Island connections 787 FLN 54

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1984-2017

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January 12 – January 25, 2017 AERO-VEDERCI BABY!

DEATH RATE

HEALTHY & HAPPY 2017

TRAVEL

You don‘t want to miss a thing

Sleeping with the enemy

Connecting continents

Revolutionise your resolutions

Page 8

Page 11

Pages 14 & 15

Pages 36 & 37

Demolition demand

The hotels and holiday apartments association in the province of Tenerife (Ashotel) has asked the authorities to finally act and remove the derelict buildings on the seafront in the Los Tarajales area of Los Cristianos.

The former fishermen’s cottages, which are right next to the seafront promenade, are still inhabited by people who have no other place to stay despite the houses’ bad condition and risk of collapse. The same applies to the lower part of a partially occupied shopping centre opposite the beach.

Continued on page two

A shameful sight for a holiday region that claims to have the image of a top destination

DROWNINGS IN 2016

More dangerous than driving As 2016 drew to a close, some frightening statistics came to light: In the Canaries last year, twice as many people died by drowning than in road traffic accidents.

Of the 72 swimming accidents, 21 occurred in Tenerife, 19 in Gran Canaria, 12 in Fuerteventura, 11 in Lanzarote, six in La Palma and three in La Gomera. Only El Hierro escaped adding to the death by drowning figures.

The Atlantic is a deceptive ocean and its unpredictable nature has no seasons. On the last day of the year a 64 year old German drowned at Playa de La Calera in Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera. The first incident of the New Year occurred just a few hours later in Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria.

Continued on page two

The last fatal drowning of 2016 happened on Playa de La Calera in La Gomera

Photo: SV

CRUMBLING COTTAGES

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OVER 70 DROWNED

The ominous ocean Sad year end According to a study by journalist Sebastián Quintana, a swimming accident occurred almost every other day in the archipelago, 72 of which were fatal. Among other things, Quintana is the author and director of the Canarian Campaign ‘1,500 kilometres of coastline’, which the Canarian Government used last year to highlight the dangers of the Atlantic with prohibition signs and warning placards. Quintana calls for the campaign to be continued by the authorities this year in conjunction with hotels to make the public fully aware of the dangers.

Reports show that 80 per cent of the accidents are due to imprudence. Some overestimate their own strength and others underestimate the ocean. Of the drowned, 80 per cent are male, 87 per cent were bathers and 89 per cent foreigners. Over half the accidents

Photo: Ayto. San Bartolomé de Tirajana

A couple were retrieved from the sea, the woman had slight hypothermia but the man was dead and, despite immediate resuscitation attempts by the lifeguards, it was impossible to revive him.

occurred in the afternoon. The worst month of 2016 was May with 11 deaths, followed by January with nine and October with eight.

National figures Across Spain, the Canaries head the list of the number of drownings, although the figure has increased nationally by more than five per cent since 2015. In total 437 people lost their lives in the sea, rivers and swimming pools. Over half (51.7 per cent) were killed in the sea and 376 in places without lifeguards or outside their working hours. After the Canaries with 72 deaths is Galicia with 69, Andalusia with 66, Valencia with 47 and the Balearic Islands with 37. At the bottom of the ‘league’ is

The first death of 2017 happened on Playa del Inglés on New Year’s Day

the Basque country with 10 deaths.

Photo: Gobcan

Continued from front page

It’s hoped that the 2016 campaign will continue this year

Precautions The Canarian Government caution people not to go into the water immediately after eating and without cooling down your body first, nor is it advisable to spend hours in the blazing sun and then head for a swim.

And bathing whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is definitely not a good idea. The

LOS CRISTIANOS EYESORE

warning flags are there for a reason. Red flags mean no bathing at all, yellow is proceed with caution and only if you have to.

Sometimes the dangers, such as swift undercurrents, are not visible. You must follow the instructions of the lifeguards and it isn’t advisable for tourists to go into the water where there are no guards. Even strong swimmers shouldn’t swim out too far, but stay closer inshore.

Visitors shouldn’t forget that the Islands are in the middle

of the Atlantic and often the sea-bottom drops swiftly even just a few metres from the coast. The depth and width of the surrounding ocean, combined with violent waves or undercurrents, increase the risk potential. It makes sense to listen to those who have known this element and steer clear of avoidable fits of weakness, overestimating your own strength and unnecessary tests of courage or endurance. Enjoy the Atlantic, but with respect and caution. n

Ashotel calls for action Continued from front page Ashotel president Jorge Marichal criticised: “It is unacceptable that hoteliers are continually encouraged to bring their hotels forward and adapt to the standard of a fivestar holiday destination while the town itself does not ensure that it has the image of a first class destination”. He also emphasised the human tragedy behind the sight of squatters in the buildings.

Erecting barriers is not enough to guarantee safety

The association considers it urgent that the social services

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"We cannot allow this sight to remain in a high quality holiday region and so we have to look after the people," Marichal added. The buildings fall within the responsibility of the coastal department and contravenes its laws. Their condition and associated danger would not be alleviated by simply erecting barriers around them. n features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full.

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“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.

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

GRUESOME FINDING

Foetus in the garbage In early January, an employee at the PIRS waste disposal plant in Arico made a gruesome discovery.

On the conveyor belt, between piles of garbage, he discovered something that looked like a human foetus. The belt was immediately stopped and the police were informed.

Guardia Civil officers confirmed a little later that it was a human being. An investigation has been opened involving the territorial judicial police team from Granadilla, judicial police from Santa Cruz and forensic experts. At present it is not yet known how old the foetus was.

The investigations began with the rubbish trucks that had emptied their garbage onto that conveyor belt. There were four trucks which had come from the north and seven trucks that had collected garbage in the south of the island. In addition, hospitals and medical centres searched for pregnant women who could possibly be the mother. n

The foetus had been disposed of in the rubbish

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NO REASON TO WORRY

Three Kings Day tremor On January 6 at 12.18pm, an earthquake was recorded on the flank of Mount Teide, practically on the vertical side of the crater.

Photo: Daniel Gainza CC A-S A 3.0 UL

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

Tremors on Three Kings Day were registered inside the Mount Teide crater

According to the Canaries Volcanology Institute, INVOLCAN, it reached 2.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was probably hardly noticed by the population and experts attach no further importance to the quake.

Volcanologists pointed out that this was the strongest earthquake to take place in Las Cañadas del Teide since 2004. Interestingly, between October 11 and December 13,

It was the strongest earthquake to take place in Las Cañadas del Teide since 2004

they detected an increase in the carbon dioxide emissions in the crater. This is a phenomenon that is not visible to the human eye but is recorded by their sensitive measuring instruments.

For scientists, such details are particularly interesting for the development of early warning systems. Experts

believe that increasing pressure from the fluids in Tenerife's hydrothermal system had been the cause. Further seismic activities on this scale have not been ruled out, but scientists say that it is reasonable to believe that earthquakes that could cause damage can be excluded. They emphasise that volcanic and

seismic activities on volcanic terrain are absolutely normal and that there is no cause for concern.

Tenerife's risk warning system is at green level, which means that the activities of islanders and visitors within the Mount Teide National Park can be carried out normally. n

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PROMOTION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

The Plaice to be battered sausage. There is a large selection of side dishes too, including fritters or scallops, jumbo battered sausage, saveloy, chip shop curry sauce, the Reef slaw, pickled eggs or

The Reef Fish and Chip Shop opened in early December on Golf del Sur, and people are already loving it!

The family run business is much more than a fish and chip shop, is light and bright inside, and has a spacious dining area. You can pop in for your favourite fish and chip shop dish, or sit down and enjoy a full three-course meal.

At the restaurant, which is also the only fish and chip shop in the area, customers can eat in, takeaway, or have their delicious food delivered to their door, six evenings a week. If you are dining at the restaurant, you can enjoy one of The Reef's very special starters: fresh seasonal soup with oven baked bread and butter, beer battered prawns with Bloody Mary sauce and chilli lime mayo, buffalo chicken wings, deep fried cheese and potato bombitas with sweet chilli jam,

Mouth-watering deep fried cheese and potato bombitas with sweet chilli jam The spacious dining area Crispy battered fish and chips at The Reef Lauren preparing a takeaway

or share a mixed platter for two.

The Reef uses the best possible produce including linecaught Atlantic cod and haddock, as well as prawns, all of which are cooked in the Reef's own secret recipe beer batter and served with double cooked chips, mushy or minty peas, house tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.

Also on the menu are a selection of scrumptious and warming pies: choose from steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, or the Reef cottage pie, served with rich onion gravy or liquor and a side dish of your choice, and three suppers: haggis, white or black pudding, or

onions, or oven baked bread, so you'll never leave the Reef hungry!

Alternatively, you could always try something different, such as a hearty steamed all steak pudding with rich onion gravy, the Reef beef burger, southern fried chicken, an 8-10oz prime dry aged ribeye steak, or sausages with creamy mash and rich onion gravy, all served with appropriate garnishes. Daily specials are also available in

the restaurant, such as deep fried whitebait with chilli lime mayo, or fishermen’s sharing platters which give a small taste of everything.

If you fancy something sweet to round off your meal, just ask for the list of deliciously tempting daily desserts. There is something to suit everyone, in fact it really is a home from home and we guarantee you'll want to return!

The Reef is a fully licensed restaurant serving a wide range of draught and bottled beers, ciders, and of course a selection of red, rosé and white wines. An array of spirits and soft drinks is also available.

The Reef Fish and Chip Shop is already very popular and we recommend that you visit it soon. n

The Reef Fish and Chip Shop 166 Calle JM Galván Bello Golf Park, Golf del Sur San Miguel de Abona Tel: 922 691 599 Open: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 5pm to 12am Sundays 5pm to 10pm Closed Mondays Facebook: The Reef Fish and Chip Shop Twitter: @The Reef Chip Shop

MINOR MISTREATMENT?

Cut off from the world

Three children discovered hidden from social life for eight years in October 2016 have now been taken into care at the Santa Rosalia centre while the family’s fourth child, a newborn baby, remains in hospital under the supervision of Gran Canarian authorities.

The parents had kept the three minors at their home in Jinámar, Gran Canaria, where they were discovered unregistered, unschooled and unvaccinated with no civil or medical listing. According to a press release by the National Police: “The mother medicated the children herself when they became ill”. The eldest child was taken to hospital to examine a walking disability and determine if there is a possible solution to the condition. According to the same police communiqué: “After learning about the follow-up

by Social Services in October, the parents decided to move to a different home to make it difficult to locate them”.

The unusual family setup was discovered last autumn with the children eventually being taken from parental care at the end of December in a move that neighbours criticised as “disproportionate” and “poorly timed” given the “spectacle of police force that showed up outside the family’s home on Christmas Eve to take them away”.

Authorities were alerted to the situation by one neighbour, while other nearby residents expressed that the family was typically “friendly, calm and not at all problematic”.

The children’s father visits them frequently at the centre, while the mother goes to the hospital every day to continue breast feeding the newborn. The investigation into the parents’ conduct continues. n

The three unregistered minors were discovered at their home in Jinámar

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY

Siam Park goes ahead The Siam Park project in the south of Gran Canaria has hit many snags during its development; however, despite recent and significant archaeological

finds in the El Veril area where the water park is being built, island officials maintain that no further delays will affect construction.

Initially, the new Siam Park was halted by legal action regarding water rights and road access.

When this long-running case was finally resolved, Canar-

ian archaeologists discovered important pre-Hispanic finds in the La Maleza de El Veril area which led to further complications.

While scientists and historians are still evaluating the site, island officials state that the findings will be incorporated into the water park, enriching

the island’s latest attraction while showcasing the artefacts to a wide audience. Archaeologists have confirmed that if this is possible and tastefully incorporated they will not seek to hold up the park’s completion.

Officials from the island council have defended Siam Park in

court during both cases. With the project freed from further legal wrangles, all that’s left is for the borough of San Bartolomé de Tirajana to issue necessary building licences, something Gran Canaria president Antonio Morales said “should happen as soon as possible.” n

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PROMOTION

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Photo: Puertos Tenerife

Full steam ahead

La Palma, which is where he began his longstanding professional career and he currently holds the presidency.

In his wide professional and personal trajectory, he has been recognised and honoured by various countries including Ireland where he was named Doctor Honoris Causa in renewable energies by the National University. He has spent over a quarter of a century working in that field.

He was decorated by the President of the French Republic as a Knight of the National Order of Merit in recognition of his work promoting social progress and citizenship. And the Danish Royal Family named him

Melchior has a new and important role as the president of the ports of the province of Tenerife A nostalgic relic - the old jetty which saw thousands of departures to Europe and South America The new cruise terminal

the Hans Christian Anderson Spanish Ambassador on the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Danish author.

Elected president of the Tenerife Cabildo at four consecutive elections, among other projects, he backed the creation of the Metropolitan tram and Project Alix (which converted Tenerife into the telecommunications hub of the Western

Photo: SV

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ricardo Melchior is a person who is characterised by his commitment and preoccupation for social causes and welfare, which has been one of the biggest priorities of his illustrious political career.

He studied Industrial Engineering at the University of Navarre and continued his education with Engineering Economics and Machine Construction at the Upper Technical School of Aachen in Germany. He returned to Tenerife in 1977 and was immediately named head of CAPSA, the company in charge of running the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787 The initial tasks were the necessary contacts with the personnel of the Ports Authority and with the ports community, with whom I have established a full understanding, a requisite that I always consider a priority to forge ahead with the big projects that we plan to develop.

On the other hand, there are more than a few initiatives that have come to fruition in this period, from the spectacular advance in naval repairs (we’ve now reached 40 companies effectively installed in

Tenerife and Latin America; which will be reflected in more companies joining us and a generation of benefits for our economy.

Future plans will further integrate the city and the port

passengers can be checked in and out at the same time.

The cruise terminal fully meets the requirements of the 21st century and stands out for its energy use rating, what does that mean?

Well, a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 60 per cent more than the model energy-use rating. In this way, we can avoid the emission of over 560 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.

Undoubtedly, the avant-garde building of the innovative cruise terminal is a new harbour landmark. An old export/ import hall was integrated, using existing building materials. At the 50 check-in counters in a modern and, through the use of wood, very cosy atmosphere, up to 10,000

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Were the naval repairs one of the main employment generators this year?

In one year, this type of offshore unit repairs generated over €70 million and that means a lot of jobs. And, most importantly, it’s an activity that will grow when we inaugurate the new Tenerife shipyards.

facilities and more jobs for our people.

The port looks spectacular with these colossi, but given the limited moorings, what solution are you proposing?

What other immediate objectives can you let us know about?

We have to make our ports increasingly more competitive, with motivated personnel who are proud to work for the organisation. Starting from this premise, we aspire to increase the movement of containers and, above all, the trans-shipment traffic in Tenerife. We will strengthen our facilities as a base

The answer lies in putting into operation the agreement that we are committed to between the Port of Granadilla and this organisation. We expect to occupy the first moorings at the end of this coming March.

It will be the first instance of the two installations working complementarily and without doubt, a working Port of Granadilla will mean a relief of pressure on Santa Cruz. As a result, it’s planned that the southern port also develops naval repair

for the transoceanic regattas, which, with a significant number of participants, are organised annually to cross the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.

And above all, we are determined that the citizens will be able to return to stroll through the Port of Tenerife. To this end, together with the Santa Cruz City Council, we moved forward on the Herzog & de Meuron project for the Muelle de Enlace, including the Los Llanos marina. n

Photo: www.inselteneriffa.com

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Modern design with wooden furniture

African coast). He also led a movement for the return of Guanche Mummies and many other old aboriginal objects.

Last October, it was a year since you headed up Puertos de Tenerife. What evaluation would you make of this period?

our port), to the celebration of the most important cruise fair in Europe – Seatrade Cruise Med – which brought some 2,000 professionals from the sector to visit. Neither must we forget the construction of the cruise terminal and the important boost given to the Free Trade Zone between

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AERO-VEDERCI BABY!

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

You don‘t want to miss a thing in La Orotava, as well as the El Muelle and El Tablero centres in Gran Canaria.

Photo: Edvill CC A-S A 2.0 UL

Aerosmith

Aerosmith has sold over 160 million albums worldwide

Following weeks of speculation, the legendary rock group Aerosmith has confirmed that Tenerife will be included as part of the band’s Aero-Vederci Baby! European tour.

‘The Bad Boys from Boston’ will perform at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium in Santa Cruz on July 8 at 10pm.

Tickets are currently available, priced between €69 and €150.

From 1973 to 2012, when their last album Music from Another Dimension! was released, the group has produced 15 studio albums and broken all records with over 160 million albums sold worldwide, including over 70 million records in the United States alone. No other rock band can boast as many gold and platinum discs as Aerosmith.

