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Torrevieja Outlook Nยบ11
January 2015
Nยบ 11 January, 2015
Kings, Magi and Stars - Miguel Hernandez - Springtime and Cherries - Animal Cruelty & pleasure - Spanish Cookery - Flames & Fables - Leprosy Day - Burns Night, Haggis and Humanitarian Award - Spotlight on Torrrelamata - Medieval Markets - Unique Costaleros - Local Authors - Allergies . aormi@icloud.com
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Torrevieja Outlook Fiesta Calendar ww,torreviejaoutlook.com Photo: Keith Nicol
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January has two main festivals. The first is the national holiday on the 6th January the Epiphany which is preceded the night before on the 5th by the arrival of the Three Kings bearing gifts. Nearly every town will have a magnificent parade where sweets are handed out to the children On 17th January San Anton Abad, a Persian saint, takes centre stage as protector of animals and many towns hold a parade of pets with a blessing by the local priest. Meanwhile, preparations go ahead for the carnival that takes place over the next month. Groups feverishly make the last touches to their wonderful and spectacular costumes, groups and individuals. Many look for zany ideas as it is all about fun.
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The Three Kings bring illusion and hopes at the start of the year by Andy Ormiston ! Many people tend to cross our paths in our lifetime and one of those for me was the short fellow-Glaswegian Fr. Patsy Treanor who was a brilliant mathematician, so much so that he was seconded to the Vatican Observatory where, among things, he charted a comet that could have been the Star of Bethlehem. His best pal was six foot four Father Bernard Hall, one of the best bosses I ever had, a former Sapper Captain in India with the license to train elephants: both of them walked form London to Santiago de Compestella one year. Some of the information here is thanks to Chris Corbally of the Vatican Observatory in Arizona and Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J. awarded the 2014 Carl Sagan Award.! On 6th January we have a public holiday celebrating the arrival of the Magi or the Three Kings, they were not kings, nor three in number, nor did they travel on camels. The only evangelist who mentioned these popular characters is Saint Matthew who says some ‘magos’ came from the Orient following a star that signalled the birth of the king of the Jews. These were probably astrologists or Persian priests who professed Madeism, the religion of Zaratustra. The idea of there being three came from the interpretation that they brought three gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh. !
! God uses our science and reasoning to draw us to himself.! !
The Kings must have set out early to reach their goal of Judah in time for the arrival of Jesus, so perhaps it is a good time to look at their journey as we can only guess about their background and what they actually saw as a “star”. ! If we think that the star was a wonderful sign in the sky, then this cannot be proved or disproved by science. But if we look at it as an astronomical event, then there are several candidates: a comet, a suddenly brightening star, or some grouping of
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planets. So really, we have to look at possible dates of the birth of Jesus, and these can be anywhere between 8 BC and 2AD. There were several recorded comets in this period, one in 5 BC, but a comet has something serious against it; it was taken as a sign of bad rather than good omen among Jews and other nations. The general consensus is that it was not a comet, but more likely a novae or supernovae. Novae and one type of supernova brighten when the outer material from one star is pulled over by a close companion star, reaches a critical mass and goes nuclear. Another tableau is when a star ends its life, first imploding and then dramatically exploding. ! The Chinese did record a nova in 5 BC , and if it had been bright then it would have been seen in Jerusalem and Herod would have known and not needed to consult the Magi about what they had seen. The Magi would have been both astronomers and astrologers and able to map the planets as we know them through the Zodiac signs. Most astronomers agree that The skies are full of beauty ands here is a it would likely have been a triple supernova remnant W49B of the Milky Way which conjunction involving the encounter three scientists thinks harbors a black hole. times of two planets, or a bright star and a planet. In 3 BC on 12th June Venus was close to Saturn, followed by a spectacular pairing of Venus and Jupiter on 12th August in the constellation of Leo, which was associated with the Jews and completed the event between September 3 BC and June 2BC by Jupiter. Coincidence or not Jupiter is the kingly planet, passing the bright star Regulus (the king star) in Leo three times. Yet another triple conjunction occurred in 7BC in the constellation of Pisces involving Jupiter and Saturn; Pisces is also associated with Jews. !
One astronomer proposed an interesting alignment on 12th November in 7BC of Jupiter and Saturn at the apex of the cone formed by the zodiacal light as viewed from Jerusalem. This made a beam of light appear as if to fall from the two planets down onto Bethlehem, just like a Christmas card! Another amazing sequence of astronomical phenomena started with the above triple conjunction of summer and autumn in 7BC, continued with a planetary massing in Aries in the Spring of 6BC, then some planetary pairings in Pisces in February 5BC (the Moon and Jupiter, Mars and Saturn), and finally the above mentioned ‘guest star’ in March 5BC. !
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It was in the time of Tertullian that Kings or Magi, Astronomers they became popularly known as ‘kings’, based on the Psalms of or Astrologists David where it is mentioned that some kings would visit the Messiah shortly after his birth. This interpretation of kings was more acceptable to the theologians of the day rather than magi, which was associated with witches and black magic. Saint Augustine was the one who brought in the idea of the dromedaries. One of the apocryphal epistles mentions that they travelled on camels and Saint Augustine knew that the dromedaries were of African origin and more swift than camels. So the magi travelled in 13 days from Asia to Bethlehem. The kings are seen as a symbol of all the pagans who converted to Christianity without passing through the Jewish traditions. The emeritus Pope Benedict suggests that they wise men came from Spain, but we know that’s not right, nor did any Virgin. ! Whatever the true story it is still one which brightens up a dreary start to another year, filling children with illusions of dreams about to be realised, thanks to three wise men, and, of course, the love and sacrifice of their parents. !
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Most towns will hold a Cabalgata parade on the evening of the 5th with the “wise men” and their entourage of pages parading through the town, throwing sweets to the waiting crowds as a symbol of sharing gifts. !
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Alcoy
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connection with this fiesta (1885) and on the 4th January three hogueras (fires) are set up on the Monte de San Cristobal to welcome a representative of the Three Kings and on this night the emissary arrives with a
proclamation about the forthcoming procession of the Three Kings. Many towns with large zoos often provide animals for the processions and in Madrid you can even see elephants. ! Ranks of Oriental soldiers act as extravagant escorts while black-faced pages in Alcoy carry long ladders, which can reach, up to the balconies just above the street. These ladders are set against the balconies and the pages shin up them to visit wide-eyed children, leaving them parcels and gifts. There is a custom that the children put out their shoes for gifts to be left in them as mentioned in Miguel Hernandez article. If they are considered to be naughty children then ‘carbon’ a boiled sweet looking like a lump of charcoal is left for them.!
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Miguel Hernández
as a teenager had to help out the family by looking after the family’s sheep and goats. He is one of the victim’s of Spain’s disastrous Civil War. The following simple poem sentimentally evokes the contrast of the life of a poor child, the conflict between the illusion and desire for possessing toys on the Epiphany on 6th January, and the reality of not having toys throughout his infancy. In a way today’s crisis means many people are in hs shoes or sandals. On this date Spanish children put out their shoes in anticipation of receiving gifts from the Three Kings. ! The Deserted Sandals is one of Miguel Hernandez’s poems describing the illusions of the gifts of the three kings and the spiritual poverty of those who have nothing at all. The translation is by a pillar of Torrevieja, who is teacher Jesucristo Riquelme, an avid follower of the works of Miguel Hernandez. Jesucristo has written a book about the poet and also a cookbook about local traditional cuisine to help raise funds for the AFA (Alzheimer’s association) and APANEE, another Torrevieja association that assists parents of children with learning difficulties in many ways, including professional psychological support and Jesucristo is president of this latter association. In this sense this particular poem has its own poignancy.! ! Miguel Hernandez was born in Orihuela and today his house is a very popular museum visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees of his poetry.
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THE DESERTED SANDALS by Miguel Hernandez!
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On the fifth of January, ! Every January I would put ! My goatherd sandals ! On the cold windowsill. !
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And the days ! That shattered the doors ! Would find my empty sandals, ! My deserted sandals. !
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I never had shoes, ! Nor suits, nor words: ! I always had brooks, ! Sorrows and goats. !
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Poverty clothed me, ! The river licked my body, ! And the dew devoured me ! From head to toe. ! ! On the fifth of January, ! I wished, for the sixth, ! That the entire world would be ! A toy shop. !
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And, when the dawn ! Stirs the orchards, ! My sandals are bare, ! My sandals are deserted. !
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No crowned king ! Bothered and had the urge ! To see the sandals ! On my poor window. ! aormi@icloud.com
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! All the nobles, ! All the gentry ! Laughed with bitterness ! At my worn out sandals. !
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I raged with tears ! For a world of sweets ! And men like honey ! Until salt covered my skin. !
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On the fifth of January, ! From my sheepfold, ! My goatherd sandals ! Would come out to the frost. !
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And when the sixth would dawn, ! My eyes would find by the door ! My frozen sandals, ! My deserted sandals. !
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! ! Miguel Hernández !
