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The Moors held the town for four whole centuries, decor retains features from different eras, with and it was the scene of many a battle as they Christian and arab motifs and patterns as well as struggled to maintain control of Catalonia. Royal features. Originally, in AD914, they built a mosque, which You can get a sense of how huge was later destroyed to make way for the stunning by Jennifer Figuerola the castle actually is, when you Gothic cathedral we can see today. Work began on the cathedral in 1347, and took more than 200 consider that it houses 54 twin Tortosa, is the capital of the Baix Ebre region of years to be finished. bedrooms, 8 Doubles and no less southern Tarragona. An attractive, historic town than 10 suites........ surely fit for a on the River Ebro, situated between high hills just Much later, in the 18th century, a Baroque façade above its delta, it now lays claim to a population King............ was added, and new benches for the choir were of 36 000. Although classed as part of the Costa installed, carved intricately by Cristobal de To complete the 'period' effect, even the Dorada, Tortosa is actually situated in the middle Salamanca, between 1588 and 1593.Today, this restaurant offers local dishes; 'anguila en suc', of the fertile Catalonian plain of the Ebro and near is the old centre of Tortosa, by the river. The town eels in juice, 'susquet de peix', fish in sauce and to the delta. has gradually grown, extended across the river 'pastisets' vermicelli cakes. It can be reached from the motorway, AP-7, via and is ten times its original size, with a new town Other buildings of historic interest, are the Santa C42. Tarragona, 90km, Barcelona,150km away. centre. Maria Monastery and Santa Clara Convent, Founded by the early Spanish peoples, the The Arabian castle, 'La Suda', is the first thing you founded in 1283, Also worth a look is the Palau Iberians, Tortosa was originally named Dertosa, notice on the approach to the town, at the highest Episcopal and the Jardins del Princep, Prince The Romans later rebuilt the city in the 10th point, rising up above the rest of the buildings, at Gardens, one of the town parks. This park century, building the original wall defences for the night a magnificent sight. This stronghold dates currently houses the Outdoor Museum, with town The eight ancient town walls, great to back from the 10th century during the occupation works by the sculptor, Santiago de Santiago. wander along even today, are indicative of its of the Arabs, but incorporates part of a much strategic importance in the past. earlier Roman acropolis. Around the Tortosa suffered badly during the Spanish Civil castle are several subterranean War, (1936- 1939), when the River Ebro literally galleries, housing the remains of an formed the front line between the opposing old mill and two ovens. Inside there forces; it was therefore attacked from all sides. The English Childrens´clothes shop is the well, 'La Suda', surrounded by After a bloody battle, at a cost of some 35 000 from birth to 12 years four majestic Gothic windows. lives, the town eventually fell to Nationalist forces in April 1938. Much of the old town was Reconquered in 1147 by Count Ram destroyed, although some of the old buildings ón Berenger, he rewarded the around the cathedral managed to escape and are Templars by allowing them to live in still standing today. the castle, a gesture of gratitude for their part in the battle and subsequent The old Jewish quarter still exists, which actually victory. In 1283, a huge conversion dates right back to the 6th century. The project got underway, the castle was Renaissance was also an important period, significantly extended and turned into during the 16th century, signifying revival after 10 a Royal Palace. years of war from 1462- 1472, when Cataluña was battered and weakened. So strong is this Today the castle has been completely patriotism among the restored and refurbished and lives its life as a Parador. The furniture is all Catalans, that even today, there is an annual classic style, wooden beams have festival, usually 23rd to 26th July, called 'Festa been maintained and the impressive de Renaixement', when Tortosans relive this era. Gothic windows restored. Interior They don't just throw on any old rags ; it is a far ONCE UPON A TIME- TORTOSA
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 1
ONCE UPON A TIME...(CONTD) more serious, respectful and accurate reenactment of good times gone by. They pay a good deal of attention to detail and dress up in the clothes of the period. Shopkeepers sell their wares on the streets outside their shops. The 'pastisserias' recreate traditional confectionary and cakes, such as Pope carob cake, or candied squash turnovers. Many of the little squares and streets are transformed into taverns, offering food, ale entertainment and song. You can follow the 'Route of the Twaite Shad', meandering through the streets in the old part of town, doing a 'tavern crawl', sampling the ales, sobering up with a turnover, joining in with the ballads and clapping the jugglers and stilt walkers.
Definitely a three-day, non-stop experience not to be missed, packed with atmosphere, tradition, at the same time, bringing local history to life respectfully. Each month I try to include an interview or chat with residents of the town or area, and frankly, this month I had just about given up hope of finding anyone from Tortosa. It's not that I'm particularly shy, just that I haven't had the fortune to meet anyone living in or from Tortosa yet. Or so I thought. Despite having lived in Cataluña for only 9 months, I have met a fair few locals, with whom I can manage to have a chinwag, sometimes even a good old gas. It does wonders for my confidence. I'm not that bothered if I make inevitable mistakes , as they are now used to me blundering along. In my village, there is a stoic band of elderly residents who take their regular constitutions, rain or shine, are never in a hurry and always have something cheerful to say. Then there is Paco and Vincent, the ferrymen, who would be insulted if I didn't brave the bitter winds and get out to chat
Anyway, I now play with a Catalan country band, and only this week, found out that Susana, the wife of the band leader, guitarist Josep M. Bonet, is from Tortosa. I couldn't believe my luck when she agreed to chat to me. Now living in L'Ampolla, we sat in her garden, in the afternoon sun out of the wind.
Gradually, more buildings and businesses sprung up all over the town, linking the barrios and destroying the tight knit communities and along with that, the community spirit. This was in the seventies, and things have obviously not returned After the war, her parents moved to Tortosa from to how they were, but they seem to have settled Castellón, and her father, Juan Antó and his two down a bit. brothers opened 'Bobi's' motor shop. They lived in old, central Tortosa, behind the cathedral, Having said that, I wouldn't fancy walking the where she was born. 'It was so different then,', streets alone at night now, even at my age!' 'As she told me. 'Nothing like the large, busy, for me personally,' Susana continued, I got engaged to a boy, a neighbour in the barrio, when integrated town it is today. I was 18 and in 1980, we rented a flat and got The street where I lived was more like a little married. I was 19. village, each 'barrio' of Tortosa completely distinct from the next, and as such we lived very simple, We had two children, Erica and José Maria, but yet safe lives. We rarely mixed with any kids from after 5 years we separated and eventually other areas of the town and were virtually self- divorced. Later I met my present husband, Josep sufficient with the shops on our street. There was Maria Bonet, and moved to L'Ampolla in 1997. a shoemaker, and right next door, a boot-maker, a transport company, a shop selling stoves and We met, fell in love in 1986, and that was it for things like that, a pharmacy, and a general store. me. True love. He has adopted my son, as he is the person he knows as his father, as his There wasn't a tabac; everyone smoked, and I biological father doesn't want anything to do with remember there was an actual cigarette machine him. When my son turned 18, he even wanted to on the street! We would all be out playing in the change his surname to Josep's, so we went to the street every night, sometimes until 10pm, until our judge. It was such an unusual thing, that the judge parents opened the window and hollered down was unsure about the process, as he had never done this before. But we did it. I was so proud of for us to go in. him.'
No one thought about watching over or supervising us. In all my childhood, I didn't come into contact with trouble – drugs or drink. We were independant communities, all living under the umbrella of Tortosa, but really it was comparable to village life with village values. There was the Cathedral, and up the hill the Parador, the old castle, and then we had the river on each side, which naturally created zones within which we lived.' They didn't have a lot of space, and a few years down the line, there were 5 children in the family, plus her aunt, so they moved to a larger place, but in a rough area, at that time called Remolins.
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'he council decided they wanted to knock down all the buildings around the cathedral to enlarge the Plaça, and they made offers to the residents to relocate them. Not everyone took up the offer, and so the plan failed and the Plaça remained as it was. But this left many houses empty, and to fill them they were put back on the market very cheaply. The result?
Immigrants, Arabs, saw their chance and moved in, changing the ambiance of the area forever. The street behind the cathedral became 'barrio de putas', the crime rate rocketed,
Before I left, I asked her if she had any hobbies as a child. 'Yes, indeed,' she replied. My first husband and my father, Juan Ant , were President and Vice-President ó of the Tortosa Fishing Association and as a child, I always went fishing with my Dad, even when he went on camping trips. I became very good, and began entering competitions. I won many prizes.' She went inside and returned with just a few of her many treasured trophies. They were all engraved: 'Concurso Infantil de pesca deportiva con caña, Rio Ebro Tortosa, 8/9/73. Then she had ones for the ladies: Concurso femenina, Maritimo Sociol'. 'I gave it up when I married my first husband, but I had a ball,' she smiled. 'Up early, ready to start for 7am, often night matches... there were never many women though.' 'Have you ever taken it up again?', I asked her. 'As it happens, just a couple of years ago, I bought 3 new rods, and I go off on my own in our motorhome for weekends. I love it, the peace, quiet and reflection, nobody to please but myself. I remember my childhood days in Tortosa, sleeping 3 in a bed with my sisters, never having time to myself. Well now I'm making up for that. Bigtime.' So thank you very much, Senora Susana Provinciale Antó. You have given a completely honest and personal perspective to life in Tortosa as a child in the sixties and seventies.
Enjoy your fishing y ¡Bon Profit!
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 2
CARTES A L'EDITOR 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. HELP REQUIRED - Please reply to the Catalunya Chronicle if you can help Hello, We have just bought a casita near Tortosa. We would be pleased to stay in for 4 or 5 months. But I have some problem with my health and stay in need of hormonotherapia. That means an injection, one every 3 month, is a kind of special injection, not everyone is qualified too. So, after searching in paginas amarillas without results, I would be pleased of some help in order to solve this problem. Could you send me some Names of GP in El Perello, or Tortosa, in this area, that would be able to practise this kind of injection, is in fact a implantion under the skin. A Spanish or English or other Nationality will not be a problem, of course... Thanks a lot & best regards
OVER TO YOU.... Dear Sirs We have a holiday apartment in Jesus-Y-Maria in Deltebre and picked up your paper in the tourist information office near the Maxi Dia Supermarket and enjoyed it so much we just had to let you know. We are hoping to retire to Spain in about 18 months and we will be looking to buy a car to replace our U.K. one. Do you know of any good quality car dealers where we could buy a second hand estate car of around three years old as we have not seen many on our travels. Any advice you have on the purchase of insurance would be helpful also as we would still be driving back to the U.K. and visiting relatives in other parts of Europe as well. Although we said we would be retiring we will only be in our mid 50's and therefore using savings so the thought of working again cannot be ruled out completely. We would for example be willing to help out on an Orange harvest or something similar, but the main idea is to spend some quality time together and relax. Any help or advice would be most welcome and we look forward to your reply. We have not included a telephone number as our mobiles are still U.K. models. We will be reading online each month when in the U.K. and looking out for a hard copy when we get over for a break. LETTER TO MY PET TO BE POSTED VERY LOW ON THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR - PET NOSE HEIGHT Dear Dogs and Cats, When I say to move, it means go someplace else, not switch positions with each other so there are still two of you in the way. The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than
The post-bag started to fill up - many thanks to everyone who wrote in. All submissions must be received by the 18th of the calendar month to ensure publication for the following issue. you can run. I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs and cats sleeping. They can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used, is nothing but sarcasm. My compact discs are not miniature Frisbee. For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. In addition, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine or feline attendance is not mandatory. The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dogs or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough. It would be such a simple change for you. To pacify you, I have posted the following message on our front door..... Rules for Non-pet owners who visit and like to complain about our pets: 1. They live here. You don't. 2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That’s why they call it “fur”niture. 3. I like my pet better than I like most people. 4. To you it's an animal. To me he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. 5. Dogs and cats are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, and are easier to train. They usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't drink or smoke, don't worry about buying the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion pounds for college, and if they get pregnant, you can sell the results. THE DOG WHISPERER Is your dog a pleasure to have around, man's best friend?
