Golf Lovers - Don’t Miss Out
AEG516 - Extraordinary Villa in Alhaurín el Grande €995,000 This magnificent villa is set in 10,000m2 of the most remarkable & beautifully landscaped gardens you can imagine. Prime location, 327m2 built, private, fabulous pool, bar, terraced surrounds. Spectacular views. All services connected incl. town water, landline tel & satellite TV. Like this? Then checkout ADT252 on our website
AEG517 - Alhaurin El Grande
€180,000
An absolute bargain! This fabulous 2 bed, 2 bath golf apartment has wonderful views over the course, the communal pool & the mountains. A great investment property, fully furnished, never been used. Hot & cold aircon plus an alarm entry system. Plenty of storage: utility room, built in wardrobes, underground storage & private, secure parking.
Like this? Then checkout AEG423 on our website
EDC431 - Country Homes in Cartama Estacion €350,000 Lovely country home with guest acc located in a quiet cul-de-sac with easy access. 3 to 4 beds, 3 baths, 2 lounges & 2 kitchens. Plus outbuilding for additional storage, registered on the deeds. Externally there is a 1.5m deep swimming pool plus an outside kitchen area that includes a built-in barbeque. Like this? Then checkout CNN366 on our website
Spacious and Private
AEG476 - Immaculate Property in Alhaurin el Grande €699,000 Stylish main home, guest acc, stables, paddock and now an extra 4,000m2 of land on a separate escritura make this a really sought after property. The pool and gardens are wonderful as are the views. All services connected, easy access & in reach of all amenities. Like this? Then checkout ALA392 on our website
ESE342 - El Sexmo ADT141 - Bargain Villa in Alhaurin de la Torre
€420,000
A SENSIBLE OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTED! Fabulous home, pool, views plus great location. Call now to view and see for yourself. Would make a great cattery if you want a business. 15 minutes to the airport, beaches, golf courses & much more. Like this? Then checkout MAQ412 on our website
€367,500
Beautifully presented country home with a sun terrace on the second level & set in 2,500m2 of land. 3 beds with a/c (you could possibly make a 4th bed above), 3 baths (2 ensuite). Externally there is a wonderful, private 8m x 4m swimming pool with terraced surround plus a brick built storeroom. Great views & access via new tarmac road.
Like this? Then checkout CAR415 on our website
contents
issue
36 costa culture
6
Cover story Semana Santa by Mike Wilkinson
costa getaways
10
6
Fuengirola
costa companies
16
Local Business Spotlight
costa lifestyle
26 27 28 29 30 32 38
Mens Stuff Hot Head... Helen Johnson Triathlon’s What Men Want
What Women Want
Beauty Tips New beauty rules... Health article Men’s Health Health news How to survive a heart attack when alone...
costa homes
46 50 54
Interiors Is your house sick? Or are you sick of your house? Handy Home Tips
Cover story Spring Fever by Simon Hill
62
58
Obtaing a Mortgage in Spain
costa stuff
60 61 62 64 66 68 70
Animal Health
Spiritual Thought
Cover story An Elegant Family by Erny Harrison
Costa Cuisine
Strange But True & Challenge
Bytes and Pieces
Showbiz Whispers / Movie Review
guide to the costa
72
Bars and Restaurants
54
Hello and welcome... Hello and Welcome to issue 36 of Costa Life Magazine and already spring is nearly upon us. I hope you enjoyed the rain in February! Much needed it has to be said and at least here in Spain we get it all in one go. Easter is very early this year as you know and by the time you are reading this Mother’s Day will have come and gone. It is also Spanish Mothers Day on the 8th March. Remember that the Spanish Easter Holiday will be the Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of March. We are looking forward to Costa Life Magazine’s 4th birthday in May and www.guidetothecosta.com is 5 years old in September. We are working very hard on this site and also on the magazine website. Don’t forget you can always check out the magazine online usually about the 27th of the month, a week or so before it hits the streets. Check it out on www.costalifemagazine.com. If you have never seen it before simply click on the front cover of the magazine on the home page and then use your icon to double click in the right hand corner of each page and the pages will turn. If you are a visitor here this means that even when you go back home you can still read your favourite magazine every month. We are currently converting all our back issue so eventually you will be able to read every issue of Costa Life online.
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
We are the only magazine in Andalucia with this facility. It’s funny how things work out, www.guideothecosta.com was started in September 2003 before the magazine and was put on the back burner when the magazine was launched. But over the last year the guide has started to rear its head and is certainly growing to be a main part of our business and has great potential with the amount of internet marketing people are doing these days. We are currently working on a new data base and will be filling it with content over the next few months. And despite the fact that the guide has been, up until 10 months ago, untouched we are now receiving over 12,000 unique visitors per month so with the magazine website and the magazine itself Costa Life Media are reaching approx 25,000 people every month. This figure will increase over the next few months and throughout 2008 we will be continuing to develop the guide and the magazine to be the best on the coast. Our aim by the end of the year is to be reaching 50,000 people per month. I have to say that when we turned the radio off last year and merged the magazines we thought it was the right thing to do at the time but all the same it was very painful. Now six months on we KNOW it was the correct decision and life is much easier. We are getting more positive feedback on the magazine than ever before and we appreciate it very much. Thank you. See you in April.
Contributors Linda Christie Peter Harrison 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 346
850,000€ €
An excellent opportunity to purchases this great 702m2 property in a fantastic location for tourists in Alora. This large property offers a total of 9 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 3 toilets, lounge, kitchen, commercial kitchen, bar, restaurant, terraces. Furnished. The ground floor Consists of a fully fitted bar, restaurant, commercial kitchen, dry store, walk-in fridge, walk-in freezer, 2 toilets (one with disabled facilities), air conditioning, 3phase electricity, external sun canopy’s, ample parking with option to rent a 120 square meter area for outdoor bar/restaurant terrace. Info: The Property is near completion of a total refurbishment including re wired, re plumbed and re drained. It offers a great business opportunity for one or more families and is in an excellent position with the advantage of direct trains to Malaga close by. The First Floor Consists of 8 private studio apartments with individual door access onto a communal walkway. Each studio has a bathroom with shower facility. Terminated drain and water connections have been provided for the addition of kitchens (if required). All studios have views to front and rear, ceiling fans, individual electric circuits, furnished and ready for use. There is an outdoor terrace (26 sq meters) with barbeque for studio tenant’s use. The Top Floor Consists of a one bedroom Penthouse apartment with 360 degree views, lounge with mini bar, open plan kitchen, bathroom with sunken bath & shower, private access to 100 sq meter terrace with barbeque, 7 seated Jacuzzi, outside toilet & utility room. There is a big demand for a small hotel or B&B in this area as people come and stay here for activities such as, walking, cycling, bird watching, fishing, rock climbing, horse tracking and many more. A great commercial and residential property.
FROM ONLY 65,000€ € Studios, Apartments & Penthouses at unbelievable prices New Luxury studios, apartments and penthouses completely finished for sale located in the best part of Alhaurin town next to all amenities. The studios/Apartments have all been finished to a very high standard, with marble floors, solid oak doors, beautiful kitchens and bathrooms, air/com; some have charming court yards with water features or great terraces. Classy affordable accommodation.
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.
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-451 ALHAURIN EL GRANDE
349,000€ €
BUILD; 85M2 PLOT; 1,096M2 BEDS; 3 BATHS; 2 An absolutely beautiful country property which is of modern design and top class quality through out. The villa is very spacious, light, and has a great pool, out side kitchen/BBQ area and is perfectly located to Alhaurin and Coin town centre. Ready to move in and enjoy no work needed at all.
MACP-440 Alhaurin El Grande
300,000€ €
399,000€ €
BUILD; 135M2 PLOT; 2,750M2 BEDS; 4 BATHS; 3 A lovely modern country property, only 5 minutes from Lauro golf and 5 minutes drives to Alhaurin el Grande town. This house is very spacious, with a great out side private pool that looks over the garden with mature trees and pleasant views. The villa is fully fenced, electric gates and in a peaceful location.
MACP-335 Monda
349,000 € €
BUILD; 170M2 PLOT; 233M2 BEDS; 4 BATHS; 3, KITCHENS: 2
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.
MACP-435 SOLE AGENT Alhaurin el Grande
MACP-400 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.
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.
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.
MACP-261 COIN
450,000€ €
BUILD; 148M2 PLOT; 600M2 BEDS; 3 BATHS; 2 A great opportunity to purchase this beautiful villa in a great location. It has a very light and airy feel to the property with an open ST floor hallway over looking the main entrance and a wood burning fire place. Situated on the very popular urbanization, it is ideally located for Malaga airport and Marbella only 30mins away. Beautiful original cortijo, unique in the area, must be seen to be believed.
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-450 COIN
283,000€ €
BUILD; 104m2 PLOT; 1200m2 BEDS; 2 BATHS; 2 A charming sensibly priced country villa in a very quiet and peaceful location. This villa is newly built and is 6 km out of Coin in the campo. This is a 2 bedroom property with one en suite bathroom plus a family bathroom. Large lounge with log burner. Car Port ample parking. 8 x 4 pool and terraces.
Written By:
Mike Wilkinson mike@costalifemagazine.com
’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, ‘‘If you want to get ahead get a hat’’. I’d infer that it’s more of a play on words than constructive life-advice but, even so, what it doesn’t mention is that you need to make sure that it’s the right hat. ‘‘You can’t judge a book by its cover,’’ they say (‘they’ presumably being the ones who know) but people will judge you by your hat. That’s because certain hats mean certain things and your choice of headgear sends out messages of social status to those around you. A bowler hat, for example, would tell everybody that you’re a city gent, whereas a flat cap would put you up in the Yorkshire Dales and a beret would make you a garlic-eating surrender-monkey from across the Channel. A mortarboard would suggest that you’re an intellectual; a dunce’s cap will tell everybody that you’re not. So, as you can see, each hat has its own distinct meaning. But
there’s one hat that can have several quite conflicting meanings, depending on its environment. It’s a hat that can sometimes signify nasty evilness and, at other times, mean friendly cheerfulness… one that can remind you of a drunken night out on one hand, and racist bigotry on the other… one that can bring you shame and one that commands respect. I am talking, of course, about the ubiquitous tall, pointy hat. We are first introduced to the tall, pointy hat at a very early age, when our parents tucked us up in bed and read fairy tales of evil, warty witches with bubbling cauldrons full of various bits of forest wildlife, flying on broomsticks, wearing tall, black pointy hats. Then we discover pointy hats worn by friendly, cheerful garden gnomes, that flop over in a friendly, cheerful way (the hats, that is, not the gnomes) and clowns in comical conical hats, like Marcel Marceau, or David Bowie in that video where he’s running away from a bulldozer. At school we learn of the dunce’s cap and the shame associated with it, and then of the magical world of wizards where the pointy hat is, by far, the most important element of a wizard’s garb… the taller and pointier the better. Later on in life we learn that the tall pointy hat once instilled the utmost fear in people when worn by the KKK where it represented violent racism and bigotry. But the strangest of all things is that the exact same headgear worn in Spain means the total opposite. I have to admit that I was slightly shocked the first time I encountered the KKK leading a long and solemn procession through the streets of Fuengirola one April morn. ‘‘What's going on?’’ I thought to myself. ‘‘Semana Santa - Holy Week - Spanish Easter celebrations,’’ was the answer - absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with racial issues in 1950s Mississippi, and so very different from the way Easter is celebrated in the UK. You can’t celebrate Easter without chocolate eggs filled with chocolates, or fluffy yellow Easter chicks, or hollow chocolate Easter bunnies (of the apocalypse or otherwise). How can we celebrate Easter without our traditional icons? Well, Spain sees Easter a bit differently, and their icons are a lot more powerful than a Cadbury’s Cream Egg®. It is a well known fact, principally to those who know this fact well, that Spain is a deeply religious country where it is estimated that 98% of the population is Catholic. To the Spanish, Easter is a solemnly religious time when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, captured by the Romans in the Garden of Gethsemane, crucified to death by Pontius Pilot and then, three days later, rose from the dead as the scriptures had foretold and ascended into heaven where
he is seated at the right hand of the Father and will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. Quite an eventful week, really, that slowly uncovers a story of sad betrayal, solemn and painful death and, finally, a celebration of the resurrection and a new beginning. The Spanish re-enact these events throughout Semana Santa, almost to the letter, feeling all the pain and the grief and then the joy as the week progresses, just as it may have progressed some two thousand years ago. And, solemn as the proceedings may be, they are executed with the same style and grandiosity and music and colour that is synonymous with any of Spain's other celebrations, especially in Andalucía. Each town and city celebrates Semana Santa in its own particular way, with their own programmes and highlights, but the central theme is the same. Lavish processions are organised by religious brotherhoods (hermandades or cofradias) which are associations of clergymen and faithful members of the parish. The brotherhoods are a medieval tradition, some dating back as far as the 15th century that have survived to the present day, and they dedicate themselves to one particular scene in the events of Easter Week, for example the burial of Christ, the taking of Christ's body off the cross, the flogging of Christ by Roman soldiers, the judgement of Christ by Pilate, etc. Each brotherhood has its own specific colours, emblem, standard and imagen. The imogen is the centerpiece of their procession, a statue or carving of Jesus or the Virgin Mary, often very large and heavy, which depicts their chosen scene and is carried around the city streets on a float (or paso) for hours on end during the festival by some twenty to thirty members of the brotherhood. Some of theses statues date back to the 16th and 17th century and were carved by superb craftsmen of the time. Irrespective of size, each float represents the pride and enthusiasm of every Andaluz who will spend the entire night, from dusk ’til dawn, accompanying them in solemn reverence. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, and people flock to the streets to worship their chosen imogen in a tradition whose pagan origins still show. Certain floats demand extra reverence as certain brotherhoods are favoured in the miracle-working abilities of the effigies. To the accompaniment of beautiful pieces of music, many having been composed specifically for Semana Santa by leading musicians of the day, the floats are led around the city by Los Nazarenos, the sinister-looking guys with the tall, pointy hats. They carry candles and banners, wear tunics, an antifaz (the piece of cloth covering the faces of the nazarenos) and a capirote (the cardboard cone inside the antifaz, keeping it upright
on the head). The hats are worn only for three days - from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday - and are a symbol of mourning for the Passions of Christ. They are not worn before Thursday since Christ had not been captured yet, and they are taken off on Sunday in the joy of Resurrection. The float may carry an image of Christ, of the Virgin or a Mystery (a set of images which represent a scene from the Passion of Christ). The first float in the procession is normally El Paso del Cristo. It is carried by the costaleros, some 20 to 30 strong men, normally from the brotherhood, who go almost unseen under the float, and bear its heavy weight throughout the day, taking directions from the capataz through the many narrow streets of the town, and followed by Los Penitentes. The Penitents are the members of the fraternity who perform the authentic act of penitence, carrying a wooden cross, sometimes two, and frequently walking barefoot the whole distance of the procession. In many cases this is still done as an act of fulfilment of a promise to Christ. Penitents are dressed like the Nazarenos, but they don’t have a capirote, which leaves the upper part of the antifaz hanging backwards. El Paso Palio is the float which carries La Virgen, also called La Dolorosa (the hurt), La Amargura (the bitterness), or a trifle more optimistically, La Esperanza (the hope). For most Spanish people this is the most important part of the procession. People often wait for hours at a strategic location to see ‘their’ Virgen pass by that particular spot. Depending on the size of the town, there can be quite a few Virgins, each one different, unique and special, although for the visiting foreigner they may all seem the same (but don’t go round saying that to the local people). This is because, unlike the floats of Christ that carry different representations, the floats of the Virgen all represent the same moment in the biblical history; the Holy Mother crying for the death of her son. This one scene has many different representations, though we foreigners probably wouldn’t notice. One important element that changes is El Manto, huge pieces of rich fabrics delicately embroidered and flowing from the statue of the Virgen over a hard support covering the back of the float. The float itself has a canopy, supported by twelve ornate poles called Varales, decorated with works of gold and silver. These poles are connected rather loosely, so that the characteristic swaying movement of the Costaleros can be transmitted to the float. To the visiting tourist, the processions during Semana Santa are typically colourful and extravagant entertainments. To the devout Spaniard they are emotionally moving experiences which are confessed upon, cried upon, laughed out loud upon, adored, touched and kissed as they meander through the streets - a moving spectacle of reverence, penitence and faith that my fickle pen could never portray with any accuracy. But you don’t need to understand what’s going on to enjoy, and to be quite frank, of the 98% of Spaniards that are reputedly Catholic, more than half of them are not practising Catholics, so to them it’s just another week of holidays… I’ll drink to that!
