FR
EE
www.allabroad.es
September 2015 issue number 50
THE KAYAK CHALLENGE! Editor & son to take on 52km of the Rio Sergura for charity
Sandra Piddock Best things come in little packages..?
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Cover: Naomi Ferez (13)
for the locals...by the locals..!
2 guys, 2 kayaks, 1 mission... & a blooming long river! Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/KayakforCancer
& LIVE on the day via GPS!
The Kayak Challenge for Cancer
28th Nov
MURCIA to GUARDAMAR Raising funds for th AECC & highlightng the Samritans in Spain. 2
Dave and Mitch Bull
TAKE TO THE WATER...
ALL ABROAD
www.allabroad.es
By Susan Reader
Father and son plan to Kayak from Murcia to Guardamar to raise funds for cancer charity.
at 6’7” to my 6’3” is even more pleased about that but more about Mitch and
re reaakk!! kkee aa b b a T a T with
his training experience and love of good food next month!”
The idea came about when sadly they were told a close relative was diagnosed
The lads will also be carrying GPS track-
with having cancer.
Dave said: “Mitch
ing devices so those interested can fol-
and I would like to think that the bat-
low their progress - each kayak will have
tle can be won and we both want to do
a separate device - and the boys names
something to show our support and the
will appear on a map on the website as
first step in this slightly ‘off the wall’
they head down the Rio Segura s we can
venture is training!
all see if they are progressing well.
So here we go...
MAY/ JUNE / JULY/ AUGUST/ SEP MAYO /JUNIO /JULIO/ AGOSTO / SEP MAI / JUNI / JULI / AUGUST / SEP
DAY TRIPS
CV-Mm440-A
MONDAY / LUNES / MONTAG ALGAR
/
WATERFALLS
GUADALEST
At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est.
BENIDORM
13€
$
TUESDAY / MARTES / DIENSTAG ALTEA (Market Day)
BENIDORM
VILLAJOIOSA
5
ALICANTE
(Market)
+CHOCOLATE FACTORY
+ BENIDORM
+ ALICANTE CASTLE
13€
10€
10€
5 99
8€
12€
5
WEDNESDAY MIÉRCOLES /$MITTWOCH $ /99 99
the distance is 52k so first step - find a trainer Bea Cota is a little mad (and
The proposed date for this mega chal-
very strict!)and my training started on
lenge is Saturday November 28th so
Monday 24th of August and blimey…just
Dave and Mitch will be spending the next
what have I let myself in for?
12 weeks training and checking out the
BENIDORM (Market Day)
ALGAR
Boat Trip / Barco
INC: ENTRANCE
10€
17€
MAY: 06, 20 JUNE: 03, 17 JULY: 01, 15, 29 AUG: 12, 26 SEPT: 09, 23
BENIDORM
$
CALPE + BENIDORM
5 99
anyone has a basic model buried in their
but the workout sure did! After a gruel-
garage or underbuild now could be the
ling half hour with Bea I was ready for a
time to unearth it and put it to good use.
DAY TRIPS
strong coffee and a quick fag but no Bea
All that’s left for me to say now is good
FRIDAY / VIERNES / FREITAG
said right that’s the warm up done now
luck with the training guys and we look
for the real stuff! We are now ready to
forward to hearing more from the Bulls
start your first session... and I thought
next month!
CARTAGENA
+ LICOR 43
EXPERIENCE
fb Susan Reader
$
+ LICOR 43 + TRAIN
+CATAMARAN CRUISE
15€ADT: 22€ SENIOR: 20€
21€
CHD:
13€
(+34)966717783 / (+34)675956059
www.viajesrosatours.com
MURCIA
MURCIA
13€
CARTAGENA
+
INC: 18€ info@viajesrosatours.com 21€
MURCIA : ZOO + WATER PARK
(Shopping Malls)
(City Centre)
13€
+ BOAT TRIP + TRAIN
+
INC:
+ MAR MENOR TRAIN
CARTAGENA
MURCIA : ZOO + WATER PARK ADT:31€
10€
+
10€
CHD:27€
ALICANTE
(NIGHT OUT)
13€ 15€
10€
SENIOR:27€
BENIDORM
DENIA
10€
(NIGHT OUT)
11€ $
5 99
10€
BUS + DINNER + SHOW BUS + CENA + ESPECTACULO
BUS + SHOW
sueinthesun@hotmail.co.uk
chine who thinks I should have the same
16€
CARTAGENA
5 99
10€
CARTAGENA
BENIDORM
should have been!!
MAY: 13, 27 JUNE: 10, 24 JULY: 08, 22 AUG: 05, 19 SEPT: 02, 16, 30
30€
14€
10€
bird so a 5.30a.m. start did not faze me
IF YOU DO HAVE A KAYAK that Dave
(Town & Beach)
+
CARTAGENA
$
to train with and to use on the day so if
and Mitch could use then please email or
INC:
THURSDAY / JUEVES / DONNERSTAG
course - they do need a second Kayak
it was all over - it certainly felt like it
MOJACAR
ÁGUILAS
WATERFALLS (FULL DAY)
As many of you will know I am an early
Bea is a healthy eating lean mean ma-
(+34) 966717783 (+34) 675956059
info@viajesrosatours.com www.viajesrosatours.com
51€
35€
BUS + ESPECTACULO
SATURDAY / SÁBADO / SAMSTAG ALGAR WATERFALLS
BENIDORM
diet as a rabbit… Thank goodness it’s just been proved that a glass red wine is
+ BENIDORM
10€
good for you and no one said what size
13€
SAFARI AITANA
VALENCIA MAY: 02, 16, 30 ALICANTE JUNE: 13, 27 JULY: 11, 25 AUGUST: 08, 22 SEP: 05, 19
16€
MAY: 09, 23 JUNE: 06, 20 JULY: 04, 18 AUGUST: 01, 15, 29 SEP: 12, 26
ADT: 27€ CHD: 23€
SUNDAY / DOMINGO / SONNTAG
glass! I also think I am about to learn all
ALGAR / GUADALESTLA MANGA BENIDORM EVERY
$SUNDAY 5
about juicing, proteins and pasta, calo-
10€
rific values, optimum weight the lot. I
CATAMARAN CRUISE
$ LA MANGA (Maket day)
ADT: 22€ CHD: 13€
99 511€
SEN: 20€
$
ONLY IN AUGUST
BENIDORM THEME PARKS / PARQUES TEMATICOS BENIDORM EVERY DAY / TODOS LOS DIAS / ALLES TAGE
am just really pleased I was blessed with
BEST PRICES IN BUS + TICKETS
the tall gene so at least being a lanky git weight will not be a problem! Mitch
CRUISES 2015 / BOOK YOUR CRUISE JUST FOR
50€
ALL CRUISES INCLUDED TRANSPORT & PORT TAXES
CV Mm-440-A.
