Vol 3 Edition 12 October 2003
Costa Blanca Netguide Newsletter
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com
This newsletter is only sent to subscribers
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CONTENTS:
1) Editorial
2) Suzanna's Article
3) Spanish Magazine Launch
4) B. R. I. T. S.
5) Torrevieja News
6) Theatre Express
7) Spanish Resources
8) Sticker/Screensaver Information
9) 2003 Publishing dates
9) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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1) Editorial
Hi,
Well here I am in the hot seat and I'd firstly like to thank
Robin for doing a grand job and good luck with all his work
commitments. I'd also like to welcome all the new
subscribers and of course those of you we've had for some
time.We have been away a little longer than normal but as
Robin did explain, with all the technical difficulties out
there in cyber space that all of us suffered one way or
another we were kept apart beyond our control. It is very
frustrating especially when you work with the Net as we do.
Anyway all that aside we do intend to send the newsletter
out monthly and we will continue to do just that.
It has been an exciting month for me firstly getting my head
round this new responsibility plus welcoming new sales staff
to our team over here on the Costa Blanca. I know back in
the UK the team is also growing to bring you a bigger better
Costa Blanca Net Guide. We have lots of plans for the site
with more information and resources and more businesses
joining the directory. Remember to tell them where you found
them!
We were recently contacted by the publishing house Merrick
in the UK which will be launching a new magazine about Spain
at the end of October and wanted some inside info from
someone on the scene. Find out more about it in this month's
newsletter.
We will also be expanding the outlook of the newsletter. We
have such marvelous feedback about the newsletter we want to
bring you more views and ideas about living, working and
visiting this marvelous part of Spain. Not only will I
continue with my "diary" but we now will add features from
other people living here. This month we welcome Pam and
Barry with their BRITS feature (Being Retired In The Sun).
Unlike myself they have only just made the move and are
living the typical new expat life. Read just how they are
getting on.
As a last note if you have any comments, good or bad, please
let us know we always enjoy receiving your emails and do our
utmost to answer them all!
Suzanna Editor - Costa Blanca Netguide.
editor@costablanca-netguide.com
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2) Suzanna's Article
Hello,
Hi it seems ages since I let you know what was going on in
this neck of the woods. We have all been busy so let me tell
you what's been going on over here. July we were backwards
and forwards to Gandia for the final fittings of the
children's outfits for the fiestas. All tolled for the
shirt, shoes and hand made long trousers, waistcoat, tie and
cummerbund it was 360 Euros (I hope my husband doesn't read
this!) I think in total for the year with lottery tickets,
outfits, photographs etc it will total about 1000 Euros.
Never mind at least we only have one child.
The fiestas went off without a hitch thank goodness.
Although it was the first week in August, and a heat wave so
a trifle warm, the children did really well. The first night
was the presentation night when the band leaves the church
and start their procession round the village collecting the
dignitaries, festeros (older boys), festeras, (older girls)
of last year and this year and the festerets (little
children) for this year. Each festero and festeret has their
doorway trimmed with palm leaves and bunting. On the arrival
of the band the person being collected is photographed with
family so we were on duty right from the start. We then
carried on with the procession until everyone had been
collected. After this we made our way to the town hall
square for a drink, bite to eat and photos. After this all
the family and friends went to take their seats in the front
rows of chairs reserved in the square.
The square looked amazing. Not only was it filled to
capacity with people but was festooned with flags and a huge
stage was erected with professional lighting and sound
equipment. The actual stage had large columns and swags of
material, huge flower arrangements placed about it and a
carpeted walkway up onto it for the honored representatives
to ascend. Firstly a very young couple in their early teens
went up and took their place in front of the podium to
announce the festeros and so forth onto stage. First was the
festeros and festeras from last year who then invited this
years representatives. These all came up in couples and as
announced loud fanfare music played. After the older ones
then the festerets were called, this time in threes. Yes I
was one of the proud mums on the front row grinning from ear
to ear as my little cherub walked smartly up onto stage
holding hands with a beautiful little girl called Paula and
a classmate of his, Arnau. They turned at the top to have
their photo taken by the professional photographer, another
to be added to the album. The older ones stand along the
back of the stage whilst the younger ones sit on chairs at
the front. They all looked absolutely fantastic both the
boys in their dark suits and the girls in their off white
creations that any bride would be proud of. My husband's
eldest son did comment that it was amazing to see a dozen or
so girls from the same village all so beautiful. In fact his
words were, "not an ugly one amongst them" and it was very
true. The little boys were in pale blue with off white
shirts and the little girls in off white dresses with pale
blue trim. Most importantly there was not a frill in sight
of the festerets outfits...phew!
