MORE ENVIROMENTAL DESTRUCTION FOR THE SALER'S BEACH

The environmental problem in Saler beach, is long.

For years now by the various port expansions of Valencia brutal, small spills, incivility of people, urbanization, etc.. The beach of Saler among other Valencianas suffer serious deterioration (including dredging work for "regeneration" of the beaches).
As if this were not enough, now thanks to the negligence of vessels stranded by the storm of cold drop, it adds to the great destruction of the coastal strip in the attempted rescue of the vessels (propellers, dredging work , etc.). To which also binds the uncivil action by thousands of onlookers who have come to see them, destroying the fragile ecosystem of the fixed dunes (protected by law).


Although this in our nature to gossip when something happens, that does not give us license to abandon rubbish, trampling the weak and threatened flora of this fragile ecosystem.

Within hours started the turnaround tasks on boats, but it will take decades to regenerate the dunes.

Let us be mindful of our actions and the fragility of  our scarce natural spaces.

Announcement Photo conservation area, taken from teinteresa.es

2 SHIPS STRANDED BY THE STORM ON THE BEACH OF EL SALER

Because of the storm caused by the cold drop last Friday in Spain (especially in Valencia where they fell to 226 liters per square meter in four hours), two cargo ships were dragged to the shore of the beach of Saler (Valencia) .
Maritime rescue given within 48 hours to the owners to present their rescue plan. But meanwhile, has become a tourist attraction, that throughout the weekend have come to see them, and they continue to do so until withdrawn.

Picture taken from El Periodico.com

COLD DROP (Definition)

The drop cold is a weather phenomenon associated with the Western Mediterranean Sea during the autumn months (especially in October), when sea water is warmer (reaching up to 30 degrees in some areas of the coast) to continental land, creating strong atmospheric instability (as hot water evaporate faster). Generating intense rainfall, affecting nearshore.

The contrast of the warm sea with cold air bags arriving in autumn (that being lighter rises rapidly, creating a big storm,  which forms very heavy rains of up to 500 liters per square meter (as in Gandia the year 1987 ) and winds of over 140 kilometers per hour. addition resulting storm surge can raise the sea level one meter, with waves 4 and 5 meters high.

The destructive power of the cold drop, increases considerably when forest areas are destroyed (by fire, uncontrolled urbanization, deforestation, ...), since it increase greater temperature contrasts, not retain water from the rain, loses all the fertile land (not to be fixed by trees) that is driven by floods making them even more dangerous.

Moreover heavy rains are usually in short periods of time, raining more in a few hours than the rest of the year in the area.

picture of yesterday in Elche (Alicante), taken from the digital edition of the newspaper "La informacion" from Alicante

I UNDERWATER CITY MARATHON GANDIA (September 20, 2012)

The competition consists of a journey for all audiences (divers) 1300 meters long.
Participants compete in pairs, for marked trails in its entirety (with a maximum height of 8 meters, giving greater security to the path) delimited by buoys and referees throughout the tour.
Will be held on the beach of Gandia, with different categories. The numbers begin to distributed at 8 am and at 10:30 began the competition (which should end at the latest at 12. At 13 hours will be delivered the trophy.

As public can only see the input and output (along the way photos will be sent to the media), but if the marathon is successful, they want to record images in real time for future editions.

All this will be possible if weather permits tomorrow.

poster removed from internet

LOW COST FESTIVAL Benidorm 27-28-29 July

The LOW COST FESTIVAL was born 3 years ago in Benidorm (Alicante) (located about 140 kilometers south of Valencia) beeing an alternative music festival. Due to the large number of public, last year the site was change now is held at The Sports City Guillermo Amor.

This festival is very different from FIB, among other things because if you have groups of independent music too, is more focused on a national audience (though it's hard to believe, because Benidorm lives of tourists) also attempts to be environmentally sustainable, no camping own, but has an agreement with a local camping and the bus line that goes up there, has parking for bikes. The beach is close but not on the concerts area.

It has 3 stages, at the box office can only buy bonds of 3 days, so if you go for less time purchase it online or at the authorized stores. The prices vary greatly depending on the number of peopleif you want camping and the type of pack.

The Web is very complete, soyou can look for more information on it (though I think is in Spanish only).