FUENGIROLA
8 costa life
FUENGIROLA The professional company with the personal touch for...
LA545: Miraflores:Frontline beach apartment with stunning sea views! This top floor apartment is in excellent condition. All rooms are spacious and bright! This property is situated in the very well maintained community of Miraflores playa and has lovely gardens, a pool and great restaurant. There is parking inside the community. This apartment is fully furnished! The property is also near Miraflores Golf. Great opportunity!
...all aspects of selling or renting your property
Nick and Rita of Fuengirola Real Estate are proud to announce the opening of their brand new office in Calle España 29, near the town centre and situated close to the Paseo Maritmo. Having moved from their former premises next to the Salon Varietes, due to rebuilding works, the company has relocated until they will move back into their purpose built new office in 2009. This move also coincides with Fuengirola Real Estate S.L. celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Price: 470,000 Euros LA541: Fuengirola:Excellent townhouse in Puebla Lucia with sunny 40m2 private patio. This property consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a brand new modern-design kitchen and a spacious living/dining area with fireplace. This property is ideal for permanent living or as an investment. Puebla Lucia is the most beautiful residencial area in Fuengirola with its beautiful gardens and pools. Unique opportunity!!!
Price: 695,000 Euros LA531:Tolox:Unique opportunity to buy three two bedroom apartments and a bar for this special price! All apartments have a lovely view to the countryside. There is a roofterrace. Ideal for someone who is looking for a home and an income!!!
So whether you are buying or selling, renting or looking to rent out your property then why not call into our office for a friendly chat or alternatively ring call us on 952 479 749 and we can come round and discuss your particular requirements with you in the comfort of your own home 29 C/ ESPANA, 29640 FUENGIROLA, MÁLAGA TEL: (+34) 952 479 749 · FAX: 952 478 662 nick@fuengirolarealestate.com
www.fuengirolarealestate.com
Price: 299,000 Euros
LA530: Calahonda: Excellent 3 bedroom townhouse with magnificent views to the sea and garden. This property has a southwest orientation and has a covered terrace by the living room, a terrace by the master bedroom and a roofterrace. The community offers a lovely garden and pool. Great opportunity!
Price: 359,000 Euros
LA546: Monda: This charming villa with independent guest accommodation is only a 15 minutes drive to Marbella . This property consists in total of 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and a good size and bright living room. From the patio and pool area you can enjoy the beautiful views to the countryside, mountains and the castle of Monda.
Price: 499,000 Euros
LA527: Mijas Costa:Frontline golf apartment with magnificent views to the golf, sea and mountains. This property is situated in a gated quality residence with lovely gardens, a heated indoor and outdoor pool. The apartment consists of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fitted kitchen and a living room leading to a spacious covered terrace. There is also a private underground parking. Great opportunity! Ideal holiday home!
Price: 299,000 Euros
Avda. Jesus Santos Rein, 17, Local 6, 29640 Fuengirola
Tel: (+34) 952 664 217 Fax: (+34) 952 580 589 www.losarcos.net E-mail: info@losarcos.net costa life 9
>> costaGETAWAYS
I
n January we wrote a piece on the history of Calahonda and had a great response from our readers. It’s always interesting to look at the history of places and to see how they came about and also how they have developed. This month we are looking at Fuengirola. Just like Calahonda, Fuengirola is part of my own Spanish history. Back in 1982 on my first holiday abroad it was Fuengirola bus station that I remember. I was sitting outside in the blazing heat waiting like hundreds of other people to get on the bus to my destination. We waited ages and if I’d have had the money I would have treated the lads to a taxi to Calahonda, but didn’t or did I? Maybe I just made the decision my money was for beer and we would wait! The bus station is in the same place today which is a surprise due to the expansion of the town although the rumour factory has it that it may be moving to a bigger location.
My memories of Fuengirola are few. I remember coming into town one night after being stood up by Donald Pleasance’s daughter. I made my way to The Britannia (the only place I remember from that time which is still here) to find the lads. They weren’t there and I had to pay for a taxi back on my own. Serves me right for dumping the lads for some rich actor’s daughter who ended up leaving me high and dry anyway, but it’s all right, I am over it now. Now, just to digress a little, I was talking to Nick and Rita at Fuengirola Real Estate about this piece and my history with Fuengirola and what do you know! He had a date with her once way back then also. In fact, it was the same year. Maybe it was the same night and he is the one responsible for me looking like an idiot waiting on my own in the Black Cat in Calahonda with no mates and no date. Well, win some lose some I always say. She obviously wasn’t good enough for me! Just like Calahonda, fate had its hand in my return to Fuengirola and six months after arriving on the Costa del Sol in 2002 we were running our
Battle of Fuengirola in Warsaw museum
Britannia Pub, est 1979 own bar/restaurant around the corner from the Britannia in Fish Alley, twenty yards away from the Aroma Restaurant. The owner, John Kelly, arrived here in that same year of 1982 and, unlike me, came to watch the World Cup and ended up staying whereas yours truly went back home. He used to own a night club with the aforementioned Nick from Fuengirola Real Estate and they are now both clients of Costa Life Magazine. Now you might think that this story is just a downright unashamed lie in order to give two of our clients a plug but I promise you it is all true. Anyway, back to the history of the town. Fuengirola itself is located between Mijas Costa and Benalmadena and covers an area of nearly 11 km2. Its boundaries include the Arroyo del Jardín stream in the northeast, the Fuengirola River in the southeast, mountains in the north, the Mediterranean Sea in the south and the town of Mijas in the west. It became an independent municipality in 1953 but its history goes much further back.
Pharmacy, Church Square Like most of the Iberian peninsula in general and the Costa del Sol in particular, Phoenicians, possibly Tartessians, Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs all set up residence in the area now known as Fuengirola before Catholic Christians arrived. The foothills of the mountain range behind the town to the south are the site of an Arab castle, which contains remains of an early Ibero-punic or Phoenician settlement, later occupied by the Romans, which became a town known by them as Suel. Suel was identified by the Roman historian, Pomponius Mela, as one of the towns of the coast, and was cited by Pliny in the first century AD as a fortified town or oppidum. A later historian, Ptolemy, identified it during the second century as being located in the region of the bastulo-penos or Phoenicians. The inscription on the pedestal of a statue found near the castle mentions Suel as being a Roman ‘municipium’. A funeral urn found in the same area has an inscription containing the word ‘Suelitana’. Roman baths were discovered in 1961 and, close by, the remains of a Roman villa containing two sculptures, one of which is the well known ‘Venus of Fuengirola’ which is exhibited in the town’s museum. A series of architectural components, probably transported from the Mijas quarry during the Roman era, were discovered in Los Boliches in 1984. These have now been mounted to form a temple entrance, and can be seen on the promenade at Los Boliches. Roman baths, a villa, and the aforementioned statue of Venus have all been found here. It was a tidal wave, pirates, or destruction by the Visigoths that made Fuengirola ‘disappear’ from the historical record during the early Middle Ages. Later the Moors settled in the area, building a castle, updating the area's name to Suhayl, which then consisted of
Pharmacy, Church Square today various villages dependent on agriculture. Suhayl became a fairly large settlement, and included a fair amount of farmland and small villages. Most of the area was however used as pasture for the Moorish rulers’ camels. The Moorish presence was consolidated from the 8th century onwards, and evidence of their settlements is the burial ground discovered near the hot springs at Torreblanca. It was from this period that we get the name Sohail, a bastardisation of the Latin Suel. The castle was destroyed in a Viking raid in 858 AD and the people took refuge in Mijas. It was not until the 10th century that the Cordoba leader, Abderramán III, reconstructed the fortress and rebuilt the urban centre, and it then remained in Moorish hands until captured by the Christians in 1485. The historian Temboury described Suhayl as a pretty and sophisticated town, the home of eminent writers who added its name to theirs - the most well known being the great poet As-Sohaili, who wrote a few verses about his native land, expressing his concern at the destruction of his birthplace. The insecurity related to the Christian ‘re-conquest’ of Spain changed Suhayl’s fortunes and it was left deserted and in ruins after it was captured by the Catholic kings’ army in 1485. The Christians renamed it Font-Girola after the stream at the foot of the hill upon which stood the castle. An attempt to repopulate the site with 30 people failed, and in 1511 it was registered as uninhabited, apart from the fortress and a watchtower. Land originally set aside for Fuengirola was reallocated to Mijas. After the Turkish
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Sohail Castle today
FUENGIROLA
TONI’S FIRST IN CARDS
Huge range of cards and gifts, all ages, all occasions, invites, relations etc
CRAFTERS CORNER All you need for making your own cards Demos coming shortly Offex mail point for letters and parcels to UK, recorded delivery + Passport renewal service On main street to Paseo, opp Las Rampas, near Sur office
Mon - Fri 10 - 6.30pm Sat 10 - 2.30pm Call 679 017 127
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Gymnasium fully equipped gym with both fixed and free weights crosstrainers + bikes treadmills + rowing machines professional instructor available only gym open at 8 am
Classes over 56 fitness classes every week step aerobics, aerobics, yoga, bums & tums, latest reebok decks new from Finland “gym stick” suitable all ages pilates room with pilates reformer beds individual spin bike room with 40 bikes individual aerobics and exercise room with sprung floor Goshin Ju Jitsu plus Capoeira
Facilities
120 €
fully air conditioned - lockers high powered showers - hair dryers mens & womens saunas - jacuzzi sun beds
costa life 13
>> costaGETAWAYS
Battle of Fuengirola by Keith Rocco and Moroccan pirates stopped their local activities, the town was slowly but surely repopulated basing its economy on fishing, agriculture, and trade. During the 17th century, a new urban settlement developed opposite the original site, once the threat from Turkish and Moroccan pirates had disappeared. At the beginning of the 18th century an inn was opened near the beach, offering accommodation to travelers, muleteers and seafarers. A few huts were built nearby, forming a small village. The Battle of Fuengirola took place in the area during the Peninsular War. On October 15 1810 approximately 200 Polish soldiers of the Duchy of Warsaw defeated a mixed British-Spanish force numbering some 3,000 soldiers under Lord Blayney. Andrew Thomas Blayney, 11th Baron of Blayney was a veteran of Irish, Dutch, Italian, Egyptian and Indian campaigns and a participant of the siege of Malta. He sailed from Gibraltar toward Fuengirola which was defended by Poles, about whom he had very low opinion saying that ‘‘little dependence could be placed’’on them. The 150-165 Poles in Fuengirola were commanded by Officer Mlokosiewicz. Blayney’s troops landed at noon and marched northeast along the shore towards the old castle. At 1 pm ‘‘a large group of Spanish guerrillas’’ attacked the Poles, captured their cattle and killed and wounded two Polish guards. Approximately 40 Poles grabbed their muskets and ran out after the Spaniards. But when Mlokosiewicz saw British warships he recalled the pursuers. The British and Spanish infantry, after the initial show of force, deployed on the hills and Blayney demanded immediate surrender. Officer Mlokosiewicz’s eyes flashed defiance and he bluntly responded: ‘‘Come and take it!’’ 130 Polish infantry ran up the slope where the British battery were. The Poles were joined by 11 French dragoons and attacked 1,060 Brits. They routed the entire British battalion and captured 40 as prisoners including
Late 50s the Post Office, Calle España
Blayney and his adjutant. They then loaded the British cannons with British ammunition and bombarded the Brits on the beach and at sea. The aloof Lord Blayney was shocked and the ensuing battle resulted in a victory for the Poles. General Sebastiani de la Porta who commanded all French and Polish forces around Málaga arrived at Fuengirola on October 16th and showered the Poles with praise. Mlokosiewicz was awarded with Legion d'Honneur. Blayney’s saber is today in Poland, in the city of Krakow. In Warsaw, in the Museum of Army, there is a picture depicting the heroic defence of Fuengirola. Blayney described the Poles,‘‘The scene that presented itself at this moment can never be effaced from my memory: both [Polish] officers and soldiers had all the appearance of those desperate banditti described in romances; their long mustachios, their faces blackened by smoke and gunpowder, and their bloody and torn clothes, giving to their whole appearance a degree of indescribable ferocity.’’ Blayney fought to the end before he was knocked to the ground and taken prisoner. The Poles wanted to kill him but Frenchman Frederic Petit saved him. The Poles brought their prisoners, including Blayney, to the castle. Blayney had to step on the castle wall and signal to the ships to cease fire. So he did without any hesitation and the warships sailed away. During Blayney’s long incarceration, the 2nd Earl of Caledon looked after his financial, domestic and political affairs and, on his return, Blayney was given a seat in parliament. Blayney died on 8th April 1832 and was succeeded by his son Cadwallader, the 12th and last lord. (For more info go to http://www.napolun.com/mirror/web2.airmail.net/napoleon/Fuengirola.htm) The castle was reconstructed again in the 18th century with the aim of fighting smugglers in the area, and from then on the town became an important supply centre for ships sailing towards the Straits of Gibraltar. In May 1841 Fuengirola was detached from Mijas. At that time its inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing, agriculture and trading with the ships that dropped anchor in the bay. Another story about the origins of the town’s name is that it comes from a Genoa ship called a ‘‘girona’’, that frequently made harbour here, trading in groceries (boliches). Thus the name Los Boliches formerly separate from but now forming part of the same urban area as Fuengirola. For over a century, fishing and agriculture remained the main activities. In 1822 the people of Fuengirola applied to the authorities in Málaga to be given independence from Mijas. They made their application on the basis of Fuengirola having a population of 1,000 inhabitants (the minimum legal requirement for setting up a separate municipality) and with an economy based on fishing and the port. The census of 1,000 was disputed by the Mijas Town Hall, who declared there were less than 500. However, later in 1841 the authorities accepted the division and Fuengirola gained its independence, a mayor was elected and a Town Hall was built. The way the boundaries were laid out at this time has always been a bone of contention with the people of Fuengirola, who feel that they were short-changed in terms of land allocation. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and during further growth and expansion of Fuengirola, this problem has come up time and time again when new
Post Office, Calle España today
costaGETAWAYS >> Maxis Travel Agency Paseo
projects are mooted. It became a municipality in its own right in 1953. It was only in the 1960s that Fuengirola entered a new phase, becoming a leading tourist centre. Since then Fuengirola has grown and grown. In the last few years Fuengirola has boomed, particularly in the commercial sector. When we arrived on the coast in 2002 there was only Dunnes block on the other side of the N340 and a hotel but, since then, another hotel, the Myramar Centre and Centro Commercial Miramar have gone up. Corte Ingles has opened up and there is more development going up behind the Miramar. Los Pacos has blossomed with probably too many blocks of apartments and a much needed connection to the N340. The Sohail Castle remained an abandoned ruin until renovations began in 1995. In 2000 the interior of the castle was completely renovated and the Sohail castle began to host festivals and concerts throughout the summer. Additional landscaping was completed in 2002 and the castle is now one of the highlights of Fuengirola's cultural and historical scene. For me Fuengirola is developing into one of the most popular towns on the coast. It is certainly becoming more cosmopolitan and is very popular with the older generation because of its flat terrain. The amount of money spent on the town over the last ten years has turned it from a dated tourist destination to a chic and sought after area. The main streets and the paseo are becoming more and more attractive. Property prices are still more competitive than many other parts of the coast and I believe Fuengirola will continue to grow and will surprise everybody in a few years and become one of the most popular towns on the coast. It has always been regarded as the poorer brother to places like Marbella but this could be to its advantage as regards keeping property prices down, for the time being at least. Things change as we all know and, with the demise of Marbella in recent years, the coast is looking for a new ‘‘belle of the Costa’’. If the continuous rumours of the port development ever came to pass (these rumours were around when we arrived in 2002) Fuengirola could become the place to be on the Costa del Sol. Fuengirola now offers all the facilities to be expected of a major tourist centre: hotels, restaurants, bars, discotheques, sports clubs, a yacht harbour, and 7 km of broad beaches along a promenade extending east and west from the town.
