EST 2005
18th - 24th August 2017
AIRPORT CHAOS: Strikes across Spain could cause massive delays.
Aena strike AIR passengers in Spain could be hit by devastating delays after the CC.OO, UGT and USE unions announced a round of strikes, starting from September 15, across all airports operated by Aena. In Spain Aena manages 46 airports and two heliports and saw over 230 million passengers pass through its airports in 2016. It made a net profit of €1,164 million in the same year. The unions have announced that there will be 25 days of 24-hour work stoppages which would run from September 15 to December 30. Workers’ representatives in the Aena group have been threatening strikes since May if repeated demands on salary and calls for an employment plan were not fulfilled before mid-August.
THE Human Rights Watch have warned that migrants arriving in Spain by sea are held in unacceptable conditions in Motril and Almeria. The organisation reports that migrants are “held for days in dark, dank cells in police stations and almost certainly will then automatically be placed in longer-term immigration detention facilities pending deportation that may never happen.” Judith Sunderland, Associate Europe and Central Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said: “Spain is violating migrants’ rights, and there is no evidence that it serves as a deterrent to others.” The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported that nearly 8,000 people reached Spain between January 1 and July 26, 2017, a sharp increase compared to 2,500 people during the same period in 2016. Human Rights Watch visited police facilities in Motril, Almeria, and Malaga in May and concluded that conditions were ‘sub-standard’ with ‘large, poorly lit cells with thin mattresses on the floor, while Malaga police station has an underground jail with no natural light or ventilation.’ They added that adults and children travelling to
PHOTO CAPTION: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Migrants’ rights violated
INHUMANE: Migrants conditions in detention centres revealed to be sub-standard. Spain by boat are detained for up to 72 hours in police facilities for identification and processing with most adults being sent to an immigration detention centre for up to 60 days pending deportation. If they cannot be deported, they are released but have no legal right to remain and are under obligation to leave the country. In Almeria, cells are separated from the hallway ‘by tightly woven steel grills.’ Detainees are ‘locked inside at all times, and taken out only for medical checks, fingerprinting, inter-
viewing and to go to the bathroom because there are none inside the cells.’ Although they are outside, they are enclosed spaces in Almeria and Motril, and immigration detainees are not allowed to use them. The HRW recommends that “As long as the port facilities in Motril and Almeria are used, new measures should be adopted to allow more freedom of movement within the compound, including the use of outside spaces and free access to bathrooms.“
STOP PRESS
Las Ramblas terror attack A VAN has driven into a crowd of people in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona, yesterday afternoon (Thursday) killing at least 13 - according to sources as Sol Times went to press. At least 20 people have also been injured and the Mossos d’Esquadra have launched a manhunt for the driver, who fled on foot. Several armed men are reportedly on the loose according to authorities. Reports also say some of the men have locked themselves into a restaurant. Police are treating the incident as a terrorist attack according to El Pais.
Las Ramblas
2 12 held in police swoop THE Guardia Civil have arrested 12 people and recovered 43 vehicles which were stolen in Europe - 33 of them dismantled - as they arrived in Spain. The operation was undertaken simultaneously at the ports of Algeciras, Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Malaga, Motril, Tarifa and Valencia. The Guardia Civil, specialists of the Austrian Police, French National Gendarmerie, Republican National Guard of Portugal and the consortium GIE-Argos worked together with the aim of preventing the cars from reaching North Africa. Twelve were arrested in the operation, and of the 43 vehicles stolen, 33 were found dismantled. This year the Guardia Civil has recovered more than 17,000 stolen vehicles.
News
18th - 24th August 2017
Grand prize for Bryn RETIRED carpenter Bryn Smith has won the Sol Times Readers’ Survey Draw. His name was drawn out from scores of completed survey forms submitted online and by post over the last fortnight. As winner Bryn, aged 64, from Albox, can now look forward to his prize of dinner for two at Bar Restaurante La Parada in Almeria. He plans to enjoy his prize with his wife Linda who is due to return from the UK this weekend following a hip operation. Bryn has not previously eaten at the restaurant and is looking forward to spending a pleasant evening there. A regular Sol Times reader and a resident of Albox for 17 years, Bryn keenly awaits the newspaper each week.
NEWS BITES
Old school A COMPUTER glitch delayed the unemployment benefits of 50,000 jobless agricultural labourers across Almeria. Office workers had to sift through files manually before processing payments.
Crash horror A LOCAL man, aged 25, was killed on Monday when his car crashed into a truck on the San Agustin to Almerimar road and caught fire. He died before rescuers arrived on scene.
Hand shake
SMILES ALL ROUND: Bryn is presented with a La Parada voucher by Sol Times Sales Consultant, Claire Crosby.
A TOTAL of 508 mediations involving juvenile offenders took place across Almeria last year. The meetings are an alternative to criminal justice.
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News
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NEWS BITES
Safety first A SAMPLE of more than one million drivers across Andalucia found that Almerian motorists make less insurance claims than their counterparts in any other province. Sevillians clocked up the most crashes.
Phone fraud POLICE charged an Almeria woman with fraud after she falsely claimed to have had her purse snatched by two youngsters on a moped.
Clean money MORE than 500 companies in Almeria conduct their business through renewable energy. The province’s solar power industry is a key driver behind the energy revolution.
THE Spanish Tax Agency has detained the merchant ship Lady Boss. It was suspected of possible drug trafficking after it was spotted several days earlier by the Tax Agency surveillance plane in the Strait of Gibraltar, an area noted for drugs loading by traffickers. Last week the Maritime bulletin reported that the Customs and Tax Agency teams intercepted the vessel 32 miles south of Almeria and took her to Almeria’s port where it was inspected. Six hundred bales of hashish which totalled up to 18 tons, were discovered. The vessel and 13 crew members, including 11 Ukrainians and two Bulgarians, were placed under arrest. The ship was sailing under the flag of the Comoros, and the detention took place in internation-
Lady Boss drugs bust
DRUGS ON BOARD: Merchant ship Lady Boss detained in the Strait of Gibraltar. al waters near the port of Almeria. The department head of the Consular Service of the Foreign Ministr y of Ukraine, Vasyl Kyr ylych, said that the Ukrainian consulate is in constant contact with the
detainees’ lawyers and the Spanish law enforcement agencies in this case. He added that the case would be transferred to the court of the first instance of the city of Madrid.
News Last orders SINCE Britain voted to Brexit Almeria has exported more than €300 million worth of fruit and veg to the country. Olive oil, strawberries and tomatoes are most in-demand.
Blood ties RIVALS are asking how the daughters of Roquetas mayor Gabriel Amat came to be joint administrators of a council-owned property, despite lacking experience.
Black flag ECOLOGISTS in Action placed a black flag at the mouth of the Andarax river to register their disgust at finding shopping trolleys, car tyres and 40 bags of plastic rubbish.
