ISSUE 632 • 13th - 19th April 2018
EST 2005
War on rubbish
Extreme sports rap
A VOLUNTEER group set up by a British expatriate based in Almeria is determined to tackle the clean up the country’s coastline. The ‘Coastal Cleaners Andalucia’ group was started earlier this year by Brit Sue Parmenter-Philips, in the hope of highlighting the action needed against plastic, fishing paraphernalia and other litter in coastlines and beaches. Since its creation, several litterpicks have been held by the group across the region, which has seen a number of volunteers turn out and help clear beaches throughout Almeria. The latest event took place yesterday (Thursday) on Vera beach, which saw 20 people clear the beach for more than an hour and a half and collect several bags of rubbish from the beachfront. Prior to the pick, the group released a music video about the waste problem, in the hope of spreading the word about the coastal litter problem on the country’s beaches but also promote responsible tourism.
CREDIT: COASTAL CLEANERS ANDALUCIA
Expats determined to clean up coastline
LITTER PICKERS: The Coastal Cleaners Andalucia are determined to clean up the country’s coastline. Called ‘Our Rubbish Song’, the song is sung to the tune made famous by nursery rhyme teddy bear’s picnic and explains the forms of rubbish that has been found by the group during their litter picks; while it also helps explain how to help with the clean-up operation. Available on their Facebook page, the video,
which took three months to prepare, has already been seen more than 16,000 times while it has also been shared more than 200 times and has also been played on local radio station Spectrum FM.
TWO men in their 20’s who allegedly made off with a jet ski and a quad bike have been arrested. The 25 and 22-year-olds, from Vicar and Roquetas de Mar respectively, were detained after the Guardia Civil received a complaint claiming the quad was taken from his garage. Officers believe one of the suspects held the door of the garage open while the other took the vehicle from inside. Police claimed the pair kept the quad in a warehouse on the outskirts of Vicar. They also stored the allegedly stolen jet ski there which was taken from a community garage in Roquetas de Mar. Police believe the suspects were planning to sell the vehicles. The pair were arrested at the end of last month and the jet ski and quad bike have been recovered. Proceedings have been sent to the Court of Instruction in Almeria. The investigation remains open.
2 NEWS BITES
Fraudsters found out NATIONAL POLICE have arrested 43 people on suspicion of a social security scam that totalled more than €15 million. The fraudsters had allegedly been operating in Almeria, Barcelona, Madrid, Cadiz, Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia.
Drugs bust POLICE in Almeria have seized approximately eight tonnes of hashish from a lorry which was allegedly carrying drugs for a group that were reportedly trafficking drugs from southern Spain to all different parts of Europe, including Britain.
Fatal fall A 39-YEAR-OLD has died after falling from a height of approximately six metres (20 feet) following an accident at the football facility sports centre on Calle Cuesta Faro Alto in Adra.
News
13th - 19th April 2018
Vera set to party in the park THE Vera District Lions and Community Care Events are set to host the very first LionAid party in the park this Sunday. With the suppor t of Vera Town Hall, LionAid will hold the fun-filled fundraising event on Sunday at El Palmeral Park with all proceeds for the Vera & District Lions Club. Among other appeals, part of the money raised on the day will go towards local builder/ plasterer Paul Morrison’s fundraising appeal ahead of his new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. The 46-year-old was diagnosed with MS last year and is set to undergo a new form of treatment in Russia in August, but needs to raise €40,000 before heading to Moscow to cover the costs. Doors for the party open at 11.30am, with live acts, includ-
FUNDRAISING: Part of the party’s donations will go towards the fundraising for Paul’s care in Moscow. ing a great selection of local bands, set to start from 12 noon going on all through the day until midnight. A large main stage will play host to a number of bands and dance acts throughout the day, while there will also be an acoustic stage in the Irish,
country and folk themed tavern. Among other events throughout the day, there will be a huge tombola, which has some amazing prizes, alongside a large craft fayre with wonderful local arts and crafts. Two bars will also be serving
fair price delicious food and drink all day long while for the children, there will be a play area, clown and even a bouncy castle. Tickets for the Party in the Park cost just €5 with children under 12 going free and are available on the day.
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News
13th - 19th April 2018
Church service TURRE Evangelical Church holds a church ser vice in English ever y Sunday at 10.30am, on Avenida de Almeria next to Muebles Nuñez just across from Clinivet. For more info call 950 617 549 or visit www.givinglight.com.
BUSY: Mojacar enjoyed another packed Easter period.
Mojacar maxed out over Easter MOJACAR enjoyed another bumper Easter week this year, according to data collected by the town’s Tourism Office from local hoteliers. With an average stay of three to four nights, the town’s three-star hotels were reportedly at 90 per cent occupancy; while four-star hotels enjoyed 85 per cent occupancy, rural accommodation saw levels of 94 per cent and the area’s apartments reached 100 per cent. The data also showed
that an estimated 8,863 places were officially registered and operational for Easter, plus 1,500 additional places for rentals. Mojacar’s tourism section of the town hall’s website received 10,625 visits during the month of March, with 4,896 of these from March 23 to April 1 while the Facebook page, Turismo de Mojacar, was visited by 95,335 people from March 23 to April 4, topping at 13,359 views on one day alone.
The town’s Tourist Office was open all week, dealing with 2,878 people, of which 19 per cent came from abroad, with most of the Spanish visitors coming from the Valencia area, followed very closely by those from Madrid and Cataluña. Just over half of the international tourists came from the United Kingdom, with 8.2 per cent from Nordic countries, 8.1 per cent from France and around 7 per cent from Germany and Belgium.
News
13th - 19th April 2018
ALMERIA’S motor show has parked itself in the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones in Roquetas de Mar today (Friday). The show, a new addition to the province’s calendar for this year, is set to feature cars from several brands with a presence in the province. Organisers Jose Antonio Pozo and Simon Carrillo unveiled plans for the event to dignitaries from the Diputacion de Almeria and Roquetas de Mar’s Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Ford, Seat, Suzuki, Subaru and Jaguar are all set to exhibit cars at the show. Motorcycles, boats and industrial vehicles such
CREDIT: ALMERIA MOTOR SHOW, VIA TWITTER
Start your engines
REVVING UP: Almeria’s first annual motor show features more than 700 vehicles. as tractors and lorries will also be on show. The total number on show is expected to be more than 700. Pozo and Carillo said dur i n g t h e i r m e e t i n g with officials that the motoring industr y was driving for ward with strong growth.
