ISSUE 635 • 4th - 10th May 2018
EST 2005 CREDIT: COAG, VIA TWITTER
Walk this way Volunteers trek to Mojacar in aid of MS sufferer A GROUP of volunteers have walked from Vera Playa to Mojacar and back in an effort to raise funds for a British expatriate’s treatment for a chronic illness. The walkers made the 32-kilometre journey as part of ongoing efforts for Paul’s Fight to Walk. The fundraising drive was set up for Paul Morrison, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) last year. The group set out from the Laguna Bar Restaurante venue in Vera Playa complete with water, food and first aid supplies at around 7.30am last Sunday. They donned orange clothes and accessories, the colour of the MS society. Members of the outfit also turned out in fancy dress for the trek and carried buckets to collect donations from people along the way.
CREDIT: PHIL MORRISON (MAIN), PAUL AND CLAIRE MORRISON (INSET), VIA GO FUND ME.
By Jose Artur
TREKKING: The group made the 32-kilometre journey in aid of Paul Morrison’s (inset) medical treatment. Costumes included Ab Fab’s Patsy and Eddie, The Flexible Chef, Iceland Crew, 201 Girls and Elvis Presley. Two raffles were held later in the day at the Laguna Bar Restaurante when the walkers returned from the trek. Live music from Danius and Brendan O’Dee also featured at the bar.
These, the hike and sponsorship raised several thousand euros for Paul’s Right to Walk, the group said in a statement to Sol Times. More than €34,000 (£30,000) of the roughly €45,400 (£40,000) needed for Morrison’s medical treatment has been raised in total so far, they added.
A Go Fund Me page set up as part of fundraising efforts has already made €22,984 (£20,248). Paul Morrison, a plasterer and builder, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in April 2017. The 45-year-old father of three now walks on crutches and struggles to converse.
BLANKETED: Several hectares of farmland were covered in snow following storms.
Hail of a time THE arrival of May in Almeria brought unseasonal winter weather to the province with several areas left covered in snow and hail following unseasonal storms. El Ejido, La Mojonera and Vicar were all hit by storms which left an estimated 20 to 30 hectares of covered farmland damaged, according to the COAG
agricultural association. The weight of the hail and snow also caused some 20 greenhouses to collapse, according to initial findings from the group. Andres Gongora, from COAG, said work was now being done to see how much damage had been caused in advanced of repair efforts.
News
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COASTAL CLEANERS ANDALUCIA AND P3 AMBIENTE
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LITTER PICKING: The group collected some 1.5 tons of litter while on their outing in Garrucha.
Cleanup time Expat group takes rubbish war on road By Jose Artur VOLUNTEERS from expat groups have visited Garrucha and cleared an estimated 1.5 tons of rubbish. A total of 25 people were on hand to pick up the litter, around 35 per cent of which was recyclable according to the cleaners. The outing was organised by the Coastal Cleaners Andalucia and P3 Ambiente groups. They claimed rubbish was deliberately being dumped at the site. “Plastic and cardboard from local firms is being tipped on the group near their depot.
It blows everywhere,” the groups told Sol Times in a statement. “If they simply separated it, bagged the plastic and crushed the card a huge part of this problem would not exist,” they added. The statement said the groups had been in talks with local councillors since January over the rubbish. “Garrucha is a town renowned for its coastline and fish. It seems like complete madness that this issue is being ignored. “Some simple containers would stop the rubbish spreading far and wide.”
News
4th - 10th May 2018
Gabriel Tribute at ‘La Ballena’ By Francis Peach TWO months since the tragic death of Gabriel Cruz struck the nation, Almeria’s mayor is proposing an ornamental tribute to the boy affectionately known as ‘pescaito’ (little fish). The mayor has proposed a fountain and memorial space on the boulevard dubbed La Ballena. It was a key site for families gathering to mourn the eight-year-old in the days following his death. The eight-year-old was allegedly murdered by his father’s girlfriend - Ana Julia Quezada - on February 27, who is now in prison. She was arrested after police found the boy’s body in the boot of her car ending the long search on March 12.
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REMEMBERED: A mourner pays her respects to Gabriel Cruz at ‘La Ballena’ in Almeria. In a letter from jail she apologised to the boy’s parents and claimed his death was a heat-of-the-moment accident. The suspect is yet to be sentenced for the alleged murder. Ramón FernándezPacheco, the province’s mayor, will first ask Gabriel’s parents - Angel Cruz and Patricia Ramírez before going ahead with
the proposal which may coincide with remodelling the La Ballena. ‘Maximum respect’ and sensitivity will be paid to the parents in the process of inaugurating the fountain, said PP official - Miguel Ángel Castellón - on behalf of the mayor. Other towns across Spain have remembered the boy known for his love of fish with fixed dedications.
News
4th - 10th May 2018
CHARITY DELIGHT: Scenes from the event.
Spring fayre of the Anglican churches THIS event was held on Saturday April 28 in the sunshine of Mojacar. The stalls were manned by helpers from Aljambra Chapel, Llanos Del Peral Church and Mojacar Church. It was the first Fayre attended by new priest
Canon Vincent Oram and his wife Robyn Ann. The group wishes to thank all the people who came in support of this event, Mojacar Council and the Local Police. The morning raised an impressive â‚Ź2,876.65.
