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YOU’RE FROM WHERE..?

What is it with me and accents? I

I said, ‘No, I’ve never been to Wales

struggle when I hear people who come

but I hear it’s a lovely part of the Brit-

from a different part of the UK to me

ish Isle in which to reside.’

or often if the come from another Eng-

‘Have you heard this eejit Dara? I’m

lish speaking country! Not long ago I

telling him all about our lovey home

met some people, who thankfully are

and he’s banging on about Wales!’

still my friends, who wanted to spon-

They were from a place called Bally-

sor my radio show. Chuffed to bits I

bunion on the west coast of Ireland –

was announcing their company all

and yes they had to tell me that three

week and telling the audience what

times and then show me before I be-

a lovely couple they were but wasn’t

lieved it was called that. At least we’re

sure which part of Scotland they came

still on friendly terms, although the

from. Unfortunately they were listen-

conversations tend to be them talking

ing and answered the question swiftly

to me like I’m a child these days. Fair

by text message. ‘What part of Scot-

enough.

land are we from..? Newcastle.’

Canadians and Americans? Impossible

re reaakk!! kkee aa b b a T a T with

to tell the difference when they speak I mix the Welsh with the Irish, scous-

if you ask me – although you may be

ers with Yorkies and don’t even get

able to tell as there is a good chance

me started on Norfolk and Bristol ac-

that the American will be on the large

cents…they all sound like they should

side, and carrying a gun.

be on a boat…with Jack Sparrow. Chatting to a couple outside of the bar the

South Africans, Australians New Zea-

other day (in my defence they were

landers? They may as well all live in

very drunk – I wasn’t – and this could

one place as far as my hearing goes –

have affected their speech…a tad)and

it all sounds the same – unless they’re

fascinating as they were I couldn’t get

mentioning prawns and the ‘Barbie’ I

a word in edgeways until the wife of

suppose.

the couple had finished talking, which

However, of all the different and won-

was about ten minutes later. She was

derful races, cultures and people on

telling me all about the beautiful coast

this planet there is one I can always

where they lived and have I ever been

pick out; the Britain First supporter,

there and well, you should go.

and I don’t need to hear him…he’ll be the one dragging his knuckles on the floor…

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SPAIN

a wry look at life by Malcolm Palmer CHORIZOS AND TWITS I’ve written about ‘chorizos’ before – not the kind you eat, but the one you see with a Guardia Civil agent’s big mitt on top of his head as he is bundled into the back of an unmarked Peugeot, while the rest of the team ransack his office, carting away cardboard boxes full of files, computers and all the paraphernalia of a major fraud. Don’t they ever learn? After the lessons of ‘Operation Malaya’ which saw Julian Muñoz and Isabel Pantoja to name but two famous names, who are only the tip of the iceberg, marched off to jail, you’d think the rest would have got the message. But hot on their heels comes ‘Operation Noos’ in which the King’s sister is implicated, her husband Iñaki Udangarin facing serious jail time, together with a whole raft of his colleagues, for the money they have effectively robbed from the good people of Mallorca. And now it turns out that Barcenas isn’t the only Partido Popular treasurer who has had his fingers in the till (to the tune, by the way, in his case, of over 47 million euros) but ALL the treasurers who have served the party appeared to have served themselves rather better, including the infamous Rodrigo Rato, one time vice-president of the party, and chairman of Bankia, who now faces four years in jail. Up in Cataluña, things are no better (they may even be worse) as one-time president Jordi Puyol and his family have salted away over 100 million(!) – which he claims his granddad gave him – in Andorra, Switzerland, etc.

In case that’s not enough, there are always companies trying to screw money out of you by false pretences. One case which made me giggle, appropriately, is that of Funnydent. Now the Spanish, rather like the English, are not, as a race, great linguists, and apparently see nothing wrong in lodging their money for future dental treatment with a company called Funnydent, that you or I wouldn’t touch with a bargepole. Surprise, surprise, something very funny went on with their money, which promptly disappeared. The same happened to the money a lot of people put into two companies that promised to make people mega-rich by dint of the appreciation in value of rare postage stamps. The possibility that the stamps never existed didn’t seem to have occurred to anyone until the case was brought to court. The saying ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’ can be extrapolated to include such cases, I think.

FAIRIES I certainly do NOT use the term to describe any member of the human race, whatever their sexual preference. Right, that out of the way, let’s look at fairies, good and bad. They are mostly good, I think, like the Tooth Fairy (doesn’t exist in Spain - it’s Ratoncito Pérez that leaves the money under your pillow) and the Good Fairy who looks after you when things are going wrong. But for me, the worst one of all is the Snot Fairy, who visits me with monotonous regularity every winter, depositing litres of her eponymous muck into my ever-receptive old body. She then hangs around for at least a fortnight, to make sure that her produce is

4

well and truly established in my asthmatic tubes, and has a good giggle at all the plethora of medicines I get prescribed to chase her away. She (and her gender is not in question here) makes a mockery of Gray’s Anatomy and suchlike tomes as she proves the existence of a little-known organ of gigantic proportions in the human body, the snot-tank, whose location is still unknown, but which contains sufficient quantities of the dreaded stuff to keep the manufacturers of tissues in business for evermore. There used to be an establishment at Porton Down dedicated to driving the SF out of business, but they apparently threw in the towel (or was it the snotrag?) In any case, the woman continues to bring misery to millions of people on a regular basis every year, despite our so-called scientific sophistication and advancement.

DANGER! Places you’d be daft to visit.

In the wake of all the recent terrorist activity, you may well think that you’d be daft to go just about anywhere.

France, with its millions of muslims, you may not be surprised to see receiving the attention of Islamic nutters, but Denmark? Australia? Come on, where is safe? Canada? Er...no, there’s been a spot of bother there too. Spain? I doubt it, we have plenty of scope here for terrorists, as indeed does the whole of Europe, if not the planet.

But where are the places you REALLY should avoid? High on any list comes Venezuela, a real shame, because it should be a paradise, with oil, agriculture, great scenery, beaches, climate, natural history, the lot. But they kill each other at a rate of some 2,700 violent deaths per year, and routinely kidnap any foreigner they fancy. And nearby Trinidad is not a lot better.

