A life in Spain Edition 28 – January 2019

buying & selling your next property in spain

SPAIN A Life in

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issue 28 JAN 2019

South Town

free

North West Murcia

North Town

Wine Article

Guardamar del Segura

Places In A Day

LET´s TAlK WINE

Island of Tabarca

Cover picture by private sale, see advert on page 6

find your dream property at

www.alifeinspain.com

PAGE 11

PAGE 31

#Edition 28 • January 2019

Food & Drink Section

4 appliances to save electricity at home … or maybe not.

Main article

32 Wine Article:

Let´s Talk Wine

8&9

History and Origins of Paella Spanish recipe

Valencian Paella

19 - 22

Go Plastic free to save the sea Nº3 - 0 Waste & Plastic Free

12

New year, New year resolutions

16 Places to visit in a day Island of Tabarca

39

6

Agent´s Diary

with Rebecca Serwotka

24 Albudiete Marcha 2018.

contact ALIS:

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

Welcome to the January edition of ALIS. Happy New Year everyone. Did Santa bring you what you wanted? I sincerely hope this year is a good year for everyone and that your life is filled with health and happiness This months Food and Drink section focuses on Paella. The main feature is on the history whilst the recipe this month is on the Traditional Spanish Valencian Paella, which is where it all began.

The wine article this month is a little different to usual. Entitled “Let´s talk wine”, it tries to explain the different different styles and ages of Spanish wine.

Places to visit in a day focuses on the Island of Tabarca. This is one of Spains most famous attractions and can be found just outside Torrevieja. Steeped in history, it is well worth a visit.

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

Places to visit in a day

Island of Tabarca

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO the gorgeous Island of Tabarca, one of the Costa Blanca’s top tourist attractions and summer destinations.

The historic Island of Tabarca is a 40 minute boat trip from Torrevieja and after the cosmopolitan and vibrant modern ambiance of Torrevieja city, you will feel like you have stepped back in time.

Enjoy your journey over to the island from Torrevieja’s port on a glass bottomed boat allowing you to view the amazing creatures and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. In 1986 the Island of Tabarca and the surrounding inshore seawater’s were declared a protected marina and bird reserve, the first of it’s kind in Spain. Just 4km’s away from Santa Pola’s bleached white sandy beaches, the Island of Tabarca has an interesting history which is today reflected in the historic and weathered architecture.

During the 18th century the island became a refuge for Barbary pirates until the Spanish king, King Charles III, decreed the fortification of Tabarca to protect against the pirates. The remains of the wall and the fortress are still visible, and they are one of the first sights you will see as you arrive at the island.

The Costa Blanca’s favourite island destination In the heat of a Spanish summer the milder climate of Tabarca will be a welcome relief for the day. The island is renowned for it’s fabulous clear waters, the sandy beaches, and it’s coves and cliffs which surround the island.

You will definitely need to remember to pack your swimwear, as Tabarca is pefect for watersports, snorkelling, and swimming in the beautiful clear Mediterranean seawater. The village, which occupies the western-most tip of the island, is laid out in a square pattern, with narrow streets lined with old fishing houses.

Take a visit to the lighthouse, observe the many rare species of birds which live on the Island of Tabarca, and look at the amazing natural panoramic views on offer.

Find the historic buildings: the Baroque church of St Peter and Paul, the Casa del Gobernador (the old Governor’s house), and explore the old fort and gate houses. The museum is well worth a visit.

Whilst wandering around the village stop at one of the many Barbary pirate-themed cafes, bars and restaurants to sample the traditional Spanish seafood on offer.

The Island of Tabarca: great restaurants or take a picnic. Local specialties include paellas and caldero (a type of Spanish fish stew). The cost of an average Menu del Dia is around €20.00 per person, slightly more expensive than on the mainland.

Another option is to take a picnic and enjoy al-fresco dining alongside nature. And as the island is nearly 2km’s long, you’ll always find a quiet location to lay down a blanket and open the cool box.

Boats depart from Torrevieja’s port at 11.00am and return to the port at 6.00pm. Departures occur daily Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays.

Tickets can be purchased from the port 30 minutes prior to the boats departure, and cost €23.00 per adult, €17.00 for children aged 3-10 years, and children 2 years old and under are free. Pets are accepted on board.

Get more information by calling (+34) 966.702.122 or 669.412.233, or visit the official Torrevieja tourist information website

Care 4 You in Spain is now offering Care 4 You Response enabling you to live independently with peace of mind 24/7 365 days a year! The mini GPS SOS fob is an incredibly easy to use and compact emergency alarm and GPS tracker, ensuring elderly relatives, people recovering from an illness or an operation, children, lone workers or people with medical conditions are safe.

