Fire, The Symbolic ElementFuego, El Elemento Simbólico

Eating A RainbowEl Arcoiris En Tu Plato

Valencia FallasFallas De Valencia

News & EventsNoticias y Eventos

Eating OutSalir A Comer

Biological TimeEl Reloj Biológico

St. Patrick’s DayEl Día De San Patricio

Valencia Wine Country ToursValencia: Un Viaje Al País Del Vino

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ContentsMarch 2010

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Editor’s ChatBook ChatNewsEating a RainbowEating Out ChatLetter to the EditorEventsValencia FallasSt. Pat’s Day MusicFireValencia Wine ToursBiological TimePet ChatGolfCompetition ChatMoto GPClassified AdvertsBrit Fun

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Dear Readers,The clock ticks, time relentlessly continues its passage, the days

are getting longer and the mercury is rising. Some days now have a hint of Spring in the air, and very soon we’ll all be re-animated from hibernation, ready to begin enjoying the outdoor life here once again.

To help you revitalise, there’s some enlightening and useful advise in Health & Fitness Chat about detox. and body clocks (pages 6 & 23), but counterbalanced by some wonderful new eating out places, where you can indulge yourself now and again (page 8), and for wine lovers, there’s a feature on a fascinating new tour of Valencia’s wine country (page 21).

Fallas, well for those who actually haven’t yet been there, seen it all, done it all, bought the T-shirt and written home about it, Britchat is out just in time for you to catch the ultimate and biggest events of Valencia’s greatest festival (page 16). While there, you can also catch some great live entertainment on St Pat’s day (page 17).

…..And there goes another month, another season, another year! Time and continuity, but with renewal, are the essence of the

moment. It’s time to let all the woes of your winter of discontent and your past year go up in smoke and recreate yourself. So, remember to put all your clocks forward on March 27th. The downside - you get an hours less kip, the upside - an hours more daylight the next day and then….....

Hey, it’s welcome springtime!Yours faithfully, Chris Proctor

Winners of “Find Don Quixote,” see page 27. Please keep your entries coming in!

Queridos lectores,El reloj sigue con su impasible tic-tac, el tiempo sigue pasando sin

descanso, los días se hacen largos y el mercurio en los termómetros continúa subiendo. Aun así por lo menos, algunos días nos permiten oler la primavera en el aire y muy pronto estaremos reanimados y fuera de la hibernación, listos para empezar a disfrutar la vida al aire libre, una vez más.

Para ayudaros a revitalizaros, tenemos algunos consejos iluminadores y prácticos en nuestra seccción de salud y bienestar sobre desintoxicación y el reloj biológico (páginas 6 y 23), pero todo equilibrado con algunos maravillosos y nuevos sitios donde comer, donde podréis satisfacer vuestro apetito vital, una y otra vez, (página 8), y para los amantes del vino tenemos un artículo acerca de un nuevo tour que os acercara a la tierra donde las viñas son lo más importante. (página 21).

Mientras miráis esta sección podéis también informaros de importantes actuaciones musicales que tendrán lugar el día de San Patricio (página 17).

…..Y aquí va otro més, otra estación, otro año! Tiempo y continuidad, pero con renovación, conforman la esencia

de los momentos. Esta es la oportunidad de dejar salir todas las cosas negativas de vuestro invierno de descontento, dejar que se conviertan en humo y cenizas. Recrearos en este pensamiento.

Así que recordad poner vuestros relojes en hora para el cambio de horario de verano el 27 de Marzo. Lo malo: dormiréis una hora menos. Lo bueno: una hora extra de luz natural y además...Estamos dándole la bienvenida a la primavera.

Saludos,Chris ProctorGanadores de encuentra a Don Quijote mirad la página 27. Por favor, seguid participando!

Editor’s Chat

The EditorChris Proctor

Tel: 687 486 909

britchat@me.com

Apt. Correos 138

46192 Montserrat

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never forget to quote Britchat when

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The Newest Gem to reach Valencia’s doorstep!¡La nueva joya de la corona en Valencia!

If you’ve wandered down the back lanes of El Carmen recently, you might have spotted the newest gem to reach Valencia’s doorsteps. Only 1 minute from Plaza de la Reina, KandA Books have opened their doors and are welcoming you to take a peek.

They offer a variety of great value second-hand books (and some new books too) in English, German, French and Spanish (and even the odd Dutch book). There’s easy language books to help those of you learning a new language, to non-fiction, gritty novels and award winning literature for language experts and ex-pats.

They also offer a book exchange scheme - take in a book that you’ve read, and they’ll offer you an amount to use as a discount on your next book. A nice way of keeping your books from getting dusty on your shelves and ensuring you always have something good to read at home.

There’s loads of little goodies hidden in their shop – very cool handmade greeting cards which support children in Africa and India, chocolates to satisfy any cravings, and beautiful nature photos which you can choose from and have enlarged and framed.

Kelly and Andy are from the UK, but have settled themselves here in one of the most beautiful parts of Spain,

to try and live a life with a nicer pace, cleaner air and providing a service that they believe in. Feel free to pop in any day to say hello and check out KandA Books.

Si te has aventurado recientemente por las callejuelas que hay entre la ciudad vieja y el Barrio del Carmen posiblemente habrás visto la nueva joya de la corona en Valencia : KandA Books ha abierto sus puertas. A tan sólo un minuto de de la plaza de la Reina, tienes esta nueva tienda donde serás más que bienvenido si quieres entrar a echar un vistazo.

KandA BOOKS ofrece una gran variedad de libros de segunda mano ( y algunos nuevos también) a muy buen precio, en diferentes idiomas: Inglés, Aleman, Francés y Español ( incluso alguno en Holandés). En KandA BOOKS encontaras desde libros de idiomas para ayudar a aquellos de vosotros que estais aprendiendo un idioma nuevo, hasta libros de ensayo, las típicas novelas o joyas clásicas de la literatura, aptas para expertos en lenguajes y expatriados en general.

Además, te ofrecen un sistema de intercambio de libros: Lleva un libro que ya hayas leído y te ofrecerán un precio que podrás utilizar como descuento para comprar uno nuevo.Es una buena manera de evitar que el polvo se acumule en los estantes, sobre tus libros y de paso te aseguras tener en casa algo nuevo para leer.

En esta tienda tienen un montón de extras escondidos, como tarjetas de felicitación supermodernas en beneficio de los niños de África y la India, chocolates para satisfacer tu “mono” y bonitas fotografÍas de la naturaleza que tu puedes elegir, personalizar y enmarcar.

Kelly and Andy, los propietarios, son de Inglaterra, pero han elegido establecerse en este bello rincón de España para intentar vivir una vida mas plena, a un ritmo más lento, respirando un aire mas puro y ofreciendo al mismo tiempo un servicio y un trabajo en el que creen.

No te cortes y pásate cuando quieras a saludarlos. Echa un vistazo a lo que te ofrecen en KandA Books.

News BRITCHAT . 5

NEWSGetting rid of a great tradition?

Valencia Mayoress Rita Barbera had already warned that Mascletas in the Valencian Community were under threat, and yesterday it became apparent by how much, after the new

regulations were published by the Industry Ministry. Under the new proposals, which at the moment

are ONLY proposals, state that the public must be at least thirty meters away from the spot where the Mascleta takes place. This is based on the calibre of the explosives, and if the charges are 300 mm, then the distance is set to 180 meters away.

The new proposals also state that Mascletas may not be let off near hospitals, old folks homes. police stations and schools.

IKEA to prioritise Valencia & Alicante over Castellón

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has sent a letter to Juan Maria Calles, the Socialist spokesman on Castellon Town Council to the effect that the company

is prioritising the opening of stores in the provinces of Alicante and Valencia over Castellon.

In the letter Sylvain Laval, the Director of IKEA Spain, revealed that the company intended to open its three planned stores in the Valencian Community between 2010 and 2015, and that the first phase would be those of Alicante and Valencia, to be followed by a study of the area around Castellón City, with an option of setting up another centre there.

33rd Americas CupBMW are the winner of the 33rd

Americas Cup in the ‘Gunfight at the Valencia Corral’

Finally, amid much pomp and ceremony, steely eyed, squinting in the midday sun, and with gritted teeth, the two gunslingers in this edition of the Americas Cup finally took to the stage. It was showdown.

The spectators ran for cover. The savage ripples that turned these high tech monster machines into quivering jelly fish on Wednesday finally abated, and the clock started counting down to the start. As they say in more common parlance, when the flag drops, the b*ll sh*t stops, and this was to be no exception.

In simple terms, BMWO took two shots to drop Alinghi. One to the heart and then one to the head.