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News
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By Richard B Tolman DUE to the very hot weather experienced at the summer Night Market last year, FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring For Everyone), decided that this year’s event would be held in the spring. Unfortunately, to a certain extent, the weather again contrived to be against FACE at this experimental market. Heavy thunder clouds rolled over the top of the Bar Kubatin, underneath the Hostel Meson in Arboleas, just before the event was due to start and this probably deterred both some of FACE’s traders and supporters from attending the event. It was also a little unlucky that a few spots of rain just after the market had got underway, tended to disperse people that did attend. Nevertheless the splash from the heavens did not stop FACE from splashing the cash! Throughout the evening FACE donated a total of €2,000, €500 of which was donated to the Grupo Scout 106 del Saliente, based in Albox, allowing the Scouts to further update some of their equipment and make improvements to their headquarter rondels. A further €500 was donated to the Little Owls for the work they do in providing for seriously ill people and their families throughout the
PHOTO CREDIT FACE
FACE splash the cash
SUCCESS: The FACE committee present MACS representatives Geoff and Francis Cook with €1,000. Almanzora Valley with both practical and emotional support. Finally €1,000 was donated to MACS (Mojacar Area Cancer Support) allowing them to make another small step towards their dream of building and operating a hospice for cancer sufferers somewhere within Almeria Province. In addition to the stalls that were present, entertainment was provided by the 89.8 SmoothFM family led by Jack Savage and Rod Oxley, and the very talented Emma Wild sang a wonderful selection of songs in two different spots. Food and drink was provided by the staff of the Hostel Meson. The event itself raised more than €620.
As FACE is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, it is attempting to have at least 10 fundraising events and it has set as a target for these events a total of raising €10,000 over the year, and that would really be a cause to celebrate. For further information about FACE and the work it undertakes, or if you are interested in joining this dedicated group of fundraisers, contact FACE by using the telephone number 634 306 727. FACE can also be contacted through its new account @FACECharity on Twitter, or on its web page at www.face-charity.com and also through its own Facebook Page.
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News
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Smelling of roses ONCE again the Rose Singers delighted audiences with their Harmony of Springtime concerts held on April 26 and 27 which coincided with the 15th anniversar y of the group’s debut concer t in 2003. A lively arrangement of Song of the Tritsch, Tratsch opened the proceedings, followed by a wonderfully varied selection of folk, spiritual, classic and traditional songs under the very capable direction of Alison Jackson. The Rose Singers’ accompanist, Barr y Jobling, played Mozart’s Rondo in F Major with great panache. The Comic Duet For Two Cats had the audiences laughing at the antics of our duo and a Rose Singer choir member, Ruth Johnson Wood, composed and read a very clever poem called The Tale of Two Kittens, which was ver y apt as the concerts were held in
BLOOMS WITH A VIEW: The Singers line up. suppor t of the Paws-Patas Cat Neutering Programme. These events are always in support of local charities and take several months of preparation. As you can imagine over the 15 years they have become more costly to stage, so if any group, company or individual feel they can offer their support by way of
sponsorship for the Rose Singers please contact the treasurer, Sue on 697 981 463. The Rose Singers next scheduled concerts will be held on November 6 and 10, so mark those calendars! Follow The Rose Singers on Facebook and stay tuned for locations of their concerts and the charities they will be supporting.
NEWS
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INTREPID: The Almanzora Group of Friends.
A sherry good time IN April 1587, a raid by the Englishman Francis Drake occupied Cadiz harbour for three days. He captured six ships and destroyed 31 others in an event which became known in England as ‘ The Singeing of the King of Spain’s Beard.’
The attack delayed the sailing of the Spanish Armada by a year. Over 530 years later in April 2018, Cadiz was again invaded by 52 intrepid British and Irish marauders from the Almanzora Group of Friends who set off from Albox for a five-day,
four-night visit to the city and sherry capital Jerez de la Frontera. This band of adventurers contributed to the local food and drink economy, and took several bottles of locally produced alcohol prisoner for consumption in the Almeria region.
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News
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Los Conteros support Poppy Appeal
Ed. 635
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LOS CONTEROS restaurant in Villaricos is organising a number of events for this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. And the first of these is a fish and chips dinner with fun quiz on Friday May 18. All profits go to the appeal. The restaurant has also offered to donate €2 for every Sunday lunch sold on May 20. RBL Spain Mojacar branch secretary Christine White thanked Chris, Lenka and staff at Los Conteros for their continued support.
ON A MISSION: Chris, Lenka and Ellie from Los Conteros, Mick Coote (president), Christine White (branch secretary) and Barbara Tapsell (social events secretary), RBL Spain Mojacar Branch.
4th - 10th May 2018
Weekender
Huercal Overa Feature Single savings Page 14
Pet sitting Page 23
Page 20 - 21
Fish chowder Page 18
Shogun review Page 31
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Weekender
Pause to examine our doubts IN case you hadn’t realised, we’re actually still within the season of Easter, which, for many, I appreciate can be one of the less credible of the Christian festivals. After all, Christmas, with the manger, the animals and the birth of a baby in such difficult circumstances, is so romantic. And the life, the work and the teachings of Jesus, with his emphasis on love, tolerance, forgiveness and reaching out to the poor and unloved, is quite brilliant - so ahead of his time. Whilst his uncomplaining acceptance of his cruel and untimely death is necessarily something from which we can all learn. But Easter, with its claim of resurrection, is something else - attributing superhuman powers to this carpenter, for many, is simply not credible. One person who shared this view, decided some years back to examine all available historical records and witness statements, using his skills as an investigative journalist to ‘demonstrate the fallacy of the
Feature
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‘myth’ of resurrection.’ As he examined the evidence however, Frank Morison found himself forced to conclude the resurrection of Jesus was an indisputable fact. There could, he stated in his book entitled ‘Who moved the Stone?’ be no other explanation for the utter transformation to the small band of followers, willing to face torture and death rather than question their certainty that Jesus had risen. And the very implausibility of the accounts of the risen Jesus suddenly appearing in locked rooms actually add credence, as those simple disciples could never have invented so fantastic a tale. So if we accept this, together with the assertion by the Historian, Thomas Arnold, that ‘Christ's resurrection from the dead is the best-attested fact in human history,’ then just what, I wonder, are the implications so far as we’re concerned? At least, I suggest, it should induce us to examine our doubts about these events.
Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida (further details available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
Rules #2
By Jos Biggs
DESPITE there being a ‘no animals in the bedroom’ rule I sleep with the bedroom door open, so that should Lucy need a ‘comfort break’ during the night I can hear her, and act before it is too late! She never trespasses, but the cats have no such qualms. Although they are models of good behaviour during the day the night is a different matter - I suppose they think that as I am asleep I’ll never know! To prevent the nightly feline invasion I have a wicker screen which I pull across the door way, allowing me to keep the door open without allowing ingress to the cats. This has worked ver y well, until Sayyida al Hurra, Queen of the Mediterranean, whose mental powers are on a level with Stephen
Hawking, had Stephen Hawking been a cat, worked out how to move the screen. Several times she has appeared in the bedroom, and I have politely requested her to leave. She does this unhurriedly, with dignity, and the comment that she was just going, anyway. Yesterday she remained calm and serene outside the screen. I slept uninterrupted, and when I awoke I stumbled to the loo, as is my wont. As I sat there I became aware that I was being watched - and there, on the corner of the bath, sat Si, regarding me calmly with regal citrus lemon eyes and a faint air of reproach. For all I know she could have been there all night!
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
FEATURE
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Advertising Feature
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If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 309 More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com
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Weekender
Lifestyle
4th - 10th May 2018
Savings for singles EVERYONE wants to save on their bills. There are a series of tips that can be followed to save, especially on electricity bills, yet these are usually aimed more at families than at people living alone. Single people or those who live alone often complain that special offers and services are aimed at big families and they are left out. Yet there are ways to save which they can still use to save some pennies and help the planet at the same time. Indirect, low energy lighting When it comes to lighting it doesn’t matter whether there are just one, two or six people in the room. To save on costs, lighting should be
Glad Rags
SAVE ENERGY AND SPACE: Could you downsize your fridge? indirect and low-energy bulbs used. Cook once and freeze By cooking larger batches just once large amounts of energy can be saved, as ovens and hobs tend to be some of the
most high-energy appliances in the home. Freezers also mean leftovers can be frozen for another day rather than thrown away. Smaller fridge Fridges are turned on
all day, every day so it’s important to think about how much space is really needed. For people living alone a smaller size is usually more than enough, and works out cheaper as they use less electricity. Share internet Telecom companies offer a wide range of tariffs, but the general rates are the same whether there are four people living in the house or just one. Sometimes agreements can be reached with friendly neighbours to share one internet line via WiFi and pay half each. Mobile phones New mobile tariffs now available mean many people now choose not to bother having a landline at all and opt for just a mobile, hence dropping one monthly bill. Think about offers Although buy one, get one free and similar offers often seem to be aimed at families, they can also be made the most of for things which won’t go off. Shampoo, canned, long-life goods, water, frozen food etc can be bought cheaper in this way.
Weekender
Property
4th - 10th May 2018
COMMIS SSIO
ONLY 1.5%
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Property reigns in Spain PROPERTY sales in Spain last year reached their highest level since the global financial crash of 2008. The total number topped 465,000, representing a 15 per cent increase on 2016 in what appears to be a positive outlook for the Spanish economy. Unlike GDP figures which are vulnerable to regular revisions, housing data acts as a leading indicator. Between 1996 and 2007, house prices rose by 197 per cent, but the ensuing period of 2007 to 2015 saw prices fall by nearly 42 per cent. Prior to the financial crisis, investment in Spain’s housing sector amounted to around 7.5 per cent of GDP, and the construction industry was a key source of employment. In fact, the performance of the nation’s housing market is even more impressive when compared with neighbouring countries. Between October and December 2017, Spain’s house prices were 7
CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK, KAPUSTIN IGOR
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PREMIUM PRICE: Spain’s housing market is going strong. per cent higher than those of the same period in 2016. Over the same three months, house prices actually contracted by 0.3 per cent in Italy, and were negligible in France, Cyprus and Malta. Moreover, the fact that the European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates low has reduced the cost of mortgages, while Spain’s unemployment figures are at a
INVESTORS are betting again on solar power generation in Spain, after a decade which saw the country cut subsidies for the clean, but expensive energy source. A plummet in the price of solar panels along with lower construction costs has changed the whole outlook, and new projects are building steam again. Spain’s largest energy company, Iberdrola, has launched a solar project with a capacity of 425 megawatts. Moreover, in a €400
nine-year low. An increasing number of mortgages are now based on fixed rates, making them less vulnerable to a shift in ECB monetary policy. While demand is forecast to be highest in Madrid and along the coastline, every one of Spain’s autonomous regions is expected to see the value of their housing markets increase in 2018.
Spanish solar use hots up million investment package renewable energy firm Cox Energy has also signed a deal for the construction of 495 megawatts of capacity in Spain, and another 165 megawatts in neighbouring Portugal. According to the solar power lobby group UNEF, companies across Spain
are seeking authorisation for projects worth a total of 24,000 megawatts. In context, that is the equivalent of the 14 state of the art nuclear power plants that France hopes to launch later this year after a decade of expensive construction. The global financial crisis led to a collapse of the property market which ravaged Spain, which in turn saw subsidies for new solar projects scrapped. However, with lower costs compared to coal, gas and nuclear, the country has seen a huge renaissance in the solar industry over the past six months.