Shortly after the concert was confirmed, the ticket sales portal www.entrees.es collapsed

as would-be concert goers tried to snap up tickets. Hackers reportedly tried to buy tickets in bulk to sell on the black

also experienced similar cyber attacks.

The ticket portal www.entrees. es is once again working

Aerosmith will perform in Tenerife on July 8

market at an inflated price, and for over two hours the website was out of action to fans. Ticket websites for recent shows by superstars such as Bruno Mars and Bruce Springsteen have

securely, and there are ticket offices at several key shopping centres on the island, including Centro Comercial 3 de Mayo in Santa Cruz, Multicentro Comercial El Trompo

The band’s style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, also incorporates elements of pop, heavy metal and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many contemporary rock artists. They were formed in Massachusetts, USA, in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton were originally in a group together called the Jam Band, and later met up with vocalist/pianist Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano. In 1971, Tabano was replaced

by Brad Whitford and the band began developing a following in Boston.

Aerosmith was signed to Columbia Records in 1972, and released a string of gold and platinum albums beginning with their 1973 eponymous debut album, followed

by Get Your Wings in 1974.

In 1975, the band broke into the mainstream with the album Toys in the Attic, and their 1976 follow-up Rocks cemented their status as rock superstars.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and were included among both Rolling Stone's and VH1's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In 2013, the band's principal songwriters, Tyler and Perry, were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. n

POEMA DEL MAR

World’s largest curved screen Just before Christmas, three gigantic acrylic panes for the largest curved screen in the world arrived in Gran Canaria on board the ship Schokland from Livorno in Italy.

The Poema del Mar aquarium successfully completed the unloading of the three giant panes and their enclosing cylinder that will surround the Deep Sea exhibition and give visitors unique insights. This was a complex operation which meant that for the first time large items of this type for an aquarium were unloaded directly from a ship, ready for installation.

The companies in charge of this operation raised the acrylic panels in the morning with the help of two cranes with a capacity to lift up to 400 tons. Two of the panes weighed 48 tons and the third weighed 46, in addition to the cylindrical piece that weighs 38 tons. The union of these three panes forms a screen 36 metres wide by seven metres high that will become the largest curved screen in the world.

After several days’ delay in waiting for new documentation, Poema del Mar finally began a key phase to shape a project that will relaunch Gran Canaria as a tourist reference, and more if possible, bearing in mind that this facility has been nominated as being of strategic interest for the region by the Gran Canaria island council and the Canarian government.

With a total area of over 12,500 square metres and almost eight million litres of salt and fresh water, the Poema del Mar underwater theme park, which is located on the port of Las Palmas and due to open in mid-June this year, will rise as one of the most modern and spectacular aquariums in the world, with the aim of becoming a conservation centre for threatened species and a reference centre for marine life awareness. n

The arrival of the acrylic panes for the largest curved screen in the world

A design of how the assembled panes will look

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

PROMOTION

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FUERTEVENTURA DEFENCE

The borough of Antigua has reluctantly agreed to the construction of high-voltage lines in its area whilst criticising the Island Council for its lack of intervention in the issue.

The controversial situation was brought to light by local mayor, Juan José Cazorla, when he recently spoke out against the installation of power lines in the area by the Red Electrica company, despite approval not having been sought from his council. He also condemned the Fuerteventura Council for its “hesitant behaviour”, which he felt could have prevented the start of construction. "The high-voltage lines should be installed underground, as on Lanzarote, instead of it being decided that Fuerteventura is a good place to save money", criticised Cazorla.

As well as the devastating effect of the over-ground cables on the landscape, they also contravene environmen-

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

Protest against high voltage lines Photo: Antigua Community

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ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

Whale rescued from fishing net Just before Christmas, César Espino from Fuerteventura was awarded with the Premio Atlántico de Medio Ambiente 2016 (Atlantic Prize for Environmental Protection 2016).

The island president Marcial Morales and environmental councillor Natalia Évora paid tribute to the courageous commitment of the young man whose good deed gained attention in January 2016.

César, who was with his friend Gustavo Ponce, caught sight of a 15 metre long finned whale caught in a fishing net about two miles off the coast of Morro Jable on the southern tip of Fuerteventura. For about an hour, César Espino, who was working without an oxygen tank, continued to surface and return to the whale to free him. The animal was patient while César cut the net away piece by piece with a knife, saving its life. Morales spoke of the successful operation, saying: “The two demonstrated great environmental awareness and courage when they freed the animal themselves with just a knife.”

His friend filmed the whole rescue and put the video on YouTube. The sequence was also shown during the award ceremony. The clip, which has already been watched over 47,161 times, can be seen at: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CYzMq-I77ZI. n

High-voltage cables should not be necessary

tal and conservation initiatives, he says, calling the procedure "arbitrary and illogical".

Cazorla also blamed the Island Council for not speaking out sooner once it became apparent that the electricity com-

pany was going ahead with unauthorised works, stating that he believed the authorities were more concerned with the interests of Red Eléctrica than those of local residents.

Though for the time being the

construction of at least one of the high-voltage lines will continue, Cazorla warned of irreparable damage and further action to be taken via the Canarian Government and possibly the courts. n

It was a brave act for one small person to rescue this large animal

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DEATH RATE

LA GOMERA

Santa with a sporting spirit Christmas Eve at Vallehermoso in La Gomera was crowned by the arrival of Santa Claus, not on a sled pulled by his reindeer but adapted to the climate he arrived on a golden bicycle suited to the festive nature of the day. A Santa Claus with a real spirit for sport!

He stopped at every part of the village to collect the children’s wishes. The highlight was his arrival in the centre of the village in the evening, where he took his place on a throne very similar to that in his grand palace in the North Pole and welcomed the children.

The mayor, Emiliano Coello, who had turned Vallehermoso into a Christmas village, said that “the magic of Christmas lies in the eyes of the youngest.” The proof of the pudding was the look in the children’s eyes. n

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In the course of 2016, a total of 44 women died in Spain at the hands of their current or former partners.

Even if the seven cases which are still open were added, this would be the lowest rate since the introduction of data collection on domestic violence in 2006.

In the last 13 years, a total of 870 women died as a result of domestic violence. Last year, a child also died and 26 children or adolescents were left orphaned. The best year so far in the sense of fewer cases was 2012 when 52 women were murdered. The saddest was in 2008 when 76 women died at the hands of their partners. Another important fact is that 15 of the 44 women who died in 2016 had previously reported their partners for violence, the most in recorded history.

This shows that the awareness campaigns are working up to a point, but also that there is no ultimate protection from gender violence. The majority of women who lost their lives, 56.8 per cent, were Spanish.

But considering the fact that foreign women in the population only occupy about 12

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Sleeping with the enemy

The first domestic violence fatality of 2017 in Spain occurred in Rivas-Vaciamadrid

per cent of the statistics, the fact that over 43 per cent of the victims were foreigners and were murdered by their partners is strikingly high.

Most women murdered in the home are between 31 and 50 years old. The perpetrators are usually of the same age. The majority of them, a total of 35, were arrested last year following the crime. The rest committed suicide.

The latest murder took place on December 19 in Barcelona when 57 year old doctor Victoria Bertran was killed by her

husband. Still in the investigation phase is the killing of a woman whose friends found her dead in her apartment on December 30 in Telde, Gran Canaria. Only a day later a man from her private social circle was arrested as a suspected perpetrator. In response to ongoing investigations, Telde council officials said that: "Differences in a relationship are normal but they never merit physical, sexual or psychological aggression".

The first reported death of 2017 in Spain was on New

Year's Day at Rivas Vaciamadrid. A 40-year-old woman was attacked with a knife in her own apartment by her former companion, a 20 year old Colombian, and was seriously injured. She died later in the Hospital Gregorio Marañon.

The suspect was arrested and has now appeared in court.

The representatives of the Rivas council condemned the attack and declared three days of official mourning. On January 2, they called for a public demonstration outside the town hall. n

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Small island news

By Barbara Belt New Year news from the three smaller islands of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera, is varied. On biggest sister La Palma, there’s news of a “worrying rise” in the number of homeless, although one of the island’s homeless set fire to toilet paper and a good part of the island in summer and is no longer homeless, but enjoys full board facilities in prison.

The Tenerife Diocese has nevertheless launched a project to help the rest. It will ‘gather information then propose action to local authorities’.

Thus, the island’s homeless can expect better from the establishment in 2017,but local businesses contracted by Sopedal (a public-run entity) to supply goods and services at Isla Bonita Love Festival last July may well decide once bitten, twice shy before getting involved again. They’ve been waiting for payment for five months, ignoring their right to denounce these Cabildo bills outstanding for more than 30 days, or charging interest. This would be commercial suicide on a small island.

Jordi Pérez is the councillor responsible, so Island Connections asked him if the recently announced payments had really been made: “Payment orders have been issued and everyone will be paid before the third of January while 90 per cent have already been paid”.

Here’s hoping they get it, as not all is milk and honey in La Palma. Capital Santa Cruz closed 2016, as it has for the last seven years, in debt. The council has requested a 12 month loan of nearly €2 million to pay off the 2016 loan, but

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

The ambivalence with which the growing group of Canarian caravan and camper van users is treated may change with La Palma leading the way. Island president Anselmo Pestana and the island’s 14 mayors have agreed to set up ‘designated spaces for caravans and camper vans to encourage this popular form of tourism’.

If you’re interested in opening a campsite, ask for information and possible funding now to complete work before March 31.

has been withdrawn. No matter, extra planes and ferries will be laid on when the islanders celebrate the 69th Bajada de La Virgen de Los Reyes in July 2017. Celebrations started with a New Year mass in capital Valverde’s Concepción Church, with Bishop Bernardo Álvarez blessing the distinctive white Bajada banners before presenting them to parishes and institutions. Locals place great faith in their island patron. May she intercede before the island suffers more wind damage!

Moving from La Palma to smaller sister El Hierro is easy in theory but tricky in practice as the ferry link between them

Very strong winds on Christmas Eve caused ‘considerable damage’, now being assessed, to fruit tree and pineapple plantations. Tourist occupation here was at 55 per cent over the festive season, an improvement on last year but way behind La Gomera’s 90 per cent and La Palma’s 94 per cent. No mystery: La Gomera is an extra couple of hours/hundred euros on from nearby Tenerife South Airport and gets nature and hiking lovers with money. La Palma’s package and nature tourists can fly in direct, but getting to El Hierro by ferry - should there be one - takes much longer and the airport offers

La Palma officials have agreed to set up designated spaces for caravans and camper vans to encourage this form of tourism Plans to relaunch La Gomera’s ferry service have been further delayed El Hierro locals will celebrate the Bajada de La Virgen de Los Reyes in July 2017 La Gomera president, Casimiro Curbelo (right)

reports that “it will be impossible to generate sufficient

resources to pay off 2017’s loan”. So, another loan to pay

2017’s loan, taken to pay off 2016’s loan, will be needed.

On a more upbeat note, there’s some good news for campers.

inter-island flights only. These are expensive and leave from Tenerife North Airport, resulting in a seriously handicapped tourist industry, despite amazing scenery.

Over to La Gomera, where in Valle Gran Rey the festive season peaked on January 6, with the traditional procession across the valley to Los Reyes church.

Thus started two days of mass, music, dancing and drinking, all set in a picturesque square, up a serious climb of stone steps.

Industrial quantities of food and booze, and the bands’ instruments and sound gear, were winched up. The night of the 6th saw frenetic winching, with four sizeable local bands, Grupo Caribe, Orquesta Atlántic, Nueva Ilusión and Orquesta Gomera playing till dawn.

La Gomera’s island president’s latest adventures were hot top-

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

CANARY ISLANDS

13

ics there. His phoenix-like rise from what everyone (but he) saw as the ashes of his political career is extraordinary.

Thanks to the breakdown of a Canarian Regional Government pact between the main movers, Coalición Canaria and national socialists PSOE parties, Casimiro Curbelo and his own ASG party (Agrupación Socialista Gomera: cannily formed for him before PSOE, too embarrassed to maintain him in their ranks, dumped him) have suddenly become key players in regional government.

Who’d have thought! Incredible goings on! Worryingly,

we’re beginning to feel entertained rather than outraged by his extraordinary ability to duck, dive and come up smelling of roses. “With the new political scene, we have to act with caution and give priority to political stability over party interests”, he said in late December, suppressing his glee at outmanoeuvring PSOE, who dumped him, and CC, who spent decades pretending he’d go away.

Perhaps he’ll use his new clout to sort another longrunning soap opera: the public service ferry line (now you see it, now you don’t - we haven’t since 2012) that was due to start functioning again “at the end of 2016, if not sooner”, according to the La Gomera president back in March 2016.

Olsen won the public service contract to traditional blah: a new boat was being built, we’d soon be whizzing between Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago and San Sebastián again by boat rather than driving the million and one road bends through the mountains, etc. Puertos Canarios gave the green light on May 23, but still no boat. Olsen declined to comment when asked what was going on.

Happy New Year to us all! n

Strong winds on Christmas Eve caused considerable damage in El Hierro Jordi Pérez (left) In Valle Gran Rey, the festive season peaked on January 6 with the traditional procession across the valley

Photo: Himarerme CC A-S A 4.0 IL

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS

Connecting continents Lisbon, Porto, Gambia, Marrakesh, Cape Verde – just some of the wonderful destinations promoted by CanariasViaja. com and Binter in 2016.

Most of us know Binter as the local inter-island airline, and we use them a bit like a bus service for island hopping.

However, there is much more on offer from this Canarian airline. For example, did you know you can nip off to Senegal for a mini break without flying via the mainland? You can journey direct to Madeira or the Azores for a change of scene too. How about a trip to Banjul, the capital of Gambia?

Lisbon Whatever your heart desires can be found in and around the Portuguese capital. It’s big enough to offer all the benefits of a European capital and small enough that modernity rubs shoulders comfortably with the remains of an important historical heritage.

Marrakesh Marrakesh is Morocco’s fourth largest city after Casablanca, Fes and Tangier, and is located to the north of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

It has established itself as a cultural, religious, and prominent trading centre.

Gambia ‘The smiling coast’ is a quiet, safe holiday destination offering the essence of Africa alongside splendid nature and exquisite beaches. Gambia is a narrow country that nestles into Senegal, which surrounds it on three sides. The local culture is another reason to visit this former British colony where English is the official language.

Cape Verde Sal Island Sal is a small, picturesque island known for its fantastic beaches and beautiful

turquoise waters, as well as a friendly community who adore life, music and dance.

Santiago Island Santiago is Cape Verde’s largest island and home to its capital city, Praia. Like most of the islands, fish and seafood dominate the local cuisine but there are also typical dishes such as Tchassina which are meat based.

São Vicente São Vicente is a quiet island that flows at a relaxing pace, perfect to escape, disconnect and experience the island life.

The climate is warm all year round and the Islands are close at hand.

Flight connections Binter operates connections with Lisbon, Madeira, the Azores and Cape Verde, as well as several African options.

These include Agadir, Mar-

rakesh and Casablanca in Morocco, Dakar in Senegal and Laayoune in Western Sahara, alongside charter flights to Nouadibou and Nouakchott in Mauritania.

Binter currently operates the following services: • Mainland Portugal: Lisbon • Madeira: Funchal • Azores: Ponta Delgada • Cape Verde: Sal Island, Santiago Island, and São Vicente.

Why not hop on a Binter flight and enjoy a city break in Lisbon?

One of CanariasViaja.com’s featured hotels: the Hotel da Música 4* in Porto

• Morocco: Agadir, Casablanca and Marrakesh.

• Senegal: Dakar.

• Gambia: Banjul.

• Western Sahara: Laayoune.

• Canary Islands: El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, Lanzarote, Tenerife (North and South Airports) as well as the small island of La Graciosa (via Lanzarote).

Binter – an international airline based in the Canaries

It is time to appreciate Binter for what it is – an international airline based in the Canaries.

So, there is simply no reason to suffer island fever anymore. When life on the rock becomes too much there are several attractive destinations readily available and easily accessible.

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787 Gambia - the smiling coast of Africa

European distinction The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) awarded Binter as the Airline of the Year 2016. It is the sixth time that Binter has been honoured by ERA, a non-profit trade association representing the European aviation industry, including 52 airlines and 143 manufacturers, airports, suppliers and service providers.

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Discover nearby international destinations, such as Sal Island in Cape Verde

CanariasViaja.com CanariasViaja.com is the specialist online agency offering complete holiday breaks and packages (flight, hotel and excursions) to destinations served by the Canarian airline Binter, with regular special offers and promotions for residents.

Families If you have a young family, check out the special holiday offers for under 12s.

The inviting clear waters and marine life make Cape Verde a popular resort for diving and snorkelling

Marrakesh is a destination where tradition blends with modernity

Contact and bookings

Aït Benhaddou in Morocco is a fortified city along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh

Silver level is attained with 2,500 points and Gold with 8,000.

