ISSUE 628 • 16th - 22nd March 2018
THE alleged killer of Gabriel Cruz Ramirez, Ana Julia Quezada, has been remanded in custody. Aftr being remanded in Almeria’s El Acebuche prison, lead investigators allegedly called her “egocentric, manipulative and possessive.” Quezada was arrested in the early hours of Sunday after police discovered the body of missing eightyear-old Gabriel Cruz Ramirez in the boot of the car she was driving Police had reportedly been following the woman since she allegedly discovered a t-shirt at the bottom of the Las Aguilas ravine, which was later confirmed to have traces of Gabriel’s DNA. She had been followed to a well on the Cañada de la Soledad farm in Rodalquilar and was seen removing something before being stopped by Guardia Civil officers who made the shocking discovery. And according to Spanish media, after two hours of interrogation, the 43-year-old woman confessed to killing Gabriel with the blunt part of an axe during an argument with the child before suffocating him. She also repor tedly confirmed to police that she had acted alone dur-
HELD
Ana Julia Quezada remanded in custody
CREDIT: AYUNTAMIENTO DE ALMERIA
By Benjamin Park
EST 2005
MOVING: Gabriel’s funeral was held on Tuesday. ing the crime. In a story that gripped the nation and most of Europe, Gabriel Cruz Ramirez went missing in the small town of Las Hortichuelas on February 27. He had left his grandmother’s house aiming for a friend’s house just 100
metres away but never made it and was found 12 days later.
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News
16th - 22nd March 2018
from Front Page
Salary outrage! Swimming to heaven
Teachers earn €1,000 less than national average
On Tuesday, thousands of people turned out for Gabriel’s funeral at Almeria’s Cathedral de Encarnacion. The child’s parents, Angel Cruz and Patricia Ramirez were joined by mourners, including Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido and Junta de Andalucia who signed books in support for the family. During the service, Patricia Ramirez thanked everyone for their support and kind messages throughout the course of the two weeks since her son disappeared. More than 5,000 people, including profession-
CREDIT: AYUNTAMIENTO DE ALMERIA
By Benjamin Park
REST IN PEACE: Patricia Ramirez said her son is ‘swimming to heaven’ and Quezada (inset).
als and volunteers, were involved in the search for the eight-year-old and Ramirez said she had ‘no words’ to thank everyone. She said: “I have no words of thanks for all the good deeds from people involved although this has not had a happy ending. “The little fish is swim-
ming to heaven and I would like all the people to send a fish with a nice word wherever they want.” Ramirez also added that she did not wish people to talk about the arrested Quezada. “This woman does not deserve to be covered, let us not talk about her,” she added.
TEACHERS in Almeria reportedly earn €1,000 less per year than the Spanish average, according to a new report. The report, created by the Comisiones Obreras, states that when a teacher begins in Almeria, and Andalucia as a whole, they are potentially earning €1,000 less than the Spanish national average.
In addition, the report claims that Almeria teachers earn €1,500 less than teachers in Cantabria, €3,000 less than those in Navarra and almost €4,000 less than those in the Basque Country. With secondary school teachers the gap increases to €1,200 less a year than the national average; €2,000 less than the Castillan-La
Mancha, €5,000 less than the Navarrese and €6,000 less than the Basques. General Secretary of the Provincial Union of Education in Almeria, Juan Pallares, explained to Spanish media that since 2009 teachers from Almeria have “suffered a minimum average loss of purchasing power of 17 percent in salary.”
Suspect held over strangled woman A MAN who allegedly suffocated a 48-yearold woman at a house given over to the growth and sale of marihuana has been remanded in custody by a court in Almeria. Police discovered the woman’s lifeless body at the house on the Calle Agua Amarga on March 7. They initially believed her death to have been natural, but following further investigations the 48-year-old was found to
have died from asphyxiation. Officers arrested the man 13 hours after finding the victim’s body for suspected homicide, burglary and drugs crimes. The house where the woman’s remains were found had two of its rooms fitted with equipment to speed up the growth of marihuana. It was also used as a sale point for the drug, according to police.
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News
16th - 22nd March 2018
Chefs back capital bid MORE than 100 professional chefs have said they will “unconditionally” suppor t Almeria’s bid to become Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy for 2019 following a meeting of the Association of Cooks and Bakers of Almeria.
WHAT THE CLUCK?: The thief escaped with two live chickens in a bag.
‘Brutal’ chicken killer jailed A MAN has been found guilty of animal abuse and theft after a chicken massacre in the Alpujarras. The brutal attack saw at least four hens and a rooster butchered, with two live birds stolen during a nighttime swoop on a farm in the hamlet of Canjayar. But the attacker was caught on film after the property’s owner installed security cameras amid a slew of robberies. The farmer told an Alme-
ria City court that he had bought the high tech kit “in case someone broke in,” since his land was “unfenced” and he had heard that “robberies were taking place” on nearby smallholdings. He added he was unsurprised at the identity of the culprit because “I know him and so do the Guardia Civil,” before admitting that the raid had hit his family hard because his daughter had raised them as pets
“since childhood from the moment I took the chicks out of the incubuator. “Between six and eight chickens died or vanished that night,” he confirmed. The judge presiding over the case said after viewing the footage that the defendant was “clearly recognisable” as he fled “with the sack” in which he had placed the stolen fowl. He must serve 10 months in prison and pay fines totalling €340.
News
16th - 22nd March 2018
TWENTY-SIX people, including 19 men and seven women, have been picked up by the Spanish maritime rescue service about 15 miles southwest of Alboran Island. The Salvamento Maritimo reportedly received a notification that an inflatable boat had left Bouyafar on the Moroccan coast at around 11pm on Tuesday. A coastguard ship was able to locate the craft and rescue those on board at around 11.25pm. The passengers are believed to be from sub-Saharan Africa and two pregnant women were reportedly among those on board. The passengers were in good health when they arrived at the port of Almeria
CREDIT: SALVAMENTO MARITIMO, VIA TWITTER (ARCHIVE PHOTO)
Migrants rescued as stats show arrivals tripling
RESCUED: Spain’s Salvamento Maritimo carried out the operation late on Tuesday evening. the following day and they were met by an emergency response team from the Red Cross. The rescue comes as figures show that the number of those who arrived in Spain by sea stood at more than 22,400, three times that of 2016. The statistic rises to almost 28,590
when figures for those arriving by land are taken into account. The numbers are the highest since 2006 when 39,180 people came to the country. Figures show a total of almost 1,200 boats arrived on Spain’s coasts last year, compared to 475 in 2016.
