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r e Beachcombe Barnabas th A great new book for kids!
BARNABAS THE BEACHCOMBER AND THE OIL SLICK by Ian Locke
Beaches are magical places! It’s the excitement of never knowing what you might find washed up gical places! by the tide; a football, Beaches are ma golden a crate of oranges, scours a stretch of the beachcomber Every day, Barnabas ring pet with his long-suffe coast of Scotland a drum, shoes, bags sand on the west ures treas any for ut Dorada, on the looko day, Labrador retriever, on the waves. One filled with soggy or bobbing about wedged into the sand but then news , tigate inves to r. They go a crate in the wate bay. spy the they into surprises, pieces of ing gallons of oil of a tanker pump is brought to them driftwood, coconuts, n actio al friends jump into and a host of anim Barnabas, Dorada disaster. furniture…even a mesarea from ecological to try and save the sage in a bottle! 1 14 11:08 Page Layout 1 01/10/20
LockeFullCover_
Every day, Barnabas the beachcomber scours a stretch of golden sand on the west coast of Scotland e with his long-suffering pet Labrador retriever, Dorada, on the lookout for any treasures wedged into the sand or bobbing about on the waves. One day, they spy a crate in the water. They go to investigate, but then news is brought to them of a tanker pumping gallons of oil into the bay. “Out there is an oil tanker and it’s chucking out oil into the bay. Also available as an ebook
®
JUVENILE FICTION
2
£6.99
Matador @matadorbooks
If we don’t do something soon all the wildlife in the bay will be in jeopardy!” Barnabas, Dorada and a host of animal friends literally jump into action to try and save the area from ecological disaster. “Vot can a Little man and his little pet pig do to a tanker like zis?” jeers the captain of the tanker. Quite a lot, as a matter of fact! Barnabas has a whale of a plan up his sleeve to wipe the smile off the captain’s face…!
This is an off-thewall adventure with a quirky hero. The heart warming story is brought to life by fantastic drawings, creating a book that adults will enjoy with their children over and over again, and that children aged six to nine will be able to read themselves.
www.ianjohnlocke.com Facebook: ianjohn.locke@facebook.com Twitter: @ianjohnlocke.
IAN LOCKE is fifty-one and has been happily married for twenty-four
years.
The
father of two wonderful children (most of the time!), he lives in Spain on the hot, dry east coast. He started writing seriously when he finished studying for his Master’s Degree, thanks to a sarcastic
profesor
who
told him his writing was more suited to fiction than academic writing.
THE SPROUTS . . . G N I M O C ARE
ALL ABROAD
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k! eak! brea Ta a br ke a Take with
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3
Do YOU know
Christmas???
1
Did you know that many of our most
the United States in the 18th century via
Windsor Castle in 1841. German immi-
popular Christmas traditions today date
the Dutch founders of New York City?
grants to the United States introduced
The Dutch introduced America to their
Americans to the Christmas tree, which was initially met with much skepticism.
Many of our Christmas traditions were
“Sinterklaas” festivities. Sinterklaas is the
By the late 1800s, however, the tree had
celebrated centuries before the Christ
Dutch name for Saint Nicholas.
become an accepted and beloved symbol
back over 4000 years?
child was born. The 12 days of Christ-
of the Christmas season.
mas, the bright fires, the yule log, the
Did you know that the first recorded
giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with
mention of Santa Claus in the United
Did you know that as many as 30 million
floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can be traced back to the early Mesopotamians, Europeans and Romans.
States was in 1773?
live (real) Christmas trees are sold every year in the United States?
The New York press reported a story about a “St. A Claus.”
Did you know that the word Advent comes from the Latin term “adventur”, meaning arrival?
Did you know that the Roman’s celebrated a festival in mid-December that is believed to have inspired many of our Christmas traditions?
The Advent Calendar begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and counts down the 25 days until the holiday’s arrival. The tradition of counting down the days until Christmas began in the early 19th century in Holland, where families marked a chalk line on their front door each day before Christmas Eve. (BTW Have you checked out our Advent Calendar? A new holiday video each day!)
Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of “Jo Saturnalia!” the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae. The Romans would also deck their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles.
Did you know that the character of Santa Claus is based on two Christmas legends:
The Early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn
Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas?
and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia. But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was
Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of children, who generously gave gifts to poor and orphaned young ones. Father Christmas was the spirit of good tidings. Did you know that Santa Claus can also trace his roots back to a Dutch character called Sinterklaas? When the Dutch colonists came to America, they brought with them the legend of an austere bishop, dressed in a red costume and carrying a book inscribed with a list of all the good and naughty children. To this day in Holland, Sinterklaas delivers gifts to all the “good” children on December 5th, which is St. Nicholas’ Eve. The 5th is the primary gift-giving time of the Christmas season for many Europeans. Did you know that Santa Claus arrived in
4
to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God. Did you know that the tradition of indoor Christmas trees began in Germany? German Christians would bring an evergreen tree into their homes and decorate it with lit candles. Today, we have transitioned to the safer practice of using Christmas lights. The Christmas tree tradition spread to the rest of Europe thanks to Prince Albert, the German-born husband of Queen Victoria, who decorated the first English Christmas tree at
In 2004, live Christmas tree sales amounted to more than $506 billion in revenue for America’s 22,000 tree farms. The state leader in Christmas tree production is Oregon, with sales of $143 million. Did you know that for every live Christmas tree that is harvested, three seedlings are planted in its place?
Did you know that it takes an average of seven years for a Christmas tree to reach six feet tall? Some trees take as long as 15 years to grow to their harvesting height; others reach it in as little as four years. Did you know that China is the leading manufacturer of artificial Christmas trees? According to the U.S. Commerce Department, more than 80 percent of artificial trees are made in China. Did you know that in 2005, Americans spent more money on Chinese-made Christmas ornaments ($561 million) than on Christmas trees grown in the United States? Did you know that the poinsettia, with its ruby-colored, star-shaped leaves, sees more than $200 million in sales each year, with most of them during the month of December? Many believe the poinsettia’s star-shaped leaves symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, which led the three wise men to the manger where the baby Jesus was born.
Do YOU know
SARAH'S Christmas??? TEXTILES are made for you!
2
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had
Another Christmas connection for the
been given out.
poinsettia is linked to the plant’s Mexican origin. Mexican legend tells of an
In 1949, Gene Autry recorded the
impoverished girl, who had nothing to
musical version of Rudolph the Red-
Following on from a very successful year Sarah’s' Curtain & Bedding Store in the CC alter Los Dolses continues grow.... not in floor space offer on to Jesus at Christmas to Nosed Reindeer which went on tobut in Eveexcellent other than variety weeds. Encouraged become the second best-selling song the of products available. With new stock arriving nonetheless by her priests to give of
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And a special place of Rudolph the Red-
every week you simply cannot beat this friendly and unique family
run for choice. hand picks of theintextiles which are on hershop church. Once inside, Sarah the weeds Noseall Reindeer America’s Christmas miraculously blossomed into a beautiful culture was codified in 1964, when sale, ensuring best quality and value for money. poinsettia plant. In Mexico, the poinan animated version of the story was settia plant is called Flores de Noche telecast for the first time. That beloved The recent addition of an extensive range of fabrics means you now have a Buena, Spanish for “flowers of the holy show has been aired every year since, choice of either quality night”. making it one of the top Christmas readymade or bespoke shows of all time. Did you know that there is even a special day celebrating the Poinsettia? Poinsettia Day is observed on December 12, the anniversary of the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American diplomat who first introduced the Central American plant to the United States. Did you know that Rudolph and the rest of Santa’s reindeer are very much a modern addition to Christmas tradition? The legend of Santa’s reindeer began in the famous poem, “The Night Before Christmas.” Written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822, it introduced the notion of Santa’s sleigh being magically pulled by eight mythical reindeer.
