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for the locals...by the locals..!
Centro Rural De Algorfa From the Sunday Zoco Market on the way to La Finca, Algorfa, is where you will find the reformed old railway building, which is now open as a Rural Centro with a Bar and Cafeteria. A totally unique building, steeped in history and a relaxing place to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by in tranquil surroundings.
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Weir(y) but thanks.
www.allabroad.es
Well we did it. On the 16th of December
‘mini-hell’ showing us how he trained.
Mitch and I hit the chilly water again at
Eda who gave us those much needed
Algorfa and completed our journey via
massages after the challenge and Russ
the Rio Segura to Guardamar.
Pearce
from
reaakk!! bre TTaakkee aa b with
www.anythingbutpaella.
com who took the magnificent cover Along the way we had some fun, Mitch
photo and also warned us of hazards on
got wet after getting stuck and going
the day.
down the Rojales weir sideways. With
Jilly’s Bar and the Tropicana for seeing us
higher water levels than our previous
off from Algorfa and The Vestry team for
trip the rapids and the weirs were all
waiting for us on the 28th. Not forgetting
that bit bigger and faster and it was bril-
Monty’s Bar who came along and met us
liant fun. Not so much fun when we had
at a good few stops.
to carry the two kayaks (approx. 65kg each) over a kilometre where there was
Our thanks also go to Mary and the gang
just no water. But that’s what the chal-
at Oceans Bar in GA and of course our
lenge was all about. We’re still suffering
friends at La Piedra for all their support
(send sympathy donations to me…) but
and fund raising. Paul who came along
we have some great memories of the
on the day too and posted the shakiest
day.
video ever of Mitch getting a soaking (he
But enough about us, we got there with
was laughing too much!) Rai Woods for
the help of a fantastic team and gener-
the generous lend of some useful kit –
ous supporters and sponsors from Leon
and especially for giving us the flares to
Bacchus who supplied the stickers to
let off at the end! We got told off but boy
the Howells family who dropped off and
was it worth it!
picked up the kayaks both times.
To all the people who were involved in some way we say thank you very much
Our media team of Sandra Piddock and
for helping us raise over 2,000 euros for
Susan Reader really got the message out
the AECC and helping us to highlight the
there and with superb photos by Kristoff
great work of the Samaritans in Spain.
Wright and Shaun Burns on the day. The two girls who kept everyone updated
Four months training and a stone and a
(and us well fed on the day), Raquel and
half gained each and we have to thank
Christel, and Rob our support car driver
Bea Cota who got us into the perfect
who kept us updated on the state of the
condition for what we were attempting
river ahead and found us wherever we
to do and now we can have a burger!
were on the river every time – Mitch and I were very grateful for his info.
Thank you all, it was a great adventure all the way through…
Maureen who was a top fund raiser once
we’ll let you know about the next one…
again and Jason who put us through a
very soon!
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3
EXPLORING NEW WORLDS By Dave Bull
Exploring new worlds means you’re never far from home
wall as it’s also known, to worried parents to assure them we
We tell ourselves we need a break, to get away from it
have arrived safely. Nowadays they know the instant we land
all. An escape. A change of scenery, depending on your
and hook in to the airport’s Wi-Fi network, oh and by the way
particular preference a spot of sand and sun or there are
here’s a couple of selfies of us on arrival!
even those who will enjoy that oxymoron of a vacation, the walking holiday.
I’m not knocking it. I’m the first to tune my device into Match of the Day if I’m away somewhere and technology allows us
But... any type of ‘get-away’ is not really a break is it? Because
to show the sights live to our friends and family back home if
the first time we can get that Wonka’s golden ticket of the
we want to. We no longer have the week back home after the
day – a Wi-Fi connection we are back to where we were before
holiday waiting to collect our snaps from the local developers,
we jumped on the plane and ‘escaped’. You see I realised the
and always, always we’ve chopped the mother-in-law’s head off
other day while in Rome that as soon as I was back in the hotel
in at least one of them. Now we
room and connected to the three W’s I might as well have been sitting back in my house in Spain and not a thousand kilometres
just delete it and ask her to cuddle the tiger again for what
away in one of the world’s great cities.
