The Almeria Focus – March 2020

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Introduction & Contents

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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 The Run Up to Easter .............................................................…...10 In the News ........…................…………................................…….12 So Now You Know ............................................................................52 Spain and the US ............................................................................54 Cancer Statistics in Spain ....................................................56 Facial Recognition ........................................................................58 The Immediate Effect of Brexit .......................................60 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 April issue is March 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 117

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The Run Up to Easter

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he plane that repatriated the first people back to the UK on January 31st because of the deadly Covid-19 Coronavirus also had 19 Spaniards on board. After the UK citizens disembarked, the plane flew to Madrid and they were taken to a military hospital where they were quarantined. On February 13th they were all allowed to leave as none of them had tested positive.

The first case in Spain was in the remote Canary Island La Gomera where a German man taken in for observation along with four friends was found to have “slight indications” of the virus. He had been in indirect contact with an infected Chinese person in Munich. A British man tested positive in Palma de Mallorca and the family of four had come from the French Alps. Both men were later discharged from hospital.

of brightly coloured tissue wrapped round a wooden cross have a large head that is filled with sweets. These are taken into the countryside or sometimes near a beach and children throw stones at the head to get at the sweets. The origins of this are not completely clear but it is thought that as this day is in the middle of Lent which is a solemn time with few festivities, grannies took their grandchildren into the countryside for a treat or a picnic. This fiesta is observed in some municipalities in Málaga and Catalonia and also in France. Local businesses will be shut in the afternoon and if the weather is kind the event is combined with a barbecue, drinks and a chin wag for all the family.

The enormous annual World Mobile Congress event in Barcelona starting February 24th was cancelled after all the big names pulled out. Last year, out of the 110,000 visitors 6% came from China and it was decided that carrying on with the event was too risky.

This year Easter is later than last year with Easter Sunday on April 12th and other event dates move as well. Maundy Thursday on April 9th is not a religious fiesta date throughout Spain, but it is in Andalucía, so in Almería province. March 19th is “Día de San José” which is Spanish Father’s day and is a fiesta date outside of Andalucía where it is swapped with Maundy Thursday. The day after Maundy Thursday is of course Good Friday, and this is a religious fiesta in all of Spain, so in Almería province both April 9th and 10th are days when town halls, official offices and banks will be shut.

There are very large Easter processions in many parts of Spain with the one in Lorca extremely well known, and there are major ones in Almería city. Very large platforms with religious statues are carefully manoeuvred out of the church doors and paraded down a particular route. There is a strict timetable and more than one will take place each day. A large group of men carry the platforms, sometime hidden from view underneath. Heavy rain or strong winds means the procession may be cancelled.

Locally, almost exclusively in Mojácar and the surrounding areas, there is a special event on the third Thursday before Maundy Thursday. This year it is on March 12th and in the afternoon, “Día de la Vieja” (Old Lady Day) is celebrated. Effigies made

UK Mothering Sunday is on March 22nd this year, just after St Patrick’s Day which is always on March 17th, this year on a Friday. Apart from Easter Thursday and Friday there are no other major “red” fiesta dates in March or April.

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In the News Disgruntled Agriculturalists Complaints from the very important agriculture industry in Spain boiled over into multiple demonstrations towards the end of February when hundreds or thousands of tractors blocked main roads including motorways for several hours.

The A-7 motorway in Almería province was blocked for two hours by 1,000 protestors and tractors from El Ejido. A complaint that goes back years is that the mark-up on the price that agriculturalists obtain for their produce can go up to 400-600% on supermarket shelves or conversely, fruit and veg prices are dropped for aggressive low price campaigns. These large differences are charted by an organisation that compares origin and destination prices in agriculture. Current claims are that prices are now so low that they do not cover the cost of growing. Growers point out that aubergine prices have fallen so low that they only obtain 20 céntimos a kilo when they need 60 céntimos to cover their costs. The price on supermarket shelves is often 1 euro 20 céntimos and in Madrid as high as 2 euros 10 céntimos. The Spanish government accepts that something has to be done and the Spanish Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas, has met with company bosses from Mercadona, Carrefour and Lidl as part of a major initiative with further meetings scheduled with other companies. 20% of all the fruit and veg production in Spain is sold within Spain but growers are also complaining bitterly about the EU. They complain that produce is being imported from Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in particular who they accuse of “dumping” huge quantities of tomatoes that in some cases have the importation labels altered to imply that they originate in Spain. Spanish growers state that the quality control and the use of pesticides in these countries is far worse than in Spain where costs are higher because they fully comply with EU guidelines. A claim with regard to Morocco is that their cheap labour costs are only 25% of the production cost per kilo, but in Spain they are 45%. The 80% of produce exported by growers in Almería province amounted to 2.7 million tonnes

in 2019 with a total income of 2.6 million euros.

Despite Brexit, imports into the UK went up by 9%.

The Mobile World Congress Cancelled This event is an extremely big one for Barcelona and when there was so much unrest and violent demonstrations following the independence declaration from 2017-2018, the holding of the 2019 exhibition there was in doubt. It did take place, but the 2020 event from February 24th27th saw many large companies announcing that they were pulling out. This was because of the “Covid-19” coronavirus epidemic and Sony, AT & T, Amazon, Nvidea, LG, Facebook, Cisco, Intel, Mcafee, the giant Japanese company Rakuten and Ericsson notified the organisers that they would not be coming. Huawei did not pull out but announced stringent security measures. Sony stated that the security and wellbeing for all their customers, associates and employees was of the utmost importance and precluded them from attending. Amazon stated that the continuing worry about the virus and the very large numbers expected at the international event meant that they considered it “prudent” to pull out. The organisers announced a battery of safeguards such as no visitors being allowed in from the Chinese Wuhan and Hubei Provinces and any visitors from other parts of China had to prove that they had been out of China for the preceding 14 days by showing their passports stamps, or provide a medical certificate that they were in good health. Chinese visitors made up 6% of the 110,000 people who came to the event last year.

All members of the public were going to have to pass a temperature test and state that they had not been in contact with anyone who had the virus but this is not foolproof. Hotels in Barcelona consequently experience large numbers of cancellations. The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Colboni, stated that last year there were 2,500 companies that came to the event and there was no need to cancel it as the health and visitor restrictions were more than were actually needed.

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In the News Despite this, on February 11th the organisers electricity bill is calculated or what they pay for. cancelled the event for February 24th with the The new proposed system may well bring this up option of a modified date in the future. The cost to 100%! of cancelling the event is put at 500 million euros including hundreds of hotel bookings. One real problem is that companies provide hundreds of new generation mobiles and gaming controllers that the general public are invited to try out.

Complicated Changes in Electricity Costs The CNMC is the Spanish department that monitors competition, approves mergers and comes up with plans to reduce costs for consumers. They have told the electricity supply companies that they have to introduce a new pricing system by November 1st this year, but it may be 2021 before it is in operation. There will be a complicated change in tariffs and there will be three distinct ones in a 24hr period. The most expensive electricity will be between 10am-2pm and 6pm-10pm, and the next cheapest from 8am10pm and 2pm-6pm. The cheapest rate will be from 12 midnight to 8am and at weekends. It appears that the new bands may supersede the present 14hr cheap tariff from 10pm to midday or 11pm to 1pm depending on the time of year.

The other change is related to the amount of electricity that you have contracted for, which is expressed in kilowatts. Each property pays according to this amount but the proposal is that a reduced amount would be available normally, with a higher amount from midnight to 8am so that equipment that needs the most power such as electric water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines on a heat cycle, and air conditioning could be used during this time period. Switching to a lower power rating would save the cost charged by the electrical supply companies outside the night time period. It is further suggested that the “intelligent meters� that nearly everybody has would temporarily trip if the lower amount of power was exceeded. The fixed charges on a bill that cover a variety of items will be frozen at the present level. Surveys have showed that 99% of the population have no idea at all how their

More Air Nostrum Flights Air Nostrum, the regional low cost company belonging to the Spanish company Iberia, has announced new flights from AlmerĂ­a airport from April 14th. There will be three flights a week to Valencia and Bilbao from April 14th to October 24th. In the high season from July 17th to September 6th there will be no flights to these two destinations as the company state that they have too many commitments for existing planned flights elsewhere. Their flights to Mallorca in the summer months will be increased to three times a week and they will still operate their subsidised flights to Seville and Melilla with eleven flights a week to Seville and five to Melilla, except for reduced flights to Seville in August. Their existing flights to Madrid will continue unaltered. Air Nostrum is the largest company offering regional flights within Spain and in 2020 there will be 75,000 flights with an anticipated 5.2 million passengers. In 2019 they billed 500 million euros.

There are 1,400 employees.

A Euthanasia Debate One of the promises of the new government in Spain was that legislation would be introduced to address the thorny question of euthanasia. A vote in mid-February to hold protracted discussions and subsequent legislation to be put in law by

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In the News June was passed by 201 votes in favour, 140 against and two abstentions. There are very different ideas between the political parties as to the proposed legislation and the PP Conservative party and the Vox Right-Wing party voted against any legislation. They see much improved palliative care as an alternative. In the heated debate, one of the PP MPs accused the government of the ulterior motive of trying to saving money on pensions and health care which caused uproar. Before the vote, reference was made to various Spaniards who found their life intolerable and had chosen to end it and one man who had helped his wife to end her life as she suffered intolerable pain from multiple sclerosis. He had taken a video of his wife begging him to put her out of her misery that was widely shown on social media. Police interviewed and briefly detained the husband who had legally committed a crime but no action was taken against him. The Minster for Health, María Louisa Carcedo, stated that euthanasia had to be a right to choose, and doctors who objected in principle for reasons such as religion could opt out of any involvement. A survey of hospital doctors was greatly in favour of euthanasia in many medical situations and another survey of the public by the Spanish Institute for Sociological Investigations gave the result that 58% of Spaniards thought that there should be legislation with only 10% totally opposed to the idea.

each paid 2,000 to 2,500 euros. The gang used powerful high speed launches that made the journey to the Alboran Sea off the coast of Almería in just three hours which greatly helped them avoid detection. There were various landing places where the launches were met. If the immigrants wanted to be taken onward to find family members already in Spain they were charged an additional 500 euros. Some people were kept hostage until family members came up with the money. In the raids on the houses of the organisers the police confiscated 20,000 euros, 17 vehicles, mobile phones and copious documentation, and 15 people were immediately remanded in custody. A police spokesperson stated that this was a very sophisticated international gang and they thought there would be more arrests after the documentation had been studied.

Disabled Parking in Roquetas de Mar Working with the town hall, police in Roquetas de Mar found 874 infractions of the use of disabled parking in 2019. In some cases the persons detected will not just receive a fine, they will appear in court. In some cases the disabled parking cards that have to be displayed were false, had been fraudulently altered, or the person who had been given the parking rights was dead, and these are offences under the criminal law. In some cases the person who had the parking permission was not in the vehicle when it was found in a disabled A Major “Boat People” Ring Dismantled parking bay. In 2019 there was a 25% increase in A judge in Almería city who has been working disabled parking places that now total 400. with various branches of the police including Europol ordered multiple raids on homes in mid- More Money for Nurseries February with five in Almería province and one The Government in Andalucía have announced in Alicante This followed a painstaking that nursery fees will go up by 15% as they have investigation over several months of a gang who been frozen for 12 years, but the Junta de brought “boat people” to Spain. Landing places Andalucía will provide the extra money. Parents in Almería province included Níjar and Cabo de will still pay the same with the continuation of Gata. 26 people were arrested who organised various subsidies. There are 118,000 families in journeys from Tangier in Morocco and Oran in Andalucía (including Almería province) whose Algeria. They are accused of bringing 900 people children attend 2,000 nurseries and the cost of to Almería, Alicante and Zaragoza in 2019 that the additional funding for 2020 will be 40 million

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In the News euros. 88% of parents receive a discount and 45% pay nothing at all. Nurseries that take children aged from a few months up to the age of three are considered to be very important. This first introduction to pre-school education, called infant education, is certainly not just child minding.

Nurseries are open from Mondays to Fridays except for fiesta days and they shut down in August. Compulsory free education in Spain is from the ages of six to sixteen but it is very rare than children don’t attend school earlier. Infant schools following a nursery stay, if applicable, are from age three to six.

for cancer treatment and gives funds to make existing machines up to date. At present there are about 1,000 patients who receive treatment over 20 to 30 sessions every year and the new one will treat 50-60 patients a day. New staff and technicians have been employed to operate the new equipment and there has been an initial period when it was calibrated and approved by the Ministry of Industry. A second machine donated by the foundation will be operational in due course. This will bring the total number of state of the art machines and an improved one up to three.

Another Construction Slow Down Last year the Bank of Spain announced that the construction industry needed to be very careful as their projects might experience a lack of buyers.

They warned that if this happened a minirecession might take place. Figures for the end of 2019 show that this is true and the 12% boost in employment at the end of 2018 has now fallen to an increase of only 3%. At the end of 2019 there were 1.28 million people in the construction industry but this is the same amount as in 2012.

Public work projects are not being announced partly because of the lack of a stable government for such a long time, and there is a lot of uncertainty as to what the new government policy will be. In general in Spain, but less in our area, house purchases are going down as well as new mortgages. Construction bosses normally experience a minimum six month gap between plans being drawn up and the work being started.

During this time costs are going up and the two increases in the minimum wage are having an effect on costs. Because of this some projects are no longer viable.

Good Employment Figures In Almería Province The Spanish Institute of Statistics collate information on a variety of subjects including employment. January figures for Almería province are that there are now 287,000 people in work which is an increase of 11,200 from 2018. This is the highest number since 2008 before the construction and financial crises. Persons employed in agriculture have gone up by 6,000 to 74,600 and the only sector that has seen a drop is the construction industry where there are 2,100 less employees. In another news item we comment on the deceleration in this sector.

Unemployment figures are also the best since 2008 and the percentage has now dropped to 19%. This is a good improvement but unemployment is still a big factor in young people.

Figures for unemployed men have gone down from 18% to 15%, but unemployment in women has increased from 19% to 23%. The 22% increase in the minimum wage in 2019 up to 900 euros a month with 14 payments has not had a bad effect on employment as had been feared, and for 2020 the minimum wage has been increased to 950 euros per month with 14 payments backdated to January 1st. Unions think that the figures are very encouraging except for the decline of employment in women. They state that this has to be addressed and there are more temporary contracts with women which does not help. In all

A New Linea-Accelerator at Torrecárdenas At the Torrecárdenas hospital in Almería city a new linear-accelerator machine to treat cancer has been installed and is operational. The money has come from the Amancio Ortega Foundation that pays for new high-tech hospital equipment

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In the News of Spain in 2019 there were 93,000 more employees from October to the year end and this made the total workforce up to 20 million out of a population of 46 million. This is despite the problems with no effective government in all of 2019 and the uncertainty this created.

Carles Puigdemont Appeals for Donations The ex-President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, fled to Brussels in October 2017 along with other government ministers who chose Brussels or other countries. This was to avoid arrest for charges of sedition (treason) and misuse of public funds relating to the illegal referendum and declaration of independence. He, Oriol Junqueras, the ex- Vice- President serving a 13 year prison term, and 29 former members of the government or officials some of whom are in prison, were advised in January that within 15 days they had to pay a total of 4.1 million euros (including interest) from the money they siphoned off from public funds. They were told that if the money was not paid there would be embargoes on property or bank accounts. Carles Puigdemont went on social media to ask for donations of money to be paid into a designated bank account.

Their new plane ‘eBeaver’ has been designed to carry light cargo and the company are intending that they can be licensed to start operations in 2022. The 750 horse power (560kW) prototype is designed for a maximum journey of 161km and is intended to be flown from Vancouver in British Columbia to Victoria, a distance of 98km. The major problem is the weight of the batteries. The company Harbour Air claim that the cost of a flight will be 20 dollars, compared to 300 dollars an hour for aviation fuel. For the test flight the plane only flew for 10 minutes but the company stated that the system worked as designed.

Longer Doctor Appointments The Andalucía health service is announcing proposed changes designed to improve the health service, and one relates to appointment times at doctors surgeries. People obtaining a doctor’s appointment find at present that it has a very precise time, typically one every seven minutes.

A new proposal that has been urged by doctors and health service unions is that there will be no more than 30 appointments of ten minute duration and this will soon be put in place. At present, in 80% of doctor’s surgeries the average amount of patients dealt with is 50.

Quim Torra

New Elections in Catalonia Quim Torra, the President of Catalonia, is living on borrowed time as he has been stripped of his position as an MP and President for defying instructions to take down politically motivated banners during the election period. He should have already left office but is holding out for the sentence from the Supreme Court that is purely a rubber stamp on his dismissal. There are many causes of friction in the Catalan Parliament between different parties, even the ones who still want independence, and they are still working An Electric Plane with the 2017 budget. He has accepted that these Apart from the aim of substituting all petrol and problems are insurmountable but he still wants diesel cars for electric ones, a Canadian company to try and pass a new budget. He has named his has carried out a test flight of an electric plane. new successor which is again controversial so he

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In the News has announced new elections after the budget has been passed, if it does pass. The date of March 18th has been earmarked for this purpose. The new elections, the fourth since 2010, will take place in May or June and there will undoubtedly be another coalition government. There has to be a period of 54 days between the calling of new elections and the elections taking place. The Ciudadanos Conservative party in Catalonia have called for Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, to invoke article 155 of the Spanish Constitution again that allows central government to take over an autonomous community in “exceptional circumstances”. This was invoked on the evening of October 27th 2017 following the illegal declaration of independence earlier in the day. The Catalan Parliament was dissolved and new elections took place in December. Pedro Sánchez has been holding talks with Quim Torra to try to find a solution to all the problems in Catalonia. His proposals are that improvements could be made in the money paid to Catalonia under various headings and increased autonomy.