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3
Equality and diversity = What a crock of… by MANDY TAMS As those who have read my diary before know, I am less able
on being invited into my relatives suite for the same price, just
than some. I use crutches and a wheelchair when tired, as well
once again showed up that we are treated as second class and
as pack a couple of kilos of steel bars strapped up my knicker leg.
worthless citizens.
Now I have worked hard when I could and earned good wages,
man standing in the queue. Rather than helping my slight sister
better than my healthy engineer husband at one time.
in law with bags and the pushing of a wheelchair containing my
I have struggled through lots of situations, and put up with being
none to light self, he shouted, ‘Hey guys let’s pretend to hobble
pushed out of the way, poked in the back and tripped down stairs
and we will all get taken to the front of the queue, as security
by healthy bodies rushing past me in an attempt to get out of the
came to help my sister.
weather or get a seat or just being plain rude. I have put up with
I hope the slap his partner gave him hurt and his embarrassment
remarks such, as ‘Move, I bet I pay your benefits’, or ‘Come on
is still on him. I offered to take his place and swap our situations
shift it you’re too slow it’s raining here you know.’ Even, ‘Just get
but he was silent then.
Once again, back at the airport, thanks to the
out of the way, why they let you people travel is beyond me,’ and one very nice hairdresser who did explain to me that all disabled
Thanks to the woman who moaned that we were getting on in
people should be aborted. I was alright though because I was not
front of her off the ambulift, it was cold and wet. The fact that we
born WRONG.’
also stood in the rain meant nothing to her as she suggested we were too slow and should wait until the able bodies were onboard.
Now these all happened before our PC
Equality and diversity is a joke. We cannot
society came into play and annoyed us all
choose our seats on a plane in case we
taking our freedom away to insult anyone
block others exits, we have to be willing
we felt like. Equality and diversity became
to burn for the rest of the payload we
the watchwords of today, I am here to say
have to pay in hospital car parks the same
it’s all a crock of, shall we say ‘poo’.
as everybody else even though we have
I have a disabled friend who tried to get on
far more appointments than the average
a train with assistance, when he overheard
person. On the whole we pay for our own
someone say.
prescriptions which we also tend to have far more of.
‘Why do they have to travel?’ He also had to pay first class just to get a seat. This
Now some thanks. To the restaurants and
friend is the most loving and charitable
bars in GA that do try and help, to the peo-
person I know and he ran his own business
ple that offer a hand and pass the time of
only to be struck down with a disease in
day and a smile with us. Believe you me;
his mid 50’s, but some moronic onlooker
you do not know how appreciative we are,
decided he ought not even think of travelling.
not for pity but recognition as a person.
Hotels, restaurants, and such like have to make their premises
Don’t be afraid of us, yes sometimes we can be grumpy but so
accessible for us ‘nuisances’ today, forgetting our money is as
can you, give us a chance people please, and keep your hurtful
good as the next persons or they think they are paying for us with
comments to yourselves.
their tax money on benefits, I wish. I booked into a LONDON hotel with family and asked for a walk in shower and disabled toi-
One day, you never know, when we, in this alien world of not be-
let they only had one and it had no window, I refused and asked
ing fully able, rise up, our day will come when we take the world
for something else, they then said they had one with a walk in
by storm. We may be the master race just biding out time, what
shower.
goes round comes round and one day you may find yourselves in a similar situation through no fault of your own. Think about it,
The excitement built on arriving at the hotel, what would the
how do want to be treated then? Oh yes the blasé will say ‘I’d
room be like.
end it all and not be a burden,’ as if we have no life anyhow. Big
The card passed over the lock the door opened
onto the smallest double room with the bed pushed against the
mistake if you think that. When your time comes you will realise
wall, no other space available and the shower had a step too. But
how precious your health is and how bloody lucky you are?
it would only be a couple of nights and London is expensive, but
4
A BRIEF RETURN There’ll always be an England... Malcolm Palmer I know that a lot of you reading this
kind of fiendish plot to eat all the healthy
make frequent visits to what is prob-
food so that Ronald MacD can sell more.
ably the land of your birth – Britain,
The relative strength of sterling has sent
that is – and I may well not be able
prices sky-high, of course, and the expe-
to tell you anything you don’t al-
rience of paying three euros for a coffee
ready know. But then again, I may
was quite new.
look at things from a different angle.
My brother took us to the Norfolk coast, and we saw people walking around in
You see, I have long ago, in the hack-
shorts and tee-shirts in what felt like
neyed phrase, ‘gone native,’ and am al-
sub-zero temperatures, and steady rain,
most certainly more Spanish than Eng-
in Hunstanton.
lish, in that I have no English television,
Travelling around, hardly any old cars
live in a piso in a very ordinary Spanish
could be seen, all shining new ones –
neighbourhood, with a Spanish wife and
very different, that, as was the sight of
family, and don’t speak English
from
ments
in
many
p l a c e s .
the
And,
next.
in
c a s e I ’ m
S
o
when w went
sounde
ing to
my brother in
Get your business noticed by advertising in
new housing develop-
one week to
Is YOUR Business working for YOU?
visit Cambridge
a touch
negabout my
a t i v e old
country,
recently, it was my first visit there for
food seems to have improved – at least
some years, and I was fascinated by
there are more interesting things avail-
the changes that had been wrought in
able in the better snack-bars than in
my absence. The chaos that was Luton
my day. But you still can’t get a beer in
airport wasn’t altogether amazing after
them!
