Music Event and Talent Show Sat 5th June…

Posted by The Klaw | Uncategorized | Monday 31 May 2010 8:58 pm

The “J” Factor music event and talent show in aid of Juliette who nearly died of Lyell´s Syndrome is taking place this coming Saturday 5th of June at the Moonlight Bar, Sunset Beach Club, Benalmadena…there is going to be talent show with local talent, 3 judges to comment but the audience will decide the winning act who will be awarded with an engraved trophy, and there will be dance acts, musicians and singers entering, there will be a separate awards presentation, a raffle and a line up of professional music acts like Deja Vu, The Dideridoos which are taking the Costa by storm and Jake Waby feat Richard Sutcliffe amongst others…and a radio party courtesy of Ace FM to dance the night away…Tickets are just 10€ for adults, and 5€ for kids with an adult and can be brought at the door on the night or pre-booked from Sunset Beach Club 952 579 400 or from calling David Jelley on 626 817 130 for any info. The night starts at 7.00pm, and every support will be appreciated.  This event is supported by the EWN, Ace Fm, Hannah Murray Show (Tre), and Tim Knaggs from Inmalaga.com, and andalista, our bilingual promoting partner.  All proceeds will go towards Juliette´s medical treatment…See you there!

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Alhaurin el Grande Feria de Mayo 2010

Posted by admin | Local Colour | Monday 24 May 2010 4:02 pm

Alhaurin el Grande Feria 2010

Alhaurin el Grande Feria Program

Wednesday 28th May

Inaugural Parade

19:00 Fireworks
Announcing the commencement of Feria de Mayo 2010.

Gigantes

Parade

19:30 Grand Parade of Gigantes and Cabezudos.

Acompanied by the Bandas de Música from the locality:

Asociación Musical Manuel Amador

Banda de Música de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

Agrupación Músico – Cultural de la Vera Cruz

Route: Avda. de Andalucia, Camino de Coin, C/Nueva, C/ San Sebastián, C/ Cilla, Camino de Gerald Brenan, Cruz de la Misión, Ctra. De Cartama and Parque Ferial.

Parque Ferial

21:30 Inauguration of the Feria and the lighting of the artistic lights.

Gala de Reinas

Gala de Reinas y Damas de Honor

23:00 Gala for the Elección of the Queen of the  Fiestas and her Maids of Honour
During the Gala there will be a performance by the academia “Alegrías de Alhaurin”

Thursday 27th May

Gran Fiesta for Seniors

13:00 Lunch in the Caseta Municipal

Election of the Senors Queen and Ladies 2010, with performances by the Academia “Azahares de Alhaurin”, and humorist Yulen “el Peluquero” and Juanni Serrano.

Parque Ferial

22:30 Caseta Municipal

Performance of the Group “A Compas”

00:30 Performance of the Alhaurino children’s electronic music group  Café Colombo.

Friday 28th May

10:30 Offical Tour of the Queen of the Fiestas and her Maids of Honour.

Acompanied by the Banda de Música de Ntro. Padre Jesus Nazareno.

12:00 Rociera Mass.

In the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.  Presided over by Párroco D. Javier Hernández and sung by the Coro de Ntra. Sra. De Gracia.

Feria de Día

12:30 The Street is Ours
Childrens Activities in Plaza de C/Altillo

13:00 Official Inauguration of the Feria de Día.

Elecion de Reinas y Damas de Honor Infantil

Elecion de Reinas y Damas de Honor Infantil

Election of the Children’s Queen and her court of honour.

13:30 Dancing in Plaza Baja

Academies and Local Artists will perform in this order:

Azahares de Alhaurin, Lourdes “La Flamenca” and Antonia Pena.

16:00 Performance:

Choir of the Pena Unión Flamenca Alhaurina.

17:00 Performance:

Orquesta Sabor.

