EbroVoice

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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EbroRose July 14th, 2007

The world of a Lady River Guide for Carp and the Giant Wells Catfish takes on a whole new outlook on the proverbial “ladies black fishnets” – or “keep-nets” as is the River Speak.

This is one entrepid lady fishing guide!

Don´t be mislead by her petiteness. Natalie Hull has great temerity, matched second to none with her tenacity and passionate knowledge of her sport, her hobby, her livelihood and expertise and skill in River Guiding on the Lower Ebro River for Carp and those enormous Catfish.

A very popular choice amongst ardent fishermen ( and the “Fisherladies” or Female Anglers) from around the world. Only this week Natalie has been out all week on the Ebro with a party of Australians. Her client base tells its own story. It is expanding rapidly with repeat bookings from France, Denmark, Canada, England, Lithuania, Ireland, other Australians and what is very interesting the number of Spanish and Catalonians that are now booking for this exhilerating sport. Each year a few more countries join her guest data base. Amercians and Canadians are hooked on fishing these big cats too.

http://www.womenanglers.us/

What are you waiting for out there?

I have seen some evidence of mighty catfish caught off the banks of “El Figueral”over the last fortnight from a charming and friendly Dutch family of father and DAUGHTER partnership (mother chose the poolside and a magazine – I can relate to that!)http://www.brighterspain.com/elfig.html = Hier begint uw visvakantie.

But why not make your holiday complete and try out a day or more on the river with Natalie. Natalie is the Lower Ebro Ladies Champion catfisher with her 182lb. That takes some reeling in! Besides you have the photos to take home with you, along with life time memories. However, be warned – you will yearn to come back next year.

The Dutch, the Belgiums and the Germans love to fish the River Ebro as well.

Bank fishing can be as rewarding as being out on the river. Evening fishing is also fun and takes on a whole new dimension. Go on! Take a peek at her price list and packages you will be pleasantly surprised.

http://www.catfishingadventures.co.uk/prices.html .

Who would imagine that a way for a father to bond with his daughter, would be to take her out of her mother´s hair for the day, at the gentle age of eight. Little did he expect her to become so hooked on fishing from her first day. Natalie has never looked back! I am sure, many a day when she is drifting down the wonderful Ebro, heading homewards after another amazing eight hours guiding, she casts her mind back, thankfully to all those precious days when she first start gathering her fishing knowledge from her father and mentor.

Natalie first started River Guiding on the Ebro from October 2003. Her PhotoCat Gallery show some awesome fish!

www.catfishingadventures.co.uk

New to the sport, want to find out what all the fuss is about, contact Natalie Hull. You will not be disappointed when you take part in this “adrenalin pumping” sport

• Fishing and more fishing , Hobbies
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EbroRose July 8th, 2007

>> For a truly tailored catfish experience, look no further than www.EbroCatfish.com <<

Graham is a very experienced River guide who personally tailors his plans and decides whether it is better to take a short drive up to the L´Assut (the Weir) at Xerta, off the C12 route, with “it´s fast flowing shallows and deep glides”, or t continue on down through Aldover where the river stretchesout even wider. More exciting fishing can be had at Amposta where the river seems to loose its kinks and reaches far out down to the Delta. Reportedly this is the area of deep trenches that Ebrocatfish.com find ideal for “drift Fishing.”

This is a very articulated set-up with care to your comfort and safety. A new and well-maintained, insured and registered boat (17´ California Skiff) that will harness one guide and 3 fishermen/women with excellent catfish rods and bait supplied. http://www.ebrocatfish.com/fishing.htm

The guests have no need to nibble on the corn or the “un-jellied” eels, as Maureen packs up a very satisfying lunch for you to munch while seeing some magnificent views from waters as you wait for Señor Catfish to take your bait. Maureen and Graham offer attention to detail to make you feel very welcomed, cared for, fed and watered, so you quickly unwind and relax in the beautiful surroundings of their property. Where they enthusiastically assign themselves to ensure you have exceptional and exhilarating days out on our diversed River Ebro and treasured memories to take home second to none!

Enjoy! – ¡ Gozar !  – Gaudir de!

• Fishing and more fishing , Hobbies
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