QF Focus - June 2019

EE FR

Deposito Legal A-685-2016

June 2019

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QF Focus Magazine

That Black Hole Photograph It made the headlines in many newspapers, special features in TV news programs, and even a Sky at Night special.

So, what was all the fuss about. For many people, a slightly blurry picture of a dark blob and some pretty colours is not going to be near the top of their interest list, yet it is one of the most important pictures ever taken. I'll try and explain why.

Anyone who reads this column every month will remember that a little while ago I had a go at explaining what a black hole is, and what happens to anything that gets close to one. I'm not going to go through all that again, I'll just remind you that it is a place where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape and that the immense amount of gravity near a black hole changes time and space as you get to one. And forget all that sci fi nonsense about going through one, there is no through, and you would have been ripped to your basic atoms long before you got close to the so called centre.

Now that's out of the way, back to that picture. Firstly, it wasn't just a black hole, it was a super massive black hole at the centre of another galaxy 3 times bigger than our Milky Way. This galaxy (messier 87) was one of the first discovered back in the early 1900s, the chap who photographed it noticed some strange jets of light shooting up from the middle. For a long time no one was sure what these were. Many years later when black holes were being discussed as a theoretical probability, it was realised that these 'jets' of light would form. Moving on again, when it was realised that most, if not all galaxies would have a black hole at the middle they twigged that Messier 87 was a great place to look.

The whole point of that last paragraph is show that we now have visible proof that what is said about the nature of our universe is real, not just maths or ideas, but something tangible.

There is another reason why this picture is so important, and that's the way it was taken. No ordinary telescope could ever be made that someone could look through and take that picture. It needed a telescope the size of the Earth, so that was what they made.

Actually it was a whole series of radio telescopes around the planet, linked and synchronised electronically then all made to look the same way at the same time. This is what became known as the Event Horizon Telescope, an astonishing achievement.

So much data was collected that the hard drives used weighed nearly half a ton, then it took 2 years of brilliant work to go through everything and make that picture. A stunning result, yet just the first of much more to come in the next few years.

As the old saying goes, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Oates Charljaes Astronomy Group Vega Ba

For more information on the group and meetings please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/vegabajaastronomy/.

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QF Focus Magazine

Our weekend in Mojacar came as a welcome break, short lived though it was. On the many occasions we have visited this picturesque area, we always make a point of visiting a small Argentinian Tapas bar which we stumbled across a few years back, and this time it was our first point of call. The flavours they introduce to their dishes are outstanding and opened my eyes as to what you create with some simple vegetables.

On my return I purchased lots of herbs and spices with the intention of recreating these dishes myself, however a few weeks later they are still in my cupboard unopened! Soon, I keep promising myself and family…

My little angel has now completed 3 of the 4 dance competitions with her dance school Essence Dance and Fitness. I attended the 1st competition in Torrevieja and was amazed at the high standard of the many dance schools performing. It made me so proud to see how her hard work and dedication to these competitions paid off when they actually came 3rd place out of 15 in their category. We are still waiting for their next triumph which I am sure will happen soon….next stop Murcia.

It's hard to believe that the schools will be breaking up for summer in just a few weeks time...The academic year seems to fly past so quickly and often feels like the kids are off school more than they are in school. June is usually a really hot month hence the reason the kids change to ½ days at school, yet this year we are still waiting for the summer weather to appear which will probably mean that it will last well into September / October time this year ….not that I am a weather forecaster!

Congratulations to Kenny Jackson from Crevillente who won last month's 50€ competition after spotting the logo on page 24. See if you can spot the logo in this issue for a chance to win 50€, see inside for details of how to enter. Good luck!

Michelle

Front cover picture from “Dikke Dames” (Chubby Ladies) paintings by Dutch artist Theo Broeren. For more information visit www.casadelossentidos.com.

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

Discuss your advertising with your local representative:-

La Marina, Catral & Dolores All other areas - Sales Manager Merf 634 349 521 Michelle 663 178 228 merf@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 2 July Deadline for advertising & editorial - 14 June

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QF Focus Magazine

Torrevieja Christian Fellowship is on the move!

Torrevieja Christian Fellowship (TCF) are excited to announce we are on the move! The Church has been located in Torrevieja for over 30 years.

However, rising rental costs have created the need for us to purchase our own building.

Our current church has served us well, but after ten years we will be moving, once refurbishment is complete, to Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligono Ind. Levante II, 03187 Los Montesinos.

Sunday Services from 26 May will temporarily be held at El Nacional Grill Restaurant, Punta Prima while our new building is being refurbished.

Said Pastor Chris, “My wife Helena and I are excited to see what God has done and brought to fruition in the past fifteen months. We as a Church have been on an amazing journey of miracle after miracle. Initial work necessary to convert the building into a Church, includes floor tiling, a suspended ceiling, lighting and electrics, fire safety and improved toilet facilities. We are trusting God to continue to provide all the finance and resources needed to complete the building work, so that we can continue doing the work God has called us to do in the whole region”.

Chris added “Our thanks to the congregation and friends of TCF in Spain and abroad, who have supported this venture and worked so hard to make this possible”.

Said Church Elder Roy Newton,“We are all very excited at this purchase which means the new church will be accessible to English speaking people in a much wider area such as Quesada, Rojales, Benijofar, Algorfa, Los Montesinos, San Miguel, Orihuela Costa and farther afield, as well as Torrevieja”.

If readers wish to attend a lively English-speaking church, the Sunday service starts at 10.30 am and includes ‘Kids Church’.

If anyone would like to support this venture financially please visit our website or Facebook page for further information on how to give. Thank you. Website: www.tcf-spain.org. Facebook: tcfspain.

Telephone: (0034) 96 670 0391. Email: info@tcf-spain.org.

Spanish

Insurance,

your insurance provider here in Spain giving you the best service, best price and best cover not only in Alicante but now also in Murcia with the opening of the San Javier Branch.

At Spanish Insurance we promise to explain everything to you in English and make the insurance process as easy as possible.

All polices across the board including car, home, community, life, funeral, travel, business, protection for the self employed, 3rd party liability, and the list goes on…... can be set up to your individual needs or budget.

Our fully trained advisors are either native English speakers or speak fluent English so are able to explain your options so you understand 100% what you are setting up.

With over 45 years of insurance experience and training between us, you can relax in the knowledge that if you call into any of the offices, call us on 96 673 0694, message us on any of our Facebook pages or email us info@spanish-insurance.net, you will be given the correct advice.

Not happy with your current renewal price? Not happy with the service or cover you have received from your current insurance provider?

We WILL better your existing insurance on both price and service.

See our advert below for more information.

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QF Focus Magazine

And this is the money you could have made if it was invested with the Prudential ........ but you left it in the bank, didn't you?

The above table shows the returns you would have made had you invested £30,000 or €30,000 on 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2018 in these low risk funds. For this illustration I have assumed an investment of 50% in the Growth fund and 50% in the Cautious fund. £30,000 would have become £47,032 and €30,000 would have become €42,362. It's never too late to call me....

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 has been offering sound, independent advice for 33 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 (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

QF Focus Magazine

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Let Go of the Past!

Are you one of those people who sometimes gets trapped in the past - usually these are events that happened a long time ago - but you just can't stop thinking about them? Do you often wish you could solve events that took place years ago - hoping or wishing they could be different? Or do you find that you're just not ready to move on with life because of something that happened some time ago - and you just can't get over it?

Believe me, you're not alone. There are many people around the world just like you - people who just can't seem to let go of the past - and in the process continue to waste their lives away….because that’s what it amounts to. Well, it's really not as hard as you think to change your life.

It seems that most of the problems we find hard to deal with are because we continually think about the way things were. Well you can't do anything about what has gone - and you shouldn't want to, because when you focus on the Past you are denying yourself a happy Present and a better Future.

Decide what you want in your life NOW and focus on that from the time you wake up in the morning. Going back in time is not an option - the only option you have is to go forward - and you can do this….. one step at a time.

The only value the past has today is that it is a great teacher. All you have to do to put it behind you is to accept that it happened, and then move on. Close the door. The reason is that you can do NOTHING about it now. Just learn from it.