could be a great memory... But there’s no surprises any more is there when you get back
What happened to those crackly calls back home from the back of beyond, or Corn-
phone
home? Nothing’s changed, no one has anything new to say, we’ve seen what’s happening on our social media or been told via WhatsApp, and the holiday is already yesterday’s news because all our folks have followed our adventure on FaceTweet or some other form of social media. We don’t really get away from anything do we? Sure when we’re abroad, and we’ve turned off data roaming because its about as expensive as hiring James Patterson to write letters home for you, and perhaps climbing a mountain or spending the day on a beach then we are effectively ‘having a break’. But... and we all do it, as soon as we see that magic mushroom telling us we are back to ‘civilisation’ we start that new walk that we all do; head down phone at 60 degrees and a finger scrolling to what you will look at first. No longer does dad have to hope the plane will be on time as he heads to the nearest airport to pick you up. Oh no, nowadays even my dad at eighty years old will use an app on his phone to
4
means... ...you’re never far from home track the whole flight. If he can do that, why are we even bother-
When was the last time you wrote a post card when on holiday?
ing to worry about the authorities being allowed to track our on-
What’s the point really as your InstaBook photos will be there way
line activities; they can do that whenever they want. My dad will
before them, and for free, and you haven’t got to sit and write the
help
same message several times to the allocated recipients of your
them
set up the App.
chosen photo of Torquay. But...we no longer have to carry around a map (one that was never designed to be
What about those often humorous times fumbling your way through back streets trying to work out where you are. Not long
refolded) or a guide book, we can just use
ago I ended up in a street in Barcelona lined either side by wom-
Trip Advisor to see where the best places
en (I think they all were; either by birth or by surgeon) offering
to eat, drink and be entertained are and at
their services which (as my Spanish at the time was poor) sound-
what coordinates. Does that take away the
ed neither honourable, legal or often even possible... but with a
‘adventure’ side of going on holiday? Of finding out for yourself what a place is like without having
SatNav in our pocket we can miss all that (other experiences are possible).
read all the reviews somewhere online? Or where that famous back street eaterie is? Now we lock
on like an Exocet missile and
home in with pinpoint
accuracy knowing,
because Trip Advisor has told us,
that the own-
er is called Francisco and how long exactly
he
has had the bar. Handily, because you’ve checked,
The Selfie Stick is an interesting phenomenon. Where people take pics of themselves, usually pulling a face or kissing their partner, at some point of interest and then send it off to whoever they think will be interested. My recent trip to Rome showed just how popular it is with Japanese tourists lined up with the Coliseum behind them and what looked like a mobile phone paparazzi held
they speak English there too. Not quite exploring new ter-
out in front of them.
ritories for yourself is it though? The
beauty
No stumbling through sentences learnt rapidly on the plane with
and sheer
your Collin’s Phrase Book which always had on the first page the
impressiveness of
essential questions like, ‘Where can I buy a stamp?’ or ‘Excuse
the ancient colossus surely
me sir, but my mother-in-law is in need of an ambulance’ when
only enhanced by two goofy
clearly shouting and pointing would get the message over far
smiles dominating the image in
more quickly for the latter. These days we can speak into our
the foreground.
translator and show the recipient our Google Translator results,
Everyone is different of course and whether
we
which is usually fine unless you make the putting-an-A-on-the-
use modern technology to ‘enhance’ our break is liter-
ally in
end-‘Chicken’ error with Spanish.
the hands of the beholder... We can even use it to pay the bill in the restaurant, check in at the airport, order a cab or theatre tickets or even book that paragliding trip for the motherin-law. We can keep all our contacts in one handy place and call up any information that we desire to help us enjoy our break. It’s all there in one small package in our pocket. But we’re buggered if we lose it No mother in laws were harmed in the writing of this piece. ;).
5
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6
Sandra in Spain www.sandrainspain.com
Around Algor fa
nnings! New year, new begi
It’s a brand new, shiny year that’s hardly been touched, and maybe you want to make a new start of some description? Well, Algorfa is the place to do it, whether you want to make new friends, learn new skills, or find a new you in terms of fitness, weight loss or anything else. Whatever changes you want to make in 2016, the lovely people of Algorfa will be only too pleased to help. Making new friends Algorfa is a very friendly place, both online and offline. There are several Algorfa- based chat groups on Facebook, including We Love Algorfa and What’s On in Algorfa. You can find out about what’s happening in the village, chat to people, meet up privately or attend one of the get togethers that are arranged periodically. There’s also a great website – Algorfa.co.uk – run by John and Jennifer Massey which has a very friendly forum. If face-to-face meeting is more your thing, Algorfa has two well established social groups you can go to. The Algorfa Ladies Group meets at Bar La Vista, La Finca, on the first Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm for a chat and optional lunch. There are no subscriptions, and it’s up to you how much – or how little – you spend. The ladies also go to a local restaurant for lunch on the third Wednesday of each month, and there are various events and outings through the year.
