Jan 2009 Issue 4

The Catalunya Chronicle An English Paper for Tarragona and beyond....

FREE every month ~ suitable for all the family.

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Another year, another month and another paper to put together, and thanks once again to everyone involved for all the support offered to the paper over the last four months.

We are still having fun!

The subject will be concerning the aspect of ‘Coping Alone’ - how to survive in foreign country when your partner is no longer here, where to go for support and assistance, both from official sources and also from a more personal level. Any contributions would be most welcome.

L'AMETLLA DE MAR/ LA CALA BY

JENNIFER FIGUEROLA

CARS

MACHINERY

GENERATORS

WORKING OR NON WORKING CASH AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE

We will be starting a new article from next month and would welcome some input from you all. ´

ONCE UPON A TIME......

TRACTORS

standing his ground, enabling a community to eventually grow. At first the village was under the local municipality of El Perelló, but actually managed to achieve independence on Christmas Day, 1891, more than a century after Joan´s arrival.

OLD COAT OF Arms for L’Amettla This lovely resort is one of many dotted along the Costa Dorado, so what exactly makes L'Ametlla special, I wonder? For starters, it benefits from the beautiful mountain air above, has an abundance of enormous, majestic pine trees in the many coves with their distinctive, intoxicating aroma, and the whole area is very well preserved with beaches of white, smooth sand and soft pebbles.

The central point is still the harbour, as Ametlla remains a working fishing village. Fisherman set up on the port daily selling their catch which varies, from tuna, sardines or sea bass, During the second half of the nineteenth century, the village prospered as a fishing port to octopus, squid or crab. with an influx of new inhabitants, fishermen, L'Ametlla de Mar began life as one of the bays farmers, shopkeepers, builders etc, along the 14 km stretch of the Costa Dorado, consolidating the strength of the community, along with the next cove along, St Jordi. It has so that at the beginning of the 20th century, another name, 'La Cala', (the bay,) and there were some 2500 inhabitants. They inhabitants have a special name too, received an economic boost from the forced ´Caleros',( people of the bay. ) Sailors and sale of church lands and there followed the fishermen used the coves as natural shelters construction of the railway. After a mini 'crisis', from storms or waiting for bad weather to pass in the thirties and the Civil War, which caused over. Otherwise, whenever anyone attempted a drop in immigrants and people moving into to settle there, they were plagued by continual the area, Ametlla gradually became popular attacks from pirates, until they abandoned the again The sixties saw more expansion and area. development with the advent of tourism and estate agencies. In fact, tourism had a massive It was not until way back in the 18th century, influence on the status of the village, as many in 1875, when a certain Joan Baptista Gallarta people bought second homes there and more arrived in the deserted bay, that the situation immigrants found their way to this coastline began to change. He stuck it out and stayed, and decided to settle here. defending his lot, fighting off the bandits and

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

689 468 752

A Very Happy New Year to all our Readers, Advertisers and Contributors I decided to chat to friends of mine, Mike and Luci Clark, immigrants to Ametlla for 5 years now, to see what drew them to the area, and Ametlla in particular. For them it was not a snap decision one summer to settle there.

Quite the contrary in fact; they had spent the previous ten years exploring the east coast from the french border, gradually working their way down, on the lookout for a space to have a home in which to retire, with sun, sea and sand. A big consideration for them, rather than trailing after a time-share rep, or buying on a golf or similar complex, was integration.

Anxious to live within a thriving Spanish community, in order to appreciate the local customs and culture, they therefore discounted Malaga and similar areas. Mike commented that it was on a beautiful summer's evening, sitting with Lucy in a café overlooking the bay in Ametlla, that this was it, the place they had been looking for. Luci agreed and the trail began, property hunting with a vengeance.

They finally settled on a casita, and have had 'fun', restoring it and creating a comfortable home. Neither of them arrived with any knowledge of Spanish to speak of, other than a few evening classes, though they had backgrounds of French and German.

So what are their thoughts and feelings now, I wondered, after five years there? Well the news is good, they have no plans to leave and feel as if they are well on their way to achieving their aim of integrating gradually into the Spanish community. They have found that it takes longer to win over the hearts of the older generation, but the younger generation welcome the opportunity to practise English, get to know and eventually befriend the newcomers. Mike and Luci grabbed the opportunity to mix with the younger locals and

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 1

ONCE UPON A TIME... now have a set of Spanish friends of all ages with whom they feel comfortable. Ametlla today boasts around 6800 inhabitants, of which some 4% are British. Other immigrant nationalities include Rumanians, Morrocans, French and German, Dutch and Swiss.

The reason for such an influx is clearly down to the village's accessibility, due to the AP7; previously, Ametlla was bypassed and as such remained a sleepy fishing village for a lot longer than other, more easily reachable places. The railway is an excellent network with links to all major cities, and the location is so convenient. The mountains are a blink away, the coast is there already, Barcelona beckons from the north, and even the French border is just a few hours drive.

Or then there is Tomaset in the middle of the town. The fishermen patronise this establishment after they return with their catch.

Although this is still only 8 or 8.30 in the morning, they have been fishing solidly for hours and this is their lunchtime. They tuck into a full steak dinner, complete with wine and brandy etc. Otherwise, during 'normal' hours, there is a huge open barbeque fire at the back, onto which your ordered steaks are thrown.

Fish is also on the menu – of course and it is very reasonably priced.

Pica Pica, in Plaça Nova looks really diddly, with a couple of little tables outside. But if you probe deeper and brave it inside, to the back in fact, the place opens up and the ambience is fantastic, really homely and welcoming.

The food is simple, well cooked and reasonably priced, and the owners bend over backwards to make you as comfortable as possible. No matter what time of the day or night, if you go in and want feeding, they will The sunshine helps of course, but they oblige. In itself, this is astounding and very socialise a lot more than when they lived in the useful to know.

UK, and eat out more. And there´s so much to WITH SO MANY different places to do right on the doorstep if you are interested, eat and drink, I feel I have to from Karate to Belly Dancing!

MIKE AND LUCI certainly seem at ease with their lot and are the first to admit that life for them in Spain is more relaxed.

La Cala is blessed with lots of restaurants and eateries. At the upper end of the scale is El Molino, a converted olive press, where you actually sit in the owner's front room, (sometimes the TV is on at the back). It is completely authentic, with the belt-driven machines that used to turn the grindstones.

There is also a well actually inside the building, together with information on the local history.

Expensive? Certainly. Exclusive? Most definitely. A 'special occasion' sort of restaurant.

owners still hunt, although it used to be their grandparents´ home, and a lot of the artefacts are years old from previous generations. Other artefacts are also on display from local artisans.

Mike and Luci have managed to create their ideal retirement home in a place they are fast becoming a valuable addition to as contented, integrated immigrants.

However, this is not an automatic result of simply upping, moving out of your country and into another. No, this state of affairs cannot be achieved without motivation, purpose and effort, which both Mike and Luci continue to inject into their daily lives to achieve their objective, which surely is the same for all of us: happiness and contentment.

They have made Ametlla work for them.

And for other couples with similar objectives, they could do a lot worse than find a casita in the cove of La Cala.

mention the hotel, 'Bon Repos', smack in the centre. This hotel has beautiful gardens, which are lovely to wander around in the summer, with peacocks and other birds wandering around with you.

There is a lovely family atmosphere with a tradition of hunting. Inside, it is like stepping back in time, with traditional furnishings, plush curtains, suits of armour, bison and mousse heads mounted on the walls. The present

I found out that the topic of "Show and Tell" that day had been parents' occupations.

The teacher pulled me aside. Whispering, she advised, "You might want to explain a little bit more to your daughter what you do for a living."

I work as a training consultant and often conduct my seminars in hotel conference rooms.

When I asked why, the teacher explained, "Your daughter told the class she wasn't sure what you did, but said you got dressed real pretty and went to work at hotels."

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 2

PAGE 3 Readers Letters - to the Editor Please address your letters to:- The Catalunya Chronicle , C/ Martirs 6, 43500, Tortosa, or alternatively you may email them to letters@chroniccat.com All letters must contain a contact telephone number - thank you.

The post-bag started to fill up - many thanks to everyone who wrote in.

All submissions must be received by the 12th of the calendar month to ensure publication for the following issue.

Dear Sir, Further to the letter from B&GP in last months Chronicle Re Las Mascotas. Several of my friends & myself have encountered stray, abandoned, or injured dogs on our land. Its heartbreaking, some dogs are so nervous & cowed it is impossible to help them.

Thinking hard on this problem & debated thoroughly sometimes heatedly, it was theorised how it could be possible to quell part of this problem.

When issuing a gun licence for hunting, a dog licence & photo of dog/s and proof of micro chipping could be issued at the same time. Thus perhaps official personnel i.e; Agents Rural & or local Guardia would be able to spot check hunters and their dogs..

Not all hunters are irresponsible. Most are careful in all respects of land trespass and ownership of dogs. It is unfortunately the few who give hunters a bad name. 95% of these are not local to the area in which they hunt.

If anyone fluent in Spanish could either translate this letter to the person issuing licences, or to the Gun Club, it might start the ball rolling. The genuine hunters might even welcome the opportunity to put themselves among the respected members of the shooting fraternity.

Having myself come from a shooting family in England, I am not opposed to hunting as such.

WS

Reporting crime pays!!

Dear Editor, I thought your readers might be interested in our experience over the last week or so. Last Sunday, (6th December), my other half was cutting the herbage on our second property, (empty but for sale), when he noticed an empty beer bottle in the grass by the house. As no one lives there he was a bit suspicious so went to get the keys and have a look inside. Sure enough, they had been inside, closing the entry window behind them when they left!There was very little of value in the house but there were some bags of tinned food and bottles of alcoholic drinks. All the food and a few bottles of booze were gone. Our immediate thought was to check all the empty houses and holiday homes close by, and sure enough, every one had been burgled.

We called all the key holders we knew of and the police. The Mossos were very efficient and as we were with them at our house other people came forward to report other empty houses had been entered. Most had lost T V's, DVD's food etc. Nothing major. In all we found twelve houses had been entered in one night! All along the same camino. In every case the burglars had closed windows, as best they could with broken glass or latches, to allay suspicion and give them time to dispose of the goods. The police duly took fingerprints and statements over a two day period and we all battened down and barred up in hopes of preventing a second wave! Then yesterday (Sunday 13th) we saw a lot of police activity along the camino, five or six squad cars, a van and the plain SOC car. They had caught the theives and reclaimed much of the stolen property from the previous weeks spree!

Obviously not all the goods were recovered but that's not the point of this letter.The point I want to make is that if you, or someone you know, is burgled you should ALWAYS tell the police. However insignificant the stolen items are it is still a crime! I have heard many excuses for not reporting crime: They never do anything so there's no point.They didn't take anything so I won't bother.They only took food so it doesn't matter.I'll never get it it back so there's no point.The police aren't interested 'cos we're English.None of the above statements are true. The police ARE interested and they DO do something, but they can only work with what we give them. If you have been burgled the chances are someone else has too. If you ALL report it their crime figures look very bad! They generally are very good at catching criminals here and our case has proved it.

Distribution Points.

A full list and map of all our collection locations is available on our web-site, and if you do not find one near enough to you, then please let us know.

Currently we have managed to place the paper in the following towns and villages.

L’Ampolla L’Amettla Camarles Amposta Tortosa Miravet Tres Calas El Perello Cambrils

Salou Hospitalet Reus Airport Alcossebre Ulldecona Flix Xerta Riba-Roja Mora D’Ebre

Peniscola Benifallet Miami Platja Gandesa ... with more to come

VUELING AIRLINES - NEVER AGAIN! Dear Sir, I usually book my flights using the search engine at www.govolo.com which normally gives me the best prices and possibilities and it came out with 48€ Vueling Barcelona Madrid.

Thinking that Govolo (Go Voyage Internet ticket supplier) charge a 20€ ticket charge I decided to book internet Vueling direct and received the same flight to the same price and no extra 20€ - start booking. I was j finishing – hey what is now that – suitcase charge 10€ and credit card charge 4,50€ ok I book 2 times for my wife so it come to the same price as Govolo - o.k. now I was there!.

Entering Barcelona Airport leaving the car and go to the Vueling terminal we have used before all closed – no info on the ticket or booking form that Vueling had changed terminal few months ago!

Pushing a heavy 33 kg suitcase approx. 1 km to the Transit bus for the new terminal 1 was not fun. Thank goodness we came in time.

At check in “sorry you are only allowed totally 23 kg”.

Protesting heavily that on the internet booking and the electronic ticket was no message about this and I have paid for 2 suitcases and there is only one – “sorry if you want to fly you must pay 10 kg at 10€ = 100 Euro – if not you don’t fly – you have booked a cheap flight”-----!

