QFocus On Costa Blanca South March 2024

Specsavers Ópticas Reveals the Hottest Eyewear Trends of 2024

2024 has brought a new wave of trends which are dominating the runways and high street. To help style enthusiasts elevate their look and dial up their ‘frame game’ in 2024, Specsavers Ópticas has revealed its eyewear trends of the year.

One of the top eyewear trends to watch out for this year is Geometrics, evolving to be more experimental with bold shapes; incorporating more angles combined with softer lines in the same style of frame. Geometric frames are a modern, cool yet wearable shape, ranging from popular hexagonal lenses to more avant-garde shapes. Modern “aviators” are a key part of this trend, and many have a 60s and 70s inspiration. Online searches for geometric sunglasses increased by 40% month-onmonth from November to December last year and we expect this trend to continue into 2024.

Playful trends such as Dopamine Brights will continue to emerge as fashion becomes increasingly more colourful and search volumes for dopamine dressing are rising year-on-year. Expect to see bright yellows, fiery reds, cobalt blues, luminous greens and pink pops. Tinted lenses started to rise in popularity last Autumn, and the spring/summer 2024 runway shows from the likes of Louis Vuitton also featured this trend, so it’s set to only grow in popularity. This is a subtle take on coloured lenses, combining aspects of last season’s trending wraparounds but with an acetate, colourful and transparent twist. The key colours are brown and yellow, with yellow being the most popular here in Spain.

The increasing love of brave and bold vintage styles can be accredited to the dramatic rise in demand for subversive 60’s and 70’s styles. There was a 127% and 118% increase in search volume for 70s and 60s designs respectively, inspired by retro film releases and high-end designers featuring the style on the runways.

For the classic style seekers among us, you’ll be pleased to hear that classic frames are not going away any time soon. Cat eye and supersized frames remain popular, each with their own updated twist for the year ahead.

Specsavers Ópticas glasses and sunglasses collections are made up of frames from top designer brands, Specsavers’ own styles and classic shapes, from just €29. Find out more at www.specsavers.es.

House Insurance Cover

Your property is likely to be your most valuable asset, and needs the right protection. I regularly have extolled the virtues of Liberty’s fully comprehensive house policy. When asking the right questions, you will discover that many house insurance policies are inadequate. You do need to read the small print on your house policy, including checking that you have all the coverage you require.

One of the very important issues when discussing house insurance is the amount of contents cover, always remembering that with Spanish Home insurance the kitchen is included in the contents, not the buildings. Also there is a wonderful extra you can add to your policy and that is accidental damage, which is unique to Liberty Seguros and covers many breakages and claims within the home. Therefore can I please ask you all to double check the coverage of your home policies, whether you are with Jennifer Cunningham Insurance and Liberty, or another company, to understand the cover you actually have. Finding out you have the incorrect and insufficient coverage when you want to make a claim is far too late.

My consultants are currently working on assessing the home policies, and if they feel you would benefit with increased, additional coverage, they will contact you at renewal. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact one of my offices and we will be able to give you the advice you require and answer any questions.

We also have optional guarantees available, which include dangerous dog liability, public liability for mobility vehicles, cover for electric vehicle chargers, and illegal occupation if the policy is for a second home and unpaid rent if you are a landlord renting your property. If you have expensive garden furniture, we can increase the cover for these. We can also offer increased cover for valuable objects and jewellery in event of theft with violence.

We can tailor your house policy to suit your own individual needs. If you require any further information or a quotation, please contact one of my offices, email info@jennifercunningham.net or visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net.

www.femalefocusonline.com

Sweet

There’s a lot going on in the month of March with Mother’s Day on Sunday 10th, St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17th and Easter being really early this year at the last weekend in March. We also have a personal celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary, which is actually quite scary how that many years has passed to what only feels like a few years.

Last month I mentioned that we were planning to do an Escape Room ….fortunately we managed to exit this within the dedicated timescale, unscathed and without any fall outs. It was great fun and a real challenge that certainly made us all put our thinking caps on and to think out of the box. Although my mathematical skills were something to be desired, we got there in the end and will definitely try another one later in the year.