Miramar shopping centre
1972 the then Prince Juan Carlos opens the paseo Of the approximately 60,000 inhabitants registered in the municipality, 25% come from other countries, mainly European (England, Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Sweden, among others), and also from Morocco and Argentina. In the summer especially the town plays host to throngs of visitors, both Spanish and foreign, but particularly the British. Whatever the future holds for this surprisingly historic town, Fuengirola I believe is to become one of the most prominent towns on the Costa del Sol. Thanks to Rita and Nick from Fuengirola Real Estate for use of their photos in this piece.
Fuengirola beach front costa life 15
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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La Garganta Restaurant
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La Garganta Restaurant La Garganta restaurant in the beautiful area of El Chorro is now under new management. English couple Tony & Peggy Kennedy have taken over the management and are working hard to bring a more cosmopolitan feel to this already successful Spanish restaurant. They are gradually introducing a new menu so along side the traditional Spanish dishes such as Rabbit & Chorizo in wine and Paella, you will also find Hungarian Goulash and Filete De Stroganoff. There is now a Menu del Dia, a delicious 3 course meal with a drink for only 8.50€. From 2pm until 7pm there will be a snack menu available with all the old favorites such as Chilli Con Carne, Steak & Kidney Pie, Lasagna and several types of burgers. There is also an extensive choice of Tapas. If you can’t find anything to suit on the menu, just ask and if possible they will find you what you want. Of course who could forget dessert, there is a dessert trolley to make your eyes water. All home made, choose from delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding, Light Profiteroles, Yummy Fruit Crumble, or Nan’s Apple Pie and Custard. Or for the gourmets amongst you, try the a la carte menu in the new Candlelight Room where such delights as Steak Diane and Chicken Digonaise, will be served. Delicious fish dishes such as Swordfish, trout or Langoustines cooked to perfection and again the dessert trolley, here you will find such delicacies as Mango Mille Fueille and Hazlenut Torte. Fresh seasonal vegetables will accompany all main dishes.
La Garganta , Fernando, as a boy, used to deliver water and food up the mountain on a donkey to the stars and crew whilst they were filming. Rooms start from 50€ a night for a double. Or really push the boat out and stay in the deluxe rooms with double Jacuzzis at 150€ per night. Around the gorge you will find what remains of the Camino Del Rey (the Kings walk). This was built for the crew who worked on the dam, to walk from one side to the other. In 1921 king Alfonso XIII used it to walk around the gorge and view it in all it’s glory, when he came to open the dam system known as Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce at the Ardales lakes (that’s how it git its name), only a ten minute drive away. These lakes will amaze you, formed to supply the city of Malaga with a water supply in 1920, they have brought to the area a tranquil setting to envy the lakes of Cumbria in England. The cool clear water is a joy to swim in. So bring your swimsuits and book a night for dinner and a stay over at the beautiful hotel La Garganta and experience the peace and quiet of the Spanish mountains. Keep an eye out for the many special dining experiences planned throughout the year, which will be advertised in this magazine.
La Garganta carry an extensive wine list from the good quality house wine at 12.50€ per bottle to such wines as Pesquera Reserva at 50€ per bottle to please the most discerning wine buffs amongst you. La Garganta now also have a cocktail menu and speciality coffees. The new staff are trained to make you welcome and your dining experience a pleasant one. In the more clement weather there are four terraces to choose from, where the views will take your breath away. El Chorro is famous the world over for it’s mountains and 300m gorge. Watch eagles soar past, there is a peaceful stillness in El Chorro, which seems to wend it’s way into your heart and soul. The native Spanish here are most welcoming to foreigners, the problem is if you come here you may never want to leave!! Attached to La Garganta restaurant is the beautiful hotel La Garganta, where you may like to book one of the delightfully styled rooms and enjoy a few days
exploring the area and this fascinating tiny village where Frank Sinatra filmed the final scenes of the film Von Ryan’s Express. According to village gossip he drank in the bar La Garganta years before it became a restaurant and the owner of the now Hotel
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>> costa COMPANIES
We are happy to be in Costa Life Magazine again to tell you about our news in Cocina Invita Showroom in La Cala de Mijas. We have now introduced Easy Touch. Easy Touch is the new electric drawer system for your kitchen. Easy Touch is a brand new system for your drawers or pull-outs. With a slight touch on the front of the drawer, it will open itself. Easy Touch is a very practical accessory that can be used on every model of doors. With Easy Touch it is quite easy to open the drawers or pull out with just your knee. Easy Touch gives you control, so now you can open the drawers in the plinth with your feet if you want. This is why we call it Easy Touch. Another new product issue is our high gloss painted kitchens. If you by accident get a scratch on one of the doors, it is extremely easy to repair due to the special type of paint the factory is using. We can polish the doors, exactly like on a car. As a Kitchen company we have been growing rapidly and af ter nearly four years we have a great team here in La Cala. We now have three dedicated and fully experienced advisors to give you as a client, a truly personal ser vice and we aim to combine creative design with functionality. We want you to feel comfortable so you can tell us exactly what you expect from us and of
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course your new kitchen with our focus on your needs to create a personal touch just for you and your family. A room you would like to stay in. Today, the kitchen has become more than just a ‘‘cooking facility’’; it is the focal place and meeting place for the entire family. We always like to make a personal visit to your home to obtain the best plan for your new kitchen and we like to study the atmosphere where the kitchen is going to ‘‘land and stand’’ for many years to come. Fitting is a very important issue for us also, especially here on the coast and our aim is to keep our clients happy by ensuring the installation is completed right first time and for the lifetime of the kitchen. Our new competent fitter Michael Mortensen who is a fully trained carpenter from Denmark is doing a great job with Peter (director of the company). They know all the traps, finer points and details of fitting a kitchen in a professional way. Cocina Invita stands for high quality in paint, hinges, functions, fitting, design, trends and especially a ver y high service. Call us today for your free consultation or visit our showroom in La Cala de Mijas opposite Supersol.
>> costa COMPANIES
RUGS - When you walk into Costa-Carpet, you will notice that you have come to the right place if you are looking for widest selection of rugs and carpets! There is amazing collection of rugs at reasonable prices and in many different styles between modern and traditional timeless rugs. The designs and colours of our collections are popular today; we have a lot of fashionable products like shaggy pile and very hard natural materials too, like paper yarn and sisal. These traditional woollen rugs do not look old-fashioned, they are coloured with light and soft colours! If you are looking for a more colourful rug, there is a good selection of hand-knotted oriental carpets too. NEW COLLECTION! Now you will find a good selection of oriental rugs from Iran at excellent prices. Example; a unique hand-knotted rug 100cm x 200cm costs only 199 euros and the big ones example; 200cm x 300cm costs 798 euros! The material is 100% wool. The rugs are in very warm colours - usually deep reds and terracotta's. FITTED CARPETS & LAMINATES - Costa-Carpet has professional team for fitted carpets and all type of wood floors as well. They have all well known brands like Tarkett, Victoria Carpets, Lano, QuickStep and they offer all types of materials, carpet squares and British under lays too!
of the doors is named Kirena and has a good website and you will get many new ideas by visiting www.kirena.com. Example; after changing new doors on your bedroom wardrobe, the room can look totally new. The room can feel bigger too; because sliding doors needs less space than if you have had open doors before. You can hear the quality too the doors move very silently and one more inspired characteristic, the doors have a ‘‘no jump’’ system and stay in the rail. Costa-Carpet has a full design and installation service of Kirena products too. They will take away all your old product and their carpenter will fit the new products to complete the perfect installation WHERE IT IS? Costa-Carpet is in a great location on Carretera de Mijas (the main road from Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo, on your left side from Fuengirola, between Imperial furniture and Centro-Idea), an area where many people come to shop for furniture and other home products.
In the shop there are some samples of the most favourite carpets… but as they say, it is better to see different samples at the place where the carpet is coming from. In fact, lighting and colours of walls and other decoration at your home is very a important point to consider, when you are choosing just the right colour for your floors. The team of Costa-Carpet will help you to choose the right material and the colour; they will bring the samples to your home if necessary, measure up and estimate the installation work at the same time. This service and quotation is free without any obligation!
WARDROBES
RUGS
(And I can say the installers works very quickly, if they have the right material in stock, it could be installed in just a few days) WARDROBES & SLIDING DOORS - Costa-Carpet's custom-made sliding doors and wardrobes are a beautiful product. There is a huge collection of different materials and colours that can be used for the doors. The doors are very high-quality, made in Finland. The producer
CARPETS
LAMINATES
www.costa-carpet.com
Mon to Sat 9:30-13:30 Ctra. de Mijas km. 4
Tel. 952 473 328
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Mon,Wed to Fri 16:00-19:00
costa COMPANIES >> husband and their two children. Anna has an eye for flowers and decoration, and with her good taste and style, the shop is always beautiful and inspiring. Anna will always give you excellent advice on flowers, plants and decoration.
Flor Valentin is a small flowering oasis which lies on the road between Fuengirola and Mijas. Behind the Scandinavian shopping centre Centro Idea, in the parking space, you will find a small garden centre with everything from seedlings to big, old olive trees, various fruit trees and palm trees. Pots and planters in all sizes, colours and shapes. Sphagnum, fertilizers, wood shavings. Fountains, interior plants, cut flowers, bouquets, decorations, candles, lanterns and much, much more……
The style in Flor Valentin is rustic, with a twist of French bohemia. Everything is presented in a cosy and homely atmosphere, with personal advice and service. For weekdays and special holidays, there is always a large selection of pot plants, flowers and decorative arrangements. Gift wrapping is a special art at Flor Valentin. Beautiful bags, cellophane and tissue paper as well as tasteful ribbons, make the experience extra unique when you want to give a nice present or just spoil yourself. They fetch inspiration at trade fairs in England, Denmark, Germany and Holland, and most of their products are imported from these countries. Janne has just returned from Germany, where she visited a large flower trade fair, where all the newest within flowers and pot plants was represented. She also stopped over in Denmark, where she bought home design articles for the spring and summer. Easter is upon us and this should be celebrated. Come and get inspiration for a stylish Easter table, or buy a basket decorated with flowers and small nests with eggs for a lovely hostess present, Easter bouquets, various bulb plants in lovely pots or plants to be transplanted into the garden on your days off this Easter. On the 24th of March 2008, the shop has 1 year’s anniversary. This will be celebrated with special offers, coffee and cakes on Saturday 22nd March from 10 AM to 2 PM. We look forward to seeing both old and new customers.
Apart from a personal service, we also offer garden and terrace designs. Janne Valentin Lassen, owner of the shop, is Danish and has lived in Spain for 15 years. Until November 2006, she worked with her Danish husband at a big flower horticultural centre in Coín, where they were responsible for the daily running. It was during an Interrail trip in 1992 that Janne Valentin Lassen and her boyfriend Benny Hansen were presented with the idea of moving to Spain. During a stop off on the Costa del Sol, they visited a Norwegianowned horticultural centre in Coín which Benny, who is a horticulturist, had heard about in Denmark, and here the owners offered them a job. During the train trip back up through Spain, they discussed their future and when they reached Nice in France, they sent a ‘‘yes we are interested’’ postcard to the horticultural centre. Eight months later they were unpacking their suitcases in Coín, ready to give their new life a go for a year. One year followed the other, and today - 15 years later - they are part of the locals of Coín. They have also had two children, both born and brought up in Spain. The children go to an international school, and are trilingual. Benny still works at the horticultural centre, but after 14 years in the flower business, Janne felt that she was ready to make her dream come true and, on the 24th of March 2007, she opened her own small garden centre. Here she thrives with all ‘‘her’’ flowers on weekdays from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Apart from Janne, you may also be assisted by Anna, who is Swedish and has lived in Spain for 12 years together with her Finnish
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>> costa COMPANIES If you are heading towards Marbella turn off the main road at km198. When you reach the roundabout turn left down the hill. 20 metres down on the right take the service rd. Continue down. On your RHS is a furniture shop with a tunnel at the side. Go through the tunnel, our car park and offices are on your left.
Fortress Security Here to help since 1987 There are not many companies on the Costa del Sol who have been in business for more than twenty years but Fortress security in Calahonda this year can lay claim to that title. Established in 1987 by Ian Fortress Security can confidently claim to have a solid reputation for providing an excellent service and high quality products. They have literally thousands of satisfied clients and continue today to serve the ex-pat communities along the coast, providing them with cost effective means of securing their properties.
If you are heading towards Fuengirola turn off the main road at km198 onto a slip road running parallel to the main road. At the bus stop turn right down the hill. Follow this road to the roundabout. When you reach the roundabout turn left down the hill. 20 metres down on the right take the service road. Continue down. On your RHS is a furniture shop with a tunnel at the side. Go through the tunnel, our car park and offices are on your left.
They will gladly visit your home to provide a free no obligation security survey
Other services Need a terrace retiling or a wall building? Need concrete columns for those new gates? Need Rendering, plastering, tiling? Need a banister rail, front door repairing, kitchen units? Need someone to hold a set of keys? Need free advice about almost any subject under the sun? Need cleaners following major works? Need a quick makeover for your property? Just ask Fortress For more information about Fortress Security visit their website to see the extensive range of products and services on offer. Whatever your needs you're in safe hands with Fortress Security. Where are they They are situated in the heart of the Costa del Sol at Calahonda. Their offices and showroom are just 1 minute from the main coast road (N340).
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CU RITY S S SE PA S E I R ESTABLISHED 1987 N S T R
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Five days a week Fortress’s fleet of modern and fully equipped vehicles travel the length of the coast and inland to Alhaurin, Coin and other areas. They can provide references from over 20 years in business here on the coast. After 20 years they are known far and wide for their professionalism and caring attitude. If they can help, they will. If they can’t they will know someone who will. They are still small enough to care and yet large enough to cope.
