Merry Christmas Everyone

I am now on Holiday. It is our first ever White Christmas!

We are travelling parts of Italy, Austria and Switzerland!

I will be sharing our adventures early next year!

Have a safe holiday everyone and PLEASE sort out what is happening with our lives Alinghi and BMW Oracle.

Bridget
xx

Three Kings (Los Reyes)

Danelle sent this in last year for the Cronica so I thought I would put it in again this year as it sums up what happens here for Christmas...

Three Kings (Los Reyes):

I have been in Valencia twice now to experience the special time and customs of the “Three Kings”. It is so wonderful and particularly unique to Spain that I thought I’d write about it so those of you that weren’t here could experience it. On the evening of January 5, children put their shoes on a balcony or near a window. The next day is Epiphany, the last day of the Christmas season. It celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. According to legend, the Wise Men (Magi) arrive during the night before Epiphany and fill the children's shoes with small gifts. Children also leave out straw and barley for the Wise Men/3 Kings’ camels and a letter for them. If you were bad you only get carbon/coal in your shoes.

Traditionally, children don’t receive gifts until January 5, the eve of Epiphany. The major city festivals celebrate saints' days. Twelve days after Christmas, on the feast of the Epiphany (the day the three wise men are said to have reached Bethlehem), a boat comes into the harbour bearing "three kings" who then parade through the streets throwing lollies/candy to all the children. The children all shout out the names of the three kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar as they pass.

There were two Three Kings Parades in Valencia. The Barrio of Nazaret, near the Port, has a Parade that starts at the port and goes through the streets of Nazaret. The Maritimos,,maritime workers, seamen etc put on this festival in their neighbourhood every year. We watched the Three Kings arrive at the port near the Pier for the Super Yachts near the AC Bases this year and parade around Nazaret. There were so many children lined up waiting for them, when they came they all put there hands up in the air to catch the lollies/candy. The plumes and colourful costumes of the Three Kings could be seen through their outreached hands. Last year we went to City Hall (Ayuntamiento), despite the crowds we actually saw more. We were right near the nativity scene and the children were all screaming out the names of each of the Kings as they arrived. They had to shout out their names again loudly or each one wouldn’t rise on the magic carpet (crane) to the balcony.

One of the members of our team is from Alcoy, a town about 50km south of Xativa. He had told me that they have a very special Three Kings celebration, and it was judging from what I saw on Canal 9. The town has a cobbled street leading to the plaza and the Three Kings were heralded as they came out by a town crier and they came on real camels. Then their assistants, black mistrels, climbed up little red ladders to the balconies of the houses around the plaza and delivered presents to the children from the Three Kings. There was music and bands and incredible elaborate costumes. Fantastic to watch. They then proceeded to visit Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

On January 6, a special bread called “Roscon de Reyes” is eaten. The person who finds the toy or figurine of one of the Kings is given the gold paper crown that comes with the bread and is King for the day. The person who finds the bean has to pay for the bread the next year. The bakeries had people lining up to pick up there Roscon they had ordered. Each Bakery had very different Roscon was fun to see what was available and try them of course.

If you haven’t been to Alcoy it’s also famous for its Moros y Cristianos Festival between April 22 and April 24. The parade and the costumes are amazing. The recreation of the battle on the last couple of days is quite loud, you may need ear plugs if you don’t like noise. The locals are very friendly and you can see many drinking in the bars behind the main Plaza de Espana, where the parade and battles mostly take place, in costume happy to chat and be photographed. For more information contact Alcoy Tourist Office Calle San Lorenzo 2, open 9.30-1.30pm and 5pm –7pm Mon to Friday and 9.30-1.30 Sat Tel:965-537-155

I brought a very cute children’s book about the Three Kings called Pajes Reales (curso para Jovenes) by Nuria Pradas. Published by La Galera in Barcelona. ISBN 10. 84-246-2157-3
www.editorial-lagalera.com it’s very imaginative and lots of fun to translate. Probably for children aged 7 but parents could read to younger children. I also sent a fantastic book to my Mum, who is a kindergarten teacher. It was more about the nativity (belen) and had jigsaw puzzles in it. Was probably a little more about the biblical meaning of the Three Kings. Both books were in Spanish.