Leaving the check in queue pushing the 33 kg suitcase 2-300 meter back to Vueling Info desk and again in a long queue – “here is a Complaint form” it was passed back before I finish my complain ready at hand – “but you must go back to check in and get a note of the overload!”

Again a large queue for only getting the same answer and a overload note that must be paid at Vueling Info desk – so back again and again in the info queue!

Payment was made and no refund for the extra suitcase I had paid for! Back again in the check in queue and finally accepted in last minute before the flight!

That single flight came out 172€ for Barcelona to Madrid and lots of stress.

For sure VUELING AIRLINES - NEVER AGAIN! Any comments are welcome vpeetz@gmail.com Sincerely yours,

Reporting crime pays!!

LH

Viggo Peetz

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 3

LA SALUD THE BENEFITS OF MULTILEVEL MASSAGE

process, and can be permanently effective in many areas... it can eradicate pain that is musclerelated, for example:

I was just five years old when my father, a Catalonian, introduced me to massage, guiding my hands under his, explaining the Lower back and neck pain sufferers finally functions of the muscles, ligaments, skin and finding lasting and permanent relief; body organs.

Fibromyalgia sufferers drastically reducing He was a gentle man, patient and consistent, muscle aches and pains and increasing their so that I grew up with skills I now know to be energy levels; specific and it was only many years later that Headache and migraine sufferers I realised how privileged I was, to have been experiencing pain relief without reaching for taught with such dedication and expertise. the tablets; At the time, I honestly believed that everyone grew up learning such skills, and it was therefore a shock to finally understand, as an adult that I had inadvertently acquired a very beneficial, specialist skill.

Accident and car crash victims recover more quickly as the pain eases more rapidly;

become stretched and irritated. Medical massage is an essential part of the healing process. Left untreated, they can cause chronic pain for months and even years after the accident. As muscles, and therefore the injuries inflicted on them, do not show up on X-rays, it is an area widely cast aside in the medical world and very low down on the list of priorities.

Unfortunately the standard healthcare approach to these injuries often amounts to nothing more than suppressing the symptoms with painkillers or potentially dangerous anti-inflammatory drugs, so that the injured muscles 'hopefully' heal on their own in time!

In fact, injured muscles heal Sciatica pain sufferers can relieve hip, buttock with scar tissue in a way that and leg pain; leaves them weaker, less Computer users eliminate their Carpal Tunnel elastic and therefore prone to reinjury and Syndrome, with computer-related pain and more pain. Multi-level massage therapy helps to restore muscular strength, flexibility and strain; normal function, by correcting, or 'alligning' the Athletes can raise their level of performance, affected muscles. This can be crucial for full and when injured are able to recover faster muscular recovery, which just does not happen if just left alone with only time to heal. from their sports injuries.

I have helped people in pain for many years So, to summarise, the benefits of this kind of massage are that it: to finally find lasting relief.

Thus enlightened, I went on to probe deeper into the origins of medical, multi-level massage, linking the physical state with the emotional, mental state, spending time in monasteries in different parts of Thailand for weeks at a time, focusing on the blend of mind, spirit and body. I learnt the art of meditation and explored the welcoming world of Buddhism. I also spent time on an Indian reservation, learning survival skills, experiencing a different take on life, and practising the various methods they used in massage and healing.

AND I CAN HELP YOU TOO

Increases circulation and allows the body to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and virtual organs;

Do you actually believe you were meant to live Stimulates the lymph system, the body's with the pain you are experiencing now? natural defence against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients,massage Even a minor car accident can have far has been shown to increase the number of reaching effects on your health for years to cells that fight cancer; come if you don't seek out the correct care.

Whiplash to the neck is by far the most Relaxes and softens injured, overused and common injury that results from a car accident. tight muscles; Sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries, to the muscles, tendons and ligaments, which Reduces muscle spasms and cramps; I went on to use my skills in many areas of life. occur when the head is abruptly jerked back Increases and restores joint motion and In the UK I set up and ran a martial arts course and forth. flexibility; to help women who had suffered domestic abuse defend themselves. Using multi-level Releases endorphins, the body's natural massage, I have successfully treated soldiers painkillers, and as such massage is useful for and officers in the military, and of course, reducing post-surgical pain; passed my skills onto my own son, now 16, Reduces post-surgery adhesions,scarring and beginning with him at just 5 years old, as my swelling; father had done with me.

Massage can also be beneficial merely for relaxation, for example on a beach in Thailand, or in health spas, but the Medical Massage Therapy is so much more than that, progressing through four levels until the actual muscle can be picked up and moved or Also the ligaments, discs and muscles that realigned. support the spine can be torn or injured in a THE MULTI-LEVEL MASSAGE car accident. The nervous system encased by the spinal bones of the neck and back can technique is more of a therapy

Improves joint motion and flexibility by stretching and stimulating the weakened, tight muscles, while lengthening shortened muscles; Addresses the pain directly and actually does something about it, rather than simply blocking it out and masking it with medication.

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 4

LA SALUD... the Hulk and always gone in 60 seconds. It has a habit of setting itself Missions Impossible, which surprisingly enough, it accepts.

I can help anyone suffering with: Hip, shoulder, knee, neck and back problems Tennis Elbow Frozen shoulder Lower back pain Varicose veins Arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and other inflammatory conditions Asthma and bronchitis Car accident-related muscle injuries Carpal tunnel syndrome Chronic and temporary pain conditions Circulatory problems Digestive disorders, including constipation Period pains Pregnancy discomfort Degenerative disc disease

It’s still here. It doesn’t seem to want to move elsewhere. Let’s face it. It gets fed watered and loved; not by me of course. The Munchie is a creature that has been given many scientific descriptions often in Latin. Well I think that’s what it is. It’s often spoken rather quickly, definitely foreign and unrepeatable.

No two people ever see it in quite the same way and if it sees them first they tend not to be seen for dust.

I’d always believed I was a popular person.

Folks would drop in out of the blue; have lunch; share a drink,. I’m sure you understand the kind of thing I mean. But since the Munchie took up residence nothing’s been the same. If people call, it’s by phone, held, I can tell, at arms length. Such is its reputation, they believe it’ll come down the line and get them!

In the long months I have been its house keeper (this refers to the protection of the house not to the fact I look after its needs) I have had a chance to observe it in its natural environment and so far I found it to be sneakier than Sly Stallone “In first blood” Stronger than

Hernias

The more frequent of these jaunts are the raids into enemy territory; commando style, searching for prey which it hunts in next door’s garden. It slips under the fence and approaches the rather large gullible creature, called Arco that guards this no-man’s land. It hypnotises him with its intense stare, rendering him immobile and, while he’s getting his tummy rubbed and he has that self satisfied air of, who’s a clever boy then, it pounces. It picks up an artefact, preferably one that’s squeaky- useful for scaring unsuspecting cyclists- and it runs; squeezing its rather plump body under the fence and heads for home, squeaking enthusiastically, in the belief that the rest of its Munch ¹ will be enthralled by its achievement. Needless to say it has cost me a small fortune in replacement items for Arco.

Why don’t I just give the borrowed ones back, I hear you ask.? Simple, once they’ve been dissected and scien-teeth-ically studied by the Munchie, there’s not a lot left to return. ¹ Munchie is an only, but as we have become its adopted family A munch is the recognised collective noun rather like flock of birds or pride of lions.

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I wish you a happy, pain-free 2010 My name is Floreal Figuerola and you can call me on 977407540 or 675071794

In the traffic court a young lady was brought before the judge... ... to answer for a ticket given her for driving through a red light. She explained to his honor that she was a school teacher and requested an immediate disposal of her case so she could get to the school on time.

A wild gleam came into the judge's eyes. "You're a schoolteacher, eh?" he said. "Madam, I shall realize my lifelong ambition. I've waited years to have a schoolteacher in this court. Now sit down at that table and write 'I will not drive through red lights' 500 times!"

DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN WITH ALL THAT SPANISH RED TAPE! WE CAN ACT AS A PERSONAL INTERMEDIARY (VERBALLY OR WRITTEN) ON YOUR BEHALF BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SOLICITOR, YOUR SPANISH BUILDER, YOUR TOWN HALL, YOUR LOCAL POLICE AND ANYONE ELSE YOU MAY NEED IN SETTING UP YOUR NEW LIFE IN SPAIN OR SORTING OUT THE ONE YOU ALREADY HAVE. WE OFFER AN INDEPENDENT TRANSLATION SERVICE TO MEET ALL OF YOUR REQUIREMENTS. WE ALSO OFFER ONE TO ONE OR GROUP SPANISH AND ENGLISH TUITION TO CATER FOR ALL ABILITIES AT VERY REASONABLE RATES. SO IF YOU ARE ALL MANANA'D OUT AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW DIRECTION PLEASE CONTACT DELIA ON 679 219 715 EMAIL: speakersofspanish@yahoo.co.uk (ALL NATIONALITIES WELCOME)

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 5

TALES FROM THE RIVER EBRO B RIGHTER Don't you just love it when a plan comes Cancer Support Group for together? Definitely an A-team effort by all of Expats in Southern the Campaigners' letters bombarding the EU, Thank you for the enquiries emailed in last MPS, MEPs and the House of Lords. Well Catalonia. month. Please keep them flowing. The done all of you! column this month covers a number of What a delightful and helpful idea that has helpful sub-sections as requested from Consumer Helpline Ring sprung forth from Charlotte reading of a some of our readers. certain Rosemary's enquiry in a glossy Costa 012.

Daurada magazine for a cancer support group DLA for Expats from EU Have you ever tried in your best Spangleesh group out here.

S EASONS CATALONIA

GREETINGS FROM AND EBROVOICE.

News Update.

to exchange faulty goods at those gigantic industrial warehouse-type-shopping parks?

(Not to slander any stores, of course, names are omitted.) It is a nightmare on its own merits after a long journey detouring road works and avoiding holiday traffic or weekenders with an el torro demeanour about themselves.

Since my article in the November issue http://www.chroniccat.com/ on page 13 the Campaigners for Re-instatement for DLA/CA/AA complaints to the EU Commissioner are taking effect. The European Commission has published a news b u l l e t i n : http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=e You arrive and oh drat, it is siesta! Oh no, they n&catId=89&newsId=643&furtherNews=yes are open and staffed to a certain degree of competency. So far so good, we sigh.

Oh yes, they are "taking legal action against the UK for not paying certain benefits to EU Aah, but how long says "him indoors" before citizens residing abroad." we find someone who (a) understands us The UK government was issued with a letter (b) can find us another assistant in the right of formal notice for infringement of EU section community law, on the 9th October, 2009 (c) who in turns then has to locate their line giving them two months to respond. This has leader to deal with now expired!

[1] original query; [2] willing to exchange like for like; ECJ ( European Commission of Juctice) ruled [3] find our broken water pump handed in in the Case of C299/05 on the 18th October, for repair - the one they said would only take 2007 that under the EU rules, Disability 15 days to fix; LivingAllowance, Carers Allowance and [4] leave us like an unwanted pot plant on Attendance Allowance are the three benefits the shelf, discarded for one or three hours (our provided to people who need help to look after worse case scenario) until the right person them and as such are considered "Sickness returns with some answers?

Benefits". Furthermore, they are exportable under the provisions of the Social Security Avoid all this mayhem. There is another way!

(Regulation 1408/71).

Arrive at the information desk and before you The DWP (Departement of Works and speak to an assistant ring 012 on your mobile Pensions in the UK) are stating that it is a phone and ask for an English speaking requirement in order for Brits to obtain them, assistant. the "past presence test" of 26/52 weeks in the previous year to application, they must have Quickly explain to her your issues and then been resident in the UK. This letter stipulates hand your phone to the assitant and let the that is a blatant violation of European rules for Consumer Helpline sort it all out for you. co-ordinating social security benefits. In this they, the EU, are justified in commencing the D'accord! It saves you hours of frustration and soon you will be one of the Expats wishing procedure for infringement. you knew of the service on Day One of your arrival. So enter now in your mobile phone directory 012. You will never regret that handy number for any consumer issue you may have!

A WIDE VARIETY OF HOMEMADE PIES AVAILABLE

There have always been one's for Catalan and Spanish. Now there is one up and running for Expats. All Expats are welcome,even if outside our region, be you Dutch, French, Swiss, Belgium, German or English. Currently it is being administered in the English idiom.

Cancer sufferers and those in remission often come to accept the illness far quicker than the spouse or the family. It is a bolt from the blue to hear your loved one's is struck with cancer.