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 3
A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING EASTER Parson Paul Ponders As the old saying goes “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” and that is good advice for the churches where I serve as Vicar to English speaking people here. It is quite literally ‘do as the Roman Catholics do’ in many ways because we rely on their generous hospitality for some of our venues for services and have much to learn from them. It is specially true during Holy Week (Semana Santa as I have learned to call it) and Easter. I have always loved this time of the year but hearing the ancient story of the crucifixion and resurrection in a Mediterranean setting makes it much more real to me. The climate, vegetation and views are much the same here as in Israel and the story comes to life much more.
a moving and emotional experience. We are grateful to the locals who built these “stepping stones” to help us remember what Good Friday is all about. When eventually we stand around that huge cross overlooking Vinaros, looking north to the Ebro delta and South to Peniscola we will remember that what happened on the cross was for the good of the whole world. On Saturday (3rd April) we shall be following another Catholic tradition when we meet outside the church in El Perello and using the “holy dustbin lid” (any suitable container will do for a starter fire!) we light the great candle of Easter. Everyone gets a little candle of their own and lights it from the main one as we begin our first celebrations of Easter bringing the light of Christ into a dark church to remind us that Christ is risen.
A couple of English traditions have come with us – Lynda, my wife, is busy baking Hot Cross Buns for Good Friday and on Easter Day there will be chocolate eggs for youngsters (and some older ones!). I was asked recently about the origin of the Easter egg. In many countries and cultures there has been a custom of painting eggs to mark the coming of Spring for centuries, but Christians were quick to realise that the image of a living youthful creature emerging from the apparent The old women stand watching weeping deadness of an egg is a wonderful illustration genuine tears at the pain and humiliation he of the Easter story. An egg is a symbol of hope. suffered. A couple of years ago bad weather forced the organisers to cancel the play half I look forward to my Easter eggs, particularly way through. We had walked up the hill to the since I gave up sweets for Lent. As you nibble ermita where the crucifixion was due to take into yours, spare a thought to say thank you place. Other people waiting there asked what for Christ who came from the grave to bring had happened. “It’s cancelled” I said “but I can the hope of eternity into our world. tell you how the story finishes anyway!” Paul Needle is the English Vicar serving local congregations in Alcossebre, Ampolla and On Good Friday (2nd April) in Vinaros we will Vinaros. He can be contacted on 662 482 944 make our own pilgrimage to the hilltop ermita, or through the church website walking along the Stations of the Cross, http://www.azaharanglican.org/ retracing the footsteps and events of Christ We have also learned that rather than cramming Semana Santa with services in English it is often better to share in and learn from the local customs. So on Maundy Thursday (1st April) we will go to Torreblanca where there is one of the finest passion plays performed in the village square. Towards the end the actor playing Jesus carries his cross and staggers up a road with steep steps all the way.
from his arrest to the cross. It is, quite literally,
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TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK By Mike Smith Since writing last month, sport on the river has been fairly slow; with the river being two to three feet up, it has been a case of fishing the slacks and sitting it out, waiting for a bite. I have found that using a feeder packed with ground bait, maggots and worms (using worm on the hook), has paid off. On the catfish front, sport has been a little up and down. Some anglers have been having some good sport, catching fish into the 188 lb bracket, being taken by a visiting angler! There has been no news on the reported catfish and carp culling programme on the Ebro. Spanish carp and catfish fishing is hugely popular with visiting UK anglers and fishing is a massive industry in this part of Catalunya. If the “powers to be” go ahead with this cull, without first consulting local anglers and businesses, then this will be nothing short of a disgrace. Catfish were put into the Ebro at Mequinenza around forty five years ago. Carp were here long before that. Since then, the catfish have populated the whole of the Ebro and Segre river systems and because they have made such a good job of populating these two river systems in such a short time, in my opinion, it would be very difficult to eradicate them. It could also do untold damage to the river and cat-fishing on the whole. The Ebro is renowned throughout Europe for it´s cat-fishing and brings additional revenue to this part of the country. They should be promoting it, not destroying it. Let´s hope that they realise that the catfish are here to stay and that we can get on with enjoying our sport. If readers have any thoughts on this matter, we would love to hear from you. Until next time, tight lines.
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 4
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Left over chocolate steam pudding (www.LittleBritain24-7.com) and a mug of steaming black coffee - you just can't beat it to nuture the creative juices! I've been up two hours already and it is only just coming up to 7.00 a.m. I wish the wood fire would soon start roaring and warm up this lounge, as my frozen brain cells need a big push this morning. It looks sunny out there. Brrrh! That wind is arctic Senyor Mont Caro. I think it is so lovely when the "natives" from neighbouring regions venture up to Catalunya to meet us. A wonderful friendship with Catherine Earle Marsh and her very attractive daughter Paris has since ensued. All because of a chance email sent to me via my blog (under reformation at the moment) and a quick reply and telephone chat . Oh yes, our rural phone and internet line was working, despite the horrendous winds.
and turned to pottery. But her ability to diversify and turn her hands to others things, as many Expats do, she still finds time to teach a few hours of "English through play" each week. Not for one or two, but for groups of 20. She laughs, "Noisy and great fun!" I think , oh Catherine you are so brave and must be ever so patient. But that is not all - there is more. Paris has her mother's entrepreneur spirit. Dances with a regional dance group and teaches a group of twelve at the local Spanish dance school - not bad, I say, for an English "teenager". Mum sews all the costumes! Where on earth does Catherine find enough time in the day, but the costumes are so prohibitively expensive to buy ready made. When we met she was beavouring away at a tight dance waistcoat, which had to finished in time for the Magdalena - Castellon fiesta. So idling away in the spring sunshine, sipping G&T's, are definitely not on this ladies agenda - oh, if only, just the one... As much as we love our beloved Ebro River Valley, why don't we explore a little way south across the "borders" (no visas required) into Valencia. Catherine is at Vall D'Alba, only about 1.5 hours pleasant drive though the countryside from Tortosa via San Barberans, if you stay off the motorway and avoid the tolls. Yet why not make a day of it? Once you have visited her little pottery and Gallery that is stocked with more goodies than just her stoneware, but the crafts of other local artisans - Expats and locals, and explore the area.
"I have lived for the last 7 years just outside Vall d'Alba in a run down, but much loved house (we can all empathise with this) amidst the almond trees and work as a potter to support myself and my teenage daughter, who is at the local school. I have workshops and a small gallery here and also run a small patchwork group to boost the food on the table." There is so much more going on behind the scenes down there at "Country Crafts" - Mas de Isa -Vall D'alba 12194. Castellon. Catherine's day is divided into pottery all morning and most afternoons too. Her gallery is open each morning and other times by arrangement. Betwixt all this, Catherine still squeezes in time to restore her house, even though it seems to be taking forever. We all know this is a life's project. Then Vall d'Alba -nestles amongst pink and white the penalty of not living on a public service route almond groves along the Plana Alta, a friendly means she is permanently a taxi driver for her agricultural town 28km outside of Catillon. In the area and worth a visit - Benlloch- a small daughter. villagewith a family run Turron factory (Yum!Yum!) - small scale production by hand ( granny shells Catherine has plenty of spunk, coupled the almonds) run by the Agut family. with determined ambition and enthusiasm along with the need to Cabanes (not Cuban cigar attachments - unless survive, her living is very much "hand to Padre gets carried away when lighting the mouth", as with many artisans. incense!) splendid church and old area of The rewards are great and the lifestyle suits them alleyways to wander, muse and the main square both. Her eyes sparkle as she describes so vividly with large font has on one corner the well known how she changed career paths from a British tapas bar- "Bar Toni" (sounds a good meeting trained special burns and plastic surgery nurse place to people watch). Just outside the old the
town is a roman Arch-restored just off the Greenwich Meridian line. Vilaframes -about 7kms from Vall d'Alba - pretty hillside town with a medieval architecture in part and a ruined castle at its highest point conquered by Jaume 1 in 1233. Also a contemporary art museum worth a visit. They are one hours drive from Moint Penyglyosa. The usual plethora of bars and restaurants to suit all pockets are sprinkled amongst all of the villages. Anyone timing their visit to the pottery around 11 a.m. can join Catherine for her coffee break. She hastens to add that she does wash off the clay before making the coffee and if anyone fancies it they can always do a little weeding whilst she make the drinks. Catherine laments, " I never seem to get time to do the garden. I rely on my Mum when she visits." Well, why not, can't having Mum getting bored can we? In the glorious and companionable afternoon spent chatting over coffee in Partida de San Bernabe' (our neck of the woods) with Catherine and Paris, I was trully enlightened in the craft of general potting. Gosh, it is so much more involved than merely trying to control a wobbly shape of clay on a spinning "thingey-me-bob" (spinning wheel) and then shoving them in the hot fires, where timing and heat is so important, as is the glazing. I was completely fascinated and bowled over. If only I had time to attend one of her day courses, or by the hour, she also runs short residential courses, where you reside at a neighbouring property with a gentle 10 minute stroll to her home enterprise. I enquired of Paris if she intended to join her Mum in her pottery after leaving school. "No ways - far too labour intensive!" Catherine also runs classes on her patchwork (quilting to Americans, South Africans and Canadians)- details at end of article. But please let me share with you the general potting process. You will be amazed! Throwing the clay is only a small part of the process, clay preparation, trimming items, decorating and preparing glazes, and of course the two firings and recycling of old clay all go on every day in the pottery. Catherine's work is stoneware which means it is more durable than the usual earthenware used for kitchen and decorative ware in this area. Basically her clay is taken to a higher temperature than earthenware and 'reduction' fired - that is when the pot becomes vitrified due to the removal of oxygen in the firing process which results in the glaze and clay body becoming fused so making the pot robust and less likely to chip. It also stops the pot being porous so not damaged by frost all the items can be dishwashed, microwaved, or used in the oven and even in the freezer although this can weaken the pot if done repeatedly.
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 5
TALES CONTD... To make a pot:The clay is kneaded like bread dough hto remove air and ensure it is smooth throughout. If throwing several items the same - i.e. mugs then the clay is weighed and balled equally before it is thrown to a pre-determined height and width. A lot of the potters skill is in being able to control the clay and decide it's shape, rather than the clay dictating. Clay on a spinning wheel will naturally want to flare out into a bowl shape, so learning to control that lump of ground takes time, perseverance and an awful lot of frustration. Some days you just cannot get what you want! The pot is then removed from the wheelhead and allowed to air dry slowly - if too quickly or in direct sun then it is prone to crack. When slightly dry the shape can be altered using wooden paddles or hands to give a different feel to each pot. When it has reached a leather hard state it is then ready to be returned to the wheel to have the base trimmed and any minor adjustments to the body done. At this point it can be etched with tools or fine sticks for a decorative feature or writing and may have an underglaze applied to alter the final colour of the item. The pot is then placed outside to completely dry in the wind and sun and is known now as 'greenware' - at this point it is extremely fragile and carrying full boards of pots better left to the maker. All glazes are prepared here using natural products whenever possible and all are 'food safe' Local woods such as pine wood ash from the baker in town and almond or carob wood ash from the terraces can be added as a glaze on many decorative pots Seams of clay are abundant in the area but preparing clay from the garden is time consuming and unpredictable so I choose to use a local clay from Valencia which gives the honey coloured texture to many of my items.
France) which takes 4-5 hours of gradual heating or pine wood ash from the valley and local bakers to a temp of around 800C - this is not a critical who still wood fire their breads. temp as the glazes can be adjusted to allow for variance in how porous te pot is - which determines how much glaze it will soak up! I use the chimney as my guide and fire it until it glows orange within 2 inches of the top. The kiln then cools overnight before unloading Every item is checked for rough pieces and 'fettled' if necessary to smooth edges etc After a thorough dusting - particles will stop the glaze adhering - the pots are glazed and allowed to dry again. The kiln is then reloaded - this time with a cone of ceramic material that bends at 1280C visible through a small spyhole. The kiln is gradually taken up to 1280C (!) over about 8-9 hours and requires constant attendance as I it has no temperature gauge as such and the colour of flame is critical in determining when the kiln is 'reducing' which is desired by Catherine to get the colours she wants from the glazes and involves allowing more gas than can be burned through the jets - a distinctive blue flame and sulphorous smell is apparent - this process matures the glazes but needs careful watching.
& general craft courses, day workshops, classes & private tuition available
Contact Catherine for details
689 711 298 or 964 320 287
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Sales & Repairs Trailers - Sprayers Chainsaws - Rotovators
Carrer 30, 13-15, Camarles Tel/Fax: 977 470 060
All her work is hand thrown on a kick wheel , glazes are non commercial and mixed here often using almond, carob
BAR ESTACION - L’AMPOLLA Placa Francesc Macia 1, L’Ampolla 977 460 387
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Country Crafts Vall D'Alba Handmade potter, candles, patchwork and gifts.
