Tourist Wine Route for Hondon Valley Region
Posted by admin in Costa Blanca News, Hondon Tourism on 18/11/2010
The Agency for Economic and Social Development Petrer (ADESPA) has welcomed this morning the first general meeting of the Wine Route Alicante.
As explained by the Councillor and representative for Petrer Villaplana Pepa, “the meeting was very important because once set up the Wine Route Alicante have added a total of 71 wineries, restaurants, lodging and foodservice companies and private partners tourist route. ”
The Wine Route of Alicante includes the municipalities of Petrer, Novelda, Monóvar, Salinas, Alfaz del Pi, L’Algueña, Hondon de los Frailes, Pinoso, Villena and the Commonwealth of the Vall de Pop, as well as private partners found in each of these locations. The route will be promoted through the Tourist Board of the Costa Blanca and Alicante.
The Assembly will publish a new web site to promote and inform about the wine route and the 71 private partners taking part. The publication of brochures and maps will also be commissioned in 2011 for “positioning of the various products and the promotion of the Wine Route Alicante. ”
Look out for the brochure and support the area !
(I hope the Bodega Cerda is on the map ?!?!)
Hondón Trucha: Trout Fishing in Hondón
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon Tourism on 17/11/2010
Then this will get you hook, line and sinker !!
HONDON TROUT FISHERY
Trout farm Hondon Trucha in Hondón de las Nieves opens again on 8th November. Start at 08.30. Prices are the same as last year. For more information please check our website www.hondontrucha.com .
Well the trout season is now OPEN, so get yourself down to the Hondón Trucha (Trout Fishing) only a few minutes from Hondón de las Nieves, for fishing with floater , fly, spinning or barbless hooks is allowed.
Hondón Trucha is open every morning between 08.30 – 13.00. (Afternoons only by reservation). You can hire all the gear if you don’t have your own.
And this season Hondon Trucha have organized various fly fishing competitions two times a month. They also allow camping in your own tent or caravan on the plot during the whole year. Be sure to read the ‘House Rules’ too !
Check out out their website: http://www.hondontrucha.com/ / Google Map location. Also see the Leader about fees.
Party, Party at the Poppy Ball
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon News on 02/10/2010
The Royal British Legion for Hondon Valley are organising a Poppy Ball Dinner & Dance for 5th November…
and EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
It’s a chance to raise money towards the 2010 Poppy Appeal in support of serving and ex-service personnel of the Armed Forces.
The venue, Las Palmeras in Crevillente with it’s large and beautiful dining room and where the staff are always friendly and join in the fun, making this a sure-fire lively night!
There is comedy entertainment with Paul Melba, a respected Comedy Impressionist, wine, food and dance + a prize raffle. Rachael from TKO Radio will provide the music.
Dress Code: Minimum dress, collar & tie, DJs optional… It’s a rare chance to dress up, so don’t miss out.
Details/Tickets Contact: Poppy Appeal Organiser Wendy on 666 023 815 or email: poppy.hondonvalley3577@gmail.com
or visit the web site for Royal British Legion in Hondon.
Hondon de los Frailes Patron of the Virgen de la Salud
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon News on 07/09/2010
Ok you just missed the amazing summer fiestas in Hondón de los Frailes in celebration for it’s patron “The Virgin of Health”.
This includes the Floral Offering, Mass Procession in honor of the Virgin, Wet (water & foam) Party, Street lights and music, bands and local food plus this year the Grand Parade of Chariots on Saturday 28 August. This annual event is usually at teh end of August… and just about EVERYONE turns up !!
It truly is a credit to such a small village that makes this local community quite special from 26 to August 30, 2010 | More info: City of Hondon de los Frailes | Paper Blog
Cross-Country Running Event
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon News on 20/08/2010
As well as cycling, running is popular with the locals in Hondon Valley. As is normal in the summer (crazy in this heat!!) there are eight events of “Cross Urban” in and around Hondon de las Nieves organized by the neighbourhood association and Sports Centre. These events are held in other nearby towns too. This August saw approximately 400 enthusiastic runners of all ages taking part. it’s a great community event, a good atmosphere and the opportunity to meet with friends.
Fiesta Fireworks in Hondón
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon Tourism on 01/08/2010
With the summer fiestas in full swing now there’s lots of excuses for firework displays – and they don’t get much more mad, bad and dangerous than the ‘CorreFocs’ in Hondon de las Nieves. This annual ritual follows the Medieval Market of food and fun. The Correfocs is a display of loud music and running fireworks through the village streets breaks all the Health & Safety rules… “stand well back after lighting the touch paper” is for wimps !!!
