Vote early, vote often LINDA

Hall

IT must have been just as summer began in 1976.

My husband was working away and because school had finished, our daughter and I went with him.

We were watching the news after lunch in the hotel where we were staying when suddenly it all became much less boring when a very handsome man appeared on the screen.

He was wearing the white summer uniform of the Movimiento, the only thing approaching a political organisation that was still permitted seven months after Franco’s death.

“Who’s that?” I asked my husband.

“Adolfo Suárez, the Movimiento minister,” he said, with a distaste which intensified after I remarked that he was exceptionally good­looking.

When Suárez was named president of the Spanish government days later, my husband like many others, thought little would change.

He was wrong. In November that same year, the Cortes ­ not yet the parliament we know now ­ announced the December 15 referendum on political reform that opened the door to the Transition.

On the very few occasions when the Spanish had voted in past referendums, they voted the way they felt they were supposed to, so 97.36 per cent said Yes this time too.

Nobody needed to buy votes that day although it was obvious that not everybody had quite got the hang of voting.

Chatting that afternoon in the small Benidorm supermarket near our apartment, the owner mentioned that he and his wife had made an early start to go up to Callosa to vote. In those days practically all the supermarkets ­ and stalls in the municipal market ­ were owned by Callosines, so it made sense that they’d have gone there to vote.

“Then of course we had to get back here in time to vote again,” he told me. “It’s important to vote, you know, especially if you want a favour from the town hall.”

Neither Callosa nor Benidorm were Chicago, but it definitely gave a Spanish accent to the exhortation, ‘Vote early and vote often’.

Article by Louie Rodrigues

THE world of wine can be intimidat ing, but it doesn’t need to be! I’m Louie and I’ve made it my mission to explore wine and all its jargon, and report back to you in a way that makes sense.

I run a digital agency, Corking.Digi tal, that helps wineries with their so cial media presence, and during that time I’ve tasted my fair share of wine … and food to go with it. If you like what I write, you can head to @Corking.Wine on Instagram, where I snap photos of things I eat and drink ­ it’s not as boring as it sounds, I promise.

This week we are talking canned wine ­ the portable and sustainable little sister to the glass bottle. Al though not necessarily the cheapest option, canned wines are becoming a popular staple amongst those picnic hampers and beach bags. In fact, I’m finding that the quality of canned wines often surpasses many of their glass bottled brethren.

Quick tip: look for canned whites with Macabeu or Verdejo grapes, and rosés from Garnacha.

Head online to find my full article with recommendations, including my favourite ­ Can Vi.

Problem solved LETTERS

Hi all, I would like to thank you and your readers for your help re my travel insurance.

I contacted the people you suggested and I now have insurance.

The people in their office were very helpful, and the price was reasonable.

Once again I thank you all, I can now enjoy my holiday.

Regards Gwendoline Ottley

Thank you

Thank you for what you are writing.

I’m a Dutch guy currently residing in Spain. Reading your article on Propaganda in the Euro Weekly. It is a relief to find you and read what you are saying.

So, just saying: THANKS!!

Stay strong.

Dear Leapy

With Love, Louis

I am an avid reader of your column every week but am surprised you have not mentioned the dangerous antics of the, fast becoming more popular, scooters on the roads, or pavements! Risking life and limb to themselves and other road users. However, there seems to be no action taken by the police! Would love to read your comments in one of your weekly comments.

Best regards, DMP, Albatera

Dear Editor

A simple question for Remainers

Do you want to be ruled by the unelected EU or our own elected Parliament?

I know Leapy’s answer!

Spain joined the EU and have prospered with approximately €800 billion in loans. Greece borrowed approx €2 trillion. I wish I could get a big money interest free loan that never needs to be paid back or does it?

Brian Johnston ­ Benalmadena

Well done

To Lee Graham

Fantastic, keep up the good work.

Regards

Are you watching?

will send an email, but I thought you probably get too many emails in your busy life. However, having just now read your article in EWN I thought I would email anyway. I am not racist and all the people in the programme were very nice. It’s just a matter of fair representation of course and it is annoying.

Best Wishes, Graham PS I remember you on the telly with Little Arrows

Hooked

In my nearly 40 years of residence here I have never had much interest in the English language media but I am becoming hooked on your comedy page featuring Lee. I use the surname as he refers to a knight of the realm as Starmer. His ultra right wing, and often racist, rantings are hilarious in their eccentricity, but as one of the few expat socialists on the coast I know that he is preaching to the converted.

Philip Flaxman Mijas Costa

Closer ties

The UK left the EU because the government didn’t want to accommodate the ‘humanising’ rules imposed by the EU and wasn’t prepared to relinquish any sovereignty. The vote was really close. The UK has to undertake a new referendum to see what the outcome might be. It could be a lot different. Also, wanting to re­apply will require that the UK follows the requirements of the EU, will less protest.

Dik Coates

Stormy forecast

Biblical storms and hailstones have battered the area here hard with the aftermath of cleaning up yet to start, let’s hope every drop of water is not wasted, and will give us a head start in the coming months.

Mark

Deportation

Shirley Hunt

I was watching CH5 Rich House Poor House recently where they swap houses for a week. The Poor House ­ Single mum was black and the Rich House featured two gay men. This programme often includes minorities. I thought at the time, I wonder if Leapy is watching this. Perhaps I

This article sheds light on the heartbreaking situation faced by the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light at the TurkishBulgarian border.

It’s truly disheartening to see how they are being denied entry, facing violence, and the threat of deportation. Their religious beliefs should not be a reason for persecution. We must stand together to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their faith.

K Jula

David Worboys Thinking Aloud

ALTHOUGH cats are self­sufficient they are regarded as selfish and lacking in loyalty to their owners. This is probably because their pampering is restricted to being stroked and the occasional dish of milk or fish.

There are several reasons why I like cats. First, they don’t bark. When two cats meets another, they don’t cause a disturbance in the neighbourhood by howling greetings at each other. When you walk past a house or a garden with a cat in it, your senses are not assaulted by an aggressive chorus of barking. And on ringing somebody’s doorbell you are unlikely to be greeted by a menacing yowling sound. A cat is quiet unless involved in a short­term squabble over territory ­ or if its tail is trodden upon.

Second, they are dignified animals. When one cat meets another, it doesn’t sniff the other’s private parts. When the door of a