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The
British Gazette
20th January 2020 - 20th February 2020
Killer storm batters Spain
Free Monthly Issue No 61
Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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eather alerts were issued, as a red warning was released for the region which saw Storm Gloria have devastating affects across areas of Spain. The storm which began on Sunday 19th January saw areas hit with snowfall, heavy winds and torrential rain causing devastation. In Benidorm and local surrounding areas, the heavy winds and
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2 LOCAL NEWS
Three grandads stuck sharing cramped bed in Benidorm lads holiday mix up Local News By Elise Jones
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trio of grandads were left fuming when they were forced to share a bed in a plush Benidorm hotel. Frank Christian, 71, Bernard Fitzgibbon, 69, and John Hough, 71 paid £1,145 each to go on a Hays Travel trip over Christmas and New Year. The pensioners say they were promised three single beds but when they arrived at the Flash Hotel they were told only a double room with two singles was available. "We booked the holiday about six months ago," Frank, a widower, told The Liverpool Echo .“It's always me and my two mates so we know the situation.
Frank, Bernard and John have been friends since school (Image: Liverpool Echo) “On this particular occasion, someone in the office showed us pictures of the rooms and I said there’s only two beds in that room and she said don’t worry about it, that's standard, they'll just put an extra bed in." Frank, who lives in Ormskirk, has been to Benidorm four times with pals John, from Fazakerley, and Bernard, from Croxteth. He added: "This was the first time we had stayed in the Flash Hotel. “We stayed there because we thought it was a bit more upmarket, so we paid extra to have a good holiday. "When we got there, there were only two beds in the
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room. “So we went downstairs to see the manager and they said that’s the way it is. "We spoke to reception and they said they had no other rooms we could swap to. “I even offered to get another room for just one of us and we will pay the extra money but they said they had no more left. "We went out and bought a blow up lilo to sleep on but it wasn't satisfactory. “So, two of us slept across the width of the bed and one down the side of the bed." The sleeping arrangement left the trio, who have known each other since school, trying to sleep a little in spare moments during the day. "We didn’t have a nice holi-
day - it ruined it for us," Frank refused due to the trip costing £1,145 each. added. “We found ourselves coming down in the morning and trying to get 40 winks on the couches as none of us were sleeping properly."
A spokesperson for Hays Travel said: "We have been in touch with the customer and a revised offer has been made, however a full investigation will be carried out into all issues raised and After returning home on Janu- once that is complete we have ary 3, Frank visited Hays Travel advised the customer that we to complain. will be back in touch." He said the group were offered The Flash Hotel has so far made £150 each to put towards an- no comment. other holiday, which they have
Increase in the registration of holiday lets in region to a clampdown on holiday rentals in areas where housing costs are now a hot potato, and where the tourist welcome isn't quite so sunny.
Local News By Elise Jones
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ast year ended with over 81,000 holiday apartments registered in the region, nearly double the number recorded in 2015. Figures released by the Valencian Community Tourism show that the Alicante region, in particular, has seen the biggest increase. Unregulated tourist apartments came under scrutiny during the last decade, especially from the hotel industry, because of a perceived lack of standards and guarantees, giving an unfair advantage to those not paying for registration.
The Spanish government introduced the Tourism Law that threatened sanctions on owners that didn’t register their property in a tourist registry. Online platforms such as TripAdvisor insisted that clients show their registration number, otherwise holiday homes would not be promoted. The Supreme Court actually fined AirBnB €30,000 for hiding registration
numbers. When it comes to tourism, Spain is a superpower with more than 75 million visitors each year, but tourists need places to stay, which means they compete with locals for accommodation where it is scarce, and are thought to be driving up housing costs in some tourist hotspots, according to local politicians and housing activists. This is leading
But holiday rentals are frequently part of the game plan for second home buyers looking for extra income from their investment when not in residence. Platforms like Airbnb are making it easier than ever to reach holiday rental clients, and many owners are taking full advantage of this, but the risks of falling foul of changing rental laws are growing. The authorities seem to be getting more serious about fining people who break the rules, and the fines for illegal tourist rentals have risen to between €20,000 and €40,000, so it’s getting riskier to ignore the regulations.
THE BRITISH GAZETTE
Old Town's hidden gem - Harbour View Local News By News Desk
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ne of the great pleasures of spending time in Benidorm during the cooler months, is choosing a sunny terrace to sit and enjoy an alfresco meal, or cool drink, while you bask in the warmth of the Spanish Winter sunshine. Once you discover Harbour View Café Bar, a hidden gem, sitting in its privileged spot, overlooking a small forest of palm trees towards the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, you may believe you have found your little piece of paradise. Open daily from 10.00h, this warm and friendly cafe bar has recently changed hands and is now under the management of Geoff and his experienced team. Famous for their full English breakfasts, toasties, baguettes, sandwiches, daily specials and delicious selection of
main meals, Harbour View also offers a wide selection of drinks and cocktails, with regular promotions posted on their Facebook page. Boasting a fabulous terrace, bathed in sunlight throughout the day, the café bar is also a perfect spot to watch the spectacular sunsets that light up the skies above Benidorm’s iconic Dove Park on most winter eve-
nings. Harbour View is easily located, at the start of Poniente Beach, at the edge of Benidorm Old Town, on the small road above Parque d’Elche, (Dove Park). Grab a table, pull up a chair, take in the amazing sea views and enjoy the warm hospitality of Benidorm’s newest, friendliest team at Harbour View Café Bar.