The Lo Crispin Residents Cultural Association was set up in 2010 to raise money for the urbanisation and local charities. Membership is open to any residents of Algorfa, and the group meets informally at the Tavern Bar, Lo Crispin each Friday from 12.30 – 2.00 pm. The group also organises coach trips, weekends away and various social events, including the renowned summer fete and carol concert. For the first time in 2015, the carol concert was followed by a Christmas party, where over 100 locals enjoyed a hot buffet, party games and live entertainment. New members are always welcome – Tony and I had a great night at the carol concert and party, so check the group out soon. Both the Algorfa Ladies Group and the Lo Crispin Residents Cultural Association have lively Facebook pages – or you can just turn up at one of their meetings. You will be made very welcome. New Year, New You! Maybe you’ve decided this year is when you definitely lose those extra few pounds and get fit? Well, Algorfa can help with that too. Head for the Zumba classes at the Centro Rural de Algorfa every Friday from 10.00 – 11.00 am. It’s zumba with a difference, because you’ll strut yourself on the terrace, with stunning views over the campo. Then the ladies get together for a drink and a chat, so again it’s a very social occasion, as well as being good for you. And from mid January, there will be Pilates on a Monday too. Sasha Lee runs Fit N Fun at the Algorfa Hotel, Montemar, every Tuesday and Thurs-
day morning from 10 – 11.00 am. It’s a bit of a fitness mixed bag, which Sasha calls ‘Aerobafit,’ and it’s suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, so why not give it a go? Check out the Centro Rural de Algorfa and Fit N Fun Facebook pages for more details, or just turn up on the day. Learn the lingo! If you really want to integrate with your Spanish neighbours, you should learn the language – and you can, for just €20 a month. New classes for beginners and intermediates start in the social centre in the Plaza Espana mid January. See Jose at the Ayuntamiento to register your interest. Socialise! Algorfa has its fair share of bars, and there’s often something going on in the evenings, so why not get out and meet some new people and catch up with old friends? If you like a game of Bingo, Jilly’s Bar is the place to go, at 8.30 on Thursday evenings. Maybe you like to exercise your brain cells? Well, there are plenty of quiz nights in the area. On Sundays, you can choose from Lo Crispin Tavern Bar or Jilly’s Bar in Algorfa. Tuesdays there’s a quiz at the Algorfa Hotel. Wednesday s sees a new quiz night at Bar Tropicana, and on Thursdays, head for El Lugar on La Finca. All quizzes start at 9.00 pm. So, whatever changes you want to make in 2016, the people of Algorfa can help you with them, whether you want to make new friends, live a healthier lifestyle, learn Spanish or just get out and about more. For a little town, it has a hell of a lot going on!
7
“Get on yer bike!” by Gary Routledge www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
2015 A Hectic Year. Well that was a pretty hectic year. It start-
way to surprise my best mate at his 60th
ed in January when my daughter and her
birthday bash (it rained for 4 days) but we
boyfriend came over and we took a week
enjoyed the break. Every Saturday for our
Lynn went to the doctors with a minor
off and went skiing to the Sierra Nevada,
Saturday afternoon hybrid ride we would
problem and ended up in Alicante hospital
February was really quiet as it was quite
get more and more people turning up to
having tests, an mri scan and eventually
cold and windy, March started with 15
join us and we met some great people and
an operation so she was out of action for a
members of team Cyclogical participating
had some super rides with them.
few weeks but thank goodness is now back
in the Valley of the grapes Sportif in Mon-
to normal. We also managed to get spon-
forte Del Cid with 5 of the riders (including
Chico by this time was getting bigger and
sor money for our gents hybrid group and
75 year old Mickey) doing their first ever
heavier but not too much, he now has a
got them all really smart team kit so the
Sportif.
