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Issue 699

8 - 14 march 2013

Anxious wait over CAM appeal

Health matters PUBLIC MEETINGS explaining how to register correctly for state provided healthcare in Spain are planned for expats p4

Couple wait for justice Andrew Wilford’s dream of a Spanish home ended when he found CAM had issued a builder’s mortgage to the developer based on an inflated valuation. He is now are waiting for a court judgement that he hopes will bring him justice p8

Do you have a mortgage? Is there a mortgage floor rate clause on it? If so, is it abusive? p31 Joke, glorious Joke!

Greedy-gutsCowell believes he can make a mega show out of anything p42

Bowled over

Members of the Benitachell Ladies Club are thinking of taking up bowling after an enjoyable morning’s introduction to the sport p63

Last years protest when the case was first heard in Hellin

by Jack Troughton OFF-PLAN HOME buyers left without ‘Bank Guarantee’ protection of their investment are anxiously waiting an imminent court judgement in a “landmark” test case.

An action group of buyers successfully won its case against a shamed Spanish bank in a Spanish court last May. However Cam Bank appealed the decision.

The appeal was decided this week by Albacete Appeal Court. The judgement will be announced

by the end of March – although the court has a record of early notification.

The case, which has aroused massive public and media interest, surrounds 47 buyers losing 1.5 million euros after CAM failed to issue guarantees to cover deposits for the Las Higuericas Finca Parcs development near Hellin, close to the border with Murcia.

Last June the court at Hellin found in favour of the Finca Parcs Action Group and the bank was described by the judge as being guilty of “banking malpractice” for its failure to protect buyers’ cash

after the bank – now Sabadell CAM – and the developer were found ‘jointly and severally’ liable.

CAM and developer Cleyton GES SL were ordered to return deposits to the purchasers and pay interest and costs. The bank paid the full amount into court last August but lodged an appeal.

Finca Parcs Action Group coordinator told Round Town News he and the legal team remained confident the bank’s appeal would be dismissed and the original sentence would be upheld.

Continued on page 6

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

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A roaring trade in horse

IN THE small town of Xirivella on the outskirts of Valencia the horse meat scandal is an alien concept! Local butcher Raul Tornero exclusively sells horsemeat, both in its raw state and in processed foods and he is doing a roaring trade. From his shop in the municipal market in Xirivella, Tornero sells popular cuts such as steak and liver, sausages and burgers – and it is all horse with no other animal product in the mix. His customers confirm that the meat sold is fresh and delicious and they are all well aware that it is horse. One loyal customer said: “The meat is wonderful with plenty of iron, easy to digest and very little cholesterol. It is particularly good for anyone who is anaemic – and far superior to beef.” The best of Tornero’s meat selection is from young foals between 12 and 16 months, “…bred in the wild - grass and grain fed in the high pastures of the Cantabrians and Pyrenees.”

Backstage in the spotlight

by Jack Troughton YOUNGSTERS HOPING to forge a career in the music and live events industries have a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes next week.

Representatives from the Backstage Academy in Wakefield are coming to the Costa Blanca to meet with teenagers of all nationalities about courses on offer – and possible funding.

EKA – the European Kids Association – has organised the visit and the Academy people will be at Cafe del Mar, Moraira, on 15th and 16th March, with registration at 10.30am.

EKA’s Lauren Staton said the Backstage Academy benefitted from a

“unique link” to some of the world’s leading productions and production personnel through top studio LS-Live.

“LS-Live is Europe’s biggest studio, rehearsal and production facility that services high profile artists like Kasabian, Lady Gaga and Dizzee Rascal; television and film productions from the likes of the ITV, BBC and MatteBlack Films; and pre-production for brands like Jaguar and Formula One,” she said.

FOUNDATION She said the academy ran a foundation degree course focusing on the artistic and creative use of technology – and included modules on lighting, sound,

staging, live visuals and entertainment control networks.

Students also were taught work skills, concept and production design and specialist skills such as lasers and 3D technology.

Full funding is available for the course and smaller courses were also available at the Backstage Academy.

EKA is a charity helping youngsters on the Costa Blanca achieve career goals and make the most of their skills and aspirations and seeks support from youth organisations and businesses.

More information is available at www. backstage-academy.co.uk and Lauren is available on 665 012 228 or via email at europeankidsassociation@hotmail.com

Denia Hospital labelled the slowest to treat emergency patients DENIA HOSPITAL has hotly denied claims by APF Marina Health Company Compromís that its emergency facility is by far the slowest in the Valencian region with an ‘arrival to treatment’ response of two hours more than for other patients. A hospital spokesman confirmed that the emergency room follows the ‘Manchester Triage’ protocol with an average ten minutes taken to deliver treatment following nurses’ assessment.

Health matters

8 - 14 march 2013

PUBLIC MEETINGS explaining how to register correctly for state provided healthcare in Spain were this week described as a “must” for British expats.

by Jack Troughton The events are part of an ongoing campaign launched by the UK Department of Health and the Valencia Health Authority and will stress just what UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) can – and cannot - be used for.

Many expats fail to register to the healthcare they are entitled to but instead rely on the credit card sized pieces of plastic believing they are covered for medical assistance.

Martyn Standing, part of the Department of Health’s team based at the British Consulate in Alicante said: “These events are a must for anyone who wants to get the information on EHIC cards straight from the horse’s mouth.

REGISTER “We will be telling people why and how they should register for healthcare whilst living in Spain, and explaining

Unemployment in Spain hits a record high THE NUMBER of Spanish unemployed has hit the five million mark, leaving a quarter of the population jobless. The Labour Ministry has confirmed that the number of people registered as unemployed in February jumped by 59,444 compared with January, taking the total to 5.04 million.

the correct use of a UK-issued EHIC card for British visitors.”

Everyone is welcome at the meetings and there is also a new website to help UK residents of the Valencia region to understand the situation at www.healthcareinspain.eu Over the coming two months health officials have planned a number of meetings and hope to build on the success of events, funded by the EU, already staged in an innovative partnership between British and regional Spanish authorities.

The public meetings are being held on: 13th March at the Centro Cultural Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, at noon; 21st March at the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen, Torrevieja, at noon; 9th April at the Centro de Participación Ciudadana, Calle Eras de Juan, Oliva, at 12:00pm; 23rd April at the Casa de Cultura, Plaza de Baix, Javea at noon; 7th Martyn May at the Casa de Cultura, Jaime Fluix y Pastor, Calpe at Standing at noon; 21st May in Benissa – the time and venue to be con- the launch firmed; and 4th June at the Ajuntament del Poble Nou de of the Benitatxell, time to be confirmed. campaign

Iberia relocates 95% of passengers affected by the strike

ACCORDING TO Iberia, 2,000 customers have been given a choice to be rescheduled or receive a refund during another week of strikes called in protest against restructuring. The airline already re-routed 38,000 of the 40,000 affected customers with reservations on one of Iberia’s cancelled flights in the second batch of week-long strikes that ends today (Friday).

Passengers may find information on cancelled flights via Iberia’s website: www.iberia.com Travellers are advised to obtain boarding passes via the internet to avoid lengthy queues at airports and also to register with ‘Iberia Connect’, the airline’s free information service that offers news of flight-related incidents in real time via SMS or email.

8 - 14 march 2013

Refuge empowered

Beach task force The charity shop welcomes the visitors from Gandia

by Jack Troughton HARD-WORKING VOLUNTEERS of the Original Charity Shop and Library are celebrating the success of a five year battle to get electricity to a new extension at the Franciscan run men’s refuge at Palma de Gandia.

The Javea-based charity raised 50,000€ to the ‘transformer appeal’ to get electricity switched on at the new building – the balance “unexpectedly” coming from the local authority.

And recently 50 of the men who live at the refuge – it is part hospice, part nursing home and a place for the homeless – travelled to the Marina Alta town with their carers to thank the charity team.

Charity President Georgie Harvey told RTN: “It has been five years since we launched our appeal. We raised 50,000€ but what made it successful was the council giving 60,000€ very unexpectedly.

“Unfortunately the money needed for the transformer went up every year from an initial 80,000€. It just went up and up and the

end never seemed to be in sight until now.”

She added: “It is a very proud moment for the charity – the best news we have had for a very long time.”

People living at the home are cared for by three monks, two nuns and local volunteers.

The Original Charity Shop and Library provides funding for a Saturday lunch – cooked for by team members and other charities and committed individuals.

Georgie said the charity also provided 400€ a month to help meet the hygiene requirements of the men. “We will now increase that to cover drugs – the medicine bills at the refuge are quite horrendous.”

The shop will also collect unused drugs.

These are checked by a pharmacist and will be donated to the refuge’s medicine cupboard.

Admission to the refuge is solely based on need and it is funded entirely by charitable donations – not a cent is received in state aid.

RTN was told the monks are ever cheerful and resilient – unpaid bills are place under a statue of St Francis in the hope of divine assistance.

By Jack Troughton A NEW team is in action cleaning the beaches of a Marina Alta town seen as its mostimportant ‘asset’ to encourage tourism.

Denia Town Hall has signed an agreement with Pavasal to clean and maintain its beaches and coast and help retain the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ status.

Mayor Ana Kringe and Councillor Sisco Signes, pictured with company officers on the sand, have inspected the state of the art fleet of vehicles being used in the operation in the coming weeks.

Mr Signes said the council was committed to backing such a “vital service” because “the coast of Denia is out biggest tourist attraction.”

Pavasal duties include cleaning both the sand and gravel beaches; removing seaweed and algae; cleaning road access points, drains and river channels; removing waste.

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8 - 14 march 2013

Storms damage fruit crops

Million euro robbers arrested

THE NATIONAL Police and the Guardia Civil have arrested 24 members of a large gang of burglars that targeted private homes in Alicante, Valencia and Castellón. A huge haul of stolen goods was recovered valued at around a million euros. Amongst the booty were nine gold bars weighing 4.5kilos, more than 200 watches and eight luxury cars, along with an array of electronic equipment.

Police estimate that the gang robbed around 200 residents in total. Three of the gang members tried to escape arrest by jumping out of a window but were quickly re-captured.

A farmer inspects his fruit trees

by Jack Troughton INSURANCE ASSESSORS believe the recent storms have caused more than 3.3 million euros of damage to fruit crops in the Marina Baixa alone.

The heavy rains have generally been welcomed by gardeners and farmers growing citrus fruits, vegetables and cereals, almonds and olives.

However, producers of soft fruits and vegetables are counting the cost of heavy rains – in some areas falling as hail – and it was initially estimated over 4,000 tons will be damaged.

According to insurance company Asaja, crops that were not protected by mesh have suffered in the storms potentially causing producers the huge losses.

Continued from front page “I am confident. We have so much evidence against CAM, such a strong sentence from the First Instance Court at Hellin, and ever increasing case law against the banks,” he said.

CAM continues to argue it was not responsible for the situation and all irregularities and illegalities were committed by the developer.

But Keith said the case had become important for all off-plan buyers who failed to get the protection that was legally required under Spanish law because it would become a precedent for similar cases.

“There remains great interest in our Finca Parcs case from other buyers of off-plan property in Spain who did

By contrast the fruits protected by the storms will enjoy the rain and will lead to crops that are enhanced in both colour and flavour. Asaja has called for increased government subsidies to reduce the cost of insurance for farmers. A spokesman said: “Insurance is the only tool available to producers to protect their crops and deal with losses caused by bad weather.”

not receive the legally required Bank Guarantees, many of whom have their life savings at risk,” he said.

“We have always believed that according to the law, banks have a liability in these types of cases. We have worked tirelessly since 2008 to highlight this issue in the media and with the Spanish and British governments.”

He added: “We are confident that this month our landmark case will be upheld by the Albacete Appeal Court.”

The action group has already lodged a second action against CAM and Cleyton GES. The case involves another 13 buyers at Finca Parcs and a further 500,000€ in lost deposits.

Keith explained the 13 purchasers had not been members of the group when the first lawsuit was filed in February 2011 but was admitted into Hellin Courts in January and served on both defendants.

He said CAM and Cleyton GES must now submit their defence to the second lawsuit to the court with the prospect of another trial unless a settlement could be reached.

“The second lawsuit is even stronger than the first as it incorporates all the additional evidence that we gained through the original trial,” said Keith.

“I really cannot see how CAM will even be able to defend it – the bank must file a defence by 13th March – I am very much looking forward to reading it.”

8 - 14 march 2013

New Spanish driving licence laws take effect but it’s not a smooth road just yet

by Keith Nicol NEW LAWS regarding resident status and your driving licence came into force about a month ago in Spain, and if you are a Spanish resident, you will probably need to change your driving licence. This has all to do with a new EU driving licence initiative, which just came into force on January 19, 2013. Local Car clubs and Gestors around Torrevieja and the region have been inundated with questions about the procedure and everyone seems to have a different answer..

According to Guardia Civil Trafico officers, if you are a Spanish resident, on the padron, living in Spain, drive a car on Spanish plates and have your car insured with a Spanish company

or international company based in Spain, they will expect you to hold a Spanish Driving Licence.

The Traffic Authority’s information service have said that foreigners holding the pink indefinite licence have to change to the new licence immediately while all others have up to two years to legalise their situation. On Wednesday, car importation and registration specialist Amanda Jane Braund verified with the Chief of Trafico in Alicante that it takes six months of living in Spain to obtain residencia and then it’s obligatory to change to a Spanish Driving Licence.

New Licences in Spain are all plastic, credit card sized, with a list of vehicles you can drive on one side, plus your photo, name, date of birth and NIE number on the other. It’s a valuable piece of

Benefit ghouls

ID since it has your NIE on this, which is generally accepted as an official piece of ID. Ian Baker from Angel Expat Services in San Miguel, noted; “Problems exist between Trafico and DVLA in Swansea when it comes to providing official confirmation of the ‘right to drive’.”

Ian said that he has copies of faxes sent to the DVLA in Swansea by Trafico that have officially been received however, in more than a dozen instances, for Ian alone, Swansea deny that any fax has been received and none of their help line department are willing to discuss the matter on the phone! What was once a fairly easy Licence transfer procedure, now requires two visits to Trafico in Alicante instead of just one. Once Trafico have received all your details, they send

a fax to the DVLA. The DVLA only need to verify your right to drive and within six weeks you should receive your official Spanish Licence. Strangely, if you pay the DVLA £5.00, people have received the fax verification in record time, however the reciprocal arrangement between Trafico Spain and DVLA is presently very hit and miss, with some outstanding issues from March 2012 still to be sorted while others have completed the process within six weeks! The British Consulate in Alicante is aware of the issue and a meeting has been arranged to meet with him in the next few weeks to try and find an answer to the situation.

More information on all matters relating to traffic and motoring in Spain can be found at their official website at www.dgt.es.

By Jack Troughton TWO CHEATS have been jailed for benefit fraud after continuing to pocket cash the British government was paying to a dead family member.

Sharing information, such as the death of a British family member living in Spain, helps the UK’s Department of Works and Pensions to insure pensions and other benefits are stopped as soon as possible – avoiding large overpayments that need to be paid back.

The British and Spanish authorities have joined forces in the fight to bring fraudsters to justice through new information sharing arrangements. This helps to identify people who deliberately set out to fail to report a family member has died to the DWP in order to cheat the system and continue to enjoy the payments.

Michael Higgs and Nancy Rutter stole more than £39,000 from the public purse after continuing to draw benefits of a deceased family member but data matching between the UK and Spain showed Higgs’ father died in 2005 – yet the couple failed to notify the DWP. Believing they would never be caught, the pair, living in Malaga, continued to claim the dead man’s benefit. However, their actions saw them found guilty of fraud and as well as being ordered to repay the stolen cash, Higgs was jailed for 18 months and Rutter was sentenced to 30 months and 18 months to run concurrently.

A criminal record can easily be avoided by keeping the DWP informed of changes in personal circumstances, including a death in the family. Failure to do so can lead to being ordered to repay overpayments and a possible jail sentence.

People wishing to report someone suspected of benefit fraud can call the DWP’s free and confidential hotline in Spain on 900 554 440 or visit www.dwp.gov.uk/benefit-thieves-spain

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Couple wait for justice

by Jack Troughton PROPERTY VICTIMS Andrew and Kate Wilford are waiting for a court judgement they hope will bring them justice after investing in an ‘off plan’ nightmare.

The couple’s dream of a Spanish home ended when in 2008 they found CAM had issued a builder’s mortgage to the developer of the Trampolin Solera complex in Murcia based on an inflated valuation.

The home was later sold to a third party after Andrew and Kate refused to take on an indebted property and are fighting for the 200,000€ they invested. With interest and costs of a legal battle, they are looking to recoup more than 300,000€.

They have now given evidence to a court in Murcia but have been told a verdict may not be announced for up to 10 weeks. Developer Rafael Aguilera faces a four year prison term if convicted.

Andrew believes CAM was part of a wider fraud – and by issuing mortgages on homes at Trampolin Solera and sister developments Trampolin Hills and Trampolin royal

Dreams could have given the developer up to 100 million euros, while bankers pocketed lucrative commissions.

A judge has already ruled the bank has a criminal case to answer but Andrew and Kate, from Colwyn Bay, Wales, have already taken their plight to the Bank of Spain and the highest levels of the Spanish Government.

Describing his court experience, Andrew told RTN: “The court system in Spain remains a mystery to me – the only things I understood were what I and Kate said.

“I had expected a judgement on the day, which apparently doesn’t happen here in Spain, they go away and think about it.”

He said the developer had argued the matter had already been decided in the civil court which ruled Trampolin Solera was liable for the money “but it was not an offence.”

And he said: “Morally there should be absolutely no question we should win – but what have morals got to do with it? Corruption is so common place in Spain.

“The developer had the money from me, money from the CAM Bank and the second purchaser – any way you look at it, it is not right.”

Andrew and Kate Wilford outside court with (centre) lawyer Carlos Moral Servet

Making Britain great

By Jack Troughton LONDON’S GOLDEN 2012 Olympic Games continues to boost British business, youth sport and local communities, Lord Coe told a Madrid audience this week.

Speaking at a special breakfast meeting organised by Spain’s Europa Press on Tuesday, the Olympic champion said the Games provided a huge economic, sporting and social legacy.

Lord Coe, the London 2012 legacy ambassador, said: “London 2012 was a once in a generation opportunity to showcase everything that makes Britain great in order to generate long-term economic benefits.

“The winning, planning, delivery and

legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games called upon all the qualities that make the UK stand out in the global economy. Based on the expertise that they developed in London, British companies are now winning contracts to help other nations deliver their Olympic Games.”

The former athlete said he had many friends in Spain – revealing his first international championship was staged in San Sebastian and his last European competition was in Barcelona.

He said British expertise was now helping in Rio de Janiero for the 2016 Olympics and other UK companies were already involved in the Sochi Winter Games.

Lord Coe said London had created a sporting legacy upgrading clubs across the UK, the recruitment of new coaches and sports leaders, and Britain now enjoyed a reputation as a sporting host – with around 70 world class events being staged over the next four years – while all eight of the Olympic Park venues were being converted into permanent sports and community facilities. Lord Coe added: “I am delighted that we also held the most accessibly and inclusive Games ever; with disability access incorporated into the design and structure of buildings; open spaces and public transport. The London Paralympic Games changed attitudes to disabled people.”

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mail

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

talk to us

Email letters to rtnmail@roundtownnews.com with your full name and address

letter of the week

An upbeat message SIR, AS a regular reader of RTN and a second home owner in Villamartin might I offer an upbeat message to yourself and your readers? I have noticed a number of changes since I first started visiting the area - not least improved infrastructure and a willingness of the local populace to pressurise the regional politicians to improve the overall situation for residents.

Whilst I fully appreciate that residents are occupied on a whole range of fronts - from redirecting funding from Orihuela to Orihuela Costa or simply just getting safe footpaths established such as the new bridge over the AP7 at the La Zenia Boulevard - the bigger picture is one of positive change. The perspective from the UK is that Health Care in Spain is better than that in the UK, which companies are slowly modernising, that corruption is be-

Old news

THERE HAS been talk of ridding the streets of Benidorm of these thieves for years and nothing ever happens. I have not met anyone who considers them part of the local colour everyone despises them and cannot understand how they have been allowed to get away with their theiving for many many years. My husband and I have been going to Benidorm twice a year for nearly 30 years and these people seem to have been around for as long as that.

They not only steal from people who are silly enough to get involved with them but also from onlookers. If they are considered to be part of the Benidorm scene why do they run off into different directions once they have robbed a person.

Come on you police get rid of them once and for all.

Carole Tully

ing driven out, that improvements are being made at a whole range of levels and that momentum is clearly with positive change.

This range of positives can only be better for the local economy and help place Torrevieja and its satellite communities and towns in a vibrant and lean place for when the recession inevitably ends and the next boom cycle begins. I may be 15 years away from retirement, but I am certainly penciling in moving over lock, stock and barrel with optimism and confidence for the region’s future.

The credit belongs with the current residents - of all nationalities - and local newspapers for embracing the virtues and values of local activism and you are all to be commended with my warm thanks for your hard work.

James Shea

When you go on holiday you must pay

I HAVE just read letters printed from owners of the mobile homes complaining about having to pay for staying in official camping sites.

Surely these people realise that when one goes on holiday they must pay, like everyone else.

I have just been down to La Pinet beach at La Marina only to find that I was unable to park in the official parking spaces, near to the beach as it was completely full of motor homes, each vehicle taking up to three spaces.

Please Elche council do something about them - they do not have to pay the Suma or pay for their electric or gas, and yes, the people in these homes visit our shops but that is not enough. We the residents are fully entitled to use the facilities provided when we wish to.

Jacquie Dormand, Resident of La Marina

A couple of points

JUST A couple of points regarding the Seat Mii Review: The Seat Mii, Skoda Citigo and Volkswagen Up all roll off the same production line in Bratislavia so I think we can say they share the same engine and gearbox so it is unlikely that the Mii gearbox is smoother than the Citigo’s.

The ‘sizeable electric sunroof...missing on the Skoda’ is, I believe, a £650 extra which could explain why it was missing on the Skoda Citigo that Tim Saunders received

for road testing... Again, heated front seats are available extras on BOTH models.

Criticism of misting windows at near freezing temperatures is a clue that this article has been lifted from a UK website.

However, the reviewer is spot on with his observation that the Skoda (and Volkswagen) versions are targeted at middle-aged motorists as I am about to take delivery of a Skoda Citigo!

Middleaged Malcolm Drew

How successful was his visit?