Low Cost Official Poster

COSTA DE FUEGO 20 and 21 July in Benicassim (Hard-Rock Festival & Metal)

This year is organized the first festival COSTA DE FUEGO, using the music and camping enclosure of the FIB (next to the beach).
There are three stages where simultaneously are playing the groups.
The payment of 2 days costs 80 Euros, and includes free camping 4 days (from day 19 to 22). The other option is the entry of only one day for 42 Euros (non-camping).

The visible head of the cartel, at day 20 is GUNS N 'ROSES and MARILYN MANSON on 21 (although the other groups are really fine).

The website, is in Spanish and English. Includes information on how to get, timestables etc. .. (The link is above).
Lets Enjoy Sons of Metal!

Festival official poster Coast Fire, taken from his official website

DAY WITHOUT SWIMSUIT July 15

On July 15 is celebrated the day without swimsuit on Spanish beaches and in many more countries in the northern hemisphere.
For some years is held every third Sunday of July.
This demand, which in Spain is convened, by the Spanish Naturist Federation (among other nudist organizations), has the purpose of exercising the right to free nudity in the largest possible number of beaches.
Its aim is to normalize the nudity (which is legal in Spain) and demand social respect to nudity on all beaches. And request that it be socially accepted as topless.

In Valencia there are two Naturist Associations (at least that I have found), one in Puerto de Sagunto and the other in Valencia city (I haven't had time to contact them, though I suppose that the meeting of naturalists in Valencia, will be along the beaches of Las Arenas and la Malvarrosa. Viewing announcements from other areas of Spain, begins on 11 or 12 am).

I will publish another post with the legal status of nudism in Spain, but still tell you that the Spanish constitution guarantees the right to non-discrimination, self-image, and is considered legal everything that is not regulated by law (no law that prohibits nudity or governing its practice). Local regulations can only based on laws (and there is no nudity about). There is no public scandal law since 1989 (which is the one ussually applied to the nudists). And the law of exhibitionism and sexual provocation, only applies if there is sexual intent to provoke to others or yourself.

I wiil pass tomorrow looking for them, and if I find them I will join, if someone wants to come, contact me by mail.

Link of the Spanish Federation of Naturism

Link nudist organizations in Spain.

No Swimsuit Day logo taken from the Internet

FIRA DE JULIOL 2012 (ACTS 15 July)

10 hours Exhibition of Large sand sculptures on the Promenade (in front of the restaurants in the Paseo de Neptuno)

18:30 pm Exhibition of artisans and merchants LA FRAGUA DE VULCANO is open to 00 pm in the plaza MusiciO Lopez Chavarri (near Plaza del Tossal in the Barrio del Carmen).

21:30 Preselection of the courts of Honor falleras in the Gardens of Palau.

22 hours Concert by RUBEN BLADES (the poet of salsa) in the Jardines deViveros. The ticket price is 30 Euros

Ruben Blades picture taken from Internet

THE TURIA RIVER after the flood of 1957

After the last flood of 1957, which marks can be seen on plates of various streets in Valencia, it was decided to divert the final stretch of its course to prevent new flooding.
There were several plans for the deviation:
-The plan north near Alboraya down the ravine of Carraixet.
-By the Albufera
-Another option was to make his mouth wider and enhance its margins.
-Finally it was decided to do the so-called the South Plan, creating a major new channel that led up near Pinedo. With dimensions that ensure that no overflow again (as it has been so far).
In 1958 the project was approved by the government of Spain, in 1961 established funding guidelines and in February 1965 was the beginnig of the works.
As a curiosity that water can be seen at the end of the plan South is sea water and no from the river.

This created a new problem, what to do with the old riverbed of the Turia?

As the brilliant original idea was to make it an urban highway that crossed the city, fortunately the people of Valencia went to the streets en masse to claim it as green space for the entire city. It was one of The biggest ever protests (in Valencia) that more people gathered, along the protests made ​​against building in the Albufera and against the war in Iraq.
The park of Turia, has about 10 kilometers long with about 110 hectares of space and its central section was inaugurated in 1986.
The park of Turia, going from the current Bioparc zooin the park de Cabecera (built a few years ago) to the City of Arts and Sciences. From there, the passage is closed and turned into a zone of highly contaminated wastewater. Until enter into the Port of Valencia where it disappears.
The area around the Palau de la musica was designed by renowned architect Ricardo Bofill (father), where most of the budget were spending thankfully, as later, instead of following urbanizing in modernistic way, that area is also recognized for having palm and orange trees, it was decided to create a Mediterranean forest (cheaper than the other) where pines predominate. Gradually all areas have been overhauled.
Parks currently exceeds others parcs in Paris or Madrid and from another cities.