At this point the sashes and badges are given out with the
San Domenec emblem on, the Saint the fiesta is
commemorating. Once this had been done, more photos being
taken at every step of the proceedings of course, the young
children were given a present each. This was a nice bit of
timing as we then went into the speeches which are given by
the dignitaries and organizers. Although they took sometime
it was nice to hear the festeros and festeras being
congratulated on their hard work to accomplish the final
feat of organizing, raising the money for and enjoying the
fiestas. It was also mentioned how by doing so they were not
only representing their village and generation but carrying
on a great tradition in the area. Everyone was out to
witness them on that evening and I'm sure they were very
proud.
This was only the beginning too. There were a further five
days and nights of processions and partying, eating and
drinking, photographs and fun and every bit worth it.
On the last night of the formal part of the fiestas a disco
is set up at the end of our road to entertain whilst the
square is set up ready for the bull running. This takes all
night and most of the following day. Bull running can either
be held literally running the bulls through the streets,
probably like you've seen in the streets of Pamplona, or
within the town square. Our village uses the latter. The
perimeter of the square is lined with barriers set up by the
owners of them who are generally families or groups of
friends. This provides them with an elevated view of the
ring which is formed. Each of these sets of barriers is then
bolted together giving a safe viewing place for everyone.
Under the viewing platforms the rest of the spectators can
watch from inside the barriers. The floor of the square is
covered in a layer of sand and so they are ready.
The bull running goes over a period of five days and the
"runs" are usually at midday, 7pm and midnight. There is
even one run for the children with calves. Usually there are
a couple of incidents and if memory serves me right last
year all the casualties were foreigners. We don't tend to
participate. It doesn't particularly interest us and can be
a little boring even watching drunken foreigners try to join
in with something they know nothing about. The Red Cross
ambulance is always on stand by to administer first aid or
take the wounded off to hospital. Unfortunately during the
second run this year a local Spanish lad in his 20's fell
over in the ring and was injured by the bull. He was taken
to hospital but sadly died later. The fiestas were
immediately stopped and two days of mourning were taken by
the whole village. A really sad ending to fiestas which one
local had only days earlier pronounced the best ever!
However my memories of the fiestas will always be fantastic
and I am not only proud of our son who did his duties
beautifully but so honored to have been embraced and invited
to join in at such close quarters. Having been here for near
on 15 years and witnessed the fiestas from the sidelines to
be a part of it all was exhilarating. I know all the family
who joined us from the UK were thrilled and certainly
enjoyed being welcomed as they were. It was all great fun if
not exhausting a very very hot at times.
We had another week with the family here doing "holiday"
things like swimming, sightseeing, eating out and shopping.
We also have a week of birthdays in August in our and family
so we even had those celebrations to fit in. All too quickly
the family were back in England and back to work and...
planning their next trip out!
If you remember during August the Costa Blanca suffered two
terrorist bomb attacks. A little close to home I must say.
One was in Benidorm and the other in Alicante. Only hours
later our office here received a phone call from an British
radio station asking if we had any details. It was lunchtime
and also August so I'm afraid to say we were not available
for comment but had we had been we could have reported from
the Spanish news and teletext. It was of course all over the
local news here with the fast actions of the emergency
services and interviews of witnesses. Everyone was very calm
and those Spanish pensioners interviewed were not going to
lose their places on the beach!
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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If you know someone who may benefit
from any of the articles in this newsletter please feel free
to pass it on.
