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Actual

Archives

Under this headline are found parts of the material previously published under "Actual", which is no longer "actual", but still of interest.

Happenings

Under this headline is to be presented various text- and picture material on happenings related to Costalita and its closest surroundings.

2017

Cheers and welcome!

Brigitte takes care of her guests

Nobody but you!

Buddies!

Dressed for Route 66

Mel signing his book for Monika

Sangria in big glasses!

Between us boys

The first week following our arrival to Costalita 2017, a lot of Rock'n Roll and Mel Williams was on our programme. Wednesday night is almost always a Mel night at La Fiorentina, which we attended of course, and also our Sunday lunch we spent in Mel's company, this time at the restaurant Route66 Marbella in Puerto Banús. Mel has also written a book about his life with the title Nearly famous, no longer available to buy, but of which Monika has now got her own signed copy thanks to Mel.

2016

Inger greets Ola welcome

Between us from Small land...

Inger and Elisabeth distributing wines

Many glasses at the end...

Wednesday, November the 23rd 2016 we participated in a Wine Sampling at our Casita lead by Ola Josefsson from the Svenska Magasinet. We sampled and judged four Spanish red "budgetary" wines, costing between five and nine Euros. We judged the colour, fragrance and taste of the wines and after count a winner was found; Enate 2013 from Somontano in northern Spain, north of Zaragoza, at the foot of the Pyrenées. This wine, based upon the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes in proportion 50/50, costs 6,85 Euros. Other wines in the sampling were Celeste Tinto Roble from Ribera del Duero, 100% Tempranillo (finished third), El Coto 2012 Crianza from Rioja, 100% Tempranillo (finished second), and Chinchilla Roble from Ronda, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon 50/50 (Last place in our evaluation).

Everyone's Britten

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MiaDel supplied drinks and snacks

MartaLena and Hans were hosts

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Monika wore a Britten creation

Sunday November 20th 2016 Britten Emme again hosted a fantastic Fashion Show at Palacio Rosa in La Campana where we could admire her latest adorable creations. On arrival we were offered a welcome cava and in the paus we were served MiaDel's tasty tapas out on the terrace.

Inger mingling

The Marbella Choir was performing..

..and thanked by SWEA with roses

Carolina Flodin met interest

Elisabet Höglund showing her paintings

Lotta Filipsson talking medical Yoga

Lotta Lindberg with Georg Jensen design

Anni's groupie with Monika

Thursday November the 17th 2016 SWEA invited us to their SWEA Fair after a few years break, this time at Hotel H10 Andalucía Plaza in Nueva Andalucia. There we got, besides the opportunity to have a look at what the different suppliers had to offer, also the chance of some mingling, laughter, discussions and tasting of all the goodies that were served.

Waiting for rhe driver

On the way home, a stop for a Sunday Roast

Per and Nelia in the background

Monika bargaining (as always)

Agneta and Monika

Monikas version of a selfie

Some occasions not to be missed are the biannual vernissages at our Swedish china artist on the coast, Agneta Larsen (click for more info). Sunday November 13th 2016 we went there for the arrangement of the autumn.

All set for this evenings dinner

Guests start arriving

Sample of the dinner, goose legs

No space left in the Casita this evening

Thursday November the 10th 2016 our traditional Goose Dinner took place in the Casita. This evening was a bit special for us as Per, together with our friend Ernst, acted as hostes for the dinner.

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Also Nelia wore a hat

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October the 31st 2016 we traditionally celebrated Halloween and, to be on the safe side, we combined with a crayfish party. Halloween is, as you know, not an old Swedish tradition, but more something that our businessmen have copied from the US in order to increase their sales why the crayfish were added to represent the Swedish traditions. Not that old but nevertheless. We were in good company by Eva & Lelle from Sweden and Vyv from Ireland.

John McEnroe serves..

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..against Mats Wilander

Per started with a GT

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Friday November the 23rd 2016 we attended the semi finals of Senior Masters Cup, a tennis tournament with former world class players, now a little bit older. Venue for the tournament was the tennis club at Hotel Puente Romano, a club where Björn Borg acted as the first club managing director. This evening, in front of some 2.600 spectators, the semifinals were played, the first between Spaniard Albert Costa and Younes El Aynaoui from Morocco where Costa won with 6-4,7-5 and the second between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander where McEnroe took the victory with numbers 6-4, 6-4. It was quite fun to seee the old stars again in a tournament offering a mix of entertainment and serious play. Evidently the most important was not to win but to have fun with the audience. The show continued later on at night in the hotel bar where Mats Wilander took place in the band and offered singing as well as guitar play. Yannick Noah, eliminated earlier in the tournament, performed a dance show. The final, played the next day, was won by Albert Costa, which was much appreciated by the Spanish audience. It was a tough three-set match where the last set went to tiebreak, and after one hour and 37 minutes play ended with 12-10 in Costa's favour.

Ursula and Vyv at the Casita

Celebration after bridge at Johnny's Bar

Let's see, how did we do?

Wine for Vyv and Per at NRC

Some of the Thursday and Sunday afternoons in February our Irish neighbors Vyv and Ursula played bridge at both NRC and the Casita. Sometimes they played the two of them and sometimes with Per. On the whole the teams Ursula-Vyv, Ursula-Per and Vyv-Per managed the game well, three times out of five they took the victory home.

2015

Per and Nelia wearing their hats with pride

...as was Monika Photo: Austen Colwell

Red or white? Photo: Austen Colwell

David, Austen and Emmet .

On Tuesday March the 17th 2015 we celebrated, of course, St Patrick. For this very special occasion we had also invited our friends Emmet, Austen and David, out of whom at least one with Irish origin, the others coming from a country just a little bit east of Ireland.

Does this look OK? Gorgeous!

Start of class....

Vibeke and Linda .

Meeting between photographs, Lotta and Monika .

No sad faces here, Monika and Mi Photo: Lotta Lindberg

Kicki was there .

Friday the 13th (!) of March 2015 SWEA had its Networking Lunch at Magna Café, a lunch that came out to be entertaining as well as informative. Hostess of the day was Mi Ridell who told us about How to make a presentation in front of others and in specific, the importance of body language. There were quite a few laughters....

Canon in the Great Siege Tunnels

Concert Hall inside St Michael's cave

Cool stalactites, 20 million years old

Monika found an ape souvenir

Monika inside the Siege tunnels

Airport view from the tunnels

Per with new mate

Rock view from above

Monika with our guide and driver

Per, ready for a fight

Can we have a lift?

Admiral Nelson at Charles the Vth wall

Thursday the 26th of February 2015 we brought our American friends to Gibraltar (click for more info).

A photo with some boats will be fine

...these will do, with La Concha as a bonus

The Roman Bath

Monday February the 23rd 2015, we visited Puerto Banús. We started at Corte Inglés, the by far largest department store on the coast, followed up with a look at the impressing collection of boats in the port, whereupon we ended our day at Picasso's for a Pizza dinner. The day before, which happened to be a Sunday, Per brought Lee, whose great passion is Greek and Roman history, to the Roman Bath west of Estepona.

Girl watering the tree, innovative mural

Monika taking a break

Barbro admires the new plantation

Javi lets Per sample a local chorizo

Friday the 20th of February 2015 we visited, together with American friends Lee & Helen, Estepona (click for more info) where Monika had agreed with excellent guide Olle Wahlström and his wife Barbro, also friends of ours, on a guided tour of their city with focus on its beautiful and spectacular murals, all of which have been painted during the last couple of years as part of the programme to further increase the beauty and attractiveness of the city. As grand final of the tour Olle and Barbro took us to the small pub/restaurant El típico Andaluz, specialized in Spanish ham. Really a memorable thing and a worthy ending of an excellent day.

The cheese factory

View over Genalguacil

Gunilla checking samples of local art

Examples of art from Genalguacil

Monika up in the mountains

On Wednesday February the 18th 2015 Monika participated in an interesting excursion, arranged by SWEA. Target destination for the excursion was Art Village Genalguacil. On the way there a stop was made in Jubrique for a coffee and on the way back another stop was made at a cheese factory in Sierra Castellina where Monika grabbed the opportunity to buy a tasty goat cheese.

2014

The Bonsai Museum

500 years old ficus, oldest in the museum

There is plenty to photograph

Also dogs are permitted

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On Thursday November the 20th 2014 we payed a visit, together with our friends Austen och David, to the Marbella Bonsai Museum (click for more info). The idea of making this visit came from David who has spent many years in Japan and is somewhat of a Bonsai expert. He introduced us in a very enthusiastic way to the various plants that were on dislay at the museum. We learnt also the real meaning of the word Bonsai, Bon meaning tree and sai meaning tray/pot.

Agneta won three times at the Bingo

Per shows his prizes

Full house as always at the shrimp gourmandize

Here you must be alert

Wednesday March the 26th, at the same time as Monika listened to Betina talking about Nikken (see below), Per took the opportunity to attend the Bingo with shrimp gourmandize at the Casita which, for Per is a must as he loves shrimps as well as the Västerbotten cheeze. Demand for lottery tickets was big this evening why there were just two of them left as it was Per's turn to buy and, to be on the safe side, he bought both of them. Luckely enough, as he won on both of them, one gave him the top prize.

Monika was there..

..and she was not the only one

Betina spoke warmly of Nikken's products

Wednesday March the 26th 2014 Monika attended a presentation on Nikken arranged by Betina Fredriksson.

The Stupa affords good views over the coast

The Buddhist Stupa

Buddha is always present

Temple Walls are Decorated with Paintings

From time to time we decide to visit other nearby places in order to familiarize ourselves a little bit more with Spain. Often we stay overnight in a village that has drawn our interest. Thus, March 23-24 2014, we drove up to the small mountain village Álora (click for more info) located in a good position also for visits to other near-by places of interest. On our way there we grabbed the opportunity to drive via Benalmádena (click for more info) where, each time we have travelled to or from the airport, we have seen a Buddhist Temple, a so-called Stupa, situated right below the bypass road. This time we took time to stop and take a closer look at the temple.

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Thursday February 27th 2014 Swedish artist Lill-Babs visited our coast with her show.

Always fun to meet with friends!

Ewa and Lotta lead the First Aid-course

..and we got tapas as well

Friday February 20th 2014 a group from SWEA met at Centro Forestal Sueco to take part in a First Aid Course giving practical information and many invaluable recommendations that could be of help in unexpected situations.

A stop before entering the Old Town

Alley leading up to the church

Where is the beer?

Beautiful, but transient, art on the beach

Monika and Inger enjoying the sun

Olle guided us through Estepona

A small green oasis

Ending at a genuine Spanish restaurant

On Sunday the 16th of Februari 2014 AHN arranged a guided City Tour in Estepona lead by the Swede Olle Wahlström, living in Estepona for many years, as a guide. For more information on places that we visited please have a look at the section about Estepona (click for more info) under "Excursions" at this webpage. The tour ended with a lunch for all participants at the restaurant Las Gitanillas.

Eva welcomed us

Rolf and Monica were well prepared

Bengt, "newly elected" chairman

Lively discussions preceeded the meeting

We enjoyed our buffet in the sunny court yard

Let's raise a toast to a successful meeting

Saturday February the 15th 2014 CNC's Annual Meeting took place in the Casita. The meeting ran relatively calmly, just a few lively discussions on whether the paragraph "Other issues" should be part of the agenda or not (it shouldn't). A new, but old, board was elected according to the proposal from the preparatory committee and we were all happy to greet welcome as our new cashier. After the meeting we could enjoy Birgitta's homemade buffet.

It was Valentines Day

Chin Heart

Between us writers..

Britten dressed in Burberry

Friday February 14th 2014, on St Valentine's Day SWEA hosted its Networking Lunch, this time at the Magna Café.

Richard ran his presentation from his mobile

Just happy faces around this table

Monika talking to Öllegård

Monica welcomed us at the entrance

Wednesday February the 12th 2014 Richard Björkman, Bukowski's representantative in Spain, told us about art and antiques in his presentation, titled Modern art, photography and design, at the Casita with special focus on today's pricing and the question on whether there are "hyped" artists. The food of the evening was Curry chicken, prepared by Kenneth.

Part of the SWEA Board

Great interest for the meeting

Christa hands over the club to Sandrine

Sweas

Tuesday February the 4th 2014 it was time again for SWEA's Annual Meeting at the Los Naranjos Golf Club.

Nothing wrong with our morning appetite..

Kajsa and Vitamine, the Cousin

Monika attended..

..accompanied by some 30 other SWEAs

January the 30th 2014 some of us SWEAs met at Centro Forestal Sueco for a Breakfast Meeting.

Our first stop..

..Eva surrounded by Mimosa

...a stop for some consumption in Tolox...

Wonderful almond flowers...

..photographer surrounded by her motifs

...and more almond flowers

In the end of January 2014, on the 27th in the afternoon to be more precise, we headed for the mountains to the north of us on a small Almond Bloom Excursion. We decided for Tolox as our destination, a place we visited also last year, and on our way home we drove through Guaro, a secure pick when it comes to almond tree blooming (which also proved to be true). We were a mixed company: apart from Monika also our visitors Eva and Lelle, our German friends Kalle and Bärbel and our friends Jan and Gunilla. As the previous winter had been warm we were afraid that we could be a little bit too late, that the almond blooming already should be over, but it proved that we were there exactly at the right time. Lots of almond trees in bloom surrounded our route. Really a successful excursion!

Fia greets Bosse Wennertorp welcome

Kurt and Kerstin looking for info

Eva and Lennart made us company

Monika had, as usual, luck with the lottery

Wednesday January the 22nd 2014 AHN used, for the first time, new premises for its Wednesday Programme, namely the Community House in Nueva Andalucia situated just a few yards up the slope above the Casita. The idea is to test this location for arrangements drawing interest from more persons than what the Casita can house. Guestspeaker this evening was Bo Wennertorp who informed about details of particular interest to us Swedes around taxation in Spain. Bosse's presentation was titled Taxes and similar nice matters.

Mikkelsen - as good es ever

Monika's favourite dish at Magna

Fia liking the situation....

January the 21st 2014 SWEA arranged a Film Time at Magna Café. On the programme this time was a relatively new movie, namely Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunting, where Mads Mikkelsen was awarded a Golden Globe for his lead role. The movie, with Swedish premiere as late as February 2013, really touched.

