Costa Life Magazine #39 July 08

contents

issue

39 costa culture

8

Cover story It’s a Spanish thing...

by Mike Wilkinson

costa getaways

12

8

Cover story Mijas Pueblo A timeless wonder

costa companies

22

costa stuff

Local Business Spotlight

58 59

costa lifestyle

30 32 34 35 36 38 40 42

It’s getting hot, hot, hot!

Mens Stuff What girls want to hear...

What Men Want

What Women Want

Beauty Tips New summer season scents...

Health article How to increase your metabolism Helen Johnson Speed up your weight loss Health news Prozac may curb MS activity...

costa homes

48 52 54 56

60 62 64 66 68 70

Cover story Interiors Moroccan Nights Handy Home Tips

Golf, gardens and gum trees

by Simon Hill Step by step guide to buying a property in Spain

48

Animal Health

Success for Cudeca Hospice Walkathon 2008

A fascinating immigrant

by Peter Harrison Costa Cuisine

Spiritual Thought

Bytes and Pieces

Showbiz Whispers / Movie Review Strange But True & Challenge

12

Hello and welcome... to issue 39 of Costa Life and the summer is definitely, well almost here. Aren’t we having some funny weather?

One day it’s gorgeous and you think that’s it ‘‘here we go’’ and then it’s blowing a gale and raining. I hope that by the time you are reading this it has settled and we are enjoying the summer sun. The year is moving along quite swiftly and the last few weeks seem to be a little busier everywhere which is a good thing. For those of you who fancy getting dressed up for a night out see our invitation to the ‘‘Change a Life Ball’’ at the Tamisa Golf hotel on the 13th September. It’s our third ball and all are welcome.

Tickets are already selling fast so if you are interested get in touch and reserve your tickets ASAP. We have had two great evenings in the past two years and it’s nice to get the Tuxedo and the frocks out once in a while and the Tamisa is the perfect setting for such an event so come along and have some fun. (I’ll be wearing the tux!) We are supporting two charities this year; Age concern and Cudeca, but we will tell you more about them nearer the time.

If you read last months introduction we were supposed to be doing the ‘‘Caminito del Rey’’ climb in El Chorro this month but it didn’t happen. We haven’t chickened out, promise, we are booked in for the 9th of June. We had to put it back but we are still doing it for sure, you will read about it in the July/August issue.

We have had good response to the new format of the magazine so as always thanks for your comments and the next one is issue 40!! How time flies when you are having fun. Anyway, got to go, we are going on HMS Illustrious for 5 days back to the UK on the 25th May, it’s the new thing in cruise liners, get your son in the navy and you get a free five day trip on the biggest aircraft carrier in the British fleet! Tell you about it next month, have a great June.

Editor Sharon Holdsworth Consulting Editor Harvey Mann Design and Production David Philliskirk Advertising Sales Ronan Holdsworth IT Advisor Dave Howard of Alphashare Web Master Mike Wilkinson Contributors Linda Christie Peter Harrison Simon Hill Helen Johnson 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 PR Shots Cover photo by kind permission of Sara Gómez Dubois http://black--pearl.deviantart.com/

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

MACP-282 ALHAURIN DE LA TORRE 449,000EUROS

MACP-468

BUILD, 170, 14 X 3M2 OUTBUILDING, PLOT, 1,269M2 Beds, 4 BATHS 2/HALF, 1 An absolutely exquisite villa on a popular urbanization. This beautiful villa is fully fenced with a nice drive and electric gates. The property comes with heating ,air-conditioning double glazing and is gorgeously decorated throughout .The property is spilt into two levels with both having 2 bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms, and could be converted into a large family home.

BUILD 156, PLOT 24,000, BEDS 3, BATHS 3/HALF PLUS OUT SIDE TOILET This beautiful immaculate country house really does stand out from the rest, it is traditionally Spanish/modern style design right through. The property is very spacious has the opportunity of easily becoming a 4 bed roomed house, which will add to its value. The garden is very beautiful with flowers scrubs and many kinds of tress. This property is situated at the top of the plot and is surrounded with breath taking views. A truly adorable property perfectly ready to move straight in.

COIN

625,000EUROS

This property also benefits from a large double garage and workshop and a wonderful pool and B-B-Q area with an easily maintainable garden.

MACP-467

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE 549,000EUROS

BUILD 150M2; PLOT 10,000M2, BEDS 3, BATHS 2 A beautiful property with a long drive, on a flat mature plot with privacy and enjoyable views. The garden is landscaped and has good lighting all over, including down the long driveway. The house has heating Air conditioning and a fully security alarm system. This property is in immaculate condition though out, and has all the necessities need for a comfortable and stylish home.

An Impressive property.

MATH-469

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE

290,000EUROS

BUILD 180M2, BEDS 4, BATHS 2.

A Large 3 year old house, in perfect condition. This property is built to a high standard, very modern decor, light and airy.

3 storeys, fully fitted kitchen to high standard, with all top quality appliances, telephone internet and sky TV, ample parking and lovely terrace.

MAA P-420

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE

65,000EUROS

New Luxury studios apartments and offices for sale located in the best part of Alhaurin town next to all amenities. The studios/offices have all been finished to a very high standard, with marble floors, solid oak doors, beautiful tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms. Some have small charming court yards with water features. Varied opportunities to use as small business centre, individual offices, or separate studio apartments.

MACP-160

MACR-454

TOLOX

294,000EUROS

BUILD 275, BEDROOMS 6, BATHS 3, HOME AND BUSINESS ALL IN ONE. Café/bar and 3 apartments for sale.

The building consists of: Café/bar – ground floor on the main street of the village. Not in use at the moment and needs some updating.

Apartment 1 first floor: fully reformed 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, open plan kitchen/ living area with full length windows with great views of the surrounding countryside.

Apartment 2 second floor: Fully reformed 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, open plan kitchen/ living area with great views of surrounding countryside.

Apartment 3 third floor: Fully reformed 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom open plan kitchen/ living area and private terrace with great views.

There is a large roof terrace with a laundry room at the top of the building; there is also another entrance to the building here too. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking for a home and an income. BARGAIN PROPERTY.

ALHAURIN DE LA TORRE

590,9000EUROS

Total build (324 m2) 6 bedrooms. A beautiful country villa in a superb location, excellent condition, a fully self contained guest apartment that currently produces a proven income. Within 500 m walk of the beautiful forested Sierra de Mijas and a recently reduced price. What more could you want?

Main residence: - 179 Sq m built area. 3 large double bedrooms one with luxury en-suite bathroom, family bathroom, very spacious lounge dining area, open fireplace. Fully fitted kitchen. All extremely well looked after and well decorated.

Guest/Rental apartment:-145 sq m built area. Completely self contained. Currently used as holiday rental with proven income. Large lounge/dining room, 3 large bedrooms, bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, steps to terrace overlooking pool area.

Garden: - All laid to lawn, easy maintenance, approx 1/2 acres (1700 sq m). Flower beds and fruit trees. 10 x 5 pool, 2 car size car port, extensive other parking, fully alarmed, electric gates.

Property currently mortgaged so may be possible to transfer to new owner.

An excellent family home with ample guest accommodation for visitors or an income from holiday lets.

Recently reduced price for quick sale owners relocating back to UK.

IT’S A THING Written By:

Mike Wilkinson mike@costalifemagazine.com

I

live in an old, typically Spanish, single-storey house that has been so designed that it always feels particularly cool inside even when it’s baking hot outside, especially up on the roof terrace. It’s down a narrow, tree-lined, brick-paved street that only very occasionally sees traffic (going both ways, incidentally, even though it’s a one-way street).

The only problem with the place really is that the street is so narrow that any noise outside reverberates between the buildings on either side, gradually becoming amplified as it moves up the street, so that by the time it pours in through the living room window it sounds substantially lo u d e r th an it o u g h t. A g e n tle co n v e rsatio n b e twe e n two S p an ish neighbours in the street becomes a violently heated argument by the time it reaches the window. A car gently ticking over at the end of the street ends up sounding like a pneumatic drill right outside the front door.

So, imagine if you can, the absolute racket created when a 26-tonne juggernaut truck drove down the street one sleepy Saturday afternoon and stopped almost directly outside my open front room window where it deafeningly PAAARPED! its ear-piercing, twin-mounted, triple-trumpet 115dB ‘big rig diesel blast’ air-horns. Let me tell you, they’re freekin' loud. Then the truck just waited with the engine running, as if the driver we r e p ic k in g s o m e o n e u p f o r wo r k in t h e m o r n in g o r s o m e t h in g .

Something had to be done about this din.

Ten seconds after I’d sent him out to sort out the racket, housemate Mad Dog (nicknamed for reasons unknown but I never really thought I should ask) came running back in through the front door. ‘‘Mick, Mick, you’ve gotta see this,’’ he gesticulated. ‘‘It’s only some bird in a wedding dress trying to drive an articulated truck down the street. Only in Spain, son.

Only in Spain!’’

Now, some things in the world make sense. Building a water-mill next to a river makes sense. E=mc2 makes sense (at least, it does to those who can make sense

of it). And coming over to Spain when I did made perfect sense. However, I’ve recently noticed that some things in the world just don’t appear to make sense. Or maybe I mean some things in Spain just don’t appear to make sense. And I often find myself thinking ‘‘It's just a Spanish thing… nothing to worry about’’ when I witness some of the strange things the Spanish do. And they do do some strange things.

When I say ‘strange things’ I don’t mean things like running down the street with bulls chasing after you or wasting your entire tomato crop on a big tomato fight in the town square. Strange as these things may be, and even though they originally had some sort of real meaning, nowadays they’re merely tourist attractions. No, the strange things that I’m talking about are everyday-life things that occur out on the streets during everyday life. Things like mopping the pavement as though it were the kitchen floor, even if it’s just been power-cleaned by the council. Things like double parking, or even triple parking. Or parking in the middle of the street and then disappearing off to run an errand for ten minutes. Or parking on a roundabout. In fact, the Spanish think nothing of parking anywhere if it conveniences them, regardless of any inconvenience to anyone else. And it’s the same with road safety. It’s quite staggering the number of times I have seen someone on a moped loaded up high into their armpits with a complete flat-packed kitchen suite or a garden shed or some other such thing balanced in the footwell.

You just cannot tell what you might encounter on a Spanish road. A while ago I used to drive to Granada quite often (before the incident with the policeman and the axe, that is). On one occasion I was driving down a winding country lane in the middle of nowhere with very little traffic when I encountered a long tailback of cars driving ridiculously slowly. I couldn’t see far enough ahead to see what the hold-up was so I tranquilo-ed myself down to 10 Km/h and declared it a Spanish thing. It was threequarters of an hour before I got to the front of the tailback and discovered the cause of it all… a man on a horse pulling a big tractor tyre down the road. You what? Why couldn’t he just pull into the side of the road occasionally to let the traffic past? And why on earth is he pulling a bloody great tyre down the road anyway? It’s a Spanish thing, I guess.

(Actually, it’s about breaking in the horse and training it to one day pull one of those chariot things for the tourists, but why on earth do it on a public highway?)

And whilst I’m on the subject, the actual design of the roads

costaCULTURE >>

leaves an awful lot to be desired, as well. Last week, for instance, I was helping out with distributing this esteemed periodical along the coastroad towards Marbella. My boss and I spent all afternoon getting on and off the N-340 delivering to all of our distribution points along the coast.

Getting off the dual-carriageway is a crazy business because the exiting slip roads give you next to no time at all to decelerate before swinging violently into a hair-pin bend. Getting back onto the dual-carriageway is even more fraught with danger because there isn’t any slip road as such, just a line across the road that says ‘STOP’. So, from a standing start, you have to gun the engine and come off the clutch quite smartish to be able to be in with a chance of slotting into traffic that’s thundering by at 100 Km/h without getting hit. The only problem arose when I hadn’t quite closed the rear door properly and, as we launched onto the motorway from the sideline, the doors flung open and a box of Costa Life took flight, cascading themselves across the carriageway like an oversized pack of playing cards. ‘‘Who's the mad one now?’’ I questioned myself as I ran back down the carriageway to retrieve them - directly into the path of oncoming traffic. (Well, we couldn’t just leave them there, could we?

There could be ramifications. What if the police were to find them and do a bit of detective work, like opening the first page of one of them to discover the full contact details of the perpetrators? No… we don’t like ramifications.)

Another ‘Spanish thing’ is the way they build things here, and they do like to build things… big things that start off with a big digger digging a big hole in the ground which is then filled with a big sculpture of ironwork which in turn is filled up with 300 or so big truckloads-full of ready-mixed concrete. Why? They’re building on solid rock. Why do they need so much reinforced concrete on top of it all? And on top of it all, they go and make the floors and ceilings with reinforced concrete, too. It all seems a tad overkill when you think of the few bits of wood that British house builders use to make a floor with. But in Spain they’ve got to have big trucks and big diggers and big cranes and big disturbances in the traffic flow around every big building site. It’s a Spanish thing.

Now, to be honest with you, everything mentioned above is what living in another country is all about. Different cultures, attitudes, lifestyles and agendas are all the product of the fact that it is a different country that we live in and, just because they do things differently, doesn’t necessarily mean that they do them wrong. Well… that’s true to a point, but there is one exception… pipas!

They’re just sunflower seeds roasted and salted in their husk, but to get the actual seed from inside its husk is an effort that is simply not reciprocated by a just reward. It’s a pesky old trick that’s required to get the tiny 1mm2 seed out of its shell but, as the Spanish say, ‘‘Maybe you think it is better to eat them without shell and roasted but, in Spain, we prefer them with the shell because we know the pleasure of peeling.’’ Well, I certainly know the displeasure of trying to peel them. And the Spanish certainly don’t know the pleasure of cleaning up after themselves because there are always piles of empty husks strewn across plazas or left sitting under benches around the town or piled up high in pub ashtrays. Both the effort required and the waste created is unfavourably disproportionate to the reward gained which, to my mind, means they ain’t worth the hassle.

Life in Spain is the total opposite of pipas. With very little effort and mess, the rewards for choosing a life here far outweigh any perceived negatives. It doesn’t matter how they build their buildings or train their horses or park their cars, it’s just the way the Spanish do things. What’s more important is staying tranquilo and having a happy heart - but how the fig can I get one of those with all these bleedin’ pipas shells everywhere?!

Tsk! It’s a Spanish thing.

Pipas are wrong. They should never have leaked out onto the open market. They were only invented to keep the criminally insane occupied.

Unfortunately, pipas are considered by the Spanish to be a real treat.

costa life 9

>> BUSINESSES IN MIJAS

Mijas Diamond Center celebrates first anniversary On the 1st of May Mijas Diamond and Jewelry Center celebrated their first anniversary with a stylish cocktail party at their Mijas Showroom.

Clients, investors and friends were invited to the celebration at the Jewelers at Avenida de Mejico, 10 in Mijas pueblo.

Surrounded by diamonds, sapphires and many more beautiful gems it was a fantastic occasion not to be missed. The champagne and canopies were flowing and many of the guests were showing off their previously acquired jewels.

Andy Iglesias and Lynette Girling are delighted with the warm welcome they have received from the public at their jewelers in one of the most famous villages on the coast.

Their new concept of jewelry at the best prices has been well received and thousands have already visited them in the first year.