The best way to do this is to think about what you want next, and then apply what you learned. Let the past take its rightful place…… it is not happening now. It doesn't exist today.

That relationship that ended, that job that was lost, the loved one who passed away - it's all in the past. You exist today - and your present life exists today……have respect for the past, but live your best TODAY! Take care!

Until the next time!

Violet King

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QF Focus Magazine

THE MEANING OF HORIZONTAL CRACKING Horizontal cracking under the roof or terrace slabs is probably the most common building defect in southern Spain.

The defect is easy to identify as they generally have a perfectly horizontal direction, beneath or on top of concrete slabs.

The cause that produces this fault is a differential expansion and contraction (due to drastic temperatures in summer and winter) of roofs or terraces which is different to the expansion of walls, some of them are never hit directly by solar radiation.

It is a minor building defect and can’t be considered structural.

Repairing the cause is technically impossible, by eliminating the borders of the crack and re-rendering the area the crack will reappear, and therefore the easiest and cheapest way to approach the problem is just a cosmetic repair by filling in the crack with a neutral silicone or with an elastic mortar decorating afterwards to unify the finishing colours.

Requesting a Structural Survey is now common practice in Spain, affordable and typically proven to save clients’ money by avoiding problem properties. For the nominal cost of 84€ IVA Inc, Martinez de la Casa Architects offer an on-site Building Survey and Defects Assessment for property buyers and owners throughout Almeria, Murcia & Alicante.

The service includes a property inspection by the Architect, with on-site defects advice and appropriate plan of action. A survey inspection will expose potential hidden costs.

Recommended before buying a home, Martinez de la Casa Architects (fully insured) also offer full Technical Property Reports, officially stamped by the College of Architects, for 450€ plus IVA. They can also provide sclerometers, hygrometers, luxmeters and poroscope and other highly sophisticated inspection services (by separate quote) to find hidden damages.

Martinez de la Casa Architects is Number 1 company in EPC Certificates (121€ inc IVA), Certificates/Retrospective Licences for pools (190 €+IVA) and extensions (270 € +IVA) and also offers superb discounts for groups (+2) or if you require more than one certificate for your property done at the same time. Plus, if your solicitors are studying your case, ask them to contact us to provide the necessary certificate/s, and we will make the whole process easier, cheaper and faster for you.

For all enquiries or to arrange an appointment please call 665 810 411 or visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see an impressive list of over 150 testimonials on our services.

QF Focus Magazine

Page 9 Inks.es is a local business which has been supplying ink and toner cartridges along with printing sundries, on the South Costa Blanca for the past 10 years.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, range of products and our no quibble guarantee if our products are at fault.

We supply original cartridges and good quality, high yield compatibles too.

Our free delivery service within a 35kms radius of Torrevieja is second to none, as we aim to be of service to all of our customers.

If you find you need that urgent document printing and you’ve run out of ink, don’t want the hassle of driving and parking to purchase a replacement, then give us a call. We have many happy customers who we’ve delivered to “and saved the day”, especially when printing those much needed boarding passes!

Not only do we deliver to individual customers, we also have our stock in several computer shops within the area as well supplying many types of businesses such as estate agents, restaurants and bars, garages, gyms, charities, social clubs, members and more.

We have order points within other businesses, such as grocery stores and newsagents and they are only too happy to order on your behalf.

One of our customers, Eazy Automation, La Marina, recently messaged us to say “Can I thank you for your fantastic service as usual.

Really appreciate your quick response and reasonable prices”.

Equally we welcome calls if there is ever a problem, we would much rather be told so that we have the opportunity to resolve it rather than lose a valued customer.

If you need our services in any way then please do not hesitate to call us on 96 672 1553 / 677 304 699 or email us at sales@inks.es.

Costa Blanca Focus

www.facebook.com/FemaleFocus/

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QF Focus Magazine

Solutions by right move is part of the family of right move and runs side by side with right move insurance. We are very much a family business, with a warm and friendly personal service, giving clear, informed advice and always seeking the best way to provide the right advice and the right solution. With insurance offices in Quesada, La Zenia and La Marina all right move insurance offices can be used as a meeting and drop off point with the main office for Solutions being based in La Marina.

As foreigners in Spain we may face several challenges along the way, which usually amount to paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork! Here at Solutions by right move we can provide a helping hand with whatever comes your way. We can assist with obtaining NIEs, Residencias, SIP cards, exchanging driving licences from English to Spanish, transfer of car ownership and re-registration of cars on English plates to Spanish plates, dealing with Utility companies, Schools and Government Departments and the writing of Wills. We can also offer independent legal and compliant translation services for legal documents, such as divorce and medical records. We do all the leg work and provide a complete package, a complete solution!

Translation is more than taking a few words from one language to another, it’s about effectively communicating your message in a different language and making sure you achieve your goals.

Solutions by right move can provide that service. We can also help in a range of languages, not just English to Spanish and vice versa.

There are many differences in the services that can be provided by a business for example, quality of work, professionalism, and client support. But it's more than that. It's knowing that whatever you need we have the solution.

Calle Francisco de Quevedo 9, La Marina, 03177.

Phone: 96 679 7889. www.solutionsbyrightmove.com.

QF Focus Magazine

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Prevent rather than Cure. Check-Ups after 50 Who hasn’t wondered, at some point, when to go to the doctor? In the past few years, there have been significant changes in the way we live, because it’s no longer about whether we are ill or not; it is about how we can best manage our health.

It is about preventing the appearance of new illnesses, and remaining in the best possible state of health.

Rather than periodic check-ups, doctors often recommend specific diagnosis method that can detect the disease early, which is why follow-ups related to the most common problems that affect people periodic check-ups are the regiment to be followed. depending on their age, medical history and genetic inheritance.

Blood tests need to be more exhaustive, adding a screening test For women, it is advisable to undergo a series of examinations, such as ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein, which indicates whether starting with a normal clinical check-up. These check-ups make the uterine lining is suffering. And we must also remember to get particular sense, because they detect cardiovascular and tumour periodic eye and ear check-ups. risks. As for the former, we must remember that, after menopause, According to Doctor Gemma Ramón, Specialist in General women lose the protection provided by oestrogens, and and Family Medicine and the Check-Up Unit at Hospital progressively equal males in terms of cardiovascular risk. Quirónsalud Torrevieja, “In the case of men, the priorities are In the absence of risk factors, an electrocardiogram would the prostate and the colon, and after 50, men should get an annual be enough; however, if the specialist detects arrhythmias, prostate exam. Prostate growth (benign or tumoural) is something murmurs, high blood pressure or other problems, he or she may so common, that vigilance must not be delayed. Taking blood recommend something more targeted, such as a stress test, a pressure readings and blood tests will provide information about heart sonogram, etc. cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and urea. As for the prevention Searching for blood hidden in stools is also essential as a preventive or early diagnosis of tumours, after 50, we consider it advisable measure against colon cancer. And after 50, a colonoscopy to undergo a colonoscopy or three serialised assays of blood in is recommended every two years if there is a family history of faeces. These tests detect whether a person has polys in his or her the disease. Finally, the whole cardiovascular system must be intestines, so they can be removed before they become malignant. monitored with a thoracic x-ray, especially for smokers.

The most common illnesses people suffer after 50 are high Regarding breast cancer, according to Doctor Rodolfo Díaz blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, alterations in lipid levels (high Martín, Specialist in Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Hospital cholesterol and/or triglycerides), degenerative osteo-articular Quirónsalud Torrevieja, “It is best to get mammograms every diseases (arthrosis, arthritis, spinal pathologies and degenerative year, and cytologies must be continued to be performed every traumatological conditions in general), and unfortunately, two or three years. When it comes to preventing osteoporosis, it tumours. These pathologies make up a significant portion of the is advisable to undergo densitometries (which indicate the risk diseases that can be diagnosed in a general health check-up and, level for bone fractures), and it is advisable to start getting them if diagnosed in their early stages, are treatable and often curable”. between three and five years after the appearance of menopause”. Specialists recommend attending the doctor at the first sign of any As for ovarian cancer, there is no clinical, serological or image worrying symptom.

Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja. Tel: 96 692 1313. www.quironsalud.es. See main advert on page 13 for more information.

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QF Focus Magazine

our ARIES By listening more rather than just talking you will start to have much more meaningful conversations with people. This in turn will make you hunt out the people who you can have these conversations with. A whole new friendship group opens up with interesting results for you.

TAURUS You are suffering from a very short concentration span at the moment, changing your mind or leaving things half done which is making your family and friends very frustrated with you.

Stop as your actions are affecting them as well as you.

GEMINI Work and family have given you some unpleasant situations to get through recently. Planning a short break or even a proper holiday will give you something to look forward to.

CANCER Sometimes, even when you have the best interests of someone at heart, you have to realise that they do not appreciate your help and see it as interference.

Seeing if they can manage alone might be the best help you can give them.

LEO If things start getting on top of you, stop and delegate. You don't have to be a superhero and others will be glad to help out.

VIRGO You are in a curious mood, looking for new ideas and learning new things. You have been practical and logical for a long time, now it is time to let your feelings guide you for a while.

oroscope LIBRA Give more time to things you enjoy doing, even try something new that you have always put off. Just make some time for enjoying things over the summer otherwise it will be all work and no play again.

SCORPIO You like routine and are not great with surprises or stepping out of your comfort zone so this month is going to be a challenge. On the other hand it will be one for the memory box if you let it. Go on, get out there, embrace it and enjoy it.

SAGITTARIUS What you want and what you need are two different matters. Don't purposefully 'confuse' the two or you will start letting things get out of control. You are better than that so, be realistic and enjoy giving yourself a treat every now and then.

CAPRICORN If you are finding yourself stuck in a rut and feeling fed up then you only have yourself to blame. Change it now. It doesn't take much to make a difference and it will make things so much better.

AQUARIUS You are so enthusiastic about everything that people are finding it hard to know exactly know what you really are passionate about. Try to let them know what you are really feeling about things.

PISCES Arts and crafts really are appealing to you at the moment, maybe joining a group will help give you creative ideas as well as giving you the opportunity to meet like minded people. Getting your creative juices flowing will help you relax and you need to right now.

QF Focus Magazine

Masala Stuffed Peppers Stuffed capsicum/bell peppers can be found in cuisines around the world; stuffed with rice, beef, couscous, potato, or spicy paneer served usually as a main dish.

One of our favourite dishes is to serve capsicum peppers as an accompaniment, stuffed and pan fried with spicy caramelised onions and spices. There is something unctuous about this simple dish.

The peppers served with Indian flatbread, a hot steaming curry and minted yogurt is the bees’ knees!

The use of amchoor dry mango powder gives this dish a lovely citrus tanginess; lemon juice can be used instead of amchoor.

For a healthy version the peppers can be stuffed and baked in the oven or microwave – but they don’t taste as good as the shallow fried ones!

Ingredients 4 capsicum peppers 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 tablespoon amchoor dried mango powder 2 chillies, chopped, optional 3 tablespoons oil 3 onions, thinly sliced 5 tablespoons oil for frying Time: 45 minutes Serves 4

Page 13 Recipe Wash the peppers, dry and cut ½ inch off the top of each pepper (reserve tops); remove and discard the core and seeds.

In a mixing bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients to make the masala mix.

In a large pan heat the oil until it is medium to hot. Add the onion slices and stir to coat the onions with the oil. Spread the onions out, evenly cook, stirring occasional. After 5 minutes reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the onions are browned.

To the onions, add the masala mix. Mix and cook for 5 minutes.

Divide the mixture into 4 and stuff the peppers.

In a pan add 4 tablespoons of oil, heat to a medium heat – place the stuffed peppers and the tops in the pan. Gently cook (8-10 mins) occasionally turning over until skin becomes slightly charred and blistered.

Serve hot with buttered chapattis, curry and yogurt.

TIP: Top Cheat; use any of the Curry On Cooking blends as the spice masala, add 1 level tablespoon of amchoor or lemon juice and mix well! www.curryoncooking.com Check out our latest Indian cookery retreats ttps://www.facebook.com/events/1200424870110303/ We run Indian cookery masterclasses at local retreats in Spain and one-to-one workshops. Email:keepcalm@curryoncooking.com.

Curry on Cooking kits are available online and include:

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QF Focus Magazine

McKenzies on the Roof Sports Bar & Grill, Centro Comercial Quesada A warm welcome awaits you at this recently opened exquisite venue situated in the new commercial centre on the main street in Quesada. McKenzies On The Roof has a modern design bar and a spacious roof terrace with both a comfortable lounge and dining area alike, boasting some of the best views in the area.

Head Chef Saskia serves you mouth watering food from their open kitchen, with a wide selection of homemade starters, mains and desserts. From juicy burgers and succulent steaks, to salads, jacket potatoes and pasta dishes, with a varied kids menu available for just 4.50€, there really is something for everyone.

And for those with a larger appetite you must try the McKenzies Special Burger which consists of 3 steak burgers stacked with mushrooms, onion rings, jalapenos and salad! If you have any room left, complete your meal with one of the delicious desserts available.

There is an extensive cocktail and shooters menu from traditional Piña Coladas to Cosmopolitans and some exclusive cocktails you will only find here like the “McKenzies” and “Irish Trash Can”. Their list of fine wines offers you a choice of white, red and rose wines as well as cava, prosecco and champagnes. There is also a selection of draught and bottled beers and ciders and a vast range of spirits including many flavoured gins.

McKenzies really does have it all with great food, sophisticated design and furnishings, and 5 large TV screens showing all your favourite sporting events. It is the perfect place to relax in the sun, dine alfresco and also hold your private event or special occasion. You can keep up to date with any future events on their Facebook page McKenzies on the Roof Quesada.

For more information, reserve a table or book your private party simply call in to speak to the friendly staff, call 603 178 751 or email mckenziesotr@gmail.com. See back page for main advert.

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QF Focus Magazine

Hair Accessory Ideas For Summer 2019 This month it's time to talk to you about the hair trends that are in fashion right now and that we just cannot miss out on as this can surprisingly transform our boring hair into the coolest hairstyle around town!

Whether you already love them or are yet to be convinced, everybody is rocking these stylish hair accessories as there are so many different ways of wearing them to parties and special events.

We have put together a list of different hair pieces for you to check out and start having some fun with.

HAIR CLIPS AND PINS I am not kidding, they look amazing!

There are so many different styles of hair clips and pins but on social media we are definitely seeing lots of pearl clips, diamante and crystal clips or light pastel coloured clips.

These fashion clips are being worn on the front side of the hair with straight or wavy hair.

HAIR SCRUNCHES If you are looking for a minimalistic finish, a simple low ponytail with any type of scrunchie will just add that final touch without standing out too much.

To spice things up why not try the top half of your hair in a mini bun and adorn it with your scrunchie and leave the bottom half down.

HAIR SCARVES It might sound a bit old fashioned for you but hair scarfs are one of the fashion crowd favourites! There are many ways to rock this hair accessory but our favourite way is simply tying it around your ponytail or adding it in to a low plait.

See our advert below for this month's offer.

For more information or an appointment please contact us Mรกximo Beauty - telephone: 96 572 4671 or visit the salon at Plaza de la Constituciรณn Nยบ2, Benijรณfar. Email: maximobeauty@gmail.com. Facebook: Maximo Beauty.

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QF Focus Magazine

Continuous Care into your Senior Years Come for the Views... ...Stay for the Service The Colina Club was the first purpose built Continuous Care Complex on the Costa Blanca and today it is still going from strength to strength.

Nestled in an exclusive urbanisation on the lower slopes of the tranquil hills surrounding Calpe, the Colina Club offers the residents a home with the security of excellent support in which to enjoy the stunning views over Calpe to the Mediterranean Sea and the famed nature reserve of the PeĂąon de Ifach.

The Colina Club Village comprises 48 Independent Living Apartments which are configured to provide either one or two bedrooms in 5 two storey phases, and the Residence which is a fully licensed 20 bed Nursing and Rest Home. These are arranged around the swimming pool and bowling green to take full advantage of the spectacular sea views.

