General Chat

wisechild,
thank you for your words. I have explained on my Daily Diary why i cannot do much at the moment.

Bridget in Spain

Sorry to hear that Bridget.
We´re all here if you need to talk.
Meanwhile, take care.
Marion

I have had very bad news about 2 hours ago and so will not be posting today,
sorry,
Bridget

More about the history of where I live.
Ann, I had not realised that the floods had been so bad. It does teach one how important water is and a very precious commodity. A small change done over a few weeks bcomes permanent.
I am posting something now whichI hope that people will enjoy.

The town of Peñíscola is a Valencian municipality set within a privileged part of the Spanish Mediterranean that blends history and culture with stunning beaches. During a recent trip to the area, I was blown away as I stood on Playa del Norte and saw Peñíscola’s dramatic medieval fortifications, charming old town and beautiful castle, all of which give this resort town a unique historical edge. The medieval fortress town stands atop a rocky crag that rises sixty-four meters above the blue sea. It is a very dramatic sight when viewed from a distance. Joined to the mainland via a sandy isthmus with the Mediterranean pervading its every nook and cranny, Peñíscola has been described as looking like a boat stranded at sea. The narrow winding streets of white houses seemingly slide down to the sea restrained only by the solid city walls.

As I entered the old city, I immediately lost myself in the winding streets that led me to several viewpoints with unbeatable vistas and eventually to the highest part of the town. Despite the sizzling heat, I enjoyed a close look at the old quarters of Peñíscola and discovered one of the most visited monuments in Spain, Pope Luna’s Castle. Inside, the castle has been carefully preserved making it possible for visitors to appreciate the many details of this fortress. The best way to learn more about the old quarters of Peñíscola is to follow the established routes that lead to places such as the Porteta, Portal Fosc, Saint Pere’s Gate, the Bufador and the Church of Our Lady the Virgin of La Ermitana.

At dusk, the streets began to bustle and swarm with people coming and going amongst the white facades of the old town with their slender balconies and colorful pots of flowers. While walking through the old town, I gazed at many interesting restaurants and shops until I discovered the area around Calle Mayor. This is an ideal spot to sit back and have a drink while soaking up the unique vibe of Peñíscola.

I hope that you all enjoyed this now over to you all!
Bridget in Spain

Thank you Bridget, I am sure we in UK all take our water for granted. Well, we did until the floods a few years back in Gloucester. We were without drinking water for three weeks and washing etc water for the first week. We were reliant on bowsers and bottled water. We are more careful now but not as careful as you are I must admit.

I am adding this as I wrote it some time ago on one of my other threads. It is about lack of water inSpain and is still relevant in our area.


Water and Spain.


In 2008/9 in Spain, at least in the area from the Pyrenees down to Valancia we had severe shortages of water. The rain fall had been considerably lower than usual during the previous two winters and the reserviours were very low across the regioin.

Water was transported into Barcelona, my son had his water cut off in the house for an average of 6 hours per day for almost two months, in the middle of Barcelona.

This made us all think very carefully about how we used water and the wastage. I started our new approach by making sure that ANY water we used was not simply poured down the sink but was used for watering the garden plants and low and behold the Roses which in previous years had been very poor, bloomed way beyond our expectations. The other plants did not show any sign of distress and we lowered the time for our automatic sprinkler system to twice a day for only 10 minutes each time.

The flushing system in the bath and shower rooms had bricks put into the system and we only put into the kettle the amount of water we actually need.

Now for the most shocking part but also the most informative.

About 40 minutes from where we live is our local reseviour set near the top of a mountain where the area is of outstanding national beauty.
The variety of birds and in particular the Eagles is amazing. There are wild flowers and herbs, and the aromas fill the air, the stillness is breath taking...

There is a famous restaurant there as well, and artists set up their easels to try and capture the images and then there are the photographers and of course the twitchers. We used to visit several times a year as each group of our visitors wanted to go there.

The reserviour is or was a large and deep lake with water running into a wide river. A bridge has been built over the reseviour and allows access to the banks of the river. It had become a well known swimming area offering depths for all swimmers, or if like ,me simply a paddler,...It was not unusual to see whole families there for the day. The braver or more foolhardy would dive from the bridge into the middle of the lake, this includes my OH, brother in law and one of my sons, and there had never been a serious injury or a fatalitty.

What a shock when last year we went , the river and reserviour was so low that it was possible to see the bed of the lake.!!
No one was allowed down to the edge of the forest around the water, which was the only access, and the restaurant had only two tables in use.
Wild life was and is being affected. The bird population were confused and it is expected that the population of the Eagles and other beautiful birds will be seiously depleted in the next couple of years. the wild flowers and herbs are noticably declining.....

