Blog #Montejaque

¿Quiénes son? ¿O qué son? Tres nombres suenan a inglés, dos a escandinavo, dos a italiano, uno a alemán y uno a español. De hecho, son los nombres que se les han dado a las borrascas (tormentas) que hemos sufrido en la provincia de Málaga durante este año hidrológico (2025/26). ¡Nueve borrascas con nombre desde octubre! Y eso sin contar otros fenómenos meteorológicos adversos sin nombre.

El secreto a voces por aquí es que el Hotel Ronda Valley (antes Hotel Don Benito) cerrará sus puertas el 15 de enero de 2026. ¡¿Qué demonios?! ¿Por qué? Este hotel es el más cercano a mi casa, así que, egoístamente hablando, me parece un desastre. Hablando con otros lugareños, también es una catástrofe para ellos.

Partiendo de Ronda, nos dirigimos al inicio del Valle del Genal, que comienza con el hermoso Bosque Encantado de Parauta. Luego continuamos hacia Cartajima; al pueblo azul de los Pitufos, Juzcar; pasamos por Farajan; y llegamos a Alpandeire, ciudad que venera a Fray Leopoldo, un santo de reciente canonización. Almorzamos en Alpandeire.

"Animal House" is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce and Donald Sutherland. ​The film is about a trouble-making fraternity whose members challenge the authority of the dean of the fictional Faber College. "Animal House" became one of the highest-grossing comedy films of all time. This article has absolutely nothing to do with the film, by the way.

It's just been the 101 again. The 2025 edition was the 25th anniversary of this important event in the Ronda calendar. Catering for MTB cyclists, runners, walkers, as well as a shorter junior event. The 101 has a national and international profile. Participants come from all over Spain, as well as from abroad - 10 foreign countries in 2025. The 101 is organised by the Spanish Foreign Legion in Ronda.

Deep shock permeated the village of Montejaque, near Ronda (Malaga) (pop: 970), on Tuesday of last week when a young man from the village fell to his death on the winding road out of the village. Cayetano Postigo Hidalgo (30) was enjoying a bike ride in the vicinity of La Presa de los Caballeros on the road to Sevilla, when disappeared from sight. What had happened?

The missus and I have just enjoyed a week's holiday in the south of France. I'm a keen Francophile yet, because of circumstances, I haven't been to the land of Asterix the Gaul for some 15 years. I am loving it. There are positives and negatives about wherever you go, but the negatives haven't spoilt it at all for me so far. Here's the story.

I grew up in a rural area in North Devon (England) where I lived in three different houses between the ages of nought and 14. I remember that my Dad, from rural South Wales, always had either a garden or a big allotment. Here's my story of how I went from being a novice English gardener to an apprentice Spanish jardinero, despite the challenges: hot sun; ice cold winters; heavy rainfall; pests; exhaustion; poor quality soil.

The Olive Press has recently published an article about five less well-known places away from the popular big cities, like Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Málaga, Sevilla, and Valencia. The choices are good ‘uns. I’ve been to all five. Here’s what I think:

Local council mayors can earn good money these days. Previously, being mayor was a voluntary role and an honour. Whether they were effective is another matter. Surely, it’s right that the “chief executive” of a council with a budget to manage is regarded as a professional who should be paid.

Justo cuando me estoy preparando para solicitar la ciudadanía española (el plazo finaliza a finales de enero), el país está haciendo todo lo posible para disuadirme de hacerlo. En primer lugar, dos de las fuerzas policiales españolas me han cabreado muchísimo y, además, dos lugares me han convencido de no volver nunca más. ¿Cuál es la historia?

Con el clima frío y húmedo que hemos estado experimentando en el sur de España desde que se atrasó el reloj, la gente está pensando en calentar sus casas. The DIY Guy ha vivido en varias propiedades en el área de Ronda, por lo que sabe un par de cosas sobre cómo mantenerse caliente.