You go through all the emotions (or do you?) and offer help and care for them. But both sides need someone to talk to, cry with, shout at, ask questions and even plead for help and understanding.

A big question people are afraid to ask and need to ask is "What will happen at the end?" or "My spouse was given 6 months or 5 years to live. The time is up. What now?"

These folk have been there. They will offer you sterling support and good solid and comforting, but honest advice. They will be adamant. Don't give up! Don't stop as the deadline expires. Ask for a review. Ask for a second or third opnion. Ask the group! Ask by telephone, ask by email- but please do ask.

Even if you live alone on el campo, there is no need to go through the treatment and recovery on your own. This group is for all men, women, children, grandparents - whole families. Everyone is made welcomed and cherished and listened to for as long as it takes. There is someone out there who has been through this before or is going through this now, that does understand - even your hidden fears and worries.

Currently they meet once a month at the Cen Sals Restaurant at El Perello alongside the N340. Other venues can be arranged. They do support each other day and night, holidays and weekends, 365 days a year.

Conttact them on email : cancershock@yahoo.co.uk - they can also be reached on the telephone: Call Charlotte 622-553-446

STEAK & KIDNEY, STEAK & ONION, CHICKEN & LEEK, CHICKEN & MUSHROOM STEAK & ALE, STEAK & SAUSAGE

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 6

TALES FROM THE RIVER EBRO...

Cat Salut -Carnet de Vacunacìo This is the time of year when viruses abound, but when you registered with your General Practioner at your Cat Salut clinic did you visit the clinic nurse and be placed on the Vaccination Registry?

WHY

DID

I

NEED TO?

DO

MY CHILDREN NEED ONE TOO?

Oh yes! Here in Catalonia they practice preventive health care. So you need to be on the database of the Generalitat de Catalunya Departament de Sanitat i Seguretat Social Vaccination Register. They will enquire what and when you last had vaccinations in the UK and is your Tetanus current? You are issued with a paper card record called Carnet de Vacunacìo. This is essential proof required for all school going and university students too. Each memeber of the family will receive one and it will tell you when your next jabs are due. Besides your GP can see the records and will also jolt your memory bank.

ALUMINIS I PERSIANES All types of Blinds - Rolling Aluminium - PVC Mosquiteras and Screens Security Blinds and doors Adjustable Reja Bars Decorative Leaded Windows Ramón Brull Melich C/ Trenta-sis, 14 Camarles Tel/Fax: 977 470 395 Mob: 671 079 395

Cat Salut - Urgencia @ El Templet Tortosa and EAP Tortosa Oest.

Managing the lingo is very difficult for adult Expats.We are not blessed with brains like sponges and are unable to absorb a new language in three months like our younglings.but what happens when you need a doctor from Cat Salut to make a house call at night? Panic, swear, curse or cry. Then what?

Make sure: " you always have your cards handy with your registration number on. These can be accessed by any Cat Salut outlet and displays your medical history. " Call 977 - 510- 751 Urgencia @ El Templet - they do speak some English.A doctor will come out with a nurse. (This is in front of the bus station on the same plaza as the Tourist Informtion office in Tortosa.) " Have clear easy to follow directions of where you live or landmarks where someone could meet the doctor. Remember, everything looks different at night.

Better still find out your Google map co-ordinates or your GPS codes. Emergency vehicles have them installed. " An alternative number to call is 902-111-444 Sanit Respon para EAP Tortosa Oest for 24 hours cover throughout the 365 days in a year. (This number can also be used through the day to ring up and make a clinic appointment with your doctor.)

Not just any blinds....

As well as providing the full range of blinds and mosquiteras, Aluminis I Persianes of Camarles can also provide the full range of shutters, security doors and reja bars. They specialise in the motorisation and servicing of existing installations, and being a local company, offer a high level of customer service. Should you be looking for additional security for your house, or replacing your existing windows or shutters than please give Ramon a call - he would be delighted to hear from you.

A recent addition to their portfolio is the design, supply and fitting of decorative leaded glass windows and screens, which has proved very popular. Each window or screen is hand made and there are several methods of manufacture, depending on the effect that is required.

Don't forget to drop me an email on RosieReay@Fodenpress.com if you need any Expat information or general chit chat about Southern Catalonia or read a really good book you would like to share.

They can take a image of your own choosing or you can select from a vast range of bespoke designs and create exactly the effect you require. You can even use an existing photograph and have it etched onto the glass.

RosieReay.

The possibilities are endless.

"

Do not call the ambulance service unless absolutely necessary.

" It also helps if you have a few keywords that denotes body parts or your complaint and the words for pain and so on.

Rummaging through her attic one day... ..., my friend Carol found an old shotgun. Unsure how to dispose of it, she called her parents.

"Take it to the police station," her mother suggested.

My friend was about to hang up when her mom added....

"And, Carol?"

"Yes, mom?"

"Call them first and let them know you're coming."

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 7

PASATIEMPOS Cryptic Crossword

Word Search -Trees

Across

Down

1 Type of seaweed. (4)

1 (Yiddish) a meddler who offers unwanted advice to others (8)

3 Lift to the skies or to heaven with praise, king yens to be so. (8)

2 Wake up, in this olive no longer. (5)

9 Temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers. (7)

4 Noise made by a horse, undergarments by the sound of it (6)

10 A small Asian country between India and China composed a panel. (5)

5 Japanese writing, if you jink a little. (5)

Acorn

Box

Ivy

Smoke

Anona

Cork

Macaw

Sorb

Asa

Dwarf

May

Sumac

Ash

Elm

Oak

Tea

Aspen

Fig

Olive

Twig

Bark

Fir

Pine

Upas

Bass

Glade

Roan

Xamia

Bay

Glory

Root

Yew

Bead

Haw

Sap

Bole

Hip

Shea

6 An impression was made using a trim pin. (7) 11 Dance in the sun and leave. (5) 7 Fool or hoax with a seabird. (4) 12 Curer of all ills, obscurely Ex Libris without the bull. (6)

8 Extinguish the tout rising. (3,3)

14 Something that has a distinct, separate existence, appearing in tin yet. (6)

13 Type of colour for a house possibly recordbreaking without orange. (5,3)

16 Another storey resulted in a bivalve. (6)

15 Another tout in 1 for education. (7)

19 This paper would eb a bit of an 'acid-test'. (6) 17 Complain whiningly, replacing my mare. (6) 21 Face it when you receive punishment for your actions. (5) 24 A small bird that can move very fast. (5)

18 Allocate a task. (6) 20 An unaccompanied choral composition found when combining a speck of something with Turkish leader (5)

25 Freeze. (3,4) 26 Melodious mobile sound alternative N. (8)

22 Cut off from game starter losing mid-March.

(5)

27 Could be a national network, AC/DC perhaps. (4)

23 A male monarch or emperor, could be a patron of the arts. (4)

EASY

H

MEDIUM

HARD

OW ABOUT A MATH PROBLEM?

IT

IS SAID THAT ENGINEERS TAKE 3 MINUTES TO RESOLVE THIS, ARCHITECTS 3 HOURS AND DOCTORS 6 HOURS.

WHAT IS THE 6TH NUMBER 42, 1806, ________?

IN THE SERIES?

1, 2, 6,

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 8

REVIEWS Chickens, Mules and two old fools.

Victoria Twead ISBN-10: 1906558353 ISBN-13: 978-1906558352

Restaurant Review HOTEL CARPE DIEM - Miami Platja One Saturday evening recently, we had a good reason to celebrate and treat ourselves to a wonderful evening's meal at the restaurant, Carpe Diem in Miami Platja.

We had been told that it wasn´t the same Carpe Diem as in Rasquera, which we had been lucky enough to visit once before. This Carpe Forget the Christmas wrappings. Forget the roast turkey. Just pick up Diem runs under different ownership and what a wonderful warm this book, nestle into your favourite winter sunny corner and let the welcome we received from Inge, who runs the business with her world float by with this very relaxing read. partner, Peter, who is the head chef. Inge, herself, a native here for some 30 years now, speaks fluent Catalan and looks after her hotel Why? Because when you start turning these pages you will forget your guests just as well as the restaurant clientele. surroundings until the closing pages. This novel is justified in being awarded the Harper Collins "Gold Star".

We were the first to arrive that evening and had time to take in the surroundings of a beautiful hotel, newly decorated in the rich red, gold Mind you, you will be laughing out aloud, but make sure your "better and greens of Christmas time. The Christmas tree stood tall and half" waits his / her turn until the end. Don't spoil the moment! A book inviting and created a very tranquil and homely setting as our children for Expats, parents, grandparents, teenagers and those poor souls wandered around trying out the sofas and peering at the jewellery wishing they were living out here. cabinets and other rich table settings and decorations.

Victoria's descriptions are so vivid, so colourful and full of vibrancy. I do not know her neck of the hillside in Spain, but I feel I have trod every inch with her on every page. Some of her experiences are so alike our endeavours of mishaps or success, so we have found this a story all Expats will relate to.

HIGH CEILINGS, STONE walls and thick beams with a huge corner fireplace remind you of it once being an old castle with it's turret fascia, but no, to say it was once a truckers' stop is such an injustice!

Vicky and Joe Tweade's relocated from Southern England to an idyllic Andalucian life, tucked high up in the Alpujarra mountain ranges. If you are suffering wintry cabin fever blues anywhere in the world this book will definitely raise your spirits as you savour and share all their hearty frolics. Besides, you will surely be tempted to test and taste Victoria's provincial Andalucian dishes. Well, they will make a change from turkey leftovers, I dare say!

The cuisine definitely has an international feel to it and we chose with ease from the varied but well presented choices. With children amongst us, they were eager to sample this scrumptious sounding menu and even our daughter, who can be a little fussy, was delighted with her choice of Cantonese Spring Rolls to start with and Duck and Noodles for her main course. As I said, a definite touch of the Far East there! Popular starters on our table were the Barbecue Ribs, Carpaccio, Tempura Prawns and a Greek salad.

You will chuckle along amongst the gaggling chickens called B*gger and F*ck (I kid you not!) and the upturned water fountain - a precious Steak cooked to perfection, Fillet of Pork encrusted in pastry with a creme commodity in dry Southern Spain, and the gurgles of the gin twinlings. fraiche and coriander salsa, Thai Chicken Coconut Curry, Lamb Chops and fresh Sole served simply - all beautifully presented and cooked ‘just so’.

Those of us fortunate enough to live in Southern Europe will empathise with all her endearing characterisations, eccentric and otherwise Everything is cooked from being absolutely fresh with nothing prenormal, charming provincial local folk. Her creatures are all personified prepared and as Inge explained, sometimes you may have to wait a by their hilarious antics and expressions. We all have felt the culture little while between courses which allows you to savour the flavours shock in moving abroad. We all started out with a Five Year Plan (mine from your previous dish but it is more than worth it. has just been extended). Theirs is still within that timescale. But will they go back at the end of their time line, or will she start another list? The sweets were so tempting and utterly irresistible and as we learned that Inge was once a trained pastry chef, naturally, we had to try a Weeks later, after finishing the book, you will be standing at your variety! Lemon meringue pie was tops, followed by the hot Apple Pie kitchen window doing the dishes and then recall some fleeting scene with ice cream, a sticky Pecan Tart served with cream were just some with chickens or mules or two old fools of characters and laugh out of the items on the menu. loud all over again.

The time flew for us and all too soon, we were enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne to round off the meal.

Catalonian Properties New and Resale Properties, Large/Small Farms/Coastal, River/Countryside.

We have several clients looking for your property so give us a call if you want to sell it. www.catalonianproperties.com e-mail: terry_owen1@hotmail.com Tel/Fax: (0034) 977 470 924 Mobile: 606 813 219 or 615 316 722

At around just over 30 € per head, including all drinks, this may sound slightly more compared to daily menus elsewhere, but then, this was a special night out with friends and our children and we enjoyed it immensely. Taking in the magical ambiance, surroundings and the fine hospitality, all concerned believed the cost involved to be excellent value for money as the menu certainly captured our imagination and our taste buds too.

Also another advantage that Carpe Diem has to offer is that being a hotel, if you don't fancy the drive home, you could always stay!"

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 9

WITCHES ET AL...

Mysterious Cataluña - Witches

BY ACUARIO

elements, liquids and waters into a fury and that they marched against the comarca of Gualba in the form of hailstones, an event which then happened and destroyed the harvest and flattened the plants of the fertile countryside of Gualba.

Whether you believe in the existence of witches or not, witches and If you go today and visit the impressionable ruins of the castle of witchcraft exists and always has existed throughout Cataluña.