big basket on the rear of my bike and still
guys now look more professional and are
comes with us every Saturday and Mon-
all chuffed to bits. We then had a night cy-
Our last 3 team riders ended up cycling in
day and if we can’t find him he’s in the
cle with a difference it was Owens birthday
torrential rain for an hour but everyone fin-
garage trying to get into his basket and is
and he had booked the Bicibar for 20 of
ished and we won the Team event a lovely
just one of the guys now. He still comes
us ( the beer wagon that you cycle round
serrano ham. Next Lynn and I decided to
to work with us every day and has many
whilst drinking beer ) that was a great
take on an assistant Josh to train up as a
girlfriends who come in just to see him and
night but really hard work for the ones
cycle technician and generally assist us in
Pauline still comes in to walk him every
that put the effort in. October: My parents
the shop, he is still with us and is fitting
day at 11am and he really looks forward to
arrived for a month which was great as
in well, and we wonder how we managed
her visits. July was really warm with tem-
they looked after Chico while Lynn was out
without him. April we had 12 riders again
peratures in the high 40s but we all still
of action we also had the builders in and
entered into the Sportif at San Vincente
went cycling as there is always a breeze.
they kept an eye on them.
this was a lot tougher with more climb-
My daughter’s boyfriend and his mate cy-
ing but again everyone finished with good
cled across from Elgin, Scotland to Quesa-
My mate Willie flew across to take part in
times. As the summer approached we
da in 21 days (2000kms) and still wanted
his very first Sportif and not just an easy
all had our own agendas with family and
to cycle up to Hondon de las Frailes with us
one but 126kms around Calpe I just took
friends interfering with our normal rou-
on the Sunday.
my time and cycled round with him, he did
tines but Hey! Ho! It’s great to see them
8
couple of new guys joining our main group.
really well and we still won the team tro-
all just sometimes difficult to fit them in
The Tour de France was on and again team
phy. Alan led a 6 man team at the 6 man
especially when you try to fit your work
Sky had a fantastic 3 weeks cycling with
time trials in Murcia and they finished in
in too. Tony took part in La Sufrida (the
Chris Froome winning again. August we
a creditable 4th place. Peter and his girl-
suffering) which is a really tough Sportif in
had the La Vuelta right on our doorstep
friend moved back to the UK after 6 years
the mountains in and around the Almeria
with thousands of people lining the route in
here in Spain so we will all miss him as
Area.
our area a spectacle not to be missed and
he has been a great buddy. November
hopefully we will see more local routes this
things got Quieter so Lynn and I took a
Martyn went to Ireland to take his son in
coming year. We also had a record amount
few days off and went to Alicante and just
law on his first Sportif and took part in the
of buckets of beer (15) after our Thursday
chilled out, it’s a lovely place and right on
Wicklow 200 (Garden of Eden) which is one
night training ride. September: we started
our doorstep but you never think of going
of Irelands Premier Sportifs and is a tough
a beginner’s road bike group with 11 peo-
there. December started with our Couples
200kms around the beautiful Irish coun-
ple turning up to try road bikes, the object
Hybrid groups Christmas dinner in the
tryside. Owen and Torry went to the Pyre-
was to encourage people to try a road bike
Minigolf which was fantastic, then the next
nees to take part in Quebrantahuesos (the
or if they already had one to learn how to
day we had our Road bike group Christ-
bone crusher) which is one of the toughest
cycle in a group, teaching hand signals and
mas dinner at Ronald’s restaurant followed
200kms Sportifs in Europe. In May Lynn
safety, building up their confidence. This
by drinks at Shananigans bar which again
and I went back to Elgin, Scotland via Nor-
proved very successful and we now have a
was a brilliant night, the Hybrid groups
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
male and female both had their Christmas
Lynn and I would like to thank you all
rides followed by Christmas dinner in the
for your support and wish you all good
Minigolf then things quietened down.
health and happiness, all the best for 2016. Get on yer bike and keep
Boxing Day was a nice cycle with the cou-
those wheels turning.
ples group to La Marina and a coffee on the beach then it was Hogmanay. Over and
Gary and Lynn
above all of that we also had to fit in all
All of our routes are now available
of our kids and their partners , parents,
from our website on www.cyclogical-
brothers, sisters and friends for their an-
costablanca.com
nual holidays but it was all great and we look forward to doing it all again this year.
Remember Gary and Lynn are availa-
We are really looking forward to a few days
ble at “Cyclogical� in Quesada, Monday
off at the start of the year and a nice gen-
to Friday from 9.30am till 5.30pm and
tle quiet January and February before it all
from 10.00am till 2.00pm on a Sat-
starts again.
urday to assist and advice you on all your cycling requirements including route maps.
