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Axarquia News, Issue #001 --A warm (if wet) welcome! April 19, 2004

Welcome to the first issue of the freewayspain.com monthly e-zine "Axarquia News" We aim to bring you the latest local news and reviews from around the region covering all manner of topics relevant to life here in this beautiful corner of Andalucia. In addition we will also bring you details of new properties and special offers from our business partners. In true British style, this month’s news has been dominated by the weather, and we also focus on the holy week of Semana Santa. Oh how the rains came.... The changing of the clocks on the last weekend in March will be remembered not only for bringing to an end three months of winter but also for being the start of three days of continuous heavy rain. Having not had more than a couple of showers since mid-December the regions first significant rain fall of 2004 brought with it extensive flooding, landslides, power cuts and traffic chaos. One the worst affected areas was the coastal town of Rincón de la Victoria. Here up to 2000 properties and 100 businesses suffered flood damage and hundreds of drivers where forced to abandon their cars, as flood water carrying rocks, tree branches and other debris cascaded down from the hills behind the town. As the rain eased and the clean up operation began, T.V. images showed where mud up to a metre deep had been deposited along the main Avenida del Mediterráneo, in what appeared to be a scene from a war zone rather than a coastal town preparing for the influx of Easter visitors. The other significant flooding in the region occurred on the Malaga airport approach road which was then closed to all traffic approaching from the east. The resulting traffic jams stretched for up to 20 kms on all the main routes in and out of the city and took virtually all day to clear. For the first time since 1997 water-letting has been necessary at the La Viñuela reservoir following the torrential rains earlier in the month, which saw an increase in capacity by 12 per cent (a three metres rise in levels) in just one week. Orders were given for the flood gates to be opened as a measure to control the reservoir's rising levels, and keep them within the safety margin. La Viñuela is currently at 90 per cent of capacity and this say officials will guarantee the region's water supply for the next four years. Semana Santa After months of preparation the holy week of Semana Santa saw many of the regions towns and villages commemorate the story of the Passion of Christ. However unlike the film of the same name, currently showing at a cinema near you, the theme here was one of solemn reflection. In addition to the traditional processional costumes, many of the brotherhood members taking part this year could also be seen wearing the black ribbon as a sign of respect to all those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the railways of Madrid on 11th March this year. Unfortunately the weather did play it's part in proceedings this year as heavy rain on Viernes Santo (Good Friday) washed out completely the highlight of the weekends processions in the town of Vélez-Málaga, the first time for 30 years that this has happened. We did manage to get some good photos of the other day’s processions and these can be seen on our Semana Santa page Transport The new tranvia (tram link) currently under construction between Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar continues to be on schedule to open some time in 2005. Work has recently started on the final stretch of the line along the Avenida de Andalucia (N340) into the centre of Torre del Mar. If you are about to book you next visit then why not take advantage of the Holiday Autos sale currently on, and save up to 30% off your rental car cost. Click the banner below for your car hire quotation. Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter and we look forward to bringing you more news and offers next month. ¡Hasta luego! Steve & Emma

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