A life in Spain Edition 27 – December 2018

buying & selling your next property in spain

SPAIN A Life in

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issue 27 DEC 2018

South Town

free

North East Murcia

North Town

Wine Region

Villajoyosa

Places In A Day

España Verde

Las Fuentes Del Algar

Cover picture by Prime Property Murcia, see advert on page 12

find your dream property at

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PAGE 38

PAGE 25

#Edition 27 • December 2018

Food & Drink Section

Why Spain has the most expensive electricity bill in Europe.

(Final Part)

Main article

32

Rosca de Reyes

Wine Region:

Spanish recipe

España Verde

Spanish Picadillo

8&9

19 - 22

Go Plastic free to save the sea Nº3 - Plastic bottles, the alternative

12

34 Calendar of Christmas Events: Places to visit in a day Las Fuentes del Algar

39

6

Agent´s Diary

with Rebecca Serwotka

24

Costa Blanca Benidorm WCT Marcha 2018

contact ALIS:

enquiries@alifeinspain.com peter.clarke@alifeinspain.com

Welcome to the December edition of ALIS. Happy Christmas everyone. I hope this edition finds you all well, and that you have a wonderful festive time over the coming weeks.

This months Food and Drink section focuses on Christmas with a feature on Turron, the Christmas sweet whilst the main feature is on the history of the Rosca de Reyes, the round cake we see in all of the shops. The recipe this month is on the Spanish Picadillo which is eaten in abundance during the festive period.

The wine region this month focuses on the region of Espana Verde. This little known region is producing some excellent world class wines at the moment.

We also have a calendar of Spanish Christmas events to help us understand the traditions that make up Christmas. We have highlighted the red days to help with any shopping trips you may need.

Remember – all of our articles and over 10,000 properties for sale and rent are available online at:

www.alifeinspain.com

ALIS is not responsible for the accuracy or content of any articles published in the magazine or online and proffessional advice is reccomended. ALIS does not endorse any company advert or article herein. We try to make sure the content is accurate but cannot be held responsible for inaccuracy.

TEL: 660 170 355 deposito legal: MU 1390-2016

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Places to visit in a day

Las Fuentes del Algar

Set in beautiful countryside, only three kilometres from the centre of Callosa and only 15 kilometres from Benidorm is a little known area to the foreign tourist but one that makes it a place well worth visiting and is one of the most important attractions of the region. The unique landscape offers so many surprises, not least the flora and fauna which are managed and protected by various authorities and as a result, in 2002, the region was declared a “WET ZONE” protected by the Valencian Regional government. http://www.lasfuentesdelalgar.com/ To first appreciate the magnificent landscape that has evolved over millennia, take a short drive of about 1.5 kilometres parallel to the Algar river. Water springs directly from the rocks forming spectacular waterfalls which then form “tolls” which are pools of fresh cool water which are considered sources of natural health so swimwear is highly recommended. In addition to this you will see the old dam and the Grand Canal.

The region is, of course, very popular and as such there are now more facilities for tourists. A tourist office can supply more information about the area including places to walk. For this purpose there are several parking areas where you can start your exploring.

(The Sources of the Algar) A picnic area and good public toilets allow you to spend a lovely relaxing day in the middle of nature. There are a couple of restaurants not too far away if you have forgotten your picnic.

There is also a dedicated camping site for those adventurers who enjoy looking up at the stars and for the children (and older ones, probably) there is the nearby Dino Park. An amusement park with a dinosaur theme including moving dinosaurs and a wonderful Spanish mountain back drop. http://www.dinopark.eu/en/algar If you are anywhere near this area in the future, you might want to give up a day to visit. Enjoy!

Just beware of the sun!!

07

Wine Focus...

EspaĂąa Verde

The northern and north-western portion of Spain, is exposed to the northern Atlantic and can be cool to cold, wet, and green, thus its name, EspaĂąa Verde.

BACKGROUND The sheltering fortification of the Cordillera Cantábrica, looming above Rioja, is unavailable to much of Green Spain as it stretches from Galicia to the Pyrenees.

Green Spain’s cool and misty climate necessitates a focus upon earlier-ripening grapes, especially white varieties. Aromatic varieties prosper, with Albariño the most visible success in international markets.

Thus far, the grape’s top iterations are found on the precipitous mountainsides above the town of Bierzo and the steep banks along the Sil River in Ribeira Sacra. The vineyards plummet downward.

Grown along the coast, or along the rivers that give Rias Baixas (“lower fjords”) its name, Albariño is the dominant grape; it can vary from crisp and tangy to round and peachy. While Treixadura and Loureiro grow there too, Rias Baixas’ single-minded focus upon Albariño has fuelled a drive that has seen the U.S. become the region’s number one market.

