Pinoso self catering accommodation in Alicante, Spain
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
1) As a matter of course we use the town recycle bins for glass, plastics and unwanted clothing. If we spot any refuse dumped in the countryside we hand collect it and add it to our own refuse materials for safe disposal.
2) I also recycle by using plastic containers and bags for art and craft projects with local adults and children. One of my craft projects utilises plastic shopping bags to make a laminated work of art.
3) Living in an agricultural and very dry area of Spain we are always conscious of saving water and recycle our waste water for flushing the toilets, cleaning the cars and watering the garden.
4) We collect drinking water from spring water outlets, supplied by the Town Hall for local residents, using recycled 5 litre plastic bottles.
5) Our house dates back to the 18th century and is stone built. At the time of purchase it was little more than a ruin and we have taken great care to sympathetically restore it by retaining as many of its original features as possible and by sourcing local fittings. For example, we retained the typically Spanish cupboards each side of the fireplace in the lounge, open fireplace in the kitchen together with the bread oven. We sourced old hinges and door handles from antique fairs to match the original antique doors within the property.
6) In ploughing the fields, the farmers remove many natural stones, some large, some flat, and we have used these to build a natural stone wall at our house and clad our old house on the outside and inside.
7) Like most people these days, we use energy saving light bulbs wherever possible and religiously turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use.
8) The many friends and relatives who visit us each year love to watch the swallows as they nest and tend to their young in the roof beams of our small courtyard. We regularly spot Hoopoes, Black Wheatears, many birds of prey. The occasional Golden Eagle as it circles in search of prey is a joy to watch. Over the years we have seen these birds multiply in number and take pride in the fact that maybe our small contribution is helping that occur.
Community
1) We are already members of a local Animal Charity which seeks homes for abandoned or unwanted pets. My husband does regular sponsored cycle rides to aid the Charity and invariably I offer my works of art for raffle to aid the cause.
2) We work with the local people of Pinoso on a skills exchange instead of a monitory exchange.
4) We use and recommend a variety of restaurants with different food types on the menu and price ranges. We like to recommend the best Spanish and English bars and restaurants for our guests. Our local 'Casa Rural El Seque' won the second best fish restaurant award for the whole of Spain, a fantastic achievement for such a small rural area.
5) I recommend local businesses such as those offering pleasure flights, Zumba fitness classes, Hairdressing and many more.
6) It is important for me to keep in touch with the local Tourist Information Office as they have local cycling and walking routes available and I can also keep my guests informed of any fiestas and interesting events going on in the area.
7) I support as many fund rising events as possible. Our latest one was to help raise funds for The Royal British Legion and the next is a Fair in aid of 'Cruz Roja' (The Spanish Red Cross).
8) Four times a year I use my artistic skills to design and paint the scenery for the local theatre group free of charge.
9) I have given free art classes to local Spanish teenagers wanting help to go on to University to study Art and Design.
10) We have taken in several abandoned cats and dogs and helped re-home them.
11) My husband regularly volunteers to enter a sponsored charity bike ride of around 100km to raise funds for the local animal sanctuary. The next one is coming up soon and is from our local town to the well known resort of Torrevieja on the coast of the Costa Blanca.
12) I am a member of the local Spanish Women in Business Committee and help organize events supporting them.
13) We buy local produce from the market which takes place each Wednesday and Saturday in the local town of Pinoso and recommend cultural and historical places for our guests to visit which we feel helps support them.
14) We have gained many Spanish friends due of our efforts to learn and speak Spanish which helps our guests as we often book activities on their behalf.
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