Two months off! Now back to the blogging.(Time to catch up)

Hello and welcome back to Costa Del Blogga. I know it's been over two months and these pages have been lying dormant but I feel it's now time to get back to business. Especially since I've not actually been lazing around doing nothing.

Giving it large on Total FM

You may have noticed my last blog post was on the subject of soul music and the start of my new venture as a radio presenter. Well, I'm now on show number twelve and enjoying every minute of it and I've also secured the Saturday afternoon sports show spot - busy lad!

Add to the above the fact I've managed to get bookings for DJ shows in and around the Javea area, it looks as though I've not quite escaped the hospitality trade yet. But did anyone ever think I would?

Another venture I've managed to secure is a go at teaching English as a second language at Lady Elizabeth (Primary) School in Benitaxell, about a fifteen minute drive from where I live. It's basically a Saturday morning job and do you know what? I'm really enjoying it. See, multi-talented after all.

Lynn hasn't been slouching around whilst I look for work. She volunteers in the library of the LES secondary school and house sits the school's boarding villa when the regular staff are away.
All of this frantic activity is allowing us both to network and get our faces seen in the area - vital for any ex-pat who is not yet ready to put their feet up and lay by the pool all day sipping a sangria.

Splashing about in the Med - on Halloween!

A lot of the time it's down to luck how you manage to get on out here, well, that's what I've found. A chance meeting at a Facebook networking night (and party!!) with one of the co-owners of the radio station got me to where I am today. They gave me the opportunity to MC the charity event for the Bomberos at Laguna Ribs during the summer then took me on as one of their presenters. ,

People regularly post on Facebook they are looking for a DJ for parties, events etc.  Because of the radio work I've been recommended and from getting confirmed bookings it's led to others - the "Jungle Telegraph" system works excellently around here.

Enjoying the giant paella in Jesus Pobre

Through a family connection at Lady Elizabeth School I found out they were forming a Saturday club to teach English. I applied, was interviewed and got the job.
As a result of hosting children at our house during the summer (Summer School) we made good contacts with the secondary school admin team which has given Lynn a foothold into hopefully future employment.

You do have to work at it as an ex-pat if you want to keep busy. A far cry of course from our previous ten years running the York Hotel and all the highs and lows associated with that. One overriding factor keeping us both going is waking up most mornings to sunshine filtering through the shutters.
Unbelievably, when my daughter, eldest granddaughter and aunt visited us in October we were out swimming in the Med - on Halloween, it was so hot. OK, I was in the water with my grandchildren and everyone else was sunbathing but still, at the end of October!

It's very obvious then we plan to be here a while. Time to learn the language?
We are fortunate to have a lovely lady in our village (introduced to us by our daughter) and she teaches a class in the village community centre on a Monday morning. Our Spanish is coming along slowly but surely as they say and it's much better having a native teacher putting you right rather than trying to work it out yourself from a book.

Strange how it's worked out. I teach children English on a Saturday and then attend Spanish lessons on a Monday. Method in my madness though - the kids help me out with some Spanish words!

Great November weather.

We have plenty of opportunities to practice the language. The local bars in the village are...well, very local. They wont go out of their way to speak English to you - why should they? One thing though, they appreciate it when you "have a go", plus they are more than happy to correct your pronunciation of words. We shun the pre-packed sections of meat and fish departments in supermarkets and are now more confident of approaching the butchers and fishmongers and improving our ordering skills.

So, Christmas is almost upon us but we haven't totally shunned the British way of life. Our tree is up and decorated and our most valuable decorations came with us in the packing boxes. It's not quite "chestnuts roasting round an open fire" but our calor-gas heater suffices for warmth. a major difference to the pre-Christmas hullabaloo can be found when out and about in town - it's just not there. Well, not in your face.

Don't get me wrong. The Spanish love Christmas, just not in the same in-your-face commercial way we have descended to in the UK. In fact its the ex-pats who are the most enthusiastic about the whole season. We have though arranged for us to host Christmas Lunch this year. Well, our eldest daughter and family are here, my son-in-laws mum and gran are here, my aunt is visiting from the UK - a proper family Christmas Day. We've had plenty of practice over the years.

