Torrevieja Outlook October 2018 Nº56

Torrevieja Outlook

Nº 56 October 2018

056 October 2018

Calendar – Fiestas – Valencian Day – Pilar – Angel of Salt Lakes – Crevillente Moors & Christians – El Campello Sea Invasion – Callosa d’Én Sarria fiestas – Patronal fiestas in Los Montesinos – La Mata celebrates – Cheste Wine – Bilboa and Begoñia – Elche repeats the Mystery play – Cocetaina fair – Halloween everywhere – Pilgrims go to San Andrés de Teixido – Linked by History – A great Gift – Birdie festival – Bali Help them to help themselves – Bookshelf Off the Boat – Walking in solidarity – Butterfly Skin – Sweeties for dehydration – Hospital Nervous system – Making dreams come true with HELP – Dehesa de Campoamor – no Bathing – What’s On. aormi@icloud.com

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October is the month of the Angels and the Virgen of the Rosary, so fiestas tend to have a religious bent.

On each Sunday of the month the songs of the Rosario de la Aurora are realised in Benferri, Callosa de Segura, Benijรณfar and Granja de Rocamora.

1 - 10th Patronal fiestas of Rafal.

2 - 10th Patronal fiestas in Pilar de la Horadada.

4th Oct. Moors & Christians in Crevillente.

4 - 7th Oct. Patronal fiestas in Polop.

1st weekend of the month: Moors & Christians in Benidorm.

Patronal fiestas of Sella.

Patronal fiestas in Planes.

Alcoy holds a week of traditional dancing 6 - 7th Oct. Guardamar del Segura celebrates the festival of the Virgen del Rosario.

Nearest Sunday to the 7th the fiestas of the Virgen del Rosario are held in Albatera, Rojales and Torrelamata (Torrevieja).

7th Oct. Petrer fiesta in honour of the Virgen del Remedio.

During the following Sundays of October the carnival type fiesta of les Carasses is held in Petrer with old traditional dances (left) 7 - 12th Patronal fiestas of Los Montesinos.

2nd week of October the Fiesta de la Cerveza is held in Calpe.

12th Oct. National holiday in honour of the Virgen del Pilar celebrated in every town but especially in Pilar de la Horadada. aormi@icloud.com

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12 - 15th El Campello holds excellent Moors & Christian fiestas (above).

1st Sunday after the 12th the ‘Baile del Vino’ is held in Los Montesinos.

2nd weekend until the following Tuesday there are Moors & Christians in Callosa d’En Sarrià.

19 - 22nd Calpe fiestas.

3rd Sunday (from the previous Thursday to this Sunday) patronal fiestas of Benimantell.

Monday after 3rd Sunday festival in Xaló.

1st Sunday after 25th San Crispín fiestas in Elche.

Last two weeks of the month a Feria held in Villena.

Last week of the month Calpe holds the Gran Día de las Quintas.

Last Sunday of October fiestas to honour the Virgen del Rosario in Granja de Rocamora.

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Valencian Day All the Valencian towns celebrate the ‘Dia de Valencia’ on the 9th October, which is a local public holiday in the Region with most shops closed and people take the opportunity to drive to Murcia city for a shopping spree; often one meets people one hasn’t seen for ages on this day in Murcia.

In Alicante a medieval market is held on the Esplanade, mainly aimed at entertaining children with jesters and street entertainers. Several towns, especially the capital Valencia, have several local events and most shops are closed.

This date is a reference point in the history of Valencia when King Jaime I triumphantly entered the city of Valencia in 1238 having ousted the Moors.

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The 12th October is a national public holiday celebrating the feast of the Virgen del Pilar. Often these two dates happily coincide with a weekend, so many people take a long ‘puente’ bridging break.

According to tradition St. James (the Elder) the Apostle, spent seven years preaching in Spain around 40 AD before returning to Israel, where he was eventually beheaded in the persecutions against the Christians in Jerusalem. He is supposed to have built a temple to the holy Virgin Mary in Zaragoza, as she had appeared to him above a marble pillar. This led to the devotion of the Virgen del Pilar and today thousands of Spanish girls are named Pilar.

Under this title the Virgin Mary is regarded as the patroness of Spain and also of the Guardia Civil; there are normally speeches, parades and a flag raising ceremony in front of town halls. It is also a day when links with other Spanish speaking nations are remembered and is known as ‘el dia de Hispanidad’.

It is the patronal fiestas at Pilar de la Horadada and many events are arranged throughout the preceding week with sporting events, bull fights, traditional dancing, Parades, concerts and activities for the children. Foreign groups have taken part in the main parade with their own float over the past few years. aormi@icloud.com

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Angel of the Salt Lakes St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of San Miguel de las Salinas who shares the day with St. Gabriel the Archangel on 29th September.These started in September and run on until the 9th Octoober.

Crucial to the fiestas is the participation of the local band - Union Musical San Miguel de las Salinas.

Among events held during the patronal fiestas in San Miguel de Salinas will be the election of the Queen and her Damas de Honor, the parade of floats, go-kart racing, a giant paella and a Grand Dinner/Dance. The Barraca Popular will once again be raised for a variety of exhibitions and concerts. This year there is also a beery Oktoberfest

Paella competitions El Altet also celebrates their patron, San Francisco de Asís, with a week of fun and games. During the first week of this month on the Monday the town’s Plaza Mayor is the scene of paella competitions with around 80 dishes being cooked. Children’s day on Tuesday 3rd with lots of events and unfair with hot chocolate and cakes. A special Mass on the saint’s day 4th October. 5th October a chairing of street music.