The SOS fob has a sim card enabling 2 way chat with 3 programmed numbers, a fall sensor, GPRS, it´s water and dust proof and is supplied with a lanyard to wear comfortably around the neck. The charging system is a simple docking station with no complicated wires.

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Another option is our home response system that is attached to your landline and comes with an emergency neck worn fob and watch.

Have Care 4 You Response programmed in your mobile (great for holidays) call us or message for all details and packages.

Office: 968 198 590 mobile and Whatsapp: 678 138 025 email: care4youresponse@gmail.com

07

Wine Article

Let’s talk WINE The four largest wine-producing countries in the world are France, Italy, Spain and the United States.

As of August 2015, China is ranked fifth worldwide; however, very little of China’s wine production is exported. Other major wine-producing countries include Chile, Argentina and Australia.

Winemaking dates back nearly to the beginning of human history, and wine production in Europe dates back prior to the rise of the Roman Empire. Commercial production and distribution of wine in Europe began to boom in the 15th century. France and Italy have swapped the number one producer spot back and forth for hundreds of years. The U.S. has only become a major producer of wine within the last century, but it has been the fastest growing producer worldwide within that time frame. While vineyards can thrive under a variety of conditions, they do best in temperate climates such as those common to the top four wine-producing countries. Wine is a valuable collectible and often recommended as an investment.

Spanish wine, especially the more expensive types are often called Joven, Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva on the front of the bottle. The terms are often placed on the label where you might expect the type of grape to be, which has led to a lot of people to assume that these terms are a type of grape. In fact, these terms tell you how the wine has been aged, specifically the amount of time the wine has been aged in oak barrels, and are generally speaking to the quality, not style of wine.

What the Spanish Wine Terms Mean The four Spanish wine terms instead refer to the length of time the wine has been aged.

• Joven: A wine bottled straight after fermentation with no ageing • Crianza: A wine labeled crianza has spent a minimum 6 months in oak barrels it then spends a further 18 months in bottles.

• Reserva: A wine that says reserva on the bottle has been aged for three years; one of these years has to have been spent in oak.

• Gran Reserva: These wines are aged for a total of 5 years. 18 months must be in oak.

Other Common Wine Bottle Labels in Spain In addition, you may see or hear the following winerelated terms in Spain:

How many grapes in a bottle of wine:

Generally speaking, every single bottle of wine is made up of 600-800 individual grapes. That’s about 10 clusters.But how does this all translate back to the bottle? Well, each ton of grapes results in about 720 bottles – that’s 7,200 grape clusters or 432,000 to 576,000 individual grapes. From this, one can easily see how price is impacted. If you’re a vineyard that only produces one or two tons of grapes per acre, you’ll wind up with 720-1,440 bottles, but if you’re getting ten tons per acre, you’re getting 7,200 bottles. If you’re the vineyard that’s producing less bottles per acre, you can be sure your bottle will be more expensive than the vineyard that is able to crank out almost 8,000 bottles for every acre of land.

So the next time you pop open a bottle of wine, pour a little out for the hundreds of grapes that gave themselves up for your delicious enjoyment.

09

Types of Spanish Wine:

The most famous Spanish red wine comes from the regions of La Rioja and Ribera del Duero. La Rioja is located in northern Spain just south of the Basque Country, right below the Cantabrian Mountains, where vineyards make up the Ebro valley. The grape commonly used for Rioja is Tempranillo, a grape native to Spain. The name is derived from the Spanish word temprano, which means “early,” as the grape becomes ripe earlier than most grapes. Other grapes used for Rioja include Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo. There’s also Ribera del Duero wine, which uses Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo grapes. The most expensive wine in Spain, made by the notable Vega Sicilia winery, comes from the Ribera del Duero region.

Although red wine is the most popular in Spain, there are some Spanish white wines available too.

For example, White Rioja from Viura is a good choice, along with Ruedas, white Riojas, sherry, cava, Basque and Galician whites. The most famous white wine in Spain is the Rueda, which is grown in the Castilla y Leon wine-growing region, in the cities of Valladolid, Segovia, and Avila. The word, rueda, is Spanish for the word “wheel.” The main grape used for a Rueda is the Verdejo.

It is often blended with Sauvignon blanc grapes.

