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allabroad.es wwew. 2015 issue number 47
EE
Jun
! th on m y er ev n ai Sp in e lif t pa ex of st Bringing you the be
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ALL ABROAD
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reaakk!! kkee aa bbre a T a T with
By Dave Bull
I’ve spent the last few months researching Alicante and its history and spent a very interesting time doing it – especially with professor of history at Alicante University, Cayetano Mas, who was able to fil in many gaps in the history of this fascinating city. Particularly my confusion as to why I couldn’t find hardly any information on the place before the 8th
blow Alicante to bits during the Spanish War of Succession and the Peninsular War and
MAY/ JUNE / JULY/ AUGUST/ SEP MAYO /JUNIO /JULIO/ AGOSTO / SEP MAI / JUNI / JULI / AUGUST / SEP
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/ GUADALEST
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century. It turns out that it’s thanks to us Brits and our French cousins as to why there isn’t any info. You see our country and the French spent a good amount of time trying to
(+34) 966717783 (+34) 675956059
info@viajesrosatours.com www.viajesrosatours.com
At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est.
BENIDORM
13€
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TUESDAY / MARTES / DIENSTAG ALTEA (Market Day)
BENIDORM
5
+ ALICANTE CASTLE
13€
10€
ALICANTE
(Market)
+CHOCOLATE FACTORY
+ BENIDORM
eventually succeeded in destroying al the archives that were kept on the hill where the castle is. However, there’s a good argument as to why they were kept there with that the
VILLAJOIOSA
10€
5 99
8€
12€
5
WEDNESDAY MIÉRCOLES /$MITTWOCH $ /99 99
main target of enemies coming to these shores. Still, there is a load to know about Alicante and a guided tour of this city with its eventful history and plenty of tucked away places that the casual visitor knows nothing about. I’ve spoken to locals who have lived here for over twenty years and most of them don’t know about the places that I’ve found during my research over the past months. That’s why
BENIDORM (Market Day)
10€
If you’d like to join me please do – contact me on 606 540 408 and we can take a tour of this wonderful place – in the sun of course – and enjoy some of the best of this typical Mediterranean city. Groups are small and personal and, most importantly, it’s fun too – not a history lesson but ore of a look back at what this city was like from the romans to present day. See you there!?
17€
MAY: 06, 20 JUNE: 03, 17 JULY: 01, 15, 29 AUG: 12, 26 SEPT: 09, 23
INC:
(Town & Beach)
+
MAY: 13, 27 JUNE: 10, 24 JULY: 08, 22 AUG: 05, 19 SEPT: 02, 16, 30
30€
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INC: 18€ info@viajesrosatours.com 21€
15€ADT: 22€ SENIOR: 20€
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CHD:
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MURCIA : ZOO + WATER PARK
(Shopping Malls)
(City Centre)
MURCIA : ZOO + WATER PARK ADT:31€
+
10€
I must pass on the condolences from everyone connected with All Abroad Magazine to the
10€
family of Steve Rowland who sadly passed away last month. Steve contributed for a long
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CHD:27€
BENIDORM
DENIA
Steve Rowland
ALICANTE
(NIGHT OUT)
13€ 15€
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11€ $
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BUS + SHOW SATURDAY / SÁBADO / SAMSTAG ALGAR WATERFALLS
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+ BENIDORM
10€
13€
Linda, were instrumental in my buying a house in Santa Pola all those years ago, in the
SUNDAY / DOMINGO / SONNTAG
mid-eighties. Steve it was who actually ‘sold’ me Santa Pola and the Levante, extolling its
ALGAR / GUADALESTLA MANGA BENIDORM
virtues, then when I moved in for real, his many kindnesses gave me the chance to establish a foothold in the insurance business, where I eventually found full-time employment. Before that, his good humour and many useful tips served to keep me (fairly) sane as I strove to make ends meet, and I even survived his frequent attempts to break the world
51€
35€
BUS + ESPECTACULO
But I can’t let his sad loss go without a few words of my own, as Steve and his lovely wife,
10€
BUS + DINNER + SHOW
time to our magazine and was possibly the most cheerful person I know. Always a smile
I’d been out of touch for years, since moving away from Santa Pola ten years ago, in fact.
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I only found out too late that Steve Rowland had passed away. Nobody’s fault but mine, as
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CARTAGENA
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with Steve, Thanks, and have a good rest mate. - Dave
16€
THURSDAY / JUEVES / DONNERSTAG
of course, and then we finish up in a superb (and very good value) Alicante restaurant – that?
