Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Torrevieja vineyards - Coys-Rent-a-car -B to A Dentistry Alzheimers puzzle - Chat Room - Harbour project - No Boundaries Walk - Gota Fria - Body Beautiful - Jewish/Muslim cookery Fortress Fiestas - Footie Season - La Vuelta - 2016 Solidarity Calendar aormi@icloud.com
1
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Torrevieja is today very much a holiday resort with tourism the largest industry. This month we have a look at one of the traditional industries of Torrevieja agriculture and vines. A more modern industry is leisure yachting which is largely due to the harbour that took decades to become a reality, so we have an article about the long battle to enclose the bay.
September also means back to school on 10th, which is very stressful for parents who have to find the money to pay for school text books and materials that can amount to over 400 euros per child and transport fees. Some schools will try out a full day with a short dinner break and if it is successful others will follow. For older students studying English, which they consider paramount to find future career work, the volunteer work of English speakers in the Youth Centre on the paseo de Libertad will continue again this year and we have a short article on that.
aormi@icloud.com
2
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Torrevieja vineyards by Andy Ormiston
The vines of La Mata have several unique features. One is that they were planted to help the environment, insofar as to reduce the erosion of the land when it rained heavily, the soil being washed into the lake or years later when it was built, blocking the canal between the lake and sea. The actual plant is cepas de vid europea, which were practically destroyed at one time, apart from this plantation in La Mata. At the end of the 19th century the
aormi@icloud.com
3
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
disease filoxera affected most of the vineyards on the continent. Worms moving from plant to plant carried this disease, but the subsoil at La Mata was very sandy and the worms suffocated in it when they tried to burrow their way around. In fact fishermen here have to buy imported worms if they want to use them as bait. The vines are also the haunt of a great deal of wildlife such as hares, rabbits and pheasants. The La Mata grapes are harvested at the end of summer and made into a wine that is sold from one year to the next, being very popular at Christmas. It is a limited crop producing about 30,000 litres each year in an old-fashioned artisan fashion; the only machinery involved being the tractor. The wine is white with an asperic taste and usually sold in the large clay garrafas, rather than bottles.
La Mata Park Information
aormi@icloud.com
4
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Each year in August there is a Verbena fiesta of los Toneles in La Mata celebrating the grape harvest. This lasts several days, usually over a couple of weekends, with a variety of events for children and grown ups. La Mata has its own community and still keep old traditions. such as little girls dressing in traditional fisherwomen clothing. Efforts are made to include everyone with daily fun events and live music in the evening in the principal plaza.FOTOS OBJECTIVO TORREVIEJA
aormi@icloud.com
5
Torrevieja Outlook
aormi@icloud.com
Number 019
September 2015
6
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The long term plan is that the Valencian Community is to pay for a bodega style museum in La Mata. The new museum will take some time to build, but it will include a bodega with traditional barrels of wine available. The vines can be seen growing alongside the N332 road where there is also a small garden with agricultural implements as a feature. Growing grapes and harvesting salt are the only two industries allowed on the salt lake parkland. A wine growing co-operative located in the Parque Natural will, by its existence, have access to economical aids of the Regional Administration. It is an ecological agricultural initiative with participation invited from the following: Instituto de Investigaci贸n Etnolological de Elche; the Comite Cientifico de Agricultura Ecol贸gica. The proposed growth expansion of the vineyards of La Mata within the Parque Natural boundaries will benefit local fauna in a natural way. The subsequent wine produced will have a sales point at the bodega, and the Vine & Wine Museum, which will be a further tourist attraction. At present there is a bodega in La Mata where the wines can be purchased. An international group of volunteers now patrols this natural parkland, offering information and generally keeping an eye on this precious environment. The vines are unique and the parkland offers an alternative type of tourism to sun and beach. The 73 hectares of land are shared between Torrevieja and Guardamar del Segura of which Torrevieja has 76%. Thirty agricultural smallholders work among the vines that are of two types of grapes, one that is used for the local wine and the other is a muscatel as a table grape. The harvest of 2005-produced six new white wines including a muscatel, the others being young dry wines In 2014 the work of creating new brands and textures of the famous and appreciated wine of La Mata, had a new addition marketed by Simon Perez, under the brand of "Acequi贸n". It is made from muscat grapes Alejandrina type, one of the varieties that occur in the cultivation of 60 hectares of Natural Park, as Meseguera white grape and produced and vinified in antique earthenware jar. The wine is an ideal accompaniment to sweets and typical of large celebrations such as Christmas sparkling muscat. This new brand has been developed by the prestigious brand and was responsible for launching other brands such as "Simon Vine" or "truck", "Bodegas Bernabe Navarro" Villena. aormi@icloud.com
7
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The Bernie Navarro vineyards are located in the valley between Villena and La CaĂąada. Sierra del MorrĂłn and its Solana are in the North. In the South is Sierra de la Villa, creating a microclimate and exceptional vino-culture conditions. The altitudes above sea level oscillate between 550 and 600 meters and many different types of earth are combined (as many as ten different soils), with their particular microclimate; with plots and vineyards of old Monastrell (between 40 and 50 years old), with vineyards growing Pie Franco (foot of the land), with minute outputs. This allows a to return to the traditional agriculture and why not, to the old oenology, but inserting some new techniques. The wine cellar has 40 hectares of its own vineyard, where the Monastrell variety is predominantly cultivated. Also cultivated is Tempranillo, Cabernet SauviĂąon, Merlot and Syrah, with different clones, roots and ages, as well as ways of cultivation, orientations and so on. The company is experimenting with varieties like Graciano, Malbec and so on, in order to see their acclimatization to the area. The bodega is deeply involved with the Garnacha Tintorea variety and shortly will try to achieve a mono-varietal wine. The wine harvest is in boxes of 20 kilogrammes. so as not to break the grain of grape. Grain must arrive at the wine cellar in as good a condition as possible and in this the company succeeds, because the movement is minimum as the wine cellar is at the foot of the land. In the farm land only the best bunches are harvested. In the aormi@icloud.com
8
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
wine cellar all the grapes are again selected, eliminating leaves, remains of wine harvest and all the bunches not useful to make wine - with the philosophy of quality in our wine cellar. Grapes are also selected depending on the type of vineyard, ground, way of cultivation, orientation, and so on, and depending on the type of wine that we want to produce (Young, Vintage, Reserva). The winery has NAVARRO BERNABÉ and vats of 5,000 liters 7,500 litres, 10,000 litres and 20,000 litres, all stainless steel, with small volumes so as to concentrate better. It works with different types of oak, French, American, Russian and Central European oak woods and always the best quality. There is an online shopping available at Alforings.com with free shipping of orders over 150 euros. Tel. 676 943 553.
Beryna 2012
Curro 2009
Casa Balaguer 2011
Aging: Crianza
Red Wine DO Alicante
Red Wine DO Alicante
Producer: Bodegas Bernabé Navarro
Producer: Bodegas Bernabé Navarro
Bodegas Bernabé Navarro DO AlicanteMonastrell Peñin: 92 Parker: 92
Denomination of Origin: DO Alicante Predominant grape: Cabernet Sau.
Denomination of Origin: DO Alicante Predominant grape: Monastrell Crianza
Aging: Crianza
aormi@icloud.com
9
Torrevieja Outlook
aormi@icloud.com
Number 019
September 2015
10
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
By Andy Ormiston This year Spain is having a bumper year for tourism with very large numbers coming to Spain, not only for its weather and what is on offer, but partially because of the many problems in other parts of normal tourist destinations. In the first six months of this year there were 29.2 million visitors to sunny Spain and around 6.7 million were from UK. After many months of working hard and trying to earn a living most tourists only want to relax and enjoy sea, sun, sand and local gastronomy. Torrevieja has become a focal point for tourism in the Spanish Mediterranean coast and so many people say they’re going to Torrevieja when in fact they are staying in Orihuela Costa, C. Quesada, or even further away in Murcia Region. There is no reason why, if they are staying outside of Torrevieja, they can’t visit the town and see what it has on offer. This is easier if you have a rental car. I used to work part-time for rental cars many years ago when Alicante airport was easy to get around with a car park directly in front of the arrivals, so it was simple enough to meet your car rental clients with a board and their name on it. Easy is really an understatement because car aormi@icloud.com
11
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
hire is not quite that easy as there is a tremendous amount of work involved in matching a client with a suitable vehicle. Apart from the paperwork, there is the meeting with the client and if there is a delay it can mean a long wait. Before the use of the Internet we depended on the control informing us of delays and they didn’t always know either. One night we were told the aircraft hadn’t even left Manchester, so those who had a place nearby disappeared for a sleep or in a van parked in the parking lot, as we knew we had at least three hours to spare. I arrived downstairs to hear the announcement that the flight had arrived! Then there is the turn-around stress, especially if several clients are arriving in the same flight. Cars have to be washed and cleaned, which is sweaty work in this hot weather. While most car hire clients are conscientious of how they treat the car, others couldn't care less and often the cars are returned filthy inside and outside, sometimes with half the beach in the boot. I shudder to think how their car at home is teated. In those days booking was usually done by telephone or letter, so in this way modern communications is so much easier thanks to internet, mobile phones, Skype etc. I was having a coffee and talking to Mike Haynes, owner and manager of Coys Rent-a-Car, when a good instance of this displayed itself by a phone call on his mobile phone, which he politely answered in a positive manner and suggested the caller to phone Heidi or Debbie in the main office in Torrevieja who would be able to verify a reservation from the company’s data base. Of course summer is the high season and the busiest period for car hire and Coys Renta Car has a fairly large fleet of several types of cars in various categories from small easyparking cars to larger seven-seater ones. It may seem obvious to us today that all of them are air-conditioned, but when Mike started just over Seat Marbellas were the original basis of the twenty years ago Coys-Rent-a-Car fleet which today has a wide the small fleet were range of modern models. mostly Seat Marbellas whose air conditioning was opening the windows. Almost 21 years is a very good record for a family business started in Torretas all those years ago by Mike and his lovely wife Heidi, supported initially by Heidi’s lovely parents. The
aormi@icloud.com
12
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
company name comes from the former owner Eddie Coy and in those days to start a car rental company you must own at least ten cars, which is a hefty investment. Mike and Heidi hail from the Midlands where Mike was a Sales Executive for Peugeot and Heidi was a travel agent. So both of them pooled their expertise and have made the small Costa Blanca company a very thriving one with a remarkable reputation and nowadays an extensive fleet of cars to suit most people. Coys rent-a-car supports the local football team Mike told me that every year the company buys new cars and an extra line in the business is selling them on in the winter time, when things are quiet, and then buying more up-todate models for the next year’s summer season. So there’s a tip for those of you living here and want a good car at a reasonable price. Coys-Rent-a-Car deal with rentals at both Alicante and Murcia airports. Often it makes sense to rent a car if one considers other costs, such as taxi to and from airport, wanting to be free to visit other beaches and towns and see some of the alternative places in Spain’s nearby mountains. Bearing this in mind you want to keep an eye on petrol costs, especially as many hire car companies seem to make a bit on returned cars with almost full tanks. Coys-Renta-a-Car policy is that you will pay the amounts of fuel per vehicle on their webpage, which is a minimum of 20 euros, and then leave the tank empty at the end of the hire period. If you would like to fill the tank or put a bit more in the vehicle, then advise when making your reservation and you will be charged accordingly.