The question of independence is not on the table under any circumstances. The new fragile government in Madrid only exists because the ERC party from Catalonia abstained from voting against Pedro Sánchez forming a government. He needs their support to pass the 2020 budget for Spain as a whole. If the ERC party don’t approve the budget this will present serious problems and it may be that approval is not forthcoming until after the elections in Catalonia have taken place.

Climate Changes for Vehicles The Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition has put forward plans to penalise owners of “dirty” vehicles and reward purchasers of modern “clean” ones. At present, the average age of all the vehicles in Spain is 12 years, the highest in the EU. One proposal is that the annual vehicle tax paid to town halls will no longer be based solely on the horsepower. Instead, the type of motor and fuel would be taken into account and the designation that the DGT (Spanish traffic authority) give to

vehicles which has four types of circular stickers that have to go on the windscreen. These start at the highest “best” level with 0 emissions, ECO more eco-friendly, B: Petrol engines from 2000 and diesel from 2006, C: Petrol engines from 2006 and diesel from 2014, and a “nil” red sticker for very old vehicles. These exist in many parts of Spain including parts of Murcia but not as yet in Almería province. Town halls can then limit access to a town or city centres, depending on the sticker. The matriculation cost of a new vehicle and a change of ownership is payable to the ‘Hacienda’ (Spanish Tax Office), and in the case of a second hand car it is based on their official value that comes from the Hacienda and is a fixed percentage. (This value is also used in the event a vehicle is left in a will). At present, the type of fuel and efficiency does not form part of this value and there could be changes made to reflect this. Another proposal is that there has to be more incentives to buy electric cars. The present incentive plans are not working, and a big problem is the lack of charging points. There is no “quick fix” to solve the present problems, or to force people to buy new vehicles to get the average age down.

Air Canada and the F-18 Fighter On February 2nd at 3pm a Boeing 767-300 plane from Air Canada with 128 passengers took off from the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport for a flight to Toronto but immediately after take-off there was a burst tyre as the landing gear was retracted and pieces of the tyre went into one of the two engines. The pilot requested an emergency landing back in Madrid but the plane had a full load of fuel. Because of this it dumped fuel for four hours as it circled over various areas near Madrid before heading back.

The pilot assured the passengers that they still had nine undamaged tyres and there was no problem with only having one engine but they had to dump fuel. He told his cabin crew to carry on as normal and dispense food and drink from their trolleys. The Spanish Ministry of Defence

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In the News scrambled an F-18 fighter plane that took a variety of photographs from every angle with the two planes synchronising their speed and the landing gear locked down on the Boeing plane.

The pilot of the very complex multi-million euros fighter jet took the photos with his mobile phone and sent them off to the control tower by Whatsapp as this was the easiest way of doing it! When the Boeing plane landed safely on a specially designated runway with full emergency services in action the pilot even joked with the passengers. He told them, “Welcome to Barcelona!” As nervous laughter broke out, he then corrected himself; “Madrid, sorry, Madrid.”At the airport against the aircraft flight number on the flight information screens as the aircraft circled and dumped fuel, it read “AC837R, departure Madrid, destination Madrid”.

Serving Water in a Bar or Restaurant In Spain there are no regulations that compel a bar or restaurant to serve tap water instead of bottled water, but many of them will do so if requested. The Spanish Consumer Organization OCU asked 1,300 people to ask for tap water instead of bottled water and in 84% of cases this was served up with no charge. The OCU consider that serving tap water reduces the use of plastic or glass bottles and this is a very good thing for the environment. An argument against providing tap water is that in some cases in Spain it is still not 100% fit to drink. Some establishments consider that serving up tap water means that a glass has to be found and filled by a waiter or waitress, and then the glass has to be washed, so this is an additional expense. The OCU states that the tap water costs nothing and putting an extra céntimo on other drinks would soon offset this “perceived” cost and glasses used for bottled water still have to be washed. Another claimed benefit for the owners of bars and restaurants is that if they regularly served tap water they don’t have to store bottled water in large quantities and this frees up storage space, and the amount of time spent by delivery men.

The Spanish Post Office Known as ‘Correos’, the Spanish postal company is 100% state owned and dates back to 1731. They rarely announce good trading figures and almost always make a substantial loss, but the exception has been 2019 when they made a profit of 15 million euros. Their CEO, Juan Manuel Serrano, states that they have streamlined their parcel service and are now a major player in the delivery of internet purchases with extended delivery hours. In 2019 they handled 197 million packets or parcels which is 22% more than in 2018 and their rapid ‘Correos Express’ service handled 67 million items which is 14% more. In Andalucía they dealt with 19 million items and in Almería province they delivered 2.8 million. The amount of letters they deliver has gone down 13% but this has been a feature in previous years. In 2019 the elections were a very good money spinner and they were paid 120 million euros for sending out voter information, collecting postal votes and taking them to the polling centres. Unfortunately, there are no elections planned for 2020! As the post office is state owned, employees effectively have a job for life, similar to town hall employees. They recently announced a 4,000 increase in staff, and 166,000 people completed internet applications.

In Madrid, 28,500 people applied for the 830 jobs on offer. Last June they were heavily criticised for spending a considerable amount of money for a new logo, which to the casual observer was no different to the old one. Apart from the post office signs, the new logo was put on their 14,000 vehicles and uniforms for their 50,000 employees.

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In the News a Green Party has also been rejected. Because of this, their importance as Euro MPs is almost nil.

In another twist, the ex-Minister for Education from Catalonia, Clara Ponsati, fled Spain in October 2017 to avoid arrest and went to Scotland where she had been a professor at Saint Andrews University. She took up this post again, but a Scottish court has to decide whether they are going to agree to her extradition to Spain to face charges as there is a European arrest warrant in place. Following Brexit, the UK Euro MPs all lost their seats which were apportioned out to other countries. As regards Spain, this meant that Clara Ponsati became a third Euro MP from Catalonia and joined Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comín in Brussels on February 10th. Spain promptly asked that her immunity from prosecution is quashed and confirmed that the arrest warrants were still in place! The Spanish High Court considers that as the UK and Scotland has left the EU she has no immunity there and should be extradited to Spain as she still officially lives in Scotland. An Pushed Out Into the Cold Last month we reported how a unique ruling in ongoing saga! the EU allowed Carles Puigdemont, the exCosentino Award President of Catalonia, and a former government minister, Toni Comín, to take their seats in the Francisco Martínez-Cosentino, the President of European Parliament. Both are fugitives from the multi-national Cosentino company that is a Spanish justice and living in Brussels, but the EU world leader in synthetic worktop and cladding ruled that they were Euro MPs from the minute materials, has been given the highest award by the votes were counted in 2019 when they were the equivalent of the Spanish National Chamber both elected. Spanish law was that they had to of Trade. The Spanish Secretary of State presented come to the parliament in Spain to be confirmed, the award at a ceremony in Madrid and described but the EU judge ruled that this was not necessary. Francisco and his company based in Cantoria as There are Spanish and European arrest warrants one of the major ambassadors for Spain for the for both men but as Euro MPs they have immunity design, innovation, quality and excellence of their from prosecution in EU states other than Spain. products. In accepting the award, Francisco stated Three days after they took up their seats in the that the high quality products they produced had EU, Spain formally asked the EU to set aside their been his aim all of his life and the company now immunity and this is now being considered. It will had 5,000 employees in five continents. eventually go before the whole parliament to be Almería and Jet2 voted on. Meanwhile, they have not been welcomed with open arms! Euro MPs normally At the very large ‘FITUR’ tourist fair held every align themselves with groups of other Euro MPs January in Madrid, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, but the Spanish ones have voted against this. An the mayor of Almería city, and Ricard Querol from application by the two men to be made part of Jet2 signed an agreement to promote tourism in

Spanish Motorbikers Guardia Civil police launched an investigation in 2019 when a four minute 51 second video appeared on social media showing a motorbike reaching 203km/h in a 90km/h section of road near Logroño in the La Rioja part of Spain. A total of ten bikers were travelling at very high speed, and by trawling 50 Youtube videos and motorbike types registered with ‘trafico’ the police identified all the bikers and determined exactly where they were speeding, which included doing 157km/h in a 40km/h zone. The particular stretch of road has many dangerous bends and some reduced visibility. The police counted 59 infractions against the road traffic act with two offences of severe reckless driving that can result in a prison term.

If all the bikers are convicted the fines would total 14,000 euros with the loss of 132 driver points.

The bikers who are all local Spaniards are stated to be aged 28-48.

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In the News Almería province. Using Facebook, Instagram and social media sites Jet2 will carry out 40,000 “mailings” to clients who express an interest in visiting Spain and Andalucía. The cost is given as being 24,000 euros that will be split 50 / 50. In 2019, Jet2 brought 25,000 tourists into Almería airport and their expansion plans are that they well exceed this number in 2020. When Thomas Cook ceased trading, Jet2 immediately announced more flights, particularly to the Balearic and Canary islands.

abolished. In general it applies to offences against the royal family but also, “Giving aid to the King’s enemies”. The former Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Judge has stated: "If a citizen of this country chooses to fight with the Taliban in Afghanistan against British forces, his crime is more than terrorism. It is treason, and should be prosecuted accordingly." The last person to be convicted of treason in England was William Joyce, more commonly known as “Lord Haw-Haw”, who was hanged in 1946 for assisting Nazi Germany.

Treason is still an offence in the US, but with a Downgrading the Law of “Sedición” narrow definition, “Treason against the United Various former politicians and other senior States shall consist only in levying war against members of the Catalonia parliament have been them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving convicted of “sedición” which is the Spanish them aid and comfort.” equivalent of treason. This followed the illegal independence referendum in Catalonia in October Zebra Crossings in Spain 2017 and the following declaration of Figures for 2019 have not yet been published independence. The maximum prison term is 15 but in 2018, out of the 13,000 accidents on urban years and Oriol Junqueras the former Vice- roads, there were 214 pedestrians killed. Spanish President was given a prison term of 13 years, traffic laws state that when a pedestrian has one whilst others received a 9 year term. There are foot on the zebra crossing vehicles have to stop, no current plans that any of those in prison will and they are required to be going at a reduced receive an amnesty but the new Spanish speed wherever there are pedestrian crossings Government is proposing to reduce the prison that do not have their own crossing lights. There term for sedición in general. If this is done the is no difference between “flat” zebra crossings sentences already handed down would or those that are on speed bumps. The only automatically be reduced. Pedro Sánchez, the exception is that a vehicle cannot do an Prime Minister, has stated that the law does not “emergency stop” that is a danger to vehicles reflect the present situation in Spain and is too behind. The fine for not stopping for a pedestrian harsh. When the Spanish High Court was is considered to be a serious offence with a 200 attempting to extradite Carles Puigdemont, the euros fine (reduced by 50% to 100 euros for former President of Catalonia, and other ex-MPs prompt payment which applies to all traffic fines). who fled to Brussels, the courts there indicated If vehicle drivers put pedestrians at great risk by that there was no similar offence in Belgian law, not stopping, or cause major injury or death, up and the same thing happened in Germany when to four points can be deducted from their licence he was arrested there. Any downgrading of the and for “involuntary homicide” there will be a prison term would be seen as very constructive prison term as well. Parking on a zebra crossing by the present government in Catalonia who still or not leaving a gap in slow moving traffic, carries want sweeping talks on independence. The crime a fine of 100 euros particularly where the crossing of treason still exists in the UK but dates back to has its own crossing lights. Pedestrians who amble 1351 although it was amended in 1702. The slowly over a zebra crossing (without a good penalty on conviction was changed to life cause such as disability) can be fined 80 euros imprisonment in 1998 when hanging was and the same fine can be given for jay walking.

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In the News In some Spanish cities the zebra crossings are specially painted so that the white sections appear to be “floating”, as if they are above the road surface, which is fairly standard practice in other countries. In five places at a district in Madrid a pilot scheme is in operation at four schools and a shopping centre. Detectors sense when a pedestrian is about to step onto a zebra crossing and flashing yellow lights warn drivers that they have to take notice and stop.

of the total amount of money paid into the Spanish Social Security department. In 2019 the minimum wage was increased to 900 euros a month with 14 payments and this appears to have had no detrimental effect on the industry with 75,000 more employees in 2019 compared to 2018. (In another news item we comment on the latest rise in the minimum wage that took effect from January).

“Illegal Houses” Last September the government in Andalucía (the autonomous community that includes Almería province) published regulations designed to quickly “regularise” the vast majority of the estimated 327,000 properties in Andalucía that cannot be registered at the land registry or lacked basic facilities. This action was quickly applauded by AUAN the local pressure group. In late December however, central government notified the authorities in Andalucía that the new regulations might be unconstitutional. This objection specifically related to the ‘Ley de Costas’ that prohibits properties being built too near to the maritime boundaries in coastal areas. Maura Hillen who founded AUAN and their lawyer Gerardo Vásquez have asked for an urgent decision to allow the regularisation to go ahead.

Tourist Numbers in 2019 For the seventh year running there was a rise in tourists coming to Spain and the final official figure for 2019 was 83.7 million, a 2.2% increase from 2018. Another record amount was the total of 92 million euros that tourists spent in Spain that was 2.9% up. The Minister for Tourism, Reyes Maroto, states that her aim is to increase the quality of tourism and the new regulations against excessive drinking, particularly in the Balearic and Canary Islands, will help fulfil her aims. She considers that there are many areas where the quality could be improved and this in term would create more employment. At present, people involved in the tourist industry contribute 12%

The ‘Deliveroo’ Riders The Spanish High Court has dismissed an appeal from the food delivery company Deliveroo and confirmed the previous verdict from another court in Madrid. The company has been claiming that their 530 delivery riders in Madrid are selfemployed and as such the company did not have to pay Social Security or give them workers’ rights.

The high court judges unanimously ruled that the drivers were subject to orders to carry out deliveries and if they refused there were penalties and none of the riders were allowed to work for another company. The penalties included less work that resulted in less pay. The company will now have to pay substantial amounts of Social Security payments from when the Social Security and Labour Departments started an investigation.

The company is based in London and announced that they would now consider their position. The same ruling will apply to other similar companies

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In the News in Spain and other Deliveroo riders in different for WhatsApp messages is not completely secure. areas.

Alternative message apps include Telegram, Signal, Wire and Threema.

More Government and Civil Service Pay Apart from the new 2020 rise in the minimum Another Minimum Wage Rise wage that we reported in another news item, One of the joint aims of the new coalition government and civil service pay has gone up government in Spain was to further increase the from January 1st by 2.25%. Pedro Sánchez, the amount of the minimum wage. In 2019 it went Spanish Prime Minister, now receives an annual up 22% from 735 euros to 900 euros a month salary of 84,845 euros and his four Vice-Presidents with 14 payments a year that averaged out at will be paid 79,746 euros, with the other 1,050 euros a month for a 40 hour week. The Government Ministers being paid 74,858 euros. new Minister for Work, Yolanda Diáz, had talks in Persons on the next level down will be paid more January with representatives from various unions money and receive the extra two payments each and associations of employers, and the aim is year so that they have an extra month’s pay in that the minimum wage goes up to 1,200 euros July and November, but the 23 members of senior by 2023. One claim is that any rise in the minimum government do not receive these extra payments. wage encourages the black economy but in actual The highest paid person is the President of the fact this does not seem to have happened at Constitutional Tribunal whose annual salary has present. As a result of the various meetings, the gone up by 3,436 euros to 156,171 euros. new minimum wage was agreed to be 950 euros dating back to January 1st that averages out as 1,108 euros per month for a 40 hour week and Not Using WhatsApp is a 5.5% rise on the 2019 amount. Apart from Because there are so many claims that the increase in the minimum wage the amount WhatsApp is not secure, large organisations have of the Social Security payments will also increase either banned it or use an alternative system. as this is a fixed percentage. When the 2019 The hacking of the mobile phone of Jeff Bezos, increase was put in place employers were required the founder of Amazon, by Mohamed bin Salman to keep a log of the actual hours worked every in Saudi Arabia, is the latest scandal. The United day, and employees are able to ask to see this Nations has stipulated that senior members should log. The aim is that employees are paid overtime not use WhatsApp as it is not secure, and Spanish if they exceed the specified hours on their police engaged on sensitive investigations use an contracts. Unions hope that employees who are alternative message system called ‘Imbox’ and already paid more than 1,108 euros per month this has been in place since 2017. It is stated that will have a pro rata increase in their pay. Talks Banco Santander has asked senior management have started to repeal the regulations that allow not to use WhatsApp for sending financial employers to sack people who have only relatively messages that may be “delicate” and very short periods of time off work for illness. Yolanda confidential. One of the reasons for not using Diáz has stated that the employment laws in WhatsApp is the sheer number of users that total Spain needed to be brought into the 21st century about 1.5 billion people. Hackers spend and her department was working on a considerable time investigating an illegal access comprehensive package of reforms. through “trapdoors” as the rewards can be substantial and a tremendous amount of personal A Vodafone Saga information can be obtained. It is also claimed A lady in Níjar who paid 176 euros to Vodafone that the encryption system that Facebook use for a smartphone experienced problems whilst it

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In the News was still under guarantee. The battery stopped charging and the speaker function had a fault. It was taken back to the Vodafone shop for repair but it was still not functioning correctly. On the fourth occasion of it being allegedly repaired she was given a “new” phone that lacked a charger and was obviously not new, and her old phone was not returned. The unhappy customer completed one of the “hoja de reclamaciones” complaint forms that businesses have to provide asking for her old phone to be returned and a new one supplied. The next time she went to the shop it was closed and had shut down. At this stage she made a complaint to ‘FACUA’, the official Spanish consumer complaint organisation, at their office in Almería who contacted Vodafone on her behalf. They replied that her repaired phone was ready to collect at the shop that had closed! They kept up this claim despite FACUA sending them a photograph of the shop that had obviously ceased trading. Finally, Vodafone accepted that both phones were apparently lost, the shop had in fact ceased to exist, and gave her a refund of the 176 euros!

a dedicated unit to help homeless people and take them off the streets. In all of Spain there were eight deaths as a direct result of the storms. A fishing boat, ‘Rúa Mar’, foundered off the coast of Cádiz and the six crew members drowned. The fishing boat set off in very bad weather conditions and it appears that it may have been involved in drug smuggling. The Spanish National Police stated that the boat had been “under investigation” for some months.

