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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Moroccan police foil Melilla mass emigration attempt

Authorities in Morocco successfully foiled

a

mass

emigration

attempt,

preventing hundreds of Sub-saharan would-be emigrants climbing the border fence in Melilla to get into Spanish territory. In the end, not a single Subsaharan made it over.

According to a Government statement, the group was made up of around 200 would-be emigrants, not 300 as originally

reported.

The group advanced on the border fence around 11.45am close to the Río de Oro area, although not a single person managed to reach the fence itself.

The Moroccan authorities managed to control the group and force the wouldbe emigrants back, and neither the Spanish police nor the armed forces had to intervene.

Nevertheless, the Guardia Civil, having

seen the massive crowd of would-be emigrants on the other side of the fence, had already set up an extra security zone around the frontier as a preventative measure, deploying officers from the National Police and Local Police forces.

Spanish authorities are on maximum alert in the face of possible renewed attempts to stage a mass assault on the border fence.

Eurozone woes take a chunk out of Vodafone business in Spain and Italy Vodafone has announced a six-month loss after taking a hit to its mobile phone business in the troubled eurozone economies of Italy and Spain.

The phone giant was forced to write down the value of its operations in the two struggling countries by nearly £6billion.

It has also seen business drop in the competitive UK market, as rivals fight to win customers with new unlimited tariffs.

Revenues in the UK were down by 2.1 per cent and underlying profits fell by nearly a third as the higher cost of retaining smartphone customers hit home as well.

Across the group, half-year revenues were down 7.9 per cent - driven by an 18 per cent slump in southern Europe - and bottom-line losses were £492million against pre-tax profits of £8billion a year ago.

Vodafone shares were down 5 per cent or 7.62p at 158.98p in late morning trading.

This was despite the company announcing a £2.4billion

dividend from its share of US joint venture Verizon Wireless.

Some £1.5billion of the dividend will be returned to shareholders.

Chief executive Vittorio Colao said: ‘Overall performance in our controlled operations in the first half of the 2013 financial year has been slightly below our expectations, mainly as a result of a further weakening in the macroeconomic environment.

‘However, this has been offset by a very strong performance by VZW [Verizon Wireless]. We expect the environment to be similar in the second half of the 2013 financial year.’

Income shares watch: Vodafone increased its half-year dividend by 7.2 per cent to 3.27p. It said a £2.4billion dividend was due from Verizon Wireless by the end of 2012, and a £1.5billion buyback would start after it was received. The shares yield 5.68 per cent.

Article courtesy of www.thisismoney.co.uk

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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Hallowe’en Tragedy: Police Put Attendance at 23,000

According to inital police investigations, 19,900 tickets were sold for the illfated Hallowe’en Party at the Madrid Arena, and a further 3,000 people were allowed in without a ticket.

The initial police report, now in the hands of the judge handling the case, Eduardo López Palop, concludes that there were 23,000 people at the fiesta, when the official capacity for the venue is 10,500. The organisers claimed that they had only sold 9,600 tickets.

The fact that there were too many people at the fiesta in the Madrid Arena has, from the beginning, been the principal hypothesis in explaining the tragedy that left four young girls dead, one of them a minor. The police investigation, however, has converted this hypothesis into fact: “19,900 were sold” for the tragic fiesta, and initial calculations suggest that a further “3,000 people were allowed into the event free of charge by security staff working inside the venue”, said police sources.

Police estimate that on Hallowe’en there were almost 23,000 people inside the Madrid Arena, more than three times the number (7,000) the organisers, Diviertt, told Madrid City Council would be at the event, and double the number of tickets the company admitted to selling, 9,600.

Moreover, it appears that this was not just a one-off occurrence. “It’s common practice. Tickets are often sold on the black market. They have the same numbering as the originals, but with a

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IAG (Iberia) consider takeover bid for Vueling

mark on them, that’s how they went over the official capacity”, explained one of the security men on duty that evening.