Improving your BinterMás level will offer certain perks such as waiting list priority, discounts, and check-in and attention facilities. CanariasViaja’s clients obtain one point for every €1 spent on a holiday package.

Binter Blogging

Their packages offer great value for money and quality.

There are connections from all the Islands for the international flight, which also has an onboard service.

BinterMás card The BinterMás loyalty card awards customers points when flying with Binter. The

For testimonials or to leave comments regarding a Binter/ CanariasViaja trip, visit: www. viajerosyaventureros.com.

The website is dedicated to traveller feedback and blogs regarding Binter’s current list of destinations and the services provided.

Gambia’s borders mirror the meandering Gambia River

Binter is far more than just an inter-island service! For further information and bookings visit:

www.bintercanarias.com, or call 902 391 392.

For holiday offers and packages available from their travel operator, visit: www.CanariasViaja. com or call: 922 248 161. n São Vicente is one of the most interesting and characteristic islands of Cape Verde

CANARY ISLANDS

16

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

ENGINE FAILURE

Emergency landing on Teresitas Members of the Santa Cruz fire brigade were put to an unusual use just before the end of last year, when a light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Playa de Las Teresitas, just outside the city.

The Belgian pilot, a resident of South Tenerife for many years and a member of Tenerife Aeroclub, has over 10 years flying experience. When he realised that the aircraft was losing height and would not make it back to the club, he searched the area to find a place to land where damage would be minimised.

Luckily, he was able to bring the plane down on a part of the beach that was relatively empty, avoiding any harm to members of the public that were in the area.

ADOM COMPANY Adom, a pioneering company in the cleaning materials industry that was founded in the 1980s, was awarded a special business prize by the Canarian government in 2015.

Now the business, which is the longest standing member of the providers’ club of the Hotels Association for Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro (Ashotel), has launched a wide range of ecological cleaning products that protect the environment. In addition, the products produced in the Canary Islands have now been certified for

Firemen had to free the pilot and passengers from the wreck by cutting away the cabin roof.

Despite the extensive damage to the plane, the pilot received only moderate abdominal and leg injuries, though had to be

Luckily, the emergency landing at the north end of the beach was as safe as could be wished for

hospitalised. The two passengers, his French partner and young son, sustained slight injuries but were released from hospital on the same day.

Firemen took care of the removal of the debris and were able to limit the damage

caused by leaking oil.

“In Tenerife there are very few adequate places for an emergency landing due to the geographical situation. Had it been on a main road, the only alternative option, the outcome may not have been so positive”, said a representative from the Aeroclub in a statement. “In the last 15 years, there have been only three emergency landings

of private planes on Tenerife, two of which had survivors”, they emphasised.

The spokesman also pointed out that the Belgian was known as an experienced pilot and had two aircrafts at the club, the maintenance of the planes being the responsibility of the respective owners.

The Ministry of Transport is investigating the incident. n

WEEKEND SHUTTLE

Access to Punta de Teno

On July 12 last year, part of the road just outside the tunnel on the access road to Punta de Teno broke away and the road has remained closed since then. Fortunately no one was hurt, and shortly before Christmas the road was reopened.

Warning signs still indicate that driving on this road is at your own risk and may even say that the road is closed, but it is open. From January 14 onwards, a new regulation will enter into force. During weekdays, access to Punta de Teno is free. On weekends and public holidays, however, it is only open to public transport.

Between 10am and 5pm an hourly shuttle bus will operate, which will cost €1 per person each way and this will be the only way to reach the north-western tip of the island, although residents and workers are exempt from this regulation.

If you take this adventurous ride through the majestic slopes and towering steep walls, you will be surprised by the lack of significant changes as the route is as scenic as ever. The road has been re-asphalted and the new surface runs to La Ballenita, only a few metres from the lighthouse, and there is also a new emergency lighting system in the darkest tunnel of the island. In Punta de Teno, long-term work has also been carried out, including renovation of the piers. n

Green cleaning

Safe cleaning for hotels and restaurants

the first time with the Ecolabel EEE (Etiqueta Ecológica

Europea). The company founder and owner Ángel

Domínguez González confirmed that: “Demand from customers from the gastronomy and hotel industry is great. We have a lot of people interested in sustainable detergents, even though we are in the first phase of distribution.”

Adom currently offers six ecological cleaners and other products for disinfection and hygiene. These include a washing up liquid (for hand use), hand cleansing gel, floor, bath, glass and all-purpose cleaners as well as a grease dissolving cleaner. n

The section where the road collapsed last summer has now been secured

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

By

sad”, I thought, “I’ll cheer him up”. So I sang almost every beautiful carol I knew, but he just cried harder and louder. Eventually, I went quiet and asked him if he was crying because my singing was bringing back memories for him. This only made him sob all the more, so I said “Please don’t cry, I’ll sing you a happy carol” and started again, smiling away to try and share some of the joy I was feeling. I began with Oh Come All Ye Faithful, followed by Ding Dong Merrily on High. I belted out all seven verses and even did the actions. At the end, in true choral society fashion, I drew out the last line and raised my arms, waving them about with fervour and passion. But silent tears were still streaming down his face.

By this time I was absolutely knackered, what with all the singing, doing the actions to the songs, and swinging of my arms. I was perspiring heavily and beginning to lose my patience. However, before

17

Jesus, I have been a very, very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas.”

However, when he read the letter over he realised that wasn’t quite right so decided

his bed. Then he got out his paper again and made his third attempt at the letter. “Dear Jesus, if you ever want to see your mum again, you’d better send me a new bike!’’

Hi everyone,

I snapped, I thought “Katy Kennedy, don’t you dare get annoyed, it’s Christmas!”

So, I delved into my copious handbag, fished out a hanky, passed it over so he could wipe

katykennedy@telefonica.net

Well, at least I brought I little Christmas cheer to somebody!

And they did make a wonderful donation, though I suspect it was probably just to make me go away…

Photo: Nathen Bailey / FreeImages.com

Hi everybody, I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and a great start to the New Year.

I’ve had a superb time, spending it with my family. It’s great to see everyone opening their presents. In the after-dinner lulls we always like to swap stories, and I have a couple that I love to tell. Bear with me if you have heard them before, but they make me laugh so much that I just can’t resist sharing them.

I’m sure you all know that I am heavily involved in Walk for Life, raising money for various cancer charities. Well, a couple of years ago, just before the festivities, I thought I had hit on the perfect way of getting together a little extra cash for the cause. So, on Christmas Eve I decided to go out carol singing. I knocked on the door of a house and began to sing Silent Night and Once in Royal David’s City, two of my favourite songs. Shortly after I started a gentleman opened the door but he was crying his eyes out. “How

y Kat

CANARY ISLANDS

Photo: KOcou / FreeImages.com

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

There was a time when every little boy wanted a bicycle

My carol singing was enough to bring tears to anyone’s eyes!

his eyes (luckily it was clean) and said “Are you all alone on Christmas Eve? Maybe that’s why you are crying?” “No, no”, he said, “it isn’t the carols that are making me sad, and I’m not alone. All my family is here so that’s not why I am crying either”. Then, after a tense and rather bewildered moment, he managed to stop his tears, take a deep breath and say: “The reason I couldn’t stop bawling is... I’m a singing teacher.” The cheek of the fellow! However, he then stepped to one side slightly and I could see the rest of his family – all of whom were splitting their sides laughing.

Another great one is the story of Joshua, who, as Christmas approached, asked his mum if he could have a new bike. She told him that the best thing to do would be to write to Santa Claus and wait to see what happened. But the young man, having just played Joseph in his school nativity play, said he would rather write to the baby Jesus instead and did his mum think that would be ok? She told him that it was a great idea and would surely get the message to the right place.

Joshua went straight to his room, grabbed a crayon and paper, and wrote: “Dear

to try again. This time he wrote: “Dear Jesus, I’m a very good boy most of the time and not naughty very often, and would really like a bike for Christmas, please”.

He read it back and wasn’t happy with that one either.

He decided to try again later and went for a walk to think about a better way of doing it. Shortly, he came across the local church, which had a small statue of the Virgin Mary in an alcove in the front doorway. He looked around to make sure no one was looking and quickly stuffed the statue under his coat. He hurried home and hid the icon under

I’m not sure whether he actually got what he wanted but there were probably a few bemused church people when they discovered that their statue was missing, you can’t help but smile.

My New Year’s resolution was the same as every year… not to make one! But then I saw the 17 resolutions we have on pages 36 and 37. I have to say that I laughed and laughed, not to mention recognised myself in a few of those, so maybe I will make one or two after all.

I’ll keep you posted! Meanwhile, I hope you are all having a happy time.

Take care of yourselves over the next twelve months, and especially of each other. Do get in touch by emailing: katykennedy@telefonica.net or calling: 616 110 930. Happy New Year, everyone! n

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

EDUARDO WESTERDAHL

Marvellous MACEW The permanent collection of the Eduardo Westerdahl contemporary art museum known as MACEW in Puerto de La Cruz was extended at the end of last year with the addition of some interesting works by contemporary artists.

From now on, paintings by Tony Stubbing, Col Art, Pompeo Leoni, and Fernando Viscasillas can be admired. The Col Art Collection, created by Marc Kuhn and Rossana Durán, is a very interesting art form in which several artists paint on a canvas and create a harmonious whole from individual compliations. The two artists Art from the creative hand of Fernando Viscasillas The museum is located on the first floor of the old customs house

The newly opened connection

Moringa - Suerte South Tenerife

e ni n Te n e r i f

Moringa - the edible tree Direction to Granadilla

21st January Open Day

Finca Suerte

El Salto Yaco El Salto

San Isidro TF-1

©2015 FLN

Bio-Mor i

a ng

of the Peninsula, France, Japan and Italy where he was awarded the City of Florence prize. He travelled to Tenerife

At the end of last year, the road which connects the island ring road with the coast and which allows a more rapid access for the 27,000 vehicles which travel daily between the coast of Adeje, Guía de Isora and Santiago del Teide, was finally opened.

The new road which connects the Vera de Erques roundabout with the new roundabout constructed between Playa San Juan, Fonsalía and Alcalá has three lanes, with a permitted top speed of 80 km/h. This will be a significant time saver for those travelling between the coast and the medium altitude villages.

During the inauguration, the mayor of Guia de Isora, Pedro Martín, said: “We are facing an historic moment, in an area which has been forgotten for a long time. A better connection will always improve the local economy, and this one will, without doubt, be an improvement for the whole of the south west.”

The new access road is a real relief for the districts of Aguadulce, Piedra Hincada and Tejina, as during the construction phase their roads had to accommodate much more traffic than usual. Now only a better connection between Fonsalía and Piedra Hincada is missing. This part of the work was requested but was impossible to carry out for financial reasons. It is hoped that section can be done in the future. n

w

fine arts faculty of the University of La Laguna in Tenerife and continued in Galicia, went on to work in parts

Commuter connection

gro

live alternately in Switzerland, Mexico and Tenerife.

Fernando Viscasillas, who began his art studies at the

to attend the presentation of his works.

In addition to the recent enlargement, other important 20th century national and international artists form part of the permanent exhibition in the old customs house.

These include, among others, Eileen Agar, Karl Drerup, Will Faber, Gustav Gulde, Wolfgang Paalen, Luc Peire, Carla Prina, Tony Stubbing, Ángel Ferrant, Enric Planasdurá, Eduardo Úrculo, Maud Bonneaud, Óscar Domínguez, Pedro González, Juan Ismael, César Manrique and Manuel Millares.

The museum is located on the first floor of the old customs house, in front of the port in Puerto de La Cruz. It opens from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm, and on Fridays additionally from 5pm to 7.30pm. n

RING ROAD ACCESS

Open Day on 21st January, 11am to 4pm.

For all those interested in the benefits and uses of Moringa.

Moringa Oleifera – an invaluable food type!

Moringa in Tenerife Organic cultivation.

www.moringasuerte.com

Moringa-Suerte: 664 084 344 / 822 683 676 E-mail: suertefit@yahoo.com

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

PORT LIFE

BREEDING SUCCESS

Cracking fried egg jellyfish

A real breeding success - 23 young fried egg jellyfish

19

and governmental bodies will work closely together and meet regularly to ensure that the plans go forward and deadlines are met.

It is hoped that a commercial harbour area dedicated to sports, fishing and tourism will open Puerto de La Cruz – and North Tenerife as a whole - to new markets and re-establish the town as a thriving metropolis. The MEDI budget proposes a €72 million investment.

The Fonsalía port has other considerations: as well as providing commercial services, it also needs to alleviate the strain on Los Cristianos by pro-

viding ferries to the neighbouring islands of La Gomera and La Palma. The roads surrounding the port of Los Cristianos are often heavy with traffic and it is hoped that by moving some services to Fonsalía, the port will be able to concentrate on expanding other markets, such as water sports and fishing.

At the moment, 470 berths for sports boats and a service centre are planned for Fonsalia.

Island officials say that a thriving port would help to bring the entire borough together and connect the neighbouring coastal communities of Alcalá and Playa de San Juan. n

Strategically interesting

Plans for the Puerto de La Cruz port

Photo: Cabildo Tenerife

Loro Parque’s Aqua Viva jellyfish paradise recently celebrated the birth of 23 jellyfish of the species Phacellophora camtschatica, colloquially known as the fried egg jellyfish.

The species is rarely found in European zoos due to the complexity of its reproduction cycle, but the park in Puerto de La Cruz has been able to create the perfect conditions for the young jellyfish, which are currently under quarantine conditions for their own protection.

A cool water species, the natural habitat of the fried egg jellyfish extends across many of the world’s oceans, particularly from Alaska to Southern California. The bell of the jellyfish can reach a diameter of up to 60 centimetres, they have 16 clusters of up to a few dozen tentacles each which can reach six metres in length, and over 95 per cent of their tissues are made up of water. They use toxins to catch their food, zoo plankton, but their sting is not dangerous to humans. In fact, their poison is so weak that many small crustaceans will steal food from their oral arms and tentacles.

For the head of the aquarium, Ester Alonso, the birth of the jellyfish is a success that can be attributed to the whole team: “Every year we learn a bit more about the biology of these little-known marine animals so we are able to move one or two species per year towards reproduction, which is a great success. There are many creatures in the ocean that have disappeared and we did not even know they were there, making our work even more important.”

Loro Parque provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see these creatures, which are so rarely visible to humans. n

CANARY ISLANDS

The Tenerife Council has announced that the modernisation of the ports of Puerto de La Cruz and Fonsalía on the coast of Guía de Isora is of “strategic interest” for the island.

Improvements to the Puerto de La Cruz port have been at the top of the council’s wish-list for many years, repeatedly highlighted, debated and filed away to be forgotten again. However, island president Carlos Alonso – who has campaigned hard for investment in the project – ensured that funding will be made available. Both ports were listed in the Strategic

Framework for Insular Development (MEDI) budget.

The initiatives include funding and strategic investment for the next 10 years and form part of 36 projects in five zones considered to be “essential” for island development. These include Tenerife 2030, social action, infrastructure, and work and sustainability. Modernisation of the two ports is believed to be vital for better connecting the island and meeting existing needs.

While Alonso admitted that the port projects do not fall directly within his sphere of influence, he stated that relevant coastal

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CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

SAN SEBASTIÁN

Adeje animal blessings Starting the year with a ritual cleansing is a custom dating back to the 16th century in La Caleta, Costa Adeje.

This rite was not unknown to the aborigines but after the Spanish conquest it was adapted to the new customs and devoted to the patron saint of San Sebastián. Nowadays it is one of the celebrations in the south of Tenerife that attracts the most people.

Over the years, more and more farmers and shepherds came to have their animals blessed on the patron's day and as time went on, stories were told about the miraculous statue of the saint in the small chapel of San Sebastián.

The view from the safe, dry rocky area is so much fun.

Tens of thousands gather from all parts of the Islands to be present at this festival, especially those from La Gomera who live in Tenerife because the saint is also the patron of its capital, San Sebastián de La Gomera, where fiestas are also celebrated on this day.

In Tenerife, it is mainly the animals and their companions which make the festival so attractive to visitors, who

A great festival, with riders, horses and spectators from across the Islands Not every horse does exactly what the rider expects This festival is a great deal of fun for all involved You may even see a stubborn camel being taken to the sea

Numerous miracles and events have been attributed to San Sebastián of La Enramada. To this day many believers seek protection and help from him.

They hope that they will be cured from their illnesses,

receive relief from pain and get help for those in need.

San Sebastián is co-patron of the borough of Adeje, with the Virgen de la Encarnación, and Santa Úrsula. Every year on January 20, a large festival is celebrated at the small

chapel and on the beach at La Enramada. Today, it is mainly known as a festival of horses, whose riders take them into the sea after the blessing. As with humans, the fourlegged animals are sometimes water-sensitive.

can also bathe in the sea for the ritual cleansing before or after the horses have their turn.

