The Almeria Focus – February 2020 by The Almeria Focus

Introduction & Contents

elcome to the Almería Focus Magazine and really useful A-Z Directory for the Levante area, with more than 2000 entries and contact numbers! View it online at www.almeriafocus.com. The Focus is free every month and distributed from Mojácar to San Juan de los Terroros on the coast and inland as far as Albox and Huércal Overa.

Contents Moving Towards Spring ..................................................…...10 In the News ........…................…………................................…….12 So Now You Know ............................................................................52 Russian Interference in Spain .........................................54 Personal Mobility Devices ................................................56 An Astounding EU Verdict ..............................................58 Video Game Addiction .................................................................60 The Self-Employed in Spain ......................................................62 Useful Numbers ..................................................................63 A-Z Directory ……………….......……................................................66 Community News ............................................................................108 What’s On ..................................................................................111 Activities, Clubs and Associations ........................................119 Your Stars …..........…………......……........................................…123 Jokes of the Month ………………............................................124 Coffee Break …………………….............................................…126 For general enquiries, call Clare on 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com For advertising enquiries, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

The copy deadline for the March issue is February 18th

www.almeriafocus.com The Almería Focus is an independent publication produced and printed in Almería. We cannot be responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor errors in advertisements caused by poor quality submissions. Neither are we responsible for any loss or damage resulting from any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advert. The purchase of advertising space does not give the advertiser ownership of any advert, unless supplied to us as finished artwork or via a design agency. Adverts designed by the Almeria Focus Layout Department, including its photos, logos and specialised fonts remain the property of the Almería Focus magazine and cannot be scanned, partially or fully reproduced, or proofs supplied to other publications. Action will be taken against persons, companies, publishers, printers or distributors who infringe this copyright. Deposito Legal: AL-956-2008 Nº 116

Moving Towards Spring

here is now a very rocky government in Spain that is Spain’s first coalition of political parties. Pedro Sánchez and the Socialist PSOE party together with the Podemos left-wing party have 167 seats but the majority needed to pass any legislation is 176 seats. We expand on this in our “In the News” section.

Spanish population of residents and people who work here in our “In the News” section. It is claimed that Spain needs 270,000 immigrants every year until 2050 to pay for retirement pensions that increase in monetary terms as the life-expectancy in Spain goes up.

The problems with Catalonia are far from being sorted out and Pedro Sánchez had to agree to immediate talks with the separatist ERC party who abstained from voting against him on this promise. A major upset for Spain relates to two of the MPs from Catalonia that fled Spain in October 2017 and became fugitives from justice living in Brussels. Owing to a unique EU ruling they have now taken up seats in the European Parliament. Lawyers from the Spanish State are trying to set aside their immunity from political prosecution and we detail the surrounding events in an article. The largest corruption trial in Almería province started in January and relates to major corruption in El Ejido and other associated companies in Spain. Allegations are that millions of euros went into the pockets of the leaders of the scandal who were directly related to the town hall and 47 people are in court. The trial is expected to last until mid-June or early July and we explain the circumstances in our “In the News” section. Spring cultural events are now being published by town halls and organisations and we list those that may be of interest to our readers in our “What’s On” section. Since January 1st there is now an entrance charge of three euros for many of the places that were formerly free. The Junta de Andalucía (the governing body for Almería province) has introduced this “very reasonable” charge and the income will be spent on the upkeep of the various places. There are discounts for various sectors of the population and some days there will be no charge. Tourist figures for 2019 show that 83.7 million came to Spain, which is more than in 2018, and this yearly rise has continued for some time. We highlight why Spain needs the income from tourism, the non-

Carnival time again

In mid-January talks started in Madrid regarding the relationship between Spain and Gibraltar after Brexit. Spain has various issues that they consider to be very important and a document was due to be sent to the EU Brexit negotiators at the end of January detailing any agreements or disagreements that are supposed to be ironed out by the end of December. Cigarette smuggling from Gibraltar into Spain is one of the four main topics. The DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) has introduced legislation regarding electrically powered personal mobility devices that have one or two wheels designed for one person. In many places there are existing regulations but the aim is to gather all these together. We explain the significance of the new regulations in an article. The Águilas carnival is early this year as it follows the Easter dates and it officially starts on Saturday, February 22nd. We list the main procession events in our “What’s On” section. Friday, February 28th is Día de Andalucía which celebrates the date Andalucía became an autonomous community in its own right. Schools, town halls and other official offices will be shut.

In the News A Very Weak New Government Pedro Sánchez of the PSOE Socialist party managed to get himself elected as Prime Minister on January 7th by the narrowest of margins. There had been no stable government in Spain since the General Elections last April and November, and the new government is hardly stable this time round. He started his leadership debate on January 4th and 5th and there was no way he could achieve the complete majority needed of 176 MPs. This meant he had to achieve a simple majority on January 7th as the intervening day was a national fiesta. Party officials made sure that all PSOE MPs who had to stay in Madrid overnight on January 6th had hotel rooms near to the parliament, and as we commented in our December magazine Pedro Sánchez had to ensure that the ERC Catalan separatist party abstained from voting against him. To make this happen he had to promise immediate talks on the future of Catalonia. Along with other MPs who abstained, the final vote was 167 in his favour with 165 against and 18 abstentions. No government in Spain has ever had such as small majority and passing legislation where the majority of 176 MPs have to vote in favour will be very difficult in many cases. To get as many as 167 MPs he had to form an alliance with the Unidos Podemos left wing Socialist party with government ministers appointed from both parties, and the support of some smaller parties. This is the first ever coalition government in Spain. The immediate necessity is to pass the 2020 budget as the 2019 budget was never passed. Proposed legislation includes higher taxes for the rich, higher pensions and some way of putting a ceiling on the amounts of money needed for renting a property. A further increase in the minimum wage is another aim.

person has to “opt out” of any transplants but in reality the system is entirely voluntary. In 2019 there were 48.9 donors per 1 million head of population and this is very close to the target of 51 donors in 2022 with 5,500 transplants. In Spanish hospitals in 2019 there were 4,300 kidney transplants, 420 lung transplants, 1,200 liver transplants, 300 heart transplants and 80 pancreas transplants. There were 335 cases of “live” liver transplants where part of a liver is removed from a healthy person, usually a relative. Apart from these there were a very large number of tissue, cornea and bone transplants. 50% of donors were aged 60 or over and the usual cause of death was a stroke. The numbers killed in traffic accidents has fallen to 5% when in previous years it had reached 20%. Apart from dramatically saving lives and extending the age and wellbeing for people, a huge saving in cost takes place in the case of a kidney donation. This can typically save the 160,000 euros for regular kidney dialysis. A person in Spain should discuss the wish to donate organs in the event of their death with relatives and friends and they can obtain a donor card at doctors’ surgeries. In the event of a death the relatives have the right to refuse this, unless a person has made a Spanish “living will” that is legally binding and covers many medical problems or treatment. In the event of doctors in a hospital certifying that a brain-death has taken place, there are transplant co-ordinators who will approach the relatives. No pressure is put on them but the multiple benefits of organ transplants are pointed out. At present there are 4,900 patients awaiting transplants and 93 of these are children. Because of the increase in the general age of the population and the policy of giving transplants to elderly people this number is about static. The main transplant co-ordination centre is in Madrid and is staffed 24/7 to organise transplants and Very High Transplant Numbers Very few families in Spain refuse to authorise transport where organs are needed the most. transplants in the case of a brain-dead situation Flights to Seville from Almería in a hospital and Spain has led the world in transplant numbers since 1992. In theory, in In 2010, because of the long road journey and common with the new regulations in the UK, a tortuous rail journey that is now even worse than

Continued ....

In the News before, the Junta de Andalucía (the governing body for Almería province) was given permission to introduce subsidised flights between Almería and Seville. Over 310,000 passengers have gone in either direction and the take-up of seats has now reached 72% whereas it was only 35% initially. Last year nearly 40,000 people used the service which is more than the 38,000 in 2018. The planes used now by Air Nostrum have space for 72 passengers but initially there was only room for 50. 99% of programmed flights took place with 95% punctuality. Of the 310,000 passengers only 75 people registered an official complaint. Since last May similar flights take place between Almería and Melilla for the same reasons. 14,000 passengers used these flights in the first six months. On both the Seville and Melilla flights from Almería there are discounts for residents of the respective cities and for advance bookings. There are various ferries for passengers, private cars, commercial vehicles and heavy lorries to Melilla but the journey time is from 6-8 hours. A Tragic Freak Death On the afternoon of January 14th there was a major explosion at a petro-chemical plant in Tarragona owned by the company ‘IQOXE’. A maintenance chief was killed outright, two other workers died in hospital, another man was in a critical state and four others had serious injuries. Various teams of firemen injected nitrogen into the very large tank that held ethylene to prevent oxygen causing another explosion. A tragic and amazing death of a 59 year old man took place 2.8km from the plant when the lid of a vessel that was about 1.6 x 1.2 metres and weighed about 800kg blew off. At supersonic speed, in a matter of seconds, it went through a window where the man lived and killed him instantly. Other residents were evacuated with damage to the structure of the apartment block. Assorted pieces of metal were found over a wide area and collected by the police in the case of large items. Residents near to the factory have been complaining for years that the close proximity was dangerous and in

2017 there was an emergency plan put in place with automatic sirens in the case of any serious problems. In this case the sirens did not operate and firemen and civil protection officers stated that the accidents security protocol was deficient and there was no notification to ‘Cecat’, an emergency centre for this type of chemical accident, and no official calls to the emergency number 112. The local mayor, Roc Muñoz, complained that there was a delay of one hour before there was any notification that nearby residents did not need to be evacuated and ethylene in the air was carcinogenic if breathed in. In the following days the Spanish department of Health and Safety Inspectors stated that on several occasions official notifications had been given to the owners of the plant that modifications needed to take place. A judge had opened an investigation into the tragic incident.

Spain and Gibraltar With the January 31st deadline looming for the UK to leave the EU, major talks started on January 14th and 15th in Madrid to try to resolve the problems between Spain and Gibraltar that covers 6.7 square kilometres and became a UK territory, and no longer Spanish, in 1713. There are four major “red line” matters that combined UK and Spanish committees will address with an input from Fabian Picardo, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. The first subject to be decided is the rights of workers in both territories and about 28,500 Spaniards cross the border every day to work in

Continued ....

In the News Gibraltar. Conversely, some Gibraltarians cross the border in the other direction and work for Spanish companies. Ensuring a smooth transition and no problems at the borders is a high priority, along with worker’s rights. There is also a major flow of vehicles from Spain into Gibraltar that deliver a wide range of goods that will leave the EU at the border and need additional paperwork. The second bone of contention for Spain is the very high rate of tobacco smuggling into Spain. Because cigarettes in Gibraltar are much cheaper than in Spain smuggling cigarettes is big business. An agreement has already been reached that the prices in Gibraltar will go up by an initial 32% but the Spanish authorities want a sustained crackdown in the import of cigarettes into Gibraltar with a cap on the amount. A third committee will discuss the tax haven in Gibraltar as Spain is losing corporation tax because companies that are really Spanish based have their head office in Gibraltar. Spain is also upset because with landfill at the edge of the sea Gibraltar is extending their land area and they are building on this land. Spain does not recognise that there is a sea area that belongs to Gibraltar, so consider they are extending their area into Spanish waters. It was hoped that by the end of January an agreed document setting out the negotiating process and main points of issue could be sent to the EU to be sorted out by December 31st 2020. This will not be easy as Spain is expected to take a hard line! Another Catalan Trial Last October prison sentences, fines and bans on holding public office were handed down following a trial of politicians and other figures that were accused and convicted of sedition (treason) and misuse of public funds in Catalonia regarding the illegal independence referendum and declaration of independence in October 2017. The longest sentence was that of Oriol Junqueras, the former Vice-President of Catalonia, who was given a 13 year prison term, and there were other sentences of 9 years or less. Another trial with four people

in court related to similar events started in January with charges once again of sedition and also rebellion. The four people are the ex-chief of the ‘Mossos de d’Esquadra’, the autonomous police force in Catalonia that is distinct from the National Police and the Guardia Civil, and three other politicians responsible for the Mossos and security arrangements. On the day of the referendum, courts had ordered that people had to be turned away from voting but the Mossos officers mostly watched people enter the polling station and took a very passive role. This caused friction and confrontations with the large number of National and Guardia Civil police whose numbers had been dramatically increased. The prosecution are asking for a prison term of 11 years for each of the four. Josep Trapero who was dismissed as head of the Mossos in 2017 is accused of deliberately failing to stop the referendum and issuing instructions that helped the independence movement. The ex-General Director of the Mossos is similarly charged, and a third person is charged with tipping off independence activists that raids were taking place to confiscate documents and make arrests. The fourth person, a woman in charge of security details, is accused of failing to help the Guardia Civil police carry out their lawful duties and being responsible for the Mossos police taking incriminating documentary evidence away on a truck to be incinerated, but which the Guardia Civil police intercepted. These documents were instruction for the Mossos to take a back seat and encourage the independence attempt. Spain and the Non-Spanish A major source of income in Spain from foreigners comes from tourists, and numbers for 2019 were 83.7 million, exceeding those from 2018. NonSpanish people who come to live in Spain, known as residential tourism, also contribute to the economy when they buy property and cars and spend money on goods and services. In Partaloa, 67% of the population are non-Spanish and this figure is about the same in other municipalities nearby. A third major contributor is those people

Continued ....

In the News who come to Spain and become either selfemployed or employees. In Almería province the amount they paid into the Spanish Social Security during 2019 was a whopping 360 million euros from about 64,000 people, 20% of the total amount paid over. This helps to pay the pensions for widows, orphans and retired people. NonSpanish workers also paid over 30.6 million euros to the taxman, and to put this into context the large new maternity and children’s hospital in Almería city will have cost 27 million euros when it is fully open. The average age of the workers from abroad in Almeria province is given as being 35 years, compared to the average age of Spanish people that is 40. This means that there is a reduced need for healthcare, and as regards people who need assistance in the home this is only 3%, with the other 97% being Spanish people. The high numbers of non-Spanish workers in some parts of Almería province are partly due to the agricultural industry, and in Vicar the numbers of foreigners are 40% of the total population. This can cause some discontent and the far-right political party Vox obtained a large number of votes and MPs in the November General Elections. This party is not against immigration in general but they consider that there has to be more integration. It is claimed that 270,000 immigrants need to come to Spain every year until 2050 to help pay for pensions, and 90% of immigrants at present are of working age and pay into the Social Security system. These figures are an extremely important reason why Brits will still be welcomed here after Brexit!

came from other numbers and one lottery office in Albox sold 15 tickets with the winning number of the 5th prize but only one resident came forward to collect their winnings. The other tickets were probably sold to visitors from other regions.

Hardly Any Prize Money! In the December 22nd ‘El Gordo’ lottery, people in Almería province spent 44 million euros on the tickets which cost 20 euros, or 23 euros if bought from an association. The total amount of prize money won was just less than 2 million euros mostly because a lottery office in Roquetas de Mar sold 260 tickets of the same number that resulted in winnings of 1.6 million euros from the 6th largest prize. Only small amounts of money

The Almería Civil War Facilities New hours until May and an entrance charge of 3 euros have been announced by Almería city council for the civil war tunnels and rooms known as ‘Los Refugios de la Guerra Civil’. Bookings have to be made by telephoning 950 268 696 and they are open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am1pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 8pm as well. The charge is reduced to 2 euros for minors, pensioners over the age of 64 and groups

Money Back from Photovoltaic Solar Panels In Andalucía, the hours of sunshine are put as being 3,000 per year, 13% more than other parts of Spain. Producing electricity from solar panels is a way to cut down on the cost of electricity and there is another benefit. Until last year there was an absurd “sun tax” where people who generated their own electricity from solar panels had to pay a charge to the electricity supply companies, but this was then scrapped. An installation that costs 7,000 euros will pay for itself in just over five years on average and if there is a surplus in electricity produced this can now be sold back to the electricity supply companies. In December, a grant of 100 million euros was announced in Andalucía (which includes Almería province) that companies and selfemployed persons with dedicated premises can apply for, that is funded by the ‘Feder’ EU grants for sustainable energy. One large company, ‘SotySolar’, have delegations throughout Andalucía and will provide a quote and installation, but there are other collaborating companies as well. The Junta have a website ‘Agencia Andaluza de la Energía’ with an English version that will supply information and an application via atencionalciudadano.aae@juntadeandalucia.es or by phoning the Seville number 954 786 335.

Continued ....

In the News of 15 or more people. Children below the age of 6 are admitted free. The visits are with a guide at set times and there is controlled access owing to the popularity. Time Periods Before Marriage The Spanish Roman Catholic Association of Bishops has suggested a “course” of two to three years before a marriage takes place. During this time there would be activities including discussions, films, books and spiritual meetings relating to sexuality, fidelity and the resolution of conflicts, designed to ensure that the marriage is well-founded, along with family reunions and an attendance at mass by the couple at least once a month. The present premarriage term is 20 days and the Bishops point out that 40% of Roman Catholic marriages end in divorce in the first five years. Archbishops, bishops and parish priests can decide whether to introduce the new time period, or a substitute period or continue with the 20 day period. Less ‘Boat’ People Final figures for 2019 have not yet been published, but at the beginning of December 6,500 ‘boat’ people seeking a better life in Spain had been rescued and taken to Almería port from 264 overcrowded boats. This is 50% less than in 2018 after Spain agreed to give money to the authorities in Morocco to expand their own rescue services and intercept these boats and take the people back to Morocco. Amongst the 6,500 people rescued there were 337 unaccompanied children who are taken into the care of the Social Services. If possible they are returned to their families but this was only successful for two children. Police make strenuous attempts to locate the organisers of the overcrowded boats who in some cases travel with the passengers. In 2019 some 127 people were arrested for charging amounts of money that vary from 1,000 to 3,000 euros and putting the lives of the passengers at risk with no life jackets or food and water. Courts hand down suitable sentences following conviction.

Falling Vehicle Sales In 2019 the car industry in Spain saw a fall in numbers for the first time in recent years which was 5% worse than in 2018 with only 1.26 million vehicles sold. In 2012 when the same situation occurred and sales fell to 700,000 the government introduced the PIVE schemes that gave a discount from the Spanish authorities and the manufacturer. This was very successful and there were eight similar schemes. Car dealers think that it is time for another PIVE scheme and there is one in force for electric vehicles where there is a grant if a car that is 10 years old is scrapped. However, dealers say that this is not working as people who might buy one of these cars does not have one that is 10 years old, and the same thing applies to companies. Sales of diesel-fuelled vehicles continue to fall with only 28% of all sales, and petrol-fuelled vehicle sales now account for 60% of the market. Hybrids and electric vehicle sales finished at 12%. Sales of vehicles to rental companies went up slightly so this helped keep the overall fall less serious. Vehicle dealers consider that the lack of a stable government has made people jittery and they are giving discounts or adding extras free of charge. Another factor is stated to be the trade war between the US and China. The fall in numbers in 2019 is common in other EU countries so Spain is following the trend. It is hoped that in 2020 things will improve. SEAT

Continued ....

In the News sold the most vehicles with 111,000 sales followed them house room and food at police stations by Peugeot with 98,000 and Volkswagen with over the weekend. 94,000. The Palomares Clean-Up Chicken from Soya Beans The Spanish Ecologists in Action Group were Juan Roig, the owner of Mercadona, announces awaiting a decision from the High Court in Madrid grants each January for “start-up” projects where at the end of January regarding the removal of he considers there is major innovation. These are the radioactive contaminated soil in Palomares not necessarily to do with food but one of them that was a result of the collision of a US bomber this year relates to a company called ‘Huera’. They and tanker plane in January 1966. The Spanish produce a food that is said to be indistinguishable Nuclear Agency put forward a plan in 2010 and from chicken using soya beans, filtered water, the court had to rule on whether they had to and a pressure and temperature process. The take the soil away. The agency downgraded the resultant “meat” is stated to be so similar to amount of soil from 50,000m3 to 28,000m3 in chicken meat that in many “blind tests” their meat 2015 using “revised data” but the ecologists is readily identified 100% as being genuine chicken. dispute this reduced amount. One problem is that In 2020 they plan to manufacture 1,100 tonnes there is nowhere in Spain where the waste can which is the equivalent to over 1 million chickens be stored. During the first term of Barak Obama being killed. Other products are supplied to Pans being the US President, Hilary Clinton promised & Company, El Corte Inglés, Carrefour and the that the US would remove the soil but this did frozen product company La Sirena. As yet there not happen. In 2012 John Kerry, the then US are no immediate plans for Mercadona to offer Secretary of State, came to Madrid to thank Spain this artificial chicken in their supermarkets but for agreeing to a major expansion of the US base they are in close contact with the company. at Rota on the coast between Seville and Málaga. He signed a non-binding agreement to put in Good Animal Rescue Figures motion plans to take the soil to the US but this The Centro Zoosanitario animal rescue centre in did not achieve anything either. Last December Almería found homes for 529 dogs and cats in the US Navy asked Spain for permission to bring 2019. A total of 1,950 people visited the centre more naval craft and sailors to Rota, and whether which is 580 more people than in 2018. 1,900 there is any movement on the soil removal as a cats and dogs were taken to the centre and 170 result remains to be seen. It may be that the US were returned to their owners after their micro- is asked to advance the funding necessary rather chips had been analysed, and animal charities took than direct action. The Lawyer for the Spanish away 480 animals to find them homes. Almería State considers that this is an essential city sponsor the centre and they have plans to requirement to solve the problem. One of the give the centre more publicity in 2020 to attract ‘wacky’ ideas following the 2012 discussions was more people to adopt. They also plan to take that there needed to be a dedicated road built animals to schools and make children aware of from Palomares to Cartagena where there is a the importance of animal care and adoption. Last large Spanish Navy base where US ships could year the centre was opened 24 hours a day with dock. Ecologists in Action suggested it would be a collection service, as before then it was shut much cheaper to build a special quay at Garrucha from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. harbour! This caused a big problem for police who were alerted that there were abandoned animals or Mojácar Cats ones running loose but they then had to give This year, Mojácar town hall has joined the initiative

Continued ....

In the News ‘CES’ that is the capture, sterilization and release of cats. 6,000 euros has been earmarked and there will be collaboration between animal charities and the association of vets. A town hall spokesperson commented that abandoned cats and kittens were a problem that affected all residents, and sterilisation carried out at vets would greatly solve the problems. El Cablé Inglés, Almería City Jutting into the sea at Almería port there is a very imposing structure of cast iron and steel known as El Cable Inglés (The English pier). It was opened in 1904 to the design of Gustav Eiffel and is called the English pier because it was built for the Alquife Mines and Railway Company Ltd. that was a joint Dutch & English company. It was a discharge point for iron ore that came from the Alquife mine just over the border of Almería into Granada province, and railway waggons discharged the iron ore into large hoppers that went directly into ships. This system dramatically decreased the time it took to load ships that was now measured in hours, not days. In the 1970s the price obtained from selling iron ore was less than the cost of producing it so the mine and the pier were shut. It was given the status of an item of extreme cultural heritage and interest in1998 and restoration work was authorised in 2009. The first phase was to repair the main structure and paint it. The second phase has now been awarded to a consortium of companies at a cost of 2.5 billion euros and this will cover restoration of the stone piers and the renovation of the top surface with the rail lines, wooden planking and railings. A new lighting system will be installed along with an entrance from the old railway station alongside that also has elements designed by Gustav Eiffel. It is intended that this phase is finished at the beginning of 2021 and the pier will then be ready to be open to the general public. There are plans to have a centre to explain the history and importance of the pier with photographs of when it was built, and facilities for the public including a bar and

restaurant. Although it is called ‘The English pier’ all the enormous cast iron sections came from a foundry at Galloway in Scotland! Paying Pensions in Spain The Bank of Spain has published a report based on the increasing life expectancy in Spain and claims that 50% of babies being born now will in all probability live to the age of 105. The report points out that although the retirement age in Spain is being steadily increased to 67 years of age in 2027, this will not provide enough income from the working population to pay the pensions. Óscar Arce, the Director General of Economics at the Bank of Spain, is suggesting that with a longer life expectancy it is reasonable to assume that people will be prepared to work longer and put off retirement, and this needs to be carefully considered. In Almería province at the end of last year there were more retired persons than children in 80% of the 103 municipalities. Arboleas is a municipality where there are a large number of Brits, and out of the population figures of 4,400 there are 1,900 over the age of 65 with slightly over 300 children below the age of 15. This may be an exception to the rule, but this is reflected in many rural areas where young people have left to find work elsewhere. In the small municipality of Benitagla there are 29 retired persons for every child, and 23 for every child in Alcudia de Monteagud. The Almería Diputación (County Council) has earmarked 1.5 million euros to encourage the employment of persons aged 16-29 in 85 municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants to try and stop them moving away. Owing to the large number of immigrants in Almería province from other countries (who in the main work in agriculture) there are currently 45 births for every 1,000 women, as the immigrants have more children than Spanish women. This is higher than the national average which has gone down to 35 births for every 1,000 women. In another news item we state that 270,000 immigrants are needed in Spain every year until 2050 to help pay for pensions.

Continued ....

In the News The Almería Police Dogs, ‘Thor’ and ‘Blacky’ In 2019 a total of 135 people trying to get into Spain were detected at Almería port that were hidden in cars, vans and lorries, or had jumped into the sea when a ferry was docking. The vast majority came from North Africa and the Guardia Civil police have two police dogs called ‘Thor’ and ‘Blacky’ that are trained to sniff out humans, and they do this regularly at the port. Some of the people caught hiding in various ways in small spaces need medical attention as they are suffering from hyperthermia and de-hydration and out of the total of 135 there were five children who were travelling on their own.

on the scooter could be fined 200 euros for using his mobile phone and 100 euros for having a second person on it. The lady was a widow with no children but her nephews started a private prosecution for compensation. As they are only nephews it is not considered likely that this will be successful and compensation awarded. It does show that insurance is a very good idea and if a minor is involved in an accident the parents are responsible for any fine, and in theory any claim for compensation. Three other people have died in electric scooter accidents but they were killed after they fell off their scooters in front of following traffic. Alesso

The First Electric Scooter Death In an article we deal with the new regulations regarding personal mobility devices which includes electric scooters. The first death occurred in the Catalan town of Esplugues de Llobregat on August 13th 2018 when a 90 year old woman was hit by an electric scooter that had two young males on it. She was a habitual walker and was using a walking frame in a pedestrian area near her home. When the collision took place she struck her head on the pavement and suffered internal bleeding that led to her death in hospital. The 19 year old “driver” was looking at a Google map on his mobile at the time of the accident, but police called to the scene accepted that he was only travelling at 10k/h. The ‘Fiscalía’ (Spanish Crown Prosecution Service) considered that he was guilty of involuntary manslaughter and the case went to court last December. His solicitor argued that there was no recklessness involved and the fiscalía reduced their charge to “minor recklessness”. If this results in a death or serious injury there is a fine, but not a prison term. The judge accepted this and a fine (usually of a certain amount of money each day) will be handed down for a period of from 3-18 months. It was stated in court that the 19 year old was very upset and went to see if he could do anything to help the elderly lady and later contacted her relatives to apologise. Under the new traffic regulations the young man

Two ‘Dreambeach’ Headline Acts Announced The Dreambeach Villaricos music festival organisers have announced that two headline acts will appear at the 8th festival that takes place from August 5th-9th. The Swedish performer Alesso will appear and he is number 61 in the ‘Top 100’ list of DJs in the UK DJ magazine. Apart from electronic music he is an accomplished pianist and producer with hit compositions such as “If I Lose Myself”, and The Chainsmokers and Coldplay “Something Just Like This” remix. His electronic style is that of Progressive House Music in the EDM format. The other headline act is ‘Deep Dish’ that is a US duo that became famous in the 1990s. Their album “Junk Science” shot them to fame and they have

Continued ....