Mijas Diamond and Jewelry Center offers the widest selection of gems on the Costa del Sol at the highest quality and the best prices. Andy and Lynette have a great respect for the tourist clients who visit the Costa del Sol and make the most of their visit with a purchase at their jewelers.

Andy says that Mijas is the most popular village on the coast for tourists and this was taken into account when choosing the location for the business and has the location has been a major contributing factor to the overall success of their first year.

A photograph shows the staff from the jewelers; left to right Dee Iglesias, Lesley Edge, Rosemary Ciani, Lynette Girling, Joanne Payne and Victorya Arnold.

Andy, Lynette and staff would like to say a big thank you to all their clients old and new for making Mijas Diamond and Jewelry Center’s first year a sparkling success.

10 costa life

BUSINESSES IN MIJAS >>

Nature’s Philosophy Health & Beauty Salon Retail of Natural Products est. 1990

Nuevo Pueblo Mijas, 4, 29650 Mijas TEL: (+34) 95 248 62 96 FAX: (+34) 95 248 61 17 MOB: 670 607 247 & 670 607 246 mijas@palominoproperties.com

Opening Hours

Mon - Fri 12pm - 8pm Sat 10am - 2pm Appointments can be arranged out of hours

Clinical Aromatherapy - Reflexology - ReikiNail & Beauty Treatments

Superb one-bedroom apartment situated on the edge of Mjias Pueblo. Walking distance to town centre and all amenities. Breathtaking views of mountains and sea! Apartment is 33 m2 built with 5.4 m2 porch, 9.5 m2 terrace, 43.3 m2 solarium and 10.12 m2 designated parking space. Total: 100,92 m2. Marble floors, double glazing, pre-installed A/C h+c, communal tv aerial, security entrance door, kitchen sold fitted. Communal gardens and swimming pool.

Only has one neighbour... FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY!!

Ref: MLSA502120

PRICE: 149.500 €

Calle Málaga, 39, Mijas Pueblo Tel: 952485172 www.naturesphilosophy.net

Lovely bungalow in popular residential community 3 km from Mijas Pueblo.

Lounge-Diner w/fireplace, fitted kitchen, 3 beds, 3 baths, 2 phone lines, alarm, intercom, A/C h+c, covered terrace w/fountain. Swimming pool & BBQ area.

Lawned garden. Independent guest room or study with sunny terrace. Partial sea views. Ample parking, single garage & security gate. Night guard. Area: 193 m2 Plot: 609 m2

Ref: MLSV502122

PRICE: 475.000 €

Magnificent & spacious apartment in prestigious gated community Finca San Antonio. High quality built + luxury fittings. Beautiful views! 3 beds, 2 baths + wc, f/f kitchen, lounge-diner, sunny terrace, db glazing, phone, sat TV, garage space + storage room (7 m2), landscaped gardens, 2 exterior pools with cascade feature, interior pool, sauna, steam & jacuzzi facilities, lift, near bus stop. Area: 127 m2

Ref: MLSA502149

PRICE: 450.000 €

www.palominoproperties.com costa life 11

ijas Pueblo is a typically Andalucian white-washed village about 450 metres above sea level and has a population of 7,500. The nearest main town is the Spanish sea-side resort Fuengirola (8km) and Malaga airport is 25 minutes by car.

trouble as there is an excellent road leading from the motorway right up to the centre. In addition to the new main roads there is also another, old road leading from Benalmadena. This road is recommended for those who want to enjoy magnificent views of the area and do not mind the longer drive and the many curves and bends in the journey.

It is situated in the foothills of Sierra de Mijas and is surrounded by pine forest. It is generally accepted as the most famous and most visited of all the white villages here on the Costa del Sol. Proudly sitting on the mountainside, Mijas Pueblo overlooks the coast and has kept an eye on the development of it for centuries, but it still retains its authority over the area from its elevated position. Mijas Pueblo can be reached without

The beauty of Mijas is that it boldly says ‘‘I am moving with the future but I live in my past’’ and it is a village that maintains its history with dignity and confidence whilst still embracing the modern culture of tourism.

Mijas has managed to retain much of its ‘white village’ charm, with cobbled, narrow winding streets, dazzling whitewashed walls and breathtaking views.

12 costa life

has of course been carried on by the Tamisa Golf Hotel on the Camino de Coín.

The fact that a settlement is known to have existed in Mijas for many centuries has been confirmed by archaeological findings near the ‘Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion.’ This church in the village was completed in the early 18th century and covers the ruins of a Moorish castle that stood from the 8th until the late 15th century. After being recaptured and re-recaptured a couple of times during the rebellion of Omar ben Hafsun, Mijas finally fell into the hands of Christians in 1487. Later, during the fighting in 1512, Mijas remained loyal to Juana La Loca and therefore was awarded the ‘Muy Leal’ title as well as freedom from taxes.

The village is steeped in history and is visited by thousands of people every year and it offers many opportunities to investigate the past of this famous Pueblo Blanco.

The original name of Mijas was Tamisa and this name dates back to the year 600 AD when the Tartessians founded the village of Mijas. The Tartessians became important trading partners of the Phoenicians, whose presence in Iberia dates from the 8th century BC. Like nearly every town and city along the Costa del Sol, Mijas was conquered by the Moors (714 AD) and the name ‘Tamisa’ subsequently changed to ‘Mixa’ and finally to ‘Mijas’ as it is known today. You might be interested to know that there was also a hotel in the village called ‘Tamisa’ and this heritage

One of its most well known sights is the ‘Santuario de la Virgen de la Pena’ carved out of solid rock and a tribute to the patron saint of Mijas.

The shrine dates back to 1586 when an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared there. The town of Mijas ‘pueblo’ would probably have descended into a prolonged period of anonymity if it had not been for two children tending sheep. Legend has it that, in 1586, the youngsters saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who told of a shrine that had been hidden in a crevice of the ancient defensive walls of Mijas for 500 years. The local priest was summoned, and the old shrine was duly uncovered. In 1656 work started on the sanctuary cave, which nowadays is always decorated with flowers and pictures as offerings.

Perched high on the hillside, above the village is the ‘Shrine of the Calvario’ built in 1710. It can be seen for miles, peacefully watching over the village. From here, wonderful panoramic views can be had. It looks as though there is no way to get up to it but it can be accessed by means of a winding path from the village. The interior of the shrine is only open on Easter Friday but the views are worth the long walk at any time of year.

The village is split into several levels, each being connected by its narrow roads and wonderful

>> country life 13

>> BUSINESSES IN MIJAS

Cafe

MIJAS

Oscars

Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm Sat 10am-4am Tel. 637 411 150

Tapas & Wine Bar, Mijas Pueblo Fresh home made food available all day inc. chillis, Lasagnas, and cottage pies plus cool summer salads, English breakfasts, sandwiches and baguettes Fresh baked bread used every day Scones and clotted cream, Eccles cakes, apple and rhubarb pies English teas and Camelo coffee Eat in or take away Situated 100 mtrs from main bus stop away from square Avda Virgin de la Pe単a 9

Magnificent views of the Mediterranean Authentic Spanish Tapas Cocktails and Sangrias Fine Wines, Beers and Spirits Great Music and Relaxed Atmosphere Friendly, Welcoming Staff PAS

CO

L COM AVDA DE

IN Plaza de la Constitucion

Bull ring

La Alcazaba

Oscars 2 Floors down

Burro Taxi / Donkeys

X

Open every day till late Plaza de Constitucion, La Alcabaza de Mijas Mijas Malaga Tel. 600 201 731 or 660 607 337

14 costa life

BUSINESSES IN MIJAS >> Avda. Virgen de la PeĂąa, 8, Mijas 29650, MĂĄlaga, Spain.

Tel: (0034) 952 48 50 25 or (0034) 952 48 67 43 PROPERTIES & HOLIDAYS S.L.

UK Tel: 0870 218 0014 0 Fax: (0034) 952 59 04 13 E-mail: info@mijasproperties.com

C.I.F: B-92512961

Established 24 years Sales & Rentals

MIJAS VILLAGE. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Duplex Apartment, built to a high standard in the heart of Mijas Village, within easy walking distance to all amenities yet suitably tucked away for peace & quiet. 78 m2 Built & Sold fully furnished, private garage space included in the price - Fantastic opportunity!

Price: 199,000 Euros.

HEART OF MIJAS VILLAGE. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Penthouse on the 5th floor (lift to 4th floor). Light & bright, 77m2 built + 2 private terraces, spectacular panoramic views of the sea and Village to the South and to the North, the mountains.Air-con/ heating, Satellite T.V, telephone.

Price: 255,000 Euros.

CLOSE TO MIJAS. 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom Villa located within a flat walk and a bus service to the Village. 193m2 built, 1,000m2 plot. Well maintained with a lawned garden, large private swimming pool and many fruit trees. Perfect family home or rental investment, A must see!

Price: 578,000 Euros.

w w w . m i j a s p r o p e r t i e s . c o m

costa life 15

walkways. Plaza de la Paz (Peace Square) keeps up to its name as you sit in one of the street bars and soak up the relaxing atmosphere. This plaza is marked by a white statue of a hand and a dove. La Plaza de la Constitucion is in the heart of the village and in the centre of the square is a beautiful fountain from which the birds drink. This fountain was carved by Galiano.

A great variety of bars and restaurants can be found in Mijas Pueblo, offering everything from pizza, pasta, Argentinean meat and typical Spanish cuisine as well as some British establishments like Café Mijas and the English Tea Rooms. Some of the restaurants feature large panoramic windows from which one can enjoy the most amazing views.

Please note that, especially during the summer months, reservations are strongly recommended at many of the dining venues. When strolling along the charming streets you will also find a number of shops selling local products such as leather goods, wicker items, typical painted tiles and little gifts such as donkey key rings or Mijas post cards. Hand-made ceramics are a tradition in Spain and, for the genuine article, you will have to travel to the village of Mijas. There is a thriving arts and crafts movement, particularly in linen and wicker items. Many of these tiny shops are bursting with the local wares mentioned and also look for work by acclaimed local artists, such as Don Clarke and Michele Lehmann.

The Mijas Museum in the old town hall has a wealth of exhibits and a gallery of work by local artists. If jewellery is your thing, you can also visit the recently opened Mijas Diamond and Jewelry Center which boasts some of the finest gems available. And a trip to Mijas Pueblo would not be complete without a donkey ride or, if you don't fancy getting on the back of a donkey, enjoy a guided tour on a donkey or horse drawn carriage. Other attractions include the village bullring which strangely enough is of oval construction and was opened in 1900 despite the petitions of the villagers. It was inaugurated the same year on September 8th which is also the patron saints day of Mijas. Mijas bullring is unusual

as it is oval shaped and is still providing entertainment in the form of bullfights and horse displays to this day. The bullfighting museum is located at the bullring and is dedicated to the history of bullfighting.

In the Santana district stands a small 18th century hermitage known as the 'Iglesia de Santa Ana'. The Church of San Sebastian is also worth noting, with its wonderful facade. It dates from the 17th century and was rebuilt in 1674 thanks to charity contributions. In the already mentioned ‘Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion’ you will find frescos dating from1632 depicting the Apostles. They were uncovered as a result of some restoration work in the early 1990s and can be seen today on the pillars supporting the three naves of the stone building.

If you would like a stroll after your stroll around the village then head up to the top of Mijas past the bullring and you can enjoy a walk around the

costaGETAWAYS >> Some annual events in Mijas Pueblo The Annual Mijas Fair: This is held around the 8th September. It’s another week of celebration in honour of the Patron Saint of Mijas, The Virgin of the Rock. The main square is set up with bars and stalls where there is plenty of food and drink for all. Horses are decorated and the locals dress in traditional flamenco dress.

Flamenco in Mijas: Weekly flamenco shows organised by the town hall on Wednesdays at midday, in the main square in Mijas village (except July and August when the shows are also at 21:30). The entertainers are the municipal dance group and spectators are offered a free glass of Malaga wine, courtesy of the Mijas Tourist Office. edge of the village. Here you can take in the breathtaking views of the Mijas Costa down below. Altogether Mijas is a Spanish experience never to be forgotten and, day or night, a visit here will leave images with you for ever. Bear in mind the weather can be a little bit cooler at certain times of the year and the elevated position of Mijas can attract cloud cover that you wouldn't otherwise get on the coast so be sure to take a jacket just in case there is a chill. Enjoy!

Guided Walks: Every Saturday from September to May. Free guided walks in the beautiful rural areas of the municipality organised by the Mijas Foreigner’s Department. The walks leave Mijas town hall at 10am and last for between two and four hours. The rural guides, who speak English, have designed their own routes, which are designed for all the family, including dogs on leads. Call 952 48 59 00 x 244, 242, 220 for more information.

La Noche de San Juan (the night of San Juan) usually falls on the 23rd or 24th of June, but sometimes the celebrations go on over a few days.

This is the celebration of the longest night and the beginning of summer. In San Sebastian Street in the village at midnight there is a spectacular fireworks display that you're able to see for miles around.

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>> WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO

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WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO >>

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>> WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO

J B Burkes Irish Bar - Fuengirola Warm friendly welcome All sky sports shown Live music Thur, Fri, Sat Bar snacks - draught beers Guinness - Heineken - Murphys Open 10 am till late 7 days Calle Antonio Sodeno near Dunnes Stores, Las Rampas

s ’ r e p p Pe

Pueblo Lucia, opp Cudeca, Avda Jesus Santos Rein, Fuengirola

Nicola invites you to come and enjoy Peppers tranquil setting Scones,Toasts and Jams, selection of Cakes, fresh Sandwiches and Paninis

952 479 804 11.30 - 10.30 pm Closed Mondays

Front line port, Fuengirola

Paella, Fresh fried fish, Tapas Argentinian steaks Salads, pastas, lasagne, mousaka Excellent A La Carte menu Menu del dia € 9.90

Coffees and Teas Beers,Wines and Spirits Warm Welcome

Best Sunday lunch on the port Fabulous food at reasonable prices

Open Tues - Sun 10am - 4pm and 7pm - late

952 468 223 or 646 726 223

952 473 572

New Dynasty Cantonese restaurant Special dishes aromatic crispy duck Barbecue spare ribs Authentic Cantonese cuisine Eat in or takeaway - open every day 12.30 - 4 and 7 -12 Calle del Castillo, behind Old London Pub, Fuengirola

952 199 512

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YOU! can advertise

Here for as little as

120 €

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.

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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.

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Thank You.

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g.t. mckenna THE IRISH FAMILY BUTCHER

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La Garganta

S u s s e x Bar

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e came to Spain in May 2005 bringing the whole family to give them a better life in the sun.

I started as a trainee at the age of 15 and finished my apprenticeship at 21. This covered all aspects of soft furnishing from cushions to loose covers some upholstery even carpet sewing. I have worked in domestic and commercial soft furnishing for most of my adult life.

Up to coming to Spain three years ago and starting our business, I did private work from home whilst my family were growing up. My Daughter Clair now works with me and she does most of the interior design and sourcing items for our clients. We also offer complete furnishing packages to suit the customer’s budget.

My husband and son-in-law are also partners in the company. My son-in-law and husband do all the rail, pole, pelmet and headboard fitting for us.