Friday is the Floral procession. Then Saturday is Moors & Christian processions

Moors & Christians in Crevillente St. Francis of Assisi is also a patron saint of Crevillente, which gives the citizens an excuse to take to the streets for fiesta time. For five days before and five days after the saint’s feastday on 4th October there aormi@icloud.com

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is a very wide variety of events including a medieval market, carnival parade, 12 groups of Moors & Christians, the usual wining and dining and ending with a wonderful fireworks display.

The parading of the Moors & Christians began in 1976 but are based on real acts chronicled in the 13th century. The town has a magnificent statue dedicated to both the Moors and Christians and now with so many North African immigrants the main street through the town sometimes looks and smells like an Arabic enclave. In 2005 the fiestas were given the title of “National Tourist Interest”.

Petrer also has a Roman Market on Saturday and Sunday 29 and 30 September.

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Sea Invasion at El Campello As the sun rises the Moorish ships appear and the troops disembark in El Campello hoping to surprise the waiting populace. However, waiting for them in the shallow waters and on the beach are the Christians, some warriors, others ordinary towns folk desperate to defend their homes.

This is the setting for the first encounter of the town’s famous Moors & Christian festival every October. This is one of the best events of its type on the Costa Blanca and is worth a visit to this small town to enjoy the parades of strutting gaudily clad warriors, some incongruously wearing spectacles or puffing on a cigar as they fire off their medieval armaments.

It’s an early morning dawn start, so you have tone up early to get down to the beach but very spectacular show, although a bit slow.

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Tourist Attractive fiestas in Callosa d’Én Sarria.

It is also fiesta time in Callosa d Én Sarrià and during the first weekend of the month Moors & Christians rule the streets. Exerting a combination of powerful attractions on the local populace, including theatrics, farce, masquerading and special costumes, music, gunpowder and general revelling, the Moors & Christians festivities have now become the showcase fiestas of the provinces of Alicante and Valencia.

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Callosa d'en Sarrià is a Valencian town and municipality located in the comarca of Marina Baixa, still in the province of Alicante, Spain, lying in the valley of the river Guadalest, 50 km from the city of Alicante.

The Fonts de l’Algar (Algar Waterfalls) are at 3 km from the centre of Callosa, heading towards Bolulla, and Tàrbena. The Algar waterfalls form a natural park with an elevated grade of conservation of the ecological richness and one of those mustsees in a tourist itinerary. The economy of Callosa is chiefly based on tourism and agriculture: it is the main producer of loquats in Spain and also produces medlars.

The most important monuments in the town are the Catholic archpriestal church of Sant Joan Baptista (Saint John), built in the 18th century, and the Fortress of Bèrnia, built by Engineer Giovani Battitista Antonelli in 1562. Originally it was a wonderful and clear exponent of the military architecture ordered by King Philip II. But because it was so far from the actual coast it was demolished by Phillip III, in 1612. However, you can still see the arches, the fosse, the bastion, the well and the wall remains. The wall measured 100 meters long and 100 meters wide. It has been considered as a Property of Culture Interest since 1997. There are explanatory panels that show the ancient running and use of the Fort. There is also a dinosaur park close by. aormi@icloud.com

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Callosa dÉn Sarria fiestas go back to 1860 and include traditional dancing of the warriors, processions and a Floral Offering to the town’s patroness la Virgen de las Injurias. These fiestas are considered to be part of Spain’s national heritage and have been declared of National Touristic Interest since 1985.

The town’s fiestas are in honour of the Virgen de las Injurias; celebrations that go back to 1866. The town was originally a Moorish one until the 13th century when Jaime I incorporated it into his kingdom. It takes its name from Admiral Bernat de Sarrià who purchased it from king Alfonso I of Valencia and II of Aragon in 1290.

During the 16th century the land was bought over on several occasions by different noble families; the most recent in 1767 by the Count of Orgaz. The Rio Algar makes the area fairly fertile and, therefore, attractive.

The church, dedicated to San Juan Bautista, was reconstructed in the middle of the 17th century. There are still the remains of the original castle in the Plaza del Castell supposedly built by the original Admiral. In the XVIIIth century the stones were gradually used to build other houses nearby.

During these fiestas a dozen groups of Moors and Christians parade in style. These celebrations take place from the second Saturday of October. Men and women form the contingents of the two opposing forces of the Moors and Christians, while a castle is set up in front of the Ayuntamiento as the centre piece of the various festival aormi@icloud.com

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acts. Children have their own part to play in the dance known as el ‘Ball de les Pastoretes’ or dance of the shepherds.

Distinguishing these events from other ones is the ‘war’ dances which are held at midnight on the Saturday and Sunday in the Plaza del Convento. Another feature is the dance of the Bigheads undertaken by two groups of three pairs representing good and evil. Three pairs of Cabezudos (Bigheads) precede the files of warriors as they chase away the devil and frighten the children who run away screeching and laughing. These Cabezudos have their own peculiar dance at midday on the Saturday.

During the fiestas children dress in traditional costumes and perform the Ball de Les Pastoretes or dance of the shepherdesses: first on the Saturday afternoon in the local church, later at the Floral Offering and then on the Monday at midday in the Church Plaza. There are some unique musical instruments used in the bands and during the Civil War these disappeared only to re-appear once the fighting was over.

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Los Montesinos is still a young town insofar as it is only just over a decade since it became a separate municipal entity. Slowly the townsfolk are recuperating old traditions and during the fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Pilar a romeria is held in conjunction with many sporting and social activities. Each year more foreign residents are actively participating in the colourful parades and verbenas.

Luis Antonio Belluga y Moncada (30 November 1662 – 22 February 1743) was a prominent Spanish churchman and statesman during the 18th century.