In the News collaborated with bands such as The Rolling Stones, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Eminem. In 2002 they won a Grammy for their re-mix of “Thank You” by Dido and in 2006 were number 8 on the Top 100 DJ magazine list. The duo split up in 2006 to pursue their own careers but still perform together on occasions such as th i s o n e . Ti cket s a re ava i l a b l e f ro m www.dreambeach.es for the five days at a cost of 65 euros and 94 euros including the campsite. The Juergas Rock Festival The Juergas rock festival at Adra takes place in early August and this year the dates are August 6th-8th. In 2019 the festival attracted 25,000 visitors for the live rock music (not electronic music). There is a free campsite and an area where acoustic non-amplified music is performed. The organisers have announced that performers will include Son Dubioza Kolektiv, Moscow Death Brigade and Xavi Sarria. These are in addition to La Polla Récords, the Valencia band Obrint Pas, Toy Dolls and Los Chicos del Maíz. Tickets are available from www.thejuergasrockfestival.com and the present initial price is 44 euros for August 6th, 7th and 8th including access to the campsite. Two Huge Photovoltaic Solar Installations At the end of December two extremely large photovoltaic solar farms came on line in Almería province to provide electricity from the sun. They have been built in Lucainena de las Torres and Níjar near to the Venta del Pobre area beside the A-7 motorway, by the multinational Spanish company X-Elio based in Madrid. To give an idea of the total size the combined area of the solar panels is equivalent to 170 football pitches. The total electricity output is about 40Mw from each one so the total is enough to provide electricity to a city of 200,000 inhabitants that is about the size of Almería city. The electricity produced will be connected into the Spanish National Grid (the distribution system for electricity) at the Carboneras power station. X-Elio has built other solar plants in Murcia but the average recorded

sunlight is greater in Almería province. With these plants in operation, along with others in the pipeline, the potential power input in Andalucía from renewable energy will go up to 39% and provide 300,000Mw. 81% of this amount will come from photovoltaic panels, 8.2% from land wind farms and the remainder from biomass plants and off-shore wind farms. In Andalucía at present, there are 1,800 companies that have links to the production of electricity by renewable energy and this gives employment to 43,000 people. The Catalan President Barred From Holding Office Quim Torra is the president of the autonomous region of Catalonia and is a hard line separatist who is continually trying to pressurise central government that Catalonia should be independent of Spain. When an illegal declaration of independence was declared in October 2017, central government dissolved the Catalan parliament and took over the running of the region, allowed under article 155 of the Spanish written constitution. New democratic elections took place in December 2017 and eventually, Quim Torra became the president in May 2018. In March 2019 when it was the run-up for General Elections in Spain, Quim Torra put up large banners at Barcelona town hall in support of the politicians and others who had been taken to court over the independence declaration. He also exhibited the “yellow ribbons” that are a symbol of the independence movement that are the same shape as the pink “awareness ribbons” for breast cancer and the red ones for Aids. This was done at various official buildings and the display of the posters and ribbons was illegal at that time under the rules for elections. He was repeatedly told to take them down, but he refused saying the electoral authorities couldn’t make him, and eventually the police were ordered to take them down. Quim Torra was charged with disobedience of lawful instructions from the electoral authorities and appeared in the High Court in Catalonia last November. He agreed that he had put up the

Continued ....

In the News posters and yellow ribbons and not removed them when told to, but he vehemently denied that it was illegal. Just before Christmas, the court published their verdict and totally dismissed all his claims. He was given a ban on holding public office for 18 months (so he had to resign as an MP and President), was fined 30,000 euros and ordered to pay the court costs. The sentence had to be approved by the Spanish High Court in Madrid if an appeal was made and this is what Quim Torra announced, but the outcome is a forgone conclusion and will confirm the sentence. In the meantime, three of the political parties in power in Madrid called for an immediate ban on him being an MP and President. In early January, by a majority of seven votes to six, the election authority judges approved his immediate dismissal from office stating that his disobedience was “a crime against the public administration”. Quim Torra immediately called a meeting of the Catalan Parliament and proclaimed that they were the only ones who could sack him, the election authority judges in Madrid could not do this, and it was merely a “political coup”. Despite this, on January 10th the electoral authority in Barcelona announced that the position of Torra as an MP and President was “vacant”. Work Related Traffic Accidents A conference in December in Almería dealt with traffic accidents that were work related and included an expert from an insurance company, the head of ‘Tráfico’ (the administrative body that deals with vehicle paperwork and licences) a representative from the ‘Stop Accidents’ organisation and a representative from the association of driving instructors. It was stated that from January 1st 2016 to September 30th 2019 accidents to employed people were 70% whilst driving to and from work and 26% whilst driving as part of their employment. It appears that drivers may be more relaxed when going to and from work as they consider they know their journey, but their concentration is reduced. The sector of the population who had the most

accidents was men aged 16-29 who had had a driving licence for less than 6 months. The representative from driving schools considers that there has to be more driving lessons to increase the driver’s expertise and a “re-test” after 3-4 months would be a good idea. In the same period in Spain as a whole, there were 26,000 work related accidents and 66 deaths, and 66% were driving to and from work. The average time off work was 40 days and this is calculated to be a loss to employers of 10 million euros. In Spain, a car accident on the way to or from work counts as an industrial accident if the driver or passengers are making a direct journey. In one case a person had deviated slightly from his direct route to pick up a child from nursery when he had an accident. An employment tribunal ruled that this was still essentially a direct route. Euthanasia in Spain Once there is a stable government in Spain there will be a renewed debate on the subject of euthanasia. The various different political parties do not all have the same views. Some think that “assisted euthanasia” where a person is provided with the means to end their own life should be made legal, or direct euthanasia where a third party administers drugs that cause a death. The big question is whether a person who wishes to die and has an incurable and extremely painful illness should be allowed to end their life. 90% of Spanish hospital doctors who were surveyed thought that euthanasia should be made legal in certain cases. The National Police in Spain opened an investigation after it became clear that persons in Spain were buying a lethal dose of the drug pentobarbital from a company in the US. The police have visited people who had ordered this drug to see what they intended to do with it, and consider that it is an offence to purchase it. This is partly because buying drugs on the internet in Spain is illegal if they are prescription drugs. Another complication is that Spanish vets can use the drug but not doctors. An investigation was undertaken in the US when it became clear that

Continued ....

In the News very large numbers of the drug were being supplied to persons in other countries. In small quantities pentobarbital is used for treating insomnia and in some cases epilepsy but a large dose along with other drugs is used for ending the life of prisoners who have been condemned to death in the US. The Spanish pressure group “Derecho a Morir Dignamente” (The right to a dignified death) are campaigning for regulations to be brought in that are clear and legal. Their lawyer states that acquiring drugs on the internet happens every day and there can only be a small fine if police bothered to prosecute, keeping it at home is not an offence, and only a judge could rule that the drug was illegal and should be confiscated. He further points out that if an individual personally used the drug to end their life there is nobody to prosecute. One woman with a chronic illness and no chance of remission bought the drug from a US company. It cost 600 euros for 6.5 grams which is a lethal amount as she was considering ending her life. When it was delivered to her house she was very surprised to find that a National Policeman had brought it and not a courier. The woman stated that she wanted to have the peace of mind that she had the drug and could use it if she chose to do so. In France last year police went to the homes of 134 people who had bought the drug from an association that are pressurising French authorities to introduce regulations there. The drugs were seized and taken away by the police.

on March 30th. The ‘Fiscalía’ Spanish Crown Prosecution Service is asking for a prison term of 64 years and fines of 49 million euros for the then mayor Juan Enciso and the same sentences for José Alemán, a council advisor who it is alleged was the brains behind the scandal. The 207 pages of the prosecution documents ask for total fines of 883 million euros and 1,566 years in prison for 362 offences, 71 million euros compensation for El Ejido town hall and 30 million in compensation for the Hacienda (Spanish tax authority). The trial has been split into sections so that the various lawyers only have to appear for their own client proceedings.

David Bisbal’s New Album and Tour The internationally famous singer David Bisbal from Almería has released a new album entitled ‘En tus planes’ with nine new songs. In 2020 he is making a world tour starting in May until September and finishing up in Latin America which is one of his most popular markets. He has dates in Spain from May 9th when he performs in Granada until September 26th when he has a concert in the bullring in Murcia. He always has a concert in Almería when he has a tour but the date for this has not yet been announced.

‘Caso Poniente’ The largest ever corruption trial in Almería province started in Almería city on January 10th and is expected to last until July. For this and another trial the court buildings have been substantially modified as there are 49 people in court. The investigation in 2009 and the trial deal with a multi-service company, ‘Elsur’, that is accused of issuing extremely inflated bills that lined the pockets of members of the council and various More Drug-Baron Arrests companies. Initial proceedings took place on Last July a very large number of extra police were January 10th, 17th and 24th and the trial will start drafted in to the Campo Gibraltar area as the

Continued ....

In the News police had stated that they were losing the battle with drug barons. There have been a large number of arrests with considerable quantities of drugs seized. One of the major ones related to the port at Algeciras where containers with drugs inside were funnelled off to a part of the port before any inspections had been carried out. They were then driven to various locations. 21 people were arrested including 10 workers at the port along with members of a major drug baron family, and 480kg of cocaine were seized. As a follow on to this investigation police started looking where the logistics were organised, and another major drug baron and a family member were arrested recently. The specialist police searched seven homes and 710,000 euros was seized, embargoes were put in place on 13 properties and 14 bank accounts were frozen. 11 luxury vehicles were seized including a camper van and a boat valued at 100,000 euros. A police spokesperson stated that they were now being very successful in breaking up the drug rings and arresting the major players. They considered that the latest drug baron they had arrested was absolutely at the head of the distribution chain and was the most violent and dangerous person arrested by far. They stated that other arrests were expected when the large amount of documentation they confiscated had been studied. The ownership of large semi-rigid rapid launches has now been made illegal, unless they are registered as solely being for recreational sporting use. The ones seized revert to being the property of the police and customs agents instead of being sold at auction. The drug barons were buying them back! Paying For the Christmas Pensions Employees in Spain receive 14 monthly payments of wages with an extra month paid in July and November for August holidays and Christmas. In the vast majority of cases the total of the 14 amounts is divided by 12 so there are only 12 payments. Members of local government, the civil service and pensioners still receive the 14 payments. Every November since 2012 the

Christmas payment for pensioners has been more money than that received from Social Security payments from employed people, so the difference has been â&#x20AC;&#x153;borrowedâ&#x20AC;? from other funds. 7 billion euros was borrowed in 2012 rising to 19 billion in 2016 but the amount fell to 7 billion in 2017 as the economy improved and more people found work. In 2018, 3 billion euros was pumped in and 2.9 billion in November 2019 but this was 700,000 euros less than had been earmarked. The actual balance at the end of December 2019 was that the Social Security department was in the black to the tune of 2.1 billion euros. In theory, one day, the amount borrowed since 2012 will have to be paid back and this amount of money has now risen to 80 billion euros. Before the financial crisis the Spanish Social Security department was always in the black, and in 2011 there was 67 billion euros collected in with no money needed to be put in for the extra payments. Pensions for orphans and widows are paid out of the same fund and there have been suggestions that these are paid from a different source. This would mean that income and expenditure in the Social Security system is solely related to employment and retirement pensions. Redundancies at Banco Santander In the middle of 2017 it was clear that Banco Popular was going bust and their solvency would not pay for anticipated withdrawals. Many clients were taking out their money but in reality their accounts were never at risk. At the critical moment one evening, the Central European bank asked two Spanish banks if they would buy Banco Popular, and at 4am, before the bank opened next morning, Ana BotĂn, the head of Banco Santander, bought Banco Popular for 1 euro and assumed all the debts. Since then there has been an amalgamation of the two banks that is now complete. It was announced in the middle of 2019 that 3,200 bank employees would be made redundant (about 10% of the work force), but the final figure has been 3,069. 62% are Banco Santander employees and 38% come from Banco Popular. People who had

Continued ....

In the News paid into the Social Security system for 32 years were offered voluntary redundancy with 80% of their final pension paid until they reached normal retirement age. 55% of the people made redundant elected to take this offer. In Andalucía and Madrid there were a large number of banks in the same locations and 1,128 branches have now closed. Their eventual sale price will help to offset the redundancy payments. Fired For Taking Sick Leave A change in Spain in 2012 to labour laws allowed employers to sack employees who had taken time off for illness, even if they had a doctor’s note. This has not often taken place but when an appeal against dismissal was before a court in Madrid last November it was ruled that the dismissal for illness was legal. Since then there have been various cases, and unions in Spain say that the legislation was not intended to be interpreted in this way. Until recently, a person who took time off for illness could eventually be sacked for absenteeism, but health issues are now being treated as a distinct issue, not absenteeism. The guidelines are that a person can be dismissed if they are on sick leave for 20% of the work period in two consecutive months, or 5% in the last year. There is an exception if it is for a “serious illness”, but it is not clear if this applies to a person who is having time off work for chemotherapy (as an example). Employers have to pay the Social Security payment and wages from a fourth day of time off work, up to the fifteenth day after which the Social Security payments and wages come from a central fund. Unions claim that this is the reason people are being sacked if they have repeated health issues and need time off work as these payments by the employer do not then have to be made. In November 2018, a Venezuelan woman took eleven days off work for gastroenteritis but the employer then sacked her as she had been off work for more than 20% of her days with this and other times off work. The very large company that she worked for had also sacked three other people who were ill and off work. When this became

public knowledge from a newspaper article the employer was asked to justify this. Their reply was that they had only dismissed eleven people in the last two years for health reasons out of their workforce of 35,000. They suggested that being dismissed for illness was not the whole story in these eleven cases. Spanish unions plan to take a specimen case to the European Tribunal for a ruling as to whether Spain is right to have legislation to sack people for temporary health issues. A Low Cost ‘AVE’ in 2020 The initials ‘AVE’ stand for ‘Alta Velocidád Española’ which is the Spanish high speed train that will eventually come to Almería. The operating company RENFE have announced that from April they will introduce new trains to be called the ‘AVLO’ as it will be a low cost train as regards fares. It will initially operate solely from Barcelona to Madrid twice a day to start with. The fares will be from 10-60 euros with the higher prices as the demand for tickets progresses. The current fare is from 41 euros economy up to152 euros for business class without any prior booking or promotional ticket reductions. RENFE state that they hope to attract 1 million passengers in 2020 and 2021 and tempt passengers to use the AVLO from the 4 million who currently go from Barcelona to Madrid by car and bus, and the 2 million passengers who fly. The low cost train will only have economy class tickets and there will be no cafeteria or food trolleys. There will be one or two supervisors to deal with any problems and passengers can have a Wi-Fi connection for an additional fee. In December 2020, train operators in the EU lose their monopoly, and so a rail operator apart from RENFE will be able to obtain a contract to operate within Spain. The French rail company SNCF will be one of the first to have a licence and they can operate in 16% of the existing AVE lines. Their 2N2 train is a double-decker one that can accommodate 40% more people than a normal train and carry up to 1,268 passengers. In January 2022, the company Air Nostrum-Trenitalia will come to Spain and they have seven years’

Continued ....

In the News experience running high speed, low cost trains in Italy. Isaías Táboas, the CEO at RENFE, states that by starting their low cost train in April they will be aware of how the service is operating prior to December, and in 2026 they will operate trains in the UK on the London to Birmingham route. A specimen AVLO train was unveiled at the press presentation that is a deep purple colour. Tickets will be available primarily online, from a mobile phone app, a landline number and in person at the stations. The ‘Modulo’ System of Paying Tax and IVA Some years ago, when self-employed people had to spend a lot of time preparing paper tax and IVA (VAT) returns, a ‘modulo’ system was introduced. This took into account the nature of the business, the floor area, the number of tables in a restaurant, and the anticipated sales, earnings and the amount of IVA due. A figure for the estimated amount of tax and IVA was then payable every quarter without all the paperwork involved. At present there are 383,000 self-employed persons who pay tax and IVA using the modulo system and in the main they may have only one or two employees. In 2015 it was suggested that the system should be scrapped as the amount of tax and IVA was in many cases considered to be much less than should have been paid, and the system was open to abuse and favoured the ‘black’ economy. Self-employed persons using this system sometimes ask suppliers to take cash payments without any bills that show IVA. If this is agreed the amount of IVA they pay out is not more than the amount they have to pay. Last year it was announced that the system would start to be gradually phased out this year and during the next 2-3 years, but this has been postponed as there has been no central government in place since last April, so the new measures have not been approved in parliament. The Hacienda (the Spanish tax authority) started sending out thousands of letters last year to self-employed persons, where they considered that the tax and IVA they paid was less than would be expected for people in

the same type of work. The Hacienda state that these letters are purely “informative” but the result that they hope for is that some selfemployed people declare an increased amount of tax and IVA if to some extent they are in the black economy. One proposal is that the modulo system should only stay in place where the self-employed person collects money from a direct customer or consumer. This will take out of the equation those people who sell goods or services that are then ‘sold-on’ to a third party. There would be a cap on the amount of money from trading.

A Rescue Practice at the Geode in Pulpí In mid-December, firemen rushed to the site of the geode at the mine Mina Rica in Pulpí to rescue a person who was trapped and injured in one of the cavities right at the end of the geode at the farthest distance from the entrance. In reality this was an exercise and was the second time the firemen had practiced a rescue. Using ropes, carabineers and a stretcher they carried the “victim” back out. A fire service spokesperson stated that it took considerable skill to operate in confined spaces and it was a very worthwhile exercise using specialist equipment. The mayor of Pulpí, Juan Pedro García, congratulated them on their professionalism.

Continued ....

In the News Growing Cannabis in Almería Province For people who decide to earn money by growing cannabis, the main expenses are special lights, fans, filters and air-conditioning if grown indoors, and an illegal connection to the electricity supply saves a lot of money. The electricity supply companies can often tell if large amounts of electricity have been siphoned off and in severe cases their transformers can’t cope and there are power cuts. For growers, the main problem is the very strong smell, and neighbours may tell the police that there is illegal growing. In Almería city there is the National Police force as well as the Guardia Civil police, and in 2019 they confiscated 17,700 cannabis plants from over 100 locations and arrested 150 people. The growers are charged with an offence against the public health and stealing electricity where this has taken place, and this was found to have occurred in 81 of the 100 places. Apart from cannabis plants, the police confiscated 17 guns and 82,300 euros that was determined to have been obtained from illegal sales. More arrests and confiscations took place in El Ejido and Roquetas de Mar. In El Ejido, 7,800 plants were seized from 11 raids on various properties, with 63 arrests and 50,000 euros seized. In all of Almería province in 2019 the police stated that 25,000 plants were discovered at 130 locations with 3 tonnes of resin seized, 219 people arrested and a total of 132,000 euros confiscated.

also been a method of taking drugs from Mexico into the US. In November, drug investigators in the US were told that 30 tonnes of cocaine was being taken from Columbia to French Guiana in South America and then to Galicia in a submarine. They alerted specialist police in Spain and Portugal. Satellite surveillance confirmed that this was true and the submarine was off Portugal at the end of November. It had travelled 7,700km (4,000 nautical miles) over a period of 20 days. It then travelled near to a small fishing port in Galicia where specialist police had mounted an operation to intercept the submarine and the boat or launches that would meet it. No vessels went out and it was suspected that radio contact had been lost. When police went to intercept the submarine three people abandoned it and sank it in 10m of water. Two Ecuadorian men were immediately arrested whilst a third man escaped who they were told was a Spaniard. The submarine was 22m long, and police divers set about re-floating it which proved extremely complicated so fishing boats eventually towed it to the port of Vigo where two large cranes lifted it out of the water. Inside were 152 large waterproof packages of high-purity cocaine with a total weight of just over 25 tonnes and a street value of approximately 100 million euros. Police also found 300,000 euros, three pistols and navigation and communication equipment. The submarine was quite sophisticated and an estimate of the cost of building it was about 2.5 million euros. It was designed for a ‘one off’ trip and then being sunk. When the Spaniard from Galicia was found still in his wetsuit he was with another man and they were both arrested. This told the police which drug barons were involved and eventually in mid-December there had been a total of eight people arrested. It is ‘thought’ that this is the first time such a submarine has been sent to Europe, as far as is known.

The Galicia ‘Drug Submarine’ Drug smugglers use a variety of methods including ‘mules’ that swallow small packets of drugs, drones, vessels that offload drug into high speed launches, and containers shipped to a port. Major drug barons are interested in smuggling very large quantities, and in Galicia in Spain just north of Portugal the coast has many small isolated inlets and there is major drug smuggling in this area. It is known that drug barons in Columbia have on occasions used mini submarines to transport drugs Ryanair and Girona and they are either used more than once, or sunk when they arrive at the off-loading destination Ryanair announced last September that in January and the drugs have been transferred. This has they were ceasing flying to Girona in Catalonia

Continued ....

In the News which is 99km from Barcelona, Tenerife Sur, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, which affects 500 cabin crew and pilots. Some strikes followed, but Ryanair drafted pilots and cabin crew in from other places. The reason given was that there was an over capacity of European flights by other companies, so a lack of full planes, but employees in Spain accused Ryanair of intending to amend their contracts that were subject to Spanish labour laws. This appears to be the case as all employees have been offered new contracts at a reduced salary and have to accept periods when they will have no work. There was a threat that if they did not agree to this they would be made redundant. The unions did not react to this with any enthusiasm and stated that they are being blackmailed, but on the other hand they were not being sacked. It is claimed that these amended job offers will apply to Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and Málaga, and also Fez, Glasgow and Marsella where Ryanair claim there is a reduced demand. The authorities in Girona suspect that Ryanair are attempting to bring pressure on them to keep, or increase, subsidies that were started when Ryanair first came to Girona in 2003. Although passenger numbers increased dramatically there was a drop-off in 2011 so it was agreed in 2012 that Ryanair would be paid 3.5 million euros every year and this amount has been increased since then. The total of all subsidies is stated to be 60 million euros, but tourists are considered to have brought in 500 million euros. In all of Spain since 2003 it is claimed that Ryanair has received 200 million euros from various authorities and tourist boards. Tourist numbers from Ryanair at Girona were 5.5 million in 2008 but numbers have gone down since Ryanair were allowed to operate from Barcelona and in 2019 numbers were only about 2.5 million. A Ryanair employee points out that the company is still advertising flights and holidays for 2020 flying into Girona so stopping all flights is a hoax! Authorities in the Canary Islands started talks with Ryanair to increase flights when Thomas Cook ceased trading and Jet2 immediately announced new flights. Giving airlines subsidies

to fly to locations in Spain has been taking place for many years, but it is a murky subject. Airlines that do not obtain subsidies rightly claim that this is discrimination and is illegal under EU law. A Merging of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Last October it became know that the very large automobile companies Fiat, Chrysler and PSA were having talks to explore the possibilities of a merger. A few days before Christmas it was announced that an agreement had been signed and over a period of 12-15 months there would be a full integration. The brand names affected are Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall. The combined sales of the two companies in 2019 were 8.7 million vehicles with a sales tag of 170 billion euros. The merged company will be the fourth largest after Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors. There is a combined labour force of 400,000 workers worldwide and it is being stated that no-one will lose their jobs, but savings in operational costs would be 3.7 billion euros. Carlos Tavares, the Portuguese CEO of PSA, will be the CEO of the combined company for five years. French government sources consider that the merger is good news for France and Europe, and it seems that there will be no objections from the Spanish authorities. Various models are manufactured in Spain including ones from Opel, Citroën and Peugeot. The Mojácar Medical Services The Delegate for Health of the Junta de Andalucía (the governing body for Almería province) came to Mojácar recently to inspect the medical centres in the village and on the playa as there is a new infrastructure plan for health facilities in Andalucía from 2020-2030. In the village, with one doctor, one nurse and a receptionist, the centre caters for 1,000 inhabitants. On the playa there are three doctors with a patient list of 1,400, 1,500 and 1,700, with three nurses, an auxiliary and two receptionists. The emergency service on the playa operates from 3pm-8am and weekends with a

Continued ....

In the News doctor, nurse, technician and an ambulance driver. Doctors and nurses increase in numbers during July and August to cope with the considerable increase in visitors. The Mayoress of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, stated that a new medical centre in the village was badly needed, and changes to the beach centre. She stated that the administrative procedure to achieve this was underway. The ‘Google’ Tax and Spain In line with many EU and non-EU countries Spain is proposing to introduce a 3% tax known as the ‘Google’ tax on companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google. It is stated that their operations in Spain result in 3 billion euros of profit and they only pay small amounts of tax in Spain by locating their head office and main tax base in places such as Ireland where corporation tax is very low. In 2018, Amazon in Spain collected in 289 million euros and paid 2.4 million in taxes. Apple had an income of 423 million and only paid 14 million, whilst Google paid 9 million on sales of 96 million. Facebook collected in 10 million euros but only paid 300,000 in tax. There are 134 countries in the OECD (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) but at present there is no comprehensive agreement that the Google tax should be put in place, nor amongst EU states. Spain agreed to levy a 3% tax last year, but with no stable government it was never approved in parliament. If put into law the Spanish Minister for the Economy calculates that there would be an annual income of 1.2 billion euros (using the 2018 figures) and calculations from EU states are that there would be 5 billion euros paid in tax. France has approved the 3% tax but Luxemburg, Ireland and Chile have not as they have a smaller tax already in place, which attracts the Google-type companies to elect to pay corporation tax in these countries. President Trump has reacted to the tax being imposed in France and has proposed a 100% import tax on many French imports into the US, and will probably extend this to any other country that imposes the 3% tax. An economics expert from the

Complutense University in Madrid has warned that the large companies may increase their prices to get back the 3% tax and this would cost consumers from 450-562 million euros. If only France and Spain are collecting the 3% this will put them at an economic disadvantage and lead to a decrease in the Gross National Product. It remains to be seen if the new government in Spain will go ahead with the 3% tax and be threatened by President Trump as a result.

The Cost of Electricity in Spain in 2019 In our last magazine we commented in an article on how consumers of electricity could ask for a split tariff with cheaper electricity over a 14hr period, or elect to pay a fixed amount every month. November prices for electricity were well down owing to storms with rain and wind and the monthly cost for the electricity supply companies was the lowest for 19 months. This was also a feature during December. The CNMC department that are responsible for fair trading and competition stated that in 2019, for people on a variable tariff, the average monthly cost was 53 euros and the annual amount was 586 euros and this applied to 16 million customers. For the 11 million customers who paid the fixed amount, the monthly average was 59 euros with an annual cost of 630 euros so 11% more expensive. The lower costs in the last quarter of 2019 were because with wind and rain 50% of electricity

Continued ....

In the News came from renewable sources that were made up of 34% from wind farms, 12% from hydroelectric dams and the remainder from other “green” energy sources including photovoltaic solar farms. The difference in cost for consumers who pay a fixed rate depends on the cost of producing electricity during the whole year that is almost impossible for the suppliers to predict. For this reason it can be more expensive, as has been the situation in 2019, but consumers do have the peace of mind that their bills each month are the same. Historically, consumers who elect for a fixed price have paid more than those on a variable tariff. Coal fired power stations are the “dirtiest” ecology-wise and the most costly in their production of electricity. For this reason, and new regulations on reduced emissions, they are being shut down. The Endesa Carboneras coal-fired power station will close in 2020 and the other very large company Iberdrola have told the Spanish Minister of Energy that their last two coal-fired power stations will be closed down and they plan to generate 420MW from wind and solar farms instead over a period of four years that can cater for the demand from 1 million homes. They state that no employees will lose their jobs as they will be employed in the dismantling of the coal-fired apparatus and the setting up of the new ones. Iberdrola are a very large supplier of wind turbines and wind farms in various countries and have a considerable experience in this field with 80,000 direct employees at their factories in Spain and installation engineers. In another news item we detail how the enormous solar farms at two locations near Venta del Pobre will provide very large amounts of electricity. The British Ambassador and Lourdes Arnaiz In December, Hugh Elliot, the British Ambassador to Spain, went to Burgos on official business and whilst there he asked for more money to be given to combat multiple sclerosis via a private video on social media. Apart from his official business, he had a very personal reason for being

there as he was hoping to visit a Spanish woman, Lourdes Arnaiz, but he found that she had died from the disease. Hugh Elliot recollected that in 1984 he went on a bike trip from the UK to Santiago de Compostela but on a train journey he had to take from France to Carcassone in Spain to make up for lost time his bike was not there at his destination. With hardly any money, no bike and only a tent, he found that the nearest campsite was several kilometres away. He met a young Canadian man in a bar who, after learning of his predicament, took him to the house of his girlfriend, Lourdes Arnaiz. After giving him a meal she insisted he stayed there until his bike arrived which took five days and she fed him during this time as if he was a friend of their family. Hugh Elliot stated that his love of Burgos and Spain went back to this act of generosity in 1984 and he was very sad that he could not thank her again in person.

