My Epson Stylus Photo 870 inkjet printer is just sitting here doing nothing now that I have a new photo printer.
I would prefer someone to take it rather than just put it in the bins. It comes with a UK power lead, USB lead, the CD of software for Windows and Mac OS and even some spare cartridges.
So anyone who would like it can have it free of charge provided they come to pick it up of course!
If you want it, just send me a comment back and I'll get in touch with you.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
What is slow food?
In a message on Tuesday 27th I mentioned that there were plans to open a "slow food" restaurant in Bigastro.
Slow food doesn't of course refer to the speed of the service nor the time taken to prepare the dishes. It is an international organisation promoting and supporting the preservation or restarting of the growing and producing of the many artisan foodstuffs that are being swamped by urbanisations, the McDonaldisation of eating out and processed foods reliant on E.additives rather than natural flavours and colourants. Look it up on www.slowfood.com or just ‘slow food’.
Bigastro is committed to the principle of "slow cities" so opening a "slow food" restaurant is a logical step to take.
Slow food doesn't of course refer to the speed of the service nor the time taken to prepare the dishes. It is an international organisation promoting and supporting the preservation or restarting of the growing and producing of the many artisan foodstuffs that are being swamped by urbanisations, the McDonaldisation of eating out and processed foods reliant on E.additives rather than natural flavours and colourants. Look it up on www.slowfood.com or just ‘slow food’.
Bigastro is committed to the principle of "slow cities" so opening a "slow food" restaurant is a logical step to take.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
They call him called "Golden Balls"
..so what name should we give to her?
Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is to star in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about her forthcoming move to the US after signing a £10m deal with NBC.
The programme will "look inside her world", her spokeswoman confirmed, but will not feature her footballer husband David, or their three sons.
The former England captain transfers to Los Angeles Galaxy this summer. Last month Victoria described the move to the US - which will reportedly earn her husband $250m (£127m) over five years - as "really exciting".
She said it was a decision which had been "thought about carefully". "I'm really looking forward to making new friends and enjoying the sunshine in California," she wrote on her website.
She had difficulty learning Spanish, hopefully she'll fare better with American.
Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is to star in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about her forthcoming move to the US after signing a £10m deal with NBC.
The programme will "look inside her world", her spokeswoman confirmed, but will not feature her footballer husband David, or their three sons.
The former England captain transfers to Los Angeles Galaxy this summer. Last month Victoria described the move to the US - which will reportedly earn her husband $250m (£127m) over five years - as "really exciting".
She said it was a decision which had been "thought about carefully". "I'm really looking forward to making new friends and enjoying the sunshine in California," she wrote on her website.
She had difficulty learning Spanish, hopefully she'll fare better with American.
Jealousy does not become you
I don't want to upset those of you who live in cooler climates but yesterday it was so hot here we got the sunbeds out and had a few hours catching the rays.
In fairness it is the first time we have sunbathed this year. Mind you it is only February!
I don't ever remember sunbathing in the UK during February.
In fairness it is the first time we have sunbathed this year. Mind you it is only February!
I don't ever remember sunbathing in the UK during February.
Not good
The first rehearsal yesterday was not good to say the least. In fact it was b***** awful.
The biggest problem we face is that we have a different set of dwarves each time we rehearse. Added to which, they have difficulty reading their lines so they just make them up. Worst of all though, when they left the stage half went off to the right and the the other half to the left.
The look of despair on our teacher's face said it all. She told us we would be performing in May - luckily she didn't say which May.
Caperucita Roja was never this difficult.
The biggest problem we face is that we have a different set of dwarves each time we rehearse. Added to which, they have difficulty reading their lines so they just make them up. Worst of all though, when they left the stage half went off to the right and the the other half to the left.
The look of despair on our teacher's face said it all. She told us we would be performing in May - luckily she didn't say which May.
Caperucita Roja was never this difficult.
So who will be cooking dinner?
Just imagine the headache you'd come back with if you went down to that!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Ambitions
On display in the Auditorium Francisco Grau is the City Council's project, "Bigastro Innova", which is the economic part of the municipal project " Bigastro Avanza ".
