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FREE GRATIS - FREI - GRATUITEMENT - VAPAA Every 2 weeks, Edition 29, 27th August - 9th September 2010
Hospital Insular Page 6 Charges Anger Canary Islands
Page 10 The Teen Years Explained
Page 16 How Canarians Spend Sunday
Page 20 Rocky S Indian Designer Following recent letters, emails and conversations from readers, our interest in the Las Palmas Insular Hospital had risen. The fabulous letters, emails and conversations praising the facilities and the staff made us want to find out more about this place. It is located at the very entrance of the city of Las Palmas and stands majestically at the
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edge of the main road in front of the ocean. Most of us have been there for one reason or another, maybe even just to visit a relative, however it is a building we Canarians usually take for granted as it has always been there. Its’ location means that quick and easy access is possible and it was designed purposely to take care of patients from the south of the island and the southern tip of Las Palmas.
This is the reason all foreign visitors who require hospital attention are taken directly to this facility. At present it contains a total of 718 beds and has a total built surface area of 89,162m2; spread amongst its’ two buildings. All rooms have fantastic sea views, thus ensuring patients, who are recovering, have a more pleasant outlook during their stay.
Page 24
Continues on page 4 ...
Man´s Best Friend by Kay Owen
The Canary Islands’ most successful FREE Newspaper
2 Island Information
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
BUS TIME TABLE
Las Palmas Airport: 928 579 000
Sea Rescue 900 202 202 & 928 467 757
Sweden - 928 260 884 Switzerland - 928 293 450
Emergency Line: 112 Police, Fire Brigade
Consulates: British Consulate Consul: Matthew Vickers Edificio_Cataluna,_C/Luis Morote 6, 3rd Floor, Las Palmas Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 1.30pm Telephone 928 262 508 www.ukinspain.com
Taxis: 928 154 77 or 902 192 019
Ambulance: 928 492 112 Fire Brigade Las Palmas 928 446 444 Maspalomas 928 762 671 Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, San Bartolomé de Tirajana 928 762 671 Local Police Province - 092 Las Palmas 928 304 600 Maspalomas 928 764 000 Guardia Civil Province 062 Las Palmas 928 762 898 Puerto Rico 928 736 817 S. Bartolomé 928 750 222 National Police Las Palmas Masapalomas 928 764 000
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Deadline Adverts, copy changes, classifieds, clubs and editorial copy: Friday noon for the following Friday’s edition to air your views. Letters on any subject are welcomed by the Editor for publication and must arrive by 12 noon on Friday for consideration for the following Friday’s edition. Priority will be given to letters dealing with local issues. We reserve the right to amend or shorten letters. The Canary News accepts no responsibility for readers´comments. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service you can write to Edificio Mercurio Torre 1, 2ºE, Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, España.
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Ferries: Fred Olsen 928 495 040 Transmediterranea 928 273 884 Armas 928 327 383
Irish Consulate 195, Leon y Castillo, Las Palmas Telephone 928 297 728 Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal -
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928 782 500 928 461 718 928 264 764 928 224 358 928 292 371 928 491 880 928 241 911 928 243 431 922 271 721 928 495 035 928 233 144
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International Pension Centre 0044 191 21 87777 www.thepensionservice. ov.uk Bereavement Benefit 00441912183847 Medical Benefits 0044 191 2181999 (www.dh.gov.uk) HMRC Doctor: British Medical 928 560 016 Chemists: Maspalomas 928 141 552 Playa del Ingles 928 762 173 San Fernando 928 771 625 Arguineguin 928 151 339 Puerto Rico 928 560 661 Mogan 928 565 504 Age Concern España 902 003 838 (www. acespana.org) Swimming Safety Red_flag: No swimming Yellow_flag:Swim with care Green_flag:Safe to swim
Markets in Gran Canaria Agüimes In front of the municipal swimming pool Thursdays 09:00-14:00 Arguineguín La Plaza Negra: Every Tuesday 08:00-14:00 CC Ancora Every Thursday 08.00-14.00 TARA Second Hand Market, Plaza de Pino Seco, Arguinegín Every Saturday 9.00 onwards Arucas Calle Francisco Gourier: Every Saturday 08:00-14:00 Gáldar General Market Plaza de Santiago de Apostól: Every Thursday 08:00-14:00. Gáldar Collectors’ Market Guaires, 26, Tel: 928.55.21.40 Ingenio En el Ejido: First Sunday of every month 09.00-15.00 Jinámar Ramblas de Jinámar (Telde): Sundays 9:00-15:00 Las Palmas Rastro Terrace on top of the bus station Every Sunday 8.00-14.00 Maspalomas Second Hand Market CC Faro 2, Campo Internacional, Maspalomas Sundays 10.00 onwards Maspalomas Artisans’ Market Next to Global Bus Station Meloneras Mercadillo en Meloneras: Every Thursday 10.00-17.00 Mendizábal Calle de Mendizábal, Vegueta, Las Palmas Third Saturday of every month Moya On top of the bus station: Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Playa del Inglés Artesan market, at Parque Europeo, (next to the Minitren) Everyday except Sunday 19.30-23.30. Puerto de Mogán Traditional craft market Plaza del Parking, Puerto de Mogán: Every Monday 09.00-14.30 Puerto de Mogán General Market El Muelle Deportivo: Every Friday 08:00-14:00 San Fernando San Fernando Municipal Market, Maspalomas. Every Wednesday and Saturday: 08:00-14:00 San Fernando Municipal Market Skating ring in San Fernando Every second Sunday 09:00-14:00 San Mateo Every Saturday: 08:00-20:00 and Sundays 08:00-15:00. Santa Brígida Underneath the municipal park in Villa de Santa Brígida. Every Saturday 08:00-20:00 and every Sunday from 08:00-14:00 Santa Catalina Mercadillo in Las Palmas de G.C. Art Gallery of Parque de Santa Catalina Every Sunday between 08.00-14.00.
Santa Lucia Mercadillo de Santa Lucia: Every Sunday 8.00-14.00 Santa María de Guía Plaza del Casco Historico Every Tuesday and Sunday 10.00-14.00 Telde Plaza de San Gregorio, by the bus station Every Saturday 08:00-14:00 Teror Around the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Valleseco Mercado Municipal : Every Sunday 08.00-14.00 Valsequillo Calle Isla de la Gomera : Every Sunday 08:00-14:00 Vecindario Agricultural Market Recinto Ferial Every Monday 08:00-14:00 on La Karpa, Avda. de las Tirajanas Every second Saturday 08.00-14.00 Vecindario General Market Recinto Ferial Every Wednesday 08.00-14.00 Vegueta, Cultural and Craftsmanship market Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Las Palmas de G.C. Every Sunday of every month (except July, August and Sept.) 10.00-14.00.
Distribution Points Just to remind our advertisers and readers that our distribution network covers all of Las Palmas, including tourist offices, Marks and Spencer, large hotels, main shopping centres, the museum, schools and colleges, the Spanish National Health hospital, private clinics, together with smaller private businesses, such as bars and restaurants. The Canary News can now be found in Santa Brigida at the main Spar supermarket in the town; an area which we will be expanding in the future. Other distribution outlets cover the coastline from Las Palmas down to Puerto Mogan but we are always looking for additional, good public places to leave copies of the newspaper. And don’t forget you can always read the newspaper online at www.thecanarynews.com For further details please contact Brian on 667 994 351.
The Canary News does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non appearance of advertisements or advertorials. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or nonappearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsiblity for claims or opinions in the same. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publisher is prohibited E & O E. Edita: JDC Canaries SLU, Imprime: Canarias7, C/Mimosas, s/n-Parcela 131-1ª Fase-Manzana V 35119 Pol. Ind. Arinaga, Villa de Agüimes, Gran Canaria, España.
Events 3
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
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PLAYA DEL INGLÉS
TOPFLOOR WITH BEAUTIFUL SEAVIEW. Completely renovated and furnished apartment with 55 m2 living area. It consists of one bedroom, livingroom with kitchen, bathroom and balcony. Complex with large pools and proper parkinglots. Low community fee !! Price: 98.000 euros
Edificio Mercurio Torre 1, 1st G E-35100, Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, Spain
Hotline: +34 928 771 177 Fax: +34 928 765 800
Email: info@europainmo.com Web: www.europainmo.com
Open: 10:00 - 14:00 hrs. Monday - Friday 17:00 - 20:00 hrs. Monday and Wednesday
MASPALOMAS
DIRECTLY AT THE GOLFCOURSE. Bungalows “Campo Golf”, groundfloor one-bedroom bungalow with sunny terrace in best location. Precious and very popular complex with all ameneties available. Low communityfee. Price: 138.000 euro
SAN FERNANDO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY-HOUSE, with 3 bedr., 3 bathr., living, large indep. kitchen, patio, terrace, large solarium with view and a very large hobby/storrage-room. Competely furnished en equipped. Excellently maintained. Price: 300.000,-- euros
MONTE LEÓN- BUILDING PLOT
SAN AUGUSTÍN
SONNENLAND, BEAUTIFUL BUNGALOW, IDEAL
PUERTO RICO FAMILY-HOUSE. Groudfloor consists of 40 m² terrace and lumber room, large living-/dining room, independent kitchen and bathroom. Topfloor contains 3 bedrooms, bathroom and a large terrace of 26 m² with beautiful seaviews. The complex is a private and quiet and offers a large community pool. The price includes a parkinglot in property. Communityfee 60.€/month. Price: 280.000,-- euros.
PLAYA DEL INGLÉS
UNIQUE SEAVIEWS Large apartment with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Spacious terrace of 16 m2 with spectacular direct seaview and the whole day sun. Large patio. Perfect topcondition and equipped with all details. No direct neighbour and very private. Price: 330.000 euros
Excellent 940 m² large plot for construction. Is sold with or without project for a fine chalet. If wanted immediate realisation is possible. Price: 360.000 euro
FOR PROPER USE. Quiet, one-bedroom bungalow with two bathrooms, two large terraces and private garden with whole-day-sun. Very good and tastfully furnished and with high standard equippement. Private parkinglot. Monthly communityfee only 80.- euro. Price: 144.000 euros
Very spacious, luxurious bungalow with large livingroom, fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and large terrace. Central location. Forms part of a small quiet private complex with pool. Close to the beach and several shopping centres. Community fee only 70,- euros/month. PRICE: 360.000 euros
Fiestas and Upcoming Events Don’t be afraid to visit these events or even to actively participate in them, most are open to everyone and anyone. When wanting to visit a fiesta, always remember that most activities take part during the morning and then restart from about six pm. Also take into account that the big days will inevitably be during the weekend. Be adventurous and enjoy the Island like one of the natives! 1st Santa Lucia Tapas Route Till 31st August. 1 tapa and a drink for 3€ in participating bars and restaurants. Avenida de Canarias in Vecindario and Santa Lucia Village. For more info contact your local Tourist office. Romerias (Celebrations) For August & September: Friday 27th August: “Vará del Pescao”, sailors fiesta on the beach of Arinaga Saturday 4th September: Romeríain honour of San Gregorio Magno (Siete Puertas, Tamaraceite) Tuesday 7th September: Romería de La Virgen del Pino de Teror Friday 10th September: Romería de San Nicolás - La Aldea Saturday 18th September: Romería del Sobradillo en Sardina del Norte Saturday 18th September: Romería de Virgen del Socorro - Tejeda Saturday 18th September: Romería de Virgen de Los Dolores - Schamann (Las Palmas)
Sunday 19th September: Romería de las Marías en Santa Mª de Guía Monday 20th September: Romería de San Mateo. Vega de San Mateo Saturday 25th September: Romería de San Miguel en Valsequillo Saturday 25th September: Romería de San Miguel Arcángel, Temisas Saturday 25th September: Romería de Agüimes (Bajada del Gofio) 18th / 26th September: Romería de San Miguel Arcángel - Vegueta Craft Fair From 20th – 29th August, 18.00-23.00 Faro de Maspalomas XXI Pasito Blanco Big Game Fishing Competition 26th, 27th and 28th August. Pasito Blanco Recreational Port For more Info: www.pasitoblanco.com I Costa Maspalomas Padel Tournament From 14th August till 5th September. Maspalomas Ciudad Deportiva. David Bisbal 2010 Tour 24th September, 22.00 hours. Infecar, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Folk Dancing in Canarian Village 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th September, 11.30 and 13.00 hours. Pueblo Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Painting Exhibition “Canvas Moons” Till 4th September. Every day. Hotel Neptuno, Playa del Ingles.
British Births Abroad
Congratulations if you’ve got a baby on the way! No doubt you’ll have your hands full with your new arrival, but don’t forget to register the birth with the Spanish authorities, as is required. It is advisable to do this within eight days at the nearest Civil Register Office though you may be allowed up to thirty days, or more under special circumstances, following the birth. If you are married then either parent can register the birth, but if not, both parents will have to go along. Getting this registration sorted will be vital for your child to access healthcare and education in the future. Of course, as always with Spanish procedures, you should contact the Spanish authorities directly if you would like more information. There is no obligation to register your child’s birth with the British Consulate-General. However, I hear of lots of people who would like a record of the birth to exist with the UK authorities. If your child is a British National and is born here in Spain, their birth can be registered at the Consulate-General in Madrid by the Passport and Nationality Section. Once registered, you can obtain a British birth certificate from the ConsulateGeneral. At the end of each year, copies of all registrations are sent to the General Register Office in the UK. You can also get a birth certificate from them. You can find all the relevant information and forms at: http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/ en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/birth-registration You’ll need to send the application form along with the documentation and fee listed on our website to the Consulate-General in Madrid. If you’re already sending another application to the capital, for example to request a passport for your child, why not register the birth at the same time? If your children are grown up, or if you were born in Spain and didn’t register the birth with the Consulate-General, it’s not too late to make the application. Providing you supply the right documentation and fee, the birth can still be registered at the British Consulate-General and the registration lodged with the General Register Office. Particularly if you intend to move back to the UK to live, you could find that having you or your child’s birth already registered is really convenient. For example, you may be required to provide a British birth certificate when claiming family benefits in the UK. For more information on birth registration and other services offered by the British Consular Network in Spain, see ukinspain.fco.gov.uk I hope you and your growing family stay healthy and well, All the best, Matthew Vickers, British Consul, Canary Islands
4 Local News
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
www.thecanarynews.com
Hospital Insular attend to almost every ailment including the needs of patients from the island of Fuerteventura.
of these occasions I cannot remember any bad memories or situations, quite the contrary if anything!
Some of the main areas the Hospital specialises in are:
And of course if you remember the lovely email we received from the Cridge family which we published in the last edition of The Canary News, where they couldn’t praise the staff high enough.
