Hi everyone. The walk/climb along the barranco from by the goat farm to the top of the ridge overlooking the west coast is one of my favourite walks for the sunsets that you get there. I used to park by the goat farm where the track forked with the left fork being signposted up the barranco. Now that the new FV2 has been built it looks as though it has cut off vehicle access to that area - at least the last time that I was there in May '23 I couldn't see a clear way to get to that parking spot. So where do you park now if you want to do that walk? If I need to park close to the FV2 then it will mean that I need to time things to give me the extra daylight so that I can still arrive at the top of the ridge for sunset. I'll be back there in November and be looking to do that walk at least once while I'm on the Island.
Keith

Radio Sintonia:

The House of Culture presents four new exhibitions next Tuesday.

This Tuesday, October 3, starting at 19:30 p.m., the House of Culture of Puerto del Rosario hosts the presentation of four exhibitions: "Inspiration", by Paloma Hernández; "Lugares", by Rafael Morales; "Paisajes de mi tierra canaria", by Fefita Domínguez; and "Vida Urbana", by Luis Ramos.



The presentation ceremony will be attended by the mayor of Puerto del Rosario, David de Vera, and the Councilor for Culture, Enrique Soler, who will be accompanied by the four artists protagonists of this exhibition.

The exhibition will remain open to the public at the Casa de la Cultura from October 3 to 31 and can be visited from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 17:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.



"Inspiración", by Paloma Hernández

Born in 1958 in Madrid. For years, he has been researching the value of creative processes in the maturation of the person. She has combined her work as a psychotherapist and her creative work in painting, photography, creative writing and poetry.

Paloma Hernández has exhibited in cultural centers of Manzanares El Real, Soto del Real and Garrucha, in Almería.



"Places", by Rafael Morales

Rafael Morales has been linked to photography since he was very young, acquiring his first photographic equipment at the age of 21. He worked as a professional photographer during the 80s and 90s, and is knowledgeable about all stages of photography, from the initial black and white, through the analog era and to the current digital.

In "Places" he makes a journey through the insular geography, for the singularity and charisma of its landscapes, and there is no doubt that the quality and lively look of the artist is noticeable by those roads, trails, ravines, volcanoes, mountains, dunes, beaches and palm groves, places that, above all, exert a remarkable influence and inspiration in his work, being reflected in his feelings and in his dedication to both photography and his native island, Fuerteventura.

"Landscapes of my Canarian land", by Fefita Domínguez

Josefa Domínguez Herrera is a native of Puerto del Rosario. From a very young age she discovered her love for drawing, after dedicating part of her life to the family, about 15 years ago she began to attend painting class and resume her passion for art. From that moment he does not stop painting, especially the wild nature of the island.

The technique he uses the most is oil and acrylics, treasuring a wide and varied work ranging from seascapes and mountains, landscapes of the world, Celtic mandalas, as well as realistic and abstract painting.

"Urban Life", by Luis Ramos

Luis Ramos is passionate about photography and videography who since 2018 has been professionally dedicated to it. Born in Fuerteventura from Madrid, he is mainly dedicated to landscape photography, but he has begun to integrate portraiture and travel since, according to the artist himself, they complement each other perfectly. He also works on videography of landscapes, trips, promotional videos, tourism and collaborations.

Noticias:

They discover that the seamounts of the Canary Islands are full of 'Rare Earths'.

The seamounts of the Canary Islands revealed in 2017 an impressive mining potential, especially in the Tropic, where one of the largest reserves of tellurium on the planet was discovered. Current calculations indicate that these areas could supply up to 130 tons per square kilometer of this strategic raw material, known as rare earths, whose supply is controlled by China.



The journal "Marine Geology" publishes this month a study led by the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC) on the reserves of key materials for industries such as the manufacture of electric vehicles, solar panels and electronic components that can be found in the ferromanganese crusts that cover eight seamounts located southwest of El Hierro.



Focusing on the mountains known as Las Hijas, Bimbache, The Paps, Echo, Drago, Tropic, Gaire and Amuley, the work describes the geological processes that have caused these crusts to not only have up to 20 times more rare earths than usual in the earth's crust, but also 4,000 times more tellurium and 500 more cobalt.



These eight elevations of volcanic origin are found at depths of between 3,500 and 5,000 meters and are structures between 92 and 152 million years old, long before the formation of the current Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, the oldest of all, is "only" 20 million years old).



Much of its surface is covered by a mineral crust composed mainly of manganese and iron, with a thickness of up to 20 centimeters. This crust contains concentrations of metals and elements known as rare earths that are considerably higher than average. These characteristics are the product of two main processes: the hydrothermal/volcanic and the constant contributions of dust suspended from the Sahara desert for millions of years, in the form of calimas.