MOJACAR
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Boat Trip / Barco
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I’m taking them around the city on a walking tour in June, with the odd tapa/cerveza stop because Alicante is known to serve the very best rice dishes on the Costa…did you know
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land-speed record on the N332! Above all, Steve will be missed by very many people who have known him, and I’m proud to number myself amongst them. - Malcolm Palmer CRUISES 2015 / BOOK YOUR CRUISE JUST FOR
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Thatchers Gold and Peroni 3€ a pop Carlsberg 2€ and a glass of wine for 2€!
Sunday lunch is a local favourite and you can have a choice of meats from chicken, lamb, beef or pork all at a very reasonable 8€ for 1 course, 11€ for 2 and 13€ for the full 3 courses not forgetting your homemade apple and berry pie.
Football or any other sport you fancy – this is the place. Brothers has one very large, crystal clear screen for your viewing pleasure
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Wednesday nights are poker nights, darts practise with some free food is on a Thursday and with karaoke and live music on at the weekends, what more could you possibly want. 4
www.facebook.com/Brothers. Telephone: 0044 7863178870 - Ave Noruega 214 Gran Alacant 03130
Health Travel -
Business
Public Liabiity
-
guess. Some people pay good money to have end of the week, I only needed a few bits and
many old faces I’ve not seen in about 20 years!
pieces to prepare for the return journey. I was
Business Health
I was the bee’s knees swanning
hour max. But, unfortunately it happened to
around in that! It was so cool even bus driv-
be lunch hour. As soon as that pound dropped
ers gave way every time! It had a USB to plug
into the parking meter the clock was ticking. I
my tunes into and everything! Driving on the
ran. Yes, I ran through the (extremely busy)
right hand side of the car on the other side
shopping centre, knocking poor innocents out
of the road didn’t take long to get used to...
of the way, apologising all the time, as you do,
as long as I kept reminding myself to “keep
before dashing up the escalator of the clothes
left!” loudly. I chuckled at the roundabouts.
shop. I tried on 3 t shirts in 2 minutes and
All lanes are clearly marked with an arrow for
grabbed a handful of clothes for the kiddies.
the correct exit. It’s more organised, drivers
Then I stood in the queue, shaking my head.
seem to know where they’re going. But I’d for-
It was lunch hour, remember? The other shop
Public Liabiity
gotten about mini roundabouts (well, bumps in
didn’t have what I was looking for so I had to
the road) and I apologise but yes, I did drive
charge over the street and risk my life crossing
over a few!
the bus lane. I said I’d had it planned. I didn’t
Business -
“Oh, I just need to pop quickly into Marks and
the class which read:
Spencers”, says sister. traffic warden was going to get ME. So I ran
-
bring a small jacket for your child”
on ahead to watch out for the warden and wait
-
and and yes, still a little cool, but do parents
stressed! They’re all forced to race around like
at this school really need to be reminded? And
the end is nigh! Maybe I’ve been in Spain a bit
not one, but TWO traffic wardens standing op-
too long...
Home
¡Hasta la proxima!
966 731 691
Quesada Office Calle Los Arcos (Ciudad Quesada) (Next to Yorkshire Linen) La Zenia Office CC os Dolces, La Zenia (Next to Mercadona & Lidl
Email: Spanish-insurance@hotmail.com Accident
- Funeral
5
Health
in an hour. No wonder everyone in England is
Tel.
-
That made me shake my head. It was April
It’s easy...
Travel
“As it is still a little cool, please remember to
Life
Motor
as possible. I spotted a notice in the widow of
NOW!
-
her. It’s not too far – if you run.
Contact us to get covered
Public Liabiity
in the car park as close to the classroom door
www.spanish-insurance.net Cutting Prices Providing Great Service
-
told her to run into town, which she did, bless
for sis. No warden came. But I was still back
Motor
called me for a lift back from her work and I
niece one day. I drove, of course, and parked
“Tick tock! No!” was my rather quick reply. No
-
I went on the school run with my 6 year old
say I’d planned it well. As it turns out my sister
today!
Travel
-
not a huge fan of shopping so I wanted to be an
Ford Fiesta.