REFERENCE YOUR article on the visit of Consevative MP, Nigel Evans urging expats to register their vote in order to participate in a future referendum on European Membership, I would like to relate our problems when we tried to register to vote in the 2010 UK General Election. We had seen a newspaper article giving 2 web sites to register our UK voting rights, but had no success on either site. Without going into details there were various letters and emails regarding on the progress of our registration.

In the end we decided to write to Nick Clegg who is in charge of electoral reform about our compliant. The letter was passed onto Simon Meats in the Cabinet office to deal with. After dealing with Spanish bureaucracy with

their insistance on corresponding in Castelano and having to use a lawyer it was a pleasure to deal with Simon Meats. He contacted the Brighon electoral office who stated that that they would be changing the RP 14 form with one using email facilities and apologised for the mistakes made. I would like to quote the end on the letter “we have published draft legislative regulations to extend the timetable for UK Parliamentry Elections from 17 to 25 working days “ .

I have yet to met an expat who voted in the 2010 UK general election and wonder how successful Nigel Evans was on his visit .Was he aware of the change to future election timetables and did he inform his audience?

Philip T Humberstone

8 - 14 march 2013

Use a glass!

Don’t drink from a can

by Jan Gamm ON SUNDAY 28th February in the UK a family took a few cans of lemonade with them on a picnic. By the next day two family members were admitted to hospital, one of whom died in Intensive Care on Wednesday 5th March. Autopsy results concluded that the victim had contracted Leptospirosis. The virus was stuck to the tin cans and

consumed without the use of a glass or cup.

Test results showed that the tin was contaminated with dried mouse urine. Cans are usually stored in a warehouse and delivered direct to retail stores without cleaning.

Studies show that the top of all beverage cans are more contaminated with harmful bacteria than public toilets. So either wash cans thoroughly before drinking out of them or use a glass.

The price of gas cylinders to increase by 8% THE PRICE of the average bottle of butane gas will be increased by 8% in the coming months, moving from the current 16.1€ to 17.5€ around the month of May. The adjustment is the result of a new mechanism prepared by the Ministry of Industry that is expected to be approved in the near future.

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Don’t lose weight- eliminate! And do it the sensible way, with

Fast Track Hypnosis!

By Jonathan Gilchrist: Master Hypnotherapist and Advanced Weight Control Therapist I QUALIFIED last year having watched my father, Alan Gilchrist, help many thousands of people change their lives dramatically through hypnosis.

I know how powerful the mind is and the more I learned from my father the more intrigued I became.

The human body’s most powerful weapon is the mind. And the difference between ‘lose’ and ‘eliminate’ is astounding when taking self-hypnosis into consideration. That being said, why would you want to lose weight?

If you want to lose weight, don’t bother – instead eliminate, eradicate or abolish the weight. But don’t lose it! Why? Because if your body loses a few pounds, the mind will simply find them again and you’ll end up back where you started. Sound crazy? Well, it might do but this ‘lost and found mentality’ is ingrained into us from childhood.

We’re conditioned to find lost goods and in the case of those lost kilos that caused you to subsist on one lettuce leaf three times a day, your subconscious mind will find them again!

I teach clients as part of the Fast Track Weight Control package to re-train their minds. You can lose a lot of weight by dieting, but it’s all about training the mind to avoid putting the weight back on again.

And the statistics don’t lie. Over 80% of people

who lose weight regain it at some point (Study at the University of California). And in some cases they’ll regain more than they lost in the first place!

Celebrities with their money can afford private chefs and personal trainers and yet, have they won the weight war? Women like Oprah Winfrey and Kirstie Alley… They’ve all yo-yo dieted. They lost their weight: they didn’t eradicate it.

Every time you talk about losing weight you’re programming yourself to lose and ultimately, find those pesky kilos. Instead why not programme yourself to control your weight and appetite and eliminate those extra wobbly bits for good? With Fast Track Hypnosis, you can do just that.

Traditional hypnotherapy has its place. It’s effective and in comparison to psychology it’s fast. However, Fast Track Hypnosis is the next evolutionary step, taking traditional methods and innovative techniques and technologies, condensing them into a speedy treatment.

Psychology takes upwards of a thousand hours and traditional hypnotherapy around twelve - Fast Track Hypnosis changes lives in only one session!

Yes, you read that correctly. One! Thousands of victims’ lives were forever tarnished through the troubles in Northern Ireland. Only when they came to visit my father did that torment dissipate. Hypnotherapy, but more importantly FastTrack Hypnosis, has changed peoples’ lives.

Hypnotherapy implants suggestions into the subconscious mind: once awakened, the active mind processes the suggestions and makes them part of your daily life. Fast Track Hypnosis can mean the difference between losing those pounds for a few days and abolishing them for good.

Weight control techniques using Fast Track Hypnosis target your appetite control centre, forcing it to react only when you are truly hungry. You’ll be a healthy eater because during suggestion therapy you will be trained to stop craving junk food and start healthy eating habits.

And you’ll abolish those pounds with a smile on your face.

When you are ready to start a new you, email me: jonathangilchristbh@gmail.com Jonathan and Alan hold their Fast Track Hypnosis sessions in Cabo Roig, Guardarmar, Benidorm and now Fortuna (Murcia). Alan is also the Creator of the Stop Smoking in Under 30 minutes Fast Track System featured on TV. Jonathan also holds sessions in Spanish as well as English.

For an appointment, brochure, or free of charge initial consultation, contact Jonathan Gilchrist on 691 784 954.

Follow us on Twitter: @HypnosisBH www.alangilchristinspain.com www.hypnosiscostablanca.com www.thegastroband.com

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The High Street is dead: long live the High Street!

By

Chris Marshall Expat blogger www.almerimarlife.com

I AM sure you have all seen the recent news stories relating to the on-going demise of the British High Street, as major brand after major brand are forced to close their doors. Perhaps your initial thought was similar to mine: that it was a shame.

The High Streets have been a great servant to the Great British Public, have served a great purpose but now they are dying a slow, painful and undignified death.

I have a fondness for the High Street: early ventures into Hull with my parents as a young child were adventures and full of promise. Everything seemed so big, busy, bustling and brash. In later years nights out with ‘the boys’ in Newcastle under Lyme were similarly adventurous and full of promise, albeit of a different type.

I visited both of these High Streets recently and was left with an overriding sense of sadness at what they had become. If you don’t want an overpriced coffee, junk food or something from a market stall there is very little on offer. Without exception, every shop that I went into didn’t stock the

item I wanted: all suggested that I could buy it from their online site and have it delivered either home (useful) or to the store (why would I do that). When even the shops are ordering from their own online stores you know their time is up.

Of course it is easy to blame the growth in online shopping as the reason behind the decline of the High Street, and it has certainly contributed. So too though have the Gastro Pubs all over the country which mean you don’t need to venture into town for a meal; the huge retail parks that dominate and make it so much easier to park and get all your shopping in one place; tighter drink drive laws (no bad thing) which make using your local more attractive than finding a designated driver (or paying excessive Taxi fares as I found out recently in Coventry - where I spent 4 years at college and got to know very well); out of town cinemas… I could go on…

Simply put there is just no need for the High Street in today’s society, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t be put to good use. Close down all the

shops and use the space for accommodation. Focus on the needy and those that can’t travel, and then provide the necessary shops to service these new communities.

Back here in Spain I was really sorry to see that Spain’s MP’s have voted to consider giving bullfighting ‘special cultural status’ - a move that could overturn regional bans on the age-old tradition. In a 180-40 vote, the parliament backed a petition signed by 590,000 people. If the idea becomes law, it may roll back the ban in Spain’s regions of Catalonia and the Canary Islands. It may also provide tax breaks for promoters of bullfighting (corrida).

Bullfighting is just so unnecessary in today’s world. And I am sure the MP’s would be better focusing on other issues such as the fact that Spanish housing prices fell again in the fourth quarter. The average price per square metre of housing in Spain fell to 1,531.20€ in the last three months of 2012, a drop of 2.2 per cent from the previous quarter and of 9.8 per cent from the same year-ago period which means that prices have dropped by 27.1

per cent since their peak in the first quarter of 2008.

Or how about the report that Spain’s economy shrank at the fastest pace in more than three years in the final quarter of 2012, putting a further 6 million jobs at risk. Total economic output slumped 0.7 per cent from the previous quarter -- the steepest decline since the re-birth of Spanish democracy after death of General Francisco Franco in 1975 -- after a 0.3-per cent dip the previous quarter. A separate report showed Spain’s unemployment rate shot to 26.02 per cent in the fourth quarter -- the highest in the Spanish democratic era -- as 5.97 million people sought in vain for work.

Or the five-day strike by Iberia staff over plans for the airline to reduce the workforce by 4,000.

Or the thousands that demonstrated recently pushing for a new law to end a wave of evictions of homeowners ruined by the economic crisis.

Surely these are far more important issues to debate and resolve that keeping a barbaric, inhuman and totally outdated ‘sport’ alive!

Chris runs ALStrays Transport (www.alstrays.com) along with his wife Sandra, transporting re-homed cats and dogs twice a month between Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and the UK. Email: chris.marshall@mac.com - Web: http://almerimarlife.com - Web: http://chrismarshall.ws - Web: http://expatlifespain.com - Web: http://alstrays.com - Phone: +34 676 65 36 81 Phone: +44 7845 663 599 - Skype: MyAppleStuff

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Key to adventure

by Jack Troughton FIRST TIME author Ruth Delahunty has written a traditional children’s adventure ‘The Enchanted Key’ for her 11-yearold daughter Lulu.

The story tells of two friends and their dog, who find a key buried in a secret cave – it opens a mysterious door in the cave wall and when the pet races through the youngsters follow and find themselves in another world, ruled by the tyrannical Black Duke.

The Costa Blanca-based writer said: “It was my daughter who inspired me. I wanted to write a traditional children’s adventure for her. I grew up reading Enid Blyton and remember being enthralled by the ‘Secret Seven’ and the Famous Five’.

“The spirit of adventure is innate in every child and this is what I have sought to capture. Writing The Enchanted Key

has been a personal experience but the real pleasure comes from the thought that children will enjoy the book.”

Ruth, 44, formerly worked for Coventry Council in the treasurer’s department and believed she had a secure future in local government.

However, in 1992 she took a “last minute decision that changed the course of my life” to join her mum and stepdad on holiday “in a lovely little village called Javea.”

LOVE She said something strange happened during the break. “As we packed our cases I realised that I didn’t want to go.

I wanted to stay in Javea – I had fallen totally, madly, crazily in love with the place.”

Ruth said afterwards England did not seem the same and her secure future now appeared like “a life sentence” and

Homes for feathered friends

By Jack Troughton WOODEN BIRD boxes will be put into place in Calpe tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a project to help protect the environment and its wildlife.

The 40 bird houses were paid for by a fund raising dinner and are one of the simplest methods of contributing to the ‘Embracing the World’ project.

The project, represented in Spain by the Filokalia Foundation, is supported by Calpe Town Hall and it is hoped residents and other associations will be encouraged to erect their own bird boxes.

At present an animal disappears from the planet

every 20 minutes – a toll between 100 and 1,000 times faster than scientists predicted.

However, people can help by building bird and insect nests – insects make up 75% of the earth’s species and play an essential role in achieving an ecological balance, for example, 35% of the planet’s food is dependent on bee pollination.

Embracing the World, for more information go to www.embracingtheworld.org, maintains it is essential to halt the use of pesticides to protect animals and provide living spaces on private land as well as public parks and countryside.

after a few months she resigned her position and bought a “one-way ticket to Spain.”

Back in her beloved Javea she found work in restaurants and shops. Money was tight but she said: I was happier with the little I had than ever before.”

She was introduced to partner Luis Angel and the pair “hit it off straight away”. Luis Angel lived and worked in Alicante but travelled north at weekends so they could be together.

“Eventually I had to make another decision. Could I leave Javea and move to Alicante to be with Luis Angel on a permanent basis? I decided to risk it and was proved right – we have been together for 18 years now and have a beautiful daughter.”

The Enchanted Key is published by Amazon and available on Kindle priced at £4.64 in the UK and 4.50€ in Spain.

Spanish lessons with the U3A Vall del Pop THE SPANISH for Beginners Group is growing in popularity each week and, in addition to the first group, a second group has been formed for people who have a little more knowledge of the language. The teacher was originally Brigid Redmond who, for personal reasons has taken a temporary sabbatical so Pauline McGough (who also teaches Teulada/ Moraira U3A) has ably stepped up to the plate to take us all through our paces. We meet at the Texas Saloon in Jalon (near the Correos) from 2pm to 3pm for Beginners and 3pm to 4pm for the Beginners Plus. In addition, for the more advanced among us, there are Spanish Conversation classes with Bill Bradley on Fridays at 4 pm at her house and Brigid organises the Inter Cambio Group (Spanish/English conversation with Spanish people) on Thursdays at 4.30 pm at Venta Roja Restaurant, Lliber. If you are interested in joining any of these groups please log on to www.u3avalldelpop.com and go to Groups.

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8 - 14 march 2013

Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

HIT me with those advert aerobics...

MY RAMBLINGS on High Intensive Training (HIT) last week seem to have created interest and annoyance in equal measure. Most folks apparently liked the idea of an exercise regime that takes only ten minutes, just three times a week (well, who wouldn’t) but there was slight annoyance that I hadn’t given more information on the subject.

One question in particular that cropped up more than most was an age related one: can you partake HIT at any age?

Okay, just before I answer that lets recap: Prof Jamie Timmons was leading a clinical trial of 300 overweight volunteers to ascertain if HIT will change the way we think about and undertake our exercise. According to him, around ten minutes of HIT provides the same, if not more, benefit as much longer ‘traditional’ sessions. He suggested three ten minute sessions a week on a ‘sturdy’ exercise bike. Well, the good news from those studies is that you can do it at any age.

One doctor who wrote to the BMJ’s forum doc2doc said: “So far, tests on hundreds of unfit middle-aged volunteers in Britain and Canada over the past eight years have shown those three minutes of exercise a week deliver the same significant health improvements as can be achieved through hours in the

gym or on the running track.”

The other question was: how does it work? Dr Michael Mosley is one chap who should know. He recently presented a documentary on the subject and was wired up to an exercise machine for his troubles. He went hell for leather three times in ten minutes and the results you can see on the BBC I-player. Just search for ‘Horizon:The Truth About Exercise’.

“According to the researchers I spoke to,” says Michael, “part of the explanation is (probably) that HIT uses far more of our muscle tissue than classic aerobic exercise.” Mike adds, “When you do HIT, you are using not just the leg muscles, but also the upper body including arms and shoulders, so that 80% of the body’s muscle cells are activated, compared to 20-40% for walking or moderate intensity jogging or cycling.” So, there we are. I’m convinced, are you?

My eldest daughter tells me that in her house something similar to HIT has already caught on - only they call it ‘advert aerobics’. Now I don’t know if this’ll be of much use if you only watch the BBC but in a nutshell it works thus: when the ad breaks come on during your favourite TV shows you jump up out of your armchair and perform exercises of your choice at full pelt (or somewhere close)

Michael Mosley in the Horizon: The Truth About Exercise documentary

until the programme starts again. Can you imagine push-ups, sit-ups, squats or burpies during Emmerdale and Corrie? Hannah says she prefers to jog on the spot, while her hubby leaps about doing star-jumps etc. Goodness only knows what the Avon lady thinks as she approaches the house...

Meanwhile, I’ve been out trawling the charity shops for an exercise bike and managed to cop quite a bargain.

After much struggling (probably equal

to your average HIT session) I wrestled the beast into my bedroom. In fact, I’ve even pondered on wiring the thing into the national grid, in order to supply extra ‘watts’ (get it?) to a grateful nation as I HIT away. However, in keeping with journalistic integrity and honesty I have to report that so far the bloomin’ thing has only served as a clothes horse for my shirts and jacket.

Watts in Britain, leaping about during the ads...

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Fourmidables in concert

Flowers for food LA HERMANDAD de El Perdón (Brotherhood of Forgiveness) has donated 1,400€ allocated for floral decorations for the night of Holy Thursday (28th March) to Caritas, where the cash will instead be used to buy food for needy families. Brother Fernando said: “Given the economic situation we are all going through and the penitential character of our brotherhood, we decided to sacrifice the flowers. Reserves are very low and we have nowhere else to get money.” The Alicante Brotherhood, founded in 1956 and now numbering 180 brothers, marches in procession at midnight from the Cathedral of St Nicholas, the silence broken only by the beating of drums, carrying the thrones of Christ and the Virgin.

Award winning Fourmidables perform a benefit concert for AFA Torrevieja tonight.

by Keith Nicol FOUR EXTREAMLY talented vocalists will be gracing the stage of the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre on Friday 8 March, at nine in the evening. It’s a very special concert by the group torrevejense ‘Fourmidables’, who sing a variety of music in close harmony in a barbershop style. But even if you don’t think you would enjoy a night of barbershop, such is their talent that some of their vocals are closely associated with the likes of The Darts or Manhattan Transfer, as they also interpret modern songs in their varied repertoire.

Tickets are just 5.00€ and the concert is done to benefit AFA Torrevieja, the Association of Relatives and Friends of People with Alzheimer AFA. ‘Fourmidables’, is a young Spanish acapella quartet. In 2008, they were part of a large show singing the ‘hits’ of international pop-rock artists in

doo wop style versions. In December 2009 they produced their first album with a Christmas theme, entitled “Sweet Christmas”. In 2010, they were invited by the Spanish Association of Barbershop to participate in its annual quartets competition, taking the second prize in the national male section twice, in 2011 and 2012.

Since then, they have performed in many different concerts around Spain, including the closing of the l Fira de Tots Sants competition in Cocentaina last November. The boys all reside in Torrevieja and Murcia, and this concert is an opportunity for them to get some live stage practice and raise money for an excellent cause. The group consists of Juan Chazarra (bass), Eduardo Perez (Baritone), Santiago Sánchez (Lead) and Raul Anton (Tenor) are currently preparing to reach new heights with their participation in the European Barbershop Convention to be held in Netherlands in a few weeks time.

Costa Blanca go to the ITB Berlin Tourism fair

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Yummy Mummies calendar a success Joaquin Albaladejo, Alicante’s deputy for Tourism promotes senior living projects at this year’s Berlin Tourism Fair

by Keith Nicol THE COSTA Blanca Tourist Board are presently promoting the region in Berlin at Germany’s major Tourism fair, which finishes on March 10. Torrevieja’s Deputy Mayor and Deputy vice president for Tourism Joaquín Albaladejo has travelled to Berlin where he will hold several meetings with representatives of the sector in order to strengthen one of the most important markets for local municipalities and promote the Alicante Province hotel offering.

Albaladejo is working closely at the ITB Berlin in partnership with the tour operator Ian Livesey, director of operations for Spain and Andorra and signed a collaboration agreement with Livesey and presented a business plan to produce a video to promote experiential various tourist destinations of the Costa Blanca with the aim of attracting more of the Dutch senior market to the Costa Blanca. Albaladejo is pushing forward the culinary, beaches, sports and nature of the 141 municipalities in Alicante. Albaladejo explained that this agreement with TUI Nederland is the result of several meetings that have been held in workshops and Dutch fairs.

Costa Blanca Tourism are producing a new video aimed at the senior Dutch tourism market: “An experiential video, produced in collaboration with the tour operator TUI, with the objective of encouraging the recruitment of the senior Dutch tourist market in the off season” said Albaladejo. The product is intended for people over fifty years old and retired

in the Netherlands, which promotes the Costa Blanca for its charms and unique enclaves, as well as food products, the beaches, the interior and the cultural in a format attractive to potential visitors. The scenes will be shot during April 2013 at various locations in the province, especially in Benidorm.

ALICANTE AND VILLAJOYOSA Albaladejo also met with different tour operators and travel agents to explore strategies to attract new visitors. Albaladejo said “We will develop several working meetings to strengthen the promotion of the province of Alicante, not only in the German market, but also in other adjacent as the Belgian, Polish and Dutch. We have also begun to hold meetings to draw the lines of action of the Provincial Board in the next edition of the fair MITT Moscow and go there looking for new synergies, together with tour operators.”

Germany remains the second largest tourism market in the province behind the United Kingdom and the Costa Blanca Tourist Board is present at this event to strengthen relations with German tourism operators and to increase hiring packages and hotel stays Alicante. Under the umbrella of Turespaña, the Costa Blanca is participating in the fair with a stand that offers new guides and brochures and unified body, which informs visitors of the full range that hoard the 141 municipalities. Towns like Torrevieja, Elche, Alfas del Pi, Alicante, Santa Pola and El Campello have also their own proposal.

THE MONSERRAT Yummy Mummies who stripped off to pose for a racy calendar to raise cash for school bus services have succeeded in raising enough money to cover the bus service until the end of the school year.

The ten mums decided to skip the standard tombola and bake sale and aim for erotica as the most efficient way to generate quick revenue for 600 kids who might otherwise have to walk miles to and from school every day following the loss of school transport - part of austerity measures within the education department. The mums are already planning a 2014 calendar.

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Link with history Members of the Friends of the Museum of Xabia re-established a historic link between the town and the Monastery of San Jeronimo de Cotalba last Saturday with a trip to Alfafuir. Almost 50 people from the Amics del Museu de Xabia (AMUX) enjoyed a break in the weather and basked in warm sunshine as they visited the monastery built in 1388.

HELP appreciated at La Pedrera Hospital EILEEN DART of Help of Denia and Marina Alta attended an event arranged to thank the friends of La Pedrera Hospital. Co-ordinator for HELP and regular visitor at the hospital Steve Patton met with the director of the hospital, Jaume Morera and the director of Sanidad for the Province of Alicante, D Jose Angel Sanchez Navajas.

Several charitable groups work within the Hospital as volunteers, including the Cruz Roja, Caritas and Help of Denia and Marina Alta. The Hospital identifies patients with few visitors or who need help with the language, arranging for a volunteer to visit on a regular basis, chatting with patients, lending books, taking them out in a wheelchair… Volunteers do what a friend would do…

HELP volunteers do a very necessary and rewarding job and will continue the same in the future.

by Jack Troughton However, the trip was made more meaningful as the monastery was originally founded in Javea in 1374 on authorisation of Pope Gregory XI. The next AMUX event is on Friday 15th March at 7pm at the museum when expert Luis Pablo Martinez will explore the ‘intangible cultural heritage’ of

Spain and how is must be protected.

He has been invited to discuss the heritage of a country beyond its buildings and countryside – and how it is present in traditional sports, languages and dialect, and folk tales and songs.