(Article submitted by 45’er for Guide2Valencia)

Valencia’s unemployment up and upThe unemployment figures for the Valencian

Community rose by over two percentage points last month, and as a result rose over the psychological barrier of half a million.

This increase is above the Spanish national average (2.03%), but not above the rise in unemployment in La Rioja (3,56%), Asturias (3,47%), or Castilla La Mancha(3.32%).

These new figures mean that in effect between February 2009 and February this year, some 91,898 Valencians have lost their jobs, an inter-annual increase of 22.14%

A new stop for BenidormThe Consell of the

Valencian Government is now considering that the High Speed Train station for Benidorm will in fact be located where the current TRAM station is - near the Terra Mitica

Theme park. Vicente Domine, the Transport Director for the

Valencian Community, also revealed that the plans for the High Speed Train tracks and links are almost completed, and when initiated will enable people to travel from Benidorm to Madrid in just two hours, with equally rapid journeys from the holiday town to both Alicante and Valencia.

Valencia’s DeficitAppearing at a press conference after the weekly

meeting of the Consell, Financial Conseller Gerardo Camps stated that the deficit registered by the Valencian Government for 2009 stood at 87.3 million Euros.

Mr Camps also revealed that the amounts being paid in to the Valencian Government dropped by 17% due in no small part to inadequate financing provided by the Socialist Government.

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Understanding Antioxidants

We’re always hearing how antioxidants can protect against disease by fighting free radicals. But what exactly are they and what can they do for you?

Antioxidants are agents our body uses to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules formed as a natural by-product of bodily functions such as breathing, burning glucose for energy and fighting infection. Free radicals can also be generated by external factors such as sunlight, radiation, smoking and pollution.

Free radical damage (oxidative stress) is linked to the natural process of aging and to a host of diseases, which become more common as we get older. These include cancer, cataracts, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

“People who have a high level of antioxidants in their diet have better skin, a better quality of life and stay healthier for longer,” says Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George’s hospital.

Where to get your antioxidants

Fruit, vegetables and plant-based foods such as herbs and spices are the main sources of antioxidants. They include:

* Carotenoids - These are plant compounds such as betacarotene and lycopene, which give orange, red, green and yellow fruits and vegetables their colour. Good sources include apricots, mangoes, passion fruit, carrots, red pepper, sweet potato and tomatoes.

* Vitamin C - A key antioxidant found in leafy greens such as cabbage, spinach and kale, as well as black currants, kiwi fruit and peppers.

* Vitamin E - A fat-soluble antioxidant needed for the formation of red blood cells. Sources include wheat germ, corn, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, asparagus and other green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils.

* Selenium - A mineral present in soil, selenium is needed to make up an important enzyme which prevents free radical damage. Good sources include cereals, meat and Brazil nuts.

* Phenolic Compounds - These are a large group of plant chemicals with antioxidant properties. They include flavonoids, such as quercetin, found in onions, apples, tea, red wine and chocolate; lignans, found in flax seed and other grains; curcumin, found in turmeric and mustard; tannins found in red and green tea and isoflavones found in soya milk, tofu and miso.

Eating a rainbow

Putting a range of different coloured foods on your plate is one of the most effective ways to get the antioxidants you need, as is consuming a ‘Mediterranean’ diet.

Catherine Collins warns that taking isolated nutrients in supplement form may not have the same effect. And high doses may even do more harm than good.

US research carried out in 2004, for example, found that large doses of vitamin E (over 400 ius) actually increased the risk of dying. Other research has found that large amounts of betacarotene in supplement form increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and people who have worked with asbestos.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency advises smokers and people heavily exposed to asbestos against taking supplemental betacarotene and the rest of us not to exceed 7mg as a supplement a day.

You can’t just take the ingredients out and put them into supplements. It really is preferable to get your antioxidants in food.

Eating a RainbowEl Arcoiris en tu Plato

The Editor

hAelth & FitNess ChAt ChAt

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Entiendo los antioxidantes

Siempre oimos acerca de como los antioxidantes pueden protegernos de las enfermedades combatiendo a los radicales libres, pero ¿qué son exactamente los antioxidantes y qué pueden hacer por ti?.

Los antioxidantes son agentes que nuestro cuerpo utiliza para proteger a nuestras células del daño causado por los radicales libres. Los radicales libres son moléculas que se forman a partir de funciones corporales como la respiración, o la quema de glucosa para generar energia y combatir la infección. Los radicales libres también pueden ser originados por factores externos como los rayos solares, la radiación, el humo del tabaco y la polución.

El daño causado por los radicales libres (estres oxidativo) va unido al proceso natural del envejecimiento y también a una serie de enfermedades que son más comunes a medida que nos hacemos viejos. Estas incluyen cáncer, cataratas, enfermedades coronarias y cerebrales, diabetes, artritis y la enfermedad de Alzheimer .

“La gente que toma unos niveles altos de antioxidantes en su dieta tienen una piel más saludable, disfrutan de una mejor calidad de vida y permanecen sanos por más tiempo”, dice Catherine Collins, dietista en jefe del hospital de St George.

Dónde se encuentran los antioxidantes

Las frutas, los vegetales, las hierbas y las especias son la fuente más importante de antioxidantes. Estos incluyen:

* Carotenos – Estos son compuestos vegetales como el betacaroteno y el lycopeno, los cuales confieren a las frutas sus colores naraja, rojo y amarillo. buena fuente de estos compuestos son los albaricoques, los mangos, la fruta de la pasión, la zanahoria, el pimiento rojo, el boniato y los tomates .

* Vitamina C – Es un antioxidante esencial que se encuentra en los vegetales verdes como el repollo y las espinacas, asi como también ,en las moras, el kiwi y los pimientos.

* Vitamina E – Es un antioxidante liposoluble indispensable para la formación de los globulos rojos. Se encuentra en el germen de trigo, maiz, nueces, semillas, aceitunas, espinacas, espárragos y otros vegetales de hojas verdes así como en otros aceites vegetales

* Selenio - Un mineral presente en la tierra, el selenio es necesario para producir una enzima muy importante que previene el daño ocasionado por los radicales libres. Los cereales, la carne y las nueces de Brasil, son una buena fuente de selenio.

* Compuestos Fenólicos - estos son un grupo numeroso de compuestos quimicos vegetales con propiedades antioxidantes. Incluyen los flavonoides, como el quercetin, que se encuentra en las cebollas, manzanas, té, vino tinto y chocolate; lignano, que se encuentra en la semilla de lino y otros granos; curcumina, que se encuentra en el é y la mostaza; Taninos encontrados en el te verde y rojo e isoflavonas presentes en la leche de soja, el tofu y el miso.

El arcoiris en tu platoPoner comida de diferentes colores en tu plato es una de las más efectivas maneras de conseguir todos los antioxidantes que necesitas. Otra buena manera es seguir una “dieta mediterránea”.

Catherine Collins advierte que con la toma de estos nutrientes intermitentemente en forma de suplementos no produce el mismo efecto. A la larga, dosis altas pueden hacer más mal que bien.

Estudio realizados en USA durante 2004, por ejemplo, descubrieron que las dosis altas de vitamina E (mas de 400 u) aumentaban el riesgo de muerte. Otros estudios descubrieron que grandes cantidades de betacaroteno en forma de suplemento, faumentaban el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón en fumadores y personas que habían trabajado con asbestos.

El organismo Inglés “Food Standards Agency” desaconseja a los fumadores y a la gente que ha estado muy expuesta al asbestos tomar suplementos de betacaroteno y al resto de la población no exceder los 7 mg al dia.

No puedes tomar los compuestos y ponerlos en píldoras suplementos. Es preferible obtener los antioxidantes a través de una dieta equilibrada.

Restaurant “La Galeria” -Barrio Del Carmen’s best kept secretRestaurante “La Galería” : El secreto mejor guardado del Carmen

Cristina Garay

eAtiNg Out ChAtBRITCHAT . 8

It’s not an easy task these days to venture into the enigmatic Barrio del Carmen in Valencia on a Wednesday night looking for a decent and not overpriced place to have dinner. If, in spite of this, you’re able to find a charming and reasonably priced place with a live, genuine Flamenco music show, then that is what I call hitting the Jackpot!.

This is exactly what happened to me when I discovered La Galería, which is located in Calle Baja 38, right in the middle of Barrio Del Carmen in Valencia. La Galería is a big and airy restaurant that used to be, many years ago, an old warehouse. Today it is a cool, atmospheric place to meet friends and share the delicious home-made food.

On the night I visited la Galeria, a Flamenco duo was playing live music and the place was packed with customers, even though it was only a Wednesday night. In Fact, every Wednesday from 21.30, Kike Naval from Cordoba plays Spanish Guitar in La Galería.