The celebration begins with the service at around 12pm. Afterwards, the horses, goats, sheep, dogs and many other animals are blessed. Following this, the procession to the beach for the crowning glory of this fiesta can begin, watched over by the image of San Sebastián. There is a full programme of events for this fiesta which will be available from: www.adeje.es. n

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

ICY FUN AT MAGMA

Top class ice rink in the south

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ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN

‘Invasive’ birds necks, depending on the sex of the bird.

Though the numbers in towns are worrying, it is their possible spread into the countryside that is particularly alarming officials. There, they will begin to compete for habit with native species and may also spread diseases to other birds, which may not have the necessary resistance to fight off foreign infections.

There have been several campaigns to capture the birds, with a representative from the two organisations, Environmental Officer Carlos Correa, emphasising that they do not kill captured animals, instead rehoming them in sanctuaries.

The only exceptions to this pol-

There is an icy atmosphere at the Magma Art and Congress Centre in Costa Adeje with a 450 square metre ice rink which is open now until January 24.

Ice skating is so much fun for children and the young at heart on this quality rink with real ice which is similar to those which have been set up at the Rockefeller Center in New York, the Natural History Museum in London, and the Hotel Ville in Paris.

You can visit this rink which opened in mid-December from Monday to Thursday and on Sundays from 10am to 9pm (last admission) and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 1am. Depending on the day and time of your visit, ice skating for adults and children aged 12 and over costs between €8 and €10 for an hourly session, and for children aged five to 12 years, €4 to €6.

Tickets can be purchased online. Everyone should bring gloves with them but the skates are provided.

Admission is hourly, on the hour. For more information and tickets visit: www.tenerifemagma.com. n

As cute as they are, imported birds (here a Ring-necked parakeet) can soon become a plague Students listened carefully to the experts’ comments

The Santa Cruz council Environmental Office is currently carrying out various studies and awareness campaigns about invasive bird species in conjunction with the Neotrópico Foundation.

Various species of exotic birds have been introduced into the Islands over the last few decades, mostly due to private individuals buying them as pets and then releasing them once they no longer wish to care for them. This brings with it several threats to indigenous populations, including the spread of diseases.

Although concerned with all invasive animals, the current campaign focuses on parrots and parakeets as their numbers have risen considerably.

Highly adaptable birds, they

enjoy long life spans and thrive under the conditions in the Canary Islands, reproducing at a concerting rate. If left to continue, they will pose a severe threat to native bird species.

Monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and Ringed-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri), the most successful so far, are already prevalent in many town and city centres, especially in the north of Tenerife. They are regularly seen in the Palmetum botanical garden, Parque La Granja and Parque García Sanabría in Santa Cruz, as well as in the Taoro park and Plaza del Charco in Puerto de La Cruz.

In 2015 the SEO-Birdlife organisation counted almost 100 Monk parakeets, a figure that likely increased during last year due to their effective

reproduction rates. It is thought that there is a similar number of Ring-necked parakeets.

The species look very similar to each other. Both have a vivid green plumage, but the Monks have a grey chest and the Ring-necked parakeet has a red (male) or very light grey (female) band around their

icy are when an animal is suffering from an incurable disease or is in extreme pain.

For the public awareness campaign a number of talks and demonstrations were aimed at school youngsters to help them realise the importance of not releasing exotic pets into the wild. n

22

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

SNAIL TALE

Served farm fresh

The spotted vine snail can only survive in the mild winters of Southern Europe

The first snail farm in Tenerife is likely to open its doors in February.

It is located in the north west of the island and is inhab-

ited by around 70,000 spotted vine snails. The species Helix Aspersa Muller is slightly smaller than the traditional grapevine snail and is mainly

found in the Mediterranean area.

In France, it is preferably bred for consumption and in Tenerife that is also the goal of

the small company behind this specialist farm. The snails will be available for purchase by private persons and even ordered online. The meat of the spotted vine snail is considered particularly tasty. One of the entrepreneurs is a biologist who specialises in snails and their husbandry. He was convinced before opening the company, Caracoles de Tenerife, that the position of the future snail farm was optimally adapted to the needs of the animals.

Snails mainly feed on lettuce, vegetables, fruits or just dead plant material. The aim of the young company is to cover the demand for snails on the island. That is why restaurateurs who offer this delicacy are the first point of contact for the producers. n

WINTER COMFORT

A warming soup In the Canaries, even though we have a wonderful climate, it can sometimes be uncomfortable in the winter and a warming soup is always welcome.

How about a bean-paprika soup with ginger-sweetened prawns? This soup is quick to make and delicious.

Each portion needs onion, a clove of garlic, green peppers, salad cucumber, a can of chopped tomato and a small glass of white beans. A portion of the peppers and the cucumber is finely diced and put aside for later. The rest is roughly diced, evaporated and then pureed. Then the soup is diluted with 150 millilitres of water and seasoned with one and a half tablespoons of red wine, some salt to taste and half a teaspoon of ground caraway seeds. Bring to the boil and then remove from the heat. The prawns are prepared in olive oil, with garlic and fresh ginger sticks.

Put the cucumber and pepper puree in the pan and then add the soup. If you wish, the soup can be refined with a few cashew nuts.

Now it is ready to serve, with the prawns and diced cucumber and peppers as a garnish. A slice or two of garlic bread goes well with this. n

OLIVE OIL

Fuerteventura’s liquid gold The 104 olive growers in Fuerteventura were given 4,800 litres of freshly bottled olive oil, which was pressed from 46,500 kilos of olives before Christmas. This year, due to the bad climatic conditions, the yield was lower than in previous years but the quality of the final product did not suffer.

President Marcial Morales praised the excellent quality of the olive oil, which won three of five regional awards last year.

In order to underline the support of the farmers in this still very young agricultural sector, Morales announced an olive oil

Depending on the quantity of olives delivered, each grower receives his share of the finished oil

competition at this year's agricultural fair, Feaga. In addition, a new olive oil press is to

be procured. At the moment, the farmers bring their olives to the experimental laboratory at

El Pozo Negro, where the olive press has a capacity for 600 kilos per hour. Now a new press with a capacity of 1,500 kilos is to be provided. The freshly picked olives are pressed with the kernels. Only then are the solid and liquid components separated from one another.

The oil rests in a tank until it is decanted, and the quality of the oil is analysed by the laboratory before filling.

Morales emphasised that Fuerteventura olive oil is produced without the addition of phytosanitary substances or pesticides and is of a convincing quality. n

A delicious, quickly prepared soup which tastes a little different

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

FOOD

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

23

BODEGÓN CASA JUAN

Taxi to the lorry garage, please!

By John The ‘guachinche season’ has come around once more, and so we are heading back up in to the hills to eat the rustic fare on offer, coupled with the cheapest prices anywhere.

Some of our annual favourites (in no particular order) are Emilio y Mar, El Moral, Bodegón Don Trino (recently reopened), and Y Griega, all in or around the village of La Corujera above Santa Úrsula.

Tonight our radar has locked on to a guachinche that we have visited twice before, and which seems to exist with no advertising, no TripAdvisor listing and no sign outside other than one for ice creams, and a sticker with opening times on one of

was bursting at the seams!

Oh, and the ‘taxi’ heading at the top? We kept seeing taxis arriving, yet not leaving again.

On close inspection when we

the garage doors. The place is a converted lorry garage (well, all the best ones are, aren’t they?) down a side street with parking outside or back in the main street. The car park gets jam packed.

Eat inside or out? Your choice.

We usually eat inside because the heat from the brazier out the back can get rather fierce.

It will be great in the cooler

weather. Inside are a dozen or so tables and a bar, behind which is a cooking and preparation area – and an electronic till! Chairs are wooden, small and uncomfortable, as usual.

Bread and local Santa Úrsula wine are delivered swiftly while we look at the new menu bolted to the wall. We chose a starter of setas (wild mushrooms) with fried garlic and crispy serrano

ham (€3.50) and a large plate of croquettes (homemade, of course) for €7. I should explain that there were three of us in the party. Both dishes were superb. Main courses were half a chicken each for two of us (€3.27 a head) and the largest pork chop in the universe for €8.40. A big platter of seasoned chips completed the picture.

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The final bill was just a shade over €38 to split between the three of us. Great value!

Equally good value were alternatives such as ropa vieja de pulpo (only €5.00), cheese plate for €3.50, fabadas or garbanzas (€3.50), carne fiesta for €4.00, salt fish €5.00, or even goat and chips for a modest €7.00. At prices like these, no wonder that garage

left, we found all their drivers seated at a long table happily plying their second trade as carnivore consumers. Well, if the locals eat there… n

Bodegón Casa Juan C/ Nueva Corujera, 33A Santa Úrsula, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Tel: 922 302 688 Open: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 5 pm. Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12 noon.

Closed Monday.

Loo Score: 6/10

24

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

General information for visitors Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valuables. 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.

Photo: Stellab

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 generally speak some English.

Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi

Volcanic cones, Lanzarote

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

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.

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.

Los Gigantes cliffs, Tenerife

Juniper, El Hierro

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

Teide National Park, Tenerife

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.

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.bluebadge-tenerife.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 the island. The main bus station 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 Bono-bus 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 Bono-bus 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

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

Useful contacts Tenerife Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm 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

GENERAL INFORMATION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106.

The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city.

Call to make a reservation.

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.

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 Tel: (0034) 922 787 011

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 languages other than Spanish and services for other faiths.

Holy Communion Anglican Church, Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas.

Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/ Evangelical Service

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 La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera.

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

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

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

Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 765 242.

Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés.

Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

Photo: siulesoj

La Gomera

Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

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

25 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

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

Tel: (0034) 922 315 265. Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm. Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org.

Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539

Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555.

Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com.

Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003

Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites.

Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es

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

Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm

Las Canteras beach, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

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

Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona.

Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

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 S. Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354

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

Gran Canaria

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

Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. de Tirajana (Hotel Riu

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

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844 Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216

Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516

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 Paraíso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701

All information was correct at the time of going to press.

Please confirm before travelling.

SPIN NEWS

26

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

CERVANTES COLLECTION

Great literature in images

FLAMENCO

Fans of modern flamenco may want to head to Los Cristianos on January 20.

Mar de Mares (Sea of oceans) is Yolanda Sobrado’s latest contemporary flamenco production in a series of imaginative performances bringing the traditional gypsy dance right up to date.

A renowned dancer and choreographer within the field, Sobrado was born in Santander, Spain, but has lived and worked in Tenerife for many years.

Her international career has seen her perform as lead dancer for some of the top flamenco companies, such as the prestigious Antonio Gades, and with renowned choreographers such as José Greco and Cristina Hoyos. She has also been

accomplishments of the region into the imagination of a wide and willing public.

Many were the celebrations in honour of last year’s 400th anniversary of the legend’s death, with tributes likely to continue throughout 2017.

One of the latest offerings provides a link to Icod de Los Vinos and the province of Tenerife.

The exhibition not only gives viewers an in-depth look into the life of the author but also shows the background against which he worked via displays of artefacts pertinent to the era, and a glimpse of other famous personalities of the time. Though steeped in history, Cervantes has also had a huge influence on modern literature and life, and this is reflected in the items on show.

The display has been organised in conjunction with Madrid’s Real Casa de La Moneda, which for the last 150 years has showcased the author’s life and works, both in Spain and abroad.

This fascinating collection is made up of sketches, drawings, medals, coins, bank notes, art works, photos, writings and much more.

The Canarian section of the exhibition focuses on a range of memorabilia, including commemorative stamps and coins from 1970 onwards, the majority of which were designed by resident artists of the Real Casa de La Moneda.

A fascinating look into times gone by and their effect on Spain, its autonomous regions and the world in general, see: Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Embajador de España in Icod’s Antiguo Convento de San Francisco.

Check it out at: www.icod delosvinos.es. n

Ocean dance Photo: Michal Jarocinski FreeImages.com

An exhibition entitled ‘Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Ambassador for Spain’ can be visited until March 5 in Icod de Los Vinos.

Cervantes was an author who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world’s pre-eminent novelists. His major work Don Quixote is a classic of Western literature, has been translated into almost 50 different languages, and is considered to be the first modern novel. His influence on the Spanish language and the literary world in general is such that he is often likened to Shakespeare. The author is also billed as possibly the greatest emissary the country has ever had, firing the literary

part of famed productions such as the hit Irish dance extrava-

ganza Riverdance, touring all over the world with the show.

Nowadays, Sobrado produces her own performances with a variety of artistes. Mar de Mares is her latest offering and can be seen at 8pm at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost €11 or €13. They can be purchased from the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, or from the ticket office next to the auditorium’s cafe on the day of the show, two hours before it starts and up to 15 minutes before the performance. Alternatively, book your seats via: www.arona.org.

You can also visit: www.flamencotenerife.com for more information on Yolanda Sobrado and some great videos of her in action. n

ENIGMATIC EXHIBITION

Greats of Granadilla An intriguing collection of objets d’art and memorabilia from the life of a great Canarian painter is currently on show in Granadilla.

Alfredo Reyes Darias was born in the area in 1922 and was one of the founding members of the Canarian Independent Painters (PIC) movement. An accomplished artist in various fields, his passing away in 2005 left many bereft in the world of art.

Though he travelled far and wide, his special relationship with the borough of Granadilla drove him to leave over 400 of his works to the local council shortly before his death.

These were housed in the town hall and various buildings belonging to the Convento San Luis Obispo.

This latest compilation contains a wide range of extra articles, including religious objects, furniture, and an array of personal and professional items from his daily life.

See Inédito at the Granadilla Ethnographic Museum, an emblematic building in its own right, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Find it in Calle Arquitecto Marrero Regalado in the centre of the town.

The exhibition runs until further notice. Entry is free and is open for visitors between the hours of 8am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. See: www.granadilladeabona.org. n

FREEZING FUSION

Heading where it’s cool Though sporting chilling names, Syberia and We Were Heading North will be playing a hot concert in La Laguna on January 28.

Syberia, from Barcelona, is formed by an extraordinary quintet of three guitar players, one bassist, and one drummer: Xavi Forné, Óscar Linares, Kandro Dillinger, Óscar Caselles and Gabriel Suárez.

With a repertoire that fuses instrumental rock with a serious post rock/metal sound, the band not only plays some cracking music, but also has a social conscience.

The Tenerife band We Were Heading North will be adding their tunes to the show.

See them at the Aguere Espacio Cultural from 10pm onwards.

Tickets cost €10 if bought up front or €12 from the box office on the day. Find more information at: www.aguerecultural.com or purchase tickets from: www.tomaticket.es. n

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

PERFECT PIANO

Play it again, Valerij Los Cristianos is the scene for the latest concert by pianist and composer Valerij Petasch.

The serious but talented musician hails from Moscow but has been resident in Germany for much of his life. He is an honourable member of the Polish International Chopin Society, and is dedicated to the rendition of works by the great romantics such as Chopin himself, plus Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Liszt. However, his repertoire also includes favourites from impressionists such as Debussy and Ravel. In addition, Petasch is an accomplished composer in his own right and brings to the stage some of his imaginative compositions.

See him on January 21 at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium, starting 8.30pm. Tickets cost just €11 and can be purchased from the town’s cultural centre between the hours of 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday; from the auditorium’s box office two hours before the show on the day (up until 8.15pm); or online via: www.arona.org. n

TRUTHFUL TRADITION

Baroque at its best

An unrivalled opportunity is coming up to see one of the greatest period orchestras around.

The UK’s Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) was founded in 1973 by Christopher Hogwood, and soon developed a worldwide reputation for precise and exciting interpretations of classical and Baroque music using period instruments.

During the last 40 years they have played across the five continents and produced more

LA OROTAVA

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

Artistically Arona Keen photographers still have time to sign up for the ‘Captando la Arona Natural’ competition, which will take place on January 28 and February 4.

Both amateurs and professionals are invited to take part in the contest, for which you will have to take the images during the organised walks that are programmed for the above dates. The first will be a visit to Malpaís de Rasca and the second will take in various scenic corners of Arona’s mountains.

It costs just €5 to participate, which includes the two excursions. Find more information on how to register for the competition at: www.arona.org. n

27

The borough of La Orotava is currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of the town’s declaration as a historic and artistic centre of importance.

The festivities will take place between January 19 and 22 and will include a variety of activities, many of them free.

The greatest of these is the chance to join one of four guided walks which will show off some of the many aspects of La Orotava’s intriguing past.