Green Spain’s vineyards extend all the way to Basque Country, often backing into the Pyrenees or the Sierra Cantábrica, sheltering more famous wine regions such as Rioja. Climatic challenges are a consistent theme, as is the reliance upon tangy, tart wines ideal with the shellfish and seafood from the well-stocked Atlantic Ocean.

Other white grapes fill the vineyards moving inland; the rich and even complex Godello grape rules in Valdeorras (the “valley of gold”, reflecting Rome’s interest in the place 2000 years ago).

But Txakoli wines are shockingly tart, lemony, and even spritzy. Waiters will pour your wine from high above the glass to emphasize the fizz. Light in body and alcohol, Txakoli wines go down easily at the table or on a sunny afternoon.

Godello, Treixadura and others serve the regions of Monterrei and the picturesque DOs of Ribeiro and Ribeira Sacra. But away from the coast temperatures rise, so red grapes do well too; the Mencia grape is arguably northwest Spain’s best red. Its lip-smacking raspberry tones and floral aromas are fun and bracing.

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I have used up the last of my bottles of shampoo and plastic bottles of conditioner and ordered online Lush products, shampoo bar, conditioner bar and face bar. They do deliver to mainland Spain and standard delivery is less than €5. I also ordered 2 little Lush soap tins. I can’t wait to see and try these products from Lush, they have had great reviews. ...update, the products arrived quickly, Lush have very good service and delivery. I was intrigued to see all the products arrived in brown paper bags, the little tins are lovely but too small for the shampoo and conditioner bar. I had to cut them in half to fit in the tin! Then I was shocked to see what I thought were plasic fillers im the box but it turned out they even they disolve in water. Go Lush! The face soap, Fresh Farmacy is very nice but it came in a huge wedge, like a wedge of cheese. I cut off what I need and put the rest away.

I have washed my hair a couple of times with the products and I am happy with the result. It takes a while to get used to lathering up the product, like being a kid again with soap, but it’s a great experience. I love the minimal lack of bottles around my bathroom and this has got to be the answer for travelling. No liquids to squash into tiny plastic bags at airport security, just little bars in tins. Much better By, Hilary from Murcia Golf Homes

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13

South Town...

North-East Murcia

north-east MURCIA Vine-covered fields make up the wine-making making region of Jumilla and Yecla, an area that has a long history, featuring numerous Palaeolithic, Iberian and Roman archaeological sites, and whose wines are of certified origin (D.0.) We can also find towns such as Abanilla, known as the Murcian Palestine, and Fortuna, featuring a history of over 2000 years, as witnessed by the existence of Roman remains and the thermal waters located here.

Things to See

Fortuna. We might highlight the important Spa of Fortuna-Leana, one of the main thermal water destinations in Spain, which dates from 1860 and has welcomed a large number of illustrious figures in the past. Neither should we forget to mention the Church of La Purisima (18th century), the House Convent of Las Monjas, the Town Hall, the former Roman Baths and archaeological sites featuring Prehistoric, Roman and Moorish remains, such as La Cueva Negra (1st-3rd century), featuring Latin inscriptions, due to its use as a temple devoted to the nymphs in Ancient times.

Abanilla. We can enjoy a general tour of the town by walking up from the Town Hall (18th century) to the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús via a series of steps. These steep lanes house the Palace of La Encomienda and the House of Los Diezmos (a former communal granary), the Church of San Jose (Baroque). In the outskirts of the town, highlights include the Viewing-point of Santa Ana, the River Chícamo and a public washing place (still in use).

Jumilla. We might also mention the Vico Theatre (19th century), the Municipal Museum of “Jeronimo Molina”, the Palace of El Concejo (16th century), which today houses the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santiago, the Town Hall, Modernist houses, the Wine Museum of “Juan Carcelén” and El Casón (15th century). A few kilometres away from the town itself, we can also visit the Convent of Santa Ana del Monte (16th century), the Medieval Castle with its keep and parade ground, the wetland area of “El Charco del Zorro”, the rock art and the Palaeontological Site of Las Pisadas Fósiles de la Hoya de la Sima.

Yecla. The Plaza Mayor, the architecturally impressive main square, is made up of the Town Hall (16th century), La Lonja, El Alhorin or “Bread Store” (16th century), the Clock Tower (18th century), which was renovated in the 19th century, and La lglesia Vieja or ”The Old Church” (16th century). Visitors will also be interested in the Municipal Archaeology Museum “Cayetano de Mergelina”, the El Greco Replicas Museum, the Holy Week Museum, the Museum of the Patron Saint Festivities and the Bullfighting Museum. The Church of La Purisima (19th century) and the Shrine of La Patrona, located on the Castle hill, are also worth a visit. Every year on 7th December, the inhabitants of Yecla climb this hill whilst firing salvoes of gunpowder with old arquebuses.

Things to Do

Santomera. 0n the way to Fortuna, some seven kilometres from the town, we can visit La Casa del Agua (“The Water House”), an interesting centre devoted to water culture, located Within the enclosure of the Reservoir of Santomera, where visitors can also practise water-sports.

