contents
issue
35 costa culture
6
Cover story
The Truth About Valentine’s Day by Mike Wilkinson
costa getaways
8
Cover story Shaken not stirred - Martinique by Harvey Mann
costa companies
12
Mens Stuff Things not to say on your Valentine’s date... What Men Want What Women Want Hannah’s Beauty Tips Luscious Lashes now available on the Costa Helen Johnson Commiting to a lifetime of fitness Health article Is there any food better than fruit Health news Benefits of omega 3...
costa homes
38 44 48
8
56
Cover story Interiors Taking the inside out Handy Home Tips Daffodils - joys of Spring by Simon Hill
Step by step guide to buying a property in Spain Getting it right... or maybe left by Peter Harrison
costa stuff
58 60
Local Business Spotlight
costa lifestyle
20 22 23 24 26 28 32
54
62 64 66 68 69 70 72 76
Spiritual Thought Showbiz Whispers / Movie Review The Wild Boar by Peter Harrison Costa Cuisine Strange But True & Challenge Animal Health Short story - It’s a dogs life Bytes and Pieces Are you ready for 2008 The Spanish connection - New author Maggie Howard
guide to the costa
78
Bars and Restaurants
6 38
Hello and welcome... To issue 35 of Costa Life Magazine. With Christmas and New Year well behind us we are now looking forward to an early Easter (March 23rd Easter Sunday). Don’t forget Andalusian Day on the 28th February and that most Spanish business’s will take the Los Puentes, which will be the Friday as well. Also Valentines day is here again, so come on fellas, don’t forget your wives and girlfriends! Why not take the opportunity to use our advertisers and choose a special gift for that someone special or book a nice meal in a restaurant. In this issue Mike Wilkinson gives his amusing version on the truth about Valentines… Also, don’t forget Mother’s day on the 2nd March. Wow, it’s a busy time over the next couple of months. January has been a good start to the year for us and we are looking forward to Spring and a busy 2008. In May we will be celebrating our 4th birthday with issue number 38, a great landmark for us after four years hard work. Harvey is back, with a piece on his recent trip to Martinique, and we are hoping he will be writing for us about his trips to China and Australia in the next few months. He has put off his operation for a while so hopefully we can get a few more pieces from him. Anyway, enjoy this months issue and see you in March.
* As of going to print we have been having problems with Telefonica (what’s new). If you can’t contact us on the landline please call the mobile or email.
Editor Sharon Holdsworth Consulting Editor Harvey Mann Design and Production David Philliskirk Advertising Sales Ronan Holdsworth IT Advisor Dave Howard of Alphashare Web Master Mike Wilkinson Contributors Linda Christie Peter Harrison Hannah Henley Simon Hill Helen Johnson Paula Monaghan Jan Morley Dr J.S. Nicolas Cruella Parsons Annette Riggall Russell Vaughn Mike Wilkinson Company Director Ronan Holdsworth Partner Barrie Shearman Images courtesy of Costa del Sol Tourist Board JumpFotoArt.com 951 272 693 PR Shots Deposito Legal MA-0054-2004
For Information on distribution points, sales or any other enquiries call 952 492 250*, 600 713 028 or email: info@costalifemagazine.com or visit our website www.costalifemagazine.com *new contact number
Reproduction of this magazine in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited. The views expressed by contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within this magazine, the publishers can accept no liability.
Produced by and part of the HOLDSWORTH SHEARMAN MEDIA GROUP
952 492 250 info@costalifemagazine.com
PROPERTY OF THE MONTH MACP 445 LOVELY PROPERTY
320,000 €
BUILD; 95M2 PLOT; 400M2 BEDS; 3 BATHS; 2 A superb traditional Spanish rustic style detached property on a private plot within a small select urbanization of only 6 houses. This beautiful Finca is unique in many ways and is totally separate from the other houses allowing privacy. The outside area is lovely; with a delightful stream a stone throw away that have fish, badgers and the lovely sound of flowing water. There is a good size roof terrace and a wonderful community pool and terrace area for the community members to enjoy.
MACP-444 Coin
695,000 €
BUILD; 300m2 PLOTS; 8000m2 BEDS; 4 BATHS; 4 A great private Finca unusually shaped and partially stone clad was previously two Finca, now reformed into one, with the appropriate amended Escritura's. The property is fully fenced with electric gates, grand drive lined with palm trees, Yucca trees and mature shrubs. The land is good for horses, kennels; mobile homes etc., there are four separate plots of land, three previously used for grazing with a small plot behind the well house suitable for stabling or such like. A beautiful rustic, spacious Finca that is extremely cosy and comfortable. Bank valuation of over 900,000 Euros.
MACR-446 Pizarra
390,000€
BUILD; 100M2, 145M2 WORKSHOP PLOT; 350M2 BEDS; 3 BATHS; 2 Commercial and residential premises, new on the market. A perfect opportunity to purchase this semi detached 3 bed property with a full equipped work shop 145m2 + 40m2 of mezzanine. The resident property is very spacious, beautifully finished throughout and has a lovely private court yard with a salt water swimming pool. The work shop can be used for business or additional accommodation. The property is situated on the outskirts of a lovely village with ample parking, and is only 30 minutes from Malaga airport and the coast. A fantastic investment property.
MATH-447 Alhaurin el Grande
299,000€
BUILD; 118.62 PLOT; 133.49M2 BEDS; 2/3 BATHS; 2/HALF A stunning property on Alhaurin Golf course. This beautiful immaculate semi detached town house really does stand out from the rest; it is gorgeously decorated right through to high standards and is situated in a lovely part of the golf course. The property although very serious has the opportunity of easily closing in the top roof terrace making it into a 3 bed room house which will add to its value. There are 2 terraces, a balcony, communal gardens and a great pool to enjoy. A truly adorable property perfectly ready to move straight in.
MACP-442 Malaga / Pizarra
595,000€
Build: 225m2, Plot: 3000m2, Beds: 4, Baths: 3 A superb country property on a private plot with the best view you could wish for. This traditional designed Spanish property is very spacious with bundles of character and many special features. A delightful garden to be enjoyed with a lovely private casita for guests or letting, the pool area is gorgeous with a Jacuzzi looking over the beautiful county side. A charismatic property with much potential.
MACP-376 Alhaurin El Grande
340,000 €
BUILD; 2,500M2 PLOT; 2,500M2 BEDS; 2 COULD BE 3, BATHS; 1 Beautiful 2 bedroom country Finca with good size swimming pool. Set in a manageable 2500 sq m plot this property is well placed for easy access to Cartama Pueblo just a few minutes away and Malaga and its airport within 15 to 20 mins drive. Build size is 89 sq m, fitted kitchen, air con both hot and cold and open fireplace. Lots of fruit trees and shrubs, specimen Mulberry tree overhangs patio with masses of luscious fruit perfect area for that evening gin and tonic!
MACP-248
MACP-435 SOLE AGENT Alhaurin el Grande
349,000€
131 sq m build plus 62 sq m outbuildings 2/3 bedroom A fully fenced plot with a great a garden full of flowers. The main house at present has two bedrooms but was once a three bed and can easily be turned back. There is the option of converting the outbuilding into more accommodation or left as it is now a big work room.
MACP-335 Monda
349,000 €
MACP-424 Guaro
640,000 €
Build 180 sq m Plot 12,000 sq m Beds 3 plus I guest accommodation Fantastic country villa with feature split level open plan living room and separate dining room. 3 bedrooms with a superb self contained one bedroom guest cottage in separate building. Full central heating plus air con. This villa is well located in Guaro, but is near enough to the town to enjoy its typically Spanish atmosphere. Guaro's "Luna Mora" celebrations in September are world renowned and form a major attraction in the area. Excellent south facing pool covered BBQ area and fabulous views across the surrounding area from its dominant hilltop position.
BUILD; 170M2 PLOT; 233M2 BEDS; 4 BATHS; 3, KITCHENS: 2
MACP-440 Alhaurin El Grande
This lovely house is situated on the ONLY urbanization in Monda, which has about 24 houses all of different design, which makes this property very unique. Monda is a beautiful and pleasant place to be. The house itself is split into two levels each with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen; very spacious and has great views over the countryside the village and Monda castle. There is a lovely garden and terrace area easy to manage and again a nice area to enjoy the gorgeous views. A short drive from the Marbella Gun and Country club, and only 15 minutes to Marbella and 20 minute to Malaga airport. An exceptional property.
BUILD; 123M2, APARTMENT 55 M2 PLOT; 1,500M2 BEDS; 3, COULD BE MORE, BATHS; 2 A perfect villa in excellent condition. This villa is finished to very high standard, is very roomy, and has a great pool area and fantastic views. There is also the option of having a one bedroom apartment for guests or to rent as an extra in come. This property is great value for money and is very close to all amenities.
REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE
520,000€
BUILD; 215M2 PLOT; 3000M2 BEDS; 4 BATHS; 2 Country style villa, situated between Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande with fantastic views of the Guadalhorce valley. Close to Lauro Golf, only 20 min. from Malaga airport, and 5 min. from all amenities. Sold fully furnished. Large private pool, kidney shaped, with pergola. Landscaped and fenced garden. Many palm and some fruit trees. Automatic gate (2 entrances). Living area built on one level with garage/storage underneath. One big area for the dining room and salon. Rustic floor, open fireplace a/c hot/cold. Aluminium sliding doors leading to big covered terrace and pool area. Fully fitted kitchen. Big workshop or guest apartment.
MACP-439 SOLE AGENT Alhaurin el Grande
300,000€
875,000 €
BUILD: 225, PLOT 18,200M2, BEDS 3 COULD BE MORE, BATHS: 2/HALF PLUS OUTSIDE TOILET AND SHOWER A magnificent villa on a lovely private plot with the best view you could wish for. The villa is very spacious with bundles of character and many special features. A charming court yard that can be enjoyed or easily covered over making more living space, an out side exclusive Jacuzzi, a great pool area and rap around covered terraces. The garden is totally landscaped and surrounds the property perfectly. If you take pleasure in privacy, spectacular views and tranquilly then this property is for you.
>> costaCULTURE
Written By:
Mike Wilkinson
mike@costalifemagazine.com
T
he origins of Valentine’s Day are borne more of legend than of history. Apparently, during the founding days of Rome, the city was surrounded by a dense forested wilderness where packs of vicious wolves roamed free. So fearful of these beasts were the Romans, that they created a God, Lupercus (‘‘lupus’’ being Latin for ‘‘wolf’’) God of the shepherds - enemy of wolves, who was charged to watch over and protect the rustic sheep-herders and their flocks. The Romans honoured their God on 15th of February each year, during the Lupercalia spring celebrations, where they would sacrifice wolves to him and then, as Romans did, go have an orgy. Clothed solely in the hides of goats, they would cut off bloody strips from the sacrificial wolves’ pelts and run amuck the city slapping women with them. Women volunteered themselves for a slapping due to a belief that they would be purified and made fertile. (February, or Febrius to the Romans, actually means ‘‘month of purification’’). After the woman-slapping bit, the whole of Rome indulged in a kind of love lottery, where men drew names of women from an urn, who then became their ‘‘partners’’ for the remainder of the festival. (We retain this tradition today, but now it’s called wife-swapping or swinging, and it’s the women who draw a set of car keys from a fruit bowl.) Anyway, as Rome became more refined and Christian, the wife-swapping bit became out of favour and 6 costa life
unacceptable to the church. So the church moved the spring holiday to the 14th of February and dedicated the day, instead, to the Christian martyr Valentine. It was transformed into a spring festival of chaste love and longing - with rose petals, singing chaffinches and love sonnets. ‘‘But who of this martyr, Valentine?’’ I hear you ask. Well, back in 269AD, Valentine, a Roman priest and noble man, was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. Story has it that he was going around marrying people after the Romans had gone and outlawed marriages on the basis that it gave centurions a desire to stay at home with their wives rather than go and fight bloody battles for the Emperor. When the law-makers got wind of these outlawed matrimonial proceedings they imprisoned our hero and sentenced him to death least he denounce his faith. During his time in chains, he was frequently visited by the jailor’s daughter, who became enamored by his ideals of true love and marriage. As he was lead out to meet his maker at the guillotine, she found his farewell note to her, signed ‘‘From your Valentine.’’ And that’s how it all started. What exactly is it, though, that makes a man want to lavish attention on a woman on just one specific day of the year? That was the question I first asked myself when I was lead to thinking of Valentine’s Day. Actually, truth be known, my immediate thought was ‘‘Is there really a Ballentine’s Day? How come there’s not a Jack Daniel’s Day?’’ Then I figured, every day’s a JD Day... but I digress. The more I thought about it, the more it became clear that it’s not just one day a year that we good men folk are encouraged to think of our female companions in good light. Not only is there Valentine’s Day - there’s also her birthday, wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day, Christmas Day, Easter... and every other celebration that has the hallmark of a greeting-card company. But it is Saint Valentine’s Day that has gained itself the reputation as the true day for love and lovers. Not for me. The 14th of February has never been good to me, going right back, even, to the days when I was just a 10 year old primary school kid smitten with classmate Caroline Carter. We were close. We’d shared an orange. So naturally I felt excited about sending her my first ever Valentine’s card. And I put a lot of effort into it on the presentation front as well, even to the extent of borrowing my sister’s calligraphy set and
costaCULTURE >> ‘‘It isn’t from me. You must have a secret lover.’’ I said, hiding my surprise and wondering what the blazes was going on. ‘‘Oh, Mikey, you’re such a liar,’’ she beamed as she skipped off to join her girlfriends in the playground. After having a few stern words with Tom, Dick and Harry, I was curious to know what had happened to my card. The last time I’d seen it, my love-token was slipping into Caroline’s letterbox, so that was where I needed to start my search. I offered to walk her home after school and as we got to her front door, through the living-room window, I noticed my Valentine’s card sitting on the mantel-piece. writing her name on the envelope in real ink, not just in biro. My sister also mentioned to me that I shouldn’t sign it - that the sender should remain a mystery to the recipient. Why do we do that... spend all this money on cards and stuff for woman and then pretend that we didn’t? Anyway, I took her advice and signed it in true lover’s style ‘‘From your Valentine’’ in exquisitely disguised handwriting. It was an unusually warm but grey February day. A gentle rain softly cleansed the spring air, rendering it sweet and full of promise. ‘‘Oh, sweet Caroline, will you be my Valentine?’’ I sang to myself as I stole from the house in the early hours to deliver my love token to my fair maiden’s abode afore she arose from sweet slumber. Unfortunately, I’d not noticed any warnings on the box of my sister’s calligraphy set about keeping your calligraphied handiwork in a dry place, so by the time I had got to Caroline’s front door to deliver my so-beautifullypenned token of love, the ink had been all but washed away from the envelope by the rain (I guess I should have used a biro). In my moment of adrenalininfused love-lust at her letterbox, however, I hadn’t noticed and my precious love-token floated to her hallway carpet, gently disturbing the air with a graceful swoon.
‘‘It looks like you have another card in there,’’ I said, pointing at it through the glass. ‘‘Oh, no, that’s Mum’s, from Dad,’’ she answered. ‘‘She was quite surprised with him really; he doesn’t normally do romantic things, even though he did forget to put her name on the envelope.’’ From there on, I never really appreciated Valentine’s Day. As I grew older it became more like SAD day Singles Awareness Day - as it seemed that everyone else was part of a couple. At boarding school, I was always without a card in the post. One year I even went so far as to post myself one so I didn’t appear such a loner... but it got lost in the post. The day became so intolerably miserable that in the end I just shunned it, with the exception of a momentary lapse of reason when I got married on Valentine’s Day. I should have known better. She started off as a breath of fresh air, but ended up getting right up my nose. So much for romance, eh? As it happened, in an ironic twist, my decree absolute came through on Valentine’s Day, too. So, as far as I’m concerned, you can all enjoy the day in your own romantic way, with your cards, roses, chocolates, frilly scarlet knickers and expensive, over-crowded restaurants. If such weapons as poetry, flowers, music, candle-lit dinners and romance do it for you, then go for it - whatever works! As for myself, I’m no longer looking for Miss Right...
… just Miss Right Now!
