LA VEREDA BAR- RESTAURANT

The new bar restaurant LA VEREDA has opened finally in Sucina, which offers over 1000m2 of space and a modern yet social atmosfere to grab a drink or something to eat.
See video that Pepe Mercader has shot

La vereda from Pepe Mercader on Vimeo.

Pepe has a great website giving information on whats happening in Sucina

http://www.sucinatv.com/
I hope to get down soon and get some proper pictures and give you a review
I have been told that they do a menu of the day for 9 euros with 4 courses and reports are that it is very good.
Coffee is a euro and pints 2 euros, it is totally soundproofed and they have a sprung dancefloor!

TORRE PACHECO FIESTAS PATRONALES

Torre Pacheco is holding their Fiestas Patronales from the 1st October 2010 to the 10th of October

Friday 1st October

In the TownHall Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento)

23:00hrs there will be a huge Verbena Party


Saturday 2nd October

12:00 - 14:00 - Games in the square

16:00 - Cycling race

17:30 - Competition "put it in the hole"

1:00 am - Fantastic Verbena party in the square



Sunday 3rd October

10:30 - Torre Pacheco Skates

Concentration of skaters - exhibitions and classes

11:00 - Mass sung by the Virgen of Correa of Jimenado Choir

12:00 - Flamenco fashion show

12:30 - Torre pacheco´s Ballet Flamenco performance

13:00 - Flamenco sevillana competitiom

21:00 . Performance of the dance group Fantasia

22:30 - Festival of dance



Monday 4th October

18:00 - Poker Championship at the square

22:30 - Tug of the War

Tuesday 5th October

12:00 - Mass

17:00 - Childrens games (inflatables)

22:00 - Mini marathon of aerobics

23:00 - Tug of war final



Wednesday 6th October

21:00 tradicional offering of flowers and fruits to the Virgen of the Rosario

23:00 - Stupendous Verbena party

24:00 - Rompeolas Perfom live


Thursday 7th October

9:00 - Mass

9.30 - Parades

12:00 - Mass

13:15 - Concert

19:30 - parade

22:30 - Fireworks

23:00 - Verbena party


Friday 8th October

17:30- domino championship

20:00 - Mass

22:00 - Verbena- Party

23:30 - performance by mikel Herzog tributing Boney M



Saturday 9th October

17:00 - artesan Market

19:00 - parade

23:00 - Verbena party




Sunday 10th October

11:00 - Mass

13:00 - Parade

16:00 - Performances by various musical Bands

24:00 - Fireworks

Enjoy

HACIENDA RIQUELME FACILITIES OPEN

The old hacienda has finally opened.

Outside seating in the plaza and to the frontover the gardens

As you walk in the big old main doors, there is a grand staircase to you left, leading to a chillout area, and another room which at the moment is set up as a press room for the golf competition shortly.

At the end of a corridor is the bathrooms plus a glass window that looks down on the bar area.

Coming back down the stairs, directly infront leads to the bar area, which wraps round to an eating area.

Directly infront of the eating area,is another room for eating with tables,but as there were quite a few people eating, didnt want to disturb them by taking pictures.
From the entrance corridor, if you go out through the doors onto the garden area, you are greeted by a serene Old Hacienda Style Garden, with outside seating

You can see more pictures of opening night here

http://www.hrgr.es/images/photos/haciendaopen230910.pdf

and daytime pictures here

http://www.hrgr.es/images/photos/hacienda240910.pdf

Some people may think it is too modern, personally I love the blending and contrast modern and old make.

CUM LAUDE BAR- SUNDAY AFTERNOON HOUSE

Cum Laude bar in Roldan is holding sunday afternoon/evening house sessions.
From 5pm- to 1am
So get down there this sunday 26th September

FIESTAS PATRONALES DE SUCINA

Sucina holds their local fiestas from Saturday 25th September to Monday 4th of October.

This programme was so difficult to find, and took a friend of mine alot of determination to get hold of! she finally was allowed a copy which was kept under counter in a shop!

A summary in english:

Saturday 25th September:
21:00 fashion show in the square

Sunday 26th September
10:00 am - Romeria (pilgrimage) of Horses
13:30 - Paellas at the centro cultural in sucina
22:00 - Performance of Paco and Cia

Friday 1st October
Midnight - Fancy dress pary in Sucina

Saturday 2nd October
10:00 am - Motorbike and classic car congregation

Concentración de motos y coches de época en Sucina from Pepe Mercader on Vimeo.

17:00 pm - Crazy car race, starts at la vereda Restaurant

Autoslocos 2010 Sucina from Pepe Mercader on Vimeo.

