QF Focus - January 2020

Deposito Legal A-685-2016

E

E FR

January 2020

Female Fe male Focus Publications serving the English speaking community throughout the Costa Blanca since 1993

Inside this issue:5 Minutes with Mary Berry - Your Local Community News, DP Entertainment - Recipes - Legal - Astronomy A View From the Top - Book Review by Ivor Kindle Finance - Health & Beauty - Your Horoscopes Violet King - Keith Nicol's Forthcoming Events Club & Charity News - Local Business Reviews Classified Adverts - Puzzles brought to you by....

Spot the Logo.... and so much more...

QF Focus Magazine

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What makes Jennifer Cunningham Insurances so different?

A good question and I can offer you a number of answers.

I started my company over 26 years ago, working from home and developing the business slowly over a number of years. Once established, I employed staff and rented a large office in Jรกvea port, where I am still to this day. How life has changed for me, and for the better.

I realised when I moved to Spain, that there was very little help available and what was available was normally in Spanish. There was no private health insurance, no funeral plans and no insurance dedicated to the Expat, and little customer service.

I started the business selling health insurance for a British company, along with funeral plans. Having lost my husband in Spain, I realised how difficult it was to arrange a funeral and the costs were enormous.

Being very disciplined myself (probably due to my time in the Air Force), I have a strong work ethic. I used to work from home during the day, and I would go out early evenings making home visits until I was busy enough to take someone on to help me. From those early days when I worked tirelessly, I built my company and now have 7 offices. I demand from my excellent and loyal staff that they treat all my clients with respect, courtesy and honesty and offer them the best service that is possible.

I pride myself that the after sales service is the best, a service very rare in Spain. I have a Claims Administrator and a dedicated Renewal department, who will make sure that as your circumstances change, your policies could change with you and you fully aware of your coverage.

So these are just some of the reasons why we are so special. We are more than just a voice on the phone, offering good, old fashioned service. Not always the cheapest, but the best, working with Liberty Seguros and ASSSA healthcare, who both provide special Expat policies and are the best in the market.

For more information or a quotation, please call one of my offices listed in the advert below, or visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net.

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QF Focus Magazine

As we enter a new year and a new decade with new 2020 vision, I am very excited with what this will all bring. Female Focus publications are introducing some exciting new changes during 2020 which will all be revealed in due course. Already we are happy to welcome Arron, a young and vibrant bi-lingual individual who is sure to be an asset to the Female Focus team and will be covering the Orihuela Costa area.

You can find his contact details below if you would like to meet him to discuss advertising in the areas most popular magazine.

We are set to have some disruption in the Quesada area as we embark on some major road works along the high street. These works have been in the pipeline for quite a while now so have not come as a surprise, fortunately extra allocated parking areas have been put in place. However, all being well all should be completed before the summer months are here.

Personally I think it has been timed purposely by the town hall as part of a New Year's resolution to help get everyone fit as we will all no doubt need to walk that bit further to get to where we want to be. It will certainly have an affect on me during distribution dates, but there is always a silver lining and therefore I am hoping I will be a size 10 before I know it!

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and Prosperous 2020.

Congratulations to Lenny Bunce from Torrevieja who won the final 50â‚Ź competition after spotting the logo on page 8. This year we are doing the competition a little differently. This month if you find the Curry on Cooking logo (not on their recipe page 12) you are in with a chance of winning a selection of Curry Kits which will be posted out to your house. Simply email editor@femalefocusonline.com with your name, address, phone number and the page you found the logo on. See inside for full competition details. Good luck.

Michelle

QF Focus Magazine covering the Alicante South region and the Female Focus covering the Alicante North region.

Discuss your advertising with your local representative:-

Orihuela Costa All other areas - Sales Manager Arron 697 943 655 Michelle 663 178 228 arron@femalefocusonline.com michelle@femalefocusonline.com

QF Focus Magazine Office Tel: 657 501 055.

Please send editorial to editor@femalefocusonline.com Advert content to advertising@femalefocusonline.com Pick up your next issue on 4 February Deadline for advertising & editorial - 20 January

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Basic makeup tips for the older lady

It’s very important to do your skin care upwards and outwards.

It really helps with excess skin and deep expression lines. Blend the creams, serums and oils in gentle movements, working from the centre of your face outwards. It gets the circulation going and also minimises the downward pull.

Run your beauty sponge under warm water and squeeze out the excess water, dab lightly until it’s all blended evenly. Too much product will accentuate any flaws and imperfections that you may want to hide.

Powders make skin appear dry and is noticeable as it sits on fine facial hairs, which unfortunately, many of us develop as we get older. Use a cream blush for the most natural look.

When applying eyeshadow forget the old rules about using a light shadow on the lid and a deeper colour to contour. Instead, go darker on the lids with a medium shade and blend it from the lash line straight up and over your real crease to extend above it, that should create an illusion of a bigger eye.

Black is harsh against the skin whether it's fair, olive or dark. It makes the eyes appear smaller than they actually are. Use soft colours such as soft browns.

Brows are a main part of the makeup routine of all ages. As we age, our brows tend to stop growing back after waxing and tweezing them. They also start to sprout some unwanted greys, take the brow gel wand and brush throughout brows in and upward and outward motion to fill in sparse spots.

As we age, the lines around our mouths become more noticeable, often meaning that lipstick begins to settle in places it's not meant to go, lip liner is your friend! Use liner in the same or similar shade to your lip product to define your lips, the line can become less noticeable as we age.

Happy New Year to all of you.

For more information please contact: Mobile: 610 865 040.

Instagram: @maisiemakeupx. Facebook: Professional Makeup by Maisie Garrett. Email: maisieegarrett@gmail.com.

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Happy New Year To You All Quarterly announcement - 26th November 2019 - provided by an Investment Product Provider extremely well known to British expats: No change this quarter to NET Expected Growth Rates (EGR) applied to your fund daily, as follows: Growth (Sterling) Fund Cautious (Sterling) Fund

3.5% p.a.

2.7% p.a.

Growth (Euro) Fund Cautious (Euro) Fund

2.6% p.a.

1.9% p.a.

(note: 1.2% p.a. more than published rates above for clients invested over 5 years) Below is a summary of key benefits of our most popular Spanish Tax Compliant investment product for Spanish resident ex-pats: • Mechanism employed by the Provider smooths returns. Excellent for inexperienced investors and historically vastly better than bank interest returns.

• Option to give a regular monthly or quarterly withdrawal of 5% p.a. penalty free, giving peace of mind for the regularity of a set income.

• Avoidance of Spanish inheritance tax liabilities between spouses if written as a joint policy which is all held in Ireland i.e. outside of Spain.

• If your Spanish will contains the UK law of succession clause then your UK resident heirs will only pay Inheritance tax per UK rules on the passing of this bond. In most cases this will be Nil. • All income tax deduction and reporting and Modelo 720 asset reporting is done for you in Spain by the Product Provider. This is very simple for investors.

• Portable, should you move back to UK. • Investment in € euro or £ sterling (minimum £20,000 or €25,000) • 1.5% allocation bonus for investments over £150,000 (immediately worth £152,250). 0.5% allocation bonus for investments over £75,000.

Blacktower Financial Wealth Management is an independent advisory firm and is NOT tied to any 3rd Party product providers.

We would only recommend an appropriate product for you and your family's circumstances.

David Diggle C.A.T., DipFA of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited.

Tel: 615 607 278 / 965 058 212. Email: dave.diggle@blacktowerfm.com. Website: www.theblacktowergroup.com Location: Costa Blanca The Blacktower Group (formed Jan 1986 UK) has been offering sound, independent advice for 34 years.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

See advert below for more information.

QF Focus Magazine

807€ raised for The Stroke Association of Benijófar The Post Box in Doña Pepa was the place to be on Christmas Eve as they held their first Charity Christmas Raffle in aid of The Stroke Association of Benijófar.

The fun started at 12pm with Christmas tunes filling the shop and free mince pies, mulled wine, nibbles and sangria for all the customers to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. The owners Mandy & Lynden have been organising this raffle for a couple of months getting well over 50 prizes donated by themselves, friends and local businesses including The Stone Horse Tea Rooms, Quesada Butchers, Mad Hatters Tea Rooms, La Vida Bar, Coopers Arms, Inks.es, Carmens Restaurant, Funky Accessories, Sam's Bar, Archers Bar & The Chop Shop to name just a few, Aurora Bar even donated 115€ to the charity from their own charity coffee morning to add to the money already collected in raffle tickets so a great total of 807€ was raised for the charity.

They told us when deciding what charity to choose for the Christmas raffle they found it a really easy choice. It was the closest one to their heart, as Lynden himself had a massive stroke less than 3 years ago and made a brilliant recovery, even better than the doctors had hoped, so they both know how hard the Stroke Association work out here.

This month marks a whole year of now being the new owners of The Post Box, they have had a great first year and are looking forward to many more so they want to thank all their loyal customers old and new and look forward to a great 2020.

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QF Focus Magazine

Tiredness and Muscle Fatigue are the Main Risk Factors in Skiing • Strengthening the muscles, warming up before starting, and learning the technique, will help avoid injuries Most injuries incurred while skiing happen at the end of the day, a level, so if you do fall, the skis will detach, and time at which tiredness causes the skier’s attention to diminish, and you can avoid fractures and ligament injuries. he or she presents greater muscle fatigue, states Doctor Fernando • Do not drink alcohol, so your reflexes are not Jordá, a Specialist in the Quirónsalud Traumatology Units in slowed, and you prevent the dehydration that Alicante and Torrevieja. alcoholic beverages cause.