I scampered home to get ready for school and was already in the playground when Caroline arrived, looking as radiant and beautiful as ever (Caroline, that is, not me). I was playing it cool. I’d let her mention the card first. She joined up with her girlfriends and they huddled together, probably discussing the cards that they’d received that morning from their wanna-be suitors. The delightful giggle of childhood innocence filled the playground air. Once inside the classroom, I waited for her to come over with a big thank you, but it didn’t happen. By break-time, when the milk-monitor arrived, I could no longer contain myself and, against my own will, went over to her desk to bashfully enquire about her maybe receiving a Valentine’s card that morning. ‘‘Four of them!’’ she exclaimed boastfully. ‘‘One from Thomas, one from Richard, one from Harold... and another one that I don’t know who sent.’’ ‘‘Every Tom, Dick and Harry in this school’s chasing my woman,’’ I thought to myself, but asked her ‘‘How do you know who they’re from?’’ ‘‘I can tell by the handwriting, except this one…’’ she answered as she pulled the mystery card from her satchel and I prepared to go into my well-rehearsed speech, pretending that it wasn’t from me and that she must have a secret lover. It wasn’t from me. ‘‘She must have a secret lover.’’ I thought.
costa life 7
Written By:
Harvey Mann
A
t 7.45 on the morning of the 8th May 1902 a strange silence descended over St Pierre on the Island of Martinique in the Caribbean. Birds stopped singing and then the uncharacteristic quietness completely engulfed the island. Louis-A Auguste Cyparis, a guest of the judiciary due to his crime of committing murder, was sitting below ground in a prison cell, eagerly awaiting his meagre breakfast. Then devastation struck the island when the volcanic Mount Pelée exploded like an atom bomb, blowing a huge hole in its side. Masses of molten lava and ashes along with toxic sulphurous vapour swept down onto the town, setting buildings alight and destroying all but one of the 17 ships docked in the harbour. Bustling St Pierre, then one of the prettiest towns in the West Indies, was about to be almost totally obliterated. The huge volcanic eruption resulted in the death of more than 30,000 people. Those who did not die from the red hot ashes and lava were killed by the poisonous vapour. Only one man survived that day, the condemned prisoner Monsieur Cyparis. That fateful morning he had not only had missed his breakfast but had also escaped the hangman’s noose by days. Eventually the very lucky Cyparis went to live in Panama, where he died naturally at a ripe old age.
Oceana cruise ship
Around 15.00 on Thursday 30th of November 2007, the normally smooth Caribbean seas suddenly became very choppy and the P&0 cruise ship Oceana, with 2,000 passengers aboard, shuddered and rocked. Later that day we discovered from CNN news that an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale had struck 14 miles off the Martinique coastline. This was 48 hours before our ship was due to dock at Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique.
The evening news from CNN on TV reported that there had been some damage in Martinique as it was closest to the epicentre of the quake and that some buildings had collapsed. The following day, the day before we were due to dock at Martinique, the Captain announced over the ship’s PA system that we had been cleared to dock at Fort-de-France as the damage had been negligible.
I was doing my normal winter stint (someone has to do it) as a guest speaker on the Oceana, cruising around the islands of the Caribbean. The earthquake tremor was felt by millions of islanders across the whole of the Caribbean, with many of the islands such as Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and Dominica reporting damage, although in many cases the damage was minor.
Some of the passengers stayed on the ship, whilst others more adventurous gingerly made their way down the gangway, not knowing what to expect. Fort-de France is just 20 miles from St Pierre where that devastating Volcano had erupted 105 years ago. The local residents welcomed the P&O passengers with open arms, as ours was the first ship to dock since the earthquake.
Saint-Pierre - Martinique
Mount Pelée The day was hot, brilliant sunshine with azure blue skies, though a few threatening clouds had amassed over the summit of Mount Pelée whose dark ominous shadow still threatens a large part of the pretty island from its height of 4,430 thousand feet. Rain forests cover the lower region of Pelée and below these are houses and villas that look as if they are
Guaguin painting Matinique
Le Carbet
straight out of a Gauguin painting. Here, as in many other villages, the houses and villas are painted in wonderful pastel colours. Nearby is Le Carbet, the tiny village where the great artist Gauguin once lived, and it now has a museum dedicated to his work. Martinique is situated in the Caribbean Archipelago, midway between St Lucia and Dominica, and is aptly named the ‘‘Island of Flowers.’’ It was first sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1493, though he sailed on, and it was to be another nine years before he returned and landed. The island then was inhabited by indigenous Indians called the Caribs. All went well for the next 143 years, and successful sugar plantations took over when earlier efforts to grow tobacco and cotton had failed to bring wealth to Martinique. Then the French galleons arrived, resulting in a war that lasted 20 years, and culminated in the extermination of the Carib Indians.
The next few hundred years saw Martinique change hands several times as the British, Dutch and French, looking for new lands and wealth, fought for the ownership several times. Finally the French removed the British in 1815. Slavery had dominated Martinique for much of its early days, and by 1736 it was estimated that 60,000 men women and children had been shackled and beaten into submission. Slavery was finally abolished in 1848. These days Martinique is administered by France with euros as the currency and the inhabitants speak French and Creole. Its capital, Fortde-France, has a quaint harbour situated on the north shore of a magnificent bay with a population of 120,000 people, around one-third of the island’s inhabitants. We arrived on the island only two days after the earthquake struck and the preparations for Christmas decorations to the streets had been halted. By the time we arrived they continued and life in Fort-de-France tried to return to normality. The Rue Schoelcher was still cordoned off, after part of a building and an apartment block had partially collapsed. Men in yellow jackets were still erecting barriers and cleaning up fallen masonry and, just around the corner, there was more evidence of damage to a bank, with a fire truck still parked outside. Amazingly only one person had died, and that was from a heart attack; several people had been injured though not seriously; others had had to be treated for panic attacks; and 31,000 people out of the population of 400,000 had been left without power. A grey-haired bearded street musician called Papa Nicholas told me, ‘‘The ground shook quite violently for at least 30 seconds, followed by several after-shocks and people screamed and started to run in different directions. We’re all aware of
>> Parc Floral
Fort de France Martinique’s past history of destruction and my family and I live in fear that one day Mount Pelée may wake up again, or the geological fault that runs along the bottom of the sea will explode again and maybe cause another major earthquake or Tsunami. All of us on the Island believe that one day it will happen again, and it’s something that we have to live with.’’
Flowing inland from the mouth of the Fort-de-France is the River Madame, which gives a nice backdrop to the fish and vegetable market with its colourful and picturesque locals bustling about their business, before reaching the Parc Floral and Place Jose Marti. Parc Floral, as you would imagine, is a riot of flowers and contains a number of buildings that house cultural workshops, an exotic aquarium and a geological and botanical gallery. On Rue Schoelcher is the pretty Cathedral of St Louis built in 1895 in the Romanesque and Byzantine style with a metallic spire. Inside it is a beautiful and cooling refuge. Place La Savane, a park and public gardens that contains magnificent tropical plants, there is a headless marble statue of one of Martinique’s famous daughters, Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pageries, who is better known to us as Napoleon’s Empress Josephine. The reason why the statue is headless is because the locals fell out of love with her over her relationship with Napoleon and, being headless, it’s certainly a case of ‘‘Not tonight Josephine!’’ At the east end of the town is Fort St Louis, which juts out into the bay. Built in Vauban style, the fort has witnessed many battles between the British and the French. Balata Tropical Botanical Park boast more than a thousand different species of tropical flowers and plants, and the Sacre Coeur de Balata is the Caribbean miniature of the Sacre Coeur in Paris. The Vulcan Logical Museum recalls the beauty of Saint Pierre before the v o l c a n i c explosion and the devastation caused to Martinique on that fateful day. Along the east coast are wo n d e r f u l picturesque fishing villages. In the south is Trois Îlets with its Pagerie museum in the grounds of the estate where E m p r e s s Josephine was
St Louis Cathedral
Josephine
St Pierre the ruins of old houses born in 1763: The museum holds many letters written between Josephine and Napoleon and quite a good collection of pre-Columbian art. About two and a half miles out to sea is Diamond Rock which is where the British hoisted up guns from their ships. Between 1804 and 1805 the British were able to fire on French ships passing to and from Fort-de-France until they exhausted all their ammunition and surrendered. As I was making my way back to the Oceana before it set sail for St Vincent, I encountered Papa Nicholas the street musician, clutching his small collection of coins that would buy him and his family a nice Creole dinner and a few bottles of beer tonight. He waved to me from across the narrow street, then cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted over the noise of the home-going traffic, ‘‘Au revoir mon âme. Just remember: one day Mount Pelée or the ocean floor will erupt again and the devil will be calling the tune from poor Papa Nicholas's flute.’’
St Pierre
>> costaCOMPANIES
Local Business Spotlight
At Costa Life we dedicate more space to business editorial than any other publication on the coast. It is important to us to introduce to you information about our new clients and remind you on a regular basis about existing ones. We are a free magazine and we only exist because of our clients and we therefore feel it right to dedicate a section of the magazine to promoting to you, our readers, the people, both new and old, who make Costa Life possible. If you need to make use of the services or products promoted in this section or indeed throughout this issue please let our clients know that you have seen them in Costa Life Magazine. Thank You.
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A Touch
Of
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Beauty
Cafe
EUINSURANCE DIRECT
costa COMPANIES >>
A Touch Of Beauty At A Touch of Beauty we understand that every person is unique and has individual needs arising from pressures at work or a hectic family life. Taking time out for yourself is a vital element for your well-being. We are conveniently located in Sitio de Calahonda and have been open since June 2007. We have an extensive range of beauty treatments available for both men & women, which have been tailored to suit all peoples needs, from a simple manicure to a luxurious wrap. A Touch of Beauty is the place to visit in order to restore balance to your mind, body and soul.
SPRAY TANS Spray Tanning products are a favourite of many models, actors and celebrities, because sunless tanning is a practical alternative to sunbathing. Spray tanning will not cause that orange-brown, streaky appearance associated with creams, which are manually applied to the skin. Today the products offer an even, natural looking all year long tan and are also the perfect way to avoid or blend away tan lines. Now everyone can enjoy the look of a golden tan without exposing their skin to the sun’s damaging UV rays. This treatment is also a great opportunity for those people with fair skin or that tan with difficulty, to have a healthy glow.
If you are one of the many people who has never taken the time to be pampered, maybe the following will be a temptation you cannot resist…..
These treatments are just a small selection of what is available at A Touch of Beauty. If you are looking for a gift, for a loved one or a close friend or if you simply wish to treat yourself, please do not hesitate to call for an appointment.
SPA TREATMENTS
Go on, don’t you deserve to be pampered?
Experience the luxury of a chocolate body wrap - the ultimate beauty treatment. The chocolate body wrap is a chocolate lover’s dream with well over an hour of pure bliss! We all know that 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into it but who knew chocolate was so good for you? Well, the Mayans and Aztecs did as they learned very early on the hydrating and healing properties of cocoa butter and this balm became a staple remedy for healing chapped skin and easing sunburn.
A Touch of Beauty
Tel: 952 939 829 Sitio de Calahonda Mijas Costa Malaga
MANICURES A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands and the word ‘manicure’ is derived from the Latin word ‘manus’ (meaning hand) cure (care). A standard manicure usually includes filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish, but there are also speciality manicures. Treatments include soaking in a softening substance and application of hand lotion. This a beauty process that relaxes and softens hands and fingernails. Not everyone can afford to get a manicure on a regular or semi-regular basis, but at A Touch of Beauty, we have a selection of manicures which anyone can afford.
MASSAGE A massage relaxes muscles, easing and soothing your aches and pains. It rejuvenates, restoring balance to our body and being, making us better for all the things life throws our way. Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, lower your blood pressure, or you’re interested in getting some much needed relaxation, at A Touch of Beauty we have a range of massage treatments to help you unwind.
FACIALS A facial is the second most popular spa service after massage. A facial cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the skin to promote clear, wellhydrated skin. Recent studies have suggested that ideally you should have a facial every four to six weeks, because that’s how long it takes the skin to regenerate. Try to have a facial at least four times a year, as the seasons change. A facial involves a few basic steps: Cleansing, exfoliation, facial massage to relax you and stimulate your skin and facial muscles. Then finally the application of toners and protective creams.
A Touch Of Beauty Top to toe treatments for Men and Women Including manicures, pedicures, waxing, eyebrow tints, eyelash extentions, spray tanning and semi permanent make up Spa rooms with treatments to soothe body, mind and spirit Including hot stone therapy, anti cellulite massage, chocolate wraps, full luxury pearl treatments and aromatherapy massages.
Go on, pamper yourself, you’re worth it Gift vouchers also available All of our treatments carried out by experienced, fully qualified therapists
Open Mon - Fri 10am - 7pm Sat 10am - 3pm
952 939 829 for appointments and more information
C Plantas Baja, Terreno,101, Uno Urb, Sitio de Calahonda, The old Caixa Bank costa life 13
>> costa COMPANIES
If you’re looking for one of the widest selections of British food products on the coast then look no further than Brit Bits supermarkets. Situated in Benalmadena pueblo and Montemar these two stores are packed with all your top brand food stuffs from back home. The Montemar store has now been open for nearly two years and is a favourite with both locals and the holiday makers who need to make sure they can get a can of beans and enjoy a cup of their favourite tea! Because of the success of the Montemar store owner Adrian opened the Benalmadena Pueblo store in 2007 servicing the local area. Adrian himself has been in Spain since 1999 so he is fully experience in business here on the coast and says that he is continually striving to offer the best products at the best prices. With both stores boasting over 2000 different lines Brit Bits will keep you coming back for more of your most loved and most missed UK products. Heinz, Kellogg’s, Walkers, Cadbury, Knorr, Bisto, PG Tips to name just a few are available and there are new lines and product offers coming in all the time so it’s like shopping for Christmas at Brit Bits but just all year round!! By importing pallets directly from the UK on weekly basis Brit Bits can guarantee that all the produce is fresh and in date which is important. They make the claim that if they haven’t got it in stock they can source just about anything. There is also a wide range of frozen products on offer plus a wide selection of UK bottles beers and soft drinks which are always hard to come by here on the Costa del Sol. The Montemar store is only two minutes from the beach so if you are heading down for a swim and need a beach towel, snorkel, dinghy or even a pair of sunglasses you will find a wide selection at this store, see they think of everything! Open 365 days per year from 9am till 10pm Brit Bits can confidently say that they are here and open for you come wind, rain, shine or lots of sun!! If you are housebound or just need a little help getting your order home then they offer a home delivery service on orders over 50 euros. Both stores are clean and well laid out so finding your wanted products is made nice and easy. Plus everything is served up with a fine smile by Adrian and the staff of Brit Bits. So next time you think about your most missed UK foods whether it be PG Tips or Cadbury’s dairy milk get yourself down to Brit Bits and shop till you drop. With Easter just around the corner look out for Brit Bits selection of Easter eggs coming in soon.
Montemar 14 costa life
Benalmadena Pueblo
costa COMPANIES >>
Cafe
With new owners and an extended menu, Café Salud is the place to be. Situated in Calypso next to the Santander Bank we are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 10am - 3pm. The new owners took over in January 2007 and asked various customers which chef they preferred? The answer was all the same, ‘‘Ander’s’’. He originally left two years ago under the original owners but decided he would chance a fresh start under his terms…! ‘‘Local produce and original Scandinavian ingredients was a Must..!!’’ Ander’s was a restaurateur in his home country of Sweden and has worked in many restaurants in Europe but prefers the one to one atmosphere with the customer’s at the Café, so we were lucky when he agreed to come back. Café Salud offers a great selection of food freshly prepared to order on the premises and is proud to offer only the ‘‘Finest Grade Columbian Coffee’’.
area. So whether you wish to sit outside in our heated terrace or sit in our dining area there is something for all. The terrace area also has a flat screen TV that allows everyone to catch up with the latest news from around the world. It also has free Wi Fi Internet access.
So With Dishes Ranging From €1.00 to €12.00 There Is Something For Everyone at Café Salud………We Look Forward To Seeing You…………..
Call : 952 933 365
Along with the traditional dishes such as Jacket Potatoes with a filling of your choice, Omelettes and delicious Salads, Salud serves up a little extra…!