Food & Drink
4th - 10th May 2018
LIGHT LUNCH: Serve with lots of fresh crusty bread.
Recipe THIS dish is something I only started making recently but has proved a popular hit for a light lunch with the family here at Olive Tree Farm. It’s a strange word of which the origins are a little obscure. It is suggested however, that it originates from the
O l i v e Tr e e F a r m was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultr y 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.
French word chaudiĂŠre, which means cauldron, and does make sense. With everything cooked
in one large saucepan and then served, it defiTurn to next page
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Food & Drink
4th - 10th May 2018
A tasty fish chowder From previous page nitely saves on the washing up and it is really easy to make!
Cod and Prawn Chowder Ingredients 500g cod (cut into 3/4 inch cubes) 150g small frozen peeled prawns (defrosted) 2 medium sweet white onions chopped 3 sticks celer y chopped (or the white of a leek) 3 smallish carrots, ver y thinly sliced (I use the slicer on my grater) 4 or 5 smallish pota-
toes peeled and chopped into 3/4 inch cubes 1.5 litres of fish stock (I use 3 fish stock cubes
for 1.5 litres) 3 bay leaves knob of butter 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper
Pinch of mixed dr y herbs 150 ml of single cream
chopped parsley for dressing (optional) Melt butter and add olive oil in a good sized saucepan and sweat down the onions and celer y (or leek if using that) - Use a low heat, you don’t want them to brown, just soften. When soft, add potatoes, carrots, bay leaves, stock, a sprinkle of mixed herbs and black freshly ground black pepper. Don’t add any salt at this stage, wait until the end. S i m m e r, l i d o n f o r about 30 - 40 mins until potatoes are soft. I used the pressure cooker for six minutes instead. Once the potatoes are nice and soft, crush a
few on the sides of the pan to help thicken the liquid a little. Add fish and prawns and simmer gently for about six minutes until the fish is cooked through, don’t stir it too much or the cod will break up. Remove from the heat, add the cream, stir through carefully and now taste to see if any salt needs to be added. Ser ve immediately with a sprinkle of chopped parsley on the top and lots of crusty bread. This makes six to eight ser vings, so cool it quickly and keep covered in the fridge - Use within two days.
Magic mushrooms NO, not the hallucinogenic variety, but you really can work magic in the kitchen by growing your very own mushrooms, and adding a nutrient packed, fat-free addition to your culinary repertoire and gardening skills. Distinct from the plant kingdom, mushrooms grow from spores, not seeds, and don’t require sunlight to thrive. In fact it’s quite the opposite, mushrooms grow best in dark, cool and moist conditions, with some species preferring humidity too. The best locations in the home are in the basement or even underneath the kitchen sink, while for those seeking a challenge, many species can be grown outside on the underside of a log. If you are growing inside, you can buy pre-packaged mushroom kits that come with a growing medium and spawn, this is a good way to kick out your mushroom
MUSHROOMS: Grown your own. PHOTO BY "LEIF K BROOKS, WIKIPEDIA PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS".
adventure before moving onto growing without a kit and entering the kaleidoscopic world of substrates and sawdust. There are many varieties of mushroom you can grow, with each adding a different international flair to your cuisine. An added bonus is that, unlike picking them wild, you can be sure you haven’t accidently plucked a poisonous one. Popular and easy to grow mushrooms include Enoki, Portobello, Oyster, Shiitake, Maitake, and steadfast button mushrooms. Each will require a different growing process, but the results are certainly worth it.
Health & beauty
4th - 10th May 2018
Top tips to help you lose weight IT is never too late to embark on a healthier eating plan and try and lose a bit of weight. Weight loss can be a minefield with a host of diet plans, tips and advice and different things working for different people, but there are some simple tips you can do to trim down: Keep a food diary Keep a diary or use a food app to work out your daily calorie intake as many people are in denial at how much they actually eat. By seeing in black and white what you eat, including the odd snack and nibble from the children’s plates, it can make cutting back easier, but this only works if you are honest with yourself. Make small changes By implementing a few small changes you can soon see big differ-
ences without feeling too much like you are missing out. These are also more likely to be sustainable in the long term to help keep weight off, so try switching to low fat dairy, swap meat for lean protein such as turkey or tofu and keep sweets to a minimum. Cook from scratch It doesn’t have to be a gourmet delight or something overly complicated, but by avoiding pre-packaged foods and readymade sauces it can cut out calories. Try grilling meat and fish and fill up on stir-fried vegetables, salad and complex carbohydrate such as quinoa, brown rice or sweet potato. Watch the alcohol Many people forget the alcohol but the average glass of wine (175ml) contains 130 calories and a pint of beer around 215 calories
to your daily intake. Avoid skipping meals Many people mistakenly think that by cutting out meals it cuts the calories, but it will lead to low sugar levels and cravings which often lead to you grabbing an unhealthy snack to beat the hunger pangs. Ditch the sugar and white carbohydrates Foods high in sugar can cause spikes in insulin levels and blood sugar ‘crashes’ that may encourage hunger pangs, cravings and fat storage if eaten in excess. Check food labels and look out for hidden sugars that appear under other names such as corn sugar, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, agave syrup, molasses or sucrose. Reduce your intake gradually to make it easier and more long lasting.