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Los Montesinos was segregated from Almoradi in 1990 having been a part of that town since the 16th century. Part of it borders on the Torrevieja La Mata Lake. The town takes its name from the family who originally owned the lands in the time of Cardinal Belluga, who was the driving force behind settling people in remote rural areas, often noted for being the refuge of bandits. The Cardinal was responsible for founding several towns in the Vega Baja area. The church is dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar, built in 1886. It was renovated between 1996-1999. Nearby is the Roman highway Via Augusta and there are the remains of two Roman villas - La Marquesa and Lo Montanar. This highway linked Rome with Cadiz passing over the River Segura at what is now Los Montesinos, leading on down to Cartagena. The area is rich in wells and small reservoirs, which indicates the reason why there is so much agricultural development. It would be a pity if the local authorities permitted too much construction in the municipal area.

Later there was a Moorish presence and an important discovery in the 1970’s was ‘the treasure of La Marquesa’ that consisted of 246 silver coins from the Xth and XIth centuries. La Marquesa was the central most important house in the area serving as the parish church and housed the original hermitage until the present parish was constituted. The Jesuits owned the property in the XVIIIth century, just after the 1829 earthquake, and undertook reforms to the chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

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La Mata celebrates Most of the fiestas during October are related to the angels or to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary. During the first week of October celebrations are held at la Mata where the church is dedicated to the Holy Rosary: this was the original parish before Torrevieja itself was considered to be a parish.

There is a small wine industry in La Mata and each year the harvest is celebrated in a local fiesta of Los Toneles. It is always advisable to check dates and times of events locally as often these are not fixed until almost the last moment.

Wine in Cheste The Valencian town of Cheste is well known for its hosting of a large motor bike rally, but is also a wine producing area and in the first three weeks of October the grape harvest takes place with a great deal of supplementary activities.

The Vendimia is the pressing of the grapes to make the first juice and this consists of a procession of pairs of young people dressed in traditional costumes, the lady carrying a basket with grapes and the young man has an empty chorito for drinking the pressed grape juice. Young boys, again in local costume, hopefully with clean feet, then press the collected grapes in a barrel in an act known as the “pisa�, and once there is sufficient juice this is poured into the empty glass vessels for drinking among the populace.

There is a great selection of local recipes such as olla con pelotas, la paella con pollo, romero y conejo or el olla ayuno. These use local produce including the famous wines produced by the bodega Cheste Agraria.

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Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa

Virgen de Begoñia Fiesta Bilboa is a lovely city with a variety of fine architectural beauties including the famous platinum Guggenheim Museum. The riverside has become a much-loved Paseo for the citizens and is the scene for several festivals.

Dominating the city is a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgen de Begonia, a simple 16th century building in Gothic style. The inside has three naves supported by ten columns. The three altars have images that re the work of sculptor Juan de Mena. Especially sailors of this port area of Bilboa venerate the Virgen de Begoña in all of the province of Vizcaya. The image dates back to 1796 when it is first written about. The Virgen Mary is often associated with flowers and the begonia is a beautiful white flower. which can be in other colours of yellow, red or rose and is sometimes formed in a tree format. Actually there are at least 400 species and comes is found in tropical areas such as China, Japan, Africa, East Indies and America, but is widely cultivated in Europe. Begonia is also a popular Spanish and South American girl’s name. On the feast traditional hymns are performed. aormi@icloud.com

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Repeat of Elche’s medieval play On years that have even numbers there is an extraordinary repetition of the famous mystery play held in Elche´s basilica.

26 and 27 de October de 2018 at 22:00. Then November 1 at 10: 00 the first part of Misteri, La Vespra and November 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Second part of Misteri, La Festa.

The 135 parts of this traditional musical extravaganza are all played by men and boys, with lines and music going back to the Middle Ages. In recent years, a medieval market has also accompanied the pageant with people, suitably clad in clothes of the time, selling crafts of that era. Medieval markets are now popular tourist attractions in many towns during fiestas. If you missed all the pageantry of August then you can still catch up on this fiesta.

The basilica of Saint Mary becomes a theatre and the angels descend from the beautiful reinforced ceiling to take up the body of the Virgin Mary to her home in the heavens to be crowned queen.

The all-male cast play out the descent of the angels to earth and their return to heaven with the body of the Virgin Mary. The words and music have been handed down since medieval times. This musical play is normally held each year on the 15th August in St. Mary’s Basilica which has been granted a special indult from the Holy See, but at the end of this month there is an extra performance. Tickets should be bought in advance: contact Elche Tourist Office for further information.

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C o c e t a i n a ’s m o d e r n medieval fair Cocentaina is a mountain town that holds a medieval market known as La Fira de Tots Sants, the Fair of All Saints, whose liturgical feastday it is. It became a fiesta of Interés Turístico Autonómico by the Comunidad Valenciana in May, 2007.

It had its origins in 1346, the year in which Pedro IV, the King of Aragón, conceded the right to hold a fair in this area from 21st September to 14th October. In 1671 the dates were altered to the end of October and the first day of November. This fair brings together the cultures of Christian, Arab, Mudejar and Gitano, that co-existed quite happily centuries ago.

Each year there are over 900 exhibitors from small stallholders to large international firms. It is not only traditional crafts, modern inventions can be found in this fair with an emphasis on home improvements. It’s an enormous market with the Medieval section being : 17.700 m2 and the Arab Zoco 5.000 m2.

Children’s attractions cover 9.500 m2 and 3.000 m2 dedicated to eating area plus another 16.000 m2 for food goods.

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Halloween: Only a few years ago the Spanish celebrated the vespers of All Saints (1st November) only with traditional sweets such as los huesos de Santo (Saints’ bones), caqui (persimmon fruit) and quince (membrillo) made from it. Many places would offer the theatrical work of Zorrilla known as “Don Juan Tenorio” which is often shown on the television.