The Colina Club apartments offer long term unfurnished rentals for those who are looking for a quiet, family-orientated, small village atmosphere in which to live and were specifically designed so that both the ground floor and first floor apartments have level access (just one small step) from the parking area directly outside.

The good thing about living at The Colina Club is that you can keep your independence yet still have all the medical back-up available.

Our private Doctor and nursing staff are part of the team that provide excellent medical support in your apartment. You can relax with the security of knowing help is always close at hand with your free personal 'HELP' alarm that is monitored 24 hours a day in case of an emergency. These services amongst others are included in the price of the monthly rental.

The free mini bus service goes to Calpe Monday to Friday. Every other Saturday it goes to Calpe and additionally to the local markets, plus regular trips to Lidl and Iceland.

For those wishing to participate, every month there is a quiz night with a meal, lunches in various locations around the area and there is a weekly Social Club, as well as a bowling green, along with swimming in the summer.

Since 1991, The Colina Club is all about providing families and residents with the Peace of Mind and the security of excellent care by providing a comfortable, secure, peaceful and healthy facility in superb location, allowing you to enjoy life in your senior years. So why not come and see for yourself as places are now much sought after and limited.

Telephone: 96 583 5226 Independent Living Apartments. Telephone: 96 583 7310 The Residence. www.colinaclub.com.

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QF Focus Magazine

Quesada Bowls Club Report

Sponsored by

by Dee Stephenson

Spring has arrived with some really lovely warm days, so we've had some great conditions to start the summer season matches.

In the South Alicante Summer League Spitfire Division, Quesada’s Lancasters and Blenheims have had mixed fortunes. The Blenheims have won 2 of their 4 matches, while the Lancasters have won only 1 of their 5 matches. It's early days in the season though, so there's plenty of time for the teams to catch up and improve their current standing in the league.

In the VCL league there's also been mixed fortunes for the two squads. Quesada Lions have won 3 and drawn one of their 5 matches, putting them in 2nd place in the A Division league - well done to the Lions! Meanwhile Quesada Tigers have won 2 of their 5 matches which puts them at the bottom of the B Division league at the moment.

We held our presentation evening on 10 May at The Club, Quesada, with entertainment, a hot and cold buffet and lots of dancing.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Quesada Bowling Club Championships: Ladies Singles - Mel Highland Men's Singles - Terry Morgan Ladies Pairs - Violet Campbell and Sandra Heath Mens Pairs - George Carnell and Graham Phillips Mixed Trips - Mel Highland, Peter Morgan, Jason Prokopowycz Mixed Rinks - Terry Morgan, Claire Dye, Colin Highland, Peter Farrell.

And there was more success for Terry Morgan who won the Men's Singles Champion of Champions title a fantastic result. Well done Terry!

Meanwhile, four of our members played in the Les McCracken Memorial competition at Emerald Isle.

The hosts put up a very strong and competitive field of players but the QBC team fought hard and won the Visitors Trophy, beating the other 6 visiting teams. A fantastic result

by Jim Donnelly, Steve Hibberd, Dee Stephenson and John Stephenson - well done and congratulations!

The league matches took a break for a couple of weeks because of the Nationals competition 11 to 25 May at Emerald Isle and Greenlands. Results of this exciting competition will be announced in next month's issue.

At Quesada Bowls Club we welcome both new and experienced bowlers. We're a friendly club with a mixture of competition, league and casual players. In addition to league matches and Club competitions we have our popular Saturday morning chicken drive which is open to visitors and we have free coaching for new members. So come along and see what we have to offer! Contact our membership secretary Angie Goddard newleaf2014@hotmail.co.uk.

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

www.slpsl.com www.partexchange-spain.com

966 719 689 or 650 132 078 Email info@slpsl.com

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!

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QF Focus Magazine

Lumsden Auctions prides itself as the leading Professional Auctioneers & Valuers in southern Spain We are a family run business with over 34 years' experience specialising in the disposal of Private and Commercial assets on behalf of a vast range of clients including Private Individuals, Sole Traders, Corporates, Bailiffs, Liquidators, and Government Bodies throughout Europe. We have been based in our Formentera Del Segura Auction room since 2008, with an average of 180 vendors entering goods weekly, and over 400 buyers every week attending our catalogued auctions, where we offer house and business contents, bankrupt stocks, vehicles, bikes, jewellery and collectables plus much more - over 900 lots every week for auction.

Lumsden Auction Services include: • Government licensed auctioneer.

• Dedicated multi lingual, friendly professional team who are committed to client and customer care.

• Collections and deliveries by experienced and insured staff.

• Comprehensive clearance services for whole contents or part house clearances or even 1 item.

• All Business Clearance Specialists.

• Free inspections and valuations prior sale by auction.

• Buyer & Vendor Confidentiality is guaranteed.

• Fast Payout with full documentation and inventory of goods bought or sold.

• Onsite auction service, where we operate the auction on client's premises.

Live Auctions held every Saturday 10.30am. Online 3 Day clearance Auctions every Month. Viewing day Friday 10am until 3pm. Entries accepted Monday to Friday 10am until 3pm.

Another first for Southern Spain Online bidding with live viewing where you can sit in the comfort of your home or on your tablet or mobile phone and bid for your items. For full information visit www.lumsdenauctions.com.

Lumsden Auctions: Calle Los Nazarios 11b, Poligono Los Nazarios, Formentera del Segura, Nr Rojales, 03179, Alicante. Tel 96 679 2839.

Lumsden Auctions "often copied but never equalled"

Page 20

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.

The Oki Koki Supermarket.

Been spending quite a lot of time in the New Lidl supermarket Quesada. I enjoy being able to pick fresh bread on a daily basis from the instore bakery ...I especially enjoy the centre aisle on change over days when all the big boys toys come out to play as this means that I can joyfully waste an hour or so pouring over the tools and gadgets that make us men feel that there is nothing we cannot achieve in the home... fixing it ...bashing it and plumbing it have never been easier and as for getting things level ... Mr Horizontal is my

QF Focus Magazine new name. Now you would think from the last paragraph that I must be the epitome of a happy shopper and for the most part that would be true ...however, what does annoy me is the fact that no matter where I am in the queue to exit the store, one of two events always seem to hold me up. Event one is that, due to the way in which the store is staffed, the checkout tills almost never seem to have enough people staffing them ...what happens when a large queue builds up is that a voice will come over the tannoy saying checkout x y or z is opening ...at this half the people in the already long queues make a dart for the soon to be open checkout only to find when the scuffle has died down that the person who will be staffing the checkout has not actually arrived to open the checkout ...Oh dear. I have also had the reverse happen in that on approaching an open checkout the tannoy announces ...Checkout x y or z is about to close please do not place any articles on the belt ...stuck in no man’s land I have to await to unload my shopping onto the soon to be announced latest open checkout ...thus it's 'oki koki' time. The other thing that gets me going is the matter of us older shoppers pulling rather than pushing the supermarket trolley..."Carrito". These vehicles are lethal in the hands of dozy old people who pull them so that they (trolleys) become weapons of toe and ankle destruction in the confines of a supermarket aisle.

On my latest expedition to the shopping aisles I had to kindly ask the couple in front of me to please take care as twice in our journey up the aisle I had been run over by an out of control "carrito"...'Please push the thing, they are supposed to be pushed' I said ...Go on, guess what happened next ...you got it, when I arrived at the checkout I was met with the same two people taking up the access to the checkout because they had pulled the "carrito" into the checkout rather than push it ahead of them ...resulting in my being unable to load my shopping onto the belt as it was being blocked by a pulled trolley and, just as I was about to start to unload my shopping the dreaded tannoy announced ...please do not place any shopping on checkout x as this checkout is about to close!

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The Road to Nowhere.

It's a nice warm Thursday morning ...I am up and about and decide that a trip to Torrevieja to do some shopping would be a good idea.

La Zenia is my destination... Off I set leaving from Benijofar past the Quesada roundabout and on to the CV 905 toward Torrevieja.