THE Popular Party of Almeria has raised concerns the Andalucian government has not met its own integrated care process first put forward 12 years ago. The PP Almeria speaker in Parliament, Carmen Crespo, said that in September they will ask President Susana Diaz to improve the health care of more than 17,000 patients with fibromyalgia in the province, and of 240,000 patients overall in Andalucia. The PP has registered a non-binding proposal in Parliament which will ask the Board to “strengthen the implementation of the Integrated Care Process, approved by the Ministry of Health in 2005.” It also asks the Board to “continue pushing the formation of multidisciplinary teams to care for people with fibromyalgia, to ensure continuity between the levels of hospital care and health centres.” Crespo explained that 12 years ago, the Ministry of Health presented a document called the Integrated Assistance Process, but it has, according to the PP, never been implemented.
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All set for intimate gig
Almeria raises concerns for Fibromyalgia treatment
SPANISH superstar, Vanessa Martin will be performing at Almeria fair. With five studio and two live albums already released, the worldwide sensation is a firm favourite in Spain. The Malaga-born singer-songwriter will be performing as part of her current tour. The gig will take place on Calle Arbol del Paraiso at 10pm on Thursday, August 24.
PHOTO CREDIT PP ALMERIA
NEWS BITES
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CHANGES: Carmen Crespo. She adds that the Board has full responsibility for the care of the 17,000 people in Almeria who suffer from the disease. The PP MP explains that there are currently no curative treatments for fibromyalgia and that the most important is a firm diagnosis in which the presence of other possible diseases with similar symptoms is ruled out and adequate information from the professionals. She adds that the Board has full responsibility for the health care of the 17,000 people in Almeria who suffer from the disease.
News
18th - 24th August 2017
Mojacar full to the rafters for Candlelit Night
FOR the sixth year running, Mojacar has held ‘Candlelit Night.’ Although impossible to put a figure on numbers, party revellers in Mojacar’s Old Town most certainly amassed to more than expected. Despite a fleet of nine buses and reinforcement of three more, queues were still building with the bus company accounting for more than 16,000 - a tremendous turnout. Throngs of taxis, motorcycles and cars could also be seen and parking was, unsurprisingly, almost impossible from 8pm. onwards. Safe to say then, that numbers of attendees could easily have amounted to 19,000 in the Old Town, all of whom were enjoying a most magical evening.
PHOTO CREDIT: MUTUUM.NET
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CANDLELIGHT MAGIC: The town was lit up to create a magical evening The night began at 10pm with a complete blackout as public lights were switched off in houses and shops allowing only for the mellow serenity of candlelight. As the evening progressed, restaurants and
bars quickly filled up. There was a fabulous buzz from the evening’s open air concerts and the colourful excitement of street entertainers juggling with fire or the eight telescopes to observe the full moon and shooting stars, an unmissable night.
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News
18th - 24th August 2017
A SMALL dolphin that became separated from its mother near a beach in Mojacar (Almeria) was subjected to harassment by bathers who took pictures of it and mishandled it by covering its blowhole. It is understood that the animal was initially stranded in the shallows when it was first intercepted by crowds of holidaymakers. Equinac, a rescue and recovery of marine fauna association, warn that “cetaceans (dolphins, whales etc) are not fish, they are mammals and breathe atmospheric air. They are very susceptible to stress and die very fast if they are subjected to it.” They recommend that you should call the 112 emergency services if you spot a stranded animal on the
PHOTO CREDIT. EQUINAC FACEBOOK
Dolphin tragedy
HARASSED: The dolphin was tragically mishandled by bathers.
coast. They will contact an organisation that specialises in the rescue of this type of animal, and in case of not being able to send anyone to the area, will provide the necessary instructions to assist the animal without worsening their condition.
The group said that an animal that is stranded is often suffering from some type of problem that prevents it from continuing swimming. Returning it to the water might be condemning it to drown. Equinac criticised the behaviour of the beach goers on Facebook, saying: “Once again we note the human being is the most irrational species that exists.”
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Feature
Stay safe in the summer sun SUMMER will end this year with a bout of misery for all of us in Spain. It’s not that the hot weather is bad, it’s just beyond all human tolerance. Every year, scores die of heat-related complications and countless more are affected by heat cramps, heat rash and heat stroke. What’s to do be done? The most obvious thing to say is stay inside in the cold air as much as possible. Ensure your home is well-ventilated but only if the outside is cooler than the inside. Drink water. It’s recommended you drink two to four glasses of water an hour in hot weather. You’ll be sweating profusely and dehydration is the biggest source of issues in intense heat, particularly when your day doesn’t change but the temperature rises. Wear loose or cool clothing. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton absorb sweat. They also allow the skin to breathe. Finally, know your symptoms - life doesn’t stop, which makes it more important than ever to know when you’re thirsty. Symptoms of a headache and tiredness are a surefire sign that you’re beginning to suffer, and if it’s not kept in check, it could lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke and even a fatality. Be careful, and enjoy the final weeks of summer!
Weekender
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TRADE SPECIAL Buying houses Page 17
Harmful make-up Page 22
Page 15
Herb gardens Page 18
Foodie kids Page 23
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Don’t be afraid of the big, bad doctor THERE’S something to be said for good health. Certainly there is when it wanes, fades and goes. A year ago I was convinced I had testicular cancer when I found a lump on my right testicle. Did I immediately consult a physician? No, because I was abroad, my Spanish was poor and I’d yet to meet a Spanish doctor tolerant of those two things. Family members forced me to bite the bullet and see a series of older, male and (mostly) rude physicians between October and December to no avail. It wasn’t before I got home to Scotland at Christmas time a benign cyst was diagnosed within a day. Back in Spain, and increasingly severe headaches became the new
GETTING HELP: Fears of visiting the doctor in Spain or the UK need not be an issue.
norm. By April, something put its foot down and left me unable to walk for three weeks with sciatica. No homevisiting doctors meant I wasn’t seen until the middle of the second week, and I was reluctant to call an ambulance because I was petrified of being treated as before. And when I say “couldn’t walk,” I mean my diningroom chair was converted to a walking frame (after week two). If my fiancee hadn’t been there, I don't know what I would have done. I was signed off work for 19 days, in addition to the seven already taken. The younger female doctors who treated me were lovely and happy to accommodate, as
was the physician in private practice. By June, the headaches (and back pain) were excruciating. Back in the UK again and doctors determined that the headaches were both a product of dangerously high blood pressure and muscle tension in my neck, pressing on nerves. Why am I telling you this? Well, for the most part, my symptoms are annoying rather than chronic. Bouts of agonizing pain means that I can’t sit for long, including when writing. The moral here is: take care of yourself. If you’re having negative issues with Spanish doctors, if the language barrier is too much, take a translator, go private or return home. Bite the bullet. Take care of yourself with a vision in mind of what happens if you don’t. What I would strongly implore everyone to do is to check what they eat, what they drink and how often they exercise. Get rechecked if there are health issues in your family. Know the score.
