Island connections 740 FLN 007 by Island Connections Media Group

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1984-2015

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February 19 – March 4, 2015 Springing to life

Spotlight on...

Health advice

Destination guide

Blooming plants

Anna Heppner

Exercise equals happiness

Canary Islands general info

Page 8

Page 16

Pages 28 & 29

Pages 32-37

Positive crime rates Last year saw every Spanish province except Navarre enjoy an overall drop in crime rates. According to statistics recently published by the Spanish Interior Ministry, at 44.8 offences per 1,000 inhabitants, Spain has one of the lowest crime rates in the European Union. It wasn’t all good news, however, as just over two million criminal offences were committed nationally: though, whilst murders rose slightly to 322, the number of violent crimes decreased by 17 per cent and there were 3.6 per cent less burglaries overall. The Canary Islands logged generally lower crime figures as well, but, unfortunately, burglaries and other thefts have been steadily increasing since the start of the financial crisis. The towns with the highest recorded offences on the island of Tenerife were Santa Cruz, La Laguna and Arona, though approximately 7,000 more criminal offences were committed in the province of Gran Canaria than that of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. n

Not euthanasia By Karl McLaughlin The new Canarian legislation on end-of-life health care decisions, known popularly as the Dying with Dignity Law, continues to trigger controversy ahead of its official entry into force in late April. Political, ethical and even medical debate remains heated as to exactly what the new legislation, formally approved by the regional Parliament at the end of January, actually means in practical terms, though officials are keen to stress that it is definitely not a law on euthanasia. Sources consulted by Island Connections have explained that neither euthanasia – in strictly legal terms, an act that causes death – nor assisted suicide are regulated by the new provisions and both therefore continue to

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Safe Spain

be dealt with exclusively by Spain’s Penal Code, which regional governments are not empowered to amend in any way. Rather, the purpose of the law is to regulate a variety of clinical possibilities for alleviating the suffering of terminal patients, and

aims to guarantee a dignified death for them on their own terms: Patients are now legally entitled to receive full and truthful information on their health and prognosis to enable them to make their own treatment decisions. It has emerged that one of

the reasons why legislators felt it necessary to clarify the rights of palliative care patients, and the duties and responsibilities of the doctors treating them, was to resolve the conflict that can arise between the views of medical staff and the wishes of their wards.

Now, it’s stated clearly that patients’ wishes concerning their care and treatments shall be respected in full, and doctors shall refrain from engaging in so-called ‘therapeutic obstinacy’ or from imposing their own personal, moral, religious or philosophical opinions. Canarian lawmakers have also been at pains in the preamble to the law to stress that palliative sedation and refusal of treatment cannot be viewed as forms of euthanasia and merely seek to “alleviate or avoid unnecessary suffering”. Conscious of the possible confusion the term creates in today’s society, they recall that the literal meaning of the Greek word euthanasia is “a good death”, which is precisely the aim pursued by the law. Continued on Page 2

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Dying with dignity

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Continued from the front page Although widely welcomed as an important step forward in addressing end-of-life care decisions, the new legislation has already drawn fire from doctors in the Canaries, who say that some of the provisions are unrealistic. The main bone of contention is the guarantee, written into the law, that palliative care patients can choose to be treated at home so as to be in more comfortable surroundings. Another provision states that terminally-ill patients shall be entitled to a private room in hospital to enable family members to stay with them at all times and for them to have privacy during their last days. According to doctors, the measures will be ”impossible to implement” given existing resources, which are already under severe pressure. Spain has been gripped by the euthanasia debate since the headline-making case of quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro,

The new Canarian ‘Dying with Dignity’ law deals with palliative care matters

who as a young man severed a spinal cord in a diving accident in 1968 and fought in the courts for years to be allowed to end his own life, describing himself as “a living head on a dead body”. His severe physical paralysis meant that he could not carry out his wish unaided but anyone who assisted him would have faced a jail term under Spanish law.

Sampedro, whose poignant life and death were later turned into the Oscar-winning film The Sea Inside, repeatedly asked for signed guarantees from the Spanish authorities that a hypothetical “mercy helper” would be immune from prosecution. He eventually committed suicide in January 1998 by sipping cyanide through a straw and had his last moments

filmed on video. Days later, close friend Ramona Maneiro was arrested and charged with assisting his suicide. Sampedro had divided the elements required for his suicide into individual tasks, each small enough that no single person could be convicted of assisting the suicide process entirely. Ramona Maneiro was later released due to lack of evi-

The Oscar-winning film Mar Adentro was based on the true story of quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro as he fought to end his life legally

dence and no further charges were ever filed in connection with Ramón’s death, although she admitted years later – following the lapsing of the offence – to participation and to making the recording. Sampedro’s suicide and the controversy surrounding euthanasia in Spain made world headlines and merited a feature in Time magazine, which

ended the article “R.I.P. Ramón in Peace”. Euthanasia remains a deeply divisive political and religious issue in Spain and, although there are strong indications of popular support, no government has been willing to enact legislation to bring the country into line with, for example, the Netherlands n or Switzerland.

Students have been complaining about cramped conditions for years

Firefighters encountered “major problems” dealing with apartment complex blaze

Patient care

Dignified death The Canarian Parliament recently approved a law to guarantee dignity and choice for chronically and terminally ill patients. The Dignified Death Act, as it is known for short (or Law for the rights and guarantees of dignity for people in the final process of their lives, to give it its full title) aims to ensure that a seriously ill or terminal patient has the right to choose which kind of care they wish

to undergo. This covers a wide range of options from the ability to decide which sort of palliative support they want to benefit from, to the right to refuse treatment. Though the law was not without its opposition, particularly from the conservative PP party which abstained from the voting, the bill was passed smoothly. The decree also clearly defines the manner in which the health serv-

ice is responsible for ensuring that individuals’ wishes are concurred with, as well as providing protection for health workers in these difficult situations. Despite reports from some areas, the law is not an explicit sanction of euthanasia. To clarify any doubts that have occurred, we shall be looking at the implications of the new directive in further depth in the n next issue.

The Dignified Death Act was recently approved by the Canarian Parliament

Residents of an apartment complex in Playa de Las Américas say they, “feared for their lives” after an early-morning fire broke out and led to the evacuation of almost one hundred people. One of the residents, Victoria Hernández, described how the emergency services had, “major problems” arranging the 7am evacuation given that several entrances to the San Rafael Apartments next to Las Verónicas had been sealed permanently by the administration a few days earlier. This was done in an attempt to stop vandalism and prevent squatters from occupying apartments. The blaze completely destroyed Apartment 37, which is owned by 40-year-old Saharan, Daniel Idaali, who was not at home at the time. In addition to the probe into the fire itself, which unconfirmed sources said may have been started deliberately, the complex may face an investigation into why firemen had to make a detour of some 300 metres to access the only usable entrance. “The delay could have resulted in a tragedy.” said Victoria, who had to be helped by San Rafael security staff as she tried to get her family, including her 70-yearold partially disabled father and young daughter, away n from the blaze near her home.

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

Los Gigantes beach deaths

New charges The mayor of Santiago del Teide is set to face another criminal charge arising out of the rockslide tragedy that killed two women on a Los Gigantes beach five years ago. Juan Damián Gorrín is already likely to stand trial for manslaughter along with several other council officials over the tragedy back in November 2009, when the two women, one British and the other Spanish, died instantly after being hit by rocks that crashed onto the

Los Guindos beach as they were sunbathing. Newspaper El Día reports that prosecutors have now filed a motion to the judge investigating the deaths to add a charge of prevarication following evidence submitted by an engineer, who was called in to inspect the cliff face and says that he formally warned the council just three days before the fatal rock fall that it “could collapse at any time” due to a major crack. n

Rise in self-employment

Free, flexible freelancers The Canary Islands headed one Spanish labour list this January, with 223 more selfemployed workers than the previous year. A report conducted by ATA (the national federation of self-employed workers) outlined the overall changes dur-

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

ing 2014, which saw women lead the way with a 1.2 per cent increase on male workers. The most popular industries included sales and marketing, showing the biggest rise of just over 17 per cent nationally. n

British residents urged to register

Consulate health talks The British Consulates in Las Palmas and Tenerife, and the Healthcare Team in Spain that represents the UK’s Department of Health, are joining forces with local town halls to tell residents about the importance and benefits of registering for health services. According to the British Embassy in Madrid, some 45,000 UK nationals are believed to live in the Canary Islands but only around 32,000 are registered with their local authorities: meaning one in three Britons risk missing out on basic services. The joint team will host free information events on four of the islands, where British residents can ask questions on healthcare and British Consulate services, raise any general

The British consulate in Tenerife is arranging a series of informative talks

concerns they may have, and receive information on the new ‘convenio especial’, a special

Canary Islands pay-in public health insurance scheme for those not otherwise covered for

state-run healthcare, such as early retirees. On February 24 the talk will take place at the Sala Fondeadero, La Tiñosa, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, starting 11am; as well as at the Hotel Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura at 5.30pm. On February 25, the talk is in Tenerife at the Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos at 6.30pm, and on the following day, February 26, the venue is Gran Canaria at the Centro Socio Cultural de Mayores, San Fernando, Playa del Inglés, starting 4.30pm. For up to date information see the Event Page on the British Embassy’s Brits Living in Spain n Facebook page.

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

UK expats

Police warning

Your General Election vote

Honorable honours? The Canarian Parliament did not do too much soul-searching to come up with recipients for its highest honour and its choice has drawn fire for being rather “incestuous”. Senior representatives from the region’s legislative body have been busy engaging in interisland travel of late to present the Parliament’s Gold Medal

dents overseas must have previously been registered in a UK constituency within the last fifteen years. Alex Robertson, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission said: “A lot of people aren’t aware that it’s possible to register as an overseas voter for the General Election. We need to challenge the misconception that once you’ve moved overseas you can’t take part. Many people can and now it’s easier than ever to take the first step by registering online. That’s why we are urging UK nationals who are now living abroad to take five minutes to register and make sure they will be able to have their say at the General Election in May.”

The Cabinet Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office are supporting the Electoral Commission’s campaign to raise awareness of voter registration among British residents overseas in the run up to the general election. To register to vote, UK citizens should visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. n

Awards for the boys to the Cabildos of the different islands in recognition of their role as, to quote the citation, “cornerstones of political and administrative life” in the Canaries. Each medal ceremony has seen the full Cabildo turn out in finest dress for the occasion, accompanied – in the case of Gran Canaria – by mayors of

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This week the UK Electoral Commission has launched a dedicated overseas voter registration campaign. The campaign aims to encourage British citizens living overseas to register to vote ahead of the UK Parliamentary General Election, due to take place on May 7 of this year. This is the first UK General Election where people can register to vote online. The Electoral Commission hopes that the new online process will encourage more UK nationals living overseas to register to take part in elections from their new homes. Estimates show there may be as many as 5.5 million UK nationals living overseas, but there are fewer than 20,000 currently on the electoral registers. To register as an overseas voter, UK resi-

Thousands targeted by phishing scam

Print: Artes Gráficas del Atlántico S.A., Agüimes, Gran Canaria

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local towns and a host of civil and military dignitaries. Although gratefully accepted by the Cabildos, who have given the conferral of the distinction massive publicity on their respective islands, not everyone is as happy at the awards. Several influential voices, including in the media, have accused the Parliament of

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adulterating the original intention of the medals by granting them to political bodies instead of deserving individuals. Others have slammed the cost of the ceremonies given that Cabildo members and dignitaries often receive attendance allowances n for engagements.

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Spanish police have warned the public to be on their guard over a new Internet scam which has surfaced across the country, including the Canaries, in recent days. Thousands of computer owners have received a message purporting to be from the Department of Social Security and advising that that they need to pay arrears of almost €169.11 immediately or they will lose their entitlement to certain aspects of health care, including operations. The e-mail, sent from a genuine-looking address (segsoc.gob.es), invites the recipient to open an attachment to consult details of the arrears and arrange payment but is a hoax, designed to infect computers with a virus that will steal sensitive personal data including passwords for online banking to enable the scammers to withdraw money from accounts. The police warning not to open the attachment has been issued via all main media to reach as many people as possible. n

Child abduction

Unfounded rumours Police in Tenerife have issued a formal statement putting paid to widely-circulating reports of apparent attempts to abduct youngsters on the island in recent weeks. Local newspapers, social media and the grape vine have carried details of separate “incidents” involving two teenagers in the Adeje area. In the first, a 14-year-old boy was said to have suffered an abduction attempt by a man in a dark car near a wellknown hotel in San Eugenio. Less than a week later, reports appeared that a 12-year-old boy had suffered a similar experience when he was invited by “a man wearing sunglasses and with his face half-covered” to get into a white van on Avenida El Madroñal. Both reports, as well as others suggesting that men with “chloroformed handkerchiefs” were operating in the area, turned out to be totally false but the panic triggered among parents has prompted a recommendation from the police to heed only official releases on such issues, not other sources. n

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European Union European Regional Development Fund

“Creating Europe” This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, cofinanced by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries.

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Congestion ideas

Sport goes international

Photo: Lexthoonen

Canarian wrestlers in Brussels

A team of Canarian wrestlers will perform for MEPs in Brussels

Practitioners of the traditional art of Canarian wrestling will get the chance next month to publicise their favourite sport in front of an unusual audience. A delegation of top wrestlers is to travel to Brussels in midMarch to pay an official visit to the European Parliament at the invitation of local MEP Gabriel Mato. After visiting the famous

hemicycle of the Parliament on March 17, the squad of giant wrestlers will stage an exhibition contest for MEPs and Eurocrats. The aim of the visit is to raise the visibility of the sport and its cultural significance in the Canary Islands, where the sumo-type wrestling is hugely popular, regularly drawing large crowds. However, health experts

have of late sounded warnings that the sport encourages young people to put on too much weight to enhance their chances of victory in the sand ring. The Canarian Wrestling Federation took the controversial step a couple of seasons ago of introducing an upper weight limit in a bid to downsize wrestlers, some of whom weigh in at over 160 kg. n

TF5 proposals continue Public sector workers could be the first group to be targeted by measures to reduce the nightmare traffic problems on the TF5 motorway at rush-hour. Following the “beep if you are gridlocked” campaign launched recently by angry drivers to draw attention to the snail’s pace progress on a 25-km stretch of the twolane motorway every morning, various solutions have been put forward by the island and municipal authorities. These include – as reported here – a suggestion that La Laguna University should change its teaching times to keep thousands of cars off the road at busiest times. The suggestion has been followed by a proposal to run coach services to ferry employees at the two big hospitals and Santa Cruz local government workers directly to work and avoid

Solutions are being discussed to reduce the nightmare traffic problems on the TF5

the need for them to take to their vehicles. Statistics show that a very high number of cars using the motorway are one driver-only and attempts to encourage car-sharing have not proven as successful as anticipated. Under the proposal, buses would stop at various locations from Puerto de la Cruz onwards to collect the workers

but concern is already being voiced that there are no facilities to operate an effective Park and Ride scheme. Other low-cost ideas put forward to avoid expensive road widening projects to ease the congestion include a temporary contraflow system to enable Santa Cruzbound traffic to use one of the two lanes on the other side of n the motorway.

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Citizen survey

Who’s happiest? By Sabine Virgin A study to establish the needs of the Island’s population was recently conducted, with over 700 people taking part from the areas of La Guancha, Arona and Santa Cruz. Most participants were aged between 36 and 45 years of age, and the majority were married women with children. Those interviewed from La Guancha represented citizens who live in the country, the participants from Santa Cruz represented city residents, and those from Arona made up the population of people in tourist areas. The survey was conducted by Luis García, lecturer of psychology at the University of La Laguna, and commissioned by the Island Council Vice-presi-

La Laguna

The authorities in La Laguna have been urged by residents and traders to take a tougher line on the culprits behind the growing spate of graffiti appearing on buildings in the city centre. Previously content to spray their signatures and drawings on abandoned properties, the graffiti writers have now turned their sights to anything vertical, including the walls and facades of the old buildings for which the world heritage site is well known, including St Augustine’s Convent. One popular cake shop near the

According to the study, families in the north are the happiest

dent, Aurelio Abreu. According to the results, families in the north of Tenerife are the happiest; residents in Santa Cruz came second, with families in the south proving to be the least content. However, town folk are said to complain more. More than 91 per cent of those interviewed said there is room for improvement with regards to employment, education and

health, with 72 per cent believing that the current standard of living barely enables citizens to cover basic needs. Just over 90 per cent noted that family values, structure and communication have changed considerably over the last 15 years, with 58.6 per cent saying that multiculturalism, the financial situation, education and the climate all contribute to this.

Cathedral has been targeted several times in recent months and its owners are furious at the inability to halt the vandalism. “No sooner do we wash

off and repaint the front of the shop than they are back again with their sprays. It is becoming ridiculous and is an eyesore for everyone, particularly

Discovering Tenerife South CIT Sur, the Centre for Initiatives and Tourism in South Tenerife, recently organised a successful nature route for 20 tourists and residents to see the spectacular almond trees in blossom in Santiago del Teide. As part of the campaign, ‘Discubre Nuestro Sur’ (Discovering our South), CIT Sur collaborated with the El Cardón NaturExperience company to take the group on the ‘Almendros en Flor’ nature hike which passes through the beautiful areas of flowering almond trees, as well as to visit the lava flows of Chinyero, and La Casa del Patio, a once esteemed residence now converted to a rural hotel. CIT Sur is also offering an exciting chance for tourists to join them for a tasting of local products every Monday between 10am and 1pm by the CIT Sur premises at Avda. n Rafael Puig, 17, Costa Adeje. See: www.citsur.com.

Only 87 per cent thought that education is very important for quality of life “We want to provide a social map so that we can plan and make improvements that are in people’s best interests, therefore we must understand the makeup of the population and how they feel so that we can move in the right direction” n explained Abreu.

Graffiti woes

Graffiti in La Laguna

CIT Sur scheme

visitors to the city” complained the owners, who want a much stricter line to be taken against those responsible given that the current punishments are very lenient. The call is backed by local political party, the CCN, which says that the council should negotiate with the graffiti gangs to secure a promise to limit their spraying to dedicated locations. “Graffiti is a way for young people to express themselves but it has to be channelled properly” said spokesn person Alfonso López.

The blooming almond trees at this time of year are a beautiful sight

Fight continues

Drug disposal figures The place occupied by the Canaries in drug-trafficking routes has been made very clear once more, this time by statistics showing that the last two years have seen a staggering 38 tonnes of drugs destroyed here after being seized in raids or confiscated from dealers. Figures compiled by Spain’s Intelligence Centre for Terrorism and Organised Crime reveal that the region ranks third behind Andalusia and Murcia, and ahead of Madrid and Catalonia, in terms of the amount of drugs disposed of by incineration after interceptions. The Canarian figure – 28 tonnes in 2013 and 10 in 2014 – is attributed largely to the seizures made at sea by Spanish Customs and usually involving yachts used by traffickn ers to collect shipments from South America.

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Cabildo scandal

Lanzarote murder

Photo: Frank Härtelt

Passion or debt?

The murder suspect was arrested at Lanzarote’s Arrecife Airport

One of the most talked about crimes in Lanzarote in recent times is still generating local comment weeks after the suspect was remanded to the island’s jail. The fatal stabbing of 57-yearold Araceli Araujo in her Arrecife home on February 5 has given rise to all kinds of speculation as to the motive for the brutal killing. The Cuban mother of two, who had lived in Lanzarote

for 20 years, died instantly from a knife wound to the heart allegedly delivered by Cesáreo García, aged 67, just hours after he had flown in from Tenerife to see her. Locals say the pair were in a relationship which started on the Internet, and García – who has a disability – killed her in a rage of passion. However, other sources allege that she was his former carer in his Tenerife home and they

had argued over a debt of €60,000 allegedly owed by the dead woman. The suspect was arrested at Lanzarote airport as he tried to fly back to Tenerife shortly after the killing. Police became suspicious at his blood-stained clothes and refused to allow him to board his flight until they could make background checks. n

Adviser’s expenses in the spotlight The Gran Canaria Cabildo has been hit by an expenses row involving its external affairs adviser, with the corporation boss urged by opponents to justify the cost of her many trips abroad, supposedly on official business to benefit the island. Lithuania-born multilingualist, Kristina Cernousovaite, a graduate in journalism, was appointed in 2013 by José Miguel Bravo de Laguna Bermúdez to, among other things, advise on ways to promote Gran Canaria on foreign markets to increase the number of tourists. Local daily La Provincia reports that opposition members are demanding to know whether her role and salary are justified, not least as it has emerged that she has travelled nine times to Russia and five times to her native Lithuania since her appointment and the results are still to be seen.

Photo: 300w124

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

José Miguel Bravo de Laguna promises to justify his adviser’s high-spending

Other foreign trips include two visits to China, one to the United States and even one to Azerbaijan. According to the PSOE party, the trips have cost the public purse around €40,000 in less than two

years, with Cernousovaite away from the island for a total of 116 days in 2014 alone. Bravo de La Laguna has promised to present a detailed breakdown of his adviser’s expenses this n month.

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Get planting By Barbara Belt

early, lamenting the ‘bad luck’ of bad weather. This inability to grasp the awful truth about the weather shows endearing optimism. Autumn there is the most easily identifiable season. Walking through an autumnal beech wood takes some beating. The colours! ‘Sunny with occasional cloud and scattered showers’, or ‘rainy, with bright spells’ may be applicable throughout the year, but the seasons are different enough to be noticed. In the Canary Islands, they’re harder to pinpoint. It’s sunny and warm in Winter; sunny and warmer in Spring; sunny and hot in Summer and often sunny and hot in Autumn as well. Winters on the coasts, where most visitors stay, are very different to northern winters, which is of course why they’re all here. At sub-tropical, coastal levels, the only deciduous trees are figs, so everything stays confusingly green, making Autumn difficult to spot too. Most of the for-

Plants are cared for at the Cabildo nursery until conditions are right for transplanting

Traditional farming methods have had a big impact on Canarian landscapes, as here in the beautiful Valley Gran Rey in La Gomera

est and mountain trees are of relatively unchanging pine. Children from local schools were taken to see the aftermath of our dreadful 2012 fire and told the leafless, bare branches were ‘like winter’. Their Span-

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In colder, northern climes we’re made much more aware of the year’s four seasons, even if they do tend to overlap. Winter’s that seemingly endless period when it’s dark before we start, or finish, work; when all’s grey, often rainy and sometimes snowy, with plummeting temperatures and rocketing heating bills. In short, it’s a bit bleak, although Christmas livens things up and the occasional clear, bright day is a well wrapped up delight to be out in. Spring eventually blows in, with similar grey, wet weather, lengthening days, damp sunshine and brave flowers that somehow push themselves up through the hard, cold earth. The natural world wakes up, though it’s less noticeable in cities. Shivering snowdrops, frolicking lambs and frenetic birdsong herald an eventual change in the weather and it’s hard not to be cheered by the prospect. Summer days can be bright, with clear skies and sunshine lighting a million shades of rural green. They are often cool, wet and grey too. From Monday to Friday, with everyone incarcerated at work or school, the weather’s likely to be sunny and warm. Wet, grey weather usually occurs at weekends, with short breaks designed to encourage the foolish to go out. A peculiarity of northern summer life is that rain apparently surprises everyone. Village fetes, sportsdays, you name it, there’ll be no provision made for rain. It rains and people get wet, or don’t come, or go home

ish textbooks don’t always reflect Canarian reality. It was too good a winter- experience opportunity to miss. Another confusing factor for northern visitors is that there are two planting seasons instead of one. We plant in Autumn too here and local goats are pregnant then, giving birth just before Christmas to provide the traditional Christmas dinner of roast kid. Winter’s far greener than Summer and the bouganvillias, begnonis and pointsettias are a blaze of colour. These plants were brought to the Canaries from all over the world by horticulturalists and plant collectors, en-route for northern Europe. They were planted here over the last five hundred years to harden off, before being further transplanted to the ornamental gardens and orangeries of northern Europe’s elite garden owners.