3
La Nucia to welcome additional sports centre
Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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a Nucia is set to welcome an additional sports centre this year, providing the much more needed space for the growing and successful sporting activities in the area.
The new sports facility reportedly a 2.4 million euros investment, is being built between La Muixara School and the Camilo Cano Olympic Stadium, along with an accessible large parking area. It is expected for the new facilities to be open by the summer.
4 LOCAL NEWS
Arrests carried out in Benidorm for computer related crimes Benidorm News By Charlotte Taylor
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NEWS
wo individuals of Spanish Nationality have been arrested in Benidorm for alleged computer related crimes, believed to be impersonating computer specialists to acquire more than 20.000 Euros. The investigation revealed the two individuals allegedly contacted victims and fabricated issues with their computers, whilst making believe they worked for a popular software business. The two allegedly advised victims of the made-up issues including viruses and instructed ‘guidance’ as computer specialists. The ‘guidance’ was a front that they used in which the victims’ thought was a way to establish if their devices had been hacked. However, this allegedly allowed the two individuals to gain access to the devices and obtain personal information, passwords, online banking details and to be able to perform transactions to an account held by one of the individuals who was arrested. The arrests were carried out by the National Police, where the two individuals were brought before the courts.
LOCAL
New owners at Little People Nursery School
Benidorm News By Charlotte Taylor
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ittle People Nursery School located in Albir is under new management, we recently visited the educational centre and met with manager Leah. ‘We are a British nursery school offering education for children aged 1 – 6. Years. We understand the importance of learning through play but also the need for carefully planned daily structured activities to promote learning and development. These include literacy, phonics, and maths, cooking and much more as well as
messy and sensory play for the younger children’ ‘The older children follow the UK National Curriculum therefore their day entails English, maths, history, geography, science and much more. We aim to make learning fun and exciting for our children by providing creative activities. We also understand the importance of learning Spanish therefore we delivery daily Spanish sessions for those children whose first language is not Spanish, although this is picked up through interactions and understands how imporwith other children.’ tant the first 6 years of life are for each child. Our nursery ‘The new manager is British school has a homely feel and and aims to make more amaz- the children feel very safe here, ing things happen! Leah’s real often not wanting to leave at passion lies within early years the end of the day’.
To find out more information about Little People Nursery School you can visit them at Avenida Sant Marc 18, Albir or by telephone on 0034 643166243.
6 PROPERTY NEWS
Your guide to community fee's in Spain Property News By News Desk
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he vast majority of properties in Spain located in urban areas belong to a community of owners (comunidad de propietarios in Spanish). As part of a community, the property is liable for payment of fees for upkeep and improvement of the commonly-owned features. In this article, we take a look at community fees in Spain, what they are for, how much they are and what happens if you don’t pay them.
What are community fees? Community fees are paid for the upkeep and improvement of the common elements and include the following:
What is a community property? Any property in Spain that shares an element with another property is classed as a community property. Communal features typically include a swimming pool, sports facilities and gardens. Community properties in
Did you know? Communities of owners must provide full accounts of income and expenditure every year. These must be available to all owners and you should receive a copy after the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
NEWS PROPERTY
munity of owners and must meet your obligations as well as abiding my community rules and regulations.
Electricity and water bills; Cleaning of communal areas; Professional services (e.g. concierge, gardeners, pool cleaners, lifeguard Maintenance of lifts; Insurance for the communal elements.
How much are community
fees? Community fees in Spain range hugely from one community of owners to another. In older buildings with few services you may pay as little as €100 a quarter; in high-end developments, on the other hand, you Did you know? When you could be liable for over €1,000 buy a community property in every three months. Spain you automatically become a member of the com- The amount you pay depends apartment blocks share entrance halls, stairwells and lifts as well as external elements. Properties on larger communities may also include streets and street lighting.
