14 6
In this issue... costa celebrity
6
Cover story
John Christophe Novelli Exclusive Interview
costa culture
10
Carreteras - Can take their toll by Mike Wilkinson
costa getaways
14
Cover story
Cordoba by Harvey Mann
costa lifestyle
20 22 23 24 26 28 30
32
Health News A round up of this month’s health news
costa companies
34
Local Business Reports plus Charities and Events News
costa homes
40 44
San Juan The night of bonfires Cover story
Interiors Secret Spanish Gardens
Depression in a Recession What Men Want What Women Want Men’s Stuff Steps to end a conversation Cover story
Stay safe in the sun
50 52 56 58 60
Sowing your own by Simon Hill
Giving you a shock by Peter Harrison Costa Cuisine Summer Pudding
Bytes & Pieces Spiritual Thought Auto News DVD / Movie reviews Formula 1 Report Showbiz Whispers & Gossip Strange But True & Challenge Auto News
26
Financial News
costa stuf f
Beauty tips & secrets Dominic Jams Weight training tips for beginners
Guide... to buying a property in Spain
62 64 66 68 70 74 76 78
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Editor Sharon Holdsworth Consulting Editor Harvey Mann Design and Production David Philliskirk Advertising Sales Ronan Holdsworth IT Advisor Dave Howard Web Master Mike Wilkinson Contributors Peter Harrison Simon Hill Elio Howard Dominic James Annika Jonsson Harvey Mann Jan Morley Cruella Parsons Annette Riggall Gayle Russell Russell Vaughan Mike Wilkinson Company Director Ronan Holdsworth Partner Barrie Shearman
Hello and welcome... to issue 49 of Costa Life Magazine and a big hello and welcome to all our new readers in Marbella and Nueva Andalucía. Well, last month we celebrated our fifth anniversary and before we have even managed to get over that celebration we are looking forward to another! Our next issue will be number 50! The weather is hotting up and summer is well upon us, and believe it or not we are starting to plan for the next ‘‘Change a Life Ball’’ at the Tamisa golf hotel on 5th September. if you fancy a great night out and a chance to get all dolled up then log onto our website for more info or call the office on 952 492 250 or email ball@costalifemagazine.com to order your tickets. It’s a great night out and I am sure you could all do with a bit of fun in the current climate. We also hope that you enjoy our new look Costa Life, we have been working really hard on this new look and we hope it is to your liking. We believe that there is an opportunity to expand our distribution at the moment and have decided to push the boat out and have a go at reaching new audiences and of course new clients. We had a great time meeting Jean Christophe Novelli and are planning many more celebrity interviews over the coming months. On a serious note we would like to send our best wishes to our Mike Wilkinson who has been in hospital for a few weeks and has not been well. So much so he was unable to get his article done for this issue. However, he did not want to miss being in our first, new style magazine so we gave him the choice of re running his favourite article which he chose to be ‘‘Carreteras.’’ So for those of you who are new to Costa Life I am sure you will enjoy Mike’s own personal favourite. Our next magazine is our double July/August summer issue and will be out around the 10th July. Where has the year gone? Hasn’t it flown so far? I do hope it slows down. No really, it’s ridiculous how the time is passing by. Is it my age? I don’t know but I don’t like the speed of time at the moment! Anyway, keep smiling and have a great June, see you in July.
Images courtesy of Costa del Sol Tourist Board PR Shots
Deposito Legal MA-0054-2004 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.
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>> costa CELEBRITY
Jean Christophe
Novelli
talks to Costa life about his life, career and his new restaurant in Puerto Banus 6 costa life
costa CELEBRITY >>
A
s most of the coast will know, Jean Christophe Novelli, who has been described as the UK’s favourite French Chef, recently opened his new restaurant in Puerto Banus at the Lorcrimar Hotel. With a career spanning 30 years Jean Christophe Novelli has become one of the most popular chefs on both sides of the Atlantic. We caught up with him to have a chat about his life and career.
He was born in 1961 and he began his exciting career at the age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, becoming private Head Chef to Elie de Rothschild in Paris before the age of 20. He remembers his early days of learning and told us that it was the smell of the bakery and the fresh bread that drew him into the world of cooking. A hyperactive child and, by his own admission, a bit of a dunce at school (he was given sedatives and placed in remedial class for fighting) he left at 14 to work in a local bakery. He found the smells captivating and soon graduated from cleaning the bread tins to glazing the croissants. Twice a week he would accompany his mother to market, marveling as she guided herself around the fresh produce stalls with her eyes closed. Afterwards, watching her prepare simple dishes in their cramped kitchen, Novelli was also infected by what he calls the ‘‘melodious process of cooking’’. He also recalls how, being the youngest in the bakery, he was subject to all the usual tricks and skull duggery bestowed on any young apprentice. He tells us the story of how he was once dunked in a pan of meringue ‘‘it was everywhere, up my nose, in my ears, down my throat. I remember thinking at the time that I was going to drown in meringue!’’ From being locked outside the bakery in the early hours to getting covered in flour and eggs he says it was ‘‘tough school’’ but it prepared him for the future and certainly toughened him up. ‘‘Compared to these guys Gordon Ramsey is a pussycat’’. His life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. After working for the Rothschild family, Elie de Rothschild got it into his head that his brilliant young chef should cross the Channel to learn English. At the age of 22 he made his way across the channel to start a new life and a new language in the UK. He spent a year taking care of Keith Floyd’s pub, ‘The Maltsters’, as Head Chef whilst Keith was filming his famous TV Shows. In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened his first restaurant, Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London, followed quickly by Novelli W8, Novelli EC1 and Les Saveurs in Mayfair. In addition to his mini empire,
At the opening of Novelli’s with his brother and the ladies from Loose Women and Emmerdale
>>
costa life 7
>> costa CELEBRITY Jean-Christophe also launched Novelli at the Cellars; Cape Town’s leading five-star Relais ET Chateaux Hotel, Moulin de Jean in Normandy, France and was Chef Consultant on Sea France Ferries.
‘‘Gordon Ramsey is a pussycat compared to the guys in the bakery’’ By 1998 he had a seven-restaurant empire, 200 staff and two further Michelin stars. Then misfortune struck. Novelli had expanded too fast and spread himself too thinly. Others say he was a poor businessman and had forgotten to pay a £350,000 VAT bill - typical, say his critics, of his Gallic disdain for the niceties of English tax law. He says of the period: ‘‘As we say in France, I swallowed the frog. I had stopped being a chef, I was a bad businessman’’. Whatever, it was a stressful time for all concerned. South African model Anzelle Visser, who had just taken Novelli's name, found herself having to take calls from irate creditors - a factor that may have contributed to the break-up of their marriage. Then the accountant resigned and Novelli came down with a bad case of shingles. Marco Pierre White came to his rescue by providing funds to keep Maison Novelli open, giving him a chance for a fresh start. After all, he still had his reputation and good looks! For the next few years he continued to work hard and got his T.V. break in 2003 appearing on ‘‘The Games.’’ In 2005 he appeared on Hells Kitchen when he became one of two Head Chefs in the second series with Gary Rhodes. Jean Christophe became the head of the blue kitchen. But this time the two chefs had to teach normal people rather than celebs. He recalls how his plate smashing incident lifted the popularity of the show and how the clip of him smashing plates and losing his temper with one of the contestants was aired all over Europe. He laughs ‘‘even in France this incident was shown on television, I couldn’t believe
it; I knew afterwards I shouldn't have done it, I could have hurt someone, and we could have got sued!’’ Although it was unintentional and he says certainly not deliberate he admits the incident sent the ratings through the roof as people tuned in to see his ravings. He feels this T.V. moment made a marked contribution to his growing popularity and says that at that time the second series of the show which had Gary Rhodes as his opposing team leader was slipping in ratings but it soon picked up again after his eruption and went on to be a great success. At around the same time The Novelli Academy opened its doors on April 22nd 2005 and, within three months, was voted amongst the ‘Top 25 Cookery Schools in the World’. Jean-Christophe restored part of his 14th century Hertfordshire farmhouse so that the Novelli Academy could be accommodated in his own home. In September 2007 Jean-Christophe was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Bedfordshire University for his 30 years of dedication to his craft and outstanding achievements in cooking. JeanChristophe is only the 3rd Chef in history to achieve this recognition! Jean-Christophe is also a well-known TV chef having appeared on a wide variety of the UK’s most popular cookery programmes including Daily Cooks, Saturday Cooks, Richard & Judy’s Tender Loving Cooking and Maa Osama Atyab in the UAE. In addition, he has also featured on an impressive selection of prime time TV shows including Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Hell’s Kitchen, Celebrity X Factor, Loose Women, Through the Keyhole, The Apprentice, The Alan Titchmarsh show, BBC Breakfast and MTV Cribs. He makes regular appearances at regional, national and international events including the Festival of Dubai, Ideal Home Show, The France Show, BBC Good Food Shows, Grand Designs and Homes and Gardens and in April 2008 launched London Restaurant Week. Jean-Christophe also has extensive consultancy agreements with a number of blue chip companies including Carlsberg and Volkswagen UK.
Jean-Christophe signed a deal in 2008 with Mentorn USA for an exclusive series for NBC BRAVO. ‘‘Chef Academy’’ is a nine part series that chronicles his move to Los Angeles as he opens a cooking school, which will air in December 2009. Ten chefs with varying levels of cooking ability are set to be trained by Novelli, all of whom want to improve their skills, some to a professional standard. A second series is expected to be filmed early in 2010. On 7 January 2009 he also appeared as a judge on Top Chef, an American reality competition show that also airs on Bravo, in which chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants eliminated each week. This year, has been an exciting one so far. In January, Jean-Christophe was once again the ‘face’ of the France Show 2009 at Earls Court in London where he hosted his own Cookery Theatre for three days. The demonstrations were watched by as many as 600 people per show. In February 2009 he was invited to Russia for the French Cuisine Restaurant Week at the Pavilion Restaurant in Moscow where he personally designed a special menu which provided the clientele with a ‘‘fusion taste experience extraordinaire’’. His plans for 2009 are many and varied and mirror his determination to continually expand his horizons. Not only April was a busy month for him it was also a very exciting month! He became one of the very
‘‘It was everywhere, up my nose, in my ears, down my throat. I remember thinking at the time that I was going to drown in meringue!’’ Private room
Novelli’s restaurant 8 costa life
costa CELEBRITY >> few chefs to return to Hell’s Kitchen, the blockbuster reality show which this time takes a new collection of celebrities to face devilish challenges which only the Kitchen can produce. He says that he was flattered to be invited back to the show which he feels really launched his T.V. career. Although he has worked with most of the well known T.V. chefs he says that Marco Pierre White is his favourite and that it was he who changed the rules of cooking in the UK and helped to launch such successful careers as Gordon Ramsey. Twice divorced with a 21 year old daughter named Christina from his first marriage, Novelli got engaged in November 2007 to his girlfriend of 2 years, Michelle Kennedy, with the couple announcing in February 2008 that they were expecting their first child. On the 29 August 2008, the couple welcomed a healthy baby boy called Jean Frank Patrick Kennedy, in Los Angeles. Jean-Christophe also teamed up with Pizza Hut in April to celebrate the launch of their Salad Station by creating an exclusive ‘limited edition’ salad dressing containing gold and champagne among a host of tantalizing ingredients. Later on in the year, on the other side of the Atlantic, Jean-Christophe will be setting up a Novelli Academy / Chefs Table in Los Angeles, building on the success of his TV series which he will use as a spring board to launch a new and innovative culinary regime on the American continent. He is currently in training for the London Triathlon, Olympic distance in August 2009. He loves football and his favourite team is Middlesborough and he doesn’t have a favourite French team! The past 12 years have seen the chef open a sevenrestaurant empire, gain four Michelin stars, go bankrupt, lose the restaurants, be divorced (twice) and gain TV celebrity on Hell’s Kitchen. Now he has a new family, a new restaurant in Spain and a bright T.V. future both in the UK and in the USA. His key he says is that you have to have belief and passion about what you do. I asked him if when he went bankrupt he lost his belief and he delivered an emphatic ‘‘no, never. I lost everything, everything, but never stopped believing. I came to Spain and spent time in Ronda with my brother and re grouped and started again. You can make thousands of mistakes in life but you should always learn from them, it’s the only way to grow.’’ On money he says that he is not tight but is now much more aware of his finances. ‘‘When I went bankrupt I was drunk on success, I spent money like there was no tomorrow, I employed friends, family, anybody, but now I have learned to watch and take care of my money, I don’t spend huge amounts of money on cars like Ferraris, I look at them and think I could buy two apartments for the same money, much wiser’’. With regards to his new restaurant in Banus at The Hotel Lorcrimar he says. ‘‘This is a wonderful opportunity to create the most exciting cuisine which will feature the finest foods, the most fabulous flavours and an originality which will make Hotel Lorcrimar the undisputed centre ‘where the elite meet to eat’. It is my goal that this new restaurant will stimulate the appetites and tastebuds of all those who seek the very best ‘fine dining experience’’’.
‘‘I love white chocolate Maltesers; I can eat bags of them’’ Nestled in the nearby hills is the Sisu Retreat where Jean-Christophe is simultaneously opening his new Academy where local residents and visitors to Marbella can improve their skills in the kitchen, enjoy new taste experiences or simply appreciate the outstanding culinary skills of the Master Chef. The Novelli cookery courses are designed to appeal to all ages and abilities, novice or experienced. The Novelli Academy team aim to make cookery and wine appreciation accessible to everyone and JeanChristophe personally hosts a number of courses. Whatever the future holds for this most popular of T.V. chefs it is sure that Jean Christophe will be around for years to come; he has learned many tough lessons in life but believes they are lessons that have helped him to survive and continue on in the passion of his work and in the end rebuild his career and achieve success. Jean Christophe is, as most people who have met him will agree, a charming guy with a huge passion for his craft and, in fact, for life. He has recently become a father again and is looking forward to a very busy time over the next couple of years what with his restaurant ventures and T.V. work. He's a genuine down to earth guy and we wish him all the success for the future.
Awards and Acolades Four consecutive Michelin Stars. 5 AA Rosettes ‘AA Chefs Chef of the Year’ 1998 ‘European Chef of the Year’ competition representing Great Britain, ‘Face of the Future’ the Times 1986 ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Carlton TV Awards ‘Dessert of the Year 1992’ for his famous Jack-in-the-Box dessert, ‘Restaurant of the Year’, awarded on numerous occasions ‘Best Restaurant of the Year outside London’
Favourite colour - blue Favourite word/phrase ‘‘great’’ Least favourite word/phrase ‘‘I don't know’’ Three favourite foods - pasta, white chocolate maltesers, coffee Job you would love to do if you weren’t a chef - architect Job you could never do - con man Favourite football team - Middlesborough Favourite noise - running water/waterfall
Novelli’s Restaurant Hotel Lorcrimar Tel: 952 906 105 www.hotel-lorcrimar.com costa life 9
>> costa CULTURE
Carreteras
can take their toll By Mike Wilkinson
10 costa life
costa CULTURE >> here are a number of things that you need to carry with you when you drive a foreignregistered car in Spain. At all times you must have the following - your passport, your current driving licence, your valid insurance certificate, the receipt from the insurers showing that your insurance policy is paid up to date, your vehicle registration document, a national identity plate (GB etc), two red warning triangles, a reflective yellow jacket, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a set of spare bulbs, a cuddly toy, a microwave oven and a partridge in a pear tree. And if any of the items from the list are missing you will possibly end up getting an on-the-spot fine or even more likely, get your car towed away by the grúa. Furthermore, although a driving licence from another EU country is legally valid in Spain it is only a temporary measure, and if you are here for the long haul you’re supposed to take your existing licence to the local provincial traffic department to be stamped and registered. You should also be aware that by far the best way of negotiating Spanish roads is either as a pedestrian or as a passenger on a bus, train or in a cab… but definitely not as a driver in a foreign-registered car.
Herein lay my first problem… I didn’t know the way. That’s not good. Driving in an unfamiliar car, in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar road signs and strange flashing yellow traffic lights, on the wrong side of the road, without a clue about where you are or how to get to where you want to be, being attacked from all quarters by loco moto riders with the balance and agility of a trapeze artist but with the safety-consciousness of road-kill lying in the gutter… man, this ain’t good!
I know these things now, but it wasn’t always that way. We have to go back to the days when I had only recently managed to relocate myself away from the blight of “Old Blighty” and on to the sunny shores of Spain.
Hey… if it don’t kill you, it can only make you stronger.
T
I must have been having one of those moments of feeling strangely unfamiliar with myself when I agreed on the deal. What on earth did I need a car for, anyway? Negotiating traffic as a pedestrian had been difficult enough, up until then, as it was. In fact, just negotiating pedestrians as a pedestrian had not been without incident! But I was quite happy pedestrian-ing along in my own sweet way, and blissfully unaware of the untold follies awaiting me once I started driving a foreign-registered car in Spain. So, there I was, blissfully unaware and about to buy myself a motor. Untold adventures of driving through mountain passes, discovering hot springs and hidden mountain lakes deep in the Spanish countryside were flashing through my mind as I turned the key in the ignition and it started first time. “Yeah, man... it starts first time,” enthused Davethe-Spade as he consolidated his sale. “It’s a great little runner. A babe magnet. And being as it’s a right-hand-drive foreign-registered motor you don’t need any of that MOT or ITV stuff. All the paperwork’s in order - it’s all in the boot. By the way, can you give me a lift to the airport? ”Yeah, that’s right, Dave, leave the country quick, before my reality check. I ended up as a passenger while Dave-the-Spade drove to the airport, and it wasn’t until he’d disappeared through the departure lounge doors that I was really on my own.
OK… let’s get driving, my little beauty… take me home!
I managed to find my way to the autopista with tolerable difficulty. On the way I noted that the Spanish hadn’t really sussed out how to use roundabouts properly yet. I thought you were supposed to give way to traffic from the left… apparently it’s not obligatory. And on arrival at the motorway, I also noted that whatever the Spanish word for “slip road” was, it wouldn’t translate into “slip road” in English. You cannot slip into the traffic from here. It’s not a slip road, it’s a Tjunction – there’s a solid white line with a “STOP” sign at the bottom. It requires a standing start and revving to the max to get into a tiny gap between cement-mixers and juggernauts thundering by at 100km/h, who seem to be playing some kind of game of chicken with each other. I’m mentally on the wrong side of the road and physically on the wrong side of the car… and I can see diddley squat!
And it gets no better once you’re safely on the motorway. Did I say “safely”? No… there’s nothing here to give you a feeling of safety. Male machismo rules here. It’s no wonder that roads deaths are such a constant feature on Spanish television news – more than twice that of the UK, in fact. If you drive in the slow lane, trying to feel safe, you are hassled by a host of heavy construction vehicles vying for superiority in a game that only drivers of heavy construction vehicles in the slow lane know how to play. If you move out to the middle lane to avoid them you are attacked from both sides by speeding, swerving cars trying to stay out of the slow-lane and fast-lane games. If you move out into the fast lane then you become a player in another game. I don’t know the name of the game but the basic rule is to intimidate anyone in the fast lane by driving right up to their bumper to force them to pull across into a slower lane. But then you find yourself back in the middle-lane game, where you’re attacked from both sides by speeding swerving cars…and so it goes on ad infinitum! Is there no end?