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This Orihuela poet was a victim and martyr of the civil war in Spain and considered to be one of the innocent martyrs of fascism. Miguel was born on 30th October 1910 in Orihuela and despite his family’s low state received a basic education, which helped him in is love of literature in the years to come. He worked as a shepherd boy in 1925 but managed to continue his studies in literature and law. An avid reader, he was largely self-taught and produced poetry and articles that attracted the attention of the famous ’36 Generation of literature giants that Spain was producing. At the outbreak of the Civil War he joined the Republicans and although at the front, briefly managed to aormi@icloud.com
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escape the dangers of war to return to Orihuela to marry his sweetheart, by whom he later had a son. His works attracted worldwide acclaim and also the attention of the Nationalists, who when they came to power banned his work, even to the extent of destroying the publication of one of his books: however, two copies escaped the destruction and were copied and reprinted in 1981. ! At the end of hostilities he tried to escape from Franco’s troops, but Portugal’s dictator, Salazar, turned him over to the Guardia Civil who imprisoned him in Madrid. Thanks to the intercession of the writer Pablo Neruda he was set at liberty, returned to Orihuela, but was again detained there, imprisoned and condemned to death. Once again friends interceded and this was remitted to 30 years imprisonment. ! In 1941 he was sent to Alicante’s prison where he contacted typhus, which was complicated by tuberculosis, and he died on 28th March 1942. Each March there is a pilgrimage tracing some of the places in the Vega Baja related to Miguel Hernández. ! Torrevieja is one of many Vega Baja towns that have a plaza dedicated to his memory; suitably it is to be found in the town’s centre of culture where the municipal theatre is located.! !
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Torrevieja has a plaza dedicated to Miguel Hernandez where today sits the Municipal Theatre. This plaza is the closest place today of the original tower from which the town takes its name.
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The Three Kings and their entourage of pages, dancers, camel and donkey herders, visit new born babes in hopital, the elderly in residences and clubs, individual homes, bearing, not only gifts, but joy and happiness and a bit of comfort into a world that continues in crisis in so many ways.
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Cรกcares in Bloom
Cรกcares an old city in Extramadura as well as a province and received the UNESCO distinction in 1986 as having an important part of the patrimony of humanity and is being considered as one of the Cultural Capital Cities of Europe within the next few years. As long ago as 1968 the old town was declared as the Third Monumental area of Europe because of the richness and diversity of its history and monumental buildings. The centrepiece is the plaza Mayor alongside the ancient fortress wall, with the Bujaco Tower, the Estrella archway and the tower known as los Pulpitos. On the south side there is the old town hall building and the forums of los Balbos while on the other side is a more animated area of leisure. ! The city has traces of humanity dating back to Palaeolithic times and innumerable populations and cultures have resided here inside the solid walls that are steeped in history. When the town took the side of the Beltraneja who rebelled aormi@icloud.com
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against the Catholic Kings most of the city towers were razed to the ground apart from the famous CigĂźenas, named because of the storks who build nests there each year. Among the notable buildings is the San Mateo church, the 16th century History Monument in a partial Gothic style or the Casa de Saavedra. The city also has a magnificent statue of its famous Conquistador Pizarro and the Moorish presence is preserved thanks to the Aljibes or Arabic Baths. ! CĂĄcares province ranks in fourth place in Spain with the highest number of accommodation places. In Spring this province offers photographers a beautiful outlook and a delight for nature lovers when the cherry blossom is in full bloom around early April, especially in the Valle del Jerte. This capriccio of nature, when she paints the valleys of cherry trees in pastels of white and mauve, going into pink flowers, in a chain of colour that will last less than two weeks. The same can be found in the valleys of Alicante province Hundreds of families cultivate the cherry orchards that lie alongside the N100 Cacares Provincial Museum is one of many that includes one dedicated to Cherries
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roadway gathering in the short season from early May to the end of June over one and a half million cherries are picked in a steady rhythm of clip-clip as they are plucked from their mother tree to be shipped all over Spain and abroad. Probably the most famous cherry in the world is grown here – the Picota; a large dark red, plump and juicy heart shaped fruit and sought after by Spanish housewives in the season. Sometimes it is referred to as stemless because when picked the cherry separates from its stem. There is a cherry festival between the end of May to 20 July, that has now been nominated as a National Fiesta of Touristic Interest and visitors can buy Picota jam, or liquor or dine in one of the many participating restaurants that offer these delicious cherries in their recipes.! !
Cacares also has excellent Semana Santa processions including the famous Encuentro between the Risen Jesus and his mother Mary.
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This painting by artist Maurice Thacker shows the child Jesus being handed some cherries by Joseph as they have a rest in their flight from Herod’s soldiers to Egypt, symbolized by the pyramids in the background.
Tour operators will now be offering trips to places in Alicante Province like the Jalon Valley where the blossom of cherry and almond trees blooms briefly showing nature in her glory.
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Winter Matanza mountain village lifeline a look at a blooody lifeline by dave stewart
! About twenty-five years ago in Torrevieja Manolo had a high-class French cuisine restaurant opposite the Fontana Hotel. For a couple of years in January the small street was cut off to traffic and he held a street party, with butchers cutting up a pig, barbecuing some parts and making sausages, chorizos, black puddings etc. out of other parts of the animals. This used to be very common in remote parts of Spain and still goes on as often small communities are cut off from the rest of the world by snow and in order to survive slaughter a pig or sheep or other animal and use every part of the animal to make food that keeps them going until the snows melt and springtime arrives. ! In Murcia region there is a small mountain village named Matanza which is the Spanish word for slaughter. A similar fiesta is held in Torrelamata this month, although the animals are not slaughtered in the street, but in the local slaughterhouse, but everyone can enjoy drinking the local wine and eating chops or whatever they fancy. ! January 17th is connected with this event, as it is the fiesta of San Anton Abad, who is the Spanish patron saint of animals. In his images a pig trots faithfully after him as in the legend he saved it from certain death aormi@icloud.com
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and often accompanies him. Most towns will hold a procession and blessing of pets, including in the main church of la Inmaculada in Torrevieja in the early evening with a short parade from the Vista Alegre paseo. In Alicante there is an annual market with a raffle for a pig to help affray the expenses, a custom quite common. ! In some mountain towns in the Valencian region this is an important communal festival that includes building a huge bonfire and a wooden house where someone dressed as the saint is persecuted and taunted by others, dressed as demons or loose women trying to tempt Saint Anton into sins of the flesh. On some occasions, with smaller bonfires, people will jump over the fire, sometimes on horseback, in a purifying ritual. This is a community fiesta with survival and purifying as basic parts of the ritual and leads on into the period of carnival. ! However, for most of us it is an opportunity to reflect on the environment and how we as humans treat other animals. Spain now has several animal protection associations and particularly in Cataluña are vociferous in trying to prevent bullfighting taking place. But in some towns other animals are used in cruel ways, such as horseracing when riders pluck a live hen from a rope so that it stretches the bird’s neck and the winner is the horseman who holds the bird in his hands, as it may take several attempts to pluck the bird from the rope. ! In other fiestas there is no cruelty, especially in events like the recent Madrid Cabalgata of the kings when squadrons of horsemen paraded in the annual procession in tight formation and were well appreciated by the crowd, or in Torrevieja’s May Fair where horses play an important role in the dressage and other competitions. But for those with pets 17th January is a special day for a blessing of your mascot and yourself.!
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San Antón Abad is Spain's patron saint for animals - their Protection and welfare. According
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When a Fiesta is Cruel by Pat Hynd
to tradition this Persian hermit saved a pig from the slaughter and thereafter it faithfully trots after him., which is why in many images you see a small pig.! His feast is celebrated on January 17th and many towns hold some sort of blessing of animals, be it domestic pets or work animals. Unfortunately Spain has a bad reputation in regard to animal welfare, especially when it comes to fiestas, notably bull fighting, which many aficionados see as an art form. There are many Spanish associations that do fight successfully for an end to animal cruelty, especially in the public forum, but they tend to get less press space than the actual event itself, whether it is the triumphant ear cutting ceremony at a bullfight, or bull running, or chucking goats off a building. ! The last time a goat was thrown from the church bell tower in Manganeses de la Polvorosa, in the northwestern province of Zamora, was part of its annual fiestas and the animal was called Chillerona. The goat was nicknamed after the president of the ANPBA animal rights association, Alfonso Chiller贸n, who had spent years fighting the tradition. His argument was that although the animal was caught in a blanket, it was nevertheless subjected to needless stress. That was in 2001, a decade after the first ban was imposed: a victory for animal rights, but also a reflection on how slowly attitudes to animal welfare are improving in Spain. The towns folk now throw a life-size replica of a goat from their bell tower. ! aormi@icloud.com
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Animal rights groups say that Spain’s legislation still fails to protect animals, and that fines do little to help. In many communities, where festivals include inflicting injury and death on animals, residents collect donations to pay financial fines. There are many instances of cruelty at fiestas which most people seem to regard as fun, often with the assumption that as the creature is not killed outright then its fine to have a laugh. Animal rights protestors have successfully intervened in Toro de Coria, in Cáceres, where darts were chucked at a bull once a year. ! It is common in many fiestas to see an oxen used to genuflect before an image of a saint. This happens in several Vega Baja towns, usually as part of agricultural fair competitions. Another is a race with oxen pulling heavily laden carts or stones. Every summer in Denia, Alicante, and L’Ampolla, Tarragona, bulls are chased off a pier, and then dragged out of the sea, one drawing on one occasion.! Many festivals involving animal abuse are protected by a 2006 law that allows them to claim they are of “touristic interest”. The law supposedly excludes events involving the mistreatment of animals, but only in the case of communities that applied after 2006. Silvia Barquero, head of PACMA, a political party that supports animal welfare, says Spain’s calendar of cruel festivals is unique in the EU, and is damaging the country’s branding internationally. Politicians very rarely take any notice. Even when they agree that it is wrong to treat animals cruelly, they daren’t go against tradition for fear of losing votes.! But this month we can see the other face of Spain as people who love their animals, their mascotas, turn out in a gay procession happy to have a blessing shared with their pet, a pet which is a blessing in Itself.!