Barrels:

Only one type of wood has been tried and true for construction of wine barrels over thousands of years of wine-making: oak. Although cherry, walnut, chestnut, pine and redwood can be made into barrels, and some have been used for making wine, only oak seems to have the right relationship with the grape to satisfactorily age it and enhance its flavors. Oak is composed of chemical compounds like tannin that give wine its vanilla, tea and tobacco-like characteristics without being overpowering.

There are 2 main types of oak used in Spain, French oak and American oak, both lend different flavours to the wines. French oak lends more earthy or woody flavours to the wine where as American oak tends to give the vanilla and lighter undertones.

What happens to barrels after they have been used for wine? A wine barrel is generally used for 5 years. After this time it is sold on for use by the Sherry and Port producers.

11

Go Plastic free to save the sea

I have succumbed to Burger King completely yum gluten free burger, only wrapped in paper please.

I refused yet another bottle of water or a soft drink huge paper cup, with plastic coating with stops it from bio degeneration.

No need for plastic lid and definitely no straw.

Somehow my little rolled up ball of burger paper was so satisfying when I popped it into the paper bin rather than my usual tray of junk. It just goes to show how much excessive waste fast food chains can generate unnecessarily.

It’s nice to see McDonald’s in San Javier opposite Dos Mares are bringing back table service with real ceramic and glass plates, cups, glasses and cutlery.

By, Hilary from Murcia Golf Homes

e

NÂş3 - 0 Waste & Plastic Fre

13

South Town...

North-West Murcia

north-WEST MURCIA This route presents an extensive range of different landscapes. We will also be able to enjoy a majestic historical environment, linked with a series of ancient civilizations. Traversed by the River Segura and its tributaries. the North-West has the most extensive forest reserve in the Region of Murcia, ensuring visitors an endless range of fun pursuits and sports activities. The cavepaintings that exist in this area. along with those found in the rest of the Region and the Mediterranean Basin. have been declared World Heritage

by UNESCO.

Things to See Mula. Crowned by the impressive Castle of Los Vélez (16th century), the most important examples of the town’s historical heritage include the Museum of lberian Art of El Cigarralejo, the only museum of its kind, the Roman remains of “Los Villaricos” and the old quarter, where visitors should not miss the Plaza Mayor with its Clock Tower, the Church of San Miguel (16th century), the Royal Monastery of La Encamación and the Church of Santo Domingo (16th century).

Things to do Visitors can follow the “Via Verde del Noroeste” (“Green Route of the North-West”), a former section of the railway line, which begins at the Mula Baths and ends at Caravaca de la Cruz.

Bullas. The Bullas Wine Route will take you through all the district’s tourist attractions, not just those directly related with its principal product, such as the wine Museum, old and new bodegas and extensive vineyards, as well as monuments such as the baroque Church of Nuestra Senora del Rosario (18th century), the D. Pepe Marsilla Bullas 1900 House and Museum, which recreates local life of the period, the Casa de los Melgares (Cultural Centre), the Clock Tower or the remains of the former mediaeval fortress.

Bullas. The Wine Route or a visit to the traditional El Zacatin market, the Wine Museum and the D. Pepe Marsilla, Bullas 1900 House and Museum, or simply enjoy the wonderful countryside.

Cehegin. It is a delight to stroll through the old quarter along a signposted route with streets of Moorish and Medieval origin and admire the Church of La Concepción (15th century), the Church of La Magdalena (16th century), the Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Los Fajardo (17th-18th century), which houses the Town Hall today.

On the outskirts of the town are the Church and Convent of San Esteban and the Shrine of La Virgen de las Maravillas.

Caravaca de la Cruz. As a Holy City, Caravaca has the privilege of staging its Jubilee every seven years, the next being planned for 2024. The jewel of the city’s monuments is the Castle-Shrine, where the Vera Cruz de Caravaca (“Holy Cross of Caravaca”), which contains the Lignum Crucis, has been kept since the 13th century. We might also mention the Museum of La Vera Cruz. Visitors will also be interested in seeing the Church of La Soledad (16th century), which houses the Archaeological Museum, the Church of El Salvador (16th century), a marvellous example of the Murcian Renaissance.

Moratalla. Take a stroll through the steep, narrow streets that lead towards the Christian Fortress (15th century), with its keep, a reconstruction of a former Moorish fortress dating from the 9th century, passing the Church of Santa Maria de la Asunción (16th century) along the way. Just a few kilometres further on is the Casa de Cristo Sanctuary (15th-17th century), a former Mercedarian convent now converted into a tourist complex, which brings together the chapel itself, a rural guesthouse and restaurant, and the Regional Centre for the Interpretation of Rock Art. Calasparra. In a small grotto excavated out of the rock we find the Shrine of La Virgen de la Esperanza. Back in the town itself, we find the House of La Encomienda, which houses the Municipal Archaeological Museum, the building known as El Molinico (16th century), the Baroque Church of San Pedro (18th century), the Neo-Mudejar-style Clock Tower and the Rice Museum located in the Casa Granero.