“The economy has recovered and we are in a moment of growth in the motor world, which is beginning to pick up after years of crisis,” they said. The show gets under way at 12 noon today. It closes at around 9pm on Sunday.
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Shotgun sentence A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to spend more than 19 years in prison after he was found guilty of murder following the shooting of a young Moroccan woman in her home in Oria in March 2016.
Car crime THE Guardia Civil have arrested three teenagers, all between the ages of 15 and 16, on suspicion of slashing and purposely puncturing the wheels of at least six different cars in Garrucha.
Revenge tape A MAN has been sentenced to 40 days community service after he was found guilty of sharing a video of his ex-girlfriend being intimate with another man after he had secretly recorded the incident.
Crystal clear Tours planned for Pulpi geode VISITS to the Pulpi’s giant geode are set to be held in the near future after an agreement was signed between the town’s mayor and the Diputacion de Almeria. Located in the town’s Rich Mine, the giant structure was first discovered by members of the Madrid Mineralogist Group in 1999. Diputaction de Almeria President, Gabriel Amat and the mayor of Pulpi, Juan Pedro Garcia, have signed an agreement which reportedly includes a €498,000 investment in the natural phenomenon, with €200,000 expected to go towards training ahead of future visits. The giant structure, which is covered in plaster crystals, reportedly measures an estimated eight metres in length, while also measuring 1.8 metres wide. Its entrance is in the shape of a funnel, with the narrowest part measuring just 0.5 metres in diameter, before the narrow passage opens up into its huge space which is more than 60 metres deep.
ON SHOW: Visits have been planned for the Pulpi geode. Visitors will not only be able to admire the Pulpi geode but will also get to visit parts of the Rich Mine, which itself has a unique geological heritage. With reportedly more than 350 metres and three levels of galleries for exploration, those visiting the geode will also get to see smaller plaster geodes among other geological elements which can be found throughout the Rich Mine. The news comes after the town of Pulpi launched a ‘virtual recreation’ trip to the geode in 2015 at the Castle of San Juan de los Terreros, an attraction that has since had 40,000 visitors from some 30 different countries.
Shopping mad! THE brand new Torrecardenas shopping centre is expected to attract an estimated nine million visitors a year when it opens, according to the General Director of the company building the centre. Francisco Javier Marin Rodriguez, General Director of Bogaris Retail, explained to Spanish media that the centre, which will have a cinema theme throughout, is expecting to become a popular attraction to both local residents and tourists. He also went on to say that the cinema theme will see movie motifs and memorabilia adorn the centre’s bathrooms, corridors and parking lots, while there will also be giant screens throughout the complex. The brand new shopping centre, which will be one of the largest in Andalucia, is expected to be open between the end of October and the beginning of November.
CREDIT: AYUNTAMIENTO DE ALMERIA
NEWS BITES
News
13th - 19th April 2018
CREDIT: TWITTER
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COMING SOON: The Torrecardenas shopping centre will open later this year.
National
13th - 19th April 2018
NEWS BITES
Family planning!
Tribute held LOCALS in the Costa Blanca, including police officers and council officials, have paid tribute to a nine-year-old British boy who died from a heart attack after a footballing accident on a beach in La Zenia.
A 28-YEAR-OLD Spanish woman has appeared in court after she allegedly mowed down a group of cyclists in Manacor, Mallorca; killing one, seriously injuring two and leaving a further six individuals reportedly suffered minor injuries.
Brit arrested A BRITISH man has been arrested in Torrevieja on suspicion of stealing €200,000 in order to buy large quantities of drugs from a group based in the region; who would allegedly smuggle cocaine hidden in coffee from Colombia.
Mayor makes school offer PHOTO CREDIT: PUBLIC DOMAIN PICTURES
Cyclist crash
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EMISSIONS: Heavy polluters banned from Barcelona city centre during peak times.
Ban on pollution AS from December this year, Barcelona Council has announced that motorbikes, mopeds and scooters that cause the highest levels of pollution will see them banned from the city centre. The new regulation - that will be enforced on working days only between 7am and 8pm - follows closely after the recent rules on emissions that codes motorcycles according to their carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide levels. This has been introduced by Spain’s traffic department (DGT) and has been called the ‘sticker scheme.’ The stickers can be bought from post offices at a cost of €5 each and are categorised as ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘Eco’ and ‘Zero Emissions.’ Even though these stickers aren’t compulsory to have, they would certainly identify the least-polluting bikes and thus allow them into central Barcelona now it has been designated a ‘Low Emissions Zone.’
THE mayor of a Spanish village has come up with an original solution to stop the local school closing down. There were simply not enough children in the village to justify keeping the school going, and so came up with the plan to encourage families with children to move to the village of Portell, Lleida in the east of Spain. He offered them a job, and rented accommodation at just €50 per month, if they moved into the area. Speaking to Spanish media, Mayor Alvaro Ferrer said: “We met with the school board in January, before the second term began and there were seven students in total. Next year there would be only four and
they’re two sisters and two brothers so the education would be monotonous, we have to look for diversity.” The idea had a tremendous response with hundreds of people showing interest from all across Spain and even from Argentina and Colombia in South America. However, there were only seven job vacancies (all in the town hall) and three houses on offer in the village so the mayor asked those that made the initial contact to submit a more detailed application form. And it was announced last week as a result of the appeal, 10 new families would be moving into the village at the end of this school year; with four new children.