Luis is an inspector of cultural heritage for the Valencian Community. Based in Alicante, he has degrees in history and geography from Valencia Univer-

sity and a master’s degree in European Mediation and Heritage Management.

Ad he will explain the importance of his work in an illustrated talk in both Castellano and English.

The talk will be followed by refreshments and the opportunity for informal discussion about the importance of protecting heritage, a project backed globally by UNESCO.

Wine talk and tasting

ON MARCH 14th at the Casa de Cultura Calpe U3A members will be treated to an entertaining talk and tasting by Peter Arnold of Murla who owns a local bodega and will be explaining his acknowledged and accomplished selection of wines, red, white and rosado. Topically he will be mentioning horsemeat although what connection that has to his wine we will have to wait until he explains! After the meeting we will be able to taste his wines with ‘nibbles’, at a cost of one euro per glass.

Home & Garden

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HOME

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

GARDEN

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Need storage?

MOVING HOUSE? De-cluttering? Renting out your home? Starting a new business and don’t want the worry of renting your own premises?

OPENED IN the summer of 2003, Securistore has been helping people with their storage solutions for the past 10 years and expanded quickly to become a well establish and respected local brand, moving to new premises in Ondara in 2010.

The new store is modern, fire proofed and offers clean, dry and secure storage facilities as well as state of the art access control systems, lift to all floors and CCTV security.

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BUSINESS STORAGE If you run your own business then you will know how costly it can be with overheads such as rent, rates, basuras and electricity bills etc, not to mention the cost of paying someone to stay in the building to receive deliveries. At Securistore you don’t have to worry because you only pay for the rental of the storage unit.

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Call us on 96 576 0111, visit our website: www.securistore.com or come in for a free no obligation storage, shipping or removal quote. We are situated close to Portal de la Marina Shopping Centre in Ondara - just off junction 62 of the AP7. You don’t need to make an appointment as our reception is manned from 9am – 6pm daily and 10am - 2pm on Saturdays. Our advert is in RTN Classifieds under Self Storage.

Moncayo Market offers over 200 hundred stalls selling everything from household products, clothing, gifts, jewellery to car care, business products and even wellbeing products.

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Find us behind Procomobel Home Centre

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8 - 14 march 2013

Plane Parking made easy in Alicante and Murcia FOR MORE than four years at San Javier’s Murcia Airport and almost three in Alicante, Plane Parking have been leading the way when it comes to customer service, innovation and safe parking for your car, while you re out of the country.

Plane Parking have one of the largest lots at Alicante airport and offer you total peace of mind that whilst you are away on your travels.

Be it a weekend get-away or you only visit Spain once a year, you can be assured that your car is secure 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Plane Parking is situated directly in front of Alicante Airport and less than 2km from San Javier (Murcia) Airport. Because they have two locations, clients can leave their car at one airport and pick it up at the other, with this service offered for free, for those with annual contacts and for a small transport charge for those without. They are also ready to open a new facility at the new Corvera, Murcia airport, when it’s expected to open later this year.

Plane Parking were the first to offer a complete car care package, repairs and and much more.

They can obtain a new ITV for your car, have it serviced, re-sprayed or even changed from Spanish to English plates, while you are gone.

They have a wide range of qualified engineers and mechanics available, so whatever the job, give them a call and they will only be too happy to arrange it for you. Take advantage of their Valet service whilst you are away. Internal,

Engine and Underside Valets are also available; so don’t forget to book your Valet when arranging your trip.

The best deal for frequent travellers is an annual contract. Don’t forget, if you come to Spain just twice per year, this will cost you at least 200€ in Taxis, so Plane Parking provide the following contracts, to give you complete flexibility. All contracts include unlimited transfers and there are no hidden costs.

Option 1: Fixed contract 300€ unlimited transfers, to and from one airport or Option 2: is a Split Contract 375€ with unlimited transfers between both airports; Alicante or Murcia. Fly into Murcia and leave your car at Alicante or vice versa. Wherever you wish to fly from your car will be waiting for you at whichever airport.

Call (0034) 966 840 289 or e-mail them on info@planeparking.es today to make your reservation. Upon your return your car will be ready, having received a complimentary exterior car wash, and waiting at the airport for you. No more taxis, no more relying on friends or relatives and no delays. Contact Plane Parking today. Plane Parking, The “plane” and easy way to fly away.

More than 1,000 cars can be stored at Plane Parking’s Alicante depot

The guys from Plane Parking are there to help you

Home & Garden

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Understand your plot of land by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Holistic gardeners and authors gardening in Spain for 25 years

AFTER THE recent rains, soil is easy to explore so if you have recently moved into a new property, spend some time during the next month getting to know the soil before deciding on a layout and planting anything. There are things you need to look for and mark up on a plan of your land, whether it is just a few hundred square metres or thousands of square metres.

LOCATION OF UNDERGROUND SERVICES Find out where electricity cables, water pipes and sewage pipes run and the location of the septic tank.

THE VARIATIONS IN THE DEPTH OF SOIL Dig holes to determine the depth of the top soil in various parts of the land. You may be lucky to find that it is a metre deep or unluckily just a shallow cover over bed rock which will need the building of raised beds.

THE QUALITY OF THE SOIL Is it sandy, rocky, full of builder’s rubble or rich fibrous agricultural soil? Is it free draining or are

there signs of it having being waterlogged?

PREVIOUS USES If not obvious ask around to find out what the land was used for and how long ago. If it was used for grape vines and olive trees it may not be very fertile. If carob trees there may be a metre deep of very fertile black compost in places. You have hit a gold mine of rich soil if an old tree was originally used to tether mules or donkeys.

LOCATION AND SPREAD OF LARGE ROCKS UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE SOIL If rocks are visible try and determine how large they are and whether other rocks lie nearby under the top soil. Dig around the rocks you see and bash an iron rod into the soil to try and find others.

LOCATION AND DIMENSIONS OF THE BUILDERS RUBBLE TIP Maybe your land is free of rubble but if it is the last house at the end of a new street you might have inherited the bulldozed rubble from all the other houses.

POLLUTION BY PAINTERS Painters vary in how careful they are in tipping waste paints and the washings from washing brushes and rollers and if concentrated in one

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or two places it is likely that many plants will not thrive in those areas. So as you explore the soil watch out for coloured areas and slicks of paint washings. These are best buried under paths and terraces.

THE SPREAD OF MATURE TREE ROOTS The roots of mature trees may run for many metres sideways from the trunk and only shallowly under the surface of the soil. You may need to remove some or not build terraces over them as the growing roots could crack and destabilise walls paths and terraces.

LOCATION OF ROTTING STUMPS AND ROOTS With luck the tops are still visible or under rocks placed on top of the stumps. Others may turn up when you dig holes or bang steel rods into the ground. You have three options: Dig them out (which may be expensive if large and numerous); speed their rotting away by drilling holes into the tops and carefully pouring acid into the holes; leave them and design the garden around them. Place a seat over a stump or a container of plants on top and you will soon forget it was ever there.

HEAVILY CONSOLIDATED AREAS If you have areas that were previously heavily used paths you will notice that the areas are bare and little grows. It is difficult to recover such areas by deconsolidating and aerating them so use as pathways or bury under terraces.

WHERE RAIN FALL RUNS After recent heavy rains this is probably still visible. If not go out dressed in waterproofs and have a look where rain water causes floods. Watch out for low points which have

‘Clodagh and Dick Handscombe’s gardening books make good presents. They can be obtained from high street and internet bookshops including Amazon UK and Spain. Thanks to readers the Kindle E-book Making waterless gardens a practical reality world wide is starting to sell well.’ © Clodagh and Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com

obviously flooded for days.

WHERE DID THE CEMENT MIXER STAND? Is there an area of deep rough cement that will need to be terraced over. Now that you have an idea of the good and not-so-good features of your land you can set about designing the layout of your garden. A copy of ‘Your Garden in Spain – From Planning to Planting and Maintenance’ would be a wise investment. Clodagh and Dick Handscombe’s books can be obtained from high street book shops and some English product shops such as Quick Save Pedreguer, and of course on the internet, not only on Amazon but also on Bookworld or The Book Depository.

The latter can be less expensive than Amazon.

If you are looking for an unusual book for a retirement present ‘Having a Great Retirement’ is now on Amazon Kindle or available from Quick Save Pedreguer.

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8 - 14 march 2013

Music makes a difference Kickboxing ‘fight night’

By Jack Troughton FANS OF martial arts will enjoy a kickboxing ‘fight night’ organised by the gym Fight Club Costa Blanca on Saturday 23rd March in Vergel.

The evening will feature 10 men’s contests and one woman’s bout and doors open at 7pm at the Antigua Fabrica de Sabo (the Old Soap Factory) at Calle Sant Antoni 2, Vergel, with the combat scheduled to start at 8pm.

Roy Ran Moreno – a Dutch kickboxing champion – runs the popular and friendly gym in Beniarbeig, where the youngest student is a sixyear-old girl.

Entry to the fight night is 18€, including a drink and bocadillo.

by Jack Troughton TWO GOOD causes each enjoyed a timely 930€ boost following a successful fund-raising musical evening.

Held at Javea’s Pinosol Hotel, it was the eighth charity music night organised by Peter and Ann Adams and benefited the Preventorio de Gandia – often referred to as the children’s orphanage – and the Harvest Store in Javea Port Market, which is a food bank run

by Mosaic Ministries supporting

needy families in the crisis.

The two charities, respectively represented by Lorraine Sutherland and Peter Cox, thanked the artists who had given their time and talents to make the evening a success.

An appreciative audience contributed 2,000€ to the event, which made up the charity donations after a small deduction for expenses.

Afterwards Peter Adams paid tribute to the whole cast and especially two performers who have featured in every show so far – so-

prano and flutist Claire Post, accompanied by Francesca Llobell on piano and keyboard, and Dave Wood, who performed his own folk set, supported Tony Rivers and Christian Pearl – and also worked as the ‘sound man’ for all eight shows.

He said all the performers were well known on the local music scene and the evening represented a diverse range of music, insuring there was something for everyone.

“Speaking for all the cast, it is good to know that we can make a difference,” he said.

BARC gets busy

By Jack Troughton ANIMAL CHARITY BARC is holding two fund raising evenings this month and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

A Murder Mystery Evening is being staged at The Cheeky Monkey Bar, Coveta Fuma – just outside El Campello – on Saturday 16th March at 7.30pm. Tickets are 14.95€, including a three-course meal with wine.

And Brown’s Restaurant on the N322 at Coveta Fuma is staging the Busot Animal Rescue Centre’s first Fashion Show on Saturday 23rd March at 7.30pm. Entrance if free, food is available for purchase, and there is the chance to grab a bargain.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call Pat on 96 569 9976.

Parents and babies

MUMS AND dads together with their babies and toddlers are welcome to attend the fun Parent and Baby Group meeting at Xabia International College.

The educational and fun sessions are held

on the Primary School site between 10.30am and noon every Monday. The meetings are free and it is an ideal way to meet other parents and children living in the area adults can also enjoy a cuppa and a chat.

money

by

Christina Brady

Regional Manager of Blacktower Costa Blanca

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Interest rates

29

YET AGAIN the arrogance of the Banking world amazes me: the Bank of England is now talking about negative interest rates.

WHAT MORE misery can be heaped upon the already hard hit savers? If this happens, a bank or building society, far from paying interest, will actually receive money on firms’ and households’ deposits, on top of bank charges. Sounds absurd: well it isn’t.

So not only do you have to contend with inflation eating away at your hard-earned savings, you may well end up paying the Banks for the privilege of having them hold your money.

The funny thing is they will still use your money to make money for the Bank, only unlike now when they give you a pittance of an interest rate to you to keep you quiet, they will just charge you instead.

WHEN IS THE PUBLIC GOING TO STAND UP TO THE BANKS AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? You may ask yourself what you can do; the answer is simple look around for alternative investment vehicles to the traditional bank accounts. There are various options out there.

There are Capital guaranteed products; there are income guaranteed products; there are tax efficient investment bonds that allow you to take flexible income or to leave your money in to maximise your growth. If you think you need a six figure sum to benefit from these think again, there are options available for investments from 10,000€.

If you feel you would like help in taking take control of your financial future you can contact me on 658 892 330 or email christina.brady@blacktowerfm.com

Deputy governor of the Bank of England, Paul Tucker, raised the idea about ‘negative interest rates’

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

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is licenced by the UK by the Financial Services Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licenced in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Licence No: 00805B and registered with the DGS in Spain.

currency

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Proud to be associated with Grant a Wish

Using a specialist currency company THE COST savings of using a specialist currency company are attractive but I have been put off as I understand there could be extra work involved. I also have concerns regarding the safety of my money - am I being over cautious?

by SPECIALIST CURRENCY providers are becoming

Kevin Wright

popular choices for British ex-pats living in Spain or indeed returning back to the UK. Opening a trading facility is much easier and quicker than you may Account Manager, think and is needed to comply with Anti Money Moneycorp Laundering legislation.

If based in the UK Moneycorp allows the majority of clients to register on-line via its web site in a matter of minutes. Non UK clients simply complete the form (with an on line option) and provide a couple of items of I.D. For a few minutes work there are massive benefits, including cost savings and a range of currency services simply not offered by your high street bank.

Trading is also simple and is normally conducted over the telephone.

Put simply, you can have access to the most competitive rates along with ‘real time’ information on the market which allows you to trade at the most advantageous time in a variety of situations. As an example, the past 36 months have shown dramatic fluctuations in the Sterling/Euro rate but when using your bank, options are limited to asking for the daily rate and booking the currency.

Using a specialist currency company such as Moneycorp means you can have the rate monitored on your behalf to avoid trading when the market is against you. If the currency is not required immediately you can often buy the total amount for that date and only pay a small deposit with the balance becoming available when you need it.

Regular payments are also catered for to allow you to transfer pensions, salaries or mortgage payments

hassle free with potentially huge cost savings.

The question of security is completely understandable and one that any client needs to be comfortable with. However, there are certain questions that will allow you to choose a currency provider with confidence and should be addressed if you have any doubts: Editors note: There are many reasons why RTN Money has partnered with Moneycorp to help our readers achieve the maximum return for their currency. To show that we too did our homework on your behalf, here are the answers we got to the security questions above through Moneycorp.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS? Moneycorp has been dealing in foreign exchange since 1979 HOW MANY STAFF DO YOU HAVE? Over 600 and growing WHAT IS YOUR TURNOVER? The last financial year saw Moneycorp trade £11 billlion in currencies HOW MANY CLIENTS DO YOU DEAL WITH EACH YEAR? In excess of 2.5 million across all of our divisions DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER DIVISIONS AS PART OF THE COMPANY? Yes. Retail, Wholesale, Commercial and an awardwinning on line trading platform

DO YOU SPECULATE WITH THE FUNDS? Absolutely not! All clients using Moneycorp receive live spot rates ARE YOU FSA REGULATED AND AUTHORISED? Yes DO YOU HAVE AUDITED ACCOUNTS AT COMPANIES HOUSE? Yes we do. However, Moneycorp are unique in that we publish our latest accounts on our web site for clients to view on line. PricewaterhouseCoopers have been our auditors since 1987 and we also boast of a top rating by Dun & Bradstreet, Graydon and other credit agencies WHERE ARE YOUR OFFICES AND CAN I VISIT THEM? Moneycorp has offices & dealing rooms in central London and offices throughout the world. Details of locations are on our web site and clients are always welcome to call in ARE THE FUNDS HELD SEPARATELY FROM YOUR COMPANY’S FUND AND PROTECTED? Yes. Moneycorps client accounts are held in accordance to FSA regulations and authorisation DO YOU HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO SWIFT? SWIFT is the world’s largest payments and settlements network for domestic and international money transfers ensuring faster payments and enhanced security, Moneycorp are full members of SWIFT.

legal

by

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados

English & Spanish Solicitors

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

31

Do you have a mortgage? Is there a mortgage floor rate clause on it? If so, is it abusive?

WE CAN assist you in defending your consumer’s rights and getting compensation from the bank.

A mortgage or interest floor rate (clausula suelo) is a clause included by most banks in loan agreements secured by mortgage. It sets a minimum rate of interest.

These clauses limit any possible fall in the level of interest rates, which normally are linked to the Euribor.

As we have said in previous articles, although these clauses could be legal, each case much be studied individually because according to consumers’ regulations, this limitation on interest must be informed and accepted properly by you, the consumer.

Therefore, if you have a mortgage loan, it needs to be checked on your deed (escritura) to see if there is any floor rate clause, which normally will state that the interest to be paid could not be lower than x%.

If you cannot find such a clause, we can review the deed for you.

If there is one of theses clauses on your loan agreement, you need to know that: 1 This limit of the level interest reduction must be informed and negotiated with you as the consumer before going to the notary. Therefore it should be part of the binding offer (oferta vinculante) which you should have signed and agreed to before you went to

the notary and signed for the loan.

2. A determining factor to decide if your floor rate clause is abusive or not could be if on the same loan agreement there is a top rate clause (clausula techo). In this case, it needs to be checked to see if the top rate clause and the floor rate clause are proportionate or not, and if there is a reciprocity or lack of it, between the minimum and maximum possible interest rates.

A lack of reciprocity - lack of proportionality - need of the binding offer, etc. - has resulted in court rulings in favour of the consumer, such as from the Province Audience of Alicante, in Orders number 368/2012 of 13th September, and the Court Order number 58/2012 of 10th February.

If you have a mortgage and wish to make sure your rights as a consumer are protected, White Baos Lawyers can confirm this for you, without the need of any payment or fee. This is done by reviewing your Mortgage Loan Deed, to see if you have an interest floor rate. If so, we can advise if we think it is abusive or not, and whether you have real chance to get it declared null and void.

As per above, if you have a mortgage, feel free to send us a scanned copy to our general email info@white-baos.com and we will inform you.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) © White & Baos Abogados 2012 - All rights reserved. C/Diana 19, 2º-D, 03700 Dénia (located 1 minute away from the La Via underground car park). Tel: 966 426 185. Send your questions to spanishlawyer@roundtownnews.com or info@white-baos.com. This article is available in English and Spanish at www.white-baos.com. The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues. Visit our blog at http://www.white-baos.com/blog/ and Facebook (White-Baos-Abogados-Solicitors)

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

money EPS private healthcare guaranteed for life! (As seen in our policy document)

IT SEEMS that every week in some publication somewhere, there appears to be never-ending news on the changes to the healthcare system here in Spain.

One day this, the next day that, and tomorrow, well…who knows?

DO YOU have peace of mind with a private healthcare policy or do you take a gamble and hope that you are okay? What about your EHIC card? One person who knows the answers to these questions is Millie Munro.

Millie has worked for many years in the private medical sector and is happy to answer any questions you may have, whether about your current policy with another provider or just a simple ‘What should I do?’ scenario, especially as some Spanish companies increase clients’ premiums if the service is used. The whole point of having this policy is to use it if you need it - without being penalised!

Having studied all the private healthcare schemes available in Spain, Millie elected to work with EPS a leading private medical insurance company which has an outstanding reputation for professionalism and integrity. With competitive premiums, exceptional customer care and no increase in premiums if the service is used, it means that Millie feels happy recommending this policy to her clients.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY COVERED FOR? Unfortunately, the only way to be certain is to check the small print.

EPS advises clients in advance of exclusions so you know exactly what cover you have.

Health checks for both men and women are included as standard as well as some free dental care, e.g. check-ups, clean and polishes, x-rays and extractions.

DOES YOUR POLICY COVER YOU FOR TRIPS BACK TO THE UK? EPS will cover you whilst you are out of the country for up to 60 days to the value of 10,000€.

If you have any queries or would like more information on EPS or other products offered by Millie Munro Services, then please call her office on 96 649 3082.

See the main advert on page 15.

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money matters

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

The RTN Money Matters page has been created to help you our readers by giving you as much information about current financial matters and products as possible. If you would like us to cover any specific topics or products please email moneymatters@roundtownnews.com. Also if you have any questions that you would like answered by our panel of experts, email them to moneymatters@roundtownnews.com

Will Italy be the country to set off financial chaos in Europe?

THE QUESTION being asked at the moment is: is the financial collapse of Italy going to be the final blow that breaks the back of Europe financially?

ITALY IS the third largest debtor in the entire world after the USA and Japan, its debt is much larger than any other country in Europe.

In recent elections the Italian public voted overwhelmingly against austerity, they have seen what it has done, in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal and want nothing to do with it.

Right now, there is a lot of panic about those results. There is fear that what just happened in Italy could result in a rejection of austerity all over Europe.

The real fact is the Europe is still in an economic mess and things are only going to get worse: there is no clear and effective policy to deal with this at the moment.

The truth is that government debt is not the greatest danger that Europe is facing - it’s the collapse of the banking system. Why, you may ask, is this important to me? Well how would you feel if you woke up and every penny you had in the Bank was gone?

In Spain, as past events have shown us when the Spanish Government merges troubled banks, it typically swaps out depositors’ savings for shares in the new bank. Just look to Bankia’s troubles as an example of this - in one move some people lost virtually everything.

Call 96 507 0240 or email moneymatters@roundtownnews.com to arrange a meeting with an independent financial expert who will be able to discuss the avenues open to you.

Demonstrations in 2011 against austerity measures

money

Beware bogus websites by

Suzanne O’Connell Customer Care at Ábaco

THE INTERNET has opened up the world for many. It has also introduced another means of illegitimately separating people from their money. Occasionally, someone will contact us concerned about an email they have received directly from the Spanish Tax Authority (Agencia Tributaria). Or so it would seem. They want to believe what the email tells them, that they have paid too much Spanish tax and they can claim it back. It sounds too good to be true, and it is.

The email requires you to click on a link and submit information. Surprise, surprise, to access your overpaid tax you need to provide your bank details and credit card information. Needless to say, this web address does not really belong to Agencia Tributeria and if you do supply the details requested you shouldn’t expect to see returned tax coming in, just money going out.

The Agencia Tributaria does not work in this way. Our advice is on no account to supply any of this kind of information to a dubious site. The opportunity for this type of fraud is made all the greater when people are dealing with an organisation in another country and in another language. The good sense you might apply if it appeared to be HMRC making the request can be lost when you’re faced with the mysterious workings of a foreign tax authority.

ADVICE FROM AGENCIA TRIBUTARIA The Agencia Tributaria is also concerned about the number of ‘impersonations’ they are suffering from. They have released

information about these ‘phishing’ attempts and are asking that such communications are reported.

