SpainLifestyle BLOG

COSTA BLANCA WOMEN ARTISTS FEATURED AT DIAMOND JUBILEE TEA PARTY

2012-05-22T14:05:00.005+02:00

Three of the Costa Blanca’s most popular regional artists have been invited to present their art works at a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party in honour of the Queens’ special day.

Saturday 2nd of June at 3:30pm will be marked with a grand Tea Party with all the trimmings including an assortment of sandwiches and quiches, delicious scones and jam, bread pudding and Bakewell tart.

There will be an outdoor artist’s courtyard with umbrellas for visitors to come and meet these Costa Blanca artists.

Sheryl Pape is from Javea and works with bright colours and fantasy figures and flowers, which bring joy to all who view them.

Patricia Ropohl is from Benissa and has worked and experimented within a myriad of art forms including graphic design, furniture design, sculpture, ceramics, illustration and painting.

Karla Darocas is from Benitachell and enjoys painting the wondrous landscapes that are all around her on the Costa Blanca

There will also be a contest for creative people who wish to design a mad hat and wear it on the day.

This event is happening in the Les Fonts urbanization between Javea and Benitachell at Tasca Les Fonts Tavern and Restaurant.

More Info & To Reserve a Tea Table: 609 477 476
http://www.tascalesfonts.com/

VISIT TO THE MARNES IRIS MECCA

2012-05-04T20:04:00.001+02:00

A short drive up into the top of a mountain behind Benissa is the magical Iris gardens of Marnes.

A Great April Day Drive Inland

2012-04-22T10:39:00.001+02:00

Another great April Day & Lunch at our local restaurant

2012-04-22T10:32:00.001+02:00

APRIL SHOWERS BRING DOUBLE RAINBOWS

2012-04-14T11:02:00.000+02:00

This photos were taken out of my front window :)

BEACH COFFEE AND ARTY FISH

2012-04-04T20:30:00.000+02:00

UNDER CLOUDY SKIES * DENIA FALLA FIESTA IS ALWAYS A FUN TIME

2012-03-20T10:58:00.000+01:00

CIRCUS ROOM FALLA @ CARCAIXENT

2012-03-20T10:46:00.001+01:00

CARNIVAL TIME IN MORAIRA * FUN IN THE SUN

2012-02-19T17:49:00.000+01:00

STORMS & AFTER THE FEBRUARY STORMS

2012-02-13T12:00:00.000+01:00

CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING AT EL PORTET BEACH

2011-12-31T14:17:00.000+01:00

It is a local custom to gather your goodies together and go to the beach to meet up with friends and neighbours. This year offered some fun surprises with Santa characters coming in by kayak :0

EL PORTET BEACH AT SUNSET - DECEMBER 2011

2011-12-31T13:54:00.000+01:00

One of the most protected cove beaches is El Portet - Moraira. The sun warms the beach and even in the holiday season tourists take to the water. However, for us lucky enough to live here, we settle in to watch the gorgeous sunsets over the western sky.

DECEMBER VIEWS DOWN CUMBRE DEL SOL COASTLINE

2011-12-31T11:23:00.000+01:00

This is the view from the bottom of our street. Everytime I come here to the lookout, which is also a park, I am overwhelmed at the beauty of this marvelous place.

NOVEMBER DENIA BEACH AFTER STORM

2011-11-27T14:42:00.002+01:00

A November Day at Denia Beach with our Dogs

double click on any photo to see large photo exhibit

NOVEMBER 2011

2011-11-06T18:46:00.001+01:00

November opened with stormy skies. Our coastal Spanish skies are always very dramatic during these types of days. It is a good time break out the wind breakers and get down to the beach for some maximum oxygen.

Cumbre del Sol never disappoints when it comes to taking amazing photos. The light, even under cloudy skies, produces an incredible range of hues. And, of course so does the sea and earth.

Our beach bar is still open, so we had better enjoy a cafe con leche.

Enjoy my pictures :) karla
DOUBLE CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS

SAVING SPAIN'S TREASURES DURING THE CIVIL WAR

2011-11-03T13:29:00.004+01:00

In a difficult and risky mission, a committee formed by the persons responsible of the European and American museums worked together to save Spanish Works of art during Spain's Civil War.

Works of art from the Prado Museum, the Academy of Fine Arts in San Fernando, the Escorial, the Royal Palace, National Library and those owned by the Church as well as those from prívate collections, started a journey that took them through different Spanish cities and ended up in Geneva, where they were protected until the end of the war.