This restaurant is a “Bocatería,” a place to eat “bocadillos,” big french bread sandwiches filled with anything that crosses your imagination. But to say that La Galería is only a “bocatería” doesn’t do much justice to the place, because in La Galería you’ll find many other delicacies such as salads, meats, a wide selection of round the world tapas, and of course “Las Quesadillas” the speciality of the house. It’s worth trying the “Quesadilla Sefardi,” an old house favourite....

Big bites of chicken with cheese, avocado, coriander and tomato, all stacked in between two mexican wheat tortillas and accompanied with a delicious home-made sauce, obviously made with avocado, but with other more secret ingredients. It’s worth a trip to Valencia just to taste it!.

The menu has plenty of choices, they have eleven

different salads, over fifty bocadillos and a wide selection of “tapas” and desserts . This is not an expensive place;

expect to pay around 25-30 euros per couple. The restaurant also doubles as a bar and the beer on tap is fantastic. Here you can also find cocktails from only 4 euros and there is free WIFI in the early evening.

This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner or a relaxed sojourn with friends. La Galeria is certainly Barrio del Carmen’s best keep secret.

They also cater for groups, you can contact Paco Alcayde, the owner, and his team at

cenasenlagaleria@hotmail.com

La Galeria. C/ Baja 38. Barrio del Carmen. Valencia.Tel: 96 315 4494

No es una tarea fácil hoy en día aventurarse en el emblemático Barrio del Carmen un Miércoles por la noche buscando un sitio decente y no demasiado caro donde cenar. Si ha pesar de todo encuentras un sitio encantador, de precio razonable y además con un espectáculo de genuino flamenco en vivo, es lo que yo llamo que te toque el premio gordo!

Eso es exactamente lo que me pasó a mi cuando descubrí La Galería en la Calle Baja 38, justo en el corazón del Barrio del Carmen en Valencia. La Galería es un espacioso restaurante. Lo que fue, hace muchos años un viejo almacén es hoy en día un sitio moderno con cuidada decoración, donde reunirse con amigos para disfrutar compartiendo su deliciosa comida casera.

En la noche en la que visité La Galería, un dúo flamenco actuaba y el sitio se encontraba lleno de gente a pesar de ser solamente Miércoles por la noche. De hecho, cada Miércoles a partir de las 21.30 Kike Naval, un guitarrista de Córdoba toca la guitarra española en La Galería.

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Este restaurante es una bocatería, un sitio para comer bocadillos elaborados con cualquier ingrediente que pueda cruzar tu imaginación, pero decir que la Galería es solo una Bocatería no le hace mucha justicia, porque aquí podrás encontrar otros manjares como ensaladas, carnes una selección de tapas de todo el mundo y por supuesto las Quesadillas, la especialidad de la casa. Vale la pena probar la Quesadilla Sefardí, un viejo favorito de la casa. Grandes trozos de pechuga de pollo con queso, aguacate, cilántro y tomate, todo apilado entre dos tortillas mejicanas y acompañado de una salsa de elaboración propia hecha con aguacate y otros secretos y deliciosos ingredientes. Vale la pena hacer un viaje a Valencia sólo para probarla!

El menú es amplio y variado, tienen 11 tipos de ensaladas diferentes, mas de 50 variedades de bocadillos y una gran selección de tapas y postres. Además no es un sitio caro, podéis esperar pagar alrededor de 25-30 euros por pareja. El restaurante se transforma en un bar y la cerveza de barril que sirven es fantástica. Aquí también puedes probar cócteles y combinados por 4 euros y tienen wi-fi durante las tardes. Este sitio es perfecto para una cena romántica o un encuentro informal con los amigos.

Ciertamente La Galería es el mejor guardado secreto del Barrio del Carmen.

También organizan cenas para grupos, podéis poneros en contacto con Paco Alcayde, el dueño y su equipo en

cenasenlagaleria@hotmail.com

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AUTHENTIC ASIAN FLAVOURS IN THE CITY CENTRE - Lemongrass.

In the very heart of Valencia ‘s city center, in between Plaza de Toros and Plaza del Ayuntamiento, we

find the Thai restaurant Lemongrass. Lemongrass are celebrating their first anniversary of opening their first venue in Valencia.

Centrally located in Calle Ribera, Lemongrass offers fresh food of excellent quality and the premises,

decorated in a modern, contemporary style, are spacious enough to allow the you to relax and enjoy some of the specialties in their varied menu.

Lemongrass provides a new approach to eating out. In their restaurants, you decide what you want to

eat and also when and where you want to eat it!. Choose from a wide selection of noodles, rice or vegetables and combine them with your choice of ingredients. Create every day a different menu and get that personal touch with the speciality sauces prepared daily by their chefs. Only fresh and natural products are used. Vegetables, meat and fish retain all their nutrients and flavours, when cooked at high temperatures, Food is prepared fresh every day right in front of your eyes.

If you’re quite taken by the Noodle-Bar concept, I´m sure Lemongrass will become your firm favorite. In

addition, here you’ll also find different dishes, such as Tempura Chicken with lemon, sweet and sour or spicy sauce, served with rice or “Thai Phai,” an old favorite of Thai cuisine.

Another bonus with Lemongrass is that their kitchen is open from 12.00 to 00.00 hrs - Sunday to

Thursday and from 12.00 to 01.00 hrs on Friday and Saturday.

Go to the restaurant and place your order directly, or call by phone and have it ready when you want

to take away. If you’re feeling a bit lazy, call them and they’ll send the food to your home, office or hotel with their delivery service.

In the restaurant there’s also free WI-FI.

Lemongrass, you choose the ingredients, we cook it and we´ll bring it home for you!

Restaurant LemongrassC/ Ribera 7. 46002 ValenciaTel 963 284 646 www.lemongrass.es

LEMONGRASS, AUTÉNTICOS SABORES ASIÁTICOS EN EL CENTRO

En pleno centro turístico y económico de Valencia, entre la Plaza de Toros y la Plaza del Ayuntamiento,

Lemongrass abrió el primero de sus restaurantes en España hace ahora aproximadamente un año.

Situado en la calle Ribera, Lemongrass ofrece una cocina de calidad y el local ,decorado en un estilo

contemporáneo y moderno, es amplio y permite al cliente relajarse y tomarse su tiempo para disfrutar de las diferentes especialidades que ofrece el variado menú. Además cuando comes o tomas algo en Lemongrass puedes disfrutar de conexión wi-fi gratuita.

Lemongrass es una nueva forma de entender la cocina. En sus restaurantes tú decides lo que

quieres comer. Elige entre pasta, arroz o verduras y combínalos con tus ingredientes favoritos. Crea cada

AUTHENTIC ASIAN FLAVOURS IN THE CITY CENTRE

AUTÉNTICOS SABORES ASIÁTICOS EN EL CENTRO Cristina Garay

BRITCHAT . 11

día un menú diferente y dale un toque distinto con las salsas especiales preparadas a diario por sus expertos cocineros. Aquí se emplean sólo productos frescos y naturales de alta calidad. Al cocinar a altas temperaturas, las verduras, carnes y pescados mantienen todos sus elementos nutritivos, vitaminas y sabores. La comida se prepara a diario y es cocinada al momento ante tus

ojos, dándole así el toque perfecto.

Si te gusta el concepto de los Noodle-Bars, estamos seguros de que harás de este local uno de tus

favoritos. Además, aquí encontrarás platos diferentes como el Pollo Tempura con salsa de limón, agridulce o picante que se sirve acompañado de arroz o el Phai-Thai, un viejo favorito de la cocina Tailandesa.

Otra de las ventajas de Lemongrass es que su cocina esta abierta todo el día, desde las 12.00 a las 0.00

horas de Domingo a Jueves y de 12.00 a 01.00 horas los Viernes y Sábados.

Pásate por el restaurante y haz el pedido directamente o llama por teléfono y lo tendrán preparado a la hora

que tu quieras,para recogerlo tú mismo. Si lo prefieres, llámalos y te lo enviarán a tu casa, a la oficina o a tu hotel con su servicio a domicilio…..

Lemongrass, Tú decides, nosotros lo hacemos y támbien te lo llevamos!

eAtiNg Out ChAt

BRITCHAT . 12

Appropriately for its romantic new name, La Red Rose Pub & International Restaurant in Torrent opened its bud and was officially christened on Valentines Day.

The opening night party saw a big turn out from both British and Spanish, who were royally treated to a lavish FREE buffet with an assortment of delicious hot food.

New restauranteurs Colin and Debs have in mind a more unusual theme for their venue, with an eclectic menu embracing a rainbow of nationalities and cultures. Formerly a popular Indian restaurant, they decided to keep an element of this (along with the chef), but also to extend their menu to equally sought after gastronomy from around the world.