Other South American countries are good in parts. I’ve spent some time in Brazil, and commonsense keeps you safe there just avoid the favelas, and you should stay alive. In the northern resort of Pipa, I wandered around at night quite happily, and there are parts of Alicante where I couldn’t do that.

New York has bad reputation, but I didn’t go for a stroll in Central Park at night, and felt safe enough. Any city with drug-related problems - and that means a whole lot of cities, has areas where you’re not very safe. Some fifty years ago, I used to see a girl in the Chapeltown area of Leeds, and we’d go for a walk there. You’d be crazy to try that now.

Africa is a lovely continent, with some great wildlife (what’s left of it) wonderful scenery, and lots of nice people, but a walk in downtown Nairobi is not to be recommended, and, apart from the obvious health threats posed by the dreaded mosquitoes and tsetse flies, etc., some countries can be alarmingly dangerous.

South Africa has more than it’s share of violence, and all the islamic states in the north are currently no-go areas, as of course, are large chunks of the Middle East. (Jordan is pretty stable, of course, and, though not to my particular taste, so is Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States) As to Asia, Japan is always reckoned to be as safe a place as any - if an earthquake doesn’t get you! In Indonesia or India, even, you can run into terrorism again, and, in the latter, the dearth of vultures due to the antibiotics given to cattle has led to a consequent rise in rabid dogs. Oh, and don’t forget the snakebites!

I think I’ll just stay at home.

by Alan Gandy When David Cameron describes the relatively

some actual facts! Then read some more facts

make your blood boil?

small number of refugees attempting to get

(from as independent and authoritative sources

There are roughly around a million of us Brits in

into Britain as a ‘swarm’ and a ‘bunch of’ you

as you can find). Do your homework and un-

Spain (probably more if you include those who

know that the current British political scene has

derstand what you are actually voting for

are unregistered and dodging taxes). So far the

become devoid of any true humanity. The ‘mi-

• Make sure as an expat (there are 2.2 million

speculation has been about the UK, but let us

grant situation’ has become all consuming. It’s

of us in EU countries) you get use your vote

have a think how it relates to those of us who

a headline grabber. It deflects from domestic

• Think how it will affect YOU

chose to leave the motherland.

This is of course personal opinion and some

policy, and it has become THE issue with Europe. It’s the one issue the Euro sceptics can

Whatever your political views, you can be pret-

points are more than a little tongue in cheek.

use to manipulate the opinions of the ‘masses’.

ty sure if Farage and his half-witted ex-BNP cro-

• If Britain gets really arsey and kicks all those

The same strategy is often employed here in

nies get their way it will not be good for us as

‘bloody foreigners’ out, Spain, France and the

Spain. The prime example being the PP getting

expats. Even if you use the phrase “I moved to

others may respond in kind. Thus resulting in a

away with gagging the opposition (and every-

Spain because England is full of bloody foreign-

shortage of doctors and a very large dole queue

one else) by using Gibraltar to show how tough

ers” without understanding the irony, vote self-

in the UK! Unlikely.

they are with Johnny (or should that be Juan)

ishly, and make sure you do vote.

• More likely might be some more running

Foreigner.

The expat ‘in’ vote is possibly significant enough

around to various Police stations to gather new

to swing the whole thing.

rubber stamps, for those of us who are here

A bit of jingoism never did anyone any

legally and paying taxes

harm. After all, it worked for the big guy

• Those of you living in the darkness

back in the 1930’s, Oh, hang on, that

of the black economy, it would seem

didn’t end well did it….?

you are tolerated as is, but a Brexit might result in you being put on a

It’s simply distraction politics. Or, as Der-

boat ‘home’. You’d better get your-

ren Brown would describe it, misdirec-

self registered and legal if it comes,

tion!

though you may already be too late

So, all that said, how does this affect us

if a time limit on living here legally

should the (ever so trendy Brexit) hap-

is set

pen?

• Expect to wait hours at the air-

A year ago I’d have said that it would

port when you’ve visited the UK, no

never happen. It doesn’t make any sense

EU members’ gate for you any more

and surely people would understand

(think Gibraltar)

that. Now I’m not so sure, these vot-

• Expect a LOT more hassle, ques-

ers are the same voters who gave David

tions and searches at any border

Cameron free rein to steal from the poor

• Planning to move to Spain in the

and give to the rich, to let the corporate

future? Forget it. If you aren’t already

giants get away with paying their taxes,

here it’s possible you may not be able

and to continue to make the bankers who

to move here due to new legal barri-

f****d us all over in the first place even

ers or practicalities

richer.

• Expect to pay more for your much loved British tea bags, bacon and everything else, the import taxes

These are also people who voted for

would be highly likely to rise

Ukip, read the Daily Mail (the owners of which neither live nor pay taxes in the UK). These are

The Telegraph recently published an article en-

• I wouldn’t be driving round in Brit registered

the people who are driven by ridiculous nation-

titled “Expats are being frozen out on Europe”

car – you might as well put a target on your

alism and work themselves into some form of

(11th February - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

back

religious fervour every time Europe or ‘bloody

expat/12151896/Expats-are-being-frozen-out-

• Tourists may need an entry visa in future

foreigners’ are mentioned.

on-Europe.html) with the following subhead-

• If you live in Spain and work in Gibraltar, bet-

As you probably gathered, I’m pro-Europe and

ing…

ter move to the rock. Tough as it is now, a bor-

my political views sit somewhat left of cen-

“If the UK votes to leave in the EU referendum,

der closure might be imminent

tre (note understatement, quite possibly left

two million British citizens could possibly lose

• Even worse, English breakfast may be

of Lenin). But I’m not here to tell you how to

their residency, employment and pension rights

banned…!

think, or indeed how to vote on this. I’m just

overnight – but no one is talking about it” What do you think might happen?

asking you to apply a bit of common sense.

Whether it’s true or not I have no idea, it may

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOYE, VOTE!

This article is about getting across two simple

be scaremongering, nobody really knows yet,

things;

But, I for one would not be happy if the govern-

If you have been in Spain less than 15 years

• Please, please, please don’t get suckered into

ment decides I am not entitled to what I’ve paid

you can register at: www.gov.uk/register-to-

the ‘bloody foreigners’ thing being the one is-

into the system before I made the choice to be-

vote. Once registered you will be able to re-

sue here. It’s not, it is far bigger! Read up on

come a ‘migrant’ in Spain, does the thought not

quest postal and proxy votes.