But thanks to film and television the idea of “trick or treat” American style Halloween monsters has become well known and youngsters in particular take to the streets dressed up as some sort of ghoul or monsters, while similar parties are held in suitably decorated pubs with hues of orange and black represented by jack o’lantern and plastic pumpkins. This fiesta based on pagan Samhain Celtic rites has now become a part of the Spanish fiesta calendar, however, one element that has crept in is that youngsters tend to chuck eggs at one another making a mess. Even the Real Club Nautico has Halloween events.

Whatever you think these few days give us an opportunity to reflect on our ultimate goal, the things we fear, what we believe, and things we may desire. It is an opportunity to look at questions of every day life, the meaning of our life and our effect on other people, questions of good and evil, of death and its hereafter if there is one. aormi@icloud.com

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Pilgrims Progress

San Andrés de Teixido We have been having a series of articles about pilgrimages, large, long and short.

This year we visit A Coruña area. Every pilgrimage has its own curiosities: maybe a legend, maybe a quaint custom. As its almost November, when the feasta day of Saint Andrew occurs, we thought you might like advance warning if you wanted to do this trip.

Santo André de Teixido (San Andrés de Teixido in Spanish) is the official name of a small village from the municipality of Cedeira, in the Serra da Capelada. This is a a mountain chain located in the province of A Coruña, in Galicia. which is near the cliffs. According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2007, there were only 49 inhabitants (29 men and 20 women). There is a sanctuary also called San Andrés de Teixido, which is a famous pilgrimage site. The Galician toponym Teixido means a place with abundant yew trees (“teixo” in Galician) and tis has its part to play in customs

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The Pilgrimage

The Santo André, or Saint Andrew Chapel is a famous sanctuary In the area surrounding Santo André, along the sides of the paths leading down to the sanctuary, there are more than half a dozen milladoiros (referred to as amilladoiros in the Cedeira region) - some of which are kept in perfect condition. These consist of a pile of small stones that are left in certain locations such as near sanctuaries, crossroads and sacred places. This tradition is still practiced by the pilgrims who go to the Santo André sanctuary, as shown by the extraordinary milladoiro that is located in O Campo do Choíño (Choíño Field) in the so-called Costa Pequeña (Small Coast). It is possible that ones at the Santo André Chapel, made of thousands of stones that pilgrims have been placing over centuries, are the only ones in the world like that. Between the villages of Veniño and Teixido there are up to twenty milladoiros. Legend has it that the stones of the milladoiros,

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“will speak at the Last Judgement” and will reveal which souls fulfilled the promise of going on the pilgrimage to Santo André. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Teixido dates back to the Iron Age, (during the height of the Castro culture).

You don't need to worry about visiting it as there is a local saying “vai de morto quen non foi de vivo,” those who do not visit while they are alive, will visit in another form once they are dead. However, the first recorded pilgrimage appears in the will of a dying woman from Viveiro in the year 1391, who stated (originally in old Galician): Iten mando yr por min en romaria a Santo Andre de Teixido, porque llo tenno prometudo, et que le ponnan enno seu altar hua candea commo he hua muller de meu estado.

Translated as, ‘Go on my behalf on a pilgrimage to Santo André because I have promised to do so, and place a candle the size of a woman of my standing on the altar.’ Further south in the Cotobade region, the Milky Way is known as “Camiño de Santo André” (Saint Andrew’s way) and it is said that it ends at a point above the chapel.

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Customs and legends During lifetime, it is tradition to make the pilgrimage carrying a stone and to put it on one of the “amilladoiros” (a kind of cairns) of the area. Then, devotees have to drink from “The Fountain of the Three Spouts” (“La Fuente de los Tres Caños” in Spanish and “A Fonte dos Tres Canos” in Gali-cian), ask Saint Andrew for a wish and throw bread crumbs into the water. If the bread doesn’t sink, it will bring good fortune to their lives (for at least one year). It’s rather like looking for the fountain of life.

The soul of the deceased carried by relatives The one who devoted himself to Saint Andrew but failed to go there in his lifetime has to complete his mission when dead. For this to be achieved, living relatives or acquaintances (normally two people) accompany the soul of the passed away along

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the pilgrimage. Before setting out, the relatives go to the cemetery where the tomb of the departed rests, in order to invite his spirit to join them.

The Fountain of the Three Spouts People asked the fountain of the three spouts, whether Saint Andrew would make their wish come true or not. That is why people made a wish or a petition to Saint Andrew first, and then drank the water from the fountain. After that, they threw a breadcrumb. If it did float it was because the saint would listen to their wishes while if it didn’t, there was no hope. According to another version, if it floated, the wish maker should return to San Andrés.

The bouquet Another tradition consists in returning from the pilgrimage with the bouquet of Saint Andrew. It is made out of a hazel stick, to which various sprigs of yew are tied.

The sea thrift can also be added to the bouquet.

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The thrift

sea

The sea thrift ( A r m e r i a Pubigera), herba de namorar in Galician, grows i n t h e surroundings of Teixido. It is said that it’s good for solving love problems.

Some are popular with gardeners as rockery plant.

Armeria is a genus of flowering plants.

These plants are sometimes known as "lady's cushion", "thrift", or "sea pink" (the latter because as they are often found on coastlines). The genus counts over a hundred species, mostly native to the Mediterranean, although Armeria maritima is an exception, being distributed along the coasts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Ireland, parts of the United Kingdom such as Cornwall, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales.

But of course it’s nearer and unto go to San Andrés de Teixido.

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Linked by History

by Andy Ormiston

Orihuela and Torrevieja are not just neighbours, but linked by history, especially the two salt lakes.

At one time the land that Torrevieja and La Mata occupied belonged to Orihuela. In the 8th century Duke Teodomiro made a pact with the Arabs dividing up the lands after he used a ruse to defeat the besieging Moors. He placed women in soldiers’ uniforms and they lined the battlements making the besiegers think there were more Christian forces against them than they had accounted for and sued for peace instead. But in the 9th century the independence of the city was handed over to the Caliphate of Córdoba of the Omeyas.