There is currently a fantastic end of
Did you know there is nosets Rudolph, season sale on,that with duvet 50% the reindeer, offthe asmost well famous as lots of ofall other amazingin Moore’s poem?
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Did you knowtiles. that the tradition can of kissAnything be ing under themade, mistletoe dates back to cushion covers, the Middle Ages?
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Rudolph wasn’t born until more than a
Did you know that the Italian tradition
a Christmas booklet as a promotional gimmick. The store tapped one of its best copywriters, Robert L. May, to Sarah’s' Curtain & Bedding Store author the booklet. His vision led him can be found conveniently located to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, within CC Los Dolses, Urb Villaan underdog champion outcast for his martin, the roadinnext glowing facing red nose. Printed 1939,to the the booklet reached distribution of card shop near thea canal. more than 2.4 million copies through nationwide Montgomery Ward stores. By 1946, more than 6 million copies of
In his honor, many Roman Catholics do not eat meat on Christmas Eve, enjoying instead a feast of seven seafood and shellfish dishes. The number seven signifies the number of days in which G-d created the universe. The Feast of Seven Fishes tradition originated in southern Italy and is still practiced there today, as well as by many Italian American families.
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Have yourself a merry little Christmas! May the joy and happiness of the season be with you all year long!
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Mr Grumpy is BACK! thanks to www.Tumbit.com
MR GRUMPY V ANGELES DURAN
“Who?” I know that is what you are thinking: “Who the Bejesus is Angeles Duran, and what has she done that Mr Grumpy could have such a Beef against her? And, even if he does have a right to Beef, why single her out for such a slating on so public a platform as this blog, which has been known to attract visitor numbers of (almost) double figures from time to time?” Allow me to tell you why...
Corvera, Castellon & Ciudad Real: THIS is how you run a private airport! Close observers of the news in Spain will be aware that the country’s first privately owned Airport launched in 2008. Ciudad Real Airport, also known as Don Quixote Airport and - in a Ryanair-esque style - South Madrid (despite being located 130Miles away from the capital) came at the cost of EU1.1 Bln.
If you are blessed with a good memory, and can cast your mind back to December of 2010, you may recall that Sra Angeles Duran became the first person on the planet to register a claim as the legal and rightful owner of the Sun. The clearly deluded 49 year old from Galica registered her claim with her Notary, exploiting a loophole in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which basically prevents any Government claiming ownership of any celestial body, on the grounds that the treaty did not extend to private individuals.
The airport was built to accommodate some 10 Million passengers
The Mentalist apparently went on to meet representatives from Spain’s Ministry of Industry to discuss the possibility of charging photovoltaic plants for converting ‘her’ energy into electricity, with a number of International Newspapers reporting that she had indeed been issued with a ‘Document’ confirming her claim, and instructing her Notary to investigate ways in which she could charge the general public.
However Ciudad Real is placed head and shoulders above Spain’s
At the time she very generously announced that she would distribute her profits across the country, with 50% of the proceeds going to the government, 20% to the nation’s pension fund, 10% dedicated to ending world hunger and 10% on research. She proposed to keep the remaining 10% for herself: Fair enough, given she is the rightful owner of the Sun after all. However this week it occurred to me that Sra Duran has not really thought this through (assuming of course that she was not institutionalized for her own safety shortly after making these claims and then marrying her Dog). 1) It has been bloody cold this week: Can I therefore sue her for some kind of breach of contract? 2) I got sunburn back in August on one of my rare appearances on the beach: Some kind of Health and Safety claim there, I think? 3) Inflexibility of service - Sometimes it would suit me better for it to be daylight at night-time and vice versa: Surely as consumers we have the right to make our minds up when we opt in to this service? 4) Environment factors: Surely as owner of the Sun, she should take responsibility for its operation and ensure that phenomena such as drought or forest fires did not result from her careless guardianship? 5) No ‘Opt Out’ clause: If it applies to Telecoms and Utilities Companies, then why should she be any different? I for one, look forward to receiving my first bill for usage of ‘her’ Sun, whereupon I will instruct my legal team to take the appropriate action. And yes, it has taken me the best part of 4 years to think up a response to this.
per year, in a town of just 78,000 residents and in an area so unpopular with outside visitors that it can only muster between 1,500 to 5,000 hotel room nights per month at best. Perhaps slightly optimistic projections at a time when Tenerife-Sur was only receiving 7 Mln passengers per year. Barely 3 years later the airport entered Bankruptcy proceedings with debts of almost EU300 Mln.
two other privately owned airports - Corvera and Castellon for one simple reason: It did actually manage to become operational. What is perhaps unknown by observers and critics of Spain’s White Elephant airports is that at roughly the same time that Ciudad Real Airport opened, the UK’s Southend Airport was purchased by the Eddie Stobbart Group. Unlike Madrid-South, Southend airport is situated just 36 Miles from the centre of London - a City which boasts 5 other airports within a radius of 40 Miles, and as such could probably be forgiven for becoming nothing more than an also-ran. However, with international flights being established courtesy of Easyjet in April 2012, passenger number reached 617,000 by the end of the year and hit a total of 970,000 during 2013 - almost exactly the same number of arrivals as Reus airport. Perhaps one of the most interesting points is that the Eddie Stobbart Group purchased the facility for “just” £100 Million (EU168 Mln) - about one-tenth of the costs/ debts accrued by Ciudad Real to date. Today, the debt-ridden Spanish airport in the arse-end of nowhere is still struggling to attract a credible buyer, despite entering a 7th round of bids over an 8 month period, and with a price tag of just EU80 Mln. Perhaps the saddest fact of all is this: That nobody will be surprised when history repeats itself when / If Corvera and Castellon airports open and then close soon after.
See you next month... SMILE! (If you want to...)
Our own contributors - experienced for expat info
7
“Get on yer bike!” by Gary Routledge www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
“Trofeo Penon de Ifach” Cycle Sportif, Calpe.
On Saturday 11th October 2014 nine
est event that they have done .The first
would also like to thank all their sponsors
members of Team “Cyclogical” based in
group of riders were back around the 4
for their continued support, Sol-4 invest-
Quesada travelled to Calpe to participate
hour mark with many others taking over 6
ment consulting, Expat pensions and in-
in the 5th Trofeo Penon de Ifach Sportif.
hours to complete the circuit. Five of the
vestments,Arrow rent a car, Shenanigans
Accompanied by their wives and partners
team have only been cycling road bikes for
bar, Spanish insurance, Securidan, Pulse
they all stayed in the Diamante Beach ho-
a year and were taking part in their very
core fitness and Ambience fires and solar.
tel which was the main Headquarters for
first Sportif cycling event, they performed
the race.
really well with everyone in the team finishing in the top 50% of riders, this was
Team “Cyclogical” meet every Thursday
The race is always well organised by Pat-
excellent which resulted in Team Cyclog-
night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at
rick and Kathy Deneut with plenty helpers
ical winning the Team Event which was a
8am and cover between 90 and 100kms at
and dispatch riders assisting to marshal
beautiful Cristal Trophy in the shape of the
a moderate to fast pace so if you fancy a
the route. The race started between 8am
mountain at Calpe which is called “Penon
challenge come along and join us. Looking
and 9am on Sunday 12th and all teams
de Ifach”.
to improve your fitness, riding ability and
started when they were ready as everyone
speed and also have a new group of friends
was wearing a chip to register their times
8
to train with then why not come along and
on completion, this was a big improve-
The Team are pictured on their trusted
ment on previous years as it meant that
steeds at the start which was in front of
give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.
there was no mass start and no following
the hotel from left to right: Alan Quearns,
the pace car, it was a race from start to
Peter Cunningham, Malcky Murray, Martyn
finish against the clock.