on two factors – your share of the communal elements and the services provided. Your share To calculate how much you
own of the communal elements, the square meterage of your property is taken into account. This is then applied as a percentage of the total area to give your share (cuota de participación in Spanish). Obviously, the larger the property, the higher the share and community fees. Your cuota de participación also determines your voting rights – owners of
larger properties have a higher percentage of the vote. Services provided Services within a community of owners range from little
more than cleaning services and lift maintenance in an older apartment block to a comprehensive range of facilities such as a gym, pool and 24-hour security in high-end developments. Obviously, the more services you receive, the higher community fees you pay. Did you know? The percent-
THE BRITISH GAZETTE age of your share is stated on your title deeds. You might also want to read our article about the buying process. Who decides how much owners pay? Every community of owners has an annual budget, based on previous annual expenses. The budget for the forthcoming year is agreed at the AGM and each owner pays the amount that corresponds to their cuota de participación. Did you know? Payment periods for community fees depend on the individual community. Some charge monthly or quarterly while in others you may make bi-annual payments or exceptionally, receive an annual bill. Can community fees change? In theory, community fees can change as often as agreed at the AGM as long as a majority of owners votes in favour. In practice, most fees rarely go up above inflation every year since few owners are in favour of paying more! Did you know? If you own a garage space and/or storage area within the community, you are also liable for community fees on these. Are there extra community fees? Occasionally, communities of owners have to carry out extra maintenance or modifications to the communal elements because of safety or legal requirements. For example, recladding a façade or installing a ramp at the entrance or a fence around the pool. There’s also essential periodic maintenance such as painting the façade or replacing the tiles in the pool. This work is not usually included in regular community fees (unless the community of owners has a reserve fund) and is generally paid for in ex-
tra installments. For example, three extra payments a year from each owner. What about previous community fees? When you buy a property in Spain your lawyer will ensure that it is free of all debts and encumbrances. These include outstanding community fees. If the seller has debts with the community, your lawyer usually deducts the corresponding amount from the purchase price or ensures that the debt has been settled before you sign the title deeds. Did you know? The seller is obliged to present a certificate from the Community of Owners stating any outstanding debts at the time of signing the title deeds. What happens if an owner doesn’t pay? Spanish law acts swiftly when an owner falls behind on community payments. Once non-payment is detected, the community of owners will first contact the debtor to request payment as soon as possible. If this does not happen, the community issues a court demand for payment. Should this be ignored, an embargo is placed on the property. In extreme cases, the community of owners can request forcible sell of the property at auction in order to receive payment for outstanding debts. It’s best to set up payments for community fees via direct debit at your bank in Spain. This ensures prompt and efficient payment. It is also a good idea to make periodic checks to ensure you are up-to-date with your community fees. Did you know? Owners with outstanding debts on community fees may attend community meetings but they are not permitted to vote or have any say in proceedings.
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8 LOCAL NEWS
Search continues for Philip Pearce missing in Benidorm for over four months Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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NEWS
hilip Pearce aged 68 years old who was holidaying here in Benidorm has been missing for over four months. The last sighting of Philip from Bridgwater, Somerset was when he was released from a police station in the early hours of 10th September 2019. With concerns for Philips welfare his family described him as experiencing memory loss, and that he is confused and disorientated.
went missing, we have to get a court order. We also need it to help for any searches. We are waiting for a letter to confirm a date of when that is happenPhilip’s family are continu- ing". ing to appeal for more information, his Granddaughter There were a number of posCharlotte has said "When sible sightings shared via soPhil went missing, there was cial media platforms, however a lot of media attention and they were sadly unsuccesspeople wanted to find him. ful and were found not to be If we want to get the CCTV Philip. His family flew to Beimages from the night he nidorm sharing poster’s and
LOCAL
TLC @ K.A.N Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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oes your car need some TLC? You need to take a drive down to Car Wash K.A.N in Albir and give your vehicle a new lease of life! Car Wash K.A.N is a family owned hand wash service located along Camino Viejo de Altea 27, in Albir, the road that runs from Benidorm to Albir Gardens Hotel. They offer a fantastic selection of vehicle cleaning services from interior, exterior and full valets for your car and 4 x 4 vehicles, motorcycle cleaning services, mobile home cleaning services, seat and roof cleaning, protection coating and much much more. The experienced team at Car Wash K.A.N are sure to have your vehicle gleaming inside and out, and why not take advantage of their loyalty card where customers who visit nine times can have their tenth clean for free! With great customer reviews and recommendations visit Car Wash K.A.N for all your car wash services, follow them on Facebook or for more information telephone 966864111 / 602615387.
leaflets across the local area, raising awareness of the search for their Father. Phil’s family are persistently searching for answers as Granddaughter Charlotte said "people are still looking out and for that I am so thankful and grateful. That is the only thing happening to find Phil right now. It is nice to know that there are people out there who still care about him and we as a family are grateful for holidaymakers who are taking time out of their holiday to search for Phil".
EAT & DRINK FOOD & DRINK
10 FOOD & DRINK
Eating Out By Scott Taylor
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here’s nothing we like to do more than finding a spot on a terrace to share a drink and something to eat in good company. If it’s something we enjoy in our own town, on holiday in a new town it feels twice as good. If you are reading this article it’s because you have already booked your holiday in Benidorm or are thinking of doing so, maybe looking for terraces, bars or restaurants that meet your expectations.
refreshing drink whilst overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Eat around the Castle area of Benidorm One of the most attractive corners of Benidorm is the area of ‘ El Castillo’, also called the Mediterranean Balcony. The essence of Mediterranean coastal town can be felt more here than from any other point in the town. Sitting on a terrace in this place is one of the most pleasant experiences, where you can listen to the sea and feel the cool sea breeze whilst contemplating the Benidorm skyline, both Levante and Poniente.
Well you’ve found the best place for it, , the town of skyscrapers has a great selection prepared to satisfy all tastes and meet your needs in each area. Do you need recommendations for bars in Benidorm? Do you want to know about some of the best terraces in Benidorm? Are you looking for restaurants in Benidorm? Keep reading!
Where to eat in La Cala of Benidorm and La Cala of Finestrat The Cala of Benidorm is one of the quietest areas of the town. For this reason a lot of the Benidorm locals go there to enjoy long days at the beach. As well as the beach many people visit to enjoy the good restaurants that the area has to offer
Eating on the Levante Beach Benidorm
Eating out in the Old Town
The Levante beach seafront is one of the busiest areas when the sun is up high and also when it goes down.