This form of ticketing is very lucrative, because it allows the organisers to avoid taxes and royalty payments to the music industry controlling body SGAE. In fact, the SGAE has confirmed that it has four pending lawsuits against Miguel Ángel Flores (chief executive of Diviertt) for unpaid royalties: “It’s not the first time they’ve done this”, said a spokesperson for the SGAE. The IU party also denounced the Ayuntamiento de Madrid and Madrid Espacios y Congresos (the public company belonging to the city council and owner of the Madrid Arena), saying that Diviertt should never have been contracted. According to internal rules in public companies, any company contracted by them must be up to date with their taxes, and yet their are 45 separate notifications of non-payment against Diviertt (most with Social Security) and six embargos, totalling 216,033 euros.

Many event promoters and PR companies have expressed their surprise that Madrid City Council was working with Flores, saying that he is well known in the city for his underhand dealings.

“Years ago,” one of them told reporters, “we organised some sessions in one of his venues and he lied to us about the number of tickets sold. He sold many more than he admitted to, but when we asked for our cut, he refused to give it to us.”

The International Airlines Group (IAG) - which was formed by the merger of Spain’s Iberia and British Airways - said on Wednesday it was studying the possibility of launching a full takeover bid of Spanish low-cost airline Vueling.

In a statement to the Spanish stock market regulator, IAG said it has not yet discussed specific terms or price of a possible deal, but that the topic was on the agenda for Thursday’s board meeting.

ENGLISH & SPANISH SPEAKING

The Maritime Rescue Services have rescued 17 emigrants from two inflatable boats found adrift in the Straits of Gibraltar last Tuesday.

The occupants were trying to cross the straits from Northern Africa to the Spanish mainland.

In both cases, the alarm was raised by people in the boats themselves, who were calling for help from their mobile ‘phones because they were lost.

Rescuers found one boat seven nautical miles south east of Tarifa, with seven men, two women and baby on board, all from subsaharan Africa.

The second boat had subsaharan men on board, one of whom could be a minor.

All of them have been taken to the port of Tarifa and, in generalm they are in good health although some are showing symptoms of hypothermia.

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Since the Civil Code was amended in July 2005 and up to and including last year, a total of 22,124 same-sex marriages have taken place in Spain, of which 897 have ended in divorce or separation, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The number of gay marriages has remained more or less constant, with between 3,000 and 4,000 per year being celebrated.

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With eight votes in favour and three against, the law that allows marriage between people of the same sex was pronounced constitutional this afternoon.

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“No decision about whether an takeover bid will be launched has been taken as yet, and therefore, obviously, there has been no talk about terms of the deal, nor, in particular, about the price”, the company said in its press statement.

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Iberia to cut 4,500 jobs Iberia has announced that it will be cutting 4,500 job, almost a quarter of its 20,000 strong workforce, as part of a restructuring plan, which includes permanent structural changes in all areas of the business, with the aim of shaking off its losses and returning to profitability.

The plan was announced just a day after IAG launched its 113.4 million euro takeover bid for Vueling, in an attempt to get the remaining 54.5% of the capital of the company led

by Josep Piqué that is not already controlled by Iberia.

International Airlines Group (IAG), formed by the merger of Iberia and British Airways (BA), announced that it lost 39 million euros in the first nine months of 2012, having made a profit of 338 million during the same period the previous year, owing, amongst other things, to Iberia’s weakened position.

In a statement to the Spanish stock market regulator (CNMV), IAG’s Chief Executive Officer, Willie Walsh, emphasised that although the group’s results had regressed to 2011 levels, “there is still a considerable difference between British Airways’ results and those of Iberia”.

New 5 euro note to be introduced next May

The president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mario Draghi, announced today that a new 5 euro note is to be introduced in May 2013. Other denominations will follow afterwards.

The new notes, which will be introduced gradually, will have three security features: a watermark with a portrait, a hologram with a portrait and an emerald green number.

“The new series, called Europa, features a portrait of Europa - a figure from Greek mythology after whom the continent was named - in the watermark and in the hologram,” explained the ECB in a statement.

“The new notes will be introduced gradually across a number of years, starting with the 5 euro note in May 2013”, the statement continued.

The Europa series benefits from numerous advances made in banknote technology since the introduction of the initial series over ten years ago.

The new notes will have the same denominations as before -5 euros, 10 euros, 20 euros, 50 euros, 100 euros, 200 euros y 500 euros - and the same main colours, but with the new features and will be “easy to distinguish from the old ones”.