Business
needed to go to two shops. That was all. I’m
car was fabulous. A brand new electric blue
-
12 years! Before it was buses and taxis. The
s
Call in and see u
Life
Bunny. I had it planned, I had my list. I only
-
ing the little people with nanna watching Bugs
be the first time I’d driven over there for about
Home
a purse full of change I headed off after leav-
ted all over town. Bear in mind that this would
-
tre. Again, this is new to me. So, armed with
car, it’s a good idea with family and friends dot-
-
pre warned about pay to park in the town cenThis was the first trip back where we’d hire a
Health
I’ll finish with my trip into town near to the
naturally! It was amazing to catch up with so
Funeral Insurance you will be amazed at how little it costs to save the stress and expense for your loved ones.
-
hair that looks like mine, and I look like this
Motor
rything. I’m still shaking my head now.
-
2.46! It was the same everywhere. With eve-
mospere was a little damp. I am what I am, I
from 60€ per year!
Travel
like Krusty the Clown, but to be fair the at-
insurance
-
a couple of days later the price had shot up to
Life
were a pound. Bargain. So when I returned The wedding was a magical day. I still looked
-
local corner shop a pack of four Fruit Shoots
Home
shaking my head in bemusement.
Life
Public Liabiity
That brings me nicley to prices in shops. At the
-
and to be honest I spent quite a bit of time
Motor
IT OUT!
-
with a parking fine. Talking of money...
little people (who were impecabbly behaved)
posite the scool in the rain waiting to pounce
SHOUT
Life
So I survived a trip to the homeland, with the
We CAN & WILL better any home and motor renewal on the Costa Blanca
-
Notes from small town Spain
- Funeral
Home
Kelly McLachlan
Accident
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SARAH'S Sandra in Spain www.sandrainspain.com TEXTILES
are made Algor fa for you! eat big heart! gr e th h it w lo eb u p e e littl
Th
Following very successful year Sarah’s' &to Bedding If you’ve never heardon of from Algorfaaon the Costa orange blossom, and itCurtain really has be heard Blanca, Store join the When we first fell in to believed.not in floor space but in inclub. CC Los Dolses continues tobegrow.... love with a small but perfectly formed garden The only drawback I can think about with Altheonexcellent variety of productsgorfa available. With transport new stock arriving apartment the La Finca Golf Urbanisation is the public system. There just outside Algorfa, had we. cannot In fact, beat isn’t this one, friendly apart from a service intofamily Almoradi every weekneither you simply and unique people living just 10 miles away in Torrevieja and Torrevieja which seems to have a very run shop choice.either. Sarah hand creative picks all of theso textiles which on have never heard for of Algorfa When schedule, you’ll need a carare to get we’d signed the dotted best line, we went back around. sale,onensuring quality and value forHowever, money.it’s just a 15 minute drive to England and excitedly described our new to the railway station at Callosa de Segura, home as ‘Near Torrevieja.’ Seven years latand from there, you can get to Murcia one er, I’ve The changed my addition mind about Algorfa range way and Alicantemeans the other, thehave options recent of that. an extensive of fabrics you so now a is not near Torrevieja at all, other than in are there to explore Spain without doing too choice of either quality the purely geographical sense. My home vilmuch driving. readymade bespoke lage is streets ahead of anywhere else on the One of the best things for meor about living in Costa Blanca! Algorfa is the eating outtoexperience. Considmade measure texI describe Algorfa as a little pueblo with a ering it’s such a small village, it boasts an tiles. Anything can be great big heart. The population is just 3,000, astonishing array of eateries to suit all budgmade, cushion covers, so it’s the kind of place you’d go for peace, ets and tastes. My particular favourite is Restranquillity, connecting with nature and entaurante Alquiblacurtains, on Avenida Maria del Mar bedspreads, joying good food. Not on fiesta days though Rodriguez. It’s a typical ‘Abuelo’ restaurant, loose covers to name – then you need to be prepared to party until and the same family have been feeding the few! can Evenremember. sheets dawn or be kept awake anyway. locals for as longbut as a anyone At €9 - €15 for four courses wine, it’s a to fit those with awkward real bargain. sized beds! The team at Algorfa nestles snugly in the valley of the Sarah’s' can also in Sierra de Callosa mountains. As mountain Bar Badulake, next to theshop Ayuntamiento ranges go, it’s on the small