A life in Spain Edition 21 - June 2018

buying & selling your next property in spain

SPAIN A Life in

magazine • portal • webtv

.COM

inside...

South Town Aguilas

North Town

Wine Region

Benissa

Company Profile

Yecla D.O.

Golf Delux

issue 21 JUN 2018

free

Cover picture provided by Murcia Golf Homes, see advert on back page

find your dream property at

www.alifeinspain.com

PAGE 11

See our ad on Page 13

#Edition 21 • June 2018

Spanish recipe

What precautions to take if you are buying your home in Spain( final Part )

25

COFFEE ‘BIENMESABE’

6

Wine Region:

Volvo Ocean Yecla D.O. Race 8&9 20 A life on the course...

La Galiana Golf

12

Furniture:

Fabric Vs Leather

36

Places to visit in a day

FUENTE ALAMO

32

Welcome to the June edition of ALIS. The summer heat is just around the corner now, and we will soon be losing our friends and neighbours as they go to the UK to avoid the heat. I say, stay here, swim in the pool and drink more G ‘n’ T. it’s the best way to cool down.

This month we have an interesting article to try to save the dilema of if to buy leather or fabric furniture. Well worth a read.

The wine feature this month is the little know D.O. called Yecla. Whilst the golf review is on The La Galiana golf course, which is located in the Carcaixent valley.

There is also Mortgages Direct. They could help with your mortgage needs. If you visit us on-line you can use their mortgage calculater to find out how much you can borrow, and what it will cost.

18

1st March Sierra del Segura

contact ALIS:

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

This is also the last chance to enter our free prize draw to win 4 tickets to Terra Natura Murcia worth up to 100€. See page 26 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

05

What precautions to take if you are buying your home in Spain ( Final part) Last month we explained that despite the collapse of the real estate business in Spain, homes are still sold and not only that, but three of every ten sales of properties bought in Spain are done so with cash in hand, i.e. without the need for a mortgage. We also describes the steps that are recommended to be followed before money is handed over Today we are preceding explaining the steps recommended to be followed and aspects to be aware of.

First things first.

As we have said repeatedly, a good solicitor is not only highly recommended but essential to guide the purchaser during the process of acquiring the property, to do all the research and the necessary paperwork. The solicitor should obtain a copy of the property deeds. In addition, as a copy of Property Registrar to check whether there are any charges on the property.

Things gets a bit more complicated if the house is mortgaged, the owner must requested to cancel the mortgage before selling the property or to notarized in the very act of buying and selling, and before signing. Thus, the seller receives as price the amount resulting after removing the mortgage of the outstanding loan. In the event that the mortgage is already paid, but still not entered in the Registrar it is advisable to request the owner to remove the charge from the Registrar.

One other condition that is often overlooked is that the property is not rented, so a visit to the property and a quick inspection could take care of that. Receipts from the local Town hall shall be requested to verify that it is up to date on payments of the IBI (real estate tax). If the property forms part of a community then a call to the administrator of the community of owners should be made and obtain in writing that the property is free of any outstanding debts, but also if there has been any agreements in the lasts General Meeting of any extraordinary outlay for repairs.

What happens if you buy directly from a property developer?

In the final contract of sale both the buyer and the seller have to be identified with full name, age, domicile, NIF or CIF,), in the case of property developers in addition to the description of the property the plans of the house, the list of finishes, both gross and net areas, the cadastral reference and any charges still pending on the property.

Building licences and alike.

A building license is the confirmation that the local authorities have accepted that your dwelling has complied with all town planning and building regulations, so imagine the importance of this piece of paper.

Obtain a copy of the ‘licencia de obra’ (building license) from the developer and double check with the local town hall that that license for that particular project has been granted. You should obtain an original copy of your `cédula de habitabilidad’ (habitation certificate). This document is issue by

that that license for that particular project has been granted. You should obtain an original copy of your `cédula de habitabilidad’ (habitation certificate). This document is issued by the local authorities and certifies that the finished building complies with the project for which the building license has been granted, that it has been properly controlled and complies with minimum standards on sanitation, hygiene and structural safety. Obtaining this certificate is imperative to connect your home to services of water, gas and electricity and is valid for 15 years after the date of issue.

Please note that in some regions the `cédula de habitabilidad’ (habitation Certificate) has been replaced by the licencia urbanística municipal de primera ocupación’ (municipal planning permission for first occupation) which is really the same dog with different collar.