Cafe
The Scandinavian influence is a big part of Café Salud’s main dishes and people from all over the coast come to sample our imported Scandavian Prawns and Salmon. One of most famous dishes is the Seafood Platter, which consists of Prawns, Prawn Skagen (Prawns in Danish mayonnaise, crème fresh, red onion and dill) homemade seafood pate, salad, toast and mustard sauce. If fish is not for you why not try our homemade Scandinavian Meatballs, Hamburgers or Freshly Made Oven Baked Pizza……….. Café Salud also caters for the customer’s who wish just a light bite, so we have many snacks and fresh daily specials and tasty tapas to curb your appetite. Ander’s is also very famous for his freshly baked Carrot, Cheese, Chocolate and Apple Cakes….mmmmm At Café Salud we have gained an excellent reputation for our outside catering and we can offer a wide selection of menus suitable for weddings, birthdays and house parties. We have just completed a total refurbishment of our kitchen and inside eating
Excellent home cooked cuisine freshly prepared to order. Offering traditional all day breakfasts, lunches, snacks and tapas. Specializing in all Scandinavian cuisine including Scandinavian Prawn, Salmon and Meatball dishes. Come and enjoy a cup of top grade Columbian coffee and a slice of Ander's famous Carrot Cake in the Café or sit in our heated terrace in a warm relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Outside catering service available for all occasssions. Tel :
952 933 365
For Orders Or Enquiries Email : cafe.salud@yahoo.es Open 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday Open 10am - 5pm Saturday Closed Sunday Local 8 Urb Calypso, Calahonda (Next to the Santander Bank) costa life 15
>> costa COMPANIES
ARE NOT JUST A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND HOLIDAY RENTAL COMPANY Cariba Sol are primarily a property management/holiday rental company that have been established over 20 years in Calahonda. The owner of this business Steve Willcocks, since living full time in Spain has spent all his spare time heading north (Between Zaragoza and Barcelona) to fish for Catfish and Carp on the banks of the River Ebro and Segre. For the last 4 years he has been offering a guiding service for Carp and Cat fishermen. (Mainly as an excuse to get more hours on the bank himself)! This has proved to be a big success! You only have to look at the website gallery pages www.riverebrocatfishing.com to see the satisfied customers. Everyone who books with us normally comes back. This is not only because they catch big fish! It is also because of the other important factors like accommodation, quality tackle & equipment and of course the level of service they get while they are there. Steve is semi fluent in Spanish and has used his communication skills with the locals to seek out good locations for fishing and accommodation. Prices include: All equipment supplied, Transport to and from Calahonda (or a local airport to the venue if flying from UK). Your guide (Steve) stays with you for the duration of the trip. You only have to buy bait, food and drink. Nick Balchin connects with a 100lb plus Catfish Sept 2007
Imagine sunbathing as you fish on the banks of the River Ebro when suddenly the peace and quiet is shattered by an electronic alarm sounding a continuous tone as line is being stripped from the reel! The rod is bending furiously with the force of what has just picked up the bait! You pick the rod up and strike, you know it can’t be the bottom that your hook has set into because the bottom does not pull the rod nearly off it’s rest!!! For a split second the beast that picked up the bait lies still. Then all hell breaks loose as the catfish (which can easily weigh more than its captor), realises that it has been hooked. The reel begins to scream as the fish pulls off 50+ meters of line before you have even placed you feet in the correct position! Now the fight begins. Your guide by now will have placed the rod butt belt around your waist to prevent bruising of the groin area! Then you just keep reeling in until the next explosion of power starts to bend the rod double again! These blasts of power from the fish, get less powerful as the minutes pass by. Normally after 5 or six bursts that feel like your line is attached to a Mini Cooper, the fish begins to yield. 2030 minutes have passed and you still have yet to see the beast that has now given you an aching back! Now he has worn himself out, he surfaces and that’s when you get your 1st glimpse of what will undoubtedly be the biggest fish you have ever caught! If fishing is slow you might only get one or two bites per day. But on a good day we have had 20 bites and banked 16 fish in one day. The biggest catfish was 144lb and the smallest was 55lb! Steve’s personal best Catfish currently stands at 168lb. His biggest Carp to 16 costa life
date is 37lb. several clients have caught fish over 160lb. We have even had 2 big Albino catfish! These fish are VERY rare (1 in 5000). The biggest was caught by pensioner John Thompson on his 2nd trip with Cariba Sol and weighed 142lb. The other was 131b in weight and was caught by Martin Walters who lives in Calahonda and booked his trip at our office on the strip. Nick Balchin from Bournmouth banks his 3rd fish of the day! This one pushed the scales to 134lb!
costa COMPANIES >>
EUINSURANCE DIRECT Wendy Codd arrived in Spain in the Summer of 2005 bringing with her over 25 years of experience in the I n s u r a n c e Industry. Her first job when she left school was in the Prudential Assurance Company in Holborn. From there she moved to Allied Dunbar and studied her FPC exams & then she moved to J Rothchild Assurance in London. So her decision to start a business in Spain was dominated by her years of knowledge and expertise in an area she knew very well. ‘Stick to what you know’ is the old saying that has been a major contributing factor in making Wendy’s business a success over here. ‘Trust’ she says is something that is sacred here on the Costa Del Sol. Once you gain someone’s trust they are a friend for life. When she started her business she found that this was something severely lacking. ‘‘No one trusts you when you first move here’’. She remembers visiting one of her first clients who was so surprised that not only was she on time, but that she turned up at all…. she was regularly asked if she would be around the following year when the renewal was due. Wendy couldn’t quite comprehend this but as time passed she realised that this is the Costa Del Sol and it takes time to ‘trust’. Since the humble beginnings her portfolio of products have expanded as well as the client base. From Car and Home insurance to Travel (to 84 years of age), Commercial Liability, Bars, Office, Private Health, Savings, Pensions and advice on Inheritance Tax, the list goes on. Almost everything she sells is in English, (because some companies still haven’t quite got it right yet..). She is always at the end of the phone to give advice and always offers competitive premiums for the best cover.
transfer from Spain to your country of origin, together with another passenger, including a capital payment of 6000 euros. ALL FOR 70 EUROS P.A. SAVINGS PLANS - Guarantees of 5% interest. LIFE INSURANCE/CRITICAL ILLNESS/ACCIDENT COVER: Hugely competitive premiums on all forms of protection cover, can also be used to cover Inheritance Tax liability. As residents in a foreign country, our lives are full of surprises and the unexpected is far more likely to occur than not. So for peace of mind contact Wendy Codd for informal advice on 952 83 08 43 or mobile 676 098 464. EU Insurance has offices in Elviria, Framire Residencial, Local 6, Elviria, 29600, Office hours are 10.00 5.30 pm Monday - Friday and welcomes visitors.
EUINSURANCE DIRECT All insurance and financial needs in plain English
Just some of the products she offers: 30% INTRODUCTORY BONUS - Wendy can offer up to 30% Introductory Discount on Spanish Plated cars, as long as the client is over 25 years and has an NIE. Premiums can generally be split quarterly too. She also offers cover on UK, Dutch, N Ireland plates and Classic Cars. Also Vans, Motorhomes and Motorbikes EXISTING CONDITIONS - She is HEALTH INSURANCE TO COVER PRE-E the only agent in Costa del Sol to offer a rare Health Product which covers pre-existing conditions. So many companies offer private health cover but exclude any pre-existing conditions and any condition relating to it - clients are not happy because this is a very ‘grey’ area. She always tells clients that the best time to take out Health Insurance is when they are fit and healthy but unfortunately that is not always the case… NEW SCHEME PRIVATE HEALTH GROUP SCHEME min of 10 members, max of 50. Premium 39 euros a month, irrelevant of age or gender.
We cover Cars, motorbikes, homes and contents, boats and life/critical illness We also offer Mortgage protection, Mortgages, private health plans, travel protection, savings plans and much more Also agents for AXA products We can insure you for less!! Call now for quote 952 830 843 or 676 098 464 Fax: 951 310 524 Framire Residencial, Local Comercial 6, Cerrado de Elviria, 29604, Marbella, Malaga
REPATRIATION COVER FOR EX-P PATS - covers you in the event of death, guaranteeing a
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>> costa COMPANIES cutlery and crockery. With stylish designs and modern furnishings,our furniture packs start from 8995 euros for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom property, including SPM Rentals specialise in long term lettings and also provide a wide range of professional services including property management, property maintenance, furnishing packs, property start up service, holiday rentals, cleaning and laundry. We cover from Benalmadena to Marbella. As a landlord, trusting the management of your property to a company is a major decision that can sometimes seem complex,our aim is to provide our clients with a professional yet personal service. We ensure our staff are selected with the utmost care and are sufficiently skilled and experienced. We have multi-lingual staff who can interface with reliable, cost effective tradesmen, local authorities, utility providers etc. to avoid any language translation issues. This enables us to consistently provide you with an impeccable service. Our long-term rental services are designed for property owners who wish to rent their property out for six months or longer, either furnished or unfurnished. With our vast selection of rental properties along the coast we can cater for all potential tenants needs. We have an extremely high success rate of achieving rentals and we are constantly on the look out for new potential rental properties as we have a genuine client waiting list. In particular we have a large demand for 3 and 4 bedroom properties. Our experience with dealing with tenants and their needs ensures that we have many tenants who renew their contracts and stay with the services of SPM rentals as they know that they will be looked after in a professional and friendly manner.
delivery and fitting. If you require we can tailor make furniture packs to suit your individual property needs. Our short-term rental services include a wide range of properties from apartments to villa’s, we can cater for all your property needs from cleaning, laundry, welcome packs, cot hire, car hire to emergency service call outs. Our main office is located close to Benalmadena Marina beside the hotel Triton in the centro commercial ole and we would welcome any property owners or potential tenants to call in for a friendly informal chat to discuss your individual needs. Alternatively you can call us on 952961047 or visit our websites on www.spmrentals.net and www.spmrentals.eu.com
You can visit our website to see our extensive range of properties www.spmrentals.net The property management service is offered to all property owners wether your property is for personal use or it is rented. Within the property management service we provide weekly inspections on holiday properties, keeping the owner informed of any issues that need to be addressed. For rented properties we are on hand for your tenants so that they can call us directly and we can address whatever the issue is immediately. Leaving your property ownership as hassle free as possible.
Specialist Property Management and Rentals company.
We have a full maintenance team and can provide reliable, costeffective, quality tradesmen to undertake any desired building work, property repairs and general maintenance work. This service is provided as part of the standard property management package and provides property owners with the confidence that any necessary repairs and maintenance are promptly taken care of whenever required and agreed. This service can also be provided separately for owners who wish to manage all other responsibilities themselves.
We take the hassle out of owning a property in Spain A one stop shop for all your property needs.
Our property start-up service provides new owners with peace of mind as we manage the various tasks that need to take place when setting up your property either for rentals or personal use. We cover all aspects ranging from Snagging service, builders cleans, furnishing and interior design and with our local knowledge this service is great for overcoming language barriers relating to the initial setup of your property. We offer a fantastic service of fully furnishing and interior designing your property, from the essentials such as beds and bedding, to sofas, curtains, tables and chairs, right down to 18 costa life
We cover from Benalmadena to Sotogrande. Professional property management including: Weekly Inspections Maintenance Issues Cleaning & Laundry Service Fiscal Affairs
Specialists in long term rentals High success rate at renting properties out long term. Check out our long term web site on www.spmrentals.net We also cater for owners who wish to do holiday rentals in their properties. Check out our holiday web site on www.spmrentals.eu.com
SPM Rentals S.C. Call now 952 961 047 mob 610 791 097 info@spmrentals.net
costa LIFESTYLE >>
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
Valentine Gift… A woman awoke excitedly on Valentine’s Day and announced enthusiastically to her husband, ‘‘I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’s Day! What do you think it means?’’ With certainty in his voice, the man said ‘‘You'll know tonight.’’ That evening the man came home with a small package and handed it to his wife. With anxious anticipation the woman quickly opened the package to find a book entitled - ‘‘The Meaning of Dreams’’.
If women ruled the world…
Things not to say on your Valentine’s date... Nice outfit. Is that a wonder-bra? I used to come here all the time with my ex. I never said you NEED a nose job. I just said it wouldn’t hurt to consider it. Could you excuse me? My cat gets lonely if he doesn’t hear my voice on the answering machine every hour. I really feel that I’ve grown in the past few years. Used to be I wouldn’t have given someone like you a second look. I know you said you don’t eat anything with a face. But a good butcher will cut that part off for you if you ask. It’s been tough, but I’ve come to accept that most people I date just won’t be as smart as I am.
Get yourself an MOT… Men are often renowned for taking risks, generally you get a kick out of driving in the fast lane of life and acting as if you are invincible, and sadly this is mission impossible. Looking at recent trends, the incidents of testicular cancer and prostrate cancer are increasing sharply. With a few simple changes to your life style you could dramatically improve your motor, its functioning and durability as well as stamina and performance. Our commitment to you will be to screen all men for life threatening illnesses such as prostrate and testicular cancer, both of these are treatable and curable if dealt with speedily. Your sexuality and stamina are very much linked to your health and a complete MOT with us will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Taken from www.clinicamedicare.com 952 835 776 20 costa life
Be Good to Yourself... Health is not merely the absence of disease; it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s getting enough sleep, relaxing after a stressful day, or enjoying a hobby, it’s important to take time to be good to yourself. Take steps to balance work, home, and play. Pay attention to your health, and make healthy living a part of your life.
Top tip… Self-image is the mental picture you have of yourself. It is not fixed, it is not objective, it can be changed and you can change it.
>> costa LIFESTYLE >> Smell the business...
Joop! Homme
Diesel fuel for life
La male Jean Paul Gaultier
Armani black code
Black and white multi square cufflink silver finish Topman
>> Accessorize with taste... Open-worked leather belt Benetton
Black and stone reversible casual webbing belt Burtons
Black or silver skinny tie Topshop
Eco-leather bag with croco print Benetton
men want
Dark brown faux leather bag with adjustable strap Burtons
>> Warm with class... Plain red cardigan with stripe under placket. Topman Woollen knitwear with argyles jacquard pattern Benetton
Topshop
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Store Locator A to Z
Accessorize www.accessorize.com La Cañada. Benetton www.benetton.com Fuengirola. Burtons www.burton.co.uk Gibraltar. Dorothy Perkins www.dorothyperkins.co.uk Miramar and La Cañada. Evans www.evans.com Miramar and La Cañada. Topman www.topman.co.uk La Cañada. Topshop www.topshop.co.uk La Cañada.
costa LIFESTYLE >> Something to sparkle…
Topshop
Silver diamante pink face watch Dorothy Perkins
Silver heart ring Accessorize
Cameo on pearl necklace Topshop
Mega sparkle bangle Accessorize
Something special… Black ribbon slot cami and short set Dorothy Perkins
women want Top and brief set Evans Boudoir
Coco Mademoiselle Chanel
Checked top with lace detail with knickers Benetton
Angora bra and panties with braids and satin straps Benetton Midnight Poison Dior
Leopard mesh vest set Accessorize Bead Embroidery Cami and Short set Topshop
Silk ruffle cami Topshop
Delicious night DKNY
Let fragrance fill the air… costa life 23
>> costa LIFESTYLE
Luscious Lashes now available on the Costa Imagine long, luscious and beautiful eyelashes without the hassles of applying and removing mascara. Xtreme Lashes is a revolutionary new product that will provide longer, thicker, luscious and natural looking eyelashes. Xtreme Lashes are not your traditional fake eyelash strips - they are semi-permanent individual eyelash extensions. Xtreme Lashes are applied directly to individual eyelashes for a NATURAL look and feel. Professionally applied they last for up to 2 months!! Touch-ups are usually needed every two to four weeks.
Spring Pedicures... Pedicures when it is cold, often result in boots and socks being the preference rather than open toed shoes. Therefore a pretty colour or French finish this time of year is not always an option. A Bio Sculpture Gel Overlay combined with a pedicure is complete pampering and the colour or French finish is long lasting and chip proof. With now over 80 colours in the range there is also no chance of not finding the colour of your choice. After the pedicure the gel is applied to your natural nails and set under a UV curing lamp. At the end of the treatment the gel is completely set and the pedicure is then completed with a luxurious foot massage. Shoes and socks can be put on straight away with no risk of smudging.
Top Makeup Trends for Spring 2008... Spring 2008 makeup trends include bright candy colors by day, and dark plum and purple for night. Smoky eye shadow continues to be a popular look this Spring, except you'll find it in a lighter version with gray and metallic silver instead. To complement the season's fashion trends with exotic touches and a '30s inspired look, makeup trends include matted foundation for the face, and sultry reds for the lips.
Oxygen Facial... Jennifer Aniston has been said to have had oxygen facials, before each taping of the show Friends. Oxygen facials, also known as oxygen therapy, consist of a fine oxygen mist which is sprayed on the face. Oxygen facials are said to eliminate redness and irritation and are said to rejuvenate the skin and make it glow! 24 costa life
costa LIFESTYLE >>
Nail & Hair Parlour NSI and Creative Gel trained nail technician offers UV Gel tips, overlays, manicure and pedicures.
New year new career
Gel on your toes, french or colour will last 6-8 weeks.
Train to be a fully qualified Nail Technician with Europe’s most complete nail care company. We teach all types of nail extentions including manicure, pedicure and nail art.
Let me transform your nails. Having your nails done should be a relaxing experience.
Acrylic, gel airbrushing.
I practice a safe and sanitary service.
Call 952 560 051 or 607 586 894 for more information www.solnailsupplies.com
Try the coloured gels and your favourite colour will last 2-3 weeks and safe to touch immediately.
Arroyo’s Premier English Salon
fiberglass
training
and
No 1 in Nail & Beauty Treatments
The Nail and Beauty Salon & Hair Styling
Lets start 2008 with some special offers from Feb 1st - March 1st Ring for details of offers. Check out my website at www.nailparlourspain.com for examples of Nails and Hair extensions Also available for home visits. Ring Mandy
and
669 229 750
For all aspects of Hair, Nail and Beauty treatments inc: Manicures, Facials, Real Thai Massage & Waxing. We use all the latest quality products.
Tel 952 442 270 or 670 695 860 C/ San Antonio, Centro Comercial San Juan, Arroyo de la Miel Near Farmacia opposite train station costa life 25
>> costa LIFESTYLE
COMMITING TO A LIFETIME OF FITNESS How is that commitment going? Remember that one you made to keep fit and healthy? Keeping focused on a fit and healthy lifestyle isn’t always the easiest thing to commit to. But it is the one thing that you do owe to your body. Let’s look at some ways to keep focused.
HAVE FUN It is said that when you love what you do you will never work another day in your life! Well apply this to your training. Vary your training. Change your running route from time to time. Vary the speed. Training with your friends, and enter events together. Why not play football with your kids, or run along side them when they are cycling, use energizing music to train to. The key to sticking to an exercise commitment for life is variety! Why not mix up the fitness activities you are involved in. Add a new interest to your routine - add a dance exercise class to your time table, try tennis, or horse riding! Some of these things you might not have thought of as exercise!
CHALLENGE YOURSELF To stay motivated - most of us need a certain amount of pressure. Challenge yourself to a new goal, and get yourself out of your normal comfort zone. Sometimes when we give up on things, it is because we no longer find them challenging. Ask yourself now if your fitness regime is challenging enough! It may only take small changes to renew your interest. Commit to running a bit further - or a bit faster every week. Set yourself a goal of completing an additional amount of Km’s over a specific time. Challenge your friends to get fit enough to compete in a coming event - What ever sport it is in!