scale, since the Plaza Espana boasts the best tapas in the refurbish your outdoor highest peak is ‘only’ 572 metres high. Mount area, next to Restaurante Alquibla. La Coseseating, swing chairs and Escotera is the highest peak which is visible cha on the Algorfa – Benijofar road is another pergolas andMediterranean can replace from Algorfa and La Finca, and it dominates great place to enjoy typical the landscape for miles around. I call it ‘My food in a beautiful and they provide or setting, repair toldos/awnings Mountain,’ and so does everyone else who entertainment at weekends too. at unbeatable prices lives there. It just grabs you, with its differAlgorfa has a strong sense of community, using the best quality ent moods and colours, depending on the and the integration between expats and lotime of day and the weather. cals has to be seen to be believed. fabrics and foam.And we’re From certain angles, you get a great view of always up for a party in Algorfa. There’s the La Ermita, a beautiful neo-gothic chapel built Gastronomy Fair, the Spring Festival, the in 1901 by the Marquis of Algorfa from local Summer Fiesta and the Patron Saint Vincente quarry stone. a small palace behind There There’s is currently a fantastic end of Ferrer’s Fiesta, on or around April 5, when a it, and both are set in a lovely pine forest. giant paella is cooked in the street for everyseason saletoo, on,which with is duvet sets 50%one to share. That’s pretty small maybe why I love it. myself. It’s a Algorfa is a little pueblo with a great big offI’m as not wellall asthat lots big of other amazing lovely place to walk, admire the views over bargains!!! Look out for new rangesheart, and there’s much more going on here the campo and connect with nature, and it’s than you might realise. Drop by soon – you’ll coming soon.... curtains just a few minutes’ walkbedding, from Algorfa City and be glad you did! Centre on the Benijuzar I lied about the the plenty of winterroad. warmers for when city centre, by the way – it’s actually Avenida weather cools down! Maria del Mar Rodriguez, which runs through the village. You might want to try the two mile walk to Sarah’s' Curtain & Bedding Store Algorfa along the new road through the orcan be found conveniently located ange groves from La Finca. Get really close to nature as youCC smell theDolses, orange blossom in within Los Urb VillaMay, pick a juicy Valencian orange from the martin, facing the road next to the unfenced groves from November to March, or card shop thelizards canal. watch the hares boxnear and the bask in the sun, all to the background music of birdsong or the Algorfa Roar. That’s the cacophony set up by the bees buzzing around the
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www.sarahstextil.es 7
“Get on yer bike!” by Gary Routledge www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
Cycle Route 31
Quesada to Hondon De las Frailes.
If your’e looking for something different
Continue through Albatera until you come
and challenging then this is for you. This
to the second set of traffic lights where
is a great cycle ride, but not for the faint
you turn right and head up towards Hon-
hearted. I take a Road bike training group
don De Las Frailes (CV873 ). It’s approx
on this route every fifth Sunday and re-
14km from the traffic lights to the village
ally enjoy it as much as to say that it is
of Hondon de las Frailes. For the first 5km
my favourite route on a road bike. Once
it is a gradual climb then it gradually gets
you’re at the top you really feel a sense of
steeper and steeper until you come to the
achievement every time.
real climbing part which starts at the derelict house so make sure you drink plenty
Leave Quesada and head for Benijofar,
of water before this point as it’ll be your
Rojales, Daya Nueva, Dolores and Catral ,
last chance before the top unless you stop.
pass through Catral then pick up the CV90 ( Crevillente road ) at the roundabout, by
The first climb is 12% followed by a 13%
pass El Realengo and cross the bridge over
then another 13% and a 10% then you’re
the AP7, turn left at the first roundabout
up at the top.The whole way up all you can
and take the camino road following it all
see is fantastic breathtaking views which
the way into Albatera.
are even better when you go down this way. This climb was part of a stage of the
La
Vuelta in 2010 (Tour of Spain ) and
2 of the professional riders had to get off and walk up the steepest part.
Once at
the top it’s a lovely downhill recovery ride of 2kms to the village. At the first junction turn right onto the CV845 we always stop off at the garage on the right hand side just out of the village for a well deserved bacon roll and coffee.