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Europe at the time was under attack from the fierce northern Vikings and in the years between 851 and 858 around 65 ships entered in the Mediterranean and attacked along the coast, entering the River Segura at Guardamar and rowed upriver to sack Orihuela city.

The troops of the kings of Castile and Aragón conquered Valencia and advanced south, making treaties of Alcaraz in 1243 and Atmizra in 1244, then the Kingdom of Aragón established a frontier in 1253 along the south of Valencia region. Orihuela was outside this area until 1296 when the city offered homage to Jaime II and was incorporated into the kingdom of Valencia as one of the principal governments with the right to vote in the Cortes Valencian. Bishoprics were seen as important entities and in 1564 the bishop of Cartagena created the diocese of Orihuela, which today is Orihuela and Alicante.

The La Mata salt lake was producing salt, considered a valuable commodity that earned any king who owned it a large income. In 1283 D. Sancho /later Sancho IV the Brave) gave the various salt lakes in the area to the Orihuela governor, apart from what was then the salinas of Guardamar (now La Mata); and the income still went to the king.

The family was granted governship of Orihuela including the franchise of the salt. The Catholic Kings visited Orihuela with their court and the ensuing discussions confirmed this, but included the proviso that Orihuela would provide soldiers and equipment to help conquer the last bastion of the Moors - Granada. Thee you're son was also welcome at the court when it moved to Granada and here he encountered Columbus who was looking for backing for his first voyage to find the Indies, but found America instead. It appears that he did arrange backing for Columbus from the income of the salt lake.

Between 1701 – 1713 Spain suffered from the Wars of Succession and as the Marquis of Rafal was the city’s governor he backed the loser Carlos of Austria whose troops were conquered by Felipe V. Orihuela was attacked and sacked and conquered.

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More information can be found about the salt production and both lakes at the Salt Interpretation Centre or at the Sea & Salt Museum,or a guided tour round the salt lakes on the small tourist train.

The La Mata lake is a protected parkland bu there is also a good information center and sometimes amateur guides who can point you in the right direction.

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Carlos III became king and in 1777 decreed that La Mata and Torrevieja would be segregated from Orihuela. However this was not very much land, mostly taken up by the two lakes. In 1802 the salt workings were moved from La Mata to Torrevieja and the village grew fairly quickly as the salt harvesting required a lot of laborers,amounting to around three thousand at times, although it was seasonal. Quays were built for the salt and for commerce, then another for the fishermen and their boats.

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First high rise flats

We are entering a more modern Spain now as in the years 1810 and 1812 the Cortes of Cadiz projected a division of Spain into 44 provinces with a delegate representing each one. This was later reformed in 1833 and it became 49 provinces integrated in regions. Then in 1927 the Canary Islands were divided into two provinces, which brought Spain up to 50 provinces.

Both villages of La Mata and Torrevieja were separated by a piece of land going down to the sea. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that another decree ordered that land from Orihuela, Guardamar, Rojales and Almoradí, should be included in the municipal area of Torrevieja. This was a break n the link with orihuela as there were arguments about whose bit of land belonged to which town. Later an argument with Guardamar led to a definitive drawing up of municipal lines.

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First buildings for Scandinavian buyers at Las Lomas.

This was when Torrevieja really came into its own with land that could be used for development in 1953. Most of it was unfit for any agricultural purpose so construction was an obvious option. Foreigners started arriving and then the idea of residential tourism was born. The salt lakes by this time came under the control of large companies as a form of franchise, but still dependent on the government that continued (and continues) to receive income. The harbour wall was eventually built on reclaimed land with a fishermen’s quay and auction hall, three marinas with their own commercial area.

So there has always been a connection between Orihuela and Torrevieja. For many years many families came to Torrevieja and La Mata for their holidays and often had a holiday home there. Now the Orihuela Costa has been developed with its own sprawling urbanization and the huge commercial centre at La Zenia Boulevard.

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The solidarity calendar of Torrevieja Outlook will be on sale from 4th October in many charity shops and available from over 30 local charities.

They will keep all donations from sales, so we hope you will be generous. It is not just a calendar, but a booklet about the Costa Blanca and its many towns, ďŹ estas and activities that you can participate in

AT E R G A GIFT S A TM CHRIS

Each month it has photos that you will enjoy looking at on your wall all month.

BUY IT NOW AND SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY

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Birdie Festival 26 - 28 October 2018

by Dave Stewart

For years Torrevieja Tourist Office has been promoting different aspects of Birdwatching, especially at La Mata park and more recently, with an increase in birds, around the Salinas.

This year the Birdwatching Festival for Wetlands will be held in Torrevieja. Thanks to many organizations in the tourist sector and local commerce and NGO’S, tour operators, travel agencies, professional and amateur photography publications. The end of the festival will include a guide tour around the salt workings to show how industry and the environment can live side by side.

A few years ago we published a series about birdwatching so we repeat it here. There is also a very good AVE leaflet available form the tourist office which is useful too have sit has excellent lots of photos with the birds’ names.

We have some excellent photographers who specialize in nature shots and they have loaned us some photos of their birds. aormi@icloud.com

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Help them to Help Themselves

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Bali - https://www.sahajasawah.org

Bali is considered the jewel of Indonesia, a popular place for tourists with breathtaking views, wonderful cultural heritage, and lots of lovely beaches with promises of so many water sports.

“This past year has been disastrous for the people of Bali, especially the poor who have suffered considerably from earthquakes and volcanic tremors. We helped the local community to rebuild their temple and a 6 Kilometre road and bridge to reunite two villages.”

