El Roble Holidays » Andalucia Countryside

El Corcho Villa and La Bellota receive a holiday award!

Sandra — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:11:18 +0000

We opened our emails a few days ago and found out that, thanks to our fantastic guest reviews on one of the Spanish Tourist Board websites, we have been awarded a “Top Rural” Quality Distinction Award.

We are now the proud owners of two metal plaques, one for La Bellota and one for El Corcho Villa, stating we are a “Alojamiento recomendado en toprural.com”.

So thanks to all those who submitted reviews after enjoying a holiday at El Roble Holidays……….the hot tubs certainly are popular.

Cueva del Gato Hotel

Sandra — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:32:45 +0000

Simon volunteered to “look after” everything and encouraged us to go away for a short break – we could even leave the laptop behind and he would deal with the enquiries and bookings. We didn’t need much encouragement, so after a quick look on the Internet we chose to stay at Hotel Cueva del Gato and what a fantastic place to stay!

We stayed in the “Gato” room, beautiful style with drapes over the bed. We could choose anywhere in the hotel and grounds to have our table for dinner and so chose a nice spot on the terrace, a peaceful area in the dappled shade of the over hanging tree. The food, service and wine could not be faulted – Dinner (wine and G&T’s included), bed and breakfast was just 104 euros!

The next day we followed a walk Graham had read about. It started in the village of Benaoján Estación just a short distance from the hotel and follows the train track and river through the beautiful countryside until you find you are in the sleepy village of Jimera de Libar Estación. We stopped at a venta in a converted train shed for a very welcome bottle of water, then had a walk around the very quiet village until the train came along to take us back to Benaoján Estación. It had taken us 2 and a half hours to walk there and the train got us back in just 10 minutes!!

All in all a wonderful break away – thanks Simon!

The joys of hayfever

Sandra — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:02:02 +0000

The morning has started with both Simon, my son, and I sniffling and moaning!

Simon is suffering after visiting his friends new kitten – very sweet but its not helped his cat allergy.

Whereas I, despite enjoying the beautiful Spring Andalusian trees and flowers, am allergic to the pollen of the Cork and Encima Oak trees that cover the 15,500 sq metres of land that we own around our own house and the “El Roble Holidays” properties.

7 years ago when we sat on this bare piece of land, watched the butterflies playing and enjoyed the view of the Mijas Mountains, little did I think that each Spring would bring Asthma and sneezing with it!! The only plus point is that in the UK I had hay-fever from Spring to Autumn – here I only get it while the Oak trees are in pollen so hopefully in a month or so it will be over for another year and I can enjoy the Summer hay-fever free.

Tomorrow night we are off to Santiagos Restaurant in Alhaurin el Grande for a Fijian night, so I will let you know how it goes.