Thomas tells us about the spring programme

Barbro teaches Spanish for beginners

Red or white?

The Forsberg family thrives splendidly

Januari 2014 we participated in Spring Prelude in the Casita.

2013

Plenty of food, as usual

As always, first a visit to the bar

Aperitif emptied, now waiting for food

Thomas, host of the eveing, greeting Bettan and Leif

Francesco with wife

Christmas decorations on site in La Campana

Anita and Åke enjoying the evening

Wednesday December the 4th 2013 we had Christmas Dinner at the Casita. This year interest was extremely big why duplicated christmas dinner evenings were arranged, each of them with some 30 participants. Herring, snaps, meat balls, "Jansson", ham, "dip into the pot"... well, nothing was missing. As icing on the cake we also won a Paradis chocolate box on the lottery. Monika had earlier this day been up to the Casita for her last Spanish Lesson this semester which ended with a farewell to teacher Inger (see picture below).

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Better check the menu before sitting down

We ran into the Janemar's in the croud

Monika and Per on site

On December 2nd-3rd 2013 we visited Malaga in order to, on site, enjoy this years Christmas Lights. As we were there anyhow, we also grabbed the opportunity to have a look at the Cathedral and the Picasso Museum.

Berit and Gunilla in the bar

Fia thanking her mannequins

Eva showing clothes from Fia i Backen

November 29th 2013 Monika, Anki and Gunilla headed for restaurant La Veranda Verde in El Rosario to participate in the charity event Costa Women Charity, a fashion show arranged by a couple of ladies on the coast with the purpose of collecting food to families in need.

Waiting for breakfast

Children from the Swedish School in Marbella

Hostess Lotti Ander with the speaker of the day, Mats

The morning of November the 28th SWEA welcomed us to their traditional Breakfast Meeting at Centro Forestal Sueco. The meeting commenced with SWEA handing over a donation to the Swedish School in Marbella and the children from the school entertained with christmas carols. Next Mats Björkman from Swedish coast magazine Sydkusten (click for more info) was invited to speak and he told us in his entertaining as well as informative way about the actual situation in Spain. His presentation had been given the suitable title The Bell Tolls for Spain.

Kerstin with one of her (many) prices

See how easy it is, Thomas

Spanish teacher Inger presented with flowers

November 27th 2013 we participated in the last Bingo with shrimp gourmandize for the season up in the Casita.

Bosse introduced us interested from SWEA to Triple A

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Late in the afternoon on November the 25th 2013, SWEA and Inger Bergman Lindvall arranged a visit to Triple A (click for more info), the organization taking care of stray dogs and trying to find new homes for them. The evening ended with tapas at a cozy little restaurant close by.

High mood from the start at our table

Artists of the evening, Monica and Eric

Monica and Per

November 23rd 2013 we went to restaurant Garum in Marbella to listen to Monica Silverstrand. Monica was accompanied on acoustic guitar by Eric Grahn and we could listen to a very varied selecion of music. Some of the tunes invited to singalong while others invited us to dance, which we of course gladly accepted. When we eventually headed for our home, we had hardly noticed that it was already one o'clock in the morning.

Christina, hostess of the evening

Some mingle on arrival

Desirée with husband Fredrik

On November 21st 2013 SWEA invited to a presentation at Centro Forestal Sueco titled What is happiness? Presenter was Desirée le Grand Ask, founder and owner of the Health Academy Europe and also the author behind the book ”Success and Happiness - owning your own time". We were presented with food as well, chicken sallad and wine. On arrival we received a "Think card", also serving as a lottery ticket. The text on Monika's card was "Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful". That, of course, she had to agree on and she was also lucky enough to win an interesting book written by Desirée.

We listened attentively to the questions

Hostesses of the evening, Monica and Rolf

Winning team was this happy

November 20th 2013 a quiz titled Who knows the most? was on the program. Quiz leader, and an excellent one, was Rolf Månsson. The dish of the evening consisted of turkey fillet filled with Brie cheese and mustard from southern Sweden (Skåne).

The Cordoba mosque, The Mezquita, is very beautiful

First we had lunch at restaurant Citron

Samples of Hilma's works at the Picasso Museum

Our guide brought us to the roof terrace of the museum

On November 14th 2013 SWEA arranged a tour to Málaga where the highlight was a visit to the Picasso Museum and its exhibition of works by Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944). Hilma af Klint was one of the pioneers within abstract art, already in 1906 she left realistic art behind her. Her art, which during the later part of her life mirrored the consciousness of a spiritual dimension and partly was created in monumental formats, has until quite recently been completely unknown to the general public. In her will Hilma stated that her works were not to be shown to the public until twenty years after her death at the earliest, as she believed that people before then would not be able to completely understand its meaning. Her works were not exhibited until long thereafter and the big breakthrough did not come until the spring 2013 when the Stockholm Modern Museum opened its doors to introduce Hilma af Klint in big format with many works not previously shown. This exhibition is now touring the world, the Picasso Museum being the first stop.

Expectant audience

Irene greets Britt-Marie welcome

Mats seems to enjoy himself

November the 13th 2013 the presentation of the evening was titled The time of the Moores in Spain. Presenter was Britt-Marie Ekman who told us in a very entertaining way about the Moores and their time in Spain. Britt-Marie was, in a perfect way, assisted by her husband Lennart who handled the illustrative pictures. Córdoba (click for more info), that we visited a couple of years ago, got an important role during this time among others as the capital of Moorish Spain, Al Andalus, and as a central place for the Córdoba caliphate. The mosque in Córdoba, named the Mesquita, is very beautiful.

Lelle at beautiful Plaza Mayor in Cáceres

Two alert pilgrims leaving the luxury hotel

We met pilgrims from many countries during the week

School kids dressed up for Halloween

Kung Alfonso IX was always with us

Nelia with new mate, Francis from Australia

Monika enjoying a Portuguese speciality

During the days when Lelle and Per made their pilgrimage Monika and Eva spent their time at Hotel Alfonso IX in Sarria, the town from which the boys started their walk. The week was spent discovering the town and its soul during long walks where also Nelia could take part. These walks mostly went along the Pilgrim Route, "El Camino", passing through Sarria's Old Town which is very beautiful and hosts many interesting sights. Not to mention the many cafées and restaurants.

Exam at the Pilgrim Office on arrival

"The Diploma" - proof of approved walk

Finally back home!

There are many beautiful old churches along the route

The "100 km Stone" - magical point, just 100 km to go

Every w and then a stop at a water hole is required

Compulsary stamping at the Hostel

Galician meal with Galician wine

Making new friends along the route

Towards the end it was really WET

The week ending with the All Saints Holiday 2013 Lelle and Per spent walking along El Camino, The Pilgrim Route (click for more info). After long and cautious preparations it finally happened. As a starting point the small town Sarria, located roughly 110 kilometres east of the final destination, Santiago de Compostela, was picked. Tuesday morning, November 29th, the pilgrimage finally took off. Calculated walking speed of approximately five kilometres an hour proved to be far too optimistic. The daily legs of 20-30 kilometres didn't take four, but rather 6-7 hours. But that of course includes a few breaks for consumption of food and beverage. It should also be taken into account that the route does not follow plain roads, but is a rather hilly experience. Each day there were height differences of approximately 500 metres to cope with. The advice was not to carry more than five kilos of packing, which was not easy to follow. Their packing weight at start was more like around eight kilos. Some of the things proved not to be necessary, which is, of course, difficult to know in advance. Additional gloves, cap, warm underwear and sweater did not come into use as day-time temperatures were in the range of 15-20 degrees. On the other hand packed rain clothes were of good value as it, during the two last days of the walk, was raining heavily. This, of course, made them extremely happy. Otherwise investments, as well as extra weight caused by the rain gear, would have been completely in vain.

There was a great interest for Morocco

Eva introduces our guest speaker, Siv Ling

Some fresh air never hurts

October the 23rd 2013 the Casita had invited Siv Ling who gave us a presentation on Morocco. Food of the evening was barbecued minichicken.

Cheers to a lovely evening, Lena!

Proud artist surrounded by her works

Kerstin showing the painting of Monika's choice

The evening of October the 18th 2013 we were invited to attend Kerstin Augustsson's vernissage up at Los Naranjos golf club. Many beautiful acrylic paintings, mainly with Spanish motifs, were exhibited and Monika found it appropriate to invest in a painting with orange motif as we were at a golf club with a name referring to the very same fruit (Los Naranjos = The Oranges).

Restaurateur Paco offred us a giant brandy each to honor the day

October the 18th 2013 we celebrated our 10 years wedding day with a party lunch up at one of our favourite restaurants, La Sal in Cancelada.

Monica Silverstrand sang beautifully

The boss of the shop, Therese, mingling with customers

Interest was overwhelming

Lelle and Per tasting cava and checking the situation

Monika won a Monica Silverstrand record

Welcome return with old acquaintance

October 17th 2013 the "Swedish Shop" Scandi celebrated its first year by inviting its customers to a mingling session with cultural contents in the shape of Monica Silverstrand as well as food in the shape of homemade tapas and wines presented in a wine sampling session with wines from Golf y Vinos (click for more info).

Janne's wife Agneta assisted with the music

Janne, Anki and Monika

Audience interested in jazz

October 16th 2013 the theme for the night was Jazz where we could listen to Janne Nordberg telling us about a selection of legendary jazz personalities and samples of their music. After the presentation we were feasted with Kenneth's "Wallenbergers".

Dearly reunions after the summer.

Per was there (Photo Lennart Ensgård)

We could really enjoy song and dance

The autumn down at the coast does not really take off until the first party of the season is taking place at the Casita. This year we were roughly 70 persons gathered at the Casita courtyard in the lukewarm autumn night to celebrate a real Spanish Party. Besides sangria and a wonderfully tasteful paella with plenty of safron we were presented with entertainment in the shape of Spanish songs and Flamenco dancing.

Laila posing with samples from her creations

Teacher Inger got a small gift from her class

On April the 18th 2013, right before it was time for us to leave Spain, Monika took the opportunity to visit Laila Lindblad at her jewellery workshop Arte deLaila in Nueva Andalucia to have a look at the jewellery and possibly find something to buy. Earlier in April, on the fourth to be more exact, it was the last day of Monika´s Spanish Classes in the Casita.

We started with lunch at a nice Danish owned restaurant

See how happy we are!

Monika posing with Jennie Jonsér, the Coast Radio boss

On April the 17th 2013 Monika visited the Coast Radio (click for more info) in Fuengirola together with a couple of her friends from SWEA.

The weather invited us to sit outdoors

Sven lead the community singing

The Board greeted the spring with us

We sang...

..so that the ceiling almost lifted

April the 10th 2013 there was Spring Mingling at the Casita, i e an improvised evening when we met just to have some fun together and celebrate the arrival of the spring. All of this was touched up by the community singing we produced under professional guidance from Sven Sörnäs. The food this day was composed of roast beef and potato salad mixed by Kenneth.

Monika checking handmade glass jewellery

Pernilla photographs her mum Mona (below)

Hostesses Kicki, Margaretha and Malinda

Marianne sang duet with Rosa

Yet another lovely creation by Britten

Mona modeling with style

Gran finale with flowers to the models!

On April the 11th 2013, SWEA hosted a Fashion Show at Los Arqueros Golf Club. Marianne Sydow acted as presenter and as part of the programme Rosa Perez Diez gave us a few songs accompanied by Ricardo on Saxophone.

New Club president Thomas arrived early

Eva was thanked with a box of tasty chocolate

We got marinated salmon and potatoes stewed with dill

Wednesday April the 3rd 2013 Eva Gevius was invited as Guest Speaker to the Casita to tell us about Spanish Traditions. Without script she lead us through a complete year, month by month, and told us in a very initiated way about the corresponding Spanish Traditions. It was so interesting and so fascinating that we completely forgot about time, she kept us spellbound for more than an hour. But, of course, with a country composed of so many regions, all of them with extremely interesting and widely different histories, how could it be any other way.

Jesus is to be carried by men only..

..while Virgin Maria is carried by the village women

From the balcony a saeta is heard

The children carried live candles, some went barefooted

Heavy to carry why frequent pauses were necessary

Interesting to be on site and to experience all this

On Good Friday, March the 29th 2013, we headed for Benahavís in order to do what most Spaniards do this time of the year, namely look at a real Easter Parade. A very special feeling in the dark to follow the people of the village, young and old, surrounded by lit candles, slowly progressing through the narrow streets carrying real heavy pieces representing Jesus on his cross and Virgin Maria. Of particular interest was to see and listen to a live saeta presented to the honour of Virgin Maria by a man from one of the balconies of the village. The Saeta, a song sang in religious rapture, mostly from a balcony along the way of the parade, is an extremely old Andalusian tradition, closely connected to the Easter celebrations.

Per and Kerstin arrived early

There was plenty of food for everyone!

Agneta, hostess of the evening, got flowers

We really enjoyed Kenneth's tasty buffet

Shall we take another song, or..?

The Holy Wednesday, March 29th 2013, an Easter Buffet was served up at the Casita. The atmosphere was high at our table and many "snaps" tunes were sang. Winning a lot on the lotteries and on our entrance tickets increased our good mood even more. The top prize of the evening, a large basket filled with goodies, was won by Håkan, Monika's partner at the table.

SWEA women waiting for the evening's movie

Movie of the day: Searching for Sugar Man

On March 26th 2013 SWEA invited to a Film Time up at Magna Café. This time we could enjoy the Oscar winning movie Searching for Sugar Man by Malik Bendjelloul from 2012.

Monika scanning the flea market offerings

Visitors could always get a coffee and cake

March 23rd 2013 we headed for the annual Flea Market at the Casita where Monika wanted to look for bargains. The best buy of the day was two (large) portions of Birgitta's homemade stuffed cabbage rolls that we brought with us back home.

Painting with "Gösta Lewin touch"

Per talking with Gösta, Soili in the background

Pretty flowers, painted by Soili

We ended this day the same way as it once started, namely with a cultural activity, as we paid a visit to the artist Gösta Lewin (93), well known on the coast since many years, and his wife Soili, also a talented artist.

Customers proved to be real artists

We got a 10% discount on our purchases this day

Sering drinks in the cosy drinking corner

March 21st 2013 Swedish food shop Scandi up in Nueva Andalucia, invited to some mingling with tapas and belonging drinks. Special this time was that the "tapas" consisted in Swedish easter specialities, so we were offered among other things cheese and herring, but also a delicious "homemade" Jansson and "homemade" meat balls. Eggs were, of course, not missing and as an honour to the day they were handpainted by the shop's customers.