They remind people that: • They never request confidential information by email • They never ask for personal financial information, account numbers or credit card numbers by email • They would never give tax refunds onto a credit card • They do not charge for the services they provide

If your email suggests to the contrary, beware. You should also watch out for websites which claim to represent Agencia Tributaria and offer to put you through on a number beginning with 905. Dialling this number will incur high charges and there is no need. You can contact the Agencia Tributaria directly on 901 33 55 33 or 901 200 345.

If you do have any doubt you should contact the Agencia Tributaria’s Customer Service Centre on 901 200 347, to verify authenticity. Do not click on any links, even if it looks convincing. The official domains of the Agencia Tributaria are: www.aeat.es www.agenciatributaria.es www.agenciatributaria.com Anything else is masquerading. Be careful as the imitation links can be very like the originals: it’s best not to risk it at all.

As fraudsters become quicker at finding ways of using the internet to steal our cash it’s our responsibility to become more savvy at spotting them.

Ábaco provide fiscal representation to non-resident and resident Spanish property owners. You can contact us for free advice and information by calling our helpline 96 670 3748 or visiting our website www.abacoadvisers.com

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

35

Elena Valenciano tweets no more ELENA VALENCIANO, Deputy Secretary of the PSOE, has closed her Twitter account, saying that “some Twitter ‘users’ have begun to use the network to convey immoral and unsuitable messages to my children.” Valenciano, a prolific Tweeter since February 2011 with 50,000 followers, closed her Twitter account on 1st March with a closing message that read: “Since there is no way to defend them, I’m going to protect them.

Goodbye

Life

Shamrocks, parades and a touch of Blarney coming to Cabo Roig

Thousands expected to line the streets

By Keith Nicol THERE ARE those that are Irish and those that wish they were on Sat. Patrick’s Day but it matters not because next Sunday, March 17, anyone wearing green can join in the fun in Cabo Roig’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and those not born on the Emerald Isle will be welcome with open arms for the festivities. This year, their third, they have a umber of special guests including Christy Heffernan who won four All Ireland medals with Kilkenny, Jim Sheridan ex league of Ireland player who won 14 Irish International caps plus Eamonn O Hara who will be the Parade Marshal.

So far over 30 different organizations are participating in the parade and many more have contacted various members

of the committee to say they want to be involved. The organisers ask those that wish to be involved to send an email to paddysdayincaboroig@hotmail.com, as this would be most helpful.

To date a number of fun raising events have taken place including bowling organised by the Friendship Club and ‘Beef and Salmon’ next week by Smiling Jacks. A big race night took place in the Slievelamon and a Golf day has already been held with another classic to follow on March 15, being organized by Bar Med, Flanigan’s, Golf Factory, Bar Liquid and Bog Road. It is hoped that every county in Ireland will be represented, wearing their county colours and if you are not from Ireland you can wear your country

colours. Those interested should contact Richie Walsh on 634 490 937.

This year’s parade will again start with the Harley Bikers followed by a selection of classic and specialist cars. Anyone wishing to enter this car in the parade should contact Ron on 622 381 242. The parade itself will be led by the Torrevieja Pipe and Drum band with other music provided by Just Brass Band and the Union Lirica Orcelitana Brass Band. This year’s charity is the Pink Ladies and they will be collecting on the day. Viva TV will be on hand to video the parade and sending footage back to Irish TV of the biggest St Patrick’s day parade in Spain. For any further information you can ring Brendan on 663 295 066 or Brian on 667 314 676.

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life people

San Miguel art show ‘Mujeres’ celebrates International Women’s Day INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S Day is being celebrated all over the world on March 8, with many municipalities having different events from concerts to exhibitions to marches to mark the day.

By Keith Nicol IN SAN Miguel, a local group of artists have created a very special event, called Paintings of Women by Women, which is being exhibited within the main foyer area of the Town Hall.

The exhibition lasts from March 8 through March 27 and features the work of seven local, lady artists, who are part of a group called MASM, The Movimiento de Artistas de San Miguel de Salina. Over the first weekend, MASM also have a second exhibition in ‘La Cueva de la Maria’, Calle Góngora 11, located in the area of the old cave houses. The inauguration of the ‘Mujeres’ exhibition takes place on Friday, 8 March at 6.00pm until 8.00pm and is open again on Saturday, 9 March from 5.00pm until 8.00pm and on Sunday, 10 March from

11.00am until 2.00pm.

This exhibition celebrates paintings and sculptures of women by woman and features the work of seven of the female artists in the group. ‘Mujeres’. Local residents are invited to both exhibitions to help celebrate the day and also to see inside one of the old cave houses. The Town Hall ‘Mujeres’ starts on Friday 8th and is open during normal town hall business hours.

MASM was founded in 2012 and has 15 members at the moment. Should any other local artists be interested in joining them, you can contact the group through their Facebook page or better still, visit the cave house during the first weekend where all your questions will be answered.

Three of MASM’s artists

Charity walk a great success

By Keith Nicol CASA LA PEDRERA, the Grand Design House was the venue for the annual walk and cycle ride last Sunday, with all sponsorship money going towards the Elche Children’s Home and Help at Home Costa Blanca. A beautiful cool but sunny day greeted the participants which was further enhanced by children from the home and their careers, who made

the event that little more special.

Over 160 walkers and some cyclists took up the challenge on Sunday March the 3rd to take part in the Lake Charity Challenge hosted by the team at Casa la Pedrera.

A bumper raffle raised over 300 euros alone and the final total raised is not yet known as sponsorship money is still being collected although it has already reached

1,500€. Any unclaimed numbers from the raffle will be posted on the website at www.thingstodoinspain.info or by calling Jenni on 660 816 620.

With Easter fast approaching, the next event is their Easter Fair and their ever popular Easter Egg Hunt. To book they can call 660 816 620 or visit the website at www.thingstodoinspain.info which has a link to the facebook page which is updated regularly.

Life charity

Uniform generosity

Four of the firefighters visited the shop

By Jack Troughton EVERYONE LOVES men in uniform and the Voluntary Firemen of Balcon El Mar in Javea are ready for action dressed in new clothing and boots donated by the Roundabout Charity Shop. The charity supports a number of good causes and has recently given cash to Cancer Care Javea, HELP, the Friends of

the Children of EMAUS, and Javea’s Mosaic Ministries which runs the Harvest Store food bank. Four of the firefighters wearing the new clothing visited the shop and are pictured with members of the charity team.

The firemen expressed their gratitude to charity President Gill Rose and everyone involved with the shop for their generosity.

Raising the standard A DEDICATION ceremony for the new standard of the Benidorm and District Branch of the Royal British Legion is being held on Thursday 21st March.

Legion members and friends are invited to the event at Ciudad Patricia Resort, Benidorm, at 12.30pm for 1pm in the social centre theatre.

The dedication will be by Father Peter Edwards in the presence of Chris Wyatt, the Chairman of the Royal British Legion Spain District North, and British consul Paul Rodwell.

Lunch is available, reserve places through the social secretary by calling 96 586 4394. For more information call 96 686 0735 or email pdawson802t@cv.gva.es

Highway stars

By Jack Troughton BIG-HEARTED BIKERS are putting youngsters in the fast lane after nominating the Children of EMAUS as their charity for the remainder of the year.

The Harley Owners Group (Costa Blanca Chapter) will stage a series of fund raising activities with a final traditional ‘Toy Run’ in December heading for various projects run by the charity. HOG Director Alan Milburn said the financial crisis within EMAUS was well-publicised and the club was determined to help out.

He said: “The financial plight of this charity and the children in their care has been well documented in recent months, with our Chapter membership determined to play a part in ensuring a ‘Good News’ outcome for this worthy cause.”

Any RTN readers who are Harley owners and wish to know more about the activities of the Chapter, then telephone Peter Emmett on 966 461 039, email socios.cbc@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/ costablancachapter/

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

39

40

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life tech

with Aunty Virus

Email auntyvirus@roundtownnews.com

Laptop slowing down Active Desktop HI AUNTY: I have two questions I would like your advice on please. I have an ageing DELL latitude D600 which I only use when I am away from home, mostly to check my mail.

1. Is slowing down reversible/cure-able? It has become so slow it would be quicker to use the Correos.

2. The battery light now flashes between red & green despite having been plugged in 24 hours. Can a lap top battery be replaced? And if so is it worth it?

It still works when plugged in but very slowly.

It is using Windows XP: Derek Aunty says: Hi, PCs slow down for due to a number of reasons: Low memory so opening more programs will become slower - so get more memory. Hard drive is full - so there is no space for the PC to work with - think about moving some files onto an ‘archive’ external hard drive.

The hard drive is not optimised - so a ‘defrag’ may help reorganise the files - in explorer, right click on the drive, properties, and in tools is ‘defrag’.

You have multiple antivirus and antiadware programmes running - all doing the same thing and slowing down the PC. Too many programs are being started automatically when windows boots up - look at the icons near the clock to see what is open - do they all need to be opened

whenever windows starts?

You have a virus that is slowing down the PC - run your antivirus regularly to make sure all is OK. The Windows registry is large, full of errors, has too much information: a registry cleaner can help sort this out, but be warned that doing this may cause errors and can in some cases cause more problems if not done correctly.

Re battery: It may be a case that the actual battery is now old and well used and needs replacing. So it is a question of getting a replacement battery.

Recovery

DEAR AUNTY: I read with interest every week, on how you solve readers’ problems. I have one which is driving me mad. When I open my Lap Top I am confronted with the heading ‘Active Desktop Recovery’ showing a large triangle with an exclamation in the centre of it. Then it goes on to say, ‘Microsoft Windows has discovered an unexpected error and as a precaution your Active Desktop has been turned off’. Then I am given advice on how to restore it. I am using XP. My question is, how do I get rid of this irritating page? Hope you can help. Tom: Calpe.

Aunty says: The simplest way is to deactivate ‘Active Desktop’.

Open the Control Panel. Open Display Properties. Click the Desktop tab. Click the Customize Desktop button.

Click the Web tab in the Desktop Items window.

To disable Active Desktop, make sure all checkboxes in this window are un-checked. Press Ok. This will disable the Active Desktop in your Windows XP computer and save you from this annoying error in the future.

Response: Many thanks Aunty, job done! No more error on opening page.

Safe or normal mode

HELLO AUNTY: I have a Toshiba satellite computer which for some time now in normal mode sometimes works well for a while but then becomes very slow or even freezes. However, I use safe mode with networking and it is fine and very quick. Do you have any suggestions how to get it to behave the same in the normal mode? I once cleared caches and it improved for awhile but soon slowed down again. Ray-PC Aunty says: Hi - Thanks for the email. The difference between Safe Mode and normal mode, is that in safe mode not everything is loaded up into Windows. This includes drivers (for things like the graphics card / monitor), maybe things like antivirus software, and most of the programs that display icons near the clock on the Windows bar. So as there is less being loaded up into Windows, yes Safe Mode is usually faster than normal mode.

So, unless you strip out everything that is

being loaded up in Normal mode, you will never get it as fast as in Safe Mode. Nor will you get all the functionality (or protection!) that is in normal mode.

There are many reasons why it could be crashing, slowing, and freezing: an incompatible or incompletely installed driver; conflicting software; too many things running at once (like having too many antivirus and antimalware programs all running at the same time and doing the same thing all the time); loading too many things up on Windows start up - have a look at what you have got installed, and see if you really need to load that up at windows boot up - for example, many people have Skype to start automatically every time they start windows, but many of them do not use it all the time they are on the PC - so why load it up all the time, as it uses precious resource and slows the PC.

Gadget Inspector Investigates:

IncrediSonic Digital Mini Media Player

The Incredi-What? This nifty little device will play your downloaded media files (movies, video and picture files) directly onto your HD Ready (720/1080p) TV set. How do you know if your TV set is HD Ready, well if it has an HDMI input then this little player will work with it!

All you need to do is copy the downloaded content you want to watch from your PC onto a USB flash/hard drive (up to 1TB, NTFS or FAT32 filesystem) or SD/MMC/MS memory card (up to 64GB), plug into the IncrediSonic port, connect up to the TV set using an HDMI cable (not included) or the included AV cables, connect to the mains (UK/EU adapter supplied) and away you go!

And you won´t need to be clearing all the ornaments away from the TV set either, this little unit is a mere 10.2 x 10.2 x 15.2cm – absolutely miniscule!

No worries about controlling the IncrediSonic Digital Mini Media Player either, it is supplied with a full function remote controller allowing you access to the simple and easy to follow on-screen menus.

With the IncrediSonic Ultra Play IMP150 - HD TV Digital Mini Media Player you’ll soon be enjoying the FullHD video playback and crystal-clear digital audio. And there’s no up-scaling either – this is a process by which a video is converted to display on a larger size

8 - 14 march 2013

41

Google Goggles

This interesting app from Google is a unique way of using the camera on your phone in order to find out information instead of actually typing something into an internet browser.

Point your mobile phone camera at a painting, a famous landmark, a barcode or QR code, a product, a storefront, or a popular image. If Goggles finds it in its database, it will provide you with useful information.

Goggles can read text in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish, and translate it into other languages which is useful when in a restaurant in a foreign country.

Features: - Scan barcodes using Goggles to get product information - Scan QR codes using Goggles to extract information - Recognize famous landmarks - Translate by taking a picture of foreign language text - Add Contacts by scanning business cards or QR codes - Scan text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) - Recognize paintings, books, DVDs, CDs, and just about any 2D image - Solve Sudoku puzzles (surely that’s called cheating) - Find similar products and compare prices

screen – the IncrediSonic plays at the original full HD resolution, whether that be 720p or 1080p resolution.

And with support of RM/RMVB/AVI/ DIVX/MKV/MOV/HDMOV/MP4/PMP/ AVC/FLV/ VOB/MPG/DAT/MPEG/H.264/ MPEG1/2/4 and WMV file formats there shouldn’t be many that this little wonder won’t take in its stride.

The Inspectors Verdict: The IncrediSonic Ultra Play IMP150 - HD TV Digital Mini Media Player is a compact and easy to use solution to playing media files on your

TV set and removes the need to keep plugging in your laptop/PC when you want to watch downloaded content. Sweet!

Please note the following is for information and is not intended as an advertisement - visit www.gadgethound.co.uk/mini-media-player to purchase the IncrediSonic Ultra Play IMP150 - HD TV Digital Mini Media Player for 29€. Price quoted includes free delivery to Spain and is subject to availability (Euro cost subject to exchange rate at time of purchase).

Available to download from Google Play on all Android devices.

42

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life Showbiz Goss Joke, glorious Joke!

THOSE OF you who regularly visitor this page will know how much I enjoy a bit of Cowell bashing and the man has made my favourite sport a tad easy for me on the back of the debacle that is ‘Food Glorious Food’.

The piece I picked up tip-toed through its review at first saying “‘Food Glorious Food’ got off to a disappointing start on ITV1”, but when they trundled out the viewing figures it came out an awful lot more than disappointing. Screened at 9pm on Wednesdays, their 2.7 million viewers were 2 million less than the average viewing figures for that time of night. ‘Holiday Hit Squad’ had 3.7 million viewers in the same timeslot, and we all know how average that show is.

My take is that greedy-guts-Cowell believes he can make a mega show out of anything he wants, and the fact that as food is everywhere on TV, he sat around a table with all his yes men and women and they’ve come out with the joke that is ‘Food Glorious Food’.

I’m sure Syco felt he had pulled off a master stroke by having Carol Vorderman present the show, but even her 26 years’ experience on Ch4’s Countdown was not enough to keep it moving along at any sort of acceptable pace. Ahead of the broadcast Cowell tweeted: ‘Very excited at the launch of our new food show’, to which he got back: “Take off this ‘Food Glorious Food’ monstrosity … format, panel, direction, narration … all scarily wrong.”

It’s gratifying to see the X-Factory viewing figures are well down, and now that Cowell has gone a programme too far with ‘FDF’, my Xmas wish might well come true and we’ll soon be rid of the extremely greedy man that is Simon Cowell.

by

Peter Taylor

Writer and Broadcaster

Bohemian Rhapso-DVD WE ALL have our favourite groups and singers, but when you mention ‘Queen’ chances are the peeps who say they don’t like the band are in the minority. Even the ones who were not too keen on the musical content are likely to bow to the remarkable talent of the late Freddie Mercury, and have I got good news for all of you.

The first thing you need to do is set aside a few shillings and be ready for this coming Tuesday 12th March, as Roger Taylor and Brian May, along with a group of highly skilled film makers, have produced a double DVD of two Live Shows the boys did back in 1986. But they are not just any old live shows. May said, “The Wembley concerts in 1986 were the pinnacle for us, we were at our height band-wise, and Freddie had developed this phenomenal way of dealing with stadium audiences.”

The concerts took place at Wembley Stadium on 11th and 12th July 1986, and if you are prepared to sport your dosh, you will have the privilege of seeing the great Freddie Mercury doing it as only he could.

This show sounds familiar

NOW TO something ITV excelled at, a show that started in the summer of 1990, ran for 16 years, and became one of the UK´s most successful TV shows.

The show coined the phrase: ‘Tonight Matthew … I’m going to be…’ and as many as 13 million of us watched some everyday person walk through an archway then re-appear through a cloud of dry ice as their favourite singer.

And why am I telling you about ‘Stars In Their Eyes?’ Because it’s about to be re-vamped and has a working title of ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’- bit hamfisted is that, but as long as they don’t mess about with the format too much all should be well.

One definite format change however is that all the contestants will be celebs and each of them will appear on each of the six shows in a series and will impersonate a different singer every week.

An ITV insider said: ‘There is a gap in the market for big entertainment show, particularly with the decline in the ratings for the X-Factor, and with all the prize money going to charity, and the celebs briefed to be pretty gung-ho about it all, there will be lots of laughs along the way.’

Well said, ITV insider. Could this be final nail in the X-Factory coffin?

I have no news of when ‘Your face Sounds Familiar’ will air … be soon I said … be soon.

Life TV

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

43

8th - 14th March

FRIDAY 8th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

ITV2

E4

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 Britain’s Empty Homes Revisited 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:40 Doctors 15:10 Only Fools and Horses 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Rip Off Britain 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 The Vicar of Dibley 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Comic Relief’s Big Chat with Graham Norton 24:35 Russell Brand’s Give It Up Gig for Comic Relief

07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Saints and Scroungers 08:45 Britain’s Empty Homes Revisited 09:15 Show Me the Monet 10:00 The Great Comic Relief Bake Off 11:00 Question Time 12:00 BBC News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The One Show 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Coast 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 Britain’s Heritage Heroes 16:25 British Food Revival 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Great British Winter 20:30 Great British Menu 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Gardeners’ World 22:00 Wild Arabia 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 15:00 Dinner Date 16:00 Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Central Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Central 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Wild Britain with Ray Mears 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories 23:00 ITV News 23:30 ITV News Central 23:35 Hard Target

07:05 Sali Mali 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Come Dine with Me 13:35 What’s Cooking?

14:45 A Place in the Sun 15:45 Countdown 16:30 The Common Denominator 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Come Dine with Me 22:00 8 Out of 10 Cats 22:30 The Last Leg 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 24:05 Paddy’s TV Guide 24:55 Random Acts

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Danger: Diggers at Work 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 Person of Interest 16:15 Web of Desire 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News 20:00 Manchester United: Munich Air Crash 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 CSI 24:50 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

07:00 Emmerdale 08:00 Planet’s Funniest Animals 08:25 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 09:10 You’ve Been Framed!

09:40 Judge Judy 10:10 Judge Judy 10:35 Winners & Losers 11:35 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 12:35 Millionaire Matchmaker 13:30 Emmerdale 14:30 Judge Judy 15:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 16:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 17:10 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 18:05 Millionaire Matchmaker 19:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

20:30 You’ve Been Framed!

21:00 You’ve Been Framed!

22:00 Shaun of the Dead 24:05 Red Dragon

07:00 Switched 07:25 90210 08:05 Ugly Betty 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:45 Scrubs 10:10 Rules of Engagement 10:40 Charmed 11:35 90210 12:30 Ugly Betty 13:30 Hollyoaks 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:00 Scrubs 16:00 Charmed 17:00 Rules of Engagement 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 How I Met Your Mother 21:30 2 Broke Girls 22:00 Epic Movie 23:40 The Big Bang Theory 24:10 The Big Bang Theory 24:40 Ricky Gervais: Science

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

ITV2

SATURDAY 9th March BBC1

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 13:00 BBC News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Bargain Hunt 15:00 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 17:25 BBC News 17:35 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 20:00 Let’s Dance for Comic Relief 21:25 The National Lottery: In It to Win It 22:15 Casualty 23:05 BBC News 23:25 Match of the Day 24:25 The Football League Show

BBC2

07:00 This Is BBC Two 08:30 Great British Menu 11:00 A History of Britain by Simon Schama 12:00 Meet the Ancestors 12:30 The Sky at Night 12:50 Coast 13:00 Indian Food Made Easy 13:30 Mastermind 14:00 University Challenge 14:30 Talking Pictures 15:20 The Man from Laramie 17:00 Coast 17:30 Final Score 18:30 Flog It! 19:30 The Culture Show 20:30 Top Gear 21:30 Dad’s Army 22:00 Made in Dagenham 23:50 Ford’s Dagenham Dream 24:50 BAT-21

SUNDAY 10th March BBC1

07:00 Breakfast 08:55 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 The Big Questions 12:00 Sunday Politics 13:25 Countryfile 14:20 Call the Midwife 15:20 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 18:00 Escape to the Country 18:30 Songs of Praise 19:05 Deadly 60 on a Mission 19:35 BBC News 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Call the Midwife 22:00 Shetland 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Match of the Day 2 24:25 Late Kick Off 24:55 The Apprentice USA

BBC2

07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:50 The Las Vegas Story 09:15 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein 09:45 Gardeners’ World 10:15 The A to Z of TV Gardening 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30 The Little Paris Kitchen: Cooking with Rachel Khoo 13:00 EastEnders 15:15 Coast 16:00 Sea City 17:30 Restoration Home 18:30 Flog It! 19:30 Food & Drink 20:00 Dragons’ Den 21:00 Top Gear 22:00 Toughest Place to Be 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Dancing on the Edge 24:35 Six Nations Rugby Union

ITV1 07:00 Childrens TV 08:10 Canimals 08:25 Bookaboo 08:40 Matt Hatter Chronicles 09:05 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:30 Victorious 10:00 Jessie 10:25 ITV News 10:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:25 My Tasty Travels with Lynda Bellingham 12:25 All Star Family Fortunes 13:10 ITV News 13:15 Live FA Cup Football 16:00 The Chase 17:00 Midsomer Murders 19:00 ITV News 19:30 You’ve Been Framed!