Montsoliu and talk with the old people of the area, they will tell you that On 5th December 1484 the world still wasn’t totally civilized, and within on certain nights of the year in the castle, ghosts appear, and that you the Christian world they knew that there existed, and that people would can see and can hear the ghosts that surely are the spirits of the witch encounter, “Wiches”. For this reason Pope Innocent VIII published the queen Guilleuma and all her evil court.

Papal bull (A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a pope) “Summis Desiderantes Affectibus” in which the Christian church officially recognized the existence of “Witches”.

18. 12 M in a Y

How Infuriating.

This interesting Papal bull, which had too many points to explain here, basically came to the following conclusions: 1.

Witchcraft is a reality

2.

Witchcraft is fused in a pact with the Devil 3.

This pact is based on the refusal of the Christian faith This Papal bull gave rise to the official belief in evil power, and how it was recognized that in all parts of the world there were witches.

Cataluña of course was no exception. Cataluña had always been known as the land of good witches, and together with those of Vascongadas, Navarra and Galicia, they have the monopoly on Spanish witches.

In the province of Tarragona the most influential area of witchcraft is the Ebro Delta, that’s to say all the villages and hamlets and municipals that form the comarca of Tortosa and the Baix Ebre. However the people from this area do not like to talk about this, especially those from Amposta and La Cava, but however much they deny their existence, there is a long tradition of witchcraft in the area.

From Altafulla (Tarragona) comes a story of a marriage where the husband slept soundly every night because his wife had given him a narcotic. As he slept she would slip quietly away to her business. One night it seems his wife forgot to give him the narcotic and the man woke after his tiredness passed and noticed that where his spouse should be was an empty space. He quietly waited to see what would happen and, at sunrise, was perplexed to see a cat arrive at the bed and metamorphosise into his wife.

Once upon a time in the castle of Montsoliu (Girona) there lived a queen called Guilleuma. This queen and her court of maidens and courtesans formed part of a sect of witches that the entire world knew.

They were the cause of many of the problems and casualties which afflicted the people and countryside of the comarca of Gualba. One day the country folk, who could not stand what was happening any more, persuaded a local clergyman to climb up to the castle to exorcise one and all, and this he did.

As the queen and her maids were used to walking around the outside of the castle in the evening, the clergyman seized this opportunity to get to them and to exorcise them; but when he started to do so the queen and her maids disappeared with an almighty explosion and flew and landed on the Pico de Morou, and from there ordered the

19. 13 is U F S

HOW

MANY CAN YOU GET BEFORE PEEPING...

20. 8 T on an O

TO

21. 29 D in F in a L Y

GET YOU STARTED THE ANSWER TO 1. IS 26 LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET

22. 27 B in the N T 23. 365 D in a Y

1. 26 L of the A

24. 13 L in a B D

2. 7 D of the W

25. 52 W in a Y

3. 7 W of the W

26. 9 L of a C

4. 12 S of the Z

27. 60 M in an H

5. 66 B of the B 6. 54 C in a P (W J) 7. 13 S in the U S F 8. 18 H on a G C 9. 39 B of the O T

28. 23 P of C in the H B 29. 64 S on a C B 30. 9 P in S A 31. 6 B to an O in C 32. 1000 Y in a M

10. 5 T on a F 11. 90 D in a R A 12. 3 B M (S H T R) 13. 32 is the T in D F at which W F 14. 15 P in a R T

33. 15 M on a D M C 34. 9 P in the SS 35. 88 PK 36. 200 P for PG in M 37. 4 Q in a G

15. 3 W on a T

38. 1 W on a U

16. 100 P in a P 17. 11 P in a F (S) T

39. 57 HV 40. 40 D and N of the GF

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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 10

COMMUNITY NEWS New Language Exchange Network, El Perelló area

Greetings from the Rev. Paul on the Costa Azahar

We are creating a web of language exchange partners, where you might swop an hour of English language conversation, for example, for an hour of Castillano or Catalan practice. Language partners meet in everyday settings such as a cafés, going shopping together or sightseeing, taking a stroll together, whatever they wish. I find I am learning so much about the customs & culture here, about how things actually work, from my partner, and get and give so much more than just the languge.There is a

I revel in storing up bits of useless information - like the fact that January is named after the Roman god Janus who had two heads, one looking back to the old year, the other forward to the new. Perhaps he could be the patron of anyone who we might accuse of being 'two-faced'.

Language partners need to be: Ÿ Over 18 years old Ÿ Willing to offer ten hours of your time to someone wishing to learn your language Ÿ Have some of the language you wish to practice so that you can hold a basic conversation If you are interested please leave a message with your name & phone number for me, Taru Burstall, at the Perelló Ajuntament office (977 490 007) and I will call you back, or email me at perelloyes@gmail.com with your name, address & phone number, and say what language you are interested in learning & offering.

This new network complements the existing scheme, Voluntaris per la Llengua, where volunteers offer Catalan conversation to people wishing to develop their ability to speak the language.

Please contact me about that too if you would like to participate.

CLUB DE TARRAGONA

RUGBY

Not a popular sport in Catalunya, nevertheless, the Club de Rugby Tarragona has been in existence since 1986 and has been run as a non-profit organisation.

All along our part of the coast January is marked by two fun filled occasions. On January 5th the Three Kings make their arrival in boats and in more novel ways to a warm welcome, especially from the children who expect sweets and presents.

Then Sunday 17th January marks the feast of San Antonio with bonfires (in Alcossebre a couple of years ago a strong wind meant the fire singed the awning outside the local church!) and the moving ceremony of the blessing of pets and other animals.

These two traditions are steeped in myth and legend. The Bible never calls the visitors Kings - they are "wise men" or astrologers. There is no evidence to say that there were three of them and the romantic names of Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar might add a touch of eastern mystery but is not founded on fact. The added details give the event - mentioned in the Gospels - a deeper meaning and help us to remember that wise men came to Christ. Wise people still do.

Since I came as a Vicar to Spain I have shared in the animal blessing for the first time since being ordained 40 years ago, but no one has ever told me that their dog was better behaved, or that their goldfish swam with new vigour as a result of my prayers. So why do we do it?

It is mainly about keeping ancient traditions alive and it is one of the wonderful features of life in this part of Spain. In Britain, apathy, expense and Health and Safety concerns mean that many traditions have been dropped. Traditions are habits with a meaning.

Which is why the healthy habit of holding church services takes a step forward this month. In addition to our weekly Sunday services in Alcossebre and Vinaros a new service in English is being introduced on the second Sunday each month at 12.30pm in the church in Ampolla.

We aim to make it family friendly and enjoyable worship - and, of course, mysteries, myths and Bible truths will be explained.

More details on our website http://www.azaharanglican.org

They compete in the Catalunya League and play as far afield as Barcelona and Lleida amongst others.

ARCA Association for the refuge and care of animals

They organise teams, training and games for children as young as 5 years old upwards, all the way up to running a men's team and a ladies team.

Training is twice weekly for all age groups, and once a season they are hosts to a ‘Trobada’ for the local population, attracting over 500 players from all over Europe.

If you would like to know more about any aspect of the club please visit their website www.rugbytarragona.com or call Fernando Capiglioni on 695-195877

Situated on the C42 TORTOSA ALDEA. Are you able to help us by adopting one of our loving dogs which will enable us to carry on taking in others.

Alternatively perhaps you could help to sponsor one for a small amount per month as we currently have over 200 dogs to choose from.

We would be very grateful for any help or donations you can give to us. If so please contact:

MAVE 678975816

SUE 630791918

CARMEN 655040359.

PROTECTORA.ARCA@WANADOO.ES WWW.PROTECTORAARCA.ORG

This advertisement appears in association with Catalunya Insurance Services.

Carmen and Anna of ARCA dog refuge wish to give sincere thanks to everyone for supporting them with donations and helping to raise money from boot sales.

A special thanks to Catalunya Insurance Services, all those who adopted, the friends who foster.. and all the volunteers.

Wishing you all..

Good health and happiness in 2010

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 11

GROWING NICELY HAPPY NEW GARDENING YEAR

TO YOU ALL

stem cuttings but is also very economical to buy in quantity, which makes it ideal for any major garden design project.

Perhaps you are toying with the idea of New Years resolutions for the garden this year? My resolution will be different from previous years‌I have every intention of keeping them!!! I propose to be very organised, plan all my jobs throughout the year in a five year diary, so that I can get them done on time, I want to compare growth with different pruning techniques, as well as log successes against the failures etc. etc‌.

However it's lovely to dream away a chilly winter's day by the fireside.

About four years ago, I planted a small group of Myoporum; they have now grown to over 2.5m. forming a perfect backdrop to three Yucca also now quite tall, with bright flowering Lantanas to the front, simple but the whole effect looks quite stunning, further they also provide shelter for birds, who enjoy a bath and drink at a hidden water container which adds immeasurably to the pleasure..

Back to reality - what I am really going do is make some changes now. I will replant or remove anything that didn't perform too well last year, perhaps create more structure in the design of the garden, I need to think about how I can further shape the garden in order to devise more hidden surprises and open up different vistas as I walk around with my friends.

Last year I pruned the Myoporum too hard, too late, leaving little time for them to produce the thick growth I desired. This year I started in early September, as an experiment I have espaliered 5 smaller bushes which are planted along the front edge of paved seating area, these have now started to produce an abundance of new leaves and will, I hope make a very narrow dense hedge by next year.

This is the first time I have had the luxury of a garden in the round, completely Another approach I have tried encircling the house, however, there are many difficulties in creating a large to give quick burst of colour is garden from scratch. to use a very tough but easy to grow succulent climber, I took LIKE A PAINTER with a blank canvas it's important to my first cutting when I arrived but here's the rub, I have yet to sketch in the broad picture in terms of shape and colour. discover its name, does Translated into the garden this necessitates planting fast growing varieties anyone know it. (Please see of shrubs, creating instant structural features, together perhaps with a little photo) topiary of wild shrubs or cloud pruning olives trees selected for their position and effect, this immediately transforms the surrounding land into a garden I have grown it in lots of situation, used it as a hedge or that pleases the eye. like 'Tumbling Ted' cascading Last September, I had to make a visit to England, for a brief moment I felt down dry banks. It so versatile, for example it can be easily trained to grow my emotions being pulled back, by the vibrant colours of the trees in early over an arbour or a metal archway, mine looks quite spectacular and as I autumn, the lush verdant green of the parkland lawns. As a treat I visited write this, its just glowing bright yellow in the sunshine. the gardens of Great Dixter, in East Sussex, I was held spellbound by the now famous topiary Yews (hedges and trees), planted by about a century I would love to find out its name, if you know please do email. ago, by the architect Edwin Lutyens, when he restored the medieval manor house, for the Lloyd family, although legend has it that the Yews were of medieval origins too.

The late Christopher Lloyd, eminent and much published garden designer, re-invented his family garden, using the original Yew structures, to create the ultimate 'cottage garden' that I love. He densely planted the spaces made by topiary Yew enclosures with a mixture of everyday, strong colourful reliable perennials, shrubs, climbers and annuals that provides copious flowers throughout the year, forming continual but different 'rooms' around the house.

He wrote that this kind of close planting suited him and if, by chance it had the effect of controlling 'weeds' then that was a bonus, rather than by design.

His approach absolutely reflects my philosophy of gardens design.

ALTHOUGH, FOR INSTANT growth, planting either Yew or Pine here in Catalunya is out of the question, So I have "borrowed " a few of the surrounding olive trees and have had some success planting between them, creating screens which act like room dividers giving different visual elements that lead from one 'room' to another.

An excellent choice to achieve this effect, is Myoporum, with its luscious bright evergreen shiny leaves, this fast growing, extremely versatile plant can be grown as a shrub, tree, or hedge. It is perfect for giving the structural strength that normally takes decades to achieve, offering such great value all year.

No minimum order

TIM & ELISA WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN 2010!!!

www.littlebritain24-7.com email: enquiries@littlebritain24-7.com TELEPHONE TIM OR ELISA ON 696 894 134 FOR FURTHER DETAILS

It has the added bonus of flourishing in poor soil and needs very little water, although in a long hot dry spell it is advisable to water, helping to prevent drastic leaf drop. It is easy to propagate with

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 12

OLIVE OIL VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: LIQUID GOLD Currently available in the market is a variety of oils: olive, sunflower, corn, grape and so on, but what should we look for when choosing between one and the other? All are fit for consumption but there are noticeable differences in nutritional value, sensory characteristics (flavour, colour, and smell), culinary use and effects in relation to health.

the digestive process it enhances the absorption of calcium, aids digestion and improves the functioning of the digestive system at all levels. At bone level it aids mineralization and bone growth.

