🎉 ANOTHER SPLENDIFEROUS WEEK AT THE ICS

Another enjoyable week at the ICS, with close to 50 people at the hotel for our weekly get together. 👋😊

The Whist Drive was well subscribed, with DJ Bernardo taking first prize 🏆 and new member Clive Lawrence picking up second prize. 🥈👏

Friday’s Pétancas attracted an impressive 23 players 🎯, and the league table is really starting to hot up! 🔥

The winner gets a trophy, a certificate, a free pizza, and a bucketful of adulation from fellow players! 🏆📜🍕👏😄

🧠 QUIZ WITH A SPANISH THEME

This month’s quiz on Wednesday has been moved forward one week from its usual spot to avoid clashing with the upcoming Kitty Bake event at the end of the month (see below). 🐾🍰

The quiz has been written by members Charo Bermudo and Anna Felicioni and has a Spanish theme. 🇪🇸 The majority of the questions are not too difficult, and the language used is not complicated, I promise, and you have just 3 multiple-choice options to choose from. ❓

The questions were originally written in Spanish, but there will be English translations. 🇪🇸➡️🇬🇧 You might like to try using the Spanish version simply to test yourselves for a bit of fun. 😄

SPANISH LANGUAGE 🗣️

The subject of learning Spanish comes up from time to time in conversation with members, along with the possibility of starting some kind of language group — or perhaps restarting one, as I’m sure the club has promoted something similar in the past. 💬

From my own experience of language learning, I know that it can be done. 📚 I was a total disaster at school and was even expelled from classes for being a pest! 😂 Yet later in life I managed to learn Swedish to a very high level, so I have some idea of what it takes. 🇸🇪

The secret is simple: you have to consistently dedicate some time to it every day, even if it’s only 15 minutes. ⏰ You simply have to! But, more importantly, you have to want to do it. 💪

A hundred times you will tell yourself, “I’m never going to get this” or “I’m simply not cut out for learning another language.” 😩 But I can tell you that you have to fight back against those negative thoughts a hundred times and banish them from your mind. 🧠💪

As they say in Swedish, you have to “bita i det sura äpplet” — literally, “bite the sour apple” — and just get on with it. 🍏😬

All of us are capable of learning another language. 🌍 Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise — including yourself. 😉

People often say, “Look at small children; they can speak so well.” 👶🗣️ Well, yes, but a child is exposed to their native language all day, every day, for the first five years or more of their life. ⏰ And, crucially, children have absolutely no fear whatsoever of making mistakes. 😄 For adults, that fear is often one of the biggest obstacles to learning. 😬

You will also see some pretty outrageous claims such as “Become fluent in 60 days with this app!” or similar drivel. 🙄 Don’t fall for it. For the vast majority of us, it simply doesn’t work that way. Learning a language takes time, patience and persistence. 📚⏳💪 And while apps such as Duolingo can be useful for building vocabulary, they are definitely not a magic route to fluency! 🦉

Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is that, if there are any fluent Spanish speakers in the group who would be willing to help out in some way — and I know we must have up to 50 — it would be fantastic to have some basic Spanish conversation groups at the hotel or another suitable location. 🇪🇸🗣️☕

In the meantime, or until we can establish something, I’d like to give a plug to Marta at the Spanish Academy in Salobreña. 🇪🇸 She’s a wonderfully infectious personality who runs conversation groups at various levels. 🗣️😊

📞 Tel. +34 627 67 32 16

📰 MEDIA

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, we hope very soon to have content in the two local English-language magazines the Sentinella and the Gazette. 📰 Here is a copy of our initial piece written by ICS VP Rich Engvall. ✍️

“Discover the International Club of Salobreña (ICS), a vibrant, non-profit cultural association at the heart of Spain’s beautiful Costa Tropical. Founded in 2009, ICS brings together people from around the world to build friendships, share cultures, and enjoy a true sense of community.

Whether you are a permanent resident or a seasonal visitor, you’ll find a warm welcome among members from countries including the UK, Germany, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Argentina, Sweden, South Africa, Ireland, and many more. This rich international mix has made ICS one of the region’s most valued social and cultural meeting places.

Today, ICS is a thriving community of more than 300 members who enjoy an exciting year-round program of activities and events. From weekly gatherings and inspiring guest speakers to cultural excursions, historical tours, and lively social occasions, there is always something new to experience. Members can explore the traditions and heritage of Spain while creating lasting friendships through popular activities such as pétanque, darts, Mahjong, art workshops, and monthly coach trips to fascinating destinations across the region. While English is the club’s official language, the atmosphere is truly international.

ICS is also proud to make a positive difference beyond its membership. The club actively supports local charities, community initiatives, environmental projects, and fundraising efforts that help strengthen connections between international residents and the local population.