5

THE PLIGHT OF THE PODENCO

by Jane Walters.

These days, you simply can’t avoid the con-

choose from, no dog is valued, or cared for they

tion, good food, or warm shelter, and the older

stant updates on social media sites, from ani-

are only a means to an end.

the dog, the longer it takes to earn their trust.

mal charities and rescue centres across Spain,

And when the end does finally come to the

Puppies on the other hand, are born with no

requesting forever homes for abandoned dogs.

Podenco, there are no tearful scenes at the

hang ups, but if she is not caught, an aban-

The pictures are usually of sweet looking mutts

vets, or shred of compassion. Very often they

doned female Podenco, can produce endless

which tug at our heart strings and send dog

are just hung from a tree or dropped down a

litters, and Steve and Irene always have more

lovers reaching for the phone to make an en-

well. If all this is too much trouble for the hunt-

puppies than they can cope with.

quiry, or our purse to send them some money.

er, he can just hand these dogs into the Perrara

Recently, after three long years, one Podenco,

Every dog is as deserving as the next, every

(dog pound) under what they call a Cese, which

named Bonita has been captured. In that time

shelter needs as much support as the other,

is basically giving permission to kill the dog.

she has had three litters. From those litters,

but you cannot save every dog, and there is

Again, there will be no sterile room, or lov-

Steve and Irene saved four from one litter and

a limit to how much, kind hearted people can

ing hand to stroke them as they head towards

ten from another. Just a few weeks ago, Bonita

afford to donate.

Rainbow Bridge, the Podenco will just be put

had another eleven pups, so another 11 homes

to sleep on the kennel floor by the cheapest

are needed, but thankfully Bonita is now safe

method possible.

and sound.

In Spain we are used to seeing images on Facebook of homeless breeds that we are fairly familiar with, like a tiny Yorky

Although Hope for Poden-

whose owner has passed away, an

cos is a small rescue of no

abandoned Staffie left chained up

more than 20 to 25 dogs

in a back yard, or Collie Cross with

at a time, they always wel-

a tummy full of puppies. We are

come volunteers to come

more drawn to help dogs we can

and

name and breeds we have known

Podencos to give them the

or loved ourselves.

best chance of a forever

But what about the plight of the

home.

Podenco, one of the most ill-treat-

When it comes to re-hom-

ed breed of dog in Spain, surely

ing, sadly, the Podenco is

they deserve our compassion too?

very often overlooked, as

The Podenco is a hunting dog,

potential adopters only see

originally brought into the country

them as a hunting dog.

in the 8th and 9th, BC from North-

But they do make fabulous

ern Africa. The breed flourished in

pets.

rural Spain, where they adapted

they are generally quiet,

very easily to the hilly terrain, and

and only bark to alert. Keen

were bred to hunt large and small

to learn, they adapt easily

game, by scent or sound, by day,

to the lead, and don’t need

or night, in the mountains or just in

more exercise than any

the scrub bushes.

other dog. They are gentle

help

Like

socialize

many

the

breeds

and affectionate, and really Today, hunting with these dogs in Spain is BIG

One couple who are doing all they can to raise

just want to be loved.

business which is largely unregulated. Forget

the awareness of the plight of the Podenco here

Steve and Irene are determined to raise the

a beachside break, there are so many adverts

in Spain and worldwide are Steve and Irene Al-

profile, and the awareness of the Podenco,

on the internet encouraging people to visit

lan. They have created a safe haven for these

and last year successfully rehomed 28 dogs to

Spain just to hunt, and to unscrupulous own-

unwanted souls, and take them into their finca

places such as Switzerland, Norway, Germany,

ers, Podencos are only the tools of the hunters

where they slowly rehabilitate them, and gain

France, England, and also to America where a

trade. They are quickly disposed of once they

their trust, so that eventually they can be re-

further 4 dogs are due to be rehomed in the

have served their purpose.

homed with a forever family.

spring of 2016

years, and during this time, they are often kept

Even if they are born to hunt, the Podenco has

During the next few months, Steve, Irene and

chained up and are only allowed to run free

the softest nature, and just like any domesti-

some of their gorgeous Podencos will be at

when it is time to hunt.

cated dog, they only want to please. But that is

the Centro Rural in Algorfa on the last Friday

When it’s time to work, the dogs can go out in a

where the similarity ends, for this is not a quick

of every month. So if you would like to know

pack of 20 or more, and the hunter doesn’t care

fix situation, or a quick turnaround, it takes

how you can get involved and help with their

how many come back. Any that are injured, are

many months to mend these broken shells.

wonderful work, just pop along and have a chat

Podencos have a hunting life of only 1 to 2

with them or visit their website www.hopefor-

left to die, and those that get separated from the pack, just get abandoned. With so many to

6

A working Podenco has never known affec-

podencos.com or Facebook: Hope for Podencos

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7

“Get on yer bike!”

by Gary Routledge www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com

The History of Pinarello Cycles.

Giovanni Pinarello was born in Italy on the

the winners in Vigorelli velodrome. Gio-

space ahead of the bigger names of it’s

10th July 1922 during a difficult post- war

vanni did just that on the 10th June 1951

time, small sponsorships, small goals, and

period and was the eighth of twelve chil-

carrying this triumph to Milan. That jersey

slowly the plant grows. In 1975 Pinarello

dren. His love for two wheels led him to

went on to tag Giovanni forever “the one

begins to enjoy widespread popularity and

pursue a career in cycling. The young Gio-

with the Maglia Nera” and is still visible to-

it’s first Giro d Italia victory opening a dec-

vanni immediately attracted attention and

day in the Pinarello shop in Treviso.

ade of great satisfaction. In 1988 Pinarello

had won over 60 races by the time he was

In 1952 Giovanni prepares to ride the

begins to change, it is no longer a small

20, he also won

“Giro d Italia” again but at the very last

workshop and things start to get serious,

minute he is required to give his spot to

Fausto, Giovannis son enters the business

“la popolarissima” in Treviso which was a

the young Pasqualino Fornara who had

and they also have their first “Tour de

very important race in the Dilettani circuit

just been fired from the Fausto Coppi’s

France” victory with Pedro Delgado. Gio-

( a level of racing that opens the doors to

team Bianchi. Giovanni is disappointed

vanni slowly leaves his position to allow

being a professional ).From 1946 Giovanni

but his team offer him £100000.00 to step

Fausto to continue his dream.