Once you’ve recovered follow this road CV845 all the way for approx 15kms passing through Hondon de las Nieves and a great Bodega at the edge of the village, from here on there are numerous vineyards on both sides of the road for miles and miles, keep on this road until you come to a roundabout just outside Aspe turn right here and take the N325 to Cre-
8
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
All routes are now available from
villente . At the large roundabout at the
Well done, I hope you found this ride hard
edge of Crevillente go straight on Cv875
and challenging, next time do it the oppo-
our
and head for the railway station, keep go-
site way . Keep on riding.
costablanca.com
www.cyclogicaland
from
our
newly published book “ Cycling
ing for approx 5km until you see a road on your right with a sign saying El Hondo
website:
The total distance was 122kms.
tips and Advice” with 20 cycle
nature park, turn right here, cycle to the
Total time = Approx 6 - 8 hours (Hy-
routes around the Costa Blanca.
end (1km ) and turn left then you’re on
brids)
Gary and Lynn are available at Cy-
the road around El Hondon nature reserve follow this road to the next junction and
Approx 4 hours (Road bikes) Summary : Fantastic long, hard chal-
day from 9.30am till 5.30pm and
lenging ride, with really steep climbs
from 10am till 2pm on Saturdays
turn right, cycle for 1.5km then right at the
in parts. Excellent scenery and out-
roundabout and that’s you heading back
standing views , but definetly not for
towards Quesada , just follow this road to
clogical in Quesada Monday to Fri-
the faint hearted.
to assist and advise you on all you’re cycling requirements.
San Fulgencio, Benijofar and home.
9
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
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MANDY’S
AESTHETIC CENTRE
Spanish Diary
Skin Care with Technology
by Mandy Tams
GLASS HALF FULL, OR IS IT? I haven’t lost it at least, so that is my glass half full moment. I am too old to have a sugar daddy, and too old to be an old man’s darling but not too old it seems to get chatted up by a local Spanish lothario. There was I sitting by invitation at a La Piedra bar just waiting my time to go into the DJ booth and say hello to the editor of the All Abroad magazine and DJ on Real Radio InternationalFM Dave Bull, for whom I write my column. First of all I was under whelmed, no not true, but I did walk past the booth not seeing it, even knowing it is local radio I was not expecting anything like the BBC studios but small, well no man likes being told it’s small, well go and have a look for yourselves, everybody is welcome in La Piedra. And as they say it is not the size it’s how you use it. My husband, bless him, did not want to come with me in case I made a mess of things, which is usual so I settled myself comfortably on the hydraulic bar stool. Rachael poured me a coffee whilst I admired the décor and listened to two British guys walk in thanking her for the excellent meal they had the previous evening. I was thinking my husband would have enjoyed the experience given the chance, but he was dreading I may freeze on mic or maybe not…! A Spanish man walks through the door and it did cross my mind, maybe my husband is doing an Anselmo on me, to see if I could be tempted into the arms of Lothario, as without any preamble this man began to speak to me while trying to ascend onto the stool next to mine. I admit to understanding some Spanish and ashamed to admit not a great deal, but I couldn’t understand a single word he said. Through gestures I realised he was talking about the lighting in the bar; very fetching light shades with changing colours giving a peaceful ambiance. At first, willing to chat, as I am that sort of person and figured he looked harmless and there were people about. His first touch of my arm, I did not object to, as it appeared he was steadying himself on his elevated seat looking around as though fearful of the height. He smiled a comforting smile and patted my arm affectionately in thanks. My good deed for the day I thought smiling back.
Producing his wallet he wasn’t shy in letting me see the contents, which I admit I thought foolish, I mean you don’t walk around carrying a load of dosh wherever you are, but he ordered his coffee indicating he would like to buy me one, showing me once again the wallet, and he called me his ‘amiga’. Nice, I thought, I only let him use my arm to steady himself. His hand patted my leg and it was only then did my suspicions begin arousing… Okay it’s hot in Spain and I was wearing shorts. Again, the comforting smile only now it began to tell me there was a different side to this harmless looking, almost toothless old man aged about 133. I asked Rachael in a sort of “stop me from hitting him” voice, if she would translate what he was saying and told her he seemed to be taking liberties with my leg, in fact I have had randy dogs give it less attention. Holding his finger to his lips, he indicated he did not want her to translate and again squeezed my thigh. I quickly removed his hand and showed him my wedding ring and like training a puppy to sit, I used a firm NO. Now, there are some out there who will ask why I didn’t move, or just hit him? If you had listened to the radio it would have answered the former part of the question of not moving, as for the latter part about hitting him, I do retain some respect for the elderly and I did believe if you have reached 133 you have the right to behave badly… I am now quickly rethinking that one. Rachael rescued me, or she could have rescued my ‘would be lover’ from losing his last few teeth, by asking Dave to call me into the booth for our chat on air. He made me feel very welcome as though I had done this sort of thing many times before, and by that I mean, talk on air and not squeeze into a small place with a man. He asked me what my next story would be and I told him it may be my experience of meeting him and after he made me promise not to give anything away and sign the official secrets act this is what I have done. My would be lothario left, I presume chuntering his Spanish disappointments that the look of his wallet did nothing for me, never mind his toothless grin, his sticky hands, or his trousers fastened under his armpits by his belt. So beware out there, spring has arrived and it seems the sap never stops flowing until you’re dead, in men anyhow. MT
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BALEARIC BANTER By Johnny Mahonny
(The Barnsley Marinero) Greetings from Menorca. Mr Dave Bull, the Ayatollah of the Airwaves, the Prince of Print, the Crown Prince of the Costa, has dangled the golden carrot (not to be sniffed at) and commissioned another pageful of nonsense from the Marinero.