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News PHOTO CREDIT AUAN/FACEBOOK
16th - 22nd March 2018
Expat property woe goes on CANTORIA Council has been slammed by a campaign group. “Trying to get an AFO (asimilado fuera de ordenacion) in this municipality is often as unpleasant as having a tooth extracted,” said British expatriate Maura Hillen, an Albox councillor and president of AUAN
(Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora-No), in a statement. An AFO is a special document created by the Junta de Andalucia regional government in order to ‘regularise’ homes built illegally on undeveloped land. It allows properties access to basic services in-
cluding electricity and water, and for them to be included on the official land registry. According to AUAN, around 750 homes, many of which were bought in good faith by Britons, lack an AFO in Cantoria, but only 50 have been issued in the last three years. “At this rate, it will take at least 45 years to regularise these buildings,” said Maura, adding that it takes more than six months for an AFO application to even be processed. Many are reportedly sent to the provincial council’s technical team, but AUAN says that “Cantoria Council
‘FRUSTRATING AND SLOW’: Maura Hillen has panned Cantoria Council’s lack of action over illegal housing. has adequate technical services to process the requests themselves.” Maura says that the process is “often frustrating and tortuous, and there are cases that have taken more than a year to be processed, with documents even sent to the provincial council twice. “On the other hand, the council appears to shield away from the fact that
there are only a few AFO applications, when the important thing is to regularise housing and end this urban disgrace, and this is the council’s responsibility, since it has the power to start these procedures. “Additionally, many residents have asked the council to review the status of their homes and grant them an AFO, but this would require municipal planning
changes, something that is also totally stagnant.” AUAN’s legal adviser, Gerard Vazquez, has for some time been pressurising the authorities to offer an immediate solution to legalise housing. He said that there are “hundreds” of Britons who are unable to regularise their homes, leaving them unable to move or sell and “trapped in Spain.”
News CREDIT: UD ALMERIA
16th - 22nd March 2018
REST IN PEACE: UD Almeria have made the gesture in honour of Gabriel Cruz Ramirez.
Showing their support By Benjamin Park SEGUNDA B side UD Almeria have confirmed that their kits will now adorn an image of a fish in memor y of Gabriel Cruz. Los Rojiblancos confirmed that they had requested permission from both the Professional Football League and Gabriel’s family to add the logo before announcing the news on their official club website. The ‘pescaito’ kit will make its debut this weekend as the side travel to Val-
ladolid for their La Liga 123 fixture. They had initially planned to have the image on their shirt next to their club crest but regulations unfortunately did not allow that. The image of the ‘pescaito’ will now be placed on the players’ shorts, just above their Nike sponsorship logo and will remain on the team’s kit for the remainder of the season. When the side wear their famous red shorts, the image will be in blue but when they wear blue shorts the image will appear in white.
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News
16th - 22nd March 2018
NEWS BITES
Pension protest A DEMONSTRATION set to call for decent pensions for public sector workers has been organised for this Saturday at 12pm at Puerta Purchena, after a proposed increase of 0.25 per cent was deemed inadequate.
GESTURE: The defibrillator was purchased in memory of James Dale-Gray’s (middle - back row) late wife Annabelle.
In loving memory ASIDE from sponsoring the PAWS-PATAS neutering programme, the cast of Shoestring Productions have also r a i s e d a l m o s t €1 , 7 0 0 towards a new defibrillator for the charity following their performances of ‘Hotel La Resistance.’ Writer, producer and director of Hotel La Resistance, James DaleG r e y, a l o n g w i t h t h e rest of the cast, raised money in order to purchase a defibrillator for the charity in memory of Grey’s dear wife Annabelle who sud-
denly died after the performances last April. Rosa Maria Vincente Fernandez, one of the main attendees at The Red Cross Station in Mojacar was delighted to receive €1,695 from the group. Rehearsals are now under way for the sequel - Retur n To Hotel La Resistance, which will be performed at The MontMartre Bar/Restaurant in Mojacar on May 4, 5 and 6. Tickets will be available soon.
Paseo del Mediterraneo 30, Mojacar Playa, Almeria
T: 950 473 104
E: info@mojacarhomeimprovements.com www.mojacarhomeimprovements.com
Surf save A 66-YEAR-OLD man has been rescued from Almerian waters after falling into the water and injuring himself while windsurfing. He had reportedly been knocked off his windsurfing board after a strong westerly wind and became caught in the strong current and swell.
New exhibits TWO new exhibits will be opened at the Ibañez Museum in Olula del Rio at 7pm from next Friday, March 16. The Pinazos of Casa Pinazo and Ibanez Museum: Latest Works exhibits will remain open until May 30.
Works delays CIUDADANOS members of Almeria’s city council have requested a public explanation on delays to works for the Casa del Mar from the Junta de Andalucia which were halted last November.
Road money THE Diputacion de Almeria has said it will spend more than €60,000 on the Avenida de Andalucia, with improvements to paving and changes to the position of walkways part of the planned works.
Training day A GROUP of 15 people, who were mainly unemployed have been given an entrepreneurial training session by the Andalucian Centre for Entrepeneurship (CADE) in Roquetas de Mar. They were all given advice on how to apply for public financing and how to set up their own companies.
News
River funds THE Junta de Andalucia has spent €2,870,000 on river channels in Almeria Province since it began working on the River Adra in 2016, according to environment spokesperson Raul Enriquez.
Loco-motion A MOTION calling on authorities to improve rail links to Almeria Province has been unanimously approved following an agreement between the Partido Socialista and the Partido Popular.
Third test THE third test of the Almeria Badminton circuit is set to be held in El Ejido this Saturday, with 50 athletes set to take part.