‘Cédula de Habitabilidad’ (habitation certificate) I cannot emphasize enough the importance of obtaining this certificate; otherwise it would be extremely difficult to connect your home to the local supply of water, gas, electricity, etc. And what is more important you would be lucky to sell that property on to anyone. Obtain information from your independent professional about the land registry to ensure that the ownership of the site corresponds to the property developer or builder. Also you should have checked if there are any charges on the site such us mortgages, seizures, etc.Request from the developer or builder a copy of insurance policies required by the ley de ordenación de la edificación’ (Spanish building regulation) in terms of the -various damages that may arise. ‘Seguro decenal’ (ten-year guaranty for structural damage. For future maintenance you must have the ‘Libre del edificio’ The developer will have to hand over a copy of the ‘Libro del edificio’ (building book) to the owner (if an individual dwelling) or to the community of owners (if a block of apartments), prior to signing the deeds. This is a new binding document since May 2000. It is the set of documentation that is provided to buyers with all the relevant information about the building and provides useful information for its future’. maintenance.

This book contains a concise step-by-step maintenance on all important elements of the building, all the names and addresses of professionals and companies that have participated in the development of the dwelling together with very relevant documentation on the building as a complete architectural project of the building.

07

Wine Focus...

YeclA D.O. Yecla is the smallest and northernmost wine zone in Murcia, far southeastern Spain. Named after the town of Yecla at its centre, the zone was delimited and granted official DO status in 1975. It is surrounded on all sides by other DO: Jumilla to the west, Alicante to the east and Almansa in the north. The classic Yecla wine is a rich, dark, fruit-driven red made from Monastrell grapes.

BACKGROUND Although officially a single region, Yecla is unofficially divided into two zones, distinguished by their relative altitudes. The higher, northern Campo Arriba, with its older vines and more concentrated wines, is generally more highly regarded than the lower, southern Campo Abajo.

The climate here, 50 miles (80km) inland, marks the transition between coastal Mediterranean influences and the harsh continental climate of Spain’s hot, arid interior. Rainfall is low, with less than 12in (300mm) falling annually. Thankfully, the limestone soils here are efficient at storing whatever rainfall the region is fortunate enough to receive. Altitude also serves to moderate temperatures here; the zone sits at the eastern edge of the Cordillera Subbética mountain range.

Most Yecla vineyards sit between 1312ft (400 m) and 2625ft (800 m) above sealevel.

Yecla’s hot, dry summers are ideal for the late-ripening Monastrell grape variety, which dominates the local vineyards and wines. Roughly 80% of Yecla’s total vineyard area is planted to Monastrell, the rest divided between Spanish favorites Garnacha and Tempranillo, and French “international” varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The small quantity of white Yecla Blanco produced each year is made from Chardonnay, Macabeo and Airen.

Traditionally, the local red wines were made in a lighter, fruitier style than they are today. These were often vinified by carbonic maceration, and were intended for consumption within a couple of years of vintage. Today, the fashion has shifted towards conventional winemaking and complex, well-structured, barrel-aged examples which can be cellared for five years or so.

Viniculture was introduced to the Yecla area by the Phoenicians in ancient times, but wine did not become an important part of the local economy until the 20th Century. Yecla’s economy has traditionally revolved around agriculture, particularly grain, fruit and oil (the Castaño

family produce olive oil here to complement their broad wine portfolio). In more recent years, however, it has become better known for its quality furnituremaking and, very recently, quality red wine. Since the 1980s, the local wine producers and the Consejo Regulador (wine authority) have worked to produce distinctly Yecla wines, to create a distinctive personality for the region’s wines.

The well-known Familia Castaño group is based here, and produces a range of Yecla wines (white, red and rosé), as well as a few from neighboring Jumilla and Alicante.

Also based here is one of Spain’s largest cooperative wineries, Bodegas La Purísima, which serves as a reminder of the area’s bulk-producing past. Yecla’s ever-improving reputation has not gone unnoticed, as demonstrated by foreign interest in the region.

Castaño partnered with investors from Switzerland to set up the Sierra Salinas winery in Villena (technically part of the Alicante DO zone), and Hollywood filmmaker and winemaker Francis Ford Coppola added a Yecla-grown wine to his portfolio for a time.

09

Sunny savings on your currency transfers.