Let me of f, please. So I got off the motorway to slower, safer roads. Did I say “safer”? No… there’s nothing here either, to give you a feeling of safety. Ignorance, impatience, idiocy and blindness rule here. Sun-blindness that is. I’ve just got off the madness-expressway and I find myself in a jungle. The trees in this jungle are represented by road signs and traffic lights. Trafficlight trees are tall. So tall that you have to look up high to see them, high into the sun. You cannot see the colour of the light… only the colour of sunblindness. The only way you know the lights have
changed to green is when you hear the horns. The horns of impatience. To appease the horns, I set off to go. As I moved forward I noticed that the traffic light was still on red… next to the yellow flashing one, that is. It suddenly dawned on me what the yellow flashing one meant. It’s a shame I had to learn it this way, I thought, but as I wanted to go straight on, the horns-of-impatience-blowing cab-driver behind me can wait. I tried to pull forward a little, to give him space to turn right, behind me, but he just kept on sounding his horn… and then his siren… and then there were these blue flashing lights… and a policeman frantically gesticulating at me.
<THOUGHT> yes, of ficer… of course I’ll just pull over to the right. My Spanish was none too good at the time but when the officer with the gun on his belt politely asked me to “envenom us documentation” I figured I’d best open the boot and retrieve “all the paperwork... that is in order... in the boot”. I’d never really wondered why Dave-the-Spade was known as he was. It didn’t even dawn on me when the boot opened and the two police officers were confronted with the meanest looking axe you ever saw. They backed away from me, hands hovering over their pistols, spouting a load of frantic Spanish. I figured they wanted to know what the axe was doing in the back of the car. I was wondering the same thing myself. It was only when Dave-the-Spade called several months later, to ask if he’d left his axe in the back of the car, that it became clear he used it for his gardening business. It wasn’t just the axe that gave the Policia cause for concern, though. Out of the list of things that you must have with you at all times when driving a foreign-registered car in Spain, the following were missing… actually, it would be quicker to tell you what wasn’t missing… one red triangle, a yellow reflective jacket and a cuddly toy (in the form of a pair of fury dice). It was at this time that I discovered that any missing official paperwork could be overlooked by the police on payment of an unofficial contribution to the policeman’s ball. This is probably how the majority of Spanish drivers get their driving licences... they cannot possibly be passing actual tests. Since then I never got to use the motor much. After spending a month or so trying to get some paperwork together to recover it from the grúas the battery went flat - not that that discouraged someone ripping out the steering-column wiringloom to try and hot-wire it. Then it just got parked up and washed once a month to stop the grúas from thinking it was abandoned… and one day it just disappeared into the ether, never to be seen by me again. That suited me fine.
I just stick to pedestrian-ing now.
costa life 11
>> costa GETAWAYS pain wears the crown of Europe; it has cities like Madrid, Granada, Córdoba, Toledo, Seville. They and many more adorn the crown like priceless jewels.” Those were the words spoken by the late Ernest Hemingway, writer and adventurer, during an interview he gave to me and a fellow journalist in
1960 – just a year before Hemingway died in Idaho from a bullet wound whilst cleaning a shotgun. Throughout his life he travelled extensively to many countries including Spain. Whilst in Spain he reported on the Spanish Civil War; he had seen Spain for better and for worse. His experiences enabled him to write one of his bestselling novels,
For Whom the Bell Tolls. His erudite insight into Spanish life, love and politics, and the country’s overall riches is often a reminder to me as I see vast changes in the landscape and in its society – not always for the better.
Written By:
Harvey Mann
...I had to inspect this Hemingway gem for myself, and seek out every facet that this noble city has to offer...
The City of 14 costa life
costa GETAWAYS >> The road from Córdoba winds its way back past the familiar sweeping panorama of a multitude of different shades of green; age-old olive trees with leaves that glisten like shards of silver in the sun; small white boxes with red roofs dot the hills that are inhabited by men and women with dark brown leathered complexions, who toil the land. Over hills and through vales, the road cuts a swathe back towards the coast from a city with an abundance of riches – this was certainly one of the priceless
jewels that Hemingway had acclaimed. Therefore I had to inspect this Hemingway gem for myself, and seek out every facet that this noble city has to offer: the richness of its great palaces, cathedrals, towers and spires; architecture that is Baroque, Moorish, and Renaissance. Beautiful Córdoba seems to have it all. The origins of Córdoba date back to between 169 and 152 BC when Claudius Marcellus established
a Roman colony. Owing to its privileged position as a port on the Guadalquivir and the entranceway to Andalucia, it quickly became the capital of Hispania Ulterior, and remained a Roman city for the next 800 years until the Moorish invasion. If there really was a Utopia, then possibly Córdoba could have been that place. The city surrendered to an invasion by the Moors in 711 and a charter was then drawn up to respect the religious beliefs of the inhabitants; so Muslim, Christian and Jews
>>
Postigo de la Leche
costa life 15
>> costa GETAWAYS look north-west to take in the outstanding view. Make your way across the road called the Ronda de Isasa, and facing you is the Puerta del Puente built in 1571 and designed by Hernán Ruiz III for the occasion of the visit by Philip II to the city. To its left is the Triunfo de San Rafael, and through the Puerta is the breathtaking Mezquita, the Great Mosque dating back 12 centuries. This was the heartbeat of Islam on the Iberian peninsular, and was built by Abd al Rahman I between 785 and 787. As a mosque it was the largest in the western world with a total area of 24,000 square metres. Architecturally it was changed over the years, until the 10th century when Al-Hakem II made some lavish changes like the elaborate Mihrab (prayer niche), a richly ornamental place that once held a gilt copy of the Koran. Now its heavily worn flagstones show where pilgrims once circled the Koran seven times on their knees. Close by is the Maqsura (Caliph’s enclosure), an area of richness and beauty.
Puerta del Perdon lived and worked peacefully side by side. This benefited the community as a whole and Córdoba flourished – even becoming the cultural capital of the Western world, with a population of over one million, a magnificent university, wonderful libraries, and sumptuous Moorish architecture. It was also said to have around 1,600 mosques. However things were to change. Illustrious sons of the city such as poet Aben Hazam, philosopher Averroes, and Jewish doctor and thinker Maimonides, could only stand and watch when, in 1013, the Caliphate started to crumble as an internal political struggle took place between powerful warlords, which resulted in the setting up of small independent kingdoms. It was not until 1236 that the Christian army of Ferdinand III reconquered Córdoba and incorporated it into the Kingdom of Castile. The then once important city had lost its place of prominence to other great Spanish cities and was now just a place used as transit, until the 20th century when it was reestablished again as one of the most important cities of Andalucia. If you stand on the Puente Romano, originally built by the Romans, which spans the Rio Guadalquivir,
Gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
16 costa life
On the western front of the Mosque is an exquisite arched doorway which was added to during the reign of Al-Hakem II in the 10th century. In the 16th century part of the Mosque was destroyed to make way for a Cathedral to be built over the foundations of the Mosque. The construction, designed by the Hernán Ruiz family, was started in 1523 and featured an ornate Italianate dome in the antechamber to the Mihrab. As a mosque it was the largest in the Western world, with a total area of 24,000 metres. Surrounding it are the huge exterior walls, imposingly reinforced by tall square turrets, and these walls contain a large number of gates. On the north-west side is the Puerta del Pérdon (gate of pardon), created in Mudéjar style with three wonderful horseshoe arches, that dates back to the 1377. The title of the gate derives from the fact that on certain feast days debtors might be released from their obligations. Close to this gate is an altar called after the Virgin de los Faroles which at night is illuminated. Another outstanding gate on the corner of the north-western wall is the beautiful Gothic portico called the Postigo de la Leche (gate of the milk) known by this name as a place where orphans or vagrants were left to the care of the chapter. Three gates are on the south west wall: the first is Puerta de San Esteban, a relic from the Visigothic era; the San Miguel gate and the Puerta de los Deanes all are a wonder, and decorated in Caliphal style. On the north-eastern side of the walls are the Postigo del Sagrario and the Puerta de Santa Catalina.
Torre del Alminar Towering over Puerta del Pardón is the Torre del Alminar, the 93 metre bell tower that was built on the site of the original minaret. Prove your fitness by walking the steps that lead to the top and this will give you a wonderful view of the city. Both the steps and the view will make your heart pump a little faster. It looks down onto the Patio de los Naranjos, an elegant courtyard full of orange trees and a fountain, and here the faithful Moors would wash before prayer. I suppose the most outstanding sight amongst all this stunning architecture is the forest of arches (arcades) of Al-Hakem II. Originally there were 1,013 arches, 856 of which survived the Christian
Mezquita the Forest of Arches
Patios
costa GETAWAYS >> opposition, and he probably did not realise that some of the Mosque would have to be destroyed. It is said that during the transformation the King passed close by and stopped to see the work in progress and, when he saw what destruction had taken place, he expressed great regret. Although designer Hernán Ruiz conceived the Cathedral as a Gothic edifice, he introduced the now familiar Mudéjar style along with Plateresque and Isabelline styles. The Choir area and the high altar, along with the chapel of Nuestra Senora Villaviciosa, are places to stop and take in the majestic peacefulness. I have only scratched the surface of what this Cathedral/Mosque has to offer – allow yourself plenty of time to explore, and to fill up the memory card in your camera. Outside, the ruined Almoravide walls of the old city stand against time. Almost 400 metres long, six metres high and two metres thick, inset with the gates of the 10th century Puerta de Sevilla with its two identical arches, and the Puerta de Almodóvar built around the 14th century. Close by is a statue honouring the Córdoban poet Aben Hazam (9941064). If gardens take your fancy then the Gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos are a must. Built in 1328 at the behest of King Alphonse X1, they are a splendid example of wonderful terraces and fountains. It is hard to believe in this floral paradise that Catholic Monarchs who lived in the El Alcázar used this as their residence as they planned military operations to reconquer Granada, and later it was used as a military and civil prison.
reforms. The columns have simple Corinthian capitals in blue marble shafts, and compound capitals in red marble. The Mihrab is a stunning work of art: the Maxura, the area reserved for the Caliph, is composed of three chapels, each with a dome-shaped skylight ornately decorated with mosaics. Close by is the Capilla Real – built in pure Mudéjar style in 1258 by order of King Alphonse X as his burial place – which finally became the sacristy of the Chapel of Villaviciosa with its splendid dome. When King Ferdinand gave his permission to build the Cathedral (also known as the Capilla Mayor) that encompassed the Mosque it was against much
One of the most popular tourist attractions are the narrow winding lanes of the Jewish quarter – a medieval cool labyrinth that contains historic buildings. Here the streets spread out like tentacles, reaching out to the old city walls around the Mosque. In the Calle Judios is the monument to the legendary Jewish doctor, Maimonides. The synagogue, according to its inscription, was built in 1314, with rich plasterwork and marvellous examples of craftsmanship. This, with two other synagogues that are in Toledo, are the only ones that have survived from those times in Spain. Now you can understand how, in this environment, three religions, Christian, Arab and Jew, lived in harmony. Back to the origins of Córdoba: in the Calle Claudio Marcelo are the remains of the Roman temple that dates back to the 1st century. Its much-restored columns originally made up a huge place of worship dedicated to the gods of Mythology.
Jewish Doctor Maimonides Lastly, one could not fail to visit the patios which Córdoba is famous for, which were originated by the Romans who built homes around courtyards and then filled them with plants and flowers that turned the space into an oasis (and called them ‘agora’ or open space). From the Roman ‘agora’ came the ‘casinillo’ for the Moors, then the ‘patios’ for the Spanish. Ornamental ironwork decorates graceful porches, fountains and waterspouts; elegant tiles against the brilliant white of washed walls, and the riot of colour and perfume from an abundance of flowers; these patios are breathtaking and cannot be overlooked. Now Córdoba with its population of around 320,000 has rightly become an historic centre, one of the largest in Europe, and declared by UNESCO as the patrimony of humanity. With its wide avenues, wonderful parks and peaceful gardens, Córdoba is no longer a city of transit – it is Northern Andalucia’s star attraction. Córdoba province encompasses the Montilla and Morales wine regions: a place to spend many a day sipping wine and discovering the history and beauty. Córdoba is exciting and a wonder to the eye of the beholder. If I have overused the words wonderful, beautiful, brilliant and breathtaking, well I must apologise, but go and look for yourself and I promise that you will not be disappointed. Hemingway was certainly right about Spain having the crown of Europe: certainly all its cities glisten like jewels but, for me, Córdoba is the most priceless of them all.
costa life 17
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
Depression in a recession 20 costa life
costa LIFESTYLE >>
T
he Priory Group, famous for treating celebrity addictions, has seen a 20 per cent rise depression compared to last year as more people face unemployment, mounting debts and fear their home being repossessed.
Money worries don’t just keep people awake at night; they can cause stress, depression and in more extreme cases self harm and suicidal thoughts. At a time when people are anxious about their jobs and their finances, recessiondepression is a real and growing concern.
>>Symptoms to look out for > Low mood for most of the day, nearly every day. Things always seem ‘black’. > Loss of enjoyment and interest in life, even for activities that you normally enjoy. > Abnormal sadness, often with weepiness. > Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or uselessness. > Poor motivation. Even simple tasks seem difficult. > Poor concentration. It may be difficult to read, work, etc. > Sleeping problems. > Lacking in energy and extreme feelings of tiredness. > Difficulty with affection, including going off sex.
>> Develop a wellness toolbox
>> Adopt healthy lifestyle habits
Come up with a list of things that you can do for a quick mood boost. Include any strategies, activities, or skills that have helped in the past. The more "tools" for coping with depression, the better. Try and implement a few of these ideas each day, even if you’re feeling good.
Aim for 8 hours of sleep. Depression typically involves sleep problems. Whether you’re sleeping too little or too much, your mood suffers. It can be easy to hide under the covers, get yourself out of the bed and do something spontaneous. Lack of sunlight can make depression worse. Make sure you're getting enough. Take a short walk outdoors, have your coffee outside, enjoy an al fresco meal, people-watch on a bench overlooking the sea.
> Spend some time in nature. > List what you like about yourself. > Read a good book. > Watch a funny movie or TV show. > Take a long, hot bath.
> Play with a pet.
Practice relaxation techniques. A daily relaxation practice can help relieve symptoms of depression, reduce stress, and boost feelings of joy and well-being. Try yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation.
>> Start small and stay focused
>> Mood booster Omega3 fatty acids
The key to depression recovery is to start with a few small goals and slowly build from there. Draw upon whatever resources you have. You may not have much energy, but you probably have enough to take a short walk around the block or pick up the phone to call a loved one.
Foods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA can give your mood a big boost. The best sources are fatty fish such salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements.
Take things day by day and reward yourself for each accomplishment. The steps may seem small, but if you make time for them each day, they'll quickly add up. And for all the energy you put in to your depression recovery, you'll get back much more in return.
Getting your omega-3’s from foods rich in ALA fatty acids. Main sources are vegetable oils and nuts (especially walnuts), flax, soybeans, and tofu. Some people avoid seafood because they worry about mercury or other possible toxins. But most experts agree that the benefits of eating 2 servings a week of cold water fatty fish outweigh the risks.
> Listen to music. > Take care of a few small tasks.
> Poor appetite and weight loss or the reverse with comfort eating.
>> Tips for reaching out
> Irritability, agitation, or restlessness.
> Help someone else by volunteering.
> Talk to one person about your feelings. > Have lunch or coffee with a friend.
> Physical symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, chest pains. > Recurrent thoughts of death.
> Ask a loved one to check in with you regularly. > Accompany someone to the movies, a concert, or a small get-together. > Call or email an old friend. > Go for a walk with a workout buddy.
Recovering from depression requires action. But taking action when you're depressed is hard. In fact, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like exercising or going out with friends, can be exhausting. It’s the Catch-22 of depression recovery. The things that help the most are the things that are most difficult to do. But there's a difference between difficult and impossible.
to learn how to minimize and cope with stress. Many depressed people are perfectionists, holding themselves to impossibly high standards and then beating themselves up when they fail to meet them. Battle this source of self-imposed stress by challenging your negative ways of thinking.
> Schedule a weekly dinner date > Meet new people by taking a class or joining a club. > Confide in a counselor, therapist, or clergy member.
>> Fight depression by managing stress Not only does stress prolong and worsen depression, but it can also trigger it. In order to get over depression and stay well, it's essential
>> Helping someone who is depressed The most important thing to remember as you help someone with depression is to remain supportive. Blaming the depression on the person, trying to ‘‘make them snap out of it’’ and other confrontational techniques can backfire and make the situation worse. It is important first to let the person know that you are concerned about her or him, want to help and are willing to be a resource. The way that you help may range from just listening to recommending that the person contact a mental health care provider for assistance. If you find your depression getting worse and worse, seek professional help. Needing additional help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes the negative thinking in depression can make you feel like you're a lost cause, but depression can be treated and you can feel better!
costa life 21
>> costa LIFESTYLE >> Be bold, be seen, be out there
What Men Want...
Yellow flip flops > Topman
This Months Men’s Must Have’s
Printed fabric swim shorts and printed beach towel > Benetton
Rubber flip-flops with printed sole > Benetton
>> Look the business White 50’s sunglasses > Topman
Printed cotton jersey trunks > Benetton
Light blue beach to bar shorts > Next on line
Fire red sunglasses > Next on line
Blue and pink swim shorts > H&M
Hi top boots > Next on line
Black wayfarer sunglasses > Burton
22 costa life
>>Store Locator
Benetton www.benetton.com Fuengirola. Burton www.burton.co.uk Gibraltar. Evans www.evans.co.uk Miramar and LaCañada H&M www.hm.com La Cañada. Next www.nextdirectory.eu Dorothy Perkins www.dorothyperkins.co.uk Miaramar and La Cañada. Princples www.principles.co.uk Miramar. Topman www.topman.co.uk La Cañada.
costa LIFESTYLE >>
What Women Want...
>> Step out in style Creamy strappy sandals > Dorothy Perkins
This summers sensational selections
Aysmetric purple leopard swimsuit > Dorothy Perkins Metallic T bar Sandal with Embellishment > Evans
>> Dress to impress Floral tulip prom dress > Dorothy Perkins
>> Get into the swim
Polka-dot lycra速 bikini with "rouches" > Benetton
Embellished Ikat Print Bikini > Next on line Orange ruffle hem dress > Principles Magenta swim suite > Evans
costa life 23
>> costa LIFESTYLE
>>Steps to end a conversation
stuff
>Start giving exit signs The first step to end a conversation involves body language.
men’s
These kinds of signs should always be polite. You can try gradually shifting your body so you’re no longer directly facing them, or moving out of a relaxed position into one that’s obviously uncomfortable. Most people will recognize these hints.