Many people in Torrevieja will know Bernard van Elmpt who, through his companies, has supported many local charities over the years. Among the diverse groups has been APANEE, ALPE, SEMANA SANTA, AEEC, even TORREVIEJA FOOTBALL CLUB. Now he is involved with Yayasan Sahaja Sawah Foundation, which is a nonprofit, independent organisation working to improve the lives of the local community and people of Bali.

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Earthquake: reconstruction of local temple.

Supply materials and villagers will do the rest.

The aim is to generate a prosperous society and improve quality of life through education and awareness of creating and maintaining sustainability in nature with a community of awakened culture.

Bernard has been helping the local villages for many years through Sahaja Sawah Resort since its construction in 2008. He says, “Since we received so many requests of how others can also help and join in our efforts and so that we could do more, we started the foundation in 2018. The founders of the foundation (Ariani, Tia, Nguarah, Ngura & Ketut ) are residents of the village who wanted to support their village”.

We help others help themselves.

We don’t give money or food, we give fishing rods and boats to fish with; we don’t provide meat, we give live pigs and cows so the villagers can develop their own businesses.

We give fruit trees, vegetable plants and water filters for potable water.

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We intend rebuilding a school destroyed by an earthquake and have asked each local family of 9 villages to provide two bamboo sticks so they feel part of the project. During the day there will be a day-care for small children, plus after school classes for older ones.

We already pay school fees for poor families who cannot afford to do so.

Two staff clean up and recycle at the same time. We already have an agreement with 2 villages that they save all recyclable material and we collect it once and they get paid for it, so they have initiative to keep it clean.

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We help with the environment and have an animal shelter that now has a children’s education turtle programme as many people depend on turtles for a livelihood.

We don’t give money or food, we supply materials and tools so that people can help themselves.

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Delivering potable water filters. or smoke machines to kill mosquito nests and destroy malaria.

We do help poor sick people with medical costs.

The nearest hospital is 45 minutes away and sick people mostly use motorbikes, which is sometimes too late for seriously ill patients.

So an ambulance to cover the nine villages is badly needed.

We only give food when disasters like the volcano eruption in Bali and the earthquake in Lombok, in both cases we have sent trucks with food and water.Â

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"Life’s greatest privilege is taking care of those around you."

Any donation to buy a tree will have the donor’s name on a sign by the tree.

Similarly with any water filter, cash donated will have a sticker with the donor’s name on it.

Donate -- https:// www.sahajasawah.org

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Bookshelf Off The Boat

by Pat Hynd

The previous story underlines the problems that poor people in the world face; all to often is the vulnerable who suffer the most from environmental disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami or eruption of volcanoes … or war.

In some ways we are becoming immune to refugees and their problems, but each one is a human being with his or her own tragic story. I’m sure many of you will remember the touching tale of the Kite Runner and its lessons of children in Afghanistan and the difference that caste and money can make.

Now the author has written another extremely sensitively written tale by Khaled Hosseini. It is a deeply moving, gorgeously illustrated short story for people of all ages from the international bestselling author of The Kite Runner, brought to life by Dan Williams's beautiful illustrations. ’The book may be brief, but it is beautiful, poetic - a distillation of his strengths' Sunday Times. It is about Homs in Syria On a moonlit beach a father cradles his sleeping son as they wait for dawn to break and a boat to arrive. He speaks to his boy of the long summers of his childhood, recalling his grandfather's house in Syria, the stirring of olive trees in the breeze, the bleating of his grandmother's goat, the clanking of her cooking pots. And he remembers, too, the bustling city of Homs with its crowded lanes, its mosque and grand souk, in the days before the sky spat bombs and they had to flee. When the sun rises they and those around them will gather their possessions and embark on a perilous sea journey in search of a new home.

Hosseini (The Kite Runner) says he was compelled to write about the refugee crisis after seeing the photograph of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian who drowned off the coast of Turkey in 2015. Yet Hosseini’s story, aimed at readers of all ages, does not dwell on nightmarish fates; instead, its emotional power flows from the love of a father for his son. Written as a letter, the father begins slowly, recalling for his son, Marwan, the beauty aormi@icloud.com

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of the Syrian town of Homs as it once was (“We woke in the mornings/ to the stirring of olive trees in the breeze”), then describing the war that destroyed it (“First came the protests./ Then the siege”).

Now Marwan and his family sit on a beach, waiting for a boat. The father reassures Marwan: “Hold my hand./ Nothing bad will happen.”

Inside, though, he is in turmoil: “These are only words... all I can think tonight is/ how deep the sea,/ and how vast, how indifferent.” In Williams’s loosely stroked inkand-wash spreads, the corals and greens of the Syrian countryside give way to war’s gray shadows and the sea’s blue hues. Expansive views of sky and water both temper the text’s emotional build and render the figures in them small and fragile. This is a story suitable for ages 7 and upwards.

Since asylum can be a confusing issue for children (and even adults), here are some books that explore what it really means to flee your home and have to start your life over. Books about refugees and asylum seekers. including Mary, Joseph and Jesus seeking refuge in Egypt. These books are suitable for children and off excellent school discussion topics.

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Walking in Solidarity

by Pat Hynd

People do many things to raise awareness of a problem. Often in doing so they also raise money.

The Pink Ladies and Panthers have raised lots of awareness and funds the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC) through their annual walk.

The wonderful figure in the above post demonstrates their devotion to this charity. Then we have the Santa Fun Run with participants dressed Christmas style for a laugh.

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Alzheimers association hold a Memory Walk along the sea front from the church of la Inmaculada to the Columns at the far end of the playa del Cura. This is part of a month long program of activities. Along the way the walkers had cans for donations.

