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December 28 Guided visit to the snow wells of Sierra Espuña
The restored snow wells in Alhama and Totana show how ice was created and stored for the city of Murcia in the past
This unusual tour takes visitors to the snow wells near the highest point of the Regional Park of Sierra Espuña, centuries-old structures which were used in the past to supply ice to the cities of Murcia, Lorca and even as far away as Cartagena. The wells have been declared an Item of Cultural Interest and this route is a relatively easy one at only 3 kilometres: it is categorized as being suitable for anyone aged 6 and over.
Some of the curious dome-like structures have now been restored, and they stand as monuments to the ingenuity of the Murcianos in the past as they strove to thrive in the sometimes hostile climate!
The snow wells were in use from the 16th century to the early 20th and were used in the summer to preserve food and to make ice-cream! They are located at altitudes of 1,400 metres and over, where in the past there were frequent and heavy snowfalls in winter, and on the northern side of the mountains so as to minimize exposure to sunlight.
Here they functioned as a factory for ice until the year 1926, when the first ice factory was built in Totana, and for many generations workers flocked to the wells as soon as the first snow fell. Up to 9 men worked in each, collecting ice and transporting it on the backs of mules to the wells for storage, and then to the towns and cities of Murcia for sale, travelling by night when possible to avoid melting.
Trade was so busy that it is known that in 1794 as much as 450,000 kilos of ice were sold in the city of Murcia!
The walk begins at 11.00 and is expected to last until around 14.00 with registration available online here or through the tourist office of Totana (turismo@totana.es, telephone 968 418153). Inscription prices are 9 euros for adults, 7 euros each for groups and large families as well as retirees and those with minor disabilities, and 5 euros for children up to the age of 12.
The meeting point is the car park of the snow wells next to the Collado Mangueta viewing point - click here for map.
For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.
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Paraje El Espinar, Fuente Alamo Murcia, Mobile: +34 676 39 44 31
Mountain View Kennels, Dog kennels and cattery offering short and long-term stays near Fuente Álamo. Nucleus Zoological Licence Holders ES300210440037. Dog training grooming services and a private pet villa.
Open for business as usual. Training advice, classes, grooming services still given. Collection and delivery service available.
Do you need your dog exercised? Large exercise paddock complete with pick up and drop off if required.
Mountain View Kennels is an established family-run business in the countryside just outside Fuente Álamo, and is a fully Registered Zoological Nucleus kennels and cattery for pets operating in the south-west of Murcia since 2005.
In addition, owner Gill Lovegrove 
is a specialist dog trainer and behaviourist, and offers her services either on the premises or through home visits to all owners of troublesome pets.
The key to the success of Mountain View Kennels is that each boarder is viewed as another family pet in the extensive grounds and pens: dogs are not only housed and fed, they are also walked, and offered cuddles, toys and the chance to play. During the day they are free to roam around the eight main play areas equipped with trees, tunnels, toys and shelters, but they always have the option of returning to their own large play area or kennel.
In total there are 20 individual kennels, all fully tiled and with large runs, and each is spacious enough for four large dogs (or a family group) if required although they are also available to individual pets: dogs belonging to different owners are not housed together.
At the disposal of cats are eight individual catteries offering upstairs and downstairs accommodation and outside runs.
The food they are given is all of high quality, but special dietary needs can also be catered for and Mountain View are happy to administer any medication which might be needed. It is essential for all pets to be fully vaccinated on arrival at the clinic (as well as wormed and protected against fleas), and vaccination records are kept on the premises during the pets’ stay, not only in case there is an inspection but also in case the need for veterinary treatment arises (two local vets in Fuente Álamo are on 24—hour call).
In order to make life as easy as possible for owners as they plan a trip away, the Mountain View Kennels and Cattery is only 10 minutes from Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera.
Gill and the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable about all breeds of dog, and work tirelessly with local charities and animal foundations to help treat, care for and re-house lost and abandoned dogs. This caring attitude is one of the reasons for prices being kept as competitive as possible, including as they do two meals a day and not specifying any minimum or maximum length of stay.
Training services are also offered. Put all of these ingredients together, along with the reassurance given by the fully legal and licensed status of the company, and the result is a successful business which is built on reputation and customers who repeat year after year, fully satisfied with the complete, professional and caring service provided. Testimony to this is that the boarders at the kennels are not only from the area close to Fuente Álamo but also from places such as Alhama, Librilla, Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula, Bullas and La Azohía!