Feature
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Given the run-around By Jos Biggs IN the blistering heat and under a burning sun, we took the requested water meter reading. It was poles away from the number she had previously underlined on the bill, but had said she ‘could do nothing without today’s meter reading.’ Armed with smug righteousness and the reading we renewed our acquaintance with the Galasa office and air-conditioning. The same chica took off the same headset and indicated we should sit in the same chairs which we vacated only an hour or so previously. I proffered the same bill, but accompanied by today’s figures. She perused the numbers. ‘See,’ I said, ‘they are quite different. There must be a mistake.’ Foolishly I had imagined that providing her with the requested reading would form a basis of negotiation. However, she was not going to admit that Galasa had made an error, and overcharged somebody to the tune of more than 35 times that which was owed. She must have attended a special training course in evasiveness, and
passed with honours. ‘You must have a leak.’ Polite but adamant. ‘No, there is no leak.’ Polite but equally adamant. ‘If the meter reads it, then the water must have gone through. You must have a leak.’ ‘No, the meter must be faulty. Look, the numbers are completely different.’ ‘That number isn’t the meter reading.’ She pointed to the bill. ‘It is the quantity of water consumed.’ I could have said ‘You mentally deficient bovine, why didn’t you tell us that? I didn’t, instead I said ‘Mm.’ Maybe it was conscience, or more likely she knew she had me. She felt she could afford to be magnanimous. ‘You could get the meter checked. Or you could claim compensation.’ ‘We’ll claim compensation.’ I rose majestically and stalked out. I had done my best and I was beat, but didn’t let it show. Barbara has handed the problem over to Arboleas Town Hall, who know what’s what. That chica won’t get way with giving them the run-around!
Pause for thought ONE of the problems of remote living is the need for a preparedness to tackle all manner of practical issues. So, this past week saw the failure of our recycled water system, which as a result, started leaking a strong-smelling, gray fluid down the hillside. Removal of manhole covers and a bit of prodding around revealed the cause being that channels connecting the three sections of what’s similar to a septic tank, had become blocked, preventing them from working properly. Submersible pump and very long pipe emptied most a suitable distance away, but still left some two inches or so of sludge at the bottom. So the only so-
lution was to don wellies and lower myself down the small access hole into the very cramped, dark recesses of the first two sections and start baling into buckets, which were then passed to my wife waiting above, for disposal. Once empty, the serious stuff of cleaning and enlarging the holes between sections was followed by a general clean and hose down both of the tanks and myself! Fortunately after only a few minutes the aroma becomes unnoticeable, though from the looks we received on a subsequent visit to Mercadona, we gathered, even after a hot bath, that we weren’t exactly ‘sweet smelling.’ Extremely uncomfort-
able and unpleasant as it was, there was no other way to clean it up and get it working again properly. And being me, I couldn’t help but recognise the Christian comparison. You see our lives, with all our wrongdoing, pride and selfishness are in a right mess, and the only way to sort it out properly was for Jesus to get involved. His coming into the World must have been incredibly uncomfortable and unpleasant for him, but there was no alternative. Only by being there and getting involved, dying in our place, could he clean up the mess we’ve made and allow working relationships with each other and God to be rebuilt.
Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida (further details available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
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Weekender
WHEN it comes to a sense of national identity, countries like Britain, Germany and France could learn from Costa Spain? Much of northern Europe is obsessed with immigration and amalgamation of diverse ethnic groups. The result is disharmony. Southern Europe boasts greater ethnic diversity than anywhere else in the world yet the outcome is harmony. Surely this trait is deserving of the Nobel Prize for Peace. Set between Alicante and Cartagena, Torrevieja is home to no less than 138 different nationalities. Here, we find true diversity as Europeans, Africans, Latin Americans, Asians and Muslims go about their daily routine. A world-traveller, I cannot recall anywhere in the world where there is greater harmony than multi-ethnic Torrevieja and communities like it. Each is perfectly comfortable with their culture and background. Moroccans don’t pretend to be Irish; the Scots and Irish may bristle at being considered
Feature
18th - 24th August 2017
Nobel Peace prize for Costa by Sandy Shore English: Russians, Germans and Scandinavians are perfectly at home in their own skins. Yet, in my lifetime, brother was pitted against brother. The outcome was the martyrdom of 50 million Europeans and non-Europeans. Many more were ethnically cleansed, enslaved, and millions fled abroad. Yet, we do not hold grudges. In southern Europe we see North Africans sharing the same
services and facilities as do Indians and Pakistanis, who incidentally warred in my lifetime too. Neither I nor anyone else of my acquaintance recalls incidents of ethnic rivalry in Costa Spain. We get on fine together, we welcome diversity, and we respect each other as equal before justice and God. What is the secret? Here in our mixed communiETHNIC DIVERSITY: Deserving of the Nobel Prize for Peace.
ties there is no politically correct pressure to mix. Nor is their bigoted ostracism of those whose preference is for one’s own kind. No problems, our multi-ethnic communities are tolerant. Here are set an example to war-torn France, United States, Holland, Germany and Britain. With zealousness close to Daesh fanaticism pathetic northern European regimes insist on forcing diverse ethnic-groups with cultures far different from their own to amalgamate, to socialise and inter-marry. In Britain, you cannot turn on the television; flip the pages of periodicals without being exposed to institutionalised race propaganda. Typically, an advertisement will feature two or more models. In true Stalinist style the subjects are ethnically different and of course ecstatic at being in each other’s company. This politically correct drivel is incessant. Britain’s anti-ethnic culture is not for me; give me the Costas every time.
TRADE Special
18th - 24th August 2017
Weekender 15
Open... even during August GETTING any work done during the summer months can be painstakingly hard! Many businesses close or run on a parttime basis for August, to allow for holidays and free time for owners and staff alike. August traditionally in Spain is a holiday period, many Spanish companies actually close for the whole of August, so frustration can easily set in if you have urgent work that needs doing. Many English companies also follow suit, planning their family holidays around this normally super hot period.
Well have no fear! All the businesses listed below are going the extra mile for you this year, opening throughout August. Whether you need a plumber, a builder, pool work, DIY supplies or more, these businesses are here to help.
A quick Google search or phone call to these companies will get you all the information you need on opening times, call outs, availability etc. These are all well established local businesses that come highly recommended.
Ready to help!