Stone, Gary Routledge, Kelvin Howard,
On Saturday 25th October a 6 man cycling
6-UP-TEAM TIME TRIALS, MURCIA.
Dave Robertson, Owen Desmond and Paul
team representing Team Cyclogical, in
The course covered a total distance of
Durrant. All of the Team had an excellent
Quesada travelled to Murcia to participate
126kms with over 2500 metres of very
weekend and also celebrated Malcky Mur-
in the Club Ciclista Purisma Open Team
steep climbing involved. There were 216
ray’s birthday in good style on the Sun-
Time Trials race over 27kms. Teams were
riders participating on this tough route
day evening after the race and are looking
composed of 6 riders with the first three
with many of them saying it was the hard-
forward to returning next year. The team
riders across the line to count for the team
CYCLING tips advice routes
Calle Los Arcos, 7 QUESADA
Mountain Bikes City Bikes Child Seats Tag-a-longs Hybrid Bikes Road Bikes
Ladies Bikes Kids Bikes Tandems Kids Trailers BMX Bikes Electric Bikes
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
time. The course was on the N301 between Cieza and Archena near Murcia and was very demanding with the first 6kms uphill, the team completed the 27kms in 47mins and ended in 6th place overall which was a significant achievement given the fact that they were all veteran cyclists with ages ranging from 51 to 69 with most of the other teams being much younger. The event is an annual event held in October and next year Team Cyclogical would like to enter 2 teams ( the old guys and the young guys ).After the event there was a dinner reception held in the TVH Hotel in Murcia with a lovely meal, drinks and presentation of the trophy’s which rounded off another great days cycling. The team are pictured from left to right: Peter Cunningham, Alan Quearns, Paul Durrant, Keith Bayford, Barry Rogers and Dave Brown.
9
S O Z I R O CH Malcolm Palmer
I’ll bet you thought a chorizo was a nice,
crooked construction deals.
meaty, often spicy, sausage you could
Similar deals are coming to light here in
slice, and stick between two hunks of
Alicante, where glamorous mayoress So-
bread to make a ‘bocadillo.’ Or put in any
nia Castedo is being accused of doing all
manner of dishes, hot and cold. You were
kinds of dodgy deals with constructor Or-
right, of course, but, as with many words
tiz. She is currently refusing to go.
in the Spanish language – in English, for
The King’s brother-in-law, Iñaki Urdanga-
that matter – it has a double meaning.
rin, is facing serious charges for nicking a
If you watch the Spanish news pro-
few paltry millions from the good folks of
grammes, you will very often see a guy,
Mallorca, and has also been up to no good
jacket over his head to cover his ugly mug,
with the iffy PP outfit in Valencia, where
being hustled from car to copshop by sev-
the Mayoress, Rita Barbera, and her slimy
eral burly cops, a crowd yelling, ‘¡Chorizo!’
mate ex-President Camps have been in-
in his wake, along with various other in-
volved in plenty of grandiose schemes, like
sults.
the failed Formula One project, and the multi-million euro Castellon airport, where
We can hope, I think, that Spain is in the
no aircraft has ever landed. (Rather like
process of being cleaned up, and these
the one in Ciudad Real)
‘chorizos’ – or corrupt politicians, bankers and businessmen – are gradually be-
Down in Andalucía, Marbella was a hotbed
ing swept away, and not merely under the
of corruption, and ex-Mayor Julian Muñoz
carpet, as has always been the case.
is inside, as is his ex-lawyer, and ex-Pres-
Amazing quantities of cash have been salt-
ident of Sevilla Football Club, José Maria
ed away, often to what are known as ‘Fis-
del Nido, and a few others. Famous fla-
cal Paradises’ (Cayman Island, Andorra,
menco singer Isabel Panjoja looks set to
Jersey, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, etc.)
join them as I write. And all because of
often running into hundreds of millions
granting licences to build on ‘green’ land,
of Euros, and usually derived from public
in exchange for a few (million) shekels. I
money, by these ‘chorizos.’
do hope this lot get to pay it all back. The same has gone on, but worse still,
Luis Barcenas, currently enjoying the
at El Rompido, in Huelva, and on an ob-
doubtless comfortable Spanish equivalent
scure island in a reservoir in Extremadura,
of porridge, was one of the best publicised
where a huge urbanisation, complete with
cases, having been treasurer of the PP,
golf course, has been built – on a nature
and the full extent of his crimes are still
reserve!
being uncovered, as more and more mil-
I have only mentioned a few of the many,
lions come to light, thanks to the young
many cases ongoing, but slowly, slowly,
Judge Ruz, who is also investigating the
they do seem to be getting cleared up.
case of Catalan ex-President Jordi Puyol.
Next time you eat chorizo, try not to get
He and his clan stashed away hundreds of
indigestion.
millions in Andorra and Switzerland after
10
Eating well.... with
Winners
Cooking with Gordon
2012
Restaurants
2013
This is my recipe for a
Food is our passion, service is our pleasure.
Two Different Styles, Same Great Quality & Service
10
Xmas Pudding
Best Newcomer
Best Fine Dining
&
No.
quick and easy Xmas pud.
Quick and easy it may be but you and your friends will love it. make it the day before you want it , or cook and serve..
Well it’s getting close to Christmas now and we hope everyone is getting in to the festive
You will need:
mood. Over the past few weeks we have had
6 egg whites
fashion shows at both the vestry and Frissan
Ingredients
where we held the event in support of The
• 100g / 3.5oz wholemeal breadcrumbs
Samaritans.
• 120ml / 4fl oz Guinness
We are always keen to support groups that do such Stirling work .Again the cooking demonstrations have proved very popular. Talking of popular so many people kept asking for the return of our afternoon teas that decided to hold the first of the season at Frissan. Wow what a full house. We are starting to plan events for next year. We are going to be holding more fashion shows more afternoon teas and new to the schedule
• 2 eggs, beaten • 100ml / 3.5fl oz sunflower oil • 120g / 4oz wholemeal flour • 100g / 3.5oz brown sugar • 50g / 2oz nibbed almonds, or finely chopped almonds • 4 tsp mixed spice
a ladies lunch club, a gourmet lunch, and a medieval themed night. Exciting times for all at The
• 200ml of brandy
Vestry and Frissan.
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
I am following the Xmas theme for this weeks recipie.I am also following my simplicity theme.