Although I am sure we are all enjoying this lovely weather we are currently enduring, we really do need some rain to fill up the reservoirs. There are already water usage restrictions being put in place in other parts of the country and it is bound to be a matter of time before some are in place in our region. I'm sure we have nothing to worry about as it always seems to rain around Easter. Until the next time.....

Michelle

QFocus Magazine covering the Alicante South region and Focus On Magazine covering the Alicante North region.

Discuss your advertising with your local representative:-

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Tel. 657 501 055

Pick up your next issue on 1 April Deadline for advertising & editorial - 18 March

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Advert content to adver�sing@femalefocusonline.com

Call JJ.Jones - 684416833

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F.A.B. (Friends after Bereavement)

We are a relaxed and friendly mixed group who meet once a week in the lounge/bar of the Laguna Hotel in Quesada at 3pm for a chat and coffee. The aim of the group is to support those who have lost someone close and help make new friends. We also enjoy meals / lunches out and day trips etc. For more information call Sheila 966 719 149, Brenda 966 718 403 or Jackie 645 928 242 or just come along for a chat one Saturday.

Celebrating the Mona de Pascua

By Rhona Wells - rhonawells@hotmail.com

Easter and Christmas are the most joyous celebrations in the Christian calendar, commemorating, as they do, the birth and the resurrection of Jesus.

Over the centuries, many local and regional traditions have grown up around the religious celebrations in various parts of the world and our own Costa Blanca is no exception.

The Mona de Pascua is a Spanish delicacy, most closely aligned to cake, which is unique to the Costa Blanca and its near neighbours. Enjoyed on Easter Sunday and Monday in the Spanish regions of Catalonia, Valencia, and Murcia, the original recipe is thought to be several hundred years old. Some historians trace the origins of the recipe back to Roman times when the wealthy feasted and the shepherds celebrated with more simple fare including eggs and milk. According to Joan Amades, a Catalan ethnologist of the 20th century, mentions of the Mona de Pascua were recorded as long ago as the 15th century.

The 1783 edition of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy has the following definition: "Common to Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia, it is a cake baked with eggs in their shell at Easter, known in other parts of the Iberian Peninsula as Hornazo".

In the Costa Brava, the Mona de Pascua is thought to have Moorish origins. The Arabic term mûna, refers to a land tax which means gift or provision of food. This was frequently made by servants to the masters, in the form of an offering of eggs or agricultural product to celebrate the end of Lent for example. Nowadays, the colourful Mona de Pascua marks both the end of Lent and the early signs of Spring.

While there are various versions of the cake, it usually consists of a sweet brioche dough filled with candied fruits and topped with hard boiled eggs.

Of course, in keeping up to date with changing culinary tastes, the traditional recipe has been adapted. In Valencia, the Easter mona can now most often be found topped with a sweet egg-white caramel, instead of the traditional hard-boiled egg and in most parts of Catalonia, the eggs have been replaced by chocolate, which has now become the focus of the mona.

Back in the mid-nineteenth century, the mona began to lose its original simplicity, the ingredients were adapted – becoming ever sweeter – and the presentation more complex.

Today, the hard-boiled egg version can still be found but more frequently shops stock monas elaborately decorated with caramelised sugar, jams, sugared almonds, crunchy toppings, or silver anise, before being decorated with painted Easter eggs or figures made from porcelain, wood, cardboard, or fabric. In Catalonia and Valencia, it is customary for godparents to give the mona to their godchild on Easter Sunday. On Easter Monday, families or groups of friends frequently make a trip to the countryside, to eat and enjoy the mona together.

Less spectacular but no less tasty, there is another star Easter dish enjoyed on the Costa Blanca at this time of year, known as torrijas. It is surprising how something so simple can have such a spectacular flavour. Stale slices of bread are soaked in red wine or milk, lemon and cinnamon are added to the mix before being dipped in beaten egg and fried in oil. They are generally served coated in a ground cinnamon and sugar mix and often further sweetened with honey or syrup.

Enjoy the Easter treats the Costa Blanca has to offer, knowing that the recipes – in one version or another – have been enjoyed by the people of this region for centuries.

