EbroRose May 31st, 2008
Gosh! I was longing to do something different today and forgot all about this wonderful fiesta in Pauls, near Xerta just off the C12.
The good news is: it is on for two days 31May to 1st June. So pop along tomorrow if you missed out on it 
today. Everyone who goes to this fiesta will go again and again. So it must be fun!
EbroRose May 31st, 2008
“In The Garlic” a delightful read by Valerie Collins and Theresa O’Shea, must definitely be Number One book on “Must Have – Must Take ” list of everyone thinking of relocating or retiring out to Spain.
The lovable, little Señor Garlic man on the cover will become your best friend and save 
you many headaches. It will regenerate smile upon miles you explore. It is also a jolly good “holiday read” if you just like visiting the Mediterranean.
My sons will claim I have no sense of humour. But I chuckled my way through page after page. Things I wish I knew before I left “olde Blighty”. Situations I struggled with through mis-pronunciation and malapropism. If only someone had even lent me a copy before I became an Expat, things would have been so much easier!
A book I treasure weekly. Even though I am well-versed in daily living in Catalonia since 2004, I still find it valuable reading. It is totally different and exciting reading to what I expected from the title as it is not a cookery book (though it does deal with some cuisine mysteries). You will retain a good command of Spanish, essential terminology for information for legalities, festivities, quirks and quintessential survival and siestas fulled with belly laughter.
This is one of the few books where you can read any chapter or any page in which ever order takes your fancy. Every Expat, ( irrespective of your home language) should keep this book on your coffee table. Even explanations of boring bureaucracy are written accurately but with a hilarious slant.
Profound colloquialism can too come in handy if the need arises . A fabulous way to grasp the language and to know the score by the time you close the book. www.inthegarlic.com
Also read what Valerie Collins wrote about us in her and Theresa O’Shea’s blog and more snippets from their book:
April 4, 2008
Talking of Spanish chickens (as did we in connection with El Prat airport), did you know that when you buy a chicken at the supermarket, the head is still on it? I had forgotten this detail of Spanish life, one of the 101 Things They Never Told Us Before We Came To Spain featured at Brighter Spain. Go and read them here. And send in your own for the next 101. Brighter Spain (and Brighter Catalunya) is based near Tortosa in the Baix Ebre and they have some gorgeous holiday accommodation for rent and lots of info about the area.
or www.inthegarlic.com/wordpress”
EbroRose May 28th, 2008
Port Aventura will this summer have 3 very differently, designed golf courses to excite all golfers and challenge their skills. At the same time they have been sensitive to the natural environment of wetlands and white pine woods. Instead of bulldozing away they
have incorporated it into the designs. Something that Greg Norman, the famous Australian golfer and course designer, is very passionate about.
North and South the courses will be 18 holes and Centre one will be 9 holes.
All golfers can look forward to a “sensational “golfing experience on the North Course; whereas the Centre course provides “entertainment” and the South Course offers you adrenalin filled “challenges”. (www.PortAventura.co.uk)
The first course is due to open on the 7th June with the 2nd and 3rd one in July (if manaña syndrome doesn´t kick in early!)
Greg Norman is responsible for the North and the Centre courses. “The great White Shark” excels himself again! (http://www.shark.com/gwse/)
EbroRose May 25th, 2008
A litter of Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies with good pedigrees, all micro-chipped and fully vaccinated need good homes. They are now 7 months old. They are absolutely gorgeous with wonderful temperaments.
The owners are devastated that due to demanding work schedules they are no longer able to keep all of them. The first one´s went at 1000 euros. Those remaining have been reduced to 300 euros each, but are no lesser dogs than the more expensive priced puppies.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a hardy breed and bred to withstand hot and dry climates, so Catalonia is ideal. They are very loyal to their owner and families and extremely protective of their homes. It is not often you can find such a good breed that is both friend and playmate, coupled with being a good guard dog.