Fortuna. Enjoy the thermal waters of the Spa. Tourists can also enjoy trekking and bicycle routes, visit places of historical and archaeological interest, carry out excursions and practise adventure sports in settings as picturesque as the Regional Park of Sierra de la Pila.

Abanilla. Take part in adventure sports in natural reserves and settings such as those of Sahues, visit the source of the River Chícamo or follow the river through the Natural Area of Santa Ana, featuring views of the Huerta de Abanilla, the Straits of La Hechicera and the Spring of Algarrobo, whilst following different routes.

Jumilla. Visitors will also find six “Wine Routes“, which incorporate all of the town’s tourist services and resources, focusing on its history and culture, its natural delights, cave paintings, archaeological sites, trekking trails and, of course, the exquisite wines of certified origin (D0) which can be enjoyed in this area. With the Wine Route, tourists will be able to visit the local vineyards and sample some of the wines for themselves, as well as enjoying typical cuisine from the area and the opportunity to purchase local products. in the Sierra del Carche, we can find various mountain-bike routes and facilities for paragliding. Take on the challenge of Long Trail 7 (GR. 7) which crosses the north of the region.

Yecla. On Mount Arabi, some 18 kilometres from the town, visitors can also visit the caves of El Canto de la Visera 5 and Mediodia, featuring Neolithic wall paintings and petroglyphs, rock-carvings that were used in magic rituals. Visitors can also follow bicycle routes along paths that pass through countryside made up of vineyards.

Things to Buy and Eat

Fortuna. Products such as esparto and oil lamps; dishes such as cakes known as “tonas”, gachasmigas, tortilleras and trigo pelao.

Abanilla. Baskets made of esparto. Gachasmigas and homemade sausage meats.

Jumilla. Wines of certified origin (D.0.), cheeses and olive oil. Gazpacho, trigo entero and relleno. Under the heading of sweet dishes, we can enjoy sequillos, rollos de vino and cristdbalas.

Yecla. We should not forget to mention the local furniture industry, wine of certified origin and Yecla gazpacho and its typical sweet dishes: Sequillos, libricos and pan bendito.

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Christmas in Spain Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born. Christmas Eve is known as Noche Buena. In the days before Noche Buena, children might take part in ‘piden el aguinaldo’ where they go and sing carols around their neighbours hoping to get some money!

Families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service. The traditional Spanish Christmas dinner was ‘PavoTrufado de Navidad’ which is Turkey stuffed with truffles (the mushrooms, not the chocolate ones!) or ‘Pulardaasada’ (a roasted young hen), although they are not commonly eaten now. In Galicia (a region in north-west Spain, surrounded by water) the most popular meal for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day is seafood. This can be all kinds of different seafood, from shellfish and molluscs, to lobster and small edible crabs.

Popular deserts and sweets include ‘mazapán’ (made of almonds, sugar and eggs), ‘turrón’ (made of honey and toasted almonds) and ‘polvorones’ (made of flour, butter and sugar).

After the midnight service, one old tradition was for people to walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. One Spanish saying is ‘Esta noche es NocheBuena, Y no Es noche de dormir’ which means ‘Tonight is the good night and it is not meant for sleeping!’

A few different languages are spoken in different regions in Spain. In Spanish Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Feliz Navidad’; in Catalan it’s ‘Bon Nadal’; in Galician ‘Bo Nadal’; and in Basque (or Euskara in basque) ‘Eguberri on’.

December 28th is ‘Día de los santos inocentes’ or ‘Day of the Innocent Saints’ and is very like April Fools Day in the UK and USA. People try to trick each other into believing silly stories and jokes. Newspapers and TV stations also run silly stories. If you trick someone, you can call them ‘Inocente, inocente’ which means ‘innocent, innocent’. 28th December is when people all over the world remember the babies that were killed on the orders of King Herod when he was trying to kill the baby Jesus.

New Year’s Eve is called ‘Nochevieja’ or ‘The Old Night’ in Spain and one special tradition is that you eat 12 grapes with the 12 strokes of the clock at Midnight! Each grape represents a month of the coming year, so if you eat the twelve grapes, you are said to be lucky in the new year.

Apart from Christmas, there is another festival that is celebrated in Spain that is about the Christmas Story. It is called Epiphany and is celebrated on 6th January. In Spanish, Epiphany is called ‘Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Magos’: in English this means ‘The festival of the three Magic Kings’. Epiphany celebrates when the Kings or Wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus.

Children have some presents on Christmas Day, but most are opened at Epiphany. Children believe that the Kings bring presents to them at Epiphany. They write letters to the Kings asking for toys and presents. And on Epiphany Eve (January 5th) they leave shoes on windowsills or balconies or under the Christmas Tree to be filled with presents. Gifts are often left by children for the Kings, a glass of Cognac for each King, a satsuma and some walnuts. Sometimes a bucket of water is left for the camels that bring the Kings! If the children have been bad, the Kings might leave pieces of coal made out of sugar in the presents!

