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About Us
About Us: Hi! We're Chrissy and Anne.
I'm Anne, actually, it's AnneKristina. The name originates from Sweden; that's how it's spelt over there. My excuse? My mother was Estonian. I am British born and have lived and worked in Spain since 1973. My parents purchased in Andalucia a beach flat, 1963. We came every holiday. That now qualifies me, as a local giri veteran (local patois for a foreigner). My English childhood was profoundly influenced and coloured by my mother's flamboyant background and vocational school training, Arts Educational Trust in Tring.UK, whose emphasis was on Expression. Since then, I have always had, a passion for writing. My maternal grandfather was the vodka distiller of Czar Nicholai 11. My mother's vivid bedtime and lifelong stories evoked a haunting jingle of troikas swishing through deep snow, the occupants wrapped head-to-foot in furs, Bolshoi ballet discipline and excellence, my mother, herself, an ex-prima ballerina. There was much reminisced over the Russian court intrigues, their dress codes and etiquette. TOP A dazzling lifestyle suited her. My mother was Leida Costigan. The original owner and founder of Henlow Grange Health and Beauty Farm in England. 1960 - 1981 was when Henlow Grange belonged to the Costigan family. It was one of the first residential spas ever created.
Clients and my mother craved the 'warm sunshine.' In 1975 we opened another Health and Beauty Farm, called Brisamer, in Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga, Spain.
My mother and I co-directed Brisamer until 1990. Brisamer was a huge success. Clients loved the Spanish outdoor way-of-living, combined with a residential treatment course. Manicures and pedicures by the poolside, far surpassed, staring out at English rainy days.
Brisamer was featured on BBC's Holiday Programme '87, an event never to forget! The local postman came toppling on his motorbike, down our lane, laden with sacks and sacks of mail - everyday - for weeks and weeks on end. He always mumbled, 'What did you two do?'
History for me, rekindles that unforgettable, rousing childhood warmth. Behind every event lies a lifetime of people with their own tale - sad or happy. No-one lives without experiences.
Happy, Happy Daisies
About Us Chrissy
TOP Chrissy is my Exploring Friend and editor. She's a fabulous photographer and had to join me on this adventure.
Chrissy worked as an archaeologist for the Museum of London for many years before moving to Andalucia in 2002 with her daughter.
Her work involved many projects in all aspects of archaeology from the hands on digging up of Roman and Medieval London, to many publications inspired by the same.
She also worked in Yorkshire for the Deserted Medieval Villages project, Ostia, the port of Rome and Carthage, Tunisia.
These days her interests are deeply connected with photography and many of her photographs have been published in our local, glossy magazines. We will be including a page of Chrissy's best pictures.
| Memories have a sleek habit of creating unexpected best moments out of the smallest details... Years ago, recently moved-over, my mother was informed that Malagüenian Comares (sun-dried raisin) wine, was excellent. It was nearly Christmas, I didn't yet drive, (my mother was an atrocious driver), I persuaded that our gardener should take us there. We arrived on a local holiday. There was not a soul in sight. Every door was closed and windows were tightly-shuttered. Parking at the bottom of this tiny, windswept village - which perched on a soaring peak - we wandered up some sharply inclining streets (seemingly created for goat and donkey traffic only), seeking some sort of a commerical sign. Everything meandered on a sharp 90º incline. Noticing my mother's increasing impatience, Francisco paused and knocked gently at one of those ubiquitously closed doors. Soft treadfalls came to the door...but no-one opened it.
Francisco knocked again. We heard stiffled breathing within. After a long pause, a broken voice echoed hesitently,"¿Quien va?" ("Who's there?")
Francisco replied, "Gente de paz," ("Peaceful people,")
TOP There was a further delay. The door opened the tiniest crack. The woman scrutinized us circumspectly. She was wrapped in many layers of clothes, obviously cold. Perceiving our aspect resembled, a sort of family, she relaxed and opened the door. Francisco informed her of our quest. Unexpectedly she stepped into the street and hollered at the above flat.
"Juan, Juan abre." ("Juan, Juan open up.") As if on cue - nearly every persiana rolled-up. People peered at the commotion. A hosepipe was flung out the above window. It unfurled the exact distance of the parked car. Francisco raced down, (he had had the foresight to warn us, to purchase and bring two 5 litre caskets),"¿Que vino quiere?" ("Which wine would you like?") We yelled up our choice. Without warning, fluid gurgled and swelled the hosepipe. The caskets overflowed. Juan grumpily descended. We paid him less than a 1,000pts, having never even tasted the purchases. Driving home, I asked, 'why' such a specific introduction. "Stra Ana, we could have been contrabandistas or the Guardia Civil coming to arrest a family member," he paused hesitantly, "Without that particular introduction - they wouldn't have opened the door." It was November of 1975. Franco was critically ill, days earlier he had appointed King Juan Carlos as his heir designate. (Within a month, Franco's assigned Prime Minister, Carrero Blanco, would be blown sky-high in a terroist attack.) Were the Guardia Civil so terrifying - or oppressive?
Those smugglers...? TOP |
For centuries 'the contrabandistas' paced or galloped on hidden goat-tracks (far from the eyes of the Guardia). Poverty and hardship were rife and commonplace. Until one comprehends what happened - to and on this land - one cannot recognize the national character nor perceive The Soul of Spain.
Who was Don Juan? Who was el Cid? Did Hercules have a role here? Historical legends have forged huge life chapters on the Iberian Peninsular.
We have a profound fascination of history as much as we love travel. What's around the corner...? Chrissy is a genius in photography while I have a passion for writing. Together, we decided, to combine our individual flairs and create an in-depth directory of the Geographical History of our area. Many have inhabited this colourful land and many, left their unique legacies from their trials and tribulations. Just like in any family...
Do you want to meet them?
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Related Site Links
all-about-estonia
A true Leida Costigan story, courtesy of www.top-tour-of-spain.com
A Best Chiringuito
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