FO
Their multi-skilled, security conscious team has an extensive knowledge of all security products as well as possessing excellent skills in their own trades. The list of their services and the products they can provide is endless but includes scissor gates, rejas, drive gates, gate automation, garden gates, railings, persianas, toldos, aluminium windows and doors, security doors, garage doors, lock changes, secondary locking, intruder alarms, electrical, welding, joinery, building, painting and plumbing works.
All steelwork, grills, gates, fences, stairways. Balconies, scissor gates, garage doors, security blinds (manual/automatic) Persianas, toldos, security doors
Garage doors up and over - sectional Gate automation systems for all requirements Garage door motors Aluminium windows and doors Air conditioning - singles - splits-ducting All major credit cards taken
Phone 952 931 128 or 952 933 234 Email fortress@telefonica.net www.fortresssecurityspain.com
costa COMPANIES >> help lots and lots of people to reduce or take away pain in especially back, knees and feet. A very satisfied MBT Client wrote to MBT United Kingdom (www.swissmasai.com): Once the MBTs were on my feet, I knew I had to have them. They are the most wonderful thing for my 3 times cut into spine. They take away all my spinal pain from walking. (…) The MBT shoe - your natural painkiller! Do you walk a lot? Do you have pain in your back, feet, joint or knee? Do you want a more upright posture? Then try a pair of MBT shoes and explore a new way of walking with less pain and a much more active body! The MBT shoe is one of the newest products with in the area of lifestyle, wellness and active life, yet it has already proven its right to exist in this field. It is beeing used all over the world by young and elderly, people who suffered from pain, by fitness orientated people and by stars like Madonna and professionel golfpalyers like Suzann Pettersen from Norway. It has also been valuated on several tv-stations world wide and found very useful and effective. The human body is not designed for constant walking on even ground. In doing so, the steps become unnaturally long and a passive posture is created. With conventional shoes the steps fall almost uncontrollably onto the ground and the whole body receives shocks, leading to poor posture, blockages, tension and weak muscles.
Here on the Western side of Málaga, people who are curious about the MBTs have a selection of not just 1 but 2 Specialized MBT shops which both caries the full range of models and sizes. And furthermore for the first time since the birth of the MBT a whole new collection of MBTs will arrived in one month. The new collection consists of 12 new models , so by the middle of April the total selection of MBT will consists of at least 18 models which all to be found in the specialized MBT shops. In MBT SHOP CRISTINA in Fuengirola and MBT SHOP MARBELLA we look forward to help you experience the MBTs and explore what MBT can offer you! For enquiries and directions please phone us on 952 462 444 or check out our website www.mbtmarbella.com Super Size vs Super Skinny Gillian McKieth used the mbt footwear in the channel four program… A posse of girls from Portsmouth walked off the pounds and the inches whilst wearing this footwear. Gillian McKieth
To counteract this effect the body must be stimulated to balance itself and trough that active the body´s supporting muscle system, and this is exactly what MBT physiological footwear does. Due to a unique curved sole, MBT transforms flat, hard surface into natural, uneven surface, simulating the walking action of our barefoot ancestors. The curved sole creates a natural instability underfoot, which stimulates and exercises the body’s supporting muscles system to balance and keep an upright posture. Balancing means that the muscles are working instead of overloading joints plus encourages active musculature. Through the action of a tension interchange of the muscles, MBT become shock absorbers for the joints and through this the body experiences release of tension, relaxation and improved circulation. Wearing MBT physiological footwear is like walking barefoot on springy moss or a sandy beach - very comfortable on the one hand, but also a challenge for the whole body. Because every step is a small workout for the whole body. An active muscles system holds and helps the skelet meaning the bones which helps reducing pain in the body. All in all both when standing and walking, there are several benefits in using MBT: Activates neglected muscles Reduces stress on knee and hip joints Help with back, hip, leg and foot problems Improves posture and gait Tones and shapes the body Help with joint, muscle ligament & tendon injuries The first MBT shoe was produced in 1998 and launced in Swizerland continuing to Germany and Austria during 1999. Since then the MBT has
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>> costa COMPANIES OFFEX EASIMAIL Spains Largest English Speaking Courier and Postal Service. For many Ex Pats living and working in Spain the sending and receiving of Letters and Parcels can be an experience that is frustrating and often unreliable. In the event we are lucky enough to have a local Post Office, the opening hours are often extremely limited and the queues excessive. In areas where deliveries are available, items are often left at non secure locations,and signed for items are often returned to sender without any notification. Offex have been providing a secure,reliable and cost effective Postal Service in Spain for the past 5 years. Offex currently offer services in Andalucia, Alicante, Murcia and Valencia Provinces, via a Network of conveniently located Mailpoints. The location of Offex Mailpoints can be found on website www.offexspain.com . Business users can arrange regular collections from their premises. Easimail offer the following services from Spain via the Royal Mail. UK 1st and 2nd Class Post UK and International Recorded Delivery Worldwide Airmail Special Delivery Airsure Standard Parcels All letters and parcels sent via the Royal Mail are flown Daily from Malaga and Alicante on British Airways Scheduled Flights and delivered directly into the Royal Mail Sorting Office by Offex Staff based at London Gatwick Airport. Offex also have services for mail from the UK to Spain offering a secure and fast Delivery service for Letters and Parcels. Other Offex Services. Passport and Visa Service Offex offer a daily service to the British and Irish Consulates in Madrid for Passport Renewals ensuring that your documentation arrives safely. British Residents Applications are checked prior despatch to ensure that forms are completed correctly, photographs meet UK Government Bio- Metric guidelines, and all the required documentation is included. We also Deliver and Collect Visa Applications to a number of Foreign Embassies. Express Parcels A trackable Parcel Service for both delivery and collection of Parcels to and from the UK. International Air Courier A worldwide Courier Service. Unnacompanied Baggage Avoid carrying luggage to and from the 24 costa life
Airport when travelling to Spain, Offex collect from any address in the UK and deliver direct to your Home or Hotel in Spain. When you are ready to return to the UK we will collect and deliver back to the UK. To contact Offex Call 952577816 or email mail@offexspain.com.
costa COMPANIES >>
MAGNETIC TRAINING ACADEMY (SolNail Supplies) offers specialised training in all aspects of nail technology. Magnetic are Europes most complete nail care company which includes Acrylic, Gel and Fibreglass extensions, of course they also supply what can only be called one of the largest range of nail art accessories, as well as manicure and pedicure products and of course not forgetting their wide range of colours in nail polishes (which do not contain formaldehyde). The excellent value for money has made Magnetic the favourite brand for 1000s of nail technicians throughout the world, and their clients are safe in the knowledge that Magnetic products do not require a primer and therefore are much kinder to their own natural nails. We are also proud that we can say that none of our products have been tested on any animals. The Magnetic training courses cover all aspects of nail enhancements and students can be safe in the knowledge that after training their certificate will be recognised in over 35 different countries in the world. All students can also be assured that Sol Nails know most of the pitfalls in the industry as they have their own salon : The Nail & Beauty Salon : just around the corner from the shop and academy. Jill opened the salon some 4 years ago after having taught beauty at a local beauty college and in that somewhat short amount of time the salon has grown to be Arroyo´s premier English salon The salon offers not only all nail extensions but manicures ,pedicures ,waxing and facials, and now has the services of a first class hair stylist who is particularly skilled in both colours and cutting. The academy also offers courses in applying hair extensions. Jill who is the main educator for Magnetic and is without doubt one of the leading experts in the field of nail extensions and her nail art is to die for with many of her clients travelling from England and Ireland specially to have their hands and feet cared for. Sol Nail Supplies also supply the range of Buttercup uniforms which are known throughout the beauty industry for their quality. On February 25th Sol Nail Supplies are pleased to say they started to provide both the products and training in the Lycon Waxing system favoured by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Sienna Miller and Minnie Driver. also be prepared they have launched MiniKINI the bikini line dye for matching ‘‘collars & cuffs’’ (this is
also good for mens chest hair and beards to hide the Grey) Sol Nail Supplies are the only a p p r o v e d trainers for these products and application in Spain.
So for the best in Nail Training look no further than Sol Nails and for that top to toe makeover then The Nail & Beauty + Hairdressing in Arroyo de la Miel should be where you head for where Jill and Ron will gladly offer all the help and advice that you need.
New year new career 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. Acrylic, gel airbrushing.
and
fiberglass
training
and
Call 952 560 051 or 607 586 894 for more information www.solnailsupplies.com
Arroyo’s Premier English Salon
No 1 in Nail & Beauty Treatments
The Nail and Beauty Salon & Hair Styling 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
Hot head…
Not only are hot-ttempered men more likely to end up with heart disease, but the conventional wisdom about blowing off steam is wrong. A decade-llong study found that men prone to intense anger and feelings of depression showed significant increases in levels of a protein called C3 (number is lower case) which contributes to coronary heart disease. Studies show that most forms of venting are actually harmful, anger venting results in more anger, not less; a better way to get rid of anger (and therefore C3 levels) is to take deep breaths and relax.
Top 10 women 2008… Taken from www.askmen.com
8 Rihanna
10 Adriana Lima
7 Jessica Biel
9 Marisa Miller
5 Jessica Alba
3 Kate Beckinsale
6 Scarlett Johansson 1 Katherine Heigl from Greys Anatomy, Knocked up, and the chick flick 27 Dresses
4 Eva Mendes
2 Alessandra Ambrosio
Inspirational Quote… Many men go fishing all their lives not knowing it is not fish they are after. 26 costa life
If women ruled the world…
>>
TRIATHLON’S I discovered cycling at a very young age, as I was lucky enough to have fit and adventurous parents who enjoyed a variety of endurance sports. But it wasn’t until relatively recently that I got the triathlon bug!
Triathlon has become a very popular sport in Spain. In fact a look at the web page www.triatloandalucia.org will show just how many events are available. Triathlon consists of 3 sports, a swim, bike and run, in that order; with varying distances. The sprint Triathlon is 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. A great event for beginners. Then at the other end of the spectrum is the Iron Man distance. A 4km open water swim, 180km bike followed by a 42km marathon! The ultimate for athletes. The weather and sea conditions here on the south coast are ideal for training, and the mountainous landscape and the many tracks enables us to explore and discover some great cycling and running routes. So even with a basic fitness level, a positive attitude and a dedication to training, will enable most, to undertake the training necessary to compete in a short distance Triathlon. The list of equipment needed is not too long. For the swim you will need a good quality triatrhlon wet suit, a triathlon suit, goggles and swimming cap. Swimming in open water is completely different from swimming in a pool. Just like riding a bike in a spinning class is completely different out on the roads! A competitive swim a straight line, to a distance, compensating for the current and watching out for other swimmers, will be quiet difficult at first, but will get easier the more you practice in similar conditions.
Leaving the water after the swim section, there is a short run to the transition area, this is were the bikes are racked up ready for the cycle. Triathletes are usually quiet busy during this run, removing swimming cap & goggles and undoing the wet suit, ready to remove completely when they locate their bikes. The equipment needed for the bike section includes a bike, cycle hat, and shoes. The trickiest part of this transition is putting sports socks onto wet feet!!
The cycling section usually account for 50% of the finishing time. So this should account for a similar percentage of your training time. The key to becoming a better cyclist is the amount of Km’s cycled, which will in turn increase lung power and leg power. The bike is a fairly complex machine, so getting to know your bike, your cycle position, when to shift gears etc, all come with experience and practice. Bike nutrition is very important. Keeping your energy levels at a constant, while cycling will give you greater strength on the run section. Gels & nutrition bars are easy to digest whilst cycling. The end of the cycle will mean re-racking the bike and changing into running shoes. As the triathlete will probably not be functioning at his best now, tying shoe laces will probably be the last thing he wants to do - so it is a good idea to invest in a pair of elastic shoe laces that are already tied so it’s a case of simply slipping the shoes on & go. So onto the run! Due to the intense high impact nature of running, bodies simply cannot handle as much running training as swimming and cycling. It is far more likely to incur over use injuries from running than from the other 2 disciplines. With triathlons the run takes place when the triathlete is in a fatigued state, immediately following at least 45 minutes, or possibly 9 hours or more of racing in the previous 2 sports. This is why it is necessary to use brick workouts in training. A brick workout comprises a bike ride followed immediately by a run; this is a type of workout that is unique to triathlon. Whilst putting a triathlon training plan together, it is also important to include stretching to keep good flexibility, and also core workouts and weight training to give strength. So if you are inspired to have a go at a triathlon, or just to learn a bit more, most towns now have their own triathlon club, where you can get help and inspiration from a wide age range of members. My next challenge is the Lanzarote Iron man in May. So I may see you there…….!!
Helen Johnson - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist - 617 453 550 - fitness@luv2btraining.com costa life 27
Benetton
>> costa LIFESTYLE >> Get shirty...
Pink cotton shirt H&M
Dark grey with white collar shirt H&M Grey single breasted suit H&M
Pale blue granddad shirt H&M
Red nylon hooded jacket with fashion white piped seams Burton
men want
>> The casual choice...
>> Look the business...
Straight fit, black coated denim Jean Burton
Grey Okinawa print T-shirt. Burton
Silver leather pointed shoes Topman
28 costa life
Store Locator A to Z
Silver/grey floral design tie Topman
Light grey single breasted suit jacket in pin dot fabric and light grey slim fitting suit trousers Topman
Benetton www.benetton.com Fuengirola. Burton www.burton.co.uk Gibraltar Dorothy Perkins www.dorothyperkins.com Miramar and La Ca単ada. H&M www.hm.com La Ca単ada. The body shop www.thebodyshop.com La Ca単ada. Topman www.topman.co.uk La Ca単ada.
costa LIFESTYLE >> >> Dress to impress…
>> Turn back time…
Mix and match ditsy dress Dorothy Perkins
Wise Woman for mature skin range Wise Woman Vitality Serum, Regenerating Day Cream and Luxury Cleanser. The Body Shop
Black dolly shoes with buckle Dorothy Perkins
Pink beaded cluster ring Dorothy Perkins
Black across the body hand bag Dorothy Perkins
women want >> Step out in style…
Black and white dress H&M
Black and white wedge shoe H&M
>> Stand out in a crowd… Suede high heel shoes with open toe Benetton Patent-coated handbag with jacquard pattern and eco-leather details Benetton Woollen pin-striped jacket with waistband Benetton
Black patent heart handbag H&M Woollen short-sleeved dress with ribbed woollen bodice and loop stitch skirt Benetton
Benetton
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
New beauty rules… As minimal and matte skin is in, cheeks need a flash of colour in order to keep the look healthy. Invest in Mineral make-up. Mineral make-up is great for sensitive skins. Free of chemicals, dyes or irritants normally found in modern make-up, their fine ingredients actually care for the skin. Bold and bushy eyebrows are the latest must-have accessory as sported on all the models. But they still need to stay in shape with a regular plucking routine, just make sure you follow the natural shape of your brow and pluck any strays that fall above and below this. Straightening irons have been swapped for the 80’s hair tool of choice - the crimper. Seen on locks at major fashion shows like Mulberry and Burberry, crimps were worn in sections on straight styles - either left alone or brushed through. To get the look, straighten hair first, take a few sections and crimp the mid-lengths to the ends.