>Take control of the conversation When ending a conversation you need to make sure that the other person does not feel rejected or snubbed. So how do you take control of a conversation? Make a basic contribution by adding an anecdote, one that’s relevant to the topic of conversation, and plan to let it take you forward to the goodbye. If the talk is political, mention a related news item you saw recently. Following that, you might include a compliment, and remember when others speak and you listen you remember things that seem to be important to them. These are valued qualities.
>Close the conversation physically The handshake, hug or business card exchange; these end a conversation.
A physical goodbye might show how well the conversation went. For example, while at a party you strike up a conversation with a woman. Perhaps at the beginning you shook hands while introducing yourselves, but a wholehearted hug at the end might indicate her potential interest level in you. Along the same lines, a firm, enthusiastic handshake or the exchange of business cards could signify something positive down the road in your professional life.
>Make the exit Now it’s time to move on, even if it means going to the bathroom and not returning to the same place as before. While this is easy enough at a large function, it’s a bit more difficult at a small party. No one should be expected to stay in one place the entire time, although this does not mean you walk away and lean against a wall, this would come across as an insult. If you bump into this person again later in the evening, say hi, but don’t feel obligated to stop and pick up another conversation.
>>Top health tips
>>Silly Quotes
>Sleep Smarter
‘‘Girls are like pianos. When they’re not upright, they’re grand.’’ Benny Hill
Too much sleep, or not enough of it, can kill you. A British study found that getting more than 9 hours of sack time a night, or less than 6, doubles your risk of an early death from any cause. Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night.
‘‘Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.’’ Ronald Reagan
>Strengthen your core. Save your back, lift more, run more: It all starts in your middle. >Tilt up your rearview mirror . . . just far enough to force yourself into an upright sitting position to see behind you, which is good for your posture and you’re aching back. >Drink green tea, the wonder liquid, that antioxidant-rich elixir that may help prevent prostate cancer, lower your heart-disease risk.
‘‘I am for the death penalty. Whoever commits terrible acts must get a fitting punishment. That way he learns the lesson for the next time.’’ Britney Spears ‘‘You know when I feel inwardly beautiful? When I am with my girlfriends and we are having a ‘goddess circle’.’’ Jennifer Aniston
24 costa life
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
>> Don’t rely on sunscreen; it’s not a licence to bake
Stay safe
26 costalife
It can be tempting at the first sign of sunshine to wear as little as possible and lie basking on your terrace, by the pool or on the beach. But there are some things you need to know before you head out to your sun lounger. Skin cancer is definitely on the increase, so it's clear that the message about safe sun just isn’t getting across.
>> The damaging ef fects to the skin It’s the sun’s UVA rays - the longest rays in the spectrum - that penetrate deepest. They are responsible for causing damage at a cellular level, making them the
main contributor to the signs of ageing in the form of wrinkles and pigmentation. UVA is present all year round, even in winter. UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and cause the burn or tan effect in the skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer, so wearing a broadspectrum sunscreen with antioxidants is essential. UV exposure causes far-reaching damage to skin. It may not be noticeable at the time but accumulates and shows its ugly face when we hit our 30s and 40s. Both superficial and deep destruction include: > Collagen reduction and changes to elastin, causing wrinkling > Changes in the dermal blood vessels causing dilated capillaries > Free radical damage causing DNA damage and breakdown of dermal tissue > DNA repair inhibited, potentially leading to skin cancer > Immune system reduced, again contributing to potential skin cancer.
costa LIFESTYLE >> sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours. The active ingredients in most products begin to break down when exposed to the sun. Only physical blockers like zinc oxide stay potent after two hours, but not all sunscreens are made with these ingredients. > Don’t count on sunscreen to last through hours of swimming. To be safe, reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.
>> What’s SPF
>> How to protect yourself The best way to prevent skin cancer and sun damage is to protect skin from the daylight and direct sun every day of the year. One burn doubles your risk of melanoma. > Avoid the midday sun; you need to seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when sunlight is strongest; cover up with clothing, a broadbrimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. > Protect yourself all year-round; there is as much UVA in the winter as in the summer > Remember, UV radiation can penetrate through light clothing, windshields, windows and clouds. > Protect children from an early age, as the damage is done before we are 20. > Regardless of the SPF, or what the label says,
The SPF represents the ability of a sunscreen to delay sun-induced burning. It is important to realise that an SPF is only a measure of how much UVB protection it provides. Sunscreens work by two mechanisms: > Chemical sunscreens - Absorb UV rays, lowering the energy level and releasing energy as heat. This type needs to be applied to the skin before any other product, and normally 20 minutes before sun exposure. > Physical Sunscreens - Reflect or scatter the energy rays. They are mineral based so therefore less irritating. They need to be applied last, as they bounce the rays off the skin. You will also find physical sunscreens in mineral make-up, which is normally SPF 20-26, depending on the brand. It is important to understand that, even though you may be using a sunscreen, some UVB rays will still penetrate through your skin - you cannot filter out 100% of the sun's rays. For example, SPF2 products protect your skin from 50% of the UVB rays, so you can stay in the sun
twice as long as you would be able to without protection. > SPF2 is far too low > SPF 8 blocks 87.5 % of UVB rays > SPF 15 blocks 93.33 % of UVB and some UVA rays > SPF 30 blocks 96.6 % of UVB and some UVA rays > SPF 60 blocks 97.98 of UVB and some UVA rays
>> How much sunscreen to apply Make sure you apply an adequate amount to ensure you are getting the desired SPF. That's generally about one teaspoon for the face and about on eighth of a cup for complete body coverage. Reapply sunscreen whenever you swim, exercise or sweat profusely - or around every two hours.
>> The dif ferent types of skin cancer Dermatologists divide skin cancer into two categories. The most deadly is malignant melanoma. This is the least common of the skin cancers generally but, in the 20-39 age group, it’s actually the most commonly diagnosed of all cancers. The second category is the nonmelanomas, which are split into basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
>> What to look for Malignant melanomas are usually dark patches with uneven edges. They generally look nasty, as if there’s something wrong. Sometimes they bleed or itch, but not always. Another, rarer, type is called amelanotic melanoma, which is either flesh coloured or pink and lumpy. Men tend to get melanomas on the back and women on the lower legs, but these areas are not exclusive. Remember, you don’t have to be directly in the sun to enjoy it; warmth can be felt in the shade. If you do crave direct contact with rays, head out early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when there is much less UV radiation.
costalife 27
>> costa LIFESTYLE >> Make eyes tips & appear bigger
beaut y
secrets
>Step out of the shadows Dark colours recede so focus on light eyeshadow. Use the shadow to contour the eyes, blending the lightest of the light shades all over the lid and then shade the outer corner of the lid and the crease with a darker shade to create depth, which makes eyes stand out. A little sparkle on the inner corners draws attention to eyes, too.
>Draw a line Liner draws attention to eyes and can ‘open out’ their shape - especially if you taper a bit outside the eye. Don’t draw too thick a line, though; it can make eyes look heavy and hooded. Avoid black and go for maroon, brown, grey, blue-grey or green. Don't use it on the inner lids - it can make eyes look closed in.
>Lash out Thicken and lengthen lashes to make them look as lush as possible, with several layers of mascara - don’t wait for it to dry between layers or it will clump. Always curl lashes before applying mascara and don’t forget your bottom lashes. Then add individual false lashes to the top outer corners only, which makes eyes look wider and more open.
>> Bacteria loves your make up Since 2005 all cosmetic products have had to carry a symbol indicating how long they should be used after opening. Liquids and creams, including mascaras, tend to have the shortest lifespan as they're more liable to harbour bacteria. >Concealer - should be disposed of after one year. >Blush and Bronzer (powdered) - two years. (cream) pigments and preservatives found in cream blushes are good for up to 12-18 months. Eyeliner (liquid) - say good-bye after > 3-6 months. (pencil) - good up to three years, if you regularly sharpen the pencil.
> Soften Your Skin The number-one way to make dry, dull, pasty skin look radiant and smooth is to exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Use a gentle body scrub every day in the shower. To boost its effectiveness, rub it on using circular motions, spending a few extra seconds on rough spots like knees, elbows, and feet. An oil-based version will give you extra hydration.
> Tackle Your Feet Make sure your feet are in flip- flop shape this summer. Submerge your feet in a large bowl of equal parts warm milk and water. The lactic acid naturally eats away at dead skin. After five minutes, buff away any calluses and rough spots with a pumice stone, then rub in a foot cream, to soften the skin even more. If it’s nighttime, slip on a pair of cotton socks immediately after applying the cream and wear them while you sleep. You’ll wake up with the smoothest feet ever.
28 costa life
>Eyeshadow (powder) - keep for only 2 years. If the powder doesn’t separate easily or is cakey, it’s time to throw away. (cream) - can be good up to 18 months. >Foundation (water-based) - It’s done after 1 year. (oil-based) - Keep it only up to 18 months. >Lipgloss - can last 18-24 months. >Lipstick - will last 1-2 years. If it smells funny or does not glide on your lips smoothly, throw it away. Lip Liner - is old after 2 years. >Make-up Brushes - wash at least every month to sustain the bristles’ life. >Mascara - 3 months tops! Always make a note of the purchase date on your cosmetics. If your make-up no longer performs the way it used to, or if it smells funny, throw it out immediately.
>>Celeb tip Halle Berry is apparently determined to keep her behind toned, if reports are to be believed, she mixes ground coffee beans in with her body wash for that very reason. Caffeine stimulates blood-flow when applied to the skin, therefore breaking down cellulite.
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>> costa LIFESTYLE
weight training tips for beginners Beginners’ weight training programmes should be neither complex nor difficult.
>> Learn how to perform weight training correctly This may sound obvious, but looking around most commercial gyms proves that not many weight trainers learn the correct way to perform an exercise. Weight training, if done incorrectly can be unproductive and cause injuries. For the best results, you need to start with the correct technique. Begin with a very light weight and, once you are confident, the resistance can be increased. If you don’t know how to perform an exercise correctly it will be worth your while to have a session with a personal trainer, who will show you some good training points. Booking an hour with a trainer is a good investment.
An example of a routine that incorporates these types of movements may be: > Monday: squats, bench presses, barbell row. > Wednesday: dead lifts, shoulder presses, chin-ups. > Friday: squats, dumbbell, bench presses, lat pulldown. Repetition range would be 8-12, with three sets per exercise, with rest up to 2 minutes between each set. The above workout is effective, but it must be noted that the exercises may prove difficult for a complete beginner. The squat and dead lift, for example, really need proper form and supervision by a personal trainer for the first few sessions.
>> Keep it simple
>> Learn the value of food
Following a fancy routine from a glossy magazine that promises overnight results, will be neither effective nor productive for a beginner to weight training. Focusing a lot of effort on exercises that target the biceps may seem like the way to go for big arms, but this won’t be as effective as following a routine involving main compound exercises. Compound exercises are multi-joint exercises that target a number of muscle groups during the execution of the lift. Examples are bench presses, squats, dead lifts, shoulder presses and pull-ups.
Lifting weights, and gains in muscle mass and strength, require energy. Carbohydrate and caloriedense meals are needed for people wishing to increase muscle mass. Protein is also important owing to its role in muscle building and repair. A beginner to weight training should aim to eat 4-5 balanced meals throughout the day composed of wholesome sources of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Also, add vegetables and fruit.
>> Do not try too much too fast Many supplements will be marketed in a manner that leaves uneducated weight trainers hooked into buying products ready for quick gains in muscle mass and strength. They should be seen only as additions to your nutritional intake, not as alternatives. The basic compound exercises that you have been performing should remain high on your priority list. As you gain muscle size and strength, these exercises should remain the backbone of your training routine.
>> Be Patient Whether you are looking for greater muscle mass, increased strength, or overall muscle functionality, progression takes time. Beginner weight trainers will notice a rapid progression in strength when they start. After a couple of months, however, gains will slow down. The key to long-term success is the sustained commitment to training and diet, which will see steady but ever increasing advances.
Dominic James - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist 686 55 44 88 www.personaltrainingmarbella.com 30 costa life
>> costa LIFESTYLE
health
A round-up of some of this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health news...
>> A tipple a day can help you live 5 years longer Half a glass of wine a day can add almost five years to your life, say scientists. A study of almost 1,400 middle-aged men over a 40-year period found regularly drinking a little of any type of alcohol boosted longevity. The biggest increase was seen in those who drank half a glass of wine a day, who tended to live about four-and-ahalf years longer than those who abstained from alcohol. But those who drank up to two glasses of wine, two pints of beer or two shots of spirits a day also tended to live about two years longer than non-drinkers. Furthermore, red wine consumption may have an additional health benefit because the polyphenolic compounds contained in wine have been seen to stop the build up of fatty tissue in the arteries that can result in stroke or heart attack. Since alcohol consumption can be addictive, starting to drink alcohol because of its positive health benefits is not advised.
>> Hay fever...reduce your chances >Keep windows closed at peak pollen release times - between 7am and 10am and 5pm and 7pm. Also, drive with your car windows closed during these times. >Wear wraparound sunglasses, this will protect your eyes, also try smearing a thin layer of Vaseline in your nostrils this traps pollen before it is inhaled. >If you have been out during high pollen times, have a shower as soon as you get in and put your clothes straight in the washing machine. >Women should try not to use mascara - pollen sticks to it, and then drops into the eyes. >Contact lens wearers should try to opt for daily or disposable ones so ridding any pollen trapped on the lens.
>> Power plates help you lose weight faster
Women who dieted and used a Power Plate three times a week lost almost twice as much weight as those who did more conventional exercise.
A vibrating exercise machine used by Kylie and Madonna is better than aerobics or swimming at fighting the flab, a study has found.
The machines were particularly effective at trimming dangerous fat from around the stomach. A power plate machine can be found in Studio 1 Gym Las Rampas.
>> Yoghurt may help new mothers lose their baby fat Pregnant women who took supplements containing the 'friendly' bacteria found it easier to get their figure back after giving birth. They tracked the health and weight of 256 women from three months into pregnancy to a year after giving birth. those given probiotics were slightly leaner overall.
32 costa life
>> Health tip Have a tea break Apart from giving you a much needed rest; taking the time to have a cup of tea could be protecting you from heart disease and cancer.
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>> costa COMPANIES
LOCAL Business Reports PLUS Charities and Events News Business
Work
Charities At Costa Life we dedicate more space to business editorial than any other publication on the coast. It is important to us to introduce information to you 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
EVENT ACE FM Ace FM have moved to new studios inside La Trocha Shopping Centre on the outskirts of Coin. Our new home allows us to broadcast live from La Trocha every day and means we can meet our listeners ‘‘face-to-face’’ so next time you’re heading into the centre to do some shopping, pop by the studio downstairs and request a song. Out on the road this month, Ace FM will be presenting live shows from a variety of venues including an 80’s EuroPop evening at Bar Blanca Paloma on Calle Gerald Brenan, Alhaurin el Grande and a Cuban party in El Taco Snooker & Pool Centre in Alharuin de la Torre. The big event of June will be La Trocha Street Party being held by JK’s Match Room in the ‘‘Poligino Industrial’’ just outside the shopping centre. Sunday 7th June, starting at 12 midday until late, there will be live music from Costa Rocks band plus Im & Er, tasty foods including various tapas and paella as well as The Ace FM Roadshow broadcasting live from the event all afternoon. Our local animal charity CHAIN will be launching their ‘‘Vet In A Van’’ scheme and
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magazine to promoting to you, our readers, the people, both new and old, who make Costa Life possible. If you need to make use of the services or products promoted in this section or indeed throughout this issue please let our clients know that you have seen them in Costa Life Magazine. In addition we also offer space to charities,
hoping to raise enough money on the day to get them both on the road. Continuing support for ‘‘Films in English’’ at La Trocha cinema, our food court shows every alternate Wednesday help entertain the many movie-goers waiting to see the latest blockbusters in English for just 3.90 euros. Now our transmitters have been relocated into the heart of the campo, even more people can enjoy 106.8 Ace FM and we won’t be resting on our laurels with some exciting new plans for the Summer of 2009 - watch this space !! In the meantime, feel free to contact us at anytime with your song requests, special messages and local events so we can continue in supporting our local community in Spain.
By telephone, 951 161 161 By text, 677 20 20 70 Email or MSN, studio@acefm.info PS Don’t forget to tell your friends back in the UK (or anywhere in the world) to join in the fun simply by listening online via www.acefm.info which also contains details of all the events mentioned above !
Events clubs and associations so they can inform you of their activites plus any up coming and recent events news. Please support your local charities and clubs, they do a great work. Thank You.
>> EVENT SANTA MARIA GOLF CLUB
The 20th of June we are having at Santa Maria Golf Club the II GOLF TOURNAMENT AVOI. (The Association is formed by volunteers who visit children’s hospitals to carry out activities with the children to make their stay more pleasant.) It will be an individual stableford.Green fee 40 euros, buggy fee 15 Euros. Anyone wishing to take part in this tournament should contact the Caddymaster at Santa Maria Golf Club.
Telephone number 952831036, e-mail: caddymaster@santamariagolfclub.com
costa COMPANIES >> DECO HOME supporting indigenous cultures Deco home, which was founded in 2004, imports handcrafts, décor and furniture from Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Fair Trade Policy As globalization increases the gap between rich and poor, small producers are trying in vain to pull out all the stops working to exhaustion, often in conditions akin to slavery in the hope of carving a place in a market dominated by multi nationals. Deco-Home’s products come directly from the village artisans and not from large factories or international dealers. They are committed to supporting indigenous cultures by utilizing Fair trade principles which include the payment for fair living wages, supporting environmentally sustainable projects, respecting cultural identity, promoting safe and healthy working conditions and discouraging forced and exploitive child labour. Fair Trade is a way of doing business that is ethically and environmentally responsible-making free trade work for those in developing nations and in poverty At the moment Deco Home have a total liquidation sale with 60% off all stock to make room for new arrivals. There are over 4000 articles from1 euro to a life size elephant for your garden. Take advantage of these huge savings for any occasion or for your home and garden décor. Deco-Home is situated on the Mijas road, KM4, between Fuengirola and Mijas village. They are open every day from 10am till 7pm, including Sundays and holidays.
Interior and exterior products including Gifts and hand crafts Masks Indoor and outdoor lighting Vases and potteries Candle holders and candles Mirrors Interior decoration Paintings Unusual pieces in teak wood Original and exclusive furniture Statues, including Buddhas and Volcanic Stone Statues Fountains Stone carved animals
Tel 952 590 210 website www.deco-home.biz
FLYSLAYER Want to protect your health?
SMILE SPA One treatment… one hour… one dazzling smile Your smile is the first thing people notice about you, so what does your smile tell them.
Flies have very sticky feet, which means, whatever they stand in, they take to the very next place they visit, this could be your dinner plate, work top or uncovered food. Flies follow each other, they watch each other constantly, and where one finds food others will gather. This fact is a big part of the success of the Flyslayer as it traps the flies alive and their buzzing activity in the trap attracts many other flies. The buzzing flies release their own natural pheromones, which aid in luring even more unwitting insects to the trap. Fly control can be divided into two main areas, Prevention and Eradication; both are aimed at some point in the life cycle of the fly. The Flyslayer is the most economical, effective, environmentally safe, non-chemical answer to both aspects of the fly control. It captures the adult breeding population, thus preventing and cutting down on future fly populations, and it eradicates by trapping flies efficiently, quickly and safely. We tend to see flies only as a minor irritation, but it is a known fact that they are one of the major carriers of disease throughout the world. Flies eat food by regurgitating their digestive juices and their stomach contents, its thought that there are around 10,000 flies to every single person on the planet. No wonder we need the Flyslayer!
