WALK WITH WARM - 8 DECEMBER

This is a longer walk than normal, being between 18 and 19 Kms, and will take us on a circular route that ascends and descends between 613 metres to 800 metres at our highest point. From our meeting point we will walk up to the La Puerta del Caballo following a familiar narrow track up a barranco and through the pine woods. We will ascend 187 metres over this first stretch of about 2 Kms. We then continue down from La Puerta to the plains of Ardal using narrow woodland tracks and we will have good views across to La Fuente de Caputa. After walking over part of the plains we will enter woodland again as we make our way to the Estrecho del Moro following the contours parallel to the mountain. On this section we have to cross several steep barrancos which will involve a few short, steep descents and ascents. On reaching the estrecho we will start our ascent back up the mountain to El Collado de Moro which is a steady uphill section rising just over 200 metres in 3 to 4 Kms. From here it is all downhill through the woods to our original meeting place.

Meeting (see directions below)

Place: Forestry car park above La Bermeja (north side of the Sierra de Ricote)

Time:  To leave at 10:30 am

Refreshments:

As the walk will take 5 hours plus stops, please bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water. Sticks may be useful on some stretches of the route.

Contact

Martin by email on martinenmurcia@gmail.com confirming how many wish to walk. I can also be reached on my mobile: 630 80 78 48 but a written communication is safer!

Directions:

·      From the RM15 (Murcia to Caravaca) take the exit to Calasparra and Cieza ( RM-532 junction 33). Continue towards Cieza (i.e. don’t turn off to Calasparra)

·      Drive approx. 12km. Turn right at km 14, following the sign to Ricote (RM  or MU) B-15

·      Continue for approx 4 or 5km. Turn right (ignore the first turn) at the sign for La Bermeja (an old school house with recycling bins and a bus stop)

·      Continue uphill for approx 3km (slow road, occasional sharp bends). Eventually the tarmac runs out and becomes a forestry track with a few tight bends at the beginning but the surface is ok for a normal saloon car.

·      After entering the area under the trees continue approx 400 – 500m until another track joins from the left

·      The car park is immediately on the right. TAKE CARE to drive in on the top side (enter too soon and there’s a large drop!)

BOLNUEVO FIESTA

Thousands of people will gather on Sunday 22nd at Bolnuevo beach at the end of the pilgrimage of the Virgen del Milagro. It is one of the highlights of the festive calendar of the Municipality. The event starts at the Santuario de La Purísima in Mazarrón at 7.30am on Sunday morning. After the Mass, the image of the Virgen del Milagro will be carried by shoulders back to her hermitage in Bolnuevo, accompanied by thousands of pilgrims. After stops in Las Moreras and La Desaladora that bears her name, the Virgen del Milagro reaches the beach at Bolnuevo accompanied by songs and ballads.

The event ends a day of barbecues and rice by the sea. The City Council have arranged free transport with buses at 6:30am, 7:00am and 7:30am with stops in Bolnuevo, Mazarrón and Puerto

The Fiestas del Milagro face their last weekend on Friday 20^th with the dramatized reading of the Nueve Declaraciones del Milagro  . A very colourful event in which the younger generation are very much involved. This takes place in Santuario de La Purísima in Mazarrón , from 8pm. At 11pm in the Marquee in Bolnuevo, guests can enjoy a special musical performance “Romería 7 Music Festival 3.0”

On Saturday 21st, from 10am in the Marquee, children's activities take place by the group "Gominolas" and at 11:00am, there will be musical entertainment for the very young entitled "Viviendo el Cuanto" by the author Raquel Cánovas Molina. The 2x1 Fair continues between 12pm and 2pm

At 12pm those who want to know more about the miracle of 1585 can visit Torre de los Caballos where a guided theatrical tour will take place. At night, at 10pm, there will be a Migas Contest.

The local police report that traffic access to Bolnuevo will be cut from 11.00-11.30am approximately, during the passage of the Virgin through the Avenida Pedro Lopez Meca. It also warns that, to ensure the security of citizens, they will be performing breath tests at points of entry and exit of Bolnuevo "to prevent accidents that could result in irreparable damage,"

Local police also remind all people, mainly young people who stay on the beach overnight on Saturday  to monitor their personal belongings to prevent thefts from occurring.

CHILD MASSAGE WORKSHOP - MAZARRÓN - 20 NOVEMBER

The Centre for Early Child Development Care (CDIAT) Mazarrón provides, within its programme of preventive activities, a new Infant Massage Workshop. The next session will take place on Friday November 20 at 11:30 am in the Centre facilities located in Calle Virgen de Fatima, in the Neighborhood District of La Canadica in Mazarrón.

The workshop is intended for all infants up to 6 months and their mothers, with the sole objective of giving knowledge of working techniques and instruments that would achieve the greatest possible comfort, strengthen the emotional bond between parents and children, ease tensions and prevent ailments like colic.