Proto-col…
Collagen for skin, hair and nails
Collogen is the glue that holds our bodies together. It is the most abundant structural protein in the body and accounts for some 76% of the skin, muscles and connective tissue. It is therefore one of the bodies vital components. Consequently there is a shortfall of some 30% by the age of 45. Proper collagen balance in the body is highly desirable and crucial, if your looks and facial structure are to be maintained. Every night, in the first 90 minutes of sleep, the body normally creates collagen to be used in the repair process this is known as the alfa cycle. The 100% Pure Collagen supplement, feeds your body with the important nutrition required. It holds the key to healthy skin as it provides the skin's strength, resilience and firmness. Collagen builds scar tissue to assist in healing damaged skin. Also for those of us who do repetitive exercise, joint pain is a common occurrence and it only gets worse as we age. One way to combat this is by increasing your body's supply of collagen. Collagen is the body’s most abundant natural protein. Collagen may keep your skin youthful in appearance and also help plump out those fine lines and wrinkles when used on a regular basis. You can purchase Proto-col at Kiss hair and Beauty in Fuengirola 952 666 787.
Star beauty secret…
Pam Anderson fights puffy eyes with potatoes! Put a fresh slice of potato over each of your eyes; lie down for a couple minutes, and voila! Wide-awake eyes. 30 costa life
Jennifer Aniston loves her collagen based anti -aging fix (News of the world)
Beauty Quote… Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
costa LIFESTYLE >>
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)
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 31
I
t’s a fact that men are generally more scared about having regular health checks than women: we tend to leave things and put them to one side when it comes to having health checks on a regular basis. So when I was asked by Clinica Medicare in Elviria to partake in an annual check-u up I was willing but I have to say a little anxious. I am not sure why because it has been a goal of mine to get into the habit of a regular yearly check-u up of my overall health particularly since I turned 40 up years of age. In fact I am 43 this month and have never had a check-u which in some respects is a good thing as regards not being ill but a bad thing in a preventative way. I have never been an ill person as it were and tend to just get on with things but we have to face the fact that as we get older we need to take a closer look at our health.
It’s only my opinion but I think that up to the age of 30-35 you can pretty much get away with most abuse because you are young enough to cope. For example, research says that if you smoke and give up by the time you are 35, within ten years your lungs could possibly be as good as though you had never smoked. Now of course that isn’t to say that you can just smoke your head off till you are 35 and then quit. It’s a bad habit and can kill at any age but that kind of recovery is an indication of the fantastic ability of the human body to heal itself. I suppose we men think that we are a little indestructible and that ‘‘it can never happen to me’’ but the reality is that it can, and in today’s world of preventative medicine and awareness it seems a bit daft that we don’t
take advantage of the many tests we can take to see what may be ahead of us in later life and then adopt ways of hopefully preventing any illnesses or problems we may face as we get older. For myself I think I am quite healthy: I exercise three or four times a week, I eat healthily, fresh veg, white meats, fish, fruit, etc and avoid processed foods and ready made meals like the plague. McDonalds or Burger King happen once in a blue moon and I have recently quite aggressively cut back on alcohol intake. It hasn’t always been that way, as I am sure it is with many of you. I think as you get older you get more sensible and change the way you eat, generally that is. If you don’t then the reality is that you stand the chance of reducing your life expectancy by eating the wrong foods, too much alcohol, no exercise and of course smoking. Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those people who examine every new fad and to be honest I would rather adopt a commonsense attitude towards what I eat. I love food!! If you followed all the ‘latest trends and research’ from week to week you would be eating one thing this week because ‘the experts’ say it is good for you and the next week they say it would be bad for you. My philosophy is eat fresh food and stay away from tinned and processed foods. Avoid lots of red meats and also make sure you exercise. Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum and DON’T SMOKE! The check-up test itself lasts about an hour and the ladies, Lorraine and Lisa, will make you very welcome. I hate needles but the girls held my hand and I didn’t cry much! And, remember guys, the
costa LIFESTYLE >> prostate test is now a BLOOD TEST - there’s no internal exam so now there is no excuse. The test includes the following: weight check, blood pressure, body mass index score, urine test for diabetes, ECG for a heart check and, as already mentioned, a much favoured and preferred blood test for your prostate! Following the tests, the nurse Lisa will have a 10-15 minute conversation about your lifestyle, ie what do you eat, do you exercise, alcohol intake etc, and from this information she will give you some tips on improving your eating habits and gently point out to you any areas that she sees may become a problem in the future or even any that might be a problem now. Having this test once a year can be an invaluable way of highlighting areas that you may think you are all right in but in fact need addressing. Overall I was fine: the main one for the prostate was clear and fine. My body mass index was a little high and she suggested that I need to lose a few pounds which I was aware of and have addressed by getting back into my regular fitness regime. My cholesterol was 6.5 which she said was slightly high so I have cut out the cheese and eggs and started drinking green tea which is supposed to be great for high cholesterol. Porridge is claimed to be fantastic for helping to reduce cholesterol but I can’t eat it so I am going to have to give that one a miss: sorry, hate the stuff!! My urine, heart and blood pressure were all fine although my blood pressure was a bit low at 110 over 80 which she said is preferable if you exercise and it’s better to be low than high. So it wasn’t an all clear as it were and I have to say I thought it would be, but I suppose that is the problem. We always think we are okay and don’t want to face the possibility that as we get older we may face a few health issues and have to address a few things. I do love cheese and have to be honest that in the last few months have started to eat more than I should. I also have been eating more eggs and I kill for mayonnaise! So it begs the question why was I surprised that my cholesterol was a bit high? The truth is we are not invincible and cannot eat drink and be merry without paying a price, especially as we get older and our body changes. The good thing is that all of the above are reversible and you can
instantly make a difference. I drank green tea for about two weeks after the check up, cut out all dairy and eggs (apart from skimmed milk in my smoothies) and then went back for another blood test and my cholesterol came back at 5.8 which is a great improvement in two weeks. I also lost 8lbs in weight, my blood pressure came in at normal so within two weeks I was able to affect quite a dramatic change and only because I went to have the check up. Nobody is indestructible and as we get older we need to take more care and look after ourselves more. Commonsense determines that prevention is always better than cure and, with these facilities available, we men should take advantage of them. After all, what can we do without our health? Thanks to David, Lorraine and Lisa at Clinica Medicare in Elviria for my check up. For more information call them on 952 835 776. ‘‘In truth, men are far more likely to look after their cars than their own bodies and, whereas car MOTs are required by law, there is no such equivalent for the driver. Women see their doctor twice as often as men and invariably much sooner in the course of any given condition.’’
>> costa LIFESTYLE
Intercostal Neuralgia I ntercostal neuralgia is the medical term for an inflammation of one or more nerves which are lying beneath every single rib. These nerves are exiting the thoracic spinal column and follow each rib along to the front of the chest ending either at the sternum or in a small area at the lower end of the sternum called solar plexus. This nerve inflammation can cause a permanent dull ache between the shoulder blades or follow the course of one or more of the ribs. On certain occasions or movements this pain can turn into a very sharp pain. Often enough the patient is even complaining of sharp pain on taking a deep breath or coughing. Especially when this sharp chest pain affects the left side of the chest, physicians can easily be misled to the wrong diagnosis of a heart attack. Fortunately, a quickly performed ECG (electrocardiogram) and a blood test can easily exclude any heart problem. Although the term intercostal neuralgia is not well known in non-medical professions, and even some physicians do not exactly know what it means, it is not a rare medical condition. But it is certainly a condition that is very often seen and treated by orthopaedic surgeons. This very localized inflammation usually starts without any apparent reason. If the patient is asked they frequently answer that they cannot recall any accident, fall or any other trauma triggering the inflammation. They often enough do not even remember exactly when the pain started. But if they recall any trauma it is usually a sudden movement such as a rotation of the upper body combined with flexion, like bending over to pick something out of the car boot. Or something simple such as lifting a child up. Theoretically, these movements can cause a minimal displacement of the rib within its joint to the thoracic vertebra, so small that even x-rays would not show it. As the nerve is closely attached to the surface beneath the rib it gets under tension when this rib is not properly aligned with its joint to the spinal column. On these occasions the pain is described as very sudden and sharp, like ‘someone stuck a knife into my back’. This pain starts on one side of the
A very common cause of back and chest pain
thoracic spinal column and radiates around the chest to the front and usually gets worse on taking a deep breath. It might deteriorate on coughing. Many patients complain also about pain at night waking them up or just not being able to get comfortable. Superficial creams or gels do not work as a treatment. Also antiinflammatory medication as tablets usually does not alleviate the pain. The theory is that the inflamed nerve starts to swell as a reaction to the inflammation and then is simply too big and suffers compression when passing through the tight area beneath the rib. The treatment with the highest chance of improvement of the symptoms is the direct infiltration (injection) with some local anaesthetic and cortisone. This infiltration should be done by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon because the needle has to be directed at the inferior surface of the rib, with the lung being only a few millimetres away. This sounds like the injection might be painful, and as a matter of fact it is uncomfortable because the orthopaedic surgeon has to try to directly hit the inflamed nerve next to the joint between the rib and the vertebra. In the moment of doing the injection this may be uncomfortable, but due to the local anaesthetic this pain would disappear within less than a minute. The injected cortisone would decrease the inflammation and therefore the swelling of the nerve. Once the inflammation is successfully treated another medical examination by the orthopaedic surgeon can then determine whether there is still a mechanical problem such as a misaligned rib joint. Re-alignment might be indicated using a chiropractic manipulation or osteopathic technique. This is a very simple and effective treatment option.
For any further questions regarding bursitis or any other bone, joint or soft tissue problem, please go to
www.clinica-sandalf.com or ring 952 57 77 66
Mr Alf Neuhaus
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Col. No: 9.220
Sandra Vincenti
UK Chartered Physiotherapist Col. No: 682 Treatment of Arthritis & Rheumatism Joint Replacements - hip,knee,ankle,shoulder Hip Resurfacing Advanced Cartilage Repair Keyhole Surgery Hand and Foot Surgery Accidents & Fractures Bone density measuring available X-ray Facilities - Diagnostic Ultrasound Back and Neck Problems - sciatica,whiplash,etc. Rehabilitation - post op,post injury Emergency Accidents dealt with (ambulance service available 24hr per day)
Travel insurance & International insurance claims welcome 24HR EMERGENCY SERVICE - TEL:656 313 293 Tel: 952 577 766 - E-mail: clinica.sandalf@terra.es www.clinica-sandalf.com C./ Pepa Guerra Valdenebros, 29631 Benalmadena behind Tivoli World Arroyo 34 costa life
‘‘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
>> costa LIFESTYLE
How to survive a heart attack when alone… Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and Very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without stopping until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keeps the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. Heart attack victims can then get to a hospital.
Food for sex… Food is love, food is comfort and food is also sex. Certain foods can light up your lovemaking
Microwave popcorn - 20-25 calories per cup, and you can make it in two minutes or less.
Cutting caffeine may help control diabetes…
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk for depression; they are also pluses for the libido. So if you’re looking after your heart you’ll also have better blood flow and more sensation below.
Foods to eat… Almonds and walnuts, Salmon, cod and halibut. Antioxidant-rich produce, including tomatoes, red peppers, garlic, spinach, broccoli, berries and red grapes. Another good source is dark chocolate. Load up your plate with lean, bright, beautiful foods and you’ll have a dynamic sex life.
Walk your way to weight loss... Walking can help people lose weight, especially if they use a pedometer to make sure they are going far enough. People who added 20 to 40 minutes of walking a day lost a small but steady amount of weight; increasing physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems, lowers blood pressure and helps dieters maintain lean muscle tissue when they are dieting. 38 costa life
Healthy snack tip…
Researchers studied a small group of people with established type 2 diabetes who drank at least two cups of coffee everyday, and who were trying to manage their disease through diet, exercise and oral medications, but no insulin. Scientists used new technology, a tiny glucose monitor embedded under their abdominal skin to continuously monitor sugar levels over a 72-hour period. Participants took capsules containing caffeine equal to about four cups of coffee on one day and then identical capsules that contained a placebo on another day. The researchers found that when the participants consumed caffeine, their average daily sugar levels went up eight percent. Caffeine also exaggerated the rise in glucose after meals.
Top tip…
Just hum …Daily humming is a good way to increase ventilation in the sinuses.
This charming villa is located in the sought after area of Calahonda situated in a cluster of villas all with their own private gardens and access is via a private road. The property benefits from many features including 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms, an off road garage, sea views, communal pool, large private garden, spacious lounge and much more. The villa is in a very good condition and viewing is highly recommended due to its location and privacy. Plot size 1035m2 built size 180m2 Interior: fireplace, fitted kitchen, fully furnished, marble floors (total), satellite TV, storage, and telephone. External water tap, double glazing, gated community, alarm system and close to amenities.
Price 675,000 Euros Please contact 600 713 028
>> costa HOMES
Spring Raid Horse and rider cross country endurance competition will take place at the farm of Snr Rafeal Berdaguer,Cortigo Los Frailes, Coin Saturday 19th April Please contact for further information David or Betsy Borthwick on 670053421 or 670053422 Email : David Borthwick [david_borthwick1@hotmail.com]
44 costa life
costa HOMES >>
A .C.E. C ORTIN AS S.C. CURTAINS, BEDSPREADS, CUSHIONS, LOOSE COVERS, HEADBOARDS, PELMETS, SWAGS AND TAILS ALL MADE TO MEASURE.
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gata C/A
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costa life 45
>> costa HOMES
This month Interior Designer Paula Monaghan, of Paula Monaghan Interiors gives you her significant ideas to help with selling, improving or de-cluttering your property.
B
efore you leap to the easy and perhaps rash option of simply reducing the price of your house, it may be beneficial to first consider home staging to increase the value of your home. Just because you like your home doesn’t mean everybody else will. Taste is a very personal thing, and those animal print armchairs that are so close to your heart might not be everyone's cup of tea! A house might be lovely in terms of its architecture and design, but unsuitable décor and furnishing can let a property down and discourage potential buyers. If you want your house to sell, it will need to be clean, tidy and uncluttered. Simply kicking the rubbish under the bed and throwing some cushions about before potential buyers come to visit the property will not be enough to really impress them. Making a house look appealing can be a very difficult task; it takes time and creativity, neither of which everybody has. However much style you think you might possess, there is a difference between a house that looks nice to be living in, and one that looks nice to move into. Visitors may think your place looks very ‘homely’ and ‘lived in’, but that doesn’t mean they will want to live in it themselves. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living in the property. In the same way that people always complain about food never looking as good in reality as in the pictures, it is very disappointing for house hunters to arrive at a property only to find it doesn’t meet their expectations. Create a neutral, light and appealing atmosphere inside the house. House seekers will be looking for clean, well presented properties, and also need to be able to imagine themselves living in the house. This means the property needs to be depersonalised. Taste, as everybody knows, is an extremely individual thing, and if someone looks at your house and is confronted with anything too unique or personal, it is unlikely they will have the courage to buy the house and attempt to create their own individual environment. Make sure the exterior of your house is presentable, because of course, first impressions are critical. Another crucial element in presenting a house is ensuring a property looks spacious. Anyone who has ever bought or rented a property will know how valuable space is, and there is a refined art to making a place look bigger than it actually is (which, though sneaky, is exactly what you will be wanting to do if you want to impress house hunters). Use of mirrors, the larger the better, and for maximum
44 costa life
Colour can make buyers feel ‘Welcomed’, ‘Excited’, ‘ R e l a x e d ’ , ‘Comfortable’ but it can also make viewers feel ‘Unwelcome’, ‘Uncomfor table’, ‘Cold’, ‘Anxious’.
effect, flush the mirror with a corner, or position mirrors opposite each other to create the illusion of space. Repaint and use rugs and lamps, preferably projecting towards the ceiling to create several distinct visual spaces within one room. The importance of creating an impression of openness cannot be underestimated. Wallpaper is used to create a statement panel down the edge of one wall. Hung in the hall it gives dramatic impact to what would otherwise be an uninspiring space. Mix plain and patterned wallpaper to help the transition between areas in an open space. Say it loud! Small spaces offer an opportunity to experiment with bolder designs. Most wallpaper companies create collections with colours and patterns that are designed to work with one another, so stick to one collection and the scheme will naturally come together. Texture is a big trend, and where better to have touchy-feely wallpaper than in the bedroom? This amazing paper gives an impression of tactile hide.
