EbroVoice

EbroRose September 4th, 2009

You did? Fabulous. I was thrilled to see that Ryanair was still planning on flights into Reus from the more regional airports of Bristol and Liverpool.

There has been a lot of grumbles about Ryanair slashing flights out of London – Stanstead (news reported 21st July) and Manchester (headlines 17th August) because the overheads at those giants are extortionate. This is only good news for the smaller airports. We look forward to seeing the timetable from Leeds Bradford airport, and Mr. Marketing Director, we need flights from there into Reus, not Barcelona where Jet2 fly into. Then those who flew from Manchester can now run up to Yorkshire instead of the other way round.

11th August it was reported “jobs for Yorkshire”. Great! Ryanair reckons over a 1000 local jobs will evolve to support and sustain their services on the outskirts of Leeds. So the White Rose wins the “flight” war in the War of Roses again.

So www.EasyJet.com is too offering amazing deals before midnight on the 8th September so do hurry. The perk about their offer is you can fly between … right up to the 15th December 2009.Plus you get free car upgrade and a bonus by being entered into a super duper holiday prize draw.

Booked your flight, so the next step is to decide where are you going to stay and what are you going to do out here. We can help, advise or we can point you in the right direction. www.BrighterSpain.com.

The swallows are gathering in the UK ready for a winter destination in Africa. Our swallows in the Lower Ebro River Valley are still making their nests under whichever eaves they can find. This is a sign our warm weather will linger on for awhile yet, so maybe our autumn will be kind to us again this year.

Weather update today:

Tortosa .Southern Catalonia.Spain

Sunny to hot – 35 degrees celcius

Sat writing in my costume with a welcoming breeze blowing across the Lower Ebro Valley.
Outcome: “Perfect! Just Perfect Ma!”

• Fishing and more fishing , Hobbies , Sport , Uncategorized , Vacation Rentals , Where to go
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EbroRose June 8th, 2009

An initiative to promote the diversity of the Ebro region and also to build stronger community links has arrived.The new website, Ebro.TV, has been launched as a place to share videos, audio, photo’s, news and stories about the Ebro River Valley and Delta.

This is not just for the English community. This is for everyone! You can write in Catalan or Spanish. Dutch, German and French is okay too. There are certain groups setup already so please join in. Start your own group and display your interests or wares.

Photo Album and unlimited media uploads! Here’s your chance to show off all those snaps you have been taking. Let the world know what a wonderful place we live in! Please invite as many of your friends as possible.

With features too numerous to mention, from RSS feeds to photo ratings and a personal messaging system.
You can even signup using your current AOL, Facebook, Google, Yahoo or OpenID details.

So, if you want to boast about that Catfish you caught OR upload your latest karaoke efforts OR even just put up a photo / video of a property you have for sale, see you at www.ebro.TV!!

And it is all free!

• Bookshelf , Business Enterprises , Fishing and more fishing , Hints for settlers , Hobbies , Languages & Literatures , Living in rustic Catalonia , Property for sale , Uncategorized
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EbroRose April 22nd, 2009

(Feria de la  Alfarería y Cerámica, La Galera   Del  1 de mayo al 3 de  mayo)

La Galera

MONTSIÀ, borders on our delightful Catalonia and is easily accessible from all the arterial routes as displayed on the Google map.  During the days of fair it is reported than more than eighty exhibitors of pottery and ceramics will arrive from every corner of Catalonia, various different places across Spain and from other parts of the world.such is it popularity. It literally takes over the town! Visitors will be able to enjoy a wide expression of exhibitions displaying  traditional pottery, artistic ceramics, of varied creations and designs in forms and colours.

You will indeed be hard pressed in not purchasing one or more pieces of work!

The organizers will guarantee you a very warm welcome and fervently want to enjoy in the exchange of traditions and cultures.

Free admission. It is open from 10h to 14h and then after a siesta and a delightful meal you can return for 16h to 21h. This will be on from the 1st to 3rd May.

City Hall of La Galera  Tel.  977 718 339

• Hobbies , Uncategorized , Where to go
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EbroRose September 29th, 2007

Well, the rain sure came down last Friday night in Catalonia! It was on a par with a monsoon. Delightful for my olives and a disaster for the rice harvest in the Delta as the rain brings the price down. Yet, just the weather for a good read, discover a new hobby or craft away indoors or take over the garage (again!) and try out some more painting attempts.

