Colourful Cadaques
July 2, 2012 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
div class=’posterous_autopost’pstrongCadaques/strong is not easy to get to and that is especially true in the summer months when the only road in and out is jammed with holiday makers going to pay their respects to one of the most charming villages on the strongCosta Brava/strong./p pWandering the narrow cobbled streets looking at the bougainvillea clad white houses and browsing the arty shops or paddling in the clear waters of the bay make a day pass quickly and pleasantly./p pFor those with more energy a hike into the next bay to visitstrong Dali’/strongs house and studio atstrong Portlligat/strong is well worth the effort as is an even longer hike out to the Cap de Creus lighthouse and natural park./p pAltogether,strongCadaques/strong offers many hours of exploring or just pure contemplation of one of the best preserved artist villages on this rugged coast./
Las Arenas, Barcelona- from bullring to shopping centre
November 16, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
div class=’posterous_autopost’pspan style=”font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;”Only British architectstrong Richard Rogers/strong could turn a Bullring into a shopping centre! He kept the exterior but raised it about 5m and built this amazing steel support structure inside to support the floors with shops and cinemas etc. Around the roof is a circular terrace with cafes and restaurants with some of the best views in strongBarcelona/strong. Forget the shopping, go see the building! Here is what it looked like while under construction from the architects web page:nbsp;/spanbr style=”font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;” /a href=”http://www.rsh-p.com/work/all_projects/las_arenas/construction#Barcelona” class=”ot-anchor” style=”color: #3366cc; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;”http://www.rsh-p.com/work/all_projects/las_arenas/construction/a/p pdiv class=’p_embed p_image_embed’ a href=”http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/tgukniEGjkamcDlvoywbreFunyxdcwnlJbbFDhCsuDeCtEtCrwbBmhjabfil/P1050715.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050715″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/tgukniEGjkamcDlvoywbreFunyxdcwnlJbbFDhCsuDeCtEtCrwbBmhjabfil/P1050715.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/fpgDhdAHoIqqkheigztCjvwcFDyvsFpEvrggynDJinoAwsuiFyrFpbrHsnJC/P1050711.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050711″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/fpgDhdAHoIqqkheigztCjvwcFDyvsFpEvrggynDJinoAwsuiFyrFpbrHsnJC/P1050711.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/AHFEvvhIfuumujeitvrzHxyDkdkgoplAjotkooqFIzumfytvCcapyuIGftfF/P1050688.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050688″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/AHFEvvhIfuumujeitvrzHxyDkdkgoplAjotkooqFIzumfytvCcapyuIGftfF/P1050688.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bmyrchhCjwDxhxEiImCBtezknufBqlBIqBshiqhAJzvGetbsApzeJHsjBavz/P1050697.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050697″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bmyrchhCjwDxhxEiImCBtezknufBqlBIqBshiqhAJzvGetbsApzeJHsjBavz/P1050697.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/JgmnxEyuAamkgGjICJswbcEwzBlAbkfIIngqjxbyohtqzFczzDapupsBotDx/P1050713.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050713″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/JgmnxEyuAamkgGjICJswbcEwzBlAbkfIIngqjxbyohtqzFczzDapupsBotDx/P1050713.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bjjuedzpDCgrcaAmnEeGffGdImbigxjyofCqmFglvfeBdzqxBGwJjIjdjqvD/P1050718.jpg.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050718″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/bjjuedzpDCgrcaAmnEeGffGdImbigxjyofCqmFglvfeBdzqxBGwJjIjdjqvD/P1050718.jpg.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/vCdyGEyzGyuwevteaCaJoFbHitGmguoGpvjxnvEgiDydEoDmyazapmJnwElB/P1050727.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050727″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/vCdyGEyzGyuwevteaCaJoFbHitGmguoGpvjxnvEgiDydEoDmyazapmJnwElB/P1050727.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/sCAgtICfoheBGCiDAfnDDcCJsqroygpAedbtoavybwvsuyEBdBipaeoIoxfp/P1050734.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050734″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/sCAgtICfoheBGCiDAfnDDcCJsqroygpAedbtoavybwvsuyEBdBipaeoIoxfp/P1050734.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/EodykIiEIelquyxlfIejztjDIbwoHDsqfqgCFmgBbyvxigvGgqwaekuviyjb/P1050738.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050738″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-16/EodykIiEIelquyxlfIejztjDIbwoHDsqfqgCFmgBbyvxigvGgqwaekuviyjb/P1050738.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a div class=’p_see_full_gallery’a href=”http://gironaj.com/las-arenas-barcelona-from-bullring-to-shoppin”See the full gallery on Posterous/a/div /div /p/div
Castanyes everywhere-it must be Fires!