A Major Cannabis Organisation Clubs that sell cannabis to clients who can also smoke on the premises are illegal and when police went to shut one down in Almerí'eda city they found 836 cannabis plants next door. This apartment had the ‘persiana’ blinds permanently shut with various air-conditioning units working 24 hours a day. They then raided a cortijo in Níjar that had a number of CCTV cameras and a high solid fence to stop people looking in. There, and at other premises, they found more plants, some cocaine, 4 kilograms of packets of cannabis ready for sale, a press, 49 electrical transformers, 64 high wattage bulbs, 17 extractor fans and 16,000 Two Deaths from the ‘Gloria’ Storm euros. Two men were arrested and face various The storm christened ‘Gloria’ at the end of January, charges including operating the illegal club and with heavy rain, snow and large hail storms, fraudulent connections to electrical supply points. destroyed nearly 1,700 hectares (6.5 square miles) A judge remanded both of them in custody. of 150 plastic greenhouses in Níjar. Tragically, an agriculturalist was killed when the greenhouse Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Dropped! collapsed on top of him and the rescue operation Since 2006, the UK benefits helpline has played a in the extreme weather conditions before they 30 second loop of music from Vivaldi’s the Four found his body was very difficult. A homeless man Seasons Suite whilst callers hang on to be who originated from Alicante was also found dead connected. The “official” waiting time before a in Almerí'eda city and an autopsy found that he person can be connected is put at eight minutes, had died from hypothermia. The very unusual but at peak times some people are waiting for up fierce weather conditions were classified as a to one hour. The Department of Works and national disaster and a many motorists had to be Pensions have killed the Vivaldi loop as it can be rescued in various parts of the province. The loss repeated dozens of times and callers complain of of produce under the greenhouses and their repair anxiety with a particular problem for some autistic was put at 50 million euros and there is a central callers. Instead, a 20 minute track of eight calming agriculture fund that will cover some of this loss musical items will be the background to waiting if there is not sufficient insurance. A councillor times “evoking a steady neutral pace and reducing from Almería town hall called for the provision of the issue of repetition”.

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In the News The ‘Google’ and ‘Tobin’ Tax On February 17th the Spanish Government approved the imposition of two taxes that have been discussed for some time. With the lack of a stable government in Spain, any firm action was postponed. The first tax is the one universally known as the ‘Google’ tax for companies who have a digital activity in Spain such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon, amongst others, that have a global income of 750 million euros.

The amount of tax they pay in various countries is very low as they officially have their fiscal headquarters in countries such as Ireland and Luxemburg where corporation tax is very low. An extreme example is Facebook who collected in 10 million euros from activities in Spain during 2018 and only paid 300,000 euros in tax. These companies will now have to pay 3% in tax that on current estimated profit figures will be at least 1.1 billion euros. The ‘Tobin’ tax is an amount levied on share transactions in companies whose share capital is more than 1 billion euros. This is calculated to bring in 850 million euros that will be put into the Social Security department to help pay for pensions. The EU gurus consider that Spain needs both these amounts of tax to offset any decline in the economy this year. At present France has postponed introducing their own 3% tax as President Trump is threatening a 100% import tax on various French goods going to the US. The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation Development) is made up of 34 countries plus the US and Canada and they work together for world development and economic stability. They are proposing to bring in major changes in global technology company taxes, but in negotiation with the US, not unilaterally.

Less Tax on Lottery Winnings In 2013 it was announced that lottery winnings in Spain would be taxed at 20% which caused quite an outcry, as until then there was no tax at all. The first 2,500 euros was tax free so the 20% tax was taken off any winnings in excess of this. In 2018 the tax free amount was put up to

10,000 euros, then up to 20,000 euros in 2019, and now from January 1st it is 40,000 euros. The tax is automatically taken off any amount of winnings that are taxable irrespective of whether the winner is a resident of Spain or not. For residents, the amount won has to be shown on the annual Spanish tax return. The situation in Spain regarding online winnings from gambling is more complicated. The amounts won have to be declared and the appropriate tax paid, but losses can be set against winnings.

Cajamar centre at Almeria

Grupo Cajamar The Cajamar group originated in Almería as a savings bank and they have their main logistic centre at the Almería ‘PITA’ Scientific Park. In 2019 they recorded a net profit of 93 million euros which is 13% better than in 2018, with a 3% rise in business and 2.5% in deposits. They have reduced their toxic property debts down to 6% with large sales of properties at discount prices. They have a major stake in the funding for agriculture and this now makes up 15% of all their business. They provide a wide range of loans to agricultural companies in our province and have a charitable foundation involved in helping develop new techniques in conjunction with Almería University.

They recently went with their President, Eduardo Baamonde, to the enormous annual international ‘Fruit Logistics’ fair in Berlin, along with many companies from Almería province, and held

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In the News seminars on their stand explaining their agricultural Another Drug Ring Smashed and horticulture finance packages.

In July 2018 there were major changes made to the anti-drug police in the Campo de Gibraltar Vehicle Emissions area as the existing police complained that they A target in Spain is that by 2040 all vehicles have were losing control of the situation. The Spanish zero emissions of CO2. Whether this can be Minister for Security and the President of the achieved remains to be seen and the motor trade Junta de Andalucía held a round table crisis meeting think it unlikely. In the UK the sale of petrol, diesel in the area and authorised a major increase in and hybrid cars will be banned from 2035 with police numbers, vehicles and specialist electronic zero emissions of CO2 by 2050 at the latest. equipment. Police in the surrounding areas were Electric vehicles being currently sold in Spain only put on alert to be drafted in for special operations account for 1% of all vehicles, but in the UK this and a major, specialised, elite anti-drug unit called has now risen to 3% with a target of 7% by the ‘Ocon Sur’ came into being. The police quickly end of 2021. It is stated that 60% of all harmful gained back control, and some very major emissions of CO2 comes from vehicles. operations have resulted in many arrests with some of the drug barons made up of the same Money for The Municipalities family all sentenced to long prison terms. Recently, The President of the Almería ‘diputación’ (county the Ocon Sur unit joined forces with police in council), Javier Aureliano García, recently invited all Granada and others drafted in from various places the mayors or mayoresses of the 103 municipalities in Andalucía, and at 6am one morning police carried in the province to a meeting in Almería. He presented out 40 raids. The drug barons they arrested were the plans for inversion in the province from 2020- involved in large scale drug running to Poland.

2023 and the grand total is 72 million euros, 12 There were simultaneous raids in other parts of million more than previously. He announced that Spain including Valencia that took total police the money was intended to help stop people moving numbers up to 600 with 70 raids in all, and 76 away from small municipalities and improve people were arrested. European police from infrastructure and facilities. The money earmarked Europol and Eurojust co-ordinated other raids in for small municipalities is 5% more per inhabitant Poland, and some Polish specialist anti-drug police than in the large cities, and the minimum amount came to Granada. Lawyers from the Spanish has gone up from 160,000 euros to 200,000 Ministry of justice based in Andalucía helped process the people arrested, and several courts Sitting Down instead of Standing Up were specially opened up at the same time. One There are various theories and recommendations tonne of cannabis resin was seized that would that encourage men to urinate whilst sitting down have been taken to Valencia port hidden in lorries on a loo. One medical reason given is that this helps before being sent to Poland and other European to reduce prostate problems or it is a good idea countries. The cannabis resin seized had a street for men who have some degree of obstruction in value in Spain of 2.5 million euros but in Poland it their penis. Another survey states that there are was worth 5.5 million euros. As is usual, large no health benefits and the overwhelming reason for men sitting down is that it increases hygiene in amounts of money were seized as well as luxury a bathroom or toilet with less urine on the floor cars and lorry transport along with arms. The and acid damage. In Japan it is stated that 30% of arrested persons were charged with drug men urinate whilst sitting down and this has been smuggling, money laundering, belonging to a recommended in Taiwan on hygiene considerations. criminal organisation and other lesser offences.

In the US and the UK, surveys reveal that only 20% Information from the Ocon Sur unit has also led to some arrests in Almería province. of men sit on a toilet to urinate.

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In the News A Pension for A Dead Person A woman now aged 83 who was formerly a social worker at a psychiatric hospital, has been convicted of fraud and document forgery because for 33 years she collected a pension from a previous male inmate who had died in 1980. In 2007 a bank employee queried the fact that a psychiatric pension had been claimed for over 20 years and asked for current ID from the man but the woman claimed he was not mentally capable of obtaining one. In 2013 she was told that she had to produce a life certificate as he was now 100 years old, which she did by forging some documents that she took to the Civil Registry and continued to draw the pension. Later that year, a Social Services employee checked the man’s name against a registry of deaths that proved he had died, but there was no immediate family to inherit anything.

The ‘Fiscalí'eda’ (Spanish Crown Prosecution Service) asked for a prison term of 6 years and the repayment of nearly 200,000 euros. The lawyer for the woman negotiated a plea bargain that took several hours, of 24 months in prison (so a suspended sentence) and the paying back of 150,000 euros. As a measure of good faith her son who is a lawyer paid 50,000 euros into the court. The judge asked if anyone else shared the blame and her lawyer claimed that the bank was lax in paying the pension after letting the woman, who was not a relative, open an account in the name of a dead person. A lawyer for the bank blamed the Social Services stating that they should have investigated it before 2013. The lawyer for the Social Services claimed that the bank ought to pay them some of the money as they were the ones who were negligent! A witness from the police agreed that there was no cross referencing between the Civil Registry and the Social Services and this was part of the problem that enabled her to draw the pension for so many years.

celebrating their 41st anniversary. There have been many expansions and new buildings and the centre now caters for 80 people with various disabilities.

It has 25 staff including some volunteers. Ignacio Martínez has been the driving force for a great many years but is now about to retire. Ignacio stated that without grants and donations the centre could never have grown to its present site with a residential unit and a day centre. A second residential unit will open soon. A continual feature is that there are goods on sale made in workshops by the people who attend the centre.

No Decline in Rental Amounts Young people trying to leave home often find that the cost of renting a property is impossible because they don’t earn enough money. A survey by the estate agent portal ‘Fotocasa’ shows a continual rise in prices, and in 2019 in Almería province the average increase in cost was 7.4%.

In terms of m2 the average cost is 6 euros 35 céntimos per month, so a property with 60m2 costs 381 euros. Prices in Roquetas de Mar have gone up by 10%. With a permanent term rental contract, recent changes mean that the owner can only put the price up by the annual cost of living increase. If a tenant moves out however the rental amount for a new occupier can be put up.

The new Spanish government are intending to try to introduce regulations that enable people to rent properties for less money. Apart from giving grants to sectors of the population such as young persons, any other regulations are extremely difficult to introduce in a free market.

Small Vegetables At the recent enormous ‘Fruit Logistic’ annual fair in Berlin a large number of agriculturalists and associated companies from Almería province exhibited their produce and techniques. This included the company Murgiverde who specialise in small ecological vegetables. In Germany and Holland there ‘Asprodalba’ 41st Anniversary is a pronounced trend for a household to have only The Vice-President of the Almería ‘diputación’ two members and for ecologically grown produce. (county council) and the mayor of Vera, recently A company Rijk Zwaan caters for this market and went to the Asprodalba centre in Vera which is they provide smaller vegetables so that there is

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In the News less waste and more variety at meal times. This applies to broccoli, cauliflowers, peppers and aubergines. Some of these vegetables are picked when they are not yet fully grown but there are others techniques that produce a smaller version including specialist seeds. The company in Almería is the major supplier to Rijk Zwaan.

More ‘ITV’ Staff ITV (MOT) tests in Andalucía are carried out at specific centres run by the public company Veiasa.

There are nine centres in Almería province including Vera and Albox but waiting times for appointments at the busiest centres have been as much as three weeks. The Junta de Andalucía has announced that 165 new technicians and 42 office staff will be taken on throughout Andalucía to do away with the back log and cut the waiting times to a maximum of 10 days, and ideally 48 hours. In 2019 there were 337,000 ITV checks in Almería province, and the centres have databases that indicate how many vehicles need to be tested each month. The fine for not having a current ITV is 200 euros (100 euros if paid within 20 days), but there are heavy fines and penalties if a vehicle that has been classified as unroadworthy is not taken back for a retest. ITV tests can be booked by going to www.itvcita.es or telephoning 959 999 999. A vehicle can be temporarily driven without an ITV if the driver can show that they have an appointment. Unions of ITV workers have been threatening strikes if the situation was not remedied and have claimed that the contracts to carry out the tests may have been given to a private company instead of Veiasa. The new increase in workers has demonstrated that this is not the case. The Junta de Andalucía has stopped sending out letters advising people that their vehicle needs and ITV and the due date. In our December magazine we explained how a person can now get a message by email or to a mobile number by going to www.notificacionesvieasa.es.

An easy way is to keep an eye on your last ITV windscreen sticker that shows the year and month it runs out. The exact date is shown on your last ITV test document that you need to keep in your vehicle. Private cars have to pass a test on the

fourth anniversary of the date they were first registered, at two year intervals until they are ten years old and then annually. The first test for a small van that has been registered as being “mixta” (commercial and private) is when it is two years old, at two year intervals until it is six years old, annually until it is ten years old and then every six months after that.

Cosentino at Cantoria

Cosentino Profit In another item we comment on the prestigious award given to the CEO and owner of Cosentino, Franciso Martínez-Cosentino, by the Spanish Chamber of Trade in Madrid. Their estimated figures for 2019 have now been published and they expect their total turnover to be 1.1 billion euros, 13% better than 2018. Industrial development in 2019 came to 120 million euros with some money spent on the digitalisation of the Silestone synthetic worktop production line and the introduction of new colours. Investment in this product is intended to be 133 million euros until 2021, with a total investment across the board of 400 million euros by 2022. The US supermodel Cindy Crawford is in attendance when a new or improved project is unveiled. The Dekton worktop and cladding material continues to be extremely popular with the research and development costing 90 million euros over four

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In the News years. Partly because of this their logistics section has been expended by 25,000m2. They still intend to build an enormous photovoltaic solar farm to provide 20mW of power for the factory. At the end of 2019 their worldwide employees totalled 4,800, and 362 of the 470 new employees came from the Almanzora valley for their industrial park at Cantoria, which is also their head office.

The Carboneras Power Station The electricity supply company Endesa are to shut their coal-fired power station at Carboneras later this year as the cost of meeting new emissions is too much money. Coal-fired stations are the “dirtiest” and most expensive way of producing electricity. The worker’s union is very concerned that there will be redundancies and there is a brief strike outside the gates every morning requesting some concrete proposals. They want “immediate” meetings with the Department for Energy, the Junta de Andalucía, Carboneras town hall and the unions. The unions state that there are 150 direct and indirect employees, and a proposal that there would be work at the plant involving a more ecological way of producing electricity has never materialised.

Years “On the Run” In 1977, Carlos García Julía was one of two men who entered the offices of a firm of lawyers in Madrid. They opened fire killing three lawyers and two other employees and left four other people severely wounded in an attack that was politically motivated, and a third man kept watch outside.

All three men were subsequently arrested and each of them was sentenced to 193 years in prison. In 1994 after serving 14 years of his sentence, García Juliá escaped during a conditional visit outside and went to Paraguay. He then turned up in Bolivia where he had been convicted of drug smuggling but extradition proceedings to have him brought back to Spain lasted longer than his new sentence of two years, so he disappeared again. He was briefly traced to be living in Argentina but he then went to Chile, Venezuela and finally

Brazil where he changed his name. He outran any extradition proceedings before he disappeared in Brazil but in 2018 his fingerprints were taken as he had applied to be a driver for Uber. A routine check on databases revealed who he was. He resisted extradition citing a variety of reasons, but early this February he was finally extradited to Spain and flown back under guard to Madrid.

His lawyer had argued that as he had been on the run for 26 years he was immune from any further prison term as it had expired, but a court ruled that as he had escaped from a conditional liberty there was no time limit. The maximum prison term he would have expected to serve was 30 years, so it is unlikely he will serve less than another 16 years, 43 years after the assassination. The Spanish ambassador to Brazil thanked the authorities there for their prolonged help in extraditing him.

Breaks From Work The Spanish High Court was recently asked to rule on whether cigarette or coffee breaks during the working day was time when an employee was still paid or not. This has followed the new regulations introduced in 2019 that compel an employer to keep a log of work hours, with the prime objective that overtime is paid where the employee is required to work extra hours. Spanish labour laws are that a person is entitled to a break of 15 minutes per day, and 30 minutes a day for minors.

The court decided that unless it was stipulated in the contract an employer could “in theory” deduct wages, but it was accepted that the breaks were almost impossible to quantify and people who had smoking breaks for more than one cigarette took more time than that for a coffee. If a person who was not a smoker and didn’t stop for a coffee but made private telephone calls at work, or spent time chatting, this was also impossible to determine. A representative from the CC OO union stated that in their opinion there was no reliable way that breaks could be accurately logged and therefore wages should not be stopped. A calculation was made that as there are 365 days in a year with 140 non-working days made up of

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Continued ....