Allergies, Dermatology, Digestive problems, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry Rheumatology, Detoxification Unit, Unit for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, General Surgery, Oral Surgery, Plastic surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation, Intensive Care Unit, Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Emergency Department, Clinical Laboratories, Pathology, Preventive medicine, and much, much more.
Continued from front page ... In 1968, due to the huge and rapid population growth on the island, the ‘Cabildo’ of Gran Canaria approved the construction of this new hospital. The first building was constructed on 6,000 square metres and provided the growing populating with a total of 460 beds. These building works cost a total of 390 million pesetas as the currency was then. The initial workforce was made up from staff from the old ‘Cabildo’ hospitals of Angudos and San Martin, and it’s first ever director was Cayetano Guerra Aleman. On the 13th February 1971, the
Hospital Insular opened its’ doors with a total of 509 workers, and in the middle of September the patients from the San Martin hospital were taken to the new facilities. This was the real beginning of serving the Canarian and foreign populations. Today the hospital is made up of two main buildings; one for general medicine and the other for maternity and paediatrics. There is still extensive building work going on in an attempt to offer even more facilities, which includes a new maternity wing. Throughout the years the hospital departments have grown steadily, and can
I do realise that our National Health Service sometimes has a bad name, but the same applies to most other countries. In general our sanitary services are good, and its’ staff includes some of the best professionals from Latin America and Spain.
This was awarded letter of the week, but because they are now back home they asked us to pass on the ‘free Combo meal at Fusion restaurant’ to one of the staff, which we are delighted to do. So a very big THANK YOU to all the hardworking, dedicated staff who provide a very real service to our communities and visitors. By Tito Cabral
On several occasions I have had to use the facilities myself; when I was 8 and had to have my appendix removed, my fathers’ bypass operation, my mothers’ back operation and of course the happiest day of my life, the birth of my son Dany. On every single one
We Are Still First Choice For Service
The merger between First Choice & Thomson means that these two award-winning brands are now able to combine to offer Gran Canarian residents & visitors the very best service.
All prices are reviewed on a weekly basis 20 kgs baggage, all taxes and fees are included in the price It is a level of service far beyond what you will find when you book over the internet, and if you value peace of mind and the service that makes all the difference, then First Choice & Thomson should be your first stop.
Now under the company umbrella of Tui Travel UK & Ireland, we continue to offer an unparalleled service and choice and are continually improving and updating our operations. Service is the heart of both brands, so when you arrive at Las Palmas airport you will see all staff now wearing the same uniform, (see photo on this page). So whoever you approach you’re guaranteed the same friendly service from each one. Thomson Airways have big plans for the future and in 2012 we will be the first company to use the new Dreamliner plane, which will herald a greener new age for air travel.
So to find out more, just get in touch – we’ll do our best to find the right flights for you. Drop us a line at Grancanaria.flights@ tui-uk.co.uk or phone 0034 928 723 501. We can offer you within our Award winning service, (see our ad on page 13)
A wide range of one way & return flights from the UK & Ireland
One way and return flights bookable for the full season in advance
Flights to 14 airports in the UK & Ireland over 3 different days
Alternatively, you can pop in and see us at Avda de Galder 74, San Fernando, just up from the Euro Spar.
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New Sculpture to Welcome Visitors in Las Palmas
Local News 5
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
to achieve a more positive attitude towards going back to work days before the holiday period is over, and try to get back into the daily routine in a gradual manner wherever possible.
The Southern Authorities will close down businesses with Excess Noise
A new sculpture has been approved to be located at the entrance of Las Palmas; to be more precise on the beach of La Laja, and it will welcome visitors both tourist and local to the city. The piece named “Exordio, the merman”, by the Canarian artist Manolo Gonzalez, will be made of solid copper, and will measure nine metres high, six wide and thirty long, making quite an impression no doubt. The statue which represents the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite, depicts his half human nature and his other half fish, represented in this case by a long tail which goes down from the main figure on the La Laja view point to the marine pathway underneath. He will be signalling the way to the city with one arm and with the other he will be holding a sea shell and blowing through it. This, according to mythology, he did to control the force of the waves.
One of every two Spaniards suffers from post holiday stress!
La Laja Flies a Red Flag
The Ayuntamiento of San Bartolome de Tirajana authorities are to toughen up on businesses who exceed the legal noise limit. As announced by the Consejal of Urbanismo, Carlos Alamo, public authorities will get tougher on noise control and will close down with immediate effect any business which exceeds the authorised noise levels, which today cannot go further than 40 decibels. Alamo also pointed out the fact that most complaints don’t come directly from nightclubs and bars but from youngsters gathering in parks and other public areas in order to drink before going out.
He also points out that their aim is not to target these night businesses but to ensure that they comply with the law and to ensure that everyone’s needs are satisfied.
Tourist Visits Increase by 16%
The most likely to suffer from these problems are the workers who were having problems in their work place and after the holiday period have to go back and face these problems again. It is recommended that we all try
The urban Beach of Las Palmas, La Laja, located at the entrance of the city has recently been flying a red flag prohibiting swimming to all users. This, the only beach in the city to have been granted the European Blue Flag this year, received this blow due to a large petroleum spillage which headed towards the beach. The oil slick which was estimated to measure 1.3 kilometres long and 50 meters wide was dangerously close to the beach obliging the local authorities to prohibit bathing in its waters. Fortunately the authorities managed to control the spillage and re-open the beach soon after the detection.
Teething Problems for Canarian Police Force The new Canarian police force is barely a month old and is already experiencing rumblings of discontent within its ranks.
According to specialist from the Tres Torres hospital in Barcelona 50% of all Spaniards suffer from post holiday stress. This causes sadness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, muscular pains, digestion problems, nausea, and other similar symptoms.
As Emma Ribas points out, “it is a simple group of symptoms which appear before a situation which does not satisfy, and quite normal, and although it is not considered pathological, if the symptoms persist we should seek professional help in order to treat them”.
In Germany we have a similar picture as their economy is almost completely back to normal, showed by an increase in German visitors by 5%. On the other hand, Gran Canaria almost monopolises the visits from Nordic countries attracting a total of 65% of the holiday makers, as well as an increase of 10% on National tourism from the mainland. Good news for all of us, now we only need to ensure they have a good time so they come back!
He also understands the difficulty in trying to balance the needs of the different tourist, some looking for peace and quiet and others for a more night orientated ambience.
These symptoms appear due to a change in routine, a negative feeling is constructed from a negative attitude towards going back to reality, although it is highlighted that this is not depression as such, and the symptoms never last more than 2 weeks.
The increase of direct flights from almost every destination in the UK, the strength regained by the pound and the steady economic recuperation of Britain have been the key factors for the increase of British tourists.
Controversially assigned to what were vaguely called ‘support duties’ in July due to lack of clarity over their functions and powers compared to Spain’s National Police and Civil Guard, the new officers have already complained at long shifts and poorly-planned rostering.
The levels of tourists visiting the island of Gran Canaria has seen an increase of 16% during the first half of summer, compared to last year’s figures, making a total of half a million visitors during May and June. The Tourism Patronato of Gran Canaria, highlighted the increase in British, German and Nordic sectors although they have also experienced growth amongst the Italians, Belgium’s and Polish showing that Gran Canaria is once again regaining its’ image in Europe.
The recently created Canarian Police Union, which represents many of the hundred officers recruited to date, says its members are working around 60 hours a week and some have been obliged to turn out for five successive weekends. Critics of the force say the discontent is an inevitable outcome of the un-professional approach taken by the regional government, which in its eagerness to get it off the ground this summer, had to deploy officers to support crowd control at major events on a number of islands because they had no real work to perform. The union says the deployment was ill-prepared and senior officers are ‘making it up as they go along’.
6 Local News
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
www.thecanarynews.com
Charges Angers Canaries Ryanair passengers to the Canary Islands will continue to pay higher baggage charges originally introduced as a temporary revenue-generation measure for July and August, even though the charges are being reduced in September for all other routes. The airline announced on 30 July that checked-in bag fees for most routes would return to €/£15 per bag from September 1st, as opposed to the €/£20 charge imposed during the peak travel months, with the charge for heavier bags dropping to €/£25 from the summer tariff of €/£30. However, in a move which has been criticised by the holiday sector, not to mention passengers affected, it has opted to maintain the higher summertime charges for international flights to the Canary Islands.
flights was not surprising; ‘if any routes are going to have a higher hold baggage ratio it is the ones to the Canaries, given that stays tend to be longer and the islands are very popular with families. So, with one fell swoop, the airline can generate an extra €5 per head for around half the flight’ he said. The move has caused confusion amongst passengers who have already booked flight postSeptember.
A Ryanair spokesman said the impact would be minimal give that, ‘almost 70 per cent of passengers would not be affected as they did not check in baggage’. The claim is debatable however, if one
considers the long queues frequently experienced at the airline’s bag-drop counters at airports such as Las Palmas and Tenerife South. A travel industry insider said the decision to maintain the higher tariff for Canarian
Ryanair’s announcement coincided with extensive UK media coverage of its decision to charge three top musicians almost £1,400 to allow their priceless violins to occupy seats next to them on a flight to London from Frankfurt after ruling that the cases, which could have fitted in an overhead locker, were bigger than the permitted size – 55cms by 40cms by 20cms.
The Night the Sky Cries Around mid August an astronomical phenomenon occurs in our skies which the people of Spain have baptised “Lagrimas de San Lorenzo”, Tears of San Lorenzo. This year it occurred during the nights of 11th and 12th of August and as it had been something I had always heard about but never seen, I decided to go and see it for myself.
Apparently the best place to see this is high up in the mountains where the light reflections from the big towns and cities is not seen and does not reflect against the atmosphere. I was a little worried as the time this was going to occur, we were going through exceptionally high temperatures which had brought with it the Calima;
dust suspended in the atmosphere and originating from the Sahara Dessert, which could affect the visibility. When I arrived it was confirmed that it was quite a popular event as people from all corners of the island had made their way up and found a spot to lay on and look up to the stars.
by the Swift Tuttle comet is always in the same place and due to the earth’s orbit, the passage of it always coincides during the same period.
Fortunately the Calima was less dense at this altitude and just to look up and see the stars here was a spectacle on its own. Patiently we all waited for the first signs of shooting stars which were supposed to start from midnight. Soon after midnight we started witnessing the first rays of light, it is a phenomenon which can be enjoyed without the aid of visual equipment, and soon all around us we could hear people gasp in surprise and amazement, comments of “Did you see it?” sprung everywhere although they soon died out, and we were all consumed by the silence. You see this year was supposed to be exceptionally good in terms of quantity of shooting stars, due to the lack of a moon, as informed by the local news, and they were right, up to one hundred stars could be seen in one hour and as soon as the novelty wore off we simply watched in silence as one after the other of the Tears of San Lorenzo Flew over our heads.
However it is not the only such phenomenon which occurs during the year: The Leonidas occurs between the 14th and 20th of November. The Geminidas between 7th and 17th December, known for the intensity and quantity of stars. The Cuadrantidas between 1st and 5th of January.
Apparently they are not stars as such but particles of dust smaller than a grain of sand which when entering the earth’s atmosphere catch fire which produces a trail of light which momentarily lights up.
The Liridas between the 15th and 20th of April.
This cloud of dust which was generated
By Tito Cabral
If you get the chance don’t miss out, take the whole family up to the mountains as it is something you will never forget!
Local News 7
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
3rd Handicraft Fair in Maspalomas
From 20th August until the 29th of the same month the large area in front of the Faro de Maspalomas will be taken over by craftsmen and women showing their work and selling to any interested buyer. The fair, which opens daily from 18.00 to 23.00 hours, gives this usually empty area a great boost.
This year the exhibits include; pottery; both traditional and modern Canarian, toy makers, blacksmith, jewellers, perfume and soap makers, miniature figure makers, fabric decorators, traditional Canarian knife maker, wood craftsmen, wax workers, glass workers, leather crafts and even one who uses recycled materials for his creations.
The idea behind this initiative, promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the Ayuntamiento of San Bartolome de Tirajana, is to promote the crafts industry and of course the local Canarian products.
A total of 47 craftsmen and women have congregated for this year’s event with the hope of exceeding last year’s success, which managed to turn over a total of 80.000€ after a total investment of 24.000€ (the same investment which the Cabildo of Gran Canaria has allocated for this year’s event). For the event the Ayuntamiento has provided tent like cubicles where local artisans who are participating, can use these as improvised shops, and where each and every one of them can artistically exhibit their creations in full view of all the curious who venture down there.
The material and crafts on show are quite fascinating and the work these men and women do is admirable. Being handmade also has a price, but just think that you will be taking home a unique piece! So please go and support our local crafts industry. By Tito Cabral
8 Letters to the Editor
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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Editors Column
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Letter of the week Hi there, My family and I have returned from a fantastic week at Gran Canaria. We stayed at the Cay Beach Princess hotel. One member of staff really stood out - Manolo. He was always smiling and working hard every day. A very friendly man. He made a great holiday even better. Here is a photo of him with the children. Regards Wayne Andrews P.S. I am trying to find out the acts that performed at the hotel last week (dancing, magic, birds of prey), but have so far come away empty handed. Is there any way you could help, or point me in the right direction of finding the information? I cannot find any contact details for the hotel (or Melissa who, I believe runs and books the events at the hotel). Apologies for the slightly cheeky request It’s nice to hear you had a good holiday, sorry we couldn’t include the photo you sent. However we have emailed you the details of the hotel and also forwarded on your request to them directly. Hope you return again to our island. Ed Dear Editor, Our very good friend Kay Owen has suggested that we write to you about our experience whilst on holiday in Gran Canaria. But before I do I must tell you about all the positive things that we like about the island and the people of the island. We have visited four of the Canary islands and we like Gran Canaria the best. It is so easy to get around all of the island, the roads are in good shape, and the people are so friendly and helpful. During our time there we have made very good friends with a Canarian family, and one of their sons spent almost a year with us in order to learn English. When he came to us he could only speak about five words in English, but when he left to go home he was fluent. We are now considered part of his family and he calls us his English Father and Mother. The reason for this last visit was to be present at his wedding, and it was a lovely day, and quite different to an English wedding.