In Benidorm Old Town, the more you walk the more options you are going to find. . El Paseo de la Carretera, la calle Alameda y Martínez Alejos and the streets that lead from them are where you can find most atmosphere.
On an evening, the discos that are on the seafront, open their terraces and you can enjoy a
THE BRITISH GAZETTE 11
Origins of the British curry
Forget pineapple, kiwi on pizza is now a thing
recipes of Indian pilau, rabbit curry, and Indian pickle. The love of Indian food in England had officially started. The popularity of Anglo-Indian cuisine progressed with the endorsement of Queen Victoria. Her enthusiasm for Indian food took over the nation, as she requested Indian food to be cooked every day by her Indian staff. In fact, by 1852, a cookbook stated that ‘few dinners are thought complete unless [curry] is on the table’.
Local News By Scott Taylor
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he British love of curry dates back to the early 18th century and is considered a national dish, although the origins are obviously Indian. However, as Britain adopted the love of spice, the history of curry changed, with even the term ‘curry’ being an English one. If you go to India, you’ll hardly see the term ‘curry’ anywhere.
This blanket term for Indian food does not exist here – in fact, it is a colonial idiom. The term curry derives from the Tamil word ‘kari’, which means sauce. This rather vague term generally denotes any dish with Indian spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, and coriander. The word ‘curry’ was then first seen in England as early as 1747 in a cookbook. This cookbook featured three
Talk of the town Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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veryone is talking about the recently opened Salt ‘n’ Chilli eatery located in Benidorm. Since opening their doors, the eatery has received fantastic reviews for their amazing Scottish style Chinese cuisine. The team at Salt ‘n’ Chilli bring 25 years of Chinese culinary excellence from the UK, right here to you in Benidorm! With a delicious menu available you can be sure to enjoy Chinese cuisine that tastes ‘just like from back at home’. You can eat in at the restaurant located along Calle Ibiza 9, order a takeaway or opt for their delivery service direct to your home or accommodation. Visit Salt ‘n’ Chilli Benidorm, follow them on Facebook or WhatsApp orders for collection and delivery to 0034 633 410 657.
By the 20th century, ‘curry’ had officially made it into the hearts and palettes of Britain. The flavours, although related to Indian cooking, have been adjusted to the British tastes. In general, British modified curries are creamier, thicker, and sweeter. Britain also tends to categorise Indian cooking by spice level, which is hardly done in India. There is much more variety, as you might expect, in India with their dishes ranging drastically regionally. The ‘chicken tikka masala’ is one of the most renowned British curries. A derivative of the Indian Butter Chicken, legend states that the tikka masala curry was created in Glasgow. This dish has since been titled Britain’s National Dish.
P
ineapple on pizza is divisive to say the least, but it seems there’s a new tropical fruit topping in town.
A Danish restaurant has created an all-new type of pizza – with ham and kiwi fruit on top. After visiting the pizzeria, an unimpressed tourist posted a snap of the unusual pizza on Twitter – which caused a frenzy of comments to follow. Many seemed disgusted with the exotic creation and couldn’t get their head around the bizarre combination. One replied: ‘This is so terrifying I can’t even type now. It’s worse than I thought.’ Another chipped in: ‘I could almost taste the combined flavours of the cheese and kiwi — its saltiness and its sweetness and tartness respectively. Like it could be a good flavour combination much like that of cheese and grapes or berries.’ ‘You know what… that might not be that bad. I’d at least try it once, before talking sh*t’, another added. Another user said: ‘Yeah I’m curious if it would taste as how I am imagining it, which isn’t too terrible, I suppose.’ But it seems Scandinavia, in general, is big on rogue pizzas. A Swedish restaurant puts a different type of fruit its pizza… banana.
12 FOOD & DRINK
Pairing wine with food: a simple guide Food & Drink By News Desk
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ver wondered which white wine to match with your pasta? Or curious as to the best reds for steak night? Get clued-up with our handy guide to food and wine pairings.
EAT & DRINK FOOD & DRINK
This useful infographic is brought to you by the BBC Good Food Wine Club simplifies pairing food with wine to show you popular flavour combinations that work well. Make your favourite BBC Good Food recipes at home before using our guide to decide on the best bottle of red, white or sparkling wine to pair with your food. Everyone’s perceptions of wine flavours are entirely different. Whether you enjoy a full-bodied red or a dry white wine, the characteristics of each tend to match certain food groups. For
example, the bright and acidic notes in a bottle of sauvingon blanc go wonderfully with the sharp, salty taste of goat’s cheese – so pairing with a goat’s cheese tart will taste delicious. Similarly, the full-bodied nature of malbec leaves behind notes of black plum in your mouth and such sweet flavours balance perfectly with a well-seasoned sirloin steak.