Most of these injuries are sprains in the joints, and depend on the • Stop after a determined time period to relax your discipline; when practicing alpine skiing, sprains usually occur in muscles and joints. the knees, due to sudden turns, while snowboarding injuries are more • Always wear a certified helmet to avoid cranioencephalic injuries. often seen in the wrists and forearms. Doctor Jordá warns of the need Specialists in the Arthroscopic Treatment of Knee Injuries to diagnose this type of injury as soon as possible, particularly in the The Knee Units at Quirónsalud Alicante and Torrevieja, headed by case of the knees. “The reason is the effusion that is always produced Doctor Fernando Jordá, are specialised in the treatment of bone and in the knee after this type of injury, which makes the correct diagnosis joint issues of the knee caused by sports injuries, using advanced, of the lesion more difficult,” explains the traumatologist. minimally invasive techniques. Thanks to these techniques, they After any type of fall, the specialist recommends “performing a are able to treat, with great success, any type of injury in this joint, self-exploration of the parts that hurt the most. If after this check- and achieve a quick recovery, so the patient can quickly return to up, we feel fine and can continue on our way by our own means, his or her usual routines. The techniques used include the treatment we should go to the ski slope medical services immediately for of cartilage pathologies with radiofrequency, meniscectomy using an assessment, since many injuries do not present symptoms right arthroscopy, regenerative therapy using platelet-rich plasma, and away, and it is only afterwards when limitations start to appear. If knee arthroscopy. the situation is severe, we should not move, and wait for the ski Quirónsalud Alicante Traumatology Unit, a Highly Qualified services to transport us, so we do not make any injury worse”. Team Tips to avoid Skiing Injuries Quirónsalud Alicante brings together professionals with the highest Doctor Fernando Jordá recommends taking the following steps into qualifications, and an accumulated experience of over twenty years, account if we are planning on skiing during the holidays: which allows it to offer its patient the best human, professional • Training for a few weeks beforehand, in order to strengthen the and technological treatment. It has units specialised in the Knee muscles we use the most in this sport, practicing, for example, and Lower Limb, with over ten thousand surgical interventions cycling, aerobic exercise or swimming. performed; Upper Limb, with over fifteen thousand; and Spine, • Warming up before starting, and stretching at the end of the ski day. with over nine thousand surgical interventions. This guarantees the • Learning the technique well, always advised by monitors and quality standards and circuits of its healthcare. professionals before heading onto the slopes.

• Not skiing in adverse weather conditions or on unmarked terrain.

Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja. Tel: 96 692 1313.

• Checking the bindings and adjusting them to your weight and skill www.quironsalud.es. See main advert on page 13.

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Take care with currency!

The £/€ exchange rate could have a significant effect on the Sterling cost of your Spanish property transaction, or if you’re a vendor how much money you repatriate to the UK. With the recent UK election result causing Sterling’s value to fluctuate, and the strong likelihood of Brexit now happening at the end of the month, it has never been more important to plan your currency transfers carefully.

When it comes to transferring funds between the UK and Spain, a bit of planning can save a whole lot of time, worry and often money for British people buying or selling Spanish property, as well as those living here and making regular cross-border payments.

This is especially important when the exchange rate fluctuates more than normal, an effect caused by economic and political events beyond our control. The second week of December was the perfect example. As analysts predicted a majority for the Conservatives in the UK election, a result that would almost certainly leave a clear path for the implementation of Brexit, the exchange rate swung in favour of Sterling, causing it to hit a two-and-a-half year high against the euro (£1/€1.19). And immediately following the actual election, even this high was surpassed once again (£1/€1.20).

Bear in mind that exchange rate movement is dictated almost entirely by market sentiment. And this can change from day to day, and from event to event. The truth is nobody can predict what will happen – they can only make forecasts based on key economic indicators and what has happened before.

So why is all this so important?

If you are British buyer on the verge of purchasing a Spanish property, it is likely your funds are still in your Sterling bank account in the UK. You need to think seriously about how and when you will exchange your Sterling funds into euros and send them to Spain. The first step is to sign up with an FCA-authorised currency transfer firm, who specialise in helping people exchange and transfer funds between the UK and Spain. You will also need a local Spanish bank account, which Sun Lawyers can assist you with.

Now let’s look a little closer. At this moment in time, you’ll have an idea of your budget in euros, according to today’s exchange

rate. But have you considered that on the day you have an offer accepted and agree to buy a property – how ever far in the future that might be, the exchange rate will be different to now?

Thinking further ahead, the exchange rate on the day you (or your lawyer) need to sign the sales contract and pay a 10 per cent deposit will have changed. And most importantly, when the bulk of the balance for your purchase is required, typically between six weeks and two months down the line, the rate will be almost certainly have moved again. These changes in the rate might only be small but they can make a difference to buyers with tight budgets who unexpectedly have to make larger Sterling payments than they budgeted for.

The good news is that there is a way to remove this currency movement exposure from the buying process. Currency transfer firms have a tool that enables clients to secure an exchange rate the moment they find a property – or before if they prefer - which they can use for all future payments to complete the purchase. Called a forward contract and requiring a small deposit, effectively it allows a British buyer to fix the Sterling price of their Spanish purchase on the day they make an offer, taking away any uncertainty about what their Sterling cost might be on completion day. Some buyers prefer to fix the exchange rate for half the value of their purchase and buy the remaining balance of euros when they complete – your currency firm will fit a solution to around your personal requirements.

So, don’t put off thinking about your currency requirements until the last minute, or completion day. A bit of planning now, can save a lot of heartache in the future.

Please contact us for more information on this and any other legal matter. Find the details of your nearest office in our advert below.

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QF Focus Magazine

Never jump into project expenses without being sure a licence will be issued

Here are 5 common reasons for the Council to reject a licence which, if the work is already done, can only be resolved using a simple Certificate of Antiquity/Retrospective Licence.

1: Building work on plots that have already used there maximum build area.

All plots have a maximum area which you are allowed to build on. This is known as maximum built area allowed. If the property has already reached the maximum size allowed, no major licence will be issued.

2: Plot under the minimum required size.

No building work is allowed if the plot is under the minimum square metres required to build in the area.

Some plots, although being legal, are under the minimum required size for building. This being the case no licence will be issued.

Any existing shed, exterior built cupboard, semi-opened kitchen and other covered buildings or works such as a carport or pools will need a retrospective licence in order to become unobjectable in the future.

3: Extensions violating the minimum required distance to the plot’s boundaries.

Permanent carports, or any kind of roofed buildings that are violating the minimum required distance to the plot’s boundaries is a reason to decline a license. National planning laws for detached properties require a minimum distance between a window and a neighbour’s boundary of 2 metres. Regional and local laws may allow between 3 to even 5 metres or more. There are many

variables depending on different factors. A Certificate of Antiquity is the only document that can avoid previous works being objected to by the planning department at the Town Hall.

4: Closing in small existing gaps in the property: patios, existing terraces, porches.

Most glass or bricked enclosed terraces and porches will not be allowed to be glazed in or transformed into interior spaces.

Spanish properties traditionally tend to have patios and courtyards, along with semi-opened spaces like porches and partially covered terraces to provide shelter from the sun and to maximise the outdoor lifestyle. These semi-opened spaces are easily closed-in, but the bureaucracy is not as easy. These works, however small you might consider them, are adding to the registered square metres of the property and often permissions are declined. A Certificate of Antiquity is the only document that can make these existing works accepted by the planning department at the Town Hall.

5: Underbuilds are not allowed to be used for living accommodation: Underbuilds with living accommodations are never done with the correct licences and again a Certificate of Antiquity/Retrospective Licence is the only document that can prevent prosecution for any interior alterations done at the property or alterations that don’t meet the planning standards.

Martinez de la Casa Architects always recommend their clients enquire at the Town Hall if the licence will be possible before jumping into expenses for doing projects, employing architects, etc).

In case the building work has already been completed (applicable for all cases above) the document needed is a Certificate of Antiquity, also known as a Retrospective Licence.

Once issued, this document acts as a licence, protecting the owner against possible sanctions from the Town Hall. It is highly recommended to avoid putting off potential buyers due to the existence of illegal extensions to the property. It will also be needed on completion of the sale in order to update the property’s description in Title Deeds & Land Registry.

Only properly qualified and registered Spanish Architects are permitted to issue Retrospective Licences, so if your solicitors are studying your case, ask them to contact Martinez de la Casa Architects to provide the Antiquity Certificate and they will make the whole process easier, faster and cheaper with their fixed published prices and guaranteed deadlines.

The cost of an Antiquity Certificate/Retrospective Licence for pools is 190€ +IVA and extensions or complete properties only 270€ +IVA. Discounts are available if you also require an Energy Performance Certificate (121€ IVA incl.), Habitation Licence (from 118€ IVA incl., but Registration Tax not included) or any other of their services, done at the same time.

If you want to have your Retrospective Licence/Antiquity Certificate for your extension or pool now, in accordance with present laws and to protect against possible future changes in the laws that may affect you, Martinez de la Casa Architects will arrange an appointment and guarantee the delivery of the Certificate of Antiquity within 10 working days after survey.

For all enquiries, please call 665 810 411. Martinez de la Casa Architects guarantee the delivery of the Certificate of Antiquity within 10 working days after survey.

Visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see an impressive list of nearly 200 client’s testimonials.

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Avalon celebrates exceptional feedback after being named ‘Best Funeral Plan Provider’ at this year’s Personal Finance Awards

Avalon Funeral Plans is celebrating a coveted award win after being named ‘Best Funeral Plan Provider’ at the 2019/20 Personal Finance Awards.

Now in its 22nd year, the Personal Finance Awards has long been recognised as a benchmark for excellence in the UK’s consumer finance market, providing a reflection of the consumer’s choice of top financial providers over the last two decades.

Nominations for the awards are sent in directly by the consumer, based on their experience of outstanding products or customer service in the industry. This year, the awards received just over 20,000 votes.

With over 25 years’ experience providing funeral plans to more than 70,000 customers across the UK and Europe, Avalon was recognised for its dedication to its customers, as well as the high standard of its service.

These qualities are continuously reflected in the company’s industryleading customer feedback, with over 2,000 reviews and a rating of ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot, as well as a five-star rating on Defaqto, lending justification to the company’s esteemed award win. So trusted is the brand that someone chooses an Avalon funeral plan every 10 minutes*.

Avalon is the fastest growing provider of funeral plans in Europe, providing specialist expat plans in Spain, the Canaries, Portugal and Cyprus.

Avalon funeral plans are specially designed with British expats in mind, with unique features compared to other providers. If expats split their time between the UK and The Canaries, an Avalon funeral plan is valid in both countries so they can choose to have a funeral either in The Canaries, or back in the UK. They also provide local support for customers and their families, working with local, independent Funeral Directors in The Canaries.

Charity4Charities donate 1000€ to Age Concern It was with grateful thanks that Maureen Payne, President of Age Concern, received a donation of 1000€ from the prolific fundraising team Charity4Charities at El Unica Bar in Rojales.

Age Concern was amongst 14 other very worthwhile recipients of donations most of whom were present at this prestigious event.

Charity4Charities spend every week of the year holding auctions where all the proceeds go direct to their chosen charities.