Consumers office in Arguineguin. They told us that they are getting three to four such reports every week and are trying hard to get this practice stopped. Yours sincerely, David & Heather Jack Norfolk. PS I have now retired from being an associate pastor due to advancing years, but hope to return to Gran Canaria again one day as we have so many friends on the island. Sorry to hear about your bad experience David, but let me say it’s only a very small number of shops who carry out this bad practice, which of course ruins it for the rest of the honest ones. Let’s hope you do return to Gran Canaria soon. Ed There was an interesting article in La Provincia last Sunday about all the complaints to the police from hotel owners about noise, vandalism and drunken loutish behaviour in Playa del Inglés, which they claim the police aren´t taking seriously. It mentioned underage Canarians drinking in the streets til the early hours and making a right mess. I wish they would take people´s safety and comfort more seriously so that tourists will not be put off what was once a very safe resort. On a more positive note, my partner and I had a fantastic experience at a restaurant called Tutti Frutti in the San Agustin shopping centre. In a drive to ‘beat the crisis’ they have slashed their prices, printing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ ones side by side - so a fresh Dover sole meal that once cost 8.40euros is now 5.90 euros, while a large bottle of fizzy water is only 95cents. It was packed, not surprisingly, by people who were intelligent enough to search around, compare prices and vote with their feet. The same goes for the fish restaurant ‘Bar Playa’ in El Pajar, down on the beach just before Arguineguin. This is a no-frills place but with great food and views, who cares? For those who want to try it out, bear in mind that it´s closed from 5-8pm and on Thursdays - otherwise, arrive early to reduce your waiting time! Theresa Coe PS - I read with interest your editorial about problems using ferries and planes with the residents’ discount. I almost wasn´t allowed to board my last flight to the mainland as I only had a photocopy of my residency letter on me - it´s essential, apparently, to always take the original letter.
More informal and all the guests made us feel so welcome, even though they could not speak English. Now to my grumble. Will you please warn visitors to Gran Canaria to be very careful when buying any camera. We were enticed into a shop, and a lot of smooth and fast Thanks for your feedback and comments Theresa. Ed talk we were sold a video camera that was a fake. Fortunately for us our Canarian family came to our aid and we returned the camera and got our money back. Just while we were in the shop another English couple came with the same make of camera and had found the same as us, that theirs was a fake also. They also got their money back. If you decide to publish my letter - I do hope that it will save others from the difficulties we had. This took place in Puerto Rico, and we reported the affair to the
Barrie, Our ‘Twitters from the Atlantic’ writer, explains the month of August with great clarity and humour – The Big Sleep. Yes, of course this month is usually the hottest and everyone slows down, and this year has been no exception, especially as the temperatures seemed to have been at an all time high for days on end. This month has been particularly dire for newsworthy items, as the whole ‘Canarian world’ seems to be down here in the south on holiday. It never ceases to amaze me how many necessary items Canarians need to bring when they come south; even down to mattresses and televisions! But the one thing which stands out from all the rest is the incredible amount of noise these holiday makers can endure. Forget the police cracking down on the decibel output from bars and restaurants, they should visit some of the complexes. In all my life I have never heard a game of dominos produce such a high volume of banging on the table, shouts of glee as someone beats someone else, or the children shouting at full pitch for their parents to come and watch them in the pool. What happened to the afternoon siesta for the little ones - and the big ones come to that? But, hey, it’s holiday time after all and they should be able to enjoy themselves at least once a year. I will say that at precisely midnight everyone seems to vanish, music is turned off and the children finally go to bed. Bless them all, but could you do it a little quieter next time please? It’s official it’s finally over, the recession is on its way out, or so I am told by my reliable informants. Businesses are starting to see a slow but steady increase in customers wanting to spend money, albeit cautiously. The clever ones cut their profit margins by dropping prices or offering special deals – these are the ones who have survived and can finally see a ray of hope where there was once just a black cloud of dismay. So who’s doing what and where? Well it seems that some of the beauty and hairdressing parlours have seen a nice increase in trade with main emphasis on massage treatments and manicures, whilst bars and restaurants serving good quality food at affordable prices are no longer empty. Of course, they are still not trading as they did many years ago, but those are bygone years and a return to the pre-recession times caused by the Bankers is highly unlikely. Can we say we have learnt then by tightening our belts and making it through the last eighteen months? I sincerely hope so. Finally, you will see once again appeals to our generosity by Nina on our Scandinavian page. The Norwegians, who seem to be a nation with the biggest heart, are yet to arrive for their winter sojourn, so it seems it’s down to the rest of us to help out families who can’t even afford to eat. Yet I do ask myself, what is the government of Gran Canaria doing to support it’s own people? Why are there so many of their people virtually on the ‘bread line’ whilst others drive around in big flashy cars with the latest model of the iphone glued to their ears? Whatever happened to the policy of looking after your own; old, infirm and needy? Greed and selfishness nearly always rears its ugly head, let’s just hope these elements of our society never find themselves in the same unfortunate position.
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More Stress For The Dollar Within the Eurozone the market did not seem that bothered and the results from the ECB testing did not have any major impact upon the pound to euro exchange rate.
summer, Dont expect this to be the long term situationas Mr Obama Will do everything he can to try to get the US econnomy moving after all we all need it for when The USA sneezes it seems the UK catches a cold.
And there was also good news from Greece, where its so-called Budget Rebalancing Act seems to be working with both the IMF and the European Central Bank declaring they were satisfied with the “impressive progress”.
In the short term expect the pound to see rates between 1.20 and 1.23 euros to the pound.
This meant that Greece was able to drawdown a further nine billion euros from the bail out fund. I would happily show them my financial plans if they are prepared to offer me similar! All this meant that the euro did not lose ground this month and the range during the last couple of weeks has been between 1.175 to 1.21 euros to the pound. The recent review of the EU economy saw interest rates being held for a 15th month in a row reflecting certain optimism about the prospects of growth.
How many times of late have you read about the “Stress Tests”?
Finance 9
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
The UK has now gone a staggering 18 months without an interest rate change, with good news coming out of the UK seeing factory orders at their highest for two years, GDP growth up a little and retailers predicting stronger growth in the coming month.
They are the new financial buzz words and relate to the European Banking System, which has undergone tests of its main banks, with surpringly satisfying results.
Maybe at last people are finding the ability to spend again. All sounds very good until you hear questions being asked about the state of the UK housing market and the recent result showing a drop in UK mortgage approvals. Still you can’t win them all.
While there were few surprises about the banks that failed the test, what is a surprise was that we in Europe were behind the Chinese who undertook their review back in May.
Things are more exciting in the USA where doubts grow about its economy. The dollar has lost ground against the euro and pound, which is good news if you are interested in going to the USA for your holiday this
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10 Family Life
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You’ve lived through 2 AM feedings, toddler temper tantrums, and the back-to-school blues. So why is the word “teenager” causing you so much anxiety?
and this is a time of emotional ups and downs, that stereotype certainly is not representative of most teens.
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
The Teen Years
But the primary goal of the teen years is to achieve independence. For this to occur, teens will start pulling away from their parents — especially the parent whom they’re the closest to. This can come across as teens always seeming to have different opinions than their parents or not wanting to be around their parents in the same way they used to.
When you consider that the teen years are a period of intense growth, not only physically but morally and intellectually, it’s understandable that it’s a time of confusion and upheaval for many families. Despite some adults’ negative perceptions about teens, they are often energetic, thoughtful, and idealistic, with a deep interest in what’s fair and right. So, although it can be a period of conflict between parent and child, the teen years are also a time to help children grow into the distinct individuals they will become. Understanding the Teen Years So when, exactly, does adolescence start? The message to send your child is: Everybody’s different. There are early bloomers, late arrivers, speedy developers, and slow-but-steady growers. In other words, there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal.
Many children announce the onset of adolescence with a dramatic change in behavior around their parents. They’re starting to separate from Mum and Dad and to become more independent. At the same time, children this age are increasingly aware of how others, especially their peers, see them and are desperately trying to fit in.
As teens mature, they start to think more abstractly and rationally. They’re forming their moral code. And parents of teens may find that children who previously had been willing to conform to please them will suddenly begin asserting themselves — and their opinions — strongly and rebelling against parental control. You may need to look closely at how much room you give your teen to be an individual and ask yourself questions such as: “Am I a controlling parent?,” “Do I listen to my child?,” and “Do I allow my child’s opinions and tastes to differ from my own? Will This Ever Be Over?
But it’s important to make a (somewhat artificial) distinction between puberty and adolescence. Most of us think of puberty as the development of adult sexual characteristics: breasts, menstrual periods, pubic hair, and facial hair. These are certainly the most visible signs of impending adulthood, but children who are showing physical changes (between the ages of 8 and 14 or so) can also be going through a bunch of changes that aren’t readily seen from the outside. These are the changes of adolescence.
Children often start “trying on” different looks and identities, and they become acutely aware of how they differ from their peers, which can result in episodes of distress and conflict with parents.
Read the words carefully ! Can you imagine yourself to be the nun that is sitting at her desk grading these papers all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!
Afterwards, moses went up to mount cyanide to get the ten commandments.
20. It was a miricle when jesus rose from the dead and a bigger one when he lifted the tombstone off the entrance.
9. The first commandments was when eve told adam to eat the stupid apple.
21. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels.
Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. If you know the bible even a little, you’ll find this hilarious! It comes from a catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the old and new testaments. The following statements about the bible were written by children. They have not been retouched or corrected. Incorrect spelling has been left in.
10. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
22. The epistels were the wives of the apostles.
Clashing Heads One of the common stereotypes of adolescence is the rebellious, wild teen continually at odds with Mum and Dad. Although it may be the case for some children
As children progress through the teen years, you’ll notice a slowing of the highs and lows of adolescence. And, eventually, they’ll become independent, responsible, communicative young adults. So remember the motto of many parents with teens: We’re going through this together, and we’ll come out of it — together!
A Catholic Primary School Test
1. In the first book of the bible, guinessis. God got tired of creating the world so he took the sabbath off. 2. Adam and eve were created from an apple tree. Noah’s wife was joan of ark. Noah built an ark and the animals came on in pears. 3. Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night. 4. The jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic genitals. 5. Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like delilah. 6. Samson slayed the philistines with the axe of the apostles. 7. Moses led the jews to the red sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients. 8. The egyptians were all drowned in the dessert.
11. Moses died before he ever reached canada. Then joshua led the hebrews in the battle of geritol. 12. The greatest miricle in the bible is when joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him!! Can you believe it? 13. David was a hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times. 14. Solomon, one of davids sons,had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. 15. When mary heard she was the mother of jesus, she sang the magna carta. 16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found jesus in the manager. 17. Jesus was born because mary had an immaculate contraption. 18. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on everyone’s head. 19. Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.
23. One of the oppossums was st. Matthew who was also a taximan. 24. St. Paul cavorted to christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marraige. 25. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
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Feature 11
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Hemi-Sync in Gran Canaraia For the very first time in Gran Canaria: TMI Weekend Excursions with Hemi-Sync! For the first time ever, two-day-workshops from the Monroe Institute (TMI) will be held in the north of Gran Canaria in the idyllic settings of the rural hotel Las Calas in San Mateo. In these beautiful, relaxing surroundings and with the help of the Hemi-Sync technology, participants will be able to discover the full potential of their brains through hemispheric synchronization: Deep relaxation, focused attention, expanded awareness, problem solving and connecting to their intuition are only some of the results of Hemi-Sync, even Out of Body (OBE) states are possible for some participants. You may have heard of binaural beats, which induce brainwave patterns through the use of sound. Brainwave frequencies are so low that the range of human hearing does not allow for us to hear them directly. By playing a 100Hz signal into the left ear and 106.5Hz signal into the right ear, for example, we “trick” the brain to perceive the 6.5 Hz beat frequency difference by “hearing” a completely third sound in the headphones. The combination of these sounds helps the participants to achieve deep relaxing states in a very short time. “One Gateway alumnus, the ninety-one-year-old head of a Zen Buddhist temple...believes that Gateway
students can reach meditation states in a week that took him years of sitting. His temple now uses CDs from The Monroe Institute as a training tool.” — The Wall Street Journal The Weekend Excursion is a workshop where the participants listen to the Hemi-Sync exercises via wireless stereo headphones lying down or sitting comfortably either in their rooms, in the lush gardens or cosy living room of the hotel. After each exercise the participants are encouraged to journal their impressions or share them at the group gatherings, if they so wish. Excursion 1 in English: Thursday the 30th of September - Saturday the 2nd of October 2010 Excursion 1 in Spanish: Friday the 8th of October - Sunday the 10th of October 2010 Price of 330€ (reservation 100€) includes • Shared accommodation in double rooms and full board
Your European Health Insurance Card The EHIC entitles you to reduced cost (or sometimes free) healthcare where treatment becomes necessary during a temporary visit to other countries of the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The card is only valid for treatment offered under the state healthcare schemes operating in these countries; it gives you access to treatment under the same terms as people who live in the country you are visiting. The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. Since it may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs, you are advised to take out a travel insurance policy in addition to the EHIC. The EHIC does not cover situations where patients to abroad, in order to be treated in hospitals overseas, your Primary Care Trust or Local Health Board can advise you further about this. Further information, including a full list of countries covered along with details of their ‘health systems’ can be found on line at www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad. We strongly advise that you take this information with you when you travel, as it also tells you what to do if treatment does become necessary during your trip. Important Information Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued to you on the understanding that the information you
supplied in your application is correct and complete, to the best of your knowledge. The EHIC does not provide entitlement to NHS services if the information on the card you have received is wrong. If you lose your card, or if the card is damaged or stolen or the details on your card change please call the Helpline on 0845 605 0707. If you go abroad to live or work on a long-term basis (including to other EEA countries or Switzerland), please return the EHIC to us. This does not apply if you are posted to another EEA country by your UK employer.
• Snacks and drinks through out the whole stay • Working materials in corresponding language • Diploma • 150 discount voucher for the residential Gateway Voyage. www.monroeinstitute.org ; www.biotono.es ; www. facebook.com/judith.schjorring (click events) For reservation or information call Judith on (+34)649 962 075 or email judith.schjorri@terra.es
12 Scandinavian Scene
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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Scandinavian Property Market with Nina Blaafjell The most important Scandinavian Magazine in Gran Canaria “Dag & Natt“ has interviewed the real estate sector about the Scandinavian Market and how the crisis is affecting the sector.
loans, and must therefore sell. In addition, a number of tourist complexes are closing and changing into private complexes, as tourists want to stay in modern hotels or apartments with more facilities. All this has contributed to an over-supply in the market that opens up for large price reductions which benefits the buyers.
The main criteria’s for our Scandinavian clients are a large terrace with plenty of sun exposure and a nice sea view. It also has great significance that the residence is located in a quiet area with close access to the beach and various local amenities.
One of the most important references in Real Estate in the South of Gran Canaria is Carolina García Chagrin of Cárdenas Real Estate. This is just a short extract from her interview;
What is the price per square meter that a Scandinavian buyer in Gran Canaria should expect to pay to fulfil their dreams of a second home in the south?
How large of a percentage of your customers are Scandinavians, and how interesting is the Scandinavian market to you?
At present the approximate price per square meter is 3000 Euros in Arguineguin and approximately 2000 Euros in Puerto Rico.