Mula. Mula Baths (thermal baths). Mountain activities, trekking and climbing In the mountains that border the city. Guided canoeing activities on the Reservoir of La Cieva.

Cehegín. Trekking between the Mountains of Burete and Lavia (three Short Trails-PR). There is also an Ecological Park and youth hostel.

Caravaca de la Cruz. The bicycle route through the Arco del Nevazo and route on horseback through the Mountains of El Gavilan. Four Short Trails ‘ (PR) through Caravaca‘s mountain ranges.

Moratalla. Trekking, bicycle and horse-riding routes through the surrounding mountain ranges. Discover El Sabinar, which features a savin tree reserve to protect this species threatened with extinction, or El Calar de la Santa. Of particular interest are the district’s caves and shelters with pre-historic rock art, which were declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1998.

Calasparra. We recommend a visit or caving in the Cave of El Puerto, whose galleries have been equipped with both artificial lighting and sound. Rafting or kayak trips for tourists or those more experienced in the sport down the River Segura through the Almadenes gorge.

Things to Buy and Eat Mula. Pottery, Jarapas (rugs made of strips of cloth), tools made of esparto grass and drums. Handicrafts Market of “Las Cuatro Plazas” Bullas. Wines and cheeses of certified origin and special torrijas (bread soaked in milk, fried and then coated with sugar).

Cehegin. Typical desserts such as bienmesabe and “pero de Alcuza”, an autochthonous variety of fruit. Olive oil and handmade cold meats.

You could also buy a Begastri cross.

Caravaca de la Cruz. Sweet specialities such as yemas de Caravaca.

Visitors must buy a Caravaca Cross. Handicrafts Market (third Sunday of each month, except in summer).

Moratalla. Skillfully handmade drums and delicious marzipan products.

Calasparra. Rice of certified origin.

15

NEW YEAR s n o i t u l o s e R New Year

Did you know one of the most overlooked New Years resolution is a check of your finances? This should be at the top of the hit list as you could be paying far too much money for your insurances, utilities and mortgage. You might also be missing out on extra income from investments.

One of the biggest problems with insurance in Spain is the un-truths told by banks to try to tie you to their over priced insurance. below we try to correct some of these myths.

1, If you have a mortgage, you have to take out home insurance with that bank…. This is completely not true, and is a practice the banks use to try to force you to take their over priced insurance. These premiums can be double that of a specialist insurance company such as Caser.

2, If you have a mortgage, you have to take out life insurance with that bank…. Again, this is completely not true.

Caser can usually halve your life insurance premium.

3, You have to give 60 days notice to cancel your insurance…. This has been reduced to 30 days. However, your insurance company must give you the price of your renewal premium in writing with enough time for you to cancel before the 30 days. If not then you can cancel after 30 days without penalty.

4, It’s complicated to change your insurance…. It is not complicated at all. there are many insurance agents that can help you through the process for free. At Insure Spain we will guide you through the process quickly and efficiently. Visit our office, or we will come to you, which ever is most convenient for you.

5, It’s expensive to move your mortgage…. There are the usual set up costs, but the savings and benefits can far out way these. We recommend using a broker such as mortgage direct sl. They can compare many different lenders to get you the best deal.

Most insurance agents in spain are tied to Liberty Seguros. This means that for the majority of enquiries you make to try to reduce your premium, you will get very similar quotes. The only real difference will be if the agent reduces their commission a little.

At Insure Spain we have moved away from the norm in order to try to offer our clients something new and more affordable. We work with Spain’s second largest insurance company called Caser. Caser is a great company with customer service at its forefront. They offer similar policies and cover to other companies, but usually at a reduced premium. There is a 24/7 English helpline, and all house and car policies are in English. Caser also have the best Health insurance at a great price, which is also fully Residencia compatible.

Insure Spain was set up out of frustration at the standard of customer care received from other companies. This coupled with the need to try to reduce premiums for ourselves, and our clients has made Insure Spain one of the most respected brokers in Spain.

We offer: -All British staff -All enquiries are met with our friendly, English speaking staff -Policies in English -Help with claims -And a level of customer service that cannot be beaten.

