Corralejo, Fuerteventura

Situated in the northeast corner of Fuerteventura, Corralejo has changed from the once small fishing village into a bustling, vibrant port. Ferries ply between Lanzarote and the harbour as well as excursion boats that take tourists to the island of Lobos and to look for sea life that lies just off the coast. Along with the yachts moving in and out of the marina there is always something to see from the many restaurants that line the shore around the bay.

The town has numerous small beaches but a short distance to the south lie the famous Dunes (designated as a natural park) which are just mile after mile of white sandy beaches. From these safe, clean beaches you can indulge in various sports such as Windsurfing, Kite surfing and Body boarding or just soaking up the sun with the occasional dip into the warm turquoise
sea. To the west the coast is more rugged and the surfing here is definitely for a more
advanced enthusiast.

Most of the shops, restaurants and bars are along the main street that runs through the town, but if you stray just a few meters off this well trodden tourist route you will find the old Corralejo. Here old style Canarian houses can be found tucked into narrow streets and lanes. This is where you will find the more Spanish traditional bars and restaurants, don’t be
afraid, give your Spanish a try and the locals will be very helpful, and I’m sure you will find “tapas” a nice change from “Tandoori”.
Of course if you want “Tandoori” then you can find it along with just about any other type of food from around the world.

During the day Corralejo offers something to do for everyone from Mountain biking, Buggy and Quad tours, Jeep safaris, Island tours etc. If this still does not satisfy the young, or young at heart, try the new Baku water park which is much more than just wet and wild fun with a Bowling alley, Children’s park, Market and, coming soon Sea Life Experience.
Corralejo’s newest edition for the golfers out there is the 9 hole chip and putt course that is opening in June. This can be found in the Parque Natual area of Corralejo and is a fabulous and well maintained oasis.

Bird Watching in the Canary Islands

The Canary islands are becoming more and more popular with tourists interested in Ornithology – bird watching to you and me. The islands position lie in the path of a lot of migratory birds and each spring and autumn brings not only many different bird species but also the enthusiasts with their cameras and binoculars.

The islands have recognised this for many years, particularly on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote the two islands closest to Africa, and have created more bird watching sites in the existing natural parks and recently in the protected marine areas, specifically Jandia (Fuereventura) and the islets north of Famara (Lanzarote).

Its not only the tourists that benefit from this, a growing number of islanders are becoming interested in the wildlife that visit our shores and are forming conservation groups that are
involved in ringing and cataloguing the birds through to protecting the natural
heritage of the areas the birds come to.

All this work is important in many ways such as monitoring the present bird populations through to evaluating the effect of global climate change.
These special bird havens are classified as ZEPA zones and the Canaries have 43 such areas covering 277,000 hectares, and of course these specials areas also benefit the flora and fauna.
So everybody benefits, the birds get a rest, the bird watchers get a break andthe island gets protected.....for everyone.

Cook Recipes for Crisis Times - MINCED MEAT CAKE

MINCED MEAT CAKE
(Cost 3,20€, serves 4)

Ingredients:
250 grs of minced meat
1 egg,1⁄2 garlic clove
1 medium onion, 80 grs. of bread
100 cc. of warm milk, 4 spoons of oil
1 spoon of flour, 1 Wine Glass of Water
100 cc. of white wine
1 Bay leaf, Nutmeg, Salt & Pepper.

Put half of the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion, just when the onions are beginning to brown take from the heat and separate half the onions and keep the other half in the frying pan.

Mix the warm milk with the bread.

In a big bowl we mix the garlic, the meat, the already fried onion, the parsley, the nutmeg and the bread drained of milk.
Once mixed we beat the egg and we add it. Mix everything very well. If we see that the mixture is very liquid we can add a bit of grated bread.

Smear an ovenproof dish with the rest of the oil. Wet your hands and form a roll with the mix and then place it into the oven dish.

With a knife we will do a 2 cms. deep longitudinal cut along the roll. Introduce it into the preheated oven to approximately 180 o for 40 or 45 minutes.

Let the cake rests before cutting it.

SAUCE
Fry for 2 more minutes the onion in the frying pan; add the flour, moving it with a wooden spoon. Add the cold water, bay leaf, wine, pepper and salt cooking it slow for 7 mins. Blend in a mixer and when smooth cover the meat with the sauce.

What do you need to obtain a spanish mortgage?

Obtaining a mortgage in the Canary Islands is a lot easier than you would firstimagine. Provided you submit the following information, which is very straight forward mortgages of 70% and upwards can be obtained of the valuation of the property,of course as you would expect the
amount loaned is always subject to status,mortgage applications can be approvednormally within 10-15 working days.

Documents

• Copies of Passports
• Credit Bureau report (Experian, Irish Credit Bureau ) if the mortgage is higher than
  70% but as in all cases if this can be provided then it always speeds up the process
• Copy of Title Deeds or Nota Simple informativo ( Land Registry extract of the property
  to be purchased )
• Last 6 months statements of other mortgages / loans of the applicants

Employed Applicants

• Last 3 or 6 Payslips
• Last income tax return ( P60 )
• Last 3 or 6 months Bank Statements from your home bank
  

Self Employed Applicants

• Last income Tax returns
• Last 2 years accounts
• Last 3 years bank statements
• Evidence of other incomes if applicable

Advantages of Obtaining a Mortgage in the Canary Islands

• Favourable Interest Rates
• Keeps your overseas assets separate to those you have at home
• Easy to arrange
• No currency exchange required as all mortgages are in Euro’s
  

Your Real Estate Agent should be able to help you with all aspects of obtaining a mortgage as well as introducing you to the relevant bank Directors Please note that as at home non payment
of your mortgage can result in the repossession of your property.