A total of 50% of the properties that we sold last year were purchased by Scandinavians, especially Norwegians. It is therefore considered to be our main market, and we are pleased that the financial crisis has not damaged Norway to the same extent as in many other countries. We do also feel that the market is gaining strength.
Can financing be obtained in Spanish banks, or must it be arranged from your home country? Most of our Scandinavian customers organize selffinancing in their respective homelands. It is also possible to obtain financing in Spain, but only 60% of the purchase price. To obtain a loan in Spain as a foreigner it requires a relatively large amount of documentation, which makes it easier for most people to arrange a loan from their homeland. Also in Spain to obtain financing from the bank there are costs of approx. 3% (taxes, government fees, etc) which as I understand are not as high in other countries.”
In what way has the financial crisis affected the real estate market on Gran Canaria? The financial crisis has affected the prices in a negative way, which gives a negative impact to those who sell and a positive for those who buy. The national market is limited because the banks have large loan restrictions. This leaves us a group of buyers with a strong capital, mostly foreigners. The offers of apartments have increased, because people here are unable to pay their
What preferences does an average Scandinavian have when they are buying a house/apartment in the south?
Article by Dag & Natt, translation by Natalia Ballester & Lucy Evan
Food Project Want the Norwegians to Come Back I have been volunteering for the food project run by the association Las Lomas de Arguineguin for quite some time . We previously reported on how the local Norwegian population raised money for the organisation over the winter months. However, some time has passed since many of the Norwegians went back to Norway for the summer, and it may still be some time before they come back. In the meantime funds are running very low at the association. Last week they provided food for 86 families, 282 people in total. They have had some help from the European Food Bank, but those supplies are also running out. Products they are currently low on include baby food, tuna, oil & cereals.
You can donate food buy leaving it in the assigned basket in the Hiperdino supermarket in Arguineguin after you finish your shopping. You can also make donations to the association’s bank account - la Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo (CAM) , sucursal de Arguineguín: (IBAN ES62) 2090 5702 60 0040064235. I am also happy to collect any donated food at my shop, Puerto Rico Diving, in the Europa Centre in Puerto Rico. You can also contact me on info@prdiving.com with any questions or donations. The association are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to adopt one of the families and help provide food for them on a regular basis.
Gran Canarian Dogs Re-homed in Norway
Marianne Øyen, whom we have written about before in the Canary News, was back on the Island this week with her friend Siv. Siv has adopted one of the dogs Marianne took back from Gran Canaria. Marianne normally only takes small dogs back to Norway; reason for this being that there are a lot of larger dogs in Norway who need re-homing but not so many smaller dogs. The dog that Siv adopted was one of the largest dogs Marianne took back, a Cocker Spaniel. She named the dog Laika and has had her for around 6 months. Laika was already 8 or 9 years old by the time they took her to Norway. Siv is delighted with her. She says it is almost like she knows she has had a second chance and is a very grateful and loving dog. It is evident that Laika has a dedicated and loving owner and a great new life. Marianne will be taking two more dogs back to Norway when she leaves this time. The dogs Marianne takes back to Norway normally come from the municipal pound and are prepared in advance by her contact here. They need to have all their paperwork and vaccinations in order before they can travel to Norway.
Marianne has also taken the opportunity while she was here to meet with Muriel and Brian from Tara. Muriel explained that they like to re-home dogs locally as far as possible, but the most important thing is to find a suitable home. Marianne is very thorough in choosing homes for the dogs she takes back. She matches the dog’s personalities to those who wish to adopt to find the best matches. This is a policy that Muriel and Brian like very much and are therefore interested in keeping in contact with Marianne should they have dogs which are suitable. At the moment they have two small dogs which have had all their vaccinations and which Marianne may take back to Norway next month. The dogs were intended for England but the owners have disappeared and the dogs were left in kennels. The kennels eventually phoned Tara, who are looking after them, when they were unable to locate the owners. You can follow Tara on Facebook or via their website at www.tara-animales.org. You can also contact them on 607671617. Marianne’s home page is www. hundeomplassering.org
Horoscopes 13
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
ARIES Mar 21 - April 20
CANCER June 22 - July 23
LIBRA Sept 24 - Oct 23
CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20
Emotionally, financially, logistically, everything becomes an ‘issue’; a tricky sticky subject that we can’t quite escape. Keep your head it will work out in the end. .
There is nothing weak about letting someone else win a battle. It is definitely not okay, though, to let them win the war.
Once a decision has been made, can it be unmade? Why, of course. There is rarely a stitch that can’t be unpicked or a choice that can’t be revisited.
There is a big decision to be made over the next few days. You are somewhat concerned lest you make the wrong choice. Think carefully and you will make the right decision.
TAURUS April 23 - May 21
LEO July 24 - Aug 23
AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19
If there is a drawback to an advantage that you are now starting to gain, look for a way round it. Trust your own instincts and don’t listen to others.
If something now is unclear, that is because it is multi-faceted. Seek a deeper understanding, not a swifter resolution.
Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22 If you feel glad about what is now being triggered in your heart, allow it to engulf you. If you would prefer to be less disturbed by a difficult emotion, you will find that you can exercise more control over it than you might imagine.
GEMINI May 22 - June 21
VIRGO Aug 24 - Sept 23
SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22
PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20
This week, a relationship is changing. But which one? And in which way? Don’t think too hard about any of this. Just be sincere.
You now fear that you may have recently got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Should you stop doing what you have been doing and start doing something else? Think a little longer before you decide.
Have you ever seen an angel? You have! It’s just that, probably, at the time, you didn’t realise that it was an angel you were looking at. An angel is touching your life, today.
You are now being pulled in one direction and pushed in another. But you have the ability to resist all this pressure. Take a step back and do what’s best for you.
People take you for granted and treat your generosity as a weakness they can exploit. But being kind always gets you somewhere - and it is always somewhere worth getting.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY “ When you are desperate for success, the forces of nature will conspire with you to succeed.”
14 ‘Twitters from the Atlantic’
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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by Barrie Mahoney
Barrie Mahoney was a teacher, head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands as a newspaper editor. He is still enjoying life in the sun as a writer and author.
‘The Big Sleep’ Have you noticed that often when we go into a shop in the UK, and the item that we need is out of stock, we are told that it will be “in on Tuesday”? Similarly, in Spain, the response is usually the predictable, “mañana”. However, this is not the case in the Canary Islands. Here we have the more elaborate response, given with a shrug of the shoulders, of “It will be about six weeks, as it has to come by boat from Barcelona”. It is something, that after the initial frustrations, we learn to accept. After all, we do have the most wonderful climate and the worry about getting a certain design of wall tile quickly fades into insignificance. Does 15 August mean anything to you? Well, it is the Feast of the Assumption, Independence Day for India, Liberation Day for South Korea and Madonna’s birthday for starters. Yes, the 15 August is an important day for many people around the world and, most importantly for the good people of these small islands, it is the official beginning of ‘The Big Sleep’. I say it is the official beginning of ‘The Big Sleep’ because, in reality, it has really been going on since the beginning of July and will, no doubt, continue to the end of September. The 15 August is more like the ‘official climax’ to a summer of doing very little or maybe doing nothing at all, which is even more poignant during this period of recession and major unemployment on the islands.
comfort of their air-conditioned palaces, do post office, bank and government staff suddenly decide to operate a go-slow for most of July, August and September?
As much as I enjoy living and working in Spain in general, and the Canary Islands in particular, I have to confess that I do find 15 August irritating. Of course, it is the traditional beginning of the two-week summer break taken by many people of the Mediterranean countries. After all, the days are hot and sticky and the temperature is not conducive to any form of excessive physical activity. It makes a great deal of economic, health and common sense to close down building operations and any form of manufacturing during these heady summer days, and I have no problem with this at all. What I do have a problem with are post offices, banks and council offices. Why is it that post offices, banks and government offices also decide to reduce their opening hours at a time when the holiday season and the numbers of visitors are at their peak? Why, in the
Postal deliveries are all but suspended, customers wishing to send a postcard home or pay their water bills join an endless queue - little realising that it will be at least two hours before they escape their torment. Good natured, but wily Canarians know all about such trials of life. After all, they usually have the good sense to bring a packed lunch with them and camp inside the Post Office or bank for much of the morning and treat it as a social occasion. After all, they have been through it all so many times before! There seems to be no concept of staggering holidays for workers in these offices, let alone providing relief staff to cover holiday absences. These services tend to grind to a near standstill, yet it only seems to be the British, Germans and Scandinavians who show any form of irritation. Most Canarians simply shrug off the inconvenience with a smile and return in September. So, on the basis of, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” maybe it is time for us all to shift into another gear. Well, I’m off for a swim, a lounge on the sun-bed with a good book and another gin and tonic. © Barrie Mahoney
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his latest novel, ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ (ISBN: 9781843865384). © Barrie Mahoney
Spanish Lesson
With Theresa Coe
PAST TIMES WE endings same for present AND past!
Lesson 24 Asking questions
There is no question form in Spanish, so you simply use your tone of voice (going up at the end) to convey that you´re asking, rather than telling. Let´s apply some verb endings we learnt in the last lesson to ask questions: TRABAJAR [trah-bah-HAR] means to work (whenever you see a ‘j’, or gi/ge, pronounce it as an English ‘h’). So, how do we ask someone if they work here? Well, first we knock off the last two letters of the original verb, then we note that as it ends in ‘ar’, and that we want to use tú (ssssecond person), the verb must end in -AS: ¿Trabajas aquí? COGER [koh-HAIR] means to catch (a bus/ball etc). We´ve seen that cog/e means he/she catches, so to say ‘they catch’ we simply add an ‘n’: ¿Cogen [KOHhen] la guagua a la escuela? (do they take the bus to school?). SALIR [sa-LEER] – to go out/to leave. This verb ends in ‘ir’, so to ask ‘what time shall we go out tonight?’, we´d say ¿a qué hora salimos esta noche? (lit: at what hour we go out this night?)
The good news about the ‘we’ verb forms (the regular ones at least) is that they´re identical in present and past tense for ‘ar’ and ‘ir’ verbs: hablamos español (we speak Spanish). Ayer, hablamos español (yesterday, we SPOKE Spanish). Vivimos en Puerto Rico (we live in P.R.), but vivimos por diez años en Londres (we LIVED for ten years in London). The ‘er’ verbs like comer (to eat) also go to ‘imos’ in the past tense: Anoche comimos en casa (last night, we ATE at home). When pronouncing words with lots of syllables, don´t forget to ‘push down’ or stress the second-to-last syllable NOT the first one – as the English tend to do - or you might not be understood. So the pronunciation for ‘we speak’ is hab-LAH-moss, etc. An exception is words ending in R, where you always stress the last bit.
Yesterday… To help you start speaking in the past tense, I outlined some tricks in issue 24 (lesson 19), such as using solía (I used to) plus an infinitive or unchanged verb, e.g. solia vivir en Londres (I used to live in London). We´ve also seen that we can use había (there was/ there were) to say things like no había problemas ayer [a-YAIR], (they weren´t any problems yesterday) or ask ¿había muchas personas en la fiesta? (were there many people at the party?). Finally we looked at the past of IR (to go): Fui [FWEE - I went], fuimos [FWEE-moss - we went], and fue [FWEH - he/she/it went].
Was it good for you too? The past tense (for short, completed actions) is the same for SER (to be) as it is for IR. So, fue also means ‘it was’ or ‘was it?’ For example, if asked ¿Fue bueno anoche? (was it good last night?) you could reply, sí pero la comida fue cara (yes, but the meal was expensive). Here follow the endings for REGULAR verbs in the same ‘preterit’ past tense, where you always give a date or time for the action. Talking about oneself (yo) we knock off the last two letters of the original action word as usual and add the following endings: HABLAR (to speak) ESCRIBIR (to write)
COMER (to eat)
Yo habl/é (I spoke) yo escrib/í (I wrote)
yo com/í (I ate)
As you can see, with action words ending in ‘ar’, you need to add an ‘e’ at the end, while for those ending in ‘er’ or ‘ir’ you add ‘i’. In all cases, this last letter has an accent, meaning you have to stress the end of the word. For example: Anoche hablé [hab-LEH] con Miguel (last night I spoke with Miguel) Ayer, comí [coh-MEE] bien (yesterday I ate well) La semana pasada, escribí muchos emails (Last week, I wrote many emails). For advice about learning Spanish, contact theresacoe@gmail.com; 662 045 990.
If you have any questions or comments relating to this column or the Spanish language in general: Please email theresacoe@gmail.com
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‘The Canarian Lawyer’ Car rental agreement conditions If I rent a car, do I have the right to ask that they provide me with safety seats for children? No, unless it is expressly rented to transport children, which means an increase in the cost. Leaving a car in the workshop in order to be repaired. I left my car in a workshop in order that they repair it. They haven’t given me any documents about it, is this legal? The owner should always request the delivery of a certifying receipt saying that the vehicle will stay in the workshop. This should contain the business/private name and the identification of the vehicle, make, model, license plate etc. as well as the estimated time to repair. Failure to do so, could mean that they can deny ever having the car that you delivered to them to repair. In this case, you would have to go to trial to claim.
Your Questions Answered 15
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Costs for leaving my car in the workshop. When I picked up a car at the workshop where I took it to be repaired, they asked me to pay expenses for leaving the car for two days. Can they charge me for this? Yes, if they had advised you previously that your vehicle was ready. They only can charge you for the time after they informed you that the vehicle was ready to be collected and the time you actually collected it, usually within three working days. On the other hand, they only can charge you if the vehicle is in an area which belongs to the company and is by the workshop. The amount should correspond to the days exceeding the time limit of three working days. Payment in advance in the dry cleaning. Can a Dry Cleaning force me to pay in advance? Only if you agree. A dry cleaning
Now in Mogan every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm
company may only collect in advance where there is express request by the client. If this occurs, the service takes priority as a matter of urgency and will have to be carried out within a maximum of three days of the date of receipt of the garment, bringing this period to six days for dyeing services. Breach of the travel agency. I booked a tourist trip but the travel agency called me to say that it had been suspended due to lack of passengers. They offered me another trip, is it legal? No. The Agency should compensate you with 5% of the total price, if failure occurs between two months and 15 days before departure; 10% if it is between 15 and three days; and 25% if 48 hours. Returning a purchase. Can you return a purchased item once it has proved, not to be satisfactory? If after having purchased a product, we want to return it, as a general rule, we have no right to the money back. However, some merchants will reimburse, others will change it for another product or give a credit voucher instead.
But in some cases we have the right to get back our money: a) If in the advertising of the establishment or the product, they announced the possibility of returning the money if the customer is not satisfied with the product; b) In sales made on the condition to test the product within a time (in case you have not agreed any special time, the term is seven days); or c) For sales made outside the establishment (for example, if they send you the product to your home) and the sales made on the base of payment by delivery, we have the right to get back our money, without giving any reason, within seven days to count from the day we received the product.