Tourists also proliferate in Winter, conspicuous in shorts and flip flops while locals shiver in jackets, cold being a relative concept. Springtime at higher altitudes is easier to spot. Vines and hard fruit trees grow leaves, native wildflowers carpet mountain roadsides, and terraced agricultural land is planted again. Or not. Since the advent of tourism, most agricultural land has been abandoned. Un-watered terraces dry out in summer heat. The retaining dry-stone walls eventually collapse, destroying landscapes, as the winter rains wash soil away. These landscapes are also important to visitors, our present source of income, especially on islands frequented by nature lovers, but it would be impossible for local authorities to take over planting, irrigating and maintaining the thousands of aban-

doned terraces. The labour force required isn’t available, even if it were willing, and so other solutions and incentives are needed. One solution is to replant with less labour-intensive crops, and fruit trees are perfect. They need less water, their roots bind soil, the visual effect is green, fruit can be eaten - another plus for visitors - and lots of varieties thrive in this climate, but the cash crop here is still primarily unprofitable, labourintensive bananas. Growers are a cautious bunch and can be forgiven for not wanting to invest money and sweat in the unknown. To kickstart a change of view, La Gomera’s Cabildo has announced a bulk-buy of Spanish fruit trees for local growers, at reduced cost. “One thousand, three hundred and sixty-five fruit trees will be available at the Cabildo’s Cruz Chiquita nurseries. Growers can choose from orange, lemon, plum, pear, almond, apricot, pomegranate, peach, quince, fig, persimmon, olive, medlar, chestnut, nectarine, mandarin and cherry trees, as well as kiwi plants, at the very reasonable price of just over €8 per tree, including transport and taxes”, says project head Ventura del Carmen Rodríguez. The trees have been ordered from nurseries in mainland Spain and will be on sale without the sixty per cent mark charged by commercial nurseries. “Each year at this time the Cabildo starts its annual campaign to promote fruit tree planting at accessible prices. Examples are chosen from the best varieties, on the basis of adaptability to island terrain and climate. We usually offer citrus fruits, apples, pears or plums, but this year we’re extending the range.” Plants are cared for at the Cabildo nursery until conditions are right for transplanting, and a team of agricultural experts is available to advise on planting, pruning and grafting. Ask about seasonal, costprice trees and plants at your local Cabildo’s agricultural office, ID and land purchase, or rent agreement, details to hand. Funds permitting, most islands offer them to residents with even small plots of land and some tenacity for formfilling. n Happy planting!

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

TENERIFE GENERAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Gun incident

Phillips return prevented

Phillips, former Tenerife basketball idol, brandished a gun (of unknown type) at a disco in Las Américas in the late 1980s

Premiership basketball side Iberostar Tenerife have been celebrating their 75th anniversary over the past year with a series of commemorative events, but one plan failed to get off the ground due to a gun incident dating back to the 1980s. Former player and now an official at the club, Juan Méndez, has revealed that there were plans to invite legendary player Eddie Phillips to Tenerife for a reunion event but the idea had to be scrapped because the American still fears he may be arrested if he returns to the island. Alabama-born Phillips departed somewhat hastily in the late 1980s after he brandished a gun at a disco in Playa de Las Américas during a heated row with bouncers. According to Méndez, the former idol, who spent four seasons in La Laguna, was unwilling to take the risk in case the offence might not have lapsed under Spanish law. n

Pickpocket alert

Shopping centre crime spate An increase of pickpocketing at a large shopping centre in North Tenerife which is popular with tourists, has prompted management to issue advice to shops to be on the look-out for the thieves. According to newspaper El Día, leaflets have been distributed throughout the La Villa Shopping Centre. Staff at the centre, which is positioned on the motorway just outside Puerto de la Cruz, have been alerted to the methods of an organised gang, believed to Romanians, who consistently target foreign-looking shoppers. “We have been suffering for weeks at the hands of a large gang of pickpockets, who operate in pairs or in groups of three or four, one of them

Keep bags firmly closed and close to the body

always female” warns the leaflet, which goes on to describe how the thieves stalk tourists,

especially older women, and relieve them of their purses as they browse.

It appears that the pickpockets are only interested in stealing cash, judging by the number of purses and wallets dumped later at locations nearby and still containing ID and credit cards. Staff are encouraged to “call security immediately if they suspect that pickpockets are following a target”. Though this shopping centre appears to have been targeted of late, this type of theft is a world-wide problem, and that includes here in the Canary Islands. Visitors and residents alike are advised to not carry valuables in sight, to always use closable pockets and bags and always keep bags close into the body, preferably tucked under an arm in the case of handbags. n

TENERIFE GENERAL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

New Puerto de la Cruz

Harbour â&#x20AC;&#x153;must take cruise shipsâ&#x20AC;? Plans for a new harbour and marina in Puerto de la Cruz appear to be being pushed higher up the agenda as the local elections draw near. Hopes have been high of late that unanimous support across the political spectrum would see the ambitious project, one of many to have surfaced over the past four decades, kick-started but they have been dealt a blow by the Popular Party, which insists it will only give its backing if cruise ships can be accommodated. The partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairman in Tenerife, Manuel DomĂnguez, who is also mayor of Los Realejos and is running for the Cabildo presidency in May, has reiterated his promise to support the building of a new harbour as long as it is big enough to take the cruise visits, which are considered vital

Tenerife poet in line for prize

Javier de la Rosa, from La Laguna, has written his way to a Nobel Prize nomination Puerto de la Cruz has its eye on the cruisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; business

to regenerating tourism in the north. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We agreed on this condition back in the summer in negotiations with the Canarian Coalition party but the first draft of the project provides for a harbour mouth of just 48 metres, much too small for the purposeâ&#x20AC;? said DomĂnguez.

Support for a much bigger and modern harbour has also come from La Palma, where the mayor of Santa Cruz is keen to have the ferries from Tenerife to the island sail from the north coast in addition to or instead of Los Cristianos, as at present, in order to cut n crossing times.

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A Tenerife poet says he is stunned by the news that he has been put forward for the Nobel Literature Prize. Javier de la Rosa, from La Laguna, has been nominated by the influential US-based International Writer Association and the news has made the headlines not just in the Canaries but elsewhere

in Spain, where he is little known. The IWA is an umbrella body for over 1500 writers across the world and its president, Teresinka Pereira, contacted de la Rosa several weeks ago to let him know that it was considering submitting his name to the Nobel Prize Committee in Stockholm.

The formal proposal was entered recently and the Tenerife poet admits that he has had sleepless nights since learning the good news. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just getting nominated by my peers is a prize in itself for meâ&#x20AC;? said de la Rosa, who is best known for his work GaldĂłs Enamorado (GaldĂłs in Love). n

Win a Fred. Olsen cruise prize! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Tenerife Sunshine, who are a British owned travel agency based in Tenerife, have been working together for over three years. As the exclusive partner for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Sunshine have an excellent understanding of the Fred. Olsen experience. Fred. Olsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet of four cruise ships â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Black Watch, Braemar, Boudicca and Balmoral â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are ideally suited to the traditional British cruise guest, with everything on board priced in Pounds Sterling, a definite feel of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;home-from-homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; throughout the fleet. All four ships offer a friendly and welcoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;country houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; atmosphere, where friendships are forged with fellow guests and crew alike. Fred. Olsen ships offer a relaxed and informal style of cruising, yet

retain those aspects that make a cruise such a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;specialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; form of holiday, such as dressing for the formal dinner evenings. Tenerife Sunshine and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have decided to partner with Tenerife Lions Club to offer one lucky winner a chance to win a cruise for two people. Raffle tickets, to win the prize, are available for â&#x201A;Ź1 each and can be purchased at all Tenerife Sunshine travel offices as well as at the Costa del Silencio and Los Cristianos Lions Club charity shops. All proceeds will go towards local Canary Island charities. The lucky winner will bedrawn on the 12th of April 2015! The cruise prize on offer is Fred. Olsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five-night â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sea is for Comedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cruise. The winners will spend five wonderful, laughter-filled days at sea on board 929 guest-ship Braemar,

enjoying a leisurely cruise from Southampton to Tenerife. The winner will be able to enjoy all of the fantastic facilities on board Braemar and there is a great line-up of performers, offering a range of comedy styles. From start to finish, the cruise is set to be a blast, a journey filled with good humour and a wonderful atmosphere that is sure to never be forgotten. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Tenerife Sunshine will be hosting some exciting cruise events on Wednesday the 25th at the Tipsy Terrace Los Gigantes and on the 26th in Los Cristianos then again at Winter Gardens Golf Del Sur For more information on the event times or to purchase a raffle ticket please contact Tenerife Sunshine on+34 922 751867 ext. 1 or emailinfo@ n tenerifesunshine.com.

19.2.2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.3.2015

TENERIFE GENERAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Tenerife Hiking Guide

A review By John Hiking Guides Collection, and far as to identify the required by way of padding to have to If I were a hiker, which I am not, I think that this little book would fit the bill perfectly. This book is small and compact, but packs a real punch, with plenty of interesting articles and photographs to grab the reader. It therefore is so much more than just a listing and explanation of 35 hiking routes around Tenerife: It made me want to put my old boots on and get out there. This guide is already an award winner, from the Best

I am not at all surprised. Each of the routes or trails is clearly defined and explained, with everything on the pages that an experienced or novice hiker might want from such a publication. This includes downloadable GPS tracking availability for individual paths, including waypoints, to prevent the amateur from getting lost, as well as tips on what to wear, and even alternative routes for the braver or more experienced hiker. There is something for everyone here, even going so

fitness levels (and level of difficulty) for each route. Getting to the start of each course is also planned out in detail, and the information about where to stop for (much needed) sustenance along the way is an added bonus. The author is clearly an expert hiker, having set up and run her own hiking company on Tenerife back in 2005, and it shines through in the detail provided for each of the routes. Enough to meet all hiker requirements, I believe, but nothing extra

lug around. Printed on glossy paper, it is a mine of interesting information even if you are not a hiker. Thoroughly recommended. n

Tenerife Hiking Guide

Author: Marion Helbig Publisher: Michael Muller Verlag ISBN: 978-3-89953747-5 Price: â&#x201A;Ź14.90 IC Star Rating: *****

Letter to the editor

Television tried and tested

During the past few years there have been many changes in the quality and the way that we receive television programmes in Tenerife, from having small easy to erect aerials to having to install large super sized satellite dishes. We have been offered a variety of different boxes with different upfront charges and monthly payments, but there is one that is really worth having. This probably sounds like an advertisement for a product I am involved in, but the truth is I have no financial interest at all in the below (though wish I had) but, rather, only bought the product and the service a few weeks ago and am just

wishing to share the news. There is a catch to receiving this excellent service, however: you do need a download speed of at least 2.2 mbp to receive the quality of signal that will give you the reception you will be happy with. However, if you can get that sort of download speed, then I would strongly recommend that you contact Menny of MennyFix in Los Cristianos as soon as possible. These little boxes are selling like hot cakes. The product is a box that has three sockets: one for power, one for connecting to your television and the third for connecting to your router. This clever little invention, which

Menny was involved in developing the software for, delivers hundreds of television channels, including sport, and also has a listing of over 1,400 films. But what makes it special is that it has a seven day catch up system that is easy to use and means you are not going to miss your favourite program if you are out. I believe that one has to give credit where credit is due and whilst other firms offer similar systems, this one is particulalry good and the after sales service that Menny offers is second to none. Name and address supplied Gerald Ruben.

SPECIAL FEATURE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Sandos San Blas Nature Reserve

The hidden historical jewel The Sandos San Blas Nature Reserve is truly a hidden wonder. Tucked away on the coast near Los Abrigos in the south of Tenerife, the Nature Reserve is a triumph of conservation. Born out of the proposed development of a hotel and golf course, the reserve came into being after a quite unusual discovery. The hotel was built, but never a game of golf was played. Instead, a whole swath of land has been turned into a living museum.

A fantastic visitors’ centre houses a state of the art museum, a volcanic tunnel full of information, and a fabulous auditorium with a wall to wall screen and a surroundsound system. The technology used is the same as that utilised by Warner Bros in their attractions, so you know you’re in for a real treat! Once seated in the museum the lights are dimmed and the show begins. Vibrant

How did it begin? When excavation works for the resort started in 2004, workers were surprised to uncover a number of unusual artifacts. Upon investigation, it became apparent that a huge ecological, historical and geographical discovery had been made - these strange objects were

A natural rock sculpture in the reserve You’d never guess that all this beauty lies hidden alongside the road down to Los Abrigos

evidence that a Guanche Community had once camped on the south coast. The local government was advised, the Universities of La Laguna and Barcelona became involved, and the building work was put on hold – this was a major find! The developers were inspired to change their plans and, rather than continue with the original idea of building a golf course, they chose to focus on bringing this historical discovery to the fore. Thanks to their work the area surrounding the hotel has since been deemed a ‘Preserved Conservation Site’ and is recognised across the world. As well as being an added attraction for hotel guests, the public is also welcome to explore the Nature Reserve. Apart from being beautiful, there is also plenty to learn: for those who have lived on the island for years, or even decades, and thought they knew its history well, there are still plenty of surprises in store. The evolution of the Islands, from the first volcanic eruptions that disgorged the archipelago out of the ocean, through to the mass emigration of locals to South America in the 1900s, is beautifully presented and explained, in what is best described as an ‘Extraordinary San Blas Experience’.

A Guanche - living history

Crossing the lake as part of the tour

The dam with some beautiful rocky scenery surrounding the lake

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

SPECIAL FEATURE

intended. You’ll see the extraordinary rock formations with new eyes thanks to your greater understanding of the area, and you can even cross a natural lake on a wooden raft-type boat operated by ropes. No matter

what you have heard or read about the earlier inhabitants of our beautiful islands, there is nothing that compares to actually ‘experiencing’ it. You can also feel safe in the knowledge that, not only have you had a thoroughly enjoyable day, but you have also contributed to the preservation of this important area. The Sandos company has a strict environmental policy and is committed to reducing the negative environmental impact associated with their activities – a laudable objective – so monies collected from the tour are ploughed back into the area for conservation. To take advantage of this unique opportunity you will need to book in advance at the hotel’s reception area or by calling: 922 74 90 10. But, that’s not all: lucky readers can take advantage of an incredible 50 per cent discount by simply presenting the coupon from the bottom of this page. Instead of the normal €15 entry fee you will pay only €7.50! There’s not a moment to lose, cut out the coupon now: for an expen rience of a lifetime.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

of the south

At the end of your tour, you’ll be driven back to the hotel in comfort

tecnicolour, accompanied by a detailed commentary and special effects. It is the use of these most modern technologies, juxtaposed with the beauty of the natural surroundings of the nature reserve, and the inclusion of the ancient artifacts that is one of the most fascinating aspects of this hidden jewel. All you have to do is take a walk outside and you are suddenly able to place everything

Simply magical: The hotel’s El Proa restaurant

You can even enjoy a refreshing spa experience at the hotel

photography and a fascinating, easy to understand commentary guide visitors through the evolution of Tenerife , explaining how and why it is as it is; the reason the landscape appears so barren; who the first habitants were and how they survived – where did their water come from? What did they hunt and eat? Who were they afraid of? And what happened to them after the Spanish invasion? You will be truly amazed. As if this isn’t enough, the museum documentaries offer detailed information on the

species of flora and fauna unique to Tenerife, and how they benefited the early settlers. Following this, you are taken into the ‘tunnel experience’ where, using the latest technology, you go from literally ‘feeling’ Teide erupt in dramatic 3D effect, to swaying in the bowels of an old wooden boat headed for South America with the first Canarian emigrants. The final presentation at the visitors centre takes place in the auditorium, where the wall to wall screen proudly shows Tenerife’s history in glorious

A view from the terrace bar of the stunning swimming pools

you have seen into its real-life context. The guided tour of the Sandos San Blas Environmental Reserve takes you through the amazing landscapes of this unique and simply stunning destination and the his-

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE Nature, creativity, fun, excitement, culture and technologly

tory you have leant about is truly brought to life. Depicted by resident actors, you will see Guanches going about their daily chores, tilling the fields, working stone, preparing meals: completely at home in their surroundings – as nature

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TENERIFE GENERAL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Wingate’s Trip to London By Alan O’ Leary ‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.’ Samuel Johnson Wingate School is elated after a highly successful educational excursion to London. Thirty students and five members of staff were part of the weekend trip, which aimed to give students an opportunity to experience a new cultural environment and introduce them to English literature in an environment away from the confines of the classroom. The Globe Exhibition allowed the students the opportunity to see the world where one of Literature’s giants lived in: to stand on the fresh oak boards and watch Jacobean theatre performed like it was hundreds of years before, by modest candlelight.

En Pie Foundation The first En Pie Sponsored bike ride Teide to Los Gigantes at the beginning of February was ‘wheely’ great. The 30 participants were greeted in Los Gigantes and handed T-shirts on arrival, sponsored by Paul Montague at Blevins Franks, before being bused to their starting point courtesy of Santiago del Teide council. People from all walks of life and areas took part, including England, Tenerife, Roma-

Wingate students on their exciting trip to London

The trip was equally about students gaining an understanding of the culture that underpins their education. Whether it was the red telephone box or the sharp smell of vinegar permeating from a box of fish ‘n’ chips, the students’ senses were surrounded by British culture. Looking at London from a bird’s eye view on the London Eye

allowed the students to experience the true magnitude, architectural and cultural diversity of London and, though it was a daunting experience for some, the Olympic commute through turnstiles, escalators, trains and stairs on the underground provided the Island children with a unique opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of the modern city. Yet it

ÑandÚ: top of the League

Tenerife rugby rules!

was historical London that provided the greater excitement. Their highlight was a journey through the macabre underbelly of England in the London Dungeon, with the opportunity to see, touch and even smell their way through the streets, from the Medieval Period to the Victorian. The strongest indication of the trip’s success though can be found in the students’ recurrent requests to return, before the trip had even finished! Furthermore, the repeated assurance from exhibition and museum staff was that they were some of the most well-behaved students they had the pleasure of guiding and assisting. This will surely become a muchloved annual occurrence on the Wingate School calendar for n many years to come.

On your bike! nia and Sweden. Several members of the Foundation, which supports people with mental health problems, also participated and, though most had not met previously, by the end of the day everyone had made new friends! Trying to challenge stigma and aid social integration are two of the Foundation’s main objectives, so they were thrilled with the outcome. The cycle down from El Teide took place via a challenging and adventurous route on smaller

paths through picturesque villages and banana plantations with some precarious curves and tricky uphill parts. It wasn’t all work and no play though as a pit stop of warming snacks was supplied and Television Canarias even interviewed some of the participants and filmed the descent for the local news. Everybody made it safe and sound to the Los Gigantes marina where the fun continued with music thanks to Wito,

and Pete the Meat’s special sausages and burgers, beer courtesy of Dorada, and a spectacular paragliding show from David García. If you would like to join in the fun and help support this deserving charity, look out for the ‘Fun Canarian Tapas Walk’ from Tamaimo to Los Gigantes in June. See: www.enpie.org or Fundación En Pie on Facen book.

Ñandú Rugby Club, based in Adeje, has had a flying start to their competitive season. The local side made their first forays into the Spanish league over two matches in Barcelona recently. The first, against GEiEG, came out 12-33 in Ñandú’s favour after Facundo Tabare Olivera took the receiving kick-off with complete confidence to set the tone for the rest of the match and lead to an early first try by José Manuel Patiño Gil (Chema) after only five minutes. The following day was the match against U.E. Santboiana, the most prestigious Rugby Club in Spain, which Ñandú took by 49-0, totally dominating the game from start to finish. The hospitality of the Catalan Rugby League was said to be second to none, and their President, Ingnaci Planas, presented the team captain with a plaque commemorating Ñandú’s entry into the League, the first ever Canarian Team to do so. None of this is possible without the help and support of the club’s current sponsors, but there is still have a long way to go, with a further four further trips to undertake. The next fundraiser will take place on February 24 between 9pm and midnight at the Soul Lodge, Pueblo Canario. Hosted by Roy Walker, of Catchphrase fame, the evening promises fabulous entertainment and plenty of fun. Tickets cost only €10 and can be reserved by calling Paul on 664 361 058. Also, if you would like to support the club in any way on this amazing journey, phone the above number, or email: nandurugbytenerife@gmail.com. n

More opportunities to connect

Gran Sur and Ágaves

Pick up a copy of your favourite paper from Frutería Los Ágaves, Las Américas

Don’t miss out on Island Connections - with even greater distribution around the south of Tenerife. There will be even more copies available at Gran Sur Commercial Centre, and you can also pick up a paper at the Ágaves fruit shop on Avenida Venezuela, Las Américas. n

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

LIVING & LIFESTYLE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Finding motivation

What not to give up! As winter bites and post-Christmas blues affect our outlook and pockets, it’s all too easy to let ourselves slide or give in totally on those important changes you promised yourself at the start of the year. How-

ever, pause a moment and take a deep breath: You can do it. Here are some things to not give up on: keep doing these activities to help maintain the strength of mind to make the n changes you want.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration affects our whole body, including the brain; lack of water can lead to mood swings, anxiety and lack of motivation

Don’t give up - Socialising. Being around other people who positively support you will help you keep your resolve

Keep moving. Visiting other places and cultures broadens the mind and can help us feel fulfilled with our lives – and more able to make changes

Try to learn something new every day, and make a special effort to take up that hobby you’ve always fancied trying your hand at

Enjoy the great outdoors. Nipping out for a stroll, walking to the shops instead of driving, or taking a dip in the sea all have benefits for emotional and mental health

Keep on exercising. Even the introduction of something small to your daily routine can make a difference

Don’t give up trying to change. Everyone goes through a personal evolution in their lifetime, and changing with the flow is vital for not getting left behind, disappointed with life, or feeling lost and disconnected. If we don’t grow and change, life becomes awfully predictable so changing what we can and accepting what we can’t is important for maintaining a positive outlook. Don’t be afraid to try different things and ride that new wave…

SPOTLIGHT

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Spotlight on... Anna Heppner

Orchestral manoeuvring Anna Heppner is a classicallytrained flautist who evolved into a popular jazz pianist and performer before embarking on a career as a music teacher at Wingate School in South Tenerife. Now the head of the music department, Anna occupies her time teaching infant, junior and senior level students, as well as organising school musicals and providing private piano, flute and vocal tuition. “I love teaching; I get so much out of it”, she says. It’s easy to see why Anna feels so at home in the large school hall where music lessons and theatrical shows are held; it abounds with instruments, good acoustics and an enormous raised staging area. “We re-form for special occasions,” she said of her public-performing past on Tenerife’s circuit in various jazz groups, “but I’m not sure I could be a full-time musician again. I was once a performing musician, now I’m a teaching musician!” Her journey from the University of York with an Honours degree in classical music, to orchestral manager for a full piece ensemble, to jazz performer, and now as music teacher, all began in Saddleworth in Greater Manchester growing up around her musical family. Impromptu jamborees featuring members on drums, clarinet, piano and saxophone were commonplace. “We weren’t popular with the neighbours!” she reflected with a smile. Her father is a keen music lover and collector, who learned the saxophone and introduced Anna to jazz and

she desired to be. “That’s what I discovered during my university years, but luckily, to get me through it all, I found a group of jazz musicians and in my spare time I played with them. Jazz was such a release and relief from the stresses of classical training.” Soon after her short spell out of music, Anna moved to Brighton and was hired as the orchestral manager for The

Anna Heppner; at home at work

classical music. She began to learn the piano at eight years of age; three years later she started to study the flute. Until university, Anna learned both instruments simultaneously while also experimenting with vocals and songwriting. She had moved into other areas of popular music around the singer/songwriter model and was building an all-round repertoire. During the school summer holidays she would attend week-long intensive jazz courses at the Royal Academy of Music in London “Which I absolutely loved!” she said. “I lived for it! I was quite a shy child but I felt completely at home with other musicians my age and in that environment.” Upon entry at the Univer-

ing alongside such fabulous musicians, being so busy all the time, but not playing. In a personal sense, as a musician, I was beginning to feel a little lost.” During this time, Anna knew someone who was moving to Tenerife and decided to join them and become the musician she aspired to be. “I didn’t know the island but it felt like a good opportunity to

The Hanover Band during a recording session

sity of York she had to decide between the piano and the flute and opted for the latter, concluding that her pianoplaying would progress during side projects, private time and personal expression. “Studying classical music is very, very intense. Everyone is trying to obtain perfection, and you need to be strong-willed and extremely dedicated to cope with the criticism and questioning of everything you do. I’ve never known a musician to come off stage and be happy, they always criticise – either themselves or others – because it’s installed into you. It can get so intense that it takes your love away” Anna said, adding that her first job as a coffeehouse barista was as far from the classical musical world as

Hanover Band; an incredible opportunity for someone so young. “It is a classical orchestra that uses original period instruments and performs works by the great baroque and romantic composers. We recorded for soundtracks and produced albums, worked with conductors as renowned as Sir Charles Mackerras, and played some incredible venues like Wigmore Hall. We also performed at St James’s Palace for the Duke and Duchess of Kent, who were patrons of the orchestra.” After several years as manager, Anna found herself missing performing as most of her time was spent in the background, organising concerts, tours and recording sessions “It became frustrating work-

get on the circuit here, put my passion and skills to use and ‘make a living’, so I decided to go for it.” In summer 2002 Anna arrived in Tenerife and instantly started gigging in a jazz trio called Jaztime, with Ivan Bargas on drums and Felu Morales on bass, occasionally accompanied by Sam ‘Saxo’ Pearce to form a quartet. One of their regular concerts was at the Vintersol rehabilitation centre in Playa de las Américas. “Most of the guests were older and recovering from a range of conditions, so it was wonderful to see the music lift their spirits. We’d play an old jazz standard like Fly Me to the Moon or I’ve Got You Under My Skin and it was so rewarding to make a small difference.”

