Costa Life Issue 53

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In this issue... costa culture

5

Spiritual Thought

costa getaways

6

28 30

Cover story

Spanish Sighs

by Harvey Mann

32

costa celebrity

10

Cover story

Santa Claus Exclusive Interview

costa christmas

18 20 22

Costa Cuisine Roast Duck Breast Cover story

Christmas traditions around the world The Perfect Christmas

34 35

What Men Want What Women Want Men’s Stuff Male plastic surgery

Health News A round up of this month’s health news Natural Sea Sponge

Local Business Reports plus Charities and Events News

costa homes

44 50 50

54

Cover story

Getting fit after pregnancy

by Dominic James

costa business, charities & events

costa lifestyle

24 25 26

Beauty tips & secrets

Interiors The delight of eating outdoors Financial News Guide... to buying a property in Spain

Seasonal colour in a changing landscape

by Simon Hill

costa stuf f

60 62 64 68 69 70

Cover story

A hoot in the night

by Erny Harrison Bytes & Pieces Formula 1 Report DVD Reviews Showbiz Whispers & Gossip Strange But True & Challenge

60 30

Editor Sharon Holdsworth Consulting Editor Harvey Mann Design and Production David Philliskirk Advertising Sales Ronan Holdsworth IT Advisor Dave Howard Contributors Simon Galley Erny Harrison Simon Hill Elio Howard Annika Jonsson Harvet Mann Jan Morley Annette Riggall Gayle Russell Russell Vaughan Company Director Ronan Holdsworth Partner Barrie Shearman Images courtesy of Costa del Sol Tourist Board PR Shots Rick Warne

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.

Produced by and part of COSTA LIFE MEDIA

952 492 250 info@costalifemagazine.com

Hello, welcome... and Goodbye from issue 53 of Costa Life Magazine. Yes, it’s the end of the road for Costa Life for the time being. After much deliberation and painful consideration we have decided to call it a day, for the foreseeable future that is. We have decided to lay down Costa Life for a while and pursue other avenues and goals.

away from others and that is what we have chosen to do.

I am sure that in the right hands Costa Life could go on and continue to be ‘‘the peoples magazine for the Costa del Sol and Inland Andalucía’’ but for us its time to move along. It’s been a pleasure, a challenge, a joy, a lesson, and finally a chapter to close.

It’s been a long, hard, but enjoyable 5 ½ years full of wonderful experiences where we have been blessed to meet hundreds and hundreds of new people; clients, writers, readers and contributors alike.

We would like to say a big thank you to the following people all of whom have made a small or large contribution to Costa Life being known as one of the most popular magazines to grace the shores of Andalucía.

Also we have been given the opportunity to visit many exciting places along the coast and enjoy many new activities.

In recent months we took Costa Life to new heights with our celebrity interviews which were very well received and a big thank you to Max Clifford for helping us with those.

We believe that through Costa Life we have shown the readers of the Costa del Sol the true Andalucía and with the continuous help of our writers and contributors produced the best reading magazine with more Spain related articles and stories than any other publication.

We have continuously supported local charities through free space and through our ‘‘change a life ball’’ helped to raise thousands of Euros over the last four years of the ball.

We have maintained our integrity throughout the magazine and have never published lewd or provocative images, or smutty and crude jokes. We have never taken business from lap dancing clubs or the like, or from gambling related businesses.

We have always held on to our identity and produced the magazine the way we wanted to and we know from the feedback we have received that we have certainly produced a high quality publication loved and respected on the Coast.

Mike Wilkinson’s death in August was the catalyst for us stopping to think that life is very short and if you have goals and ambitions that you would like to fulfill then you better get busy after them. The truth of the matter is that in order to move on to new things you have to move

Harvey Mann, Mike Wilkinson, Peter and Erny Harrison, Simon Hill, Peter Holdsworth, Ruth and David Shearman, Barrie Shearman, Sharon Holdsworth, David Philliskirk, Lorraine Bonora, Jan Morley, Annette Riggall, Russell Vaughan, Lynda Christie, Gayle Russell, Lynda McMillan, John Peach, Stuart from Studio 1 Las Rampas, Helen Johnson, Max Clifford, Dominic James, Hannah Henley, Jesus Nicolas, Simon Galley, Lesh from Videonet, David Riordan, David Fairweather, Marion Harrington, Alf Newhaus, Elio Howard, Carlos Comitre Souto, Annika Jonsson, Lydia Green, Dave Howard, Rick Warne, Lynn Davies, Michelle Martin, Pepsi Cull, Shandy Lambert, Tim Roberts, Richard Tutty, Karen McMahon, Paula Monaghan.

In addition we would like to thank all of our advertisers both old and new who over the last 5 ½ years have helped to keep Costa Life going by using our publication as part of their ongoing marketing campaign. Without your financial commitment we would not have been able to continue for this amount of time. Thank you.

Last but not least, a big thank you to you, our readers, who have always kept us going with your continuous positive feedback and generous support. Thank you always.

We hope that you have enjoyed our 53 issues and over 550,000 copies in print and I have to be honest and say that I hope it is something you will miss here on the Costa del Sol because that will mean we did something right!

Onwards and upwards, goodbye.

costa CHRISTMAS >>

Never give up!

You never know what may be around the corner! Your solution may be with the next person you meet, the next step you take or a decision you take tomorrow. The answer to your problem could be just about to arrive.

Don’t throw in the towel! Keep going! Try to see the bucket half full even though you would normally see it half empty! Be an optimist and expect things to turn around for the better! After all, if things are difficult and challenging already, what do you have to lose by being optimistic?

Think of some famous people like Abraham Lincoln who overcame a very poor start in life. He was born in a one room log cabin to struggling farmers. He only had 18 months formal education but he decided to educate himself becoming an avid reader. He entered politics only to be defeated again and again and yet he eventually became President of the United States. He could have accepted defeat but he made a decision not to give up but to work towards his dream and he succeeded.

Someone else who struggled against almost insurmountable odds is Nelson Mandela who managed to qualify as a lawyer against impossible circumstances only to find himself imprisoned on an island for 27 years. But he determined not to give up and finally became the President of his country, a great statesman and a folk hero.

In Bible days a woman with an incurable disease who had spent everything she had on doctors decided not to give up but to turn to God for help. She said to herself ‘‘If only I may touch his garment I shall be healed’’. And she was! Totally healed!

Others have had food provided in times of famine when they were about to give up but they kept their hope alive. A little woman in a very poor district in South Africa told me her story. She and her 5 children were abandoned by her drunken husband and left to provide for themselves. Her situation seemed hopeless but she didn’t give up. She asked God to help them and He provided for them through food being left mysteriously on their doorstep and in several other ways. They always had a roof over their heads and enough food until her circumstances changed for the better.

God can bring hope out of despair. He can bring healthy food out of a rubbish heap. Have you ever seen tomato plants or pumpkins growing in a compost heap? Seeds in the rubbish can bring forth a crop. God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Whether or not you believe in God or that He is able to help you does not change Him. If you don’t believe in the law of gravity, try jumping out of a 10 storey building! The law of gravity will remain true in spite of your unbelief but you will suffer!

Talk to God now with these words from one of the psalms, ‘‘Please God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me………I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God…..’’

Scriptures Mark 5:22-43; Ephes 3:20; Psalm 70 (NLT) Annette Riggall

The Evangelical Christian Fellowship ‘‘an oasis where the Word of God is preached and the love of God is shared.’’

Sundays 4.30pm Iglesia San Miguel, Calahonda Tel/Fax (0034) 952 93 02 75 E-mail: tecfellowship@gmail.com Website: www.calahondachurch.com Pastors Peter and Annette Riggall

An influential man well respected in his community found his only daughter was dying and the doctors were unable to help her. Instead of giving up he made a decision to turn to God and asked Him to heal his child. His prayers were answered when she was in fact raised from the dead.

costa life 5

>> costa GETAWAYS

I

t was a night I will long remember; the warm scented air enveloped us like an old friend. The Mediterranean lapped gently at the beach that separated the sea to the Carihuela, a narrow strip of promenade that boasted some of the nicest fish restaurants around. It was April 1982 and a night of celebration with dear friends.

Earlier that day we had finalised the purchase of our very first apartment in Spain, just a hop, step and jump from the Carihuela this adventure had changed our lives. We had heard all horror stories about buying property but we went ahead regardless and have never looked back, it was the best decision my wife and I have ever made.

Every night the Carihuela would blossom into almost feria type festivities, stall holders erected their livelihoods, little rickety tables gently balanced on uneven legs festooned with coloured lights, often when a slight breeze cooled the steamy night air the owners had to hang on for dear lives to stop their goods crashing to the ground or be swept upwards in a gust of wind similar as in ‘‘The Wizard of Oz’’.

The seller’s wares were a multitude of well made handicrafts. Beads, glass, sea shell’s fashioned

into necklaces, earrings, pendants and rings, beautiful lace Spanish fans and mantillas (head combs). Tee shirts, some with rude messages and shorts, lace shawls and table cloths, pieces of wire elegantly twisted into all sizes and shapes that included motorbikes or bicycles. Then there were the painters, artists who were mainly self taught but with a good eye and steady hand, others not as good could have qualified as wall painters and not the canvas variety. Last but not least were the cartoonist, who would draw you as a caricature out of proportion with tiny bodies and large heads, it made you laugh, just like the couple of Pesetas you were expected to hand over to secure it.

Most of us will remember the Peseta with the fondest memory, in those days when Spain was really Spain. Then the peseta was around 240 or 250 to the pound. We lived the good life; sun, sea and sangria by the jug full and mounds of wonderful fish that didn’t burn a hole in your pocket, then there was the music, guitarist dressed to the nines accompanied by ladies in traditional Spanish costume, castanets clacking out heady rhythms. Us British loved it, the new arrivals had thrown away their ‘‘Kiss me quick’’

Blackpool hats, swapping them for black hats bearing the words Viva Espána.

Close by to the coast, in some of the tiny villages donkeys wandered unhindered, bodegas offered glasses of wine and tapas for just a few pesetas, elderly ladies dressed in black patiently worked on lace as a wonderful aroma of Spanish food permeated into the shaded part of the narrow street that we chose to walk in, in the evening young courting couples walk accompanied by a chaperone who watched with eagle eyes to see that the couple did not touch.

Arriving in plane loads, with very high expectations we soon realised that Andalucia was paradise, we came, we saw and we lived the high life.

Then the downside started, many typical British tourist and home buyers could not take to the Spanish cooking or their way of life and to my dismay we started to see the signs go up ‘‘Tea like mother makes’’ ‘‘all day breakfasts’’ ‘‘eggs, bacon and fried bread’’ ‘‘British beer sold here’’ ‘‘Roast Sunday lunch with Yorkshire puddings’’, ‘‘steak and kidney pie’’. Britain had turned the

Spanish Sighs

by Harvey Mann

6 costa life

costa GETAWAYS >> in the scorching hot august sun, in the evening those who had committed themselves during the day as sun worshippers walked around as stiff as boards as their skin shriveled and the following day they could be seen looking like patchwork quilts as hands full of skin fell away from their backs, some even had to be taken to hospital for burns. The Spanish laughed at our odd behaviour, but in the long run they accepted us not only as friends but as you would imagine a very big part of their livelihood, many prospered and became quite rich. coast into something that myself and many others were trying to escape from. I myself came to Spain and wanted the Spanish culture but many had started to erode that culture. This led to some minor disasters, like my dear parents, may they rest in peace, when they decided to have a breakfast out and went into a typical Spanish diner, ‘‘Beans on toast for two’’ my father ordered, after fifteen minutes or so two plates arrived with toast covered in hot steaming broad beans, not the Heinz variety that they expected.

For many of us these were the good days, in the seventies and eighties we who had bought homes, we had marvelous times especially those who embraced the Spanish language, customs, food even some of the locals little idiosyncratic behavior.

How did the Spanish view us, many quite rightly thought we were bizarre sunbathing at midday

This year I look around in despair as I fear for the Spanish and many of the British people that have settled, particularly those who are living just on their pensions. During our many extensive visits to Spain we have seen Andalucía dramatically change. In the last year we have noticed the rocketing price changes in the cost of living, many things in the supermarkets in Andalucia are far more expensive than at home, eating out has become more expensive and we certainly don’t eat out as much as we used to, even having a coffee or a cold drink is something we have started to cut down on.

I have always been an optimist, (a glass half full type), however I am now beginning to fear for the people of Andalucia. If the Spanish and British bar and restaurant owners that financially rely on us semi residents and the British holiday makers have another year like 2009, with the pound almost one for one against the Euro Andalucia could become a wilderness bereft of

holiday makers. There will be empty properties that will start to crumble and look like a war zone, already we are seeing shops and restaurants closing down and many hotels are struggling. I have been told that some are going to close over the winter period, often in the past they would have been practically full with winter sun seekers, last winter some of the airlines cut their flights as the bookings were down, and it looks as if the same will happen this winter.

The three S’s that were labeled sun, sea and sangria, or sun, sea and sand or even sun, sea and sex maybe now should be renamed sun, sea and sighs.

With unemployment creeping up to 20%, IVA going up next year from 16% to 18%, water and electricity prices reaching skywards things do not look good for Andalucia’s Spanish or British residents. Less British tourists next year than this year and I feel that Spain will crash into a crumbling morass of financial disaster.

Just like many other people that have suffered the recent financial upheaval, this wonderful magazine looks as if it has lost its final battle.

Some four years or so ago I picked up the magazine, and told my wife ‘‘how good it was’’. I then met Ronan and Sharon and offered my services to them; after all I had retired as Associate Editor of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Ronan and Sharon without any journalistic experience had turned an average magazine into a very good one, however there was some little room for improvement and I had hoped that maybe with a little input from me a really good magazine could be achieved. This I believe has happened not so much with my help, but with Ronan and Sharon’s drive, pride and style that any top Fleet Street Editor with journalistic skills would have been proud of. Now with the end in sight and a tear in my eye, I take my hat off to Ronan and Sharon; a lovely couple who became our friends, it’s just a shame that like many others in the once thriving Andalucía they have been finally beaten by the rotten Euro and a recession that refuses to go away.

costa life 7

>> costa CELEBRITY

W

e caught up with Santa on a surprise trip to the Costa del Sol in October. He was enjoying a few rays down on Cabopino beach.

First of all Santa it’s a pleasure to meet you and thanks for giving us time out of your busy schedule to talk to Costa Life Magazine. It was always a goal of mine to meet you but I was always asleep.

R I have to start by asking you what the heck are you doing on the Costa del Sol? S We arrived here by default incredibly! Myself & Mrs Claus were finishing our delivery list and we needed some frozen meat. I set the ‘‘sleigh sat’’ for Iceland, put Rudolph and the team onto ‘‘auto pilot’’ and sat back to enjoy the trip. When we woke up we found we had landed in a frozen food shop in Fuengirola!

R Shouldn’t you be preparing for your Christmas deliveries, after all Christmas is just around the corner?

S Our Christmas deliveries are all prepared and ready. We work all year with our trusted team of elves who find the materials, make the presents, wrap them and place them into ‘‘continental containers’’ ready for each Country.

C laus santa

10 costa life

costa CELEBRITY >> R Sounds like you are pretty organized, how’s Mrs Claus?

S She is wonderful thank you and loving this sunshine. I call her my Lady in Red but told her to keep using the sun cream or it won’t just be her coat that is red!

R How are the donkeys, I mean reindeer, are they still fit for the job or have you had to hang a few antlers on the wall, after all they must be getting on a bit?

S Hey steady on old chap or you won’t be getting any pressies this year! We have eight reindeer who are all as fit as a fiddle - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner & of course Rudolph. Rudolph looks after the others and is our guiding light in the sky but he has asked if we can have another reindeer to help us next year.

So we are currently interviewing a young reindeer called Rico who is a very happy little chappy who may just help us out - I wonder if Rudolph has a secret son?

R In what order do you do your deliveries, for example do you follow the clock which means starting in New Zealand or do you have another system? Like alphabetical or something like that?

S The solar system plays a big part in our deliveries, along with how a country celebrates Christmas. We always start in New Zealand and then criss cross each continent at the speed of light, finishing in Canada just in time for breakfast.

R Are the boys and girls of Spain generally a good lot?

S Yes they are. Like most children in this world they have to learn about life and what is right and wrong. The Spanish children always leave us tapas which I just love; with my favourite being rice & hot chilli- perfect to keep me warm in the cold winter sky.

R Do you still keep a list of naughty boys and girls or are there too many to count these days?

S Boys & girls from all over this wonderful planet are just fantastic. We have a team of ‘‘spy techs’’ who always check the children before & after Christmas and make sure they are happy, polite

and respectful to their elders or they don’t get a reward!

R What do you do after 25th December, do you take a holiday and if so where do you go, apart from here that is?

S We always close the toy factories after Christmas and all out team including the elves, reindeers, spy techs and Mrs Clause head to a remote outback in the North Pole where we party for a week and play games like seal spotting, penguin counting and my favourite- Speed Ice racing on the frozen lakes. I beat Rudolph in the final last year and he was not happy!!