Full of new impressions ofter our visit to the museum

Special painting by Colombia's Óscar Arcila

Per greeting a sculpture by Mexico's Mario Aguirre

On March the 21st 2013 we had planned for a number of acivities and we started off with a cultural initiative by visiting Marbella's Ralli Museum (click for more info), unique in many ways but especially because of their expositions covering mainly Latin American art, mostly representing today still living artists.

Tommy was greeted welcome by Berit

Pedagogic illustrations were frequently used

Dish of the evening waiting for us: Coq au vin

On March the 20th 2013 we were in the Casita to listen to optician Tommy Glückman who told us about the parts and pieces of our eyes and also about common eye deceases under the title Our view, worth good care.

Per's drinking stick matched the day

Irish flag of course

Liam and Emmet felt at home

March 17th 2013 we celebrated, of course, St Patrick, this year at home in our own apartment together with Irish friends and neighbours Emmet and Liam. Irish pub music the whole night long!

A lot of dedications were written

Author was this happy over her new baby

Annis sat model for the cover

Big interest for the new book

Some came almost straight from Hawaii

Monika was, naturally, on site

March 15th 2013 it was finally time! Birgitta Bergin had invited us to a "soft" release of her new (and second in order) book Fångad i Marbella (Caught in Marbella) at restaurant Gourmet Deli, suitably situated in, right guessed, Marbella. We, roughly a hundred indivuduals, were presented with drinks and tapas and we could also listen to Birgitta herself telling us about her new book, which she also signed with suitable dedications to eager readers.

Britten's beautiful home

"Pearl Mother" with the evening's hostess, Margareta

Tiny rose pearls, Monika's favourites

In the beginning of March 2013 Monika participated in two improvised Home Parties, first in our neighbour Margareta's flat where her friend Hélène Sturzenbecker, "Pearl Mother", presented beautiful necklaces to us, and two days later at Britten Emme's place up in Monda to where we had to drive on windling mountain roads in a real nasty rainy weather. Once there we tested clothes and were offered Britten's delicious homemade cake.

Mingling is our speciality

Hostess was happy with the arrangements

Lovely environment for a lunch!

On March the 8th 2013 SWEA invited to a Networking Lunch at restaurant Regina right behind the Casino in Nueva Andalucia. These networking lunches normally include a part where somebody contributes with a presentation and the presentation of this day was titled From Dream to Reality, where Rose-Marie Wiberg told us about her life after the years as SWEA president and the creation of her proper company Iniciativa (click for more info).

Monika was greeted by the artist in person

Ove and Laila sampling the cava

Hostess Rose-Marie fronting Lennart's oeuvres

Art perception

Monika liked Lennart's horse, Per preferred the loft

The vernissage took place at Restaurant Xemmon in Marbella

On March the 7th 2013 artist Lennart Nilsson (Click for more info), invited by Rose-Marie Wiberg, had vernissage at the Marbella restaurant Xemmon. It was the first time for Lennart, born 1953 in Hyltebruk, Småland, to exhibit in Spain. Lennart works mostly with oil and at this occasion the majority of his paintings were results of that technique. A common thread through his works is the underlying humour, sometimes close to irony, and often created using the trompe l'œil technique (technique cheating your eyes). Also a number of lithographic works were exhibited.

Monika, twice at the Casita on the same day

Blooming on a leafless twig

Lennart and Britt-Marie Ekman with..

..their beloved flowers, here of Parrot type

Real mates!

Oh, how we keep winning tonight!

On March the 6th 2013 Lennart and Britt-Marie Ekman guested the Casita where they in an entertaining and captivating way told us, interested audience, about the Andalusian Flora.

We celebrated the Day of Andalucia

Part of the board was on site

Green and white were the colours of the day

Each year on February 2013 28th we celebrate the Day of Andalucia and this year the celebrations for Monika's part took off with Swea's Breakfast Meeting at Centro Forestal Sueco.

The Solerød family was there

Is this pose OK, mr Photographer?

New friends Anita and Totte sat at the winning table

Thanks for an entertaining wine sampling Don Jacobo

Wine Sampling, this time lead by Jacobo Aspengren, was on the programme February 20th 2013 in the Casita. This evenings sampling focussed on white Spanish wines, more exactly on wines from different Galician districts. We sampled three different wines, representing different districts and based upon a variety of grapes, mixed or single. The wine Per found being the most tasteful was Torques de Vento from Rias Baixas based upon a mix of the albariño, loureiro and caiño grapes, all of them being local to Galicia.

Ready, steady, GO!

Maybe a boogie-woogie to warm up?

Show us the lyrics Anders!

Robert's wife Maria taking tone

Monica and Maria gave us Swing it magistern

Thank you lovely audience!

Mingling during the intermission

Per and Britten

Sponsors are there to mingle

On February 17th 2013 we on the coast were paid a visit by Robert Wells where his latest project A tribute to Charlie, had pre Opening Night at Teatro Las Lagunas in Fuengirola. A performace, a little more tranquil than the performances Robert has been involved in during the past years. Here, the scenes are more the cosy little places, than the big scenes of the world. Robert was accompanied by his loyal companions since many years back: Lars Risberg on base and Roine Johansson on drums and not to forget his wife Maria who contributed with wonderful songs. Robert usually has some "secret" guests as a surprise and this time there was no exception to this habit. The first guest was Monica Silverstrand, with a background among others with the Wizex group, who nowadays is living here at the coast. The second guest was maybe as secret to Robert himself as to the rest of us. It appeared that Robert's old companion from The Lyrics Board (Swedish version: Så ska det låta), Anders Berglund, was in the audience and then it was only fair to call him up on he scene to perform a number together with Robert on piano and keyboard.

Not much space left in the room

Faithful members were honored with flowers

A shining sun made it possible to enjoy our food outdoors

..which increased the pleasure and taste

On Februay 16th 2013 it was Annual Meeting in our Casita. Some of the board members were reelected while others were elected new to the board. After the meeting we were offered delicious fresh salads prepared by Birgitta.

Expectations were great on the evening's movie

Monika's selection of dish: Lobster salad

February 12th 2013 SWEA arranged their monthly Film Time up at Magna Café. This evening with the movie Notebook on Cities and Clothes (1989), a documentary on Japan' most wellknown fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto, on the programme.

Gathering for the annual meeting

Leaving board members at the table

Monika talking to the club's very first chairman, Ingrid

Only happy faces here..

.. and when will we get our glasses filled up?

11th of February 2013 was the day for SWEA's Annual Meeting up at Los Naranjos Golf Club. All photos are taken by Fia Ensgård.

A little cava and some games to start off with

Feeling good, or?

Celebration with a signed book by Thomas Gustafsson

Ball in a bucket, shouldn't be difficult?

Rock it, Lena!

Birthday cake with go!

February 8th 2013 was Lena's birthday which we celebrated together with family and friends up at the Casita.

There were many questions

Colourful ladies with colourful drinks

February 6th 2013, AHN invited Inger Bergman Lindvall from Sanitas to tell us about Private Health Insurance in Spain. As always when somebody representing a company is invited, the presentation is not general and objective, but more like a sales presentation for Sanitas and their offering. Per's conclusion is that the target group in this case is middleaged, healthy persons, residents in Spain, and with a very good economy. Those who are not Spanish residents can most certainly find better solutions elsewhere (Swedes definitely have better solutions back home). Elderly people must have a very good economy as fees are raising quickly with age. One main reason for paying for help when getting sick in Spain is fear of not coping with the language. Sanitas largest customer groups today are Spaniards and Englishmen as these languages are well taken care of. The most important sales argument for this type of product is that, if someting should happen, long queues could be avoided. Furthermore health checks at regular intervals are included. Annual fees range from 1000 Euros and upwards for those of us that have passed the retirement age (higher age, higher fee).

We were really far out in the country

At this hotel we got a coffee with freshly baked bread

A perfect spring field filled with yellow flowers

Close up of beautiful almond flowers..

..and almond trees at a little longer distance

On February the 5th 2013 we took our German friends on a tour up in the mountains to enjoy the sight of Blooming Almond Trees. After passing Ojén, Monda and Guaro we finally arrived in the small village of Tolox, situated in the outskirts of the Sierra de las Nieves national park at the foot of Sierra Blanca.

Fia in focus

Listening intensely

Hostess of the day Birgitta Bergin

There was an atmosphere of gaiety

On January 31st 2013 SWEA invited to the first Breakfast Meeting of the year. This time, for a change, we met at restaurant Terra Sana as our ordinary meeeting premises at Centro Forestal Sueco, were closed during January.

Mr Bingo himself, Billy, drew the first ball

I won three times!

Monika thinking percentage, drinks 0% beer

Lively discussion on Swedbank's positive 4th quarter report

Birgitta and Kurt checking boards before handing out prices

Serious talks

A decision has been made that the Shrimp Gourmandize should take place on the last Wednesday every month (during the winter season) in the Casita why we could go there to participate on January 31st 2013.

Monika listens carefully

Questions were many and discussions lively

Göran appreciated Kenneth's fish dish

Hostess Fia with guests     Photo: Lennart Ensgård

Heritage was the main theme for the evening

Club president Bengt cheering with Monika

The evening's presenter on January 23rd 2013 in the Casita was lawyer Göran Rise, assisted by colleague Jessica Kamph. They informed us about everything there is to know about heritage, taxes and laws in Spain.

Magna offered a glass of wine when we arrived

Round Table Conference

January 22nd 2013 SWEA arranged their first Film Time for the year why we, a couple of movie interested SWEAs, met up at Magna Café in order to eat a bit of food together and thereafter enjoy Pedro Almodóvars movie High Heels from 1991.

Active mingling!

A whiskey (or two) before the meal can never be wrong

We listened with interest to Bengt

The Wednesday programmes in the Casita 2013 started, as is the tradition, with an evening dedicated to mingling, i e to greet each other welcome back and to wish each other a happy continuation of the New Year. Furthermore our president Bengt informed us what had passed in our club during the latest months and which were the plans for the near future. As there were many new faces around Bengt grabbed the opportunity to inform about the different activities offered in and by the Casita. To end the evening up we enjoyed Kenneth's delicious Falukorv (Falu sausage, Swedish speciality, lightly boiled and smoked sausage) with horseradish sauce.

2012

Linda Rise fixed our hair

Maggie Dodd contributed with colour analysis

Hostess Annie Wilson with fine curls

Linda gave us small hints about hair care

We were offered Cava and tapas

Full of expectance for the evening

On December the 6th 2012, SWEA and Linda Rise arranged, up at Los Naranjos Golf, a Beauty Evening where we were given good advise and professional support, not only with our hair, but also with make up and colour analysis.

Here we come!

Merry Christmas!

Nice with some warmth!

Lot's of goodies to eat!   Photo:Agneta Aspensjö

Nueva Andalucia decorated for Christmas

Dress Code red is correct this time of the year

Our first Christmas Table for this year we ate at the Casita on December fifth 2012.

We thanked our teacher Inger Ek

..who got an Italian Christmas cake from us

During the autumn Monika has attended a Spanish Course each Wednesday afternoon up at the Casita and December the fifth 2012 it was time for her last session. We thanked our teacher Inger Ek and decided to continue with the lessons after Christmas.

Now we are only waiting for the Glögg

Margareta demonstrates what? size or shape?

Some Swedish traditions must not be forgotten, even though the sun is shining and temperature is exceding 20 degrees. So, the first of December 2012, it was time for the annual traditional Glögg Party (Glögg = hot wine mixed with sugar and spices, accompanied by almonds and raisins) at Jan's and Gunilla's terrace together with Swedish neighbours and friends.

Monika and Gunilla enjoying a delicious breakfast

Hostess of the day: Margaretha Janemar

Mats informed about regional independence tendencies

Our schedule is now really very busy. Something happening every day. November 29th 2012 SWEA invited to their last Breakfast Meeting this year at Centro Forestal Sueco. Guest of the day was Mats Björkman from local Swedish newspaper on the coast, Sydkusten, who, in an initiated way, told us about what is going on right now and during he latest month in Spain.

Some tables won more prices than others

Ulla and Sven rarely miss a Shrimp Gourmandize

After the meal we were offered coffee and cookie

The Casita again on November 28th 2012, now to enjoy a substantial number of shrimps accompanied by homemade aioli and Västerbotten cheeze, i e it was time again for Shrimp Gourmandize which, from now on (if nothing else comes in between), will be arranged on the last Wednesday every month during the winter.

Discussions were lively and opinions were diverting

Tjalle got a bottle of wine for his presentation

Thomas and Monika preparing before the evening's sampling

November 27 2012 was a thrilling evening up at the Casita when we for the first time were part of a new initiative, namely Ham Sampling. Under the guidance of "ham expert" Tjalle from AHN in Fuengirola we got a presentation of, as well as the possibility of sampling, four different types of Spanish Ham. He informed us about why the taste and the price differs so much between different varieties of ham. We could also sample different types of wine together with the different types of ham so that we could find out the perfect combinations. Per, who previously was firmly convinced that a dry sherry should be the best company of a ham, will after this exercize not drink anything but Malaga wine with his ham.

Akka One in the air

The evening's presenters, Ted and Christina

Nice being together with Ulla and Sven

Check the knuckles of pork!

The atmosphere was high in the room

The Wednesday programme in the Casita November 21st 2012 consisted in a very special and thrilling presentation. Ted and Christina Hagelborg told us in an enthusistic way how they planned for and carried out a flight in Nils Holgersson's footsteps through Sweden in an ultralight airplane, suitable enough christened to Akka One (click for more info). To end it all up we were offered Kenneths knuckles of pork with mashed turnips.

Soili visiting Fia's stand

Britten and Monica love to pose

Kerstin talked second hand with Angela

Per cheering with Ulla

Nice to meet isn't it?

Margareta and Anki compared impressions

Mugge and Kerstin enjoying each other

On November 20th 2012 SWEA arranged their yearly returning Minifair at Centro Forestal Sueco.

The compère with two happy participants

Leif won the first price on the lottery

What year did Palme take on as Prime Minister the first time?

