Power Walk - Next one on Friday!

If you have been meaning to join me for the Power Walk in the Park on Tuesday's, I will be doing one this Friday!

So far we have had two walks and have had a great group of ladies join in.

Flick me an email if you do intend to come so I have an idea who to wait for. We meet at 3pm in the park opposite the 3 towers and leave around 3.05pm.

Remember it is every Tuesday (except the 19th of Feb - I will be having a wee holiday) and the first Friday of every month. Because there are 5 Friday's in Feb, there will be another extra one on the 22nd Feb. The only money you have to dish out is if you stop for a coffee after it. So not only is it pretty much free, but great for your health and another way to meet more people!

Bridget

English Babysitter

5 years experience from birth to early teenage years.
I have been a regular babysitter for families in England and I have worked for a number of Americas cup families since July 2007.
Available for odd days, evenings or for long term more regular work, willing and trusted for trips out and about.
References available.

For a personal recommendation please call or E-mail
Meagan Hutchinson on - 696 787 458 or meagan@meaganandmarcus.com

For further references please contact me 680 707 780 0r katieboges@yahoo.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you
Katie Bogan

Bike Parts and Bike Rally

OLD BIKES AND BIKE PARTS

I was looking for something to do with some bike parts that we've got (some old training wheels, and an old bike seat), and found that there is a volunteer group that has organised a workshop for children of all ages of the poorer areas of Valencia (Barrio La Coma), to teach them to build their own bikes out of some old pieces and bikes that some people donate, so they would very much appreciate if people want to donate.

They are happy to do pick-ups, so I think is a very good way of recycling our old bikes and parts!

If somebody wants to contact them, the lady in charge is Rosario, and her mobile is 678 454 692. I am not sure that she speaks English, but if you get stuck, don't hesitate to contact me (Silvana) on my mobile 663 874 429.

BIKE RALLY

Also this coming Friday (Feb 1st) is the monthly Masa Critica Valencia, a bike rally that takes place in the Old Town, to raise awareness on the condition of the bike lanes, car-drivers' behaviour against push bikers and pedestrians, environmental issues, and a good way to have the Colon Street all for us bike riders and meet very nice people from outside the AC. It is very safe, the Police is there to help at all times, and we will meet at 7.30 pm at Plaza de la Virgen. Join us, it will be FUN!!!

Silvana Sanchez

Apartment for 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

Do you need a Nanny in July?

I have been studying Spanish for 5 years and am currently enrolled in my high school's honors program. I am very interested in Spanish and am considering pursuing it as a major in college. To be able to spend some of my summer in Spain, speaking English or Spanish, especially around those who are so involved in sailing at its highest level, would be absolutely amazing. I will be seventeen this summer and have lots of babysitting experience, so I would love stay with a family and work as an au pair taking care of children or doing any other necessary jobs.

I am hoping to participate in a few regattas at the end of June, but I will be available after the 4th of July for the rest of the month. Thank you so much for helping me explore this potential opportunity.

Emily Gowell em.gowell@gmail.com

From www.valencialife.com

NEW OPENING TIMES
Shops in the Valencian Community will now be able to, open their doors this year on the following holidays: March 20; July 6; November 1; December 6, 14 and 21 and January 4 and 11 2009. These are eight more openings than usual, and the trades unions have presented their virulent opposition to these new proposals
Sent in from Leslie

For Sale - Baby Stuff

For Sale! Baby stuff
And some free stuff at the end - (Email Bridget if you want to see all the photos!)

Changing Table and bath – this is a free standing changing table with a plastic bath underneath. The table itself is foam covered in blue checked plastic. 15 euros

Bed guard – this is a cool little item that slides under the existing top mattress of any bed and has a little mesh guard that keep the wee one from falling out in the night . Folds down for easy storage– 15 euros.