Our materials start from 1 euro a metre off the roll. Most of these come from England as do most of our curtain poles. We also have a wide range of samples from a

A .C.E. C ORTIN AS S.C. CURTAINS, BEDSPREADS, CUSHIONS, LOOSE COVERS, HEADBOARDS, PELMETS, SWAGS AND TAILS ALL MADE TO MEASURE.

We stock a wide range of poles and rails at reasonable prices Due to circumstances beyond our control we have moved back to Centro Comercial Las Terrazas De Miraflores, Calle Aquario, Riviera del Sol, Mijas Costa

N340

Opencor

rio ua Aq lle a C

E AC

BUSINESS AS USUAL

“We Do It So You Don't Have To” Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday and evenings by appointment Centro Comercial Las Terrazas De Miraflores, Calle Aquario, Riviera del Sol, Mijas Costa

company in Valencia who have a warehouse in Malaga.

These materials start from 15 euros a metre up to 200 euros a metre. We also use local companies for curtain rails that are made to the customer’s requirements. If we don’t have what the customer is looking for we are happy to source it for them or if they want to get the fabric themselves we can tell them exactly how much they need and we will make it up for them.

We also have a range of ready made curtains and bedding to order. There is a varied mix of styles from traditional swags and tails for window dressings to modern plain upholstered pelmets and headboards, from Moorish castle design to modern minimalist styles. People usually know what they want in England and can tell you exactly what they are looking for but when it comes to choosing for their homes in Spain they want something very different and often need help in deciding what will go with what.

We have a catalogue of the handcrafted pine furniture for customers to choose from and we also make to the customers requirements i.e.: if there is only a small space for a bedside cabinet he will make it to fit the space. The furniture is made by my son-in-law Barry who worked for a furniture making company in England for ten years before coming to Spain. He also makes all our pelmets and headboards.

My Husband Jon is a qualified electrician but both he and Barry can turn their hand to most maintenance work but if a more specialist type of job comes up we have a list of reputable and reliable craftsmen to draw on. We are now doing as much maintenance and furniture work as soft furnishing!!

Many customers return to England leaving us with their keys. They ask us to clean their homes and look after the maintenance side whilst they are back in the UK, ready for them to come on holiday. So they don't have anything to do when here except relax and enjoy there second home. So much so, that at the beginning of the year we branched out into Property Management. We can offer our clients:- a cleaning and laundry service, monthly visual inspections (emailing any problems found), key collection, welcome packs, etc…. This side of the business has proved to be very much welcomed by our clients. We advertise the properties on a very popular English web site for holiday rentals.

Information regarding property management can be emailed to you.

Over the last couple of months we have also moved into property sales.

If you are looking for a property here in Spain, tell us your budget what and where you want to be and our property sales representative Kelly who works along side us has several years experience in property sales here in Spain and England will do the leg work for you. She also helps with the running of the property management for long and short term rentals. We can source properties send you the details and arrange appointments to view so you are not spending your time trawling the estate agents.

We are at the moment in the process of building a Website in which we hope will provide all our customers, home and abroad, new and old with a pleasant online experience.

Finally, 90% of our clients are referrals from other satisfied customers. We pride ourselves on giving our clients value for money and a job well done we are always happy to go the extra mile. All work undertaken is done to a high standard that we would expect if we were having the work done ourselves. Whether it be an ordinary pair of curtains to an extra -ordinary window dressing for a castle. From domestic to commercial work for restaurants and hotels.

Tel 951 273 242 Mob 645 082 560 info@acecortinas.com

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g.t. mckenna

every week Irish milks and creams. And if you fancy buying plain meats and preparing your own meal they can offer a wide range of cooking sauces including Sharwoods curry sauces, Knorr chicken tonight sauces, Bisto gravy mixes, Colmans sauces and Branston pickles and relishes. Gerry is proud to boast a multi national client base with customers from all over the world including Tahiti, Scandanavia and Italy to name but a few.

THE IRISH FAMILY BUTCHER In May 2008 GT McKenna’s butchers celebrated 6 years in business here on the Costa del Sol and is today one of the best known and most popular UK butchers on the Coast.

They have an enviable reputation for providing top quality meat products and an excellent service.

The McKenna name and family have been involved in the meat and food trade for hundreds of years and owner Gerry has work experience not only in his native Ireland but also in England, Australia and of course now Spain. In 1998 Tesco bought out the firm he was working for and as a result was forced to take early retirement in 1998. Looking to broaden their horizons Gerry and wife Annette set off to Spain following in the footsteps of their daughter Lauren who was already living here.

With the barbecue season now upon us we tried a BBQ pack of the following and it was all delicious, no fat, extremely tender meats and beautiful homemade spices and marinades.

We had; Fresh lamb chops, Clonakilty oak smoked bacon, Chili chicken kebabs, Irish sirloin steak, Steak burgers, Chinese style barbecue spare ribs, Pepper chicken kebabs and Minty lamb kebabs.

They arrived in 2002 and after extensive research and homework they settled on Calahonda and the shop was opened in Los Jarales in May 2002. It was one of the very first shops opened at Centro Comercial and has been known as a landmark of the area ever since.

Gerry will gladly prepare your BBQ pack to include whatever mix and match of meats you require and whatever quantity so whther you are looking for a fine piece of Beef, Pork, chicken or lamb for your Sunday lunch or are getting ready for the barbecue season get yourself down to GT McKenna today and try out the best butchers on the coast.

As regards stock it really is difficult to know where to start such is the choice available.

Like Gerry says it’s the little store with a whole lot more!

All the beef and lamb comes from Ireland on a weekly basis so you are assured of getting fresh product every time. The meat comes from one of the best plants in Ireland were they select the finest meat matured to give it the taste and tenderness you would expect from high quality meats.

All the sausages are made in house using Spanish pork and they are mixed with Irish spices.

They are low in fat, low in salt and there is a wide range of flavours including plain, pork and leek and very tasty cocktail sausages.

The minced beef is top quality and they only use the specially trimmed, high quality meat which is low in fat, free from gristle, and has no additives. Gerry calls his burgers ‘‘steak burgers’’ because they are made from rump steak and are delicious.

They also have a selection of bacons including dry cured, smoked, rind on back bacon and streaky bacon. There is also a range of gammon joints and cooked hams.

Prepared in Ireland especially for Gerry you can get the most beautiful bone in ham joints you will ever taste.

g.t. mckenna THE IRISH FAMILY BUTCHER

finest irish Beef & Bacon

tasty irish cheeses & gammons

cooked hams

BBQ meats

meat for all occasions

If you fancy some real Irish milk they also bring in direct from Ireland

Tel./Fax.: 952 930 351 C.C. Los Jarales 3, Calahonda km 197

Presents Lipomassagetm Ground breaking, scientifically proven technology for weight loss Despite regular exercise and the most stringent of diets, your body will store fat in certain areas and no matter what you try it can seem impossible to remove it. Lipomasage, a technique born from Endermologie, offers scientifically proven solution for localized fat retention, cellulite, skin sagging and contours…. Now without painful surgery, in as few as 6 sessions, it is possible to re shape your body and lose inches with long lasting spectacular results Localized fat, cellulite, saddlebags, love handles, buttocks, hips, thighs, arms, stomach, back… Women and men store fat differently and in different places.

However even when the strictest diets and most rigorous of exercise regimens have failed, both men and women can successfully fight fat with Lipomassage. Genetically predisposed to fat storage, (in anticipation of pregnancy and breastfeeding) women begin acquiring figure defects as early as adolescence. After pregnancy and with the onset of age, skin loses elasticity and resilience and the condition worsens… Lipomassage effectively treats all of these factors.

For over two decades, Endermologie has continued without letup to evolve.

The improvements of LPG’s internationally renowned technique can be attributed in part, to the machine's technological advancements, (currently the 7th generation is in distribution), but also to the result of protocol innovations. Such achievements and discoveries are a direct consequence of the extensive clinical research being developed throughout the world. In a recent study conducted by world-renowned specialist in fat cell metabolism, Professor Lafontan (Toulouse, France), it was demonstrated that the mechanical massage action of the Cellu M6 Keymodule is able to activate lipolysis (fat elimination). How? As the independent motorized rollers (especially the Roll'in rotation) condition adipose tissue (fat tissue), the stimulated adipocytes (fat cells) are signaled via adrenergic neurohormonal messages to activate ß receptors (‘cell waste’ eliminators) and trigger lipolysis (fat elimination). Emerging from this discovery is a new methodology, with dramatically more efficient protocols that according to clinical observations, procure visible results on resistant localized fat in as few as 6 sessions. This incredible new treatment is called Lipomassage.

How the rollers work Roll’in Lipomassage; slim your localized fatty areas Decide where you want to lose… Your practitioner will select the skin fold that is most appropriate for your desired goals- in this case the Roll'in - to stimulate fat cell metabolism and activate fat elimination (lipolysis).

Roll’out Lipomassage regenerates your skin’s firmness Dieting, aging and women’s life stages (ex. pregnancy, menopause, etc.) will cause skin elasticity to diminish. With Roll'out, the fibroblasts are stimulated to produce collagen and elastic for restored firmness, tone and youthful resilience Roll’up Lipomassage sculpt your dream body Being slender is great, but maintaining proportionate curves and volume is absolutely essential. Practitioners use Roll’up to shape and beautify the physique contours, and smooth away cellulite’s dimpled appearance Centro Omega offers lipomassage as well as other beauty treatments including, chiropody treatments and incredible dermilogica treatments for all skin types. Ask for more information, call Yolanda on 952 592 008. You will find Centro Omega above the show shop next to Unicaja opposite the old town hall in Fuengirola. Edificio Juan Pablo 2, third floor.

Four step process involves 1) Lipo-photo An initial standing photographic examination precisely measures problem areas under gravitational effects to evaluate treatment targets.

2) Lipo-evaluation A reclining evaluation of problem areas allows for detailed identification of fat tissue depth and type, so that a body specific treatment plan may be refined 3) Lipo-zoning As a result of the different assessments, a mapping of a customized body treatment is drawn on the body suit to indicate the targeted zones for effectiveness and consistency. Now, with the combined action of roll-in, roll out and roll up the practitioner can slim sculpt and firm where you need for the body you want.

4) lipo-isolation Completing the Lipomassage advanced technology, intermittent muscle contractions (against specialized elastic straps) isolate fat from muscle, to precisely target and treat problem areas Pleasurable lipomassage combines precise, clinically proven methodology with specific protocols tailored to individual needs. Professional treatments may be performed exclusively with LPG’s latest generation machines featuring the independent motorized rollers. Clients are instructed to wear a specialized body suit for optimal comfort, hygiene and modesty during treatment

For men Treats men’s love handles, potbelly stomachs, undefined pectoral muscles double chin.

For women Lipo massage treats women's localized fat deposits, cellulite, and skin laxity anywhere it is needed; arms, back, stomach, hips thighs, buttocks knees and ankles.

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Colonic irrigation anyone? ‘‘A good reliable set of bowels is worth more to a man than any quantity of brains.’’ So said Henry Wheeler Shaw a.k.a. Josh Billings the 19th century American author and wit.

I’m the first to admit that I am the type of person who generally has a go at anything. There are not many things that alarm me and making a fool of my self is something that I don’t seem to have a problem with!

Recently, I was invited by Liz at Hyrdrocleanse, now celebrating their third year in business, to go down and sample the delights of colonic irrigation.

I can’t believe I am admitting to this! ‘‘You have to come down and try it’’ said Liz. ‘‘We want you to try it and then write about it because there is a stigma with men and colonic irrigation.’’ ‘‘Could it be anything to do with having a pipe stuck up the bum, do you think?’’ Hey, if it’s good enough for John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Janet Jackson and Princess Diana it’s good enough for me. So there I was, under the cover of darkness sneaking around La Cala with a mask on, avoiding detection heading for hydro cleanse.

Seriously though, Colon health is not really something we much talk about over the breakfast table. However it is not a subject that we can ignore with impunity, particularly for those of us that just shove anything vaguely food like down our throats without considering its long term consequences. Colonic irrigation, also known as colonic hydrotherapy, is a procedure designed to improve the health of the colon and consequently the health of the whole body. The procedure involves flushing the large intestine with water, under a low pressure for anything up to an hour to remove as much material as possible. At hydro cleanse it's called an elimination! Enemas have been used throughout history right back to Egyptian times but colonic irrigation is a relatively new form of treatment first used in the 60s. In Egyptian times, it only cleaned the first part of the colon however modern colonic hydrotherapy (Colonic irrigation) cleanses the whole of the colon (around 2 meters) and this will flush out virtually everything in the large intestine. One of the justifications for this is that this material if left for too long can become impacted and start to reabsorb its toxins back into the body. There are a

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number of different colonic irrigation machines on the market but as a rule you lie on your back on the couch like machine with your rear end over a hole from which protrudes a disposable tube called a rectal tube.

Now let’s get one thing clear, unlike recent years this tube is no more than the width of a pencil and goes in no more that an inch, ok? Also, you do it yourself and you are also left alone in the treatment room to prepare yourself, i.e. strip off you're your bottom clothes, get on the couch and cover yourself with a LARGE towel. When you are ready for action you can then push the alarm button and the therapist will come in. When you have had your relaxing conversation about the weather and world politics and you are comfortable the therapist will start the water flowing. The water is filtered 3 times and warmed to body temperature. The therapist can, if required massage the large intestine area to improve the action of the machine. Also sometimes the plumbing from the machine is transparent and is called the viewing tube so that you and the therapist can see what is coming out. What happens next needs no detailed explanation. The gentle force of the water build up causes you to relieve yourself and so begins your elimination. It lasts for 40 minutes and is not painful. However, it can be a little uncomfortable. Afterwards I felt clean and more alert and aware. Everybody responds differently. Some people feel an overwhelming difference straight away and some take a little time. I took a few days before I started to feel more energetic, I paid quite a few visits to the loo and felt better each time. I also didn’t realize how bloated I had felt around my mid rift and this pleasantly departed and I lost a bit of weight around the middle plus my stomach became flatter.

After all my fears and worries it was not a problem and with the concerns these days with colon related diseases like irritable bowel syndrome overcoming the male pride thing is more important than being silly about having this kind of treatment. Liz tells me that 30-40% of their clients are blokes so there are obviously more of you out there who are thinking like I am. For those of you afraid to try my advice is don’t be, get a colonic and you will be aiding long life and health, now what’s wrong with that? Since opening they have had remarkable success with clients suffering from constipation, Diarrhea, IBS, Skin problems and many other ailments.

Also ask Liz about their new food intolerance testing which can indicate what your body can and cannot handle and digest properly.

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La Garganta Welcome to La Garganta Rural Resort. If you’ve made it to here, you have found the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in southern Spain. Aside from our comfortable lodgings one can enjoy our advantageous natural setting which offers endless recreational possibilities. At La Garganta you can organize your day to your liking. You can comfortably stay in our lodging relaxing under the sun or participate in your favorite sports (hiking, climbing, horseback riding) and if you’re up to it, take in the local history and culture by visiting the area, participating in fiestas (celebrations) and enjoying local cuisine thus submerging yourself in a whole world of new sensations.

PRINCIPAL: a space to make your own.

Rooms More than just a room, we offer you a personal space where you can settle in comfortably.

Canyon exploration Under the Active Tourism and Sports offer is the possibility of canyon exploration.