9
SPAIN
a wry look at life by Malcolm Palmer LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT……………….
just about ceased to have any meaning, and raises no eyebrows when used in all but the most poilte conversations, as an excla-
That’s the way Spain has gone in the years since Franco turned
mation, even though its English equivalent is still regarded as
up his toes. A nation divided, it seems, with the bulk of Andalucía
most unparliamentary, and causes something of a shock when
socialist-inclined, Cataluña and the Basque country likewise (when
heard on the telly. There is even a famous balcony in Andalucía
they’re able to set aside their daft ideas of independence, that
called the Balcon de Coño, because that’s what you say when you
Franco crushed under his fascist jackboots). The rural heartlands
get up to the railing and look down the beetling vertical cliff.
are largely quite conservative, when they can be bothered to vote,
It all depends, of course, upon context, but pronunciation can also
and Madrid and Valencia are
cause a few problems. Be sure you get
divided pretty sharply.
‘pollo’ right, because substitute the last letter with an ‘a’ and you won’t
All of the above tends to
get a female chicken – it means quite
render Spain virtually un-
something else.
governable, under the exist-
Another thing to be avoided is the
ing, two-party system, with
literal translation. If you get your
wild swings from left to right
computer to translate, ‘Maria tiene
and back again every four
mala leche’ it will probably tell you,
or eight years, depending
‘Mary has bad milk.’ What the phrase
upon just how rotten and
really means is that Maria can be a
corrupt the reigning party
right bitch.
has been. So what is the an-
And if the crowd at a football match
swer? Sanity would decree
starts to chant, ‘¡Que echan los
a coalition of the best brains
huevos!’ they don’t want the players
in Congress, trying to work
to start chucking eggs, they’d like
together to achieve some
them to get stuck in.
sort of national unity, pre-
I could go on. There is an infinite
ferrably under the auspices
variety of idiomatic Spanish, that only
of a strong, internationally acceptable leader – not, dare
Spain divided according to the Treaty of Cordoba 1821
I say, one who speaks no other language than Spanish, and has
time and conversation will teach you.
THE DUCHESS OF ALBA
a charisma by-pass, like the guy who has been in charge most recently, and that is not a political comment. But is this ever going
The recent and much-mourned death of the Duchess of Alba, at
to happen? Doubtful, I’d say.
the age of 88, may have left some of our readers a little puzzled
Malcolm Palmer
as to her actual identity, as her name sounds British, to at least some extent, Cayetana Fitz-James-Stuart. And she would, indeed,
LINGUISTIC PITFALLS
have had a realistic claim to the throne had Scotland voted for independence.
Language teachers won’t always prepare you for some of the
I am no royalist, but had a great respect for the Bohemian Duch-
more embarrassing errors you can make when taking your earliest
ess, who would be seen wearing a bikini well into her eighties,
steps in a foreign language.
always supported by her third husband, Alfonso Diez, 27 years
These can often be occasioned by double entendres, double
her junior.
meanings, as frequent in English, I suppose, as in any tongue.
In terms of noble protocol, she outranked the Queen of England,
Take, for a simple instance, the implications of the various uses of
having some 47 titles, and incalculable riches, including 9 castles,
the word ‘prick’ or ........well, you can doubtless think of plenty of
palaces all over Spain, works of art by Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso
other words that can be misunderstood.
and Titian, original manuscripts by Columbus, you name it. But her lifestyle was hectic. A lover of football, bullfighting, skiing,
So, of course, in Spanish. A few examples:-
flamenco, she gave huge amounts of cash to charity, and was
Huevos – eggs, but coloquially, ‘testicles.’
particularly loved by the gypsy community of Sevilla. She spoke
Paja – straw, but used to mean ‘masturbate’
five languages, called the Queen of England ‘Lizzy’ and was one of
Polvo – dust, but can also refer, rather oddly, to sexual intercourse
the most popular figures in Spain, always dressing in the bright-
(hence ‘hecho polvo’ – knackered).
est colours, and holidaying in the most far-off places. She leaves
Chochin – wren, Conejo – rabbit, Concha – shell, but all may refer
six grown-up children, all by her first marriage. The eldest now
to female genitalia. The practically universal ¡coño! However, has
becomes the Duke of Alba.
10
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11
READERS LETTER The problem with La Marina...