• 200g / 7oz raisins • 300g/10.5oz sultanas • 1 lemon, zest only • 1 orange, zest only • 1 tsp salt • 50g / 2oz cooking apple, chopped • 50g / 2oz orange, chopped • In a large mixing bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the stout. • Add the eggs, sunflower oil and sugar and mix until well combined. • Add the remaining ingredients except the chopped apple and orange and stir for 4-5 minutes, or until sticky and well combined. • Add the chopped cooking apple and orange and stir until well combined. • Grease a loaf tin with butter and spoon the Christmas pudding mixture into it. Cover with a double piece of greaseproof paper and a single piece of aluminium foil, cover with a tea towel and tie in place with string •
Place in a tray or pan with water up
half way up the loaf tine cover with foil or a lid and gently boil for 2 hours remember to check and top up the water level periodically
We hope you enjoy
info@vestryrestaurant.com www.vestryrestaurant.com 11
BAYA BAIXA beautifully restored Spanish country home. 250m² with 4 bed, 2 bath on 7,300+m² of land with pool, orchard. Close to beach and airport, more. €360,000. AA6240
EL MORALET luxury 5 bed, 3 bath villa with pool. 2700m² plot with sea and mountain views. Huge kitchen/family room with top end appliances. Much more! €349,000. AA5515
LAS BAYAS lovely 3 bed, 2 bath country house minutes from Elche, beaches and airport. Set among beautifully landscaped gardens with pool, more. €265,000. AA6135
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GRAN ALACANT 3 bed, 2 bath house on popular gated community of Med III with 2 pools, children’s play area, tennis court and private covered allocated parking. €176,500. AA5923
GRAN ALACANT 2 bed, 2 bath house with large garden, air con, security bars, more. Basement offers more living space or bedrooms. Communal pool. €145,000. AA6262
GRAN ALACANT sunny first floor 2 bed apartment in Upper Gran Alacant gated community with communal pool. Garden and terrace. . Stunning views of countryside. €85,000. AA5515
MONTECID spacious 5 bed, 4 bath villa with large pool and bar perfect for entertaining. Move in ready! Fully furnished with security bars, aircon, many extras. €285,000. AA1105
GRAN ALACANT jaw dropping views of the Med from this bright and airy 2 bed, 2 bath house. Guest apartment in basement. Private pool, garage, much more. €395,000. AA6499
EL ALTET country house with pool 15 min walk from the beach. 2 bed plus den, 2 bath, garden, solarium, much more on URBANO land. Plus 3 bed guest house. €685,000. AA6503
GRAN ALACANT walk to the beach! 3 bed, 2 bath house in gated community of Costa Hispania III. Communal pool, gardens, allocated parking, more. €135,000. AA5657
10
Proud sponsors of the Gran Alacant Darts League and friends of ASPETGA
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Hi! My name is Ally. I am a shopaholic, chocaholic. Magazineaholic Spanglish mother. And best of all A LOCAL. I have a little blog (www.allylikes.com) and collaborate with a few online magazines. Now I’ve decided to bring all “that” (whatever it is) to the people in Gran Alacant (and around). I am here to solve all your fashion issues no matter your age or size. I will bring you all the trends, places to shop, advice,EVERYTHING ABOUT FASHION (and maybe some beauty too). So please, feel free to send me all your fashion doubts to ally.crespo@gmail.com. It´s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… Don’t you just love Christmas? I do!! And there is one
from a Bake sale, knitting little Christmas tree decoration jumpers, or just by shopping a great Christmas Jumper!! You can find beautiful Jumpers, with a great price, at www.george.com (they ship to Spain) where 6% of the sales will be donated to Save The Children. Save the children has also joined forces with Wool and the gang and Atterley Road to make THE WORLD BETTER WITH A SWEATER and will be doing a Secret Christmas Jumper Sale from 3rd to 10th December. For £99 (every penny goes to help children) you can buy one of the great unique limited edition Knits designed by some of the bests designers in the UK like Jonathan Saunders, Mary Katrantzou, Lulu Guinness, Mother of Pearl and
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thing I totally love about this time of the year. THE CHRISTMAS JUMPER!! And 12 DECEMBER it’s officially Christmas Jumper Day! So I hope I see you looking great in one of them. You can also help Save the Children on this special date to raise some money. You can do this by donating, raising money
Haizhen Wang, to name a few, and some students from London College of fashion. But you won’t know who designed your sweater until you get the parcel at home. Exciting, Right!? You will be looking
great and also helping children. Isn’t it just a great combination!!?? MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
13
Estate Agents Victoria Anyone who wishes to be informed
some 30 years ago, offers its
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FEEL AT HOME Inmobiliaria Victoria Avda. Escandinavia, 72 C.C. Altomar II L.10 03130 Gran Alacant · Santa Pola Tlf. 966697779 · 966698180 Fax 966697378 sp@victoria.es
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DISCOUNT DEPOT
The community store FOR EXPATS!
K brands!
Well known U
The Discount Depot opened in Quesada in October 2012 providing a valuable service to the expat community. Luis Gonzalez Furlong, the owner of Discount Depot, is half Irish and half Spanish and has lived in Spain for many years (he is also a well known Irish amateur boxing coach) and he opened the ‘big blue shop’ because he wanted to help the local community buy products that they were familiar with thereby helping them to settle down quicker in Spain. As Luis is a family man he knows only too well how hard it is to make ends meet in the current financial climate and just how hard it is to get things in Spain especially if you have a family. That’s why our products range from cleaning products dog foods and treats, personal hygiene, greeting and Christmas cards, car products and essential English and Irish produce – all under one roof. Discount Depot provides a friendly, competitive and reliable service and Berni, who has been working there since February 2014, is always on hand to help you find what you are looking for. You are always greeted with a smile and the atmosphere is friendly, warm and honest and if you
can’t find what you’re looking for then Berni will do her very best to order it in for you. Our customers want to buy products, especially cleaning, hair and beauty prod-
FOOD - CLEANING - PETS ETC COMPETITIVE PRICES!
ucts with clear, easy to read, instructions in English so they know that they are doing and how to use the products. Within Discount Depot premises is a new
SEASONAL GOODS
shop ‘Mist’ owned and run by Christine Worthy
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in
handmade
bridal accessories, fashion jewellery and clothes repairs and alterations. Christine
FRIENDLY SERVICE
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Discount Depot provides a valuable service to the local community and beyond with customers coming from as far as the ‘Hondons’ to buy what they need so why not come down and see for yourself what we have in store!.
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Premier Real Estate Agents Fiscal & Financial Services
www.spcspain.com Premier Real Estate Agents E-mail: info@spcspain.com l fiscal@spcspain.com
Fiscal & Financial Services
to Reduced ros www.spcspain.com ,950 Eu
to Reduced ros u 95,000 E
69
E-mail: info@spcspain.com l fiscal@spcspain.com
BRO274 273A Bl JARDIN - SAN DEL LUISMAR VII BRO
130,000 Euros
85.000€ Reduced To 75.000€
33
R os EuTor89.000€ 50 Euros 99.950€ 77,000 69,9Reduced
Build 76m 55m22 21 Build
Top Floor Apartment, Inde• Quad Townhouse • Plot 68m pendent Kitchen, • South facing • Indep.Lounge/Diner, Kitchen Balcony, Wardrobes, A/C, • Lounge/diner • Furnished BRO 274 Fitted AShed, l JARDIN DEL MAR VII • Glazed Balcony • Covered patio Grills, Solarium, Security • Solarium • Off road parking Electric Gate, Communal Pool, • Communal Pool Salt Lake Views, Furnished. 2
130,000 Euros 3
toIñes dSAN BRO 246 l URB. LUIS c- eDoña BRO 343 eAdu 33
12 Build Build78m2 76m2
• 2nd Detached Floor Apartment Semi Townhouse, Plot 62M2,kitchen American Kitchen, • American Lounge/Diner, Storage Room, • Lounge/Diner • Furnished BRO 246 A A/C, l URB. SAN LUIS Utility Tiled • A/C •Room, Large balcony •Balcony, Lift Terrace, Covered Patio, Com• Gated community munal Pool, Off Road Parking, • Communal Pool & Solarium Carport, Furnished.