Friendly, inclusive, and community-minded, the International Club of Salobreña offers a wonderful opportunity to connect, participate, and enjoy the very best of life on the Costa Tropical.

To find out more and learn how you can join in the fun, we invite you to visit icsalobrena.com”

If anyone would like to contribute in the future, please contact Rich by simply replying to this email. 📧

🐾🍰 KITTY BAKE 30/09/2026

Our next Kitty Bake event will be on Wednesday 30 September at the hotel. 🐾🍰☕

All proceeds will go to good feline causes, including the wonderful:

🐾 Kitty Angels Kitten and Cat Sanctuary 🐱❤️

👩‍🍳 Calling all bakers!

Lesley will be looking for volunteer bakers, so if you would like to contribute your culinary talents, please get in touch. 🧁👩‍🍳

📧 lesleyobrien87@yahoo.co.uk

Please coordinate with Lesley beforehand to avoid us ending up with 47 chocolate cakes and nothing else! 😄🍰🍫

📦 If you are planning to buy cakes to take home, please remember to bring a container.

🙏 Please come along, enjoy some delicious homemade goodies and support this wonderful charity. 🐱❤️

🚲 PROPOSED BIKE RIDE

There have been a few members interested in taking part in the proposed easy-paced bike ride (date to be confirmed) on the Circular Cycle-Tourist Route around Salobreña (22km). 🚲🌴

For those who would like to rent an e-bike, the TrujBike store in Salobreña can provide an e-bike for 35 euros with a 100 euro deposit for 24 hours. 🚲💶 You don’t pay anything until you return with the bike, but you have to sign a contract of course..

If you’re interested, let me know and I will do a group booking — we may qualify for a discount. 👍

🚌 TRIPS UPDATE

The Estepona trip on 24 September is sold out, with FIVE people on the waiting list. 🚌 We often have last minute cancellations.

The Jaén trip on 15 October has 7 tickets left (of 55). 🎟️

News on the much-anticipated Rute trip in November to a chocolate paradise will come later in the month. 🍫😋

🌐 Full details and booking pages on the website: icsalobrena.com

📰 OTHER NEWS

⚽ FOOTBALL

Member Pini Hellstedt has suggested a trip to watch Granada CF against Cadiz on 18 October at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, a fierce Andalusian derby. ⚽️🏟️ If you are interested, we can organise tickets and a car share. 🚗🎟️

🛍️ SELLING GOODS ON THE ICS WEBSITE

Just a reminder that we have a website where you can, among many other things, post items that are for sale, rent or hire. 🏠🚗📦

Take a look here: https://www.icsalobrena.com/members-section/ 🌐

If you have something you’d like to advertise, simply reply to this email and we’ll be happy to help. 📧

🏠 ROOM FOR RENT

There is a room available for long-term rental in Salobreña old town, in a newly renovated house with three bathrooms, to share with a female occupant. 🛏️🏡

If you’re interested, reply to this email for more details. 📧

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

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MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Mah Jong – Red Dragon Group
Hotel Miba – 11:00 am

Come early to support the hotel!
Contact: Paul and Sharon Craddock

Chess
Bar Amigos (Av. Federico García Lorca) – 6:00 pm
Contact: Daniel at Bar Amigos

Ukulele Strumblies
Bar Amigos – 4:00–6:00 pm
Come and join this musical feast!
Contact: Mark Clifton

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TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Art Group
Hotel Salobreña Suites – 11:00 am
Contact: Lesley O’Brien

Backgammon & Chess
Hotel Salobreña Suites – 11:00 am
Contact: Andy Cross

Darts
Los Patos en el Parque – 2:00 pm
Contact: George Chaney

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WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Weekly Meet
Hotel Salobreña Suites – 11:00 am–1:00 pm

Quiz with a Spanish theme (see above).

Please wear your badges!

If anyone needs or can offer a lift, please use the ICS Members Facebook page.

Contact: David Moran

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THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

ICS Trip to Estepona
A fascinating day out—where 5,000-year-old secrets, expert storytelling, delicious lunch, and the colourful streets of Estepona come together in one memorable adventure. 

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FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Pétancas
Parque Fuente, Salobreña

Please arrive by 10:15 am!

Balls available. Come and join the fun.

Contact: George Chaney

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STAY CONNECTED – GET INVOLVED!

ICS Facebook Members Group Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ICS2016
123 subscribers (42% of 290 members)

ICS Official Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/internationalclubofsalobrena
726 followers

ICS YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@internationalclubsalobrena2579
54 subscribers (18% of 290 members)

Please subscribe, follow, and help spread the word!

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Que tengáis una semana fenomenal

Saludos.

David Moran
ICS President