Oz in Spain

It all essentially began for Victoria Azarenka in Spain last April. The then 21-year-old Belarusian confirmed her top seeding by winning the third edition of the Andalucía Tennis Experience to rise to a career best fifth in the WTA world ranking. She had dropped only 14 games on her way to the final at Marbella’s Puente Romano Tennis Club, eventually beating Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-2.

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A friend “very high up in the media world who has been tapping the phones in Australia House for many years” gave Barry Humphries an inkling. “I can’t tell you his name; he is married to a Chinese girl. He said it was between me and Julian Assange and it turned out to be me.”

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One-time world record-holding boozer Bob Hawke (aka as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1983 to 1991) couldn’t resist the challenge. And, to be fair, what true blue Australian could! Hawke, who recalled in his memoirs that he had once set a world speed record for drinking two and a half pints of beer in 11 seconds while studying in Oxford, was walking through the stands during the second cricket Test against India in Sydney when offered a plastic cup of beer. “One for the country, Robert!” he was encouraged by a voice in the crowd, and the Rhodes Scholar patriotically obliged – the moment being caught for viral posterity on a mobile phone.

Tournament Schedule in Spain

European Tour

Open de Andalucía: Aloha (Marbella) – 15-18 March

Open de España: Real Club de Golf de Sevilla – 3-6 May

Volvo World Match Play Championship: Finca Cortesín (Casares) – 17-20 May

Madrid Masters: Venue TBC – 20-23 September

Andalucía Masters: Venue TBC – and 18-21 October

Ladies European Tour

Open de España Femenino: Venue TBC – 20-23 September

European Senior Tour

Benahavís Senior Masters: La Quinta – 1-3 June

Public holidays in Andalucía

1 January: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

6 January: Three Kings Day (Epifanía – Reyes Magos)

28 February: Andalucía Day (Día de Andalucía)

5 April: Easter Thursday (Jueves Santo)

6 May: Labour Day (Fiesta del Trabajo)

15 August: Assumption of the Virgin (Asunción de la Virgen)

12 October: National Spain Day  (Fiesta Nacional de España)

1 November: All Saints Day (Fiesta de Todos los Santos)

6 December: Spanish Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución Española)

8 December: Immaculate Conception Saint’s Day (Inmaculada Concepción)

25 December: Christmas Day (Navidad)

Seasons

Winter (Invierno): 21 December-19 March

Spring (Primavera): 20 March-19 June

Summer (Verano): 20 June-21 September

Autumn (Otoño): 23 September- 20 December

(PHOTOS: IMAGEN©TURISMO ANDALUZ S.A.)

HER RECORD label describes the sound as “tropical pop” but Hollie Cook’s self-titled debut album covers a far wider genre – a melodious and hauntingly captivating mix of dub, ska and reggae.

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Unfinished business at Valderrama

Spanish contingent in confident mood... (Photo: Fernando Herranz)

SEVE BALLESTROS went close in 1988. The late Spanish star finished second two shots behind Nick Faldo in the inaugural Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Six years later, he was again second, a bogey on the last hole leaving him one short of Bernhard Langer’s winning score and level with Vijay Singh. Miguel Ángel Jiménez was fourth that same year, having opened with a six-under 65 that included the first albatross carded in competition on Valderrama’s notorious 17th hole. (more…)

“From Canvas to Plate” menu at Barceló Málaga

IN AN INNOVATIVE twist on the traditional “Week of…” gastronomic extravaganzas, Barceló Málaga Hotel is offering diners a fusion of art and cuisine from 31 October to 5 November. (more…)

TV spotlight on Málaga restaurant

SPAIN’S PREMIER food channel has joined Málaga restaurant La Reserva del Pastor to create the first Bar Canal Cocina in Andalucía.

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The 2011 Miss Universe pageant in Brazil became more interesting than usual (i.e. mildly interesting) when, in the endless round of mostly meaningless lead-up events, Miss Colombia Catalina Robayo was snapped in a short dress inadvertently (or not) minus knickers.

Oh yes… and the winner was Leila Lopes from Angola. Miss Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs, who was also reprimanded by the organisers for an “offensively see-through” evening gown and a “way too sexy” bikini, finished in the top 10.