Cliff Descent There are plenty of vertical surfaces at Gaitanes Valley, which offer visitors the possibility of practicing vertical descent in several degrees of difficulty.

Bird Watching The area is populated with blackbirds and swifts that live in the low lying areas close to the water. In the middle areas live falcons, common kestrels, and goshawks. The mountain summits are the nesting grounds for the golden eagle and griffon vultures.

Boating/Canoeing The reservoirs offer the opportunity to take leisurely canoe trips or if one wishes, competition with friends.

Duplex Apartments The duplex apartments, a combination of modern amenities with traditional style, are for two people. There is a kitchen and bedroom on the main floor with another bedroom and a bathroom on the upper floor.

Apartments with terraces These apartments for up to four people have terraces offering extraordinary views of Gaitanes Valley. The apartments come with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms. We also have an apartment for four on the main floor equipped for handicapped persons.

Junior Suite Our best rooms. Let us surprise you with our junior suites which you will find, cozy, intimate and appealing.

The natural environment of El Chorro is especially inclined towards the practice of open air sports.

The agreeable climate, the beautiful scenery, the richness of the flowers and fauna, the chain of steep mountains, dams, rivers, hiking and biking paths and the best climbing school in Spain make La Garganta the perfect place for active tourism.

Mountain biking The countryside around El Chorro are ideal for mountain biking.

Hiking and Treks The layout of the area invites hikers to take leisurely strolls, or more adventurous treks on steeper paths.

Archery Archery is one of the open air sports you can enjoy during your stay with us.

Fishing Those who love fishing will be thrilled with the close proximity of reservoirs.

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The

S u s s e x Bar

A Little Gem

As we all know there are many nooks and crannies along the Costa del Sol where you will find bars and restaurants that you didn’t know existed or you had seen before but never thought to try. Well the Sussex Bar situated at La Plaza, La Cortijera at La Cala de Mijas is just such a place.

Nestled in the beautiful square at the km202 turn off of the N340 you will find the Plaza, La Cortijera. With beautiful trees and gardens you will find a warm welcome from Marie and family seven days a week.

Kevin and Marie moved to Spain from Durham two years ago. Marie worked in the bar for a year before the family took over last September and the place has gone from strength to strength. Marie has put emphasis on the Sussex Bar now being a family run bar for families where children are more than welcome. There is a children’s menu and also children’s breakfast’s including coco pops and cornflakes amongst other cereals available. Marie’s daughter Steph and Kev’s sister Judith work the morning shifts and the now infamous Aunty Judy’s recipes are the talk of the area. Indeed Aunt Judy is now the female version of Jamie Oliver here on the coast and she makes a variety of home made dishes exclusive to The Sussex Bar! Including home made pies, corned beef pie, cheese scones and Cumberland ring to name but a few.

La Cortijera Family fun day 21st June In aid of Tom Leighton In association with the La Cala Lions A very special boy with special needs Bring the family for a fun filled day From 2pm Bouncy castle, face painting, stalls, stocks!!

Plus much more Race night 9pm All welcome

There is always something going on at the Sussex Bar including Tuesday night bingo, Karaoke on Saturdays and BBQ’S in the summer. For the sports fans they have big screen T.V. showing all your favourite Sky and Setanta sports.

For golfers there is the ‘‘early birdie’’ breakfast where if you give notice the staff will be there at the crack of dawn to prepare your favourite morning starter. The breakfasts are comprehensive to say the least. I mean where can you get boiled eggs, omelets, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, fried eggs and Kippers plus all your regular breakfast meals? The main menu also offers a great choice of food but you will just have to go down there to find out how good it is, the evening chef has a very good reputation in the area and the food is always fresh and tasty. With over 20 main courses and a wide selection of starters and sweets there is something for everybody.

Monday to Saturday there is a menu of the day which is 3 courses for 9 euros served 1 - 6pm. Sunday lunch offers 3 courses for 12.50 served from 1pm - 7pm and the A La Carte menu is served from 6pm every day.

Breakfasts are served from 10am - 1pm.

There is a beautiful terrace where you can chill out and enjoy the sun and for families its ideal, the road is no where near and the kids are more than welcome. What more could you ask for?

The Sussex Bar is a little gem hidden away in a beautiful sun drenched square and you are guaranteed a friendly welcome from Kev, Marie and staff so pay them a visit and you won’t be disappointed. To get there coming from Fuengirola take the 202 km turn off where Buffalo grill and streets of London are. As you turn off the Caraterra go straight up the incline and through the archway, park up anywhere in the square and to the right you will see the steps that take you up to the plaza, The Sussex Bar is straight ahead.

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La Cortijera, La Cala de Mijas Now serving Breakfast 10am - 1pm Snacks, lite bites 3 course menu of the day only 9 euros Evening a la carte menu 6pm - 10pm Fabulous Sunday lunch 3 courses only 12.50 euros Open every day 10am till late Sun drenched terrace All sports shown on big screen t.v.

Karaoke every Saturday night Birthdays, weddings, children's parties etc Call 627 041 335 for bookings and more information

It’s getting HOT HOT HOT! hether you live here or are on holiday we can all get caught out, either by not drinking enough fluids or being in the sun too long. We would be wise to take note of the Spanish this time of year: as we are leaving the beach they are just coming down; when they are sat on the terrace outside some nice restaurant or tapas bar they are always in the shade; whilst the common sight of a newly-off-the-plane tourist sat in the afternoon sun always puts a slight smile on my face, I really wouldn’t like to have their symptoms later.

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costaLIFESTYLE >> Dehydration is a condition that occurs when a person loses more fluids than he or she can take in. The problem is that by the time you feel thirsty, you might already be dehydrated. As the condition progresses, a person will start to feel much sicker as more body systems (or organs) are affected by the dehydration: - Feeling dizzy and lightheaded - Having a dry or sticky mouth - Producing less urine and darker urine.

Staying away from caffeine in coffee, sodas and tea can also help you avoid dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic – it makes you urinate more frequently than you usually need to.

Remember, if you try to drink a large amount of water all at once your kidneys will simply flush the excess fluid by sending you to the bathroom.

It’s better to drink regular amounts of fluid throughout the day.

Each morning pour the liquid you need to drink, and make sure that by the end of the day it’s gone; that way you won’t forget how much you’ve already had. Do the same for your children because they won’t understand to keep track themselves. Remember, if they’re thirsty, they’re already dehydrated.

Consult a doctor if the symptoms or fever become severe. To avoid sunstroke: - Cover your head well from your forehead to the nape of your neck with a broadbrimmed hat when outside in the sun.

- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid intense activity in the heat of the day.

- Wear sunglasses if exposed to glare.

So enjoy your holiday but do it safely. Don’t be one of those many statistics that have to use their holiday insurance.

Signs of dehydration in children are: - Sunken eyes - Urinating less frequently, dry nappies - Sunken soft spot on the front of the head in babies (called the fontanel) - No tears when the child cries - Dry or sticky lining of the mouth or tongue - Lethargy: less than normal activity - Irritability: more crying.

Make sure you are well hydrated before exercising, especially at this time of year. Drink fluids to replace liquids lost during exercise, and drink more fluids following the activity.

THE HANGOVER Ever wake up after a heavy night and wonder why your tongue is stuck to the roof of your mouth? Dehydration is partly to blame. Alcohol causes you to urinate more often and then stops the release of a hormone that helps the body hold on to fluid. Sweating, vomiting, and diarrhoea that sometimes accompanies excess drinking can cause a person to become dehydrated. The signs of dehydration can be dizziness, lightheadedness, thirst, and weakness – symptoms that are felt during a hangover.

SUN STROKE/HEAT STROKE The human body can maintain the internal body temperature within safe limits. In a hot environment or over-exposure to the sun, the temperature control centre in our body will trigger responses such as sweating and increased breathing rate to cool down the body. In an extremely hot environment when these responses cannot effectively cool down our body temperature, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke will occur.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include giddiness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath and mental confusion. When the body temperature reaches 41 degrees centigrade or higher the person will have convulsions or become unconscious; they are then suffering from heat stroke. The body temperature must be brought down immediately and emergency medical intervention given, or else the person’s life will be in great danger.

SAFE KIDS IN THE SUN Slip, slop, slap is an Australian saying - slip on a t-shirt, slop on the sunscreen and slap on a hat - that is being adopted in many countries now and it’s an easy one for kids to remember, so make sure you let them know about it.

The reason children are so susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun is that their skin is literally thinner the younger they are, with a baby’s being something like 1/5th the thickness of an adult’s. You may have already known that, but did you know that a child’s skin can burn in as little as ten minutes? Research has shown that six episodes of serious sunburn before the age of 18 doubles the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult.

PROTECTING KIDS Sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF) is therefore essential.

Apply it 15-30 minutes before going outside so that it has a chance to be absorbed by the skin and apply again once outside. Some sunscreens are now coloured so you can see where it is going on. Babies should never be left in the direct sun as they can burn and overheat very quickly - place pushchairs in the shade whenever possible and always carry a sun canopy.

Who is most at risk?

- The obese - The sick - The old - The young.

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Sunscreen, Sun cream, Sunblock…

A sunscreen helps to protect your skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Why use it? Up to 70% of skin ageing (e.g. wrinkles, dark spots, blotches, sagging) is caused by sun damage - so assuming that you don’t want to look ancient before your time, protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best things you can do. UV rays also cause skin cancers.

What should I look for? Your sunscreen should be broad spectrum (which means it protects you from UVA as well as UVB rays), so look for one or more of the following ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or

Parsol 1789. You should also look for an SPF of at least 15. Some moisturisers have sunscreen included, so that’s an easy way of doing two steps in one.

How to use it? Wear sunscreen 365 days a year (yes, even in winter - just because you aren’t getting burnt doesn’t mean you aren’t getting any UV rays). Apply in the morning, 20 minutes before going outside. If you’re out in the sun (or even sitting next to a window in your office or car), you should reapply every 2 hours.

Know your skin…

Normal skin is never too oily or too dry. Spots are a rarity. You can tell normal skin, as with any skin type, by its texture and appearance. Pores are small. The skin has even tone and is moderately thick, smooth, and firm with excellent elasticity and moisture.

If you have normal skin cleanse-tone-moisturise daily for your face.

Oily skin is typically thicker and firmer than normal skin, with less sensitivity to chemicals, detergents, or perfumes. Pores are medium to large in size and sometimes become clogged with a sebaceous material that causes blackheads, whiteheads, or blemishes.

Try a glycolic facial cleanser, followed by astringent and an oil free face lotion, every morning after you shower. Scrub every other day. Mask at least once a week.

Tone after exercise or when you're sweaty. Use an astringent aftershave instead of a shave balm.

Combination skin consists of an oily ‘‘T’’ zone (forehead, nose, and chin) with dry cheeks and eye areas.

Basically, treat each area according to what you have read above for other skin types. And mask your ‘‘T’’ zone two to three times a month.

Celeb Quotes…

Funny bumper stickers…

‘‘My theory is that if you look confident you can pull off anything even if you have no clue what you’re doing.’’

-- Jessica Alba

Moooooove, I’m trying to speed!

32 costa life

Buckle up... it makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car.

There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead.

Learn from your parent’s mistakes use birth control.

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

Friends help you move; real friends help you move the body.

Very funny Scotty; now beam down my clothes.

I love to give homemade gifts, which one of my kids do you want.

>> costa LIFESTYLE Benetton

>> In the swim...

Beachwear cotton boxer shorts with print Benetton

Blue and white swim shorts H&M

White floral swim shorts Burton

Charcoal floral swim shorts Topman

Shor ts and shades >> Get shorty...

men want

Light wash denim crop shorts with belt Burton Grey cotton smart short with pattern internal linings Topman

>> Get shady...

Black large metal visor sunglasses Burton

Grey garment dyed cargo shorts with floral design Topman

Cotton bermudas with camouflage print Benetton

Red plastic sunglasses Topman

Aviator style sunglasses with perforated metal frames Topman Green cotton shorts H&M

34 costa life

Store Locator A to Z

Benetton www.benetton.com Fuengirola. Burton www.burton.co.uk Gibraltar. Dorothy Perkins www.dorothyperkins.com Miramar and La Cañada.

Evans www.evans.com La Cañada and Miramar. H&M www.hm.com La Cañada. Monsoon www.monsoon.co.uk Gibraltar.

Topman www.topman.co.uk La Cañada. Topshop www.topshop.co.uk La Cañada.

costa LIFESTYLE >> Evans Purple maxi ombre dress Evans

Darkside ombre print dress with tie back Topshop

Luella bodice prom dress Monsoon

Dress to Impress

women want

Pink sundress H&M Black and pink dip dye dress Dorothy Perkins

Monet fluro print prom Topshop

Black bow shrug Dorothy Perkins Yellow dip dye tunic Dorothy Perkins

Poirot embroidered sundress Monsoon

Crochet floral bolero Monsoon

costa life 35

>> costa LIFESTYLE

New summer season scents…

Paul Smith Sunshine Sparkling citrus fizz of lime and pink grapefruit with subtle juicy peach and watermelon.

Smells like... Summer, bottled.

CKin2u 2Go The new limited edition fragrance with delicious top notes of pink grapefruit fizz, redcurrant leaves and sugar orchid.

Kenzo Amour Indian Holi In India, Holi is the festival of colour. This joyous occasion has been bottled the holiday colours, revealing a musky floral scent of cherry blossoms, natural rose essence and petals of peony.

Smells like... A summer festival of flowers.

Beauty myths…

Shaving the hair makes it grow back thicker This is definitely another beauty myth as well. Shaved hair seems to grow back thicker only because when we shave, the razor cuts the hair off only on the skin’s surface. They were not plucked off directly from the follicle. Therefore, when the hair grows back, the wide part of the strand grows out, making the hair appear thicker.

Applying ice to the skin makes the pores smaller Nothing can make the pores smaller. The size of our pores is the result of genetics, not of temperature applied on the skin, so some people just have smaller pores than others.

Plucking white hairs yields more white hairs This is definitely just a beauty myth. Our hair whitens as part of the natural process of aging, and some of us see our hair start turning white earlier than usual compared to others.

It only seems to us that we are having more and more grey hair after we see our first strand of white because our mind is now trained to look for the greys in our mane, and so we are now more likely to notice.

36 costa life

Neutral nails in f o r s u m m e r…

It's time to ditch those bold nail colors and opt for a more neutral shade. The eyes and lips are bold and big so keep your polish neutral, you will be able to carry that through without clashing with your makeup.

The French manicure is a little dated so keep it fresh and neutral with baby pinks, peachy shades and look bliss in beige.

Celeb beauty secret…

Jennifer Aniston doesn’t go for expensive soaps and creams. She swears by the very affordable Neutrogena to keep her face picture perfect.

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Arroyo’s Premier English Salon

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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.

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Tel 952 442 270 or 670 695 860 C/ San Antonio, Centro Comercial San Juan, Arroyo de la Miel Near Farmacia opposite train station

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR M E TA B O L I S M E

verybody at some time in their life will struggle with weight gain and once you hit 30 it becomes progressively harder. Studies show that after 30 women lose half a pound of muscle every year and gain the same amount in fat.

Obviously going to the gym and eating right are important, but you can also make your body work for you.