The first will leave at 4pm on January 20 from the Plaza de San Francisco, and will invite guests to take a look at the formation of the town centre, with a commentary by historian

than 300 albums. Winners of various prizes, including Brit and Edison awards, the group has performed at many high profile events such as the Thames Diamond Parade in London for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012. Each of the musicians is involved in the creative process and a long list of collaborating artists, from pianist Robert Levin to singers Emma Kirkby and Joan Sutherland, have provided constant original input and a range of new

sounds and ideas. The orchestra’s repertoire includes many of the greats, such as Beethoven, Handel, Mozart and Bach.

In 2006, the post of musical director was taken by Richard Egarr, who one year later founded the AAM choir, which has also been a huge success.

In 2012, the AAM became the Associate Ensemble at London’s Barbican Centre, alongside being the Orchestra in Residence at Cambridge Uni-

versity. This is an incredible chance to enjoy the work of a truly unique group of musicians. See the Academy of Ancient Music at the Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, on January 29.

The concert, which is part of the Festival de Música de Canarias, starts at 8.30pm and tickets cost €30. See: www. teatroguimera.es for information and sales, or: www.aam. co.uk for more info on the orchestra. n

History in motion

Eduardo Zalba. The next walk starts from the same spot at 11am on the following day and offers visitors the chance to not only appreciate the facades of some of the most emblem-

atic buildings in the area but, thanks to the kind support of their owners, to also be able to discover many of the secrets they hold in their interiors.

Also on the 21st, a group will

leave the Plaza de la Piedad at 4pm, for an in-depth look at some of the greatest Canarian architecture the town boasts.

The following morning, starting 11am, there will be a general look around the wonders of the area. This latter will start in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and is suitable for even the youngest members of the family.

Each of the tours will take around 90 minutes and are of low difficulty. You will have to book beforehand, however, by calling 922 079 830 or 664 288 019. Alternatively, see the websites: www.laorotava.es / www.canariasenruta.com for more information. n

WHATS ON 2016

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JANUARY

GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES January 11 - 22 Various times: Mamma Mia the musical, Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, from €25. www. auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es January 14 8.30pm: IV Romí Flamenco Festival, tribute to gypsy women, various acts, Teatro Municipal Juan Ramón Jiménez, Telde, from €10. www. tomaticket.es January 15 8.30pm: IV Romí Flamenco Festival, tribute to gypsy women, various acts, Teatro Municipal Juan Ramón Jiménez, Telde, from €10. www. tomaticket.es

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

del Puerto, LPGC, Thursdays and Fridays, 7pm – 11pm; Saturdays 6pm – 11pm; Sundays 12pm – 3pm.

January 20

EXHIBITIONS

4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Auditorio Juan Carlos, Arafo, various prices. www. operadecamaradecanarias.com

Until February 19 Los colores del vino (The colours of wine), over 80 different works by visual artist Cristóbal Guerra and photographer Tato Goncalves, extolling the various virtues of the great tipple, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas, free entry, Tuesday - Saturday 10am 9pm, Sundays 10am - 2pm. www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com

DIARY DATES

9pm: Concert, Rozalen, Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €18. www. auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

8.30pm: Concert by the Cuarteto de Cuerdas de La Habana, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €8. www.arona.org

January 21

January 13

9pm: Concert, Los Secretos Sinfónico, 80s Spanish pop, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €15. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Auditorio Juan Carlos, Arafo, various prices. www. operadecamaradecanarias.com

January 28 8pm: Tribute concert, Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen, over 40 artistes, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €30. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es January 29 7pm: Tribute concert, Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen, over 40 artistes, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €30. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es Until further notice Thursday – Sunday: CamBuyon Market, art, second hand, vintage and antiques, Mercado

9pm: Contortionist from Quebec, Nadere Arts Vivans - Cherepaka, show inspired by Francis Bacon, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €8. www. teatroleal.es

8pm: II Carrera nocturna La Caleta de Adeje, night running race, nine kilometres, La Caleta de Adeje, €12 including giant omelette. www. conchipcanarias.com 10pm: Concert, Syberia with guest artists We Were Heading North, Aguere Espacio Cultural, La Laguna, €10 up front, €12 from the box office on the day.

January 29

TENERIFE January 11

8.30pm: Tribute concert, Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen, over 40 artistes, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, from €30. www.auditorioteatrolaspalmasgc.es

8pm: Flamenco show, Mar de Mares, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €11 - €13. www.arona.org

group, Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €8. www.tomaticket.es

JANUARY

January 20

January 27

Javier López Musso and Andrés Leoni, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €5. www.teatroguimera.es

8.30pm: IV Romí Flamenco Festival, tribute to gypsy women, unique in the Islands, various acts, lead musician is top saxophonist and flautist Jorge Pardo, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava, from €10. www.tomaticket.es January 14 5pm: Bollywood style family theatre show, Secretos de La India (Secrets of India), Joel Angelino Theatre Company and Studio 54 dance group, Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €8. www.tomaticket.es 8.30pm: IV Romí Flamenco Festival, tribute to gypsy women, unique in the Islands, various acts, lead musician is top saxophonist and flautist Jorge Pardo, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava, from €10. www.tomaticket.es 8.30pm: Concert by Goyescas, Amor y Muerte, contemporary orchestral and opera music, piano, soprano and tenor, plus visual art, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €25. www.teatroleal.es

9pm: Canarian folk concert, Tigaray, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava, €10, buy tickets from the Terraza Dinámico, Plaza del Charco, Puerto de La Cruz.

January 21 5pm: Bollywood style family theatre show, Secretos de La India (Secrets of India), Joel Angelino Theatre Company and Studio 54 dance group, Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife, Santa Cruz, €8. www.tomaticket.es 5pm: V Carrera Nocturna Villa Historica de Santiago del Teide (Night running race), 7.5 km from La Vigilia, registration until January 16, costs five kilos of dry food for local families in need. www.deportesantiagodelteide.com 8.30pm: Piano concert by Valerij Petasch, Auditorio Infanta Leonor, Los Cristianos, €11. www. arona.org January 24 4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, various prices. www.operadecamaradecanarias.com January 26 8.30pm: Concert by Ensemble Mosaik, experimental music, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €15. www.teatroguimera.es January 27

January 17 4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, various prices. www. operadecamaradecanarias.com January 18 8.30pm: Concert, Katia and Marielle Labèque, Festival de Música de Canarias, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €16. www.auditoriodetenerife.com January 19 9pm: Concert at EGM: Cuyum Pulli, Argentinean folk duo:

4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Auditorio Juan Carlos, Arafo, various prices. www. operadecamaradecanarias.com 8.30pm: Inauguration of this year’s Santa Cruz carnival, city centre. Many events coming up. www.santacruzdetenerife.es January 27 - February 4 Miradas Doc, annual documentary and short film competition, free showings, Guía de Isora auditorium. www.miradasdoc.com January 28 5pm: Bollywood style family theatre show, Secretos de La India (Secrets of India), Joel Angelino Theatre Company and Studio 54 dance

8pm: Jazz concert, Kike Perdomo and Soren Moller Qt, Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, Santa Cruz, from €6. www.auditoriodetenerife.com 8.30pm: Concert by London’s Academy of Ancient Music, Classical and Baroque music on original instruments, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €30. www.teatroguimera.es January 31 4pm: Opera Gala, Cámara de Canarias, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, various. www.operadecamaradecanarias.com Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents, many films in the original language. See: www.openaircinematenerife.es for programme and non-resident prices.

Every Saturday morning Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women, etc. Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com

EXHIBITIONS Until March 5 Tierra de sombras (Land of shadows), collection of 35 black and white photos by renowned photographer Roger Ballen, run in collaboration with the Belgian Dr. Guislain Museum de Bélgica, TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am 8pm. www.teatenerife.es Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Embajador de España, Tribute collection of memorabilia to Spain’s greatest author, plus related artefacts from Tenerife, run in conjunction with Madrid’s Real Casa de la Moneda, Antiguo Convento de San Francisco, Icod de Los Vinos, free entry. www.icoddelosvinos.es Until further notice Inédito (Unpublished), collection of works by, and information on, Alfredo Reyes Darias, founding member of the PIC Canarian Independent Painters movement, Museo Etnográfico, Calle Arquitecto Marrero Regalado, Granadilla de Abona, free entry, Monday - Friday, 8am - 3pm. www.granadilladeabona.org

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

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

29

PREPARING FOR 2017

Is your tax and wealth management in good shape?

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

around your circumstances, needs and risk profile.

Diversification gives your portfolio the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area under-performing. There are various levels you should have in your portfolio: different asset classes across geographical areas, company size, owning equities and bonds issued by a range of companies, and possibly currencies.

The starting point is to obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, to make sure your portfolio is suitable for you.

It is that time of the year when many people make New Year resolutions to improve their life in one way or another.

Whether or not you do, this is a good time to consider whether you need to review your financial planning.

To protect your financial security through retirement, and achieve your wishes for your family and heirs, you need a strategic wealth management plan covering your savings and investments, tax planning, pension funds and Tax planning estate planning.

Make sure your investments Savings and investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable arrangement to 2016 was certainly an interest- limit your tax liabilities. Take ing year, with Brexit, US elec- advice from someone who is tions and Italian referendum. well-versed in the nuances of Diversification is more impor- Spanish taxation, otherwise tant than ever, and you need a you could see your investlong-term strategic asset alloca- ment returns slashed by taxes tion plan specifically designed that could have been avoided or

mitigated. It is important that your tax planning is up-to-date and designed to take advantage of tax planning opportunities in Spain.

Another incentive to review your tax affairs is that the global automatic exchange of information regime under the Common Reporting Standard is now in force. The Spanish tax authority will receive information on every resident of Spain, without having to ask for it. Cross-border tax planning can be complex, so you need to ensure you are declaring income and paying tax in the right country.

Estate planning The first step is to establish your goals. Who would you like to benefit from your estate? Are you happy for them to have control over the money? When should they receive the funds?

How much tax will they pay?

You then need to obtain specialist advice to ensure that your estate plan is set up to achieve

inheritance tax may also still apply for UK nationals.

Whether it is investments, tax or pension planning, seek advice to ensure you do what works best for your personal situation. Use an adviser who can guide you on all these aspects and provide holistic solutions so you can have peace of mind that your financial affairs are in order.

“It is that time of the year when many people make New Year resolutions to improve their life in one way or another.” your wishes for your heirs.

Under the EU succession regulation Brussels IV you can choose whether Spanish or UK succession law will apply to your estate. The default position is for Spanish law to apply

to foreign nationals living here, unless they have a will stating otherwise.

Brussels IV does not allow you to opt out of Spanish succession tax, which can be costly in certain circumstances. UK

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 personalised advice.

Blevins Franks provides tailor-made advice on investment strategies, tax mitigation and estate planning. It has decades of experience advising British expatriates in Spain. Contact Paul Montague on 922 716 079 or paul.montague@blevinsfranks.com. www.blevinsfranks.com

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REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE

Registering a non-Spanish vehicle in Spain is a complex and potentially costly procedure. However, you may be exempt from Spanish registration tax by getting Spanish number plates within one month of entering the country.

To do this you need to become a resident. Linea Directa has been insuring expat drivers in Spain for over a decade and understands all the steps involved. Below we outline this process: Step one: Obtaining a certificate of conformity This is a statement by the car’s manufacturer that it conforms to EU regulations.

You will need the car’s chassis number to complete this straightforward process online at: www.eurococ.eu/ en/certificate_of_conformity.

The charges for this service will vary according to type of vehicle, make and the first country of registration.

BUSINESS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

Spanish license plates and registration local centre to make a booking.

If the centre is busy, especially pre-summer, this can save a lot of time. The cost can vary but generally is around €40 for petrol-engine cars and €56 for diesel-engine cars.

The vehicle must be tested at an authorised ITV centre

Step 2: Current log book The vehicle’s original log book showing your name as the owner, the vehicle’s age and a valid UK address. You will also need the bill of sale for the car.

Step 3: Residency in Spain The Spanish residency certificate (Certificado de Empadronamiento) is your official proof of residency in Spain.

Your local town hall can provide you with this document. You will need to take your passport and proof of Spanish address

(rental contract, contract to purchase or property deeds).

Step 4: Obtaining a Spanish MOT certificate All vehicles over four years old must be roadworthy and clearly display a valid ITV sticker. The vehicle must be tested at an authorised ITV centre (technical inspection of vehicles), just as for an MOT test. You can find out the location of your nearest ITV centre on the DGT website (equivalent to the DVLA). You can also call your

Step 5: Obtaining a Spanish equivalent of a tax disc The Spanish Tax Agency can provide your vehicle with a valid ‘tax disc’ for Spain, which must be carried in the car when in use. You will need to complete the relevant form online and pay the amount according to your car’s tax band.

You can carry out all these procedures yourself or you can seek the assistance of an accountant to do this for you.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call: 902 123 151. More information on Linea Directa is available online at: www. lineadirectacom. n

INTEREST RATES

Are you eligible for a refund?

Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT) As a New Year approaches, it’s always a good time to turn your attention to sorting out your admin and getting your affairs in order.

One of the hot topics at the beginning of 2017 is going to be the Cláusula Suelo issue with the Spanish banks as it appears that the Supreme courts have now found in favour of the consumer and the banks may have to repay monies to those affected.

For those who are not aware of this issue, this is where some banks included a clause in mortgages where they imposed an upper and lower ‘cap’ to the interest rate of the mortgage.

When mortgage rates dropped to their lowest levels ever, clients had to continue paying a higher interest rate than the market rate.

Mortgages that have been cancelled or paid off may still be eligible for repayment of the overpaid interest.

In addition, many banks have been employing tactics in the last year or so to offer lower monthly repayments to people without explaining to them that by accepting they are signing away their rights to any reimbursement.

The first thing to do is check whether you have the clause in your mortgage. FACT at Wheeler Dealer in Las Chafiras will be happy to do this for you. In addition, the calculations are not simple as the interest paid needs to be compared with the official market rate for each month to calculate the difference.

It seems that it will be best to use a solicitor to present your case, and this may be a worthwhile investment as the repayments due can run into several thousand euros, and in some cases much more! Many solicitors will offer a service with a small upfront payment and a percentage of monies recovered, which means that you don’t need to finance your case up front.

Class cases, where a group of people try to present their cases together may be cheaper in terms of legal fees, but will inevitably take much longer as every case is individual.

For free advice about whether you have the Clausula Suelo, or for free referrals to solicitors who are specialising in dealing with particular banks, call FACT on 922 738 500. n

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

MOTORING

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

NISSAN PATROL

EVERYDAY MOTORING

New Year’s resolutions

31

By Wheeler Dealer

As far as New Year’s resolutions go, you could do worse than promise to keep on top of your car maintenance.

Looking after your car is a worthwhile investment of your time. Generally speaking, routine maintenance doesn’t cost very much, but failure to do it can be very expensive indeed!

Maintaining a clean adequate supply of oil within the engine is absolutely critical. Burning oil or leaking oil can mean your levels get dangerously low. If that happens you are talking major engine damage, firstly to the bearings and then the other moving parts of the engine. Checking the levels only takes a few minutes and can prevent a huge financial catastrophe.

Incorrect tyre pressure can lead to tyre failure, but will also affect fuel economy and control. The pressure in your tyres depends on ambient temperature, and driving with low pressure can compromise cornering, braking and stability. Under-inflated tyres can become hot and wear out quicker. Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis to be sure and stay safe.

Replace brake pads when they start to make a noise or performance is compromised or it could lead to disc problems, which is a much more expensive scenario.

Driving with a cracked windshield is an invitation for trouble. Little cracks soon become big cracks and before long visibility can be impaired. Sometimes car insurance covers glass repairs, so if you have a chip from an errant stone, get it sorted before it becomes a bigger issue.

Check your lights and indicators are in good working order.

Driving without the appropriate lighting can not only be dangerous but may also gain you a fine from the police.

Bulbs are cheap and by law you should carry replacements in the vehicle. However, changing them can be a fiddly job, sometimes best left to the professionals.

If you are unsure about any of these minor maintenance procedures or simply don’t want to carry them out yourself, build a relationship with a local garage so that they can carry them out for you on a regular basis.

Based on their years of experience in the car industry, Wheeler Dealer in Las Chafiras will be providing useful advice and in-depth information for the coming editions of Island Connections. Call them today on: 922 73 64 51. All services mentioned are available from Wheeler Dealer. n

Generally speaking, routine maintenance doesn’t cost very much, but failure to do it can be very expensive indeed

Sweet restoration After exactly 30 years away from the public eye, Nissan has brought one of its most iconic motorsport machines back to life, after rescuing it from a Spanish museum.

The stunning 1987 Nissan Patrol Fanta Limón Paris-Dakar rally car was fully restored to its former glory after more than two years of work, and even recently made an emotional return to its spiritual home in the sand dunes of the Saharan desert.

The car wrote its very own chapter in Dakar mythology after it not only gained victory in the diesel category of ‘87, but was also the first diesel car to ever finish in the race’s overall top 10 - taking ninth spot –which was an incredible achievement at the time.

