Latest BBC Europe & Estartit News & Weather

Languages

Did you know that 285 million people across the world speak Spanish? Spanish is spoken in 19 different countries and the second  most important language of commerce. (English being the first). Castellano (Castilian) is the most widely spoken of the various Spanish languages. 65% of Spaniards use Castellano as their first language.  Following the death of Franco in 1975, regional languages have reappeared in the autonomous regions of Galicia, Catalonia and the Basque Country. It is important to understand that these languages are not simply regional dialects but independent languages in their own rights and the local people are proud to enforce and protect  their ancient, literary traditions. Basque (euskera or vascuence) is spoken mainly in the more rural areas of the region by approximately 500,000 people. It has a unique grammar and structure and although it's origin is not clear, it may be seen in Latin texts of the 9th century. To anyone other than a native, it is almost impossible to decipher. Galician (gallego) is spoken in three dialects by approximately 2.5 million people in the North/West of the province. Catalan (catalan) is spoken in areas of the French Pyrenees, the Balearics Andorra and of course, Catalonia. It may also be heard, though less extensively, in Valencia. It's unclear in Valencia, whether Valenciana is a separate language or a dialect of Catalan. The Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza all have their own dialects, Mallorquin, Menorquin and Ibicenco respectively, whilst Spanish gypsies with Moorish origins, speak Calo. In autonomous areas, the regional languages are becoming dominant and the people of these regions are becoming less inclined to speak Castilian. It may be quite difficult, therefore, to converse with authorities and official sources who may only communicate in the local tongue. Although older generations cannot automatically be expected to speak any English, it is now taught as a second language in schools and widely used across the Costas, as is German.

Moments in History for Estartit

Man and the Medes Islands

The presence of man on the Medes Islands goes back to the era of the Greek colonisation of Roses. The remains of Greek amphoras, hand-worked grinding stones, and lead and stone anchors have been found on the Islands, as well as worked slate (the same as those found between Roses and Cadaqués).
Dounbtlessly, at that time, the gypsum rock in the north west partt of Big Meda (after which it is named) was exploited. The small clay and glass lachrymatory vases and the human bones found on Big Meda indicate that the island may have served as a necropolis.

9th Century Pirates

The past of the islands is quite eventful. The ancient Greeks settled here and in the medieval times it was the home to pirates. A legend tells of a pirate so in love with a princess that he abducted her and kept her imprisoned on the Medes Islands.

The stratetigic position of the Medes Islands lying near the coast which during the medieval age allowed for rapid attacks and safe retreat, turned the Islands into a pirates enclave, who threatened not only the coastal farms and villages but also the sea-trade - particularly that of Barcelona. In the early middle ages, the Catalan Count, Marti I L'Humà, began the construction of a defence tower and a monastery for the knights of Sant Sepulcre, but the works, which proved very costly, were never completed until very much later. The knights abandoned the area and the islands' custody then passed through various hands. The Genoese burnt all the buildings in an attack on the islands in 1442. The Sant Miquel chapel with its adjoining buildings. disappeared underwater in 1552 when the western point of Big Meda, on which it was built, subsided into the sea.

The wars and battles at the end of the 18th century lent the Medes Islands a degree of protagonism at the time: the French built a fortification on the Islands during the great war in 1794, and then the English took over the Islands for a period, using them as a military prison. In the Napoleonic wars the Islands were again occupied by the French, and there are still remains of their military garrison. People came and went up until 1890.

A lighthouse was erected in 1866 during the reign of Isabell II. It still stands today, although now in ruins from the passing of time, but the profile of its tower and the lighthouse keepers' houses can still be contemplated - as well as the scattered remains of old military batteries and quarters. A new, automatic light house was put up in 1930, which is still in use today, and powered by solar energy. Big Meda (and thus the Islands) was finally abandoned altogether by man in 1932 and nature has, as a result, recovered her dominion over the Islands, turning the terrestrial part, at least, into an ornithological paradise.

1963

Christine Keeler seeks refuge in Estartit - with her friends at the Sant Trop

When the story broke in 1962, John Profumo (Conservative Secretary of State for War) initially tried to deny the affair, but his efforts were futile. Once the whiff of sex, spies and scandal was out, the media hounded him.

In March 1963, he made the crucial mistake of lying in the House of Commons about it, telling the chamber: "Miss Keeler and I were on friendly terms. There was no impropriety whatsoever in my acquaintanceship with Miss Keeler." However, ten weeks later he appeared before MPs again to say "with deep remorse" that he had misled the House because he wanted to protect his wife and family, and that he would resign.

Meanwhile Christine Keeler, who was also the victim of a vicious stalker called Lucky Gordon, had fled to Estartit in Northern Spain for refuge from the Press. A ludicrous car chase ensued, with Keeler at the head of an entourage of reporters pursuing her through Europe. She was on her way back to Britain, after agreeing to sell her story to the Express newspaper.

Below a link to a three hour collection of music recorded from the tapes of the Saint Trop by a US Coast Guard.