This hardworking team made up by President - Sandra Knott, Dave Smith - Vice President and Rachel Tennant - Treasurer along with committee members, enthusiastically and passionately give their time and effort to raising an extortionate amount of funds all in the name of charity, and are to be highly commended for their valiant efforts.

In Age Concern's case the donation will immediately go to maintaining all the services available to vulnerable people to ensure they live their lives happily and securely in their golden years as Age Concern is renowned for.

More information on all of the services, events and activities Age Concern offers can be seen on the website www.ageconcerncostablancasur.org.

Their 24/7 English speaking expat bereavement helpline is of vital support for families when the time comes, particularly in countries where the funeral process can be unfamiliar and complicated. For example, funerals in The Canaries can happen with 24-48 hours and Funeral Directors can request part of full payment upfront, plus there is the language barrier to contend with. Having an Avalon expat funeral plan in place makes planning and paying for a funeral as an expat simple.

The award win follows a successful period of growth for the business under a new senior management team led by CEO, Susan Stevenson.

Speaking about the award win, Avalon’s CEO, Susan Stevenson, said: “There are few other industries in which taking care of the customer, their journey and their family is quite so important. We like to think we’re different to other funeral plan providers in that we go the extra mile in helping customers and their loved ones when they perhaps need it most. It’s our promise to always put our customers at the centre of what we do, and the fact that we’ve been recognised for our efforts - particularly by such a widely renowned awarding body as the Personal Finance Awards - really means the world to us”.

Regulated in the UK by the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA), Avalon employs more than 200 people at its offices in Cheshire and across Spain, The Canaries, Portugal and Cyprus.

The company is flexible in offering customers three different ways to discuss their requirements and their range of funeral plans. They can speak to a specialist advisor in the comfort of their own home, or over the phone, or 24/7 online.

For more information, visit www.avalonfuneralplans.com. *Based on sales of funeral plans over the period Jan – Dec 2018, by home appointment or over the phone, during standard trading hours.

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Turmeric Golden Latte Spice Mix Turmeric has been touted as a wonder drug and recently gained popularity in the west due to research highlighting the therapeutic and healing properties. A member of the ginger family; turmeric has been harvested for more than 5,000 years and plays an important role in food, medicine and beauty products in the east.

Golden milk or turmeric milk is an Indian drink which can now be found in almost every trendy high street coffee shop! This golden beverage is easy to make at home and for half the price! Once mixed this recipe can be stored in an airtight jar for up to three months.

Ingredients Spice Mix

Ingredients Golden Latte Milk

• 5 tablespoons ground turmeric • 350 ml milk • 3 teaspoons ground ginger • 1 teaspoon spice mix • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon agave syrup/honey or • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom sweetener of choice (optional) • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method Latte Spice Mix In a bowl add the turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and ground black pepper.

Mix really well and transfer to a glass jar with an airtight lid.

Method Golden Latte Milk In a small bowl add one tablespoon of the milk with a teaspoon of the turmeric latte mix; using a fork whisk to combine. Add the rest of the milk mix well.

In a saucepan heat the milk gently until steaming, add sweetener of choice, pour in to mug and enjoy!

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook 'Curry On Cooking' and purchase our currylicious kits from www.curryoncooking.com.

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Practical Amateur

Astronomy

Using Binoculars. Part 2 Hopefully a few readers of last month’s article will have had chance to dig out their binoculars and peer up into the sky at Orion. I mentioned a couple of things to look at in this wondrous constellation, a quick search online will help you find out some more.

You should be reading this in January, that's important because the sky is always changing as the Earth makes its journey around the Sun through the year. So now for some new targets for you to find.

I'll start from the top of Orion in the south because that's still very visible and will be for a few months to come. If you look a bit further up and a little to the right, you'll see a bright reddish star, that's Aldebaran a Red Giant star in the constellation Taurus. In Mythology it was the eye of the bull. Now we are in the area for some very pretty and interesting things. If you look at Taurus with your naked eye, you should notice that the constellation is a bit like a V on its side, looking through your binoculars again you'll see an area with lots of tiny stars packed close together. This is the Hyades, your first star cluster. A star cluster is a place where lots of stars are much the same age and were all born together. It's true that the science is more complicated than that, but it will do for now.

I've saved the best for last, we are going to find another star cluster, a really spectacular one this time. Looking a bit further up from Taurus and a bit more to the right you'll see a small group of stars, these are the Pleiades, pictured above. Many people call them the Severn Sisters, because with good eyesight and a perfect sky seven stars can be seen. A look at the cluster through binoculars will transform what you see from seven to what seems like hundreds. You might notice a blueish tinge to the stars, that's because they are very young, this is a stellar nursery.

Just to pique your interest a bit further, these stars are all about 440 light years away, that means that when the light you are seeing began its journey to Earth, Queen Elizabeth the first was fighting the Spanish Armada.

Makes you think doesn't it.

Oates Charljaes Astronomy Group Vega Ba

To find out more about astronomy, come to one of our monthly meetings email us at vegabaja.astronomygroup@gmail.com.

QF Focus Magazine

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Tsuboki Japanese Face Massage

By Tifanie Wentzell

Did you just suffer a robbery on your street? You cannot locate a relative and you think he has been lost? Witness bullying, violence or vandalism?

TSUBOKI Face Massage is based on meridian theory which has been used in Japan and China for thousands of years.

It improves circulation, relaxes muscles, tightens and tones skin, stimulating facial nerves and relaxes the mind. The treatment is 45 minutes with natural face cream. It is a treatment for men and women. The massage is like a natural face lift as energy of the massage connects with the Meridian system. Enjoy your treatment, I believe you will want more.

Enjoy a TSUBOKI Face Massage for half price during January.

See advert below for contact details.

If you find yourself in these situations or simply want to feel more secure at all times, AlertCops is the application you need. With it you will have a direct communication channel with the Law Enforcement Agencies. Everything through your smartphone!

AlertCops is free and allows you to communicate crimes to the Law Enforcement Agencies in a simple and very discreet manner.

To use it you just have to register, open the app and press the alert button specific to your icons menu. This way your position will reach the nearest control centre. It's as if you always have a Law Enforcement Agent by your side!

Download and find out more in English at: https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/mialertcops/en/index.html.

Alternatively you can download from the App Store or Google play.

QF Focus Magazine

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Hair Extensions Although we have covered this before, we are revisiting this topic as more people are enquiring. Hair extensions work magic like other beauty products or accessories can, transforming your appearance as well as your confidence. Máximo Beauty specialises in providing the finest salon-quality Hair Extensions, integration tools, accessories, and the most responsive customer service in the area.

We offer an extensive selection of custom-blended colours, designed to blend seamlessly with almost any hair colour.

All our extensions are available in a variety of lengths and different application systems, so you are always assured of finding exactly what you need.

Because we truly care about the satisfaction of our customers, Máximo Beauty offers only 100% Remy real human hair.

Other Professionals around the world that are using the same Extensions as Máximo are praised for its beauty and strength.

Our high quality Remy extensions are exceptionally long lasting, maintaining their softness and luxurious texture for months after lesser-quality extensions have turned dull and brittle.

Although our products are the finest available on the market today, it is our exceptional customer service that sets Máximo apart from the rest. We pride ourselves on honesty, customer commitment, and guarantee your satisfaction.

You deserve the finest professional quality hair extensions and customer service experience.

For more information or an appointment please contact us Máximo Beauty - telephone: 96 572 4671 or visit the salon at Plaza de la Constitución Nº2, Benijófar. Email: maximobeauty@gmail.com. Facebook: Maximo Beauty.

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Hi All. A Happy and Prosperous New Year to all readers.

Well, I'm going to start 2020 off with the very talented vocalist / saxophonist Chris Packett.

It was back in 1968, when Chris took up the clarinet. Still at school at the time, he opted for lessons on this instrument, initially, to avoid an extra maths class.

He did very well on the clarinet, and by 1971 had reached Grade 8 musical qualification.

It was when the school summer holidays were about to start that Chris' tutor suggested that during the summer break, he should try saxophone, and presented him with a "Teach Yourself" book.

By the time the holidays were over, Chris had not only mastered the instrument, but also bought himself a tenor saxophone.

A few weeks later, he noticed an advertisement in the Barnsley Chronicle, where a band were looking for a sax player.

After auditioning and being accepted as a member with "Salt and Pepper" band he realised how popular this group was on the local club land circuit.

In conversation with Chris, he joked about how his Dad (who was well paid as a deputy in the coal mining industry), wasn't earning quite as much as his son was with this successful group, at the time.

Salt and Pepper appeared on Opportunity Knocks twice, had Radio broadcasts, Sheffield cable T.V. appearances. They were one of the top earning bands in the North of England.

In 1975, the band split up and Chris didn't do much until the early 1980s, when he teamed up two former school mates to form a trio.

They went through several name changes, because (according to Chris), they were so bad - nobody would book them. They kept at it until hitting the heights of mediocrity.

A few years later, while the other two were happy to plod along, Chris Packett started a 5 piece band called "Pirate".

They were potentially a great band until the lead singer left, then Chris said, they became a "run of the mill" 4 piece band, then a trio.

It was in 1990, that he started a music school called Musicademy, offering tuition, for a small fee.

5 years later Chris joined a band called "Beat the System", who shortly after, changed their name to "Complete Madness".

They went on to achieve great success on the Tribute scene. They became professional soon after.

Then came the opportunity for the band to work with Laurel Aitken, Buster Bloodvessel & Bad Manners, Jimmy Cricket,

QF Focus Magazine Cannon and Ball, amongst other household names.

Retiring from the band some years later, Chris and his wife Beverley worked in the entertainment agency business, with Complete Management Entertainments, until the company folded.

It was in 2016, after teaching saxophone in schools and privately, that this affable couple decided to move to Spain.

Although having never ever worked solo before, Chris bought a P.A. system and set up his act - then decided to "go for it".

2 different shows are available: 1. Chris Packett "Nutty Boy" Show.

One hour tribute performance to Madness, Bad Manners, The Specials, Two Tone and Ska ....One Step Beyond.

Followed by 2 x 45 minute cabaret spots, with hits from the 1950s - 2000s.

Presented with vocals / saxophone & loads of daftness and laughter.

2. Chris Packett Easy Listening.

An evening of laid back instrumentals, with sax, clarinet, as well as vocals.

Ideal for restaurants and lounges.

Chris Packett performs at various local venues and is resident on Friday night's at Marco Polo Taverns, Punta Prima.