THE BRITISH GAZETTE 13
Top Spanish Foods to try in Benidorm
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ome of the most famous chefs in the world hail from Spain. There are restaurants in the Basque Country and Catalonia which you have to book a year, rather than a month in advance. But posh nosh aside, discover the top ten traditional Spanish foods to try n Benidorm Patatas Bravas Whilst the Spanish are keen on spices, they're not so hot for spicy food. One of the few exceptions to the rule is this famous Spanish dish and nationwide favourite, patatas bravas. Here a fiery red sauce, varying in composition from province to province, accompanies humble spuds which have been peeled, cubed, and fried. Paella One of the most famous Spanish dishes is, of course, paella. For an authentic paella, visit Valencia, it was here in the mid-19th century, on the shores of Lake Albufera, that the dish was born. In a Valencian paella, the key ingredients are chicken and
rabbit although the seafood versions are considered traditional in more coastal areas. Gazpacho Nothing cools you down more on a hot summers day, aside from a cold shower than a starter of this chilled soup. Which explains why this Spanish dish hails from mainland Spain's most southerly region, Andalucia. Combining pestle-and-mortared cucumber, garlic, onion, pepper, and tomato with olive oil, salt, water and wine vinegar, the gazpacho receives a happy finish of chopped cucumber, onion, pepper, and tomato.
Calamari There is an argument that anything tastes good deep-fried. What is beyond doubt is the scrumptious crunchmeets-chewy gastronomic experience of battered squid. Especially when doused in freshly-squeezed lemon.
Tortilla Española Another traditional Spanish tapas dish, Spanish omelette, is nothing like the version which used to appear in British kitchens with judicious use of chunky pepper. Tortilla Española is also known as "tortilla de patatas" where pre-fried potatoes are the main ingredients after eggs. Chopped onion is Jamón Ibérico sometimes added to the Walk into any bar, let recipe which often sparks alone restaurant, in any controversial conversapart of Spain and you'll tions with Spaniards. always see a leg of ham. One of the bar staff will, Chorizo on request, slice the You'll certainly know ham into succulent slic- when you've sampled this es to create one of the traditional Spanish dish, country's most distinc- as the taste lingers forsetive taste sensations. A veral hours after you eat popular Spanish tapas this spicy and sweet saudish, Spain produces sage. Especially as whoa massive 40 million ever's made it would have hams a year. probably gone heavy on the garlic.
Welcome to COCO Local News By Charlotte Taylor
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oco Benidorm is a great café bar to visit whether you are living here in Benidorm and local surrounding areas or holidaying in the resort. You can find Coco Benidorm opposite Camping El Raco Restaurante along Avenida del Doctor Severo Ochoa, where the popular drinks spot is under new management.
Cocktail menu, enjoy great bucket beer deals and entertainment including fantastic live music and karaoke. Why not enjoy an afternoon in Benidorm on the large sunny terrace and join them for Coco’s afternoon quiz with great prizes on offer?!
At Coco Benidorm you will find a welcoming and friendFollow Coco Benidorm on Facebook and ly environment where you can keep upto date with all of their afternoon sample some of their temptquiz, live music and karaoke details. ing cocktails from their Coco
14 FOOD & DRINK your perfect tortilla wrap. There were helpings of grated mixed cheese, fiery salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos to spice up dish and even a portion of chilli to add to the wraps. These really are the best fajita wraps I’ve eaten here in Benidorm!
EAT & DRINK FOOD & DRINK
FOOD REVIEW 1 SGT PEPPERS BENIDORM
My Husband and I were also served a sharing plate of Sgt Peppers succulent bbq ribs, where the tender meat fell from the bone in a delicious sticky sauce. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals; in fact we struggled to finish the very generous portions of food and had no room left for dessert.
on the spacious terrace were tucking into their meals and drinks. Our meals were served, and what can we say……they looked amazing!
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his month my Husband and I enjoyed an afternoon lunch date at Sgt Peppers Bar and Grill, located just off Avenida del Mediterraneo, along Avenida Filipinas the road that leads through to Levante Beach. This was our first visit to the eatery and were looking forward to sampling some fantastic dishes from their menu.
There really is something for everyone here on the menu at Sgt Peppers from a selection of salads, club sandwiches, wraps and paninis, a selection of ‘big’ burgers and hot dogs, tex mex dishes, house favourites and of course their renowned grill dishes. There are dishes that can be adapted to suit every diners taste, and for the little ones there are a variety of dishes
My Husband’s dish was a large slate platter, loaded with a succulent sirloin steak cooked to perfection, well done as he had ordered, crispy cooked chips and onion rings, a portion
We thoroughly enjoyed our meals here at Sgt Peppers of creamy coleslaw and a fresh crisp side salad. There was also a fiery peppercorn sauce to accompany the piece of quality meat. The faijtas that I had ordered were also of great portion size, a large sizzling serving platter of succulent strips of chicken breast, mixed with wedges of peppers and onions in a smoky tex mex sauce.
We were greeted with a warm welcome from Elena when we arrived and decided on sitting inside the establishment as the late afternoon winter weather is a little colder now here in Benidorm.
If you can find room for dessert however, you can tuck into Sgt Peppers sweet things including a warm Alabama chocolate fudge cake and ultimate malted brownie.
and will certainly be returning with our family soon. The team will ensure that you have a great dining experi
to choose from on the children’s menu. My Husband decided on ordering a steak from the grill, whist I ordered the chicken fajitas.
We chatted away whist we Our drinks order was taken awaited our food, in a great promptly as we looked over relaxed environment, music was playing and people both the extensive grill menu. inside the restaurant and out
To accompany the chicken was fresh tortillas and a great selection of toppings to make
ence whilst enjoying excellent quality food and drink in the heart of Benidorm.