On November 14th 2012 we were on location up at the Casita in order to compete in a regularly arranged competition where the idea is to know when certain events took place. The competition, bearing the title Året när schlagern slog (The year that the tune became a hit) was, as usual, lead in a very entertaining way by Leif Lidén. Last time that we participated in the same competition we were runnerups, but this time we ended at a much more modest place, mostly due to the fact that the team on two questions guessed a year diverting more than ten years from the correct answer!

The chef was this happy...

..over this delicious outcome

The Goose Dinner of the year we enjoyed on November tenth 2012 at Lena's and Thomas' place. Really delicately prepared, in fact the best goose Per ever has eaten.

Mmm, clayey soil, southwest slope, fresh and lively acid

The atmosphere was on top in the room

Mugge and Monika enjoyed the tasting

On November the ninth 2012 we were invited to the Birdie (click for more info) winehouse to attend a wine tasting based upon their products. We were offered not only wine and tapas en masse, but also detailed information on the different wines and wine districts. We were also given the option of buying the wines we found tasteful at reduced priced, an offer that we (of course) couldn't resist.

Let me think, should we turn right or left?

Well on the spot, Agneta greets us welcome

Isn't that our little common gull on the wall?

The fourth of November 2012 Agneta Larsen together with artist colleague Mariann Johansen-Ellis invited us to their vernissage, this time for a change, in the small, white and cozy mountain village Mijas. Difficult to find the location and difficult to drive through the narrow village streets but, once in place, it was more than worth all the trouble.

Per and Thomas have common friends

Book was signed later on, in Stockholm

Thomas spoke as a real Spaniard, e g with his hands

ETA was presented in words as well as pictures

On October 21st 2012 we on the coast were paid a visit by Thomas Gustafsson, journalist and author, but more than anything else known for his experiences from, and knowledge about, Latin countries all over the world. Thomas has previuosly published two books on Spain: Sol och skugga (Sun and Shadow, 2002) and Spanien: En resa genom historien (Spain: A trip through it's History, 2009). The later was intended to be number three of a trilogy, but Thomas now revealed that he is thinking of a fourth book in his series. The second of the series Spanien: En stat, flera nationer (Spain, One State, several Nations), is right now being printed and will be released within short. Thomas has also written a number of books on Cuba. His presentation, held at Centro Forestal Sueco for roughly 70 listeners, covered Spain's history from the Iberians until today, as well as the political and economical situation of today's Spain. A very interesting presentation, not only from facts point of view but also because of Thomas' own theories and explanations on how, where and why.

Kenneth's food tasted delicious

Birgitta with bag from Santi Wine House

..and Monika invested in the future (=christmas)

October 17th 2012 Birgitta Bergin was invited to the Casita to introduce herself and her latest book Tre Veckor (Three Weeks), released earlier this spring. She told us also that book number two is on its way.

We enjoyed staying outdoors in the warm evening

There was plenty of paella for everybody...

...and many deer reunions

October 10th 2012 it was Autumn Premier at our Casita, this time in the shape of a Spanish Night where we, except for paella with accompanying beverage, also were offered song, music and nice company.

Cheeers and welcome!

Here we dance the Salsa!

Monika enjoyed the dance as well as the wine

On September 27th 2012 we were around 70 persons gathered at Miadel enjoying, not only delicious tapas accompanied by suitable beverage, but also a fantastic dance show performed by four professional dancers fram Málaga.

Guest of the night, Christina Schollin

Christina and Monika

The evening's hostesses, Fia and Monica

September 24th 2012 Monica Silverstrand and Fia Ensgård had invited Swedish actress Christina Schollin to the Casita to share with us, interested audience, her knowledge on how to look forever young.

Professional tennis

Trainer Sergio, Per, Elliot and granddad Kjell

Elliot, courted by three ladies

On September 23rd 2012 we accompanied our friends Kjell and Anki to Seville over the day to meet their eldest grandchild Elliot Carnello and give him a hand while he was playing tennis.

On the way in, checking attendance

Tasty breakfast

Monika and Fia, two merry SWEAS

SWEA really had a tearing start this autumn. September 14th and October 12th 2012 we had Networking Lunches at restaurant Terra Sana behind the Casino and in between, on September 27th 2012, there was a Breakfast Meeting at the Centro Forestal Sueco. Plans are to run these two activities once a month during the winter.

We drove over the Öresund bridge

Boat in regular traffic on the Geneva Lake

Swiss alpine village Leysin

In the beginning of September 2012 it was time to drive down to Costalita and not to make the trip too long we started from our Summer house north of Jönköping. Our first lap took us down to a hotel outside Kassel where we use to make our first stop almost every time on this route. The second day we had decided to stay over in Switzerland and as Monika always wanted to see Montreux we had booked a hotel in the neighbourhoods. Our hotel was located only a few kilometres outside Montreux as the crow flies, but we had not expected it also to be situated more than a kilometer higher up, more exactly an altitude of 1650 metres above sea level. A bonus that we could spend the night in a real alpine village!

Mont Blanc is permanently covered with snow

Monika wanted a souvenir from Grenoble

Next morning we started with sightseing in Montreux whereupon we headed towards Chamonix on winding alpine roads with fantastic views. After a lunch at an inn close to Chamonix we continued our trip towards Grenoble, our next stop. Two ex Olympic cities on one and the same day! Furthermore we passed only a few kilomtres outside Albertville but time didn't allow us to visit them all. We had already decided that our next stop should be Aix-en-Provence and we still had an important number of kilomtres to drive.

Our hotel in Valencia

Modern Art in Valencia

Valencia is a very green City

From Provence we continued towards Valencia (click for more info), our last stay-over stop on this trip. Next day we spent the entire morning exploring the city before we headed for the last part of our trip down to Costalita.

Waiting in front of the Cathedral

Per walking

Bagpipers in the gangway

In the beginning of May 2012 we left Costalita for our trip towards Sweden. Lelle joined us so with Nelia we were four in the car. We had decided to follow the west coast of Europe and passing Seville, Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and Benavente (spending the night) we reached the first real destination on our trip, Santiago de Compostela (click for more info). Most visitors to Santiago arrive equipped with pilgrim stavs and with a varying number of miles behind them after having walked along the Pilgrim route, El Camino, where the final destination is the apostle Jacob's grave in the Santiago Cathedral. Also our group visited the same and as Lennart, our travel companion, waited for us outside the cathedral (no dogs allowed inside) with Nelia and his wandering stav in the hand, two ladies approached him and asked whether the dog had made him company on his pilgrim wandering. The obvious answer from Lennart was yes, of course. As he told us about this when we came out, Monika had great difficulty not to laugh.

Rain, rain and new pilgrims arriving..

We hurried through this village (OTUR=Bad Luck)

As we, shortly after, heard bag pipe music, we didn't believe our ears. The mystery was solved shortly after when Per, our eminent travel leader and guide, told us about Galicia's history where an interesting fact is that the Galicians basically are Kelts (just like the Scots) and that the bag pipe is an important part of their life style. So what we heard was simply a Galician, practicing the music of his land.

In front of the Guggenheim, big dog - and small

Barbecue night in Bilbao, Lelle at the grill

Christ watching over San Sebastián

We do the Pilgrim trip backwards, from goal to start, and also by car and not by foot, but still. From Galicia our trip goes on through Asturia and Cantabria until we finally arrive in Bascia and our next stop Bilbao (click for more info). When we, the previous day, drove over to Santiago at 1300 metres above sea level it was chilly and nature was barren and desolate. The stretch Santiago-Bilbao was quite different with fantastic open views of green hills and valleys. In Bilbao we were taken care of by Costalita neighbours, living in Bilbao. We had a very special barbecue dinner with a wunderful meat high up above the city. To end it up we had a tour of the city and Bilbao by night is really something special. The following day we "made" Bilbao and had a look at the pride of the city, the Guggenheim museum. After Bilbao our next stop was San Sebastian (click for more info), a very pictureque city where the posh people go for the summer. From there we continued our trip, after having filled the car up with gas, (cheaper in Spain than in most other European countries) up through Europe.

Per's favourite wine castle in Saint Emilion

To the left Fort Boyard at tide

San Michel convent on its cliff

On our way up through Europe we visited, after staying overnight in Biarritz, the Saint Emilion vineyards as well as the cognac factories in Cognac, whereupon we continued towards our next stop, Rochefort in the Charente-Maritime region. There we made an excursion to the small village Fouras, from where we had good views over Fort Boyard. We also had the opportunity to see how the oysters of the day were collected from the sand banks at tide. The following day we drove on up to Bretagne where we, after a substantial French dinner, slept overnight in St Malo by the English Channel. The next day's program included a visit to the convent built on the peak of the cliff island Saint Michel which, like the Pilgrim route, is included on UNESCO'S list of world heritages. Many steps to climb! On our way along the French Normandy coast we made a few purchases in Calvados before heading for our last night's stayover outside Sweden, in Brussels.

Louise surprised us with violin playing

Claes' son Peter with family were there

Per talked Colombia with Cristina, with roots from there

Two happy guests

On April 28th 2012 our friend Claes celebrated his birthday which we attended together with some 30 friends, from all over the world, up at the Santa Fe outside Coín. Besides the lovely country environment we were offered a delicious five course menu with exquisite beverage thereto.

Margareta and Jocke are among our highest ranked

Per got a thank you from the group through Sven

Inger and Gun, two of our most faithful players

Leif turned up to be a good entertained

Britta sang many verses for us

Jacob contributed with a good story

The very last bridge tournament for the season, played on Thursday 12th of April 2012, was followed by a tremendous Bridge Final Dinner up at Restaurant Johnny.

Lena and Nelia are having a cosy time together

Vibecke with her latest novel

During the spring 2012 we have made several new acquaitances bringing joy into our lives. Lena we met for the first time at the Casita where she, out of nowhere, popped up as a dog trainer arranging courses for dogs every Saturday afternoon in the backyard. As can be seen in the photo, Nelia and Lena are very much enjoying each others company. Vibecke we got to know through her husband, Kalle, who during the winter participated in Per's Bridge course for beginners. Vibecke, whos daily work is as attorney at the court of appeal in Oslo, spends her leisure time writing detective novels and very recently she published her third book, Arvssynden (the Original Sin) with attorney-at-law Vera L Cappelen in the leading role, just as in the two first books. For those of you enjoying good and thrilling reading the book is available at Miadel in Nueva Andalucia (in Norwegian only).

Ready for departure to Riogordo Now, on site, it's time for stretching our legs

El Paso de Riogordo

A stroll waiting for the performance Comfortably installed, waiting for the play to start

Good Friday, April 6th 2012, Monika went on an organized Bus Tour, arranged between SWEA Marbella and AHN, to attend this years Passion Play in the small mountain village Riogordo (Click here for more info on Riogordo). We had barely sat down on well placed, comfortable plastic chairs when the rain broke. Bad timing! After one hour of waiting without the least information on whether there would be a performance or not, we had a poll on whether we should stay or go back home and the majority voted for going back home. We still do not know whether there was a performance or not (according to the organisers they had only had to cancel twice during its 50 years lifetime), but for our part this event will have to be postponed for another year.

View over Britten's cosy backyard

Full of expectations, waiting for make-up...

... by Marianne

Busy testing

Do I really need to make me over?

See how fine Betina was made

On April 4th 2012, eleven SWEA women met up at Britten Emme's place in Monda to spend an enjoying afternoon with the theme Make me over. And we were definitely made all over. The afternoon started with a delicious buffet followed by Britten's homemade strawberry cake, all of which we enjoyed out in the garden. After this superb meal Marianne Sydow took care of us for make-up and information whereupon Britten dressed us up in creations of her own design completed with matching accessories from Gulle Gebauer.

Birgitta served us personally her stuffed cabbage rolls

Monika posing with our new acquisition

The stuffed cabbage rolls were exquisite

The annual backyard Flea Market at AHN was set for Saturday March 31st 2012 and despite a few light raindrops in the end it was a success. Usually this is not the kind of event that Per is interested in, but this time Birgitta Broberg tempted us with her homemade stuffed cabbage rolls with cream sauce and boiled potatoes which was far too difficult to resist. Uncommonly enough also Per bought something, in this case a painting by Gösta Lewin, painted as early as in 1974, which was Gösta's personal contribution to the flea market.

Despite the early hour we were quite a few on site

Fia describes her life at Costa del Sol...

...to us interested listeners

This months Breakfast Meeting with SWEA took place on March 29th 2012 at Centro Forestal Sueco. This day Mats Björkman from the Swedish quarterly publication Sydkusten should have informed us about today's situation in Spain but due to illness he could not make it why Fia improvised as Guest Speaker. In a very entertaining way she told us about why and how she moved down to Costa del Sol and how she has adapted herself to life down here.

Lena won a bottle of Wine on the evening's first Bingo

Sven's wonderings: Why does our table never win?

Hurrah, I won!

On the evening March 28th 2012 AHN invited to their regular event Bingo with Shrimp Gourmandize why we headed our steps there. Not so much for the Bingo, but more for the Västerbotten cheeze and to some extent the shrimps, unfortunately this time a bit small, in size as well as in numbers. As usual, I was going to say, Monika won a bottle of wine on her entrance ticket. We had great fun as always!

SWEA Marbella's founder, Ingrid Nordström

Our professional models, Gulle...

..and Marie-Louise

Mingling Monika and Anki           Foto: Fia Ensgård

Our models thanking the audience after the show

Happy faces from our singer Monica and Fia

SWEA's annual Fashion Show took place on March 22nd 2012 in the banqueting rooms at Los Arqueros Golf Club where around a hundred ladies were presented with, apart from a show with beautiful clothes, also a delicious lunch composed of chicken salad and warm goat cheese with honey vinegar on apple slice and for dessert chocolate mousse tart with cream. The coffee was accompanied by the big surprise of the day, namely SWEA's quite new own singer, earlier a member of Wizex group, Monica Silverstrand, who to the great delight of the audience sang, among others, ”New York, New York”. Marianne Sydow, who acted as conferencier, told us that the coming spring will be dominated by pastel colours, skirts will be longer and clothes will be inspired by the 50's. Nine ladies and one gentleman were modeling for us in coiffures created by Linda Rise from Los Naranjos. The clothes presented came from Classic Golf, Fia i Backen, Britten Emme and Fashion Villa while Gulle Gebauer contributed with jewellery and handbags.

Boris Pasternak? When was it now?

How was it now? Which year were we on?