Call: 952 665 161 www.flyslayer.com
Age tobacco tea coffee red wine and cola all take there toll on your teeth. Smile Spa brings a new cutting edge technology in teeth whitening, and is used by dentist all over the UK including top Harley Street dentist, Jeremy hill who used the Smile Spa System to whiten the Beckhams teeth. What makes the Smile Spa system so unique is that it does not rely on Hydrogen Peroxide products that may be painful and leave you with sensitive teeth. The new generation works using Chlorine Dioxide, A totally safe and proven patented formula used in the food industry. This is applied the teeth and activated using a cold blue light laser. The Smile Spa treatment is quick comfortable, and easy in one visit. Not only does it give you naturally white teeth but it also destroys harmful bacteria found in Gingivitis and Periodontal disease giving you clean fresh breath. The Smile Spa treatment cost 250,00 Euros and is undertaken by a Smile Spa fully trained technician, Lynda Campbell who works from specially selected salons along the coast. Contact Lynda on 608 675 081 for an immediate appointment in the nearest salon to you.
EVENT GARDEN CLUB LA CAPELLANIA This Garden Club was founded in the 1980’s in the Benalmadena area to promote a better understanding of gardening in Mediterranean regions, to improve knowledge and practices about plants and terrains.Acitivities include talks by experts, discussions, visits to botanical sites and gardens, social events, quizzes, shows and exchanges of plants. Topics recently covered were soil types, pest control, red palm weevil, herbs, bonzais, irrigation and propagation methods. One year's subscription costs 20 € and visitors, who are most welcome, pay 4€ at the door. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 3.0.p.m. at the Church Hall, St. Andrew’s, Los Boliches, near the train station. For membership, contact Liz on : 95244 9052.
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>> costa COMPANIES VELA SOMBRA providing protection from harmful UV rays A Sail Shade is a fabric structure designed to provide cool areas and protection from the suns harmful UV rays. Nothing provides more impact to any environment than architecturally designed Sail Shades or Canopies. Shade sails are an excellent alternative to pergolas, a gazebo, or patio umbrellas. They are practical, provide protected shade and elegance and bring impact to any patio, terrace or garden area. With careful planning in the design of the sail, a property can be greatly enhanced architecturally. A Sail can be used to enlarge the appearance of the property, linking elements together such as swimming pools, walkways, entrances and patios. A small investment in a sail structure can greatly enhance the value of the property.
BEST HOUSE S.L. Absolutely more for your money Living in a warm country such as Spain with no cooling in the summer or no heat during the winter isn’t very enjoyable. If you’re tired of not being able to sleep at night due to the heat or you’re very cold when you go to bed in winter you should find a solution. Best House S.L. will be able to provide you with the best solution to this problem. Best House S.L. is an air conditioning company selling Toshiba airconditioner installation across the Costa del Sol region of Southern Spain. It was established in 1990, an since then has had a big expansion having a great market share with a wide range of international customers. The owner, Bent Henningsen, has had experience in this industry over 20 years and is a very well known on the coast for his excellent service to the customers and the time and effort put in to his work. If you have an appointment with him you can always count on him as he will always be on time. Satisfied customers always recommend him to others. Toshiba is the highest quality product available on the market on Costa del Sol and is worth the money. The company Toshiba itself has existed for 50 years and is the leading market in air conditioners. It was the first company to make inverter systems in the world and so the most popular make for this type of product. These air conditioners are very different from all other makes you will find. It is an eco friendly product, it makes no noise (down to 20dB) so you will not even notice it is there. The newest models do not use as much energy saving our customers money when having to pay their electricity bill. You will not have to worry about changing it for many years as these products last for a very long time. Customers are also able to have up to four units on one compressor, which is very popular amongst our clients. Best House S.L. provides the best service to their customers; we will always have time for our customers. Improve your quality of life by choosing us and we will help you to improve it. If you would like to go swimming in the winter but aren’t able to because the swimming pool is too cold we have the product you need. The new pool heat pumps will allow you to enjoy the winters outside as opposed to being inside wishing you could go swimming. Another new product is the floor heating, also of the best quality found on the coast. There’s room for a Toshiba air conditioner in every home.
Bring your garden to life, day or night Gardens can be brought to life with eye catching c o l o u r f u l architecturally sculptured designs, providing cool pools of shade throughout a landscape. As the light fades, uplighters can illuminate the sail to bring a whole different aspect to the garden, the effect can be truly spectacular. Guaranteed for 10 years they offer over 90% protection for the suns harmful UV rays. As we all become more aware of the harmful effects of UV rays, protection is essential in all exposed seating and play areas, in many locations and establishments this is now part of EU Legislation. Each sail is manufactured to the highest of standards to withstand the ravishes of weather and offer a high degree of protection. We have a range of 13 colours, making design possibilities almost endless. Sail Shades provide stunning colour and unparalleled visual impact to any garden We provide a free design service, so make contact to arrange for one of our designers to call to your property. Our Sails are individually designed and woven from the finest fabric, please do not confuse these with mass produced DIY shades. Our Sail Designer can call at your property and advise on the best design and positioning, if necessary design a >> Blocks up to 90% of harmful UV rays sail to suit your i n d i v i d u a l >> Reduces ‘‘solar gain’’ resulting in lower air-conditioning costs requirements. a >> Creates a shaded and inviting environment detailed plan will be >> Protects Koi ponds from predatory birds and rapid algae growth undertaken showing >> Won’t be blown over on windy days fixing points and >> Helps prevent sunburn and skin cancer installation of King and >> Economical and attractive Out-rigger posts if >> Does not attract dry rot or mildew required. Installation is >> Allows greater use of patios, decks, swimming pools, etc. undertaken by our own >> Protects property such as furniture, boats, cars, playground trained installation >> equipment teams. >> Draws attention and increases traffic in commercial and retail
Absolutely more for your money.
Open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 2.00pm Tel: 952 46 54 55 or 608 65 87 53 Email: best_house@terra.ess 36 costa life
Tel: 606 883 138 or 635 716 386 info@velasombra.com
>> areas >> Available in a variety of colors >> Virtually maintenance-free >> Adds elegance and casual beauty to its environment
costa COMPANIES >> YORKSHIRE LINEN WAREHOUSE re opens under new management Stephanie Smith and Julie Law worked for the Yorkshire Linen Company branch next to the Myramar Centre in Mijas-Costa for a year. Despite a solid, growing customer base, the owner of the store closed it due to the fact that he had other interests further north in Alicante. Stephanie and Julie took the opportunity and took over the franchise, renegotiated the rent, and reopened in May at their fabulous 400 square metre showroom located on Avenida Andalucia behind Lidl Supermarket and around the corner from Dunnes on the N340 in Fuengirola. Stephanie has had various jobs but mainly ones involving sales and customer relations. Julie has ten years experience in the furniture industry. Their collective experience has given them the necessary know-how to make their new venture the success they are confident it will be. The new Yorkshire Linen Warehouse is a one-stop-shop to all your soft furnishing needs. There you can purchase anything from a dish cloth to all the furnishings required to decorate a whole villa. Among the items you will find there are: ready-made lined curtains, memory foam mattress toppers for all British made bed sizes up to super king. Their new business also boasts being the only Costa del Sol retail outlet to have JML products as part of stock items available to purchase. They also offer an interior design consultation service for one-to-one advice on all your soft furnishing needs. The customer is of paramount importance to The Yorkshire Linen Warehouse and Stephanie and Julie pride themselves on providing an extremely high standard of customer care. The new Yorkshire Linen Warehouse will stock wide range of home furnishings for every room in the house. Their staff are extensively trained to be able to give advice regarding measurements of products, co-ordinating accessories, special features of products (e.g. hypoallergenic) and general styling issues. They offer products that provide exceptional quality and value for money and strongly believe that this; alongside a high service level, will give you a great shopping experience.
To view the kind of products they sell visit www.yorkshirelinen.com. For more information call 952 197 577. www.vip-hotspot.com
CHARITY CHAIN - CHARITY FOR ANIMALS
PAY-AS-YOU-GO INTERNET IS HERE! There is no need to sign a contract to get connected to reliable, high speed Internet at home or work! VIP-HOTSPOT, the Coast’s leading WIFI Internet provider, believes that you should only pay for what you need and should not have to sign a contract con just to send and receive emails and surf the net. Thanks to VIP-HOTSPOT you only pay for what you need! Now you can get connected to reliable, high-speed Internet from as little as 5€ per month. Contact VIP-HOTSPOT TODAY and start saving money!
IN NEED
Did you know that 15,000 animals are abandoned every year in Andalucía? Make a real difference. Help support CHAIN’s 2009 Neutering programme. The official opening of JK’s Matchroom and the launch of CHAIN’s 2009 Neutering Programme. Ever wondered how we can put a stop to the countless number of stray animals in the Malaga Province? Well we have a solution...and we need your support to make it happen. In 2009 the new animal charity, CHAIN, will launch an ambitious project to raise €20,000 to buy a mobile Veterinary unit that will provide neutering and other services across the Malaga Province. Tel: 952 593 333 www.vip-hotspot.com To launch this unique project we will be holding a Street Party in association with JK’s Matchroom in Coin. JK’s is the latest venture to bring a range of entertainment to inland Malaga CHARITY LIONS DIABETIC SUPPORT for all nationalities and they will be celebrating their grand GROUP GOLF DAY opening with us. The Summer Street Party will take place on Sunday 7th June The Mijas La Cala Lions Diabetic Support Group (DSG) is planning a Special Golf Day 2009 starting at 12 till late… at JK’s and will include Live on Monday 8th June at Calanova Golf. Teams of four will compete in a Texas Scramble Music, Live Radio Broadcast from 106.8 Ace Fm, Bar, Food, format – shotgun start 9.30am sharp – for great prizes along with a special prize for Games and Children’s Entertainment. Tickets 5 euros for the most original name for the team. The price is 50 euros per person (200 euros for adults, 3 euros for Children. Family ticket 12 euros( 2 adults a team of four) and includes your green-fee, shared buggy, drink and tapas plus a 2 children). crack at the par-3 challenge that could take you to Augusta, USA next year! Both ladies and gents are welcome to enter. If you can’t find a team then let the organisers find you a slot! All the proceeds will go to help the DSG to continue to help local diabetics to come to terms with their problem. Contact Bev for tickets on 651 444 908 or
To enter, call Frank Bowles on Tel: 952 46 41 84 Mobile: 670 622 657 or E-Mail: frank@costadelsolgolfnews.com
visit the CHAIN Shop or Market
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>> costa COMPANIES Alban’s also offer an excellent range of quality wines plus all your preferred beers and spirits. At Alban’s you can also enjoy all your favourite sports through their large screen T.V. including Setanta and Sky Sports. Albans is situated on the N340 frontline Cancelada next to Buddha gym. They are open Mon - Fri 10am - 23.00 and sat 16.00 - 23.00 closed Sundays.
ALBAN’S BAR PIZZERIA AND RESTAURANT wide and extensive menu
They also offer a delivery service if you live in between San Pedro and Estepona. Call for more details on 952 883 190.
Alban’s Bar Pizzeria and Restaurant invite you to come and sample some of the finest Mediterranean cuisine in the recently re furbished premises in Cancelada. Formerly Itapu, Albans has been transformed to offer a great time out for anyone who enjoys pleasant surroundings and a great atmosphere. The interior is pleasant and you are always assured a professional and friendly welcome form Alban and his team. The terrace has also been given a facelift and has comfortable and relaxing furniture where you can sit back and watch the world go by on those hot summer days and nights. The menu is wide and extensive and offers everything from light lunches and snacks to delicious charcoal BBQ grilled meats & fish. If you like Italian they make their own freshly baked Pizzas with over 15 varieties available and can also offer a wide selection of delicious pasta dishes including Lasagne, Carbonara, Al Salmon and Finghi Porcini. There is also a fantastic menu del dia (2 courses plus dessert and coffee)at 10.90 euros served Monday to Friday from 12.30 till 4pm. Recently introduced is a selection of the finest Irish meats, Kiwi lamb, Fresh Tuna steaks and Thai or Greek Salads.
EVENT EL PARAISO COUNTRY CLUB A great time was had at El Paraiso Country Club with their Night of Musical Theatre with Steven Lloyd Morgan. Steve gave another great performance and sang all the popular show tunes to a packed house. Due to popular demand, Steven has been asked to return on Sept. 5th for a Magical Musical Event with Gourmet Picnic supper. Only 35€ pp & reservations are already being taken.
Call 952 883 799 for more information
CHARITY THE CALAHONDA LIONS GOLF DAY Will be held at Santa Maria Golf & Country Club for the ninth year running on Sunday 7th June 2009. It is an 18 hole Stableford Competition with two categories for Men (1-14 & 1528) and one for Women (1-36). There will also be prizes for nearest the pin on the 10th and 15th Par 3 holes. The Golf competition will be followed by the very popular Auction and Raffle with fantastic prizes. The very reasonable cost for Members is 20 Euros per person and 45 Euros per person for guests. This year the Annual Golf Day is held to raise money for the Aspandem School for Handicapped People, a charity based in San Pedro de Alcántara focusing on offering individual attention to the handicapped person and their families. Reservations can be made directly with the Caddy Master at Santa Maria Golf & Country Club.
Call 952 831036 or by contacting David Whitfield on 952 934791.
CHARITY CUDECA EVENTS FOR JUNE
EVENT ESTEPONA FLORAL
10th June - Andy Ross Singers Choir Concert The Andy Ross Singers will hold a Concert in aid of Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice on Wednesday 10th June at the Sol Andalusi Theatre in Alhaurín de la Torre, commencing at 8pm. For tickets and more information, please contact Bobbie at fuengirolafil@yahoo.co.uk. 13th June - Coín Summer Bazaar The Cudeca Coín shop will be participating in the Coín Spring Bazaar taking place at the Plaza de la Villa in Coín on Saturday 13th June. 13th - 28th June - Cudeca Sunflower Campaign Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice is celebrating once again its annual Sunflower Campaign. Dedicated volunteers will take to the streets, selling sunflowers (symbol of the International Palliative Care Movement), with the aim of raising funds and awareness of cancer and palliative care to the local communities. We need volunteers to help us with our Sunflower Campaign! If you have time to spare and would like to offer your support, please contact Inma Ruíz at the Hospice Centre on tel: 952 56 49 10 or e-mail inmaruiz@cudeca.org
ART CLUB (AFFILIATED TO NAFAS)
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This month, Tuesday, 16th June, Estepona Floral Art Club will be hosting their one day event of ‘Fashion & Flowers’ to commemorate their 10th Anniversary. There has been a change of venue from El Paraiso Country Club, to the Benavista Country Club, which will be by ticket only. Contact our Chairman Anne Atkinson for purchase of tickets on the number 952 890 352. The costs of tickets are €28, to include the following:-We will start with a welcome drink on arrival from 12.30 p.m. 3-course lunch, with coffee, at approx 1.45 p.m. followed by the Fashion Show. Ladies this is your chance to get the glad rags on and those hats out of storage and air them! As it is also Ascot time, we hope to bring a little of this atmosphere to the Benavista Country Club.
costa COMPANIES >> Damaged Drains or Pipes? Pipe Relining Could Save Time, Money and Mess If you have damaged pipework in your drainage system you can save time and disruption by relining the existing, damaged pipe rather than excavating and replacing the whole thing. Until now, pipe relining or repatching was not widely available throughout Spain, but that's no longer the case thanks to the professionals at Pipetek (www.pipetek.net), the leading company providing drain care and repair throughout Andalucia, as well as leak detection and damp surveys. The specialist skill of pipe relining allows Pipetek to save their clients considerable upheaval, as a problem pipe relined (where possible) is significantly easier than replacing it. While investigating problems with drains in Spain, Pipetek come across all manner of problems, from root ingress to extreme damp-ridden properties. Whenever the problems are caused by cracked or even collapsed pipes, Pipetek can use their expertise, skill, experience and technological equipment to reline the pipes instead of having to completely replace them, depending on the individual case. In the cases where relining is possible, a new pipe made out of a material similar to glass-reinforced plastic, is placed within the existing pipe. Although flexible at first, the new pipe is then moulded to the damaged pipe by using 'inversion': a technique that uses air or water pressure to fit both the damaged and existing pipe together. Once set in place the relined pipe is tough and strong enough to work perfectly without causing problems. The relined pipe is also seamless and therefore leak free and root ingress becomes a thing of the past. Even if the original pipe completely breaks down, the new cured in place pipe (CIPP) remains strong and free flowing; All this without the considerable mess and upheaval of excavating floors, terraces and gardens or digging into walls to replace the damaged pipe in its entirety. Pipetek are the only company in southern Spain to offer CIPP Relining Technology and will soon offer the latest concept in patch lining; the ability to repair a small section of pipe that is leaking or allowing root ingress. This service will soon be available to Pipetek customers and will bring a surgeon-like precision to the skill of pipe maintenance and repair. "We have always offered and conducted such works within the confines of Gibraltar and the UK and our engineers have conducted relining works for clients such as The Ministry of Defense, the Government of Gibraltar, Marks & Spencer's, Coca-Cola UK and Exxon Mobile" said Jim Fraser, Managing Director of Pipetek SL. "We have now completed a major tie up with one of Europe's premier suppliers of the relining product, Renoline, and we have been appointed sole supplier of their products for the Iberian Peninsular. Pipetek SL, together with Renoline Limited in the UK, is soon to commence offering training on the installation of the various relining products. This training will be aimed at providing other drainage companies, plumbers, engineers etc. with the specialized skill required to conduct such an operation. Pipetek has always prided itself on its close relationship with other companies of a similar nature offering help and support when required and are looking forward to forging new ties within the Spanish and Portuguese markets. The pipe relining process can be applied to any material and any diameter from 75mm and has proven very cost effective on main sewer systems for local authorities and urbanizations. To find out more about pipe relining or any of the other professional services offered by Pipetek visit www.pipetek.net
Nature’s Philosophy add a touch of glamour to your life Are you ready for summer! Nature’s Philosophy has the Genie complete Slimming & Toning system waiting for you. The world’s only 10 minute face lift, using the ‘Baxendale’ wave; unique in the world and up to x1000 faster than other machines available on the market. The programme of 10 rebuilds the facial muscle mass in only 10 minutes each session. Other programmes include Lymphatic Drainage; this can aid in weight loss and eliminate toxins from the body, help with oedema & revitalise the body after an illness, cellulite treatments, limming & toning. The treatments can be tailored made and work specifically on areas you wish to enhance, for example tighten loose abdominal skin, eliminate stretch marks or scarring, breast and buttock lifting. For any of you suffering with hay fever why not try the Sinus Drainage treatment helping relieve the discomfort and congestion. To discuss the machine or have free demonstrations contact the salon jennifer@naturesphilosophy.net or telephone 952485172. The machine will be available for demonstrations at the Health & Beauty exhibition in Calahonda on the 14th June in front of the New Black Cat Bar. Come and try a taster session for Reflexology or Foot Vitaflex, using Young Living Essential Oils or a discounted Manicure or Pedicure, (you can choose to have a more intense pedicure using chiropody tools and techniques), you can book ahead to avoid disappointment on the day. Also on the day will be Forever Aloe Products, the remarkable properties of aloe are available in drinks, skin care and cosmetics. Forever Aloe is the largest distributor of Aloe in the world with over 30 years in the business. The opportunity for you to work as an independent distributor is a great way to access these products and introduce friends & family to their wonderful healing properties. Also in the range are nutritious products from the bee hive, vitamins, minerals & herbal supplements. We are looking for natural solutions to your problems and a way to improve your general health & beauty. If you can’t make it to the exhibition you can visit us at the salon or book a home party demonstration. The beautiful facial range of Sonya Skin Care will be used in the facial for the party host, containing aloe, fruit extracts, white tea, jojoba beads and advanced moisturizers. Included are a luxurious neck & shoulder massage & face & scalp using Young Living Therapeutic Essential oils. Add a touch of glamour to your life as we introduce Permanent Make-up and Teeth Whitening to the salon, as well as eyelash tinting & perming, no need to worry about your make-up running at the beach or pool! Monthly promotions are available at the salon in Mijas Pueblo keep an eye out to see what’s new. We are proud to say we offer the highest standard of treatments at very competitive prices; packages are available and can be tailored along with the availability of gift vouchers. If you cannot access us we can come to you by prior arrangement. We are now also based in Fuengirola offering a variety of treatments and the Genie Slimming & Toning System. A full detail of what’s available at the exhibition or in the salon can be seen on our website www.naturesphilosophy.net Nature’s Philosophy, Calle Málaga, 39 Mijas Pueblo, 952485172.