Take a look at a recent video of the 2010 Correfocs ! MADNESS but fantastic to watch…
More Hondon Videos…
Wim Kuyps has posted quite a few fiesta and Hondón related videos on YouTube, including “Dance Shool in Hondon” and Medieval Market.
Grapes in Hondon Valley
Posted by admin in Hondon News on 19/07/2010
The Hondon Valley is known for it’s table grapes. This delicate fruit needs some protection so they can arrive to your home in optimum eating condition.
So the spring & summer brings the usually influx of casual workers to help ‘bag the grapes’ – BUT this is done on the vine to help protect from the weather, pests and birds whilst they mature for the late autumn harvest. The Regulatory Council of the Table Grape estimates that during this month the Grape Growers will use 80 million paper bags.
Temporary workers will carry out the peculiar process of bagging the fruit in the fields of Aspe , Novelda , Monforte del Cid, Hondon de los Frailes , Hondon de las Nieves and La Romana.
The bagging and collection of table grapes in Vinalopó is a traditional generator of employment in a region hit by a downturn in marble and construction work. About 6,000 workers take part in the bagging. The grapes are bagged before the end of July.
And it has been announced recently that this year’s grape harvest will be another year of excellent quality!
… and I can vouch that they are quite delicious – the local markets are the best places to buy at around €1.50 for an enormous bunch of plump local produce… can’t wait !!
Useful Videos: Living in Spain
Posted by admin in ExPat Living Tips on 17/07/2010
Those helpful people at the British Consulate have produced some very informative videos to help with your stay in Spain (on holiday or as a resident).
Stumped!! Cricket in Hondón
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon News on 06/07/2010
THERE COMES a time in every gentleman’s life when they should resist the lure of competitive sport. However, when the Hondón de Los Frailes Neighbourhood Watch challenged the Hondón Valley Branch of the Royal British Legion to a game of cricket, they enthusiastically accepted.
On a sultry hot Friday morning in early June, the pitch was marked on the green asphalt surface of the local seven-a-side playing surface. The rules were agreed, teams briefed and the RBL President’s XI (having won the toss) invited the much younger Neighbourhood Watch team to bat.
Within the hour, the less mature NW team – bronzed of limb and athletic in movement – racked up an impressive tally of 162 for 8 within the prescribed 20 overs. The RBL fielders, despite having a brace of Yorkshiremen in the team, suffered some minor scuffs and grazes and regrettably lacked the agility to combat a sparkling batting display by their much younger opponents. For a team who last bowled seriously in the 1950′s or 60′s the RBL bowling was surprisingly accurate. On occasions it had both pace and variety but occasionally faltered mid-wicket.
The sun was at its highest as the RBL President’s IX having, by ths time, lost a couple to early morning injuries, took to the wicket. The opening pair of Tony Dengate and Malcolm Thomson demonstrated the competitive spirit of our resolute campaigners but were both dismissed as we edged our way slowly to double figures. The NW’s team of demon bowlers eventually dispatched Steve Suffield, Bill Watt, Dave Stewart, Malcolm Barrett, Nigel Hails, Geoff Larder, Peter Broadbent and AN Other for a disappointing 68!
Senor Eleuterio Jover Garcia, the Mayor of Hondón de Las Frailes, graciously presented a silvered cup to the captain of the winning team who was enthusiastically applauded by the assembled crowd: proud to have witnessed the first cricketing spectacle held in the Hondón Valley.
RBL post match analysis provided little in the form of constructive improvement, but agreed that, limbs and lungs permitting, we would do it all again next year … hopefully on grass!
c/o the Round Town News:
Yes it’s Fiesta Time… 2010
Posted by admin in Hondon Leisure, Hondon Tourism on 05/07/2010
Well the Hondon Valley has it’s fair share of summer fiestas during July and August, from dance/music events, religious ceremonies, themed markets, walks, water fights, bull-runs, paella contests and crazy fun events like the “Corre-Focs” (the craziest Fireworks festival). You should visit the village / town council office for a full programme.
Usually the bigger the town the better financed and organised they are. But without doubt the smaller villages, like Hondon de las Nieves, do exceptionally well and EVERYBODY IS WELCOME for FREE !!!
Alicante Region.
If you look a little beyond the Hondon Valley you will find the cities of Elche and Alicante have some special festival events too... such as ‘Saint John’s Bonfires” + “Moors and Christians” + many carnivals – SEE: http://www.alicante-spotlight.com/fiestas.htm or Elche Tourist Site.
Look out for the VERY SPECIAL “Nit de l’alba” – The night of August 13th, or Nit de l’Albà, is one of the celebrations that the townspeople of Elche look forward to most eagerly. Hundreds of fireworks light up the Elche sky!