At home the oil cannot be stored for a long time and must be stored in a dark, cool place and in hermetically sealed containers. The best olive oil is one that is less than one year old.

that prevent oxidation of the cholesterol transporters in the blood (lipoproteins) that are related to the development of cardiovascular diseases, and also prevent the oxidation of other related substances Advantages and disadvantages of that can augment the development O LIVE OIL IS CLASSIFIED INTO its use of certain cancers. These two SEVERAL GROUPS ACCORDING TO THE characteristics of olive oil are those PROCESS HAS BEEN USED TO OBTAIN The different types of olive oil are conferred upon the word of healthy known for their high level of a type of food.

IT: -Virgin olive oil: is not refined, and is achieved by grinding the olives to a paste, then applying cold pressure to squeeze out the oil.

Virgin olive oil is a natural fruit juice which preserves the taste, fragrance, vitamins and all the properties of the THE CULINARY USE of oil fruit from which it was obtained. It is enhances the also the only vegetable oil that can palatability of food and be consumed directly. The quality makes it much tastier. and smoothness of taste will be higher or lower depending on the As with other fats it contributes to the amount of free fatty acids (acidity) transport and absorption of fat and olive characteristics: soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the body. Therefore, despite being a Extra virgin olive oil: acidity is high calorie food, they are staple less than 1 º. foods that should be present in food Fine virgin olive oil: acidity each day, in adequate amounts, and without excess. reaches 2 º. fat called monounsaturated fat (mainly oleic acid). Because they are The correct approach in the kitchen Ordinary virgin olive oil: not obtained from animals they is not only to use olive oil, but also acidity reaches 3 º. contain no cholesterol (no vegetable seed oils as well. This ensures that fats contain cholesterol). From a the proportions of different types of Virgin olive oil Lampante nutritional standpoint, the best oils fat (monounsaturated, contains more than 3 º acidity are cold pressed as the hot pressing polyunsaturated and saturated) are and is inedible due to its and refining reduces the content of adjusted to a healthy heart and strong flavour. substances which give the oil its balanced diet. However, due to its taste, aroma, colour and many of its characteristics, the king of oil remains olive oil: it is considered a protective - Refined olive-oil (processed from healthy properties. food against coronary heart disease virgin olive oils of lesser quality by and helps prevent atherosclerosis refining): its acidity is less than 0.2 ° Therefore the best oil is virgin and its risks. It also appears to have so it has very little flavour and olive oil extra which preserves a protective effect against certain contains few vitamins, phytosterols the vitamin E from the olives cancers, helps improve blood or substances responsible for aroma. from which it was obtained. pressure and stimulates the endocrine system and metabolic - Pure olive oil or just olive oil: is a This vitamin acts as a natural functions.

It has antioxidant blend of virgin and refined olive oil. preservative preventing the oil from properties that slows cellular aging The acidity should not exceed 1º. It going off. Furthermore, in the virgin and improves skin characteristics. In is more common in the oil market. oils, there are also small amounts of vitamins A and D, and phytosterols.

-Olive-pomace oil, in Spanish BT .EUROKURIERE "aceite de orujo" (derived primarily But what are all these substances? .LTD. from the residue, i.e., olive residues What are phytosterols, oleic acid and produced after processing of the oils vitamin E? Fast Transport all over mentioned above). It is of poor Europe quality and needs to be refined to Phytosterols have the ability to reduce to the maximum acidity of 0.3 prevent some of the cholesterol that 24/48 hours service. we obtain from food being absorbed º. from the intestine, which is beneficial Special offers for regular To prevent changing the exceptional for people who have elevated blood shipments qualities of olive oil it should be cholesterol levels and cardiovascular stored protected from sunlight and at disease problems.

For more information send a an optimum storage temperature of SMS message with the word 20 degrees. Freshly milled olives Oleic acid increases blood levels of TRANSPORT to 637.937.637 produce green / gold oil which so-called good cholesterol (HDLand we will call you back. becomes golden after a few months. cholesterol). In addition, vitamin E and oleic acid are two components

Despite popular belief, olive oil is highly recommended for frying because it resists temperatures of 180-200 º C better than seed oils, is more stable, decomposes more slowly and impregnates the food less.

It is the high price of olive oil which has resulted in oils from seeds and vegetables being widely used for frying.

In terms of calories and fat, olive oil olive oil contains much the same as any other oil (sunflower, sesame, soy, etc.) or fat (butter, margarine, butter, etc..), what sets it apart are its nutritional characteristics.

One tablespoon of olive oil, about 10 grams, contains 90 calories, equal to 10 grams of butter which also contains 90 calories. The SENC (Spanish Society of Community Nutrition) recommends consumption of between 3 and 6 tablespoons of fat, preferably olive oil, per day. This is obviously dependent on age, sex, physical activity and health condition.

This should correspond to between 25 and 35% of the total calorie intake per day.

Arancha Coromina Dietician-Nutritionist aranchacoromina@gmail.com

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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 13

LA COMIDA Sopa de Ajo

Fata Morgana

Simply put, this is garlic soup, and we use a large amount of garlic in it. It is however cooked slowly so that it loses it’s pungency and becomes almost sweet.

INGREDIENTS: (TO

SERVE

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Entrantes Pastas Pizzas en horno de leña Carnes Pescados Menu diario

Horarios: De Lunes a Domingo de 13:00 a 15:00 y de 19:00 a 23:30. Sábado mediodía cerrado

4)

Olive oil Four bulbs of garlic

Plaza del Club Náutico 43895 L'Ampolla

100 g Chorizo cut into small pieces (If possible, use Xistoro the cooking chorizo) Teaspoon each of Fresh Thyme, and Sweet Paprika About a litre of Chicken Stock Four eggs - one each Eight slices of bread - toasted and torn into rough pieces Break the garlic into cloves, and leaving the skins on, gently fry in the olive oil for about 15 minutes until flesh is soft. Remove and when they have cooled a little, gently squeeze out the flesh and puree with a pestle and mortar until smooth and creamy.

Add the chorizo to the oil and fry until crisp. Add the thyme to the pan, and then the garlic, stirring well. After a couple of minutes add in the paprika, stir well to ensure it is evenly mixed and then pour in the stock. Check the seasoning and if necessary, add a little salt or pepper.

Allow to simmer gently for about ten minutes, and just before serving, carefully break the eggs into the pan, and let them poach in the soup. Serve immediately with the toasted bread for dunking!

Having written this recipe, I decided to give it another spin, and found that you can play around a little with the flavours. We added some potatoes - already boiled - and this helped thicken the soup into a real winter warmer.

Cheats Cooking Corner ASPARAGUS

SOUP FOR FOUR

Take 1 packet of asparagus soup and make up as packet states only using milk then on a low heat stir until thickened, add a little freshly ground pepper and salt to taste, add chopped asparagus, tinned or lightly steamed fresh, do not forget the wild when in season, if you have any cream or( cream cheese reduced down with a little milk ) put a dollop in the centre of each bowl and serve, all this should only take 10 minutes.

You can take the same method with a packet of Tomato soup adding a tin of tomatoes ( chopped ) or tomato frito and water, season and add fresh or dried herbs of your choice and a little hot paprika to your own taste again 10 minutes only.

THIS

MONTHS TIP FOR GARLIC LOVERS

Put lots of garlic cloves unpeeled into a small ovenproof dish ( when you have the oven on of course, not especially ) add olive oil to cover, season add hot paprika or chopped chili and roast off until soft, serve with crusty bread for a lovely garlic pate starter, any leftover oil put in glass jar for another use.

And to add the final warming note, we also chucked in a hot chili just to give it an edge. Perfect!

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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 14

LAS MASCOTAS The vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, and dehydration will weaken your cat or dog, and make it more susceptible to viral and bacterial

BY MEIKE KNOL infections and diseases, robbing your pet of It's cold and rainy outside, you're enjoying a its good health. nice warm cup of tea or coffee while reading THE 3 MOST COMMON TYPES OF WORMS THAT a new issue of the Catalunya Chronicle.

Creepy Crawlers

Consuming a worm egg picked up from the environment, generally by grooming, is fairly simple. Cats eating transport hosts such as rodents or swallowing an infected flea while grooming, dogs taken for a walk stepping on contaminated soil.

BOTHER OUR CATS AND DOGS ARE Even if you have an inside cat who never goes outdoors, a single flea can be brought in on R OUNDWORMS , H OOKWORMS , AND Your beloved cat is curled up on your lap with your clothing, or a worm egg can be attached the motor running, helping you relax, while TAPEWORMS. to your shoe. your loyal dog is laying at your feet snoring, Roundworms are spaghetti-like, and appear doing his very best to warm your feet without Intestinal worms are uncomfortable parasites in large numbers. making them fall asleep. for our pets, and we should try our best to keep them worm-free by periodical de-worming.

But this peaceful image is rudely interrupted by the thought that there might be creepy Also, some species can be transmitted to us crawlers about. humans. Though not very common, the group most in danger of this are young children.

No, I don't mean the last spiders or ants of the season having found a way into your living You can either take your pet to the room ...

Veterinarian to have his stool checked for the presence of worms, or you can buy a deYOUR PETS MAY have worms.

Hookworms are the dangerous kind, since wormer from a pet-store or Veterinary Clinic Worms are internal parasites that live inside they suck blood from the intestinal wall and and administer it yourself. De-wormers usually come as pills and are generally quite easy to your pets intestines, feeding off their blood or can in effect kill the host animal. administer. stomach contents.

And then there are the Tapeworms.

For young kittens and puppies weighing less There are several different species that can than 1 kg, you are better off using a deinfect our cats and dogs, and some are fairly worming paste to better adjust the correct harmless as long as the infestation doesn't get dosage as trying to divide the pills up into such out of hand. Others however, are quite capable small quantities doesn't work very well, to put of doing serious damage to the health of your it mildly. pet.

Just imagine that while some types of worms are only a few millimetres long, others can grow to a staggering 5 meters in length!

Yikes!

IF THE IDEA OF IT MAKES YOU SQUIRM, IMAGINE HOW YOUR PET MUST FEEL! Worms are to be expected throughout the pets entire lifetime.

In general you can expect all kittens and puppies to be infected by some type of worm from the get-go (though there are exceptions).

The infection can be transmitted via the mother's milk, the litter mates, or from environmental sources. Young animals are particularly at risk of health problems caused by worm infestations, and should not be left untreated. Usually, but not always, a young animal suffering from worms has a pot bellied appearance.

In the early stages of infection it is very difficult to tell that your pet has worms. There are few definite signs, but some may include vomiting, diarrhoea, a dull lifeless coat, loss of appetite, lack of energy, a pot bellied appearance, "scooting" (dragging the bottom along the ground) to relief itching, mucoid or bloody faeces, or coughing.

If you're holding your breath right now about imagining having to pill your cat, and are the proud servant of one such specimen that will send you off to the emergency room and I find these to be the most common type of redecorate your house before successfully being pilled, don't fret, there is hope yet. worm in my adult cats.

Tapeworms have long flattened bodies that resemble a tape or ribbon. They anchor themselves to the gut wall and feed off the hosts own food supply. As the worm grows, your pet will need to consume more food to stay active , and you may notice your pet getting thinner while eating a lot more. This is usually

For just such cat owners there is a topical de-wormer called Profender. A liquid which is applied externally to the neck base. Though slightly more expensive ... it's a life saver for some of us!

Most de-wormers are effective in eradicating the 3 most common types of worms, but you should always check the product for this.

THE FIRST TELL-TALE SIGN OF THE UNWANTED Worming preparations do not persist in the GUEST. body, nor do they remain active against A mature tapeworm casts off egg-filled worms, which is why you should preventively segments, which can often be seen near the de-worm your pet at least twice a year, four times a year if you have children, and of course anus of the cat or dog. any time an infestation is noticed.

These segments may move if recently passed and are about 1 cm in length. If dried, the Be sure to always de-worm ALL your pets at segments look like grains of uncooked rice, the same time to avoid recontamination. and you can find them in the pet's bed or other So tomorrow evening, as you're relaxing in rest-areas it frequents. front of the TV, you can be sure that the cat Cats and Dogs can be easily infected with on your lap and the dog at your feet are the these 3 types of worms by ingesting worm only animals around ... eggs from the environment.

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 15

BATTLE OF THE EBRO PART 2 BY

BRIAN HALL

IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION, WE LOOKED AT THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BATTLE OF THE EBRO; WE NOW REVIEW THE CONFLICT ITSELF.

battlefront, as well as the 4th, 10th, and 82nd Divisions. The seriousness of the Republican offensive and the speed of their surprise attack were all now apparent to the Nationalist High Command.

To the north, other Republican troops who had crossed the river at Asco, had quickly overrun the town of La Fatarella but were subjected to a period of friendly fire from sections of the second wave of troops.