You are assured of a very entertaining Bye for now, D.P. evening.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 17

Booking a doctor's appointment online or via the GVA + Salut app.

Did you know that you can book an appointment for your local medical centre online at: www.san.gva.es/cita_previa/citaprevia_cas.html.

Here you can request an appointment with your doctor or nurse if your local centre is computerised with the Abucasis system.

The ABUCASIS system connects the centres and information systems of primary and specialised care so that all the clinical and administrative information of the patient is centralised and available from any point of the public care network (clinics, health centres, speciality centres and hospitals).

The procedure to follow is: · Enter the SIP number and the date of birth. · If the centre to which the patient is assigned is configured, the services it offers are shown. · Select the service to which you want to make an appointment. If you already have an appointment for said service in the centre, it would be shown so you can cancel it. · Select the date range from which you want to make an appointment. The first 3 available appointments that meet the selected conditions are shown. · Select the appointment which best suits you. · When confirming the appointment, it can be printed as a reminder.

The offer of appointments provided by the system may not meet the needs of the patient. This may occur because the system does not make available all the doctors / nurses by appointment. In this case it is suggested that you call the centre directly or that you go to the centre.

Another option is the GVA + Salut app which can be downloaded onto your phone. On this you can also keep track of your prescription medication.

If all this seems a little confusing then you could ask your local pharmacy as many of them are more than happy to do it for you.

Avda. De Las Naciones 1A, Local 30, Ciudad Quesada

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966 719 689 or 650 132 078

Email enquiries@spanishlifeproperties.es

Spanish Life Properties S.L. are pleased to announce that they are now marketing a selection of their properties on the following popular websites:

PROPERTIES NEEDED IN ALL AREAS – CASH BUYERS WAITING Do you want your property seen by 1000s of potential buyers, then Spanish Life Properties are the estate agents for you!

Based in the centre of Quesada, they have been successfully operating now for over 8 years. Their dedicated Listings Specialist, Kellie Callaghan, has a thorough understanding of the current market conditions. She can give you a free, accurate valuation so that you market your property correctly and by working closely with you, can help you find the buyer that you have been waiting for!

QF Focus Magazine

Page 18

Shape4Life with Shapemaster toning circuit have opened a new Slimming and Toning Salon in San Luis.

Shape4life with shapemaster is perfect if you come under any of the following: Overweight - Middle aged - Elderly - Deconditioned - Frail - Lacking in muscle tone - Poor posture - Out of shape - Joint problems - Poor mobility - Age and gender no barrier Don't want to join a gym? You are not alone in this…. Why? Too time consuming - Exercise is boring - I have no friend to go with - It's too tough - I don’t like pain or strain - I am too old - I am too unfit - I am too overweight - Results take too long - Exercise is not suitable for my condition - I feel too tired to exercise - Concerned about my physical skills - Do not feel comfortable in a gym - Perception of my own body - Feel intimidate by firm bodies fitness fanatics - Too competitive atmosphere - Impersonal environment (lack of customer service and care) - Complicated exercise programmes Totally wrong environment.

If you answered yes to any of the above, but you do understand how important exercise and toning is to keep the muscles and body working – then Shape4Life is the perfect venue for you.

Shapemaster toning circuit consists of 6 different Shapemaster machines and a Vibrating Plate – providing the perfect solution to your exercise needs.

For further information please contact 675 619 568 Shape4Life or call into our new offices at San Luis Commercial Centre, Local 8, Calle Avilés, San Luis.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 19 Issue 01

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QF Focus Magazine

Page 20

Forthcoming Events

By Keith Nicol All information is correct at time of going to press but we advise you to check for any changes which are beyond our control.

Happy New Year reader, and welcome to the start of the third decade this millennium and the easy to remember, 2020. It's a also a leap year, so one extra day to enjoy and we wish you health and happiness for all 366 of them.

Now that all the festivities are done and dusted, the January sales and under way, the kids are back to school, and believe it or not, the days are actually getting longer, minute by minute, day by day, it's time to plan for the new year.

Activities at Torrevieja's International Auditorium are in full swing, with their next performance being on Friday 19 January at 10pm with the The Acrobatic Circus of China. Their new show features seventeen different acrobatic performances perfectly connected as a complete story. The love story of a young man and his phoenix princess. The show portrays difficulties and fighting spirit when pursuing a dream. The following discounts apply: 100 Friends of the Auditorium tickets (20% discount).

If you love dance, an artist you will not wish to miss is Sara Baras, one of Spain's most famous flamenco dancers. She's performing on Saturday 18 January. Her performance of "Sombras" is a show of one hour and forty-five minutes, created on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Flamenco Ballet "Sara Baras". The

music, which draws on flamenco rhythms and cadences from other cultures, is created by Keko Baldomero, a talented gaditano guitarist who is also the Musical Director of the Company, and has the special collaborations of world-renowned Ara Malikian.

Prices: 50€, 40€, 35€ and 30€. The following discounts apply: There are 100 tickets for Friends of the Auditorium (20% discount) and 50 retired tickets (50% discount). Discounts not cumulative.

On Saturday 25 January at 9pm, Brothers In Band, Tribute To Dire Straits are on stage in the Auditorium. Brothers in Band, offer an elegant and very careful staging, a musical direction arranged for the occasion combining the best of Mark Knopfler's extensive repertoire, from the clean and crystalline sound of Down to the Waterline,1978 to the mythical riff of Money for Nothing, through themes such as Telegraph Road, Lady Writer, So Far Away, Love Over Gold, Tunnel of Love, Romeo & Juliet, Sultans of Swing and more. The band features a total of 9 musicians performing together.

Prices: 35€, 30€ and 25€. The following discounts applies: 100 tickets for Friends of the Auditorium (20% discount).

On Friday 14 February from 8.30pm to 11pm the FSO TOUR returns with their Best of Film Music Concert. Your favourite soundtracks and many surprises await you in one of the most moving shows of recent times. More info at: https://auditoriotorrevieja.com/eventos/.

Exhibition wise, the IFA start their new year of activities on 22 to 24 January, with a feast for gardeners at their Ornamental and Related Plants expo followed in February with the region’s largest caravan and outdoor living expo that takes place over two weekends, 14 to 16 February and from 21 to 23 February. More info at https://www.feria-alicante.com/ferias/.

February also brings with it Carnival, Fat or Shrove Tuesday, and two fun parades in Torrevieja. The first of these is the afternoon parade on Sunday 16 February. While the temperatures are a little cooler in Torrevieja than the Sambadome in Rio, the heat is raised with the slightly more risqué and fun night parade on Saturday 22 February. Both start from Plaza de María Asunción, and travel along Calle Ramón Gallud to Calle Orihuela beside the Town Hall Square.

Looking ahead, Expo Torrevieja returns to Torrevieja's International Auditorium on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, with the region's largest premier lifestyle expo now showcasing their VII edition.

This year, the Orihuela Costa have changed their plans for their St. Patrick's Day Parade, which will now take place on Sunday 15 March, with other activities happening during the week.

In winter the The Rojales Craft Market Market at the Cuevas del Rodeo is open on the 1st Sunday of each month in the morning from 11am to 2pm. It's is a fun place to visit if you are looking for a small gift, piece of art or decoration. Local artists put their work on display along with other craft works to browse and enjoy.

Also on the 1st Sunday of each month is the Ace Cafe Classic Car event, on the street outside La Torre Hotel in Los Montesinos from 11am to 1pm while in Pilar de la Horadada a similar event takes place on the last Sunday of each month. Admission is free.

Another fun and unusual event for kids of all ages is the Torrellano Miniature Steam Train. It is run by the friends of the railways association and so is normally only open on Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm with Miniature Train Rides during February and March on the 2nd Sunday from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Every month the Friends of the Railways Association host a miniature train event at the railway museum in Torrellano. Donations of 1.50€ per visit are requested. Facebook: Ferrocarril Alicante Torrellano vapor vivo - FCAT vv.

For more updated news about local artists and events that are happening all around the Costa Blanca, check out a new Facebook page called 'Artists Direct Spain' which is constantly updated to find out the latest news and whereabouts of your favourite local artists and updated news on events as they happen.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 21

our

ARIES With the new year you are ready to start on keeping your resolutions and reaching the goals once and for all. It may take a while to get others on board as it will mean some radical changes, but it will be worth it, so keep at it.

TAURUS It will take a while for you to settle into a new year and a new situation you find yourself in. Don't rush things and concentrate on yourself whilst adapting to all the changes being made around you.

GEMINI Your to do list is getting longer, but mainly because you have so many ideas at the moment. Talk things through before jumping in to anything as their input will be invaluable.

CANCER Helping someone stick to their New Year's resolution gives you an idea for one of your own. Positive changes are going to be the theme this year.

LEO Looking forward you are full of energy to make this year one to remember. You are full of motivation, just know your limits and when to ask for help and this really could be your year.

VIRGO Having been trapped in a routine for so long you now see that it has to change. Focusing on the important things is good but you are missing so much by fixating on them. Seeing things clearly and not so blinkered is a real eye opener and opens up so many new possibilities for this year.

oroscope

LIBRA If you have been a bit lax in keeping contact then make up for it and call, visit or just message them. You have been busy concentrating on work and now it is time to give more energy to your personal life, family and friends. Find that work / home balance again.

SCORPIO Planning a holiday will give you all something to look forward to as the normality returns after the holiday season. It doesn't have to be a lavish cruise or jet setting across the globe. Just some time away will be just as good for you.

SAGITTARIUS The new year means new possibilities and almost a new start - it's like a clean slate all over again. Expand on the good things of the past year and leave the rest behind.

CAPRICORN You are crossing things off your to do list as fast as they are going on it and finding solutions to problems you have been puzzling over for ages. Keep it up and you will sail through this month.

AQUARIUS You are determined to make this year one where you let more technology help you rather than seeing it as a threat. What a difference it is going to make for you and all those around you.

PISCES An issue you have been worrying about for too long will resolve itself without you having to do almost anything. Let it be a lesson that if you deal with something immediately, it will save you from a lot of sleepless nights.

Page 22

w

A View From The Top

Welcome to my monthly column “A view from the top”.

Hopefully you will find my rambling readable (maybe even enjoyable). You may agree or you may disagree with my views, I care not. These are my views long held and forged over a life time of work, travel and experience. Now that’s over let’s have a look at what is really winding me up.

More home thoughts from abroad.