Anna also performed solo concerts and, later, formed Espresso with guitarist Paul Hoffax, playing jazz, Latin and soft pop. She met Paul at Wingate while they were both giving extra-curricular music classes, and soon found herself being offered a job following the departure of their music teacher. She joined the school in 2005 and continued gigging in the evenings alongside her teaching duties, but found the going tough and began to feel “burned out” by the long hours and demanding lifestyle. As Christmas approached and the extra work involved in school shows took its toll, Anna decided to take a backseat from live performances and now reforms Espresso for special occasions and one-off concerts. This gives her the best balance between performing music and teaching it, which Anna says she loves “more and more each year.” She has just finished working with the infants on their Christmas production and with junior-level groups on their spectacular, Frozen. Following successful musicals with the seniors, this year sees Anna assemble a variety show being staged at Easter. With the coordination of ABRSM piano grading examinations, weekly classes for students of all ages, and assembly, choir and drama groups to organise, Anna’s current involvement in music is as varied as her busy past. Luckily for her many students, she wouldn’t have it n any other way!

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19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

FIESTA FOCUS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

SPRING Fiesta

Mad March hare? By Francis W. Carnival is at fever pitch around the Islands during February, doing its duty to dispel the current cold snap, but once the party is over how shall we fight off those burnt sardine blues? Well, March has much to offer in this direction and there is plenty to look forward to. Julius Caesar was warned to beware the ides of March, but worry not - Mother Nature’s message is for us to wake up and have plenty of fun: because spring has arrived. Ancient pagan celebrations in March were all to do with an agrarian lifestyle; planting and fertility still being very important to farmers throughout the world today. Nature notes the change in temperature, daylight hours and weather patterns at the end of winter, and the heralds of spring do not use a calendar. Already on Tenerife the almond trees are at their splendid best, mountain hillsides are blooming with burgeoning life, the sap is truly rising; various species of birds are performing comic courtship displays and singing alluring love songs. Wildlife mating activity has even inspired an idiom famous in the English language: the term mad as a March hare comes from the springtime courtship capering of the humble hare. Nature might not need calendars, but human activity does, and the official start date of spring depends on whether you are referring to the astronomical or meteorological spring. The meteorological seasons

The Mad March Hare from Alice in Wonderland

Take part in the First Tenerife Walking Festival with a spring in your step!

consist of splitting the year into four periods made up of three months each. These seasons are split to coincide with our Gregorian calendar making it easier for meteorological observation and forecasting as well as for the comparison of seasonal and monthly statistics. By the meteorological calendar, spring starts on March 1 in the northern hemisphere but astronomical spring begins on March 20, the date of the equinox, and runs until the summer solstice on June 21. Ancient farmers lived according to the rhythms of nature and could use observable equinoxes and solstices as yardsticks in the year, the spring equinox being a time for fertility celebrations in most early cultures. Then along came the Christians who laid their new festivals over the established

in an attempt to eradicate older beliefs. Easter displaced fertility rites but the equinox is fixed at March 20, whereas Easter seems to wander around the calendar like one of those mad March hares. Easter is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox and can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. This date is important for carnival in Santa Cruz as the main parade occurs on Shrove Tuesday, exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, and can be February 3, March 9 or anywhere in between. March is believed to be named after Mars: the Roman god of war, and curiously the guardian of agriculture, as well as an ancestor of the Roman people through his sons Romulus

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and Remus. His month Martius was the beginning of the season for both farming and warfare, and the festivals held in his honour during the month were mirrored by others in October, when the season for these activities came to a close. March was for many centuries regarded as beginning of the New Year in many European cultures. The event horizon in March is, to a great extent, dominated by the religious calendar. March 1 is St. David’s day and, although the Spanish church doesn’t seem to pay much attention to the patron saint of Wales, no doubt many in the expat Welsh community will be making an informal day of it. The same is true of March 17, but the Irish have made it their mission to spread their exuberant St. Patrick’s Day par-

ties throughout the world and to turn the world green for the day. In the Canaries one cannot fail to find an Irish bar bedecked in green and filled with verdant, Guinness quaffing Celts. Father’s Day (El Día del Padre in Spanish) is celebrated in Spain on St. Joseph’s Day which falls on March 19. St. Joseph’s Day is a Roman Catholic feast day designated to commemorate the life of Joseph, husband of Mary, who set the example of what a good husband and father is for his role within the Holy Family. Falling very close to the equinox there is the feast of the Annunciation on March 25 (unless it coincides with Easter). Falling exactly nine months before Christmas, it is an important date on the Catholic calendar as it commemorates the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would conceive Jesus - and thus extending those springtime fertility traditions. The Annunciation is celebrated in churches throughout the Canaries and mainland Spain.

On the secular front, ramblers from all over Europe are set to head for the Canary Islands for the First Tenerife Walking Festival which takes place from March 10 - 14. Aimed at experienced hikers who are members of the European Ramblers Association or its national affiliates, the festival will be based in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz, and some 700 ramblers are expected to take part, exploring the island during five days of hiking on up to 15 different trails. Registration is now available online at www. tenerifewalkingfestival.com. On a global scale, International Women’s Day (IWD), also called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from a general acknowledgement of respect, appreciation and love towards women to recognition of women’s economic, political, and social achievements. World Water Day has been observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations encouraged the public to not use their taps throughout the whole day. Finally, let us raise our glasses to the Icelanders who celebrate Beer Day on March 1, commemorating the end of prohibition. The legalisation of beer remains a significant cultural event in Iceland as it has become the most popular alcoholic beverage. So plenty of fun and celebration to look forward to: watch out for information on local events n in upcoming editions.

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SPIN NEWS

Photography competition

Santiago del Teide town council is accepting entries for the eighteenth photography competition entitled Almendro en Flor – or ‘Almond trees in blossom’. The overall winner will receive a prize of €300, with a second prize of €200, a third prize of €150 and the fourth prize is €100. So put on your walking boots and have a great day out with the camera, you could be one of the lucky ones. The closing date for submissions is March 6. Entrants can be of any nationality and country of residence and the theme should be the beautiful almond blossom that can be seen around many parts of the Western Islands at this time of year, although entries for this competition must be taken from within the borough of Santiago del Teide. Participants may submit no more than two entries, in colour or black and white, which should be a minimum

Jazz funk concert

On February 26 at the Guimerá Theatre in Santa Cruz there is a jazz funk concert by popular Canarian band Orchilla Meridian Time, which starts at 9pm with admission priced at €5. Morgan Hernández features on saxophone and vocals, and Manuel Lorente on bass. Both members formed OMT in 2010, writing and recording their songs at the Digital Arena Studio, assisted by sound engineer, Juan Carlos Díaz – also known as The Wizard. Epi

Almond trees in blossom

size of 30cm x 40cm or 40cm x 50cm. They should also be presented in a frame for protection and have a title or caption, together with the place where the photo was taken. A

negative or digital copy of no less than four megapixels must also be provided. Your personal information must include name, age, DNI / NIE, nationality, address, tele-

phone and, if applicable, email address. This must be provided for each entry in a sealed envelope labelled with the title of the photograph. The competition will be judged by professional photographers and representatives of the local town council, whose decision will be announced on March 20 at 12pm in the town hall itself, where the entries will also be displayed. The works must be submitted in person or by mail to the following address: XVII Photo Contest Almendra en Flor, Ayuntamiento de Santiago del Teide, Departamento de Cultura, Calle La Placeta 10, 38690 Santiago del Teide, Tenerife. The event is organised by the Santiago del Teide town council and coordinated by Ibrahim Forte. For more information call 922 863 127 ext 234 or visit www. n santiagodelteide.es.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Los Gigantes Carnival

Lost in space

The Los Gigantes Carnival runs from February 27 to March 2 with ‘Space’ as this year’s theme and an entertaining programme of events. At 9pm on February 27 is the gala and election of the town Carnival Queen, which is staged alongside music concerts. February 28 is Children’s Day with activities beginning at 11am and featuring bouncy castles, workshops and displays; this is held at the main square, Plaza Buganvilla de Los Gigantes. At 5pm is the children’s Grand Gala, with different bands and acts; and from 9pm is a performance by local group, Tío Franklin. This is followed by a masked ball on the square and concerts by The Arguayo Band and The Maquinaria Band. On March 1 from 5pm is the Los Gigantes Carnival’s ‘Gran Coso’ – a procession that begins at La Pescadora de Puerto de Santiago and concludes at the Plaza Buganvilla de Los Gigantes. This event includes the popular carnival samba groups, decorative floats and the Carnival Queen. Live music follows on the main square. The burial of the sardine takes place on March 2 where the mock funeral procession stops behind the Hotel Los Gigantes for the cremation and spectacular fireworks display. The Arguayo Band provides music until the early hours as Los Gigantes bids farewell to another fun-packed n carnival.

Nature routes

Explore Granadilla

OMT return to Santa Cruz Lorente later joined on guitar, along with Jonathan Hernandez on drums and Dave Watts as DJ/mixer. The group’s name is derived from the former meridian line which passed through Punta Orchilla in El Hierro before it was changed to Greenwich, London. The band consist of experienced musicians from various musical backgrounds, including jazz, rock, funk, Latin and electronic. Their unique sound is fused with samples,

loops and other effects, leaving plenty of room for improvisation but never straying too far from the core theme. As a result, OMT have created a powerful, modern style which is hard to label. This is OMT’s second appearance at the Guimerá theatre. The first show left a lasting impression and demand was high for a follow up. This time the group will perform their latest album, entitled Orchilla Meridian Time which is a cel-

ebration of the life of former band percussionist, Jose Pedro Pérez, who sadly passed away last year. Tickets are available from the box office Tuesday to Friday, between 11.00am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm. They can also be bought on the day up to two hours before the start of the show. Call 902 364 603 for further information or see: n www.teatroguimera.es.

Dog Days in The Fortunate Islands A new life in hidden Tenerife By John Searancke

A series of adventures that you won’t want to miss! On the brink of

Discover Granadilla

The Department of Tourism for the borough of Granadilla de Abona is launching an exciting new initiative. The plan offers residents and visitors three nature routes to discover new and interesting areas of Granadilla, which combined make a total of ten walking hours. The routes will include qualified English, German and Spanish speaking guides, and transport to start points will be provided by local taxis. Interested parties should contact Nuria Delgado Hernández for more information relating to participation by calling the Granadilla de Abona town council on 922 759 900. n Alternatively, see: www.granadilladeabona.org.

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19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

La Orotava energy exhibition

Water and light

The exhibition ‘Aguas y Luces para la Villa’ runs until February 28 in the Casa de la Cultura de San Agustin in La Orotava, showing from 9am to 9pm. Meaning ‘Water and Light for the Borough’ in English, the display charts the history of hydroelectricity in La Orotava since the late nineteenth century and has been designed and developed by the Municipal Archives of La Orotava (AMLO) and commissioned by the Edis Brothers (Eduardo and Isidoro Sánchez) from the Hydrorotava program. It is based on documents and photographs that have been donated or loaned to the archive from local sources. The collection of such material is especially appreciated because it helps to preserve this fascinating aspect of La Orotava’s history. The collection consists of a set of 22 panels structured into four blocks, with each representing the chronological journey through the history of electricity in the area. The panels outline the various stages of the Orotava Electric Company which operated the hydroelectric plants; Hacienda Perdida, between 1894 and 1935, and La Abejera, from 1935 to 1976. Alongside these panels you can also find examples of the original equipment used at the plants, and the exhibition includes a video that displays images of the layout of both n hydroelectric sites.

Güímar Carnival

Donkeys and bikers Güímar’s carnival season soon begins and on February 28 the town will be presenting its unique annual donkey spectacle in the Plaza de San Pedro. ‘Las Burras de Güímar’ is an entertaining show based on folk tales of donkeys turning into witches, demons and even Saint Michael, and touching on themes such as exorcism. The show is presented in street theatre style, and is followed by other concerts and events. Activities commence at 5pm with the Children’s Festival which features performances of local sports and musical groups. The town’s Carnival Queen will also be elected during this event. At 6pm Los Diablos Locos (The Crazy Devils) and Bambones, among others, present their acts for the street musician competition for this year. At 9pm begins the presentation of ‘Las Burras de Güímar’, which is now in its 23rd year. Over 50 people are involved in the display which combines traditions with legend. This year’s carnival also features marching bands, a group of performing bikers, and dance and music shows. The evening concludes with the typical burning of the sardine and at 10.30pm the band, Orchestra Tropin, provide music for the public fiesta that rolls on until the wee hours. n

Photography exposition

Lights, reflections and glimpses Lynn Amass-Hardy holds her photographic exhibition, ‘Glimpses’ at the M3 Centre in El Médano until March 2. The exposition is free and based on the M3 centre itself. “I make no apologies for finding the simplest and sometimes insignificant things in life compelling, because it’s the simplest things which make the building blocks for an interesting life” Lynn said of her latest work and its inspiration. “The M3 at first glance seems to be a very simple, economical piece of architecture, but as I began to study its amazing textures and surfaces I realised it holds a great number of hidden depths. With its variation of light sequences and position by the sea, this fascinating Pandora’s Box inspired me to create photomontages which celebrate the glimpses of lights, reflections and shadow worlds. Glimpses which make the eyes

squint and brain journey to hidden spaces and times, like in a story: streams of multi-coloured light shooting like neon bolts of electricity. On the outside a reflective surface which

reflects a new understanding of the material world buzzing around us. Inside the people play a starring role alongside the symphony of lights and the building that feeds them

Molina bares all

with its gestures and active space.” Lynn Amass-Hardy’s ‘Glimpses’ can be seen at the M3 Centre, which is located on Avenida Magallanes in El Médano. n

A life story in music The musical journey, The Naked Miguel de Molina, pays homage to the work of a much-loved Spanish artist who helped to create a genre of music. Playing at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna on March 5, the show lasts one and a half hours and begins at 7pm with a second show at 9.30pm. Ticket prices are €12 for the earlier performance and €18 for the second. Described by its creators as an open dialogue with the public, the character of Miguel de Molina confronts his past in the

company of a pianist, through a moving story which reveals previously unknown aspects of one of Spain’s most important artists. Born in Malaga in 1908, singer and actor Miguel de Molina was an accomplished exponent of the Copla Andaluza style of music that was popularised in Spain during the 1940s. Accused by the Franco regime of being homosexual and helping the Republican army, Molina was beaten, tortured and forced into exile in Argentina where he started working

in the film industry. Molina died in 1983 in Buenos Aires aged 84. In 1992 the Spanish government posthumously awarded him with a civil order in recognition of his contribution to Spanish art. Starring Ángel Ruiz in the lead role, the show is presented by Laboratorio de la Voz Producciones and directed by Juan Carlos Rubio. Tickets are available from the box office; call 922 255 141 or visit the website www.teatroleal.com. n

WHATS ON 2015

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

February / March

TENERIFE

GRAN CANARIA

DIARY DATES

DIARY DATES February 20 to March 1

7pm, Children’s Carnival Queen Gala, Maspalomas Carnival, Yumbo Centrum, Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana February 25 9pm, Grand Ladies’ Carnival Gala, Maspalomas Carnival, Yumbo Centrum, Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana February 27 7.30pm, Iñaki Sandoval, Carles Benavent and Roger Blavia (jazz concert), CICCA (Centro de Iniciativas de la Caja de Canarias), LPGC

February 19 8pm, Puertas al Sur by Beatriz Alonso and Miguel Manescau (live music), Fundación Canaria Mapfre Guanarteme, La Laguna 8pm, Fábio Brum (live music), FIMA – VI Arona International Music Festival 2015, €3, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos 8pm, Trumpet and Piano concert, VI Arona International Music Festival, €3, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos. www.musicarona.weebly.com February 20

February 28

Maspalomas Carnival 2015 www.maspalomas.com February 20

9pm, Jorge Drexler, Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, LPGC www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

March 6 8.30pm, Hungría siglo XX (Hungary 20th Century) featuring Kodály, Bruch and Bartok (opera concert), Alfredo Kraus Auditoium, LPGC 10pm, Winds from Suburbia (live music), The Paper Club, LPGC 9pm, Drag Queen Gala 2015, main stage at Parque Santa Catalina, Las Palmas 9pm, Carnival Night, Plaza de Canarias, Las Palmas February 21 7pm, Burial of the Sardine, León y Castillo – Plaza de la Feria, Playa de Las Canteras, Las Palmas 9pm, Carnival Night, Plaza de Canarias, Las Palmas 11.45pm, Rosie’s Sons – Tribute to AC/DC, The Paper Club, LPGC February 22 11.20am, Children’s Carnival Dance, Agüimes Carnival, Plaza Mesa León, Agüimes

March 6 9.30pm, Los Sabandeños (traditional music and song), €18, Plaza de La Constitución, La Orotava

March 1 11am, Children’s Carnival Dance, Agüimes Carnival, Plaza 1º de Mayo, Agüimes 2pm, Carnival on the Beach, C.C. Anexo II, Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana 8.30pm, Burial of the Sardine, C.C. Anexo II, Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana

EXHIBITIONS Until February 25 ‘Carnival 2015 Posters’, La Galería – Casa Condal, San Bartolomé de Tirajana Until May 31 ‘Claves de un Hallazgo’ (exhibition about the ancient domestic situation in the Canary Islands), Museo Canario, LPGC Until April 19 Art: ‘Palimpsesto Caníbal’, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno and Sala San Antonio Abad, LPGC

9pm, Tribute to Led Zeppelin (live music), €8 - €15, Teatro Leal, La Laguna. www.teatroleal.com 9pm, ‘Grabando con Atcheré’ (live music), €6, El Sauzal Auditorium, El Sauzal

8pm, Scott Hartman (live music), FIMA – VI Arona International Music Festival 2015, €3, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos 8pm, Trombone and Piano concert, VI Arona International Music Festival 2015, €3, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos. www.musicarona.weebly.com February 21 1pm, Carnival Day, Plaza del Príncipe, Plaza de la Candelaria and Avenida de Francisco La Roche, Santa Cruz 8pm, Trombone, Trumpet, Flute and Guitar concert, VI Arona International Music Festival 2015, €3, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos. www.musicarona.weebly.com February 22 11am, Children’s Carnival Day, Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2015, Plaza del Charco, Puerto de la Cruz 3pm, Carnival Dance, Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2015, Plaza del Charco, Calle Perdomo and Plaza del Escultor Ángel Acosta, Puerto de la Cruz

March 3, March 5 and March 7 8.30pm, ‘Aida – Love in ancient Egypt’ (opera), €20 - €75, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz. www.auditoriodetenerife.com Until March 27 8.30pm, Canarian Folk Festival, Thursdays (beach front promenade Los Cristianos), Fridays (C.C. City Center, Las Américas), 2nd Saturday of each month (11am – Rambla de Las Galletas) www.arona.travel

EXHIBITIONS Until March 1 Art: ‘El Tesoro de la Catedral’ (Cathedral Treasure), Sala de Arte Cabrera Pinto, La Laguna Until March 8 Art: ‘Elogio de la Pintura’ (Painting Praise), TEA, Santa Cruz

February 27 9pm, Jorge Drexler (live music), €17, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos February 28

Jorge Drexler

For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

BUSINESS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

LIFE ASSURANCE and INCOME PROTECTION

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IBI test case

Home ‘ownership’ queries A lawyer from the Canaries is making the news lately following his bid to have the whole approach to the IBI property tax overhauled, including forcing banks to pick up the bill in the vast majority of cases. Ibán Uriarte, who practises in Las Palmas, has triggered a nationwide debate with his proposal that the IBI tax paid annually by householders to local councils and based on the value

of their home should be met by mortgage-lenders until a home loan is completely paid off. Uriarte, 40, hit the headlines with his application for a refund of all IBI tax paid for the last seven years on his house, which he is paying off with a loan from the Banco Sabadell. “Strictly speaking, the house is not fully my property yet, due to the mortgage I am paying. I have possession

but that is not the same thing. The council should seek the tax from the bank, not me” said the lawyer, who is preparing dozens of other applications by clients for IBI refunds. Experts who have debated the issue in the national media say the grounds for a refund are “dubious” but are monitoring with keen interest the progress of the test case brought before n Las Palmas Council.

