Rosie Sinclair

Freelance writer &
Retreat Owner

 Rosie Sinclair, freelance writer and retreat owner
Rosie at work

I write from home in the mountains of southern Spain, and from wherever my frequent travels take me.

When I am not writing, I nurture our almonds and figs, and I look after guests at Cortijo Rosina, our Spanish Retreat.


Published work

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TravelProfilesLifestylePeople's storiesRetreats

Seville

Las Alpujarras

Chris Stewart

L'Atelier

Exchange work

Night skies

Simon & Sharron Gillam

Lyn Agan

What to expect



Published in
The Olive Press


Seville

I have a feeling that every time I visit Sevilla, she will surprise me. On my introduction to this fun loving city, she presented me with splendour. At her heart stands the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the unquestionable beauty of the Alcazar.

And during my most recent stay, she gave me a demonstration of just how adept her people are at bringing a large part of their beloved city to a halt. This, to host a military parade attended by King Juan Carlos I. . . .

Published on
Golden Tails website


Las Alpujarras

. . . . The daily paseo (stroll), once undertaken with a chaperone and seen as a means of making eye contact with a possible suitor, has now become an important source of exercise for all ages. It is also a chance to catch up on gossip with friends and enjoy the last of the day’s sunshine. The climate accommodates the older men folk who meet in the town square, mulling over important matters of the day, such as the likelihood of a good olive crop and the price the harvest will bring.

As modern technology eases its way, slowly, into the region, mules, steered by man, share the job of turning the soil with machines designed to cling to the steep hillsides. The mules end their day meandering through narrow streets to bed down in the lower part of town houses little changed in design from times long passed into history. . . .


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Published in
Writing Magazine


Profile of author
Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart describes his entry into the world of writing as sheer good fortune. Seventeen years ago he bought an isolated old peasant farm in southern Spain and began the struggle to make a living out of it. Unusual experiences and misadventures filled his days and the unexpected became the norm; very little went according to plan. These events were to become the material for his books.

In his youth Chris was the drummer in a schoolboy band named Genesis, but his life was to take a different route to the rest of the group. He left school to play the drum for circus acts, spent many years farming and sheep shearing and travelled widely before settling for the challenges of farm life in Spain.

‘I didn’t have any plans to be a writer; it had barely crossed my mind. . . . . . ”

Published in
Where2


Places to eat

If you are heading into the Las Alpujarras to explore the popular villages of Pampeneira and Bubión, extend your trip to the tiny pueblo of Mecina Fondales and experience the fine vegan and vegetarian cuisine of L’Atelier.

Award-winning chef, Jean-Claude Juston, left the London scene to create this specialist restaurant, guesthouse and cookery school, where he is keen to share the benefits of healthy eating at reasonable rates. Such is the value of his knowledge that he travels Spain, training professionals in the catering industry . . . . .


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Published in
The Olive Press


Exchange working
on farms

It does not take long before ex pats buying farms in Spain realise the harsh realities of agricultural life. It is back breaking work and barely financially viable.

As good fortune would have it, there’s a jolly army of helpers willing to journey to Spain, in order to exchange their labour for a bed and meals.

The organisation to which they belong, Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (www.wwoof.org), was created to give exchange workers (wwoofers) access to host farms looking for help. And to help farmers make organic production viable.. . .

Published in
The Olive Press


Night Skies

There are not many tourist brochures that list the Alpujarras night sky as a major attraction. And there are probably only a handful of people who have chosen to live here solely because of the night time view. But to astronomers Paul and Liz Downing the purity of the sky above us is everything.

“The Alpujarras night skies are so beautiful” says Paul “because we are far enough above sea level to be free from a lot of the pollution and dirt at lower levels. These skies are also dry and fairly cloud free, especially in the summer. And we do not have the artificial lighting that adorns towns and cities.”

When we, in the Alpujarras, look up to a night sky so full of shimmering lights that it resembles an astronomical firework display, we should spare a thought for our friends in well lit urbanisations. They will see but a small fraction of such delights . . . .


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Published in
Spanish Insight News


Life in Spain
Heaven or Hell?
Simon & Sharron Gillam

With 25 years Royal Veterinary Corp service behind them, Simon & Sharron Gillam’s dream was to create an equestrian centre in Spain. Their story is one of joys, tears, rewards and disappointments, which have brought them to a major crossroads regarding their future here.

What led you to decide on Spain and Las Alpujarras?
Simon’s mother lives on the south coast, so Spain was a natural possibility. In 1997 we bought a piece of land, on which to build a home and earn a living with either dogs or horses. Then people put in claims to various parts of it. It took us time to establish our ownership, but we lost the goat pen. . . .

Published in
Spanish Insight News


Life in Spain
Heaven or hell?
Lyn Agan

. . . . My vision was of giving people a relaxing and memorable experience, with yoga, a hot tub, bodywork, and gourmet food. I expected the house conversions and business licences to be done immediately, so that I could be up and running within six months.

What has the reality been for you?
It was soon clear that this was going to take a while, and cost more than I imagined. So I started with a job in an Estate Agency, and I taught Spanish, translated and negotiated for people, and taught yoga. It kept the wolves at bay during the very long waiting period. In the meantime, I applied for a grant.

What was your experience of the grant application process?
I had lots of meetings with people like the local Mayor . . . .


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Published on
Busca4 website


Retreats
What can you expect?

The idea of taking a retreat, instead of lying on a beach, has blossomed over the last decade or so. The faster life becomes, the more, it seems, that we seek to spend constructive time out from the stresses and strains of modern living. And there’s no shortage of retreat leaders in Spain, keen to provide the right environment for relaxation and rejuvenation of mind, body and soul.

But where do you begin in your search for the ideal retreat? Let’s start by considering a number of factors. First of all, there’s content. Most retreats offer some form of activity, but the extent to which it suits your needs will depend on your emotional and physical needs.

There’s the creative and mental stimulation retreat. The chance to play at the arts - painting, drawing, writing, dance and music........



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Rosie Sinclair

Cortijo Rosina
Los Almendrillos
18440 Cadiar
Granada
Spain

Mail me at:
cortijorosina@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 0034 958 34 30 36
Mob/Text: 0034 676 24 04 82


Last update: 2 August 2006
Site design & photography by Michael & Rosie
Logo channelled and drawn by Ellen Epstein
www.awakeningimages.org the website of Ellen Epstein