20:00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 21:20 The Cube 22:20 Jonathan Ross Show 23:20 ITV News 23:35 FA Cup Football Highlights

ITV1 07:00 Childrens TV 08:10 Canimals 08:25 Bookaboo 08:40 Matt Hatter Chronicles 09:05 Rated A for Awesome 09:30 Almost Naked Animals 10:00 Aquabats Super Show 10:25 ITV News 10:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:20 Murder, She Wrote 12:20 Dickinson’s Real Deal 13:25 ITV News 13:30 Carry On Girls 15:10 Doc Martin 16:15 All Star Family Fortunes 17:00 Live FA Cup Football 19:45 ITV News 20:00 Dancing on Ice 22:00 Mr Selfridge 23:00 ITV News 23:15 FA Cup Football Highlights

07:15 Sali Mali 07:20 The Treacle People 07:35 The Grid 08:00 Jump Boys: Channel 4 Racing 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:55 Frasier 11:50 The Big Bang Theory 12:20 The Big Bang Theory 12:45 The Simpsons 13:20 The Simpsons 13:45 Undercover Boss USA 14:45 Channel 4 Racing 17:10 Come Dine with Me 19:45 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 The Queen’s Hidden Cousins 21:00 Kevin McCloud’s Man Made Home 22:00 Skyline 23:50 The Hole

07:05 Childrens TV 11:00 Bert and Ernie 11:10 Power Rangers Samurai 11:45 Batman: The Brave and the Bold 12:05 Inside Hollywood 12:10 Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 13:10 Police Interceptors 14:15 Nora Roberts’ Carnal Innocence 16:05 Columbo: A Trace of Murder 17:55 Yanks 20:15 5 News Weekend 20:20 CSI: NY 21:10 NCIS 23:05 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 24:55 Inside Hollywood

07:00 Beauty and the Geek 07:50 Holiday Airport: Sydney 08:45 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 09:05 Coronation Street 11:40 Emmerdale 14:40 Dennis 16:35 You’ve Been Framed!

19:10 Beethoven 20:55 Ocean’s Thirteen 23:20 Celebrity Juice

E4

07:00 Switched 07:25 Heartland 08:10 Greek 09:05 Supernanny US 10:00 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 11:05 Make It or Break It 12:10 Ugly Betty 13:05 Glee 14:05 Charmed 15:05 Scrubs 15:35 Scrubs 16:05 Scrubs 16:35 Rules of Engagement 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Happy Endings 20:30 Happy Endings 21:00 How I Met Your Mother 21:30 2 Broke Girls 22:00 Date Movie 23:40 Ricky Gervais: Science 24:45 The Big Bang Theory

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

ITV2

E4

07:15 The Hoobs 07:40 The Hoobs 08:05 Freesports on 4 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:00 The Big Bang Theory 13:30 The Big Bang Theory 13:55 The Simpsons 14:25 The Simpsons 14:55 Undercover Boss USA 15:55 Deal or No Deal 16:55 Time Team 17:55 Channel 4 News 18:25 4thought.tv 18:30 Crufts 21:00 Secrets of the Stonehenge Skeletons 22:00 Limitless 24:05 Splice

07:00 Childrens TV 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby’s Travelling Circus 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers Samurai 11:35 Batman: The Brave and the Bold 12:00 Inside Hollywood 12:05 Once Upon a Time 13:00 Mum of the Year Awards 2013 14:35 Are We Done Yet? 16:20 Space Jam 18:00 Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 19:40 5 News Weekend 19:45 Rocky II 22:00 Person of Interest 23:00 Drive Angry

07:00 The Biggest Loser 07:50 Emmerdale 10:35 Coronation Street 13:05 Top Dog Model 14:05 Super Tiny Animals 15:05 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 16:25 The Mighty Ducks 18:30 Beethoven’s 2nd 20:15 Hulk 23:00 The Only Way Is Essex 23:50 Big Rich Texas 24:50 Celebrity Juice

07:00 Switched 07:20 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 08:15 Make It or Break It 09:10 Ugly Betty 10:05 Scrubs 10:35 Scrubs 11:05 Hollyoaks 13:40 Glee 14:40 Charmed 15:35 How I Met Your Mother 17:05 Revenge 18:00 The Big Bang Theory 18:30 The Big Bang Theory 19:00 New Girl 19:30 New Girl 20:00 How I Met Your Mother 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Volcano 23:00 Rude Tube 24:00 The Big Bang Theory 24:35 The Big Bang Theory

44

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life TV

8th - 14th March

MONDAY 11th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Caught Red Handed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:40 Doctors 15:10 Only Fools and Horses 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:55 Party Political Broadcast 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Bang Goes the Theory 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Shetland 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Being Eileen

07:10 Homes Under the Hammer 08:10 Saints and Scroungers 08:55 Britain’s Empty Homes Revisited 09:25 A to Z of TV Gardening 10:10 Great British Menu 10:40 Countryfile 11:35 Click 12:00 BBC News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The One Show 14:30 Six Nations Rugby Union 15:15 Coast 15:20 Mastermind 15:50 Britain’s Heritage Heroes 16:20 Great British Food Revival 17:20 The Trials of Life 18:10 Antiques Roadshow 18:55 Party Political Broadcast 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great Continental Railway Journeys 20:30 Great British Menu 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Food & Drink 22:00 This World 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Central Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News 19:25 Party Political Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Cornwall with Caroline Quentin 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Broadchurch 23:00 ITV News 23:35 The Agenda 24:05 Monk

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 11:00 Grand Designs Australia 12:00 Come Dine with Me 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals 13:35 What’s Cooking?

14:45 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 15:45 Countdown 16:30 Common Denominator 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches 21:30 SuperScrimpers 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 24:05 Alan Carr: Chatty Man

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Danger: Diggers at Work 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Mystery Woman: In the Shadows 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News 20:00 Pirates of the Caribbean: The True Story 21:00 Police Interceptors 22:00 Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 23:00 Bomb Patrol 24:00 Passenger 57

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Coronation Street 07:55 Coronation Street 08:25 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 09:10 You’ve Been Framed!

09:40 Judge Judy 10:35 Winners & Losers 11:35 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 12:35 Millionaire Matchmaker 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Coronation Street 14:30 Coronation Street 16:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 17:10 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 17:40 You’ve Been Framed!

18:05 Millionaire Matchmaker 19:00 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

21:00 Animal Practice 21:30 You’ve Been Framed!

22:00 Ben and Kate 22:30 Ben and Kate 23:00 The Big Reunion 24:00 Red Dragon

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

ITV2

E4

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Central Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Live UEFA Champions League 23:00 ITV News 23:30 ITV News Central 23:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 24:35 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Frasier 11:00 Grand Designs Australia 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What’s Cooking?

13:30 Channel 4 News 13:35 Cheltenham Festival 17:20 Deal or No Deal 18:10 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 16 Kids and Counting 23:00 Shameless 24:05 Random Acts 24:10 Derek 24:45 Jump Boys: Channel 4 Racing

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 London: The Inside Story 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:10 Looney Tunes 16:20 McBride: Requiem 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 Whale Adventure 22:00 CSI 23:00 CSI: NY 23:55 Dallas

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Coronation Street 08:25 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 09:10 You’ve Been Framed!

09:40 Judge Judy 10:10 Judge Judy 10:35 Winners & Losers 11:35 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 12:05 You’ve Been Framed!

12:35 Millionaire Matchmaker 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Coronation Street 15:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 17:10 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 18:05 Millionaire Matchmaker 19:00 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

20:30 You’ve Been Framed!

21:00 Love in the Wild 22:00 The Vampire Diaries 23:00 666 Park Avenue 24:00 Celebrity Juice 24:45 The Big Reunion

07:00 Switched 07:25 90210 08:05 Ugly Betty 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:45 Scrubs 10:10 Rules of Engagement 10:40 Charmed 11:35 90210 12:30 Ugly Betty 13:30 Hollyoaks 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:00 Scrubs 16:05 Charmed 17:00 Rules of Engagement 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:30 The Big Bang Theory 22:00 Rude Tube 23:00 The Cleveland Show 23:30 The Inbetweeners 24:05 Rude Tube

TUESDAY 12th March

BBC1

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Caught Red Handed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:40 Doctors 15:10 Only Fools and Horses 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:35 The Matt Lucas Awards 24:05 Cuckoo 24:35 Who Do You Think You Are?

BBC2

07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 Caught Red Handed 09:20 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:05 Great British Menu 10:35 DIY SOS: The Big Build 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The One Show 14:30 Super League Show 15:15 Coast 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 Britain’s Heritage Heroes 16:25 British Food Revival 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great Continental Railway Journeys 20:30 Great British Menu 21:00 Alex Polizzi 22:00 The Railway 23:00 Heading Out 23:30 Newsnight

WEDNESDAY 13th March

ITV2

E4

07:00 Switched 07:25 90210 08:05 Ugly Betty 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:40 Scrubs 10:10 Rules of Engagement 10:35 Charmed 11:35 90210 12:30 Ugly Betty 13:30 Hollyoaks 14:05 How I Met Your Mother 15:00 Scrubs 15:30 Scrubs 16:00 Charmed 17:00 Rules of Engagement 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 How I Met Your Mother 21:30 New Girl 22:00 Revenge 23:00 My Little Princess 24:00 The Inbetweeners 24:35 Rude Tube

BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

ITV2

E4

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Caught Red Handed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC Newsr 14:40 Doctors 15:10 Only Fools and Horses 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:55 Party Political Broadcast 20:00 The One Show 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:35 A Question of Sport 24:10 The Matt Lucas Awards 24:40 Ruthless People

07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Real Rescues 08:45 Caught Red Handed 09:15 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:00 Great British Menu 10:30 Food & Drink 11:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 11:30 See Hear 12:00 BBC News 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 The One Show 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Coast 15:20 Mastermind 15:50 Britain’s Heritage Heroes 16:20 British Food Revival 17:20 The Trials of Life 18:10 Antiques Roadshow 18:55 Party Political Broadcast 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great Continental Railway Journeys 20:30 Great British Menu 21:30 A Very British Wedding 22:30 QI 23:00 The Culture Show 23:30 Newsnight

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Central Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News 19:25 Party Political Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Food Glorious Food 22:00 Lightfields 23:00 ITV News 23:35 Sports Life Stories 24:35 Safari Vet School

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Frasier 11:00 Grand Designs Australia 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What’s Cooking?

13:30 Channel 4 News 13:35 Cheltenham Festival 17:20 Deal or No Deal 18:10 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 The Mimic 23:35 Anna & Katy 24:05 8 Out of 10 Cats Uncut 24:50 Random Acts

07:00 Childrens TV 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 London: The Inside Story 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Disney Shorts: Donald’s Tire Trouble 16:20 The Front 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News 20:00 Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 21:00 Born to Kill 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order 23:55 CSI

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Holiday Showdown 08:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 09:10 You’ve Been Framed!

09:40 Judge Judy 10:10 Judge Judy 10:35 Winners & Losers 11:35 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 12:35 Millionaire Matchmaker 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Holiday Showdown 15:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 16:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 17:10 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 18:05 Millionaire Matchmaker 19:00 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

21:00 Fool Britannia 21:30 Fool Britannia 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 The Only Way Is Essex 23:50 Big Rich Texas 24:45 The McFly Show

07:00 Switched 07:25 90210 08:05 Ugly Betty 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:45 Scrubs 10:15 Rules of Engagement 10:45 Charmed 11:40 90210 12:35 Ugly Betty 13:30 Hollyoaks 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:00 Scrubs 16:00 Charmed 17:00 Rules of Engagement 17:30 Rules of Engagement 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Transformers 23:50 Rude Tube 24:55 The New Normal

8 - 14 march 2013

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THURSDAY 14th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Caught Red Handed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:40 Doctors 15:10 Only Fools and Horses 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:15 Comic Relief Does Glee Club 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Comic Relief 2013 22:00 Prisoners’ Wives 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Question Time 24:35 This Week

07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 Caught Red Handed 09:20 A to Z of TV Gardening 10:05 Great British Menu 11:05 Great British Railway Journeys 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The One Show 15:00 Coast 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 Britain’s Heritage Heroes 16:25 British Food Revival 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great Continental Railway Journeys 20:30 Great British Menu 21:00 The Planners 22:00 Horizon 23:00 How TV Ruined Your Life 23:30 Newsnight

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Central Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News 19:25 Party Political Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Food Glorious Food 22:00 Lightfields 23:00 ITV News 23:35 Sports Life Stories 24:35 Safari Vet School

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Frasier 11:00 Grand Designs Australia 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What’s Cooking?

13:30 Channel 4 News 13:35 Cheltenham Festival 17:20 Deal or No Deal 18:10 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Britain’s Secret Shoppers 22:00 Born to Be Different 23:00 Gogglebox 23:45 Embarrassing Bodies 24:50 Random Acts 24:55 Cheltenham Festival Highlights

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 London: The Inside Story 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 Prayers for Bobby 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News 20:00 Whale Adventure with Nigel Marven 21:00 Cowboy Builders 22:00 Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story 23:00 Born to Kill 24:00 Banged Up Abroad

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Coronation Street 07:55 Planet’s Funniest Animals 08:25 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 09:10 You’ve Been Framed!

09:40 Judge Judy 10:10 Judge Judy 10:35 Winners & Losers 11:35 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 12:35 Millionaire Matchmaker 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Coronation Street 14:30 Judge Judy 15:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 16:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 17:10 The Real Housewives of Atlanta 18:05 Millionaire Matchmaker 19:00 Jeremy Kyle Show USA 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

22:00 The Big Reunion 23:00 Celebrity Juice 23:50 Fake Reaction 24:35 Lemon La Vida Loca

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS 698

Quick solutions

Cryptic solutions

Across: 7 Make nothing of; 8

Across: 7 Railway ticket; 8 Pressman;

Converse; 9 Rare; 10 Ransom; 12

9 Oils; 10 Candid; 12 Inland; 14 Vessel; 16 Glance; 18 Spur; 20 Venetian; 22 Prefer a charge.

Down: 1 Marriage; 2 Closed; 3 Farm;

Employ; 14 Barren; 16 Yelled; 18 Deaf; 20 Unstable; 22 Consolidation.

Down: 1 Panorama; 2 Serves; 3 Poor;

4 Stunning; 5 School; 6 Well; 11

4 Thievery; 5 Unwrap; 6 Sour; 11

Delivery; 13 No change; 15 Strife; 17

Manfully; 13 Overlook; 15 Refuse; 17

Astray; 19 Part; 21 Nice.

Lean-to; 19 Eros; 21 Side.

E4 07:00 Switched 07:25 90210 08:05 Ugly Betty 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:45 Scrubs 10:10 Rules of Engagement 10:40 Charmed 11:35 90210 12:30 Ugly Betty 13:30 Hollyoaks 14:05 How I Met Your Mother 15:05 Scrubs 15:35 Scrubs 16:00 Charmed 17:00 Rules of Engagement 17:30 Rules of Engagement 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 The Big Bang Theory 21:30 How I Met Your Mother 22:00 The New Normal 22:30 2 Broke Girls 23:00 Body Shocking Show 23:30 Rude Tube 24:35 The Big Bang Theory

What’s on Viva TV this week VIVA TV broadcasts on the Torresat Networks every day from 2.00pm until 10pm.

And you can watch all our programmes and find our full listings at www.vivatv.es

Friday 8th Mar Let’s Talk – Simon Baldock is with one of Torrevieja’s best known Andy Ormiston and Susan Reader. 18.30 Saturday 9th Mar Celebrity Archive – Star of the Piano, Fargo and The Incredibles to name but three – Holly Hunter talks to Simon Baldock. 18.00 Sunday 10th Mar Spanish Eye – We talk to cricketing greats Mike Gatting and Rachael Heyhoe Flint at the La Manga cricket club. 18.15 Monday 11th Mar The Wedding Show (series) – Recording such a

special day is vital – make sure you hire professionals.

The photographer and videographer. 18.05 Tuesday 12th Mar Spanish Eye – If you’re sceptical about Spiritualism check this out! A sceptic has a reading with startling results. 18.30 Wednesday 13th Mar Sex Please We’re Willing – Local theatre group Ad Hoc puts on something a little ‘different’. A wonderfully funny stage show! 18.05 Thursday 14th Mar Hayes Guide to the Costa Blanca & Costa Calida.

Dave & Jess start off their journey on the Orihuela Costa coastal walk. 19.30

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life spanish

47

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

Step by Step Spanish - 22

WE HAVE been talking about formal and informal commands in Spanish. The whole business of being more or less formal is completely different in English and Spanish.

IN ENGLISH we are inclined to express formality by increasing the number of the words. For example: “Close the door” would change to “Would you close the door?” to “Would you mind closing the door” to “I wonder if you wouldn’t mind closing the door” to “Could I possible trouble you to close the door?” and so on and so on. When we say things like this in English to foreigners it’s not surprising that they haven’t got a clue what we’re talking about!

The Spanish can also become wordier to be polite, but the main difference between formal and informal Spanish is far more subtle, often relying on a change to a single letter, or couple of letters, in a word. We saw some of these last week; for example: “tome” (take – formal) “toma” (take – informal). We also saw there “dígame” is a formal way of inviting someone to say something, whilst “dime” is the informal version. Notice by the way that “informal” is not the same as impolite. It just means more familiar.

Anyway, it is easy to get lost in these differences. We can learn one or two of them off by heart, but it’s important to understand how they work to be able to progress in our understanding of the language.

Remember that informal (tú) commands are usually based on the third person singular of the present tense of the verb (habla, mira etc.) whilst formal (usted) commands are nearly always based on the first person singular of the present tense, changing the final letter - -ar verbs to an “e” and “er” and “ir” verbs to an “a”. Here again some of the examples: Speak! “Habla” (informal) “hable” (formal) Run! “corre” (informal) “corra” (formal)

Hear!

Have!

“oye” (informal) “ten” (informal)

“oiga” (formal) “tenga” (formal)

Now then, you might think, when would I want to command someone in a formal way? This is where in English all those “Do you minds” and “Can I trouble yous” come into play. In Spanish we should understand these single command words in a similar way. In fact, what we have actually just done is made a start on forming the subjunctive.

Yes, the formal “usted” commands are based on the subjunctive! It’s going to take more than a paragraph or two or explain this concept properly but in the meantime, we should understand these formal commands to mean something like: “May you speak!” or “I wish you to speak” It’s impossible to translate them literally as this subjunctive form does not exist in English.

Here’s another thing – “viva”. Every time you go along to a Spanish fiesta, at some point you will hear the shout of “viva”, often addressed to the patron saint of the day. Someone shouts “¡Viva San Pedro!” and the crowd shout back “¡Viva!” They are expressing an exhortation, as we would say in English “Long live!”

“Viva el rey” – “Long live the king!”

Remember that song “Qué viva España”. This is exactly the same thing. It means something like: “May Spain live!” It is expressing a desire or a wish. So, going back to “dígame”, it really means “May you speak to me” – it is expressing a desire rather than a command, which is what makes it formal or perhaps the word should be respectful.

Life books

FUNNY TWEETS Tina Daheley @TinaDaheley: An anagram of “bankers bonus” is “a bonkers snub”. Who knew?

Sarah Millican @SarahMillican75: Morning all. Anyone need some tissues filled with snot? I seem to have loads going spare here.

Ian Hyland @HylandIan: Piers Morgan says he starts each day with a fresh death threat. Or, as he likes to call it, breakfast.

THE WEATHER VeryBritishProblems @SoVeryBritish: Secretly hoping it stays cold so there’s always something to talk about Emma Bunton @EmmaBunton: I’m up and out and tired!!!! But I’ve heard the sun will shine today.

Chris Moyles @CHRISDJMOYLES: Its been so cold for so long, I am confused by this (ever so slightly) warm weather. And to confuse me more, there’s blue skies as well!

JAMES WHALE James Whale @THEJamesWhale: I can confirm that @lbc973 have not renewed my contract.Proud to have been part of the team that gave them the highest rateings for 20 years Theo Paphitis @TheoPaphitis: Sad Sad News yesterday my favourite broadcaster @THEJamesWhale no longer on @lbc973 think we need to start campaign SAVE THE WHALE Patrick Dee @PatrickJDee66: LBC won’t be the same, who knows though they may reconsider. That’s my drive time ruined : (

Danny Collins - copy@dannyjpcollins.com

Leaving Tangier

A REVIEW in this column featured the author’s previous work A Palace in the Old Village.

I WAS so impressed by that work written by recognizably one of the world’s greatest writers that I asked Gil Gatoff of Librería Europa in Calpe who provides the books for review in this column to send me other works by the same author. Subsequently Leaving Tangier, translated from the French by award winning translator Linda Coverdale, arrived on my desk this week. Ben Jelloun’s evocative story recalls the thoughts and actions of Azel, a young Moroccan facing a grim future in a country that has failed its society and ended his dream to ‘burn the water’ that separates his homeland from the Spanish coast and the better life which he believes awaits him there.

Intent upon leaving in any way possible but shunning the illegal pateras and the treacherous waters of an illicit Mediterranean crossing , Azel meets Miguel, a wealthy homosexual Spanish art gallery owner who takes him to Barcelona as his lover. Placed in a position that does constant battle with his conscience and self esteem, Azel faces a different kind of hell than that which he has left in Tangier. This is truly a book that causes the reader to reflect on the lottery of birth and the misfortunes faced by Third World immigrants anxious to improve their lot.

Author: Tahar Ben Jelloun Translation: Linda Coverdale Publisher: Arcadia Books (paperback) ISBN: 978 1 9064 1 333 0

Leaving Tangier invites deep thought from us on the problems facing Europe today. A true masterpiece of modern story-telling on a subject that our society wishes to ignore but that will someday come to haunt all of us.

Suduko Answer

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life health Other hearing conditions Michael Burke

RHAD MSHAA of Digital Hearing

SOMETIMES PEOPLE with relatively good hearing have difficulty understanding.

There are a number of conditions that are related to hearing disabilities, although not all of them involve hearing loss.

HYPERACUSIS IS oversensitivity to loud sounds and noises: sometimes even quiet sounds seem excessively loud; it becomes hard to understand many words because the stressed and unstressed syllables are hard to distinguish. It can be a symptom of Meniere’s Disease: the hearing system fails to code sounds appropriately, meaning that our normal understanding of what is very loud and what is quiet collapses.

No-one is sure yet whether this change occurs at the level of the ear or the hearing pathways in the brain.