R What’s the worst thing about being Father Christmas?

S It is a blessing to be chosen as Father Christmas so I should not be too dis-respectful although it would be nice to be a little thinner around the middle. Mince pies don’t help my efforts though!

R What’s the best thing about being Father Christmas?

S To be able to give gifts to all the children around the world and see the joy and happiness it brings. To see a child smiling and happy is just an incredible feeling and I really do feel honoured to be Father Christmas.

R Do you ever get bored with your job?

S How could you ever get bored with making children happy - a gift of life we must all use more often, especially in these difficult times.

R Do you ever think you might have to hang up the beard or do you think there will always be a job for FC? S Father Christmas is an anagram of happiness!

As long as this world wants happiness, there will always be a Father Christmas.

R Talking seriously for a little while, do you feel the real meaning of Christmas has been lost in recent years?

S Yes I do actually. Maybe in these difficult times we can all reflect on what Christmas means and why it is here. Presents are great but to appreciate life and how we must all pull together

is a gift we have maybe overlooked due to commercialization. Is the time here where we all reflect, remember, pray and love our fellow humans - hopefully? The greatest gift we have is love so let’s use it in abundance this Christmas.

R I was watching television the other day and I couldn’t believe that there were advertisements for Christmas shopping and we hadn’t even got past Halloween, what’s your opinion on the commercialism of Christmas time?

S People have been put under so much pressure around the world to provide the best gifts and so panic. Why do you think I am here! I do the gifts and if everyone says stop - enough is enough - we can get back on track with the true meaning of Christmas. If you feed a fire it will continue to burn! I would ban all Christmas adverts until two weeks before Christmas. That way people can enjoy the full cycle of a year without panicking about Christmas in the summer!! Let’s start a petition!!

R I also read that there are certain parties in the UK that want to see Christmas time called wintervale so as to take the Christian message out of Christmas, what’s your opinion on this?

S I travel to every part of this planet when I deliver my gifts and always take time to look and appreciate the different religions and cultures the world has created. We must always respect what people believe. Christmas in the UK is Christmas and should always be Christmas - full stop!!

R What’s your take on the pressure placed on parents over the last few years as regards the kind of money they have to spend to satisfy the increasing demands and lusts of their mostly ungrateful little ones?

S Easy tiger, you are getting a little worked up with this question! The simple answer is that our children are ourselves and we are what we create.

So if we want more respect from our siblings, we must be strong and not give into modern demands. Anyway, my gifts are free! It is so nice to see children preparing ‘‘Christmas shoe boxes’’ for the children in this world who are less privileged- You see, I see everything, and nothing gets past Santa!

>>

costa life 11

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where it all comes together Open every day from 11am

Tel 952 661985 suavecafe.com paseo maritimo rey de españa 93 Los Boliches Fuengirola

>> costa CELEBRITY R Don’t you think they should be grateful, as we were, with a selection box and a stocking with some sweets and an orange in it?

S Goodness me my friend, you’re starting to sound like a right miserable old codger. Is this scrooge I am talking to in disguise? Maybe I should bring you to work in our workshops in Lapland - cleaning up Rudolph & his friends’ deposits! That should bring back your smile!

R Sorry Santa. How do you see the role of Father Christmas in years to come?

S Always happy, always ready, always looking to improve the love and respect for our world in showing the way for the children to grow into wonderful loving adults. We do a lot of work away from the spotlight in this way and we feel it is working. I will get Mrs Claus to send you some pictures.

R I suppose you are a bit light on the old presents this year what with the credit crunch and all that. Should be an easy stretch this December, bit of a stroll?

S Yes well we have had a little trouble with the credit crunch but we should be ok as we had a large supply of materials already in stock to continue making toys and gifts. Our main priority is to make sure we have enough fuel for the reindeer but the cost of carrots has gone crazy do you know anywhere here where we can get a cheap supply? December a stroll - are you kidding!!

Santa Claus

R In the light of the current climate and the fact that most of the world is looking forward to seeing the back of this year what glimmers of hope can you give the parents of the future and of today?

S Never wish any day away in your life no matter how hard times may appear. You are given the gift of life to use and enjoy. Why wish a year away when tomorrow brings the same light? Start to be positive with your life, money is a bonus. Give the most precious gift you have to others - love and you will see the world change into a beautiful planet.

Toward the end of the 18th century, Dutch settlers brought the legend of Saint Nicholas, known to them as Sinter Klaas, to America. Legend has it that Sinter Klaas rode a white horse and left gifts in wooden shoes. This story merged with the British character Father Christmas, who dates back at least as far as the 17th century. Sinter Klaas was eventually Americanized to ‘‘Santa Claus.’’

R And finally can you sincerely promise all of us kids, both young and old that you will be around for a long time to come?

S I promise as long as they promise to love life and enjoy all we have here.

R Ok Santa well, once again thanks for your time and have a very merry Christmas.

S Thank you and please can I go now as Mrs Claus would like some sun cream rubbing into her back!

Favourite colour … Red of course!

3 favourite foods … Rice & Chilli Tapas, Carrots & Mince Pies.

Football team … Reindeer FC who play in the Secret village league in Lapland.

Favourite noise … Jingle bells.

Least favourite noise … Reindeer running out of fuel - very scary!

Favourite phrase or word …: Thank you Father Christmas.

Least favourite … Venison burgers!

How can anyone eat my reindeer?

Job you would love to do … I already do it!

Job you would least like to do …

Wrapping presents which is why I have many elves- thank you my friends!

If there is a God what would you like him so say to you when you arrive at the pearly gates …

What do you mean if! - I will Thank him for allowing me to spread joy and love to all parts of this beautiful, blue planet. God bless you all and a ‘‘Merry Christmas’’ xxxx Santa xxxx 14 costa life

>> ORIGINS

The legend of Santa Claus originates from a 4th century bishop named Saint Nicholas of Myra.

Famous for his generosity to the poor in what is present day Turkey, Saint Nicholas is said to have saved three impoverished daughters from slavery by providing for their dowries. Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes, and his feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6.

The rituals and fantasy surrounding Santa Claus became fixed in the modern American imagination with the publication of the poem ‘‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’’ by Clement Moore in 1823. Better known as ‘‘The Night before Christmas,’’ Moore describes the saint not as a bishop in a red cape, as in Holland, but as a fat man dressed in fur, driving a reindeer sleigh. He may well have been aware that in many European traditions, notably in Germany, St Nicholas is accompanied by fur-clad or gnome-like servants who carry presents for good children, but a birch for bad ones; such images might seem more appealing than a saint in religious garb. Illustrating Moore’s poem in the 1860s, Thomas Nast used the colloquial Dutch ‘Santa Claus’ rather than the formal ‘St Nicholas’, and dressed him in a belted jacket and furry cap.

During the rest of the 19th century, Santa was often shown in a red jacket but with blue knickerbockers, as befits a Dutchman; in the 20th century, an all-red outfit with white trimmings became the norm, especially after a Coca-Cola advertising campaign exploited his figure in 1931. The artist, the Swede Haddon Sundblom, also gave him a drooping, tassled red cap like those associated with elves and gnomes; he may have been thinking of a Swedish Christmas gnome. Scandinavian influence also accounts for the elfin assistants often mentioned, and the home at the North Pole.

Santa is said to fly around the world delivering his toys in a sled pulled by eight reindeer: Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder (or Donner), Prancer, and Vixen. (A ninth reindeer with a shiny nose, Rudolph, was introduced in Gene Autry's 1949 country music hit ‘‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’’) An 1897 editorial by Frank P. Church in the New York Sun coined the famous phrase ‘‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.’’ Church was replying to a letter from a young reader, Virginia O’Hanlon, who asked if Santa Claus really existed.

The American name for the Christmas gift-bringer is increasingly used in England, generally in the shortened form ‘Santa’.

The name apparently reached England in the 1870s, to the puzzlement of observers, though the hangingup of stockings was already an ‘old’ custom, at any

costa CELEBRITY >> magazine under the name of Richard Waller that was skeptical of Santa’s capability to do what he supposedly does each Christmas Eve. The article, after its initial appearance in the magazine, was republished innumerable times on the web and emailed all over the Internet.

rate in the northern counties. The first mention of the gift-bringer’s name was traced is a letter to N&Q where a Mr. Edwin Lees says he had ‘only lately been told’ of a custom currently observed in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Devonshire, which he had not seen recorded anywhere: ‘‘On Christmas Eve, when the inmates of a house in the country retire to bed, all those desirous of a present place a stocking outside the door of their bedroom, with the expectation that some mythical being called Santiclaus will fill the stocking or place something within it before morning. This is of course well known, and the master of the house does in reality place a Christmas gift secretly in each stocking; but the giggling girls in the morning, when bringing down their presents, affect to say that Santiclaus visited and filled the stockings in the night. From what region of the earth or air this benevolent Santiclaus takes flight I have not been able to ascertain.’’

William Brockie noticed the same custom round Durham in the 1880s; he too was puzzled by the unfamiliar name and made the ingenious but mistaken guess that it was ‘Santa Cruz, the Holy Cross’ which brought the presents.

One legend associated with Santa says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house in the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland. Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and eight or nine flying reindeer. Another legend of Santa says that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior (‘‘naughty’’ or ‘‘nice’’) and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves that make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer that pull his sleigh. There has long been opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus. Some Christians say the Santa tradition detracts from the religious origins and purpose of Christmas. Other critics feel that Santa Claus is an elaborate lie, and that it is unethical for parents to teach their children to believe in his existence. Still others oppose Santa Claus as a symbol of the commercialization of the Christmas holiday, or as an intrusion upon their own national traditions.

>> Santa Physics Santa has been very popular in the 20th century but in the past few years he has had a few detractors. In January of 1990, an article appeared in Spy

Among other things Waller calculated that Santa, moving from east to west around the globe, could use the different time zones and the rotation of the Earth to extend his night for as long as 31 hours. Since he needs to visit approximately 92 million households (the number of Christian children divided by the average number of children per household) according to Waller this means he needs to travel approximately 75.5 million miles. The article states that the distance divided by the time means Santa's sleigh must move at a speed of 650 miles per second, 3000 times faster than the speed of sound, to complete its route.

Waller then went on to calculate that if every child gets a two-pound present, Santa’s sleigh must weigh about 321,300 tons. He then ups that figure to 353,430 tons to account for some 214,200 reindeer he thinks would be needed to pull that heavy a sleigh. This total weight is about four times that of the Queen Elizabeth.

The article ends by noting that if the sleigh and team attempt to move through the atmosphere at 650 miles per second they would be exposed to enormous air resistance (the same way a spacecraft gets heated upon reentering the atmosphere) and they would explode in flames. Waller sarcastically ends the article noting that if there ever was a Santa, given the acceleration forces such a flight would subject him to, he must now be dead.

>> High-Tech Saint Nick Numerous rebuttals have been written to the Spy magazine article. Some point out that there are flaws in Waller's calculations or assumptions. For instance, the payload problem could be handled by making numerous returned trips to the pole. It increases the length of the total trip by a tiny fraction, but divides the weight of the sleigh by the number of return trips.

Other writers note that Christmas does not come on the same day in all countries. Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas a few days after December 25th which means Santa gets at least two shots a year to complete his mission. One writer noted that the number of stops needed in the calculation is incorrect since dividing the total number of children by the average number of children per household to get the number of stops does not consider families where there are no children at all.

Roger Highfield, who wrote the book Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas suggests that Wallers has not considered that Santa might have some high tech solutions to his problems. For example, ‘‘inertial dampers’’ - a device that’s referred to in the Star Trek movies to keep the crew from getting shmoshed as the Enterprise accelerates to Warp 8 - could be used

by Santa to solve his high-acceleration problems. The technology isn’t known to our science, but to Santa, well, who knows?

>> Quick Facts The ritual of hanging stockings by the chimney comes from the German folk god Odin. Each year at Yule, German children would fill their boots with straw and place them by the chimney for Odin’s flying horse to eat. Odin would replace the straw with gifts or candy to thank them for their kindness.

Some believe Saint Nicholas distributed his inheritance by anonymously dropping bags of gold coins down the chimneys of the poor. One little girl is said to have caught her bag in a stocking she had hung by the fire to dry.

The concept of Santa’s elves came from the Dutch, who believed Sinter Klaas had a slave named Black Peter. Legend has it Black Peter put bad children into his sack and held them in church overnight while the other children played with their new toys.

German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast was the first to paint a definitive portrait of the present day Santa Claus in 1863.

Mrs. Claus was created in 1889 by Katherine Lee Bates, a poet and the author of America the Beautiful. In her poem Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride, Goody is a shortened form of the word Goodwife.

In 1897, eight-year-old Virginia Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun asking if Santa Claus were real.

The response, written by veteran editor Francis P. Church, son of a Baptist minister, became one of the most memorable editorials in newspaper history.

In 1931, Coca-Cola hired Haddon Sundblom to illustrate Santa Claus for a massive Christmas campaign. The ads firmly establishing the all-red outfit with white trimmings, which had previously been depicted in numerous colours.

Rudolph is an invention of Robert May, who came up with the ninth reindeer with his shiny red nose while working on a catalogue for Montgomery Ward in 1939. Composer Johnny Marks penned the famous Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1949.

The song was sung by Gene Autry.

In fact some people have even suggested that Santa has the technology to manipulate time. By creating an artificial time bubble around his sleigh and his person, he could speed himself up as much as he needed. Again, this is far beyond human technology, but...

However Santa does it, he seems to manage each year to delight millions of children on Christmas morning as he has done for over a century.

Perhaps it’s just magic.

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>> costa CHRISTMAS

costa

cuisine

by Jan Morley

This is a perfect recipe to impress friends at a winter dinner party, or perhaps even an alternative Christmas lunch.

ROAST DUCK BREAST served with a BRAMBLE AND PORT SAUCE You could roast a whole duck, or just use the ready prepared duck breasts. If you are using whole ducks and need to calculate how many to cook, remember that there is much less flesh on a duck than on a chicken of the same weight. Allow at least 450g (1 lb) per person.

Frozen or fresh fruits can be used in the sauce with equal success, and raspberries can be used as an alternative to the brambles.

Bramble or blackberry, (Rubus ulmiflolius) which should I use? Either, is the simple answer, as they are the same shiny fruit that decorates the hedgerows in early autumn, and they are juicy and tart, a perfect match for the crisp, rich duck.

If using a whole duck, weigh it, to calculate the cooking time required .Allow 35 minutes per 450g (1lb) . > Place the duck on a trivet, or wire rack inside a roasting tray. Pat the skin dry with a clean cloth. Prick the flesh with a skewer and sprinkle with sea salt. This will help draw the fat and crisp the skin . Roast at 180deg C, (350 deg F), mark 4

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costa CHRISTMAS >>

Did you k now...

Du

ck meat is co nsidered to b e ‘‘white’’ meat, even th ough the me a t on a duck is considerab ly darker tha n other poultry meats such as chic ken or turkey.

The reason fo r this is that as ducks are more act ive in compa ri son to chickens for example, wh o spend most of the time si tting down or walking around, they need and use up more oxygen. The e xtra oxygen in the body of the duck o r other types of game bird, gives th eir meat the darker red colour.

Due to the d arker colour of the duck meat, this giv es the meat a stronger and richer fla vour.

OR Allow 1 duck breast (approx. 250g) per portion, > Using a sharp knife ,score the skin on each breast in a criss-cross pattern, season with salt and pepper, > Place them skin side down in a cold griddle pan, turn the heat onto medium for 10 minutes to crisp the skin and then transfer into a roasting tin ,skin side up, at 200 deg C,(400F), mark 6, for a further 10 minutes, if you like your duck pink, increase the roasting

>> To make the sauce, for 4 portions 200 ml port juice of 2 oranges 3 tablespoons redcurrant jelly 250g brambles 1 teaspoon arrowroot > To make the sauce, pour the port into a pan, add the orange juice and the redcurrant

>> Jelly > Heat gently until the jelly has melted, and then add the brambles, (reserve 3 per person as a garnish) > Simmer for 5 minutes until the fruit is soft, > With a wooden spoon, push the bramble sauce though a sieve to extract any lumps, return to the pan > Mix the arrowroot with a little water to make a smooth paste, return the sauce to the heat ,and bring back to the boil until thickened. Season with salt and black pepper.

time to 20 minutes if you prefer it more well done, prick with a skewer to see if juices run clear, rest the meat for 5 minutes before carving.

Serve with seasonal vegetables and sauté potatoes.

>> A Warming Welcome Mulled Wine Serves 12 Ingredients 2 x 75 cl bottles medium to fullbodied red wine (Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal) 1 orange stuck with cloves 2 oranges, sliced 2 lemons, sliced 6 level tablespoons granulated sugar or honey

2 inch (5 cm) piece cinnamon stick 2 level teaspoons finely grated fresh root ginger or ground ginger 2 tablespoons fruit liqueur such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or cherry brandy (optional)

>> Method Put all the ingredients in a saucepan with 2½ pints (1.5 litres) water then heat to simmering point, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Keep it barely at simmering point for at least 20 minutes - but do not boil or all the alcohol will evaporate.

costa life 19

>> costa CHRISTMAS

Christmas Traditions around the World

A Canadian missionary and his wife told the sawi of how god sent his only son to be the peace child. As a result the sawi overcame their demons becoming Christians and giving up their treachery and started to spread the word of the peace child amongst their people.