The first instinct is to put yourself on a starvation diet but, although this can help you quickly lose a couple of pounds, it’s not the right way to lose weight in the long run. You will be using fewer calories than normal and will make it even harder on yourself to lose the weight. When your diet drops below 1,000 calories, your body goes into ‘starvation mode’, which slows down your metabolism.

Eat your breakfast: When you skip breakfast the body enters its starvation mode, so breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After a long period without eating your blood sugar levels will be low.

Skipping breakfast can mean your body will start to crave something sweet and you’ll end up snacking on unhealthy foods. Start the day with a filling and nutritious meal and you will give your metabolism a kickstart.

38 costa life

Breakfast Cereals: Go for low-calorie muesli (no added sugar or salt) or a high fibre cereal such as Weetabix or Shredded Wheat with semiskimmed or skimmed milk. Add some fresh fruit - a sliced banana or dried apricots - to add natural sweetness and help you resist the sugar.

Fresh fruit salad: Cut up some apples, melon, berries, oranges, pears, bananas, grapes … any or all or whatever your favourite fruits are. Add a little lime or lemon juice.

Eggs with peppers: Egg whites are healthier than whole eggs.

Scramble with a little olive oil, red and green bell peppers, and maybe broccoli, onions, and black pepper. Eat with wholewheat toast.

Cottage cheese and fruit: Add any kind of fruit: apples, citrus fruit, berries.

Traditional English: You don’t have to miss out on your traditional Sunday breakfast. There’s nothing wrong with a cooked breakfast as long as it’s a grill up and not a fry up: fried foods hold the fat. Lean bacon is a good source of protein so trim the fat and grill. Eggs contain iron and calcium: to get the benefits poach or boil them. Add some low-sugar, low-salt baked beans and a grilled tomato.

Accompany with some toasted wholemeal bread and a glass of unsweetened fruit juice. Let your breakfast digest and then enjoy a Sunday morning walk - depending on your weight you’ll burn between 90-190 kcals walking moderately for 30 minutes.

costa LIFESTYLE >> Decrease your alcohol consumption: Although certainly not the most fun part of increasing your metabolism, but cutting down your alcohol intake will help as much as anything.

Studies show that alcohol suppresses the body’s ability to burn fat. It may be hard to completely cut alcohol out of an active social life, so try limiting yourself to one drink a night.

Hot spicy food: Did you know that spices generate body heat and this increases the metabolism as calories are burned in the process of cooling the body down?

Cayenne pepper helps to reduce cholesterol and is packed with vitamins, potassium and calcium. Chilli peppers increase the heart rate and can increase metabolism by up to 50% but remove the seeds if you prefer a milder taste. Careful though - the curries you find in restaurants are often oily and fatty, so cooking your own spicy food is always best.

Increase your muscle mass: Muscle burns 90% more calories than fat so the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be. Going to the gym is not just a one-off attack on your fat cells: your new muscle will actually keep fighting that fat long after you leave the gym. Adding 5 lbs of muscle will help you burn another 250 calories a day.

If you can’t make it to the gym, then there are ways to make everyday activities into a workout. Carry your shopping home, walk the dog yourself, lift small weights while watching TV or take the stairs: it all helps.

Vitamin B and Calcium: The B-Vitamins give you more energy and increase your metabolism.

Drinking coffee will increase your metabolism too but Vitamin B is a much healthier, sustainable way to do it. Make sure your daily supplement incorporates B-Vitamins and in particular B-12.

Recent research has found that four daily servings of low-fat dairy products can boost your body's fat-burning ability. Calcium actually increases your metabolism. So add some low-fat yogurts to your diet, maybe as a small snack between meals.

Boost your Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

can be found in flax, hemp seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, salmon, mackerel and herring. Many people use flax oil as a supplement.

Drink Green Tea: Green tea regulates blood sugar levels by reducing the amount of insulin produced. This prevents fat being stored and keeps your appetite under control.

EGCG, the main polyphenol in green tea, is an effective thermogenic which increases the metabolism of fat. This is not just a result of the caffeine in the tea, because those who lose weight on Green Tea lose more than those who were given caffeine alone.

Remember, if you blow it one day it’s not necessarily a bad thing: your body is expecting a certain amount of calories a day so this will rev up your metabolism. So just forget about it and get back on track the next day.

In recent studies it has been shown that an increased intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can help to balance blood sugar levels and control appetite. Good sources of this metabolism-boosting acid

costa life 39

>> costa LIFESTYLE

SPEED UP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS With the summer here already, we all want to look and feel slimmer. If you are struggling to get started with weight loss or maybe you have a stubborn kilo or so to loose keep reading.

And always remember, if you are not loosing weight - you are eating too many calories and not taking enough exercise.

Resolve this and you will steadily loose weight.

1. Reduce the amount of proteins, meats and chicken on each meal served and increase the amount of salad or vegetables. This way you will feel fuller, taking in less calories.

2. Drink water, this will not only keep you hydrated but keep you from feeling hungry. Sometimes when we feel like snacking out, we are thirsty rather than hungry.

3. Drink water before and during meals. This will help you to feel fuller a lot quicker.

4. Plan your food and drink intake in advance. Look at making a meal plan for 3days in advance, then stick to your plan.

5. Increase your daily activity by making it part of your life style. Find a sport that you enjoy, if you involve a friend, then you can make it part of your weekly socialising.

6. Do not snack on high fibre fat foods in between your meals. Snack on fruit or raw vegetable sticks.

7. Walk at least 3 times a week. Plan to increase the distance and the speed on a regular basis. Walk to the school with your kids? Walk to work? Or at least park your car and walk as much of the distance as you can.

8. Adding oils or fats to your meals will just increase the amount of calories you take in, creating fat on your body.

9. Be careful when eating out. Ask for your food to be served without added oil or fats and avoid foods that are cooked in or with fats, ie. chips, pies, deep fried foods. Think carefully before placing your order.

10. Incorporate one type of exercise, sport or sports class into your life style at least 5 times a week. If you struggle to find the time, think about using home exercise machines.

11. Alcohol. Drink in moderation. Remember too much alcohol will weaken your will power to succeed and you will be far more likely to make the wrong meal choices. Drinking alcohol can also give you a bigger appetite.

12. Remember the combination of a poor diet and not taking in enough water is not only going to result in increased weight but also will result in your skin being in a poor condition.

13. Never skip breakfast. Porridge is a healthy option and it doesn't have the sugar and salt amounts that some other breakfast cereals contain. Oats are a natural wholegrain food and rich in fibre.

14. Tell all your friends about your weight loss and exercise, aims and plans.

This way you are less likely to give up!

15. Celebrate your success. Feeling fitter, feeling slimmer, feeling energized? These are all reasons to congratulate yourself and help you keep motivated to achieve more the following week.

Lets have a workout To loose weight we need to look at cardio fitness. This is when we work the lungs and the heart hard enough to burn fat.

Working muscles makes them strong and more toned. You will then burn more calories and find everyday tasks easier to achieve.

Stretching makes your muscles more mobile and helps your joints move more effectively. Stretch before and after exercise this will reduce any stiffness you may feel and encourage the blood to flow smoothly through the muscles.

Weekly Programme Week 1 - 20 minutes walk twice a day everyday Week 2 - 1 hour walk everyday Week 3 - 1 hour 30 min walk 6 times a week Week 4 - 2 hours walk 6 times a week Walk purposefully using a firm heel-toe action. The front foot strides the ground through the heel, toes up - the back foot leaves the ground off the ball of the foot.

Make your stride a comfortable length and keep upright posture.

Bend elbows to increase intensity of your walk and burn more calories.

Helen Johnson - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist - 617 453 550 - fitness@luv2btraining.com 40 costa life

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

>> costa LIFESTYLE

Prozac may curb MS activity…

The antidepressant drug Prozac could help to limit the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS), new research suggests.

Dutch scientists found that the drug also known as fluoxetine - tends to reduce inflammation caused by the disease.

The researchers randomly allocated 40 patients to treatment with either 20mg daily of fluoxetine (Prozac) or a placebo for a period of 24 weeks. The brain scans found that those in the placebo group had more new areas of inflammation, compared to those in the Prozac group.

Lip-gloss linked to skin cancer…

Findings of a recent study show that glossy lip coats attract sunrays rather than protecting the lips against them.

Dallas Scientists say compared to other parts of the skin, the lips are more susceptible to aging from chronic sun damage and are therefore more prone to serious cancers.

Dermatologists advise women to wear a sunscreen under their lipstick or lipgloss. They also suggest individuals apply a lip sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and re-apply it during the day.

Binge tanning…

Young people are failing to listen to the warnings of skin cancer. One in three under 25s are risking skin cancer by ‘binge tanning’, a cancer charity has warned.

Cancer Research UK found that a third of young adults spend more than five hours a day in the sun on holiday. Its survey, also shows that one in three would be happy to increase their time in the sun if they did not feel tanned enough towards the end of their break. Almost half said they would feel upset if they

came back from their summer holiday without a tan. A third would use sunscreen with a low protection factor, 19 per cent are happy to go without sunscreen altogether and 15 per cent would use products such as baby oil to speed up the tanning process. People who spend their summer holidays outdoors should remember to enjoy their time safely and use sun protection - shade, clothing and factor 15 or above sunscreen - to reduce their risk of skin cancer. If you really are desperate for a tan, the best option is to fake it. It’s the only way to get a tanned appearance without causing sun damage.

42 costa life

Leafy areas may reduce asthma risk…

Scientists have discovered that children who live in areas with lots of trees appear to be less likely to develop asthma.

According to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, trees may play a role in preventing asthma as areas with a large number of trees were found to have lower rates of childhood asthma.

Lingerie Fuengirola UK and American branded Lingerie and Swimwear

Swimwear by Lingerie by

Mix and match sizes Harder to find sizes available UK sizes Also nursing, sports and maternity bras, shape wear underwear and swimwear Bra sizes from 22a - 44jj and swimwear sizes from 6 - 32

Community Mental Health Team Wound Care Clinic Health Assessments Weight Management Dyslexia Assessments Alternative Therapist Counseling service Hypertension management

Post Office

Calle Marconi

Open Mon - Sat 10 - 2 and 4 - 8 Sunday 10 - 2 50 metres from irish card shop behind the post office Calle Marconi, Fuengirola 952 473 724 e-mail uplifted@live.co.uk

We are here

X

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)

specializing in

Fincas Country Villas Townhouses Cortijos Ruins Plots

952 498 454 mobile: 609 454 409

AP17: Detached village house on the edge of Alora on a generous corner plot hosting panoramic views of Valle del Sol. The plot is 370 m2 with the house being 170 m2 built. The ground floor offers a fully fitted kitchen, hallway, a lounge with fireplace, double bedroom and bathroom. On the upper floor there are 3 further bedrooms, bathroom and a terrace off one of the bedrooms. The property has a nice garden with a variety of fruit trees.

PRICE: 252,000€ €

AP442: A tastefully decorated finca located on the outskirts of Alora with 17,000m2 of land with olive, almond and various fruit trees.

The property is double glazed throughout and offers a lounge with wood burning stove, a dining room, kitchen and a pantry, 3/4 bedrooms one with a dressing room and a good sized bathroom.

100m2 built. There is also a large terrace offering many outside sunny and shady areas. Added to this there is a 15m2 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 is in walk in condition and has stunning views.

PRICE: 215,000€ €

tel:

enquiries@aloraproperties.com www.aloraproperties.com Plaza Fuente Arriba s/n Alora

AP342: A pretty country villa located just 5 minutes drive from Alora town. The property is being sold with 10,000m2 of land consisting of lemon trees and a well stocked and easily maintained garden. The property offers lounge with fireplace, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, utility room and bathroom. 86m2 built. There is a plunge pool and many sunny and shady outside areas. Well water, electricity, satellite television and telephone with internet access.

Magnificent views of the Sierra de la Nieves, Alora town and the Valle del Sol.

APM199: A small house in need of renovation which could be converted into a studio apartment. It is located in one of the most historical parts of Alora. The house is all on one level and comprises of 2 rooms. 30 m2 built. Good access. Mains water and electricity.

PRICE: 250,000€ €

PRICE: 50,000€ €

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

Offers around: 199,950 €

Phone: 627 834 839 www.acefm.info

Alhaurin Golf, three bedroom town house unfurnished/furnished option community pool 800 Euros per month. Immaculate easy renting!

Alhaurin el Grande One bedroom apartment furnished close to town centre 400 Euros per month. Brand new ideal for professional couple.

Alhaurin country side three bedrooms / two bathrooms utility patio, pool and gardens only 700 Euros per month. Perfect for a summer in the country!

Alhaurin el Grande penthouse apartment overlooking children’s park over 90 m2 of terraces, brand new 750.00 per month. Perfect for families!

Villafranco, two bedrooms, pool, stables and land, quiet country retreat only 600 Euros.

Coin three bedroom country house, immaculate very quiet ideal for a tranquil getaway, 1000 Euros per month.

Alhaurin el Grande Large country house five bedrooms six bathrooms large lounge and kitchen, only 1500 Euros.

We have a large selection of rentals available, please call us today with your property requirements, we do not charge you any finder’s fees or commissions!

WARDROBES

RUGS

Swimming Pools S.L.

Est. on the Costa del Sol for over 20 yrs Easy payment terms now available for Heat Pumps Automatic Covers Pool Construction & Renovation

Professional Pool Maintenance From as little as 65€ per month CARPETS

Coloured Underwater Light Shows - only 40€ Luxury Pool Chairs & Lilos Chemicals Equipment Accessories Brilliant pool toys and games

BEDS

www.costa-carpet.com

Mon to Sat 9:30-13:30 Ctra. de Mijas km. 4 Mijas Costa, Spain

Tel. 952 473 328

Mon,Wed to Fri 16:00-19:00

Friendly free advice always available Open 8am to 4pm Tel 952 591 053 www.splashmijas.moonfruit.com splashpools@electronbox.net We are situated at the entrance to Urb. Dona Pilar, next to the Octagon Bar & just off the Careterra de Mijas

ith the sweet smell of jasmine blowing through the open space, allow your mind to travel through Tangier, Marrakech, Casablanca and Alexandria to exotic, mystical, colourful places, away from mundane reality.

W

Morocco has a rich cultural and historical heritage that exudes beauty through various forms of art, which are often seen as mysterious or magical. Moroccan decor in the last couple of years has been rediscovered and today it’s used to add an appeal, through art and colours, to homes.

Moroccan décor can basically be classified into two parts: urban and rural.

Urban décor will involve the use of ceramics, metal, wood and leather, etc.

On the other hand, rural décor will see the Middle Eastern influence, with an emphasis on the use of rugs, fabrics and embroideries. The best feature of having Moroccan style decoration is that the objects used in it are usually those that have use in practical life too. When thinking about adding a Moroccan ambience, think about setting a relaxing, soothing and yet mystical mood.

So, before you start, take a step back and look at the space with which you are working and see what you already have that can serve as an inspiration. Find a special piece in your space and see what you can add to complement that piece and enhance the room in general. Creating a Moroccan feel does not necessarily mean you have to fill the room from top to bottom with Moroccan décor, so consider small design ideas.

The easiest way to add the Moroccan theme to your home is by colour.