For more information, please the advert at the foot Looking in the spyhole (safety glasses) when the of the page, or email isapots@yahoo.co.uk temperature is reached the pots appear milky or This is definitely worth a day out! transparent and jelly like with the chimney glowing white - Always a satisfying feeling Aside: If there are other arts and crafts and artisans out there who would like me to report on The kiln is left for 12-24 hours to cool slowly to their venture please contact me at prevent thermal shock breaking the items but the RosieReay@FodenPress.com temptation is always too great and I don large leather gloves to retrieve at least one item when still hot (next morning usually). Each kiln load is different and things like wind in the kiln room will always make each kiln opening rather like opening Aladdin's cave - you never know just Taller Gandia C.B. what you will have - always surprises
Each item is then checked again for sharp edges before being place in the showroom. The dry items are loaded into the propane fired kiln - constructed from recycled refractory bricks and the 'biscuit' fired - (bisque if from US or Catherine can undertake commissioned work but it can take up to 8 weeks to do. Catherine produces a range of COUNTRY CRAFTS VALL D’ALBA tableware using stoneware clay from Handmade pottery, candles, patchwork & gifts. Valencia and also make more Open every weekday morning. individual decorative items of varying Afternoons and weekends by arrangement styles and sizes. Showroom and workshops, Patchwork, pottery
ESTACION
Likewise she fires the work up to 1300C in a home made kiln that is in constant need of repair but fires well and is the perfect size for her needs. Catherine can offer teaching in both fields and run day courses in patchwork but would like to expand into weekend or longer courses in both fields.
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 6
LA LLET - ÀNGEL O DIMONI FULLY QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT SPANISH /
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“There are no good or bad foods, everything depends on the amount and frequency of consumption”
ANGEL Cow's milk and its derivatives (and also sheep, goat, etc.) are among the foods that generate most controversy, nutritionally speaking. Some diets speak of the wonders of milk, while others remind us that it is not desirable. Is it really so good? Is it really that bad? It is said that milk is the most complete food and easy to consume. The chemical composition of milk differs from one type of animal to another, but always contains a large percentage of water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Whatever the origin, lactose is sugar, or carbohydrate, which is found naturally in milk. To digest it the human body needs the enzyme lactase which is normally produced in the gut.
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In modern yogurt with active Bifidus, lactobacillus decrease 24 hours after its preparation, so to take advantage of them would have to make yogurt at home. The industry is aware of this problem and is working hard to bring to market yoghurts with lactobacillus more "active". In the process of fermentation of many cheeses, especially cured and semi-cured, lactose is converted into glucose and galactose or lactic acid, and so are also well tolerated.
Milk can be considered an excellent protein food; a person consuming only two liters of milk all day would satisfy the majority of the daily protein requirement for an adult. Casein is the principal and most abundant milk protein, and this forms the coagulum in cheese. The casein in cow's milk does not have the same composition as the casein of Lactose intolerance is due to the decrease or human milk, so can cause allergic reactions absence of lactase in the digestive tract and in some infants and children. produces flatulence, intestinal colic and diarrhea. This progressive decrease in the Milk fat is rich in saturated fat and contains enzyme lactase can start from as early as two 14 mg of cholesterol per 100 g of milk. A glass or three years of age due to unknown causes, of whole milk contains 24 mg of cholesterol, or may occur as a result of an attack on the a slice of bacon contains the same amount of intestinal mucus by viruses, bacteria, cholesterol. This is one of the reasons for antibiotics or chemotherapy, infectious recommending the consumption of skimmed or semi-skimmed milk. diarrhea, celiac disease, etc. The problems of lactose intolerance are reduced by replacing milk with fermented products such as yogurt, as in the fermentation process the majority lactose is converted into lactic acid which is good for our intestines. The beneficial effect of yogurt is its content in Lactobacillus Bifidus, since it repopulates the intestinal bacterial flora, preventing the appearance of undesirable bacteria that cause putrefaction and infection, while the acidity of lactic acid promotes growth of beneficial Lactobacillus colonies.
MAYOR S.L, Ctra. Tortosa -L’Aldea, Km.2 - TORTOSA
Tel: 977 440 440
is destroyed (the price of technology to ensure a germ-free milk), so the vitamins are usually added later. Milk is rich in minerals: phosphorus, sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, zinc, iodine ... One of the main reasons for recommending the consumption of milk is its high calcium content as milk and dairy foods provide the most dietary calcium. Skimmed and semi-skimmed milk has the same amount of calcium as whole milk. Calcium absorption from milk and its derivatives is easier than other foods, thanks to its natural sugar content, lactose, and proteins. Milk and its derivatives are an important contribution of sodium to normal diet, although milk seems a sweet food it hides a significant amount of salt. However, milk is poor in iron, one of the few shortcomings that can be seen in this food. Recommended daily servings of milk (Spanish Community Nutrition Society, 2004): Children: 2-3 servings Adolescence: 3-4 servings Adults: 2-3 servings Pregnancy: 3-4 servings
Lactation: 3-4 servings Milk is among the foods that contain the most > 65 years: 3 servings comprehensive range of vitamins, and is a One serving equals: food that provides above all vitamin A. Milk 1 serving = 1 cup of milk (200-250 ml milk) also contains vitamin D, whose role is mainly 1 serving = 2 yoghurts to prevent rickets as vitamin D deficiency 1 serving = 40-60 g cheese cured or semi causes poor absorption of calcium and cured phosphorus. After removing the fat from milk 1 serving = 80-125 g fresh cheese to produce skimmed milk the milk contains virtually no vitamins A or D unless it has been enriched. It should be noted that in industrial processes through which the milk is heat treated, much of the original vitamin content
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 7
MORE MILK... DEVIL The main criticisms made of dairy foods focus on the absence of adult animals that naturally consume milk, on the nutritional composition of cow's milk and on the dairy industry in general. Common sense tells us that milk is for infants and that in nature adult animals do not breastfeed, and generally animals do not feed from females of another species. Immediately following milking, the milk begins to break down at a blistering speed. We sterilize it using heat, turning it into "clean milk", but does it have the same benefits, and it is equally comparable to breast milk? As we have seen, milk consists of carbohydrate (lactose), protein (casein), fat (saturated and cholesterol), minerals (calcium) and vitamins (A, D). Both official and alternative diets agree that the concentration of fat and cholesterol in whole milk is superior to foods that are known to be rich in cholesterol. They also agree that there are increasing cases of lactose intolerance.
talk of people with allergies to cow's protein (casein), but it is not recognized that nonhydrolyzed casein (fragment) is a viscous substance that is used as glue in watch making and carpentry. The human baby entirely assimilates caseins from the milk from its mother, but cannot do the same with the casein of cow's milk, which enters the small intestine partially digested. This problem is worse in adults. Cow's milk contains natural hormones necessary for rapid development of calves. The most important are growth hormones, but every time we drink a glass of milk we are also ingesting pituitary hormones, steroid, pancreatic, thyroid, adrenals, sex, etc. Can these hormones necessary for the infant calf cause alterations to other "species"? Any mammal excretes toxins through her milk, these include pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, hormones and even white blood cells from mastitis, what is commonly called “pus” (the law allows milk containing between a million and a million and half white cells per millilitre).
calcium and secondly the psychological attachment to breastfeeding. In fact we can feed perfectly well, without nutritional gaps of any kind, without dairy products. Important sources of calcium include sesame, nuts (especially almonds) and beans in general. We can also get calcium from the same source as cows, sheep and goats: green vegetables rich in calcium and magnesium. The most suitable for humans are low in oxalate content (broccoli, parsley, watercress, cabbage, turnip, etc.). Moreover, some substances promote the absorption of calcium, as is the case of vitamin D. The truth is that with calcium we should worry more about losing it than obtaining it. Large quantities of proteins, tea, sugar and fizzy drinks, among others are foods that promote loss of calcium.
Where they principally differ is in talking of the The need to consume dairy products stems milk protein, hormons and calcium from two reasons: firstly, concerns about Arancha Coromina absorption. In mainstream medicine there is Dietitian-Nutritionist
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Do you find disturbing the way that cats live and are treated on the streets? Join Progat and you´ll help us to help them. Sunday 9 May is the date of the next market! It will start at 11 am and finish at 4.00 pm. The venue is the Ermita de Mig Cami, which is just over the hill from Coll dÁlba on the road to Tortosa If you have anything to donate, ie, clothes, books, cds, dvds, bric a brac, anything, please call 977 44 20 26/977 44 66 49. Donations are also welcome. If you decide to adopt a cat, sterilisation/castration is provided for free. Did you know that one cat can be responsible in only five years, of producing 20,000 descendants?! ….
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 8
WHAT'S GOING ON ONLINE? What's going on online? Your monthly round-up of the fun and the factual from the internet. General interest: Stick this on your 'places to visit' list: bit.ly/c0TOKi A descendent of dragons?: bit.ly/bYKtAl Some truly stunning photography from National Geographic: bit.ly/9nJP0d Ever had trouble opening a file? Try converting it something familiar here: www.zamzar.com Who says information need be boring?: www.informationisbeautiful.net Spanish stuff: Expand your language skills with this useful slang dictionary: bit.ly/8ewyz Quick guide to Spanish wines: bit.ly/cCYet0
History: A clever way of comparing 'the way things were': bit.ly/9s7rbr
ENGLISH SPEAKING DENTAL SURGERY JENNIFER JACK - DENTIST ALEXANDER JACK MASTER DENTAL TECHNOLOGIST
Food & drink: You can make crisps? In a microwave? In 5 mins?: bit.ly/asemb6 Just for fun: The world's most generic news report: (Warning - a couple of swear words in this one) bit.ly/cFWKlH What would Henry Cooper make of this Old Spice ad?: bit.ly/blaWWm
Mon / Weds / Fri 10.00 -16.00 Tue, Thu 14.00 - 20.00
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The most relaxed cat on earth: bit.ly/dtWBTL ARCA Association for the refuge and care of animals
And finally, meet George, the world's biggest dog: www.giantgeorge.com This round-up was bought to you by Jamie Watson. Jamie is a freelance creative offering web design, illustration, animation and branding services, based in L'Ampolla.