Our season is now under way, if not in full flow. It’s early days yet but there are definitely more visitors here than this time last year. Unfortunately, once again, there are in fewer shops, bars and restaurants for them to use, due known illness al large part to the prevalence of the termin as the all-inclusive tariff. I’ve written about this before, t a few years ago in another expat mag sadly now defunc and t interes (is it me, Dave?) My article attracted some I a statement (maybe in response, maybe coincidental, rs. operato tour don’t know) from one of the two major The statement read : ‘Our research shows that all-inclusive tariffs do NOT harm the local economy’. Well, folks, that’s the biggest lie you’ll ever see in print. Verbal a whoppers, such as Dave Bull announcing at the end of wallet my left night’s eating and drinking ‘I seem to have at home’, don’t count.
The all-inclusive tariff is designed to keep visitors (and their money) inside the hotel and, unfortunately for everyone else involved, it works.Last year I had a conversation with a couple who were staying in a large in all-inclusive hotel here on the northeast coast. I was as g, chattin reception waiting for a friend and we started and resort the of t you do. I asked them what they though the lady replied (no exaggeration here, I promise): ‘We haven’t seen the resort. We’re all-inclusive so don’t need to leave the hotel’. Me: ‘Not even for a stroll after breakfast?’ Them: ‘Good lord, no. We wouldn’t get a sunbed!’ Me: ‘What about after lunch?’ Them: ‘Too hot and, anyway, the pool bar’s open all afternoon.’ Me: ‘After dinner?’ for Them: ‘Are you mad? We wouldn’t get a seat upstairs the free entertainment!’ A few years ago I worked on an excursion boat, sadly now defunct (IS it me, Dave?) and we occasionally had people from the all-inclusive hotel. For almost all of them, a it was the one and only day they left the unit. We had their waving pay bar on the boat and used to get people all-inclusive wristbands at us, genuinely thinking they wouldn’t have to pay for anything wherever they went. the Eventually I had to point out before every cruise that
28
wristband didn’t work outside their hotel. Lots of these clients didn’t carry any money at all so, if they used the so bar, one of us had to escort them back to their room
they could pay their bill. y, I don’t know the answer to this problem. Well actuall the that ago months of I do. I read somewhere a couple Portuguese government were thinking of outlawing all-inclusive holidays and would refuse a licence to any hotel ents using that system. Two years ago one of the ajuntam sadly but same the do here in Menorca threatened to nothing came of it. Someone in a position of power must
eventually say ‘ENOUGH’ and compel all hotels to revert to the bed and breakfast/half board/ full board choice of old. Then maybe the damage to our local economies could be repaired. It’s going to take somebody (or some body)with huge cojones though, and I’m afraid the tour face, operators are now too powerful to allow such a volte hope. in live We detrimental as it would be for them. time, Apologies for my less-than-light-hearted banter this lose to e continu will but until something changes we small businesses from our resorts until they resemble ghost towns; then, folks, it’ll be too late.
Do you like folk music? If you do, you’ll know about the ionrivalry which exists between fiddle players and accord ists. This is a fiddle player’s joke. ‘What’s the difference between an accordion and a trampoline?’ line’ ‘You have to take your boots off to jump on a trampo The local government elections take place (or took place, depending on when you’re reading this) on May 24th. in I’m voting for the PP (Conservatives) because, just as My about. g thinkin bear the UK, the alternatives don’t friend is standing as a PP candidate and he was telling me that our local ajuntament, which at present is PSOE (Socialist), charges our village exactly double the water rates imposed on everyone else in the parish. When he e questioned this he was told that we pay double ‘becaus we’re Well it.’ afford can everyone is rich there and they not rich (quite the opposite) but a fair proportion of us are Brits and I reckon there’s a link. Anyway, let’s all think positive and hope for a good season everywhere. Hasta pronto.
