| Wow! What a place. Michael and I first met 30
years ago and this was our first week alone, on our own. Michael's
doctor recommended that he should take a break to de-stress or he would meet
an early grave. When you left us on our own on the first night, Michael
informed me I was crazy to book such a place in the back of beyond and that
the next holiday he was going to book it. Well! Less than 15
hours later he was swallowing his words. We enjoyed the peace, it
helped us to listen to each other. The unspoilt beauty helped us
prioritise our lives. The tranquillity improved Michael's health and has
brought our lives back on track with a few minor changes when we get home.
Thank you for giving us the space and privacy and congratulations on keeping
your home so tuned with nature. |
Mary Rose and Michael
Ireland
14th Nov 2007 |
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| We have had a lovely time here at Casita
Maria! As many people before us have said .... this has been a very
relaxing and restful holiday with a stunning view to wake up to each
morning. Work and home seem a long way away!
Many thanks to Alan, Colleen and Arwen for being so lovely, friendly and
helpful and for making my 30th birthday that bit more special. Hope to see
you again ... |
Clare and Mark
Cheshire, UK
17th Oct 2007 |
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| Bliss! A gentle way
to celebrate out 30th Wedding Anniversary. We had 2 full days out at
Gibraltar and the Alhambra Place. Next time we come there'll be no
trip and one big food shop |
Hilary and Richard
Shropshire, UK
2nd Oct 2007 |
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|
We've had a great
week, everything worked out fine and our expectations exceeded. There was
great excitement in the storm - heavy rain, lightening and then hailstones
as big as marbles - but then the sun shone and its been lovely since.
Went down to Álora after the storm - easily passable buy much erosion and
signs of flood.
The patio is a
great place to watch the birds and despite leaving our bird ID book in the
UK, have seen (thanks to A & C coming to the rescue with a great bird book)
lots of interesting species: crested lark, Sardinian warbler, short-toed
eagle and kestrels to name but a few.
It's amazing how
time flies by just absorbing the tranquillity of the place and we're glad to
be staying another week when we move to La Cencerrita for our 2nd week. |
Christine and John
Nottingham UK
25th Sept 2007 |
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|
So delighted by their stay, Friederike and Peter couldn't
stop writing ... all three pages are on this link: Click |
Friederike and Peter
UK
18th Sept 2007 |
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|
Een plekje….. zo bijzonder! Vandaag is
vandaag, morgen komt morgen, heerlijk! Het is zo mooi, puur natuur. En weet
je wat het is, alles is gewoon zoals het is, daar hoef je niets voor te
doen, alleen maar genieten…
Lieve Colleen and Allan jullie zijn kanjers!
Voor ons een plekje om NOOIT meer te vergeten……!
A Place….so special! Today is today, tomorrow comes tomorrow,
wonderful. It is so beautiful, pure nature. Ans you know what, everything is
like it is, you don’t have to do anything for it, it’s only enjoying the
time you spend on this wonderful place.
Dear Allan and Colleen, you are “kanjers”! (I don’t know how
to translate this in English but don’t worry, it’s a big compliment!) For us
a place we shall NEVER forget….! |
Johann and Anke
Schijndel, Holland
8th September 2007
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| Thank you very much for your hospitality.
We will remember our stay in Casita Maria forever. Beautiful view day
and night, friendly people all around and full of privacy. And sweet Arwen
greeting us every day in the morning. Even the road which was very hard for
us at the beginning seemed to be quite easy at the end. We spent 9 days in
peace and beautiful weather here and maybe we or one of us friends will
visit you once more. So see you again maybe. |
Hanna and Barbara
Warsaw, Poland
30th August 2007 |
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|
Checking out after
a warm and sunny week having done absolutely nothing but relaxing by the
cabin enjoying the magnificent view over the valley.
The only physical
achievement during the week was the daily walks in the area lead by our
(although four-legged and furry) very competent mountain guide that somehow
always knew when it was time to offer its assistance!
Thank you Colleen
and Alan for your helpful and kind assistance before and during our stay at
this nice little hideaway - definitely worth the bumpy ride it took to get
here :) |
Mads and Pia Denmark
12th August 2007 |
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| Thank you both for a real "get away from it
all" break - the sight of the sun sinking into the mist above the Sierra de
las Nieves (as it is at the time of writing this entry) is quite something
and is a memory we'll remember for a long time I'm sure
All the best to you both (and Arwen!) |
Craig and Jonothan
Scotland
5th August 2007 |
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| Thank you for the lovely time. What a great
place to stay - beautiful views. We found everything we needed in the chalet
which was fantastic! So much to do round these parts needed more time to do
them. This place is so peaceful a good retreat from the UK + WORK!