The wind off Mont Caro this morning, will definitely blow away any cobwebs you might be feeling now all the family have returned overseas.

1. “New Europe” by Michael Palin. If you have watched his other TV series or read ‘Sahara’ or ‘Pole to Pole’; you just have to have this one. He has such a knack of narrating in a way you feel you are the kestrel on his glove, with an eagle eye-view of all his adventures.

2. “Journey to the South” – Annie Hawes. Another great read from the authoress of “Extra Virgin”, except she has fallen in love with an Italian from the south.

3. “The Earth, my Butt and other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler. A realistically and funny portrayal of a high school aspiring young adult trying to desperately loose weight for all the wrong reasons. A most enjoyable read for mothers and grandmothers too.

4. “Red, White and Drunk all Over” by Natalie MacLean. Oh what a read! A wine soaked journey from the grape being harvested, to the glass. A lovely stocking filler to accompany some Christmas “plonk” for your best friend.

5. “The Rest of her Life” by Laura Moriarty has sensitively captured how the fears and realities of one innocent action can spiral our lives downwards into a whirlpool of emotion. She writes frankly but weaves in tales with grace and without coyness leaves the reader exposed to very raw questions.

6. “Flying Upside Down: True Tales of an Antartic Pilot” by Mark. A.Hindebaugh. Try this book for an adventure read with a different twist to “living your dream.”

7. “You can Paint Water Colours” by Alwyn Cranshaw. What a wonderful place Catalonia is to take up a hobby you have always wanted to do. This is a “must have” for you to help you to start painting away the days in glorious colours.

8. “The AdSense Code” by Joel Comm. A valuable and informative book for all internet marketing and e-business enterprises – or those who would like to do likewise.

9. “The Complete Idiot´s Guide to Fishing Basics” by Mike Tooth. A book that is well dog-eared and courted by carp and catfish anglers the world over

10. “At First Sight” by Nicholas Sparks – a great novel laced with a sweet twist of romance, and other amazing attributes of surprise, shock and even tragedy, makes this an easy attention grabbing book to loose yourself in for a couple of wonderful hours.

11. “Alone in the kitchen with an Eggplant” edited by Jenni Ferari-Adler of 26 contributors expelling their cooking and dining solo experiences, while exploring guilty pleasures in bizarre and unusual food choices or combinations.The pages are entwined with recipes and it makes a jolly good read too.

12. ” The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Conn Iggulden & Hal Iggulden. A very coolbook for all ages that embraces boyhood with fun and information.

13. * Newsflash* Latest release: “Killer Weekend” from the esteemed pen of Ridley Pearson, set in Idaho´s Sun Valley. He will reach out and grab you by the jugular from the first few paragraphs . You will not be able to put this book down! The plot seems straight forward (do not believe it) with a local lawman, Walt Fleming´s task to catch an assasin who is poised to murder Liz Shaler – one presidential candidate, it will grip you to the very end, and even then leave you thinking.

Each week the Bookshelf selections are available through www.brighterspain.com and carefully considered and personally selected by EbroRose -the Voice of The Ebro Valley

• Bookshelf , Hobbies
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EbroRose September 18th, 2007

Week 3 of “Bookshelf” choices and the mornings are darker now, but nothing beats crawling out of bed and enjoying that first cup of coffee and turning the pages of a new book. The house is quiet. The washing can wait for another hour. Curl up on the couch and savour a few cherished moments and the first few chapters. The chores are on hold. This is your time. Read on!

The olives are ripening now on the trees. Some are green and fat, some black and large, others are small and black, some are green and red…so many different types. Looks like it will be a good harvest this year. There is so much more you can do with your olives and our Number one choice this week is EbroVoice´s olive ‘bible’. This is one book that is bursting at it seams with information. You will not regret buying it – if you enjoy the country life and love experimenting and trying new things out – or just curious about Olives.

The selection is varied and there is something for everyone.

1.The Sophisticated Olive – Marie Nadine Antol – the complete guide to olive cuisine, olives health & beauty, the art of olive making, olives in your own backyard, the history of the olive. A valuable companion to anyone who relocates to Catalonia or rural Spain.

2.Easy Spanish Phrase Book: over 770 Basic everyday phrases for easy use “Dover Easy Phrases”by Dover Press. Don´t worry if you are just starting to learn Spanish or if you are already chatting away, this will definitely make your conversation more interesting. Try a few out and see the expressions of wonder

3. “Ripe for the Picking” – Annie Hawes .If you enjoyed the best selling book of “Extra Virgin”. Anyone living in the Mediterranean will relate and enjoy this fuzzy-warm, hilarious and a magical read and people-watching is second to none. If you live further afield you will feel as though you are sat on the Ligurian mountainside sharing all her experiences.