FUEL IS NON REFUNDABLE FUEL TYPE CANNOT BE GUARANTEED
This is a warning on their webpage (www.coysrent-a-car.com) and one of the problems that all car hire car companies face is when customers put the wrong type of fuel in the car, diesel for diesel petrol for petrol.
Apart from a regular client base that books year after year, the webpage is a source of reservations where the would-be client can see exactly what cars and prices are available on any particular date. So making a reservation is fairly simple. And simple is how Mike
aormi@icloud.com
13
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
sees the company’s success as they try to keep everything simple for clients. It may seem obvious, but all drivers must have held a full driving license for 3 years or more from the date of hire, unless previously agreed with Coys-Rent-a-Car. Each driver should also have his/her license with him or her to be able to drive. That’s something else that occasionally happens and with Internet often a solution can quickly be found. The company frequently post local information about fiestas or events on the Facebook page. All car companies advise customers that the hirer will pay all costs of repairing the damage to the vehicle if there is something left in the car and the car is broken into. The hirer is informed that any personal belongings left inside of the vehicle are not insured. When on holiday nobody wants to be robbed or have an accident, so common sense dictates that all valuables should be hidden from sight in the boot or elsewhere and locked up. Although insurance is provided there is a waiver claim which all cars companies use. Any traffic violations or parking offenses or any breach of laws, rules or local regulations have to be paid in full by the hirer of any car hire company, plus an additional administration charge. In this sense make sure you know where you have parked the car, as I have known people to phone saying their car has been stolen and when checked out it is in another street or they have parked on a yellow line and been towed off by local
Coys-Rent-a-Car based in Torrevieja serves Alicante and Murcia airports
aormi@icloud.com
14
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Mike, Heidi and son before a skydiving charity fundraising jump and congratulations on the forthcoming wedding. police. The same laws apply in Spain as in UK – don’t drink and drive nor take drugs; it’s a mug’s game. It can be a bit of a bind on holiday when dining out and the temptation is to just have an extra one. Far better to have a co-driver and take turns in these situations. The company are strong supporters of the town, especially the local football team whom they sponsor. They also like to support Reach Out and recently Mike combined his love of sports with a skydiving in tandem jump along with Diane Blacknall to raise well over a thousand euros for the Pink Ladies Cancer support group. No doubt that this easy to follow procedure to hire a car that Coys Rent a Car provides, is one reason why happy customers keep coming back every year. A certain point is that most rental cars cannot be taken out of mainland Spain. In the past I have known rented cars ending up in other countries where they are abandoned, but because they have left details of driving licenses or passport, police can easily trace them. Apart from rental car work I have also sold houses and a common saying was that people tend to leave their brains at the airport. Make sure you’re not one of them and drive with care. Mike said to me, “we appreciate that hiring a car can sometimes be a confusing experience, so we try hard to make car hire simple and as transparent as possible; we are not just offering competitive prices with no hidden charges, we offer the highest of customer service, easy booking procedure, fast replies and most of all quality cars”. Coys Rent-aCar have an excellent easy to use website www.coysrent-a-car.com Or if you prefer, you can also email them on info@coysrent-a-car.com Or telephone them on (0034) 966 702 816 or (0034) 629 362 764 You can also Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Coys Rent a Car, a family business you can rely on!
aormi@icloud.com
15
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Dentistry from B to A by Pat Hynd
A Pastor goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday after he gets his new teeth, he talks for only eight minutes.
The second Sunday, he talks for only ten minutes.
The following Sunday, he talks for 2 hours and 48 minutes.
The congregation had to mob him to get him down from the pulpit and
They asked him what happened.
The Pastor explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn't
talk for more than 8 minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes. But, the third Sunday, he put his wife's' teeth in by mistake and he couldn't shut up... I KNOW you are smiling.
And having a nice smile is partly what this article is all about as well as looking at keeping your teeth healthy. From infancy to old age it is possible to have your own teeth in good condition with daily care. To know more we went along to the dental clinic of Lucretia Botella in calle Maria Parodi in the centre of Torrevieja. Lucretia was awarded the best businesswoman of the year award and her staff consists of dentists and specialists plus a back up staff with a wide variety of languages and knowledge of what they are talking about. So from Baby to Alzheimer’s they know what they are talking about. It is paramount that good dental hygiene is taught to a child from infancy. A baby’s first teeth (known as milk or deciduous teeth) usually develop as early as while the child is growing in the womb. In most babies, these teeth start to emerge through the gums when they are around six months old. This process is known as teething as parents know all too well as it causes the baby to have pain, but some teeth grow with no pain or
aormi@icloud.com
16
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
discomfort at all. Some babies are born with their first teeth, but it varies and can take up to a year. A rough guide to the different stages of teething is: • bottom front teeth (incisors) – 5/7 months. • top front teeth (incisors) – 6/8 months. • top lateral incisors (either side of the top front teeth) – 9/11 months. • bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) – 10/12 months • molars (back teeth) – 12/16 months • canines (towards the back of the mouth) – 16/20 months • second molars – 20/30 months Most children will have all of their milk teeth by the time they are two and a half years old. There are several ways you can help make teething easier for your baby. Every child is different, and you may have to try several things until you find the one that works for your baby. Teething rings Teething rings give your baby something to safely chew on, which may ease their discomfort and provide a distraction from any pain. Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby's gums. Follow the instructions that come with the ring so you know how long to chill it for. Never put a teething ring in the freezer as it could damage your baby's gums if it becomes very hard or cold. Also, never tie a teething ring around your baby's neck, as it may be a choking hazard.
Teething gels For babies over four months old, you can rub sugar-free teething gel on
aormi@icloud.com
17
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
their gums. You can get teething gel from your local pharmacy. Teething gels often contain a mild local anesthetic, which helps to numb any pain or discomfort caused by teething. The gels may also contain antiseptic ingredients, which help to prevent infection in any sore or broken skin in your baby's mouth. Make sure you use a teething gel specifically designed for young children and not a general oral pain relief gel, which is not suitable for children. Your pharmacist can advise you. You should discuss with your GP the teething gel options for babies under four months old.
If your baby is chewing One of the signs that your baby is teething is that they start to chew on their fingers, toys or other objects they get hold of. Try and give healthy things for your baby to chew, such as raw fruit and vegetables. For example, pieces of apple and carrot are often ideal. You could also try giving your baby a crust of bread or a breadstick. Always stay close in case they choke. It is best to avoid rusks because nearly all brands contain some sugar. Avoid any items that contain lots of sugar as this can cause tooth decay even if your child only has a few teeth. In fact as they grow up be careful of other foods that contains sugar as it is not just sweeties that damage the teeth. Make sure you always supervise your child when they are eating.
aormi@icloud.com
18
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Painkilling medicine for teething Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old If your baby is in pain or has a raised temperature, you may want to give them a painkilling medicine that has been specifically designed for children. These medicines contain a small dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any discomfort. The medicine should also be sugar-free. Always follow the dosage instructions that come with the medicine. If you are not sure, ask your GP or pharmacist. Avoid adult oral painkilling gels Beware of the use of oral pain relief gel containing an ingredient called salicylate salts in children under 16, because salicylate salts have been found to have the same effect on the body as aspirin. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 because it can potentially increase their risk of developing a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome (which can cause serious liver and brain damage). It is recommended that you check with your GP or pharmacist before buying a teething gel, to make sure that it is suitable for your child and does not contain salicylate salts. Cool, sugar-free drinks will help to soothe your baby's gums and may help if they are dribbling excessively. The best option is to give them cool water – just make sure it is not too cold.
