Mojacar Walking Group
Interesting reads
If, like Julie & I you are interested in Andalucia, Almeria, walking and exploring, the towns and places of interest you will enjoy these great reads on Kindle. (most are available in paperback and audio)
From flamingos to earthquakes, gold mines to goats, prickly pears to wildfires, and white villages to the sets of cinematic history - Kevin Borman takes you on a unique journey from Cabo de Gata to the Sorbas Gypsum Karst and beyond,sharing his reflections and intimate understanding of the landscapes, wildlife and culture of this fascinating and little-known pocket of wild Spain. With maps, a detailed index and a link to an online photo gallery, this book is the ideal companion for the curious traveller, whether passing through on foot or spinning through the sunshine on two wheels or four. "The first book to get to the heart of Almería - a must-read for all residents and visitors." Jackie Bragg.
An onsite adventure from Mojácar, Almería, Spain – on the Mediterranean Sea – brings up to date and fresh insights into what Andalucía is today and how it got that way: history, culture, fiesta, music, food, drink, bull fighting, cathedrals, H-bombs, movie making, photography…and a brand new and original ‘Tale of the Alhambra’ which portrays how the lions arrived at the Patio of the Lions in the Alhambra, Granada. Top picks for the four best Andalucían cities are ranked and defended.
In the year and a half that my wife and I live in Andalucía, I discover how my understanding of Andalucía has changed from my teenage years in Puerto Rico to today, encountering many surprises along the way.
Highlights:
•On-site visit to where the U.S. dropped four H-bombs on Spain in 1966
•Ringside seat at what experts called the best bullfight ever; reasons bullfighting should be banned
•Marching as a Bandolero in the Moors and Christians fiesta in Mojácar and curbside experiences of many other fiestas such as Las Fallas in Valencia
•The Spanish guitar – the best in the world, and origin of flamenco and links to the best Spanish music and musicians
•Tours of two of the greatest cathedrals in Andalucía: Córdoba, built inside the Great Mosque, and Sevilla
•The story of paella, the Arabic traders’ influence on the ingredients, tapas, fish delicacies, flan and other uniquely Spanish foods and desserts
•How Spain became the number one producer of wine in Europe in 2013 and the stories of Sherry, Alhambra beer, Hierbas Ibéricas
•Influences of the Phoenicians, Tartessians, Greeks, Romans, Moors and Catholics on modern Andalucía
•Religion and the Spanish Inquisition: burning at the stake! Why Spanish is spoken around the New World, not Italian
•And much more, including over 200 new photographs and 35 links in 552 packed pages of the inside story today about Spain and Andalucía
In the year and a half that my wife and I live in Andalucía, I discover how my understanding of Andalucía has changed from my teenage years in Puerto Rico to today, encountering many surprises along the way.
Highlights:
•On-site visit to where the U.S. dropped four H-bombs on Spain in 1966
•Ringside seat at what experts called the best bullfight ever; reasons bullfighting should be banned
•Marching as a Bandolero in the Moors and Christians fiesta in Mojácar and curbside experiences of many other fiestas such as Las Fallas in Valencia
•The Spanish guitar – the best in the world, and origin of flamenco and links to the best Spanish music and musicians
•Tours of two of the greatest cathedrals in Andalucía: Córdoba, built inside the Great Mosque, and Sevilla
•The story of paella, the Arabic traders’ influence on the ingredients, tapas, fish delicacies, flan and other uniquely Spanish foods and desserts
•How Spain became the number one producer of wine in Europe in 2013 and the stories of Sherry, Alhambra beer, Hierbas Ibéricas
•Influences of the Phoenicians, Tartessians, Greeks, Romans, Moors and Catholics on modern Andalucía
•Religion and the Spanish Inquisition: burning at the stake! Why Spanish is spoken around the New World, not Italian
•And much more, including over 200 new photographs and 35 links in 552 packed pages of the inside story today about Spain and Andalucía
In The Day We Lost the H-Bomb, science writer Barbara Moran marshals a wealth of new information and recently declassified material to give the definitive account of the Cold War’s biggest nuclear weapons disaster. On January 17, 1966, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber exploded over the sleepy Spanish farming village of Palomares during a routine airborne refueling. The explosion killed seven airmen and scattered the bomber’s payload–four unarmed thermonuclear bombs–across miles of coastline. Three of the rogue H-bombs were recovered quickly. Tracking down the fourth required the largest search-and-salvage operation in U.S. military history.