The road past Quesada is rated at 80 kph and stays at 80 kph until you hit the roundabout at San Luis where for some strange reason as reported before, the speed limit is suddenly cut to 50 kph for the rest of the journey to Torrevieja. Now this road is just the same as the rest of the road ...but as stated it's now rated 50 kph. As I doodle along keeping to the speed limit, I am constantly passed by all and sundry who are just not observing the 50 kph ...I am determined to obey the law but am having trouble just trying to do 50 kph. The 1.4 diesel I am driving just does not like poodling along at 50kph on the open road ...I am constantly having to change gear to try and keep to the limit. On approaching Torrevieja at the Carrefour roundabout

QF Focus Magazine the traffic has come to a standstill due to the build up of traffic trying to get onto the N332 ...why are they trying to get onto the N332? Simple ...it's to avoid the ludicrous tolls on the Torrevieja section of the AP7 (4.05â‚Ź per toll booth to La Zenia). Once on the N332 the traffic jam continues past the Hospital Quiron and up to Torrevieja Hospital. This section is supposed to be the subject of a major road building exercise to widen the carriageway to ease the traffic congestion. Why oh why don't the authorities cancel the motorway tolls for X months just to see if the greater use of the motorway eases the congestion between the crowded narrow hospital section of the N332. If the opening of the motorway does ease the traffic, then surely the money saved on the widening of the N332 could be used to subsidise the motorway toll. If it does not ease the traffic flow, then nothing has been lost and the original plan would come back to the table. Something just has to be done or at least something has to be tried. Latest news ...I have just been told by a contact that Torrevieja council are seeking urgent talks to try and get the CV 905 San Luis to Torrevieja section changed back to 80 kph from the as now 50 kph speed limit. Meanwhile as high summer approaches the chaos continues!

Environmental Futures.

Scanning through the news recently and my attention was drawn to the matter of the General Election in India ...what caught my attention was the fact that in the Indian election more than 879 million people in India are eligible to vote and that is out of a population of one billion, three hundred and eighty six million. As I tried to get my head around that figure, I then realised that more people live in China. Putting these thoughts into climate change and its causes, and how the world can continue to feed its global population has left me feeling very pessimistic about the future of our planet. Spain has a population of around 48 million people who live in a density mass of about 91 people per square kilometre whereas in India the density of people to a square kilometre is 416 people. I will leave you to ponder the ramifications of World population growth Dear Reader as writing this is starting to depress me. Maybe more in the future ...if in fact a future exists.

Page 21

Book Review by Ivor Kindle

Book title: Agent 6 Author: Tom Rob Smith Publisher: Simon and Schuster The third and last of the trilogy featuring Agent Leo Demidov.

The story is full of complicated and hard to believe plots...

The scene shifts from Russia to the USA and onward to Afghanistan.

After Child 44 and the Secret Speech I found Agent 6 somewhat disappointing and difficult to follow ...although the trilogy in itself is a good read.

Give the three books a go ...they will take the reader in to the dark depths of Soviet Russia and the thinking of a collective society. ...Keep reading, Ivor Kindle.

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QF Focus Magazine

JR's Country Club is a family run entertainment venue where all the team look forward to welcoming you to the fully air conditioned bar & restaurant with the best scenic views around overlooking the salt lakes.

There really is something for the whole family at JR's with live entertainment every weekend boasting some of the best acts in the area. Every Monday there is a popular auction from 1pm – 3pm in aid of Charities 4 Charities ….come along and grab yourself a bargain! Karaoke is every Tuesday from 5pm, Linedance with LI is held every Wednesday from 10.30am and The Big Jam is every Sunday from 4pm.

Throughout the summer nights the live entertainment will be held on the large outdoors top terrace. And there will be pool parties held every Saturday from 12 - 6pm during July and August with fun and games for both the kids and adults. Aqua Zumba with Angie is held at 10am every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday so come and get fit whilst having fun.

For the younger ones there is mini golf, a generous sized play area and of course as the weather gets warmer, a large swimming pool.

Food is available daily from 10am – 9pm with steak night every Thursday – 2 rump steaks just 15.95€ which includes a glass of wine, Friday is Fish & Chips for just 7.50€ and the popular Sunday Carvery is served from 1.15pm from just 7.50€.

Booking is always advisable to avoid disappointment. Everything is made fresh to order with locally sourced produce from the farm to the kitchen.

Call for more information of their weekly entertainment programme or check out their Facebook page.

JR's is open daily from 10am until late and can be contacted on 96 671 9160 or you can email to jrs.countryclub@gmail.com.

Page 24

Forthcoming Events

By Keith Nicol It's June already and soon half the year will be behind us. It's hard to believe that in just a month's time, the school holidays are here and summer will be just around the corner. Starting at the end of June, there is a 'must not miss' event, even if you view it from a distance, as along the entire Costa Blanca coast, many towns celebrate Hogueras de San Juan: Bonfires of San Juan (Alicante).

The Alicante region celebrates the coming of summer with the bonfires of San Juan. In a spectacular display of music, colour and fireworks, thousands of people throng the streets to experience this fiesta which pays tribute to fire.

Some of the highlights of the festivities include the Entry of the Bands and Committees, with their respective "beauties" and their ladies-in-waiting wearing traditional dress; the floral offering to the patron saint of the city, the Virgin of El Remedio on 21 and 22 June; and the international folklore parade, a spectacular procession featuring dance troupes from all over the world. In addition, every day at two in the afternoon from 19 to 24 June, there are firework displays in Plaza de los Luceros square: these are the ear-splitting "mascletàs", for which ear-plugs are highly recommended due to the racket of the exploding firecrackers and rockets. And finally, at midnight on 24 June comes the "cremà" (burning), the high point of the fiestas. After a spectacular white palm tree of fireworks, the bonfires all over the city are set alight and blaze away amid much merriment and dancing and singing, while fire-fighters shower the merrymakers with water in what is known as the "banyá". More info: www.hogueras.org.

As we go to press, Spain will hold regional and local Elections on 26 May. Depending on how the voting goes will affect many of the activities that will held in local communities. The outcome of the elections will decide whether or not special beach events will be allowed or not, so check with local tourist offices closer to the time to find out more.

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To celebrate the arrival of summer, the people of Alicante would traditionally flock to the countryside on 23 June for a festive dinner: they feasted on typical products, and at midnight they would light bonfires and dance around them, set off fireworks and go swimming in the sea. This custom endured over the years, and in 1928 the fiestas of the 'Hogueras' were formally constituted. For several days, Alicante celebrates this great homage to fire, where the stars of the show are genuine works of ephemeral art: the bonfires and the enormous cardboard and wooden figures which go up in flames on the night of San Juan.

QF Focus Magazine The queen of the fiesta, known as the "Bellea del Foc" ("Beauty of Fire"), is chosen in May from among the candidates presented by a committee in each neighbourhood. The festivities officially begin on 20 June with the "plantà", or building of enormous bonfires with their tongue-in-cheek cardboard figures which fill the streets of Alicante with wit and good humour. That day the "barracas" or large tents are also put up to serve as a public dance floor, and where fiesta-goers can sample the typical figs and "cocas" (a kind of pastry with tuna, onions and pine nuts).

QF Focus Magazine The Rojales Craft 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 a 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 Moonshiners have their Classic and Custom Rod event at the Miroil Garage in Catral on the last Sunday of the month between 11am and 1pm. Admission is free. There is also a new gathering of classic cars taking place on the last Sunday of each month in Pilar de la Horadada, beside the Black Bull Roundabout, at the turn off the N332, going south, just before the Lo Monte Hotel, along with a small market and car boot sale.

Page 25 Neil Wyatt is the owner of Monroe's Rock Cafe bar in Torrevieja and initiator of the local street party, Rock Against Cancer. This year's event is the fifth time Rock Against Cancer has been held in Torrevieja and also celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Monroe's.

The organisers also require more helpers and volunteers. What can you do? Voluntary unpaid work is the foundation of the party.

All profits from the event go to the local department of Spain's National Cancer Society, Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC).

If you'd like to organise your own Rock Against Cancer event, and raise funds for the cause, feel free to do so. Visit Rock Against Cancer's Facebook page and contact Neil with your ideas, or email me, Keith Nicol (keith@keithnicol.com) and we'll get you all organised for your fund-raising event.