Yes! We ended as runnerups!

Wednesday March 21st 2012 was quiz night at the Casita with subheading When did the hit hit? lead by Leif, who informed us on happenings from a particular year, and Marianne, who let us listen to a tune from hit lists the same year. The teams were randomly composed and placed at different tables. Their task consisted in writing down the year they believed was the correct one on a piece of paper. After ten different years Per's team ended as runnerups, mostly because of the last resort given for each question, namely the name of the Litterature Nobel Prize winner that particular year. Per also acquired (new) knowledge on which year colour TV was officially introduced in Sweden (1970).

Green was the colour of the day

Even the drinks were green

Gugge was early 'in the hat'

Look, how happy we were!

On March 17th 2012 we celebrated the Patron of Ireland S:t Patrick up at Atalaya Golf Club in nice, of course green clad, company. The menu was 100% Irish and started off with Oak Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese accompanied by Traditional Irish Soda Bread followed up by Irish Black and White Puddings and Clonakilty Pork Sausages. As main course we were served a Beef and Guinness Casserole and to end it all up we finished the meal with Apple Slices and Baileys Irish Cream. The only part of the meal that wasn't of Irish origin were the wines and we heard no complaints about that.

Husband Kjell celebrated the newly born with a fat cigar

Birgitta introduced her new novel...

..to some 70 interested guests

Happy guests, each one with a copy of the book..

..signed by the author herself

Cheers to a successful new career as writer!

March 16th 2012 we were invited to attend a Prerelease Party arranged at restaurant Salt & Pepper in Puerto Banús on the occasion of Birgitta Bergin releasing her début book, "Tre Veckor" (Three Weeks), a relationship drama taking place days before Christmas in a period of, that's right, just three weeks.

Ingalill, our enthusiastic presenter

Satisfied and pleased audience

Aggressive lottery marketing

Michael Paasikivi passed by to sign his latest book

March 14th 2012 we were up at the Casita and listened to Ingalill Munther's informal talk over the subject Books that entertain, give knowledge and thrill where she introduced us to a number of books that she would like to recommend us and the reason why. Also Göran Sundius got his portion of the pesentation and told us about detective stories that he recommended for reading. Many of us got new inputs on books that we never had heard about before but that we now would attack on the first possible occasion. We were lucky with the lottery and won a copy of Mikael Paasikivi's first detective story, Gold in the Blood. The evening's menu consisted in braised rolls of beef with accompaniments such as eg an exquisite cream sauce and marinated cucumber Swedish style, all prepared and served by Kenneth.

Lovely weather wasn't it?

A dash of rose Cava could never be wrong

Per's homemade semla buns tasted YUM YUM!

February 28th each year we celebrate the Day of Andalusia which is a public holiday in Andalusia, i e nobody needs to go to work. And this without removing another holiday as happened in Sweden a couple of years ago when we decided to make our national holiday public. On the contrary, in Spain, as the 28th falls on a tuesday, people take the opportunity to stay home from work also on monday. Ourselves we grabbed the opportunity to merge the Spanish celebration with our own Shrovy Tuesday why Per presented us with his homemade "Semla" (Swedish bun filled with cream and almond paste).

New Chairman Christa welcomes us

At SWEA we love to meet over a delicious breakfast

Febrary 23rd 2012 SWEA arranged a Breakfast Meeting at Centro Forestal Sueco in Marbella.

Per won twice

Monika won a free entrance

We had great fun at our table!

If we didn't win we could always get a side win

Vibeke and Karl-Johan got both...

We rounded off the evening at Yoshiko's..

..in company with our good friends

On February 22nd 2012 it was time again for a Bingo with Shrimp Gourmandize up at the Casita. We were not just there, we also won prizes! Not just won, but won a lot and often! For the first time in his life Per won on the Bingo, not just once, but twice. Two rows on the same board. This evening our table was really the Winning Table with a capital "W".

Last lesson

The Party is on!

We find it quite fun to play..

..while Per supervises and gives us intructions

The Last Supper with Per and the disciples

February 20th 2012 was the day for the very last lesson of Per's Bridge Course for Beginners in the Casita and to celebrate this we, teacher and pupils, finished off with a hell-of-a Goodbye Dinner. There was an athmosphere of gaiety and the food, consisting of pork loin stuffed with prunes prepared by Kenneth, was very well tasting (as usual).

A thank you to loyal officials in the Casita

Ingalills specially designed card for Gun

After the meeting we were offered food and drinks

February 18th 2012 was set as the date for the Annual Meeting at AHN Nueva Andalucia. New board members were elected and the old ones were given a big "Thank You". A very special thank you was given to Gun who now, after seven years of service, is handing over to Bengt. Once the official part of the meeting was over we were presented with a delicious sandwich cake and drinks.

The Class assembled at the Casita backyard

Nelia showing how to roll over (Photo: Ingalill M)

Learning means concentration

Nelia in focus with our instructor, Lena

Ma Cherie showing her tricks

Every Saturday during the spring we attend a Dog Course at the Casita backyard, at least when the weather so permits. The courses are lead by Lena, professional dog- and horse instructor. A very nice Saturday activity and we are having great fun together!

Mia and Camilla

Rose-Marie greeting us welcome

Britten and Margaretha enjoying the sun

Aja and Agneta on their way to the meeting

The Annual Meeting ended with a delicious lunch

February 13th 2012 SWEA Marbella (Click for more info) had their Annual Meeting and besides the usual topics such as approval of the Annual Report, selection of new Board members, etc we had a delicious lunch together. We really have a good fellowship and do a lot of funny activities together in SWEA Marbella.

Monika and Gunilla waiting to be served

This is the way to dance Flamenco!

The Dancing Troup complete

This Sunday afternoon, February 12th 2012, Öystein, arranged a Spanish Dinner in his restaurant at NRC and with great expectations we headed for it. The meal, prepared by guest chef Antonio Madrid, we found so and so, mostly potatoes and fish, but the entertainment was top class. We were presented with world class Flamenco, performed by one of Spain´s best flamenco dancers, also he by the name of Antonio, who in his daily work teaches flamenco at the Flamenco Academy. As an encore, tenor Öystein sang a few songs, among those his show-piece number one, Oh Sole Mio, as always ackompanied by Philip.

Monika made a bag bargain

This is the way to deep fry churros...

..preferably to be devoured on site

Sunday afternoons there is a Flea Market on the right-hand side of the road up to Benahavís and February 12th 2012 we made a trip there. Really a genuine Flea Market, different from all the Street Markets we have at different places all along the coast, all days of the week. A real "boot" market where people, mostly Englishmen, are taking the chance to get rid of a variety of stuff. Monika checked quite a few used hand bags whereas the highlight for Per was to put his teeth into a fresh deep fried "churro" which, dipped in hot chocolate is a real delicacy especially on cool days.

Welcoming the guests

Only happy faces around the table

February 10th 2012 it was time for a Networking Lunch organized by SWEA. As usual we met at restaurant Terra Sana right behind the Casino. This particular day we celebrated the one-year jubilee for our Networking Lunches.

Waiting for the Wine Sampling...

This night's presenter: Morgan Skantz

Our chef Kenneth, accompanied by the hostesses of the evening

Wednesday again, now February 8th 2012, and as every Wednesday thrilling activities up in our Casita, this time in the shape of a Wine Sampling lead by Morgan Skantz, well known wine expert and wine merchant on the coast. Morgan introduced us, in a very entertaining way, to Spanish wines, their background and history. If he hadn't chosen to dedicate his life to wine, he could successfully have made a career as entertainer. Morgan's presentation ended with an introduction to, and sampling of, three different wines from his own range, one white, one rosé and one red. Especially the white one, a verdejo (Trascampanas 2010, Bodega Gótica) from Valladolid, struck Per's fancy. The dish of the evening was prune-stuffed loin of pork, one of our local chef Kenneth's specialities, and definitely one of our favourites.

The evening's presenters - Sven and Irene

Sven reciting 'The Brig Blue Bird of Hull'

Monica and Rolf with friends

Among the guests: Leif, Marianne and Karin

Monika enjoying her Bouillabaisse

February 1st 2012 we attended a Taube Evening in AHN's Casita. Besides an exquisite Bouillabaisse prepared by our chef Kenneth, we were presented with not only fascinating stories from the life of Evert Taube but also poetry reading, singing-along and music. The reason for serving us Bouillabaisse was not only a hint to Evert Taubes life at sea but also to the Böljebäsarna society who regularly met at Restaurant Gyldene Freden in Stockholm to eat, drink and sing (like ourselves this lovely evening).

Tromb out over the sea

Right in the middle of the afternoon on January 27th 2012, when we went for a walk along the beach promenade we spotted a tromb out over the sea right in front of Costalita. Suddenly the water was lifted right up into the air. Quite unbelievable! This kind of things, we thought, do only happen in Oklahoma with surrounding areas. The photo was taken by our Irish friends with their mobile phone.

Per in good (blue) company

View over the Smurf Village

Walls are decorated with smurfs

Now in the Movie Business - here the Hollywood House

Almond trees were blooming beautifully..

..all along the mountain road

From time to time we make small excursions and now, end of January 2012, we took the opportunity to combine two activities. On narrow and winding mountain roads to and from Ronda we really got the chance to enjoy the dazzly almond trees blooming this time every year and we also took the opportunity to visit mountain village Júzcar (click here for more information), today mostly known as Spain´s very own Smurf Village, with all houses beautifully painted in blue, alive Smurfs in person and a popular tourist attraction.

Birgitta, host of the evening, looking after her guests

Fun with Bingo, isn't it?, opines Kurt

We didn't win, but are happy anyway!

January 31st 2012 was the date for this years first Bingo with Shrimp Gourmandize in AHN's Casita and we didn't miss this opportunity of course. No wins on the Bingo or the Lottery but Monika won a bottle of red on her entrance ticket. We had great fun in company of old and new friends. Per doesn't go there neither for the Bingo nor for the shrimps, but for the Västerbotten Cheese!

Our teacher Inger

Monika's class is small, but busy

January 11th 2012 Monika attended the first lecture of a new Spanish Course up in the Casita. The course, comprising twelve sessions during the spring, offers three different levels to pick from: beginners, a little more advanced than beginners, and advanced. The teacher, Inger, now retired, previously held a position as Spanish teacher at the Swedish school in Fuengirola.

2011

Lars Friberg, Kent Schanke and Michael Wolf

The night before we left for Sweden, November 30th 2011, we went up to Los Naranjos Golf Club to see Michael Wolf, CEO of Swedbank, and to listen to his view, as well as the views of the bank, on the actual economical situation. Michael turned out to be a well informed as well as an entertaining speaker and we got a lot of good advise. On top of the presentations we were invited to a delicious buffet, with possibilities for more discusssions.

Per and Sven cheering to the 30 years

Öllegård, Fia and Lennart shared table

November 23rd 2011 AHN in Nueva Andalucia celebrated its 30 years and had, for that reason, invited us to an exquisite three-course Jubilee Dinner. During the dinner Gun Boström took the opportunity to tell us about the birth of the Casita as well as various episodes during its thirty year long history. It was interesting to hear that the birth and origin of the Casita was due to a number of Bridge players looking for a place to meet and play and for that reason acquired the Casita which today is the home for AHN Nueva Andalucia. So, thanks to the Bridge we all happy members today have this very nice place where we can meet and enjoy different kinds of activities.

The lunch started, as usual, with a glass of cava

Kerstin surrounded by our hostess Louise and Monika

Bengt says Thank You and cheers..

November 20th 2011 we celebrated our yearly end-of-season lunch for the Bridge at NRC with the traditional handing over of the Tungården Cup, this year to Britta, being the one who had collected most Gold Stars over the year. As several times before, the Cup was handed over by the founder's daughter, Kerstin Tungården. The lunch, consisting of sole filets, followed at the NRC restaurant.

Monika mingling with Helena and Kent

Lena representing in SWEA's own monter

Two happy SWEA women

Also Per mingled some, here in pretty company

Rose-Marie, today elected Swede of the Year on the coast

November 15th 2011 SWEA arranged as usual their annual Mini Fair at Centro Forestal Sueco in Marbella and we were there. While Per circulated, sampling all the delicacies offered in the shape of Tapas and Wines, Monika took the opportunity to mingle.

Gun greeted us with a small speach

Per was placed next to the goose, sorry, Eva

On November 12th 2011, we attended, for once a Goose Dinner, arranged up in the Casita. A little exotic for those of us without roots in Scania (Southern Sweden), so as a precaution we had the traditional "Black Soup" (soup prepared from the goose's blood) replaced by a delicious lobster chowder.

Per, for the day in a new shirt and scarf, and Lelle

Monika and Louise ready to party

At our table we were also in company of Lasse

On November 5th 2011 we attended a Mask Ball, or at least something that looked very much like one. During the day the yearly Golf Tournament Presiden'ts Cup took place, ending with a common Dinner and Prize giving ceremony in the evening. To make this event even more entertaining, we were all asked to dress only in Black and Red, which we tried to live up to the best we could.

Two girls from Småland attended the show..

and so did an Optimist Consultant

The models were presented with a rose by Brittens husband

Gulle was a model...

..and so was Monica..

..and Birgitta

November started in a good way. Already on the 2nd Anki and Monika attended Britten's Fashion Show at Miraflores Golf. After finally finding the way there, which wasn't easy in the dark, we had a great night. The dark? Guess I forgot to tell you that, since more than a month now, the local governments don't pay their electricity bills why the Electricity Board (quite logically) cut off the power deliveries leading to the majority of main roads being completely without light.

Visiting Gunnar and Astrid at La Quinta

Life is good - at Anki's and Kjell's place

Flamenco follow-up party on Louise's roof terrace

Monika and Margareta savouring Friberg's tapas

Wedding Day Toast (our own) on Emmet's and Ursula's Terrace

During the month of October we grabbed the opportunity - as always - to enjoy the company of our friends on the coast and above there are a few photos from different occasions.

Going there we stopped for a coffee break...

..and some new acquaintances

reaching our destination we could finally stretch our legs

Per was a busy photographer down in the museum

Lunch after a thorough research of the excavations

Britta and Ingrid enjoying a cup of coffee in Tarifa

On October 30th 2011, almost a year after Monika made the same trip, Per participated in a oneday tour with AHN to the Atlantic coast, right after Gibraltar, for a visit to the old Roman town Baelo Claudia (click for more info) with its excavations. On the way back home a stop was made in Tarifa where opportunity was given for some strolling around in the Old Town or just sitting down for a cup of coffee.