To begin with, they’re offering no less than five different menus to choose from; International, British Pub Grub, Full Indian, Vegetarian and especially for “La Crisis” - a Budget menu.

The International menu includes such good old favourites as Beef Stroganov, Chicken Kiev, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chicken Parmesan, Chilli Con Carne and a whole range of popular Italian pasta dishes. Pub Grub includes home made pies such as Steak & Kidney, Deb’s own Corned Beef and Potato, big jacket spuds with a variety of fillings etc. All the food is made from fresh produce and home cooked to your specific instructions with a personal touch. There are classic specials such as traditional British fair served in a giant Yorkshire pudding and a Sunday Carvery. They’re also planning weekly theme nights, such as Mexican and Barbecue.

La Red Rose is located in the Las Americas complex in Torrent, which has a very lively atmosphere in the warmer months, and is in a pleasant plaza with a garden. The restaurant has two floors; the main dining area and bar at ground level and a lesser area on a mezzanine, and both are available for hiring for private parties, large or small.

Alternatively, a takeaway service is available, as well as a delivery service to collection points in Montserrat and Montroy from telephone orders. La red Rose is also offering a catering service for private parties in your home. (see advert for details).

So, if you’re a little bored with the same old menus everywhere you go and fancy a change, why not pay a visit to La Red Rose and sample some of your favourite dishes from home and around the world, or simply call, place an order and enjoy it in your home.

Muy apropiadamente para su romántico nuevo nombre, La Red Rose Pub y Restaurante en Torrente se abrió como un capullo y fue oficialmente presentado en sociedad el pasado día de San Valentin.

La fiesta de inauguración contó con la asistencia de numeroso público británico y español quienes degustaron un sabroso buffet GRATUITO de deliciosa comida caliente.

Los nuevos empresarios, Colin y Debs, tienen en mente una decoración más sofisticada para su local, con un menú ecléctico que engloba un arcoiris de nacionalidades y culturas.

Anteriormente un popular restaurante hindú, decidieron (junto con el chef) conservar algo de esta gastronomía pero también extender el menú para incluir cocinas de alrededor del mundo.

Para empezar, ofrecen, no menos de cinco diferentes menús para elegir: Internacional, cocina británica, hindú, vegetariana y como novedad para la crisis, un menú económico.

El menú internacional incluye viejos favoritos como:

LA RED ROSEPub & International Restaurant

PUB Y RESTAURANTE INTERNACIONAL

eAtiNg Out ChAt

Stroganoff de carne, Pollo Kiev, Cordon Bleu, Pollo al Parmesano, Chilli Con Carne y un completo surtido de platos de pasta italiana. El Menú de cocina Británica de Pub incluye platos caseros, como pastel de Carne y Riñones, La Corned Beef de Debs y grandes patatas asadas con una gran variedad de rellenos. Todos los platos son elaborados con productos frescos y cocinados de manera casera siguiendo tus preferencias personales. Hay Platos especiales como el Rosbiff servido en un gigante Yorkshire pudding y el tradicional Asado Inglés de los Domingos.También planean celebrar semanalmente noches temáticas como Mejicanas o barbacoas.

La Red Rose está ubicado en el C.C Las Américas en Torrente, un sitio muy animado en los meses cálidos. El restaurante se sitúa en una agradable plaza y tiene una terraza.

La Red Rose tiene dos pisos, el restaurante y bar en la planta baja y un espacio más reducido en el piso superior. Ambos están disponibles para grupos (grandes o pequeños) y fiestas privadas.

Alternativamente, tienen un servicio de comidas para llevar y uno de entrega a domicilio en puntos pre-determinados de Montserrat y Montroy para los pedidos telefónicos.

También tienen servicio de catering para fiestas privadas. (mirad el anuncio para más detalles)

Así que ya sabes, si estás cansado de los mismos y aburridos menús de siempre y te apetece un cambio, por qué no visitas La Red Rose y pruebas alguno de tus platos favoritos de Inglaterra y de alrededor del mundo. O simplemente llama por teléfono y disfrútalos en casa.

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BRITCHAT . 14

Letter to The EditorDear Sir, I feel that I must write to you regarding the article

that appears on page 14 of issue 59, FEB 15TH of Britchat.

The information stated regarding residents is completely wrong. I do not know where the “INSIDE INFORMATION” came from, it states that the buyers paid a deposit and then refused to make any further payment until the electricity and water were connected to their homes - COMPLETELY UNTRUE. The true facts are as follows:-

Almost all of the residents, approximately 90%, including myself, have paid for their properties in full. It was paid in stages, as per purchase instructions, between September 2004 & September 2005. There are a few who, on the advice of their lawyers, have held back the final 10%, because the houses had not been completed as per contract, and also the fact that facilities (electric & water) as written in our contracts were not supplied. We were told from the outset that everything was legal, and that there would even be a hotel, shops and a boating lake on the urbanisation when it was completed. Most of us had Lawyers, and asked the “necessary questions.” I for one paid my final 10% when work was completed in July 2007, because I wanted my Escritura, and thought I would be safe in the knowledge that I owned my house and land, and I obtained my Copia Simple from the Notoria in Torrent.

I do not understand the politics surrounding this case or whether the former Mayor is guilty or innocent. But I do know that the developer Morarim S.L. have continuously lied to us regarding the legality of the site. Our contracts state that the developer would be responsible for the infrastructure and installing electricity & water to the boundary of our property, so of course we thought it was all above board. I can assure you that none of us knowingly had our homes built on rustic land, or knew that the buildings were illegal. Why would we do that with our life savings.

The article that you printed puts us in a very bad light in the eyes of the citizens of Montroy, with whom we were integrating very well. I would like you to revoke it, or at the very least apologise for printing such an article, without discovering whether the information you were given was correct.

Yours faithfully,

Linda Smith

Dear Linda,Thank you for your letter concerning the article that

we published in Britchat, February 2010, based on news of the arrests of 7 persons involved in the construction and sales of the houses in the Las Palomas or Els Mallars residential site. Thank you also for providing further information to us about it.

I can tell you that this article (published in English only) was created from at least 2 different sources, namely “The Valencia Life Network” and the daily newspaper “El Pais.” Britchat deliberately avoided writing an article of our own, as we personally know many people in your area, and we’ve heard so many conflicting stories. It’s really up to the lawyers to trawl through 6 years of information and not our magazine.

The part you say caused you the most offense is paragraph 4, concerning the official complaint made by “a certain building promoter” that the buyers “refused to meet the payment in full, owing to the mains electric and water services not being connected to their homes”. We agree that whoever reported this should have worded it rather more carefully. However, it merely indicates this as the cause of his complaint against the buyers. In other words, it was what he alleged and not necessarily what had actually happened, but it could have been worded better so as not to appear to state as fact that the buyers had refused to meet the payment in full. Also, you may notice, that earlier in the paragraph, it does say that the intermediary was “apparently” not paid the appropriate commission. It does not actually state it as fact.

We fully acknowledge that all of the facts and arguments aren’t and couldn’t be included in this article and that everything stated there may not be entirely correct. However, our intention was merely to report the singular event of the 7 police arrests. We felt an obligation to publish an article about this in Britchat, because it was such an significant event in the local community, having been a source of much conversation and speculation among the Britchat expats ere for quite some years now.

I’m afraid we cannot retract any of this article, as much of it was quoted verbatum from other sources, from what had already been published in the Valencian press, and therefore had already entered into the public domain. However, we are more than happy to publish your letter, to publicise your point of view.

We can also point out that what is apparent from another article published in El Pais, is that Montroy is merely the tip of a corrupt Valencian iceberg. See map attached (Ed: Sent to Linda, showing 21 towns) showing that this business has been rife throughout the Valencian Community.

We hope this is satisfactory to you, and if you’d like to send any updates on the subject, we’ll be happy to consider them for inclusion, in the endeavour to offer the general public a possibly more balanced view of what has happened.

Yours sincerely, The Editor

LETTER

BRITCHAT . 15

OLOCAU RASTRO Olocou rastro last Sunday of each month Supporting worthwhile charities. Stalls to include Carolyns cards, Homemade pickles and Jams, English food, Gold bought and sold, Book stalls and general bric a brac.We also have a cafe selling cakes and english bacon and sausage sandwiches and also full breakfasts Contact details remain the same Carolyn 962555819 or 6664809608Directions: Follow signs to OLOCAU from LLIRIA, Turn right towards BETERA at the main CV333 Roundabout, (CV333 Near Valencia).URB. LA LLOMA is on the next roundabout, RASTRO will be signposted from there.

New Activity called WAY TAN YONGNo matter what your age or physical condition, this new activity will improve your health, energy and well-being.It’s called WAY TAN YONG and in essence it is working with energy through gentle easy movements. This new group intends to start in the Chiva/Godelleta area this Autumn, so if you are interested please contact Mila on 627-884-298.