The Torrellano Miniature Steam Train is run by the Friends of the Railways Association. It is normally open on Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm with Miniature Train Rides during May to October on the 2nd Saturday of every month between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

Donations of 1.50€ are the norm to enjoy the experience.

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

Saving the best until last, Torrevieja's iconic Eras de la Sal features a weekend of music as Rock Against Cancer expands to a two night event mid-month. The dates for your diary are Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, with live music and activities from early evening. The bands start playing about 8.30pm and rock against cancer until around 1.30am. Everyone is invited. The goal is to raise awareness of cancer in the community, contribute to help subsidise preventive scans and help patients and their relatives. Entrance is just 10€ for a full night of entertainment. More details and links to booking at: www.rockagainstcancer.es.

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QF Focus Magazine

Recipes by Pushpa from the Spice Hut Spinach with dal (lentils)

500g spinach washed and chopped or frozen 2 tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup of yellow split dal 600ml water 1 onion, chopped 1 tspn ginger paste 1 tspn garlic paste 3 tsbn oil 1/2 tspn turmeric 1/2 tspn chilli powder 1/2 tspn mustard seeds 1/2 tspn cumin seeds Salt 2 tbspn tomato puree

Boil the dal for 30 minutes until tender, drain it and save the water as well.

Heat the oil, put in the mustard seeds, they will start popping when heated enough, add cumin seeds and fry the onions until golden brown.

Add ginger, garlic, chilli powder and salt as required.

Add the spinach and cook down on a low heat.

Add the chopped tomatoes and puree, heat through.

Add the dal and add the water.

Cover and cook for 30 minutes on a low to medium heat until nice and thick.

Check for flavours and add any extras required.

Serve hot with rice.

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

ty

Communi News

good weather at last.

The Best Day This Season With 20 competitors sailing 11 boats this was the best turnout of 2019 for the SAMM Race Day on 12 May and this was matched by

The morning race started in East 4.5 to 6 knot winds and the boats straggled crossing the start line with Ginetta 8 minutes late because of a jammed furling line so she soon retired. The race progressed without incident but often with close battles rounding marks. It was great to see some boats employing tactics within the rules to gain the advantage. The corrected times showed Shoestring Cuatro the winner just 2.35 seconds in front of the Shoestring Omega.

The wind had veered to ESE 5 to 7 knots for the second race start which was fiercely contested by the whole fleet. With the wind gradually increasing to 11 knots, this highly competitive spirit continued throughout the whole 75 minutes of the race.

At one point 8 boats rounded a mark within 6 seconds of each other. Although the Balaton Mistral was a clear winner by 16.15 seconds, only 32.27 seconds separated the first five boats and only 0.24 seconds separated the third and forth places.

Excellent, tight and competitive racing by all boats to confirm this as “The Best Day This Season”.

For full information and contact details for SAMM go to www.sailingmarmenor.com.

The photo shows the winners, left to right. First race Shoestring Cuatro, Vernon O’Byrne, Paulo Johnstone, Colin Craven. Second race Balaton Mistral, Sue Marlow, Ian Sinclair.

Page 27

QF Focus Magazine

Learn to climb like a Pro Climbing boils down to a simple ratio of power to weight, producing as much power as possible with the lowest body weight. The higher your watts, the faster you’ll rise up a mountain, clearly, the best thing you can do to achieve this is to train hard and specifically keep your body fat percentage as low as possible.

We all talk about climbing like a pro but in reality, few of us are ready to eschew the finer things in life or are capable of absorbing the volume of training like the Chris Froomes of this world. In professional cycling the grupetto always has a group of sheltered riders riding at the back getting pulled along by the bunch more commonly called drafting, we all know the benefits of drafting on the flat, well it also works on hills of up to 6% as well albeit to a lesser degree. Proper pacing is the most important aspect to climbing a hill, I have seen it many times, people setting off too fast. Their perceived exertion to start with is low but the effort catches up with them, the power graph needs to rise gradually, starting 20-30 watts below threshold and finishing just above. Planning your perfect hill climb is as much about shrewd planning as about heavy training. I have seen many riders crack because they didn’t know, or they were fed duff information as to the length and gradient of a climb and are unable to pace themselves or measure their effort correctly. Knowing your route before you set off should help you decide what to carry eg: if you are riding a steep climb and there is food and water at the summit, you would be mad to carry two full bottles of water, as a well hydrated person should get by on half a bottle. A full 750ml water bottle and cage weighs more than the whole frameset of a Pinarello F10, the same applies if a long climb finishes a ride, do you really need to lug 2 full bottles up it? If not, then what you don’t need pour out onto the road or better still on a hot day pour it over your head. Food is another area that you can focus on when climbing, many people fill their pockets with gels, bars etc and are like glorified shopping trollies and much of the uneaten food it taken home. Reducing bike weight is an easy win, apart from bottles and food it is achieved through lighter wheelsets, lighter frames and lighter components. To move a kg of wheel takes more effort than anything else on your bike including you. The perfect way of using weight to your advantage is to do all your hill climbing training on a heavy steel or aluminium bike ie: mountain bike, thus making your training harder so when you do go onto your carbon bike it becomes easy. So, whilst ceramic bearings are nifty they pale into insignificance compared to cutting out cheeseburgers and chips etc, which means that it’s better for both your pocket and your long term health to lose weight from your body rather than your bike.

On a big climb like Alpe D Huez every kg of weight costs you 45 seconds. You can spend a fortune losing a kg of your bike weight so its far easier to lose it off your body weight. Losing weight off your body and your bike is more efficient than new aerodynamics.

So a good training session would involve finding a 3k long hill with a gradient of approx. 5-6%, cycling from the bottom to the top on 1 leg doing 50-100 reps on each leg then a recovery ride down, second climb spinning in a low gear all the way to the top, recovery down, third climb standing the whole way, recovery on the way down followed by one blast all the way to the top, this should take you approximately one hour. So, if you do have an hour to spare this is a better training session than cycling as far as you can. Most importantly enjoy your riding and training. All the best.

Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday nights 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 come along and join us. 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 28

Hi All. Back in 2013 a very talented performer arrived on the Southern Costa Blanca after 8 years of living and working in Gran Canaria.

The lady I refer to is Chloe Leigh, who has since gone on to be one of the most versatile Artiste’s on the local music circuit.

Chloe, who hails from Sheffield in the U.K. began her singing career at the tender age of 14, whilst still attending comprehensive school.

She became involved in a charity record raising funding for education in Ethiopia.

Her first recorded track was the classic song “From a Distance”.

This experience gave Chloe the “singing bug”, and it was then that she decided that singing would be her future.

Over the years, after leaving school, Chloe went on to perform with duos and bands in Working Men’s Clubs, Military Bases, Holiday Camps, Hotels and Night Clubs, before moving to Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria in 2004, and embarking on a career as a solo performer.

In her versatility, Chloe developed a country “twang” and vibrato in her vocals, very reminiscent of Cher.

QF Focus Magazine This is where she created her Cher Tribute act, and she was very proud to be asked to perform her first show at the Sheffied O2.

Such was the success that followed, Chloe Leigh was invited to perform at Big Festival and Pride shows.

Chloe is now well established in the area for both her Cher Tribute, and also her A.B.B.A. tribute (Abbalicious), alongside her daughter Minnie Postello.

Chloe’s versatility doesn’t end there.

She launched her film career as a Rock Chick and sang the opening song in the spy thriller “The Cucaracha Club”, which was produced by Siesta Productions, and filmed in and around Torrevieja.

The film also starred Tom Watts (Lofty from Eastenders), and premiered at the Torrevieja cinema in 2016.

Chloe loved her acting experience, and is currently lined up for the next production, where her character will be more sassy.

Oops! Nearly forgot ....Chloe has also appeared as an “extra” on TV’s Benidorm (series 10), after performing at Benidorm Palace.

As if this talented lady is not busy enough, she is going to be involved in a trio project, which will be going into production soon.

Can’t give anymore info at present, as the timescale has to be worked around Chloe’s current schedule ...but watch this space!