The seven projects proposed include a clothing company by Julio Diaz; a convention centre at the Pedrera by Francisco Paredes Quesada; a hotel with a spa, pitch & putt and golf practice ranges at the Pedrera by the company Promociones and Inversiones Rambla; the restaurant "Arroba" by Enrique Rocamora based on the philosophy "slow food"; a solar energy assembly plant by Eurener SL; the restaurant "La Alborada" by Mario Lopez and the "Hiperber" supermarket by Jose Bernabeu which he says will open this year.
Five years, ten at the most and this town will be so smart people will be queuing up to live here.
The seven projects proposed include a clothing company by Julio Diaz; a convention centre at the Pedrera by Francisco Paredes Quesada; a hotel with a spa, pitch & putt and golf practice ranges at the Pedrera by the company Promociones and Inversiones Rambla; the restaurant "Arroba" by Enrique Rocamora based on the philosophy "slow food"; a solar energy assembly plant by Eurener SL; the restaurant "La Alborada" by Mario Lopez and the "Hiperber" supermarket by Jose Bernabeu which he says will open this year.
Five years, ten at the most and this town will be so smart people will be queuing up to live here.
Monday, February 26, 2007
We like Helen Mirren
US mob drama The Departed has won four Oscars, including best film and best director for Martin Scorsese, who had missed out on five previous occasions.
Dame Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker collected best actress and actor, and there were three Academy Awards for Mexican fairytale Pan's Labyrinth.
Dame Helen had described her Oscar nomination as "amazing"
"All kids love to get gold stars, and this is the biggest and the best gold star that I have ever had," she said.
In the meantime Basic Instinct 2 has swept the Golden Raspberry Awards - the annual ceremony which mocks the worst of Hollywood ahead of the Oscars presentation.
The film picked up four awards - or Razzies - for worst movie, worst actress for Sharon Stone, worst screenplay and also worst sequel.
Perhaps Shazz should try keeping her knees together for her next film
Dame Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker collected best actress and actor, and there were three Academy Awards for Mexican fairytale Pan's Labyrinth.
Dame Helen had described her Oscar nomination as "amazing"
"All kids love to get gold stars, and this is the biggest and the best gold star that I have ever had," she said.
In the meantime Basic Instinct 2 has swept the Golden Raspberry Awards - the annual ceremony which mocks the worst of Hollywood ahead of the Oscars presentation.
The film picked up four awards - or Razzies - for worst movie, worst actress for Sharon Stone, worst screenplay and also worst sequel.
Perhaps Shazz should try keeping her knees together for her next film
Set to get hotter
From the Leader newspaper
Climate change will make drought a permanent phenomenon in Alicante.
That’s the warning from The Ministry of the Environment who say there will be 40% less rain in the south of the province this century, with temperatures rising sharply.
The report by Spanish scientists to the National Climate Council looks ahead to 2071. If emissions of greenhouse gases are not reduced, Alicante province will be one of the worst affected areas in Spain; reservoirs may never be able to recover from the effects and river diversions may also be affected.
The 40% decrease in rainfall is equivalent to 150 litres per square metre and will mean not only more intense droughts but also more intense torrential rain and higher sea temperatures.
The 156.4 litres that fell in 2005 made the area the 6th driest year since records began in 1856, and the 5th since 1994. The average temperature will also rise by 4.5ºC, mostly between April and October.
Head of the Climatology Department at Alicante University, Jorge Olcina, indicated that the principal problem is that, “all the signals point to climate change marked by aridity and the advance of desertification in Alicante, where rain will be less often and more irregular.”
Torrevieja and Pedreguer registered average temperatures above 20ºC for 2006, a rise of 3ºC, according to the Institute of Meteorology. This is the highest since 1950 and the six highest years have all been since 1994 right across the province, with an average of 16.2ºC, 1.2 degrees more than normal.