23:00 pm - Mobile Disco and foam party at the square

Sunday 3rd October
8:30am - Parade
10:30 am- Best fancy dressed pet competition in the square.
22:00 pm - Procession and fireworks and performance

You can see a full translation of events plus Pictures of 2008 fiestas on Aidan and Mandy´s fabulous webpage http://aidanandmandy.com/SucinaFiestaScheduleofevents.aspx

ANTIQUES FAIR

In Torrepacheco is the IFEPA and on the 24th to 26th of September there is a huge Antiques Fair. Tickets can be bought on the door and should not be very expensive as you can buy a season ticket for all fairs there throughout the year for 15 euros!

See below for google map where IFEPA is


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SNOW HOUSES - NEST WALK

I blogged about THE NEST WALKS that take place up in Sierra Espuña. They organise easy social walks and outings, where you can discover beautiful places and scenery and make friends and socialise.

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/sierra-espuna-walks.html

On the 30th of September they are doing a "SNOW HOUSES WALK"
The walks cost 5 euros and you must book in advance and receive confirmation of booking, afterwards you can choose to go to a restaurant with everyone to eat, the restaurants cost between 8-10 euros for the Menu del Dia.

Below is a video of the snow houses.




See description below:

"Starts at 10.30am at El Berro car park which is opposite Camping Sierra Espuna and we´ll car share to the spectacular heights of Sierra Espuna to start our easy walk to see the famous Snow Houses in the mountains, where in days gone by, people used them to store snow and ice for later use in spring and summer, when they´d take ice down to the coast on donkeys at night, to make ice creams with and to use in hospitals. We will see some spectacular views and have the chance of seeing wildlife such as eagles and arrui, not to mention the possibility of wild boar at the restaurant later on! It´s an easy short walk of approx 2 hours and we never rush anyone. We believe in admiring the views and having time to chat without getting puffed, and we appreciate that we all need to be relaxed and wait for the slower ones and make sure they´re alright and not left behind! Then we´ll go and eat in one of our favourite restaurants in Sierra Espuna where it´s sometimes possible to see wild boar. The meal is optional but most people love to come along and socialise after the walk! "

For more information and booking click here
http://www.freewebs.com/louisalivingstone/walksdatesinfo.htm

Enjoy

GINGKO BUFFET DAILY

Gingko Buffet is opening daily from the 21st of September

18.30pm to 10.30pm, every day
Cost 26 euros (drinks not included)
The menu changes daily.

Gingko is located inside the Hotel, on entering the foyer, turn left and go down the stairs, here you will find Gingko.

If it is anything like the sunday brunch they hold, it should be delicious.

I will definatly be going as soon as it opens and will get some pictures and write a review.

With your Polaris card this works out at 13 euros each (if 2 of you go!)

ARTESAN MARKET - ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Alhama de Murcia will be holding an artesan market every third sunday of each month.
From 10am to 2pm

If you have never been to a spanish Artesan Market you should, as they appeal to all ages and even men!

These are pictures of the market held in Los Alcazares at Easter.

The Market in Alhama is held at the "Plaza de la Constitucion"

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If you expand the map above, you will see Alhama is very easy to find and takes approx 30 mins from La Torre Golf Resort and 45 mins from Mar Menor golf resort.

From the A30 take the MU-602 direction Alhama de Murcia.

Enjoy :)

MAR MENOR CF - FOOTBALL

This sunday 19th Mar Menor CF versus Murcia at the Pitin Stadium, which is located next to Iceland in San Javier.

6pm. Tickets cost 10 euros for men and 5 euros for ladies.

Fancy supporting a local team? why not buy a season ticket for Mar Menor CF, who now have achieved third division status. Click on picture below for more details.

                                                

GREAT TAPAS BATTLE TRAIL - GRAN BATALLA GASTRONOMICA MEDITERRANEO

Well....After the superb TAPAS TRAIL held over the audi med cup in Cartagena, they are holding another one :) and this one coincides with the ROMANS AND CARTHAGINIANS FESTIVAL !

I thoroughly enjoyed the last one and will definatly go down for this one. Its a little different this time as you need to vote.

Basically there are 36 bars and restaurants participating and they have taken a side, so 18 establishments are Roman and 18 are Carthaginian.

Each one has chosen a speciality tapa, which they will serve throughout the Battle which runs from the 17th - 27th September

Basically you follow the map, and pop into a participating bar (there will be a poster on the door showing the tapas).

Each Tapa plus a drink(wine,beer or soft drink) costs 2.50 euros. You can print off the map above and tapas below to get you started but all the bars will have the maps and tapas guide in them on the bars.