The final upshot to our first six months here in Spain has been the friendliness of everyone; locals and ex-pats alike. The climate here has been described as one of the best in the world. Maybe that's the reason so many people are content with their lot in this beautiful part of the Costa Blanca. Now I'm more settled I'll get out a bit more myself and get to fully appreciate my new home.

Totally (Sunshine) Soul

What's your estimation of a good soul song? Would you say a Motown hit or maybe a Northern floor filler? Perhaps you like a bit of Modern, a Beat Ballard even Crossover. And what about today's soulful tunes - are they your cup of tea? 

Confused? You're in good company, I just can't place my finger on what genre of soul music I like, and so it seems do many others. One man's Northern is another's Motown is another's Modern. Maybe I'll just give all of them a whirl.

Well, come Thursday 29th September that's exactly what I will be doing as I host the Totally Soul Show on Total FM, the community radio station for Javea. Every week I'll be bringing you three hours of an eclectic mix of all things soul to ease you into your Thursday evening. (Showtime 5pm - 8pm) Click here. 

Growing up in The Lancashire seaside town of Morecambe it was easy to forge a liking for the soul genre; everywhere was playing it. My first exposure to it was in the youth clubs, the breeding ground for many a "would

be" DJ and definitely the place a young man could cut his teeth on the dance floor. Acts such as Donnie Elbert, The Supremes and The Drifters provided the soundtrack to my formative years. We listened to The Chi-Lites, Detroit Spinners and the O'Jays on the juke boxes in the coffee bars of the town. 

Usually skint, we would imagine being able to afford and moreover allowed by our parents to attend Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino, unimaginable sounds (we believed) would fill our senses in those venues. We did have a lifeline to more soul, though - Dixieland Showbar.

Part of the Winter Gardens complex, Dixies, as it was known, had a Monday soul night; big problem for me, obviously a school night. I pray for forgiveness to my parents for the white lies I spun to attend those Monday night extravaganzas. It's where I first heard R Dean Taylor's "Ghost in my house", and that immortal line "Where our love used to be"...CLAP CLAP..."only shadows can I see." DJ's have been turning the sound off to the claps for years. Audiences have fully obliged.

Another great soul memory for me was the fact I owned the Motown Chartbusters Vol 3 LP. Not only were the tracks epic Motown, the album cover was a concentric design of silver. Move It around in the light and the metallic shades changed hue - mesmerising.

All good things come to an end I guess. Well, if you call joining the army a bad thing. I went off for a year's Junior Leader training in September 1974, I don't even recall the term "northern soul"being part of our vocabulary. It was in fact, given the name by a London soul record dealer who separated the funkiest soul enjoyed in the south to the smoother up-tempo beats preferred by visiting Northern football fans. "Just show them to the northern soul" the owner would tell his staff and thus an expression was coined.Thank the Lord for those pioneering UK soul DJ's who went over to the States and emptied the record shops and warehouses of all the great sounds.

It wasn't until I left the army in 98 that I came back into the soul scene. I met up with a dear departed friend Sean O'Conner. We'd catch each other at Morecambe  football matches down south (where I was living), as footie and soul music sort of go together we had plenty to talk about.

Sean would compile CD mix sets of Northern, Motown and a genre I'd missed out on, all the years off scene - modern. On my journeys back to Morecambe he introduced me to a collective of local fanatics called the Seaside Soul Club, I'd even been at school with a couple of the lads - my reintroduction to soul music was now underway.

As a soul returnee one of my many regrets was not having a record collection. Travelling the world in the forces and years later in industry wasn't conducive to keeping a vinyl collection in good nick. It was digital for me, although I do own a mixer, speakers and decks I'm not prepared to pay the funny money today's dealers want for records. I couldn't afford them anyway!

There is a slight one-upmanship regarding the ownership of vinyl and one debate I'm not prepared to get dragged into. I know what I like and like what I know. As long as it gets out there clearly, it's good for me.