For those of you we haven't met, we would like to introduce you to The Nook Bar & Bistro. The perfect place to unwind, relax, create a hangover, or simply socialise with friends.

Our new owners Norma & Elaine collectively have decades of professional cooking between them (not that they are old, just very experienced! Good save?!)

They both believe in sourcing quality ingredients & freshly preparing them with care & attention. From simple hand cut chips to the trickier hollandaise sauce, scotch eggs or desserts, everything here is made fresh on site.

So if you are hungry, whether it's a little bar snack, a sharing plate or a delicious meal, we cannot wait to cook for you.

Just drinking? We have everything from coffees to cocktails to keep your thirst quenched!

Come to The Nook Bar & Bistro, your new home from home! Where the view is stunning, the drinks a plenty and the craic almighty!

Where we cook it, serve it AND we wash up afterwards (Unless you can't pay your bill, in which case the job's all yours!).

Facebook: principles the nook bar & Bistro.

Telephone: 0034 645 056 770.

Address: Calle Zeus 4, Rojales.

WORD SEARCH

Find all the Spanish words from the word list in the puzzle grid. Words may be found going forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. Answers can be found in the back of the magazine. Good Luck.

CONDUCIR - DRIVE DECIR - SAY

DESPERTARSE - WAKE UP

DOLER - HURT

DORMIR - SLEEP

ENCONTRAR - FIND

ENSEÑAR - TEACH/SHOW

ENTENDERUNDERSTAND

ESCRIBIR - WRITE

ESCUCHAR - LISTEN

HABLAR - SPEAK

HACER - DO/MAKE

INTENTAR - TRY

LEER - READ

LLAMAR - CALL

OÍR - HEAR

OLVIDAR - FORGET

PENSAR - THINK

PREGUNTAR - ASK

TENER - HAVE TRABAJAR - WORK TUMBARSE - LIE DOWN

VENIR - COME VER - SEE

Do you like to sing?

Every Thursday evening Crescendo International Choir rehearses and we welcome new members. No previous experience is required. We rehearse at Rincon de Miguel restaurant in Los Montesinos between 17:30 to 19:45 every Thursday.

For more details see www.crescendo-choir.com. You can also follow the group on Facebook at Crescendo Choir. If you have any questions, please email us on info@crescendo-choir.com.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE MOON?

For anyone who remembers the moon landings this might seem a daft question, it took about three days to get there. Then I had an email question asking why more recent landers sent to the moon had taken so much longer, surely after fifty years we might be quicker not slower.

I thought it was a really good question so I'll try and explain without too much technical jargon, though I will have to mention Delta V, but keep reading, it's actually quite simple.

Let's start with the recent Japanese lander, it took about 26 days to get there whereas Apollo took 3 days. The biggest difference in these spacecraft is the obvious one, there were people in the Apollo craft, and they had to take food, air and power for heat plus a lot more, keeping them alive made the craft heavy, and a long journey time would have made the whole plan impossible. The Japanese, Russian and other landers are just machines and need only electricity and fuel, the electricity is free with the solar cells they use, and they design the spacecraft to use the least amount of fuel possible to keep weight and cost down.

Next we have the rockets that send these machines up there, the Americans knew they needed lots of power to get all that weight there quickly, whereas others with smaller lighter craft can take their time and use much smaller cheaper rockets to do the job.

Lastly, there's the journey itself. We don't actually fly from Earth to the moon, we go from Earth orbit to Lunar orbit, and there are many different ways of achieving this, but they're all based on something called a Hohmann transfer orbit. Imagine you're circling the Earth, and you fire an engine just briefly, that will change your circle to an ellipse. Keep doing that at just the right time and eventually your ellipse will meet the moons gravity and you'll be caught by that and enter lunar orbit. As my wife said, it's a bit like playing swing ball where you keep hitting it and it goes further out.

This is where Delta V comes in, all that really means is a change of velocity. The more fuel you have in a bigger spacecraft, the more you can change your velocity, and change orbits quickly. The Americans did it with one powerful burn, nowadays there's no hurry, so lots of fuel friendly small burns does the job. This adds up to smaller cheaper rockets that get there more slowly. Now, would you like a bit of maths to show how this all works? Only kidding, I'll save that for later.