Night for the Children

22:30 Caseta Municipal

Performance: Grupo A-compas

00:30

Performance: La Guaria Modestia Aparte and Siniestro Total (Triboo Pop)

Saturday 29th May

Feria de Dia

Feria del Dia

Feria del Dia Alhaurin el Grande

12:30 The Street is Ours
Childrens Activities in Plaza de C/Altillo

13:30 Dancing in Plaza Baja

Academies and local artists will perform in this order:

Ana “La Bailaora”

Alegrías de Alhaurin

15:30 Performance:

Asociación de Verdiales de Alhaurin el Grande

18:30 Gran (Bullfight) Corrida de Rejones

With displays by rejoneadores:

Jose Miguel Callejón

Mariano Rojo

Antonio D’Almeida

22:30 Caseta Municipal

Performances: Grupo A-compas

00:30 Performance: Joana Jiménez

Sunday 30th May

Fiesta end of the Feria

07:00 Spectacular Release of the Heifer
Plaza de Toros Municipal.

22:00 Caseta Municipal.

Performance: Grupo A-compas

23:00 Performance: Requiebros

Fireworks

Closure of the Feria 2010

01:00 Closure of the Feria de Mayo 2010.

Grand Spectacular of Fireworks.

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Beware the Killer Caterpillars

Posted by Victoria Twead | Local Colour | Sunday 16 May 2010 8:51 pm

In an effort to get fitter, Joe and I have started to take daily walks up the mountain. It’s worth it for the view from the top and we see something new every time.

 

Last week, we spotted what looked like a four foot long, wriggly worm. On close  inspection, we realised it was a line of caterpillars, nose to tail. We were enchanted, never having seen them before, and I mentioned it on Twitter later.

 

What a response I got! 

 

Processionary Caterpillars

Processionary Caterpillars


 

“They’re KILLERS! Don’t go near them!”

“Hate them, hate them, hate them!”

“What is the point of those evil things?”

“Avoid at all costs!”

 

As you can imagine, I was a little taken aback… 

 

It seems that these are Pine Processionary caterpillars, destined to hatch into unremarkable brown moths. The female moth lays her tiny eggs in a pine tree, up to 300 eggs at a time on one pine needle. The eggs hatch and the caterpillars grow quickly, feeding furiously on pine needles at night. They spin a white fluffy bundle in the tree to house their community until February or March when the colony abandons the tree in a long line, searching for soft soil to bury themselves and pupate.

 

Bundles hanging in pine trees

Bundles hanging in pine trees

 

So why the horror? Well, if disturbed, the caterpillar sheds its hairs. The hairs cause painful rashes, or worse. If inhaled, they can be lethal. An inquisitive dog who has inhaled these hairs needs to be rushed to the vet within 40 minutes. Children and adults can also suffer severe reactions, including anaphylactic shock. Even walking under trees with the bundles can be dangerous as the hairs are often airborne. In addition, the pine trees themselves are devastated by these furry fiends, and often die.

 

Pine tree killed by caterpillars

Pine tree killed by caterpillars

 

Whew! Yet another Spanish learning curve for us old fools. 

 

 

 

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

 

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

Win a copy of ‘Chickens’

Book Trailer (YouTube)

 

 

“A colourful glimpse of Andalucían life. And a psychopathic chicken or two….charming…funny”

–The Telegraph

 

“Weeks later, after finishing the book, you will be standing at your kitchen window doing the dishes and then recall some fleeting scene with chickens or mules or two old fools and laugh out loud all over again.” Catalunya Chronicle


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Update..

Posted by The Klaw | Uncategorized | Sunday 7 March 2010 5:37 pm

Hi everyone,

Its been a while since I have been on here, but been hectic lately. My single, Needles and Pins Klaw has been selling well according to my royalty reports, it seems my biggest support is in the States followed by the UK and Germany. I cannot recall whether I told you guys about the music video, if not, you can view it on youtube by searching Needles and Pins Klaw, it is strange, so I´ll warn you guys now! Also since I have been offered a publishing deal for my first novel, The Reunion, where me and the Publisher are going through the text and cover proofs, it should be available from a amazon, waterstones, barnes and noble and whsmiths soon, will keep ya´posted. I am currently working on recording and releasing my Xmas single for this year, and I will be holding events to have it promoted here on the Coast, and I´m meeting up with more community members from Mijas and Marbella and its nice to work with the community with like minded people to achive results together. Anyone interesetd in taking part in findraising events for cruelty to animals and cancer and aids charities, please let me know, and we can have a chat. I just wantde to update you all. I will be back again soon…Rashpal. x