Montroy Table Top SaleMy husband and I along with the people of the town hall in Montroy organize a car boot sale every month. It is always held at Calle La Pau, MontroyContact Cindy at 960 802 513 or 695 100 5402010 Dates: Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 14, April 4, May 2June 6, July 4, Aug 1, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5Always from 10 - 2. Contact person: Cindy 960 802 513 or 695 100 540

Balcon de Montroy RastroJust to let you know the Balcon rastro has finished for a few months. We will try again maybe in September Info: 96-255-5819 (Carolyn)

EASTER FAYRE at ‘TALK OF THE TOWN’- BAR POLIDEPORTIVO. Domeño Nr.Lliria. (CV35 dir. Ademuz)

Date: Saturday 27th March from 12pm ‘till 6pmCome along & browse through our many stalls including Handicrafts, Homemade goodies, Oriflame Cosmetics, Jewellery, Cards by Carolyn, Tombola, FREE Raffle & more.Refreshments & lunch available in the bar.Info: Susan 606517656 or Karen 96 272 8116

EVENTSLinguistic ExchangeWould you like to improve your Spanish by practicing with a local person in an informal setting? Would you like to help them to improve their English? If your answer is yes, welcome to Central Point Language Exchange. We meet every Wednesday 19 to 20.30 hs in Torrent (Bar La Red Rose – CC. Las Americas). Cost 10€ a month or 3€ a session - Interested? Please contact Marcela Mattenet mm@centralpoint.es.

IWC- International Womens ClubValencia Monthly Coffee meetings every 1st Thursday of the month, from 10 till 12 hs. Anybody Welcome!!! - Come and join us at the Top restaurant – 4th Floor - HIPERCOR - C.Comercial Ademuz, Av. Pio XII, 51 ,Valencia, End off Ademuz - Lliria motorway. Near Nuevo Centro and La Fe Hospital -Near Tube station Campanar FREE Underground car park.If you are interested in joining please, log on our site www.iwc-valencia.ning.com or mail mm@iwc-valencia.com.

Sunday Pub Quiz with Neil and CraigQuestions in English - with a local flavourBrainboxes or boobies of all nationalities welcome. 7 pm Sundays - At Sally O’Brien Pub.Avenida Aragon, Valencia (beside petrol station)

RASTRO Y MERCADOChanged date for March - Call to book your spaceNOW SATURDAY, 20TH MARCHNot Sunday as previously advised.Special FALLAS celebration day - From 10.30am AT MAS PAVIA RESTAURANTE MASIA PAVIA URBA, Nr MonserratCall Amanda 625 819 734 - FREE PITCHESamandainvalencia@yahoo.com to book your stand. Tables are not suppliedFuture car boots 3rd Sunday of the month

You get a FREE EVENTS listing with BRITCHAT, space permitting, but in Guide2Valencia we will give you unlimited text and a photo. For more information email: enquiry@Guide2Valencia.com.

EVENTS

BRITCHAT . 16 OUT & ABOUT CHAT

Valencia Fallas Events just in time to Catch ...

LA OFRENDA DE FLORES March 17th & 18thThe Floral OfferingThe festival’s ultimate religious ceremony. From 4.00 pm till the early hours, thousands of falleros and falleras in traditional dress proceed to the Plaza de La Virgen to offer bouquets of flowers to the city’s patron saint, Out Lady of the Forsaken (Mare de Déu dels Desemperarats). All the flowers collectively form the colourful shawl of a gigantic, monumental representation of the saint in the plaza behind the cathedral, that is named after her and overlooked by her Basilica.

This is the greatest expression of religious devotion in the whole Fallas calendar, with an elegance, grandeur and a visual and emotional impact that is rarely surpassed. Each Committee brings its own music band and, in some cases, a spectacular basket with the most original and creative floral decorations. Because of the incredible numbers of participants, the Offering is held on two days (17th and 18th March) and, for many reasons, it has now become the Fallas week's central event.

LA NIT DEL FOC - March 18thThe Night of The FireEven though the city vibrates with impressive firework displays every night during the festival, the night of the 18th of March sees the most spectacular of all. Tens of

thousands gather to watch, as this is considered the symbolic preview of what will happen the following night all throughout the city, hence its name, “the night of fire.”

LA CABALGATA DEL FUEGO - March 19thThe Fire CavalcadeA spectacular procession in the evening that moves through the main streets of the city center, praising and glorifying the culture of fire. Hundreds of figures dance through the streets with dragons, mythological beasts and fire breathing monsters. creating a captivating spectacle.

This is a very colourful, noisy event, with floats, giant mechanisms, people in costumes, rockets, gunpowder, street performances, music... All at nightfall, as the time approaches for the Ninots to be consumed by flames.

LA CREMA - March 19thThe BurningLate at night, all the fallas monuments around the city (some 700 plus) are successively set alight, culminating in the main one in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which is preceded by the ultimate and grandest fireworks display. This is the grand finale to the whole festival of Fallas and to which it owes its world wide fame.

BRITCHAT . 17OUT & ABOUT CHAT

la Gaita en Valencia. Allí coinciden Fernando Navarro (guitarra acústica)

, Jose Luis Gil (low whistle, ullean pipe), Johnatan Sánchez (whistle) y Francisco J. Soriano (fiddle),

quienes comenzaron a tocar en improvisadas jam sessions y a asistir a cursos especializados . Estas experiencias previas cristalizan en el grupo THIRTY SILVER COINS, proyecto que nace a principios de 2008. En abril se une a la banda Cristina Cuenca (voz, bodhran), y a finales de 2008 María López (flauta

travesera). A excepción de María López, que posee estudios de

grado medio de Conservatorio, el resto de componentes tiene una formación autodidacta. No obstante, la trayectoria musical de la mayoría es bastante larga, como en el caso de Fernando Navarro, bajista de emblemáticos grupos valencianos de los años 80 y 90.

Una de las características que les separa de otras banda es su heterogeneidad: sus edades se sitúan entre los 17 y los 43 años. Desde su creación, han actuado repetidamente en la práctica totalidad de los pubs irlandeses de Valencia y alrededores, Thirty Silver Coins han participado durante dos temporadas en el circuito SARC de la Diputación de Valencia y actuado para los ayuntamientos de La Yesa, Moixent, Torre Baja, Puerto de Sagunto, Quartell, etc...

En los últimos meses han invertido en mejorar el equipo de sonido, introduciendo nuevos instrumentos, y mudándose a locales de ensayo profesionales donde preparan actualmente la grabación de una selección de

sus temas. No os lo perdáis, os esperamos el próximo día 17 en el

Pub Saint Patrick de Valencia!!

Thirty Silver Coins will play the next 17th of march at 20.00 h in Saint Patrick Pub in Valencia(Gran Vía Marqués del Turia 69), to celebrate Saint Patrick´s day.

The group was born in 2004 when a group of friends with interest in Celtic Irish music got together to create the “Asociación de Amigos de la Gaita” (Association of Friends of the Bag-pipe) in Valencia.

The founders were Fernando Navarro (guitar), Jose Luis Gil (low whistle, ullean pipe), Jonathan Sanchez (whistle) and Francisco J. Soriano (fiddle), who started playing in local jam sessions and attend specialized courses. These previous experiences crystallized in the THIRTY SILVER COINS group, which was born in early 2008. In April of that year, Christina Cuenca (vocals, bodhran) joins the band , and lately in 2008, Maria Lopez (flute)

Except for Maria Lopez, who has musical studies, the other components of Thirty Silver Coins have a self-taught approach to the music. However, most of the group members have a long musical career, as is the case of Fernando Navarro, who played bass with emblematic Valencian groups in the ‘80s and ´90.

One characteristic that separates them from other bands is its diversity: They range in age from 17 to 43 years.

Since the group was born, they have played in virtually all Irish pubs in Valencia and surroundings areas.

Thirty Silver Coins have been involved for two seasons on the circuit SARC of the Valencian regional government and have played in concerts in La Yesa, Moixent, Torre Baja, Puerto de Sagunto, Quartell, etc ...

In recent months, they have invested in improving the sound equipment, introducing new instruments and moving to professional recording studios, currently are preparing to record a selection of their themes.

You can´t afford to miss this group. We´ll see you on the 17th of March in the Pub Saint Patrick (Valencia)!