When the planned human Lunar landings take place, possibly within the next three years, we'll see big rockets and three day travel times again, and a new sustainable future on the moon. It's taken quite a while hasn't it.

● To find out more about observing and astronomy why not join our group, email us at vegabaja.astronomygroup@gmail.com to find out more.

Charles Oates, Vega Baja Astronomy Group.

SUDOKU

Here are two Sudoku puzzles of different skill levels for you to try. It is not a math game at all - it is a pure logic game. 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.

CROSSWORD

Across

6 Aeroplane body (8)

7 Simple dwellings (4)

9 Reechoed sound (13)

10 Tears (5)

12 Claim as due (5)

14 Salt (3)

15 Renounce (5)

16 Modify (5)

18 Military decoration (8,5)

21 Small dam (4)

22 Smashed beer mugs go under (8)

Down

1 Pleasingly pretty (4)

2 Six-shooter (8)

3 Perhaps (5)

4 Apprentice (7)

5 Produced by 2 Down (4)

8 Ballroom dance (3-4)

11 Small and delicate (3-4)

13 Carved up ensnared writer (8)

14 Traveller (7)

17 Brazilian dance (5)

19 Grow weary (4)

20 Melancholy sound (4)

See back pages for answers

Founded by Benny Davis in 2007

ACTS will be performing a farce 'Play

On' by Rick Abbot from 21 to 23 March at the Benijofar Cultural Centre. Tickets are available from The Post Box - Doña Pepa, The Post Room - Benijofar, The Card Place - Benimar, Quentin’s - Algorfa, The Post Shop - Villa Martin. Reserve your tickets by WhatsApp, tel 672 544 026. The play is full of hilarity. It gives an insight into what goes on in an Amateur Dramatic Group as they rehearse and finally perform their own play. You can only imagine the trouble with sound effects, the mayhem with an eccentric and interfering playwright. Not to mention the highly charged personalities of the actors struggling with lines and props that don’t quite do the job, their director handling all that with a taciturn and inventive backstage crew! This play will keep you laughing throughout do come and join us.

Andante International Choir is the only choir in the Costa Blanca community devoted to sacred choral works and classical pieces. They meet in Los Montesinos at Calle San Antonio, 4 on Thursday nights from 7.15pm until 9pm. All are welcome to join them. They especially need tenors and basses. For more information contact Andante International Choir member Sue Lewey at suelewey@gmail.com. Also see the Facebook page, Andante International Choir (Spain).

The Costa Blanca Singers continue to welcome new members to their ever-growing group. Why? Because word has spread about how much fun the singers have on Wednesday afternoons. They meet at 2pm at The Social Centre La Marina urbanizacion which is behind the medical centre and you are always welcome to pop in for an open rehearsal and see for yourself the fun and friendship enjoyed. Their next performance will be on 13 April at the outdoor auditorium in El Raso. Further details will be announced soon. What will you be doing next Wednesday afternoon? Just turn up and have a look and listen. You will be made most welcome. Also, see the Facebook page for short clips and pictures.

The Rojales Pantomime Group recently held our Oscars` Award evening for the pantomime, Snow White & The 7 Christmas Elves. These annual awards are great fun & what a wonderful evening it was. Voted for by the cast & crew, the Gold Best Actor Oscar was won by Leigh Humphries for her role as evil Queen Misérables. Many congratulations! The group have a new Director for 2024 and their pantomime is Dick Whittington. Planning has started with rehearsals beginning in early spring, all very exciting. If you are interested in joining the group, maybe treading the boards, helping out where needed, or simply as a social member and want more details please email: Rojalespanto@yahoo.com.

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Studio32 are in full swing with rehearsals for their theatrical musical production of The Pajama Game which will show at Cardinal Beluga from 22 to 25 May. Many new members have joined the company following requests for local talented enthusiastic singers and dancers to join the long-established thespians. The cast is now complete and rehearsing twice a week. This show is going to be absolutely wonderful and sit alongside the most recent hugely successful Hello Dolly and Studio32 West End Party. Watch out for the details on ticket sales which will be available later this month and take a look at the Facebook page for a glimpse of rehearsals in practice and be amazed.