Why not give us a call or send an email and see how much we can save you. It could be 100’s of euros.

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Food & Drink Section how to order in Spain

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& Foo D d rin k

History and Origins of a l l e Pa Paella is one of the most popular and famous of global dishes, to define exactly what paella contains is almost impossible. There are as many variations of paella as there are cooks, with many claiming that their recipe is the best tasting or most authentic. The origins of the dish, however, are quite humble. Understanding a little of its history will help explain why so many varieties exist.

Valencia in Eastern Spain is the undisputed home of paella. It is one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean and has been one of the most important rice-producing areas in Spain since rice was introduced by the Moors over 1200 years ago. In fact, the Spanish word for rice is ‘arroz’, which is derived from Arabic, not Latin like most of Castilian Spanish.

There are however, some other wonderful (if less likely) theories about the origins of the name.

The most romantic of them suggests that the dish was first prepared by a lover for his fiancée and that the word is a corruption of ‘para ella’ (meaning ‘for her’ in Spanish). Like all myths there is a small grain of truth in this and although many women still traditionally do the cooking in Spain, making paella is usually left to the men Humble beginnings - very much like BBQ’s in the UK!!!

Paella was originally farmers’ and farm labourIt has also been suggested that the word ‘paella’, ers’ food, cooked by the workers over a wood fire is derived from the Arabic word “Baqiyah”, which for the lunchtime meal. means ‘leftovers’ - once again emphasizing both the dish’s humble and arabic beginnings.

It was made with rice, plus whatever was to hand around the rice fields and countryside: tomatoes, The most sociable of culinary occasions? onions and snails, with a few beans added for In Spain paella is still unique. Not only do famiflavour and texture. Rabbit or duck might also lies congregate on mass to eat paella in reshave been added, and for special occasions, taurants, but it is often cooked at weekends at chicken plus a touch of saffron for an extra speholiday homes in ‘bodegas’ or ‘txokos’ (large cial colour and flavour. Paella was also tradition- dining areas where families gather) or at beach ally eaten straight from the pan in which it was or mountain picnic sites. cooked with each person using his own wooden spoon.

Little by little, as ‘Valencian rice’ became more widely available, paella recipes were adapted with new variations appearing. With Valencia being on the coast, it is no surprise that various types of seafood crept into the recipes over the generations. Now paella is the generic name of 200 or so distinctive rice dishes or ‘arroces’ from the Valencia region let alone other parts of Spain and the rest of the world. To this day a “true” Paella Valenciana has no seafood but a mixture of Chicken, rabbit and snails with green and white beans.

Where did the name come from ?

It’s a little confusing but ’paella’ or to be more exact ‘la paella’ is the name for the cooking pan itself and not the dish. The word comes from old Valencian (in Valencia they have their own language somewhat similar to Catalan) and probably has its roots in the Latin ‘patella’ meaning pan.

21

& Foo D d rin k

Spanish recipe

Valencian Paella

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

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

Ingredients for 5 people:

Preparation:

3 cups short grained rice 100ml olive oil 1.2l water 800g chicken, cut into bite size pieces 600g rabbit meat, cut into bite size pieces 12 Vaquetes snails, well cleaned (optional) 250g Ferradura beans (wide green beans) 200g Garrofon beans 1 ripe tomato, peeled 1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped 1/2 tablespoon of paprika Saffron threads Salt Rosemary (optional) Lemon wedges to garnish

• Heat the oil in a paella dish or large shallow frying pan.

• Salt the chicken and rabbit and brown in pan for 5 mins.

• Add beans and brown for another 5 mins.

• Add the garlic, paprika and tomato. Add water and the snails.

• Boil for 10 mins.

• Add the saffron and rice, distributing it evenly over the surface of the pan.

• Boil on a high heat for 8 mins.

• Add rosemary and salt to taste.

• Turn heat on low and cook for a further 8 mins. so the bottom layers of rice are crispy (“socarrat”) • Garnish with lemon and serve immediately • Serve with crusty bread

23

Albudiete Marcha 2018.

Here we are again another 6am start from the shop,today it’s a cold, dark November morning and still damp after 3 days of heavy rain. Today there is 18 of us in 5 vehicles heading to the small village of Albudiete in the North of Murcia to participate in our last Marcha (Sportif ) of the year. Today it’s a short easy ride of only 100km with 1500metres of climbing. Most of the route is controlled with a timed hill climb / sprint in the middle for good measure so ideal for beginners.Once we arrive we park up and hit the only open restaurant for coffees and tostadas. We then go to the registration point where we collect our goodie bags and cycling jerseys. Once the bikes are prepared, numbers attached we make our way to the start line for a 9am start.