Thirty Silver coins actuaran el próximo 17 de marzo a las 20.00 hrs en el pub St Patrick’s (Gran Vía Marqués del Turia 69, Valencia), con motivo de la celebración del día de San Patricio

Los orígenes del grupo se remontan a 2004, año en que un grupo de personas afines a la música tradicional de raíz celta se unen creando la Asociación de Amigos de

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK DAY WITH THIRTY SILVER COINSCELEBRA SAN PATRICIO CON THIRTY SILVER COINS

Cristina Garay

BRITCHAT . 18 ADVERTS

MORE NEWS CHAT BRITCHAT . 19

The Valencian people have learned how to control fire, an element that has become central to their traditions. No festival in Valencia fails to include fire in one or another of its forms, but for the Fallas festival... fire is the very essence.

On March 19th fire takes on its most important role. On this evening, Saint Joseph’s night, the paradox of the purification by fire arrives at each Falla. According to tradition, the fire must reduce each monument to ashes and purge away the sorrows of the previous year in a kind of spectacular Spring cleaning exercise against all negativity and impurity, giving birth to a fresh, new beginning....... and then the whole thing starts over again.

As a matter of fact, each Falla is born when the previous one is destroyed by fire. The work of a Fallas artist begins when the flames have destroyed his year long creation. Practically the next day artists lock themselves away in their workshops and let loose their imaginations once again. From here on, dozens of artists work all day and part of the night sculpting incredible figures in clay with their hands, which serve as models for the new niñots, the papier-maché figures that make up the Fallas monuments. Carpenters are also involved, creating impossible structures, parts of which seem to be suspended in mid-air.. and then finally ...the painters...the artists who

ultimately bring the ninots to life.

The ninots and their fallas are developed by the committees according to an agreed upon theme that was, and continues to be, a satirical jab at anything or anyone unlucky enough to draw the attention of the critical eyes of the fallers.

Fallas is the ultimate celebration of the basic, natural element - fire. Although Fallas as a festival in Valencia has its origins in relatively modern history (16th century), the presence of fire as a symbolic element dates back to ancient pagan cultures, who celebrated the new spring when new crops could be planted. They celebrated fire as the element which destroys and purifies then stimulates new growth, maintaining the various ecological systems. They also believed that the lighting of fires brought forward knowledge and wisdom from the old year into the new one. It was a way of dispensing with all the negative things from the previous year, and carrying forth hope for the New Year. Destruction giving way to creation, negativity giving way to hope.

Fire is the Fallas fiesta’s symbolic spirit and the Fallas final destination. As the Crema ends, a new Fallas year begins, which is always hoped will be better than the last.

Los valencianos han aprendido a controlar el fuego, un elemento fundamental en sus tradiciones. En Valencia, ninguna festividad deja de incluir el fuego en una u otra forma, pero para la Fiesta de las Fallas, éste es su verdadera esencia.

El 19 de Marzo el fuego toma su papel más importante, en esta noche, la de San José, la paradoja de la purificación a través del fuego llega a cada falla. Según la tradición, las llamas deben reducir a cenizas cada monumento fallero llevándose así todo lo malo del año anterior, en una especie de espectacular limpieza de primavera contra toda la negatividad, dando así paso a un nuevo comienzo, año tras año. (Continua abajo)

Fire - The Element That Destroys And CreatesFuego - El Elimento Que Destruya y Crea

The Editor

BRITCHAT . 20 OUT & ABOUT CHAT

De hecho, cada falla nace cuando la previa ha sido quemada. La labor de los artistas falleros empieza de nuevo cuando las llamas destruyen los monumentos que han costado un año crear. Prácticamente, al día siguiente, los artistas falleros se encierran en sus talleres y empiezan a dar rienda suelta a su imaginación una vez más.

A partir de ese momento una docena de artistas falleros trabajarán día y noche esculpiendo increíbles figuras en arcilla que servirán como moldes para los nuevos “ninots”, las figuras de cartón piedra que forman las fallas. Los carpinteros también participan, creando estructuras imposibles, que parecen suspenderse en el aire y finalmente, están los pintores, los que por último dan vida,una vez más, a los “ninots”.

Los “ninots” y las fallas son creados por las comisiones falleras siguiendo un tema que ha sido elegido por las mismas. Este tema era tradicionalmente y continúa siéndolo hoy en día,

una sátira mordaz a cualquier cosa o persona que, para su desgracia, haya llamado la atención al ojo crítico de los falleros.

Fallas es la grandiosa celebración del fuego, elemento sagrado y primigenio. A pesar de que las fallas como festividad de Valencia, tienen un origen relativamente reciente (Siglo XVI), la presencia del fuego como elemento simbólico, data de las antiguas culturas paganas, que celebraban la llegada de la primavera, cuando las nuevas cosechas se sembraban. Así, veneraban al fuego como el elemento que destruye y purifica, estimulando así el crecimiento y el cambio de los diferentes ecosistemas. También creían que encendiendo

Fire - The Element That Destroys And CreatesFuego - El Elimento Que Destruya y Crea

Continued / Continua

fuegos atraerían el conocimiento y la sabiduría del año viejo al nuevo. Era una manera de

deshacerse de todas las cosas negativas del año anterior, abriéndose a la esperanza del nuevo año. La destrucción dando paso a la creación, la negatividad a la esperanza.

El fuego es el espíritu simbólico de las fallas y también el destino final de éstas. Cuando la “cremá” acaba,un nuevo año empieza para las fallas que siempre se espera mejor que el anterior.

BRITCHAT . 21

Greetings,

My tour service, Valencia Wine Country offers you the pleasure of tasting a variety of top-quality vintages while exploring the sun-soaked landscape that produces them. In mid-eastern Spain’s “Utièl Requena” region, you’ll visit family-owned wineries, taste their finest offerings, and enjoy the marvelous local cuisine.

Valencia Wine Country offers day-trips for small groups (up to eight people) from Valencia to the vineyards of Requena. Once there, our adventure begins at mid-morning with coffee in the 18th century main square – then on to local attractions such as the Caves of Requena or the House of Silk. After that, we’ll visit some of the best wineries in the area, enjoy an exquisite lunch at a local restaurant, and then explore more wineries before heading back to Valencia.

With many years of experience as a professional chauffeur, tour guide, and wine aficionado, I’ve become very familiar with the best vintages and cuisine the Valencia region can offer. I’ve spent many hours with families who have made wine for centuries, learning about their business and hearing stories of their ancestors. I’ll share those stories and knowledge with you during our travels and since I’m an American that has lived in Valencia for the last 13 years, I can discuss Valencia Wine Country in Spanish or English. Your choice!

Since we can only accommodate eight people for each wine-tasting adventure, we encourage you to make your Valencia Wine Country reservations early. Please join me for an unforgettable journey, where the quality of wine, food and people are unsurpassed. “Utièl Requena” is truly a unique travel experience, with unique wines from

limited-production vineyards that have been family-owned for generations, waiting to be discovered by wine lovers, both novices and connoiseurs alike.

For more information andreservations, please visit our website www.valenciawinecountry.com or contact us at info@valenciawinecountry.com

Sincerely,

Russ Bissett Owner/OperatorValencia Wine Country

Valencia Wine Country: Un Viaje al pais del vinoEl tour Valencia Wine Country os ofrece el placer de catar diferentes variedades de añadas de vinos de gran calidad mientras exploráis el paisaje bañado por el sol que los produce. En la región valenciana de Utiel-Requena podréis visitar pequeñas bodegas de explotación familiar, catar sus más finos vinos y disfrutar al mismo tiempo de la maravillosa cocina local.

Valencia Wine Country ofrece viajes de un dia para pequeños grupos (hasta 8 personas) desde Valencia hasta los viñedos de Requena. Una vez allí, la aventura comienza a mitad de mañana tomando un café en la Plaza Mayor, que data del siglo XVIII y prosigue visitando las diferentes atracciones locales, como Las Cavas o la Casa de la Seda. Después nos dirigiremos a algunas de las mejores bodegas de la zona, (Continua abajo)

OUT & ABOUT CHAT

Valencia Wine CountryUn Viaje al pais del Vino

BRITCHAT . 22 OUT & ABOUT CHAT

disfrutando de un almuerzo exquisito en un restaurante local. Tras la sobremesa, exploraremos más bodegas antes de dirigirnos de vuelta a Valencia.

Russell Bissett, guia y propietario de Valencia Wine Country, tiene muchos años de experiencia como conductor profesional, guia turistico y aficionado al vino por lo que conoce muy bien las mejores añadas y la excelente gastronomia que esta región ofrece.

Russ ha pasado mucho tiempo con las familias que llevan cientos de años produciendo vino, aprendiendo acerca del negocio y escuchando las historias de sus antepasados. Así compartirá estas historias y anécdotas con vosotros a lo largo del viaje y como es un americano que ha vivido en Valencia durante los últimos 13 años, os podrá explicar todo acerca de Valencia Wine Country en Inglés o en Español. La decisión es vuestra.