The original series and the new series will be in circulation at the same time, with the old notes being removed gradually from circulation, and, after a time, ceasing to be legal tender. “The date when the old notes will no longer be legal tender will be announced in plenty of time,” said the ECB. Nevertheless, the original notes will maintain their value indefinitely and people will be able to change them at national central banks across the eurozone indefinitely.

The definitive design for the new 5 euro note will be revealed on January 10th 2013 and banks will start to circulate them in May next year

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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

5

legality of Spanish repossession laws questioned

Juliane Kokott, the Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) has ruled that the Spanish law that allows mortgage defaulters to be evicted from their homes goes against EU law. The law does not guarantee effective protection for consumers in the face of possible abusive clauses in mortgage agreements, she concluded.

Her ruling is not legally binding, but the Court tends to follow her recommendations in 80% of cases. Kokott was responding specifically to a question raised by the commercial court in Barcelona, which has to rule on a case brought by a private citizen against the CatalunyaCaixa savings bank, which forced their eviction in January 2011 for non-payment of the mortgage.

The citizen in question believes one of the clauses in the mortgage contract to be null and void, and consequently requests the annulment of the judicial ruling that left them homeless.

Kokott made it clear in her conclusions that there was no

unifying EU law on forced eviction, but that each member state had the right to establish its own processes. She did, however, underline that these processes could not violate consumers’ rights protected by EU law, which the abusive clause in question does.

“The Spanish regulatory process is incompatible with EU law, since it impinges upon the effectiveness of the protection which this aims to achieve”.

“It does not constitute effective protection aginst abusive clauses in a contract, as a result of which the consumer becomes powerless to prevent his eviction and the consequent forced sale of the property and the loss of his home, and only after the event can bring an action for damages,” said Kokott.

EU law demands the opposite: “The consumer has an effective legal means to demonstrate the abusive character of his loan agreement, thanks to which he can get the eviction delayed”.

Spanish unions call general strike for November 14

Spain’s main trade unions on Friday called a general strike for Nov. 14, coinciding with similar demonstrations in Portugal and Greece, to protest government-imposed austerity measures and labor reforms.

The Workers’ Commissions and General Workers’ unions called the general strike — the second to be held in Spain this year. A partially successful stoppage was held March 29.

Fernando Lezcano, the spokesman for the Workers’ Commissions, said it would be the first ever joint general strike in Iberian neighbors Spain and Portugal.

The General Workers’ union in a statement said the strike was called to press for a change in government policy because “cuts are strangling the economy and dismantling our social model.”

Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said the strike would do nothing to lower unemployment, which she said was Spain’s biggest problem.

“This strike does not help either workers or the unemployed,” she said. “We do not believe the best

way to create jobs is to invite people not to work.”

Spain is in its second recession in three years and has near 25 percent unemployment. The tax hikes, spending cuts and labor reforms are aimed at convincing investors and international authorities the country can manage its finances without a need for a full-blown bailout.

Spain’s public finances have been overwhelmed by the cost of rescuing some of its banks and regional governments, many of which have suffered heavy losses in Spain’s property sector crash in 2008.

On Friday, the Balearic islands became the seventh of the country’s 17 regions to announce it will ask for help. It will request €355 million ($462.7 million) from the central government’s €18 billion ($23.5 billion) rescue fund for the regions.

Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona, has asked for €5 billion, Andalusia, €4.9 billion, Valencia, €4.5 billion, Castilla-La Mancha €848 million, the Canary Islands €756 million and Murcia €641 million.

Article courtesy of www.finance.yahoo.com

6

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Banks agree to two-year Spain set to lose EU grants moratorium on evictions in as budget talks break down cases of extreme hardship

The Spanish Banking Association (AEB in its Spanish acronym) has today announced an agreement to put a stop to evictions for the next two years for “any case involving circumstances of extreme hardship”.

In a press statement just released, the banking association explained that this agreement was the result of “lengthy and intense debate” by representatives of the associated banks and has come in response to “humanitarian issues” and in view of its policy of “social responsibility” and aims to “alleviate the vulnerable situation many people have found themselves in because of the recession”

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banks operating in Spain. Even though the membership of the AEB is voluntary, the vast majority of banks operating in Spain are members of the association.