It's a nice warmish Monday morning and we are sitting in our living room waiting for our arranged lift to Alicante airport to arrive. The lift arrives and off we go. Forty minutes later we are in the airport departure lounge along with a couple of thousand other people who are all seemingly trying to get through the automatic security barriers at the same time. A young Spanish security assistant is shouting at the crowd ...stop pushing ...please stop trying to operate the gates etc ...it seems everyone has arrived at departure at the same time. Incidentally I hate that term departure when it’s used at airports... it seems to be a portent of things to come. Safely through security we sat waiting for the gate number in respect of our flight to Manchester...gate called ...we board the aircraft and off we jolly well go. We arrive in Manchester after an uneventful flight and guess what ...it's raining. I do not think I have ever been to Manchester and it has not been raining. We queue for train tickets to Burnage, a Manchester suburb and the current domicile of our eldest boy and his family. As they are at work and school respectively the key has been left in a secret place ...we enter the house and find some respite from the rain and cold that is Manchester in mid December. Why are you there I hear you cry? We are there because we have arranged to take the kids and mummy and daddy to Disneyland Paris for a few days break as a Christmas treat. In reality it's really just moving from one cold and wet place in England to an equally cold and wet place in France and paying for the experience.

We spend a couple of days shopping before we embark for La Belle France ...Oh the joys of shopping in Stockport... yes you heard me, Stockport. Then it was off to the local Tesco to peruse the bargains.

I must say that you can eat well in Britain if you shop carefully and pick the bargains that the shops have to offer. Paris departure day arrives and off the six of us set for Manchester Airport...we rise at 4am to await a minibus pick up at 4.30am...the bus arrives and off to the airport we go ...it’s again cold and wet and a little foggy as the driver hurtles around the M60 cutting up several enormous early morning HGV vehicles, earning several two fingered salutes from the HGV drivers. The kids’ mother shouts at our driver to take care and I ponder about the afterlife as we speed to the airport. Airport just about safely navigated, we camp out in yet another departure lounge and it’s still only 5.20am on a cold Lancashire morning.

Our Flybe flight to Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) is called and we board an Embraer 175 jet for the one hour flight, Manchester to Paris CDG. This aspect of the trip did please me as I have flown before with Flybe on the Turbo propeller De Havallands and it was pleasing that this time we had Jet engines to speed us on our way. When landing at CDG the first thing that you notice is the sheer size of the place... the trip to the taxi way after landing to parking the plane took a good ten to fifteen minutes. Safely parked we set off to face the French border police and security...with an e awe e awe.. in our steps. Not a word was spoken as surly faced officials cleared our entry to the Land of the Gauls. I for one was excited at the prospect of bumping into Asterix, my hero from my boyhood. Our pre-arranged mini bus picked us up as arranged and off we sped to The Newport Bay Club hotel and Disneyland Paris.

QF Focus Magazine The trip from CDG to Disneyland takes about forty minutes and the kids were kept happy by the TV in the mini bus showing yes you've guessed...Walt Disney films. We arrive at the hotel, deposit our bags and as we cannot book in until 3pm we catch the courtesy bus to Disneyland... Oh us and thousands of other people as well... the place is alive with humanity... most of them either pushing children or holding hands with children and all seemingly with a smile of apprehension on their faces. We enter the park after more security and immediately the faces of the children light up as the Famous Disney Castle appears in front of us as we walk up main street toward it. All around people are moving from or toward the several theme parks that make up Disneyland Paris Wild West land ...Disney Studios etc. We spend half the afternoon on various rides and I take my life in my hands and venture onto "The Mad Hatters" spinning Saucers... Oh what fun... even more was to be had as I next took to the seas with the kids as we rode the oceans on the "Pirates of the Caribbean", swiftly followed by another sea jaunt around the "World of the Little People". Hunger and tiredness began to set in and we six went back to the hotel for booking in followed by a swim in the indoor pool and an evening meal... after which we all retired to our rooms in need of sleep with the kids in full expectation of what tomorrow would bring.

Day two and we are all up early and are eating our breakfast at about 8.30am. It’s a buffet style breakfast but with hot food... eggs ..bacon etc mixed in with the continental style of cakes.. cereals and pancakes. As I look around the breakfast room, what immediately becomes obvious is the amount of food that people are cramming into their backpacks ...filling croissants with ham and cheese to feed them throughout the day as they navigate the theme parks. Children are sent complaining back and forward to the buffet counter by parents to fill their plates with food, that on return to the tables the parents try to secretly hide in their bags.

Me I just put one chocolate croissant in my pocket for later.

Out into the parks again and today was adventure day. Big Thunder Mountain awaited as did Space Mountain and for me a ride on the "Molly Brown" steamboat as she circled Big Thunder Mountain whilst everyone else thundered down it. At this stage in the enjoyments my poor old knee had just about given up on me and I took to the bus and returned to the Hotel for an early evening couple of beers, leaving the family adventurers to the perils of Buzz Lightyear and infinity and beyond. Another pre dinner swim with the family included a lovely session in the steam room followed by dinner and a glass or two of wine and day two was firmly put to bed.

Day three once again started with breakfast and I managed to find the toaster and even managed to locate some proper English style marmalade to have with several cups of Caffe au Lait. Again the family took to the theme parks with delight. We caught the Disney Christmas Parade which was really good and left thousands of people of varying nationalities all smiling, dancing and generally at peace with each other. Mickey and Minnie for World presidents sounds like a good idea to me. Back to the hotel for a swim whilst mum and nanny took the kids to see the evening lights and the evening parade...dinner ...sleep then up for breakfast on day four before a quick last wander around the parks before our mini bus came at 12pm to whisk us back to the airport and our flight back to Manchester.

Home now in Spain. I wonder why Disneyland Spain was never built... surely the climate here in the South of Spain is more suited to outdoor adventure type holidays... that said it was about the children... and did they love it ...you bet they did.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 23

Could you be happier?...

If not, ask yourself why not? Who would you say is responsible for you being happy?

Whenever you look outside for happiness, you are looking in the wrong place! No person, place, situation or set of circumstances can make you happy unless you are happy INSIDE, and only you are in control of that!

I am sure we all know people who appear to have everything that this world can provide and yet are discontent. This is because whatever we have, no matter what it is, we adjust to it and get used to it, and it no longer fulfils us….remember that!

The happiness and satisfaction in life has to come from inside, because that is where we start to appreciate everything and happiness stems from appreciation. Contentment and inner peace, leading to happiness, can be locked in… if we want it to be, but let me ask you… do you KNOW yourself? Are you aware of who you are inside?

If you think how you make decisions about things and people, you will realise that you decide things on what you see and experience. So then, if you CHANGE what others see and experience about YOU they will come to different conclusions, treat you differently, and that alone could result in a much happier outcome all round.

Try this… If you walk into a room and stay 5 minutes, dealing with things a certain way, with a certain attitude, then you repeat that experience over and over again, handling things differently, you will get a whole load of different responses from the people you come into contact with. Put it to the test! Try not speaking, and see how you get treated. Try smiling and chatting to everyone, and see the response. Somehow along the line you will feel good, and happy about the result you get, and you will know that you have hit your personal target.

What does that prove? Well in that small illustration it proves that you are really in control... the result you get is due to the way you handle things… so why not try to do things that will make you as happy as you could be? Worth a try, I am sure!

Until next time.

Violet King

Page 24

QF Focus Magazine

Success with permanent Weight Loss – now in Torrevieja - with Slim4Life.es – Exante Diet

Is this the year YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

We wish to thank our hundreds of clients – who joined us last year – who have transformed their lives with permanent weight loss.

Slim4Life.es are now entering into our third successful year in Spain with our authorised Exante distributorship and our unique Exante Meal Replacement products - the UK’s leading Weight Reduction /Slimming programme. Exante products were voted No. 1 on ITV in the UK. Slim4Life.es also includes Personal Weight Loss Coaching – which is the secret to successful weight loss.

How can we help you in 2020? If you have been thinking of losing weight – join us now – do not wait any longer.

We have the proven method to lose weight in the healthiest and most permanent way. With our support and guidance YOU can be the BEST YOU in 2020.

It’s so easy!

1. Decide which Exante diet plan is right for you.

2. Choose from our huge range of shakes, bars, meals, desserts & snacks.

3. Book your free consultation OR join the New Year, New YOU challenge.

Why SLIM4LIFE? It works, it's convenient and it transforms lives!

It is less expensive than other “diets” – this is a lifestyle change, not just another diet.

Does your busy lifestyle leave you short on time? Simply throw an Exante bar, shake or snack into your bag for a delicious and nutritious meal on-the-go.

Our Weight Loss Coaching programme is the “winning factor” –

it is not easy to lose weight without support, accountability and reprogramming of the mind.

Start Your Transformation Try our 28 day NEW YEAR – NEW YOU CHALLENGE to help guide you through the first 4 weeks of 2020 - changing the way you eat with Slim4Life - feel healthy and watch the pounds fall off.

THERE IS A SECRET TO OUR SUCCESS: Clients are finding that the benefit of our personal weight loss coaching is the key to successful weight loss.

It is an unfortunate statistic that most people who lose weight – just put it back on again.

With Slim4Life and the weekly weight loss coaching – we are proving that it is not only in the food supplements you take, but in changing your way of thinking.

Our program was devised by a Nutritionist in 2008 and has been the proven way to lose weight and remain at the peak of health – but more importantly on this special programme clients will be able to maintain the weight loss.

The transformations here in Torrevieja have been awesome. These clients have now found the secret to losing and maintaining their weight.

Now let us help you to make 2020 the year you lose weight and transform your life.

Phone or email Shirley for your free consultation – at 675 619 568 or slim4life.es@gmail.com or call into our new offices at San Luis Commercial Centre, Local 8, Calle Avilés, San Luis.

Book your place at our Exante Slim4Life Group Presentation on Monday 13th January 2020.

QF Focus Magazine

FIVE MINUTES WITH... MARY BERRY

Page 25

By Gemma Dunn, PA

Best Home Cook is not about tears and tantrums - but rather encouraging competitors to be the best they can, says returning judge Mary Berry. Gemma Dunn finds out more about the show's second helping.

The search for the nation's Best Home Cook is back on as Mary Berry, the queen of home cooking, and produce expert Chris Bavin, team up for a second series of the BBC One show.

The eight-part run will once again see 10 eager contestants - all living together in a shared house compete as they are tested by the exacting judges on their home cookery skills.

Expect brand new kitchens, tougher challenges (who can forget the Ultimate Challenge and Rustle Up round?) and an exciting and tense finale each week.