The story of the car’s success started the year before, when Nissan Motorsport decided to take part in high-profile offroad endurance rallies using the company’s popular 4x4 Patrol, with the team at Nissan’s European Technical Centre (NTCE) in Spain leading the project. The sponsorship with Fanta Limón came through links between Nissan Spain and drinks’ brand CocaCola, and wins came through quickly with victories in the diesel class in three events during 1986.

However, the main target for the 2.8, four-cylinder turbo with a top speed of 150km/h, was the next year’s ParisDakar. This began on January 1, with 312 vehicles lining up at the start of the gruelling 13,000km race through Europe, Algeria, Niger, Mali,

Mauritania and Senegal. The Nissan Fanta Limón team entered two vehicles; car 211 with Miguel Prieto and Ramón Termens as driver and co-driver respectively, and car 212, crewed by brothers Jorge and Hansi Babler.

Though the team’s support truck broke down on the second stage, leaving the pair without spares for the rest of the race, and car 212 was eventually forced to withdraw after rolling down a dune, the 211 battled on to achieve its wins, after which the vehicles were both retired from racing with top honours. Where 212 ended up is unknown, but 211 was offered to the Salvador Claret, a private car collection and automotive museum located just south of Girona.

Almost three decades later, the car was given a new lease of life thanks to a dedicated team of engineers at the NTCE in Barcelona. They restored it after work and at weekends, turning it

The 1987 Nissan Patrol Fanta Limón Paris-Dakar rally car has been fully restored to its former glory

from a rusting wreck to a highly capable off-road racer.

Pedro Díaz Illán, Manager of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering team at the facility, and the only member of the original 1987 team still working there, said: “Our brains, hearts and souls have gone into this project and it has not been easy. But to see the car in the desert again was just fantastic.”

The idea for recovering the car came in February 2014, when NTCE technicians spotted images of it on an inter-

net forum. Realising the 30th anniversary was less than three years away, they contacted the museum to ask for it back. Only a few months later, the eightstrong restoration team began work, having to scour Europe for original parts in an aim to reproduce the car exactly as it was for the race. By the end of last year, the Patrol was complete and able to visit once again the sand dunes of the Sahara.

The restoration’s cost was covered by Nissan as part of its ‘Performance Innovation’ fund. n

GARDENING

Glossy green glory If you are hoping to create your own subtropical paradise, now is a good moment to begin formulating a plan for the coming year, as early spring is a great time to start planting.

For long term success, a handy starting point is to take a look around you at which plants are already doing well in the wild in your area. There is an ample range of native species to choose from and you can also ask neighbours and garden centre staff for suggestions as they will have an idea of which imported species already thrive in the region.

number groups, with plenty of contrasting foliage and a range of colours in clusters. Plan the different shapes and forms that you wish to incorporate in advance. Think strong vertical palms, plants with large or dissected leaves, pinnate fronds, tufts and bold shapes to create a mix of profiles that is pleasing to the eye.

their ultimate width and sustainable height when placing them.

For maximum effect in the next layer down, look for trees and shrubs with limited numbers of large, bold and/or brightlycoloured blossoms, rather than tiny and prolific flowers.

Vibrant purples and reds are great, as are bright yellows and oranges, and include

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), which will not only give you beautiful ground cover but will also provide a tasty crop.

Walls covered in vines and rambling plants such as Bougainvillea will add greatly to the overall effect.

These are just a few ideas, but try not to overdo the colour– limited areas will pro-

Create your own subtropical hideaway

The layered look You may have particular areas you wish to enclose; borders you would like to plant; a whole garden to design; or are looking to fill out existing plots.

Any which way, following a few basic rules will help you achieve the perfect look.

When most people picture a subtropical garden they will

immediately see an image of lush growth and layers of plants growing under and around each other. You can easily create this effect by choosing a range of plants that complement each other, gradually decreasing in height and size, offering various shapes and colours, and which include shade-tolerant perennials for ground level.

To create a natural aspect, go for dense plantings in odd-

Photo: Melodi2 / FreeImages.com

One of the beauties of the Canary Islands is their variety of landscapes and climates.

One of the top advantages is the long growing season, meaning that a garden can be brought to maturity in only a few years and slow-growing plants can play a major role in any new project or can be easily added to an existing plot.

For a gardener who lives in one of the subtropical areas – as opposed to the dry and arid zones -there are even more benefits. High levels of humidity, slightly lower temperatures, and greater cloud cover all provide wonderful conditions for creating a lush and verdant garden.

A lush paradise

Is there anything more exotic than the Bird of paradise?

Photo: Brian Lary FreeImages.com

PLANT PLANS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

Photo: Katia Grimmer-Laversanne FreeImages.com

32

Ferns make perfect undergrowth

vide interest and invite visitors to explore, but too much will confuse the eye and create an inharmonious environment.

You could also include some heavily perfumed plants such as oleander, jasmine, lavender or lemon grass to add a fragrant and exotic edge.

Setting the scene Levelling out Starting high, choose evergreen trees with large foliage to create structure and shade. Palm trees such as the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix Canariensis) are a great place to begin, as are the Giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai), avocados (Perseaamericana), Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) and the beautifully named Flamboyant (Delonixregia).

These and others like them should form the basis around which your garden will be planned, taking into account

plants with colourful foliage for all year round effect. Frangipani (Plumeriarubra), Fig trees (especially Ficuscarica and Ficusbenjamina), Native madrones (Arbutus canariensis), Tabaibas (Euphorbia atropurpurea), Xanadu (Philodendron xanadu), hibiscus, or the smaller Bird of paradise (Strelitziareginae) will all work well.

For the lower levels, think ferns, shade-loving geraniums, local borage (Echiumgentianoides), the apostle plant (Neomaricagracilis), copper plant (Acalyphawilkesiana – or any of the many Acalyphas you can find here), or even

For the best effect when planning a new subtropical garden or revamping your original one, be sure to avoid straight lines and geometric designs, introducing curved and winding pathways and garden beds in a variety of shapes and sizes to further a flowing ambience.

Make a detailed plan before you start so your plants are nicely varied but not chaotic.

Combining unexpected forms and textures can delight the senses and add drama, but bear in mind that a little judicious repetition can go a long way to conveying a natural order and harmony. n

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

YVES SAINT LAURENT

The first collection by Anthony Vaccarello for the traditional house Yves Saint Laurent is based on cleavage and black biker chic.

FASHION SPECIAL

FRESH FROM THE CATWALK!

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

Summer may not be here yet, even in the Canaries the days are still short and the weather can sometimes be cool, but the current fashion from the catwalks of the international fashion metropolises is already suitable for the hottest time of the year.

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FASHION SPECIAL

34

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

JOHN GALLIANO The collection by creative director Nicolas Ghesquière relies on elegance with a shot of sex appeal. For the top outfit he combines, for example, biker zippers.

LOUIS VUITTON

PARIS

Transparency was the focus of this collection. Puffy fabrics, frills and ribbons give the creations a gentle, feminine look.

MAISON MARGIELA

It‘s irritating: John Galliano is no longer working for his own label but for Margiela.

For this fashion brand, among other things, he sent models in neon colours to the catwalk.

LONDON

TOPSHOP UNIQUE

Designer Kate Phelan was inspired by elegance in flowing materials and striking colours like red.

There were many influences from the 1980s.

MULBERRY

Inspired by the uniforms that shape English life, Johnny Coca created an impressive tribute to all things British.

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

FASHION SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

35

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO

Flowing luminous materials with unusual bright colours - with this designer‘s fashion, one is automatically the centre of attention. The oversized retro sunglasses reinforce this impression.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

A tribute to elegance. The collection was dominated by floral patterns and body-accented silhouettes. The added excitement is high heels in neon colours.

ROBERTO CAVALLI

Boho chic and Hippie flair determined the current collection.

Neither the flared pants nor the ethnic blouse or the fringed vest are missing.

FENDI

Designer icon Karl Lagerfeld mixed sporty and sexy elements into a distinctive style in the new collection of Fendi and added some unusual insights.

MILAN

NEW YORK

NICOLAS K

The style and sandy colours reminiscent of the Bedouins make this fashion unusual for big city nomads.

HEALTH

36

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

HEALTHY AND HAPPY 2017

Revolutionise your resolutions

By Xena Fox Some will be breezing through looking for one or two to add to tongue in cheek, and meant It’s that time of year when many of us will be trying our hardest to stick to resolutions made only a short time ago.

the challenge with flying colours, whilst others will be struggling or have already given up! But what if you haven’t made any resolutions or are

your list? Here are 17 ideas for positive changes you can make for your mental and physical health during 2017. Though

for starting the year off on a light note, some of you may recognise an odd grain or two of truth in here… n

I will celebrate all the small details of my life such as having a roof over my head and plenty of food,plus a car, computer, washing machine, water on tap, health care, a television, education for my children, a mobile phone, a choice of clothes and shoes, and all the other luxuries that only 30 per cent of the world’s population enjoys.

Photo: Samantha Villagran / FreeImages.com

I will not let work make me lose my equilibrium. I will rise above office politics, be kind to all my colleagues, and never question decisions from the upper echelons that I consider insane. I will do yoga in my lunch break and remain serene and impassive at all times - no matter what they throw at me!

I will stop trying to convince myself that smoking is cool, as it isn’t and it is damaging me. I will make a sincere effort to start thinking about the option of considering the need to maybe start the process towards giving up at some indeterminate, but hopefully not too distant,possible point in the future…

I will not eat the whole bar of chocolate in one go. I will also shun all delicious milk varieties and only buy dark chocolate as I know it is better for me. I will keep it in a safe place and savour it square by square. I may even share it with my friends.

I will cherish all my close relationships, realising that friends and family are the most important aspects of my life. I will not criticise my loved ones, argue for the sake of it, try to get one over on my siblings, or wind my friends up for fun. Much.

I will not drink to excess. I will not exceed my personal limits nor make a show of myself in public by dancing on the tables / chatting up my happily married friend / vomiting in the gutter / or removing my clothing in inappropriate places, etc. I will, at the very least, drink less than I have been.

I will not eat fast food every day. I will read the labels on supermarket packets and I will stay away from processed items as much as possible. I will buy the best quality food I can afford and nourish my body with the nutrients it needs in order for it to work in the very best way it possibly can.

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I will not count four cups of coffee, two glasses of wine and a pint of beer as a suitable daily intake of liquid. I will drink water for my health even if I don’t like the ‘taste’ of it.

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

HEALTH

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

I will lose some of my extra kilos, but I will not starve myself for six weeks and then gorge on ‘naughties’ for the next two months and wonder why I have put all the weight back on plus some. I will simply cut down my general intake and eat a healthy balanced diet. Most of the time.

I will spend some time in quiet reflection. I may even take up a meditative discipline such as Tai chi or yoga as I know that giving my mind a rest is as important as sleeping is for my body. I will let go of past ‘wrongs’ that have been committed towards me, not because I have a saintly disposition, but because I know that hatred and resentment will make me ill.

In one way or another, I will do good for my fellow man. Be it by volunteering for a charity, making donations, or by regular random acts of kindness, I will be caring towards strangers without wishing for personal gain.

I will learn at least one new skill this year. Not only that, but I will also pass on some of my knowledge to another person, as by sharing and learning we keep our brains sharp and healthy.

I will do something scary. I may not need to go hang gliding, jumping out of planes, or tightrope walking across a canyon, but I will tackle an activity that I have always wanted to do but never had the courage. It may be anything from dying my hair a different colour to learning Spanish - and getting out there and actually using it!

I will not only look after myself and my loved ones but I will make a conscious effort to take care of our planet and to encourage others to do the same, as there is no point in being healthy if our home is too sick to support us.

Photo: Silvia Cosimini / FreeImages.com

I will treat myself regularly by indulging in the activities that make me feel good. Be it a massage, walk in the country, reading a good book, or a drive in my car with the music blaring, I will spend some time each week just enjoying myself.

I will play as much as I can. I will run, jump, swim, walk, throw, catch, tickle, lounge and, most importantly, giggle and laugh – as much as possible.

37

I will appreciate myself, no matter what stage of life I am at. I will try to love all my wrinkles as they are a sign that I have lived a long and interesting life. I will be grateful for the years I have been given, as so many others are cut down in their prime.

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38

PETS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Animal charities’ round up

Marvellous Misty

Also, our shop on Alcalá Plaza is in continual need of donations. If you have anything suitable please take it along.

Acción del Sol Last year was a very busy time for Acción del Sol, with over 3,100 children from many surrounding schools and colleges visiting the refuge and participating in our educational programme with the aim to improve their knowledge of animal welfare. We have also sent 305 dogs for adoption in Tenerife and in Germany but our work continues with the daily arrival of abandoned dogs in terrible conditions, seven days a week, sent by Protection Civil. We also still have almost 200 dogs at the refuge patiently waiting for new homes with some of the dogs having been with us 10 years since when we first opened. Please do come and visit even if you are unable to adopt a dog of your own, as there are plenty of dogs that would enjoy a walk and what a wonderful way to burn off those unwanted kilos after the festive season.

Please do contact us on: 922 778 630 if you would like to help in any way. We are always in need of tinned dog food, blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, and collars and leads for everyone. Alternatively, visit the refuge on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm - 5pm and Saturdays 1pm - 4pm.

We are situated directly under the Eolica Parque’s wind turbines at exit 52 on the TF1 north bound, after the El Médano junction. Just head for the turbines on the coast and you will see our buildings on the right. Alternatively, email the refuge at: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: action tier Acción del Sol.

LOOKING FOR LOVE

Live Arico (PAWS)

Lia (K9) is looking for a forever home too

K9 How you can help us in 2017 Our one wish is to see all our beautiful dogs in their own safe and loving forever home. While they wait patiently for that day to come, there are lots of ways you can help make their time at the refuge as happy as possible. Here are just a few: Our pupsters love their time out of their kennels, especially when they have the company of people. Why not visit us any day between 10am and 1pm and take some of our guys for a walk. They’d love to show you their favourite tracks and sniffing places! It doesn’t matter how much or little time you have, two hours or 20 minutes are equally appreciated.

You can donate to or buy from the K9 shop in Alcalá main square, or you could even foster a dog. Depending on the circumstances, the foster period can be for days or months. It makes a world of difference for the dog and is very reward-

ing for the fosterers. You could also come to our car boot sales which are held on the last Sunday of every month at Los Gigantes bus station from 9am to 12.30pm. There are always some great choices and bargains to be had.

How to meet our dogs We have many dogs - in all shapes and sizes – waiting patiently for their loving forever homes, including the lovely Lia in the photo - five months old and a really bright pup who will be medium-sized when fully grown. See Lia and friends on our website at: www.k9tenerife. eu/2015/, or visit the refuge on Calle Chimbesque between Las Chafiras and Las Zocas, any day of the week between 10am and 2pm. Alternatively, you can call us on: 667 638 468 or email: info@k9tenerife.com.

See doggy antics and heartwarming re-homing stories on facebook / Diary of a K9 Tenerife Dog walker and also K9 Tenerife.

Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975

922 716 079 www.blevinsfranks.com

For some of the best charity store chic around, bag a bargain at our shops in: San Eugenio (Opposite Hotel La Niña. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reverón, near the Thistle and Dragon Bar. Open daily, 10am to 4pm); Golf del Sur (Golf Park, just before the lottery kiosk. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm). Don’t throw things away! Call us on: 629 388102 and we can sell it to help the dogs. Find us at: www.livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.

Cats Welfare We went from strength to strength in 2016, managing to home a staggering 343 cats and kittens. A mammoth task but one we are very proud of.

And 896 cats have been neutered. It’s a never ending task but is helping the reduction of cats and kittens on the streets in the South of Tenerife.

A massive thank you to every person who helps, donates and supports us in every way, and a special thank you to the vet practices we collaborate with.

Misty is a beautiful young cat, one or two years of age. She has been abandoned and was found in San Blas, Golf del Sur, but has not been claimed. Cats Welfare would love to find her a forever home. She’s spayed, micro-chipped and vaccinated, and can go on trial so you can be sure you’ve made the right decision.

Call or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129 (seven days a week, 9am to 6pm) if you are interested. There are many cats like Misty, please consider adopting an adult.

When cared for properly, cats can live well into their late teens, and sometimes early twenties. n

Congratulations to Tex and his partner Val, the winners of our Christmas hamper, kindly donated by Michelle and Dave Bentley: €288 was raised, the highest amount ever for our Xmas raffle. Thank you everyone who bought a ticket.

We will be holding charity sales every second Saturday of the month at Koala Sur in Adeje and Las Chafiras. Do come along.

