Mazarrón approves water price rise of almost 13 per cent

A divided Mazarrón Council (12 votes for, 8 against, 1 abstention) has approved a rise in the price of water of 12.84 per cent to take account of both of general consumer price rises and the current price of water from Aqualia; it is not clear which proportions of the increase relate to the two specific causes cited.

The divisions in the Council, seemingly along partisan political lines, focussed on the widespread consumer dissatisfaction with Aqualia who were said to be slow in carrying out repairs, to carry them out poorly, to leave open trenches for lengthy periods and to close them up badly; it was asserted that this poor service history does not justify an increase in the water tariff. The councillor responsible for finance matters agreed to talk with Aqualia to pass on consumer complaints and to urge them to improve their services.

One imagines (and this is speculation on my part) the increase was approved because the Council felt it had little choice; presumably it is popular with no-one.

New Post Office opens at Camposol

The new branch of the Post Office (Correos) has now opened in Sector B at Camposol, below the Consum supermarket, just a few doors along from the 'Best Wishes' card shop.

When I was at MCC for my annual 3-month stay until mid-May the Post Office premises had already been partially fitted-out, but not furnished, so it is good to see this new facility is now operating. It will certainly make sending mail a good deal more convenient for people both at Camposol and at MCC, although I imagine that received mail (registered mail or parcels, etc) will still have to be collected from the Post Office in Mazarrón, for those of us at MCC at least (although this last conjecture is pure speculation on my part). Nevertheless it's good to have this new convenient facility nearby.

CNN report on problem golfing developments in southern Spain

A reporter from CNN International visited MCC and other golf developments in southern Spain recently - as some who have experience there know only too well, such as those of us at MCC, the progress by the builder in fulfilling his promises has been lamantably slow. The current economic downturn is certainly a factor, but one wonders if it is the only reason for their delinquency. Watch and weep:

The segment is being broadcast on CNN International this week as follows:
- all times are GMT
July 2: 1230, 1730
July 4: 0700, 1730
July 5: 0300, 0730, 1500

Sporadic posts, even more than usual recently, for the next few weeks

It is possible I shall not be blogging much over the next few weeks, or at least even less frequently than has been my habit of late. I have not been feeling well since the weekend and at lunch-time today I had a doctor's consultation to diagnose the problem. It took him less than 5 seconds to decide what is affecting me and prescribe the treatment.

My ailment is not, thank goodness, in any way life-threatening but it is painful and the parts of the body affected are rather scary to look at (as a rather unpleasant rash is very often one of the symptoms). Apart from a dull and pretty intense headache in my case, neuralgia is a feature of this ailment, although I have thankfully (so far) been spared the worst 'stabbing' pains, rather it is a severe tenderness of parts of my body. I have now commenced the course of treatment, which lasts for a week, and one must hope that the rash will slowly clear up over the course of a few weeks. It's far too soon to tell, but it seems that at my age the pain could potentially linger for some considerable time; I'll just have to hope I'm one of the lucky ones who escapes that particular burden after only a relatively brief period. So far, apart from the pain, it has made me somewhat listless and nauseous and not feeling much good for anything - not even for my occasionally obsessional blogging activities. Maybe I'll occupy my time with reading some of the books I'm either half-way through or those in my pile of 'to read' books I've yet to start. I may even pop into blogging from time to time if I'm feeling up to it.

PS/ I've diasbled comments for this post.

Delay in opening of new medical centre in Puerto de Mazarrón

The new medical centre in Puerto de Mazarrón, although completed some months ago, is having its opening delayed until after the summer, when the influx of holidaymakers and tourists will have abated. The reason, according to this report is two-fold, firstly that there are problems in integrating sewage services for the new facility into the town network in that area, secondly that there are problems with the electricity supply which should be resolvable no later than the end of this year.

Apparently additional counters are to be put into place in the existing medical centre close by to cope with the summer influx of visitors, but one imagines that lengthy delays are to be expected.

MCC Gardening Group - it's HOT out there!

Yesterday the gardening group gathered at it's new start-time of 8pm for its regular Sunday evening gardening activities, now restricted because of the heat mainly to watering and weeding, although the hardy gardeners seemingly can't resist getting into moving rocks as well, or even trying to dig holes for new plants in the now near rock-hard soil!

These notes are based on information supplied by Alan Buck, who also sent me the photographs.