Comforting or playing with your baby can sometimes distract them from the pain in their gums. Your baby may be feeling too irritable or restless to play, but at other times, it may be a good way of getting them to concentrate on something other than their teething pain. Lucrecia Botella Clinic has a small play area for children.
aormi@icloud.com
19
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Preventing teething rashes If teething is making your baby dribble more than usual, make sure you frequently wipe their chin and the rest of their face. This will help to prevent them from developing a rash. You may also find it useful for your baby to sleep on an absorbent sheet. You know your baby best. If their behavior seems unusual, or their symptoms are severe or causing you concern, then seek medical advice. As soon as your baby's teeth start to come through, you can start brushing them. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Don't worry if you don’t manage to brush much at first. The important thing is to get your baby accustomed to teeth-brushing as part of their daily routine. You can help by setting a good example and letting them see you brushing your own teeth. Brushing tips for children
• Use a tiny smear of toothpaste for babies and a pea-sized amount for children. • Gradually start brushing your child's teeth more thoroughly, covering all the surfaces of the teeth. Do it twice a day: just before bed, and at another time that fits in with your routine. • Not all children like having their teeth brushed, so you may have to keep trying. Don't let it turn into a battle. Instead, make it into a game, or brush your own teeth at the same time and then help your child finish their own. • The easiest way to brush a baby's teeth is to sit them on your knee with their head resting against your chest. With an older child, stand behind them and tilt their head upwards. This same technique is useful when caring for an elderly person. It can be useful to do this in front of a mirror. • Brush the teeth in small circles covering all the surfaces and let your child spit the toothpaste out afterwards. Rinsing with water has been found to reduce the benefit of fluoride.
aormi@icloud.com
20
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
You can also clean your baby's teeth by wrapping a piece of damp gauze with a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste on it over your finger and rubbing this over their teeth. Take your child with you when you go for your own dental appointments, so they get used to the idea. Prevent tooth decay by cutting down on sugar Sugar causes tooth decay. Children who eat sweets every day have nearly twice as much decay as children who eat sweets less often, which means more trips to the dentist to deal with cavities. This is caused not only by the amount of sugar in sweet food and drinks, but by how often the teeth are in contact with the sugar. Sweet drinks in a bottle or feeder cup and lollipops are particularly damaging because they bathe the teeth in sugar for long periods of time. Acidic drinks such as fruit juice and squash can harm teeth, too. This is why it's better to dilute them well and give them at mealtimes, not in between. The following measures will help you reduce the amount of sugar in your child’s diet and prevent tooth decay. • From the time your baby is weaned, encourage them to eat savoury food. Check if there's sugar in pre-prepared baby foods (including the savoury ones), rusks and baby drinks, especially fizzy drinks, squash and syrups. • Only give sweet foods and fruit juice (diluted one part juice to 10 aormi@icloud.com
21
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
parts water) at mealtimes. • Don't give biscuits or sweets as treats. Ask relatives and friends to do the same. Use items such as stickers, badges, hair slides, crayons, small books, notebooks, colouring books and bubbles. They may be more expensive than sweets but they are creative and last longer. • If children are having sweets or chocolate, it's less harmful for their teeth if they eat the sweets all at once and at the end of a meal rather than eating them little by little and/or between meals. At bedtime or during the night, only give your baby breast milk, formula or cooled boiled water. • If your child needs medicine, ask your pharmacist or GP if there’s a sugar-free option. • Avoid drinks containing artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin or aspartame. If you do give them, dilute them with at least 10 parts water to one part concentrate. • Use bottles for expressed breast milk, formula or cooled boiled water only. • Between six months and one year, you can offer drinks in a nonvalved free-flowing cup. • Check your whole family's sugar intake, and look for ways of cutting down. Sucrose, glucose, d e x t ro s e , maltose, fructose and hydrolysed starch are all sugars. Invert sugar or syrup, honey, raw sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, muscovado and concentrated fruit juices are all sugars. Maltodextrin is not a sugar, but can still cause tooth decay.
aormi@icloud.com
22
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Now let us turn our attention to A – Alzheimers Good oral health is important for health and wellbeing of everyone. Patients with Alzheimers tend to lose the ability to perform normal everyday tasks like cleaning their teeth.
Because dementia is a progressive condition (meaning it gets worse over time) it is important to establish a dental care programme at, or soon after, a diagnosis. The programme should help to improve oral health and reduce the risk of developing poor oral and dental health. Maintaining oral health brings benefits in terms of self-esteem, dignity, social integration and nutrition. Poor oral health can lead to pain and tooth loss, and can negatively affect self-esteem and the ability to eat, laugh and smile. People with dementia may be taking medication for a number of conditions. They may also be prescribed antidepressants or - less often - antipsychotics and sedatives. A dry mouth is a common side effect of these drugs. Saliva acts as a lubricant and also cleans the mouth and teeth. Lack of saliva can lead to a build-up of plaque and increase the risk of dental decay, gum disease and infection. A dry mouth can also cause problems with dentures, including discomfort and looseness. Denture fixatives and artificial saliva (a fluid to lubricate the mouth) can help some people with denture problems. The dentist will be able to offer advice to relieve discomfort and problems caused by lack of saliva or a dry mouth. Frequent sips of water throughout the day, especially at mealtimes, will help. Here in Spain it is important that those with dementia have plenty of water to prevent dehydration that can cause other organs to cease functioning.
aormi@icloud.com
23
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Alzheimers disease is like a puzzle and puzzles are a geat way to keep patients' minds active. Here we present some drawings that have hidden pictures inside them. Can you spot them?
aormi@icloud.com
24
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
CIAJ Chat Room Once again English speaking volunteers in Torrevieja are spending time chatting to youngsters intent on learning English. Hundreds of young people have been able to improve their English through this activity organized by the Youth Council. The basic idea is that the young people can benefit by talking to someone whose native language is English, thus improving their knowledge of the language and at the same time go through some of the idiosyncrasies of English. There are almost twenty volunteers involved in this enterprise which is now in its third year. Crystal East is coordinator of this project which also promotes integration within a social ambience. The CIIAJ is the youth centre located in the paseo de Liberad. The former Councillor of Youth, Rosario Martinez Chazarra, indicated her satisfaction with the project, now part of Torrevieja's Youth Programme and is being continued by the new councillor for Youth. Meetings are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 10:00 to 12:00 and Wednesday evenings and Thursday from 17:00 to 18:00 pm in the CIAJ on the Paseo Juan Aparicio nยบ5 Torrevieja - tel: 96 507 4326 for more information.
aormi@icloud.com
25
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The Building of an Harbour by Andy Ormiston Torrevieja has always been a fishing town that in its early days was located in a bay open to the elements. Today we look at Torrevieja as having one of the largest leisure marinas on the Mediterranean: one that was revamped with the 2007 America’s Cup race in Valencia in mind with a further 1400 leisure yacht berths. The plan has been altered several times and now there is doubt as to what the town hall intends. The building of the first harbour is partly due to a tremendous amount of hard work and hassling politicians over an hundred and fifty years by the people to have their own harbour facilities. The importance of the salt industry made it such a good commercial venture that ships came from all parts to pick up a load of salt, but to an open bay where there was little in the way of a safe harbourage. In addition both
aormi@icloud.com
26
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Orihuela and Murcia required a nearby port to ship their agricultural produce. The number of vessels that sank in the open bay during storms was also another important consideration. In 1700 the Orihuela authorities sought to rehabilitate the small port area of the original Torre-vigia. This was self-interest at its best because of the cost of paying dues in the Alicante port, plus the high expenses involved in transporting the produce to there. The Orihuela local government petitioned King Felipe V about what they considered an abuse, and proposed that the Torre Vieja of Cap Cerver should become a port for Orihuela, which would considerably cut down the costs involved, and the distance from Orihuela to a port. It was pointed out that the Royal Treasury would benefit from this change in tax collection. At the same time they asked for a warehouse, fountain and other items that would benefit the greater service of His Majesty. Alicante’s port authorities roundly contested this move saying that it would drastically affect the collection of taxes on the part of His Majesty. Over the years the need for safe harbour facilities became obvious, but such an immense project required government agreement, support and financing. For generations this was a bone of contention as it often happened that boats were wrecked in the bay because of the sudden squalls. Many local people saved the lives of those people on these wrecks, but at the same time had the hidden benefit of any goods washed ashore.
aormi@icloud.com
27
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Ironically, it was not until 1923, during the time of the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera, that the port project looked anywhere near to becoming a reality, just at the time when commercial sailing ships were a dying breed. The first project for a harbour with a dike jutting into the sea from Punta Cornuda was proposed as early as 1846, but took almost an hundred years to become a reality. Popular support A commission was set up in 1887 to organize such a project. However, the contractor who eventually tried to undertake the construction asked for an increase in the estimate saying that there were insufficient carriers to bring in the materials. This was a huge undertaking as anyone can see just looking at these massive stones that are the base of the harbour wall. One reason for the lack of interest on the part of government was that with the arrival of the train in Torrevieja the salt could be carried as bulk cargo on the wagons to other destinations, sweeping away the need for many of the cargo ships. An idea of the number of shipping involved is that in Torrevieja’s bay in 1888 more than 200 ships were at anchor taking on salt and local produce from Murcia’s orchards to ship to different parts of the world. The 1887 Murcia Town Council minutes also record support for the city for Torrevieja, describing the sea town as an important port frequented by the population of Murcia, given the excellent condition of the beaches and the friendliness of the Torrevejenses, as many citizens of Murcia spent holidays by the seaside. During 1907 Don Ladislao Manuel de Leon y Oucins was given the concession to build a private port in the Torrevieja radius. But by 1911 there was still no sign of a harbour and the disgruntled people of Torrevieja demanding one held a general demonstration. By this time the town had a great deal of unemployment and the promise of work on a harbour wall was an incentive for the town as it was calculated that the harbour would also bring more shipping and trade to the town. In 1913 another new project to construct a levante dique (East dike) was made, followed by even more, so that by 1921 the ultimate project raised the number to 17 studies related to constructing a Torrevieja port. Meanwhile, improved harbour A sketch by Torrevejense facilities were built at both Alicante and Cartagena artist Victor Garcia of how and this meant a loss of shipping to Torrevieja, as the the bay and town would have ships went to the safer harbourage offered looked in its early days. elsewhere.