makes his mark in the world of cycling and

aside, a considerable amount of money for

in 1951 he was last in the 34th Giro d Italia

those times. This money is used to bear

In the early years Fausto lived in his fa-

which was won by Rosa Fiorenzo, but in

the fruit of what shall be the crown of his

thers shadow learning all the secrets of

those years last place was not a disgrace,

dreams to open a small bike workshop in

the trade by watching and learning at the

instead the last rider wore the Maglia Nera

order to build his own bicycles and so Cicli

same time developing his entrepreneurial

(black jersey ). Giovanni still tells stories

Pinarello was born.

skills ready to manage the business as a whole. The Pinarello brand enjoyed popu-

of the strategies that he carried out in or-

8

der to take this ranking. There has been

Giovanni worked hard, harder than he

larity in Italy but Pinarello is one of many

known cases of cyclists purposely flatten-

ever had before and he had so many good

Italian bike brands and thousands globally

ing their own tyres, hiding in barns or bars

ideas. In 1961 Pinarello sponsors its first

so the challenge for Fausto has just be-

in the aim to lose time in order to arrive

ride and it’s first victory at the “Tour de

gun. He has a strong and decisive charac-

last in the stage. Arriving last also means a

L’avenir” thanks to Guido de Rossa. The

ter, one which can be seen in his business

celebration, including a lap of honour with

Pinarello brand begins to carve out its own

decisions, he begins to develop an alliance

CYCLING tips

Calle Los Arcos, 7 QUESADA

Mountain Bikes City Bikes Child Seats Tag-a-longs Hybrid Bikes Road Bikes

advice routes

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Sales, Repairs, Hires, Accessories & Clothing Open Mon-Fri 09.30-17.30 Sat: 10.00-14.00

Call Gary or Lynn: 637 487 377 www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com

logical’s website.

with teams who seem to be only of second

arello Dogma has already claimed 2 Tour

grade but through time become extremely

De France victories, a World Championship

successful, producing champions that take

Crown, First and Second place in the UCI

www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com

the Pinarello brand to great heights. Faus-

Team rankings and since its birth over 300

or www.pinarello.com

to decides to invest in a middle range Ger-

races in the pro-tour circuit. And then in

man team who are failing to find a sponsor,

2009 Fausto joins forces with the small

Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical

in less than a year this small team becomes

newly-born Team Sky who now dominate

in Quesada Monday to Friday 09.30-17.30

unbeatable and dominate the cycling scene

the world of cycling on their Pinarello’s.

and Saturdays from 10.00-14.00 to assist

in the 1990’s – “Team Telekom.”

and advise you on all your cycling require-

Also in

the 1990’s Fassa Bortolo enters the world

Gary and Lynn at Cyclogical in Quesa-

of cycling and Fausto takes the opportunity

da have expanded their road bike range,

of joining forces, the result is many more

and are now delighted to be stockists of

victories in all disciplines with Fassa Team

the world famous “ Pin-

dominating the scene for the next 5 years.

arello bikes.” We have at

Soon one of the largest technical innova-

present some models in

tions Fausto has ever introduced “Magne-

stock, however we can

sium” and with it – The Dogma is born – a

supply any model from

top end bike for Pinarello whose name from

the

then on becomes the reference point for

within 48 hours. We are

all high end road bikes. This was followed

also hoping to get one

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of the first Dogmas to

claims the best bike in the world title, 2

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years later the world’s first asymetrical bike

Sram etap wireless elec-

The Dogma 60.1 is born and becomes the

tronic shifting system by

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more titles than any other bike. The Pin-

can be viewed on Cyc-

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2016

ments.

range

The full range

9

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10

Sandra in Spain www.sandrainspain.com

Around Algor fa

Walking the walk!

Algorfa nestles snugly in the valley of

Hiking Walking Meeting Point Algorfa. It’s

ter all – it may not be clear to everyone. This

the Sierra de Callosa mountains, and

a place where people from Algorfa – and

is the sort of insider information that Stuart,

there are lots of scenic walks in the

people from elsewhere who want to come

Andrea and the other walkers are hoping to

area, whether you want a gentle stroll

and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scen-

share through Facebook, and around Algorfa

down to the village through the orange

ery here – can hook up with other walking

itself.

groves on the new road from La Finca,

and hiking enthusiasts. It’s not an organised

or a more challenging hike in the foot-

group or club, just a place where people can

If someone is planning a walk, they’ll post

hills of the mountains. There are also

exchange information on the best walks in

in the group, stating where they are starting

numerous cross country rambles, so

the area and find friends to walk with.

from, and whether there is a short drive to

whatever your level of fitness, there’s

get to the route. The meeting pint is likely

going to be a local walk to suit you, and

Stuart is a keen hiker, with an extensive

to be in Algorfa itself, or maybe La Finca

some of them can even be engineered

knowledge of the area, and recently he

or Montemar. Anyone who wants to join

to end up at a local watering hole!

posted his intention to walk part of La Cal-

the walk can tag along, and if people need

dera del Gigante – a new hiking route from

transport, it will be sorted out between the

The problem with going off the grid, so to

Montemar Urbanisation through to Beneju-

participating walkers.

speak, is that if you’re like me, your sense

zar. Several people joined him to walk the

of direction has left the building. My local

section from Montemar to the Centro Rural

Hikers will share what they know about the

nickname is Satnav Sandra, and it’s ironic

at Montebello, where there was a pit stop for

route, but individuals take responsibility for

rather than accurate, because even with my

refreshments before making the return trip.

their own ability to complete the walk safely.

trusty Tom Tom, I can – and frequently do

A good time was had by all, and the consen-

The Caldera walk is not particularly taxing,

- get hopelessly lost. And if you’re walking

sus was that it was a good idea to do the

but there are points where the ground is

alone – particularly if you’re a woman - you

hike in company with someone who knew

steep or uneven, so it’s no good turning up

may not feel safe going off the beaten track,

the route, and the possible pitfalls.

in flip flops! If you’re into walking and hik-

so you could be missing out on some great walks around Algorfa.

ing, check out the Facebook page, or call in So, what possible pitfalls could there be on a

Mailpoint, on Avenida Maria del Mar Rodri-

scenic walk? Well for a start, the land own-

guez for more information about walking the

You could be, but now you don’t need to,

er isn’t too keen on having walkers on ‘his’

walk in Algorfa. I might see you on a walk

because as I’ve said before, Algorfa has a

land, so the helpful route markers are prone

very soon – as long as there’s a pit stop in-

big heart, and if anyone needs help with

to disappear without warning. And it’s open

cluded!

anything at all, someone will sort it. In the

season on the rabbits on Monday morn-

case of the walking, Andrea Vattes and Stu-

ings. There are signs informing walkers that

art Catchpole have come up with a great so-

rabbit shooting happens on Mondays, but

lution by setting up a Facebook Page called

as they’re in Spanish – we are in Spain af-

Photos courtesy of Stuart Catchpole

11 11

BLADERUNNER

Gran Alacant expat Jim Blyth talks to Dave Bull Training in Nottingham in 1969

10,000m Hong Kong 1960.