Colleen and Alan are wonderful people and this adds to a
great holiday. Thanks again Colleen and Alan - hope to see you both soon
again. |
Carrie and Leon
Edinburgh and Yorkshire
16th July 2007 |
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| Always wanted to go to a Log Cabin to get
away from it all. My husband couldn't have picked a better place for
our 25th Wedding anniversary. Cosy with spectacular views.
Lovely to relax for a few days with total privacy. Colleen and Alan
very helpful hosts. Would love to come again. Fell in love with
the lovely Arwen. Splash pool is so nice with the hot weather. When we
get home, need to take a crash course in "Rally driving" but well worth it
when you get here. Hope to come back one day. |
Veronica and Graham
England
9th July 2007 |
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| Thank you for being lovely hosts. He had
excellent weather to go with the wonderful views.
The track a little tricky for our car*, but if we can do it, anyone can!!
Definitely worth the drive!
(* instead of a nice
little hired Clio/Focus etc, Alison and Keith had driven down from the UK in
their Nissan X 5 ... low slung with low profile tyres ... not really the
best vehicle for tracks!!! C & A) |
Alison and Keith
Essex
22 June 2007
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|
We have had a
great holiday to remember forever.
Thanking you both
for all your information and friendship you have shown us. We are hoping to
return to this magnificent place very soon. |
Ralph and Gwen UK
1st June 2007 |
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|
Looking on Internet we found a place we otherwise never should have
discovered. It means for us “heaven on earth”! What a fantastic view and a
free feeling you have there. But it takes quite a lot of effort to get on
top of the hill at Casita Maria.
No idea what we have to expect when Colleen and Alan picket us up from
Estación de Cártama. Alan was leading the way with Sybille by him in his car,
Colleen was with me trying to follow Alan. Sybille wondering if Colleen and
I were still on the road!
But everything was working well and we have enjoyed the view and the
surroundings.
Lovely weather, beautiful flowers and a lot of nature, just we were looking
for.
Looking forward to see you both, and of course Arwen the lovely dog, at
Casita Maria again. |
Holland
May 18th, 2007 |
Sent via email |
|
After 2 weeks in
Andalusia with changing weather, rain, sun, wind and cold, we met Colleen
and Alan in Éstacion de Cartama, April 11th 2007, on a very rainy day. Long
time ago they had seen so much rain, they told us. After a warm welcome we
drove the 13 km to Casita Maria without seeing else than the road 20 metres
in front of us. Colleen and Alan told us about the beautiful views, but it
was like driving in milk.
Well installed in
the cottage with good instructions, we would just pick up some few things in
the car. After half an hour in Casita Maria we stood in the heavy rain with
a locked car and the key inside the car. What a way to start!!! Lucky
us that we had ordered the first meal, Chicken Paella and Sangria, before we
arrived. The only things we had was the clothes we wear, and two books.
(Don't miss Colleen's Paella, it is very good). The next day when we woke
up, we saw the beautiful landscape. Colleen and Alan were so helpful, phoned
and arranged, helped us shopping to get us some food, and after two days we
got a new key. The weather has been much better the last week and we have
enjoyed Casita Maria, the trips down and uphill and the walks in the
surrounding. Casita Maria is a wonderful place. Not very Spanish? We find
the style very Scandinavian. A very good bed, a kitchen with good tools, a
very silent fridge, a smoke/fire alarm, very efficient and very nice places
around the house with beautiful views.
It is nice that we
have the possibility to fly cheap to Malaga and that the airport is not so
far away, but Malaga is a very busy airport and you can hear that. Colleen
and Alan have built a wonderful place and we have enjoyed to stay in their
cottage for a week. We thank them very much for all the help. They are a
very nice and friendly couple and we are looking forward to visiting them
and Casita Maria again
Best wishes and
see you again. |
Elizabeth and Poul
Denmark
April 17th 2007
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| We had a great time, the cabin is very cosy!
Lovely views especially at night with the lights of the surrounding towns
twinkling in the valleys below. Alan and Colleen are
great hosts and make you very welcome - they are also a mine of information. |
Felicity and Bob UK
5th April 2007 |
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| What a fantastic way to see in the new year -
sitting in a hot tub sipping cava and looking at the stars and fireworks at
midnight!* El Chorro seemed a very busy world away - far too many climbers
this time of year. However, we took refuge here and climbing at
Desplomlandia by the beautiful lakes. As such I am now an accomplished rally
driver. * Please note that the
hot tub is only available to cabin guests when the farm house is vacant! CB |
Richard and Robyn
Bristol, UK
6th January 2007 |
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