Leonard Cohen “Thanks for The Dance”. Just before he died from a fall in 2016 Leonard Cohen had released the album “You Want it Darker” in collaboration with his son Adam. They had already been looking at releasing another set of unpublished songs and after his death Adam vowed to complete the project. The result is the album “Thanks for the Dance” released last November that has seen record sales and has been hailed as being “Leonard Lives On!” Adam persuaded many performers, arrangers and

Continued ....

In the News recording engineers who had worked with his father to bring out the new album, which included the Spanish guitarist from Aragón, Javier Mas, who plays a laúd - a Spanish stringed instrument similar to a guitar. Javier Mas was an important member of Leonard Cohen’s band and had played with him on concerts, tours and recordings for eight years. The famous Spanish singer from Catalonia, Silvia Pérez Cruz, who had been a singer on various Leonard Cohen songs, went to a recording studio in Barcelona, but Los Angeles is where the majority of the nine tracks were recorded. The lyrics with Leonard Cohen’s voice are spoken rather than sung. Leonard Cohen was a big admirer of the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca who was shot for his beliefs during the Spanish Civil War, to the extent that he christened his daughter ‘Lorca’. The new album has been released by Sony Entertainment. Proposed German Autobahn Speed Limits 6% of the 13,000km of motorways in Germany have no speed limit, and it is quite normal that high-powered vehicles travel at speeds of 200 km/h or more. A proposal from one of the political parties is that there should be a speed limit of 130 km/h but the automobile club ADAC is fighting this proposal. They point out that for every 1,000km of motorway there are only 1.7 deaths whilst on secondary roads there are 6.3 deaths and any speed limit is against drivers’ rights. German police on the autobahns with no speed limit use luxury high speed cars such as Porsche Carrera, BMW 5 and Mercedes AMG models to stop motorists for any infraction other than speeding. Greenpeace Demands Closure of Spanish Power Stations At the time of the COP25 Climate Change Summit Meeting in Madrid, Greenpeace issued a press release demanding that all the Spanish coal-fired power stations should be shut by 2025. In reality, 10 of the 15 power stations of this type are due to be shut down starting in

2020 as the cost of complying with new EU emissions regulations are not financially viable. Amongst these 10 is the Endesa power station at Carboneras. Greenpeace claim that the guidelines for shutting down all the coal-fired power stations allow the remaining ones to operate until 2030. They claim that in 2018, 40 million tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere by these power stations and they were responsible for 65% of CO2 gases from the generation of electricity and only provided 14% of the electricity requirements in Spain. They went on to complain that the importation of coal from Columbia, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa that was 16.5 million tonnes in 2018 was a violation of the human rights of the miners that had to produce it and an exploitation of the labour forces.

An End to Changing Pesetas to Euros The Euro became the Spanish currency in January 2002 but it is calculated that there is still 1.6 billion euros worth of peseta notes and coins in Spanish hands that can be changed into euros at branches of the Bank of Spain. Since November 2018 up to November 2019 1.3 billion pesetas in notes and 499 million pesetas in coins were exchanged. The exchange process will now end at the end of December this year and so people who still have peseta notes and coins have to exchange them before this date. There is no limit on the amount of pesetas a person

Continued ....

In the News can convert to euros and the nearest Bank of Spain branch is in Murcia city. It is accepted that a large number of peseta notes and coins are now in collections The Almería City Maternity and Children’s Hospital Just before Christmas the first patients arrived at the new maternity and children’s hospital that has been built alongside the Torrecárdenas hospital in Almería city. The existing and new hospitals are joined together and patients can be transferred between the two. 55 individual rooms were opened that catered for 23 obstetrics patients and 32 for children. This freed up space at the existing hospital that could be used for the treatment of ailments including the flu that reaches a peak in January. This January, 35 consultant rooms were opened and by June all the operating theatres and intensive

care wards will be in operation. When fully open there will be 101 individual rooms with 12 for the cancer treatment of children and six for parents to stay in overnight. Last April the Junta de Andalucía (the governing body for Almería province) introduced a major initiative to cut down on waiting times to see a consultant and waiting times for operations. Consultants, surgeons and theatre staff were asked to work longer paid hours including evenings and weekends. A spokesperson stated that 3,000 more patients had been dealt with and the average waiting time of 201 days in April 2019 had been cut down to 159 days at the end of last October with a further reduction in numbers by the end of December. Patients waiting for minor operations had immediately been given priority and those persons who had been on a waiting list for more than one year which made a total of 2,800 operations brought forward.

So Now You Know... Hearing Aids Until electricity came along, the first hearing aids were made from an animal horn that was clipped onto a belt or worn round the neck. Improved models were manufactured out of metal rather like a megaphone. With the invention of the telephone, people with hearing problems found that their hearing was better using the telephone and Thomas Edison, who was deaf himself, invented the first proper hearing aid where a person could place his ear alongside a cabinet. The invention of electrical valves was a major improvement, and then transistors replaced valves and the devices became smaller, but in 1966 digital hearing aids were perfected. Tumble Dryers In 1799, a French inventor, Pochons, produced a drum with holes that was rotated by hand over a normal fire which he called a ‘ventilator’. It was a slow process but eventually wet clothes became dry ones. In 1892, a US inventor, George Sampson, improved the design with a rack inside the drum that stopped direct contact with the heat source and he used a stove instead of a fire. In 1938, the US Hamilton Manufacturing Company adopted a new design by J. Ross Moore and went into production with their gas or electricity model called ‘June Day’. By 1940, sales were skyrocketing with a product that was affordable by the general public. The Best Selling Music Albums Figures for the highest sales of music albums are those which have sold more than 20 million copies. Michael Jackson with his ‘Thriller’ album released in 1982 has had sales of more than 130 million copies. Pink Floyd edged into second place with their ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ released in 1973 that has sold 50 million copies and put the AC/DC ‘Back in Black’ 1980 album into third place with 49 million copies. ‘The Bodyguard’, principally by Whitney Houston, which came from the soundtrack of the film in 1992 has sold 44 million copies followed by ‘Bat Out of Hell’ released by Meat Loaf in 1977. Sales of this album total 43 million copies.

Pianos The piano, first known as the pianoforte, evolved from the harpsichord in 1700 to 1720 by the Italian inventor Bartolomeo Christofori. The problems with harpsichords were that the sound could not be made loud or soft and the volume made it unsuitable for anything other than small rooms. Christofori designed a hammer that struck the strings and then fell back to its original position and the sound was not damped. The German composer Johann Sebastian Bach was shown an early piano but he was not too interested at first. He later changed his mind and the piano became much more wellknown and models arrived in England. Heart Transplants Christiaan Barnard, a South African cardiac surgeon, carried out the first human-to-human heart transplant in 1967 using a technique developed by Norman Shumway perfected on animals. His patient was Louis Washkansky, aged 53, at the end stage of terminal heart failure, and he did not live for much longer as he contracted pneumonia and died 18 days later. Nevertheless, the transplant was surgically a success and the second patient that received a heart transplant lived for two years following the operation. In the UK, the first heart transplant at the Royal Papworth Hospital in 1968 was carried out by surgeon Donald Ross. MP3 Files The Fraunhofer Society, a research centre in Germany with 72 different departments, were looking for different ways to produce music and discovered a way to compress music tracks in 1991. By 1995 the encoding process was perfected and an MP3 player for PCs called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Winplay 3â&#x20AC;&#x2122; was made available the same year. The MP3 system removed those frequencies that people would not normally be able to hear and their 128 bit system reduced the file size of a 5 minute song to just 5 MB, a huge reduction in file size. The sound quality was not affected too much and the small file size was perfect for the large scale reproduction of music in digital devices.

Russian Interference in Spain

arious intelligence services are absolutely convinced that Russia meddled in the 2016 US Presidential Elections and they are accused of influencing the ‘Brexit’ referendum.

spent just 19 hours in Spain but Spanish police state that he wasn’t simply passing through, and after a few days in Geneva he then flew back to Moscow.

Unlike the UK, in major criminal cases in Spain a judge is appointed who heads the investigation and keeps track of all the evidence. The relevant police forces are in constant touch and the judge orders actions, search warrants, arrests, surveillance and the blocking of bank accounts where applicable. A judge at the Spanish High Court has opened an investigation into Russian interference in Spain and the activities of one Russian man in particular who is well-known to intelligence services in various countries. The Spanish National Intelligence Agency (CNI) and the Department of National Security (DSN) connect The two Russians who tried to murder the Russian him to some of the 107 physical or cyber attempts ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK in 2017 designed to create instability in Catalonia. were soon unmasked as being members of an elite Instability and the festering of unrest are seen as military/secret service organisation in Russia that the main aims of Russia when it interferes in other is known by Western intelligence services as Unit countries. The CNI also point to large sums of money 29155. It is claimed that the main aim is to carry being sent from the Russian banks SBER and Alfa out “operations” out of Russia and destabilise Bank to the international ING bank and the Dutch countries. Denis Serguéyev has been known to banks ABN AMRO and Danske Bank. The CNI consider intelligence services for a long time as being high that some of this money was then transferred to up in Unit 29155 and is considered to have been Barcelona. involved in organising assassination attempts in various countries. A new identity was then created The German Secret Service alerted Spain that Sergey and he became Sergey Fedotov in 2010, apparently Fedotov had been to Barcelona in 2016 and stated, a normal businessman. The investigative “Russia is trying to use secret operations to influence organisation ‘Bellingcat’ states he was in the UK in public opinion through extremist and racist 2016 just before and after the Brexit referendum organisations. In the case of the Catalan separatists and two days before the Skripal attack. they supported their position through propaganda activities”.On the morning of the illegal Catalan He was in Barcelona on November 5th, 2016, for independence referendum, the Spanish police took nine days and then on September 29th, 2017, just down a Spanish website with open access to the before the very flawed Catalan independence names of all the registered voters in Catalonia, but referendum on October 1st. From the tracking of almost immediately they appeared on a website his mobile phone it is known he went to the centre originating in Russia. of Barcelona half an hour after flying in from Moscow and spent some time in a park before Two other Russian 29155 agents made visits to staying for the night in a residential area. At 7.30am Barcelona in 2018 using false passports and Russia the next morning he went to the Barcelona railway is accused of fermenting more unrest in Catalonia station and travelled to Lyon and then to Geneva, in 2019.The Russian embassy in Madrid denies all arriving there at 6pm on September 30th. He had knowledge of any visits to Spain!

Personal Mobility Devices

uite often in Spain regulations are introduced registered, insist that helmets are worn, and ban to cover an existing situation. This was the them in certain areas or inclines. case with speed bumps or “sleeping policemen”. When thousands of roads had these, the Ministry of Transport ruled they had to be a minimum distance from front to back and a maximum height. The ‘DGT’, the Traffic Authority in Spain, have now published regulations that deal with the estimated 100,000 personal mobility devices in use today. These have been drawn up in conjunction with the Guardia Civil police and town halls and are stated to be in line with EU regulations. The first thing is the definition of what constitutes a personal mobility device, known in Spain by the letters ‘VMP’. The regulations define these as being something with one or two wheels for one person powered solely by electricity with a speed range from 6-25k/h. These include electric scooters, skate boards, hover-boards, electric bicycles and ‘Segways’. Manufacturers or importers have to provide a certificate that the maximum speed is 25k/h and they can be fined if they do exceed this speed limit. They do not have to be registered (in general), do not require a licence, insurance is not compulsory nor the wearing of helmets (except that cyclists must). They cannot be used on pavements or pedestrian areas but they can use cycle lanes if their town hall authorises this.

Only one person can use these devices, but in many towns or cities parents use them to take small children to school. This would now appear to be illegal and if more than one person uses them there is a fine of 100 euros. A user is required to submit to an alcohol or drug test and if positive there are fines from 500-1000 euros. A user cannot use a mobile phone, earphones or any device that is a distraction and there is a fine of 200 euros if this occurs. The fine for using them in prohibited areas is also 200 euros. If a town hall required helmets to be used and they are not in use the fine is another 200 euros, and the same fine applies if they are used in the hours of darkness without lights (if fitted) or reflective clothing. Parents have to pay any fines that apply to minors.

The use of disabled person mobility scooters is still a somewhat grey area. Users do not need a licence but the Guardia Civil police “strongly recommend” having insurance. They are defined as invalid carriages for one disabled person (police can ask to see a disabled person’s card) and the hire and use of those with two or more seats, popular in tourist areas, is illegal. They can be used on pavements and pedestrian areas but not in bus lanes, dedicated cycle lanes or motorways. At Town halls can introduce their own regulations, night time on main roads a user needs lights and and in many towns and cities these are already a reflective jacket but in some areas police won’t in place. They can require that these devices are allow them on main roads. A further definition is what is not counted as being a personal mobility device and things like hover-boards for children that do not reach 6k/h are considered to be ‘toys’. Normal ‘Vespa’ type scooters and motorbikes are road vehicles as defined by the Spanish Road Traffic Act and they need a number plate, a licence, insurance, ‘ITV’ (MOT tests) and a helmet.

An Astounding EU Verdict

n December 19th, a senior EU judge major surprise to all EU states and meant that all announced a ruling relating to Euro MPs. This of the three in Spain were Euro MPs from May had extremely serious repercussions for Spain and 26th 2018. Carles Puidgemont also affected national laws in many other EU states. Following the illegal referendum in Catalonia in October 2017 and the illegal declaration of independence, the Spanish central government took over the running of Catalonia and their parliament was dissolved. To avoid arrest on charges of rebellion, sedition (treason) and misappropriation of funds, various government ministers fled Spain and this included the former ex-President of Catalonia, Carles Puidgemont, and a former government minister Toni Comín, who fled to Brussels. Oriol Junqueras, the former Vice President, stayed in Spain and was arrested, The other major upset for the government in charged and sent to prison on remand. Spain was that Euro MPs have diplomatic immunity from political prosecution unless they commit In May 2018 there were EU state elections for crimes whilst in office. On December 20th, with Euro MPs and all three put themselves forward large numbers of the press invited along, Carles as Euro MPs for Catalonia. Legal opinion in this Puidgemont and Toni Comín went to the EU very unique situation was that they could do this, Parliament and obtained photo ID as part of their but they had to come to the Spanish Parliament application to be accepted as MPs. to be sworn in if they were elected. All three were elected but there was no way the two in Belgium Oriol Junqueras had been given a prison sentence were going to set foot in Spain with outstanding of 13 years for sedition and banned from holding arrest warrants, and Oriol Junqueras was denied public office in October 2019. Spain issued new European and Interpol arrest warrants the following permission to leave prison. day for a variety of people including the two exThe EU accepted this and when Carles Puidgemont Ministers in Belgium. The High Court in Madrid and Toni Comín tried to present themselves at notified the EU on January 2nd why Oriol Junqueras the European Parliament in June 2018 as Euro was not eligible to be a Euro MP and would not be MPs they were denied entry. The lawyer for Oriol released from prison. The EU accepted their legal Junqueras is continually making appeals, and one arguments and announced that he was not a Euro of them to the Spanish High Court was that they MP from January 3rd but was entitled to back pay! should have let him come to parliament to be Carles Puidgemont and Toni Comín went to the EU sworn in. The Spanish High Court referred this to Parliament as Euro MPs on January 14th where the EU Parliament with no expectation that they held a press conference, but the Spanish High anything would change. On December 19th a Court has requested permission to prosecute them senior EU judge ruled that the previous EU ruling as serving members for crimes from 2017 that are was not valid and any person elected to be a Euro part of the Spanish criminal code, and Spain has MP became one after the votes had been counted refused to cancel the Spanish, EU and Interpol arrest without having to be sworn in as a Euro MP in warrants. A quick decision is not expected but the their own national parliament. This came as a two politicians may be living on borrowed time.

Video Game Addiction

t is accepted that addiction to video games can become a real problem, similar to drug and alcohol addiction. In young people this can lead to social exclusion, absence from school and occasionally violent behaviour if parents try to limit the time they spend in front of a computer screen. The World Health Organization is about to include video game addiction in their list of mental health problems. In China the government is taking positive steps to combat the problem. Companies have to comply with a “code of conduct” and players of games have to be registered with their real names and age. For minors below the age of 18, video games access is prohibited from 10pm to 8am, and no more than 90 minutes in any day except on “fiesta days” when the time limit is 3 hours. Payment online is also restricted and no company can make a charge for children aged 8 or less. A limit of the equivalent of 6 euros is the maximum charge for children aged 8-16 and 25 euros in a month. Adults cannot be charged more than 13 euros with a limit of 50 euros per month. Last year, companies in China had an income of 30 billion euros and companies who do not observe these limits will be closed down.

internet users and 1.5 billion euros was obtained by the companies offering video games, with 8,800 people working in this sector. The Director of the Spanish Association of Videogames, José María Moreno, claims that Spaniards only spend 45 minutes a day playing video games, lower than in France and the UK, but he accepts that there is an addiction problem with some young people. He doesn’t consider that there has to be such a restrictive use of video games as in China and he calls on parents to see what games their children are playing and limit the time period, just the same as computer or mobile phone use in general. He also thinks that schools have a role to play and advice should be available to pupils with the dangers pointed out and addictive video games specified. A Spanish code system called PEGI indicates the recommended age for each video game.

Facial recognition is very advanced in China in large cities and if a camera spots a person jaywalking or crossing a street on a red light their face and name are displayed on large video screens. A fixed penalty is notified to their mobile phone and until they make an online payment their face is not taken off. The Chinese game company ‘Tencent’ is proposing that facial recognition applies to young people to stop them using an account belonging to an adult, particularly their parents. 854 million Chinese citizens have internet access and 20% are minors. 640 million play video games and 565 million do this on their phones.

In Spain, the most popular video games last December were FIFA 20, The Legend of Zelda, NBA 2K20, Efootball Pro Evolution Soccer, Grand Auto Theft V, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Dragon Reignited Trilogy, Dragon Quest XI and Echoes of an Elusive Age. Video games that are stated to be the most addictive include League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Call of Duty and Skyrim, and many thousands of people play these. Health professional consider that problems with sight, particularly in children, come from excessive In Spain, a survey in 2018 revealed that 21% of use of video games and this is a real general health young persons from 14-18 were compulsive worry.

The Self-Employed in Spain

or many people living in Spain the idea of being the ‘Hacienda’ (the Spanish tax man) but you self-employed is very attractive. If you have deduct the IVA you have paid out. an idea for a business or have qualifications that entitle you to offer a particular service you can choose your own work hours that may be less than a 40 hour week or as many hours as you want to work above this. If you choose to use your home as the base for your operations this mitigates the expense. The Spanish government offer incentives for the self-employed as it is recognised that this is an important sector of the population. In Almería province at the end of 2018 there were 58,000 people registered as being self-employed but this number went up to 64,700 at the end of October 2019 and the anticipated increase for the rest of 2019 was calculated to result in a 20% rise on 2018 for the whole year. The simplest way to be self-employed is known as being ‘autonomo’ and this applies to 60% of all self-employed people in Spain. Your personal tax circumstances become intertwined with your business tax liabilities and tax is liable every quarter for your business. At the year-end (the Spanish tax year is the actual calendar year) the totals are added up. As a private person you make a tax declaration at the end of June that applies to the previous year, and your personal allowances and personal liability for tax are combined with your business. For the vast majority of the selfemployed this means that you get a rebate as your personal tax circumstances with various allowances will mean that overall you have paid more tax than you actually owe. There is a big difference from the UK in Spain that applies to ‘IVA’ (VAT). As soon as you start trading you have to charge IVA on the goods and services you offer and there is no exemption until you have reached a threshold. The usual rate of IVA in Spain is 21%, but for things like food and drink, if you run a bar and restaurant, you only charge 10%. IVA that you collect in is paid over to

A self-employed person has to pay for Spanish Social Security but this gives healthcare entitlement and other benefits and contributes to a Spanish pension if you pay in for a minimum of 15 years. The ‘normal’ amount to be paid is about 280 euros a month, but there are important subsidies paid by the government or the autonomous community (Andalucía in our case) for people who start to be self-employed. This is known as a super-reduced rate ‘tarifa plana’. It started off as being 60 euros a month for the first year, but it has now been extended to the second year. For newly self-employed persons below the age of 30 they only pay 30 euros per month for the first year. For women who live in a municipality of less than 5,000 people and become self-employed they only pay 30 euros a month for the first year, which is designed to stop women leaving small municipalities. A self-employed person can also claim a meals allowance if they travel out of their area coupled with a hotel allowance. If they work from home they can get a discount off the cost of services such as electricity and water, according to the percentage of the area of the property that they use for their work-related activities.

Useful Telephone Numbers Emergencies (Multi-lingual)...................112 Health Emergencies: Life Threatening .........................................061 Other Health Emergencies...........902505061

HACIENDA (TAX OFFICE) Huércal Overa .......................950 470209 / 950 471013

FUNERAL DIRECTOR Albox (Funerarias Teruel) .......................................950 430122 Guardia Civil ..................................................062 Huércal Overa (Colly Fer) ...............................950 616161 Local Police ....................................................092 Garrucha (Funerarias Funerga) ..............................950 460295 Coast Guard .................................900 202 202 Mojácar (Funeraria Pérez) ...................................950 478102 Vera (Funeraria Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias) ..950 390884 AIRPORTS Almeria airport .....…..............…902 404 704 / 950 213 700 HOSPITALS Huércal-Overa, Alicante airport ….............………913 211 000 / 966 919 000 Hospital La Inmaculada..................................................950 029000 Corvera airport ……...……....................................….913 211 000 Almería Torrecárdenas............................................950 016000 Almería,Virgen del Mar (Private).....................950 217100 BRITISH EMBASSY Virgen del Mar Emergencies:............................950 217240 Madrid ......................................................................917 146300 LOCAL POLICE BRITISH CONSULATE Albox ...............................................................................950 121080 Málaga (for this area) ................................................952 352300 Carboneras .................................................................950 136136 Cuevas del Almanzora ................................................950 548700 UK PASSPORT INFORMATION Garrucha ............................................................................950 460002 www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports Huércal-Overa ..............................................................950 470585 Mojácar ...........................................................................950 472000 EMERGENCY UK PASSPORTS Pulpi ……………......................................................................950 465049 www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document Vera .................................................................................950 390010 CREDIT CARDS 24hr EMERGENCIES 4B(Visa/Mastercard) …..902 114400 / 913 626200 American Express …...................................................900 814500 Diners Club …..........................................................902 401112 Mastercard …..........................................................900 971231 Servired (Visa/Mastercard) …............................902 192100 Visa …..........................................................................900 991124

TOWN HALLS Albox ....................................................................................950 120908 Antas ............................................................................950 619015 Arboleas .............................................................................950 449430 Cuevas del Almanzora .................................................950 456488 Los Gallardos ....................................................................950 469000 Garrucha ...............................................................................950 460058 Huércal-Overa ...............................................................950 134900 Mojácar ...........................................................................950 615009 ELECTRICITY Sevillana Endesa Enquiries: ..................(free).800 760333 Turre ..................................................................................950 479011 Breakdowns:.........................(free).900 850840 Vera .....................................................................................950 393016 WATER Galasa Enquiries: ..................................................950 391200 TELEPHONE (Telefonica) Breakdowns: ...........................................902 355575 Normal Operator ..................................................................1004 Gestagua (Albox) ....................................................950 120649 Faults Operator ....................................................................1002 International Operator ......................................................11825 GAS Speaking Clock .........................................................................093 Cepsa (Silver bottles) Leaks ….......................902 100224 Cepsa, information …......................................902 416416 TAXIS See Directory pages Repsol (Red bottles) Leaks .......................901 121212 Repsol, information .........................................901 100100 MOBILES LOST OR STOLEN (From any 'phone) ITV (Spanish M.O.T. Centres) Orange …........................................................................656 001470 Vera, Albox, Veléz Rubio Telefónica Movistar …............................................095 702611 Central number ……………........................................959 999999 Vodafone …....................................................................607 123000 Yoigo …..................................................................................622 622622 TRAINS Renfe www.horarios.renfe.es ……..........…….902 240202

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

The Focus A-Z Directory

2000 entries!

This A-Z directory is the only comprehensive listing of all the businesses and services you routinely need and can never find!

