Oz in Spain

Providing home-buyers with an avant-garde design in a natural setting conveniently located not too far from the city lights is a difficult balancing trick, even in Marbella. But Meisho Hills has achieved the feat. Located in a privileged area on Marbella’s Golden Mile, the complex is surrounded by nature yet near the coastline and luxurious attractions of Puerto Banús. […]

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

Ladies European Tour

Tenerife Open de España Femenino: Las Américas (Tenerife) – 20-23 September

European Senior Tour

Mallorca Senior Open: Pula Golf – 11-13 May

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.)

(IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.)

…ACRONYM for Spanish Ministry of the Environment’s Planes de Ordenación de Recursos Naturales department, which looks after the nation’s natural resources: P.O.R.N.

Sound Off

By Drake Stamford

I’ve decided there are very few pleasures left in life and people watching is one of them. I’m on my own in Palma in a quite nice tapas bar overlooking the harbour.

Life is sweet. I’ve enjoyed a rather nice Albariño and I’m in, as my late father used to call it, a reflective mood. I’m watching a guy flick some kind of colourful projectile in the air and suggest to all of the people in the restaurant that they really do want one of these. […]

In the latest, almost inexplicable, example of how social networking can warp otherwise prudent people’s judgment, a Mallorca politician has been forced to withdraw her candidature for a Senate seat in the 20 November elections. […]

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.

[…]

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. […]

“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. […]