Property
Know what you’re buying ‘before you buy’ YOU have just spotted your dream holiday home on the Costa Blanca. The style and location are exactly what you are looking for and the price seems fair. But the property does look a bit run down and it could use some improvements: nothing that can’t be fixed with a few upgrades and renovations. The estate agent reassures you that improvements to the home can be easily made, and there is plenty of spare land to expand. But no matter how much you might love the home, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement. Anyone who’s ever been in this situation knows how tough these decisions can be. This is why you should always seek professional advice before you sign your name on the dotted line. Many buyers jump into acquiring a second home because they’ve fallen head over heels in love with the house. But it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. How can you truly know that the condition of the house is what the seller says it is? Or that the land is legally zoned? How old is the roof? Does the house have insulation? If the home has structural issues or deferred maintenance, wouldn’t you want to know that in advance, before you put money down? Nobody in the UK buys a house without having a sur vey first and doing checks at the Land Registr y etc. So don’t put your hard earned money into property here in Spain
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Weekender 17
DREAM HOME: Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement. without doing the same. Just about ever y house has defects. Some will be obvious and most will be fixable. But you should clearly know what needs to be done, and how much any anticipated renovation and changes will cost, in order to make sure you are prepared to incur those costs. It’s also important to investigate the property’s and neighbourhood’s zoning, including potential liens or other restrictions that would limit your ability to build a garage, a swimming pool, expand or renovate the home. So get qualified advice from a local expert because a property inspection can give you the peace of mind
that you are making the right investment. An architect with the proper credentials and knowledge of the area can evaluate a proper ty before a purchase to make sure that it is sound, safe and certain to be a wise investment. An architect with knowledge of building regulations can also determine whether the property is in compliance with local laws and whether expansions are likely to be allowed.
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Weekender
Home & Garden
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Establishing a herb garden NO Spanish garden or apartment terrace should be without herbs. Gardens, terraces, cooking, salads, beverages, and health can all be improved by this important group of plants. Herbs have a wide range of uses developed over the past two millennium: All add perfume to the garden; some strong smells and others more subtle. The strongsmelling includes rosemary, thyme and lavender. The more subtle include marjoram, curry, mints and lemon verbena. Together they create an aromatherapy effect whenever we are walking, working or resting in
the garden. Some, such as lavender, rosemar y and thyme also attract butterflies that might otherwise pass by to neighbouring gardens. Likewise in the house herbs are essential ingredients of sweet smelling pot-pourri bowls. Many we use for cooking. Not just the obvious ones like bay, sage, mint, parsley, thyme and rosemar y. But also dill for flavouring fish or producing home-made gravlax, the curry plant for adding a subtle flavour to curries and coriander for soups: a few twigs of rosemary laid on top of a cooking paella, once the rice has been added, enhances the final flavour.
BUTTERFLIES: Will be attracted to lavender. We have several varieties of thyme, for their variegated colours and flowers and also for cooking, salad dressings and pickling olives. We find the strongly-perfumed Pebrella variety the best. Some we use for daily
or special occasion infusions. Refreshing poleos (mint infusions), or ‘hierba buena’ instead of tea or coffee. If about to start a long walk or work day in the garden we might substitute an energy-enhancing rosemary infusion and for a restful af-
ternoon break a lemon verbena infusion. Rue, we find, speeds the recovery of twisted or sprained ankles, knees and elbows, whether from mountain walking, tennis or because of heavy pruning during the winter cut back. Dandelion and nettle offer a useful detox. Sage is good for hot flushes. In recent years we have used stevia leaves as a substitute for sugar. Several varieties of large-leaved basil are grown to add a special taste and bite to summer salads. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are also useful additions. In the vegetable garden borage, cultivated and
wild garlic, fennel and ar tichokes not only brighten up the plot but are good companion plants to help protect vegetables from pests such as carrot fly, black and white fly and swarming beetles. We also have a large patch of comfrey. It has two important uses for us: Fermented in a plastic barrel it produces a very useful plant feed. As a poultice it helps to accelerate the curing of sprains, cracked bones and signs of gout. WHERE TO PLANT HERB PLANTS Herbs can be fitted into gardens of all sizes in a number of ways: They may be planted in pots or larger containers either within the garden or conveniently near the kitchen door; or of course in a patio courtyard; or the terrace of an apartment or penthouse. In a dedicated herb garden with a squared, wagon wheel or raised spiral design. Alongside the vegetable plot or paths… Mixed in with alpines and succulents in a rockery… Mixed into the front and mid-depth of a mixed perennial/shrub bed; creeping thyme and dichondra as lawns in shady areas; as internal hedges - Rosemary, Bay and Lavender are especially useful. Mints are best planted in large sunken pots or barrels as the roots can spread evasively. Or build up a collection of dif ferent leaved and flavoured varieties in a cluster of pots.
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Weekender
WHO wouldn’t want a kitchen customised to meet their specific tastes and needs? A complete kitchen renovation can cost a few thousand euros, but you don’t have to spend a bundle to achieve a custom effect. A few modest investments can help make your kitchen work well and look great. Completely replacing cabinets can be costly, but it’s possible to create a custom look with the cabinets you already have. Paint cabinets a trendy colour, like dark blue. Or, paint one set of cabinets, such as those under an island, a different colour. Remove the doors from one cupboard to create an open effect where you can display prized showpieces. Further accent the look by painting the back of the cupboard a contrasting colour. Replace dated or dull hardware with drawer pulls and knobs that speak to your personal design tastes. For example, if you love a vintage look, replace metal hardware with glass or ceramic knobs. Cabinets aren’t the only ‘jewellery’ in the kitchen. The tap can also be a design focal point that looks as good as it works. If yours is old, basic or just not to your taste, replacing the kitchen tap with a newer model that speaks to your style can
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Small additions to rejuvenate a kitchen
TURN IT ON: A new tap can be a focal point.
Home & Garden help affordably reinvent the entire room. Plus, a new and modern tap can provide functions and features that will make your kitchen more usable. Good lighting is essential for a kitchen to function well, but it’s common for kitchens to have just one overhead light and maybe a pendant or two over a breakfast bar. Replacing dated fixtures with newer ones that suit your personal style is easy, but what can you do if you want more light without the expense of paying someone to install additional wiring? Replace a standard ceiling light with track lights. They require no additional wiring and you can position lights along the track to put illumination where you want it. Install under-cabinet lights that can easily plug into an existing counter-level electrical outlet. Place a swing-arm task lamp over work areas, so you can aim light where you need it most while working. The lamp can easily plug into a wall outlet. Customising a kitchen doesn’t have to be costly or require you to sacrifice any functionality. With a few smart updates, you can cost-effectively create the personalised kitchen of your dreams.