REMIND YOURSELF TO TRAIN We all have a busy lifestyle one way or an other. So try writing down your training commitment once a week in your diary. Then think about what goals you have and start looking further ahead and planning your time commitment monthly or even 6 monthly. Enter an event even; make a note in your diary, plan and note down the training you will need to do to finish the event in the time scale you have.
MAINTAIN YOUR MOTIVATION Remind yourself why you want to be fit! Keep an image of you as the fit person in your mind. A photo of yourself looking good on your fridge may do it! Or even a picture from a magazine of someone finishing the event you are training for! These motivations can be very powerful; you need to find one that works for you. Keeping fit for me is part of my lifestyle. I have a desire to be fit and healthy in my old age. And I know for that to happen I have to keep fit and motivated now. My kids are full of energy, and I love the fact they enjoy having a mum who can keep up with them! And I also know that by seeing me training, they will place importance on keeping fit as they grow up. These are the mental images I keep with me to help with my motivation.
DO SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT If you find that you are not looking forward to your workouts - maybe it is time to try out a completely new activity. Switching to something new doesn’t mean you are giving up on your old sport, it just means you are moving on in your life. There are so many sports and activities available. If you are not really sure which direction you would like to go, pop down to the gym and have a look on the notice board - see what other people are doing.
Helen Johnson - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist - 617 453 550 - fitness@luv2btraining.com 26 costa life
costa LIFESTYLE >>
Hair & Beauty at the Aztec Country Club Riviera del Sol
Tel.: 952 939 609 hairataztec@hotmail.co.uk
Opening Hours Tuesday - Friday 10 - 7pm Saturday 10 - 2pm
Beauty
Chiropodist
Psychology
Nail Extension
Semi Permanent Make Up
Community Mental Health Team Wound Care Clinic Health Assessments Weight Management Dyslexia Assessments Alternative Therapist Counseling service Hypertension management
Care Coordination Centre Well Women's Clinic Men's Health Clinic Asthma Clinic Diabetes Management Vaccination Clinics Nutrition
A Nurse led service providing an innovative and holistic approach to healthcare that brings the values and practices of a British Health Centre to the Costa del Sol, enabling you to access a service that is familiar
Tel: 952 83 57 76 www.clinicamedicare.com
Located in Elviria, nr Marbella. Next to Barclays Bank (Just off the N340 Coast Road, direction Marbella)
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
Is there any food better than What is the correct way of eating fruit? Don’t eat fruit after your meal. Fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach. If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
Fruit is the most important food… If at lunch time you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit, the slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines but it is prevented from doing so. In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.
Fruit facts… Please eat your fruit on an empty stomach or before your meals. You have heard people complaining that every time they eat watermelon they burp or when they eat bananas they feel like running to the toilet etc. Actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Otherwise the fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! There is no such thing as some fruit like orange and lemon being acidic because all fruits become alkaline in our body. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight. When you want to drink fruit juice, drink only fresh fruit juice. Don’t ever drink juice that has been heated.
Don’t eat cooked fruits because you don’t get the nutrients at all; you only get the taste because cooking destroys all the vitamins. You can go on a three-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruit and drink fruit juice throughout the three days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
Fruit, fruit and more fruit… Kiwi: tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E and fibre. Its Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. Apple: an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhance the activity of the Vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke. Strawberry: protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing blood vessel-clogging free radicals. Orange: sweet medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, as well as lessening the risk of colon cancer. Watermelon: the coolest thirst quencher on a hot day, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. It is also a key source of lycopene, the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C and Potassium.
costa LIFESTYLE >> Fruit and Exercise… Fruit is the ideal food for exercise. The best post-workout snack or meal is not yogurt or protein shakes but fresh fruit. Runners and other athletes have long known that there is nothing better than high-water content sweet fruit such as oranges or melons after a workout. They contain enough water to hydrate the body and their natural sugars are quickly used for energy production.
Guava and papaya: top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fibre which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene which is good for your eyes.
The benefits of eating fruit… Fruit is the best source of natural sugar needed for energy. Fruit is packed with vitamins, and still represents the best source of vitamins in any food. Fruit is packed with antioxidants. Fruit is easier to digest than grain. Fruit is basically pre-digested. Digesting ripe fruit hardly requires any digestive enzymes, and is then less taxing to the body. Fruit is alkaline forming (whereas meat, fish, grain and legumes are acid-forming). Fruit contains an abundance of pure water. Fruit is easy to eat - it doesn't require much preparation. People who eat lots of fruit live longer. The results of a study showed that frequent fruit eaters had 32% lower risk of dying from a disease such as stroke and 24% lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who ate fruit less than once a day. Fruit contains lots of fibre which is necessary for optimum digestion.
Fruit and the memory… Fruit has a very positive effect on the brain just like carrots. So if you want to stimulate your brain function you have to eat as much fresh fruit and raw carrots as possible. One of the substances that fruit contains is natural sugar. They stimulate the brain so we can think faster and recall information more quickly. Fruit is the answer to having a happier healthier longer life.
>> costa LIFESTYLE
Osteoporosis A silent danger for your bone structure What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’. Our bones are made up of a thick outer shell and a strong inner honeycomb mesh of tiny struts of bone. In most of our bones the relation between thickness of the strong outer shell and the volume of the soft inside part is 50:50. In other bones, such as the vertebrae, this relation is about 20:80, meaning the major part of these bones is soft. Osteoporosis means some of these struts become thin or break. This makes the bone more fragile and prone to break, especially the ones which consist mainly of soft bone anyway. And developing osteoporosis does not hurt. It is often only detected either by ‘accident’, when your orthopaedic surgeon does an x-ray of your back because of lower back pain, or when you brake a bone after a rather minor incident. The osteoporotic bone could get that weak that even a heavy sneeze might be enough to make one or more vertebrae simply collapse. Apart from the vertebrae, the most common fractures due to osteoporosis are the wrist and the femoral neck.
What could cause osteoporosis? Two types of cells are constantly at work in our bones: one set builds up new bone while another set break down old bone. Up to our mid-20s the construction cells work harder building strength into our skeleton. From our 40s onwards, the demolition cells overtake and our bones gradually lose their density as a natural part of ageing. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 in the UK will break a bone, mainly because of osteoporosis. Exactly why this happens is still not fully understood. Who is at risk? Our bone health is largely down to the genes we inherit from our parents. But there are other common factors that can put people at greater risk: Women if they have had an early menopause or hysterectomy (before the age of 45). People who take corticosteroid tablets (for conditions such as asthma or arthritis)
. People with a family history of osteoporosis . People with medical conditions which affect the absorption of foods, such as Crohn’s disease, coeliac condition or ulcerative colitis. Women who are underweight or have developed an eating disorder Other well known reasons to have a much higher chance to develop osteoporosis are long term immobility, smoking, drinking excessive amount of alcohol, kidney diseases and men who have a decreased level of testosterone.
How can I find out about my bone structure? It is nowadays recommended by the national health that people who think they might be at risk to developing osteoporosis, those with a family history or women who had an early menopause due to hysterectomy, should have there bone density measured. This measurement is done in specialist health centres. The scan is not dangerous or painful at all, and only takes half an hour. During this test, a very minor amount of radiation would be exposed to the middle part of your lumbar spine and the neck of the femur. A computer would compare the amount of radiation, that was put into the bone with the amount coming out the other side and calculate the bone thickness depending on this difference. The reason for having a bone density measurement is not only to find out whether you already show signs or suffer from osteoporosis, but also to have a result to compare with when the test is repeated in a few years time. It has been clearly shown that prevention of osteoporosis is not only easier than treating the actual disease, but that it is also much cheaper.
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
Benefits of omega 3… Research has confirmed the benefits of omega 3 oils. As well as lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, i n c r e a s i n g concentration and helping those suffering from inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, they may also help prevent Alzheimer’s.
Honey remedy… When it comes to helping a child fight off a cough, the centuries-old remedy of honey is still the best, researchers said yesterday. The natural sweetener is a traditional soother and remains better than costly overthe-counter medicines.
More sun is healthy… A little more sunshine might help you live longer, according to a study, suggesting that for some people health benefits from the sun outweigh the risk of skin cancer. Sunlight spurs the body to produce vitamin D but fear of skin cancer is keeping many people in the shade and depriving them of an important protection from a range of diseases. A number of studies have found protective effects from higher vitamin D intake for some cancers and ailments such as rickets, osteoporosis and diabetes. Certain foods contain vitamin D but the body’s main source comes from the sun. Getting more vitamin D, which helps the body’s immune system work properly, is also critical for people living in places like Scandinavia where long winters and short days during the year limit sun exposure.
32 costa life
Top tip… Do not make a future plan for your exercise, if you have to do it, just do it now.
Health changes… People who drink moderately, exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviours. Overwhelming evidence has shown that these things contribute to healthier and longer lives.
Energy-saving light bulbs… They are so dangerous that everyone must leave the room for at least 15 minutes if one falls to the floor and breaks. The alert came as health experts also warned that toxic mercury inside the bulbs can aggravate a range of problems including migraines and dizziness. A dermatologist said tens of thousands of people with skin complaints will find it hard to be near the bulbs as Learn to manage your time more they cause effectively. conditions such as Adopt a healthy lifestyle. eczema to flare up. Know your limitations and do not take on The Department for too much. Environment warned Find out what causes you stress. shards of glass from broken bulbs should Avoid unnecessary conflict. be swept away by Accept the things you cannot change. someone wearing Take time out to relax and recharge your rubber gloves to batteries. protect them from Find time to meet friends. the bulb’s mercury content and placed Try to see things differently. in a sealed plastic Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as bag. coping mechanisms.
Stress tips…
36 costa life
ven though the weather still has the occasional chill in the air, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get outside and enjoy the season. With a little planning, creating your outdoor living space is easier than you think. The common problem with getting that perfect outdoor space is not knowing where to start, especially with so much choice available. Never has it been more appropriate to state that the garden is an extension of the home, and outdoor living is very much the vogue. Good food, conversation, ambient lighting and warmth bring Mediterranean evenings to the comfort of your own patio. Yet we still forget to budget for outdoor living when furnishing our homes.
E
Here’s how to get started The main tip is - don’t just treat it as one big space. The outdoor living spaces (no matter how small) are usually divided up into sections. These
Interior Designer Paula Monaghan , of Paula Monaghan Interiors gives you her inspirational ideas on preparing your garden for spring! easy steps show you how to create the perfect extension to your home and make the most of the Costa’s climate. To get you started make a list of what you want. Typical things to include would be: An eating area A relaxed sunbathing area A play spot for the kids perhaps
costa HOMES >> is the perfect canvas for bright and vibrant shades. Whatever your colour choice, just remember to match inside with out. Inside/outside living is about creating a relaxed, casual atmosphere for dining. To maintain the flow from indoors to outdoors, keep the outdoor seating area in close proximity to inside and then have a cover or awning that stems from the roof. Outdoor furniture needs to be waterproof unless you are willing to store it inside when not in use. Try and match all the upholstery to maintain continuity. And don’t forget about mirrors. Placing one on an internal wall to reflect the outdoors can help bring the outdoors in.
Barbecue The barbecue is often the centre of the indoor/outdoor living area. If you can, design the kitchen bench to continue on the outside so it accommodates the barbecue area and build the barbecue into the bench rather than using a portable one. This will create the illusion of one food preparation area and one seamless entertaining zone. When planning the placement of your barbecue, make sure you consider the possibility of smoke. Don’t situate it too close to the entry. A planted area for those green fingered or pots for easy maintenance A water feature or hot tub perhaps? Assess what you have. If you don’t know what time of the day your garden is in sun or shade then take a day to observe it. This is important as you don’t want the eating area in constant sun or shade. A south facing garden gets the most sun A west facing garden catches the evening sun (great for relaxing in after a hard day at work) An east facing garden has plenty of sunlight in the morning but not in the afternoon A north facing garden is well lit but will suffer from shade of surrounding buildings. North facing gardens need the most consideration when planning. Make a tight plan. The easiest way to work out different areas is to get a ball of string and some cane sticks. Get some inspiration. Tear out from magazines everything you like - from garden designs, plants, trees, paths, patio and decking areas. And if you see a garden feature you like at a friend or neighbours, ask where they got it from. Garden owners love nothing better then sharing their tips. Do it one step at a time. Don’t start all the different sections at once but complete one before moving onto the next. Think practically: it maybe better to start at the back of the area to avoid trampling over newly planted sections before they’ve settled in. The key is to blur the lines between inside and outside, creating a seamless living area that is partly open to the elements. The number one rule with colour is to maintain continuity. Try and match the indoor colour scheme with the one outdoors. One nifty idea is to make the colour of your outdoor plants match a feature wall inside. If you’re not feeling that brave, play it safe and go with a neutral palette as it’s such a large area. Then add splashes of colour through cushions, upholstery, furniture and knick-knacks. On the other extreme, a casual, open-plan area
Lighting Lighting is an important element to consider, especially if you’re keen on twilight dining. Soft lighting is key: use up-lights placed in trees or bushes or down-lights placed sporadically around a courtyard. Avoid harsh spot lights. In keeping with the integration of inside and out you can automate your lighting system so the flick of one switch will light the entire open-plan area.
Try something different Take your outdoor space from bland to bold by choosing a theme. The fresh Moroccan style sizzles and you can create a spicy flair from the ground up by using rich vibrant colours to provide an inspired entertaining space. Indulge your sensuous side with the Medinainspired collections of the moment and create an Arabian lair with the wonderfully exotic colours, patterns and textures of Moroccan home furnishings. Moroccan style is a vibrant mix of age-old craftsmanship steeped in colourful history and mystery. The Souk is a name given to the multi-faceted market-places or bazaars that are found all over the Middle East and North Africa, filled with a profusion of silks, metallics, hand woven rugs and divine mosaics. There are many new styles of allweather bar furniture which are easy to install and easy to move. They are available with a canopy to keep those all important cocktails chilled! You can accessorise with candles, lanterns and large decorative seating and floor cushions with soft lighting in the roof of the canopy. I hope I have given you enough ideas to get you on your way to create your very own sensual Moroccan oasis and that new extension to your home! Whatever your ideas I am sure they will help you to create your very own outdoor haven. All pictures supplied are products available from Paula Monaghan Interiors.
‘‘I can recommend Paula Monaghan whole-heartedly. She and her team have always been very responsive, reliable and best of all, the furniture she has selected for my apartment, is nice, fits the space properly, and helps make my apartment more rentable. I will continue to use Paula’s services as I add additional furnishings, to keep the ‘‘look’’ consistent, but more importantly because of the quality work she and her team have provided.’’ Kevin Platz Cologne, Germany
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>> costa HOMES
Top tips… To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water. It softens hands while cutting through grease To keep candles from dripping when they burn, soak them in salt water. Use 2-3 tablespoons of salt to 2 cups of water.
Kitchen Disasters… If you have added too much curry then try adding a little honey. If you burn sauce or gravy, pour it into a clean pan, add some sugar to it a little at a time to avoid the final result becoming too sweet - it takes the burnt flavour away. The recipe for
the casserole said a teaspoon of salt but you used a desert spoon by mistake, don't throw it away - peel a potato, cut into medium size pieces and add to the casserole. Simmer and when the potato is soft lift carefully out. The potato should have absorbed a lot of the saltiness. If you burn a pan of rice, place a slice of white or "light" bread on the top of the rice. Let it sit for a few minutes (5-10). The burnt taste will be gone but be sure not to scrape the bottom of the pan!
Alka-Seltzer can be used to … 3 tablets down the kitchen sink followed by a cup of white vinegar. Leave for a few minutes then run hot water - cleans pipes. 4 tablets in the toilet will bring your bowl up sparkling clean. Leave for an hour and then brush. 1 tablet in a cup of warm water. Drop in your jewellery (not pearls or opals) and leave for a few minutes. Sparkling. To freshen up a thermos flask, fill the flask with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets and let soak for an hour (or longer if necessary). To remove the stain from the bottom of a glass vase fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Shoe care… To clean suede shoes - instead of using a wire suede brush which takes off the top layer of the leather try using masking tape.
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To clean nubuck leather use a very fine sandpaper - brings it up like new. To clean patent leather shoes rub in petroleum jelly and leave for a while to soak in, the buff up with a soft clean cloth. This will not only keep them shiny but also prevent them cracking. If crepe soles become sticky, put talcum powder on them and this will resolve the problem. To stretch tight shoes, pack with potato peelings and leave for 48hrs.
Coca cola… Removes oil stains off a drive way - pour a can of coke over the oil stain then rinse with water. Cleans tile grout- pour coke onto the tiled floor then clean as normal the grout is instantly whiter. Cleans your kettle- put a bottle of Coca cola into the kettle and leave to settle for a few hours then remove and rinse.
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joys of Spring Written by
Simon Hill
O
ur region has a show of flowering bulbs throughout the year. From the first autumn rains through to the following summer, their flowers can appear anywhere, especially on uncultivated banks and hillsides. The eye cannot fail to appreciate their beauty.