They are considered precious for two reasons: first, because they are the result of an extremely slow geological process ("they fatten" at a rate of 0.8 to 2.6 millimeters per million years), but also because of their high content of raw materials formally classified as "strategic" by the European Commission, because they are key in the future of the technology industry.



This study analyzes the mining potential of these seamounts from 42 samples, with these results: for each square kilometer of their mineral crusts, 130 tons of rare earths and yttrium, up to 215 tons of cobalt, 92 of nickel, 39 of copper, 50 of vanadium, 13 of molybdenum can be extracted... in addition to almost 9,400 tons of manganese and almost 9,300 of iron.



And all this with very high recovery rates in the most valued materials, 95% in cobalt and 84% in rare earths.



Rare earths is currently a market of around 9,000 million euros per year of turnover dominated by China, which accounts for a third of world reserves.



The Asian giant is the main supplier of the industry, with 140,000 tons per year, 58.3% of the world production of rare earths (2020 data), followed by the United States, with 15.8%; Burma, with 12.5%; and Australia, with 7.1% ("Journal of Earth System Science", August 2022).



"With these data it is possible to propose the extraction of elements (minerals from the seamounts of the Canary Islands) in two phases, to obtain the maximum mining exploitation of interesting metals, considering rare earths not only as a by-product, but in most cases as a primary metal, together with cobalt and nickel", point out the authors of the work led by the IGME.



But there are two problems. The first is pointed out by the authors themselves: the environmental impact of mining on the valuable underwater ecosystems that also exist in these mountains, a fact that, for example, led the British team that discovered the Tropic tellurium reserves to advocate for the protection of these funds.



The second lies in the ownership of that area of the Atlantic. Although they are in the so-called "Canarian Submarine Province", because they are children of the same volcanism that made the islands emerge, most of these mountains are in international waters.



Spain has applied to the United Nations for its ownership as part of the extension of the Canary Islands platform to 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers), but Morocco has also raised a similar claim taking as reference the coast of the occupied territories in Western Sahara. The two requests overlap right on Mount Tropic and the UN has still ruled on it.

link to article for map

Noticias:

The concession of the cafeteria of the lighthouses of Tostón and Entallada go out to tender.

The Cabildo de Fuerteventura, from Museums of Fuerteventura, area directed by the counselor Rayco León, has opened the tender for the administrative concession of the cafeteria of the Museum of Traditional Fishing of the Faro del Tostón, located in La Oliva, as well as the cafeteria of the Faro de la Entallada of the municipality of Tuineje.



As explained by the Minister Rayco León, "this is a fundamental and complementary service to the revitalization plan that is made in the museums of Fuerteventura, as well as in the lighthouses, and in other tourist centers, since they improve the quality of the offer of the island".

Radio Sintonia:

The archaeological site of Morro de La Galera, victim of vandalism.

The Heritage Association "El Efequen" has informed the City Council of Puerto del Rosario and the Department of Historical Heritage the appearance, a few days ago, of different graffiti and incisions in the stone that have affected the environment of the archaeological site of Morro de La Galera, characterized by its aboriginal engravings.



The sites have been tampered with and severely damaged by vandalism, with incisions in the basalt stone in which names and scratches have appeared. There are also several graffiti, made on the engravings. Apparently, the reason for staining these stones with paint would have been with the intention of marking the edge of a land.

The mayor of Puerto del Rosario, David de Vera, regretted "these acts carried out by people in a malicious way have been able to damage an important part of the heritage of Puerto del Rosario and Fuerteventura. We must be more aware of how important it is to take care of our heritage in order to continue enjoying it in the best conditions".

For David de León, Councilor for Historical Heritage, "when we protect archaeological sites we are safeguarding our own identity and cultural heritage. Therefore, these facts are intolerable actions that directly threaten our Cultural Heritage".

This type of action and any other that threatens the Archaeological Heritage is completely prohibited and sanctioned by Law 11/2019, of April 25, on Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands, with fines ranging from 3,000 euros to 600,000 euros.

link to article for pic

Noticias:

Maritime rescue removes a dangerous longline 4 kilometers 1 mile from Morro Jable.

Fishing gear had become a deadly weapon for many marine species


Civil Protection of Fuerteventura warned today of a longline adrift 1 mile east of the town of Morro Jable.



This type of art totally prohibited in the Canary Islands is also more dangerous when it is adrift, putting at risk the marine fauna of the area, including the cetaceans that become entangled in it.



It mobilizes to the Salvamar Izar, which collects the 2 sections, one of them of 4 km, and moves them to base.

link to article for pic

Radio Sintonia:

Cleaning and screening of the sand in Playa de Los Pozos and Playa Blanca.