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In the News 30 days holiday, 14 fiesta days and 86 Saturdays and Sundays, this gave 225 working days of 8 hours. If an employee spent 20 minutes a day having cigarettes and a coffee this worked out as 4,500 minutes so 75 hours a year, which came to 9.4 days of an 8 hour day. As regards the average gross salary in Spain of 23,646 euros this meant that the employer lost 731 euros a year of work time.

Retuning Spanish TV To free up room for 5G, the frequencies of the digital terrestrial Spanish TV, known as TDT, changed on February 13th. Since last September the new and existing frequencies were broadcast side by side, known as ‘simulcast’. For people who watch TV via the internet or cable such as Movistar + or Orange there was no change. For most homes it was only necessary to go to the ‘Setup’ menu and initiate an update of the frequencies, but in blocks of apartments with a central system, additional work had to be done. It was calculated that as of February 14th there were as many as 5,000 apartment blocks that had not been modified. This was 20% of the total number and they had lost their signal. The Spanish government budgeted 145 million euros for the necessary work with grants of 100-680 euros available and this work has been carried out slowly since last September. For the people in apartment blocks that lost their signal on February 14th this became far more urgent!

Good Almería Port Figures In 2019 the multinational Cosentino company based in Cantoria came to an agreement with the enormous Maersk and MSC freight companies that their products would be shipped in containers from Almería port. Maersk take goods to their hub at Algeciras for onward travel to Europe, and MSC go to their hub at Valencia where goods then go to North America. Other companies in Almería province, particularly agriculturalists also started using the Maersk line which provides monitored refrigerated containers. The increase in container traffic in 2019 went up to 387,000 tonnes, three

times the amount in 2018. Freight on the Ro-Ro ships also went up 50% to 647,000 tonnes. The number of incoming new cars, buses and lorries went up to 1,261, nearly three times as much as in 2018. 4,146 tonnes of fish were unloaded at Almerí'eda port from the fishing fleet, but this was slightly down on 2018.

The Oldest Man and Woman Statistics as to who is considered to be the oldest man and woman worldwide changes quite regularly due to their age! People are only put into this category if their birth is properly certified. Two years ago the oldest man was a Spaniard living in Badajoz but Francisco Nuñez Olivera died aged 113 in January 2018. In 2019 a German man headed the list until he died aged 114 and the next longest living Japanese man died aged 113 in 2019 as well.

The oldest man is now stated to be the Japanese man Chitetsu Watanabe who will be 113 on March 5th. He lived with his family of five sons until he was 108 and has 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He has some difficulty walking so he is now in a home but is quite healthy and alert.

He considers his great age is because he has never worried and always smiles and he continues with his lifetime hobby that is Japanese calligraphy. All these men are youngsters compared to the Japanese woman Kane Tanaka who was 117 last January 2nd and the French woman Lucile Randon who is 116, followed by another French woman Jeanne Bot who is 115. Of the 30 oldest people in the world, the only man is Chitetsu Watanabe. The Spanish Institute of Statistics analyse data from the ‘padrón’ (the official list of inhabitants in every municipality) and they state that there are 17,000 people in Spain over the age of 100 with 80% of them being women. In February this year, the average life expectancy was highest in Hong Kong at 84.7 followed by Japan at 84.5. Spain has moved up to 6th place with an average of 83.4 made up of women reaching 86.1 years and men 80.7.

Calculations are that in 2070 there will be 300,000 people in Spain aged over 100. The average age throughout 185 countries, including African ones with a low life expectancy, is only 72.6.

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So Now You Know...

MI5 The British Security Service operating in the UK is known as MI5 which is short for “Military Intelligence Service Section 5”. Its job is to protect UK citizens and British interests from threats against national security. MI5 employ 4,000 people with 40% being women, and 330 people are seconded from other agencies. Their various departments are responsible for investigations, translations of foreign information, surveillance, communications and a domestic terrorism unit.

Alex Younger is currently the head of MI5 and his designation as “C” stems from when Sir Mansfield Smith-Cummings signed his letters “C” in green ink.

Russian Caviar Like ‘Marmite’, people love or hate caviar which is the processed, salted roe of various fish. The three most well-known kinds of caviar - beluga, osetra and sevruga - come from three species of the sturgeon fish which makes its home in the Caspian Sea. As far back as 250 million years ago, sturgeons swam in the world’s rivers, but they now only exist in the northern hemisphere. The largest measured beluga fish weighed 4,500kg and was 28 feet from head to tail. By the end of the 19th century Russian caviar started to become a food that only the elite and wealthy could afford. 'Almas' black caviar sells regularly for about 34,500 dollars per kilo.

Colour TV in the UK Colour television was first demonstrated publicly

by John Logie Baird on 3rd July 1928 in his laboratory at 133 Long Acre in London. The technology used was electro-mechanical, and the early test subject was a basket of strawberries.

He refined his invention using his own funds, and a fully working colour TV tube was unveiled in 1944. In July 1967, BBC 2 made their first colour transmission at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

By 1969, BBC 1 and ITV had colour transmissions but with very limited coverage in different parts of the UK. The cost of a colour TV licence was 10 pounds, twice the cost of a black and white one.

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The Smallest Dogs With a maximum weight of 2.7kg the Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, named after the Chihuahua state in Mexico, and they have the largest number of different coat colours.

The Yorkshire terrier is a popular toy dog breed known for their long, silky hair, and they never weigh more than 3.2kg. Pomeranians are one of the most popular dog breeds and weigh up to 3.5kg. They have a long upper coat and come in 23 different colours. The toy poodle has a maximum height of 10ins and weighs from 3-4kg and their curly coat is unique.They are known as ‘caniche’ in France, which means ‘duck dog’ in English.

Fender Electric Guitars Clarence Leonidas (Leo) Fender started his ‘Fender Radio Service’ company in California in 1939. He repaired and built amplifiers for local groups and then became interested in the mass production of guitars that were an electronic version of the Spanish guitar. In 1951 he produced the first ever fretted electric bass guitar that replaced the stand-up double bass. In 1954 he started selling his “Stratocaster” guitar which became a legend in the following decades. The sight of Buddy Holly and his “Sunburst Strat” guitar sent thousands of people into Fender stockists. Leo sold his company to the CBS Corporation in 1965.

The Atomic Clock In 1923, U.S. radio stations were assigned to 81 fixed frequencies, but the lack of timing standards made it difficult to stay on their assigned frequency (frequency is a measure of cycles per second). To overcome this problem, Harold Lyons, the Microwave Standards Section Chief at the U.S. NBS (National Bureau of Standards), designed an atomic clock in 1949 based on beams of Caesium atoms.

The atomic clock is the most accurate method of keeping time but it is not a nuclear device, and it is not radioactive, despite its name. They are the basis for internet time and they provide time signals for the GPS Global Positioning Systems satellites.

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Spain and the US

L

ast month we reported that the US is asking for permission to extend their naval base at Rota which is on the coast in Cádiz province. This was previously expanded in 2015 with additional navy fighters and crew, and for the US it is a very strategic base. Spain has already agreed that the four ballistic missile destroyers based at Rota can be replaced with more modern ones that will include an additional fleet of helicopters, but the new request is that there are six instead of four with 600 additional marines.

The base at Rota is already the largest US base in the Mediterranean, and in 2017 the USS Ross and USS Porter based at Rota set sail and fired 59 Tomahawk missiles into Syria after the alleged use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad.

Hours later, the Spanish government sent out a statement in which it described the firing of the missiles as a “measured and proportionate response to the use by the Syrian army of chemical weapons”, but pointed out that Spain had not been informed that the attack was taking place.

There is another large US air force base at Morón de la Frontera near Seville that was initially a training base for Spanish military pilots. It was temporarily ceded to the US by Spain during the cold war in 1953, but since then it has continued to be used by US forces. In 2015 it was agreed that the US could consider that it was a permanent base known as USAFRICOM and extend their operations. Troop numbers there were tripled to 3,000, with 2,200 marines, 500 civilians and up to 40 aircraft, and the US stated that their investment there totalled 22 million euros. The US sees this base as a vital stepping stone to Northern Africa and other nearby countries and in 2016 President Obama visited both bases.

The Spanish Ministers for the Exterior and Defence recently had a meeting with Duke Buchan, the US Ambassador to Spain, and this followed a telephone conversation between Arancha Laya, the Spanish Minister for the Exterior, and Mike Pompeo, the

Arancha Laya

US Secretary of State. They pointed out that their willingness to give the permission for the base at Rota to have two extra destroyers was overshadowed by the import taxes that President Trump has levied on Spanish goods and threats of further sanctions. Last October a 25% import tax was levied on goods coming from Spain including olive oil, wine and cheese and these imports total 800 million euros. This was because the Airbus aircraft from Europe enjoyed a subsidy that the US considered unfair for their own aircraft companies such as Boeing. The military version of the Airbus is assembled in Seville. The US is also threatening sanctions against petroleum companies that operate in Venezuela which includes the Spanish company Repsol. Another threat by President Trump is that EU countries that do not contribute 2% of their Gross National Product to NATO should face financial sanctions that would make up the funding to 2%.

Although the US bases operate in conjunction with NATO they are used for US interests such as the unilateral attack on Syria. King Felipe VI of Spain has stated recently that for multiple reasons including world security the relationship between Spain and the US as part of NATO is very important.

Nevertheless, commercial sanctions against Spain are being described as “hostile”. Arancha Laya, the Spanish Minister for the Exterior, is intending to visit the US soon, for “talks on matters of mutual interest”.

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Cancer Statistics in Spain

C

ancer is a worldwide health problem that can affect all ages with an increase in numbers in the more civilised countries due to lifestyle. After heart disease, deaths in Spain that are cancer related are very close in numbers. There is an average of 300 deaths every day so 110,000 per year, which affects 1.5 million people out of the population of 46 million. In the UK, with a population of 66 million, the same percentage would work out as 430 deaths every day, but in reality it is slightly worse with 450 a day, which is 28% of all deaths.

most risk. A very large anti-colon cancer screening initiative has involved the Junta de AndalucĂ­a (the governing body for AlmerĂ­a province) contacting everybody registered with the Spanish Health department in the age group 50-69. Participants send off a small stool sample and they are then contacted to inform them that there is no current problem, or a recommendation for further investigation.

The Spanish Association Against Cancer has recently published the results of their latest major survey and state that cancer treatment, deaths and associated consequences, amount to an annual cost of 19.3 billion euros; 1.6% of the Gross National Product. 48% of the 19.3 billion euros is the direct cost of cancer treatment and medication, totalling 9.3 billion euros. Another 40% is the indirect cost, such as the loss of family income due to treatment that stops people working, and after a death, which does not only affect the person who has cancer.

There are 40% of people of working age in Spain but 62% of this sector are affected by cancer.

Another 12% of the 19.3 million euros comes from non-medical treatment such as transport, the amount of hospital beds needed, care in the home and special equipment.

Undergoing a mammogram

Lifestyle-related cancer is also an area where there could be a considerable decrease in numbers of deaths and associated expense. Top of the list is smoking of course, responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths, followed by the excessive intake of alcohol that accounts for 7% of deaths and 4% from obesity Colon cancer treatment in Spain is calculated to that is a real concern in young children. If these cost 2.5 billion euros per year, breast cancer 2.2 lifestyle-related cancers could be eliminated, the billion, lung cancer 2.1 billion and prostate cancer reduction in cost would be 7.7 billion euros.

1 billion. 55% of this cost comes directly from the Spanish Health Service or associated government Major research is providing information that can departments but the other 45% comes from family help with cancer prevention and treatment. The expenses.

Pan-Cancer Research Consortium for the Analysis of Genomes consists of 1,300 scientists worldwide The big key to halting deaths from cancer is the in 37 countries who are decoding the genes and early diagnosis and there are three main areas in DNA of 38 types of cancer cells. Their research is Spain. Top of the list is mammograms to detect leading to a much greater understanding of how breast cancer, followed by the very cheap tests to cells mutate into non-cancer cells or carcinogenic detect colon cancer, and then tests for cancer of ones. One of their conclusions is that screening the cervix. The Spanish Association Against Cancer needs to be done at a much earlier age and any consider that tests for these three types of cancer treatment is going to save lives, be far less invasive, should be made on 100% of the population at the and cheaper.

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Facial Recognition

T

he ability to recognise faces from video or still images and match them up to a data base is extremely controversial. Undertakings such as security services and the police state that they are a very useful tool, but critics claim they are often inaccurate, intrusive and against personal civil rights.

Facial recognition is already available on many smartphones as an alternative to a password and this is proving very popular.

Last year, some MPs and other organisations in the UK campaigned for them to be taken out of action until a complete review took place, but the system is extremely advanced. The Home Office stated that they supported trials of facial recognition as a “useful tool” for police “to help them locate and identify suspects and criminals”. The Metropolitan Police claim that the system can enable them to quickly find lost children or vulnerable young people who have run away from home.

company Iberia presented a biometric facial recognition system that they stated would do away with boarding passes and considerably speed up boarding. “Selfies” would be used again and the system is called, “Bienvenidos al Aeropuerto 4.0” (Welcome to Airport 4.0). In Madrid, another trial on the EMT public transport buses enables people with bus passes to be facially recognised when they enter the bus so there is no need for a bus pass to be produced. It will also indicate if a bus pass has expired. Spanish data protection laws prohibit the use of Artificial Intelligence unless it is secure, respects privacy, is not discriminatory, has no unfair bias and is transparent. The examples above where people voluntary submit facial images appears to comply with these requirements.

In December, the EU recommended a temporary ban on facial recognition in public places for three to five years but this is considered to be shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Now that Brexit has taken place this wouldn’t apply to the UK anyway. In China they use this to identify jay-walkers whose face and name is then put on a large screen. When the person pays the fine, through their mobile phone, their face is removed. Another pilot system in Spain is operational at the very large Estación de Sur bus and coach terminal In Spain there is a similar debate but many systems in Madrid. Their facial recognition system is are in place. At a secondary school in Barcelona, operational on 12 of their 100 CCTV cameras and facial recognition through “selfies”, supplied by stores photographs of people who have been pupils, triggers an alarm if the pupil has not turned arrested for petty crime such as pickpockets or up at school and been logged in by the cameras. A have previously exhibited “suspicious behaviour”. text message is then sent to the mobile phone of The authorities claim that petty crime has gone a parent, and parents in general think the system down by 30% and passenger safety is considerably is wonderful. Absenteeism is considerably reduced improved. and the costly alternative is sending municipal police officers to find parents and point out they have a Critics state that the storage data bases may well legal obligation to make sure their children attend be very attractive for hackers and encourage a school. black market where information is collected and sold for illegal purposes. Facial recognition systems At the recent ‘Fitur’ tourist fair in Madrid, ‘AENA’, are certainly here to stay. The question is whether the Spanish airport authority, and the airline it is a useful tool, or too intrusive and inaccurate.

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The Immediate Effect of Brexit

W

hen the UK left the EU on January 31st expat Brits were not told to pack their bags and leave Spain! As we mentioned last month, apart from money spent by UK residents, the Social Security Department obtained 20% of their income from non-Spanish workers in 2019 and collected in 360 million euros. Another statistic is that Spain needs 270,000 working immigrants every year until 2050 to pay for retirement pensions.

hall may send their municipal police to knock on doors, or in the case of Mojácar very recently, certified letters were sent to people (not just Brits) whose registration had expired. This put them on the equivalent of a “pending” list and recipients were asked to confirm their registration within 10 days. After Brexit it would appear that ex-pat Brits, no longer EU members, should renew their registration every two years which currently applies to people from other countries. It is always a good idea to check that your registration is Of the 83.7 million tourists that came to Spain in current.

2019 the highest number of 18 million came from the UK and after the definitive Brexit next December they can still come to Spain for up to 90 days. Until January 1st 2021, UK passports are still valid for people coming to Europe, and vice versa and there will not be separate desks at passport control entry points in the UK. Driving licences from the UK will still be valid in EU countries for the same time period and for people with EU licences in the UK. Strictly speaking, the EHIC EU health cards will not be valid after 2020 but this is one topic where Brexit negotiators on both sides expect there to be an extended agreement, and ex-pat Brits in Spain entitled to health care will continue to have access. The UK Department of Works and Pensions has stated that retired Brits living in EU countries on December 31st 2020 will continue to get any rise in UK pension amounts while they continue to live in the EU.

The other benefit of being on the padrón has been that this is the first step to applying for a vote in municipal elections. In May 2019 Brits were able to vote and stand as councillors, with five Brits in our area becoming councillors. There will be new municipal elections in May 2023 and it is quite possible that this will not be the case then.

This remains to be seen but it will be a great pity In the ‘Focus’ magazine we have often stressed if ex-pat Brits are de-franchised. the importance of ex-pat Brits going onto the ‘Padrón’ the official list of residents in every Brits living in Spain have been told by the British municipality. Town halls receive straight grants, Consulate that they should become official increased number of doctors, police and education residents and Spain has announced that they will facilities depending on the number of inhabitants. fast-track applications. Huércal-Overa has a number People need to show that they are on the padrón of official offices and one opened a few years for some procedures in Spain, but the Spanish ago was supposed to be for Spaniards to obtain Institute of Statistics (who collate the numbers) passports and non-Spanish people to obtain started insisting a few years ago that the town “residencias”. At present, this is not the case and hall lists have to be up to date. To do this a town the nearest office is in Almería city.