Full English and La Marina
Dear Editor, Full English and La Marina I sat with a couple of friends and neighbours having breakfast the other day and invariably the issue of La Marina and comments/letters in The Leader newspaper arose. We were in complete agreement that there is work desperately needed to be carried out on the urbanisation. One has taken his grievance to PIPN. Like myself, neither understood why anyone would not want to improve upon what we have. Again, neither could justify nor defend the apparent apathy of the council. I feel this is worth mentioning as this is typical of the response given by neighbours I speak with on my local community, those I meet on the urbanisation and indeed those who visit the urbanisation from different areas. I hope this helps readers understand that I am not on a one man crusade. I found it interesting that one reader of my article in the newspaper needed to draw comparisons between our urbanisation and an unnamed urbanisations (with untold problems it seems) to make La Marina appear acceptable. I won’t comment further on any issue raised in any correspondence that appears to oppose my views or motives, this has been very well taken care of from other readers who have been motivated in writing letters in a number of papers and indeed on social media sites, notably Face Book. So my personal thanks to them for their support and backing. I should restate that my primary concern is to getting better services and improvements for the urbanisation. It is sad to report that after the council replaced the bottle bank/bin at Phase 4 the new bin and those around it have been destroyed by fire, an accident? It would be interesting to get a breakdown of the spend on the urbanisation and that on the town of San Fulgencio against the respective incomes raised form our SUMA contributions. I will try and retrieve this information from the council when I next visit them as I must as there are still outstanding issues from my last meeting that need to be followed up on. The blue bollards that have caused a fair stirring with some now just total 2; I know the council aim to replace the missing ones once they can get them. My personal view is something more robust needs to be put there unless like one reader (Dave Moore) suggests the council can grab some land from Elche to smooth out the bend at that part of the road (seems like the best idea). There is so much I could cover but I must leave it to others to make their feelings known either to the papers or better still the council. I would however like to finish by inviting reporters and council officials to take the short walk from my house to the town hall where all I have written about in the past is encapsulated in that 5 minute journey, their eyes will not deceive them and there cannot be any denying that the problems do exist. Any takers?� Len Allen
12
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Kelly McLachlan
Come & meet
Notes from small town Spain Well, I hope everybody had a fab-
The
SPECIALISTS
lifestyles?
ulous Christmas and new year, wherever you ended up! January
Ok, the last one may be a little
for me, personally is a nice time of
more
year, I know it sounds a bit crazy
ing cheap beer and tapas to lure
but just hear me out...
in customers, but if you’re strong
difficult
with
pubs
offer-
you can do it. Walk up and down After all the hustle and bustle of
the hill and save your petrol! Do
the holiday period it’s always nice
everything within your power to be
to get back to some kind of reality,
helpful towards others and lend a
you may have already worked out
hand when you can.
that I am a peace loving creature and routine is important to my lit-
In case you’re wondering what my
tle family. Yes, I know January can
resolutions are, most of them are
be a drab month, but I hope you’re
listed above! Some I know will be
making resolutions see the beauty
easier to keep than others. I can
in every day, wherever you may
only try my best, like everybody
be. January is a new start, full of
else. We need to spread more pos-
positivity and hope for the future.
itivity in the world. If everybody
So, who’s on a mission to lose a bit
tried hard enough to make the
of weight, then? Give up smoking?
world just a little bit better, who
Or booze? We all resolve to be bet-
knows what might happen? Before
ter people every year, but by the
we know it, we’ll all be chatting to
time Christmas rolls round again,
each other and maybe, just maybe
how many of us, hand on heart can
making more friends. We can nev-
say that we have managed to keep
er have too many of those, now,
our resolutions? How many will be
can we? As my old granddad used
broken before the end of January?
to say: “One good turn deserves
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everybody’s resolution this year,
ter people?
to do “their bit” to make our little
To donate to charity regularly?
bit of the world a little bit better
Be friendlier, smile and say “hola”
and to bring out the best in our-
first
selves, and each other.
Maybe help out at a local charity
Un beso x
To eat healthier, to live healthier
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MANDY’S
Spanish Diary
by Mandy Tams
More MT thoughts and musings.