National
13th - 19th April 2018
Poisoned by plastic Murcia whale died from ‘gastric shock’ REGIONAL government authorities in Murcia have said that the sperm whale washed up off the coast at the end of February died as a result of ingesting 29 kilos (64lbs) of plastic waste products. According to an autopsy, the young male was killed by gastric shock and the investigations revealed his stomach and intestines to contain rubbish such as plastic bags, raffia sacks, pieces of nets and ropes and even a plastic petrol can. The whale, which measured almost 10 metres (33 feet) in length and weighed more than six tons, was found dead on a beach in Cabo de Palos, Murcia, around six weeks ago. The shocking discover y of the mammal’s cause of death has prompted the region’s government to launch a campaign to fight
PHOTO CREDIT: MURCIA REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
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WASTE: Sperm whale on the Cabo de Palos had a stomach full of plastic.
against the dumping of plastic waste in the ocean. Consuelo Rosauro, the directorgeneral for the natural environment in the Murcian government, said that pollution from plastic waste had become one of the biggest threats to global marine life in the last decade. “Many animals get trapped in the rubbish or ingest great quantities of plastic which end up causing their death,” she said.
“The presence of plastics in seas and oceans is one of the greatest threats to the conser vation of wildlife throughout the world, since many animals are trapped in the trash or ingest large amounts of plastics that end up causing their death.” She added: “The region of Murcia is no stranger to this problem, which we must tackle through clean-up actions and, above all, citizen awareness.”
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National
13th - 19th April 2018
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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
THE world’s biggest cruise liner, Symphony of the Seas, received a less than warm welcome when it docked in Mallorca. More than 150 people turned out to demonstrate with a selection of banners that included ‘Palma - Stop Cruises’ and ‘Horror of the Seas’ shortly after the giant ship arrived in Palma. Described as ‘a floating city,’ the Symphony of the Seas can carry up to 6,680 passengers and 2,200 crew members. The protestors are part of a continual quest by a number of local environmental groups across some of the busiest tourist areas of Spain who are against the increasing level of tourists arriving in their towns and cities. In the case of Palma the organisers of the protest claimed the visitors would add to the “contamination and saturation of tourists” the popular destination is al-
PHOTO CREDIT: TWITTER
Ed. 632
World’s biggest cruise ship arrives to Palma protests
MAIDEN VOYAGE: Symphony of the Seas (inset) told to ‘go home.’
ready having to deal with. Those disembarking were welcomed with shouts of ‘City for those that live in it not for those who visit it’ as they began their stop-off as
part of the ship’s maiden voyage. Some of the groups were a little more direct with their objections, simply telling it to ‘Go home!’ Such tensions have also increased in Barcelona and
other Balearic Islands in recent years; in 2016 a fourstar hotel was daubed in English with an anti-tourist message. The Balearic Group of Ornithology and Defence of Nature (GOB) says the Symphony of the Seas represents everything it dislikes - ‘pollution, mass tourism and labour exploitation.’
Weekender 13th - 19th April 2018
Balconies in bloom A taste of Spain Page 18
Plants and pets Page 23
On the rampage Page 22
Blue beauty Page 31
Page 15
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Weekender
Feature
13th - 19th April 2018
What happened next
By Jos Biggs
FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE: Visitors flock to Sevilla for the feria flamenco (inset) and other sites in April.
Sevilla: A feria favourite SEVILLA sits in the west of Andalucia and it is the capital of the province. Medieval palaces and churches draw visitors to the city all year round. It is currently gearing up for its famous feria which climaxes next weekend (Saturday April 21). A succession of different powers including the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors ruled Sevilla
until it was conquered by Castilian King Ferdinand III in 1247. The legacy of each can be seen during a visit to Sevilla, but the Spanish influence is arguably the most prominent. The Cathedral of Saint Mary, the Casa de Pilatos and the Alcazar of Sevilla are not to be missed. The Palacio de San Telmo and the Plaza de Es-
paña are also well worth a visit. April 15 marks the start of the city’s feria. The fair sees locals don traditional flamenco costumes by day and a party atmosphere sweeps through the city at night which much merriment and revelry involved. Landmarks across the city are illuminated for the fair and a traditional fish dinner is eaten on Monday.
THOSE who know me also know that I am more than dissatisfied by my experiences with the execution of the Funeral Plan and with the off-hand attitude of the Tanatorio. But that paled into insignificance compared to my absolute disgust when Mary turned up with the urn containing Pete’s ashes. The unattractive appearance of the urn I could overcome - but to present it to me with Pete’s name printed on sticky-back paper, peeling at the edges and not even stuck on straight was an insult to me, and a mark of total disrespect for the person contained within. Determined to address this disgraceful situation I decided to get a plaque made to attach in place o f t h e o f f e n d i n g p a p e r. I w e n t
here, I went there, I went ever ywhere, but all those who I asked were unable to do a plaque, as the urn is curved. My last por t of call was a little watch repair shop. He looked at it glumly, and declared that it was too big to go in his inscribing machine, and he didn’t trust his handwriting to attempt it freehand. I have no issue with any of these, better no job than a bad job! I left, carrying Pete, and went into Felix’s Farmacia to get my pills. There was a queue, so I would have to wait. Pete was getting heavy, so I put him on the counter. Having worked my way to the front of the queue I procured my pills and turned to leave. What happened next?
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
News
13th - 19th April 2018
THIS is without question a fabulous property located in one of the prettiest villages in the Almeria region, Lucainena de las Torres. Located only 10 minutes from the larger town of Sorbas this quaint village has a great deal to offer. The property is an easy to lock up holiday home with some of the best views imaginable. It is immaculate throughout and boasts a spacious bedroom, a contemporary style living and kitchen area with double doors to an incredible 40m2 terrace which has
Advertising Feature
Property of the week by Olive Property
Olive House offers some great value properties This property in Lucainena de las Torres at only €55,000 is a perfect example
HOLIDAY HOME: A perfect property in a delightful village.
