After the storm

The heavy rain, stormy seas and wind have left the beaches of Orihuela Costa in a sorry state. Just to think that, days before, people were sunbathing on them.

A touch of the Andy Warhols.

The PP are about to launch their campaign for the local election in May. As a first step, the lady mayor has created a website of her own to tell us what she stands for.

This is what she says:

Good afternoon neighbours of Bigastro,

My name is Teresa María Belmonte Sánchez, and for those of you who do not know me yet, I will tell you a little about myself.

I live and work in Bigastro, the town where I was born 45 years ago.

I am the daughter of Manolo (the de la Marre) and Tere (the one in the garage); wife of Marco Antonio (the biggest saga of Quino Evaristo), and mother of my two treasures, Carmen and Marco (still without nickname, I think ...).

My life goes on like most of the women in Bigastro, reconciling my roles as mother, wife, daughter and worker.

Like many of you, I worry about the  future,  and I live the present trying not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Tolerance  and  honesty  are my guides. I try to think what I say, say what I think, and do what I say, and I make an effort to do so, being aware that, my freedom ends where the one that I have by my side begins.

I feel proud to be Bigastrense, and I want my town to be a place where every day lives are better.

I want  Bigastro to be a thriving town where you can go out for a walk in a safe and clean environment. I want a variety of places  to do my shopping, and a cultural venues that encourages me to go out and meet my friends in bars, restaurants, cafes and pubs that innovate to create an atmosphere. I want to feel that I live in an exemplary town that has quality public services where health, education, sports, culture, social assistance, ... are in continuous improvement.

I want Bigastro to be a benchmark in the recovery of the region , and to adapt dynamically to the changes that are taking place in society and economy worldwide. And that the necessary conditions are given, so that innovative and sustainable companies capable of generating quality jobs are developed.

Once again I have taken a step forward to achieve what I want, and I have accepted the challenge they have proposed to me: " to lead the candidacy for Bigastro and govern for the next 4 years ."

And I will achieve it, rather, we will achieve together all the residents of Bigastro.

And we will do it together because  Bigastro has an honest, proud and hard-working people , who do not give in to adversity, and who know how to regenerate in order to seek a better future.

It has always been that way, and it will continue to be so.

And as the great Adolfo Suarez said, "I can promise, and I promise," that  in four years we will be better.

In a few days you can meet my travel companions.

Day by day they will be presented so that you can appreciate their many  qualities . Qualities that make them the ideal candidates to carry out this important  challenge  to which we have committed ourselves.

I am accompanied by 12 women and men with sufficient training and experience to be able to undertake the improvements that Bigastro demands. People capable of giving the most advantageous solution for our people. Able to use public money under the principles of transparency and efficiency, because public money, our tax dollars, are for everyone and we must work with common sense.

During these weeks I hope to be able to communicate with you through social networks. To  listen to what concern you; know your ideas and proposals to improve our town, and have the opportunity to discuss them to reach the best conclusions together.

Don't bother trying to get to Torrevieja

An enormous amount of rain has fallen overnight in Torrevieja  – more than 145 litres per square metre in some areas - causing flooding and road closures.

Torrevieja town hall has just released a statement about the storm, stating that 'almost all the access roads to the town are cut off' at present.

The roads which are closed due to flooding include the CV-905 dual carriageway 'from the roundabout at McDonald's (Carrefour)'; Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas; and Av Rosa Mazón.

Public transport has been suspended.

Councillor for emergencies Javier Manzanares has asked people not to leave their homes unless it is an emergency and to exercise caution.

Stormy weather

There you have it, just look at all the rain that fell overnight. 

And just to make matters worse, the wind picked up as well!!

Programme for Easter

Weather permitting

I will be there bright and early.Sadly, the forecast does not look promising.

Blimey!

Last night we had the privilege of attending a concert by the Junior Band.

It is fair to say that they used to pale into comparison with the Symphonic Band. but not anymore.  With a little reinforcement from senior musicians, they managed to produce a full, rich sound.

