Vintage Cars

In Spain a car-boot-sale-cum-street-market is called a Rastro , and is often held on Sundays. This morning I went to the Rastro in the woods near Benahavis, about half an hour from where I live. It was a surprise to find a rally of magnificent vintage cars was also being held there! I don't know what the models are, but I was charmed by their glamour!

Even without the vintage cars, a Rastro is a fun place to meet friends, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, browse the stalls, and discover extraordinary objects!

Art Matters! NADFAS

I look forward to the NADFAS monthly lectures from October to May! They are held at eleven am on the third Tuesday of the month at the San Roque Golf Club.

Tomorrow, 20th Oct 2009, is the start of the new season! The speaker will be Colin Williamson on; "200 years of Plastics in Art and Design from Victoriana to Lalique and Lycra".

On 17th Nov 2009 the subject will be "Brancusi and the Perfection of Form" presented by Eric Shanes

On 15th Dec 2009, we will have Gijs van Hensbergen BA (Hons) on "Antoni Gaudi - Sinner or Saint?

Members prepay for the season at a reduced rate. Visitors are welcome, and pay 12€ a lecture.

There are about 200 members of this branch. It is a delight to meet other people who think Art Matters!

The Cave - of Cueva De La Pileta

This cave is near Benaojan, about 70 kilometers from Bahia Dorada - through wonderfully wild mountain scenery. I've wanted to explore it for years. This week I did so for the first time! There are many steep steps up to the cave entrance, and inside the cave, so people with heart or agility problems are advised not to attempt to visit it. Once inside, Tilly lamps are lit and the group follows a guide who speaks in Spanish and English.

The Cave is most famous for a large depiction of a fish - which is most unusual in cave paintings.

The cave has Paleolithic and Neolithic paintings of animal and human forms, and many abstract lines and patterns, whose meaning is still open to interpretation. Carbon dating was possible as animal fat was used in making the 'paints'. There are two small lakes, with water that was once fresh enough to drink. (Now, coins dropped into them has spoiled its purity.) Many pottery shards can also be seen in the cave.

The postcard on the left distinctly shows the 'Pregnant mare' and a goat. Some people think the lines like a comb may be some sort of moon calendar. What of those circles with dots inside?

Gaucin

Dream of Castles in Spain!
Drive for an hour through beautiful countryside to visit the castle of Gaucin. Take some refreshment in one of the outdoor cafes, then ask you way to the 'Castillo'! Its a steep climb up to it, but the views are worth it!

The village has many resident artists. Every year there are Open Studio weekends. http://www.artgaucin.com/ I love to visit the artists to see their work and the places that inspired them.

This cottage is beside the garage, where you can fill up with petrol. Drive in either direction from there for fabulous mountain and forest views of 'real' Spain!