A nostalgic collection from Sain Trop 1966 1967

1961 - 1994

Loran Station Estartit

Sadly missed are the American coast guards that manned the Lorsta Station at Estartit. This station played a large part in navigation of the med. Transmitting the Loran C beacon from the mountain above estartit.

Fiestas

 

 

Sant Juan Festival The night of the 23rd Midnight was the official celebration of Sant Juan - there was an abundance of high quality fireworks on the beach coupled with fine music a great night was had by all. This fiesta was followed by a public holiday. (all official businesses were closed on the 24th).Movie of Fireworks Watch here!

Fishing Village holds Solidarity with London Bomb Victims

A Sad day.. 7th of July 2005 "Our thoughts and prayers are with the dead and injured in London and their families and friends also thanks to the fine work done by the emergency services"
This week a two minute silence was observed in the Placa Dr. Fleming in the centre of Estartit for the victims of the "London Bombings" - organised by the authorities in "Toroella de Montgri".

18-Jul-2005 Isabel Pantoja on Saturday 16th July

"the live legend of the Spanish song performs in L'Estartit"The fiesta and Pantoja Concert went to plan - everything was dead on time - fireworks music - and finally the great Isabel Pantoja. "They didn't let a little mist spoil the show"Weather problems" The evening was plagued by a sea mist rolling in from 5pm onwards and visibility was down to 60 mtrs - and with the metric tonne of fireworks let loose total visibility was lost for an hour - besides that the concert seemed to be a great success" with the Queen of the Copla"

 

The Giants visit twice a Year

 

Golf

This is a popular time for golfers who prefer the slightly cooler temperatures and less crowded courses. Emporda is described as one of Catalonia’s most spectacular courses, designed by American Robert Von Hagge, with four separate nine-hole combinations, from typical links to pine groves, lakes and dunes. Closer to the coast is Golf Serres de Pals, an 18-hole par-72 course, only four years old but very nicely put together, with excellent facilities and very friendly staff.

 

PGA Catalunya Golf Course

The PGA de Catalunya was voted one of the ten best courses in Europe in 2001 by Golf World magazine and one of its writers, Steve Carr, described it as the 'jewel in the crown'. It truly is a stunning course, which has the Pyrenees as a backdrop, which only adds to the magic. 18 holes. Length 7160yds. Par 72. Barcelona 45mins Girona 15mins

July 18, 2005

Town Hall Helping to improve the Environment

The town hall of Torroella de Montgrí has put forward a proposal for the transformation of the "massís del Montgrí" and the Medes islands into the nature park of the Baix Empordà that can be included in the federal state government’s budget. In the new nature park scheme of the Baix Empordà combines the "Massís del Montgrí," the "Illes Medes" and the “Aiguamolls del Baix Emporda.” The appropriate decrees and regulations will take effect in mid-2005. There will soon be four nature parks in the province Girona. Estartit Club Nautica New Web site Club Nautica Web site with Cam - well done chaps.

Ullà Torroella de Montgrí has requested that the quarry of Mas Blanc (in ) is to be made a part of the future nature park Montgrí Medes. New Building in the Harbour The Port authority is building a compressor station in the main harbour in L’Estartit to assist in improving diving facilities.

Points of interest

At the movies -Spanish Hollywood
May the 6th "Kingdom of Heaven" starring Orlando Bloom goes on general release. Many of its Jerusalem scenes were filmed 15 minutes down the road from us at the stunning medieval village of Peratallada.

 

Salvador Dali "The Triangle"

 

The house of Salvador Dalí is in Cadaqués and the castle once owned by Salvador Dalí’s wife Gala is in Púbol 10 km from Estartit - are all are open to the public, beginning on 12 March until 9 January 2006 for Port Ligat and Púbol remains open until 31 December, the Dalí Museum in figures is open all year

 

 

Jornades Gastronòmiques Medes – Montgrí

Sea Produce Tasting in Estartit and also in Torroella de Montgrí. Cuisine based on multiple types of seafood and fish.
May and June
Information:

Nautical Station l’Estartit-Medes islands (972 750 699)

Tourism Office in l’Estartit (972 751 910)

 

Diving

The many diving schools are already running trips to the Medes Islands back to back.

Calypso Diving

UniSub

Calypso 2 going out

Underwater Photography Championship 2005

L'Estartit-Illes Medes, right at the heart of the Costa Brava-Gerona (Spain), will be host from 13 to 18 September 2005 to the X WORLD UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY CHAMPIONSHIP 2005. Twenty years of submarine pictures form the background to this championship which is once again paying homage to the Medes Islands Natural Reserve and the bio diversity of its seabed.

 

 

Aside from its competitive aspect, this championship is again aiming to increase people's awareness and to promote respect for the environment and the need to preserve this space, at times subject to non-regulated human presence.

 

115,200 euro

L'Estartit donates 115,200 euro for the inauguration of a museum project, documenting the history of fishing Industry in L’Estartit.

 

What the Experts Say

“By buying real estate in the Costa Brava you are buying into one of the most economically strong regions of Spain”

The Costa Brava in Spain, also known as the ‘wild coast’ because geographically it is such a stunningly diverse region with rugged mountains and cliffs and un spoilt beaches.