But, this twist with this Tapas trail is you should go to 6 establishments, 3 from the Roman side and 3 from the Cartaginian side, have a tapa, get your card stamped, then you can vote for the best tapa.

To see the tapas better than the pictures above, click here:
http://granbatallagastronomicadelmediterraneo.com/vota.php

The times for the tapas are from 11.30-4pm and then from 19:30-23:30

Once you have finished your trail, you need to fill in the form and hand it in to one of the places listed on the rules http://granbatallagastronomicadelmediterraneo.com/bases_concurso/BASES.pdf
One of these places is at the encapment of the Romans and Carthaginians at the stand 16
See here for info on The Romans and Carthaginians Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/carthagineses-and-romans.html

Enjoy...I know I will

CARTHAGINESES AND ROMANS

Cartagena holds the Carthaginians and Romans Festival from the 17th to the 26th of September. Throughout these 10 days, cartagena remembers its history through costume, battles, performances, fireworks,Ancient market

The lighting of a sacred fire traditionally inaugurates the festivities and on the final day this Fire is extinguished to mark the close of the festival with a firework display

To see the full programme - click here
http://www.cartaginesesyromanos.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219&Itemid=294

To see a more in depth version of the programme and festivities take a look at Simply Networkings site http://www.simplynetworking.es/calida-3670-65-10-romans_and_carthaginians_cartagena_17th-_26th_september_full.html

I have just sumarized the most interesting for you below, but click the link above for the full programme.

Programme of Festivities - 2010

Friday 17th September 2010
20.00 .- Lighting of the sacred fire  -Plaza HH Cavite. Main Stage

20,00  - Parade of the legions and troups through the Historic Center
21,00 .- Town Crier at the Townhall
22,00.-  March towards the Encampment. Itinerary - Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, puente Cartagonova al Campamento.
22,45 Horas.- Inauragaration of the Festivities at the Encampment.

Saturday 18th September 2010
The First of the 4 performances "FUNDACIÓN DE QUART-HADAST" . This starts at 19.30 and each act is held in a different location. See full programme for exact locations

Sunday 19th September 2010

12,30 .- CHILDREN´S PARTY - Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Townhall square)

Monday 20th September 2010
21,00 .- THE WEDDING OF ANÍBAL AND HIMILCE - Plaza HH. Cavite. Principal Stage

Tuesday 21st September 2010
21,00 .- ORÁCALE OF THE GODDESS TANIT - Plaza HH. Cavite. Principal Stage
24,00 .- CARTHAGINESES GAMES - The Festival Encampment.

Wedenesday 22nd September  2010
21:00 .- ACT IN HONOUR OF EMILIA PAULA
22:30 .- LUDIS ROMANIS
23:30 .- FERIAE LATINO - The Festival Encampment

Thursday 23rd September 2010
13,00 .- Opening of the Ancient Market  - Parque Municipal Vallejo Alberol

21,00 Horas.- MARCH OF HANÍBAL TO ROME - ItinerarY: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, puente Cartagonova al Campamento.

Friday 24th September 2010

11,00 .- SEA BATTLE - Port OF Cartagena
17,30 .- DESEMBARMENT OF THE ROMAN ARMY - Port of Cartagena
18,30 .- GREAT BATTLE TO TAKE QUART-HADAST - Cuesta del Batel
21,00 .- GREAT VICTORY PARADE - Itinerary: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, Carmen, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, puente Cartagonova al Campamento.

Saturday 25th September 2010

11,30 .- IV CONCENTRATIÓN OF “MINIS” - Plaza HH. Cavite.
13,30 .- HOMAGE TO THE FALLEN ROMANS IN BATTLE - Monumento Funerario. Torreciega
19,00 .- GREAT PARADE OF TROUPS AND LEGIONS- Itinerary: Calle Esparta, Paseo Alfonso XIII, Plaza de España, Alameda de San Antón, Soldado Rosique, Puente Cartagonova al campamento.

Sunday 26th September 2010
23,00  EXTINGUISHING THE SACRED FIRE - Festival Encampment
24,00 .- HUGE FIREWORK DISPLAY - From the mount “Atalaya” - so that the whole city can enjoy it.

The encampment is located next to the Football Stadium in Cartagena


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10KM RUN - MURCIA

The sporting club Runtriton is organising a run of 10km´s throughout the city of Murcia, its an urban run so practically on flat ground.

26th September  2010 at 10:00am
Starting and finishing at Pabellon Infante.
Price: 10 euros
Inscriptions up to 22nd September.