These new eviction laws come following the tragic suicide of a woman moments before her flat was to be repossessed. Amaia Egana, 53, jumped to her death from her fourth-floor apartment on Friday as bailiffs moved in to evict her.

People angered by the tragedy have accused politicians and banks – many of which were bailed out by the government – of being complicit in the “murder”.

The AEB’s decision has been conveyed to the Ministry of the Economy and the Bank of Spain.

Some 400,000 Spaniards have lost their homes since a property bubble burst in 2008 and Egana’s eviction-related suicide was the second in Spain in recent weeks.

The Spanish Banking association is a professional association established in 1977 and open to all Spanish and foreign

The ruling conservative People’s Party and the opposition Socialists meet today in a bid to speed up eviction law reform.

Flood Leads To Evacuation Of 14 People

Torrential rain in Andalucía has led to 14 people being evacuated. Emergency services had to force residents in the Santa Amalia district of Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga) to leave their homes as a precaution when the nearby river Guadalhorce threatened to burst its banks.

They are closely monitoring the situation in Cárcama (Málaga) which is also close to the river, since any rise in water level may mean a further 20 households have to be evacuated.

If the water course overflows, it will flood homes in both areas and the fire brigade will need to rescue the occupants, which is why authorities have opted for them to leave their properties before an emergency arises.

Firefighters, police and ambulance staff have been working around the clock after numerous calls were received from residents in Antequera and Alhaurín el Grande as a result of the downpour.

The deluge struck in the early hours of last Friday morning and continued for at least 12 hours. It has mainly affected the province of Málaga, in the Guadalhorce Valley and on the Costa del Sol.

Spain could lose out on almost 1.5bn euros in EU grants next year as budget talks between the Governments and the European Commission on 2012 and 2013 budgets broke down today.

The Commission is demanding a 6.8% increase on this year’s 129 billion Euro total budget, which it insists it needs to cover EU projects already signed off by national governments.

The UK and seven other EU countries - France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands - signed a joint statement in July saying even a 2.79% rise was “more than we would have liked” and they all refused to meet the Commission’s demands today, with the British government slamming the demands as “breathtaking”.

Eurocrats also want an extra 9 billion Euros on the 2012 budget because of insufficient funds to cover all

massive majority needed for Catalan independence to be taken seriously

The President of the Generalitat (Catalan regional parliament) and CiU candidate, Artur Mas, has given the starting signal to his electoral campaign, telling voters he needs a “massive” majority of the

Valencia Mum Puts Organs On Sale To Pay Her Rent A 44-year-old mum is so desperate to make ends meet that she has put her non-vital organs up for sale on the internet. The Valencia woman, who has not been named and could face up to 12 years in jail for ‘illegal organ trafficking’ if caught, only gets 426 euros in dole money and cannot afford to pay her rent. Her daughter, a student aged 22, receives a small orphan’s pension as her natural father died some years ago.

They both live in the house owned by the woman’s ex-boyfriend, from whom she separated after he regularly beat her up during their 15-year relationship.

She reported him on several occasions, but when the case went

to court, a judge found the woman’s former partner not guilty.

In the three years since they split up, things have gone from bad to worse, the mother says. She has now received an eviction notice from her ex-boyfriend as she is unable to pay the rent.

“All I want is a home, a job I can do, and enough money to support my daughter through her studies,” the lady says.

Due to a back injury, she is certified as 66 per cent disabled, which restricts the types of job she can do. Valencia city hall has offered her a council flat with a very low rent, but she says on 426 euros a month, it is impossible to pay any amount – even if it were only

policy commitments.

Spain has already presented Brussels with invoices for 1.47bn euros, which the Commission says it is unable to honour for lack of funds. Along with Spain, the biggest losers would be Italy (1.89bn euros) and Poland (1.58bn euros).

The budget talks broke up tonight without agreement - leaving a deadline of the end of November 13th for a final deal.

50 euros.

She had spoken to a female doctor in Melilla, one of the two Spanishowned cities on the north Moroccan coast, about one of her kidneys and any other organs she could live without being extracted, although as yet her advert on the internet has not produced any response.

In practice, it is nearly impossible to sell organs, and is illegal in most countries. But the woman says her body parts are ‘all she has’ and ‘the only thing she can raise money from’.