Spanair tragedy

Air crash pay-out victory An increased award by a Spanish judge could open the door to more reviews of the payouts offered to victims of the country’s worst air tragedy for a quarter of a century. Next-of-kin of the 154 passengers and crew who died, when Spanair flight 5022 bound for Gran Canaria crashed seconds after take-off at Madrid airport in August 2008, have long complained that the compensation offered by the airline’s insurance company is much too low and it appears

the law may now have sided with them in their battle. In the first case to come before the courts, the parents and sister of one young man killed in the crash have been awarded nearly €350,000, well above the initial figure proposed by insurer Mapfre. The company was considered to have acted unfairly in its strict application of standard road accident compensation rates in its pay-out offer to the air accident victims to avoid a costly law suit. Awarding the

sum, the judge in Barcelona said that the road accident rates were merely for guidance and air accident victims would be expected to receive a higher sum because of the “significant differences” in the types of crash. The airline ceased operating in 2012, having failed to recover from the damage to its image caused by the crash, which has been attributed to the pilots’ failure to deploy the flaps and slats correctly for take-off. n

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

TF Global

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19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

UK Pensions 2015 – What Can You Do With Your Funds? defined contribution schemes and aged 55 or over:

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

• You will have complete freedom to draw down as much or as little of your pension pot as you wish, with no requirement to buy an annuity. UK residents who cash in their entire pension will pay tax at their marginal rate of income tax. For non-UK residents, where a double tax treaty applies, as is the case with Spain, taxation falls to their country of residence.

2015 sees the introduction of a new pension regime in the UK. It provides UK residents and British expatriates with a range of options for their pension savings. What will the changes mean for you? What can you do with your funds? There are different rules for different types of pensions, so it is rather confusing.

sions could transfer to a defined contribution scheme, but be aware that you could lose valuable benefits. Transfers can only be made with advice from a pension transfer specialist regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Most Public Sector schemes will not be able to transfer after April 2015.

“Sound financial planning and personalised advice is crucial”

• You can take a series of lump In order to make an informed sums from your pension funds decision, you need to be aware without having to enter into marginal rate of tax on the of all the implications of all a drawdown policy. income. If they opt to take it your options, for your longas a lump sum, it will be taxed term financial security, for your • The 55 per cent pension at 45 per cent (in 2015-16). heirs, and from a UK and Spain ‘death tax’ will be abolished. This applies to both drawtaxation point of view. If you die under age 75, the down and annuities but not balance of your fund can be to final salary pensions. Here is a summary of the key paid to your choice of benchanges from April 6, 2015, eficiaries tax free. If you are • You can keep an existing penwhich apply to those with over 75, beneficiaries pay their sion plan as it is and retain the

current income limits. This may be of interest if you are still able to contribute more than £10,000 to your fund. Many of the new pension options apply specifically to defined contribution schemes. From April 2015 those with private sector defined benefit pen-

cons and make an informed decision.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personIt is essential to consider the alised advice. tax implications here in Spain to establish what would work To keep in touch with the latbest for you. est developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news This article can only summarise on our website some of the key points. There www.blevinsfranks.com are also other elements you may need to consider. Sound finanBlevins Franks has 20 cial planning and personalised established offices across advice is crucial. Do not make Spain, France, Portugal, decisions until you have all the Cyprus, Malta and UK, and information and understand all decades of experience advising British expatriates. the implications. Contact the Contact our Partner Paul specialists at Blevins Franks, Montague on 922 716 who will review all your options 079 or paul.montague@ for you, including the tax angle, blevinsfranks.com so you can weigh the pros and

‘‘With so many options for my UK pension funds now, what are the best solutions for Spanish residents?’’

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KATY / PETS

I hope you are all well, free from flu and keeping warm. I can’t remember a colder winter in the 23 years I’ve lived here. However, the cold is no longer a problem for me. It was my birthday at the end of last month and my two best friends, Tony and Michael, joined together in the search for a heated sofa throw. I have a three bar heater but with the price of electricity I haven’t used it much. After much searching they bought one for me, and I can’t tell you how brilliant it is. I can use it over the legs, round my shoulders, or even as a blanket as it’s just long enough to cover me if I fancy a nap on the sofa while watching telly. And the best news is that it only uses 30 cents worth of electricity for ten hours, and there are five heat settings. It has an elegant brown and cream material and is so soft it reminds me of a

y Kat

Hi everyone, katykennedy@telefonica.net Tf: 616 110 930

My amazing, heated sofa throw!

much loved teddy that we all had when we were little. So if you call me or ring the bell and don’t get an answer then I’m probably snuggled up under

my throw having forty glorious winks! We all have stem cells inside our bodies. The latest idea to help with ageing diseases is to

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

harvest stem cells and freeze them while we and are young, and reintroduce them into our bodies later to help sort out future health problems. Cryo-

genic freezing will be used to keep cells in pristine condition. This process will not be available for a few years until they’ve worked out all the various ways to harvest the cells, and which ones to use to suit the specific disease they are trying to cure. Finally, here’s a little Brain Teaser with a wonderful Sunday lunch as a prize: Question 1 - If you knew a woman who was pregnant but already had eight kids; four were deaf, three were blind, and one had a neuro-development disorder, while she, the mother, had syphilis, would you recommend that she undergoes an abortion? Please give your reasons for or against. Question 2 - It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three candidates: Candidate A - Associates with

Pets Charity News

crooked politician and consults with astrologists. He’s had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks eight to 10 Martinis a day. Candidate B - He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks whiskey every evening. Candidate C - He is a decorated war hero and a vegetarian who doesn’t smoke, and only drinks an occasional beer. He has never committed adultery. Which of these candidates would be your choice and why? Send me an email with your answers to: katykennedy@ telefonica.net. The prize will be Sunday lunch with a pudding at the Eldon House, Playa Paraiso. Until the next issue, take care of yourselves and especially n each other.

Robin needs a nest

Pets charities round up Live Arico P.A.W.S. Whale and Dolphin Fun Day tickets are going fast! On February 21 we have chartered the MustCat catamaran and will be enjoying our private party at the changed sailing time of 1pm. This leaves from Las Galletas. We ask only €20 per ticket, which includes drinks for the three hour excursion – less than half the normal price. Fun Doggie Weekend Our Fun Doggie Weekend starts on March 7 at 3pm with a basic obedience course and an ‘Ask the Vet’ session. On March 8 is the fun dog show, in collaboration with San Miguel town council, starting at 12pm. Both events will be held next to the Cultural Centre in Llano del Camello. It’s only €2 to enter. For more information on either of the events call Sue on 629 388 102. We have a third charity shop! After many years of wanting a shop in Golf del Sur we finally have it. Come and check out our new premises on Monday February 23 from 1pm, when we will be throwing an opening party. We are situated at Golf Park which is on the loop road,

Adopt don´t buy – every dog bred or bought takes away the chance of happiness from pets like Robin.

This cocker mix was found wondering the streets of La Camella

just before the lottery kiosk. We need anything that can help us to fit the shop out, for example: furniture, hanging rails, etc. Also an unwanted iron, ironing board and as many coat hangers as possible. Of course, as always, we have our shops in Los Cristianos and San Eugenio which are open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday; and until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Find us on Facebook and join us

on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ live_arico. Our website is: www. livearico.com

Acción del Sol We can never stress enough the importance of micro-chipping your pet and having the correct information logged with Zoocam. A gorgeous cocker mix was found wondering the streets of La Camella. If you are the

Sadly, another podenco hunting dog arrived at the refuge un-chipped

owner or recognise the dog in the photo then please contact the refuge on the number below. A very underweight Canarian hunting dog also arrived at the refuge with no chip. Our next fund raising event will be at the refuge on May 9 and the theme is spring flowers, pets and children. Please take a photo of your pet or child with flowers and submit it to teneriffa@aktiontier.org. You

are welcome to submit as many pictures as you like. Please call 922 778 630 for more information. The refuge is situated at the Polígono Industrial Estate; Exit 51 on the TF1, directly next to the Parque Eolica where the windmills are. We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 5pm; and Saturdays, 1pm n to 4pm.

For a dog full of character look no further than Robin, a two year old cross-breed of medium size. He has never had a real home and has been with us since a pup. For more information call Sue on 629 388 102.

Digs 4 Dogs Professional dog care at our purpose built

KENNELS AND CATTERY

6 mins from San Isidro • Only 10 € per day • Collection and return Service • Quarantine & UK return Service For rates and availability phone Allen or Lesley on 680 278 254 or 922 772051

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

Hard Rock Cafe

Just about everyone has heard of the Hard Rock Cafes. Since the very first one opened in London in 1971, the chain of rock and roll-themed restaurants, hotels and casinos has grown to incorporate 189 venues in 58 countries. The largest is in Orlando, where the headquarters are – in 2007, the Seminole Tribe of Florida purchased the Hard Rock brand. The formula works: venues’ walls are adorned with rock and roll memorabilia, the atmosphere is laid back, and music plays a large role in the whole experience. They serve, “Fresh, handmade, classic American cooking with a Southern flair,” with an added local twist, wherever Hard Rock may be in the world. When Island Connections was invited to check out one of the very latest Hard Rocks we could only agree to go along. Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife opened in Las Américas in December 2013 and it’s easy to see why it fast became one of the ‘in’ places to visit. We had the good fortune to share a meal with Marketing Manager, Cynthia Galán, and Head Chef, Juan José Vides, both of whom where exceptionally good company. Glancing through the menu was a pleasant surprise. It’s easy to think that Hard Rock sells only burgers (though this they do – and very well), but there’s much more to the menu than that. Grilled Salmon, Misto Frito, calamari rings and shrimps, and the delicious sounding Honey Citrus Grilled Chicken Salad are just a few examples. We decided to share various dishes so we, the visitors, would have the chance to taste

FOOD

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Smooth food a selection, and because all the portions are on the large side, to say the least. The first to arrive was the Twisted Mac, Chicken & Cheese: grilled chicken breast atop twisted cavatappi pasta in a tasty, lightly spiced threecheese sauce, served with garlic toast. Lovely. The Jumbo Combo which came next was a meal in itself. Beautifully presented, as everything is, the Combo is a selection The restaurant seats 380, including the two private dining and celebration rooms

(L-R) Juan Jose Vides, Francesca Nitti and Cynthia Galán having a rock and roll moment!

The upper terrace, for afternoons and late evenings

of chickens, potato skins, the tastiest onion rings ever, and the delightful Santa Fe Spring Rolls containing, amongst other things, jalapeño and spinach. Crisp, tasty and varied, the combo comes with five different sauces: it’s a taste sensation. Next, were the Famous Fajitas. You can choose one or several of grilled chicken, beef, shrimp or pork, and they’re served with shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo garnish, guacamole, sour cream and shredded lettuce. As Juan showed us the best way to load the hot flour tortillas (selection of sauces first, then the meats, aiming for a mix of tastes), he tells us a little about himself.

From Venezuela originally, Juan has been with Hard Rock for the last 12 years. He has worked in the London, Florence, Lisbon and Orlando locations, amongst others, and clearly loves his job – the fact that employees are encouraged to gain experience in other countries being one of the reasons. He also appreciates the preciseness of the work. Every item on the menu has to be prepared in exactly the same manner every time. And the pressure is on – every kitchen has regular spot checks: food is tested for presentation, taste, specification, temperature, and even the weight of individual items. Everything is made onsite and local products are used wher-

1. The ribs are succulent and delicious - cooked to perfection. 2. The fajitas come with a delicious array of sauces. 3. The size of the Hot Fudge Brownie has to be seen to be believed. 4. The famous Oreo cheesecake - yum!

ever possible (there’s even a burger that comes with La Gomeran goat’s cheese ‘almogrote’ and Canarian red and green mojo sauces). The last to arrive, the hickorysmoked BBQ ribs were as tender as they come; the meat just fell off the bone. The sauce was delicious too and even the

chips are special – their coating contains 11 (very secret) spices. All around us patrons came and went, assisted cheerfully by busy and enthusiastic waiters and waitresses. Francesca, serving our table, was a delightful ball of energy. The service is prompt and friendly,

and the atmosphere really is great. Cynthia tells us that the multinational team at Hard Rock Tenerife numbers exactly 104, and that each employee has to have a working knowledge of every area of the business. She also says that around 80 per cent of the clientele are British at the moment, and that people have come from all over the world to tick another off their list of Hard Rock Cafes visited. To finish our meal, we chose the scrumptious cheesecake infused with oreo® biscuit pieces (with generous amounts of chocolate sauce), and the most stunning Hot Fudge Brownie we had ever seen. Naughtily delicious, the brownie, topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, chopped walnuts, fresh whipped cream and a cherry, is huge! It has to be seen to be believed. The restaurant also offers a children’s menu, an array of cocktails, both alcoholic and not, and a wide selection of other drinks, including various wines. The kitchen holds a Celiac’s kit, so they can eat safely, and you don’t have to eat, of course – you can pop in just for a drink or a browse through the shop. The restaurant and bar open at 12pm, the upstairs drink’s terrace at 3pm and the shop at 10am. All are open till late, and look out for the assortment of live bands, every week. Find Hard Rock on Avenida de Las Américas S/N, at the Pirámide de Arona, Las Américas. For more information call: 922 055 022, see them on facebook at: HRCTenerife, or see: Hard Rock International at: n www.hardrock.com.

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FOOD

Springtime snacks

Springtime is nearly here and thoughts turn to lighter meals and more varied dishes. Celebrated since the dawn of time, the egg is a well-known symbol of fertility, creation and new life and, though long considered a springtime food, it has now become an essential ingredient in all our culinary traditions. Eggs have featured in many a spring festival. For instance, the ancient Persian and Celtic cultures celebrated the spring equinox with the gift of red-dyed eggs. The eggs were shared at a meal, and afterwards, the shells were carefully crushed: a ritual to drive away winter. The ban of eating eggs during the 46 days of Lent, established in the 9th century, probably went a long way to making the egg so popular at Easter. The eggs were collected and saved and, once the fasting was over, they were distributed to the servants and children, who generally enjoyed them in a huge Easter omelette. As the practice became more refined, the nobility got in on the act, using the

Wine presentation

Fertility fare last days of winter to decorate eggs to give to their beloved, their master, or the King. By the 16th century, these springtime eggs were all the rage at the court of France, with some being decorated by a few of the greatest artists of the day. Today, hand-decorated eggs are still exchanged as springtime gifts in many cultures and play an important role in religious ceremonies on Easter morning. Some families carefully save their egg collection, passing them on from generation to generation. Eggs aside, spring is of course the season for planting – just as traditional methods of food storage would find the winter stocks in the cellars running low. Root vegetables such as beetroot, and carrots etc. would be about finished; dried fruits, nuts and grains would be running out and greens such as leeks, which can remain in the ground over winter, would soon come to life and go to seed. A greater supply of fresh foods starts to appear, early lambs might be big enough to pro-

A wonderful springtime soup

The leek: health and nutritious

vide a welcome change from hams, bacon, and dried and smoked meats. Leeks are the national symbol of Wales and the day of the country’s patron saint, St. David, on March 1 is traditionally celebrated with a tasty soup called Cawl Cennin made from leeks. Simple to make, healthy and nutritious, it’s a wonderful light meal. Ingredients: 575g finelychopped leeks, 1 small onion roughly chopped, 115g roughlychopped leeks, 60g butter, 2

stalks of celery finely cubed, 2.4 litres of mutton or lamb stock, 30g finely-chopped parsley, 150ml double cream and salt and pepper to taste. Method: Clean the leeks thoroughly and then finely chop the largest portion and chop the remainder rather coarsely. Meanwhile melt the butter in a saucepan and, when molten, turn down the heat and add the finely-chopped leek, onion and celery. Toss the vegetables in the butter then cover with a lid and leave to cook until the

leeks have softened. Once they are truly soft (but before they turn brown) add the stock and raise the heat to bring the stock to the boil. Lower to a simmer and allow to cook for an hour. Leave the Cawl to cool a little then pour into a liquidizer and puree. Transfer back to a sauce-

pan, add the remaining leeks and the parsley. Bring back to the boil then turn the heat down and allow to simmer for twenty minutes. Take off the heat, allow the Cawl to cool again and stir in the cream. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle some parsley on top n and serve immediately.

Parker points to quality

Bodega Suertes del Marqués from La Orotava has been invited to take their delicious beverages to Iconic World Wines

By Sabine Virgin event Iconic World Wines by emperor of wine’ features at the The winery, Bodega Suertes del Marqués, from Valle de La Orotava, has been invited to the

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

the famous wine connoisseur, Robert Parker. This event is part of Parker’s tour, A Matter of Taste, and ‘the

Saatchi Gallery in London on February 28. Only the finest wine labels are invited to this presentation, such as Dominio

de Pingus, Domaine Leflaive, Vega Sicilia, Chateau Ausone, Louis Roederer, Dönnhoff, Chateau Beaucastel, Tenuta San Guido, and Penfolds. The well-known American wine expert publishes the popular newsletter, and his ‘Parker points’ assessment system is recognised as an international stamp of quality. He rates the wines of Bodega Suertes del Marqués very highly as all those featuring at Iconic World Wines must have acquired more than 90 points. The wines most highly-rated are La Solana 2011 with 91 points, and El Ciruelo 2011 with 94 points. The Bodega Suertes del Marqués is the only Canarian Bodega to feature at the presentation, and they are also invited to a fair on the best Spanish and South American wines which takes place in Miami at the end n of March.

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19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

FASHION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Made for cool

Casual sailor´s look: a wind-jacket, striped shirt underneath, combined with jeans shorts. By Von Cookie

Stars and Stripes Whenever fashion wants to be cool, there are stripes involved! Of course – this pattern is part of a fresh and sporty look and its origins go back to Breton fishermen. Those guys used to wear blue and white striped shirts for work. The reason? It is quite simple – those stripes were easy to spot under water and so a man who went over board could be found and rescued more easily. Stripes inspired Coco Chanel who Perfect with a f i r s t p r e - uni-coloured outfit: sented them a short extravagant on shirts on blazer. By Fenn Wright Manson the catwalk. Just like the little black dress, the Grand Dame of designs made striped shirts part of the haute couture and every since then fashion cannot be imagined without them - and this summer they will once again spice up fashion designs. Classic stripes will not only play a major role in this summer´s sporty fashion; they will also be found on sexy dresses, bikinis

and even tight skirts. There will be a ream of contrasting colours, and stripes will be combined with other patterns like flowers, opening up a wealth of possibilities. n

Latest fashion: cut-outs for elegant stripes, with transparent cloth at the cleavage. By Adriana Papell

Charming: The stripes on this sheath dress cut a great figure. By Lipstick Boutique

On the beach: bikini with halter-neck top. By Isme

Peppy: Summer dress with mix of flowers and stripes. By Get the Label

Extravagant: Stripes on an elegant v-necked dress. By Debenhams.

High in the sky: These strap sandals also have stripes on the heels. By New Look

See-through: Classic glasses with stripe design. By Vision Express

Shirt with turquoise stripes By Long Tall Sally

HEALTH

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Body and soul work out

Working out is not just good for training your muscles, but also for keeping mentally healthy

Regular training is also said to increase life-span to some extent. In general, sporty people do tend to suffer less often from those very diseases which are caused by chronic inflammation, including diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and even some cancers. Take diabetes for an example: type 2 diabetes used to be known as ‘senile diabetes’, but type 2 has long become a disease that can strike independently of age, and affects about 90 per cent of all diabetes patients. Experts estimate there are about 30 to 50 million people suffering from this form in Europe. Worldwide there were more than 370 million diabetes type 2 patients in 2013. When suffering from type 2, sugar metabolism is out of balance and the level of blood glucose is too high. Sufferers’ bodies are resistant to insulin, a pancreatic hormone. Insulin makes it possible for

Photo: Claudioarg/freeimages.com

More and more people are aware that doing sports and exercise contributes to staying fit and healthy – on all levels. Studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on almost every part of our body, as well as on our mental health. Exercise seems, next to nutrition, to be the best medicine for all kinds of conditions; especially in today´s world of hectic lifestyles and high levels of stress. While prehistoric man used to walk and run a few kilometres every day in order to find food, many modern human beings spend large proportions of their time sitting: in front of a computer or whilst eating, driving and watching TV. All this makes us lazy and lethargic and, most of all, overweight. Genetically we are not meant to sit and lie around all day; on the contrary, we are made for moving around regularly. Obesity has become a major problem in Western societies, again, down to our fundamental make-up. Prehistoric man needed to save energy in the form of fat because they had to use their stores in times of starvation. However, many members of modern affluent societies do not empty those fat stores any more – the abundant availability of food is killing us. The most dangerous kind of body fat is the so called visceral fat which sits deep in the belly and covers vital organs. It usually shows by an increased stomach-scope, but even people who consider themselves relatively lean can have high amounts of fat around organs. Visceral fat serves as breeding ground for many inflammatory-promoting messenger hormones. These substances travel through the portal vein into the entire body. When this occurs for a prolonged period of time, diabetes and other vascular diseases can occur. Doing exercise on a regular basis can help prevent these fat storages causing inflammation. This is why people who are sporty, or undertake regular exercise are often a lot healthier, even if they are slightly overweight, than slim people who don´t exercise.

Photo: Talia 22/freeimages.com

Exercise makes you happy!

Fast walking strengthens the cardiovascular system and therefore makes sense at every age

the body’s cells to absorb glucose and hence regulates blood sugar levels. Many studies have shown that the disease can be averted or

slowed down when people in the beginning stage of insulin resistance start taking regular exercise. This is not only due to a decrease in visceral

fat, but also to a diminishing need for insulin: What many people are not aware of is that insulin is mainly needed when resting.

