The correfoc, Catalan festival tradition of fireworks and bangers, may well be about to fizzle out after an enquiry into injuries caused by the fireworks at the Millas féria appears to be leaning towards legal…
Mike & Linda Jones warn us of the ‘trap’ awaiting travellers into France from Spain who are not aware of the change in speed limits. “Last year L’Independent published an article detailing the number of…
The government of the Province of Catalonia has commenced plans to build 6 new prisons over the next five years, the first one expected to open this November in Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, central Catalonia,…
2 Balbino Giner – Painter of Words 2 3 by Ellen Hall 3 First you are struck by the day-glo pinks, limes and yellows of his canvases. The words emerge from the black background only…
2 A message in a bottle… 2 3 by Ellen Hall 3 Having both dropped from the sky, the pilot and the prince meet in the desert. Their conversations in “The Little Prince” reveal the…
Beside the Seaside….from Blackpool to Banyuls-sur-Mer Basil Howitt emerges from convalescence to enjoy a day out in Banyuls-sur-Mer. He also listens to several Catalan Cobla bands. “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!…
2 Laroque from Boyle-ing Point 2 Patrick Boyle (62) gives the impression of being one of those people who is comfortable in their own skin. We are sitting with a coffee in the inauspicious surroundings…
If you head west on the D117 from the Catalan border town of Estagel, with the unforgettable 10th century fortress of Quéribus towering above you on your right, you soon come to Maury, the first village along this route in Le Fenouillèdes, or the Land of Fennel – or even Fenolheda in Occitan-speak. Le Fenouillèdes is part of Occitan Languedoc, whose inhabitants are rather scornfully referred to by Catalans as “les gabatx” or foreigners. Skirmishes between the “gabatx” of Maury and the youths of Estagel are still not unknown.
2 Fred Herbert – The play’s the thing 2 3 by Ellen Hall 3 In his big floppy “great writer’s hat” Fred Herbert has the scruffy, frenzied look of the mad, but irresistible drama teacher…
Sunday 1st June It has rained…..and rained…..and rained……..and is still raining! In general I don’t mind a drop of rain or two. It waters the land and gives me a good excuse to spend the…