> Africa

In Syria on December 6, a special Mass is held in churches in honor of Saint Nicholas Thaumaturgus, who legend has said was a kind and generous man not dissimilar to Saint Nicholas after who Santa Claus is modelled.

Preparation for Christmas in the Congo begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant.

Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and fro through the village, Often people may be awakened by a group of carolers.

They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service.

The most important part of their Christmas worship service is the love offering, this is the gift in honor of Jesus. Then at about 8 or 9 o’clock everyone makes their way to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus.

Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday.

Homes are decorated with pine branches, and all have the decorated Christmas fir in a corner, with presents for the children around. Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air.

In Ghana, on Africa’s west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas.

This season happens to coincide with the cocoa harvest, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be such as farms or mines.

On the west coast of Africa, in Liberia, most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. Dinner is eaten outdoors with everyone sitting in a circle to share the meal of rice, beef and biscuits. Games are played in the afternoon, and at night fireworks light up the sky.

> Argentina People go to the church with family, then come back to a family gathering. At midnight after eating they toast, then the adults’ dance while younger people go out to see the fireworks.

The dinner food is pork, turkey, and a great variety of meals. Then the table is covered with sweet things, cider, beer, and juice for consuming while waiting for the time of the toast.

Houses are

20 costa life

decorated with red and white garlands; on the door Father Christmas's Boots are placed. Father Christmas is placed on top of the tree. The toast: drink prepared with different kinds of fruit which is cut into pieces, and then it is mixed with juice and cider.

> Bangladesh In Bangladesh formerly known as East Pakistan, the Christian village men would cut down scores of banana trees and replant them in pairs along the paths to churches and outside their homes. They would then bend over the huge leaves of the banana trees to form an arch, they would then make small holes in the bamboo poles, fill them with oil and tie them across the arches.

When the oil is lit, the way to the church is lit up bright enough for all to see.

> Hong Kong In Hong Kong Christians of most denominations celebrate Christmas with hundreds of church services in Chinese. There are also services held in English for the Europeans.

> Syria

On Christmas Eve everyone in the family, carries a lit candle, to stand around an unlit bonfire outside their house. The youngest child usually the son of the family reads the Christmas story, after which the bonfire is lit. The way the flames spread shows the luck of the house in the coming year.

Early on Christmas morning everyone goes to Mass. At this Mass another bonfire is lit in the middle of the floor. While the wood is blazing, ancient hymns are sung and the celebrant carries a figure of the Christ Child around the building. After this the celebrant then touches the nearest person in a ‘‘touch of peace’’. This touch is passed from one to another until everyone has received it.

Christmas dinner is chicken, oranges, nuts and pastries. But it is on New Year’s Day that children receive presents.

> Vietnam Traditional Vietnamese religions are Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism. However, during French rule, many people became Christians.

Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year, they being the birthday of Buddha, the New Year and the midautumn festival. Although the Christians observed the religious rituals of Christmas.

They send Christmas cards. Many of these cards are exquisitely decorated to show the artistic side of the people who might be gifted. These cards consist of the Holy Family in a Chinese setting. Poinsettias and Nativity scenes decorate homes, churches and other public places and ideographs show the Chinese alphabet on streamers and paper chains. Santa Claus also known as Lan Khoong or Dun Che Lao Ren with his reindeer, are a surprising addition to the Far Eastern Scene.

> New Guinea To create peace amongst tribes the chief of each tribe would exchange an infant son known as the Peace child. Each tribe was to take care of this adopted child, for if the child died the treaty would end and fighting would erupt once again.

On Christmas Eve the Christians would attend a midnight Mass. After Church people would return to their homes for the most important meal the Christmas supper. The dinner usually consisted of chicken soup, and wealthier people ate turkey and Christmas Pudding.

The European customs of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree were popular and children would leave their shoes out on Christmas Eve.

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>> costa CHRISTMAS

The Perfect Christmas

C

hristmas, a time of family, gifts and togetherness; ensure it’s celebrated in a beautifully decorated home this Christmas and ever after.

The Christmas tree, with so many to choose from these days, which tree? Is the question. Be it real Canadian pine, Norwegian Spruce or one of the artificial styles. The Christmas tree is endless. I personally think artificial trees have come a long way and some look almost real without the hassle of chopping it down to size or collecting tree needles from the floor every other day. You can choose from a full and voluptuous tree to a beautiful frost tipped one and they keep forever as long as they are stored properly. You may prefer the natural shape and the strong scent of a real tree.

NOTE: Keeping it in water or wet sand will prolong its life to last the Christmas period.

Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your home comfortably.

Once your Christmas tree is placed firmly in its stand and all branches have been fluffed up or pruned back, place it so your living space is still accessible and it does not obstruct anything.

Most people place them at a window where it becomes the new focal point and passers by can enjoy it too, or maybe you have the pleasure of a bay window in which it will look spectacular.

Even if your tree is only three foot high you can still achieve an eye-catching and luxurious look.

Start off with the lights: a set of 150-200 white fairy lights will cover a 6 foot tree with no problems, preferably with a green flex to be camouflaged in the tree.

>> Lavish Lighting There is a correct way when dressing your Christmas tree, once you try it you will never

dress your tree the way you did for years again. Think of a triangle, eye appeal and balance. Everything must be placed with this in mind and keeping to the triangle rule. So with the light nearest to the plug/transformer, wrap the wire loosely around the branch and work your way up to the top of the tree at an angle. Once you get to the top wrap the wire loosely around the branch and come back down the tree as if you are forming a long slim triangle. Repeat this step around the tree until you come to the end keeping the same distance and judging the length carefully so that the lights fit generously around the tree.

>> Bows and Baubles Then again using the triangle rule: start attaching your ornaments, one at the top, then another two at the corners of your imaginary triangle. Now, moving down the tree use the placed ornaments as the starting point for your next triangle until you have reached the bottom of your tree.

There are beautiful decorations available such as artificial poinsettias: the original Christmas flower available in all colours, glittered butterflies, feathered baubles, even miniature shoes and handbags, rattan stars and gems, golden and crystallised fruit. The look can be funky, traditional, country or retro. There’s so much…Dunnes Stores and Flor Valentin have fabulous displays offering so much choice. Why not be different… the Christmas tree does not have to be traditional red and green, you can be adventurous with silver and purple, a white tree or even pink! When you have finished dressing your Christmas tree, stand back and marvel your creative touch.

Whatever decorations you choose to enhance your tree and home interiors, do it with style and be creative, you will be surprised what you achieve and how easy it is with practice. May your home glitter and shine with all its fabulous new decorations.

22 costa life

Image supplied by Flor Valentin Image supplied by Flor Valentin

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>> costa LIFESTYLE >> Stocking fillers

What Men Want...

Silver Diamante Corner Cufflinks Burton

Christmas Boxers Burton

This Months Men’s Must Have’s

Mainline at Burton

Burgundy premium scarf Burton

>> Trendy wrap ups Silver metallic bow tie Topman

Blue luxury knitted desert scarf Topman

Black satin trimmed Dinner jacket H&M

Black patent classic pointed lace up shoe Topman

Grey and black comic print hooded dressing gown Topman

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>>Store Locator

Chalk stripe trilby with satin details Benetton

>> Classic Christmas

Benetton www.benetton.com Fuengirola Burton www.burton.co.uk Gibraltar Dorothy Perkins www.dorothyperkins.co.uk Fuengirola and La Cañada Evans www.evans.co.uk Fuengirola and La Cañada H&M www.hm.com La Cañanda Topman www.topman.co.uk La Cañada

costa LIFESTYLE >> >> Lady in red

What Women Want...

Red asymmetric tassel clutch Dorothy Perkins

This seasons sensational selections Zip back cut out peep toe Dorothy Perkins

Gold snake jacquard dress Dorothy Perkins

Red velvet leopard dress Dorothy Perkins

>> Dress to impress

>> It’s party time Multi coloured party dress H&M

Black studded clutch bag H&M

Purple Drape Sleeve Slinky Dress Evans

Silver Snake Skin Bag Evans

Waiter Jacket Evans

Multi coloured boot shoe H&M

costa life 25

>> costa LIFESTYLE

>> Male Plastic Surgery I’m sure we would all like to look like Brad Pitt or Denzel Washington. Not all of us are blessed with a square jaw and granite abs. But fret no more because modern medicine can slice and dice you into the man you should be.

men’s

stuff

>> Breast reduction If you have a little extra fat on your chest or maybe you have full-fledged man boobs. Either way, you’d like a flat, smooth, manly chest. Breast-reduction surgery involves vacuuming out the fat and trimming excess skin to give you a flat, masculine chest. The procedure is called gynecomastia, which is also the name for the man-boob condition, and usually takes one to two hours to complete.

>> Implants If you’ve spent hours in the gym and your chest is still puny, and no matter how much time you devote to your calves, your legs are still scrawny. You can now have pectoral, calf, abdominal, and even butt implants that can give you the appearance that you should have after the hours you have put in at the Gym. Implants are typically made of silicone that’s meant to mimic firm muscle; they are inserted into the desired area through a small incision that’s about an inch long. Each implant surgery usually lasts between one and two hours per area.

>> Stupid quotes ‘‘There’s an old saying in Tennessee - I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can’t get fooled again.’’ ‘‘I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn’t here.’’ ‘‘You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.’’

‘‘I’m the commander -- see, I don’t need to explain -- I do not need to explain why I say things. That’s the interesting thing about being president.’’ ‘‘I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.’’

George W. Bush

>> Supplements Your Body Needs… > Multivitamins You can make all the protein shakes you want, but if you're not getting the vitamins your body needs to build muscle and other tissue then you’re just wasting your time.

Researchers recommend taking multivitamins to keep sperm healthy.

Also, vitamin B controls the energy-level regulator cortisol, which is beneficial if you work in front of a computer all day. Multivitamins are also key to making other supplements work correctly.

> Folic acid It’s not just for Ladies who are pregnant; this B vitamin is a stroke preventative. Studies have shown that men taking large doses of folic acid were 30% less likely to suffer a stroke than those taking just a little. It also helps the body digest; use the proteins that boost muscle growth. Folic acid is essential in the production of red blood cells and is helpful in improving energy levels, it prevents heartburn and replaces lost nutrients in the body, all of which helps the digestive system work properly.

> Calcium This mineral builds bones, aids in weight loss and possibly decreases the risk of colon cancer and cholesterol. Be sure to combine your calcium intake with vitamin D as directed.

It’s just as critical in maintaining bone health and keeping your body healthy. Though sunlight is one of the best ways to get your vitamin D.

26 costa life

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>> costa LIFESTYLE

beaut y

tips & secrets

>> Foundations There are so many options when choosing a foundation so sometimes it’s hard to find the right one. When testing a foundation most people test on the back of their hand, this is no help to you as the skin on your hand is totally different to the skin on your face. Test the foundation on your jaw line, do not rub it in, place it on the skin, try a few at the same time, the one you cannot notice as much is the one for you.

First apply your moisturizer allow ten minutes then apply the foundation Blot excess moisturizer or foundation will slide off your skin.

First choose your format. You must match your product to your skin type.

Brushes are the new sponge. Using a brush saves on the amount of foundation you waste and they cover big areas quickly, you will be amazed at the finished look. Synthetic bristle brushes don’t absorb the make-up, which makes it easy to apply evenly, and they are also easier to clean than the natural-bristle ones.

Oil based foundation should be avoided if you are prone to breakouts but great if you have dry skin. Water based foundations are better for problem skin as they are light weight.

>> It’s party time This Christmas the look is pretty. Even for the night, light makeup that makes you look like yourself, only prettier is the way to go. Just because you’re going to a party at night, it doesn’t mean you have to pile on heavy makeup to look glamorous.

Overdone make up makes you look older, not prettier. Light make up makes you look younger.

Stars like Halle Berry and Scarlett Johanssen sparkle with their bare, yet understated glam look. Forget about the heavy eyed look. Be daring. Bring out the natural beauty of your eyes with a soft shimmery eye shadow and use eye liner sparingly. Use your mascara to define your lashes but separate the lashes immediately with a clean mascara brush or comb. Remember the old saying less is always more. For your lips, keep them subtle, chic and naturally pretty. Even with light makeup, you need blusher for radiance. Instead of bright rosy cheeks, go for a golden glow. Go for the healthy glow. Cheat by using a caramel blusher. You get a glow that looks so natural they’ll think it is.

>> Glowing skin > Eat your Greens Fill up on those healthy greens, broccoli, spinach, peas etc. By eating your greens you are raising your body’s PH balance, which helps with the anti-ageing process. Contrary to this you should try and cut down or avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke as these acid producers have the opposite effect.

> Facials In the current climate salons seem to have plenty of great special offers on at the moment, so, if you can stretch your budget to include a facial or even mini facial once a month you will really see the benefits in your skin.

> Sunscreen Before you put a foot outside your front door, apply your sunscreen. Don’t be tricked if there is no sunshine, even on a dull cloudy day the sun’s UVA and UVB rays still get to us. You have no excuse these days as many daily moisturisers have built in sun protection.

28 costa life

>> Top tip Make foot care a part of your shower routine. Keep a pumice stone in the shower and smooth away any calluses which may start forming, dry skin on the heels or balls of the feet, or rough skin on the edge of the toes. Gentle, regular care will keep unsightly foot problems at bay.

>> costa LIFESTYLE

Getting Fit After Pregnancy Before giving your stomach muscles a workout, you must first ensure that any physical damage as a result of giving birth has healed and is back to normal again. Speak with your doctor to find out what is best for you and when you can start.

You’re back home again. You’re happy, but maybe not physically fit. That’s perfectly normal, since your body has gone through significant changes during pregnancy and has worked very hard during the birth of your baby.

When you give birth, you lose around 6 kilos (13 pounds) immediately. When you return home again, you continue to lose water and, once your uterus returns to its original size, you will lose another two to three kilos (four to seven pounds). If you are breastfeeding, you will get back to your normal weight more quickly because producing milk uses fat stores in your body and burns up lots of energy. It is important to allow your weight to come off slowly. This process should happen naturally as long as excess kilojoules are not consumed. Aim to give yourself around six months to get your figure back naturally before resorting to a restricted eating plan.

The early days of motherhood are not a good time to restrict your diet. Your body needs additional energy and nutrients to meet the extra requirements of feeding and generally looking after your baby.

>> As a guide Eat a wide variety of foods (including breads, cereals, rice, pasta, vegetables, legumes, fruits, milk, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds).

Drink plenty of water.

Avoid skipping meals, especially breakfast.

Take the time to have a nutritious lunch and dinner.

Have your meals at regular intervals.

Dominic James - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist 686 55 44 88 www.personaltrainingmarbella.com 30 costa life

Have balanced meals and snacks, without too much fat or sugar.

costa LIFESTYLE >> will provide tailored dietary advice based on your lifestyle and your physical condition.

>> Eating tips for breastfeeding mums Breastfeeding mums need more kilojoules than bottle-feeding mums - an extra 2500 kilojoules (that’s 600 calories) per day, in fact! Producing milk uses up a lot of energy - which explains why nursing mums often lose the fat built up during pregnancy faster than those who bottle-feed.

The extra kilojoules you need when nursing should come from nutritious snacks like yogurt, MILO with reduced fat milk, fruit (fresh, canned or dried) and wholegrain sandwiches with fillings like canned tuna, salmon, sardines, baked beans, hummus, reduced fat cheese and salad.

There are some extra goodies you need when you are breastfeeding.

>> Regaining a flat stomach Your stomach muscles and skin need toning up as they become distended and stretched during your pregnancy. A few gentle toning exercises will help you get your stomach firm again.

Before giving your stomach muscles a workout, you must first ensure that any physical damage as a result of giving birth has healed and is back to normal again. Speak with your doctor to find out what is best for you and when you can start.

>> Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles During pregnancy and during the act of giving birth, significant demands are made on the muscles that make up your ‘‘pelvic floor’’.

Relaxation of these muscles is responsible for poor bladder control, which some women suffer from after giving birth.

Pelvic floor exercises after childbirth can help the muscles to recover more quickly.

Speak to your doctor or physiotherapist for information on pelvic floor muscle exercises that are suitable for you.

>> Keeping regular Some women experience poor bowel habits after childbirth. This inconvenience can be resolved by eating a fibre-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids and including some gentle exercise like walking.

To help improve your bowel movements, eat a variety of fibre-rich foods like: Wholemeal bread Fibre-rich breakfast cereals Fruits (fresh, canned and dried) Vegetables Legumes (lentils, split peas, chickpeas, red kidney beans, baked beans, four bean mix) If you would like specific information on how to lose weight safely and effectively, consult your doctor or an accredited practicing dietician, who

> Protein - an extra 16g of protein is needed each day for the first six months of lactation.