If you would like to be part of this band of charitable entertainers, please email editor@femalefocusonline.com. Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month prior to publication. Full details of all Stage Diary entertainment groups are available online at www.femalefocusonline.com

Calling all clubs & charities

Tell everyone about your forthcoming events in your favourite local magazine. Simply send your information to editor@femalefocusonline.com.

Spot the 13 differences (answers in the back pages)

Unlock the Potential:

5 Different ways to use a Retrospective Licence

article supplied by Martinez de la Casa Architects

A retrospective licence / certificate of antiquity holds the key to multiple benefits, transforming your property's standing and value. Explore five compelling ways to harness its power:

Enhance Tax Upgrades: A retrospective licence / certificate of antiquity is the primary document required by the taxing department to upgrade the SUMA / council tax for house extensions or pools.

Market with Confidence: When marketing an illegally extended property, instil confidence in agents and potential buyers. The licence acts as a shield, assuring that alterations cannot be fined, thus securing a seamless selling process.

Navigate Official Upgrades: Utilise it to upgrade official maps (Catastro). The licence validates extensions or alterations, streamlining the process and ensuring compliance with legal requisites.

Title Deed Incorporation: It is also employed to integrate extensions into your property's title deeds.

Authority's Respect: Gain unwavering respect from authorities. Once issued, your property's extensions or alterations become untouchable by Spanish authorities, shielding you from fines or demolition orders.

However, not all property owners are eligible for a retrospective licence. The conditions are as follows:

• In the Murcia area, existing building work must be a minimum of 4 years old.

• In the Almeria area, the building work should be over 6 years old.

• In the Alicante area, the building work must have been completed before the 20th of August 2014 (over 11 years approximately). Please see the advert below left for the costs of a selection of our services.

Martinez de la Casa Architects is your trusted partner for architectural certification in Southern Spain. From Energy Performance Certificates (121€ inc IVA) to Habitation Licences, we offer comprehensive solutions.

To book our services or clarify inquiries, call 665 810 411 (English) or explore our impressive list of 300 testimonials at www.martinezdelacasa.com.

Your peace of mind and property's full potential awaits.

Shining a light on the amazing work of the Guardamar Rotary Club

Francisco Jurado was named President of the Guardamar Rotary Club in July 2023. He and his team are currently working on their first big event of 2024 – their annual Classic Car Rally, which will take place on the 23rd of March in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Guardamar.

Fransico Jurado has been involved with the Rotary Club for over nine years and this is his second time stepping up to take on the role as President. He will be acting as President until the 30th of June this year, where he will be leading the club, managing the annual events, training sessions and community actions. He has already been at the helm of the World Polio Day fundraising and a charity golf tournament last year. ‘It was wonderful to be part of the successful golf tournament in December’ comments Jurado. ‘We raised over 2,000€ for End Polio Now, as well as raising awareness of the disease, and further funds from World Polio Day in October. We are now working on a mentorship, training and work experience programme for the IES Les Dunes students and on organizing the classic car rally in March.’

Service Above Self

Francisco is very proud to be a Rotarian, as well the store director of three Specsavers Ópticas branches, in Guardamar, Torrevieja and La Zenia. He explains, ‘I strongly believe in the motto ‘Service Above Self’ and the importance of helping our community. Being a Rotarian is the best way to offer my experience, time, and energy back into my community and support the people in our area who really need help. I feel like the Guardamar Rotary Club is a family where you can really enjoy taking part in these important actions with your friends.’

....continued on next page &

Guardamar’s Rotary Club raises funds for a number of local charities, as well as supporting and developing initiatives which are positive for the community. They regularly support the Red Cross, IES Les Dunes secondary school in Guardamar, the local food bank and Cáritas.

They fundraise through events and collections in association with local businesses. For example, Specsavers Ópticas collects funds in all three of Francisco’s stores, sponsors the events, and the team helps out at the events as well. ‘It’s very important to me that my business can also support the Rotary Club through fundraising and practical support. Specsavers is committed to playing a positive role in the communities where they operate, and this is a great way to do that. It is also a positive experience for my staff to help the charity through fundraising and at events, offering opportunities to develop their skills and confidence and come together as a team for a great cause.’