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recent terrorism alerts, but it doesn’t seem to prevent women walking around
Yes, it’s a very different country, not only
all over the place in full Islamic gear!
from Spain, but from the Britain I left behind 22 years ago, but I doubt that
A soaring Red Kite was a welcome sight
any group of Spanish people would ever
as soon as we got to the main road, but
behave the way the row behind us did
Woodpigeons must have been breeding
on the flight back. I was glad to be back,
prolifically since I was last there, or per-
heat and all.
haps they have been introduced as some
5
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 Summer Hours and from 12.00pm at weekends From 1pm every day
@pizzeriacocoa /pizzeriacocoa
6
Sandra in Spain www.sandrainspain.com
Around Algor fa
Eating Out
Last month, I introduced you to my
for the second course, and that’s reflected in
value. Starters include hot and cold soups,
lovely home pueblo of Algorfa. The great
the slightly higher price. All this food costs
pate, and tuna salad, while main courses are
thing is, we’ve got a great choice of eat-
just €9 for lunch, €11 on weekday evenings,
typically Hungarian. The Goulash is stunning,
ing places here. Algorfa may be small,
and €12 - €15 at weekends.
and the Paprika Chicken is to die for. And the
but it’s big on service, and there are all
Alquibla is on Avenida Maria del Mar Rodri-
servings are enormous!
kinds of eateries, to suit all tastes and
guez – Algorfa’s main street. Call 965 701
You’ll receive a warm welcome from Kata and
budgets.
972 to reserve a table. It’s closed on Mon-
her family, so if you want something a bit dif-
days.
ferent, go Hungarian. Call 966 729 707 to reserve your table.
For now, I’m going to concentrate on some of the places I’ve actually eaten at myself,
Restaurante La Cosecha
because first hand recommendation is always
La Cosecha (which means ‘harvest’ in Span-
El Chiringuito Algorfa
best. Then, over the next couple of months,
ish) is on the Algorfa – Benijofar Road. It’s
El Chiringuito is Algorfa’s hidden gem. Situ-
I’m going to chow down at as many places
a Mediterranean restaurant which has won
ated in the middle of the Sports Centre, with
as I can, then come back to you with more
numerous awards. The main dining room is
plenty of shaded seating, you can enjoy tapas
reviews. The things I do for my art! Here are
a spacious conservatory with stunning views
or a full meal, although there isn’t actually a
just some of the great places to eat in and
over campo, and the staff are mostly Eng-
Menu del Dia option. On my first visit there,
around Algorfa.
lish. The food, though, comes from all over
the friend who took me recommended the
Europe, with prawn cocktail, ratatouille, mus-
house salad, followed by paella and a fruit
Restaurante Alquibla
sels, meatballs, pate and pasta featuring in
plate, washed down with a jug of Tinto Vera-
Alquibla
was the first Spanish restaurant I
the starters. Main courses include lamb’s
no. (That’s red wine and lemonade with fruit,
ate in when we moved here back in 2008,
liver, turbot – unusual to find that on a Menu
if you’re wondering – lighter than sangria).
and nothing has surpassed it since. It’s a typ-
del Dia – pork loin, Beef Bourgignon and veg-
The salad has all the usual suspects, plus
ical ‘Abuelo Restaurant,’ where Madre does
etarian options. And there are an incredible
tuna, egg, ham and cheese. It’s a meal on
the cooking, and Padre y Hijo do the waiting,
10 desserts to choose from!
its own. Then there’s the paella with fresh
with a little help from friends when it gets
With bread and salad for starters, and half
tuna, langoustines, mussels, squid rings and
busy. When it’s not busy, Padre likes to play
a litre of wine to wash it all down, the MDD
clams. That’s a real treat for the taste buds,
cards for cash in the bar, and that puts some
comes in at €12.95. The evening menu is
and probably the best paella I’ve ever had,
people off, but for us, it’s another attraction!
€14.95, and there is entertainment several
anywhere. And I’ve had a lot of paellas! This
Take an empty stomach with you – you’ll
nights a week. Booking is pretty much es-
was followed by a huge plate of mixed melon
need it to get through the bread with ali oli
sential, for lunch, and advisable for evenings.
chunks. I was being treated, so I didn’t see
and tomate, salad, three courses and half a
Call 966 194 018.
the prices, but I did notice that there was change out of €40 – and that was with extra
bottle of wine. Typical primeros are paella of the day, sopa de pelota (meatball soup with a
Hotel Algorfa Hungarian Restaurant
drinks too. Phone 659 565 485 to book – par-
meatball of gigantic proportions), macaroni,
Situated on the Castilio de Montemar urbani-
ticularly at weekends.
cold meats or gazpacho. During the week,
sation on the Algorfa – La Finca road, this
I seem to have run out of space, but don’t
there’s a meat or fish choice for segundos –
family run hotel offers excellent food.
Eat
worry – like the Terminator, I’ll be back, with
maybe beef in sauce, pork loin with cheese,
in the stylish restaurant, or on the terrace
lots more information about Algorfa. Why not
roast chicken, fried fillet of sole or hake in
overlooking the iconic Mount Escotera. At
stop by for a meal soon? You won’t be disap-
sauce. At weekends there are more choices
just €8.50, the Menu del Dia offers excellent
pointed!