Back to school means new clothes as kids continue to grow and with almost an hundred kids this is quite an expense so supporters of the San Jose Obrero Orphanage held a walk at the end of June along the La Mata seafront to raise money to counter the expense of a new term. The amount raised brought the target up to 1,431.70 Euros. People turned up dressed for the sun,

An Irish association is Pieta House which sponsors an annual Darkness into Light walk. This charity support people with suicidal tendencies. There is now a section on the Costa Blanca who will also work in conjunction with the Cruz Roja. The walk entails the symbolic starting before dawn and walking into the light of a new day.

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BUTTERFLY SKIN

by Pat Hynd

DEBRA (formerly known as DebRA) is the name of an international medical research charity dedicated to the curing of epidermolysis bullosa, with national groups in over 40 countries (including the British and American) and growing. "Debra" is the first name of the daughter of Phyllis Hilton, the original founder of the organisation in the UK, which began as a support group for parents, guardians and carers of other young children with the condition.

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Although the backronym of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association has been used by DEBRA UK in the past, the organisation provides information, research funding and support for all forms of EB, not just dystrophic, which is one of three main sub-types of the condition; the others being EB simplex and junctional EB. There are at least 5,000 people living with this devastating condition in the UK and 500,000 people worldwide with each year around 20,000 children born in Europe with this skin condition.

From birth blisters and wounds continuously appear all over their bodies. As part of the treatment and as a form of protection he hillier have to undergo long and painful bandaging routines every second day. In some cases management can be more complicated because the mucus membranes of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and eyelids can also be affected .

Everyday activities such as dressing, walking and eating can be challenging causing a high level of disability and dependency. The psychological effects of Butterfly skin impact not eh whole family. Feelings of guilt, helplessness, anger and sadness can lead to depression, anxiety, fear and low esteem. aormi@icloud.com

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The Countess of Wessex officially opened the Rare Diseases Centre at St Thomas’s Hospital, London

DEBRA’s Royal Patron, The Countess of Wessex officially opened the Rare Diseases Centre at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, on Wednesday, 25 September. The centre was a joint project that including the input of patients as well as hospital staff and technicians.

DEBRA contributed £250,000 to the construction of the new centre at St Thomas's Hospital, which is specifically designed for people with genetic skin conditions, including EB.

This year the Spanish branch of DEBRA celebrates its 25th anniversary since father Iñigo and his son Iñigo were frustrated as doctors could not help with the rare genetic illness of the baby. He heard of an association in Britain and turned to them for help and since then a Spanish version of DEBRA has continued to two, and like a butterfly spread its wings. This was founded by the mother Nieves Montero who has pushed for the help, support and treatment her son deserves. Today families affected by this skin disease meet annually to demonstrate that each child, each family, is not alone.

Not only the medical community is growing more aware of this skin condition but supporters continue to open charity shops to raise funds.

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25 October is the international day of the Butterfly

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Sweeties for dehydration

One of the points we continually make in these pages is the need to rink plenty of water as it is so easy t0 dehydrate and end up in hospital. Hopefully, coming soon are these Jelly Drops invented by Lewis Hornby of the Royal College of Art after he realized his grandmother was not drinking enough water.

Jelly Drops are super-hydrating, bite size treats, that people with dementia find engaging and easy to eat and are the result of insights gained by weeks of living in a care home For people with dementia the confusion and sleepiness caused by dehydration is often mistakenly attributed to their underlying condition, meaning it can often go unnoticed until it becomes life-threatening.

There are a variety of reasons why people with dementia stop drinking; they may no longer feel thirst, may not equate drinking with quenching thirst, may not recognise a cup for what it is, or may not have the dexterity to use a cup. What's more, they often don’t understand instructions to drink, and refuse to be assisted. The treats are over 90% water, with gelling agents and electrolytes added to improve hydration and ease of use.

Their shape means they are easy to pick up for people with weak grips and their bright colours contrasts with the white box to help people with limited vision. 7 jelly drops are he equivalent of a cup of water.

The box itself contains many features to help people with dementia interact with it. The chunky handle allows the lid to be open and closed whilst holding the box, with the locking hinges keeping the lid upright, freeing a hand to eat the treats. The box’s branded aesthetic makes it look more like a shop bought treat box than a medical device, this is critical to reduce stigma around the solution and increase its uptake by care homes. A small booklet inside provides a talking point for visitors or staff to converse with the residents over, whilst simultaneously encouraging them to eat more.

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Hospital Nerve Centre The University Hospital of Torrevieja continues to win accolades as one of the best hospitals in the world.

This is thanks to its staff, from surgeons to porters who look after the patients. But a lot of what they do would not be possible if it were not for the computerized technological nerve section department that controls the information.

From there they supervise the information systems that manage day after day a hospital with clinical advanced history and advanced IT systems. This technology is decisive in order that the assistance to the patients is the most efficient and rapid possible. The correct functioning of the medical histories of the patients, the reports of diagnostic tests, a medical indication for a surgical operation, the patients' flow in the consultations, the times of waiting in primary and urgencies, the telephonic attention ... everything is supervised in order that the system works correctly and it is possible to react rapidly to an anomaly. Its a 24/7/365 situation that is invisible but paramount and decisive.

The X-Ray just taken can be seen by the doctor even if he is in one of the satellite clinics almost immediately and many scans can be sen in real time.

There is an internal closed system that means that surgeons and GP doctors can interact and talk together about a particular patient so that their is agreement in the treatment of a patient. This is necessary as often the GP has information that a specialist may not have about a patient.

On another point, physiotherapist David Valero of Torrevieja Hospital is continuing his talks in Torrevieja schools and colleges about correct sitting postures and simple exercises to help prevent backache.

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HELP Vega Baja make dreams come true…

For many families they are unable to take their children on a day out to places such as Terra Mitica and to build memories together that will last a lifetime.