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Bowling event huge success A BOWLING event organised by a British expat has raised more than €1,800 for Arboleas charity Walk for Life. On Saturday, March 10, 90 bowlers competed in the annual Cancer Awareness Bowling Day organised by Phil Taylor from popular website Arboleas Forum and Almeria Tenpin Bowling Centre to raise much needed funds. In total, the event raised an amazing €1,875 including all the bowling charges donated by the centre of over €700 going to the charity. Winners of the public bowling competition were Barr y Brookes, Les Sweet and Barry Wingrave while the league bowlers’ winners were Phil Patrick and Greg and Jane Tovey. Writing on Arboleas Forum, organiser Phil Taylor said: “(My wife) Sharron and I organised
CREDIT: WALK FOR LIFE
NEWS BITES
16th - 22nd March 2018
BOWLING DAY: Almost 100 people turned out to take part in the event. the annual Cancer awareness day (at the Almeria Tenpin Bowling Centre in Arboleas). “We raised funds for Walk for Life who do an amazing job supporting local people suffering from cancer. They are a group of wonderful ladies help-
ing tirelessly people in our community. “The atmosphere the whole day was brilliant; the bowling staff worked their socks off providing food and drink to all of us. “Thank you to everyone that took part in helping to make
this not only a highly enjoyable day but in contributing to the funds raised.” And after receiving the money from the event, a statement from the charity read: ‘Walk for Life Arboleas want to say a huge thank you to Phil and Sharron Taylor of the Arboleas Forum and Rafa of Almeria Ten Pin Bowling for all their hard work. ‘Thanks also to Charlie for the entertainment and to all who worked to make it such a success including the lane sponsors and bowlers. ‘We will make good use of the money to help people in the area affected by cancer.’ A list of winning tickets for the raf fle is on the forum arboleas.co.uk , while photos are on walk4lifearboleas.com and a short video is available on the Almeria-tenpinbowl ing.com website.
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News
16th - 22nd March 2018
NEWS BITES
Gymnasts chosen THREE gymnasts from the Diamonds Rhythmic club in Pulpi have qualified for the Spanish National Rhymic Gymnastics Championships. The trio will now head to the championships in Guadalajara between April 18 and 22.
Ed. 628
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Smoked out RAFFLE: Shop manageress Maggie (left) and shop volunteer Pat (right) with the Easter basket.
APSA Easter raffle returns CHARITY Animal Protection Society Albox (APSA) has launched its Easter Basket Raffle at its shop in Avenida Lepanto, with tickets costing just €2 each. The prize is a basket full of Easter goodies, full of plenty of chocolate and cava for the winner.
All adverts must be prepaid whether they are placed at our offices, by email or fax, or via our sales team. The advertisers full name, address and ID number must be supplied (not for publication). Sol Times does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non-appearance of advertisements or advertorials. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. The publisher does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed by readers in the ‘Mailbox’ section of this newspaper. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publishers is prohibited. E:&O.E. All rights reserved / Todos los Derechos Reservados Deposito Legal Sol Times Almeria Edition MA 811-2017
Maggie, shop manageress, said “All the goodies had been bought and donated by the shop volunteers and Harrisons Food Store next door to the APSA shop.” Tickets can be bought from 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.
APSA has also announced that it will hold its Annual General Meeting at Chapmans in Albox on Monday April 16 from 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome, come along to find out about the Albox animal charity and coffee and cake will be provided. The charity are always looking for volunteers perhaps you can help with dog-walking, fostering or helping in the shop. Membership is just €5 annually, only members can vote at the AGM but all are welcome to attend.
TWO people have received treatment for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a property on Calle Alboran in Almeria City. Two rooms of the house were damaged as a result of the fire.
Student trip STUDENTS from the University of Granada have arrived at the Palace of the Almanzora in Cantoria to study both the architectural character and materials of the palace alongside the construction process and possible remodelling.
Beach cleanup MORE than 200 CEIP Federico Garcia Lorca students along with teaching staff have been involved in the Beach Cleanup campaign, helping to clean up the beaches and the surrounding areas in Ancon.
16th - 22nd March 2018
Weekender Spring awakening
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Simple pasta
Hot baths
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Page 20
Zebra finch
SEAT Ateca
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Page 31
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Weekender
End of the Golden Years? MANY working Brits believe that they will never retire. Leading researchers found that four out of every 10 Brits in employment think they’ll work in some manner right to the end. Global market research firm Mintel suggest that their findings imply that many people now have a negative view of retirement. A substantial percentage have given up on the golden years and are resigned to a more financially fraught retirement than enjoyed by older generations. When polled, 39 per
Feature
16th - 22nd March 2018
cent of working men and women said that they never expect to fully retire. The number goes up to 42 per cent among those aged 18-34. Even around one in three people aged 54+ expect to be working in some manner or other in the coming decades. Londoners expect the worst, with almost half at 45 per cent expecting to still be punching the clock during their twilight years. North of the border, people are slightly more optimistic with the figure at 32 per cent among Scots. Of course many other people feel exactly the
opposite. One third of working Brits plan to retire the very second they can claim a state pension, with 42 per cent of younger men planning to do so. As relative wages decline, people are finding it harder and harder to make savings. Many young families struggling to get on the proper ty ladder lack the job for life and pension plans of the past. They see the state pension age rise higher and higher and now retirement itself is only a pipe dream for millions of people.
To streak or not to streak IT was somewhat later than my usual showering hour, because I had done the fireplace first. Thus I was in my fireplace cleaning clothes, which are not the smartest, but suitable for cleaning out fireplaces. The plan was to undress, shower, then redress in clothes less Charlie Chaplinesque, and so far all was going according to that plan; I had my dirty clothes in a bundle on the floor, my ‘nice’ clothes neatly folded on the bathroom stool, and me in the altogether ready to step into the shower. At that point the dog that is not ours, namely Lucy, went ‘YIP.’ Yip means someone we know is at the door, and is completely dif ferent from rabid roar that escapes her throat when she thinks a burglar, or better still, a stray cat, is in the
By Jos Biggs vicinity. I dithered nakedly. My bathrobe was in the bedroom, which would necessitate a streak of several metres of fully exposed Jos, in order to get to both bedroom and bathrobe. Perhaps it was Barbara, who has leave to enter our house without knocking. That would be fine, Barbara is not easily frightened by naked flesh. Or it could be José, who considers that he has leave to enter our house without knocking, and in front of whom I only wish to appear fully clothed. Perhaps I should pretend to be o u t . ‘ Yi p ’ w e n t L u c y a g a i n , t h u s scuppering the pretence of absence. Should I risk it? What would you do?