7
“Get on yer bike!” by Gary Routledge www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
Cycle Route 30.
some new cycle routes to and from
you can see all the lakes and beauti-
Crevillente from here and are well
ful wildlife you can also see for miles
This is a great little ride and suita-
marked). Drive along this track and
from here. All around the lake there
ble for all levels of cyclists including
you will arrive in a large car park
are information boards with pictures
young children. You can either cycle
where you can leave your car and en-
of the various wildlife and plants.
to the nature reserve or you can take
joy the miles of beautiful cycle and
your car with the bikes on the back.
walking tracks.
There are numerous entrances to the park by cycle but if you are going by
If you are cycling to the park you are spoilt for choice of entries. If you cycle
Just past the car park there is the
towards La Marina from San Fulgencio
car you need to drive to Dolores then
park information centre which is al-
at the crossroads where right goes to
Catral head for and through San Felipe
ways closed when we are their but we
La Marina (Iceland, Lidl, N332) or left
Neri and about 1km past you will see
have been told in good faith that it is
takes you to Dolores there are 3 ca-
the sign post for the nature reserve.
well worth a look. There are walkways
nals turn left at the last one and cycle
and tracks all around the park and In some signs it’s spelt El Hondo and
they are well signposted. There is also
others it’s El Fondo. (There are also
a viewpoint tower to climb up where
8
CYCLING tips
Calle Los Arcos, 7 QUESADA
Mountain Bikes City Bikes Child Seats Tag-a-longs Hybrid Bikes Road Bikes
advice routes
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
Cycling Around...
The EL-Hondo nature park.
through the side of the fence and follow the canal all the way crossing over a tarred road on route and this irrigation
Total Cycling time: 4 Hours
canal will take you straight into the Park. Alternatively you
Total Distance: Approx 45 Kms.
can keep going on the La Marina road for about another 1km over the bridge and turn left at the next crossroads onto a dirt track road this will also take you to the canal
Summary: Beautiful, Peaceful, Scenic route over flat ter-
turn right at the canal and again follow it to the park.
rain, with lovely views and great cycle tracks.
There are also another couple of entries / exits to the park which are on the San Felipe road which circumnavigates the park. Hope you find a suitable way in and out and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
9
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10
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Come & meet
Notes from small town Spain
The
SPECIALISTS
So, September is upon us, the days and
folks around here can actually speak Eng-
nights will start to cool down a bit and we
lish better than they let on! But there aren’t
are thinking about going back to school.
many of us “natives” down this way. I only know of a handful who actually live in the
I understand Spain has had a very busy
town. This is a good thing, because it forces
summer this year, but who doesn’t head on
us Brits to at least TRY to speak a bit, even if
down this way every once in a while for a
we are tourists, and come down to the mar-
bit of sun, sand, sangria and siesta on the
ket and some tapas.
beach?
Ooh, let’s not forget the fiestas!
Why? Why not? It’s a great excuse to have
When I first arrived in Spain with my friend
a day off work and have a party. We’ve al-
we took it upon ourselves to hire a Spanish
ready had the Mig Any here in June and it’s
teacher and have a couple of hours a week
a fun day of dressing up, parading down the
with him. He opened the textbook and said
streets and, well, drinking and partying, re-
the word that strikes fear into every expat’s
ally. There’s a party on every corner around
heart. “VERBOS”. But, to be honest, I’ve
here and I love it. At the beginning of Sep-
learnt a lot more Spanish just from living
tember it’s the Santa Pola fiesta, and every
in a Spanish town than paying a teacher to
year we have a look at the programme and
come in and check my verbs list. Chatting to
every year the fireworks for the last night
people everyday, mums at the school gate,
(the grand finale) are always late. I mean
the girls on the tills in the supermarkets, the
1 a.m late. This goes on for about half an
waiter in your favourite cafe.
hour and the kiddies go back to school the
helps, as they say.
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day after. How cruel! It’s funny, on the buying selling sites I see September at school here is usually pretty
adverts for interpretors, you know, for doc-
laid back, trying to get organised for the
tor’s, bank, town hall, paperwork all that
year, sorting out schoolbooks, etc.
They
kind of thing, and that’s great of you really
only have half days until the dining room
can’t get to grips with the language, but I
opens in October, then it’s “heads down, full
was thinking to myself, how handy would it
steam ahead, kids!”
have been if our teacher had told us where to go to sort out all our paperwork, who to
I myself have had a very lazy August,
talk to and what to say. Us Brits could have
spending days at the beach and nights on
saved ourselves a fortune! Even now some-
the balcony. Suddenly the tourists will have
times, when sorting out various documents,
disappeared, and the residents will slowly
I’m still not entirely sure where to go, but at
trickle back to the costas. Normality will re-
least I can ask someone to point me in the
turn, quieter, (slightly) cooler autumn days
right direction!
and nights and rain and floods…and us Santapolistas reclaim our town. This year has been a steady stream of family and friends coming over to visit. More than usual, but it’s been good summer. I found a bit of work teaching English in a local school
Until next time, Stay cool...
Kelly
for July and was a little surprised that a few
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MANDY’S
Spanish Diary
by Mandy Tams
MORE MT THOUGHTS The perfect BBQ. Yes its BBQ time once more, I will let you into a secret the best ones are prepared yet unplanned ones… Be like a boy scout and be prepared to make an impromptu invitation. I have readied a list of essential items for the discerning. 1. First of all a BBQ is always a good start, but which kind, Gas, briquettes or an electric one? The purist will say briquettes for that genuine charred, no one will know if you dropped it on the floor kind of taste, and the dry black colour with a perfume of cinders. For the more well-to-do, pull out a gas outdoor kitchen area with running water, bread oven and chef to use it. The more discerning amongst us, and therefore the lazy will plum for leccy, cos you only have to plug em in and wipe em clean.