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Wine and food
div class=’posterous_autopost’pThe strongFires or Festival of Girona/strong continues apace with the holiday for strongAll Souls (Tot Sants/strong) on nov 1st being the busiest day. All around town but especially near the fairgrounds are stalls selling chestnuts (castanyes) and sweet potatoes which are a Fires tradition in itself. The monopoly on these stalls seems to belong to the gipsy community of strongGirona/strong and make for colourful characters as all family members are involved from children to grandparents./p pFires ends this sunday 6th of november with a spectacular firework display so if can make it, do so, strongGirona/strong is on fire!/p pdiv class=’p_embed p_image_embed’ a href=”http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/vleBAthgCgcazkJwdCfbfvxiszDnialGCxzoDwGfvhowxbybtjqDIfquCfii/P1050025.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050025″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/vleBAthgCgcazkJwdCfbfvxiszDnialGCxzoDwGfvhowxbybtjqDIfquCfii/P1050025.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/HakDrqrnidFusGegmqhvyeepvwkcxmsJksAicnnDwCqEdbkDbdGAlfzJkqhh/P1050019.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050019″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/HakDrqrnidFusGegmqhvyeepvwkcxmsJksAicnnDwCqEdbkDbdGAlfzJkqhh/P1050019.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/HhDpiiwmmHhnpJIJBiiduuBlvedyDoIEhIklrmkwpmbeEpFifsygmnarudvf/P1050044.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050044″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/HhDpiiwmmHhnpJIJBiiduuBlvedyDoIEhIklrmkwpmbeEpFifsygmnarudvf/P1050044.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/zqrsuanbJnAdhiaexuzuukhhHDfmAGHBFxHujAnIyGsgCEysEHkeatoAFAcz/P1050023.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050023″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/zqrsuanbJnAdhiaexuzuukhhHDfmAGHBFxHujAnIyGsgCEysEHkeatoAFAcz/P1050023.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/lkqfFsaGIaCdtudwDjtwhzgIhyiGnAoAiwxcCjirvIrHqBjfomvIEsqmHEbG/P1050018.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050018″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/lkqfFsaGIaCdtudwDjtwhzgIhyiGnAoAiwxcCjirvIrHqBjfomvIEsqmHEbG/P1050018.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/FbenwricsayrepehwopwhgDFpbmchwfexqyuwtBoyBqhgcdrwehFowigyaju/P1050031.JPG”img alt=”P1050031″ height=”375.0″ src=”http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/FbenwricsayrepehwopwhgDFpbmchwfexqyuwtBoyBqhgcdrwehFowigyaju/P1050031.JPG” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/anhndmvGzAhkzxeGajenxDgwngtDbfHiivoIesrrIswDzuzlwsfHCgdkmpEr/P1050035.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050035″ height=”375″ src=”http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/anhndmvGzAhkzxeGajenxDgwngtDbfHiivoIesrrIswDzuzlwsfHCgdkmpEr/P1050035.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/dCdbwvHpscowtyHkCIoBBfJxvAgHaAcEEeJpAjxcFvxowzvovnAihgdpCjIB/P1050047.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050047″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/dCdbwvHpscowtyHkCIoBBfJxvAgHaAcEEeJpAjxcFvxowzvovnAihgdpCjIB/P1050047.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/djabHkedlCCctfqAwbuEertqxjAlkkbyFeycjhCCtkkfjjiimsxHBtbrojdC/P1050049.JPG”img alt=”P1050049″ height=”375.0″ src=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/djabHkedlCCctfqAwbuEertqxjAlkkbyFeycjhCCtkkfjjiimsxHBtbrojdC/P1050049.JPG” width=”500″ //a a href=”http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/dBuDnxkrAJznzaBbnxrqtqxqdywxyBjxmDbvfkteIyadyHfezAxywIfHhAJI/P1050053.JPG.scaled1000.jpg”img alt=”P1050053″ height=”667″ src=”http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-02/dBuDnxkrAJznzaBbnxrqtqxqdywxyBjxmDbvfkteIyadyHfezAxywIfHhAJI/P1050053.JPG.scaled500.jpg” width=”500″ //a div class=’p_see_full_gallery’a href=”http://gironaj.com/castanyes-everywhere-it-must-be-fires”See the full gallery on Posterous/a/div /div /p/div
When I went down to the market today….
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info
Girona has a covered market with all types of fresh food and then outside the building various stall holders set up as well. Here you can find all the seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as exotic items like black figs, quince, snails, chestnuts, pomegranates and mushrooms of all types even though this year they are expensive because of a lack of rain and therefore supply is limited.
We always have a great selection of fruit and veggies but autumn seems to have some especially yummy things on offer so take a look!
La carbonera de Forallac- the ancient art of making charcoal
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
The municipality of Forallac near La Bisbal decided in 1993 to bring back some of the country traditions which had been used in the hills of Les Gavarres by local residents before the skills dissapeared forever.