Sol searching – guest column By Angus Silvie THE world is full of stupid people doing stupid things. All around me, all the time, a level of ineptitude that can only be explained by the fact that a large percentage of the population must be clinically stupid. And stupidity comes in many guises: politics, religion, administration and business are always a gold mine of nincompoopery, but there are examples everywhere. People who still text or phone while driving, which everyone now knows is statistically as dangerous as drunk driving. Instructions for putting flat-pack furniture together that don’t make sense because there is no hole B into which you are supposed to insert dowel A. Drivers on a flat, clear road with a 50mph limit who realise they are doing
52mph and brake suddenly despite there being cars right behind them. Developers who launch software that just doesn’t work because no one has user tested it, or they used a stupid person to test it. All stupid! The list is endless. But how do we define stupidity? Often it is unarguable, but it can also be subjective. Most people would agree that you should judge it against a benchmark of common sense. But who defines common sense? We all think we have it, and presumably we all consider that the judgements we make are founded on it. But one man’s common sense can be another man’s nonsense. Of course I myself could in no way be considered stupid; it is the buffoons
around me who are the problem. But wait... who was it who spent time and money fixing a brass sign saying ‘please shut the gate’ to the inside of my gate, so it was not visible when the gate was open and could only be seen when the gate was already shut? Who spent 50 minutes on the phone waiting for a call centre to answer, then as soon as it did, managed to press the ‘terminate call’ button instead of the speakerphone button? Yes, it was me. We all do stupid things occasionally, yet funnily enough we judge other people’s stupidity much more harshly than our own. They are prize idiots, we just made an uncharacteristic mistake. Well at least that’s one thing we can all agree on!
13 O Re LV f: 13 far stretching 44 views over the valley and towards the mountains in the distance. Without question, this is a great buy! Olive House is located in Calle Llans, Bedar, (next to the Miramar Restaurant) and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.30pm. Visit www.olivehouse-es.com or call 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 to arrange a viewing.
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Weekender
Lifestyle
13th - 19th April 2018
Tips
to conside painting your home WHETHER you’re selling up and want to attract potential buyers, or simply want to improve the exterior of your home, painting the outside of your proper ty could be the right way to go. Before you star t this important task, it’s essential to plan carefully and consider these important things: The type of paint you want to use One of the most impor tant things to consider when painting your property is the type of paint you want to use. Thankfully, with companies offering a wide range of products suitable for exterior use y o u w o n ’t b e s h o r t o f choice - it’s just a case
PAINTING: Important to consider several things before painting your house. of reading the details carefully to ensure it’s suitable for the material you want to paint on and choosing a colour which takes your fancy. The condition of the surface you want to paint Paint will not adhere very well to dirty or rough sur faces, so always prepare the exterior of your home in advance by washing and sanding down any rough areas. Old, peeling paint can be removed with a paint scraper helping to create a solid, smooth area that can be repainted with ease. Make sure all surfaces are dry before painting, however, as this will enable the paint to roll on nicely.
Similarly, you should always repair rotten surfaces as if you paint over damaged areas they will just continue to deteriorate, making your paint job almost useless. The amount of paint you need You really don’t want to run out of paint half way through a job as this can be extremely inconvenient, so make sure you buy enough in advance to complete your project. If you’re not sure how much you’ll need, fear not, as there are many tips and calculations online that will help you out - and this usually requires measuring the length and height of the walls you want to decorate.
How you will paint Painting techniques might sound a little technical to the novice p a i n t e r, b u t w o r k i n g out a plan will help the exterior of your home to look as good as possible. Starting from the top and working down, for instance, will eliminate drip marks. While drips are inevitable you can even them out as you work down the rest of the house. Mother Nature Painting your house o n a r a i n y, w i n d y, snowy or icy day is a bad idea as hazardous weather conditions can make painting extremely difficult. So, to avoid being caught out by Mother Nature, always look at
Lifestyle
13th - 19th April 2018
er before e’s exterior the weather forecast a n d p l a n w h e n ’s b e s t to paint. Don’t forget your walls will need time to dr y too, so wait until spring/summer or simply keep a close eye on temperatures and precipitation. I t ’s a m a z i n g w h a t a new coat of paint can do for the exterior of your home, but before you get to work be sure to think of the five points above to ensure things go smoothly.
Make your balcony blossom THOSE of us town dwellers who are not blessed with acres of land at our disposal can still nurture a range of plants to brighten up our balconies. But even having two or three pot plants to care for can be tricky. The direction of the balcony or terrace will clearly make a huge difference to how your plants develop, if you don’t take steps to shield them from solar rays at particular times of the day. Blinds or awnings can be useful, especially if your terrace faces south, east or west. Make sure they are pulled down at the hottest part of the day, shading them and you into the bargain. While it is tempting to fill your balcony with overflowing plants, you can be economical with floor space, hanging plants in wall pots or along balustrades or on a trellis. Choose plants that suit the direction of your balcony. South facing terraces will take geraniums, petunias, herbs, fuschias and carnations. East ones, begonias, orchids, and aloes among others. For west ones use petunias, spider plants, and miniature confers and north facing balconies can host aspidistras, cyclamen, and many indoor plants.
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Weekender
Property
13th - 19th April 2018
COMMIS SSIO
ONLY 1.5%
Housing market set to hike N
SPAIN’S housing market is expected to continue its strong drive this year; mainly thanks to booming tourism and a prospering economy. Ratings agency, Standard & Poors (S&P), PricewaterhouseCoopers, Spanish bank BBVA, Spain’s Instituto de Práctica Empresarial (IPE) and property valuation firm Tinsa are all reportedly forecasting a hike in average house prices over the course of the year, with anticipated rises ranging from 5 to 8 per cent. Similarly, Tinsa is also predicting that the volume of sales transactions in Spain will increase by 1015 per cent compared to last year. This is a continuation of strong volume growth in 2017, recorded
BOOMING: Average house prices are set for a hike in 2018.
as 13.5 per cent for the last three months of the year by Spain’s Association of Notaries. This positivity in Spain’s property market is supported by the countr y’s strong economy, currently one of the best performing of all major EU countries. Spain recorded GDP of 3.1 per cent in 2017, the
third consecutive year it has been more than 3 per cent, and this trend is expected to continue throughout 2018. I n a d d i t i o n , S p a i n ’s booming tourism industry remains an important contributor to the countr y’s GDP and driver of property markets along the Costas and in the Spanish archipelagos.
The year 2017 was another record one for Spain, with 82 million tourists arriving in the country, putting it ahead of the US for the first time and making it the second most visited country in the world after France; with all signs pointing to Spain’s popularity continuing at a similar pace in 2018.