Guess which I have? 2. Next, bug repellent or bug killer, both handy but which do we try? The repellent that attracts every living bug around, or, smother ourselves in lemon juice, or just go for the after bite that smells of urine. A tough, but personal choice. We chose one of those electric bat things that you swipe back and forth like semaphore, and then press the button to fry them, but we discovered there is a size limit to what you can fry on it. A. Mosquitoes got straight through it. B. Cockroaches over an inch long do not die; it is true they can live through anything. One obligingly landed on my bat thing and when hubby switched it on it looked like it was being defibrillated, he did it again, still a heart beat, again and again. Smoke rose from its legs, the aroma of fried cockroach assailed out nostrils. ‘Enough’ I cried, it must be dead leave it alone. It didn’t move, appearing welded to the wires so we left
it and carried on with our non preparations. Within 10 mins the beastie wriggled, removed each leg individually free of the wires and flew away. We keep waiting for its big brother to come and get us now with all its friends. 3. Ice, ice is a must, it keeps the drinks cool. Insect bites from those that broke through the defences don’t swell as much if rubbed with a cube of ice. 4. Yes nearly forgot, sausages. You can’t have a barby without snags, get a good fat pork sausage because they roll furthest hence when they drop off, you can combine this with entertainment. Have games, such as catch the snag, whilst waiting for wine to cool, or the chicken to reach perfect salmonella levels. I have just dug my BBQ out, for the one day of sun in England. It’s a gas one as the lead isn’t long enough for the leccy one. I was surprised to see the lid burnt and the insides burners melted. Strange, thought I, grabbing my grown up son by the ear, after standing on a chair to do so as he is 6’ 4”. Pointing accusingly at the ruined BBQ he informed me he didn’t know how to attach it to the gas so had used coal in it instead. Which brings me to essential item no 5. 5. Spare BBQ for those with idiot sons. © mt
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Alicante City
A real taste of the Mediterranean Part two Continued from the August issue Two hundred years later the city was booming mainly because of the growing demand for Alicante as a trading port and its exports of rice, oranges and wine to name just a few but, as ever in this City’s past, it didn’t stay quiet on the fighting enemies front for long and for the next three hundred years or so they fought a number of battles and were bombarded by the French and the British at different times over the period until along came Word War I which brought opportunities for a neutral Spain with the country benefitting from the increase in trade from fruit and food to military uniforms, all were readily supplied to the world at war. A few more skirmishes in North Morocco (Rif) followed the war as did the abdication of King Alfonso XIII and the declaration of the second Spanish Republic in 1931. The civil war came in 1936 pitting families and friends against each other and ending with Spain having a new leader, General Franco who was to stay in power and oppress many in Spain for the next thirty nine years. However, towards the end of his life Franco did take some credit for the start of tourism to Spain which saw over one million passengers arriving in Alicante at the new El Altet airport by 1970 and with the popularity of the region for its beaches and good all year climate that figure had doubled to two million by 1978 and by 1996 over nine million visitors were heading to Spain through Alicante airport. The new airport, finished in 2011, has a capacity for 20 million passengers per year. Historical and cultural Alicante may well be but it certainly hasn’t dwelt on the past and along the city’s streets you’ll find the latest stores blending nicely with the traditional
shops as you head down into the old quarter. Here you can soak up real Mediterranean life amongst locals going about their daily business as you head up to the sixteenth century Hermitage at Santa Cruz and then carry on climbing to the eleventh century Santa Barbara Castle itself that impresses every visitor to the town form below looking up to those who venture inside the castle’s formidable walls. Bohemian this city certainly is, whether its the narrow streets and the chic and trendy cafes in the old quarter or its museums and art galleries. Stylish, historical, modern – many words can be used to describe this now peaceful seaside city that just oozes with tradition, history and culture. And with some of the best fiestas to be found in Spain, the city is alive with something going on somewhere at all times of the year. Alicante IS the Mediterranean and just a short walk at lunchtime along the narrow streets of the old quarter and you will soon savour the scent of saffron drifting out of restaurant kitchen windows as the day’s paella is prepared by the truck full! But in Alicante it’s not just the food that invades your senses but the culture itself. Whether that means sitting at a street café and dining on typical Mediterranean fare and perhaps listening to the Spanish guitar being played nearby, or on the port or shopping in Maisonnave (Alicante’s best shopping street). It is all here. Over 10 kilometres of some of the best beaches in Spain, a major airport, huge film studios and centre to the European copyright office means that this city is a cosmopolitan blend of all that is good in Europe and beyond.
19
20 things you should know... New traffic legislation that will affect how motorists and cyclists use
Spain’s roads will soon affect most of us. While the law will not come into effect for a while, we’ve listed some of the biggest changes to keep in mind when driving or pedaling along Spanish roads in the future. 1. Helmets mandatory in cities for cyclists under 16. After
mine where and when this speed may be legally reached. Penal-
a long row over safety issues, the Popular Party has backtracked
ties will be the same: starting at 100 euros for vehicles going up
on its intention to make helmets mandatory for all riders within
to 150km/h.
municipal limits. In the end, only minors will have to wear them.
7. No minimum speed restrictions for bicycles. This reform
Not doing so could lead to fines of 200 euros for parents.
aims to solve a problem faced by cyclists in cities. Until now, vehi-
2. Small children may not ride in the front seat. Law enforce-
cles could not travel at a speed below 50 percent of the limit. This
ment officers will be able to stop and fine drivers carrying children
was a problem for cyclists in spots such as Madrid’s Cuesta de la
under 1.35 meters in the front passenger seat, unless all the back
Vega, a steep slope where riders have a hard time going faster
seats are already taken up by other children also under the height
than 25km/h. Freeways remain off-limits to cyclists.
limit (or the car has no back seats at all). Until now, under-12s
8. Ban on speed camera detectors and jammers. The new legisla-
could ride in the front as long as they had a booster seat or other
tion expressly prohibits the use of speed camera detectors: driv-
approved retaining device. Taxis will have to follow the same
ers caught using them will be liable to fines of 200 euros and the
rules, but parents, not taxi drivers, will be held accountable for
loss of three points on their license. Speed camera jammers are
violations. Fines can also reach 200 euros.
considered much more serious and entail penalties of 6,000 euros
3. Bigger fines for drunk driving. Driving with double the
and six points off the permit. Only alert systems offering infor-
allowed limit of alcohol in the blood will now mean a fine of 1,000
mation about the locations of speed cameras based on databases
euros rather than 500. Those caught driving under the influence
will be legal. Drivers with GPS devices incorporating speed camera
twice within the same year will get slapped with a 2,000-euro fine
detection capabilities will have to deactivate this option.
the second time round.