Awesome Decathalon Bike Seat – This one fits the Decathalon bike rack. Detaches in second so you don’t need to always have a child seat attached to your bike. You will need to purchase the rack but that is easy! – 20 euros

Evenflo Car Seat – for children 20 to 40 pounds. Very secure, easy strap adjustment from a knob on the side. And there is a knob on BOTH sides so it doesn’t matter which side of the car the seat is on – you can always adjust the straps – nice for the coat on in the AM size and then coat off in the PM. Reclines, has all 5 point strap system and meets all the US car seat requirements as of 2005. (I don’t know if they have changed) – 30 euros

Baby Jogger – Great for the cobble stone because of the big wheels and smooth ride. It is a little old but works just fine. 20 euros

Kelty framed Child Carrier Backpack – these cost about 125 USD new. This one has been on many a hike but is still going strong. Pockets for storage and just the right number of straps to keep the child in there. – 30 euros

Infant Life Vest - it is safe. It works. They hate it but you have to do it – 10 euros

PortaCrib – This is a portable crib that we have carried all over the world. Nathaniel slept in it until he moved into the child’s bed (as seen above) I don’t have a photo but it is basic and well worn but it works. – 15 euros

Potty training seat – blue plastic – well you know… free!

Chlid’s bed – just right for 2-4 years. No mattress – Free!

Bike Seat – Not the best but not the worst. I used this one as a back up ride for my 4 yr old when she got tired. Perfect for a 1-2 year old. Fits any bike and no need for a rack. Free!

Phone Libby
m. +34 690 224 708

Car still for Sale

Price dropped to 19.000 and we have a friend who can assist with the changing of Registration.

Volkswagen Touran (from Feb. 2006)
FOR SALE· 2,0 TDI DSG automatic·
140 CV· Highline· Titanium gray· 7 seats·
DVD and 3 cordless headsets·
45.000 km
20.500 Euro
More information contact:stenp@hotmail.com or Sten Mohr: +45 617 113 59

To see the photo, click on For Sale label and the previous ad will come up

Teacher available for private classes

I am a British trained Primary teacher and am available for private classes at times to suit. I have taught every year from Year 1 through to Year 6, both in the UK and for the past 3 years in a British school in Spain. I am happy to assist any child within these age groups with a specific area of the curriculum - from mental maths to reading or writing - or to provide more generalised support with school work. I have plenty of resources, lots of ideas and experience and am happy to teach either on a one to one basis or small groups either at my home or yours. Feel free to drop me an email if you are interested and we can discuss options.

Contact: lucyjanemoore@hotmail.com

Nothing to do???

Righto, I am sure everyone is sick and tired of the America’s Cup Saga, and that is saying it politely! I for one have had an absolute gut full and now on the receiving end of just how much current game can affect people’s lives.

BUT, it is also making me realise how great life was for the past 3 years, with all the activities and get togethers I and others organised to keep us all busy, positive and sane! So, now the time has come to get back into it, get motivated, meet more people, have fun, get fit or fitter and generally keep our minds and attitude POSITIVE!

So here is what I have come up with and it would be great if everyone joined in with at least one or all get togethers each week. And please bring anyone along not involved in the cup. Always good to meet people outside of the cup.

First up on Tuesday at 3pm – I will take us on a Power Walk in the park for 1 hour finishing with a coffee at the park cafe by the Opera House. We will start walking at 3.05pm. Departing from the park opposite the Three Towers/Opera House, heading in the direction of old town, we will walk our buns off and every 10 minutes stop to do some exercises – Abs included (bring a towel). Anyone can come – babies/toddlers in buggies welcome, but if you have to stop – you have to run to catch up!
If you are keen to do more, then I will also do this on the first Friday of each month, this time finishing with a well earned Beer.

Wednesday from 12.30pm – 2.30pm, Coffee at Starbucks Gran Marques del Turia, (because it is smoke free and big enough for lots of people). Main objective to catch up and a chance to meet more people! After a couple of months, we can swap to another café.

Thursday 3 – 5pm. Playgroup at the park. The weather is great so let’s get the kids out in the ‘fresh air’ and head to the playground in the park opposite the white tower. I will also start a new contact list so we can get another group going like what Juliet did for the 32nd AC. If you don’t have kids and have nothing else to do, come along anyway!

Friday 2 – 5. Childless Lunch! And only 10 euros (give or take a few and it depends how many wines the doctor prescribes). Great chance to unwind from the busy week, ha ha. Depending on interest, I will pick the location during the week. If you have your favourite place, let me know! I will organise this on the second and last Friday of each month.