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Weekender
Food & Drink
13th - 19th April 2018
Spanglish Recipes: British mea with a Mediterranean twist Spanish Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients 250g pack of mince (lamb or pork) Half a chorizo sausage 1 large sweet potato 2 carrots 4 brocolli stems 1 large Spanish onion 1 ½ garlic cloves 1 teaspoon of honey 1 glass of red wine 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1 teaspoon of ketchup
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 are sure to get your taste buds tingling.
2 tablespoons of brown sauce (to taste) Salt and pepper (to taste) 2 handfuls of grated mature cheddar
Method 1. Finely chop the
onion before crushing the garlic cloves. Peel the carrots and slice them lengthways before chopping it into smaller pieces and also chop the broccoli into small florets.
the chorizo and chop into small chunks 3. Heat a small amount of olive oil into a large pan and fry off the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent.
2. Peel the skin of f of 4. Season the lamb mince with salt and pepper and then add to the onion and garlic in the pan. Fr y on a high heat for approximately 5-6 minutes then add the chorizo. Then cook for a further 3-4 minutes or until the lamb is completely browned. 5. Add the carrots and broccoli to the pan, stirring for a couple of minutes. At the same time turn on the oven and heat it to 180 degrees celsius.
TASTE OF SPAIN: Spanish Shepherd’s Pie.
6. Pour the glass of wine over the mixture and cook for a further 2 minutes, then add the tinned tomatoes, ketchup, brown sauce (if
preferred), honey, paprika and seasonings and stir hard. 7. Once the ingredients are all mixed up, tip the whole mixture into a deep, oven-proof dish and put it into the oven for 2 hours. 8. While the mixture is in the oven, clean the sweet potatoes (peel if preferred) and chop them into small bite-size chunks.
Food & Drink
als
13th - 19th April 2018
Olive Tree Farm’s Fish Pie ONE of the things we aren’t able to provide for ourselves here at Olive Tree Farm is fish which is something we all enjoy eating. We did look into the possibilities of breeding and raising fish a couple of years ago and talapia was on my list. Son Ben however had different ideas. He managed to source some cray fish. We are about a year on now and we have a number of males and females, which when he got them, were only babies. Fish Pie A hearty winter warmer, that can prepared in advance and then baked in the oven when it’s time to eat. Serves 8 Ingredients 500g White fish (I used cod) – deboned 300g Salmon – deboned 150g small peeled raw prawns 1 litre full fat milk 1 large white onion quartered Butter Salt and black pepper 3 bay leaves 150 g of Grated cheese (I used Cheddar) 1 cup of roughly chopped parsley 2.5kg peeled potatoes
9. Boil the sweet potatoes until their soft, add a knob of butter, pinch of salt and pepper alongside a handful of grated cheese. 10. Once the mince is out of the oven, spread the mash over the top and sprinkle the leftover cheese. Leave to cook for a further 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly on the top. 11. Take the pie out of the oven and ser ve; with seasoned vegetables or whatever you prefer.
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Method Roughly chop potatoes and boil in salted water until soft. Drain the water and mash the potatoes with a knob of butter until creamy and season to taste. Meanwhile in large shallow pan, add fish, onion quarters and bay leaves,
A year on and they are now fully grown adults, and within the next few months should be ready to breed. In the meantime, if we want fish it is bought from the fishmonger (pescaderia) and using salmon, cod and prawns, a huge fish pie for us all to share seems to be a popular choice for supper! Here is my version which makes about eight servings.
plus a little salt and black pepper and pour over the milk until the fish is covered. Reserve a little of the milk for later. Bring the milk to boil and then turn down the heat and simmer gently for about 8 minutes until the fish is cooked through. When cooked, remove the fish from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the
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 har vest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
milk in the pan and set aside the fish until cool enough to handle. Once cooled, flake the fish into decent sized chunks and add to a large oven proof dish. Strain the remaining milk through a sieve into a large jug or bowl to remove any onion and the bay leaves and return the liquid to a saucepan adding the prawns.
Mix a little corn flour with the reserved cold milk and add to the pan. Bring to the boil stirring continuously to avoid a lumpy sauce. Once thickened, remove from the heat, add a handful of grated cheese. Stir the cheese through until melted. Pour the sauce over the flaked fish evenly. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over
FISH PIE: A winter warmer.
t h e sauce and then cover this with your mashed potatoes. Using a fork, push the mash gently into all the corners and edges until the fish and sauce are covered. Sprinkle with a good handful of grated cheese and then bake when you are ready for about 30-40 minutes at 180 deg C until the cheese is golden and the dish is heated through.
20
Weekender
Health & beauty
13th - 19th April 2018
Help yourself to happiness! 3 simple ways to boost your mood SOME people spend their lives trying to source the meaning of true happiness but in reality there are things that you can do in your day-to-day life that may improve your happiness. Here are three of the top things that you can do to instantly boost your mood. Smiling As silly as it may seem, forcing yourself to smile can actually have a beneficial effect on your temperament. According to reports, psychological scientists from the University of Kansas ran a study to assess the impact of smiling on a person’s physical and mental state. They came to the conclusion that making yourself smile can actually help lower your heart rate during stressful activities. Co-author of the study, Sarah Pressman, said: “The next time you are
stuck in traffic or are experiencing some other type of stress; you might try to hold your face in a smile for a moment. “Not only will it help you ‘grin and bear it’ psychologically, but it might actually help your heart health as well!” Exercise Exercising can make you SMILING: Can instantly improve your mood.
feel instantly happier as your body releases endorphins that trigger positive reactions in your body. You don’t necessarily have to run a marathon or climb Everest to reap the benefits as it has been found that doing as little as 10 minutes of exercise a week, or allocating just one day a week for a workout, can make a big difference to your mood and attitude. Listen to upbeat music By choosing to listen to music that’s more upbeat it can have a positive correlation not only on your mood; but on your state of mind as well. A 2013 study by the University of Missouri reportedly showed that participants who were trying to feel happier found that their mood had improved by simply listening to a happier, more upbeat tune.