Transport, or carrier, proteins move molecules from one place to another around the body. An example of this sort of protein is hemoglobin and, when the body is active enough, other transport proteins gather glucose and carry it into the muscle cells. Blood sugar levels are lowered and the need for insulin decreases - also protecting the pancreas. People who do not do any exercise waste these transport proteins – they just lie in the centre of a cells, basically doing nothing, whilst waiting for their next job. Only when we are working out or participating in some sort of body training do those transporter proteins get moving to where they belong: on and into the cell membranes. Sport also improves the ratio of fat to muscle. While fat needs insulin all the time, muscles do not; which means less work for the pancreas, allowing it to rest and enabling better insulin reactions in the future. But diabetes is not the only condition with which exercise can work wonders. Exercise can also help a great deal when suffering from arteriosclerosis – a disease which can have very serious consequences. When blood fats like cholesterol are deposited on vessel walls, the blood vessels can become clogged: A blockage of the blood flow that can lead to a vascular occlusion which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Taking regular exercise is one of the best preventions. Your cardiovascular system is strengthened and the body releases a whole host of substances that increase health and fitness. These include lipases, enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of fats. The result: a general decrease of blood fats, especially of the harmful LDL cholesterol. The creation of vessel sediments is prevented and the risk for a stroke or heart attack decreases. Blood pressure can also be controlled by regular exercise as the blood vessels themselves become fitter and new capillaries are formed, leading to lower pressure and a change of resistance within the circulatory system: working out can even provide some protection against dangerous

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

exercise. When working out, the motor cortex, which is responsible for coordinating movement, shows more activity instead and so there are less resources available for the frontal cortex. The result: less stress. When exercising, the production of the sexual hormone testosterone also increases, contributing to a more relaxed and positive attitude. A slightly higher testosterone level therefore increases ones quality of live! Scientists are now starting to see a clear connection between a lack of exercise and the increase of psychological problems in our modern society. But turn this fact

An evening in front of the TV – comfortable, but not good for your health

Photo: Phanupong Paothong/freeimages.com

cardiac arrhythmias. Interestingly, this effect is partly to do with the stress hormone adrenaline. Contrary to what one might have heard about raised amounts of adrenaline and their negative effects on the body, those who exercise regularly and are fit and healthy, often show higher levels of adrenaline when resting than people who do not exercise. Even people with long term conditions can benefit from regular exertion. That is why sports and active leisure activities are even recommended to patients with a chronic cardiac insufficiency, though to be undertaken moderately, of course. In various studies, sufferers who participated in exercise plans not only reported a general feeling of increased strength, but most also noted a positive change in mood. The stress decreasing effect of exercise has also benefited cancer patients, as studies from the University of Cologne have shown, where people suffering from breast cancer or leukemia have joined in experiments. Due to chemotherapy or stem

many programs are opened at the same time. This is what causes a feeling of stress: that feeling of overload. The instinctive reaction of human beings in these situations is to either run away

Photo: Slwavik Gomah/freeimages.com

The continuous movements of golf bring many physical benefits

Photo: MjImages/freeimages.com

Photo: Robert Linder/freeimages.com

improving tired or restless-leg syndromes. Yet, one of exercise’s greatest benefits is for those who are suffering from prolonged stress. The perception of stress takes place in the front part

HEALTH

People do not get enough exercise in everyday life

cell transplantation all of the studied subjects had suffered from exhaustion. Nevertheless, they took part in physical training for several weeks and worked-out to a regular schedule. This led to a significant improvement of their overall well-being and participants spoke of feeling much more emotionally stable and positive. Sports can help to decrease stress in many ways and via a fascinating array of possibilities. Some types of exercise – like Yoga or Qigong – relax and stretch muscles in a gentle manner but at the same

time strengthen them. And the relaxation can be enjoyed right away. Highly stressed people who have tense muscles in the neck or shoulder area can feel relief after only a few sessions of Yoga or Qigong. Regular training in one of these disciplines will help prevent further tension building up and improve all-round flexibility, coordination and balance. Exercise also improves blood circulation and metabolism within muscle cells. Jogging or walking can even bring relief to tense muscles, and coupled with regular stretching it can go a long way to

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Adrenaline kick with the perfect wave – water sports make the body very strong

of the brain, an area called the prefrontal cortex. From an evolutionary point of view it is the youngest part of the brain. Its job is to process information permanently and filter the relevant data; the file-keeping of rational thinking. However, when we are overloaded with stimuli, the prefrontal cortex can get over-run and hangs up, just like a computer when too

or attack. In modern societies neither of those two reactions might be appropriate – in fact, they usually aren’t. And so feelings are repressed and eat away at the person. Sounds like purely an emotional / mental problem, doesn’t it? But studies have shown that over-activity of the frontal cortex can be significantly decreased by physical

around: you can only come to the conclusion that when you exercise you’ll not only stay healthier for much longer, but also be happier. We’re just off for a walk… If you suffer from a chronic condition or have not exercised for a while, consult with your doctor before beginning n an exercise routine.

HEALTH

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Taking antibiotics responsibly

Consume antibiotics responsibly, their efficiency depends on you

Spain is one of the developed countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics, and 30 per cent of those who take these medicines obtain them without a doctor’s prescription, or use leftovers which they’ve kept after previous illnesses. The above fact makes the level of self-medication in Spain one

of the highest in the world and thus one of the areas with the greatest potential for antibiotic abuse. Antibiotics are a type of medication used to combat infections caused by bacteria, preventing them from growing and, ultimately, destroying them. Their high consumption rate is partly due to people

also using them to treat infections caused by viruses – which do not respond to antibiotics - such as catarrh, respiratory infections, and sometimes ear and sore throats. This type of irresponsible behaviour is dangerous for everyone’s health, especially your own, mainly because when the time comes that you really

need an antibiotic, it can be less effective, making curing the problem more difficult. Taking too many unnecessary antibiotics can also lead to allergic reactions and unfavourable changes in intestinal flora. Even when prescribed properly, people often don’t finish the whole course of antibiotics – allowing bacteria that are left alive to mutate and possibly become resistant to current antibiotics. For responsible usage, remember: Never self-medicate yourself with antibiotics. Don’t ask your chemist to sell you antibiotics unless they’ve been recommended and prescribed by your doctor, and don’t pressurise your chemist to sell them to you without a prescription. If your child shows signs of an infection, take him or her to your pediatrician as soon as possible. If you catch a cold or the flu, and your doctor says you don’t need antibiotics, just do as you’re told. Rest and patience are often the best remedies. If you are prescribed antibiotics, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage, when to take them, and for how long.

New risks

Smoking during pregnancy A recent study, published this month by the California University and the Berkeley Public Health Institute in the US, has revealed more risks for pregnant women who smoke, and their babies. It is already well known that exposure to tobacco or smoke during pregnancy can increase the risk of asthma and allergies in the baby. It can also raise the risk of obesity in girls, and of infertility in boys. Passive smoking is also associated with miscarriages, the death of the baby, and the risk of ectopic pregnancies. This new investigation has confirmed that children exposed to smoke during the gestation period or later, could also develop diabetes as adults: Women whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are two to three times more likely to

develop diabetes. Investigations are continuing to discover

the possible effects of fathers who smoke, or passive smoking

by mothers while their daughters are still in the womb. n

Keep to a regular routine and take your medicines at the same time each day to prevent the bacteria developing resistance. Complete the treatment, without interruptions. The symptoms will disappear quickly, but that’s not to say that the infection has been cured. If you fail to complete the treatment, the infection could reap-

pear, and the antibiotic may no longer be effective. Don’t keep leftover antibiotics. There are proper containers at your pharmacy where you can dispose of them. Make sure you and your children are vaccinated where applicable. Consume your antibiotics responsibly; their efficiency n depends on you.

Winter eating

Healthy heat foods

Eat health-giving vegetables to stay healthy and warm during winter.

In what has been described by many residents in Tenerife, especially in the south, as one of the longest and coldest winters they’ve ever seen, here are some recommendations from the European Medical Institute for Obesity on how to eat to keep warm and healthy, without putting on weight during cold weather. During this time, we need more hot, energy rich foods to help with the extra demand on our bodies to maintain a constant temperature. We also need foods which will help to increase our defences and combat colds. However, rich puddings, fry ups, and the typical Canarian ‘potaje’ and ‘puchero’ stews are not the best option if you want to maintain your current weight. Instead of tucking into heavy foods there are several simple, and low calorie, ways you can help yourself stay warm – and healthy. On a daily basis, you’re recommended to eat onions, garlic and ginger, as they help to strengthen our resistance to colds and flu thanks to their natural antibiotic, antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects. You should also increase your intake of fruit, and opt for main meals which contain saturated fats or Omega-3. If you like spices, cumin, thyme and pepper all have natural properties which help to keep the flu at bay. You can happily eat all types of soups which contain plenty of vegetables. Tasty and warming soups can be created from a wonderful selection, including onions, garlic, ginger, asparagus, spinach, carrots, leeks, artichokes, chard, lentils, celery, courgettes, pumpkin and aubergines, but do try to avoid adding too many potatoes or too much cheese or cream. Why not visit your nearest farmers’ market, buy an assortment of vegetables which are as fresh as they can be, go home and improvise? The aroma of a home-made vegetable soup simmering away is extremely cheering! Other foods which are beneficial to the health during the cold weather are blue fish, meat, eggs - and even black n chocolate!

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

HEALTH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

m_delaflor@hotmail.com

Dear Dr. De La Flor

Red wine and beer can set migraines off in some people

Dear Dr. De La Flor,

I suffer from Migraines. Any advice when it comes to nutrition? Regards, Eve Dear Eve, Certain foods and the timing of their ingestion are believed to be responsible for up to 30% of all migraines. Here´s a list of potential migraine-triggering foods you might want to keep in mind: - Foods that have been pickled, fermented or otherwise marinated often contain a popular flavor enhancer called MSG (monosodium glutamate). - Chocolate contains caffeine, as do some sodas, tea, coffee, and energy drinks. - Tyramine is found naturally in many foods (aged cheese, dried and cured sausages, certain hot dogs, bacon, salami, pepperoni) and alcohol beverages (mainly red wine and beer). - Certain preservatives, like sodium nitrate can spark or worsen migraine flare-ups. - Many diet sodas and snack foods/treats contain the artificial sugar aspartame. - Skipping meals can trigger dips in blood sugar that may set off a migraine. Strategic snacking is a must. Regards. “All desirable things... are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain.” John Stuart Mill

 Stress reduction

Dear Dr. De La Flor,

I would like to know if anxiety medication is good for prostatitis. Is it risky? Thanks for your help. Tim Dear Tim, Benzodiazepines (anxiety tablets) can help reduce pain as well as the anxiety and tension caused by long-term symptoms of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It´s essential in some cases to help relax tense pelvic floor muscles in order to improve function and thus quality of life. All medicines can have side effects, from a simple over-the-counter tablet of paracetamol to a gastric protector. Fortunately, most patients don’t feel the side effects when timing, tolerability, and dosage are used appropriately. Ask your trusted GP about the side effects of each medicine you take. Best wishes.

Dr. De La Flor Facts

Thumbs Up By Dr. De La Flor

 Tablets aren´t enough! Staying socially involved and having daily responsibilities can work as a natural depression treatment. They ground us, they give us a sense of accomplishment, a taste of achievement, an opportunity to overcome fears and demons.

Stress can cause blood pressure and glucose levels to climb as part of your “fight or flight response.” Both are bad when living with diabetes. Instead of letting stress take its toll, let´s be proactive and add to our daily routine some deep breathing, mild physical activity, empowering reading/ music, and prayer.

 Medication & alcohol side

effects Certain prescription medications interact with alcohol. For instance, drinking while taking sedatives can cause dizziness, drowsiness or even breathing problems. Mixing it with diabetes drugs, such as metformin, can cause headaches or a rapid heartbeat. Alcohol is also a bad mix with common pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen) because of the potential for ulcers and stomach bleeding. Let´s be prudent.

 A prescription for lifetime

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, i.e., than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” Fr. Arrupe

 Healthy diagnostic night

test As we look back on our day we realize the moments when we were and the moments when we were not the-best-versionof-ourselves. Let´s learn from both. Let´s duplicate the former and try to eradicate the latter. Let´s be grateful, and try to set a small, realistic goal for the following day. Would you join me?

Coaching Corner

Lisa B. Harris

By Dr. De La Flor

Osteopath, Acupuncturist, Rehabilitation, Pain Management

“To reach satisfaction in all, desire satisfaction in nothing. To come to possess all, desire the possession of nothing. To arrive at being all, desire to be nothing. To come to the knowledge of all, desire the knowledge of nothing. To come to enjoy what you have not, you must go by a way in which you enjoy not. To come to the possession you have not, you must go by a way in which you possess not. To come to what you are not, you must go by a way in which you are not.” St. John of the Cross

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ReSOLUTION

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By Dr. De La Flor For the next two weeks, let’s try to ponder on the level of life satisfaction we currently have. Life satisfaction and fulfilment, even health-wise often isn´t even related with levels of physical health. The mystic´s sage advice contains an inestimable clue - “In the evening we shall be examined on love.” Are you, and me, heading in the right direction? Wishing you all a meaningful, healthy, compassion-filled winter. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

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 A walnut at 20, an apricot

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 Health & tennis balls

habits are risk factors. Around 80 per cent of men will eventually develop it, though only about 30 per cent will find their symptoms bothersome.

Tablets are only part of the treatment.

ISLAND INFORMATION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

island connections

Destination Guide A concise resource to help you make the most of your time in the Canaries

A guide to the Canary Islands From high mountains to beautiful beaches: the Canary Islands have a wealth of breath-taking vistas

By Sophie Belt in winter. This ‘eternal spring’ is generally named ‘Guanches’ El Hierro, as many of the coves and soaring cliffs. Well, here we find ourselves, in the beautiful Canary Islands, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Spain and northwest of Africa, directly in front of the coast of Morocco. The Canaries have what is considered one of the best climates anywhere on the planet. The average temperature in winter is 19ºC; 23ºC in summer. This ideal climate is thanks to the fresh trade winds (los Alisios), the Gulf Stream, which cools its coasts during the hotter months, and the warm influence of the Azores anticyclone

as it has been called, makes the Islands the perfect destination for tourism all year round. Because of their unique geographical situation, historically, the Canaries have always been an important location for navigation between Europe, Asia and America. The Greeks and Romans reported on this volcanic archipelago, although there are some indications that the Phoenicians were the first to arrive here by sea. The Greeks called the Canary Islands the Fortunate Islands, the Garden of Hesperides. The Islands’ original population

though there were various titles around the archipelago. It is believed they probably came from Africa and were of Berber origin. In the late 1400s, after a series of conquests, the archipelago became part of the Spanish kingdom of Castilla, and are well known for being Christopher Columbus’ last stopping place on his way to discover the new world.

Variety is the spice of life There is something for everyone here in the Fortunate Islands.

islands, is beautifully lush in the north and gets more visibly volcanic as you travel south, with expanses of ‘malpaís’, fields of lava, where nothing can grow. La Gomera and La Palma are a world of different greens, covered in endemic species and very steep hills. Their ravines open up as they lower, changing the mountain vegetation for subtropical plants, such as prickly pears and agaves, as well as a variety of fruit trees. As the valleys meet the coasts there are innumerable black sand beaches, intimate

Tenerife meanwhile is arid in the south and dotted with sprawling tourist resorts and golf courses, but gets greener and prettier as you go north, where there are some beautiful old towns with elegant traditional Canarian architecture and spectacular views of the central volcano, El Teide, often snow-capped in the winter. Gran Canaria, the ‘miniature continent’, has pine-forests and imposing ravines on high, a large city in the north, and tourist resorts with long white sand beaches and the impressive sand dunes of Maspalo-

mas in the south. Not forgetting Puerto Mogán, the ‘Little Venice’ of the Canary Islands. The two most easterly islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, are reminiscent of parts of Africa, with practically no greenery and no high mountains but lots of volcanic cones, rolling hills and kilometres of white-sand beaches where the turquoise-toned Atlantic looks more like the Caribbean. The Canary Islands receive over five million tourists a year. Initially, when the tourism boom took off, it was better known as a sun and sand destination. However, it is now recognised that the options for leisure and entertainment are endless, from beaches of all shapes, sizes and colours, to water activities such as surfing, sailing, diving, and whale and dolphin watching, as well as some of the best hiking in Europe, through drastically contrasting landscapes, including a series of impressive volcanoes. There’s also star-gazing in Europe’s clearest skies, a variety of land sports such as paragliding and cycling, an array of shows, theatres and concerts, and some of the world’s best leisure parks. And then there is the delicious local food, wines and liqueurs: Canarian food is uncomplicated, healthy and very tasty, so do give it a try. Good advice is to order fish/seafood dishes by the coast and meat dishes in the interior. Mojo is a delicious Canarian sauce that comes in many local variations and which is pretty good on everything, but especially with ‘papas arrugadas’ (wrinkled new potatoes). Goat’s cheese, either fresh, smoked or cured is made on all the islands.

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Photo: Miguel Delgado

Tenerife

GENERAL INFO GUIDE

in palm trees: a subtropical wilderness which makes it difficult to believe that the site was once a huge rubbish tip. The tram, Metro Tenerife, covers two routes. The first is Santa Cruz - La Laguna, with 21 stops. The journey takes about 40 minutes in total. Route number two joins La Cuesta and Tincer, and isn’t such a good one for sightseeing. The journey between Santa Cruz and La Laguna costs under €1.50, and tickets can be bought from the machines at all stops. When you board the tram you must validate your ticket in one of the machines on board.

locals parade the image of the saint through the neighbourhood of San Benito, clad in traditional regional dress, alongside beautifully decorated carts pulled by oxen. The mood is festive, with plenty of wine and traditional food and countless folklore groups singing and dancing. In San Benito on the Sunday closest to June 11.

La Laguna

Santiago Calatrava’s beautiful creation: the Adán Martín auditorium in Santa Cruz

The magnificent El Teide

Teide National Park The highest peak in Spain, El Teide watches over the Canary Islands from its 3,718m height and is one of their greatest attractions. It is possible to hike up to the top, and also to catch the cable car, which only takes eight minutes to take you from 2,356m to 3,555m. The cabins hold 44 people. The service runs up between 9am and 4pm and the last descent is at 4.50pm. For a resident adult it costs €12.50; children: €8.50. Nonresident adults: €26, Children: €13. See: www.telefericoteide. com. To access the summit of the volcano, Pico del Teide, you need a free permit, issued by the Administration Office of the National Park, which you can download at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es. This must be obtained in advance and is often booked up, so apply in plenty of time. If you choose to walk all the way up, you may want to stay the night at the Refugio Altavista. Altavista del Teide Refuge is located at a height of 3,270 metres. There are two routes of access: on foot from the road, via Montaña Blanca (Trail no. 7), or on the Teleférico cable-cars. It makes an

excellent stopover for people who wish to climb to the top, and you can sleep in the highest place in Spain. Watching the sunrise from there is a once in a lifetime experience. Overnight guests at the Refugio Altavista don’t need the National Park permit to access Teide’s peak. The maximum stay is one night, which costs €25 per person. The facilities are open from 5pm and the bedrooms open at 7pm. You must leave by 7:30am the next morning. For those who don’t necessarily want to go all the way to the top there is plenty of exploring to do at lower levels, with strange rock formations, lots of black lava, the ‘Paisaje Lunar’ (accessible from Vilaflor), where you could be walking on the moon, and an excellent visitor’s centre in El Portillo, open all year round from 9am to 4pm except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Teide National Park Tourist Office Tel: (0034) 922 356 000 / (0034) 922 (0034) 922 37.

Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, the capital city of Tenerife, is located on the northeast coast and is a vibrant, bustling city with a variety of interesting museums

Traditions are kept alive to this day; visit a local fiesta

and art galleries, and a well maintained historical centre in the part of the city closest to the sea, near its important commercial port. Well worth a visit, a stroll through its pedestrian streets reveals any number of shops, restaurants and cafés, some in impressive buildings from the XVI and XVII centuries, and the city blends historical and modern in a pleasingly eclectic mix. For dinner and drinks the fashionable place to go is Calle de la Noria. When the kitchens close around midnight the restaurants turn into cocktail bars and clubs, open until 3am. Notable landmarks in the old quarter are the Concepción Church, first built in 1500; the San Francisco Church; Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias; Plaza de La Candelaria, and the Nuestra Señora de África municipal market. Another must-see is Santiago Calat-

rava’s beautiful auditorium, Auditorio Adán Martín, which contrasts with the Atlantic as the sun shines off its white mosaic tiles. Santa Cruz isn’t just about buildings and shops, however. If you need a rest and a refreshing dip, the city has a long, yellow sand beach which can be easily accessed via local buses. The beach, Las Teresitas, has excellent swimming, access for people with reduced mobility, and beach bars where you can have a cold beer or a delicious fish meal whilst soaking up the sun or taking in the fabulous scenery. In town, there is also the César Manrique Maritime Park with its impressive salt-water swimming pools, solarium, natural beach, restaurants and a miniclub. Next to the park is the Palmetum, a spectacular 12 hectare botanical garden specialising

A 40 minute tram ride from Santa Cruz (10 minutes by taxi) is the city of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Be prepared, the temperature can be up to 10ºC cooler than in Santa Cruz! La Laguna is a university city with a lively night life and a thriving cultural scene. Its XVI/XVII century historical centre is a stunning example of elegant Canarian architecture, with wide and mainly pedestrianonly streets and lovely cafés and shops for all budgets. A stroll through Calle la Carrera is not to be missed, and the same applies to the Plaza del Adelantado and the La Laguna Cathedral, recently reopened after years of reconstruction and renovation. Other significant historical buildings (to name just a few) are the Casa Lercaro, which houses the city’s History Museum, and the Concepción Church, which has been an important part of the local’s social and religious lives for hundreds of years. La Laguna fiestas Corpus Christi: (beautiful flower carpets on the streets), a moveable feast related to Easter, often in June. Santísimo Cristo: The main La Laguna fiesta with an impressive firework display on September 14 to accompany the procession of the Santísimo Cristo’s image through the streets. There are also events during the whole month of September, with classical, rock and pop music concerts, DJ sessions and activities and shows for children. Easter: The Procesión Magna is on Holy Friday at 5pm, and the Procesión Silenciosa is at 9pm on the same evening. They have great religious significance but also a high cultural and artistic value. Romería of San Benito: The

Puerto de La Cruz At the foot of El Teide, the town of Puerto de la Cruz was a popular tourist destination long before the south of the island was. By the 1950s it was already a cosmopolitan city, open to the sea and boasting first class hotels blended with traditional Canarian architecture. Nowadays it attracts fewer tourists, but is still an attractive and busy town centre which has maintained its picturesque fishing-village charm. The municipality also boasts many volcanic black sand beaches, the salt-water swimming pool complexes of Lago Martiánez, Playa Jardín and Punta Brava, a spectacular botanical garden and of course, the prestigious, award-winning Loro Parque Zoo. Loro Parque is open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm. For adult residents it costs €19.50; children 6 - 11, €13.50. Nonresident adults: €34; children 6 - 11: €23. Children under 6 have free entry. Do check out the fabulous behind-the-scenes Discovery Tour: well worth the small additional payment. There are regular direct buses from the south of the island if required. www. loroparque.com. The Lago Martiánez pools are a great way to spend an afternoon. Find them on Avda. De Cristóbal Colón. They are open January 1 - May 31 and September 16 - December 30: 10am-6pm. June 1 – September 15: 10am-7pm. Adults and children over 10: €3.50. Children under 10: €1.20 Puerto de La Cruz fiestas San Juan: Bonfires are lit on the beaches on the eve of San Juan, June 23, as they are all over the Islands on this date. Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen: Patron saint of fisherman, the statue of the Virgin is taken on a maritime procession on July 16, with a big fiesta and spectacular fireworks later on. Fiesta del Cacharro y la Castaña (Festival of the pot and chestnut): On St. Andrew’s day, this time honoured feast is very lively and a great opportunity to try the local wine and delicacies. November 28.

GENERAL INFO GUIDE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

La Orotava One of the prettiest towns on the island (La Laguna’s historical centre permitting), La Orotava also gives its name to the whole valley, which has a very prosperous history. The town centre has beautiful old mansions reflecting the wealth of some of its early inhabitants. The Concepción Church in La Orotava is the finest example of Baroque architecture in the Canaries, and the Calle San Francisco, behind it, after the Calle del Colegio, is lined with impressive XVII and XVIII century mansions. The most renowned fiesta is Corpus Christi, where the streets are filled with carpets made of flowers and ground down volcanic stones from Teide National Park.