āŏĆ

%0$ŏ!4 !((!*0ŏ!4 $ *#!ŏ . 0!/Čŏ3!Ě((ŏ) '!ŏ/1.!ŏ5+1ŏ#!0ŏ 0$!ŏ)+/0ŏ+10ŏ+"ŏ5+1.ŏ/ 2%*#/ŏ 3$!*ŏ/!* %*#ŏ5+1.ŏ)+*!5ŏ .+ ċ $!0$!.ŏ5+1Ě.!ŏ 15%*#ŏ "+.!%#*ŏ,.+,!.05Čŏ0. */"!..%*#ŏ ŏ,!*/%+*ŏ+2!./! /ŏ+.ŏ)+2%*#ŏ )+*!5ŏ$+)!Čŏ3!Ě.!ŏ$!.!ŏ0+ŏ ) '!ŏ/1.!ŏ5+1ŏ (3 5/ŏ#!0ŏ ŏ #.! 0ŏ ! (ċ

+*0 0ŏ1/ŏ"+.ŏ)+.!ŏ%*"+.) 0%+*

1+0!ŏŅ ŏ %"!ŏ%*ŏ , %*Ņŏ"+.ŏ5+1.ŏ ,.!"!.!*0% (ŏ!4 $ *#!ŏ. 0!/

ŇăąŏćĈĂŏĈĀĆŏĀĀĉ

SP17656EN

© Currencies Direct Ltd, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA, United Kingdom. Registered in England & Wales, No.: 03041197. Currencies Direct Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. Our FCA Firm Reference number is 900669.

. . . e s r u o c e h t n o A life

La Galiana Golf

The La Galiana golf course, is located in the Carcaixent valley that is isolated from any urban environment and within a perfectly preserved Mediterranean forest.

The wide presence of different types of pine trees as well as a large collection of shrub species, makes the environment a natural refuge for a large number of animal, birds and even some types of amphibians that gradually become attracted once more by an environment that years ago they were originally expelled from due to the agricultural use of the property.

The total area of the land covers 200Ha of which 60 are destined for the golf course and its facilities.

Due to the topography of the land and its vegetal wealth, masses of forest have been left included within the design, creating green spaces that, in some cases, are considered hazards and others out of bounds but they have undoubtedly added more natural elements to the course.

The transformation of agricultural environment to golf course, made some of the holes run at different levels, giving the sensation of having been sculpted within the terrain of mountain rock. In part if it was so, but the different levels of orange fields marked the lie of the land. No doubt the main design intent is to create a golf course in which the natural environment reclaimed its space, lost years ago due to continuous traditional agricultural activities in the area.

Contact info 96 110 38 38 info@lagalianagolf.com

on our new Spring Collection Trilogy corner sofa

Markel 3 seater sofa

ONLY

HALF PRICE

1099€

749€

AFTER EVENT 1349€ SAVE 250€

AFTER EVENT 1499€ SAVE 750€

22.89€

a month for 4 years Available in 16 colours...

No deposit and no interest ever!

Avail 3 seater sofa

ONLY

579€

AFTER EVENT 1039€ SAVE 460€

Available in 12 colours...

Available in 7 colours...

SEE OUR GARDEN FURNITURE RANGE IN-STORE Opening hours: Mon to Wed: 9.30am - 5pm, Thurs: 9.30am - 8pm, Fri: 9.30am - 5pm, Sat: 10.30am - 2pm

No deposit and up to 4 years interest free credit REPRESENTATIVE

DFS San Javier between Decathlon and Iceland on the N332

Email: sanjavier@dfs.co.uk Tel: 968-334-194

Los cojines vienen incluidos con ciertos sofás. Solo entregas en peninsula. Ve o en línea o en la tienda para más detalles. Financiación de Muebles. Financiación en 48 meses con tres meses de carencia. T.A.E. 0%. Ej.emplo:-. Importe mínimo a financiar 960€.

Financiación ofrecida, sujeta a estudio y aprobación por parte de Santander Consumer Finance, S.A. Intereses subvencionados por DFS ESPAÑA LIMITED. After event prices apply from 30.05.18, 05.06.18 and 26.06.18. 15 años de garantía en estructura y muelles, en sofás, sillones y puffs.

13

South Town...

Aguilas

AGUILAS The town of Aguilas stands on a coastal area of 35 km, under the surveillance of its beautiful castle of San Juan de las Ă guilas and on the southern-most tip of the region. This municipality has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic age, and many other cultures, including the Argaric, Phoenician, Roman and Moslem people, have left traces here. Of particular interest are the Roman remains, especially the baths, which date from the 1st to 4th century.