Gunnar, do you think we will win tonight, asks Åsa?

Even if we don't win, we gorge ourselves with shrimps

Isn't he saving some for me?

October 26th 2011 it was time again for a Bingo with Shrimp Gourmandize up in AHN's Casita. No Bingo wins this time for us but Per won a bottle of wine on his entrance ticket. Always something!

We laughed a lot. Some...

...more than others

Sometimes we girls meet for some networking and lunch

October 25th 2011 SWEA had invited Optimist Consultant Ingalill Enbom for a presentation and Monika, of course, didn't miss this opportunity. A little bit suspect title maybe, but it proved to be of good value as well as entertaining.

The pupils felt a little bit lost the first session

Per registrating Margareta

Class gathered together with their teacher

On the 24th of October 2011 AHN in Nueva Andalucia started a Bridge Course for Beginners headed by Per. The course, attended by 23 pupils, runs on monday afternoons during autumn and spring, with a total of ten sessions, each one with a duration of three hours, out of which half is theory and half is practical card play (adapted to the same day's theory).

A beautiful shot by Carl Mason - final winner of the competition

We spectators enjoyed the game as well as the sun

Among the players was our old pro - Terry Bourgoyne

The ball was finally found - up in the tree!!

On October 16th 2011 we went to La Quinta golf course to follow the final day's play of the men's Benahavís Senior Masters, part of the European Senior Tour.

What's up for dinner?

As usual Öystein offered a tasty buffet

..accompanied by - first class flamenco

October 15th 2011 Öystein invited us to a Flamenco Show at NRC Restaurant.

Mingle...

..mingle...

..and even more mingle

Mingle...

..mingle...

..and even more mingle

On the 12th of October 2011 time had finally come for us to start up the autumn season at AHN's Casita and the usual way this was done with an evening for mingling where the Casita offered drinks and food for free, this time a delicious homemade pie with salad. We were also coddled with soft live music out in the mild summer night in the garden. We were around 80 persons taking this opportunity to great ourselves welcome down to the coast and wishing that the evening would never end. Those of you who are still not members and looking for occasions to enjoy yourselves with different activities together with other scandinavians on the coast can now be members for 2012 and as a gift this membership will also be valid for the remining part of 2011. An overview of activities offered is found on the Casita web page (access by clicking on the word Casita above).

Roslagsbälgarna stroke up for dancing

6th of October 2011 Öystein invited us to his Oktoberfest at NRC where we enjoyed a very nice evening with delicacies for our stomachs as well as for our ears. Responsables for the music were the accordeon group Roslagsbälgarna from Sweden and their very talented female lead singer. We were all singing along as well as dancing to the wellknown melodies, mostly from the sixties.

Agneta and Monika

Pernilla with father, Peter

..and some of the guests

October 1st 2011 we were invited by ceramic artist Agneta Larsen to her vernissage, this time taking place up in Benahavís, where we could admire her latest works at restaurant El Castillo (Click for more info) run by Swedish Pernilla. Besides lovely weather and breathtaking views we were also offered drinks and an assortment of herring preparations on Swedish hard (knäcke) bread.

It was a Full Moon night...

Our guide Daniel joining his pack..

..where the white female wolf greets him

Waiting for the Full Moon we enjoyed a 3-course meal

Expectations were great..

..and soon it will be time!!

On September the 12th 2011 there was a Full Moon and to celebrate this SWEA arranged an excursion to Antequera (Click for more info) and the Wolf Park Lobo Park close by, under the theme Howl with the Wolves.

Öystein's Easter Plate..

and Chicken Yellow, were the ingredients

..for a night ending with a concert by the "Three tenors"

April 21st 2011, Maundy Thursday, we started the celebration of our Semana Santa (Easter) for "real". It all took place up at NRC and started with bodily nourishment, an Easter Plate designed Öystein, which, by tradition, was followed by coffee and suitable matching beverage up at Louise's place. To end up the evening, and to make it complete, we finally enjoyed a portion of spiritual nourishment consisting of a Concert by the "3 divos" down in Öystein's restaurant.

Barbro and Anki, interested audience

Special T-shirts were for sale

The whole route is well indicated with signs

On "approved" pilgrimage, a diploma is issued

On April 13th 2011 we headed, with our friends Barbro and Kjell, towards the Casita where the Wednesday program this week consisted of Monika Wahlström showing photos from and talking about her Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage in 2010. This year also happened to be special, a so-called Holy or Jubilee year, a year when St James's Day, July 25th, falls into a Sunday, why the number of pilgrims was extra large (next Holy/Jubilee Year will be in 2021).

The wine sampling took place at Casa Santi in Marbella

On arrival we were offered a glass of Cava

Rose-Marie Wiberg greeted us welcome

April 5th 2011 SWEA arranged a Wine Sampling at the Casa Santi in Marbella. We were 18 participants, full of expectations who, guided by the competents enologs of the house, got an introduction to, as well a sample testing of four red and two white wines, each one of them representing a different region of Spain.

Alexandra with her 1,6 million bag

Anki, Louise and Kerstin were there

Greeting the participants is part of the show

On Tuesday March 24th 2011 the coast had a visit by Alexandra Charles, invited by the Marbella SWEA (Swedish Womens Association) Club. Alexandra, burning for equal rights, health and feminism, was (as usual) warm to her subject, The 1,6- and 2,6-million Clubs, her darlings.

Per assists with the Cava

A little Guiness publicity can't be wrong

Many hats around this night

It all should be green, including the drinks

We had a table of our own...

...close to the orchestra

The National Saint of Ireland, St Patrick, is celebrated on March 17th every year and down here we celebrate him the following weekend. On March 19th we, and some 150 other people, went to the Atalaya Golf Restaurant to celebrate. Before going there we were presented cava up at Louise's place. We were accompanied by some Irish friends: Don, Dan and Jennifer from NRC as well as Emmet and Dave from Costalita.

Karin...

..and Gulle at CFS...

...and Marie-Louise at Los Arqueros

March 20th and 22nd 2011 there were two different Fashion Shows with just a day in between. First Britten Emme's show where she displays clothes of her own design at the Centro Forestal Sueco and two days later SWEA's annual Spring show at Los Arqueros Golf Club.

March 23rd 2011 it was time for the Bingo with Shrimp Gourmandize in the Casita again. No wins this time either, but we had a nice evening and the Västerbotten Cheese to the shrimps taisted mmm!

Myran and Per enjoying each others company

Bosse with his "All-in-One"-sandwich

Ann-Britt and Mats gourmandizing

Anki and Per eating heartily..

Per's favourite, creamy Queso de Tetilla, Tit Cheese

Eva showed on the map where the cheeses came from

We all know about Wine Tasting, but now was the time to taste one of its main accessories, the cheese. March 16th 2011 we participated in a very interesting Cheese Tasting evening at the Casita, lead by Eva Gevius who, during her many years long stay in Spain, has taken the opportunity to know more about Spanish Cheese. Not any cheese like that but cheese typical for the different Spanish Regions. Nine different cheeses were not only presented to us, but we also got the opportunity to sample each one of them. In large portions! Guess if we were full up after that!

You start by shaping a small egg...

...and end up with a small birdie

...who now has found a home

On March 9th 2011 our Casita was visited by the very own Swedish Ceramics artist of the Coast, Agneta Larsen (click for more info), who told us about herself, her background and her daily life. She also took the opportunity to introduce us interested spectators into the mysteries of ceramics artistery. Right in front of our eyes she created a small clay birdie. Following Agneta's presentation we were offered a more bodily nourishment in the shape of Kenneth's Fish Gratin.

The hero of the occasion

Inga-Britt from Wexio was there

Almost everybody gets a window table at Öystein's place

On tuesday March 8th 2011 Öystein arranged a small Semla Party (Semla is a Swedish delicacy consisting of a bun, filled with cream and almond paste, which by tradition should be eaten on the Tuesday of Lent) up at his NRC restaurant. We were a group of delighted persons getting the opportunity to enjoy this little piece of bread. As a starter we were presented a delicious Goulasch Soup with wine why we all were full and happy when leaving the table.

Interested audience

The theme for the day

Ragnhild used computer support to show her photos

March 2nd 2011 Ragnhild gave us a talk about the Flowers and the Bees at Casitan's traditional Wednesday meeting. Ragnhild's presentation was accompanied by beautiful photos of flowers, and also a few bees, photos that she and her husband Stig have been collecting over the years.

La Bib guided us in Marrakech

One night we were at a show!

We had a cup of tea at famous La Mamounia

Soussi was our guide for the whole trip

...while Karim was our local guide in Fès

Marrakech by night

The week February 20th-26th 2011 Monika and Gunilla went on a bus trip to Morocco (Click for more info) where they spent a few days (and nights) at hotels in Fès, Marrakech and Rabat while also "on the way" visiting Casablanca and Tangiers.

Jim Broberg presents MásMovil...

...and Ingalill Munther tells us about...

...a selection of famous Spanish artists

February 16th 2011 the very own artist of the Casita, Ingalill Munther, told us in a very engaged way about a number of well known as well as less known Spanish Artists accompanied by a slide show. Ingalill's lecture was preceded by an introduction by Jim Broberg to MásMovil, for the moment the cheapest Spanish mobile operator (connection charge 15 cents / call charge 5 cents per minute to all Spanish mobile phones and landlines).

We started with an ordinary class...

...and finished with a thank you to the master...

..and the assistants/disciples Irene & Ingvar

January 7th 2011 was the date for the second last session of Per's Beginner's Class in Bridge and as some of the participants had other more important things to do on the day for the last session we decided to finish the day with an early "Good Bye" dinner with plenty of good food (Pork fillet stuffed with prunes) and beverage. Irene and Ingvar, who has been taking care of all the practical things around the course, were thanked with flowers and wine and the same honour was also given to "professor" Per.

Blooming Almond Trees

Our guide Miguel was born in the area

We had lunch in a local home

February 7th 2011 Monika participated in a whole day excursion, organized by SWEA, to the old village Alfarnate (click for info), located some 50 kms to the east of Málaga, up in the mountains. The date for this excursion was carefully picked in order to enjoy, at maximum, the blooming almond trees covering fields and hillsides. We also found the time for a visit to the olive oil plant "Nuestra Señora de Monsalud" in Alfarnate. The peak experience of the trip was that we at lunchtime, divided into smaller groups, were invited to enjoy a genuine Spanish lunch with the locals in their homes.

Monika got a book with personal dedication

As usual an athmosphere of gaiety at the Shrimp Party

Åke had more luck with the lottery than with the Bingo

Every Wednesday during the season (October-April) Club Nordico arranges different programs in their Casita up in Nueva Andalucía followed by a common dinner at a low cost (12€ for members and 14€ for non-members). On January 19th 2011, one of the new Swedish authors of detective stories, Mikael Paasikivi gave a presentation of his new book, Gold in the Blood, and it's background and there was also a possibility for the guests to get signed copies of the same. The following week, on January 26th 2011, it was time again for one of the most popular and well visited arrangements of Club Nordico, i e the Bingo with Shrimp Gormandize where, except for the shrimps in unlimited quantity there is also offered toasted bread with cheese from Västerbotten (For non-Swedes a short explanation is that this is the top of the top when it comes to cheese in Sweden, produced in the Västerbotten County, far up north). Yum-yum!!

2010

Per offers some cava to our hostess

Cava or beer and Gammel Dansk on our terrace..

...followed by a nice indoor dinner

November got an excellent start with an open air Cocktail Party up at Louise's place and ended with traditional Halloween celebrations in our home, this time in nice company with Irene, Ingvar, Inger and Arne.

We had to pay a small fee ...

Fashion show following the lunch at Castillo de Monda

Models thanking the audience

Marbella Design Academy

Hostesses for the Day, Britten and Ewa

Elegant, don't you think?"

Monika, one of the new models

Twice in a short period of time, October 25th and November 2nd SWEA arranged excursions to Monda. On the first occasion we visited the design school Marbella Design Academy whereupon we had lunch at the castle, Castillo de Monda. The second time was a more informal one. We were invited to the home of Britten Emme where we tried out clothes and made some modeling between ourselves, a very entertaining experience.

New President, Rolf, checks that entrance fees are paid

Some of us were luckier than others

October 27th 2010 it was time for this season´s first Bingo with Shrimp gormandize up in AHN's Nueva Andalucia Casita. The evening was very enjoyable even though the prices were somewhat unevenly distributed among the participants (See photo above). Our new Bingo Crier, Janne, managed his task brilliantly and will most certainly be entrusted with this task again in the near future.

Afraid? Me?

Our instructor, Vivian, is tough, but fair

Per is not the only one involved in education. Also Nelia is attending school from time to time. Here we participate in a lesson down at the San Pedro beach with around 20 dogs in the class although Nelia herself prefers the Estepona course as there are not so many dogs there.

Practical play is part of the course

Teacher supervision.  Photo: Sven Sörnäs

Also during the pauses Bridge is the main topic

During the autumn 2010 and spring 2011 Per leads a Bridge Course for Beginners in AHN's Casita up in Nueva Andalucia. The course, comprising 10 lessons, has received a very big interest why, even though the capacity of the Casita is used to its maximum, all interested could not be admitted. 25 lucky disciples are now attending this course on monday evenings and coutiously doing their homework during the rest of the week. Hopefully the majority of the pupils will be able to attend the ordinary AHN bridge on thursday nights after completion of the course.

Olle told us enthusiastically about Argentina

We were presented with delicious food and beverage

On October 20th 2010 we visited AHN's everyweek Wednesday program up in Nueva Andalucia and this time we had the pleasure to listen to Olle Montelius who, in an initiated way and with enthusiasm, told us about Argentina. Olle has, except for the fact that he himself lived in the country for many years, previously arranged as many as nine round trips for interested Swedes in the country and mid February next year is set as the date for next trip over there which, according to Olle, will be the last one arranged by himself. Following Olles presentation we were also offered an exquisite meal, plum-stuffed loin of pork.