Some big towns and cities have Epiphany Parades with each King having a big float that is shaped like a camel. Sometimes there are also real camels in the parade. The Three Kings in the Spanish Epiphany are: •Gaspar, who has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. He is the King of Sheba. Gaspar represents the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Frankincense is sometimes used in worship in

Churches and showed that people worship Jesus.

•Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold cloak. He is the King of Arabia. Melchior represents the Gold brought to Jesus. Gold is associated with Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings.

•Balthazar, who has black skin and a black beard (or no beard!) and wears a purple cloak. He is the King of Tarse and Egypt. Balthazar represents the gift of Myrrh that was brought to Jesus. Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice and showed that Jesus would suffer and die.

Nativity Scenes ‘Pesebres’ are also popular in Catalonia (and all throughout Spain!). Many towns also hold ‘Pastorets’ which are big plays/presentations about the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus. They have lots of music and readings from the Bible.

An unusual figure which is popular and traditional in Pesebres in Catalonia is ‘El Caganer’ which means ‘the poo-er’! And yes, it’s a figure of a person going to the toilet! It’s normally a figure of a Catalan peasant, wearing the traditional red Catalan cap (called a barretina) squatting with their trousers/pants down and well, you know... New versions of El Caganer are now produced each year, often with the faces of celebrities and politicians! This figure has been part of nativity scenes in Catalonia since the early 18th century. It’s often hidden in a back corner of the Pesebre, well away from the stable! Similar figures can also sometimes be found in scenes in other areas in Spain such as Andorra, Valencia and Murcia; in Northern Catalonia (in southern France), Naples (in Italy) and some parts of Portugal.

Christmas in Spain The first thing that the visitor will notice is that Christmas in Spain is not as huge a commercial occasion as is the case in many other western countries. Christmas lights are usually lit in the main cities in the first week of December by which time the shops are fully stocked with Christmas supplies. Nothing like the US and UK where the end of summer marks the build up to Christmas.

Christmas trees are common in the home but again they don’t appear until the second half of December. Also in the home there are intricate, miniature nativity scenes called Belénes which depict life in the village where Jesus was born. The Belén always include the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph as well as the Three Kings, Baltasar, Melchior and Gaspar.

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Food & Drink Section Turron, The Christmas Sweet

Turrón is a very old, traditional sweet of Moorish (Arabic) origin. It has been a popular sweet for centuries, even outside Spain’s borders. It is said that the Moors invented turrón over 500 years ago in Jijona, a small town about 30 miles or so north of Alicante.

Jijona’s economy is still focused on the production of turrón and there is even a museum of turrón that chronicles the process and history of the sweet. In addition, it is located within the factory that makes both “El Lobo” and “1880” brands of turrón. If you visit the museum from mid-June to mid-December, you can watch the turrón production from a balcony high above the factory floor.

Types of Turrón There are two traditional, basic types of turrón: soft Jijona or turrón blando, which is so smooth it has the consistency of peanut butter, and hard Alicante or turrón duro, which is like a thick almond nougat candy, similar to the texture of peanut brittle.

Turrón is made with honey, and the wildflowers that bloom in the mountainsides all around the town of Jijona. The honey, together with the almonds from nearby orchards forms delicious turrón in the hands of artisan candy makers, called turroneros. In 1939 a Denomination of Origin for turrón from Jijona was created, and in 1991 the rules of the denomination were revised.

19

& Foo D d rin k

Rosca de Reyes

With religious origins, the Rosca de Reyes is a traditional Spanish bread in the form of a ring, representing the Wise Men’s search for the King of the Jews. It is believed that Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, the Three Kings from the East, travelled to Jerusalem following a star.

On meeting with King Herold, they asked him where the new King had been born.

King Herold, frightened by these words, asked the wise men to search for the child and bring word once they had found him, so that he may also go and worship the new king. Because Herold was afraid that the child might threaten his throne, he ordered the killing of every single baby under the age of two years old. The day when the wise men found the Baby Jesus is known as Epiphany, which is precisely the event represented by the Rosca de Reyes.

The dried and candied fruits that adorn the bread symbolize the crowns of the Kings, while the traditional figurines placed inside the bread represent Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to escape from Herold’s attempts to kill their baby. The tradition of eating Rosca de Reyes actually started in France, in the 14th century.

The way it was eaten was almost a ritual in itself. A slice of bread was first given to a poor person or stranger, then the next slices were intended for those serving in the King’s army, and the rest of the bread was distributed among the other guests. This tradition soon expanded to other countries in Europe and later to Latin America.