As a modern town, Águilas was born of the enlightened thought of Charles III and his ministers Aranda and Floridablanca, who sought a port for the export of the agricultural products of the river plain of Lorca, and Águilas was the natural departure point for the entire region. The new town, with its rectilinear layout, became a commercial centre on the up, reaching its zenith in the 19th century with exploitations of silver, lead and iron and the construction of the railway line and the pier of El Hornillo by British companies. Nowadays, Aguilas conserves its seafaring tradition and its deep-rooted vocation as a tourist resort.

divers. These are joined by the interesting sea bottoms at the foot of the Crag of Cabo Cope. East of Águilas, in the municipality of Lorca, is a coastal area of enormous interest, where we find Puntas de Calnegre - literally Blacklime Points, so-called after the dark colour of the rocks. Together with Cabo Cope, Puntas de Calnegre has been a Regional Park since 1992. This is one of the least frequented areas of the coast, with clean, sandy beaches and crystalline waters. The Points end at the sea in high cliffs, between which lie the beautiful coves of Baño de las Mujeres, Siscal and Cala Honda.

Of the town’s monuments, the Town Hall is of particular interest; it is a neo-Mudejar building from the 19th century, located in the Plaza de España, with age-old gardens and an old fountain dominated by a swan, popularly known as “the turkey on the pond”. The square is surrounded by a few Modernist buildings, the 19th-century church of San José, which contains the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, who is the patron saint of the town. The historical quarter still has the environment of the seafaring quarters, dedicated to fishing, and is crowned by the castle-fortress of San Juan de Águilas. This tower-fortress was built around 1579 for defence purposes and was later rebuilt in the 18th century. In the Paseo de Parra, there is a monument to the railway, proof of the importance this means of transport once had for the population.

The Mediterranean climate of Águilas, with almost no rainfall, 3,200 annual hours of sunlight and average temperatures of 25.2ºC make this place ideal for nautical and sub-aqua tourism. Everything the denomination of Águilas offers (Villa Náutica (sailing village)), has been designed for visitors to get the most out of their stay. Sailing cubs, diving clubs with light sailing boat courses, cruises, diving courses, hire of material, monitors and qualified teachers, tourist accommodation, apartments, hotels and camp sites, etc., all at the disposal of those who decide to pay a visit.

Besides its wealth of monuments and archaeology, Águilas has a coastline with many points of interest. Thirty-five coves, rocky promontories that stretch into the sea and beaches of fine sand. The coves of Playa de Calarreona, Playa la Calabardina, Playa de Calacerrada , Playa del Arroz, Playa del Hornillo, are places where the protagonist is the countryside, still untouched in places.

Indeed, the town has two protected natural areas: the Regional Park of Cabo Cope and the Protected Countryside of Las Cuatro Calas. The very centre of the town has beaches, such as that of Las Delicias. And nearby, opposite the breakwater of El Hornillo, lies the Isle of El Fraile, a small island covered with rocky slope sea bottoms and seaweed colonies for the special enjoyment of

The coastal town of Águilas has even more to offer, given its wide range of choice and alternatives for the enjoyment of rural tourism, with 3 well-signposted walking routes for the more energetic types or long walks simply to take in the views of the spectacular scenery in the area.

‘Source: murciaturistica.es’

15

17

1st March Sierra del Segura On Saturday 21st April 2018 twelve of us left the shop at 5am travelling in 2 minibus / Vans for 2 hours to take part in the first Sierra del Seguras Sportif in Elche de la Sierra by Albacete. This was our first Sportif of the year as the one that we had originally planned for March was cancelled, we were all really looking forward to it. We arrived at 7.30am and found a great parking place close to the finish where we debused and found a bar for our tostada and coffee.

We then went to registration at 8am to collect our race number and chip, we also got a really good goody bag which consisted of a t-shirt, bottle of wine, fresh loaf, drinks bottle, gels and some energy bars. We made our way back to the vehicles got changed and prepped our bikes and attached our race numbers before heading for the start line.

The race started with the usual speeches from the town mayor and all the other dignitaries and then the countdown to 9 o’clock, 5,4,3,2,1 and we were off. We headed uphill at first right into the centre of town where we turned sharp right and went downhill for about 5km at a steady 40km50km per hour, this gave the fast guys a chance to get away as the pace car was going at a very good fast pace.

We came to the first real climb of the day which was only about 6% but went on and on for about 4km, this sorted the pack of over 400 bikes out and everyone started to get into their own rhythm. The group quickly thinned out with the breakaway of young riders starting to make good distance from the rest of us.

The Sportif went on and on and up and down through some beautiful countryside and some gorgeous little Spanish villages including Yeste, Ayna, Riopar and Arroya, it wasn’t long before we reached the first food stop where there were about 20 riders refuelling, none of us stopped, we just carried on to the halfway point where there was a Marshall directing everyone, straight on for the long ride or turn right for the short ride. We all went straight on and soon came to one of the timed sections which was approx.