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of Spanish Co oking by Pat Hynd
Roscon: This is a sweet bread bun that is cooked in a ring, decorated with glace fruits to represent jewels, and is meant to be a king’s crown. Inside will be small gifts including a dried bean and the person who finds it in his or her portion is supposed to pay for the meal or a round of drinks. Whoever finds an image of a king is crowned as king for the meal. Sometimes the roscon is sliced horizontally and filled with cream or similar filling. One year my my children were small I bought a Cream filled roscon: foto Antonio Garcia basic roscon and cut it in half and filled it with whipped cream. Inside I put the usual bean and ceramic king but also some coins wrapped in clingfilm. Of course everyone was delighted especially with the coins, so much os that my partner rushed off to the same pastry shop and asked for another roscon with the money inside. Of course the baker had no idea what he was on about but twigged what I had done and everyone had a good laugh. ! The origins of the roscon is supposed to be traced back to Roman times when it was baked for the agricultural Saturnalia feast, when the slaves actually had a day off. This was celebrated in the middle of December to mark the end of the darkest period of the year and till the end of the month the "sun holidays" would come, when the sun entered Capricorn, the winter solstice. It meant the end of the labor in the fields. The slaves would be able to rest and recover from a hard season's work! The slaves were given round cakes made of figs, dates and honey. A dry lima bean, which represented prosperity, was hidden in the cakes. The slave who found it in his piece would be free for the day and be treated like a king.!
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Back to the alphabet -‐‑ C Codornices Asadas -‐‑ quails that are pot-‐‑ roasted with herbs. Quails and their eggs are very popular in Spain and commonly found in supermarkets. Codorniz con Tomate -‐‑ quail and tomatoes with a garlic sauce. Col Hervido -‐‑ steamed cabbage with garlic and oil. C o l i fl o r F r i t a -‐‑ ba=ered cauliflower florets deep fried, also shared with Italy and Malta cuisine. Conejo a la Vinagreta is stewed rabbit in a spicy sweet and sour sauce. Conejo al Ram -‐‑ stewed rabbit with pork ribs, cooked in red wine and herbs. Conejo con Cebollitas is a Mallorcan stew of rabbit in a herb and hot pepper sauce. Conejo en Escabeche -‐‑ rabbit casseroled in wine vinegar and olive oil, with onion, carrots, leek, laurel and rosemary: usually served with roasted red peppers. Escabeche is a very common way to present several types of dishes including fish. Conejo Guisado -‐‑ roast rabbit stuffed with bacon, cooked with wine and onions. Consommé de Gallina is clear chicken and veal stock, served with vegetables and croutons and pieces of the meats. Consommé Madrileño -‐‑ an onion broth with small dumplings. Coquines -‐‑ cockles Cordero a la Pastora -‐‑ casseroled lamb pieces, with the liver and brains included, flavoured with herbs. Cordero Asado -‐‑ roast lamb with wine, often with slivers of garlic tucked into slits cut just under the skin. Be careful as in restaurants often this will turn out to be lamb cutlets. Cordero Asado Estilo Burgos -‐‑ Roast lamb with potatoes and salad. Cordero en Ajillo Pastor -‐‑ lamb cooked in herbs and lemon with potatoes. Cordero Lechal Asado Alcarreño -‐‑ roast lamb aormi@icloud.com
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with herbs and lemon. Cordero Lechal en Chilindron -‐‑ young lamb baked in a garlic, tomato and red pepper sauce. This chilindron sauce is excellent with chicken. Costillas de Cerdo with Chestnuts -‐‑ marinated pork spare-‐‑ribs oven roasted with roasted chestnuts. Crema de Alcegas -‐‑ Stewed alcegas (rather like spinach) are later cooked again together with potatoes, carrots, bacon, then puréed and fried pine kernels added. Sometimes raisins are added as well. In Barcelona stewed acelgas are pureed and mixed with a light béchamel sauce to make a rather velvety green soup. Croquetas a la Española -‐‑ Croque=es are popular ways to use up left-‐‑overs. In this recipe they use fried spiced pork or chicken in a thick bechamel sauce, then coated in egg and breadcrumbs and fried. Croquetas are often served as tapas. CroqueGes de Bacalao -‐‑ fried salt cod and potato croque=es. CroqueGes de Caballas -‐‑ spicy mackerel and po=o croque=es. Cuajada is a sweet junket, once more in favour as a health food, and now available in supermarkets. Culiacin de Rape Eating fish is one of the best ways to keep health problems away. The consumption of fish and fa=y acids n3 reduces the risk of having a cerebral haemmorage according to a study of 80,000 women in the U.S.A. over a 14 year period. There was a noticeable 50% difference between those who ate no fish and those where fish appeared at least once a week. Fish often appears on Spanish tapa tables such as tuna in Russian Salad, sardines, mussels, squid, octopus, crab, salted cod, smoked mackerel, whitebait, a n c h o v i e s , p r a w n s , g a m b a s , lobster, and many other fish including monkfish. Monkfish is the common name that refers to about 265 related marine fish belonging to the family of Lófidos, L o fi f o r m e s o r d e r . T h e m o s t common species are the common aormi@icloud.com
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anglerfish or monkfish white and red. This fish is also known as toad or anglerfish and in Spain -‐‑ rape (raapaay) with emphasis on the last le=er, so no jokes please.
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This recipe requires six large skewers and 900 gr. rape (or monkfish) tail. The sauce is one of the most important ingredients. 900 grams rape (monkfish) tail. 230 ml. water 5 tablespoons lime juice. And for the sauce: 4 red chillies seeded and chopped. Olive oil 2 large tomatoes peeled and chopped. 1 t e a s p o o n o f e a c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g : oregano;ground black pepper; cumin seed: ground ginger 2 teaspoons crushed garlic 560 ml. fish stock One cucumber 1 medium red onion Skin, bone and cube the fish. Marinate in the water and lime juice for four hours, or be=er overnight. Fry the chillies in a li=le olive oil until they are a dark colour. Add the chopped tomato, oregano, black pepper, cumin seed, ginger, garlic and fish stock to the chillies. Bring to the boil and simmer for ten minutes. Remove from the heat. Cut the cucumber into 6 mm. rounds (about quarter of an inch thick). Cut the red onion into eight wedges.
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Thread the skewers, by piercing a piece of onion, a piece of fish, and a piece of cucumber in turn until the skewer is complete. Coat well with the sauce. Serve with limes and tabasco sauce.
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Fables and Flames!
! Winter Fires of San Anton - 16th January!
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San Antón is Spain’s patron of animals. He was born sometime in the 3rd or 4th century in Egypt. According to the legend he lived to 105 years of age. As a youth he gave away his money to the poor and retired as a hermit to the banks of the Nile. Many cures have been attributed to his intercession especially a skin condition which has a burning sensation and hence the name “the fires of San Antón”. !
! Burning Flesh - Cleansing Fires ! !
In Villanueva de Alcolea this skin condition was rampant in the Middle Ages and disappeared thanks to the intercession of San Anton. The origin of this particular fiesta of San Anton may, perhaps, be traced to Villanueva de Alcolea where, according to legend, St. Antony cured a pig of an infirmity. However, he not only cured animals but during the Middle Ages he also worked miracles curing people of the pestilence which burned the flesh with fever. ! This has led to the saint’s feast becoming a Fire Festival in this town in Castellon Province held on the 16th January. People and animals parade around hogueras and a feast full of fear and happiness takes place. Some people, on gaily decorated aormi@icloud.com
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horses, ride through the labyrinth of streets leaping over fires. This represents the contemplative soul in ecstasy viewing Life as a dangerous game. Here, during the fiestas, beasts and people jump over the many fires in the town. This connection has led to fire becoming a symbol of this saint and fires or hogueras are burnt on his feastday which is held with special devotion in the Valencian Communidad, Cataluña and also in Mallorca. In Villafranca local men go to the mountain, select a large tree, cut it down and haul it back tot he town centre where it is set in the cnetre of a bonfire. Local amateur actors play out the story of San Anton and then there is a chase of devils, finally the fire is set.! As with many ancient festivities there is a touch of the pagan element - in this case, the winter fires. The fire acts as a purification rite and in some of the fiestas the «devils» leap over the fires to be purified. Often men on horseback leap over the flames in these rites. Many of these fiestas are a strong representation of the ever present battle between Good and Evil which can be seen in many fiesta rites.!