Health & beauty
18th - 24th August 2017
Weekender 21
Interaction with others affects cancer treatment ACCORDING to a new study by researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the Oxford University, it shows how well cancer patients fared after chemotherapy was affected by their social interaction with other patients during treatment. Cancer patients were a little more likely to survive for five years or more after chemotherapy if they interacted during chemotherapy with other patients who also survived for five years or more. Patients were a little more likely to die in less than five years after chemotherapy when they interacted during chemotherapy with those who died in less than five years. “People model behaviour based on what’s around
them,” said Jeff Lienert, lead author in NHGRI’s Social and Behavioural Research Branch and a National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Programme fellow. “For example, you will often eat more when you’re dining with friends, even if you can’t see what they’re eating. When you’re bicycling, you will often perform better when you’re cycling with others, regardless of their performance.” Lienert and his team of renowned experts set out to see if the impact of social interaction extended to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. They based their findings on medical records data from 2000 to 2009 from two major hospitals in the NHS in the UK. The researchers examined the total time a patient spent with the
CANCER TREATMENT: Social interaction is important.
same patients undergoing chemotherapy and their fiveyear survival rate. The fiveyear survival rate is the percentage of people who live at least five years after chemotherapy treatment is completed. For example, a five-year survival rate of 70 per cent means that an estimated 70 out of 100 people are still alive five years after chemotherapy. “We had information on when patients checked in
Now UK aims to eliminate polio INTERNATIONAL Development Secretary Priti Patel announced that the UK is leading the final global push to eliminate polio around the world for good. Polio was wiped out in the UK in the 1980s and there are more than 100,000 British survivors today. Globally, the wild polio virus still exists in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, with eight new cases this year. It is likely that the last new case of polio will be diagnosed this year, paving the way for the world to be certified poliofree in 2020. Ms Patel has announced UK support to lead the last push needed to end polio. This will immunise 45 million children against the disease each year until 2020 that is 80 children a minute. Britain has had a long-standing commitment to making polio the second human disease in history to be eradicated, after smallpox. As a direct result of the UK’s
support to global efforts, which began in 1988, more than 16 million people are walking today who would have otherwise been paralysed, and the number of people contracting the disease has been reduced by 99.9 per cent. The UK’s support will save more than 65,000 children from paralysis every year; help over 15,000 polio workers reach every last child with life-saving vaccines and other health interventions; and help save almost £2 billion globally by 2035, as health care systems are freed up from treating polio victims. International Development Secretary Priti Patel said: “Polio has no place in the 21st century. This devastating and highly infectious disease causes painful paralysis and is incurable - trapping the world’s poorest people in a cycle of grinding poverty. The world is closer than it ever has been to eradicating polio for good.”
and out of the chemotherapy ward, a small intimate space where people could see and interact for a long
period of time,” Lienert said. “We used ‘time spent getting chemotherapy in a room with others’ as a proxy for social connection.” When patients were around those during chemotherapy who died in less than five years following chemotherapy, they had a 72 per cent chance of dying within five years following their chemotherapy. The best outcome was when patients interacted with someone who survived for five years or longer: they had a 68 per
cent chance of dying within five years. The researchers’ model also predicted that if patients were isolated from other patients, they would have a 69.5 per cent chance of dying within five years. “A 2 per cent difference in survival - between being isolated during treatment and being with other patients might not sound like a lot, but it’s pretty substantial,” Lienert said. “If you saw 5,000 patients in nine years, that 2 per cent improvement would affect 100 people.”
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Weekender
Health & beauty
18th - 24th August 2017
DAILY MAKE-UP: Everyday application can have several harmful side effects on your skin and body.
Make-up could do more harm than good THE make-up industry has been telling women for years how a little foundation and dash of mascara can liven up your face in-
stantly. While that may be true, applying make-up every day can have several harmful side effects on your skin and body. 1. Headaches Chemicals like Diazolidinyl urea and DMDM Hydantoin, are a common ingredient in many cosmetic products and are used as an antimicrobial preservative. If you have been suffering from headaches and can’t figure out why, try going easy on the make-up for a few days to see if the headache goes away. 2. Hair Problems With changing trends in fashion, there is also a wave of hair trends that comes along. Extensive use of chemical-based hair products could lead to dandruff, scalp redness, thinning of hair, and even loss of hair. Long term use of hair colour could also lead to hair discolouration. 3. Acne This is common side effect of make-up that most women have experienced. Some types of make-up which are in the form of liquids and creams clog the
pores in your skin. This leads to the formation of blackheads, which when not cleaned regularly can form acne. So make sure you clean your make-up with a natural cleanser before going to bed. 4. Skin Allergies Chemicals known as Parabens which include ethyl-paraben, butylparaben, and isopropylparaben are used as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth in cosmetics. Parabens can cause various allergic reactions like skin irritation, blotches, and blemishes on the skin. 5. Eye Infections Eye make-up is used extensively even by women who don’t use heavy makeup. Too much mascara and eyeliner inhibits the growth of eyelashes and also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which could lead infections. 6. Infertility Skincare products and deodorants are directly absorbed by your skin, so it’s very likely the chemicals used in these products also seep into your body.
7. Premature Ageing When you use skin products for a longer period of time, the chemicals present tend to permanently damage your skin. With time, you could begin to see skin ageing signs like wrinkles or patchiness on your face and body. 8. Hormonal Imbalance Prolonged use of cosmetics can have an impact on your endocrine system and interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. This could lead to thyroid related conditions like headaches, weight gain, and depression. 9. Cancer Many of the chemical based cosmetics available in the stores today contain toxic ingredients that could cause cancer. 10. Skin Discoloration Skin products like sunscreens, moisturisers, toners, and creams contain agents that bleach or darken the skin. The effect could be patches, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, redness, and freckles. The skin is very sensitive and needs to be treated with care.
Food & Drink MODERN British kids have eaten curry by the age of five, mussels by the age of six - and sushi by the age of seven, according to a new poll. New research of UK parents has revealed a list of foods schoolchildren eat today, which their parents had never even heard of when they were young. The study revealed a generational shift in what today’s children will eat, with the average youngster tr ying things their parents didn’t tr y until they were well into adulthood - such as chillies, squid, Pad Thai and edamame beans. According to the poll, one in 10 children under 10 have tried an oyster with hummus, bao buns from China, Japanese katsu curr y and Mexican quesadillas among a list of world foods parents never tried as a youngster, but
18th - 24th August 2017
Children are adventurous foodies
FOREIGN FOOD: British kids try more than their parents.
that their children regularly enjoy. Of the 1,500 parents who took part in the study by Giraffe World Kitchen, a third said their children were adventurous when it came to their culinar y tastes and half said ‘they
will try most things.’ In fact, 41 per cent said their children will happily try foods that they wouldn’t be overly keen to try themselves. Unsurprisingly, 27 percent said their kids can competently use chop-
sticks, and one in five mums and dads said there was competition in their social group over whose children were the most adventurous with food. So much so that more than four in 10 of the parents surveyed said they love posting pictures of the fancy food that their kids have tried on social media. The poll found one in five British kids has tried paella and tapas when holidaying in Spain and a refined one in 20 have sampled the likes of escargot and frog’s legs in France. A spokesperson for Giraffe World Kitchen who commissioned the poll said: “Kids today have such a great choice of world foods at their fingertips; it’s not a huge surprise to hear they are so much more adventurous than their parents ever were at the same age.”