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you got to eat the 12 grapes on New Years Eve too as is the custom. Both years I still haven’t been able to finish all the grapes in time with the bell chimes…oh well I’ll keep practicing.

Danelle Sofuku

Babysitter Available

My name's Alena.

I've done lots of baby-sitting for many America's Cup families.

These winter holidays I'm staying in Valencia.

So if you need a baby-sitter this winter, you can contact me calling 617 90 18 60.

I have used Alena for a few months and I can totally recommend her to anyone wanting someone to take good care of their children. Very reliable and mature.

Bridget

A segment from Magazine 'This is Valencia"

The Cabalgata Tres Reyes de MagosTraditionally the 6th of January is a most important day in the Spanish Christmas calendar as this is the day when the presents are given. It all starts at 5pm on the evening of 5 December, when the Three Kings arrive in the harbour of Valencia make their way as part of a huge procession of floats and marching bands (Cabalgata) up through the city to the City Hall (Ayuntamiento). They are greeted by the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barber, and then climb a fireman's staircase to the main balcony to address the children. Then they move on into the City Hall, which opens its doors to the public so that the children can visit them and receive a present. It is well worth a visit to Valencia to watch this procession as it is all great fun, take a carrier bag to catch sweets and presents thrown off the floats!

Another tradition for the 6th is to eat Rosc?n de Reyes, a pastry ring covered in 'jewels' of candied fruit. But beware, some contain a broad bean! If you get one in yours, you buy them next year!

Thanks Vicky MacFeidth for sending that in

Apartment to Rent

I have an apartment to rent in Portsaplaya.
It is an attic, 3 bedrooms, garage, cellar and air conditions, Views are beautiful. Two sailors of piu 39 team were there for two years and I am interest on renting the attic for several months or years.
The rent is 850 euros monthly.

If you are interested, please contact me at
mperaltrillo@yahoo.es
or 653 662 349

Thank you very much, María Peralt

BABYSITTERS

Meggie (16) and Olivia (nearly 14) Davison are seasoned babysitters and have recently settled in the city (Francia).

They speak English, Spanish and a little French.

Available most nights and weekends.

Get them before they get social lives!

Please contact Bridget via email for their contact details.

Caz Kelly

A 'kiwi' Blonde

Shane Pratt sent this to me and it is a bit of a laugh. Not the fact that a pet dog is missing, but more of how TVNZ chose not to cut some of the footage they took of the interview. Listen carefully. It has to do with the word 'hoarse' but in this case 'horse'. Thanks for the laugh Shane!

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1464796

and watch 'Wheres Cricket"

If you computer is slow like mine, be paitent, it will start up eventually. Bridget

Get Active near Valencia

My husband and I went climbing with Geo Extrem last weekend, near Montanejos in Castellon (half way to Teruel just off the N-234).

Although we went for the weekend and stayed in a hotel in Montanejos, it would have been easy to do as a day trip as we didn't meet until 09:30 on the Saturday and finished at 14:30. It took us just an hour and a half to get there from the centre of Valencia and cost 45 Euros each.

The company were excellent, very professional and our guide - Vincent -was really chatty and funny. He speaks a little English, enough for this kind of thing, and if you speak a little Spanish as well you'll be fine. He prefers small groups, and although some of the activities they offerneed a minimum of 4 people, others (like the climbing) only need 2. The equipment was all very new, top quality and he had a good attitude to safety. In the 4 hours we learnt alot, climbed 5 faces of different levels /difficulties and had a really wonderful time in the fresh air, hot sun (in December!) with amazing views over the stunning canyons and mountains in that area.

Although they do less activities in the winter, if you had something specific you wanted to do and enough people, he would definitely do it.