The Guide showing a model of Bolonia

Bolonia's antique remains were perfect for a rest

Walking down to Tarifa for a coffee upon the meal

Merry faces in the bus

The bus driver just succeeded with a U turn to take us down again

October 18th 2010 Monika went with SWEA on a whole day excursion to the Atlantic coast, right behind Gibraltar, where modern town Tarifa as well as some historical places were visited. First historical place to explore was the old Roman town Baelo Claudia (click for info) with its excavations on the beach, and from there the tour went on to Castellar de la Frontera (click for info) with its Old Town built on the top of a rock and completely surrounded by an old Morish Castle. As a bonus when going to Castellar de la Frontera we drove through the eastern outskirts of Alcornocales natural park with Europe's, and one of the world's largest populations of naturally growing Cork Oak.

Best friends

At NRC wafles were served...

.. and at the Casita we got drinks and tapas

The Werding Clan on our terrace

New participant record at the Casita season's opening

Two happy Flee Market visitors

During week 41, i.e. mid October 2010 several things took place. Our friends Jan and Gunilla had their daughter Anna with kids visiting, the Annual Flee Market was arranged at the Nordic Royal Club and, finally, the AHN Casita up in Nueva Andalucia invited to their Grand Opening for the season with free drinks and tapas.

Ivan Renliden ackompanied on piano

Kjerstin got flowers after the performance

..and the Rome Choir in the background

October 8-9th 2010 we had a celebrity visit on the coast by Kjerstin Dellert and Ivan Renliden who gave two performances, one at the Swedish Church in Fuengirola and one at the Los Naranjos Golf Restaurant. Kjerstin was ackompanied by, except for Ivan Renliden, also by the Rome Choir (Romkören) lead by Kicki Bothén.

Spectacular thunder storms during the Night

Villa Padierna - pretty Club House and Hotel

Laura Davies, winner of the Tournament

The weekend September 16th-19th 2010, Los Flamingos Golf Club, right across the road from Costalita, hosted the Open de España, one of the tournaments on the Ladies European Golf Tour. Due to heavy rains and thunder storms during the night Thursday-Friday, the game had to be shortened from four to three days. In the leader ball the last day we could see Laura Davies from England and Carin Kand from Sweden where Laura finally ended as winner.

Our Beach, invaded by visitors and Security Guards

Michelle visiting Marbella

Sasha swimming with Nurse and Security Guards

August 4th - 8th 2010 Michelle Obama and her 9-year old daughter Sasha picked our beautiful part of the coast for a few days of vacation. During their visit they stayed at Hotel Villa Padierna right across the street from Costalita and, during their short, but hectic, visit they found the time to visit Marbella, Ronda as well as Granada and Alhambra. One afternoon was dedicated to going swimming in the Mediterranean and for this purpose they picked our very own beach which, for this occasion, had been thorougly cleaned and got some new palm trees. The beach itself, a stretch of some 50 metres right below old Sharky's, next to the Playa Bella Hotel, was temporarily closed to the public and access to the same was strictly controlled by some hundred US Security Guards and the Spanish Police in cooperation. The swimming session was, to Sashas great delight, followed by a visit to the Selwo Wildlife Park in Estepona.

Flag Parade

New bragging sign

Three months after the visit of Michelle Obama life returned to normal. The remains of the American flag on half pole and our brave EU flag torn to pieces. Is it a reflection of the world economy we see here? It would have been stupid by Villa Padierna not to take advantage of this opportunity for publicity so it didn't take long before a sign came up informing that Mrs Michelle Obama was there to "inaugurate" the restaurant. The truth, however, is that Mrs Obama was there for vacation and that the restaurant was not even opened at that moment.

2009

Monika on her way in

Ebbe and Margareta as well as Jan and Gunilla were there

Monika met Barbro Plantin from Falun at NRC's Jazz Night

November 22nd 2009 Ceramic artist Agneta Larsen invited to her autumn exhibition in her home up in the mountains on the Casares road and, as usual, it was nice to go up there to say hello. We were given the opportunity to see Agneta's new works, accompanied by Tapas and Drinks and we also got a few new pieces for our home.

As Introduction we were offered real French Champagne

Full House this Night

Jakob Aspegren got flowers as appreciation

Wednesday Night on October 21st 2009 was dedicated to Wine Presentation and Tasting up at AHN's Casita in Nueva Andalucia. Jakob Aspegren gave an interesting and initiated presentation of Spanish wines, with focus on the Rioja Region, and we were also given the opportunity to taste some samples. The presentation was followed by a dinner, tonight well tasting Spare Ribs delivered from Johnny Bar.

Solicitor Göran Rise with son Johan was there

Monika tasting wine with expert Morgan Skantz

Per & PO Breimark, Swedbank Luxemburg, former colleague to Monika

October 16th 2009 SWEA Marbella invited us to their Sponsor Evening, an arrangement where the sponsors of SWEA were given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their offerings to the SWEA members. The event took place at the Centro Forestal Sueco in Marbella where we were all offered Tapas and Drinks in various forms.

From the left Gunnar, Gösta, Per, Mats, Monika and Bengt

Per and Louise

Hans Tungården's Challenge Trophy

October 15th 2009 it was time again for the annual lunch at NRC Bridge Club where the most important event is the distribtion of the Challenge Trophy to the best player of the year. The trophy, originally donated by Hans Tungården, is handed over by his daughter Kerstin. The happy winner this year was Per. In order to celebrate this event even more the party was followed by a Jazz Night up at the NRC restaurant, this evening with the group Jazzt Like This on their programme.

From the left Ebbe, Birgitta, Margareta and Inger

Monika and Anne-Louise from Onsala mingling

Bingo and Shrimp gormandizing in April with Ebbe and Margareta

During the winter, period when many Swedes move down to the Costa del Sol, the Spanish-Nordic Association AHN offers a weekly programme in their Casita up in Nueva Andalucia. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings their library with Swedish books is open to members and there are also Card Play and Boule tournaments organized. Wednesday Nights there are various Dinner arrangements, e g with interesting Guest Speakers or Bingo Nights with Shrimp Gormandize, a typical Swedish arrangement. October 14th we were all invited for a presentation of the Autumn programme accompanied by Tapas and Drinks.

Doesn't he have falcon eyes?

Looks like a Birds Nest, doesn't it?

Beginning of October 2009 we visited Selwo (Aventura), Costa del Sol's Wildlife Zoo, for the first time. It was an amusing and thrilling experience at the same time, especially the Bird Show, taking place every day at noon, which impressed Per and Monika greatly.

Per and Robertino

Robertino in the 60's

Robertino and Monika

Do you remember Robertino (Loreti), the 13-year old Italian schoolboy who in 1960 had a hit with O Sole Mio, which was frequently played on the radio as well on different stages? Haven't we all a little bit wondered what became of him?. He is still touring the scenes around the world and on April 8th 2009we were almost 100 people who were given the opportunity to listen to him again at the Nordic Restaurante Café y Bar (see below). Robertino was invited by his good friend since many years, Öystein, who is also a good singer. We could listen to the top hit O Sole Mio of course, but also a number of other popular Italian songs, some of them presented in duet with Öystein.

Öystein greeting the guests

Guests were offered, among others, a delicious paella

On March 28th 2009 the NRC restaurant was "reopened" after a more than five-year-long closure. New owner is Norwegian Öystein who also runs the O Sole Mio restaurant in Elviria. Through ads in various media along the coast Öystein had invited the public to celebrate this occasion together with him and guests were offered a glass of Cava and a buffet. Bus transport was also arranged from Elviria. Öystein, who had calculated with some 200 guests, was meeting an interest far larger than so, over 400 persons joined the party and were offered tasty food and beverage. We wish Öystein all the best and success with his new restaurant which, to start with, only will be open for lunch (noon-8 pm).

2008

Mattias Klum greets guests at the Vernissage

Mattias Klum and Monika

Monika gets Mattias' latest book signed

November 21st 2008 the internationally famous nature photographer Mattias Klum visited the coast, invited by the Swedish bank Swedbank, to introduce their new common project "Expedition Sweden". A large number of interested spectators met up at Marbella Cinecenter to listen to Mattias' own stories and admire samples of his works. Mattias, well known as one of the world's leading nature photographers, demonstrated that he is also a world class presenter. It is almost impossible to imagine how much work there is behind one single picture, one single moment. With fascination we listened to the story about climbing a 40 metre high tree in the primeval forests of Borneo with full equipment (some hundreds of kgs) and then to wait up there, completely still, for a couple of days (surrounded by some hundred curious and hungry insects of various kinds) waiting for the one and only second when the "right" moment maybe would come, the moment when the so-longed-for motive maybe could be captured. Or, with bad luck, maybe have to descend the tree resultless just to repeat the same procedure at a later occasion. In the evening Swedbank invited to a Vernissage where opportunity was given to study a little closer some of Mattias' works (and maybe acquire something to decorate the walls at home).

Monika with Svante..

Claes Crona Trio was ackompanying

..and Per with Viktoria

October 7th 2008 Viktoria Tolstoy (again) and Svante Thuresson visited Los Naranjos Golf Restaurant with a show they already successfully toured with in Scandinavia. They were ackompanied by Claes Crona (again) with his all Swedish trio, same as on their Scandinavian Tour (Matthias Svensson on base and Rasmus Kihlberg on drums).

Per supervising the drink service

Proud artist next to her Viking

Guests mingling with the Casita in the background

On Saturday October the 4th 2008 the Spanish-Nordic Association, AHN, celebrated its fortieth anniversary. Each local club arranged festivities for this occasion and in Nueva Andalucia celebrations with some twenty guests took place in the recently renovated Casita with an Open House, mingling, cava and tapas. Simultaneously the opportunity was taken to unveil a new piece of art, a Viking, painted by artist Ingalill Munther, which will decorate the fasade of the Casita in order to further spell out its Nordic connections.

In the Classroom

Cancelada Cultural Centre

Homework Control

During the spring 2008 Monika studied Spanish twice a week up in Cancelada. The courses, arranged by the municipality are lead by the teacher Daní from Cádiz why it isn't always "national" Spanish that is taught, but rather "Andalusian", which might be useful, but not quite easy to understand.

2007

18.000 IKEA visitors on first day

On October 31st 2007 IKEA, the Swedish Home Department Store giant, opened their Malaga store, close to the airport. There were heavy traffic jams because of the great interest from Spaniards as well as others. This is IKEAs second store in Andalusia, the first was inaugurated in Seville just a couple of years back.

Per at the Volvo Masters entrance

Monika and Helena Cederström from Jönköping

In the beginning of November Volvo Masters, the final of the European Golf Tour 2007, took place at Valderrama and we were there to see Europe's 60 best players in a match for the European Champion Title. Conditions were tough with strong winds and after four days of play only three players had scores below par. Playoff was needed in order to finally find out the final champion, Justin Rose from England.

Viktoria Tolstoy makes two performances at Los Naranjos

Jazz singer Victoria Tolstoy (f 1974) is busy touring Europe this spring and also takes the time to visit Costa del Sol to improve her suntan and make two performances at Los Naranjos Golf Club on April 9th and 10th. She is accompanied by the Claes Crona Trio.

2006

Bosse Parnevik, the wellknown Swedish entertainer with a house up in Nueva Andalucia, took the opportunity to celebrate his 50 years as an artist with a mini tour to surrounding places. The Tour, under the name "En Salig Gubbröra" (Can't translate, sorry), started in Marbella November 10th and ended up in Torrevieja on Costa Blanca on November 24th, 2006.

Monika and Gösta at the Vernissage

Artist Gösta Lewin (b 1930) living on the Costa del Sol since many years had his usual annual art exhibition on the Coast, this time for the fortieth consecutive year. The exhibition took place in the Club House at Los Naranjos Golf Club between November 26th and December 3rd 2006.

The autumn 2006 it was raining quite heavily down here, several hundreds of millimetres, which we living down here find good as the water magazines are far from the level where they should be, but which is not so fun for those of you coming down to get a nice tan and/or to play golf for a week or two. We got alarming reports from back home where people had heard and seen pictures of cars floating out into the sea due to the rain. To tell the truth this was of course not only due to the rain. The Spaniards who usually park their cars wherever they find a free spot were parking (as always) on the bottom of the (usually) dry bottom of the river. But this time the river was suddenly filled with water. The rest is easy to imagine.. PS. The picture above was published in one of the main Swedish pink press newspapers on November 8th with the headline "Swedes in the middle of the Mega storm". Other headlines in the same article were "Several hurricanes could be seen, Police cars floating on the water and No reports of deaths. Not until we saw this article we were able to understand why we were contacted by relatives and people back home asking us whether we were still alive. Alive because of what? Down here life was as usual, some autumn rains like any other year.

Visits

2017

Jesper's nickname is San Miguel

Jesper and Monika with La Concha in the backgroud

Full and satisfied

There is always time for a pizza in Puerto Banús

HV71's victory is celebrated with a Mojito at Pepe's

On monday September 11th 2017, the day after our own arrival, Jesper came down to see us for a week.

2016

Look how happy we are

Ava arranging her seat

Two Irishmen and two Swedes

..and a glogg on our terrace..

Since a while now, we have got new neighbours, Swedish-Irish couple Cissi and Liam with lovely daughter Ava, not yet one year old. One evening we had dinner at their place and besides the delicious food and nice company one of the remaining memories is that we were met by wonderful Leonard Cohan music as we entered the front door. A salute to the artist that left us for good just a few days earlier.

Lunch at Enrique's

With Eva and Lelle at Da Mario's

Lunch at La Chispa in Fuengirola

Irish get-together at Vyv's place

First two weeks of November our very good friend Vyv from Dublin visited Costalita and of course we grabbed the opportunity to see each other as often as time permitted, sometimes eating and drinking at our own places, sometimes visiting nice and cosy restaurants.

2015

Nowadays also Per drinks water with his food. Jan serves.

Monika relaxes at Kalle's and Bärbel's place

Gunilla enjoying a rosé cava at our terrace

Kalle never leaves his guests with empty glasses

Emmet also invited his friends Kieran and Kate

First October week we spent meeting and seing our Costalita neighbours after the summer break.

Two with the same favourite - Corona of course!

Full and satisfied after a delicious lunch

Tuesday March the 31st we had a late lunch in the sun together with our Norwegian friends Harald and Mona down at La Antigua.

May I serve you a little more wine?

Pers new composed dessert

After eating time to walk the dog

On Saturday March the 21st we invited our friends Janne and Lena and also their golf buddies Kurre and IngBritt for lunch at our place.