If you haven’t already seen Chloe Leigh in her Cher, A.B.B.A, and Country music tribute shows, keep an eye on the local press for future appearances.

Bye for now, D.P.

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QF Focus Magazine

ty

Communsi Event

Baby Essence qualify to dance finals in Rome….

Baby Essence are a dance team aged 5-8 years old competing nationally in Street Dance & HipHop for Essence Dance & Fitness.

They have recently travelled to Avila for the Gran National Spanish Finals of Vive Tu Sueño, where they secured 3rd place intermediate!

This means they have qualified for The Gran European Finals in Rome to be celebrated in July 2019!

Everyone involved with Essesnce Dance & Fitness are extremely proud of them all and therefore with the help of the local community are trying to raise as much money as possible to help each child with the cost of their travel and accommodation expenses.

With your generosity and kindness we know this can be achieved, along with the continued support from our main sponsors, CJBuilders, Quesada Fish & Chips, Go Home to Spain, Comaskey Rentals, Costa Azul, EcoCity Torrevieja and CEIP Las Culturas. To be able to go and represent their country is a massive achievement and opportunity for these youngsters and we wouldn’t want them to miss out!

All the little super stars work extremely hard for their goals and dream of their opportunity of dancing at the Europeans in Rome!

You have the opportunity to contribute to the fund raising by joining in the fun at The Olive Bar in Pueblo Bravo on Saturday 15 June from 2pm. There will be raffles, tombola, and face painting and the Essence Dance Crew and Baby Essence will entertain you by dancing during the day.

Any donations for the tombola and raffle prices will also be greatly appreciated, you can drop them into The Olive Bar or call Paris on 638 601 139.

There is also a gofundme page set up where donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/road-to-rome-camino-a-roma.

Everyone from Essence Dance & Fitness would greatly appreciate any help and donations given towards this once in a life time experience! Please help get our little champs to Rome to do what they do best!

Gran Alacant Oldies Walking 3 Camino Girls raising money Football Club held their very own, for Help at Home Costa Blanca first time, five team tournament, at 3 intrepid ladies are about to set the Santa Pola Pereira Stadium on off on a 116km walk from Sarria to Santiago as part of their “bucket 13 May.

All games were on a round robin basis being played on two adjacent pitches to accommodate the ten fixtures. The whole tournament was expertly arranged by Doug Kemp who looks after the clubs competitive section. Teams came from Teeside in the UK, San Fulgencio, Hondon, Rojales, and of course, Gran Alacant. Over 60 players took part and the eventual winners were Hondon, with our Gran Alacant team runners up. In the first game against Tees Valley UK we drew 2-2. In the second game against San Fulgenciowe won 1-0. And in the third game against Rojales we won 4-0. In the final game we lost 4-1 to the eventual trophy winners. David Lamb top scored for us in the tournament with five goals.

Final points table was: Hondon 20 - Gran Alacant 13 - Tees 11 Rojales 4 - San Fulgencio 0 The trophy was presented by myself, Barry Lane at a packed Tango Bar in Santa Pola, where a very nice food spread, was laid on by the bar. I have missed quite a few sessions due to illness, and in my absence the players decided to name the competition after me.

Copa Barry Lane. What a lovely gesture.

The trophy will be competed for, every year in the future. For more information please email me: laneinspain@hotmail.com.

wish list”. This walk is part of the way of The St. James Pilgrimage (Camino de Campostela). Many will know of it from the film The Way. It will be over 8 days commencing the 7 June, allowing a little time for sightseeing.

The “3 Camino Girls”, aged between 50 and 70, have decided to combine their wish with raising money for Help at Home Costa Blanca to support the work they do in the community. They have been training for 10 weeks and have set a target of 1000€. They will do a “blog” of their journey to put on the Help at Home Facebook site. Karen Palmer who works for Vincent’s Real Estate Agents and a member of Smile Charity Am Dram Group, Joan Bennett who is also a member of Smile Group and Heather Meston who is a member of Greenland’s Bowling Club met Joan and Jacky from the Quesada Branch of the charity who thanked them for their kind offer and wished them every success. The Camino Girls already have pledges from Vincent´s Real Estate, Smart Currency Exchange, Seagate Wealth Management and the Smile Group but would welcome any other sponsors.

Sponsorship forms and collection boxes are available at Vincent’s Real Estates, Greenland’s Bowling, Seagate’s, Oasis Bar Benijofár, The Post Room Benijofár, HaH Furniture shop Cabo Roig or HaH Charity Shop Playa Flamenca.

Or visit Facebook Fundraiser ‘Camino Girls Walk for Help at Home’ which gives a link to the donation page.

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QF Focus Magazine

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Spot the difference -

See if you can spot all 10 differences

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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

Word Search

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages ÁLAVA ALBACETE ALICANTE ALMERÍA ASTURIAS ÁVILA BADAJOZ BARCELONA BURGOS CÁCERES CÁDIZ CANTABRIA CASTELLÓN CIUDAD REAL CÓRDOBA LA CORUÑA CUENCA GERONA GRANADA GUADALAJARA GUIPÚZCOA HUELVA HUESCA ISLAS BALEARES JAÉN

Page 31 Provincias de España - Provinces in Spain. Spain and its autonomous communities are divided in to 50 provinces. See if you can find the first 25 Spanish provinces (listed in blue).

Remember words can go up, down, across, diagonally and even backwards and to make it harder, some letters will have been used more than once.

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QF Focus Magazine Theatre. Singing, dancing and comedy are on the menu for all ages to enjoy and ticket details will be available soon. More information contact: devinelinda44@yahoo.com.

The Stage Diary now in its 12th 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: After their production ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’, ACTS donated 500€ to the Paradise Rescue Kennels.

This was in addition to the 2000€ already given to the Benijófar Crisis Appeal.

They hope their ever-growing audiences will continue to support them when they stage their autumn production, Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Bedroom Farce’. Look out for adverts, coming soon, or better still, why not join this lively group. Contact Ian Vallender at icvallender@gmail.com.

Andante Classical Choir: Following on from their successful concerts prior to Easter, Andante International Classical Choir have finished for the summer. Rehearsals will resume in the autumn at San Pablo and San Pedro Church, St Lois, Torrevieja. Further details will be released in August. For more information, please contact the Musial Director, Karen at kaemichelle65@gmail.com.

Cantabile Ladies Choir: The Choir are well into rehearsals for the autumn. Music to be performed in November will consist of songs from the Renaissance and Baroque periods both secular and sacred.

New members are always welcome, the only requirement is the ability to sing in tune in this friendly three-part, female choir. Contact: valcantabile@gmail.com or valbeange@gmail.com - phone 96 679 5816. Rehearsals: La Siesta Church, Torrevieja, Fridays 4.45pm – 5pm, September to May. Harmoniser’s Barbershop: Whatever your singing talent a warm welcome awaits you at the Harmoniser’s. They are a friendly club including all nationalities and a fun-loving men’s harmony chorus singing in the Barbershop style. They meet every Friday at 10am at Casa Contenta in Rojales near Quesada, drop in and meet them, you will be more than welcome. Interested? Please contact: Mick Hume at michaelhume4814@gmail.com.

Rojales Pantomime Group: The group gave a generous donation from their last pantomime production and Mike Smith, President was happy to present the cheque to Alcalde Antonio Perez Garcia and councillors Lourdes Lopez Tajes and Derek Monks for food, clothing, wheelchairs and essentials for the needy. The 2019 pantomime will be ‘Treasure Island’. If you would like to join in the fun contact: rojalespantomime@gmail.com.

Stagestruck: After another successful show, Stagestruck are taking a wellearned rest until the autumn when rehearsals will begin for their Christmas Production, ‘Cinderella’. Another large amount of money was raised for local charities details of which information will be released later. Their main beneficiary is Alzheimer’s charity in Torrevieja. A presentation will be organised in the coming weeks. Anyone wanting further information please call Jenny: 608 129 983.