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Regulating Pets by Dave Stewart ! Several years ago Spanish central government ruled that every town hall should have a list of dangerous animals and how they should be treated to prevent any mishaps with members of the public. Each year, approximately 28,000 facial dog bites are reported in the UK, with just over 19,000 requiring plastic surgery.! Valencia Region insisted on several initiatives such as maintaining rabies vaccinations every other year, but advising it as an annual event. All dogs should be micro-chipped and registered with the regional authority RIVIA. A pup must be vaccinated between three and six months, along with the microchip implantation and the issuing of the European Standard known as the “passport!� All dogs should be kept on a leash when in public and not on an extendible leash. Keeping control might mean that a child or a frail elderly person could not walk the family pet if, for instance, it was a large dog that could drag them along. In some places owners are required to take a psychological test to prove their ability to control a dog. If any dog bites/attacks another dog or a person then it is deemed as being dangerous.! Always consult your vet as to the current restrictions. ! Some of the dogs on the dangerous pet list which takes into consideration the breed and weight are: !
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Pit Bull Terrier! Bull Terrier! Bull Mastiff! Staffordshire Bull Terrier! American Staffordshire bull terrier! Rottweiler! Doberman! Preso Canario! Preso Mallorquin! Diego Argentino! Dogo de Burdeos! Mastin Napolitano! Fila Brasileiro! Tosa Inu! Akita Inu! aormi@icloud.com
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! All these animals must be muzzled. Any dog over 10 kilos weight with a thoracic perimeter of 60 cms. and 50 cms at shoulder height are particularly mentioned. Unfortunately some lovely dogs such as Labradors fall into this perspective. ! Torrevieja had its own unit for prevention of cruelty to animals, mostly domestic pets, and those on the loose were rounded up and placed in dog pound. Unfortunately, at one time this had bad publicity because of the unhygienic conditions and members of the public protested which led to a better maintenance programme and now there is a very caring and attentive staff. Since the late 1980’s private individuals organized associations such as SAT (Sanctuary for Animals in Torrevieja) which depended on donations and fund raising projects from the general public. Because of housing regulations and the unavailability of suitable land the SAT organisation moved to custom made kennels near Almoradi. 'Sociedad Protectora para Animales de Torrevieja' (or S.A.T) is a registered charity whose aim is to alleviate the local stray and abandoned dog problem. It was formed in 1992 by animal lovers and became registered in Valencia as Charity no: 3463 and is also registered with Torrevieja Town hall. K9 is another voluntary animal organization with two shops aiding with funding.! People parading their pets on the streets and not cleaning up after their pets, led to many public gardens and plazas having “pipi-canes” a poo pound set up for them, but this still did not prevent people allowing their dogs to dirty the pavement and in August 2008 further local bye-laws were introduced with fines from 30 to 601 euros for slight infractions, 601 to 6,010 for more serious offences and a whopping 6,011 euros to 18,030 euros for the most serious of offences. Within the first month over 160 dog owners had been fined with an average of 90 euros for failing to clean up after their pets on the public roads. Most towns have similar regulations, but a lot more has to be done in implementing them. ! Dogs can travel easier nowadays with the proper documentation and the abovementioned passport that will show all the necessary vaccinations have been carried out. Dogs traveling to UK and Ireland must also pass a rabies serology test to ensure that the animal has made the minimum stipulated amount of antibodies to the vaccine. A younger dog is more likely to fail to pass this test if it has had only one vaccination. Owners should take the advice of a local vet before arranging travelling with an animal. !
La Marina SHOP 965 077 208 Almoradi SHOP 673 751 012
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ANIMALS 600 84 54 20 GENERAL ENQUIRIES 610 832 726
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Animal Day and Weird Laws by Dave Stewart
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Men make many weird laws and the North Americans have some of the most bizarre rules. Here are some examples that affect animals in good ole USA. !
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In Kingsville, Texas, there is a law against two pigs having sex on the city's airport property.! It is illegal for hens to lay eggs before 8 am and after 4 pm in Norfolk, Virginia.! Ducks quacking after 10 pm in Essex Falls, New Jersey are breaking the law.! In Quitman, Georgia, it is against the law for a chicken to cross any road within the city limits.! In McDonald, Ohio, farmers cannot march a goose down a city street. And fowl, particularly roosters, are prohibited from going into bakeries in Massachusetts.! In Kansas, it is illegal for chicken thieves to work during daylight hours.! In New York, frogs may be taken from their ponds from June 16 to September 30, but only between sunrise and sunset.! In Pennsylvania, no one is allowed to shoot bullfrogs on a Sunday.! In Arizona, the bullfrog-hunting season is permanently closed.! In Vermont, you can be fined if your pig runs in a public park without the permission of a selectman.!
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French Lick Springs, Indiana, once passed a law requiring all black cats to wear bells on Friday the 13th.! Madison, Wisconsin, will not allow joint custody of a family pet when a couple divorces - the animal is legally awarded to whoever happens to have possession of it at the time of the initial separation.! Dogs in Foxpoint, Wisconsin, may not bark profusely, snarl, or make any menacing gestures.! In Texas, it's illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.!
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! It is illegal to ride a mule down Lang, Kansas' Main Street in August, unless the animal is wearing a straw hat.! Over in Berea, Kentucky and also in Willamantic, Connecticut, horses are not allowed out on the streets and highways at night unless the animal has a "bright" red taillight securely attached to its rump.! Horses may not wear cowbells inside the city limits of Tahoe City California! ! In Washington, though, every cow wandering the streets of Seattle must be wearing a cowbell.! ! In Wanassa, New Jersey, a dog is breaking the law if it is heard to be "crying."! โ จ Cats in International Falls, Minnesota, are not allowed to chase dogs up telephone poles.!
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The Place of the Lepers by Pat Hynd
January is the month dedicated to raising a worldwide awareness of the Biblical disease that is conquerable, but still prevalent in many countries. Fontilles is a leper sanctuary built by the Jesuits for the treatment of sufferers of this horrible disease. The San Francisco Borja Sanatorium was built in 1909 located in a peaceful valley La Vall de Laguar, behind prosperous Benidorm. The two main people behind the initial project was Father Carlos Ferris and lawyer D. Joaquin Ballester and the centre opened with eight patients and by 1924 were treating 150 that increased in the next few years to around 300. It was self sufficient in that it had its own kitchens, bakery, carpenter shop, ironmonger, printing press, shoe shop, hairdresser etc. In 1927 the government recognized the centre as an National Institute for Leprosy Studies and during the First Republic was taken over by the State. ! It was in 1945 that the first really useful drug against leprosy was discovered in the USA and used successfully in Fontilles and this was the first real breakthrough agains this terrible disease that still destroys peoples’ lives in other parts of the world making them outcasts of society. The first training courses for nurses and medical staff were inaugurated in 1947 and these formed teams that went out to other parts of Spain to treat the disease and try to liquidate it so that within a few years the disease was less noticeable and could be treated at home. By the 1990’s the Fontilles staff were working in projects in various countries - Brazil, Nicaragua, India,China, Equatorial Guinea.!
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With leprosy beaten in Spain the sanatorium is basically a geriatric unit with sixty residents and treats 150 outpatients. ! Each year January 29th is dedicated to the fight against leprosy. In 2009 , the centenary of the founding of this sanatorium a documental film, “Detrás de la piel” or “under the skin”, was released by Bancaja about the work of this association, as the bank has been associated with this project for many years. The director of the film, Jordi Pla, has said, “the reality of Fontilles is that at first sight it is a painful one, but once you get to know it more you discover that the reality of Fontilles is pain, work, the will to live and hope. “
The centre - el Centro Geriátrico Borja y el Hospital Ferrís - was built to fight against the social discrimination against people with this disease and continues to do so in many other countries.! However, the Fontilles Association fighting against leprosy throughout the world has several programmes in various countries that are currently active. For example, in Honduras in Central America, a programme is underway for the detection of the skin blemishes that mark the beginnings of this disease and if caught in time the disease can be stopped. Spanish experts are currently giving formation to provide specialists in their own countries in Managua and with people from Honduras and Nicaragua. Doctors from various Third World countries meet in Fontilles to complete their formation in
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attending to lepers. According to the World Health Organisation new cases become less and less each year, from 800,000 NEW cases in 2001 to 300,000 new cases in 2005. Over 285,000 people have benefited directly from the projects of Fontilles in 2006 alone. ! One of the most celebrated scientists in this field is Cork-born Dr. Vicent Barry (1908-75) who made a breakthrough in the 1950’s when he and his team were researching tuberculosis and successfully synthesised a compound known as B663 (clofazimine) that proved to be effective against bacterium that causes leprosy and which is more readily available via the WHO. Today leprosy is connected with the geography of hunger and poverty and Fontilles has initiated action to put education and integral development projects in countries such as India, Nepal and Haiti. ! In 2015 the centre has several projects and ways of funding them, so please take time to look at their website to see how it is possible for you to help in small ways, not only with this centre but other non governmental associations such as Children in Need associated in the Minuto Solidario project. For example an operation for corrective surgery for disfigurement can cost as little as 150 euros.!