Nowadays, in France, the tradition involves the Rosca de Reyes being placed on a table, under which a child sits or they are blindfolded, so that when the bread is divided they are asked “Who shall receive this share?” and the child names someone. One lucky recipient will find the trinket, normally a bean although sometimes even a coin. The person who finds it is named “King” for the day.

In Mexico, the tradition of sharing the bread is slightly different, as little plastic babies are placed inside it to symbolize the baby Jesus. Guests then randomly take a share of the bread, and whoever finds the figurine automatically becomes his godparent.

Then he or she has to make a party with tamales and atole on the following February 2nd.

Godparents usually dress up a statue of Jesus using traditional costumes.

Sometimes they dress him as Saint Francis of Assisi or the Holy Child of Atocha and other typical depictions of Jesus. February 2nd is a very important day, when many Christians celebrate the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

This feast also honors Our Lady of Candelaria, a depiction of the Virgin Mary, and includes the blessing of water and candles. Far more than a quaint tradition, the Rosca de Reyes can help believers remember that God can turn darkness and bitterness into light and sweetness!

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& Foo D d rin k

Spanish recipe

Spanish Picadillo

. . . s t n e i d e r g In

Ingredients for 2 people:

. . . t i k o o c How to

Preparation •Drizzle a little olive oil into a frying pan and throw your garlic cloves in. Don’t •250 grams pork mince peel them though •3 or 4 cloves of garlic •Fry over a medium heat until the skins are crispy •1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of hot or smoky •Peel the garlic and then mash it in a pestle and mortar with a pinch of salt paprika •Mix the paste in with the mince and add the two types of paprika.

•1/2 to 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika •Keep stirring and mixing… and when you think you’ve stirred enough, stir •pinch of salt more. Do it with your hands if you like… you want it really well mixed •olive oil for frying •Pop into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I do ours in the morning, and then it’s ready for that evening •Bring the bowl out of the fridge about half an hour before you’re ready to cook so that it comes up to room temperature •Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into a large frying pan (perhaps a tablespoon full) and brown the mince •Keep stirring until it’s cooked. Make sure you break the mince up •Spoon the mince onto plates •Stick a bit of leafy stuff on top if you want to make it look pretty •Serve hot

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Costa Blanca Benidorm WCT Marcha 2018 After coffee we headed to Col de Rates which we bypassed so as we could get in front and be back at the hotel before the finish. At the finish they started to arrive in ones and twos no big groups and very few sprinting. Everyone just wanted to get finished and changed into warm clothes. Out of our 9 starters only Alan Quearns, Dom TJ, Paul Cameron and Steve Buckley made it and received their well deserved medals.

It was a very cold 15 degrees on Saturday 27th October when we met and left the shop at 05.00 on our way to the Terra Natura Theme park in Benidorm for the 1st Benidorm WCT Marcha.

We arrived and proceeded to park in the Terra Natura car park and went in to the Hotel reception for registration. After collecting our numbers, goody bag etc we looked for a café / restaurant but found that there wasn’t any only the Hotel dining room so we all took our chances and walked in for a coffee.We were the lucky ones as we just managed a quick coffee and cake before loads of other people tried their luck but were asked to leave as they were not guests of the hotel. Back to the cars, bikes prepped and onto the start line for a 7.30am start. We had 9 riders taking part in this Sportif and it was the first one that I had to drop out of due to my hip problems and being unable to stand on the cranks when climbing. It was 153km with 3600metres of climbing so with deep regret I decided to let the guys get on with it and just act as support (It was just as well I did).

At 7.30am they were off heading down to Benidorm town for a 10km loop of the town before passing the hotel again towards Finestrat for the first climb of the day. (4km at an average 5%.).

It had just started to rain.After Finestrat they headed towards and up The Tudons 12kms at an average of 12% (and has featured in many La Vueltas ). I had just settled in to a comfy seat with a coffee when my phone rang it was Harry, he was sitting in the back of an ambulance with Hypothermia as it was now 7 degrees with a chill factor of about 0 degrees and torrential rain. He said the ambulance driver could not take him as he had many people to look after and could I go and get him.

So off I go Thunderbird One to the rescue.As I drove to Finestrat I started to pass cyclists with race numbers heading back towards the hotel, only a couple at first then a few more then groups of them. I must have passed over 200 cyclists including some professional riders all heading back and looking frozen as it was chucking it down by now and many riders had taken refuge in local bars and restaurants including Graham and Richard as I recognised their bikes when I passed.

It took me over an hour and a half to reach Harry who was over 60km into the race and had already completed the Tudons and was now in a water stop with Daniel who also had to retire. I gave them a blanket each to wrap up in and keep warm. We had just left the water stop when Moth who was with the lead group phoned to say he had a double puncture and was now out so off we went to rescue him. After another 50km we collected Moth and the 4 of us went for a coffee in a local village to warm everyone up, the rain had stopped by now but there were not many riders left.