Anaga Rural Park The Anaga Rural Park occupies much of the mountainous massif which constitutes the north-eastern end of the Island of Tenerife. This is a steeply-sloping area with exceptional natural and cultural treasures, and some amazing landscapes including laurisilva forest, a type of rich leafy forest vegetation. Inside the Anaga Rural Park, in the area of El Bailadero, is the Montes de Anaga Hostel, a mountain refuge with nine rooms for two, four, and six guests. The rooms and facilities are suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Prices from €14.50 to €16 per person, per night. www.alberguestenerife.net

Güímar This northeastern town is best known for the ethnographic park which was developed by Thor Heyerdahl. The pyramids are a complex construction in the shape of staggered pyramids, astronomically orientated according to the winter and summer solstices. The park gives you the chance to find out more about these purportedly pre-historic monuments which have many similarities to the pyramids in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Sicily. Open every day 9.30am-6pm. Adults: €11, Children: €5.50, Students: €7.65. Visit the Piramides de Güímar at C/ Chacona or see: www.piramidesdeguimar.es

Playa de Las Américas Currently Tenerife’s main tourist destination, this area bridges

two boroughs is in the southwest of the island, with spectacular views of the smaller island of La Gomera. It’s full of British/Irish bars, cafés, restaurants and hotels, and is popular with visitors from Northern and Western Europe. There’s a big night-life scene which attracts the younger tourists, but it’s also somewhere you can relax, go sailing, whale and dolphin watching and golfing. Lots of entertainment available for all ages at all times of the night and day.

Los Cristianos Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos have grown so much it’s hard to say where one ends and the other begins. Once a little fishing village, Los Cristianos’ beginnings as a tourist destination was as a favourite place for ailing Swedes to enjoy some rest and recuperation. There’s still a fishing fleet, however, so fresh fish is a local speciality. From the port you can take a ferry to La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro: the smaller, less ‘touristy’ islands of the province. The two main beaches, Playa de los Cristianos and Playa de las Vistas, are long, white sand beaches with safe swimming most of the year round, plus disabled access. Holiday attractions are similar to those of Playa de las Américas.

Costa Adeje Costa Adeje is an upmarket area of the South of Tenerife which in the last years has

become increasingly popular with European, Russian and national non-budget tourism. There are various luxury hotels and some very nice, small white sand beaches. In the foothills above these towns you will find three great places to visit. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) has recently been declared the best in the world! There is something for everyone, from beach lovers to adrenaline freaks. Its opening times from May 1- October 31are 10am - 6pm; November 1- April 30: 10am-5pm. Entry for resident adults: €19.50; children 3 - 11: €13.50. Nonresident adults: €34, Children 3-11: €23. Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque: Residents adults: €34, children 6-11: €23. Non residents: Adults €58, Children 6-11: €39.50. See: www.siampark.net Aqualand, on Avda. Austria, is open every day 10am-5pm. Prices include access to park and dolphin show (book online for discounts). Resident adults: €18.50; children: €12.75, toddlers: €6.50. Non-resident adults: €22.50; OAP/children: €16.00, toddlers: €8. See: www.aqualand.es. The Jungle Park, at Urb. Las Aguilas del Teide, is great fun for kids of all ages. It is open from10am - 5.30pm and costs resident adults: €18.50; children: €12.50, toddlers: €6.50. Non-resident adults: €24; children: €17, toddlers: €8. See: www.aguilasjunglepark.com Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites.

At the world-class Siam Park there is relazation and plenty of thrills

Los Gigantes Los Acantilados de los Gigantes are sheer cliffs that loom out of the ocean. Next to them is the town of Los Gigantes (the giants), which lives mainly from tourism but on a much more modest scale than Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos and is much more laid back. There is good diving, and the small harbour has a seemingly endless list of excursion boats for either fishing or whale and dolphin watching. For a look at some of the options try: www.todotenerife.es/es/article/show/616/maritimos.

Masca Masca is one of the most picturesque parts of the island and is located in the northwest at the foot of the Teno Mountains. This beautiful little village is a little difficult to reach but is well worth the journey, which takes you through deep ravines with lush green flora and winding roads with hairpin bends. The scenery on the way is breathtaking and once you reach Masca, the natural beauty of this stunning location is overwhelming. The walk down Masca ravine is not for the faint-hearted but is very beautiful. You can book a boat pick-up from the beach to save the return trip. To get the most out of your efforts, consider going with a qualified guide (www.elcardon.com), their fees also include comprehensive insurance.

The Albergue de Bolico in Teno Rural Park is one of many rural accommodation options

Teno Rural Park The area covered by the now Teno Rural Park was traditionally isolated due to its difficult access. Areas of laurisilva forest still survive here too and are the home of many species of animals, such as the osprey. Its rich birdlife has led to it being declared a protected area for birds. From Punta de Teno, the most westerly point of the island,

and where there is an old lighthouse, there are spectacular panoramic views of the Gigantes Cliffs, unfortunately as of summer 2014, the road is closed due to falling rocks. Teno Rural Park also has its own refuge for visitors, The Albergue de Bolico. Prices range from €14 in a shared room to €25 on your own. Their contact details are Tel: (0034) 922 127 938; email: info@ alberguebolico.com www.alberguebolico.com

La Gomera Only a 45 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos, la Gomera is a small, peaceful island with amazing hiking and a pre-historic rainforest which is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind left in the world. The ferry will take you to the capital, San Sebastián, famous for being Christopher Columbus’ last stop before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage of discovery. You can visit the well they took the water from for the three ships in the Casa de la Aguada. Other notable historical buildings are the Torre del Conde and the Asunción Church. Valle Gran Rey, in the southwest of the island, and Playa Santiago, in the south, are the main tourist towns. Valle Gran Rey is a beautiful valley with good beaches and great restaurants. The harbour still has a small fishing fleet. Playa Santiago is frequented by independent tourists and has the two biggest hotels on the island. Down on the coast there are some very good fresh fish restaurants. Garajonay National Park houses an ancient laurisilva (laurel) forest at its heart, with over 400 species of flora and fauna, a great many of which are endemic. This vegetation was common all over the Mediterranean millions of years ago, until the last ice age, which didn’t reach the Canary Islands. The forest was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. www.parquesnacionalesdecanarias.com/es/Garajonay/

El Hierro The smallest and westernmost of all the islands, El Hierro only has three municipalities; Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar.

GENERAL INFO GUIDE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740 For exploring, it’s best to hire a car, and you can easily drive all over the island in a day. Valverde is a small town in the north, the only capital in the Canaries not located on the coast, and often covered by a mantle of cloud. Frontera (El Golfo) is a milder, bigger town to the west, with more going on and better weather, and right down in the south is La Restinga, famous for its diving and more recently for the active volcano bubbling away just off the coast.

La Palma Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the pretty island), La Palma is green and rugged, with breathtaking sights and one of the best places in the world for star gazing, hence the location of the world’s most important astrophysical observatories on its Roque de los Muchachos. The capital, Santa Cruz, lies to the East of the island. It’s a pretty city of seafaring tradition with a lovely historical quarter from the XVI and XVII centuries. Although Santa Cruz is the capital, Los Llanos de Aridane in the west is in fact the biggest city on La Palma. Maintaining its agricultural tradition, Los Llanos combines rural and urban aspects and is a good place for shopping. From here you find the access roads to go up to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, with its spectacular crater. The main tourist destination on La Palma is Puerto Naos, in the borough of Los Llanos de Aridane. It’s a low key, relaxed beach resort with a lovely promenade with plenty of cafés and restaurants. The whole area, beach included, has easy wheelchair access. The towns in the north of La Palma are also very beautiful and in the south of the island is

Fuencaliente: the place to go in La Palma to see a real volcanic landscape. The western side of this borough has nice beaches and the church of San Antonio Abad, 1574, which has withstood the many volcanic eruptions the island has suffered, the most recent being the Teneguía volcano in1971. The Caldera de Taburiente National Park was formed in 1954. Its rugged landscapes and great scientific importance attract lots of visitors. Its huge crater is one of the biggest in the world, and there are some wonderful hikes for all abilities.

La Palma has a lovely variant of Carnival called Los Indianos, where everyone dresses up smartly in the style of the returning Canarian immigrants who left for Cuba between the XVI and the beginning of the XX century. The costumes are always white and people take to the streets during the day to cover everything, including each other, in talcum powder. This happens on a Monday near the end of carnival, but

Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canaria

Timanfaya in Lanzarote: the easternmost islands have some striking scenery

the date varies so should be checked. For theme Parks you can visit the Maro Parque (Botanical zoo with exotic animals) at Breña Alta which is open: Mon - Fri: 11am - 6pm, Sat, Sun: 11am - 7pm. Www. maroparque.com The Palmex Cactus Garden at El Paso has over 700 species on show. Open: Tues - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat, bank holidays: 10am-2pm Paraiso de las aves at El Paso is a botanical zoo with exotic birds and various species in danger of extinction. Open: Mon - Sun: 10am - 5pm

Gran Canaria

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

The capital, Las Palmas, is a much bigger city than Santa Cruz de Tenerife and has a nice historical quarter, Vegueta, a good night-life and Las Canteras - a long, yellow sand beach with areas for supervised swimming - and another beach for surfers of all levels. The main tourist areas are Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas (think Playa de Las Américas

only bigger). Maspalomas has beautiful sand-dunes between the town and the sea and both have all-night bars and clubs. The island has some spectacular archaeological sites.

Fuerteventura Flat, arid and sparsely populated, this island looks more like parts of North Africa than it does the other islands. The interior is mainly empty, with a few sun bleached villages and a surprising amount of goats, but the coast has some lovely towns and villages and kilometres of white sand beaches ideal for sunbathing and surfing. The capital is Puerto del Rosario, a relatively modern port town, rather sleepy and quiet despite the fact that nearly half of the island’s population live there. The two main tourist towns are at opposite ends of the island; Corralejo in the north, popular with British budget touroperators, and Morro Jable in the south, more sophisticated and perfect for surfing and beaching.

Lanzarote The most north-easterly of the islands, Lanzarote is known as the ‘Isla de los Volcanes’, with over 300 volcanic cones. Like Fuerteventura, it’s flatter than the other islands and there’s very little rain, even by Canarian standards. The whole island was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and those who take the time to explore the island will find it’s strangely beautiful. The capital is Arrecife, to the east, and the three main tourist resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. Timanfaya National Park is home to the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) which were created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 km², rose up and devastated this part of the island (including several villages). The last eruptions were in 1824. However, this area appears much the same as it did then. www.parquesnacionalesdecanarias.com/es/Timanfaya/.

GENERAL INFO GUIDE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

General information

Relax and enjoy your holiday, but don’t let your guard down completely

Time zone: The time zone in the Canary Islands is the same as in the UK and Ireland.

Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm

Foreign exchange The Spanish currency is the Euro. You can change currency in any bank by showing your passport (Mon – Fri, 8am – 2pm), or in the many exchange agencies in resorts.

Taxis Tenerife taxis are white and, unless they are minivans, the maximum number of passengers is four, including children. Eurotaxis have ramps for wheelchairs. Eurotaxis, Santa Cruz: (0034) 609 867 581/607 612 816/629 132 269 Taxi Santa Cruz: (0034) 937 780 030 www.teletaxi.es Radiotaxi San Pedro: (0034) 922 310 000

Can I drink the water? You can drink the tap water in the Canaries, but the change may affect your stomach. If your visit is short, it’s perhaps best to stick to bottled. Discounts Students and senior citizens may receive discounts on ferries, tickets to concerts, museums, etc., so always ask, as long as you can provide ID to prove it. Shopping Normal opening hours in the Canaries are from 10am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm. However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in tourist resorts open. There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning Duty Free Despite popular belief, it is generally cheaper to buy alcohol and tobacco on the Islands than on the plane or at the airport. Limits are: 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/ 250grs rolling tobacco 1L spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22% 2L wine 60ml perfume, 250 ml eau de toilette Medical care All residents of the EU have the right to free medical and hospital care from Tenerife’s Public Health Service whilst on holiday (ie less than three months). To receive this you need to have the European Medical Card or equivalent document, which can be applied for in your home country. It doesn’t cover all treatments; excluding dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness. If you are ill, find a Centro de Salud or Centro Médico. The ones in the tourist resorts gen-

erally speak some English. Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi drivers have been known to take back-handers for taking sick people to private clinics so make sure you are in the right place before paying. Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valubles. A UK driving licence with a photograph is usually accepted as ID for most credit card purchases, a photo credit card will still have to be accompanied by photo ID, daft, but there you are. Do not leave belongings unattended. Particular vigilance on the beach and when you are travelling with luggage is recommended. Take the minimum with you on excursions and lock everything in the boot that you aren’t carrying with you and only access it where you are not overlooked. Do not leave anything in sight. Cars have been broken into for a beach towel before now. If you are at a bar or nightclub, don’t leave your drink unattended and avoid dark streets on the way home. The Islands are safer than many places in Europe, but there are always those who prey on the unaware: relaxing your vigilance could cost you dearly, not just in money but in precious holiday time - reporting the loss of a passport to the police for example and then the visits necessary to the consulates to replace it. Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062

Blue Badge users Parking for Blue Badge holders in the Canaries is limited to the ‘disabled only’ (Minusválidos) parking spaces in each town. There are no concessions to park on yellow lines or anywhere else normal parking is not allowed. And even if you have a Blue Badge, don’t park in a disabled area which has a registration number marked on it – you will be fined and probably towed away. For further information: www.bluebadgetenerife.com. Post Offices Open Monday to Saturday, generally 8.30am - 2.30pm. Some city offices open later.

Consulates British Consulate Tenerife: (0034) 922 286 653 British Consulate Gran Canaria: (0034) 902 109 356 Honorary British consulate Lanzarote: (0034) 928 262 508 Indian consulate: (0034) 922 241 416

Irish Consulate: (0034) 922 245 671 Consulates can issue passports, give information about medical care, education and legal matters, give assistance to people under arrest, under exceptional circumstances give you enough funds to be repatriated (on loan), and help you in the case of emergency/catastrophe. Inter island transport: Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www.navieraarmas. com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065 Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aenaaeropuertos.es Buses The transport company TITSA has buses that reach all corners of Tenerife. The main bus sta-

tion is in Santa Cruz, near the Adán Martín Auditorium. Clients can choose to purchase a ticket on the bus for each individual journey or to buy a Bonobus ticket, a card which can be shared by various people and will mean saving up to 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the route. They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window. If your Bonobus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bono-bus card. For information you can call TITSA on: (0034) 922 531 130 or see: www.titsa.com

Useful contacts Tenerife Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España

Parque Marítimo César Manrique (next to the Auditorium) Open every day: Sun-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri, Sat: 10amMidnight Adults: €2.50, Children (under 12): €1.50, Over 65s: €1.50 Tel: (0034) 922 229 368 https://es-es.facebook.com/ parque.manrique Palmetum Open Tues – Sun, 11am - 2pm, 4pm-6pm. Adults: €4, Children (under 12): €2.80, Canarian residents €1/1.50 Tel: (0034) 697 651 127. info@palmetumsantacruz. com Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Nature and Man) Open Tues – Sat, 9am - 8pm; Sun, Mon, 10am - 5pm. Tel: (00 34) 922 535 816 www.museosdetenerife.org Museo Militar (Military Museum), C/ San Isidro. Tel: (0034) 922 274 224. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, ecocmar@et.mde.es Castillo de San Cristóbal, Plaza de España Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm www.museosdetenerife.org Auditorio Adán Martín Tel: (0034) 922 568 600 www.auditoriodetenerife.com Teatro Guimerá, Plaza Isla de La Madera. Tel: (0034) 922 609 408/922 609 400 www.teatroguimera.es

The Fiesta del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz is a sight to behold

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

GENERAL INFO GUIDE

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Mountains and sea, peace and excitement, modern and traditional: the Canary Islands have something for everyone

Gran Canaria Tourism Board C/ Triana, Las Palmas. Tel: (0034) 928 219 600. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera. Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106. The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city. Call to make a reservation.

Las Canteras Tourist Office Paseo de la Playa de Las Canteras (opposite the Hotel Meliá) Tel: (0034) 928 446 824. www.lpavisit.com.

Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, C/ San Agustín. Open Tues Sat: 9am-8pm; Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org. Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, Avda. Los Menceyes. Tel: (0034) 922 315 265. Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm. Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org. Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555. Puerto de la Cruz Tourist Office, Casa de la Aduana, C/ Las Lonjas. Tel: (0034) 922 386 000. Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo. Tel: (0034) 922 370 243/922 388 777. Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999. Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955 Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999 La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041 Tenerife South Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office Plaza del Centro Comercial City Centre Avda. Rafael Puig, 19. Tel: (0034) 922 797 668 Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407 Oficinas de Turismo: Avda. Juan Carlos I, (Bus station) Tel: (0034) 922 730 133 Paseo Marítimo Playa de Las Vistas

Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. De Tirajana (Hotel Riu Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.

Tel: (0034) 922 787 011

guages other than Spanish and services for other faiths.

Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www. grancanaria.com/patronato_ turismo.

Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539 Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com. Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) Avda. Siam Park s/n. Tel: (0034) 822 070 000. Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque www.siampark.net Lost Property Offices Tenerife North Airport: (0034) 922 635 855 Tenerife South Airport: (0034) 922 759 391 Arona: (0034) 922 725 562 Costa Adeje: (0034) 922 710 606 La Laguna: (0034) 922 608 805/922 251 080 Puerto de la Cruz: (0034) 922 378 448 Santa Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354 Religious Services In Spain, Catholicism is the main religion and almost all towns and cities, including tourist resorts, have churches where mass is frequently held. Below is information about Catholic services held in lan-

Holy Communion Anglican Church Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas. Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am

El Portón Tourist Office El Portón Shopping Centre, Playa del Inglés. www.turismo.maspalomas. com.

Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/

La Palma Tourist Office Avda. Blas Pérez González s/ n Tel: (0034) 922 412 106 www.visitlapalma.es

Evangelical Service Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

La Palma

Taxis: Radiotaxis La Palma: (0034) 922 181 396 www.taxilapalma.com: 686 553868 Radiotaxi San Miguel: (0034) 922 416 070 Los Llanos de Aridane Tourist Offices:

Avda. Dr. Flemming, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 402 583 / (0034) 922 402 528 www.lapalmacit.com Llano de Argual, 31 (also handicraft shop) Tel: (0034) 922 401 899 Taxi rank: (0034) 922 462 001 www.taxilapalma.com / (0034) 686 553 868 Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516 Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003 Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es Caldera de Taburiente National Park www.visitlapalma.es/recursos/recurso-parque-nacionalde-la-caldera-de-taburiente / www.reddeparquesnacionales. mma.es Theme Parks Maro Parque, Breña Alta. Tel:(0034) 922 417 782. www.maroparque.com Palmex Cactus, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 464 862 Paraiso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701

La Gomera San Sebastián Tourist Office C/ Real, 4. www.sansebastiandelagomera. org/turismo/

37 Taxis: (0034) 922 870 524 Valle Gran Rey Tourist Office C/ La Noria, 2, La Playa. Tel: (0034) 922 805 458 www.lagomera.travel/islascanarias/la-gomera/es/acerca/ visitar-valle-gran-rey/ Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058 Playa Santiago Tourist Office Avda. Marítima, s/n. Tel: (0034) 922 895 650 playasantiago@lagomera. travel Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698

El Hierro Tourism Board El Hierro C/ Dr. Quintero, 4. Valverde. Tel: (0034) 922 550 302 / 922 550 326 www.elhierro.travel reservas@islaelhierro.com

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844 Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216 Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235 Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108 Morro Jable Tourist Office Avda. Saladar, Jandía shopping centre Tel: (0034) 928 540 776 turismo@playasdejandia.com Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257

Lanzarote Arrecife Tourist Office Parque José Ramírez Cerdá s/n Tel: (0034) 928 813 174 www.turismolanzarote.com Costa Teguise Tourist Office Avda. Islas Canarias s/n Tel: (0034) 928 592 542 www.turismoteguise.com Teguise Tourist Office Plaza de La Constitución, s/n Tel (0034) 928 845 398 www.turismoteguise.com All information was correct at the time of going to press. Please confirm before travelling.

Valle Gran Rey in La Gomera

MOTORING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Racing Cup and Performance Pack

The SEAT Leon Eurocup prepares for its second season

pack has 30mm larger brakes with Brembo calipers, Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres, body coloured side skirts, multi-spoke alloys in black or orange, plus a series of weight reduction measures. It has been based on the same SEAT specifications of the first front-wheel-drive production car to dip under the magic eight-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time. Be under no illusions, a Leon SC CUPRA 280 fitted with the Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack is no impractical track toy. It’s every inch a proper hot hatch, but with an even more focused nature than the

Photo: SEAT UK

The Leon CUPRA

award-winning Leon on which it’s based. Nevertheless, it’ll still make a simple trundle to the shops an occasion and not a chore, and garner plenty of attention along the way. Plus, given the fact that each car will be built to order, its exclusivity is assured. Courtesy of some weight reduction trickery, the comprehensive pack swaps climate control for a simpler heating system, while four of the CUPRA’s usual eight speakers have been ditched in the dieting process. The weight loss has also seen the car slimmed down through the loss of the

centre console armrest and rear air vents, while even the storage boxes under the front seat have been binned. Keeping it extremely simple for customers, there’s the usual choice of six-speed manual or slick-shifting DSG transmission but, in keeping with its stripped back approach, no options. Its high-end equipment features Dynamic Chassis Control and CUPRA Drive Profile, providing the choice of normal, sport, CUPRA and individual settings that adjust the suspension, throttle sensitivity, gearbox and engine note, according to the driver’s mood. There’s

QX30 launch

Infiniti will proudly take the covers off the QX30 Concept at a press conference at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 3. The QX30 Concept aims to reignite the premium compact segment with a distinctive approach to design that looks beyond the practicality and conformity usually expected, making it the perfect product to suit the ‘urban week and get-away weekend’ lifestyle. Combining the sleek lines of a coupe with the rugged looks and commanding seating position of a crossover, the QX30 Concept is an urban explorer which is equally at home in the city as it is on the open road.

Photo: Infiniti UK

To Infiniti and beyond

The all new QX30

Infiniti Motor Company Ltd is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989 and its range of premium automobiles is currently built at manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States and China. As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the four-time Formula One World Championship winning team. More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at www. n infiniti.com.

also cruise control, rear parking sensors, touchscreen satellite navigation and tyre pressure monitor. The Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack can be specified now with all new Leon SC CUPRA 280 orders. SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80 per cent of its vehicles, and being present in more than 75 countries. In 2013 SEAT achieved a busi-

V.A.G

ness volume of nearly €6.5 million, the highest figure in its history, with worldwide sales of 355,000 units. SEAT Group employs 13,500 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, among other models. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT bases its core activity on sustainability, namely the reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of n resources.

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The SEAT Leon Eurocup will continue the success of last year´s opening season with a new programme of race weekends running from April to October; featuring full starting grids, exciting duels and thrilling top-class motorsport. The Eurocup’s second season starts on April 25 and includes seven race weekends, taking in some of the most beautiful and demanding tracks in Europe. The 330 PS Leon Cup Racers guarantee excellent performance with a good mix of experienced and young racers in its driver line-up. The season begins at the Paul Ricard in France, then heads via Estoril and Silverstone to Austria. Nürburgring is also included in the line-up, as is Monza. The season finale is scheduled for the end of October in Barcelona, the home of SEAT. “We have seen so many exciting races in our first season – with fast cars, professional teams and consistently fair competition,” says Jaime Puig, Head of SEAT Sport. “The SEAT Leon Eurocup represents fantastic motorsport in the best tradition.” For more information visit www. SEAT-sport.com/eurocup. SEAT has also launched their Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack, priced at €5,700. The

Photo: SEAT UK

SEAT’s big year

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“Land Rover... Jaguar Land Rover”

Bike’s anniversary face-lift

Special edition VMAX Carbon Back in 1985 the launch of the original Yamaha VMAX added a whole new dimension to the motorcycle marketplace. With its brutal drag-bike inspired styling and awesome acceleration, it offered customers the chance to experience a new level of performance. Not only that, the VMAX was also instrumental in firing the imagination of a new generation of custom builders all over the world. To mark 30 years since the arrival of the original VMAX, Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range is strengthened with the introduction of the exclusive VMAX Carbon; an iconic special edition that combines outstanding muscle-bike performance with

30 years of the Yamaha VMAX

cutting edge style. The tank cover, front and rear fenders and side covers are all manufactured from lightweight carbon fibre - and for an even more evocative V4 growl this

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model comes equipped with upswept Akrapovic slip-on mufflers, offering exceptional value to customers who want to own the most iconic musclebike ever built.