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Huercal-Overa Feature
4th - 10th May 2018
Historical Hu THE market town of HuercalOvera sits in the north east of Almeria on the border with Murcia. Little-known to outsiders, the town boasts low prices, two bustling weekly markets and a unique history, making it a gem for those in search of historical Spain. It lies alongside the Almanzora river meaning its soils are fertile and vegetation lush, but surrounding hills are arid and more like Arizona than Mediterranean. The town dates back to AlAndalus period and gained its name after Overa was annexed to Huercal after the War of the Alpujarras (15681570) and the expulsion of the Moors. The Arabic castles of Huercal and Santa Barbara formed
part of the defences of the Kingdom of Granada and still remain for revellers to visit. Notable travellers to pass by the town include the Phoenicians and Greeks, and more recently Gerald Brenan, Virginia Wolf and Juan Goytisolo. The town grew to its current population size in the late 19th century but it was hit hard during the Spanish Civil War. Trenches can still be seen in the areas surrounding the village. Architecture lovers will be impressed by its Nuestra SeĂąora de la AsunciĂłn church, founded in 1505. And the Jesus de Nazaret chapel built in 1749 is home to a beautiful statue of Jesus. Its markets are a must and runs every Monday and Thursdays offering a range of
unusual local fruit and vegetables providing exciting ideas for creative cookery. Festivals are a-plenty in the
Huercal-Overa Feature
4th - 10th May 2018
uercal-Overa town which hosts its main feria on the middle weekend of October showcasing a huge food, drink and dance fair
alongside special extras like bullfighting. But many
of its residents are drawn there by its hospital, repeatedly voted one of the best in Spain and Europe.
TRAVELLER’S GEM: Iglesia (church) de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in the centre of the town. CREDITS: WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
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Leisure
4th - 10th May 2018
Film & TV Guide
OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
CAR SHARE: Set to be improvised.
Peter Kay reveals why one of Car Share’s big comeback episodes is totally unscripted Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
ALL of the LOLs you get from one of two upcoming Peter Kay’s Car Share episodes are going to be especially well-deserved for a special reason. Peter Kay is bringing back his musical comedy series for a two-part BBC One finale this spring, one episode of which is going to be totally improvised -
meaning there will be absolutely no script. Both Peter and his costar Sian Gibson recently chatted with the BBC about the potentially risky decision to film an entire episode with no pre-written storyline, and certainly made it sound like Car Share Unscripted was a blast to make. “I think it’s always good to try and do something original and I couldn’t think of any other narrative comedies that have ever made a fully improvised episode,” he said. “As Sian and myself often ad lib when filming, we thought we’d give it a go for an entire episode.”
The comedian added: “We were always very fond of ad libbing around the script when we were filming the series, so we decided to see what would happen if we took the script away and just relied on just our chemistry alone, reacting to whatever came on the radio.” The only downside to going unscripted is that Peter and Sian couldn’t help but crack each other up on the regular, while filming the episode. “We were always laughing, and nearly all of the laughter you see in Car Share is completely genuine,” Sian said.
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@europadigital.com. I look forward 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 the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.
Bake Off: The Professionals Bake Off: The Professionals Channel 4, 9pm Sunday
THIS new spin-off show replaces the B B C ’s B a k e O f f : Creme de la Creme, and will see 12 professional baking duos compete against each other to show viewers what they are made of. Hosted by former Great British Bake Off contestant Liam Charles and comedian Tom Allen, the 10-episode series will be judged by Cherish Finden, multi-award winning Executive Pastry Chef at The Langham, London, and Benoit Blin, Chef Patissier at O x f o r d s h i r e ’s B e l m o n d L e Manoir aux Quat¡Saisons where he has worked alongside Raymond Blanc for 20 years. The first show will see the teams craft two batches of uniform miniature classics 24 conversations and 24 tartes aux fruits - in just three and a half hours. This will be followed by the Showpiece, a reinvention of the Black Forest
PHOTO CREDIT CHANNEL 4
PHOTO CREDIT BBC
NEW SERIES
SOGGY BOTTOM CREW: From left, Benoit Blin, Tom Allen, Liam Charles and Cherish Finden. gateau, which must be done and dusted within five hours. Contestants include Theo and Hideko from London dessert brand Sweet Art Lab, Chris and Bjarni from the Warren eater y in Kent, Michael and Rebekah from St David’s Hotel in Cardiff, Darr yl and Bharat from Resorts World in Birmingham, Marta and Julie from Loughb o r o u g h ’s B o m B o m P a t i s serie and Emmanuel and Sam from The Hilton Hotel on London’s Park Lane.
PETS
4th - 10th May 2018
Pets for children TA K I N G c a r e o f a p e t can be a positive experience for children that instils a sense of responsibility, whilst providing companionship, fun, and the chance to learn. By choosing the right pet for a child you can bring them years of happiness and help them learn the skills, emotions, and thought that will help them grow into mature teenagers or adults. Keeping a pet can be quite a serious business, however, which involves financial commitment, living space and safety concerns. Keep your choice basic for children getting their first pet with one of the following ideas. Fish are a terrific choice, as long as you’ve a sturdy bowl or tank that is spill proof. Taking care of one, or a few, will teach a child about feeding times, tank cleaning, as well as all the natural things they’ll pick up about fish and their under water lives. Goldfish are actually quite difficult to raise without a rather complex array of filters and chemicals, as well as other fish for company. Betta fish, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, are a better choice as they thrive in isolation and can adapt well
to lower quality conditions. Small mammals, such as hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs, are also a fine choice for younger children. They require relatively little living space and are quite independent creatures, taking care of themselves through selffeeding mechanism and exercise routines. Hamsters prefer the solitary life, but gerbils and guineas are best in young same-sex pairs as they enjoy company. Children should lear n how to take care of their furr y friends gently to avoid small bites and will understand how to handle something much smaller and more fragile than themselves. For slightly older children, cats can also be an excellent addition to the family. They require much less space than dogs, are notoriously independent and will provide a generous share of entertainment for the children with adorable antics and mysterious ways. Of course under threat, cats can be quite aggressive, but this can be mitigated by selecting a friendlier breed. The Abyssinian, American shorthair, Burmese, and Birman breeds are all fairly easy going, sociable and per fect for the children.