Steve Buckley’s better half Julie Hipkiss started cycling with Lynn on Hybrid bikes 3 years ago and last year decided to make the change to a road bike where she has gone from strength to strength. She is out cycling on her road bike most days and has become a very strong cyclist. She has successfully completed 3 major Sportifs and not only did she start this one at Benidorm she braved the treacherous weather conditions and continued where others had failed and was proudly presented with her finishers medal. Well done Julie we all take our hats off to you. Out of the 460 starters only 175 managed to finish. In hindsight the organisers should have cancelled the event as 800 riders had already pulled out the week before when they announced that it was no longer going to be closed roads this included the 3 invited professional riders. Here’s to our next Marcha on Sunday 18th November let’s hope the sun shines.

Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 120kms at a moderate to fast pace so, if you fancy a challenge,looking to improve your fitness,riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.

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Situated on the popular La Torre Golf Resort with on-site facilities such as a supermarket, hairdressers & beauty salon 16 communal pools, bars and a clubhouse.

G¨ Åw%‫ژ‬Fk ¨‫ ژ‬¥ ¨¾u-w¾ kƌȽ‫¾ژ‬ƷȵȵƌɼƌȽ‫ژ‬ưƷ‫ژ‬kƌ‫¾ژ‬ȏȵȵƷ 2 bedrooms - 1 Bathroom - Private Terrace & Lake Views.

This apartment on Las Terrazas Golf Resort has its own private terrace and garden area with spectacular golf views and a stream at the bottom of the garden.

-k‫ژ‬Ý kk-‫ژ‬G kF‫ ژ‬k ¨‫ژ‬ -ǹ‫ژ‬ÝƌǹǹƷ‫ژ‬GȏǹǑ‫¨ژ‬ƷȽȏȵɋ 3 bedrooms - 2 Bathrooms - Private Pool & Lake Views.

Finished to an incredibly high standard, there are very few Aclor Villas left that are as impressive as this one.

Get in touch today for more information

w-Þ‫ ژ‬ÅUk%‫ژ‬ÝUkk ° kȏȽ‫ ژ‬ǹƩƌɼƌȵƷȽ 2/3 bedrooms - 2 Bathrooms - Private Pool.

With prices starting from just 219,950€, these new build

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ȏȄɋƌƩɋ‫ژ‬ɓȽ‫ژ‬ɋȏưƌɲ‫ژ‬ɋȏ‫ژ‬ȽƷƷ‫ژ‬ǚȏɬ‫ژ‬ɬƷ‫ژ‬ƩƌȄ‫ژ‬ ȽƷǹǹ‫ژ‬ɲȏɓȵ‫ژ‬ȲȵȏȲƷȵɋɲ‫ژ‬ǠȄ‫ژ‬ƌ‫ژ‬ɬƷƷǵٍ

villas offer fantastic value for money in a great location just 5 minutes from the beach.

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North Town...

Villajoyosa

Villajoyosa Villajoyosa is located at the northern end of the Costa Blanca in the Alicante province, Villajoyosa (La Villa Joiosa) is the capital of the Marina Baixa district. A delightful and historic town, it stretches the length of a lovely wide, sandy beach, with pretty coloured fishing houses running along the seafront and is encompassed with a backdrop of mountains.

Situated around 26 kilometres from the city of Alicante and Alicante International airport, Villajoyosa is a wellsituated destination, ideal for exploring the rest of the Costa Blanca coastline.

History Villajoyosa has a rich cultural heritage. It’s history as a town dates back to the 6th century and it has been settled by the Greeks, Phoenicians, the Romans and of course the Moors, when it actually fell into some decline, which is unusual for a Moorish occupied town.

The town as it is known today was founded in 1293 by an Admiral who served in the Kingdom of Aragon’s navy.

It’s name Villajoyosa, literally means Joyful town.

Throughout the centuries Villajoyosa has been an important trade point along this coastline; trading in olive oil, cereals and wine, and shipbuilding, amongst others. But probably what it is most famous for is chocolate.

During the 19th century the town started to develop a chocolate-making industry. Because of its trade connections, it started importing cocoa from Ecuador and Venezuela and the industry grew and grew. The chocolate brand, ‘Valor’, which can be found in most shops and supermarkets throughout Spain comes from Villajoyosa.

Villajoyosa Beach Villajoyosa is set at the mouth of a river, which sweeps into the Mediterranean Sea. Three kilometres of wide, golden, sandy beaches form part of the local coastline.

The local beaches are popular with water sports enthusiasts and there are good facilities on the beach.

Places to visit Villajoyosa is well placed to explore the stretch of coastline known as the Costa Blanca in the Valencia region.

Close by are the resorts of Benidorm, Altea, Denia and of course the city of Alicante.

You could also take trip by boat to the lovely Island of Tabarca. Visit the Caves of Canelobre, a marvel of mother nature; or head to Elche to see the largest Palm Forest in Europe, where you can enjoy a stroll through the subtropical environment.

