I just don’t understand them

In the summer months, when the ground is tinder dry you have to be extra careful when you are out in the campo not to start fires. A cigarette end, an unattended barbecue is all that it takes to set alight the dry material on the ground.

Of course there are always going to be accidents but it is surprising how many of the fires are deliberately started by sick minded people.

On Monday evening, fire-fighters were called to the golf course at Villamartin close to Calle Cañón Hillys, where a large fire had broken out. Early investigations by the fire service suggest that this fire may have been started deliberately and two youths are currently helping police with their enquiries.

The fire was particularly ferocious and required not only the fire brigade from Torrevieja but also two hydroplanes and two helicopters to be despatched from Alicante. The Guardia Civil and Proteccion Civil were also in attendance, so it was a major incident for the emergency services.

The risk to lives, to property and the enormous cost, I hope the perpetrators thought it was worth it.

No escape!

	Whilst we were in Orihuela watching the parade of Moors comparsas, Scout John and his lovely wife Carol were spotted at the dinner dance for the Fiesta for Santa Ana. These photos are taken from the official Bigastro web site.
	They may not have seen as much colour and spectacle as we did but I am sure the company ensured them a wonderful night.

PS Will I spot John and Carol at the coronation of the Fiesta Queens a week tomorrow, I wonder? My camera will be ready.

A message from Diane

Last night Anne and I attended a meeting with the organisers of the Festival.  The date is confirmed as Friday 13th August (not Thursday as in previous years).  They have also decided that the proceedings will start at 2.00 p.m. not 2.30 as shown in their programme.
As the start time is half an hour earlier please ensure that your table contributions are on the British Buffet table by 1.30 p.m.  I would be grateful if anyone willing to help serve at the table is in Plaza de la Concordia at 1.00 p.m. in order to set up the tables.
Thanks once again in advance to everyone.

Although many of the Brits in Bigastro do live at Villas Andrea, there are quite a few who live in other parts of the town as well. It is therefore important to stress that the British Buffet is not the exclusive preserve of residents from our estate.

I am sure that the organisers would be delighted if Brits form other parts of the town joined in either by bringing something along or helping out on the day.

Going VOIP

There are still people puzzled by the fact that we have a Manchester phone number which they can use to contact us. The world of Internet telephony remains a mystery to a few.

The principle is straight forward, voice calls can be translated into digital data and transmitted over the Internet just like any other form of information. The digital data is then linked back to the telephone system at the receiving end. We don’t need to know how it works just that it does.

The benefits of making calls over the Internet are the hugely reduced costs but what do you need to take advantage of this saving? First off a broadband Internet connection and a router. That means you need some form of ADSL account be that via a fixed line, WIMAX or WiFi. Be aware though, no matter what some might tell you, the fact is, the faster the connection, the clearer your calls will be.

Then you need a VOIP account which you can get for free from companies like VoipTalk. This type of account will allow you to make calls to other Voiptalk users free of charge and for example, to UK landline numbers for 1p per minute. Standard voip accounts are pay as you go so you only pay for the calls you make with no connection charge or monthly rental. However, for an extra £2.99 per month you can have a UK number from a choice of 650 towns which will reduce the cost of your friends calling you.

Finally you need a VOIP phone which connects to one of the ports on your Internet router. These are not to be confused with USB phones that connect to your computer and only work when the computer is switched on. Voiptalk offer a range of suitable phones on their site.

	The cheapest on offer at the moment is the Grandstream BT-201 IP phone at £32.89. This is a desktop phone about the size of a Domo 1.
	For those who want the benefits of a cordless phone, Voiptalk offer the Siemens A580IP Dect SIP Phone at £53.99. This is a dual phone so you can plug in into your normal phone line as well and route calls via the Internet or your fixed line.

There is a downside to all this and that is, if the electricity is cut then the phone will go dead. It is therefore as well to have a fixed line phone or a mobile for emergency calls.

A protest rather than a change of heart

The British press are making a lot out of the decision to ban bullfighting in Catalonia which is being hailed as a victory for animal rights. I know that many Brits are uncomfortable with the idea of bullfighting and so in fact are quite a few Spaniards especially the young.

The truth is that there was never a great tradition of bullfighting in Catalonia anyway. Of the two bullrings in Barcelona, only one is still operational and stages just 15 corridas each year.

The ban in Catalonia doesn’t necessarily mean that the people there are more sensitive to animal rights than in other parts of Spain. It has more to do with the fact that region is not recognised legally as a nation. The vote has been seen as a protest against that decision. Catalonia is not Spain therefore they will not entertain bullfighting which is seen part of Spanish culture.

Those who hope that the ban in Catalonia spreads to other regions of Spain will be disappointed. For example, the petition with 50,000 signatures to close Las Ventas in Madrid does not stand a chance of success. After all, Spanish royalty attend the bullfights there and they are hardly going to give up their seats in a hurry.

Modern times

We got a text message from our youngest daughter, Laura last night to say that she had taken her five month old baby to the pictures yesterday to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. It seems that the cinema didn’t mind mothers taking babies to watch the film.

