Misa en honor a San Ramón y comida de hermandad en la Plaza Mayor

It's the final day of the village fiesta and it starts in the church at midday with a mass for San Ramón who is the patron Saint of the village and we celebrate his day today!

The statue of San Ramón is carried around the village and...

...it's another opportunity to dress in regional costume.

Around 300 hundred people were in the Plaza Mayor for another great paella!
It certainly doesn't feel like a Wednesday!

To see more photos of the events of the day, click HERE.

El Parrissal

A fine morning and we set off with 2 of our friends to El Parrissal, a spot about 35 minutes drive from Torre del Compte, just past the village of Beceite which nestles in the foothills of Els Ports, the mountain range between us and the Mediterranean.


The valley we are walking up has the river Matarraña flowing down it and the path crosses the river in many places.


To help you cross the river there are logs to walk across but like me, you can take the more direct route.


Also, where it is impossible to walk up the side of the river as it travels through various ravines there are planks to walk on against the cliff face even though getting onto them might appear a little tricky!



To see more photos of the intrepid expedition, click HERE.

¡FIESTA! (including "disfraces")

Fiesta week kicked off on Thursday 18th with chorizada en la cooperativa, sausages in the yard of the village farmers cooperative.


There was lots of smoke but unlike London these weren't burning buildings but bonfires to cook the sausages on!



Later on that evening there was lots of running and screaming in the streets but unlike London this was not a riot but the sound of people enjoying themselves with the annual waterfight!



Everyone was totally drenched as they followed the band through the streets of the village going from peña to peña to have a drink while the people in the houses poured buckets of water on them from their balconies and even used hosepipes.


The following morning, Friday, the was the mass for San Ramón. Click HERE to see the video on YouTube.

Meanwhile during the fiesta period, the "Amas de Casa, Lo Portal" had an exhibition of their work in the town hall. To see photos of the work on display, click HERE.


In the evening was the communal meal with everyone in the Plaza Mayor to eat their own food which was followed by a comedy act which was actually quite funny.

On Saturday the jota group "Calandria" gave an excellent performance in the school yard. (They have their own section on this blog - don't miss it!).

Later that night it was time for the "Concurso de Disfraces" or Fancy Dress Competition. There were 7 peña groups this year and the standard was very high.


First up, Peña Lo Serapio as a female volleyball team - they came 7th. Click HERE to see their video.


Next, Peña David Gimeno as a swarm of flies - they came 5th. Click HERE to see their video.



They were followed by Peña Lo Skaldat, a group of protesters who came 6th. Click HERE to see the video.


Next, Peña Lo Corral who were running with the bulls, Pamplona style. They came 3rd. To watch their performance, click HERE.


The circus arrives in Torre del Compte care of Peña Lo Karkas who after a most entertaining performance came 2nd. Click HERE to see it.



The pope was in Madrid but made a detour to visit Torre del Compte with his friends in Peña Lo Topi. To see the winners, click HERE.


Finally Peña Cata-croc re-enacted the tale of St George and the dragon - they came 4th. Click HERE to see their performance.

Even the potatoes are happy here!

Throughout the fiesta there seemed to be a lot of emphasis on eating and drinking!

One popular demonstration was on how to make furniture from logs using your chainsaw. However, I don't think IKEA has anything to worry about just yet!

After the chainsaw demo, hot chocolate was served.
Delicious, thick, creamy chocolate which always goes down well, (with everyone, not just the chocoholics!)

And throughout the fiesta there was not one drop of rain - come to think of it, it hasn't rained this month!

The village trip to Sos del Rey Católico

At 6:30 28 of us set off in the coach from Torre del Compte.

We have a guided tour of the village, a museum and the church...

...then it's time for a very nice lunch.

To see (lots) more photos, click HERE.

Another great day out.

Grupo de la Jota "La Calandria"

At 19:00 in the school yard the jota group "La Calandria" gave their performances to a large audience of the people of Torre del Compte.


The costumes were splendid but could not have been all that comfortable as it was quite a hot evening even though the group had based themselves in the more shaded part of the school yard.

The dancers were very energetic as they showed their prowess with castanets, tambourines as well as sticks and some very fancy footwork.

The vocalists performed a couple of solos each as well as some numbers as a group...

...when the dancers performed their pieces.

Another well received part of the fiesta celebrations.

To see 5 of the dances and 2 of the solo vocals, click on the links below.

A jota dance (1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAiUYG-aWfM

A jota dance (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4utmo2v9Xw

A jota dance (3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFhRJxgZb8Q

A jota dance (4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVPtlqjLtxA

A jota dance (5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IiQQO97Sy8

A jota http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUR1nHkgSKA

Another jota http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq1GN-MCzFk

La rondalla or "jotas" around the village.

When you think of traditional Spanish music you automatically think of the Spanish guitar and Flamenco singing and dancing. However, the jota is just as popular in many regions in Spain. Click HERE to find out about jotas.

La Rondalla, or group of minstrels, played and sang their traditional songs known as jotas as part of the festivities provided by the Amas de Casa to complete their special day.


To give the group their official title, they are "Grupo de Jota de Valdealgorfa, La Natividad de Nuestra Señora".