! ! +34 963 511 583
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PERSONA DE CONTACTO: Raquel Blay · rblay@fontilles.org Fontilles, 03791 La Vall de Laguar, Alicante (España) (+34) 965 583 350 geriatricoborja@fontilles.org
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About World Leprosy Day! Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity. It is also known as Hansen’s disease, named after Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who debunked the prevailing notion of the time that leprosy was a hereditary disease. He showed that the disease had a bacterial cause instead. For thousands of years, people with leprosy have been stigmatized and considered to be at the extreme margins of the society. The aim of World Leprosy Day is to change this attitude and increase public awareness of the fact that leprosy can now be easily prevented and cured.! The date for World Leprosy Day was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Indian freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on January 30, 1948. During his lifetime, Mahatma Gandhi worked tirelessly towards the betterment of people afflicted with leprosy.!
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Haggis History by Dave Stewart !
Piper Willie Hume addressing the haggis at a St. Andrews Gala in Torrevieja.
At this time of the year many associations on the Costa Blanca will be celebrating Burns Nights at the end of the month with the typical Ode to a Haggis. This is one of the most misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom, some claiming it is a type of bird, others that it has something to do with the Loch Ness monster, and others think it is the giant Hagrid featured in Harry Potter films or the obnoxious idea of a sheep’s innards. I intend to debunk these fatuous ideas and give you the real lowdown.!
! The hagii (plural) that lives in the wilds of Scottish mountains is completely different from those found in captivity used on dining tables. The native Haggis is a fairly small creature, though have been known in the past to
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grow to the size of a pig. It has a rough skin with short bristly hair, has four legs, although mutants with up to twelve legs of six either side have been seen. A notable feature of the animal is its speed as its legs on one side tend to be longer than the other legs on the opposite side. There are two breeds one is the Haggis scotii dexterous and the other the Haggis scotii siniestra the former runs clockwise round a hill and the other runs anti clockwise. This is an adaptation to mountain habitat but limits its abilities to move in one direction only. As can be imagined these adaptations can be awkward at times of mating when the male attempts to mount the female (a slightly pinker colour) and if a left foot tried it with a right foot they are both liable to tumble sideways down the hillside. ! Their diet is small insects, herbs and heather, which adds to their flavour when cooked and eaten. As they are shy beasties they hide when they hear the footfalls of hunters. The hagii live in gaggles in underground burrows and love to sunbathe in the strong Scottish sun to reach the deep rose pink colour of their skin. They are never killed by bullets or knives as the skin will leak out all the goodness of the rich Uisghe beatha that gives them a distinct peaty flavour. The intrepid Haggis hunter uses what appears to be a popgun with rubber bullets that stun the little creature. So like a lobster they are best cooked alive although unconscious, but their colour changes from pink to a pasty brown. The official hunting season is announced on the 25th January and long trews must be worn as a kilt can be a dangerous place if a Haggis jumps underneath, as thereafter everything will be worn. ! More people each year protest at what they see as cruelty to animals. According to the monthly newspaper Torrevieja Monthly several years ago someone released a gaggle of haggii in the the parkland around the salt lagoon at La Mata but we have not heard whether they were successful in breeding in an alien climate.! Haggis is traditionally accompanied by tattoos and turnips and a glass of good whisky.!
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! ! Torre La Mata is the oldest district of Torrevieja which was originally lived in by fishermen, salt workers of la Mata salt lake, and agriculturists. Today it depends mostly on tourism and offers a programme of cultural events and fiestas peculiar to the village. It is quasi-independent with its own town hall services, tourist office, library, sports centre, public health clinic plus a long sandy beach, a large protected parkland around the La Mata lake as well as several plazas and gardens. In the parkland there are some vineyards that produce several wines and one of the fiestas in Autumn is 'Los Toneles' celebrating the harvest and crushing of the first grapes. !
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! Salt !
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Salt harvested from the large lake was exported to many other countries and no doubt the Iberians, Phonecians and Romans and probably the Moors worked or bought the salt. The Romans built a quay at la Mata guarded by a wooden tower, so the salt would have been sent to Italy and also used for making garum, a highly prized condiment. The present tower replaced the Roman tower and a subsequent stone one, more as a symbol and tourist attraction. The quay is in the same place as the original Roman one. The Torre de la Mata was also known as the Torre del Cargador because there was a small quay where the salt was loaded onto the boats. In the 1750’s the Dutch were the best purchasers of salt and they complained about the lack of security when on 18th July 1755 a Berber ship raided a Dutch one at harbour under the small guns of the Santa Pola tower without any real resistance. The Dutch ambassador in Alicante threatened to stop the trading there if security was not increased.!
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From March to October the salt was harvested and in the 1750’s about sixty people were authorised to privately extract the salt and pile it up to be later assessed by the administrator and paid, dependent on the size of the mound and the quality of the salt. Today the salt lake of La Mata is larger in area than it was in the 18th century. In 1751 and 1752 no salt was extracted because of bad weather conditions. The engineer Panón built aormi@icloud.com
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dams on the small rivers to the north of the lake to divert the waters entering the lake and 1753 was a better harvest. The La Mata population increased seasonally from March to October when the salt was harvested and in the 1750’s about sixty people were authorised to extract the salt and pile it up in individual mounds to be later assessed by the administrator and paid, dependent on the size of the mound and the quality of the salt. !
Tree!
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The village takes its name from a type of fairly common Mediterranean bushy tree, the lentisco. Although the early village was in a wooded area, a lot of trees were cut to build barraca style houses and for fuel; but one lentisco, known locally as la mata, stood on its own as a landmark and provided the place with its name. In 1756 the area around La Mata lake was heavily wooded but over 200 pine trees were cut down to make barracas and for fuel. At this time the lake came under the jurisdiction of Guardamar, which in turn came under Orihuela Diocese. In 2014 a symbolic lentisco was planted in La Mata centre as a symbolic reminder of its origins.!
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Church!
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The small village lifestyle revolved around the church called The Holy Rosary Church. Today it continues as a central pivot for celebrations and fiestas. The church is in the main plaza near the present tower of La Mata with several excellent restaurants around. !
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Beach! ! The La Mata beach is the longest of To r r e v i e j a ' s beaches with almost two kilometres of sand and dunes, but does have some dangerous currents and the safety flags of the Red Cross lifeguards should be strictly obeyed green for GO, y e l l o w BEWARE, red N O G O DANGER. But lifeguards cannot be on duty all the time so common sense should be used in all weathers. There are several kiosks/ bars here and public toilets, and in the town centre and around Avenida Europa there are many restaurants of excellent quality. !
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Cascade!
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One of the popular La Mata parks lies on the hill side overlooking the beach with a water cascade tumbling down from where a well of potable water was formerly used by Torrevieja. There are walkways and picnic zones in this pinewood, but no fires permitted. At the top of the park there is a Mississippi style boat restaurant and excellent sea views. !
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! Natural Parkland !
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The La Mata lagoon was originally the principal lake for supplying salt. Today it is one of the protected humid parklands along the Costa Blanca. For those who love spectacular sunsets the lakes of la Mata, Torrevieja and Santa Pola provide wonderful vistas, as often the sun sets on an already rosy coloured lake. Sometimes the lakes appear a rosy colour which is due to
an increase of a tiny unicellular algae known as Dunaliella and the pigment from microbacterias halophiles which are able to survive the high salinity levels of the lakes: 20,000 of these creatures live in only one litre of water. Another survivor of the salt is the larvae of mosquitos known as quironomidos. As adults these insects lay eggs at the beginning of Spring and at the end of Summer: the larvae are cylindrical and also coloured red. Many birds, such as flamingoes, feast on the microscopic life under the salt water. There are many different types of birds, reptiles, small mammals and fauna which depend on the two lakes and the surrounding land. ! There are marked trails for visitors to use and volunteer guides with aormi@icloud.com
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relevant information about the wildlife with an old house as an information centre.!
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The La Mata Park has a nice picnic area accessible for wheelchairs and here there is a high wooden lookout post ideal for viewing the lake and surrounding area. There is an excellent wooden hide in front of the man made island, ideal for observing birds. Today, the land around the two salt lakes i s c l a s s i fi e d a s a Mediterranean sub-desert climate, although it is not a desert, but the temperatures are high and the annual rainfall slight. The average temperature is about 17.5ยบC rising to above 30ยบC in July and August and falling as low as 6ยบC in winter. The average annual rainfall is 299 litres per square metre, but there are prolonged periods of extreme dryness and other times of too much rain. ! !