To coincide with the anniversary of the original VMAX, Yamaha will be unveiling a number of new Yard Built specials. The first of these is being created by German builder Jens vom Brauck, and Yamaha have commissioned other custom builders to create two more specials for delivery in the summer. Better known as JvB-moto, Jens is already well into the build at his workshops near Cologne, transforming the VMAX into something worthy of its status. Yard Built fans can expect to see a stripped back creation combining modern materials with a custom twist. For full information, see: www. n yamaha-motor.eu.

1 Driver or 2 Drivers, Baby Seats or Booster, Free Airport Service & Hotel Delivery Full insurance · All Inclusive No Hidden Extras · Short or long term Ask for details Call Stuart on 922 79 08 25 or 662 566 630 Or send us email: autosamericas@web.de

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a cryptic message from his past that sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film is written by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and is produced by Michael G. Wilson and n Barbara Broccoli.

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37-inch diameter off-road tyres to tackle the extreme terrain. They also feature bespoke suspension systems and enhanced body protection. Jaguars and Land Rover have been used in a number of Bond films. Most recently the rugged Defender 110 Double Cab Pick Up was driven by field agent, Eve Moneypenny, in the opening sequence to Skyfall. In the new movie, Bond finds

The Outback’s new look

The European subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI), the Japanese manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, announced that it will exhibit the all-new Outback, equipped with ‘EyeSight’ driver assist technology, at the Geneva International Motor Show. The Levorg sports tourer will make its European show debut at this year’s 85th Geneva Show. In addition, FHI will exhibit the Forester featuring the Subaru Boxer Diesel with Lineartronic (CVT). The Lineartronic not only offers a smooth and fuel efficient ride, it also enhances the sporty driving of the Boxer Diesel. The press conference will take place on March 3 and a special dedicated webpage will open on the Subaru site: www.subaru-global.com/2015geneva.html. The website will feature information and updates relating to the conference. Since its inception, the Outback has been Subaru’s flagship model which embodies the brand’s unique crossover concept, combining passenger-car comfort with the longdistance capabilities and load space of an SUV. With its unique features thoroughly refined, the Outback won the highest five-star overall rating in the 2014 European New Car Assessment Programme safety performance test. n

X75 featuring in a spectacular car chase sequence through Rome, alongside an Aston Martin DB10. Scenes including the heavily modified versions of Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Sport SVR have already been filmed in Austria. The SVR is the fastest and most powerful Land Rover ever made. The highly capable Big Foots were constructed by Special Operations with huge

5 YE AR

Photo: Subaru UK

The Outback is back

Continuing Jaguar Land Rover’s successful involvement with the Bond franchise, the Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and Land Rover Defender Big Foot are all set to feature in the new James Bond movie, Spectre. Jaguar Land Rover has announced its line-up of vehicles set to feature in the 24th Bond adventure from EON Productions, with the C-

Subaru’s flagship returns

Licence to thrill

Photo: Yamaha UK

Photo: Mini UK

Sports suspension, bonnet stripes, roof spoiler, aero body kit – the Mini Sport Pack certainly comes packed with a punch. Sportiness is in the car’s DNA, but now buyers of any Mini 3-door or 5-door hatch can further enhance this athletic appearance with the new Mini Sport Pack. The pack adds a variety of desirable styling and performance equipment to the hatch’s already generous standard specification list. Available on all models, the Sport Pack adds the likes of bonnet stripes, sport suspension, 17” track spoke alloy wheels in silver or black, John Cooper Works steering wheel (with cruise and multifunction control) and John Cooper Works spoiler. Mini buyers will not only benefit from the enhanced style offered, but could also see the residual values of their pride and joy increase. The impressive list of extras in the Sport Pack include: cloth/leather diamond upholstery, multi-function controls for the steering wheel, bonnet stripes, sport suspension, alloy wheels, John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit, floor mats, passenger seat height adjustment, storage compartment pack, anthracite headlining, piano black interior trim, air conditioning, dual-zone automatic, and an interior lights pack to name but a few! Sound good? Visit www.bmwgroup.com for more information. n

Bond’s back in a Jag

RIFE FO

Sporty pack

Mini style

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

CLASSIFIEDS | CONTACTS | PASTIMES

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

HOROSCOPES

Classifieds

Feb. 19 to March 04, 2015

Aries

(March 21 – April 19)

Contacts Contacts

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ment in Calle Noruega next to Altavista supermarket in Los Cristianos, I can travel. Tel. 650 442 665. Come and enjoy our erotic body to body massage with happy ending! Unforgettable experience. Beautiful Polish ladies. Opening hours: 10am – 10pm. Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje area. Tel. 00 34 662 960 065, www.edentenerife.com.

body, all services, natural French, massages, erotic toys, Greek, kisses, threesomes, private apartment – hotel visits. I will make your fantasies come true, I speak English. You will repeat the experience again! Tel. 649 879 663

Tantric and Thai massages ‘La Rosa’, lingam massage unisex, erotic experience, Los Cardones, San Isidro. Tel 631 801 293 or www. Sexy Italian lady. Classy canarias69.com and beautiful with spectacular curves. Only for spe- Novelty in Armeñime. cial gentlemen. Enjoy your Canarian woman, 30 years time, call me for an appoint- old, sensual, affectionate, ment. I speak English and friendly service, nice body. German. Available also for All services, private apartdinner and escort service. ment and very discreet. No rush. Hotel visits. Tel 00 For spectacular pleasure. I 34 671 868 681 speak English. Hotel visits. Tel. 645 178 229. More at Las Américas – Colombian, www.guiasexcanarias.com slim, beautiful, blonde, sexy

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 43)

Personal Services: nice, sporty, young Spanish lady, certified masseuse, toys and naughty lingerie also available. Discreet, hotel/home visits, reasonable prices. Viagra available. English spoken. Tel. 604 145 735.

impotence therapy and erectile deficiencies, couples massage, luxury orgasm. Hotel massage, exotic masseuse. More about me on my web: www.sensestantricmassagetenerife.com. Tel. 673 631 177.

No matter where you are or who you’re with: don’t let your guard down at the moment.

Taurus

(April 20 – May 20) Breathe deeply and summon up all the patience you can – you are going to need it.

Gemini

(May 21 – June 21) Listen to advice given with good intentions, and try to ignore the rest – not always the easiest thing.

Cancer

(June 22 – July 22) Be careful what you wish for – a little freedom could be just a touch too much.

Leo

(July 23 – August 22) Not everybody is as blessed as you are: try to think of other people for a while.

Virgo

(August 23 – Sep. 22) You ought to be listening to only one person right now – and that’s yourself.

Libra

(Sep. 23 – October 22) A greater understanding of others’ plights is definitively what’s missing from your life.

Scorpio

(October 23 – Nov. 21) Relax and enjoy these quieter times – they are a gift for you to make the most of.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) Don’t let a casual remark from a friend deter you from your course – it was said without thought.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22 – January 19) Try not to judge others as you would judge yourself – life isn’t always that simple.

Aquarius

(Jan. 20 – February 18)

Across

1 - net (anag) (3) 3 - perceive (3) 5 - ask for (5) 8 - tiny amount (4) 9 - walking supports (8) 11 - animation (10) 13 - mental infirmity (6) 14 - induce (6)

17 - flat wood with rollers (10) 21 - changing shape (8) 22 - young female (4) 23 - message (5) 24 - fix together (3) 25 - sense of self (3)

Down

1 - tone (5) 2 - birth of Jesus (8) 4 - trip (6) 5 - courses (5) 6 - reflect sound (4) 7 - make inactive (7) 10 - garden pest (4) 12 - perfume stabilizer (8)

13 - dedicates (7) 15 - young child (4) 16 - aches (6) 18 - money pot (5) 19 - dance hall (5) 20 - ballpoint pen (4)

‘Better control’ could be your key words for this coming year – you may need to practice, however.

Pisces

(Feb. 19 – March 20) Even the word ‘haste’ has a frantic feel about it. Try to calm down a little.

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

Property for rent

Property Island connections media group s.l. www.islandconnections.eu

Retired gentleman seeks long let in south Tenerife. Studio or small apartment, €400 -500 per month inclusive all bills. Must be ver y clean, to commence in Februar y. Email: colinfischer56@hotmail. com or call: 699 162 952

Classifieds Deadline Next Edition

Office space for rent, furnished or unfurnished. community, electric, and WiFi included. Special assistance for new start up businesses, no deposit or bank guarantees needed, contact Chris on 667 554 800 to arrange a viewing

The deadline for edition 741, which is published on 5th March, is 3rd March. No classifieds will be taken after this date.

Retired English couple with excellent references seeks a 2/3 bedroom apartment to rent for 3 months from 7/12/14, preferably central Los Cristianos. Tel. 603 261 322

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

Head Office Tenerife: Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor. Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 - San Miguel de Abona. Tel. 922 750 609 Fax: 922 795 810 Office Hours: Mon-Frid 9am-5pm

Classifieds Info: For personal and professional help in placing your classified in Island Connections all you need to do is pop along to our new offices in Las Chafiras and speak to our Staff. Not only is Island Connections here to ensure that your advertisement reaches its target market, we will also advise on sizing requirements for maximum exposure, with prices to suit your pocket.

Rates: * Lineage classifieds: From 16 € * Boxed Ads: Colour Module 47,25€ * Long Term: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts.

You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

CLASSIFIEDS | PROPERTY

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Winter letting north west Tenerife Old Canarian house in Buenavista del Norte, three month minimum contract. Two bedrooms, tiny shower/toilet, lounge, small dining area, fitted kitchen, large garden. Very central for all services, very few stairs. From €400 per month. 669 652 149 Winter letting Puerto de la Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149 3 bedroom apartment in Vista Hermosa complex, Los Cristianos, fully furnished, 2 bathrooms, €900 per month includes bills, first and last months rent plus one months damage deposit, E-mail baytreejohn@aol.com or call 07518 035960 Los Cristianos, central apartments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, furnished, Tel: 649 142 612 Los Cristianos Cactus 2, for rent attractive two bedroom apartment, sea views, pool, satellite TV, large terrace, unsuitable for children, €650 per month + bills, minimum 3 months. Tel. 629 606 494 Two bedroom apartment with bathroom, kitchen, balcony, in very quiet area. For rent, €390 all included. Please call 659 098 653 (Juan) Valle San Lorenzo Rustic finca for long term let near Icod de los Vinos. Fully equipped and furnished, open fire, satellite TV and Wi-Fi available. Fantastic sea and mountain views, sun terrace and barbeque, €450 PCM. Tel. Spain: 0034 922 865 776. UK mobile: 0044 (0) 7786 390541. Spanish mobile: 0034 674 287 632. Email: Philhirstconsultant@ btinternet.com or P.D.Hirst@ gmail.com

Retired couple with very well behaved dog seek 6 month let for next winter. Dates flexible. Anything considered. Ideally with garden of any size. Email: borders51@icloud.com Looking to swap modern two bedroom apartment and garage in Los Gigantes. Plaza, level entrance, for larger property with good views I will pay different value in cash. Tel. 00 44 2087 601 912.

Property for sale Los Cristianos, central apartments, 1 and 2 bedrooms, furnished, Tel: 649 142 612 €39.990 Sunny apartment for sale (Studio) in Playa Paraiso (Tenerife-South), 40 m2, with balcony, spectacular sea views, pools, SAT-TV. Very near to the beach, supermarket, restaurants and bus-stop. Private sale. Tel. 922 30 15 75, email: mesa3@telefonica.nice Villa for sale in San Isidro, 11,500 m2, living area 400 m2, 4 bedrooms, living room, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, office, double garage, utility room, hobby room, pool, sauna. Telephone 922 390 951, email: horstbrett@gmx. de. Price: €990.000 (negotiable) possibility of payment terms. Website: horstbrett.de Apartment Tabaiba Alta for sale, only five mins away from the German school, roughly 102ms, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, utility room, garden, big terrace. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net For Sale! Favourable living in the sun. Staying at the most beautiful camping place of Tenerife. Nice view of the sea and La Gomera . A Caravan (Weippert) with compact wooden front structure. (Aluminium windows and doors). Total 40 sqm. Fully equipped with TV, washingmachine and so on. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 85 06 85 Los Cristianos centre near beach, I’m selling 2 business units together (90 + 40 m2) – They can be separate. Updated installations. Each one has an alarm and air conditioning. Tel. 922 792 168 – 649 142 612 Comercial property for sale in Los Cristianos Calle Suecia, best place for a store or cafe! Directly from the owner. 42 square meters. Phone: 922 726 029 / 696 978 211

Looking to swap my house in Tenerife for a house in Dublin or surroundings. If agreed, the time could be arranged. From a month to a year time gap. Call Carmen 693 727 683 Property Wanted - Kundalini is expanding. In Los Cristianos, Las Américas and Fañabé areas. Four or Five bedrooms and bathrooms, lounge, terrace and if possible a pool. Exclusive area with discreet entrance. Ask for Irene: 693 979 153 Amarilla Bay, Costa del Silencio, large, two bedrooms, two bathrooms apartment to rent. Fully furnished, English TV, three balconies, community swimming pool, close to all local amenities. €550 per month plus bills. Telephone 659 489 690. Best Deal Properties from banks & firstline. Bungalow Club Atlantis, 2 bedrooms €249,000; Fañabe beach 1 bedroom, €170,000; Torviscas beach 2 bedrooms 159 m2, €250,000; Torviscas 2 bedrooms, €110,000; Cristianos beach €118,000. Tel. 628 486 190 – 922 718 257

Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé 3 bed semi detached, toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good views, beside commercial centres, 800m from Playa Fañabé, community fees 30€/month,

165,000€ · Tel 629 244958

Opportunity in Torviscas Alto (Playa Fañabé) Apartment, 60m2, one bed, furnished with terrace 8m2, views over the pool and La Gomera. Quiet neighbourhood, near to commercial centres, Playa Fañabé , safe, communal zones. Community pool. Community monthly fee, €49. Excellent investment. Price €75,000. Iñaky - Tel. 629.24.49.58 aska_tenis@hotmail.com

www.villatenerifenorte.com (Web: English, D,F, E)

8% Commission to intermediaries. 690.000 €

One of the most beautiful fincas! Villa and Guesthouse. Pool, Sauna Whirpool, Tennis court, Bodega, Garage, Water tank. Nice view to the sea and Teide, 8,500 sqm. P.o.r. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 850 685

Private Sale 10.800 m2 Tel. (0034) 682 392 956

Two very good business premises for sale. Leasehold, restaurant near beach in Los Cristianos, €120,000, and bar/snacks Los Cristianos, €65,000. Tel. 690 676 527 For sale, Bungalow 160m2 Costa Sauzal, situated front row with guaranteed spectacular sea-views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms , living room with panoramic windows, modern kitchen, dining room connected to the terrace, including a heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on same level, garage and a marvellous tropical garden with 800m2 landscaped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsananes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879 Los Silos, Tenerife North / West, private sale, quiet sunny apartment, 54 m2, fully equipped, three bedrooms, situated by the coast, spectacular views of the sea and Teno mountains. Price: €56,500. Email: marlenemohr@gmx.de

Opportunity to purchase freehold,

Residencial La Duquesa

a very popular Theme Bar, well established and profitable, good location, near to beach in Los Cristianos. Price: 265,000€.

Playa Fañabé

Tel: 690 676 527

Tel. 629 244 958

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, community pool.

€455,000

ISLAND CONNECTIONS PICKUP POINT TIBC Business Centre C/ Candida Peña 8

Las Galletas

CLASSIFIEDS | PROPERTY

Property for rent APARTMENT FOR RENT!

Recently fully refurnished 2 Bed rooms, single bathroom, Living area and fully fitted kitchen Private terrace and large roof terrace perfect for BBQ´s Close to supermarkets and local schools 500€ per month 50€ worth of bills included Contact details

669 728 930

Opportunity in Playa de Las Américas

Apartment, 55m2, one bed, American kitchen, terrace. Excellent location, 2 minutes from the beach. Community pool, excellent investment opportunity.

Price: €85,000 Tel: 629 244 958

Villa and Guesthouse. Pool, Sauna Whirpool, Tenniscourt, Bodega, Garage, Watertank. Nice view to the sea and Teide, 8,500 sqm. P.o.r. p.jaegertf@gmail.com or Tel. 922 850 685

Situated in the Real Golf Club Tenerife, in Tacoronte.

San Miguel Village

247.56m2, very quiet, close to the park and Hospiten, triplex and private garage with electric doors. Three bedroom with three complete bathrooms. Independent kitchen, dining room with air conditioning, terrace with awning and BBQ. Independent water tank (750 litres). New electrical system. Own satellite system and community TV.

4 bed, 4 bath villa

Tel: 639 515154

243 m2, Garage for two cars. Hall with a little toilet, dining room, living room, 2 bedrooms with 2 complete bathrooms, dress room, kitchen, service bedroom with bathroom, and terrace around the villa. The garden: 750 m2.

Information Tel. +34 659 928 805

Golf Del Sur

Already sub-divided into three separate residences, all with independent private entrances. Or retain as a 4 bed, 4 bath for a growing family. Extensively refurbished and must be seen to be appreciated. €315,000 Tel: 627 629 933

Wooden house for sale in Arafo (La Hidalga) Terrain 1520m, 2 floors, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one with bath and one with shower), kitchen, living room, upper parquet floor with tiles, quiet location with fabulous sea-Mountain views. Good connection south motorway. Negotiable price. 180.000€

Tel. 922 514 156

Great Opportunity San Eugenio Apartment 1 double bedroom, 55 m2, furnished large terrace with sea views. Community pool, bar, 24 hour reception, security, supermarket... Price 69.000 euros. Tel: 629 244 958

Chalet on Camp Site Guía de Isora

Residencial La Duquesa Playa Fañabé

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, community pool.

€455,000

Tel. 629 244 958

For Long Term Rent

Property for sale

El Camisón

One of the most beautiful fincas!

VILLA FOR SALE

mature people preferred. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, big kitchen, 1 terrace, living room, garden with fruit trees, in quiet area. Tel. 609 531 178 or e-mail: melquiadesm@ hotmail.com

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Double bedroom, fitted wardrobes, shower, WC, hand basin, gas boiler, 4 gas rings, microwave, kitchen diner, TV, DVD, Hi-Fi, CD system, patio, sea view, table and chairs, swimming pool, security gate,parking, rates paid till March 2015. For sale furnished €25,000 UK Tel. 0044 (0) 1903690309. UK Mob. 07973349111. Spain Tel. 0034 922 136 778. Spain Mob. 646 586 318

WINDSOR PARK

Smallholding: 3,000m2 with 350m2 property In Playa de La Tejita (El Médano). With permission to construct a further 20 per cent, practically on the beach front of the Playa de La Tejita (El Médano). Unique opportunity in Tenerife. Price was €250,000, now €170,000 due to transfer. Tel: 629 244 958

Fantastic Coastal and Pool Views from this 2 bed 2 bath Apartment, with Large 30sm Terrace, Fully furnished. Walking distance to shops and Puerto Colon. Well maintained complex with 2 pools.

“Mobile home” in prime position. Camping Nauta

Opportunity to purchase freehold,

San Eugenio Alto Exclusive!

Priced at 139,000 Euros. Great Value! Ring Alan: 667 513 689 for appointment to view.

Residencial

La Duquesa Playa Fañabé

Opportunity in Playa de Las Américas

Apartment, 55m2, one bed, American kitchen, terrace. Excellent location, 2 minutes from the beach. Community pool, excellent investment opportunity.

Price: €85,000 Tel: 629 244 958

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, front and back garden, community pool. €455,000 Tel. 629 244 958

Purpose built 2008. Double glazed. Large Approx 65m2. 2 big bedrooms. Fully tiled bathroom. Fitted kitchen. Spacious Loung dinner. All electric. Laminate floors. Air con. Garden. Car parking. Use of all site facilities. €36.000 Phone: 693 760 769

a very popular Theme Bar, well established and profitable, good location, near to beach in Los Cristianos. Price: 265,000€.

Tel: 690 676 527 For Sale - Rural house in Aldea Blanca, San Miguel, Tenerife

SAN EUGENIO ALTO DON’T MISS THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY Apartments 58m2, 1 double bedroom. Renovated and furnished, living/dining room.

Urb. La Tagora • San Eugenio Alto

American kitchen and large terrace.

New 3 bedroom luxury villa 650,000€

Price €56,000 Tel. 629 244 958

(0034) 634 072 328 (0034) 922 72 44 16

Land 400 m 2, built 230 m 2, three bed, two bath, barbecue and wood burning stove, pool, garage for two cars, patio with planters, kitchen with pantry, fireplace, wood fitted ceilings, fitted wardrobes. €398,000. Contact José Guadalupe Mobile 676 399 652 josejguadalupe@gmail.com

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

CLASSIFIEDS | GENERAL SERVICES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

General Services

Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975

922 716 079 www.blevinsfranks.com

MASONIC MEETINGS

Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73

Golfers – great opportunity

The Santiago del Teide Lion’s Club currently has a number of secondhand sets of clubs at very reasonable prices – don’t miss out, be first off the tee! Visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigillia Park), Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm.

(+34) 922 178 091 or donaldsonjh@yahoo.co.uk

GESTIÓN DE FUGAS

Spanish and English Lawyers

TENERIFE 2014 S.L.

Pipe burst detection • Leackage detection Pressure pipe Pool Flat roofs • Pipe cleaning Television Pipe location

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law

www.tubo-control.eu

Rocket Café - An American style diner selling 100 per

cent beef homemade burgers; homemade cakes; the best coffees; and exquisite cocktails. C/ Luis Álvarez Cruz, 5 (Opposite the post office), Las Galletas: 922 731 847 For sale. Home-produced ecological vegetables, Tenerife south. Interested businesses, call 650 323 751 (Spanish only), send WhatsApp or email to: michelteide@hotmail.com

Massage saloon Ilona. Offer: 60 minutes full body massage for €36. Couples, four hands, lava stones, massages, etc. Playa de las Americas, Ernesto Sarti no.18, across from Iberostar Hotel in Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 or email: ilonarebisch@hotmail.com

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio

www.decottalaw.net Got a problem with electrics, plumbing, masonry kitchen, complete reformation, handyman extraordinaire. Featured on ‘Homes under the hammer’. Call Ken 634 308 913, based in Los Gigantes.

Mob. 649 956 898 629 637 026 Tel. / Fax 922 772 000 e-mail: tubo-control@web.de

Learn how to speak Spanish with lessons, audio, video and games, including the alphabet, phrases, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and activities. Only with a native teacher. Puerto de la Cruz area, call Saida. Tel: 630 574 073

Items For Sale Double bed sofa, blue pattern, 205cm in lenght, good condition. €100 Approx. 1000 box videos, all original (offers invited). Approx. 1000 new books, mainly fiction (offers invited).

Tel. 922 58 23 78

ZWICK MASTER PAINTER & DECORATOR STUCCO VENECIANO WOOD & METAL PROTECTION FACADE RENOVATION and much more ...