55 DAYS IN GA Well it finally happened, I never
them wrapped around us, but I digress. bloody go, so they were charged over What about spring, the renewal of life
the years to house sitting on our short
and greenery and the emergence of the holidays and here lieth the problems. Easter tourists shedding his white pasty skin, flexing his right arm muscles and
On one return, we discovered they
sucking up the sun like a sponge, no
threw a party in the hot tub and left
don’t think so.
the pizzas in there, one set his bed on
thought to share a bed with a retired
fire, he does not smoke but he left his
man or one nearing retirement or going
How about Summer, blistering skies,
hair straighteners on the bed, and yes,
bald or the myriad of other things but
warm pools crowded beaches, drunken
I did say sons. They melted the BBQ
reality is here. I am and he is, but for
yobs and loads of kids, no, don’t think
and we now own a cat. Both broke
the first time since setting eyes on GA
so, been there, done that, includ-
their knuckles, but at least they were
in 2001 we are going to spend more
ing the yob bit and bought the T shirt.
heroes and rescued a girl from trouble.
than a fortnight on holiday.
This brings us to autumn, Sept-Oct,
Due to my husband’s wonderful em-
kids are back at school tourists are
We have returned to a flooded house,
ployer, I do reserve judgment on this
winding down, and the weather is still
the freezer switched off for 10 days
statement until after the 55 days in
gorgeous. Sounds like a winner so
and once both jobless, you know what,
case it all goes T... U..
September it is, but this leaves us with
I think I may stop home.
another problem, 55 days leaving our We will be able to start the revolution
sons at home. My wish is to
and take over the area, we can venture
suffer ‘empty nest
up the hill to different restaurants and
syndrome’
perhaps even plan a shopping expedi-
but they
Mandy Tams
tion into Alicante. But, what are we going to do? Advice at this point would be helpful, I mean one can only spend so many days on the beach, or in the pool and the bars. We must be frugal with our pennies or rather cents because good though the employer is allowing him this sabbatical, he is tight on the pay, but who cares? Hey, we can have two months in GA. Which two do we spend? Shall we spend the winter where one can eat Christmas dinner on the beach; in my experience of holidays, I believe this to be true as long as you hold Christmas in May? One of the coldest January’s in our lives we spent in GA with a blanket wrapped around a heater and both of
won’t
19
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Spain Buddy was established in 2012 by Alan and Elle, long term residents of Spain. The busy website includes a host of general articles with everything from local news and charity updates to recipes and celebrity features with a sprinkling of expat interviews, Spanish puzzles and Alan’s rants along the way. Spain Buddy also includes an events calendar and business directory, in which businesses and organisations can add their details for free. There is also a holiday rentals directory where you can add your villa or apartment for just €20 per year. You can visit the website at www.spainbuddy.com and contact them via email at info@spainbuddy.com Spain Buddy is everything you need to know about Spain, without the clichés. Whatever different views anyone might hold
In Syria;
We offer holiday rental advertising on our
on the war in Syria it’s only those with the
• 3 children flee their homes every minute
website for just €20 per year. An absolute
cruellest of hearts who can fail to agree that
• 83 children drop out of education every
bargain for exposure on a site, a site fast ap-
hour
proaching a 7.5 million page views, almost
• 12 children die every day
700 thousand visitors and more than 25 mil-
War Child is providing counselling, educa-
lion hits this year.
the innocent children caught up in it are deserving of our help.
tion, books and toys and what they describe For a while now here at SpainBuddy.com
as ‘safe spaces’ for refugee children from
If you want to advertise your property with
we’ve been wondering how we can ‘do our
Syria currently in Jordan and Lebanon. The
us and have your €20 donated to War Child
bit’ to help. With that in mind we came to
charity was founded in 1993 by film-makers
on sign-up, simply type the word CHILD
David Wilson and Bill Leeson following an as-
when prompted for a charity/promotion
signment in the former Yugoslavia. They’ve
code. It’s that simple.
the conclusion that helping raise funds for one of the many charities involved was the way to go. Having been deeply affected
been actively working with children in war zones ever since, and you can find out more
www.spainbuddy.com/advertise-spain-holi-
(who wasn’t?) by the pictures of the help-
about their work all over the world on their
day-rental
less and innocent three year old Aylan Kurdi
website - www.warchild.org.uk.
Don’t have a holiday rental but would like to make a donation to War Child? Just go to our
lying dead on the beach in Turkey back in September, we wanted to help a charity providing support to children. War Child seemed an obvious choice.
Here’s how you can advertise your holiday
JustGiving page and make a donation there.
rental on SpainBuddy.com by making a donation to War Child UK.