aormi@icloud.com
28
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Work begins but halted by civil war Initial work on a quay began on 1st. March 1924 based on the plans of the engineer Diamante in 1921. This required building a spigot of 400 metres long and strong enough to support the large crane that was to be used. The main work on the dike did not begin until 24th September 1929 under the direction of engineer Laporta, and once more Darbalde was there to record the occasion with his camera. The rocks were brought from Santa Pola’s quarries by gabarras, which were ox or mule drawn carts and then as the wall progressed were unloaded from barges. In passing one, of the carters was Urbano Ortuño Sala, the father of the owner/ drivers of Torrevieja’s present taxis, Nº 1 and Nº 2, one has retired and the other brother says he doesn't want to spend his last years watching television while he can chat to clients as he drives. Urbano was one of those who carted these immense blocks of rocks along what was little more than a very basic dirt road from Santa Pola. It was a very laborious process. This building work coincided with a drop off in trade. During the 1930’s there was a distinct falling off in general shipping and the transportation of salt, as well as in the fishing trade. 404 ships had entered the bay in 1929 compared to only 223 ships in 1936 to be driven down further by the impact of the civil war. The local fishing fleet had 206 craft, 72% still using sail and many others were only rowing vessels and a lot of these were taken over by the government for use in civil war. Obviously the civil war in 1936 brought a halt to many things, including the harbour work. The salt company contracted Dragados y Construcciones to build another quay where larger ships could berth to load salt. The idea was that the small salt train could drive straight up to the anchored vessels. This project proved to be a difficult task because of the rock bottom of the bay at that particular point and dynamite had to be used to blast out foundations. The actual dique de Poniente (Western dike) was finally finished in 1959 dedicated exclusively to the loading of salt, although a small club of local boats has crept in there. This quay of 750 metres length is being aormi@icloud.com
29
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Artist Toni Montes impression in ceramic of the bay
expanded with better walkway and facilties and it is expected that cruise ships may berth there. One is due in September 2015. Further improvements The Minister of Public Works, Señor Vallellano, in 1956, signed the approbation of authorization for the fishermen’s auction rooms and wharf, which were built by the Dragados Construcciones S.A. Company. The fishermen’s auction halls (lonja) were provisionally in use in 1969 consisting of two long warehouses of 70 metres, a central passage, department for contracts, offices, toilets etc. This project was built on landfill reclaimed from the sea. During 1959, the Eras de la Sal was enclosed, but still roofless. Now the present harbour began to take shape and in 1969 the inauguration of the Real Club Nautico of Torrevieja was made by the Marine Minister, Señor Nieto Antúnez, accompanied by the Minister for Industry, Señor López Bravo, and Mayor Vicente García García. This introduced the first real attempt at attracting leisure craft to the town, although initially most of the yacht owners were Spanish. Gradually the yachting fraternity has grown with hundreds of foreigners owning berths and many living all year round on their boats forming a unique clique of “boaties” as they call themselves. Like the fishermen they have even developed their own style of cooking passing on tried and tested recipes that can be easily cooked on board small yachts. The club took its title of “real – royal” from the close association and several visits of the present King’s father, the Duke of Borbón who, favoured the club members with this title. In 2006/2007 the Real Club built another 800 berths. It is a point of reference for aormi@icloud.com
30
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
An aerial view of the harbour in the 1970's shows the Real Club Nautico and the salt conveyor belt quay in the background.
the town and holds a variety of nautical events with regular regattas and fishing competitions and is used for many cultural events such as art exhibitions. A further development in the harbour area was made in 1987 when The Council of Ministers granted permission to Marina Internacional SA to build a sports and leisure marina between the Eras de la Sal and the Acequion. This includes a control tower, aparthotel and various nautical related shops and restaurants. Finally, after many years of a long hard struggle, in 1989 Laing Company finished the work of the fishing port approved by the Plan General de Puertos del M.O.P.U. The authority responsible for the Torrevieja port changed and it came under the
aormi@icloud.com
31
Torrevieja Outlook
aormi@icloud.com
Number 019
September 2015
32
Torrevieja Outlook
aormi@icloud.com
Number 019
September 2015
33
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Marina International has an aparthotel and control tower
aormi@icloud.com
34
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Direcci贸n General de Puertos al Organismo de Puertos de la Generalitat Valenciana in the year 2000. On December 7th of the same year, 2000, more work that had been done the harbour wall was completed, leading to the inauguration of the walkway along the Levante dike wall adding almost two kilometres of new promenade from the Avenida de Libertad up to the lighthouse at the end marking the sea entrance to the harbour. Today the harbour wall is a point of reference for the town and a popular extension of the promenade with a walk to the lighthouse. Finally in 2007/08 another leisure marina, Salinas, was built on
reclaimed land with a commercial area and the prospect of the fishermen services moved to the other side of the harbour. Beginning in September the first pleasure cruiser will dock in at the salt quay where the water is deeper. If this is a success then we may see other ships that will bring in over 500 people at a time to visit the town and for this we need really good cultural resources, based on the history and facilities of the town. However the new council says we don't have these facilities so the passengers will be bussed to Cartagena and La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, a decision that has angered the local APYMECO small businesses association.
aormi@icloud.com
35
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The Marina Salinas has added another leisure area with many bars and restaurants and below a lovely sunset at the pier end by Nicolas Garcia.
aormi@icloud.com
36
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Look out for the 2016 solidarity calendar out in mid-September
aormi@icloud.com
37
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
A Father s Love Knows No Boundaries
Steve Monk-Dallton and his PA Michelle Clarke at the Torrevieja Outlook solidarity calendar presentation last year. They won’t be there this year as he is walking and walking
aormi@icloud.com
38
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
A long winding road but starting well with 30 miles.
23rd August 2015, Steve Monk-Dalton of Villamartin, set out on an estimated 44 day journey walking from Orihuela Court, Spain to Royal Courts of Justice, London, UK. His objectives are to raise awareness of issues surrounding parental child abduction and parental alienation. He also wishes to support the Reunite International Child Abduction Centre charity in this venture and to show his daughter that, as he said, “I would literally cross any borders for her”. He intends to be at London Royal Court of Justice on 5th October, which is also the birthday of his daughter. Accompanying him with support vehicle is Michelle Clarke andAlison Shalaby from Reunite International Child Abduction Centre and Maurizio Rigamonti from Italy showing their support for Walk Across Borders. The were together with other friends the night before he set off for a pleasant good luck meal in a Chinese restaurant, but I don't know if he had a fortune cookie. The fund raising part of this awareness exercise has raised almost 2,000 euros for the Reunite charity. The first few days they walked through some marvelous Murcia countryside in temperatures of over 30ºC before Michelle had to join the support vehicle as she had a knee injury. On
http://walkacrossborders.blogspot.com.es/ 2015/08/1000-raised-on-walk-across-borders.html
aormi@icloud.com
39
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Gota Fria by Dave Stewart The “gota fria” change in the normally good weather is the result of t wo s t re a m s o f a i r meeting and causing downpours. One stream of cold air comes from the north meeting up with a warm, humid current coming from Africa: when the two streams of air meet the result is often catastrophic. In the past the River Segura and Torrevieja lake have been flooded resulting in more drainage being built.
aormi@icloud.com
Mirasol camping flooding
Last month we talked about the Torrevieja Group Proyecto Mastral and the work they do in recording and advising on weather conditions. One of the terms that is often mooted about is “gota fria”, so what is it we are talking about. It literally means a cold drop, but is much more than a drop as it causes a lot of hardships to many people. On the first of August each year you can hear local Spaniards talking about the cabaouelas de agosto. This is an old tradition that says that you can tell how September and other oncoming months are going to be by the weather on this day. This year the temperature in Torrevieja reached 31ºC on that day, though in July at one point was almost 41ºC. Weather is an important element in our lives, especially essential in the Vega Baja agriculture, where every crop depends on the right amount of water and sun. Also many foreigners have settled in Torrevieja and the surrounding land largely because of the beneficial weather and environment.
40
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The “gota fria” change in the normally good weather is the result of two streams of air meeting and causing downpours. One stream of cold air comes from the north meeting up with a warm, humid current coming from Africa: when the two streams of air meet the result is often catastrophic. An important historian of the area was the priest, Mosén Pedrobellot, who was born in Orihuela in 1568. As a priest he served in Orihuela, and then in Catral, but also spent a great deal of time researching the local archives and libraries. The ‘Anales de Orihuela’ was his treatise finished in 1622 with details about the area dating through the centuries from 14th to the early part of the 17th century. Several pages of his work are dedicated to
aormi@icloud.com
41
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
the Torrevieja area, especially the salt lakes. He was aged 56 years by this time and in poor health suffering from an incurable disease. This tome was later re-edited and published as recently as 1954. He describes the area around the lakes as being very beautiful with large pine forests and a great deal of wildlife. From this description you can see why environmentalists are up in arms about the concrete developments all along the Mediterranean coastline. On 3rd December 1767 a tremendous storm hit the Alicante coastline and many of La Mata and Torrevieja installations were destroyed, although not many people lived in the latter place at this time. One report says that trees were uprooted and crops destroyed. The north wind hit La Mata, destroying buildings and the Quay and most people sought refuge in the Casa de la Mata. Huge waves battered the coast and reclaimed piles of salt. The storm abated on the 5th and the damage was assessed. The quay was gone and large chunks of buildings decorated the beach. Fresh water wells were full of salt water and the fields between Guardamar and Orihuela were full of sand and salt blown by the fierce winds. The two salt lakes were overflowing and oxen were drowned in them. The salt piles between both lakes were almost intact. Ships were sunk at sea and Santa Pola lost 40, including a Swedish one. The whole of the Mar Mayor, the Mar Menor and up to the Pinatar Salinas was one large lake. The king was requested to supply urgent aid and soon rebuilding work commenced, including replacing the small Eras de Sal in Torrevieja with the larger ones we can still see today.