77,000 Euros
2 Build 76m2
3
1 Build 76m2
0034 966 785 279
to OC e 169 dul cLAedREGIA
R Euros 110,000 99,000 Euros 2
1 Build 55m2
• Ground Floor Apartment • Plot 97m2 • Build North Facing• Indep. Kitchen CQ 176OC B 169 - GUARDAMAR l LA REGIA • Lounge/Diner• Part furnished • Utility Room 143,000€ • 5 mins drive to the beach
110,000 Euros 32
54,000 Euros
64.000€ Reduced To 59.000€
2 2
11 Build Build 60m2 55m2
• End ofTownhouse, terrace Bungalow Terraced Sw Facing, Toilet, • South Facing • American Kitchen Independent Kitchen, Lounge/Diner With Fireplace, Storage Cupboard, • Lounge/Diner • Underbuild Fitted Wardrobes, Gallery, • Tiled Terrace • Glazed PatioTiled Terrace, Solarium, Pool, Gated Com• CoveredCommunal Gallery munity, • Part Furnished. Furnished
BRO 267 C l URB. SAN LUIS
54,000 Euros 2
1 Build 55m2
1 1 Build Build88m2 55m2
4th FloorFloor Apartment, • Ground Apartment Toilet, Independent Kitchen,, Lounge / • Plot 97m2 Diner, Utility Room, Ceiling Fans, • Build North Facing• Indep. Kitchen Balcony, Sun Blind, Parquet • Lounge/Diner• Part furnished Flooring, Central Sound System, • Utility Room Part Furnished, Natural Gas, 5 • 5 mins to the beach Mins To drive Beach.
• End of terrace Bungalow • South Facing • American Kitchen • Lounge/Diner • Underbuild • Tiled Terrace • Glazed Patio • Covered Gallery • Part Furnished
R uros ,000 E 119.000 Euros 95125.000€ 23
1 1 Build Build70m2 97m2
Ground Floor Apartment, • Semi detached villa • Plot 74m2Bathroom, 1 Kitchen Shower Room, American • Indep. • Lounge/Diner Kitchen, Lounge Diner, Log • Glazed Patio • Part/Furnished BRO 172 A l LA HERRADA, MONTESINOS Fire, Fitted Wardrobes, Ceiling • Storage • Tiled Terrace Fans, Tiled Terrace, Bbq, Security • Solarium • Off Road Parking Grills, Part Furnished, Five Min• Communal PoolBeach. utes Drive To
119.000 Euros 3
1 Build 97m2
• Semi detached villa • Plot 74m2 • Indep. Kitchen • Lounge/Diner • Glazed Patio • Part Furnished • Storage • Tiled Terrace • Solarium • Off Road Parking • Communal Pool
info@spcspain.com E-mail: spcspain.com fiscal@spcspain.com
• Communal Pool & Solarium
OC 182 A l VILLAMARTIN
CQ 201 l CIUDAD QUESADA
139,000 Euros
79,000 Euros
3
2 Build 110m2
• Semi Detached Villa • Plot 135 m2 • South west facing • Lounge/Diner OC l VILLAMARTIN CQ 205182 B -AURB. LA MARINA • Indep. Kitchen• Furnished • A/C• Balcony• Solarium • Private Pool
95.000€ 139,000 Euros 3 3
Build110m 82m22 22 Build
End Terraced Townhouse Lounge • Semi Detached Villa • Plot 135 m2 /•Diner, American Kitchen, Fitted South west facing Wardrobes. • Lounge/Diner A/C Tiled Terrace, Garden, Solarium, Communal • Indep. Kitchen• Furnished Pool, Satellite Dish, Security • A/C• Off Balcony• Solarium Grills, Road Parking, Part Fur• Private Pool nished, Ten Mins Drive To Beach.
2
1 Build 60m2
• Buenavista • Ground Floor Apartment • Lounge/diner• American Kitchen Balcony• Furnished • Ceiling Fans OC•CQ 233 PUEBLO PRINCIPE 201- l URB. CIUDAD QUESADA • Fitted Wardrobes • A/C • Tiled Terrace • Communal Pool
59,000€ 79,000 Euros 12
1 1 Build Build45m2 60m2
Terraced Bungalow, Open Plan • Buenavista • Ground Floor Apartment Lounge/Diner/Kitchen, Fitted • Lounge/diner• American Kitchen Wardrobes, Front •And Rear • Balcony• Furnished Ceiling FansTerHead Office race, Solarium, • Fitted Wardrobes •Part A/C Furnished, Sales & Fiscal Departments • TiledTo Terrace Close Golf And Amenities. • Communal Pool
Centro Comercial La Siesta C/ Bizet, local 9 • Torrevieja Tel: 0034 966 785 907 0034 966 785 279
Head Office Sales & Fiscal Departments You`ll find us in local newspapers and magazines, in bars, cafes and in restaurants. You`ll find us on twitter, you`ll find us 30 feet wide by the side of the road, on taxis, on lorries and you will even find us on youtube. That`s what makes us different and that`s why the team at spc international will sell your house better and faster than any other local estate agent. Russell Ford, Sales Director
16
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• 2nd Floor Apartment to • American kitchen Reduced ros • Lounge/Diner • Furnished u E 0 • A/C • Large balcony • Lift 99,000034 966 785 907 • Gated community
• Quad Townhouse • Plot 68m • South facing • Indep. Kitchen • Lounge/diner • Furnished • Glazed Balcony • Covered patio • Solarium • Off road parking • Communal Pool 2
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BRO 270 267 A C l -URB. SAN LUIS BRO EL CHAPARRAL
Centro Comercial La Siesta C/ Bizet, local 9 • Torrevieja Tel: 0034 966 785 907 0034 966 785 279
12
o CQ 156 ed tPEPA edAul cDOÑA R Euros 130,000 124,950 Euros 3
2 Build 73m2
• Ciudad Quesada • Terraced Townhouse • Indep. Kitchen• Lounge/Diner • Covered Porch• Patio OC156 253A -Glazed MARRear AZUL CQ l DOÑA PEPA • Front & Rear Gardens • BBQ • Storage • Communal Pool
99,000€ 130,000 Euros 23
Build -m2 2 1 2 Build 73m
Top FloorQuesada Apartment, • Ciudad • TerracedSouth Townhouse Facing, Fitted Wardrobes, Shower • Indep. Kitchen• Lounge/Diner Room, Lounge / Diner With Punta Prima • Covered Porch• Glazed RearKitchen, Patio Fireplace Independent C/ Dorada, Orihuela Costa • Front &Fans, Rear 27, Gardens Ceiling Communal Pool And Solarium, Security Grills, Gated • BBQ • Storage Tel: 0034 966 821 072 Community, Partly Furnished, • Communal Pool Short Walk To The Office Coast. Ciudad Quesada
Centro Comercial La Marquesa, Local 6B, Calle Quesada Ballester Tel: 0034 966 111 511 Punta Prima C/ Dorada, 27, Orihuela Costa Tel: 0034 966 821 072
Ciudad Quesada Office Relocating to bigger premises: Centro Comercial La Marquesa, c/ mediterreaneo 16 Ballester Local 6B, Calle Quesada 03140 Guardamar Tel: 0034 966 111 511de segura
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18
Advertising hotline! 606 540 408 - TAKE UP OUR OFFER!
COMING SOON TO
GRAN ALACANT!
l a n o i t i d a Tr
In asso ciation with: Cork n Bottle The Ho & le in th e Wall
Carvery
at The Belfry Restaurant - Plaza Mayor (MASA Square)
MIDWEEK Menus of the Day
STAFF REQUIRED: For all departments - Please leave a C.V. or your application at either the Cork n Bottle Bar or at The Hole in the Wall Bar with a contact number. Interviews will be held Mon 1st- Wed 3rd September
ONLY THE BEST QUALITY ONLY FRESH PRODUCE only at:
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19
Your
LETTERS DOG PARK
in the park or on a beach then habits
are not followed and we are aware of the
would soon change.
proper use and enjoyment of the designated area. For this reason we intend to
I read the article on designated dog beaches with interest in your November issue.