Weekender 23
Wild things
PLAYFUL: Ferrets are active and inquisitive. FERRETS are full of fun and inquisitiveness, and, as pets, they have an amazing capacity for learning so give them plenty of things to climb on, play with and explore. Give your ferret cardboard rolls and boxes and suitable small pets toys, such as ramps and cloth tunnels. Drainpipes are ideal for playing in and running through. Contrary to old wives tales, Ferrets are actually quite intelligent animals, and with patience, can be trained to do quite a few tricks
and tasks. Persistence, affection, praise and treats are required from your end and in no time you will have your little friend performing all kinds of neat tricks! Using different toys and reconstructing their play area and tubes on a regular basis, helps keep life interesting for them and also gives you a chance to clean their habitat. Being very energetic creatures, there comes a time when they need a lie down and they like
nothing better than a hammock. These hammocks are available from pet shops and pet supermarkets. There is nothing they like more than to hunt out their food. Create a fun food treasure hunt by Scattering some feed around the cage and hide some in tubes so that they can... erm!... ferret it out. Do ferrets need a bath? Yes, give them access to a bath of fresh water at room temperature once a week.
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Weekender
Puzzles
4th - 10th May 2018
Wordsearch Kitchen Utensils
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:
LADLE PIZZA CUTTER TONGS SPATULA MIXER
CLEAVER BLENDER MASHER BOTTLE OPENER THERMOMETER
SCISSORS WHISK CHOPPER GRATER BEATER
Quick
Across 1 Cutting (5) 4 Like better (6) 9 Stop holding on to (7) 10 Neck wrap (5) 11 Information about recent and important events (4) 12 Dash together (7) 13 Feline (3) 14 American tramp (4) 16 Any long and difficult trip (4) 18 Falsehood (3) 20 Brief look (7) 21 Small island (4) 24 On your own (5) 25 Outside or upper layer (7) 26 Makes up for (6)
27 Fraudulent (5) Down 1 At peace (6) 2 Permit (5) 3 Highest point (4) 5 Determined (8) 6 Easily broken, damaged or destroyed (7) 7 Automatic response (6) 8 Respond to (5) 13 Having all necessary qualities (8) 15 Lengthy South American river (7) 17 Large American lizard (6) 18 Smallest in amount (5) 19 Defies authority (6) 22 Informal language (5) 23 Informal term for a meal (4)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Average: 16
• Very good: 32
• Good: 22
• Excellent: 41
anew anele anal happy hyena hyaena heap hear heart hearty heal healer healers healed herald hetero aper earn earl erne erred errs elan elder elders ayah area arena arty arrow alder alders alert alter altern alto altered alters alley alar allay eterne eternal dale dele delay dell derro
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 Fish left around here in France, more for Will (7) 5 Amazing girl? (5) 8 Mabel arranged a leisurely walk (5) 9 Difficulty returning cover to Jane Austen book (7) 10 I’m sure ten became insurgents (9) 12 Film location in middle of Ossetia (3) 13 Remained sober, so we hear (6) 14 Characters of Rebecca in America turn into a mad person (6) 17 A parliamentarian has power (3) 18 It's very common to stop framing Capone (9) 20 Long article on measure of rope (7) 21 Crowd in hydro-vehicle (5) 23 Temporary police force that left posthaste (5)
24 Indicated a negative time in legal document (7) Down 1 Allegation about mail dispute (5) 2 Spot the bad back (3) 3 Absolve church holding lists (7) 4 Women with many strange ideas (6) 5 A leg's easily broken in such winds (5) 6 It’s a crime to ruin the peace agreement (9) 7 ‘Stretchy’, the Spanish cat, is hiding (7) 11 Netting the head of state’s paraphernalia (9) 13 All cops cook this seafood delicacy (7) 15 A pop group on leave (7) 16 Looked after dented fiddle (6) 18 The spot to find fish, one hears (5) 19 Walk on part in first reading (5) 22 Not at home in the youth centre (3)
Puzzles
4th - 10th May 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT 1. In which decade was the BBC children’s television series Play School first broadcast? 2. In which European capital city is the renowned Spanish Riding School located? 3. School’s Out in 1972 was which American singer’s only UK number one hit single? 4. Someone described as an Old Wykehamist would have attended which British public school? 5. What is the name of the fictional British school of magic for students aged 11 to 18 that is the primary setting for the first six books in J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series? 6. Which 1978 American musical romantic comedy film was principally set in Rydell High School?
7. Which British artist and satirical cartoonist is best remembered as the creator of St Trinian’s School? 8. Which English educator and historian was the headmaster of Rugby School from 1828 to 1841? 9. Which fictional schoolboy was created by Charles Hamilton using the pen name Frank Richards? 10. Who wrote the play The School for Scandal first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre in May 1777? Not a lot of people know that… in 2011, the Ministry of Education of Armenia made chess part of the primary school curriculum along with such standards as math and history for children over the age of six.
