The Nordic individuals in Almuñécar and Costa Tropical have developed their very own model of a gymkhana (yincana/gincana in Spanish), a yearly ‘automotive rally.’
The first one befell greater than 50 years in the past, in 1974, so there’s historical past being made. The rally consists in organising an thrilling path that takes you thru the area to sudden locations.
Normally ten groups, with 4 contributors in every automotive, compete. Around ten stations alongside the best way are staffed with volunteers, supervising roughly troublesome duties to be solved and offering factors primarily based on efficiency.
The rally finally ends up at an unknown lodge, with capability of internet hosting 50+ cheerful and hungry Scandinavians. The crew with most factors wins the trophy – and the lottery defines which crew will get the honour of organising subsequent yr’s rally. This is normally the spotlight exercise of the yr for Los Nórdicos!
This yr provided wonderful climate and an unusually lengthy route, 150 km, on the 15-16 of October. The journey went from the coast as much as Sierra Nevada, with the very best stations at 2,000 meters altitude, by way of many thrilling spots, ending in Mengibar.
The organisers (Max Carlsson, Agneta Hjortzberg and Magnus Sjöberg) dispatched the automobiles, equipping everybody with bingo playing cards, instructions and Ferrari sweet because the rides started.
They shared their expertise with me. Agneta stated, “I took the lead within the organising group, and I discovered that essentially the most gratifying half has been the contact with all of the volunteers and contributors. New and previous acquaintances have been made and/or strengthened!”
Magnus liked to organise this rally “however essentially the most enjoyable half might be getting to find all the brand new roads and locations that you just won’t in any other case get to,” he stated. Max was most excited over the go to to Guadix and the cave dwellings there, along with the top station and incredible lodge.
Pelle Hall, one of many volunteers stated what most contributors echoed: “The finest was the gorgeous nature we bought to take pleasure in throughout the automotive rally, and naturally all the good individuals we had the pleasure of spending time with.”
Cecilia De Govia and Tomas Öqvist had been ready on the first station with tough duties. Calculating the quantity of the dam will not be precisely simple… Other stations provided artistic, bodily, musical and mathematical workout routines. Several volunteers awarded factors relying on efficiency.
One of the memorable moments for Katarina Sparrow and Leif Haglund, stationed within the sq. within the good however sleepy Moreda village, was to watch the locals, largely aged males, sitting on their ordinary benches. “They watched in bewilderment as we ready for the duty for the contributors. Their shock elevated as automotive after automotive arrived, 4 individuals fortunately leaping out after which throwing small socks crammed with dried beans throughout the sq.. How loopy are these guiris! At least they bought a enjoyable story to share with family and friends,” they laughed.
The unexpected spotlight of the yr was most likely the involvement of uninvited horses. Helle and Klaus Kjeldal clarify: “We arrange our station at Puerto de la Ragua at 2000 meters altitude. In winter, this can be a place the place you possibly can go cross-country snowboarding. We had no clue this was additionally a website for wild horses – and a really curious one visited us. It ate our tablecloth and fortunately began munching on the espresso bread! We needed to transfer our exercise to the next altitude, as a result of we couldn’t transfer the horse.”
The occasional miss navigation will increase the joy – for each organisers and travellers, however everybody lastly made it to the end line. After checking in on the Hotel Palacio de Mengíbar, some had time to go to the spa, whereas others quenched their thirst and loved the appeal of the courtyard earlier than the welcome drink and dinner. This stunning lodge was an Islamic fort within the Middle Ages, conquered by Christian troops within the 14th century and was a fortress.
This yr’s winners, Olle and Eyglo Bergh, with Tommy and Ing-Marie Björk, acquired the coveted trophy from final yr’s champions. And the prize to organise subsequent yr’s rally went to Ulla-Stina and Bobo Spetz with Vicki Hofman-Bang and Ulf Widén.
Agneta leaves them with one advice: “Participants must be ready for and perceive that we’re amateurs who plan the rally throughout months. The purpose is to have enjoyable, get to know the environment, whereas fulfilling the contributors’ expectations as a lot as doable. And to benefit from the journey”.
We welcome nice recommendations for areas and sleepovers for subsequent yr’s rally/gymkhana! You can discover out extra about Los Nórdicos by visiting their web site.
(Feature: Los Nordicos, Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)
Keywords: Rally, Gymkhana, Puerto de la Ragua, Wild Horses
information, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, almunecar, sierra nevada, rally, gymkhana, puerto de la ragua, wild horses, los nordicos