I will never take water for granted again and compared to many parts of the world we are still very fortunate. Last winter though was in general terms very dry and this summer we have had high temps and no rain for many weeks...BUT can you believe that some people are complaining that they can only empty their swimming pools once or twice a year...do they realise how much water it takes to fill a pool and yes I do have a beautiful large pool which gives us all great fun and enjoyment .

I am not asking anyone to change their lifestyle , that is for each person to decide for themselves..but minor changes have made a diffence to my life style.

As I have said this was written by me two years ago and on Bridgets Daily Diary but the situation has not improved a great deal, we complain about the rain when it comes BUT that place is stiil only about a quarter full or should I say it is three quarters empty. This is connected to global warming. I still use water as descibed above, we have only once in eaight years had to empty our pool because if you manage it corectly it does not need to be drained and these days there are very strong "covers " availablle if the owners are going else where for a long visit. If we go away we pay someone to keep the pool clean and in good order along with the garden.

My son who will be 40 this September is going to India, to celebrate his bithday drilling Wells for people who have NO CLEAN WATER, can you imagine living like that..........He is not the only person going I hasten to add.
It could happen!

Bridget

I hope they will imptove for you too then. I suspect that German and Dutch and also Spanish tourists have returned to the Canaries. It is probably cheaper to get flights there.

Without wishing to get into political debates it´s true to say that the Balearic government, which was socialist until last May, has always treated Menorca as the poor relation of the Balearics & has effectively decimated the agriculture & related industries on the island.
This, coupled with the worldwide financial downturn has been a disaster.
We have lost tourists from all over Europe, especially Germany & Holland.
Part of the problem again caused by the government is the cost of getting to the island & the lack of transport.
For example we had to go to Barcelona last November for my mother in law´s funeral. The flights, even with the residents discount cost €200 & we had to stay overnight because the last flight of the day was 5.30,so all in all. it cost over €400. My husband went over last month on the ferry, with the car & again, with the discount of 60%, the fare was €320 return.People from the mainland don´t get the discount, so can´t afford to come. It´s cheaper to fly to England than to get to Spain.
It really isn´t a case of having all their eggs in one basket. It´s that successive governments have brought in measures which might work well on the mainland, but have decimated the industries here & effectively priced them out of the market. It costs a fortune to transport goods to the mainland & generally they can be bought much more cheaply there in the first place.
We just keep hoping that things will improve.
Marion

Interesting Marion. Is the decline in tourism due to the recession or to other factors? i.e. that maybe things were over priced in contrast to somewhere like Turkey? Were the tourists when they were there Brits or other nationalitys? Sad that the people are suffering badly from lack of tourism. An example of having all eggs in one basket. But presumably there is no opportunity for anything else as it is so small.

Hi Marion,
Hubby and I went to Menorca a couple of years back. We hired a car for a week so we could get around and see as much as possible - we loved Mahon and Ciutadella, they were our favourites of all. Lucky you living with the view of Ciutadella harbour!
We went up to to Monte Toro, unfortunately didn't get the perfect view, due to a thunder storm underway so the cloud was low!!
We did like the island very much, and vowed we would return one day.
K

Bridget.
Description of Menorca as requested.
It´s very small 22 miles long by 12 miles wide as the crow flies.
The 2 main towns are Mahon, which is the commercial capital & main port of the island & Ciutadella which is the ecclesiastical capital, because we have the catherdral.
Between the two there are 3 other much smaller towns, Ferreries, Es Mercadal & Alaior.
Nowhere on the island is more than about 5 miles from a beach, but because the roads aren´t very good, it can take ages to get anywhere, especially in the summer when there´s lots of tourist traffic & wherever you go, you have to come back the same way, along the main road, which is quite a scary experience as it´s only 2 lanes with very few overtaking places.
There is lots of rivalry between the two ends of the island. The geology is different, the people are different & you can almost see the dividing line halfway across the island. The sun can be shining in Mahon while it´s pouring down in Ciutadella. It´s also very windy which makes it cold in the winter, but is very welcome in the heat of the summer,although the dust storms from Africa add to the ever present dust that we have to contend with already.
The highest point on the island is Monte Toro, where there is a convent although only about 6 nuns live there now. There is also the ever present & very pricy gift shop & the whole landscape is marred by mobile phone masts.
The main resorts used to be very busy in summer, but tourism has declined very badly over the past 4 years & many businesses are staying closed this season. The most beautiful beaches are the ones which are only accessible by boat or on foot.
Both Ciutadella & Mahon are busy ports. Ciutadella mainly for fishing boats, pleasure boats & the ferries from Barcelona, Valencia & Majorca.
Mahon has pleasure craft too, but is mainly the port for cruise ships ,military craft & container ships.Our house overlooks the port in Ciutadella.
All in all it´s a lovely island if, as someone said the other day, you are financially independant & don´t need to work for a living.
About 40% of the islanders are without work & this has been compounded by the lack of tourists ,as people used to rely on having at least 6 monthsseasonal work each year, but for the last 2 years, there has been virtually no seasonal work. The school leavers have to go away from the island to look for employment, but it´s not really any better on the mainland.
There is a lot of British history to be unearthed here as Menorca was ruled by the British in the 18th century. The military museum in Es Castell, just outside Mahon is really interesting.
Well, that´s your potted description of Menorca.
Please form an orderly queue for questions.
Marion

Good morning to you all and especially Marion as she is the first person to write on here today.