My own personal soul journey is still out there on the highway. I now have a broader knowledge of the different

sub-genres and am willing to listen to and accept new sounds that come along. As a presenter I won't instil my favourites on the listeners, but throw in a whole mix of stuff, heightening the senses to this timeless genre of music.

Come and join me on this journey every Thursday - you never know where it will take us.

Fundraiser surpasses expectations.

What began as an idea by Howard Westcott selling T-shirts to raise money for the Javea Bomberos turned into perhaps the biggest gathering of the ex-pat and local community for a long time last Sunday. (18th Sept) The fire and the terrible aftermath had touched most people who live in the Javea/Benitaxell area. It set in motion a plethora of impromptu events organised by local businesses, all with the same objective - to raise money for the Bomberos.

Mayor, Jose Chuvli

Fighting the fires had depleted their kit and equipment. It was imperative they had money to replenish: the rain was still a long way off coming. 

Thanks to social media (What would we do without Facebook?) a group of volunteers put themselves forward to organise a fundraiser and concert. Mick Ford of Laguna Ribs in Javea agreed to host the event, Howard got to work organising more T-shirts to sell, Ann Martin and Rhian Mulcrone badgered people for raffle and auction prizes (although many companies volunteered items); Lasse Eriksson rostered the acts for the concert.

Many more, including local Spanish people, volunteered their services.Truly the local community pulling in the same direction.  Even local radio station Total FM got in on the act. They offered to broadcast the whole event live from 4pm until midnight. Chris and Wendy Williams brought the studio to Laguna Ribs and yours truly was the genial host for the day.

The T-shirts make a great sunshade!

Come the hour the numbers attending shocked the organisers. Hundreds of people flocked through the gates all day to show their support for the brave fire fighters. The organising committee and the staff of Laguna Ribs were run off their feet selling raffle tickets, organising sound checks and band change over's, face painting and selling cakes; the bar and restaurant staff never stopped serving. I must give one charity a shout out. Make a Smile help deprived children in Javea. They brought along stuffed toys and teddy's to sell - all proceeds went straight into the fund.

Francis Abrams

The entertainment was as mixed and as varied as you could get. Pianist, entertainer and general good guy Ian Henry started off the entertainment in his own inevitable style and was followed by his vocalist wife Gill. She sang a range from Caro Emerald to full blown opera - amazing. Francis Abrams beguiled the crowds on the sax and with his soulful voice and Lola Smolokowski, a concert pianist, raised the roof with her finale from Carmen - a tribute to the Bomberos.

Jose Chulvi, the mayor of Javea arrived and Howard Westcott gave an emotional speech before handing over money to the Bomberos from T-shirt sales: pre-event. The Mayor replied with another emotional thanks to the Bomberos and the local community for pulling together. He also took the time to meet and chat with many in the crowd. The final word belonged to Alan Lawton, the local fire fighting commander. He thanked everyone for coming along and supporting them. He emphasised all the firefighters were volunteers, amazing when you think of their bravery and sheer focus on keeping lives and property safe. Afterwards he and his crew were

swamped by the crowds, all wanting photos with their heroes.

What followed was a rock concert as Dream in Blue, SZ Band, Why Not Rock, Happy Freuds, Niamh O'Sheelan and DC3 cranked up the volume and entertained the audience until midnight. Lasse and his road crew ensured the sounds were perfect and the link to Total FM was monitored and managed by it's station chief Chris Williams. My contribution? I provided the banter between acts and facilitated an auction contributing well over a thousand euros into the pot. Many thanks to all the generous people who bid.

Howard Westcott

Gill Hendry

The night was not over for some. Laguna Ribs had to be cleaned up, sound & lighting equipment had to be dismantled and the most important job - money had to be counted. Four Thousand Euros had already been handed over to the Bomberos from T-shirt sales. The money remaining was from the raffle and auctions.

