[A completed commercial centre would help to draw people to the resort but no guest at my property has indicated that they would not return because of lack of facilities. My only desire is for sufficient demand to make the "Guadiana Market" local shop viable 52 weeks a year.[/QUOTE]

Chimes with my thoughts. Am not really bothered by the Commercial Centre either way; all I want/need while on holiday is available in Ayamonte or nearby. The CC at Islantilla is something of a disappointment, while that at Faro is near enough if desperation strikes. Would really like the 'little shop' to prosper all year.

The only other aspect that would benefit Esuri, is sufficient users of the golf course to allow it to be maintained at a standard which attracts visitors.

Steve

There are a couple of furnishing shops closing down in Ayamonte. Absolute is still operating from their office in town and you can still order furniture there. Egg in Nest's shop is closing on Saturday 18th April, so they have plenty of bargains there. They are still selling their furniture, but by appointment, so you can phone them and they can show you their range of furniture from the warehouse.
I am sure that you will enjoy your visit here. At least the weather will be great.There is all gloom and doom in England as well, but people will soon get fed up hearing and talking about it and get back to normality. Whatever that is.

Chimes with my thoughts. Am not really bothered by the Commercial Centre either way; all I want/need while on holiday is available in Ayamonte or nearby. The CC at Islantilla is something of a disappointment, while that at Faro is near enough if desperation strikes. Would really like the 'little shop' to prosper all year.

The only other aspect that would benefit Esuri, is sufficient users of the golf course to allow it to be maintained at a standard which attracts visitors.

Steve[/quote]
When we we out in Janary we could not believe the TLC lavished on golf 2. Started before dawn on cutting the greens then futher treatment and more cuts and finally watering every day. Golf one seemed well used most days with coach parties on 2 or 3 days in the week.

Hi All

Not written recently but have a nosy at the site frequently as it is good to keep up with what is happening. I do miss our lovely home in CE as we have not been there since Sept but everyone who has stayed at the house has been positive (and they would be honest with me !) they love the house and the area, esp Ayamonte and are forward-thinking enough to see the possible potential of CE in the long term. Having just become grandparents we hope to have many years out there spoiling our family - 'til then keep on grafting to meet the bills ! We are on Lomas De Esuri, townhouses M2 and several of our neighbours have called me after their visits and say the gardens, pool etc are looking really good and when I compare the photos they have given to me to mine from just a year ago I can see how well they have matured (gardens not my neighbours). The community fees, I feel, are fair provided they stay at current costs however the Euro/£ rate is scary but it has crept up the past few days thank goodness and the interest rate on our Spanish mortgage has reduced so the payments are in fact lower that what we started with. Our Inter- cmmty president, M2 president and VP are very good and much appreciated, it is a difficult and often thankless task which takes a lot of time for which they receive no pay and I am grateful we have these people to represent us. You do need the right sort of people, it makes all the difference, so we are very lucky.

I am so looking forward to our next visit in July but I also get quite excited for the people I know who are going out before me and like to pass on the info from the BE forum about where to visit, where to eat etc and hear their news to add to my visitor book. On that note I am sorry that Jur's boat isn't available anymore ( I went on it 4 times..great !) and I used to advise folk to hire bikes from Jur's as well so where can I send them to now .....Jur are you there please ?

Also car hire, I have used Zitauto (cheaper to book through their UK agent than direct ???) and like them as there are no cross border charges and have used Travel Rent for the same reason but feel irritated when I go on Car Hire sites from a "comparison" site and when I ask about any border charges there is no definitive answer...."they will tell you when you get there" is no good as I want to know B4 I book as I don't want to be landed with a hefty unknown charge. This is impt to us Faro car renters going into Spain so, other that Zitauto and Travel Rent, anybody know what other companies do not make these charges and also still cover you if you have a breakdown or accident and will come out ? Would, alternatively, be good to have a list of those that do charge so they can be avoided.