4.”The Barefoot Fishermen: A fishing book for kids” by Paul Amdahl. A charming book to encourage your children to learn about “…bass, crappie, sunfish, carp and catfish live in warm water..”.Oh it does please me when the youngsters pull out these giant carp and magnificent Catfish off the Ebro River banks and they are bigger than their well-seasoned Fisherman-father´s best catch of the day (or night).

5.”Earning Money from Your Spanish Home” by Joanna Styles. Spent all summer”doing it up”? Now lets see show you can refill those coffers that might be feeling the strain of restoration and relocation.

6.”What Fish don´t want you to know: An Insider´s Guide to Freshwater Fishing” by P.Baron.The title itself makes you want to want to grab the book and scour it. A lovely present for “him indoors”.

7.”The Burning Shore” – Wilbur Smith. Once more captures a breathtaking adventure of love, war and the acid bitter revenge and the struggle of a quest just for survival in a country torn apart at the seams. Brilliantly descriptive and such a tale he weaves into the characters. A jolly good read for everyone.

8.Teens book “Guyaholic” by Carolyn Mackler. Another one to save for the Christmas stocking!

9. “False Impression” – Jeffrey Archer. This brilliant plotter and skillful story teller has excelled himself again, with twists and turns as the action and intrigue moves from New York to London, Bucharest and on to Tokyo, turning up in a sleepy English village.

10.”Needlework Tools and Accessories: A Dutch Tradition-made in Holland” by Kay Sullivan. Something to do when the wind blows off Mont Caro and you curl up by your wood burner, when the olive crop is picked.

11. “Pavarotti – Life with Pavarotti” by Adua Pavarotti – 3 daughters & 34 years married to Luciano until photos surfaced of him and his secretary mistress, Mantovani. The famous, late tenors´, wife offers unique insight into her husbands complex personality, his first love was football, his love of music, his early years, the pressure of fame and their family life.

12.”Spain: The Root and The Flower:An interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People” by John A. Crow .

13.**Newsflash** New release…September 2007 “Songs without Words” by Anne Packer. She stamps the pages with keen introspection and astute psychological tones about Liz and Sarabeth (such an unusual name) friendship. Strong characters entwined in close connections. Yet will the flaws within their friendship stand the strain as their lives are soon to be blown apart in a huge crisis. Her second novel and a jolly good read about Californian lives.

• Bookshelf , Hobbies
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EbroRose September 10th, 2007

Week 2 of our Bookshelf collection for a Brighter Read. The selection is varied and covers different interests and activities for all age groups, but ensures enjoyment for all of you. Nothing beats a good read for relaxation and escapism into your own little world. Bliss!

1. “The King and I “-Herbert Breslin – witty and frankly written about Luciano Pavarotti life, escapades and rise to fame from footballer to tenor, by his friend and manager for the last 36 years.

2.” Rugby World Cup 2007 Official Travel Guide” – Mike Gerrard, Donna Dailey and Hope Caton. Bursting with information about the 42 matches across 10 French cities and 2 in the Uk. Jam packed with talk of the rugby villages,shopping and tourist information to make your rugby tour so much more enjoyable. Rugby news and lots of it.

3. “Sharon Osbourne Extreme: Autobiography”.This classical lady has entertained us on TV-She is sassy and so much fun.You will just love her attitude and all her titbits about her husband Ozzey, who she loves unconditionally. Her temerity in her fight for life. Her world has been a man´s world -”dog eat dog”, but above all she has been a Mum to 3 wonderful kids. A definite autumn read!

4. “Craft Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business ” by Meg Mateo Ilasco- in paperback since August 2007.Always thought about doing it – autumn is now the time to start putting your dream craft forward into a business. You are never too young nor too old to do it. A valuable reading source.

“Totally flawed, totally loveable” by Melissa Walker.A book for teens and it has 5 star reviews. V is the girl who is fascinating. All her insecurities and flaws in her character we can relate to. Page after pages scoops you up with both joy and pain.