This whole adventure was possible thanks to the Directors from several museums who formed in 1939 the International Committee for the Safeguarding of Spanish Art Treasures, and assumed the responsibility of organizing the shipment and care of the works of art. Seventy-one buses trucks crossed the French border with the treasures.

These photos were on display at an outdoor exhibition in Albir Playa - Alicante.

DOUBLE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

ZARAGOZA BASILICA - FROM MIRACLE TO MIRACLE

2011-09-12T09:37:00.001+02:00

The Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar is a spectacular Roman Catholic church in the city of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
Its historical roots tell a story of a miracle whereby Saint James was preaching the Gospel in Spain and on the 2nd of January 40 AD, while he was deep in prayer by the banks of the Ebro, the Mother of God appeared to him and gave him a small wooden statue of herself and a column of jasper and instructed him to build a church in her honor.

Today, the splender of that church encompasses a bit of each culture and generation from Romanesque to Mudéjar Gothic to Baroque. During the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939 three bombs were dropped on the church but miraculously - none of them exploded.

PALACE IN ZARAGOZA IS A BEAUTIFUL CLASH OF CULTURES

2011-09-06T09:52:00.000+02:00

The Aljafería Palace is the perfect example of how Islamic and Christian cultures merged to create beauty. The Mudéjar art in Aragón is a direct consequence of the singular nature of the Christian Reconquest, in the early 12th century, of territories that had been dominated by the Moors since the 8th century. For various practical and political reasons, the Christians allowed the Moors to remain on the reconquered territories and keep their own culture and religion. On the other hand, Islamic art fascinated the Christians, who continued using its themes for a long time. Because of this cohabitation, many Islamic buildings were preserved, such as the Aljaferia Palace in Zaragoza.

VILAFAMÉS REIGNS REGAL IN RED

2011-09-04T10:11:00.000+02:00

Located in the Province of Castellón, Villafamés occupies a strategic position on top of a hill that is part of the northern end of the mountain range - Sierra de les Conteses.

The earliest evidence of occupation of Vilafamés are based on archaeological finds from the Middle Pleistocene period - called "Homo erectus vilafamensis" some 80,000 years ago.

The Castle that tops the village has Arab foundations but once conquered by King Jaime 1 in 1233 it has undergone various reforms throughout its history.

DAROCA IMPRESSES WITH BOLD & GLORIOUS HISTORY

2011-08-31T09:04:00.002+02:00

Daroca is a bold fortress town that once held great power as the midway point between the two great Roman cities of Valentia (Valencia) and Caesaraugusta(Zaragoza). El Cid, marched victoriously at Darocas with his troops after a campaign against the Moors. And a Holy Miracle launched the building of a Holy Relic Church to house a blood stained cloth found after another victorious battle against the Moors. Now, many centuries later, it is a great place to explore and have lunch at the fine dining restaurant at the local hotel.

The video below the photos shows an aerial view of the massive fortress walls that once protected this vital town.

ROMAN RUINS REMAIN IN SAGUNTO

2011-08-28T09:08:00.001+02:00

Sagunto is just a short drive north of Valencia city and if you need to believe that Rome once ruled these parts, then this is the place to get your proof. Excellent artifacts litter the fortress site and the Roman amphitheatre has been restored. You can also greet some catty caretakers who carefully watch you stroll by!
Double left click on photo group - to enlarge full screen ;)

GOAT HERDING - A SUPRISING CONTINUED TRADITION

2011-08-17T09:51:00.002+02:00

I am always surprised to find a goat herder out with his goats and working dogs - wandering the fields during the height of tourist season. It is truely a time bound tradition and a major miracle there are no crazy accidents as goats invade roads and leap out in front of cars!

BULLS COME TO MORAIRA

2011-08-03T10:34:00.002+02:00

Another season of farmers showing off their prize bulls to the crowds in Moraira. Bull handlers taunt the young beasts to give chase and when the bulls charge the crowds scream and applaud. Spectators shrill at the thrill of being so close to a dangerous animal!

DRAMATIC SUMMER SKIES

2011-08-02T10:20:00.000+02:00

We have had some dramatic summer skies this year. I never get tired of walking through the Granadella Park early in the morning with my dogs and watching the sun come up over the sea. These photos were taken over July and the first of August - 2011.

GEESE STEAL THE SHOW AT MORAIRA MOORS & CHRISTIAN PARADE

2011-07-24T10:07:00.001+02:00

My neighbour Louise was out with her camera and snapped some shots of the Moors & Christian parade down at our favourite beach village of Moraira. The crowds turned out in volume but it was the geese who stole the show :)