just returned from recent visit

hi all,

having just returned home from a recent visit to this dull and depressing weather and not being up to speed on recent posts, i may have a few pointers for you. firstly the development is looking absolutely spectacular from the main driveway through to the apartments. security at the gate is effective, after registering your  vehicle once you will have no problems, unless you are a delivery person on which they check it out when you are coming in and going out.having stayed for nearly four weeks (mainly to fit lights,curtain poles, furniture,etc. for first week) i could see progress every day and every garden from one to thirteen had people moving in, some more so than others.being there for the first twenty days of august of which is the spanish holls( all of aug) it was quite reassuring to see the number of spanish families moving in some as hol homes, others  full time. the supermarket was the only  facility open while we were there although the bar/cafe was'nt far away from opening.tennis courts etc.were in use.they say golf will be playable end of oct though i cant see it being ready myself.also their is no planning as yet for the oasis town centre and no work being carried out bar the infrastructure being in place.the roads into it are a bit confusing coming from murcia but when you get used to it its no bother and there are bargains to be had once you can get aound not to mention the scenery,we know about the beaches but up the mountains through alhama is breath taking.may we all have many a pleasant evening sipping a glass (or two)of vino on our terraces,theres nothing lke it.
.

good luck to everyone,

jake and mary. jardine 11

Hi Jake and Mary

Thanks for sharing your info! 
Glad to hear security is on the gates now and that you say there are spanish families on the gardens too.
Also I must admit we have all spoken about the beaches but I haven't really thought yet about the mountains. 
Perhaps you can tell us more i.e. place to go and see?

Hi Jake1 thanks for the info. I have just boked for to go out for 3 days. Could you point me in the rights directions for furniture and where/ what are the bargains to be had?

Hi , we have bought everything through an English chap who has a shop not too far from La Torre who is cleaning the apartment then setting everything up for us so we shall be all ready to use straight away.Would be happy to let you know. Regards
Mandy 
T

hi scapa and wiredout,

sorry for the delay in responding,busy busy

as far as the mountain views are concerned, go through the commercial centre of alhama heading south you'll go over a bridge this road will take you up the mountain.I cant think of the name of it but well worth the effort, there is a nice little hotel up top with stunning views where they have binoculars and telescopes to look out over while sipping a beer.for bargains and value for money we found places by just  driving around while sightseeing and going to the beach etc. there is a place in camposol called bricohouse where you can get value on garden/patio furniture and also light fittings and ceiling fans. down in puerto mazzaron you will find UPPER HOME here you can find stuff to dress your home.also there is a  free standing extenable canopy that is on two vertical poles with tripod base that extends out on a pulley system to about 12 feet alright for 230e. all of our white goods we bought in carrafour and our furniture was bought  at a market held on sunday mornings  where they have a stall. you can then go to their warehose and view a bigger range.great value and they deliver free.you can get everyting at this market as its geared towards the likes of us. its about 30-40 mins from condado towards torrevieja by los montesinos called zoccos market.also at eroski you can get great value on just about everything.having looked at furniture packs and unless yo are buying one of the higher end packs where the quality is better, i made huge savings going down this route. may find more to report on ou next visit in october.

hope this helps.

jake and mary.

Hi,

The mountain range is Sierra Espuna - it is stunning, some great views and walks.  I took a few pictures when I was over and will try to add some in the next few days.  Great driving roads, with some real heart stopping bends!!

http://www.sierraespuna.com/ficha.asp?idioma=2&id=bk3 

Ted

Its sounds a lovely place to drive around.  Thanks for the link Ted maybe look forward to seeing the photo's

We have also just returned from our first visit. I can endorse the below. 
We are in Garden 9, the garden is fantastic with a mix of Spanish and non Spanish people. 
Have met a few people and although language barrier with locals is difficult every one we have met in the garden is very welcoming and friendly.
On arriving like any new build there were a few niggles but when reported to the customer services the response we got was first rate and we have no complaints..
The pools are fantastic and for those in the larger gardens who have lost a pool PW have made up for it by almost doubling the size of the pool they have put in compared to the smaller gardens.
We are really happy with our purchase the feel of the area is fantastic, maybe a little isolated(that suits us) roads system is fantastic and quiet and there is not a "tourist" feel around the area which i think makes it even more appealing.
It feels like a proper "home" and not a tourist cattle market.
Loads of areas to check out which will take plenty of visits to acheive.
Have uploaded some photos including some interior of apartment furnished.

Hi tyneside2

What section are the photo's in? I can't seem to find them!

Dan

got them now!

Hi tyneside2

Thanks for photo's! Can you tell me where you got your sofa from please?
 I am looking for one exactly like that.