Their website is http://www.geoextrem.com/

On the Sunday we drove 20 minutes further north to Rubielos de Morawhich is a lovely Medieveal town, very well preserved/restored and a great place to just wander around.

Sue Cameselle

Rita's Workplace!

Holiday happenings in Valencia...

In addition to great Christmas decorations the Mercado Colón has a full program of daily holiday entertainment scheduled from now thru January 4th including evening music and afternoon entertainment kids.

It looks like there will be live holiday music every evening at 7:30 PM (expect Saturdays) plus daily entertainment for kids from Saturday the 22nd thru Friday, January 4th.

I picked up a complete program (colorful green brochure with the three kings on the front) at the tourist office on La Paz (next to the new Starbucks...:-).
Vicky McFeidh - Thank you again chica! Have a great time back in the States - Bridget

Palau de la Musica

The Palau de la Música has just published their "musica en família" for the 2007/08 season. Eight different selections of classical music will be offered for all ages over the next 6 months.

The first program will be December 15th featuring fragments of ballet from Tchaikovsky. The Barber of Sevilla will be featured in April and finally Peer Gynt on May 25th.

In addition there will be one show specifically for "bebés" (under 1) in May and another specifically for kids between 2 and 5 years of age in February.

We attended two of these shows last year and really enjoyed them. Yes, the audience was a bit more squirmy than usual but that ended up being half the fun. It was amazing to see so many little ones totally captivated by the music, dance and costumes! A definite must for anyone with kids.

I found the complete program brochure (bright red) at the tourism center on La Paz. Tickets can be purchased at the Palau de la Música ticket office - open daily 10 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 21:30.
Vicky McFeidh

Casa Rural Recommendation

Six of us plus one toddler just spent a lovely weekend in a Casa Rural one and a half hour's drive from Valencia. It's called Casica Los Pastores and is in the Ayora valley south and inland of Valencia.

It is an old farm house that has been renovated and divided up into two apartments which can be rented either individually or together. It is very nicely done with a huge wood-burning fire in each apartment plus everything you think you may need. Also there is an outside patio with a barbecue.

Most of us were there for the mountain biking and had a great time - despite some unintentional detours....! And those of us that were too young or too pregnant (!) to mountain bike enjoyed some nice walks and watched the sheep and lambs in the next-door farm.

The owner is Spanish but speaks perfect English as she has just returned to Spain after 30 plus years living in England! Her phone number is 660 713 448, or you can find more details via http://www.toprural.com/, searching for Valencia, then Ayora.
Emma Bryant

Winter in Valencia

Well, we are having some great weather even though were are now in Winter. No rain, only cold in the mornings and evenings - even they are mild at times. Still getting upto the mid 20's most days. The Autumn leaves are everywhere and soon we will be left with bare trees. This picture I took a week ago when out walking in the Turia park. Bridget

Christmas Lights in Valencia

Felix Crespo, the Councillor in charge of Fiestas in Valencia, revealed yesterday that the special Christmas lights of the City would be turned on later that usual this year in an effort to save energy. Mr Crespo also revealed that although the lighting consumption of 3,000Kw was the same as last year, the lights would be on for a lesser period of time this year

From http://www.valencialife.net/

I just read that Rita turned on the lights last night so they must be on every evening from now on. - Bridget

SECOND HAND FURNITURE ON SALE

WE ARE SELLING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ( Photo's available)

- 1 Dining table with 6 chairs
- 1 garden table with 2 chairs
- 2 wooden shelves
- 1 TV Color (SONY) 25 inches
- 1 sofa 3 seats, convertible into a double bed
- 1 double bed with matress
- 1 Standing lamp
- 1 Kitchen trolley
- Cutlery, Pans, Cups, Glasses, Toaster etc.

We offer the whole package at 1.000 euros

If interested in single items please contact us for value.

LAURA mob. 666 644 933 laurapicchi@tiscali.it
PAOLO mob. 662 033 292 bassani.p@gmail.com