Check out my album of pictures in the sidebar to see just how young some of those musicians are and listen to my audio recording here.

Bugger, bugger, bugger

Things can change of course. Some deviation in the path could spare us - fingers crossed!

Runners last night

My friend, Scout John, would have got an even better view from the roof of his house on Calle Holanda. The leaders appeared over the ridge at about 9:15 pm and were going at some pace. It was then well over 15 minutes later that the tail end Charlies started to appear.

Friday of Sorrows

Before the start of Holy Week, Bigastro stages a solemn procession around its darkened streets.

First in the procession is the statue of Jesus on the cross.

Following is  the statue of Mary, with tears in her eyes, comforting her son.

The paso is borne on the shoulders of ladies dressed in blue robes.

Accompanying the procession are two drums which best out a steady mournful rhythm, a long horn which produces a doleful sound and a choir that sing at various points on the route.

Bigastro may not be able to rival nearby Orihuela with it many pasos and parades day and night during Holy Week but it still manages to capture the emotion of the occasion with its Via Crucis and the Encuentro.

Saturday night

If, like my friend Scout John, you have noticed barriers along the road from town up to La Pedrera, this is what they will be used for.

You can follow their route by observing the white arrows on the road which show the direction they will take.

Those of you who face La Loma will be able to spot the runners with their head torches as they make their way along the ridge.

If you were planning to go out at about that time, you might find your route blocked - obviously it would be too risky to have cars and runners on the road at the same time!

PS I'll try and get a photo for you from our rooftop but I can't guarantee it will work.

Are you on the list?

This is your chance to check whether you are on the electoral roll and hence your chance to vote in the forthcoming local and European elections.

Not to be missed

The symphonic band gave us an exceptional concert of sound tracks from the movies. Now it is the turn of the junior band to do the same.

Very professional

Eduardo Navarette, who I have photographed before when he lived here, is now a successful clothes designer in Barcelona. Google his name and you will find articles, videos and his web site.

Last night he returned to Bigastro to present this year's fashion show and to showcase his recent clothes collection.

You will find my album of photos in the left hand sidebar.

Take note

The weather this weekend is unpredictable. There is a strong possibility of rain on Saturday and so the catwalk show has been moved to the Auditorium.

Weather permitting

The walk around the Huerta had to be cancelled because of the rain on Sunday.

This one should be OK according to current forecasts.

One not to miss

A very emotional procession held in the dark. 

That's mean

At 11am this morning the French government announced that, post a hard Brexit, they will be employing signal blocking technology to stop satellite TV broadcasts from the UK.

They say that, if the UK decides to leave with no deal, then its ties with the continent including its TV service will be at an end.

The response from the Spanish government is that they deplore this threat but unfortunately cannot prevent France from carrying it out. Since the TV signals pass over French territory, there is no way they can recover the signal for us.

The only way to receive UK TV in those circumstances will be via a VPN at a cost of over 100 Euros per month on top of any fees that the supplier charges.

Theatre contest

Bigastro has been hosting a contest for amateur theatre groups over the last few weeks. Last night we had the presentation of prizes for the winners of that competition.

That was followed by a second showing of the production by our own theatre group, El Lugarico - San Joaquin and Bigastro. 

You can find my photos from this event in an album in the sidebar.

Outstanding and well worth a visit

Last night, Pam and I had the pleasure of attending the opening of an exhibition of watercolour paintings and drawings of the Camino de Santiago. The artist, Federico Ramirez Huerta, had painstakingly drawn in exquisite detail the scenes he captured with his camera. Most were then completed in watercolour. Many  reminded us very much of  architects realisations of stately homes from previous centuries. Federico clearly has a great deal of patience, a steady hand and some very fine brushes.

There was one picture that stood out for both Pam and I for both its composition and the fact that it looked more like a watercolour painting than a tinted drawing. Whilst we were discussing this, the artist came over and explained that it was also his favourite from the exhibition and indeed was also his wife's favourite. I will leave you to find the painting for yourselves!