The worst case scenario for the month of July, which currently registers the highest summer temperatures, could see an 8ºC rise during this century. This can be broken down into a 1-3ºC rise from 2011-2040, a 3.5-4ºC rise between 2041 and 2070 and a 4-7ºC increase from 2071 to 2100.
Climate change will make drought a permanent phenomenon in Alicante.
That’s the warning from The Ministry of the Environment who say there will be 40% less rain in the south of the province this century, with temperatures rising sharply.
The report by Spanish scientists to the National Climate Council looks ahead to 2071. If emissions of greenhouse gases are not reduced, Alicante province will be one of the worst affected areas in Spain; reservoirs may never be able to recover from the effects and river diversions may also be affected.
The 40% decrease in rainfall is equivalent to 150 litres per square metre and will mean not only more intense droughts but also more intense torrential rain and higher sea temperatures.
The 156.4 litres that fell in 2005 made the area the 6th driest year since records began in 1856, and the 5th since 1994. The average temperature will also rise by 4.5ºC, mostly between April and October.
Head of the Climatology Department at Alicante University, Jorge Olcina, indicated that the principal problem is that, “all the signals point to climate change marked by aridity and the advance of desertification in Alicante, where rain will be less often and more irregular.”
Torrevieja and Pedreguer registered average temperatures above 20ºC for 2006, a rise of 3ºC, according to the Institute of Meteorology. This is the highest since 1950 and the six highest years have all been since 1994 right across the province, with an average of 16.2ºC, 1.2 degrees more than normal.
The worst case scenario for the month of July, which currently registers the highest summer temperatures, could see an 8ºC rise during this century. This can be broken down into a 1-3ºC rise from 2011-2040, a 3.5-4ºC rise between 2041 and 2070 and a 4-7ºC increase from 2071 to 2100.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Did you get my emails?
I still seem to be having a problem with emails and wondered if other people using the Bigastro server were experiencing the same difficulties.
It's not receiving but sending mail which seems to be the hiccup. I've checked my settings and tested them by sending myself mail; that all works. Then I send a mail to my Hotmail address and it doesn't work. Several people who I have sent mail to say they haven't received them either. The messages just don't get through.
So I am completely at a loss to identify where the problem lies. If you are using the Bigasto server and experiencing the same problem I'd be pleased to hear from you.
Just send me a comment back to this message. Muchas gracias
It's not receiving but sending mail which seems to be the hiccup. I've checked my settings and tested them by sending myself mail; that all works. Then I send a mail to my Hotmail address and it doesn't work. Several people who I have sent mail to say they haven't received them either. The messages just don't get through.
So I am completely at a loss to identify where the problem lies. If you are using the Bigasto server and experiencing the same problem I'd be pleased to hear from you.
Just send me a comment back to this message. Muchas gracias
Fantastico
Last night at the Auditorium Francisco Grau we were privileged to attend a spectacular flamenco show performed by "Grupo Flamenco Manzanilla".
The eight dancers under the direction of Maria del Mar Gea and six musicians/singers under the direction of Felix Amador performed a mixture of songs, music and dance to a very appreciative audience. At the end of the evening the "Grupo Flamenco Manzanilla" received a well deserved standing ovation.
Thank you Bigastro for an excellent evening's entertainment.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
In trouble again
This time it was the spokesperson from the Green Party of Bigastro, Carmen Castaño, who publicly denounced that they had asked four months ago for the municipal authorizations for the construction of a solar panel farm at the Pedera.
Castaño had asked for the work license which had been granted to build the solar panel farm along with a copy of the special plan of the Pedera, a copy of the act of the awarding table and the concession to hire Eurener S.L. to undertake the work.
Castaño said that municipal civil employees hadn't refused their requests but told them that they could not provide the information without the authorization of the Mayor, Joaquin Moya. The works on the solar farm were denounced before el Seprona de la Guardia Civil.
The mayor of Bigastro is already being investigated by the courts for 44 counts of denying municipal information to the municipal group of the Popular Party and was recently denounced for allowing Euroner S.L. to build an assembly plant on council land the other side of the bypass from the town.