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An Old Fool’s Cautionary Tale

Posted by Victoria Twead | Local Colour | Thursday 3 December 2009 4:52 pm

Joe doesn’t have much hair. It grows quite thick at the back and at the sides. But on the top – well, not a lot, just shine. When it gets too long, he looks like a mad professor. 

Barbers charge full price whether you have only half or a whole head of hair. To save money, it seemed like a great idea to buy some hair-clippers and I would do the cutting. 

It was midday, and Joe nervously sat in a chair in the garden. I opened the box containing clippers and graded clip-ons. 

‘A Grade 3, I think,’ I said confidently, attaching the guard over the cutting blades.

‘That seems quite short,’ Joe said doubtfully.

‘No, it’ll be fine.’ 

I clicked the ‘On’ button and the clippers buzzed into life. All went well for a while. Joe obediently tipped his head this way and that, and clumps of hair fell to the ground in satisfying piles.

KER-BANG! 

A massive blast ripped through the air and Joe and I jumped in fright. 

`They’re getting the Fiesta started,’ said Joe, settling back into the chair. ‘Why do the Spanish like such loud fireworks?’

To my horror, a bald patch, the width of the hair-clippers, gleamed palely on the back of Joe’s head. Somehow the guard had been knocked off the clippers and the naked blades had chomped a track through the hair. I recalled my daughter telling me this was called a ‘Runway’ or ‘Brazilian’ but didn´t think it a style usually adopted for men’s haircuts.

‘They’ll be letting off more, you mark my words,’ said Joe. ‘How’s the haircut coming along?’ 

‘Fine,’ I lied.

I didn’t replace the guard, I just worked at evening out the remaining hair length. My efforts were not successful. The more I clipped, the worse it all looked. Joe’s head looked as though a plague of starving moths had descended and feasted.

‘I think that’s it,’ I said, brushing off the last hair clumps from his shoulders.

Joe stood and went inside to admire my handiwork in our large living-room mirror. I counted down…10, 9, 8, … 2, 1, Zero… 

On cue, an anguished howl rent the air.

‘What have you done?’ yelled Joe.

☼ ☼ ☼

Lala, our neighbour’s Yorkshire terrier, and Joe´s arch enemy, is more incensed than ever. She hated Joe before, but the jaunty baseball cap Joe now sports absolutely enrages her. As reported in my last blog, she succeeded in sinking her teeth into Joe’s ankle  once before. She now redoubles her efforts to repeat the exercise. 

Joe is not pleased with me at the moment.

The moral of this story is: Get your hair cut professionally. Or, never cut your beloved’s hair during a Spanish Fiesta.

 

 

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools by Victoria Twead

 

 

 

Victoria Twead’s newly released book ’Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

was awarded the HarperCollins ‘Gold Star’.

It is now available from Amazon, WH Smith, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble, etc. 

Win a FREE copy here.

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An Old Fool, Logs and a Yorkie

Posted by Victoria Twead | Local Colour | Monday 19 October 2009 4:22 pm

 

 

 

Winter approaches, the Log Man is here.

 

We never know exactly when the Log Man is coming. He just turns up, usually early in the morning, before we’ve woken up properly. He leans on the doorbell, and when I open the door, he grunts, ’Leña’. Not as a question, just a statement; ‘Firewood’.

 


Unloading logs

Unloading logs

 

 

It happened today. It would be tempting to say ‘No, thank you,’ but we know we’d regret that. If we didn’t accept it, we’d have to collect it ourselves, in our jeep. That would mean one trip every week just to keep our greedy wood-burning stove happy.

 

No, it makes sense to have it delivered. Even if it means three hours of hard work. The Log Man lets down the side of the lorry, and stands aside to allow his young helper to climb up and throw all the logs into the street. They soon pile up into a precarious heap, round logs avalanching down the pile and rolling everywhere.