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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

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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

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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

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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) ..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

Los Gallardos

Apolo ……………................................................……600 AWNINGS & BLINDS Curtains with Style (Interior blinds) ...950 069032 / 678 811125 Meson Verfran ……….........................950 469393 / 637 Costasol S.L. (Lloyd Dean) (See cover)...........................667 652 888 Las Herrerias Coverbox (Albox) …................................................…615 992007 Eugenia ...................................................................950 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Mojácar Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Bar Luz ....................................................................654 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

495182 810143 069021 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 ..................................................630 266261 / 618 826092 La Cantina (Mexican) ................................................950 478841

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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 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 Shea’s Restaurant & Bar (See p.7) ...........................950 478186 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 Lua Puerto Rey ........................................................950 Bar Restaurant Laguna ……….........................……..950 132566 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 Dee’$ Dollar Bar ........................................................950 372295 Villaricos Pub Millionaire ....................................950 617467 / 637 255978 Bar La Plaza Villaricos .........................................…950

San Juan de los Terreros

El Galeon ……...................................................……671 Mi Cortijo ………......................................................…950 466323 El Gato ..............................................619 884792 / 628 Los Conteros .....................................950 618629 / 699 Turre Alice’s Bar ……….......................................................677 161705 Lucky Bar Pizzeria ...........................................…….647 Chili ...................................................950 468425 / 608 802227 BARS (BEACH BARS) La Pará ……………............................................……637 545590 Aku Aku (Mojácar) .............................950 478981 / 607

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541115 589909 649469 642856 478202 467682 467590 588790 169659 010705 073598 347612

Free directory entries.

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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 (See p.13).........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

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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

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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 (See p.13).........644 389255 / 672 379960 Dan (Almanzora area) ................................................692 596681 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 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

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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 Chris .......................................................................627 565049 The Baby Hire Centre ..............................................615 806126

CHIMNEY SWEEPING & REPAIRS Paul the Chimney Sweep …………..617 150300 / 850 993057 Sammy Sweep ..........…............................…………..619 070839

CHINESE & ASIAN RESTAURANTS Chino Peking (Garrucha) .............................................950 Dragon Chino (Las Buganvillas) ..................................950 Gran Muralla (Albox) ................................................950 Gran Muralla (Turre) ……............................................950 Palacio Imperial Marina (Mojácar Playa) ….................950

132948 133226 120166 618880 472208

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Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Crystal Clear ............................................................637 229464 Daisy Proaño Alcivar (Contract & private) ……...….663 538596 Idea (Mojácar) .. ......................................................605 162709 Jone’s Upholstery & Rug cleaning ….........…………661 571939 Limpiezas Cristina …..............................................…660 306695.

Limpiezas Maxlim (Palomares) …..…...678 567783 / 629 680161 Steve’s Deap Cleaning .....................................0044 7821 435275 Under Pressure .......................0044 7896 075925 / 633 436927 Upholstery & Leather Cleaning .................................636 193256 Xtreme Cleans Property Care ..................................634 328911

COMPUTERS

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 Dr. Jane Thompson (Psychotherapy)...968 485729 / 618 920126

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 Mr. Micro (Turre) ....................................................950 479502 Karen Green (Holistic Therapist) .........615 163416 / 850 993150 PC Playa (Mojácar) .................................................634 356498 Kate Roberts ...........................................................950 469540 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

PRYS Informatica (Antas) ........................................617 382511 Elaine's Wools (Arboleas) ........................................667 273889 Paul Wieder (Mojácar) ..............................................617 830696 R.F. (Marquetry) .....................................................711 003476 Simply Art (Albox) …...................................................662 443095 CONSERVATORIES AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 CURRENCY Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…..........................677 152911 Currencies Direct (Mojácar) ...............950 478914 / 626 916443 SpeedyFit ........................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Global Currency Exchange (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 615319

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CURTAINS & SOFT FURNISHINGS Pam (Turre) ..............................................................639 465631 Cortinas Gredécor (Vera / Huércal-Overa) ..................950 391361 VaVa Yoga y Más (Vera) ........................................ 643 102335 Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Vicki (Turre) .............................................................650 764623 DIGGER HIRE See Excavation DIVING See Scuba Diving DOCTORS & CLINICS (Private) Analysis Clinic (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 475282 Centro Médico Mojácar ...............................................950 475105

Curtainsandthings.................................................……678 684564 Solo Style ………...............................950 528334 / 626 319907 Unicraft Upholstery ...................................................692 176069

Clinica Medica Garrucha ……...........950 133157 / 617 404500 Dr. Maria Rose (Garrucha) ..........................................950 132803 Euroclinicas (Vera) ........................................................950 391300

DOG GROOMING Anita (5 Bone Kennels) …………......................……662 344734

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 Dan (Almanzora area) ................................................692 596681 Berta Ayora (Turre) ..................................................637 395775 Southern Spain Damp Proofing .................................652 358672 Brigbe’s Dog Grooming ...........................................630 557123 DENTISTS / DENTAL TREATMENT Centro Garras (Huércal-Overa) ............950 616820 / 617 456548 Centro Dental Dr. Cremades (Vera) ........................950 390655 Elite Dog Grooming (Albox) …….…...........................617 313587 Clinica Dental (Albox) ..............................................950 120732 Luis (Clinica Veterinaria Garrucha) ....950 132200 / 628 663616 Clinica Dental, Multicentro (Mojácar) ........................950 478989 Lulu’s (Albox) ...................................950 952940 / 600 046557 Clinica Dental Palomares .....................950 109710 / 670 878427 Pampered Pooches (All areas)..................................662 344734 Clinica Dental, Parque Comercial (Mojácar) .............950 478534 Pelitos (Los Gallardos) ..............................................637 286176 Clinica Dental Saludent (Huércal-Overa) ……………..950 135672 Shampooch professional pet grooming ........................642 276442 Dentalbox (Albox) .........................................................950 121284 SoloPerros (Turre) ..................................................674 509382 Nadal Pérez, M A (Turre) .........................................950 479444 Ulti-Mutt ......................................+44 7894747657 / 634 332578 Odonto Stetic (Los Gallardos) ...........722 706732 / 950 398993 DOG TRAINING Puerta de Vera (Vera) ........................................950395319 Didi Arias (Mojácar) ……............................................639 724521 Valero Martinez (Garrucha) ………............................950 132047

DOORS See Windows & Doors

DIET PLANS & WEIGHT LOSS

Image (Helen) ........................950 930192 / 665178326 DRY CLEANERS Issysweigh (Albox) ...................................................600 334318 City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 390255

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

121318 009051 615596 202599

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

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 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 DJT Electrical Services (Vera) .............686 817945 / 626 578164 ElectroTorres .....................................677 530410 / 610 750771

EMI Electrical Installations .......................................673 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 Francisco Montoya (Mojácar) .........................……….687 N.E.Electrics (Arboleas).............................................634 Peace of Mind 24/7 ............................................... 637 Zlatan ................................................630 207864 / 682

502867 549247 466352 358777 974662 277576

ELECTRO-DOMESTICO REPAIRS Damaso ...................................................................647 292966

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES CDB Natural (Huércal-Overa) ...................................950 882237 Jules Outlet (Mojácar Playa) .....................................633 640918 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) ......634 322475 / 633 629883 Voluta's Place (Mojácar Playa) …...............................699 975552

ENTERTAINERS Abbie Lou (Female vocalist) .......................................687 340544 Amy Amy Amy Tribute Band ....................................645 886919 Ashley Cathcart .......................................................693 486788

Blues Brothers ........................................................680 355376 Bob Management .......................................................666 310251 Brendan O'Dee (Singer/Guitarist) ..............................610 855964 Brian Dee ………........................................................647 897533 Carol George (Female Vocalist) ............................634 285009 Catchlove Music (Varied styles duo)…...................678 397536 DJ Digit-Al ...............................................................634 338014 Dominic Doolittle ......................................................634 353525 Driftwood …….............................................................687 672028 Dynamite International Rock Band ............................666 310251 Emma Wild ..............................................................642 276385 Flamenco Dancer (English speaking) ...............687480694 Francisco J. ‘Pasus’ ..........................950 397401 / 699 510966 Funky Nomad ..........................................................643 256459 Georges Femenias (vocalist/guitar) ……...…………….634 300356 Good stand in drummer ...........................................648 699733 GuitarMac ( Guitar/Vocals ) .....................................634 340476 Harmony Duo .........................................................687 340544 Jill Farmiloe (Female vocalist) .................................607 443908 Jim Mackie (Piano Man) ..........................................651 751629 JuJu Entertainment ............................950 950797 / 697 462746 Kay Frances (Vocalist) ........................950 069288 / 689 404244 Kayleigh Easton (vocals) ...................................... 642 581198 Kev Moore .............................................................600 762856 Kris Kelly (Female Vocalist) .................................. 634 374525 Lady Ellen Sings .............................673 459331 / 677 475268 Loose Change ..............................................................671 754851 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 Rocio Starry (Vocalist) .............................................645 886919 Roy Fox ..............................................................711 003476 Sabrina Lloyd ..........................................................661 055440 Sharna Knight (Vocalist & Entertainer) ....................0044 7340 638513 Sharon-Elizabeth Regan ........0044 7858 459637 / 666 673055 Shirin (bellydancer) .................................................607 805367 Short-Fuse Blues Band...............................................651 610189 Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 Solo Simon ...............................................................667 989270 Spotlight Entertainment (Karaole, disco etc.) .............634 311652 Starry Jazz trio/quintet .............................................645 886919 Sue Moretta .............................................................672 148730 The Fat Lizard Band .....(English) 651 045120 (Esp) 617 464728 The Opium Buddhas ………………….687 033106 / 667 989270 Tom Lee ……............................................................671 754851 Tony Matthews (Quiz organiser) ..............................634 391414

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Tony Justice ……….............................950 950797 / 637 159249 Indalo Real Estate ...........................950 091137 / 616 Trio Chaos ................................................................687 361440 Indasol Mojácar S.L. .................................................950 Triple Trouble Blues Band ........................................671 754851 Inmobiliaria Almanzora ..................... 9501 20406 / 637 InmoTerreros (San Juan) ...............950 096180 / 666 ESTATE AGENTS K7 Mojácar ...............................................................950 Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 AlmeríaCasas ...........................................................950 387852 Almería Homes ................................0044 1273 929286 / 950 930 259 Almeria Property Finder (Albox) ................................950 431624 Almería Prop. Investments (Las Buganvillas).950 460874 / 666 260792 Angel Property (Palomares) .....................................950 618054 Antonio Martinez de la Casa (Energy certs)..............950 092094 Arboleas Property Shop .................…....................…958 003391 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 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 Linnitt Properties (Turre).............................................950 Cole's of Andalucia ...............................950 469592 / 659 265907 Mojácar Estates (See p.50)......................................950

760409 472200 251238 255765 478555

479054 478935

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 Holmes for Homes (Arboleas) ..........850 993099 / 664 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 Indal-futur S.L. (Mojácar) ……............950 615156 / 609

359607 067922 314767 266641 352285 687251 012024 562447 026526

Mojacarmar ......................................950 475891 / 636 903184 Multicasa Aguilas .................................................... 968 493009 Neinor Homes (Mojácar) ..........................................900 110022 New Horizon Villas (Zurgena) ..................................950 438221 New One Stop (Mojácar) (See p.49).........................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

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Realtors MB Spain ..................................................678 347125 Bob (Mini digger) (Albox) ..........................................642 Diego Ramos S.L. (Los Gallardos) ……..............…..647 El Cano SL )Mojácar) ................................................950 Elite Plant Hire (JCB) ………….................................636 MD Digger Hire & Construction.................................634 Nash Groundworks ...................................................722

392922 841750 479185 092632 375428 546192

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 Rural Almería (Mojácar Playa) ................................…950 472200 Mojácar Jeep Tours .................................................611 028716 Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Mountain Biking Spain …...............……637 831509 / 661 178656 Sol y Mar (Albox) ...............................950 064584 / 635 979829 Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) …..........……...……………..642 1185467 Sonia Cantalejo Bueno (Energy Certs.)......................608 147640 FABRICS Spanish Estate Agents (Albox) ………950 431855 / 661 143871 Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Spanish Hideaways (Oria) ....................634 366672 / 676 604008 Material Girl Fabric Warehouse (Albox) ................0044 7393 665954 Spain Assured (See front cover)............950 469622 / 634 300020 FASHION Spain Property Finder …..............……........................686 878789 Spanish Property Choice (Mojácar Playa)...................950 615388 Dandara (Garrucha) ................................................950 617013 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

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 WPMS Inmobiliario (Villaricos) ..........678 321111 / 950 618697 Liz Fashion Accessories (Garrucha) .627 970819 / 607 511179 Modern Times (Mojácar Playa) …..........…………….950 475207 EVENT MANAGEMENT Oasis Fashions (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 473222

See also Wedding and Party Planning JuJu Entertainment .............................950 950797 / 697 462746

EXCAVATION Aridos Mojácar S.L. (Vera)

.....................................650 914257

Palme (Mojácar Playa) ............................................950 472813 Prins Vitali (Mojacar) ….............................................950 478690 Saga Boutique (Mojácar) .........................................950 475258

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FIREPLACES

Sunflower (Mojácar) ...............0044 7596 063544 / 600 880525

Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Aero Extinción S.L. (Almería) …............………………..950 263565 Extin-Torres S.L. (Mojácar) ............................................950 475067

FINANCIAL SERVICES 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

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 Gimnasio Formas (Turre) .............................................950 468065 Gympower (Personal trainer) (Albox) ......................609 591606 Javi Orta, personal trainer (Mojácar) .........................651 693681 Jova Sport Center (Mojácar Playa) ............................950 473137

Kennedy Financial Services .........................................678 035992 Offshore Money Management .............952 830916 / 950 398078

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

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

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Valle Del Este Spa & Health Centre ..........................950 548600 VaVa Yoga Studio (Vera) .........................................643 102335 Vicki’s Fitness & Slimming ........................................650 764623 Yoga therapies & slimming (Turre & Vera) ....................643 102335

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 FISHING Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Orca Steve Sea Fishing (Mojacar/Garrucha) ……… 634 352873 SpeedyFit ..............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Pete Fishing Trips (Mojácar/Garrucha) …..................634 379173 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564 Rio 600 Boat Fishing (Sid & Graham). 647 020929 / 647 803030 Tony Justice ...................................…..950 950797 / 637 159249 Mojácar Home Improvements .........................…….950 473104 FISH & CHIPS Kingfisher (Pueblo Laguna) ......................................663 553001

FOOD SHOPS

Catch of the Day UK Fishmonger ........ 634 301490 / 634 304288 Eurowise (Albox) ……………….............................…..950 439801 Gastronomía (Delicatessen) (Las Buganvillas) .......950 132048 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 Spar Supermarket (Huércal-Overa) ...........…………..950 135222 Spices n' Herbs in Spain (Albox)...............................689 482694 Super Corner (Turre)..........................950 468303 / 637 016107 The Chippy (La Alfoquía) ........................................634 324484 The Corner Shop (Albox) ………………950 930539 / 680 776791

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

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

FUNERAL COMPANIES CollyFer (Huércal Overa) …….............617 456259 / 617 456335

Funeral Homes Robles (Cuevas) ..............................657 921383 Funeraria Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias (Vera) 950 390884 / 607 705672 Funeraria Pérez (Mojácar) (See next page) .............950 478102

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Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com 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 Avalon Europe S.L. ............................950 069012 / 634 321296 Ideas del Mueble (Antas) ...........................................950 452816 Golden Leaves Funeral Plans (Benitachell)............. 966 493082 Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs ...........................850 993090 Iberian Funeral Plans (See p.35)...........951 203994 / 965 993498 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

FUNERAL PLANS

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

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Oak Furniture Spain .............................622 288750 / 681 095096 GIFT SHOPS Sofa & Sofa (Las Buganvillas) ..........654 596247 / 654 596220 Isabella (Vera Playa) ......................................................637 188901 Unicraft (El Real, Antas) ............................................692 176069

GLASS CURTAINS

GARDENS

Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 24hr Casaserve ..................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 Agave …….................................................................617 826334 SpeedyFit .......................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Antas Garden Centre (El Real) .............................610 243838 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564 Cedar Landscapes …….............……....................…620 112193 GLAZING (Supply & Repair) Chris (Gardening) .................................................643 082899 AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Cristalería Mojácar …............................................…..950 475376 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs .............................850 993090 Cristalería Rubi (Vera) ………......................................950 390546 Inspired (Furniture & BBQs) (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) 950 147763 SpeedyFit ............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Jardin Natural ............................................................685 478187 L & M Landscapes .................................................670 409538 GOLD & JEWELLERY BUYING La French Touch ......................................................607 226269 Gold & Jewellery Buying ...........................................616 453813 Lady Muck Gardening .............................................697 317557 GOLF COURSES Luke's Landscapes and Gardens ............................641 684017 Aguilon Golf (Pulpi) ......................................………..672 655600 Madera Mania (Garden Supplies) ….........................667 562872 Cortijo Grande ..........................................................950 479176 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Desert Springs ........................................................637 861591 Mobile Shredder & Mulch Garden Service .............687 024884 Macenas Beach Golf ...................…....................…..950 548240 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 Marina Golf ..............................................................950 133230 Valle del Este

...........................................................950 398743

GOLF TUITION Gareth Edwards (Cortijo Grande) …...........................950 Marcus (Mojácar) .....................................................610 Neil Evans (Desert Springs Golf Resort) ............... 638 Valle del Este (Vera) ...............................................676

479176 526671 531821 256923

GRASS, ARTIFICIAL Grass 4 U .................................................................638 574145 Greenfingers Arboleas S.L. ..........……......……………629 947633 Inspired (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) .................... 950 147763 Potty Finca Services ..................……..950 163930 / 616 855294 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192 Riegos y Conducciones (Antas, El Real) .................950 459146 Tiger Turf ............................................950 431624 / 635 652745 The Tidy Gardener .................... 0044 7957167633 / 634 318369 GUTTERING Xtreme Cleans Property Care ..................................634 328911 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