Marion my lose of hearing is due to a mastoid operation when I was quite young, I think I was about three years old. I cannot remember it but still used to have dreadful earaches in the good ear, I used to bang my head on the wall sometimes. I feel so sorry for my mother she was quite distressed at times wondering what on earth she could do. But I came through it all and as the medication improved so did I.

I fell in love with Granada and am trying to convince my OH that we should try to visit again. Not somewhere I would go to normally as I love being near the sea but the history .......I do not have the right words to describe how wonderful this place is, I will write about it once I get my photos out later today.
I did not like Gibraltar at all. It was a great disappointment to me. My mothers' sister Violet was the Nanny to a well known family the in the arts. My aunt was a good ballerina but did not make the grade to the Royal Ballet Company in London. However she danced some minor parts and then was asked if she would be the Nanny to the son of the head of the Royal Ballet. She never regretted doing this and travelled a great deal, they had a beautiful house in Gibraltar so she spent many months each year living in Gibraltar.
When my sister and I were quite young she gave us some wonderful ballet costumes which we shared with our friends and we used to play in the street all dressed up doing our version of ballet dancing. The mothers would bring out their chairs while the older sisters sat on the pavement and we would " perform" my sister tells me that I still perform but that is another story!

Hi Bridget.
Yes, I´ve been to mainland Spain many times & several areas from Bilbao to Gibraltar (not Spain I know, but you have to pass through Spain to get to it).
Have seen Seville, Granada, Cordoba, most of the coast of Andalucia, Murcia, Valencia & Quite a lot of Catalonia. I don´t think I could choose a favourite. They all have their pros & ons like anywhere else.
love the islands too although have never been to Ibiza or Formentera.
haven´t got time now to do a description of Menorca, but will be back after lunch.
Have a good day everyone.
Marion
PS. My husband is partially deaf too Bridget, so I understand the problem.He has been deaf since he was a child & was told nothing could be done other than an operation which could make things worse. He was finally talked into getting a modern hearing aid for his right ear after we got married & now, can´t manage without it, although he does lipread. This is one of the reasons why he finds learning English so difficult.

Marian, have you been to mainland Spain?
I have never been to the Islands.
Would you tell us about the arear you live in. Pretend you are telling a description where you are to someone who has no sight. I first used this many years ago and it was an excellent suggestion by the doctor caring for me. I do not have very good hearing, cannot be put right by hearing aids. So each morning when I sit outside and look at the sky etc I then close my eyes to listen to the birds and what is going on around me.
I have suggested this to many people, not just for those who cannot hear due to health but to those who say, " oh nothing interesting where I live etc"

Bridget in Spain

Marion, Spain sounds beautiful, perhaps, when I win the lottery, someday I may visit there!!
Bridget, my uncle (1902-2008) was in India from 1934-1947, my cousin was born there in 1940. As a result, the entire family LOVE curry LOL.
mary

Mary.
That was really fascinating.
I was struck with the bug to come & live in Spain the 1st time I came on holiday , to Majorca in 1967 & swore that some day I would come hereto live.
After almost 40 years I achieved my ambition when I retired, mainly spurred on by my Mother telling me I wouldn´t be able to do it. She really should have known better than to hand out a challenge like that.
I came to Menorca because over the preceeding few years I had come here on holiday & made several friends here, so it didn´t feel strange.
Now I feel as though I have been here all my life.,
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Marion

I am so excited! Whilst working on my family tree but not on GR I discovered more of my family who went to live in Australia.......I am going to check again this evening and will tell you all what I know about them, now how do I find out why they emigrated..
In fact I will check out all those I know and explain why they moved.......
I do know that they went in the 1800s but not sure yet of the exact year.

One of the things that I have learnt in the years that I have been researching, about seven I think, is that many of our relatives left the UK to find a better place to live. They must have been quite amazed at the size of the country, the hot and in some places the cold weather were rather extreme.

I would really have been delighted to find family living in places such as India, or the far East. Grandad was in the Army and spent years in India, how I wish he had written about his time there.

Just wondering now if there is anyone on GR who had male relatives in India the same time as my grandfather??

Keep searching everyone and keep telling us why you or your relatives chose to live in another country. Of course others may have immigrated to the UK so tell us why.