Responsible dog owners would have no
take good care of both the beach and the
objection because they clear up anyway.
future Gran Alacant Dog Park.
We visit Spain every winter and have
and at the same time allow more free-
ASPETGA plans to organize cleanup
dom of where to take much loved family
days at the beach and in the park where
pets.
teams of volunteers will participate in the
been dismayed when staying on the Costa Blanca just how ‘anti-dog’ the authorities seem to be. Yet, it is clear when going for a walk through residential areas
It would target the irresponsible owners
collection of garbage, excrement, etc. At JACQUELINE LAWRENCE
tunity to inform the public of the im-
that many taxpaying homeowners have dogs, not least because of the amount of doggie ‘deposits’ littering the streets. We have 4 dogs and when we exercise them, we always take bags and clear up after them so no mess is left in public areas. We worm and deflea our dogs regularly and keep their vaccinations up to date to make sure that they are healthy
the same time, we will take the opporportance of caring for our shared public
Hi, Jacquelin.
spaces as well as other future initiatives
Thanks so much for your comments on dog friendly beaches
that the association will launch. We hope for the sake of our animals, our
Despite having a law on the books re-
town, our environment and our future to
garding the collection of dog excrement,
bring about a real change in public opin-
pet owners in Spain do not comply at
ion and how we use public spaces and to
the same levels as in other European
achieve great things in our community.
and do not pose any risk to anyone.
countries. The Pet Owners Association of Santa Pola and Gran Alacant (ASPETGA)
For more information on ASPETGA and
On our regular daily walks, we regular-
is working to raise awareness and to em-
how you can help, please visit www.face-
phasize the need to abide by and comply
book.com/aspetga orwww.aspetga.es
ly see dog-owners who do not clear up after their pets so this may well be the basis of the ‘no dogs on beaches’ policy. The authorities are keen to maintain Blue Flag status for bathing beaches and qualification depends on meeting certain standards. One of these standards is faecal content of the water. When dog owners do not clear up after their pets but leave deposits on the beach to be washed away in the sea, this undermines efforts to reach those standards. Hardly surprising then that the authorities don’t
with this law, as well as a change in attitudes on the part of the owners. There
Regards,
is a system of fines for violating the dog
Olatz Mensua
poo law and for bringing dogs to the
Presidents of the Pet Owners Association
beach (which is currently illegal.) While
of Santa Pola and Gran Alacant
increasing the fines is something that could be considered but ASPETGA feels the problem is really one of enforcement. People ignore the law because they don’t get cited. This is the big challenge -- to
BA COMPLAINT
change people’s attitudes and behaviour.
Our return flight from Alicante to London Gatwick was due to depart at 1325 on the above mentioned date.
However ASPETGA believes that if we
allow dogs.
keep working to raise awareness, con-
How do we tackle this and at the same
to get there.
sistent and committed, we will manage
time allow more dog-friendly beaches? I suggest that the best way is to designate certain beaches as dog-friendly or zone longer beaches with dog-friendly sections. At the same time, introduce a policy of fining dog owners who do not clean up after their pets wherever they mess in public. If dog owners faced a 500 Euro fine if they did not clear up after their pet when it defecated in the street,
20
Airlines...
But, unfortunately, due to a crack in the ASPETGA has successfully worked with
windscreen of the aircraft, the flight had
the City of Santa Pola to have a beach
to be cancelled. There was a distinct lack
area designated for dogs. The rules will
of presence of BA staff and a state of
be clearly posted and enforced. Anyone
disgruntlement (to say the least) among
living on the Costa Blanca will tell you
confused passengers at the airport who
that the sea is our greatest treasure and
hadn´t a clue what was going on due to
we have to take care of it. The Council
lack of communication on British Air-
has given the residents of Santa Pola and
ways´ part. We waited for hours for
Gran Alacant an incredible opportunity.
information that never came. It was only
One that can be taken away if the laws
word of mouth and gossip between pas-
Advertising hotline! 606 540 408 - TAKE UP OUR OFFER!
and more... sengers. Communication with custom-
to 3 or 4 times the NORMAL cost?????
ers is THE most important thing. May
I resisted, and bought in Gran Playa, but life took me around La Marina for
I suggest that you send your staff for
I am sure you must be perfectly aware
various reasons in subsequent years,
retraining in this area?
that it is during holiday periods that
as it developed. I made friends there,
most people living here want to travel to
found clients there when I climbed into
We were told the check in time for
and from Spain or for loved ones to visit
the insurance world, played snooker at
our cases would be 1930 but due to a
them.
It is now becoming more and
the Hillside Club, and still find a pleasant
technical fault, they were not checked in
more difficult to do this with the very
welcome when I exchange paperbacks at
until 1950. BA´s computers were down,
high PRICE INCREASES during those
the Britannia Book Exchange.
although everybody else´s seemed ok?
times.
My 88 year old mother was travelling
My wife, (who is – very – Spanish) and
with my partner and I and she was very
I would very much appreciate an
I frequently visit the Sunday market,
grateful for the assistance of a wheel-
explanation/answer to this query and
which is far from overcrowded, doesn’t
chair. We were each given 34 Euros
look forward to a reply at your earliest
have the usual tendency to repeat the
in food vouchers while we waited for a
convenience.
same stall twenty times, and you can
flight to be diverted from Madrid to fly to Heathrow (BA463A).
park easily. It also has an excellent fruit Kind regards from a loyal flyer Pam King
and veg stall, and a good paperback book stall, as well as one my wife likes,
After being delayed at Alicante airport
which sells English bedding. Long may it
for TEN long hours with a very tired,
thrive!
elderly lady, we finally landed at London
La Marina is nicely situated close to
Heathrow at 0100 on October 25th. As
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2014 9:44
some first class nature reserves, where
a result of this, we missed our lift home
AM
some of Europe’s rarest species may be
and had to pay 76 pounds for a taxi.
To: Pam King
found.
We certainly shall not be booking an-
Subject: Monarch Airlines Post Flight
other flight with British Airways. I will expect a reply by the end of the week.
In recent years I believe it has become Thank you for your e mail.
less ‘Little England’ and more international – to judge from the languages one
Kelly McLachlan Please be assured that we will respond
hears at the market, and its streets are
No news back from BA at the time of
to your enquiry as soon as possible. In
generally clean and well-kept.
going to press...
some cases we may need more time in
As to the odd prostitute who attends the
order to fully investigate your comments
approach roads, I think those poor girls
so we can provide a detailed response to
deserve our sympathy and understand-
Monarch Complaint
the points that have been raised.
ing. It has to be a lousy life, putting
Dear all at Monarch,
Kind regards
few Euros, most of which find their way
Monarch Customer Relations Team
into the pocket of a ruthless pimp.
(We’ve not heard any ore here either...)
There, I’ve said my bit. I don’t live any-
yourself in the hands of strangers for a
I am an English pensioner living in Spain and when ´funds allow´ I use your airline, as a preference, to visit my friends and family.
where near La Marina, but I could name
AN ‘OLD HAND’S’ TAKE ON LA MARINA
In the past I have always been delighted with your service, prices and above all your low cost policy on hold luggage! However, one question is foremost on my mind.
WHY OH WHY when it comes
to School or Public Holiday times do you have to increase the price of fares by up
much, much worse places. Anybody fancy Sheerness? Or Calais? Malcolm Palmer
When I bought my house in Santa Pola, I was sorely tempted to buy instead in the newly-built urbanisation of La Marina. In fact, it wasn’t yet built – only half-built, and pretty bleak, but very cheap!
21
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22
MANDY’S
A SPANISH XMAS FOR THE KIDS THIS YEAR?