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 722705

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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) .....................950

987454 398980 137208 960362 469684 102335 121318 009051 473110

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 Beauty by Marilyn ....................................................950 398852 Nina’s Beauty Therapy ..................................................642 131966 Beauty Center (Mojácar) (See p.37)..........................687 480694 Oceanic Massage Therapies (Mojácar)...666 710964 / 687 619239 Bonita Hair & Beauty Salon (Mojácar) ......................643 649453

CDB Natural (Skin care) (Huércal-Overa) ................950 882237 Carlos Barber Shop (Mojácar Playa)..........................610 575911 Centro Estética (Mojácar Playa) …..................………950 472680 Claire & Inma (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 147630 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

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Opulence (La Alfoquía) …...........................................619 467295 HIRE Pascal Chevallier Emporium (Mojácar) ........................950 472790 Baby Basics (Equipment Hire) ...................................950 104345 Pampered Beauty Centre (Palomares) .650 092766 / 950 618129 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 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 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

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

Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765

HORSE RIDING

Girasol (Albox) ….......................................................639 089170 Centro Hipico Valle del Almanzora .........................691 Las Hierbas de Maria (Mojácar) ..............…………….657 513990 Didi Arias (Mojácar) ...............................................639 Media Legua Equestrian Centre (Vera) ..............……667 HEALING Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) .................................642 See Counselling/Healing Sanctuary Limaria .....................................................628

HEATING

241878 724521 243561 118546 239696

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

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Hostal Muria (Villaricos) ..............................................642 050290 Hostal Playa Azul (Villaricos) ................950 467075 / 609 386282 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

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

ASSSA Seguros (Vera) (See p.33) ..........……………950 392487 Asisa (Vera) ................................................................950 391950 Las Colinas Suitotel (San Juan de Los Terreros) .........950 466353 Axa .....................................................950 478763 / 609 667333 Parador de Mojácar ...................................................950 478250 BWI Bryan White Insurance (Mojácar) ......................950 472098

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

HOUSE CLEARANCE

Catalana Occidente (Palomares) ..............................950 618054 Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Playa) .........................950 478307 Edward William (Marine Insurance) ……………….….952 476090 García & Trinidad (Albox) …….............950 120340 / 620 240563 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 473192 Grupo Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Pueblo) 950 478061 / 653 806908 Ibex Insurance Services Ltd (Mojácar & Albox) ........950 120070 Liberty Seguros (Turre) ….................950 479568 / 620 179206

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Satcomms ..............................................951 406556 / 622 524335

INTERPRETING/TRANSLATIONS 1-2-1 Translations (Spanish, English, Norwegian)......662 390453 Alpha Interpreting and Translation .......950 133508 / 677 530690 Andrés (Mojácar) ........................................................679 932632 Antonio García Russell (Mojácar) ..............................606 198958 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Carolina Pérez Gallardo (Sworn Translator) ..............647 863745

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 Deco-house (Ann) .....................................................666 260792 Essential Solutions …….............................................627 245658 Lola Barranco ………..........................950 086116 / 691 261818

INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes INTERNET TV

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 Jenni (Almanzora valley area) ................................653 098329 Joanne Tissington ……………...................................637 267150 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

Connexions (Turre) ...............................................950 479502 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Europa Digital .......................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Ezetv .......................................................................950 091112 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 INTERNET PROVIDERS Robert Boucher .........................................................693 618705 Albox Online (See next page) .............................950 091111 Simply Solved ………...............................................663 327091 Connexions (Turre) ……..............................…………..950 479502 Susi ..................................................................................617 920 190 Next .............................................................................950 479369 Traducciones Levante ...............................................606 953775 Plusnet ................................................744 610389 / 850 992555 Wendy Interpreter/Translator ................................. 661 194278 GSF Communications ...............................................950 473102 Yamile (Written Translations) ....................................626 207575

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Cocinas El Real (Los Gallardos) .........639 036051 / 622 Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Cocinas Puntocom (Huércal-Overa) ...950 921975 / 722 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Complete Renovations (See p.13).........644 389255 / 672 Ergo Küchen (Huércal-Overa) ...................................636 JEWELLERY Harlequin Kitchens (Albox) ……........………………….619 Castellón (Bédar) .................. ....................................642 435909 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950 Jewellery Paula (Albox) ...........................................960 430871 Joyería Pérez (Garrucha) ........................................950 460636 La Luna (Garrucha) .................................................950 132543

IRONING

232186 136950 379960 447730 584405 132458

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 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

J.B. Kitchen Fitters (Turre) .......................................687 024884 KDI Kitchens .............................................................605 163613 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322 Mojácar Home Improvements ....................................950 473104

LANDSCAPING D & C Landscaping ..................................................634 359082 La French Touch .................. ..................................607 226269 Luke's Landscapes and Gardens ............................641 684017 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 ALO Services (Zurgena) ......................950 449179 / 667 994682 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427 Artizan (Vera) (See p.2) ..................…950 390635 / 661 985310 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Cam Concepts S.L. (Huércal-Overa) …......…………. 950 471357

KITCHENS

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LEISURE ACTIVITIES and TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 Extreme Adventure Mojácar ......................................687 919840 Indalo Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073 Karting (Garrucha) ….........................................……950 460207 Lunar Cable Park (Cuevas del Almanzora) .................665 512873 Nautarium Sea Museum (Garrucha) ………........…..950 139554 Paintball Almanzor (nr. Arboleas) ..................………..619 559261 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 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ........................950 473192 Light & Luz (Vera) ...............................950 391804 / 686 457714 Gestoría Soria Bonilla (Mojácar) ................................950 478420 LOCKSMITHS Kim Clark UK Benefit advice ……..….950 169729 / 663 297568 Mayor Consulting (Garrucha) .......................................950 615185 24hr Locksmith .....................................950 472982 / 658 828560 Mojácar Playa Asesores ……........………...……………950 472710 Guzman Seguridad (Albox) ..................950 431497 / 617 272885 Pilar Pérez Gestión S.L. (Mojácar) ............................950 478863 Locksmith (Dean) (See next page).............................666 949213 Vera Advisors (Vera) .................................................950 390621 Phil the Pick 24hr (Arboleas) …................................697 243181 MS Legal ..............................................950 479613 / 634 322827 Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..............................................950 431720

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Authentic Thai Massage (Jom) ..................................616 922612 Holistic Massage, Lorraine ................950 064484 / 687 569113 Lymphatic Drainage & Cranio Sacral-Therapy (Gabi) 950 472263 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 LOGS FOR SALE

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

Antonio Diaz .............................................................689 Colin & Carlos ....................................660 903158 / 630 Firewood Arboleas .................................................647 Las Norias Carden Centre (Los Gallardos) ..............670

127535 METAL WORK 455328 AA Window Doctor ....................…............................630 231644 932078 Carpentería Metalica Chacón (Albox) …................950 431738 215902 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 Speedy Fit Security Grilles ....................................600 006032 The Metal Works ..............................950 930520 / 638 900949

Leña Ramos (Arboleas) ….........................................616 Lee (Arboleas) ...........................................................636 Leñas Cazorla (Turre) ...............................................607 Levante Logs ............................................................670 Log-On-Tommy …........................................................619 Palm Deliveries (Albox) .....................950 122416 / 686 Phil (Arboleas) …........................................................634 Potty Finca Services ............................950 163930 / 616

044719 092632 827783 243724 070839 966008 328779 855294

MOBILE HOMES & CARAVANS

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

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

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

Natural Optics (Garrucha) .........................................950 133921 Opticas Indalo (Garrucha) ..........................................950 133865 Opticas Indalo (Carboneras) .......................................950 130707 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 Angels Nursing Group ...............................................902 026468 Optica Orbera (Huércal Overa) ....................................950 135596 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 Federopticas Diaz (Albox) ..........................................950 Multiopticas Indalo (Garrucha) ...................................950 Multiopticas Indalo (Mojacar) .....................................950 Multiopticas Indalo (Campohermoso de Nijar) ............950

414468 121122 460665 472285 Opticalia (Albox) .....................................................950 121084 385082 Primera Opticos (Aguilas) .........................................968 493482

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Salas (Huércal Overa) ................................................950 135081 Mojácar Mascotas ......................................................679 411203 + Visión (Aguilas) …....................................................968 414279 Pet Tag Engraving ...................................................711 006027 Tucano Mascotas (Vera) ............................................650 292670 OSTEOPATHS Union Jack (Pet Transportation) ...........………………….902 109560 Alice Bellot (Mojacar & Arboleas) ….................………633 352259 PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) .................................695 355381 Enrique Arias (Mojácar) .........................950 472974 / 629 289385 20seven photography ................................................634 301635 Hector Gutiérrez (Vera Playa) ............607 479379 / 950 132765 Almería-Fotografía .....................................................663 627942 Osteo Maestra (Arboleas) ......................................950 449451 Bluwater Photography ….........…………………………616 189002 Sanatura (Albox) .................................610 269162 / 642 809453 Chincheto (Mojácar) ....................................................687 489182 Fotomicar (Lyle Mallen) .............................................620 786914 PAINTING & DECORATING Fotos Fabrega (Albox) ………...........……………………950 430223 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Indigo Photography & Video ...................................637 974793 A.J. Painting & Decorating .......................................687 024884 Omar De La Cruz ………..........………950 460213 / 609 284852 Alan Barker ......................................950 099913 / 600 268176 Professional Video & Photographic Services inc. Aerial...647 202599 Antonio Perez (Mojácar) ………........................…….691 240495 Rod Westwood ………........................950 472321 / 609 611207 Borders Painting ………..........................................…687 661807 The Image Suite …….............................…........................647 918 848 Cabrera Painting and Decoration Works ...................637 524709 Toros Bravos ............................................................607 117174 Casanove Interiors ......................................................680 836166 C.I.S Services (Arboleas) ........................................634 621747 PHOTOCOPIES & SCANS Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Darpa S.L. ..................................................................691 055726 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 Darren Hargreaves ...................................................626 855483 Servidea 2020 (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 399726 Grupo Brideca (shop) (Huércal-Overa) 950 471045 / 950 135881 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 IPB Painting ........................................661 184848 / 622 524335 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 JPM ...........................................................................627 090422 PHYSIOTHERAPY Jay the Painter ........................................................697 176787 Paul ...........................................................................649 186107 Caroline De Maeght (Villaricos) ................................650 134805 Phil the Painter ……..............................................…671 227259 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) ......................................695 355381 The Fast Brush .........................................................950 472668 Clínica Fisioalbox (Albox) ..........................................629 402852 True Colours .............................................................636 638670 Clinica MOS Fisioterapia (Mojácar Playa) .................644 394335 Vera Painting Services ............................................711 004024

PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES See Screened Patio & Pool Enclosures

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

PEST CONTROL Jason …….........................................950 064015 / 680 903609 Sedesa (Vera) …………............................................950 390990 Fisiomar Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ....................667 425197 Fisioterapia Vera-Salud (Vera Playa) ...607 479379 / 950 132765 Gabi Triebel (Mojácar Playa) ..............633 011442 / 950 472263 Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ...........950 431463 / 657 516247 Remedio clinic (Mojacar) ....................950 472980 / 617 741564 Vitea Fisioterapia (Vera) ...................950 390655 / 663 024255

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

PICTURE FRAMING PET SHOPS & TRANSPORT

Casa de Cabra (Albox) ........................................ 633 364329 La Tienda de Basilio Rubio (Albox) ...........................950 431592 Pink House (La Concepción) ..............622 288750 / 681 095096 Madera Mania (Los Gallardos) …..................……….667 562872

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PODIATRISTS See Chiropodists & Podiatrists POOL COVERS

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

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

PLASTERERS David Pritchard Construcciones ..........617 698418 / 662 046497 Pukka plastering (Almanzora area) ...........................692 596681

PLUMBERS

24hr Casaserve ..............................................950 466438 / 676 3062699 D & J Pritchard Construcciones .........617 698418 / 662 046497 Andy (Mojácar) ........................................................697 302039 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 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 768587 Triton Pool Cleaning ...............................................634 326322 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Tropicana Swimming Pool Construction 650 906114 / 689 404244 Chris ........................................................................643 082899 Carlos (Saliente) Plumbing & Heating ..950 930900 / 620 742954 True Blue Pools & Spas ..............................................661 148998 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

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

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Offex Spain ................................……..966 765950 / 661 386942 Pam’s Post (Albox) ............................................... 664 565479 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

Almería Holiday Rentals ............................................638 701670 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) …..850 993099 / 606 281865 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 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 24hr Casaserve .....................................950 466438 / 676 306269 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Citrus Homes ...............................……......................638 849254 Arboleas Builders ………...............……950 930536 / 634 306690 Clean Team Property Care & Rentals 850 993202/ 642 911850 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

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Coastal Properties (Mojácar) ........................................950 475235 Complete Holiday Care ....………...........950 478612 / 610 808631 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

Rent Mojácar ............................................................950 615042 Sandy Goldfinch ........................+44 7767 301159 / 670 575897 Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 La Casa es Tuya .......................................................663 931471 Spanish Property Choice (Mojacar) ..... 950 475823 / 634 351562 Mojácar Estates ........................................................950 478935 Sunshine Villas............................………850 993202 / 694 440184 Mojácar Holiday Services .......................950 699947 / 634 972377 Triton Property Services ..........................................634 326322 Mojácar Long Term Rentals …...............................…636 903184 PROPERTY PROMOTERS Next Stop Almería ................................950 617518 / 678 034651 Almanzora S.L. (Desert Springs) ...............................950 467104 Price Brown Partnership (Mojácar) ............................950 478915 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 Real Almería Property (Mojácar) ............................634 316068 Elegant Homes S.L. ............................950 092603 / 687 629777

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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

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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

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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 ..................................................630 266261 / 618 826092 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 Shea’s Restaurant & Bar (See p.7) ...........................950 478186 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 Gastro Malabar .........................................................950 472970 Restaurante Mamabel's ...............................................950 472448 Ilario Imperial (Italian) (See front cover)....................950 478098 Rincón de Embrujo …....................…………………….600 531270 Imperial Playa (Italian) ..............................................950 475360 Rincon del Zahorí .............................630 314400 / 661 604220 Indian Curry House ...........................632 416554 / 950 887681

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El Balconcito .............................................................635 589909 Asagía Asador .........................................................640 210185 Gateway to India (Indian) ...........................................950 923994 Monika ......................................................................659 672615 Lua Puerto Rey ........................................................950 478202 The Oasis Bar ...................................950 467381 / 676 365010 Maraú (Vera Playa) ……………...........................……671 580340 Taj Mahal (Indian) …............…………950 618691 / 671 231465 Partaloa Mis Amigos ..............................................…………….612 508447 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 467682

Palomares

Villaricos

Pueblo Laguna

Bistro .......................................................................950 132022 Don Tadeo ..................................................................950 467105 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 Homecentre (Albox) (See p.6)..........868 931872 / 671 715294 Restaurant Laguna …………….........................……..950 132566 P & R Rugs (Los Llanos de Aroleas) .......................665 258680

San Juan de Los Terreros

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

Casa Adelina ...............................................................950 479153 SATELLITE TV Chili .................................................608 802227 / 950 468425 ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.11).....647 247494 / 950 092604 Doner Kebab ............................................................603 527699 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 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 Orsoca ………………............................................…..602 554609 SCUBA DIVING Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz ……....................…..950 479646 Buceo Mojácar ........................................................950 472760

Valle del Este Golf Sawadee Thai .........................................................634 393235

Vera Gran Muralla (Wok Buffet) ..........................................950 391691 La Mariposa de Fran ………........……..950 166774 / 683 641957 Terraza Carmona ...................................................950 390760

Vera Playa Armony Beach Club .................................................617 745021 b2 Mohana (Argentinean) ........................................678 642856

The Almería Focus 5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places.

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SECOND HAND

SKIN TREATMENTS

Auction Subasta (Los Carasoles).....UK 7413 190882 / 643 137106 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Items for Sale Mojácar .....................694 439275 / 950 478753

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 Ecocorp ..................................................................671 716597

John’s (Albox) ..........................................................634 325639 Merka Recycla (Huércal Overa) .........950 616683 / 666 577006 Pink House (La Concepción) ...........622 288750 / 681 095096 The Attic (Cucador) ..…….…................672 184354 / 648 250699

SECURITY & SAFES See Alarms 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 442695 Drainage Solutions …...........………….616 531283 / 670 088966 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 768587 Ginés Millán (All areas) ……….............(after 4pm) 607 366355 Limaser (Vera) ……..................................................950 390732 Sepserve (All areas) …..............................................675 838808

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

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 Casas Almería (Huércal Overa) .................................950 134434 Davies Solicitors (Mojácar) ........................................950 472775 EuroAbogados (Vera) .................................................950 617017 Javier Loustau (Mojácar) .........................................950 475086 José Francisco López Molina .............950 133607 / 635 189986 Leticia Moreno-Torres Camy (Vera) ......950 391249 / 607 840182 Lopez & León Solicitors (Garrucha) ..950 888314 / 666 513917 Mar Abogados & Consultores (Mojácar) .................950 478911

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Mario Redondo (Albox) ….................950 430222 / 626 389322 Miguel Angel Rojas Benitez .......................................950 615404 Pablo Suarez (Purchena) ..........................................610 014680 Mundi Abogados (Las Buganvillas) ........................950 460999

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

391171 412321 390282 615038

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

TATTOO ARTISTS Classic Tattoo (Mojácar Playa) .................................605 611782

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Lisa V Tattoos (Cantoria) ....................634 362737 / 642 024810 Oasys Western Park & Zoo (Tabernas) ….............….950 365236 Oscar (Mojácar Pueblo) …................................…….629 944374 Western Leone Theme park (Tabernas) …............…950 165405

TAXIS (Legal)

TRANSLATING - see Interpreters TRANSPORT - see Removals TRAVEL

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

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

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

TILING & PATIO WORK See also Building Services

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 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

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Almería Castle ………............................................…950 271617 Almería Solar Centre ( Nr.Tabernas) ....950 387990 / 670 866122 Aquarium (Roquetas de Mar) ...................................950 160036 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

The Almería Focus is the magazine that everyone keeps to hand.