20km and included another really steep climb, at the top of this climb there was a flag signalling the end of this timed stage and the view from here was incredible, looking down over the valley onto a beautiful reservoir with a single span bridge which we had already crossed.

We continued on our route passing through the beautiful picturesque village of Letur where we climbed up and up through a forest until we came to the top, at the top there was a long straight road for approx. 3k that just seemed to go on for ever, once we got to the end there was a small climb where we saw the road ahead again going into the distance for another 3km, this was very sole destroying as we thought we would have been able to see the end by now, this road was a gradual 3% climb and after cycling 140km our legs were like lead. We soon came to a junction where the Marshalls signalled us to turn left which took us downhill all the way back into Elche De La Sierra where we crossed the finish line to the cheers of the towns people who were out in force to greet us.

It was a relief to be finished and great to see the young lads Harry and Mathew waiting for us at the finish line as they had finished approx. an hour before the rest of us. Once we were all back we made our way to the town square where we were greeted with a Paella and a beer or two, after we had eaten the prize giving took place and although we did not have anyone in the top three, Graham Hope was absolutely delighted when his name was called out to go forward and collect a trophy for being the fastest in the 6070 age group for the timed section, an excellent result for his first sportif.

We also had Daniel Benson, Alistair Grey, Jack Swift and Kevin Jamesall participating in their very first Sportif.After the trophy’s were handed out 2 x teams were presented with the Team Serrano Ham including our team. We said all ourfarewells to the organizers who did an excellent job of organizing, marshalling and running this event, we are all looking forward to returning next year. It wasn’t long before we had all the bikes and kit loaded into the vans and were on our way back to Quesada, another excellent day out for Team Cyclogical.

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.

Ùûé Ò£ć ­ í´·ÙÒ é£Ò ĞĠżģĞ ´Ùûé £Ê·Ć£éč ·Ò aå ·Ò

%飣 é£õûéÒí

ćććŶзííèŶ£í

19

LEG 8: Brazil to Newport The Spanish team MAPFRE stunned the Volvo Ocean Race fleet on Tuesday morning by stealing a win in Leg 8, with a shocking come from behind victory into a foggy Newport, Rhode Island.

One day before the finish, with just 300 miles to go, MAPFRE was in fifth place.

As Tuesday morning dawned, and with the fleet ghosting towards the finish line in extremely light and shifty winds, Xabi Fernández’s team was among the leading quartet, battling in slow motion with Team Brunel, Dongfeng Race Team and Vestas 11th Hour Racing.

And even when the leaders were just 500 metres from the finish line, MAPFRE was still trailing Team Brunel as the pair emerged from the fog within sight of the spectators at the Fort Adams Race Village.

But on approach to the final turning mark, MAPFRE picked up a zephyr of wind to sneak past Brunel and claim what just moments earlier would have been seen as a very improbable leg win.

The margin after nearly 16 days of racing was just 1-minute and 1-second.

Bouwe Bekking’s Team Brunel, who had been leading for most of the past week after the equator crossing took a well-deserved second place finish.

Dongfeng Race Team, who had been ahead of the fleet on the approach to the east coast overnight Monday night, suffered the cruellest fate over the final miles.

Newport IN-PORT RACE Bouwe Bekking’s Team Brunel sailed a perfect race on Saturday afternoon, winning the start, edging into a lead and extending away for a convincing victory in the Gurney’s Resorts In Port Race Newport.

A second place finish by MAPFRE allowed the In Port Race Series leader to extend its advantage further.

LEG 9: Newport to Cardif Team Brunel accomplished its first goal on Sunday afternoon, taking the early lead on Leg 9 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Cardiff, Wales. The Dutch team, led by eight-time race veteran Bouwe Bekking, has been on a tear over the last two months of the race and is attempting to muscle its way from a podium position into a battle for the overall race lead.

Leg 9 is a 3,300 nautical mile transatlantic race and the third and final double-point scoring leg.

The results on this leg will go a long way to determining overall finishing position in this edition of the race.

The top three teams in the Volvo Ocean Race are within three points after Bouwe Bekking’s Team Brunel won Leg 9 into Cardiff, Wales to vault into contention for the overall race win.

The Leg 9 results also mean a new team is at the top of the race leaderboard as Dongfeng Race Team, with a third place finish, take overall race honours by just a single point over MAPFRE, who settled for a disappointing fifth place finish on the transatlantic leg.

With the win, Bekking’s Brunel is just three points off the lead, meaning the final two European legs will be more important than ever. Although Brunel sits in third place this morning, the Dutch entry is riding a wave of momentum.

