JUNE 24th 2011 Darren and Philippa
A last minute holiday decision leaves us with a lifetime of memories! Such views, by day and by night, it truly is a gem of a spot that
brings out an appreciation of space. The yurts are a perfect blend of being close to nature and camping, while feeling that we could live
in one forever. All the amenities that one could care for................ The idea that we will return seems obvious, it is just a matter of when.
MAY 1st 2011 Sabina and Pete
Think we are the first official "returners" which is a massive compliment in itself!
Thanks again for another memorable stay! We'll be back, don't you worry, love always, Sabina and Pete x
APRIL 2011 - six-year-old Rory and family (below)
APRIl 21st 2011 Steve and Emma
Eagles, hoopoes, bee-eaters,orioles, kestrels, swallows, swifts and martins and more than you can shake a Spanish stick at.
Amazing butterflies and giant blue Spanish bumblebees in the mountains near Salares; fantastic dragonflies by the lake. That's without
droning on about the bees or the natter jack toads in the evening. Lost count of the times I nearly crashed looking at road-side flowers.
A wonderful second honeymoon....................ok here it goes............................
There was a young couple from Preston
Who ventured to Spain with no vest on
Rain spoiled play (but just for one day)
Ray and Jacky, we'll leave with a question
Can we come back next year when the Alhambra is open?
OCTOBER 26th - NOVEMBER 6th 2010 Matt & Kath, Durham
This is our first visit to yurtsville and my (Matt) first trip to Spain. We were instantly won over by the yurts unique character. From
the outside a heavy duty unusual shaped tent, step inside and a bedouin palace awaits especially when the hand painted goat skin bedside
lamps are glowing red.
One night after returning home to the yurt a little worse for wear from a nearby party we asked ourselves should we do the sensible thing
and have a cup of tea and bed or more wine and song? Glad to report the kettle was not called upon. Shortly afterwards I was trying to
impersonate an Irish flamenco folk minstrel passionately on the guitar and Kath was dancing like a celtic goddess.
After a few days of being mesmerised by the sheer beauty and scale of the ever present mount Maroma we both knew we had to give it a try.
Consulting a walking book or two we knew there were several options that could be attempted without requiring any climbing skills. Ray
graciously volunteered to deposit us early in Canillas de Aceituno, the start point we had chosen. Unfortunately we had picked the windiest
day of the holiday for our stroll, which made the going tough in places. It was a blessing in disguise though as not only did it make the
whole trip quite exhilarating, but we rounded a corner and found ourselves 10 yards away from three ibex who hadn’t heard us coming or picked
up our scent. They didn’t panic but made off calmly. Later we came across a whole family of ibex about 15 of them barely 40 yards away. We
stood motionless for a good 10 minutes just observing them. The views just kept getting better and better. After 5 hours, with many stops to
take in the scenery, we were on the (2065m) summit. I have never seen anything to compare to these panoramic views except maybe a microlight
flight years ago. Snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains to the north east, Mediterranean sea glistening way below to the south and in the haze
beyond we saw the Rif mountains of north Africa. Great views on the descent too, poor Kath sprained her ankle half way down, however being of
sturdy northern stock soldiered on bravely to reach our start point well before dark. Back on terra firma we ordered a bottle of wine for
medicinal purposes and sat outside the bar to reflect.
Ray and Jacky have been the most wonderful hosts and created a magical space for visitors to discover the nature around them.
SEPTEMBER 2010 - Theo & Felicia, Holland & Singapore
We went to Granada for a day and also to Sevilla. The yurt was a very nice surprise I must say. It brought us
back to earth and was the only place where I went into a pool. That's great for a person like me who likes paradoxes. Special thanks - we
will send you some pictures when we've uploaded them. Thanks again, we loved the visit - too bad we didn't stay longer. Theo and Felicia
SEPTEMBER 19-26 2010 - Alma Caira & Stephen Russell, Whitstable, UK
7 days - not enough time to sit and look at the mountains - who´d have figured it? Our eternal thanks to Jacky and Ray for attending to
our every need. Brilliant hosts making our stay so much fun. We are eagerly plotting our next escape to our new Andalusian friends - both
human and doggy! Thanks so much - until next time . . .
SEPTEMBER 6-9 2010 - Charlie & Gemma, Leeds, UK
Thank you so much for a wonderful stay and kind hospitality, especially coming down to the lake to make sure we had found the right spot.
We have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views and tranquility after our roadtrip around Spain, and getting to know you both. Look forward
to seeing you again soon and exploring some more of the area. Thanks again.