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Free directory entries.

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

UPHOLSTERY Curtains with Style (Fabrics) ............ 950 069032 / 678 811125 Jone’s Mobile (Upholstery cleaning) …....……………661 571939 Unicraft (Upholstery) (See next page).....................692 176069

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 K.Morris (Vera) ............................0035 711004024 / 0044 7759692010 Storage Solutions (Arboleas) ...................................950 930316 Way 2 Go (UK/Spain) ……UK 0044 208 0904292 / 965 794682

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

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 Tyre King (El Real) ................................................950 459253 Go Car (Arboleas) (See p.59).................................950 431861 VEHICLE REPAIRS (MOBILE) Gómez Motor (Huércal-Overa) ..................................950 471250 Mojácar Motor (Mojácar Playa) ……........................950 478335. Auto Frio .............................................950 104488 / 600 827517

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

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Free directory entries.

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

Cool Air (Air Conditioning) ........................................673 195872 WATER PARK JFK Karz ................................................................643 790511 Aquavera (Vera Playa) ............................................950 467337 Veloc Tuning ECU Remapping Services ..................600 827517

WATER TREATMENTS

VEHICLE SALES AA Car Sales (Mojácar) ...........................................950 459208 Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) …......................667 439671 AutoFex (Arboleas) (See p.59).................................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

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

WEB SERVICES MODS ........................................................................600 284975 Mojácar Business ....................................................950 680110

WINDOW CLEANING

Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Don (Mojacar) .........................................................666 814913 Idea (Mojácar) ...................................................……..605 162709 J&A Window Cleaning Services ..........950 122452 / 689 548824 James .......................................................................678 988812 Lady Jane Window Cleaning (Arboleas) ...................634 255373 Mick ...........................................................................634 327075 VETS Centro Vet ABC (La Alfoqúia) ….................................950 449064 Window Panes ..........................................................617 208231 Astrid (Mojácar) ..............950 472252 Emergencies: 629 099920 Woody the Window Cleaner (Almanzora Valley) .......634 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

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

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

393305 320761 152911 006032

WINES Bodega Gran Baco (Aguilas) .............................…..968 925655 Enoteca Tikar (Garrucha) ……..............................….950 617131 Egesta Centro Vetinario (Vélez Rubio) ..950 411208 / 608 438683 Isalva (Palomares) ………..........................................615 265092 Europa (Mojácar) .................950472262 Emergencies: 629 099921 Javier .............(Garrucha) 950 132200 Emergencies: 619 236059 WOOD & PELLET STOVES NEXO (Albox) …...............950 430814 Emergencies: 617 305784 Chimeneas Acar (Albox) ...........................................950 120077 Veravet (Vera Town) …............…............................…950 393307 Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135 Veterinary Centre (Huércal-Overa) …........................950 616781 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028

WATER (Tanker Delivery)

ZOO & PARK

Sierra Cabrera Water ........................651 994419 / 608 057941 Oasys (Tabernas) ....................................................950 365236

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

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Community News PAWS/PATAS AGM PAWS-PATAS held its AGM on Saturday, February 1st at Hostal Rural in Turre with a record number of members attending and new people joining.

A new Executive Committee was voted in. Janet Franklin (Treasurer) opened the meeting by thanking all the volunteers that work in the four outlets in Mojácar, Turre and Las Buganvillas because the revenue they raise is paramount and the shelter would not exist without them.

Special thanks were also given to Vanessa Maipauw and Sam Spencer who manage the kennels and the cattery. 2019 was a very upsetting and exhausting year as both Parvovirus (dogs) and Panleukopenia (cats) were virulent due to infected Back row...Vanessa Maipauw/Shelter Volunteer Manager James Scamlan/Shelter Caretaker - Sam Spencer/Cattery puppies and kittens being abandoned at the Manager - Matthew Pyle/Vice President - Kate Alberti/Vocale shelter gates. These diseases created havoc and - Lynne Hart/Outlets Manager - Renee Fortuin/Holland & was extremely depressing for all the volunteers Germany Homing - Margaret Gray/Vocale - Stuart because the shelter had to be closed and a major Drury/Chairman. Front row...Chrissie Cremore/Vice President - Janet Franklin/Treasurer - Vicky Hall/President - Christine cleaning operation put into play. Many were Knox/Secretary - Babs Williams/UK Homing treated and survived, but sadly there were some fatalities which were heart breaking for the suffering from disease and starvation. More volunteers. Janet also gave a detailed account details of this will be revealed before the campaign of the financial records to date which were commences. The Executive Committee and all circulated to all attendees. the volunteers would like to thank the people who generously donate items to our outlets, PAWS-PATAS is about to enter its 31st year of food, money and indeed their time, be it walking operation and the homing of cats and dogs has the dogs or socialising the cats. And of course, never been healthier. Not only in Holland, Germany, Belgium and the UK but locally as well. The latter fostering before we can find “forever homes”. is currently thriving. Last year there were two major items on the agenda and Chrissie Cremore is pleased to announce that both the much needed Quarantine Unit will be completed before the summer. 30,000 euros has been raised towards the target of 40,000. Ann and Brad Swift have been a major source of this vital fund raising, organising a variety of events in Mojácar.

Also,the TNR campaign (Trapping, Neutering, Returning) has taken a major leap forward and discussions are underway with local Town Halls and a worldwide charity in order to reduce the local feral cat colonies and stop unnecessary

What PAWS-PATAS needs desperately is a “fund raising” team. People with vision, determination and organisational skills to co-ordinate fun events and raise funds. The charity also requires IT and web site people who have experience in these avenues and can ensure that our systems are working correctly or need updating. For all information regarding PAWS-PATAS please visit their web site: www.paws-patas.org or email: info@paws-patas.org. Enquiries about cats or dogs please email: cats@paws-patas.org or dogs@paws-patas.org

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Community News worked closely with Vanessa Maipauw, Shelter Volunteer Manager, when determining which dogs were to be sent to Dutch shelters for homing.

Fantastic news to start the New Year is that Renée has found a new shelter in Germany which is also able to provide transport from Cartagena or Alicante and she asked members to spread the word that short haul drivers would be needed to take the dogs to meet up with the German transport. Although the impact of Brexit and homing of animals in the UK is still unknown, PAWS/PATAS Overseas Homing it is anticipated that we will need to arrange more transports to Holland and back again.

PAWS-PATAS animal shelter has one major mission Ideally a further 4 or 5 drivers are required to and that is to find “forever homes” for the many do this trip once a year. cats and dogs that they bring back to health or keep safe after being abandoned. Executive Renée also suggested that 4 weeks before any Committee member Renée Fortuin who is transport takes place, the dogs are placed in a responsible for overseas homing gave a foster home which would help socialise them comprehensive review of her function in Holland and keep them protected health wise. PAWSat the recent AGM. She explained that part of PATAS is extremely grateful to the people who her role was public relations and that by offer to “foster” our cats and dogs because attending animal related events four times a without them they would not be able to cope year she was able to promote awareness of the with the volume of animals that are continually issues we encounter in Spain. It also gave her abandoned. As soon as the van is packed with the opportunity to recruit new volunteers and cats and dogs and heading off to their deserved receive donations as well as network with others loving homes, the foster animals come to the to keep abreast with what is taking place in shelter because the charity does not want the other parts of Spain. Renée added that she fosterers to feel that their generosity is being abused.

Are you able to help? If you can foster a cat or a dog for the short term before a transport or indeed for longer - please email: (for dogs)...vanessa@paws-patas.org and (for cats)...sam@paws-patas.org. If you can help with long or short haul driving and also able to help prepare the van with the relevant cages please email: matthew@paws-patas.org. For all other volunteer information, please visit their website: www.paws-patas.org or email: info@pawspatas.org

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Community News Vera and District Lions Club Story

receives payment, we are all volunteers.

Three years ago, having sold our house and packed most of our belongings into storage, my husband and I, Chris & Ceri Norman, set off in our fully loaded Skoda Yeti in order to drive to Spain to start a new life.

Our next big fundraising event will be Party in the Park on Sunday 26th April at El Palmeral Park in Vera. Please see our Facebook page for more details.

We eventually settled in Arboleas and having bought a house set about making some alterations, one of which was a new kitchen.

We tried to sell the old kitchen and were about to scrap it, when the lady who was helping us design the kitchen layout suggested she could sell it for us on behalf of Vera and District Lions (of which she is a member). The Lions would then use the money to support local causes.

She also mentioned that the Lions would be happy for us (as they are for any guest) to come to meetings to see if it was something we wanted to join.

We meet on the first Wednesday of the month

by Aaron Baglietto at 6pm in Hotel Terraza Carmona,Photo Vera.

We have a Facebook page and Website where you can find more information on what we do, how you can help as volunteers or join as members. You can also ask about our Sponsorship packages.

For further information contact our secretary via email veralionssecretary@gmail.com

Busy getting the house the way we wanted and settling into our new environment, it was a few months before we went to our first meeting.

Our working lives had kept us busy, me as a teacher and hubby as a motorsport professional.

We had talked about doing something to keep our brains active . and help others at the same time. This looked like something we could do, New Location for Mojácar Tax whilst allowing Chris to travel with work at times Collection Office as he is semi-retired. After a few visits to meetings we eventually decided to join and are On February 12th, the Mojácar Tax Collection now active members (and press officers) of Office moved to a new location at Paseo de la Marina nº1 on the town’s Marina de la Torre the Vera and District Lions Club.

Urbanisation. Mojácar Council would like to inform The Vera and District Lions Club was formed in residents and anyone wishing to use the service 2011 and received its charter in November about the new office location, as well as the 2012.There are Lions clubs throughout Spain customer service hours which are Monday to Photo by Lesley Posso and in over 200 countries all over the world. Friday, from 9am – 2pm. The Council hopes that Whilst the Lions Clubs International reaches out this facility will assist all taxpayers, as well as across the globe with offers of help, it is the improving customer service and accessibility. In role of Vera and District Lions Club to help local addition to local residents, the Mojácar Tax Office charities and other deserving causes. No also attends to residents from the towns of Bédar, member of the Vera and District Club Turre and Los Gallardos.

Photo by Lions Aaron Baglietto

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Community News Mojácar Council Continues with Energy Efficiency Improvements Mojácar Council has given the go ahead to an agreement by which Almería’s Provincial Council will collaborate financially with the town’s plans to move towards a low-carbon economy, which falls within the 2014-2020 sustainable growth plan already in action. The Council is working on different initiatives to modernise and renovate the town’s exterior lighting and last year the report was approved on the first energy efficiency project to be co-financed by 80% from FEDER European Union funds which offers grants for investments in public services that lower carbon dioxide emissions.

El Bandido Ladies Take Five Podium Places

In 2019 a study to upgrade to 1,213 public lighting points was made, requiring an investment of around 1,200,000 euros, which would generate a maintenance and energy saving of 81,200 euros per year. The comprehensive reform plan included new high performance LED lighting, the replacement of damaged supports and posts, adapted lighting panels and, centralised remote management systems. The total project amounted to 1,186,910 euros, with an annual energy saving of 60% and a financial saving of more than 70,000 Euros. This new agreement, co-financed by Almeria Council, represents a total of 918 lighting points and an investment of 656,631 euros with a municipal contribution of 32,831 euros, as the 20% municipal contribution is reduced to 5% by the Provincial assistance. As well as the saving on maintenance and energy bills, the changes will also improve visual quality and road safety. An energy saving of 100,000 euros is estimated for this coming year, plus any maintenance and breakdown costs, as parts are guaranteed for 10 years.

Mojácar’s El Bandido Runners had 19 runners at the 10th edition of the 10k ACD Bomberos Levante race in Turre, on Sunday, 16th February. Once again, their blue and orange kit stood out amongst the 160 finishers, with only one other club equalling the number of runners. Despite the fog and the cooler weather, the ladies excelled with five podium places: Claire Donald finishing 2nd female over / 1st Vet C, and age group places for Janine Pollard 2nd (Vet B) Kirsty Ratcliffe 3rd (Vet B), Jan Murton 2nd (Vet C) and Karen Ayers 3rd (Vet C). A special big cheer and round of applause went to John Ross, the last runner to cross the finish line. The event was well organised with friendly support and encouragement from the marshals and fire officers. Post-race, everyone received a commemorative race t-shirt and buff, together with cold beers and paella.

The Government Team’s objective is to renovate 100% of the street lighting, said Mojácar’s Finance Councillor Francisco García Cerdá. At present, another report is being preparing on energy efficiency for 2021 which would deal with the remaining lighting throughout the town, which would require an investment of just over a million euros and increase the annual saving to over 140,000 euros.

El Bandido Runners is a local group, set up by Ironman Kevin Rowe in June 2018. All ages, nationalities and speeds are welcome! We are particularly keen to encourage runners and walkers to come along on Saturday, 7th March to celebrate International Women’s Day, which is on Sunday, 8th March. We will meet at the Red Cross roundabout end of the Paseo and would love to break our record attendance of 43 runners/walkers on New Year’s Day.

Full results: https://www.cruzandolameta.es/clasificaciones/v 2/resultados/x-edicion-10k-ruta-acd-bomberosl eva n te - a l m e r i e n s e - 2 0 2 0 - - - 110 8 / 2 8 5 2 / #

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What’s On 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.

Almería

‘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.

The musical ‘La Bella y La Bestia’ (Beauty and the Beast) intended

Dulce Pontes, an internationally famous Portuguese singer, comes to Auditorio Maestro Padilla, Almería city, on April 16th at 9pm with a concert entitled “30 years of music”. She performs music from all genres and is joined by the guitarist Daniel Casares and the Cuban bass player Yelsy Heredia.

Tickets are 30 & 35 euros.

Dumbo El Musico, intended mostly for children, comes to Auditorio Maestro Padilla, Almería city, on April 19th at 5pm. Tickets are 15 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 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.

Noches “Sabina en las venas” is a tribute concert to Joaquín Sabina on March 21st at 10.30pm, Teatro Cervantes Almería city with a performance of his best loved compositions. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the door.

II Encuentrc de Bandas is a brass band concert featuring bands from Granada, Vélez-Málaga and Almería.

It comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on March 22nd at 11am and tickets are 10 euros.

The Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Almería is essentially an orchestra with a large brass section. On March 8th they have a free concer t to celebrate International Woman’s Day at 12 noon at Teatro Apolo, Almería city.

On March 14that 9pm, Auditorio Maestro Padilla, Almería city, they have a concert, ‘Diego Cruz and Friends, Soul & Jazz’. This is a benefit concert entitled “Todo con Edu” who suffers from the Pfeiffer Syndrome. Tickets are 10 euros.

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An Oriental Dance Festival comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on April 4th at 8.30pm with an international g roup of performers. Tickets are 10 euros in advance or 12 euros at the door.

‘El Origin del Hielo’, a concert for children, is a tribute performance to “Frozen” presented by the La Compañia Onbeat. It has received rave reviews in Madrid and comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on April 19th at 12 noon. Tickets are 12 euros in advance or 15 euros at the door.

What’s On 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 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.

The XVII Carnival Drag Queen event takes place at the Águilas Auditorio on March 7th at 10pm.

Tickets are 5, 10 and 12 euros.

concerto for two pianos and orchestra opus 25, Mozart’s concerto for piano and flute and Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony.

XV Certamen de Agrupaciones Musicales "Ciudad de Águilas" is a brass band concert with bands from Águilas, Bullas, Adra and Cuevas del Almanzora on March 29th. The procession starts at 11am at the port with a concert at 12 noon at the Auditorio.

April 24th: The ADUA Symphony Orchestra performs compositions

by Handel, Vivaldi, Vitali & Bach.

El Barbero de Sevilla (The Barber of Seville) comic opera comes to Águilas auditorio on April 25th at 9pm, performed by the Teatro Lírico Andaluz company. No ticket prices shown at time of going to press.

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 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 Aguilas Arqueológico, www. auditorioQueen Forever Bohemian aguilas.org or from 2hrs before Rhapsody Tour comes to Águilas performances at the box office.

Auditorio on March 28th at 9.30pm. Tickets are 30 euros. 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.

March 6th: Pianists Bertram Giraud and Bruno Canino perform a chamber concert with Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos, Schumann’s 6 pieces in the form of a canon, Shostakovich’s Concertina & Rachmaninoff’s Suite No 1.

March 27th: The resident orchestra perform Mendelssohn’s

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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.

Roquetas de Mar 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.

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

What’s On The Moscow Ballet come to Teatro Villa, Huércal-Overa, to perform Romeo and Juliet on May 14th at 9pm. Tickets are 22 & 25 euros.

Huércal-Overa Quique González performs his fifth album, ‘Las palabras vividas’, with lyrics by Luís García Montero, at Teatro Villa, Huércal-Overa, on April 18th, 9.30pm. Tickets 26 & 30 euros.

Exibitions Madrid

Madrid hosts an exhibition relating to Tutankhamun, his Tickets for events in Huércal- tomb and many other Egyptian Overa are available at the box office artefacts totalling 1,000 pieces on Mondays to Thursdays from until April 19th. It is at the IFEM 10 a m - 1. 3 0 p m & 5 p m - 8 p m , centre in pavilion 5 and takes up mornings only on Fridays and 1 hour 2,000m2. Opening hours are before performances. Internet Tuesdays to Sundays from 10amtickets from www.entradasho.es . 9pm but the last time for entry is 7.30pm as it is considered that a full guided tour takes 90 minutes.