What’s happening in 2024

On the 23rd of March the Rotary Club Guardamar del Segura and the Guardamar Town Hall are holding their 12th Classic Car Show. Taking place at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Guardamar, visitors can enjoy the sight of over 100 classic cars and motorbikes in one place, as well as live music, dance performances and an enormous paella. Follow them on Facebook @rotary.guardamar for more information as it is announced.

They are also working hard on a new project to support students at the IES Les Dunes high school in Guardamar through training and professional development. This will make it easier for the students to find jobs when they leave school.

Francisco explains, ‘We know that one of the biggest concerns of the young people in our community is finding jobs. So, we are launching a mentorship programme for students who are completing their vocational training programmes in hospitality, catering, administration and gardening.

We will be arranging talks by local business owners and employers in the school to motivate them and offer practical advice to help them prepare for entering the workplace. We will be creating a Rotary Guardamar Achievement Award, to celebrate the best pupil at the school. Finally, we are in the process of finding internship opportunities to help them gain work experience.’

If any local business owner or entrepreneur would like to give a talk, or offer internships for these students, please contact the Rotary Club by emailing rotaryguardamar2203@gmail.com.

Donations for the Rotary Club can be dropped into the three Specsavers Ópticas stores that Francisco owns, in Guardamar, Torrevieja and La Zenia. Find your nearest store at www.specsavers.es.

Kenny Corris brings you

Aries: The New Moon this month is in Pisces in harmony with Uranus, planet of invention and technology. This lunar event shines a light on the great new ideas you have, so go for it! Shift your focus and create!

Taurus: Mars is in Pisces until April. Aligning with Venus there is a new motivation in your life and your social circle will be going from strength to strength. This is a time when love turns to passion, but firstly go with the flow!

Gemini: Time to focus on your career as a new project beckons and your expertise is sought after. A great time to launch your ideas and to promote yourself. Mercury, your trusty planetary leader sees dreams turn into reality.

Cancer: The Sun shines over your ninth house this month, whilst the New Moon aligns also in the ninth. A journey may only be at planning stage right now, but when it comes to fruition it will be the trip of a life time!

Leo: With Mercury entering Aries for two months, prior to retrograde, it’s time to work with something that’s demanding all your attention right now. Take time to ensure that you configure your emotions to work well for you.

Virgo: The combo of Venus, Pisces and the Sun awakens a love that never really faded. This is a time to establish a balance that maybe better connects business with pleasure but which puts you in a far better place too.

OUR OROSCOPE

Libra: The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse gathers momentum during a hectic and productive month. Be sure to get the answers that you need by asking all the right questions this month. Fiery Mars directs action to get the right result!

Scorpio: Be patient! What you are really asking for right now just isn’t possible. Take time to chill and see things from a distance, knowing that a more realistic approach will see you get better results. Financial future is looking good.

Sagittarius: Eighth house actions hit up finances and deal with taxation, insurance and inheritance issues. Hard to see a way through at the moment but things get worse before they get better. Mercury grounds and solutions.

Capricorn: A new relationship remains buoyant, but you are having your doubts right now. The latter half of the month sees the Sun in Aries and so stick to priorities. This is a case of walking before you really learn to run.

Aquarius: Mercury as planet of communication takes great pride in events that elevate your status. You are far more than you think that you are, so have fun finding out. Go in deep. You will actually like what you see.

Pisces: Busiest sign this month! Prioritise on what it is you want and need. This is not selfish… it’s inspiring to set goals, especially as, for you, it’s all about who you really are now; and where you really want to be in the near future!

As an Astrologer, Kenny has worked tirelessly for over forty years to produce quality Horoscopes Worldwide. He has received a major Award for his contribution to the Astrological Arts by being voted into the Top Twenty World’s Best Astrologers by the American Federation of Certified Psychics. He is awarded five stars as a Lightworker, and Psychic Medium. For personal readings/castings please call Kenny on: 686 361 594. kennycorris@hotmail.com www.kennycorris.com. Confidential and Personal Reply Guaranteed! Online Readings: by Zoom, Skype,WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime.