Edificio Mercurio, Torre 1, 3.º A 35100 Playa del Inglés GRAN CANARIA -----------------------------------Avda. de Pescadores s/n Playa de Mogán TLF: +34 928 730 161 Mobile: +34 679 762 983 +34 649 874 490 CANARIA GRAN CANARI Fax: +34 928 779 928 info@riveromendoza.com
16 Feature
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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Domingo! What do Can
in different countries its’ people have different customs, especially when it comes to the weekends when we all have time to spend with our family and friends. In England you gather together to enjoy a Sunday roast, either at home, in a restaurant or pub, and like you here in Gran Canaria we have our own little traditions also when it comes to enjoying our Sundays! Traditionally, Sunday is a day to spend with the family, either at our mom’s or mother in laws’ house with a massive family reunion including brother and sisters, in-laws, uncles, cousins, grandparents and loads of kids. But today Canarians also enjoy a different kind of day out without having to disrupt the peace of our family’s homes and obviously taking advantage of the magnificent weather which we enjoy all year round. Imagine the following scenario, a gathering of close friends who are enjoying an afternoon coffee at a bar nearby, men on one side of the table discussing their interests and the women on the other discussing theirs. Sorry this might sound a little cliché and does not occur very often anymore! All of a sudden one of us suggests “why don’t we have a barbecue this Sunday?” and immediately you will have the interest of the whole table and soon after exclamations and questions of where and when should it take place. This completely changes the conversations and interest around the table and soon we
all start organising our excursion for the following Sunday. The first thing to decide is whether we will go to the coast or the mountain, a decision which is usually dictated by the time of the year we are in. Summer months we go to the coast and in winter, if the weather permits, to the mountains; although some of us will also choose the mountains in the summer in order to get away from the crowded beaches.
Please bear in mind that in Spain it is illegal to have barbecues on the coasts and beaches, although there are certain secluded coves which the police don’t usually go to! Once this is decided the more pro-active of the crowd will suggest that they do the shopping and the rest will simply pay their share the following Sunday. Having said this, Canarians are nearly always prepared for this sort of excursion as it is a custom which has been going on forever and passed down from generation to generation. For this reason all of us have some sort of appliance or utility that will contribute to the success of the day out.
This could be a fold up table, cool bags, camping chairs, barbecues and so forth... Of course we will all bring these items along in order to increase the comfort of the area chosen, if anything we Canarians like to be comfortable regardless of the amount of things we have to carry to the site. As well as buying plenty of meat or fish as the main dish for the lunch, other members might decide to take along some sort of homemade speciality, a Spanish omelette (Tortilla), “Ensaladilla Rusa” cold potato and mayonnaise salad, “Empanadillas” fried pastry parcels usually filled with tuna and tomato, and other bits and pieces. A large piece of Canarian cheese will not go amiss at any of this type of table together with Spanish cold meats, which are a real treat with the first couple of beers. And of course the ‘star’ of every Canarian table - Papas con Mojo, our famous salted wrinkled potatoes with the Mojo sauce; this last one usually made by someone from the group who is especially good at it. On Sunday morning the excitement of the day ahead will take over everyones house, “Have you got this? Have you got that? Don’t forget to take.....?” and if you have kids it will be even worse, as you need to get them ready at the same time. As is usually the case we will have arranged to meet somewhere common to all, and gradually cars will pull over and wait for the rest of the group. Remember that Canarians are always late, so the first to arrive is never sure whether he is the first or if the group has already left! Once gathered we set off to our chosen site, but not without first making an obligatory stop to buy two essential items for the day - ice cubes and bread. If travelling to the mountains, the ice cubes will be bought before leaving in order to ensure all drinks are nice and cold upon arrival, and the bread will be purchased in some small village bakery where it is more special. In the case of the beach we will simply go to our local bakery and buy everything together as we would on a normal day.
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narians do on a Sunday? Soon after, the line of cars will make their way to the chosen site, filled with food, drink, tables, chairs, coal, utensils, toys for the kids, and relatives and friends. Upon arrival everyone will help put together the camp, carrying the endless list of articles we take. The men will usually start the fire gathering some twigs and pine cones or simply use artificial means to start it. Women tend to do the more logistical orientated tasks, organising every aspect and setting up the tables. Soon drinks will start to be served, first the children and then the adults. Olives, crisps, cheeses, cold meats and bread will soon be brought to the table for everyone to pick at, and it is usually at this point when mothers start threatening their kids not to each too much as they will then not have an appetite for their lunch. Alcohol is always present in these gatherings although Canarians are moderate drinkers in general and really know how to pace themselves.
When we have finished the main meal, no doubt someone would have brought a dessert or two; crème caramel being favoured by Canarians who have a very sweet tooth, or even a homemade cake. Coffee will also be made and stronger drinks will start to be served, including the ever present bottle of Arehucas Rum which is always served with a bottle of coke. Some of the women and men will get up to wash up and tidy the table, we do like our disposable plates and cutlery but not everyone takes them as many purpose built areas do have with running water.
As soon as the coals are ready the first pieces of meat or fish will be placed on the barbeque, at this point we tend to be a little impatient mainly due to the fact that we left late and lunch time is becoming tea time! And often we put the food on too soon, which if we still have flames will be extremely over cooked on the outside and nearly raw on the inside. The other food items are also taken out together with a salad and the potatoes. It is usual that one or two of the men stay close to the barbecue as they slowly but steadily cook away, and in many cases it’s here next to the fire where you will eat best!
Then several different things will happen, some of the guests might want to go for a small nap and have brought a blanket to do so, some might decide to play cards, using the Spanish ones! or, someone might have brought a guitar, which without a doubt will bring everyone together as Canarians love singing.
Leaving is always very slow, as we will be reluctant to leave, mainly because it means the end of our lovely day, and why not because we are enjoying ourselves! Try and give it a go, but if you do not feel confident enough on your own, try and join a Canarian party to spend a Sunday like us, and regardless where you go and what you do, be respectful, take your rubbish with you, extinguish your fires and enjoy yourselves! By Tito Cabral
18 Restaurant Critic with Simon Spit
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
Greek Taverna – San Agustin Awarded 5 stars (out of a possible 5) ****
Simon´s Guide Greek Taverna ***** (San Agustin) Taberna Bulgaria III **** (Yumbo Centre) Restaurante Centrum **** (Yumbo Centre) Grand Italia ** (Meloneras) Ciao Ciao Italian Café * (Playa del Inglés, Anexo II)
Ummmm! Delicious juicy grapefruits, all the juice is squeezing everywhere and dribbling over my gown, hands and slippers! Scrumptious! Let me pour myself another cup of coffee and nibble at this toast! Oh how wonderful mornings are with breakfast on my sunny patio next to my lovely swimming pool! How lucky I am! It’s wonderful being me! Oh hello again! So nice of you to join me for another mealtime adventure, today I am having supper at The Greek Taverna – San Agustin. I have been there before but this time I am taking you with me so hold on to your seats, hooray!
Oh and there is Carlos the gardener, just arrived to poke my soil and prune my bushes. I had to warn him to stop digging up my plants…. “Carlos sweetie stop that I’ll have none left if you keep digging them up” but he insisted soil looks tidier when it doesn’t have any plants in it – well who am I to argue with an expert like Carlos, I mean he wouldn’t have muscles that big if he wasn’t a good gardener now would he? Nnnyessss…. The sun shone down on me as I presided over my crispy, buttery, mouth watering croissant (from the local supermarket
straight from the oven); nothing mattered more in the world than this tantalising piece of succulent juicy pastry smothered in butter and honey from the mountains. And it was indeed a good thing that I was wearing my two meter brrrrrimmed hat to shade my young golden face and my joyful breakfast from the rays of the gaze. The sun does provide some lovely vitamin D in moderate doses but I don’t want to overdo it and end up looking like a saddle so we must be careful. Oh it is such a glorious day today, I shall have a small swim in my heart shaped swimming pool then do lots of splashing and jumping in and things to work up a huge appetite for supper later – it’s going to be so much fun because I’m taking a cuisine cruise to Greece by tripping to The Greek Taverna for belly filling, frolicking and maybe a plate smashing extravaganza! I just hope they haven’t smashed all the plates by the time I get there or I will be eating my feast from a frying pan! But first I shall have to ask Carlos to blow my arm bands up for me or I shall be stranded in the shallow end which isn’t exactly bursting with excitement, I mean doing widths’ is hardly going to help me shift that stubborn inch of mine is it? I’ll never get into that Valentino all in one outfit I bought 5 years ago when in Paris. Another millimetre more and I won’t need arm bands! It was time for a lunch of simple messy finger food (especially so I can get my fingers covered in crumbs, sauces and grease – moreishly marvellous!) with a big glass of wine and a big shot of honey rum with bucket loads of ice – I know, I know what you’re thinking, honey rum is so typical but this is Gran Canaria, and it is our signature tipple under the sun! So why not polish off a bottle or two occasionally? Live for the moment! And sing for joy lalalalalala! As usual I was bathed and scrubbed, washed and groomed and hovering around my fashion lair. Oh what am I going to wear for dining with the gods today? White I’ve done this week already, black is too wintery I think… hmmm… let me see… ah! How about this lovely vivid bright yellow two piece! Perfect, and I shall accessorise it with some blue shoes, Ray Ban shades and a blue sun brolly! The American Voice Over Man Says: As Spit left the house the world stood still, heads turned, animals dived into bushes, cars crashed and tourists watched in amazement (safely from their coaches). Each step his metre high platforms took made the watching public petrified that he would slip or collapse or something. No one had ever seen footwear so big and so vast before. But Spit simply took it all in his stride and assumed all the attention was because of his self confessed beauty, fame and glamour. Unbeknown to
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Spit, the real reasons behind the shock reactions were more down to health and safety and the common welfare of the surrounding public. The police almost had to intervene as Spit’s fashion extremes were very nearly a road hazard. Spit continues…. Oh how glorious it is, they all love me, they all adore me, see they are all looking at my wonderful self! I stroll down the street and head towards the marvellous Greek Taverna restaurante… lar didar didum! And the smell emanating from the humble looking establishment was something quite memorable and very good. Yes, yes it was indeed a succulent aroma, one that I shall always remember.
before being spit roasted over charcoal! They serve a variation of kebabs including lamb and a mixed version too! The portions are good sized… I certainly left feeling completely satisfied! My highlight of recent days has to be the greek burger. This unique dish, can’t get it anywhere else on Gran Canaria, was served with potato wedges, salad, humous and delicious home made flat bread. This was extraordinary food, the burger itself is fresh and home made, is packed full of flavour – there are spices and herbs – a unique family recipe, and I thoroughly enjoyed munching away at it ummmmm! Desserts
On arrival, the nice Greek waiter welcomed me in and sat me at a lovely table in the early evening sunshine on the balcony, and the menu was brought before me. I asked for drinks of water and wine, and sat back relaxing to gaze at the opulent looking feast on these glorious Greek pages. The Food Highlights Starters There is a delicious selection of hot and cold starters from the Greek kitchen. All the food here is wonderfully fresh and obviously home made, although some of the speciality food and wine is actually brought in from Greece. Mezze was a combination of Greek favourites including humous, stuffed vine leaves, olives, stuffed peppers and taramasala. The flat bread served is a home-made special with a delicious light flavour of herbs, it really is lovely and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside – served warm…simply mouth-watering!
What do you expect from a Greek restaurant? Yes you certainly would expect a choice of quality delicious desserts! The Greeks have a wonderful way of celebrating food, and here is a classic example of that… they make a variety of fabulous home-made desserts then serve them all on a big platter for the enjoyment of everyone! I tried a selection of everything on the giant platter. Greek Yoghurt with honey, tiramisu, ice cream, baklava and a few other specials of the day. I have never come across this before but it is an excellent idea and whilst I enjoyed all the desserts my favourite was Greek yoghurt and honey! The Price?
Main Courses The food in this eatery is prepared and cooked to the highest standards. Quality is exceptional, and the main courses are most definitely ‘flying the flag’ for good food in Gran Canaria! There is moussaka and delicious chicken dishes available on this tantalising menu. I have dined here a few times already because of the sheer beauty of the food and previously I have enjoyed the chicken skewer kebab which is such excellent quality and marinated in a spicy sauce
There were 2 of us and we paid 60 Euros for everything, including wine, water and tips. 30 Euros per person for a truly memorable eating experience is a real bargain! Spit’s Star Rating – 5 Stars I am giving this restaurant a 5 star rating because you can enjoy top, friendly, efficient service, a clean fresh rustic environment, excellent standard of cooking with bags of flavour in all the dishes, great prices and a good Greek experience all rolled into one restaurant! Hasta la vista, baby...
Cookery 19
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Calabacines Rellenos Con Salsa de Ajos y Papas Confitades Stuffed Courgette with Garlic Sauce & Potaotes
Method:
Ingredients:
Cut the courgettes lengthways, remove the pulp and chop coarsely. Boil the courgettes in salted water until cooked. Take care not to overcook. Set to one side.
400g courgettes 1 glass white wine 100g diced onion 100g diced sweet pepper 4 cloves chopped garlic Chopped parsley 200g cooked, diced sweet potatoes 300g tuna fish in oil 2 hardboiled eggs 8 slices gruyere cheese 5 fluid oz cream Olive oil Little milk 20g cornflour Salt
Place a pan on the stove and add oil. Add the garlic, pepper, onion and courgette pulp and stir. Pour in the white wine and reduce, add the tuna fish, broken up with a fork, the chopped eggs and salt and pepper to taste. Put the courgettes on a baking tray, stuff them with the mixture and top with cheese slices. Bake them in the oven at 180 degrees C for 2 minutes. Put the cream in a saucepan and reduce. Dilute the cornflour with a little milk and add to the cream. Add chopped parsley and salt to taste. Pour the sauce on the dish where you will serve the courgettes, place the courgettes on top and garnish with potatoes.
Queso Frito con Mojo Verde Fried Cheese with Green Mojo Sauce
Ingredients: 600g of 1 cm thick semi soft cheese 250g green mojo sauce (coriander sauce) 100g blueberry jam 8 crackers or bread
Method: Put a pan on the stove on a very high heat. Cook the cheese on both sides. Place on a serving plate. Cover with the green mojo sauce and serve with blueberry jam and crackers or bread.
20 Fashion
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
India’s Fashion Icon
Rocky S presents Queenie for Giantti
An exciting and opulent Bridal collection from Rocky S and some stunning jewellery designed by Queenie for Giantti come together in an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional-classic creativity.