The City Council of Puerto del Rosario, through the Department of Beaches, will proceed to carry out cleaning and screening of the sand in Los Pozos Beach and Playa Blanca on September 22 and 23 from 19:00 p.m., when the beaches will be closed until the next morning.



The objective of these works is to keep the sand clean and in better conditions for the users of the two main bathing areas of the capital, which is why the screening will be carried out at night.

The mayor of the capital, David de Vera, explained that "bathers will be able to use the two beaches with total normality once the work is finished, being able to enjoy a cleaner sand and without annoying residues".

For its part, the Councilor for Beaches, Toñi Fdez. Aragón, added that "this screening is part of the actions that we have planned from the area of Beaches to improve the quality and cleanliness of the beaches, so that our neighbors and visitors can enjoy them in the best conditions".

Radio Sintonia:

The volume of one cubic meter of debris is extracted in the Muelle Chico de Corralejo.

Last Thursday, September 14, around 7:00 am, a significant environmental action was carried out at the Muelle Chico in Corralejo. The Councilor for Beaches and First Deputy Mayor of the City of La Oliva, Julio Santana, led this operation to clean the seabed, which had the collaboration of a specialized municipal crane.



During this task, debris, pavers, platelets and cinder blocks were extracted, with an approximate volume of one cubic meter of material. This action, in line with the policy of preservation of the natural environment and our beaches, represents a firm commitment of the City Council of La Oliva with environmental sustainability.

The First Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Beaches, Julio Santana, stated that "the preservation of our beaches and the marine environment is a priority for us. This clean-up of the seabed is an essential part of our focus on sustainability and environmental protection, and we will continue to work tirelessly in this direction."

Similarly, the mayor, Isaí Blanco, referred to the importance of this initiative, adding: "Our municipality is characterized by its natural beauty and exceptional beaches. This clean-up action not only contributes to the conservation of our natural resources, but also supports our commitment to the quality of life of our residents and visitors, offering safe and clean marine spaces."

The City Council of La Oliva reiterates its firm commitment to the protection of the environment and its natural resources, promoting concrete actions that promote the conservation of our coasts and beaches.

Radio Sintonia:

The voices of the majoreras, those who "extinguished the silence".

The play 'The voices that extinguished the silence', which will be carried out by the Training Program in Alternation with Employment (PFAE) 'Cultureando Fuerteventura' of the Island Council, will be performed tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19, at the Manuel Sánchez González Auditorium in Antigua.

With the aim of rescuing the memory and culture of the island through the testimonies of the elderly, the work will be represented to students of schools at 10:30 am, and at 18:00 pm it will be aimed at the elderly, associations and the general public, who will be able to enter until the capacity is completed.

This project arises as a response to the need to give voice and put at the center the majorera woman, who has been fundamental in the social, economic and cultural development of the island.

The Minister of Employment Promotion, Nuria Cabrera, explains that "the objective of the PFAE 'Cultureando Fuerteventura' is to dynamize, program and develop recreational and cultural actions performing support tasks for the Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage of the Cabildo in the different localities of the Island. It is part of the seven PFAE launched by the Island Corporation and has funding from the Canary Islands Employment Service.

This play has the support of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Canary Islands Development Fund (FDCAN) and the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) of the Government of Spain.

link to article for pic of woman harvesting cochineal

Noticias:

All roads lead to La Peña.

During the day thousands of pilgrims from all over the island go to the hermitage of Vega del Rio Palmas to honor the patron saint of Fuerteventura




NEWSROOMFUERTEVENTURA


From all corners of the island, majoreros, canaries and visitors take the roads to, following tradition, honor the patron saint. It is the most important recreational and religious festival in Fuerteventura is the one that is celebrated every year, on the third Saturday of September, in honor of the patron saint of all majoreros.



Throughout the day popular devotion and cultural traditions will be revealed.



The image of "La Peñita" as it is affectionately called on the island of Fuerteventura, is a masterpiece of small dimensions, it is a simple figure, 23 cm high with the Infante located on his knees. It is the smallest image among the island patron saints of the Canary Islands and was sculpted following the canons of French Gothic.



It is believed that it was brought from France by Juan de Béthencourt, and was found around 1443 in a small grotto at the foot of a rock or small mountain by San Diego de Alcalá and Fray Juan de Santorcaz, Franciscan friars who resided in the convent of Betancuria.



It is believed that the image could have been enthroned in the parish of Betancuria, from which it had to be saved and hidden when the pirate Xabán Arráez destroyed the Villa de Betancuria, to years later be discovered in the cave under the rock in the place known as Malpaso. Later around 1567, the carving would be transferred to the valley of the Vega de Río Palmas where it is currently venerated.

link to article for pic

link to Noticias for various articles on the subject