Apparently Molly watched part of the movie, then she had her feed and fell asleep. I’m not surprised, they only gave Laura one pair of special 3D glasses so the poor baby had to look at a blurry image on the screen!

When Laura and Jemma were toddlers, they would often sit and watch television -seemingly entranced by the moving colours on the screen. We never thought to take them to the cinema though; how times have changed!

At it again

It seems that the two opponents were at war again during the council meeting on Monday.

Aurelio Murcia for the Partido Popular insists that Raúl Valerio Medina, Alcalde did not throw him out of the meeting, he left of his own accord adding that he was a little ashamed of the comments he had made to the Mayor.

I wonder if they managed to get through the business of the day.

I love it

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, this is the programme for the fiesta this year; I expect you will be able to get copies from the usual suppliers.

The reason I am showing you this is because the picture on the front is taken from one of my photographs.

Inside there are other photographs that I took last year but I like this one best of all. Someone has worked their magic over it (I suspect in Photoshop) and made a great job of it.

A big thank you to whoever created this and a big thank you to the Fiesta Commission for choosing my photographs again this year.

Calling all British cooks

Just as I posted that item about the Gastronomy Day, I got this message from Diane Clarke who lives at Villas Andrea to all British residents in Bigastro

We have been invited to participate in the Gastronomy Day this year. I have been asked to attend a meeting tonight (last night) to go over details. I will e-mail again when I have definite details.

Because our food is different to Spanish food and the townsfolk seem to enjoy it I propose to yet again go for "The British Buffet". Again this year I would ask all you lovely people to make something - anything you like, savoury or sweet - to contribute to the table. Again if you don't feel like standing over a hot stove remember "Mums go to Iceland". Whatever you make can I please ask you to take it down yourselves if possible at approx. 1.30 p.m. Anyone who can't can always drop it off to Anne or Barbara at Villas Andrea.

All contributions will be gratefully received.

I will set everything up but regrettably will not be there because I am away on holiday August from 11th, but Anne Mottram and Barbara Mann will gladly co-ordinate on the day. Can I ask all you lovely ladies to help out at the tables as usual.
Thanks in advance to everyone

Gastronomy

Thinking about the fiesta, I have yet to pick up my copy of the programme from the Ayuntamiento but I am guessing that a Gastronomy Day will feature again this year.

If that is the case, then the townsfolk will be eagerly anticipating the fabulous British Buffet. I was wondering if any plans had been made for this. As in previous years, I expect we will all rally round and whip up something that we can be proud of but it will take a little organising. 

Whoever it is that offers to organise our contribution can put Pam and I down for something but we are not quite sure what it will be just yet. 

I’m getting excited now

Pam and I love the local fiesta in August and look forward to it each year. This year it will be even more special because we have the family coming out to stay and the 15th just happens to be be our 40th wedding anniversary. I don’t think they celebrate ruby weddings here in Spain but you can be sure that we will.

There isn’t room at Casa “el Willo” for all the family to stay so they will be holed up at Casa Bermuda just round the corner. Crammed into the three bedroom house will be our youngest daughter, Laura, her boyfriend Dave, our granddaughter Molly, Dave’s mum and dad (Joan and BC) along with our eldest daughter Jemma and her boyfriend Dan.

At the same time, our very good friends Glenys and Peter will be staying at Peter’s brother’s holiday home at Cabo Roig just 15 minutes or so away. I make that ten adults and a baby, I hope there is enough room in our pool for them all!

PS I apologise in advance to our neighbours for the noise we might make.

PPS I got the shopping list of items that Laura and Dave can’t get into their cases; mainly toiletries for them but a whole load of items to keep their five month old baby going. That is on top of all the things that Pam and I have already bought to keep our granddaughter happy on her first visit to Spain.

No change

This week looks set fair weather-wise. Plenty of opportunity to top up the tan and take a leisurely dip in the pool. Not great if you have a bit of construction work to do outside!

The temperature of the water in my pool was 36 when we got back from England thanks to the thermal cover. Now it has dropped to a lowly 32, Mrs W says it feels cold when you get in.

I bet our family won’t find it cold when they arrive a week next Sunday.   

Over for another year

As the riders rode leisurely into Paris yesterday it was time to start reflecting on this year’s Tour de France.

Mark Cavendish managed to do what no other rider has done in he last ten years and that is win on the Champs-Élysées two years in succession. He may not have collected the green points jersey but the Manxman has certainly made his presence known in Le Tour.

Alberto Contador took the yellow jersey just 39 seconds ahead of his rival Andy Schleck. That just happens to be the same as the time he took out of Schleck on Port Balès when the young rider lost his chain.

Contador, who admits that he was not on his best from this year, joins an elite group of only six riders since the second world war who have won the tour without winning a stage.

Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team tried to start the race in black jerseys with the Livestrong logo but were made to change back to their regular jerseys. In a moment of defiance, they then wore their black jerseys to receive the team prize on the podium.

So, Spain is enjoying a great summer of sporting success. Wimbledon, the World Cup, the Tour de France and I understand that Alonso provisionally won the German Grand Prix.