Kakuro
Answers 1. 1960s (April 21, 1964), 2. VIENNA, 3. ALICE COOPER, 4. WINCHESTER COLLEGE, 5. HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY (shortened HOGWARTS), 6. GREASE, 7. RONALD SEARLE, 8. THOMAS ARNOLD, 9. BILLY BUNTER (William George Bunter), 10. RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN
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
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Weekender
Feature
4th - 10th May 2018
What could possibly go wrong? by Sandy Shore AS it was a business trip I had no one to think about but me. So into my one modest travel bag went everything I would need for a fortnight in the Baltic States. A change of clothes would be needed, bathroom essentials, several pairs of smalls and my laptop. Hunky-dory, nothing did go wrong during the 14 days I was away and mission accomplished. Somewhere between then and now I married a very beautiful and talented woman who has an eye for detail. What could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty actually. Needing a break from routine we decided on a one-day excursion by car. Our destination in Spain was hardly the far ends of the earth. I guessed it would take us two or three hours of meandering lanes if we avoided the toll roads. Adamant that the packing was her responsibility it seemed pointless to put my oar in; leave it to her. Epic fail, everything
PACKING: Easier when single? went wrong. It did so after I made myself scarce and retreated to my keyboard sanctuary. A couple of hours later the thought crossed my mind to see how ‘her indoors’ was doing. This is the bit when in deepest despair you take a seat on the settee and
cradle your head in your hands. Sat amidst one stuffed suitcase, several overpacked overnight bags and a couple of Mercadona shopping bags I contemplated my awry fate. “You’ll need something to carry your laptop in,” my wife brightly reminded me as she looked around to see if there was any-
thing she might have forgotten. Wretchedly, I wished fervently that the one thing she would forget and leave behind was her hapless and very bewildered husband. I was in no doubt that the kitchen sink and I would be perfectly happy during her 36 hours absence. A voice in my head whispered, ‘cheer up, things could get worse,’ so I cheered up and sure enough things did get worse. “Whilst I apply my make-up perhaps you could put our hand luggage in the car, dear,” she smiled. Opting for the lazy man’s load I picked up the bags until the earth swallowed me to my ankles. With my jaw set I then wobbled like a packhorse to where I had left my car. “Off on holiday,” a neighbour breezily called out. “How long are you going for?” “We are going for a day, dear.” Our friend nodded understandingly as she murmured something about we’ve all been there. I resisted the temptation to reply, ‘why bother to return.’
Behind THE MUSIC Can music help save the world? By V L James vljamesinfo@gmail.com Facebook: @vljamesinfo MUSICIANS raising environmental issues is nothing new. In 1970 Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi was an example of a tune containing strong messages about man’s interference on the environment. Hawaii-born singer, songwriter and surfer, Jack Johnson, is a well-known campaigner when it comes to protecting the environment and particularly the world’s oceans. Michael Jackson’s Earth Song was a powerful message-laden pop epic. Artists have to be careful not to be too preachy as this can sometimes alienate their audience. It is even worse if they don’t practice what they preach. In 1993, Jamiroquai released their debut album
Emergency On Planet Earth, a classic funk and acid jazz record full of environmental messages. However, according to some critics, Jay Kay somewhat blew his environmental credentials when he went on to own over 70 high performance super cars! June 8 is World Oceans Day and to raise awareness, Coastal Cleaners Anadalucia are holding a Fun Beach Day at Las Brisas, Villaricos.
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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
Classifieds
4th - 10th May 2018
be taken by George Lawson (UK Medium). The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 8th May, will also be taken by George Lawson. The Divine Service on Sunday, 13th May will be taken by Jackie Kershaw (UK Medium). Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiri tualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@g mail.com or info@spiri tualistcentrebenijofar.com Identific acion Fiscal G54713789.
FOR SALE
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)
INSURANCE
13 PIECE dining suite. Solid Oak unmarked as new. 1150€ ovno. Tel: 678 289 194 (276771)
DRAINAGE 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 Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship on Sunday 6th May will
BUSINESS FOR SALE
ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399
CHURCH SERVICES
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@euroweeklyn ews.com for more details.
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)
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 ARE YOU selfmotivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesal es candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowee klynews.com.
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 (276705)
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Here!!
PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (257799)
Next Week DRAINAGE
Services
4th - 10th May 2018
BUILDERS
BABY EQUIPMENT HIRE
REMOVALS & STORAGE
DRAINS
REMOVALS/STORAGE
SERVICES
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Sport
4th - 10th May 2018
Aguilon Golf update THE ‘winter Eclectic’ competition, in which a player’s best points score on each hole over a six-month period is aggregated, has concluded. And some ver y high scores were returned. The top three were: 1st Dave Wilson 64 pts 2nd Jim Laing 62 pts 3rd Lynne Whibley 62 pts
Wednesday April 25 Another day when the competition was cancelled, this time due to persistent rain. Friday April 27 - Individual Stableford Carried over from Wednesday, the competition was played in warm and sunny conditions with no wind, much to the enjoyment of the players most of whom returned good scores. 1st Kevin Manser 40 pts 2nd Ellen Lea 38 pts on a card play off 3rd Derek Manning 38 pts Tw o ’s : D e r e k M a n n i n g , R a b b e Thun 3rd, Dave Sharp 8th, Dave Wilson 12th, Wendy Greaves, Colin Waters 14th, Phil Miles, Les Raufer 17th.
Wednesday April 18 - Individual Stableford There were no weather worries as the players made the most of calm sunny conditions, and there was another handicap cut for the prolific winner. 1st Lynne Whibley 39 pts 2nd Glyn Ombler 37 pts 3rd Jim Laing 36 pts Tw o ’s : To n y P h i l l i p s 3 r d , K e v i n Manser 8th, Roy Lewis 12th AHEAD OF THE PACK: Eclectic winner Dave Wilson with his plaque.