It is the coastal region of Northern Catalonia, which is one of the most interesting and culturally rich regions of Spain bar none, and Costa Brava real estate is some of the most attractive in the whole of Spain, and maybe the whole of Europe in terms of both your potential rental yield and your base capital investment potential.

The Costa Brava area of Northern Catalonia is home to some of Spain’s most popular towns and cities; the likes of Barcelona, Lloret de Mar and Gerona for example all offer fantastic real estate opportunities to those seeking strong rental yields. But it is important to note that high value short term rental yields the likes of which you can generate from the right properties in these cities, come at a price - and that price is literal and it is high and inflated real estate prices.

Catalonian real estate is expensive when you examine it in a stand-alone capacity but it is actually very important to examine it in light of what you are actually getting for your money.

By buying real estate in the Costa Brava you are buying into one of the most economically strong regions of Spain, a region with lower than national average unemployment and a region that alone produces up to 20% of the entire nation’s GDP.

Furthermore, you are purchasing in an area with the best golf courses, beaches, bays, harbors, theatres, museums, castles, shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife in the whole of Spain. It is the combination of all these factors that make the region so hugely popular and makes the real estate in Costa Brava so massively in demand.

Some of Spain’s most impressive cities, stunning beaches and coastal towns and villages are also located on the Costa Brava and so tourism in the region, which is already massive, is growing - so now you can see exactly how hot Costa Brava property really is and why you’re possibly paying so much more for your piece of the action.

In terms of the opportunities available to you for rental yield or capital growth, on the one hand you have Barcelona - possibly the most exciting, beautiful, stunning, exotic and breathtaking cities in Spain. Here you have both intense rental yield potential and possibly unstoppable capital growth potential.

This situation will not change so you may have to pay a premium for your first purchase but this will rise in value consistently year in year out (baring any catastrophic unforeseen circumstances); and if you want to rent your real estate investment out for an income you will have people literally queuing up for the right property!

Costa Brava real estate is big business and if you want profit from your overseas property purchases, you could not do much better than investing in the property markets of the Northern Catalonian region of Spain.

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New Fiesta Estartit

 

Monday, July 18, 2005

Mare Del Deu del Carme

Fisherman's Patron Saints Day 16th July

Catalan Festival

All went well at The Fiesta of the "Mare de Déu del Carme" on July 16. This is essentially a religious maritime procession for patron saint of sailors, although it also typically includes athletic events, parades and folk dances. The day started with mass for the fishermen - followed by a group meal and a blessing. Similar events are held in La Escala and Cadaqués.

 

All Catalan Fiestas and Holidays

January

Els Tres Reis (5–6 Jan): Children across Catalonia receive their Christmas presents when the Three Kings arrive in towns and villages by boat or on horseback.

February

Carnestoltes: pre-Lenten carnival parades (see panel).

March/April

Setmana Santa (Holy Week): on the evening of Maundy Thursday, men and boys dressed as skeletons march through Verges, near Torroella de Montgrí performing a medieval 'dance of death'. Girona's Good Friday procession in re-enacts Christ's death, with his crucified body carried to the cathedral by actors dressed as Roman soldiers. There is also a crucifixion ceremony on Good Friday in Sant Hilari Sacalm.

Festa de Sant Jordi (23 Apr): book and flower markets are set up in the streets in honour of Catalonia's patron, St George. The biggest festivities take place along the Rambla in Girona.

May

Carroussel Costa Brava (Whit Sunday): Palafrugell's Spring Festival was begun in 1963 to continue the carnival traditions following its prohibition. The highlight is the parade of floats on the Sunday afternoon.

June

Festa de Sant Joan (23–4 Jun): the eve of the feast of St John is marked with bonfires and firework parties all over Catalonia.

July

Cantada d'Havaneres (1st Sat): traditional sea-shanties on the beach at Calella de Palafrugell.

Aplec de la Sardana (2nd Sun): the biggest sardana festival takes place in Olot.

Mare de Déu del Carme (16 Jul): processions of fishing boats in the main ports in honour of the protector of fishermen.

Festa de Santa Cristina (24–6 Jul): Moorish dancing and a mass pilgrimage by boat from Lloret de Mar to the hermitage of Santa Cristina.

August

Fast painting contest (last Sun): in Tossa de Mar.

The 'Mayor's Sardana' in Amer, between Girona and Vic, is an open, spiral dance, including everyone who wants to take part. It celebrates the unity between townspeople and dignitaries.

September

Festa del Tura (8 Sep): processions of giants, dwarves and hobby-horses in the streets of Olot.

La Diada (11 Sep): Catalonia's national day is marked all over the region by fireworks, street parades and sardana dancing.

October

Festa de Sant Narcís (late Oct): a fortnight of festivities in Girona, featuring bullfights, bonfires and parades of giants.

December

Nadal (Christmas, 24–5 Dec): midnight Mass is celebrated in churches across the region.