This is equivalent to either 65g of cheese, meat, poultry or fish, or two large eggs. > Calcium - in order to keep your calcium stores intact, you need an extra 400mg of calcium a day (on top of the usual 800mg of calcium). The additional 400mg of calcium can be found in either a large glass of milk, a 300g serve of yogurt, or two slices of cheese. > Zinc - you need an extra 6mg of zinc each day when lactating. The best sources of zinc include seafood and lean red meat, so include a variety in your daily diet. > Vitamin C - the Vitamin C content of human milk can fall if your own intake of Vitamin C is low. Therefore, an extra 45mg of Vitamin C is needed every day. This can be achieved by having an extra piece of fruit each day.

Keep your fluids up by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Being well hydrated will help your supply of milk for your baby. Aim for around 1 1/2 to 2 litres of fluid every day (or more if you feel the need).

Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and medications pass from your blood into your breast milk. Keep a watch on the number of caffeinated drinks (e.g. coffee, tea, cola drinks) you have and limit or abstain from alcohol. If you wish to have an alcoholic drink, have it immediately after you have breastfed your baby to minimise the amount that passes into your breast milk.

kilojoules a day to produce milk, whereas bottlefeeding mums do not have any extra energy requirements. The key to healthy eating for bottle-feeding mums is the same as for the general population - include a wide variety of nutritious foods, in the right balance. The guide to healthy eating provides an overview of what to eat. Every day, aim to include a variety of: Vegetables and fruits - fresh, canned and dried Wholegrain breads, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles Reduced fat or low fat dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, custard and ice cream Lean meats, poultry, fish, seafood Legumes like red kidney beans, baked beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas Unsalted nuts and seeds Small amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated margarines and oils Plenty of fluids, especially water Occasional treats for your pleasure To keep your energy levels high, try spacing your food over six smaller meals and snacks instead of three larger meals a day. Some examples of tasty, nutritious snacks you could have between meals include: Reduced fat or low fat fruit yogurt MILO with reduced fat milk (served hot or cold) Freshly cut fruit pieces drizzled with reduced fat vanilla yogurt A handful of dried fruit and nut mix Plain pikelets or fruit pikelets with a scraping of real fruit jam and cottage cheese Wholegrain crackers with reduced fat cheese A slice of wholegrain toast topped with tomato and cracked pepper Iced coffee made with reduced fat or low fat milk.

>> Eating tips for bottle-feeding mums Bottle-feeding mums need fewer calories than breastfeeding mums. Nursing mums need an extra 2500

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>> costa LIFESTYLE

health

A round-up of some of this month’s health news...

‘‘Detects Potential Breast Cancer Early and Safely’’ ‘‘In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold is felt, the disease is there to be discovered’’ wrote Hippocrates around 480 BC Medical discoveries have moved on from covering the patient with mud and seeing what area dries first!

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging that can detect temperature changes as little as 0.1%C, is the latest medical technology and is mainly used for early abnormality detection in breast screening.

Thermal Imaging is fully FDA approved, the systems have full European Certification, it is completely safe, there is no radiation, it is painless, there is no patient contact and is non-invasive.

Importantly, studies have shown that Thermal Imaging can detect breast abnormalities up to 10 years before a mammogram or ultrasound.

This latter point is hugely important because as with every condition, the earlier the detection the more choices patients have. Early detection is aimed at prevention. If you detect an abnormality, simple lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, eating a healthier diet etc can help prevent this developing into something more sinister.

>> How does Thermal Imaging work?

The body produces heat. This Thermal Heat is normally symmetrical i.e. the same on both sides of the body. By using a highly sophisticated medical thermal infrared ‘‘camera’’, an image or thermogram of the breasts is captured. A copy of this thermogram is sent to America where highly trained Doctors, Radiologists or Thermologists perform a detailed analysis. If this is your first scan, a repeat scan is conducted 3 months later. These scans are then compared and, like a fingerprint, are used as your unique baseline thermal ‘‘signature’’.

Abnormalities change this heat pattern. Think of a hot painful knee or a swollen ankle and it is

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the skilled early detection of tiny and subtle changes that point to potential areas of concern.

These could be cancer, fibrocystic disease, infections, vascular or simply lymphatic issues.

Any significant asymmetries in your scans or future scans will be reported on and if worrying, more detailed standard checks can be conducted by your GP or specialist. Patients are recommended to have routine scans at intervals dependant on age, previous history and risk group.

>> Who is Thermal Imaging Targeted At? All women can benefit from breast thermography screening however, it is especially appropriate for younger women (20 - 50) whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to be effective. Also, women of all ages who are unable to undergo routine mammography will benefit from Thermal Imaging.

Breast cancer grows significantly faster in younger women and is the leading cause of death for women aged 34 - 54.

Age Under 50 50 - 70 Over 70

Average Tumour Doubling Time 80 Days 157 Days 188 Days

Source: Cancer 71:3547-3551, 1993 It takes a number of years for most cancers to develop to the stage they can be detected by a mammogram or ultrasound so early screening is imperative. The younger an individual is screened, the better. There are no contraindications for Thermal Imaging, it is totally non-invasive with no radiation of any type so it can do no harm. Importantly, it is also suitable for those with breast implants, those who are pregnant etc.

Readers need to be aware that there is no comparison or competition between mammograms and Thermal Imaging.

Thermography is a test of function (physiology) and not anatomy. They are two different tests, providing different results and "looking" for different things!

Mammograms and ultrasound show ‘‘structure’’ i.e. lumps which can be measured and opinions given before biopsy. What Thermal Imaging does is provide early warnings by showing changes before this stage has been reached.

Thermography is also particularly useful postsurgery to monitor the on-going situation and to protect the healthy breast.

>> Have Clinical Tests Been Done on Thermal Imaging?

Over 800 peer-reviewed studies and well over 300,000 women have been included as study participants. The numbers of participants in many studies are very large (10,000, 37,000, 60,000, 85,000, etc.). Some of these studies have followed patients for up to 12 years.

These clinical trials have demonstrated that breast thermography detects the first signs of a cancer up to 10 years before any other procedure and significantly augments the longterm survival rates of its recipients. When used as part of a multimodal approach i.e. thermography plus clinical examination and mammography, up to 95% of early stage cancers can be detected.

Remember, every abnormality is not necessarily cancer but every cancer starts as an abnormality.

For more information on Thermal Imaging or to book an appointment, please contact The Bodyworks Health Clinic on 952 883 151 or visit their website at www.TheBodyworksClinic.com

>> costa LIFESTYLE

Natural Sea Sponge The natural sea sponge is the collagen skeleton of a primitive multi-cellular animal belonging to the group of ‘‘spongus’’. The reproduction of commercial sponges occurs when lavas are released from the mother sponge through holes named ‘‘Osculs’’. They float slowly for up to a couple of days looking for a place to attach to for the remainder of their lives. This process has earned them the ancient Greek name of ‘‘zoofiton’’ half plant, half animal. Lavas are released this way once a year or when detached from its support by the fisherman.

Sponges are located all over the world from tropical to polar waters and to all depths. Among the 5000 known species, only 10 have commercial value. They are carefully selected by the divers who fish for only the softest ones with good absorption capacity. Commercial sponges come only from temperate seas at depths of 0 50 metres. Each type of sponge is identifiable to the area it grows, for example a sponge that grows in the Mediterranean Sea cannot grow in the Caribbean Sea and vice versa. This is due to the temperature of the water, the density of salt and the levels of iodine. Therefore each sponge is unique to that specific area.

It is recognised that the eastern Mediterranean provides the world with the best quality sponges.

These include species such as the honeycomb sponge which gives bigger production, the fine silk sponge (soft and thin) which is considered the pre-eminent sponge, and the Zimocca sponge (hard, fine and bowl shaped). In the Mediterranean the sponges grow at greater depths, and the lower temperatures and water pressure make the

34 costa life

sponges stronger. In Central America we find mainly the wool sponge, which have a nice shape but are not particularly strong. Growth and longevity varies between the seas. For instance in the Caribbean, sponges such as grass have a life expectancy of approximately 6 months, whereas the Mediterranean sponges have a minimum of two years.

Once a year, divers will visit specific areas to fish for sponges. A boat normally contains four divers. Three to four smaller boats surround the cluster boat where the divers sleep, eat and load and dry the sponges.

All boats require a licence, and for exporting sponges from places such as Tunisia, Bahamas or Cuba, a Certificate of Inspection is needed.

This ensures that the sponges are inspected and certified to meet the standards set out by the Ministry of Fishery. For example some sponges can be harvested from 1.5’’ because they have a very rapid growth rate i.e. 4 monthly ones, for other sponges there will be a minimum size limit of 4.5-5’’ owing to the fact that it will take a whole year or two to grow to this size.

>> Sponge Fishing Methods The methods of fishing for sponges include the ‘‘Kamaki’’ or ‘‘harpooning’’ where the fisherman will scrutinize the sea bed to locate a sponge and will detach it with his harpoon.

Conservationists

see an advantage in this as method as torn bits of sponge are left behind and these, in time, can grow into new mature sponges.

Another procedure used is ‘‘Apnea’’ involving diving as deep as 20-30 metres in the most difficult areas of the sea.

The ‘‘Narguile’’ fishing system involves diving with air provided from an air compressor located on the boat. This technique allows a great deal of mobility and permits the diver to reach very deep levels.

The natural sea sponge has become a luxury product due to the invention of synthetic sponges and the epidemics, which have made the product scarce. In 1991 the world production fell to 60 tonnes while, in 1934, it was equivalent to 1400 tonnes. However there will always be a demand for natural sponges from the chemical, cosmetic and drug industries, and the trade of sponges today remains very dynamic.

Gymnasium fully equipped gym with both fixed and free weights crosstrainers + bikes treadmills + rowing machines professional instructor available only gym open at 8 am

Classes over 56 fitness classes every week step aerobics, aerobics, yoga, bums & tums, latest reebok decks new from Finland “gym stick� suitable all ages pilates room with pilates reformer beds individual spin bike room with 40 bikes individual aerobics and exercise room with sprung floor Goshin Ju Jitsu plus Capoeira

Facilities fully air conditioned - lockers high powered showers - hair dryers mens & womens saunas - jacuzzi sun beds

>> costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS

LOCAL Business Reports PLUS Charities and Events News EVENT THE LIONS CHRISTMAS FAYRE The Mijas La Cala Lions are holding their very successful Christmas Fayre once again at The Tamisa Hotel on Sunday 29th November.

All children, whatever the age, will get a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. A large selection of Christmas goodies will be on sale.

Stalls are limited at a cost of 25 euros.

Anyone interested should call Joy on Tel: 952 471 457.

John Peach and his staff at The Tamisa will put on a special Sunday lunch on the day at just 15 euros. Bookings are advisable.

It’s a wonderful day out for the family so put it in your diary now!

EVENT

- Marbella

International Film Festival Success for the Marbella International Film Festival as it closes the gap on renowned festivals around the globe.

The Marbella International Film Festival was a proven success as it came to a close on Sunday evening with newcomers and legends winning awards for their talent and flair.

The festival opened with a William Shatner premier at the Cines Gran Marbella on Thursday 1st October, a relatively avant-garde documentary, ‘Gonzo Ballet’ which is an aesthetically beautiful piece that seamlessly unites classical dance and contemporary music.

The Red Carpet affair was met with an amazing response by many fans; international press, admiring young film makers and the Marbella Town Hall Councillor of Tourism, Jose Luis. The first screening of the festival was followed by an official opening ceremony and gala dinner at Jean-Christophe Novelli’s.

Separated into shorts, features, documentaries and animations, over 650 entries came in from Europe, Canada, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the festival directors Mac Chakaveh and Melanie Kenyon, said of the

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Take care of yourself!.....Simple Health Care SL (Simple Care) is your healthcare partner, committed to helping you control and maintain your healthy lifestyle or assisting you on your journey to good health.

The Simple Care membership will cost you as little as 5,75€ a month (8,25€ a month for a couple), and will save you much more, it's value for money!

To welcome new members, we include a choice of FREE health /wellness packages, with all new membership applications.

Throughout 2009 we have added a number of new healthcare provider/partners to our network of specialists and health associated services. We’re delighted to welcome the Martí-Torres diagnostic centre (Malaga), which offers our members a complete diagnostic service with the latest technology managed by professional and caring personnel.

To help you ‘‘Take care of yourself’’ we have arranged some excellent rates for the various health checks, screening…..Life& health scans.

Simple Health Care SL tel 952532023

entries, ‘we are so honoured to have an amazing calibre of talent this year, it was difficult to choose just 46 films to be screened’.

Screenings took place throughout the weekend at the Marbella cinema and a special screening room at Sisu Boutique Hotel formally Hotel Lorcrimar. The star studded awards ceremony on Sunday 4th October which was attended by Mr William Shatner and Craig Fairbrass and X Factor performances from Christina Novelli, Ruth Lorenzo, Laura White and Mayte was synonymous to the talent showcasing at this year’s festival.

The 4 day event was more than just a screening festival; daily inspirational workshops for film makers took place including a presentation by the Marbella Films Commissions, a Director’s Q & A with Ivan Massow and a Producer’s master class with John Schwab. A Festival Village stage was also filled with local talents including Jayne

EVENT - Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses On Saturday 10th October the Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses in conjunction with CHAIN held another successful Dog Show at La Finca in Alhaurin El Grande. The weather was fabulous and there was a good turnout of dogs and people enjoying the food, bar and numerous stalls. Every class, including the Waggiest Tail and Fancy Dress was awarded a prize and rosette kindly sponsored by local businesses, many thanks to them all. The proceeds will be divided between ARCH and CHAIN.

Melville’s dance and ballet, Stagecoach Theatre School, a variety performances from Sonrisa Studios and an impressive Samba Band which put voyeurs in the party mood.

The 4th edition of the Marbella International Film Festival 2009 has raised the bar and has taken the event to new heights; Cannes and Venice watch out, Marbella is right behind you!

costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>

Retaining Wall Solutions SL can provide the complete solution Including a new mini block range which is ideal for the DIY enthusiast Retaining Wall Solutions SL (RWS) is a company dedicated to providing a professional service to its clients. RWS can provide the complete solution to any retaining wall problem from start to finish.

RWS is all about flexibility, innovation and above all, results. Our team of experienced installers and dynamic designers will focus on your precise wishes to deliver costeffective solutions to any project.

Whether it’s a house, urbanization, or commercial project RWS has the skill, expertise and talent to exceed your expectations.

Our extensive modular block range has many features and benefits that make it the solution of choice for any retaining wall project - for roads, rail, canals, rivers, homes or any general landscaping project. This modular block solution works whatever the height, on land or in water and every project is designed to the new requirements of EC7 standards. So if you're looking for a sustainable, concrete solution that looks like a natural stone wall, with installation rates that can reduce project time by up to 50%, then look no further.

Our innovative projects are forever keeping the competition on their toes. We specialize in residential and commercial development for clients; we can also offer the following

services: land reclamation, excavation, topography, and soil analysis.

RWS have completed many projects, some small walls to walls of 24 meters in total height; there really is no engineering limit to the height of the wall that can be constructed.

Retaining walls do not have to be a purely functional thing, they can be constructed to create different levels for planting that will maximize your usable land area and can ‘‘Another superb finish’’ incorporate irrigation systems, steps to allow access to different levels as well as lights to illuminate areas if required. Infinity pools can create cascading effects over the walls - the design possibilities are limitless.

RWS would also like to introduce a new product for the DIY enthusiast. The new mini block has been designed for walls of up to 1 meter high, they can be collected from our factory or we can arrange delivery for you.

The new mini block is also ideal for putting around trees making a ring effect, they are also ideal for border, edging protection, and any other feature you would like to make.

Like our large retaining blocks the mini blocks are dry laid and only need a level gravel footing. .. The installation is fast and easy. The size of the blocks is 33cm long by 10cm high and full instructions on how to lay the blocks are supplied. ‘‘Is it natural stone’’

TONI’S FIRST IN CARDS

We are now approaching our busiest time of the year, with Christmas just around the corner. So will now be open all day from 10:00 til 18:00 Monday to Friday without siesta and Saturdays 10:00 till 14:00 throughout the Christmas period, so you can shop on your break. We have all Christmas cards, cake décor, gifts and stocking fillers out on display.

We understand that at this time of year it is hard to make ends meet, so we have slashed our prices on all stock throughout our shop. You won't believe our new prices. Things for every budget including our 1 euro stand for all occasion cards and our 4 for 1 euro on our bargain Christmas card stand and we don't stop there, as we are offering a further 10% off with our advert featured…

Still going strong after 13 years in the business. Having expanded to include a large selection of craft products - all you need to make your own cards. Stationary, bingo/raffle tickets, party decorations, hellium balloons, candles, cake décor, frills and cake stands. Gifts for all occasions including new baby, christening, birthdays, wedding, engagement, anniversary and more. We also offer offex postal service to send and receive mail and parcels.