There's also a new addition to the professional line-up, with Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett joining the judging panel, alongside returning host Claudia Winkleman.

So what else can TV favourite Berry, 84, tell us?

WHAT DO FANS SAY WHEN THEY MEET YOU? The nicest thing is, if I'm in a supermarket getting my shopping, and you get a hand on your shoulder and they say, 'I make your lemon drizzle.' Or, 'I had your such-and-such last night: thank you,' or something like that. It's lovely, I find that people are exceedingly nice, and they just want to let you know. As long as it's short...

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE BEST HOME COOK? It's someone who's versatile and is a really excellent cook using fresh ingredients and classic methods with a twist - they've got to be dedicated. It's amazing when the [home cooks] start off and they each have their own speciality, but when they're given another challenge, say my Ultimate Challenge, they may not have made it before and so to give them confidence, I tell them what I want.

They have a practise and although they arrive full of confidence, throughout the programme they've got to build on that.

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? It's also important that when things go wrong, we look and see how [the cooks] cope. At home, things go wrong and it isn't tears, rushing away, throwing things here, there and everywhere...

You've got to pick yourself up and produce something, and if it isn't produced, we can't judge it! The challenges increase in difficulty and many of them have got a tricky part to the recipe, so we want to see they can achieve that skill.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELVES AS JUDGES? We all have very high principles; we want the best person to win and we want to encourage everybody. We do not want tears, or people to be nervous. Claudia [Winkleman] is the person who, when she can see something happening, if people are upset, she's over there just making it a bit more jolly, helping if she can. But it's got to be challenging. I wouldn't say it was too hard, I would say it was challenging.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO COOK AT THIS TIME OF YEAR? Last Sunday I did a sticky toffee pudding, and everybody loved it. I love a good casserole; a really good cut of meat, plenty of red wine, something nice and warming.

DOES ANYBODY COOK FOR YOU? All of my close friends. First of all, when they first meet you, they say, 'I'm terrified of cooking for you,' but people do their family recipes. True friends, it doesn't matter. I love a scrambled egg - it doesn't matter what you have, it's the company. As a home cook, you get your specialities and it's always good to give that to your friends. [As for restaurants], they usually give me a nice welcome.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR 'NATIONAL TREASURE' TAG? There are lots of national treasures, aren't there? It's a warm, nice thing for people to say and there are a lot of us from gardening to cooking ones. It's something with respect and I feel as if I'm doing the job properly - and I hope I am. I'm very fair and I just want home cooks to cook even better; I want them to be home cooks, not buy in. And I think people will watch and then the next day go shopping and cook.

THE SHOW IS STEERING VIEWERS AWAY FROM TAKEAWAYS AND BACK INTO THE KITCHEN. HAVE YOU EVER INDULGED IN FAST FOOD? I have never had a takeaway, and that is purely because we live a long way from the town. But why should I? I can muster up things very quickly. I've been to McDonald's with grandchildren and they enjoy it a lot; I don't really know much about it, but I know so many children love it. But if you are at home there are so many things that you can buy that will help you if you are very busy, that don't cost that much extra. You do pay a little bit more for it, but you can get food on the table a little bit quicker.

AND FINALLY, HOW CAN WE ALL ENSURE WE'RE COOKING IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY? I'm very careful on using leftovers, so I try not to throw anything away. I often cook ingredients or extra rice and think, 'I'll do a nasi goreng with that,' and the other thing I do is make compost. We've just moved to a new house and for a year I brought compost from the old house to the new house, because it makes your vegetables and your plants grow a lot better!

Best Home Cook is now showing on BBC One. Pictured above right: (L-R) Angela Hartnett, Claudia Winkleman, Mary Berry and Chris Bavin with the home cooks. PA Photo/BBC/ Keo Films/Mark Johnson.

Pictured above left: Mary Berry. PA Photo/BBC/Keo Films/Nicky Johnston.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 26

Book Review by Ivor Kindle

Title: How to Write a Book.

Everything you need to know in 20 steps.

Author: Jerry B Jenkins.

Over the past years that I have been writing my monthly book review I have often pondered whether I could actually write a book. I believe I have a mind that is both active enough and capable enough to put several thousand worth reading words to paper.

I hope I understand the difficulties regarding the development of a suitable plot, coupled with the sheer amount of time and effort that writing something that is actually worth other people reading would mean, in respect of putting pen to paper so to speak. Thinking that I would like to have a go I have been searching the internet for guidance and have come across this advice from Jerry B. Jenkins. It is a useful first place to go in search of what is required when one sets out to write a blockbuster of a book.

If you, dear reader are like me and one day would like to see your name on the spine of a best seller, then this could be the place to start.

...Keep reading, or in this case keep dreaming Ivor Kindle.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 27

President of Age Concern, Costa Blanca Sur, Mrs Maureen Payne, is among nine UK nationals in Spain named in the New Year Honours List Maureen Payne, President of Age Concern, Costa Blanca Sur, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to British Nationals Overseas in the New Year Honours List, published on Friday 27 December 2019.

Maureen has been a volunteer for Age Concern for 15 years, nine of those as president. She works tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and is a wonderful ambassador. Since Maureen became the president of Age Concern she has helped triple the number of volunteers and

Avenida de las Naciones roadworks project

Here is a summary of the plans for the Avenida de las Naciones project under the management of the Diputación de Alicante.

The works are due to commence on 7, 8 or 9 January and planned to be completed by May. The project will affect the main entrance to Ciudad Quesada from the arches to the junction of Avenida Costa Azul and Calle Blanca where a new roundabout is planned.

The road will be divided in two parts with work commencing on one half, with the other half for one way traffic, travelling from the junction of Avenida Costa Azul to the arches. When one half is completed, work will start on the other half to allow traffic to pass on the new part, again one way going to the arches. Cars wishing to enter in the opposite direction from the roundabout, will be diverted right or left, depending on the part of the urbanisation you wish to access.

During the project, cars may park on a plot in Calle Sola next to the commercial units, currently being prepared, and a larger area is also currently being prepared by the tennis courts in Avenida Costa Azul.

If you wish, the underground car park beneath the commercial units on Avenida de las Naciones will be open until quite late, and free of charge until the project is completed..

We ask for your patience and understanding during the works which should result in a much improved end product.

All the trees and advertisement columns will be removed. The pavement on the side of the avenue occupied by Orenes, Don Carlos, etc, will be substantially widened as a pedestrian area. Cars will not be allowed to park on this side once the project is finished. Cars will be able to park in single file on the opposite side, therefore one side only in the direction of the arches to the new roundabout. This will facilitate a smoother flow of traffic and a general improvement all round.

Once the project is finished, we will be able to identify where improvements can be made in parking and traffic flow, should this be necessary.

Derek Monks. Councillor for Residents.

has been instrumental in the expansion of the services it offers.

One of the things she has personally driven forward is an initiative to work closely with the local doctor’s surgery to discuss support for the elderly in the area.

HMA Hugh Elliott said: “It is extraordinary to see nine British nationals awarded at the same time – a real testament to the depth and diversity of the UKSpain relationship and to the contribution that so many British nationals make to their communities across Spain. Many of our expat communities have a large elderly population and for them organisations like Age Concern are a real lifeline. The dedication of people like Maureen is remarkable and this honour is very well deserved.”

Maureen Payne said: “I am truly honoured to have been awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of my years with Age Concern; work that has given me enormous pleasure.”

Page 28

RECIPES by Pushpa from the Spice Hut

QF Focus Magazine

Meat Balls Passanda Medium Curry

For meat balls 1kg minced meat 2 onions, finely diced 1 tspn garlic paste 1 tspn ginger paste 1 tspn garam masala Salt 1/2 tspn ground black pepper 3 finely chopped green chillies 1 tspn red chilli powder 2 tbspn fresh coriander leaves 1 cup of bread crumbs 2 eggs beaten to bind Oil for frying the meat balls

For curry sauce 2 onions chopped 1/2 cup of cream 25gms butter 2 tspn curry powder 1 tspn tumeric powder 1/2 cup of ground almonds 1 fresh chopped chilli Salt 1 cup of water 1 tspn garlic paste 1 tspn ginger paste

Mix the mince meat with all the ingredients, making sure it binds well.

Make small balls and deep fry in hot oil until golden brown.

For the sauce, melt the butter, add onions and cook on a medium heat until soft and starting to go brown. When cooled, put into a blender with a cup of water and make a stock.

Bring the stock to the boil, add the cream, tumeric, curry powder, salt, chilli, garlic, ginger and almond powder. Cook gently and bring to the boil, stirring until the sauce is thick.

Check the sauce for taste, then put the meat balls in the sauce and cook for another 10 minutes.

Passanda should be a thick creamy curry served with rice.

The Spice Hut Quesada. Tel. 96 673 1063 or visit www.spicehutspain.com.

QF Focus Magazine

The end of another busy year

Page 29

Well that was the end of yet another busy year for all of us here at team Cyclogical and we are looking forward to doing it all again this year.

It started last January when we all decided that we would have a dry January, well that went well, most of us only lasted 2 weeks. February, Harry and I were up in Elche with Mathew getting his residencia when the phone rang and it was the hospital in Torrievieja to let me know that I was booked in for my hip operation in a week’s time. I was so desperate to have this done as I had been in agony for some time and had been on tramadol for a year but, having never been in hospital before for anything major reality hit in and I was scared. Two weeks later I’m home with a complete new hip and in recovery mode - the rest is history - excellent decision and I’m completely pain free and like a new man.