If I have not discounted, the stretch of the old river bed has 23 bridges (between for pedestrians and for traffic)

picture from the inside of the old riverbed of the Turia made by me

FIRA DE JULIOL 2012 (ACTS 14 de July) “Great Nigth of July” part 1

12 hours  sample of  Big Sand Sculptures on Paseo de Neptuno ( in the promenade in front of the restaurants).

12 hours Mass of St. Christopher and blessing of vehicles in the shed number 2 of the port (next to the clock tower)

13 hours Paella Tasting at Central Market (across from the Lonja de la Seda).

18:30 pm show of artisans and merchants LA FRAGUA DE VULCANO, open until 00 hours in the square Musician Lopez Chavarri (in the Barrio del Carmen, near the Tossal square).

19:30 Mass and procession in honor of Our Lady of Carmen. In the church of Santa Maria del Mar (at the end of the avenue of the port).

20 hours Official opening with a performance by The Band of Bugles and Drums SAN LUIS BELTRAN, in the Plaza de la Virgen and vicinity.

20:15 Representation of the miracle winner of the contest Miracles of San Vicente Ferrer (Valencia pattern) in the Altar of Tossal (plaza del patriarca, number 2 of the map).

21 hours concert from the band music of the Red Cross, in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

21:15 Representation of the miracle winner of the contest Miracles of San Vicente Ferrer (Valencia pattern) in the Altar of Tossal (plaza del patriarca, number 2 of the map).

21:30 Musical performance in Playback "Adams Family" in the Plaza de la Merced (map number 16).

21:30 Opening of the exhibition "The Magic Attic of Illusions goes out to the Street" live performances every 45 minutes. Outside the museum Almoina (behind the Cathedral).

22 hours concert in the Jardines de Viveros LOS SUAVES (group of Hard Rock, Metal and Rock Heaby Urban) and LA FUGA (Spanish rock band). Ticket price 18 euros.

22 hours preselection Falleras honor courts in several areas of Valencia

22 Hours Municipal Museums Open until 2 hours. Admission is Free.

22 hours Actuation of  the Asociación Túria de Valencia in the Plaza de la Virgen.

     Logo of Los Suaves taken from Internet

Fira de Juliol city map

THE TURIA RIVER

The river Turia born in Teruel Universal Mounts, near the town of Guadalaviar (for this reason received its name until pass Teruel). The word Guadalaviar comes from the Arab and means "White River" (because often, in its floods, clear rolling rocks of limestone). Near it born other rivers like the Jucar and the Tajo
Since Titaguas changes its name to Túria eventually arriving at the Mediterranean Sea in Valencia. Its approximate distance is 280 kilometers.
As it approaches the sea, the Mediterranean climate apears with their autumns rainy and its extremely dry summers, this makes the flow change with the seasons of the year, making severe floods occur in autumn.
Despite the frequent floods, humans settled next to it because for millions of years the river brings great amount of sediment and fertile land. Which created a thriving garden around.

The Turia is one of the few rivers that contrary to logic, takes less water, the closer to the mouth of this. The Valencian government is proud that not a single drop arrives the sea, because we know "harness" all (regardless of the serious environmental damage that this implies).

On their way through Valencia, Turia river created a small island, where was established the city of Valencia.

We do not know exactly since when, and why is named Turia. Although there are several theories:

1 says that when the Phoenicians arrived from Ibiza, when they see the large number of cows around it, they called it TUR or TURBO (which in that language means cow).

2 Another option is that the Phocians (former inhabitant of a Greek island, which currently belongs to Turkey) was called Turia by the word be equivalent to slightly or torn.

3 It is also said that the Tyrians (Phoenicians of Tyre) called the city of Valencia with the name of Tyris And Tyrio to its river. That is finaly translated to Turia.

picture of the large bridge over the Turia passing through Las Rinconadas in Santa Cruz de Moya, by Joselupr and taken from the wikipedia