“I just need to do what I can for my daughter – her life is what’s most important. I don’t care about my own any more,” the mother stated.

votes for the independence movement to be taken seriously.

“If we don’t get a massive majority, we will not be taken seriously”, warned Mas in the campaign launch meeting held in Barcelona yesterday. Mas also insisted that the future of Catalonia would be decided by the people and “not by a Council of Ministers or a Constitutional Court”.

Mas emphasised that neither central Government was not prepared to negotiate the issue nor other countries willing to “buy” the idea, so he would have to “sell the product”.

“But be can’t cross this channel in a rowing boat

if the others have motor boats,” he said. “We have to have a level playing field”, so we need “a massive majority”, he added.

Mas gave assurances that he was prepared to go “as far as the people want me to” and insisted that that his aim was to see the future of Catalonia decided by the people of Catalonia.

Flanked by the leader of the Unió, Josep Antoni Duran Lleida, and the mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, Artur Mas revealed the electoral banner proclaiming “The Will of the People”, amidst a sea of of pro-independence ‘senyeres’ and European flags and cries of “Independence”.

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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

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Barack Obama has returned to Washington focused on broaching an impasse with Republicans over the deficit reduction deal needed to avoid a fiscal crisis

According to a BBC report, the newly reelected US president now faces a fiscal “cliff” of spending cuts and tax rises unless agreement is soon reached.

The Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, but failed to take the Senate. House Speaker John Boehner hinted at the possibility of a compromise if the president agreed to tax reform.

Mr Boehner, who negotiated with Mr Obama over a so-called “grand bargain” of spending cuts and new revenues in 2011, said he would accept new revenue-raising as part of a taxreform deal.

Even before he flew with his family from their Chicago base to Andrews Air Force Base in Washington on Wednesday evening, Mr Obama had phoned the House speaker to emphasise the need to reach a budget compromise when Congress returns next week.

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Economists say the overall effect of failing to reach a compromise could tip the US into recession.

Time is tight: Bush-era tax cuts are due to expire at the end of 2012, and automatic, mandatory, across-the-board cuts to military and domestic spending are also in the pipeline unless a deal can be reached.

Mr Obama faces re-election at a time when the US is facing its highest unemployment rate - at 7.9% - since the US wartime leader Franklin Roosevelt took office.

In terms of priorities of voters, the fragile economy was rated the top issue by about six out of 10 voters last Tuesday’s exit polls, however, interestingly, most of them blamed former President George W Bush for the downturn.

Preliminary figures suggest fewer people voted than four years ago. More than 117 million people participated, compared to record-breaking figures of 131 million four years ago.

Turnout was down sharply in some states, including Texas, as well as states on the US East Coast that were hit hard by superstorm Sandy.

In addition to the presidential and congressional races, Americans voted on a number of state-wide legal issues including referendums in Maine, Maryland and Washington state to approve same-sex marriage; fortunately a measure in Minnesota to block gay unions failed to be implemented. Colorado and Washington state voted to legalise recreational use of marijuana whilst California voters rejected a proposal to abolish the death penalty.

In a referendum, Puerto Ricans voted in favour of becoming the 51st US state, if Congress approves the move.

University rich-poor divide ‘narrows’

The gap in numbers of people from the richest and poorest sections of society going to university in England has narrowed, a think tank says.

According to a report by the BBC’s Education Correspondent Angela Harrison, a study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies says the gap dropped from 40 percentage points to 37 points in the five years to 2010.

The group says much of this happened after tuition fees were increased in 2006. It also says a new scholarship fund for poor students is too complicated.

As a group, people from the poorest fifth of the population are much less likely to go to university than those from the richest groups.

Report author Claire Crawford says only 12% of poorer 18-19-year-olds went to

university in 2004-05, but that rose to just under 18% in 2009-10.

Among the richest group, 52% went to university in 2004-05 and 55% did so five years later.

Over the same time period, the proportion of state-school teenagers going to university rose from just under 30% to 34%.

A separate report also published on Thursday says it is too early to judge whether the changes to higher education in England have discouraged students from going to university. The study, by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), says there is no evidence at present that people are being put off.

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The cost of dying has got a lot more expensive – Or has it??

From 1st September the rate of IVA (vat) charged by Funeral Directors rose from 8% to 21% so an average funeral cost here in Spain will be in the region of 4840 €.