As a home care and nursing agency 3C Care have been deeply passionate about delivering the right level of support to people in the local community on the Costa Blanca here in Spain since 2002. Their services are well known and specialise in the particular needs of residents (including non-British), senior members of our community, family members arranging distance care from the UK and those requiring nursing or respite care whilst on holiday. 3C Care’s mission is to enable seniors to remain in their home at times of need or to supply the level of support required to speed up recovery following short or long term illness.

3C Care focus on care and nursing that makes a very real positive difference to the wellbeing of our clients. Offering independent living with just the right level of focused care according to an individual’s needs for a long as they may need our help. Specialist care for terminally ill clients is available and can include a live-in nurse and respite care.

As well as care and nursing services, 3C Care can provide any equipment – such as hoists - required to make home life easier.

3C Care’s success and popularity as the number one care agency is due to a strong focus on clients’ needs, committed staff and to never cut any corners when considering people’s welfare needs. 3C Care fully understand how difficult it can be for those in our community who are perhaps alone with no relatives in Spain, especially our vulnerable senior residents. 3C Care bridge the gap that can make all the difference to help seniors remain in their own home, assisting and advising on all matters of care or home help and planning the long term future, enabling people to keep living the good life in Spain for as long as is possible in their own home.

New for 2024 are a meals-on-wheels service and home repairs and maintenance service so you don’t have to worry about anything from all those odd jobs to building and installing ramps etc.

3C Care are here to help today, tomorrow and for as long as needed with an affordable plan to assist you or a relative to remain living at home. See advert on page 4 for contact details.

Calling all Businesses to the HOMES, GARDENS & LIFESTYLE SHOW 2024 - 10th & 11th MAY

The leading LIFESTYLE Exhibition dedicated to showcasing products and services on the Costa’s continues to be the go-to platform for our professional businesses and visitors.

Looking to participate? Here is your invitation to join us at our ‘PRE-EXHIBITION OPEN AFTERNOON’ Tuesday 26 March 15.00 – 19.00. RSVP email: gina@gmpromotions.es

If you would like more information about joining the event and showcasing your business, visit the Suitopia Hotel Calpe to meet us, many of the exhibitors and orientate yourself with the event and capitalise on the pre-event networking experience!

The HG & L Show team are preparing the 2024 Edition. Save the dates for your HOMES, GARDENS & LIFESTYLE SHOW experience on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th May at the SUITOPIA HOTEL Calpe, Costa Blanca North 10.00 – 17.00

This spectacular two-day event is a must to be part of and to visit for inspiring ideas, innovative products and on-trend solutions with fresh ideas from our cast of exhibiting experts. It is bursting with local products and services with information on all things A – Z for you, your home, garden, your lifestyle and leisure time plus health and wellbeing advice, products and services. It’s a great opportunity to find out what’s available here on the Costas!

The FOCUS ON team will be there, supporting the event and community.

A once a year chance to meet over 65+ exhibitors with special show discounts, FREE prize draws and giveaways galore!

If you are in BUSINESS you can BOOK A STAND to showcase and promote products and services.

For more details visit www.gmpromotions.es, Facebook@HomesGardensandLifestyleShow. Tel 695 399 841 or email: gina@gmpromotions.es.

Kit said she was fine. She lied. She said she didn’t care. She cared deeply.

Hello, I’m Hilary

In 2001 I met the biological mother I’d never known. I’ve needed to write about my feelings and experiences ever since but haven’t felt strong enough to do so ... until now, twenty-odd years later.

In 2010 I travelled to New York on a luxury cruise ship. It was a mind-blowing experience - my dinner table housed an ex-debutant who owned a chain of fashion shops throughout America, the President of the Walt Disney Resort, Florida (who once escorted Princess Diana and the boys around) plus other unusual and fascinating people. Why I was put on that table I’ll never know but as an author it was God-given. My head is now in a place where I feel able to write about feelings associated with adoption and I’ve done so in the setting of a luxurious cruise ship. The book is fiction (drawn from real life) and starts at the beginning of the journey ... the biological mother. It is the first in a trilogy which will explore the feelings and relationships of everyone involved in the complicated and emotional world of missing people and adoption.