6 “Double Cross (Alex Cross) by James Patterson as advertised on Satelite television. Definitely another “must read” book while it is still warm enough to enjoy your deckchair outside under the mulberry trees.
7.” Woodworking for Dummies” by Jeff Strong – out in paperback. This book is valuable to “him indoors”, but have you never thought of how this craft is now accessible to us ladies with all these new fanciful, electric tools. Hey, if we can manage the Concrete mixer and the petrol chainsaw,we must be dummies not to give this a go.Afterall, the garage is not just his domain.

8.” A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

9. “The Collectors” by David Baldacci – The members of the Camel Club reunite to solve a murder at the Library of Congress.

10. “74 Seaside Avenue” by Debbie Macomber. A chess champion keeps a protective eye on his hairdresser wife after receiving veiled threats from a Russian opponent; Book 7 of the Cedar Cove series.

11.”Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen – a young man, an elephant -save a Depression-era circus. This book will be enjoyed like we have just enjoyed the live Circo Raluy in Tortosa.

12.“1001 Most Useful Spanish Words (Beginners Guides)” -Seymour Resnick´s valuable book for all Expats and not just the college kids – that is a lot of words!

13.**Newsflash** – “You´ve been Warned” – James Patterson new release which will be on sale Monday, September 10,

• Bookshelf , Hobbies
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EbroRose September 3rd, 2007

Every week I will delight you with a choice of good reading material covering all the various needs of Expats and their families. No two weeks will be the same. The selection will be carefully researched and will also cover other European languages.

All these books will be available through : http://www.brighterspain.com/books_for_expats — for a A Brighter Read .

Please surf these these pages as there will be regular reviews and updates .

1. The Jamlady Cookbook – highly acclaimed and a very good friend – Beverly Ellen Schoonmaker-she has been a source of inspiration for all my fruit produce in Spain.

2. Adventures of the Pillowcase Puppy -by Michelle Lee …already received 5 star reviews- a puppy who has magical powers-page turner for any age group-delightful read and very well written.

3.A Late dinner – Discovering the food of Spain – Paul Richardson

4. Ghosts of Spain – travels through a country´s hidden and intriguing past – Giles Tremlet

5.Bring Tapas to your Table- 1080 Recipes -best loved cookbook on Spain for for over 30 years- Simone Ortega

6. The Quickie – James Patterson -available since July 2nd, 2007 in hardback

7.The Almost Blossom Appreciation Society – Chris Stewart

8. Valencia- the Lonely Planet guide- Valencia is just over the Catalonian border and close to the Baix Ebre and Montsia regions…somuch to see and do there!

9.A Piano in the Pyrenees – The ups and down of an Englishmen in France – Tony Hawks

10. Europe on a Shoestring-big trips on small budgets – not just for the backpackers- Saraj Johnstone

11.The Olive Route – A personal and poignant journey to the heart of the Mediterranean – Carol Drinkwater – a brilliant British actress who can write so entertainingly as well.

12.Neither here nor there – Travels in Europe -Bill Bryson

13. **Newsflash: September 24th, 2007 – “Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham**

http://www.brighterspain.com/books_for_expats

If you are an avid reader desperately trying to find something that you have not read or merely someone searching for a book for a present for an adult, a child, a teenager- a sibling “nothing to do Mom- I´m bored” sort of persona and can´t find what you are looking for.

I will relish in finding your requisite. Just go to my contact page on www.BrighterSpain.com

Besides now is an ideal time to put away books for Christmas presents and avoid the festive rush on deliveries..or it may just be a learning aid required now!

Hey, Gareth , Lee and Julie, if you want to buy your Mom some good Christmas reads..I will send you a brilliant list to choose from -hint-hint!

• Bookshelf , Hobbies
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EbroRose August 24th, 2007

Fiestas are never over in Catalonia and it is with joy that we hear of another musical one called the “Ebre Terra de Vent” in Catalan or “Tierras de Vientos”in Castillian Spanish. I am sure this will entertain us, as much as the July Jazz Festival did in Tortosa.

This is a “traditional” ( I love that word..as it can portray so many different visual icons) wind instrument music festival. And joy upon joy it is more than one day long and spreads over from the 7th September to Sunday the 9th September, 2007.

Do visit their visual site and though it is in either Castellano or Catala´ -it is informative of other musical events as well: www.academic.es

What constitutes a wind instrument?

Wikipedia states they are instruments that emits a sound when a column of air is made to vibrate inside them.The wave frequencey generated arises according to the instruments´s shape and the length of the column of air. Basically, how much puff you have! Whereas, the design of the instruments depicts the tonal output.