84 degrees. Jim won!

We often never really know some people. Espe-

tive service in Aden and then moved on to Hong Kong where

cially the quiet ones. And often it’s because they

he trained as a physical training instructor. He then decided

have some secret tucked away that they may not

to enter the Round the Island Marathon before– which he won

want anyone to know? Or they are just happy to

and then the 10,000 metre championship at the Happy Valley

have their memories and aren’t the type to brag

Stadium in 1961 – which he also won!

about past achievements they have made in their life no matter how big or small. Jim Blyth of Gran

Returning home in 1962 he continued running and skating and

Alacant is the latter.

winning of course. Several short track events saw him take the top prize once again before he retired from the sports life

At 78 years old Jim is still very active in the community and

to become the quiet man of his little corner of Spain. So you

a golfer too but if we go back 42 years we find him as a

never know really what stories some people have hidden in

member of the English speed skating team, the second time

their locker do you.

he had represented his country (the first being in 1964).

Oh, and yes, before you ask, he still goes skating too!

You see? I told you…it’s always the quiet ones. In 1973 Jim became British Champion over two miles at Bury Fen in Cambridgeshire – a reco0rd that he still holds!

But it all really started a while before that for Jim who first put on a pair of skates at the age of 16 when he joined the Nottingham Ice Racing Club in 1965 where he played once for the Nottingham Wolves but that wasn’t really Jim’s cup of tea. No, rather than crashing in to others and getting hit back of course, Jim opted for the pace and power of Speed Skating and started training with the Ice Speed Club.

The military draft (the very last one) called on Jim in 1959 and he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and saw ac-

12

Fox Inn 1963 with running and skating trophies

Who needs M&S when there's...

Kelly McLachlan

Come & meet

Notes from small town Spain

The

SPECIALISTS

Have you ever promised to take

fear like a woman and waited for

the kids swimming and forgotten

the green light. Once I got to the

your cozzie? I have. And I don’t

top of the steps I carefully read

mean at the Urb pool. I mean at a

the instructions, lie on your back

proper indoor leisure centre after

feet first. Check. Cross your arms.

telling the little people that you’ll

Check. The water was running

be super brave and try the huge

pretty quickly and I didn’t fill my

water slide. Yes, this happened

pants, which was good. I was ex-

recently. There were some disap-

pecting to zip and zoom around the

pointed faces until auntie came to

curves of this awesome slide...but

the rescue with a black vest. Only

I didn’t move. I was stuck. Nothing

she’s a size 10-12, and I happen

to with body size, I hasten to add,

to be slightly larger. But, lycra is

but pretty much everything to do

every fat girl’s best friend, and I

with non-bikini pants. So there I

threw on a pair of black knickers

was, doing the funky worm to ease

and hoped for the best. It wasn’t

myself down the slide. Slowly. This

the most flattering of looks, I ad-

was good. I was in control. Not the

mit, but I’ve never been one to be

water. It was quite leisurely, actu-

too image conscious.

ally, even if the family at the bottom were getting a little anxious

Upon

arrival

at

aforementioned

awaiting my arrival with a mas-

leisure centre, I stripped off and

sive splash. Sorry to disappoint, I

gingerly climbed in. Lovely. I was

calmly almost floated to the end,

quite enjoying myself when the

and didn’t even wet my face. I was

niece very kindly reminded me

quite happy with that.

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High fives all round! I’m still not

sues with that), that had gushing

quite sure if I have conquered my

water (I had issues with that also)

fear of big water slides, but know-

and a green light for when it was

ing I’ve managed one, who knows?

safe to enter. Oh, and it went out-

Next time I may even get my hair

side the building. The niece went

wet!

first, to show scaredy cat auntie how it’s done. Within seconds she was out the other end. It was easy for her, she’s seven. I’m knocking 40 and have a panic about being

Hasta la proxima

Kelly

splashed in the face.

So, because I wanted to be a good mum/auntie, I faced up to my

13 13

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MANDY’S

Spanish Diary

by Mandy Tams

TEENAGE TECHNOLOGY TOURETTES

(as they cannot whisper) the a plastic back and towel when

This is not meant to denigrate

between 20 and 26 stepped into friends descending the stair-

those who are afflicted by this

the

condition.

over his head so as not to splash to have checked she could catch

Spanish equivalent of cheese, not being read. which I believe is Pa-ta-ta, but I Next… a young man throws his phone from the balcony of the

am open to corrections.

strip to a girl underneath so she The young man aged anywhere could photograph him and his water

holding

his

phone way in style….Drunk. He ought

it… surprised to see such care, I first because she couldn’t.

It’s true, today’s over 60’s are

watched as they lined up and on Now I am like a sad stalker and

yesterdays over 40’s, but I be-

the count ofuno, dos, tres, they I spy out people with their mod-

lieve this is the same with our

all dipped under the water… as ern technology, jealous of their

younger generation too. Today’s

did the intrepid photographer.

lackadaisical ways and I am

26’s are yesterdays 16’s and

amazed at how many tourette

why not hang on to your youth

Not happy with his picture they type muscular spasms that peo-

say I… BUT

did it again and again until sat- ple have while handling these

I see all the new technology

isfied, but on leaving the pool expensive toys.

that

holidays

he was none to happy to see the little blighters have come

these days and yes I am guilty

water behind the screen. Now to life and are trying to escape.

also, with smart phone, lap top,

like

tablet, any piece of modern tech

dad buys these things for him, Electronic books are trodden on

stuff is crammed into pockets,

for some reason he looked sur- by sleepy sunbathers on rising

handbags and suitcases. Bear-

prised showing his friends who from their loungers, but phones

ing in mind some of these things

all laughed with him as he slung leap out of hands like bars of

cost more than my car did 30

it on the towel after shaking it wet soap in the shower, is it the

years

vigorously for a few minutes sun oil I ask myself, intrigued.

is

brought

ago

and

it

on

was

nearly

any

teenage

boy

who’s Laptops

slide

It’s as though

off

knees

and

and then followed a spate of

new…

^*^&(^^%%_*&^ language.