The Battle During the late evening of the 24th of July 1938, selected units of the Republican Army of the Ebro swam across the river, their task was to silently take out the Nationalist gun emplacements and secure the western side of the river. This was followed at 00.15am by the mass crossing by various divisions, the battle had started. The river was forded at certain points, swam across at others and rowed across in small boats. A bridgehead was quickly formed and secured. By early daylight, engineers were assembling wooden bridges to enable army vehicles including tanks to pass over.

The initial attack in the central section was a success with many units of the Nationalist 40th Division totally destroyed. There were a few areas of resistance, the castle at Mora de Ebre was defended to the last man and caused a certain delay to the advancing Republican troops.

At the northern end of the front at Fayon, the Nationalist commander, General Yague, who was visiting the front, was almost captured by troops of the 42nd Division, escaping by car with a tyre shot out.

However, the southern end of the front at Amposta however proved to be a disaster; Troops of the 14th International Brigade failed to form a bridgehead and became trapped between the river and the irrigation canal, they were quickly repulsed by sections of the Nationalist105th Division. In all there were 16 crossings along an 80 klms. of front with frantic efforts by Engineering Divisions to build and maintain temporary bridges The 13th International Brigade who had crossed the Ebro at Asco in the early hours, had by 0800am reached Les Camposines and captured a complete Artillery Regiment. Once these men had been disarmed and passed back down the line, the 13th struck out for Corbera d' Ebre where they were to run into the 5th Tabor of Regulares of Melilla, part of the Army of Africa that Franco had airlifted over at the start of the war, along with some reserve units of the 13th division.

The remnants of 50th Nationalist Division were now scattered between the river and Gandesa, the advancing Republicans capturing almost 4000 men in a single morning.

Once this had been rectified, the united troops moved onto their next objective, Vilalba dels Arcs but by the time they arrived at the crossroads leading to the town, Franco had ordered the defensive line of Vilalba / Cobera not to be breached and a fierce fire fight erupted here.

THE SITE IS marked today by 2 large stone crosses linked by a line of memorial stones commerating all the fallen. The town of Vilalba was subjected to many Republican attacks but the Nationalist forces put up a stout defence knowing that if they lost the town to the Republicans, their left flank around Gandesa would have been threatened.

Late morning on the 25th, Nationalist air reconnaissance spotted the footbridges that the republicans had now erected over the Ebro and as a result, the Air Force was called in to bomb and destroy them. The Nationalist's enjoyed total air supremacy during the battle, one of the main factors that was to lead to the defeat of the Republican forces.

AT

AROUND MID-DAY, THE NATIONALIST'S OPENED THE SLUICE GATES AT THE BARASONA DAM, THIS RESULTED IN A WAVE OF WATER RUSHING DOWN THE EBRO AND WASHING AWAY SOME OF THE BRIDGES.

So successful was this manoeuvre that the following day, the sluices at the Tremp and Camarasa Dams were opened. This resulted in a 2 metre rise in the water level of the river. The Republican engineers fought desperately to repair the damage. The bomb damage and resulting high water levels caused by the open sluices at the three dams seriously affected the Republicans ability to reinforce their army with tanks, artillery and general supplies.

The Vilalba / Corbera defence line that Franco had ordered was becoming untenable and on the afternoon of the 25th, the local Nationalist commander ordered a retreat and fell back to Gandesa, some 12 Klms further up the valley. The new defence line was now Gandesa / Vilalba with the order that not another metre was to be given. The town of Corbera was quickly taken by the Republicans after the withdrawal of the Nationalists.

At the end of the first day, the 35th Div. with elements of the 11th, 13th and 15th International Brigades were on the outskirts of Gandesa, but General Yague's order to the 13th Division to regroup and defend the town brought the Republicans to a grinding halt.

The Nationalists had the benefit of the town's buildings in which to form defensive cover. Both sides fought with a ferocity that gave no quarter to the other. During the hours of darkness, with the battle raging around Gandesa, the Nationalists continued to call in more reinforcements including field artillery and tank groups.

The Nationalist offensive in Estremadura was placed on hold and all available troops were directed to the battle being fought around the Ebro. Some battalions of the Nationalist army and certain squadrons IN SILENT MEMORY of the air-force had to travel the length of Spain in order to reach the The Nationalist General Yague ordered forward the main section of Ebro battlefield.

13th Division, who had to endure a 50 km forced march to reach the THE

RUINED VILLAGE OF

COBERA

D

EBRE

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 16

BATTLE OF THE EBRO PART 2....

The defence line from Vilalba de Arcos was now redrawn to include the Junkers 52s bombers of the Condor Legion flew night sorties Gandesa and in order to protect the right flank, the Nationalist against the republicans. command ordered that no more ground should be given to the south of Gandesa.

The troops who had taken Pinell de Brai in a crossing of the river at Miravet and Ginestar, had in the meantime swept to their right and had taken control of the high sierras of the Pandols and Cavalls mountain ranges thus protecting the left flank of the Republicans. In the next few days the Republicans tried to further their advantage but the Nationalist side gave no ground.

Bitter fighting at close quarters was reported and many lives were lost. On the 1st of August, the Republicans went on the defensive; the tide was slowly turning against them. The one thing that they did not want and certainly could not afford was now becoming a reality, In the first 3 weeks of the offensive the republican losses were put a war of attrition. at 25,000. Because of political pressure from the English and French governments, the Republicans agreed to withdraw the International Also in early August the town of Corbera d'Ebre was heavily bombed Brigades, they were sent back from the front to Barcelona before they by the Nationalist Air Force and the high part of the town around the returned home, however some could not go home. The Germans and church was totally destroyed. This was a repeat of previous tactics Italians and other nationalities from fascists countries that fought on used elsewhere in Spain by the Nationalists to terrorise the population the Republic's side were offered Spanish nationality in order to go to into submission.

Mexico or other South American countries. To return home to their motherland would have meant their certain death. The Republican losses plus the withdrawal of the International Brigades was a severe blow; they could not hope to replenish such losses. Instead of ordering the troops back over the river, they were told to fight on and resist every inch of ground. At the end of the battle, the army did not exist in anyway as a fighting unit.

Franco realised that in order to control the battle he had to control the high ground from where his observers could direct artillery fire.

He had to take the high points of the Serra Pandols and the Serra Cavalls. To this end assaults were made on 'Cota 705'. These assaults were repulsed until one night in the early part of August, when the Republican troops who manned the hill were being replaced with fresh units; Moroccan troops of the Army of Africa made a final attack on the hill and took it for the Nationalists. The high point now gave the Nationalists an advantage they took great use of. However, other mountain tops and ridges remained under the control of the Republicans who fought tenaciously to keep possession.

In the meantime in the northern sector at Fayon, the bridgehead gained by the Republicans since the start of the battle, was crushed, the Republicans being repulsed and pushed back over the river. A few weeks later in Gandesa, the Nationalists, who had massively reinforced their infantry and brought hundreds of artillery pieces into the battle, made a concerted attack which pushed Lister's corps back down the valley towards Corbera.

It took 3 main offensives in September / October to finally break through the Republicans lines. Slowly the Nationalist recovered every town and village with the Republicans fighting a vicious rearguard action. On the 16th of November the last Republican troops crossed over Ebro. The battle had lasted 115 days. Over 90,000 men from both sides of the conflict lost their lives or were severely wounded in this, the last set piece battle of the civil war. Barcelona fell on the 26th of January, 1939, Madrid on the 28th of March. On the 1st of April, General Francisco Franco Bahamonde declared the war over.

On the 3rd of September, 1939 at 11.00am Britain declared war on Germany after the Nazi Germany invaded Poland. The dark, sinister hand of fascism was to spread over Europe. It was not until the death of Franco in 1976 that democracy was to return to Spain.

On the 23rd of February, 2010 there is a conducted tour of the northern sector, central area of the battlefield. This tour will take in visits to 5 various memorials erected on the actual battle scenes and will include visits to front line trenches including the haunting 'Les Camposines' memorial and the emotive 'Cuarto Caminos'.

Price for the tour including lunch, a descriptive 8 page brochure of the battle and a commemorative CD of Republican battle songs is 22â‚Ź per person. To reserve your place please contact:battlefield.tours@yahoo.co.uk or visit our web site:www.battlefieldtours.vpweb.co.uk or telephone 677 14 29 26

This was mid summer; the temperature was in the high 30s every day. Food and water was in short supply for the republicans who were having difficulty in re-supplying their troops due to the damage at the Ebro bridges.

The Nationalist air force had total supremacy throughout the battle, bombing and strafing, this coupled with the artillery bombardment day after day gave the Republicans no respite. Even during the night,

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 17

TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK

BY MIKE SMITH Since being back in Spain, I had a two day fishing trip up at Ribaroja with a friend from the UK. Dave wanted to fish for zander and I fancied fishing for the cats so we decided to have one day for the zeds and one day on the cats and this is how it went: RIBAROJA In the past, the carp fishing here was excellent with lots of fish in the 2–6 lb bracket but unfortunately now, they are not there in such numbers. Although, saying that, there is still some very good sport to be had with the larger carp and small cats on the conventional carp gear.

Day 1: We decided to fish for the cats. We found the river low and clear which isn´t a good sign, but we didn´t let this deter us. We started fishing below the damn with ledgered dead baits and after about 2 hours we had our first take which resulted in a fish of 74 lbs.

Not quite the monster we had been hoping for, but nonetheless, a good start. Unfortunately, that was it for the day. No more takes after that.

Day 2: Our plan was to fish for the zander from the boats so we could drift down the river and fish the margins using lures called shads, which are rubber lures with heavy metal heads. So, full of enthusiasm, we launched at Ribaroja and off we set. By midday we had had seven zander when Dave hooked into something a lot bigger....... which after a spirited fight, turned out to be a small cat just under 45 lbs, which is really good fun on light spinning tackle!

After that we had another three zander between us and having had a good two days, decided to end our fishing trip with a celebratory cerveza in Maria´s Bar!!

RIVER REPORT

387

ANSWERS TO THE MOST INFURIATING QUIZ. 1. 26 Letters of the Alphabet

So what´s happening on the rest of the River Ebro?

13. 32 is the Temperature in Degrees Fahrenheit at which Water Freezes

28. 23 Pairs of Chromosomes in the Human Body

14. 15 Players in a Rugby Team

29. 64 Squares on a Chess Board

15. 3 Wheels on a Tricycle 2. 7 Days of the Week

MORA - has been fishing quite well for the carp, the bigger fish being taken on the ledger in mid-river with a lot of smaller fish in the margins, which is a good thing to see.

TIVENYS - the weir has been fishing well with a lot of carp being taken up to the mid 20´s.

XERTA - not fishing well at the moment due to the low river conditions and clear water but for the angler who is prepared to sit it out and wait, there are some very big carp to be had. And while you are waiting for the carp you can have some good sport, fishing for the mullet.

AMPOSTA - The cat fishing here has been a bit on the slow side due again to the river conditions, but there is still a lot of carp and mullet to be caught on halibut pellet, corn and meat baits such as luncheon meat and pepperoni. Also, bass and a few zanda on lures.

I would like to this opportunity of wishing you all a very healthy and Happy New Year and for all those anglers out there, tight lines for 2010!

30. 9 Provinces in South Africa

16. 100 Pence in a Pound 3. 7 Wonders of the World 4. 12 Signs of the Zodiac 5. 66 books of the bible 6. 54 Cards in a Pack (With Jokers) 7. 13 Stripes in the United States Flag 8. 18 Holes on a Golf Course 9. 39 Books of the Old Testament

17. 11 Players in a Football (Soccer) Team 18. 12 Months in a Year 19. 13 Unlucky For Some 20. 8 Tentacles on an Octopus 21. 29 Days in February in a Leap Year 22. 27 Books in the New Testament 23. 365 Days in a Year

31. 6 Balls to an Over in Cricket 32. 1000 Years in a Millennium 33. 15 Men on a Dead Man's Chest 34. 9 Planets in the Solar System (or is it 8 now?)

35. 88 Piano Keys 36. 200 Pounds for Passing Go in Monopoly 37. 4 Quarts in a Gallon

10. 5 Toes on a Foot 11. 90 Degrees in a Right Angle

24. 13 Loaves in a Bakers Dozen

38. 1 Wheel on a Unicycle 39. 57 Heinz Varieties

25. 52 Weeks in a Year 12. 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run)

26. 9 Lives of a Cat

40. 40 Days and Nights of the Great Flood

27. 60 Minutes in a Hour

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 18

OUT AND ABOUT EXCURSION MOUNTAINS

TO

THE

I love walking, especially in beautiful and tranquil countryside settings, so when the opportunity arose to spend a morning walking in the mountains at La Senia, I jumped at the chance. Just being given that motivation spurred me on to setting aside that day,,to leave all the olive trees for a day and to give the animals a rest from me, not to mention my husband and son!

everyone to catch up. Then we discovered what the Pi Gros and the Faig Pare really were!