For a free directory entry, call 670 84 92 65 or e-mail almeriafocus@gmail.com Keep this magazine in your office, by your 'phone, in the car or beside your bed! It's unique and updated every month. Red line entries signify that there is a display advert for that advertiser. Cazorla Martinez (Turre) .........................................950 479137 ACCOUNTING AFIRA (Mojácar) .........................................................622 549019 Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 Concepción Rivas Gil (Arboleas) ….....950 438092 / 647 577716 Flores Montoya Asesoria S.L. (Garrucha) ..................950 132577 Gecko Legal Services S.L. (Mojácar) 950 475949 / 638 264621 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 473 192 Mojácar Playa Asesores ……................…….…………950 472710 Sintra Consultores (Vera) …......................................950 393815 Vera Advisors (Vera) ………………..................………950 390621 Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..........................................950 431720

ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture Antonio Herrero ......................................670 099725 Asesoría Forte (Vera) ..........................950 395778 / 682 372196

AIRPORT PARKING Asesoría López (Vera) ……...................................….950 393071 AA Parking (Almería, Murcia, Alicante) ......................639 081067 Asesoría Torres (Mojácar) .........................................950 472748 Aqua-Car (Alicante) ……………........................................966 790 011 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726 Coastline Alicante Airport Parking .............................661 517890 Plane Parking S.L. …………............................................966 840 289 ...............(24hrs Alicante) 656 532725, (24hrs Murcia) 656 532724 Seguro Parking (San Jávier – Murcia) ……............622 062115 Victoria Parking (Alicante).................................................965 830 254

AIR CONDITIONING ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.11)...647 247494 / 950 092604 Andy Lake - Williams Electrical ............................…..677 741366 Cool Solutions ...........................................................600 621436 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Electrotorres ........................................677 530410 / 610 750771 MD Air Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L. 607 364917 / 950 432110 Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427 Richard Hayes ...........................................................603 567676 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 SolAir (See p.39) ................................950 472081 / 645 294064 Cabrera Cervantes (Turre) ................950 099400 / 627 464545 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55)...950 398146 / 699 909737

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

ANTIQUES Delfos (Mojácar) ......................................................647 163681 Pink House (La Concepción) ..............622 288750 / 681 095096

ARCHITECTS Angel Pardo (Técnico) .......................950 121960 / 687 939315 Antonio Martinez de la Casa .....................................950 092094 Architecture & Engineering Mojácar ...........................950 655468

Blas Haro Morales (Mojácar).......................................639 317429 Daniel González Aranda (Vera) ......................................686 846 624 Elena Acebo Architects (Huércal-Overa) .669 680098 / 950 134976 Paula Puente (Mojácar) .............................................610 433001

AIRPORT TRANSFERS (LEGAL) Exclusive Airport Shuttles (See p.59)..........................950 092602

ART & ARTISTS

ALARMS & SECURITY AC Security ........................................950 387822 / 657 AXA ...........................................................................950 B-Safe Digital Security Solutions ..............................634 Prosegur Alarms .........................................................608 Safes & Security (Dean)...........................................666 SE Telecoms ..............................................................697

397218 478763 349859 825509 949213 780499

Adolfo Prado ...............................................................950 472668 Alison .......................................................................630 833873 Anushree Krementz .................................................672 721096 Caz (art classes) ………................................……….607 444034 Dee Butler (Albox) ................................................….663 341904 Delfos Gallery (Mojácar) …........................................647 163681 Evie Fox ................................................................ 603 493163 Isabel Raths (Bedar) ................................................677 034957 Jeremy Fox-Rayner ...................................................653 714767 Jill Bennett (Mojácar) .........................950 478383 / 600 070188 Living Design (Albox) ...............................................678 308073 MarianMay Simpson …...........................………..……629 113436 Melanie .....................................................................638 495784 Miki ...........................................................................628 458491 Pink House (La Concepción) (See p.57)622 288750 / 681 095096 Roberto Lombardi ................................950 930757 / 671 800317 The Gallery (La Concepción) ..................................607 146352

AUCTIONS A & A Auctions (Albox) ………..............950 064576 / 661 759882

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Garrucha Tierra y Mar .............................................................850 992808

Huércal-Overa El Capricho ….........................................................637 595326 Hotel Overa (See p.13) ............................................950 470879 New Why Not? ............................................................950 135614

La Alfoquía Bar La Unión ...........................................................642 008003 Heathers ...................................................................642 144727

Las Buganvillas Gnomo Feliz II ..........................................................950 462540 Auction Subasta (Los Carasoles) (See p.49).UK 7413190882 / 643 137106 La Colonial ……………….........................................….950 133918 Location Warehousing S.L. (Antas El Real) ..............950 528565

Los Carasoles

AUTOMATIC DOORS & GATES

Harley’s ..................................................................642 637371

The Metal Works (Albox).......................950 930520 / 638 900949

AWNINGS & BLINDS Curtains with Style (Interior blinds) ...950 069032 / 678 811125 Costasol S.L. (Lloyd Dean) (See cover)...........................667 652 888 Coverbox (Albox) …................................................…615 992007 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 PersiVera 2005 S.L. ..................................................627 978635 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 Sol Shaders S.L. (See p.45).....................................627 907207 Speedyfit ...................................................................600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564

Los Gallardos Apolo ……………................................................……600 495182 Meson Verfran ……….........................950 469393 / 637 810143

Las Herrerias Eugenia ...................................................................950 069021

Mojácar Bar Esencial ........................................630 26626 / 618 826092 Bar Luz ....................................................................654 866110

BABY See Children & Baby BAKERIES Cornish Pride (Albox) …................................………666 618933

BARS & CAFES See also Restaurants Albox Bar Lepanto .........................................................................642 391433 Chapman’s ...............................................................950 091188 Cornish Pride ...................................................………666 618933 La Palmera ….............................................................950 430993

Alfaix La Venta de Alfaix .....................................................671 272464

Arboleas Hotel Rural Azabache ...............................................690 258813 Humbugs Cafe …................................643 123253 / 643 075387

Bédar El Cortijo ...........................................950 398108 / 689 702916 El Paso ...................................................................950 469409

Cerro Gordo Bistro Bonita .......................................650 599739 / 950 930169

Cucador La Vida .....................................................................950 634562

El Campico (Bédar-Lubrin) La Montaña .............................................................670 589788

Beachcomber ..............................................................634 339216 Cafeteria Bellagio .......................................…………950 472342 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba ……….657 560679 / 645 414793 Café Latino ...............................................................626 717323 Captain's Tapas Bar & Restaurant...............................617 477797 Casa Familiar Mojácar (See p.7)...............................643 683971 Cave Bar ...............................................................…..950 478799 Cowboy Kenny’s Bar and Que ................................711 007976 Delfos .......................................................................647 163681 Dolce Vita .................................................................950 478476 El Aleman ...............................................................617 317801 El Antler ………...........................................................600 540661 El Deseo ..................................................................670 018035 El Lugar ...................................................................679 676405 El Toro .....................................................................622 456560 Enrico ...................................................950 472995 / 642 514738 Fany …………...........................................………….634 312820 Fusion Beach ...........................................................950 615224 Gastro Malabar ........................................................950 472970 Koi …...........................................................................950 615452 Kukis ...........................................................................950 475766

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

La Cantina (Mexican) ................................................950 478841 La Piká .....................................................................950 930744 La Taberna (Mojácar Pueblo) ..............618 696172 / 647 724367 Los Amigos .......................................…………………950 478489 Levante ....................................................................950 615224 Lucero ………..................................................……….673 544617 Marcelo Entre Tapas ...................................................950 031812 Martinis ....................................................................950 285330 Mesón Felipe San Bernabé ................950 475966 / 631 301368 Mesón Mémé ……………...........……….674 141159 / 647 954405 Mimi’s Bar ..................................................................651 872604 La Pará ……………............................................……637 545590 Rosie Lees .............................................................643 198600

Moca Cafe Bar …......................................................950 452885 Playa Blanca ...........................................950 473001 / 639 507520 Reina Mora ...............................................................950 473204 Rincon del Zahorí ..................................630 314400 / 625 103672 Valle del Este Rose & Crown (See p.15)........................................634 796884 Hole in One Karen’s Bar ......................950 461068 / 677 655790 Rusty Nail ...............................................................662 153813 Vera San Pedro Belgian Bar .............................................722 485340 La Amistad …………….…......................................…666 272817 Scotty's …...................................................................687 382540 Vera Playa The Emerald Isle .....................................................652 105827 The Irish Rover (See p.41).........................................950 473135 The Lemon Lounge .............................................….950 472659 The Roof Garden .................................................674 113218 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611 Twister .....................................................………………600 006032 Valery Cocktail Bar .........................................................950 615537

Palomares 102 Tapas Bar …………....................950 467745 / 615 157905. Asagía Asador ........................................................640 210185 La Dulce Casa ….............................950 618059 / 950 467768 Monika ......................................................................659 672615 Bar La Reva ..........................................................618 The Oasis ............................................950 467381 / 676 365010 El Balconcito .............................................................635 Piedra Amarilla, Partaloa Frankie’s Bar ............................................................622 Lorena’s ...................................................................634 345353 La Peperina .........................................678 643013 / 678 Pueblo Laguna The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 Bar Restaurant Laguna ……….........................……..950 132566 Villaricos Dee’$ Dollar Bar ........................................................950 372295 Bar La Plaza Villaricos .........................................…950 Pub Millionaire ....................................950 617467 / 637 255978 El Galeon ……...................................................……671

541115 589909 649469 642856 467682

467590 588790 San Juan de los Terreros El Gato ..............................................619 884792 / 628 169659 Mi Cortijo ………......................................................…950 466323 Los Conteros .....................................950 618629 / 699 010705 Lucky Bar Pizzeria ...........................................…….647 073598 Turre Alice’s Bar ……….......................................................677 161705 Chili ...................................................950 468425 / 608 802227

BARS (BEACH BARS) Aku Aku (Mojácar) .............................950 478981 / 607 347612

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Alma (Mojácar) …......................................................950 805928 Ankara Beach Terrace (Mojácar) ………........………..950 473042 Armony Beach Club (Vera Playa) …......……………..617 745021 Chiringuito Manacá (Mojácar) ............693 618671 / 600 045599 Costa Tranquila (San Juan de los Terreros)..............620 236798 El Cid (Mojácar) ...................................950 472063 / 696 056128 Hola Ola (Mojácar) ..................................................664 097279 Los Tarahis (Agua Amarga) .......................................950 138235 Lua Beach Club (Mojácar) …......................………… 950 472643 Mandala Beach Club (Mojácar) ................................950 473131 Maraú (Vera Playa) ………...........................…………671 580340 Maui (Mojácar) ……...................................................950 478722 Neptuno (Mojácar) (See p.29) ............….................616 005387 Playa Juana Beach Club ............................................690 984992 Sol y Arena (Mojácar) ..............................................950 478308 Tito’s (Mojácar) ..........................................................950 615030 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611

BED & BREAKFAST Casa Barranca (Huercal Overa) ..............................648 250699 Casa Montes Guesthouse (Arboleas) ..................... 686 400331 Castellón (Bédar) .......................................................642 435909

BEDS & BEDDING Colchón San Gines (Huércal-Overa) ........................950 Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarron)...968 153907 / 678 Me & Mrs Jones (Mojácar) (See p.25).........................634 Sleepcentre (Albox) (See p.5) ..........868 931872 / 671

809519 083491 364795 715294

BATHROOMS & SHOWERS ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Ana Rodríguez (Huércal-Overa) ..........950 939154 / 606 784598 Cerrajería Jara (Las Buganvillas) ……………………..950 109986 Complete Renovations ......................644 389255 / 672 379960 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Dorothy Baños (Albox)...................................................661 463842 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950 132458

BICYCLE SALES & HIRE Aguila Bike (Las Buganvillas) ........................................950 133063 All Bike All Run Sport (Albox) ...................................647 836426 Bikespin (Huércal-Overa) ................. 950 927678 / 662 543056 Doltcini (Clothing) (Mojácar) ..............950 092600 / 658 028646 Lufran Bike Sport …………....................................….607 074753 Rock & Road (Garrucha) .............................850 992805 / 628 2633389 Rodeca Bike Zone ..................................................950 132525 Weekend Sport (Las Buganvillas) ............................950 460738

BLINDS see Awnings & Blinds BOATS & NAUTICAL Veramotor S.A. ............................................................950 392552

BOAT TRIPS Glass Bottom Boat (Villaricos port) ….......................662 604456 Mojácar Home Improvements ...................................950 473104 Orca Steve (Mojacar, Garrucha) ..............................634 352873 Partylevante (Puerto Deportivo Garrucha) ...............680 942141 Sunshine Charters (Garrucha) ....................................634 398074

BOOKS Librería Nobel (Vera) ................................................950 392642 The Book Box (Albox) ……................................…….662 585098 The Book People Almería …........……686 817945 / 626 578164

BOOK PUBLISHING Costa Books ............................................................634 304344

BOWLING CENTRES (10 pin) Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 SpeedyFit (Screens) ..................................................600 006032 Indalo Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073 The Bathroom & Tiling Specialists ...................+44 7756081843 BUILDING MATERIALS Toldos Farrago (Screens)(Vera) ................................667 567564 (& Sanitary Ware, Tiles etc) BEAUTY See Hair, Health & Beauty Aridos Mojácar S.L. ……..........................................650 914257 Brico Depôt (Huércal de Almería) …........…………….950 625652

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Casa Conchillo (Albox) …..........................................950 430740 Contrucciones Angel Oller (Albox) ...........................950 431453 Comercial Vera (Vera) ........................902 112236 / 950 393329 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Leroy Merlin, Gran Plaza (Roquetas) ….................……950 339800 VeraSur SL (Vera) ....................................................950 393028

BUILDING SERVICES ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Adam's Building Services .............................………..600 041820 Alan Barker ........................................950 099913 / 600 268176

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

AlmeriaBuilders.com ……......................659 685133 / 950 9305202 Arboleas Building ………........………........................634 306690 Ben Foster Building Services .................................642 471236 CES Builders (Paul) ................................................685 017178 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Christopher Knell Building Contractors .....................634 344450 Complete Renovations .......................644 389255 / 672 379960 David Croft (Urcal) ………....................................……661 148067 David Pritchard Construcciones ........617 698418 / 662 046497 Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Elite Constructions .......................................................636 092632 Genco Construction ...................................................607 271869 J B General Builder ................................................. 687 024884 Mario the Handyman ................................................642 245017 M13 ........................................................................657 105084 Mat Murray ...............................................................647 841750 MD Building Services ..........................628 414861 / 628 414862 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 PR Building Services ................................................662 422170

Solvi Car (Mojácar) …………....................................950 478151 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095

CAR WASH & VALETING Denis’s Car Wash (Mojácar Playa) ...............................643 198320 Jones’s Mobile Valeting ............................................661 571939

Paul Acreman (General Builder) ..............……………607 196779 Saxon’s Complete Building Services ....618 920126 / 968 485729 Sierra Construcción .................................................611 028716 Valoser Obras .............................................................642 016954

BUTCHERS Juan’s Carniceria (Mojácar Playa) ........................950 478409

CAKES TO ORDER Alison’s Homemade British Cakes .............................639 028517 Moca Cafe Bar (Mojácar).........................................950 452885 CARD SHOPS Occasion Cupcakes (Velez Rubio) ............................634 329403 The Cake Boutique (Arboleas) ............................+44 7800 892244 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Colin the Card (Albox) .........................................…..650 600032

CAMPSITES

Camping el Cantal (Mojacar) ................................... 950 478204 Camping Los Gallardos .............................................679 970399 Campsite Marion (Vera) .............................................607 316553

CAR HIRE Al Andalus Car Hire ...................................................664 269440 Auto Corner (Limousines) .....................950 069198 / 667 439671 Caracola (Mojácar) .............................950 473157 / 637 545814 Costa Coches (Mojácar) ........................950 459208 / 950 069272 Europcar .................................................................950 615101 Mo-Car (Mojácar) ................................950 478307 / 626 976973

Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas) ............................663 302740

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Restaurante Asia - Maribo Kitchen ...........................950 110420 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 CHIROPODIST & PODIATRISTS Total Entertainment (Mojácar) ……….................……950 615596 Clinica Podológica (Garrucha) ..................................950 132768 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295

CARPENTRY Bédar Madera (Bédar) ................................................687 503181 Cutler’s Carpentry .................................................697 907708 Go2 Joinery & Services ...........................................674 963957 Mojacar Carpentry & Home Improvements ...............603 688622 Simon the Woodworker .............................................667 989270 Unicraft …..............................................................…692 176069 Wildwood Bespoke Joinery ......................................634 328574

CARPET CLEANING Jones’s Mobile Valeting ............................................661 571939

CATERING / EVENTS See also Wedding & Party Planning Elite Cuisine ..........................................................610 Hog Roasts .............................................................671 The Whole Hog / Hog Roast parties ..968 485729 / 618 Soft Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt Machines............600

994435 851135 920126 006032

CATTERY see Kennels CBD SPECIALISTS CBD Natural (Huércal Overa) ..............950 882237 / 661 373684 In-Step (Arboleas) ...................................................634 330067 Kim White (Vera Playa) ………...................................637 149659

CIVIL ENGINEERS Isabel Morales ........................................................617 749105

CLAIRVOYANCY / PSYCHIC READINGS Anna (Tarot) ……….........................................………670 Beverley Kearns .....................................................600 Chrissie Cremore ....................................................634 Psychic Karen (Turre) ….........................................663

897832 796684 349638 477658

CLOTHING (Personalised)

CHILDREN & BABY

Sello Gráfico (Mojácar Playa) ..................................607 424452 Baby Basics (Equipment Hire, Albox) ........................950 104345 Rascals Designs ............................... 950 064665 / 686 582140 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) ..............................634 322475 Tikka Uniforms (Mojácar) ….......................................667 479903 Meditania, Children’s Activity Centre (Turre) ...........661 751244 CLEANING SERVICES Funky Monkeys, Pre-school Group (Mojácar) .....……697 264179 Amba Cleaners ........................................................697 516955 Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 The Baby Hire Centre ..............................................615 806126 Chris .......................................................................627 565049 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 CHIMNEY SWEEPING & REPAIRS Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Paul the Chimney Sweep …………..617 150300 / 850 993057 Crystal Clear ............................................................637 229464 Sammy Sweep ..........…............................…………..619 070839 Daisy Proaño Alcivar (Contract & private) ……...….663 538596 Idea (Mojácar) .. ......................................................605 162709 CHINESE & ASIAN RESTAURANTS Jone’s Upholstery & Rug cleaning ….........…………661 571939 Chino Peking (Garrucha) .............................................950 132948 Limpiezas Cristina …..............................................…660 306695. Dragon Chino (Las Buganvillas) ..................................950 133226 Limpiezas Maxlim (Palomares) …..…...678 567783 / 629 680161 Gran Muralla (Albox) ................................................950 120166 Under Pressure .......................0044 7896 075925 / 633 436927 Gran Muralla (Turre) ……............................................950 618880 Upholstery & Leather Cleaning .................................636 193256 Palacio Imperial Marina (Mojácar Playa) ….................950 472208 Xtreme Cleans Property Care ..................................634 328911

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Dr. Jane Thompson (Psychotherapy)...968 485729 / 618 920126

COMPUTERS Advance Digital ........................................................616 506569 Beep (Garrucha) ……………..................................….950 133059 Compleo Personal I.T. Centre .................................….950 393689

Connexions (Turre) ...................................................950 479502 C.Y.G. Vera ...........................................................950 393350 Don Robinson .........................................................646 587746 Dynos Informatica (Albox) …………...................……..950 430806 George’s Sales & Repair (Vera Playa) ..950 042338 / 661 375489 IKamale-on ……………...............................................950 616521 Infordatox (Albox) .....................................................950 633223 Mark Adamou (Mojácar) .....................634 324918 / 634 306799 Karen Green (Holistic Therapist) .........615 163416 / 850 993150 Mr. Micro (Turre) ....................................................950 479502 Kate Roberts ...........................................................950 469540 PC Playa (Mojácar) .................................................634 356498 Malcolm Forrest-Hazell (Counsellor/Psychotherapist) ...693 489725 Natural Health (Mojácar) ............UK 0783 4872273 / 658 638142 Shiatsu (Wendy) ....................................................671 851135 Sue Osman (Therapist) ……...............950 473021 / 600 847964 VaVa Yoga y Más (Vera) ........................................ 643 102335

COURIER DELIVERIES Nacex (Mojácar) ………..................................……….950 472940 Offex Spain ................................…….......................966 765950 Spanish Property Choice (Easypost) ..950 615388 / 635 722290

CRAFTS Elaine's Wools (Arboleas) ........................................667 273889 PRYS Informatica (Antas) ........................................617 382511 R.F. (Marquetry) .....................................................711 003476 Paul Wieder (Mojácar) ..............................................617 830696 Simply Art (Albox) …...................................................662 443095

CONSERVATORIES

CURRENCY

AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Currencies Direct (Mojácar) ...............950 478914 / 626 916443 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…..........................677 152911 Global Currency Exchange (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 615319 SpeedyFit ........................................950 472357 / 600 006032

CURTAINS & SOFT FURNISHINGS

COUNSELLING / HEALING Acupuncture & Massage ...........................................637 120429 Anushree Krementz (Healing / Satsang) ...................672 721096 Barbara Clarke ...........................................................637 469937 Chrissie Cremore (Reiki)............................................634 349638 Donald Mackinnon (Hypnotherapist) ........................628 651022 Emotional Freedom Technique .................................642 829305 Eve Morgan .............................................................647 203652 Fred Smithers (Acupuncture) ...............950 930456 / 618 107351 Gill Ballard (Healer/Counsellor) ...............................663 336655 Heaven Scent Holistics ...........................................663 923733 Hypnotherapy (Karen) .............................................663 477658

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Cortinas Gredécor (Vera / Huércal-Overa) ..................950 391361 DOG GROOMING Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Anita (5 Bone Kennels) …………......................……662 344734 Curtainsandthings.................................................……678 684564 Solo Style ………...............................950 528334 / 626 319907 Unicraft Upholstery ...................................................692 176069

CYBERCAFES Can Connect (Albox) …........................................…..950 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 Total Entertainment (Turre) ........................................950 Total Entertainment (Mojácar) …….............................950

121149 121318 009051 468295 615596

DAMP PROOFING

Berta Ayora (Turre) ..................................................637 395775 Brigbe’s Dog Grooming ...........................................630 557123 Centro Garras (Huércal-Overa) ............950 616820 / 617 456548 Elite Dog Grooming (Albox) …….…...........................617 313587 Luis (Clinica Veterinaria Garrucha) ....950 132200 / 628 663616 Lulu’s (Albox) ...................................950 952940 / 600 046557 Pampered Pooches (All areas)..................................662 344734 Pelitos (Los Gallardos) ..............................................637 286176 Shampooch professional pet grooming ........................642 276442 SoloPerros (Turre) ..................................................674 509382 Ulti-Mutt ......................................+44 7894747657 / 634 332578

Southern Spain Damp Proofing .................................652 358672

DOG TRAINING

DENTISTS / DENTAL TREATMENT

Didi Arias (Mojácar) ……............................................639 724521

Centro Dental Dr. Cremades (Vera) ........................950 390655 Clinica Dental (Albox) ..............................................950 120732 Clinica Dental, Multicentro (Mojácar) ........................950 478989 Clinica Dental Palomares .....................950 109710 / 670 878427 Clinica Dental, Parque Comercial (Mojácar) .............950 478534 Clinica Dental Saludent (Huércal-Overa) ……………..950 135672 Dentalbox (Albox) .........................................................950 121284 Nadal Pérez, M A (Turre) .........................................950 479444 Odonto Stetic (Los Gallardos) ...........722 706732 / 950 398993 Puerta de Vera (Vera) ........................................950395319 Valero Martinez (Garrucha) ………............................950 132047

DOORS See Windows & Doors DRY CLEANERS City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 390255

DVD & VIDEO Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Total Entertainment (Turre) ...950 468295 ...(Mojácar) 950 615596 VHS to DVD conversion .. ........................................647 202599

ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS Eco1 (Garrucha) .........................................................627 690056

DIET PLANS & WEIGHT LOSS Image (Helen) ........................950 930192 / 665178326 Issysweigh (Albox) ...................................................600 334318 Pam (Turre) ..............................................................639 465631 VaVa Yoga y Más (Vera) ........................................ 643 102335 Vicki (Turre) .............................................................650 764623

DIGGER HIRE See Excavation DIVING See Scuba Diving DOCTORS & CLINICS (Private)

ELECTRICAL GOODS Centro Comercial Almanzora (Olula del Rio) .............950 442012 Centro Ferretería Lopez Mojácar ...........................950 473111 De Pablo S.L. (Vera) ..............................................950 390129 Electro Ahorro (Albox) .............................................950 121069 Electro Hogar Rodriguez S.L. (Garrucha)..................950 460832 Euronics .............. (Albox) 950 430702 (Garrucha) 950 460832

ELECTRICIANS

Analysis Clinic (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 475282 Centro Médico Mojácar ...............................................950 475105 Clinica Medica Garrucha ……...........950 133157 / 617 404500 Dr. Maria Rose (Garrucha) ..........................................950 132803 Euroclinicas (Vera) ........................................................950 391300

A1 Services ………....................................................679 631458 Abbott Electrical ….............................638 010691 / 950 137208 Andy …..............................…................950 438237 / 679 656450 Andy Lake - Williams Electrical ..............................…..677 741366 Baltasar .....................................................................655 691107 Charlie Fyre ................................................................686 833444 Connexions (Turre) ……..............................………….950 479502

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

DJT Electrical Services (Vera) .............686 817945 / 626 578164 Loose Change ..............................................................671 754851 ElectroTorres .....................................677 530410 / 610 750771 M & M's Rock & Roll Revue ...................................699 462859 M Soul & Motown (all music styles) ........................634 340409 Maurice Casanove ....................................................671 386947 Maximum Output Karaoke /Disco ............................697 317557 Mel J (Female Vocalist) ........................................664 111990 Melodee (Duo) ................................610 855964 / 664 111990 Melodeemusic (Backing Tracks & Recording Studio).....610 855 964 Menta & Canela Duo ..............................................645 886919 Northern Lights Karaoke …...............................……..697 500673 Phil and The Invisibles ..................... 950 475752 / 651 045120 Richard Hill ..............................................................670 243461 Roadrunner (duo) ......................... 628 122363 / 684 330431 Robin Lamble ..........................................................602 469425 EMI Electrical Installations .......................................673 502867 Rocio Starry (Vocalist) .............................................645 886919 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 549247 Roy Fox ..............................................................711 003476 Francisco Montoya (Mojácar) .........................……….687 466352 Sabrina Lloyd ..........................................................661 055440 N.E.Electrics (Arboleas).............................................634 358777 Sharna Knight (Vocalist & Entertainer) ....................0044 7340 638513 Peace of Mind 24/7 ............................................... 637 974662 Sharon-Elizabeth Regan ........0044 7858 459637 / 666 673055 Zlatan ................................................630 207864 / 682 277576 Shirin (bellydancer) .................................................607 805367 Short-Fuse Blues Band...............................................651 610189 ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES CDB Natural (Huércal-Overa) ...................................950 882237 Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 Jules Outlet (Mojácar Playa) .....................................633 640918 Solo Simon ...............................................................667 989270 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) ......634 322475 / 633 629883 Spotlight Entertainment (Karaole, disco etc.) .............634 311652 Voluta's Place (Mojácar Playa) …...............................699 975552 Starry Jazz trio/quintet .............................................645 886919 Sue Moretta .............................................................672 148730 ENTERTAINERS The Fat Lizard Band .....(English) 651 045120 (Esp) 617 464728 Abbie Lou (Female vocalist) .......................................687 340544 The Opium Buddhas ………………….687 033106 / 667 989270 Amy Amy Amy Tribute Band ....................................645 886919 Tom Lee ……............................................................671 754851 Ashley Cathcart .......................................................693 486788 Tony Matthews (Quiz organiser) ..............................634 391414 Blues Brothers ........................................................680 355376 Tony Justice ……….............................950 950797 / 637 159249 Bob Management .......................................................666 310251 Trio Chaos ................................................................687 361440 Brendan O'Dee (Singer/Guitarist) ..............................610 855964 Triple Trouble Blues Band ........................................671 754851 Brian Dee ………........................................................647 897533 ESTATE AGENTS Carol George (Female Vocalist) ............................634 285009 Catchlove Music (Varied styles duo)…...................678 397536 Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 DJ Digit-Al ...............................................................634 338014 AlmeríaCasas ...........................................................950 387852 Dominic Doolittle ......................................................634 353525 Almería Homes ................................0044 1273 929286 / 950 930 259 Driftwood …….............................................................687 672028 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) ..670 596085 / 628 872334 Dynamite International Rock Band ............................666 310251 Almeria Property Finder (Albox) ................................950 431624 Emma Wild ..............................................................642 276385 Almería Prop. Investments (Las Buganvillas).950 460874 / 666 260792 Flamenco Dancer (English speaking) ...............687480694 Angel Property (Palomares) .....................................950 618054 Francisco J. ‘Pasus’ ..........................950 397401 / 699 510966 Antonio Martinez de la Casa (Energy certs)..............950 092094 Funky Nomad ..........................................................643 256459 Arboleas Property Shop .................…....................…958 003391 Georges Femenias (vocalist/guitar) ……...…………….634 300356 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 Good stand in drummer ...........................................648 GuitarMac ( Guitar/Vocals ) .....................................634 Harmony Duo .........................................................687 Jill Farmiloe (Female vocalist) .................................607 Jim Mackie (Piano Man) ..........................................651 JuJu Entertainment ............................950 950797 / 697 Kay Frances (Vocalist) ........................950 069288 / 689 Kayleigh Easton (vocals) ...................................... 642 Kev Moore .............................................................600 Kris Kelly (Female Vocalist) .................................. 634 Lady Ellen Sings .............................673 459331 / 677

699733 340476 340544 443908 751629 462746 404244 581198 762856 374525 475268

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Calida Homes (Arboleas)......................950 430763 / 634 302801 Casa y Campo (Lubrin) (See p.17) .........................678 587007 Casas Almería (Huércal Overa) ..........950 134434 / 649 777218 Citrus Homes ...........................................................638 849254 Cole's of Andalucia ...............................950 469592 / 659 265907 Complete Holiday Care .......................950 478612 / 610 808631 Cortijos Almería …………............……........................676 916088 D & D Property Care, Sales & Rentals .....643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................672 668803 Dream Homes Almería (Arboleas) ...............................697 875717

Españarural (Albox) ............................950 102505 / 654 Euroxan (Vera) .........................................................699 Fincas Vera Playa ..............................950 460670 / 639 Find Me A Home .................................951 914195 / 636 FW Properties ................................634 325152 / 634 Grupo Platinum Estates (San Juan) .950 466122 / 666 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 Indal-futur S.L. (Mojácar) ……............950 615156 / 609 Indalo Real Estate ...........................950 091137 / 616 Indasol Mojácar S.L. .................................................950 Inmobiliaria Almanzora ..................... 9501 20406 / 637 InmoTerreros (San Juan) ...............950 096180 / 666 K7 Mojácar ...............................................................950