We follow the car for the first 25-30k through Gebas, El-Bero,Mula, Pliego and then head back toward Sierra Espuna, the car was travelling at quite a steady pace which was good for us and helped the group to thin out, once we arrived at Sierra Espuna the car took off which was the start of the timed section where we all blasted up as fast as we could.

At the top we were stopped by the road marshall’s and kept there until the final riders, ambulance and broom wagon arrived, we then followed the car again back to Albudiete for tapas and beer. It wasn’t long before the prize giving started due to the cold weather, we were delighted to hear that Harry Morrow was first and Mathew Robertson was second in the Under 25 category, Alan Quearns received first prize in the 5060 group, Graham Hope was second in the 60-70 age group and Terry O’Mahoney got the trophy for the oldest finisher, we also won the ham for the largest team.

So after all the moans and groans about the cold, damp early start etc. and the fact that we had to follow a car for most of the race, everyone was delighted with not only the individual but the teams achievements overall. Well done everyone, now we are all looking forward to a well deserved rest over the festive period and our next Sportif which is in March.

Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday night’sat 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 come along and join us. 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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Find us at: Playa Flamneca on Saturday Zoco Market on Sunday

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New & existing Gate Automation. Roller, Sectional, and Up & Over Garage Doors.

Gates fabricated to order & supplied from our own In-house workshop.

Video & Audio Intercom Systems - WiFi, Wireless, and Wired & 4G Systems.

New or existing Roller Shutter Remote controlled Automation.

Solar Powered Systems For Gates & Doors

Centre studies Escobar (CSE) was featured in this magazine in the august 2018 issue. This year it celebrates 15 years of helping people with most languages in the Campo de Cartagena.

This forward-thinking academy have now joined forces with LanguageCert to become the first Test centre in the Region of Murcia. In fact the first two Test Centres as they are opening a new academy and Test Centre in Cartagena. So, who are LanguageCert and why the excitement.

Paul explained LanguageCert is the latest in modern language (CEFR) exam taking. Developed by leading educational researchers it is an up to date, relevant exam that will change the way people are assessed.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the turn around time, results within 10 working days, others typically taking 6 weeks. Even more incredible, computer-based exams only take 5 days.

PS As we grow, we are looking to hire qualified language teachers for Cartagena.

So whether you are looking for help with languages, a TEFL qualified teached, or are an accedmy that want to start using LanguageCert then for more information go to www.csemurcia.com or send your CV to jobs@csemurcia.com

27

North Town...

Guardamar del Segura

Guardamar del Segura The town of Guardamar del Segura with a population of just over 11,000 has historically played the role of guardian of the river Segura. Guardamar’s strategic position on a hill over the Vega Baja made it an ideal settlement for the various cultures that have inhabited this part of Spain over the centuries.

Guardamar del Segura owes its very existence and livelihood to the dunes that have shaped it. Forests, dunes and beaches make Guardamar del Segura a paradise on the Costa Blanca.

Eating out All the local restaurants offer top-quality seafood and shellfish and outstanding rice dishes, the pride of Guardamar cuisine.

Located between Santa Pola and Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura is approximately 45 minutes drive from the international airport of Alicante. The resort town has been developed directly on the beach. Inland towns and villages are easily accessible with the excellent local road network.

Marina The municipal Marina de las Dunas is a splendid addition for tourism in Guardamar del Segura. It is located at the mouth of the river Segura in a unique natural environment.

Beaches and Nature Guardamar del Segura boasts over 12 kilometres of natural coastline, with sand dune beaches backed by pine trees.

The natural dunes form from sand deposited by both the river Segura and the sea, and are blown inland by the eastern winds. This beautiful natural scene makes Guardamar del Segura so appealing; there are also lots of charming spots where you can observe the local flora and fauna and multitude of bird species that nest in this ecosystem.

Guardamar del Segura is also home to the Reina Sofia and Alfonso XIII parks, ideal for a leisurely stroll or for cycling. Here you will find lots of wildlife – squirrels, swans, birds and fishes, which all make the local park environment a place for nature lovers.

Recreation and Leisure Activities around the restored mouth of the river include fishing, camel rides and a visit to the Molino de San Antonio (San Antonio Windmill).

Guardamar del Segura offers you every imaginable water sport such as sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, underwater diving, canoeing, and jet skiing, amongst others. Plus the Marina de las Dunas, at the mouth of the river, accommodates 498 moorings.