Moran traces the roots of the Palomares incident, giving a brief yet in-depth history of the Strategic Air Command and its eccentric, larger-than-life commander, General Curtis LeMay, whose massive deterrence strategy kept armed U.S. bombers aloft at all times. Back on the ground, Moran recounts the myriad social and environmental effects of an accident that spread radioactive debris over hundreds of acres of Spanish farmland, alarmed America’s strategic allies, and damaged Spanish-American diplomatic relations.
As the American military floundered in its attempt to keep the story secret, the events in Spain sometimes took on farcical overtones. Constant global media hype was fueled by the hit James Bond movie Thunderball, with its plot about an atomic weapon lost at sea. In addition, there were the unwanted attentions of a rusty- hulled Soviet surveillance ship and even awkward public relations stunts, complete with American diplomats in swim trunks.
The Day We Lost the H-Bomb is a singular work of military history that effortlessly and dramatically captures Cold War hysteria, high-stakes negotiations, and the race to clean up a disaster of unprecedented scope. At once epic and intimate, this book recounts in stunning detail the fragile peace Americans had made with nuclear weapons–and how the spectre of imminent doom forced the United States to consider not only what had happened over Palomares but what could have happened. This forgotten chapter of Cold War history will grip readers with the tension of that time and reawaken the fears and hopes of that dangerous era.
Moran traces the roots of the Palomares incident, giving a brief yet in-depth history of the Strategic Air Command and its eccentric, larger-than-life commander, General Curtis LeMay, whose massive deterrence strategy kept armed U.S. bombers aloft at all times. Back on the ground, Moran recounts the myriad social and environmental effects of an accident that spread radioactive debris over hundreds of acres of Spanish farmland, alarmed America’s strategic allies, and damaged Spanish-American diplomatic relations.
As the American military floundered in its attempt to keep the story secret, the events in Spain sometimes took on farcical overtones. Constant global media hype was fueled by the hit James Bond movie Thunderball, with its plot about an atomic weapon lost at sea. In addition, there were the unwanted attentions of a rusty- hulled Soviet surveillance ship and even awkward public relations stunts, complete with American diplomats in swim trunks.
The Day We Lost the H-Bomb is a singular work of military history that effortlessly and dramatically captures Cold War hysteria, high-stakes negotiations, and the race to clean up a disaster of unprecedented scope. At once epic and intimate, this book recounts in stunning detail the fragile peace Americans had made with nuclear weapons–and how the spectre of imminent doom forced the United States to consider not only what had happened over Palomares but what could have happened. This forgotten chapter of Cold War history will grip readers with the tension of that time and reawaken the fears and hopes of that dangerous era.
The Christ Stewart Trilogy
Meet Chris Stewart, the eternal optimist.At age 17 Chris retired as the drummer of Genesis and launched a career as a sheep shearer and travel writer. He has no regrets about this. Had he become a big-time rock star he might never have moved with his wife Ana to a remote mountain farm in Andalucia. Nor forged the friendship of a lifetime with his resourceful peasant neighbour Domingo...not watched his baby daughter Chloe grow and thrive there...nor written this book.Fate does sometimes seem to know what it's up to.Driving Over Lemons is that rare thing: a funny, insightful book that charms you from the first page to the last...and one that makes running a peasant farm in Spain seem like a distinctly gd move. Chris transports us to Las Alpujarras, an oddball region south of Granada, and into a series of misadventures with an engaging mix of peasant farmers and shepherds, New Age travellers and ex-pats. The hero of the piece, however, is the farm that he and Ana bought, El Valero -- a patch of mountain studded with olive, almond and lemon groves, sited on the wrong side of a river, with no access road, water supply or electricity.Could life offer much better than that? Driving Over Lemons has sold over a million copies since publication in 1999. The title has been translated into 9 languages.