359607 067922 314767 266641 352285 687251 562447 026526 760409 472200 251238 255765 478555

Linnitt Properties (Turre).............................................950 479054 Mojácar Estates (See p.50)......................................950 478935 Mojacarmar ......................................950 475891 / 636 903184 Multicasa Aguilas .................................................... 968 493009 Neinor Homes (Mojácar) ..........................................900 110022 New Horizon Villas (Zurgena) ..................................950 438221 New One Stop (Mojácar) ..........................................950 473040 New Wave Villas (Mojácar) (See back cover)950 475800 / 607 146352 Next Stop Almería (See p.3)..............950 617518 / 678 034651 Nicla Property Consultancy S.L. ............950 133508 / 628 585538

Okisur (Mojácar) .........................................................950 472010 Olive Property Sales (Bédar)(See cover) .950 469624 / 687 938466 Polansky and Associates ..........................................950 478086 Price Brown Partnership (Mojácar) (See p.64/65)....950 478915 Property Floor Plans ................................................619 672431 Real Almería Property (Mojácar) .......950 336 769 / 620 368194 Realtors MB Spain ..................................................678 347125

Rural Almería (Mojácar Playa) ................................…950 472200 Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Sol y Mar (Albox) ...............................950 064584 / 635 979829 Sonia Cantalejo Bueno (Energy Certs.)......................608 147640 Spanish Estate Agents (Albox) ………950 431855 / 661 143871 Spanish Hideaways (Oria) ....................634 366672 / 676 604008 Spain Assured (See front cover)............950 469622 / 634 300020 Spain Property Finder …..............……........................686 878789 Spanish Property Choice (Mojácar Playa)...................950 615388 Sun Med Properties (Vera Playa) ............................…..950 618209 Vaitier SL (Cabrera) .....................................................609 626140 Veritas Homes (Mojácar) ............................950 472430 / 610 053563 VIP Almería (Mojácar Playa) (See back)..950 472524 / 617 587903 Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Modern Times (Mojácar Playa) …..........…………….950 475207 Oasis Fashions (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 473222

WPMS Inmobiliario (Villaricos) ..........678 321111 / 950 618697

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Palme (Mojácar Playa) ............................................950 472813 Prins Vitali (Mojacar) ….............................................950 478690 JuJu Entertainment .............................950 950797 / 697 462746 Saga Boutique (Mojácar) .........................................950 475258 Sunflower (Mojácar) ...............0044 7596 063544 / 600 880525 EXCAVATION

See also Wedding and Party Planning

Aridos Mojácar S.L. (Vera) .....................................650 Bob (Mini digger) (Albox) ..........................................642 Diego Ramos S.L. (Los Gallardos) ……..............…..647 El Cano SL )Mojácar) ................................................950

914257 392922 841750 479185

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Aero Extinción S.L. (Almería) …............………………..950 263565 Extin-Torres S.L. (Mojácar) ............................................950 475067 Elite Plant Hire (JCB) ………….................................636 092632 MD Digger Hire & Construction.................................634 375428 Nash Groundworks ...................................................722 546192

FINANCIAL SERVICES

EXCURSIONS Andinas Buggy Treks ..............................................645 984122 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Costa Almería Tours ..................................................646 760389 Day Tours Almería ............................651 592836 / 645 253155 Indalo Quads (Mojácar) ...........................................634 315074 Mojácar Jeep Tours .................................................611 028716 Mountain Biking Spain …...............……637 831509 / 661 178656 Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) …..........……...……………..642 1185467

FABRICS Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Material Girl Fabric Warehouse (Albox) ................0044 7393 665954

FASHION Dandara (Garrucha) ................................................950 617013 Etcetera (Mojácar Playa) ...........................................950 532810 Garabatis (Children's) Mojácar Playa …..........………670 035630 Glad Rags (Albox) ……….........................................634 313071 H & R Men's Fashion (Albox) …................................692 682164 Liz Fashion Accessories (Garrucha) .627 970819 / 607 511179

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Javi Orta, personal trainer (Mojácar) .........................651 693681 Jova Sport Center (Mojácar Playa) ............................950 473137 Platino Gym (Mojácar Playa) .....................................950 284845 Sano Centre (Albox) ...................................................610 544306 Sano Centre (Huércal-Overa) ..................................666 021259 Sierra Club Desert Springs ........................................687 599115 Sol Yoga Centre (Arboleas) .........................................686 400331 Sophia Wellness Centre (Arboleas) ...........................950 449451 FIREPLACES Valle Del Este Spa & Health Centre ..........................950 548600 Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135 VaVa Yoga Studio (Vera) .........................................643 102335 Vicki’s Fitness & Slimming ........................................650 764623 Yoga therapies & slimming (Turre & Vera) ....................643 102335 AMASS ……......................................................……..678 035992 Blacktower (See p.127) .........................................657 684094 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Currencies Direct (Mojácar) …....…...…950 478914 / 626 916443 Indalo Partners ........................................................950 472242 Kennedy Financial Services .........................................678 035992 Offshore Money Management .............952 830916 / 950 398078

FISHING Orca Steve Sea Fishing (Mojacar/Garrucha) ……… 634 352873 Pete Fishing Trips (Mojácar/Garrucha) …..................634 379173 Rio 600 Boat Fishing (Sid & Graham). 647 020929 / 647 803030

FISH & CHIPS Kingfisher (Pueblo Laguna) ......................................663 553001

FITNESS & DANCE See also Activities-Clubs-Associations Alison .....................................................................666 273168 Ananda Yoga & Holistic Centre (Mojácar) ...............617 719913 Aqua Aerobics - Marianne (Arboleas) .......................637 435864 Club Deportivo Puerto Rey ......................................950 460545 Debbie James (Personal training) (Mojácar) ...........687 619239 Dorothy Rowntree, personal trainer (Mojácar)..........666 815838 Fitness For All (Bédar) ………..........…………………..647 593323 The Chippy (La Alfoquía) ........................................634 324484 Gimnasio Formas (Turre) .............................................950 468065 Gympower (Personal trainer) (Albox) ......................609 591606 FLORISTS Hortiflor (Mojácar) ....................................................950 478985 Isamy Florist (Los Gallardos) ...................................670 215902 LIS Florist (Garrucha) ................................................950 460901 Penny’s Florist (Mojacar) ..........................................645 351767 Persa Floristas (Albox) …….......................................950 120211

FLY SCREENS AA Window Doctor ..............……….........................…630 231644 Armadillo …..............................................................663 303350 Bugs ...........................................................................600 049515 Coastal Mosquitoes ...........................606 040462 / 610 000700 Curtains with Style (See p.21).........950 069032 / 678 811125 Dave ........................................................................634 351275 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 SpeedyFit ..............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564 Tony Justice ...................................…..950 950797 / 637 159249 Mojácar Home Improvements .........................…….950 473104

FOOD SHOPS Catch of the Day UK Fishmonger ........ 634 301490 / 634 304288 Eurowise (Albox) ……………….............................…..950 439801 Gastronomía (Delicatessen) (Las Buganvillas) .......950 132048

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

FUNERAL PLANS Avalon Europe S.L. ............................950 069012 / 634 321296 Golden Leaves Funeral Plans (Benitachell)............. 966 493082 Iberian Funeral Plans (See p.35)...........951 203994 / 965 993498

La Venta de Alfaix Minimarket (Alfaix) ..........................950 469660 Las Buganvillas Minimarket ………........................…..635 036408 Manoli (Arboleas) …...................................................627 941654 Price Busters (Albox) .................................................950 951494 Sol Supermercado (Albox) ….......................................950 430043 FUNERAL COMPANIES Spar Supermarket (Huércal-Overa) ...........…………..950 135222 Spices n' Herbs in Spain (Albox)...............................689 482694 CollyFer (Huércal Overa) …….............617 456259 / 617 456335 Super Corner (Turre)..........................950 468303 / 637 016107 The Corner Shop (Albox) ………………950 930539 / 680 776791

Funeral Homes Robles (Cuevas) ..............................657 921383 Funeraria Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias (Vera) 950 390884 / 607 705672

FUNCTION VENUES Miraflores Restaurant (Camping Los Gallardos) .........650 418954

The Almería Focus is the magazine that everyone keeps to hand. To advertise your business, call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Funeraria Pérez (Mojácar) (See next page) .............950 478102

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

FURNITURE PACKAGES Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarron)...968 153907 / 678 083491 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950 132458

FURNITURE, RUSTIC/HANDMADE La Buena Artesania (Mojácar) ....................................950 475508 The Furniture Doctor .............................................667 989270

FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Abodes (Mojácar Playa) ...............................................697 778355 Casa Carma (Turre) ...................................................645 080310

Continental Descanso (Antas) 950 459011 (Albox) ...950 633288 El Rincón de Mueble ....(Vera)950 460867 (Antas) 950 459071 Elleann’s Homestyle .................................................674 514999 Embargos Bestiales (Antas El Real) ......................950 105711 Fig Furnishings (Mojácar Playa) ...............................643 065179 Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarrón)....968 153907 / 678 083491 Homecentre (Albox) (See p.5)...........868 931872 / 671 715294 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ..................................950 132458 Ideas del Mueble (Antas) ...........................................950 452816 Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs ...........................850 993090 Inspired (Furniture & BBQs) (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) 950 147763 Koala Furniture (Antas).................................….........950 392307 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322 Linea Nueva (Arboleas) ……………….620 237529 / 950 120630 Me & Mrs Jones (Mojácar) (See p.25).........................634 364795 Muebles Rodríguez (Los Llanos, Arboleas) …...........950 430778 Muebles La Simona (Garrucha) ...............................950 132443 Oak Furniture Spain .............................622 288750 / 681 095096 Sofa & Sofa (Las Buganvillas) ..........654 596247 / 654 596220 Unicraft (El Real, Antas) ............................................692 176069

GARDENS 24hr Casaserve ..................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Agave …….................................................................617 826334 Antas Garden Centre (El Real) .............................610 243838 Cedar Landscapes …….............……....................…620 112193 Chris (Gardening) .................................................643 082899 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs .............................850 993090 Inspired (Furniture & BBQs) (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) 950 147763 Jardin Natural ............................................................685 478187 L & M Landscapes .................................................670 409538 La French Touch ......................................................607 226269 Lady Muck Gardening .............................................697 317557 Madera Mania (Garden Supplies) ….........................667 562872 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Mobile Shredder & Mulch Garden Service .............687 024884 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192

Potty Finca Services ..................……..950 163930 / 616 Riegos y Conducciones (Antas, El Real) .................950 The Tidy Gardener .................... 0044 7957167633 / 634 Xtreme Cleans Property Care ..................................634

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

855294 459146 318369 328911

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

GAS INSTALLATION & REPAIRS

HAIR, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Smith Plumbing (Spanish Authorised).........................950 468041 Affinity Beauty Treatments (Turre) ............................678 992093 Anavi Estillistas (Palomares) .....................................670 094722 Angela Ellis - Holistic Therapist ...............................642 577637

GAS TANK SUPPLIERS Gas Alboran ..........................................656 662000 / 950 259382

Avon Co-ordinator (Jane) ……...................................670 Avon Cosmetics (Arboleas) ………........................….691 Avon Cosmetics (Bedar) ...........................................950 Avon Cosmetics (Húercal Overa) …....647 092010 / 950 Avon Cosmetics (Los Gallardos) .............................687 Avon Cosmetics (Los Gallardos camping ) ..............950 Avon Cosmetics (Turre & Vera) .................................643 Avon (Total Entertainment, Albox) .............................950 Avon (Total Entertainment, Arboleas) ........................678 Beaches (Hair & Beauty) (Mojácar) (See p.7)......950 Beauty by Marilyn ....................................................950 Beauty Center (Mojácar) (See p.37)..........................687 Bonita Hair & Beauty Salon (Mojácar) ......................643

722705 987454 398980 137208 960362 469684 102335 121318 009051 473110 398852 480694 649453

CDB Natural (Skin care) (Huércal-Overa) ................950 Gareth Edwards (Cortijo Grande) …...........................950 479176 Carlos Barber Shop (Mojácar Playa)..........................610 Marcus (Mojácar) .....................................................610 526671 Centro Estética (Mojácar Playa) …..................………950 Neil Evans (Desert Springs Golf Resort) ............... 638 531821 Claire & Inma (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 Valle del Este (Vera) ...............................................676 256923

882237 575911 472680 147630

GIFT SHOPS Isabella (Vera Playa) ......................................................637 188901

GLASS CURTAINS Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 SpeedyFit .......................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564

GLAZING (Supply & Repair) AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Cristalería Mojácar …............................................…..950 475376 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Cristalería Rubi (Vera) ………......................................950 390546 SpeedyFit ............................................950 472357 / 600 006032

GOLD & JEWELLERY BUYING Gold & Jewellery Buying ...........................................616 453813

GOLF COURSES Aguilon Golf (Pulpi) ......................................………..672 Cortijo Grande ..........................................................950 Desert Springs ........................................................637 Macenas Beach Golf ...................…....................…..950 Marina Golf ..............................................................950 Valle del Este ...........................................................950

655600 479176 861591 548240 133230 398743

GOLF TUITION

GRASS, ARTIFICIAL Grass 4 U .................................................................638 574145 Greenfingers Arboleas S.L. ..........……......……………629 947633 Inspired (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) .................... 950 147763 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192 Tiger Turf ............................................950 431624 / 635 652745

GUTTERING Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Cloud 9 (Mojácar) .........................................................662 226086 Cutting Edge (Hair & Beauty) (Albox) .........................950 633086 Dave Eccles (Mobile Hairdresser) ......950 525790 / 687 033106 Donna's (Albox)..................................950 930167 / 628 669456 El Rincon de Mary (Mojácar) ................................... 663 561521 El Rincon de Mary (Mojácar) Yasmin .....................656 646257 Elaine Mobile Hairdresser (Coast & Inland).................634 379424 Elegance (Turre) ......................................................634 308877 Etticut (Turre) .............................................................667 971960 Farrow's Hair Design (Arboleas) .................................950 634346 Favola (Las Buganvillas) (See p.33).........................675 622216 Forever Chic (Palomares) (See p.43).......................601 634193 Heaven Scent (Huércal-Overa) ……....................…..663 923733 IIsabel Castaño (Hairdresser, Bédar) ..666 045552 / 950 469462 Jean & Co.(Mojácar Playa) ……..............................…950 615094 Jenny’s Hair Design (Albox) .....................................620 447858 Kyra Beauty Salon (Arboleas) ...........950 106294 / 643 357906 Jing Nails .................................................................622 251432 Julian Hair Design ....................................................634 354507 Julie Rodriguez .......................................................634 338017 Kim White (Beauty)(Vera & Mobile) ………...……….637 149659 Lavender and Lemons ..............................................643 790511

LU & NA (Valle del Este) …….............................…950 461113 Marcela Torres (Manicure & Pedicure) .....................697 421672 Miki Designe (Villaricos) ............................................635 867757 Naturalmente Mediterraneo (Skin care) (Garrucha) …655 299494 Nina’s Beauty Therapy ..................................................642 131966 Oceanic Massage Therapies (Mojácar)...666 710964 / 687 619239 Opulence (La Alfoquía) …...........................................619 467295 Pascal Chevallier Emporium (Mojácar) ........................950 472790 Pampered Beauty Centre (Palomares) .650 092766 / 950 618129 Pure Natural Deodorant ...........................................950 066163 R retreat (Cucador) ……...........…...............................626 144680 Room 97 (La Alfoquia) .............................................683 479261 Salon de Peluqueria y Estetica (Garrucha) ...............950 133162 Sarah Noble (mobile hairdresser) ...........................692 195500 Shiatsu Centro de Terapia (Huércal Overa) .............671 851135 Sophia Wellness Centre (Arboleas) ...........................950 449451 Stella’s Hair & Beauty (Las Buganvillas) ..................950 699973 Sunlight Spain (Herbal Products) ...............................684 212474 VaVa Yoga y Más (Vera) ........................................ 643 102335 Wacky Barber & Hairdresser (Mojácar) ....................667 961645

Wavelengths (Albox) .............................................…950 120309

HARDWARE OUTLETS Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Ferretería Gonzalez (Mojácar) ……….........................666 471384 Ferretería López (Mojácar) ……..................................950 615026 Ferretería Longo (Albox) ……....................................950 430064 Ferretería Soler (Garrucha) ……..................................950 460073

HEALTH FOODS Girasol (Albox) ….......................................................639 089170 Las Hierbas de Maria (Mojácar) ..............…………….657 513990

HEALING See Counselling/Healing To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

HEATING

HOTELS & HOSTALS

ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.11).......647 247494 / 950 092604 Casona Granado (Nr Lubrin) ...................................950 069077 Graham (oil heating) ……….....................................620 112193 Hostal Don Tadeo (Villaricos) ..................................950 467105 Neater Heater ………...................................………….634 312171 Hostal El Olivar (Mojácar Pueblo) .........950 472022 / 672 019767 Hostal Muria (Villaricos) ..............................................642 050290 HIRE Baby Basics (Equipment Hire) ...................................950 104345 Hostal Playa Azul (Villaricos) ................950 467075 / 609 386282 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 Hotel Al Sur (Calabardina) .........................................968 419466 Hotel Carlos 111 (Aguilas) ......................................968 411650 Hotel Carmona (Vera) ..............................................950 390760 Hotel - Casa Rural, Cortijo de la Media Luna (Mojácar) 950 478813 Hotel El Paso (Aguilas) ….........................................968 447125 Hotel Family (Agua Amarga) ......................................950 138014 Hotel Madrid (Aguilas) ................................................968 411109 Hotel Mamabel's (Mojacar Pueblo) .....950 472448 / 663 700542 Hotel Mayari (Calabardina) .................620 629508 / 968 409338 Hotel Overa (See p.13) ............................................950 470879 Hotel Playa (Mojácar) ..................................................600 350382 Hotel Puntazo (Mojácar) ...........................950 478265 / 950 478 229 Hotel Rural Azabache (Arboleas)..................................690 258813 Hotel Mexico (Puerto Rey) ......................................950 132061 Hotel Salinas (Cabo de Gata) .....................................950 370103 Hotel & Spa Don Juan (Aguilas) ................................968 493493 Hotel Tikar (Garrucha) ..............................................950 617131 Hotel Valhalla (Carboneras) ......................................950 130444 Hotel Valle del Este ...................................................950 398743 Hotel Virgen del Mar (Mojácar) ..................................902 472222 La Esperanza (Mojácar Playa) ..........686 906624 / 606 916055

Expecting a Baby (Almanzora Valley) ....950 436581 / 666 375688 Sound Systems ..........................…............................630 231644

HOME CARERS see also Nursing Angels Nursing Group ...............................................902 026468 Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 333442 Helping Hands Mojacar ............................................678 590988

Las Colinas Suitotel (San Juan de Los Terreros) .........950 466353 Parador de Mojácar ...................................................950 478250

HOUSE & PET SITTING Chris Leek ...................................................................642 608805 David .............................................................................. 950 099905 Linda Pettit ...............................................................642 016954 Louise B. (LouB’s) ....................................................664 038031 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648 069200 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765

HORSE RIDING Centro Hipico Valle del Almanzora .........................691 Didi Arias (Mojácar) ...............................................639 Media Legua Equestrian Centre (Vera) ..............……667 Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) .................................642 Sanctuary Limaria .....................................................628

241878 724521 243561 118546 239696

The Almería Focus 5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places. Advertise and get your business seen. Call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65.

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

HOUSE CLEARANCE Almeria Castaño House Clearance .......611 028716 / 950 110404

Items For Sale Mojácar .......................694 439275 / 950 478753 The Attic (Cucador) ..…….…................672 184354 / 648 250699

HYGIENE & FOOD HANDLING Grupo Sedesa (Vera) ...............................................950 390990

INSURANCE Adeslas ............................................950 472701 / 633 431900 Albox Insurance .......................................................950 121943

Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 Ibex Insurance Services Ltd (Mojácar & Albox) ........950 120070 Liberty Seguros (Turre) ….................950 479568 / 620 179206 Liberty Seguros (See p.23).....................................913 422549 Mapfre (Mojácar) ...950 478151 (Garrucha)................950 617376 Maxine Morgan Liberty Seguros (Las Buganvillas) ........669 074 996 Mojácar Insurance ...................................................634 323399 Sol y Mar (Albox) ……….....................950 064584 / 654 590258 Sol Insure ………..........................................………..950 472098

INTERIOR DESIGN Evie Fox-Rayner ................................603 493163 / 653 714767 Curtains with Style (See p.21) ..........950 069032 / 678 811125 ASSSA Seguros (Vera) (See p.33) ..........……………950 392487 Deco-house (Ann) .....................................................666 260792 Asisa (Vera) ................................................................950 391950 Essential Solutions …….............................................627 245658 Axa .....................................................950 478763 / 609 667333 Lola Barranco ………..........................950 086116 / 691 261818 BWI Bryan White Insurance (Mojácar) ......................950 472098 INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes Catalana Occidente (Palomares) ..............................950 618054 Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Playa) .........................950 478307 INTERNET TV Edward William (Marine Insurance) ……………….….952 476090 Connexions (Turre) ...............................................950 479502 García & Trinidad (Albox) …….............950 120340 / 620 240563 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 473192 Europa Digital .......................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Grupo Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Pueblo) 950 478061 / 653 806908 Ezetv .......................................................................950 091112

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Carolyn (Mojácar area) ........................950 132905 / 608 692545 Cristina …….......................................................…..626 741386 Clara Mata ..............................................................629 132529 Starena (Vera Playa) ..............................................672 668803 Donna González-Linnitt ...........................................699 067922 Elizabeth ..................................................................662 504734 Espanglish Translation & Interpreters . 950 390037 / 950 392876 Hind (Mojácar - French, Arabic, English) .................616 605341 INTERNET PROVIDERS Joanne Tissington ……………...................................637 267150 Albox Online (See next page) .............................950 091111 Kathryn Jones .........................................................629 931125 Laberinto (Spanish, English, French, Dutch) .............609 781438 Marcela Chávez Riveros (Mojácar) .......................... 676 951352 Marguerite ……....................................................…..687 814157 Marisa .......................................................................636 179128 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765 Milena (Albox) ………....................……654 359607 / 711 794366 GSF Communications ................................................950 473102 IPTV UK ....................................................................603 613918 IPTV Spain UKTV ...............................654 617496 / 699 386277 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 PC Playa (Mojácar) ......................................................634 356498 S E Telecoms ............................................................697 780499 UKTV Almería ....................................850 993202 / 694 440184

Mojácar Interpreting ................................................617 830513 Pedro ......................................................................655 510420 Robert Boucher .........................................................693 618705 Simply Solved ………...............................................663 327091 Susi ..................................................................................617 920 190 Connexions (Turre) ……..............................…………..950 479502 Traducciones Levante ...............................................606 953775 Next .............................................................................950 479369 Wendy Interpreter/Translator ................................. 661 194278 Plusnet ................................................744 610389 / 850 992555 Yamile (Written Translations) ....................................626 207575 GSF Communications ...............................................950 473102 IRONING Satcomms ..............................................951 406556 / 622 524335 Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 INTERPRETING/TRANSLATIONS Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 1-2-1 Translations (Spanish, English, Norwegian)......662 390453 JEWELLERY Alpha Interpreting and Translation .......950 133508 / 677 530690 Andrés (Mojácar) ........................................................679 932632 Castellón (Bédar) .................. ....................................642 435909 Antonio García Russell (Mojácar) ..............................606 198958 Jewellery Paula (Albox) ...........................................960 430871 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Joyería Pérez (Garrucha) ........................................950 460636 Carolina Pérez Gallardo (Sworn Translator) ..............647 863745 La Luna (Garrucha) .................................................950 132543

KENNELS, CATTERIES & PET SITTING Animal Hotel (Águilas) ..............................................639 722197 Boarding Kennels Los Llanos de Rosa (cats & dogs) ..629 448073 Country Kennel (Turre) .........................950 473011 / 627 564640 Dog & Cat Sitter Service …………………..................676 389592 Gail .....................................................693 769079 / 697 500673 Five Bone Hotel (Turre) ............................................630 234556 Kareclif Cattery (Albox) ...........................................677 791165 Kit Cat Luxury Cat Suites (Los Gallardos) ..............674 113217 Palomino Kennels & Cattery ……....…671 916426 / 950 093087

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Paws*A*While (Nr Albox) …....................................…696 562662 Pet Sitting in Your Home ………….......................…….637 061482 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648 069200 Sleepy Hollow (Huércal-Overa) ….............................617 313587 The Hilton Cattery ............................950 163489 / 664565479 Woodhouse Boarding Kennels/Cattery (Arboleas)….950 930585

KEY CUTTING

Mojácar Home Improvements ....................................950 473104

LANDSCAPING D & C Landscaping ..................................................634 359082 La French Touch .................. ..................................607 226269 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192

LAUNDERETTES Bish’s (Mojácar Playa) .............................................639 161725 The Laundry Room (Vera Playa) ...............................666 007824

LAUNDRIES City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 Clean Team Laundry Service ...................................634 Costa-Azul (Aguilas) ……..........................................968 Ivi's Lavanderia (Las Buganvillas) ............................950

390255 332502 414327 132657

LEGAL SERVICES See also Solicitors KITCHENS 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 Artizan (Vera) (See p.2) ..................…950 390635 / 661 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 Cocinas El Real (Los Gallardos) .........639 036051 / 622 Cocinas Puntocom (Huércal-Overa) ...950 921975 / 722 Complete Renovations (See p.17) .....644 389255 / 672 Ergo Küchen (Huércal-Overa) ...................................636 Harlequin Kitchens (Albox) ……........………………….619 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950

ALO Services (Zurgena) ......................950 449179 / 667 994682 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726 306269 Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 985310 833444 232186 136950 379960 447730 584405 132458

J.B. Kitchen Fitters (Turre) .......................................687 024884 KDI Kitchens .............................................................605 163613 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Cam Concepts S.L. (Huércal-Overa) …......…………. 950 471357 Paragliding ………................................635 243539 / 680 358549 Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 Sol-Aero (Vera) ..................................609 685132 / 661 985358 Gecko Legal Services S.L. (Mojácar) 950 475949 / 638 264621

LIGHTING

Light & Luz (Vera) ...............................950 391804 / 686 457714

LOCKSMITHS 24hr Locksmith .....................................950 472982 / 658 828560 Guzman Seguridad (Albox) ..................950 431497 / 617 272885 Locksmith (Dean) (See next page).............................666 949213

Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ........................950 473192 Gestoría Soria Bonilla (Mojácar) ................................950 478420 Kim Clark UK Benefit advice ……..….950 169729 / 663 297568 Mayor Consulting (Garrucha) .......................................950 615185 Mojácar Playa Asesores ……........………...……………950 472710 Pilar Pérez Gestión S.L. (Mojácar) ............................950 478863 Vera Advisors (Vera) .................................................950 390621 Phil the Pick 24hr (Arboleas) …................................697 243181 MS Legal ..............................................950 479613 / 634 322827 LOGS FOR SALE Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..............................................950 431720 Antonio Diaz .............................................................689 127535 LEISURE ACTIVITIES Colin & Carlos ....................................660 903158 / 630 455328 and TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Firewood Arboleas .................................................647 932078 Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 Las Norias Carden Centre (Los Gallardos) ..............670 215902 Extreme Adventure Mojácar ......................................687 919840 Leña Ramos (Arboleas) ….........................................616 044719 Indalo Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073 Lee (Arboleas) ...........................................................636 092632 Karting (Garrucha) ….........................................……950 460207 Leñas Cazorla (Turre) ...............................................607 827783 Lunar Cable Park (Cuevas del Almanzora) .................665 512873 Levante Logs ............................................................670 243724 Nautarium Sea Museum (Garrucha) ………........…..950 139554 Log-On-Tommy …........................................................619 070839 Paintball Almanzor (nr. Arboleas) ..................………..619 559261 Palm Deliveries (Albox) .....................950 122416 / 686 966008

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Speedy Fit Security Grilles ....................................600 006032 The Metal Works ..............................950 930520 / 638 900949