SEPTEMBER 2010 - Ian and Maureen Wallace, Montefrio, Granada, Spain
An excellent stay. We loved the yurt and slept like babies. Many thanks.
SEPTEMBER 2010 - Pete & Sabina, Manchester, UK
Writing this on our last morning and feelng pretty teary!! Thank you Jacky and Ray for a wonderful stay. Recently we have travelled extensively
around Europe and this has been, undoubtedly, a highlight. A special thank you for your generous hospitality - we definitely will return. Oh dear,
we really don´t want to leave. Thanks again, Pete and Sabi
AUGUST 28-30 2010 - Pete, Kate, Jack & Alfie Kelsey, London
What a treat! To arrive here after the hustle and bustle of the coast was like arriving in a different country. The peace and tranquility
has been amazing, broken only by the sound of our two boys happily playing in the pool. The yurts are wonderfully comfortable and the kitchen
and bathroom make it so much more than a ´normal´ camping experience. The boys have adapted to a slower pace of life and, as non dog-lovers,
have made friends with the dogs. Thanks so much Jacky and Ray for your wonderful hospitality, I only wish we were staying for longer. We will
come back and explore some more.
AUGUST 2010 - Mack, Lindsey & Catherine, Birmingham, UK
Thank you for your thoughtful hospitality that made one of the most wonderful holidays we have ever had - so many details that made it enjoyable -
the dogs, the wine, the swimming pools, the i-pod player, the fresh almonds. The yurts were amazing, beautiful inside and out - wonderful lighting,
the most relaxing and peaceful environment. We do not want to go. You have created something very special here that we all benefitted from in peace
and harmony with the natural environment. Thank you. It was the perfect antidote to miserable, rainy, stressful Birmingham! It does present a bit of
a dilemma though - on the one hand I want to rush home and tell everyone I know to come and experience this fabulous place but, on the other, I want
it to be a delicious secret that I can keep for just me and my family. Love it, love it, love it.
AUGUST 11-18 2010 - Fay & Nick, Nuneaton, UK
A truly magical place to relax, unwind and free your mind. We loved the yoga, Spanish wine, cool in the pool, the afternoon with Picasso, sundowns
with Ray and Jacky, the mountain fiesta, the sunshine, walking in the peaks and the beautiful yurt that kept us cosy. We´ve quite simply had a
wonderful time - WE LOVE IT! Thanks Jacky and Ray for your relaxed and friendly hospitality. See you next time. Muchas Gracias, Fay and Nick
AUGUST 2010 - Sam, Karen, Bronte & Maya, Sheffied, UK
Things we will miss . . .
-sitting at all times of day, being overwhelmed by the silence of the views
-all the dogs, especially Sabbie
-the drive up to the yurts
-the evenings - crickets, wine, family meals, more wine with Ray & Jacky
-the pools - swimming and looking at eagles
-the tinkling of goat bells
-sardines at the beach bar in Almayate
-riding on the beach
-the hot sun
-the stars
-living outside and sleeping in a yurt
-being able to read / go in the pool the whole day
JULY 2010 - Rebecca Wells, Redhill, Surrey, UK
This is the best place to come as a stressed out teacher who needed to escape the timetable and all the rest of it. I´m a born again yurt convert -
it has all the best bits of camping, without any of the hassle. The only cause of aching limbs was a 3 hour horse ride in the hills, rather than a
poor night´s sleep on a wilting airbed. The yurt was peaceful and comfortable, with a cool Spanish interior - white ´walls´, ceramic tiled floors
and a proper bed, but I still felt connected to nature. It was a joy to have breakfst in the sun, looking out on a ruggedly beautiful backdrop,
complete with soaring eagles and framed by the pots and flowers of the garden. It was a luxury to have a wonderful terrace, yurt, kitchen and
bathroom to myself. Oh yes, and the pool with view! What a unique experience to swim while taking in the 360º panoramic hillscape, dotted with
olive and almond trees, and cooling down from a spot of sunbathing at the same time. And thank you Jacky and Ray for being such great hosts, for
ferrying me about, providing me with some delicious food, especialy the home grown peppers, tomatoes and herbs. Also, thanks for going beyond
the call of duty and inviting me for a glass of tinto on the terrace; to Jacky for empathising with the lot of overworked teachers and for ironing
the sheets(!) and to Ray for imparting your knowledge about jazz, flamenco, ancient olive trees and the local fiesta. A magical spot, comfortable
accommodation, lovely hosts, Spanish food, weather, culture and amazing value for money - who could ask for more? Can´t wait to come back another
time.
JUNE 2010 - Jake, Philippa & Guy