Chris Stewart's DRIVING OVER LEMONS told the story of his move to a remote mountain farm in Las Alpujarras -- an oddball region of Spain, south of Granada. Funny, insightful and real, the book became an international bestseller.A PARROT IN A PEPPER TREE, the sequel to Lemons, follows the lives of Chris, Ana and their daughter, Chloe, as they get to grips with a misanthropic parrot who joins their home, Spanish school life, neighbours in love, their amazement at Chris appearing on the bestseller lists . . and their shock at discovering that their beloved valley is once more under threat of a dam.A Parrot in the Pepper Tree also looks back on Chris Stewart's former life -- the hard times shearing in midwinter Sweden (and driving across the frozen sea to reach island farms); his first taste of Spain, learning flamenco guitar as a 20-year old; and his illustrious music career, drumming for his schl band Genesis (sacked at 17, he never quite became Phil Collins), and then for a circus.
THE ALMOND BLOSSOM APPRECIATION SOCIETY finds Chris and his family still living o their farm, El Valero, and with its easy 'Sun-Lit' charm and funny, evocative anecdotes, it will draw in new and old readers alike.You will find yourself laughing out loud as Chris is instructed by his daughter on local teenage mores; bluffs his way in art history to millionaire Bostonians; is rescued off a snowy peak by the Guardia Civil; and joins an Almond Blossom Appreciation Society. You'll cringe with Chris as he stries his hand at office work in an immigrants' advice centre in Granada, spurred into action by the arrival of four destitute young Moroccans at El Valero. And you'll never see olive oil in quite the same way again... In this sequel to 'Lemons' and 'Parrot', Chris Stewart's optimism and zest for life is as infectious as ever. Chris Stewart prepared for life on a mountain farm in Spain with jobs of doubtful relevance. After leaving Genesis (he drummed on the first album), he joined a circus, learnt how to shear sheep, crewed a yacht in Greece, went to China for the Rough Guides, gained a pilot's license in Los Angeles, and completed a course in French cooking. Despite the extraordinary success of his books, Chris, Ana and their daughter Chloe continue to live on their farm, with their numerous dogs, cats, chickens, sheep and misanthropic parrot.
A guidebook to 40 half and full day coastal walks in Andalucía. The graded routes, which are suitable for any reasonably fit walker, range from 6km to 19.5km and can be walked all year round. The walks are located in seven of the region's most beautiful National Parks and protected areas (including La Breña y las Marismas, Los Alcornocales y del Estrecho, La Sierra de las Nieves and Níjar-Cabo de Gata) and are mostly circular in nature, negating the need for any logistical legwork.
Step-by-step route descriptions for each walk are accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping, together with information about points of interest en route. Also included is a useful glossary and route summary table, plus all the practical information needed to explore Andalucía's coast on foot - equipment, safety, when to go, refreshments, accommodation and more.
The picturesque coastline of Andalucía is a walker's dream. Sandwiched between mountain and sea, walkers are rewarded with both dazzling mountain vistas and stunning seascapes. The sense of history embedded in these ancient coastal byways - which dates back to ages past - is an added delight, making the walking all the richer.
Step-by-step route descriptions for each walk are accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping, together with information about points of interest en route. Also included is a useful glossary and route summary table, plus all the practical information needed to explore Andalucía's coast on foot - equipment, safety, when to go, refreshments, accommodation and more.
The picturesque coastline of Andalucía is a walker's dream. Sandwiched between mountain and sea, walkers are rewarded with both dazzling mountain vistas and stunning seascapes. The sense of history embedded in these ancient coastal byways - which dates back to ages past - is an added delight, making the walking all the richer.
Lonely Planet Andalucia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience Alhambra's perfect blend of architecture and nature, visit the Spanish Royals' residence at the Alcazar, or hike to the rugged clifftop town of Ronda; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Andalucia and begin your journey now!
Inside Lonely Planet's Andalucia Travel Guide:
About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.
Inside Lonely Planet's Andalucia Travel Guide:
- Colour maps and images throughout
- Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
- Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
- Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
- Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
- Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including customs, history, art, literature, flamenco, bullfighting, music, architecture, politics, landscapes, wildlife, and cuisine
- Over 57 maps
- Covers Seville, Huelva, Sevilla, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Malaga, Almeria, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba, Tarifa, Ronda, Baeza, Ubeda, and more
- Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges
- Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews
- Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience
- Seamlessly flip between pages
- Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash
- Embedded links to recommendations' websites
- Zoom-in maps and images
- Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing
- Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Spain guide for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer, or Lonely Planet's Discover Spain, a photo-rich guide to the country's most popular attractions.
About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.