THE BRITISH GAZETTE 15
Ordering coffee in Spain
F
irst, you should know the espresso brewing method is the most popular way to prepare coffee in Spain. This method forces extremely hot, pressurized water through finely ground coffee beans. This results in a stronger flavor in a smaller amount of coffee. A cup of coffee brewed in this manner is often referred to as espresso.
right? Well, there’s a little more to it, which is why we’ve created this guide for ordering coffee in Spain. Coffees Served with Little or No Milk Café Solo A café solo is a small cup of strong, black espresso. Café Americano If the intensity of a café solo is a bit much, try a café americano. This coffee contains the same amount of caffeine as a café solo but with more water, resulting in a milder flavor.
Ordering coffee in Spain involves the barista taking a cup of espresso and then adding milk to your liking. They won’t add any sugar. Rather, you will receive packets of sugar to add to your coffee yourself. Spanish coffee might taste more bitter than you’re used to, which can be attributed to the torrefacto method of preserving roasted coffee beans. The story of torrefacto is interesting, and linked to the Spanish Civil War. If you’re looking for non-torrefacto coffee in Spain, you should head to a specialty
Café Cortado A café cortado is a small cup of espresso with just a splash of milk. Other regions in Spain may refer to this drink as café manchado (coffee stained with milk). However, in some places, un manchado can mean the exact opposite: a glass of milk stained with a little bit of coffee, so be sure to specify!
coffee shop. If you just want a regular cup of joe, you can get one in most every bar
and restaurant. Sounds
simple
enough,
Café con Hielo This summertime favorite is simply coffee with ice. The barista will give you two glasses: one containing black espresso and another containing ice cubes. To enjoy, add sugar to your liking, stir to dissolve the sugar in the hot coffee, and pour your coffee over the ice. It’s a feat of physics if you can get all the coffee into the other glass without spilling any! Carajillo This coffee order doesn’t have a drop of milk—instead, it has alcohol! A carajillo is espresso served with rum, whisky or brandy. Coffees Served with a Lot of Milk Café con Leche A café con leche is coffee served with equal parts espresso and milk. Sometimes when you order this, the waiter may ask if you want hot or cold milk. If you’re in a bit of a hurry and can’t wait for the steamed milk to cool, you can ask for leche fría o leche del tiempo (cold or room temperature milk). More on that below! Café Bombón A café bombón is espresso with sweetened condensed milk. If you have a sweet tooth, you have to try it!
Decaffeinated Coffees Fresh decaffeinated coffee isn’t very popular in Spain, and many cafes may only have it in instant form. If you order a café descafeinado de sobre, you’ll receive a cup of hot milk and a packet of instant decaffeinated coffee. However, some cafes offer descafeinado de máquina (machine-brewed decaffeinated coffee). If you see it on the menu, decide how you would like your coffee served, and be sure to clarify that you want it prepared with decaffeinated coffee. For example, if you want a decaffeinated café americano, simply say: Querría un café americano descafeinado. Other Coffee Vocab In Spain the barista or waiter will often ask you how you’d like the milk in your coffee. Your decision will affect the temperature of your coffee when it’s served to you, so decide based on whether you like a scalding cup, a cool one, or something in between! Here are your options: Caliente: Hot, steamed milk Fría: Cold milk Templada: A mix of hot and cold milk If you have a preference on the vessel you’d like to drink your coffee out of, you can also specify: Taza: A mug with a handle Vaso: A little glass with no handle Enjoy Coffee the Spanish Way Now that you’ve got ordering coffee in Spain down, the last thing to note is that the traditional way to drink coffee here is not on the go. Do as the Spaniards do: drink your coffee in a beautiful public square or a quaint café, using the time to catch up with friends and family. You can use the opportunity as a short respite from exploring Madrid! Of course, if you’re on the go, Benidorms specialty coffee shops will be happy to send you on your way with your delicious cup of Spanish coffee! If you’re at a normal bar or restaurant, though, they might not have to go cups.
18 FOOD & DRINK
EAT & DRINK FOOD & DRINK
FOOD REVIEW 2 NEPALI TANDOORI LUNCH SPECIAL MENU This month my Husband and I enjoyed the new lunch menu available at Nepali Tandoori House located along the Calle Lepanto in the Rincon de Loix area of Benidorm. The popular eatery offers authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes, with fantastic food and dining reviews.
ble curry was packed with a variety of vegetables in a mild curry sauce as I had ordered, and the rice alike to my husbands was light and fluffy and served piping hot. We both devoured our meals and shared the freshly cooked naan bread laden with garlic. The portion sizes here are great and ensure that you won’t leave the eatery hungry! We were both fully satisfied with the meals and I had no room left for dessert, I decided on having a cappuccino whilst my Husband had a serving of vanilla ice cream. We both thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon lunch menu at the Nepali Tandoori House,
inside in the cool air-conditioned dining area as the weather here has been glorious over the last week. Our drinks order was taken as we looked over the new three course afternoon menu. I decided on ordering the vegetable pakora starter whilst by Husband opted
of fresh poppadoms and sauces as our meals were be
an establishment in the heart of the Rincon de Loix that ensures you receive fantastic service and incredible authentic
food. The Nepali Tandoori house offer a fantastic array of food and drink, that is adapt The restaurant has recently extended its service and now open from Tuesday to Sunday lunch times from 12.30 to 15.30 with a delicious afternoon set menu.