Walls borrow their hues from the earth and desert sand: muted reds and honeyed yellows. Moroccan colours are at once earthy and exotic. Take your cue from Moroccan pottery created with the rich, colourful soils of the surrounding earth like the rich red soil of the far north, the yellowish clay of the Atlantic region (dubbed the ‘yellow coast’) or the deep blue which is ground from the cobalt rich rocks in the Fez region. Choose your favourite colour to dominate throughout the room and two or three others to complement.

Let the rich vibrant colours inspire your fabric choices for cushions, upholstery, pillows and bed linens. Look for rugs, accessories and art with bold patterns and jewel-like colours that blur the line between different cultures.

Images supplied by Zara Homes, pr shots Debenhams.

Furniture and accessories: Furniture may be elegantly crafted from fine hardwoods or simple rustic designs of common woods. Either way, pieces are low and heavy set and often include accents of tile, iron or marble.

Pottery has important applications. Either in natural terracotta or colourfully finished, over-sized pots and vases in classic shapes add drama, form and colour. Large terracotta pots can be pale yellow, green or blue, and are set off by unconventional plants such as coral sunset geraniums, surrounded by graceful ferns.

Add ambience: Candles can create a warm atmosphere and traditional charm: but you can illuminate those corners and add decorative light to the walls by adding lanterns and lamps. These are exquisitely handcrafted, made of antiqued metal and high quality coloured glass. Whether your ambition is to create a complete Moroccan style or just have a Moroccan touch, lanterns will add that unique Moroccan element to your home.

The henna lamp: These are made from sheep or goats’ skin, and then stretched around a wrought iron frame. The skin is then dyed and the henna artist will meticulously draw different intricate motifs on the skin.

These lamps come in an array of beautiful vibrant colours.

The Moroccan rug: For centuries, the tribal people of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains have passed down the delicate art of rug weaving. In Northern Africa, rugs are not only a practical asset to the home; they are an integral part of the culture. Hand-knotted rugs are the preferred gift of people of high social rank and are also a traditional wedding gift.

Nothing has changed these soft natural rugs which, with their light colour and softness, are ideal for today’s barefoot lifestyle.

Fabrics: Traditional Moroccan decor incorporates beading or embroidery

on sophisticated silk brocades, linens, wools and velvet.

Moroccan homes typically feature traditional country textiles for bedspreads, cushions, throws and pillows, with heavy white canvas curtains, upholstery and floor dressings consisting of rough-textured wools and cottons.

Colours typically used in Moroccan decorating fabrics are red, purple, gold and green, which balance well against the terracotta earth tones of floors and walls. For that final element of comfort, weaved cushions and leather cushions should be placed generously on sofas and chairs.

Whether your ambition is to create a complete Moroccan style or just have a Moroccan touch, it is so easy to introduce the beauty and spirit of Morocco into your home.

e l i t e Glass Curtains SL SPECIALIST MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS OF GLASS CURTAINS

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Sotogrande, before...

Sotogrande, after...

Elviria

Velez Malaga

Riviera del Sol

References available upon request From quotation to installation you can be sure of a first class product and service from Elite Glass Curtains

La Mairena

Sale now on, up to 20% off all orders placed before end of June For your free no obligation quotation call now on PHONE - 952 830 503 MOBILE - 630 625 085 E-MAIL - info@eliteglasscurtains.com WEB - www.eliteglasscurtains.com ELITE GLASS CURTAINS S.L., POLIGONO ELVIRIA 26, ELVIRIA 29600

>> costa HOMES

Fill the freezer, but give the fridge some air…

The freezer works most efficiently when packed as full as possible.

Reduce your carbon footprint…

Full freezers keep food frozen longer if a power cut occurs.

The refrigerator is different; it needs air circulation to keep food at an even temperature. Packing a refrigerator too tightly means some foods become too cold--and may even freeze--while others aren’t kept cold enough for proper storage. Let the refrigerator breathe to keep food fresh longer.

How to clean window frames…

For window frames, you’ll need to regularly clean off mildew. The best way to do this (assuming you haven’t got a steam cleaner) is to use an old rag, dipped in fungicide. This will prevent mould growing back. Failing that, try a solution of bleach, diluted 1:3 with water.

Did you know...

Electricity is one of the biggest producers of carbon emissions, so every time you make a coffee or turn the television on you are adding to global warming.

Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. ...)

Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving) Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly Do your weekly shopping in a single trip Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it Go for a run rather than drive to the gym

Eco Cleaning…

White vinegar: A natural disinfectant, stain remover and reduces mineral and lime deposits. It’s a diluted ascetic acid and a substitute for ammonia-based cleaners. You can use white wine vinegar, but white distilled vinegar is cheaper.

Bicarbonate of Soda (aka baking soda/sodium bicarbonate): A miracle cleaner. When mixed with water it forms a slightly alkaline liquid, which cuts through grease and dirt on almost any surface. Used neat it’s slightly abrasive and can be used to scrub problem stains. Often vinegar and soda are mixed together for maximum cleaning strength. Baking powder works just as well - it’s a mix of bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar.

Lemons: The citric acid in lemon juice makes it perfect for bleaching, disinfecting, deodorising and cutting grease.

Olive Oil: Great alternative furniture polish. Don’t worry about using the extra-virgin type, the most basic will do.

52 costa life

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GOLF, GARDENS AND GUM TREES...

Andalusia’s bit of Oz D

id I sense a little disapproval from the golfers after my last article? I am unrepentant. I have nothing against golfers personally and wish them the very best as they continue to enjoy their games on some of Europe’s finest courses.

My complaint is directed at greedy developers who have used the golf course as an excuse to circumvent p la n n in g re s tric tio n s o n u rb a n is a tio n and, in the process, are hastening the destruction of Andalucia’s natural heritage.

Most of us don’t have the water resources available to support lush green lawns and rampant sub-tropical vegetation in our own gardens. On the other hand, neither do we want gardens that, although green in winter, resemble brown deserts in the summer months.

There is a middle way! By growing plants that are fully adapted to our summer-dry Mediterranean climate, we can have wonderful gardens with only modest water requirements. Natural plants for natural gardens!

Our climate allows us to grow a wide range of stunning plants from similar climatic zones around the world. Many of these originate from Australia or South Africa where the flora is incredibly diverse. With these floral goldmines at their disposal, horticulturalists have developed a magnificent range of garden plants for us to use. Since I have been gardening here, I have continued to enjoy their variety and versatility and, especially, their sparing need for water.

Article & images by

Simon Hill Grevillea robusta

What plants do we commonly see that originate from Australia? The most notable are the many trees gracing our streets parks and the campo. The silk oak (Grevillea robusta), the Kurrajong

Eucalyptus ficifolius

Grevillea robusta (Brachychiton populneus) and its cousin the Flame Tree (B. acerifolius) are tree species we should all be familiar with, unless we never look up when walking. The silk oak in my garden is in full flower as I write, covered in comb-shaped flame orange blossoms against a background of dark thunder clouds. Magnificent! More to the point, given the right conditions, a good, deep, well-drained soil and occasional summer deep watering for the first two or three years after planting, this tree is fast growing. My tree after seven years is 12 metres tall, keeping pace with a Casuarina (also from Australia) and well outstripping a native pine (Pinus halepensis) both planted at the same time. Once properly established, silk oak trees can cope with little or no summer watering. The dark green dissected leaves glint silver in the sun as they move in the breeze. Even the wood is of good timber quality, resembling oak and hence the name. What more can one expect of an ornamental tree?

Quite a few other species of Grevillea and their hybrids are good garden plants with interesting and sometimes spectacular flowers. Highly desirable hybrids such as ‘Elegance’ and ‘Robyn Gordon’ are propagated by being grafted onto silk oak rootstocks. In our gardens, provided the soil is not too alkaline, these make large shrubs with a high ‘wow’ rating when in flower. The bees love them. In my garden, the soil pH is a little on the high side and the plant needs occasional doses of iron chelate (Fe sequestrene) to prevent it from going yellow (limeinduced chlorosis). I have several other Grevilleas doing well, from G. creeping ground cover (G. rosmarinifolia) to prickly upright (G juniperina - nice flowers but wear gloves).

Grevilleas are members of a most interesting plant family, the Proteaceae, which is largely confined to South Africa and Australasia.

Members of this family have evolved an interesting strategy to enable them to grow in very poor soils, being able to produce dense transient clusters of very fine roots quickly to exploit any nutrients, particularly phosphate, that become available in the soil. If we give these plants phosphate fertiliser, they can take up so much, so quickly, that it becomes toxic. So beware! No 15-15-15 compound fertiliser for members of the Proteaceae! A little well-rotted manure and a handful of sulphate of ammonia will probably be okay.

The Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) includes the Eucalypts, magnificent specimens of which can be seen along rivers and arroyos near the coast and inland. These were planted to provide timber but there are many other eucalyptus species which are highly ornamental, with fine foliage, variously coloured flowers and interestingly shaped fruits. Many of these originate from the dryer regions of Australia. Try the lemon scented Eucalyptus (E. Citriodora) or the red-flowered E. ficifolia. Again beware! Eucalypts do not appreciate being pampered. Starting off with

seedling trees and then treating them hard will encourage deep root systems and dense strong wood allowing them to resist occasional strong winds. Someone I knew lost several trees in one storm because he had not followed this simple rule.

Those of us who cannot resist over-feeding and overwatering our plants will ensure a short stay for our Australian visitors.

Brachyciton acerfolius

It is probably generally true that plant species that have evolved to tolerate conditions of drought and poor soil have similarly special adaptations and mechanisms that allow them to cope. I am not only talking about exotic plants from the wilds of Australia or South Africa, but about our own familiar wild plants and shrubs from the Mediterranean hillsides.

Many of these plants may suffer if offered luxurious conditions of water and nutrients, taking up nutrients to toxic levels for example, or putting on soft growth that becomes susceptible to disease and vulnerable to drought or strong winds.

I hope that your gardening experience will be as enjoyable for you as mine is for me. We should always be bold in our planting because some of the most unlikely experiments are wonderfully successful in our amazing climate.

As I myself have learned, gardening is an experience that has no end, even if occasionally it leaves you up a gum tree!

For any further enquiries or simply questions, please feel free to e-mail Simon Hill: FINCAROSABLANCA@telefonica.net.

costa life 55

>> costa HOMES

STEP BY STEP GUIDE to buying a property in Spain

W

hen you have finished your long hard search and settled on the right Spanish Property for you, please don’t trip up at the final hurdle.

Make sure you are never pushed into making a rash decision on a property until you are perfectly happy with your choice, and that you are sure you want to complete on the sale.

There are, sadly, still horror stories of people being ripped off and conned out of small and large amounts of money, but if you go through an established estate agent and arrange suitable legal advice, your buying process should be smooth and trouble free from start to finish.

One thing you will have to accept when buying a property in Spain is that the world of officialdom and paperwork is not quite what it is back home, and some things are done quite differently from the UK. You must try to accept this early on, to avoid more worry than necessary. Hopefully this short guide will give you some useful pointers to guide you through the process as smoothly as possible.

THE PROPERTY SEARCH >> Always do your research! The increasing use of the internet has proved a significant to both buyers and sellers of property, and is more and more becoming the first place people look for Spanish property. Some websites provide even more useful information such as area guides, property news, and even newsletters. Try and go through as many magazines as possible to get a feel for prices. You can pick some up in the UK in places like WH Smith´s but there are many more to choose from once you have arrived in Spain.

Once you have narrowed down your search, it is time to contact an agent.

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Don’t be scared, many of them don’t bite!

There are many more estate agents in Spain than there are in the UK, mostly because of the recent property boom, so you should try to use a little care when selecting an agent. Ask them if they are part of any recognised professional body, and maybe how many property listings they have on their books, or how long they been established in Spain, for example. The fact is that your feeling is usually the best judge. Other than that, a recommendation from someone who bought from the same company is probably the best way to choose.

DECISION TIME >> SO, you have seen 100’s of properties, your agent’s going grey, you can’t quite decide between property a and property b, it’s all getting a bit much… and then you find it: The property you always imagined! Now the fun begins, as it’s time to make an offer. At this stage the Spanish system is no different to the UK. The buyer makes an offer and the vendor either accepts or rejects that offer. If agreement is reached verbally you should instruct a lawyer immediately to act on your behalf.

INSTRUCTING A LAWYER >> Choosing the right lawyer is a very important part of the buying process, and bear in mind that you could well be dealing with the same lawyer for some time to come, and they will probably end up acting on your behalf if you should sell the property. As in so many things, the best way to find someone good is a recommendation.

PAYING A HOLDING DEPOSIT >> Once you have made your decision and your lawyer is happy with the terms and conditions of anything you are asked to sign, it is time to pay a holding deposit. This deposit is usually 3000 Euros on smaller properties, and 6000 on larger properties, and is usually held by the estate agent, in order to take the property off the market until the private contract is signed.

These deposits are often paid ‘‘subject to mortgage’’ until a certain date. This means that buyers are given a certain amount of time to arrange the finance, and will not lose their deposit if the finance is not granted.

PRIVATE CONTRACT – The point of no return. This is the most important stage in the whole process, as if either party pull out afterwards, they must compensate the other party with (typically) 10% of the purchase price.

On signing the private contract, the buyer will deposit 10% with the seller’s lawyer, and the other reason why this stage of the process is so important is that it defines a date by which time the parties must complete.

PUBLIC CONTRACT – The notary public.

This is the final stage in buying a Spanish property. Both parties must attend the notary on or before the date stipulated by the private contract, at which time the balance of the purchase price is paid, and a new title deed is prepared and signed by the notary. Mortgages will also require a separate deed, and outstanding mortgages must also be cancelled at this point. Once the deeds are signed they will be then be submitted to the land registry for registration.

THE BUYER’S COSTS >> As a general rule, the costs of buying a property in Spain should be no more than 10% of the purchase price. These costs are as follows: Transfer tax: the Spanish equivalent of stamp duty, currently 7%.

Lawyer’s fees: most lawyers in Spain charge 1% of the purchase price, depending on what services you ask them to proved. They will probably charge more if you ask them to act as ‘‘Power of Attorney’’, for example.

Notary and Registration Fees: These should be no more than around 1000 Euros, depending on the price of the property.

The fees may rise if you are taking a large mortgage, for example, as banks and mortgage brokers in Spain charge higher opening fees that UK equivalents. They will be repaid as part of the mortgage total, however, so it is difficult to give an average figure.

All other costs should be paid by the seller, including all estate agents fees, capital gains tax, and an incremental land tax called ‘‘plus valia’’.

As a final piece of advice, the oldest one in the book probably holds more true today than ever before:

Buyers beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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>> costaSTUFF

Hip Dysplasia in a younger dog

Hip Dysplasia in a older dog

Bilateral Triple Pelvic Osteotomies

Total Hip Replacement

Canine Hip Displasia We are going to explain simply this common problem in some dogs

X-rays will be taken at specific intervals to evaluate healing at the surgery site.

Who is usually affected?

Medium to larger breed dogs.

Most frequently affected breeds include Labrador retrievers and Golden retrievers.

If femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed, physical therapy will be initiated within several days of surgery, and is usually continued 4-8 weeks.

Problems are usually first detected in younger dogs (1 to 2 years).

Expected results after surgery

Hip dysplasia is known to be an inherited problem.

If a triple pelvic osteotomy was performed, pain is generally relieved, limb use becomes more normal, and the patient does not develop significant hip arthritis.