Weekender
Leisure
13th - 19th April 2018
Troy: Fall of a City writer says there’s ‘potential’ for series 2
Film & TV Guide
OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
FILM REVIEW
Rampage Starring Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman and P J Byrne CREDIT: TWITTER
22
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
TROY: FALL OF A CITY came to a dramatic conclusion last week - but does the story end there? BBC One’s eight-part drama - which recently came under fire for some bloody scenes - brought Homer’s Iliad to electrifying life and writer David Farr has said he’s open to adapting its sequel, The Odyssey, next. (For the uninitiated, The Odyssey follows Odysseus played by Joseph Mawle in Troy - on his 10-year journey home to Ithaca.) “I think there is a very interesting potential for what I’d call aftermath series,” Farr said. “It wouldn’t just be The Odyssey, because The
ADAPTATION: Rampage is inspired by a video-game.
xx Odyssey is a fantasy - it involves things that we’re not dealing with [in Troy: Fall of a City]. It involves monsters. It’s totally supernatural. It’s an allegory for a journey home. “But there is potential for something that combines something of Odysseus’s return with Agamemnon’s return, which is an incredible
story, and far more conventionally dramatic.” Johnny Harris plays Agamemnon in Troy: Fall of a City, with Farr explaining, “There are characters that survive [the first series] and there is a lot of moral and emotional consequence to that survival which we could look at.”
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-digital.com. I look for ward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show ever y 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 the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.
PRIMATOLOGIST Davis Okoye is a man who struggles when communicating with other people but has a strong bond with a highly intelligent silverback gorilla called George. Davis has cared for George since birth, but when a genetic experiment goes wrong, the once peaceful gorilla turns into a huge raging creature, destroying ever ything in his path. To make matters worse, it is soon discovered that it was not only George that was affected by the experiment and there are other animals that have now grown enormously and have the same desire for destruction. When the newly created ‘alpha predators’ descend on America, taking down anything that stands in their way, Okoye decides to join forces
CREDIT: TWITTER
STARS: Dwayne Johnson plays the lead role alongside Brit Naomie Harris. with an unproven genetic engineer to attempt to create an antidote that will make the animals return to their normal sizes. Okoye then makes his way into the battleground in the heart of the city not only to stop a worldwide catastrophe, but also to save his oldest friend.
PETS
13th - 19th April 2018
Weekender 23
Some plants and pets don’t mix WITH spring finally here, many of us will be turning our attention to our gardens and also adding a bit of colour to our homes. But what many people don’t know is that some plants, while they may seem beautiful and smell fantastic, can be ver y harmful to household pets. Household favourites such as lilies can be poisonous to both cats and dogs, while there are a also a number of other plants that are potentially dangerous. Charles Walton, Chief Executive of gardening website BillyOh.com told British media: “Flowers can look great and smell even better, but many can be very dangerous to our beloved cats and dogs. So, when you’re deciding which plants to put in your garden or a pot in the house, do check first to make sure it isn’t toxic to your pets. “If your pet shows any sign of having ingested poison, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness or confusion, seek veterinary assistance straight away.” Here are five of the top plants Walton suggests you might want to avoid if you have pets at home. Potatoes and tomatoes. While more and more of us are turning our hand to growing our
DANGEROUS: ‘All parts of the Autumn Crocus’ are toxic to pets, according to Charles Walton.
own vegetables, some may be harmful to our fluffy companions. Potatoes that are unripe, green or even raw can be highly dangerous to dogs while the leaves from tomato plants can be toxic to both cats and dogs. Lilies and tulips. A household favourite in many homes, but according to reports, every part of a lily is toxic to cats while some kinds are poisonous to dogs and horses as well. Tulips, part of the lily family, are also known to
be toxic to cats, dogs and horses. They contain toxins including tulipalin A and tulipalin B, which can be found in the plant’s bulb and if you suspect that your pet has eaten any part of the plant, veterinary assistance should be
immediately sought after. Azaleas. Belonging to the rhododendron family, these flowers contain a toxic substance known as grayanotoxin. This potentially deadly toxin can reportedly cause vomiting, diarrhoea, blindness and even comas in both cats and dogs as well. Foxtails. Foxtails are barbed spikelets which are used to disperse seeds of the foxtail grass. Using their sharp exterior, they aim to burrow into the ground for germination - but this can be potentially damaging to pets if it penetrates their body. If they manage to penetrate animals’ bodies, then they can potentially cause internal organ damage, with their ears vulnerable to exposure. Foxtail is a common weed, so it can be hard to avoid but injuries to pets can be prevented by regularly checking your pets’ body, especially after taking them for a walk.
SCRATCHING POST: Perfectly normal.
Protecting your sofa AS much as you love your cat, it drives you mad when you spot it sharpening its claws on the settee. Sadly, this is normal behaviour for cats. Along with sharpening their claws, which they need to do, scratching is also a way of marking their territory. After all, they are animals! Telling them off is unlikely to help, they’ll probably just run away and come back when you’re not looking. Luckily though there are a few tricks you can try to stop the problem: • Have their claws cut: Scratching and marking territory is a social act for young felines, especially on vertical surfaces, plus it fulfills their physical need to sharpen their claws. If they are too long, take them to the vet to have them clipped. • Don’t tell them off: They’re not being naughty, they actually have a physical need to scratch things. • Provide them with toys and scratching posts: Toys and scratching posts are not only fun and a way to keep them happy, they will also eventually become their go-to place to sharpen their claws. • Other solutions: Covering sofas with thick material, covers or plastic sheets is a good way to stop their claws getting through to the upholstery. Another trick is to use tinfoil. Cats hate it, and the feel of it may well put them off.