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
Feature
16th - 22nd March 2018
Weekender
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Cordoba: The ‘Ornament of the World’ CORDOBA lies in the heart of Andalucia and for centuries was one of the most prominent settlements in the Iberian Peninsula. Today both its old and new towns have plenty on offer for anyone keen to make the trip to the home of the world-famous Mezquita mosque-turned-cathedral. When the Carthaginian armies of Hamilcar Barca crossed the Guadalquivir and found the settlement, the commander renamed it Kartuba, quite possibly the root of the modern day name. The Romans conquered the town in 206 BC and it soon became the capital
of the province of Hispania Baetica due to its favourable location. The Roman rulers have left behind a bridge which still spans the length of the town’s river today. It was built in the early part of the first century BC and was the city’s only bridge until the mid-20th century. After the Romans came the forces of Islam, who gave the old town much of its current character. Under the Umayyads the city was declared the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba which spanned much of the Iberian Peninsula. It also became a leading educational and cultural centre. The city was report-
HISTORIC: Cordoba is home to the Mezquita, famous for its many columns (inset).
edly so famous that it led one nun from as far away as Germany to label it ‘The Ornament of the World’ in the 10th century. The Muslims have left behind the Mezquita along with several other sites. The building, which was originally a mosque, is famed for its vast expanse of columns in its interior. The Calahorra tower stands guard above the Roman Bridge. The Medina Azahara, an archaeological site which lies outside the city, is considered as one
of the main examples of Moorish architecture in Spain. The city is still as lively and impressive today, with several winding streets taking visitors in between its many buildings from across several different eras. Weather wise it is also a great destination for travellers seeking sun. Cordoba has the average highest summer temperatures in Europe and it can get as warm as 37 degrees in July and August. So be sure to pack plenty of suncream.
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Weekender
16th - 22nd March 2018
Short on space? MAKING the most of your space in the bedroom can be tricky, especially if it is an odd shape or layout or you have a lot of possessions. However, some simple tricks and adjustments will help convert any cluttered room into the perfect place to relax and unwind. A good place to start is to make the most of any nooks and crannies that can often be hard to fit storage units into. Fitting rails in alcoves and using them as an alternative to wardrobes, or transforming an old, unused chimney into a new cupboard by fitting doors to the exterior are both great options. Investing in a dressing table could also free up more space than you realise. Fitted wardrobes are a great space saver if your bedroom is on the smaller side. You could cover them with stylish wallpaper to add an extra design feature. Finally add some hanging shelves if you’re short on wall or floor space.
Home & Garden
Make miniat IF your garden isn’t a vast, roaming plain abundant with room for your dream plants, there are several things you can do to maximise space. Thinking outside the box is the best way to make the most of your garden’s boundaries and can help to create an oasis, no matter its size. An easy way to trick the eye into thinking your garden is bigger than it is, is to plant all your shrubs and flowers in close proximity. This will blur the colours and dimensions to a stunning effect, giving your garden a more natural vibe.
Aim to have your tallest plants at the back or around the edges of your garden and then work down to your small-
Home & Garden
16th - 22nd March 2018
your own ture oasis
Getting along nicely
OUTSIDE THE BOX: Any garden can become an oasis no matter what the size.
est shrubs so it doesn’t start to feel cluttered. A potted herb garden is a great feature of smaller gardens as not only will it look pretty and smell great, it is also a great way to maximise space. Nothing quite beats using your own herbs when you’re cooking and they’re also beneficial to the natural eco-system. Creating plant structures out of bamboo or other trellises can also help to max-
imise surface area and create a secret garden vibe. Covering these structures with exotic surface plants,
Weekender 15
such as trumpet vine, will really help to add a wow factor. Using bright garden accessories can also help to lighten up limited spaces. Try to pick just one main block colour then pair it with complimentary shades. You could also add a small patio with fold-away garden furniture so it doesn’t look too messy.
COMMISSS IO
ONLY N 1.5%
WHILE many people arrange their garden on what they think looks best, it is actually more beneficial to put plants that actually like each other in close proximity. In the gardening community, this is known as ‘companion planting’ and it can have a big impact on the health and vitality of your garden. Companion planting is all about achieving a good balance, and it can even help reduce the amount of pest or disease control spray you need to use. By introducing more plants that repel unwanted bugs, or attract larger insects to eat the pests, this can help protect your garden without overloading it with chemicals.
It is even possible to create plant ‘communities.’ Certain species enhance each other’s growth rate by distributing extra nutrients into the soil or by offering protection from the sun or wind. If you have limited space in your garden, adding plants that grow at different rates can also help you to maximise potential. One of the most popular ‘companion planting’ combinations is rose and garlic, as garlic is believed to repel aphids and other pests. Nasturtium and cabbage also work well together as nasturtiums attracts caterpillars so they won’t ravage the cabbage leaves.
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Weekender
16th - 22nd March 2018
Home & Garden
Spring awakening WITH the first day of spring just around the corner, what better way to breathe new life into your home than decorating it using spring colours? Whether you want to revamp the entire décor of a room or just add a couple of new key features, adding some pastels and floral patterns are sure to sweep away the winter cobwebs. Make sure you consider what your ideal palette is and whether you can imagine the design still working when the weather turns cold again before you make any drastic decisions. With that said, delicate spring blossom looks tend
FLOWER POWER: Bring the outside in this spring.
Partaloa - €179,000
This beautiful villa (115m²) is ready to move in and has all the luxuries that you can think of. This villa is located within walking distance of the village of Partaloa. The villa itself has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a veranda and a totally private swimming pool (heated) that is closed with fly screens.
Taberno - €199,000
This beautifully restored farm house comprises of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite), a large open plan lounge diner and a handmade kitchen. All of this is set in a large plot of 12,700 square metres, with a large private pool (10 x 5) and wonderful views. The way this house has been lovingly restored is a must see!
Arroyo Medina - €225,000
This beautiful renovated cortijo (240m²) is situated on a plot of + - 17.000m² and has a total of 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a large private swimming pool (10 x 5) with fantastic views to the mountains. There is already a separate guest house and you can make another guest house if you want and you can rent this out as a business.
Thinking about selling? Contact us for an excellent service... www.immo-carlos.com www.immo-carl ww .immo-carlos.com om • Email: info@immo-carlos.com info@immo-carl in o@immo-carlos.com Add Address: ddress: s: La Plaza Nueva, Nu a, No 10, 1 , Albox. Alb Office: Offi e: 950 50 1102 2 191 1 1 • Carlos: Carl s: 648 505 938 38 • Gavin: vin: 6711 293 2 3 942 94
to work well in most rooms and have real staying power. Add a few stylish cushions or a new bedspread to get the look in the bedroom, while adding some standout wallpaper to make a new feature wall would work well in a living or dining room. Having a white colour scheme and adding plenty of plants and greenery is another simple way to welcome spring into your home. To give your house a real lift, add some pastel blue features which are guaranteed to lift your spirits on any cloudy days. A new throw for your bed or sofa will do the trick.