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
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ALCOSSEBRE The Friends of Alcossebre "Supporting our Community" - The Charity Shop is open from Monday to Friday - 10am to 1pm at El Centro, Las Fuentes, Alcossebre. Tel.: 964 414973 Over 1700 second hand books in English, Spanish and German, clothes and bric-a-brac. Volunteers to help in the shop and donations always welcomed. The next fund raising event will be the Annual Sponsored Walk in aid of the AECC to be held on Saturday, 3rd April. Approximately 8 kilometres level, easy walking from the Tourist Information Office to the Lighthouse and back. Meet at 11am for departure at 11.30am. Walkers are kindly asked to donate a minimum of 5euros. Lunch will be available at the Restaurante Mambo - menu and price available in due course. Raffle at the restaurant. Funds raised in the shop and at special events are given to local charities and organisations and totalled 13,000 euros in 2009. http://friendsofalcossebre.page.tl
Starting in 1941, an increasing number of British Airmen... ... found themselves as the involuntary guests of the Third Reich, and the Crown was casting about for ways and means to facilitate their escape. Now obviously, one of the most helpful aids to that end is a useful and accurate map, one showing not only where stuff was, but also showing the locations of 'safe houses' where a POW on-the-run could go for food and shelter. Paper maps had some real drawbacks -- they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear out rapidly, and if they get wet, they turn into mush. Someone in MI-5 got the idea of printing escape maps on silk. It's durable, can be scrunched-up into tiny wads, and unfolded as many times as needed, and makes no noise whatsoever. At that time, there was only one manufacturer in Great Britain that had perfected the technology of printing on silk, and that was John Waddington, Ltd. When approached by the government, the firm was only too happy to do its bit for the war effort. By pure coincidence, Waddington was also the U.K. Licensee for the popular American board game, Monopoly. As it happened, 'games and pastimes' was a category of item qualified for insertion into 'CARE packages', dispatched by the International Red Cross to prisoners of war. Under the strictest of secrecy, in a securely guarded and inaccessible old workshop on the grounds of Waddington's, a group of sworn-to-secrecy employees began mass-producing escape maps, . When processed, these maps could be folded into such tiny dots that they would actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece. The clever workmen at Waddington's also managed to add: 1. A playing token, containing a small magnetic compass 2. A two-part metal file that could easily be screwed together 3. Useful amounts of genuine high-denomination German, Italian, and French currency, British and American air crews were advised how to identify a 'rigged' Monopoly set -- by means of a tiny red dot, one cleverly rigged to look like an ordinary printing glitch, located in the corner of the Free Parking square. The story wasn't declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from Waddington's, as well as the firm itself, were finally honoured in a public ceremony
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 9
ESPORTS C ATALUNYA C HRONICLE SPORT’S PAGE with GoCatalunya.com 2010 MotoGP Calendar The MotoGP season gets started on April 11th in Qatar with a floodlit night race and hopes that the Spanish riders Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa can improve on last year’s second and third final positions. Spain is again hosting its fair share of races with Jerez on May 2nd, Catalunya on July 4th and Valencia providing the season’s climax on November 7th. 11 April - Qatar - Losail 25 April - Japan – Motegi 2 May - Spain – Jerez 23 May - France - Le Mans 06 June - Italy – Mugello 20 June - Great Britain – Silverstone 26 June - Netherlands** - Assen 4 July - Catalunya – Catalunya 18 July - Germany – Sachsenring 25 July - United States*** - Laguna Seca 15 August - Czech Republic – Brno 29 August - Indianapolis – Indianapolis 05 September - San Marino & Riviera di Rimini – Misano 19 September - Hungary – Balatonring 10 October - Malaysia – Sepang 17 October - Australia - Phillip Island 31 October - Portugal – Estoril 7 November - Spain -Valencia Spain beat France in Friendly The beginning of March saw Spain beat the French in Paris, their first away victory over France since 1968, and an impressive addition to their recent run of form with 42 victories in their last 45 fixtures. There wasn’t much between the two sides early on but it didn’t take long for Spain to stamp their authority on the game. David Villa put the first one away for Spain, his 36th goal in 55 matches for Spain, and Sergio Ramos sealed the game for Spain on the stroke of half-time.
to capitalise on the opportunities they had in Top Ten Football Rich List (2008 in the first half giving Lyon time to regroup at half brackets) time and come back with an equaliser from 1. (1) Real Madrid 401.4 (365.8) Pjanic. 2. (3) FC Barcelona 365.9 (308.8) Meanwhile Lionel Messi put in a fantastic 3. (2) Manchester United 327.0 (324.8) performance for Barça scoring two goals and 4. (4) Bayern Munich 289.5 (295.3) setting up a third in their 4-0 win over Stuttgart 5. (6) Arsenal 263.0 (264.4) at the Nou Camp. It was a faultless display 6. (5) Chelsea 242.3 (268.9) from the Catalans and after the match both 7. (8) Liverpool 217.0 (207.4) coaches heaped praise on Messi with 8. (11) Juventus 203.2 (167.5) Stuttgart’s Christian Gross saying, “It's fair to 9. (10) Inter Milan 196.5 (172.9) compare him to Maradona.” +. (.7) AC Milan 196.5 (209.5) On the domestic front Real Madrid are holding on to their lead at the top of La Liga, but only by the skin of their teeth. At the time of going to press Madrid led Barça by a goal difference of two after a 4-1 victory over second from bottom Real Valladolid but the Catalans put up a much more impressive performance by winning 3-0 at home to third placed Valencia. The two meet in the league on April 11 at the Bernabéu which follows Barcelona’s mid-week Champions League quarter final game against Arsenal (details below).
Alonso wins for Ferrari King Juan Carlos turned up to see Fernando Alonso got off to the perfect start with his new team by romping home to win a lacklustre Grand Prix in Bahrain. Ferrari took the top two places after mechanical problems led to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel having to drop back halfway through the race. Lewis Hamilton took third place for McLaren Mercedes and F1 granddaddy Michael Schumacher came in sixth on his Grand Prix comeback.
Semi-finals: 20/21 & 27/28 April
New Balls for Shakira? Rafa Nadal has taken some time off from his injury schedule to feature in the video for Shakira’s new single. Her latest smash is called ‘Gypsy’ (yeah, right – where’s your heather and bad teeth?) and the video was recorded in Barcelona showing the couple in moody poses, not wearing very much (how original) and has sparked rumours of a relationship after they were spotted, wait for it, having dinner together!
Both Hamilton and Schumacher have Champions League Fixtures slammed the new rules on re-fuelling saying they will make the sport boring, with the Quarter-finals: 30/31 March & 6/7 April German saying "Overtaking was basically impossible unless somebody made a 1. Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Girondins mistake," after the race. de Bordeaux (FRA) 2. FC Bayern München (GER) v Manchester A less impressive result for Spain came in the United FC (ENG) form of the country’s new F1 team HRT3. Arsenal FC (ENG) v FC Barcelona (ESP, Cosworth who, despite claims of being able to holders) run with the best of them and fielding the late 4. FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v PFC CSKA Ayrton Senna’s son Bruno as one of their Moskva (RUS) drivers, failed to finish with either car.
Winner quarter-final 2 v Winner quarter-final 1 Winner quarter-final 4 v Winner quarter-final 3 Final: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid; 20.45CET, Saturday 22 May
Portsmouth fail to make Football’s Rich List Real Madrid have been crowned as the world’s richest football club in 2009 and the first to see its income pass the €400 million mark in a single year. Barça took second place with, Messi Magic For Barça While Madrid Go despite its huge debts, Manchester United Out coming in third. Surprisingly Portsmouth didn’t Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at the feature. Bernabéu by Olympique de Lyon, putting them out of the Champions League 1-2 on aggregate. It’s the sixth consecutive year Real Madrid have reached this stage of the Champions League and then failed to progress to the quarter finals. Despite getting off to a great start with an early goal after just seven minutes from Cristiano Ronaldo Madrid failed
Tickets for all major sporting events, including FC Barcelona tickets, La Liga tickets & Grand Prix tickets are also available
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 10
REVIEWS offers her encouragement all the way and believe it or not, typing lessons!.
Mad Dogs and an English Girl by Caroline Waterman
The story unfolds in such easy flowing style and you eagerly ponder what the next dawn will bring.
A simply enchanting read for those who both have a love of history and from those who have yearnings to learn more about life and people through the eyes of an English girl's personal experiences in Spain.
Who will she encounter? What will happen?
This book is far from boring and really gives you an insight into the behind the scenes of these people's humble homes, way of life, culture and social beliefs. Her eagerness to embrace her There are still the younger student generation quest on her own and unembittered by their families lives snatched away by chaperoned, (something that her Franco and continually threaten to march. Others new Spanish friend Anita finds hard to accept as her just get on with their lives. being allowed to be so free and independence), and with such a clear, open mind to increase her fluency In each scene she depicts an aura of atmosphere makes a really fascinating read. Working in London of colours and smells and events, tingled with simple Caroline who had only studied Spanish at the pleasure of dance and music and companionship. Institute while she worked in a travel agency to She holds their culture gently in her hands and accumulate enough travel money to set off on her writes very sensitively, but still entwines a ribbon of humour. adventures. Expats who have recently moved out here, or the well seasoned one's will know of such characters in their environment and share empathy with her delicately carved Spanish characters. The way she depicts scenes are so refreshingly correct to detail and true to the age of living as a stranger at merely nineteen years old in Franco's Spain (and his after mirth) of the 1950's.
For me, her journey by train with Anita across Spain is the best. They have the most opportune encounter with a rich American in a chauffeur driven Cadillac who adopts them both as his "daughters" adds a certain sparkle and zest. For them it saves their aching, sore bones from that the slow rattling, tedious and very uncomfortable train ride. Much laughter ensues.
When you are next visiting Tarragona city come and relax and have a coffee or tea in BAR CAL MANEL Rodney, Elizibeth and Marina assure you a warm welcome. Open Mon to Fri 8.00am to 9.30pm English and Spanish spoken. Tel 653557524 C/ Joan Baptista Plana 25, near the Eroksi Centre
Her first employment is in a lecherous doctors house in Burgos.
The trip back is somewhat more nerve racking but fun just the same as the chauffeur takes them into side streets to see the best Flameco in the whole of Andalusia in the Sherry hometown of Jerez. The comparisons between the English girl's more modern culture and the reserved Anita's stiffer and more controlled one, adds a sense of intrigue as to what they will do next.
He has an overbearing wife, but one who lets her children run amok with out correction. This is all very soul restoring and you would not have blamed her if she packed up and went home. Oh no, this English damsel is made of sturdier stuff, hailing forth from the fields of Somerset. This young girl extricates herself from children who just do not want to learn All the way through is the typical of ' in love - out of English and a teenager son - Tomasin - far too much love' experiences, so typical with the age of group of nineteen year old girls. However, the author testosterone and no brains! draws on her personal experience as she describes Yet, leaving without being paid and no reference in the 'touristy' spots with such dept of feeling and her hand, does not see her crying into handkerchief knowledge. From the Castillian plateau of Burgos She is befriended by Anita , the erascable doctor's town and the more exciting Malaga, Andalusia, nurse, who takes her home to her aunt and is Granada, Seville, Jerez and Madrid, one can feel the author has lived these encounters and not welcomed into the bosom of this kindly family. merely researched them in a travel brochure. She hardly has time to lick her wounds when she sets out to scour for private students and comes The end leaves you hoping for a sequel to see what across the lovable Don Frederico. A little concerned unfolded with the love of her life. Did they meet up at the amount of alcohol "they" drink as his idea of again? Did she find her ideal Englishman sooner or showing her round is to introduce her from one later? Read on and enjoy. watering hole to another, but only with good intentions. Their friendship is sealed as he is a RosieReay@Fodenpress.com devout follower of our Shakespearian bard and thus
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 11
LES MASCOTES frustrated kitten and an irritated, stressed older cat. On the other hand, kittens sometimes rejuvenate older cats and entice them to play again and get spunky. In the case of multi-cat This is the first in a two part article, with the rest homes, to come next month. EACH cat needs to have gone through the The time has come! You have decided introduction steps with the new cat. It is to get a new cat. Or maybe, a new cat sometimes erroneously thought that when the has decided to join your garden of Eden resident "alpha" cat accepts the new cat, the other and become your new companion. cats will "fall in line" with acceptance. This is NOT necessarily true. Cats are not pack animals like A kitty is so easy to fall in love with, and whether dogs and do not follow a strict hierarchy, following it's a ruffled up old stray found discarded in a the leader. Cats are independent individuals, and dumpster somewhere, or a fabulous high bread each decides to accept or not accept another cat. award winning Siamese bought from a breeder, they have you wrapped around their soft little paw Often, it turns out that the "non-alpha" cats are in no time. You are ready to take kitty home, but the ones to quickly and relatively easily get along what will your resident with the new cat, since they are not very cats think? Yes, you concerned with being the "alpha cat". So already have one or more therefore, they don't feel a newcomer is much of of these fabulous a threat to their position. creatures at home, and want to bring in another What are often termed "alpha" cats are frequently one. But is this really a more high strung, territorial cats who really have good idea? And is it some fear behind their aggressiveness towards going to work? How will other cats. When such a cat sees all his other the other cats react? housemates feeling fine and content with the new cat, that can help make the "alpha" cat feel it's ok. First of all it can be better for many cats to not be Not always, though. the only cat. In nature, cats are not the total loners it is sometimes thought they are. Although they Two cats cuddling together is such a sweet thing, are territorial, they do have some friendly social and the kind of relationship many people hope will interactions with certain other cats. Indoor only be the case when a new cat is introduced to a cats often get bored and lonely in homes where current cat. While actual pile up and hugging the humans are gone for many hours a day. A sessions are not all that common, slowly and companion cat can help relieve those feelings - carefully introducing cats leads to most cats provided they get along! learning to get along.
Each pairing is going to be different, since cats are all individuals, with various personalities, histories, and temperaments. Cats need some help from humans to adjust to each other peacefully and less stressfully. Therefore, a slow, carefully managed introduction over many days, or even weeks, is needed to give the best possible outcome. To just plop a new cat in with a resident cat can lead to a disaster.