Like so many of the native plants in our region, these bulbs remain dormant for much of year, only popping up when conditions are suitable. This can be the first autumn rains or the first warm days of spring. In northern Europe, bulbs herald the start of spring, when the ground is warming up and the days are getting longer. Spring would not be the same there if it were not for displays of Snowdrops, Crocuses and Daffodils. The same is true in our region. Most species of wild daffodils appear from January to March but some can flower from as early as November and December. 48 costa life
costa HOMES >> Some native bulbs flowering at this time of year may be unfamiliar to you but a daffodil is easily recognised whether it is growing in a pot or in the ground. Andalucía has a range of native Narcissus sp.) some of which are daffodils (N parents of modern hybrids found on sale in garden centres around the world.
Construction and development, together with the use of herbicides over the years, have not helped dwindling populations of Narcissi but there are still healthy colonies in inland areas such as the Sierra de Mijas, Sierra de las Nieves and the Serrania de Ronda that appear year after year. There are several species that are endemic. Of these, Narcissus baeticus is only to be found in the province of Malaga, specifically the Sierra de las Nieves, and is easily recognised with small yellow trumpet flowers on erect stems up to 30cm in height that appear from February to April.
Narcissus bugei with small star-like yellow trumpets on long thin stems is a rarity on the red list of threatened species. This Narcissus is again endemic to our region and can be found in the Sierra de las Nieves where a small population is struggling to survive. For this reason we should not to disturb it. The plant contains a toxic alkaloid that has in the past found its way into cattle feed causing serious problems for farmers and this may go some way to explain why it is now threatened with extinction through the overuse of herbicides. In the 19th century, this species was used medicinally in the treatment of whooping cough and other respiratory diseases.
Narcissus cantabricus is a species that can be found in and around the Sierras of Malaga province between January and March. The delicate flowers are pure white with a large trumpet and much smaller white petals. The foliage is very fine and grass-like. This plant reaches a height of no more than 25 centimetres.
Narcissus papyraceus) is one The Paper White (N species that starts flowering around our region as early as late November. As the name suggests, the flowers are paper-thin and pure white, grouped together on long, elegant stems. The flowers have a strong scent.
Another scented species of Narcissus is the Narcissus serotinus ). The Pheasant’s Eye (N flowers are white with a pale orange centre. This species does not take kindly to disturbance so populations have been reduced drastically, especially along the developed coast. Inland it can still be seen on the edge of woodland where the soil is sandy and well drained.
Many of the bulbs that we buy in garden centres, especially Daffodils and Tulips, have been bred and produced in northern Europe where the climate is much colder. Many of these modern hybrids have a requirement for winter cold to trigger spring flowering and when grown here find it difficult to flower after one season. To counteract this, it is possible to lift the bulbs from the soil and store them in a dry place and then in the autumn to place them in a refrigerator for several weeks. This may seem odd but, as we do not have the ‘cold snap’ that these bulbs require, the refrigerator is a practical artificial solution. Here in Andalucía, as well as a wealth of Daffodils, we also have a great range of other bulbs and tuberous plants native to this region. Irises form a dominant group and there are at least eight species, all flowering at different times of the year and varying in size and flower. The iris that has been flowering from early November last year (though normally from January onwards) is the Wide-leaved Iris (IIris planifolia). This iris can be readily seen by the roadside or in larger colonies on hillsides and pastoral land, particularly where the soil is rich in lime. There are many other bulbous plants native to our region and I cannot name them all within this issue. As 2007 progresses and they begin to bloom I will identify them and write more about them. Flowering bulbs brighten up an environment that is threatened by changes in agricultural practice and continuing growth on the coast, and now inland. I ask everyone that finds these gems of nature not to cut them for a vase and, more importantly, not to dig them out of the ground. As we can see for Narcissus bugei, these plants are delicate and without due care disappear forever. Over the time that I have been living in Spain I have witnessed populations of native plants decreasing year by year. They are not only beautiful but are also an essential part of the natural environment of Andalucía. Simon Hill can be seen regularly at Country Farmers Markets in Jardines del Trapiche, Velez Malaga and Hotel Saydo, Mollina. He also has a regular stall at the Sunday market, Centro Commercial La Trocha, Coín.
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2 BED ATICO DUPLEX, Arroyo de la Miel, on 3 floors, 2 bathrooms + guest toilet, bright lounge, kitchen, roof terrace, sun all day, south facing, fantastic views, parking space. Close to all amenities. ONLY 190.000 € € (apprx £134,000) ref: csp584 STUDIO EDF AGUILA, 6th floor, fantastic views, separate kitchen, bathroom, glazed in terrace, renovated, furnished,close to all amenities, communal pool + gardens, 24hrs reception. Mortgage can be arranged. BARGAIN AT 93.000 € € !!!! (apprx £66,000) ref: csp342 MINERVA FRONT CORNER 1 bed apt, bathroom, open plan kitchen, lounge, 6th floor, wrap around terrace with sun all day and incredible views over pool, park and sea, good condition. Guaranteed rental income! NOT TO BE MISSED AT 170.000 €€ (apprx £121,000) ref: csp576
LONG LETS STUDIO in Benalmadena, 9th floor, great seaviews, renovated, furnished, communal pool and gardens, centrally located. Price 380 € € /month 3 BED / 2 BATH in La Reserva del Parque, opposite La Paloma park, separate kitchen, furnished, utility room, parking space, pool, garden, nice views. Price 900 € € /month. 2 BED / 2 BATH unfurnished apt in Arenal Golf, separate kitchen with all mod cons, hot & cold A/C, spacious lounge, terrace, parking space, pool, gardens. Price 650 € € /month. ARENAL GOLF, 2 bed / 2 bath, nicely furnished, brand new, A/C, parking space, pool, gardens, can be rented for max 8 months. 700€ € /month 3 BED / 1 BATH apartment in central Arroyo de la Miel, close to all amenities. Furnished. 650 €€/month
RESTORED CORTIJO WITH GUEST COTTAGE & SWIMMING POOL - MONTEFRIO, GRANADA Beautifully restored, tradtional cortijo with 5 double bedrooms plus seperate 3 bedroom cottage and swimming pool. - Well presented throughout with lots of character and many original features. MAIN HOUSE: 5 Double bedrooms (some with beamed ceilings), Fitted & tiled bathrooms, Lounge has fireplace with log burner installed, & Andalucian style kitchen / diner. COTTAGE: 3 Double bedrooms (2 with patio doors to gardens & pool area), Lounge has fireplace with log burner installed, Fitted & tiled bathroom. Stone floors throughout. OUTBUILDINGS: Second fitted & tiled kitchen / diner with fireplace, Pool side fitted & tiled bathroom, Plus 3 outbuildings which could convert for further accommodation / workshop / garage etc. OUTSIDE: Swimming pool with terrace area, flat fenced gardens with numerous fruit trees (including fig, olive & nispero), shaded courtyard area, private entrance with double gates, road access. POSITION: Peaceful, coutryside location with country & mountain views
Sale Price: 249,000 €
Phone: 627 834 839 www.acefm.info 52 costa life
costa PROPERTY >>
specializing in
Fincas Country Villas Townhouses Cortijos Ruins Plots
952 498 454 mobile: 609 454 409
AP496: A double fronted townhouse in a central position within Alora where renovation has commenced but needs finishing. The property is on 2 levels and also has a roof terrace. At street level there is a lounge, bedroom, kitchen and room which could be a w.c. This level has been stripped back to the bare brickwork. There is also a rear garden with an outside bathroom partially demolished. The upper level has a large landing, kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms and one other room. This level is habitable. 90m2 built. The glorious roof terrace has views over Alora. Although this is an unfinished project when completed would be a substantial townhouse. The sales price reflects the work required. Mains water and electricity.
AP491: This large 2 level town house has been completely reformed but still retains its original character. It is situated in the centre of Alora in a quiet street. On street level there is an entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, fully fitted kitchen, utility room, bedroom and a shower room. Upstairs there are 2 bedrooms, a large landing currently used as a library, large bathroom, a small kitchen area and a terrace. There is also a further upper terrace. 155 m2 built including terraces. Mains water, electricity and telephone.
PRICE: 115,500€
PRICE: 180,000€
AP497: A well constructed country villa set on 10,000m2 of land planted with olives, almond and numerous fruit trees located between Alora and Valle de Abdalajis. The villa offers a large living room/dining area, wooden kitchen, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The property has double glazed windows, vaulted ceilings and air-conditioning both hot & cold.102m2 built and 50m2 of terrace which offers sunny and shady outside space. There is also an 8x4 swimming pool, easily maintained garden, a wooden garden shed and lots of parking space. Access to this property is excellent, just 200 metres off a tarmac road with stunning views over the valley. Water and electricity. This is a very desirable property.
AP468: A completely refurbished 2 level house set in 8,400m2 of irrigated flat land with productive orange grove and other fruit trees, located only 5 minutes drive from Alora. On ground level there is an entrance hall, large lounge/dining room with wood burning stove and French doors that lead out onto a glorious south facing courtyard, fully fitted kitchen with breakfast bar, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. The upper level has a master bedroom with en-suite shower room and air conditioning. Approx. 150 m2 built. There is an immaculate colourful garden, an 7x5m swimming pool with shower/changing room and w.c. Efficient well water, electricity, radio phone, internet connection and satellite tv. The furniture can be sold with the property and is negotiable.
PRICE: 325,000€
PRICE: 495,000€
tel:
enquiries@aloraproperties.com www.aloraproperties.com Plaza Fuente Arriba s/n Alora
Gapp Properties Rentals and Sales Different name, Same people Local 9, Edificio Jupiter, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631
Authentic, Old Farmhouse (Álora)
Old Town house (habitable) (Casarabonela)
Cosy Country Cottage (Álora)
Built: 80 m² Land: 40 m² Old Town house in excellent condition with 2 beds. · Close to centre, but very quiet location ( no traffic ) · ff/kitchen Roof terrace · Priced to sell quickly. 76.000 € €
Built: 80 m² Land: 307 m² Semi-detached, located 1 km from main road & surrounded by fruit trees · 2 beds · ff/kitchen · Landline telephone · Aircon. · Views · Car port · Vegetable garden at rear. 148.000 €€
Extensive selection of rentals and re sales We manage over 60 holiday apartments in Jupiter, Minerva and Benal beach We also have a selection of long term properties, and if we haven’t got what you want we will find if for you. 7 years experience Enviable reputation for providing a quality service, over 100 long term clients can’t be wrong. Call 952
Built: 135 m² Land: 20.000 m² 3 bedrooms · 1 bathroom Restored with great care Pool · Own well · Nice views Ample kitchen + living room Storage room with 30 sqm Priced to sell · 275.000€ € Charming, rustic Townhouse (Casarabonela)
Built: 130 m² Land: 150 m² 3 beds · 2 baths · Renovated 2004 · Semi-detached · Patio w. stone house · Nice, uninterrupted views even from ground floor+patio · Excellent value for money…. 108.000 €€
574 051 or 952 577 751
www.gapp-properties.com info@gapp-properties.com rentals@gapp-properties.com open Mon - Thur 10am - 6pm Fri 10am - 5pm costa life 53
>> costa PROPERTY
STEP BY STEP GUIDE to buying a property in Spain
W
hen you have finished your long hard search and settled on the right Spanish Property for you, please don’t trip up at the final hurdle. Make sure you are never pushed into making a rash decision on a property until you are perfectly happy with your choice, and that you are sure you want to complete on the sale. There are, sadly, still horror stories of people being ripped off and conned out of small and large amounts of money, but if you go through an established estate agent and arrange suitable legal advice, your buying process should be smooth and trouble free from start to finish. One thing you will have to accept when buying a property in Spain is that the world of officialdom and paperwork is not quite what it is back home, and some things are done quite differently from the UK. You must try to accept this early on, to avoid more worry than necessary. Hopefully this short guide will give you some useful pointers to guide you through the process as smoothly as possible.
THE PROPERTY SEARCH >> Always do your research! The increasing use of the internet has proved a significant to both buyers and sellers of property, and is more and more becoming the first place people look for Spanish property. Some websites provide even more useful information such as area guides, property news, and even newsletters. Try and go through as many magazines as possible to get a feel for prices. You can pick some up in the UK in places like WH Smith´s but there are many more to choose from once you have arrived in Spain. Once you have narrowed down your search, it is time to contact an agent.
Don’t be scared, many of them don’t bite! There are many more estate agents in Spain than there are in the UK, mostly because of the recent property boom, so you should try to use a little care when selecting an agent. Ask them if they are part of any recognised professional body, and maybe how many property listings they have on their books, or how long they been established in Spain, for example. The fact is that your feeling is usually the best judge. Other than that, a recommendation from someone who bought from the same company is probably the best way to choose.
DECISION TIME >> SO, you have seen 100’s of properties, your agent’s going grey, you can’t quite decide between property a and property b, it’s all getting a bit much… and then you find it: The property you always imagined! Now the fun begins, as it’s time to make an offer. At this stage the Spanish system is no different to the UK. The buyer makes an offer and the vendor either accepts or rejects that offer. If agreement is reached verbally you should instruct a lawyer immediately to act on your behalf.
INSTRUCTING A LAWYER >> Choosing the right lawyer is a very important part of the buying process, and bear in mind that you could well be dealing with the same lawyer for some time to come, and they will probably end up acting on your behalf if you should sell the property. As in so many things, the best way to find someone good is a recommendation.
PAYING A HOLDING DEPOSIT >> Once you have made your decision and your lawyer is happy with the terms and conditions of anything you are asked to sign, it is time to pay a holding deposit. This deposit is usually 3000 Euros on smaller properties, and 6000 on larger properties, and is usually held by the estate agent, in order to take the property off the market until the private contract is signed. These deposits are often paid ‘‘subject to mortgage’’ until a certain date. This means that buyers are given a certain amount of time to arrange the finance, and will not lose their deposit if the finance is not granted.
PRIVATE CONTRACT – The 54 costa life
point of no return. This is the most important stage in the whole process, as if either party pull out afterwards, they must compensate the other party with (typically) 10% of the purchase price. On signing the private contract, the buyer will deposit 10% with the seller’s lawyer, and the other reason why this stage of the process is so important is that it defines a date by which time the parties must complete.
PUBLIC CONTRACT – The notary public. This is the final stage in buying a Spanish property. Both parties must attend the notary on or before the date stipulated by the private contract, at which time the balance of the purchase price is paid, and a new title deed is prepared and signed by the notary. Mortgages will also require a separate deed, and outstanding mortgages must also be cancelled at this point. Once the deeds are signed they will be then be submitted to the land registry for registration.
THE BUYER’S COSTS >> As a general rule, the costs of buying a property in Spain should be no more than 10% of the purchase price. These costs are as follows: Transfer tax: the Spanish equivalent of stamp duty, currently 7%. Lawyer’s fees: most lawyers in Spain charge 1% of the purchase price, depending on what services you ask them to proved. They will probably charge more if you ask them to act as ‘‘Power of Attorney’’, for example. Notary and Registration Fees: These should be no more than around 1000 Euros, depending on the price of the property. The fees may rise if you are taking a large mortgage, for example, as banks and mortgage brokers in Spain charge higher opening fees that UK equivalents. They will be repaid as part of the mortgage total, however, so it is difficult to give an average figure. All other costs should be paid by the seller, including all estate agents fees, capital gains tax, and an incremental land tax called ‘‘plus valia’’. As a final piece of advice, the oldest one in the book probably holds more true today than ever before:
Buyers beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
costa PROPERTY >>
Mansion House Conveyancing & Legal Services
Mansion House specialises in property conveyancing & legal services on the coast & inland areas. If you are looking to buy a property in Spain you need a qualified independent conveyancer, to ensure that the property you are buying meets all the necessary legalities. Our Conveyancing services include in depth background searches on properties to ensure their legality, assisting with mortgage applications, arranging surveys and topographical reports for plot measurements and boundaries, as well as post-purchase utility bills change over.
SPECIAL OFFER FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION & 20% REDUCTION IN CONVEYANCING FEES* Legal Administration Services: - NIE numbers/Residencia 60€ - Vehicle registration 130€ - Vehicle name transfers 70€ - Driving License exchange 60€ - E121 Social Security Registration 80€ - Self Employment Registration 150€ - Wills 100€ Professional Interpeting & Translation Services also available
Offices in FUENGIROLA & CARTAMA Contact our friendly bilingual staff for information or an appointment on:
Tel. 952 47 28 72 Mobile: 653 172 264 Email: mansionhousespain@hotmail.com *Normal fees 1% of property price. All prices exclude state charges & taxes.
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 6.00pm Friday only 9.00am - 2.00pm
For all your insurance needs, do it the right way. Motor insurance for UK and Spanish plates, home and contents, health insurance, pet, travel and commercial insurance. Established on the coast for over 7 years thousands of satisfied customers Situated next to lidl supermarket in calahonda or arrange cover by calling
952 934 963 or go on line
at www.rightwaysl.com.
Right Way Insurance ... insuring you, your family and your belongings the right way costa life 55
>> costa LIFESTYLE
Written by
Peter Harrison
F
unny chap, Napoleon. I made a study of him when I discovered a rumour that four of his generals were once imprisoned in our house on Dartmoor. Apparently they lived in style with servants. Then one day we lifted a warped floorboard and discovered a pen and ink drawing of Nap. Perhaps a general had become a bit bored of being locked up and had drawn a picture of the boss himself. Who can tell? Regrettably the picture crumbled. Napoleon was a man of antipodal actions. He even wore his hat the wrong way around.
