Granada Blog from Padul

Visit The alhambra lions as soon as possible you won't see them like this again

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:08:22 GMT

The Alhambra lions have returned to their lair after an absence of two years. The Patio de Leones is complete again and is a s fresh and "new" as it was 700 years ago.

Now is the time to get your early prickly pears in Granada

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:49:17 GMT

Just this morning I saw a couple (the man wearing thick gloves and wielding fire-tongs and the woman carrying a bucket) busily harvesting some "early" chumbos.

And why shouldn't they be getting their early harvest? Chumbos are absolutely delicous to eat.... ..... and profitable to sell.

Prickly Pears in Granada

For more information and to check out the chumbo prickly pears in Granada,
click on Prickly pears in Granada

Five cheap hotels in Granada to give you security and savings

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:25:29 GMT

When you select one of the cheap hotels in Granada you can get excellent value AND the amenites you need to have a great holiday

Alhambra flamenco combines the genius of Lorca with the dance of the gypsies in 2010

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:54:51 GMT

I went to the Alhambra Flamenco Ballet performance last night with my wife, Babs, and four friends. And it was an experience to be savoured.

Alhambra flamenco poster

We were sitting in the open air theatre in the Generalife gardens of the Alhambra just before 10 o'clock at night and the atmosphere was electric.

People of all ages, wearing varied styles of dress from casual to dressy, came - as we did - to pay homage to the triple essence of Granada; the dance of Flamenco. My poet hero, Frederico Garcia Lorca. And Flamenco dancer extraordinaire Cristina Hoyos.

It was a night to remember as well as a night never to forget..

Chronic tension headaches ARE relieved by Massage

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:47:37 GMT

Yes, at last! Its finally been proved by the highly respected University of Granada research department.

Chronic tension headaches are relieved by massage. And it all happened at the San Cecilio Hospital in Granada!

If only we all knew how to cure our headaches we wouldnt need to take any more painkillers for our headache pain. But this type of massage needs to be focussed upon certain areas of the body in order to bring the relief being sought.

I have been to San Cecilio's Accident and Emergency section several times since moving to Spain and I .....

The Peaks Tower at the Alhambra points to a very enjoyable experience

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:16:49 GMT

The Peaks Tower at the Alhambra is but one of the twenty-two towers that are there. And it is so special it has been made the monument of July 2010!

For this month only, Alhambra visitors will be able to enter the Tower, but in August it will be closed to the public again. What an excellent opportunity to see what is there...

The Peaks Tower at the Alhambra
(photo credit Sigelio1)

For more information, and to check out why the Peaks Tower is so special,
click on The Peaks Tower at the Alhambra

The Alsa bus in Granada takes you places you want to go

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:28:11 GMT

Last week the Alsa bus company helped us to have a wonderful day out - in Seville.

We had a sight-seeing boat trip, a delicous Italian meal and an interesting look at the Sevici bicycle hire service.

The Alsa bus can get you to the
places you want to go to

For more information and to check out the Alsa Supra and the interesting things we got up to in Seville,
click on The Alsa Supra special services

San Juan in Granada:- One of the Special Fiestas with a wonderfully Magic Night

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:57:39 GMT

Even though it takes place in June, in some ways this special fiesta allows us to have a "New Start To The Year" part way through the old.

Jumping the Bonfire to get "Cleansed"

For more information and to check out this Fiesta with a difference,
click on San Juan in Granada

Take tip-top Granada pictures with These Seven Top Tips

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:09:09 GMT

One of the most common photographic problems holiday makers have is this. They return home after travelling and are disappointed with their photographs.

These seven tips can help change all of that and help you take awesome photographs that keep your holiday alive even when you've gone back home again.

View over Granada at dusk

For more information and to check out my "Seven Top Tips" for
taking better photographs in Granada
click on Granada pictures

Great entertainment in Granada for you.
And you could really be spoiled for choice

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:51:35 GMT

You will find entertainment in Granada wherever you go. And a lot of it is totally free.