I challenge you to look at any

Sitting round the pool enjoying

His friend then picked his own under thirty year old on a phone

a dip with a group of Spanish

phone up immediately dropping or tablet or whatever, and see

youngsters one proudly display-

it as though it were alive and if the screen is broken, I can

ing the latest water resistant

smashed the screen on the tiles. almost guarantee it will be or

smart phone.

Lots of Spanish

Another laugh and dramatic ges- they have just changed it be-

ooh’s and arr’s floated across

tures of hands over mouth sup- cause it was. The old one now

the surface as comparisons were

pressing giggles beforethrowing being used to keep a two-year

made and yes, I can translate

it back down and ))*^&^%%$$ old child happy either cutting

Spanish to English quick trans-

more language.

lation … ooh and arr…

have rich daddies or good insur- over the world…

The owner of this little beauty

ers.

Obviously they teeth on it, or planning to take

wanted a picture of his friends in the pool. hugging

Huddling together

each

other,

shouting

There’s me with my Catherine

Mandy Tams

Cookson paperback wrapped in

19

What’s On Gig Guide - Weekends Oct Saturday March 12th Restaurante Los Rosales, Guardamar – The Liverpool Band. 15 Euros – 7.30pm – Tel 697501992 Pablos International, Playa Flamenca – Cassi Kennedy – 9pm La Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Rebecca Holt – 8pm La Piedra, Gran Alacant – Paula B Tribute Show – 9pm Eduardos Villamartin – Rod Stewart Tribute – 9pm Landsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10pm Gogarty’s, La Zenia – Tony de Love – 10pm Aneto Cerveceria, Benimar – Tony Capaldi – 9pm Bar Carlos, Torrevieja – Open Mic night - 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Foxy’s Bar, Via Park V – James Ellis – 6.30pm Pato Pekin, El Presidente – Kevin Tyler – 9pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Dan Davy and Nick Gold – 9pm PALS, La Siesta - Richie C – 9pm Slievenemon Bar, Cabo Roig – Snowblind – 10pm Thursday March 17th – St Patricks Day La Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Red Strokes – 8pm Bushwacka, Cabo Roig – Beatles Story – 12.30pm Bushwackacka, Cabo Roig – The Stoned – 9pm Pablos International, Playa Flamenca – Paul Allen – 9pm The Local, La Florida – Richie Alexander – 6pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Rod Stewart Tribute – 10pm Mono’s Bar, Quesada – Samantha Curtis – 8pm Cultural Centre, Benijofar – Don’t Dress For Dinner – 8pm, 8€ Restaurante Nautilus, Torrevieja – Jose Bolero – 7.30pm Sports Complex, La Marina – Woody – 5 Euros Friday March 18th Em’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas – 9pm O’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Paul Allen – 10pm Posh Club, La Marina – Charles Cole – 1.30pm Lansdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Streeters – 10pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Richie Alexander – 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Bella Luna – 10pm Cultural Centre, Benijofar – Don’t Dress For Dinner – 8pm, 8€ Saturday March 19th Carol’s Bar, Sucina – Cassi Kennedy – 9pm Imanyos, Daya Nueva – Red Strokes – 9.30pm Breakaways, Pueblo Principe – Dee – 9pm Eduardos Villamartin – Rod Stewart Tribute – 9pm Landsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10pm Gogarty’s, La Zenia – Tony de Love – 10pm Aneto Cerveceria, Benimar – Tony Capaldi – 9pm Bar Carlos, Torrevieja – Open Mic night - 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Foxy’s Bar, Via Park V – James Ellis – 6.30pm Bar Carmen’s, El Chaparal – Samantha Curtis – 8.30pm Pato Pekin, El Presidente – Kevin Tyler – 9pm Cultural Centre, Benijofar – Don’t Dress For Dinner – 8pm, 8€ Emerald Isle, La Florida – Dan Davy and Nick Gold – 9pm PALS, La Siesta – Woody – 9pm Marabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Maria O’Hara – 9pm Slievenemon Bar, Cabo Roig – Snowblind – 10pm Friday March 25th Em’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas – 9pm O’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Paul Allen– 10pm Posh Club, La Marina – Charles Cole – 1.30pm Lansdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Streeters – 10pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Richie Alexander – 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Bella Luna – 10pm Saturday March 26th Restaurante Los Rosales, CV895 Guardamar – Gaga for Benidorm Tom – 7.30pm. Tickets 17.50 Euros with 3 course meal. www.lrshows.com La Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Cassi Kennedy – 9pm Imanyos, Daya Nueva – Nilo – 9.30pm The Club Quesada – Phil Collins Tribute – 12 Euros – 7.30pm Pablos International, Playa Flamenca – Angie McKay as Cher – 9pm