His actions are still having an influence on our lives. Pick up a hire car at a British airport and, instead of driving on the right with a left hand drive car, you now have to get used to once more driving on the left with a right hand drive one. Should you take your Spanish registered car to Britain then you find yourself creeping along the kerb. Lose your concentration for a second and you cross over to the wrong side. We have all done it but not too often. Making a habit of it is not to be recommended. Now, who caused this chaos? Yes indeed, blame it all on Nap. He did it. The left/right factor goes back to the Napoleonic Wars. The British troops advanced to the front line keeping strictly to the left. This enabled the horse ambulances carrying the wounded back from the front to keep to their left - the other side of the road - so there was no confusion. It was a smart idea. Napoleon could see this good idea allowed everything to work smoothly, but it was not in his Corsican blood to copy the English example. He ordered the reverse to apply. His troops would advance on the right side of the tracks and the wounded troops on their return would go on their right. The American troops, in league with the French, followed suit and in their civil war some sixty years later continued the French pattern. With the arrival of the motor car the tiller was soon replaced by the steering wheel. At first the steering wheel was placed centrally and then moved to the offside. Following established practice the Americans and French put their steering on the left and then drove on the right. The Brits did what they had always done, occupied the left side of the road
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and placed the steering on the right. Most of continental Europe followed the French example - Italy being a bit slow in doing so until Mussolini came to power. All this seemed to make sense. Who on earth would want to take their motor cars across the channel? Only a few nutcases and, if they had a collision at the crazy speed of ten miles an hour, that served them right (or maybe left!). The motor industry little realised the problems of manufacture which lay ahead.
strange system. In the Greek part locally assembled cars are right hand drive, and in the Turkish part they are left hand drive. I would rather leave it to them to work that out and good luck to them all. I suppose the bureaucrats in the EU will try to puzzle out some way of standardising a system in the Union. They have tried standardising most things so why not have endless committees on that subject. ‘Traffic Flow Standardisation’ or TFS… how about that? I suppose they will
Throughout the extensive British Empire the loyal subjects followed the British traditions and standards and drove on the left, and that became the law. In continental Europe, Sweden, which imported many British manufactured cars, was the odd man out until September 1967. Changing was a logistic nightmare, not only in engineering terms but in public information and education. The Government hired a specialist in such training to mastermind the project. He was Gunnar Backlund and I visited him at his home in Bromma. He told me how the project had developed. At the start vehicles now moving on the right had to move at a very slow speed and have their lights switched on even in daylight. The speed was gradually increased as time went by but the lights still had to be kept on. Even today you will find cars with Swedish registration still have lights on in daytime. This warning system worked well, although the fact that Sweden is a sparsely populated country did help enormously. Iceland followed with the change and then a feasibility study was done in Britain. The study in the early seventies showed that with high traffic density a change was well nigh impossible and the cost would be horrendous. Will it ever happen? Who knows but, as Napoleon himself would have said, ‘‘Not tonight Josephine.’’ Many people believe that Britain is out of step with the rest of the world. Not so….many countries drive on the left. In fact 34% of the world’s population drive on the right. In terms of main roads in the world some 28% require you to drive on the left. ‘Lefties’ are India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Indonesia. These are countries where Britain exerted considerable influence in the early days when motoring was becoming popular. Japan, which started supplying some of these Asian countries, also drives on the left and it must have taxed their ingenious minds when they started supplying cars in huge volume to continental Europe and America. Visitors to Japan are surprised to find that the entry to your taxi is the pavement side on the left of the car. Do not ponder it too long. Japanese taxi doors open automatically so you can be done a mischief if you stand too close. Turkey has a
recommend that the scheme be held in abeyance until all present cars go to the great scrap yard in the sky. That ensures it is someone else’s problem. That is the usual way to resolve a tricky situation. If it had not been for Nap and his antipodal whims we would never have had the problem. Visiting his tomb in Les Invalides in Paris a few months ago, one can imagine him in there having the last laugh: ‘‘That screwed them all up’’ or the French equivalent thereof. He did however make an impact in Britain. There is one street where you are required to drive on the right… Savoy Street in London, leading up to The Savoy hotel. Heaven knows why…or maybe Nap does!
>> costaSTUFF
W h at is Lov e? F
ebruary 14th is Valentines Day, traditionally the time when lovers exchange Valentine cards or an admirer sends an anonymous card to the admired. ‘‘I love you’’ is written in the card but what does ‘‘I love you’’ really mean in the 21st Century? The English word ‘‘love’’ is a very over-worked word in our language. We can say ‘‘I love my dog, I love the movies, I love travelling, I love holidays, I love ice cream, I love my wife, I love football’’ in the same tone of voice. ‘‘I love you’’ - what does it mean? For some it simply means that two people decide to set up home together and perhaps start a family but as soon as they tire of each other, it’s time to part and go their separate ways. For very few the words ‘‘I love you’’ mean a commitment for life ‘until death us do part’. To make a real commitment forever to someone requires more than just a passing fancy or physical desire. Elderly couples who celebrate their Golden or Diamond Wedding Anniversary have kept their promise to each other through all the ups and downs of their long married life. Once the honeymoon is over, determination to remain faithful keeps them together. Nowadays so many relationships end after a short time often because it is difficult in the world of today to stick to a commitment. We live in an ‘instant’ world, instant coffee, instant meals, instant entertainment. We are accustomed to getting what we want when we want it. The trouble is that when we get what we want so easily we sometimes find that we don’t really want it after all. It was too easy. It
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doesn’t seem to be worth it, no real effort on our part. We won the prize too easily and we don’t really want it. The Bible tells us that God is love, not simply that He loves the world but that He is love. To live in God’s will is to be able to receive His love for us and to love Him in return and to love our neighbour as ourselves. A Greek word ‘agape’ is used to describe this kind of love and it’s a decision to love unconditionally regardless of whether that love is returned. We can only do this with the help of the Spirit of God who pours His love into our hearts enabling us to love even the unlovable. The Christian can ‘turn the other cheek’ and refuse to retaliate only because this amazing ‘agape’ love of God is poured into us and simply needs to flow out of us towards others. If you are feeling rejected, unloved and abused by others, turn to your Creator today and ask Him to pour His love upon you. God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9, 10 &16, Romans 5:5 (New Living Translation) Annette Riggall The Evangelical Christian Fellowship ‘‘an oasis where the Word of God is preached and the love of God is shared.’’ Sundays 4.30pm Iglesia San Miguel, Calahonda Tel/Fax (0034) 952 46 73 94 E-mail: tecfellowship@gmail.com Website: www.ecfmijas.com Pastors Peter and Annette Riggall
costaSTUFF >>
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>> costaSTUFF
If you can't join them, build it… When you’re the queen of the pop music world, there are all kinds of benefits beyond big houses and nice cars. And in Madonna’s case, she needed a workout facility close to her home, so she simply had it built. Madge was spotted by the paparazzi after her morning workout. The Material Girl was returning home after visiting her next-door gym in London..
A Tribute to Heath Ledger's Life… Brokeback Mountain will be the performance that goes down in the history books to remember the life and career of Heath Ledger. Many critics had questioned his talent as an actor leading up to his role as a gay cowboy, but the sheer brilliance of his grace on the silver screen won even the most hardened critics over.
Happy Jailhouse Birthday… Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer 24’’) has just served 48 days in jail…not only did he spend Christmas and New Year but also his 41st birthday. He was charged with driving with blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. The Glendale City Jail spokesman said ‘‘Kiefer is a really nice and humble guy, and just wants to put this behind him.’’ Happy birthday, Kiefer -- it’s bound to be one you’ll never forget.
Money, money , money… The Spice Girls… We don’t know how minted they are but allegedly they have raked in 10 million each for a 17-night run at London’s O2 Arena. Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, recently claimed the comeback tour had nothing to do with money. ‘‘The truth of the matter is, to put on this tour has cost £18.6 million,’’ she said. ‘‘We have done this purely to celebrate our fans, the music and ourselves. This is not a money-making expedition. It really isn’t. Hopefully we will break even but it has never been about that.’’
>> Flawless
>> Hot Rod Sissy Spacek, Ian McShane, Isla Fisher Amateur stunt man Rod Kimble has a problem - his step father Frank is a jerk. Frank picks on Rod, tosses him around like a rag doll in their weekly sparring sessions, and definitely doesn’t respect him, much less his stunts. But when Frank falls ill, it’s up to Rod to stage the jump of his life in order to save his step father. The plan: Jump 15 buses, raise the money for Frank’s heart operation, and then... kick his ass.
>> Mighty Heart Angelina Jolie,Archie Panjabi,Michael Winterbottom Based on Mariane Pearl’s memoir detailing the terrifying and unforgettable story of her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl’s life and death. The story covers Danny’s reasons for being in Karachi, Pakistan, the complete story of his abduction, the intense effort of his wife, Mariane Pearl to find him during the weeks following his disappearance and his eventual murder.
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Michael Caine and Demi Moore Set in 1960’s London. The Edward Anderson script is loosely based on an actual jewelry heist. Caine plays a janitor who dreams of liberating his employers of there inventory. He finds an accomplice in an American exec (Moore) who is stymied by the old boys’ network.
>> No Reservations Catherine Zeta Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Patricia Clarkson Master chef Kate Armstrong lives her life like she runs her kitchen, with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. Kate’s perfectionist nature is put to the test when she ‘inherits’ her nine-year-old niece Zoe, while contending with a brash new sous-chef who joins her staff. High-spirited and freewheeling, Nick Palmer couldn’t be more different from Kate, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable...
costaSTUFF >>
costa life 71
The Wild Boar
Written by
Peter Harrison
A
lthough it is enjoyable to get up early on a lovely fine morning, it is not so pleasant when it is wet and windy and all sensible folk are in bed. We did not relish having to leave the house at six in the morning recently in order to take a house guest to the airport.
When we returned, we looked for evidence of the boars and found it with trotter marks across our open land. Thankfully a fence prevented them from entering our formal garden around the house for these animals can create havoc with their scratching and rooting.
It took a drive of two hundred metres down our unsurfaced track for a dramatic change of mind. Crossing the track was a family of wild boars: parents with five piglets trotting obediently behind. Then they left the headlight beams and vanished into the countryside. That is the fascinating thing about watching wildlife; events occur when we least expect them. Sometimes you can wait for hours, maybe days, and see nothing.
Many years back I went to the Lucee forest near Hamburg in search of wild boars. I was studying at Hamburg University and fellow students had told me that the forest was teeming with the animals. Well maybe they were but not for my eyes and after a fruitless weekend I decided to drive back to my lodgings. My car then encountered a hole in the forest path which was camouflaged with leaves. The British army camp nearby was a battalion of my old regiment and they helped me out and repaired the car
costa STUFF >> their young. The best way to see them is at a distance and they should never be approached. In Veitshoecheim, Bavaria, a dozen boars invaded the town when they escaped from a hunt and became separated from their young. One ran into a shop and bulldozed the goods; the sales assistant took refuge under a counter. Another attacked a 43 year old man, biting him on the leg. Here in Spain two girls aged 16 and 19 were attacked just before Christmas in the Alpujarras district of Granada. They were airlifted to hospital. Another report was from Calahonda where a boar caused chaos in a private garden.
whilst I enjoyed dinner in the Officers Mess. There I learned where the boar were and that the best time to find them was just before dawn as they are nocturnal animals. The adjutant and I set off in a jeep and only saw one which rushed across our path, a one second glimpse. Now after all these years the wild boars, all seven of them, have come to our doorstep (well nearly so) and they really made our day. Getting up early isn’t a bad plan after all. These animals are rare; in fact in England they were regarded as extinct. No recorded sighting had been made for around three hundred years. Now they have turned up in the Forest of Dean and in the Wye Valley. One has been spotted crossing Dartmoor. Where have they come from? Probably from farms where they are kept for gourmet food and released by animal activists. It is anyone’s guess. In Britain they are classified as dangerous under the Wild Animals Act and indeed they can be as they are very protective animals, especially of
Wild boars are not animals to take lightly. Although related to the domestic pig they make porky appear cuddly. They can weigh up to 250 kilos and the males have tusks of around twenty centimetres with the female having somewhat shorter tusks. These weapons of defence they keep razor sharp by the lower jaw grinding against the top. Boars are shortsighted but have a highly developed sense of smell and can detect an intruder at a considerable distance. They can have up to twelve piglets which the female will defend with ferocity. Although intimidating in appearance they are mainly vegetarian and enjoy acorns which they devour with a loud crunching noise. They are officially classified as omnivores as they do fancy the odd lizard or rodent. Boars are indigenous to Western Europe and North Africa. Here in Spain they were hunted almost to extinction by Renaissance noblemen with packs of dogs. Now they live in peace in the Donaña National Park and the Wildlife Research Station in the park was once the hunting lodge of the Duke of Medina Sidonia and he held banquets with wild boar as a main dish, I am glad that barbaric practice is over: a boar’s head on a plate would put me off food for weeks. The problem with wild boars is that the western world of the twenty first century is a very different place to when these animals roamed freely three centuries ago. Urbanisation has taken over their land, roads have ribboned the countryside and the density of population has increased rapidly and dramatically. We want such wildlife. It enriches our countryside but we cannot accommodate it and also these animals are very fecund. With up to twelve piglets we must have culling and I regret having to say that. Indeed in Britain the government has agreed to issue licences to hunt boar on a limited basis. This will be done by high power rifles and I hope that licenses will be issued to trained marksmen and not to sadistic lunatics whose idea of fun is to chase animals to the point of exhaustion. Fun with a gun I deplore and I wonder what makes these people tick. The real answer to accomodating boars is to have special reserves for them. This has been done with skill and compassion for wolves at the Lobo Park near Antequera and anyone interested in wildlife can have an interesting and enjoyable day out there. If this could be done for boars they could enjoy their lives away from human interference. They regard humans as predators and in the wild protect themselves with passion. They have good reason to do so.
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>> costaSTUFF
Costa
Cuisine
by Jan Morley of FreezerMor
RAVIOLI Home-made ravioli... a time to be adventurous and have a go at making, this is a great comfort food. The stuffed pasta you buy from the supermarket shelf does not taste anything like the silken-textured home-made pasta, with fresh herbs and vegetables. You might be forgiven for thinking at this stage that you will need to buy loads of expensive equipment, not true! You can make pasta on a tabletop, then, just roll it out with a conventional rolling pin. The cutting can be done using anything from a pastry wheel, a scone cutter or even just a small glass! Do you need special Italian flour, as everybody always recommends the 00 variety, no you just need a strong flour with a high gluten content, such as bread flour.
times); be careful to flour the rollers and the dough if necessary. To flatten and roll the dough, narrow the rollers by one notch. Feed the dough strip through. Now you mustn’t fold the strip. Narrow the rollers by one notch and feed the strip through again. Keep on with rolling and narrowing the rollers by one notch until the dough strip is thin enough to be cut. Be careful to avoid sticking. Spread the strip on a lightly floured work surface and sprinkle with flour. Let dry for 15-20 minutes in order to avoid sticking in next steps.
As you gain the basic skills, you can experiment with your own fillings.
I will experiment with flavoured pastas in another recipe.
The basic recipe for pasta is:
Ravioli Small, square pasta cases that are stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables, then cooked in a pan of boiling water and served with tomato or other flavoured sauces and olive oil or grated cheese.
450g (1lb) strong plain flour Pinch salt 4 med. Eggs, beaten 1 tbsp. olive oil
1) Egg pasta by hand Put flour and salt in a bowl or on a work surface. Stir to blend. Make a well in the center and add the eggs. With a fork or your fingertips, gradually, incorporate the flour into the eggs until it resembles soft dough. Sometimes you'll have to add some tablespoons of water; or you'll have to add some flour if the dough is very sticky. Knead the dough on a floured work surface for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Cover with cling film and allow to rest for at least 20-30 minutes. When the dough is ready, cut into thirds or quarters. Work with 1 piece at a time but remember to keep the remaining pieces covered, to prevent drying out, as it then becomes difficult to work. Roll out on lightly floured surface the pasta dough, beginning from the center, to a thickness of 0,3 cm (1/8in); If you want to cut noodles by hand, allow to dry for 15-20 minutes.
2) Pasta in the food processor Simply place all the ingredients together and blend until it forms dough. Remove and knead, then proceed as in above method.
They can have all kinds of delicious fillings -roasted butternut squash, spinach and ricotta, roasted red pepper, seafood and so on. It makes an easy supper dish, or you can serve it as a starter either with a sauce or just drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and scattered with fresh herbs or flavoured butters and grated parmesan.