Calahonda Health & Beauty Exhibition 14th June 2009
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>> costa HOMES
San Juan The night of bonfires
an Juanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s night is full of bonfires, fireworks, music, dancing, sardines and bread. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the welcome to summer, and its celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year.
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In Andalucia, San Juan is celebrated on the night of June 23rd into the 24th with some towns, such as Almuñécar, in Granada, allowing the beaches to be used as campsites for a single night. On the beaches of Malaga it’s common to see people jumping over fires which, according to legend, cleanse the body and the soul. Jumping in the sea at midnight is supposed to be a way to wash away evil spirits. Also known as the Bonfires of Saint John (Spanish: Hogueras de San Juan) In Alicante it is considered the most important festival in the city, over two hundred bonfires burn throughout the city during the night. In cities and towns, particularly those close to the sea, the celebration is very important. Lalín, in Galicia, celebrates O Corpiño, during which people touch an image to take out bad things. In Palamós and Roses (Girona), fireworks and bonfires are made on the beach, while in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the people build bonfires of waste products, and after the burn, bathe in the sea, which they have filled with fruits and flowers. As well as the bonfires that burn continuously, there are also muñecos or dolls that are burnt. This is usually done around midnight. Originally, the effigies were supposed to represent Judas Iscariot. Quite often the dolls are made up to represent local or national personalities who are famous (or sometimes infamous). The burning of these effigies is supposed to bring good luck but quite often, it is just good fun and it makes a great spectacle. Some of the effigies can be quite elaborate.
> Fuengirola
> Fire walkers
Every year there is a big party at the Fuengirola’s Playa del Castillo (Castle Beach) on the night of the 23rd of June. The festivity is called Noche de San Juan (St. John’s night). This is a unique day of the year that bonfires are allowed on the beach. At around 10pm the beach will start to be packed with bonfires, barbecues, tents, parasols. Families and friends gather together to celebrate. There is a huge party with music, big screens and several DJ’s just beneath the Sohail Castle. Then at twelve o’clock the people walk backwards into the sea.
San Pedro Manrique knows no half-measures when it comes to celebrating the San Juan Festival. On June 23rd, the night before Saint’s Day, locals light bonfires and when the brave firewalkers hop barefoot across red-hot coals, without even the slightest signs of burns. The town’s patron saint, La Virgen de La Peña (the Virgin of Sorrows), is held responsible for this paranormal phenomena. Occasionally the local hospital has to deal with careless walkers.
> Sabinillas The Noche de San Juan celebrations take on different forms in different areas. In Sabinillas, for instance, a huge tableau is constructed on the beach in Sabinillas a few days before the event. This is a work of art and every year is on a different theme, and it is almost a crime when, half-an-hour or so before midnight, the whole thing is set alight, and then you walk into the sea to wash away any bad luck. The night is also marked by a firework display, on the beach in Sabinillas, live music and dancing. There are bars set up serving drinks and tapas to make everything go with a swing.
Around 8.30am on San Juan’s Day, another fiesta is celebrated, the Fiesta de las Móndidas celebrating the local legend of the missing maidens. Many years ago 100 maidens went missing from the area. The fiesta pays tribute to the tale and sees women dress up in white robes, carrying gifts of saffron and flour. Singing and dancing follow, including the infamous folkloric baile de la jota (a local dance). So make sure that you reserve the night of June 23rd for La noche de San Juan. Bring plenty to drink, something to eat, a towel if you are going to be near the water, and be prepared to see the sun rise on the morning of the 24th.
Another tradition, especially for women, requires the women of the house to prepare perfumed water combining the scents of seven plants - among them rosemary, roses and laurel - and to bathe or wash their faces in the water, again to purify themselves for the new season.
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>> costa HOMES
SECRET
Spanish Gardens by Annika Jonsson BLOND of Scandinavia
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costa HOMES >> hat I find very exciting is that you never know what’s behind the door of some of those small village houses. They are full of surprises, secrets. It could be a small patio filled with the most beautiful flowers in all kinds of different containers; a gorgeous old vine climbing on a shady, bamboo roof; lots of pots hanging on walls, all with different flowers, colours and scents. And to complete the picture, the old woman herself sitting in the corner knitting something for her granddaughter. What I really like about this is the randomness; it isn’t work done by a designer - far from it - it’s done by the old Spanish woman herself who utilises whatever she has to grow her plants in, and it shows that she has been doing it for a very, very long time.
W
I have tried to create this traditional and very harmonious garden, but it just doesn’t work. Maybe it’s because I don’t have enough knowledge about which plant should be where. I go by trial and error. If my newly planted flower doesn’t seem to thrive, I simply take the pot to a shadier place or vice versa. It’s fascinating to see how a different position can make all the difference. Also, as I mentioned before, it will take a long time to be able to create something even slightly similar to what the Spanish women do. On top of this, I don’t knit, and I don’t have a grand-child either!! I suppose I still have a long way to go. Sometimes, behind another door, there is not only a very pretty garden, but there is the most stunning view as well, all the way to the sea. I am fortunate to live in Mijas Pueblo, which lies 483m above sea level. It is so elevated that my husband used to say that up here the swallows always fly low! The view from here is one of the best, if not the best on Costa del Sol. It is the best ‘‘garden’’ you can have, and it needs no maintenance! Just keep it clear of more golf courses please.
Now of course, this kind of garden is not to everybody’s taste. No, I don’t mean the view - I am sure that everybody likes that - I mean the little Spanish garden. Some like it very modern; some like it a bit more traditional. For me, it all comes down to the property you have and what personality you have. If you have a penthouse by the sea, for example, the modern look is possible, if this is what you want. However, if you have an old townhouse you might go for the more traditional look. What you need to think about when you are creating your outside space is to think of it as another room to your house. Your garden should reflect the style and personality of yourself and your home. Here are some things to consider when you are planning your garden/outside space.
>>Tiles The basic terracotta ones are always a good choice. They are usually quite
>> costa life 45
specializing in
Fincas Country Villas Townhouses Cortijos Ruins Plots Rentals
952 498 454 mobile: 609 454 409 tel:
enquiries@aloraproperties.com www.aloraproperties.com Plaza Fuente Arriba s/n Alora
AP583: A 2 level cortijo set on 18,510m2 of irrigated land planted with fruit trees. The property is in a rural location on the edge of Alora town but is within walking distance to town. At ground level there is a lounge with wood-burner and chimney, the master bedroom with full bathroom, double shower and dressing room, a large modern fully fitted kitchen and patio doors leading out to a large enclosed courtyard with a laundry /store room. On the upper level there is a 2nd lounge with fantastic views, 2/3 bedrooms, 2 of which have en-suite shower rooms. There is a 10m x 5m pool and well stocked gardens. 148m2 built. The property has mains water, electricity and is being sold fully furnished.
AP585: A pretty country property located on the outskirts of Alora with 3,850 m2 of irrigated and fenced land. The house offers a lounge with wood-burner, kitchen, 2 double bedrooms and showerroom. 72m2 built. Mains water and electricity is available. The plot of land is ideal for cultivating or for equestrian pursuits. With good access and pretty views this is a very nice property offering good value for money.
PRICE: 128,400€ €
PRICE: 262,500€ €
AP584: 2 level village house in the most historical part of Alora. There are double entrance doors from the street into a small entrance hall, sitting-room, kitchen, dining room, 3 bedrooms, shower room and a basement room. There are 2 internal patios. 80m2 built. The property requires some up-dating. Mains water and electricity is connected. This is a good buy to rent property.
PRICE: 73,500€ €
AP522: A quality built 2 level detached villa, located 5 minutes from Alora on 10,000m2 of land planted with olive trees. The property is gated and fully fenced. The property offers an entrance dining room, lounge with wood-burning stove, a large wooden kitchen, w.c. 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one of them en-suite to the master bedroom and a terrace affording glorious views over Alora. 165m2 built. There is separate guest accommodation which offers a lounge/kitchen, 1 bedroom and a bathroom. There is a 9x5m swimming pool with sun terrace, bar, BBQ area, play area for children and a mature garden. This is a quality family home with potential as a rural accommodation business. Mains and well water, electricity, internet connection and satellite t.v.
Price: 499,000€ €
>> costa HOMES
cheap, and they weather with time brilliantly. To cheer them up a bit, you can always put in some small, decorative tiles here and there. They come in all shapes and textures, as you probably know. Big, small, red, green, blue, yellow, plain, textured, squared, rectangular etc. etc. There is such a huge collection out there that I could go on forever!
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>>Water Water is an important feature of a Spanish, Moorish garden. We all know how hot it can be here during the summer months and nothing is more soothing to both the ears and the soul than to listen to murmuring water.
>>Lighting Having lights in your garden make it feels like
costa HOMES >> >>BBQ What is a garden without a BBQ? To me, it doesn’t exist. You could have a built-in or a portable. You could have one with gas or with charcoal. One thing you shouldn’t forget though, is to make sure that you have some light so that you can see what you are doing if the night falls. This is a mistake I have made, and I sometimes ended up with how shall I put it - a not perfect dinner!
>>A shaded area This is very important. Spain has intense heat during a good part of the day, so to incorporate a shaded area is crucial.
For me the outside space you have, when living in Spain, is very important, if not the most important area of your living space. This is, of course, because of the lovely, warm weather. To sit down and relax in your garden after a hectic day is the best way of winding down. What could be better than to smell the scent of the fresh flowers, breathe the fresh air and, if possible, listen to the murmuring of a water feature? Sitting, sipping a glass of wine and waiting for your husband to sort out the BBQ - this is heaven in my book. PS. I almost forgot, AGAIN, to let my cat, Mr Kaiser Otto, have a word. He has been pestering me for some time about not being mentioned. So, I asked him what he had to say about gardens and garden designs. This was his comment: ‘‘A garden without a cat is like a kitchen without a cooker!’’ Mmmm, point taken.
You never know what’s behind the door of some of those small village houses another room. It also means that you can use it all night if you wish. The best type of lighting is diffused lighting, which is light filtered through translucent materials. This provides glare-free illumination. Use downlighting on pathways and uplighting to enhance feature plants. If you don’t want to bother with electricity, there are many lights with solar panels that work really well.
costa life 49
>> costa HOMES
guide
to buying a property in Spain
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.
W
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.
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 One thing you will have to accept when buying a property in Spain is that the world of officialdom and paperwork is not quite what it is back home, and some things are done quite differently from the UK. You must try to accept this early on, to avoid more worry than necessary. Hopefully this short guide will give you some useful pointers to guide you through the process as smoothly as possible.
>> The Property Search Always do your research! The increasing use of the internet has proved a significant to both buyers and sellers of property, and is more and more becoming the first place people look for Spanish property. Some websites provide even more useful information such as area guides, property news, and even newsletters. Try and go through as many magazines as possible to get a feel for prices. You can pick some up in the UK in places like WH Smith´s but there are many more to choose from once you have arrived in Spain. Once you have narrowed down your search, it is time to contact an agent. Don’t be
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
50 costa life
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.
MACP: 475 Alhaurin el Grande 575,000 € €
Bedrooms: 4, 3 in the main and 1 in the casita, Built Area: 280m2, 350m2 including the two loft conversions, Bedrooms: 4, 3 in the main and 1 in the casita, Bathrooms: 5, Kitchen dinner in the main and a small separate kitchen in the other house, Separate self contained little house on two level with 40m2 beautiful studio or extra bedrooms, Garage at present covered into a games room, ample parking within the villa grounds or on the street. A great opportunity to purchase the only villa which is for sale on this new exciting urbanisation. The villa is in the country but walking distance to Alhaurin el Grande town. The location of this property is fantastic; being next to the town and close to all amenities. A mortgage is in place.
MACP-375 Alhaurin el Grande
199,000 € €
MACP-523 Alhaurin el Grande
250,000 € €
A wonderful little property on private plot with views of Alhaurin el Grande and the beautiful Spanish countryside.There is a terrace looking over pool area and a very private roof terrace with panoramic views of Alhaurin, coin and beyond. Built Area:65m2, Land Area: 522.30, Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms 1, Swimming pool.
MACP-335
Monda
299,000 €€
Built Area: 166m2, Bedrooms: 3, 2 with fitted wardrobes, Bathrooms: 2 fantastic penthouse in the best part of Alhaurin with spectacular views. The property is situated looking over the swimming pool, charming gardens, golf course and country side. The penthouse is of a very high standard,extremely spacious with loads of light. There is a wonderful private roof terrace and lower terrace that would make a great BBQ area.
Built Area: 170 m2, Land Area: 233 m2, Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 3, Lounge: 2, Kitchen: 2 This lovely house is situated on the ONLY urbanisation in Monda, which has only about 24 houses all of different design, which makes this property very unique indeed. Anyone who lives in Monda or visits this lovely village will agree that it really is very beautiful and pleasant place to be. The house itself is split into two levels each with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen, it is very spacious and has great views over the countryside the village and Monda castle.
MACP-427 Alhaurin De La Torre 367,5000 € €
MACP-525
Just reduced from 599,000 € €
Built Area: 400m2, Land Area: 3,600m2, Bedrooms: 6, Bathrooms: 3 New on the market only renovated to very high standard a year ago. This property is on the outskirts of La Alqueria a village between the 2 Alhaurin’s. This is a large family home with all the extras - full oil fired central heating, log burning stove, air con. Newly decorated and fitted out this is a superb home that needs to be viewed to fully appreciate. It is situated in a very quiet lane but still within 10 minutes of 2 major towns.
Alhaurin el Grande
578,000 €€
BRAND NEW ONTO THE MARKET VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Built Area: 390m2, Land Area:1,500m2, Bedrooms: 3 all doubles, Bathrooms: 3, bathrooms one en-suite, plus a WC A beautiful property on a sought after great location. This lovely villa, really is one to be viewed property has 180m2 all one level and a further 210m2 on the lower level which is all totally legal and on the title deeds. In The country but walking distance to town.
MACP-282 Alhaurin De La Torre 375,000 € €
JUST REDUCED FOR A QUICK SALE BY 100,000 € € A 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. Built Area: 170m2, Plot Area: 2000m2, Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms 2/Half, Large Converted Outbuilding
MACP-456 Alhaurin el Grande
299,000 €€
JUST REDUCED FROM 350,000 € € Built Area: 133m2, Land Area: 168m2, Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 2 Pool: Community A beautiful, immaculate house, with private garden on an exclusive gated urbanisation.
MACP-530
Alhaurin el Grande
625,000 € €
Built Area: 300m2, Land Area: 1,500m2, Bedrooms: 6 or 5 with an office, Bathrooms: 4, Lounges: 2 Kitchen A beautiful property in immaculate condition in a sought after area, walking distance into Alhaurin town. This large property is currently used as a spacious family home but could quite easily accommodate two families as there is two levels with equal bedrooms, lounges and kitchens etc. Originally Spanish built and owned is very light with big windows, very roomy and comfortable. Well maintained and totally landscaped grounds, there is also a beautiful orchard, with orange, lemon avocado and apple tress.
>> costa HOMES
news report
>> Spain cuts public spending by another 1bn Euro Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced in May a further reduction of EUR 1 billion in spending for 2009 in a bid to reduce the public deficit.
financial
In his speech to parliament, he did not explain where the additional cuts would take place. ‘‘Now we are going to extend this reduction by EUR 1 billion more - at EUR 2.5 billion for a single financial year, it is the biggest budget cut ever’’ since the end of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco in 1975, he said. Spain’s economy entered recession at the end of 2008 as the international financial crisis hit an already weakened building sector. The country has recorded a deficit equivalent to 0.69 percent of gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2009, compared to a surplus of EUR 3.3 billion a year earlier.
>> Banco Sabadell, first Spanish financial institution in the Arab Emirates Banco Sabadell has expanded its international network with a new representative branch in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the main economic centre of the Middle East and a strategic location to service a broad region with enormous potential for the economic interests of Spanish companies. The branch is the first and only branch of a Spanish financial institution in the country. In the Middle East, and more specifically in the area of the Persian Gulf, Spanish companies are identifying significant opportunities linked to large scale projects in different economic sectors in which Spain possesses experience and international acknowledgement (civil works, transport and management infrastructures, solar and wind energy, water treatment, tourism) and durable consumer goods (fashion and apparel, footwear, cosmetics and furniture, amongst others).
>> Spanish market ideal for money transfer The Spanish market is ripe for investment again and now could be the ideal time to make a money transfer to buy property in the region, it has been claimed. According to online overseas property resource Nubricks.com, big reductions in property prices are increasing interest in Spanish homes, providing an opportunity for people transferring money to Spain. ‘‘Spain was already in its property recession from about 2005, when it started to collapse,’’ said Adam Samuel, director at Nubricks. He explained: ‘‘Although, in the UK, the economic crisis is being brought to the forefront of the media...Spain has already been there for a while.’’ Mr Samuel added that people looking for bargains when making an international money transfer could do well out of the Spanish market and make the most of their investment. Recent statistics from PropertyIndex.com found that searches on their site for Spanish property increased by 121 per cent over the last year.