Any queries please contact either Toni 679017127 or Jools 658366873

EVENT - Salon Varieties December productions A Christmas Stocking - weds 2nd - sun 6th December - directed by Lizz Freeman a seasonal revue show The Wizard Of Oz - fri 18th - tues 22nd december - directed by Peter Mitchell Restaurant Dali opened its doors to the community one year ago, serving a menu combining Chef Francis Chanteloup's studies of traditional Belgian method with his love for lively recipes of the Mediterranean. It offers an experience with food at it heart, overlooking the Paseo Maritimo of Fuengirola, the Restaurant, Grand Café & Bar combines contemporary sensibility with a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Dali is perfect for power lunches or passionate evenings. Those dining at Dali will enjoy the lobster, fresh oysters, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Rack of Lamb and a variety of imaginative dishes made from the freshest regional ingredients. Pop in for a thirst-quenching glass of wine as you snack on a crispy salad or a salty-dry Jamon de Serrano. A dynamic wine program that enhances taste and flavor discovery completes this feast for the senses. Dali has a solid collection of Single Malt whisky, Brandy & Spirits that highlights many unusual selections from up-and-coming distilleries.

Welcome & enjoy the experience.

Restaurant - Grand Café Dali Paseo Maritimo Rey d'España 29640 Fuengirola (next to PYR hotel)

Tel. 00 34 952 474 708

DALI

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>> costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS Christmas with

Flor Valentin

Once again, this year you will have the opportunity of dropping by the Christmas market and get into the spirit of the season. You will be able to find any- and everything relating to Christmas, elves, decorations and ornaments, seasonal flora and fauna, Christmas-trees etc. You can meet Santa, shop for gifts, confectionaries or Christmas foods, and have a cup of traditional Scandinavian glögg and Danish doughnuts, while the Swedish Lucia parade will be entertaining. The Christmas trees have been directly imported from the Danish forests, and will provide the perfect Christmas, with the authentic odour of pine-needles. Remember to reserve your tree well in advance, since there will be limited stock available.

All this takes place on the big Christmas market, in the parking lot behind Centro Idea, on the Mijas road, Saturday the 12th of December, from 10 am to 4 pm.

But you can, already now experience the very special Christmas spirit at Flor Valentin. Christmas decorations, ornaments and elves, traditional advent candle-wreaths, advent candle displays, and a lovely wreath on the door, are just some of the beautiful things you will be able to experience from the beginning of November. All the decorations are handmade from scratch, and you can also order your own Christmas decorations, and add your own touch to it, so it will perfectly match your own personal style and home.

Don’t forget to drop by the new shop, Flor Valentin 2, which is located by the main entrance to Centro Idea. The store opened for business on the fifth of October, and here you will find a slightly more modern seasonal spirit, along with other stunning examples of arts and crafts.

Also, come and see the new "Medusa" models. Medusa Copenhagen is, among other things, known for their handmade gnomes and elves, especially for the house-elf "Johannes" (John). Flor Valentin can, uniquely, as the only supplier in Spain, present you with this "Medusa" collection. All figurines are made as limited editions, and are therefore considered collectibles.

On the 14th and 15th of November, Flor Valentin can also be found, at the first English speaking wedding exhibition, the ‘‘Perfect Wedding Expo’’, Palacio de la Paz i Fuengirola.

Check out www.perfect-weddingexpo.com, or come by at stand number 48, and have a look at what Flor Valentin can do, to help make sure that your wedding will be absolutely perfect.

We look forward to seeing you, at Flor Valentin.

La Diferencia If you are looking for a tranquil setting in Fuengirola then visit La Diferencia in Plaza el Yate.

The square has for many years been home to the popular Las Farolas restaurant but now next door you will find La Diferencia and it is very different and is sure to make its own mark on this most inviting of Andalucian squares.

Apart from the fantastic setting La Diferencia can offer the widest choice of home cooked foods to suit any taste.

From original Indian curries to authentic Mexican dishes like a delicious sweet chili or Fajitas to a full A La Carte Menu and a full 3 course Sunday lunch including a half bottle of wine person for only 12.95, there is something for everyone.

They also offer a three course Menu del Dia for only 9.95!! Served every day and evening.

The staff are most welcoming and with a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits you will have everything you need for a perfect evening or in fact day time eating experience.

The specialty of La Diferencia is its Fondue, I personally have only had a sweet fondue with marshmallow and sweets but at La Diferencia you can enjoy main course fondue.

A fondue pot is basically a metal or ceramic bowl that is held up over a flame created by a sterno can. Skewers are used to spear the food you want to dip in the fondue. To save any fighting the skewers have different coloured handles so you know which is yours!

After first sampling the delicious home made curry and sweet chilli con carne we worked our way through a double whammy of Fondue. I know. Its hard work but somebody has to do it! First we tried the selection of fresh meats including pork, chicken and beef. Once skewered and cooked to our individual liking we ate them served with side salad, fresh French fries and a selection of dips. These were delicious and the beauty with fondue is you can cook the meats to your liking. So rare or well, done it's up to you.

You can also eat at your own pace as the oil is kept hot enough to cook in with the flame pot underneath so you can take your time and enjoy.

After the meal we had a fantastic chocolate Fondue with sliced banana, pineapple and marshmallow, again the pot is brought to you on a flame but this time with melted chocolate and the idea is to skewer your preferred fruit or sweet and then soak them in the hot chocolate, delicious.

La Diferencia certainly lives up to its name, the beautiful setting of the Andalucian square Plaza el Yate transports you away into your own little world, the ambience is tranquil and very enjoyable. Afterwards you are only 2 minutes walk from the sea front so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll down the prom so you won’t feel so bad about all the chocolate fondue you have eaten!

Well worth a visit and you will not be disappointed, they are also taking bookings for Christmas and New Year and it's the perfect setting for private parties of up to 24.

Give them a call on 685 487 646 or 628 519 862 or email

ladiferencia009@yahoo.com

38 costa life

costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>

I do like a curry and when we were invited to the new Kashmiri Indian restaurant in La Cala Hill called Moments there wasn't much discussion needed. Set on the outskirts of Fuengirola past Mijas Golf you will find one of the most beautiful restaurants to be found anywhere on the coast.

A project for Tango Hussain that has taken over two years to realise has now come to life.

We shared a mixed starter of Sheek Kebab, Chicken Tikka, spicy chicken wings, meat Samosa & Lamb Tikka, plus we had an onion bhaji to share.

The restaurant itself is worth a visit alone for the style and elegance it exudes. No expense has been spared with this venture and you will see this for yourself when you arrive. When you do arrive you will be welcomed by friendly professional staff that will take care of all your needs.

For mains we asked Hussain to recommend a couple of dishes and we had the Chicken Nashalee which was Chicken Tikka off the bone cooked with cream, coconut, almond and white wine finished off with sliced mango. It was very mild and delicious.

In addition to the restaurant there is a take away service on all curries and there is also an Indian tapas takeaway menu which is served every day from 5.30pm - 8pm. Plus, they make specialty pizzas to die for.

The kitchen is open plan which is great as there is nothing to hide and you can watch the chefs working away to prepare your food all of which is prepared fresh in-house before your very eyes.

We had a keema nan with our main meal and it was delicious and to watch the chef prepare it from scratch in front of eyes was great.

All of the starters were excellent and the flavours and spices made it clear that it was all home made.

We also had Lamb Tikka Chaska; lamb cooked with fresh cream, mango chutney and aromatic spices that gives the dish a distinctive sweet & sour flavour.

We went with a pilau rice and the already mentioned fresh home made Keema Nan. I have to say that of all the Indian restaurants I have eaten in on the coast this was the best, it was clear from the taste of the food that it was all fresh and it made such a difference. In our business you always have to be diplomatic when trying restaurants but I have to stick my neck out on this one and say it was definitely the best Indian I have ever had, not just in Spain but anywhere. It was really, really good.

As already said the food is prepared fresh so please be patient when waiting for your meal, we were served very promptly but we got in there early. The ambience and setting of the place are that welcoming and comfortable that you will be happy to spend the evening here. It is a beautiful restaurant that serves fantastic Indian food.

coming back for more. With a wide range of great wines, beers and spirits you will want for nothing. And if that isn't enough it is a big merry Christmas from Lisa and Hussain as until the 31st December the A La Carte menu is all HALF PRICE, that's right the whole menu is HALF PRICE so what are you waiting for? Give them a call on 952 669 755 or 678 232 151 to book your table. You will need to!!

In addition to all of your favourite Indian meals like Korma, Tikka, Tandoori and Byriani there is a wide range of new and original recipes that will have you

costa life 39

>> costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS RDMC’S - Glass Manufacturers Sl The Phoenix Lounge is still going from strength to strength and proving to be one of the most popular venues in the area. Due to customer demand the Phoenix birds Bev and Jean have decided to open the nest on Sundays from 1pm till 9pm. Chef Nigel will be preparing and serving his special traditional Sunday roast, (last food orders taken at 5pm) definitely not to be missed, and we would suggest that you reserve a table to avoid disappointment.

It’s that time of year again and to get you in the festive spirit.

Nigel will be offering Christmas Fayre from the 14th to the 23rd of December, parties can be catered for, and this menu will definitely be bookings only.

Christmas festivities at The Phoenix. Christmas Eve - Santa bearing gifts for the children at 3.00pm. Karaoke and Disco from 4.00pm, food served until 8.00pm. A fabulous family day all welcome.

Christmas Day the bar will open from 12.00pm till 2.00pm, for you to join Bev and Jean for a pre dinner drinking session.

Boxing Day bar open 1.00pm till late, evening entertainment and a special Boxing Day Brunch menu available.

News Year Eve - Disco/Karaoke all welcome to join us to celebrate the New Year.

YOU CAN HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF SWINE FLU! As with any flu virus, hand hygiene is most important in preventing the transmission of the disease.

While soap and water is good, there is a product available, containing alcohol which actually damages the 'shell' of the swine flu virus, rendering it inactive.

Matron antibacterial hand gel and contact spray both contain alcohol and are effective against the spread of swine flu.

The added benefit of Matron products is that they also contain aloe vera, which moisturises the skin.

The use of Matron products at home and work is important wherever bacteria is present - it kills 100% of the bacteria that spreads e-coli, salmonella, streptococcus, MRSA and MSSA plus 99% of all known germs while providing an effective bacterial barrier.

Energy Saving with Argon Gas and Glass Curtains Window Technology: Argon Gas Filled Units An improvement that can be made to the thermal performance of insulating glazing units is to reduce the conductance of the air space between the layers.

Originally, the space was filled with air or flushed with dry nitrogen just prior to sealing. In a sealed glass insulating unit, air currents between the two panes of glazing carry heat to the top of the unit and settle into cold pools at the bottom.

Filling the space with a less conductive, more viscous, or slow-moving gas minimizes the convection currents within the space, conduction through the gas is reduced, and the overall transfer of heat between the inside and outside is reduced. In time this concentration will gradually evaporate, but only at a rate estimated from 0, 5 to 1% per year.

R-DMC’S has recognized the need for Argon Gas in Spain and have invested in the machinery so can now offer their customers this much improved sealed unit. They are a family run business and have been in business for five years running a glass manufacturers covering all aspects of glass manufacture from double glazed sealed units to table tops, showers, shop fronts, shelves etc.

RDMC’S also manufacture Glass Curtains in their Nave on the Camino de Coin road and also manufacture the Toughened glass in-house with their Toughening plant making them the only company manufacturing the complete system in house.

They have had great success with their Glass Curtains as they are manufacturing a German system called Sunflex. RDMC’S have been given the official distribution for the area and are very happy with the product. This system truly sells itself, it is a far superior system which is typical of German design, a lot of time and thought has gone into this system making it one of, if not the best system available. Not only does it look far more robust but also the design makes it very easy for the owners to use and therefore reduces damage that can occur (Especially for rental properties) with the use of glass curtain systems. Glass curtains can also be an energy saving investment, a lot of their customers have commented on the difference that the Glass curtains have made to the warmth inside their homes, for example if you are enclosing a terrace that is joined to the lounge you have an extra layer of 10mm glass giving you that extra insulation and stopping drafts, also if the glass curtains are kept closed in the winter in the daytime the terrace has already warmed up and the glass will help keep the heat in.

Another energy saver is to use reflectorsol glass in a sealed unit, by using this glass it means in winter, indoor heat energy is reflected into the home and in summer, outdoor heat energy is reflected outdoors. (See picture for explanation).

R-DMC’S prides itself on a fast and reliable service, offering companies and the public a very quick service, if you have had a break in or an accident then this is the company to contact R-DMC’S are also specialists in Stainless Steel and Pool Surrounds. They use only the highest grade Stainless Steel which means that the end product does not suffer from rust and corrosion. The stainless Steel can be used with a multitude of glass from toughened to colored laminated which is a very effective way of personalizing your property as this is a bespoke service.

We have a special reader offer: Call RDMC’S for all your glass needs: THEY DO IT ALL Anyone purchasing at our online shop, a Matron mini spray, hand gel and 600ml professional spray will receive a discount off the normal price of 27,45 euros and pay only 19,00 euros, plus 24 hour delivery by secure courier 2,95, total price 21,95 Matron products are distributed by Uber Spain.

For further information call

900 804 561 / 952 834 552 or email info@uberespana.com

40 costa life

952477963 - 677712742 www.rdmcsglass.com email: rdmcsglass@hotmail.com Pol Ind El Cañadon, Nave 16, Camino De Coin, KM2, Mijas Costa.

Malaga

costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >> many companies to cease trading, the overpricing of products will not bring customers to the stores.

How the crisis has affected the decoration shops? How to increase the value of your Home?

The last winter season was challenging in general interior design shops, many shops have been forced to close their doors. On the Costa del Sol in particular the weakening of the pound against the euro reflected in the recent winter season of 2008 meant that in most sectors, including the interior design sector, projects were postponed. ‘‘Last winter season people where not thinking about buying new property, but this year they have decorated their own homes’’ says Miika Ihander, owner of the Costa-Carpet. He continues: ‘‘But this autumn, the property market has been stimulated, especially in the Finnish and Scandinavians sectors where people

are buying property. Many of our new clients have said that they have just bought new homes.’’

The Costa-Carpet is a decorating shop, well known for their wide range of rugs and carpets selection, fitted wardrobes with sliding doors and Scandinavian style beds and top mattresses. The Costa-Carpet showroom is along the Carretera de Mijas, a few kilometres from the centre of Fuengirola.

Interior design and renovation of housing is now used to save time and resources. Reforms are, of course, not only an owner-joy, but also a beautiful interior design and operate facilities and increase the value of the home sales comes, clearly accelerate the sale of a dwelling.

‘‘Our trump card has always been high-quality products, reasonable prices and reliable service.

These are certainly the things which make the sales of the company continue to develop so nicely in this period of time. Loyal customers are very important to us and their experiences of our business leads them to recommend us to their neighbours and friends.’’ ‘‘Good service and reliability are certainly the things that we want to continue with in order to acquire new interior design projects and remodelling of homes. Customers are more important than ever for companies and it is the right time to demand good service.’’

It’s time to decorate - it will raise your property value!

‘‘In fact, even though we are facing difficult times with the economy, for our company this is clearly a better year than the previous years.

Suitably priced rugs and carpets, beds, and wardrobes are selling. These all create comfort and functionality for your home and at the same time increase the value of your home’’ says Miika Ihander.

These difficult times for interior design firms are forcing them to give up on their high prices. In the past the currency problems have driven

from other golfing retailers such as golf ball logo service, golf club set rental, golf trophies, embroidery, and club repairs and regripping as well as golf clubs, electric carts, shoes and fashion sales. All these services are in house at our 600 m2 shop at La Cala de Mijas as we recognise that many visiting golfers need a very quick service which cannot be provided by outsourcing these services.

Sunshine Golf was established in the UK 1992 as a golf holiday company specialising in full golfing package holidays to the Costa del Sol. In 1997 the directors decided to open a 600 m2 golf retail shop in La Cala de Mijas to provide a full one stop golf service to our clients. The timing proved to be very fortunate as golf literally exploded following the hosting of the Ryder Cup at Valderamma with the construction of many new golf courses between Sotogrande and Nerja.

During the ensuing years the peak seasons of spring and autumn meant golf courses were at full capacity so, unfortunately, many course directors chose to increase the cost of a round of golf to unreasonable levels. This resulted in many regular visiting and resident golfers voting with their wallets and choosing other golfing destinations. Coupled with the loss in valuation of Sterling and the worst worldwide recession in 60 years this caused a severe drop in visiting golfing tourists to the coast.

Sunshine Golf is a fully bonded golf holiday company, coupled with the retail activity, and has always maintained very close contact with all the golf courses. On innumerable occasions we have represented the views of our clients regarding the perceived value for money offered by the golf courses. In some unfortunate instances the course directors have chosen to ignore our client's opinions.

The majority of the current generation of directors are, however listening. There are now some very good deals available from Sunshine Golf so please contact us to see how we can help you to get better value for your hard earned golfing euro.

Call in and see us you will always be given a warm welcome as we do appreciate your custom. We would like to wish all our clients and Costa Life readers a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. (Don’t forget to think of Sunshine Golf for presents or a gift voucher for your golfing friends and family.)