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Weekender
Food & Drink
16th - 22nd March 2018
Spanglish Recipes: British meals with a Mediterranean twist IT’S always nice to have some home comforts when living abroad, but it’s also great to experience new cultures. When it comes to food, why not mix the two? Here at the Sol Times, we love to provide Mediterranean treats, a classic British meal but with a Mediterranean twist, that is sure to get your taste buds tingling. BANGERS AND MASH - Ser ves 4 • Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash – approx. 1.25kg 8 large cooking chorizo sausages 200g button mushrooms 1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper 2 large cloves of garlic, sliced 2 bay leaves 300ml chicken stock 1 tsp tomato paste 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp paprika (preferably Spanish piementon) About 24 black olives 4 sprigs of rosemary • Method: 1. WASH THE SQUASH First thing to do is to wash the squash, put it on a tray and stick it in the oven. It should take about an hour to cook all the way through, but make sure to turn it midway through the cook to make sure every part is piping hot right the way through. Let the squash cool and then cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and bin them, before scooping the flesh from the skin, put it into a pan along with a bit of butter and then re-heat it while beating it with a potato masher. Season to taste. 2. CHORIZO O’CLOCK Over a medium heat, fr y the chorizo until it is browned, should take about 20 minutes.
3. MAKE IT SAUCEY Cut the peppers, slice or dice whichever you prefer (slicing is recommended), and gently fry with a tablespoon of oil. For the tastiest results, the peppers need to cook slowly, but when they eventually start to brown, add the garlic, bay leaves and then leave for a further eight minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic. Once you’ve done all that, add the stock, tomato paste, oregano, olives, paprika and cook for a further five minutes and then season as you so wish. Meanwhile, fry off the mushrooms in some butter until they brown. 4. SERVE IT UP To finish the dish, fry the rosemary sprigs in hot oil and drain. Place two sausages in the middle of the mashed squash, add the garnish, the mushrooms and the sauce and you are good to go.
Do YOU have a Mediterranean twist on a British classic? If so, email your recipe and pics to editor@soltimes.com for the chance to see your recipe in the paper!
MASHED: Bangers and mash with a Mediterranean influence.
Food & Drink
16th - 22nd March 2018
Weekender 19
Best ways to use your eggs! NOW that egg production is in full swing, yet again we are all thinking up ways of how to use them! Breakfast usually demolishes a few, plus the odd omelette and quiche, but have you ever thought about making your own pasta? Pasta is actually very simple ingredients. Flour and eggs! That’s all you need, nothing fancy. Many recipes call for 00 flour, but plain or strong flour work perfectly. Having made it myself a few times, I now know why Italian ladies have arm muscles that even Mohammed Ali might flinch at the sight of! I start in the food processor using the dough hook. Once the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, tip it onto the work surface, damp your hands and bring it together until it resembles a stiff dough, damping your hands
OLIVE TREE FARM was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultry for meat and eggs, goats for milk, rabbits and small pigs for meat and harvest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. PASTA: Only requires flour and eggs. more if you need to. Then the work out begins. Pasta needs the gluten to get to work. Pulling, stretching, squeezing, bashing it around, all takes time. The arm muscles come in useful as do strength in fingers and hands. All of this starts to get the gluten on
the go and within about 15 minutes you end up with a firm, silky dough. It is then wrapped tightly in cling film and left to rest for a couple of hours ideally in the fridge. This is where you can go and have lie down for a bit to
gather strength for the next part! Once rested, it needs to be rolled thin. I use a manual pasta machine which I bought a few years ago. Using a rolling pin, roll a chunk of the dough to the right thickness to be able to run it through the rollers on the ma-
chine, starting at the highest number, on mine it is number 7, you turn the handle with one hand, catching the pasta with the other. Then you reduce the number to 6 and do it again. You do this reducing by one number each time until you get to about number 2 or 3. You then fold it back up and start at 7 again repeating until you get to number 3, which I find is the correct thickness to work with. By now you will have a beautifully pliable silky dough. And that is it! From this point you can cut into sheets, strips or spaghetti and create whatever pasta dishes you like. It will last about three days in the fridge, and remember it is fresh uncooked eggs you have used, so take care how long you store it for. Next week I will share a few of our favourite dishes created using our own pasta!
20
Weekender
Health & beauty
16th - 22nd March 2018
HOT BATH: Has a similar effect to exercising.
Relax over running! Hot baths found to ‘burn calories’ RESEARCHERS have claimed that relaxing in a hot bath may be just as beneficial for your body as a 30-minute walk. A group at Loughborough University tracked 14 men while they were put through two tests; first they undertook a one-hour bike ride as well as taking an hourlong bath in 104-degree Fahrenheit, (40 degrees
Celsius) water. The aim of the experiment was to raise the men’s body core temperature by one degree. Although the cycling burned a lot more calories, miraculously, relaxing in the hot bath burned 130 calories: the estimated amount that you burn while on a 30minute walk. As this test only involved male participants, the re-
sults may vary when taken with female bodies, but according to website The Conversation, the blood sugar of the participants was also tracked for 24 hours after the tests. During those tests, it was reportedly discovered that peak blood sugar was around 10 per cent lower following the bath than a bike ride. The bath was also found to have similar effects as exercise when it came to anti-inflammator y response post-activity for each of the participants, which may suggest that ‘passive heating’ can help reduce inflammation. Passive heating, also known as relaxing in a hot bath for an hour, is a relatively new form of medical treatment but is becoming more and more popular. Similarly, a 2015 study in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal suggests that spending time in saunas may be linked to warding off cardiovascular diseases.
22
Weekender
Leisure
16th - 22nd March 2018
The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson shuts down rumours that the show is ending
Film & TV Guide
OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
FILM REVIEW
Sweet Country TWITTER
Starring: Bryan Brown, Ewen Leslie, Hamilton Morris
VIOLENT: The film was rated R in America.
LAUGHED IT OFF: Clarkson has rubbished rumours.
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
IT'S not an official denial, but it’s as good as: Jeremy Clarkson has rubbished rumours that The Grand Tour has been axed by Amazon. Clarkson responded to recent tabloid repor ts suggesting that the third season of The Grand Tour would be t h e s h o w ’s l a s t , c a l l i n g them, in a word, ‘sh*t.’ Indirectly replying to The Daily Mail’s claims that the show would soon be parked, Clarkson wrote on Twitter: ‘Sorr y Geordie. I may have published something which is horse sh*t. Annoying, isn't it.’