Phil (Arboleas) …........................................................634 328779 Potty Finca Services ............................950 163930 / 616 855294

MARKETING Edela Media (Social Media) (Mojácar) ....................607 146352 Mojácar Business (Social Media) ............................950 680110

MASSAGE Acupuncture & Massage ..........................................637 120429 Alternativa (Jessica Rippin) ......................................676 284170 Anushree (Cranio - Sacral -Therapy) ......................672 721096 Authentic Thai Massage (Jom) ..................................616 922612 Holistic Massage, Lorraine ................950 064484 / 687 569113 Lymphatic Drainage & Cranio Sacral-Therapy (Gabi) 950 472263

MOBILE HOMES & CARAVANS Camping Los Gallardos .............................................679 970399 Caravan Storage (Antas) …….............................….661 508776 Casa Móviles .....................................637 418906 / 951 161348 Cherribar Park Homes ............…………950 396908 / 629 688153 Flor de Vida (Aguilas) ..........................968 438535 / 660 329907 Hispavan (See p.47) ..................................................687 845730 Veramotor S.A. ...........................................................950 392552

MOBILE PHONES See Telecommunications MOTORCYCLES & QUADS D Perez Motor (Antas) ...............................................950 069022 Harley Dees …………................................................600 685550 Indalo Quads (Guided treks) ..................................634 315074 Montoya Motos (Garrucha) …...............................…..950 133033 Nafta Custom (Antas) ………...............950 619293 / 615 938352

NEWSAGENTS

Mike Sheehan (Neuromuscular Therapy) .....................657 050394 Oceanic Therapies (Mojácar) ......................................687 619239 Ray Daniel (Sports massage)………...........................617 741564 VaVa Yoga y Más (Vera) ............................................643 102335 Zen Massage (Mojácar & Bédar) .............................643 766935

MEALS DELIVERED Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 333442 Dine In .......................... .....................................+44 7852 468499 Hannah’s Kitchen ....................................................642 142745

METAL WORK AA Window Doctor ....................…............................630 231644 Carpentería Metalica Chacón (Albox) …................950 431738 Cerrajería Jara (Las Buganvillas) …............………….950 109986 Coastal Rejas ...........................................................610 000700 FS Fabrications …..............…………..627 167167 / 671 424558 Ideal Metal Designs ...................................................656 834064 Metalbox (Albox) .......................................................950 633090 Mojácar Home Improvements ...................................950 473104 P & D Metals ............................................................638 707406

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Opticas Indalo (Carboneras) .......................................950 130707 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Opticas Indalo (San Isidro de Nijar) ...........................950 366200 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295 Óptica Albox …………….......................................…..950 121991 Optica Mahis (Vera) ………...................................…..950 390777 NURSING see also Home Carers Optica Orbera (Huércal Overa) ....................................950 135596 Angels Nursing Group ...............................................902 026468 Optica Orbera (Albox) .....................................950430101 Optica Villazar (Mojácar Playa) …............................….950 472783

Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 333442 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765

NUTRITION Alternativa (Anne-Marie Pichon) ...............................666 966573 Ashlí (Naturopathic & nutritional therapies) ................643 102335

ONLINE MARKETING Donna González Linnitt .............................................699 067922

OPTICIANS Federopticos (Aguilas) ……........................................968 414468 Federopticas Diaz (Albox) ..........................................950 121122 Multiopticas Indalo (Garrucha) ...................................950 460665 Multiopticas Indalo (Mojacar) .....................................950 472285 Multiopticas Indalo (Campohermoso de Nijar) ............950 385082 Natural Optics (Garrucha) .........................................950 133921 Opticas Indalo (Garrucha) ..........................................950 133865

Opticalia (Albox) .....................................................950 121084 Primera Opticos (Aguilas) .........................................968 493482 Salas (Huércal Overa) ................................................950 135081 + Visión (Aguilas) …....................................................968 414279

OSTEOPATHS Alice Bellot (Mojacar & Arboleas) ….................………633 352259 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) .................................695 355381 Enrique Arias (Mojácar) .........................950 472974 / 629 289385 Hector Gutiérrez (Vera Playa) ............607 479379 / 950 132765 Osteo Maestra (Arboleas) ......................................950 449451 Sanatura (Albox) .................................610 269162 / 642 809453

PAINTING & DECORATING ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 A.J. Painting & Decorating .......................................687 024884 Alan Barker ......................................950 099913 / 600 268176 Antonio Perez (Mojácar) ………........................…….691 240495 Borders Painting ………..........................................…687 661807 Cabrera Painting and Decoration Works ...................637 524709 Casanove Interiors ......................................................680 836166 C.I.S Services (Arboleas) ........................................634 621747 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 Darpa S.L. ..................................................................691 055726 Darren Hargreaves ...................................................626 855483 Grupo Brideca (shop) (Huércal-Overa) 950 471045 / 950 135881

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

IPB Painting ........................................661 184848 / 622 JPM ...........................................................................627 Jay the Painter ........................................................697 Metalwork Painting ………………………699 246932 / 659 Paul ...........................................................................649 Phil the Painter ……..............................................…671 The Fast Brush .........................................................950 True Colours .............................................................636 Vera Painting Services ............................................711

524335 090422 176787 185039 186107 227259 472668 638670 004024

Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051

PHYSIOTHERAPY Caroline De Maeght (Villaricos) ................................650 134805 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) ......................................695 355381 Clínica Fisioalbox (Albox) ..........................................629 402852 Clinica MOS Fisioterapia (Mojácar Playa) .................644 394335

PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES See Screened Patio & Pool Enclosures

PERFUMES & COSMETICS Son d’Aromas (Mojácar Playa) ..................................666 348253

PET SHOPS & TRANSPORT La Tienda de Basilio Rubio (Albox) ...........................950 431592 Madera Mania (Los Gallardos) …..................……….667 562872 Mojácar Mascotas ......................................................679 411203 Pet Tag Engraving ...................................................711 006027 Fisiomar Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ....................667 425197 Tucano Mascotas (Vera) ............................................650 292670 Fisioterapia Vera-Salud (Vera Playa) ...607 479379 / 950 132765 Union Jack (Pet Transportation) ...........………………….902 109560 Gabi Triebel (Mojácar Playa) ..............633 011442 / 950 472263 Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ...........950 431463 / 657 516247 PEST CONTROL Remedio clinic (Mojacar) ....................950 472980 / 617 741564 Jason …….........................................950 064015 / 680 903609 Vitea Fisioterapia (Vera) ...................950 390655 / 663 024255 Sedesa (Vera) …………............................................950 390990

PIANO TUNER Terry …...................................................................…697 229753

PICTURE FRAMING Casa de Cabra (Albox) ........................................ 633 364329 Pink House (La Concepción) ..............622 288750 / 681 095096

PIZZERIAS

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES 20seven photography ................................................634 301635 Almería-Fotografía .....................................................663 627942 Bluwater Photography ….........…………………………616 189002 Chincheto (Mojácar) ....................................................687 489182 Fotomicar (Lyle Mallen) .............................................620 786914 Fotos Fabrega (Albox) ………...........……………………950 430223 Indigo Photography & Video ...................................637 974793 Omar De La Cruz ………..........………950 460213 / 609 284852 Professional Video & Photographic Services inc. Aerial...647 202599 Rod Westwood ………........................950 472321 / 609 611207 The Image Suite …….............................…........................647 918 848 Toros Bravos ............................................................607 117174

PHOTOCOPIES & SCANS C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 Servidea 2020 (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 399726

Antonella (Mojácar Playa) ................................……..950 450215 Bocapizza (Albox) ......................................................950 120506 Cafetería Levante (Mojácar) .....................................950 615224 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba (Mojácar Playa) ............645 414793 Centro Plaza (Palomares) …...............................…..950 618614 Chili (Turre) ................................................................950 468425 D'Angelo (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 478517 El Gaucho (Mojácar Playa) ....................................950 478846 Enrico (Mojácar Playa) ......................950 472995 / 642 514738 Meson Felipe San Bernabé (Mojácar Playa) ..…….950 475966 Ilario Imperial (Mojácar Playa) (See front cover) ...….950 478098 La Góndola (Garrucha) ..............................................950 133928 La Muralla (Mojácar Pueblo) .......................................950 472928 Little Italy II (Garrucha) …………...........………………950 133802 Lucky Pizzeria (Villaricos) ........................................670 073597 Pizzo (Villaricos) .....................................................655 797530 Osteria (Mojácar) ......................................................950 615151 Ottocento (Mojácar Playa) .........................................950 615100 Portofino (Mojácar) ....................................................950 472809 Mari Cruz (Turre) …..........................................…….950 479646 Provenzal (Mojácar Playa) ..........................................950 478308 Pulcinella (Mojácar Pueblo) ......................................950 478401 Rincon del Zahorí (Mojácar Pueblo) ..630 314400 / 661 604220

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Quick (Garrucha) ......................................................950 132305 Sottocasa (Mojácar Playa) ........................................950 093075

PLASTERERS David Pritchard Construcciones ........617 698418 / 662 046497

PLUMBERS 24hr Casaserve ..............................................950 466438 / 676 3062699 Andy (Mojácar) ........................................................697 302039

Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 768587 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Chris ........................................................................643 082899 Carlos (Saliente) Plumbing & Heating ..950 930900 / 620 742954 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Graham ....................................................................620 112193 James Santiago (Vera Playa) ......................................672 668803 Knowles ….........................................950 137197 / 606 807797 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 549247 Francisco Montoya (Mojacar) …............………………..687 466352 Smith Plumbing S.L. ..................................................950 468041

PODIATRISTS See Chiropodists & Podiatrists POOL COVERS 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 Coverbox (Albox) …….................................................615 992007 Enclose My Pool ..................................606 040462 / 670 510097 Hispavan pool covers ........................950 047033 / 687 845730 Real Covers (Mojácar) ........................950 478763 / 609 667333 WS Cover ...................................................................667 480363

POOLS & POOL MAINTENANCE 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Aguafer Piscinas S.L. ................................................950 617064 Alloa Pool Care (Albox) ………….................…………..650 244018 Almeria Pools .............................0044 7957167633 / 634 318369 Blue Diamond Pool Care ..............................697238933 Clean Pool Service (Arboleas) ...................................606 654389 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 D & J Pritchard Construcciones .........617 698418 / 662 046497 Heat My Pool ....................................950 528128 / 663 303350 IndalPool (Albox) …………...............................……..950 431859 Mat Murray ...............................................................647 841750 Oasis Pool Cleaning Services ............634 332170 / 634 332178

Olive Tree Farm Pool Services ...............................643 463129 Piscinas Miguel (Maintenance) .............950 478652 / 607 480865 Pool Medics ……………...................................……….634 353525 Pools & Piscinas (Cleaning - Bédar) .........................637 915898 Procare Pools (Arboleas) ..........................................642 370681 Proyectados Pool Sureste ............................................630 810299 Salvador (Pool Maintenance) ......................................696 426523 Sundance Spas - Pool Maintenance S.L. ....................950 472845 Tanby Piscinas ............……….............950 468230 / 609 888549 Triton Pool Cleaning ...............................................634 326322 Tropicana Swimming Pool Construction 650 906114 / 689 404244 True Blue Pools & Spas ..............................................661 148998

POSTAL SERVICES Can Connect (Albox) …….........................................950 121149 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Connexions (Turre) ..................................................950 479502 Forget-me-not (Las Buganvillas) ....................………..663 302740 Frankie’s Bar (Vera Playa) .........................................662 474861 Mail Boxes Etc (Vera) ................................................950 393835 Offex Spain ................................……..966 765950 / 661 386942 Pam’s Post (Albox) ............................................... 664 565479

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Spanish Property Choice (Easypost) ..950 615388 / 635 722290 The Post Shop (Albox) ………..............950 064584 / 635 979829 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN AdverTees (Albox) ...................................................641 407147 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ..................................950 473102 Idea (Huércal Overa) ...............................................605 162709 Mail Boxes Etc (Vera) ............................................950 393835 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 Mojácar Business ....................................................950 680110 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 Sello Gráfico (Mojácar Playa) ..................................607 424452

Almeria Rentals ................................. 650 764623 / 648 523073 Apartamentos Torrelaguna (Las Buganvillas) .............950 132580 APT Lets (Valle del Este) ….................950 619227 / 626 578164 Blaumar (Huercal Overa) .....................950 135512 / 670 869533 Blue Sea Villas (Mojácar) (See front cover).............….950 478643 Casa Benedict Rentals (Turre) …...………....…………616 189002 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Citrus Homes ...............................……......................638 849254 Clean Team Property Care & Rentals 850 993202/ 642 911850 Coastal Properties (Mojácar) ........................................950 475235 Complete Holiday Care ....………...........950 478612 / 610 808631

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 24hr Casaserve .....................................950 466438 / 676 306269 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Arboleas Builders ………...............……950 930536 / 634 306690 Can I Help You (Vera) ………..................................691 662267 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 D & D Property Care & Rentals (See cover).643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................672 668803 Exclusive Holiday Villas ............................................950 092602 Hire a Hubby …………........................950 436679 / 619 066022 IDP Services …………................................................608 238775 Indalfutur S.L. (Mojácar) ……........….950 615156 / 609 026526 J & J Property Care ....…….................950 452106 / 617 657414 James Santiago (Vera Playa) ......................................672 668803 La Casa es Tuya .......................................................663 931471 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 Mojacar Estates ..........................................................950 478935 Procare Property Service (Arboleas) .......................642 370681 Triton Property Maintenance ...................................634 326322 Xtreme Cleans Property Care ..................................634 328911 Zlatan ................................................630 207864 / 682 277576

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & RENTALS Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...................950 475199 / 629 673450 Almería Holiday Rentals ............................................638 701670 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) …..850 993099 / 606 281865

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

D & D Property Care & Rentals (See cover).643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................678 203143 E-Property Almería ...................................................677 146592 Exclusive Holiday Villas ..........................................950 092602 Findmeahome ....................................951 914195 / 636 266641 Holiday Home Europe .........................950 120210 / 654 590258 Holiday Letting Service ........................950 472903 / 627 565049 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 562447 Indalfutur S.L. (Mojácar) ……........….950 615156 / 609 026526 Indalo Real Estate .............................950 091137 / 616 760409 Indasol Mojácar S.L. ..................……....................….950 472200 Inmoterreros ...................................................................950 096180 KW Resorts Holiday Rentals ......................0044 (0)1293 863320

La Casa es Tuya .......................................................663 931471 Mojácar Estates ........................................................950 478935 Mojácar Holiday Services .......................950 699947 / 634 972377 Mojácar Long Term Rentals …...............................…636 903184 Next Stop Almería ................................950 617518 / 678 034651 Price Brown Partnership (Mojácar) ............................950 478915 Real Almería Property (Mojácar) ............................634 316068 Rent Mojácar ............................................................950 615042 Sandy Goldfinch ........................+44 7767 301159 / 670 575897

Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Spanish Property Choice (Mojacar) ..... 950 475823 / 634 351562 Sunshine Villas............................………850 993202 / 694 440184 Triton Property Services ..........................................634 326322 Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827 Year Round Holiday Rentals .............950 619178 / 627 763052

PROPERTY PROMOTERS Almanzora S.L. (Desert Springs) ...............................950 467104 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 Elegant Homes S.L. ............................950 092603 / 687 629777

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Elide Group S.L. …............….............950 390009 / 950 615076 El Pinar de Bédar ......................................................950 469496 GM Associates (Mojácar) ……….........……..............…950 475225 Miramar (Marina Golf) ................................................950 397060 New Villas (Albox) ………………........………..............…950 121036 Nicla Property Consultancy S.L. .................................950 133508 Polansky and Associates ..........................................950 478086 Promobys …………….................................................950 618889

PROPERTY VALUATIONS Philip Chesler (Chartered Valuer) …................………687 814369

PSYCHOLOGIST Dr. Jane Thompson ............................968 485729 / 618 920126

QUAD BIKES see Motorcycles RADIO STATIONS Onda Aguilas (100.1) ….............................................968 447864 Smooth FM online (89.8) ........................................634 332666 Spectrum FM (96.1) ............................950 615142 / 678 332815

REFRIGERATION MD Air Conditioning & Refrigeration SL .607 364917 / 607 366040

REMOVALS & STORAGE See also Van & Man Hire Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 Brian’s Removals (Mojácar Playa) .........................674 Dave’s Transport (International / Local)....................620 English Move (Tony) ….............................................699

310512 280268 049524 819213

St. George’s European …UK 0044 207 193 5984 / 952 485984 Storage 42 Removals and Storage (Albox) ...............634 325639 Storage Solutions (Arboleas) ................950 930316 / 671 220105 Swift Transport (Arboleas) ........................................618 511234 UK Direct ..................UK 0044 7719.118.879 / Spain 642 099479 Union Jack Removals (International) ….......………….902 109560

RESTAURANTS See also Chinese Restaurants & Pizzerias Agua Amarga La Chumbera ............................................................634 676298 Restaurant Family ......................................................950 138014

Aguilas Carlos III ..................................................................968 411650 El Faro .....................................................................968 412883 El Guacamole (Mexican) ...........................................968 413491 Hotel El Paso ...........................................................968 447125 Indalo Transport .......................................................634 336468 La Calica (Hotel Cala Real) .....................................968 414562 Items For Sale Mojácar (See p.39) ...694 439275 / 950 478753 La Vía ........................................................................619 131152 Location Warehousing S.L. (Antas) .............................950 391412 Piccolo Mondo ............................................................968 411946 Moovit Transport & Storage ...............950 930316 / 642 586701 Albox Sprinter Services (Vera Playa) .............605 376873 / 950 609121 Bar Lepanto ............................................................642 391433

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Chapman’s ..............................................................950 La Cena ……........................................……………..950 La Parrilla ................................................................950 Mesón de Irene ………........................647 730103 / 950 The New Delhi (Indian) ……...........….950 431705 / 639

091188 430930 430024 430145 231507

Alfaix La Venta de Alfaix .....................................................671 272464

Antas El Fogon, Asador Argentino ........................................950 459081 Mi Casa .................................................950 453007 / 950 453048

Arboleas

El Capricho …........................................................637 595326 Hotel Overa (See p.13) ............................................950 470879

La Alfoquía Bar La Unión ...........................................................642 008003 Indian Tandoori ........................................................632 110888 The Heathers ...................................................................642 144727

Las Herrerias Eugenia ......................................................................950 069021

Los Carasoles Harley’s ...................................................................642 637371

Bar Limaria ..............................................................950 930047 Los Gallardos Happy Garden .........................................................950 120851 Apolo ……...................................................…………..600 495182 Hostal Meson ………..........................950 430137 / 635 612738 Meson Verfran ...................................950 469393 / 637 810143 Hotel Rural Azabache ............................................690 258813 Miraflores ..................................................................950 469519 Nueva Trinidad ....................................850 993250 / 634 369833 Mojácar - see also Mojácar Pueblo Alcazaba ………......................................................657 560679 Bédar El Cortijo ............................................950 398108 / 689 702916 Al Punto (Brazilian) ...................................................950 475899 El Paso ...................................................................678 868963 Antonella (Italian) .............................................……..950 450215 Miramar .....................................................................950 469308 BaoBab .....................................................................689 642923 Badgers ...................................................................950 478525 Cabrera Riad Cabrera ………………….....................................950 092042

Cerro Gordo Bistro Bonita .......................................650 599739 / 950 930169

Cortijo Grande Finca Listonero .........................................................950 982045

Cucador La Vida

……….................................….........……….950 634562

Desert Springs Resort El Torrente Restaurant …....................................……950 091546 The Crocodile Club ...................................................950 091546

El Campico (Bédar-Lubrin)

Beachcomber ...........................................................634 La Montaña ...............................................................950 398856 Bellavista ..................................................................950 Botaniq ...................................................................696 El Pilar de Lubrin Restaurante Albar ....................................................950 069077 Bowen Resto Bar .............................. 666 406203 / 634 Cabo Norte ..............................................................665 El Pinar Bar El Pinar ...........................................................634 302673 Captain’s Tapas Bar & Restaurant ...........................617 Casa Egea .................................................................950 Garrucha Angus & Hereford .....................................................950 Casa Adriana ...........................................................950 GBG ……………...................................950 132625 / 639 Góndola ....................................................................950 La Cantina de Flor ....................................................950 La Gurulla ………................................................….666 Maui Gastro ….................................................………950 Nautico …................................................................694 Restaurante Andalucia ..............................................950 Restaurante Azul, Hotel Tikar ...................................950 Rincón del Puerto …….......................950 133042 / 950 Tierra y Mar .............................................................643

339216 478800 809035 357654 891772 477797 472190

460588 133154 915993 133928 132757 995669 460882 433535 460604 617131 133043 463940 Casa Juan …………................................................….950 450305 Cortijo de la Media Luna .............................950 478813 / 676 547555 Huércal-Overa Crisbe .............................................950 134100 / 607 338460 Cowboy Kenny’s Bar and Que ................................711 007976 El Paladar .......................................673 695939 / 631 494536 D’Angelo .....................................................................950 478517 Delfín Dorado......................................950 475212 / 645 220095

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

100

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Dolce Vita ................................................................950 478476 Don Pancho (Mexican) .................................................950 472543 El Deseo .................................................................670 018035 El Gaucho ................................................................950 478846 El Lugar ...................................................................679 676405 El Sitio ....................................................................950 615411 Enrico (Italian) ...................................950 472995 / 642 514738

Kukis ..........................................................................950 475766 La Cabaña ................................................................950 615179 La Cachimba (Moroccan) .........................................950 099179 La Cantina (Mexican) ................................................950 478841 La Cometa ...............................................................950 615209 La Estancia …….............................................………654 562396 La Gaviota ……………...............................................950 472177 La Piká ....................................................................950 930744 Los Amigos ......................................…………………950 478489 Levante ......... ...................................................950 615224 Marama ..............................................660 696229 / 666 260852 Marcelo Entre Tapas .................................................950 031812 Martín Morales ..............................................................950 478812 Mediterráneo ............................................................950 309869 Meson de Loic y Cathy ...........................................950 478050 Mesón Felipe San Bernabé ...................…………….950 475966 Meson Mémé …........…………………..674 141159 / 647 954405 Mandala Beach Club ................................................950 473131 Mohana .....................................................................950 472941 Mountains of the Moon (Indian) ........950 472002 / 637 914632 Mont Martre (French) ..............................................634 388867 Neptuno (See p.29) .............................................…616 005387 Omega ...................................................950 475317 / 647 675919 Ostería Ristorante Italiano ........................................950 615151 Ottocento (Italian).......................................................950 615100 Palacio Imperial Marina (Thai, Japanese, Chinese) ...950 472208 Parador de Mojácar ...................................................950 478250 Playa Juana Beach Club ..........................................690 984992 Reina Mora ...............................................................950 473204 Robert (Marina de la Torre) …………..............………950 110412 Sal Marina ...................................................................950 472405 Scotty’s .....................................................................687 382540 Sensations ................................................................950 472057 Sottocasa (Italian) .......................................................950 093075 The Irish Rover (See p.41).........................................950 473135 The Lemon ....................……...............................…….950 472659 The Roof Garden .....................................................674 113218 Torre Bahía ...............................................................950 478651 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611 Twister ...................................................………………600 006032 Zaika Fusion ..........................................................632 727851

Mojácar Pueblo Arlequíno ..........................................950 478037 / 649 337781 Calima (Moroccan) ..................................................608 807331 Casa Minguito ………...............................................950 478614 El Antler ……....................................................……600 540661 La Candela …...........................................................647 724367 Pulcinella (Italian) .....................................................950 478401 Restaurante Aires del Sur ..................606 061811 / 950 478014 Restaurante Calima ………………........................….663 286962 Restaurante Mamabel's ...............................................950 472448 Gastro Malabar .........................................................950 472970 Rincón de Embrujo …....................…………………….600 531270 Ilario Imperial (Italian) (See front cover)....................950 478098 Rincon del Zahorí .............................630 314400 / 661 604220 Imperial Playa (Italian) ..............................................950 475360 Indian Curry House ...........................632 416554 / 950 887681

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

101

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

El Balconcito .............................................................635 589909 Asagía Asador .........................................................640 210185 Gateway to India (Indian) ...........................................950 923994 Monika ......................................................................659 672615 Maraú (Vera Playa) ……………...........................……671 580340 The Oasis Bar ...................................950 467381 / 676 365010 Taj Mahal (Indian) …............…………950 618691 / 671 231465 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 467682 Partaloa

Palomares

Mis Amigos ..............................................…………….612 508447

Villaricos

Pueblo Laguna

Don Tadeo ..................................................................950 467105 Bistro .......................................................................950 132022 El Faro ..................................................649 766252 / 687 351764 Gastrobar D’Alvaro ......................................................648 220383 Los Conteros ....................................950 618629 / 699 010705 Playa Azul .............................................950 467075 / 609 386282

RETRACTABLE ROOF SYSTEMS Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

ROOFING Ark Roofing ...............................................................634 379173

RUGS & CARPETS Restaurant Laguna …………….........................……..950 132566

Homecentre (Albox) (See p.6)..........868 931872 / 671 715294 P & R Rugs (Los Llanos de Aroleas) .......................665 258680

San Juan de Los Terreros

RURAL TOURISM

La Geoda ..................................................................637 020159 Cortijo Pocico de la Nava (Mojácar) ...........................670 777752 Mi Cortijo …………......................................................950 466323 Finca Arboleda (Vera) ..............................................678 027656 Mondy Playa ........................................600 254314 / 622 807809 Mi Abuela Maria (Mojácar) ……..........................……659 198424

Turre

SATELLITE TV

Casa Adelina ...............................................................950 479153 ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.11).....647 247494 / 950 092604 Chili .................................................608 802227 / 950 468425 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Doner Kebab ............................................................603 527699 Europa Digital ....................................950 133233 / 678 332815 GBTV (Albox and Mojácar) .......................................616 888058 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ...............................950 473102 SolAir (See p.39) ................................950 472081 / 645 294064 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55) ......950 398146 / 699 909737 Tweaks (Albox) .........................................................620 040331

SCREENED PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES Enclose My Pool ...............................606 040462 / 670 510097 Inside Out In Europe S.L. ....................................677 114576 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Hostal Rural .............................................................950 478806 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 La Pará ……………………..................................…….637 545590 Sol Shaders S.L. (See p.45)........................................627 907207 La Sorpresa ...............................................................950 099901 SCUBA DIVING Orsoca ………………............................................…..602 554609 Buceo Mojácar ........................................................950 472760 Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz ……....................…..950 479646

SECOND HAND

Valle del Este Golf

Sawadee Thai .........................................................634 393235 Auction Subasta (Los Carasoles).....UK 7413 190882 / 643 137106 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Vera Items for Sale Mojácar (See p.39) ......694 439275 / 950 478753 Gran Muralla (Wok Buffet) ..........................................950 391691 John’s (Albox) ..........................................................634 325639 La Mariposa de Fran ………........……..950 166774 / 683 641957 Merka Recycla (Huércal Overa) .........950 616683 / 666 577006 Terraza Carmona ...................................................950 390760 Pink House (La Concepción) ...........622 288750 / 681 095096 Vera Playa The Attic (Cucador) ..…….…................672 184354 / 648 250699 Armony Beach Club .................................................617 745021 SECURITY & SAFES See Alarms b2 Mohana (Argentinean) ........................................678 642856

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

102

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

SEWING Alice .........................................................................620 876485 Alexis Shillinglaw .....................................................634 361874 J.F.M. Modas Sedal (Turre) ..............950 468031 / 606 945502 Lola Alterations & Repairs (Mojácar Playa) .950 475994 / 637 963835 Nicky (Mojacar) ..................................................... 667 479903 Solo Style ...............................................................626 319907 Sew n Sew Susie (Albox area) ..........950 930643 / 633 683872 The Sewing Room ....................................................607 375697

SEPTIC TANK SERVICE Desarascos Litesa ............................670 863791 / 609 Drainage Solutions …...........………….616 531283 / 670 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 Ginés Millán (All areas) ……….............(after 4pm) 607 Limaser (Vera) ……..................................................950 Sepserve (All areas) …..............................................675