South TF: 616 663 575 malerzwick@yahoo.es

Lamp Factory Buy during your holidays We deliver to your home country Ctra. General C-820, Travesía la Panadería, 1 38440 Santo Domingo (La Guancha) Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Tel / Fax: 922 130 301 OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 2 pm & 4 pm to 9 pm

After school classes, help or activities in English, German or Spanish, please contact Mrs. Garus. Tel. 602 506 793. We are 5 minutes away from Wingate School in Cabo Blanco. www.mascuidados.com Website for our massages, dedicated to bringing the benefits of therapeutic massage to your home or hotel, no charge for travel. Do you want a massage? www.mascuidados.com Tel. 663 190 727 Tenerife Hiking Guide by Marion Helbig, with 35 tours on 208 pages, with detailed information on hiking logistics, safety and locations, GPS mapped, tracks and waypoints for free download. ISBN 9783899537475. Available in many bookshops and every Sunday on the Handicraft-Market in Puerto Cruz, Plaza Europa from 9-15h or mail to our local distributor in Tenerife: info@editorial-zech.es Tlf. 922 302 596

Tenerife’s leading specialist in the manufacture, repair and installation of all types of awnings, canopies, interior and exterior blinds. Manual or electric.

Specialists in the manufacture, repair and installation of all types of industrial and domestic shutters, security grilles, garage doors. Electric or manual. Remote controlled systems.

PRESTIGE GARDEN FURNITURE COMPANY

C/ Agustín Millares 20 · Armeñime · 38678 Adeje

Tel/Fax: 922 74 08 88 · Mobile: 660 878 763 Showroom open: Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 www.theprestigegroup.es · info@theprestigegroup.es

WE ARE THE PAINTERS

Mark has a great team of professionals for your kitchen, bathroom, building work, plumbing, aluminium doors & windows, electrical work, painting & decorating, plastering, parquet flooring, etc. Plans & permits included. Long term guarantees on all work. Happily living & working in Tenerife since 1987 For general help & advice, please call Mark on 619 472 458 or 922 362 834 or email mark@kitchenco.es

All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

Kitchen Bathroom & Building

English Library Opp. Yeoward School Puerto de la Cruz

Kitchen Co.

Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. Meetings every fourth Tuesday starting in October 2014 (Installation) until the fourth Tuesday in April 2015

ISLAND CONNECTIONS PICKUP POINT

High quality garden and terrace furniture

CLASSIFIEDS | MISC. SERVICES / SIT. VACANT

Car for sale

Vehicles for sale

Sell your car here!

Mercedes Benz CLK 200, cabriolet, automatic, 1999, metallic-silver, petrol, 92.000 km. 9.800€ Tel. 602 453 718 OPEL COMB O-C

1 Module

ONLY

€

* IGIC included

VAN 1.6 L

* 2003, ITV 09.2012 , blue CD radio, central loc metallic, king system with remote key, ele ctric windows, Tel. 690 229 216, € 4,900.00

The Canary Island’s biggest fortnightly English newspaper read by thousands of tourists & residents

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Situations

Vacant / wanted Promotions company with more than 10 years experience in selling attractive, high quality products in Tenerife markets, 5 star hotels and superstores is looking for open minded full/part time promoters, who like to present and sell in live promotion. No selling experience is required. Contract + Social Security + fixed salary + commission is guaranteed. Feel free to contact us for further information. Office: 922 781 548 Fax: 922 781 548 Mob: 629 493 799

A real estate and investment consultancy currently an industry leader, seeks experienced sales and business development personnel due to expansion; a professional business profile, high selfmotivation, good inter-personnal skills, integrity, the languages that are essential are Spanish & English, other languages such as (Flemish, Italian, French, German, Russian) are valued. A valid work permit, drivers license and own vehicle are also essential. Excellent Remuneration Potential and Advancement opportunities awaits the successful candidates.

Seeking highly motivated distributors for a natural product. This is not only for Tenerife but also for the UK. Send CV to oroten10@ gmail.com or call 0034 922 985 462

FRUSTRATED WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER? I’m a Spanish translator and can help with the doctor’s, school, NIE’s, community meetings etc.

Letters & CV’s also translated

Tel: 649 882 366

For advertising that really works CALL

Regional distributor seeks commercial staff for Gran Canaria and Lanzarote English essential. Please send your CV to: comercialesgc@ gmail.com

922 750 609

Suncare Central are now working with more hotels in the South of Tenerife from Los Gigantes to Golf del Sur and require enthusiastic people with customer service experience to join their team of Suncare Advisors. Successful applicant must enjoy working outdoors. Fluent English essential other languages an advantage. Contract provided & full training will be given. Please email your CV to cphillips@suncarecentral. com or call Craig on

651 172 738

English, German, Russian and Spanish teachers wanted for new language school in El Médano. Please send your CV to info@babelacademy.es

A new upcoming business is looking for attractive, high

class and opened minded women, to

work in a different and exciting profession. Call 669 977 993 for more information.

SECRETARY OF MANAGEMENT

We are looking for: a person with full knowledge of the general tasks of a management secretary -Qualifications appropriate for the position. -You must have at least 5 years of experience in a similar position plus complete domination of spanish, english and german, and also advanced knowledge of computer use. C.V. to:

personal@loroparque.com

For an appointment please forward your C.V. to: natalia@interventureproperty.com or call 619 985 939

Qualified and experienced native

JOIN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS

Qfm, Spain’s only Cool Jazz Radio station

SALES TEAM!!

www.Qmusica.com

(South Tenerife)

SPANISH AND ENGLISH

www

(Worldwide)

Daily Cultural Guide updated every day in English at 07:45, 09:45, 11:45, 13:45, 15:45, 17:45 & 19:45.

And don’t miss Qfm’s famous Sunset Sessions, an exclusive chill-out mix every evening. The Asociación Cultural para la Difusión de las Artes y las Músicas de Canarias, registered with the Gobierno de Canarias (G1/S1/16504-10/TF), operates and administers Qfm94.3 within Ley 7/2010 - Artículo 32.

94.3

SPEAKING A MUST

OTHER LANGUAGES A BONUS! PUBLISHER@ICMEDIA.EU

BOXING

BOXING / SPORTS NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

By George Reed

America’s new heavyweight hope There’s a saying in boxing that punchers are born, not made, and one of the most clinical of knock-out merchants in the history of the fight-game was the great heavyweight Joe Louis, who was fondly known as the ‘Brown Bomber’. Former heavyweight champion ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson once stated, “There’s nothing I ever saw that can compare with a heavyweight championship fight. It’s the idea that you never know what’s going to happen. When you go to a comedy show you know you’re going to laugh. When you go to a horror show you know you’re going to be scared. When you go to a fight and you root for somebody and he loses, you leave crying and emotionally drained. It’s the idea of not knowing.” At the end of the day, it is unrehearsed entertainment and you never know what you’re going to get. The unexpected certainly happened in January’s world heavyweight title fight between the latest American hope, Deontay Wilder, and the Canadian, Bermane Stiverne, who was holder of the WBC world title belt. I witnessed Wilder in the ring about three years ago and was impressed with his powerful punching but had some doubt regarding his technical boxing ability. When he stepped into the ring to tackle Stiverne he had 32 straight stoppages to his credit, so everyone expected him to rush in as he usually did and try to KO his opponent as quickly as possible. However, Wilder surprised everyone by holding back and concentrating throughout the fight on ramming straight left jabs into Stiverne’s face, a tactic no one thought he would use. The champion didn’t have the speed to move away from the hard jabs which were making a mess of his face, and Wilder coasted to a unanimous points decision to become the first American to win the world title belt in the heavyweight division for eight years. It’s that long ago since Shannon Briggs won the WBO belt for the USA and since then the heavyweight division in the States has been in meltdown. However, judging on Wilder’s latest performance which showed he has good boxing ability to go with his wicked KO punch, he certainly has a lot of box office appeal. It seems that once again we have an American heavyweight with the looks, poise, but most important of all, the punching power to bring the US back to the glory days of heavyweight boxing, which at one time they more or less ruled for some 100 years. Wilder has stated that he feels confident he can wipe out anyone he hits, and says “the crazy thing about it is, at times I didn’t use full force in some of my fights. If Wladimir Klitschko – who holds the other three title belts – called my phone today and said he wanted to challenge me, I would definitely be ready.” Whether he gets the opportunity to unify the world titles or not, he’s certainly flying high. In the meantime, fights on the horizon include Tyson Fury, providing he beats Christian Hammer in his forthcoming match, and Anthony Joshua, who surely isn’t experienced enough to take on the knockout specialist at this stage of his career. I think Tyson Fury would be a better bet to stand up to the power of Wilder; he’s taller and heavier for a start, he’s tough, and he’s proved that he can take a hard punch and recover quickly to get back into a fight. He’s also had much more experience, winning all of his 22 fights and getting many rounds of boxing under his belt. The heavyweight division is based on power these days and it’s good that we have a couple of big British heavies involved in the shake up. However they’ll all have to be wary of Deontay Wilder, the big man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He doesn’t let an opponent stick around and knocks huge human beings out cold! He’s already taken half of the great Joe Louis’s nickname – Louis was the ‘Brown Bomber’, Wilder is the ‘Bronze Bomber’ – so let’s hope he can create a legacy that’s at least half as good… n

Spanish second division

Tough time for Las Palmas The second division title race is shaping up to be the most fascinating for years as no fewer than five sides, including Las Palmas, jockey for position to occupy the two automatic promotion places. The Gran Canarians have led the way for most of the time but points dropped in recent weeks, particularly the loss to strugglers Lugo (2-1) have allowed chasers Betis, Valladolid, Gijón and Girona to cut the gap, and the last third of the season promises to be a thriller. Paco Herrera’s men have been unanimously tipped by the other sides in the league as the most likely candidates for promotion but cannot let their guard drop during the coming weeks when they face several tricky fixtures. Uppermost in their minds will be the need to avoid an embarrassing defeat to Tenerife in the

Photo: www.udlaspalmas.es

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

Las Palmas have tough fixtures ahead

big Canarian derby on March 1 in Las Palmas. Although the two sides are worlds apart in terms of their current positions, the derbies have been

known to produce unexpected results and struggling Tenerife will be desperately keen to repeat September’s 2-1 win over their arch-enemies.

Following the derby, next up for Las Palmas is a crucial top of the table clash at Gijón. n

Tight at the top

Marino run ended Los Cristianos side CD Marino’s magnificent unbeaten run in the third division came to an end after an impressive 23 games, but the 2-0 defeat by La Palma side Mensajero has not dampened optimism that a title win is still on the cards. The tussle between Marino and Lanzarote at the top of the Canaries’ group of the division has been a ding-dong affair all season and, with Mensajero now also in the frame after their win, the league is

CD Marino have had an amazing few years

shaping up to be the most fascinating for some time. Marino, who play at the Antonio Domínguez stadium in Playa de Las Américas, know that if it comes to a tense race during the run-in they hold many of the aces, given the experience of their team, which includes a goalkeeper (Sergio Aragoneses) and a forward (Jonathan Sesma) with distinguished careers that include seasons in the Spanish first division. n

Women’s basketball

Clarinos versus Chile Tenerife’s senior women’s basketball side goes international soon with two friendlies against the Chile national team. La Laguna club CDB Clarinos Ciudad de Los Adelantados, that plays in the Spanish second division, has been asked

to provide sparring practice on March 10 and 16 for the South Americans during their forthcoming training camp in Tenerife. The Chileans are coached by Ricardo González, who is from these shores and chose

the island as squad preparation for the crucial preOlympic Tournament which takes place later this year in Canada. González has high hopes for his team, which has made great progress under his guidance and won

a bronze at the last regional championships and reached the final of the South American Games in 2014, losing out to Argentina. The winners of the Canada tournament qualify directly for Rio n de Janeiro 2016.

POOL LEAGUE / SPORTS NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

Pool roundup

International tournament underway Division one In the last round of league matches in the first division, form prevailed for the top two in the league as Phoenix claimed an 8-2 victory over Clouseaus Diamonds, and Legends A thumped Dos Hermanos 7-3. Leones B leapt into third place after winning away to Target Old Timers 73, with thanks going to Phil and Zak who won both their singles matches. Rob of Target Old Timers also recorded two wins to keep his stats in the high 60s. Wins as well for Bar 180A and Toby Jug Saints.

Division two Mad Hatters kept up their good run of form by beating Bar Leones 7-3. Bar 180B hosted Britannia Linn (Paraiso) and lost 4-6, while league leaders,

Bad Bobs, have opened up a four point lead over their nearest rivals.

Tenerife v Scotland International Pool Challenge – Day One The Scottish Team arrived at Bamboo Beach to play the first round of matches and retain the trophy they lifted in 2014, and for the first time each frame was going out live on Ocean FM Radio. There were three pool tables used during the evening so there was never a dull moment, and after ten games Tenerife Pool Super League were 6-4 ahead with one young, very cool Zak beating the Scot, Marco. At the halfway stage the lead held by Tenerife was increased to 1812, when it was time for a break and a superb buffet supplied by Bamboo Beach, which was quickly and eagerly devoured.

The second session saw the Scottish team win the first four matches to close things up to two frames. After frame 24 Tenerife were six games up, and the great expectation for a healthy first day lead turned to disappointment as they lost five of the last six games to finish just two ahead on the night (31-29). In frame 27 Marcus Reese was playing George S and looked as though he was on his way to victory only for Captain George F to point out that he should have been playing instead. The game was halted and re-racked, which George F subsequently won, leaving Marcus rather disappointed to say the least. Outstanding players for the Scots were Mark M, who played four and won four. George F also did the same. Teemas and Paul played four frames each and lost just one frame. Shot of the night

Karaoke judges on the night: Scotland’s Karen MacCleer, Tenerife’s Carol Bollesty and neutral moderator, Tiny

belonged to Shaun Wall with a brilliant combination which was generously applauded by all watching. A karaoke competition took place alongside the pool tournament, and a report of the karaoke final, concluding days’ pool matches, and Tenerife v Scotland tournament winner will appear in the next edition of Island Connections. n

Tenerife Pool Super League Powered by EXPRESS BAR DELIVERIES S.L. Information supplied by Tenerife Pool Super League www.tenerifepoolleague.com

Dave MacCready and Elaine Rees hit the high notes

February fight night

The explosive Round IV

A great night of boxing took place at Tasagaya in Güímar at the beginning of February for the fight night entitled, Round IV. A good showing saw the arena full for the 15 bouts on the evening’s programme. Three of them were finished by KO and the rest were decided on

points, with a fantastic showing by the young boxers who rose to the occasion and paid the crowd in kind with brave exchanges and full-hearted performances. One of the highlights was the combat between Tineri and Selem, which saw the latter claim a narrow points victory

after three electric rounds. The professional fight of the night was between Artem and Sonni Martínez, which was a fascinating encounter that didn’t disappoint. Artem took the points decision after a disciplined approach saw his superiority overcome Martínez to continue his great run of form. Artem is

one fight-fans should watch out for as he looks capable of winning a number of titles for the Canary Islands. The bout between Sergio Folgado and Andres was judged a no contest, but the knockouts on the night came from Jordan, who defeated Noe by TKO in the third round, while Borja

KO’d his opponent, Yeray, in the third round, and Álvaro knocked out Blas del Cristo in the second of their threeround bout. The points results saw Aday beat Alberto, Amadou overcome Brandon, Moham Bengu scrape through against Hector, Luis beat Jorge Castañeda,

and Moi Álvarez become victor over Adrian. Oscar Chávez also overcame Tati, Isai ‘El Pato’ won against Paul Ndione, Mario saw off Alex Padilla, Romen defeated Valeriu, Selem beat Tineri and, in the big fight, Artem beat Sonni n Martínez. All photos: Gerard Zenou

19.2.2015 – 4.3.2015

FOOTBALL NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 740

Soccer Experience Tournament

Teams and players needed

Sponsored by: Foreign Languaje News & www.windowsplus.co.uk

CD Tenerife latest

New hope under Agne By Chris Todd

The Soccer Experience under-16 select with Atlético de Madrid’s under-16 team

Football fun and social football in Tenerife and beyond! We are looking for talented 15 and 16 year old footballers in Tenerife to play in a prestigious tournament this summer. We are putting together a Soccer Experience under 16s team to play in Valencia in June 2015. This is not just another kid’s tournament; it’s a top tournament with some of La Liga’s best youth teams which also features other European clubs. The Soccer Experience team of youngsters will get the rare chance to play against the likes of Valencia, Atlético de Madrid, Spartak Moscow and many other quality teams. The organisers have asked us to bring an international mixed youth team to the tournament. We have a decent group coming from the UK but we need several European-based players to strengthen it and if any young players based in the Canaries would like to join the group then please get in touch as soon as possible. Open-aged and over-35s 7s Tournament in Málaga on June 6 and 7: Due to the success of our annual Tenerife 7s league, many Tenerife and UK teams have asked us to provide a summer 7s tournament somewhere else in Spain. We are hosting our second annual Malaga 7s for open-aged and over-35s teams on the Champions League final weekend of June 6 and 7. If any other teams or players fancy a weekend away on the Costa del Sol for footballing fun then please contact us. New teams needed for our weekly league: We are always on the lookout for new six-a-side teams, so if you and your friends want to start playing every week in the south of Tenerife then please get in touch and we can arrange some friendly games to get you started. Private bookings: At our facility in Los Cristianos we offer groups the opportunity to book the field. It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to try and impress each other with their Messilike skills and have a blast. We are near the TF1 exit for Los Cristianos and along the back access road to Las Americas, directly across the Villa Mandi and Granada Park hotels. It also means players who live in Los Cristianos or Las Americas can actually walk to the field. For further information you can email: info@ socexp.com or call/message: +34 654 200 470 or visit our website: www.socexp.com. n

Table positions

Canarian football Club UD Las Palmas CD Tenerife CD Marino

League Liga Adelante Liga Adelante Tercera

Position 1st 19th 1st

Points 50 25 54

Current leader of the Tercera Division Canarian group of 20 teams from all over the Islands is CD Marino with 54 points.

CD Tenerife’s newly-appointed manager, Raul Agne has been hard at work moulding the new look CD Tenerife outfit. The only goal now is to avoid relegation and so far, despite only gaining one point from six, Agne has changed the team ‘dynamic’, most would agree. With 17 matches still remaining there is plenty of time to climb up the league but with the next two matches against the league’s top two clubs, Valladolid and Las Palmas, a tough few weeks are in store. 8/02/2015 CD Tenerife 0 Girona 1 The phrase of ‘new manager, victory assured’ fell on deaf ears in the Heliodoro Stadium. The new boss only managed to take three training sessions before the game and it’s clear that it will take a while for him to find his feet. The occasion had been hyped up during the week and a bigger than normal crowd was expected, but stormy weather before kick-off put paid to that. With no roof cover for three-quarters of the stadium, and live TV coverage for every match, attendances have suffered this season. The blanquiazules came flying out of the traps and dominated the early stages of the game but it counted for nothing as Girona took the lead after only eight minutes, with Lejeune heading in from a corner. The red and white Catalan outfit are no mugs this season; in fact they are the best away side in the division and sit in an impressive third place in the league. The match continued with Tenerife pressing the Girona defence but it was more a case of ‘plenty of heart but little head’ and once again this season they failed to score. A final push in the closing minutes could and should have resulted in a penalty for the blanquiazules when a Girona defender handled in the box, but the referee waved play on. The narrow defeat was obviously not the best start for the

Tenerife’s next game against Valladolid is during the carnival celebrations

Try not to get seated behind these three!

new boss but he will be pleased with the determination shown by the players against a very good Girona team. 14/02/2015 Mirandés 1 CD Tenerife 1 Tenerife picked up a valuable point in trying circumstances on their trip to Northern Spain. The town of Miranda de Ebro had been hit by snow and freezing temperatures days before the match and at one stage the game was in doubt. A slight thaw helped matters on match day but it left the pitch in an awful state, not a day for the ‘beautiful game’. With that in mind, manager Agne set up his team for a scrap and the blanquiazules certainly gave as good as they got. Tenerife

dominated and they took the lead on 28 minutes through a sweet strike by Aitor Sanz. Aridane and Maxi spurned half chances but after the break the home team hit back. It was disappointing as Urko Vera’s goal should not have stood, being clearly offside. The blanquiazules have been dealt a bad hand recently with refereeing decisions. With conditions deteriorating and the rain pouring down, both teams fought hard for the victory and the attitude of the team under Raul Agne was excellent. More of this and surely survival this season will be achieved. The closing minutes were scrappy until the referee blew his whistle on the 1-1 final score. Next up for the blanquiazules

is a very tough match against second placed Valladolid on February 22 at 6pm in the Heliodoro Stadium. The match is being played during carnival time and should make for a good atmosphere. Let´s hope the celebrations are in the stadium as well as the surrounding streets after the game! And after that crucial game, Tenerife has the little matter of the Canarian derby. This year has added importance with Las Palmas fighting for promotion and CD Tenerife fighting to avoid relegation. Over 1,500 Tenerife fans will make the journey to the neighbouring island for a match that will be played on March n 1 at Midday.

SPORTS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 007

A true trail

IV Guía de Isora Mountain Race On March 15, Club Tenerife Corre, in conjunction with the local council, is hosting the Fourth Guía de Isora Mountain Race, an exciting sporting event that will feature two routes. For the more experienced runners there is a thirty kilometre trail which is limited to 150 participants and costs €23 to take part in. This route commences at an altitude of 588 metres in Guía de Isora and climbs through Aripe, Chirche, Casa Forestal de Tágara, Llano

del Negro, las Fuentes and the heights of el Choro and el Jaral, before descending once again through Chirche and Aripe back to the finishing line in Guía de Isora. The trail reaches an impressive maximum altitude of 1,866 metres, so it isn’t for the faint-hearted. Those taking part in this section of the event, and who also finish within a time which will be stipulated on the day, will also take home a ‘Finishers’ Tshirt. Though we suspect that finishing the route in any time

will be a fine achievement in itself. Alternatively, there is a thirteen kilometre trail for beginners which costs just €12 to enrol in and has a limit of 250 participants. The route starts in Guía de Isora as well, and also passes through Aripe, Chirche and El Jaral before doubling back through the first two towns and winding its way down to its end in Guía de Isora. Though this second route only reaches a maximum altitude of 1,109 metres, it will

still be a fine challenge. The majority of both routes run along traditional paths around the area, with the shorter option being suitable for all types of runners, the distance being perfect for those wanting to start in the world of trail running. If all that leaves you just tired at the thought, there is a fantastic opportunity to still take part in the event and enjoy some of the incredible scenery of this Southwest corner of the island,

New for this year, the organisers are launching a hiking route through the beautiful surroundings of the town, with an approximate distance of 10 kilometres. Enrolment costs only €5 and it will be a great opportunity to discover some of the most striking scenery on that side of Tenerife - in your own time. The races start at 9am on the day and enrolment and payment for all of the above events must be completed by March 5. Registration details can be obtained online at www.guiadeisora.org or www.mdsports.es. You can also visit any of the following sports outlets to obtain more details; Roctrail of Los Realejos (tel. 922 093 379), Guzmán Sport in La Laguna (922 251 186), Deportes Elta in Güímar (922 091 191), Giro O Tubo of El Médano (660 293 078) or TDC in Guía de Isora (922 852 488). Further details and route maps can also be found at: www.tenerinfo.com. n

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