PLEASE NOTE: These articles are for personal use only and
may not be posted on any website, newsgroup or bulletin
board. If you wish to use any of our articles for commercial
purposes please contact us articles@costablanca-netguide.com
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3) Spanish Magazine Launch
October 29th sees the launch of a new magazine in the UK
called Spanish Magazine. It will be available bi-monthly
priced at £3.25. The publishers Merricks Media tell us
it will be available in newsagents throughout the UK, as
well as introductory copies which are being distribuited on
Spanish routes of numerous airlines and ferry companies, as
well as at local and national Spanish tourist offices.
Spanish Magazine is aimed at people who love Spain,
holiday in Spain and buy property in Spain. Every issue will
feature a Region Guide, a City Guide, a focus on a particular
island, an article looking at an up-and-coming area, a
feature on places that are Family Friendly, Real Life Stories
relating experiences of people who've relocated to Spain,
features on food and wine, book reviews, website round-ups,
legal and financial advice, a look at Spanish traditions and
revealing a lesser known part of Spain. There's also a huge
section at the back offering places for sale throughout the
country. Issue 1 offers features on Costa del Sol, Madrid,
Benidorm, Majorca, a Golf feature, Catalan cuisine and wine,
a feature on why Costa Calida is the next big thing, three
Real Life Stories , plus a round-up of all the latest news
and a listing of upcoming events throughout Spain.
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4) B. R. I. T. S. (Being Retired in the Sun)
So here we are, living in Spain. Then we were asked to tell
about our experiences as they must be fairly typical - so
here is our story.
Her story
A few years ago we told our friends that when we retired, we
were planning to live in Spain, and now - here we are! And
the general response has been a surprised "Oh! You've done
it....we didn't think you would, but you have".
We have been through the planning.
Where? South? No! North? No! Somewhere in the middle
then - Costa Blanca is nice!
What sort of house? Old? No - I would prefer modern. By
the coast? No - a bit inland would be nice. No need to
rush as retirement is still 5 years away! However plans
change and here we are a couple of years earlier than we
expected. In a new property, a little bit inland with lush
valley views and beautiful mountain scenery -just right!
The weather.....
Its only our first year here and the weather has been - well
there's only one word for it - unseasonal!! That very word
has been used to describe the weather by so many different
people since we arrived. The spring was "unseasonably"
late and cold, but summer was "unseasonably" early and hot,
and now we are being told to expect an "unseasonably"
ferocious Gota Fria.
The move.....
Any move to a new home brings with it problems, not all the
building work has been completed, but we are a couple of
years earlier than first anticipated. The house itself was
finished but we are still waiting for the swimming pool. No
doubt it will be completed in time for what will probably be
an "unseasonably" cold spell! We are looking forward to
having our own pool next summer although we owe our
neighbours a big "thank you" for their generosity allowing
us free use of their pools.
We had a staggered arrival, I had to stay in England
(relative just out of hospital) while Husband came out to
Spain - arriving at same time as "unseasonable" snow!!
Furniture already in the back of a great big truck, so
Husband supervised its arrival, unloading and positioning
around the house according to my vague instructions and did
a fine job. If you find the process of moving house
stressful then I can recommend finding an excuse to leave it
to your other half! I followed along a number of weeks
later - 95% of the boxes were already unpacked and I could
sit out on the naya and enjoy the view.
Housekeeping.....
The first thing to sort out on arrival was the basics of
life support - Which supermarket? Where is it? What hours
does it open? How do I get there? And when all that is
answered and I'm in the shop - What is what?
The meat is easy - all the packs have little pictures on the
labels. The fresh fish counter is a different, well kettle
of fish really! A vast selection of fish, a few which look
familiar but the rest are complete strangers to me anyway.
However they all look delicious I just need a Spanish series
of Rick Stein! The fruit and vegetables are lovely - fresh
and tasty, and wandering around the supermarket aisles is a
great way of improving my Spanish vocab. I'm working my way
through the wine section slowly although by the time we've
tasted a few and decided which we like and I return to the
supermarket I've forgotten which it was and have to start
all over again! Its very stressful this new life!!
