Frequently Asked Questions
There follows a series of questions, which prospective clients may wish to ask and the answers are intended to give helpful information about the ambience of your holiday with us. This information is part of the terms and conditions of your holiday.
Q. How long does it take to get from Malaga or Granada to Cortijo Los Nogales?
A. A reasonable average is about 2 ½ hours from Malaga and an hour from Granada to the foot of our mountain and then ½ an hour to Cortijo Los Nogales. Much depends on the time of day and the season. The journey from the foot of our mountain is along an unmade road. This is generally in fair condition if driven with car. We always recommend car hire from Hellehollis - one can insure the underside of the car, tyres and wheels for an extra euro a day. This is unavailable from many other car hire firms.
Q. Where is the nearest bar?
A. It is called Los Llanos at the foot of our mountain about ½ an hour away
Q. What is the nightlife like?
A. Very peaceful - if you want discotheques this is not the holiday for you!
Q. What is the electricity situation?
A. Electricity is provided by solar panels, which provides lighting only on a 12-volt system. This means that mains appliances cannot be used. The biggest problem this may cause is the inability to use hair dryers, watch TV or listen to CD/tape players. We can provide a battery operated CD/tape player. Batteries are available for purchase. If for a special occasion you wish to use a hair dryer then our portable generator is available. We are happy to charge small rechargeable appliances in our main house
Q. How do we keep our food cool?
A. There is a butane gas operated fridge freezer
Q. What happens when the gas runs out?
A. We provide a replacement. The cost is included in the holiday price.
Q. Will our mobile phones get reception?
A. There is normally reasonable reception though is does vary by provider. The important thing to remember is to check with your phone service that your contract and your phone allow calls to/from Spain. You should also make sure your battery is fully charged and if hiring a car bring a charger, which plugs into the car cigarette lighter. Click here to see our mobile phone offer
Q. Describe the reservoir in which we can swim?
A. The reservoir is circular and about 50 yards in circumference, being about 10 feet deep in the middle. It is constantly filled with water from the mountain and thus is always on the cool side. The water is clean but flows over ground. It is not filtered or chlorinated as its subsequent use is for irrigation.
Q. What is there that will bite me?
A. This answer is based on our personal experience. There are very few mosquitoes here. This is good news as the horrible sound when one is lying in bed of a mosquito whine is rarely heard. However, there are some biting flies during the day so if you are prone to problems in this area then it would be prudent to bring some anti fly product. We have found that a skin cream/spray with 95% DEET does the job. Please check with your doctor that you are ok with this. Horse riders should note that the horse flies here are larger than in the UK.
Q. Give me more information about any dangerous wildlife?
A. In our locality there are normally only grass snakes but higher up there are some adders - as in the UK they should be treated with caution, though they are very shy. There are also wild boars, once again very shy and rarely seen. However if seen be careful as they can be dangerous. Contrary to local legend there aren't any bears or wolves.
Q. What about the animals you have?
A. We have 4 very friendly large dogs. They are Fang and Wolf Siberian Huskies, Grip a white German Shepherd, and Lobo a black and tan German Shepherd. We would ask guests not to feed them though they will beg you to! We also have several cats, which are there to stop mice eating the horse feed. Again please do not feed. Also do not allow the cats or dogs into the cortijos. The latter point is because some guests will not like cats/dogs.
Q. How will the altitude affect us?
A. The air has less oxygen and this may cause some shortness of breath if you are unfit - smokers in particular may experience this.
Q. I've booked a week riding but when I get up one morning, I really do not feel like it. What happens?
A. If you do not feel like riding one day then there is not a problem - just let us know. There would however not be a reduction in the holiday price
Q. If we have only booked accommodation but later decide we would like to take part in some of the other activities such as trekking, guided 4 x 4 drive tours, are we able to do so?
A. Yes subject to availability and riding skill level for trekking.
Q. What is the weather like?
A. The weather is normally very sunny though as we are in the mountains it can vary from that found on the coast. You should deduct about 10% C from temperatures normally described in the holiday brochures for the coastal resorts. This is good news in high summer, as we do not have as many sultry days when it is difficult to sleep, as on the coast. There may be showers and sometimes storms in spring and autumn. In the winter months, we are about on the snow line and there is the possibility of several inches of snow January to March but the snow is often melted by beautiful sunny days by noon and the air at this time of the year can be crystal clear with the views at their best.
A weather telephone service is available in the UK called weather call on 09014 770051 [calls cost about 60p per minute] and will give you a 3 month and a 5 day forecast for all major holiday destinations. Do not forget though to adjust for our additional height. Call us if you would like some additional information.
Q. Please inform us about your data protection policy?
A. We will enter your details on our computer. This is purely for our own records [or if you have purchased other third party services via us we will pass relevant information onto them]. We wish to retain your details on our computer so that we can send you updated information on our accommodation and related activities. If you would like us to remove your information from the computer, please advise in writing. Other than as stated above we will not pass your details to any other party.
Q. Do we need a passport or inoculations?
A. At the time of writing all members of your party must have a valid passport. Inoculations are not necessary at the time of writing but it is always best to consult your doctor for up to date information.
Q. What happens if I am taken ill?
A. All guests are required to have a travel policy, which should cover them in the event of serious illness. We have access to a private English speaking doctor on the coast and of course the local town Orgiva, has doctors and a hospital for emergencies. Guests should ensure that they have their E111 or the new medical cards to obtain treatment. It should be noted that it might be necessary to pay and obtain a refund on return home.
Q. We suffer from vertigo. Will we be able to handle the height?
A. If you have a fear of heights we would honestly recommend you choose a different destination. Even the main road from the coast to Orgiva hugs the side of the mountain, round very tight bends. The latter part of the journey to Cortijo Los Nogales is steep, often single track and looks down very steep drops. If you are trekking then some of the treks go even higher along single file paths. Of course the plus side is the marvellous views and clarity of the air.
Q. Can we drink the water?
A. Our water is pure from mountain snowmelt and it was tested in a laboratory in June 2005 and certified as very pure. However as it is not chlorinated we cannot by local byelaws say that it is drinkable - - though we do drink it, with no ill effect. Thus the decision to drink or not must rest with our guests. Also as the chemical composition is much different to the UK you might wish to drink bottled water to avoid an upset stomach. Bottled water in Spain is a fraction of the price in the UK - about one euro for 5 litres. The water from your tap is fine for cooking, making tea or coffee. We supply an initial 5-litre bottle of drinking water and after that you can purchase from our shop if you so wish.
Q. Can we smoke?
A. Yes BUT we would ask that out of consideration for later guests that you only smoke in the lounge, not in the bedrooms or toilets.
Smoking outside is ok on your patio area but elsewhere extreme caution must be exercised. In the summer, the region is like a tinderbox and a carelessly thrown cigarette butt can set the mountain on fire, as indeed can leaving rubbish such as glass or tins.
SPECIAL NOTE - WHEN ON A HORSE TREK SMOKING IS ONLY ALLOWED WHEN THE TREK STOPS FOR A BREAK, AT THAT TIME THE TREK GUIDE HAS A SPECIAL RECEPTACLE FOR SPENT CIGARETTES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR STARTING A FIRE ARE SEVERE.
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