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Fiestas La Mata has a full programme of fiestas beginning in January with the day of the pig and BBQ. Women participate in the Semana Santa processions carrying Jesus the Captive image and children get in on the act dressed as shepherds on Palm Sunday (and at Christmas) when the priest does his jockey and mounts a burro. As a small fishing village there is a celebration in July of the Virgen del Carmen. The main fiestas are the patronal ones in honor of the Virgen of the Holy Rosary. Pensioners pick their own Queen.
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ODE TO A HAGGIS
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great Chieftan o’ the Puddin-race! Aboon them a’ ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy of a grace As lang’s my arm The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, You pin wad help to mend a mill In time o’need While thro’ your pores the dews distil Like amber bead His knife see Rustic-labour dight, An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight, Trenching your gushing entrails bright Like onie ditch; And then, O what a glorious sight, Warm-reeking, rich! Then, horn for horn they stretch an’ strive, Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive, Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve Are bent like drums; Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive Bethankit hums Is there that owre his French ragout, Or olio that wad staw a sow, Or fricassee wad mak her spew Wi’ perfect sconner, Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view On sic a dinner? Poor devil! see him owre his trash, As feckless as a wither’d rash His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash, His nieve a nit; Thro’ bluidy flood or field to dash, O how unfit! But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He’ll mak it whissle; An’ legs, an’ arms an’ heads will sned, Like taps o’ thrissle Ye pow’rs wha mak mankind your care, An’ dish them out their bill o’fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware That jaups in luggies; But, if ye wish her gratefu’ pray’r, Gie her a Haggis!
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Burns Humanitarian Award by Dave Stewart !
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Robert Burns was a worker and well aware of the social inequalities of his time, which is reflected in his poetry, underlining the popularity of his writings in communist Russia.! The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award (RBHA) is one of the most globally respected humanitarian accolades. Supported by South Ayrshire Council and EventScotland, through Scotland’s Winter Festivals – the RBHA is bestowed annually on a group or individual who has shown selflessness and dedication in a bid to save, enrich or improve the lives of others through the protection and promotion of human rights and work to deliver social reform.!
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Named in honour of Scotland’s son Robert Burns, this much sought after humanitarian award applauds the efforts of people who bring hope and inspiration, often in desperate situations, and help change lives for the better.!
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Winners receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas (approximately £1,800) – a sum which signifies the year of the Bard's birth and the coinage then in circulation – as well as a specially commissioned award handcrafted in Scotland.!
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Councillor Bill McIntosh, Chair of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2015 judging panel, said: “We’re looking for a person, or a group of people, who follow in Rabbie’s footsteps and devote themselves to others and push the boundaries for social change. Humanitarians come in all shapes and sizes, from all corners of the earth, and find themselves dealing with many different and difficult situations. But they all have something in common – the desire, dedication and will to make a difference. Each former recipient of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award has demonstrated compassion for humankind, strength of character, fortitude and a sheer determination to improve life – whether it is ending poverty, caring for the victims of war zones, or developing environmental and land management projects.”!
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Nominees must demonstrate – either through a particular achievement or a series of efforts – one of more of the following: !
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•!A courageous deed involving personal self-sacrifice, going beyond the call of duty in the name of humanity. ! •!A commitment to serving others and making a difference through humanitarian acts of selfless service. ! •!A generosity of spirit and dedication helping improve the quality of life for people in need through the provision of shelter, food, clothing, education or meaningful employment. ! •! Direct ‘hands-on’ participation in humanitarian works that directly benefit an individual/groups of individuals/community. ! •! Outstanding involvement and dedication that makes a significant contribution to volunteer leadership or service which has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity and society as a whole. ! •! An act of kindness done without expectation of reward that has resulted in recognition by members of a community/organisation. ! ! The 2014 winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award was Blanche Nicholson, from the charity Hansel, for her efforts to continue the work that her parents started 50 years ago, offering services and support to people living with learning disabilities.!
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Councillor Bill McIntosh told us: “We all know – or have heard of – someone who continually puts themselves out for the benefit of others, who has dedicated their work to changing life for the better, or bringing an end to suffering. We want to champion those individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty, helping those who cannot help themselves in every corner of the globe, exemplifying tolerance, friendship and humanity. I’m certain Burns would be delighted his name was synonymous with the promotion of human rights and social reform – areas he was also deeply concerned with.”!
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The RBHA is part of the popular Alloway 1759 Festival,www.alloway1759.com, a unique commemoration of the birthplace and life of Robert Burns: !
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! Nominees can be from any part of the world and be of any age or gender. Nominations can be made online at www.robertburnsaward.com until 4pm on Friday 7 November 2014.!
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The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway in January 2015, which will coincide with the 256th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.!
! ! Previous winners of the RBHA include:! !
2013: Khalil Dale MBE: British Red Cross aid worker who was abducted and killed in Pakistan in 2012. !
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2012: Karen Spencer: A Scottish nurse working within the Oil Clinic in Tripoli, Libya who cared for patients – with little regard for her own personal safety – during the Libyan civil war conflict.!
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2011: Linda Norgrove, the Scottish aid worker who died during a US military-led rescue mission to free her from Afghanistani captors. !
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Councillor Bill McIntosh told us: “Now that you know about the Award, hopefully you can create some interest in Spain for next year. If I am still involved, I shall let you know when nominations are being sought for next year. We are constantly raising the bar for the award, and we focus on the humanitarian aspect and the values as set out. There are lots of people out there doing good work, but we want to focus on the ones who truly meet the criteria”.!
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What Happens on Burns Night
January 2015
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A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January; Burns Night (Scots: Burns Nicht), although they may in principle be held at any time of the year.! The first suppers were held in memoriam at Ayrshire at the end of the 18th century by Robert Burns' friends on 21 July, the anniversary of his death, and have been a regular occurrence ever since. The first Burns club was founded in Greenock in 1801 by merchants born in Ayrshire, some of whom had known Burns. They held the first Burns supper on what they thought was his birthday, 29 January 1802, but in 1803 they discovered in Ayr parish records that his date of birth was 25 January 1759. Since then, suppers have been held on 25 January.! These tend to be informal affairs with various toasts of good whisky, the haggis is traditionally piped in by a tartan clad piper and addressed by the chairman or a guest of honour. The host will give a little speech of welcome usually with a quote form a Burns’ poem and or the Selkirk Grace, the first time I heard it was spoken by an Englishman.!
Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit. There is normally a soup such as a substantial Scotch Broth, Lentil, Cock-a-Leekie or smoked salmon or pate. This is followed by the main dish - the haggis, which is piped in to the top table and all stand. At the line His knife see rustic Labour dicht the speaker normally draws and sharpens a knife, and at the line An' cut you up wi' ready slicht, plunges it into the haggis and cuts it open from end to end. When done properly this "ceremony" is a highlight of the evening. When the poem is finished a toast is made. Haggis is normally accompanied aormi@icloud.com
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by ‘mashed tatties and neeps' or potatoes and turnips. This used to be slurped onto the plates, but nowadays they are mashed, cream added (or even a whisky cream sauce), then pushed into two layers in a ring mould, so that it is white and reddish from the two vegetables. Then decorated with a bit of parsley. Recipes
tend to b e Scottish (Tipsy
ones including desserts such as whisky trifle Laird)and cheeses with oatcakes. #
Another popular sweet is cranachan usually made from a mixture of whipped cream, whisky, honey and fresh raspberries, with toasted oatmeal soaked overnight in a little bit of whisky. Sometimes Atholl brose is served - a drink using similar ingredients but without raspberries.# Various entertainers are included in the programme usually someone who can sing or play songs associated with the Bard, such as the lovely My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. There should be plenty of humor and this can be supplied for example at the Toast to the Lassies. A lassie will then return the compliment (if it is one) and wittingly put the menfolk in their place with yet another toast.! Dancing is part of the evening The traditional ending is everyone singing Auld Lang Syne, holding hands and forming a ring.!
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Medieval Markets by Pat Hynd
One of the most popular type of markets in recent years has been the appearance of medieval markets that have their own particular ambience with the smell of incense and aromatic oils, or freshly cooked bread. There is now a recognised group of traders who travel throughout Spain from one medieval market to another as more and more towns set them up as tourist attractions. One of the companies that deals with this is ‘Pegasus’, based in Barcelona and puts together a complete package of stalls and artists in suitable costumes.! In fact the whole Cataluña region has regular medieval street markets: one of the most famous and organised is at Montblanc where you can enjoy a jugglers’ competition, a royal banquet with authentic gastronomy and aromas to get you into a medieval atmosphere. There is also a medieval play about Druc who represents the devil tied in with the legend of Saint George who comes to the rescue of maidens about to used as human sacrifices: this is a spectacle of fire and light that uses the four elements. St. George (San Jorge) is the patron saint of Barcelona. on 23rd April.!