What is happening?

Loosely fitting hip joints cause stretching of the joint capsule and abnormal cartilage wear.

If a total hip replacement was performed, pain is relieved, limb use becomes more normal, and arthritis is permanently relieved.

Inflammation and pain result from the altered joint mechanics and cartilage destruction.

If a femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed, a mild limp will likely remain, but pain and arthritis are relieved.

Arthritis and reformation of the hip bones progress over time.

Clinical signs you might notice in your pet Stiffness of the hind legs upon rising, particularly after long periods of rest.

Reluctance to climb stairs or jump.

Tiring easily with play.

Resting more than other dogs of similar age and breed.

“Clunking” noise when walking.

“Bunny hopping” to gain speed when trotting or running.

Diagnosis Careful orthopaedic examination to determine which joint(s) are affected.

Sedated examination to determine the degree of hip looseness and severity of cartilage damage (degenerative joint disease/arthritis).

Precisely positioned x-rays are taken to document the degree of hip looseness and severity of bone reformation related to cartilage wear.

Surgical treatment Depending on patient age and diagnostic findings, recommended surgical options may include: Rearrangement of the angle at which the components of the hip meet (triple pelvic osteotomy/TPO)-most commonly used for young dogs without significant cartilage wear (arthritis) or bony reformation.

Replacement of the components of the hip (total hip replacement)-most commonly used for older dogs or those with significant arthritis or bony reformation.

Alteration of the hip joint to prevent painful bone contact (femoral head and neck ostectomy/FHO)-most commonly used for smaller dogs.

Special postoperative care If a triple pelvic osteotomy or total hip replacement was performed: Patient activity is strictly limited until adequate healing occurs, usually 612 weeks.

58 costa life

costaSTUFF >>

SUCCESS FOR CUDECA HOSPICE Almost 1000 people walked for Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice on Sunday with the objective of raising funds to help save the in-patient unit from the critical economic situation it is currently facing. The Hospice, located in Benalmádena, offers intensive palliative care to patients suffering from non-curable advanced cancer within the province of Málaga.

This year was the sixth walk organised by Cudeca and was very well attended with nearly 1000 participants with a percentage of 53% of Spanish nationality and 47% International. It was a huge success and a great example of both communities working together for charity.

Cudeca was proud to have Don Francisco Salido, Benalmádena Town Hall councillor, take part in the 10km walk. He also spoke some very supportive words of the work Cudeca carries out.

For the 5km walk, Doña Mª Carmen Florido, Benalmádena Town Hall's Celebrations councillor, together with Joan Hunt, President and Founder of Cudeca, received a unexpected surprise of a very special participant: Don Jose Luís Marcos, a government delegate from the Junta de Andalucia in Málaga, who received the gold pin from Joan Hunt, months before, for his support to Cudeca.

Both routes were supervised by guides from the Sierra de Mijas.

There was all day entertainment thanks to Mel Williams and his music plus a host of other professional singers and dancers; Alicia Lane, Leslie Harrison, Frankie Valentine, Dave Lee, Marimar & her group of belly dancers, Finian Kenny and Tony Bell. There were also plenty of delicious burgers and hot dogs available from the BBQ, laid on by Pietro from the Pierinos beach bar. The company ‘‘Exploramás’’ provided games and activities for children and adults alike.

The top three fundraisers (via individual sponsorship) were awarded with a prize; 1st prize went to Kim & Bente Gottlieb who raised 2,390 euros; followed by Enrique Gómez from Cajasol who raised more than 2,000 euros and 3rd prize went to Robert Troost and Ana Mª Arjona from the Scouts Group with nearly 2,000 euros. The leading group prize with the most sponsorship money went to Curves Gym in Arroyo de la Miel.

Trips away, weekend hotel stays and many other prizes were given to the participants.

Cudeca thanked all the participants and everyone who worked on the event for making it possible together with the sponsors RENFE, Benalmádena Town Hall, Sunset Beach Hotel, Hospital Xanit, Cajasol, Mc Donald's, Exploramás, Coca-Cola, REM.fm, Knight Insurance Brokers, Solinca, Dumher, Costa del Sol Council, CAMPSA and Málaga Hoy for their support and generosity.

Together we managed to raise nearly 45.000€, which will be put towards helping to save the in-patient unit from possible closure due to lack of funds and therefore will enable Cudeca to continue offering the ‘‘special kind of care’ ’ provided free of charge to patients suffering from advanced non-curable cancer - helping to add life to days of patients and support to their family after the loss of their loved one.

For more information on Cudeca or to become a Volunteer, please telephone the Centre on 952 56 49 10 or e-mail cudeca@cudeca.org.

costa life 59

A FASCINATING

Immigrant W

hilst walking our dog on the perimeter of our land when we lived on Dartmoor, I was suddenly surprised when over the top of a stone wall was the head of a llama. Was this Devon or Peru?

Then two more llama heads appeared and to express their surprise or disgust to our presence promptly spat at us. Then I remembered that our neighbours had acquired these animals from a zoo which had closed.

Animals do give you some interesting experiences. I was recounting the story to a friend in the car when he told me that he had pulled up his car to admire the view near Alora when an ostrich had put its head over a fence and gave him a sharp peck. Peter Sampson was as surprised as I had been and for a second thought he was in Africa.

I thought I was in Africa once when driving from Fuengirola to AlhaurĂ­n el Grande.

The strangest looking creature rapidly crossed the road in front of me and then sat up on its haunches, sniffed the air and then scuttled off into some scrubland. I had never seen this animal before and for good reason. It is usually a nocturnal animal which only occasionally comes out in daytime and that is to move from one hunting ground to another. This was the Ichneumon. This prehistoric looking creature is indeed African, or rather its ancestors were, living in the Nile valley and feeding on crocodile eggs. In millennia past it had wandered across the littoral of North Africa and come to what we now call Gibraltar. It had no problem crossing the straits because they were not there: Gibraltar was joined to Spain. Generations later the Atlantic broke

Written by

Peter Harrison

through to form the Mediterranean and many theological historians believe that this was the origin of the Biblical story of Noah’s flood and the Ark. Well the Ichneumon did not need to go two by two into the Ark; they had arrived in what is now Spain by terra firma and I was to witness one of the descendents. I felt very privileged, as indeed I feel every time I see an unusual animal in this wonderland of nature.

The Ichneumon is a relative of the mongoose which is the animal immortalised by Rudyard Kipling in his fascinating book Rikki Tikki Tavi. Many of us loved that book when we were children.

Usually the Ichneumon is between 45 and 105 centimetres in length, including the tail which is half the total. The one I saw was quite small, about half a metre, but that does not mean it was a baby. Far from it, for these animals grow from birth to full adult size in a very quick time as they are prodigious eaters. Although this animal looks aquatic it is not, even though it does enjoy finding a damp patch and making its home in a rock crevice there, providing there is tree cover. It has stubby legs, short hair, small ears and its long tail tapers.

This weird looking animal was once found all over Spain and, although there is no evidence of it becoming endangered, it seems to have become regional and the wanderlust instinct which made it leave Egypt and come here has led it to make its way to Andalucia and lucky for us!

I do wish it was not so essentially nocturnal, although you could be as fortunate as I was and discover one moving to a new hunting ground.

What hunters they are!

They usually join with others to hunt in a group and, when this happens, one ichneumon stands on guard as lookout for predators, whilst the others, using their extremely sharp claws, which do not retract, climb trees in search of eggs. There are not many crocodiles as there were in their native Nile valley so they have to make do with bird eggs and, I’m sorry to say, they do take the odd chick. Farmers report that chicken eggs are sometimes taken from a coop by Ichneumons and in the Doñana National Park, where quite a number of Ichneumons live, they seized a large waterfowl.

Once the Ichneumon has raided a nest they descend the trunk of a tree tail first and, as they do so, they deposit an anal smell on the bark to establish that this is their tree and reserved for their family. No community spirit here!

Eggs are a special delicacy for these animals and they have a clever way of opening them. Clutching them in their claws they throw them at a stone and then lick out the contents of a broken shell. Not many animals use tools like this. Who teaches them? The best teacher in the world in the animal kingdom….the mother. Her ability to teach her young does not end there. Mum has another trick to show them and this is how to deal with another favourite for dinner. The snake is greatly prized and this presents a challenge. Mother shows how to weave and duck in front of a snake, provoking the snake to strike back with a vengeance, but the young are remarkably agile and can avoid such moves in a way which would be the envy of any professional boxer. Once the snake is exhausted and wants to slide away and rest, the Ichneumon moves like lightning and with its sharp claws and teeth puts an end to the snake.

However the best laid plans go wrong sometimes and some young Ichneumons fall victim. There are usually four to a litter but some do not reach maturity because the snake is the winner. Life in the wild has its rough patches.

Because of their ability to attack snakes, some people take on Ichneumons as pets especially if the homestead is on rocky ground where snakes abound. This is usually a mistake as the Indian version of this animal can be trained to be a pet but very rarely the Spanish. There is also the danger that they are not of course selective and they may attack a kitten and thereby cause distress in the family. It is always best to leave such animals in the feral state where they belong. Children often long to make pets of wild things and it the responsibility of parents to point out the dangers and to stress that the animal will suffer and very probably die.

The arrival of the Ichneumon in the Iberian peninsular thousands of years ago makes interesting speculation for the future. Britain is now joined to Continental Europe by the tunnel and soon another may follow. Denmark and Sweden are linked by a bridge and plans exist to connect Morocco and Spain and to join up the islands which constitute Japan. Maybe Ireland will have a tunnel link to the United Kingdom and thereon by the existing tunnel to France. An examination of an atlas shows all kinds of future possibilities. Animals will be quick to seize the chance to exercise their wanderlust and search for new hunting grounds. However they have an inbuilt instinct which cautions them where not to go. When humans move animals from one territory to another all kinds of problems develop, like grey squirrels from America to parts of Europe and the damage that mink have inflicted on fish stocks. The shrinking world has seen immigration on a large scale, sometimes beneficially and sometimes inadvisably. Animals left to their instinct will rehabilitate with caution. When humans get involved let us hope it will be done with wisdom and professionalism and not just for profit. Our wildlife is precious and part of our future generation’s heritage.

>> costaSTUFF

Costa

Cuisine

by Jan Morley of FreezerMor

SIZZLING SUMMER NIGHTS...

This month we are looking at new fish recipes to toss onto the BBQ, and innovative ways to wow your guests!

Set the mood, masses of candles, great music, and a profusion of cool cocktails!

Fennel Butter: 2 tsp fennel seeds 125g/4oz butter, softened 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 2 tsp lemon juice

Handy Hints for Grilling Seafood:

METHOD

Fish cook rapidly on the grill, so don't wander far from your catch!

Unless you are grilling very delicate, thin fillets such as sole or flounder, you can skip the aluminum foil. Instead of sealing fillets in a foil packet where they won't benefit from the direct contact with the fire, lightly brush or spray them with oil to keep them from sticking to the cooking grate.

Fish is cooked to perfection when it is slightly opaque throughout.

Insert a sharp paring knife between the layers of the fish meat and turn it slightly to get a good look inside. If the fish still looks translucent in the center, give it a minute or two more.

Turn fish only once. Flipping fish back and forth can cause them to break up.

Firm fish such as tuna or salmon can be cooked directly on the grill if handled carefully. A hinged wire basket can be very useful when cooking more delicate fish such as perch, snapper or catfish, or for cooking shellfish.

Trout with Fennel butter Ingredients 4 whole trout 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper

62 costa life

Wash and dry the trout inside and out and using a sharp knife make several slashes on each side.

Mix together the thyme leaves, oil and some salt and pepper and rub over the fish making sure the flavourings are pressed well into the slashes. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the butter. Toast the fennel seeds in a dry frying pan until they turn golden and release their aniseed aroma. Cool slightly and grind to a fine powder in a spice mill or pestle and mortar.

Beat into the butter with the parsley, lemon juice and some pepper. Chill until required.

Brush the fish with a little extra oil and cook on a hot barbecue for 3-4 minutes each side until charred and cooked through. Rest for five minutes and serve with the fennel butter and a tomato and olive salad.

To fillet a cooked fish, it can be quite tricky particularly with trout, as it is quite flaky - I would remove the head, then use a spoon and run it along the backbone of the flesh of the fish - this should loosen the fillets.

costaSTUFF >>

Carefully lift off the top fillet using your fork to lead you and your spoon to hold the bottom of the fillet coming loose. If the fish is cooked to perfection then it will come away quite easily. If you find this a daunting task - use trout fillets to BBQ instead. Or, you can remove the head of the fish, scrape away the skin revealing the flesh, lift the fillet away from the bone and place on to a clean plate - with the help of your fingers (clean!) lift away the bone, this will leave you with a boneless bottom fillet.

Prawns with Rosemary and Honey Glaze Ingredients 3 sprigs of rosemary 2 lemons, zest and juice only 2 tbsp honey 100ml/3½fl oz light olive oil 400g Shell-on prawns

Method

Place the rosemary leaves, (keep the stalks), zest and juice of a lemon, in a bowl, add the honey and olive oil, and mix Remove the shells, just leave on the tail-end Throw in the prawns, toss to coat and marinate for 30 minutes.

Thread the prawns onto the rosemary stalks Place on the barbecue and grill for two minutes on each side Baste with the marinade on each side as the kebabs cook.

Serve.

Honey and Mustard fish steaks Ingredients 4 x 170g/6oz swordfish, shark or tuna steaks, juice of half a lime 100ml olive oil 50ml honey 2 dessert spoons wholegrain mustard dash Tabasco sauce

Salsas, sauces and Dips All barbequed food benefits from marinating before cooking, to infuse complementary flavours of herbs and spices. It is a good idea to offer an assortment of delicious salsas or dips to spice up the fish and meats.

Mexican Tomato and Pepper Salsa This salsa has the benefit of being a sauce and relish all in one. There's no fat or sugar included, and the flavour is superb. The small, green chillies are not too hot, so if you'd like a little more kick to this you can add a few drops of Tabasco, or use red chillies.

Serv es

Ingredients 4 large tomatoes, skinned and deseeded 1 fresh green chilli halved and deseeded ½ medium red onion, finely chopped ½ small red pepper 2 heaped tablespoons chopped fresh coriander or basil juice 1 lime salt and freshly milled black pepper Simply, dice the tomatoes, pepper, onion, chillies, squeeze over the lime juice, finely chop the herbs, season and stir.

Leave covered in fridge for an hour until flavours meld together.

4

MANGO AND GINGER MAYONNAISE Finely chop the flesh of 1 fresh ripe mango, stir in the juice of half a lime, add 1 teaspoon of grated fresh root ginger, stir in small bunch chopped coriander and 200ml of ready made mayonnaise.

Method

Preheat the grill or barbecue.

Place the steaks into a bowl and pour over the lime juice.

Combine the olive oil, honey, mustard and the Tabasco sauce and spread evenly over the steaks. Cover and leave in a cool place for about 1 hour.

Place onto a prepared grill or barbecue and cook for 5 minutes, basting occasionally with any remaining marinade mixture.

Turn the steaks over, and continue to cook for a further 5-7 minutes.

Serve with a selection of salads, salsas, sauces and dips.

costa life 63

>> costaSTUFF

WHOSE HAND CREATED ALL THIS?

