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 ..

ABC Wednesday - E for Elche

Elche is famous for shoe production and .......

....... Elche is famous for the palm trees that are grown all around the town - you'll find not only parks and displays but plantations of the things.. If you are an avid lover of palms then Elche is the place to go. 

Not too far from Alicante on the Spanish Costa Blanca

The palm was introduced to Elche by the Arabs who conquered and settled in Spain in the early Middle Ages .

Palm Sunday in Spain and the odds are that the palm leaves in the church will have come from Elche.

A pleasant place to wonder through - a whole day could be spent there ..

Sorry I have used some of these pictures before in May ...

Guardamar - Street theatre and fireworks.

Part of the "action" at the Moors and Christians Fiesta is a street theatre display - the "actors " parade the streets setting off fireworks.

They are awesome ! ( this seems to be the buzz word this Olympic year )

Not for the faint hearted - be prepared to dodge the sparks - where is health and safety ??

Lots of noise and smoke ....

The crowd awaits the end of the parade and finale ..

Heads down unless you want to take a photo !! The guy in the mask is an actor ..

Pink smoke ......

The crowd is waiting for more action ..

If you ever get the chance to watch one of these displays then do so - AWESOME !!!

PhotoHunt - Colourful

A  colourful wall here in Guardamar ..  Someone has been very busy with the paint spray ..

These rubbish bins are sunk into the ground and there is a large container underneath .. do not worry about the mattress - it will be collected overnight by the refuse collectors - you are allowed to leave bulky items near the rubbish bins and they are collected usually 2 or 3 times a week.

Spain has a lot of painted walls - Spain has lots of graffiti !    .... ¡  España tiene mucho mucho grafiti ... !  All highly coloured ....