The retail activity has evolved enormously since the opening and now offers many services not available

costa life 41

>> costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS

Silvester & Sons have been established here on the coast for the past three years servicing many happy clients with their successful building and maintenance company.

Owner and Project Manager Daniel Silvester, has been living and working in Spain for over ten years giving him the advantage over many similar companies by discovering the very best, yet competitive suppliers and the inside knowledge and preferential offers for longstanding and valued custom.

Silvester & Sons already have a portfolio of many projects under their belt, from single bathrooms and kitchens to total refurbishments and cosmetic make-overs. Client testimonials and photographs are all available for viewing.

The team boasts highly qualified and extensively experienced tradesmen within all disciplines.

Tiling, Brickwork, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrics and Decorating are all covered under one roof making project management so much simpler and cost effective.

Ocean Clinic aims to differ from larger clinics in its degree of personalisation. Says Dr. Kaye, ‘‘In many big clinics, you are attended to by many doctors and sometimes you don’t know who will be seeing you. Ocean Clinic offers one to one service from day one until the last visit’’. The clinic is discretely located in the centre of Marbella, while all medical procedures are carried out at a privately hired wing at the USP Hospital. Dr. Kaye carries out a variety of procedures, everything from facial rejuvenation (facelift, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, rhinoplasty, deep peeling, Botox and fillers) right through body reshaping (liposuction, abdominoplasty etc).

42 costa life

In addition, over the last 10 years, Daniel Silvester has become a leading specialist in the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of Air Conditioning. From basic split installations for the home to larger ducted systems for every business.

Also available are automated systems for the house allowing precise direction of air flow to any single room you choose from one control panel... and because their team of builders are always on call... restoring walls after cable channelling can be carried out simultaneously.

Before

From Malaga to Sotogrande they have waved their magic wand and have many satisfied customers, some even becoming close friends!!

So whether your needs are large or small give them a ring and Danny would be pleased to arrange an appointment with you at your earliest convenience.

After

Before

After

Before

After

Apart from his technical artistry, Dr. Kaye exudes charm and warmth, and indeed, it was the ability to interact with people of all ages and cultures that first attracted him to plastic surgery. "With most specialities, you deal with people of a particular age, while with plastic surgery you could be helping someone who is seeking a facelift, or a little child with a cleft palate, or a young adult with protruding ears. Few other specialities offer this opportunity’’.

multiculturalism (he speaks various languages), impressive qualifications and experience make him a great addition to the medical scene. The clinic's slogan, ‘‘beyond beauty’’ invites his patients to explore their aspirations of beauty, and to look closely at the options and procedures available to make them feel more beautiful and attractive. May he put a smile on our faces for many years to come.

With his new Ocean Clinic, Dr. Kaye, originally from Germany, is happy to call Marbella home. ‘‘I love the outdoors and water sports and I love the Spanish language and culture’’. Dr. Kaye’s

Avda. Ramón y Cajal 7, Marbella.

Tel: 951 775 518. www.oceanclinic.net

costa BUSINESS, CHARITIES & EVENTS >>

All ready made Jewelry 50% off except loose diamonds, tanzanite and pearls Avda.de Mejico. No 10 Mijas Pueblo 29650 Malaga.

Tel: 0034 952 48 50 69 / 952 59 08 71. Fax: 0034 952 48 50 87 mijasdiamondcenter@yahoo.com www.mijasdiamond.com costa life 43

>> costa HOMES

The delight of eating outdoors

by Annika Jonsson BLOND of Scandinavia

I

f you've discovered that the little charcoal grill in the corner of your patio/garden does not suit your outdoor lifestyle, then why not revamp your outdoor space and get yourself a ‘‘summer’’ kitchen. Living in Spain gives us the chance to eat and drink outside most of the year, so why go into your kitchen and cook for your friends when you can do the same outside.

It will give not only a very warm and welcoming atmosphere but also the opportunity to socialise with your family and good friends while you are preparing and cooking your meal.

To cook conveniently outdoors does not require a great amount of space but if you have room to

44 costa life

manoeuvre, so much the better. Here are some ideas to think about when you are planning your outdoor kitchen.

>> Location Not too far away from your house. No matter how efficient and prepared you try to be, there will always be something that you need from your kitchen indoors.

>> Shade This is the next thing to consider.

You don’t want to sit and eat with your friends in harsh, direct sunlight or to be blinded by the

setting sun. You can create shade in many ways.

Under an existing tree is always a very good way, but if you don’t have a tree in your garden, you can always create shade by putting up an awning. A simple pergola entwined with lovely vines or climbing plants can provide the necessary shade for a sunny location. This will, as well as bringing shade, also look very warm and inviting. Think carefully about how much time you will spend outside eating. Even though the summer is nearly always sunny and dry, you might want to be able to sit outside for dinner even when it rains. For this you need, if you go for the pergola, some kind of roof. A plastic sheet may look quite tacky at first but if you

costa HOMES >>

cover it with bamboo sticks on the inside and allow your plants to grow a bit, you don’t notice it. And is there anything better than sitting outside, on a warm evening, listening to the rain patter on the roof?

Design for comfort - it may also add to the value of your house so look upon it as an investment.

>> Plan the kitchen You now have the location and shade under control, so it’s time to plan and build the actual kitchen.

If you start from scratch, begin at the bottom: the patio/garden itself. Durable paving, well maintained and easy to keep clean, is the first step. It needs to be level and in good repair because you are probably constructing on top of it. If, for example, you are making an omelette, you don’t want it to be thick on one side and thin on the other.

Before you start buying equipment, map out the maximum area you can give to the kitchen. Think about what you need to be able to cook properly.

Basically, you need more or less the same as you do indoors; sink, cooker (probably gas), oven, fridge and some cupboards. And, of course, a big BBQ. If you plan to entertain significantly outdoors in a grand style, you may want to install bricked-in cooking features as well as a bricked-in ice machine. All to impress!! In the end it’s your kitchen and it should mirror your style.

>> Electricity and water The most important thing to remember is the electricity and water supply/drainage. These probably have to be taken from indoors, so you should do this in a very early stage. Design your kitchen so you know exactly where the sink is going to be located. The same goes for the electricity, the fridge, the oven and obviously all the lighting. Don’t

forget to position lighting so you can see what you are doing, above both the cooker and the BBQ. You might also want a bar area with a proper bar for your guests to sit in while you are cooking. If so, you need a sink (optional, but a great option so that you don’t have to lug the dishes and glasses indoors for washing), storage area, ice chest or machine, stools etc. Think about the electricity you may need. Not only for lighting but also for an ice machine, refrigerator or fan, for instance.

The furniture you choose should be treated so they are in harmony with the climate. Obviously they should be to your own taste but don’t forget that they should also be functional; for example: an island for chopping all those vegetables, or a stool for the chef to rest on. Maybe you want rustic furniture for the ‘‘finca’’ feeling or super modern for the penthouse. It all depends on what kind of house you have and what kind of design you like. If you are going for the ‘‘finca’’ style, it can further be enhanced by a kitchen garden planted nearby. You can delight your guests by retrieving some fresh rosemary or thyme during the preparation of your meal. This will impress your guests for sure and will taste good as well.

Installing an outdoor kitchen will add to your home in many ways; but perhaps more importantly, it will allow you to enjoy time with your family or friends in comfort and relaxation. I myself, at the moment, have a simple BBQ on my terrace with NO LIGHT! I have so far managed to serve everything from really well cooked dinners to total disasters! But I am on my way to moving now, and in my next home I will build a proper outdoor kitchen. I will have to leave out the kitchen garden though because my cats seem to like the herbs as well!!! With this I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

costa life 45

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>> costa HOMES

financial

news report

>> Tourist cash flow continues to slow down The foreign tourists who made the trip to the sunny shores of the Spanish Mediterranean spent considerably less in the first eight months of 2009, compared to the same period the year before. The total spent by foreigners was €33 billion, this is a drop of 7.5% this according to the annual Tourism Expenditure Survey.

From New Year’s Day until the end of August the average spend by each foreign visitor per day, was €93, with an overall, per tourist, spend of €910. Brits accounted for the biggest amount of cash coming into Spain through tourism, at €7.7 billion, or nearly a quarter of all the cash spent by foreign visitors. Most of the tourist cash was spent in Catalonia, who pulled in €6.7 billion in the month of August alone, although it should be said this is a drop of nearly 5.5% over the same period last year.

Only Catalonia, Madrid, and the Balearic Islands saw an increase in tourist cash flow.

>> Spain sends more financial aid to Cuba Financial aid to the Caribbean island of Cuba from Spain has risen dramatically to nearly €35 million this year, up from €17 million just two years ago. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister will soon visit the ostracised island for more discussions about further cooperation between Spain and Cuba.

The main aim of the millions of Euros

invested so far, has been in aiding the Cubans with being more efficient in producing their own food, rather than relying on imported goods. Other funds have been aimed at sustainable drinking water supplies, as well as many health projects, and assistance with education. This large-scale injection of funds followed a normalisation of relations between

>> Banco Popular gets €1.2 billion cash injection The number three bank in Spain, Banco Popular, says that it has managed to complete a convertible bond issue with a value of approximately €700 million. This with other issues should manage to bring them a cash injection of somewhere around €1.2 billion. They intend to use the cash for continued expansion of their banking activities in the short to mid-term. The bank is said to have now

>> Marbella receives Government tourism cash injection Marbella is to receive a 11.5 million euro incentive from the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Sports. The cash is aimed at supporting the city’s efforts to increase tourism, as the Ministry believes that Marbella is the centre of Costa del Sol tourism and any benefits felt there will also be felt in surrounding towns. The Marbella Tourism Plan will receive the biggest cash injection of around 9 million euros; this is in addition to 4 million already in place from a 2006 agreement. Only six cities in the country are to receive the tourism boosting incentive money, the others being Jaen, Jerez, Granada, Malaga and Sevilla.

50 costa life

Spain and Cuba in April of 2007.

Cooperation had been halted in 2003 when the communist country had jailed over 70 people claiming that they were conspiring against Cuba with the US. Next year’s financial assistance is not expected to rise, and will be the same as this year’s figures.

boosted its amount of real capital value by somewhere slightly less than 9%, as a direct result of its recent funding efforts, and its Tier 1 score is now being raised to around the 10% mark.

>> Spain throws 4 Billion Euros into IMF pot Spain has pledged to lend four billion Euros to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to aid global recovery efforts that were put into place by a European Union Agreement. The IMF released a statement that the IMF, and World Bank, will use the money to help provide payment assistance to members of the EU, who are devastated by the current economic crisis. Spain is signed into a contract with IMF to provide it with funding over the course of four years, as part of their commitment to the European Union, which were made in March of 2009.

Overall the European Union has pledged about 75 billion Euros to the IMF.

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Ref. LPE_118: Very attractive, recently constructed finca situated in one of the best areas of Alhaurin el Grande. Peaceful and secluded position only 10 minutes from town. Three bedrooms (one en suite) two bathrooms, the property has air conditioning, feature fireplace, beautiful terraces and pool areas. Excellent value for money in today’s market. 135 m² built on a fenced and gated plot of 3,500 m².

Price: 350,000 euros

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Ref. LPE_004: 350 m² on a scenic 16,000 m² plot with commanding views. Very close to golf, the property has a private 2 bed casita in the grounds with private terraces. This older property has great history and has been beautifully restored with fantastic gardens, pool area and a delightful courtyard area for entertaining. 7 beds and 3 baths reduced from 1,500,000 euros to 995,000 euros. This property has to be seen!

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Ref LPE_139a: Delightful country finca in excellent condition situated between the two Alhaurins. Excellent access (no track) paved driveway through nice gardens to a three bed, two bath property which is gated and fenced. Beautiful terrace and pool area with outstanding views.

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Ref. LPE_201: Amazing medieval castle situated in the Chianti region of Italy. Comprising of 52 hectares of land of which 18 hectares are vineyard. Producing 65,000 bottles of wine. 20 luxurious rooms. Completely renovated in 1994. This is a fantastic opportunity for gracious living or wonderful business.

Price: 15,000,000 euros

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Ref. LPE_167: Amazing views from this lovely three bedroomed, two bath finca that is in beautiful condition. Situated close to Alhaurin el Grande the 130 m² house is situated on a 5,000 plus plot in the best area and has beames lounge, American style kitchen etc. The plot is fenced and gated with an attractive swimming pool, fully legal and at a give away price.

Yours for 269,000 euros

A great buy at 365,000 euros

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This complex boasts 87 rooms over 3 floors. All en suite. Restaurant, gardens, roads etc. Great price and great investment.

Price: 1,450,000 euros

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>> costa HOMES

T

he sun may still be shining but shorter days and colder nights warn of the onset of winter. Even winter as we experience it here can cause some discomfort! Some choose to take off to warmer climes, and others may take a trip to more northerly latitudes to experience autumn colours and wintery landscapes, which are at their best in Canada or N. America.

There, they can enjoy the burst of glorious colours marking the transition between summer and winter. This phenomenon is triggered by rapidly falling temperatures, and the colours result from chemical changes in the senescing leaves prior to leaf fall. In our region, such falls in temperature occur only in the mountains away from the coast. There, we can enjoy some autumn colour, if less spectacular that across the Atlantic.

Acers (Maples) are a group of trees that are often grown for their fine foliage and beautiful autumn colours. Some people grow the popular

Japanese varieties in pots on shaded terraces.

While I share their enjoyment of these beautiful trees, here their autumn colours are often disappointing, and it can be difficult to keep them alive in a climate that is too hot in summer and not cold enough in winter. It may be better to look closer to home for maples better adapted to our climate. Southern Spain is not without its native species of Maple, seen growing on mountains and hillsides around Granada and other places. Acer monspessulanum (Montpellier Maple) may not be as spectacular as those trees we can see in the US, but they, too, put on a good show with a last gasp of colour before losing their leaves.

This species deserves to be grown more widely in gardens for its ornamental foliage, fruits, autumnal colour and frost hardiness. However, its ability to stand prolonged drought is poor, and it needs watering in summer. This Acer is not often seen here in the wild, and you are more likely to come across Acer opalus, a similar, if less choice, species.

An Acer that is good for medium or large gardens here is Acer negundo ‘Auratum’, (Boxelder) a species native to much of N. America. Auratum is a lime green-golden form, much prized for its golden leaves, attractive bark and silver-grey young stems in winter. The species is widely considered to be a ‘weed’ in its native North America.

In our gardens, Acer negundo often surpasses expectations, quickly becoming a sizeable tree.

It can be kept as a large shrub by hard annual pruning before the arrival of spring. This ensures that the young growth, with its lime green shoots and golden leaves, remains a feature. They are not so easily seen in a large specimen tree. I have had one in my garden for the last three years and have opted for hard pruning. After the leaves have fallen, the silver stems reaching for the sky are a highlight through the cold winter days when many a garden can lack interest.

If you would prefer a specimen tree - but can only find a small, multi-stemmed example - after

Seasonal Colour in a changing landscape

By Simon Hill

54 costa life

costa HOMES >>

Mistletoe appearing on its host tree a red berried form exists in our region planting, select a strong, upright stem and prune out all other growth. This stem will grow rapidly and, after one or two seasons, you can expect to have a tree of at least 2 metres, which can then be allowed to branch.

Other cultivated forms exist that have showy Variegata’ is a foliage but may lack silver stems. ‘V form that has white-variegated foliage. A fine mature specimen of this cultivar can be seen growing at La Concepcíon Gardens in Málaga. A second cultivar (appropriate for our region) is Flamingo’. This has white, green and pink areas ‘F on its foliage.

It need not all be doom and gloom in the cold of winter, especially in the build up to the Christmas period. A number of colourful flowers such as Podranea and Pyrostegia brighten up our gardens and roadsides from now on. Nor should we forget the tall, colourful outdoor shrubby

Rose Hips of Dog Roses - Common here

Pointsettias which are now just starting to develop their spectacular scarlet bracts.

From now onwards, I like to take cuttings of Coleus plants to use in floral displays - especially those with a dominant red variegation. They will quickly form roots in water and can be potted on in the New Year.

If your roses have been left unpruned, then good red hips may have developed that are not only seasonally appropriate in a display but make good substitutes for Holly in our adopted environment.

Lastly, I shall mention the presence of Mistletoe in our region, widespread but often unseen. This fascinating plant is worthy of a whole article. It has a cultural history stretching back for thousands of years and is now sought after by party-going lovers. As a parasite of trees, we

normally see it being harvested for sale at Christmas from apple orchards in the south of England, and in France and other northerly regions of Europe. It is a different species that is prevalent here in S. Spain, which has red rather than white berries, and can usually be found on neglected olive trees and trees of olive’s wild cousin, Acebuche. Last year I was surprised to find mistletoe plants parasitising several Broom shrubs along a roadside near my village.

This mistletoe is just as good as the other for decorating the house, but please remember that these berries are a valuable source of food to birds so don’t gather too much. Without birds to spread the seeds there would be no mistletoe!

I send all my readers best wishes for the season and a very fruitful New Year!

Simon Hill can be contacted with questions and for advice: FINCAROSABLANCA@telefonica.net

The Lime Green of A. negundo auratum

costa life 55

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680 Euros per month including all community fees, IBI tax.