Spanish Diary by Mandy Tams Teenage Technology Tourettes
slung it on the towel after shaking it vigor-
This is not meant to denigrate those who
ously for a few minutes and then followed
are afflicted by this condition.
a spate of ^*^&(^^%%_*&^ language.
It’s true, today’s over 60’s are yesterdays
His friend then picked his own phone up
over 40’s, but I believe this is the same
immediately dropping it as though it were
with our younger generation too. Today’s
alive and smashed the screen on the
26’s are yesterdays 16’s and why not hang
tiles. Another laugh and dramatic ges-
on to your youth say I… BUT
tures of hands over mouth suppressing giggles beforethrowing it back down and
I see all the new technology that is brought
))*^&^%%$$ more language. Obviously
on holidays these days and yes I am guilty
they have rich daddies or good insurers.
also, with smart phone, lap top, tablet, any piece of modern tech stuff is crammed
There’s me with my Catherine Cookson
into pockets, handbags and suitcases.
paperback wrapped in a plastic back and
Bearing in mind some of these things cost
towel when not being read.
more than my car did 30 years ago and it was nearly new…
Next… a young man throws his phone from
Sitting round the pool enjoying a dip with
the balcony of the strip to a girl under-
a group of Spanish youngsters one proudly
neath so she could photograph him and his
displaying the latest water resistant smart
friends descending the stairway in style….
phone. Lots of Spanish ooh’s and arr’s
Drunk. He ought to have checked she
floated across the surface as comparisons
could catch first because she couldn’t.
were made and yes, I can translate Spanish to English quick translation … ooh and
Now I am like a sad stalker and I spy out
arr…
people with their modern technology, jeal-
Protona walks sad and worried, will she have a hair dropped?, will she have chickpeas for lunch? No, something worse has happened? Her cat Serafin ... has disappeared !! Will the alien have abducted him? Will a group of sharks have eaten it? She is lucky that superdetective Mari Luz Bombilla there to help her. They will both follow the footprints, discover the clues and look for suspects and rebuild the facts that will lead them to solve the puzzling case. A story born from the tale "El gato en el arbol" (The Cat in the tree) by Félix Albo, who inspired the detective-like imagination of these two brave clowns Perfect for a family audience Duration: 50 min approx. Location: Casa de Cultura del Ayuntamiento - El Campello. Friday, December 26, at 18:00. Donation € 4 for Primary School Project Waldorf Alicante. There will Row 0, for those who want to collaborate with the project and can not attend the event. Purchase Tickets on http://www.instanticket.es.
NAVIDAD PARA LOS PEQUES! “Protona anda triste y preocupada, ¿se le ha caído un pelo?, ¿tendrá garbanzos para comer? No, ha ocurrido algo mucho peor: su gato Serafín…. ¡¡ha desaparecido!! ¿Lo habrán abducido los extraterrestres?¿Se lo habrán comido una banda de tiburones? Suerte que la superdetective Mari Luz Bombilla está ahí para ayudarla. Juntas seguirán huellas, descubrirán pistas, buscarán sospechosos y reconstruirán los hechos que les llevarán a resolver el enigmático caso. Una historia nacida del cuento “El gato en el árbol”, de Félix Albo, que disparó la imaginación detectivesca de estas dos intrépidas payasas.”
Público familiar Duración: 50 min aprox. Lugar: Casa de Cultura del Ayuntamiento de El Campello. Viernes 26 de Diciembre, a las 18:00 horas. Donativo 4 € para el Proyecto Primaria de la Escuela Waldorf Alicante. Habrá Fila 0, para aquellos que quieran colaborar con el Proyecto y no puedan asistir al Evento. Compra de Entradas en http://www.instanticket.es.
ous of their lackadaisical ways and I am The owner of this little beauty wanted a
amazed at how many tourette type mus-
picture of his friends in the pool. Huddling
cular spasms that people have while han-
together hugging each other, shouting (as
dling these expensive toys. It’s as though
they cannot whisper) the Spanish equiva-
the little blighters have come to life and
lent of cheese, which I believe is Pa-ta-ta,
are trying to escape. Laptops slide off
but I am open to corrections.
knees and Electronic books are trodden on by sleepy sunbathers on rising from their
The young man aged anywhere between
loungers, but phones leap out of hands
20 and 26 stepped into the water holding
like bars of wet soap in the shower, is it
his phone over his head so as not to splash
the sun oil I ask myself, intrigued.
it… surprised to see such care, I watched as they lined up and on the count ofuno,
I challenge you to look at any under thirty
dos, tres, they all dipped under the water…
year old on a phone or tablet or whatever,
as did the intrepid photographer.
and see if the screen is broken, I can almost guarantee it will be or they have just
Not happy with his picture they did it again
changed it because it was. The old one
and again until satisfied, but on leaving the
now being used to keep a two-year old
pool he was none to happy to see water be-
child happy either cutting teeth on it, or
hind the screen. Now like any teenage boy
planning to take over the world…
who’s dad buys these things for him, for some reason he looked surprised showing his friends who all laughed with him as he
23
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55€ 55€
all BORED? all BORED? all BORED? all BOR
A BIG PAGE of
PUZZLE FUN!!
riddles
1. If boiling water is poured into a thick drinking glass as well as a very thin wine glass, of the two, which is more likely to crack? 2. Imagine John, a party magician, is carrying three pieces of gold each piece weighing one kilogram. While taking a walk he comes to a bridge which has a sign posted saying the bridge could hold only a maximum of 80 kilograms. John weighs 78 kilograms and the gold weighs three kilograms. John reads the sign and still safely crossed the bridge with all the gold. How did he manage this?
Across
Down
Across
Across
Down
Across
1. Eager involvement (10) 8. Stream of water (5) 9. Take as one’s own (5) 10. Ball game (4) 12. Guard (6) 14. Language communication (6) 17. Fruit (4) 21. In addition (5) 22. Boundary (5) 23. Executives (10)
3. Alice is walking throught the forest of forgetfulness. She wants to know what day of the week it is. She stops and asks a lion and a unicorn. Now the lion lies all of the time on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The unicorn always lies on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Alice asks the lion what day it is, he says, “Well, yesterday was one of my lying days.” Alice can’t figure it out just from the lion’s answer so she asks the unicorn and the unicorn says, “Yesterday was also one of my lying days.” What day is it?
1.The thick glass is more likely to crack since glass is a poor conductor of heat. In a thin glass, the heat passes more quickly from the glass into the surrounding air, causing the glass to expand equally. When hot water is poured into a thick glass, the inner surface expands, but the outer surface does not. It is this extreme stress on the glass that causes it to crack. . 2. John is a juggler. When he came to the bridge he juggled the gold, always keeping one piece in the air. . 3.Thursday. SOLUTIONS:
It's a toughy!
6. Lubricant (6) 7. Harvest (4) 8. Device for securing (4) 9. Washroom (6) 10. Apparel (5) 12. Unearthly (5) 15. Seat occupied by a sovereign (6) 17. The day of the month (4) 18. Exclamations of surprise (4) 19. Not tough (6)
2. Pertaining to warships (5) 3. Solid (4) 4. Apportion (5) 5. Concerning (5) 6. Friendly (5) 7. Boast (4) 11. Enemy (3) 13. Doze (3) 14. Water vapour (5) 15. Consumed (5) 16. Loud, resonant sound (5) 18. Yellowish citrus fruit (5) 19. Mongrel dog (4) 20. Shut with force (4)
1. Defence covering (6) 2. Large bag (4) 3. Thaws (5) 4. Reach destination (6) 5. Concern (4) 11. One’s husband or wife (6) 13. Full of ruts (6) 14. Molars (5) 16. Pile (4) 17. Sand hill (4)
It's EASY!