Weekender 23
24
Weekender
Puzzles
18th - 24th August 2017
Wordsearch Full House
Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
TARGET:
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
SPORTS TANNER REBECCA DANNIE JESSE
NIKKY JOEY STEPHANIE MICHELLE DANCING
ALEX KIMMY VICKY MUSIC COMEDY
COMET DONNA JO STEVE
Quick
Across 1 Made afraid (6) 4 Cavalry weapons (6) 8 Souvenir of the past (5) 10 Warning of danger (5) 11 Select by vote (5) 12 Catalogues (5) 13 Dog-like African mammal (5) 14 Impertinent (5) 17 Unwell (4) 19 Worry excessively (4) 21 Give off reflecting light (5) 24 Begin (5) 25 Coffee and chocolate drink (5) 27 Similar (5) 28 At a later time than (5) 29 Respond to (5) 30 Railway employee (6)
• Average: 19
• Very good: 37
• Good: 26
• Excellent: 48
guar gait gaiter gate gateau garb garbs garter gabs jaguar jabs agar augite area arts agate abate aerate bare barer barter baas brag brat brae breve brevet bras brad brads brats braw bate bateau bats eater earwax ever evert everts eras etas dabs dare darer dart darter darts date dater daws crete create cree
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
Cryptic
31 Remove or make invisible (6) Down 1 Excess (7) 2 Collection of maps in book form (5) 3 Surfeit (6) 5 Indifference (6) 6 Large French country house (7) 7 Brazilian dance (5) 9 List of dishes (4) 15/16 American name for a dustbin (3,3) 18 Contract to hire or lease transportation (7) 20 Surprise suddenly (7) 21 Go without food (6) 22 Wading bird (4) 23 Come out of (6) 24 Clearly defined (5) 26 Go after with the intent to catch (5)
Across 1 After a bit of a rest families have linen (7) 5 Hazels right in the middle of Pegs (5) 8/24 Does go with repaired kitchen appliances (5,5) 9 Copy a time it changed (7) 10 Postpone a score (7) 11 A piece of cake for a tee shot (5) 12 Film prize for ordinary seaman's vehicle (5) 14 Postpone being freed, possibly (5) 19 Cancel yearly without a letter (5) 21 Elizabethan poet writes about small monarch (7) 23 Caterer built an outdoor area (7) 24 See 8 25 Band staff (5) 26 For a change, add less charges (7)
Down 1 Otherwise we sent most modern (6) 2 Former head of religious order (5) 3 I damaged retina by inactivity (7) 4 Insignificant insult (6) 5 Turkish leader anoints slaves (5) 6 Broken vase I have intended to avoid (7) 7 Catch sight of a communist and become angry (3,3) 13 Sang air about fruity Spanish drink (7) 15 Came out of Orient and mixed (7) 16 Sat back and set about samples (6) 17 Evaluate extracts of high-class essential oils (6) 18 Credit is repeated as it’s an emergency (6) 20 Hire out, as in shelter (5) 22 That is a bird of prey, look angry (5)
Puzzles
18th - 24th August 2017
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : GUESS WORK 1. A whitesmith is a name given to someone who works in or repairs what? 2. ‘Hey There’ is a song from which 1950s Broadway musical in which factory workers’ demands for a seven-and-a-half cent pay rise are going unheeded? 3. The political slogan ‘workers of the world, unite!’ is one of the most famous rallying cries from which 1848 political pamphlet, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels? 4. What is the name of the substance secreted by honeybee workers and fed by them to larvae that are being raised as potential queen bees? 5. What name was given to the 19th century bands of English workers who destroyed machinery, especially in cotton and woollen mills, which they believed was threatening their jobs? 6. What title is often applied to employees whose job entails, largely or entirely, physical labour, such as in a factory or workshop? 7. What was the title of the 1962 film starring Patty Duke as the deaf-blind
American author, political activist and lecturer Helen Keller? 8. Which American ‘disco group’ is made up of a policeman, a Native American, a soldier, a leather-clad biker, a construction worker and a cowboy? 9. Which comedy pop group’s UK hit singles include ‘Call Up the Groups’ (1963) and ‘Pop Go the Workers’ (1965)? 10. Which model village in north-western England was built in 1888 to accommodate workers from a Lever Brothers factory? Its name is derived from the company’s most popular brand of cleaning agent. Not a lot of people know that… ‘Workers’ Playtime’ was a British radio variety programme transmitted by the BBC between 1941 and 1964. Originally intended as a morale-booster for industrial workers in Britain during World War II, the programme was broadcast at lunchtime, three times a week, live from a factory canteen ‘somewhere in Britain.’
Kakuro
Answers: 1. TINNED OR GALVANISED IRON, OR WHITE IRON, also known as a tinsmith, 2. THE PAJAMA GAME, 3. THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO (originally MANIFESTO OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY), 4. ROYAL JELLY, 5. LUDDITES, 6. BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS,7. THE MIRACLE WORKER, 8. VILLAGE PEOPLE, 9. BARRON KNIGHTS, 10. PORT SUNLIGHT
SUDOKU
Weekender 25
Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CrosswordSolutions 597 Quick
Cryptic
Sudoku
Irregular Sudoku
26
Weekender
Leisure
18th - 24th August 2017
YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 - April 20) An exciting project is bubbling away in your mind but may need financial backing. Take advice from a professional or someone with successful experience in these matters. Remember that any idea has to grow, so consider what you need to see happen in five years’ time. There is little time for romance and you may decide to put that on hold because of complications.
TAURES (April 21 - May 21) During your social encounters this week you meet someone who offers to help. That is great, but do ask yourself if you would be prepared to give anything in return.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Some exciting suggestions make you think twice about a current business matter. However, it may not be necessary to change anything but to consider the new suggestion as a sort of ‘add on’ to a current project.
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) The moment that you have been waiting for has arrived. A colleague has made a decision that is long overdue. Perhaps you are a little shocked and speechless because there has been such a time lag, but this will pass.