All adult cats currently available are in foster care and details are on our website: www.cats-welfare-tenerife. com. If it’s a kitten, many are also in foster care but in the South we do have kittens for viewing in the Don Perro pet shop in Las Chafiras and Vet Express behind Gran Sur. Opening times and maps are on our website. In the North, kittens can be seen in the

Kiwoko pet shop in the El Trompo commercial centre just outside Puerto de la Cruz.

If you are looking for something specific then message or whatsapp Maria on: 646 629 129 (9am – 6pm, seven days a week. Please leave a message if the phone is not answered immediately).

We are always in need of good quality items to sell in our charity shop. It’s our main source of income and therefore incredibly important for us to raise as much as possible. Items for donation can be dropped into the shop on San Blas in Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino) which is open seven days a week, 10am – 6pm (Saturdays, 11am until 4pm). If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items, please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 to arrange collection. n

FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

Farmer’s Markets Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm.

Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160

Photo: Kelvin Yu FreeImages

El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657

Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105

side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544

Guía de Isora Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico Friday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Playa de San Juan Plaza de la Iglesia Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938 La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120 La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633 Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234 Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004 Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand

Island support!

Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158 San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966 San Miguel de Abona P.I. Las Chafiras, San Miguel de Abona, next to the fire station Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Wednesday 2pm – 7.30pm Telephone: 922 735 386 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000

We at Island Connections are sure in the knowledge that one of the best ways to help yourself, and the economy, is to buy locally – even if you are just visiting for a short time.

Canarian farmers harvest an extensive range of crops, which can be seen growing in the typical stepped-terrain farms around the Islands. Products

subsidies became necessary to keep farms from disappearing, which, like the hiked prices, also come out of our pockets.

Enter the farmers markets, where the grower can sell directly to the customer without an intermediary. They are dotted all over the Islands, with at least one in almost every town. They allow customers to

In these markets you will be sure to see a variety of seasonal products, as well as some local home-made delicacies such as preserves, honeys and Canarian goat’s cheese. A selection of meats and fish can also be found among the stalls, along with an assortment of cakes, pastries and biscuits.

Buy locally, eat healthily, pay

purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.

fairly – this is one way we can all help each other.

So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island of Tenerife. Enjoy. n

Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640 Tegueste Calle de Asuncionistas, 6 Saturday/Sunday 8.00am – 2pm Telephone: 922 316 100 Vilaflor Plaza de Vilaflor Monday to Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 709 002

Photo: by Frank C. Muller

Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 3pm – 7pm Telephone: 922 775 200

39

FARMER’S MARKETS

Photo: Carlos Paes FreeImages

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

range from tropical fruits, such as mangoes, to worldwide staples like lentils, potatoes and onions.

According to the agricultural group COAG-Canarias, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables differ greatly between the amount the farmers receive and the sale price in the supermarkets. For instance, towards the end of last year, small marrows, which the farmers were paid just €0.07/kilo for, retailed at €0.84, and leeks sold at €0.36 were passed onto the consumer for around €2.23 a kilo. Many of the prices don’t even seem to cover the cost of production - and this is when

40

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

Horoscope for period: January 12 to January 25 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 You have been wishing for change and are hopefully ready for it as your life is about to be turned upside down. Worry not, however, after a short period of turmoil all will be well and the unexpected ending will be welcome.

Contacts

Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 Personal relationships figure highly over the next few months and you may find yourself embroiled in someone else’s drama. Try to remain impartial where possible, your efforts will be appreciated and rewarded.

Cockney girl, Ana. Just what you need to get pampered. Stunning, hot brunette. Let my pleasure be your pleasure, owo, French kissing. Los Cristianos, opposite the bus station.

Tel: (0034) 631 564 875.

Busty and curvy.

Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 Whilst it is good to listen to advice, it is also important to go with your own gut feelings - even if it upsets those round you. Stick to your guns though if you can, sometimes you really do know the best way forward.

Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 An opportunity for a career change is coming but it may involve a move you are not sure about. You’re right to be wary - read the small print before making decisions, and have everything confirmed in writing.

Leo 23.7 - 23.8 You sometimes have the tendency to sit back and hope everything comes together with minimum effort, but that won’t work this year -you really need to dedicate yourself to any plans you have to make them happen.

Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Try to make resolutions that are realistic as you sometimes lose faith in yourself too easily. Pick one important change and stick with it and you will soon see the results – you may even inspire others to greater heights.

Libra 24.9 - 23.10 Be careful what you wish for could be your maxim for the year.

You have big plans and that’s great, but make sure that you are precise with your dreams for the future – dithering will cost you time and money.

Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 Give yourself a boost after the last few hectic weeks by making time just for you. Rest and eat well to recharge your batteries and you will be ready for whatever lies ahead. And that may be a challenging time.

Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 Last year was a very good one for you – one of the best – and now you have to try to beat it! Keep moving forward with your plans and don’t lose sight of the goal and you will be amazed at what you can achieve.

Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 You are feeling positive and full of energy. It’s an excellent way to start the year. Try to hang on to that enthusiasm for as long as possible as you are being very effective right now, buoyed as you are by success.

Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 This is the year you have been waiting for. Following on from the successes of 2016, you are sure to bring your plans to fruition over the next few months - as long as you can stay focused and not be distracted by friends.

Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 The start to the year may not be what you would have wished for but don’t become disheartened, all is not what it seems. The route may be convoluted but you will see results in the end, just slightly differently to planned.

Erotic massages and private parties for singles and couples, also quickies and threesomes with lady from Germany. Without rush. Nice location. English speaking.

Tel: (0034) 619 614 380 and (0034) 648 245 425.

Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €70 half hour, €100 one hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. You can pay in Sterling. SMS/WhatsApp for info. Tel: (0034) 602 626 848.

Outcall same price: Tantric massage for impotence, premature ejaculation, and sagging. Prolong your erection and enjoy an incredible experience. I’m Amaia from Colombia, I’m a very exotic woman. I offer you two orgasms, internal and external, prostate massage, body to body, couple massage.

Full body relaxation. More than pleasure. For more about me, see: www.sensesmassagetenerife.com. Tel: 0034 640 814 067. Also by WhatsApp.

For ladies: Excursions and escorts, erotic massages and more, with Marc (German) who also speaks English and Spanish. I have my own apartment and car in Tenerife South. I also do visits.

Tel: (0034) 630 759 974.

Hi, I’m Gabriela and I have two more friends, we are in Playa de Las Américas (in front of the Hotel Gala). We are young and hot, massages with a happy ending, all services. We invite you for a drink. 24 hours. Tel: 642 164 285.

Los Cristianos, beautiful tall girl, dark skinned, slim, long hair, all services, kisses, caresses, massages, natural French, very deep Greek, fulfil your fantasies! Outcalls to hotels/apartments. Guaranteed. I have a private apartment. Tel: 602 503 279.

Los Cristianos, Aracely, Spanish blonde. Beautiful, slim, I assure you that you will have a great time in my arms. I will please you with everything. I have a comfortable apartment, or I can do outcalls. Tel: 664 099 043.

Are you looking for erotic relaxation... the special kind? In a stylish ambience without time pressure? Then enjoy different sensual massages with me, also tantric.

I’m an attractive, sensitive, young German woman with education and charm.

I speak English well and am a good listener. Tel: (0034) 664 085 213.

Los Cristianos, Mariana, well built Latin girl, 24 years old, I do French, natural, positions, Greek, massages and vibrators. I will welcome you to my private apartment. Tel: 610 127 223.

Gay Latin guy in Los Cristianos. A sex and massage service for men. Masculine, 28 years, handsome, athletic body, sportsman. Contact by WhatsApp in English: (00 34) 695 793 841, or in Spanish call me on (00 34) 695 793 841.

Los Cristianos, Paula, Canarian. I am a spectacular brunette with no limits. I am waiting for you in my private apartment, or I can come to yours. Tel: 604 115 052.

Los Cristianos, Meliza, the blonde Venezuelan has returned. Large breasts, natural French, positions, kisses, massages, vibrators, sado, fetishes. I have a private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos, or I can visit hotels. Tel: 602 629 191.

English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, 24 hour visits, escort service available. Tel: 697 227 139.

PAMELA, an Afro-Brazilian, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only. Private apartment. HH Franciscano Street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras.

Number has changed: was 635 801 105, new number: 608 285 035.

To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

ISLAND CONNECTIONS MEDIA GROUP S.L. www.islandconnections.eu

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE NEXT EDITION The deadline for edition 788, which is published on 25th January, is 23rd January.

No classifieds will be taken after this date.

Head Office: Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor.

Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 - San Miguel de Abona.

Tel.: 922 75 06 09 Fax: 922 795 810 OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Frid 9:30 -16:30 hours

Classified Info Adverts for our Classifieds Section must be sent by email or hand delivered to the office.

If you would like to advertise, please send your classified text to: classifieds@ ic-news.com.

Alternatively, place your classified advert with one of our four agents: Now Tenerife.com in Golf del Sur, Redhound Bookshop in Los Cristianos, The Bookswop in Las Américas, Petras Deutscher Bücherstand in Puerto de La Cruz.

Rates:

General Services Massage and more. Offer: 60 minutes body massage €36.

Couples, four hands, lava stones, tantric massages, etc.

Playa de las Américas, Ernesto Sarti no.8, across from Iberostar Hotel Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 For sale. Home-produced ecological vegetables, Tenerife south. Interested businesses, call 650 323 751 (Spanish only), send WhatsApp or email to: michelteide@hotmail.com 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 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.

Qualified specialist from Germany helps you with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and insomnia. Tel. 0034 699 15 61 47 (ask for Eugene).

Spanish native teacher and interpreter gives Spanish lessons at reasonable prices. Tel: 747 790 001. k.arim555@ live.com Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2016 on the fourth Tuesday of the month. If interested, all visitors are welcome to come down. For further information, lodge secretary John Donaldson is available to contact on Tel: (+34) 922 178 091 or Email: ave.fenix73@gmail.com

* LINEAGE CLASSIFIEDS: From €16 * SMALL & LONG TERM: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts. * FURTHER OPTIONS: color / boxed adverts.

TO PLACE YOUR ADVERT CALL: 922 75 06 09 You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS

internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.

Call

647 928 223

MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73 Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos.

New meetings start in October, on the fourth Tuesday All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com

41

We sell furniture suitable for bar/restaurant (tables, chairs, kitchen accessories, decoration etc.) in excellent condition. Price negotiable.

Tel: 922 717 613 or 671 912 301

Spanish and English Lawyers

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law You’re invited!!! FREE BEAUTY SESSION. This is your time to relax with friends or on your own, share the excitement of trying new products, learn about the latest techniques and trends and of course, earn fabulous rewards. More info: 642 601 553 Maggie.

Are you looking for an opportunity with financial independence and personal fulfillment? Become an Independent Beauty Consultant!!! More Info: 642 601 553.

Teacher (English and Spanish) and interpreter gives Spanish lessons. I would also like to work as a secretary. Tel: 747 790 001 or email: k.arim555@ live.com.

Lady Golfer, 65 years old, single, hcp 28, new resident in South Tenerife, is looking for male or female partner for many relaxed rounds. Tel: 922 741 118.

Body, foot reflexology, Breuss massage, manual lymph drainage. Let yourself be pampered

by Simone’s hands. Economic price. Tel: 611 277 578. www. simonehands.de.

Santiago del Teide Lions Club Bargains galore From clothes and children’s toys to kitchenware and books – there are plenty of great deals on second-hand goods.

They even have sets of golf clubs!

Don’t miss out – visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigilia Park).

Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am – 1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm.

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

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

www.decottalaw.net Second-Hand Sale LOS ABRIGOS & Auction X Room We sell everything you need for your home or rental apartment We buy quality furniture for CASH. Free Valuations!

Collection & Delivery Service.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm · Sat 10am-1pm

Tel: 922 749 664

Los Abrigos, 1st building on the right, coming from Las Chafiras

You are invited to

Sunday 10am and Wednesday 7pm

Shopping Center Salytien Av. Rafael Puig Lluvina 37 www.clifchurch.org Pastor Mark 637 321 453

CLASSIFIEDS

42

RENTAL Classifieds

Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano with 2 bedrooms and a garage. Tel: 676 243 558.

Looking to exchange or rent: Luxury 85m2 apartment in Travemünde (on the Baltic Sea, Germany) in exchange for 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife for 4-6 weeks January/ February 2017. Our property is located on the 2nd floor overlooking the sea and the city and furnished to a very high standard. There is a Wellness and Spa on resort and underground parking. We are looking for a 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife in a nice complex with heated pool and Spa facilities. Email: m.perling@ gmx.de or 0049 179 51 75 987.

Studio for rent, in quiet Bio Finca, 25 sqm, in Los Realejos, close to Restaurant Monasterio, furnished, balcony, parking, garden, terrace, SAT TV, Internet, €280/month, incl. additional costs. Tel: 616 802 861 or 699 044 668.

Tel.:

Apartment for rent, 1 bedroom, fully equipped, near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 /month + electricity. Tel: Theresa on 606 105 101.

Winter letting Puerto de La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, sea views. Minimum three month contract. €500 per month. 669 652 149 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 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.

Garage to rent, double width.

Victoria Court 1, Los Cristianos.

Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up. Tel: 679 919 623.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054 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 8 0 0m 2 lands caped with various plants and lots of fruit-trees. Private sale contact: info@ simonsananes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 444 879 For sale 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

Property for Sale Playa Honda

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

Las Américas

One bedroom apartment, tiled throughout, American-style kitchen, separate bedroom and terrace. Located in the center of Las Americas within 3 minutes walk from the beach.

€ 122,000 ALAN: 634 098 838

British Style Bar

Playa de Las Américas Located just off front line, excellent reputation, regular clientele. Terrace for approximately 10 tables and refurbished interior in timber. Bar walls adorned with memorabilia. Includes store room and Ladies & Gents toilet facilities.

€ 25,000

ALAN: 634 098 838

30€/month

Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000

www.teneriffa-fincas.net

SALES Classifieds

Beautiful seafront apartment for private sale. One bedroom, garage, sea views and in a sunny position. Price: €120,000. No agents. Tel: 922 752 759. Mobile: 608 425 426.

+34 922 388 255 +34 627 777 260

www.steinert-invest.com info@steinert-invest.com FANTASTIC OFFER! Studios, apartments with one or two bedrooms - two bathrooms, terraces with sea view, in prime position.

Bajamar municipally La Laguna on the north-eastern coast of Tenerife! Only 700m that separate it from the beach. Spectacular view of the Teide and / or the beach. 10 minutes to the airport north, Santa Cruz or La Laguna.

Prices: 70.000€ to 120.000€ Contact us to arrange a visit.

Place your advert at

The easy way to sell or rent properties

900m from the beach, from November 2016 to May 2017, corner house, garden, large communal pool, underground parking with direct access to the living area, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, air conditioning, TV, WIFI. No pets. Contact:

+34 676 378 618 publisher@icmedia.eu

BAR/RESTAURANT COSTA ADEJE

676 378 618 CONTACT: +34 icrealestate@icmedia.eu

Classifieds Agent Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz

Quiet property in Playa Fañabé for rent

C/ Pitera, Edf. Ikarus, Local B-25, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, La Paz

This excellent traspaso opportunity has just recently come on to the market.

This busy establishment specializes in lunch and dinner service along with a strong football/sports customer base who regularly frequent the establishment to watch their favorite sport on one of the 7 TV’s located around the bar.

The restaurant/bar has an official opening license

Mundo del Mapa

TRASPASO

€200.000

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

43

Situations Vacant / wanted

Are looking for international girls to model swimwear in the south of Tenerife for an immediate start. Must be pre-

Call José, between 11am and 5pm on 606 181 946 or 922 751 021

Estate agency in Las Américas requires: • A secretary with experience. Languages: English, German, Flemish.

• Sales agents with experience, languages and own car.

Please send your Curriculum Vitae to: sggconsultores@hotmail. com

Tel: 658 032 174

Advert Placement www.islandconnections.eu

Vehicles

FOR SALE

Mercedes S 320

To advertise please call 922 75 06 09

Car needed for long-term rental 676 378 618

1999. 216,000 km.

Serviced with ITV valid to September 2017.

€4,850 Tel: 634 347 439

Ford Fiesta 1.6, 2007.

ITV until February 2018.

Good condition. 87,000km. €4,750. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

MG Sport 1.6 Convertible 2003, ITV to October 2016, one owner, excellent condition, only 25,000km. €8,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

Across

1 - young mammal (3) 3 - sight; boy’s name (3) 5 - carnivores (5) 8 - level result (4) 9 - seized (8) 11 - destroyed (10) 13 - pieces (6) 14 - matches (6) 17 - softness (10)

Mercedes 420 Elegance, 1996. 115,000km. ITV to November 2016. €4,500.

Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

21 - took a firm stand (8) 22 - role model (4) 23 - seabird (5) 24 - pen point (3) 25 - extremity (3)

Place your advert at

VW Golf GTI Turbo 2001 Almost 200,000km with over €2000 of receipts for maintenance over the past eight months.