The Faig pare (European Beech father) has a large root with capricious shapes. It is one of the most beautiful trees in els Ports natural park.

Our Catalan friend had told us of a trip to La Font del Burga, onto to Mas d'en Comu and then to La Foradada high up over St Carles de la Rapita in Els Ports mountains from where they had a most splendid view over all The Delta. It had been a beautiful day and he and about another 80 of the local villagers had done the trip together. The next one, he said, was scheduled for the end of November and was to Els Ports again, to La Senia to see “el Pi Gros” and “el Faig Pare”. It would be a 4 km walk, enough for my daughter and I to begin with.

Having paid our 5€ to the local town hall, we duly arrived early one Sunday morning to meet with the gathering crowd in the centre of the village. We queued up for our tickets (they do like their tickets here!) which entitled us to a picnic at the end of the walk.

We then set off in our convoy of some 40 cars all heading for the mountains. An hour or so later, we were deep in the heart of woodland and rising steadily. I was glad we were in our neighbours' 4x4. The scenery was delightful, if not a little hair-raising at times! Eventually, reaching the highest point we could by car, we all trundled out and waited for everyone to gather.

The walk (fairly flat) was through some wonderful forest glades, the sheer high rocks gazing down at us from above. The birds sang, the eagles soared and although most of the leaves had fallen by now, the trees seemed magical, looming so high above us. We stopped by a natural waterfall and waited for

Quite timely, as we were just finishing off dessert (picnic hampers filled with dulces and cakes suddenly appeared!) the heavens opened.

El Pi Gros (great pine) is a black pine with the biggest diameter in the Iberian peninsula. It has 1,78 meter diameter and is 33 metres high. It is about 700 years old. It has lived so many years because it occupies two forest farms.

Not having dampened the day at all though, we returned home a little tired, but happy to have made a some new friends and feeling privileged to have been part of a group of people, enjoying nature and sport together.

What amazed me about this day is the community spirit these people had. All knew of each other, some better than others, but they were all here to share in the beauty and grandeur of this natural park.

They were both declared monumental trees Some people stayed below cooking our picnic by the DARP (Agricultural department) on and looking after the children, too young to December 3, 1992. And are situated in La attempt this walk.

Fageda dels Ports.

This is the idea of one gentleman of the village The trees were amazing and many and the itinerary features a trip to The photographs were taken of people sitting on Pyrenees for next month, The Valley of Cardo the roots and tree hugging! Four kilometres in March, a nocturnal walk to Fullola (on the later and maybe a couple of hours by now, we night of the Full Moon) in May and in June returned to base camp. there is a walk from L,Ametlla de Mar to Camarles.

The sausages were sizzling away on the barbeque and we all sat on the picnic benches I shall almost certainly be queuing up again for to enjoy a hearty sausage meal with hot beans my ticket! and bread served with lashings of ali-oli, water and wine.

PLUMBING • ELECTRICS • HEATING AIR CONDITIONING • SATELLITE TV

JR’S

Nigel Morton English and Spanish Spoken N.I.E Supplied Tel: 620 353 138

Tortosa and Surrounding areas

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 19

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS BY

HELEN ROWE

A question I often ask people I meet for the first time, is what prompted their move to this part of Spain. The answers are as wide reaching as the people who reply. Then of course they ask me the same question. Here is the story that speeded the decision to start a new life here.

A cool May evening after returning from a fortnight’s holiday in Majorca, I was trying to catch up with paperwork and hated housework namely the ironing. In my upstairs office at home I had started a long print task for a meeting the following day. Knowing it would take over an hour I shut the office door and headed down stairs to tackle the ironing. To alleviate the boredom I had the television on and started to make inroads into the mountain spilling out of the two baskets before me.

Our teenage daughter Charli was out working as a waitress in a local restaurant that evening.

I was cross that not only had I two weeks clothes of ours to do but as we had left her for the first time at home alone she had not done much in our absence and it seemed that most of her wardrobe was in the basket too. In bounces Charli tired and with exams the following day she said goodnight and went straight upstairs to bed. Peter took a turn at the ironing board and I went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Strange that someone was having a barbecue this early in the year I thought as I closed the back door after letting one of our cats in. Back to the lounge a few minutes later our life was about to change in a fundamental way unimaginably.

THE SCREAM OF one word FIRE came from daughter above.

What happen next was recalled to me by Peter and Charli. Once the fire was under control they went in to rescue our Persian cat Ekki who they found with a heat-seeking devise he was trapped under our bed. Petrified and paws stuck to the melted carpet he was alive in an air pocket under our bed. They brought him out wrapped in a towel, he was placed in the back of a fire engine with a baby’s oxygen mask over his face. Once he was breathing okay he was given to me to look after. Next in came Charli with a bag with two bottles of booze from the holiday.

At this point I was only interested in finding some clothes to wear. I was only wearing a dressing gown and nothing on my feet.

Neighbours rallied around and some how I had something to wear.

I was lead back into the house, by this time its early hours of the morning, and I am forced to come to terms with the reality that my home is gone. Maybe because of the couple of drinks from the rescued bag or the adrenaline rush, my mind became focused on the tasks ahead.

Safe in a friends lounge Peter and Charli were asleep. First ring the animal hospital, then the insurance company, respective workplaces and college. Then find a home for us. Looking back the following day, it was like a TV show, was it really happening to me?

At five I drove across the city to the animal hospital they sedated Ekki and he would be in their care for some weeks. I started down the hill in the dark to my wrecked home. I stopped at the lights rested my head on the steering wheel to think, I jumped at the rap on my window, not as much as the poor fella who woke me up. I had not looked at my reflection, I was a scary sight my hair, hands and face covered in black soot that I was to become very familiar with over the next few weeks. I let the window down and apologised. This was my time for private tears. Back at the kind neighbours house a bath and more clean clothes awaited me. It amazed me how

We both ran to the door to the hallway, as soon as it was opened the air from the room fuelled the fire ball, heat and smoke stopped us dead.

I tried to make a move towards the stairs within a couple of seconds I could not breathe and was dragged out of the house by Peter. Frantic to get our daughter out RIERES ESTATE AGENT but with no ability to move towards the PROFESSIONAL SERVICE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH place we thought she was still in, namely her bedroom we stood Large portfolio of properties within 50km radius of Tortosa helplessly waiting for the fire brigade. are you looking for a finca or villa or apartment ?

Time made no sense. It seemed we Call or email for a free guide to buying property stood for hours but it was only minutes.

Placa Paiolet 2 Tortosa (near the old bridge) The firemen were entering the house. telephone 977445497 or 645335634 English Catalan Spanish spoken In the chaos, smoke and noise I had not seen Charli running towards us. email cervantes@rieres.com With utter joy, plus shock and too much smoke inhaled, I was lead away from the scene to a neighbour’s house.

website www.realitypropertyspain.com

kind people I only knew to say “Good Morning” to, were to us. They had made our house secure, had fended off the reporters from the local paper, the offers of help were a reassurance to me that all was not that bad...........we were alive.

Once the insurance company and work was informed on the nights events I had to start looking for a place to rent short term. By late morning I had found an awful two bedroomed flat that we could move into later that day. The other two were still fast asleep and I thought it best to leave them there.

I love shopping! But with money released by the insurance loss adjuster I knew this was essentials only. Nothing from the first floor of our home had survived the heat and very little from the downstairs had not been damaged by the smoke. Parking in the multi-storey I start with Mark's with a young man assigned to help me by the store, we chose a complete set of clothing from undies to shoes for each of us plus a change for the following day. Next bedding, towels and dressing gowns. The contents of the trolley was paid for and packed in bags. He helped carry them to my car. We walk around the car park twice and I still could not find my car. Was this day getting worse and my car stolen? Then he asked what entrance had I used to get into the car park?

Thinking hard, I recalled where I had been before, I remembered going to look at the flat to rent. I had come into the city from a difference direction and had parked in a totally different car park! So walking out into the High street this bag baring young man walked a couple a hundred metres to another multistorey and helped load my car. I had often wished for someone to carry my bags when shopping, but not under these circumstances, all I could do was smile at myself.

Again I was struck by the kindness of people, next I went to my daughters and my favourite shop for cosmetics. By this time the afternoon edition of the local paper carried a front page story of the fire. The shop knowing us, had already made up a basket of the products Charli and I bought regularly with lots of other items and samples thrown in including a teddy bear and a hair brush.

Damn this started me thinking of all the things I had not thought of like a hair dyer, toothbrushes etc – I needed some help as tiredness was sweeping over me. From college some of Charli's friends appeared as if by magic outside the shop. They had looked for her but found me instead, again their eagerness to help me was refreshing, as we marched from shop to shop getting essentials, they carried my bags, their chatter and laugher was infectious. By the

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 20

SPORTS ROUND UP time I returned to collect the other two and take them to the flat I could not stop grinning. We were alive and well all other considerations could be faced with time.

A year on from this event we had all considered our lives and reflected on what was important to us. Charli had decided to follow her heart and see if she could make a career from her music.

Peter had decided that working to retirement age was not an option. I wanted a new start and a more relaxed lifestyle. So with this in mind we started looking in Spain before we could accumulated too many possessions or get sucked into the old lifestyle “pre fire”.

So we arrived in Spain on a one-way ticket the following year with a sofa, a bed and 40 boxes of personnel effects. The fire took away a lot of objects of sentimental value like the family photo album, books, childhood keepsakes etc but it also cleared us of excess baggage and clutter.

We all shudder at what might have been, especially as within two months of the fire there were three others in the city and families died.

We were luck in more than one way as it focused us on what was important.

I probably will always shudder at the sound of a fire-engine, I will never enter a building without thinking of where is the nearest exit. There are some smells that bring the fear back.

The fire was started by a paper jam in the print and a life times collection of books in the room fuelled it. Thankfully we had not gone to bed, I shudder to think what could have happened or if we would have been as agile as Charli in her escape from the upstairs.

Here are some interesting facts double glazing and security latches make it very difficult to escape a fire, smoke endangers and disorients you in seconds. The insurance company wants to know everything, they will question the number of socks and pants you have! Years later you will remember objects you had but never claimed for.

Happy Years to you all, and please count your blessings........................

Catalunya Chronicle Sport's Page with GoCatalunya.com Bon Nadal By his standards Rafael Nadal might not have had the best of seasons but Spain's Davis Cup whitewash of the Czech Republic ended his year on a high. Spain defended their title in Barcelona at the beginning of December with Nadal playing alongside Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez and lost just two sets in all five matches.

Judging by his performances in Barcelona Nadal seems to have made a full recovery from injuries that put him out of the US Open and led to his having to withdraw from the defence of his Wimbledon title.

Ballesteros honoured by the BBC The BBC presented Spanish golf legend and three-time Open Champion Seve Ballesteros with the lifetime achievement award last month for his contribution to the game. Ballesteros first caught the attention of the British public when at the 1976 Open Championship when, at just 19, he tied for second place with Jack Nicklaus. He went on to add two US Open victories to his Open wins in 1979, 1984 and 1988.

Despite suffering a severe brain tumour last year that led to multiple life-saving surgeries, Ballesteros has vowed to make a return to the game. He was presented with the award at his home in Santander by friend and fellow Ryder Cup team-mate Jose Maria Olazabal.

FC Barcelona through to next stage of Champions league Barça made it through to the last 16 of the Champions league despite facing the possibility of being put out of the competition with a win at Dynamo Kiev. The Catalans went 1-0 down within two minutes but fought back to dominate the tie with an equaliser from Messi in the 13th-minute and the winner from Xavi 20 minutes later. The win against Kiev followed a 2-0 victory at home to Inter Milan and meant that Barça finished top of group F. At the time of going to press the draw for the first of the knockout rounds has yet to be made but the first matches will take place from February 16 and include two other Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Seville alongside Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd from the English premiership.

Real Madrid are now pants If you struggled to find inspiration for Christmas presents for you partner this year then maybe you didn't get to see the new range of 'his n hers' lingerie on offer from Real Madrid. The designs come in an adventurous black or white colour scheme and feature the club's logo - Real Madrid's star defender Pepe was quoted as saying "I am sure that a club with so much history and such special fans will have supporters who will buy them." We'll take your word for it Pepe.