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This has spread into the Valencian region where the stalls are set up as little streets, strewn with straw, with the vendors suitably dressed in typical costumes of the age. It is possible to taste authentic Middle Ages wine, bread or sweetmeats made according to old methods and with their own special flavours. Bakers bake from their ovens in the street, while red faced matrons dish up small versions of churros and medieval barmen ply you with tapas to soak up their beer. Here you will find scented soaps, herbs, ointments, and aromatic oils to help cure all ailments, while incense wafts through the air. Baskets, home made silk handkerchiefs and many other crafts offer a wide selection of different gifts to purchase. Children have the opportunity to play with authentic wooden toys and purchase them if they want - quite a change from GameBoy. ! The streets are decorated in a faithful reproduction of the Middle Ages with flags and banners flying above the streets. Apart from the costumed stall owners there are buffoons, magicians, street musicians, fakir aormi@icloud.com
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(complete with a couple of live snakes)and in some instances the presence of a medieval king and his entourage. Colourful yet elegantly dressed jugglers roam the narrow streets strumming lutes, mandolins and jingling tambourines. Stilt walkers lope their way through groups of folk being entertained by fire-eaters, dancers and jugglers. However, even here the interminable mobile phone is liable to send out its
raucous tone and it seems strange to see a medieval merchant apparently talking to himself with his hand clamped to his ear as if he was the village idiot.! Many markets are associated with San Anton in January such as Oliva. In Orihuela, Ibi, Alcoy, Benissa and PeĂąiscola, there are medieval markets in the ancient streets of these towns in January. Finestrat holds a similar market in April. Also in Alicante at the beginning of July there is a street market in the cobbled streets opposite the port area around the Catedral de San Nicolas. Cocentaina takes on this atmosphere at the end of October and beginning of November for the All Saints feast. At Ondara's Medieval Market in November, all the stallholders are actually local art and craft folk, with many still making their own products by methods developed in the Middle Ages. Denia has this type of market the week before Christmas. !
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In Alicante on San Anton Abad feast there is a ‘porrate´or street market near San Anton Market in Alicante the Plaza de Santa Teresa. This market is noted for its sweets and dried fruits which are the produce of the Alicante Province. There is a custom that a handkerchief full of these goodies is given to the woman of your choice with a view to marriage included. At eight o’clock in the
evening there is a procession of Saint Antony’s image, although during the day there are many other activities in the surrounding streets. It will be held from 10th to 19th January.! The Sunday following the 17th is the day when another procession takes place, this time carrying the statue of San Anton Abad to the Plaza de Toros for the blessing of the animals and a horde of animals and their owners are rigorously processed underneath the statue to be blessed by holy water with the saint’s blessing. In the 14th century pigs were let loose in the streets, but this has given way to a pig being raffled to pay for the day’s events.!
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The Dictionary of the Spanish Language has a lot to say about fiestas. It is a very by Pat Hynd Spanish word that has found its way into other languages. The dictionary tells us that it is a day in the ecclesiastic calendar of greater solemnity than others, and which the faithful have the obligation to hear Mass, to make good works, and abstain from servile work. Movable fiestas depend on the lunar Easter calendar, which is not celebrated on the same day each year, such as Corpus Christi. The dictionary also tells us that fiesta is a day in which the Church celebrates the memory of a saint - Saint Andrew for example.!
Spain - A Land of Fiestas
But a fiesta is also when we celebrate a solemn national or civil day.! It also describes fiesta as - joy, a day in which the population recreates (itself) or as a meeting between people to celebrate some event or simply to distract them or entertain them. Fiesta also relates to vacations that are jealously guarded such as Christmas, Easter etc., when, normally, businesses close up.! For the man in the street a fiesta is a party and no-one does it better than the Spanish who will organize a fiesta for any little excuse, whether it be for someone’s birthday, a community of owners to get together, or someone’s saint’s name day. So for every Tom, Dick or Harry there is an excuse to take the opportunity and have a fiesta in your name.! The present government has tried to monitor fiestas as often too much title is wasted, especially when two dates close to each other fall in mid week and people end up taking a whole week off work. tut tut.# National fiestas! 1 January - New Year’s Day! Good Friday - different each year dependent on lunar calendar! 1 May - Labour Day or for others St. Joseph the Worker Day.! 15 August - Assumption! 12 October - Virgen del Pilar (patron saint of Spain)!
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1 November - All Saints’ Day! 6 December - Constitution Day! 25 December - Christmas Day!
! In addition Capital cities of the Provinces will have two more days fixed by each local government such as the Fires of San Juan in June. ! Then we have a day for each Autonomous Community.! There are some national feast days, which can be substituted by individual regions.! The Monday following the Epiphany of Jesus (6th January)! 19 March - San Jose (holiday in Valencia Region)! Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)! 25 July - Santiago Apostol! December - the Monday following the Immaculate Conception on 8th December. !
! Each year each town will print a Labour Calendar fixing the holidays for the year. !
! If a particular fiesta is of special interest it can have one of two denominations appointed by the Tourist Board:!
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Unique In Torrevieja Eleven years ago Torrevieja’s ruling body for its annual Semana Santa procession made a bold decision to invite members of the foreign community to participate in the processions in a specific way, namely to carry one of the larger pasos - Jesus in the garden of Olives. A meeting was held and well attended and proposals made to unite as costaleros. Out of this grew the present and unique cofradia of foreigners in Torrevieja; something that has been copied in other towns but not to the same extent. Each group has a capataz and Graham Knight, the then director of the OARI - another Torrevieja first an office to deal with aspects of living in Spain for non-Spanish, mostly Europeans. This article is to explain some of the terms used in Semana Santa.! What is a costalero?!
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Traditionally costaleros were drawn from guilds or professional bodies and sometimes today this continues in other forms, for example the huge
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floats of the Last Supper often draw its costaleros from the hostelry trades. They are known as hermandades or Brotherhoods or cofradias (with brothers) and usually have a social life throughout the year. A person belonging to one of these cofradias is a hermano or brother. Each paso will also have its own system of carrying, stopping, techniques for lifting, especially if it is high above the heads for some reason, such as at the encuentro when the image of Jesus meets that of his mother Mary. !
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A costalero is a male or female, (even children) who carries one of the images known as pasos or tronos in the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. It is from an AndalucĂan word meaning a costal, which is a stuffed cushion placed on the head and over the shoulders. As the weight can affect the vertebrae some people wear a type of corset (faja) or wind a long piece of cloth like a scarf round their midriff as support. !
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The costaleros come under the orders of a capataz whose work is to coordinate the movements, usually by simple commands or the knocking of a hammer (llamador) on the float or even ringing a bell or gong. Some pasos are small and light and only require a dozen costaleros, others are very large and can require 120 or more men. Most pasos will have pateros, which are legs that drop to the ground when the paso is lowered to provide relief for the costaleros and these are normally controlled by others walking beside the float and known as fijadores or fixers. !
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Semana Santa has many words commonly used so here we will have a look at some of them as we have already mentioned costalero, the paso or throne, the fixer and the captain. Almost every member of the processions wears hoods known as antifaz, and they are the capirotes (cap-cape) with dunce like hats in a cone shape. On occasions they are known as Nazarenes but mostly anyone with this title belongs to a cofradia dedicated to Jesus the Nazarene. Some penitents carry crosses and they also have a peculiar rhythm marching, the balanceo, in time to the band. Bands are important as apart from providing music they also provide the timing for the whole procession to move in step. Usually there is plenty of stopping and
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starting but when there is a longish walk then this is known as the chicota. Preceding each paso is one or more people with a staff surmounted by a candle and these are the cirial and sometimes it is a very long candle known as a cirio. Among the long lines you will see ladies wearing black lacy mantillas, black gloves and high heels, normally on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday signifying the grief of the women around the Cross of Jesus. A manta is a blanket as opposed to the manto which is the embroidered gown covering the images, especially that of the grieving Dolororsa. Each cofradia will have is own uniform and each its own colours and embroidered banners, as well as the candlesticks having the image of the cofradia.! There are various terms used throughout the processions such as salida when the trono starts its journey or the entrada on its return, sometimes having to manoeuvre through the portals of the church, which explains why they have such large doors. The marcha processional is a piece of music dedicated to a particular cofradia and the Garden of Olives trono has one specially written and played by the Union Musical Torrevejense band. Another piece of music is the saeta a very Andalucian type of music which is a serenade sung by a man or woman (usually from a balcony) to the Virgin Mary, which gives the costaleros a break as the paso is set down during the singing.! Sometimes the costaleros will still bear the paso on their shoulders without moving forward, instead swaying from side to side and this is
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known as the mecida. The paso is the float with its relevant image and sometimes has a palio above it, which is a canopy and adds to the weight. It is interesting to look closely at the floats as there are all sorts of details such as the respiradero or small grill on the side to help the costaleros underneath get some fresh air. ! Penitents are often seen and these are people who for reasons of their own have decided to make the journey carrying a cross or on barefoot, sometimes hidden under a hood to keep their identity unknown. They have chosen to do this perhaps in real penitence for some wrong doing, or asking for a favour of God or actually having received one. As a sign of penitence almsgiving is encouraged and this is illustrated in a fun way by the capirotes handing out sweets to the children. Some of the sweets are specialised, such as in the shape of the capirote. !
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Why Do They Do It?