My Husband and I arrived just after opening and were greeted with a warm welcome from Jolmi and the team. We decided on sitting
for the chicken tikka starter. We were undecided on our main courses and eventually decided on the lamb curry, with boiled rice and the vegetable curry with boiled rice.
We also added an extra garlic naan bread to the menu to share. We enjoyed the selection
ing prepared. Our starters were served, my starter was of a great portion size, freshly cooked vegetable pakora that were cooked well, lightly spiced and tasted delicious. My Husband’s chicken tikka was also of a great portion size -a plate with succulent pieces of spiced chicken breast. We both cleared our plates and thoroughly enjoyed our starters.
ed to suit your taste. Call by and dine here at Calle Lepan to 21, for afternoon lunch or
Next to be served were our main meals, as our plates were served the dishes looked fantastic. My Husbands main dish of lamb curry was a medium spiced sauce just as he had ordered, a sauce of a great consistency, loaded with tender pieces of lamb. This was accompanied with a light and fluffy boiled rice. My vegeta-
for your evening meal - you won’t be disappointed!
THE BRITISH GAZETTE 19
Its a piece of cake
Spanish beers
S
pain is one of Europe’s biggest beer producers, so chances are you’ll want to try una cerveza (or two) when visiting The Dorm. Forget about the beers back home while you are here in Benidorm - But where to start? Many bars will serve you the local beer, so we’ve covered some popular local favourites, but Spain’s craft beer scene is also going from strength to strength. So from well-known classics to a new wave of micro brews, we explore the best cervezas to sample.
Estrella Damm This is the favoured beer in Barcelona and the one most likely to be served if you ask for a beer in Spain’s second largest city. The brand was founded in 1876, making it the oldest in Spain. Their beers have a rich, malty taste (the company is one of the last in the world that produces all of its malt barley in its own malthouse).
Moritz The only beer in Spain whose label is written entirely in Catalan, Moritz is a Pilsner larger brewed in Barcelona. Mahou Cinco Estrella It has become quite readily The beer you’ll most like- available throughout Spain, ly receive if you ask for una however, and is a popular tipcerveza (a beer) or una caña ple throughout the country. (a little beer), it was first introduced in 1936 and has been Ambar consumed in many a tapas This beer’s medium roastbar ever since. The blonde ed malt gives it its signature beer has a light taste and is bright amber colour and its the perfect refreshing tipple soft, balanced taste, making on a warm Spanish day. it a refreshing and popular drink. It is brewed in Spain’s La Virgin oldest brewery, in ZaragoThis craft beer, brewed in Las za, which also offers guided Rozas, just outside Madrid, tours (advanced booking rehas a full-bodied fruity taste. quired). The brew won four You can visit the brewery for medals in the 2016 World tours, tastings and a bite to Beer Awards. eat in its laid-back restaurant. Choose from the Ma- Spain’s biggest beer brand drid Lager, a pale lager, the is currently owned by Dutch Jamonera, an Amber Ale, the brewing behemoth Heinek360 pale ale or the brand’s en. It was founded in Seown IPA. ville in 1904 by two brothers from the Osborne sherry
family (creator of the iconic Osborne bulls). The brand, which is especially popular in Andalusia, makes several different types of beer but its Pilsner lager is the most popular. It was the first Spanish beer brand to create an alcohol-free beer, in 1976 and is the official sponsor of Spain’s national football team. Rosita Negra This honey-coloured ale is another popular addition to Spain’s craft beer scene. The taste is fruity (the brand says you should be able to detect banana and red apple, alongside a back note of molasses). The beer is available in three varieties: Rosita Original, a honey-coloured ale; Rosita d’Ivori, a light blonde beer and Rosita Negra, a brown ale. Alhambra This pale lager is brewed in Granada, southern Spain, and takes its name from its most famous sight, the stunning Moorish fortress that over looks the city. It was founded in 1925 and has been part of Mahou-San Miguel since 2007. The brand produces several different beers, from its Alhambra Traditional, a refreshing premium lager, to the Alhambra Reserva 1925, its most artisanal brew, inspired by the original beers produced at the brewery in
Local News By Charlotte Taylor
T
he team at the British Gazette recently visited the popular eatery ‘It’s a Piece of Cake’ and met with Linda and Connie. ‘It’s a Piece of Cake’ situated in the lovely bay of La Cala, Finetstrat is not just about cake, we offer a full menu, ‘Sing ‘a’ long Sunday’ with Sunday lunch, special occasion cakes and of course we also have dessert covered. We are ran and managed by a small family team and we are now going into our second
successful year. We are a family that has come from the West Midlands to live our life in sunny Spain. Mother and Daughter team play the main roles within the eatery, alongside our fantastic chef. In England we had our own café for thirteen years, so we are at the top with great customer service. At ‘It’s a Piece of Cake’ we await you with a warm welcome. Come as customers and leave as friends! Find us on Facebook for more information at It’s a Piece of Cake, and visit us at Avenida Marina Baixa 3, Local 2, La Cala.