There was even an elephant

The Moors parade last night had just about everything; dancers, horses, birds of prey, colourful costumes even an elephant. Another fantastic spectacular which you can see by visiting my album.

Unwanted visitors

Living next to the campo we can expect wildlife on the estate. The Pedreera is teeming with all manner of insects, birds and animals including rats. The feral cat that visits our neighbours often brings rabbits and rats into their garden as presents.

Now it seems, people have found live rats, not only in their gardens but wandering into the houses. Elementary precautions are, keep doors closed, leave the covers on the drains and avoid leaving any food stuff outside which might attract them. Otherwise, you might want to go down to the ferreteria to pick up a rat trap.

Different again

Anyone who tells you that it isn’t worth going to see the parades of Moors and Christians in Orihulela each year is talking poppycock.

Pam and I have been going for several years now and each time the parades are different. The costumes change and new elements are brought in. Last night’s parade of Christians had colour, imagination, surprises and even a drop of rain thrown in for good measure.

For more pictures from this spectacular event go to my my album.

Down to the wire

It looked like the two main contenders for the Tour de France were going to be content to let others win the stage yesterday until the last 10km of the climb up the Tourmalet.

Then Andy Shleck put the hammer down and sailed past the race leaders, who at one point, had a nine minute gap. With just 8kms to go, it was Schleck versus Contador. Contador seemed to be willing to allow Schleck to take the pace until, with 3.9kms left to the summit, he put in an attack. Schleck very quickly responded and when he drew alongside, gave his rival a long stare that spoke volumes.

Contador responded to that and graciously let Schleck win the stage by less than a wheels length.

Now it is all down to Saturday’s 52km time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac. Contador is said to be the better time trialler but Schleck has improved his skills in this department over the last year. You can be sure that he will not be giving up without a fight and will ride the time trial of his life. Anything might happen; for example (not that I am wishing this upon him) Contador could loose his chain - that would be ironic. With only eight seconds in it, the race is not over yet.

A lot of voices together in one town

Over a thousand singers forming twenty two choirs from sixteen different countries (including Colombia, Greece, the Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Venezuela, China and the United States) will be taking part in the 56th edition of the international competition held in Torrevieja.

The Habaneras starts tonight at 11pm  with the soloists and will run until Friday 30th July. Apart from the competitors, there will be six local choirs participating in the event. It is a massive undertaking and will provide fabulous entertainment for the thousands of locals and visitors who have tickets.

A short sighted move

When cuts in budgets have to be made then EPA (adult Education) classes are a more or less certain target. That would be such a shame because Bigastro has made a lot of progress in providing classes for adults over the last ten years. Adult education not only enriches people’s lives, it enables them to contribute more to the society in which they live.

This year there were about a hundred students in the various classes: Graduado Escolar, access to Bachiller qualifications, university entrance for the over 25s, alphabetization and new readers classes for those who left school early and of course our Spanish for foreigners class.

However, providing this excellent service does not come cheap. The cost for this last year to the town was about 60,000 Euros.

To help meet this expense, Bigastro receives a subsidy from the Valencian Autonomous Government. Last year the subsidy amounted to 21,650.36 Euros. For next year the subsidy has been reduced to 15,275.77 Euros which represents just 25% of the potential bill that Bigastro faces.

We know that Bigastro, like many Spanish towns, is cash strapped so that may mean that some of the classes have to be cut either altogether or in the number of hours provided. Since courses that lead to qualifications provide more tangible added value, that may mean that e.g. our Spanish class will have to be cut.

I sincerely hope not because, for Pam and I and the others in the class, learning Spanish is of immeasurable importance. I would argue that being able to communicate effectively has allowed us to contribute to the town that looks after us so well. It is only by improving our linguistic skills that we have we been able to integrate properly with bigastrense.

I know that our mayor and the town council will fight hard to get this subsidy increased. I notice that It is one of the key items on the agenda for the next council meeting. I hope the council are successful for the sake of all the students involved.

That looks familiar

I have over 16,000 digital images stored on my computer; over 1,000 of them are on Flickr and about 2,000 on Picasa from my blog. There are also a few hundred of my pictures hosted on the Bigastro web site.

So the chances of one of my photographs turning up on a web site or in a newspaper somewhere are pretty high. I don’t go looking for them but when I see one, I usually recognise it straight away.

Whilst I was scouring the Spanish papers for a story this morning, I came across this one in EuroWeekly. It is an article which explains that Spain has the lowest crime rate in Europe which is of course excellent news for those of us who live here.

What jumped out at me though was not the story but the photograph of Guardia Civil agents. It looked familiar and then I realised it was one I took at the May Fair in Torrevieja.

My photographs on Flickr have a license that allows people to use my images and so EuroWeekly have every right to publish the picture. I’m kind of flattered that they should want to do so and they have credited it to me.

Let me explain that I’m not into photography to make money, it is just an expensive hobby really. In any case, I can’t complain, I have used pictures from online sources, including newspapers to illustrate my blog so it is tit for tat.