Castaño had asked for the work license which had been granted to build the solar panel farm along with a copy of the special plan of the Pedera, a copy of the act of the awarding table and the concession to hire Eurener S.L. to undertake the work.
Castaño said that municipal civil employees hadn't refused their requests but told them that they could not provide the information without the authorization of the Mayor, Joaquin Moya. The works on the solar farm were denounced before el Seprona de la Guardia Civil.
The mayor of Bigastro is already being investigated by the courts for 44 counts of denying municipal information to the municipal group of the Popular Party and was recently denounced for allowing Euroner S.L. to build an assembly plant on council land the other side of the bypass from the town.
Bad luck really
Keith and Lynn Ashton came over to see us yesterday on their way back to Alicante airport.Lynn and Pam used to work together at Pensby Park so it was good to see them. They'd just spent a week in Benidorm on holiday hoping for some nice sunny weather. As those of you who live here know, the weather this last week has been poor. Still they enjoyed themselves and got to see a lot of places they would have missed if they'd spent their time on the beach.
Keith is a keen gardener and so cast an expert eye over our garden area. He couldn't believe how the plants could grow so well in what looks like the poorest soil imaginable.
They left about 5pm with a few lemons from our trees to put in their drinks back home. Hopefully they will be back and will stay longer next time.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Save yourself some dosh!
I got this email this morning from PCTools. I use both Spyware Doctor and Registry Doctor and can therefore recommend them. We don't have a milkman so I'm passing the offer on to you.
Dear Keith,
We are so excited about the up-coming release of Spyware Doctor 5.0 that we wanted to celebrate with all our loyal customers and we thought the best way was to save you some serious money!
Spyware Doctor 5 is the most important release from PC Tools since the first version of Spyware Doctor back in 2004 and even in its pre-release beta state it has been suggested by a major PC publication that Spyware Doctor 5.0 may be the best AntiSpyware utility available!
To start saving please visit www.pctools.com now, select any PC Tools product, enter 25VIP7216 in the coupon field in shopping cart and save 25% off your entire PC Tools order. You can use the code as many times as you want, on as many products as you want and share it with anyone you think could benefit from some world-leading software at a huge discount.
When we say everything we mean really mean everything; Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, PC Tools AntiVirus, File Recover or Privacy Guardian (even Spyware Doctor Enterprise); one license or a thousand; for home or for work... no catches, no limits, 25% off everything.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your milkman, just don't delay, we're only doing this for 72-hours and the offer ends at midnight (GMT) on Monday February 26th 2007.
And remember, all of our products get free upgrades during the subscription so if you have Spyware Doctor 4.0 or lower make sure you get free upgrade next week when Spyware Doctor 5 is released. You won't be disappointed!
And thanks as always for being a PC Tools customer.
Best Regards,
PC Tools Team
Dear Keith,
We are so excited about the up-coming release of Spyware Doctor 5.0 that we wanted to celebrate with all our loyal customers and we thought the best way was to save you some serious money!
Spyware Doctor 5 is the most important release from PC Tools since the first version of Spyware Doctor back in 2004 and even in its pre-release beta state it has been suggested by a major PC publication that Spyware Doctor 5.0 may be the best AntiSpyware utility available!
To start saving please visit www.pctools.com now, select any PC Tools product, enter 25VIP7216 in the coupon field in shopping cart and save 25% off your entire PC Tools order. You can use the code as many times as you want, on as many products as you want and share it with anyone you think could benefit from some world-leading software at a huge discount.
When we say everything we mean really mean everything; Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, PC Tools AntiVirus, File Recover or Privacy Guardian (even Spyware Doctor Enterprise); one license or a thousand; for home or for work... no catches, no limits, 25% off everything.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your milkman, just don't delay, we're only doing this for 72-hours and the offer ends at midnight (GMT) on Monday February 26th 2007.
And remember, all of our products get free upgrades during the subscription so if you have Spyware Doctor 4.0 or lower make sure you get free upgrade next week when Spyware Doctor 5 is released. You won't be disappointed!