 

Today, Joe felt sorry for the lad and climbed up onto the lorry to help him. The Log Man made no effort to assist, and the two workers soon had an audience of villagers, children and village dogs. When the lorry was empty, the lad sprang down. Joe jumped down too, but forgot he was probably 45 years older than the lad. He landed badly, then stepped back on one of the round, rolling logs. He ended up on his back, legs flailing, like an over-turned tortoise. 

 

The spectators gasped and the Log Man and lad pulled Joe back onto his feet. Then, from nowhere, out shot Lala, our neighbours’ spiteful Yorkshire Terrier. Lala darted through the crowd and made straight for her arch enemy, Joe. Before he’d composed himself from his fall, Lala sank her teeth into Joe’s ankle. The crowd gasped again. Joe forgot the children present and swore as he tried to shake her off his leg.

Lala

Lala

 

Lala headed home, the Log Man drove away, the crowd dispersed, and we started clearing the road of logs. It took three hours of wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load, uphill. As usual, I broke all my nails, developed severe backache and totally lost my sense of humour. 

 

Never mind, it’s only October and we have a FULL WOODSHED.

 

Priceless!

 

 

 

 

Book Cover

 

 

 

Victoria Twead’s newly released book ’Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

was awarded the HarperCollins ‘Gold Star’.

It is now available from Amazon, WH Smith, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble, etc. 

 

 

    

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Old Fool’s Blog – Almonds and Autumn

Posted by Victoria Twead | Local Colour | Saturday 10 October 2009 9:08 am

almonds

Amazing, but true. Fact: if you stop and just listen, you can tell what season it is, and even which day of the week. 

 

To explain, our village is tiny. In the winter there are only six souls, including Joe and me. But in the summer, and at weekends, it’s a very different matter.

 

All the Spanish families pile into their cars and drive into the mountains, open up their cottages and relax. On Sunday night they reverse the process, leaving the village quiet and empty.

 

If  you know me at all, you’lI know I make lists. These are the sounds that I heard and wrote down.

 

Weekends

✮ People laughing

✮ People shouting

✮ Babies crying

✮ Cars

✮ Scooters, lots of them. Many are tiny scaled-down versions ridden by little boys. 

✮ The rumble of the almond de-husking machines. I never knew almonds needed to be stripped of their green outer husks. People sit in the street turning the handles, and filling sacks with almonds. We’ve been given so many we could live off them for weeks.

✮ Children playing football in the square

✮ Dogs barking

✮ Football matches. I mean on the TV, but our neighbours bring the TV out into the street, followed by the 3-piece suite and extra chairs. Then other villagers bring their chairs and join them.

✮ Hooting delivery vans selling bread, fruit and fish

✮ Joe cracking almonds 

 

Weekdays

✮ A very distant tractor

✮ Birds rustling in our vine stealing grapes

✮ Geronimo’s mule singing to his girlfriend

✮ Cocks crowing

✮ Joe cracking almonds

 

So, which do I prefer? The noisy weekends or the quiet weekdays? Sorry, can’t decide. I love them both.

 

 

 

 

FlickrCoverThumb

 

 

Order or win a copy of

‘Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools’

by Victoria Twead

 here

 


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Old Fool’s Blog – Haircuts

Posted by Victoria Twead | Local Colour | Saturday 10 October 2009 8:34 am

I hate having my hair done. I mean, I REALLY hate it. I hated it in England, and I still hate it in Spain.

 

It’s not that I’m a fussy customer – I don’t really care how my hair turns out, it’ll always grow again. No, it’s always something else, not the actual cutting-of-hair that I dislike. In England, I think it was the boredom, being a prisoner – chained to the salon chair until it’s all over.