Spanish recipe

COFFEE ‘BIENMESABE’

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

Ingredients for 4 people: 250g of ground toasted almonds 1 layer of Colombia coffee sponge cake 6 egg yolks 0.1 L coffee liqueur 2 teaspoons of instant coffee 500g of sugar 200g of pumpkin strands in syrup For the sauce: 3 egg yolks 1/4l of milk 2 teaspoons of instant coffee 2 spoonfuls of sugar

. . . t i k o o c o t How

Preparation 1, Put the layer of coffee sponge cake on a round mould and soak with the coffee liqueur.

2, Then spread the pumpkin strands on top 3, Finish by filling it with the cream you have made by mixing the almond, the egg yolks, the sugar and the instant coffee.

4, Bake at 130º until it has the right consistency and allow to cool.

5, Remove from the mould and cover with icing sugar.

Presentation It can be decorated with coffee beans. Accompany with a custard made from the ingredients indicated

25

27

North Town...

Benissa

BENISSA

Benissa is located towards the northern end of the Costa Blanca, just off the A-7 Motorway; the trip to and from Alicante airport takes just over one hour. The town is small, but enchanting with its medieval architecture and charming plazas.

Although only 5 kilometres distance from the sea, as the crow flies, the nearest beaches by road are approximately 11 kilometres away and the seaside towns of Calpe (to the south) and Moraira (to the north east) are approximately 12 kilometres distance.

at Javea. There is lots of choice all within one hours drive of Benissa.

The views of the Mediterranean, the weather, wild nature, the quality of the light, the towns architecture, Benissa will seduce you.

Cuisine The local cuisine is dominated by the bounties of the sea. Excellent rice dishes abound. However, in recent years many international establishments have opened up, offering more familiar fare for all international tastes.

History The historical part of Benissa is very well preserved and has maintained its medieval character with white walls, window grids, heraldic shields and flowers hanging on the balconies. Calle Desamparados is a very good example of the medieval character of the historic neighbourhood.

Beaches The stretch of coastline between Calpe and Moraira is home to a number of quiet relaxing bays. The scenery is magnificent; spectacular rocks contrasting with the high mountain backdrop. From many points the emblematic Peñon de Ifach can be seen. Playa La Fustera is a quiet blue flag beach with fine sand.

When visiting Benissa, you must take some time out to visit the lovely “Catedral de la Marina” (Marina Cathedral). Built in the neo-gothic style, the cathedral was only finished in the 20th Century.

During the high season there is a Red Cross post, plus rental of sun loungers and children’s activities to keep the little ones happy. The little beach of Cala Els Pinets is south-facing and made up of small pebbles.

You can take part on an excursion from there (on foot) to a magic place called “Mar Morta i Roques Negres”, which means Dead Sea and black stones.

Excursions Places to visit include the picturesque town of Denia and the beachside towns of Javea, Moraira and Calpe.

Terra Mitica is less than 30 minutes away, and is a fantastic day out for all the family.

For the independently minded there are many miles of country road to explore inland, dotted with charming villages and historic towns.

Golf There are many fine challenging golf courses in the area. Try the Seve Ballesteros designed championship course at Oliva, or sample the delights of the course

Cala Llobela is the smallest and most savage bay of them all; the pine trees reach right down to the sea and little pebbles form the beach. It’s an ideal place to practice water-sports, as well as simply basking in the sun.

The most important characteristic of the Cala Advocat beach is the breakwater, where you can moor your sailing boat. There is a small jetty used to anchor sailing boats along the beach. Fishing from the breakwater is very popular.

29

  - -

WE HELP PEOPLE THROUGHOUT SPAIN EVERY DAY

The Avalon team explain how diǀerent the complex funeral system is here in Spain to both non-residents and those that live here all year round.

This aǀects everybody so we are committed to helping all UK, Irish and European citizens make informed choices.

• We also check all types of insurance to ensure each person is covered for everything they need to be.

• We oǀer a tailor made funeral plan to suit every client which is fixed at today’s cost.

Avalon Team Avalon has onjces throughout Spain

671 935 072

All our members are covered in Spain and the UK. You will automatically be covered immediately regardless of health issues or age.

www.alifeinspain.com - JAN2017 2018 31 www.alifeinspain.com - AUG 31

Places to visit in a day The Municipality of Fuente Alamo is 35 kilometers from the capital of Murcia and a 30 minute drive to the historic town of Cartagena. It is surrounded by the Sierras of Alcarrobo, La Pinilla, Los Gómez, Los Victorias, Cbezos de Tallante and the Carrascoys. Its location and access to new motorways and a new airport at Corvera contribute to its stability and development as an expanding town. The Romans would have had little use for an airport but their influence to the history of the town was massive as were prehistoric settlers to the area. Sadly, there is little evidence of their presence other than paleolithic remains in the Sierra de Alcorrobo.