They are better kept in an area where they can run freely. They will jog for miles with you and when you are ready to collapse they will hardly be out of breath. They will quite happily run alongside you while horse-back riding or cycling. So they can be part of your fitness regime, but not on the golf course!
They are easy to train and are obedient. They are smooth, short haired dogs with a striking ridge of hair down their back where the hair grows in the wrong direction, thus depicting their breed. Fabulous tones of brown and healthy shiney coats that are easy to keep clean with regularly brushing.
They live in the hills above Maspujols and only 15 minutes before Reus Airport and off the N34o after passing Riudecols, when travelling from Mora dÉbre. In the other direction they are 20 minutes from Tarragona and 15 minutes inland from Salou.
If interested please drop the owners an email and I am sure they will arrange to meet you.
pauldgladwin@aol.co.uk
EbroRose May 25th, 2008
You no longer need to tee off from a patch of “grass” in desert conditions.
Decent “Pitch and Putt” courses (not the crazy golf style found in seaside towns) are springing up all over Catalonia. This latest news update, brings welcoming sighs of relief for the Ribera d’Ebre and Baix Ebre tourists, Expats and local Catalonians!
The Ceniolas Estates and Rasquera No 5.Village house (with 3 delightful apartments) are ideally situated for golfers to radiate out from, to enjoy many hours of golf on different 
courses in Tarragona province. No longer do you need to drag yourself for hours down the AP7 motorway to the South.
“Club de Golf -TEYCO” spreads its welcoming arms off the N340 between Carmales (“The Balcony of the Ebro”) and the picturesque sea town of L’Ampolla (“The Mirador del Ebre”). It boasts a Par 3 handicap, no certificate required, 18 hole new golf course and for the pleasurable sum of only 12 euros.
“Golf i Natura per tothom” = golf and nature is for everyone! “La Figuerola Resort” nestles against the landscape of Vandellos on Carretera de Mora, route C44 near the km 11.5 mark, with wonderful golf strokes on another Par 3, no certificate asked for, 18 hole course and for the princely sum of 15 euros on a weekday. Driving range is free. Hire of golf clubs, woods, trolley and a bucket (or two if you are me!) of golf balls are available. Maybe your “Better Half” doesn´t play golf. Indulge her in their Spa and beauty treatments, and share a lovely meal or drink
afterwards in their superb and extensive facilities.
“Club BonMont” is definitely for the more serious and discerning golfers. Production of a golf handicap is obligatory (18 holes Par 72 Male handicap 28, female 36, for 50 euros). This course has been internationally acclaimed. Worthy of great compliments to the British designer, Robert Trent Jr. The Catalonia Open has been held here! A challenging and equally enjoyable course of 90 laudable bunkers and exhilarating waterholes to test your nerve.
“D’Aiguesverds Golf Club” in Reus is one of Spain’s longest courses (18 holes Par4) and pertains to 6314 metres and 10 lakes (one bucket of balls is not enough!). The flatness of the course makes it ideal for those of us whose knees have seen better days. After an invigorating round of golf spend a relaxing time over a tasty lunch menu.
There is more!
“El Catllar” Costa Dorada Golf Club is only 10 minutes drive from the Roman town of Tarragona. The whole layout of J.Gancedo golf design gives the perfect balance of natural pine and willowly green scenery, coupled with the aquamarine backdrop of the Mediterranean. The greens are surrounded with water and gentle hills, making for a very pleasant round of golf.
Why not stay in one of our charming accommodations and combine your love of the outdoors, fishing, (http://www.brighterspain.com/masdegeniral.html) with a few good rounds of golf under Mediterranean skies and mountain backdrops?
Please drop us a line at info@BrighterSpain.com and soon to look out for our “Golf corner”.
EbroRose May 20th, 2008
Many readers are under the impression that Spain has become expensive…it’s still affordable…you just need to know where to look and to look beyond the rental door. Catalonia and the Baix Ebre and Ribera dÉbre are still offering good self-catering and Bed and Breakfast holidays.