The admission price for adults is Villaricos 16 euros 50 céntimos and 9 euros The VIII Dreambeach Villaricos 50 céntimos for children.

Music Festival takes place on August 5th-9th. Tickets are 65 T h e New Planet euros or 94 euros including the Contemporary Art Exhibition c a m p s i t e , f r o m can be seen until March 17th at www.dreambeach.es MECA Mediterráneo Centro

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What’s On Julie Dawson, a local artist, has an exhibition during March entitled ‘New Life’ at the VAVA Studio, Vera, opposite the old Mercadona.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10.30am-1pm & 5.30pm-7pm.

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

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 10.30amThe Guitar Museum, ‘Museo de 1.30pm on Sundays. The museum la Guitarra Antonio Torres’, in is close to the cathedral. Admission Almería city has an exhibition is 3 euros with various discounts.

Artístico, C/ Navarro Darax 11.

Almería city. Exhibiting artists are Joaquín Hortal, Juan Morante, Elena Pedrosa, Toña Gómez, Fernando Barrionuevo, Carmen Guardia, Celia Cuesta Rosales, Paco Lagares, Mercedes Lirola, Antonio de Diego Arias and Mar Garrido. For info see www.centromeca.com

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

What’s On Miscellaneous The Mojácar Moors & Christians event is from June 12th-14th.

The Dreambeach Villaricos music festival is from August 5th9th.

The 8th Juergas Rock Festival at Adra is from August 6th-8th.

Interactive Flamenco event featuring award winning flamenco singer from Cádiz, "Perico el Pañero" on Friday, March 13th. This highly acclaimed artist is currently touring with a fascinating project, explaining the genuine history of flamenco which he has lived first hand with other great legends, plus song and dance. A real one-off unique event. Venue Restaurant Albar, El Pilar de Lubrin at midday.

Tel: 647 877 091 That madcap cast of Shoestring Productions have begun rehearsals for ‘The Meeting That Never Was’. Yes, another profound story of Hotel La Resistance from young Mr Jim Grey….the fourth play in the trilogy…..his words. Performances will be 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th of April, at Montmartre Restaurant, Mojácar, so prepare yourself for a fun-filled treat in the run up to Easter! ‘Like’ us on Facebook, Shoestring Productions, for further information on tickets and box office, and online reservations.

Age Support Albox fund-raising event ‘1920's Casino Night’, Saturday 28th March from 7pm at Harley's Bar, formerly Legends, opposite the Bowling Alley. The Sonny Boy Blues Band performs

with 1920's singer Claire Stoner and there will be roulette, blackjack, a raffle, and 1920's fancy dress.

Tickets 10 euros including a 2 course meal from Age Support shop. See Ellen Green Facebook for more info and to reserve tickets Dames in Turre Forthcoming Events. March 8th (International Women’s Day) a lunch will be held on Monday 9th March at Hostal Rural for members and their guests. (Contact Carol Pazdzierski p a z d z i e c a @ ya h o o . c o m f o r information). March 30thEquinac – Project update and next steps.

All members are welcome to these events as are guests. Please make sure you register with the membership secretary when attending a meeting as member or guest. Your committee look forward to welcoming you! For information on Dames in Turre please contact our membership secretary Eileen McGill Eeileenmcgill@hotmail.co.uk or 652 298 072 The Royal British Legion Mojácar Branch March. A branch meeting will be held at 11:30 on Thursday, 5th March at the Artisan Centre, Mojácar Pueblo. Our speaker is Lizzie Cooke giving a talk on “Wellness”. Everyone is welcome.

Badgers Bar Restaurant are holding a Fish & Chip night at 7:30 pm on Friday 6th in support of the Royal British Legion. There will be a quiz from Tony Mathews and a raffle.

A Social Meeting will be held at 11:30 on Thursday, 19th March at The Hotel Continental. Everyone is welcome, friends, members and non-members, come along and join

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us on their beach view, enclosed terrace. On Thursday, 26th March there will be a Social Meeting and the third annual Petanq ue Competition at Hostal Rural, Turre.

Everyone is welcome; please arrive for registration to play at 10:00 am.

For further details and information about events or meetings call: 950 099 483 or email mojacar.secretary @rbl.community. If you are feeling lonely or are housebound why not become a Telephone Buddy.

Sometimes just talking to someone is a first step to feeling more in control. Why not email us for more information: mojacar.chairman @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: 676 451 780 (9am-5pm, Mon-Sat) or email dmwilson@britishlegion.org.uk Anglican Churches of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida Services and events in March.

Mojácar San Pascual: Eucharist every Sunday at 11am. Llanos del Peral: Eucharist / Morning Prayer every Sunday 11am. Aljambra Chapel Albox: Sunday, March 8th, Evensong 6pm; Thursday, March 12th& 26th, Eucharist 11am, Lent lunch after the service on Thursday 26th.

Spanish language classes at The Roof Garden, Parque Comercial M o j á c a r. Tu e s d a y s 11 a m Intermediate, Wednesdays 11am Intermediate second group, Wednesdays 12.45pm Beginners.

Learn to understand Spanish as it is spoken in this area. Classes last more than one hour and cost 5 euros. Tel 687 480 694.

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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

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Activities - Clubs - Associations Clubs, Societies & Activities

social meeting at 11:30 for coffee and chatter. Call for information of the venue.

Everyone is welcome, service or nonservice. For enquiries call: 950 099 483 Almanzora Group of Friends Library and Information Centre or email mojacar.secretary@rbl.

Mon - Fri and first Saturday of month community. If you are feeling lonely or 10am-1pm, Plaza San Antonia, Barrio are housebound why not become a Alto, Albox. Extensive English Library, Telephone Buddy. Sometimes just talking DVDs and talking books, monthly to someone is a first step to feeling magazine, monthly quiz, trips. more in control. Email us for more www.almanzoragof.org or Facebook: information: mojacar.chairman@rbl.

Almanzora Group of Friends. Tel: 634 community. For Welfare advice or help call : 676451780 (9am-5pm, Mon-Sat) 343 147 or email dmwilson@britishlegion.org.uk Living Alone in Spain?

We are a 60+ group of friends who The Royal British Legion - Albox meet for lunch every Wednesday in the Everyone welcome. Monthly meeting Mojácar area. Tel. Ann: 677 877 087 3rd Thursday of every month, La Parrilla, Albox, 11am. Coffee morning 1st Almeria Link Friendship Group Thursday of every month, Oasis Cafe Membership is free and open to all. We Bar, 11.30am. For info contact chairman meet at weekends in the Mojacar area Filip Ostrowski , email Albox.chairman to enjoy dining experiences and form @rbl.community. .For support contact friendships. At 4pm on the first Mrs Pamela Twissell Cross on 676 451 Thursday of each month, we meet for 780 Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm or email: a chat and a drink at D'Angelo's SpainNorth.CommunitySupport@RBL. Restaurant. New members are always Community welcome. Please contact Bob on 950472551 or Cynthia on 950472699 The Royal British Legion - Zurgena & District Branch WOW Women on Wednesday Heather’s Bar, La Alfoquia, every first Kukis, Mojácar Playa, 2pm. Get together, Thursday of the month at 11a.m. Email buy, sell, swap, meet new people. zurgenaRBLsecretary@yahoo.co.uk. See Dames in Huércal Overa www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/zu 3rd Wed. of the month, 10.30am, Hostal rgena Rural Los Sabores de Miguel. All welcome. Mojácar Community Library Tel. Carolyn 637 798 494 Multi-Use centre. Mon, Wed and Fri, 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

11am - 1pm .

Flamenco Forum for English Speakers on Facebook. Information and events.

Tel: 687 480 694 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 Mojácar Walking Group Walks of different levels. Tues & Thurs. levels of experience are welcomed. w w w. m o j a c a r wa l k i n g g r o u p . c o m www.alboxcc.com Indalo Hash House Harriers Psychic Development Circle Various classes at different times. Meet 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11am, various Everyone welcome. Tel: Barbara 637 locations. www.indaloh3.com Dames in Turre 469 937 barbaramoonlight@gmail.com Traditional Japanese Reiki and 11am, last Mon in the month, Hostal Gendai Reiki Ho Rural, Turre. Talks, trips, support for AUAN - Abusos Urbanisticos Classes, workshops, and Reiki shares in Almanzora No local charities. Guests welcome.

Chairman, Carol Pazdzierski Tel: 950 099 Association campaigning for the Mojacar. Tel: 634 347 930, website: 932, Membership Secretary, Eileen McGill legalisation of homes in the Almanzora www.gendaireikispain.com Valley built without proper authority. Ananda Yoga & Holistic Centre Tel: 652 298 072 Meeings on 3rd Sat. of every other Meditation Class, Crystal Class and month, 11am, La Parrilla, Albox. Tel: 617 Holistic Therapies. Contacts : 672 061 Mojácar Bridge Club Mon and Thurs, 7pm. Marina Playa Hotel. 118 209 www.almanzora-au.org 048 (Sharon) or 635 190 515 (Nana) Contact Les 950 437 100 / 634 219 174 Vera & District Lions Club Facebook: Mojácar Bridge Club 6.00pm on the first Wednesday of the Ancestry Club for Beginners & month at Hotel Terraza Carmona, Vera. Intermediate The Royal British Legion, Mojácar First Thursday of the month, meeting Telephone Jo Pearson on 711 00 56 82 Tel. 634 309 590 in the Artisan Centre, Mojacar Pueblo, or email veralionssecretary@gmail.com 11:30am. 3rd Thursday of the month for more information.

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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

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 Kingdom Hall, Jehovah's Witnesses Group Tues 7:30pm & Sun 10.00am. Poligono Turre Evangelical Hall, Thurs, 11am-2pm.

Aljoroque - C/El Cajete 6, Antas. Contact: Tel 950 472 822 or 677 683 385 www.steppingstonescarerssupport.com 652 293 269

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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.

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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

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Fitness & Martial Arts Girasol, Albox Pilates, children’s karate & gymastics, advanced gymnastics, Tai-chi. Tel 639 089 170 Aerobics 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 Various activities. 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 Jova Gym, Mojácar Various activities. www.jovasport.es 950 473 137. See facebook.

Your Stars You are best not to confide in anyone right now.

Sit back. Sudden changes in your financial situation are likely. Pursue outdoor activities or any physical exertion. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Invite friends over rather than spending money on lavish entertainment. You may divulge private information without realising it this month. You will meet new romantic partners if you get involved in seminars or travel. You may have difficulties at an emotional level with mates. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

(Mar. 21- April 20)

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)

Opportunities to show your worth will enhance your reputation and bring possible advancement.

You could expand your circle of friends if you get involved in unusual activities. Talk to an older, established individual about your present situation.

Your tendency to overreact could get you into (Apr. 21- May 21) trouble. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Entertain in your home and make aesthetic enhancements that will please those who reside with you. You can surprise members of your family, which in turn will bring you a pat on the back. Take time to do something nice for yourself.

Look after financial transactions this month. Your (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Use discretion in your dealings and refrain from making verbal promises of any kind. Red tape could be impossible to clear up this month. Minor accidents are likely if you take risks. Your temper could be short if someone criticises your efforts.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a (May 22 - June 21) Saturday.

You will learn easily if you put forth an effort. Your lover may cost you financially. Be sure not to burn any bridges. You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)

Do not let the reactions of others get you going.

Make changes to your home that will be pleasing to everyone involved. You can make money through real estate or by using your head when it comes to personal investments. Your loved ones could set you off. Your luckiest events this (June 22 - July 22) month will occur on a Tuesday.

You have a lot to offer. Get involved in philosophic groups that will enlighten you. Home improvement projects will enhance your residence and bring the family closer together. The great outdoors will allow you to teach youngsters some of the things you learned when growing up. Your luckiest events (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) this month will occur on a Sunday.

You will have problems with coworkers if you are too extreme about doing things perfectly. Set aside any decisions regarding your personal life this month. Things may not be as harmonious as you would like with colleagues or employers this month. Don't do something silly just to get back at your mate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Children may be demanding, and entertainment could cost a lot more than you can really afford.

You will be able to borrow money in order to invest. Try a barbecue or a day at the beach.

Risky financial ventures will result in unrecoverable losses. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

(July 23 - Aug. 22)

(Jan. 21- Feb. 19) This day was meant for love. Make creative changes to your residence. You can make money if you concentrate on producing services or goods that will make domestic chores easier. This is not the day to be extravagant. You may be the recipient of false information. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday

Don't let anyone take credit for a job you did.

Social events will be plentiful. You need to take a break with the ones you love. Arguing won't help. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

(Aug. 23 - Sept. 23)

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)

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Jokes of the Month Off to Las Vegas

Oh Dear

A man comes home to find his wife of 10 years packing her bags. "Where are you going?" demands the surprised husband. "To Las Vegas!

I found out that there are men that will pay me 500 dollars cash to do what I do for you for free!" The man pondered that thought for a moment, and then began packing his bags.

"What do you think you are doing?" she screamed. "I'm going to Las Vegas with you... I want to see how you're going to live on 1,000 dollars a year!"

A photographer from a well known national magazine was assigned to cover the fires at Yellowstone National Park. When the photographer arrived, he realised that the smoke was so thick that it would seriously impede or make it impossible for him to photograph anything from ground level. He requested permission to rent a plane and take photos from the air. He arrived at the airport and saw a plane warming up near the gate. He jumped in with his bag and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot swung the little plane into the wind, and within minutes they were in the air. The photographer said, "Fly over the park and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I am a photographer," he responded, "and photographers take photographs." The pilot was silent for a moment; finally, he stammered, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"

What Daddy Does A third-grade teacher is getting to know her pupils on the first day of school. She turns to one little girl and says, ‘And what does your daddy do?’ The girl replies, ‘Whatever Mummy tells him to.’

Secrets

Marriage

Billy learned at school that everybody has secrets, so he decided to take advantage of it.

One day, as he came home from school, he went to his mother and told her, "Mommy, mommy! I know everything!" His mom, obviously scared to death said, "Here, take 100 dollars and say NOTHING to your father about it, okay?"

"Okay mommy!" says Billy and leaves the room with a big smile on his face. When his dad came from work, he did the same to him as well: "Daddy, daddy! I found out everything!" Numb, his father puts his hand in his pocket: "Here, take a 100 dollars and say NOTHING to your mother, okay?" "Okay!" says Billy with a bigger smile on his face. The next morning, on his way to school, he sees the postman. He thought he could try it on him too: "Mr. Smith, I know everything!" The postman, the minute he heard it, fell on his knees and opened his arms wide: "Then, come... come closer... my son!"

On the banquet celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, Joseph was asked to give his friends a brief account of the benefits of a marriage of such long duration. "Tell us Joseph, just what is it you have learned from all those wonderful years with your wife?" Joseph responds, "Well, I've learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, forbearance, self-restraint, forgiveness -- and a great many other qualities you wouldn't have needed if you'd stayed single."

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No Chance I asked the boss if I could get a raise, and he said, "Because of the fluctuational predisposition of your position's productive capacity as juxtaposed to the industry standards, it would be monetarily injudicious to advocate an increment." I said, "I don't get it." He said, "That's right."

...and next...

The Goat

The Car One day a 12-year-old boy was walking down the street when a car pulled up beside him and the driver lowered a window. "I’ll give you a large bag of M&Ms if you get in the car," said the driver. "No way! Get lost!" replied the boy.

"How about a bag of M&Ms and 10 dollars?" the driver asked. "I said no way," replied the boy.

"What about a bag of M&Ms and 50 dollars?" asked the driver. "No, I’m not getting in the car," answered the boy. "Okay, I’ll give you a bag of M&Ms and 100 dollars," the driver offered. "No!" replied the boy. "What will it take to get you in the car?" asked the driver. The boy replied: "Listen, Dad: You bought the Volvo - you live with it!"

Beautiful Baby The nurse told the parents of a newly born child, "You have a cute baby." The smiling husband said, "I bet you say that to all new parents." "No," she replied, "just to those whose babies really are good-looking." So the husband asked, "So what do you say to the others?" The nurse replied, "The baby looks just like you."

Two guys are walking down a road when they come across a deep hole beside it. Being curious, they go over and check it out. When they look down, they are surprised to find they can’t see the bottom. So they drop a couple of rocks down the hole and listen… Nothing. One of them says, "Man, that’s a deep hole!" Thinking they might hear something larger hit the bottom, they find a big, old cinder block and pitch it over the side. The pause and listen intently…

They hear a sound, but it is coming from behind them! They quickly turn around to see a goat bearing down on them with its head lowered, flying along, its feet barely touching the ground, it’s moving so fast! The two men dive out of its way just in time and the goat plunges past them, into the seemingly bottomless hole, to its doom. The two look at each other and say, "Boy that was close! We’d better get away from this thing before we end up with the goat!" So they continue on their way down the road until they happen across a farmer. The men again put their heads together and figure that the goat belongs to the farmer and they decide to tell him what happened. "Hey Mr. Farmer. Do you happen to own a goat?" one of the men asked. The farmer replies, "Yeah, why do you ask?" The men then tell what happened at the hole and how they narrowly avoided death in the hole from the speeding goat. The farmer said, "Well boys, I don’t think that was my goat.

You see, my goat was really old and crippled up with arthritis. There is no way he could have been moving that fast. Besides, I had him tied to this big, old cinder block."

A Good Memory?

My wife is so negative. I remembered the car seat, the stroller, AND the diaper bag. Yet all she can talk about is how I forgot the baby.

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Coffee Break

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