 

But here in Spain it’s a little different. Allow me to share my pain with you…

 

1) Tracy

I liked Tracy. She was English and recommended. Tracy cut hair expertly in her kitchen, and her little dog only jumped up and barked in my face for about 15 minutes or so. Tracy was a good hairdresser – and also a good talker. Tracy could chat endlessly and didn’t seem to need to take a breath. I would nod, politely agreeing but willing her to take a breath and STOP TALKING. After a session with Tracy, my hair was cut, but my ears were used, bruised and abused. Time for a change.

 

2) Antonio

I liked Antonio. He cut hair well and was friendly and personable. The problem was that he insisted on speaking English. I didn’t understand his English and he didn’t understand my Spanish. For example, someone popped into the salon and handed Antonio a cardboard box. There was something scuttling in it. The assistants all took a peep and exclaimed. Curiosity consumed me.

 

‘What animal is in the box?’ I asked in my best Spanish.  

 

Antonio’s scissors stopped snipping and his brow furrowed as he tried to understand me. I tried again.

 

‘What animal is in the box?’ I asked in Spanish, then English, pointing. 

 

‘Not understand,’ said Antonio, shaking his head. I gave up.

 

But the communication problem was most severe at the end of each session. 

 

‘You desire spritz?’ asked Antonio insisting in speaking creative English, a giant catering-size can of hairspray already poised and  aimed.

 

‘No, thank you, I’m allerg…’ Too late. The air turned heavy and sticky with spray.

 

I left the salon, as always, coughing and wheezing, nose running, eyes streaming. But not before I’d managed to take a peep into the cardboard box. Inside were two young homing pigeons. The pigeons were attractive, but the spray was just too much.

 

3) Juanita

I liked Juanita. She was a skilled hairdresser and had a Lithuanian assistant called Olga.  Both wore white overalls and were masters of salesmanship.

 

‘Would you like Product?’ asked Juanita. ‘Extra vitamins for your dry hair? Would you like an Indian Head Massage?’

 

’No, thank you, just my hair cut…’

 

‘Your nails are ragged. Manicure? Pedicure?’ Olga chimed in, parking her trolley firmly by my chair.

 

‘Your eye-brows have grey hairs in them,’ accused Juanita. ‘Olga will dye them.’

 

I was helpless, and as Olga transformed my eye-brows into black hairy caterpillars, Juanita sat on the front door-step, smoking.

 

‘There is a lot of water in the road,’ said Juanita, returning.

 

I paid them both and left. Joe was waiting on the other side of the street. Juanita was right; water flooded down the road. I hitched up my skirts and waded through to join him.

 

‘You should have seen it!’ said Joe, wisely not commenting on my duelling raven eye-brows. ‘You see that digger up there? Well, it was working away on the mountainside when it broke through an underground spring. The water! Never seen so much water! It all rushed down the slope and into the village. Absolute torrents!’

 

And I missed it because of my eye-brows…

 

Does anyone know of a good hairdresser?  


 

FlickrCoverThumb

 

Order or win a copy of

‘Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools’

by Victoria Twead

 here.


 

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Release date

Posted by The Klaw | Uncategorized | Friday 11 September 2009 8:43 am

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that my first brand new single Needles and Pins under my artist name Klaw will be out this coming Monday 14th of September. It will be available from itunes, amazon, napster etc. I hope you can download it and let me know of your feedback. The music video is still in the completion process and will update again when it ready for viewing.  I would like to thank Tim for his support, and for a great site, and of course all of my friends and supporters…we all need your help…Rashpal aka Klaw. x

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First release.

Posted by The Klaw | Uncategorized | Saturday 22 August 2009 5:27 am

Hello everyone,

I would like to share the progress I have had recently with regards to pushing my solo music up the ladder. I have recently been offered a digital deal to release my first single which will be available by itunes, napster, hmv digital etc, by late Sept/early Oct this year. I am currently in the process of shooting the music video which is fun, but can be a bit hectic at times!   This is just a first step in achieving a release and I will have to wait and see what comes of it, but what I really need to do is get myself a plugger and begin promoting my material all over.  Each year lately has been fruitful, slowly I have been seeing results which is good and again none of this is possible without the great support I have recieved and continue to receive from all around.  I will keep the updates coming in.  Rashpal aka Klaw. x

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