LEO (July 24 - August 23) You work hard for your money. Make it worthwhile by trying to hold on to as much of it as possible. Someone who is charming and plausible may try to get you involved in a fast-track money making scheme.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) By showing confidence in your own way of doing things, you inspire others. This is chiefly because you are at last finding a balance between work and home life. In the past you may have felt stressed and equated that with working - not so now.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Because you are intent on pleasing others, you may be cramping your own style. This is something that you have in abundance and it should be used. You may be feeling that a business idea does not stand a chance and, in any case, you don’t want to risk any money.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) A juicy bit of gossip comes your way this week and it is hard to keep it quiet. You must do so, however, because there is a lot riding on it. When people trust you, they are saying much about the relationship. In this particular case, the person may well be able to progress you socially at some time in the future.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) The rather more serious side of your nature needs to take over this week. Someone in a higher position is keeping an eye on you. This may be because they are considering you for promotion, so be on your best behaviour. It is important at the moment to stick to any rules and regulations or your reputation (and pocket) could be hit.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Letting life get too tame will eventually irritate you no end. Your social life needs a boost which, in turn, helps romance blossom. It is easy to be a bit lazy when things are going smoothly but we all need constant stretching. With an active mind such as yours, the important thing is to keep making progress. This may be in a physical way or in some kind of business.
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) A chance remark alluding to your past brings a flashback. This helps you to see a current situation more clearly. We all make mistakes and follow the same old patterns, but this time you are being forewarned. It is in your experience and power to make a different choice of action this time.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Someone will most certainly come to the rescue when your situation changes. Well, they will, won’t they? Have Plan B ready just in case. In continuing to think in the short term you do yourself no favours. Think now of a ‘10-year plan’ and be determined to reach your goal. Bit by bit and day by day you will progress. You don’t have to rush ahead and get stressed.
BOOK REVIEW The Dressmaker THE ship, bow first, was slowly sinking into the water. People began tumbling like broken dolls from the decks, flopping, flailing into the sea. There was a huge cracking sound-and then the Titanic disappeared. Kate Alcott, a pseudonym for Patricia O’Brien, used transcripts of the US Senate hearings over the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912. Some of the characters are based on real characters who either survived the sinking such as the Duff Gordons and Margaret Brown as well as Senate William Alden Smith who presided over the hearings, otherwise Alcott admits to this being a work of fiction with the
inclusion of factual evidence. I would highly recommend this book. Gripping from start to finish and I mean that! Tess Collins is the kind of heroine I admire and strongly approve of. She comes from modest roots, a large family struggling to make ends meet. Her father is critical and a man of the time, denying equal rights to women. Tess is constantly haunted by his oppressive and deprecating tones: You’re a farm girl, do your job, keep your head down and don’t put on airs. He was under the impression that she would ruin her life through defiance. Thankfully, Tess is a stubborn lady and is determined to
by Kate Alcott make her life better not wreck it. She proves to be a good role model just like her mother: look for opportunity. Keep your head up, not down. Don’t settle for safety. Push forward-you are not foolish to try. What a far cry from her father’s damning thoughts: Watch out, foolish girl. Interestingly, her mother’s advice and her own common sense are pivotal in her decision making.
Leisure
18th - 24th August 2017
Weekender 27
FILM REVIEW
The Dark Tower A TOWER holding the world together at the centre of time and space. A man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) who aims to bring it down and another Roland (Idris Elba) who is intent on stopping that from happening… The film, directed by Nicolaj Arcel and based on the series of seven books by Stephen King is a mix of Wild-West, technical futurism and medieval sorcery, bound to have viewers spell-bound and amazed. In the film, Elba plays inter-dimensional hero, Roland not getting a chance to do much else other
than shoot his guns and grunt. This may have disappointed some viewers but, as readers RECKON SO: Elba as interdimensional protector, Roland of Gilead. of the book will know, Roland is a man of few words. this instalment. Critics will say that McConaughey has played The Dark Tower had great potential with some big some great characters in his time but is sadly de- names on board yet perhaps lacks some developp r i v e d o f t i m e t o s h i n e a p p e a r i n g m o r e l i k e a ment and structure. The film somehow remains short cliched villain with his grin declaring ever y bad in light of the amazing story to be told. The door is deed. Tom Chambers performs well in the role of certainly left open for a sequel with room for someJake, who is essentially Roland’s young sidekick for thing even more special.
Film & TV Guide OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
FILM OF THE WEEK
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two Sunday August 20 ITV1 8:30pm to 11pm THE final instalment of the witchcraft and wizardry saga based on the world-famous novels by JK Rowling. Harr y continues his search for the remaining artefacts that contain fragments of the dark l o r d Vo l d e m o r t ’ s soul. The evil sorcerer gathers his forces for an almighty attack on Harr y and his friends at Hogwarts. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Wa t s o n and Alan Rickman.
ONE TO WATCH
Jamie’s Quick and Easy Food Monday August 21 Channel Four 9pm to 9:30pm IN this new series, Jamie Oliver presents his ultimate go-to recipes for quick and easy cooking. Offering a collection of mouth-watering dishes that need just five ingredients in order to produce stress-free, tasty meals. Ideal for people who lead busy lives and do not have the time to spend on complicated cooking. Episode one of eight.
OUR CHOICE India’s Partition: The Forgotten Story Tuesday August 22 BBC Two 10pm to 11pm DIRECTOR Gurinder Chadha takes a look at the events that surrounded the partition of India in 1947. The documentary discusses how this gave birth to a new nation in the form of Pakistan and the violence and disruption which ensued. Gurinder travels across India, meeting people who had their lives torn apart by the division, talking to historians in order to find out what the motivations were behind the split.
28
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CARS WANTED CARS Wanted For Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)
CHARITIES/CHURCHES GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks. For Hire 5.00€ per hour. Tel 639 089 170
Classifieds
18th - 24th August 2017
ELECTRICIANS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (254821)
HEALTH & BEAUTY GIRASOL HEALTH FOOD SHOP, Calle Malaga, Albox. For all your dietary needs, health foods, organic foods, supplements, super food powders, organic eggs and veggie box scheme. Est 2006. Tel 639 089 170
INSURANCE ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399
MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
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LOCKSMITH PHIL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH 24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (253423)
MOTORING WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
PLUMBING MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (254821)
REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 33 64 68 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (251905)
SITUATIONS VACANT WE ARE looking for a full time local reporter for the Almeria edition of our newspaper. Candidates must have relevant experience and Spanish is a bonus. Please contact me for further details jackie@euroweeklyne ws.com
ARE you self motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesal es candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowee klynews.com.
HGV Class 1 Drivers Required. Earnings up to £1000.00 per week. Tramping in the UK. Various shift patterns/ depots. Work for a couple of weeks, months or ongoing. Guaranteed tramping for the duration you are here. You choose your location. We supply the work. Trusted, reliable, professional. Enquire today: 0044 1487 842165 Text/ WhatsApp - 0044 7846624312 info@cambscontractor s.co.uk www.cambscontractor s.co.uk Find us on Facebook (252187)
HGV drivers required for UK tramping work. All new fleet. Not agency. 3 weeks on 1 week off negotiable. Immediate start. Call Scott 00447490043357
SOLAR ENERGY
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Services
18th - 24th August 2017
BUILDERS
PAINTERS & DECORATORS
SERVICES
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CONSTRUCTION
BABY EQUIP HIRE
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GARDENING
REMOVALS & STORAGE
See Your Advert Here!!