Free entertainment in Granada
(photo credit Granada Hoy)

For more information and to check out the new "Flash Mob" video,
click on free entertainment in Granada

The Guinness world record in Granada creates a record-breaking castle using glue and recycled cartons. But can it actually work?

Sun, 30 May 2010 22:18:09 GMT

A new challenge for the Guinness world record in Granada! Children from my home town were amongst the winners in this recycling world record contest.

Part of the recycled castle in the Guinness Challenge

For more information and to check out the Granada Guinness challenge ,
click on Guinness World Record in Granada

Why the legacy of Mariana Pineda from Granada still lives on

Sat, 22 May 2010 20:56:43 GMT

Mariana Pineda of Granada is a little known but very influential heroine who has inspired countless women the whole world over.

Statue of Mariana Pineda in Granada
where the festivities will take place

A special festival is being held this year on Wednesday 26th May, the anniversary of the day of her death.

For more information on what is happening, where and why,
click on Mariana Pineda in Granada

During Corpus Christi in Granada 2010 You Can Enjoy the Best Of Everything Spanish

Wed, 19 May 2010 20:03:00 GMT

The fiesta of Corpus Christi in Granada is one of the best celebrated fiestas all over Spain.

All the fun of the fair ands processions too at the
Corpus Christi in Granada 2010

Where else can you get Fair ground activities, Bull fights, Processions, Performances by Choirs, Music from Orchestras and Pop bands, all made the better under blue skies and bright Spanish sun?

For more information on the week of fun and religion from 31st May to Sunday 6th June,
click on Corpus Christi in Granada 2010

The Flamenco in Granada on Wheels competition results can't be what you might expect

Fri, 14 May 2010 22:41:57 GMT

This flamenco in Granada started out as a competition but then it all changed. For the better?

One of the participants by the River Darro in Granada

The Red bull flamenco in Granada on wheels event was so popular that it will be repeated throughout Spain. But why did no-one win?

To check out the what really happened, and to get to see my all time favourite biking video,
click on Flamenco in Granada on Wheels

We love flamenco in Granada and these cyclists are free to challenge us

Wed, 12 May 2010 22:35:21 GMT

Flamenco in Granada is up to new heights with the Red Bull Flatland Flamenco Challenge pitting dancers against bicycles. But no matter who wins, the rhythm is always king!

Bike flamenco in Granada - a rare competition

The challenge will be to dance to the different flamenco styles:- Man Dancer against Bike Dancer! This is a world's first...

For more information and to check out the "Dancing on a Cycle" video,
click on The challenge to flamenco in Granada

Visit the revolving restaurant in Granada for a whole lot more than just food

Mon, 10 May 2010 15:01:32 GMT

Last week we went to the only revolving restaurant in the whole of Spain. And it just so happens to be in Granada.

We sat at our table on the seventh floor and the panoramic view of Granada passed us by in a full 360 degree circle. The Granada Vegas, Sierra Nevada mountains, and Granada City itself - all passed us by without us having to move even a muscle.

View of the red garden with Granada beyond
looking from the restaurant

And because the restaurant walls are made of glass, we didn't miss a single thing! The whole experience was wonderful, with just a couple of slight reservations....

For more information and to check out the "Rotating Speed" video,
click on revolving restaurant in Granada

Enjoy Cruz de Mayo 2010 in Granada. It's One Of The Best Fiestas of the Year

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:09:02 GMT

The first May of our life in Spain, Babs was whisked away to enjoy Cruz de Mayo (the crosses of May) by our Spanish friend Isabel.

She was not prepared for the wonders that waited them.

Ganada seemed to be a sea of flowers, crosses (crucifixes), ceramic tiles, copper kitchen utensils, and pictures, all intermingling with flamenco music to make an eclectic mix of colour and cheer.

Preparing for the Cruz de Mayo Fiesta in Granada

The fiesta itself has no history in religion, although each of the displays contain a cross (crucifix). No, the fiesta is basically a big celebration of Spring and the months to come. As always, the Spanish excel at changing a spring day into a big, big celebration.

And, like many of these fiestas - it is absolutely free!