Hi tyneside 2

Thank you for posting the photos, can I ask you where you bought the sofa in the pics we saw a similar one in DFS Spain  that extened into a double bed and were not sure if it would fit.. Is it the same one.If you know the measurements it would be very much appreciated.
We have a ground floor apartment in Jardin 5 and are going out in late October to start the furnishing

Thanks

Sue & Dave

We bought all the furniture (except electrics) in the UK and transported it all out by removal company. Most of it was purchased flat pack.

Hi Jackie, Sue and Dave,
      We have bought a similar sofa as tyneside. Ours is leather and fabric combined. We are having it delivered on October 8th by a company called Muebles Direct near Torre Pacheco. It's a globe 3 seater sofa + chaise, right-hand at a cost of 1,320 euro's. It's a similar colour leather to tyneside's and the fabric is cream and brown, looks really nice. They do it in all sizes and colours, 2str, 3str, 4str,left hand or right hand and as a sofa bed, the sofa bed same design as ours is 1,685 euro's. Diane and Fred are really helpful. Ours is 2.67m long (approx. 105") x chaise 1.55m (61"). Should go great up against the breakfast bar, we bought a side table to go next to it and a 60m x 60cm pouff to go up against the breakfast bar as well,same colour as the leather. Haven't bothered with dining table and chairs. Anyway, details are:-
Tel: 0034 968 582 546
Web: www.mueblesdirect.com
e-mail: mueblesdirecta@telefonica.net
Leave AP7 at jct 790 towards Torre Pacheco drive for 1 minute and their on the left.
Jackie if you have a 2 bed apt you can pick a sofa to suit.

Tyneside, great to hear that our garden is looking good, can't wait to go over, nice to see a mixture of nationalities, we're the welsh one's in the corner.
                                                 

 

Thanks chrismg, I think I have them on my shortlist but I'll have another look. Yes I have a 2 bed and I looking at putting up against the breakfast bar like yourself.  I never thought about a pouffe too.  Ooh thanks now I 've to go back and have another look. Ta!

 

Keep spending Jackie, , Chris' wallet is getting thinner by the day. .
                            Trace

Elizabeth and I flew out to Murcia on Wednesday last the 16th Sept, staying at the La Cumbre Hotel in the puerto,

The folowing day,Thursday we went straight to Carrefour in Cartagena hoping to buy Beds and white goods. They had the Pikolin beds we wanted on show but not in their warehouse so delivery would be 10 days at least. We looked at their white (silver) goods and in particular the Bluesky range , they could not supply matching units due to a change in design. We finally gave up and drove to Condado where all was fine if a little grubby.

Friday found us just below our hotel at Muebles 4 Plumas where we found that they had the almost exact copies of the Pikolin beds but for less than half the price, 140 euros per pair(one goes under the other for storage when not in use). Good quality mattresses were also available at reasonable costs. The best bit was that they could deliver on the following Wednesday before we left on the Friday.

Feeling much better about things than on the previous day we then drove to Murcia, going straight to Conforma(close to the Homestyle shop). With only half an hour to go before the 2pm close we did a trolley dash for smaller electrical goods plus plates, pans, glasses etc. One of the best buys was an irioning boad complete with iron that doubles as a step ladder.
After another failed look for white goods we decided to have another look at Homestylewhich by now seemed a little less expensive than previously, so we made a quick trip to Balsicas. We decided on the Teka pack(which matches the cooker) but less the dishwasher , taking the offer of an extra matching cupboard fitted instead. We also ordered the "leather" sofa-bed and a coffee table, all to be delivere on the following Wednesday ! With a drink in hand on our hotel balcony, we felt we had had a good day, but would they really deliver on time? 

The weekend was spent cleaning and fitting lights, some from UK and a 3-pacck of spots from Brico in Campasol (under 10eoros for the ack). The gathering at the cafe was a highlight which I feel really went well and we met many new friends.

We also met our neighbours in 1274 between us and Leigh & San They were a really nice family from Belgium who spoke perfect English.

Monday morning was scheduled for Garry (Polair) to fit the aircon, 2 top quality panasonic compressors supplying 3 indoor units. He was there on time and compleated the job in 3-4 hours, leaving a surge protector to be fitted when we are connected to the mains. We had a problem in that due to the storm of the previous night we had no electric for drilling or final testing, but no problem for Garry he had a generator in his van.We were more than happy with garry's work and he left no mess either.

Wednesday came and so did all the goods as promissed by 1:30. We now had an appartment we could use and enjoy for the next two days. Phil(PGM) Ann and Vicky were a few doors away in Debbie's appartment and we had some good discussions and 2 or 3 drinks. It was really good to meet Carol, Ashley and Tom when we arrived and at the Saturday gathering, but so sorry Carol, we did not get round to saying goodbye but see you again in November.

Roy