442695 088966 768587 366355 390732 838808

Ecocorp ..................................................................671 716597 Hi-Tec Solar (Turre) ............................609 888549 / 950 468230 Hispavan Solar ..................................950 047033 / 687 845730 Sunergy Almeria ........................................................636 261240

SNOOKER HALLS CD Snooker Mojácar ..............................................609 026526 Snooker Ambigu (Los Gallardos) .................................661 973205

SOLICITORS Alonso & Garrido (Albox) ...........................................950 121040 Alonso & Haro (Vera) ..............................................950 392208 AM & RG (Mojácar) ………….............950 478984 / 649 286437 AVSA Lawyers (Aguilas) ..........................................968 446576 Babelia (Mojácar) ……..........…........635 577562 / 950 397114 C & P Solicitors (Mojácar) ….....…………950 460731 / 675 383 160 Cabrera Cervantes (Turre) ................950 099400 / 627 464545

SHOE REPAIRS Keys Copy Centre (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 472982

SIGNS (Shop & Vehicle) Idea (Huércal Overa) ...............................................605 162709 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492

SKIN TREATMENTS Francesca Herman (See p.37)....….......................….687 480694

SKIP HIRE Aridos Mojácar S.L. ..................................................650 Casa Conchillo (Albox) ......................950 430740 / 695 El Cano SL )Mojácar) ................................................950 Servacon .....................................................................950

914257 844425 479185 475853

SOLAR ENERGY DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See page 19)...........950 472947

Casas Almería (Huércal Overa) .................................950 Davies Solicitors (Mojácar) ........................................950 EuroAbogados (Vera) .................................................950 Javier Loustau (Mojácar) .........................................950 José Francisco López Molina .............950 133607 / 635 Leticia Moreno-Torres Camy (Vera) ......950 391249 / 607

134434 472775 617017 475086 189986 840182

Lopez & León Solicitors (Garrucha) ..950 888314 / 666 513917

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

103

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Sundance Spas (Mojácar) .......................................950 472845

SPA SERVICING & CLEANING True Blue Pools & Spas ..........................................661 148998

SURVEYORS Philip Chesler (Chartered Surveyor).............................687 814369 Survey Andalucía (Architect Daniel González) ............686 846624

SWEET SHOPS Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas)..............................663 302740 Mar Abogados & Consultores (Mojácar) .................950 Mario Redondo (Albox) ….................950 430222 / 626 Miguel Angel Rojas Benitez .......................................950 Pablo Suarez (Purchena) ..........................................610 Mundi Abogados (Las Buganvillas) ........................950

TATTOO ARTISTS

478911 Classic Tattoo (Mojácar Playa) .................................605 611782 389322 Lisa V Tattoos (Cantoria) ....................634 362737 / 642 024810 615404 Oscar (Mojácar Pueblo) …................................…….629 944374 014680 460999 TAXIS (Legal) Levante Radio Taxis (all areas)................................950 888111 Exclusive Shuttles pre-booked airport taxis (office hours).950 092602 Marlan Taxis Villaricos .................................................609 764900

TELECOMMUNICATIONS Albox-Online ………..............................…………….950 091111 Connexions (Turre) ...................................................950 479502 George’s Sales & Repair (Vera Playa) 950 042338 / 661 375489 Indalphone .............................(Mojácar) 950 475784 / 622 455 608 Indalphone ...........................................(Huércal-Overa) 950 471470

Ramírez Abogados (Vera) .......................................950 Ross Legal Services (Aguilas) .................................968 Ruiz Orozco (Vera) ..................................................950 Saugar Abogados (Mojácar) ......................................950

GSF Communications (Mojácar) ..................................950 473102 Orange (Vera) ...........................................................950 393538 391171 412321 Next .............................................................................950 479369 390282 Phone@ Mojacar …….............……....950 882222 / 607 885522 615038 The Phone House (Albox) …………….950 121045 / 670 359698

SPAS IndalOcio (Arboleas) ................................................850 993090

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

104

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

TILING & PATIO WORK See also Building Services

Simon Farmiloe (Spanish & English)(Albox/Mojacar) ..647 677097 English tuition & conversation (TEFL) (Vera) ............642 314316

TV & AUDIO REPAIRS 1 Stop Paving (Albox) ………................................…634 313939 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Ponce S.L. (Garrucha) ..............................................950 617181 A.J.B. Tiling Services ...............................................687 024884 Seth Pittham (Zurgena).......................950 634477 / 666 826886 Arboleas Paving ……………...............................…….636 092632 Borders .....................................................................647 803030 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 Saxon’s Complete Building Services ......618 920126 / 686 377172 Steve Holman .......................................................... 697 678708 The Bathroom & Tiling Specialists ....................+44 7756081843 United Tile ................................................................667 702817 TIMBER SUPPLIERS Wood2Go (Velez Rubio)..............................................950 614050

UPHOLSTERY

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Almería Castle ………............................................…950 271617 Curtains with Style (Fabrics) ............ 950 069032 / 678 811125 Almería Solar Centre ( Nr.Tabernas) ....950 387990 / 670 866122 Jone’s Mobile (Upholstery cleaning) …....……………661 571939 Aquarium (Roquetas de Mar) ...................................950 160036 Unicraft (Upholstery) .................................................692 176069 Camelus (Mojácar Camel Rides) ………663 930272 / 950 100076 Fort Bravo – Western theme park (Tabernas) .....….950 165405 Nautarium (Sea Museum) (Garrucha) ………………….950 139554 Nijar Butterfly Farm .................................................617 692778 Oasys Western Park & Zoo (Tabernas) ….............….950 365236 Western Leone Theme park (Tabernas) …............…950 165405

TRANSLATING - see Interpreters TRANSPORT - see Removals TRAVEL Autocares Rodriguez (Coaches) ...............................950 469061 Halcón Viajes (Vera) ................................................950 393472 Exclusive Airport Shuttles (See p.59).......................950 092602 Levante Travel (Garrucha) ...................950 132258 / 628 604752 Mojácar Tour (Mojácar Playa) (See cover)..........…..950 475757 Viajes Zafiro Tours (Aguilas) ....................................868 782663 Zafiro Tours (Albox) ………..................................……950 121021 Zafiro Tours (Mojácar) .................................................950 615343

TUITION Dave Eccles (Drum lessons) ..............950 525790 / 687 033106 ELC Education & Language Centre ........................669 294342 Espanglish ...............................................................950 390037 Girasol, Albox (Spanish) ..........................................639 089170 Guitar Lessons ………….....................................…..667 989270 Hind (French & Arabic, Mojácar) ...............................616 605341 Jewellery making ......................................................642 435909 Kinder Garrucha (Bilingual Education Centre)...........950 460472 La Galeria Art Classes (Albox) …..............................663 341904 Marcela Chávez (Spanish-English school support)....676 951352 Pencils English Academy (Garrucha)..........................634 314110 Piano (Mojácar) …………............……950 069803 / 667 408941 R. F. (Marquetry, Guitar) ........................................711 003476 Sarah Dyson (Computer tuition) …....................……687 632435

Upholstery & Leather Cleaning .................................636 193256 Upholstery Larios (Cuevas del Almanzora) 950 456 364 / 651 998738

UNIFORMS Tikka Uniforms & Shoes (Mojácar) …..........................667 479903 Uniformes de Levante (Los Gallardos & Vera) ..........902 110218

VAN & MAN HIRE See also Removals & Storage Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Andy (Trailer hire/drive) (Mojácar) ..........................600 225929 IDP Services ……........................................................608 238775 Indalo Transport .......................................................634 336468 Storage Solutions (Arboleas) ...................................950 930316 Way 2 Go (UK/Spain) ……UK 0044 208 0904292 / 965 794682

The Almería Focus 5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places. Advertise and get your business seen. Call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65.

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

105

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

VEHICLE IMPORTATION Great Cost Matriculation ...........0044 7957167633 / 634 318369 Hispavan vehicle importation ......................................687 845730 Talleres Daydo (Antas Real) ….……….950 459116 / 607 373298

VEHICLE REPAIRS Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) ….......................667 Auto Shine Body Repairs ………........607 324623 / 607 CostaCoches ...........................................................950 Fran’s Garage ....................................664 571060 / 950

439671 324624 459209 164912

Gómez Motor (Huércal-Overa) ..................................950 471250 Mojácar Motor (Mojácar Playa) ……........................950 478335. Reparbox (DIY) (Antas El Real) ...............................687 879744 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Taller Daydo (El Real) .........................950 459116 / 607 373298 Talleres Azor ..(Mojácar) 950 478519 ..............(Vera) 950 391400 Talleres Vizcaino (Mojácar) ........................................950 472104 The Car Surgery ...................................................666 272792 The Garage (Llanos de Arboleas) .......950 930922 / 616 453813

VEHICLE REPAIRS (MOBILE) Auto Frio .............................................950 104488 / 600 Cool Air (Air Conditioning) ........................................673 JFK Karz ................................................................643 Veloc Tuning ECU Remapping Services ..................600

827517 195872 790511 827517

VEHICLE SALES AA Car Sales (Mojácar) ...........................................950 459208 Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) …....................667 439671 AutoFex (Albox & Antas El Real) ............................950 431861 Automobiles Playcar SLU ...................950 459302 / 672 737663 CostaCoches (Antas, El Real).....................................950 459209 Mojácar Motors ...950 472056 ................(Workshop) 950 478335 Navarro Segura - Seat (Vera) ..........670 038580 / 950 393170 Nissan & Ford (Albox) …............................................950 430856 Pit Stop (Oria) ……………....................................…..950 124828 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Talleres Azor ...............(Mojácar) 950 478519 (Vera) 950 391400

VETS Centro Vet ABC (La Alfoqúia) ….................................950 449064 Astrid (Mojácar) ..............950 472252 Emergencies: 629 099920

Tyre King (El Real) ................................................950 459253

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

106

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Centro Garras (Huércal-Overa) ........950 616820 / 617 Clinica Nexo (Albox) .......950 430814 Emergencies: 617 Clinica Huellas (Aguilas) ...968 447877 Emergencies 629 CliniVet (Turre) …..........................…..950 069780 / 626 Costa Indalo (Mojácar) ........................950 475213 / 605

456548 305784 445327 171999 495017

Lady Jane Window Cleaning (Arboleas) ...................634 Mick ...........................................................................634 Window Panes ..........................................................617 Woody the Window Cleaner (Almanzora Valley) .......634

255373 327075 208231 349665

WINDOWS & DOORS AA Window Doctor ...................................................630 231644 Complete Renovations .......................644 389255 / 672 379960 David A. Pritchard Construcciones ........617 698418 / 662 046497 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Interglaze ……..............................…...................... 680 743311 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Mojácar Home Improvements ....................................950 473104

Egesta Centro Vetinario (Vélez Rubio) ..950 411208 / 608 438683 Europa (Mojácar) .................950472262 Emergencies: 629 099921 Javier .............(Garrucha) 950 132200 Emergencies: 619 236059 NEXO (Albox) …...............950 430814 Emergencies: 617 305784 Veravet (Vera Town) …............…............................…950 393307 Veterinary Centre (Huércal-Overa) …........................950 616781

WATER (Tanker Delivery) Sierra Cabrera Water ........................651 994419 / 608 057941

Ortega Windows & Doors .......................................950 Plas-Tech Windows ...................................................600 Aquavera (Vera Playa) ............................................950 467337 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….….........................677 Speedyfit ...........................................950 439228 / 600

WATER PARK

WATER TREATMENTS

Healthy H2O ..............................................968 437270 / 666 302 987

393305 320761 152911 006032

WINES

Bodega Gran Baco (Aguilas) .............................…..968 925655 WEB SERVICES Enoteca Tikar (Garrucha) ……..............................….950 617131 MODS ........................................................................600 284975 Isalva (Palomares) ………..........................................615 265092 Mojácar Business ....................................................950 680110

WOOD & PELLET STOVES

WINDOW CLEANING

Chimeneas Acar (Albox) ...........................................950 120077 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135 Don (Mojacar) .........................................................666 814913 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Idea (Mojácar) ...................................................……..605 162709 J&A Window Cleaning Services ..........950 122452 / 689 548824 ZOO & PARK James .......................................................................678 988812 Oasys (Tabernas) ....................................................950 365236

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

107

Community News organise a public meeting to coordinate efforts. Our intention is to do the same that has been done in Andalusia, that is to say to work with the administration and the political parties in a constructive and friendly way to look for basic and rapid solutions for the thousands of people affected by planning issues that exist in Murcia. We will be asking for a meeting with the government of the Region of Murcia, as well as all the parliamentary groups in the regional assembly of Murcia to discuss what is lacking and what can be done”.

The Association Abusos Urbanísticos No Murcia (Aun-Murcia) is Created as Auan Expands to Murcia

The president of the new association in Murcia, Linda House, added “I am very excited with this step. I believe that unity is strength and that AUNMurcia can help many people who have spent years going around in circles without solutions. I am very grateful for the help of AUAN and CAJU in all this. It is a good start and we are going to advance with haste, but without pause”.

After the successes achieved in Andalusia through changes in various laws to help resolve the problem of illegal houses in that autonomous region, the association Abusos Urbanísticos Andalucía No (AUAN) announces that it is expanding to the Website (currently under construction) neighbouring region of Murcia. https://aunmurcia.org Gerardo Vazquez, lawyer and spokesperson for Information: info@aunmurcia.org AUAN and the National Pro-Justice in Planning group (CAJU) states that “People think that there are no planning issues in Murcia, but I know very well that there is a lack of knowledge that these problems exist. This is not the first time that we have gone to Murcia to try to help those affected by planning abuses. For example, there are serious problems that have gone on for years in the Camposol urbanisation in Mazarrón. We have also established contact with those affected in the neighbourhood of Gea y Truyols, in Murcia city. And I believe that we will have to return to them and other locations more often”. For her part, Maura Hillen, president of AUAN, clarifies “We have advised those affected that they should create a sister association to ours and I am delighted to announce that it has now been created. It is called “Abusos Urbanísticos No Murcia” AUN-Murcia. We will soon help them to

PAWS/PATAS News Firstly, a big thank you to Ann and Brad Swift who organised the annual New Year Day swim (amongst many other events) and especially to those who braved the chilled water in order to raise money towards the building work for the much needed Quarantine Unit at the shelter. The total amount required is 40,000 euros...and there is now 30,000 in the pot! The aim is to construct this unit before the summer when the parvovirus is highly contagious and it will prevent having to close down the shelter which is always so disruptive and stressful for the animals and the volunteers. Another “big” plea is for donations to our fundraising outlets in Mojacar, Turre and Las Buganvillas. Without the money raised from these outlets PAWS-PATAS would not exist. Their stocks are at an all-time low and they are in dire need of your kind donations, be it clothes, bric-a-brac,

108

Community News bedding, crockery, toys, etc. It’s time for an early spring clean! For further information regarding this animal charity, please visit their website: www.paws-patas.org or email: info@paws-patas.org

part in the annual PAWS/PATAS charity swim. The distinctive blue and orange El Bandido vests could be seen entering the cold water with most remaining immersed for a chilly 16 minutes.

Record numbers for the inaugural World El Bandido Run January 1st, 2020.

El Bandido Runners is a local group, set up by Ironman Kevin Rowe in June 2018. The group started with a small number of regulars and has grown with runners, joggers and walkers, from permanent residents to regular visitors and holiday makers, covering the 5k Mojácar Paseo. All ages, nationalities and speeds are welcome!

If you are interested in joining us, you will receive a warm welcome, so come along on Wednesday and/or Saturday* at 9am (October-April) & 8pm (May-September), opposite the Best Indalo Hotel on the Paseo del Mediterráneo, Mojácar Playa. * The first Saturday of each month, we meet at The inaugural World El Bandido Run was well the Red Cross roundabout end of the Paseo, so supported on the Paseo in Mojácar on a sunny we are closer to Blu for our monthly post-run 1st January, with a record number of 43 runners, breakfast. joggers and walkers. El Bandido Runners past and present were encouraged to run 5k wherever If you would like more information please contact they were in the world and share a photo of their Kevin on ironmankev08@gmail.com and follow us activity with the rest of the group online. El on Facebook https://www.facebook.com Bandido founder, Kevin Rowe, hopes this event /pg/elbandidorunners. will grow in popularity and already has next year’s date in the calendar. Although the group usually Andalucían Iaido Japanese runs every Wednesday and Saturday, the World Sword Squad Trains in Mojácar El Bandido Run will take place every 1st January, which falls on a Friday in 2021. Mojácar’s Municipal Sports Centre was the venue for the first training session of the Andalucían Today’s start time was moved to 11am to Iaido team recently, in preparation for the Spanish encourage runners, joggers and walkers to take championships in April. Iaido is a Japanese martial art involving the ability to quickly unsheathe and sheathe the Japanese katana curved sword, a skill once practiced by samurai. These techniques enable attack and defence at the same time, with a speed that sets out to leave their opponent with no time to react. 20 Kenshi swords people from the Andalucían team, including members of the National Iaido

109

Community News squad, came together under the organization of Javier Tirado, a European and Spanish Champion and Andalucían Director. Also, there to direct proceedings was collaborator, Karl Gibbons, a 5th Dan with international experience and as a former manager and coach, as well as collaborator and event organiser now that he spends his retirement time in Mojácar.

National Team, as most members come from Almería. The Iaido discipline is included in the Spanish Federation of Judo and Associated Sports and the Spanish National Iaido Team, despite its relative youth, has some outstanding swords people who have already had great success on the international Photo by Aaron Baglietto scene.

Mojácar at FITUR, the International Tourism Fair The very large annual FITUR international tourist fair in Madrid takes place every January. Mojácar have a large stand that is part of the main Andalucía section and an enormous number of visitors attend the exhibition with the first day restricted to professionals in the sector. Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero led the team with a full agenda of meetings. Particular attention was paid to strengthening the UK market for both family holidays as well as sports tourism. Using FITUR as a launching platform, Mojácar presented videos of their annual “Romantic Night” and the “Night of the Candles” event that was part of the Mojácar promotion that was circulated throughout the media, social networks, the network of Spain’s “Most Beautiful Villages” (the important award given to Mojácar), as well as their own pages and websites.

The local Councillors for Tourism and Sports, Emmanuel Agüero and Ana García, acted as hosts on the day and were keen to discuss with Javier and Karl future training in Mojácar, as well as support the Andalucían selection with its high number of Almerían participants. There is also all round support for the creation of a specialist training centre and school in the area for all nationalities to attend. Karl alsoannounced that, next winter, several British Iaido squads are set to come to Mojácar for their winter training, which The videos were designed to promote Mojácar’s will have the presence of some 7th Dan masters. whole image; its culture, events, entertainment and music, as well as its life and people. They Through its Tourism and Sports Departments, showed Mojácar’s streets and squares and its Mojácar Council is actively promoting a whole charming spots and corners, to entice new visitors range of national and international sports activities, after they had glimpse of Mojácar’s colour and for which the town is an ideal training ground, as magic. Photo by Lesley Posso well as method of boosting winter tourism when the occupancy levels are lowest. Mojácar hotel sector representatives were on hand to investigate future projects, make new Both Javier and Karl thanked the Council for their links, and campaign for tourism, which is so interest and support in the Andalucían Team, important as one of the leading motors of the which is a very important part of the Spanish economy in Spain today. Photo by Aaron Baglietto

110

111

What’s On The group ‘Second’ come to Auditorio Maestro Padilla in Almería city on March 29th at 9pm performing their latest album, ‘Anillos y Raices’, as part of a Spanish tour. Tickets are 18 euros. ‘El Regreso de Scar’ is a tribute performance by the Onbeat Company to Lion King 2 intended for children, and comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almeria city, on March 9th at 6pm. Tickets are 12 euros in advance or 15 euros at the door.

Almería

The Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Almería is essentially an orchestra with a large brass section. They perform on February 6th at 8pm at Auditorio Maestro Padilla in Almería city with a concert of inspirational European music. On February 13th at the Auditorio at 8pm they perform music from American composers Bernstein, Sheldon, Reed and Williams. Admission to both concerts is free. On February 16th at 8pm they

Queen Forever Bohemian Rhapsody Tour 2020 comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almeria city, on February 28th at 9pm. In 2019 in their previous tour they performed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza with an audience of 6,000 people. There is a large area without seats for dancing to the music. Tickets are 30 euros. Quique González performs his fifth album, ‘Las palabras vividas’, with lyrics by Luís García Monteroat Auditorio Maestro Padilla in Almería city on February 8th at 9pm. Tickets are 25 & 28 euros. The singer Carmen Muyor and guitarist Quique Peña come to Teatro Apolo, Almería city, on March 14th at 9pm. The duo has become well-known for writing songs together in a Latin / folk style and this performance is entitled ‘Jardín de Flores’. Tickets are 10 euros.

The musical ‘La Bella y La Bestia’ (Beauty and the Beast) intended for children comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almeria city, on March 28th at 5pm. This musical has received very good reviews in Madrid. Tickets are 12 euros in advance or 15 euros at the door. Los Miserables (Les Miserables performed in Spanish) comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almeria city, on March 28th at 9.30pm. It is performed by La Barbarie Teatro Music Company. Tickets are 12 & 15 euros.

112

What’s On Aguilas Águilas Carnival The official opening of the 2020 Águilas carnival takes place on Saturday, February 22nd at 10pm, Plaza de España. The three main parades take place from 6pm on Sunday February 23rd, Tuesday February 25th and Saturday February 29th followed by the closing ceremony and fireworks at midnight. There is a carnival parade with people from outside the region on Friday, February 28th from 6pm and the Drag Queen event is on Saturday, March 7th at the Águilas Auditorio at 10pm. Queen Forever Bohemian Rhapsody Tour comes to Águilas Auditorio on March 28th at 9.30pm. Tickets are 30 euros. Aguilas tickets from Victoria Tr a v e l 9 6 8 41 0 9 2 9 & w w w. b a c a n t i c . c o m , M u s e o Arqueológico, www. auditorioaguilas.org or from 2hrs before performances at the box office.

perform a benefit concert at Teatro Apolo in Almería city in aid of the Almería Association for Rare Diseases and tickets are 10 euros. On February 28th at 8pm, Día de Andalucía, they perform a free concert at Auditorio Maestro Padilla.

the venue or from www.ticketmaster.es or call Ticketmaster: 902 1500 25. Main branches of ‘CaixaBank’ have machines which issue tickets; including Vera near the church square.

Tickets for concerts in Almería (except Teatro Cervantes) available from the ticket office in the Teatro Apolo, 25 Rambla Obispo Orberá, Almería , tel: 950 230 922. Mon- Fri, 10.30am-1.30pm & 6-8pm, or Sat, 11am-1pm. Tickets can be purchased from 2hrs before performances at

Tickets for Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, from box office at Calle del Poeta Villaspesa,1. Open Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm & 4pm-7pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm, or 1hr before performances, or from w w w. to d a s l a s e n t r a d a s . c o m

113

The Promúsica 2019 / 2020 classical music concerts at Águilas auditorio normally feature the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra with their resident conductor Virginia Martínez. All concerts start at 9pm. February 8th, 2020: The resident orchestra and conductor with choir and soloists perform Verdi’s Requiem Mass. March 6th: Pianists Bertram Giraud and Bruno Canino perform a chamber concert with Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos, Schumann’s

What’s On The family entertainment Annie The Musical comes to the Auditorio on February 8th at 5pm and February 9th at 12 noon. Featuring the adventures of Annie the orphan, this production has received rave reviews in Madrid. Tickets are 20, 24 & 28 euros. José Mercé, an internationally famous flamenco performer, comes to the Auditorio on February 29th at 9.30pm. Born in Jérez he has sold 600,000 copies of his 17 albums. Tickets are 30 & 40 euros. The new Rhapsody of Queen spectacular from the Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen company comes to the Auditorio on March 28th at 9.30pm. Ticket prices were not available at time of going to press. 6 pieces in the form of a canon, Shostakovich’s Concertina & Rachmaninoff’s Suite No 1. March 27th: The resident orchestra perform Mendelssohn’s concerto for two pianos and orchestra opus 25, Mozart’s concerto for piano and flute and Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony.

Roquetas de Mar Jekyll & Hyde The Musical comes to the Auditorio on February 7th & 8th at 9.30pm and February 9th at 6pm. Tickets are 25, 30 & 35 euros.

April 24th: The ADUA Symphony Orchestra performs compositions by Handel, Vivaldi, Vitali & Bach. Tickets for each concert cost 15 euros from Oficina Promúsica, C / Castelar 2, 2nd floor, tel: 626 476 389 or Victoria Travel C / Isabel La Católica 1, tel: 968 414 752 or from the box office from 2 hours prior to the performance.

114

Roquetas de Mar Auditorio tickets are on sale at www.teatro auditorioroquetas.org or the ticket office open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11am-1pm & 6pm-8pm José Mercé

What’s On The Almería Archaeological Museum has a Star Wars Trilogy exhibition until February 9th with over 100 items including scale figures, vehicles and replicas. The museum is at Carretera de Ronda 91, Almería city. Opening hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays 9am-8pm and Sundays 9am-3pm.

Trips & Events by Carlos Trip to Valencia, March 26th29th, 4 days and 3 nights in a 4* hotel with half board. There are varied activities and excursions included in the overall price of 279 euros. May 2nd-4th, Trip to Ubeda in Jaén to see Placido Domingo in concert on May 3rd, with normal seats very close to the front of stage in the main area of the bullring. Total price including coach, 4* hotel with half board and concert ticket is 220 euros. For info & bookings call Carlos on 610 681 068 or 950 525 761 Placido Domingo

Villaricos The VIII Dreambeach Villaricos Music Festival takes place on August 5th-9th. Tickets are 65 euros or 94 euros including the campsite, from www.dreambeach.es

Exibitions The Guitar Museum, ‘Museo de la Guitarra Antonio Torres’, in Almería city has an exhibition

entitled ‘Five centuries of the Spanish Guitar’ until March 21st. The oldest guitar was made in Seville in 1684 and there are French guitars from the 17th and 18th centuries, and Italian and French Baroque guitars from the 19th century. Opening hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10.30am1.30pm & 5pm-8pm, and 10.30am1.30pm on Sundays. The museum is close to the cathedral. Admission is 3 euros with various discounts.