SIBILINGS KIT’S STORY is one of control, deception, infertility and guilt, but most of all it’s one of a young woman who longs to be loved. The moment she discovers her dark past everything falls into place, and as the sobering close-up of a richly intriguing family unfolds she realises that she will need to face up to the lies that have been woven around her and put them in the past.

Kit’s journey on the luxurious cruise ship is going to be one of the most challenging of all, but whether it has a happy ending depends upon how brave she can be and whether she can shake off the shackles of outside control. For Kit there’s everything to play for but time is running out ...

I’ve been writing women’s fiction with grittier twists for many years and I like my readers to enjoy romantic fiction for grown-ups but along the way I promise to pull heart strings and offer smiles. I am an award-winning author and this is my fourth novel.

SIBLINGS Kit’s Story available at bookshops and on Amazon. Details of the others can be found on my website https://hilarycoombes.com.

SPANGLES - MORE THAN A THURSDAY “Hello”

Do you know why we call ourselves Spangles? Because when we got together in 2004, some of us were SPANish and some of us were inGLES! Clever, eh?

We’re proud to be celebrating 20 years of singing together this year. We have told you that we’re all friends who are always there for each other, who don’t just rehearse together on a Thursday and are a shoulder lean on – BUT THERE IS MORE!!

We arrange lunches, cocktails, retreats where we can get to know each other; and we are happy to sing at any function: birthdays, weddings, funerals, charity fundraisers and even quite random events:

· We travelled to Nerja and sang for a bride as she was getting ready on the morning of her wedding - a romantic surprise from the bridegroom.

· We sang in a restaurant for a lady’s 80th birthday.

· We have sung at funerals: for an Irish family, of course we had to sing ‘Danny Boy’!

· We sing at local charity events: for example MABS and Pink Ladies (who raise money for cancer screening).

· We loved singing with an American chorus in a beautiful church in Valencia.

· We have performed at some fabulous venues …. in Harrogate, Cork and at many Spanish barbershop conventions. It doesn’t end there. That may be some of the things we’ve done, but there is our future too!

We will be singing with Caprice Choir in two concerts in Jalón on Wednesday. March 20th (7.30pm at Centro Social, Xaló) and Calpe on Saturday, March 23rd (4pm at Hotel Gran Sol).

We raise funds with concerts, and we are famous for our Afternoon Teas which are always a sell-out. We are planning one in May this year. We are travelling again too….. ……busy preparing to take part in a music festival in Prague in November 2024. We will get to sing in lots of beautiful venues and enjoy the city. We loved taking part in an online festival with our friends there, during the pandemic and we’re so looking forward to being there and meeting everyone in person.

So, what will we sing at all our 2024 events? We aways aim to choose songs that we enjoy singing and we know will entertain our audience and give everyone the ‘feel good’ factor. We sing anything from Leadbelly to the iconic Cups song from ‘Pitch Perfect’ and we’re working on some fabulous, new songs.

Spangles is a ladies’ a cappella chorus, singing in four part harmony. We rehearse every Thursday, from 10.30am to 1pm at Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares and visitors are always welcome. If you’d like to book the chorus for an event or you are thinking about joining us, you can find out more on our website: www.spangleschorus.com or email info@spangleschorus.com.

You’re invited to come and meet the Easy Horse Care Centre rescued horses, ponies and donkeys Call 652 021 980 or email rescue@easyhorsecare.net

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

ARENA is around 15 months old and did not have the best start in life so can be a little scared when you first meet her but is good with the other dogs and just wants lots of cuddles and attention. She is vet checked, spayed, fully vaccinated and chipped with a passport. If you are interested, please call 711 075 305 or email: k9clubinfo@gmail.com.

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

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

Across: 6 Fuselage, 7 Huts, 9 Reverberation, 10 Rents, 12 Exact, 14 Tar, 15 Forgo, 16 Adapt, 18 Victoria Cross, 21 Weir, 22 Submerge.

Down: 1 Cute, 2 Repeater, 3 Maybe, 4 Learner, 5 Shot, 8 Twostep, 11 Elf-like, 13 Andersen, 14 Tourist, 17 Samba, 19 Tire, 20 Sigh.

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers. There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.