Old colleagues at work

Congratulations Grandma!

A toast to Gunilla

Congratulations "brother" Jan

During the week 8th - 13th of March the Werding family had important visitors, maybe the reason being that Jan as well as Gunilla celebrated their birthdays this week, Gunilla's birthday also being an "even" one. The visitors were their children Anna and Anders with partners. The person that got most of the attention was without comparison their grandchild Little Hedda, Anders' and Ulrika's daughter.

On the San Pedro Boulevard

Visit to the Ronda bullfighting arena

Estepona City tour with Olle & Barbro

Strolling around Alhambra

Puerto Banús by night

Tunnel tour inside the Gibraltar rock

Beautiful art in Marbella

Test of local sushi at Golden Wok

We met the sunrise every morning

Heading for Estepona's Sunday market

No Sunday without chorros in Estepona port

Preparation of our meat

The second half of February we hosted visitors from far away, Lee and Helen from the US. As this was their first visit to the coast it also gave ourselves the possibility to revisit places that we hadn't visited for a long time. Besides some shorter excursions to nearby places such as Estepona, San Pedro, Marbella and Puerto Banús we also visited more faraway places such as Gibraltar and Granada with its impressing Alhambra premises.

We started with a drink

Susanne and Per....

..and also Monika and Göran

Friday February the 6th we were invited to our Swedish neighbours Susanne and Göran for dinner. We were presented a wonderfully tasteful and well composed three-course dinner accompanied by well matching liquid stuff. Luckily enough our home was within walking distance.

Prolonged lunch on arrival..

.. for Eva & Lelle

Sunday lunch at Enrique's

..ended with coffee and avec

Sunrise also today .

Morning walk accomplished Photo: Lennart Steene

Dogs taken care of .

Lots of flowers all over... .

A little rain last day

Farewell dinner at La Parcela..

..home sweet home

Then it was time again. Already two days after our own arrival also Eva and Lelle arrived. Besides enjoyable moments in our apartment we also found the time for a few excursions, among others we visited the white mountain villages Ojén (click for more info) and Istán (click for more info).

2013

Heading for the beach after a lunch at Golden Wok

Happy and satisfied after dining at the "Mexican"

The last dinner we enjoyed on our own terrace

Jesper and Per in the Pool

Lined up by the Teppanyaki hob..

..where opportunity is given to eat with chop sticks

End of September 2013 we were visited by Monikas' youngest son Jesper with family, staying with us a whole week. Most of the time, at least the time of the children, was spent in the pool and great progress was made. Felix improved his diving skills, while Matilda learnt how to stand on her hands in the water. We also found time for visiting a couple of our local restaurants which was much appreciated, in particular by the kids. Most popular was La Antigua where we ate twice and the "Mexican" from where the children had nice memories from their latest visit to the coast. One evening we dedicated to a late birthday celebration for Jesper and Lotta with a Teppanyaki Dinner at our local Japanese restaurant, Osaka.

Per gave a few examples of Swedish "snaps" songs

Christina really enjoyed the Swedish "snaps"

March 30th 2013 we invited our neigbours and friends to sample a Swedish Easter Buffet. Our Spanish neighbours Jorge and Cristina from Bilbao as well as Emmet from Dublin enjoyed the evening and the food.

Per greeting the guests at our doorstep

A good wine always deserves a thorough analysis

March 28th 2013 Mats and Ann-Britt visited our home for the very first time.

Kitchen staff on site, right Karin (but what is he doing?)

Heading for a Cancelada restaurant

¡Adios Amigos!

See you in Lövånger next time!

On February 21st-25th 2013 we were visited by Karin and Lasse, who were the last day and night of their stay accompanied by Ammi and Sune who arrived with their mobile home.

Compulsary Beach Walk

Lisbeth (and Harry) enjoying the sun

Prince Harry loved the views

Towards the end of January 2013 we had a visit by Lena with sister Lisbeth. Lisbeth's little Toy Poodle Prince Harry made them company of course.

2012

Ingrid relaxing in the sun with SWEA publication

We invited some coast friends to a common lunch

Thomas and Nelia are best mates

End of November 2012 Ingrid & Kjell from Västerås came down to see us.

Per enjoys being in Royal company

A cool beer on the Estepona beach walk

Monika installed at Villa Padierna (photo: Björn E)

Mid November 2012 we were paid a visit by Jonas' parents-in-law Björn and Margareta. We took the opportunity to become a bit nostalgic and picked the opportunity to joke a little around our (during the second half of the 20th century) wellknown Swedish bicycle brands, Rex and Monark (both these words refer to "king"). As Björn earlier held the position as Big Boss at Monark ("King Björn") and one of our friends on the coast, earlier held the same position at Rex ("King Arne") we couldn't miss the opportunity to invite Arne to a common dinner (without Björn's knowledge of course). The code name for this project was the Two Kings' Meeting. The meeting became a complete surprise to the two gentlemen, and the reunion was dear. The rest of us didn't get much of a word during the night as the former kings were discusssing old memories.

The bathers

Mother and son pausing at the Puerto Banús street market

Dinner with friends Jan and Gunilla up in Benahavís

Elin and Anna at grandma's pool (photo: Chrisse)

Anna building a rock tower from her stones (photo:Chrisse)

Looking for pretty stones is a popular task (photo: Chrisse)

End of September 2012 we were visited by Monikas' eldest son Jonas with family, staying with us a little more than a week. Most of the time, at least the time of the children, was spent in the pool and great progress was made. Elin trained diving from the pool edge and Anna practised her arm swimming strokes accompanied by her green frog. Also Grandma made progress as she one day took us all by surprise being the first in the water.

2011

A drink on the terrace waiting for lunch

Wooden bridge from Skellefteå across the Rio Verde

We had lunch at a chiringuito down by the beach

Monika found a cup for her collection

While enjoying Agneta's pieces we sampled the wine

Lelle found a wine for the night's dinner..

while Eva poses with Wine merchant

According to the tradition we were visted by Lelle and Eva at the time for Lelle's birthday, i e mid November. This time they stayed a full ten days! Among the activities during their visit was a visit to Lelle's cousin Elisabeth as well as an excursion to Morgan Skantz and his combined home and Wine store where also busy Agneta Larsen took the opportunity to promote her pieces while Morgan let us sample wines from his assortment.

A drink waiting for the 'Pitepalt'..

....which should be homemade and hot

Per was well taken care of by the ladies

Happy Days serve you gorgeous Wiener schnitzels..

.so we had lunch there after our Fuengirola Market visit

Birgittas birthday was duly celabrated on our terrace

This time we were not the ones having visitors, but our good friends Anki and Kjell. They got a visit from back home by friends Anders and Birgitta from Boden as well as Håkan and Ing-Marie from Skellefteå. We spent a lot of time in their company and had great fun together. Per, born in the North of Sweden, almost got his original accent back after some 50 years away from there.

Monika waiting outside while we visited the police

Per and Rut in front of her and Egil's house

Kjell and Egil at the square in old Torrox

..and Nelia waiting for her Master...

Babsan really enjoys her new swimming pool

For a change we just don't present material under this heading on friends that visit us but also on friends that we pay a visit to ourselves. In October 2011 we made a three-day excursion to Torrox where we stayed with our friends Barbro and Kjell from Jönköping who recently bought a house in Torrox Park where they were just moving in. Apart from giving some good advice to the new Spaniards we also found time for socializing while eating and drinking as well as a small excursion to the Police in Velez Málaga to apply for a NIE number, a necessity for any type of action when settling in Spain for shorter or longer periods. Another excursion ended in the Old Town of Torrox where we met with Egil and Rut, new friends of Monika from her trip to Morocco earlier this year.

Real mates

A computer game for a change

Sampling Lotta's Frozen Margarita

What shall we order, Grand Ma?

Farewell lunch at Matilda's favourite, La Antigua

Dad, is Africa far away? Shut up, just swim on!

Per baked a strawberry tart for Austen's 80 years

The gang in the pool

September 2011, we welcomed family Jesper, Lotta, Matilda and Felix to our Costalita paradise where we spent a wonderful sunny week together. During the week Felix took the opportunity to improve his diving capabilities and by the end of the stay his "crazy dives", as he called them, were almost perfect. Matilda, who until this week mostly had been practising "dog stroke", learnt how to do a perfect breast stroke and she also learnt to stand on her hands in the pool. The climax of the week for us adults were, without doubt, Lotta's Frozen Margaritas, with a base of Brämhult's lemonade brought in from Sweden (the other ingredients Tequila and Cointreau, were available from the local store).

Elin: 'Lovely!!'

Anna with 'the New Look'

Jonas likes to take photos of his girls..

Below our apartment...

...or, as here, ready for Jet Set life in Puerto Banús

In August 2011, when we were not on site ourselves, family Jonas, Christel, Elin and Anna took the opportunity to visit Costalita. Above, a few photos from their visit..

Lelle and Eva at the Marbella Beach Promenade

A glass of Moët & Chandon before the meal was OK

Kjell, Per and Nelia at the Balcon de Europa in Nerja

April 2011 was a hectic month. First Eva and Lelle visited us and, taking the opportunity to show them what our everyday life looks like, we brought them to a Wine Sampling exercise one evening and, another evening, Lelle and Per took control over the kitchen and prepared an exquisite meal (gratinated lobster, Coeur de filet provençale and Chocolate mousse) for us to which we invited our friends Anki and Kjell. Very much appreciated! The very same day that Eva and Lelle departed, another couple Babsan and Kjell from Jönköping came down to stay with us and also to explore the Real Estate situation in Nerja. Three full-day visits to Nerja will certainly result in them becoming owners of a Torrox Town House. Ourselves, we were delighted to visit Nerja for a day and recall happy memories from a place where we spent two vacations in a row some fifteen years ago.

2010

Lennart, Eva and a Common Gull cousin

Eva and Marie-Louise from SWEA at the MiniFair

Lennart flanked by cousin Elisabeth and wife Eva

Birthday celebration at El Carnicero

It has become almost a tradition now that we celebrate Lennart's November birthday together with our friends Eva and Lennart and so it happened also in 2010. We had them almost to ourselves for a whole week during which we found the time for several, most varied, activities. Among those can be mentioned a visit to the Ceramic Artist Agneta Larsen and her Autumn Vernissage (Monika brought a sea gull from there) and the SWEA Mini Fair at the Centro Forestal Sueco. The culinary peaks of the birthady celebration consisted of a lunch at a beach restaurant in San Pedro in company of Lennart's cousin Elisabeth with husband Peter and a dinner with our friends Jan and Gunilla at the barbecue restaurant El Carnicero up in Cancelada.

A tired Market visitor

A happy Market visitor

Vyvien from Dublin accompanied us for Dinner

In September 2010 our friends Christer & Lena from Täby rented an apartment at Costalita for two weeks. Most of the time they used just to recover from hectic days back home and to enjoy good eating and drinking. One night they spent at the Parador in Ronda which, at that moment, was celebrating and dressed up for a few Fiesta Days.

Chambao Paradiso has got their own playground

Arrival at Malaga's brand new Terminal 3

The whole family enjoying Grand Ma's Pool

Anna with her favourite Frog

Elin's very first jump into the Pool

Anna is Little - the sea is Big

Jonas, Christel, Elin & Anna, also from Täby, arrived the same day (and with the same plane) as Christer & Lena headed back home. Per picked them up at the airport.The week was mostly dedicated to sun and baths, but time was also found for a few excursions and visits to street markets. The most memorable thing from the week was without doubt that Elin learnt how to swim and how to dive.

Me too!!

Gustav, Elliot & Johan in the Pool

Is it Per or the balloon on the ear?

Future Golf Professional?

Ulrik, Monika, Gustav & Marie in Puerto Banús

Johan thinking of his next Investment

End of March 2010 we had two groups from home visiting us. First Mimmi, Johan, Elliot & Vilmer who were picked up by Per at Malaga Airport and the brand new T3 terminal. This gang consists of some tough guys which they proved by going swimming in the pool as well as in the sea (something that we, ourselves, would be extremly reluctant to) even if the summer still is a bit ahead of us. One of the days we visited the Marriott Vacation Village where we could enjoy a 28 degree pool as well as a Jacuzzi. During the week we also had time for a visit to Puerto Banús to look at the big boats and end with a good meal at the Picasso Pizzeria. Before going back home we also visited the sports department at Corte Inglés where we found the right golf club for Elliot to start with (later on tested at the El Paraiso Driving range). The very same week we were also visited by Ulrik, Marie & Gustav from Jönköping which suited us extremely well as Gustav and Elliot, about the same age, quickly found each other and spend considerable time together. Ulrik, a good golfer (hcp less than 1), found the time during the week to play first Aloha, then a traing round at Finca Cortesín with Golf professional Patrik Sjöland and finally a visit to the Parador Golf Course at Malaga Airport, this week hostning the Andalucia Open of Golf.

Eva & Per preparing a meal

The result, a real GI meal, mussels and humus

Per offers gratinated lobster as first course

The last week of January 2010 Lennart & Eva came down to socialize and get a well deserved rest from the tough life back home in Sweden. It rained quite a lot to start with so we got a lot of rest (and Eva got a lot of Suduko) and socializing (accompanied by good food and drinks). During the rain pauses we got the necessary time to visit a few street markets where the most indispensable things of life could be acquired, among those stockings (five pairs for a Euro) and gifts of course. By the end of the week the sun returned, as it always does, so that there was also time to get that nice suntan to bring back home.

2009

Felix & Matilda with Dad in the Pool

Felix & Matilda by the Sea

In the middle of the hottest priod, two weeks in July 2009, Monika's youngest son, Jesper, with family took the opportunity to visit Costalita. They spent two unforgettable weeks with sun and bath. The only thing missing was Grand Ma and Per (according to information from Felix and Matilda).

2008

Monika had prepared a delicious paella

Eva gets treatment from Rosa Maria

Per recalling old Charter Trip memories in Torremolinos

And so it was time again... Mid October 2008 Lelle & Eva, paid us a visit, now for the second time this year. We spent an incredibly nice week together (as always) and the weather was in its best mood with sunshine every day. Eva, as well as Lelle, took the opportunity for a swim in the Mediterranean during this week and we also found some time for excursions, among other places to Torremolinos. Eva and Monika also made several markets insecure places and on top found the time for a visit to Rosa Maria, our masseuse up in Cancelada.