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Ref. 009 Bargain 86.000 €

Pueblo Lopez town centre, large sunny townhouse in very quiet position, comprissing of 4 double bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, large fully fitted kitchen-diner, spacious lounge with fireplace, 45 m2 patio with jacuzzi and covered terrace. Air conditioning. Unique property, ideal as family home, in the town centre with a total of 170 m2 built. Must be seen!

Ref. 198 450.000 €

Torreblanca penthouse apartment in beautiful complex only a few years old. With 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, lounge, terrace with sea views and large solarium with sea and mountain views. Garage and storage room, fully furnished, air conditioning hot/cold, community pool, gardens and tennis court. Ref. 093 195.000 €

La Capellania magnificent villa set on private and tranquil position built on one level with panoramic views over the sea, Fuengirola bay and mountains. Comprissing of 2 bedrooms, 1 ½ bathrooms, fully fitted large kitchen, lounge with fireplace, plenty of covered terrace, large garden and pool. Built 160 mw on 650 m2 plot. Great home and investment!

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>> costa STUFF

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ot many people are aware of the fact that the family of owls belongs to the group of raptors (from Latin rapere: to seize and plunder) or birds of prey.

If you look at an owl, sitting on a perch in a bird sanctuary, what you see is a deception: the wise face, the benevolent stare and winking of the eyes, and the lovely heart shape all combine to hide a killer instinct.

Only if you notice the sharply hooked beak and the strong feet, with their razor sharp talons, do you realize this bird is a killing animal. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, considered the owl sacred, which gave the mammal the reputation of wisdom, hence the saying ‘‘wise as an owl’’.

Of course, owls are carnivorous, living on rats, mice, rabbits, reptiles and other small animals; even fish is added to their diet.

Owls can be found on all continents except for Antarctica. They prefer warm climates with mild winters.

All are similar in shape: large heads and short tails, large wings and round facial disks around the eyes. Contrary to most mammals, the female is much larger and has a larger wingspan than the male.

The family of owls can be divided into two distinct groups: the true or typical owl (Stringidae) and the barn owl (Tytonidae or Tyto Alba), which is the better known and more popular one.

The typical owl family is subdivided into two: the small owl, with a range in body length from four to eleven inches and a weight between two and nine ounces, and the medium to large owls, which vary from thirteen to thirty-three inches and can weigh between eight ounces and eight pounds.

A Hoot in the Night

by Erny Harrison 60 costa life

costa STUFF >> to have only one breeding season during their lives. Breeding can take place throughout the year as it depends completely on the food supply. The mortality rate is very high, around 75%.

Owlets Of these, the most impressive is undoubtedly the Eurasian Eagle Owl, which can be found throughout most of Europe and Asia, and is the largest in the world.

There is a lot of communication going on between owls Barn Owls are monogamous mammals.

It has a body length of between twenty-four and twenty-nine inches and an imposing wingspan of five to six feet. During the first half of the twentieth century, this breed was hunted, poisoned and decimated by disease. Thanks to new laws of protection, re-introduction programmes and a change in food supply, they are now well on their road to recovery.

Colourful is the Flammulated Owl, which mainly eats insects and spiders, catching his prey in mid-air or from plant forage. It derives its name from the Latin Flammeus or flame coloured.

The Barn Owl, together with the Grass and Bale Owl (which belong to the same family), makes his home, as the name suggests, mainly in barns. He can also be found in many other nesting places: lofts, haystacks, trees, cliffs and many more; but always near grassland, which makes hunting more economical and less time consuming.

Barn Owls are less vocal when they are not breeding Barn Owls are medium size and have long, lightly-feathered legs. The upper part of their body ranges in colour from grey-white to light brown, and the underbelly is covered in soft, downy hairs that make flight as silent as possible. Their eyes are small and their beaks are large. Contrary to the typical owl, they have no feather tufts on their heads.

Their life span is short, on average no more than two years. Although they can breed twice or even three times a year, it is not uncommon for a pair

Their courtship starts with flight displays by the male. Once he is into it, chasing the female is part of the fun, and both sexes screech loudly at each other. To impress his beloved even more, the male will hover in front of her, feet dangling off the ground, remaining in this position for several seconds.

Flammulated Owl

Once accepted by the female, copulation begins in earnest and takes place every few minutes whilst they are searching for an adequate nest.

Barn Owls prefer to occupy an old nest, hopefully one that has been in use for many years by other owls, instead of building a new one.

It allows them to find prey hidden in undergrowth, some distance away. They are helped by their low-light vision, and although no owl can see in absolute darkness, the sounds generated by their desired prey will take them to it.

The number of solid, white eggs varies between 2 and 9. The female places them in the darkest spot of the nest and surrounds them with pellets.

When they need a rest and the sounds around them are really deafening, they simply close their ears with small, feathered flaps.

The male takes no part in the brooding process, but thoughtfully provides his partner with food during this period, which can last up to 34 days.

When the youngsters (called owlets) are born, the male continues hunting but does not feed his offspring. This is left completely to the female, who tears the offered food into small pieces to feed her young. They become independent in 10 to 15 weeks, although the parents still care for them for another three to four months. They become sexually mature after one year.

There is a lot of communication going on between owls.

Owl feeding

Owlets have a variety of sounds, including a kind of twitter that tells the mother they are uncomfortable or hungry. The same sound is made when they are quarrelling amongst themselves. To attract their mother’s attention, they emit a kind of snoring, screeching noise.

Between the adults, the best known is the drawn out scream, known as the advertising call, when male is seeking female. Conversational twitters seem to indicate recognition of the partner.

Barn Owls are less vocal when they are not breeding.

Barn Owl

One of the most fascinating things about Barn Owls is their sense of hearing, which is the most accurate of all animals.

Eurasian Eagle Owl costa life 61

>> costa STUFF

computer

bytes & pieces

Print your own photographs With more and more of us using digital cameras it’s coming up to the time of the year when you should start thinking about trying out printing your own photographs, it is really easy and you will be surprised at the quality that is available from most home printers.

Windows already contains a Photo Printing Wizard but if you are like me you have folders of photos going back a while; to help manage 1000’s of these photos on my hard drive I use a free tool called picasa (http:// picasa.google.co.uk) it allows me a quick way to see all my photos in date order and print directly from the program.

>> Use Photo Paper There are various types of photo paper on the market and it depends on your printer as to which type works best although starting with a thinner weight of paper usually is safe for most printers, 128gm is very popular and you can buy A6 which is standard photo size or A4 which allows you to print more than 1 picture per page.

>> Printer settings Check your printer is using best quality output, most printers have a best or photo quality setting and by enabling this setting your printer will apply the ink at best quality.

>> Original or Compatible INK I sell originals, compatibles and refills, my preference are originals as I personally believe the Ink in original cartridges not only is better quality but spreads further than compatibles I have used, that said I use compatibles in the office where we only print text based documents. Not all of us have a choice as some modern printers will only accept original cartridges often these can be refilled, again great for office and homework use but not for photo quality and there is no guarantee that they will work every time.

system that is preinstalled in your new computer. If your printer is too old it may be time to replace it. You can pick up a good multi function printer (Scanner, Copier and Printer) for as little as €65.00. If you do purchase a new printer go to the manufacturers site and download the English version of the printer program, it’s free and could save you a lot of trouble.

If you are looking for Ink for most inkjet or laser Printers give me a call, If we don’t have the cartridge you are looking for in stock we can order it usually within two days and we give 10% discount on complete sets of Ink or toner (free delivery on orders over €60). Enjoy printing your pictures this holiday.

Imagine giving your guests quality pictures of their visit to take back with them when they leave...

I would like to thank you for your calls, emails and encouraging words over 2009 I wish you a great holiday.

Have a Happy Christmas, Happy Chanukah or a great time off work during the festivities. See you next year.

>> Is your old printer up to the job If you are purchasing a new computer over the Christmas period remember that some older printers are not supported in windows Vista or the new windows 7. Check when you are getting your new computer if your printer has drivers for the operating

62 costa life

Russell Vaughan Mintmicro Computer Repairs www.mintmicro.com - 952 59 63 46

>> costa AUTOS

2009 season ends Button crowned Champion

by Elio Howard

>> QUALIFYING JAPAN Unbelievably, the red flags were out again in Q3.

Kovalainen became the latest driver to lose his car at Degner, spinning sideways into the barrier. This proved only a brief interruption, however. Vettel quickly went fastest with a 1’32.160, but Trulli mounted a challenge in his Toyota. In the end, he fell short by just 0.06s, and will join the Red Bull on the front row. Hamilton took third after doing two laps in the final session. The Brawn drivers, repeating their tactics of coming out at the very end of the session, took fifth (Barrichello) and seventh (Button). Sixth, seventh and eighth were covered by a mere 0.035s.

>> RACE JAPAN Sebastian Vettel utterly dominated the Japanese Grand Prix - and he kept his championship hopes alive as the Brawn duo finished at the bottom of the point’s places. Vettel also single-handedly kept Red Bull in the constructors’ championship battle.

Jenson Button fought an impressive rearguard action from tenth on the grid. His five-place grid penalty only cost him three places due to a quirk of the rules, but team mate Rubens Barrichello was even better off, losing just one place and starting sixth. While Vettel streaked away from Lewis Hamilton and Jarno Trulli, Button fell even further back into the pack, slipping to 12th at one point.

Passes on Giancarlo Fisichella and Robert Kubica left him tenth, and he profited from a collision

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between Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen to gain two more places shortly before his first pit stop. In a largely processional race, most changes of positions happened in the pits. Trulli took second place off Hamilton after the McLaren driver faltered on his way back to the track following his last stop.

One notable exception was Kovalainen, who bounced back from his earlier mistake with a thrilling pass on Fisichella down the inside of turn one. A huge crash for Jaime Alguersuari brought out the safety car with nine laps to go. The Toro Rosso driver lost his car at the exit of 130R and slammed into the barriers at scarcely diminished speed. He climbed from the car unaided but was taken away on a stretcher. The appearance of the safety car allowed Nico Rosberg to stay ahead of both Brawns with his last pit stop. After the race Button claimed Rosberg had gained four seconds under the safety car, allowing him to stay ahead. If Rosberg got a standard 25-second penalty, it would give Brawn two more points and make them constructors’ champions. There was no penalty for Rosberg. The restart with five laps to go didn’t bring any changes of position. Hamilton's hopes of passing Trulli were spoiled due to a KERS malfunction. Vettel was untouchable and nearly scored the perfect result of a win from pole position with fastest lap while leading every lap. But team mate Mark Webber, who started from the pits and made five stops in his RB5, took the fastest lap with three tours remaining. That didn’t detract from Vettel’s stunning performance in any way.

>> QUALIFYING BRAZIL The home hero Rubens Barrichello took pole position in a wet session that took a mammoth two hours and 45 minutes to complete. Button was eliminated in Q2 and starts 14th, two places ahead of Sebastian Vettel. Two teams were visibly struggling - McLaren and Red Bull, raising the suspicion they had picked dry-biased set-ups for the race as it was not expected to be wet. Whether they expected that choice to leave them struggling to reach Q2 was a different matter. Although Webber scraped through by a tenth of a second, championship contender Sebastian Vettel couldn’t escape the bottom five, nor could Hamilton who went off at the start of his last lap as the rain got heavier again.

The start of Q2 was delayed further as the rain continued to fall. Despite no obvious let-up in the conditions, the green light surprisingly appeared and 15 cars headed onto the track. But in no time at all Vitantonio Liuzzi had a huge crash on the pit straight, bringing out the red flags once again.

The top ten drivers strapped on intermediate tyres and spent the final ten minutes trading fastest lap times - the pole position holder changing at least once every minute. Sebastien Buemi, Robert Kubica and Jarno Trulli all had turns at the top.

Barrichello should have been at a disadvantage as he was one of the first drivers to start his final lap.

costa AUTOS >> F1 off track At the FIA’s meeting of the World Motor Sports Council:Flavio Briatore (Renault Team principal) was banned from all FIA related motor sports for life.

This includes the management of any F1 drivers using the official FIA super license.

Pat Symonds (Technical director) has been banned from F1 (or any FIA related motor sport) for five years.

Team Renault has been given a suspended two year ban. They were found to have no involvement in the conspiracy.

Nelson Piquet Jnr. has been given immunity from prosecution for supplying information that highlighted this Race fixing incident.

Fernando Alonso (team mate to Nelson Piquet Jnr.) receives no penalty (he took no part in the conspiracy) and his points scoring win in the 2008 Singapore GP stand.

The very heart of F1 was threatened by the actions of Briatore, Symonds and Piquet. Many of their friends and colleagues were shocked by their actions. Some may say it was the best thing in the case of Briatore as he was one of the main protagonists of the "threatened" F1 split in the news earlier this year, but friendships must now be stretched.

Jenson is Wolrd Champion with a race to spare He took pole position back with it - a 1’19.576 - but his chasing rivals should have had the benefit of a slightly drier track to improve their times on. It didn’t work out that way, with some failing to improve and others backing off. Webber took second, a scant tenth of a second off Barrichello, and Adrian Sutil made a late move up into third.

But Barrichello was safe and ended his five-year pole position drought - his last coming at the same circuit five years ago. Before the race weekend Bernie Ecclestone said he wanted to see the championship decided at the final round in Abu Dhabi. It looked like there was a very good chance of that happening.

>> RACE BRAZIL Mark Webber romped away to win the Brazilian Grand Prix - and in doing so helped Jenson Button to claim the drivers' championship.

While Webber displaced Rubens Barrichello from the lead, Button made his way up through the field to claim fifth place which was enough to make him champion - just as Lewis Hamilton did one year ago.

The three championship contenders largely managed to steer clear of a string of crashes on the first lap which eliminated three cars. Sebastian Vettel tipped Heikki Kovalainen into a spin, who then tangled with Giancarlo Fisichella. All three were able to continue - but the same was not true

of Jarno Trulli, Adrian Sutil and Fernando Alonso.

Sutil edged Trulli wide at turn five and the Toyota driver lost control, spearing into the side of the Force India. While Trulli hit the barrier hard, Sutil skidded out-of-control across the grass and the helpless Alonso could do nothing to avoid him.

Kovalainen headed for the pits for repairs, as did Kimi Raikkonen who lost his front wing trying to pass Webber for second. Webber closed the door firmly and the outcome had much in common with Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya’s tangle under the same circumstances in 2002. As the Finns left the pits Kovalainen departed with his refueling rig still attached. He wrenched the hose free, dousing Raikkonen in fuel which promptly ignited. Mercifully the fire was over in a flash and Raikkonen was able to keep going - as was Kovalainen, who pulled over at the Brawn garage and was helped on his way by their mechanics that pulled the hose off the car. The safety car was out for four laps while the debris was cleared up.

Button had gained five places due to the mayhem and was ninth, with Jaime Alguersuari between him and 11th-placed Vettel. Once the racing resumed Button quickly picked off Kazuki Nakajima for eighth and set about challenging Romain Grosjeas.

He took seventh with a brave move that started at turn one and ended with Button passing the Renault around the outside of Ferra dura halfway around the lap. But rookie Kamui Kobayashi proved a tougher nut to crack - the Toyota driver defending his place very thoroughly - a tad too thoroughly in

Many believe that Nelson Piquet Jnr. as the driver involved should also be given a ban form F1.

However due to his actions it would be difficult for any team principal to employ him now.

Immunity from prosecution might not be enough.

He would now have to gain the respect of the whole F1 community which will be a very tall order.

Many teams would have benefited from the restructured points tally had the results of that race been taken away from Renault and Fernando Alonso. This many believe, to have been the correct procedure.

The main point to all of this of course is that F1 is as strong as it has ever been following the decision of the WMSC and continues to progress and entertain. Issues like this will only make the sport stronger and therefore the message to all F1 fans is don't give up on F1. We still have four races to go and remember, it is looking good for Jenson Button becoming the next F1 champion.

Button's view, who complained the Japanese driver had changed lines in the braking area, risking a collision. After 16 laps Button finally found a way past. By then Barrichello had made his first pit stop from the lead, promoting Webber and Robert Kubica to first and second. Disastrously, he came out in front of Vettel who quickly passed the Brawn.

When Webber and Kubica made their stops they easily stayed ahead of Barrichello, who was now looking at finishing no better than third place. The biggest threats to Button were now Vettel and Hamilton - both of which jumped past him with their late final pit stops. But Hamilton also proved a problem for

>> costa life 65

>> costa AUTOS Barrichello, who struggled on his super-soft tyres in the final stint. As Hamilton went past him for third with eight laps to go, the McLaren made slight contact with Barrichello’s left-rear tyre, giving him a slow puncture. Although Button was already running well enough to take the title, that final blow for Barrichello put it beyond all doubt. So once again we had the odd spectacle of a podium celebration going on while an even bigger party greeted the new world champion. Button was already hoarse with shouting by the time he got back to his garage, where Brawn were also celebrating their constructors' title victory.