As far as fans are concerned, The Grand Tour is getting stuck into plans for season three, having wrapped up its second run in the middle of February. Although nothing date-related has been confirmed yet, it’s expected that Clarkson, Hammond and May will be back burning rubber for our pleasure in November or December this year. The Grand Tour’s debut series began in 2016, after t h e f o r m e r To p G e a r t r i o were forced to find a new home for their format following Clarkson’s ‘fracas’ with a crew member. Despite being one of the most expensive projects on telly out there (Amazon repor tedly gave the Grand To u r t e a m a n i n c r e d i b l y healthy budget of £160 million), the series has managed to rake in a nice prof-
it. The first season of The Grand Tour drew in £8.39 million before taxes according to reports, so unless someone has raided Amazon’s piggy bank we can’t see why series four of The G r a n d To u r w o n ’t b e a n nounced before we know it. If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digi tal.com. I look for ward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for all the latest news.
SAM, a middle-aged Aboriginal man, is working for a preacher in the outback of Australia’s Northern Territory. Bitter war veteran Harry, soon moves in to a neighbouring outpost and Sam and his family are sent by the preacher to help Harry renovate his cattle yards. The relationship between the two men soon becomes sour and culminates in a violent shootout between Sam and the cruel and ill-tempered Harry. After Sam kills Harry in self-defence, he becomes a wanted criminal for the murder of a white man and is forced to flee along with his wife across the glorious but harsh and deadly desert country of the outback. A search party, lead by local lawman Sergeant Fletcher, is formed to hunt Sam down but as the truth behind the incident begins to surface, the community begins to question the decision and whether justice is truly being served.
ONE TO WATCH
The Silk Road Saturday, 8pm-9pm, BBC Four PRESENTER Sam Willis traces the history of one of the world’s most famous trade routes, The Silk Road, which ran from China’s ancient capital Xian, through cities of central Asia and Persia. Willis begins his travels in Venice, where he examines how the architecture was heavily shaped by Eastern influences, before he later arrives in China’s ancient capital Xian where he discovers how a single deal to trade silk for war horses created a global network.
PETS
16th - 22nd March 2018
Weekender 23
Easypet! Airline launches new service
SOCIABLE: Zebra finches love company.
Fledgling’s choice AMONG the various finch species available in Spanish pet shops, the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, is perhaps the most common and inexpensive. These finches make excellent companions for situations where noise and space may be a concern. Their care is simple and they are easy to breed,
making them ideal for beginners. Although they do not usually become hand tame, they do seem to enjoy interaction with their owners over time, and many individuals learn to respond to words or whistles, greeting their owners with happy songs and beeps, especially at
Feline lickin’ good SOME people will do almost anything to satisfy their beloved pet. And if you’ve ever watched a cat lick itself or another cat and been struck by jealousy, fear not, because giant silicone tongue LICKI is here. The innovative device is held in the mouth and will supposedly allow you to bond with your moggie by, yes, licking it. Blurb accompanying the product states that ‘Cats groom each other as a form of social bonding. ‘There’s also evidence to suggest that cats view and treat their human captors as large cats. As a human, you’re left out of the intimate licking ritual. At best, you have a one-sided licking relationship with your cat.’ Designer Jason O'Mara says: “Slowly approach your cat when she is sleeping or in an otherwise pleasant mood, and ease into the soothing and mutually beneficial licking behaviour of cats.” Admittedly, the cats in the accompanying video do seem to be enjoying it, but that may only because they have no concept of the boundaries of acceptable inter-species relationships.
feeding time. Zebra finches come from the arid interior of Australia where they live in open grasslands, and therefore appreciate a pot of organic grass plus some other bird-safe plants in their cage. Like all birds, they like a diverse environment and love messing about with canary tassel toys. Zebra finches need finch seed as a base diet, supplemented with chopped hard-boiled egg, greens and spray millet. Grit is unnecessary, but cuttlebone should always be available. A well cared for zebra finch can be expected to live at least seven to 10 years. They are extremely social by nature and should always be kept in pairs or groups unless they have
been hand-reared as pet birds, and they can normally be combined with other species in a spacious aviary. There are a number of different colour mutations available, and these can also be mixed without problem. Please be aware that a number of pet shops along the Costa are involved in the illegal trapping and trade of wild birds such as goldfinches, linnets, serins and others, and these should be avoided at all cost. Ideally, buy your birds from a reputable local breeder, but if using a shop check the cages for cleanliness and that the birds are active with no dullness in the eyes or any other sign of illhealth.
BUDGET airline easyJet has launched a petsitting service. The low cost carrier of fers passengers the chance to find a house- or pet-sitter when booking a flight. It comes in the wake of a sur vey which revealed that 58 per cent of pet owners would travel more if better pet care was available. Andrew Middleton, ancillary revenue director for easyJet, said: “By helping holidaymakers find trusted people to look after their pets and homes or by helping them to find free accommodation in return for house-sitting, we will make travel possible for even more people.”