To this end every year they hold a 2 week re-creation of how charcoal was traditionally made in the area. It involves stacking in a circular form the hard oak which is found in these hills called thealsina, with layers of heather covering them and then earth on top until all the wood has been stacked into a mound with only the earth visible and smoke coming out of the top. This circular form is built up in a mound around a hole in the middle where the smoke exits and the fire sucks in oxygen to provide the slow burn needed to carbonize the wood without destroying it.
The whole procees of transforming wood into charcoal takes 10 days to 2 weeks and meanwhile hundreds of school children come to visit as well as people to enjoy a picnic in the forest. On the last weekend when the mound is torn down the charcoal is distrubuted to the picnickers to make their barbecues and grilltheir favourite meat dishes which adds a traditional taste, yum, yum!
Riots in Girona? No just the annual “correfocs” festival
November 2, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture
“Correfocs” literally translated means running with fire and that’s exactly what happens through the Old Town of Girona on the night of the 31st of october every year. The organisers are dressed in costumes and some are on stilts supported by some heavy drum beats while they set off multiple fireworks and explosions all around while joined by hundreds of mostly young people all dancing in the shower of sparks. They wear old clothes and cover their heads and faces to avoid being burned but the danger is of course the best part!
The whole procession weaves up past the cathedral through the narrow streets making for spectacular images with the noise, smell of cordite and clouds of smoke adding to the experience of hell as we follow the devil into his lair…
Sant Jordi, Catalonia’s patron saint
April 23, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture
Today is one of the most important dates on the Catalan calendar, Sant Jordi or Saint George to the English, is also the patron saint of Catalonia. Tradition dictates that men buy women a rose while we men get a better deal by receiving a book.
So today the Rambla in Girona, just like everywhere else here in Catalonia, was packed with people looking at the stalls for the perfect rose and book for their loved ones.
It is a beautiful tradition and one which seems to be getting stronger as many school kids use the sale of roses and books to raise money for their end of term outings as well as for charity.
Spring 10km run around Girona
April 3, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities
As the weather gets warmer so the desire to get out, and exercise becomes part of our daily routine again, is when the Esports Parra 10km run around Girona brings out the participants and the crowds.
Few can achieve the times that the first finishers manage of 31 mins but everyone has a great time (after its over!) and feel proud of their own achievements. This year the age range went from a girl of 11yrs old to a veteran of 84, both of whom received special prizes to salute their efforts. There is a shorter race held for children before the main event and everyone receives a drink and a bag of strawberries at the end.
Girona is the perfect place for these runs as it is mostly flat and has interesting streets to choose as a route through the Old Town (beware cobbles!) and the Devesa Park as well as the commercial heart of town if you have time to window-shop!
Posted via email from gironaJ
New ways to promote fish
March 27, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Local news and info
Fish, as we all know, come in many different shapes and sizes and what to buy and how to prepare them is an art we seem to be losing as our lives speed up and we cook less.
These are issues that a new project which was inaugurated yesterday by Catalan President Artur Mas called the “Espai del Peix” aims to address in the traditional fishing port of Palamós on the Costa Brava. Housed in the same complex as the fishermans co-operative where fish are auctioned every day the boats go out, this new exhibition area is part museum, part kitchen and all about promoting the varied health benefits and ease of preparing fish dishes.
One idea is to invite top local chefs to explain their favourite fish recipes and actually get people involved in making them, especially targeting children who seem to feel increasingly alienated to this important and healthy food.
Regular demonstrations, tastings, conferences and kids days should help to raise awareness and get fish sales increasing again-a worthy and tasty cause, please go and visit!
Do your kids eat fish? Do you buy fresh fish? Any favourite recipes to pass on?
Posted via email from gironaJ
La Pilar cathedral Zaragoza
March 14, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, History and culture
For those of you that decide to rent a car and drive from Madrid to Barcelona a stop to visit the spectacular La Pilar basilica in Zaragozais a must.
The Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar (in Spanish Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar[1] praised as Mother of the Hispanic Peoples by Pope John Paul II.[2] It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history.[3]
Local traditions take the history of this basilica to the dawn of Christianity in Spain attributing to an apparition to Saint James the Great, the apostle who had brought Christianity to the country.[4] This is the only known apparition of Mary to have occurred before her Assumption.[2]
Many of the kings of Spain, many other foreign rulers and saints have paid their devotion before this statue of Mary. Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade are among the most outstanding ones.[5] The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of two minor basilicas in the city of Zaragoza, and is co-cathedral of the city alongside the nearby La Seo Cathedral. The architecture is of Baroque style, and the present building was predominantly built between 1681 and 1872.
Posted via email from gironaJ