>> QUALIFYING ABU DHABI Many different drivers took provisional pole position during Q3 - but with Hamilton biding his time it seemed inevitable they would be disappointed. And so it proved, as the McLaren driver timed his final lap to perfection and set a 1’40.948 to demote Vettel to second. Webber lined up behind his team mate. The two Brawns followed with Button, who complained of tyre vibrations, beaten by Barrichello once again. The only Toyota driver to reach Q3 was Trulli, who managed sixth, while the BMWs start their final Grand Prix from the fourth row.

>> RACE ABU DHABI It was a one-two for Red Bull as Mark Webber kept Jenson Button at bay to take second place in an exciting end to an otherwise predictable race. With KERS and a clear run to the first corner Lewis Hamilton was never in much danger of losing the lead. Webber took up third despite making contact with Rubens Barrichello at the first turn. The impact knocked part of the Brawn’s wing off, and while he got used to the car's impaired handling Button seized the opportunity to squeeze past and take fourth. Given his pace in practice and qualifying Hamilton was expected to tear off into the distance. But it didn’t happen - he edged a few tenths away from Vettel here and there, but on lap 11 he out-braked himself again and lost almost all of his small lead. It was clear he was not going to hold on to the lead after the first round of pit stops

but he hardly made it any further than that. His braking problems were traced to the right-rear of the car and Hamilton was told to park up - the first time an F1 car had let him down in 52 races.

Vettel’s pit stop passed without drama - but only just. Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari had been pit-bound with a gearbox problem and accidentally swung into Vettel’s pit box. The Red Bull mechanics hurried him out as Vettel arrived. Alguersuari, meanwhile, failed to complete the next lap and retired. Webber had pitted before Vettel, so after their pit stops Vettel had a healthy lead of more than six seconds. After the early pit stops Kamui Kobayashi rose to third place and the highest placed single-stopper. That was partly thanks to smart driving on the first lap keeping Kimi Raikkonen boxed in, preventing the Ferrari driver from being able to exploit his KERS boost. Button came out in front of Kobayashi after the Brawn had been serviced, and the pair resumed their battle from Interagos. But this time it was Kobayashi who seized the advantage, passing Button down the inside at turn eight. That delay cost Button in the dying stages of the race. Once the second round of pit stops had been dispensed with he found himself quickly catching Webber, who was struggling in the braking zones. Button only had the last lap to launch an attack and Webber repelled his advances in brilliant fashion. Their duel meant Vettel enjoyed an untroubled run to victory, which he took by over 17 seconds.

Barrichello finished fourth behind his team mate and one place ahead of Nick Heidfeld in the final race for BMW. Heidfeld had worried about his team mate's pace during practice but Robert Kubica slipped down the order after spinning while trying to pass Sebastien Buemi.

Kobayashi finished a remarkable sixth which could serve as a boost to the chances of Toyota approving a budget for the team later this month.

Jarno Trulli backed him up in seventh, and Buemi scored the final point.

Well, was that a great year or what! We now look forward to 2010 starting in March in Bahrain/ See you there!!

>> SUMMING UP 2009 Season started with controversy with the rear diffuser issue McLaren and not so squeaky clean Hamilton lie to Race Stewards Brawn and Jenson Button wins six out of first seven races Malaysia rain holts race early and half points awarded Red Bull brings fight to Brawn in second half of season McLaren make brilliant comeback with redesigned car Force India come alive due to redesigned areo package Felipe Massa driving for Ferrari suffers near fatal accident With Massa out for the rest of the year, Ferrari put test driver in car to race Michael Schumacher agrees to return to Ferrari for remainder of 2009 Under performing Luca Badoer is replaced with Fisichella from Force India when Schumacher announces he cannot race due to a neck injury from a motor bike accident earlier in the year Ferrari turns attention to 2010 car Button under performs in second half of season Piquet dropped from Renault Piquet announces his involvement in Race fixing (Singapore 2008) Flavio Briatore (team principal for Renault) banned for life for any FIA related involvement of Motor port Pat Symonds given three year ban from any FIA related motor sport Piquet gets away without penalty Max Mosley replaced with Jean Todd (ex Ferrari team principal) as FIA president Massa makes full recovery and will race again in 2010 Vettel, Webber and Barrichello all have chance to win Championship Button does enough to take Championship in Brazil First back to back Champions for Great Britain in forty years Red bull wins last race with a one - two in Abu Dhabi, the new Monaco!!

Flavio Briatorebanned for life 66 costa life

Vettel wins again and makes his claim for next year

BMW announce retirement from F1

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>> costa STUFF

reviews

DVD

6TH NOVEMBER >> PUBLIC ENEMIES Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Oscar winner Marion Cotillard in the story of Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger: the charismatic bank robber who was relentlessly pursued by renowned FBI agent Melvin Purvis in a legendary game of cat-and-mouse. Quiet possibly one of the best films of the year, depps portrayal of dillinger is second to none, all filmed in actual locations, recreated shop fronts and streets make this film magnificent.

13TH NOVEMBER >> BRUNO Sacha Baron Cohen and Borat director Larry Charles reunite to bring the brilliantly tasteless exploits of Bruno to the big screen! When Europe turns its back on Bruno, he crosses the ocean to find fame in the US, but how will the American public take to the outrageous Austrian? Very badly! When clueless homosexual fashionista Bruno, the presenter of Funkyzeit (the most popular fashion programme in every German-speaking country apart from Germany), is effectively banned from Europe following a disastrous incident at a show, he sets his sights on America. With his former assistant’s assistant, Lutz, as his only ally, the fashionmonger tries to conquer the US as only he knows how - as tastelessly as possible! Will Bruno achieve the fame he so desperately craves?

20TH NOVEMBER >> STAR TREK Director J.J. Abrams (Alias) re-teams with his MI: III screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to bring a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time. Featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before, Star Trek depicts Romulan time traveller Nero’s bloody quest for revenge against Spock and the Federation.

27TH NOVEMBER >> TERMINATOR SALVATION The year is 2018. Judgment Day has come and gone. At the behest of Skynet, an army of Terminators roams the wastelands killing or collecting humans. The only hope for the survival of humanity is Resistance fighter John Connor: a man whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence. As the future of the world teeters on the brink of the future John has been warned about his whole life, something totally new shakes his belief that mankind stands a chance against the machines: the appearance of Marcus Wright, a man from the past whose last memory is of being on death row before awakening in this post-apocalyptic nightmare. In the face of an ever-adapting Skynet, John must decide whether Marcus can be trusted as he prepares to face the enemy head-on.

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By Simon Galley from Box Of fice Video Club 4TH DECEMBER >> HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE After the relentless bang-boom-crash of summer sequels like Transformers and Terminator, the sixth Harry Potter film comes as something of a relief for those seeking a little more humanity, even if it is of the magical variety.Lord Voldemort has returned, dark forces lurk beyond the enchanted gates of Hogwarts School - while teenage hormones rage within.

The regular cast is back, with the addition of Jim Broadbent as the Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn, whose memories are key in the battle against the Dark Lord. ‘‘This is very dark stuff, very dark indeed.’’

11TH DECEMBER >> THE HANGOVER From ‘‘Old School’’ director Todd Phillips comes a comedy about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. Two days before his wedding, Doug drives to Las Vegas with his best buddies Phil and Stu and his future brother-in-law Alan, for a blow-out bachelor party they vow they’ll never forget. But when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning with pounding headaches, they can’t remember a thing. Their luxury hotel suite is beyond trashed and the groom is nowhere to be found. With no clue about what happened and little time to spare, the trio must attempt to retrace their bad decisions from the night before in order to figure out where things went wrong, in the hope of finding Doug and getting him back to L.A. in time for his wedding. But the more they begin to uncover, the more they realize just how much trouble they’re really in.

18TH DECEMBER >> INGLORIOUS BASTERDS Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shoshanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.

Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as ‘‘The Basterds,’’ Raine’s squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own...

24TH DECEMBER >> DISTRICT 9 From producer Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and director Neill Blomkamp comes a startlingly original science fiction thriller that ‘‘soars on the imagination of its creators’’ (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone).

With stunning special effects and gritty realism, the film plunges us into a world where the aliens have landed... only to be exiled to a slum on the fringes of Johannesburg. Now, one lone human discovers the mysterious secret of the extraterrestrial weapon technology. Hunted and hounded through the bizarre back alleys of an alien shanty town, he will discover what it means to be the ultimate outsider on your own planet.

costa STUFF >>

>> Rihanna: I told myself I'd never date anyone like my father Even if she had never met Chris Brown, Rihanna knew how domestic abuse could turn into a vicious cycle. ‘‘I always anticipated it happening.

At night I wouldn’t want to sleep, because I was too afraid it would happen,’’ the singer said in the portion of her ABC News interview referring to her father hitting her mother when she was a child growing up in Barbados. ‘‘She never went to the hospital, but he broke her nose.’’ Rihanna continued. ‘‘She would never go to the hospital...Domestic violence is not something that people want everybody to know, so she would just hide it in the house. I always said to myself, ‘I’m never going to date somebody like my dad, never.’’’ ‘‘I always said that.’’

And yet she not only dated someone who hit her, she went back to him after the fact.

Michael Jackson’s father is trying to obtain an allowance from the late singer’s estate.

Joe Jackson’s attorney filed documents in Los Angeles in which the 81-year-old is seeking an allowance from his son’s estate.

The papers state that Jackson ‘‘has been without support since the death of his son…,’’ and ‘‘is in urgent need of funds to maintain his household.’’

Jackson’s attorney also says in the document: ‘‘For reasons which were never explained, the special administrators of Michael Jackson’s estate excluded Joseph Jackson from their petition although they knew that Michael Jackson had supported for many decades his father….’’

The papers also state that Joe Jackson suffered a stroke in 1998, was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support.

>> Bruce Willis ‘‘not a fan’’ of plastic surgery

showbiz

>> Joe Jackson seeks whispers allowance from Michael & gossip Jackson's estate

Bruce Willis has claimed that he will never resort to cosmetic surgery to retain his looks.

The Die Hard star admitted that he does not indulge in a skincare regime and would not consider going under the knife. He told Fox News: ‘‘Cosmetic stuff, I am not a fan of it and I know a lot of people are. It’s a big business and anytime you can make a lot of money off something it is going to stick around.’’ ‘‘I don’t plan on cutting myself up, you would be surprised, there are a lot of male actors that think about it just as much as women do. I don’t think about it very often. I don’t really care.’’ However, the 54-year-old, who wed model Emma Heming, 30, earlier this year, said that he still feels young at heart. He added: ‘‘I am surprised when I’m reminded of my age. I still feel like I’m about 24 years old. I could still whoop a lot of guy’s asses if I have to.’’

>> Ant & Dec sign new two-year ITV deal Ant and Dec have signed a new exclusive two-year deal with ITV, which will last until December 2011.

The deal will involve the duo working on content for ITV.com and its brand new entertainment show, which has the working title Push The Button. ‘‘We are delighted to sign with ITV for another two years to continue to make the programmes we love like Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! - there is no better home for our shows,’’ stated Ant. Dec added: ‘‘We’re particularly excited about the new media opportunities which will allow us to make fresh and exciting content for online, and also launching our brand new entertainment show Push The Button in 2010.’’

costa life 69

>> costa STUFF

Strange but True >> Try Before You Buy Carol was going to the Christmas office party but needed a new party dress.

In the clothing store she asked, ‘May I try on that dress in the window, please?’

‘Certainly not, madam,’ responded the salesgirl, ‘You’ll have to use the fitting room like everyone else.’

>> Mirror Image On Christmas Eve, Nathan thought it would be nice to buy his wife a little gift for the next day. Always short of money, he thought long and hard about what that present might be.

Unable to decide, Nathan entered Debenhams and in the cosmetics section he asked the girl, ‘How about some perfume?’

She showed him a bottle costing £75.

‘Too expensive,’ muttered Nathan.

The young lady returned with a smaller bottle

for £50. ‘Oh dear still far too much.’

Growing rather annoyed at Nathan’s meanness, the sales girl brought out a tiny £10 bottle and offered it to him.

Nathan became really agitated, ‘What I mean’, he whined, ‘is I’d like to see something really cheap.’

So the sales girl handed him a mirror.

>> Blackmail - Funny Christmas Story It was coming up to Christmas and Sammy asked his mum if he could have a new bike. She told him that the best idea would be to write to Father Christmas. But Sam, having just played a vital role in the school nativity play, said he would prefer to write to the baby Jesus. So his mum told him that would be fine.

Sam went to his room and wrote, ‘Dear Jesus, I have been a very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas.’

But he wasn’t very happy when he read it over. So he decided to try again and this time he wrote: ‘Dear Jesus, I’m a good boy most of the time and would like a bike for Christmas.’

He read it back and wasn’t happy with that one either. He tried a third version: ‘Dear Jesus, I could be a good boy if I tried hard and especially if I had a new bike.’

He read that one too, but he still wasn’t satisfied. So, he decided to go out for a walk while he thought about a better approach. After a short time he passed a house with a small statue of the Virgin Mary in the front garden. He crept in, stuffed the statue under his coat, hurried home and hid it under the bed. Then he wrote this letter.

‘Dear Jesus, if you want to see your mother again, you’d better send me a new bike.’

70 costa life

>> Don’t try these at home > This is a true story about John Porter, from New York, whose pipes in his home froze one winter. Anxious to unfreeze them, Mr. Porter backed his car up to an open window so that the exhaust would warm up the house.

A little while later and Porter, his wife and their three children had to be rushed to hospital suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. > George Gibbs, from Columbus, Ohio, suffered second-degree burns on his head. Unable to start his car, George diagnosed the problem as a frozen fuel line which he thought he could correct by running warm petrol through it. He then tried to heat a two-gallon can of petrol on his gas stove in the kitchen. Ah.....

>> Christmas humour Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Father Christmas all got into the lift at the Ritz Hotel in London. As the lift travelled from the 5th floor down to the ground level, one-byone they noticed a £50 note lying on the lift’s floor.

Which one picked up the £50 note, and handed it in at reception?

Father Christmas of course, the other two don’t actually exist!

Sudoku answers for Issue 52

sudoku

costa STUFF >>

2

9 4 7 3 6 2 8

3 7 6

8 5 3 6

1 5 8 4 8 9 9 1 7 2 9 3 2

9 7

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 1. Study of the structure of metals (13) 8. Musical entertainment (7) 10. Squeeze together (7) 12. Where two streets meet (6) 13. Salad sauce (8) 15. Contented (9) 18. Friendly (5) 21. Penniless (5) 22. Benefit (9) 27. Substantial (8) 29. Locomotive (6) 30. Voter (7) 31. Armed conflict (7) 33. Doctor of gynaecology (13)

Down 2. Extract (7) 3. Disposed (3) 4. Swayed to and fro (6) 5. Capital of Vietnam (5) 6. Builds (6) 7. Unkempt (6) 9. Drifting (6) 11. Verge (4) 14. Stylish (5) 16. Diving bird (3) 17. Grecian architectural style (5) 19. Fall behind (3) 20. Photographic device (6) 21. Become sick (6) 23. Animal (4) 24. Creatures (7) 25. Grommet (6) 26. Previous to (6) 28. Destitute (5) 32. Floor covering (3)

crossword

Crossword answers for Issue 52 costa life 71

MACP-525 Alhaurin el Grande

578,000 € €

BRAND NEW ONTO THE MARKET VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Built 390m2, Bed 3 Doubles, Bath 3 En-suit+ WC A beautiful property on a sought after area. The property has 180m2 all one level and a further 210m2 on the lower level which is all totally legal and on the title deeds. The main living quarters is absolutely stunning throughout. Beautiful mature gardens and private pool area. The property has many extras which include private parking, central heating, air-con and double glazing. A faultless property in immaculate condition.

MACP-485

Malaga / Coin

245,000 €€

MACP-402

Alhaurin el Grande

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

Studio/Offices Prices. A) 55,000€ € B) 55,000€ € C) 50,000€ € D) 45,000€ € E) 65,000€ € (can easily be divided into a one bed or two offices).

MACP-335

Monda

299,000 €€

Plot 368m2, Built 114m2, Beds 2, Bath 2 JUST REDUCED BY 20,000€ € Quiet urbanization in great location close to Alhaurin, Coin & the Marbella road, Flat, private plot which is fully enclosed and not over looked and Well-maintained, spacious, bright & airy, low-maintenance property, High spec decoration, Relaxing sun-lounge with open views, good storage, 70m2 tiled, rooftop terrace with magnificent views Sat T.V and much more.

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 537

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.

Malaga / Coin

445,000 € €

Built Area: 167m2 + 60m2, Land Area: 3,000m2, Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 4 half A marvellous property new onto the market, priced realistically.

This lovely country home is very private, the grounds are totally landscaped with Astroturf grass, terracotta covered patio sections and a decking platform area with a top of the range Jacuzzi. The interiors of this property are modern with a comfortable homelike feel and completely finished to a high standard.

MACP-282 Alhaurin De La Torre 350,000 € € REDUCED FOR BY 125,000 € €

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-523

Alhaurin el Grande

PRICE JUST REDUCED FROM 250,000 € € NOW ONLY 185,000 €€ 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.