115

What’s On Anglican Churches of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida Services & Events in February Mojácar. Sunday 2nd, 9th, 15th & 23rd, 11am, Eucharist Llanos del Peral. Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th& 23rd, 11am, Eucharist or Morning Worship Aljambra Chapel. Thursday 6th, 11am, Eucharist Sunday 16th, 6pm, Evensong Tuesday 25th, 3-5pm, Pancakes & Beetle Drive Thursday 27th, 11am, Eucharist and Lent Lunch PAWS/PATAS Cats The next Beachcomber Book Sale will be on Tuesday, 11th February, 10.30am 1pm. Any donation of books or DVDs on the morning of the sale would be appreciated. All proceeds to cat neutering

Miscellaneous The Mojácar Moors & Christians event is from June 12th-14th. The Dreambeach Villaricos music festival is from August 5th-9th. The 8th Juergas Rock Festival at Adra is from August 6th-8th. The MACS Mojácar Area Cancer Support Group has their Big Mac 6 event on Sunday, February 6th at the Hostal Rural in Turre from 12 noon-7pm. There will be many stalls and music on two stages along with food and drink and a tombola. Admission is 5 euros. The Royal British Legion Mojácar Branch February events. Thurs 6th, 11:30, Branch meeting at The Hotel Continental. Everyone is welcome,

friends, members and nonmembers. Our speaker is Jessica Dee Simpson. Sat 15th, 19:30, Valentine Dinner at the Bistro, Pueblo Laguna in aid of our branch. For more details please contact The Bistro or our secretary. Thurs 20th, 11:30, Social meeting for chat and coffee at La Cometa, Mojácar Playa. Fri 28th, 13:00, A luncheon at Felipe San Bernabe, Mojácar Playa to celebrate Andalucía Day. For information call: 950099483 or email: mojacar.secretary@rbl. community. Anyone who would like to help us with organising events or fund raising, please get in touch. For Welfare advice or help call: 676451780 (9am-5pm, Mon-Sat) or email dmwilson@britishlegion. org.uk

116

Send details of your events to almeriafocus@gmail.com or call 670 84 92 65

117

What’s On Market Days Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

Huércal-Overa, Antas, Berja Albox, Los Gallardos, Cuevas del Almanzora Mojácar, Bédar, Lubrin, Vélez Blanco, Palomares, Tabernas Cuevas del Almanzora, Olula del Río, Carboneras, Sorbas Garrucha, Turre, Zurgena Aguilas, Vera, Arboleas, Vélez Rubio Villaricos, Purias, San Juan de los Terreros, Fines

Rastros, Car Boot Sales, etc. Saturday: Los Llanos, between Arboleas & Albox Sunday morning: Multiple Use Centre (Artisan Centre), Mojácar Village 2nd Sunday of the month: Bédar, from 9am

118

Activities - Clubs - Associations Clubs, Societies & Activities

11:30am. 3rd Thursday of the month social meeting at 11:30 for coffee and chatter. Call for information of the venue. Everyone is welcome, service or nonAlmanzora Group of Friends Library and Information Centre service. For enquires call: 682 405 858 Mon - Fri and first Saturday of month or email mojacar.secretary@rbl. 10am-1pm, Plaza San Antonia, Barrio community. For Welfare advice or help Alto, Albox. Extensive English Library, call : 676451780 (9am-5pm, Mon-Sat) DVDs and talking books, monthly or email dmwilson@britishlegion.org.uk magazine, monthly quiz, trips. The Royal British Legion - Albox www.almanzoragof.org or Facebook: Everyone welcome. Monthly meeting Almanzora Group of Friends. Tel: 634 3rd Thursday of every month, La Parrilla, 343 147 Albox, 11am. Coffee morning 1st Thursday of every month, Oasis Cafe Living Alone in Spain? We are a 60+ group of friends who Bar, 11.30am. For info contact chairman meet for lunch every Wednesday in the Filip Ostrowski , email Albox.chairman Mojácar area. Tel. Ann: 677 877 087 @rbl.community. .For support contact Mrs Pamela Twissell Cross on 676 451 Almeria Link Friendship Group 780 Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm or email: Membership is free and open to all. We SpainNorth.CommunitySupport@RBL. meet at weekends in the Mojacar area Community to enjoy dining experiences and form friendships. At 4pm on the first The Royal British Legion - Zurgena Thursday of each month, we meet for & District Branch a chat and a drink at D'Angelo's Heather’s Bar, La Alfoquia, every first Restaurant. New members are always Thursday of the month at 11a.m. Email welcome. Please contact Bob on zurgenaRBLsecretary@yahoo.co.uk. See 950472551 or Cynthia on 950472699 www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/z urgena WOW Women on Wednesday Kukis, Mojácar Playa, 2pm. Get together, Mojácar Community Library buy, sell, swap, meet new people. Multi-Use centre. Mon, Wed and Fri, 11am - 1pm . Dames in Huércal Overa 3rd Wed. of the month, 10.30am, Hostal Mojácar Walking Group Rural Los Sabores de Miguel. All welcome. Walks of different levels. Tues & Thurs. w w w. m o j a c a r wa l k i n g g ro u p . c o m Tel. Carolyn 637 798 494

Vera Photo Club First Sunday of month, Bar La Pará, Turre (opposite the Vet), 10am 12.30pm. Presentations by invited speakers, field trips, instruction, studio photography, monthly assignments and exhibitions. All levels welcome. Phone Sarah 670003717 or Claus 628585538. Mojacar Photo Group meet 2nd Sunday each month at Dee’s Dollar Bar, Pueblo Laguna with monthly presentations, themes and challenges. Open to all levels, training available for beginners. Contact Andy: 650406167 or mpg@funnell.eu Betty's Garden Club 11.30 for 12 noon, 2nd Monday of the month at Miraflores Restaurant, Camping Los Gallardos except in July & August. All welcome. Tel: 634 341 715 Freemasons in the Province of Almeria Craft & Chapter. 661 026 912 or 670 27 27 37 Freemasons – The Side Degrees Mark, RAM, RSM, OSM & Allied. 694 44 43 61 Cabrera Music Club For info call Richard: 666 274 861 cabreramusicclub@albox-online.net Albox Computer Club Hotel La Parrilla, Albox. Fri, 10am. All levels of experience are welcomed. www.alboxcc.com

Psychic Development Circle Various classes at different times. Indalo Hash House Harriers Everyone welcome. Tel: Barbara 637 Meet 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11am, various 469 937 barbaramoonlight@gmail.com l o c a t i o n s . w w w. i n d a l o h 3 . c o m Traditional Japanese Reiki and AUAN - Abusos Urbanisticos Gendai Reiki Ho Almanzora No Association campaigning for the Classes, workshops, and Reiki shares in legalisation of homes in the Almanzora Mojacar. Tel: 634 347 930, website: Dames in Turre www.gendaireikispain.com 11am, last Mon in the month, Hostal Valley built without proper authority. Rural, Turre. Talks, trips, support for Meeings on 3rd Sat. of every other Ananda Yoga & Holistic Centre local charities. Guests welcome. month, 11am, La Parrilla, Albox. Tel: 617 Meditation Class, Crystal Class and Chairman, Carol Pazdzierski Tel: 950 099 118 209 www.almanzora-au.org Holistic Therapies. Contacts : 672 061 048 (Sharon) or 635 190 515 (Nana) 932, Membership Secretary, Eileen Vera & District Lions Club McGill Tel: 652 298 072 6.00pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Hotel Terraza Carmona, Vera. Ancestry Club for Beginners & Mojácar Bridge Club Telephone Jo Pearson on 711 00 56 82 Intermediate Mon and Thurs, 7pm. Marina Playa Hotel. or email veralionssecretary@gmail.com Tel. 634 309 590 Contact Les 950 437 100 / 634 219 for more information. 174 Facebook: Mojácar Bridge Club Flamenco Forum for English Send details of your club, The Royal British Legion, Mojácar Speakers society or activity to First Thursday of the month, meeting on Facebook. Information and events. almeriafocus@gmail.com in the Artisan Centre, Mojacar Pueblo, Tel: 687 480 694 Tel: 670 849 265 Dames in Spain (Mojácar) Talks, trips, support for local charities. 3rd Mon. of the month, 11.00am Sensations Restaurant, Mojácar Playa. Chairperson Carol Threlfall. Secretary Jenny Trask . See fb Dames in Spain. Guests welcome. Tel: 674 477 679

119

Activities - Clubs - Associations Clubs, Societies & Activities continued

The Evengelical Church, Turre Avda. de Almería, on the corner of C/Alberquillica. Sunday, 10.30am. Tuesday, 3pm Bible studying. Midweek prayer meeting. Tel. 950 617 549 or 950 472 349. www.turrechurch.com

Amigos de los Coches Clasicos Local multi-national group of classic car enthusiasts. Meetings the first Thursday of the month, 3pm, Hotel Rural Miguel Rosi, junction 559 E15/A7. www.a-c-c.es, email: info@a-c-c.es, tel. David 950 412 New Life Church, Huercal-Overa We are a Jesus centred church family 165 learning to love one another. Sunday Miraflores 1/10 Scale RC Club service at 11 am, www.newlifechurch.eu Thursdays, 3pm. Tel: Richard on 666 274 tel. 685 628 184 861 for more details. Living Water Church Mojacar Playa Model Aero Flying Club, Cortijo Opposite Red Cross Centre and Salas Grande Farmacia. Sunday Service 11am. Bible Sun. & Wed., 10.30am. Contact Jeff on study Tuesday 11am. Cafe Church 950 469304 or Colin on 666 982186 Thursday 11am to 1pm. For further info Aeroclub ULM Günter (Vera) contact Pastors Dave 697 522 521 or Tel: 607 316 553 John 634 254 781. See FaceBook or visit www.livingwaterchurchmojacar.com Pita Escuela Agave School of Río Aguas. A multicultural, Aguaviva Evangelical Church environmental and musical project, Near the health Centre, opposite Bicispecialized on the integral usage of the Box, Albox. Tel: Rod Southwood, 687 agave plant and the processing of its 560 544 wood.Tel 630 66 18 65 (Timbe) New Life Church, Huercal-Overa pitaescuela@hotmail.com We are a Jesus centred church family Sunseed learning to love one another. Sunday A hands-on practical centre for low- service at 11 am, www.newlifechurch.eu impact living and environmental tel. 685 628 184 education in Los Molinos del Rio Aguas Roman Catholic Masses near Sorbas. Free tours at 4pm. These canbe found on www.misas.org www.sunseed.org.uk Tel: 950 525 770 for most places.

Religious Groups & Churches Church of England (Anglican Churches) Mojacar: Eucharist, Sunday, 11am, at the church of San Pascual, Agua de Enmedio. Albox: Eucharist, 2nd & last Thurs in month, 11am. Evensong, second Sun in month, 6pm at Aljambra Chapel. Llanos del Peral, nr El Cucador: Eucharist or morning worship, Sundays, 11am. Church Wardens, Pam Carter 667947573 & Janetta Causton 661575606. Priest in Charge, Rev. Vincent Oram 603659139 See www.mojacarchurch.org Kingdom Hall, Jehovah's Witnesses Tues 7:30pm & Sun 10.00am. Poligono Aljoroque - C/El Cajete 6, Antas. Contact: 652 293 269

Age Support Almanzora Shop and welfare office near Peugeot garage, Albox. Helpline 634 316 573 Ostomist Support For Expats Call Dee 950 064 322 in confidence. A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous Mojacar Area Meetings:- Monday 6pm, Turre Evangelical Church (Avenida de Almeria, Turre). WedS & Fri, 6pm, Living Water Church, Mojacar Playa (opposite Red Cross building). Tel: 634 300 364 or email aaspain@gmail.com Al-Anon Family Groups for people whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking. Meetings Mondays, 4:45 - 5:45 at Turre Evangelical Church. Tel: 698460801 or email AlAnon.LaAlfoquia@gmail.com Universal Wonderful Street Academy NGO that supports street children in Accra (Ghana). Registered charity. www.universalwonderfulstreetacadem y.org. Beatriz: 617 182 154 FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for E ve r yo n e ) . Re g i s te r e d c h a r i t y. face.charity@hotmail.com www.face -charity.com Harmony Community Support Providing assistance to those in need. Tel. 634 339 192 Mon - Fri, 11:00 - 14:00 help@harmonycharity.com

Support Groups & Charities Parkinson's Disease Support Contact Joyce Boxall (Santa Maria de Nieva, Huércal-Overa), tel 677 688037 MACS Cancer Support Group General Enquiries call 634 328 334 10am to 4pm. 24/7 Careline: 634 656 555. Fully Spanish registered charity. Shops in Mojácar, Turre, Albox and Huercal-Overa open Mon-Fri, 10-2pm www.macscancersupport.com Email: macscancersuppor t@live.co.uk Stepping Stones Carers Support Group Turre Evangelical Hall, Thurs, 11am-2pm. Tel 950 472 822 or 677 683 385 www.steppingstonescarerssupport.com

120

Send details of your group to almeriafocus@gmail.com Tel: 670 849 265

Activities - Clubs - Associations Music & Drama Groups

Yoga

Indalo Players Well established drama group always looking for new members to act or help back stage. Tel. Bill White on 671 81 08 19 or email williamwhite9552@aol.com

Ananda Yoga & Holistic Centre Various different styles of yoga including Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Integral Yoga. Holistic Therapies including Reiki, Thai Foot Massage, Reflexology, Crystal Massage. Tel : 672 061 048 (Sharon) or 635 190 515 (Nana)

Independent Theatre Group Always looking for new people, novices & full blown Thesbians. Call Ian Jones on 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 or email independenttheatre@hotmail.com The Luvvies New members always welcome for acting or work behind the scenes etc. Te l . 6 34 34 6 3 0 9 o r e - m a i l theluvvies@hotmail.com Jacqueline Welby Productions New members always needed to act or work back stage or with any other activities. Tel. Jacqueline Morris Welby 634 313 531 The Incognito Singers A mixed voice group, based in Arboleas, performing a varied repertoire of songs to a high standard. For more info visit www.theincognitosingers.com, see Facebook, contact us at theincognito singers@gmail.com., or drop in to a weekly rehearsal. (See web page.) Sing Sing Sing A mixed informal singing group, singing all types of music, for the fun of it, and to be able to perform a few charity events. Everyone welcome, Rehearsal Tuesday 6pm Villaricos Social Centre. For info. ring Janet on 617856680. Cariatiz Community Orchestra A friendly group of musicians of various ages and levels. All newcomers welcome, only requirement is to play an orchestral instrument and read music. Rehearsals Vera Auditorio, 6-8pm every Sunday. Contact emma.v.randle@gmail.com Facebook: Cariatiz Community Orchestra. Vera Voces A friendly choir singing classical music, directed by pianist, singer and director, Barry Jobling. All welcome, no auditions. Rehearsals Wednesdays, 6-8pm, at Vera Auditorio. Facebook: Vera Voces. Contact veravoces1@gmail.com

Yoga in Mojacar with Sharon Fisher. All levels. beginners welcome. 672 061 048 Sol Yoga Centre, Arboleas Tel: 686 400331 Girasol, Albox Call 639 089 170 Yoga with Ashlí Turre, Vera & private. 643102335 Yoga Therapy with Portia Oliver. Tel: 681301474 www.portiaoliver.es

Arts & Crafts Sewing Group, Mojacar We meet at Scotty's el Tropico bar for sewing, knitting, crochet etc. Weds. 10.30 to 12.30. Tel. Brenda 634 34 34 92 or Sylvia 628 006 197. We are a friendly group meeting for coffee and chat.

Bedar Arts Centre Ceramic classes, Mondays and Wednesdays. Painting classes Tuesday 10:30-1330. For info, call 664 896 555

Dance Line Dancing Salon de Actos, Centro de Usos Multiples , Mojacar. Fridays, 4.–7pm. Beginners welcome. Contact: Glynis 648217503 o r M a r y B eth 6 616715 2 6 o r strictlylinedancingmojacar@gmail.com Eleanor & Gilly's Line Dance Class Chapman’s Bar, Albox, 2-30pm- 4-30pm, Mondays. All levels welcome. 950439003. Step2It - Line Dancing Arboleas. Weds: 6.45 p.m - 7.30 p.m, First Steps/Intro. 7.30 p.m -10.30, Beginners / Improvers /Intermediate. : C a r r i e A n n 6 2727 9 5 8 4 www.carrieanngreen.com Almeria Line Dancers Julie - 634304625 / 950110433 Pro Danza Nicky Mainstone Royal Academy Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Dance fit fusion. Children & Adults. Mojacar & Los Gallardos. T. 667479903

Ladies Sewing Circle Evangelical Church, Turre, Wednesday 10.30 – 12.30 Tel: 667 702 774

Ceroc Dancing Artisan Centre, Mojacar, Tues 8.15pm Beginners/Improvers/Advanced. All welcome. Contact Tracey 687251799

Girasol, Albox Mosaic classes. Thurs 1:30 - 4:30pm.Tel 639 089 170

Belly Dancing Mojácar, Garrucha & Huércal-Overa. Contact Fatima: 610 472 596

Picante Quilting Club Scotty’s El Tropico, Mojacar. First Thurs of the month, 10am-12.30pm. Beginners welcome. For more details or to book your place, please email Jo at jogibson787@yahoo.co.uk

Bellydance Classes Mojácar, Turre, Palomares. Call 639 724 521

The Happy Hookers Crochet Club Alternate Mondays, 2pm, Kuki’s Bar Restaurant, Mojacar. Beginners and all levels welcome. For details, or to book your place, please email Kim at kimlette7@hotmail.com Cloud Zebra Craft Workshops & Clubs In Almanzora and Oria, Tues 10-2, Thurs and Fri, 10.30 -2.30. Call 744 60 96 30 or check out our Facebook page. No experience needed.

121

Dance Classes with Hollie Newell Ballet, tap, contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, zumba and more. Based in Turre. Tel: 634 317 391 Performing Arts Centre DanZaVera 54 Verasol, Vera. Royal Academy Ballet, Imperial Society Modern, Tap and Jazz. Also Hip-Hop, Oriental Dance, Spanish Classical. Tel Anita: 670 715 787 Complete Beginners Flamenco Mojácar. No specialist shoes or equipment required, friendly hour long class. Email info@lagitanainglesa.com

Activities - Clubs - Associations Sports Almería Lawn Bowling Club Contact Shirley: 679 970 399

Almería Golf League Contact Les on 950 619 273

Mojacar Golf Society Visitors always welcome to come and Bowling Club de Zurgena join in the fun on Wednesdays and Friendly, social and competitive bowling, Saturdays. Tel Lynn Sefton on 667 349 all levels & standards. zurgenabc@gmail. 908 or email raylynnsefton@gmail.com com. www.zurgenabc.com Albox Club de Tenis Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club Sun & Thurs mornings, Tues afternoons. Tel Sue: 950 064 369 Fb: Albox Club de www.cabreralbc.com Tenis Indalo Lawn Bowling Club Cabrera Tennis Club Contact Janet 671 865 675 Contact info@ cabreratennisclub.com Mojacar Bowls Club Behind Marina Mar Hotel. Everybody www.cabreratennisclub.com welcome - Tues, Thurs and Sat starting with coffee at 9:30. Contact Verna 610 838 644. Badgers Golf Society Mojacar, play Wednesday and Saturday. Everyone always welcome. Contact Dave Ryder on 663 327 182 or badgers mojacar@gmail.com

Club de Tenis y Padel Indalo Vera. Tel: 950 59 28 77 - 608 250 607 Tennis Coach Diego Rodriguez Tel: 689 688 226 Padel tennis lessons At home. Tel: Ulises Gutiérrez, 606 902 691

PartyLevante Sailing Club Boxers Golf Society Albox Initiation for children from 7 yrs in small All welcome to join us as members or groups. Email info@partylevante.com or guests. Call in at the Why Not bar in call 680942141 www.partylevante Albox on Saturday mornings or email .com peterstooks@avired.com Santa Irene Sailing Club Forum Golf Society Plays friendly events at local courses Come and join us out on the water twice a month. Richard Price. Telephone sailing or crewing our safety boat. Every 850993073 or rfp53@yahoo.co.uk. Sunday at 10:30 in the boat park at the www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com north end of Garrucha harbour. Email info@santaireneclubdevela.com Marina Phoenix Golf Society w w w. s a n t a i r e n e c l u b d eve l a . c o m Visitors welcome Mondays and Thursdays. Tel Don Atkins 605 051 238. Adelante Gimnasia Artìstica Email marinaphoenixgs@gmail.com H u e r c a l - O ve r a . C l a s s e s f o r f u n gymnastics , competitive levels, pre Valle del Este Golf Society. school and adults. Fully qualified coach. Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Contact From 2 years. Tel 622 129 702 or Alan Townsend Tel. 690 090 982 i n f o @ a d e l a n t e a r t i s i t c a . e s www.adelanteartistica.es Facebook Adelante Gimnasia artistica. Walking Football Club Campo de Football, Los Gallardos, 9am Monday for training, exercise & playing. www.fclosamigos.com El Bandido Runners Run, jog , walk a 5km route along the Paseo. Free to all. See Facebook. Contact Kevin on ironmankev08 @gmail.com

122

Fitness & Martial Arts Girasol, Albox Pilates, children’s karate & gymastics, advanced gymnastics, Tai-chi. Tel 639 089 170 erobics or Pilates Campo de Futbol, Turre. Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk Slimming Groups Casa Pepa, Turre, Weds 10 am, Sophia Wellness Centre Arboleas, Thurs 12.30pm, Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk Martial Arts Academy Seidokan Scientific Karate & Taiji-Qigong, Vera. Call John Watson 950 453 681 Performing Arts Centre DanZaVera Almeria. 54 Verasol, Vera. Martial Arts, Karate, Tai ji qigong, ancient weapons including Sword, Self Defence, Tactical Gymnastics, Yoga and ageless mobility. Tel Anita: 670 715 787 Mojácar Taekwondo 5 years to adults. Various classes & times. Contact Serge 646844708. Facebook GTF Spain Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas Gym, Toning tables, Kickboxing, Cross fit, Boot camp, Boxing, Salsacise, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Body Pump. Tel. 950 449 451. Fitness with Alison, Mojácar Full Body Workout, Pilates, AquaZumba, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Total Toning, AeroFit. Tel 666 273 168. Hollie Newell Zumba Almeria Turre, Los Gallardos, Arboleas and San Juan. Contact: 634 317 391

Your Stars Underhandedness regarding legal matters or contracts must be counteracted. Groups you belong to will not only enjoy your company, but they will also share your interests. Opportunities to make financial gains through investments look promising. You may need to lend an ear to an old friend. Your luckiest events this month will (Mar. 21- April 20) occur on a Monday.

Take a different approach; make an offer they just can't refuse. You will be in a high cycle regarding work. You are best not to confide in anyone right now. Don't be too confident that colleagues are on your side. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday. (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)

Any difficulties with peers could be unnerving. Cultural activities open your eyes to new ways of doing things. Sort situations out as best you can. Watch your spending habits. Pleasure trips or friendly get-togethers will be satisfying and intellectually stimulating. Your luckiest events this (Apr. 21- May 21) month will occur on a Monday.

Go out with close friends who understand your situation and your needs. Take time to look at any outdated papers or possible investments. Keep your cash in your pocket and offer them sound advice rather than your financial assistance. You will be able to dazzle others with your obvious charm and your outgoing nature. Your luckiest (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) events this month will occur on a Monday.

Your irritability may drive your loved ones crazy. You could be tempted to overspend on unnecessary items. You should get involved in competitive sports this month. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Your lover may be annoyed if you have been flirtatious or not attentive to their needs. You will also encounter individuals who can help you further your goals. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. Be aware that minor accidents or injury may prevail if you are preoccupied. Your luckiest (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Visitors are likely to drop by and chances are, they may even stay a little longer than you want them to. You can expect your mate to get fed up and make the choices for you or back off completely. Empty promises will cause confusion. Deceit with colleagues is apparent. Your luckiest (June 22 - July 22) events this month will occur on a Monday.

Seminars will provide you with knowledge and amusement. You will find their philosophies worth exploring. Deep discussions may only lead to friction. You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you have overloaded your plate unintentionally. Your luckiest events this month (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) will occur on a Thursday.

Don't try to hide your true feelings from your mate. Travel for business or pleasure will be enlightening. Don't let your anger consume you and don't allow important matters go unattended to. Organize all the responsibilities that have to be attended to and make sure everyone knows what to do. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Insincere gestures of friendliness are likely to occur. Your anger may be impossible to contain if you get into debates with family members. Do some research if you want to find information that you can apply against the opposition you face. You can make wonderful contributions to any organization that you join. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

(May 22 - June 21)

(July 23 - Aug. 22)

(Jan. 21- Feb. 19)

You're on the right track and you can make money if you are willing to go out on a limb. Your attitudes at work will open new avenues for you. Visit friends or relatives who have been confirmed. Invest wisely. Your personal life could have you tied up in knots. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday. (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23)

Reciprocate by offering helpful hints. Do a little investigating if there is someone at work you don't trust. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavours. Communications with loved ones may be strained. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday. (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)

123

Jokes of the Month A Good Catch

The Traffic Camera

When Mr. Wilkins answered the door late in the evening after his wife who had been scuba diving had not been seen for two days, he was greeted by two grim-faced policemen. "We're sorry to call on you at this hour, Mr.Wilkens, but we have some information about your wife." "Well...tell me!" he demanded. The policeman said, "We have some bad news, some pretty good news, and some really great news. Which do you want to hear first?" Fearing the worse, Mr. Wilkins said, "Give me the bad news first." So the policeman said, "I'm sorry to tell you sir, but we found your wife's body this morning in San Francisco Bay." "OH MY GOD!" said Mr. Wilkens, overcome by emotion. Then, remembering what the policeman had said, he asked, "What's the good news?" "Well," said the policeman, "When we pulled her up she had two ten-pound lobsters and a dozen good size crabs on her." "Huh?" he said, not understanding. "So, what's the great news?" The policeman smiled, "We're going to pull her up again tomorrow morning to see what we have then!"

A man was driving down the road when he passed a traffic camera and saw it flash. Astounded that he had been caught speeding when he was well under the speed limit, he turned around and, going even slower, he passed by the camera again and saw it flash a second time. He couldn't believe it! So he turned round again, going at snail's pace, and when he passed the camera once more it flashed. He guessed it must have a fault, and he went home. Four weeks later he received three traffic fines in the post, all for not wearing a seatbelt.

The Old Lady In a tiny village there was an old maid. In spite of her old age, she was still a virgin and she was very proud of it. She knew her last days were getting closer, so she told the local undertaker that she wanted the following inscription on her tombstone: "Born as a virgin, lived as a virgin, died as a virgin" Not long after, the old maid died peacefully. The undertaker, true to his word, instructed the stonemason to inscribe on the tombstone what the lady had requested. The man went to carve it, but as it was close to quitting time, he decided the inscription was unnecessarily long. So he simply carved: "Returned unopened."

The Big Man A deputy police officer responded to a report of a disturbance in a pub. The "disturbance" turned out to be well over six feet tall and looked like he weighed about 20 stone. What's more, he boasted that he could whip the deputy and Anthony Joshua too, with one hand tied behind his back. The policeman said, "I'll bet that you're also an escape artist - probably better than Houdini." The giant nodded. "If I had some chains," the deputy continued, "You could show us how strong you really are. But all I've got is a set of handcuffs. Why don't you see just how quickly you can break out of them?" Once in the cuffs, the man puffed, pulled and jerked for five minutes. "I can't get out of these," the giant growled. "Are you sure?" the deputy asked. The fellow tried again. "Nope," he replied. "I can't do it." "In that case," said the deputy, "You're under arrestâ&#x20AC;?.

The Release Date A wife woke in the middle of the night to find her husband missing from bed. She got out of bed and checked around the house and she heard sobbing from the basement. After descending the stairs, she found her husband curled up in the corner of the basement, crying like a baby. "Honey, what's wrong?" she asked, worried what could be upsetting him so much. He replied, "Remember, 20 years ago, I got you pregnant and your father who was a judge threatened me to either marry you or to go to jail?" "Yes, of course," she replied. "Well, I would have been released from jail this afternoon!" he said.

124

...and next... President Trump

Getting Old Three ladies were discussing the problems of getting older over a cup of tea. One said, "Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand, while standing in front of the refrigerator, and I can't remember whether I need to put it away, or start making a sandwich." The second lady chimed in with, "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing of the stairs and can't remember whether I was on my way up or on my way down." The third one responded, "Well, ladies, I'm glad I don't have that problem. Knock on wood," and she rapped her knuckles on the table. She then said, "That must be the door, I'll get it!"

The Preacher After the church service a little boy told the fairly new pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "But what has made you say this to me?" The little boy replied, "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

One sunny day at the end of January 2020 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Trump." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Donald Trump is no longer president and no longer resides here. He was impeached" The old man said, "Okay", and walked away. The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Trump." The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Donald Trump is no longer the president and no longer resides here. He was impeached." The man thanked him and walked away. The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Trump." The Marine, understandably annoyed, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to see to Donald Trump. I've told you already that he is no longer the president and no longer resides here. He was impeached. Don't you understand?" The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Sure I understand. I just love hearing you saying it!" The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow, Sir." The Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wife A man was just waking up from anaesthesia after surgery, and his wife was sitting by his side. His eyes fluttered open and he said, "You're beautiful!" and then he fell asleep again. His wife had never heard him say that so she stayed by his side. A few minutes later his eyes fluttered open and he said, "You're quite pretty!" The wife was disappointed because instead of "beautiful" he had said "quite pretty." She said, "What happened to 'beautiful'?" His reply was: "The drugs are wearing off!"

125

Coffee Break

126

127