Climate Villajoyosa and the whole of the Costa Blanca enjoys a privileged location and an excellent mild climate, with an average year round temperature of 18-20° C.

Around town A seafront backed by rows of colourful fishing cottages, and old walled town centre, with a distinctive gothic feel, roman bridges and a traditional Spanish working town feel. Villajoyosa is really a ‘joyful’ place to visit.

There are plenty of amenities and facilities for holiday-makers: shops, bars and restaurants in abundance, a lively fish market and bustling local market, where you can pick up fresh local produce, home-made local souvenirs and crafts and other holiday items.

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Why Spain has the most expensive electricity bill in Europe. (Final Part)

On the past articles we analysed why we pay one of the highest bills on electricity in Europe. All to do with the famous 30,000 million Euros debt in favour of the electricity companies thanks to the past Spanish Governments who created a confusion of public and private interests and an apprehensive double set of regulations misguided planning and a failed market. Electric Companies benefited thanks to a widespread of over remunerations having the effect that now,consumers have to pay extremely expensive electricity which not so long ago had a reasonable price.

The renewable energy ‘trap’ The truth is that when the boom of renewable began in 2007, the electrical system had accumulated a deficit approaching the 10,000 million Euros, but in later years increased an additional 4,000 to 5,000 million Euros each year.

And indeed, the debt had been fed by the government regulation itself, which contained an element of perverse effects: the ability of the renewables to contain the price of electricity on the wholesale electric market caused that the part of the costs recognized by the system went up due to the profitability obtained by the green energy agents and that regulations guaranteed, thus increasing the financial overall debt.

Green technologies fell into a regulatory trap difficult to escape and went on to become the main generator cost of the tariff deficit. They were doomed to be the scapegoat of the electrical mistake. The more the renewable electricitylowers the prices in the electric wholesale market, the more deficits were created.

The final push to disaster.

The economic crisis was the final push for the system accounts to be completely inoperable. With all system costs growing, the fall in electric consumption caused by the economic slow down made the system totally unviable.

Electricity demand in 2013 returned to the levels of 2005.

The disproportionate spending made a few years, the curse of the economic crisis, it is true that the country had a shiny new electrical infrastructure, but little money to pay the debt which was created, even using the very large increases in the electricity bill the debt was growing.

And finally came the Rajoy electricity reform.

The Electrical reform undertaken by the Rajoy’sGovernment was hard and put into effect part by part. The measures were being fed over the entire governing period. The aim was to plug in the bleeding debt and to stop the increases in the tariff deficit, which happened for the first time last year.

A good reform but at a high cost.

To carry out this reform, the government applied very strong cuts in almost all regulated costs (specially to the renewable energies, and were applied to all sectors, including the traditional electric power installations) new taxes were created and applied to all technologies, to raise revenues; in the early years of legislature the government continued to rise the electricity bill paid by consumers (with timid rises in 2015, the election year); it ended with the quarterly electricity price auctions and the prices were to be decided every day in the daily market price; the door opened to the hourly rate based smart meters (which will not be fully implemented throughout Spain until 2018).

To top it all the Ministry of Industry, José Manuel SoriaFront, applied just at the beginning of this legislature a moratorium on renewables, and then inventing a retroactive compensation model, leaving in check mate much of the green sector industry(mainly those linked to the solar energy). Another blow to renewable was provided through the well-known, ‘sun tax’ was created to control (stop?) the expansion of the family self-generating electric industry.

These measures are the source of dozens of national and international judicial appeals that have put in hands of the courts (again) the Spanish energy policy.

Among the most unpopular measures, was the 12% raise on the cost of the fixed part of our electricity bill paid by all of us on our receipt, so that users paid more although consumption may be reduced?

Apart from the crisis and the consequent fall in demand,the rest of the consequences are the result of political decisions, either by excessive planning for electioneering or connivance with some major Spanish electric companies. And now that the monster was created, it seems,that at least it will not continue to grow,but it will cost to kill it, because that debt of nearly 30,000 million Euros, will have to be paid by all of us, with interest, for the next fifteen years.

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: n i a p S r i h s t C m f n a I s o r da n e l a C Christmas time in Spain lasts much longer than in the U.k, and is more about religion than present giving. In fact the present giving in Spain is done to mirror the religous festive days. The main days of the Spanish festive period are below.

8th December – Red Day - This is the public holiday of Immaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) which marks the beginning of the religious Christmas celebrations. Most notable in Seville.

21st December – In a few cities including Granada the celebration of Hogueras (bonfires) takes place. This date marks the winter solstice (shortest day) and where it is celebrated involves people jumping through fires to protect themselves against illness.