22 LOCAL NEWS
NEWS
Local News By Phil Watson
Killer storm batters Spain FROM THE FRONT PAGE
LOCAL
torrential rainfall took its toll as tragically an individual who was reported missing, lost their life after a body was discovered in Guadalest river. Storm Gloria forced all local schools and educational centres to close, local businesses and roads were affected along with Alicante Airport being forced to close from Sunday 19th til Monday 20th January. This was linked to the airport fire the occurred a few days earlier and issues surrounding the weather conditions causing further complications.
THE BRITISH GAZETTE
24 NATIONAL NEWS
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28 LIFESTYLE NEWS
Polka dots on nails to half moon cuticles: Unique nail art for short nails is trending
Local News By Phil Watson
National News By News Desk
N
LIFESTYLE
ail art has been a huge rage for some time now. But, when it comes to getting your nails manicured, the scope may seem limited, especially if you have short nails, or are getting nail art done on your actual nails and not extensions. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be creative, so here are some designs you can try on short or natural nails, which look great with minimal effort! GEOMETRIC LINES Paint your nails in vibrant colours, and paint straight lines on one (or more) nails. This quick nail art looks great, and brings out the bold, playful side of you! FREEHAND POLKA DOTS ON MATTE NAILS Add a personal touch to your matte nails by painting polka dots with different colours. Apply a layer of matte top coat, and flaunt your nails like a boss! HALF-MOON CUTICLES The lazy-girl’s shortcut to editorial-style minimal nails, this is both chic and easy. You need a stencil to get that halfmoon shape at the base, but apart from that, this nail art is a child’s play. CATS ON YOUR NAILS
and paint the ring finger in a different colour. Draw a cat on it using a thin brush, fill it with colour and apply a matte top coat. COLOURBLOCKED NAILS
Colour block just one nail to keep them looking classy and Love cats? Flaunt it through chic. Here, shades of pink have these cat-inspired nails. Paint been used to achieve the look. your nails in a subtle colour,
29
Mum worried she'd be too fat to fit in plane seat to Benidorm sheds 6 stone Lifestyle By Newsdesk
A
mum-of-three lost an incredible six stone in nine months after ditching "emotional eating" habits sparked by a fear of being too fat for an aeroplane seat. Jane Simpkins used to gorge on biscuits, crisps and chocolate toast and found finding clothes which fit her "a chore".
rassment of being unable to fit her 48 inch waist into a plane seat has motivated an incredible transformation and seen her limit herself to a diet of a mere 1,000 calories a day. However, it's not as strict and boring as you might think for Jane, who tipped the scales at 20st 2lb, enjoys steak with vegetables for lunch and chicken wraps for dinner - beginning the day with egg on toast for breakfast.
But she was self-conscious about her weight, and it was an upcoming girl's holiday to Benidorm which saw her fear the worst.
And Jane, 39 from Stapleton, has reduced her waist by a staggering 13.5 inches.
The
She told Nottinghams-
potential
embar-
hire Live: "Being a busy mum-of-three I always ate the wrong food and my weight soon piled on.Trying to find clothes in a size 22 that covered my figure rather than if I liked them was a chore. A trip to Benidorm was booked and I was panicking about being the biggest one in the group and not fitting on the plane seat, so I decided enough was enough. I contacted a Cambridge Weight Plan consultant." But it wasn't just the fear of fitting into a plane seat or wearing a swimming costume that spurred Jane on. It was also concern for her kids. She said: "My weight was also affecting my children as I took them to the park and various other
places. I would watch from the sidelines as I felt ashamed of joining in due to my size. I didn't want people looking at my children, thinking 'oh they've got a fat mum' so I'd just sit down and tell them to go play.� And the break in Benidorm? Fantastic!
30 LOCAL NEWS
THE BRITISH GAZETTE 21
Jet2 cyber-attack: IT worker with Benidorm grudge jailed Local News By Elise Jones
ous hearing. Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told Burns: "You intended to cause as much damage to Jet2's computer system as you could.
A
former Jet2 IT contractor with a grudge was been jailed in late December for a cyber-attack on the company. Scott Burns, 27, of Queen Street in Morley, Leeds, was jailed for 10 months for his actions, which cost the company ÂŁ165,000.
Burns wanted revenge for the firm's treatment of him following an incident at a 2017 "Benidorm roadshow", Leeds Crown Court heard.
Details about happened at the event in Benidorm were not outlined in court.
stopped Burns' actions being a "complete disaster" for Jet2.
The court heard only fast-thinking by one employee at the Leeds-based airline
Burns pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Computer Misuse Act at a previ-
She said another IT employee managed to create a new hidden admin account as the attack was happening, allowing accounts to be re"This went far beyond being built from a back-up and mischievous. This was a re- averting "complete disaster". venge attack for a perceived slight you had suffered." She said Burns also accessed the email account of Jet2 Judge Stubbs said he chief executive Steve Heapneeded to send a message ey. about the "pernicious and far-reaching impact" of cy- Jamie Horncastle, from the ber-crime to "those minded National Crime Agency, said: committing this type of of- "Network intrusion is not a fence". victimless crime. Not only did Burns' actions have a poProsecutor Rebecca Austin tential financial impact on told the court Burns used Jet2, it caused huge disruplogins he still had to access tion to their staff and technithe system and delete all cal operations."
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