It has 494 moorings and all the services and facilities of a top-ranking marina. It also provides two kilometres of the new navigable river course for small boats, a riskfree place for sea sports.

Shopping There are local shopping facilities in Guadamar del Segura and further shopping facilities in nearby Torrevieja.

Nightlife Torrevieja offers a comprehensive variety of nightlife, with nightclubs, bars and restaurants and is just a short taxi ride away.

Climate Guardamar de Segura enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, like most of the Costa Blanca, with cool sea breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter. The area averages nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and the average temperature easily exceeds 20 degrees.

In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world - neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year making it an ideal all year round destination

Guardamar del Segura also has extensive land based sports facilities. The “Las Rabosas” Sports Centre and the magnificent Municipal Sports Centre, with its Olympic swimming-pool, three football pitches, basketball courts, five-a-side soccer pitches, tennis courts, padel courts and a covered sports hall. Perfect for sports enthusiasts!

Golf Within one hour’s drive of Guardamar del Segura you are spoilt for choice with golf courses.

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4 appliances to save electricity at home … or maybe not.

Home automation and gadgets such as smart plugs serve to lower the electricity bill, although the investment may not always compensate the savings achieved.

The goal is to reduce the electricity bill. But is there any way to control your consumption? Home automation and ingenuity come together to create new gadgets that promise to help you spending less energy such as electrical meters connected to your mobile to plugs that claim to be “smart.” But do they really save that much electricity?

In this article we will try to solve this dilemma.

1. Electric meter: to control electricity consumption.

The arrival of the hourly rate has not been easy to understand for the average consumer. Having to check daily the different prices of electricity in the wholesale market has not settled among most users. Neither has the user been able to enjoy great benefits by adjusting their tasks to the most economical rates.

A solution has been the launch of electric meters that control the consumption at all times. Thus, the less active consumer can receive recommendations on his mobile phone to reduce his electric bill without great complications, while the more active user may even have a more precise vision of how much electricity certain appliances connected to the mains are actually using.

But do they really save money? The answer is not that simple, since it depends a lot on the use that is given to it. First, they promise to reduce the bill between 10% and 15%. However, it should be taken into account that this type of equipment cost about 120 Euros, so you have to apply well all recommendations to amortize their cost.

2. The Google thermostat: Google also wants a piece of the cake with the sale of their gadgets thanks to home automation. Thermostats that promise to control the temperature of our home to balance the well-being of the family and the cost of energy. You can remotely connect with your home from the smartphone to set the temperature before you arrive at your house.

Now, is this device worth the investment or not? Well, the version of this device is marketed in Spain for more than 225 Euros and makes it possible to control the boiler, central heating and the hot water. However, there is no air conditioning. Therefore, it is not the most interesting solution during the hot months and in this part of Spain we do tend to have long summers.

3. The smart plug.

Phantom consumption represents more than 10% of the total energy used in a home, according to data from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE).

I wrote an article not long ago called “Appliances consume electricity even when you switch them off”.

The question is: can you avoid paying for leaving some devices in standby mode? This is the basis on which you can start saving with the new smart plug.

Its main function is to control the on and off of any device, either programming it or doing it from a mobile application. In this way, it is possible to turn on any device that is expected to need on arrival a few minutes before, such as the water heater, preventing it from consuming all day. It is also a good ally to create the illusion that there is someone at home when you are not, preventing any intruders from entering the home by programming the switching on and off during the day.

The question, once again is whether it compensates or not.

In this case, the price of this plug is not much (less than 36 Euros), so amortizing it may take little time. So for savers, this is a good ally to start lowering the electricity bills without making a big initial outlay.

4. The smart meter, the device that everyone has or will have soon.

Home automation can be a great companion in the war against oscillations in the price of electricity. However, it is important to get the most out of one that is already installed and allows you to have a lot of information on consumption.

The large electricity companies take advantage of the intelligent meter to give real data on the energy expenditure that is done in each home. This information serves to have a control of what is consumed compared to previous months, as well as identify the hours in which more light is needed.

But, does it make savings possible or is it pure marketing?

First, it is a device that is compulsory, so its cost is already part of your receipt. However, it can be used for the benefit of the user. Thanks to this meter, you can know if the rate is the most indicated. And, why keep a fixed price contract if the highest consumption is done at night?

Moreover, if the situation were reversed, is there no company that offers a rate that fits our habits with lower rates?

In short, this is the device that helps save the most if you pay attention and dedicate a bit of your time.