Diplacusis, or hearing double, is an impairment of frequency or pitch perception. It can affect one ear or both ears independently. The sufferer hears a roughness or impurity of tone. This may be caused by a dead area in the cochlea where the hearing has been lost completely at one

frequency but the frequencies at either side work perfectly well and almost cover the loss.

Sufferers can just hear it as a ‘flutter’.

When people have a hearing loss, they may experience an abnormal amplification of sound called loudness recruitment. This is different from hyperacusis, which can occur with normal hearing. With loudness recruitment the sufferer’s sensation of loudness increases more rapidly than the objective increase in volume.

It is a condition where a small increase in the objective intensity of sound produces an abnormally large increase in the sufferer’s sensation of loudness.

Difficulty in understanding words is called ‘reduced discrimination ability’.

Whatever the cause of decreased sound tolerance, it can have a strong impact on a person’s life, causing them to withdraw and become isolated.

Many modern hearing aids have builtin attenuators that regulate the maximum output, dampening loud sounds and protecting vulnerable ears, enabling sufferers

to once more enjoy social conversation without discomfort or embarrassment.

In the next Hearing Column we will look at how hearing aids work.

If you have any question’s about this week’s topic, email digitalhearing@hotmail.co.uk or contact Michael Burke at Digital Hearing, Quesada Business Centre, Calle Los Arcos 7, Quesada: Tel 698 418 642.

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Hay fever and Chinese medicine HAY FEVER is probably the most common form of allergic rhinitis. It is invariably initiated by pollen allergens. That is pollen from trees (in spring) and grass (in summer)

By Robert Vandevelde Most cases of hay fever begin in childhood with 50% having the problem by the age of 15 and 90% of eventual cases by the age of 30. Approximately 20% suffer from attacks of Asthma.

Symptoms may vary from person to person, both in their type and in the relative severity. They can include: Continuous itching of nose and eyes, frequent sneezing, profuse and thin nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, a putrid smell in the nose, redness and swelling of the eyes, burning pain of the eyes, and an itching skin, throat or ears.

Western medical treatment may consist of: Oral antihistamines Decongestants Sodium cromoglycate (anti allergic inhalation) Corticosteroids TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) One of the earliest classical works, one that I mentioned in earlier articles, the Yellow Emperor Classic of Internal Medicine, says: It is easy to suffer ‘qiu ti’ in spring (‘qiu’ meaning stuffy nose and ‘ti’ sneezing). So more than 2000 years ago, the Chinese already had an understanding and treatment of a condition very similar, if not the same as allergic rhinitis.

In TCM we say that wind is the predominant Qi (energy) of spring and is related to the liver. Furthermore, according to another classic, invasion of Lung Qi impairs the lungs’ function of dispersing and descending and causes stuffy and runny nose.

Based on this theory we believe the main pathologies in the acute stage of Hay Fever to be: Wind Cold invading the Lungs, or Wind Heat invading the Liver. In the Stable remission stage we talk of Lung Qi deficiency or Spleen deficiency. So treatment varies according to the pathology and the season.

Of course, it is a bit more complicated than this, but I try to

keep it simple. Not easy!

In Wind-cold condition we may see symptoms such as: Itching of the nose, eyes, throat or skin Frequent sneezing or coughing Lacrimation Runny nose with a thin and white discharge Aversion to cold Absence of sweating In Wind-heat condition we may see: Itching and soreness of the eyes and nose Frequent sneezing Lacrimation Runny nose Redness and swelling of the eyes or side of the nose Headache Photophobia Red face or irritability Feverishness, sweating and thirst Lung Qi deficiency patients usually have a prolonged history of hay fever or easily catch colds. Some patients also suffer from asthma. Their symptoms may include: Itching of the nose and eyes in the morning or whenever exposed to wind and cold.

Continuous sneezing Lacrimation Runny nose with profuse discharge Aversion to wind and cold and improvement with warmth Lassitude and feeble voice Shortness of breath and pale face Spleen Qi deficient patients with this condition usually, though not necessarily suffer from eczema.

Their symptoms may include: Intermittent runny nose and nasal obstruction Itching of the eyes or dizziness and blurred vision Sallow complexion and lassitude Poor appetite Diarrhoea Heavy sensation in the body We treat the manifestation in Spring and Summer, and the Root (or source) in the opposite season. I tend to use more Acupuncture for the manifestation and more herbs in Autumn. But it may also be the other way around depending on the particular case.

Written by Robert Vandevelde Former President Australian Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Association, Contact him on 660 032 862.

Write to me at robertvdvelde@telefonica.net javea-acupuncture.blogspot.com

Week 7

Exercise can be fun Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.

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Life people

Sweet little treasure trove

By Jack Troughton GIFT AND accessories shop Galano in Villajoyosa is a true Aladdin’s Cave packed with a treasure trove of quality items – many handmade either in Spain or the Orient.

Just metres from the famous Valor chocolate shop in Avenida Pais Valencia, many sweet-toothed clients are enticed into the premises by the rainbow of colours inside after enjoying a cocoa-based treat.

And owner Gaspar Hurtado is delighted Galano is close to its neighbour. “It has a lot of visitors and I think a lot of the people come here too – it serves as an attraction.”

Certainly he believes Galano – friends recommended using an old family name for the shop – has found the correct recipe and it has just celebrated its ninth anniversary.

“Once people have discovered us, they like what is sold here and Galano enjoys a lot of repeat custom,” Gaspar added.

Jewellery cabinets line the walls filled with silver rings, necklaces and bracelets many set with semi-precious stones and crystals. Some are imported from India and Thailand, others are made in Spain.

There is also the ‘Galano Boutique’ featuring the exclusive ‘Niza’ label, Spanish ladies handmade clothes using Indian cloth, and the cheaper Marshara range, along with handbags, clutch bags, purses and larger bags. A new line utilises real fossils as a decoration.

IMPORT An uncle imports items from Thailand and a flavour of the Far East flows through the shop. There are Thai Buddhas, picture frames, masks, jewellery boxes, ornate shells and wind chimes.

The shop also stocks lamps, candles, and incense. Old photos of Villajoyosa – including the famous coloured fisherman’s houses – are built into 3D pictures and hand painted.

And Gaspar hopes to start making silver jewellery himself; he already crafts a number of accessories using ceramics, bringing even more unusual items to the shop.

“Villajoyosa is very different to Benidorm – it is not a tourist town in the same way with the same turnover of people.

There are a lot of beautiful things but only one big hotel,” explained Gaspar.

“Galano will be open all over Easter as people return to their apartments. We are always busy during the summer season but quiet in winter.

“However, I have customers who come from as far away as Valencia and return time and time again.”

Find out more by visiting the website www.galano.es or on Facebook www.galanofacebook.tk

Life recipes

Rabbit with Almond Sauce THIS DISH is loosely based on a recipe that originates in the Balearic Islands and is still popular today. Traditionally, rabbit would be the main ingredient, but for those who have a dislike for eating fluffy bunnies, you could use chicken legs instead.

• 1 rabbit, cut into 8 portions • Salt and pepper.

• Olive oil • 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced • 1 tbls plain flour • 100g ground almonds • 2 large ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped • A glass of dry white wine • 1 tsp dried thyme • 125 ml chicken stock 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. 2. Season the rabbit with salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes in a large frying pan with a little oil until slightly browned. Transfer to an ovenproof casserole.

3. Add the onion and garlic to the frying pan with a little more oil and cook for a few minutes until the onion is soft. Add to the casserole and

sprinkle with the flour, then stir and add the thyme.

4. Add the wine and chicken stock to the frying pan and bring to a boil then pour into the casserole.

5. Add the tomatoes, ground almonds

and bay leaves and stir. Cover the casserole and place in the oven for an hour until the meat is tender.

Serves: 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour

If you have a recipe you would like to share with RTN Readers, email your recipe and if possible a photo to rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

Successful year for society

By Jack Troughton THE ROYAL Society of St George enjoyed a successful year with its main functions all well attended, the Costa Blanca Branch’s annual general meeting heard.

The three important celebrations – the St George’s Day Banquet, Her Majesty the Queen’s Official Birthday Lunch, and the Autumn Dinner Dance marking the Battle of Agincourt – were well supported.

At the AGM, held at the Cumbre del Sol Restaurant, British Consul Paul Rodwell was re-elected as Branch President and all six members of the committee were returned to their positions.

The Treasurer’s report revealed “a healthy financial situation” and the Chairman, Wing Commander Bob Hunt, MBE, was able to tell members and guests of the society’s ongoing success over the last 12 months.

He also said the branch’s website had been re-designed “in a very professional manner” by Branch General secretary Jean Farrimond and the society’s webmaster David Newton.

The next date on the society calendar is the annual St George’s Day Banquet at the Carrasco Restaurant on Friday 26th April.

Pictured are member and guests enjoying lunch at the Costa del Sol Restaurant following the meeting.

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Life events Outdoors again

By Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers BARRANC D’ENCAINA, Cocoll: Leader Jon: Saturday 2nd March Ten eager hikers pleased to be outdoors again after the two previous wet days booted up and set off up the track. A few minutes later outer layers were discarded before we turned into the barranco, where it was damp and shady with patches of snow and frost but the scrambling kept our temperatures up. A bit of pruning here and there by our leader ensured we all reached the track, out and up to the helipad, scratch free.

With a blue sky and the sun shining but not warm enough to melt the snow, we tramped through to the watch tower on the summit. We had made good time, so too early for lunch but time for a ’photo-break’ and views of the neighbouring snow-covered mountains. Off the summit and along the ridge until we found a suitable place for lunch, dry rocks poking out of the snow and the temperature still warm enough without putting more layers back on.

Time to be up and on our feet again for the route down: careful over slippery rocks with a quick game of ‘where’s the next green dot?’ Zig-zagging down and across the rock bed through ankle-grabbing brambles, then out onto a broad track, to take an easy but elongated meander back down to the cars.

‘Bon Aire’? Of course! - We have to check they’ve hung the cartoon up! – Pride of place! - So we can enjoy our refreshments WALKING SCHEDULE SATURDAY 9TH MARCH Senija Cross: Easy but some rough terrain: Optional lunch:

There was blue sky and the sun shining but not warm enough to melt the snow

5kms of 3 hours’ duration with a 250m ascent: Dogs on leads at rear: For further details contact Clive 96 648 1092.

Mont Raya: Very strenuous with some rough terrain and scrambling involved. 15kms of 6 hours’ duration with an 850m ascent: Dogs on leads at rear: For further details contact Jon 686 148 704.

WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH Nevera and Font de Paet: Moderate with mostly good tracks: 13kms of 5 hours’ duration with a 300m ascent: Dogs on leads at rear: For further details contact Peter 619 490 401.

Bollula: Moderately strenuous with some rough terrain: 14kms of 5 hours’ duration with a 400m ascent: No dogs: For further details contact Peter 669 873 159.

Almedia: Note 10.30am start: Moderately strenuous with some rough terrain: 12kms of 4 hours’ duration with a 400m ascent: No dogs: For further details contact Geoff 676 616 101.

Walks depart promptly at 10am unless otherwise noted.

Boots, packed lunch and adequate drinking water are required.

First aid kit is recommended as well as protection against sun, wind and rain. Walkers participate at their own risk.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the time stated for each walk will always depend on the fitness and ability of the walkers and also the weather and passage conditions on the day of the walk. The rules and guidelines for walking are given at http://www.cbmwalkers.org. Please also refer to this website for any last minute changes to the walks.

Sister In Action – La Nucia STREETWISE PRODUCTIONS are proud to present their latest production “Sister in Action”, a remarkably funny comedy based on the Whoopi Goldberg film Sister Act. The show follows the adventures of Dolores, a club singer who escape to a local convent to hide from her Mafioso boyfriend. Hilarity ensues as she turns the nuns into a swinging, modern and amazing choir and pulls the local community together to support them.

This show will have you dancing in the aisles of the Auditorium in la Nucia on March 22nd and 23rd with great dance routines, wonderful soloists, an adult and a junior choir all performed by a cast of 60 local adults and kids of all ages.

A fun, not to be missed comedy full of energy. Come along, you won’t be disappointed!

Produced and directed by Pascalle Bruens. For more info, give her a ring! 677 070 890.

This show is sponsored by IMED Levante, Notar and Ask og Embla.

An Easter story THE MIRACLE of Jesus healing a leper is a key part in the passion play ‘Nails for the Carpenter’ being performed by Careline Theatre later this month.

By Jack Troughton WRITTEN AND directed by Andy Crabb, actress Kaye Stubley leaves the glamour of designing and making hats and headgear for the group’s various productions to play something very different – the leper Schlomo.

The wretched piece of humanity is saved

by Jesus (Phil Baldwin), who when asked the question ‘how do we know who is our neighbour?’ tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

Kaye Stubley

Nails for the Carpenter is being staged by Careline Theatre Group, together with the English Choir, at its theatre in Alcalali to mark Santa Semana or Holy Week.

Performances will be at 7:00pm on 27th and 28th March. Tickets are 7€ and available by calling the Box Office on 652 294 750 or email carelineboxoffice.com. Careline will donate the proceeds of the two shows to charity.

Life music Rob Sweeney - Singer/Entertainer ROB SWEENEY is a seasoned performer with a rich and powerful voice which he puts to excellent use, whether singing pop and soul classics or songs from the shows - some of which he’s starred in having studied and performed in musical theatre over the previous few

years. As a cabaret artist he’s toured extensively throughout UK before moving to Spain.

Rob is a class act with a versatile repertoire to suit all audiences and he is available for all Bowls Clubs/Societies, Restaurants/Bars, Golf Clubs, etc. On

Saturday 9th March and Sunday 31st March, he will be appearing in the Coll de Rates Rte./Bar on the Parcent to Tarbena road from 1.30pm.

For more info on Rob phone: 96 558 4098 or visit: www.robsweeney-singer.tumblr.com

Timewarp Duo - Tribute Shows HUSBAND AND wife duo Justin James and Jaime Lee are better known as ‘Timewarp’. Both Jaime and Justin have a true talent for singing, whether performing haunting ballads, powerful rock anthems or pop classics. They have been performing professionally together for the past 15 years. All ‘Timewarp’ shows are known for their feel-good and upbeat music for all generations to enjoy, where the audience is invited to relax and sing along or get up and dance the night away.

Phone: 671 354 188 or visit www.timewarpduo.com MARCH GIGS Saturday 9th, Bar Ambiente, Moravit, Moraira. 10pm Saturday 16th, So What Bar, Av. De Europa, Calpe. 9pm Saturday 23rd, Private Party, Orba (The Ultimate Show)

Friday 29th, El Paraiso Rte./Bar, Parcent (50’s and 60’s Show) Saturday 30th, Los Belgas Rte., Gran Alacant (80’ & 90’s Show)

Black Glitter – Rock/Soul Band BLACK GLITTER is an exciting band with a line up of Geoff Britton (drums), Kelly (vocals), Carlos (guitar) and Chema (bass). The band’s repertoire includes the great lady vocalists of rock and soul, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle etc. There is plenty to enjoy: quality musicians, classic songs and some great dance music. For more information on the band phone Geoff on: 647 946 306.

MARCH GIGS Friday 8th, La Plaza Bar, Altea: 12.30am Saturday 9th, Steinways Jazz and Blues, Denia: 12.30am Tuesday 12th, Gourmand Rte./Bar, Jesus Pobre Road, Javea Friday 15th, Texaco Bar, San Juan Saturday 16th, Restaurante Giramondo, La Sella, Denia Friday 22nd, Blues Bar, (Near Marina), Denia: 12.30am Saturday 23rd, La Plaza Bar, Altea: 12.30am Sunday 24th, Aleluya Bar, Jalon: 7.30pm Thursday 28th, Blues Bar, (Near Marina), Denia: 12.30am Saturday 30th, Steinways Jazz and Blues, Denia: 12.30am Sunday 31st, Blues Bar, (Near Marina), Denia: 12.30am

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Life horoscopes Even your best made plans are subject to changes this week as Mares enters and takes control. It is possible that you will be shown alternatives and this action will consolidate and back a nifty plan you have up your sleeve. It is sad that things have come to this but it is a loophole at the end of the week that gives you the boost you need.

Led on by a wary Mercury in retrograde and spurred on by conjunction with a dreamy Pisces and a hesitant Gemini; there is much going on this week and you will reap the benefits if you play your cards right and assume nothing. In every way you have learned from your mistakes but now it is what you don’t do that shows!

Jupiter is calmed by the soothing energies of a retrograde Mercury this week. The resulting nostalgia helps you piece together actions from the past and clearly shows you a way forward, as Jupiter brings wisdom and fortune to a situation that is more than just the figment of your imagination. Just go for it, whatever you do.

There is a need to seek inner peace this week as you tune into your significant energies and become mindful of your specific wants and needs at last. So many recent problems have been those of other people, and it is high time that you have some personal time to charge the batteries and make positive plans for your own future.

Guided by a retrograde Mercury, actions with both Jupiter and Chiron should be the sign you have been waiting for as you are called to commit to a new project. Cut down the red tape and be decisive. You would not have been considered for this, a new role, if there was a slightest chance you wouldn’t take to it like a duck to water.

Forget your ego, and the fact that recent events have hurt and bruised you. At least you now know who your real friends are and where you stand. Involved in Piscean energies this week there is no clear decision on the horizon, but there comes a good chance to clear that which you must and to give someone a good run for their money.

Balance and poise and sensitivity are the stalwarts of your current way of working. You have erected a barrier for good reason, and it is to keep yourself safe and secure during a time of change. You are currently blissfully aware of the effect that you have on others, but with the Cosmos in tune with Piscean energies anything and all is possible.

The presence of Mars does much to inspire you, and allows you to access significant power which you will put to good use right now.

The Cosmos is currently governed by a dreamy Pisces, a retrograde Mercury and the wisdom of an ebullient Saturn. From your experience comes the assurance of the tried and trusted all way round.

Make no mistake, you have successfully picked up all the pieces and are about to embark on something rather wonderful. With the end of something in sight you have more than done your job, and there comes a time to take some quality time. Jupiter may be off limits at present but is still keeping an ever watchful eye.

Follow your instincts very closely this week because you are picking up on the negativity of others and pre warned is pre armed for any eventuality. Unafraid of change and courageous when facing new aspects you need right now, keep both feet on the ground, and let your instincts take you where you should be.

Charged with your significant and highly psychic energies just now; you can clearly see what is going on and what it is that you have to do right now. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt, it is time to take the bull by the horns and investigate further a story that doesn’t add up and probably never will.

Current actions with Venus and Chiron together with Mercury have set the cat amongst the pigeons; and for good reason, as yet unforeseen.

A project beckons for your care and consideration, and your energies are clearly defined and awaiting a response. You are more, much more than you think that you are, so let nothing hold you back.

Kenny corris www.kennycorris.net

Close encounters

SO MUCH mail has come to me this year already, from RTN readers experiencing strange phenomena in their homes.

This, of course, is nothing new, especially as the Costa Blanca is built on past energies and unexplained deeds.

Some Spirit do manage to live in harmony with us in our homes, if we are very understanding. Many of my clients call their ghosts by a Christian name since they are deemed to be a significant part of the household. Some readers are terrified and experience negative vibrations and the odd cold spot. Some even blame bad luck on something that lives within their four walls and shouldn’t be there. We all react differently to the unknown and what we think is the impossible.

No Spiritual entity has a right to dwell here on Earth, and yet they may or not respond to a gentle request by the householder to sling their hook… as it were. Many obstinately refuse that they are dead, and here may comes their biggest problem.

Answering a call this week I found myself explaining that Spirit of different eras can inhabit the same house.

A Vicarage I often visited in the suburbs of London had a suffragette ghost, they called Maud, in attendance. She appeared with sash and political pamphlets and walked almost majestically through the wall of the sitting room on occasions, terrifying the dog and cat in residence. In the same house a man dressed in drape jacket and pointed boots with long dark sideburns rocked and rolled himself on the top floor landing disappearing into a box room near to the attic. It appeared that both these ghosts lived side by side, but because they were from different eras they would not see each other. Their host family accepted them both, but it was one visitor to the Vicarage who claimed to hear

Kennys diary Albir Readings: The End of the Mayan Calendar has brought the Maya Bistro in Albir a brand new name. In future it will be known as SOMETHING ELSE. Readings are available on March 18thth and 20th from 17.00. Call for bookings for mini readings on: 966 868 213.

Alfaz Spiritual Foundation: Thursday April 11th.at 18.30 Demonstration and Service by Me. All are most welcome to attend.

Spring Seances: Parlour Seances for Spring begin in March. Please email for information. Groups are small and places fill very quickly. No experience is necessary just an open heart to this intriguing aspect of physical Mediumship DNA: A Spring Workshop: A one day workshop that helps you to charge your own unique Spiritual DNA. An intensive workshop, open to all, that intensifies, accelerates and inspires Spiritual progress and indicates the clear way ahead. Dates in March/April, or can travel to your own group or organisation. For details please call Kenny directly on 686 361 594 or leave a message on: 96 587 8424.

If it’s your birthday this week

rock and roll music playing during the early hours. Maybe this “Elvis” hasn’t left this building. I bet he hasn’t!

The idea of the spectre, ghoul or ghost, for they have many titles, is not to scare or shock. Most movement is experienced if the phantom is unaware they are dead, which often happens. However stubborn fellows, who know very well they should move on, often appear greyer and greyer as time goes by. Indeed they account for creaks, bumps and cold spots, as these too are quite evidentially usual in a home where there is a presence living.

Truly destructive behaviour is normally experienced as poltergeist activity; and this normally takes place in a house where there is a teenage child passing into adulthood. Since the transition to adulthood normally brings high levels of hormonal energy the poltergeist can work wonders and thrive, but usually moving chairs and breaking crockery is enough to send out a clear message an unwelcome Spirit is around. And the malignant energy can hang on as long as it has control and usually if it can scare someone. Poltergeists often disappear without trace when a better deal comes around and they are attracted to it.

Please do not suffer any disturbance in your own home. Take control and ask by yourself that any un dead return to where they know full well that they should be.

Ask politely initially and then increase the pressure until they do actually move on. Above all show no reaction and then they have no fun.

Everyone deserves to have a peaceful life in harmony with the vibrational energy of their home. Let me know of anything you can’t handle and try to eliminate any fear.

Such sad lost Spirits are to be pitied and moved on way back where they truly belong!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Postbag

Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com

KENNY, I still have my doubts about Spirit. My Grandfather, Harry, was a very spiritual man, and he promised to come through to me when he passed over.