Spinach and cream cheese filling: 110g/4oz spinach 4 shallots or 1 small onion, finely diced 1 egg yolk 2 dessertspoons cream cheese olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Nutmeg Fresh parsley
Method
3) Egg pasta by machine Pasta machine is a good help in kitchen especially if you want to make pasta often. Generally there are the instructions in the package but here we’ll give you some suggestions derived from our experience. Pasta machines help you, not only in rolling and cutting but in kneading too. In fact for kneading you have to set the machine rollers to the widest setting. Sprinkle with flour both rollers and the dough to avoid sticking. Flatten the dough slightly and fold it in thirds or in quarters. Continue rolling and folding several times (8-10
Wilt the washed spinach in a pan, and then drain and squeeze dry in a cloth. Gently sautĂŠ the shallots in a little oil, until soft. Place spinach in the food processor. Add the egg yolk, shallots and cream cheese and blitz to mix season with a little grated nutmeg, salt and black pepper (or chop finely and mix in a bowl). To make the ravioli, take a pasta circle. Place a teaspoon of the ricotta mixture in the centre, dab a little water round the edge, then place a second pasta circle on top. Seal the ravioli with a little water; take care to ease out all pockets of air, or else the filling will escape when cooking. Drop the ravioli in the boiling water. Boil for 3-5 minutes. Drain the ravioli, then serve with a drizzle of olive oil or a sauce of your choice. Serve with a drizzle of your favourite extra virgin olive oil and grated parmesan. Lightly cooked asparagus makes a delicious addition.
costaSTUFF >>
g.t. mckenna THE IRISH FAMILY BUTCHER
finest irish Beef & Bacon
tasty irish cheeses & gammons
cooked hams
BBQ meats
meat for all occasions
Tel./Fax.: 952 930 351 C.C. Los Jarales 3, Calahonda km 197
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>> costa STUFF
The Gift… The lingerie store where my aunt works was crowded with shoppers selecting Valentine’s Day gifts for their wives. A young businessman came to the register with a lacy black negligee. My aunt noticed that the next customer, an elderly farmer, was holding a long flannel nightgown and kept glancing at the younger man’s sexier choice. When it was his turn, the farmer placed the nightgown on the counter. ‘‘Would you have anything in black flannel?’’ He asked.
Wrong Number… A girl quickly punches a number into her mobile and waits until she hears the other line pick up. ‘‘Becky, I don’t know what to do, I really don’t. I love him so much and I don’t think he thinks of me that way. I mean, whenever I see him or think of him, I can’t help it, this smile comes across my face. Sometimes he sees me smiling and smiles back. That’s when my knees turn to jelly and I get butterflies in my stomach. I know you think that he’s so totally adorable and cute, but if you look past that and actually listen to what he has to say, you find a totally different person. He’s so caring and considerate and he makes me feel like I don’t deserve him. Well, actually, I don’t deserve him. He’s too perfect, I mean, look at all the girls that fall over for him. I could never be one of those. Their all so pretty and bubbly and….. not me. I couldn’t even start to compare myself to them. But whenever I think of him or see him, I can’t help it, I smile. Now I didn’t tell you this but he called me the other day about work. I tell you now, I made a complete fool of myself. I’m so embarrassed. I stuttered the whole time, but he was so sweet and just kept talking and making me feel better. He’s so perfect Becky, I don’t deserve him, so why do I keep wishing and praying that he will notice me, why?............Becky? Becky are you there?’’ ‘‘This isn't Becky.’’ Petrified the girl asks, ‘‘Then who is this?’’ ‘‘This is the guy who’s smile turns your knees to jelly and I just wanted to say one thing. Everything you just said now, I’ve been wanting to say since the day I met you.’’
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Movie Love Quotes… ‘‘Death can not stop true love, it can only delay it for a little while.’’ The Princess Bride ‘‘The things that people in love do to each other they remember, and if they stay together it’s not because they forget, it’s because they forgive.’’ Indecent Proposal ‘‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.’’ Moulin Rouge ‘‘When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with a person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’’ When Harry Met Sally ‘‘A woman’s heart is an ocean of secrets.’’ Titanic
Love Quotes… Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. Katharine Hepburn Men always want to be a woman’s first love - women like to be a man’s last romance. Oscar Wilde
costa STUFF >> Sudoku answers for Issue 33
7
8 4
2
3
6
6
5 9
8
2
2 6 4
9
3 8
5
4 6
9
7
1
3 The rules of Sudoku: place a digit from 1-9 in each empty cell, so every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9.
Across 1. Large house (7) 5. Pieces of information (5) 8. Profits (5) 9. Gruesome (7) 10. Retaliated (7) 11. Form of transport (5) 12. Hostility (6) 14. Stick (6) 18. Permit (5) 20. Sincere (7) 22. Creatures (7) 23. Doctrine (5) 24. Ledge (5) 25. Sweet (7)
Down 1. Tycoon (7) 2. Dissonance (5) 3. Perceptiveness (7) 4. Wanderers (6) 5. Aspect (5) 6. Vegetable (7) 7. Austere (5) 13. Discomfort (7) 15. Mocks (7) 16. Pull out (7) 17. Stopped (6) 18. Accumulate (5) 19. Dock (5) 21. Bird of prey (5)
Crossword answers for Issue 33 costa life 67
>> costa STUFF
CATARACTS IN DOGS L
ike a Camera, eyes have a clear lens inside them that is used for focusing. A cataract is any opacity within a lens.
Most cataracts in dogs are inherited. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years in one or both eyes. Also, dogs develop cataracts with age (after 8 years of life). Can Also develop in dogs with diabetes mellitus. How are Cataracts treated? Once a lens has developed a Cataract, there is no known method to make the lens clear again. Cataracts can be treated by surgically removing them. The procedures and equipment used to remove cataracts in dogs are the same as those used in humans. Phacoemulsificatión, a special probe ultrasonically, emulsifies and removes the cataracts after a small incision made in the eye. After successful cataract surgery, dogs see close to normal. Most owners notice a tremendous increase in their pet’s vision after cataract surgery, but they can still detect certain visual difficulties. You must know the earlier the cataract can be removed, the better!! What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog? First step is to have your pet examined by an eye’s specialist to determine if your pet is a good candidate for surgery. Preoperative blood profile must be performed. If your pet passes these test, electroretinography (ERG) must be performed. Electroretinography testing evaluates retinal function, as it is vital that the retina is working in order to perform cataract surgery. If your pet passes the ERG, surgery can be scheduled. In our Hospital, Dra. Vanessa Salguero Bernet is the eye’s specialist. If you have any questions you can arrange an appointment with her or phone her for more information.
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costa STUFF >>
It ’ s a dogs Lif e!! O
ne day in December I was driving into Fuengirola when I saw what looked like an exhausted and frightened dog walking along the Careterra de Mijas. Being an animal lover I stopped the car and called the dog over to see if it had a name tag so that I could perhaps reunite dog with owner. The dog jumped straight into the back of my car with a look that said ‘‘Oh thank goodness - my little legs are so tired’’. There was indeed a name tag with the name ‘‘Betty’’ and a phone number. On the reverse was a cryptic message - ‘‘please do not save me I am on my way to work’’.
Thanks to Sami from Splash pools for this story. We thought it was a cracker and worth printing. When we went down to Area 51 to get a couple of pictures of Betty we found out that she has been walking to work for about 7 yrs now. It all started because her owner got tired of the constant phone calls from concerned animal lovers, the dog pound or animal charities that had picked up Betty out of concern for what appeared to them to be a stray dog. In order to alleviate any concerns Tommy came up with the idea of putting a little message on her dog tag which reads ‘‘please don’t save me I am on my way to work’’ and this seems to have done the trick. On occasion owner Tommy will take her to work on the back of his Vespa.
Extremely puzzled I called the number to be told that Betty is in fact a semi-stray who walks all the way from Mijas Pueblo to a bar called Area 51 which is near the PYR building in Fuengirola! ‘‘What an amazing dog’’ was my comment followed by ‘‘what shall I do with her now’’. Before he could tell me to just drop her back on the road I suggested I could give her a lift to work! He said that he thought Betty would like that very much! So off we drove with Betty looking very pleased with herself for hitching a lift. When we reached the bar she wagged her tail gave me sort of thank you smile, jumped out of the van and straight into the bar. No-one was around but people around welcomed her as if it was clocking on time. Apparently she manages to cadge lifts back to Mijas on a regular basis when she can’t she either walks or sleeps outside of the bar!
Area 51
Betty’s bath She has also been known to stop off at the ‘‘Horses Head’’ roundabout near the Feria ground and have a bath in the fountain there!! Only to turn up ‘‘at work’’ dripping wet!! So if you see a half collie/Siberian Husky with blue eyes ‘‘wandering’’ around Fuengirola don’t worry because she is on her way to work but she might be grateful of a lift!!
Betty with owner Tommy
>> costaSTUFF
brought to you by Russell Vaughan Mintmicro S.L 951160411
Has Vista Slowed you down. You just got a new laptop. The 1Gb of memory is struggling with Windows Vista Basic. With Itunes, Firefox and Windows Live Messenger open the task manager tells you it’s using 81% of physical memory and my new laptop is running slower than my old computer. Is it the computer? Well actually Vista’s memory management is vastly different to XP’s. It will keep as much as it can in the 1GB of RAM instead of loading from disk; as a result programs you use often (especially if you have used them already in a session) will load much faster, on the downside the more programs you use in a session the slower your computer runs. So how can I speed it up again? So Vista works by loading as many of your gadgets and start-up programs in memory, once you open up a web browser and a few programs the available ram is used up, so your computer starts going straight to the hard drive and borrows space, but using the hard drive as extra memory will cost you in performance, you can’t afford. Hence your slow new laptop!
To determine what resources your computer is using add the CPU Meter, a windows Vista Sidebar gadget it displays two dials - one that tracks your system’s CPU usage and another that tracks physical memory usage, both in percentage format. This is a pretty basic Windows Vista gadget in that there are no fancy options, but it does what it does well. The CPU Meter gadget is included with Windows Vista. Just open the Gadgets window from your Windows Sidebar and double-click on CPU Meter. It will instantly be added to your Windows Sidebar. So how can I speed things up again? Well you really only have a few choices the first is to only run the programs you need for the job you are doing switch of all the bells and whistles you are not using and the second is to buy more ram. after seeing Vista’s perform some of the major manufacturers now recommend at least 2gb of ram and with 1GB as little as €60 it may be a worthwhile investment after the purchase of your new machine.
Spanish Ipod users accused of piracy. Last month Canada rejected a decision by the Canadian Copyright Board to collect fees from would-be MP3 player customers to compensate artists for revenue lost to ‘‘private’’ copying. Last year the Dutch justice minister also rejected calls for a copyright tax on USB Flash drives. Here in Spain you may have noticed how last year the cost of blank DVD and CD’s had dramatically increased and this year is the turn of USB drives. This is due to the recent decision of the Spanish government which has already added a tax to blank media so it can hand it over to copyright holders compensating them for the duplication of copyrighted materials. The move followed the lead of most European countries, which charge a levy on goods likely to be used to copy music, films or other copyrighted work. Most European countries permit copying for personal use and use the tax as a way to reimburse copyright holders. So with the tax on blank CDs, DVDs and flash memory sticks and the price of CD and DVD media over doubled; 70 costa life
now a Spanish group have launched a web-based campaign to fight the levy. Todoscontraelcanon.es (all against the levy) has started a petition and is collecting signatures to help challenge the new Ley de Propiedad Intelectual (Intellectual Property Law) by ‘‘any legal means available’’. Ofelia Tejerina, of the Asociación de Internautas (a Spanish Web Surfers’ Association), declared: ‘‘This law sidelines the rights of consumers of digital media since by the simple act of buying a digital reproduction system, whether they use it or not, or make personal copies or not, they’ll have to pay the levy’’. Sign the campaign now before the Spanish government add MP3 players to its tax list.
costa STUFF >>
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For more information please visit www.seoservicesspain.com or call Rob on 0034 617 940 022 costa life 71
Are you planning to fail by failing to plan? Part two To read part 1 if you missed it go on to www.costalifemagazine.com where you can read the magazine online.
H
i and welcome to part two of ‘‘Are you ready for 2008?’’ Last month I did an introduction on how to establish and plan your goals and how to set them. We saw that goal setting is very important in being able to achieve the things you want in life. They are invaluable and it is a fact that those people who have clearly defined goals and most importantly those who write them down and review their progress on a regular basis seem to achieve more than those who don’t.
The ratio is actually 1 in 10, that is 1 in 10 people make goal setting an integral part of their life. It is no surprise therefore that 10% of the population own 90% of the wealth. I have determined that this year is going to be a year when I really get to work on setting out my goals and making a regular review of the things I want to achieve. I know that monitoring my progress is vital so I have set a target of checking my goals and my progress towards them at least once every two weeks. I have already found this to be a great way of keeping myself on track and focused on the end result. I can see improvements in my performance and my determination levels are higher as I am retuning myself, as it were, to a new way of motivating myself. When I am faced with challenges and obstacles, I am finding that I overcome them quicker and with a more positive attitude, mainly because I am keeping my eyes fixed on where I want to be not where I am. I am not losing sight of the long term success by short term failures and challenges. One thing I do every day is to make a list of tomorrows tasks. At the end of each day I review the list and cross off the things that
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I have done and then roll it over to the next day. Again, this is keeping me focused on results and I am finding that my work rate is higher but also less stressful. I am setting my targets and then getting on with achieving them. A very important point that I want to make is that you have to write things down,. I know I keep going on about it but it is absolutely crucial to your long-term and ongoing success. For the sake of repeating myself from last month, when you write your goals down, whether it is your daily tasks or long term targets, something happens. You are establishing a contract with yourself and you can’t get away from it. It’s right there in front of you and I believe you are setting in motion a creative force, but only when you write it down. Something happens when you transfer the thoughts in your head to words on paper; it’s like a birthing process where you are making the first steps towards breathing life into the things you want to achieve in YOUR life. You have to write them down. This month we are moving on from last month's task and are going to split up our goals into two areas. Firstly, what type of goals you have, ie areas of life. When studying different teachers on goals and how to set them there are generally accepted to be seven areas of life where you can establish your goals. Remember last month I said that you need to have targets in ALL areas? This is now where we pigeonhole them. My example was that you might be a millionaire but a lousy father. The lesson to be learned from this is that we need to aim towards setting and achieving goals in all areas of our lives. Secondly, we need to set time targets for when you want to achieve your goals. We can call them short, medium and long term goals. Short term goals will be things you want to achieve in the next 0-12 months; medium term goals 1-5 years, and longterm goals five years plus. In this category you have to be realistic when setting time targets to your goals. For example, you might say that you want to lose a stone in weight by a week next Friday. Now, even though this is possible, and, if you didn’t eat
costa STUFF >> anything and swallowed a packet of laxatives every day you could probably achieve it, it would be fair to say that it is neither realistic nor healthy! It’s not easy is it, but please stay with me because it will be worth it for both of us when we start to tick off those goals when we hit them. Please also remember that the reason most people (including me - I am not preaching at you, I am in this with you) don’t achieve their goals or even have any goals, is because it actually takes time and effort to plan them. It is not a five minute job, this is about your life and what you want to do, be or have. You only get out what you put in; it’s a universal principle, sowing and reaping. So, let’s go back to ‘Areas of Life’. Last month your first task and mine was to go crazy with the pen and pad and list all the things you wanted to do, be and have. We said that there were no limitations, only the ones you put on yourself. Think big was the key; if there were no restrictions and you had all the time, money and ability at your disposal what would your dreams be. Some small, some big and some humungous!!
will never be completely finished, but you should be able to set time targets with most of them. Split them into short, medium and long term and, remember, be realistic. If you can, set a specific date. It might be related to a particular event like your daughters 18th birthday and wanting to buy her a new car, or buying your partner a particular Christmas present. Otherwise, just split them into one of the three categories, short 0-1 year, medium 1-5 years, or long term 5 years plus. Once you have done this, go through them one by one and see how realistic they are as regards your ability and genuine desire to achieve them. You have to answer Yes to the following five questions:
Well, I certainly had some fun, and I have a list as long as my arm. Now I am not going to go in to detail about all my goals but suffice to say I let loose with the mighty pen and I can say that if I achieved 75% of the things on my list I would be a very happy old man!
1. Is it really MY goal?
So, now that we have our first list we need to split it up in to ‘areas of life’. As I have already said, it is generally accepted that there are seven areas and they are:
5. Can I ‘see’ myself reaching this goal?
1. Family and home: ie get married, things related to kids, wife, husband, parents; things you want to do for them, with them, more family time etc.
2. Financial and career: how much you want to earn, to be debt free, to save, to give, get promotion, go on that training programme, new job etc.
3. Health: lose weight, get fit, go to gym, play football, change diet, run marathon, yearly health check etc.
4. Social and cultural: meet new friends, get out more, eat out more, music, art, go to theatre etc.
5. Material: things you want to have, ie new house, new car, holiday, go to Australia, nice watch etc.
6. Mental/educational: learn Spanish, pass driving test, get that degree, improve your memory, learn the guitar, learn to dance etc.
7. Ethical, spiritual: do the right thing, go to church, help with meals on wheels, help out with charity, put something back into society, etc. Okay, so what you need to do now is in your goals pad. Set headings at the top of seven pages as the above seven areas. Then go through your very long list of goals and split them up into these seven categories. Hopefully you will have a balanced set of targets and, if you have none in some areas which you may have, then have a good think. We need goals in ALL AREAS OF LIFE to have a balanced approach. Remember they are all interlinked and we want to achieve success in all areas. We don’t want to be happy in one and not in another. When you have done this, you need to go through them all from start to finish and set time targets. Now of course some goals are ongoing and
2. Is it morally right and fair to everyone concerned? 3. Is it consistent with my other goals? 4. Can I emotionally commit myself to finish this goal?