24
Weekender
Puzzles
16th - 22nd March 2018
Wordsearch General Animals 1
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:
MOLE BAT FISH CROCODILE CROW
BEAR HAMSTER RABBIT AARDVARK DINOSAUR
ZEBRA PONY ANT HEDGEHOG CHEETAH
EEL OSTRICH DOLPHIN RAVEN BADGER
Quick
Across 1 Seashore (5) 4 Well liked (7) 8 Making of maps and charts (11) 9 Roomy (8) 10 Run away quickly (4) 12 Informal (6) 13 Strikes hard of heavily (6) 16 Revolve (4) 18 Single-reed woodwind instrument (8) 21 Psychic (11) 22 Inexplicably strange (7) 23 Provoking fear or terror (5)
Down 1 Endorses (5) 2 Unpaid overdue debt (7) 3 Ruffian (8) 4 Chase after (6) 5 Young dogs (4) 6 Faithful (5) 7 Set right (7) 11 Gigantic (8) 12 Pirate's sword (7) 14 Musical composition based on text (7) 15 Relating to flowers (6) 17 Happen again (5) 19 Cheap and tawdry (5) 20 Enclosure for animals (4)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Average: 14
• Very good: 28
• Good: 20
• Excellent: 36
cousin conk cons consign consignor confirm conform cosy fink fins firs firm furor furors furring frog fort fortis forty forgo forgot form forum fora infra info inform iron gins giro girn grin grins grison grot groin groins gory harm haring arum argot argon ingot jingo
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
Cryptic
Across 1 Girdles for small trees (6) 4 Weapon that can demolish, or rebuild (6) 9 The new rate of the play area (7) 10 Agreements for the first queen with a woman’s title (5) 11 Part of the play is witnessed, we hear (5) 12 Warn of Le Havre boundary (7) 13 Sacred ruin is yellow (6) 15 Hack is awfully chesty (6) 18 Book the substitute (7) 20 Fish in corner (5) 23 To lower a root (5) 24 Shocked if I celebrated in the building (7) 25 Kindling can turn red (6) 26 Change one’s mind about period of fasting (6)
Down 1 Set is back in places (5) 2 The bourgeoisie generally take part in a blockade (5) 3 Fanatical former lover has a faulty meter (7) 5 Further change of route (5) 6 High rocky hill split by heavy rain (7) 7 Rest of rise is incorrect and now owing (7) 8 Part time worker has nothing like the rhythm (5) 13 Tavern’s crazy retainer (7) 14 Refrain from crab’s tainted meat (7) 16 Poison found in any iced cocktail (7) 17 Hilaire Belloc uncovered protestor (5) 19 It concerns Adam’s wife and a local official (5) 21 Manual for a director (5) 22 Maintain river, right? (5)
Puzzles
16th - 22nd March 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : ON THE BOX CLEVER 1 . Actor Derek Thompson has played the role of which character in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty since its inception in 1986? 2 . Broadcast by BBC Television from 1953 until 1975, name any three of the five children's programmes created by Freda Lingstrom and Maria Bird collectively known as Watch With Mother. 3 . On which long-running variety show did the Beatles give their first live US television performance in February 1964? 4 . The Green Green Grass and Rock & Chips were both spinoffs of which hugely popular television sitcom? 5 . What is the title of the television bloopers show screened on ITV that has been presented by Denis Norden from 1977 until 2006 and Griff Rhys Jones since 2008? 6 . Which 1970s action/adventure/comedy series starred Roger
Moore star as Lord Brett Sinclair and Tony Curtis as Danny Wilde? 7 . Which 1990s situation comedy was set in the offices of the fictional TV news company GlobeLink News? 8 . Which game show was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4? 9 . Which television game show has been hosted by Bob Monkhouse (1980–83), Max Bygraves (1983–85), Les Dennis (1987–2002) and Andy Collins (2002)? 1 0 . Which television sitcom was originally intended to be called The Fighting Tigers? Not a lot of people know that… according to BARB, a record 30.15 million viewers watched Dirty Den serve his wife Angie with divorce papers on the 1986 Christmas Day edition of EastEnders
Kakuro
Answers 1. Charlie FAIRHEAD, 2. PICTURE BOOK, ANDY PANDY, FLOWER POT MEN, RAG, TAG AND BOBTAIL and THE WOODENTOPS, 3. THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, 4. ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, 5. IT'LL BE ALRIGHT ON THE NIGHT, 6. THE PERSUADERS!, 7. DROP THE DEAD DONKEY, 8. COUNTDOWN, 9. FAMILY FORTUNES, 10. DAD’S ARMY
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 from last week Quick
Cryptic
Sudoku
Irregular Sudoku
26
Weekender
by Sandy Shore THE culture of social drinking has radically changed in my lifetime. Fondly remembered the pleasant pub evenings my wife and I spent in the company of police officers. We were regulars at the Royal Oak that was conveniently situated next door to the police station. Our gang quaffed ale and bantered until towels-up. Occasionally, one of our friends would excuse himself as it was necessary for him to take a statement or question a local scoundrel. After enjoying several pints the still onduty officer responded as one does when duty calls. It is fair to say that those of us who drove home from the night out were over the limit. It was normal behaviour back then. I asked my policeman friend what his response is when he pulls over a driver who had obviously been drinking. Robert told me that he and other officers often decided that a warning was usually enough. It was common practice for bus drivers to spend an hour or so in
Feature
16th - 22nd March 2018
‘Do drink and drive’
PUB CULTURE: Changed since the 1970’s. the Farmers Arms. This lively pub was next door to the bus depot. Back then it was considered normal for a bus driver to climb into his cab after drinking several pints. The same applied when I decided to be a private hire cab driver.
Things changed and later I heard a senior police officer say that the worst drink and drive offenders were my age group. Old habits are hard to break but the younger generation accepted what were to our age group new laws.
The years passed and occasionally I sinned as I am sure many others did. However, I managed to keep my licence whilst others were not so lucky. Old and wise enough to value my driving licence I now stay with-
in the law. This means millions also stay inside the house. One-third of Britain’s pubs have closed since the 1970s. An industry rooted in Saxon soil is disappearing at the rate of 23 pub closures each week. I often wonder if indoor drinking increased drink dependency or alcoholism. As a consequence we no longer possibly die in accidents but definitely die from organ failure? Socialising on gassy and unappetising shandy was a spoiler. Non-alcohol drinks left a bad taste in my mouth. Recently, I returned to the supermarket and pensively bought a pack of sin-alcohol beers. Eureka! There have been advances in the brewing of beers and the taste is now fine. Recently, I returned to my much missed pub life. Maybe this will revive the pub industry if marketing can keep abreast of change. Hallelujah to that.
Behind THE MUSIC Does Music Mean As Much Now? By V L James vljamesinfo@gmail.com Facebook: @vljamesinfo MY daughter asked me once “Why do you keep all those records, they’re so old?.” I explained that I had to ‘earn’ those records. If I wanted a record when I was her age I had to go through the following process... save my pocket money or earn money cleaning cars or doing other chores, wait for release day, leave the house and walk into town, enter the record shop (Tracks in Hoddesdon),ask for the desired record, hand over my hard-earned cash and then walk all the way home! My daughter thought I was mad! There is no physical cover ar t, no emotional investment. It’s just something
throwaway. She will eventually delete it from her phone when bored of it. Albums were works of art, that’s why you still see countless programmes about the making of classic albums. Each generation had their classic albums... from the 60’s onwards. People feel a record was part of their life... yes my albums are sitting in the attic but every now and then I get them out and the memories flood back.
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BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders. com (253556)
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
THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a
CHURCH SERVICES
Classifieds
16th - 22nd March 2018
Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. Open/Development Circles held on Thursdays, where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. The next circle is 22nd March. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday 18th March will be taken by George Lawson (UK Medium). The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 20th March, will also be taken by George Lawson. The Divine Service on Sunday, 25th March will be taken by Annette Rogers. Contact Wendy on 965 323 028. www.spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gm ail.com or info@spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.
