola along with hundreds of schoolkids, well it seemed like hundreds :roll: I charted the costa from sea and you may be able to find your favourite Hotel, Apartment, Bar or Restaurant.

click here for a slideshow of the coastline

Remember that you can stop the slideshow and click the pic to blow it to full size

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The Benalmadena Arroyo de la Miel Romeria de San Juan paraded through the streets as usual but this year (because of the roadworks in the village) ended up at the Feria Ground in Parque Paloma. The Casitas (Large Tents) have already been constructed in readiness for the Feria which kicks of this week, and they were packed with revellers to welcome the Romerio.

click here for a slideshow giving a sense of the occassion
Remember that you can stop the slideshow and click the pic to blow it to full size

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Here is the latest info available for the 2009 summer season at the Mijas Hipodromo.

Saturday July 4th

Saturday July 11th

Saturday July 15th

Friday July 21st

Friday August 7th.

Gates open at 8:00 pm with the first race at 10:00 pm Entrance fee is 5 euros with under 18's and over 95's Free. There has apparently been changes made to the restaurant areas and pricing bears in mind the "crisis"

For directions to the Hipodromo Click Here

Link

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