Studio 32: Open Day, Wednesday 12 June at 4pm and Sunday 16 June at 12 at Casa Ventura, San Luis, with ‘The Dracula Spectacular’. If you are thinking of joining a fun theatre group, why not join Studio 32 for a chat plus wine and nibbles to discuss their next show (above) and potential roles that may be of interest to you, such as, cast, backstage, wardrobe, music, lighting etc, irrespective of age and experience. Why not pop along and meet them on either day, but please let them know.

Contact either: studiothirtytwo@icloud.com or call their press officer on 636 020 547.

The Dayamantes Singers: The Singers were formed 10 years ago and meet in Daya Nueva every Wednesday morning from 11am until 12.30pm. They are a group of men and women who enjoy singing a variety of songs, from the 60s to the present time, with fun arrangements suited to their abilities. They are now recruiting new members, so if you would like to join a friendly group of people, who also have a great social time, please ring Jean on 690 778 091.

Velvetones Harmony Choir: The Choir had fun in early April with Spanish Association of Barbershop singer’s convention in Calpe. Watching Spanish and international choruses and quartets compete for gold, silver & bronze medals was a great atmosphere ending in an ‘afterglow’ party with around 700 singers! The singers rehearse each Thursday, back at El Paraiso, Torrevieja from 5.15pm to 7.45pm. Check out the website www.velvetonesharmonytorrevieja.com, or Facebook Velvetones Harmony Chorus or contact philmolly@gmail.com.

If you would like your group to be part of the Stage New Cardinal Theatre Group: Diary please email editor@femalefocusonline.com.

The group are looking to provide Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month prior to all the variety you will want in their publication. brand-new show for all the family, ‘Reach for the Stars’ on 26, 27 and 28 September at the Cardenal Belluga

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

QF Focus Magazine

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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 citizens 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 information 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 through difficult times.

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. New members are always welcome, and 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 have a bowls team who 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 meet on the first Wednesday of every month at Restaurante Danmark, Plaza Los Halcones 27, Avenida de La Alondres, at 5pm and remember you don’t have to have served in the Royal Navy to become a member. We look forward to seeing you soon! If you would like to join the ship mates or just find out more please phone 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. We really want to extend our membership. If you are interested please come and join us, or for more information call 694 437 698 or email mrandcwatkins@hotmail.co.uk.

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.

Revival Torrevieja Rugby Club based on traditional ethics of rugby, family and respect, as well as a completely new set up. Out with the old and in with the new. Thur evenings touch rugby at 20.00, plus 15’s 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 Costa Blanca’s largest and best guide to the best local businesses including...

Property Services Legal & Finance House & Home Trades & Services Infotech & Marketing Good Food Guide (Vega Baja edition only)

OUT NOW 15,000 Copies • All Businesses Listed on the Online Business Directory Email advertising@femalefocusonline.com or contact your local representative for more information

Animal Adoptions and re-homing Stella turned up at a volunteer’s house and 2 days later gave birth to 5 beautiful kittens.

There are 2 Siamese, 2 torti coloured and a black and white. We believe mum is only young and will also need a home when the kittens have been adopted. Call: 645 469 253. Email: info@petsinspain.com.

To view more animals for adoption go to www.petsinspain.com.

Marty is a male Border Collie cross, not a big dog. Very friendly, good with other dogs but not with cats.

He is absolutely delightful, very affectionate, house trained and walks well on a lead. If you are able to provide Marty with his forever home, then please call 600 845 420. 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.

New animal rescue web-portal launched for Costa Blanca.

With an estimated 1,000 animals* in rescue centres across the region, the Adoptapet portal has been launched to support over 20 charities with marketing and ultimately reduce the average time a cat or dog need to wait to find a new home. Currently the average time spent in rescue centres is over 6 months** and for many over a year.

On the user side, Adoptapet will make it easier for families to find a local animal to adopt, and events to help sponsor the charities.

Caroline & Mats Rennstam who are behind the non-for-profit portal comment: "There are an impressive number of engaged volunteers in the region looking after rescued animals and doing a great job of it. What we’ve identified however, is a need for people who would consider adopting a pet to easier find what they are looking for. The Costa Blanca charities have hearts of gold but often lack the time to do the marketing needed once they’ve made sure the animals in their care are looked after properly".

Fore more information please visit https://www.adoptapet.es. */** Based on a survey of 23 Costa Blanca animal charities March 2019.

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Classified Adverts

Health & Beauty SLIM4LIFE WITH EXANTE. New groups with our top consultant Lynn Preston in and around Torrevieja and El Chapparal. Phone 693 460 038.

Entertainment LADY JAZZ performing at the Costa Blanca! Perfect for your Lounge Area, Private Party’s, Weddings, Fine Dining and Cocktail Bar!! High quality vocals & chillout tunes. Tel. 677 233 879 Facebook:LadyJazzAnita or visit www.lady-jazz.com (QF1219)

Services

INTERIOR DESIGNER Not sure where to start? How to reorganize or redecorate? Create your perfect living space with my help! Tel: 693 549 887. Website www.houseandhomeinteriordesign.com Facebook: House & Home Interior Design. (12/19Q) 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. Web: www.aqualyze.es. (12/19) 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. (12/19Q) 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. (12/19) 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

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 ROUND TOWN TRAVEL - Your one-stop-shop for travel & entertainment at fantastic prices.

Flights, accommodation, ferries, cruises, day trips & park tickets, car hire and airport transfers. Open 7 days a week, call 966 811 123 or visit www.roundtowntravel.com (12/19)

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

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. (12/19) 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. (12/19) TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER English/Spanish. All legal, medical and business matters. Covering the Costa Blanca. Telephone 658 957 404 or email ejbtranslations@gmail.com.

COYS RENT A CAR independent Car hire company operating from the Torrevieja area, Alicante & Murcia airports. To get a quote, look at our website: www.coysrent-a-car.com

Wanted

QF Focus Magazine

BENISSA TOWN with Panoramic views to the sea, 119m² spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. 32m² livingroom, 23m² master bedroom with ensuite, new fitted kitchen, central heating, closed garage, satellite, €135,000 Tel 610 037 697.

TOTALLY REFORMED TOWNHOUSE in Pamis, Ondara. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge, separate dining room/studio, courtyard. Fibre Optic broadband. Woodburner and electric radiators. Large mountain view roof terrace. 5 minutes from Portal de la Marina shopping centre and Junction 62. 10 minutes from coast. 160,000€ o.n.o. Tel. 627 779 604. (FF0519) VILLAGE TOWNHOUSE, BENIARDA. Village Townhouse with shops and bars nearby. Open plan dining, lounge and kitchen. Downstairs toilet.

Woodburner and electric radiators. 3 bedrooms, one with terrace. Study area.

Bathroom. Roof terrace with mountain views and kitchen. Fibre broadband.

30 mins to coast. Reduced to 145,000€ or consider an exchange to smaller house or bungalow. Tel 693 246 318.

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.

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Misc Sales

BROTHER 930 KNITTING MACHINE Brother 930 electroinic Knitting machine with lace carriage and 850 ribber, 555 in-built patterns. €350 Tel Torrevieja 86-566 7324.

SIMET KNITTING MACHINE, electric Knitting machine motor with countdown and foot pedal,for Silver Reed or Brother. €250 Torrevieja. Tel: 86-566 7324.

BROTHER 950i KNITTING MACHINE electronic knitting machine and ribber, perfect working order, 555 in-built patterns. €375. Torrevieja 86-566 7324.

WROUGT IRON OBLONG coffee table. Glass topped in bronze colour, 50€ ONO. Tel 659 321 368. (Pinar de Campoverde area).

Property Sales & Rentals LOS MONTESINOS, BRAND new villa, 3 bed 2 Bath, Lake views, Private pool, Lounge, Dining, Kitchen, fully completed. €249,950. Call 693 784 807 www.gohometospain.es LA FINCA GOLF, Algorfa. 3 Bed 2 Bath Villa, Lounge, Dining, Kitchen, Communal pool. Roof terrace with mountain views. €155,000 Call 693 784 807 www.gohometospain.es MOUNTAIN RETREAT for sale or rent. Perfect for camping yoga etc..

Total peace. 1540 metres of olive and almond trees. Price 40,000€. Call 96 688 0377 for more information.

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

There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

QF Focus Magazine

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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.

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