aormi@icloud.com
42
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The land around the two salt lakes is classified as 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 17.5ºC rising to above 30ºC in July and August and falling as low as 6ºC 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. For example, as long ago as 1794 there were heavy rainfalls that raised the water level so much that it was not a viable proposition to gather the salt for a further three years. Most years, around October, the Spanish eastern coast along the Mediterranean is put on alert for the ´gota fria’ or cold drop, which is a popular term for tremendous rainfalls often resulting in flooding. In 1955 there was no salt extracted because of these heavy rains. Gota fria is commonly associated with intense rains and disastrous effects in a Metrological situation, usually in autumn, in the Mediterranean zone. It was coined in 1886 by the German Metrological School and has been used in Spain since the flooding of Valencia in 1982. A cold air moves at great speed from the north at nine or ten kilometers height. It meets a warmer current of air and consolidates into great masses that gyrates above the Spanish peninsula and may or may not result in a torrential downpour accompanied with flooding. For more information www.nhc.noaa.gov or www.inm.es This natural phenomenon caused disastrous flooding and the destruction of crops, resulting in hunger and disease and loss of property, which often led to the displacement of populations, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries. It wasn’t until the latter half of the 18th century that the authorities thought about some form of preventive plans, such
Canary Islands even had unexpected snow
aormi@icloud.com
43
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
as building retaining walls, as everyone believed in the fatalism of “what will be, will be”. Because of the drainage programme from the marshlands on the banks of the River Segura and River Vinalopo, the land left behind was fertile. However, this in turn led to flooding of towns as the banks burst. Serious planning did not take place until well into the 20th century. It was fairly common in the 1950’s and 1960’s for rowing boats and volunteer crews of Torrevieja to go to various small towns in the Vega Baja area when there was flooding to take part in rescue work. Part of a gota fria may be large hailstones the size of golf balls falling that can damage property and dent car roofs or even break windscreens. On 20th October 1982, the ´gota fria’ produced more rainfall in Alicante in 16 hours than in the whole of the previous two years. The following day, 21st October, was equally as bad. The torrential rains of 1989 were so heavy that today’s modern pumps were used to pump excess water out of the lakes. The River Segura had its banks strengthened and a system built in to cope with the large surge of water. In October 2000, the gota fria rainfall actually raised the level of the River Segura by 4.3 metres in 24 hours. A huge hydraulic plan on the river is designed to prevent further flooding should the “gota fria” occur. Fortunately not every year produces ´gota fria’ conditions as they tend to occur in cycles of roughly eight to ten years, and, in general, Torrevieja is protected and usually the worse weather passes by the town. For example, at the end of March, 2002, which was the Easter holiday period, a “gota fria” badly hit the Canary Islands, with snow falling, then a tremendous cloudburst which resulted in 5 deaths and a great deal of flooding and damage. Torrevieja felt the edge of this with strong 90 kilometres per hour winds and heavy downpours that caused minor damage. One beneficial effect of this heavy rain was
A rambla built upon in Bigastro area ended in flooding
aormi@icloud.com
44
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
that it prevented one of the driest periods in decades with promised water-cuts and restrictions in the summer of the same year. Luckily we don’t experience a gota fria every year. In my first year in Torrevieja I experienced a gota fria that lasted three days and the potable water was polluted and had to be cut off. So we depended on bottled water and bike rides with containers to the sea to get water for the toilets. I can still picture my new neighbour Ken in his wheelchair dolefully stuck inside his porch looking at the pouring rain and wondering just what he had bought into. It turned out well as the house was used by the family for the next 27 years. So if you are buying (or selling) a house and it happens to be the gota fria, tell the client to look on the bright side as they are seeing Torrevieja at its worst. However, a thing to be aware of when buying in Spain is the ramblas which are gullies designed to run off excess water in heavy rain. In some places greedy constructors have built on these and the results have been ,and could be, disastrous with walls broken down by the force of gushing rainwater floods. One of the main streets in Torrevieja is the Juan Mateo Rambla, which has one of these, but today contained in large pipes under the road. Before it was covered-in boys would use it as a water slide from the top of the hill to almost the sea. The most famous is the Rambla promenade in Barcelona centre full of colorful flower stalls and newspaper kiosks.
Barcelona has a famous Rambla in the city centre that is a MUST visit.
aormi@icloud.com
45
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Body Beautiful by Pat Hynd
Torrevieja carnival girls brighten up with face paint in keeping with their costumes.
“Art is in the eye of the beholder” is something we often hear. What pleases one person may be stupid to someone else or even downright disgusting. As you read this think, “I was born naked and I will die naked.” One of the oldest forms of art is body art. For centuries humans have painted their bodies, sometimes a religious symbols, sometimes as war paint to scare the enemy in psychological warfare. Probably the bestknown body art is tattoos, which tend to be permanent and therefore need a bit of perception beforehand, as it is often difficult and painful to erase.
Some brave women use tattooing to cover up the scars left by A Mastectomy after suffering from BREAST cancer.
aormi@icloud.com
46
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Body painting has become something of a modern arty fad for football fans or those at national events, or pop concerts. Usually it is just the face and modern day paints can easily be applied and removed. It is a way of national identity and for the Scots probably promoted by Mel Gibson in his film with the bare bums (which weren't painted). In that film it was face paint designed to strike fear into the enemy. The body has always proved to be inspiration for artists of all types. Body painting is about artistic expression being able to use the human body and often these models can be completely naked and no one knows any better. In a way there is nothing pornographic about this as it is de-sexualising the body, even though there may be visible body organs visible, but they tend to blend into the overall paint job. This type of body painting requires human bodies of all types, sizes, colours and ages. There is no need to be body beautiful. In England the Olympia Beauty Show 2015 offers a tremendously wide variety of beauty aids, Brands, health and wellbeing and this year includes a section on body painting based on Alice in Wonderland whose anniversary is this year. The theme of Alice in Wonderland is synonymous with the world of fashion, theatre
aormi@icloud.com
47
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Artist Choo San or Hikaru Cho was born in 1993/3/29 Currently living in Tokyo Japan. taking "UNUSUAL" as a theme of her creation and creating Art work such as Body painting, stopmotion movie, illustration, clay sculpture, clothing design, Character design, and all sorts. Ashe also collaborates with several cloth brands. She is a student in Musashino Art university. These photos show her inventiveness and quirky humour to get a stunning effect http://www.hikarucho.com/profile
aormi@icloud.com
48
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
and film. This year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the publication of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. This theme adapts well into the world of Body Painting and offers extensive interpretation of each character detailed in this exquisite book. It is being held on Monday 5th October. The contest is at 3:00 pm and judges will be introduced to the audience by Show Director Ian Archbold. All contestants will then be announced and invited to the front of the makeup stage. This will allow each contestant to display their finished model for the audience to view. Following this the winners will be announced in order of 3rd, 2nd & 1st place and be invited to the stage to receive their prizes. There are plenty of real artists out there who can develop a makeover that seems absolutely real. Others go a bit further, such as Trini Merry, who takes a lot of time positioning human figures against a skyline then painting them so that the people appear almost invisible as their bodies have been partially combined with a building, tree or something else so that they seem part of that feature. An artist who has made a name for herself is 34-year old San Franciscan Trini Merry, now working in New York, whose paintings merge into the New York skyline. She considers that her body painting is part of Multi media work as she is a visual artist painting on a human canvas of skin. Her human models are difficult to paint as they sweat, they move, they Andy Golub fought NY City Hall for get itchy so its not an easy process. It artistic nudity in the streets takes a lot of planning, photography, getting perspectives and also trying to work amid lewd remarks or approaches by police. New York does permit people to strip off for artistic purposes after a battle with artist Andy Golub “People know me for my live body painting in the streets of New York City. In the summer of 2011, police arrested me along with several of my models. But with the help of lawyer Ron Kuby and the NYCLU, the city has finally acknowledged that public nudity is legal if it's part of an artistic expression.” I asked a Spanish
aormi@icloud.com
49
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
policeman if I walked naked down the street would I be arrested. “No, he replied, that’s all right, but probably arrested for distraction and causing a public disturbance.” Trini Merry said, “I believe that art shouldn't be limited to canvases or bound to be in only indoor spaces. I make up the art as I go, because I believe that the present is as important as any other moment. To me, art is about self-discovery and sharing it with people.”then works out what to paint. The Indian temple actually consists of 17 bodies. Among her works
is a series of body sculptures painted to look like astrological symbols such as cancer, goat etc.” She gets together her bodies and forms them into a sculpture that she photographs and picks the best perspectives, sometimes ensuring that the model is painted into the general frame so as to appear invisible. Most models are female as a woman’s
aormi@icloud.com
50
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
This Inidan temple by Trini Merry is composed of 17 bodies careful painted and aligned to make a startling sculpture. It must have been arduous for the models to stay in one position while others were being built around. the two other body paintings are from her astrology collection of body paining with Pisces and Leo aormi@icloud.com
51
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
body has so many lovely curves and an advantage is that it doesn’t matter if the model is pretty or ugly, his/her body is basically a canvas that an artist works on, creating an illusion. One would image it would be difficult to incorporate the male genitalia in a painting, but it is often done with great aplomb.