20

Eduardos Villamartin – Rod Stewart Tribute – 9pm Landsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10pm Gogarty’s, La Zenia – Tony de Love – 10pm Aneto Cerveceria, Benimar – Tony Capaldi – 9pm Bar Carlos, Torrevieja – Open Mic night - 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Foxy’s Bar, Via Park V – James Ellis – 6.30pm Marabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Samantha Curtis – 9pm Pato Pekin, El Presidente – Kevin Tyler – 9pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Dan Davy and Nick Gold – 9pm PALS, La Siesta – Jammy Dodgers – 9pm Marabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Samantha Curtis – 9pm Slievenemon Bar, Cabo Roig – Snowblind – 10pm Sunday March 27th Leprechaun bar, Santa Pola del Este – Dee – 8.30pm Pablo’s International, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 9pm Twilight Bar – Johnny Sax with hog roast – 1pm – 10 Euros Champagne Bar, La Fuente – Benny the Piano Man – 3pm Durty Nelly’s, Torrevieja – Jose Bolero – 3pm Sports Complex, La Marina – Woody – 9pm Monos, Quesada – Crazy G – 8pm Bog Road, Cabo Roig – Tullamore Duo – 10pm Fri April 1st Maggie O’Brien’s, Campoverde – Paul Harris – 9pm Em’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas -9pm La Taberna, Quesada – Nilo – 9pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Richie Alexander – 9pm Lansdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Streeters – 10pm O’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Paul Allen – 10pm Sat April 2nd Orange Bar, Entre Naranjas – Cassi Kennedy – 9pm Imanyos Disco Bar, Daya Nueva – Natasha Parx – 9.30pm La Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Benny Van De Burg – 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Landsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10pm Aneto Cerveceria, Benimar – Tony Capaldi – 9pm Bar Carlos, Torrevieja – Open Mic night - 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Foxy’s Bar, Via Park V – James Ellis – 6.30pm Eduardos, Villamartin - David John Williams – 10pm Slievenemon Bar, Cabo Roig – Snowblind – 10pm Friday April 8th The Archers, Quesada – Cassi Kennedy – 9pm Foxy’s, Via Pk V – Natasha Parx – 9pm Em’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas -9pm Emerald Isle, La Florida – Richie Alexander – 9pm La Taberna, Quesada – Nilo – 9pm Lansdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Streeters – 10pm Quesada Country Club – David John Williams – 9pm O’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Paul Allen – 10pm Sat April 9th Restaurante Los Rosales, Guardamar -The Troupers Swing Band, Tickets 15 Euros with 2 course meal Doors at 7pm– tel 697501992 La Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – JJ Soulman – 9pm Tradewinds, La Fuente – Rebecca Holt – 9pm Breakaways, Pueblo Principe – Greg Bannis – 9pm Eduardos, Villamartin - David John Williams – 10pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Landsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10pm Aneto Cerveceria, Benimar – Tony Capaldi – 9pm Bar Carlos, Torrevieja – Open Mic night - 9pm Stray Sod, La Fuente – Kolted – 10pm Foxy’s Bar, Via Park V – James Ellis – 6.30pm Marabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Ricardo – 9pm Slievenemon Bar, Cabo Roig – Snowblind – 10pm

Bars, Entertainment, Neon, Inclusive, Drags, “Over the top”, Rock, Music. Together they spell out Benidorm. I have just come back from a few days seeking out new acts to bring down to our area. Despite what everyone may think, not all acts that work in Benidorm are good and very few would command a show tickets price. There is a huge difference in how our area and the metropolis they call Benidorm works. As a mainly tourist destination the entertainment and everything else is geared towards those out to have a good time and spend all the money that has been saved up during the year to party every night. Entertainment is available everywhere, but despite many thinking that it is free, this is very far from the truth. True, you do not have to pay to get in and watch which ever act takes your fancy. But as I found out, everyone who is buying a drink is paying for those acts. Prices of drinks vary enormously from venue to venue but compared to our residential areas you can easily pay twice what we pay for a drink and that includes “Happy Hour”.

Our venues also expect any act to be able to cover a 3 hour time slot including breaks.

Not so Benidorm. 45 minutes to one hour per act is normal, as is what is known as “plug and play”. This is where the act will do sometimes up to 5 venues a night doing the same spot over and over. All they have to take with them is their music and a microphone. They are able to do this due to all the venues having in house pa systems and of course a huge amount of potential customers. Much as the acts would love to do this where we all live, unless each venue gets a pa system and finds more customers, it isn’t going to happen. The way we have of getting the multi act shows is by having a ticket event. This covers the price of the top earning entertainers and enables venues to book more than one act. It also ensures them of an income from food and drink. On the whole, our bars give truly free entertainment. There is no hike in the drinks prices.

Even on my own shows, like Bang! The Streeters this coming Saturday the drinks remain at the normal prices.

I have to say that I did enjoy myself going away but it is so nice to come back to the normality of residential Spain. To the bars who know your name, the friends you know and the huge diversity of entertainment that we enjoy, and mostly as little or no cost.

Our entertainment is a bargain, make no mistake about that. Having seen shows for more than twice the ticket price we pay here and with no food included, we all ought to be out way more than we are. After all if we don’t these places are just not going to be around for long.

If you would like your events in this guide, they are FREE. Just email me the details to letsrockshowslive@gmail.com. To book acts please go to my new site www.jaxlawson. com Love life, love music and support your venues and acts.

Jax Lawson xx

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Restaurant review: The Vestry, Algorfa The Vestry in Calle Constitucion, Algorfa is more than a mere restaurant. At one point in time, it was rumoured to be a chapel, and around 40 years ago, it was a bar. The problem is, the Spanish are not the best at record keeping, so it’s difficult to find out the history of this beautiful building. For the last ten years or so, it’s been a restaurant, and since 2011, Brigitta and Gordon have been welcoming discerning diners through the Vestry’s distinctive front door.

We arrived for dinner on a cold midweek February evening, and I was surprised that around two dozen other diners had braved the cold. Several more followed us in, and it turned out most of them were regular customers, because they were soon chatting to each other, and Brigitta and our waiter David. We already felt relaxed and ready for an enjoyable evening as we were shown to our table for two under the huge Vestry clock.

The Vestry offers a full a la carte menu, but we chose to order from one of the two set menus. The Vestry menu offers 2 courses for €14.50 or 3 courses for €15.50 including a drink with the 3 course option, and the selections change every two weeks. Tony was attracted by the Roast of Day – it was a roast kind of evening – so we made our choices from the Vestry menu. For starters, Tony opted for roasted Mediterranean vegetable and tomato soup with home baked bread, while I chose the chicken goujons in a barbecue and honey sauce on a bed of mixed leaves.

Although there were a lot of diners, all wanting to be fed at once, we didn’t wait long for our starters at all, and when they arrived, the soup was piping hot, and so were my chicken goujons. Sometimes, barbecue sauce can be a bit sickly, but this one had just the right balance of sweetness and piquancy, and it didn’t swamp the chicken, either in quantity or flavour. Tony’s soup was also excellent, and when we told David how much we’d enjoyed it, he said he’d made both the soup and the sauce. However, he was having us on, because according to Brigitta, he can’t even boil an egg, and his sister is coming over from England to cook for him while his partner visits family in Hungary!