22nd December – All over Spain people never stray far from a TV or radio as the Christmas lottery is drawn over a period of many hours. Everybody in Spain buys tickets for this lottery in the hope of winning El Gordo (the fat one) and the winning number usually means that a good number of people from the same village become a lot better off overnight. Besides the big three prizes there are thousands of smaller prizes shared by people all over Spain. You can buy Spanish Christmas lottery tickets online.

24th December – Christmas Eve is called NocheBuena in Spanish (Goodnight) and it is the most important family gathering of the year. In the evening people often meet early for a few drinks with friends then return home to enjoy a meal with the family. Most bars and restaurants close in the evening. Prawn starters followed by roast lamb would be a typical meal rounded off with a typically Christmas sweet called turrón which is a nougat made of toasted sweet almonds. Another typical festive sweet is called Polvorones which is made from almonds, flour and sugar. Cava, Catalan champagne, would be the chosen drink for the Christmas toast though plenty fine Spanish wines will also be consumed with the meal.

25th December – Red Day - Children may receive a small gift on NocheBuena or this morning but the day for presents is 6th January, Epiphany, when the Three Kings bring gifts for the children. Christmas Day is a national holiday in Spain so shops are closed yet it is not a day of great celebration but rather a calm day when people go out for a walk, drop into a bar, etc. Another large family meal at lunchtime is common though it’s becoming more common to see families eating out on the afternoon of Christmas day.

28th December – This is the day of Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents) and is the equivalent of April Fools’ Day when people play practical jokes on one another. Often the national media will include a nonsense story in their broadcasts. In some villages youngsters light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to carry out civic tasks such as sweeping the streets. Refusal to comply results in fines which are used to pay for the celebration.

31st December – New Year’s Eve is known as NocheVieja. It is a big celebration all over the country with street parties and special nights in hotels and clubs everywhere. Until midnight people tend to stay at home and on the stroke of midnight it is traditional to eat 12 grapes, one on each stroke of the clock to bring good luck for the new year. In Madrid and other main cities revellers congregate in the main square (Puerta del Sol in Madrid) and eat the grapes along with a celebratory bottle of cava then head out into the night until after sunrise.

1st January – Red Day - A low key public holiday with plenty people sleeping off their excesses.

5th January – There are processions all over Spain this evening where sweets are thrown from the floats to all the people who come out to watch. Every town has its own variation such as in the Sierra Nevada where the Three Kings (Wise Men) can be seen to ski down to the village.

6th January – Red Day - This is the Feast of the Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos) when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Spanish children this is the most important day of the year when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos (the Three Kings/Wise Men) have left gifts for them in their house. Santa may leave them a token gift on December 25th but the Three Kings are their favourites, especially Baltasar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts.

During the day of 6th the Three Kings continue their good work and are seen distributing gifts to children in hospitals all over Spain.

7th January – The day after receiving their gifts children return to school, their parents go back to work and Christmas in Spain is all over for another year.

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Buying or selling property in Spain?

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Agent´s Diary with Rebecca Serwotka

Ready To Make An Offer?

As the saying goes, “it takes a woman’s touch to make the house a home.” We often see from years of experience that when a man and woman are looking to buy a house, its almost always the woman that decides where she wants her family to live, and the man holds the purse strings, nodding or frowning behind her.

I always say when you walk inside a home and you get that “feeling” (all you women know what I’m talking about!) then you know that’s the right house for you. The man will most often agree, as he wants a happy wife and of course a happy life that is until, he sees the price!

We’ve all heard the sharp intake of air when we tell any man the price, so now is the perfect time to start the difficult conversation of money. No-one likes to talk money, either because they feel they are being judged as cheap or they think they must try to act as if they can afford it, but reality is, they cannot.

Like any housing market in the world, it does fluctuate from year to year.

You’ve all heard the phrase “location, location, location”… these words have more effect on pricing than many people actually realize and you can use it to your advantage when making an offer, by asking yourself if the area you’re looking in are maintaining their prices or are sellers taking a hit and having to reduce, just to get it sold? Your agent should be able to advise you, but the easiest way to find out for yourself is by looking at local market inventory. If there are a lot of properties of a similar design for sale, then you know you can start with a sensible offer. Beware! Go too low and you could offend the seller, then they won’t be open to any negotiation at all…..it’s their memories that they’re putting a price on after all, so be compassionate. And if there aren’t many houses for sale of a similar design, then this creates a demand and any offers being put forward need to be closer to the asking price. Don’t forget, your Agent will be able to guide you when making an offer.

So when it comes to negotiating on that perfect price, all offers are acceptable, but only a few will be considered!

This conversation is a must and being able to move forward with the purchase of your dream home means starting up this dialogue as soon as possible. Lots of people don’t like negotiating but let’s face it, at some point in your life you’re going to have to, and there’s no better time to start than now.

First thing to remember, don’t get carried away with these property programmes that everyone watches.They often advise in offering much lower than the asking price, but what you must take into consideration is the year in which the programme originally aired.

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