For this reason it is vitally important to get your choice of colours right when staging a property to sell. Choosing a colour to repaint a single room or potentially the whole house can be tough. Unlike furniture, lamps, art and accessories, which can be positioned and then repositioned until things look right, painting a room in the wrong colour is both expensive and time consuming. Create a mood board from your favourite magazines and pictures to give you inspiration. Be it styling or staging you can actually add thousands of pounds to your property and achieve a quick sale or just create a new look. Images supplied by Paula Monaghan and P R Shots.
Before
Can’t afford a major revamp? You can still give your living room a fresh new feel with a bit of rearranging and a few clever buys. Swap the coffee table for side tables. Easy to move, and taking up less space than a coffee table, a neat modern table will make the room appear larger. Paint one wall. A single 2.5 litre tin of paint is usually enough to cover most walls, so this is a cheap and easy way to give the whole room a lift - and go for spring shades for a really fresh feel. Update your sofa. Even well-used sofas can be revived and given a new look if you cover them in bright sumptuous scatter cushions. The end result is to make your home look open, depersonalised, and suitable for a wider variety of tastes. Using an interior company will, of course, not guarantee a sale, but you will be giving yourself the best possible chance, and it could be the most suitable resort if you need to sell a property quickly and you are lacking in time.
After
Through my experience I’ve encountered many occasions when properties failed to sell for their highest potential figure or else languished on the property books for months because the colour schemes in the properties were putting off the buyers.
Before
After costa life 47
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>> costa HOMES
Ant Repellant…
Baking soda …
To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering the house and sprinkle a barrier of cinnamon or any type of ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too hot for the ants to cross.
Make a mixture of 1/4 cup of, baking soda 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 1 gallon of hot water to clean grease and grime, as well as deodorise. White appliance surfaces: mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with a few cups of warm water to wash the outside surface of white appliances. Rinse it clean after 15 minutes to remove yellowing of the appliances. Put some baking soda onto the bottom of the rubbish bin before replacing the plastic liner to eliminate odours.
Top tip… Removing nail varnish from leather sofa do not use nail varnish remover use cellotape…it works no marks and no fading.
Shoe odour can be eliminated by sprinkling baking soda or dry, powdered herbs, such as chamomile, in the shoes each evening. Make sure that the powder reaches the very inside tips of the shoes. To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture.
Bathroom shower curtain… To stop the bottom of your shower curtain from becoming discoloured or mouldy, coat it with baby oil. If it is too late, then to remove the mildew from the shower curtains scrub with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Then rinse in plenty of clean water.
George Foreman Grills… After removing the cooked food from the grill, place a paper towel soaked in water on each of the 2 cooking surfaces. Unplug the appliance, allow it to sit for 5-30 minutes (while you eat), then use the paper towels to effortlessly wipe out the grease and food particles.
Creaking doors and stuck keys… Take a normal lead pencil (it’s not actually lead, its graphite) and go over all the joints in your hinges. Work the door back and forward a few times and repeat the whole process. The graphite in the pencil lubricates the brass or iron without corroding it. Graphite is dry and as such it won’t promote rust.
Cleaning Soiled Shirt Collars… Take a small paintbrush and brush hair shampoo into soiled shirt collars before washing. Shampoo is made to dissolve body oils.
This also works for ‘sticky’ keys as well. Work the pencil over the grooves in the key and gently inside the key hole as well (but really gently - you don’t want to break off the tip of the pencil in the lock). Then work the key in and out of the lock a few times, and gingerly work the lock with the key.
50 costa life
costa HOMES >>
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www.drainandleak.com costa life 51
Written by
Simon Hill
Buddleia Officinalis
n last year’s March issue, I enthused about the wonderful spring flowers that this year have again begun to brighten the countryside. This year’s show of Paperwhite Narcissi (Narcissus papyraceus) now almost over, has been particularly abundant. In our area at least this plant seems to be on the increase, probably because it does well on neglected agricultural land, such as along the valley of the Guadalhorce where traditional citrus cultivation is giving way to other land uses.
I
Unfortunately many of the most beautiful spring wild flowers are becoming less common. Last year I was saying how much at risk much of the native flora was. I can’t help but be more pessimistic a year later. You only have to look around to see the increasing damage to the landscape being caused by unsympathetic farming methods and by development. The damage is now extending ever further inland from the coast. So I ask all of you to find the time to take a trip in the Andalucian countryside, the fields, hillsides and mountains, to enjoy our beautiful spring weather, and to appreciate the wonderful show of wild flowers to be seen over the next
three months! Only a major change in public opinion can prevent further serious degradation of our natural environment. Your voice could help to stop yet another unnecessary golf course and residential complex from disfiguring yet another beautiful hilltop! In the garden, spring flowers are starting to appear. From my windows I can see a fine clump of Iboza riparia with its wonderful plumes of pink flowers. This shrub is really easy to grow, up to 2 metres, with large limegreen leaves in summer and it can make do with little water. It flowers spectacularly in February/March and surely deserves to be more widely grown. Nearby is a shrubbery containing a fine specimen of Lygos raetam, a beautiful Broom with sweetly scented white flowers; easy to grow, very attractive to bees and a flower arranger’s dream. You can still sometimes see this plant in its natural habitat on coastal sand dunes along the Costa del Sol and in Southern Portugal. Another wonderful shrub in my garden is Cassia artemisiodes with delicate blue-grey, ferny foliage and longlasting clusters of rich gold flowers. This provides a great contrast to a large clump of Justicia adhatoda, now just at the beginning of its long
Narcissus Papyraceus
Iboza Riparia
costa HOMES >>
Acanthus
flowering period, which has many erect 2 metre stems with large leaves that terminate in multiple heads of white flowers like those of Acanthus (Bear's Breeches) and is very attractive to those huge and spectacular, but totally harmless, black bees. The resemblance of the flowers to Acanthus is not accidental; they belong to the same plant family. Acanthus mollis is a herbaceous plant with extremely ornamental glossy green leaves, flowering in late spring before dying back into summer dormancy. It is another native plant that deserves a place in most Mediterranean gardens.
I have two Buddleias flowering now. Buddleia officinalis has masses of mauve/pink flower clusters with an extremely powerful honey scent that attract many spring butterflies, in particular Red Admirals that have just emerged from hibernation. A word of warning: this plant may cause hayfever problems for a few people. Buddleia madagascarensis is a splendid shrub with a lax, scrambling habit, grey foliage and magnificent arching spikes of orange-yellow flowers. It looks particularly good growing amongst other shubs. In my garden it grows up and through a small tree, Callistemon viminalis, also in full flower, which has weeping branches bearing crimson bottlebrush flowers. All over the garden daffodils and narcissi are coming into flower. When you buy daffodils as bulbs to naturalise in the garden, remember that many of the varieties that are grown in northern Europe may not succeed here. This is because our winters are not cold enough. Those varieties of narcissus that have southern European wild species in their ancestry are usually good, for example the varieties Tête-à-tête, Hawera and Avalanche. When I refer to spring fever, I mean the feverish state of enthusiasm, albeit sometimes only temporary, which afflicts those with gardens at about this time of year. After the gloomy days of winter (not so many this year), we eventually build up a sufficient head of steam to get going on some irritating but necessary tasks such as cutting back shrubs, tidying and weeding beds and applying mulches. The very mild winter we have just experienced seems to have stimulated extra-luxuriant growth of all the worst types of weeds. Reaching for the glyphosate bottle (Sp:glifosato, an excellent, relatively non-toxic, all-purpose weed killer) is a solution in some cases, but probably not in a flower border filled with rare and precious plants! Weeding or clearing the beds inevitably leads to the appearance of gaps where something has died. A replacement is needed; let’s ‘go down the garden centre’! Garden centres have proliferated in the last few years and it is not difficult to find one. The problem is that these are now hard times for the garden centres. Like estate agents, many opened up to cater for the property boom but this is now over and purses are reluctant to open.
Most of these places are little better than retail outlets, full of high-priced gimmicks and garden ornaments but woefully short of interesting plants for the discerning gardener. What plants they do have in stock are often raised on an industrial scale in peat compost in greenhouses as far away as the Netherlands. Such plants tend to survive poorly when planted out into the rigours of the Andalucian climate.
Buddleja Madagascariensis
Callisteman Vimunalis
This is a big problem for me. I try to design gardens that mimic nature, that largely look after themselves with only a little routine maintenance. These gardens have nothing in common with the hackneyed tropical garden look which we can see all along the Costa with its limited range of plants and its need for lots of water. Unfortunately for me it is incredibly difficult to get the plants I need. Local nurseries (Sp: viveros) that are actually interested in supplying clients like me can be counted on the fingers of half a hand, and I am forced to order from specialist nurseries in France or even further away. Few of us appreciate that much of what we buy in the local viveros is the horticultural equivalent of factory-farmed chicken! This is in spite of the fact that our climate is ideal for outdoor commercial production of a huge range of wonderful garden plants well adapted to local conditions. Only if we, the public, make it clear to vivero owners what we really want to buy will there be any change. To finish on a more upbeat note, I was recently given by different friends two bulbs of a species from South Africa, Veltheimia capensis . Interestingly these two bulbs were the offspring, and grand offspring, of a single plant brought to Spain from London some twenty years ago. Its native habitat is stony mountain fields in the Cape Peninsula where it enjoys a Mediterranean climate - just as it does here, now making a fine show in pots of sandy compost on my windowsill! Such horticultural gems are out there to be found and cherished - so there is hope for us gardeners yet! For further details, advice or if you have any gardening questions, contact him at: fincarosablanca@telefonica.net.
Veltheimia Capensis
Cassia Artemisioides
Justicia Adhatoda
>> costa PROPERTY
La Cortijada Probably the best project in Sitio de Calahonda. 2 bed. 2 baths. Furnished. 112m2 built. QUALITY.
Price 225.000€ €
Jardines de Calahonda 2 beds. 2 baths apartment. Furnished. Located in the greenest area of the urbanisation.109m2 built. Walking distance to beach. Quiet area. € Price 215.000€
Charming Country Cottage (Álora)
Old Town house (habitable) (Casarabonela)
House Under Construction (Casarabonela)
Built: 160 m² Land: 10.000 m² Restored cottage located in beautiful country side · 3 beds. Pool · Own well · SAT · Views Kitchen-dining & living room very spacious · Wooden ceiling Priced to sell quickly 325.000 € €
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: 135 m² Land: 13.000 m² Magnificent views · 3,5 km from village · Inter´l neighbourhood Own well · Electricity · Property with great potential · Price dramatically reduced…. now only…. 130.000 € €
Calahonda TOP FLOOR CORNER with lift. 2 bed. 1 brand new bath, marble floors, double glazing. 97,05m2 built. Furnished. Walking distance to beach.
Price 165.000€ €
Reality Exceeds Imagination (Álora)
Altos de Calahonda Brand new 2 bed. 2 bath. 92,15m2 built. Never has been used. Unfurnished. Seaviews.
Price 189.500€ €
56 costa life
Built: 420 m² Land: 60.000 m² Authentic, old farmhouse, renovated with great care w. a further 2 new buildings · Central heating Pool ( 12 x 8 ) · Tennis court In all 6 beds. TV + DVD · Aircon. A dream of garden · Ample terraces ‘‘Must be viewed’’ … 1.595.000 €€
costa PROPERTY >>
specializing in
Fincas Country Villas Townhouses Cortijos Ruins Plots
952 498 454 mobile: 609 454 409 tel:
enquiries@aloraproperties.com www.aloraproperties.com
AP236: A nicely renovated house situated close to Alora town, set on 25,000 m2 of land. The house offers 3 bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, bathroom, a separate shower room and laundry room together with wooden ceilings. 140m2 built with ample space to have a swimming pool. Beautiful views from this property. Water and electricity connected.
AP474: Rustic style country house on a plot of 16,000m2 in the area known as Las Angosturas close to El Chorro and only 15 minutes from Alora. The house currently offers one bedroom with en-suite bathroom, lounge /American style kitchen, bathroom and porch. 80 m2 built. The property has wooden ceilings, doors and windows and is only 500 mts from the main road with good access. Mains water and electricity.
PRICE: 255,000€ € PRICE: 198,330€ €
AP192: A recently renovated pretty 2 level townhouse in a quiet street of Alora. On the ground floor there is a sitting room, lounge and kitchen together with a pretty patio with the bathroom off this. On the upper floor there is a large landing, 1 good sized bedroom and a terrace with beautiful views of Alora. Good access with street parking available. The property has mains water and electricity. This townhouse offers very good value for money.
PRICE: 105,000€ €
Plaza Fuente Arriba s/n Alora
AP442: A tastefully decorated finca located on the outskirts of Alora with 17,000m2 of land with olive, almond and 30 varieties of fruit tree. The property is double glazed throughout and offers a lounge with wood burning stove, a dining room, kitchen and a pantry, 3/4 bedrooms and a good sized bathroom.100m2 built. There is also a large terrace offering many sunny and shady entertaining areas, a store, good sized garage and a wood store which could easily be converted into further living accommodation. There is a well, mains water and a 6,000litre water deposit, electricity and the possibility of having a phone line installed. This property offers any buyer a great opportunity to own a beautiful finca with stunning views.
PRICE: WAS 241,500€ € NOW 215,000€ €
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 costa life 57
>> costa HOMES
Obtaining a Mortgage In Spain W
ho offers mortgages?
a margin over EURIBOR generally EURIBOR +0.75% to 1.5% but individual circumstances can dictate higher or lower rates. Fixed rate mortgages are available at slightly higher interest rates. Some lenders offer a lower Start up interest rates for the first year or part interest only mortgages, ideally suited for funding new construction.
Mortgages are available from most High street Spanish banks and saving banks[Caja] and International lenders in Gibraltar. Most Developers will have a loan scheme in place on ‘off-plan’ purchases, but you need to be aware that these are only available on completion and will not cover any stage payments i.e. normally 30% deposit. Resale properties are also sometimes offered for sale with a mortgage in place that can be easily transferred.
How often will interest rates be reviewed? Usually once a year, fixed rate mortgages are available at higher interest rates.
What is the maximum repayment period?
What is the cost of arranging a mortgage?
Mostly commonly, 15 or 20 years, but up to 35 years can be arranged.
The cost of a Spanish mortgage varies greatly from lender to lender and also from broker to broker. Generally you should allow between 23% of the purchase price of the property.
