| Latest News Update |
| July 21, 2001 Heather appears in the Valencian daily newspaper Yes its true only been here two months and Heather has made page 13 of 'Las Provincias' The daily castellano language newspaper for the Valencian Comunidad. We attended a street party celebrating the formation of 'Color Humano' an association to help immigrants to Spain (I suppose we are too!). There were activities for kids, music, dancing and food from South America and Eastern Europe. See the photos here 'ColorHumano' |
| July 13, 2001 Heathers Birthday / Albarracin Trip Celebrated in Navajas in the morning with chocolate cake for breakfast (Made by Marie Luz at the local Panadaria) and opened presents. Then we headed off to Albarracin stopping off at Dinopolis (a large dinosaur themed attraction near Teruel (her birthday request). See photos of Albarracin trip here. Albarracin photopage |
| August 1, 2001 Visit to the week long 'bull fiesta' at Soneja Soneja is 10 minutes drive away and we have visited and photgraphed some of the fiesta activities set in the town square which has been converted into a bull ring. Including a bull fight with trainee matadors (bulls are victorious more often than not and are not killed), the 'entrada' where they run the bulls through the streets 'pamplona style' and then the bull takes on anyone (normally foolhardy young men) who run across/around the ring seeking refuge behind the iron bar fencing if things look dicey! Photos of bull events in local villages can be found here ....lots of BULL! |
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| August 4, 2001 Menorca - A week spent with friends from Staindrop, Co Durham. See the web page for a few photos ( click here) Menorca photopage |
| September 5, 2001 School term begins - Hannah and Heather start back at the local school, only 23 children this term split into two classes. It is a new school with excellent facilities, however we reserve our judgement on the standard of teaching. Their spanish and confidence to use it has dramatically improved as of September. |
| October 1, 2001 Marie starts work - Marie is doing five hours teaching a week at the 'Language School of Segorbe' |
| August 22nd, 2001 Bunol - we visit the TOMATINA - Definitely must see this once in your lifetime.. the biggest food fight (squashed tomatoes and water only). It happens every year for 1 hour around lunchtime. 5 or 6 lorry loads are dumped in the main street and all hell breaks loose. See the photos and links here... TOMATINA |
| October 2, 2001 Las Provincias letters page - Marie achieved one of her goals by getting a 'Mrs Angry' type letter published in the regional newspaper commenting on the poor standard of the entrance to the local sport centre at Segorbe! The 'Teesdale Mercury' better be prepared for when we return!! |
| November 15, 2001 British Weather hits Spain - The last two weeks have seen very unusual weather for Spain with an icy polar north wind bringing snow to many parts of the mainland (generaly on high ground) although a few snow flakes fell in Navajas which we are assured is very unusual. See map and link to weather reports . the stormy seas were very impressive but reaked havoc to the sea walls, roads and boats in normally calm marinas. |
| January, 2003 Coldest Winter for 20 years!! - Just so you don't feel too jealous, it does get cold here sometimes. We are only 30 mins from the coast and 450m altitude but we had three nights of -6 centigrade. Admitedly it warms up in the day to a mild 10 centigrade but you just don't expect burst pipes out here! |
| October, 2002 We've bought a ruin - Couldn't resist a ruin in the old part of Segorbe , for little more than the price of a small car. It looks like it may have to be demolished and start again .. The architect is looking at options and we are talking to the town hall about available grants. |
| February 2003 Forest Fires in Sierra Espadan - Huge fire, the glow in the mountains could be seen from Segorbe, destroyed hundreds of hectares of forest around Chovar, Ain and Eslida. We visited a few days later to see the helicopters and planes still at work dropping water collected from swimming pools, lakes and the sea. |
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| Summer , 2002 No time for news we're too busy enjoying it! - Visited Andalucia early in the year, had loads of visitors in the heat of Summer, took in tall he local fiestas. I have been made an honorary member of the Comision de Fiestas for 2003 in Navajas so will be helping barricade the streets for the bulls and be serving in the bar from 1am - 7am during the fiesta week ... should be an eye opener!! |
| January 2004 New Year Resolutions. Keep the website more up top date, Do something with our ruin (sell it or start building it), Keep enjoying life out here.......etc |
| Summer 2003 Fiesta Fiesta!! Andy was invited to join the Comision de Fiestas and help organise the Navajas fiestas. First time a 'foreigner' had the honour in this village. Great fun, hard work and many memorable experiences through the long week of bull runs, discos, dinners, food fights and live music. |