Vancouver 2010 If your dreams of a white Christmas didn't come true then try tuning in to the Winter Olympics from Vancouver for a bit of snow. The action starts on February 12 and it's always worth watching at least the downhill skiing, Ice Hockey (always great for a good fight!) and bobsleigh. Although there's no chance of a huge medal haul for Team GB there are hopes that Shelley Rudman can repeat her success in 2006 when she took silver in the skeleton (which is essentially sliding around on a tea-tray) and chances in women's bobsleigh, curling and figure skating.

Next Month...

Full details of all the matches in the last 16 of the Champions league.

Tickets for all major sporting events, including FC Barcelona tickets, La Liga tickets & Grand Prix tickets are also available online at www.GoCatalunya.com TEL: (+34) 977 059 101 website: GoCatalunya.com

email: hola@gocatalunya.com

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 21

INFORMATION Que? Monthly look at some differences between Catalan and

In Memorium

Spanish words English often now small dog cat village son/daughter woman/wife goodlooking/handsome married old new exit

Spanish a menudo ahora pequeno/a perro gato pueblo hijo/a mujer

Catalan sovint ara petit, -a gos gat poble fill, -a dona

guapo/a

guapo, -a

casado/a viejo/a nuevo/a salida

casat, -ada vell, -a nou/nova sortida

Advertising Rates To advertise in the next edition of the Catalunya Chronicle we would need your copy before the 10th of January 2010.

Personal Classified Ads are FREE up to a maximum of 35 words.

Business Classified ads start at €15, subject to size.

Morrell Brown died suddenly and unexpectedly at home in El Perello on 8th December 2009.

His wife Norma, his daughters and family would sincerely like to thank everyone for their sympathy, love and overwhelming support at this devastating time.

Special thanks to Nelly & Victor, Linda, Margaret & David and Marge – and – to Reverend Paul & Linda Needle for their guidance, compassion and for the uplifting service at Morrell’s funeral at the crematorium in Amposta.

We feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends supporting us all.

With heartfelt appreciation and love to you all.

Norma

This month in ...

It is free to advertise your event in this section - so what are you waiting for... let us help you spread the word.

The only event we have received is as below: The next Freesia Group Bookstalls will be held at the Homogenic bar in El Perello on: Saturday 9th January and Saturday 23rd January ENGLISH SPEAKING DENTAL SURGERY JENNIFER JACK DENTIST ALEXANDER JACK MASTER DENTAL

Whether you have your artwork or not, included in the price we offer a design service and we will endeavour to match your requirements.

The cost of advertising is €0.80 per square centimetre, and there is a 10% discount for a six month run. This price includes IVA ( at 16%).

Let people know you are in business - can you afford not to?

The Catalunya Chronicle C / Martirs 6, 43500, Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain.

Website: www.chroniccat.com email: info@chroniccat.com Telephone: 636 292 568 Deposito Legal: T-1528-2009 Circulation: 3,000 this month Printed by: Mortons Print Ltd. Tel: 01507 529295

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The Catalunya Chronicle cannot be held responsible for the contents of the articles supplied by it’s contributors, nor for the claims made by it’s advertisers.

Trademarks and Copyright are held by their respective owners.

We would like to thank all our contributors, article writers and advertisers for all their fabulous Copyright © The Catalunya support.

Chronicle 2009 All Rights Reserved.

PLAYA NORTE PUERTO

TELEPHONE BAZ ON 660 879 852 or 977 050 302 after 6pm

Last Month’s Crossword Solution Across: 1 Perk, 3 Mouse pad, 9 Episode, 10 Otter, 11 Sports jacket, 14 Pal, 16 Askew, 17 Boa, 18 Overpraising, 21 Tibia, 22 Vikings, 23 Precedes, 24 Iris.

Down: 1 Press-ups, 2 Rhino, 4 One, 5 Scotch whisky, 6 Potherb, 7 Dark, 8 Poet laureate, 12 Joker, 13 Haggises, 15 Lovable, 19 Inner, 20 Stop, 22 Vie.

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 22

CLASSIFIED SECTION Personal MUSIC LESSONS, Miravet Teacher: Jennifer Anne Figuerola, (English) Piano, keyboard, violin, Theory of Music Royal Associated Board Examinations possible Individual half hour lesson plus 15 mins aurals 10€ Tel: 977407540/654875163 FOR SALE Baby’s Pram €220 Brand New, can be used as baby car seat, pram and then pushchair, three in one. Dark orange and grey, perfect condition.

Miami Playa 977262697 buckleyalicia1@gmail.com NOT COPING? CONFUSED, UPSET, GOING MAD? COUNSELLING Person-centred, Bereavement, Family Therapy, Drink, Relationship, Sexual problems....

I am here to help: Jennifer Anne Figuerola, BA, Honours Psychology, Dip. Counselling Individual, personal, confidential hourly sessions, 20€, initial consultation 10€, MIRAVET Tel: 977407540 / 654875163 FOR SALE Baby’s Large Crib €80 on wheels(can be wheeled around the house) made in Germany, comes with lemon dressing Miami Playa 977262697 buckleyalicia1@gmail.com FRENCH AND GERMAN LESSONS, MIRAVET Teacher: Jennifer Anne Figuerola, P.G.C.E. and T.E.F.L, Professional Teacher of MFL; Modern Foreign Languages Revision for exams, Conversation practice, structured, developmental tuition, lessons tailored to suit the individual's needs.

One hour 10€.

Tel: 977407540 or 654875163 FOR SALE Trace & Invertor Charger 1.5 KVA Very Good Condition 490 Euros ono.

Telephone 650 318 700

BACKACHE? VARICOSE VEINS? FROZEN SHOULDER? TENNIS ELBOW? FEEL THE RELIEF MULTI-LEVEL THAI MASSAGE A drug-free procedure, suitable for men, women or children.

Initial consultation 20€; Subsequent individual treatments, 30€ Contact Floreal Figuerola in Miravet: 977407540 675071794 FOR SALE Baby's Pink Bath and Changing Mat €50 on a stand with wheels and shelves so that all is at hand, also has pipe fixed to bath for easy emptying Miami Playa 977262697 buckleyalicia1@gmail.com PICK YOUR OWN CITRUS FRUIT Pick your own Xerta Satsumas and oranges for just 1 Euro per carrier bag Tel 977 473278 for directions

WANTED Looking to rent ideally a three bedroom house, suitable for family, with caretaking and maintenance duties considered.

Tortosa Area.

Please Call 630 533 548.

FOR SALE 1998 Ford Escort 1.8 Turbo Diesel van. LHD. Uk reg. MOT & Taxed. Originaly from Portugual.

Excellent looking van. Serviced & cam belted. van in Uk. but can deliver to Catalunya. based L`Ametlla de mar. £1695 or euros. email peter@iisupport.com for photo`s. call 0044 (0)1268 763424.or text 0044 (0)7860 299319 FOR SALE Motorbike - Suzuki 50 cc Yellow Spanish reg. price 275 euro . tel 637.937.63

Home Massage L’Ampolla Area ~ Therapeutic ~ ~ Relaxing ~ ~ Thai Massage ~ ~ Shiatsu ~ Call Fina 669 110 719 Only €30

SKY SATELLITE INSTALLATIONS EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED & FITTED 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

CALL SATELLITE PHIL ON 977 416 090

MUSIC LESSONS, Miravet Teacher: Jennifer Anne Figuerola, (English) Piano, keyboard, violin, Theory of Music Royal Associated Board Examinations possible Individual half hour lesson plus 15 mins aurals 10€ Tel: 977407540/654875163 WANTED Musicians wanted for male and female vocalists, keyboard, lead guitar,rythm etc. Influences Rock, Country, Stones, Quo, Diamond. Jam sessions with view to Gigging.

Phone Peter 977473008 or 652995723 FOR SALE Generator automatic start/stop due to battery charge. From 999€+IVA Viggo Peetz 644 24 3415 / vpeetz@gmail.com

NVQ 3 Qualified Care Worker Available for home help / respite care

Diagnosed with Cancer? or had Cancer in the past?

We are a support group who meet once a month & keep in touch to share, care & support each other.

Contact Charlotte cancershock@yahoo.co.uk or 622 553446

Do you have any building or odd jobs which need finishing, starting or you may just need help with?

Looking for an honest, reliable and hard working person at reasonable rates Just call 693790552 and ask for Nina.

Camarles/L’Ampolla region.

For all your baking requirements i.e. scones, quiches etc. come & see us at Miravet Saturday Market.

I am also a reliable, competent cleaner who is available for work within the surrounding area of Miravet & am able to offer a dogsitting service in my own home .

FOR SALE Keyboard Technics SX KN 7000 .

5-6 years old hardly used.

New price was 4000 euro s complete with standard , bag etc. price 1250 euros. tell 637.937.637

Not harvesting olives Not cleaning villas For more information Call : 636 292 568 or 696 894 134 Email:editor@chroniccat.com or write to us at C / Martirs 6, 43500, Tortosa

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS OR A GIFT FOR YOU

CALL LORI 977 460 699 / 658 131 424

Property

El Perello/L'Ampolla/ Tortosa & Amposta areas

FOR SALE Studer inverter 12 volts.

2 years old new price 1850 euro s. price 975 euro s.

Tel: 637.937.637

Earn yourself some extra €€´s

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL SUE ON 690 783 990

Also 24/7 house/pet sitting

Contact Hazel on 638430338 hazeearnest@hotmail. com or for Vinaros/Benicarlo call Dot on 600564097

FOR SALE Vauxhall Movano 2.2 DTi SWB 2800kg Van RHD not LHD. 2001 51 reg.

MOT July 2010 Can taxed if required.

Excellent looking van. Tow Bar. 100K+. based L`Ametlla de mar. £2495 or Euros. can email photo`s. peter@iisupport.com phone 0044 (0)1268 763424

FOR SALE TOWN HOUSE, MIRAVET Ideal B&B 4 ensuite double bedrooms Roof Terrace,Garage 275 000€ Tel: 977407540/ 675071794

TO RENT MORA D´EBRE. Traditional village house.

Ideally sleeps 2 but can sleep 4.

Small courtyard, terrace and balcony. Part-furnished.

Close to shops, river and mountains.

3 month 1100€/6 months 2200€.

Tel: 977414188/670287358

FOR SALE DREAM CONVERTED BARN, DORDOGNE, FRANCE 3 beds/2 bath/2 reception, one with huge fireplace, garden, well,.....

Bargain, 275 000€ Tel: 977407540/654875163 FOR SALE Finca of 4 journales in Filato, Camarles.

Good location with casa.

Two bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, garage etc.

Has Olive and Carob trees.

Good price.

Tel: 626 111 368 TO LET 2 bedroomed apartment in Alfara de Carles available for long let from January.

Shared garden. No pets or very young children. €295 per calendar month plus electricity at cost 977 267 526 / fincatony@gmail.com

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 23

THE FINAL WORD LOST IN TRANSLATION A boy was assigned a paper on childbirth and asked his mother, "How was I born?"

SOME

WONDERFUL

ENGLISH

SIGNS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

"Well honey..." said the slightly prudish mother, "the stork brought you to us."

Cocktail lounge, Norway: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.

"Oh," said the boy, "and how did you and daddy get born?"

Doctor's office, Rome: Specialist in women and other diseases.

"Oh, the stork brought us too."

Dry cleaners, Bangkok: Drop your trousers here for the best results.

"Well how were grandpa and grandma born?" the boy persisted.

"Well darling, the stork brought them too!" said the mother, by now starting to squirm a little.

Several days later, the boy handed in his paper to the teacher who read with confusion the opening sentence: "This report has been very difficult to write due to the fact that there hasn't been a natural childbirth in my family for three generations."

In a Nairobi restaurant: Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager.

On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi: Take notice: when this sign is under water, this road is impassable.

On a poster at Kencom: Are you an adult who cannot read? If so we can help.

In a city restaurant: Open seven days a week and weekends.

An applicant was filling out a job application.

When he came to the question, "Have you ever been arrested?" he wrote, "No." The next question, intended for people who had answered in the affirmative to the previous question, was "Why?" The applicant answered it anyway: "Never got caught."

In a cemetery: Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves.

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations: Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviours in bed.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: our wines leave you nothing to hope for.

Hotel, Yugoslavia: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

Hotel, Japan: You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian orthodox monastery: you are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday.

A sign posted in Germany's black forest: It is strictly forbidden on our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for this purpose.

Hotel, Zurich: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand: Would you like to ride on your own ass?

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen: We take your bags and send them in all directions.

A laundry in Rome: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time

ESTATE AGENTS

We go that extra mile to ensure your move runs smooth!

URGENTLY WANTED - PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN L’AMPOLLA & L’AMETTLA DE MAR

The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 4 January 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 24