I recently received an apology email from an enquirer who was searching for a holiday
in Europe : “…of course I’ve eliminated Europe from my list,” she writes, “since everyone knows it’s become too expensive. I had my sights on a holiday this year that offered both historic & exploring options, coupled with sporting activities in Europe within reach of beaches and mountains. But from what I hear, I don’t think I can afford it anymore.”
This is a misconception. For affordable living, Catalonia in Spain is still a great choice…but you’ve got to look below the surface. We can still offer you choices for summer holidays for June, July and August.
The options are all within accessible reach to all the tourist routes for: the wonderful giant father of all rivers, The Ebro, to reel in the mighty Wells Catfish and giant golden Carp; the Natural parks of the Els Ports Mountains and The Ebro Delta (www.terresdelebre.org) alive with hundreds of species of birds; cycling and GR walking routes; country drive outs to provincial dining; bars and decent restaurants in the towns; quaint seaside ports and villages nearby; beaches and hidden coves and friendly Catalonian people; historical sites and close
to Terra Alta wine cellars and so much more. Golf is becoming a prominent sport attraction out here and we have a new one between L’Ampola and Carmales just off the N340. ( A separate golf spot follows this one.)
There is a hidden beautiful region in Catalonia just waiting for you. A part of Spain that’s already well-known to birdwatchers, cyclists, hikers and those searching for the Giant Wells Catfish and huge Carp, but virtually unknown to potential expats or foreign
property buyers who have only frequented the “Hotspots” of the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Bravo and even (accessible to us) Costa Daurado (Dorado).
But above all us, it is a wonderful area to holiday in. You need not be an adrenalin fueled or athletic enthusiast 
to enjoy a holiday here again and again. Catalonia is steeped in history and many Roman ruins to visit and of course the many different sites of the Civil War. Many Castles to photograph, paint or stroll around. Each of them with many stories of tehir own .Each different from the other.
A good and safe area to relocate to or to have a second home. Ideal for short breaks or long stays, maybe you want to escape the cold and wet months in your country. The Lower Ebro Valley is
an amazing spot to over-winter. Yes we may get come cold spells and some winter rains, but where else is this in the UK coupled with sunny days in winter. Last year we were still wearing T-shirts in October and it was December before the cold arrived. The 
rains normally received in March were late this year.But we have welcomed them with relief to stay off the drought conditions threatening Catalonia, and more so Barcelona to the North of us
Come and write that novel or bring your paints and bring your camera or just bring yourself.
Contact us at: www.BrighterSpain.com
EbroRose May 15th, 2008
Have you just been awoken to one of those worrying phone calls where you have a chatty Spaniard or Catalonian jabbering away to you? He dots about his conversation with an odd English word, but you still can´t make any sense of it.
Don´t ignore the call. Check the number of “Last Received Call ” on your mobile and then call our very helpful and friendly local translator in the Lower Ebro Valley.
Chris Garton : 677 – 314 -228
977 – 059 – 260
I did and it has paid off to my advantage!
EbroRose May 4th, 2008
Two of my brothers have found lovely homes
Now just four of us boys left alone.
But who will love me?
My brother Duke was easy to train
None of us will cost much to maintain.
I am used to other dogs and chickens too
I love adults and kiddies too
A walk and a daily talk
Some water and any food will do
Surely it is not a lot to ask of you.
Who will love me?
I am not a bad lad!
I don´t like to see John sad
But he´s too many other dogs that drive him mad!
I promise to be loyal to you
I will try not to chew your shoe.
All I ask is for a home with you.
Who will love me?
I am keen to learn
My treats I will earn
I am alert
NO kiddies will I hurt
I love to play and then to laze
Into your eyes I will adoringly gaze
Who will love me?
Call John on (0034) 680 144 587 please
I´m on bended knees
Besides I do come free
Who will love me?
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