The younger the cat is, the more important it is for there to be another cat, preferably one near the same age. Cats under a year old especially benefit from having a companion cat. Not only do young cats like to play with other cats, but they learn social skills and comfort one another. Of course, one needs to introduce cats slowly for the best outcome.
1. Isolation: Isolate the new cat completely for a few days, and especially until the new cat has been examined by a vet to be checked for any illnesses, diseases and parasites. The new cat also needs time to calm down and get used to being in a strange place, before he or she is in a good frame of mind to meet other cats. The cat could be stressed from spending time in a noisy shelter; travelling long distances to a new place; seeing a vet on several occasions; being given up by their family and missing their familiar environment. Unlike dogs, cats do not like change. They prefer a routine and a specific environment. Once removed from said environment, cats can experience stress which manifests sometimes in fear, aggression or both.
INTRODUCING A NEW CAT
Integrating cats can be a challenge. Cats are territorial, and do not take well to unknown cats suddenly appearing in their territory. The inclination of most cats is to attack a stranger cat to try to make it go away, or to run away from it in fear. Some cats are more territorial and aggressive than others.
Various other factors can impact how a particular Try to avoid pairing kittens with older cats. Older pair of cats will respond to one another. But until cats do NOT want to play all the time like kittens the two cats are actually confronting one another, do, and you will more likely wind up with a one can't really know ahead of time how it will be.
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Do note that occasionally, some two cats just won't get along, despite your implementing a slow, careful introduction over a period of months. One cat just might be so overly territorial, or it just might be the wrong pairing for a variety of factors. Sometimes one cat will not abide a certain other cat at all, going to attack it at any chance, but, that same aggressive cat might accept a certain other cat. Take each step slowly, holding onto one step for as many days as it takes for the cats to be ok at that step before moving on to the next step. (A few hisses are ok, but not prolonged hissing, growling or yowling, nor fights.) Rushing things will not make the cats accept each other faster, but will likely wind up making them not get along. Once things go badly between cats new to each other, it is difficult to get them to go well. If you thought it would be fine to move on to the next step, but the cats turned out not to be ready, simply back track to the previous step for a few more days.
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 12
PETS CONTD... the others so they can familiarize 10. Free Mingling Full Time: themselves with what will soon become their The cats are let together freely all the time roommate. when all the above steps have gone well. Backtrack to the limited mingling if the cats 3. Visual Familiarization: weren't quite ready to be together all the Seeing eachh other with no physical time. contact, such as from a slightly cracked opened door a few times a day. This is done The process needs to be worked on daily, along with Scent Familiarization. staying on each step for as many days as needed, so as not to prolong things overly 4. Room Swapping: much. If the cats are Switching the cats' places for a while every aware of each other's day, with no physical contact between them. presence, but too This is added to doing Scent Familiarization long a time goes by and Visual Familiarization. without any sort of movement towards 5. Developing Positive Associations: integration, that can Start developing positive associations with make the cats feel no physical contact, such as by feeding the they don't belong cats on opposite sides of a door when together and can make them each develop cracked opened and even when it is shut. more territorial feelings than they had. The Continue with the above steps as well. cats also know the humans are keeping them apart, so if that is happening for a great 6. Short Supervised Visits: Brief, highly supervised visits paired with length of time when no hostilities had been food or treats. Continue with Room apparent so far, the cats may even come to Swapping, but Scent Familiarization and think the humans feel something is amiss Visual Familiarization can be discontinued. with the other cat and may become much warier and less readily accepting of each 7. Separation at Signs of Hostilities: other. Separate the cats at signs of hostilities, or great fear. Learn cat body language to tell You may come across advice saying to when a problem is starting. Some signs ignore the new cat so the resident cat could be: Flattened ears and narrowed eyes doesn't get upset. Do NOT do that. If you can indicate an upset and defensive cat. ignore a new cat in front of the resident cat, Aggressive stalking pose could mean it makes the resident cat feel you don't really immediate attack on the other cat; Hissing; care or want that cat there either. It also growls; yowls and raised fur and bottlebrush makes the new cat feel unwanted and tail are all signs of hostilities and the parties uncared for. should be separated to calm down. It is good to show affection to the new cat, 8. Longer, Carefully Supervised Visits: Mingling under very careful supervision for up to a few hours, before total separation again. Adjust the length of time depending upon whether there are any signs of hostilities or stress, but no matter how well things seem, do not yet permit 24/7 free mingling. Continue with Room Swapping. 9. Limited Free Mingling: When the above have gone well, free mingling except when the people are not home or asleep, so quick intervention can be done if needed.
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 13
GROWING NICELY buying an ice cream, it is about the same price, lasts longer and gives me so much At last spring is here, time to brighten the more pleasure! I like to buy lots of 'ice cream' garden and in doing so, lift ones spirit. There these days. is nothing quite like buying annuals, just to decorate and give a different appearance to The winter plants have done their job. I now I want a new focus, a different combination to certain crucial areas of the garden. give that added sparkle 'the wow factor' as Many, so called annuals will last me for years the TV presenters are always telling us. For here in Catalunya, and I have long since given me it's a joy to go out and buy plants, which up the idea of growing annuals from seed, my will give me a new design, and different colour only successful seedlings have planted scheme. themselves, like Calendula, Nasturtium Saponaria or 'Love in the mist' are all abundant at the moment. I will however need to replace some of the ivyleaf Geraniums, after the winter, I have a collection (bruised and battered by the cold winds), of a beautiful small flowered pink French Geranium, called Pelargonium x hederaefolia Rey Balcon, also I can never resist the bright red Geraniums that even on a dull day shout Mediterranean to me! Shopping Therapy
In the autumn I chose cyclamen in white and different shades of pink combined with velvety almost black violas, what a delicious winter array they are, now seedlings of Saponaria ocymoides have spontaneously appeared (seeded no doubt from surrounding planters) giving masses of pink flowers, which look like tiny butterflies trailing over the edges of the containers, softening the entire effect, showing that winter is really at an end. It seems a shame to move them but I need
the planting areas around the house to look spectacular during all through the hard dry summer months, I know if I give these plants plenty of water now, they won't even know, they have been moved away from the house into the background. The wisest trick ofcourse is to have duplicate planters that can be moved into position as the earlier plants begin to fade, but that is beyond my budget again this year. I have known for years that my garden is my therapy and buying plants is certainly shopping therapy, which we all need from time to time. My family have a joke, they consider that for me, buying a plant, is like
and although they had such a wide range of different aromatic varieties, it was the friendly help and advice I was offered from Julia, who directed me to some of the more unusual herbs, that clinched my return visit. I decided on my second visit, that this would be the garden centre where I would choose to buy my annuals. After that it just became the place I would visit when I needed to replace a plant, buy a small gift, or just spend an hour or so looking around, with absolutely no pressure to buy. I want annuals that will flower through the heat of July and August when most plants go
When I first arrived here I trawled through every garden centre I passed, buying a few plants here and a few more there, frequently unable to buy enough plants of my choice in one go. It was quite a hit or miss, time consuming activity, which took away a lot of buying pleasure.
to sleep in my garden, lots of Portulaca by the gate where it is hot and dry, I think with Livingstone daisy Mesembryanthemum. I like to underplant the geraniums with Bizzy Lizzies Impatiens and hope they will fill in with Then I discovered El Mola Garden Centre, lots of colour when the geraniums rest for they are situated well off the main road, August. (please see our map). A friend recommended I visit them, after I admired all her excellent But what I actually buy is always to do with purchases, especially when she told me what what is available; I want good quality, healthy plants at a reasonable price, in interesting very reasonable prices she had paid. colour combinations. I always go back to El The Margalef family, who have built this Mola Garden Centre, where I know there will thriving business over the last thirteen years, be a large selection of good quality annuals not only have an eye for quality and design from which to choose. I also want to buy trays but also real desire to make each customer full of a single colour as I like a mass effect, very welcome. Pepi told me 'We try to with only a small selection of different kinds maintain a pleasant and safe environment in of flower planted together. which our customers can wander at their leisure, to enjoy the many plants, flowers and On one visit, a few months ago I was a little hesitant, when I realised that five out of the trees available.' eight small cyclamen I bought were small Antonio and Pepi own E Mola and run the gifts, I asked for them to be gift wrapped. Pepi business with their two daughters Julia and immediately asked me if I wanted to choose Paula, together they have created well my gift wrapping (what colour) combinations, defined produce selling areas, displayed (which I always do) she then spent her within the structure of a tranquil garden. The precious time, wrapping my little gifts and grounds are beautifully landscaped with huge chatting amiably. Her willingness and smile specimen planting and hedges dividing the were a pleasure for me, after such a lot of different types of plants and trees. This was extra work for my small purchases. where I checked out the height possibilities and pruning scheme for the Myoporum Pepi and Antonio are adamant that it is essential for them, in this current economic hedge, I eventually ordered from El Mola. crisis, to price, very keenly, but without On my first visit, about seven or eight years compromising on the quality of the stock. This ago, I just wanted to extend my herb garden, year they have even been able to reduce the
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 14
STILL GROWING price of the enormous bags of Universal Compost from 10 euro's to However, I consider all the ceramic pots I initially bought have been 8 euro's. I wanted to buy some Palms which were displayed on the such a good investment; I am still using my original pots after years front stands, when I noticed how well priced they were at 16 euro's of exposure to winters in the mountains with absolutely no weather damage. for a sizable plant and only 5 euro's for the smaller ones. Several years ago I bought some small yucca's, for no other reason than the price! Now they are quite a show piece, grouped together, they stand well over two metres tall and still growing, whereas some cuttings I took at about the same time, will be lucky if they reach quarter of a metre by the end of this year. I have now decided I am too old to wait, I will indulge in more shopping therapy and I must buy well established plants if I want to enjoy a mature garden to relax in.
I have noticed that El Mola has a wider more diverse range of plants this year, many of which I recognise as durable, reliable shrubs that were the backbone of my garden in the UK, hardy shrubs like Weigela, Berberis, together with several types of Ceanothus and Buddleia.
Pepi says that although they are always searching for new, different plants and are now selling a much more varied stock, that are interesting to their international customers, she insists, that I love the collection of large ceramic pots and containers, in different everything they supply is suitable to growing here in Catalunya. To colours and designs, at prove it, situated at the rear of the parking space is their own El Mola displayed spectacular private garden. together with birdbaths sundials, garden fountains and sculptures, Ctra. Plages El Perelloin an enclosure situated L’Ampolla Tel/Fax: 977 26 78 26 along the entrance Find us on the road to El driveway, they are so Perello from Cap Roig, cleverly placed, your eye L’Ampolla is drawn towards just the large pots you have been searching for, before you have even parked your car in the ample carpark, then of-course, when you wander back to take a second look, and you are pleasantly surprised by the price, as I was, you will be unable to resist them.
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 15
IBERIAN HISTORY A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME ON IBERIAN HISTORY By Brian Hall O.K. you lot at the back, stop yawning and just before you turn the page I know that history is like so much dust on the top of a cupboard, best left alone and certainly not to draw your fingers through! But just a minute, now that you live in another country than that shown on your passport and you may not have yet (or never will) have got to grips with the language, getting to know the history of the Iberian peninsular can be fun, for once you know a little of the history you are more than half way there in knowing the people of Spain.
starts here but we move quickly on ( I did say in the heading that this was a ‘brief moment in time….’ to 300,000 years ago, for not far from the site at Gran Dolina where the initial find was made, a small pit was discovered which was almost full of human bone fossils dating from that period. So great was the find that 80% of all known worldwide human remains dating from that period were excavated from this small pit. So it’s not only now that people enjoy the lifestyle of Spain, 300,000 years ago mankind found the climate here also to his liking.
milestones in history the race that we know today as the Spaniard. The area around Almeria quickly grew to adopt this new concept of living. People settled there and the area thrived using the new technology of the era. A race of people escaping the creeping sands of North Africa moved in the area, these people could trace their ancestry way back in history to the Dravidian speakers of southern India. This part of the peninsular was to become a great big melting pot from which the Spaniard would rise.