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Las Colinas Golf & Country Club Settled in 330 hectares of green paradise, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club was again awarded “Spain’s Leading Villa Resort” and “Europe’s Leading Villa Resort”. It has also been awarded, for the third year running as “Spain’s Best Golf Course” at The World Golf Awards.

Earlier In 2018, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club won the accolade of “Residential Development Spain” award in the European Property Awards, and is ranked 33 in the Top 100 Golf Resorts on Continental Europe, published by the prestigious British magazine, Golf World.

The most recent given award, was in December 2018 and was the “World´s Leading Golf and Villa Resort”

by World Travel Awards. it was also selected by the European Tour to host the second stage of the Qualifying School. 2011 to 2018.

Enjoyable meals at the Unik café, with wonderful varied dishes, as well at the very well-known Enso Sushi bar.

The recently built Sport centre with tennis and paddle courses, plus multisport courts are also a great feature.

There is a new Country Club under construction, with Mediterranean food restaurant, new and bigger bar, pool for customers, an improved gym and a brand new wellness area. This will be a remarkable contribution to the residents and visitors comfort.

At the beginning of this article we said that Las Colinas Golf & Country Club was awarded with the “Spain’s and Europe’s Leading Villa Resort”, If you were thinking of buying a property in Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, “Premium Golf Properties” real estate agents are official expert collaborators and will be happy to help you through the whole purchase process.

You can contact them at the following email address: info@premiumgolfproperties.com or call them on +34 868 619 100.

Article supplied by Premium Golf Properties

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Agent´s Diary with Rebecca Serwotka

Don’t Reveal How Motivated You Are To Sell Your Home!

No one wants to be reminded of messy life situations like a divorce, and it certainly won’t help your selling position if you’re the seller of a home. Make sure you keep all emotional garbage out of sight. Keep papers, boxes, arguments, distress, medications, your divorced-but-looking dating site application (just kidding), and anything else that says “I’m desperate to sell” well hidden.

Clues like scarce furnishings, and not making simple, obvious repairs all “say” something about motivation.

Try to keep your personal life personal. Minimize you and maximize the home. De-personalize the home and shoot for it looking like a model home – modern, bright and light without over embellished personal mementos or lingering cooking odours.

A seasoned real estate professional has seen it all, and can think in advance and help you prepare for a timely sale.

Be aware of what your home is saying when you are not home, and you will be glad you listened to this sound advice.

Minimize you and maximize the home. Begin de-personalizing right after listing your property for sale. Immediately begin to remove extra photographs or anything that may be politically incorrect or offensive.

Take an objectivity tour of your home, or ask your agent’s honest advice. I can’t tell you how many times personal flair sidetracks the flow of seeing a home and the flair – not your home – becomes the topic of discussion as we drive away.

Keep the environment in your home neutral.

Think romance – lighting that’s inviting, ambience that’s soothing, music that will usher them calmly from room to room, and fragrances that are fresh and not overpowering.

You want them to stay and enjoy your environment.

Think it doesn’t matter? It does!

I can’t tell you the countless times while touring property that the buyer brings to my attention the fact that there’s only women’s clothing in the wardrobe or that the house looks abandoned from the street, or that there’s no food in the fridge.

Always know that when you are selling your home and buyers are looking around to see if this house suits them, they will stumble across giveaway clues unless you stage your home correctly.

Even sharing that a baby’s on the way, and more space is needed, could lead them to believe they have the upper hand in negotiations, because they think you’re on a deadline to move before the baby arrives, and may lower your price. In all my years of real estate sales, one thing is certain: buyers are detectives. They notice everything and usually download these visuals and bring them up for discussion when deciding what price to offer on your home.

Conversely, if you have failed to de-clutter and your home has an overabundance of decoration and furnishings, they will believe a quick completion would be nearly impossible and pass on your house because they think you simply cannot move all your belongings in a timely manner.

Consider carefully: Is this something you would see in a new construction model home? Always refer to this question when in doubt.

Would that model home have a strong scent or odour?

Would the kids’ room have crazy posters? Graffiti on the walls? Day-glow paint? If this is a model home, would there be boudoir photos in the bedroom? Weapons on display?

Be aware of your daily environment.

Keep things locked up, in the safe, jewelry box, or stored while your home is on the market. Clearly understand that buyers do not want to know you and be your friend and, usually, are looking to knock some off the price.

It isn’t important for them to know how the people who lived there live. Seeing many portraits and personal items could very well cause emotions of envy, jealousy, or entitlement, which could lead them away from choosing your home and cause them to believe you don’t deserve top Euro.

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