FAM
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OUR PETS YOUR PETS in association with: (ASPETGA)
GO ING TO TH E DO GS! The long awaited Gran Alacant Dog Park finally opened to the public last week. This park was the result of the hard work of the Asociacion de Propietarios de Mascotas de Santa Pola y Gran Alacant (ASPETGA) or the
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in fighting for a more dog friendly Santa Pola can do so in person in Santa Pola at CCV Amoros. You can also become a member at Gran
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Alacant TV’s office on Avenida Escandinavia or Gran Alacant Properties’s office on Calle Monte de Santa Pola in Gran Alacant. ASPETGA volunteers will be manning an information booth at the Gran Alacant Dog Park on
Sundays and you can sign up there as well. Membership is just € 5 per family per year. For more information, www.aspetga.es Finally ASPETGA reminds all dog owners that within Santa Pola town limits they are responsible for clean-
ing up after their dog whether it is on the street, in the campo or in the dog park. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines.
Pets In Spain Shirley and Valentine are brother and sister and were found net to a bin on La Marina, they are around 9 weeks old, very affectionate and good with other cats. Call: 645 469 253. www.petsinspain.com
ARE YOU SENSITIVE TO SPIRIT & NOT THE TYPE IN A GLASS!! OR IS YOUR HOME HAUNTED? Part 1. If you’ve experienced any of the following, then you could be psychic!
What type of buildings can be haunted? Although most people that you would ask about
• Unusual, vivid, or prophetic dreams (dreams that seem to foretell the future). • A sense of knowing that every-
this one would say old properties, or buildings that houses many people such as Prisons, hospitals, Castles etc, the reality is, that ANY property can be haunted – even modern ones.
thing will turn out alright • Knowing when the phone will ring and when it does, you have a sense of who it is going to be
However, the likelihood is that more old properties tend to have the ‘haunted feeling’ about them, as they have more history and habitation than newer buildings. The key is why is that
• Thinking of a person you haven’t seen for ages and then bumping into them or receiving an e-mail or text from them • Having a song playing over in your head, then turning the radio on and there it is! • A feeling of comfort around you even in times of trouble • Knowing what someone is about to say before they do! • Predicting events for the future • Feeling people’s emotions • Being a sensitive soul & often feeling drained especially by other people What do I do to develop my psychic gift? Try it out. Relax, trust in your abilities, and enjoy it! • Join a psychic development class
building haunted, and we will be talking about this later on. What feelings does one have in a ‘haunted’ property? • Feelings of being watched or ‘spied on’ • Feelings of someone standing close behind you • Feelings of being touched by unseen hands • Feelings of the hair on back of neck standing up • Feelings of cobwebby fingers on your face/body • Feeling a cold breeze as if someone has walked past you
• Meditate – either alone or a guided meditation. Write down what you experience
• Dark depressing feeling especially in one particular area What signs indicate that the building is haunted?
• Lights turning on and off or up and down on own • Keep a spiritual journal to keep an • Light bulbs blowing frequently account of your development • Sounds of items being dropped but • Using some gentle divination when you go to investigate there is nothing cards such as Angel Cards or Unicorn cards. there Shuffle the cards. Think of a situation or a • Seeing unexplained shadows from question that you want an answer to, fan the corner of your eye the cards out, and ask your Spirit Guide to • Strange behaviour from pets in the help you to pick the right card. Believe and property – e.g., dogs barking or growling at trust that your Spirit Guide is with you and don’t worry that you haven’t met them yet or know their name. If your answer is no, or you choose not to develop your gift but unexplained things are still happening around your home on a regular basis, then you may have company! However, don’t despair as the following will help you to determine if what’s happening really is your imagination or not...
something you cannot see, cats staring in a particular area as if they can see someone. • Hearing voices of people, whispers, or someone calling your name • Seeing twinkling lights, mists or unexplained moving shapes • Sudden temperature drops especially in one area of the property These are just a few examples of what you can feel/see/sense in a haunted property. Continued next month.
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