March saw Harry sitting and passing his driving test, brilliant his Mam and Dad said, and it wasn’t long before he had bought his first car. Our only Sportif in March The Sierra de Segura Marcha was cancelled due to torrential rain. In April we went on our annual trip to the Cap Negret hotel in Altea with our partners for a great weekend of cycling in the hills and at the end of April Lynn and I flew across to Manchester to see Take That on Tour. It was great at the airport when I set of the metal detectors as the guy thought I was too young for a new hip, so I had to walk through an x-ray machine. May and my parents arrived for a month and I took my Dad to Mortalla to watch his first Sportif - he loved it and we both had a great day together drinking coffee and tapas as I was not riding. Harry and I then went to Madrid for 2 days on our annual Shimano technicians course. Dom TJ also started competing in the Vega Baja road races in Orihuela, Callosa, Catral and Benezucar. The 1st of June and we were off to Ibi as we had 10 riders in The Tour De Juguette Sportif, then the all new Pinarello F12 was launched. In June I took a group of 6 Danes to Calpe to cycle the Coll de Rates and the Tudons and it was my first real challenge since my op. At the end of June we were off again - 8 hour drive to Sabininaigo for 3 days as Harry, Moth and Martin were participating in one of Europe’s toughest Sportifs Quebrantahuesos (The Bonecrusher). Martin Gregson and I were the drivers and domestiques. In July we had another 8 hour drive, this time to Pamplona for 3 days to the annual Pinarello road Show and to see the new F12 in the flesh. We also took part in the Miguel Indurain sportif before returning home exhausted. August was a very warm month and a quiet one in the shop - Harry had a week off and headed to Valencia with his friends for the Medusa concert and it was also the start of La Vuelta in Torrievieja, a big honour for the town. September saw the Alberto Contador Sportif in Denia, a new beginners cycling night and we also had Jack Swifts memorial ride followed by the Abus Sportif, which was also cancelled due to all the flooding in the Murcia area and various landslides had which closed many of the roads. October saw another weekend in the Altea hills and Lynn and I decided to have a well deserved break and went on a Med cruise. November saw the rescheduled Abus Sportif where we had 8 riders, and another cancelled Sportif The Albudiete once again due to torrential rain. We also had a night at Orihuela go-Karts followed by a great but very windy group ride out in the hills at Geerts house in Mutxamel. December - nothing was planned only our Christmas dinner in Da Silvas which was a great night with everyone letting their hair down.

We also trained every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, went to the Sierra Espuna twice, Xorret de Cati twice, took part in the La Purisima time trials in Murcia had 5 red days and still managed to fit in 6 days a week in the shop.

Do you know how? Because we all just get on with it.

Good health in the New Year to you all, Gary, Lynn and the TEAM. Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 120kms at a moderate to fast pace so, if you fancy a challenge, are looking to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with, then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637 487 377.

Page 30

Animal Adoptions and re-homing

QF Focus Magazine

Spot the odd one out A

B

C

D

E

F

Bridgette is in urgent need of a home or foster home as her owner moved house and left her behind. She is around 4 years old, sterilised and very timid with strangers but once she gets to know you is very affectionate. Call: 645 469 253. To view more animals for adoption go to www.petsinspain.com.

Email: info@petsinspain.com.

Canela D.O.B. 01/18. Canela is a very happy affectionate girl who loves children but prefers her own company where other canines are concerned.

If you would like to adopt Canela or any of our other animals call 600 845 420 /610 832 726. www.k9club.es.

You’re invited to come and meet the Easy Horse Care Centre rescued horses, ponies and donkeys during our open day, held on the first Sunday of each month from 1pm to 4pm.

Entry is free and children are welcome. On the day, we offer a free guided tour of our stables and fields at 2pm sharp – make sure you pop along at this time to be able to meet our horses.

Call 652 021 980 or email rescue@easyhorsecare.net.

For more information visit our website http://www.easyhorsecare.net.

Calling all clubs and charities - let us know about your forthcoming events and animals for adoption. See page 4 for contact details.

&

SUDOKU Here are two Sudoku puzzles of different skill levels for you to try.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repeats, which means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages

QF Focus Magazine

Crossword

Across 3 Clear (11) 9 Vegetable, emblem of Wales (4) 10 Pillaged, stripped (9) 11 Banishment (5) 12 Vase for a deceased person's ashes (3) 13 High-ranking police officer (9) 16 Shine brightly, like a star or a light (5) 17 Snake-like fish (3) 19 Large, brightly coloured handkerchief (7) 22 South American rodent bred for its fur

(known as nutria) (5) 24 Second-nearest planet to the Sun (5) 27 Sated, full (7) 29 Old Testament prophet (3) 31 Reasoned judgment (5) 32 Doubtful or incredulous (9) 35 Public transport vehicle (3) 36 Leave or strike out, as of vowels (5) 37 Foundation garments (9) 39 Festival, celebration (4) 40 Trip with a surprise destination (7,4) Down 1 Hypersensitive (8) 2 Consignment (8) 4 Sisters of one's parents (5) 5 Fear, dread (5) 6 Invite (3) 7 Tolerate (6) 8 Passage through or under something (6) 10 Pay back (9) 14 Elongated seed vessel of a leguminous plant (3) 15 Person undertaking a journey (9) 18 ___ de Cologne, perfumed liquid (3) 20 Short sleep (3) 21 Person who excels at a particular sport (3) 23 Lubricant (3) 25 Woman's loose dressing gown (8) 26 Released, gave out (8)

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages

Page 31

28 Hawaiian garland of flowers (3) 29 Special design or symbol (6) 30 Editions of a magazine or newspaper, for example (6) 33 After the expected time (5) 34 Set of beliefs (5) 38 Pass from physical life (3)

Page 32

The Stage Diary now in its 13th year of publication is not only an important guide to what’s on in all regions but is also an on-line web introduction to potential expat’s researching community life in Spain. The diary also acts as a planning guide to assist groups avoid unnecessary clashes of production dates.

Actors Community Theatre Society: As Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda are off to the races at York for a drink, a flirt and a flutter, you can be sure that the next production by the ACTS company, ‘Ladies’ Day’ by Amanda Whittington, will be an odds-on favourite. Scheduled for 5 6 and 7 March at the Casa de Cultura in Benijofar betting slips, sorry, tickets will be on sale soon, so put the dates in your dairy now. Contact Ian Vallender at: icvallender@gmail.com.

Adante Classical Choir: The Choir gave three Christmas concerts during December, raising money for local causes. They performed at the Orihuela Costa Civic Center, Nuestra Senora del Pilar in Los Montesinos and San Pedro y San Pablo Church in Torrevieja.

The group plan to stage John Rutter’s ‘Requiem’ in March. If interested, visit rehearsals on 9 January from 19:00 to 21:00, at San Pedro y San Pablo Church. For more information contact Karen Blagbrough at kaemichelle65@gmail.com.

Cantabile Ladies Choir: Rehearsals are well underway for their February concert at La Siesta Church. Music will be varied from ancient to modern and sacred to secular. New members welcome, the only requirement is the ability to sing in tune in this friendly three-part, female choir.

Contact: valbeange@gmail.com - phone 96 679 5816. Rehearsals: La Siesta Church, Torrevieja on Fridays at 14.45 from January to May. Crescendo International Choir: The Choir performed popular, sacred and Christmas music at two December concerts. The first concert was at Benijofar’s Catholic church where almost 300€ was raised to support the community’s food bank. Music performed included `Fix You´

by Cold Play and `Let It Be´ by the Beatles. The second concert was at Casa Contenta in Rojales including items such as `Little Drummer Boy´ and `White Christmas´. For more information visit www.crescendo-choir.com.

Harmonisers Barbershop: Whatever your singing talent, a warm welcome awaits you at Harmoniser`s. They are a friendly club including all nationalities and a fun-loving harmony chorus singing in the Barbershop style. They meet every Thursday, 10.00 at Casa Contenta Rojales, near Quesada. Drop in and say hello, you will be more than welcome. Interested? Please contact Mick Hume at michaelhume4814@gmail.com.

QF Focus Magazine Lyrical Mixed Voice Choir: This highly successful, recently formed harmony group has capped a phenomenal first year with its `Sounds of Christmas´ concert performed to a sellout audience on 6 December. Their first concert of 2020 will take place in La Zenia on Sunday 26 April. Entitled `A Grand Night for Music´ It is certain to be sold out very quickly! Apply now for tickets at www.lyrical.es.

Rojales Pantomime Group: The Pantomime ‘Treasure Island‘ is CANCELLED The group are extremely sad to advise that, due to circumstances totally beyond their control, the pantomime they have been rehearsing for the past four months has had to be CANCELLED. This production was due to be performed at The Cardenal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio on 30/31 January and 1 February. Anyone who has purchased tickets can get a FULL REFUND by returning the tickets to where they were bought. For any further information please contact Christine on 678 212 034 or email shimserv@gmail.com. The group is very sad that they cannot perform this very funny pantomime for you at this time, and that various charities will not benefit from the money they would have donated. However, the show must always go on and we hope to be able to perform this panto at a later date… oh yes we will! The Rojales Pantomime Group wish a Happy New Year to you all.

Stagestruck Theatre Group: The group presented 3,000€ to their associated charity, Alzheimer’s, at the end of their December panto run.

They performed to packed houses and are grateful for the continued support of their audiences which enables them to hand over such large amounts to charity. Details will follow of their next show. Anyone wishing to join this happy band can contact Jenny 608 129 983 or check out the Stagestruck Facebook page.

Studio 32: This musical theatre company are pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for their summer show, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein’s, `South Pacific´. Tickets will be 10€ and can be reserved by calling Philip on 744 484 933 or email:tickets@studiothirtytwo.org.

The Dayamantes Singers: The Singers were formed 10 years ago and meet in Daya Nueva every Wednesday from 11.00 until 12.30. They are a group of men and women who enjoy singing a variety of songs from the 60s to the present time. Now commencing the winter season with a completely new repertoire. Always looking for new members. If you would like to join and have a great social time, ring Jean: 690 778 091.

If you would like your group to be part of the Stage Diary please email editor@femalefocusonline.com editor@femalefocusonline.com.. Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Stage Diary Costa Blanca North information can be found online at www.femalefocusonline.com

QF Focus Magazine

San Javier Golf Society give HELP a boost.

Carols in Rojales Every Friday a faithful group of the Age Concern Residential Home Volunteer Team visit the Care Home in Rojales to take many British and International residents of the home out for a stroll around the town. They stop for coffee but, more importantly, converse in their own language to our volunteers.

Last month, as in every year for the past 15 years, and in conjunction with the Care Home, Christmas Carols and songs were sung in English and Spanish by the very community spirited Rascals Choir. Many of the residents joined in the singing, clapped and danced. Highlight of the afternoon was a visit from Papa Noel distributing gifts of chocolates to everyone, followed by the trolley laden with beverages (not tea or coffee!) and cakes. Irene, manager of the visiting team, has spent over 10 years in this role along with many volunteers and she couldn't imagine doing anything else on a Friday. This is a truly win, win situation where residents and volunteers alike thoroughly enjoy their strolls, coffee and chats as it's such a worthwhile, rewarding and satisfying afternoon.

If you think you could spare one or two Friday afternoons a month taking these residents out for their weekly stroll, please don't hesitate to contact Age Concern by phoning 96 678 6887.