Girls’ night out. I will now organise this once a month for now starting in February.

I really want to start up another competition like the AC Family Interteam Challenge but this time it won’t be AC team against AC team. We will make mixed teams on the day and go from there. I will need to have names of who is keen so depending what the activity is, I can book what ever I need to. Vicky MacFeidth is going to help me with the organising. We will aim to do this on the third Friday of each month in the afternoon. Will keep you posted!

Pregnant Ladies – When I was pregnant with Jack, I got some other mums-to-be together so we could catch up once a week and go through the big event together. It was a great way to share advice and also know that other people are going through the same thing as you.

If anyone out there is pregnant and want to become part of a group, let me know and I will help form a group for you. Let me know what time and days suit.

I can also get a few of my friends together who have had babies in Valencia and we can share our experience with you.

I personally think having a group of people you can meet with during this time is so important and even more so when we are so far away from our family and support.

So there you have it. Starting with the walk on Tuesday, flick me an email if you intend to come and also for the lunch on Friday. The Coffee at Starbucks and Playgroup on Thursday, just turn up.

Summary...

Tuesday 3pm - Power Walk

Wednesday 12.30 - Cofffee Catch Up

Thursday 3pm - Playgroup

Friday 2pm - Childless lunch or Power Walk or AC Family Challenge

Girls Night Out - once a month starting in Feb

Preggie Group - contact me and no, I am not pregnant!

See you soon!
Bridget

For Sale

VESPA ET2 50cc.
Silver, 2006, 1400km
Excellent condition!!
800 euros

Contact: Michele Ivaldi
34 637 169 172
39 348 225 6725
ivaldi.mic@gmail.com

Smoke Free Cafes in Valencia

Being a non smoker, there is nothing worse than popping into a cafe in the morning, just showered, in fresh clothes and coming out smelling like you have been out in the pub all night!

But, thank goodness there are a couple of Smoke Free Cafes close to home. I thought I would open this one up so everyone can share their favourite Smoke Free Cafe.

Notredame - Salamanca 40
Chocolate - Salamanca 25(?)
Starbucks - Gran Via Marques del Turia
Starbucks - San Vincente Matir

Please, if anyone knows of others, please click on the Reader Comments Part and show your knowledge.

I was very surprised that on my holiday in Austria and Switzerland, that the smoking is still allowed in all (well almost all) public areas. Even in Hotels which was a real pain, especially when having breakfast and everyones smoke was wofting in.

Bridget

Bike Rides and Charity

I was surfing the net for a little while, and since a lot of us Cronica readers ride bikes around Valencia, I would love to share this web-page: www.valenciaenbici.net

They have a map for the bike path all around Valencia that you can print out, tips for parking your bike and not getting it stolen, somewhere to post your stolen bike, somewhere to post if your bike it's been recovered, and much more. They also organise bike trips to El Saler every third Sunday of the month, they meet at 10.30 on the Fountain in front of the Palau De La Musica, and they do this to promote bikeriding as a means of transport (this coming Sunday!!). There is also a monthly "bike-picket" every first Friday of the month, to make motorists aware that bikers have as much rights on the road as the petrol-heads.

On other note, one of the designer at Oracle has organised a fundraising for an Argentinian charity called "Comedores Infantiles". This Comedores are places where the poor kids go to get their meals after school, and it's been going on for a while now. If you feel like giving to the less fortunate this Holidays, there is an Annual Appeal up until Dec. 14th (Sorry Silvana sent this to me while I was on holiday). Log on here www.help-for-kids.blogspot.com.