What motivates people to participate in the annual Semana Santa processions and carry a heavy load? We asked some of the men who
have volunteered to take part in the cofradia of Jesus in the Garden of Olives that weighs in at 3,000 kilos what motivates them.! Bill Craven expressed a general feeling when he said “I joined the Cofradia just to put something back into the country I now live in.” Another sentiment is about the reception of the thousands of Spanish lining the streets when they see so many foreigners, usually much younger than other costaleros, proudly stepping out in time. Bill said, “The first night I carried the Paso around the first corner into view of the mainly Spanish people and to hear the applause makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end .When my Spanish neighbours found out that I was involved, I was greeted with much respect. When I had to stop carrying I was very upset as it felt like I had lost a big part of my life . I felt very proud to have the honour of carrying with a great group of men.” So several men who have been unable to continue to carry the paso still continue as members of the cofradia and participate in the social life of the aormi@icloud.com
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group, and although unable to bear the weight still walk alongside supporting them with their words and presence. ! This idea of being part of a group is a basic element, as the cofradia is more of a brotherhood that meets socially at different times in the year. This paso used to be trundled on wheels as it is so large and heavy and the other Spanish costaleros are very impressed by these, usually older, men and foreigners to boot, carrying out their duties with so much decorum. It is a positive way to integrate into the customs of the Spanish way of life and is much appreciated by the Spanish community. ! Another aspect of being a costalero is the brotherly attention when one of the costaleros is in need or ill as people rally around in support. Another costalero who has been on the reception end of this fraternal support is Mike Upsher who told us something about his experiences and feelings. !
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“I have had a love affair with Spain since my first visit to Lloret De Mar on holiday in 1970. Later I came again to Spain on honeymoon and my new wife also fell in love with Spain.
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I told her of my dream to live and work there and guess what! She decided to share my dream:! Several years later on our way home from a holiday in Tenerife we decided to buy a property on main land Spain. Back in London we found an advert in the Times paper for property in Spain for sale in a place called Torrevieja, which we had never heard of before. We decided to take an inspection weekend with the agent and in 1986 we bought our apartment on the outskirts of Torrevieja as a holiday/retirement home. ! I took early retirement in 2003 and in the September we drove down from London to start our new life in Spain.! Shortly after arriving here I saw an advert appearing in the local free paper for volunteers to make history and become Costaleros for a new rebuilt Paso of “Jesus in the Garden of Olives”! I decided that this was a great way of being able to give something special back to my new adopted country. I became very involved with the forming of this new group. I feel so very humble and proud that I have been accepted into this Cofradia and by the Spanish community - and to me it is a very big achievement to take part in the Spanish culture.! In July 2008 I was diagnosed with advanced Cancer of the throat, which as you can imagine turned my life upside down. I was not expected to live very long, But the Cofradia arranged a rota for the men to take me every day to the hospital for seven weeks for Radiotherapy. The Cofradia was always there in the back ground to give support to me and my wife. The camaraderie between us is great and it has become my second family!! We are a Brotherhood and I have made many friends and it has changed my life. They also helped me to rebuild my life after my cancer Mike Upsher at the Coastrider and also the loss of my wife in 2009.! Pride of Spain Awards aormi@icloud.com
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This past year (2014) was the Cofradia’s tenth year and has been a very proud year for me, by being one of 27 men to receive the very prestigious wooden sculpture of a Costalero in our colours. Also I attended a presentation in November and had the very great honour to accept the Coastrider newspaper’s award for “Life time achievement” on behalf of our Cofradia.! I just can´t express the very proud and humble feelings and emotions and achievement that I have in belonging to the Cofradia of Jesus in The Garden of Olives - “Viva El Huerte”! !
If you are interested in joining the cofradia of Jesus en la Huerta de Olivas contact Graham Knight on 659 457 283 or davidmacsporran@gmail.com aormi@icloud.com
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Bookshelf by Pat Hynds
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Living in Spain has sprouted a host of books about that very same subject. So this month lets look at just a few of them by more or less local authors. !
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Rob Innes has lived in Spain for over a decade, in Torrevieja and now in San Juan. He is a freelance writer with a lot of travelling under his belt.. and note taking, which have added up to a long list of articles, especially in the TIM monthly magazine. His book “Spain Exposed” has been well read, so much so that it is now available as “Spain Re-Exposed” an E-book available on Kindle by GoodReads. It is very entertaining, witty and informative. It is an anthology of Rob’s search that brought him to Spain in the first instance with a different style of life from his busy corporate life in cold, gloomy UK. ! Rob loves books and it shows in the choice of his subject matter in this book and the topics are relevant to expats living in Spain, be it the singing Spanish lottery man, or a tree of CDs sparkling and swinging to keep the birds from the fruit, storks nesting on rooftops or an ancient monument. Although the construction industry comes into the book so does the natural parks, pool problems, Spanish history (which Rob loves), or daily trials of documentation – are all treated informatively but wittily. He writes extensively of his travels and experiences in different parts of
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Spain. http://www.scoop.it/t/spain-exposed?hash=b5c720c3-c44a-4eb0bba6-53a188f0a38e!
! Dave Bull is another local writer and editor of All Abroad, a popular monthly magazine. Dave is a large, cheery character (most of the time) and loves joking on his regular radio programme. Another love is living in Spain, especially in Gran Alacant and he has written four books, one is a guide to Paris in the GoTravel series. The other three explore the different aspects of his life in the Costa Blanca – “Load of Bull”, “It Just Is” and “Gran Alacant”. Dave has an eye for daily detail, people in a bar, a particular ‘photable' scene, and he views life from an hilarious perspective. No doubt you will end up reading the three in this series just to laugh out loud and if you live on the Costa Blanca relate to some of the high jinks of the author. He has a jaundiced eye in some respects, but this adds colour and vitality to what the message he is trying to put over amounts to – dealing with the Guardia Civil or what local politicians are about. http://www.loadofbull.es/index.php/2014/12/ this-is-spain/!
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One of the loveliest ladies I have encountered on the Costa Blanca has to be the bubbly, jolly Linda Hall de Gonzalez who wrote a long series of articles about the Spanish language in the free weekly newspaper ‘The Entertainer’. This developed into a book “Expand Your Spanish – A Lighthearted Look at a Serious Subject”, which underlines her approach. aormi@icloud.com
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She uses her neighbours as a talking point on various words, developing the word and its associated words and meanings within daily usage, in an outpouring of love for language that comes to the fore throughout the book. Linda is married to an artist and has been immersed in Spanish life for a long time and flows fluently from one language to another and, as she is naturally a witty person, this is what keeps the seriousness of learning Spanish on an even keel yet making it fun. The book is out of print, but I am sure you could pick one up on EBay or Amazon. ! !
! Finally, still on language, Julie Day has produced a book of poems, the result of a new year’s resolution at the beginning of 2014 and realized before the Christmas rush. Julie is/was a school teacher, but is now happy freelancing around the Costa Blanca, enjoying hiking and travel, which inspires her in her writing for a weekly newspaper and developed into poetry. Her book of poetry is the result of many obstacles that she has overcome in her life and the title tells it all “Time Does Heal.” !
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The thirty poems take us on an emotional journey with her, that many readers will be able to sympathize with, as no doubt they have experienced similar events in their lives. Poems cover anguish, anger, despair, hope, denial and acceptance and healing, a book which she describes as a “self-help manual in poetry form”. !
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Julie loves snapping photos and each poem is accompanied by a first class portrait of scenes in the Costa Blanca that have had their own impact on her life and thinking. It is a very positive approach to the changes that affect our lives and how she herself has survived http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1503204294/ ref=cm_sw_r_fa_awdo_7OwGub0275NRA!
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2015 REGULATION FOR FOOD
# Restaurants and takeaways across Europe are now required by law to inform customers if their food contains ingredients known to trigger allergies.! ! Staff must provide information on 14 everyday allergens including nuts, milk, celery, gluten, soya and wheat. Its important that staff are aware of this new European law as there can be nasty consequences, not only with fines, but fatal to people who have serious allergies to some of these ingredients. There are estimated to be over 17 million people who suffer from allergies such as these.! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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celery - including any found in stock cubes and soup! cereals containing gluten - including spelt, wheat, rye, barley! crustaceans - eg crabs, lobster, prawns and shrimp paste! eggs - including food glazed with egg! fish! lupin - can be found in some types of bread, pastries, pasta! milk! molluscs - mussels, land snails, squid, also found in oyster sauce! mustard! nuts - for example almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia! peanuts - also found in groundnut oil! sesame seeds - found in some bread, houmous, tahini! soya - found in beancurd, edamame beans, tofu! sulphur dioxide - used as a preservative in dried fruit, meat ! products, soft drinks, vegetables, alcohol.!
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ww,torreviejaoutlook.com
Torrevieja Outlook NÂş11
January 2015
In the case of many, allergies to food can be an uncomfortable and even lifethreatening situation. But in some instances, the supposed allergy might not be about the food at all, but what it’s been sprayed, coated or handled with.
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Finally, a last word from dogs and pets in general as it is common for people to receive one for Christmas - look after it and cherish it and you will receive joy an hundredfold. And if you have lost a pet think about replacing it as our accompanying dog writes from the heart.
aormi@icloud.com
www.torreviejaoutlook.com
72