What information will the bank require:
Why is it so expensive? The up-front costs on a Spanish loan are much higher than in the UK for a number of reasons. Firstly the Bank itself will charge an arrangement fee ranging from .75% - 2% of the loan depending on the loan to value and the complexity. The higher fees are generally charged for ‘non-status’ lending or bridging finance and for a normal mortgage you should not pay more than 1.25% There is also mortgage tax of 1% of the value of the loan and 1% of the interest due to be accrued over the term of the loan e.g. on a loan of €100,000 over 25 years at 3.5% the total interest payable is approx. €50,990 making the tax payable €1000 + €509.90 As a Spanish mortgage is attached to the property and not the owner it has its own title deed. You will have to pay for the deed to be produced and also land registry and notary fees. The cost of this varies from area to area and on the value of the property. Valuation fees vary depending on the value of the property and the valuation company but start at about €200 for a small apartment. Lastly you have the services of a mortgage broker and again this can vary tremendously. Some charge nothing and just rely on the commission the banks pay them whilst others charge up to 1.5% of the loan. It is recommended that a broker is used if income is hard to prove as they will know which lenders are the most flexible and can save valuable time. The break-even point for a Spanish loan as opposed to a UK loan or remortgage is approximately 5 years, so if you are considering paying the loan off in full before that time you need to think long and hard about which way to proceed as it may be cheaper to raise the funds at home.
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How much can I borrow? As general guide a non resident will be able to borrow 70%-80% of the valuation of a property, whilst residents can borrow up to 100% of the valuation. The key to obtaining the maximum mortgage offer is in achieving the maximum valuation, which is the job of the Tasador [valuer]. Most Banks will accept valuations from 1 or 2 Tasadors whilst a few employ their own. Your income is the other determining factor and the monthly repayments have to be covered by up to 40% of your NET salary, but most banks will only accept 35% Land purchase is limited to 60% of valuation by most lenders, as is lending on ‘Finca Rustica’ property. If you already own land and want to build then construction loans are an option. The bank will lend up to 70% of the projected completed value which in most cases will be more than enough to cover 100% of the build cost.
Which Currency should I borrow in? Mortgages are available in most major currencies. You should be aware that if you borrow in a currency that does not have a fixed value against the euro, currency fluctuations could make your borrowing more expensive or less expensive depending on whether your chosen currency weakens or strengthens against the euro.
What Interest rate will I pay? Interest rates again will depend on the currency you choose to borrow. Interest rates for mortgages in euros are based on the European Inter Bank Overnight Rate, or EURIBOR for short, which has largely takeover from the older MIBOR. The lenders rate will be
Banks vary in the amount of information that they require, but in general the more you can provide the easier the loan is to procure. Ideally the following would be good
If you are employed: Last 3 wage /salary slips. Latest P60. Last 6 months bank statements. Reference letter from your employer confirming date of employment, proof of income and position and prospects within the company Bank reference (The lender may have to apply for this themselves depending on who you bank with) Some lenders require an experion credit check to be carried out Copy of passport/residencia.
If you are self employed: Last 2 years tax returns. Copies of accounts for the last 2/3 years Chartered accountants copy report, confirming your annual personal drawings from the company Copy of your passport/residencia 6 months personal bank statements Bank reference letter
You will also need: In relation to a specific property, the nota simple from the property registry, offer letter or sales purchase contract. If you are applying for a construction loan then you must provide the Escritura for the land. The plans stamped by the College of Architects and a 10 year building guarantee. An NIE number from the local police station, which you or your lawyer can arrange. You will also need to open a Spanish bank account and it is advisable to use the same bank as your mortgage is with.
costa HOMES >>
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We take the hassle out of owning a property in Spain A one stop shop for all your property needs. 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
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EUINSURANCE DIRECT All insurance and financial needs in plain English 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
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 costa life 59
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Puppies Vaccinations Let’s start out with getting a new puppy in this section and talking about vaccinations. First question is…
When to vaccinate The best advice is to call your veterinarian before you pick up that new member of the family and ask to have the puppy examined as soon after you become the owner as possible. On your way home from the breeder/seller is actually a good time to have the pup seen by your veterinarian, and if you are able to you should bring in a stool sample from the pup for analysis for worms. During the examination the veterinarian will look at the pups and medical/vaccination history. If the breeder has given vaccinations just recently, and your veterinarian is confident that it was done properly, a recommendation will be made regarding when to come in for the next booster injection of vaccine. If the pup is healthy and unvaccinated, your veterinarian will suggest vaccinating right away. One or more of the vaccines will be administered and a suggestion made as to when the next visit should be scheduled.
Vaccination schedule 6 weeks of age…give first combination vaccine. (distemper, parvovirus) 9 weeks of age…second vaccine (distemper, parvovirus,hepatitis, leptospirosis) 12 weeks of age. third combination (distemper, parvovirus,hepatitis,leptospirosis) 6 months of age… rabies vaccine is given
Why so many? Good question! The reason is that no one can be sure that the pup will actually mount a good antibody response to the disease just from one vaccination. The age of the pup and just how much immunity it has received from its mother will complicate the probability of protection. So…if the pup has lots of immunity (called passive immunity) that was borrowed from the mother during early nursing, this immunity will actually interfere with the pup’s ability to make its own immunity from the vaccine challenge. The idea is to get the vaccine into the pup just as soon as the mother’s passive immunity wears off (now the pup is very susceptible to sickness if it is exposed to the disease!!) so that the pup can make more lasting immunity of its own. The precise time when a pup can respond well to a vaccine is variable… it might occur at 6 weeks of age or might be 11 weeks. So to be as safe as possible, why not start vaccinating at 6 weeks and end at 12 weeks? Almost 99 per cent of puppies will develop a good immune level to the various disease from a vaccine schedule similar to the one in top.
CAUTION!! If your puppy has any trouble breathing after a vaccination, or seems weak, staggers, has pale gums or seems at all unresponsive, get back to your veterinarian immediately!!! On very rare occasions any animal or human may have a reaction to a vaccination. These are just like the reactions that can occur after an insect sting or medication hypersensitivity. This kind of reaction can be very serious and life-threatening and thankfully is very uncommon. If your pup simply seems a little tired or slightly uncomfortable where it was vaccinated, that is an entirely different and mild response to the vaccination. If you are not sure that your pup is OK, call your veterinarian for advice.
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A
re you fearful of the future? Afraid of what tomorrow might bring? Do you worry about what lies ahead around the corner?
Everyone experiences some kind of fear at different stages of life. As children we may have been afraid of the dark, of the unknown or perhaps of being bullied at school. As we become adults most of us learn to deal with those childhood fears but there are still times when fear can hold us in its grip for one reason or another. Some people struggle with various phobias which can lead to severe depression or perhaps complete withdrawal from society. Agoraphobia which is a morbid dread of public places or open spaces can keep sufferers permanently indoors whereas claustrophobia is a dread of confined spaces. Many live in fear of developing a terminal illness and struggle with continual thoughts which convince them that they have the symptoms of a dreaded disease. Medical experts generally agree that certain diseases seem to be brought upon a person through a constant fear of that particular condition. Then there is another kind of fear, a fear of people which prevents a person enjoying a normal social life. A fear of saying the wrong thing, being thought stupid and feeling inferior can be upsetting at best and devastating at worst. In fact the emotion of fear in any form can almost paralyse the sufferer manifesting in the physical body through clammy hands, a racing heart and a sense of helplessness. Panic attacks are very common in society today and they can be quite debilitating to the victim. Perhaps you have a fear of being abandoned in old age and being left alone to struggle through life. None of us wants to acknowledge that we are ever fearful but yet it is an emotion in life that we all have to contend with.
So why so much focus on this emotion you may be asking. Well, there is a way to deal with it if we are prepared to believe it. We are only frail humans living on this earth but we have a Creator who desires to be our Father and share His love with us. God’s Word is full of encouragement inviting us to ‘‘Fear not’’ over and over again. As David was inspired by God to write many of the Psalms he poured out his fears and desperation to the Lord and God gave him the comfort and encouragement he needed. Reading the Psalms today brings us comfort and help when we need it. ‘‘Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him………….The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me, I will protect those who trust in my name…….When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble……’’ Psalm 91 (NLT) ‘‘God is love…….There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment……We love Him because He first loved us.’’ 1 John 4:16-19 (NKJ) 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
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eep down I think I am a bird person. Yes, I adore cats and dogs. Each has its own distinctive personality and of course you can form a precious bond with them. The only bird that would come near to this qualification would be a member of the parrot family or a budgie. We once looked after an African Grey parrot, and did he talk! It soon became clear that his owners did not enjoy a happy, well balanced marriage - at least if their bird’s imitation of their language was anything to go by! Amongst my most favourite of birds is the Heron family. We have all seen them, standing motionless in shallow water, heads held high, balancing without problems on their stork-like legs. There are six different species within the heron community: The cattle egret (Bulbulcus ibis) is probably the most interesting of them. It derives its name from the cattle on which it - literally - rides, paying for its ride by getting rid of ticks and fleas in their hosts’ skin: a system that works satisfactorily with all involved! Egrets are pure white, about 50 cm in height, with distinctive yellow bills. In the breeding season, which runs from April until October, they add bright orange coloured plumes to the top of their head and on their neck and back. The egret also feeds on grasshoppers and beetles and can often be found in the company of goats and sheep. His smaller relatives, the little egrets (egregretta garzetta), stay well clear of cattle: they prefer to find their prey in shallow water. Give yourself enough time to watch this little bird standing absolutely still in the water and you will be rewarded by seeing an unusual
Written by
Erny Harrison hunting technique. The bird stirs the water with its bright yellow feet, thereby attracting fish. In a split second it will catch its prey, which has no chance of escaping. Then it returns to its motionless posture, until the next catch occurs with lightening speed. The little egret is a voracious, greedy little bird, which will leave the wetland areas for fields and meadows to hunt for mice and voles; anything that fits its bill! The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is the largest of the Heron family, standing 90 cm high and with a wingspan of an impressive 150 cm. It is easy to distinguish this very shy bird from the rest of the species, with its yellow beak and eyes. The body has a mixture of black, white and bluish grey feathers with a black crown. In flight they are awesome to look at, with their neck tucked very closely to their body and with their long legs stretching out behind as far as they can go. The mating dance of the grey heron is a wild and awesome affair. The huge birds, wings fully expanded, will hop around in one direction and another, without any regular pattern, snapping their bills at each other, and all the time making ear splitting noises and calls. Like the other herons they live on platforms in the top of trees. This is quite an achievement considering the length of their legs. The female is
not productive until she is two or three years old: then she will usually lay three or four eggs and the fledglings will leave the nest when they’re about seven weeks old. The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is in height and wingspan similar to the Grey Heron, but it is a slightly skinnier bird, not as handsome in flight as the Grey. This is mainly due to the fact that his neck looks rather like a snake, which he loops up in flight. The last member of the Heron family is the lesser known Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). It is one of the smallest of the species and can easily be distinguished from the other herons by its stocky build and
colouring. The night heron is mainly grey and white but with an outstanding black saddle. If ever you get close enough to see the ‘white’ of its eyes you will be astounded by their deep red colour. The bird has a somewhat larger area in which it nestles and lives, stretching from the usual shallow water and surrounding bushes and trees to fish ponds and lakes. An interesting attitude of all Herons is their adaptable life style. They are solitary birds, preferring to live and hunt on their own. Only in the breeding season, when the need for security is high to protect the young, do they become sociable. They will live together in relative peace on their large platforms and, once they have formed their small colonies, they will defend their territory to every invader, even members of their own breed. It is usually the Little Egret and the Egret who lose the chance to become a part of the group. The Grey Heron will chase them off without giving it thought. Once the breeding is over they all go back to their solitary existence. Herons are visitors to Spain and the rest of Europe. They migrate to Africa from July to September, returning for breeding in March and April. During their stay in this country you will find them all over Spain and they are well worth a visit to Doñana National Park.
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Costa
Cuisine
by Jan Morley of FreezerMor
A beginners guide to Indian cuisine…… ‘‘Curry’’ originates from the Tamil word ‘kari’, meaning ‘spiced sauce’, used to refer to any number of hot, spicy, sauce-based dishes.
Getting started There are a few bits that make preparing Indian food easier. A sturdy karahi or wok should be top of your wish-list. Because of its narrow base, the cooking oil sits in a small pool at the bottom of the pan, which means you use a lot less fat than you would in a saucepan. If you’re not a dab hand with a mortar and pestle, use a coffee grinder for grinding spices.
Tip Browned onion paste, added at the end of cooking to thicken and add depth of flavour, is a cook's best pal. To make it, finely slice a couple of onions, lightly salt, and leave on one side for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry with kitchen paper. Deep fry in hot oil until russet brown, before draining. Tip into a food processor, moisten with hot water, and process until smooth. Freeze in ice cube trays and use from frozen when making dishes such as kormas.
Recipes
A beginner’s spice box Spices are to India what basic stocks, sauces and dressings are to the West. Whether familiar or exotic, they add warmth, pungency, heat, and subtlety to dishes.
Garam masala An aromatic mixture of ground spices used as a base for many Indian dishes (‘masala’ means spice). The basic ingredients are cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper and cinnamon. The mixture can include other spices (such as caraway, nutmeg or bay leaves), depending on whether the dish includes meat, vegetables or fish.
Turmeric A bright yellow spice that comes from the rhizome of a plant in the ginger family. Turmeric is often a component of curry powder and gives chutneys and pickles (such as piccalilli) their distinctive yellow tinge. It has a slight peppery aroma and a musky taste and is sometimes substituted for the more expensive saffron because it produces the same bright yellow colour, but it has a very different flavour.
Cumin The small, crescent-shaped seeds of a plant called Cuminum cyminum, which are used as a spice. It has a warm flavour and quite a strong, pungent aroma.
Curry powder Packaged curry powder was probably a British invention. Indian cooks don't use one single spice mixture to flavour all of their dishes. Each dish will be flavoured with a different mixture of spices, called a masala, which varies from dish to dish and region to region. However, the curry powder that you can buy in the UK is usually a mixture of turmeric, chilli powder, coriander, cumin, ginger and pepper, and can be bought in mild, medium or hot strengths.
Cooking with spices Toasting whole spices before grinding them intensifies the flavours. To toast, or dry-fry, heat a griddle over a moderate heat, add the spices, and shake the pan until you catch a warm, nutty aroma - it doesn’t take long, about 30 seconds, then grind in a pestle and mortar.
There is no single ‘right’ way to cook all Indian dishes, nor is there a single ‘proper’ way to serve an Indian meal, just experiment and you will find a blend of spices that is unique to you!
CHICKEN KERALA Ingredients 4 tbsp sunflower oil 1 medium Spanish onion, sliced 2 green finger-sized chillies, finely chopped 1 tsp root ginger, peeled and coarsely grated 2 garlic cloves ¼ tsp hot chilli powder 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp salt 500g/1lb 2oz skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2.5cm (1in) pieces 2 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped 300g/10½oz white potatoes, peeled and cut into 4cm (1¾in) cubes 330ml/11½fl oz coconut milk 6-8 curry leaves (optional) 4 shallots, finely sliced (optional) pinch of garam masala
To serve Basmati rice, boiled.