I don't write for ages then I bore you all with an essay...sorry !

Take care all

Mel

Hi,

This Is My First Post!

We have just got back today from a 7 day stay at CE.

While we were were there, we picked up "The Resident" newspaper from the clubhouse, where we found an advert for a shop called "Bike Spor".
The next day we checked it out, it is quite hard to find, there are directions here, though it is all in spanish!!

I think it is 7.50 euros for one day, 12.50 for three days and 25 euros for 1 week, and the bikes are really good.

We went over to Villa real de Santo Antonio (Portugal)(on the ferry!)

I would reccomend bike spor to anyone who fancies a bike ride, weather its round ayamonte or in Portugal!

Regards
Josh

I always book through Economy Car Hire and then use AirAuto. This gives you All insurance except Tyres and Glass( this covered for about £1 a day) and free cover in Spain. Air Auto do charge if you collect or drop between 2200 and 0800.
I have since found that Drive 4Fun do not charge for early or late coll and drop off.These can be booked through Economy car hire Other things are the same as Air Auto

Hi Sharon
We where at Jags at the beginning of the month and the new menu is delicious, I ate too much the first time and had to go again to try at least one of his deserts, they are to nice to call puddings. I can honestly say that there is nothing else like it in Ayamonte, not a cuttle fish in sight.

Hi Mel, Great to hear from you! If you want to send people on an other boat trip there´s the UADI-ANA which in the high season does 4-5 trips a week going up to Alcoutim, lunch is included in their excursion. It´s nothing compared to what I used to do but still nice enough. This is their site: www.guadianatour.com

Isla Canela Tours in the Marina is getting rental bikes again, Just go and see Bart or Reyes who will set you or your guests up with a nice bike...

Also the live music at La Sonrisa is starting again, full house last Saturday (Thanks T-Bag!). I did hear that the next event will be in May but I´ll post if I´m allowed to. (BTW. I´m not commercially attached to La Sonrisa, Anymore)

Keep posting!

Thank you very much Guesswork...I will try them for a comparison

All the best

Mel

Cheers Jur, BTW my neighbour bought back the papers for me to read and I then realised what you were up to, all the best to you both in your new posts....very handsome couple !!

Bike info very helpful, wondered if it might still be at Canela.

Hope T-Bag are on in July when I am there, have seen them before and really enjoyed the atmosphere.........Mods - please let Jur post info such as this, it is great to have somebody who is there to let us know what is going on.

Just to rabbit on some more did anybody see the excellent programme on Tues night about the Spanish horses in Jerez, they were beautiful and the horsemanship is amazing. They showed a bullfight and I was going to switch off the TV because I couldn't see the bull being harmed but the skill of the rider and the magnificence of the horse was thrilling.

Take care all

Mel

Up front price they are not the cheapest because all insurance is included

Thanks very Much !

On the Car rental issue: Auriga Crown finally opened an office in Faro (not sure if it´s at the airport). I´ve always found there prices very reasonable and they´ve provided good service.

Gosh, it's expensive, two of us reckon to eat out with wine for the price of a main course.

We always use a guy called Luis Romeria who was recommended by our friend who lives in Ayamonte. He doesn't have a web site and in fact I've never seen him in the 2 years I have been using them, but the service and charges are very good and competitive.

We simply drop him an e-mail request with the dates etc, and he replies straight away. His charges include insurance and cross border stuff, so no scary add-ons. One of his guys will meet you just outside arrivals, fill in the paperwork for you and even bring the car to the door as well. You don't need to pay anything until you get there and you simply drop the car off at the on-site carpark without having to wait for it to be checked over.

He is not necessarily the cheapest, but worth checking him out even for a comparison. His e-mail is [email protected] and I have no commercial connection with him...however, it may be worth mentioning "John & Lynn" so that he gives you the best prices.

I heard that luis's excess charges are high.Need to check that when booking. I have always used zitauto and I never had a problem with them.