I have waited since his death in October, but he doesn’t come, and I wonder since you write about communication then why doesn’t Harry come to me? Alex B. Hi Alex. There are two reasons for the lack of communication with Harry. Firstly it is wise to allow Harry to make his transition and take his place. He is at the moment being shown alternatives and realising the events of his Earthly life so he is at peace with himself. Give him a couple of months more, and he may very well make the first move and make contact with you. Secondly please do not lose faith in Spirit.

If you have doubts then resolve them, that way the portals can open to the dialogue you need with your Grandfather; he will not disturb or scare you then in his need to prove his survival. Please make contact if you need further help!

The mystery and imagination currently stemming from the Cosmos is a direct message to make stronger the great connection that freely exists with your innermost soul. Listen to yourself and follow your most indulgent desires.

Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword ACROSS

21. Complete set of

DOWN 1. Odd person to alter the motion? (5) 2. One who could be taken for a ride (3) 3. Low joint keen to be reformed (4) 4. Madly in love and such a romantic place (3,6) 5. Put in the shade, naturally (7) 8. Comment about foreign (6) 11. Doesn’t sit inside and is conspicuous (6,3) 13. Sting to anger (6) 14. Good route for a long-distance driver (7) 16. Baby bird? (5) 18. Bird you can play

notes (5)

with (4)

22. Make believe (7)

20. The first mate (3)

6. Getting up a revolt?

(7) 7. It just goes to show how time passes! (5) 9. Our first cardinal (3) 10. River rose, perhaps, to fill it? (9) 12. An order which doesn’t require attention (5,2,4) 15. Father, in making wagers, is very careful (11) 17. They may struggle to break locks (9) 19. Consumed stirred tea (3)

Word Ladders

55

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

The key rule is that you must only change one letter at a time as you move from one rung to another, and the word you make must be a proper word! Therefore you may move from BATH --> BATS but not from BATH --> CASH because that changes two letters in one go which is not allowed.

Quick Crossword

ACROSS 6. Liken (7) 7. Serpent (5) 9. Attempt (3) 10. Shows (9) 12. Prophetic vision (6,5) 15. Understaffed (5-6) 17. Society (9) 19. Wicked (3) 21. Pangs (5) 22. Immense (7)

Down

1. Fret (5) 2. Secret agent (3) 3. Region (4) 4. Not resolved (9) 5. Not detailed (7) 8. Concealed (6) 11. Harm (9) 13. In one’s possession (2,4) 14. During (7) 16. Bisect (5) 18. Rip (4) 20. Enquire (3)

Euromillions Draw Friday 1st March 2013

1

11 29 36 42

4

5

No ticket won the 32,728,379 Euros

Tuesday 5th March 2013

8 19 31 33 39

2

No ticket won the 40,083,119 Euros

7

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life people

Face of Europe SMILE WHITE Europe Ltd was very proud to

be a sponsor of the Face of Europe and also invited to judge at the Beauty Pageant.

THIS UNIQUE competition attracted 84 contestants aged from 6 to 30 from 26 participating countries throughout Europe.

An enthusiastic audience travelled from all over Europe to watch the final and was treated to an impromptu performance from Dancing on Ice star Chico while eagerly awaiting the results. The audience erupted into applause when the winner was announced as stunning 19-yearold London medical student Arati Menon, who impressed

everyone with her charismatic charm and beautiful smile.

Arati impressed the Judges earlier when she performed a traditional Indian dance which had the audience on their feet: a firm favourite not only with the Judges but also with the contestants. Arati was crowned the Face of Europe 2012, alongside the junior winner from Northern Ireland, 8-yearold Ellie Delany, who had singled-handedly raised more than £4,000 for charity. The Teen Crown was won by the very

beautiful and statuesque face of the Czech Republic, 14-yearold Marianna Beckova from Prague.

This wonderful event was the perfect opportunity to launch Smile White’s new Teeth whitening gel ‘Smile White Naturale’. Many contestants and their families had their teeth whitened and were very impressed with the fast, pain free and relaxing treatment and the whitening results the new product achieved. Smile white Europe Ltd has spent the past 2 years developing its new product ‘Smile White Naturale’ and is are pleased to announce that the product has passed EU regulations and toxicological safety assessments.

The contest caught the imagination of girls from all over the world: what girl hasn’t dreamed of being a Disney Princess at some point in their lives?! The event was a monumental success and the Face of Europe is pleased to announce the incorporation of the Face of the World, which will be held in Disneyland November 2013. Qualifying heats are being held throughout Europe - for further information please visit www.faceofeurope.co.uk

Gymnasts of Calp collect 400 kilos of food for the food bank A RHYTHMIC gymnastics exhibition and fair organised by the club Les Marines de Calp was a huge success. 200 participating gymnasts aged between 3 and 18 years from Callosa d’en Sarria, Almussafes and Elx competed before a capacity crowd of spectators that filled the hall to bursting. And the exhibition helped collect 400 kilos of food to be donated to a local food bank.

8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life people

Morocco or Bust!

PORTAL DE La Marina Ondara is preparing to participate in the spring 2013 charity rally Maroc Challenge (Morocco)

By Colin Rich TWO DRIVERS from Gata de Gorgos will travel 2,000 km through the desert and deliver much needed school supplies to a Moroccan school From now until the 17th of March, visitors to the shopping centre in Ondara can see the vehicle and the Team Portal de la Marina. This rally is a real obstacle course for the restored classic vehicles, 2,000 km through the Moroccan desert and mountains, carrying school supplies to a school in Hassi El Begaa,. The rally will start from Javea, on March 22, terminating on 29th March.

As the main sponsor of the local team, the team rightly carries the Portal de la Marina name.

The exhibition of the vehicle at the shopping centre will also help the team collect school supplies and donations from visitors, and “the car display is an attraction for all customers who visit us” said Director, Oscar Pastor.

The local team of Juan Miguel Gavila and Jacob Pedros, two young men from Gata de Gorgos, have spent the last five months preparing for participation in the Rally. The hardest work has been to restore the vehicle, a Renault 4L, rescued from the scrapyard (See before and after photos). Efforts are now focused on the collection of school supplies and aid for the charity project to equip the Hassi El Begaa

school, where 50 students and two teachers have no more resources than desks and a blackboard.

DONATIONS Readers can contribute in various ways. The car and the team will be at Portal de La Marina until March 17, to collect contributions for the charitable initiative through three channels: collecting basic school equipment, receiving cash contributions and selling 1€ raffle tickets (prizes include a 4x4 driving course!). Cash raised will go towards the purchase of two laptops for school teachers.

This spring edition of the Raid Maroc Challenge will feature 100 teams in total, with 4x2 vehicles and 4x4 SUV dated older than the final manufacture date of 31 December 1995.

The rules require overcoming all stages and reaching a top speed of 80 km / h. In total, the course will cover 2,000 km. through desert and mountains. The Team Portal de la Marina is marked with competitor number 214 and their progress can be followed both on the rally website: www.marocchallenge.es, and through twitter@teamportalmaroc or the Facebook page facebook.com / teamportaldelamarina. The teams aim to broadcast their crossing the finish line at each stage on the internet.

The car before and after

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Life cars

Tim Saunders Independent unbiased car reviewer

A modern day A-Team van DID YOU know that the people carrier concept was introduced over half a century ago? In 1950 Volkswagen introduced its multi-seat Kombi vehicle and then a decade later Fiat introduced its own version. And there I was thinking that it was all down to Renault with its Espace in 1984.

The Espace is no longer but that hasn’t deterred other manufacturers from introducing their own take on this popular vehicle. But while many do the job admirably many lack style and character. It is this area in particular where Chevrolet, that famed and historic US car manufacturer, owned by General Motors, has sought to exert its influence.

I don’t usually bat an eyelid at a people mover but as I take delivery of the Orlando it demands a second glance, so clearly Chevy has been successful.

The curved brick shape is without doubt very appealing as you can see from the video at testdrives.biz. It’s like a modern day A-Team van.

Step inside and the black cabin is well appointed and comfortable; the dashboard, which slants at an angle towards the windscreen, has something of the future about it. An initial criticism is that the interior is very black although it feels hardwearing and well put together. The front seat is like an armchair, complete with a folding armrest. There is a foot rest for the driver’s left foot, which is welcome, while all controls are close to hand and easy to operate.

Turn the ignition and the two-litre diesel unit is slightly audible from inside but when driving it is not noticeable. The six-speed gearbox is decisive. It becomes apparent that this vehicle, much like its driver, prefers clear roads as opposed to clogged up ones. At a crawl it prefers first gear to second where there is a feeling that it might stall. The diesel unit is gutsy and can be worked hard but then it does become vocal. The high-up driving position is always welcome as it gives a commanding view of the road ahead and can allow for some forward planning of overtaking manoeuvres. It will transport seven people in comfort and there is a cavernous boot.

Parkers, the car experts, say: ‘The Orlando is Chevrolet’s first ever MPV and it’s a competent offering. It’s a reasonably priced, spacious and practical people carrier that puts function over form. The design might not be to everyone’s tastes but one might consider that a trifling price to pay for a decent school-runner that won’t break the bank. The Orlando – the new kid of the MPV block, complete with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty and attractive

ownership benefits’. I agree with Parkers: a very good family proposition and more economical than cars half its size such as the Mazda 2 hatchback!

2.0 LT VCDI 5DR 6SPD MANUAL New price range: 21,878€ – 31,282€ Economy: 47mpg Fuel tank: 64 litres 0-60mph: 10 secs Top speed: 111mph Power: 128bhp In the holiday season plans to travel start to develop. Whether it is a simple break or a trip to see relatives you can rest assured that Britain’s roads will be busy. When there’s a family involved there is always a need for extra space no matter whether it is a large people mover or a smaller car. Roof bars and carriers are easily fitted to the roof of most vehicles, ensuring that extra loads such as luggage or presents can be carried.

Advanced motorist Tim Saunders is the former Business and Motoring Editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo. His regular test reports appear in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the UK, Ireland and Gibraltar. For more independent unbiased car reviews and videos visit www.testdrives.biz

59

NEW CARS available to view in our showroom in CALPE 2009 NEW MODEL FORD FOCUS1.6TDI

5dr, sky blue met, with charcoal trim,climate, cruise, c/d hi-fi 1 owner, very low km,s

€8995

2007 (NEW MODEL) PORSCHE CAYENNE S,auto,black met, with tan hide,very high spec,cost new 70k. €26,995 2010 FIAT LINEA1.4 DIESEL AUTOMATIC, MULTIJET, slate met, climate, alloys, a/c, c/d, high spec 9995€ 2008 FORD FOCUS 1.6 AUTO. Denim blue met. Grey trim, a/c c/d, remote locking & e/w only 38k €9995 2009 NEW MODEL FORD FOCUS1.6TDI 5dr, sky blue met, with charcoal trim, climate, cruise, c/d hi-fi 1 owner, very low km,s €8995 2002 BMW 325 CI CABRIO M SPORT. Black with grey leather sports seats,alloys, huge spec 8995€ 2010 SEAT IBIZA 1.4 5 DR. metallic black with grey trim, alloys, climate, c/d, low kms €8995 2003 BMW X5, 4.4 SE AUTO silver with black hide alloys, climate, remote locking full spec WAS 10,995€ NOW 8,995€ 2008 NEW MODEL FORD FOCUS C.MAX 1.8 TDCI DIESEL. Denin blue metallic,climate,c/ d, cruise , low kms.

8,995€

2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD AUTOMATIC 7 seater, silver with black hide, alloys, climate, hifi, roof rails, electric sunroof.

Was 8,995€ now

1994 MERCEDES BENZ E220 auto, CABRIO, ruby red met, with cream leather, electric roof, alloys, premium sound system, €6995 2004 MAZDA MX5 CABRIO, magenta mica metallic, with black trim,c/d hi- fi,alloys,FSH, immaculate! €5995 2007 SUZUKI SWIFT 1.5glx 5dr silver with black trim, a/c, c/d, alloys, s/history, 4995€ 2005 MAZDA 6 TS2 2.0, 5 door hatch, blue met, with black trim, climate, alloys, cruise, BOSE hi-fi WAS 5,995€ NOW 4,995€ 2004 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI DIESEL dynamique, silver met, alloys, climate, C/D etc low kms 4,995€

2010 FIAT LINEA1.4 DIESEL AUTOMATIC MULTIJET

slate met, climate, alloys, a/c, c/d, high spec

9995€ 1998 BMW Z3 CONVERTIBLE.1.9 AUTOMATIC.silver with black hood, & black leather interior, a/c, alloys, only 45k superb!

WAS 5,995€ NOW 3,995€ 2003 VW GOLF,1.6 HATCH,black with charcoal trim, alloys, a/c, cruise, c/d hi-fi 3995€

UK RIGHT HAND DRIVE

2004 MAZDA MX5 CABRIO magenta mica met,with black trim, c/d, hi-fi, alloys, FSH, immaculate! €5995 1999 MERCEDES ML,320 AUTO 7 SEATER denim blue met, grey leather, a/c €2995 1998 AUDI A4 AVANT EST 1.9tdi.emerald met with grey trim,climate, alloys, just serviced €1295

7,995€

2009 FORD FIESTA1.2 TREND, 5door, blue met, charcoal trim,a/c c/d,only35k, 7995€ 2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD AUTOMATIC 7 seater, silver with black hide, alloys, climate, hifi, roof rails, electric sunroof WAS 8,995€ NOW 7,995€ 2007 NEW MODEL SMART AUTOMATIC Ferrari edition met red & silver, with charcoal trim, A/C, alloys, CD, panoramic roof, low kms superb!

WAS 7,995€ NOW 6,995€ 2012 RENAULT TWIZY Only 6 months old, fully electric car, pearl white met, gull wing doors 6,995€

2004 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI DIESEL DYNAMIQUE

silver met, alloys, climate, C/D etc low kms

4,995€ MOTORCYCLES 2007 PIAGGIO MP3 3 WHEEL SCOOTER

2,495€

CASH FOR YOUR CAR Tel: 965 876 030 Mob: 699 034 138

Over 50 + cars in stock

We buy cars for cash.

Open Mon – Fri 9:30 – 19:00 - Sat 9:30 – 14:00

Tel: 966 730 116 or 672 072 720 - www.costacars.net - Email: costacars@gmail.com

Visit us at La Zenia, Orihuela Costa

COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS•COSTA CARS

* AUTO * SEAT IBIZA 1.9 SDI STELLA “2005” 4995 €

OPEL ASTRA 1.7 CDTi ENJOY “2008” 8995 € * EX DEMO *

CHEVROLET AVEO 1.4i LS “2009” 6995 €

SKODA FABIA 1.4 TDI COMBI “2008” 7995 €

OPEL CORSA 1.3CDTi ENJOY “2008 7995 €

SKODA OCTAVIA COMBI 1.9 TDI AUTO “2007” 9995 €

MAZDA “6” 2.0i ACTIVE - NEW SHAPE “2008” 10995 €

SEAT IBIZA 1.4i 16v COOL “2007 5995 €

OPEL CORSA 1.3CDTi ENJOY “2008” 7995 €

* AUTO * FORD FOCUS EST 1.6i GHIA “2002” 3995 €

PEUGEOT 308 1.6i 16v CONFORT “2010” 10995 €

OPEL ASTRA 1.9CDTi COSMO AUTO “2008” 9995 €

* 20,000kms

* 1 OWNER * HYUNDAI ACCENT 1.5 CRDi GLS “2008” 6995 €

CITROEN C5 1.6 HDI PREMIER “2010” 11995€

OPEL ASTRA 1.7CDTi ENJOY “2008 8995 €

CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 1.8i SX “2005” 5200 €

*

OPEL CORSA 1.2i SILVERLINE “2004” 4500 €

FORD FOCUS 1.6i 16v TREND + “2010” 9500 €

TOYOTA RAV 4, 2.2 D4D ECO ACTIVE “2009” 15995 €

SEAT IBIZA 1.4i COOL “2007” 5995 €

* AUTO *

* AUTO * NISSAN MICRA 1.2i VISIA “2010” 6995 €

RENAULT MEGANE EST 1.9 DTi “2001* 2995 €

PEUGEOT 207 CC CABRIO 1.6i AUTO - LEATHER “2008” 10995 €

FORD FOCUS 1.6i 16v AUTO TREND+ “2010” 9995 €

* SAT NAV *

* AUTO*

RENAULT LAGUNA EST 2.0 DCi AUTO PRIVILEGE “2008”..11995 €

RENAULT LAGUNA DCi TOM TOM - HI SPEC “2010” 10995 €

CITROEN C3 1.1i FURIO “2009 6300 €

OPEL CORSA 1.3 CDTi “2004” 4500 €

MAZDA 3 1.6i ACTIVE “2008” 8995 €

OPEL ZAFIRA 1.9 CDTi ENJOY 7 SEATS “2005” 7995 €

VOLVO S40 1.8i SUMMUM “2008” 8995€

FORD FOCUS 1.6i TREND “2005” 5995 €

OPEL NEW ASTRA 1.7 CDTi ENJOY “2010” 11995 €

CITROEN C3 1.1i FURIO+ “2010 6995 €

TOYOTA YARIS 1.4 D4D LUNA “2006” 4995 €

OPEL CORSA 1.0i ENJOY “2008” 5995 €

Spanish REG

* FSH * SUZUKI GRAN VITARA 1.6i RHD “2001” 2500 €

* AUTO * NISSAN QASHQAI 2.0 DCi AUTO 4X4 “2009” 16995 €

* AUTO * SUZUKI IGNIS 1.3I SPECIAL EDITION “2003” 3995 €

7 Seats

* OFFER *

ALFA ROMEO 147 1.9JTD DISTINCTIVE “2008’ 8995 €

RENAULT NEW MEGANE SPORT TOURER 1.5DCi “2010” 10995 €

KIA CARNIVAL 2.9 CRDi AUTO LUXURY “2006” 8995 €

FIAT BRAVO 1.6 JTD ACTIVE “2009” 8995 €

MITSUBISHI MONTERO LWB 2.8 TDi “1999” 4995 €

KIA SPORTAGE 2.7i V6 AUTO LUXURY “2006” 8500 €

AUDI TT ROADSTER 1.8T CABRIO 163BHP “2006” 11995 €

* 1 OWNER*

SKODA FABIA 1.2i YOUNG “2010” 7995 €

CHEVROLET AVEO 1.4i SEDAN “2006” 4500 €

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8 - 14 march 2013

andrew james... The man in the middle Sponsored by “The Three Lions” (Carrer de Manuel de Falla, Albir) The Best Footy Bar on the Costa Blanca; Showing Every Game, Every Week!

Too many grey areas?

I’m sure you’re all well aware by now of the controversy that unfolded at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. In a nut shell, Man United feel they were robbed of a Champions League quarter-final place because Turkish referee, Cuneyt Cakir, unjustly dismissed winger Nani for what he deemed to be a dangerous challenge and Real Madrid went on to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Now I’m not going to speculate on whether or not United in fact deserve to be in the next round of the European cup because to suggest that Madrid would definitely not have scored in the forty-odd minutes that were played after the red card is frankly disrespectful to an excellent football team. There’s every chance Real could have won 2-1 anyway. But there’s also every chance United would have extended their lead by another goal or two. We shall never know.

What we do know however, and this seems to be the (only) point that the majority of witnesses and football fans agree on, is that the sending off changed the entire composition of the contest and that the ensuing arguments have marred what was a fantastically entertaining game of football. Blame for “killing the game” fell squarely at the feet of Mr Cakir but, under the laws of the game, and given that referees don’t appear to be allowed to use common sense these days, he had a REALLY tough call to make.

It’s firstly important to distinguish what Nani was sent off for. He wasn’t dismissed for ‘Violent Conduct’ because that is defined as an act when you are not challenging for the ball, which Nani clearly was. He was sent off for ‘Serious Foul Play’, and to be dismissed for this you must “use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is in play.” Further to this, the law states: “A tackle that endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.”

In many ways the wording of the law is nonsense. “A tackle that endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned

Nani’s OFF!

as serious foul play” and equals a red card. But “Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to or consequences for, his opponent. A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned.” and earns a yellow card.

Personally, I don’t see a lot of difference between the two definitions but they result in two very different punishments.

If you want my opinion, I thought a red card was harsh. Yes, Nani’s foot is high and he ends up planting all six studs into Alvaro Arbeloa’s rib cage but, from every angle I’ve seen at least, Nani’s eyes never left the ball and he appeared genuinely surprised when, as he tracked the ball towards his chest-high foot, the Spanish full-back was suddenly caught in his headlights.

It appears however that the ref deemed this as “serious foul play” and punished Nani accordingly. By the letter of the law, he’s right, but if perhaps he were allowed to use a little common sense, consider the magnitude of the occasion and the

ramifications of a dismissal, I think he would, given the chance again, probably only show yellow.

This Week in “The Lions”: Sat 9th Mar: Everton v Wigan (FA Cup 1.45pm)

Scotland v Wales (6 Nations 3.30pm)

West Brom v Swansea (4pm)

Reading v Aston Villa (4pm)

Ireland v France (6 Nations 6pm)

Man City v Barnsley (FA Cup 6.30pm) Sun 10th Mar: Millwall v Blackburn (FA Cup 3pm)

Newcastle v Stoke (4pm)

England v Italy (6 Nations 4pm)

Liverpool v Spurs (5pm)

Man United v Chelsea (FA Cup 5.30pm) 12th/13th/14th: All Champions / Europa League Fixtures

Model and Radio controlled boats on display

By Keith Nicol TORREVIEJA HAS a uniquely shaped park in the ‘Park of Nations’ which is named after the European Nations. From the ground it’s a nice stroll around a few lakes but from overhead, those lakes the landmass of the park, is the actual scaled layout of Europe! One of the city’s most popular niche events starts on Saturday with the inauguration of the X Exhibition of static models and radio control boats, ‘City of Torrevieja’.

Since its first edition, in 2004, 210,014 people have visited the exhibition where a total of 1,567 models, from 782 artists, and with the participation of 118 clubs and associations, have been on display.

On Monday, Torrevieja’s Mayor, Eduardo Dolon, accompanied by the Councillor for Culture, Luis Maria Pizana and the President of the Association of Naval Modelling of Torrevieja, Luis Carlos Frade, announced the opening of the exhibition, next Saturday, March 9, at 12:30 pm.

The Static models are displayed in the Aljibes Exposition centre, which will remain open to the

public until April 14. The event is organized by the Museum of Sea and Salt in association with the Naval Modelling Association of Torrevieja. It was created in 2004, and has 86 members from 14 different nationalities and all ages.