Here's what Alan wrote about the evening's work:

"Crazy Gardeners" These crazy gardeners just cannot give up. They said that they were going to concentrate just on tending the plants , watering weeding etc. until the cooler nights came in September. It was too hot to do any heavy work. When Rosie and I arrived, after collecting a few rocks, to help with the edging etc. there they were digging holes for more plants, moving stones and rocks and removing arkward weeds. These are really dedicated people and want to see improvements to MCC. I do hope that more people get involved, especially with the watering - just to get the plants established.

"All volunteers most welcome - please come along!"
Same time, same place next week
Sunday 28th June at 8pm!
(Our current locations for watering and weeding - roundabouts near restaurant at the top of the open ground between Manzanas 19 & 20 and the open space opposite Manzana 28, between Manzanas 31 & 33)

MCC Neighbourhood Concern Gardening Group CRAZY GARDENERS 21 June 2009 Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph. Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph.

MCC Gardening Group - Barbecue planned for 15th July

Some of the people involved in the Neighbourhood Concern Gardening Group at Mazarron Country Club have been busy for a few weeks putting together plans to hold a fundraising barbecue to help with the group's gardening activities. Now they are ready to let everybody know about what is planned and will be distributing leaflets and posters to let people at MCC know about it. I'm happy to include below a copy of the poster they are using, as this may be useful for those not currently at MCC, but who plan to be there over the period when the barbecue is to take place and might wish to factor it into their time at MCC:

MCC - Neighbourhood Concern Gardening Group Barbecue planned for Wednesday 15th July 2009 - Click on the image to see an enlargement -

- if you would like to download and print out a copy of this poster, I have prepared a version in .PDF format for this purpose - please click here.

PS/ The version of the poster being produced for distribution at MCC includes the telephone numbers of several of those behind organising the barbecue, to assist with obtaining tickets, but Hazel has opened an email account to receive queries from people not currently at MCC, but who wish to have more information or to reserve tickets if they plan to be at MCC over the period including 15th July 2009 and this is the version of the poster that I include here.

MCC Gardening Group - "Flashback to Manzanas 31/33"

Hazel Davison has sent me some photographs this evening of a part of the open ground between Manzanas 31 & 33, opposite Manzana 28, that she and Richard Dawson (and perhaps a few others, I'm not sure) have been working on yesterday and today, to lay gravel around some of the plants put into the soil on previous Sundays, with the aim of inhibiting weed growth and helping to retain moisture in the soil - specially as we are now entering the hottest and driest months of the year.

I think the visual effect is already very good, and I've no doubt that later similar work if/when it is carried out will improve the area still further:

MCC Neighbourhood Concern Gardening Group - 12 June 2009 Interim report - "FLASHBACK TO MANZANAS 31/33" Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph. Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph.

It's great to see what a few people working hard for a few hours can achieve for the benefit of all.

Government likely to approve surprise water transfer from the Tagus to the Segura basin

The Water Transfer Commission, part of the Ministry of the Environment is scheduled to approve today a transfer of water to cover the summer months from the Tagus system to the Segura system of about 70 cubic hectometres for human consumption and supply, equivalent to the consumption needs of 2.5mio people for drinking water in the Murcia, Alicante and Almeria regions.

One of the means by which the transfer is to be achieved is by the sale of water rights by irrigators in Estremera (Madrid), who are recompensed for not irrigating during the critical summer months. The surprise announcement of the transfer is likely to provoke severe criticism in Castilla-La Mancha, which is opposed to these transfers, but whilst regional governments have a high degree of autonomy the central government retains the over-riding power to use water transfer aqueducts.

As I've written here on a number of occasions in the past, water resources remain a highly-charged political issue in Spain. Undoubtedly, I imagine, the essential needs of the more drought-stricken parts of the country will be catered for, even notwithstanding the negative feelings of certain regions to transfers happening - the alternatives are not pleasant to think about.

Hola Valencia City Blog

Occasionally I discover a new blog which rather than spending time in my RSS feed readers before being 'promoted' to my public blogroll, goes into it straight away. The Hola Valencia City Blog is written by an American and a German living since last year in Valencia. Apart from the lively writing from Mike (the American), there are great photographs of the city from Juergen who is apparently an editorial photographer. I'll certainly be following their blogging efforts from now on.