When the main courses arrived, Tony’s roast pork was succulent, and there was plenty of it, along with roast and mashed potatoes, stuffing and Yorkshire pudding. There was

hardly any room on the plate for the vegetables – cauliflower, broccoli and carrots, steamed to perfection. I chose poached fillet of sole filled with a mushroom duxelle, served with a tarragon sauce. In case you don’t know – and I certainly didn’t – a duxelle is a mix of sautéed mushrooms and shallots, flavoured with herbs, and although I wouldn’t naturally associate tarragon with fish, it worked really well, making a perfect accompaniment for the sole without overpowering its delicate flavour.

I was struggling to find room for a dessert, but with 9 to choose from, plus cheese and biscuits, it had to be done – I mean, how can you review a restaurant if you don’t go the whole 9 yards? Or three courses in this case. I was slightly disappointed to find that the cheesecake of the day was peanut butter, but when I spotted fruits of the forest pavlova, I soon got over that. Tony went for the sticky toffee pudding – he’s a bit of a traditionalist, but he really enjoyed his soup, roast and pudding.

I also enjoyed my Mediterranean style meal, and there, I think, is the secret of the Vestry’s success. The clientele includes Brits, Dutch and Spanish, and the menu is geared to serving traditional British and Mediterranean food, with a fusion of the two styles of cuisine which is particularly appealing to the Spanish. The lamb shank braised in red wine with mashed potato was a popular choice among all the nationalities, and the Sunday lunch menu is a cleverly crafted meeting of traditional British and Mediterranean food.

All the courses were beautifully presented, and as a nice finishing touch, we were given home made chocolates at the end of the meal. I’m not the biggest chocolate fan in the world, but these were exquisite, so I might be tempted to make some myself from the recipe on the Vestry’s website.

If you’re looking for fine dining and efficient, friendly service in beautiful surroundings at a value for money price, the Vestry is the place to go. Like the Terminator, I’ll be back!

If you haven’t tried the Vestry yet, why not give Brigitta a call on 966 783 976 and book a table soon? Try the weekday lunches from Tuesday to Friday, and choose from 6 starters, 6 mains and the full range of desserts for just €12.50 per person. Who says good food has to be expensive? Maybe we’ll see you there soon!

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​Isn’t Life Wonderful In the Sun! Or Is It? We all experience those odd feelings of uncertainty , worry and insecurity and soon pull ourselves together. Yet there are those wh o are unable to find that strength, and this is where WE, the ​Samaritans in S pain​, ​offer a friendly listening ear.

As our organisation expands, we urgently need additio nal volunteers; people who want to give something back into the communi ty which we are happy to live in.

We are looking for English speakers, who live in or around Gran Alacant and who are prepared to either train as ‘listeners’ or who w ould like to become ‘friends of the Samaritans’ and help with our fund raising. Just a few hours a week, or a month, is all that we ask.

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CRYSTAL HEALING

com If you’d like to book a reading call me on 693 062 794

Part One

I am asked by many people, which crystals

to hold each one in turn feeling and sensing

of the salt once it has been charged as this

they should use for aspects of their life such

their energy and healing vibration. The one

could damage the stone. Essence of flowers

as love, healing, abundance or protection. So I

that ‘calls out to you’ in terms of warmth, heal-

can also cleanse crystals if you leave the crys-

thought I would share my love of crystals and

ing energies, or tingling in your hand, is yours!

tal and petals of flowers in water for 24 hours.

how they can help you in your personal life, at work, and at home.

Excellent flowers for this cleansing practice are Cleansing your crystal

Honeysuckle, Rose, or Orange Blossom. The

Before working with your crystal, it will need to

purity of the flowers will strip the crystal of any

I have worked with crystals in various ways

be cleansed and charged. In order to do this,

negativity. Certain crystals such as Citrine and

from Reiki Healing and meditation to promot-

wash it in lightly salted water or the sea, and

Kyanite are self-cleansing, so you will never

ing a positive theme within my own home and

then place it outside during the day (but not

need to cleanse them yourself.

work environment. Those of you who have

when the sun is extremely hot as you will not

Agate can either be grey, blue, green, pink,

attended my Angel Workshops will have had

want to either start a fire or fade certain crys-

brown or clear. It can be a mix of these col-

first- hand knowledge of the crystals we can

tals such as Amethyst or Citrine). Place your

ours together, usually banded in appearance.

utilise in order to connect with the higher

crystal outside overnight so it can be charged

Agate is a good luck stone, and can harmonise

realms. Please note that I have not includ-

in the moonlight. Ensure the crystal is only

the yin and yang as well as giving confidence,

ed every single crystal available otherwise I

handled by yourself. If someone else picks it

strength, and protection from danger.

would end up writing a book! I hope the in-

up or handles it in any way you will have to

formation assists you in attaining answers to

go through the ritual of cleansing it all over

Amethyst is one of my favourite crystals. It

your questions. Below is some brief informa-

again. If you prefer, after cleansing your crys-

is rich purple or lavender in colour, and it can

tion about the use of crystals as well as list-

tal you can use the same format by placing

relieve physical, emotional and stress. Am-

ing the power of these gems which include my

your crystal on a window sill. However, there

ethyst is spiritually enlightening, helps with

ultimate favourites.

are certain crystals that you will not be able

meditation and creativity, and is in general, a

to cleanse by washing them such as Selenite

powerful and protective stone.

Choosing a crystal

which is water soluble and layered crystal such

Carnelian Orange, red, brown or pink in colour,

Once you have decided which type of crystal

as the beautiful Angel Wing Calcite. In this in-

it is an excellent stone for stimulating creativ-

to buy, such as one that will assist in bringing

stance you can cleanse the crystals by moving

ity, bringing one into the present, grounding

love into your life such as Rose Quartz, close

them through smoking incense. Using your

and anchoring. Carnelian removes the fear of

your eyes and ask the angels to help to guide

initiative is vital regarding crystal care, so if

death, gives courage, dispels apathy, and is

you towards the crystal that is meant for you.

you feel parts of the crystal would break away

good for overcoming abuse of any kind. It can

When you open your eyes, see which crystal

if you cleansed it in water, then refrain from

cleanse other crystals.

seems the most prominent. If you are torn

doing so.

between two or three crystals, it’s a good idea

crystal, ensure that you brush off every trace

If you do use salt to cleanse your

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