Audi TT wheels, 4 tyres, 4x discs and pads fitted recently, dual mass clutch, new alternator, timing belt, water pump and much more (too much to list).

Asking price is €3700€, negotiable. A car to drive away without a problem. Paintwork looks great, tidy interior and all around fantastic motor for 15 years old.

Tel: 616 460 728.

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

sentable and speak good English, other languages are an advantage. PR experience essential. Daily work, salary, commissions paid and contracts given.

Classified Agent for Proline 241 American fast fishing boat with a Volvo KAD 32P diesel engine.

Supercharged and turbo charged with less than 200 hrs. Z drive with duo props.

Cushions still in plastics. Forward cabin and lots of storage.

Being overhauled and antifouled. Stored in garage for 10 years. Very little use. €18,000.

For a viewing call: 616 460 728.

Car Hire, Excursions and Rentals Ocean Golf and Country Club, Golf del Sur 922 736 502

Down

1 - gave away (5) 2 - drained colour (8) 4 - ten more than eighty (6) 5 - relay device (5) 6 - yearn for (4) 7 - tempts (7) 10 - leave out (4) 12 - window sash (8)

13 - uprising (7) 15 - remark (4) 16 - first year doctor (6) 18 - ski run (5) 19 - raid (5) 20 - lies (anag) (4)

FITNESS & WELLBEING

44

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

ENHANCE FITNESS

Happy New Year to you all

By Debbie Gilbey

ably decided to weigh yourself (not a good idea as nothing has become habit yet and your body is still adjusting and your weight is probably fluctuating) until eventually even showing up becomes an arduous task.

Many people take a comparable approach to their diet and suddenly decide to ditch everything they deem bad, whether that is certain items or, even worse, whole food groups such as carbohydrates. A method like this is a disaster waiting to happen as the body will realise extremely quickly that you are forcing an unfavourable eating system in place and subsequently give you cravings like

One of the main things people get quite hung up on as the year begins is their resolutions.

The most common ones I see time and time again is ‘New Year, New Me’ and ‘I will get fit this year’. Every year follows a similar pattern, people dive straight into this sudden need to change without really thinking it through. For example, if you are someone who has never been to a gym before, suddenly going six times a week to begin with may seem like an ideal solution. However, six seems like too much because you ache (generally by doing too much too quickly) and quickly becomes four which appears to be more manageable yet rapidly slips to possibly going twice a week. At this point you prob-

Make a healthy start to the year by swapping ice cream for sorbet, alongside several other simple methods

never before. At first it starts as justifying a small square of chocolate, or a piece of cake just because you ate a salad or skipped lunch as you knew you were going out for a large meal later on. Unfortunately, the body doesn’t work like that and before you know it you are back where you started.

I am sure the above scenarios sound extremely familiar. The human body is an exceptionally smart machine yet it is better suited to dealing with smaller, more manageable changes. It’s like dropping a small pebble into a river to create a gentle yet large ripple effect as opposed to hurling in a brick!

Here are some much simpler and more achievable ideas which will generate better results in the grander scheme of things:

1. Increase your water intake – even if it is just one or two glasses more a day.

2. Add a portion of vegetables to your meal or consume an extra piece of fruit during the day.

3. Go for a gentle to brisk walk – even if it is just five minutes.

4. Swap an unhealthy treat for something less gluttonous, such as a sorbet instead of ice cream.

5. Have five minutes of ‘me’ time away from everyone (including mobile phones) as the mind needs to stay healthy and focussed too.

Please let me know how you get on with this ‘ripple effect’ method or if you have any other queries please message via: www.facebook.com/enhancefitnessstudio. n

IBFA MEDITERRANEAN CUP

Tenerife bodybuilder triumphs in Italy then Seniors Champion and then the Masters Absolute Champion!

Seniors is a particularly tough category but one that Chris enjoys competing in because a ‘senior’ in bodybuilding is classed as anyone over the age

first place. Next was the overall category for the whole of the show, where winners of each class go against each other to find the absolute champion.

Chris was over the moon to win this - a fabulous end to the day.

Chris would like to thank Ian Edwards from Bulldog Gym who he has trained with in the final weeks leading up to the show. Chris said it was a pleasure to train with someone who had the same knowledge and ability as himself and found this really helped on the day of the competition where they made some adjustments that helped to produce the perfect conditions.

Chris would also like to thank his wife Tanya for preparing his food for the last six months (and 20 years).

Bulldog Gym

of 23 years - Chris was against people half his age, one of which was a current World Champion in a different federation. In true professional fashion, Chris took

Chris Penney stole the show at Italy’s IBFA Mediterranean Cup International Grand Prix Chris (left) with Ian Edwards from the Bulldog Gym, Las Chafiras

Chris and Ian are already planning their 2017 season. If you think you have what it takes to join the Bulldog Bodybuilding Team call in at the gym in Las Chafiras and speak to Ian. You never know, it could be you next. n

©2016 FLN

Local businessman and bodybuilder Chris Penney stole the show at Italy’s recent IBFA Mediterranean Cup International Grand Prix which takes place in the small village of Sapri, near Naples.

The show, which is held in the hometown of the president of the IBFA, was well attended by athletes from all over Europe, including the UK. On the day of the show it was clear that the competition was going to be tough - the bodybuilders were all in a room together as they prepared to go on stage, making last minute touch-ups, and it was hard not to look around and see who may be in your category. When you spot a number of current title holders it would be easy to lose your nerve a bit but, in typical style, Chris bounded on to the stage with a huge smile and gave great performances, taking the titles of Masters Champion,

With the year-round sunshine and crystal clear waters, the Canary Islands have the perfect conditions and underwater seascapes for scuba diving enthusiasts.

The seven islands are premier tourist destinations and attracted around 14 million visitors in 2016. Those who come pick their preferred holiday spot, choosing from a variety of bustling towns with great amenities and nightlife or sleepy villages where the stress just rolls away – and that’s before you even get to the diving! Visibility of more than 30 metres in the Canaries is normal, and water temperatures never drop much below 17 degrees Celsius, making it easy to enjoy the Islands’ unique biodiversity. Divers will encounter both Atlantic and Mediterranean species, and some endemic to the Canaries.

Live to dive

suits in winter keep most divers comfortable.

rienced diver, but must be learned first. It takes practice to become automatic and faultless. Most of the safety procedures are intended to reduce the risk of decompression sickness, drowning or becoming separated from your group.

Divers in the Canaries will encounter Atlantic and Mediterranean species, as well as some endemic to the Islands With year-round sunshine and clear waters, the Canaries have the perfect conditions for scuba enthusiasts

Great dives The Arona Wreck – For lovers of shipwrecks, Las Palmas in Gran Canaria has a variety of wonderful ruins to view, with many saying that they are among the best in the world. The Arona is basically in one piece, lying on its side 40 metres underwater.

It’s well known for the schools of barracuda and other pelagic fish that have made the wreck their home.

La Restinga – El Hierro’s marine reserve in the south of the island has turtles, tuna, dolphins, and even whale sharks put in the occasional appearance. Since the formation of an underwater volcano in 2011, marine life has started moving back into the area. El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands and

45

Photo: Ahmad Faiz Mustafa CC A-S A 3.0 IL

SCUBA SPECIAL

SPORTS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

Photo: Ggerdel CC A-S A 4.0 IL

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

1-2 Dive Centre co-owner and PADI Master Trainer, Alex Huitrón de Velasco (right), being interviewed during a beach cleanup event

is a bit remote but the diving makes up for the effort of getting there.

La Burrera – To the north of Lanzarote, just off the small island of La Graciosa, is the La Burrera dive site, highlighted by a dramatic underwater seascape including a labyrinth of pinnacles, columns and large rocky ledges. The marine life is protected here and thrives.

Cueva del Palm Mar – Located just 10 minutes from Los Cristianos and Las Galletas, the Cueva del Palm Mar is a thrill for advanced and deep divers.

Crystal clear waters offer incredible visibility for visiting the large cave, stunning rock formations, as well as lobsters, barracudas and several species of moray eels. Although gentle and somewhat inquisitive, some of the toothy eels look quite fierce.

La Catedral – This site in Gran Canaria is considered one of the top dives in the region due to the unusual and impressive volcanic formations found there. Off the coast of La Isleta, just north of Las Palmas, is a myriad of caves, lava tubes,

Featured creatures

arches and crevices. Ideally, you should hire a boat and dive specialist with local knowledge to make the most of a trip to this site.

Fish species in the Canaries include sharks, rays, bream, jacks, grunts, scorpionfish, triggerfish, groupers, gobies and blennies. Invertebrates include sponges, sea fans, jellyfish, anemones, crabs, sea urchins and many more.

Dive summary

Safety procedures

The water visibility is excellent and often exceeds 30 metres, depending on local conditions.

The Canaries are bathed by the Gulf Stream which regulates the water temperature and keeps it around 17 degrees Celsius in the winter and 23 degrees Celsius in the summer months. Typically, 5mm wetsuits in summer and 7mm

The underwater environment is often unfamiliar and hazardous, and some simple procedures must be followed to ensure diver safety. A certain level of attention to detail and responsibility for one’s own wellbeing are required.

Most of the procedures are straightforward and become second nature to the expe-

Recommended training Take the PADI Deep Diver and PADI Wreck Diver courses for diving the deeper wrecks. The PADI AWARE – Fish Identification course is also useful for helping you identify the many unique species.

1-2 Dive For a reputable scuba dive centre in the south of Tenerife, visit the 1-2 Dive website at: www.12dive.com. Facebook: www.facebook.com/12dive. n

SPORTS

46

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

SOCCER EXPERIENCE

A new year of football fun Soccer Experience youth side playing against Real Madrid in Granada

Soccer Experience’s summer tours are an amazing opportunity for young players

By Martin Tierney Our Men’s 6s league side is presently looking for new teams for the new 2017 season, so if you and some friends want exercise and fun playing football during the summer, simply form a team to play every week at our football facilities in Los Cristianos.

the Spain and UK trip and we still need some under 14s and 16s players for the UK trip.

Summer football camps Nomads’ youth teams and friends will be organising football, cultural and fun trips to Granada, Malaga and Costa del Sol in mid-July 2017, and the following week we head to the UK to participate in a UK competition against professional acad-

emy teams. These trips are an amazing opportunity for young players and provide them with excellent experience, enjoyment and the kids will make memories of a lifetime.

Players needed We still need a few players for under 10s and 12s for

nomadsfc.com. Each team has its own webpage. Alternatively, email: info@socexp. com or call/message: +34 654 200 470. Also visit our international website: www.socexp. com. n

Girl’s football Girl’s training sessions have now started and we provide two classes a week on a Monday and Friday at 4.30pm. We will also start some friendly games soon. If any girls aged eight to 15 years old would like to join in, please contact us.

Soccer Experience youths visiting Old Trafford in Manchester

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

Contact More information on the trips can be found at: www.

TENERIFE BLUETRAIL 2017

On top of old Teide Registration is open for the Tenerife Bluetrail 2017 endurance race, which this year forms part of the Skyrunner National Series Spain, Andorra & Portugal.

The endurance run takes place on June 10 and among its attractions is an ascent to the Teide National Park.

Tenerife Bluetrail 2017 is organised by the Tenerife Island Council and includes the Ultra category (97km), the principal race, which alongside Madeira’s Ultra Skymarathon and the Ultra Pirineu (Pyrenees), a 110km mountain run which starts and finishes in Bagà, Barcelona, form the toughest tests of the Series. Two of these races are also included in the World Series.

The Skyrunner National Series Spain, Portugal & Andorra is promoted by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF). It is managed by Ocisport Serveis Esportius and has the support

endorsement to the organisers, sponsors and athletes who help to make the event as strong as it is”.

Sports minister Cristo Pérez said that being included in the Series “gives the island tremendous media coverage and promotion. The Tenerife Bluetrail is already well known and has evolved in time to become one of the most important mountain trials in Spain and Europe”.

Categories

The Tenerife Bluetrail 2017 is included in the Skyrunner National Series Spain, Andorra & Portugal

of the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports (Fedme).

Tenerife president Carlos Alonso stated that: “It is

great news that the Tenerife Bluetrail is included in a top level series for the first time.

We have a unique race here,

leaving the beautiful Arona coastline before climbing to the Teide National Park and descending to Puerto

de La Cruz. A truly spectacular route! Its inclusion in the Skyrunner National Series calendar is a massive

The Tenerife Bluetrail 2017 offers four categories: Ultra (97km), Trail (66km), Marathon (43km), Medium (21km) and the Bluetrail Challenge, for people with disabilities.

Places for the Ultra race are nearly fully-booked with lots of availability in the other race categories.

For further information or to reserve your place, visit: www. tenerifebluetrail.com. n

12.1.2017 – 25.01.2017

FOOTBALL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 787

47

CD TENERIFE

Play-off hopes remain intact

By Chris Todd

match, a trait that needs to be addressed if we are going to see the team push for promotion.

The home side started to create chances with Dani produc-

Photo: Amath Ndiaye

CD Tenerife welcomes a historic Spanish club to Santa

as they have one of the most ample squads in the league.

Whatever happens, they will not want a repeat of last season’s last day humiliation. In an amazing game they only needed a point to qualify for the play-offs against alreadyrelegated Llagostera, but they were thrashed 6-2! This time around Zaragoza have some well-known players: ex-Liverpool defender Jose Enrique, ex-Tenerife striker Angel, and ex-Inter Milan player Popa, to name a few. It should be a decent game under the Heliodoro lights. If you cannot make

Cruz in their next fixture on January 14, with the visit of Real Zaragoza. The glory days of the 90s and their accompanying European cup wins are now a distant memory. Crippling debts hovering around the €100 million mark have stifled the club in recent times, but they still remain one of the favourites for promotion. To put it better, they really should be

it to the stadium, the game will be live on Gol TV at 7pm.

On January 21, Cordoba will visit the island for a 5pm fixture. The club is offering special ticket packages for the exciting run of coming games.

Check their website for details: www.clubdeportivotenerife. es, as well as the Armada Sur Facebook page: www.facebook. com/groups/armadasur. n

Next up

ing a couple of superb saves to keep the Catalans at bay.

The second half saw Tenerife manager Marti make two changes that surprised many by taking off Cristo and Aaron

Ñíguez, who to be quite honest are the only inventive players that the team has. The young management team are popular here, with fans and media

Tenerife manager Marti made changes against Nastic that surprised many Carlos Ruiz (right) in action Aaron Ñíguez challenges with a Nastic defender

alike, but every now and then Marti has made some very naive decisions and many say that he is still learning his trade. He makes up for that

All photos: CD Tenerife

08/01/2017 Nastic de Tarragona 1 CD Tenerife 1 CD Tenerife gained a point at bottom placed Nastic and once again missed the chance to leap into the play-off zone.

Having said that, the home team was undergoing something of a revolution with a new manager in charge of the struggling team and four new signings making their debut. The match started so well for the blanquiazules as young striker Cristo Gonzalez put the islanders ahead, scoring on 12 minutes with a far post knock in. The 18 year old striker from Añaza, Santa Cruz, really has taken his chance with main frontman Choco Lozano sidelined through injury.

As the game progressed Tenerife lost control of possession and let Nastic back into the

with the sending off of Manu Barreiro on 61 minutes, Tenerife failed to capitalise.

The final result of 1-1 can be seen in two different ways: either a good away point against a new-look home team with a new manager and the bit between their teeth, or two dropped points against a struggling side. Whichever it is, with the league so incredibly tight every point is crucial and the blanquiazules still only remain one point from the play-offs.

with his enthusiasm and he certainly is part of a long-term plan for the club.

Lanky striker Juini partnered main striker Choco Lozano in attack, but who was going to supply the key passes? Lump forwards by defensive midfielders are cannon fodder for most centre halves and this proved to be the case. Even when Nastic were reduced to 10 men

PROMOTION

48

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 054

ETEN CANARIAS REAL ESTATE

LAST REMAINING

PROPERTIES

AVAILABLE

LUXURY PROPERTIES -RIVIERA RESORT SAN EUGENIO - COSTA ADEJE

PRICES START FROM

€510.000

VILLA DEL DUQUE COSTA ADEJE This extraordinary 4 bedroom villa is the epitome of beach front luxury. Conveniently located within walking distance (5-10 min) to the city and most popular Playa del Duque beach, the property sits on an elevated position above the el beach and enjoys fantastic city and sea views from the top terrace. REF:943

€850.000

CONTACT: +34 676 378 618 icrealestate@icmedia.eu LUXURY TOWN HOUSE - EL MADRONAL

€395.000

New development of luxury villas in the prestigious area of El Madroñal. All amenities are close by. This lovely 3 bedroom property has stunning views towards the coastline.