9. Foreign residents must register their vehicles. Because
4. Fines for driving after taking drugs. The new law eliminates
foreigners living in Spain were not under the obligation to register
the need to prove that drug use influenced a person’s driving.
their cars here, in practice it was difficult to get them to pay traffic
Now, all it takes is a saliva test: if the result shows the presence
fines or submit to controls. The new regulations will determine the
of drugs in the body, drivers will be presented with a 1,000-euro
deadlines and conditions for vehicle registration.
fine regardless of whether the substances affected their driving or
10. Road works. It will be considered a serious offense to con-
not. Prescription drugs are excluded.
duct any kind of road works without first informing the pertinent
5. Alcohol and drug tests for pedestrians. Pedestrians caught
traffic authorities.
violating a traffic regulation – by crossing the road at the wrong
11. Road debris. Dropping items of any kind on the road will
place, for instance – will be obliged to submit to a drug and alco-
carry high penalties because of “the danger it poses to other road
hol test. Until now, this was only the case if they were involved in
users.”
an accident.
12. Inspecting driving schools. Hindering health department or
6. New speed limits. While the current speed limit on highways
traffic inspectors trying to carry out checks on driving schools and
and freeways is 120km/h, the reforms contemplate raising this to
other vehicle-related centers will be considered an offense.
130km/h. The new code scheduled for approval in June will deter-
13. Police can fine vehicles without stopping them. Officers will be able to fine vehicles without hailing them down if they are performing duties that prevent them from doing so or giving chase. 14. Drivers to be responsible in accidents involving game animals. Until now, such accidents were only blamed on drivers if they were in violation of the rules of the road, otherwise the state or the owner of the hunting preserve were held accountable. Under the new law, drivers will always be considered to blame unless it can be proven that the animal stormed the road as a result of a big-game hunt held that day or within 12 hours of one having taken place. The state will only be accountable if it fails to provide proper warning signals or to mend broken fences. In practice what this means is that no compensation will be handed out in the event of a driver being killed or seriously injured after a collision with an animal on one of Spain’s nearly 25,000 hunting preserves.
20
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...about driving in Spain 15. 50 percent discount for early fine payment extend-
Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020,
ed to 20 days. This is up from the current 15 days.
which aims to discourage the importing and exporting of new
16. Environmental restrictions. Vehicles may be barred
or used vehicles deemed unsafe.
from entering certain roadways based on environmental cri-
19. Priority for tow trucks. Tow trucks on their way to
teria. The Environment Ministry will establish the exact rules
assist motorists will have right of way and have to be treated
governing this point.
the same way as ambulances.
17. New reasons for immobilizing vehicles. As well as
20. Fewer driving restrictions for cancer patients.
the vehicles of drivers who let children ride without the prop-
Right now cancer sufferers are hardly ever allowed to drive,
er safety devices, authorities will also be able to immobilize
unless their doctor takes it up with the traffic authority. But
those being driven without the proper permit (a C permit in
improved medical treatment is set to be reflected in the new
the case of vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 7,500kg
road rules, which will place fewer restrictions on patients.
and a D permit in the case of buses). 18. Ban on taking unsafe vehicles to other countries. This article is an application of the United Nations’ Global
21
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What’s On Gig Guide Saturday 12th The Local, El Raso – Kevin Tyler – 9pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Pitu – 9pm Lo Marabu Lounge, Lo Pepin – Angie McKay – 9pm Inn on the Green, Entre Naranjas – The Everleys – 9pm PALS, La Siesta – Vinny Mack – 9pm The Lounge Bar, La Marina – Andy McBride as Rod Stewart – 9pm J’s Bar, La Marina – Plan B – 9pm The Club Quesada – Chloe Leigh – 9pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Colt 45 Duo – 10.30pm Inn at the Green, Entre Naranjas – Everly Brothers Tribute – 9pm La Manga Camping, La Manga – JJ Soulman – 8.30pm Vistabella Golf, Entre Naranjas – Las Vegas Tribute Show – 8.30pm Sunday 13th So Bar, Benimar – Paul Harris – 9pm The Club, Quesada – Maria O’Hara – 4pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 9pm Yolo, Cabo Roig – The Cages – 10.30pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Showaddywaddy Legend – 10.30pm The Snug, Torre de La Horadada – Luke Wilder – 9pm The Sports Complex, La Marina – Woody – 9pm Auld Dubliner, Campoamor – Diverse Duo – 9pm Saturday 19th Restaurante Los Rosales, CV895, Guardamar – The Liverpool Band. Tickets 14 Euros with 2 Course meal. Tel 697501992. Doors at 7.30pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Francis Sings – 9pm Imanyos, Daya Nueva – Diverse Duo – 9pm Lo Marabu Lounge, Lo Pepin – Bella Luna – 9pm The Inn on the Green, Entre Naranjas – Chloe Leigh – 9pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Colt 45 Duo – 10.30pm Tavern, Lo Crispin – JJ Soulman – 9pm La Campaña, Guardamar – Cherry K – 9pm
jas – Rob Bonovox – 8.30pm The Club, Quesada – Dee and Glenroy – 9pm Sunday 20th So Bar, Benimar – Paul Harris – 9pm Yolo, Cabo Roig – The Cages – 10.30pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 9pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Showaddywaddy Legend – 10.30pm Madhouse, Pueblo Principe – Variety Show with Ed B Williams and various – 7.30pm 15 euros inc 3 course meal Saturday 26th Imanyos, Daya Nueva – Soul Train Duo – 9pm Lo Marabu Lounge, Lo Pepin – The Streeters – 9pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Pitu – 9pm The Fire Station, Via Pk 1, La Zenia – Debbie Slater – 9pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Colt 45 Duo – 10.30pm La Manga Camping, La Manga – Lynden B – 9pm The Club, Quesada – Nikki G – 9pm Sunday 27th So Bar, Benimar – Paul Harris – 9pm Yolo, Cabo Roig – The Cages – 10.30pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 9pm Las Ramblas Golf, Las Ramblas – Chloe Leigh – 9pm Paddys Point, La Zenia – Showaddywaddy Legend – 10.30pm The Tavern, Catral – Soul and Motown Party – 4pm La Taberna, Entre Naranjas – Lynden B – 9pm Auld Dubliner, Campoamor – Diverse Duo – 9pm Monday 28th The Firm, Los Dolses CC – Ed Temple Hypnotist – 5 Euros inc curry Saturday 3rd October Monos Bar, Quesada – Freddie Kool – 9pm La Bodequeta, Lo Crispin – Red Stokes – 9pm Pablos International Bar, Playa Flamenca – Sharni – 9pm Yolo, Cabo Roig – Dougie Monroe – 10pm Tuesday 6th October Restaurante Los Rosales, Guardamar – Sexy Soul Power. Tickets 14€ inc. 2 course meal. www. lrshows.com
August - September Lets Rock the Costas