There is evidence of Roman activity from from 209BC when the Romans took Cartagena. Roman settlements sprang up all over the region and it would be unthinkable that they did not settle at Fuente Alamo, given not only a natural spring but its strategic position near to existing trade routes.

Remains of a Roman Road in La Pinilla which would have passed through on its way to Lorca via Las Palas. Archaeological digs finding bronze statues, coins, pottery, tools and weapons testify to their presence.

Afterwards came the visigoths and the Moors. There is some evidence of Moorish influence at the open air water museum (close to Mercadona supermarket) which shows an aljibe (water cistern) and various water management systems commonly used by the Moors.

F

e t n ue

o m Ála

After a period of depopulation, numbers began to increase and stabilize. around the 15th century. The municipality achieved independence in the 18th century when in 1700, Carlos II made Fuente Alamo a “Villa” The first town council was presided over by Gregorio Reyllo. Felipe V rescinded the status later but it was reinstated in 1820 with new villages incorporated later:- La Pinilla (1846), El Escobar (1855) and Balsapintada (1855).

Fuente Alamo today thrives with a weekly market, a beautiful museum and a vibrant Fiesta at the end of August (San Agustin). The recently restored church is most famous for housing 294 prisoners after a boat sent by Franco to quell a rebellion, was sunk in Cartagena by the Republicans with the loss of life of 1476 men. The “Castillo de Olite” was sunk by guns manufactured by Vickers and were situated 4.8 kilometers away.

There is so much more to this small town that discovering all it has to offer, from an international golf course to great restaurants and bars, is worth a bit more research and thereafter, a visit.

n a p Com An adventure golf themed putting game, which is situated near Los Alcazares.

Advertised as the biggest artificial grass adventure golf course in continental Europe. This is a welcome attraction for families visiting the area and with so many golf resorts around it is a big hit with both young and old.

It gives a really good test of putting skills for the more experienced golfer and indeed golfers of all standards. It also encourages those whose interest and expertise in golf and putting has yet to be revealed. Anyone can putt, but it’s a real skill to master. A cross between real golf and the old favourite, crazy golf.

Golf Delux Tel: +34 968 584 221 Email:info@golfdelux.eu www.golfdelux.eu

e l fi o r P y

Why not contact them and plan a competition with your family, friends, club or work colleagues. There are always special offers including golf and a meal all at very reasonable prices.

You can also play 12 holes of Minigolf and Lawn-ball and golf-Curling is another option.

Golf Delux is located in Poligono Industrial de Los AlcĂĄzares on the way to Torre Pacheco. Take junction 790 on the Autovia Alicante-Cartagena. Follow direction to Torre Pacheco, after 1 km turn left into Pol. Ind. Los AlcĂ zares, turn second to the right and drive to the end of the street.

See advert on page 12

35

Furniture:

Fabric Vs Leather Shopping for a sofa or settee is a major decision and expense. Probably the first thing you go to after getting home, and the place where family and friends will gather, so the right sofa should set the tone of your lounge without compromising on comfort. But, with so many options on the market, picking the right one can get really confusing! And usually, your first decision is picking a leather or a fabric one. When looking for your new piece of furniture, always choose a company that sells both leather and fabric so you can easily compare the two options. Our top choice stores would be; DFS, Don Baraton, Mediteranean Home and Garden, Low Cost, @Home and of course Time 4 a Change.

Here we try to put an end to the sofa dilemma. Figure out which sofa type is best for you, as we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of both materials.

Comfort

There are many factors that determine the comfort of furniture. The type of textile and the support system, such as cushions and frames play a huge role. Fabric is more comfortable than their leather counterparts for many reasons. The main one is that fabric is overall more comfortable than leather. This is because leather absorbs heat faster than fabric. It will feel warm after sitting on it for a while. Leather sofas however, are much firmer than the fabric ones.

Maintenance

Depending on the quality of the material, fabric sofas have different lifespans in terms of wear and tear. Of course, higher quality materials usually last longer, as many come with a stain-resistant finish that makes it easy to wipe of any stains. Fabric cleaning products are widely available and affordable. But! If the fabric is not of premium quality, removing stains might prove tough. In this case leather might be a better solution.