Visit the website and get further information about Age Concern on www.ageconcerncostablancasur.org.

Page 33

Christine Baillie the President of HELP Murcia Mar Menor was recently invited to La Serena Golf Club in Los Alcazares

by Ty Williams the Captain of the San Javier Golf Society and presented with a cheque for 500€.

Accepting the donation Christine, along with Vice President Ann Sheperson, was able to take the opportunity to explain the work that HELP dos to help people in the Mar Menor area and further afield in the Murcia region.

“This money will help us to carry on our work” she said “There are lots of people in need of extra help after the floods and HELP is doing what it can to make life easier for them”. She was also able to get a plug in for the HELP Outlet in the Oasis Centre at Los Alcazares which along with a weekly car boot sale at the Autocine are the main sources of income for the Charity.

For more information about HELP call 96 857 0059.

Velvetones final donation

The Velvetones Ladies Harmony Chorus, which was based in Torrevieja and having recently announced their disbandment in October after 21 years of singing, had the pleasure of handing over a donation of 2,500€ to Manoli Flores, the President of AECC at their Torrevieja office.

NOTICEBOARD

THE ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS (known as ARPO). Retired police officers from any national or international force are very welcome to join our group. We meet every 2nd Wednesday of each month at Friends Cafe Bar, Avda. del Mar 82, Los Montesinos 03187 starting at 10.30 a.m. We look forward to meeting new members and their partners. For further info. contact our web site, www.arpo.org.uk or email arpocostablancasouth@gmail.com.

Crime Watch Spain (Vecinos Colaborando) Reg. VG – 08261/2002 advise the community about security matters and help them to report any incidents in their communities to the authorities to try to keep out any intruders. For more info please email: colaborando.crimewatch@skynetlink.com.

F.A.B. or Friends After Bereavement meet on a Saturday at the La Laguna hotel, Quesada at 13:45. We are a friendly group who meet up, chat, and spend days out together helping people to re-start their lives after the death of a partner. We are not in the least morbid, just a cheerful bunch who support each other.

LO CRISPIN & DISTRICT CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. Registered Charity No. CV-01-046603-A. We are a friendly association established in 2010 and our aim is to organise regular social events, trips and functions in order to raise funds for local Charities etc. Membership is just 5€ per person per year. We are usually at “The Lo Crispin Tavern” Friday lunchtimes, from about 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Please come to see us. For further details contact Syd at lo.crispin.rca@gmail.com or see our website: www.locrispin-dca.eu.

Royal British Legion - Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch meets on the 1st Monday of the month at 18:00 in LOUNGE D in the Plaza Mayor (known as Masa Square) Gran Alacant. Remember that you do NOT have to be ex-services to join. Further details from email:granalacant.secretary@rbl.community.

The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch bowls team play at Casa Ventura on Thursdays and Saturdays, 1.30pm for a 2pm start. We would be pleased to see you there. Come along and have a game. Everything supplied.

We are Torrevieja Maritime Association and our aim is to “Stimulate and maintain interest in maritime activities in the Torrevieja area among people of all nationalities”. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at Casa de Galicia in El Chaparral, Torrevieja and can be contacted at torreviejama@outlook.com or via our Facebook site, Torrevieja Maritime Association.

The Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanization, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 96 671 6274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 96 692 1996.

Almoradi scrabble club. The club meets at Cafe Almoradi, Calle Major 91 on the last Tuesday of the month from 15:30. If you are interested please come and join us, or for more information call 694 437 698 or email mrandcwatkins@hotmail.co.uk.

Salt Church, formally known as Torrevieja Christian Fellowship has relocated to Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligono Ind.Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. Sunday Celebration 10.30 am with “Kids Church”. Everyone is welcome! We look forward to meeting you.

Revival Torrevieja Rugby Club based on traditional ethics of rugby, family and respect. Thur evenings touch rugby at 20.00, plus 15s on Mon and Wed and for more info about all the teams and training places and times contact the co-ordinator Tony on 670 972 366.

The Aircrew Association Costa Blanca. Former and serving aircrew of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are very welcome to join this convivial and friendly organisation, founded here in 1988. Details from the Secretary on: 96 640 4123.

Page 34

QF Focus Magazine

Classified Adverts

Health & Beauty SLIM AND TONE in comfort ...at our new one stop Slimming and Toning Salon. We can offer you the Exante diet plan and the Shapemaster toning beds. Call 675 619 568.

Business Opportunities

FOR SALE – HARRYS BAR, Quesada. Unique opportunity to purchase this well established popular bar /restaurant. Freehold.

Call Joanne for more information on 693 494 951.

Entertainment

LADY JAZZ performing at the Costa Blanca! Perfect for your Lounge Area, Private Parties, Weddings, Fine Dining and Cocktail Bar!! High quality vocals & chillout tunes.

Te l e p h o n e 6 7 7 2 3 3 8 7 9 FACEBOOK:LadyJazzAnita or visit www.lady-jazz.com

S I M P LY D O O R S . F a m i l y r u n business our products range from external Doors, internal doors, sliding wardrobe doors, upvc windows and conservatories tel 96 671 8738 or 671 260 204. Web: www.simplydoors.es NEED A SURVEY? Call Advantage Building Services if you are buying a property or have structural problems with a property you already own. Subsidence cases investigated, insurance claims mediated and processed.

653 733 066 or email mrmpaddon@hotmail.com or find further information at www.surveyorscostablanca.com

Services CYCLOGICAL QUESADA your one stop family run cycle shop for all your cycle sales, repairs, spares and cycle hire. Contact Gary or Lynn on 637 487 377. www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com.

BUILDING WORK All types of small or large building work undertaken including bathroom and kitchen refits, patios & terraces, painting, pool repairs, extensions and underbuilds, plumbing and electrics.

Call 96 671 2832 or 662 455 960 for a free no obligation quote or email s_sconstruction@yahoo.co.uk TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER English/Spanish. All legal, medical and business matters. Covering the Costa Blanca. Contact: 658 957 404 or ejbtranslations@gmail.com

COYS PARKING provide 6 month or 1 year contracts to park your car at Alicante airport, look at our website and click on Coys Parking www.coysrent-a-car.com SPANISH INSURANCE for all your insurance needs in English.

Home, health, travel, motor, funeral c o v e r, c o m m u n i t y, b u s i n e s s . www.spanish-insurance.net Tel: 96 673 0694. Offices in San Javier, la Zenia and Quesada.

GLAZE N SAVE convert your single glazed windows and doors to double glazed units without changing the frames. Very cost effective and a clean process. This is not secondary glazing. For more information call Gary on 662 455 960 or 96 671 2832 email gary@glazensave.es. Web: www.glazensave.es Q U A L I T Y B L I N D S S PA I N www.qualityblindsinspain.com is a family run business, supplying and fitting made to measure blinds on the costa. Tel: 96 57 01 984 Mobile: 65 83 38 123.

Misc Sales WATER FILTER SYSTEMS Whole House & Undersink Water Filter Systems. Reduce Your Plastic Waste & Have Clean Filtered Water From All Taps In Your Home While Also Protecting Appliances From Limescale Buildup. Tel: 0034 681 315 659. www.aqualyze.es.

COYS RENT A CAR is an independent Car Hire company operating from Alicante airport, Torrevieja and the surrounding areas. To get a quote, look at our website: www.coysrent-a-car.com

www.femalefocusonline.com

Wanted

Property Sales & Rentals JESUS POBRE APARTMENT. Private sale of lovely spacious apartment of 70 m2, groundfloor, 1bed, 1 fully bath, open plan kitchen, living-dining area with log burner.

Roof terrace with sea- and panoramic views. SOLD with some high quality white goods. 125.000€. Call us for info 966 461 784.

JACARILLA 1 BED APARTMENT Spacious (57m2) Village Apartment opposite the Palace & Gardens with Balconey view and a secure Garage / Community Pool / entry system. Lounge/Diner, Kitchen, double Bedroom, Bathroom with walk-in Shower, Plus H+C AirCon, B u g S c r e e n s a n d n e w Wa t e r Heater - one owner 55,000€, email crippsjimpat@aol.com for photos.

3 B E D V I L L A B E N I TA C H E L L Immaculate 3 bedroom, 2-bathroom villa for sale in Benitachell. 146m² Build Size, 220m² Plot Size, Orientation: South, communal salt water system pool, Parking, underfloor heating and double glazing, in very good condition, price 230.000€. Private sale for more information or viewings please call 688 692 229 (whatsapp) or email quierovender2013@gmail.com.

FREE PROPERTY ADVERTS To get your free 3 month property for sale advert send your advert content (up to 40 words) to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com - Please include your name, NIE or passport number and address, this is not for publishing but we must have these details on file. And remember you can also send a photo to go with your advert that will be published with your wording on the website.

(Wording only in the Female Focus and QF Focus Magazines.) The advert can include your property agent contact details.

Visit our website for more classified adverts www.femalefocusonline.com

Personal

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers.

There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

www.facebook.com/FemaleFocus/

QF Focus Magazine

Classified Adverts

Page 35

VB16 Out

Now

Puzzle Solutions

Answer to Spot the odd one out = E

Very easy

Medium

All adverts must be sent with your Name and NIE or Passport Nº (not to be published).

ADVERTS SHOULD BE sent with correct spacing and spelling, the first three words (only) in capitals. Email addresses will not be published on the website or in the magazine unless requested or supplied as part of the main text.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERTS. Sell your unwanted items for FREE! Free adverts cannot be faxed, phoned or posted they must be emailed to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com. Photos can be sent with your free advert, both will be published online but text only in print. Classifieds that are supplied incorrectly, all in capitals or with missing information may well be deleted.

‘Misc sales’ are for example one-off sales of second hand items to the value of 500€ or less. Maximum twenty words per advert/ item & maximum five adverts per person*, (email & web addresses count as three words). Property rental or any type of service, business opportunities, wanted, etc are not free and will be charged at the commercial advert rate.

Free Property adverts: Property sale adverts should also be emailed to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com by the property owner. They will be published free for a 3 month period and can include Property Agent contact details (and photo to be included online only).

Commercial adverts: Minimum advert length ten words. 35 cents per word plus 21% IVA per month. Payment can be made by credit card or paypal. *Free adverts will be published in print on a space permitting basis. If you want to ensure your advert appears, normal commercial rates should be applied.

By using this service you agree to receive the Female Focus publication newsletters to your email address unless you state otherwise.