After the blistering heat and many local fiestas during August, September finds us a bit more laid back and not fighting for table space with the tourists. August was a time that some of our acts were dropping like flies from working in the intense heat and with the added heat of their own lights, heatstroke did affect some of our acts. . As an agent and show organiser, September is the start of the autumn season and a time when the locals come back full of excitement to see the programme of shows and entertainment on their doorstep. And what a choice there is here, from soloists of all genres, hypnotists, duos, trios, tribute acts and bands. We have them all to choose from on our own doorstep. As we know – “Every night is a Saturday Night in Spain!” With most people retired or working unsocial hours it means that most don’t have to restrict there social lives to weekend alone. I frequently hold midweek shows as it gives me more chance of getting a top act to perform locally. With bands it is difficult to get all members together on one night as they often gig solo at weekends, like Soul Power (October 6th). During the week is the only other option. There is nothing like a live band for full entertainment value. With the mix of drums, guitars, vocals and sometimes other instruments it a sure fire recipe to get the heart rates of the audience up and get feet dancing. I personally love to watch anyone who plays an instrument of any kind, so having a full band playing is just wonderful. I think they often don’t get the recognition they deserve for the years of practice and devotion to their craft. MY Top “Must See” September show is The Liverpool Band (September 19th). The 4 Spanish musicians have been the top Beatles Tribute Band in Spain and Europe for some years now, and have played at The Cavern in Liverpool twice. They always have a full diary and their shows always sell out. Go to www.lrshows. com for details on this and other shows and nights out. You can also catch my radio interview that I did with the lovely Dave Bull on www.keepentertainmentliveinspain.com. We will be having another chat on September 11th at 10.30am about the world of entertainment. Please tune in to www.cbfmradio.eu for some serious fun! Life is there for living, so get there and support your lobars, venues and entertainers:- without you they won’t exist. Keep on Rocking.
out cal
Jax x
Vistabella Golf, Entre Naran-
25
26
Computer
help & advice
with
27
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.
Greetings from Menorca. The weather’s holding up, the people are still here so fingers crossed we can keep busy into Septem further lot you ber. Our season is much shorter than it is for south so any extension is welcome. Mrs M is busy doing double shifts in the restaurant next door and I’m busy leaning on my bar watching her. We had our first thunderstorm on Saturday August 15th. The inside bar and restaurant were full and there were no empty Engseats at my little Tiki bar either, with everyone enjoying the 9.30 About TV. on land-France Rugby World Cup warm-up game the thunder and lightning started, way out at sea in the direction of Barcelona. Long way off, I thought. No worries. Just before e ten, however, I felt the familiar rush of air which is the pressur heavens the change before a downpour. A few seconds later of opened, accompanied by a very strong wind. Within a couple ng swimmi feet, my seconds every glass in the bar lay broken at in about two inches of water.
and My punters had courageously abandoned me for the safety electhe all relative dry of the big bar so I was left to unplug As trics, starting with the 42” TV hung on brackets over the bar. a of teeth the in e I stood there holding a live electrical applianc my in water fested monsoon whilst standing in a pool of glass-in ditch flip-flops, I belatedly considered my position and decided to the to due g agonisin the telly and run for it. Good decision, albeit wonrians Lancast broken glass in my footwear. Some cheeky ion dered whether their tab had been damaged beyond recognit left They please. but no, I reassured them they owed 42 euros defeated, which is the natural state for Lancastrians when facing Yorkshiremen. That doesn’t count as racism, does it? POLITICAL CORNER I’m thinking of joining the Podemos (We Can) party as they sound genuinely determined to change the status quo. PP and it’s PSOE have p**sed on the chips once too often so I reckon
time for someone else to have a go. COCKTAIL CORNER My cocktail-making abilities have come on in leaps and bounds since last month and I now have fewer ingredient/punter inters. faces. I’ve even started collecting obscure, little-known cocktail called cocktail a A Geordie friend of mine, Sharon, told me about in Salty Bob or something, which is Vodka and pineapple juice then it’s rim the a salt-rimmed glass. She said if you don’t salt told called a Greyhound. Blimey. Well, then another friend, Pete,
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d me about a concoction he’d seen in a local town, which consiste and, peel orange tonic, of Menorcan gin (called Xoriguer) with all of all things, little bits of licorice. We replicated the drink with G&T. regular a like tasted it the aforementioned ingredients and The peel floated on top and the licorice sulked on the bottom. Maybe we did it all wrong. Do YOU have a secret cocktail you would like to share with us? If so, email me the details at john@ brain menorcatrek.com and I’ll have a go. The ones causing less damage will go on sale forthwith. CORNER CORNER Just kidding. YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT UP CORNER A few years ago the Menorca Comedy Players (aka the Tourism Office) paid a shedload of euros for some clueless advertising mob on the mainland to invent a new slogan for the island’s laughably amateurish attempts at promoting tourism. They
came up with probably the most ludicrous and idiotic phrase of ever: ‘ALL FOR YOUR SENSES’. No one thought to ask any drivel gless meanin ical, us Brits for our opinion on this nonsens otherwise we may have been able to save them some embarrassment, if not cash. The stupid thing was soon dropped but not before thousands of leaflets and posters had been printed. There’s no strapline at all now, not surprisingly. It doesn’t matter a much, anyway: when did you last see an ad for Menorca as holiday destination? Exactly. On the subject of advertising slogans, the tourist board in Norfolk, England, once came up with a cracker: ‘NORFOLK ENCHANTS’. Say it fast. FOOTY CORNER Wednesday night (August 26th) saw my hometown club, Barnsley, play Everton in the Capital One Cup. They went down es bravely, 5-3 after extra time. The game brought back memori were team The them. ing of my Saturdays at Oakwell support very poor and, after each home defeat, the season-ticket holders would hurl their ticket books onto the pitch with cries of ‘That’s art!’ t’last time am comin ‘ere!’ and ‘Ah’d sooner muck t’pigeons ground, the leaving were they after which they would make as if of presumably for the last time. However, they always sent one do could they so tickets season their number back to retrieve the Reds. you on Come . it all again next time. How I laughed AMEN CORNER Amen. See you next month.