The Bronze Age followed and the copper deposits in and around Almeria were exploited to the full. Even to this day the landscape in certain areas of Almeria is racked with the scars of early mining as the earth was robbed of its ores. (The remarkable thing here is that, aprox. 2000 years B.C., the Iberian peninsular was undergoing the Why do I use the word Iberian and also the word Bronze Age, and approx. 3500 years later, when Spain? Well, first lesson in history, Iberian means the Spanish conquistadors were active in Latin the whole of the peninsular i.e. Portugal, Spain America, they came across the same level of as a whole and Andorra but not the Balearic technology in Mexico but 3500 years later!) The Islands and Spain means, well Spain as a whole Bronze Age on the peninsular and indeed including all the islands, Mediterranean and elsewhere across Europe marked the end of the Atlantic. Stone Age and consigned weapons made of When the Canaries were populated by Spaniards stone, flint and bone into the dustbin of history. Ah! You say, where did Portugal go? in the 15th C. descendants of the Gaunche were Well, Portugal never went anywhere, for a period still living on the islands but the Spaniards quickly Bronze, a relatively hard metal or to be precise a of time, Portugal was part of Spain. To be exact, saw to the end of them, after all, at this time Spain metallic alloy, is made from copper and tin and Portugal on 2 occasions was part of Spain but the was an expanding country fired with a mission, can be worked to give a sharp semi-durable edge. Portuguese fought 2 wars of independence with that of spreading Christianity at the point of a It can be crafted also into fine jewellery, necklaces the rest of Spain and on each occasion won, sword, however, we digress and there’s more of and wristbands. It was also used in small shields and weapons and is a considerably heavy metal. gaining independence on both occasions. Why, that to come later. Copper and tin ores are only very rarely found do you ask 2 wars if they won the first? – well, in By the time of the New Stone age things were to-gether, and never in Europe. asking this you are well on the way to really pacing ahead. The climate was beginning understanding Spain and the Spaniard! So far so good but we are jumping the gun a little for we to get warmer (that seems to ring a bell) and there It is thought that tin used in the smelting of bronze is evidence that other races entered the in Spain came from Cornwall in exchange for the have to go back, -- way back. peninsular from Northern Africa and that they copper to enable the Bronze Age to develop in In fact almost 800,000 years ago to start our story actually built primitive rock shelters rather than to England, a kind of early free trade arrangement. live in caves. Evidence of painting to depict life at Further, much larger deposits of copper were to on Iberian history. that time still remains although in a more primitive be found in great quantities in and around the Spain’s history can be traced back to what form than that of previous inhabitants. They still River Tinto on the south-western edge of the land historians call ‘pre history’, the time when we hunted their food, farming at this stage throughout mass. The river rises in the Sierra Morena mountains and flows into the Gulf of Cadiz at know very little of our predecessors for they left Europe wasn’t even thought of. Huelva and about this time, mining was very little of their passing through time, but here Around 5000BC, is considered the dawn of commenced in order to reap the vast deposits of on the Iberian peninsular remains of early man civilization. At the eastern end of the copper along the river basin. It was these large were found at Gran Dolina in the Sierra de Mediterranean, in Egypt and Mesopotamia, a deposits of easily mined copper that gave the river Atapuerca, Burgos whilst engineers were driving great revolution in the progress of mankind was its red colour even to be seen today. a new railway through the region in 1964. These underway. The plough had been developed and remains, proof of a new species which were named homo antecessor by Spanish cultivation of land to produce food was afoot. Other metals that were in demand could also be archaeologists are the earliest evidence of Cattle had been domesticated and wheat grown found in the river bed such as silver and gold. in relative abundance. Food was plentiful and These precious and semi precious metals were hominids in Europe. They in fact pre-date other European finds of early population growth was accelerating. It took until in great demand and as such the area attracted man by at least 250,000 years! Spanish history 3000/2500 years BC for this surge to find its way onto the peninsular either from the northern costal strip of the Extensive Range of Building Materials Mediterranean or from North Africa Tel. 977 500 306 but by 2000BC it was well established www.materialsgisbert.com around all the coastline of the clientes@materialsgisbert.com Mediterranean. It is at this time, 2,500BC that a development began Carretera Gandesa km 3 that was to forge along with other 43590 JESUS- TORTOSA Another leap forward in time brings us to the Old Stone Age and at this period there is evidence that mankind in Spain was thriving and was culturally aware of his surroundings. Cave paintings from this period abound throughout the northern area of the peninsular and into what we now call France. Interestingly, around this period of time a race of people known as the Gaunche were established on the islands we know as the Canaries. They too left cave paintings of a similar style although the perpetrators are thought to have originated from North Africa.
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 16
HISTORY II people from different areas of the then known Africa, Carthage, grew in strength both in trade world. Trade flourished, in particular from the and warriors. The Carthaginians had a reputation eastern end of the Mediterranean. of being hard nosed in driving a bargain in both buying and selling goods and they backed this up The Phoenicians, who came from the area we with an army of mercenaries who had a fearsome now know as the Lebanon, were great traders and reputation, after all, who would stand a chance settled in the area around Huelva. The pace of against the Balearic Slingers or the Namibian commerce accelerated and they integrated well horsemen followed by the Libyan archers. into the local community bringing prosperity to all. The Phoenicians were a dark coloured race, wide Matters came to a head however with the sea foreheads and high cheekbones coupled with battle of Alalia in 535 BC. The Greek war fleet hooked noses gave them easily identifiable suffered a devastating defeat and Carthage features. claimed control of the western Mediterranean. The Carthaginians at this point did not wish to conquer Iberia; they were content to trade, albeit They also gave Spain its name, iat their terms, but a small enclave of Phoenicians schephan-im, meaning land of rabbits, in Gadir felt threatened by the Tartessians so they later this was altered to Spania then to asked for protection which they got at the ultimate Hispania and much later to Espana. price, they lost their enclave and their identity. Carthage now became rich in Iberian silver. As trade continued to grow they established the city of Gadir of which nothing remains to-day, the site being covered in silt near to the present day city of Cadiz. Fishing also grew in strength as the Blue Fin Tuna passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on their yearly migration. These fish, numbering in their hundreds of thousands, were highly prized and were gutted, salted and dispatched throughout the known world adding to the wealth of the area. All this trade brought in not only the Phoenicians but the Tartessians, Greeks and even the Celts who had entered the peninsular from the north. Again, this vast melting pot of races further added their genes to the already expanding gene pool from that gives us the Spaniard of to-day. However, every empire has its day and the Phoenicians, who were present not only in Spain but the coastal strip of North Africa, fought a battle with both the Assyrians (Syria) and the Babylonians (Iraq) which resulted in them retreating into the pages of history. This left a vacuum on the western side of the Mediterranean which was quickly filled by the Greeks who established trading posts along the southern coast but mainly in present day Catalonia. The Greeks are also acknowledged to have established the olive and vine growing culture so much in evidence in Spain today and they gave us the name of Iberia, roughly meaning river and as they were predominately in what is now called Catalonia. Could this be a reference to the mighty River Ebro? More importantly however, with the decline of Phoenicia, its colony on the northern coast of
The Greeks in the meantime had regained their naval strength and fought the Carthaginians again in a sea battle this time to prevent Carthage from expanding to the eastern side of the Mediterranean. In this battle, the Greeks sought and regained their superiority. The Carthaginians, now almost bankrupt and needing to regain face, sent their army in 237 BC to Gadir with the task to totally subjugate all the southern lands of Iberia. Its commander was Hamilcar Barca who took along with him his nine year old son, Hannibal. Battles were fought and won but as the Carthaginians moved further inland the going became tougher, the resistance increased and Hamilcar lost his life whilst fleeing from a counterattack by the Iberian Celts who were in themselves a fearsome warrior race. His place was taken by his son-in-law, Hasdrubal Barca (the founder of Barca – Barcelona and also Cartago Nova – Cartagena) who took the young Hannibal under his wing. Hasdrubal realised that he had to win over the Iberians rather than fight them so an uneasy agreement was reached which was to cost Hasdrubal his life. He was assassinated by an Iberian slave seeking revenge over the death of a native leader. This one act of assassination was to prove a pivotal point in the slowly swinging pendulum of time. History had reached a crossroad for there now arrived on the
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scene the one man who would threaten the very centre of the Roman Empire, - Imperial Rome, and in doing so would bring the Romans to Spain. Hannibal was centre stage and ready.
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20th April --- The Supply Lines The Battle of the Ebro. A one day fully escorted tour taking in:1) The Supply Lines 2) Field Hospital Sites (including the hospital in the cave and the railway tunnel hospital 3) The Hidden Graves 4) The Republican Command Centre (incredible distant views) 5) River Crossing Points English and Catalan speaking guides Throughout the day Price of the tour including commemorative CD of the day’s visits and lunch 22 Euros.
11th May --- Walking Tour / car. The Battle of the Ebro. h
A one day fully escorted tour with visits to Commemorative sites not accessible by car. Total walking distance approx. 5 / 7 Klms. (3 / 4miles) Mainly ridge walking with a few accents. Grade of walking ----- Moderate Type of walking footwear ----- stout walking shoes.
On this tour we shall visit the secluded memorial on Hill 666 by ridge walking from Hill705and then visit Suicide Hill, over looking Gandesa. Superb Vistas! English Speaking Guide throughout. Price for this tour 18 Euros inclusive of lunch
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 17
UN CAFÈ AMB... After living in Catalunya for a few years I have got to know a few of the locals and they have proved to be some of the friendliest and most supportive people I have met in my many years of international travel. Now I´m retired but getting to know these folk has helped me understand what makes this country so attractive to us immigrants. I hope that it may be of general interest to have a little insight into the thinking of our indigenous hosts. Local politics is far too complex for me to get too deeply involved in so no political preference is implied in this short run of interviews with people who have offered me a friendly welcome to the area.
says that any of their friends who have played host to them will attest to their enjoyment of "cleaning a plate" at the table. Obviously fish (from the l´Ametlla sea of course!!) is top of the list for choice.
Travel has always been an interest of his and he has seen much of Europe as well as going to the West Indies for his honeymoon. Travel allows him to enjoy one of his pleasures which is the observation of other peoples and absorption of other cultures including their different foods. He enjoys the countryside, the mountains and less populated areas but also remembers good times in the great cities of Europe like London, Paris and Berlin. He looked me straight in the eye and Andreu Marti I Garcia , Mayor of L'Ametlla de said Mar. (The man first and the politician second) "I have to say that I love visiting England Andreu Marti was born which is a country of great natural into a fishing family in beauty". L'Ametlla de Mar and because of that he has It was a personal decision for Andreu to enter into a strong admiration for politics although this was done with the complete the people who worked support of his family. He admits to having a desire on the sea to provide us to see an improvement in the standards and with one of our basic quality of life for all in his compass. This in turn foods. When he was demands an improvement in local facilities and young however, it was conditions in la cala (the locals ´name for clear for him that he l´Ametlla). His interest therefore is primarily as a wanted to devote his "hands on" leader, a catalyst for change and working life to something improvement. Only secondarily does he consider other than the fishing himself a politician. He has a passionate personal industry. Thus, for his secondary education he belief that he has an obligation never to forget that attended school in Tortosa and to Tarragona and his main function as the alcalde is to help improve then went on to graduate as a primary school the lives of all local residents. He feels that it is teacher at the Universidad Rovira I Virgili de a life philosophy rather than a political ambition. Tarragona. Away from the job and the politics, the Mayor of Andreu is 46 years old which means that he grew l'Ametlla de Mar is a guy who enjoys watching up during the 1970´s. He had a happy childhood football (Barça of course) and likes to play tennis even though this was during the recovery years and going for long walks around the many local of the post Franco era which imposed severe footpaths in the hills and woodlands. He loves financial restrictions on everyone in this area. He reading and using the internet and he devotes the told me that in his family home they always had rest of his free time to his family (take a look at food on the table although the range and selection his entry in the new Ametlla web site of food was limited. Sometimes it was what you http://andreumartien.blogspot.com). could shoot which provided the meal! He recalls living through a period of great political and I asked Andreu about what changes he has seen over the past 15 years or so and, as you would economic change. expect, he has seen a lot. These have been He lives in Ametlla with his wife Lola and their mostly related to economic growth and stimulation young daughter (who recently had her 2nd in the country as a whole and particularly this area birthday). His words and sentiments make it clear of Catalunya. This has been mainly due to the that he is a dedicated family man with great huge advancement in tourism and in the directly admiration and respect for his wife´s social and related construction industry. These changes professional attributes. Lola´s culinary skills come influenced and determined huge adjustments high on the list of attributes in Andreu´s opinion. which became necessary in the local He now enjoys her ability to cook innovative and administration which included health centres, quite technical menus and meals. Of course he hospitals, universities, colleges, schools, does not have a lot of time to devote to meals infrastructure of water, electricity etc, roads and during the week, having to settle often for a communications, as well as social activities such shared snack with Lola, sometimes just a dessert. as sports facilities and provision for the arts. Unfortunately public funding has been insufficient The week-ends however allow more time to to stave off the impact of the "crisis" on the people indulge in more elaborate food and he enjoys a of the Terres de l´Ebre area. He believes that wide variety of foods of different types, cultures there is much to do to support the less fortunate and countries although his heart still brings him in the community. back to Mediterranean cuisine as his favorite. He
I wanted to know Andreu´s thinking concerning us, the immigrants (the readers of this newspaper) to his region…. He told me that he truly believes that the people of l´Ametlla have accepted the newcomers to the village as much as is practically possible, with open arms. They recognize that many of the new arrivals are mature, retired and not able to assimilate new language and new culture easily. They tend to live in the countryside and do not need to work but they do bring a benefit to the area. He pointed out that there are 41 different nationalities registered in the area! The Town Hall is well aware that those who come here and start to work or who have children of school age integrate far more quickly and become an active part of the community. They meet other parents or workmates and soon establish friendships and immerse themselves into the local community. Of course they take on board the language quicker and are able to participate in local activities etc. The mayor is content that the indigenous community is most welcoming to the immigrants and are aware of and forgiving of the inability of some of the new arrivals to integrate into the language and cultural of the region. This is all supported by the fact that there have been almost no significant incidents of clashes between the residents of different origin in the local jurisdiction. As the Mayor, he is most aware of the need for greater interaction and he is determined to make every effort to disseminate information to all of the people in his area. Ideally this would be in each of their languages but this is recognized as impractical so the plan is already in place for an active web site which will be updated on a daily basis in Catalan, Castellano and English. The two local languages are the official languages of the area and English is chosen as the most practical internationally used language. The website will not only allow much more efficient distribution of information about local planning, building, development, sport, school activities, fiestas, social events etc but it will be interactive and allow input from any resident who cares to share their views or ask questions.