1. Abandoned town (5,4) 8. Electromagnetic telecommunication (5) 9. Flat surface (5) 10. Female parent (6) 12. Portable shelter (4) 14. One of the Channel Islands (4) 15. Subject to death (6) 17. Sound (5) 18. Storage centre (5) 20. Soon (9)
1. Glum (5) 3. Allow to enter (5) 6. At that time (4) 7. Tin alloy (6) 9. Russian liquor (5) 10. One of two equal parts (4) 11. Plaything (3) 13. Swift (4) 15. Shatter (5) 18. One of the 12 apostles (6) 19. Earth (4) 20. Abode of the dead (5) 21. Metallic compound (5)
Down
2. Did possess (3) 3. Oral (6) 4. Outstanding (4) 5. Most feeble (7) 6. Likely to turn out well (9) 7. Provide with fresh air (9) 11. Small dog (7) 13. Made of wood (6) 16. Chief god of ancient Greece (4) 19. Comrade (3)
Down
1. Incentive (6) 2. Beg (5) 3. Purple quartz (8) 4. Hotel for motorists (5) 5. Ripped (4) 8. Bed (8) 12. Entirely (6) 14. Assisted (5) 16. Coral island (5) 17. Deep wound (4)
Letters: used: DEVOURING
25
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Advertising hotline! 606 540 408 - TAKE UP OUR OFFER!
Computer
help & advice with
Language Matters We No Speak Americano
Are you having a tough time perhaps dealing with a Spanish copy of Windows, or maybe you have a British keyboard that is outputting strangely (such as US-English layout)? You may be pleased to know that depending on which Operating System you have, changing the languages preferences may be more painless than you’d expect.
Windows 8 & 8.1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Open the Charms bar in Windows 8 by moving your cursor to the bottom right. Click on "Settings." Select "Language" from the Control Panel. Click "Add a language" in the next screen. Select a language from the list that shows up, such as "English". Open the new language option when it appears in the Language screen. Click "Download and install language pack." After it finishes, click "Make language primary." At this point your language should be changed, you may have to log-off and re-login or restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Windows 7 & Vista Languages in these Operating Systems became a much more complex affair between Windows XP & Windows 8. If you have Windows 7/Vista, chances are high you will be running either the “Home Basic” or “Home Premium” editions – In this case you are typically restricted to use one language at a time & does not provide support for on-the-fly language switching unlike Windows XP/8. If you need to add languages in a hurry you could opt to purchase a “Windows Anytime Upgrade” (available in the start menu) to the “Ultimate” edition, which will provide you with language packages installable via Windows Update. If you have a different edition or are unsure how to follow the above procedure I recommend getting in touch with us at Sol Computers for advice more tailored to your specific needs.
Windows XP Changing the language on a Windows XP based computer is usually a straightforward process: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Go from the Start menu -> to Control Panel. Inside Control Panel open “Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options (or alternately just Regional Options on Classic Control Panel). Go to the Language tab and select the “Details” button under “Text services and input languages”. Click “Add” to add the input language(s) of your choice and click OK. Now, the drop-down list under “Default input language” shows the additional languages that you have added. Select the language to be used during the start-up of the system, then press OK. Your languages have been added!
If you would like further information about how to change languages please contact us at: info@solcomputers.es or visit our website: http://www.sol-computers.es . Correction to last months article: 1 40
Terabyte (TB) is 1,099,511,627,776 (240) bytes should be 1 Terabyte (TB) is 1,099,511,627,776 (2 ) bytes.
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Advertising hotline! 606 540 408 - TAKE UP OUR OFFER!
“Si!” “Hola!”
Be different! n r a e L
the ! . . o g lin rits!
Custom made jewellery & accessories
Mist
Handmade bridal accessories and costume jewellery
One visit to Mist handmade bridal accessories and cos-
tume jewellery in Calle Los Arcos in Ciudad Quesada and you will be hooked ladies! Costume jewellery and hand-
made bridal tiaras and accessories are just a fraction of what
say B
you will find there and there is something to suit every budget.
Designers of bridal tiaras & accessories
With a vast range of accessories ranging from crystal bodices to earrings to feather fascinators there is plenty to choose from, or, if you prefer jewellery and accessories can be custom made to your requirements to match the occasion or perhaps as a gift.
Having worked for over twenty years in the industry Christine is full of advice, tips
Custom made costume jewellery
and of course the standard of her work is second to none using the finest qual-
Get legal advice and page or @BritsliveSpain Twitter ity crystals including Preciosa and Cubic Zirconia and cultured pearls to provide channel for more useful and upcustomers what they want. They also have a stock of nickel-free costume learn with thejustlanguage! to-date tips and advice. jewellery including a wide range from Swarovski crystal elements. say Brits at Iceland Communion and little maids’ dresses are also made and Christine also ofPart of to a order programme of events fers an alteration service for anything from take in upsbranches to wedding of dresses. held the Iceland
Getting clear legal advice and
Supermarket across the region, As I said some before basic Christine can provide is needed for that special day or learning Spanish werewhatever it was an opportunity for customthat one-off gift and at a price that will suit your pocket by discussing exactly what the top tips from British shoppers ers who might not normally come you need in a relaxed chat before she begins work on providing you with that
in Iceland stores in Spain when
into contact unique piece that will set you apart from everyone else! with the British Con-
asked by the British Consulate.
sulate to share their knowledge
Open from 12-5pm Monday and from 10am-5pm Tuesday to of Friday is in on and experience life Christine in Spain
hand to givewhen you advice and “what ideas foriswhatever you may require and you can also Other tips asked order to help other British nation-
20 years experience Finest quality crystals Feather fascinators (Dyed to match your attire)
Crystal Bodices
contact Christine an appointment if that would suit your schedule better. your advice forto make someone mov- als thinking of making the move.
ing to Spain?” included “do your
Call in and see Christine at her shop for a no obligation chat and experience the
homework” and “try renting be-
Vice Consul Liz and Bellaccessories who attended friendly and helpful service that is Mist handmade jewellery and
fore buy.” find you yourself something a little different from high street! thethe Torrevieja store said: “It was A team from the British Consulate and overseas healthcare team spoke to more than 100 Brits at three Iceland stores on the Costa Blanca this month. As well as asking shoppers questions about their life in Spain, the team also gave advice on a range of issues, from access to healthcare to how to register as a resident. The Consulate encouraged the Brits they spoke to, to plan for the future and to follow them on their “Brits living in Spain” Facebook
great to meet so many people and hear from them what helps make life a success in Spain.
Alteration Service Nickel-free Costume Jewellery
I was really encouraged to see that the top tips were around being properly registered as residents here in Spain, getting on the
padrón
and
making
sure
healthcare is sorted. Iceland Overseas Supermarkets have been really supportive of our programme and our thanks go to them for enabling us to work within their stores hear what their customers have to say”.
Quality products:
SWAROVSKI, PRECIOSA, CUBIC ZIRCONIA, CULTURED PEARLS
Call in for a no-obligation chat! Calle Los Arcos 9 (Above the Discount Depot) CIUDAD QUESADA
Mon 12-5pm Tues-Fri 10am-5pm (Or by appointment)
Tel. 966 782 785 & 636 246 045
29
Abrimos todos los dias a partir de 18.ooh & los Sabados y Domingos tambien a medio dia We are open every day from 6.00pm and from 12.00pm at weekends
@pizzeriacocoa /pizzeriacocoa
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SHOWROOM: C/Gaspasr Quiles Pascual, 24, ELCHE ELCHE
Tel. 30
965 43 23 50 ALL ABROAD! - all our own ideas.
TEL. 606 540 408
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