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Rocky S gained very strong technical foundation by working as a designer at the reputed departmental store, ROOPAM for two and a half years after completing a formal training at J.D. Institute of Fashion Designing. The designer job gave him a much needed exposure and contacts in the fashion industry. The Bollywood actor, Akshay Kumar was the first artist he designed costumes for.
The Rocky S collection “Bridal Extravagance” encompasses the true essence of opulence with rich and luxurious lehengas, elegant saris, chic chudidar kurtas and opulent sherwanis in exquisite georgettes, assorted blends of magnificent brocades, nets and beautifully textured fabrics.
After starting small scalemanufacturing unit, the designer soon started getting several inquiries to design costumes for actresses.
The colours are a combination of soft, shaded pastels, bright solid pastels, traditional jewelled shades and the signature ivory and blacks, with surface ornamentation in terms of embroideries and Swarovski embellishments adding to the ‘bling element.
Keeping all interest in mind, he took up a few artist & interacted with the likes of Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Rekha, Manisha Koirala, Sridevi etc. Currently, he is designing for Hrithik, Amisha & Aftab who are often looked upon as role models and people have the desire to look and dress like them.
Brocade patchwork on georgettes, silk on sheer nets and appliqué work with sequin highlight and scallops in terms of silhouette, and embroidered scallops giving finesse to the ensembles.
He further ventured into the commercial aspect of the trade by opening a store retailing exclusive ladies & men designer wear, located in Mumbai named ROCKY-S.
Queenie’s new line for Giantti is a dazzling range of jewellery designs that are unspoken statements.
This Brand label selling prêt lines has given him an excellent response in the market as he has a foothold and is learning the in’s and out’s of the line.
Classic and contemporary styling with designs that use size as a metaphor for opulence.
The participation in the IGEDO fair in 1996 gained him the international fame & success in the fashion industry. Rocky has also tied up with the fashion store, Benzer, as fashion director and consultant.
Striking and startling, the jewellery is crafted using large diamonds or coloured stones cut in unique styles that make a statement, bold and elegant. One single Queenie for Giantti piece says more than many entire collections!
Canary THE
NEWS
Surf Canaries With my new advert we have been packed out every day with children wanting to learn to surf. Danny Alcock
The Canary Islands’ most successful
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Health and Beauty 21
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Beauty Tips– Myth or Magic? Beauty Myth 2: Shaving the hair makes it grow back thicker. This is definitely another beauty myth as well. Shaved hair seems to grow back thicker only because when we shave, the razor cuts the hair off only on the skin’s surface. They were not plucked off directly from the follicle. Therefore, when the hair grows back, the wide part of the strand grows out, making the hair appear thicker. Beauty Myth 3: Mayonnaise makes for a great conditioner.
active ingredients in toothpaste that can heal a pimple can also dry up and irritate the skin of your face, so it is better to use a pimple cream rather than toothpaste for your pimple. Beauty Myth 6: Applying beer on the skin before going for a sun tan results in a golden glow. No, not true. In fact, you should avoid sun tanning altogether, unless you are going to use a self-tanner. Applying beer before going for a tan does not do anything for the skin. Some people are just prone to getting a golden tan, while others naturally turn red as a lobster under the sun. It is, again, a matter of genetics.
When we were struggling through those awkward teenage years, when our hormones were wreaking havoc on our bodies and our skin, we were most likely inundated by advice from our mothers and grandmothers, and even our girlfriends, on what we should do to keep ourselves beautiful despite the storm of changes upon us and upon our bodies. Some of them sound sensible, while some sound totally absurd.
Beauty Myth 7: Crossing the legs leads to varicose veins.
But even if these pieces of advice sound really silly, there are some of them that we could not easily shake off. They seem to work for us, and why let go of a good thing if it is working somewhat?
Beauty Myth 8: Washing the feet when tired will make the veins swell.
Not really. The true causes of varicose veins are yet unknown, but again, some people are more prone to having them because of factors like heredity, age and weight. Crossing the legs will not cause you to have varicose veins, but if you already have them, it can make the condition worse.
Nonetheless, for curiosity’s sake, sometimes there is a need to ask. Do the beauty practices handed down to us by our mothers, grandmothers and girlfriends that we have religiously observed through the years hold a grain of scientific truth in them, or are they merely beauty myths spun by old wives? Let’s find out.
No, this one is not a myth. Mayonnaise, as long as it is real, does make for a great hair conditioner. The oil and eggs that can be found in real mayonnaise is rich in fatty acids and protein that nourishes the hair.
Beauty Myth1: Plucking white hairs yields more white hairs.
Nothing can make the pores smaller. The size of our pores is the result of genetics, not of temperature applied on the skin, so some people just have smaller pores than others.
This is definitely just a beauty myth. Our hair whitens as part of the natural process of aging, and some of us see our hair start turning white earlier than usual compared to others. It only seems to us that we are having more and more gray hair after we see our first strand of white because our mind is now trained to look for the grays in our mane, and so we are now more likely to notice.
Canary THE
NEWS
C.S.Imports Chris says “We believe in the power of advertising and have signed a further contract for a quarter page with The Canary News until Christmas.
Beauty Myth 4: Applying ice to the skin makes the pores smaller.
Beauty Myth 5: Toothpaste can cure pimples Well, yes. Toothpaste has menthol and other active ingredients that can dry up a pimple and make it heal much quickly than if left alone. However, the same
The veins in the feet really swell when the feet are tired. It is the body’s own automatic attempt to soothe the tiredness of the feet. In fact, it is indeed best to
soak the feet in warm water to further increase the blood circulation to your lower extremities, so as to take the tiredness away.
22 Health
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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Kill the Radicals! By Ann Mather, Celebrity Nutrition Advisor , Famouslyfit.com One of the ways that our body works toward optimal health is by using antioxidants to limit the damage that can be caused by free radicals. Free radicals are particles that bounce around in our cells and damage everything they touch. Free radicals are naturally created as part of the process of our normal bodily functions (breathing, metabolism, exercise) and play an important role in a number of chemical processes in our body. The issue is about having TOO MANY free radicals bouncing around, and not doing enough to build up our body´s natural defence mechanisms, but can also be created by stress, poor diet, and consuming or breathing in toxins.
The things that increase free radicals include pollution, cigarette smoking, stress, and a whole host of chemicals and poisons that exist in our environments and in our food (additives, preservatives, colourings and flavourings). So, a person who smokes, puts loads of lotions and potions on their skin, eats lots of processed food and very little in the way of fruit and vegetables is heading toward disaster! Not only are they ageing more rapidly, but they are open to a whole host of diseases including many forms of cancer. Free radicals, if left unchallenged, cause serious damage to most of our tissue and cells, preventing the creation of new and healthy tissue and cells. Believe it or not, too much cardiovascular exercise also increases free radical production.That is why so many top athletes age quite quickly and end up with a lot of health problems later in life. A moderate amount of cardiovascular exercise, on the other hand, helps to reduce the effect of free radicals in the body. So what can you do to fight free radicals to maintain optimal health? The things that create the best defense mechanism are anti-oxidants – simple as that! Vegetables, including broccoli, green leafy vegetables, beans, artichokes, onions, etc. Herbs and spices provide a bountiful supply of antioxidants. Oregano, for example has 42 times more
than an apple, and 12 times more than an orange! Try to eat fresh natural herbs Berries have a particular type of antioxidant called polyphenol. These are one of the best antioxidants. Blueberries are considered to be the No 1. But berries are difficult to find and can be expensive in the Canary Islands. If you go to www.kyani.net (agent number 10102) you can order Kyani Sunrise – an inexpensive, delicious natural juice supplement in 1 oz pouches that contain wild Alaskan blueberry, grape juice, grape seed and grape skin, raspberry, pomegranate, aloe vera, noni, cranberry, goji berry, and bee pollen. Wild Alaskan blueberries are amongst the best in the world – 48% stronger than the common blueberry! Grape skin and grape seeds (especially red) contain resveratrol – an effective and powerful antioxidant – that is why we are told that a little red wine is good for us! But beware – wine of course contains alcohol (a toxin) and too much of this totally counteracts the good effect of the grape! However, one of the most powerful anti-oxidants is called “Glutathione” because of the role it actually plays in maximizing the positive effect of all other antioxidants. So it makes sense to try to get as much Glutathione as possible into your body. The interesting thing is that this super anti-oxidant is not as effective in supplement format, and chemicals, toxins and sugar deplete levels very quickly. So how can you boost your levels of Glutathione naturally? Get plenty of exercise. This boosts ATP levels which in turn boost the production of glutathione. Get 15 minutes of direct sunlight every day to boost your Vitamin D – there is evidence that Vitamin D increases glutathione levels. Avoid toxins, chemicals, sugars and alcohol – these deplete glutathione. Drink milk, eat raw eggs and meat – these contain the amino acids that help make glutathione.
Eat lots of fresh, raw fruit and vegetables – especially spinach, asparagus, avocado, squash, cauliflower, broccoli and garlic. Add curcumin to your food – this increases glutathione But one of the things that really builds up glutathione levels is WHEY PROTEIN! Why? Because it contains all of the key amino acids for glutathione production – cystein, glycine and glutamate. Whey also provides other great sources of immuneglobulins, lactoferrin and alpha lactalbumin which together create a wonderful environment for glutathione activity. Whilst supplements should never replace natural, fresh and wholesome foods, there are other benefits from taking a Whey Protein Supplement. It really is not difficult to protect your body and slow down the ageing effect in the process. If you have any queries, you can contact me on ann.mather@ famouslyfit.com. Good luck!
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
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24 Community
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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Man’s best friend Kay Owen, Comfort Corner Earlier this month a BBC Panorama programme (“Britain’s unwanted pets”) highlighted the shocking increase in the slaughter of abandoned and unwanted dogs in animal rescue centres in the UK. The blame it seems lies firmly at the feet of the following.
LUCKY had covered her with his love... literally. She decided there and then to forget about dying. Instead, Lucky’s demonstration of love gave Mary the will to survive, and she began to live again. The inseparable pair walked further and further together every day – and as Mary grew stronger, soon nothing seemed insurmountable to this precious duo.
1.Shamefully casual owners, who buy ‘consumer trinkets’ (including puppies) on a whim and then discard them at will.
It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Wow! What a blessing! Is this one treasure of a dog? Lucky still steals other people’s things and stashes them in his toy box in the basement – giving credence to the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” He has so many ‘treasures’ now; but I suspect that if he loses them all tomorrow, it won’t really matter. He still has Mary, who will always remain his favourite, and very greatest treasure of all.
2. Indiscriminate breeding (in particular of fighting dogs - despite the Government ban). 3. Status symbol animals – designer dogs, mere fashion accessories- kicked out when they no longer match fads or furniture. The statistics are deplorable. Over one third of those rescued, are put down. Their crime? Healthy but unwanted. Great Britain’s famed reputation as a “Nation of dog lovers” is under threat of becoming obsolete, as increasingly we hear of more and more dogs on death row. By complete contrast, the very same week that I watched this sad news feature, I received the following most moving true story in my mail box. It served to restore some of my faith in human nature and really ‘tugged at my heart strings’, so much so that I have decided to do something positive in response. Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named Lucky. Lucky was a real character, but with a wee naughty habit. He was a bit of a kleptomaniac. Whenever Mary and Jim had visitors to stay they would warn their friends not to leave their luggage open because Lucky would always help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably someone would forget and something would go missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s box in the basement and there the treasure would be found - sitting among all his other favourite toys. This dear doggie always stashed his ‘finders, keepers’ in his very own toy box. With
an obsession for possession, Lucky was also territory conscious, and adamant that his toys stay in his box...in the basement. They were simply not for sharing. Period! One day a trip to the hospital revealed serious health problems for Lucky’s owner when Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. She felt impending doom, and believed she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she felt sure it was fatal. The scheduled double mastectomy had fear riding high in her mind. The night before she was due to go to the hospital for surgery, as she cuddled her darling Lucky a thought suddenly struck her...what would happen to him if something happened to her? Although the threeyear-old dog liked Jim well enough, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will feel abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t ever want to leave him! That thought made her even sadder than thinking of her own possibly impending death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and she was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim faithfully took Lucky for his morning and evening walks, but the poor animal just seemed to droop - whining and thoroughly miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home she was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the stairs to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. This made her puzzled and sad - but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed off. When Mary awoke, for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong. She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when she realized the problem. She looked down and saw that she was covered - totally blanketed - with every single treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life. His special toy box had become Mary’s “get –better- box”.
Remember......live every day to the full. Each minute is a gift from God. Those who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most impressive credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are simply the ones who never abandon us, those with the most love and who care enough to smother us with the whole contents of their toy box...just when we need it the most. *Touched hearts to action stations please! As the first of a number of Autumn/Winter initiatives to raise funds for various charities, and to high profile the Mary/Lucky story I will be organising a September event in aid of both the Breast Cancer (Pink Ribbon) Foundation and TARA our local voluntary animal respect charity (whose founders work tirelessly to find all the potential “LUCKIES” in their care a loving home). If you feel you can support or help in any way, or you would like more information, please contact me. kay.r.owen@gmail.com
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Golf 25
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Insight to the Ryder Cup Mark McGeehan, PGA Golf Professional, Lopesan Meloneras Golf Over the next few issues, I will be writing about the developments of the Ryder Cup, in the lead up to the exciting event that is to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, in Newport in Wales on the 1st October. My articles will include hot news from the Captain’s picks and selection of the teams. The remaining events will be essential for the outcome of the sides, and all players in contention are battling hard to try and secure their place in what will be, yet again, a great sporting moment. This will be a celebration of the best players in the world going headto-head, and competing for the cup and pride. For golfers reading this article, I will give you a little insight to how the Ryder cup became what it is today. There is some debate over who suggested the idea for the Ryder Cup. James Harnett, a journalist with Golf Illustrated magazine appears to have proposed a similar idea to the USPGA on December 15, 1920 and, having failed to attract support, the idea was refloated by Sylvanus P. “SP” Jermain, president of the Inverness Club, the next year. This resulted in an unofficial match in 1921, won 9-3 by the British, and another in 1926, won 13½-1½ by Britain. Attending the second 1926 match, held on the East Course at Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, was Samuel Ryder, a seed merchant who traded from St Albans, Hertfordshire. Having watched the game, Mr. Ryder thought it would be good idea to make the match official and thus the Ryder Cup was founded, with Ryder donating the solid gold trophy. Few people who took up golf after their 50th birthday have left as many positive impressions on the game during the history of golf. To get started, Ryder recruited the services of a golf professional called Hill from a local golf course to introduce him to the fundamentals of golf. Afterwards, Ryder hired Abe Mitchell as his private tutor for a fee of £1,000 per year. Ryder received most of his lessons at his home, Marlborough House, and he was relentless. He practiced his driving, pitching and putting six days each week.