For more information click on Fiesta of the Cruz de Mayo

Check our hire a car in Granada to confirm the two best options available

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:51:06 GMT

If you hire a car in Granada, here are the best two options and the best places to visit to make sure you get the most value out of the deal

Graffiti art in Granada. Should we it reward or punish it?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:54:34 GMT

Graffiti art in Granada is something we don't want. But is the best way to deal with it by punishing the artists or by rewarding them by giving them exhibition space in important venues?

The Granada Festival of Music and Dance 2010 - it helps you love your inner soul

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:23:55 GMT

The Granada festival of music and dance 2010. Four short weeks of the best music, great dancing and all the festivities of Granada

Get free books on the bus in Granada without really trying

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:40:41 GMT

Free books on the bus - there are 144,000 booklets going for those who request them in the Granada area this year. Collect each of the 12 titles and get yourself a unique set!

My top 28 Granada festivals and celebrations. How many can you enjoy?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:09:52 GMT

These are the Granada festivals, fiestas and celebrations that keep the city alive the whole year through

These sixty four things make Granada city breaks a great thing to do

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:37:23 GMT

Granada city breaks give an excellent chance to check out these sixty four things which make Granada great!

The Saint rides again

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:47:46 GMT

Last week our patron saint was carried around our village on one of the most important days of our year. I just couldn't resist sharing this story with you.

Shopping in Granada - the top four shop spots to bag bargains

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:59:57 GMT

Go shopping in Granada but look in the right places to find these great deals and designs

Solo climber breaks his leg on the Sierra Nevadas and rescues himself

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:37:58 GMT

Last Sunday 3rd January, 44 year old Sean Moore left the skiing village of Pradollano (near Granada) to climb the 11,423 foot Mulhacen peak. When he didn't return as arranged, his wife notified the police.

A search party set out and searched for the whole of Monday and Tuesday, camping out on Monday night at temperatures of -6 degrees. Helicopters couldn't be used because of the dangerous weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Moore managed to drag himself down the highest peak in Spain and find his way to a bar where the alarm was raised. He was immediately taken to the emergency room in Granada's Clinico Hospital.

Sean had not taken his mobile phone with him on the climb.

A spokesman at the hospital said that Moore's condition is not life threatening, but it was not sensible for people to go climbing alone.

Some people would say that being sensible is not usually a strong trait of mountain climbers. What do you think?

Granada Marathon Photograph Competition Winners

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:37:33 GMT

A few weeks ago I took part in the 2nd Photo Marathon of the City of Granada. Well, the winners are in and unfortunately I am not one of them. However, those of you who have an interest in Photography, or who love Granada as I do, may be interested in taking a look at the winning photographs.

Just click on the various links to see each one. Enjoy!

These online spanish exercises really help you to speak Spanish well

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:49:45 GMT

Online spanish exercises can be used to learn to speak, read and write the language. Out of the many available sites I have found three that excel in what they provide. These are they.

Marathon session for pictures of Granada in 2010

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:40:33 GMT

The Marathon pictures of Granada session 2010. Thousands of photographs were taken and fifteen areas in Granada were subjected to lens exposure by the 500 people taking part.

Corral del Carbon - one of those wondrous places that are a joy to visit

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:56:45 GMT

The Corral del Carbon is beautiful, it's peaceful and it's one of oldest Moorish buildings in Granada. It's definitely worth a visit

Enjoy horse riding in Granada along the ancient bridlepaths, tracks and valleys

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:10:39 GMT

Go horse riding in Granada. These horses can take you on a journey into the great blue yonder where burros and horses haven't yet been superseded by the tractor...

Find a reclamation yard in Granada - it's a veritable Aladdin's cave

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:36:51 GMT

Once you've found this reclamation yard in Granada you'll have the key for transforming your home and garden into something uniquely different

Granada semana santa - Easter Week - one of the best spectaculars of 2009

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:43:19 GMT

The Granada semana santa 2009 brings people flooding into the city to experience the magic of easter week. Will you be one of them?

The exhibition of Rodin in Granada is here for the very first time

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:35:24 GMT

Another example of the special "Art in the Streets", the exhibition of Rodin in Granada. See the sculpture up close and feel the emotions it can generate.