At present, Banco Sabadell’s international network is one of the strongest in the Spanish financial system. It operates in 20 countries where it offer services adapted to the various levels of aid and finance.
>> Bad debts hit Spanish savings banks The Bank of Spain is reported to be considering relaxing the demands made for bank provisions, with the objective of extending the payment periods so that banks can declare more profit and keep more capital. Minister for Tax and the Economy, Elena Salgado, said that we where ‘living an exceptionally serious crisis’ and for all governments, including the Spanish, re-establishing confidence was fundamental. In other countries in Europe, and also in the United States, accounting had been modified in such a way as to lessen the effect of the crisis on their accounts. Caja Madrid has announced a loss of 885 million in its mortgage department where bad debt levels have reached 6.5%. Bank Chairman, Miguel Blesa, said, however, that he preferred to have bad debts in his mortgage clients rather than in other credits; ‘We are very concerned to have this level of bad debt’, he said, ‘but it is better that we have the properties as a guarantee’. The bank has reportedly 3.576 billion in unpaid credits outstanding. Another savings bank, Cajasur, has admitted that its bad debt level is now close to 8%.
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>> Costa del Sol workers see no pay rise this year Unions say that demonstrations have not been ruled out claiming employers have failed to give wage increases. 65,000 workers in the tourist industry on the Costa del Sol have not seen any wage increase this year, and workers in shops and construction are in a similar situation. Despite the recession unions say that demonstrations are being planned, claiming that businesses have held back 60 million € from workers, an amount described by the businesses as ‘inflated’. At the centre of many disputes is the inflation level, with workers noting the 2% claimed by the European Central Bank and in the state budgets, while the employers note that the Government is still to make its predictions for inflation for next year. La Opinión de Málaga reports that a meeting between representatives from the tourism sector with the Costa del Sol Hoteliers Association ended in failure in May. Meanwhile the ETT part time work agency has said it expects to offer half the usual number of summer contracts in Málaga this year. They say hotels are working with as few a number of employees as possible, and many companies are planning to close completely in August so as not to have to take on temporary workers.
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>> costa HOMES
Sowing
O
f all the plants for the summer border, available for sale at garden centres, Antirrhinums (Snapdragons) are some of the most familiar. They belong to a large plant family (Scrophulariaceae) that includes among its many members the popular Foxglove. From the time of the Victorians, Antirrhinums have been used extensively as formal bedding plants, as often seen in municipal bedding schemes.
your own By Simon Hill
Larkspur - Consolida Wild Antirhinum growing in the Sierra las Nieves 56 costa life
costa HOMES >> Our region has many native plants that have been taken by horticulturalists and developed to become more attractive and suitable for gardens. The Snapdragon is no exception. Wild Antirrhinum majus can be seen growing throughout our area from spring into summer. It is often seen by the roadside, growing out of concrete drainage dykes, on old walls, or springing from dry rock with the barest of nutrients to nourish them. Good examples have a cluster of tall stems and stand to more than a metre. For the garden, hybridisation and selective breeding has resulted in a huge range of heights, flower forms and colours. Many gardeners think of plants such as Antirrhinums as annuals that will not survive beyond one season. In fact they are perennial and even the choicest garden variety will happily overwinter throughout our region, except where there is hard frost. Plants can sometimes seed themselves to reappear in following years, but the seed is very fine, and the ants probably steal most of it. Cuttings can be taken in autumn and overwintered in sheltered pots ready to plant out again as soon as temperatures permit. This is worth doing if the plant has proved to be exceptional, either in terms of overall health or its vigorous flowering, and if you can't be sure of finding it again. Plants can be raised from seed, which can be tricky, or it may be easier to spend a few Euros on more plants! Digitalis) belong to As I mentioned earlier, Foxgloves (D the same family as Snapdragons, and they, too, can be found growing in their native habitat in and around the mountain ranges of Málaga. In appearance, these plants are not much like those we may remember in the gardens of our childhood or growing wild, or like those magnificent horticultural creations that have enjoyed a renaissance in the last few years, helped by the shows that determine garden fashions. There are foxgloves native to southern Spain and specifically to our region. Digitalis obscura is a lowgrowing shrub-like perennial plant with spikes of deep orange to reddish-brown trumpet flowers that can reach 1 metre, usually discovered growing in mountain woodlands. D. purpurea is a biennial
species that contains the poison digitalin, a heart stimulant, formerly used in the treatment of cardiac problems. Its flowers are also borne in tall spikes and are usually mauve in colour. This species also occurs in N. Europe. Here, it can be seen growing in cork oak forests to the wetter west of our region, mainly at the higher altitudes. While I would love to have a bed of showy hybrid foxgloves in my lowland garden, I have to face the fact that, where I am, it is far too hot and dry in summer to suit these plants, as it is over most of our region. Are there any other plants producing showy spikes of flowers that could used to similar effect? One possibility is garden delphinium hybrids, also producing spikes of flowers in a range of forms and colours. Unfortunately, these are water hungry and intolerant of intense sun and heat. In our region, they are probably best treated as annuals, sown in shade in August, and transplanted to their flowering position in October to bloom in spring or early summer. Somewhat easier to grow is the native annual Dephinium stavisagria (spanish name: albarraz), which is locally common in the mountains and self-seeds freely in gardens when it likes the soil (not mine unfortunately). This resembles the horticultural delphiniums and has spikes of pale blue or bluish-white flowers that reach 1 metre under good garden conditions. It belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and contains toxic alkaloids, as do many members of this family. If you want to grow these plants, collect fresh seed from the wild or from a friend’s garden, sow directly into prepared ground just before the autumn rains, and hope for the best! There is another group of annual delphiniums that can make a good show in your Spanish garden: the Consolida spp.). These are native plants larkspurs (C that have been hybridised and bred to yield single double forms with colours ranging from white through pink to dark blue. Given good conditions in the garden, when these are sown in autumn they grow throughout the winter to flower as large plants in spring, have a long flowering period and self-sow. Good value for the cost of a packet of seed!
Another great plant to grow from seed is Cosmos bipinnatus. Originating in tropical America, these daisies, white or brightly coloured through pink to crimson or purple with yellow centres and feathery green foliage, are more than able to cope with the intense heat of our summer. You can find them for sale in garden centres, but bought plants never seem to do well. Better to buy seed of a good tall strain, sow it in shelter in January, in plugs, and transplant to flowering position in March. Such plants reach a large size and flower profusely for much of the summer. Lastly, there are one or two common ‘weeds’ that flower along the roadsides and can be great in the garden if you allow them to remain. Every May, in my garden, plants of Andryala integrifolia (Spanish name: Cerraja lanuda) produce a show of bright lemon yellow daisy-like flowers over several weeks. These are borne in clustered woolly heads, on stems rising from a basal leaf rosette that develops over winter. Wild Annual Bugloss or Echium vulgare (Spanish name: Viborera) also regularly seeds itself in my garden. Bristly leaves and stems give rise to blue or pink tubular flowers. Seed of improved garden forms is readily available and should be sown directly into the ground in autumn. Of course, I have only scratched the surface here. Dig a little deeper to find lots of different annual plants that, without spending any more than the cost of a cheap packet of seeds, can be used to beautify your early summer garden for years to come! Now is the time for many street trees to be in flower. Look out for the stunning orange spikes of Grevillea robusta, and the showy scarlet flowered Brachychiton acerifolium. Good gardening! Simon Hill can be contacted for questions and advice: FINCAROSABLANCA@telefonica.net
Andryala integrifolia
Delphinium staphisagria
costa life 57
>> costa STUFF
Giving You a Shock by Peter Harrison
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costa STUFF >>
T
urn over an old box in an outhouse, and you may be in for a big surprise. A weird looking creature that looks like a miniature prehistoric monster makes a sudden dash from its hiding place and goes straight up the wall. It looks like one of those plastic reptiles that we used to collect from packets of breakfast cereal when we were kids. Even those of us who have spent many years in Spain get a surprise, so I can well imagine the effect it had on a friend visiting us from England. A scream told all! He had encountered a gecko, one of the sixteen types of lizard that we find here in Spain and indeed, in several warm regions of the world where there is sand or sparse vegetation. It really is a delightful creature once you get used to its sudden rush for safety. It lives in walls and under roof tiles, anywhere it can hide away in a dark, cool place for it is basically a nocturnal animal. If the gecko detects you in advance, either by sight or by sound, its reaction is different; it freezes. Its camouflage is very effective, and you would not be aware of its presence. Take it by surprise, however, and its immediate reaction is flight, which is what makes you jump. It has another way of escaping, and that is by forfeiting its tail. One of our cats came into the house with a wriggling gecko tail in her mouth. Do not be concerned that you have an injured gecko if you should have this experience. It is a defence mechanism, called autotomy, and is possible because of a weak plane of cleavage in one of the vertebrae of the tail. When in danger, the muscles on either side of the tail contract, and the cleavage allows the tail to separate from the body, enabling a shaken gecko to run away, free but wiser. Within a short time, he will have grown another. Reptiles have smart ways of getting out of trouble; sometimes I wish we humans had! One of the most ingenious escapees is the cousin of the gecko, the Basilisk Lizard, which is found in America. When surprised, it will escape by walking on water and has been dubbed the Jesus Christ Lizard as a result. As reptiles are a tasty dish for many birds, they have to be quick off the mark to escape a swoop from the sky. Geckos are insect eaters although they do consume fruit from time to time. Because they enjoy insects,
and we humans usually find insects irritating, many homes keep geckos as pets, a kind of living trap for nasties. There is nothing wrong with this but do allow geckos to be free around your home. They cause no harm apart from making you jump with surprise, and do remember they are wild creatures. I am against any curtailment of the freedom of wild things; they are as entitled to their enjoyment of life as we are. In colder weather, geckos seem to vanish, which leads people to assume that they hibernate. This is not strictly true. As they are cold-blooded animals, they go torpid in cold weather and, if found by humans, the assumption is that they are ill. Not so….they are just drowsy and waiting for the warmer weather, when they will be running up walls and across ceilings, even climbing up the glass on your windows. Should you have a number of geckos, you will be amazed at their chirping sound, a gecko orchestra; it makes them different from their silent lizard cousins. This noise is a way of communicating, one gecko to another. The agility of geckos and their ability to stick to vertical surfaces is due to the millions of hairs and suckers they have on their claws. The absence of liquid has fascinated scientists in California, who have studied these reptiles in order to develop a solid adhesive. Providing no harm comes to animals, it is a good idea to learn from them. Humans have developed ultra-sound and sonar by studying animals. We can all learn from one another. An interesting aspect of the gecko, and one that intrigues scientists, is its immediate reaction to light, a procedure known as photoperiodism. One minute it is snoozing in a crack in a wall or under a box or tile. A light comes on, and the response is unbelievably rapid. I wish I could react in such a manner when the light interrupts my sleep first thing in the morning! Yes indeed, we have a lot to learn from them, but let us learn at a distance. There is a growing trend to make, or try to make, wild animals our pets; this is especially dangerous and cruel with reptiles. In several pet shops, there are Iguanas, indigenous to the wetlands of America’s southern states. These lovely creatures may be fascinating when small, but they can grow
to two metres and can cause injury with their sweeping tail. Reptiles in captivity need special professional treatment; they sense small movements, such as a refrigerator motor vibration, and many need humidity control. Observe them, admire them and learn from them, but do not make them your pets. Whether we are animal lovers or not, no right-minded person deliberately wants to cause distress.
Marbled gecko
Leopard gecko
Green gecko
‘‘One of the most ingenious escapees is the cousin of the gecko, the Basilisk Lizard, which is found in America. When surprised, it will escape by walking on water and has been dubbed the Jesus Christ Lizard as a result.’’ costa life 59
>> costa STUFF
costa
cuisine by Jan Morley
The origins of this dessert date back over a hundred years, when bread was used in special nursing homes as a supplement to patients who were forbidden to eat cakes, and now it has evolved into a luscious dessert. This maybe one of the few desserts that you only make once in a blue moon, but it is always a special treat.
Summer Pudding >> SUMMER PUDDING Serves 4- 6 900g of mixed fruits e.g. redcurrants, blackcurrants, raspberries, strawberries or a few plums, etc 2 tablespoons water 170g/6oz caster sugar 6-9 slices of white bread, crusts removed
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You will need a 1 ½ pint, or 850ml pudding basin, lightly buttered. > To remove the blackcurrants and redcurrants from their stalks, simply hold at the tip between your finger and thumb, and then run a fork along the stalk, and the berries will fall off. > Rinse all the fruits in cold water > Place the 2 tablespoons of water in a large pan with the caster sugar and the fruits > Heat gently for 3 to 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved > Drain off the juice into a large bowl > Cut a round of bread to fit the bottom of the pudding bowl, dip them into the juice, line the rest of the sides of the bowl with slightly overlapping slices of bread, pour the warm berries into the centre
It seems to epitomize all that is special about the seasonal red summer fruits, their vibrant colours and slight sharpness. Traditionally this recipe was always made with redcurrants, blackcurrants and raspberries, but you can use loganberries, blueberries, a few strawberries or plums if the other berries are too expensive. It is also a splendid way of using up slightly stale white sliced bread.
> Cover with a final round of bread, spoon a little juice over it so no white is showing > Pour any leftover juice into a pan and simmer until slightly syrupy > Place a saucer just the right size to fit inside the bowl and put a weight on top to press it down > Leave in the fridge overnight to allow the juices from the fruits to saturate the bread > To serve, place a large dish over the bowl, tip and give a sharp shake to release it from the bowl into the serving dish > Cut into wedges and serve with a big dollop of fresh cream and a little extra juice
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>> costa STUFF By Russell Vaughan Mintmicro S.L 952 596 346 or 665 016 374
computer
bytes & pieces Laptops New vs Secondhand or Reconditioned Have you seen the price of laptops lately, if you are thinking of replacing that old computer or laptop there has NEVER been a better time, It is cheaper to buy a shiny new laptop than second hand with prices starting at under €300 for a basic machine with a 1.6 processor, 1gig of ram and a full 2 year warranty. Dual core monsters that have great sound and fantastic battery life start at €500. So there are many bargains out there. When you are looking for a machine don’t assume that an ACER 5920 from one company is the same as buying an ACER 5920 from another. Manufacturers bring new models out every few months so there could be a great deal of difference between them. Remember buying a new Laptop here usually means it is a Spanish model so ask about the price to have it converted into English before you start comparing prices. Second hand or reconditioned units often come without genuine windows so buyers beware.
Is my Laptop Dead? You dropped your Laptop, spilled a drink into it or broke the screen whatever you have done to your trusty portable it may be repairable. The first stage is to decide whether you need to send the machine to a Laptop specialist or whether you can resolve the problem yourself. If your machine will not start there a couple of things you could try before sending the machine in for repair. Try and remove the battery and removable optical (i.e. CDROM) drives and establish if the machine will boot from mains power, for example - a number of laptops will not boot with a failed battery fitted, if the machine boots you could just then order a battery. Try the power adaptor in a similar laptop it could have failed. You could plug in an external monitor and see if it is just the screen that has broken or a more serious problem. If you are confident, you may wish to remove the hard drive and see if the machine powers up, if it is the hard drive that has failed you can order a replacement. If your machine runs erratically it may have either a software or hardware problem. Contact me if you need some advice.
Why do I Need Windows Updates? Updates are important, especially If you go on the Internet, because they fix problems that have been identified since Windows XP first came out. These updates fix many day to day problems such as crashing, blue screens memory issues amongst
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many others. Over the years many of us have been duped and for whatever reason have non genuine windows installed on our computers and unscrupulous sellers or well meaning assistants turn off automatic updates in the belief that if updates cannot happen Microsoft will never find out that the copy of windows they installed is not genuine. Let me assure you Microsoft are aware of this trick and have learned that by giving away free stuff to licensed users they can trawl for a few unlicensed users at the same time because to install shiny new free stuff often companies force updates to windows as part of the new program or website you are joining If you are suffering from the ‘‘Windows Counterfeit / Genuine Message’’ be careful I recently heard about a business that had the dreaded ‘‘you may be using Counterfeit windows’’ message on his work computers. One of its customers kindly told them that he could sort it all out for him with a patch that gets rid of the message, two downloads later all the machines had been patched and all the messages had gone. It wasn’t until the next morning that the boss realised that he was locked out of every machine in his office, an expensive saving!!. We are learning that there are no fixes that will allow you to legally licence your version of windows, none that I have seen continue to work and at some point you will have to licence your version of windows. Many people are finding that they been suffering from the ‘‘Windows Counterfeit / Genuine Message’’ and for this month only I have a readers special offer this month I can fix your counterfeit windows from €35.00 call for details.
top cover display assembly
center control cover
keyboard palm rest assembly
thermal cooling assembly
hybrid cooling fan left speaker/antenna assembly
system board modular bay device
hard drive
modem and network connector covers main battery
memory module cover bottom case assembly
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>> costa STUFF
What is your Identity? How do you answer that question? You will probably say ‘‘I’m English!’’ or ‘‘I’m Irish!’’. Others may answer ‘‘I was born in South Africa so I’m South African. That’s my identity.’’ But still others might say ‘‘Well, I was born in Africa but I hold a British Passport so I’m British’’.
But the question about your identity can reach much deeper because deep down inside every one of us is the knowledge of our true identity. If we were born into a deprived uneducated family, we may spend our lives trying to shake off that memory while trying to create a new identity. Perhaps you are a self-made man. You’ve amassed a small fortune and you have respect and influence in the community. But do you still have that insecurity hidden deep inside you of your deprived start in life? Have you tried to bury that memory all your life? What about those who have always lived the good life? You were born into a privileged life and you’ve always expected others to show you the admiration and submission you feel you are due? Is your identity in your birthright and wealth? Do you ever question whether all the friends that surround you are true friends or do they gather about you for what they can get? In every person born into this earth there is a desire to be accepted unconditionally. We all desire to be loved and appreciated, we are constantly trying to
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win the approval and favour of others. We try to create an identity that will make the right impression in our community. Some may believe they have succeeded but others are always striving yet never managing to escape from their view of themselves as failures in society. There are ways to cover this but the nagging feeling of failure persists. Is there a way to be completely comfortable in your own identity? A way to live your life with peace in your heart, a peace that is always within you in spite of your weaknesses and failures. Is there a way to be so secure in your own identity that you never have to prove yourself to anyone?
me…..you know my every thought….You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord…….You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book……Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts….’’ Do you want to know your true identity? When you make a decision to return to God through Christ (John 14:6) you will become a child of God. He will become your Father. As you find your place in the family of God, His peace will fill your heart and a joy you have never experienced will well up in you. Our identity is in Him, we belong to Him. Annette Riggall
When we turn to God who is our Creator, He will show us His plan and purpose for our lives. He has created each of us as unique individuals with gifts and talents for a specific purpose on this earth. He knows exactly how you began this life, whether you were born to alcoholic parents who never cared for you, whether you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, whether you were born into abject poverty. Psalm 139 says ‘‘O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about
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.calahondachurch.com Pastors Peter and Annette Riggall
costa STUFF >>
Age Care Association Charity Shop On Thursday 14th May, 2009 a dream became reality when the Age Care Association Charity Shop was officially opened by the British Consul Steve Jones. The shop is situated in the Los Jarales area of Calahonda near Mercadona supermarket and is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm weekdays and 10.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays. The shop is purely staffed by volunteers. Everyone had great fun on the day of the Shop Opening with about 200 people in attendance enjoying a glass or two of Cava and some tasty tapas sponsored by Banco Halifax Hispania. Age Care would also like to thank La Cala Lions and Gemini and Lafayette Lodges for their previous and ongoing support. Age Care Association is a fully registered non-profit making charitable organisation and is run entirely by volunteers. The majority of our work is dealing with older English speaking people living in the province of Malaga. We offer welfare information and advice, short term practical support and emergency help and back up when needed (Emergency telephone help line (691 761 088). The Association also has a hospital and home visiting team. The telephone help line is available to give advice, help and information on support services, homecare services, residential and nursing homes and any other problems concerned with living on the Costa Del Sol. All our clients can be assured that their problems will be discussed in absolute confidence. Many of our volunteers have had careers in the caring professions and therefore are accustomed to being individuals who listen and give advice in a sympathetic and kind manner. We now operate three drop-in centres where one or more of our volunteers can be contacted. These are: Monday 4.30 to 6.30pm at Whelans Bar And Brassierie, Benalmadena Tuesday 12.00 to 2.00pm at Bar Continental, Calahonda (LIDL car park) Wednesday 10.30 to 2.00pm at the Manila Bar & Cafe Los Boliches Like any other voluntary organisation we always need dedicated volunteers who are interested in and willing to spend time helping older people. We are currently looking for more retired nurses who can drive and have their own transport and anyone who has spare time to help with taking people to hospital appointment etc.