This tenth edition involves a total of 14 clubs and associations from different parts of Spain, with 150 models on display. Over the run of the event, Torrevieja also hosts the II National Naval Modelling Concentration, with the participation of associations from all over Spain. Among other activities, each weekend will feature exhibitions of speedboats on the Lake of the Park of Nations. All owners of radio controlled boats and yachts are invited to bring along their craft and join in the fun. The organisers will assign you a frequency, so that boats are not taken over by another remote control, and you can enjoy sailing your boats around the lake.

The show’s open until 15 April from 10:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Tuesday to Sunday but closed on Monday.

More information from www.asociacionmodelismonavaltorrevieja.com.

8 - 14 march 2013

Andy Kay

63

Not keen on Keane

The Final Whistle

A number of media critics have spent the last few days gushing over the performance of Roy Keane on ITV this week. Keane, they said, had come of age as a TV performer after suggesting that Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir was correct to send off Nani in the Champions League match between Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Personally, I disagree. It’s hard to rate Keane as a serious pundit when, in this case, I consider his point of view to be complete b@*&@$£s Like Keane’s fellow panellists, Gareth Southgate and Lee Dixon, I felt that the United player was unlucky to be dismissed but Keane insisted it was dangerous play and a definite red card. Well sorry Roy, but if that was dangerous play then you should probably still be doing hard time because there were some challenges meted out during your career that verged on GBH, aggravated assault or intent to end the career of (insert name of Manchester City player here).

While we are on the subject of Real v United, how very sad that a match between two such great teams was decided on the whim of the officials. I wonder if it is not time for UEFA to follow the lead of the ICC who in the world of cricket, have created an elite list of umpires. If Europe’s governing body did something similar with referees, Mr Cakir, who is generally accepted as a very experienced and world class official, would spend his time taking charge of the very best, week in week out, in such places as Milan, London, Madrid, Manchester, Amsterdam, Munich and Paris. That would seem far better practice for an important Champions League match than farting about with the likes of Elazigspor, Akhisar B and Mersin Idm in the lower reaches of the Turkish Super League.

Nani being sent off

And of course, UEFA didn’t hang around to the fan the flames of this unfortunate controversy. It was only a matter of hours after the game that they announced that United would face disciplinary proceedings for not fulfilling their post-match media obligations. I have no problem with that.

But what I do object to is UEFA’s one line, glib response that “there are no issues for us regarding the sending off.” Common sense surely dictates that being such a contentious decision, UEFA would be far better advised

FC Torry news LAST SUNDAY Torry played at home to 6th placed Villarreal C. The game ended 0-0 but it certainly wasn’t a 0-0 bore draw. On the contrary, it was a entertaining game especially during the first half when a makeshift Torry team, deprived of 4 regulars through injury, put together at least half a dozen quality attacking moves which could have lead to a goal if the final pass or finish had been better. Villarreal came closest to scoring when their number 11 hit the woodwork with a magnificent strike from distance. The diminutive Manu Amores was at the cetre of the best of the Torry play and had a purple patch of 10 minutes when he threatened to reck havoc. In the second-half Villarreal took control of the game for large periods and pegged Torry back but the Torry defence stood firm and keeper Tur pulled off a couple of quality saves. Torry remain in 14th place, 5 points ouside the drop zone. On Sunday Torry travel to play 3rd placed Castellon.

A difficult game in prospect but hopefully some of the players will return from injury and Torry can extend their unbeaten record to five games.

Bowled over

By Jack Troughton Members of the Benitachell Ladies Club are thinking of taking up bowling after an enjoyable morning’s introduction to the sport.

The club took up an invitation from the directors of the Benitachell Bowls Club to join them for coffee, cakes, and bowling – two local organisations coming together for a spot of fun.

A great time was had by all and the skills displayed by the visitors exceeded all expectations, leading to some of the Ladies Club showing an interest in taking up the sport.

Pictured are members of the Ladies Club about to step out onto the green with some of the Benitachell Bowls Club support staff.

For more information about the bowls club visit www.benitachellbowlsclub.com

to explain as to why they had no issues with the referee’s decision and, to ensure it doesn’t happen again to another player, also explain why the official was, in their view, correct. I wouldn’t advise holding your breath though!

Old Lady turns Big Daddy Still with the Champions League, congratulations must go to Juventus for their advance to the quarter finals after victory over Celtic. However, one wonders how

many of their players will still be available to them after their almost certain call up to the WWE. I don’t know if the rules are different for Italian players but they all seemed to turn in to clones of John Cena or Giant Haystacks whenever Celtic got a corner. Wrestling, grappling, holding and obstructing was the order of the day (in both legs at it happens) and not once were they punished for it. Why? No doubt UEFA will emit another short, one line press release admitting that they have no problems with this either.

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare 968 199 279

AGAIN THIS week, the venue was changed due to inclement weather. The match originally set for the Pedrera, was changed to Nancy’s or Sweetwater. Why it is called this is beyond me as the rubbish in it is incredible! The match was the last in the winter championship, which started in September 2012: where has that time gone! At the end of the match the drain next to me started to flow (I mean flow) and within 20 to 30 minutes the Sweetwater had risen some 12 inches or so. Although there were five ‘did not weighs’ there were some good weights.

TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Terry (Swing ‘Em) Screen fishing the feeder using maggot, with 14.12 kilos 2nd Stan Roberts fishing the pole using corn and maggot with 12.00 kilos 3rd Dave (Yours Truly) Hoare fishing the pole using maggot with 10.98 kilos

WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS The series was 11 matches with the best 8 results to count. The following results are for the top three anglers: 1st Dave Hoare with 16 points 2nd Terry Screen with 29 points 3rd Bill Reade with 36 points PLEASE NOTE The club has some vacancies at present: if you are interested in joining please contact Derek Swann on 96 672 9293 or 603 535 771.

ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS: Supplied

by Terry Screen For the 8th round of the Abbey Angling Cup we fished the Embalsa de Pedrera 26th February.

There was a cold north easterly wind blowing and the water temperature had fallen over the last three days from 12º to 9º, which made the fishing hard going

with only four out of 15 anglers weighing in. The Barbel seem to have been put off feeding by the cold weather, with only the Carp responding to maggot.

We also had a surprise visit from the Suprona who checked all the match mens’ licenses - found all present and correct - as it is compulsory to have the appropriate licenses to be a member of all the local fishing clubs.

1st Stan Roberts with 6.960kg 2nd Richard King with 5.500kg 3rd Dave Hoare with 1.880kg and all fishing the feeder using maggot I have been advised that fishing licenses are once again available from the Council building that is located on the street that is on the right hand side of the Church in Torrevieja. All details are available on our website www.abbeyangling.com or from the match secretary Terry Screen on 96 532 8368.

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8 - 14 MARCH 2013

Where are the golfers?

NOEL’S WORLD OF GOLF

By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Alicante Golf 639 730 891

WHERE ARE all the people who used to frequently play golf at our golf clubs up and down the coast? We have some of the best designed golf courses in the whole of Europe yet they are so quiet it is very worrying for the golf and tourism industry in south east Spain.

We all know that perhaps some of the golf courses are not in the very best of condition after the economic crisis saw costs rise to levels that were practically impossible to predict but the vast majority are in good condition and all are good tests of golf in their own right so what exactly is stopping golfers from enjoying a day out playing golf?

The biggest problem that I am told about is the pace of play. Unfortunately this is something that seems a constant problem here in Spain with fivehour rounds commonplace at most clubs. For those unlucky enough to follow slow golfers a round can seem to take forever as we wait shot after shot for players to move out of range. This situation can be addressed by all if we are ready to play when it is our turn to do so. This alone will not solve the problem but perhaps we could also speak to the course marshal or starter to encourage play that is to

an acceptable speed and also encourage courses to inform golfers just how long it should take a group of four to play a par 4, par 5 or par 3. This will certainly make golfers aware of how long they are taking to play and avoid being upset if you are reminded by someone in authority about your pace of play.

We know that many expatriates have returned home but many are still here so what about how we encourage them to play golf? Price will certainly be the biggest determining factor nowadays but deals are there to be taken advantage of so are we being made aware of them? The answer is almost certainly no, so we have to ring the golf clubs to find out what is on offer. Yes, this will take a little time but with perseverance we can quickly find out the golf clubs that have special deals for playing when the course is less busy. By co-operating with each other we can pass this information to practically every golfer in an amazingly short space of time.

So once again I am asking all you fellow golfers to get out and make the effort to play golf in beautiful surroundings with people whose company you can enjoy and please do not forget to pass the good

news on to as many people as you can when you find the golf courses where deals are on offer. Working together, we can all enjoy golf at affordable prices.

WIN A DOZEN SRIXON GOLF BALLS COURTESY OF GOLF MED Answer the question below correctly to have a chance to win. The winner of this fantastic prize will be picked at random at the end of each month. Send your entries by email to golf@roundtownnews.com The decision of the editor of RTN will be final in making the winning selection.

QUESTION FOR 8TH MARCH 2013 Augusta National hosts which major championship?

All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 28th February to be entered into March’s draw, to be made on 31st March 2013. The winner will be announced in RTN on 5th April 2013. To collect your prize you will have to come along to an RTN Golf Club day and meet with Noel Eastwell.

February’s winner: Marie Giles

Any questions you have for Noel should be sent to golf@roundtownnews.com - Free golf lesson for all new RTN Golf members! Sign up now, limited offer

RTN Club Scene ALICANTE GOLF hosts RTN Golf Club every Tuesday morning where our members and their guests enjoy not only the challenge of one of the best golf courses in the Valencia Community but also the great company of fellow golfers who are part of Spain’s top golf club. With a green fee price of just 40€ including buggy golfers can also enjoy incredible value for money.

Prize winners each week receive a top quality Ashworth polo shirt with a value of over 50€ if purchased in local golf shops.

Recently we have seen a number of new faces join us for the first time and this has been a real pleasure as we all make new friends and meet some incredible personalities of people who enjoy golf as it should be enjoyed.

RTN Golf Club is free to join and members enjoy a number of benefits including discounts on green fees, golf lessons and golf equipment.

To play golf with us please email your names and handicaps to golf@roundtownnews.com and we will confirm your tee time the weekend before our meeting. All levels of ability are catered for and we will put you in a group of like-minded and equal ability golfers if you wish us to or you can mix in with the membership as a whole. We have a handicap range of 2 to 36 so we can offer everything you want from a golf club.

There is nothing to stop you enjoying your golf except you; so come along and meet the members.

We are certain you will enjoy yourselves with us and playing one of the best golf courses in Spain, treading in the footsteps of those who have played on this championship quality golf course right on your doorstep just outside the city of Alicante.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 12th March: 3rd RTN Golf League 2013 meeting at Alicante Golf 19th March: RTN Weekly golf meeting at Alicante Golf 26th March: RTN weekly golf meeting at Alicante Golf NOEL EASTWELL GOLF ACADEMY Quality group lesson available at Alicante Golf from just 10€ per person: contact Noel on 639 730 891 for more information.

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SMALL DOGS CARED FOR IN OUR OWN HOME So if you need to go away on holiday but don’t want your dog to go into kennels then we will look after them. References available. Tel: 965843781 Mob: 622514980 (Altea area - Costa Blanca North) TRANS-PET We do regular, doorto-door journeys between the Costa Blanca and the UK.Our aim is to provide a professional, caring service for your pets.Boarding facilities for Cats and Dogs. This may be for an overnight stay or of longer durations.

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STRICTLY SOCIAL CLUB Why not come and join us for an afternoon of entertainment, fun, quizzes and games. We also have speakers, and arrange meals out and coach outings. We meet on the top floor at The New Asturias Restaurant, Punta Prima between 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each Month.

Open to all age-groups. For more info call Margaret on 966730569 or Brian on 678807159. Looking forward to meeting you. “ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - COSTA BLANCA Confidential Helpline, South 625 912 078, North 648 169 045. www.aa-costablanca.org.

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MINI DIGGER FOR HIRE with operator Tel 679 542 665 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, WARDROBES Classic Kitchens, 20 years on the Costa Blanca, call Adrian 676 699 700 JR CONSTRUCTION General Builders and Roofers Tel: 634 617 771 www. jrconstructioncostablanca.com

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8 - 14 march 2013 LADIES DANCEFIT WITH L.A DANCE at 4kwatro in Albir, Mondays at 7.30pm, call Louise on 655 781 068 for more information TAPPY TOES DANCE CLASS FOR BABIES from 18 months, at 4kwatro in Albir, 11am, call Louise on 655 781 068 for more information.

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MOBILE/PARK HOMES FROM 17,000 € Fully furnished ready to move into, Camping Pueblo San Javier. Also homes & plots for rent. Carol 96 819 24 25 Mob. 626 055 622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain.com

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POOL LEAK REPAIR SPECIALIST’S Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired. Structural leaks investigated and repaired.

Professional, consciencious service to the highest standards.

Refurbishments and upgrades undertaken. Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems, ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed. All work guaranteed. British trained in the UK pool industry with over 18 years experience. 10 years served on the Costa Blanca. Torrevieja and surrounding areas including Costa Calida. Tlf:- Pristine Pools on 966774-199 or 678-080-500 www. pristineswimmingpools.com NO CALLOUT CHARGE SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING SERVICE BY POOLTECHSPAIN. We are a fully legal, qualified and registered business who have been operating on the Costa Blanca for 6 years. We offer a professional, reliable, safe and efficient pool service, inc. re-grouting, pressure testing and leak repairs. Private and community swimming pools undertaken. Call now for more information on 965-725-565 or mobile 676-945-360/ 620-743-048 www.pooltechspain.com

PLOT FOR SALE Registered Building Plot 800m² with uninterrupted views across valley, Calpe rock and the Sea, yet only 1.5km from the town centre. Pintor Dali 2, Moraira 150,000.00€ No offers 965 745 606. PROPERTY FOR SALE 7 bed roomed (all doubles) detached house 500800mtrs from Moraira. Arranged into a 3 and a 4 bed roomed apartments. Swimming Pool, BBQ area and separate games room.

Excellent holiday rental potential.

Central heating, double glazing, sea view from 1st floor apartment 475,000.00€ 965 745 606 No Agents.

SALE BUNGALOW POSH END private, great views, land, car port, 1 bedroom, log fire, air con, double glazing, suit single person, 62,000€. Tel: 966 405 043 LARGE VILLA, 5 DOUBLE BEDS 3 bathrooms, glazed terraces, log burner, AC, pool, 15 mins coast.

225,000€. Tel: 965 670 578 FOR SALE BUNGALOW PARCENT posh end, private, great views, land, car port, 1 bedroom, log fire, air con, double glazing, suit single/solo person. 62,000€. Tel: 966 405 043.

MOBILE/PARK HOME 2 bedrooms en-suite fully fitted. Camping Pueblo San Javier 22,000€. Carol 96 819 24 25 Mob 626 055 622. www.mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com SELLING YOUR HOUSE? Sold your house? Moving funds back to the UK? Don’t let your Spanish Bank take up to 1% of your sale price, Talk to MoneyCorp now about how to save up to 4,500€* Moneycorp’s repatriation service can help you drastically reduce or even eliminate Spanish bank fees when sending your property sale proceeds back to the UK. Call Moneycorp +34 902 887 243 and quote RTN to get more out of your money. www.moneycorp.com/ roundtownnews 3 BED APARTMENT ALTEA LA VELLA 110m squared, 3 double

bedrooms - 2 with patio doors and balconies and mountain views, 1 bathroom, 1 shower room, separate fully fitted kitchen, large living room with 2 patio doors onto large terrace with mountain views and open views onto orange groves, large trastero and private parking space. Central village location. 1 min walk to supermarket, bars, restaurants, pharmacy, bus stop.

2 mins to AP7 motorway. Private sale. 170,000€. Tel: 617 893 036 or email: girlinspain@gmail.com

HOLIDAY RENTAL APARTMENT IN BENIDORM Available all year.

Good prices, contact for prices 966260877 MODERN 4BED PLUS 3 BATH VILLA with private swimming pool.

La Nucia, close to amenities. 750€ p/month 966260877 ALFAZ 3 BED + 3 BATHROOM VILLA large garden, garage and roof terrace. Close to the Norwegian school. 725€ p/month 966260877 TORREVIEJA: EXCELLENT 2 BED furnished upstairs bungalow.

Convenient for shops & buses.

Balcony, Communal Pool. 395€ pcm Ref: 127. Aguas Nuevas: Furnished 2 bed Townhouse, convenient location. Balcony, Communal Pool. 450€ pcm.

Ref:137. Torrevieja: Attractive 2 bedroom apt. close centre. Easy walk to beach, shops. Long term, 325€ pcm. Ref:30. La Mata: 2 Bed apartment. mins to shops or beach , bars, etc. 350€ pcm. Ref: 84 La Mata: Furnished 2 Bed basement bungalow close to sea in a very popular location. Spac. Lge/diner.

For long term, 350€ pcm. Ref:154.

Rent-2-go - Torrevieja Office - Tel: 966707074 Contracts provided Further Choices at office - Calle Diana FOR RENT 4 large rooms with toilets, changing rooms & showers ideal for gym or crèche at 4kwatro in Albir, call 634 147 515 NEW 2 BED unfurnished/ furnished apartment. Algorfa town centre, swimming pool, 250€ per month OR yearly advance €2400 plus €150 bills monthly. 0044-7949-589539 londonangels@hotmail.com PARK HOMES 2 BEDROOMS Both en-suite fully fitted. Camping Pueblo San Javier. Carol Tel 96 819 24 25 Mob. 626 055 6622 Email. Haydn47@hotmail.com www.mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com LONG LETS - HOLIDAYS Best Price Rentals Paul 966785891

659647616 miramarproperties@ yahoo.co.uk www.miramarholidays.com 2 OR 3 BED / 2 BATH APARTMENTS in San Miguel.

Lift, communal rooftop pool & solarium, video entry system.

Available for short or long term rent from 350pcm. 96 672 3437 or 636615716 FOR RENT/SALE 350€PCM 85.000€ Classic Spanish Old Town House, 3 double bedrooms (1 with en-suite bathroom) master bathroom, modern kitchen, downstairs toilet, sun terrace with view of mountains, BBQ terrace with summer kitchen, recentley refurbished and fully furnished.

Callosa de en Seria near La Nucia.

Tel: 609 177 032

HOUSE WANTED IN ALFAZ or nearby, minimum 2 bedrooms, close to town with private garden.

Furnished or unfurnished.

966260877 SEEKING LONG TERM RENTAL. Bungalow or townhouse in Albir or Altea with 3 bedrooms, 2 bath and must have parking. 966260877 We are looking for a rural finca with 3 or 4 bedrooms and pool with fenced garden. Will pay unto 1200€ for the right property. Any area considered. 966260877 EARN EXTRA €€€€’S Rent your villa this Summer! We urgently require good quality villas with private pools for upmarket clients flexible packages and dates

available. Fully managed service if required. We are the number one villa agency on the Costa Blanca and number one on Google. For a no obligation chat or more information please call Direct Villa Holidays on 696034522 PENTHOUSE ON THE LAS MARINES, DENIA Looking to buy or rent. Requirements, penthouse on the Las Marines, Denia 2km to 4km (at the start of Las Marines) South facing with sea views,min 2 bedroom.

Monthly rental price 850 euro or to buy 100,000 euro. Tel: (0034) 619 642 035 LONG TERM RENTAL ORBA,PEGO,DENIA Rental long term, looking for 2 bedroom apartment, Orba, Pego or Denia.

350 euro per month. Furnished or unfurnished, coming back over within a few weeks. Tel: (0034) 619 642 035 WANTED LONG TERM RENTAL JALON Rental client long term, looking for: Jalon valley, 3 bedrooms, 650 euros. Private pool, south facing with garden. Looking to rent end of February. Furnished or unfurnished.

In the campo not urban. Tel: (0034) 619 642 035 CASH BUYER Looking for villa in Denia area. Quick completion possible. Send details and price to houseinnorthcostablanca@gmail.com Register your property for FREE at www.rapidpropertysales.com and when we sell your property we will charge you absolutely nothing! The average time it takes us to sell a property is 8 weeks. Register now at www. rapidpropertysales.com – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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B.M.C.REMOVALS UK-LOCALEUROPE FULLY INSURED, professional, reliable service. We also transport: Cars, Caravans, Quad Bikes, Motorbikes, Scooters, Small Boats and Jetskis. Office (0034) 966 19 19 11 Mobile (0034) 620 044 983 bmcremovals@live. com www.bmcremovals.com SMALL REMOVALS, DELIVERIES & STORAGE SpainUK-Spain. Budget prices. www. spanishmoves.net UK 01209 843971 or Spain 678 756 644 VAN LEAVING FOR THE UK/ SPAIN EVERY 2 WEEKS great rates please contact Joe on 966 074 576 or 650 341 087 or civic1235@msn.com

VAN LEAVING SPAIN TO UK APRIL 3RD Space available , 679 042 805, 0044 [0] 7552 985 343, e.mail: keithmarion9@yahoo.co.uk DIGBY REMOVALS Weekly removals to and from Spain. 1 box to full household. Storage - UK & Spain. Insurance included.

Call today for FREE advice no obligation quote. Tel: 676 582 333 or +44 1268 728 855 email: sales@digbyremovals.co.uk or visit: www.digbys.net SEWING SERVICES All types of clothing alterations, repairs, soft furnishing and dressmaking. turn your old clothes into new.

Revamp your wardrobe. Call Chris 670384636

JAVEA SKIP HIRE 626 670 038 Moraira, Benissa, Calpe, Denia from S&W TOOL HIRE & FERRETERIA MORAIRA

COMPLETE SOLAR SYSTEM, PANELS batteries, inverter, generator, controller and all switch gear included. Moving back to UK. Call 675878601 or 965078483

SKY SUPPLIES FTA, Sky+HD and Humax Freesat 500GB, 1TB, 2TB new/refurbished receivers.

Full Sky (Sports/Movies/HD) from 15e/mth. Complete systems installed, 1.1m 225e, 1.4m 299e.

Repairs,Realigns, Spare remotes, Advice. 966194013/600899096 CRYSTAL CLEAR SATELLITE AND INTERNET TV Freesat High Definition from 299€ on 1m dish. 12 months Sky package 200€ Steve 660 186 505 Ros 965 584 097 www.ccsattv.com info@ccsattv.com

I BUY RECORDS LP’S SINGLES AND CD’s ANY STYLE, JAZZ, BLUES, POP, PUNK, ROCK, ETC... TOP CASH PAID. 622 750 117 TURN YOUR UNWANTED FURNITURE Electrical, Household Goods and Bric-a-brac into Cash.

Anything! Anywhere! 965-319220/618-165-877