The instruments may be made of either wood / reed or brass. Sounds simple, oh but it does take skill so the sound is not cacophonic. We all remember the days of our kids running home with their recorders and blaring out some dreadful sounds from their bedroom.

However, wind instruments are often handed down over the generations to the next era of aspiring musicians.

• Hobbies , Where to go
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EbroRose July 24th, 2007

However, you pronounce James in Brighter Catalonia, one thing is for sure, James Patterson´s books are still a mighty good read in any language! (The translation is available in Spanish on the bookshelves here in Catalonia.)

Oh, thank you Richard and Paula J. for mailing me your copy of “1st To Die” and, yes, my favourite hobby is still reading! I had almost forgotten how good a read James Patterson´s books are to me.

The creator of well loved and respected Alex Cross, now weaves in the enthralling Women´s Murder Club, to make his plots even more absorbing. These professional ladies fight undauntingly together against the criminal minds, creating new dimensions to the already existing suspense.

A homicide inspector, a reporter, an assistant DA and a medical Coroner examinor are all friends united together, always there for each other with their academic accolades and wealth of experience, all with the same end purpose – to stop the criminals!

Nothing but nothing prepares them for these sick murders occuring all over in honeymooners´ paradise gone wrong, again and again and again.

This is definitely going to be a thrilling and spell binding series. Why would a brutal maniac killer target only newly wed couples? Where is his or even her link to them?

Yet, within all this slaughtering action James Patterson weaves a romantic thread – only to end in personal tragedy.

A novel where you, the reader forget about your family, your dogs and cats – they all go unfed, as you are totally oblvious to all of them, as this thriller races your pulse, gathering speed as you “chew up” page after page. When you think they have captured the killer, you stumble into a twist in the story. There is always more.

And when it is all over you are still thinking about it and start surfing immediately to find when the “follow up” is in print.

Astoundingly good read! Never tried one of his books? Go on – you´ll never regret it. www.jamespatterson.com

• Bookshelf , Hobbies , Languages & Literatures
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EbroRose July 16th, 2007

Cooking becomes a whole new hobby out here. The cooking is shared by entire families and the men still claim they are better chefs around the barbecue than the women. Fine, by me, Angeles let´s have that one glass of red wine now!

Ganz einfag!

Germans make great potato salad, both hot and cold. Oktoberfest would not be the same without their salads. Bacon is always included in their salads and often they use red potatoes instead of white, and always a good measure of mustard.

Most supermarkets in Tortosa (Carrefour, Sabeco, Lidl, Mercadona, Suma) stock tubs of already cubed bacon – some is even heavily spiced, but both go well in potato salads.

Add your own varieties to this with your own sliced green, spring onions. I also think that red and green peppers thinly sliced or chopped just adds that extra voom to your salad.

Latino salad also uses bacon, but black olives along with an apple crumbled into it, with their tasty red onions and black pepper and a garlic clove crushed into it. All available in Catalonia.

¡ Muy fa`cile !

Orchestrate your basic potato salad, but be more adventurous! Look at what are the natural products you have on your land, or in the local markets or “Agrobotigas” and be creative. Green olives harmonize well with nuts, cashews (supermarket brands, maybe), but try you own almonds or walnuts, add some crunchy sliced celery and few radishes,thinly sliced just pulled up from your own veggie patch. Don´t forget to use the LIGHT mayonnaise to help keep our old arteries unclogged.

Some of the best potato salads I´ve tasted this season has include seafood. Different – but so jummy,with prawns accompanied with crab or crayfish. Fresh parsley sliced small, first sprinkled with own-grown lemons and then tossed into the salad with a genreous sprinkling of ground black pepper.

Catalonia is famous and overflowing with their varieties of sausages in all sizes, colours and thickness,unsmoked,smoked and spicy. Slice some of your favourites into your potato salad. Not sure which to buy or sample. ¡ No problema ! Either ask your local butcher or watch what the village ladies are buying..- Que bueno?

Howdy!

Have you ever tasted Californian Sweet potato salad? Wowee! Serves up well with barbecue or fried chicken and sits well along a steakor charcoal grilled chops and sausages.

Oh, yes, there is more than one way to make your barbecue memorable, instead of serving up the boring old jacket potato. Us Westerna and Northern Europeans need our stodge – though in more moderation than back in the colder climates.

More of these mouth-watering recipes to be found at:

www.allrecipes.com/recipes/potato salad

• Hints for settlers , Hobbies
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