SEVEN-TIME champion Serena Williams could still be given the number one seed at Wimbledon this year, even if she does not climb back into the world’s top 32 before the tournament. Williams, 36, has slumped to 449th in the world since giving birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr last year, having only played two tournaments in that time. She strongly believes that players returning from pregnancy should have both protected seedings and rankings. Richard Lewis, Chief Executive of the All England Club said that he thought it was ‘unlikely’ that Williams
would be awarded a seeding if she was ranked outside the 32 before the tournament, which starts on July 2. However, having contacted the Women’s Tennis Association to check on its rules, the club later issued a statement clarifying that it did have the option of seeding a player, regardless of their ranking. As Wimbledon is a grand-slam tournament, it follows different guidelines to SERENA: Seven-time champion.
regular WTA events, and a decision on the matter will be made on June 26. Despite the possibility for Williams, Britain’s two-time men’s champion Andy Murray will not be seeded if he is not in the top 32 when Wimbledon rolls round.
Waiting in the wings FORMULA 1 has announced new regulations which will be brought in from next season, designed to make overtaking easier. A period of extensive research has led to a modified front wing that will be wider and deeper, benefiting cars behind who are looking to get past. Drivers have often complained about how difficult it is to overtake since the introduction of alterations in 2017, aimed at making the cars faster. One of the biggest problems has been the front wings, which do not allow drivers to get close enough to the car in front to be able to overtake. The front wings create what is known as an ‘outwash’ effect, where the air is pushed around the out-
CREDIT: TWITTER
Serena Williams could bounce back as top seed
For further information log on to the website www.aguilonmember sclub.com.
WINGING IT: The aerodynamic changes will promote closer racing and more overtaking next season. side of the leading tyres to increase downforce. However, this air then hits the car behind, reducing its downforce and leaving the driver with less grip and speed going through corners. As a result, front wings will be simplified and given a larger span, while another design change will see winglets removed from the front brake duct. The research was done
as part of the plans for major regulation changes due to come in for the 2021 season, and it was decided that some of these could be brought forward to improve racing. Proposals were presented to all 10 teams at the Bahrain Grand Prix last month by the FIA, and were ratified on Tuesday by the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council.
Motoring By Tim Saunders WHEN travelling with three young children and lots of luggage a large vehicle is an absolute necessity. The heavy duty long wheelbase Mitsubishi Shogun is well suited to such a challenge. This well-built beast has plenty of space and will put up with pretty much anything thrown at it. And that includes little Henry Saunders (21mths) insisting on pretending to drive it every time we park. We all like the third row of seats tucked away in the floor of the boot; great for additional passengers or a change of scene for the children. To put it through its paces we drive to Ringwood, the Isle of Wight and London. For all of these journeys we take in the usual dull A-roads and motorways where it cruises happily at 70mph. At Ringwood we visit a farm and this allows us to experience the Shogun’s abilities on farmland. It easily tackles slippery surfaces, mud and gravel. Ruts and speed bumps see the occupants bouncing all over the place at speed due to the hard suspension. “It’s struggling; it seems to be in the wrong gear,” says Caroline when the Shogun is faced with really steep inclines on the Isle of Wight. I disagree because we are travelling at 30mph and it is an automatic so the choice of gear is not my fault. It quickly becomes clear though that at low speed there is a noticeable vibration from the 3.2litre diesel unit, throughout the entire cabin as well as that chugging sound associ-
4th - 10th May 2018
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SOL TIMES TEST DRIVE: Mitsubishi Shogun Facts at a glance: Shogun LWB 3.2 DI-DC SG3 A/T Price: £35,000 approx 0-60mph: 11.1secs Top speed: 111mph Economy: 25mpg ap prox Power: 197bhp Ground clearance: 220mm Max wading depth: 700mm Watch the videos at www.testdrives.biz ated with diesels of the past. At faster speeds it is quieter. I’ve known the Shogun since I was a lad. The father of a friend of mine owned a short wheel base version and my friend (aged 11) was allowed to drive it across their land. What I do notice is that there is very little change in the Shogun, for which I take my hat off to Mitsubishi. Much like the Land Rover Defender didn’t change externally in its lifetime, neither it seems has the Shogun, apart from of course all the technology inside. Today’s Shogun is fitted with everything from a sat nav (the most complicated I have come across and I can’t operate it), a reversing camera, air bags, air conditioning, as well as power folding wing mirrors.
PRACTICAL: The Mitsubishi Shogun. The automatic gearbox makes for lazy driving and my only complaint is when I rest my right arm on the door, over a period, it aches due to a lack of padding. I like the large glass electric tilt/slide sunroof and the high up driving position provides a good view of the road
ahead allowing passengers to see things they wouldn’t usually such as views into people’s gardens and houses. The times I have heard Caroline, particularly, say: “I didn’t know that was there.” The rear seats allow for different set ups. So for instance if there are three pas-
sengers one might choose to sit on the middle seat and then the rest of the seats can be folded away and pushed forward. The other two passengers can sit on the third row of seats unfolded from the boot floor. Access is gained either by climbing through the space left by the
folded seats or the remaining seat can be lifted forward. It’s all quite user-friendly. The children love it. They like the pop out rear windows, too. The rear door complete with spare tyre providing access to the vast boot space is extremely heavy. This fact is emphasised when we park on a hill at Mottistone Gardens on the Isle of Wight. I get out and open the rear door without supporting it. There is a great creak that reverberates throughout the whole vehicle. From then on I support it when opening it. Overall, this is a great family friendly and versatile vehicle for those rugged travellers trekking the countryside. Life is all about priorities and compromises and the Shogun’s strength is in its vast capabilities. When wading through 700mm of water or trekking across a muddy field fuel economy is not at the top of your priorities. It is survival.