Cardedeu

The Dog Walking Group

~ Kate Wilson ~ 2 Comments
A few months ago a fellow dog walker in the New Park (Park Lledoner is its real name) told me about a group that goes walking with dogs once a month in Sant Pere de Vilamajor.    The walks are organised by the Associacio Vilanimal, an organisation that rescues, cares for and, where possible, rehomes animals around Cardedeu.

I joined the Facebook group and every day am tempted by the faces of lost and abandonned dogs and cats, kittens and puppies. The group is run by dedicated volunteers and they now have a shop in the centre of Cardedeu although they rely on foster carers to look after the animals at home.

Today we went on our first walk.  Everyone met at a car park in Sant Pere de Vilamajor and about 50 people and 30 dogs went for a stroll in the hills in the evening sunshine

One of my favourites was Bruc, a Catalan shepherd dog, who reminded me very much of a bearded collie that I know.  He was full of fresh energy.  He raced up and down the pack, barking wildly and occasionally setting off little battles of wills. We walked for two hours to the sound of his owners voices calling “Bruc Bruc!  Come back here Bruc”

But the only one who could control him was a beautiful Golden Retriever who had taken on the role of Group Marshall and when she snapped at Bruc he would stop his antics, for a few minutes

There was a moment of worry when a small brown dog accompanying a couple with a baby in a sling got overcome with the excitement and the evening heat.  She went into a fit of panting and shaking and had to be carried part of the way home. But in the end she recovered totally and was able to walk to her car

Bonnie was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds and her favourite part was when we stopped by a stream to drink and have a pee and the rest of the group disappeared over the hill. Her tail started to wag and the bounce returned to her step.

She seemed to be saying ‘ thank God we’ve lost that lot…. now we can enjoy our walk’

But I think it did her good in the end as everyone, dogs and people, were friendly and sociable and it is what she needs to help her overcome her recent fears.  And as always she was very popular with everyone she met.     We went for tapas afterwards in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor……………

Teresa Forcades in Cardedeu

~ Kate Wilson ~ Leave a comment

After lunch on Sunday we walked down to see the public meeting organised by a group headed by Teresa Forcades – a Benedictine nun and social activist.

I almost put off writing about this until I knew more about it all but decided it is better to get down what I know rather than wait for some future in depth knowledge.

The public meetings are intended to start a social movement for change in the way society is organised and run, politically, economically and socially. Forcades, along with Arcadi Oliveres, an economist,  want to open a discourse where people, rather than just feeling dissatisfied and disillusioned, start to take responsibility for creating change.

The initial impulse for this is in the area including Cardedeu, Canoves, Llinars, Sant Antoni and Sant Pere de Vilamajor.   If Catalunya is moving towards independence, people want the new system to be something different, more democratic and more inclusive than what exists now

We arrived at a small square, packed with people under a blazing hot sun.
I haven’t seen a meeting like this before – just ordinary people, not activists or demonstrators. They were willing to stand and listen patiently for almost two hours. People were not passing by or pausing from curiosity – they were attentive and interested.   All sorts of people, young and old.

Teresa Forcades spoke last and was the best.  She has a very straightforward manner of speaking and a good sense of humour.   El Pais has described her as ‘a paranoid conspiracist’ but what I saw was a very clear minded and intelligent women speaking good sense.
I have never seen a politician over here doing the same.
If Spain and Catalunya have their own versions of Tony Benn or Mo Mowlam then I have yet to see them. But Teresa Forcades, a nun and not a politician,  looks like someone who is not afraid to stand up and speak out.
“The Roman Catholic church, which is my church, is misogynist and patriarchal in its structure. That needs to be changed as quickly as possible.”

Freedom is always the freedom of the one who thinks differently  Rosa Luxemburg

Another veggie restaurant – the best yet!

~ Kate Wilson ~ 2 Comments

We had a wonderful lunch in Cardedeu on Sunday.
Esbio Esfera is a school of permaculture, organic gardening, healthy cooking and more

They have a large vegetable garden hidden behind an old typical Catalan house

It is right in the centre of Cardedeu which is one of my favourite towns and presently high on my list of possible places to live.

Everything was fresh and tasty and beautifully presented. The garden is lovely and the staff were relaxed and friendly.   I love it when vegetarian restaurants are stylish as well as healthy.
Dogs welcome as well.
What more could you want?

Definitely the best vegetarian food I’ve had in Catalunya!  Can’t wait to go back.