DRAINAGE
INSURANCE ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399
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
HOME MAINTENANCE MARKS Home Maintenance services. Painting General Maintenance. Kitchen Unit Renovation. References available. 634 908 475 (259695)
DRAINAGE
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)
INTERNET GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or email mark.w@euroweeklyne ws.com for more details.
LOCKSMITH PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (257799)
MOTORING
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 (253596)
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
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)
PERSONAL
ARE YOU self motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesale s candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowee klynews.com.
SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria. com (257746)
Services
16th - 22nd March 2018
BUILDERS
BABY EQUIPMENT HIRE
REMOVALS & STORAGE
CAR VALETING
29
30
Sport
16th - 22nd March 2018
Wacky Races Villaricos needs you! ORGANISERS of the annual Wacky Races Villaricos are searching for participants for this year’s event on May 19. The Wacky Races team are already out and about engaging with sponsors to get their support once again. The team, consisting of Mark, Carol, Cristina, Jerry, Roy and Ian, want to make sure everyone that attends the event has a grand day out, with a number of activities expected. Dancers and singers, bouncy castles, super DJ Ian the legend, stalls, tombola and raffle with a main prize of a holiday are all planned for the day. A local school in Villaricos will once again provide four or five teams for the junior races which should start around 12.15 on the day, but organisers are still in need of adult
LUCKY BAR: Winners of the event for the last two years. teams to take part in the day’s races. Carts will be provided to teams that wish to enter, with four to five people needed
per team. The 2017 event saw a record €1,400 raised, most of which was distributed by late September to various beneficiaries in-
The Ladies and Gent’s Pairs Championship CABRERA Lawn Bowls Club hosted The Ladies Pairs and The Gent’s Pairs Club Championship between February 25 and March 11. The Gent’s Final was contested between Bob Blackburn and Steve Townsend against Tony Bird and David Ives. Steve had only recently won the Gent’s Singles Championship so they knew they were going to be in for a great final and it did not disappoint. Sadly, the weather conditions did not help as the winds were very blustery and it was a matter of who could cope with the conditions better. Bob and Steve coped the better though and ran out
WINNERS: (left to right) Bob Blackburn, Steve Townsend, Penny Craig and Sandra Marriott. eventual winners 27-8. The Ladies Final was played at the same time keeping the many spectators enthralled. This was between Sandra Marriott and Penny Craig (Sandra was last year’s winner with a different partner) against Lyn Band and Jean Smallwood
(last year’s beaten finalists). Although played at the same time as the gents’ final, the ladies seemed to cope with the windy conditions better as this was a closer game. Sandra and Penny were always in front though and eventually won 20-13. Well done to all.
cluding the Villaricos Carnival Dance group - Fantasia. Wacky Races Villaricos again provided an air-conditioning unit and new flatscreen
TV for a third classroom at Villaricos school in time for the new intake in mid-September. In December, text books were provided to the six schools in the Villaricos group to help with English, with each of the 190 children receiving a book appropriate to their learning level. All the gifts they distribute are made possible because of the involvement of the businesses and people of the area. They hope you will support them again this year. Those interested in sponsoring, contributing, entering a team or providing entertainment can get in contact via Facebook, @wackyracesvillaricos, email wackyraces2017@ gmail.com or contact the secretar y and organiser on 950 467 590 or 634 368 243.
Coach trip proves a success for 19th Hole THE 19th hired a coach for their trip to La Envia on Thursday March 8 and it proved a great success. The course was still in good condition despite the amount of rain in the past month and the scoring in the Texas Scramble competition reflected this. The team of Nekane Galindez, Bernie Obrien, Vince Swain and Eric Greenwood triumphed with net 61.2. Second spot was taken by Nigel Greenwood, Tony Mackay, Peter Watts and Pete Dow on net 63.1, with the quar tet of George R e i d , Te r r y Ay l i n g , N i c k P o g s o n and John Stevenson taking third place with net 63.5. There were two two’s recorded on t h e d a y, R a y W i c k i n g o n t h e 8 t h and Brian Lowden on the 15th. Later that evening in La Vida, Cucador the presentation of an inscribed
watch was made to one of the society’s long standing members, John Boulter and his wife Diane, who are moving back to the UK to spend more time with their family.
Nearest the pins:3rd
Mike Esposito.
6th in 2
Tony Mackay.
8th
Ray Wicking.
10th
Mike Esposito.
11th
Doug Birrell.
15th
Brian Lowden.
The 19th Hole Golf Society play every week on local courses. Contact Mike Esposito on mikeesposito54@yahoo.com for further information.
16th - 22nd March 2018
Record high! SEAT achieve highest ever operating profits S PA N I S H c a r g i a n t s SEAT posted their best results in histor y in 2017 after increasing their operating profits to €191 million for the calendar year. According to the results presented by the Vo l k s w a g e n G r o u p , S E AT c l o s e d t h e y e a r w i t h a r e c o r d €9 . 8 9 2 b i l l i o n i n t u r n o v e r, which is 11.2 per cent more than the €8.894 billion achieved in 2016. The growth in sales boosted SEAT’s operating profit and income, which also benefited from a positive effect in the sales mix, that is, from selling models with a higher contribution margin. SEAT delivered 468,400 vehicles in 2017, 14.6 per cent more than the previous year and the best result since 2001, leading it to become one of the fastest growing brands in Europe. SEAT President, Luca de Meo, said:”All the m e m b e r s o f t h e S E AT team can be proud of these results. “The year 2017 saw acceleration in our sales and turnover and this has translated into solid growth of our operating profit. “We are very pleased at having achieved the best results in the history of the company, and at the same time, we aim to continue expanding our business strongly.” SEAT continued with
ATECA: The SEAT Ateca helped spur sales across Europe. the biggest ever product offensive in 2017 with the Leon facelift, the launch of the fifth generation Ibiza and the new Arona crossover. The SEAT Ateca SUV helped to spur sales and helped the brand achieve historic sales results in markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria or Switzerland. In its first full year of sales, the brand sold
R TTE TWI : T I RED
C
78,700 units of the new compact SUV. SEAT is also maintaining this growth at the beginning of 2018, as global sales in Januar y and Februar y increased by 23.1 per cent, reaching a total of
PROUD: SEAT President Luca de Meo says “all the members of the SEAT team can be proud.” 78,800 cars already in the calendar year.
31 CREDIT: SEAT
Motoring