Even the kids got involved in fundraising - cakes by Ann Martin

It took almost a week to count the money; in my own experience the final total can always be described as fluid. Individual businesses were still holding collection boxes and T Shirts. Some donations still had to come in as well as auction pledges. Ann Martin and Howard were in regular contact via a dedicated message group - the figure rose daily.

So, I'm sat writing this post on a late September Sunday morning, keeping an eye on the Facebook conversation between Ann and Howard. The final total is still slightly fluid but...it looks like the figure could be close to 15,000 Euros - outstanding! 

  

This figure is phenomenal considering the short time the organisers had to put it all together. It does however show the generosity of the local community and businesses. A fighting spirit the fires couldn't take away.

Bomberos commander - Alan Lawton

Picture credits - Rab Ronaldson

Mick's Top Tune 4

I've chosen this track not just because it's Archie Bell and the Drells. The video featuring the Three Stooges is priceless - lovely dancers as well. DANCING TO YOUR MUSIC.

Aftermath of a disaster - a community fights back.

It made the UK national press and television news. It was all over the news media in Spain. Radio 1
even got in on the act. Yes, the fire of 2016 in the Javea area will go down in the annals of time as a heartwarming feat of bravery shown by a dedicated band of rescuers.

Right on the button - a successful water drop

Stories came in of the army and civil defence having helped out at the scenes of fires as well as ordinary civilians mucking in - a positive fight for survival. A fight led by the Mayor of the town who was seen in tears as people told him of their plights. A committed, emotional man.

With householders eventually being allowed back to survey the damage it didn't take the ex-pat

The Fiesta Committee sort through food rations ready to distribute

community long in setting up collections for the fire service. Much of their kit and equipment was ruined in the fires, they also suffered physical damage to themselves, surely a reason to dig deep? Pubs, radio stations and public collections have all helped to raise money, such has been the heartfelt thanks from the people of Javea and the surrounding districts.

A special event is being held on Sunday 18th September at the Laguna Ribs restaurant (part of the Javea Karting complex) to raise money for the Bomberos, it starts at 4pm. The late afternoon and evening session

Donated drink supplies

will feature local musicians, raffles, auctions and other fundraising efforts. It's a bold project which has been put together at very short notice. The activity on social media has been frantic as the ex-pat and Spanish community have collaborated seamlessly to get the event both structured and marketed.

I personally have gone on board with local radio station TotalFM 98.1 and will present an eleven hour outside broadcast of the event as well as acting as MC. After attending a planning meeting it became apparent there was so much generosity from local businesses by the quality of the raffle prizes already donated. I'll have my work cut out getting through those raffle draws - should be fun though!

The organising committee have another six days of planning for the event. Those reading this here in Javea can help by attending and buying raffle tickets. Everyone has a chance to meet the Bomberos -

Physical as well as material injuries were
 sustained by the Bomberos 

we have allocated them a VIP table - it's the least we can do. It's also a chance to listen to some great local musicians ranging from classical through to rock and all genres in between. Those of you back in the UK(and the rest of the world - I know you're out there!)  can support us by listening on the internet or the TuneIn App. Tweet me on @Publandlordyork or I'm on Facebook  - Mick Dennison, looking forward to hearing from you.

On Friday 9th September the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) reached Javea and a time trial to Calpe was televised live. The television pictures showed the town off in a good light and hardly any mention was given regarding the fires. Maybe it was a good way to show the town is still open for business as Chris Froome led the way to finishing first in the gruelling heat. It certainly put the feelgood factor back into the town.

A Chris Froome win gave us the feelgood factor

All photos in this blog post are from the Javea Connect Facebook Group. Give them a look and even a like - many thanks to all photographers.

Micks Top Tune - 3

A mellow cover of a classic Earth, Wind and Fire track. September by Full Flava featuring the soulful vocals of Chantay Savage.

The holiday season may be drawing to a close here on the Costa Blanca but the sun is still shining - Enjoy!

Village Life 2 - It's all about the grape - (No Cherries!)

You don't need an alarm clock during the summer months in Jesus Pobre. It's odds on you'll be woken by the sounds of air exploding fire crackers at roughly 9am during fiesta season. The last Sunday of this August was no different - BANG! "Cup of coffee my dear?"