At the age of 51 he had achieved a handicap of six and was accepted as a member of the Verulam Golf Club in St Albans in 1910. A year later he became captain of the golf club. He was also club captain in 1926 and 1927. In 1923 he sponsored the Heath and Heather Tournament, which was only open to professionals. One of the golf professionals that took part was ex-gardener Abe Mitchell, considered one of best British golfers of his era. Among the British, at the 1926 landmark match, were golfing giants Abe Mitchell, George Duncan, Archie Compston, Ted Ray (portrayed by Stephen Marcus in the 2005 film The Greatest Game Ever Played), and Arthur Havers. From America came Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Jim Barnes and Al Watrous. This first official match was held in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the Worcester Country Club, in 1927. Ryder, who donated a gold cup and had agreed to pay £5 to each member of the winning team, attached his name to the new competition. It has been held on a two-year cycle since, apart from 1939 to 1945 when it was cancelled due to World War II. The 2001 match was delayed for a year, because it was due to take place very shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks. It was subsequently decided to hold the Ryder Cup in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years. The boards at The Brabazon Course at The Belfry, which hosted the 2002 Ryder Cup (which should have been hosted in 2001) still read The 2001 Ryder Cup and USA captain Curtis Strange deliberately referred to the US team as “The 2001 Ryder Cup Team” in his speech at the closing ceremony. Europe claimed their first hat trick of victories in 2002, 2004 and 2006: this was particularly surprising as no European player had won a single Major during the same period (Americans had won fifteen). The format for the Ryder Cup Matches has changed over the years. From the inaugural event to 1959 the Ryder Cup was a two-day competition, with four 36-hole foursomes matches on the first day and eight 36-hole singles matches on the second day, for a total of 12 points.
In 1961 the matches were changed to 18 holes each but the number of matches was doubled, resulting in a total of 24 points. In 1963 the event was expanded to three days, with eight four-ball matches being added on the middle day to make 32 points. This format was maintained until 1977, when the number of matches was reduced to 20: five foursomes matches on the first
day, five four-ball matches on the second day, and ten singles matches on the final day. In 1979 (the first year continental European players participated) the format was changed to the 28-match version observed today.
26 Sport
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
David Stone powers to Paracycling Road Race Victory Great Britain’s David Stone followed his success in the T2 time trial with a convincing road race win at the UCI World Paracycling Road Championships. Having led by 40 seconds at halfway in Canada, he pushed on to bring his tricycle home two minutes clear. “I was already world champion, but to become double world champion is fantastic,” said the 29-year-old. Elsewhere there were sixth-place finishes for Britain’s Russ White and Lora Turnham and Rebecca Rimmington. Italy’s Giorgio Farroni, who finished second in the time trial, had to settle for silver once again after seeing Stone accelerate away on the main climb on the first of two laps of the course. Any hope he had of reeling in Birmingham-born Stone disappeared as the leader extended his advantage with a typically powerful performance.
Mo Farah Named in English Commonwealth Games Team
the team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games which will be held in Delhi in October. Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m in Barcelona in July, is joined by reigning European and Commonwealth triple jump champion Phillips Idowu. Christine Ohuruogu, who won Olympic 400m gold in Beijing in 2008, will also defend her Commonwealth title. Lisa Dobriskey will look to replicate her 1500m win from Melbourne in 2006. The 26-year-old from Kent, who won her first major medal at the Commonwealths four years ago and added a silver at the World Championships in Berlin last year, will also compete in the 800m. But she missed out on a medal at the European Championships in Barcelona. “To defend my title would mean a lot to me and the more racing experience I can get in championship events the better,” she said.
Ohuruogu and British long jump record holder Greg Rutherford will look to put their injury-hit seasons behind them as they return to international competition. Talented youngsters, including 2009 European Junior 110m hurdles gold medallist Lawrence Clarke, recent World Junior triple jump silver medallist Laura Samuel and 2009 European Junior 800m silver medallist Niall Brooks are also in the team. England won six gold, four silver and eight bronze athletics medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The 2010 Games run from 3-14 October and feature 17 sports.
British Tennis Battles Against Perceptions
“Other than next year’s World Championships, there are very few such opportunities between now and London 2012.” Craig Hunter, chef de mission for England in Delhi, added: “I’m delighted to welcome such a strong group of track and field athletes into the England team for Delhi and look forward to their performances there - especially after such a stunning European Championships.” Farah, who followed his stunning double in Barcelona by breaking David Moorcroft’s 28-year-old British record over 5,000m at a Diamond League meeting in Zurich earlier this month, is looking to end his season on a high.
Double European gold medallist Mo Farah is among 100 English athletes in
Andy Turner, who won the European 110m hurdles is another English athlete going to Delhi with high expectations. He said: “It’s been a great season so far and I look to go to India and win another gold medal.”
“After an amazing season, two gold medals in the European Championships and a new British 5,000m record, I hope to finish a fantastic summer season with another good performance in India,” he said.
It’s become an annual ritual. Every year during Wimbledon, former professionals and pundits try to explain why so few Britain players are capable of maintaining a career in the world’s top 100. Journalists tasked with finding the answer often take the opportunity to quiz the world’s best players on the subject at post-match news conferences at SW19. “I was expecting one of those questions to pop up,” said world number seven Kim Clijsters during this year’s Championships.
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“The only thing I probably notice is that we didn’t grow up with the facilities that you guys have.” Clijsters was referring in part to the National Tennis Centre (NTC) which boasts 22 courts and excellent all-round training facilities, where the British Junior Championships are taking place this week. It is easy to understand why the British media and public are sceptical about whether the funding strategy employed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is working. Britain has only Andy Murray ranked inside the top 200 of the men’s rankings, with Elena Baltacha the sole representative in the women’s top 100. The process of selecting players for funding starts at a very young age. The AEGON FutureStars programme is made up of a group of roughly 400 promising players who range from the age of eight to 23. Those that show the most potential are promoted to Team AEGON , a group of more than 40 players aged from 13 to 27 that are provided with full training support at either the NTC or a training performance centre of the player’s choice, as well as receiving substantial funds towards travel and a range of sport science support. After 18 months in his post as women’s junior tennis manager, Iain Bates strongly disagrees with the suggestion that British juniors have too much handed to them on a plate. “The perception is one that exists and that we’re not going to change apart from with hard work, good success and the kids putting their minds to the training”. “If the media spotlight was present 52 weeks a year it would be a lot easier for everybody to understand the quality of these players, how hard they work, the level of success that they have. It’s a lifestyle sacrifice. They give every minute of every day they have towards their tennis. “The reality is we’re a big federation and we do have resources but I think our job is to make sure those resources are allocated to the right players and to the players that have a chance to go on and potentially make the top 100.” The LTA chief executive Roger Draper is equally frustrated by what he sees as the meagre coverage tennis receives in Britain outside of the two weeks during Wimbledon. “I am concerned with what is going on for 52 weeks of the year, not just for a few weeks during the summer,” he said recently. “We have got to get the message across it is not just about who wins Wimbledon.” The life of a junior playing at the NTC is certainly a demanding one, but the accusation made by some top players such as Novak Djokovic is that the facilities make things too easy for British youngsters.
Sport 27
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
Gran Canarian Windsurf In USA By Danny Alcock Dario Ojeda and Gran Canarian Windsurf Spots Unveiled in American Windsurf Magazine
Dario Ojeda From the south of Gran Canaria and sponsored by the Sports Council, has achieved a cover photo in the American windsurf magazine ‘Windsurfer International’. Riding high in the rankings after his 4th place finish in Pozo last month, Dario is seen pulling a big air at the famous windsurf spot here in Gran Canaria.
The magazine also goes on to talk about other great windsurf spots in Gran Canaria such as Playa de Vargas, Ojos de Garza, Juan Grande and Las Salinas and rates them right up in the World’s best! All of this is a great advert for what Gran Canaria has to offer to the windsurfing traveller and we wish Dario continuing success on the rest of this year’s tour. By Danny Alcock
A Sad Day For Water Sports Enthusiasts in Playa Del Ingles Earlier this week the surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing area of Playa del Ingles was vandalized resulting in the “temporary” loss of this water sports area. Apart from being a great shame for the local children who enjoy surfing in the area without fear of running over swimmers or falling foul of the law, it is a great loss to the tourist sector at its’ peak time for travelling surfers. Let’s hope that the Ayuntamiento react quickly to this act and re-install the area before the season of good waves ends. In the Northern half of Fuerteventura, almost half of the income from tourism comes from the surf, windsurf and kitesurf sector. Gran Canaria also has a (albeit smaller) surfing industry which brings people to the island. This potential gain for tourism should
not be overlooked in these hard times and acts like this vandalism certainly do not help. The Canary News will be monitoring the progress of the water sports zone and will keep readers updated... By Danny Alcock
28
The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
To place a classified advert, simply fill in the coupon on page 31 and drop off at Property Abroad, Aladdins Cave, Cafe Florin, British Bruno’s Supermarket. See ads for locations. Email: sales@thecanarynews.com or Tel: 928 774 818
PROPERTIES FOR SALE Private
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info@europa-immobilien.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, TOPFLOOR. Bright, furnished two-bedroom apartment with balcony. Central. Quiet. Near Yumbo. Only three minutes walk to the beach. Heated pool ! Price: 114.000,- Euros. Europa Real Estate: 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com SAN FERNANDO, LARGE APARTMENT With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, seperate kitchen and a balcony with seaview. Parkingspace in garage included. Price: 144.000.- Euros. Europa Real Estate: 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, BEAUTIFUL COMPLETELY RENOVATED APARTMENT. It consists of one bedroom, livingroom, full equipped kitchen, bathroom and terrace. Tastfully furnished. Complex with large pools and parkinglots. Price: 96.000,- Euros. Europa Real Estate: 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com PLAYA DEL INGLÉS, QUIET CORNER-APARTMENT WITH PRIVATE PARKING Very centrical located spacious two-bedroom apartment consisting of: livingroom with amarikan kitchen, bathroom and large balcony.The complex offers 2 large swimmingpools, 2 tennis courts and private parkinglots ! Low community fees. Price: 168.000,- Euros. Europa Real Estate: 928 765 813 info@europa-immobilien.com ------------------------------------San Agustín. One bedroom dúplex for sale in San Agustín. Only a few minutes walk to the beach in San Agustín. Very secure and gated complex. Streetball court and three communal swimming pools. Ref. SA678. Price: €122,000. Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Playa del Inglés. One bedroom apartment for sale in Playa del Inglés. Very centrally located right next to the comercial centre Yumbo and only a few minutes from the beach. Closed-in balcony. Apartment is fully furnished and ready to move in to. Ref:PI696.Price:€105,250. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Maspalomas. Nice cosy
duplex with garden area to the front. Completely refurbished throughout and fully furnished and ready to move into. Property of 60m2 and has one bathroom upstairs and another downstairs. Quiet complex in a quiet residential area. Ref. MP635. Price: €132,000. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Puerto Rico. Cosy apartment in a quiet complex with a very nice atmosphere. Parking outside the door and outstanding sea views. Pool, children’s pool, poolbar and sun terrace. The apartment is sold fully furnished and ready to move in! Ground floor and large garden area directly in front of the patio so great for sunbathing or for children! Great bargain! Ref. PR584. Price: €69,500. Tel. 928906890. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Las Palmas. Luxury property on the frontline of Las Canteras Beach. Beautifully refurbished flat in refurbished building. Only a few stepls from the beach, restaurants, shops etc. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a fully fitted kitchen. Apartment also has air-conditioning, washing machine and dryer. Recently valued at €550,000! Ref.LP691. Price: €474,000. Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com ---------------------------------------
Properties Abroad Estate Agents
PUERTO RICO INSURANCE, MORTGAGE & FINANCIAL ADVICE Tel: (0034) 928 562 467 Fax: (0034) 928 562 454 Email: info@propertiesgrancanaria.com Web: www.propertiesgrancanaria.com
PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Beautiful 1 bedroom Apartment, very private balcony with sea view, luxuriously fitted, quiet location and well-kept complex with pools, private parking, 24hour security etc. 95.500 Euro (Ref. 1.004U). INMOBILIARIA
KSR, www.ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684 PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Quiet, residential complex, cosy Maisonette-Bungalow, 95 m2 living space, 3 bed rooms, 2 bath, spacious terrace partly covered, roof terrace, large storage room, fully equipped, off-road parking. 275.000 Euro (Ref. 4.008O). INMOBILIARIA KSR, C/. Escorial, Edif. Danubio, Tel. 928 766 684 PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Unique position over looking dunes and Atlantic, cornerbungalow with 2 bedrooms, (facility for converting in 3), 2 bath, 60 m2 covered terraces, roof terrace, tastefully equipped with an eye for the detail, 645.000 Euro (Ref. 4.028). INMOBILIARIA KSR, www.ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684 SAN AGUSTÍN Front line to the Atlantic: topquality apartment (52 m2) with bright rooms tastefully, modern designed, fully equipped, lot of storage space, complex with heated pool and direct access to the promenade, low maintenance costs. 168.000 Euro (Ref. 1.507D) INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684 SONNENLAND Spacious Family home built 2006, living space approx. 130 m2 on two floors, plus approx. 115 m2 souterrain (own entrance) and garage, two large terraces (BBQ+Jacuzzi), high standard equipment with newest technology. Privileged and very quiet location. 595.000 Euro -FORM OF PAYMENT NEGOTIABLE- (Ref. 8.009C) INMOBILIARIA KSR, www.ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684 BAHIA FELIZ Near beach, luxury penthouse with amazing terrace (view!) and balcony, 122 m2 living space + 73 m2 terrace, 1 bedrooms , 2 bath, high quality equipment, complex with heated pool and priv. parking, 24-hours security service. 354.000 Euro (Ref. 2.505C). INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684 MONTAÑA DE LA DATA Exceptional Villa with lots of possibilities on 1.300 m2 fenced ground, peaceful and quiet place with amazing views towards Maspalomas and the Atlantic, 384 m2 living space (plus enormous terraces), include 2 separate apartments, each with 2 bedrooms, wonderful garden, pool, BBQ house, 1.100.000 Euro (Ref. 6.300C).