The activity is organized in collaboration with Midwives of Mazarron and Puerto de Mazarrón and is supervised by a physiotherapist from the Centre. More information on the phone 968 590 

FREE MUSIC CONCERTS IN MAZARRÓN - DECEMBER 2015

The Department of Celebration accommodates local artists in the calendar of musical events. All concerts are free entrance except for the performance of Maldita Nerea

Patricio Sanchez, Councillor of Celebrations of the City of Mazarrón, presented on Thursday the concert schedule of the festivities. Maldita Nerea leads the programme with a concert to be held on Saturday December 12 at 10pm in the Marquee to be installed at the fairgrounds

The full programme starts on Friday, December 4, at 11.30pm, featuring performances by Victor Magan, Dany Romero and Jose De Rico

On Monday, December 7, at 10pm, there will be a concert dedicated to the Golden Age of Spanish Pop, a compilation of the best national pop songs sung by Joaquin Padilla, Iguana Tango singer and soloists La Trampa and Amistades Peligrosas

Coinciding with Day of the Mayor, on Thursday December 10, performances will be given by Marianico El Corte and Maribel Castillo with a tribute to Rocio Jurado

On Friday December 11, at 10pm, will be a tribute to Joaquin Sabina, under the title of "500 Noches" (500 nights)

All concerts are free entrance except Maldita Nerea where entry will cost 5€. Maldita Nerea is currently a successful Spanish pop rock band, originally from Murcia and led by Jorge Ruiz.

Ticket sales will take place in the main online sales platforms in the Tourist Information Office, Concejalía de Juventud and Cafetería La Fundición

DAY TRIP TO BULLAS - 25 NOVEMBER

On 25 November, Mazarrón Day Centre for Seniors are taking a trip to Bullas. An activity included within the municipal workshop "Meet our Region." The departure is scheduled at 9am from the main bus stop In Mazarrón. The trip includes a visit to the Wine Museum, established following the wine tradition of the Region.

The expedition will continue to visit the House-Museum Don Pepe Marsilla, where an important part of the culture of the Town is shown, recreating the lifestyles of the early twentieth century. The trip will finish in the Town, enjoying a meal at a local restaurant.

The tour price is 15€, including lunch, guide and bus tours, (except for the entrance to the Wine Museum and the Casa de Don Pepe Marsilla priced at 2€ each). Those Seniors interested should register at the Day Centre, Mazarrón, on Calle Luis Reverendo de Anta, number 5, with priority being given to members of the Centre

Sew and Sew Christmas Craft Fair

Saturday 21st November
10am/1pm
Cultural Centre Camposol, Sector B 
Tea Coffee and Homemade Cakes
Donations to Forget Me Not and HP Help the Poor 

Admission is free

PAINTING COMPETITION - 6 DECEMBER - MAZARRÓN

Sunday December 6, Mazarrón host a new edition of the National Painting Contest of Outdoors Landscapes by Mazarrón resident "Domingo Valdivieso". This was announced by the Councillor for Culture, Pedro Martinez, who was accompanied by Cartagena Painter Javier Lorente.

The Department of Culture announced the basis of a competition which is open to artists over 16 years old, and to residents and non residents of Spain.  The theme  is "Landscapes of Mazarrón" and will be reflected on canvas, wood or any type of rigid support.

Participants are invited on the morning of December 6 at 8:00am to the Cultural Centre of Mazarrón.  At 11am the inscription will take place and the judges will have until 6pm to choose, think and translate the work.

The winner will receive a prize of 2,500€, the second place 1,500€ and the third 1,000€. There will also be a special prize worth 600€ for the best watercolour and four consolation prizes of 350€ each.

The jury will be chaired by the Mayor of Mazarrón and is usually also made up of the Painters mentioned . In 2014, Pedro Cano and Javier Lorente gave praise to an event that showed participation 

CHRISTMAS TASTING DAY

Oscar and Antonio are pleased to announce the Christmas Tasting Day will be 1st of December at 6.30pm at Oscars Bar, Camposol Sector, B, Mazarrón

6€ for members and 7€ for family and friends of members. For non members the price is 9€

There will be 3 aperitives (2 sweet and a Christmas Brandy) and lots of red and white wine

Call in to Oscar´s Bar for tickets or email socialcultural@outlook.es for further information

MAZARRON TAPA ROUTE - DECEMBER 2015

The Department of Celebrations of the City of Mazarrón has published today the rules for the Tapa Route on the occasion of the Fiestas de la Purisima 2015.

The route will be held from 3 to 13 December. According to the rules, the restaurants, pubs and bars may participate with only one tapa to serve, preferably in the bar, from the opening hours of the establishment until 17:00. The price for each tapa will be 2€ if it purchased with a beer or 2.50€ with a soft drink

The establishments involved will be published after the closing date of 16 December and a "passport" booklet will be available, where guests can record the stamp of the establishments they have visited. These booklets will be available at the Department of Celebration and at participating venues

Customers will vote on the "passport" for the best tapa. The establishments with the most votes will be recognized as "winner" by the City of Mazarrón.

Customers who complete a pre-determined number of stamps will be entered into a raffle which will take place on December 13