That abrupt early morning call got me up and moving - I had a dog to walk; well, my daughter had asked me to walk hers the night before, time to see what this grape festival is all about.

The area around the Riurau was a hubbub of activity. Stalls were being erected, bar service was in full flow and there were many already seated and having their almuerzo (Mid-morning snack to my British readers). Many people were wearing the traditional dress of the mid-nineteenth century and the village was filling up with tourists. I dropped off the dog and went to see what it was all about.

This event is held on the last Sunday of August where the process by which the Muscat grapes (Moscatel in Spain) are transformed to raisins; called L'Escalda - The Scalding.

I researched the traditional process which begins with the grapes being transported in wicker baskets

Stoking up the fire under the kiln

placed on an open horse drawn cart. Next: a kiln is filled with water and a wood burning fire lit underneath it. When the water is boiling Herba Pansera or Olivarda is added. These are two types of herbs giving the raisin its golden colour; caustic soda is also added to the brew. This produces the cut in the skin of the grapes accelerating the drying process turning the grapes into raisins faster.

The arrival of the grapes - nice hats!

On a baking mid-morning I watched all of the process annotated above take place. The kiln is a permanent feature in the village, adjacent to the Riurau. It was filled and fired-up using pine wood and twigs, no doubt cut from the nearby trees. The grapes arrived on a traditional open cart, the drover performing a perfect three point turn in a confined space to ensure the grapes were easy to offload. And finally, when the water was at boiling point the grapes (in large wire baskets)
were dunked into the herbaceous water to be washed.

Standing by were the women of the village. Their task, when the grapes were hauled out of the water onto bamboo pallets, was to ensure the grapes were separated enough to ensure they would all individually dry out. When a pallet was full of grapes it was the job of two strong men to

Bringing the herbaceous water to the boil

move the pallets to a drying area. (Traditional cane pallets were being made outside the Riurau) Soon, the land next to the Riurau was covered in a sea of drying grapes, lying undisturbed by anyone in the village - could you see that happening back in England?

Sorting the "scalded grapes" before they are set out to dry

This was an event that mirrored the activities taking place on the very spot during 1873, the year the Riurau was built as a shelter to transfer the raisins to if it rained, preventing rot. It had been a living history lesson and a magnet for locals and tourists alike.. It was a jostle just to get a photograph.

The finished product being weighed on traditional scales

The nearby stallholders were selling books on the history of the process, raisins, grapes and Moscatel desert wine - the fruits of all those labours. Traditional farming tools were also on display. Nearby, the village fiesta organising committee members were doing a brisk trade at their bar...well, this is Spain. Cold beers, wines, soft drinks and excellent tapas was on offer - the shade adjacent to the bar a welcome oasis against the heat.

To round off the morning's activity Colla La Xarteta, a troupe of traditional musicians, led a procession of the Jesus Pobre Dance Group into the Riurau to complete a closing ceremony. Traditional music and dance was performed to the delight of the camera clicking audience; meanwhile, in a corner were a group of ladies making traditional wicker baskets, another photo opportunity for the tourists.

The procession of the dancers

The bars and restaurants of the town all benefited from the festival. Bar Pedro and Rosita swelled
their lunchtime bookings with a special three course menu of the day. We had a swift drink in Pedro's before wandering the few yards to Bar Rosita for our lunch. The staff in both places were in traditional dress to commemorate the day, it seems everyone in the village gets into the spirit of things. One of our courses was a Goats cheese salad with walnuts and raisins splashed with balsamic vinegar, an homage to the day, no doubt.

The objective of the morning's demonstration is probably to educate. I would differ, describing it as great entertainment; an occasion you should note in your diary for next year. To bring the day full circle, remember the dog? I volunteered to walk her again in the evening and on our usual route through the campo I saw a farmer harvesting his moscatel grapes - now, we all know what's going to happen to them.

"So ladies, is it Barcelona or Real Madrid this season?"

A sea of drying grapes

More photographs Here




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