Bye bye for now

Bridget in Spain at 16.27 hrs

Good morning -- glad my piece was readable. Well Ann, you know I have wanted to write, perhaps a book will emerge one day. My mother wanted to do the same but didn't start until she was 95!!! I have her notes about her father who was caught, at the age of six years, standing naked in the sunshine one day and, when questioned, stated he was trying to die because he did NOT want to be a printer like his father and take over the family business. He wanted to be a doctor. His 6 y/o suicide attempt was the last, as he became a surgeon in the Royal Navy, awarded the DSO for taking over command of the troops when their commanding officer was wounded in the Boer War.
His Dad was a brilliant printer, having done a lot of work with William Morris, founder of the arts movement. However, when my grandfather was a student at University in London, his father decided his son's studies were fascinating, left his printing behind and became a medical student at the same school, eventually graduating at the age of 66 in Animal medicine!
Now why am I rattling on about this . . . .
My mother used to tell me that she had an ancestor who was hanged as a pirate but I haven't found any documentation of that scoundrel . . . wouldn't it be fascinating . . . . I imagine the lives of those who travelled to these far-away places, long before comfortable boats and planes. Were I a fly on the wall . . . .
Bridget to answer your question, yes I am still in touch with my first boyfriend, being the longest of my friendships! He is in the USA, I am in Canada, perhaps we were a couple in a previous life LOL as our connection is strong, a connection which began in Llandaff and now has crossed the globe. Sounds romantic doesn't it - but a deep friendship is what remains.

My goodness Ann, perhaps a book is the answer, once I get started I want to keep on writing LOL. But there are too many other things to do. Some day I MUST travel to Grenada to see how many cousins i can find and walk the graveyards.
have a lovely day friends, wherever you hang your hat.
Mary

Hello all - a very interesting thread!

I was only three when my parents came to Australia with little me. I was the only grandchild of my paternal grandfather and maternal grandparents. Being a grandparent myself I now realise it must have been very hard for them. They didn't live to see me again. However they apparently encouraged my parents to go to Australia. Both my parents never saw their fathers again.

My father told me many stories about his family in England so from an early age I was interested in my heritage. I think that's how I became interested in my family historiy - no other family members emigrated to Australia so I needed to know my roots and have a sense of where I came from.

We have been back to England a number of times during the last few years. Australia is where my family is so of course it is home. However, every time I visit England I feel the 'pull' of my ancestors so I know that part of my heart is there. After all I have walked in their footsteps and I have placed flowers at their gravesites.

Sue

Bridget, as always, love reading your stories! Fascinating stuff.

And Mary in Canada - that was a fabulous read, and oh how I felt for the young Mary who missed home so very very much.

On to the subject which I think was brought up a few days ago - whether the travel bug is in our genes......mmmm, yes......

My parents met in Sweden.
Dad was a Londoner, through and through, but had gone to work in Stockholm in 1950 (a long story, not particularly gripping so I won't go into it).
Mum, a keen cyclist and camper, had been going to France every summer since 1947 with her brother and/or sister, but in 1950 she was particularly adventurous and instead of going back home to England at the end of the grape-picking season, she and her Dutch friend decided to do some travelling. Whilst they were in Sweden they joined a Volunteers project, and it was in Stockholm that Mum was introduced to my Dad. Two years later they were back in London, where they got married.

After marriage came children, but we didnt' deter them from travelling - from the time I was small, I was taken on the most exciting camping holidays which lasted the full 6 weeks as my dad was a College lecturer! We thought nothing of driving all the way to Greece with the tent on the roofrack, or doing the full tour of Scandinavia...and I'm talking 1960's and 70's...friends and neighbours would look at us aghast!!
My parents still enjoyed travelling well past their retirement, be it a coach tour, a package holiday, or a drive over to France with the tent a couple of times a year.

So it came as no great surprise to them when I announced at the age of 18, that I was going to spend one summer touring France with a friend. Or, a few years after that when I took off for an epic tour of Europe for 6 months (which actually took 18 months) when I worked on a Kibbutz and spent 9 months in Rome au-pairing. Or when I spent a summer in Greece as a waitress, or that I worked winter seasons in Swiss, French and Italian Ski resorts, or that I decided I liked Italy so much I stayed there for 4 years!!! No, none of that surprised them! In fact many times they got in the car and came to visit me!

Travel bug? Yep, I reckon I got it from them.

There is evidence of a few of my ancestors doing some travelling - but nothing hugely exciting.
Mum's parents were both immigrants from Lithuania (didn't travel together they met in the UK), so i suppose crossing the North Sea/English channel was pretty big to them.
Dad's g.grandfather was involved in boat building (river Thames) and apparently some of his boats and barges were bought by Royalty, and it is said he had overseas branches including Cairo! Can't find substantial evidence of that story though!

Keep the stories coming please folks. They are fantastic!

And Merlin, I want to know what Cairo was like when you were here!!

K