Russell nada más puede acomodar a 8 personas para cada aventura enologica, así que os recomendamos que realicéis vuestras reservas para Valencia Wine Country con suficiente antelación. Uniros a Russell para experimentar un inolvidable viaje a una región donde la calidad de los vinos, de la gastronomia y de la gente, son inigualables. El viaje a Utiel-Requena es una experiencia única, con catas de vinos de bodegas de producción limitada y visitas a explotaciones vitivinícolas que han pertenecido a las mismas familias generación tras generación, esperando a ser descubiertas y disfrutadas por los amantes del vino, ya sean novicios o expertos, por igual.

Para más información y reservas podéis visitar su página de web www.valenciawinecountry.com o contactar en info@valenciawinecountry.com

Al pais del Vino Continua Insuring your home, your health, your cars and your businessesFluent in Englsih & Spanish20 years experienceFully LegalHome visits for on-site adviceAll claims handled e�cientlyFriendly, experienced serviceProviding the best cover for the best price

TEL: 96 158 1524seguros.gayol@allianzmed.es

Ejército Español, 13, bajos46900 Torrent (Valencia)

*

*******

It always pays to be alert...Scam Warning!!!!

Just got scammed out of €25. Bought Tiger Woods DVD entitled

“My favourite 18 holes”.Turns out it’s about golf.Asolute waste of money!

Pass this on so others don’t get scammed.

BIOLOGICAL TIME - Understanding your body clockThe Editor

Dijk, Professor of Sleep and Physiology and co-director of the Centre for Chronobiology at Surrey University, who is an expert on the sleep patterns of older people. We can also control our circadian or daily rhythms to a degree through sleep, melatonin and light.

Sleep

As we get older sleep tends to be more easily disrupted by external influences, such as light and sound, and internal ones such as stress and anxiety. We also become less able to sleep in, especially at the weekends, and this can result in sleep debt. Napping is the best way around this.

‘An early afternoon nap at the weekend, can help to redress sleep imbalance,’ says Professor Dijk. However he cautions, ‘Don’t nap for too long, as this can stop you getting to sleep at a normal time that night.’

Melatonin

Melatonin acts as a regulating switch, pushing the body clock forwards or backwards. Melatonin production falls as we get older, which may explain why younger people find it easier to drop off and to sleep longer without interruption.

It’s been suggested that melatonin supplements (not available in the UK because of safety concerns, although they are available on the Internet) could help treat insomnia, as well as jet lag and sleep problems experienced by shift workers.

However, experts are still divided on its usefulness. According to one British expert, eight out of 10 studies show that melatonin helps jet lag. US research published in May 2006, meanwhile, suggests that supplements are only effective in encouraging sleep during daylight, when the body is not producing its own melatonin. At night, when melatonin is being secreted, taking a supplement appears no better than placebo. Short-term melatonin appears to be safe. However it should not be taken by people taking warfarin or with epilepsy. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Light

Bright light can help reset your circadian rhythms, according to Professor Dijk. ‘If you find your body clock is out of sync – as a result of jet lag, for example – light can help to realign your body’s circadian rhythm with the new time zone’.

HEALTH & FITNESS CHAT BRITCHAT . 23

Knowing how your internal body clock works can help you sleep better and make the most of your waking hours.

What is the body clock?Your body clock is what enables you to synchronise

the working of your body with the day and night. The actual ‘clock’ is a cluster of around 10,000 nerve cells that lie buried deep within part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Light coming in through our eyes ‘trains’ the body clock to keep in time with day or night and resets it slightly every day.

What does it do?When allowed to run naturally, your body clock

operates on a cycle of just over 24 hours. It controls everything from the time it is easiest to exercise (early evening) to the time you are most likely to have a heart attack (in the morning) or stroke (between 6 am and 8 am or 6 pm and 8 pm).

One of the most important ways in which the body clock works is by triggering the production of hormones such as the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, and melatonin, a hormone secreted during darkness by the pineal gland in the brain, which helps regulate sleep cycles.

Can you manipulate your body clock?

‘It is possible to schedule certain tasks to coincide with peak performance in a particular area,’ says Dr Derk-Jan

BRITCHAT . 24 HEALTH & FITNESS CHAT

Conocer cómo funciona nuestro reloj interno nos puede ayudar a dormir mejor y a aprovechar también mejor nuestras horas de vigilia.

¿Qué es el reloj biológico ?

Tu reloj biológico es lo que te permite sincronizar tu cuerpo con los ciclos del día y la noche. En realidad, el “reloj” es un racimo de 10.000 células nerviosas que yacen enterradas profundamente en una parte del cerebro llamado el hipotálamo. La luz que llega a nuestros ojos “entrena” al reloj interno a sincronizarse con el dia o la noche, reajustándose ligeramente a diario.

¿Para qué sirve?Cuando funciona naturalmente, tu reloj interno opera

en un ciclo de poco más de 24 horas. Controlando desde cual es el tiempo cuando es más fácil hacer ejercicio (por la tarde) hasta cual es el momento cuando es más posible tener un ataque cardiaco (por la mañana) o un derrame cerebral (entre las 6h am y o las 6 h pm y las 8 h pm)

Una de las más importantes maneras en las que funciona el reloj biológico interno es provocando la producción de hormonas como las del estrés: adrenalina y cortisol, producidas por las glándulas adrenales y la melantonina, una hormona segregada durante la noche por la glándula pineal en el cerebro, la cual regula los ciclos del sueño.

¿Podemos manipular nuestro reloj interno?

‘Es posible programar ciertas tareas para que coincidan con los periodos de mayor actividad en un área particular,’ dice el Doctor Derk-Jan Dijk, Profesor de psicología del sueño y co-director del Centro de Cronobiología de la Universidad de Surrey , Inglaterra. El doctor, que es

también un experto en los patrones del sueño para la gente mayor , afirma que es posible controlar nuestros ritmos circadianos hasta cierto punto, mediante el sueño, la melantonina y la luz.

Sueño

A medida que envejecemos el sueño puede verse fácilmente transtornado por influencias externas ,como la luz y el sonido y también internas como el estrés y la ansiedad. También nos vamos haciendo menos capaces de dormir, especialmente los fines de semana y esto nos va creando una “deuda” de sueño. Para combatir este fenómeno, las pequeñas siestas son lo más adecuado.

‘Una pequeña siesta los fines de semana puede ayudar a corregir el desequilibrio del sueño, dice el Profesor Dijk. Sin embargo, matiza , ‘la siesta no debe ser demasiado larga o podría causarnos problemas para dormir normalmente por la noche..’

Melatonina

La melatonina actúa como un interruptor encendiendo o apagando nuetro reloj. La producción de melatonina decrece con la edad, lo que explica por qué a los jovenes les cuesta menos dormir más sin interrupción. Se ha sugerido que los suplementos de melantonina (no están disponibles en Inglaterra por motivos de seguridad, pero se pueden comprar por internet) pueden ayudar a tratar el insomnio asi como también el jet lag y los transtornos del sueño experimentados por los trabajadores nocturnos.

Sin embargo, los expertos están divididos acerca de su efectividad. Según un experto británico, ocho de cada diez estudios muestran que la melantonina puede ayudar en los casos de jet lag. Un estudio publicado en los Estados Unidos en Mayo de 2006, sin embargo sugiere que estos suplementos sólo son efectivos para hacer dormir al organismo durante las horas de luz, cuando éste no produce su propia melantonina. Por la noche cuando la melantonina es segregada, tomar uno de estos suplementos no parece tener un efecto mayor que el de un placebo.

Por cortos periodos de tiempo la melatonina parece ser segura, pero no debe ser tomada por aquellos en tratamiento con warfarina o aquellos que padecen de epilepsia. Mejor Consultar con tu médico antes de tomarla.

Luz

La luz brillante puede ayudar a restaurar los ritmos circadianos, según el profesor Dijk. ‘Si descubres que tu reloj interno está desincronizado como resultado del jet lag, por ejemplo, la luz puede ayudar a adaptar el ritmo circadiano de tu cuerpo a una nueva zona horaria.’

EL RELOJ BIOLOGICO - Entendiendo tu reloj internoEl Editor

BRITCHAT . 25

P.E.P.A. Protección y educación para los animales Paddington Bear (female) and her “twin” brother Poo Bear were born in mid January. They have been reared in a family environment and are well socialised. They will be large sized. They have been treated for intestinal parasites and have had their first vaccinations. For more information please

telephone 650304746. www.pepaspain.com

PROTECTORA JAIME D’ORTOLA

WE ARE SPANISH AND WE DO CARE ABOUT DOGS. DOGS DON’T HAVE ANY NATIONALITY, THEY ARE JUST DOGS AND THEY SUFFER!!