Thanks a lot!!!
Silvana Sanchez

For Sale

Hamax Bike seat, OK condition for sale.
€20
For further questions please ring:
Eduardo,663 874 430
Silvana, 663 874 429

Silla de Niño para bicicleta Hamax en venta. En Buen estado,
€20
Por favor llamar a:
Eduardo,663 874 430
Silvana, 663 874 429

Eco Park

Valencia now has its own Eco Park, that is sited between the Vara de Quart Industrial Estate and the V-30. Open every day, it has special sections for depositing paper, cardboard, glass, furniture and other recyclable rubbish. There is also a section for old electrical appliances, used batteries, old mobile phones and even used or out-of-date X-rays. Inaugurated yesterday by Valencia Mayoress Rita Barbera, the Eco Park is set in a five thousand square metre area and is open Mondays to Saturdays between 9 am and 9 pm and on Sundays from 1 am to 3 pm

Thanks Vicky MacFeidh for sending that in

BABYSITTERS

I have a few fantastic babysitters contact me saying they are available for work, mostly any time of the day. Here are their details...

Katie Bogan 680 707 780. Has worked for a few AC Families over the last 6 months or so, so she has good references available. Away in England for a couple of weeks now but will be ready at the start of February for any nannying work

Alena 617 901 860. Is available around her University hours. I used Alena a lot for Jack (now in Daycare) and she was great.

Kirsty 697 704 548. Available for any work. I have used Kirsty also and she is great too.

Isabel 645 652 830. (One Stop Shop chica) Isabel is on the hunt for a new job but is available for babysitting. Again, I have used her and another great sitter to add to the list.

One Stop Shop

Esther Pérez would like you to know that One Stop Shop is still operational but the staff has unfortunately been downscaled. Esther is now the person to contact for all the America's Cup Families.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people at One Stop Shop for doing such a great job. Monica (who left early this year), Esther and Isabel were great support for me with the Cronica and it was great working along side them. Unfortunately Isabel lost her job but hopefully she will land a job in the America's Cup somewhere as she has a wealth of knowledge that will be very useful for a team! All the best Isabel. Esther, thank you again for all your work. Bridget

Muelle de la Aduana, s/n 46024 Valencia Spain
Tf: + 34 963 46 2007 Fx: + 34 963 40 7577
www.valenciaoss.com

Apartment for Rent

Hi-
I'm leaving a very nice apartment in Avenida de Francia 55.
With furniture, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and dining room, 9th floor, sunny side, air conditioning, swimming pool and security.
The owner is a very nice person and the price is 1000 Euro/month.
If you are interested, please, contact me at
ch_coggiola@yahoo.it or +34 618 421995
Photos available.

Feel Good in 2008

Welcome to our new Centro de Yoga, Pilates y Acupuntura. The centre offers you a complete range of preventative and restorative health care: yoga and Pilates classes, Qi Kung Stretch, belly dancing classes, acupuncture and massages. We can help you choose a class or therapy that most suits your temperament and your needs. Our teachers and therapists are qualified and experienced, and are available for a chat about their area of specialization.

Visit our website to find detailed information about the classes and treatments we offer, as well as timetables and prices.

New groups are formed in response to demand. There is no need to be discouraged if you cannot find a class at a time that suits you, just contact us and let us know what would work best for you!

Contact us to sign up for a class, to make an appointment or if you have any questions. If you want to have a look at our centre, pop in for a visit. You can try a class for free and enjoy a complementary cup of tea (jasmine, red, green or herbal).
You can find us at:
Centro de Yoga, Pilates y AcupunturaAv. de Francia, 17, escalera B, puerta 2, 46023 Valencia (on the entryphone, press 202 and the bell button)
Call Olga Fedina at the Centro on 963 319 874 or 609 429 678

www.yogacentrovalencia.com

e-mail: info@yogacentrovalencia.com

Nursery Nurse Available

Professional Qualified English NNEB (National Nursery Education Board) Nanny.
Over 6 years of experience caring for children including positions as a Nanny (4mths-7 yr olds), Playschool Teacher (2-3 yr olds), ESL Teacher (2 - 15 yr olds), Special Needs Nanny and Nursery Nurse (2 -7 yr olds).
I have worked with Children who have visual impairment, Autism, mental and physical difficulties and cerebral palsy. (Occupational and physiotherapy).
I’ve also spent the last year running a playschool for America’s cup children.
I’ve just recently had a baby in September and am now looking to take care of one other child at my home, part-time or full-time.
Excellent references available.

Contact: Susie fisher on 664796719
susiecfisher@hotmail.com