Leather sofas however are more vulnerable to scratches and humidity than fabric, making them not so pet friendly. It’s worth mentioning that leather is very easy to clean, usually only requiring light dusting and/or vacuuming, you will need to invest in leather softening or polishing products to keep it clean and from forming cracks.

Colour Durability

Both materials offer varieties of options. Fabrics provide unlimited tones and pattern choices that will fit any decor. However the downside is that colours tend to fade out over a period of time. This can be due to excessive use of the sofa, frequent washing, or that it simply fades with age. Leathers colour palette,on the other hand, is long lasting.

Appearance

A leather sofa, with its classic appearance, can add a certain elegance to your room. It can be hard to achieve the same effect with fabrics. Fabric sofas are available in many designs and tend to add to a contemporary vibe to a home.

Safety

The leather sofas are hypoallergenic, which makes them great for people with allergies. Unlike fabric, leather doesn’t accumulate dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens easily. In case of allergies, you need to turn to professional cleaning or take care of the furniture regularly. With the leather sofa you will save effort, money and time.

Budget

The cost of both types of sofas is determined by the quality. Undoubtedly, good fabric and framing are expensive. At the end, however, the same leather piece will cost you the same if not more as buying a highquality fabric sofa. The best strategy is to compare prices and features such as ease of cleaning, comfort and durability.

So which should you pick?

Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, you need to decide what you value most – durability or comfort.

Speak to the experts: • DFS • Don Baraton • Mediterranean Home and Garden • Low Cost • @Home • Time 4 a Change.

Now available at:

Ref: 1259

Ref: 1260

Ref: 1262

Ciudad Quesada // €295,000

Ciudad Quesada // €109,000

Ciudad Quesada // €179,950

Ref: 1234

Ref: MF02

Lo Crispin - Algorfa // €205,000 Orihuela Costa // From €190,000

Ref: MF01

San Miguel // From €316,000

37

Is it Complicated To Buy A Home In Spain?

It’s a more straightforward process to buy a home in Spain, than in the U.K. In fact, it’s very easy. Learning a few of the legal words and process, will help you understand what’s in store once you’ve chosen your little piece of Heaven!

You’ll hear lots of new words that you’ll be unaccustomed to, so here’s a little translation of the“lingo”:

Remember if you’re having a mortgage, although the local banks do say they can have the paperwork ready in approximately 3-4 weeks, from experience this is usually longer. And during the summer months, mortgages take a little longer to be approved. Why, I hear you ask? Because the Spanish banks only work half days, and with staff, national and local holidays, you have to “go with the flow” and learn the word “mañana!” However with modern technology, you can always give them a little encouragement with an email, if you feel they’re taking longer than expected!

ESCRITURA: Title Deeds NOTARIO: Notary; A Public Official Authorised By The Government That Prepare The Title Deeds. The Notary Does Not Work For The Seller Or Buyer, And Are Completely Independent.

REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD: Land Registry NOTA SIMPLE: Land Registry Search ABOGADO: Lawyer HIPOTECA: Mortgage N.I.E. (NumeroIdentificacionExtranjero): Foreign IdentificationNumber (For Tax Purposes) So now you’re ready with the lingo, you can better understand what’s to come.

Buying property is very easy here and once you’ve chosen that perfect home and negotiated on the price, the next step is signing a reservation contract and paying a deposit. After this you’ll need to appoint a Lawyer and making sure you choose one that speaks your language is going to be helpful, if you have any legal questions now or after you’ve purchased. Your Lawyer or Agent will be there to help you arrange your N.I.E. too, as this is required when buying property, applying for a mortgage, etc.

Once you have your Lawyer in place and you have a completion date, you need to make sure your finances will be ready. The quickest completion my company has ever done was in two days… from reservation to completion! But don’t panic! The average time

for a completion could be two months. It’s a date that will be suitable for both buyer and seller.

You would have been advised by your Lawyer how payment is to be made. Usually by Spanish Bankers Draft. These can be quite costly, however remember to negotiate. The banks are willing to “discuss” their charges.

On the day of completion, you’ll need to have your Bankers Draft ready with your Original Passport (not a photocopy), and N.I.E. certificates. And now you’re ready to go!

The Notary offices are usually quite busy, so be prepared for a wait. Just take it in your stride, and enjoy the experience. Think by the end of the day, you’ll have the keys to your new home in Spain and the wait will be worth it!

Excited? You should be! This is one of the biggest investments of your life and what’s better is… It’s in this Spanish sun!

Whether it’s an investment for your holidays, or you’re coming to join us out here permanently, now is always the best time to buy!

39