The 18th World Bodypainting Festival was held in July 2015 the new World Champions in a range of artistic categories. Artists from around the globe descended on the beautiful town of Pörtschach on Lake Wörthersee in the province of Carinthia in Austria with week-long events that attracted thousands of visitors. The week started with a workshop in the WB Academy with instructors from the face and body painting industry, sharing their knowledge to willing students. As always the festival started with a bang with the annual Body Circus where partygoers dressed up in fantasy costumes, body painting designs and listened to DJ line-ups in the backdrop of a magic and mystical setting on the Ron Zlotogoura Monte-Carlo Square in the town. A local artist who undertakes The competitions started with artists from over 40 nations competing with the stunning backdrop of body painting as a sideline is mountains and the breathtaking lake. For three Ron Zlotogoura who days, artists competed, painting against each specialises in airbrush other followed by a presentation on the main stage at the finale announcing the winners painting, which he consider his followed by the legendary after-show party. favourite tool of use due to its The 19th Festival is already confirmed for 28th June – 4th July 2016. You can take part yourself if several ways: As an Artist As a Photographer As a Model As an Exhibitor As a Musician or even as a Volunteer.
www.bodypaintingfestival.com/home.html
aormi@icloud.com
great precision as well as capabilities for soft blending and fading of colours, which give paintings photographic characteristics. He can often be found at car and motorbike exhibitions with examples of his work. Visit www.zlotogoura.com for details or contact ron@artistron.com
52
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
of Spanish Cookery by Pat Hynd
Jewish and Muslim THE Mediterranean Diet has changed in Spain and now we have a lot more fast foods. One of my memories of thirty years ago in Torrevieja was of the men going out in the rough campus gathering snails and also herbs growing wild that were used in the kitchen to enhance recipes or make herbal infusions. Nowadays the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid has seen the addition of herbs and spices, for reasons of both health and taste. Also, herbs and spices contribute to the national identities of various Mediterranean cuisines. Here I would like to look as some aspect of the healthier Sephardic Jewish cuisine, which fits in perfectly with our Mediterranean lifestyle. During WW2 in Hungary a clause in Spanish law permitting Sephardic Jews and their descendants to claim Spanish citizenship was used to allow embassy staff to save thousands of Hungarian Jews from the Gestapo. Today new laws are under discussion to update this law as it recognizes the huge injustice done to Jews (and Muslims) by expelling them from Spain centuries ago. It became a film Angel of Budapest. Sephardic Jews originally lived in Spain and Portugal. After being expelled from Spain in the 15th century, the Sephardim settled in warmer areas of the Mediterranean– countries like Greece, Turkey and Morocco, I use the term Sephardim in a broad sense to include both Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. Because of the sunny Mediterranean climate, they had access to fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, spices and olive oil. The Sephardic diet became a kosher extension of the Mediterranean diet, combined with culinary influences from Spain, Portugal, and Arab countries. I have seen American cookery programs that nod a head in this direction to some of the standard recipes used daily. In the new areas where they settled, the Sephardim adapted Mediterranean dishes to suit the kosher laws, which meant separating dairy from meat and using only kosher meat (no pork, shellfish, or other treif). I fondly remember the thick lemon and sultana cheesecake from a small Jewish family-run deli in Hampstead and have never had a cheesecake to match it. They Sephardic Jews utilized the regional crops and natural
aormi@icloud.com
53
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
resources to create seasonal, colorful dishes. This resulted in a bevy of healthy, creative and flavorful foods that are still enjoyed today. It’s customary in many Sephardic families to eat fish every Friday night for Erev Shabbat and I would imagine that this is one of the many Jewish customs that has been absorbed in by the Catholic Church.
Cholent is rooted in the Jewish Sabbath, which traditionally prohibits work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Under some interpretations, this includes prohibitions on even turning on the oven or stove. So for those who want to have a hot meal (and many feel a religious imperative to do so), the solution is to set up a stewed dish cooking low and slow on Friday, long before the sunset. Over a day of slow cooking, flavours infuse, beans soften, and tough cuts of meat become tender. By the time synagogue services are complete on Saturday afternoon, the rich, flavourful stew is ready to ladle out. Food historian Gil Marks has traced cholent's journey over the past thousand years, as it moved with Jewish communities through different countries. He maintains that cholent didn't just change shape in different countries — it gave rise to new dishes. Cassoulet is a classic Southern French dish, but Marks thinks it has its roots in cholent. Boston baked beans may seem like a dish born in America, but Marks maintains that it came from a version of cholent made by Sephardic Jews – those of Spanish, Portuguese, Middle Eastern and North African descent. Marks says the Puritans learned this version of the dish – called shachna — from Jews they met during their time in Holland. Shachna, Marks explains, consists of beans cooked in goose fat with honey. But the Puritans "don't have goose, so they substitute pork. And they don't have honey, so they
aormi@icloud.com
54
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
substitute either maple syrup or molasses.” This is an important element in cooking as a cook has to improvise with what is at hand and use his/her imagination. Inventor Irving Naxon came up with over 200 patents, for everything from washing machines to sending data over telephone wires. But one of his most popular ideas was inspired by his mother's stories of making cholent in Lithuania. "She would walk it over to the village bakery, where, as the ovens were turned off for the Sabbath, the pot of cholent would be put in the oven," explains Naxon's daughter, Lenore. "And that slow residual heat over the course of the 24 hours would be enough to cook the cholent.” "So my father heard that story, and thought, hmm, well how can I take the crock and electrify it with some slow, even heat?" The resulting invention was first called the Naxon Beanery — but better known as the Crock-Pot - and you thought that was Irish leprechauns.. It's an idea that went from the Middle East, to a little shtetl in Lithuania, to millions of American homes. And in some of them, it's still being used to make cholent. Until the fairly recent introduction of ovens in the home, many Spanish villages used the residue heat from the baker’s oven to cook in similar fashion stews etc.
aormi@icloud.com
55
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Lets have a look at the Moors contribution to our Mediterranean diet. Undoubtedly their use of herbs and spices tops the list. Saffron - the king of all spices used in every day rice dishes such as paella. Mint - or 'Naana' meaning the gift of Allah. Cinnamon - for dishes sweet and savoury. From India to Egypt then to the Middle East and finally it arrived in Spain. Popular with rice pudding in Spain. Cumin - found in everything, especially Pinchitos, cubes of spiced meat, skewered and grilled. Pimienton - smoked (ahumado) or not, the red colour and deep rounded taste in many soups and stews. Cloves - An ingredient in a common Vega Baja recipe of Ropa Vieja - which is a stew rather than old clothes! Bay Leaves - In fact the Romans were the first to arrive in Spain with Laurel, which always seems to be associated with champions and winners, hence the name Poet Laureate. They also introduced many seeds, pulses and nuts. Nigella - the little black seed from Africa, has medicinal uses too. Broad beans - habas and habituelas, cooked in a variety of ways. Chickpeas - garbanzos, soups and stews, cold in salads. They can be ground when dried for flour. Carob - John the Baptist was said to survive in the desert on 'Locusts and Honey'. But the carob is also know as the Locust Bean, so much more likely! aormi@icloud.com
Rice pudding is a popular Spanish dessert but also a Scandinavian Christmas treat.
56
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Pine Nut - Still harvested by hand in Spain, and commonly roasted and salted. Delicious with Basil, Olive oil and hard cheese in home-made Pesto. Pomegranate or Granada in Spanish. Figs - These often grow in parks. Dates - Datiles in Spanish, delicious with bacon rolled around each one and roasted - called Devils on Horseback that was a popular starter when I first started in catering. Tamarind - bitter and sold by the block. Sesame seeds - From oil to dips and bread topping, sweet and sticky Moorish cakes in Granada, Sesame has endless uses.
Cocido de Garbanzos Chick-‐‑pea stew This is another economical, but robust, dish found all over Spain with regional variations. It is really two recipes in one -‐‑ the first a soup, the second a meat and vegetable stew. The common factor among the recipes is the chick-‐‑peas brought to Spain by the Carthaginians. 250 grams chick-‐‑peas soaked overnight. These are available ready prepared in tins or frozen. 250 grams of beef -‐‑ use a cheap braising cut. 1 beef bone 1 chorizo -‐‑ not a spicy one but ‘dulce’ 50 grams serrano ham 100 grams bacon 1/2 chicken 2 carrots 1 onion 1 leek 4 potatoes Soak the peas overnight. Put two litres of water in a pot to boil and once boiling put in the peas. Half an hour later add the meat and bone. 30 minutes later add the chorizo and bacon. Continue cooking for about an hour before adding the cut green vegetables and carrots. Don’t cover the pot tightly or aormi@icloud.com
57
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
the peas tend to lose their skins. Simmer gently until the peas are soft. Add salt to taste then half an hour before serving add the potatoes cut in small pieces. To serve, remove all the ingredients from the liquid. Make up a soup with the liquid to serve separately, you could add noodles to make a lovely soup. The meat and vegetables are served as a second dish.
ENSALADA SERRANO makes use of herbs and seeds 3/4 kilo new boiled potatoes French dressing 1 large can of tuna fish 12 black and 12 green olives 2 sliced hard boiled eggs. The first time I tasted this was in Henley-‐‑on-‐‑Thames over 35 years ago when a Spanish friend served it up and surprisingly the potatoes were still warm but cooled down by the mayonnaise she used. A different idea for me to have a hot and cold salad and has nothing to do with jamon Serrano. Peel and slice cold boiled new potatoes. Toss lightly in a French dressing and arrange in a shallow salad dish. Drain tuna fish, breaking it into chunks and place on top of potatoes. Garnish the dish with black and green olives and slices of hard boiled egg. Pour over the remaining French dressing and serve at once. French dressing: b l e n d 3 tablespoons wine vinegar with 10 tablespoons olive o i l . A d d s a l t , f r e s h l y g r o u n d pepper and a dash of cayenne. Add a q u a r t e r l e v e l teaspoon of the following seeds -‐‑ poppy, sesame, celery. Blend well together.
aormi@icloud.com
58
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Fortresses hold the Moors at bay by Dave Stewart
Those of you who have spent a very hot and humid summer in the cool of other countries will be back in time for some of the fiestas held in September. Many people may think this title has something to do with all the poor refugees from Islamic countries fleeing wars, crises, hunger and poverty. Much as I would like ot say something, now is not the time. Our headline refers to the many Moors & Christian battles still continuing this month with some being held on the first weekend at Banyeres de Mariola; Santa Pola during the first week of September; Villena from 4th - 9th; Crevillente from 24th September to 5th October. Many Spanish fortresses were built by the Moors, while others were used as frontier towns between the various Christian kingdoms.
aormi@icloud.com
59
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Going to see the flamboyance of the Moors & Christian parades can be great fun, but many of these towns should ask be listed at the same for their local culture and gastronomy. Villlena, for example, has its famous treasure and a magnificent castle and can be reached by motorway, bus, and the train from Alicante. Santa Pola also has a castle which has a marine museum and just out the town a sea and salt museum. This seaside town also has some great restaurants which provide an opportunity to sample local dishes using the fresh products of the sea. Crevillente is home to a carpet manful cutting industry with loads of shops selling these products at reasonable prices if you fancy a flying carpet. In Benidorm a music festival and the building of a castle are held at the end of the month in expectation of the Moors & Christian fiestas during the beginning of October. The actual fiestas held in the first week of October start with a morning reveille (Diana) and in the afternoon a show is staged with the Entry of the Moors & Christians. The second day also starts with a Diana and a flower offering to the patron saint, San Jaime. The Moorish fleet disembarks and an ambassador meets with the Christians and then the deafening Battle of the Blunderbusses begins with the Christian King finally winning the day and occupying the castle.
aormi@icloud.com
60
Torrevieja Outlook
21st September Is Alzheimers Day and puzzles can help keep the human mind active. Can you see the hidden face in the picture below.