You can Inscribe online here and pay by card online http://www.runtriton.com/pasarela/inscripcion.php?c=murcia

Route

You can collect your chips and jackets up to an hour before the race, or the day before from 5pm to 8pm.


Categories


Juvenil (17-18 years old)

Senior (19-34 years old)

Veterano A (35-39 years old)

Veterano B (40-49 years old)

Veterano C (50-59 years old)

Veterano D (60 years old and upwards)
 
For more info go here http://www.10kmurcia.com

Can´t make this run? well click here to see upcoming runs in the region http://www.carreraspopulares.com/v5-calendario/V5CC_menu_meses.asp?fr_id_deporte=1&fr_id_pais=10&fr_id_comunidad=19&fr_x=0

ROMERIA DE LA VIRGEN DE FUENSANTA

Tommorrow morning at 7am the Virgen Of Fuensanta is taken from the Square of Murcia (Plaza Belluga) up to the Sanctuary which takes approximatly 4 hours.

Over half a million people come to watch the virgen being taken back up to the sanctuary, these people come from all over the south east of Spain.

Around The Sanctuary people congregate tonight to wait for her arrival the next day, they camp out over night and there are folkloric dances. The area is full of happiness and tradition.

Some even walk the way on their knees

Showers of petals are also very traditional
location of the Sanctuary

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BECKY´S TEA ROOM

If you are down in Los Alcazares in the square next to the 525 hotel, you should stop by at BECKY´S TEA ROOM. It is dead easy to find, because as soon as you walk into the Square it´s just there on your right.

There is seating outside and in.

Run by Brian and Michelle, who are owners and residents on Polaris.

They serve up Homemade cakes, pies,baguettes, baked potatoes and Kid´s meals.

Or why not indulge in Cream tea ...........?

Great service, good value, I couldnt reccomend them highly enough.
Afterwards you can stroll down to the beach through the square.

MURCIA POP

Free Pop Concert in Murcia



Starts at 9pm and is held at Nueva Condomina shopping Mall, which is up in Murcia close to Ikea.

MUSICA DEL RAIZ

On the 24th and 25th of September there will be FREE music in the squares of Murcia.
This is part of the Feria of Murcia but held afterwards


24th of September

At 8pm in the Plaza Romea, Aulaga Folk will be playing
At 9.30pm in Plaza Santo Domingo, Nuevo Mester de Juglaria will be playing

25th September

At 8pm in the Plaza Romea, Korrontxi will be playing will be playing
At 9.30pm in Plaza Santo Domingo, Taray will be playing

Alongside this On the 25th from 10am there will be an Artesan Market in Plaza Santo Domingo. Full of handicrafts and food from the region

See below for where the 2 squares are:
A= Plaza Santo Domingo
B= Plaza Romea


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FERIA DE MURCIA - WINE AND TAPAS EXHIBITION

We went up to try the food and wine exhibition at the Feria de Murcia on Sunday.
We arrived at 4pm and the market area doesnt open till 7pm then the exhibition opens at 8.30pm. So We wandered off and found a great little square with a tapas bar and sat al fresco and consumed tapas and vino.
At 7pm we wandered down to the Botanical garden area where the food and wine exhibition is, We had a walk around the market stall area.

Lots of little stalls

Including a man selling corn on the cob (not quite sure what he is doing with the hairdryer!)


This then went into the area which they were just setting up for the Moors and Christians Encampment

The Huertos de Malecon area was all set up, with lots of little places to eat

And a jazz band playing


A quick Mojito in the Cuban stall

And we made our way into the area set up with all the food and wine stalls

You go to the little stall selling tickets and for 9 euros you get a tray with a wine glass and some containers. You get a voucher for
3 tapas
3 glasses of wine
1 beer
1 vermouth
1 joker (ie you can use this for 1 of any of the above)
1 scratchcard (where you can win bottles of wine ect..)


You then make you way around the stalls and choose and plough your way through whichever wine takes your fancy

or tapa

or maybe some delicious cheeses? These were MONTESINOS cheeses.


It was all incredibly delicious and great fun, but one stall and wine sticks out and it was the BODEGAS JUAN GIL there wine was just sublime, so much so we had another glass!

The gentleman on the right is Antonio Caravaca (the comercial director of Bodegas Juan Gil) and the wine is their 12 month old - 2008.

You must try it, this is there webpage http://www.juangil.es/ing/index.htm

All in all a great evening, I could not reccomend this event highly enough. It is running until 13th September

Its so easy to find, just head up to Murcia, then take the turning to the Cathedral and its just there on your right.

For more info click here

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/feria-murcia.html