If you can’t answer Yes to these five questions, then cross the goal off your list. It’s going to be hard enough reaching your goals, so get rid of the ones that you aren’t really dedicated to. To make sure you are realistic about your time targets, work out how you are going to achieve your goals, for example: To lose a stone in weight by July and reach my ideal weight of 13 stone (short term goal). This means you need to lose the weight in six months which equals 2.33 pounds per month, which means one sixth of a pound per week. Can you do this? If you believe you can then it becomes realistic and achievable, which means you are more likely to go for it. Another example: Go on holiday to Australia next March 2009 (medium term goal). Okay, if it is going to cost €3,000 to get there and have enough spending money and you are starting with no savings in the bank, that means you need to save over twelve months which equals €250 per month which equals €62.50 per week. Can you do it? If not, set another date; one which is achievable and therefore believable and therefore attemptable. Get the picture? See I told you it would be hard work but it will be worth it. So by now you should have a selection of goals split into areas of life with a time target allocated to each one. Some will be things you want to achieve in the next month and some will be ones you want to achieve in
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>> costa STUFF ten years' time. Some will lead on to others and some will assist the realisation of others. Some will be money, some will be health etc. If you have got this far then very well done: you have reached a place where less than one in ten of the population get to. What you need to do now is set up charts to monitor your progress: some will be week by week charts and some month by month but whatever timescales you put on your goals, make sure you review and keep a close eye on your progress. You will slip up in areas and excel in others but your charts will help to keep you on track as you start to achieve more things in the next few months than you may have done in the last few years. You can call it your road map to success. In addition, I am sure that if you were to sit and read through your list right now, by the time you get to the end you should have ridden a roller coaster ride of exhilaration, emotion, delight and immense satisfaction. And you know why this is the case? Because you have an amazing thing called your imagination and you have probably just visualised achieving all of these things and you felt fantastic about it. The human imagination is an incredible thing and it is the catalyst which will set you on your way to wanting to achieve all of these things. Your imagination feeds your faith and your faith, ie what you believe in with all your heart, moves you to action. It has been said that a man of vision is somebody who can see the invisible and I believe that to be true. Faith is belief in action. Some people say they don’t have a faith or faith but they do. If you don’t have faith then your faith is that you don’t have faith, see what I mean? We all have a list of things we believe in in life, and if we apply this list of beliefs TO our lives, this is faith, BELIEF IN ACTION. Another way to describe faith or having faith is in the dictionary and it says, ‘‘Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.’’ This statement points to believing in things that you cannot see, for example your goals. They are not yet in evidence in this material
world but in your imagination where nobody else can get to, but you can see them coming to pass so they are real to you. If you can conceive an idea, you can believe in that idea and then you can achieve it - AND THAT MEANS YOU. So once you start to believe that you can become the person you want to become and do the things you want to do YOU can achieve anything. Edmund Hilary once said, ‘‘You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things - to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.’’ Aristotle said, ‘‘Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals.’’ For me as a Christian I would quote the bible, Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1: ‘‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’’ So, with your clearly defined goals set out before you, the burning desire within to achieve them, and therefore the belief to run after them, you can set off on a whole new road in 2008. It’s up to you and me; it’s all in your hands and mine. We are solely responsible for where we are going to be tomorrow, next week and next year. Nobody else is responsible if we don't do it, and nobody else gets the credit if we do. Life can be a wonderful adventure if it is approached in the right way, so let’s go for it. And finally, one word of advice, and it is and can be painful but it has to be said. Be careful who you share your goals with, and that can include family and close friends. The reality is that, in order to move toward something, you have to move away from something. If you want to get to London then you have to leave Manchester. Find people around you who are where you want to be and seek their advice. These people are called mentors; they are people who nine times out of ten will be flattered if you approach them for some life coaching and only too pleased to help. Get them to share their ideals and principles of success with you, and most importantly find people who you can trust and share your goals with without fear of reproach or ridicule. These people will help you to set them on fire, not shoot them down in flames. If you have big goals, and I mean goals that just blow your mind, then keep them to yourself or only share them with people you can completely trust to push you towards them and not away from them. I hope this two-part feature has helped you to get on the road to success; it has certainly got me going! If you need more information then go on to Google and punch in goal setting and you will find loads of stuff that will go into more depth than I have, but at least this will get you going, hopefully anyway. Next month: ‘‘negative or positive - are you half full or half empty?’’
>> costa STUFF About the Author Maggie Howard was born and spent the first few years of her childhood in the beautiful lake district in Cumbria England. She is 56 years of age, married with two grown up children and five gorgeous grandchildren.
own shop came in to being. Eventually she gave up the shop to concentrate on building up her mortgage broking business and in her spare time began to write The Spanish Connection, which had been buzzing around in her head for several years. The strangest thing was The Spanish Connections origins began long before she came to live in the Spanish mountains yet the story is mainly set where she now lives, a place she had never visited. The characters are of course fictitious and the home where they live doesn’t exist but Maggie feels so connected to them, she thinks one day she’ll go to the lakes and bump into one of them!!
Most of her adult life was first spent in Surrey where she ran a busy catering business and later in Oxford. Here Maggie and her husband bought a derelict 18th Century bakery in the historic village of Nuneham Courtenay on the outskirts of Oxford City. Nuneham Courtenay was famous as possibly being the oldest planted village in England. In 1760 the then lord of the manor decided the peasants were too close to his newly built Palladian villa and demolished the village to move it in it’s entirety, to a new position one mile away. The village stills stands today unchanged. They spent the next twelve years sympathetically renovating the house, being careful to modernize it without changing the character. This was turned into an up market B&B where guests from all over the world came to stay. This was sold prior to moving to live in the Spanish mountains. Maggie now runs a successful mortgage broking company, which helps pay the bills! Whilst her husband having semi-retired from his architectural business, is busy building their home, which was purchased as a ruin, in the beautiful area of El Chorro, close to the Spanish Lakes of Ardales. This seems to be a never ending project even though a labour of love. She often wonders if she'll ever live in a finished house!!
ABOUT THE BOOK A new life begins for an orphaned Irish girl in an English Lake District Convent. As the years pass, Tilly blossoms from a tomboy, into a beautiful young women who meets and falls in love with a handsome Spanish artist. He has to unexpectedly return to his own country promising to return for her. He gets embroiled in the bloody Spanish civil war and Tilly never sees him again. She is left bereft, alone and pregnant. What will become of Tilly’s daughter, does she find the true love she seeks, will she follow in her mother’s footsteps. Will she be united with a father who doesn’t even know she exists? A chance meeting with an American woman shatters her world as she knows it and she flees the country. A Spanish family take her under their wing and slowly she heals and finds the strength to make a new life and she sets off on the pathway to true happiness only find it is littered with many heart-rending twists and turns on the often dangerous and forgettable journey.
She has always had a love for the written word and avidly consumes books with a passion. As a child at school, when given the task to write a short story in her English literature class, instead of the usual two or three pages the teachers expected, she would almost fill the whole exercise book. Whilst living in Oxford she attended many creative writing courses, and when she moved to Spain, she opened a small secondhand bookshop. This she did through necessity. Living in a very Spanish town in the countryside she couldn’t buy English books and after depleting the suitcase full she had brought with her, panicked, thinking where could she possibly get her hands on more books and so the idea of starting her
76 costa life
This story will make you want to visit the inland countryside of Spain, which compared to the holiday spots of the Costa del Sol are another world, the real Spain.
BOOK SIGNINGS BY THE AUTHOR Puerto Banus, February 16th at 1.00pm - 3.00pm Marina Banus 15, Marbella. Málaga. 29670 Fuengirola February 20th at 1.00pm - 3.00pm Miramar Shopping Centre
costa STUFF >>
costa life 77
Useful numbers & information
>> costa GUIDE
TRANSPORT >> AIRPORTS
EMERGENCIES >> LOCAL POLICE Local Police Alhaurin el Grande Alora Antequera Arroyo de la Miel Benalmádena, Málaga, Marbella & Ronda Cartama Coin Estepona Fuengirola Local Fuengirola Municipal Nerja Torremolinos
092 952 491 074 952 496 468 952 708 104 952 562 142 092 952 422 211 952 453 267 952 800 243 952 580 900 952 197 090 952 521 545 952 376 000
>> NATIONAL POLICE National Police Guardia Civil Alhaurin el Grande Alhaurin del la Torre Alora Cartama Coin
080 952 455 020 952 804 483 952 461 046 952 774 349 952 381 414
>> MEDICAL SERVICES Emergencies
>> AMBULANCE Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Málaga & Marbella
902 505 061
>> STATE HOSPITALS
062 952 595 830 952 960 067 952 496 020 952 422 639 952 450 138
Calle Mauricio Moro, Pareta, 22nd Floor, MÁLAGA. Open 08:30 - 13:30 Enquiries 952 352 300
MARKET PLACES MONDAYS >> Alora, Marbella near the football stadium
TUESDAYS >> Benamagosa, Fuengirola (Feria Ground), Nerja weekly market (Calle Chaparil)
Benalmadena Parque de la Paloma, La Cala, Estepona, La Linea, Rincon de la Victoria
THURSDAY >> Alhaurin el Grande, Pizara, Frigiliana, Torremolinos, Velez Malaga, San Pedro, Torre del Mar
FRIDAY >> Benalmadena Tivoli Gardens, Casares, Cartama, Aguamania, ctra Cartama, Las Chapas
SATURDAY >> Fuengirola, La Cala, Ojen Pueblo, Coin, Competa, Puerta Banus near bullring
SUNDAY >> Estation de Cartama, Fuengirola near the mosque, Malaga near the football stadium, Sabinillas, Estepona, Sotogrande, Nerja car boot sale
TOURIST INFORMATION 952 410 005 952 491 275 952 495 577 952 702 505 952 422 126 952 453 211 952 442 494 952 802 002
Portillo Customer Service Direct Line Algeciras Alhaurin Benalmádena Coin Estepona Fuengirola La Linea Málaga Marbella San Pedro Torremolinos
902 143 144 956 654 304 952 490 709 952 443 563 952 450 366 952 802 954 952 475 066 952 172 396 953 350 061 952 764 400 952 781 396 952 380 965
TRAIN STATIONS
1619516500 2890330099 2072229633 1383738866 1604230230 1252513500 1132345678 1514721110
Halifax Lloyds TSB Mastercard Nat & Provincial Nationwide Natwest Yorkshire Bank
8457203099 1702364274 1383621166 1274331522 1793543888 1132778899 1132424800
SIZE COMPARISONS >> Don’t let being unsure about sizes impare your shopping sprees...
Shoes
WEDNESDAY >>
952 441 545 952 802 900 952 471 000 00350 70027 952 327 950 952 774 488 952 476 593
The Coastal Service stops at every major town between Fuengirola and Málaga from 06:45 and 22:30 from Málaga 902 240 202 Call
LOST/STOLEN CREDIT CARDS >> Abbey National Allied Irish American Express Bank of Scotland Barclays Bank Diners Club First Direct Girobank
TAXIS Benalmádena Estepona Fuengirola Gibraltar Málaga Marbella Mijas Costa
BUS STATIONS
061
Benalmádena & Fuengirola Emergencies only 902 505 061 Málaga 951 290 000 Marbella 951 976 669 Torremolinos 952 386 484 Torremolinos (Centro de Salud) Health Centre 951 924 100
>> BRITISH CONSULATE
Alhaurin de la Torre Alhaurin el Grande Alora Antequera Cartamar Coin Benalmádena Estepona
Benalmádena, Málaga & Mijas Coin Estepona Fuengirola Marbella Torremolinos
091
>> GUARDIA CIVIL
952 048 844 00350 73026
Malaga Gibraltar
>> FIRE BRIGADE
SP 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
Men’s Wear UK 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SP 44 46 48 50/52 54 56 58
UK 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
Men’s Shirts SP 35 36/37 38 39/40 41 42/43 44
UK 14 14.5 15 15.5 16 16.5 17
Women’s Wear SP 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
UK 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
>>Spanish Facts >> Telephone: to make an international call from Spain, dial 00 and then add the country code (UK 44; USA 1; Australia 61; Canada 1; Irish Republic 353; New Zealand 64) and the rest of the telephone number minus the first zero if there is one. To call Spain from abroad, the country code is 00 34. >> Business hours: the normal opening hours for shops are Monday to Saturday from around 10am until about 1.30 / 2pm. After siesta they reopen from around 5.30pm until 8pm or 9pm. Large stores usually stay open all day. Most places are Fuengirola Gibraltar Málaga Marbella Mijas Nerja Torremolinos
952 467 457 0350 774 982 952 213 445 952 771 442 952 485 900 952 521 531 952 374 231
TOWN HALLS Coin
952 453 020
closed on Sundays. >> Banks: generally open from 9am to 2pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to midday or 1pm on Saturday. Hours may vary in summer. >>Customs allowance- importation from Gibraltar into Spain 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% or 2 litres of wine 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms tobacco Goods brought in Gibraltar may only be imported into spain between 0900 hours and 2100 hours Estepona Foreigners Dept Fuengirola Gibraltar Málaga Marbella Mijas Nerja Torremolinos
952 801 100 952 589 440 952 589 300 0350 774 902 952 135 000 952 761 100 952 485 900 952 548 449 952 379 400
Family Bar Family atmosphere Open 7 days per week from 10 am Food served daily Sky sports - pool table - large terrace Karaoke every Sat and Sunday live music Friday’s Sunday roast served all day Sunday Avenida Chorillo, Benalmadena Pueblo
952 568 121
fredericks Est 6 yrs
irish Bar
Open 7 days from 10am till 2am Food served every day 10am till 7pm Extensive menu - all fresh home cooked food Try our special irish sirloin steaks and homemade chips Pool table - darts - sky sports Karaoke Fri, Sat and Sun from 9pm till 11.45pm Calle Chorillo, Benalmadena Pueblo
952 568 674
SIT & GO ALL SPORTS LOUNGE Is where you’ll find Noel, Mary and John ‘The Fools’ broadcasting all the daily action. They think it’s all over? Not yet it isn’t! Open daily from 1pm till Midnight Internet access - Wi-Fi Front line - CC Calypso
christines irish irish theme theme bar bar & & restaurant restaurant opening opening times times
mon mon -- fri fri -- 11am 11am to to 2am 2am sat sat -- 2pm 2pm to to 2am 2am sunday sunday 1pm 1pm to to 2 2 am am Sunday Sunday lunches lunches served served from from 1pm 1pm great great steaks, steaks, best best ribs ribs on on coast coast live live music music every every Friday Friday night, night, quiz quiz every every Sunday Sunday night, night, ten ten pin pin bowling bowling every every Monday Monday night night tel: tel: 952 952 666 666 928 928 mob: mob: 637 637 470 470 488 488 email: email: scoobyyates@yahoo.com scoobyyates@yahoo.com
Impressive Rural Retreat / Hotel
AEG502 - Extraordinary Country Villa in Alhaurín el Grande €950,000 The spectacular location, pool and grounds perfectly complement this beautiful home. It is 230m2 built on 24,500m2 of land & comprises 3 beds & 2 baths. Access is easy - tarmac all the way - and full services including town water are connected. Viewing a must! Like this? Then checkout CNN477 on our website
ECH464 - El Chorro
€595,000
Now available at a bargain price - a beautiful cortijo plus casita and 2 bed apartment. The design and materials used are fabulous and the layout is ideal for a rural retreat/hotel, large family home or a combination of the two! The infinity pool & terraced surround are in a perfect position to take full advantage of the grounds and the views. On the practical side the homes are supplied with mains electricity, Internet access and town water - an advantage when you are catering for many guests. The property is less than 200m from a tarmac road and located less than 2km from train station and within 15min from the incredible Lakes of El Chorro. Great views, great homes, great access, great facilities - we can not say more - come and judge for yourself!
Like this? Then checkout ALA338 on our website
CAR451- Charming Townhouse in Cártama
€168,000
This is a beautifully refurbished townhouse located at the top of the village close to the historic Ermita de los Remedios (Hermitage). There are panoramic views from the stylish, cosy patio & the conservatory that is used as dining area. 2 beds, attractive & practical kitchen plus family-sized bathroom. Hot and cold aircon. Like this? Then checkout PZA555 on our website
Charming & Great Value
CNN390- Phenomenal, Large Villa in Coín
€595,000
318.87m2 built stylish, quality home incorporating a self contained apartment & enormous garage. Beautiful landscaped gardens; pool; terraces; fish pond; fruit tree; central heating to name a few of the amazing features. Call now to view & see for yourself. Like this? Then checkout AEG463 on our website
AMG411 - Almogía CNN485 - Magnificent Country Home in Coín €430,500
This beautifully maintained 3 bed home is nestled in a little oasis the quality & style, both inside & out, make this property stand out. The pool is heated, the gardens landscaped, there is a separate, independent guest quarter, aircon fitted, solar heated hot water plus large storage area not to mention fabulous views. Like this? Then checkout ALA508 on our website
€299,950
If you want one of the most charming, stylish country homes with independent guest accommodation, a wonderful infinity pool, views to die for, fenced & gated entrance, full services including town water, mains electricity & solar heated hot water then look no further as this is the place for you!
Like this? Then checkout ALA532 on our website