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Malcolm Palmer
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Okay, so there are other styles, and Carlo
Ancelotti, Guardiola to some extent, FerguLavadora son and Wenger, all are calmer personaliBEKO ties, but their enthusiasm for the game is undoubted, and they all share an abbility to transmit this to the players. So what of Mourinho? He, I think, tries to emulate
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GRAN ALACANT 10 YEARS ON...
A look at how the area has changed since we took these aerial shots in April 2006
The sports centre is now enclosed with oudoor sports areas and the market and car park are now buit (on green area centre of pic)
Above: Los arenales del Sol with no walkways and no apartments Right: Starting to build the doomed Life Resort
The GA Centre with just the main building and not a lot else
Photos: All Abroad Magazine 28
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GROUNDING AND PSYCHIC PROTECTION
Follow me on Twitter @Rescuemediumali thequirkymedium. blogspot.co.uk discovertheangels. com If you’d like to book a reading call me on 693 062 794 One of the most important rituals for my
• Belief in your abilities
feet and send them right down until they
work as a Reiki Master and Clairvoyant Me-
• Love for oneself and others
link with mother earth.
dium is Grounding and Psychic Protection.
• Spiritually aware
slight ‘pull’ or ‘tug’ which will confirm that
In brief, it is a vital way of protecting our
• Focused in body and mind
you are anchored.
physical body whilst endeavouring to live a
• The attainment of a spiritual way of life
Protection – Imagine a ball of energy over
spiritual life. In my line of work it is impera-
• A feeling of a natural state of balance
the top of your head which opens and
tive that I ground and put a psychic shield
You may feel a
sends a beautiful ethereal white light down
around myself so I am not drained by nega-
How to perform grounding and psychic
through your body. Then bring that white
tive energies from either the spirit world, or
protection
light up again and around the outside of
certain people on the earth plane. Ground-
The best time to perform your grounding
your body so you are totally cocooned in a
ing and psychic protection is not only good
ritual is first thing in the morning.
protective bubble of light.
practice for Mediums or healers. It is some-
way, you will be protected for the rest of
Cloak – Sometimes I feel the need for ‘dou-
thing that everyone should get used to do-
the day. As a spiritual worker I will often
ble protection’ especially when doing spirit
ing as a way of keeping their feet firmly on
carry out the ritual again at night as it helps
rescue work so over the white light that I
the ground and protecting their personal
to promote a good night’s sleep. A great
have already put around myself, I will visu-
aura. I am passionate about helping those
crystal to hold whilst doing this is a Black
alise wearing a large purple (spiritual fulfil-
who need some spiritual guidance but it
Tourmaline which is a powerful grounding
ment) cloak which reaches the ground. It
amazes me how many people have never
stone.
It protects against negativity and
has long sleeves and a large hood which I
heard of grounding and psychic protection.
fear, and cleanses one’s auric field helping
pull up so I am covered from head to toe in
to balance the chakras and promote a posi-
my protective shield.
Clients will approach me as they need to
tive mindset.
know why they are feeling ‘unbalanced’
First
and/or lethargic not to mention dealing with
sure you are in a
emotional trauma. A lot of the stories are
quiet peaceful place.
the same – they feel as if they are going
Close your eyes and
around in circles, their head is full of clutter
concentrate on your
and they feel totally disconnected, as if they
breathing.
of
all,
That
make
are not in control of their own lives. Once I teach them how to use such a simple spir-
Grounding - If you
itual tool, they start to feel centred and fo-
are
cused so they can enjoy inner harmony and
any negative ener-
make positive decisions about their lives.
gies or worry bring it
holding
down
onto
through
Feelings of being ungrounded: -
your
• Drained/tired – as if ‘your get up and go’,
your crown chakra
has ‘got up and gone’
(top of your head)
• Emotional for no particular reason
and
• Depressed
the soles of your
• Feelings of anger towards yourself or oth-
feet and into the
ers
earth.
• Anxiousness & worry
have
• Feeling nauseas
you are ready to
• Feeling spaced out
ground, by con-
• Holding onto the past
necting
• A feeling of ‘Not belonging’
to the core of the
• Cluttered in mind and surroundings
earth.
• Feeling generally unhealthy/unwell
to do this, simply
Feelings of being grounded: -
imagine growing
• Energised
thick and sturdy
• A sense of wellbeing inside and out
tree roots from
• Strength and self-acceptance
the soles of your
body
out
from
through
Once you done
this,
yourself In order
31
28
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