Contact us to share your news and celebrate your anniversaries. See page 31 for more information
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INMOBILIARIA KSR, Tel. 928 766 684, www.ksrgrancanaria.com MASPALOMAS Near the Golf Course and short distance to the light house, quiet terraced 1 bedroom bungalow in very well kept complex with heated pool and tennis, ample parking space, nicely furnished with all comfort. 135.000 Euro (3.509K2). INMOBILIARIA KSR, C/. Escorial, Edif. Danubio, Tel. 928 766 684, info@ksrgrancanaria.com SAN AGUSTIN Terrace house with wonderful sea view, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living and dining room, open kitchen, 70 m2 sunny terrace, completely furnished, carport, INCLUDE in the price a Suzuki Vitara Cabrio. 298.000 Euro (Ref. 4.804P). INMOBILIARIA KSR, C/. Escorial, Edif. Danubio, Tel. 928 766 684 SONNENLAND Charming Duplex-bungalow in private complex with beautiful pool area in tropical gardens, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, separate WC, front and rear terrace, small fenced garden, the property comes fully equipped (washing machine etc.). 125.000 Euro (Ref. 3.810B). INMOBILIARIA KSR, info@ksrgrancanaria.com, Tel. 928 766 684
--------------------------------------ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com REFURBISHED STUDIO, PUERTO RICO, central location, complex with large pool, pool bar, restaurant, minimarket, parking, sea views. Ref: 10073A. Sale price 70.000.-€ 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT IN PLAYA DEL CURA, excellent complex, fantastic sea views. Sale price: 96.000.-€ 2 BEDROOM DUPLEX HOUSE NEAR PUERTO
Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
RICO BEACH, Two bedroom house a quiet residential complex. Private garden, no comunidad, quiet street two minutes from the beach. Ref: 10014. Sale price 210.000.-€ 2 BEDROOM DUPLEX, PUERTO RICO, VERY CENTRAL RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX. With sea views. Refurbished and beautifully furnished. Ref: 10129. Sale price: 153.000.-€ EMPTY SHOP UNITS / LOCALES, CLOSE TO AMADORES BEACH, for sale, please enquire for prices and location. ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com ---------------------------------------ENGEL & VÖLKERS Tel.: +34 928 77 86 23 www.engelvoelkers.es/ grancanaria-south PLAYA DEL INGLES Central 1-bed apartment located in the quiet part of the complex with garden views. Monthly community costs 125 Euros. 95.000 €, ID-no. W-008OIJ SAN FERNANDO 3-bed 80 m2 top floor refurbished flat in residential area with private parking. Monthly community costs 20 Euros. 135.000 €, ID-No. W-008OJL SONNENLAND Cosy 60 m2 1-bed duplex situated in quiet comples with private garden and BBQ area, airco, alarm system and extended lounge. 139.000 €, ID-No. W-008OJ2 PLAYA DEL INGLÉS Bright 50 m2 fully renovated central 1-bed apartment with spacious living room, large bathroom and closed balcony. 120.000 €, ID-No. W-008OIZ AYAGAURES Amazing well-priced 4-bed, 4-bath finca with 300 m2 living area on 50.000 m2 plot, private pool, spectacular views, easy accessible. 990.000 €, ID-No. 008OIQ ENGEL & VÖLKERS Tel.: +34 928 77 86 23 www.engelvoelkers.es/ grancanaria-south
PROPERTIES FOR RENT Agent
Ref:CPR02R.Price:€850/month. Tel: 928906890. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com San Fernando. Beautiful new house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in San Fernando. Close to all amenities. Nicely and tastefully furnished. Garage for up to two cars. Direct access from the garage to the house. Third floor is now used as an office but can be turned into another bedroom. Ref:SF688a.Price:€1000/month. Tel: 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Maspalomas. Duplex in Maspalomas. 1 bedroom with toilett, living room, kitchen and large terrace on the first floor; double bedroom, bathroom and balcony with pool views on the second floor. Located in a quiet complex with communal pool. Totally furnished and ready to move in. All bills included. Ref. MP697. Price: €600/month Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com San Agustín. Dúplex for rent in San Agustín. Only a few minutes walk to the beach in San Agustín. Very secure and gated complex. Streetball court and three communal swimming pools. Rental price includes all bills. Ref. SA678a. Price: €600/month Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com Sonnenland. Beautiful family home with four bedrooms. The house is very spacious and is very nicely decorated. There is also parking for up to three cars included. Private swimming pool. Very secure complex of villas in the popular residential area of Sonnenland. Only 5 mins from the beach and 5 mins into Playa del Ingles. Ref. SN670. Price: €2.500/month Tel. 928141202. DREAM HOMES www. dreamhomesgrancanaria.com --------------------------------------ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com STUDIOS, ONE & TWO BEDROOMS APARTMENTS AND BUNGALOWS, in Puerto Rico, & Playa del Cura, long term lets. Prices from 440.-€ /
Puerto Rico. Delightful brand new fully furnished apartment with sea views. This apartments boasts twin room and an excellent sized main bedroom with triple wardrobe, bathroom with shower, washing machine and fully equipped kitchen. It has a good sized terrace to the front. Underground parking included.
month. ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT, LA LAJILLA, ARGUINEGUIN, very central, great sea views, available for long term rental, 600.-€/month plus bills. ROCA REAL ESTATE 928 561667 www.inmobiliaria-roca.com
Wanted
Right hand drive car wanted Tel: 928 561 456
FOR SALE
International Marketplace. All Logistics Included. We Find Your Dream Boat & Bring It To Where You Want It! Get Twice The Boat For Half The Price Call 607 671 617
Going out
Cafe Florin Calle Alfreces Prov. 29 (opposite Hard Rock cafe) JAGUAR “S” TYPE 3.0 Litre V6, UK specs,RHD. Aqua Blue Metallic,biege hide. 2000 REG. MOT Sept 10 Immaculate condition ?8500 Tel (0044) 7769694945 JEEP CHRYSLEr 2.5 Rangliar 45,000klm, impecable, GC Reg DVB 4,500€, negociable, ITV 2 years. Tel: 928 561 456 SPORTFISHING BUSINESS Gran Canaria. Includes Everything But The Fish Established, Successful, Great Berth Location. A Very Special Offer For Only - 99.000€ Call 607 671 617 OCEAN EXCURSION BUSINESS Gran Canaria Everything Included, Boat, Client Contracts, etc. 10 years of Proven Success, Fully Documented, Put 2-3000€ In Your Pocket Every Month. A Lifetime Opportunity 149.000€ Call 607 671 617 Sportfishing Business Top Boat/Top Equipment In-place Contracts/Website/ Publicity - A Proven Track Record, South Coast of Gran Canaria, No Debt, Just Profits Exceptional Opportunity for Only 159.000€. Call 607 671 617 Liberty Insurance! Complete Coverage Canary Islands and Around the World Inexpensive, Quality Coverage By A World Class Broker That Pays! Call 607 671 617 for Cars, Boats, Businesses, Homes, Health Boat and Yacht Sales/ Service - Marine Surveys
EMPLOYMENT
Charities Free tandem bike rides for blind people or people with any other physical disability who are unable to ride a bike by themselves. Also free excursions into the mountains in my car for people in wheelchairs together with a companion. Minibus trips can also be arranged at an agreed reasonable cost. For more information call Franz at 699 124 985. WANTED. Second hand books, in good condition, to be sold in support of Registered Childrens’ Charities 1) RUBBISH DUMP CHILDREN in Cambodia 2) ORPHANS/ SCHOOL projects in China. Please drop books off at Original Designs, Ancorra C. Arguineguin. donations gratefully received. Contact kay.r.owen@gmail. com Together we can make a difference Drinking Problem? International, English speaking AA meetings every Friday at the church in the Kasbah (door on the left hand side) Playa del Inglés,
29
8.30pm. Monday 12pm in San Fernando, behind Market Maspalomas and Tuesday 7pm at the Catholic Church (enter by the stairway on the right hind side), Behind the taxi rank next to the police station. Do you believe that you have a problem with alcohol? Perhaps you are looking or some help? Alcohol Anonymous meet in Telde on Mondays and Thursdays from 20.00 until 21.30. Call 928 202 638 TARA Animal Charity Shops Big & Beautiful - In Arquinequin 63 & 67 c/Tanausu across from Pino Seco Park. Monday thru Saturday 10am till at least 4pm All Kinds of Second Hand Items ON OFFER! 607 671 617 or www.taraanimales.org TARA Animal Car Boot Sale Every Saturday 0800 – 1400 Across from TARA Animal Charity Stores. Pino Seco Park, Arguineguin – Great Buys & Ambience. Call - 607 671 617 or www.tara-animales.org TARA Animal Welfare Charity Adopt or Foster Dog/Pups, Cats/ Kittens. Human Companions Needed for Life. Call – 607 617 671 or www.tara-animales.org TARA Animal Welfare Charity Needs Donations To Save Animals. Pick-up Service Available For Big Loads Call – 607 617 671 or www.taraanimales.org Tara Animal Respect Association TARA Telephone: +34 607 671 167. WEBSITE: www.TaraAnimales.org FACEBOOK: Tara Animal Respect TARA BLOG: http://Taraanimales.blogspot.com/ Arguineguin Cultural Society meets every Thursday at Tío Pepe bar from 20.00 at the C.C. Ancora in Arguineguín. As mentioned previously in TCN, the group were looking for a place to build up our string puppet stage and to train people in the making and operating of string puppets. The group has now found a suitable place in Arguineguín and if anyone is interested in joining them please call Peter on 639 229 414 and go to the meetings on Thursdays. Grupo Montañero de Mogan. Every Sunday all through the year this group arranges guided walks in the magnificent mountains
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The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
and beautiful valleys of Gran Canaria. The walks are guided, and the members come from all over Europe, and also many Canarian members. Meeting place: Commercial Centre Ancora, Arguineguin. Time 08.00. Departure 08.15. Leaving
from San Fernando (Viuda de Franco) 08.00 or 08.30. For more information call before 12.00 on Fridays 689 919 580 Can you spare a few hours each week to help feed stray and abandoned cats in San Agustin? There are special feeding places, all the cats
are sterilised, have names and are very healthy. Of course, we will buy the cat food. We only want help to give the food to the cats.Please call Christina on 928770 019 for more information. Join the library in Maspalomas with your NIE
number and passport and picture or residencia. No charge. English books and other European languages too. Also free internet access.!! The library hours are 8.00 am till 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday. Biblioteca Municipal Maspalomas, Casa del Cultura
Maspalomas, Avda De Tejeda 72 Phone 928 720 035 Amigos contra el Sida is a charity that provides support for people with HIV and Aids and has information about sexually transmitted diseases Amigos contra el Sida - Friends against Aids Av. Alejandro del Castillo, Mercado Municipal, 2º floor San Fernando Maspalomas Contact: 695578004. Timetable: Tuesday and Thursday - 9:00 to 15:00 hour. Amigos contra el Sida Calle El Escorial nº 7, Vecindario Teléfono: 928 149 570 Timetable: Monday to Friday - 9:00 to 14:00 hour. Website: www.amigoscontraelsida.org Support Maria Templeman’s Dog Rescue. You can find Maria’s stall in Arguineguin market on Tuesdays and Mogan market on Fridays. You can also find Maria in Maspalomas market next to the big, main flood light on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Money raised from Maria’s stall goes to funding dog rescue in Gran Canaria, including vet and kennel fees and re-homing dogs.
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Issue 29 - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - The Canary News
THE CANARIAN PRO BREASTFEEDING runs a Support Group every Wednesday from 6pm until 8pm at the C.C. Botanico, Local 135, San Fernando. Anyone needing help and support concerning breastfeeding can also call 637 564 296 (leave a message if there is no answer with name and telephone number)
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BUY, DONATE, SWAP BOOK LIBRARY All proceeds go to The Red Cross. Cristina´s Money Exchange, Local 261, Phase 1, CC Puerto Rico MON TO FRI 10am to 8pm SAT 10am to 1.30pm For appointments please tel 928 561 771
BOOKS -BOOKS -BOOKS... ( English, Spanish and German.) Many new titles. Support Children in Need. Find us - The MAD (Making A Difference) Team at Faro 2 Market . First Sunday in every month from September 5th 2010. Book donations please contact:k.r.owen@gmail.com (can collect).
MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 4PM ONWARDS Different activities every week in the local Puerto Rico area Meet othermums with children of all ages. Call Jo Pike on 639 153 547 You can even leave a message on their
‘face book’ wall!
Classifieds Special Offer
We Buy and Sell
6 Editions for the price of 4
Second Hand and New. Call Mandy: 637 163 434
(Adverts must run concurrently)
Ancora Centre No. 82 Arguineguin.
Problems on Your Mind?
928 798 662
Hand into any of our drop off points ADDICTIONS ALCOHOL & DRUGS Let us help you overcome your problem in a painless way. Contact us for a confidential consultation It can make a real difference On your road to recovery Tel: 928 934 097 Mobile: 619 391 040 Email: addictedgc@gmail.com
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Miscellaneous
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The Canary News - Friday 27th August - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Issue 29
Telephone: 928 141 202
,OOKING TO BUY PROPERTY IN 'RAN #ANARIA
Mobile: 676 406 679
Dream Homes , C.C. Yumbo Local 411/10 , 35100 Playa del InglĂŠs , G.C. info@dreamhomesgrancanaria.com www.dreamhomesgrancanaria.com
For Rent
Playa del InglĂŠs
Monte LeĂłn
Amadores
Price: 600â‚Ź/month Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Very central two bedroom apartment with washing machine for longterm rental. Only a few minutes from the Yumbo centre and the Cita centre. Very nicely kept and excellent value for money in this popular complex.
Price: 1,200â‚Ź/month Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Beautiful villa with high quality finish. 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen and utility room, large private garden and private heated pool. Marble floors and air conditioning throughout. Off road parking and beautiful setting in the mountains. All windows have electric security blinds. The villa is unfurnished.
Price: 2,500â‚Ź Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Spacious, luxurious brand new apartment with three bedrooms for rent. Also rent to buy option available. Beautiful salt water pool and views over Amadores beach. Marble floors throughout and fully air conditioned. Fully fitted kitchen including dishwasher! Contact us for more information!
Puerto Rico
San AgustĂn
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"ELLEVUE "EST 0ROPERTY !GENT
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Price: 209,000â‚Ź Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
Price: 189,000â‚Ź Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1
Price: 685,000â‚Ź Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
Family home with 3 bedrooms in residential end of Puerto Rico. Master bedroom has en-suite bathroom. All marble floors and fitted wardrobes. The property has 2 covered parking places and an external storage room. It also has a large terrace area. Excellent value for money and can be sold furnished if required.
Beautiful and spacious 2 bedroom apartment with a large terrace and a balcony. Complex is only 4 years old and has a jacuzzi with spa jets, minigolf, swimming pool and baby pool as well as a "petanca" pitch. There is an underground car parking space included in the price. Fully furnished throughout.
Very spacious semidetached villa with beautiful sea views and a private pool. Very nicely positioned and within walking distance to the shopping centre and the beach. Three spacious double bedrooms (including one with ensuite) and there is also a very large semi-basement. Very attractive villa.
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