Goose and duck pond near old airport Quesada

Newchocs thanks, you always come up with interesting info, you are correct about urban myths surrounding Quesada, I had a colleague once (going back to the late 1980s early 1990s) who used intrigue potential buyers on Quesada by telling them tales of famous fellow residents Mr Mitsubishi of the Japanese cars fame, Mr Seiko (watches) Terry Wogan and even Joan Collins had a Sofia villa on Quesada. To name but a few , I have lost track of the rest, how lucky and privileged everybody felt to have such Celebrity neighbours. Happy Days. With regard to the air- strip, I always understood that Snr. Antonio Quesada kept a light aircraft there for some years, but then again he was the National Aeronautical Champion of Spain, or was it the World ? (info was from the same colleague).

Boyjohn one name you missed was Ronald Biggs (train fame) apparently was holed up in the Lo Marabu area for a brief period before transit to South America, used the airstrip on way.

I love this topic!

Although the original question about the pond has not really been answered fully for Margret, I can't imagine she will mind much as it's been so much fun finding out everyone's perception of the 'old airport', true or possible myths!

Jan.

The Gota Fria was, I think, in 1989, though I could be a year out. It did great damage to the lower, early holes on the course as much of the surrounding hill was washed down onto the course. It took years to get the grass to grow again and to bring the course back to good condition.
Some other 'residents' for people to ponder, Paul Daniels, who was said to have a penthouse somewhere up near Harry's Bar and Gorbachev who was/is believed to own the palacial house down by Romeria.
I'll believe it when I see it.

The Aero Club was or now is The Club House next to the bowls club. That's where the pilots visited for a drink and a meal, it was a posh restaurant and the place to be seen at the end of the 1980's.

As you look at the Quesada Country Club the first house to the right was once a bordello, Roman pillars and all.

There has been a lock on the gate for about 2 years we used to go and feed the ducks,we were told that some of them had disappeared that's why they stopped people going in,shame,now they wait at the gate for people to feed them.there are hundreds of fish in there they would come to the surface for bread.

When I moved to Quesada 20 years ago the airstrip was still in use by residents with their own small aircraft. Airport Hire Car Company now occupies what used to be the hangars. When Quesada decided he wanted to build on the airstrip there was much controversy but building went ahead!

Friends of mine lived at the back of the Duck Pond but when a family had a house built at the back/side of their property, they apparently objected to people being able to walk around the duck pond passed their property and it was then locked off.

God you're right Jan, this is brilliant!
We'll be hearing that Shergar is in the easy horse care centre next!
I can tell you that the airport met it's end due to legislation, not a want to build on the land. there was plenty of land to construct on, some of which is still bare, but a law came in regarding the landing of aircraft in a location such as this and the surrounding properties were just too close by, so it had to cease operations. Of course, once this happened, he wasn't just going to let it lie bare, so the housing started.
There is actually still a small leisure airstrip on the road from the bottom of the golf course to Guardamar. It's marked by an old plane on top of a container, up to the right, around half way along the road. Not sure if it gets much use these days, with Catral rural airfield doing such great weekend business.
Anyway, attached are 3 images, one of the Quesada Aero Club Crest, one of the very first plane landing at the airstrip and the final one just out of interest, is of the Old Don Carlos Pub as it was many years ago. It's hardly recognisable now and I suppose neither is this thread as it's nothing to do with the duck pond, sorry.
Anyway, thought you'd find this interesting. Enjoy the images!

All the posts on this topic are really interesting - Thanks for the photos too......fascinating!






Jan