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30
Sport
18th - 24th August 2017
SPORTS By Tony Matthews
A former player, Tony is now the world’s most prolific author of football books with 150 published since 1975. He has also been a PE teacher and a policeman, and is now a quiz-organiser, fundraiser, for various charities, and sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio.
When Barcelona played Notts County and St Mirren here in Spain…. SOME 95 years ago, in 1922, Scottish League club St Mirren became the first ‘foreign’ football team to visit Spain. They played seven matches during their threeweek tour, starting off with a game against the then-reigning Catalan League champions and Cup holders Barcelona in their new Les Cortes stadium in front of 16,000 fans on Saturday, May 20. A British Army lieutenant, Jack Edwards, refereed the game which saw ‘Saints’ lose 2-1… but it was not the result that mattered, it was the friendliness of the occasion which was attended by several local dignitaries including the Civil Governor, the local mayor and the President of the Manco - Munidad (local government organisation). St Mirren played a second game against Barcelona soon afterwards (lost 1-0), contested two friendlies against Racing Santander (won 3-2, drew 2-2) and played another two against Sporting Gijon (won 7-3 and 4-2). They also met and beat English
club Notts County 2-1 in front of a 20,000 crowd in sweltering heat for the Landome Cup which was described as being 2ft 6ins tall, made of silver and worth 50 guineas. The East Midland club - the Magpies had ventured over to Spain around the same time, having just finished the 192122 season in 13th place in Division Two. They also played Barcelona twice, winning 4-2 and drawing 1-1 as well as sharing four goals with Racing Santander, whose coach at the time was the former Birmingham, Blackburn, Brentford, Middlesbrough, QPR and England winger Fred Pentland. With 10 minutes of injury added to the end of this game and with County leading 2-0, the Spanish referee awarded the home side three late ‘dubious’ penalties - they scored two but missed the third and as a result the honours were shared. Surprisingly, in the early-to-mid 1920s, five other rather unfamiliar football clubs from the UK - Division Three (N) teams
Durham City and Hartlepool United and three amateur sides, the Civil Service, Crook Town and Ilford - also visited Spain for short tours. References show that getting over to Spain all those years ago was far more difficult than it is today! For instance, St Mirren took over three days to reach their destination. Boarding the train from Glasgow to London on the morning of Wednesday, May 17, they continued by coach to Dover, crossed over to France by ferry and, after making two
First foreign team to visit Spain. overnight stays, the party finally arrived in Barcelona just in time to play their opening match on May 20. The Notts County party, comprising 13 players, 11 officials and a courier from Thomas Cook Tours, left their local railway station at 7am on May 18 and, travelling via the overnight ferry and staying in Paris and Toulouse, they eventually arrived in Barcelona late Saturday evening, May 20.
UK Geology greats
SIX geology students from the University of Liverpool - Emma King, Lisa Widdows, Thomas Rock, Mark Evans, Daniel Harrison and Jamie Dickson - have just completed a five-week, 35-day adventure in the Mojacar, Cabrera and Turre areas of Spain as part of a chosen University module. According to Lisa, the students “had a great time and it was very worthwhile.” She added: “In Cabrera we found a metamorphic basement consisting of phyllite and schist, which was deformed by the Alpine Orogeny, which occurred 1900 Great Britain beats France in Paris in the first and only Olympic Games cricket match approximately 60 million years ago. 1920 The first Olympic Games after WW1 start in Antwerp, Belgium and England cricketer Wally Hammond makes his first-class debut Even Dolomitic breccia was found on 1938 American boxer Henry Armstrong wins his third world heavyweight championship fight in a row top of this. We know for sure that about 1948 England are bowled out for just 52 by Australia in a Test Match at The Oval 25 million years ago the area was then 1952 Argentine World Cup winner and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Ricky Villa is born affected by a huge uplift event, fol1958 Floyd Patterson knocks out Roy Harris in round 13 to become the World heavyweight boxing champion lowed by volcanism three million years 1959 Top basketball player Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson is born in Michigan later.” 1964 Geoff Boycott scores his first-ever test match century - 113 versus Australia at The Oval According to the students, it was in1986 Ian Botham takes his 356th wicket in Test cricket (v New Zealand at the Oval)… a record at that time teresting to discover the Messinian Salinity Crisis, which then affected the 1992 Brian Deane scores the first-ever Premiership goal - for Sheffield United in a 2-1 home win over Manchester United 1993 Brits Sally Gunnell runs 52.74 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles and Colin Jackson clocks 12.91 seconds in the men’s 110m region just over six million years ago. There was more flooding after this crihurdles - both world records sis, which caused the deposition of sed2000 Tiger Woods becomes the first golfer since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in the same calendar year iment towards the north of the basin.” 2008 Usain Bolt sets a new world record of 9.69 seconds for the 100m at the Beijing Olympics
This week in sporting history
Motoring
18th - 24th August 2017
31
The need for speed NOT as well-known as the big super car companies, Koenigsegg’s Agera R model is currently the fastest production car available. With an astonishing top speed of 439kph. This comes courtesy of a 5.0 litre V8 Twin Turbo engine and a seven speed paddle shift transmission system. This is not a speed machine with no frills though. THE scooter was invented in 1947 as a low cost alternative to the automobile in war-ravaged Europe - it was designed as transport for the masses and it caught on so quickly that it became one of the great transport phenomena to sweep the world in the 20th century. The Vespa (which means ‘wasp’ in Italian) was the result of Enrico Piaggio’s determination to create a viable alternative to the automobile. As the war drew to a close, Enrico studied every possible solution to get production in his plants going again. Piaggio was founded in Genoa in 1884 by 20year-old Rinaldo Piaggio. The first activity of Rinaldo’s factory was luxury ship fitting. But by the end of the century, Piaggio was also producing rail carriages, goods vans, luxury coaches and engines, trams and special truck bodies. The First World War brought a new diversication that was to distinguish Piaggio activities for many decades. The company started producing aeroplanes and seaplanes. At the same time, new
As standard it comes with dual airbags, detachable hard top with lightweight roof, power windows, adjustable pedals and steering column, leather interior with Agera style stitching, bucket carbon sport seats with memory foam, carbon ceramic brakes with Sport ABS, KES (stability), front/rear hydraulic lifting system, power steering,
power brakes, Satnav, LifePo4 battery, MP3 player, USB connection, climate control, digital warning and info system, G sensor, alarm and
Bzzzz It’s a Vespa! plants were springing up. In 1917 Piaggio bought a
new plant in Pisa, and four years later it took over a
AGERA R MODEL: The fastest production car available.
tyre monitoring system. small plant in Pontedera which first became the centre of aeronautical production and, after the Second World War, witnessed the birth of the iconic Vespa.