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The artists claim that one of the great attractions to this area is the light, especially during the autumn. The different colours, shades and textures encourage them to reach for their paintbrushes to celebrate some of the many views which have been casually thrown together over the centuries. Perhaps they can discern what we must only feel, a gentle respect for the earth and its bounty, so soothing to the soul and pleasant to the mind. Certainly we have known many artists pass through our area, sometimes to stay for a while, or perhaps a lifetime. In Mojácar, a new art museum, to be filled with part of the town hall's robust collection, will be built just above the town's fountain, in a place where the sound of the gentle ripple of water combined with some fine paintings and carvings will be bound to relax and repair us.
This month's edition makes the newspaper, at least in this incarnation, a heady four years old. We have been lucky to have introduced to the public some of the best writers and observers of the Spanish scene, a worthwhile activity indeed. Since we have chosen, of our own free will, to live here, we are more than enthusiastic about the many charms and attractions which our new life in Spain has brought us, and we are naturally defensive against any cynical or mercenary plans to change our neighbourhood more necessary. Reports of some grandiose plans for the Almerian Levante are circulating and we can only hope that they come to naught, but again, we need to keep an eye out on the news because, despite what some people pretentiosly claim, this is now our land and our pueblo. It is worth defending.
This edition has much to say, with some seriousness here and there but, overall, lots of fun. We start with Ángel who is concerned about the speed of time as it gallops past, just when he was beginning to feel comfortable. Lenox claims that we must help each other, particularly in business, as word reaches us that JAFO has ordered a private luxury submarine to help him drop into Almería to do his paperwork and to have a decent place to park.
Peter writes about the upcoming general elections in Spain for March next year and Richard gets creative on the keyboards. The Brigadier reports over a cup of tea from the trenches and Tom takes a flutter on a good investment. Gwyneth is back from her holidays, Jocelyne is under a cloud and Hugh finds a beetle in his meat pie. Andrew introduces us to Spain's most prolific writer and David pets his pets (so to speak). Perhaps he pats them. On our Ciudadanos Europeos page, Gwilym warns us of the possible dangers of 'equity release', John comments on the uselessness of the Residents' Certificate and Per writes about the lack of languages in Spain. Or España, if you prefer. Sergio tells us how are things today and Catherine remembers how they used to be. We have some good jokes, plus our letters page, a story about some pipers and a mole or two and our usual guide to what's on locally.
One of the pleasures of editing a local newpaper is being able to present new writers (see this edition) and new artists. Isabelle Raths, whose village scene we reproduce on this month's front page, is not entirely new, having lived in Bédar for most of her life, but she is new to this, The New Entertainer. |