VOLUNTEERS WELFARE TEAM - 952447637 VOLUNTEERS SHOP TEAM - 67587308 Age care are currently in the process of going to print with an updated information and advice booklet. It is planned to print 5,000 copies for distribution. It is abundantly clear that people are living longer with possible health, social, emotional and community problems and needs. Age Care Association is doing as much as we can and with your help we can do so much more. With that in mind finally we are delighted that Costa Life Magazine has nominated us as their beneficiary this year for the Change-A-Life Ball to be held at the Hotel Tamisa Golf on Saturday the 5th September, so please come along on that special night under the stars with the stars and help us to improve the quality of life of older people living in the Province of Malaga.
Don Cameron - Events and Social Organiser A.C.A.
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>> costa AUTOS
Audi
R8
When the Audi R8 was first introduced in 2007, many observers argued a more powerful motor might be needed to unlock the true potential of the car. Fastforward a few years, and a considerably more powerful R8 is a reality.
P
owered by a Lamborghini-sourced V10, the latest R8 sends 525 horsepower to all four wheels thanks to a sophisticated Quattro all-wheeldrive system. Though sporting two more cylinders and a little more grunt mid-ship, the V10-powered R8 doesn’t feature too many visual differences from its V8 sibling. More air is fed to the ten-cylinder through larger side scoops, which jut out sharply from the bodyside, adding a more aggressive stance to go with its increased power. The lower side sill also get an extra flare which runs along the wheelbase, adding further visual cues that this is the true uber-Audi. The changes are subtle enough to be obvious only to those in-the-know, thus keeping the R8’s clean lines as uncluttered as possible. However, some subtle changes from the standard R8 will include dual oval exhaust outlets, bigger side air intakes, a revised front and rear fascias and larger brakes. The V10 version also sports unique LED headlights and a rear diffuser. The V10 is the same 5.2L FSI power plant found in the new Lamborghini LP560-4, albeit detuned to 525 horsepower and 390 pound-feet or torque to keep the R8 out of the Gallardo's territory. But despite being down a bit on grunt, the R8 V10 can still rocket from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 196 mph. Passers-by in Marbella are as automotively jaded as they come, thanks to the endless stream of exotic
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sports cars roaring down the city’s numerous streets. The 2009 Audi R8, however, is the perfect antidote to their indifference. Maybe it’s the relative scarcity of these mid engine all-wheel-drive supercars, or maybe the distinctive low-slung design is just that sexy. Whatever the case, the R8 attracts more than its fair share of stares. That kind of curb appeal is exactly what many buyers in this rarefied segment are looking for - but they’d better be prepared to pay dearly. With a base price well over 130,000 euro, the R8 is tens of thousands of euro more expensive than such highperformance luminaries as the BMW M3, the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911. What’s more, while the Audi’s sonorous V8 makes it thrillingly quick, the GT-R and Z06 are quicker still, as is the competitively priced 911 GT3. Only when one considers that the R8 is based on the exclusive Lamborghini Gallardo does its price tag seem somewhat reasonable. Considered on its own merits, though, the R8 is an awesome car. It all starts with that 4.2-litre 420horsepower V8. Power is sent to all four wheels in typical Audi fashion, and it’s supported by communicative steering and brilliant handling. Inside, the R8 is impressively roomy for such a squat car, and the nicely shaped seats afford rideall-day comfort. Along with its tolerable ride quality, this makes the R8 an exotic sports car you can genuinely live with every day. The 2009 Audi R8’s shortcomings are few. Most glaringly, the optional automated manual R tronic transmission sucks too much joy out of the driving
costa AUTOS >> experience, delivering delayed, clunky up shifts. Also, there’s an engine under the hatch and not much space in the nose-mounted boot, so good luck carrying any cargo. And finally, there’s that price tag - for the same price as an R8, you could buy a GT-R or a Z06 and an Audi S5 coupe, which is powered by a lesser version of the R8’s V8. But this doesn't change the fact that the R8 is one of the world's most desirable cars.
>> Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2009 Audi R8 is a two-door mid engine AWD exotic sports car. Standard equipment includes 19inch wheels, a retractable rear spoiler, xenon headlights, LED brake lights and turn signals, leather and Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable sport seats, aluminium trim, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a seven-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer. Optional are carbon-fiber ‘‘sideblade’’ exterior styling panels, a Bang & Olufsen premium stereo, a navigation system and upgraded Napa leather upholstery. There’s also the Convenience Package, which contains parking sensors, auto-dimming rearview mirrors and a ‘‘hill-holder’’ feature for models equipped with the conventional manual transmission.
>> Performance The R8 sports a mid mounted 4.2-liter V8 - clearly visible through the R8’s distinctive transparent engine cover - that churns out 420 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque. Power flows to all four wheels (56 percent to the rears by default) through either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or Audi’s
six-speed R tronic automated manual. The latter features a computer-controlled clutch and can be shifted using either the console-mounted shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The R tronic also offers a fully automatic mode.
surprisingly good visibility in all directions. On back roads, the R8’s prodigious power, razor-sharp reflexes and heroic grip make this AWD exotic feel almost as tossable as a lightweight roadster, albeit one with handling limits beyond the reach of all but the most skilled (or foolhardy) drivers!
>> Interior Design and Special Features The 2009 Audi R8 features an attractive interior with high-quality materials, although there are a few cheap-feeling bits, such as the hard plastic on the center console and the substandard emergency brake handle. The center stack swoops elegantly toward the windshield; however, this design requires the driver to lean forward in order to adjust certain controls. Also awkward is the race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel - it may not telescope out far enough for those with long legs. The seats are superbly contoured for both hard driving and long-distance cruising. Unlike in most newer Audis, the R8’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) controls are mounted below the LCD screen on the centre stack, which is less convenient than their typical location on the center console. Audi claims there’s room behind the seats for two golf bags - your results may vary. There are also 3.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the boot; in practice, however, this less-than-optimally shaped cargo hold can’t swallow much more than a duffel bag and some odds and ends.
>> Driving Impressions The 2009 Audi R8 won’t let you forget that it’s an exotic sports car -- you'll feel every bump, and road noise is pronounced relative to most other Audis. But the ride quality is certainly livable, and there’s
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>> costa STUFF
reviews
DVD & films
June 5th >>Slumdog Millionaire Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto A Young street kid makes it to the final of mumbai´s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? And ends up in a police station with battery cables on his toes. Did he cheat? Or could the slumdog from the ghetto actually know the answers? All is revealed in a series of dizziying flashbacks, There Is never really any doubt if he’ll succeed, or if he’ll reunite with his lost love. Danny Boyles film is all about the journey, not the destination. DVD extras include deleted scenes and a making of featurette. Also this week, THE WRESTLER & THE PINK PANTHER 2
June 12th >>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett & Tilda Swinton The film follows Benjamin’s story, set in New Orleans, from the end of World War I in 1918, into the twenty-first century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. ‘‘Benjamin Button,’’ is a time traveler’s tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way, the loves he loses and finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time. Also this week, MY BLOODY VALENTINE & THE UNBORN
By Simon Galley from Box Of fice Video Club June 19th >>Valkyrie Tom Cruise, Eddie Izzard & Bill Nighy In a country in the grips of evil, in a police state where every move is being watched, in a world where justice and honor have been subverted, a group of men hidden inside the highest reaches of power decide to take action. VALKYRIE, based on the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the daring and ingenious plot to eliminate one of the most evil tyrants the world has ever known. Hitler! Also this week, BOLT & HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
June 26th >>Notorious Ginger Kroll, Ricky Smith & Christopher Jordan Wallace Notorious charts the remarkable rise of Christopher ‘‘The Notorious B.I.G.’’ Wallace who, in just a few short years, shot from th etough streets of Brooklyn to the heights of hip hop legend. Peeling back his mythic image eleven years after his tragic death, Notorious reveals the tumultuous and all-too-brief journey of a blazingly talented , fiercely determined young man whose unforgettable rap stories of inner city street life, with their raw truth and vivid rhymes, became emblamatic of a whole generation’s brutal reality and its dreams of escaping it for something bigger. Also this week, MY BLOODY VALENTINE & VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
>> Terminator Salvation
>> Public Enemies
The fourth installment of the Terminator series follows an adult John Connor (played by Christian Bale) as he attempts to organize a human resistance force which could prove to be mankind’s last true hope in the war against the machines. Opening in the year 2018, Terminator Salvation finds John Connor’s certainty about the future shaken by the sudden appearance of a mysterious stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), whose last memory is of sitting on death row and awaiting execution. Unable to determine whether Marcus was sent from the future or rescued from the past, Connor begins to wonder whether there is still any hope left for the human race as the robots grow more powerful and aggressive than ever before. It appears that Skynet is preparing a devastating final attack designed to eliminate the human resistance once and for all, leaving Connor and Marcus with no choice but to strike back at the cybernetic heart of Skynet’s operations. Once there, the two battle-scarred soldiers discover a devastating secret regarding the potential annihilation of all humankind.
Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorf f
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Based on author Bryan Burrough’s ambitious tome Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43, director Michael Mann's sprawling historical crime drama follows the efforts of top FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) in capturing notorious bank robber John Dillinger. A folk hero to the American public thanks to his penchant for robbing the banks that many people believed responsible for the Great Depression, charming bandit Dillinger (Johnny Depp) was virtually unstoppable at the height of his criminal career; no jail could hold him, and his exploits endeared him to the common people while making headlines across the country. J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI was just coming into formation, and what better way for the ambitious lawman to transform his fledgling Bureau of Investigation into a national police force than to capture the gang that always gets away? Determined to bust Dillinger and his crew, which also included sociopathic Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis, Hoover christened Dillinger the country’s very first Public Enemy Number One, and unleashed Purvis to take them down by whatever means necessary. But Purvis underestimated Dillinger’s ingenuity as a master criminal, and after embarking on a frantic series of chases and shoot-outs, the dashing agent humbly surmised that he was in over his head. Outwitted and outgunned, Purvis knew that his only hope for busting Dillinger’s gang was to baptize a crew of Western ex-lawmen as official agents, and orchestrate a series of betrayals so cunning that even America’s criminal mastermind wouldn’t know what hit him.
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Tel: 952 467 785 ambernightspain@aol.com
>> costa AUTOS
The Season Continues Chinese Grand Prix >> Qualif ying Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was the star of qualifying, using his one and only flying lap in Q3 to claim pole position. Fernando Alonso surprised even himself by taking second on the grid, while Mark Webber completed a great day for Red Bull with third. Have the new diffusers made it more open? The Brawn GP drivers qualified with heavier fuel loads. Rubens Barrichello ended the day fourth fastest, just ahead of his team-mate and World Championship leader Jenson Button. Toyota’s Jarno Trulli lined up sixth, aiming to score his first ever points in the Chinese Grand Prix. Ferrari and McLaren once again failed to impress, with Kimi Raikkonen eighth and Lewis Hamilton ninth. Heikki Kovalainen started 12th in the other McLaren, with Felipe Massa one place further back in the sister Ferrari. Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi excelled on his first visit to Shanghai, ending up in 10th position.
>> Red Bull has wings after all In wet and windy conditions, it was German driver Bernd Maylander in his Mercedes-Benz safety car who led the field for the first eight laps. Maylander pulled in after those eight laps, and the Red Bulls led until their first refueling stops. That put series leader Jenson Button into the lead after he'd passed Brawn team mate Rubens Barrichello on the 11th lap. Behind them, there was some great
racing as McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa were on the move. The world champion climbed to fifth but slipped down to 10th, working his way back up to eighth by the time the safety car was deployed for the second time on Lap 18 when Robert Kubica slammed his BMW Sauber into the back of Jarno Trulli's Toyota. Maylander was now leading the field again, Sebastien Buemi's ran into the back of Vettel, unsighted in the spray, but got away with it. It was now advantage Vettel, but a slick refueling stop by Brawn got Button back out in second place ahead of Massa, whose Ferrari rolled to a silent halt on the 21st lap with engine failure. The race resumed on Lap 23, and with a lighter fuel load Vettel sprinted away from Button and Webber. The Australian moved ahead as Button missed his braking for Turn 14 on the 29th lap. Now it was a Red Bull one-two, but Button snatched second back two laps later when Webber ran wide in the final corner on a track more slippery than a skating rink. Not to be outdone, however, Webber snatched the place back within a lap with a terrific counterattack. When Button found himself only 1.2s ahead of Vettel on the 40th lap, the German having made his final fuel stop but the Briton still with one to come, the writing was on the wall. A lap later Vettel drew alongside the Brawn going into Turn 14, and took back the lead with a calm reassurance reminiscent of fellow countryman Michael Schumacher in his heyday. Button's second stop on Lap 42 dropped him to third, and for the first time Brawn did not look like the pacesetter this season. That was Adrian Newey’s RB5 design,
and Vettel and Webber had no trouble reeling off the final laps to a great triumph as Button rolled it off and settled for third ahead of Barrichello. Both McLarens finished, Heikki Kovalainen heading Hamilton. The Finn made no mistakes, but Lewis had another spin and some off-course moments on his way to sixth. Behind him, Toyota’s Timo Glock fought his way back up to seventh for Toyota ahead of the again impressive Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi, who withstood a lot of pressure in difficult conditions to take the final point. Button now extends his championship lead to 21 points, ahead of Barrichello on 15, Vettel on 10 and Webber on 9.5.
Bahrain Toyota 1-2 in Qualifying with Trulli and Glock The 2009 Formula 1 season is proving to be highly unpredictable, and in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix it was Toyota's turn to shine. Jarno Trulli claimed pole, with his team-mate Timo Glock joining him on the front row. A superb lap from Chinese Grand Prix winner Sebastien Vettel saw him line up third on the grid in his Red Bull, with a heavy fuel load. Button was the fastest of the Brawn GP drivers, starting from
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG F1 Safety Car
Formula One - Of f Track Rear Diffusers - (Legal or not) The FIA ruled that the rear diffusers of ‘‘diffuser three’’ (Toyota, Brawn and Williams) were within the sporting regulation and therefore it was natural to see more teams in China with modified under trays and diffusers. As this situation arose in the flyaway section of the Grand Prix calendar, the logistics of replacing parts as fundamental as the diffusers is to be commended. All teams worked exceptionally hard and long hours to get new parts to the teams before running in China.
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McLaren Controversy Statement from WMSC Pursuant to Article 151 ISC and 152 ISC, seventh paragraph, the WMSC therefore replaces the sanction imposed by Decision No. 76 of the Stewards with the following: (a) the exclusion of the driver Lewis Hamilton and the competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes from the race classification for the 2009 Australian Grand Prix; and (b) the suspension of the competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes from three rounds of the Championship.
Exceptionally, and in light in part of the Mitigating Factors (including the open and honest way in which the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear had taken place), the penalty shall be suspended for twelve months from the date of this Decision. In the event that, during the period of suspension of penalty, either: further facts emerge that are relevant to the WMSC’s assessment of the gravity of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ breach; or Vodafone McLaren Mercedes commits a further breach of Article 151, the WMSC may implement penalty in relation to the breach set out in this Decision.
costa AUTOS >> forth, just ahead of fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton. Rubens Barrichello was sixth quickest in the other Brawn GP car, followed by Fernando Alonso’s Renault and Felipe Massa in the leading Ferrari.
Barrichello fifth. Raikkonen scored Ferrari’s first points of the 2009 Formula 1 season with a sixth place finish. The final points went to Glock in seventh and Alonso eighth.
While Vettel enjoyed a trouble free run to third on the grid his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber was less fortunate. The Australian was eliminated in Q1 after being obstructed by Force India’s Adrian Sutil. The latter was given a three place grid penalty for his misdemeanor.
Incredibly, Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima was the only retirement, pulling into the garage with eight laps remaining. The Formula 1 season now moves into Europe, beginning with the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10th.
>> The race At the start of the race Glock made the better getaway, leading from Trulli into turn one. At the end of the first lap Hamilton had moved up to third, ahead of Button and Vettel. Further back there was a frantic scrap in the midfield, with Webber making good progress. Button quickly passed Hamilton and settled into third position, but Massa’s race was compromised by an early unscheduled pit stop for a new nosecone. The order at the front remained unchanged until the first round of pit stops. Glock was the first to stop, followed by Trulli a lap later. The extra lap allowed Trulli to leapfrog Glock, but Button stopped even later and emerged in front of both Toyota drivers. When Vettel eventually stopped he rejoined behind Trulli and Button. Kimi Raikkonen, heavy with fuel, led for a few laps having started tenth. Button assumed the race lead following Raikkonen’s pit stop and eased away from Trulli, while his Brawn GP team-mate Barrichello started lapping very quickly and closed the gap to the leaders. Having caught up to Hamilton’s McLaren the Brazilian then dived into the pits for fresh tyres, clearly on a three stop strategy. With the final pit stops completed Button found himself with a healthy lead over Vettel in second and Trulli in third. It stayed that way to the chequered flag, with Hamilton fourth and
Button completes a straight run of podium finishes in the ‘flyaway’ race to put him in a very strong position as the championship heads back to Europe, and Spain. Here we expect to see more replacement parts from all teams. This could be the time that the struggling teams such as Ferrari and McLaren start to show improved form. This will create a great world championship as it is clear that Brawn, Red Bull, Toyota are all capable of winning races and with Ferrari, Renault and McLaren back in the mix we are in for a great year
Spain >> Qualif ying The three top teams so far this year (Toyota, Brawn and Red Bull) all got both of their cars into the final ten. Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Kubica and Rosberg all joined the competition for pole position. Barrichello, quickest of all in Q2, took up place at the top of the times sheets to begin with. Vettel eclipsed that, but Massa after making a mistake in the middle sector failed to get higher than forth. A good result and as he is the first of the KERS cars, should make the start more dramatic. Barrichello’s final lap put him fastest but Vettel had more pace in hand, and he snatched the quickest time by one tenth of a second. However his team mate Jenson Button had left it very late to start his final flying lap. He crossed the start line with only two seconds to go after having slowed on his out-lap to let Kubica past and to give himself more track space. Button and Vettel were evenly matched in the first
two sectors of the lap but by being fastest of all by 0.1s after a superb final sector - gave him a another pole position. That bumped Barrichello back to third. Massa stayed forth in the much improved Ferrari, the Toyotas were Fifth and Sixth and Alonso, lined up seventh. It is said that for the past decade the race has been won by the drivers from the first row. Let’s see what happens!! !