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5) Torrevieja News
Yes, it’s that time of the year again and on October 11/12
the annual Clubs, Charities and Associations Exhibition will
take place at Los Arcos, Avenida Baleares (just off the Old
Alicante Road) in Torrevieja. This is an opportunity for
all these various organisations to showcase themselves and
to recruit new members. It’s also a great opportunity for
everybody to see just what an incredible range of these
types of organisations there now is here in Torrevieja. With
over 180 different groups now active in the area there
really is something for everybody. This event has now
become a firm favourite in the town’s calendar and if this
year’s exhibition is anything like as successful as last
year’s event it will be two days to remember. Many of the
organisations enjoyed a big increase in members and
supporters after last year’s highly successful event.
Everybody was also entertained by the performances and
displays that have become a feature of these exhibitions.
This year again Bill Singleton has kindly volunteered to
organise all the different choirs, dancing displays etc. If
you want to come down during the exhibition and show the
world what you can do I am sure Bill will fit you in
somewhere.
This year there are a lot of new clubs represented and the
growth of the town is again mirrored in the growth and
diversity of the organisations represented. We now have the
opportunity to get involved in archery or cricket, youth
football or Parents and Toddlers groups. Many of the
charities will again be present and you will have the
opportunity to meet up with your friends from Help
Torrevieja, Age Concern and the Costa Blanca Neighbourhood
Watch. The Cine Club which shows English language films
will also have a display as will the Royal British Legion –
don’t forget your poppies. The Torrevieja International
Business Association (T.I.B.A.) will also be in attendance
Whilst, the emphasis is, of course, on everybody having a
fun weekend and making new friends and contacts we will also
be trying to raise a substantial amount of money for the Age
Concern Mini Bus Appeal. There will be a raffle with some
quality prizes donated by the members of T.I.BA. and other
supporters. I am delighted to confirm that the bus has now
been ordered and that it is expected shortly. Angela Keay
from Age Concern tells me that they are just a small amount
of money short and we hope we can raise this for them at the
next two exhibitions.
All welcome to Los Arcos and the doors are open between 10
am and 5 pm on both days. ADMISSION FREE.
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6) Theatre Express
Theatre Express have just finished a fantastic run of "The
King and I" in Denia. Playing to packed audiences they went
down a storm. They are not ones to rest on their laurels
though and are now rehearsing hard for their "Kid's
Spectacular Christmas Special" This is to be held on Monday
15th December at the magnificent Benidorm Palace. Tickets
are priced an all inclusive 37Euros each. Those wishing to
purchase tickets can do so by emailing Theatre Express
direct from the page on the Costa Blanca Net Guide
www.costablanca-netguide.com/listings/291.html.
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7) Spanish Resources
Books
i) Espana Viva: Coursebook
Espana Viva:Coursebook is published by the BBC and is a first
stage language course in Spanish drawn from a combined BBC
radio and television course. This is a great book for those
who have decided they want to learn the Spanish language but
haven't a clue where to start.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/books/ev.html
CD's
i) Concierto de Aranjuez and other Spanish Guitar Works
This is a beautiful classical music CD with guitar,
orchestra and solo guitar pieces for the person who simply
wants to kick back and relax.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/CDs/cda.html
DVD's
i) Viva Espana
The vitality of Spain comes alive in Viva Espana! --a journey
to the country's most beautiful sites. Explore the stunning
regions of Toledo and Cordoba, set to Edouard Lalo's famed
'Syphonie Espagnole' and evocative music by Sarasate and
Saint-Saens.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/DVDs/ve.html
Software
i) AutoRoute Great Britain & Europe 2004
Microsoft has released it's latest version of it's popular
route-planning software updated for 2004 with an improved
interface and a smart search engine.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/Software/ar2004.html
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8) Sticker Information
We have available our Costa Blanca Netguide car or shop
window stickers that we will send out to you free of charge.
Just email stickers@costablanca-netguide.com with your name
and postal address and how many you require (3 Max) and
we'll post them out to you anywhere in Europe at no cost.
Screensaver Information
Version 1 of the Costa Blanca Screensaver can be downloaded
at http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/screensaver.html.
The Free version has a few limitations but gives you a good
idea of what you can expect from the Full version which is
priced at 7 EUROS
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9) 2003 Approximate Publishing Dates
November 10th | December 8th
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