This article has been targeted to have the minimum political content possible and it is appreciated by the writer that Andreu has tried to reply to questions as an individual and not as a politician. Michael E Clark.
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Tel. 977 45 18 37 miguelalegre56@hotmail.com
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 18
EL MONSTRE by Helen Rowe This is the story of a house, not any old house but our old house. Let’s go back a stage to the year prior to moving to Spain. We decided on South Catalunya but thereafter there was little consensus. Week after week of trips over to this area from the UK and more indecision on each return journey.
an area of the garage used to store old furniture and any old general household items nothing had changed after her death. A family feud had caused the only daughter not to step into the house after she left home at eighteen. In the intervening years her son had used the house when he was a student, he slept over a few nights. The other occupants were cats, rat and bats.
The location had to be right first, this was not as easy as we thought. The more villages we visited the more we disagreed, then the day before our trip north to catch the ferry home we fell into this village in the late afternoon. Tired and despondent we sat outside the café in the square and Peter knew instantly I took a second visit some six month later to be sure. So this was the easy bit we now knew where we were going to live!
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Fortunately most doors opened inwardly, the day we viewed the house we managed to get onto the first floor terrace by squeezing through a grape vine that had run riot for years. The roses in to the garden below had grown up to meet the vine and formed a canopy above the terrace but the views across the orange groves to the mountains were another clincher for us to buy this monster house. Over the next Not wanting to rush into something we would months the garden was tamed a square metre a regret, we decided that once we brought the day from the garden door luckily only a small area! “one-way” ticket we would rent and look at We are now the proud owners of a property at a more leisurely pace. We moved over house that had not changed since the in the early spring and took a rent for three month thirties so our plans were to start by on a little house in the sticks. Not what we wanted getting the plumbing, electrics and basic but the need for all our worldly procession to join structure brought up to date. We thought us meant that a house with a garage was more this would be better done whilst we still important than home comforts. Now from this lived in the rented house. Little did we base we could start looking for our new home. know……..this was going to take months and the possibility on staying in the This was easier than we thought, and in hindsight house in the sticks was not going to we jumped headlong into something we often happen. Now I am running ahead of curse but if honest, we would do it all again. We myself. fell head over heals in love with a “monster”. And within three days of viewing it a second time it was Getting a good plumber and electrician was easy all ours…….. but find a builder to do the structural work was a The morning the estate agent’s young women problem. It was like holding an audition. The first had fought to get the front door open for us to view one wanted to ignore the word construction and we had some kind on joint lapse of sanity. This demolish this area and that area of the house I monster of a house had stood empty for 22 years, showed him the door before he could discuss all the former owners processions were as she what a modern house he could build for us! left them when she left this world. The beds were still made, though the only occupants in the last After many others with no sympathy with an old two decades had had four legs and fur. The house, the problem was resolved by bring an old kitchen had the washing up in the sink; the pantry “mason” out of retirement. Jose and Llus the labourer would work together on a weekly basis has food in it! to construct pillars to add 17 steel beams to allow a new bathroom in the centre of the first floor and It was a weird sensation to walk around do preparation and remedial work for the new a house that time had stopped still in. electrics and plumbing. This was going to be We were later to understand that when the elderly project managed by the architect. Sounds good? lady of the house died, they took her off to bury Plans accepted, taxes paid, numerous forms her and locked the doors. With the exception of signed, material ordered and the all important start date agreed. What we were later to understand was mañana or pasado ANELS / WIND TURBI P mañana and summer fiesta. R N A
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Whilst all of the deliberations were going on we had the task of clearing the house in readiness for their arrival. This is a story in itself as we had a time capsule once owned by a horder extraordinaire. Weeks later we found that as the building work started the escape to the little house in the sticks after working all day would not be
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possible. The rental period would not be extended. So now we moved in. The routine for the next few months entailed large sheets of plastic as the most important element. When we got out of bed in the morning the roll of plastic was pulled over like another sheet! The same process was used in the make-shift kitchen after breakfast. Our shower was a trickle until the new water supply was in place, so keeping clean was an event on the terrace with buckets of water after the builders had gone home. The laundry was a three bucket affair using a hose on the terrace too. What I have not told you is that we were only working on the ground and first floor; the other two levels would be left for another time. “The Monster” was a little less than 700m2 so half of it was more than enough for us to live in. It was built in 1858 was used as an olive oil and wine business hence the stables and accommodation at the back of the house. Oh this was a surprise to us as the agents didn’t know it was part of the property it was only title deeds and the architect that gave us this news. Slowly the twenty-first century arrived in our house after three months of dust, dirt, noise and general chaos we could have a shower, cook a meal, wear clean clothes…….. those very simple things in life! By the end of that summer the builders left and the Monster could relax and so could we. For years now we are slowly renovating the old features of the house. I wonder if we will live long enough to see the project completed, it not, it does not matter as it is our Monster.
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 19
A MISCELLANY MUNCHIE LOVE
DECIBELS CHOIR SING AT MANS UNIDAS CHARITY NIGHT
This Munchie is not given to softness and sensitivity. I wouldn't have believed that "romance" was in its repertoire, but I was wrong. If the Munchie were a human it would be the tough no nonsense type; of few words and not the sort of folk you would want to meet anywhere after dark. So you can imagine my surprise, amusement and confusion when the Munchie's behaviour changed. Why ?. There was a new guy on the block. He is tall elegant floppy-eared and golden. The Munchie is not its self. If this creature is in my house, Munchie does not perform the usual "watch me open the door, lie on the sofa and get told off" routine. No. It asks me to open the door, it sleeps on the floor and is generally on its best behaviour. Problems arise if the Munchie is not the only one vying for this furry Adonis' attention! Should her best friend and mediator of all Munchie instigated incidents, want some action, there's trouble. The Munchie could flatten this friend in one bound, but that would mean no one to cuddle up to when the wind howls round the house and the bogey man is on the prowl. So, the Munchie sulks. A sulking Munchie is a bit like a wet weekend in August; it just shouldn't happen! The Munchie places its head on my lap and looks forlorn. It believes that I should stop its friend, (who at this point is curled up warm and cosy with her bear-like creature in front of my fire) from enjoying the moment. Then as if in desperation the Munchie lies down with them leaning her head against the hunk of its dreams, who then instantly starts to aim his formidable jaws at the Munchie's large rock -like head. Both make deep growling noises of wild excitement while the best friend chews the end of Mr. Cuddle's tail for good measure. Often they are so enthused by this commotion that they play fight all the way out of my front door. Within five minutes, peace returns and the Munchie love triangle is out for the count lying by the gate in the heat of the sun.
Saturday night, 9.00pm. About 200 people who had contributed in some way to the Mans Unidas charity through the year were seated in the Ampolla sports centre for the end of year get together. After a brief introduction by the evening the Chairlady made a short presentation of the activities of the previous year. The charitable organisation donates several thousand Euros every year to a variety of activities in third world countries such as India, Paraguay, Bangladesh and several African countries. The money goes to basic projects like provision of wells for fresh water or providing medicines and trained voluntary workers who can save hundreds of lives by giving inoculations or anti-biotics or educating the people in hygene etc. Afterwards there was a light supper including wine and all the food and drinks was from donations from local traders etc. This meant that 100% of the money taken from ticket sales went to the charity. Dozens of people donated their time and energy to provide all the “backroom” support activity to the evening. It came to the entertainment part of the evening which was provided by The Decibels Choir. “It´s always difficult to know what to call ourselves” commented a choir member “ ´Choir´ seems such a pompous word for what we do. We sing and enjoy ourselves, we harmonise and we can be choral but we perform a wide range of songs and all of them with a smile on our face”. The opening song was “Vos Heu Pasat Vora l´Aigua” (A fisherman´s song) performed in Catalan. It broke the ice and the audience broke into spontaneous applause, which is something not normally expected in Catalunya. There followed a short Gospel medley which is always a favourite and then a Catalan hymn which allowed everyone to clap and even sing along in places. Displaying the Decibel´s diversity the “choir” then sang “California Dreamin´” the 1965 hit song by the Mamas and Papas. Faces in the audience lit up as they recognised the tune heads nodded to the beat and feet began to tap under the tables. It seemed to those on stage that things couldn´t get much better but the Decibels had one more little surprise up their sleeve. The 30 singers re-arranged themselves on stage into men on one side and ladies on the other and went into a simply choreographed step which accompanied “Stand by Me” which was originally recorded by Ben E. King and more recently released by the group Oasis. Visually, the men were inviting the ladies across the stage to stand by them! And slowly the two groups converged for the finalé to the song and to great amusement of the audience. The performance was rounded off with a medley in Gospel style which included “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “When the Saints go marching in”. There followed the almost mandatory raffle with some 50 prizes being given out, all donated by local businesses and individuals. Organisers commented that it had been a great night from all respects, benefit to the charity as well as fun for the participants and the helpers and audience alike. Almost € 3000.00 was made on the night for the charity.
(VODDER METHOD)
THE DECIBELS are a singing group which has grown from about 15 people at the end of 2009 to around 50 members today. We have singers from all four countries of Great Britain but also a ever growing contingent from Catalunya, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland etc. Everyone and anyone who loves to sing are welcome to come and join us. To quote our leader (Maestro) “we do not demand that you can sing but only that you come with
► RESONANCE
enthusiasm and a willingness smile”.
MASSATGE a 11 punt 11 ►THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE ►SPORTS MASSAGE ►RELAXING MASSAGE ►BEAUTY MASSAGE ►SHIATSU
– Ampolla 20th March 2010
► LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
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For further information contact: Tony Doyle – Maestro/Leader Tel: 628-553535 Ernest Roig Tomas - President Tel: 977-490004
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 20
PASSATEMPS Cryptic Prize Crossword
Banjo Bass sax Bassoon Bell Bin Bones Castanet Chang Cheng Cittern Crwth Fife Gong Guitar Harp Klavier Lute Lyre Marina Moog Oboe Organ Pibcorn Pipe Regal Shawm Snare drum Tuba Vina Viol
Word Search - Musical Instruments
Little Britain €10 voucher to winner drawn at random from correct solutions received by 18th of April. Please email or post it to us, with your name and telephone number. Congratulations to Alan who won last month’s prize.