A

s I look at a garden with the wonderful contrasting colours of flowers and shrubs, the different shades of green of the trees and the amazing carpet of green lawn, a sense of gratitude rises up in me for all the beauty that surrounds us. How dull life would be without it!

For those who live in a city of skyscrapers with concrete and glass and just the occasional tree-lined street, a day in the country is a rare treat where the simple beauty of nature and the sound of birds and various other country creatures can be enjoyed.

Here in Spain we are able to enjoy a profusion of colour and variety with bougainvilleas cascading over walls, hibiscus flowers in various hues, and pots of colourful geraniums displayed against the whitewashed walls of Spanish homes to name but a few of the plants we can enjoy. Simon Hill’s articles on gardening in Spain give us some idea of the variety that it's possible to create in a garden.

But in using the word ‘create’ I have to point out that we can only do that with what has already been created. It is impossible for man to create something out of nothing! There must always be something existing to start with.

The story is told of man challenging God in this way …. ‘‘Well, God, we have now advanced so much that we have reached the stage where we can make our own man from the basic elements. All we need is some soil and water. We don't need you any more.’’ And God looked down from heaven and said ‘‘That’s fine but find your own soil and water. That belongs to me!’’

With all modern man’s genius in discovering new technology, sending people to the moon and exploring other planets, do we ever stop to think about the natural beauty around us? Sadly we know that man himself is responsible for destroying our earth as we ‘progress’ into the future but, thankfully, efforts are being made to halt the destruction for future generations.

How loving and generous is our Creator! He created all this beauty and wonder around us for us to enjoy. How is it possible for the atheist and the evolutionist to think that there is no God? God says Himself that He will show his anger from heaven against all those who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. (Romans 1:18-20 NLT) In fact to the eye of the artist, the exquisite beauty of flowers, the shape of the leaves on a tree and the design of a butterfly’s wings 64 costa life

should all demonstrate the creative hand of the Master Artist.

What joy He must have taken in painting the colours on the peacock’s wings and the kingfisher’s magnificent colour scheme! And why did He do all that? The Book of Beginnings in the Bible tells us clearly that He made everything for man to enjoy.

If you are finding it difficult to believe in a Creator, to accept that He is the One who holds the earth in His hand and continues to uphold it by the word of His power, look around you at the simplicity of nature and ask yourself if it could possibly have just ‘happened’ by accident.

Whether or not we believe that He exists doesn’t change God. He exists!

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 93 02 75 E-mail: tecfellowship@gmail.com Website: www.ecfmijas.com Pastors Peter and Annette Riggall

>> costaSTUFF

By Russell Vaughan Mintmicro S.L 951160411

Replace MS Office for free If you have a borrowed or non genuine copy of Microsoft Office then worry no more.

Open Office 2.4 is an open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and is available in many languages, works on all common computers and can also read and write files from other common office software packages like MS Office, Works, WordPerfect the list goes on.

Open-source has been around for years, programs that are written by 1000’s of developers around the world. Most open-source programs have the code written in and store the data in an international open standard format. Better still these types of programs can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose (work or home).

So I downloaded it and installed in on my work laptop (running on MS Vista business), a 127MB file arrived, I Clicked run it asked me what MS office files I normally use then updated java on my computer a few minutes later I was up and running.

When did you last clean that keyboard?

Your computer desk can be dirtier than your toilet!! In 2001 the University of Arizona measured normal bacterial levels inside offices across the USA and reported that the average desk harbours 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.

Last month a study commissioned by UK consumer magazine ‘‘Which Computing’’ found over 33,000 germs in a test of 256 keyboards from around the country they also tested 12 surfaces around the average office and discovered that your computer keyboard carried more germs and bacteria than the office toilet with the telephone handset in that list of buggy office tools. The reason is that these days as we spend more time at our computers, we eat, drink and spill in our workspace. In most offices we clean the floors and dustbins even replacing them from time to time but when was the last time you had your keyboard or telephone handset or headset replaced?

The problem is the gaps between the keys missing keys and shared workspaces are all hiding places for dirt and bacteria. The report suggests that everyone cleans their workspace on a daily basis with disinfecting wipes which decreases bacteria level tremendously (99,9%).

People who did not use wipes caused an bacteria increase on other devices as they touch their keyboard then answer the phone or use a pen

After a week of use I can confirm word documents, excel spreadsheets even Lotus files all work and best of all, Open Office can be downloaded and used entirely free it can be used for any purpose domestic, commercial, educational, public administration. You may install it on as many computers as you like. You may make copies and give them away to family, friends, students and employees - anyone you like.

So go to my website http://www.mintmicro.es and click the free office link and get a genuine copy of Open office software. from someone else’s workspace. A simple mini hand vacuum will get rid of some of the dust and dead skin. Replacing the keyboard periodically will also help, especially if you eat over your workspace.

An interesting study if you ask me, I will go out later and buy a mini vac and some disinfection wipes.

Xerox invents green paper Rank Xerox has invented some clever things over the years but this is one for the future as last month their scientists demonstrated paper that can be reused after printed text automatically deletes itself from the paper’s surface within 24 hours. Instead of trashing or recycling after one use, a single piece of paper can be used a second time, and reused up to 100 times, said Eric Shrader, area manager at the Xerox lab.

Predictions that paper would disappear in the 1970s in favour of electronic office never happened and as the number of electronic documents produced increases, about two to five pages are printed in the office for daily use, like email messages and web pages, which are discarded or recycled after being read. ‘‘Reusable paper reduces that waste and is environmentally safe, and reuse also helps reduce overall printing and paper costs’’, said a company spokesman. The same paper can be used again and again - significantly reducing overall paper use.

The ecological impact is obvious - fewer trees cut down no land fill sites full of used Ink cartridges and a whole host of other benefits for the environment.

If you’re listening Xerox what about a photo copier that translates Spanish, I hear that my wish may soon be granted as I have just discovered that Xerox have invented a photocopier that translates Japanese.

66 costa life

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>> costa STUFF

David Beckham on Sesame Street…

Former England captain David Beckham has appeared with Elmo on the American TV show Sesame Street. He popped up in a sketch to introduce viewers to a new word; he picked persistence, and explained why it was so important to him. He loves dealing with kids and thought it would be a great way to get through to them.

Colin Firth snapped in toilet…

Colin was using the toilet during the interval of a Broadway show when he spotted the man using the next urinal pointing a camera at him, he asked the man what he was doing, he replied that he was not taking pictures of him…I gave him a bit of a shove, a girly shove, ‘‘well its hard to do when your not entirely in your pants, the pictures are probably all over the internet by now.’’

Lindsay Lohan in alleged for coat theft…

The fur is still flying in the case of Lindsay Lohan and the missing mink coat: Now the actress has been slapped with a lawsuit accusing her of taking the fur without permission. Masha Markova, 22, claims that Lohan took her $12,000 golden sheared mink coat when they were both at the New York City nightclub. Markova, a New York college student, says she was flipping through a magazine and found a photo of Lohan wearing her coat.

Harrison Ford is a real life Indiana Jones Harrison Ford, who helped glamorize archaeology on the big screen with his iconic character Indiana Jones, is lending his star power to the Archaeological Institute of America. Ford has been chosen to be on the Bostonbased organization’s board of directors, which promotes archaeological excavations, research, education and preservation worldwide.

>> There will be blood Daniel Day-Lewis, Ciarán Hinds, Kevin J. O'Connor, Barry Del Sherman, Dillon Freasier There Will Be Blood is Anderson’s loose adaptation of the novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair, and it focuses its attentions on Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), a failed silver miner who happens upon black gold during a disastrous excavation that ends in a broken leg. Pulling himself up from the bowels of the earth, both literally and metaphorically, Plainview embarks on a systematic and steadfast approach to mastering the oil business.

>> In Bruges Colin Farrell, Brenden Gleeson , Ralph Fiennes.

Bruges (pronounced ‘‘broozh’’), the most wellpreserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travellers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), it could be their final destination; a difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered right before Christmas by their London boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks.

>> Definitely, Maybe Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz Advertising exec Will Hayes (Reynolds) is about to get divorced and tells a story to his young daughter (Abigail Breslin): he recounts three previous romantic relationships, and she is to try to guess which of the women he married.

There's his college sweetheart (Banks) and two very different women (Fisher and Weisz) he meets in New York while working on the 1992 Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Derek Luke and Kevin Kline also appear in the movie.

>> The Spiderwick Chronicles Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte, Mary-Louise Parker Based on a best-selling series of children's books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, this is a family movie about kids and magical creatures. Young Jared (Freddie Highmore), his identical twin Simon (also Freddie Highmore) and their older sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) move with their newly divorced mom (Mary-Louise Parker) to a creepy old Victorian mansion out in the country. The house was once the residence of Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn). But the property is inhabited by goblins, sprites, fairies, griffins and the like, and the kids have lots of adventures.

>> costa STUFF

Funny quotes…

Rarely is the question asked: is our children learning.

George W Bush You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is ‘never try’.

Homer Simpson

The Silent Treatment…

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, ‘‘Please wake me at 5:00 am’’ He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 am and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn’t wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, ‘‘It is 5:00 am. Wake up.’’

Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

Sick leave…

I urgently needed a few days off work, But, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take the time off. I thought that maybe if I acted ‘‘Crazy’’ then he would tell me to take a few days off. So, I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises. My co-worker (who’s blonde) asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb, so, that the Boss might think I was ‘‘Crazy’’ and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, ‘‘What are you doing?’’ I told him I was a light bulb.

He said, ‘‘You are clearly stressed out.’’ Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.’’

I jumped down and walked out of the office.....

When my co-worker (the blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her, ‘‘And where do you think you’re going?!’’ She said, ‘‘I’m going home too. I can’t work in the dark.’’

Call centre conversations…

Celebrities’ real names…

Directory Enquiries

Elle MacPherson = Eleanor Gow Dean Martin = Dino Crocetti Michael Keaton = Michael Douglas Eminem = Marshall Bruce Mathers III Vin Diesel = Mark Vincent Tom Cruise = Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

Caller:

‘‘I’d like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please’’.

Operator: ‘‘I’m sorry, there’s no listing. Is the spelling correct?’’

Caller: ‘‘Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the ‘B’ fell off’’.

Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.

Operator: ‘‘Woven? Are you sure?’’

Caller: ‘Yes. That’s what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland’’.

70 costa life

costa STUFF >> Sudoku answers for Issue 38

6

3 5 9 6

1 8

4

8 9 5

9

3

3

2

2

8

7

1 4 5

4 3

1

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. Peril (8) 5. Rim (4) 9. Similar (5) 10. Extinct elephant (7) 11. Aromatic seasoning (7) 12. Wild feline (5) 13. Gaped (6) 15. Winner (6) 19. Go in (5) 21. Farmer's calendar (7) 23. Italian red wine (7) 24. Inexperienced (5) 25. Luxuriant (4) 26. Fierce (8)

Down 1. Envious (7) 2. Mediterranean fruit tree (5) 3. Norm (7) 4. Type of plum (6) 6. Shortage of rainfall (7) 7. Used as an anesthetic (5) 8. Leave out (4) 14. Achieves (7) 16. Vast (7) 17. Wealthiest (7) 18. Of the sea (6) 19. Surpass (5) 20. Rip (4) 22. Dissonance (5)

Crossword answers for Issue 38 costa life 71

>> costa GUIDE

>>

Useful numbers & information TRANSPORT >> AIRPORTS

EMERGENCIES >> LOCAL POLICE Local Police Alhaurin el Grande Alora Antequera Arroyo de la Miel Benalmádena, Málaga, Marbella & Ronda Cartama Coin Estepona Fuengirola Local Fuengirola Municipal Nerja Torremolinos

092 952 491 074 952 496 468 952 708 104 952 562 142 092 952 422 211 952 453 267 952 800 243 952 580 900 952 197 090 952 521 545 952 376 000

>> NATIONAL POLICE National Police Guardia Civil Alhaurin el Grande Alhaurin del la Torre Alora Cartama Coin

>> MEDICAL SERVICES Emergencies

>> AMBULANCE Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Málaga & Marbella

902 505 061

>> STATE HOSPITALS

062 952 595 830 952 960 067 952 496 020 952 422 639 952 450 138

Calle Mauricio Moro, Pareta, 22nd Floor, MÁLAGA. Open 08:30 - 13:30 Enquiries 952 352 300

MARKET PLACES MONDAYS >> Alora, Marbella near the football stadium

TUESDAYS >> Benamagosa, Fuengirola (Feria Ground), Nerja weekly market (Calle Chaparil)

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 >> Benalmadena Parque de la Paloma, La Cala, Estepona, La Linea, Rincon de la Victoria

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

080 952 455 020 952 804 483 952 461 046 952 774 349 952 381 414

091

>> GUARDIA CIVIL

952 048 844 00350 73026

Malaga Gibraltar

>> FIRE BRIGADE Benalmádena, Málaga & Mijas Coin Estepona Fuengirola Marbella Torremolinos

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

Wonderful Homes and Grounds

Ref AEG613 Alhaurín El Grande €750,000

Ref EDC619 Cártama Estación €399,500

Ref CNN609

Impressive detached home in the heart of Andalucian countryside, 2kms from Alhaurín, quality & stylish build, amazing garden, over 12 varieties of fruit trees, pool, all services, 4 beds, 2 baths, 4 car garage.

Super 3 bedroom home set on 3,000m2 of land, fabulous pool, terraced surround and views. Mature garden with fruit trees, all services connected, aircon throughout, fully fitted, quality kitchen.

5 bedroom, immaculate villa in great location.

Landscaped, low maintenance garden, pool, great roof terrace & views over to Coín & Alhaurín. Luxurious, quality fittings throughout, super bathrooms & kitchen.

Like this? Then checkout ALA119 on www.casaymara.com

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Coín

€730,000

All Available for Under €150,000

Ref ZAL094

Zalea

€149,500

Ref CAR451

Cártama

€125,000

Ref TLX618

Tolox

€79,900

Genuine Bargain. Large, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, well presented townhouse with large sun terrace, garden, car port & outbuilding. Great access, walking distance to all amenities. All services connected.

Totally refurbished - from floor to ceiling - lovely 2 bedroom townhouse with fitted kitchen, full bathroom.

Panoramic views from cosy patio, conservatory dining room, hot & cold aircon plus all services.

3 bedroom, bargain townhouse in the sought after spa town of Tolox. Corner position with roof terrace & nice view. Separate donkey stable/ground perfect for a vegetable garden! Fabulous potential.

Like this? Then checkout SRA344 on www.casaymara.com

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Investment Opportunities

Ref ALA608 Álora offers above €850,000

Ref ALC614

Business Opportunity. Reduced from 1,200,000€.

Refurbished Penthouse, 8 studio apartments, industrial kitchen, bar, 100 seat restaurant & plenty of parking.

Fabulous connections between Alora and Malaga.

Investment opportunity with endless potential. Possible 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with sun terrace & garden.

Needs total refurbishment. Located in a charming inland town with good links to Jaen & Granada.

Alcaudete

€49,500

Ref PZA558

Beautiful home with enormous terrace & round pool set in almost 100,000m2 of your own land.

Spectacular location & panoramic views. 5 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Many local & fruit trees. All services.

Pizarra

€669,500

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