HELP Vega Baja decided that they would step in and on Wednesday the 4th September, volunteers from the charity were up early and ready to take 50 children and parents off for a day to remember at Terra Mitica. The families, all referred from the town halls in San Miguel, Benijofar and Almoradi were in for a treat. The charity greeted their guests for the day with goody bags and were waved off by representatives from all three town halls, including Concejal de Bienestar social Basilia Valero and Laura Educadora from San Miguel, Alcalde Luis Rodríguez and Marisol Trabajadora, social worker from Benijofar and Alfonso Garcia Welfare councillor and Maria Fernanda head of social services.

A very excited coach arrived in Terra Mitica with entrance, lunch tickets and money for an ice-cream in hand. All wearing brand new baseball caps they were off. President of the charity, Michele Masson and Welfare officer Wendy Burton went along and armed with everything from clip boards to wet wipes walked around the park for the next 6 hours

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watching as the children ran from ride to ride, not daring to look as some went on rides that looked like they were going to take off in orbit and breathing a sigh of relief when they saw them sitting enjoying an ice-cream in the sunshine!

Michele said “when we first thought of the idea it all seemed quite easy to organise but I have to say there was a lot involved to ensure that the day was a success. I have to thank everyone involved including the town halls, HELP volunteers, Jessica and David at Euro Tours and of course a great friend of the charity Beatriz Lara from the Casaverde Fundación who was our link with social workers and made sure everything was in order and even came along on the morning to all the pick-up points to wave everyone off!

The day was a complete success and the smiles on the faces of the now sleepy children when we arrived home and they collected their last bag of goodies said it all. We will remember the day for a very long time and I hope it provided the families a memory that will stay with them too”.

For more information on the work that HELP Vega Baja does in the community call 966 723 733 or visit the HELP Vega Baja website at http://www.helpvegabaja.com The charity also recently launched a confidential & emotional support helpline called Connections which is available 24 hours a day on 965 021 552 aormi@icloud.com

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Dehesa de Campoamor, Orihuela Campoamor's Dehesa is, first of all, an exclusively special place for vacations. A magnificent option to rest and at the same time offers an incredible choice for leisure and culture. It is an area surrounded with wide and abundant greenery and splendid spaces of conifers typical of the Mediterranean, and enjoy the sensation of majesty that this urbanization offers on the coast.

Located in the Valencian Community, close to the Nature reserve Parque Natural de la Sierra de Escalona and those living here are open to the environment and nature, giving the inhabitants an exceptional sensation of serenity and tranquility, completed by the spectacular panorama that is offered with 16 kilometers of beaches of white sands, mixed with pine woods and extensive zones of mountain.

Surrounded with precious beaches like La Zenia, Cabo Roig Roig, Mil Palmeras or Punta Prima. Campoamor's Dehesa has 2.500 metres of coast, divide into three beaches of thin white sand. The beach of La Glea, which receives most visitors is endowed with all the services for lovers of aquatic sports. There are stalls and restaurants at this cosmopolitan beach of the zone. The beach of Barranco Rubio, has the calmest waters with less depth and scurrent, ideal to enjoy a calmer, ideal environment for the family.

And finally the beach of Aquamarine, an almost virgin cove and at present the calmest. of Campoamor's Dehesa. In the urbanization it is possible to enjoy a great cultural, sports and social offer, with multitude of facilities and proximity to numerous localities that extend the possibility to complete your vacation activity. there is also a good hotel Montepiedra and nearby the Campoamor Golf Hotel and course.

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No Bathing For decades people used to bathe in the rosy salinas at a point called Punta de la Vibora.

There has always been a file of locals, holiday-makers, foreigners trending their way to float in the water here.

At one time an edifice was built as stage one of a three part building that won architectural accolades for design, It was meant to look like a long snail’s shell to blend in with the surrounding area. But our present mayor objected saying it wasn't fair that the rich who could afford the balneario should use it, while ordinary folks couldn't. So councillor Jose Maria Dolon called in the law of the coastal area and their judgment was that the salt lakes come under their jurisdiction as coastal waters. So the balneario was out. This took a few years of wrangling and the award winning building deteriorated util someone torched it. aormi@icloud.com

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In the meantime the poor folks still wound their way to use the salt waters, making with them large plastic containers with fresh water to wash themselves off from the salt. Then plastic became number one enemy so war was declared on plastic containers and a decision made nobody could use the salt lake.

Often police would appear and reluctantly tell the bathers they were in a no-go zone and could be fined for what they were doing. Then the present mayor by accident, the same Jose Maria Dolon decided to Green Party of two councillors, the mayor bring in the heavy squad of the Guardia Civil and people were threatened with jail as this soaking your body was considered an offense against the environment.

award winning design of balneario by Japanese architect Toyo Ito

Victory! shouts the Green Party of two councillors, namely the same mayor and his brother-in-law.

Now no one can bathe in the salt lake. Part of the argument is that plant life is being damaged and there is erosion by the edge of the lake.

No mention of the heavy traffic that sometimes goes to this part of the lake to clean up.

There is never any real talk about the other side of the lake at Los Balcones where it was planned to use the old building at Lago Jardin urbanization as a health centre using the salt waters of the lake. This is a listed building and the present Green party promised to halt its deterioration and repair it to its former glory. They have been in the municipal driving seat for three years now and still Nothing Done.

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Now we will wait and see what happens to another group of aficionados i.e. makers of salt boats that are put in the salt lake so that they become encrusted with salt and sold as souvenirs or given as Torrevieja mementos to VIP visitors by the mayor.

Meanwhile the rosy lake continues to be exploited for its salt by a large industrial company that pays profits directly to central government while a tourist train takes visitors on a salt trip. Salt for the goose, salt for the gander.

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