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Weekender
Puzzles
13th - 19th April 2018
Wordsearch School Life
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:
GLITTER
ERASER
CRAYONS
BOOKS
SHARPENER
BLACKBOARD
SCISSORS
CALCULATOR
HOMEWORK
NOTEBOOK
GLUE STICK
COMPASS
JOURNAL
BACKPACK
MARKERS
PENS
Quick
Across 1 Storage closet (8) 7 Courageous (5) 8 Absolve (9) 9 Perceive (3) 10 Secret look (4) 11 Conclude (6) 13 Easygoing (6) 14 Against (6) 17 Deep orange root vegetable (6) 18 Not easy (4) 20 Attempt (3) 22 Frightened (9) 23 Grab (5) 24 Practice (8)
Down 1 Inexpensive (5) 2 Declare openly (7) 3 Follow a command (4) 4 Brought up (6) 5 Incorrect (5) 6 Conquers (7) 7 Bewildered (7) 12 Provide commentary for a film (7) 13 Struggle between rivals (7) 15 More frightening (7) 16 Common (6) 17 Faultfinder (5) 19 Avoid artfully (5) 21 Monetary penalty (4)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Average: 18
• Very good: 35
• Good: 25
• Excellent: 46
cacti caciques cates cater catties cattier cite cites citer cities attire attires isms sett bait bate bates batt batter battier esquire equities ires iota attic attics vies great grit griot grot grotesque groat
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 Sounds like seabirds or bears (5) 4 Chemical element from Burma I ordered (6) 9 Duplicate pie Carl cooked (7) 10 Steps inside spaceship (5) 11 Collapsed in church recess (4) 12 Stone smashed in grate (7) 13 Feel sorry about Herb (3) 14 It's the judge's habit to steal a note (4) 16 Son has time to be a wise person (4) 18 Spied middle of bakery item (3) 20 After break had meal and set out again (7) 21 Damage some hidden treasures (4) 24 Building support from trust (5) 25 One reaching across for a hand tool (7) 26 Name of man arranging events (6) 27 Felix effortlessly holds back outcast (5)
Down 1 Mad Hatter is a danger (6) 2 Pores over ring edges (5) 3 Hide skinhead's family (4) 5 Evaluate a quiet expression of approval (8) 6 Eager to get out of ditch in garden (7) 7 Learn all aspects of being a captain (6) 8 Push river transport (5) 13 Comeback for chopped up pear tree (8) 15 See old boy put ball in play (7) 17 Has faith in repaired struts (6) 18 Drink from fractured pipes (5) 19 Tristram Shandy author enters in disguise (6) 22 Even nuisances find it boring (5) 23 Made out to be an aristocrat (4)
Puzzles
13th - 19th April 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : TEA BREAK December 15 is International Tea Day 1. In Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, apart from Alice and the Hatter, which two creatures attended the ‘mad’ tea party? 2. In the famous PG Tips television advertisement featuring two chimps dressed as removal men, what was Mr Shifter’s reply when the young chimp asked: “Do you know the piano’s on my foot?” 3. In which decade of the 18th century did the famous protest known as the Boston Tea Party take place? 4. Originally released in 1970, Tea for the Tillerman was the fourth studio album by which the singer-songwriter? 5. The first Bettys tea room was opened in which Yorkshire town by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont in July 1919?
6. The name of which variety of black tea with the flavour of green is derived from the Chinese for ‘black dragon’? 7. Which British tea company introduced tea bags into the UK in 1953? 8. Which clipper ship, one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, is now a popular tourist attraction located near the centre of Greenwich, in southeast London? 9. Which Indian state is responsible for the production of over half of India's annual tea crop? 10. With what oily substance extracted from the rind of a dwarf variety of Seville orange is Earl Grey tea flavoured? Not a lot of people know that… tea was referred to as ‘scandal broth’ by Sir Walter Scott in his book Peveril of the Peak because it was thought to stimulate gossip
Kakuro
Answers 1. MARCH HARE and a very tired DORMOUSE, 2. YOU HUM IT SON, I’LL PLAY IT, 3. 1770s (1773), 4. CAT STEVENS, born Steven Georgiou, now known as YUSUF ISLAM, 5. HARROGATE, 6. OOLONG, 7. TET-
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
Feature
13th - 19th April 2018
by Sandy Shore
What is it about foreigners? I RECALL that during a particularly dry spell bush fires were sweeping across the remote Extremadura border. When a British TV news crew turned up to interview an affected local wine grower he spoke flawless English. The English language is difficult even for those for whom it is their first and only language. This is especially so for written English which few write competently. There are rules but few of us stick to them. And so on occasion I have been put right by Germans. But, we know how infuriatingly pedantic they can be. A Ukrainian friend is a teacher of music who has never visited the United Kingdom and is unlikely to do so. When emailing she often apologises for her poor command of English. Yet, her letters are of a higher standard than many of those I receive from
friends born and bred in Britain. Could you imagine a Briton apologising for an occasional slip up when speaking Ukrainian or Hungarian? Before meeting, a Russian ballerina warned me that she doesn’t speak my language well. Again, when we met, her conversation was perfectly comprehensible. Accompanied by my Latvian visitor I called in at my Spanish medical centre. My friend chatted to reception in Spanish and then acted as interpreter as I was checked out by my Russian doctor. MULTILINGUAL: Many Europeans speak several languages.
Later, in a Riga restaurant I sat like a dummy as the same lady chatted with French diners sat at an adjacent table. Had they been German, no problem either for she spoke their language too. I meet many Europeans who speak their own language and English; often one or two other languages as well. A Russian friend can recite Shakespeare, quote English literature from heart and leaves me well behind on these subjects. She is not alone. Another friend who lives on Lithuania’s rural frontier and rarely meets an English speaker sends me 500 word emails in quite good English. An Irish acquaintance, who to my mind spoke excellent English, thought it about time he learned French. Signing up for evening classes he failed to get through the admission test. He was advised to learn English first. He had learned English language by ear and not by the rules of grammar. A person who speaks several languages is multilingual, if two languages bilingual. But, if just one language they’re identified as British.
Behind THE MUSIC Bat Out Of Hell Meat Loaf By V L James DESPITE Paradise By The Dashboard Light being metaphorically murdered by a million drunk karaoke singers the world over, Bat Out Of Hell - the album it comes from, remains one of the biggest sellers of all time. Released in September 1977 it was a slow burner with sales being pretty poor to start with. It was a now legendar y appearance on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test that gave the album a boost. Written by composer Jim Steinman and produced by Todd Rundgren the album is a set of mini-epics. Influenced by Phil Spectre’s ‘Wall of Sound’ production techniques tracks such as Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Paradise and of course Bat
Out Of Hell are not short affairs but are well worth the time. After success in the UK, Australia and Canada, Meat Loaf’s own USA would eventually catch on. More than 43 million copies have so far been sold. Bat Out Of Hell is Marmite to some people, but having listened to it again recently it deserves its reputation as a classic.
