Just back from 2 weeks over in Murcia. I can confirm that building has started on 4 Macarenas and the structure is up to the roof now! Not bad considering they were only started 3 weeks ago. These are the first 4 Macarenas on fase 1 of the project. We checked the build quality of all the villas and can safely assure you all that the build quality is excellent and professionally done. They are built on solid concrete foundations which means that the risks to build slide and cracks is virtually none existent. The speed these vilas have been constructed is amazing. No corners have been cut and they look extremely and professionally built up to now. I have no hesitation in feeling confident that the build quality will continue in this way.
We went along to the Grupo Trampolin Head Office, Solera, where the solicitor, architect and director are based. We lunched with Pilar, the company solicitor, at the company's expense! at the site. Pilar informed us of a few details which are very interesting. The Macarena's have gone up in price to 180k euros. There are only 40 left on the whole development. 55 have just been sold to an Icelandic Company who have signed on the dotted line last week. Pilar informed us that 60% of buyers were English speaking, 40% Spanish, 10% of the English speaking purchasers are Scandanavians. Pilar also stated that fase one should be completed end January 2008, fase 2, 6 months later, fase 3 approximately 20 months from now! July 2009. Fase 4 is the final fase which will be completed 6 months after fase 3. The completed project will be finished well before 36 months. Please don't hold me to that, it is just what she informed us the Company estimates this. The commercial centre will be the last thing to be constructed. The licence is expected to be received end of Dec/Jan 08. Apparently, there are 5 stages of approval in order for the licence to be granted by the authority. They have received 4, and the later one is outstanding which will make the process complete. They do not anticipate not receiving the licence at this stage and that is why construction has taken place on the 4 Maca's already. All very positive news!! We have nothing but praise for Grupo Trampolin. We were very well looked after, explanations were very accurate and the staff are very motivated and their customer care is second to none. In fact, Pilar advised us not to go with the builder for the pool as they are too expensive! and that's from the Company solicitor!! We came away with t'shirts, sweets, pens and lighters from Pilar. Which incidentally, is the second round of goodies received from them. We also met the architect and had a chat with him and he agreed to turn our Maca around so that it faces the mountains on sunset. This has been rubber stamped and approved by the Company. You have to ask for any changes you may want. Don't be shy to request your changes, they are very flexible. We also have a price list now for any extras that you want on the villa which has a variety of items which are not too pricey.
Also, on another note, Grupo Trampolin have now branched into petrol stations. Home owners of properties which have been built by the Company are entitled to 10% discount from their stations! There is one along the main motorway up to Campos del Rio. Can't be bad hey! They are also branching into car hire in the very near future. Pilar also informed us that there is a new development in the pipeline, it is already on their website, but it doesn't state where it is. It is the new Trampolin Beach. Apparently, there are two sites they are looking into, one is in Mazarron and the other is somewhere along the Murcia coast. Not sure exactly where. This just shows the Company is strong and branching out to more developments, it appears the company is going from strength to strength.
We visited Ikea and timed it from Royal Dream and it took us 20mins from door to door so to speak. Opposite Ikea is a huge shopping complex with lots of fast food eateries including KFC, Maccy D's, Pizza Hut, Burger King. Don't get me wrong, we are planning on integrating into Spanish society once we move, however, if a quick "fix" is needed, then this is the place to come!!
There is even a C & A, which is very reasonable for clothes. There are lots of clothes shops and jewellers, sports shops, computer shop, a large electrical store called Saturn which has just about everything electrical. To furnish a kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine and American style fridge/freezer,would cost in the region of 1,500 euros for quality branded appliances. There is also a massive hypermarket which sells groceries, clothes, electrical goods, music, dvd's. This is probably the nearest place for the monthly "big shop"!.
Drove round the area of Royal Dream, and had a look at Mula which looked very cosmopolitain with a variety of bars, restaurants and shops. For those of you who are bringing your pets over, there is also a very large vets in Mula. In Albediete, which is only 4 mins drive, you will find bakers, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, a couple of Spanish banks. It's not the prettiest villiage, but it appears typically Spanish and not as bad as we had heard. It is there for urgent necessities.
We also noted that on the site where there are a few warehouses, opposite the development, the land had been cleared and a bulldozer was working away flattening the land. It looks as though they are preparing it for some kind of construction. Not sure yet what it will be, but does not appear too intrusive.
At the moment Darren is trying his best to upload our photos depicting the stage of development on the 4 Macarenas, however, is struggling as the site does not seem to want to accept them. Will keep trying and hopefully you can all see how far the construction is taking place.
Oh! on a last note, whilst up on the hill of the development, the only complaint we have is "bl**dy flies" they are everywhere. In your ears, up your nose, on your eyes, perhaps we should all grow a long tails and swat them! However, the peace and tranquility and the crickets in the background, do somehow compensate for the little bleeders!!
If anyone is going over in the near future and needs directions to any of the above places mentioned, give us a shout and we will endeavour to assist.
Any questions you may have, PM us and we will be happy to answer. We hope the post is helpful to you all, albeit, a long one, and gets you all just a teeny weeny bit excited, just as we are!!!! 
Al the very best! the dream is getting nearer!!
Chris & Darren
This message was last edited by juliet454 on 9/17/2007.