Method 1. Heat three tablespoons of oil in a wok and sauté the onion and chillies for three minutes. 2. Stir in the ginger, garlic, chilli powder, coriander, turmeric and salt. 3. Add the chicken and fry on a low-to-medium heat for eight minutes, until the chicken is lightly browned. 4. Tip in the tomatoes and potatoes and cook for two minutes. 5. Pour in 100ml (3½fl oz) of the coconut milk and simmer for six minutes. 6. Add the remaining coconut milk with 200ml (7fl oz) of boiling water. 7. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked. 8. In a separate pan, heat the remaining oil and add the curry leaves and shallots, if using. 9. Fry for a few minutes until golden brown. 10. Serve hot, garnished with fried shallots and curry leaves and basmati rice.
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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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Weird tales… Thieves stole a gold Rolex watch worth £40,000 and had it encrusted with diamonds for resale. When it was seized in a police raid, and returned to its owner, it was worth £200,000. Firemen had to rescue a 25-year-old man from a rubbish chute in a block of flats in Stockholm, Sweden. He had climbed in to retrieve a favourite old sweater thrown away by his wife. A man was locked in a Belgian police cell without food or water for three days. Arresting officers had forgotten about him. Three thousand prisoners and ex-prisoners have signed up to use a website, www.convictsReunited.co.uk set up to help them stay in touch. An actor who poses with a sword as a gladiator for tourists at the Colosseum in Rome faces jail after being charged with bearing arms illegally. Asylum seekers in Coventry are to be given free driving lessons in a bid to stop them driving illegally.
Celebrity facts… Tom Hanks collects 1940’s typewriters. Tom Cruise once enrolled in a seminary to become a priest but dropped out after only one year. The early stage names of Sonny and Cher were ‘‘Cleo and Caesar’’. Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest. Singer Mick Jagger was once a porter at a mental hospital. 66 costa life
Is your Daddy home… A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee’s cell phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper. ‘‘Hello.’’ ‘‘Is your daddy home?’’ he asked. ‘‘Yes,’’ whispered the small voice. ‘‘May I talk with him?’’ The child whispered, ‘‘No.’’ Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, ‘‘Is you’re Mummy there?’’ ‘‘Yes,’’ whispered the small voice. ‘‘May I talk with her?’’ Again the small voice whispered, ‘‘No.’’ Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, ‘‘Is anybody else there?’’ ‘‘Yes,’’ whispered the child, ‘‘a policeman.’’ Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, ‘‘May I speak with the policeman?’’ ‘‘No, he’s busy’’, whispered the child. ‘‘Busy doing what?’’ ‘‘Talking to Daddy and Mummy and the Fireman,’’ the whisper answered. Growing more worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, ‘‘What is that noise?’’ ‘‘A helicopter.’’ answered the whispering voice. ‘‘What is going on there?’’ demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, the child answered, ‘‘The search team just landed the helicopter.’’ Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, ‘‘What are they searching for?’’ Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle. ‘‘ME.’’
Celebs say the strangest things… ‘‘I wouldn’t run for president. I wouldn’t want to move to a smaller house.’’ - Bono, lead singer, U2 ‘‘For those of you who haven’t read the book, it’s being published tomorrow.’’ - David Frost ‘‘People in Portugal, they speak Portuguese don’t they?’’ - Jade Goody ‘‘You have to treat Paula [Abdul] like a poodle, one that you’ve rescued from the pound and who needs attention’’ - Simon Cowell
costa STUFF >> Sudoku answers for Issue 33
5 1
6
3 4 2
5 9
6
2 1 7
4
2 3
8
2 1 4
3 9
9
5 8
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. Marine mammal (5) 4. Type of crossword (7) 8. Deviation from the rule (7) 9. Fabric (5) 10. Rubbing or clash (8) 11. Woody plant (4) 13. Egyptian statue (6) 14. Creatures (6) 17. Wander (4) 19. Expert on precious stones (8) 22. Decree (5) 23. Inactivity (7) 24. Victory (7) 25. Larceny (5)
Down 1. Dock (5) 2. Get rid of (7) 3. Fastidious (8) 4. Former name of Sri Lanka (6) 5. Shout (4) 6. Male singing voice (5) 7. Admit to (7) 12. Feeling remorse (8) 13. Glut (7) 15. Take aback (7) 16. Social outcast (6) 18. Excuse (5) 20. Helps to raise dough (5) 21. Molecule (4)
Crossword answers for Issue 33 costa life 67
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By Russell Vaughan Mintmicro S.L 951160411
LIGHTWEIGHT LAPTOP CARRIES A PUNCH At last a powerful laptop which is lightweight, 2.59cm thick, available in 15- and 17inch models and with prices starting at just €1400 this sounds like a must have. This kitten is a monster. Up to a 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, the latest 802.11n Wifi built in, crystal clear display, fast NVIDIA graphics, and all the right connections. One of the thinnest laptop in the world was recently released by APPLE. What makes the MacBook Pro so mobile is big performance in a portable package. At just 2.59cm thick and weighting just 2.4 kg and 3.08 kg, respectively, the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are among the thinnest, lightest notebooks in the world. The footprint of the 15’’ MacBook Pro measures 35.7 × 24.3 cm and it weighs just 2.45kg. (so thin and light!) As soon as you shut the lid the Macbook it goes to sleep saving battery life and when you lift the lid the system is instantly back to where you were last working and this great power management system will allow you about four hours of use from each charge. So forgetting the technical spec, which is pretty impressive the Apple MacBook Pro is for people on the move. It’s thin, lightweight and powerful. Just right for people working away from the office.
PIMP MY PHONE Not satisfied with the iPhone’s camera? Wish LG’s Viewty had a larger screen? Well, one manufacturer will now make you a handset to order, built from the chipset upwards, with all the features you want, for an eye-popping price. Just as Dell Computers revolutionized the computer industry with mass-customized factory-direct PCs in the 1990s, a new service by zzzPhone delivers factory-direct custom cell phones. Customization starts with customers choosing a base model and a custom pattern or colour for the mobile phone case; standard features such as a beautiful extra-large touch screen panel and dual SIM card slots are immediate standouts. Next, customers may add various features such as GPS navigation, a second front-facing camera, and even a flashlight. Various upgrades are available as well, such as; 4GB memory, stereo quality speakers, and even a 5 or 7 mega pixel camera with a high quality processor. Customers can also select from a range of accessories such as Bluetooth headsets and hands fee car kits, and can even have their favourite music and movies pre-installed at the factory so their new phone is ready to use when it arrives at the door. Since zzzPhones are tri-band and unlocked, these phones work with almost any mobile carrier service worldwide. Simply swap the SIM card into a zzzPhone and even pair a second SIM card to allow two phone numbers to be used at the same time on the same phone; especially useful for international travellers and individuals who want to separate business from personal phone expenses. To make this service even more accessible to the public you can customise your new phone online using Phone builder and see what your customised phone my look like. You can see the new phone builder at our website http://www.mintmicro.com and look for the pimp my phone button. 68 costa life
WIND UP MP3 Player Trevor Baylis is best known as the inventor of both the wind up radio and wind up torch but recently his genius has been put to good use again developing the first wind up multimedia player. Named the Eco Media Player If you are concerned by green issues. This may be the gift for you. Actor Steven Fry says: ‘‘I love this little thing. It is robust, clever without being pleased with itself, useful and appealing.’’ The Eco Media Player measures 6.35 cm high 11.43cm wide by 3.81cm deep and is designed to be used and is packed with every imaginable MP3 player feature -- and even some features you might not expect on an audio device like a wind-up torch (Ideal for camping) it can also be charged up via USB port on your PC or Laptop. Fully charged, the eco media player will play around 20 hours of music or around 10 hours of video. A 1.8’’ colour LCD display together 24bit digital audio processing and state of the art in-ear headphones brings you your music - any time, any place, anywhere. With or without power!
costa STUFF >>
SEO Services Spain Search Engine Optimization Want your business website to appear at the top of Google, Yahoo and MSN? Do you have a website but nobody knows that it exists? I am an SEO consultant and can help you to attain good rankings and increase web traffic to your site and your sites visibility on the internet. Call for a free no obligation analysis of your current search engine placement and websites optimization. Different packages available to suit all budgets and requirements. Websites designed from just â‚Źâ‚Ź400 and include free hosting, domain name and email.
For more information please visit www.seoservicesspain.com or call Rob on 0034 617 940 022 costa life 69
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Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe in ‘‘The Last Sitting’’… In what is likely her greatest role to date, Lindsay Lohan plays Marilyn Monroe between the sheets, literally, in the new spring fashion issue of New York magazine. Recreating Monroe's legendary 1962 final photo shoot for Bert Stern with the veteran lensman himself. When it came to being nude before the camera, ‘‘I was comfortable with it,’’ says Lohan, 21 (Monroe was 36 in 1962, the year she died) - though Lindsay does admit to having done ‘‘250 crunches’’ the night before the shoot.
The show will go on… Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell will replace Heath Ledger in the tragic star’s final movie, sharing his remaining scenes in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. It is believed Depp, Law and Farrell will each portray Tony in different realms of the fantasy epic. It is not yet known when production will restart on the film, which is still due for release next year. At the time of Ledger’s death the film’s producers hailed him as ‘‘a great actor, a great friend and a great spirit’’.
The king of pop… Michael Jackson was dropped from the Grammy Awards after making a series of ridiculous demands. The star was due to appear on the show to mark the 25th anniversary of the biggest selling album of all time, ‘Thriller’, but according to the New York Post, his ridiculous demands caused him to be dropped. He wanted an award to be created for him, and presented to him (an award that nobody will ever get again), he wanted to be introduced by a special honouree and he wanted to be referred to as ‘‘The King of Pop’’ at least thirty times throughout the course of the show.
Rumor has it Aniston’s found love on the set… Jennifer Aniston may have found love on the set of her new movie, ‘‘Traveling.’’ An insider tattled to the Daily Mail that ‘‘everyone on the set is gossiping about something more going on between’’ the actress and co-star Aaron Eckhart.
>> Atonement Keira Knightley, James McAvoy Director Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) gives Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel a sumptuous treatment for the screen. The story centers around the love story of highborn Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and housekeeper’s son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), in England shortly before World War II. Despite class differences, they are attracted to each other, and just as their relationship begins Robbie is tragically forced away by false accusations from Cecilia’s younger sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan). She has a crush on Robbie, too, and after reading a private letter he sent to Cecilia, then witnessing the first expression of their love, her resentment grows until it leads to her telling the lie that sends Robbie away. World War II breaks out; Robbie enlists and is posted to France, Cecilia is a nurse in London, and Briony, now age 18, tries to atone for her actions--but none of them will be able to get back what they have lost.
>> Michael Clayton George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson George Clooney’s performance drives this tense corporate thriller from Bourne trilogy screenwriter James Gilroy, who makes his directorial debut here. Clooney is the eponymous ‘‘hero,’’ a burntout lawyer who cleans up legal messes created by the clients of a large law firm. When a crisis materializes in the form of the firm’s top shark (Tom Wilkinson) suffering an apparent meltdown while defending a shady chemical company from lawsuits, Clayton discovers not only a cover-up to deny payments to farmers injured by the company’s products, but a chance to find some purpose in the face of his life’s downward spiral.
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>> 3.10 To Yuma Christian Bale, Russell Crowe Never let it be said that the Western is dead. 3:10 To Yuma is a far different beast, bringing together two of the most magnetic male leads in modern day cinema. Christian Bale stars as the law-enforcing Sheriff, and he’s facing off against Russell Crowe’s killer. It’s the conflict and sparks between these two that ignite the film, and make it well worth seeking out. What director Mangold realises is that the trick with 3:10 To Yuma (named after the prison train that Bale’s character seeks to put Crowe’s on) is to give his stars room to work, injecting plenty of action and excitement into the mix. The end result turns out to be a real cut above most of the current multiplex fodder. If Westerns aren’t usually your thing, it’s well worth giving this one a try.
>> American Gangster Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe American Gangster gives the story of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a reallife Harlem crime lord who built an empire on Southeast Asian heroin in the 1970s. Running parallel to Lucas’s somewhat standard story is the investigation led by a persistent New Jersey cop, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe). Roberts is a more interesting character than Lucas--too honest for his own good, unlucky in his personal life--and this kind of character, easily patronized by others, fits Crowe like a polyester shirt. It succeeds as a kind of chewy entertainment, fueled by the presence of two big stars working their muscles. Both Washington and Crowe look pretty brawny here.
SIT & GO ALL SPORTS LOUNGE
Cafe
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!
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.
Open daily from 1pm till Midnight Internet access - Wi-Fi Front line - CC Calypso
fredericks Est 6 yrs
irish Bar
Open 7 days from 10am till 2am Food served every day 10am till 7pm
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
Extensive menu - all fresh home cooked food
For Orders Or Enquiries Email : cafe.salud@yahoo.es
Try our special irish sirloin steaks and homemade chips
Open 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday Open 10am - 5pm Saturday Closed Sunday
Pool table - darts - sky sports Karaoke Fri, Sat and Sun from 9pm till 11.45pm Calle Chorillo, Benalmadena Pueblo
952 568 674
Local 8 Urb Calypso, Calahonda (Next to the Santander Bank)
Useful numbers & information
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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
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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
Golf Lovers - Don’t Miss Out
AEG516 - Extraordinary Villa in Alhaurín el Grande €995,000 This magnificent villa is set in 10,000m2 of the most remarkable & beautifully landscaped gardens you can imagine. Prime location, 327m2 built, private, fabulous pool, bar, terraced surrounds. Spectacular views. All services connected incl. town water, landline tel & satellite TV. Like this? Then checkout ADT252 on our website
AEG517 - Alhaurin El Grande
€180,000
An absolute bargain! This fabulous 2 bed, 2 bath golf apartment has wonderful views over the course, the communal pool & the mountains. A great investment property, fully furnished, never been used. Hot & cold aircon plus an alarm entry system. Plenty of storage: utility room, built in wardrobes, underground storage & private, secure parking.
Like this? Then checkout AEG423 on our website
EDC431 - Country Homes in Cartama Estacion €350,000 Lovely country home with guest acc located in a quiet cul-de-sac with easy access. 3 to 4 beds, 3 baths, 2 lounges & 2 kitchens. Plus outbuilding for additional storage, registered on the deeds. Externally there is a 1.5m deep swimming pool plus an outside kitchen area that includes a built-in barbeque. Like this? Then checkout CNN366 on our website
Spacious and Private
AEG476 - Immaculate Property in Alhaurin el Grande €699,000 Stylish main home, guest acc, stables, paddock and now an extra 4,000m2 of land on a separate escritura make this a really sought after property. The pool and gardens are wonderful as are the views. All services connected, easy access & in reach of all amenities. Like this? Then checkout ALA392 on our website
ESE342 - El Sexmo ADT141 - Bargain Villa in Alhaurin de la Torre
€420,000
A SENSIBLE OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTED! Fabulous home, pool, views plus great location. Call now to view and see for yourself. Would make a great cattery if you want a business. 15 minutes to the airport, beaches, golf courses & much more. Like this? Then checkout MAQ412 on our website
€367,500
Beautifully presented country home with a sun terrace on the second level & set in 2,500m2 of land. 3 beds with a/c (you could possibly make a 4th bed above), 3 baths (2 ensuite). Externally there is a wonderful, private 8m x 4m swimming pool with terraced surround plus a brick built storeroom. Great views & access via new tarmac road.
Like this? Then checkout CAR415 on our website