They started playing and singing in the main street of the village...

...then made their way playing and singing as they went, to 3 different locations where they performed more songs..


...before ending up in the Plaza Mayor for several more songs. At each place where they stopped, the committee of the Amas de Casa provided the ever increasing audience with cava to drink and lots of cake.

To see and listen to each of the 28 jotas performed that evening click on the links below. Each clip is quite short, less than 2 minutes, apart from numbers 2, 6, 11 and 17 where the group are walking between locations.

Jota 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjwwRMwF0k

Jota 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZp2R1N0Fg

Jota 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjRTHfe4AyQ

Jota 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvQiSlobU80

Jota 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srBosAhuEm8

Jota 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS84C5oaplM

Jota 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYXr1WZ3y_w

Jota 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLuSv9V7Cdo

Jota 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SF3IEZ3UGM

Jota 10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eUFYql_R4

Jota 11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp8Q11kfHvc

Jota 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKTGb4yotPY

Jota 13 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHnNyVqpfII

Jota 14 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRMT-jGAvvo

Jota 15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djBORSsuGDg

Jota 16 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5G9GjFpqJE

Jota 17 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqVPOhjvLwE

Jota 18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDtBpmh0Zxo

Jota 19 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW8fnELtitU

Jota 20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLtY-P3kSvk

Jota 21 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wH5pDA6fVM

Jota 22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R1O4gRqFaI

Jota 23 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KPGa5aWrjc

Jota 24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZqCxG6rZus

Jota 25 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FFvyJOAW9o

Jota 26 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZr01x2bOvw

Jota 27 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpnGwgy2GBM

Jota 28 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJawsWSBUyM

The Amas de Casa's annual meal

Traditionally the committee serve the meal and this year they were dressed as "serving wenches".


The first course known as "entremeses", which translates into "English" as "hors d'oeuvres", is cold cuts of meat garnished with salad. Then chicken was the main course followed by ice cream.

Wine, water and bread are on supply throughout the meal.

Entertainment followed in the form of a Can-Can dance performed by the committee.


To see the video of the dance, (which is not to be missed!), click HERE.

Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE TDV6 automático, en muy buen estado, (enero 2006).

Haga clic en las fotos para ver la imagen a tamaño completo.

Faros Bi-Xenón y retrovisores de plegado eléctrico.

4 neumáticos nuevos (octubre de 2010). Llantas de aleación 18".

Ayudas para una conducción segura, que incluyen: Frenos Antibloqueo, (ABS), Asistencia Electrónica de Frenado de Emergencia, (EBA), y Control Electrónico de la Tracción, (ETC). El Control Dinámico de Estabilidad, DSC), y el Sistema Anti-balanceo, (ARM), funcionan con el sistema de frenado para obtener un correcto sobreviraje o subviraje en las curvas para mantener la estabilidad en todo momento.

Revisiones periódicas pasadas en el taller oficial de Land Rover.

Consumo: 9.4 L/100km, (medio) i emisiones CO₂: 275g/km.

Maya Gold - metalizado, un color ideal para no mostrar la suciedad.

6 cilindradas, 2720cc, potencia máxima 190CV/4000rpm

Los ceniceros nunca se han utilizado.

Aceleración: 0 - 100 km/h en 12.8 segundos

1ͣ Fila de asientos con 6 airbags, (frontales, laterales y de cortina, este último para proteger la cabeza)).
Airbags de cortina en la 2ͣ fila y 3ͣ fila de asientos.

Faros antiniebla delanteros, faros delanteros de encendido automático y lavafaros térmicos.

Detector automático de lluvia en los limpiaparabrisas.

Suspensión neumática de altura variable.

Columna de dirección ajustable en altura y profundidad.

Transmisión automática que incorpora "CommandShift", lo que proporciona al conductor un control manual completo en los cambios de velocidades.

Sistema 4x4 "Terrain Response" de Land Rover.

En octubre/noviembre, menos de 87.000 kms.

Cargador de 6 CDs, con radio, MP3, pantalla de 7", GPS,
control de velocidad de crucero, climatizador de temperatura automático.

Asientos eléctricos con memoria para tres posiciones.

Asientos de piel en color "alpaca".

Alta especificaciones de alta fidelidad "Harmon/Kardon", con 8 altavoces + bafle pasivo.

Siete plazos de fácil acceso; los dos asientos traseros, sólo se ha utilizado uno durante una semana.



Luces de protección de puertas.


El freno de mano electrónico se puede accionar con un suave movimiento de palanca y se suelta automáticamente cuando se inicia la marcha.

ITV hasta enero, 2012.

Con 7 plazas, un poco de espacio en el maletero.

Pero con dos, un maletero enorme: 2558 litros.

Con 5 plazas, espacio más que suficiente: 1260 litros.

Con una cobertura de 3 plazas.

La famosa división del portón trasero.
La rueda de repuesto de tamaño completo está debajo.

Conector de alimentación de 12V en la parte trasera, así como
en la parte delantera y en la 2ͣ fila de asientos.

3 luces de cortesía en el interior y retrovisor interior antideslumbrante.

Sensores traseros de aparcamiento y barra de remolque.

Ahora lo ves.

¡Ahora no!