Number 019
September 2015
For those who would like to see a Moors & Christian festival the toy-making town of Ibi holds their fiestas in honour of la Virgen de los Desamparados from the 2nd Sunday of the month through to the third week of September. Celebrations begin from early morning with a diana (morning breakfast) as groups from the comparsas parade the streets in all their fierce finery. Moors & Christians march daily through the streets dressed in all their fine costumes. It is a good opportunity to visit the toy factories and maybe buy a couple of Christmas gifts. Now that the holiday season is behind us most towns in the area hold their own thing. The 8th September is a day dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus, under a variety of titles as the date is celebrated as her birthday. Among fiestas are those at Castalla, Daya Vieja, La Mata. In Torrevieja the local people from Asturias will celebrate on 9th September
aormi@icloud.com
61
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
their regional festival. The Jews will celebrate their new year on 1 4th September and on 23rd Yosh Kippur. The 21st is Alzheimer’s day and on the 27th is International Tourist Day, but so far I haven’t heard anything special go on. For stargazers there will be an eclipse of the moon on 28th. Torrevieja along with some other towns will hold several concerts nearer the end of the month in honour of the patron saint of music – Santa Cecilia. Guardamar de Segura also have celebrations in the small village of El Campico near C. Quesada: these are mostly of a religious nature on the 8th September in honour of Our Lady of Fatima. However, there are verbenas, theatrical events, bicycle race, paella competition, and the traditional lemon dance «el baile del limón». It is an area surrounded by orange and lemon groves. Those who read this column know I like legend tales. Most places who honour Our Lady of Fatima do so on 13th October. There are now several thousand Russians living on the Costa Blanca and they have their own little story connected with the appearance of the Virgin at Fatima in 1917. During the 800’s two Greek monks, Cyril and Methodius, brought Christianity to Russia. The most famous icon in Russia is that of Our Lady of Kazan which came from Constantinople to the monastery at Kazan in the former Mongolian Empire. By 1101 the icon was revered throughout Russia and Russian pilgrims travelled vast distances to venerate the Virgin Mary who is seen holding her infant son
aormi@icloud.com
62
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The Kazan basilica was built on the model of Saint Peter’s in Rome for all to worship. In 1209 the city of Kazan was conquered and the city and monastery destroyed, the icon lost. 375 years later on July 8th, 1579, the Virgin Mary appeared to a nine-year old girl, Matrona, who said the lady stood on a cloud and she told the child where to find the icon. The girl told adults and they dug in the rubble of the monastery where she indicated and lo and behold, there was the icon. It was placed in a convent built for it by the Czar and was known as the Liberator and Protectress of Holy Mother Russia. Peter the Great carried the icon as his banner and when he transferred the capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg, the icon went with him. When Napoleon attacked Russia and was defeated the people put it down to the intercession of Our Lady of Kazan. During the reign of Alexander II a magnificent basilica, modelled after St. Peter’s in Rome, was constructed in Moscow in what we know today as Red Square. When the great Revolution of 1917 came the Bolsheviks recognised the position the image held in the hearts of the people and they destroyed the inside of the basilica to be turned into a museum on 13th October, 1917. While this was happening on the same day, 13th October, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared on a cloud similar to the Kazan icon, to children at Fatima in Portugal and told them that “Russia will spread errors and terrors worldwide. In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. Russia will be converted and a period of peace will be given the world”. Somehow that icon had been removed from the basilica and was later found in England and today is revered in Fatima. The Patriarch of Moscow and Russia, Aleksey II, told a delegation of Christian pilgrims on October 13th, 1992 that the Russian people were aware of the Fatima message and this had given them hope and he looked forward to the icon’s return so that the people of Russia will once aormi@icloud.com
63
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
again know peace. The basilica was returned to the Orthodox Church in 1996. Nothing particularly to do with Spanish fiestas, but it is interesting background to the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
In Peñiscola from 7th - 16th local fiestas include the building of human towers with groups of men standing on each others shoulders building pyramids, competing against each other to build the highest tower with the most people. During this week there are also Moors & Christian parades in this town where Charlton Heston played Spain’s national hero in the film El Cid, with Moors landing on the magnificent beaches and storming the castle.
At the end of September and into the first week of October, the townsfolk of El Altet enjoy the patronal fiestas of San Francisco de Asís. The principal day is on the saint’s day the 4th October with a carnival parade in the late afternoon followed by coca and zurra. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes. A Floral Offering is made on the following day and of course each day there is wining and dining with music and dancing. As I’ve said before this is a busy month in Santa Pola whose citizens will be celebrating the Virgen del Loreto fiestas that will be from the end of August to the 9th September. As elsewhere the majority of the immense influx of summer visitors has gone and the town returns to a certain degree of normality. This means having a fiesta. Our Lady of Loreto is associated with the defeat of the Turks by the Christian armies and navies so it is a double motive that she reigns over these annual fiestas of the Moors and Christians. Santa Pola was known by the Iberians as Alonai, then the Romans used it as a port for the large city of Elche and called it Portus Ilicitanus, later it was el Cabo del Aljibe, Santa Paula and today Santa Pola. The Iberians actually built a small town as they were fishermen but it was abandoned for unknown reasons after only 75 years in 430 BC. The construction of the port of Elche
aormi@icloud.com
64
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
meant a tremendous impulse in the commerce and local economy. There are remains of a factory that produced the condiment of garum that took two months to ferment. Moors disembark at this fishing town and conquer it, then the Christians reconquer the town around the castle fortress that dates back to 1557. Extravagant costumes marks the parades with colourful painted face masks and feathers on the part of the Moors, while the Christians march in procession with their guns and cannons. The finely dressed ambassadors of both armies parley and eventually the Christian army conquers. Santa Pola offers one of the most magnificent firework displays along the coast that light up the sky and which can be seen right across the nearby salt flats should you be stuck at the airport.
Last year we wrote about the fiestas in Cartagena. The good folk of Cartagena again camp in the street as Romans versus Carthaginians in battle and love orgies. This is the 26th year of the splendid fiestas that look back at the early history of the city. On 18th September the Holy Flame will once again be returned to the “templeâ€? at the Roman Theatre and the Parque ArqueolĂłgico de El Molinete and the top of the hill after arriving by sea to the port area. aormi@icloud.com
65
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Murcia is the Garden of Spain and many of their festivals surge around the garden and its products. This year 200 gardeners have been working hard to plant 50,000 plants of cantarantus or vinca rose, Carnations of the Indies and begonias so that they brighten up the town. They can be seen in Almela Costa, Plaza Condestable, Plaza Circular, Plaza Castilla, Juan XXIII, Abenarabi, Avenida de los Pinos, Rotonda de los Cubos y Avenida Ciudad de Almería, and other places. This is part of the town’s annual fiestas in honour of the Virgen of Fuensanta as her statue is carried from its normal sanctuary to the town centre. Among the two weeks attractions are the Feria de los Ninos with loads of fair attractions, , more Moors and Christians the Feria de los Huertos mentioned before that also includes a Livestock Fair, there is a Cultural fair, sporting events, lots of music, and bullfighting as the city is a centre of this with an excellent museum dedicated to bullfighting. On the first Sunday there is a morning parade of horses and carriages. Murcia is located on the banks of the River Segura and flanked by the Carrascoy and Cresta del Gallo mountain ranges to the south, the regional capital Murcia offers a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities throughout the year, accompanied by year-round spring-like weather. As a university town there is always a great cultural programme of alternative music events. Strolling through the streets of the town today there are many small "open" shopping centres, some of them reflecting the town's old guild structure: silversmiths, clothes sellers, potters and glass-workers. Not forgetting a wide range of bars and restaurants where you can sit in the open air in a busy plaza and people-watch. Another nice walk is along the Promenade of El Malecón, the flood barrier that was built in the aormi@icloud.com
66
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
18th century and that runs between the river and the botanical gardens, and on into the meadows that surround the town. The town's most important sight is undoubtedly the Cathedral (14th century-18th century), with its marvellous Baroque façade, where sculpture and architecture combine to offer us a truly astonishing work of art. The Cathedral tower is ninety-two metres high and the Chapel of Los Vélez is a veritable jewel dating from the Gothic Period. Among the museums, a must mention is the one devoted to the painter and sculpture of religious images, Francisco Salzillo, where you can admire his famous depictions of Holy Week processions and the wonderful Baroque nativity scene figures; you have to pay to get in but costs nothing to get out. Other outstanding visits include the Fine Arts Museum; the Santa Clara la Real monastery; the Archaeological Museum housing one of the most complete collections of Iberian artifacts in the country. Then there is the Ramón Gaya Museum, where you can admire the work of this artist who was awarded the Velázquez Prize for the Arts; the Holy Art Museum at the Cathedral; the Hydraulic Museum of Los Molinos de Río; the Science Museum and the City Museum. I must admit Murcia is one of my favourite Spanish cities to visit as there are also great shops including El Corte Ingles. Gastronomy story:-