Johnny Mahonny (The Barnsley Marinero)
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Lovely Terraces Kids & Families welcome Cocktails Evening Set Menu 11.95€ 3 Course Sunday Roast 9.95€ All fresh homemade produce Daily Special
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RASPBERRY DUCK BREAST Finest breast of duck, pan-fried & served on a bed of chive mash & drizzled with a raspberry reduction. 13.95€
2.95€ Spanish Breakfast Coffee & Tostada
ARGENTINIAN FILET Argentinian fillet steak perfectly sealed by our chefs and served a la piedra with a garnish of mushrooms & onions. 220g/9oz 17.95€ 500g/12oz 34.50€ LA PIEDRA SHARING STONE Select three meats, a sauce and two sides from the list and we will serve them a la piedra for you to indulge upon or to share between two people. Fillet of beef, Fillet of pork Duck breast, Chicken breast Peppercorn sauce, Mushroom sauce Red wine sauce, Cheese sauce Barbecue sauce
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DREAMWORLD “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” - Walt Disney Company
up in my dream book and it usually denotes something that is going on in my life at that time.
SLEEP PARALYSIS BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU WILL This has happened to me lots of times over One of my favourite words is ‘believe’. It the years and I remember as a child lying in conjures up everything magical about life. bed fully awake but not being able to move. Even if you are feeling low, you won’t stay I was so frightened, but I couldn’t speak or down for long if you have belief in yourself shout out. If anyone has experienced this, and your dreams. One of the things you it can be a very frightening experience. So a 249 € can do is to ensure you have enough sleep! what is sleep paralysis? It is the inability (Yes really, and I explain why, below). You to move at all, although you are fully concan also ask your Guardian Angel to help scious. From a health point of view it is promote good dreams prior to you falling nothing to worry about as it is purely your asleep. Just ask, and thank your angel be- body which is not moving smoothly through cause if you trulyLed believe, they may Cambios: Nevir 32,‘speak’ Frigo the stages of sleep. Sleep paralysis usually to you through your dreams. lasts no longer than a couple of minutes al-
Schneider, Lavadora Schneider y
el horno y la vitro SLEEP Sleep is essential to our well-being, for the repair of the body, and there is nothing as nice as a good night’s sleep. If I have a sleepless night or haven’t slept properly for a while I can get irritable, and feel unwell. Think about what you are eating or drinking before going to bed. Absolute no no’s are stimulants such as coffee or alcohol. Also avoid heavy meals, fatty foods, cheese or chocolate – unless you want to be awake for most of the night as your digestion system will be working overtime. So what happens when we are asleep? DREAMING I find dreams absolutely fascinating and have always had vivid dreams as far back as I can remember. I always intrigued me how some dreams stay with me for days afterwards whereas others seemed to come and go and no matter how much I tried to remember them, the information had gone the minute I got out of bed. I believe that we are only meant to remember certain dreams as they have symbolic meanings and could be answers or clues to what is going on in our lives at this very time. PEN & PAPER BY BEDSIDE In order to remember details of your dreams, always have a pen and paper by your bedside so you can jot down salient notes. I write mine down as soon as I can, and then I write them up properly in my own dream journal. DREAM BOOK I also have a dream book, or dream dictionary as they are sometimes called. If I feel I have had a dream that has an inner meaning that I cannot decipher myself, I will look it
though it seems much longer.
PROPHETIC DREAMS I do try to make sense of my dreams & look up the interpretation as they are symbolic and can be attributed to my past or the present. Most of my dreams are so vivid I feel I am actually there, and I have had ‘visions’ in these dreams of places I will visit in the future, and when I go there, I will often get a sense of déjà vu that accompanies it. While working in Canada on the Rescue Mediums show, I had a dream about one of our homeowners. For those of you who have not yet seen the show, we rely on Premonitions and Psychic Art given to us by our respective Spirit Guides as well as our own psychic investigative skills when walking around the property. This particular evening, I had a dream about someone wearing what I could only describe as a crotched snood. I had never seen anything like this before, and I describe this to Jackie my co-host on the show and our head of Research, Edna. When we got to the property, the lady owner opened the door in exactly the same Snood I had had in my dream. We couldn’t believe it! I commented on the ladies beautiful head gear which suited her perfectly, and she said it was a Jewish Snood and she had several of them. It turned out that a lot of the activity in the house was around her, and the dream was confirmation of that fact.
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