Spanish Proverb

Si a Roma fueres, haz como vieres.

                                   When in Rome do as the Romans do.

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PhotoHunt - View

This week the PhotoHunt subject is VIEW     -      la vista

Here we have the Castle of Saint Barbara in Alicante  -   el castillo de Santa Barbara

There are certainly some good views to be had ......

This is the very top with views overlooking the hinterland - to reach the top take the easy way - a lift ( elevator )  -  walk or drive up by car or the tourist bus .

The city centre and the bullring   - la plaza de toros

Through the trees can be seen the holiday resorts to the north with their many apartment blocks.

Part of the sea front and the marina with hundreds of leisure boats ..

And here we have the harbour with dockyards and even a ferry to Algeria ..

Quite some view from the castle ..

Guardamar - The flag

Not the usual flag to be seen flying from a boat on the Costa Blanca in Spain.

Confederate States I think .. perhaps someone could confirm ? A long way from Dixie ? 

Now tell me Dixie was not part of the Confederacy !!

We are currently listening to a history of the USA  ( in 30 episodes ) that is being broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and very interesting it is .. each episode is 15 minutes long and one episode is broadcast each day. 

ABC Wednesday - J for Jetty

J is for Jetty - my offering this week after a lot of thought and searching of photographs on iPhoto.

In Spanish el Malecón 

Here at Guardamar Port is the jetty where the local fishermen - pescadores - moor their boats . They are actually moored on the rio Segura - the entrance to the marina proper with all the private leisure boats is just out of the picture.

In the distance is another form of jetty - the breakwater which guards the marina entrance and the river from the sea.

A busy little area - sea anglers can be found any time of the day on the breakwater - I assume there must be fish in abundance.

Guardamar - Marina

These sculptures - if that is what you call them - are quite popular. This one can be found at Guardamar Marina and there is also a similar one on the waterfront in Alicante.

I think they represent the compass points but am not 100% sure ...

PhotoHunt - Road

Before :  there they are in the road - trees ........... !!  plus direction sign.

After : and now they've gone !!

I'm sad about this - the trees in the road were a focal point and a talking point. After about four years, someone has decided at last, that really they were in the wrong place. 

Picture taken on the road in Guardamar.

Alicante - Bright Shop Shutter

Bright Shop Shutter - try and say that after a few drinks !

Sunday morning is a good time to wonder around the streets of Alicante. Not many people  about in the old quarter and the traffic has yet to emerge.

I noticed this bright and breezy shutter on a shop ...

ABC Wednesday - I for Intruder

I is for Intruder - my dictionary states that an intruder is a person who enters a place without permission.

I guess that no one gave permission for this to occur !  Looks like a car or lorry has hit the wall.

This shop or bar is part of a newly built apartment block opposite the rio Segura in Guardamar and is waiting to be sold or rented out.

With the building crisis as it is in Spain I can not see the builder rushing back to make repairs ! 

We'll have to see how long it takes to repair ......... ???

Fútbol 3

Spain has got off to a very good start in the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Rounds.

They now head the Group Five table with 6 points.

September 6th.  saw them beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 with a goal from Villa

A 4-0 win over Armenia  September 10th. - this time Villa scored twice and we had goals from Senna and Capdevila.

Next game is against Estonia October 11th.

Guardamar - Time for coffee ...

Mid morning in Guardamar usually means a stop for coffee or a small  beer (una Caña )

This little "French" ( yes the owners are French not Spanish ) place even provides a small biscuit with the coffee . Here one  can also buy bread and pastries.

Spanish Proverb

A quien madruga, dios le ayuda

God helps those that get up early

Guardamar - All alone

I wonder if someone will come and collect this car ??  Looks like it's in need of some love and attention !!

Quite often you'll see cars like this dumped on some corner .. perhaps the local garage has a long waiting list ??

Guardamar - Summer

Summer will soon be over in Spain - most people will be returning to work after their long holidays.

This view from Guardamar shows how brown and dry the hills look after a long dry spell and very hot weather.

The local council had ideas of building on this land but with the current economic downturn I doubt if this will happen.

Spain - The Crisis

Well unemployment has now reached 2.5 million in Spain and much of it is in the construction industry. This picture of an empty building site for sale in Guardamar has become quite normal.

I doubt very much if they will obtain a quick sale ..

It is quite noticeable as you walk around the town that many estate agents have closed down and very little property is now selling .

There is much talk on the Spanish TV about the current "Crisis" in the economy - and there is no doubt that prices are rising in the shops very fast and fewer people in the bars and restaurants spending their money ...

Winter time - empty time.

Busy little place is Campoamor in the summer - thousands of apartments to cater for the tourists ..

Winter time is different - apartments are closed and there are very few people to be seen. 

Alicante - Old Town

A view of Alicante taken in the old town ..

It looks a hot and sunny day ..