Campaigning for pet sterilization. Please give us a hand -

contact us: 96 298 60 47

PET CHAT

Please Support our advertisers & Mention ...................Por favor nunca te olvides de mencionar a .............................. cuando respondas a algún anuncio.

April’s competition will be held on the 5th, so please contact Skip on 962133126 or 628148939 to book your place for a friendly game of golf on a great course.

Cheers, Tigger

Resultados de la Competición Stableford celebrada el 1 de Febrero en el club de Golf El Bosque en Chiva

El ganador de este mes con unos impresionantes 41 puntos fue Andy Mitchell (hándicap 24) mientras que Nick Newman (hándicap 25) quedo finalista con 36 puntos. El Nearest To The Pin en el par 3 fue para Tigger.Andy Mitchell ganó también el Nearest To The Pin (despues de tres disparos) en el par 5

El premio de mayor puntuación media para

equipos equipos se lo llevaron Peter Lane y Andy Mitchell que puntuaron un promedio de 36 puntos. Teníamos un bote acumulado de 52 euros en la lotería de las bolas perdidas. Después de adivinar correctamente que iba a perder 54 bolas ese día, Tigger gano ese dinero junto con unas cuantas criticas.

La competición de Abril se celebrará el 5, así

que podeís contactar Skip en el 962133126 o 628148939 para reservar vuestra plaza para un amigable juego de golf en un gran campo..

Saludos,

Tigger

BRITCHAT . 26

Result’s for the Stableford competition held at El Bosque Golf Club in Chiva on Monday 1st February 2010.

This month’s winner with an impressive 41

points was Andy Mitchell (H/Cap 24) while Mick Newman (H/Cap 25) came Runner-Up with 36 points. Nearest The Pin on the Par 3 went to Tigger while Andy Mitchell also won The Nearest The Pin (after 3 shots) on the Par 5. The team competition of highest average score went to Peter Lane and Andy Mitchell who scored an average of 36 points. We had a rollover totalling 52 euros for the lost balls lottery and after correctly guessing that we would lose 54 balls on the day Tigger won the money along with plenty of stick!

SPORT CHAT

WARNING!!IF YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL TITLED “NUDE PHOTOS OF SUSAN BOYLE” DO NOT OPEN IT! IT CONTAINS NUDE PHOTOS OF SUSAN BOYLE.

What a beautiful story - This should be shared with everyone.Once upon a time, a man asked a beautiful girl ‘Will you marry me?’ The girl said, ‘NO!’ And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and went to the pub when he wanted to, watched football when he liked, and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted. And lived happily ever after!The end.

BRITCHAT . 27COMPETITION & BRIT FUN

Don Quixote is hiding somewhere in this magazine. To help you, here is an example of how he will look.If you find him, send your answer by email to britchat@me.comOpen until the last day of each month. The first entry drawn out of the bag on the 1st of the next month will win a prize.

Don Quijote está escondido en algún lugar de esta revista. Para ayudarle, aquí es un ejemplo de cómo él mirará.

Si lo encuentras, envía tu respuesta por correo electrónico a britchat@me.com. El plazo está abierto hasta el último día de cada mes. La primera entrada sacada por una “mano inocente” de la bolsa el primer día del mes siguiente a ganará un premio.

Don Quixote CompetitionWinning Entries December & January

Genuine mistake made in Ireland ...

This was actually sold in the supermarkets - until they twigged ... Look at the bottom of pack

A guy goes to the Post Office to apply for a job.

The interviewer asks him, “Are you allergic to anything?” He replies, “Yes - caffeine.” “Have you ever been in the military service? “Yes,” he says, “I was in Iraq for two years.” The interviewer says,”That will give you 5 extra points towards employment”Then he asks,”Are you disabled in any way?” The guy says,”Yes. A bomb exploded near me and I lost both of my testicles” The interviewer grimaces and then says, “O.K. You’ve got enough points for me to hire you right now. Our normal hours are from 8:00 A.M. To 4:00 P.M. You can start tomorrow at 10:00AM and plan on starting at 10:00 A.M. every day.” The guy is puzzled and asks, “If the work hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., why don’t you want me to here until 10:00 A.M.?” “This is a government job,” the inter-viewer says, “For the first two hour, we just stand around drinking coffee and scratching our balls. No point in you coming in for that.”

BUSINESS CHATBRITCHAT . 28

With the exception of the Valencia test last year, one rider has set the pace. Valentino Rossi has drawn the battle lines deep this year and the other riders are going to have to be on top of there game this season.

Back on European soil, Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha was again fastest. Only Ducatis Casey Stoner could hold on to the world champion to finish 2nd.

Stoners team mate Nicky Hayden seems to be getting to grips with his Ducati, he was consistently fast,and 3rd quickest. The Tech3 Yamaha duo of Colin Edwards and rookie,Ben Spies took 4th & 5th respectively.

Hayden, Edwards, Spies? Are the Yanks coming again? It’s a mouth watering prospect.

However, Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi’s team mate & arguably biggest rival, starts the season on the back foot after damaging his wrist in testing, but Jorge’s hard and he’s unlikely to take his eye off his goal despite the pain!

Con la excepción de la prueba de Valencia, el año pasado, un corredor marcó el ritmo. Valentino Rossi ha puesto el listón muy alto y el resto de los motoristas van a tener que esforzarse mucho para remontar esta temporada.

De vuelta en los circuitos europeos, Rossi en el Fiat Yamaha, fue una vez más el más rápido. Solamente Casey Stoner de Ducati pudo permanecer en el Campeonato del Mundo y terminar segundo.

El compañero de equipo de Stoners, Nicky Hayden, parece que se va haciendo a su Ducati. Fue consistentemente más rápido y quedó el tercero en velocidad. El dúo Tech3 Yamaha de

SPORT CHAT BRITCHAT . 29

Colin Edwards y Ben Spies, quedaron en cuarta y quinta posición respectivamente. Hayden,Edwards,Spies ¿Significa esto el regreso de los Yankis? Es una perspectiva que nos hace la boca agua.

Sin embargo, Jorge Lorenzo, compañero de equipo de Rossi y discutiblemente su mayor rival, comienza la temporada con el pie izquierdo, después de lesionarse la muñeca durante los ensayos. Pero jorge es un tipo duro y es poco probable que le quite el ojo a su objetivo a pesar del dolor.

PROVISIONAL MOTOGP CALENDARCALENDARIO PROVISIONAL MOTOGP 2010 2. APRIL/ABRIL - JAPAN.MOTEGI. 25 APRIL/ABRIL - QATAR.LOSAIL. 16 MAY/MAYO - FRANCE.LE MANS. 30 MAY/MAYO - ITALY. MUGELLO. 6 JUNE/JUNIO - ENGLAND. SILVERSTONE. 26 JUNE/JUNIO - HOLLAND. ASSEN. 4 JULY/JULIO - CATALUNYA. CATALUNYA. 18 JULY/JULIO - GERMANY. SACHENRING. 25 JULY/JULIO - USA. LAGUNA SECA. 15.AUGUST/AGUSTO - CZECH REPUBLIC.BRNO. 29. AUGUST/AGUSTO - INDIANAPOLIS.INDIANAPOLIS. 12 SEPTEMBER/SEPTIEMBRE - SAN MARINO.MISANO. 19 SEPTEMBER/SEPTIEMBRE - HUNGARY. BALATONRING. 10 OCTOBER/OCTUBRE - MALAYSIA. SEPANG. 17 OCTOBER/OCTUBRE - AUSTRAILIA. PHILIP ISLAND. 31 OCTOBER/OCTUBRE - PORTUGAL. ESTORIL. 7 NOVEMBER/NOVIEMBE - VALENCIA. RICARDO TORMO.

MOTOGP - PRE SEASON TEST - MONTMELO. CATALUÑA. PRUEBA PRE-TEMPORADA

By Dave Mellor

CLASSIFIED CHAT, BRITCHAT MISSION & LEGAL STUFFBRITCHAT . 30

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Classifieds

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Important To advertise here for free, email .........britchatenq@me.com

CLASSIFIEDS MUST be with us by the 1st of the month please and will be placed for ONE month only. If you wish to repeat it please send in again otherwise we will assume sold!

FOR A QUICKER SALE?Advertise it in both! BRITCHAT & Guide2Valencia Not only do you get a free Classified with Britchat, space permitting, we will give you more space in Guide2Valencia and you can have 4 photos and UNLIMITED text, all for FREE!

All you have to do, is become a MEMBER at www.guide2valencia.com and make up your own classified advert.

BRITCHAT . 31CLASSIFIED CHAT & BRIT FUN

Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number 1-26. Can you crack the code and solve the crossword? Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Three letters are already in place to get you started. All words are in English.

SUDOKU

Codeword

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