This English guy is recommended by a friend to eat at a special restaurant in Murcia and to do so on a Sunday during the September fiestas. So the guy books a table for himself and dutifully turns up. The place is full and he notices one lone diner sitting at a table set on a raised platform. He doesn’t take too much notice of him, though, and sets to ordering his meal. As the waiter is finishing taking his order the restaurant lights suddenly dim, a spotlight falls on the lone diner, and a red carpet is rolled from the kitchen door to his table. Then six fanfare trumpeters appear and, three each side of the carpet, they sound a rousing flourish on their instruments. The kitchen doors open and out walk four waiters each supporting a large covered silver salver, one at each corner so to speak. As they slowly traverse the red carpet towards the raised table, the other diners are on their feet shouting: ‘Ole! Ole! Ole’ with every step they take. aormi@icloud.com
67
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The lone diner sets his arms wide, a knife in one hand and a fork in the other, waiting enthusiastically. The waiters reach the table and gently set the salver in front of him. As the head waiter’s hand grasps the handle of the cover a hush falls across the restaurant. Then he lifts the cover to reveal two of the largest meatballs you have ever seen. The crowd is now shouting even louder ‘Ole!, Ole!, Ole!’ Eventually the noise subsides and the diner slices into the first meatball with his knife and fork. ‘What was all that about?’ asks the English guy to his waiter, ‘that was amazing!’ ‘Ahh,’ says the waiter, ‘it is the tradition of the house. We have a special arrangement with the bullring and we get the criadillas, the testicles, from the prize bull after the final fight of the day. Then they are cooked and ceremoniously served immediately after the bull fight is over, as you have seen, to the diner who has reserved the special table.’ ‘That IS amazing!’ says the English guy, ‘I must reserve the table for myself..’ ‘Sadly, señor, there is a long wait, and I will not be able to let you have a table for several weeks…’ The guy is not to be put off however, and he books a table some 3 months away. All the time he is looking forward to his meal and eventually the day arrives. He enters the restaurant, and he takes his place on the raised table. All eyes are upon him. After about t e n minutes the ceremony starts. The lights dim, the spotlight falls upon him, the trumpeters sound their fanfare and the waiters enter with the large salver. ‘Ole! Ole! Ole!’ scream the other diners. The guy’s heart is pounding as the salver is placed upon the table, and then the head waiter lifts the cover to reveal… two extremely small meatballs. ‘Hey, what’s this?’ shouts the perplexed Englishman ‘I didn’t order these,. I ordered two bull’s testicles, not these tiny things. What’s going on?’ ‘Aahh, senor’ says the waiter, ‘You see… you have to appreciate… sometimes… the bull… he wins!’ The patronal holidays of September in Orihuela will have about 30 events. The activities begin on the last weekend of August with the queens' show with festivals, concerts and parades. The holidays are in honor of the Virgin of the Health and San Miguel Archangel The festeras barracas will open from September 3rd and local food on offer. The general parade is on 5th September, and another on 13th is being listed as an innovation at 13.00 named ' Festival Rainbow '. Another event will be a festival on the 25th in the Plaza Infanta Elena at 22.00 hours and on the 26th a concert in the Plaza of the Peace, in which a group will do a musical homage to the 1980’s.
aormi@icloud.com
68
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
Torrevieja has a bit of everything.. including football by Chris
Darwen
I was mentioning to a fellow writer at the match yesterday that I have started to take watching football in the sun for granted. When I was a child, growing up in the UK, football in the sunshine was a novelty. It usually spelt either the start of the season or the end. For me at that age, there was nothing better than watching the FA Cup Final, the old Wembley bathed in glorious sunlight. Here on the Costa Blanca, well you need to go to a lot of games to catch ninety minutes where the sun is not shining. Having been involved at CD Torrevieja for nearly seven months now, I am starting to get used to it.
aormi@icloud.com
69
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The new season has started and the local team, Club Deportivo Torrevieja, are once again hopeful of a campaign that might lead to promotion. They currently play in the Tercera Division Group 6, which in old English money is Division Four in Spain. My team back home, Luton Town, play in the equivalent which is now called League Two. Trust me, when I part with my £25 or so for a ticket to the game I do not get a beautiful sunset. I do not get the option to sit wherever I want. I certainly do not get a mountain range in the background. Locals to Torrevieja are only asked for 10€ to get all that, and a game of football thrown in for their pleasure too. If you have never been to Estadio Vicente Garcia, it is a quaint old ground. Sure, it could do with a little TLC but there is a danger that too much of that would remove some of it’s charm. The match day experience is unique and family focussed, we even provide a match day programme - one of only a handful of clubs in Spain to do so. Our fanbase a decade ago was predominantly British, but now we have a mix that fully represents the international town that Torrevieja has become with fans from Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Belgium, Iceland, Hungary, Bulgaria and France joining the regulars from Spain, Ireland, England and Scotland. The age range is also a healthy mix, from the children that are the fans of the future, through the teenage Pena “Fondo Sur” who bang their drums behind the goal through to the slightly more mature fans who remember Bobby Charlton making his debut and might have caught a glimpse of Tom Finney before he retired. It is time to make the appeal. In Torrevieja we are very fortunate to have a football club that plays at the level it does. If we are able to win promotion this season, we will be at aormi@icloud.com
70
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
the same level as famous old Spanish clubs like Real Murcia, Cadiz and Hercules. One thing that helps push a club forward and drive the players on in a way nothing else can is a vibrant, enthusiastic support - that sort of support that can only be generated by volume of people turning up. If you like your football, adopt CD Torrevieja as your second team. Come and watch us. Bring your friends and neighbours. I know it is great that in this day and age that you can still follow your Liverpool’s, United’s, City’s on the television - but honestly, does that football feel real to you nowadays? Does watching a game on the box actually come close to feeling the passion of a match day in person? I am pretty sure that the powers that be at your team back home probably didn’t notice that you stopped going when you moved over here - we will certainly notice if you start coming to watch us, and we will make you feel very welcome! Come along and try it for yourself, what are you going to lose for 10€? You might even realise how much you have missed watching a live game, and then you can invest in a season ticket for just 100€ and it all gets even cheaper. Torrevieja play their home matches on Sunday evenings, usually. For a full fixture list contact me on chris@clubdeportivotorrevieja.com and start to plan your weekends around the football once more. Chris Darwen Commercial & PR Guy - Club Deportivo Torrevieja www.clubdeportivotorrevieja.com www.tiendacdtorrevieja.tictail.com Twitter: @cdtorrevieja_en
aormi@icloud.com
71
Torrevieja Outlook
aormi@icloud.com
Number 019
September 2015
72
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
YOUR CITY, YOUR CLUB - come and cheer on CD Torrevieja as they start their new season, dreaming of promotion! Football is back at El Vicente Garcia as the local professional team CD Torrevieja kick off their 2015/16 campaign over the next few days. The club play in the 4th tier of Spanish football (that’s just a couple of divisions below Barca and Real) and need your support. The current manager, Pedreno, has assembled a squad that looks capable of getting promoted but every team performs better when it is followed by some enthusiastic, noisy fans! Entry on match day is only 10€ for adults, 5€ for those aged 16-21 and U16’s get in free. Home games will have plenty of entertainment laid on - from live music, the new official club mascot dancing around with the cheerleaders, the Alibaba Sweet Shop and souvenirs from the club shop. If you really love your football, why not get a season ticket for just 100€ and make each game cost about a fiver? Come along to El Vicente Garcia and adopt us as your second team! 30th August - 7pm: CD Torrevieja vs CF Borriol 13th September - 7pm: CD Torrevieja vs UD Alzira 20th September - 7pm: CD Torrevieja vs Muro CF Finally, if you aren’t in Spain right now but want to wear the CD Torrevieja colours with pride we have chosen Adidas as our official supplier of the 2015/16 season. Check out the online club shop at www.tiendacdtorrevieja.tictail.com For anymore information contact the club’s Commercial & PR Guy, Chris on chris@clubdeportivotorrevieja.com
aormi@icloud.com
73
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
The 9th stage of the Spanish Tour begins in Torrevieja on Sunday 30th August at 13.34 and is a cycling race followed by millions of fans via television and radio, not to mention the general press. It has been a race that has been fraught with many incidents such as the Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali who was disqualified from La Vuelta a Espa単a -- the Tour of Spain -- after he was filmed holding on to his Astana Pro Team (APT) team car for 200 meters on stage two after suffering a crash. The race will run parallel to the coast until La Mata to end at Benitatxell, some 168.3 km.
aormi@icloud.com
74
Torrevieja Outlook
Number 019
September 2015
To r r e v i e j a O u t l o o k Calendar 2016
Thanks to the generosity of local photographers Keith Nicol, Nicolás García Villalgordo, Francisco Javier Torregrosa, Objetivo Torrevieja, Terry Roebuck, Torrevieja Tourist Office Graphic art design: Carlos García Research and text: Andy Ormiston aormi@icloud.com
The 2016 solidarity calendar this year will be available from various charities and associations from midSeptember, follows the same format as in recent years. A 16-page bound, full coloured, with over 70 photos and the theme is “Passion..for Torrevieja”. Thanks to all those photographers who have kindly donated their photos for this calendar that enriches the whole project. This is now the tenth calendar in the series. Once again it is being paid for by our generous sponsors - Aroca Sequier Abogados, Alamo Costa Blanca Real Estate, Brithol MAPFRE Seguros, Currency Direct, and Atlas Insurance Brokers. Again it is free to solidarity organizations who then sell it for their own funds, so there is no middlemen involved. 2016 is a Leap Year, which may be of interest to any single ladies looking to be hitched. So we have 366 days in 2016 with an early Easter at the end of March, which coincides with the changing of the Spring clocks. As always there is a box of information in the area at the bottom of the page, but public holidays in red and main fiestas or interesting dates are included in the boxes. Inc lured is a photo-report with old photos of75the history of Torrevieja.