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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
13th - 19th April 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 Thursday 19th April. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship on Sunday 15th April will be taken by Annette Rogers. The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 17th April, will be taken by Jacqueline Holland Hunt. The Divine Service on Sunday, 22nd April will be taken by Linda Sheppard (UK Medium). Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiri tualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@g mail.com or info@spiri tualistcentrebenijofar.comIdentifica cion Fiscal G54713789.
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
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 PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (257799)
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)
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SOLAR 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
13th - 19th April 2018
BUILDERS
BABY EQUIPMENT HIRE
REMOVALS & STORAGE
CAR VALETING
DRAINS
29
30
Sport
13th - 19th April 2018
Almeria Bowling Club 3-2-1 report THE CAA recently held the 3-2-1 Competition at Almeria Bowls Club which saw 23 teams from Indalo, Almeria, Cabrera bowling clubs, split into four groups of five or six teams, playing each other. Each team played six ends with a triple, followed by a pair ending with a single. The tournament was played as a round-robin with each discipline gaining two points for a win, one for a draw and two for an overall win for each match. The Final was a great match between two teams from Indalo Bowling Club, which saw Jan Dando, who was part of the winning
ALL SMILES: The finalists of the 3-2-1 competition. t e a m l a s t y e a r, A l a n a n d G e r a r d D o n c k , K e i t h a n d A n n R e y n o l d s u p a g a i n s t Linda Harvey.
Two Cabrera competitions come to a close CABRERA Lawn Bowls Club recently held the finals of two competitions which first began in November 2017 and concluding with both finals being played towards the end of March. The Ted Barrett Yardstick Competition As the competition implies a point is awarded for bowls within a yard of the jack. The competition is over 21 ends and the winner is the player with the most shots. The final was contested between Brian Firth and Ian Jackson. This was a very close final as after 14 ends the score was level at eight all, but on the 21st end Ian picked up two shots to win the final 12-11. Congratulations to Ian and commiserations to Brian. A great final. The Bob Wright Singles This competition is slightly different as it is for members who have not won a singles club competition at Cabrera LBC before. There were quite a few entries for
COMPETITORS: Brian and Ian, finalists of the Ted Barret Yardstick (left) and Bob and Ray, finalists of the Bob Wright singles (right). this as Cabrera have had a lot of new members joining in the last 12 months. The winner is the player who is the first to 21. The final was between Bob Blackburn and Ray Harris. It was a very close match until the 13 end when Ray hit form and won the next six ends to win the final 21-10. Well done to Ray and commiserations to Bob.
Jan’s Triple team stormed ahead winning the game 5-
2 but in the pairs, the story was the total opposite when Gerard and his team won handsomely 15-1. The Singles was a narrow w i n f o r J a n ’s t e a m w h i c h gave them an overall score of 16-11 to Gerard’s team. A final triple one end was on the cards to determine the winners. This was an exciting finish with Jan’s team championship down with one bowl left and drew the shot. Jan’s team reached the Final by beating an Almeria team, Graham and Catherine Patrick, Gerard’s team made it against another Almeria team, John and Christina Fitzgerald with Chris Ewer.
19th play three division Stableford at Aguilon THE 19th played a three Division Stableford competition on a blisteringly hot day at Aguilon. It was more like a summer’s day and once again the weather aided good scoring with half the field recording 30 points or more. The 1st Division was won by Paco Grajal on 39 points, which was the same total as Nekane Galindez who won the 2nd division. John Ball triumphed in the 3rd tier with 37 points on countback from Karyn Esposito. T h e r e w e r e f i v e t w o ’s r e c o r d e d , Mike Esposito 3rd and 12th, Pramod Dave 12th, Nick Pogson 12th, and Sharon Stevens 17th.
Nearest the pins: 3rd
Mike Esposito.
8th
Mark Coffee.
11th in 2
Sharon Stevens.
12th
Mike Esposito.
14th
Nekane Galindez.
17th
Mike Esposito.
The 19th Hole Golf Society play every week on local courses. For more information, contact Mike Esposito on mi keesposito54@yahoo.com.
Motoring
13th - 19th April 2018
31
THE new Morgan Aero GT has rolled off the production line and looks to have come straight out of the 1960s. It is the first of an exclusive line of custom-made €165,000 sports cars from Morgan and is capable of speeds of 170mph. Only eight of these vintage looking vehicles have been produced, and one of them will feature on the showroom floor in Scotland’s only official Morgan dealer, Revolutions. The production of this final GT model will also mark the end of their Aero 8 series, which has proved popular with motorheads since its inception in 2001. Fitted with the same engine as its
CREDIT: FACEBOOK, MORGAN MOTOR COMPANY
Morgan Aero GT is a blast from past
BLUE BEAUTY: This classy range will appeal to motoring romantics.
BMW M5 bags award BMW’S M5 model has been voted World Performance Car 2018, the German car maker reported. The car earned the plaudit from the World Car of the Year organisation. It marks the seventh time BMW has received an award from the group. The M5 went up against 10 other cars in the category which judges motors on their performance abilities. The vehicles had to have 2,000 units produced of them in order to qualify for entry into the category. They also had to be available to buy on at least two continents between January 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018. Selection and voting was undertaken by a panel made up of 82 motoring journalists from 24 countries. The ceremony for the
awards was held at the New York International Auto Show on March 28. The BMW M5 is equipped with the latest version of the company’s
4.4-litre V8 engine which is capable of delivering 600 horsepower. The V8 is capable of going from zero to 100kph in 3.4 seconds.
p r e d e c e s s o r, t h e G T i s c a p a b l e o f 367bhp, allowing it to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. Released to celebrate 50 years since the first of the hand-crafted cars rolled out of the factory, the latest model shares the same long front-end, compact cabin and steep wheel arches. It clearly draws much inspiration from the classic Morgan Plus 8 of the 1960s, while the interior is also hand-finished. This bespoke beauty has a starting price of €165,000 but there are a variety of stylish customisations that the discerning buyer can opt for to complete the look.