And thanks as always for being a PC Tools customer.
Best Regards,
PC Tools Team
The aaaah factor
Some of these Spanish children are so cute with their expressive brown eyes. This little gem is the daughter of the teacher who takes the Spanish reading and writing class.
She was down at the Auditorium on Tuesday when I took her photo. All the ladies at the school loved the picture so I thought I would share it with you.
She was down at the Auditorium on Tuesday when I took her photo. All the ladies at the school loved the picture so I thought I would share it with you.
Not a good idea
Second Lieutenant Wales, otherwise known as Prince Harry, is being sent to Iraq. The third-in-line to the throne in the United Kingdom will be deployed as part of the latest troop rotation over the next few months.Critics say he could prove a highly-prized target for insurgents, raising the risk he and his colleagues in the Blues and Royals might face.
A representative from his unit said on Euronews that the insurgents were not that intelligent. Any British soldier was a target for them. They wouldn't select Harry as anybody special.
So now that you have told them on television that Harry is going to Iraq. You've even shown them his picture and you expect the insurgents to not know! You might as well stick a target on the back of his flak jacket.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
They love to dress up
The children we saw on Tuesday had taken part in the annual carnival. Students from the infant's schools " Bigastrín " and" La Paz " and the primary school " San Jose de Calasanz " participated in a parade through Calle Aureliano Diaz and Calle Purisima. It wasn't just the children in their different costumes who enjoyed the parade though. Their mothers, grandmothers and relatives all came out to cheer and support them.
After the parade they all went to the park for food, drink and to play on the bouncy castles and other attractions that the City Council had provided.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Rehearsals
Reina Madrastra
Espejo mágico
La Reina
Blanca Nieves y los siete enanitos
Mendiga con la manzana
El príncipe esta enamoró
La reina malvada esta muerta!
La directora tímido
La narradora
Proud to be here
Yesterday we went to our rehearsal at the auditorium. Outside the auditorium, in the park, were all sorts of bouncy castles, roundabouts and other amusements. The local council had obviously planned a fun day. As we left the auditorium we could see that the park was full of children thoroughly enjoying themselves.
After our rehearsal we went to see the exhibition "Bigastro Avanza" which celebrates the achievements that the town has made over the last seven years along with the future plans for its development. As we left we were given carrier bags with literature and posters. All very impressive stuff. For those who haven't yet visited the exhibition, we would highly recommend that you take the time to call in and see what a small Spanish town can do.
After our rehearsal we went to see the exhibition "Bigastro Avanza" which celebrates the achievements that the town has made over the last seven years along with the future plans for its development. As we left we were given carrier bags with literature and posters. All very impressive stuff. For those who haven't yet visited the exhibition, we would highly recommend that you take the time to call in and see what a small Spanish town can do.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Bigastro innovates: competitive economic development
This Thursday, at 8:00pm in the Auditorium Francisco Grau, there will be a meeting to celebrate BIGASTRO INNOVATES: competitive economic development.
The investment that Bigastro makes in new productive sectors diversifies and enriches its enterprise structure. Construction accompanied by commerce, tourism and services forms a suitable combination to confront the challenges of the future.
Projects like the Urban Commercial Centre and the improvement of the industrial sector in the Apatel Enterprise Park support and promote the economic development of the town.
On Friday 23 of February at 8:00pm bigastrenses retailers will debate whether Bigastro needs an Urban Commercial Centre.
With the local elections coming up in May we will probably see a lot more of this sort of promotion.
The investment that Bigastro makes in new productive sectors diversifies and enriches its enterprise structure. Construction accompanied by commerce, tourism and services forms a suitable combination to confront the challenges of the future.
Projects like the Urban Commercial Centre and the improvement of the industrial sector in the Apatel Enterprise Park support and promote the economic development of the town.
On Friday 23 of February at 8:00pm bigastrenses retailers will debate whether Bigastro needs an Urban Commercial Centre.
With the local elections coming up in May we will probably see a lot more of this sort of promotion.
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