Across
12 Billy, a youngster who is a ball of fire (53)
Down
7 An incompetent, southern lass, at church (6)
1 Nebulous (6)
8 Pony, it could be angular (6)
2 Part of a garment, a leap (4)
9 Swallow, george you hear left Greek leader (4)
3 Milky, with his corruption (7)
14 A pound or two could make one better off (5,2) 16 Treat badly, or ill sue (3-3)
10 Nice place to be if you have money (3,5)
4 A resin or type of glue (5)
11 Cleansing lotion, flurried daisy wheels without slid (7) 13 Quench in lakes (5)
5 Measurement of computer speed, garbled a pig flog (8)
15 Stereos (2-3)
6 A narrow marking or skater (6)
17 Not interested in culture, usually after country (7)
Easy
18 Deepest, a part of Simon, truly (6)
Medium
19 Roman faun, it's said to be seated here (5) 21 Plenty to sell at the auction (4) Hard - ABCDEFGHI used
20 A storm in Brazil and should end with the final letter (8) 21 Caustic substance to go with ginger beer (4) 22 Turn to stone (6) 23 Prove how smart you are, and solve this (2,4)
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The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 21
INFORMATION Que? Monthly look at some differences between Catalan and Spanish words English April table teapot town hall tax rope fire trailer road track caterpillar lawyer traffic lights
Spanish Abril mesa tetera ayuntamiento impuesto cuerda incendio/fuego remolque carreterra camino oruga abogado semaforo
Catalan Abril taula tetera ajuntament impost corda Incendi/foc remolc carrer cami eruga advocat semafor
Advertising Rates To advertise in the next edition of the Catalunya Chronicle we would need your copy before the 10th of February 2010. Personal Classified Ads are FREE up to a maximum of 35 words, and subject to a maximum sales value of €1000. Business Classified ads start at €15, subject to size. 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%).
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The Catalunya Chronicle C / Martirs 6, 43500, Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain. Website: www.chroniccat.com email: info@chroniccat.com Telephone: 636 292 568 (Chris) or 646 353 442 (Tim) Deposito Legal: T-1528-2009 Circulation: 4,000 this month Printed by: Lerigraf sl
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WHAT’S ON For up to date details please visit our On-Line Calendar at www.chroniccat.com. We cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the details above – as always, it is a good idea to check before attending.
Wed 24 Mar Church Service, Church of England - L'Ampolla Village Church Sat 27 Mar III DIADA DEL CROSTÓ - Camarles, Lligallos Sun 28 Mar L'Ampolla Car Boot - Camping St. Jordi, Platje Avellanes, Sat 3 Apr Freesia Group Bookstall - Homogenic bar - El Perello Anglican Easter Service - El Perello Catholic Church Easter Market - L'Aldea - Turn at the traffic lights and follow the balloons Sun 4 Apr Mora Boot sale - C/Garcia Restaurant Braseria,Can Palomo, Mora La Nova
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Sun 11 Apr Church Service, Church of England - L'Ampolla Village Church Boot Sale, Vilanova - Hipaca Escornalbou Tortosa Friendship Club - Ravel de Crist, Tortosa Sat 17 Apr El Perello Honey Fair - El Perello Sun 18 Apr El Perello Honey Fair - El Perello Mora Caravans Boot Sale - C12, km 61 Mora La Nova Sat 24 Apr Freesia Group Bookstall - Homogenik Bar, El Perello Sun 25 Apr L'Ampolla Car Boot - Camping St. Jordi, Platje Avellanes, Wed 28 Apr Church Service, Church of England - L'Ampolla Village Church Freesia Group Lunch - Casals restaurant in El Perello at 1PM
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 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 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 Large Apartment + Shop near Tortosa Cathedral. Both reformed & in upcoming area. Great investment!
JANE (FORMERLY OF MURRAYS CAFE) URGENTLY SEEKS EMPLOYMENT MOST THINGS CONSIDERED TEL: 664 460 129 FOR HIRE All types of Agricultural Work undertaken by experienced farmer. Trees sprayed and pruned. Land Cleared Help with Livestock. Has own tractor.
No job too small. Call Davide on 680 150 309 (Spanish) or 636 292 568 (English) FOR SALE DIY and builder’s kit for sale. Power tools, scaffold, barrows, pumps, props. Near L’Aldea. Please call for a full list 629 010233
FOR SALE
Flat: 115,000€ Shop: 60,000€
PRICE: 1250€
Buy both for 150,000€
Tel: L'Ampolla 977 460498
EMAIL: reddheven@yahoo.com
FOR SALE Jacuzzi bath - New 150€
Wanted. Ride on mower, working order Phone 638 731434 FOR SALE Stihl MS440 Chainsaw, 50cm blade, brand new, never used. Store price 1,000 Euros, selling for 500 Euros. Tel 977473278
FOR SALE Gas oven 3 rings & oven, Good condition. PRICE: 50 €. Tel:
L'Ampolla 977 460498 FOR SALE Generator automatic start/stop due to battery charge. From 999€+IVA Viggo Peetz 644 24 3415 / vpeetz@gmail.com
COMPACT TRACTOR SIROMER 204s 25 BHP 4 WD, POWER STEERING, SHUTTLE GEARBOX, 5 YEARS OLD, GOOD WORKING ORDER, VERY GOOD WIDE TYRES, GREAT LITTLE TRACTOR, DELIVERY POSSIBLE €4,100 OVNO (COST €7,000 NEW) TEL: 610 550 371 (FLIX)
Twin axel trailer. New axels , no brakes, carrying cap.2000 kg. size 2,40 m.X 1,20 m.
TEL 652 558 470
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 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
+ Jacuzzi shower New with lights / radio etc. Bargain: 300€ Basin + marble top & unit PRICE: 95€
TEL: 652 558 470 FOR SALE Large amounts of plumbing and electrical material buy the lot or what you need guarantee less than 50% of the cost tel 634162387 FOR SALE High sided Trailer €350 100cm X 100cm X 70cm incl. spare wheel and cover. Inside base wood covered. Ideal for building materials, olives, carobs etc Tel 977473008 or 652995723
NVQ 3 Qualified Care Worker Available for home help / respite care Also 24/7 house/pet sitting El Perello/L'Ampolla/ Tortosa & Amposta areas Contact Hazel on 638430338 hazeearnest@hotmail. com or for Vinaros/Benicarlo call Dot on 600564097 FOR SALE Adorable playful 8 month old male donkey for sale. Dark coat with white muzzle and eyes. Shortish ears, small head held high, compact body. Legs very straight, well formed hooves. 500e. Tortosa - alex 654803160 Lovely Guinea pigs for sale. 10e each Bantams for sale. Pretty colours. 10e each. 6 month old muscovy female duck 20e. We are in Tortosa. Call Alex at 654 803 160
WANTED Gas fridge, gas cooker, gas bottles (yellow butane) wanted offer to vpeetz@gmail.com or mobile: 644 24 3415 FOR SALE Gas Water Heater Edesa 95€ Mobile Gas Heater Ufesa 55€ Both in Perfect condition, Butane Cylinders included. L'Ametlla De Mar 628 283 861 FOR SALE Pine logs for sale. Suitable for firewood, gardening etc. Several truck loads available - will sell any amount)Any reasonable offers accepted. Buyer to pick up at Tortosa. Alex 654 803 160.
FOR SALE Lovely Finca near El Perello with lots of trees + Mobile Home & small Almacen etc. Bargain 40,000€
TEL: 652 558 470 EMAIL: reddheven@yahoo.com
GOT SOMETHING TO SELL? Personal Ads free up to €1000 Trade and items over €1000 start at 15c per word (IVA Included) FOR SALE TOWN HOUSE, MIRAVET Ideal B&B 4 ensuite double bedrooms Roof Terrace,Garage 275 000€ Tel: 977407540/ 675071794
FOR SALE Large amounts of scaffolding full sets for 60 euros Small crane only 6 months old bargain 350 euros 1000ml water deposits 50 euros each small electric cement mixer 80 euros 2 single beds and mattress 60 the pair 1 double bed base 50 euros shower tray roca 120 euros to buy bargain 35 euros Call 634162377 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 Shop for Sale - New Build Hospitalet de Llobregat Two storeys / ground floor 67m2 / first floor 48m2. Excellent situation - good access Price €260.000 Call 977581111 for more information
FOR SALE FULLY FURNISHED 3 BEDROOM HOUSE L’AMPOLLA CENTRE 2 minutes from beach Living room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, fully alarmed, Double glazed pvc windows & central heating, Well decorated throughout, Garage, Garden.
220,000€ TEL: 618 756 594
I finally got around to going fishing this morning but after a while I ran out of worms. Then I saw a snake with a frog in his mouth, and frogs are good bait. Knowing the snake couldn't bite me with the frog in his mouth, I grabbed him right behind the head, took the frog and put it in my bait bucket. Now the dilemma was how to release the snake without getting bitten. I grabbed my bottle of Jack Daniels and poured a little whiskey in its mouth. His eyes rolled back, he went limp, I released him into the lake without incident, and carried on my fishing with the frog. A little later, I felt a nudge on my foot. There was that same snake, with two frogs in his mouth.
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 23
THE FINAL WORD A group of 40-year-old buddies decide to form a supper club... ..., where they would reunite once a decade to enjoy a great meal and catch up on their friendship. For the initial event, they discuss and discuss where to meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed they should go to the Chez Francé restaurant because the waitresses there wear low-cut blouses. Ten years later, at 50 years of age, the group reunites and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally they unanimously decide to dine at the Chez Francé because the food there is fantastic and the wine selection is very good also. A decade later, at 60 years of age, the men meet and again they discuss and discuss where they should gather. Finally it is agreed they should meet at the Chez Francé because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke-free. Ten years later, at 70 years of age, the group reconnects and once again they discuss and discuss where they should dine. Finally it is agreed they should meet at the Chez Francé because the restaurant offers a senior discount and is wheelchair accessible. Amazingly, a decade later all of the men are still living. At 80 years of age, the supper club manages to gather, and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally, they all agree it would be a great idea to dine at the Chez Francé restaurant because they have never been there before.
After shopping for most of the day, a couple returns to find their car has been stolen. A fifteen year-old boy came home with a Porsche... ... and his parents began to yell and scream, "Where did you get that car???!!!" He calmly told them, "I bought it today." "With what money?" demanded his parents. "We know what a Porsche costs." "Well," said the boy, "this one cost me fifteen dollars."
They go to the police station to make a full report. Then, a detective drives them back to the parking lot to see if any evidence can be found at the scene of the crime. To their amazement, the car has been returned. There is an envelope on the windshield with a note of apology and two tickets to a music concert. The note reads, "I apologize for taking your car, but my wife was having a baby and I had to hot-wire your ignition to rush her to the hospital. Please forgive the inconvenience. Here are two tickets for tonight's concert of Garth Brooks, the country-and-western music star."
So the parents began to yell even louder. "Who would sell a car like that for fifteen dollars?!" they said.
Their faith in humanity restored, the couple attend the concert and return home late. They find their house has been robbed. Valuable goods have been taken from throughout the house, from basement to attic.
"It was the lady up the street," said the boy. "I don't know her name---they just moved in. She saw me ride past on my bike and asked me if I wanted to buy a Porsche for fifteen dollars."
And, there is a note on the door reading, "Well, you still have your car. I have to put my newly born kid through college somehow, don't I?"
"Oh, God," moaned the mother, "she must be a child abuser. Who knows what she will do next? John, you go right up there and see what's going on." So the boy's father walked up the street to the house where the lady lived and found her out in the yard calmly planting petunias.
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He introduced himself as the father of the boy to whom she had sold a Porsche for fifteen dollars and demanded to know why she did it. "Well," she said, "this morning I got a phone call from my husband. I thought he was on a business trip, but it seems he has run off to Hawaii with his secretary and doesn't intend to come back. He asked me to sell his new Porsche and send him the money. So I did."
URGENTLY WANTED - PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN L’AMPOLLA & L’AMETTLA DE MAR
The Catalunya Chronicle - Issue 7 April 2010 - www.chroniccat.com - Page 24