>> The Race Surprise, surprise - the Spanish Grand Prix pole sitter went on to win the race. There was more to it than that however - Jenson Button was given the lead from team mate Rubens Barrichello in a strategic switch that’s got everyone talking. Did Brawn deliberately switch strategies to allow button to win. We may hear more of this in the future. Sebastien Vettel had a frustrating race, and finished in fourth after spending much of the afternoon behind Felipe Massa. Massa had all eyes on him at the start to see if the Ferrari driver could use his KERS power to get in among the leaders. He did, making a brave move down the inside of Sebastien Vettel for third. Rubens Barrichello made an even better start from his second row position - not only passing Vettel but also drawing alongside team mate Button and sweeping by into the lead on the outside. Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg also went into the first corner side-by-side, but with a rather different result. Alonso squeezed Rosberg who, faced with a choice between colliding and diving off the track, opted for the latter. As the Williams driver rejoined Jarno Trulli took evasive action and spun into the path of Adrian Sutil. Sebastien Bourdais stood on the brakes to avoid the wreckage and was collected by team mate Sebastien Buemi. The safety car was summoned and the next time around the cars
Red-Bull
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>> costa AUTOS carefully picked their way through a track littered with debris. At the restart the Brawns got away cleanly, Massa and his KERS button did not impress. Fifth-placed Mark Webber, however, had his hands full repelling an attack from Fernando Alonso boosted not by KERS but by his home crowd. Despite being squeezed by Webber, Alonso got past using the pit lane entrance and the grasses on the run towards turn one. But an inspired Webber dived back to the inside, somehow got his RB5 slowed down for the corner, and took the place back. Unfortunately that was to be pretty much all the racing action we saw. Lewis Hamilton picked Nelson Piquet Jnr off for 12th place (KERS-assisted) shortly after the pair of them dodged past the other McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen. Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari came to a halt on the strip of tarmac that used to be the La Caixa corner. He had made it up to tenth from 16th on the grid and was trying to pas Nick Heidfeld at the time. Barrichello had a slender 1.3s lead over Button by the time the Briton came into the pits on lap 18. Having originally planned a three-stop strategy the team now moved him one a two-stopper, having noticed Nico Rosberg’s Williams was 18.6s behind and due to stop much later. Barrichello remained on a three-stop strategy and this decided the outcome of the race. He came out of the pits ahead of Rosberg, and quickly pulled away from the fuel-heavy Button. Barrichello return to the pits on lap 30, with Button 13.5s behind. Had he continued that rate of progress in his third stint he would have had enough time in hand to complete his extra stop and stay in front of Button. But Button's lighter car was now lapping quicker, and Barrichello found his third set of tyres were off the pace. After his final pit stop on lap 50, he ended up 7.1s behind Button. The rest of the race was largely processional and dictated by strategy. Webber took on more fuel in his first pit stop but Vettel, bottled up behind Massa, was unable to escape his team mate. Webber made his final stop seven laps after
Jenson Button flying high Vettel's, neatly jumping ahead of his team mate and Massa. To Vettel’s frustration his final pit stop on lap 43 coincided with Massa’s once again. But it soon emerged the Ferrari was in trouble - too little fuel had got into its tanks and Massa would have to slow down and save fuel. He did this quite dramatically in the final laps, letting Vettel and Alonso by. Massa coasted across the line in sixth, then ground to a halt with no fuel, Heidfeld and Rosberg took the final points places. Button’s fourth win of the year means he now has a 14-point lead over Barrichello in the drivers’ championship. Perhaps more significantly, Vettel is now 18 points adrift after finishing fourth. Red Bull is expected to bring their development of the ‘double diffuser’ at the next race in Monte-Carlo. But even if it doesn’t appear the car still looks strong and
Vettel remains a threat for victories - if he can break this habit of ending up stuck behind slower cars. Button may have four wins from five but this championship is not over yet. Monaco is next on the calendar, the most glamorous of venues for a Grand Prix. Look out for the report in the next issue together with FORMULA ONE OFF TRACK where a bigger issue has arisen , the future of Formula One itself.
World championship standings Drivers Standings (after 5 races)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 10
JENSEN BUTTON RUBENS BARRICHELLO SEBASTIEN VETTLE MARK WEBBER JARNO TRULLI TIMO GLOCK LEWIS HAMILTON FERNANDO ALONSO NICK HEIDFELD NICO ROSBERG
41 27 23 15.5 14.5 12 9 9 4 4.5
Constructors Standings (after 5 races) 1 BRAWN-MERCEDES 2 RBR-RENAULT 3 TOYOTA 4 McLAREN-MERCEDES 5 RENAULT 6 BMW SAUBER 7 FERRARI 8 WILLIAMS TOYOTA 9 STR FERRARI 10 FORCE INDIA
Robert Kubica, Bahrain 72 costa life
68 38.5 26.5 13 9 6 6 4.5 4 0
FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCI TREND 23.10.2008 4.397kms 13.500€ € original guarantee
JAGUAR 3.2 XJ8 EXECUTIVE 08.1999 93.200KMS 12.000€ €
FORD KA 1.3 COLLECTION 09.2001 41.345KMS 4.800€ €
FORD MAVERICK 2.7 D 05.1995 5.800€ €
RENAULT SCENIC II AUTHENTIC 1.5 DCI 09.2004 81.200KMS 8.500€ €
FORD MONDEO 2.0 TDCI GHIA 08.2004 47.000KMS 11.000€ €
VOLVO S40 1.9 TD 03.1999 3.500€ €
FORD FOCUS C-MAX 1.6 TDCI GHIA 08.2005 46.041KMS 12.500€ €
RENAULT LAGUNA 1.9 DCI 09.2003 23.402KMS 10.000€ €
SEAT ALTEA 1.9 TDI REFERENCE 03.2006 105CV 24.700KMS was 13.000€ € now 12.000€ €
FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI SW AUT. GHIA 28/12/2005 106CV 11.000€ €
PEUGEOT 206 XT AUT. 1.4i 75cv 14.10.1999 4.800€ €
OR CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.MOTORWAYCARS.COM
>> costa STUFF >>All of a twitter
showbiz
whispers & gossip
Twitter fan Demi Moore surprised her fans by posting some rather unflattering photos on the micro-blogging site. The pictures of the Hollywood actress on a dentist’s chair with her front tooth missing are a far cry from the typical glamorous shots we are used to seeing of her. The 46-yearold showed her sense of fun by letting the world see her after visiting the dentist to have some work done on her pearly whites. 'Happy to share and always appreciate the opportunity to find humility!!! Or at least be able to laugh at myself!' she said. In April Demi’s husband Ashton Kutcher became the first user to have a million people following his updates, or ‘tweets’. He and Miss Moore marked the occasion with a party which was broadcast live on YouTube. The couple drank champagne and did a victory dance to Kool & the Gang’s Celebration.
>>Kylie Minogue engagement Rumors are circulating that Australian singing superstar Kylie Minogue is set to announce her engagement to Spanish boyfriend Andrés Velencoso. Minogue and Velencosco, met at a party in Paris last October and have recently been looking at property together in Spain. At a party in Cannes Kylie said she’s happier than ever before and also confirmed she’s learning Spanish because it will make things easier and has taken up golf, one of Andre’s passions. In an interview with Hello magazine last week, Minogue said, ‘‘I’m definitely happier than ever before. I feel relaxed, happy, excited and just totally content with my life.’’
>>Kate Moss is planning to write a novel The supermodel - who is also set to pen her autobiography - is teaming up with her friend, former Sleeper singer-turned-novelist Louise Wener, when she ends her catwalk career. The book is expected to be based on a young female model’s life as she rises from obscurity to dominate the fashion world. A source told The Sun newspaper: ‘‘Kate has been considering how she will occupy her time when the modelling work dries up.’’
>> 24 Star and designer resolve issues in head-butt case 24’ star Kiefer Sutherland reportedly headbutted fashion designer Jack McCollough outside a New York club. The 24 star and the designer have resolved their differences, laying the foundation for a charge to be dropped.
‘‘Writing a novel is something she has considered before. With the help of a ghost writer like Louise, she is convinced she could come up with a commercially successful product that could be a great money-spinner.’’
Sutherland’s reps said that he is sorry about the incident, and regrets that McCullough was injured. McCollough wished the actor well, according to the report.
‘‘She knows the modelling world inside out and all the scandal behind the scenes.’’
On May 7, Sutherland turned himself in and was charged with third-degree assault after a dispute involving the designer and Brooke Shields at an after-party for the Met’s Costume Institute Gala in New York. Witnesses had said Sutherland head-butted McCollough.
Earlier this year, it was claimed she was planning to launch her own cookbook after treating boyfriend Jamie Hince to a series of homemade meals. A source said: ‘‘She’s buzzing about the idea of being the first supermodel to release a cookbook.’’ ‘‘Her friend Davinia Taylor has helping her and Kate is always on the phone to her pals for tips.’’ It was recently revealed the 35-year-old beauty will receive around £1 million when she releases her autobiography through Virgin Books.
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Several days later, Sutherland’s attorney said that the actor was ‘‘neither the instigator nor a wrongdoer’’ in the incident. Sutherland is due in court June 22.
>> costa STUFF
Strange but True What goes around comes around >> His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. ‘I want to repay you,’ said the nobleman. ‘You saved my son’s life.’ ‘No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,’ the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel. ‘Is that your son?’ the nobleman asked. ‘Yes,’ the farmer replied proudly. ‘I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy if the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.’ And that he did. Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill ... His son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Celebrity slip ups >> After gushing about how much she loves the UK while filming her new show ‘Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend’, Paris was quizzed about who the prime minister was to which she replied: ‘‘It’s Gordon... Gordon Ramsay?’’ ‘‘Every time I’m not wearing my ring, people think I’m getting divorced. That’s crazy! It just didn’t go with the dress. Divorce is not - and was never - an option.’’ Jennifer Lopez ‘‘I always have and I always will (be faithful). I don’t like to see couples who have affairs on film sets - or anywhere. I operate on the belief that it catches up with you.’’ Brad Pitt ‘‘It’s really hard to maintain a one-on-one relationship if the other person is not going to allow me to be with other people.’’ Axl Rose
Facts >> Alfred Hitchcock did not have a belly button. It was eliminated when he was sewn up after surgery. ‘‘Almost’’ is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order. 40% of all people who come to a party snoop in your medicine cabinet. Ancient Egyptians shaved off their eyebrows to mourn the death of their cats. Audrey Hepburn’s real name was Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston.
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costa STUFF >>
sudoku
Sudoku answers for Issue 48
4
9
5 8 9 2 9 4 6 2 1 8 9 4 1 8 6 1 3 7 2 5 4 7 9 4 3 6 9 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.
challenge Across 3. Extremely hot (5,3) 9. Participant (5) 10. Large island in the Channel (3) 11. Pull laboriously (3) 12. Basic (11) 14. Paddled (5) 16. Back of the neck (4) 17. Crawl (5) 19. Act properly (6) 20. A failure (3) 22. Hovers (6) 23. Sound (5) 25. Speech defect (4) 26. Set apart as sacred (5) 28. Not qualified (11) 30. Impair (3) 31. Young bear (3) 32. Arranges in groups (5) 33. Superficial (4,4)
Down 1. One of two equal parts (4) 2. Farewell (4-3) 4. Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s native land (8) 5. Grow teeth (6) 6. Evening of Oct. 31 (9) 7. Large cat (5) 8. Weapon (5) 13. Portable weather protection (8) 15. Visualise (8) 18. Medley (3-6) 21. Space between two objects (8) 24. Outward movement (7) 25. Neither gas nor solid (6) 26. Trail (5) 27. Explosive weapons (5) 29. Partial darkness (4)
crossword
Crossword answers for Issue 48 costa life 77
>> costa AUTOS
news
>> Madrid and La Rioja say they will not take part in the scheme
auto
The Industry Minister, Miguel Sebastián, has said, during questions in Congress yesterday that only the regions of Madrid and La Rioja have failed to join the Government’s 2000E plans to stimulate new car sales with a 2000€ discount for purchasers who hand in a previous vehicle which is at least ten years old. The Minister claimed that Murcia is still studying their decision to add 500€ to the 500€ which comes from central Government and the 1000€ from the motor manufacturers.
>> Ford expects 400,000-unit sales surge in Spain and the U.K.
New scrapping schemes in the U.K. and Spain could add 400,000 new-car sales in the two countries this year, says a top European Ford executive. Ford of Europe’s Ingvar Sviggum expects big sales increases in the countries once government-backed scrapping schemes take effect. Spain and the U.K. are the major European markets that have been hit hardest by the slowdown in new-car sales. Scrappage subsidies could add up to 200,000 new-car registrations in each country this year, said Sviggum, who is Ford of Europe’s vice president of marketing, sales and service. New-car registrations in the U.K. fell by 24 percent to 133,475 in April while the decline in Spain was 45.6 percent to 67,215. Car sales in Italy, France and Germany -- countries with scrapping schemes -are either stable or up sharply. ‘‘It’s very good news from Spain,’’ Sviggum told journalists on a conference call Tuesday. ‘‘It was the only one of the big five markets in Europe not to have a scheme and this is going to boost the industry for the rest of this year.’’ He said overall new-car sales in Spain could improve by 100,000 to 200,000 as a result of the scheme announced Tuesday. People who purchase a car in Spain will get 2,000 euro ($2,726) toward vehicles that cost up to 30,000 euro. The government will provide 500 euro, the regional governments another 500 euro, and the rest will come from car manufacturers.
>> Porsche facing 3.5b cash shortfall, narrowly avoided bankruptcy Porsche has been trying to obtain a majority stake in Volkswagen for some time now, but it looks as though that quest has pushed the German sports car maker to the brink. Porsche has now racked up more than 6 billion euro in debt and was reportedly close to filing for bankruptcy in March. According to Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, Porsche nearly filed for bankruptcy back in March and was only saved by a 500 million euro cash infusion from Volkswagen. Despite that loan, Porsche still requires another 2 billion euro just to meet its operation requirements. According to news reports Porsche has asked the German government for $140 million in emergency loans, but the German government is reluctant to move forward with the funding. Moreover, even if Porsche lands the loans from the German government, it will only be a fraction of what the German automaker needs to keep the doors open. Porsche’s true financial health remains a bit of a mystery at this point, but it sounds as if Porsche’s management may have bitten off a little more than it could chew with the VW deal. Porsche says it’s still interested in taking control of VW but all talks will be on hold until the company can shore up its financial standing.
>> Renault warns it could close Spanish factory unless it gets government aid Renault says it could close its under-used factory in Valladolid, near Madrid, unless the Spanish government provides financial aid to help it build a new model in the plant. The French carmaker is considering building a small electric vehicle or a small diesel or gasoline car at Valladolid to replace the slow-selling Modus small minivan. But it says it cannot guarantee the factory’s future without state help. Renault is asking Spain’s government for lowinterest loans and tax breaks to help make the factory competitive, Jean-Pierre Laurent, head of Renault’s Spanish operations, said. ‘‘We are talking about a future-oriented competitiveness plan to help us through the crisis and to ensure that we don’t close the factory,’’ Laurent told Automotive News Europe during an interview at the Barcelona auto show. Laurent met Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian in Madrid in May to discuss the future of Valladolid, which is operating at about a third of its installed capacity.
>> Mobile telephones The use of a mobile telephone, other than a true hands-free, whilst driving is now banned in Spain, even at the side of the road. You have to pull off the road completely away from any traffic. You may also not have any device in your ears to listen to music or your mobile phone etc., only allowed is something for enhancing your hearing, i.e. a deaf-aid. Sadly, you still see erratic driving where a mobile is in use, but penalty points can now be awarded.
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Useful numbers & information
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>> AMBULANCE Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Málaga & Marbella
902 505 061
>> STATE HOSPITALS Benalmádena & Fuengirola Emergencies only Málaga Marbella Torremolinos Torremolinos (Centro de Salud) Health Centre
902 505 061 951 290 000 951 976 669 952 386 484 951 924 100
TAXIS
BUS STATIONS Portillo Customer Service Direct Line Algeciras Alhaurin Benalmádena Coin Estepona Fuengirola La Linea Málaga Marbella San Pedro Torremolinos
TRAIN STATIONS
LOST/STOLEN CREDIT CARDS >>
TUESDAYS >>
SIZE COMPARISONS >>
Benamagosa, Fuengirola (Feria Ground), Nerja weekly market (Calle Chaparil)
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
THURSDAY >> Alhaurin el Grande, Pizara, Frigiliana, Inside La Trocha, Coin, 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, La Trocha, Coin, Malaga near the football stadium, Sabinillas, Estepona, Sotogrande, Nerja car boot sale
TOURIST INFORMATION Alhaurin de la Torre Alhaurin el Grande Alora Antequera Cartamar Coin Benalmádena Estepona
952 410 005 952 491 275 952 495 577 952 702 505 952 422 126 952 453 211 952 442 494 952 802 002
SP 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
1619516500 2890330099 2072229633 1383738866 1604230230 1252513500 1132345678 1514721110
Men’s Wear UK 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SP 44 46 48 50/52 54 56 58
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
The Coastal Service stops at every major town between Fuengirola and Málaga from 06:45 and 22:30 from Málaga 902 240 202 Call
Alora, Marbella near the football stadium
MONDAYS >>
952 441 545 952 802 900 952 471 000 00350 70027 952 327 950 952 774 488 952 476 593
Benalmádena Estepona Fuengirola Gibraltar Málaga Marbella Mijas Costa
Abbey National Allied Irish American Express Bank of Scotland Barclays Bank Diners Club First Direct Girobank
MARKET PLACES
952 048 844 00350 73026
Malaga Gibraltar
>> FIRE BRIGADE Benalmádena, Málaga & Mijas Coin Estepona Fuengirola Marbella Torremolinos
UK 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
Halifax Lloyds TSB Mastercard Nat & Provincial Nationwide Natwest Yorkshire Bank
8457203099 1702364274 1383621166 1274331522 1793543888 1132778899 1132424800
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 closed on Sundays. >> Banks: generally open from 9am to 2pm from 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
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