With an Iberian Funeral Plan you fix the cost of the funeral at today’s price and it is fixed forever, irrespective of how much funeral expenses rise in the future.

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With prices starting at just 2995 € and IVA FREE, less does equal more. Therefore it makes so much sense to protect your loved ones by investing in a guaranteed funeral plan from Iberian.

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The face says it all - Graham of the Blue Lagoon agreed last Friday to have his hairy chest waxed to raise funds for The RBL Mojacar Branch Poppy Appeal. The evening was well attended and a superb buffet was followed by “naming the doll” competition won by Pauline Hawkins after which the main attraction began - Graham looked on happily as shirt was removed but was reduced to a slightly apprehensive face as the waxing began. He managed to smile bravely as strip by strip he was reduced to a pink shiney sore but bare chest. Following the waxing it was revealed the evening had raised in the region of 600 Euros for the Poppy Appeal which the Chairman of Mojacar Branch gratefully received and it was suggested perhaps this could become a regular event at The Blue Lagoon however there were no volunteers in evidence.

Live Theatre & Supper Evening at Bar Parilla, Albox

Almanzora Charitable Theatre (A.C.T.) has recently been set up and has brought together a group of actors from the area who as their first venture are putting on a one act play in Bar Parilla, Albox on Friday 30th November. The play “It’s a Dogs Life” by Pam Valentine and directed by Ron Makin is set in a dogs shelter where the animals are waiting to be homed. We would like to assure our audiences that no real animals are being used in the play and that the humans portraying them have been well treated and are fed and walked regularly.

The play is a compassionate story about four dogs in kennels at a dogs home waiting to be adopted. The dogs themselves have very distinctive personalities. Ben, a mongrel, used to belong to a tramp, Fritz, a rather intimidating German Shepherd, had many previous owners and was often used as a guard dog. Fifi is an overweight poodle who has been spoilt by a number of elderly owners.

Finally there’s Ginger, a lively pup, who’s only interest in life is food. The play has plenty of light-hearted moments to laugh at but a tear or two could be shed as well.

The play will also be supported by two animal themed monologues to round off the evenings entertainment.

Proceeds from the performance will be donated to APSA to care for real dogs in their care. Two other performances for dog charities will be staged, one in “The New Kimrick“, Mojacar on the 1st December in aid of PAWS and the final one at the Tennis Club. Huerca Overa on Sunday, 2nd December in aid of “The Doghouse.”

Tickets cost 12.50 euros (includes a three course meal) and are available from APSA, One stop pool shop (next to Longos), Essentials and the Chill Out shop in Albox/Arboleas and from The Spar and Gaudi café in Huerca Overa.

If anyone would like more information regarding the evening or would like to get involved in theatre in some capacity with a friendly group of outgoing people then please contact Lorraine on 950 064 484 or 697 569 113

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SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

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Dad’s Army Star Clive Dunn Dies At 92

Clive Dunn, who played Lance Corporal Jones in BBC sitcom Dad’s Army, has died at the age of 92, his agent announced last Thursday.

His agent Peter Charlesworth said the star will be “sorely missed...He will be a real loss to the acting profession.”

Dunn, who leaves his wife, children and grandchildren, was born in London into a showbusiness family and started out with a number of small film roles in the 1930s before the war intervened.He served in Greece before being captured and spent four years as a prisoner of war.

After the war he resumed his career and in 1968 landed the role of Corporal Jones in the much-loved sitcom about life on the home front. The character, a World War One veteran-turned butcher, was notorious for his often rambling recollections of his time in the army and his much-used catchphrase

“Don’t panic”.

Mr Charlesworth said: “He had been a star since the mid 1930s. He was a young man playing old men even when he was young.”

Dunn lived in Portugal for more than 20 years and, in a 1992 interview with Saga Magazine, he explained the appeal of the place was down to Greta Garbo.

He said: “The reason I came to Portugal originally was through seeing Greta Garbo in the film Queen Christina. In the script she was going to the south west corner of Europe, full of sunshine, where warm breezes blew. The final shot shows her on her way to Portugal and I thought if it’s good enough for Garbo, it’s good enough for me!”

G4S has lost its contract to contract to run Yorkshire’s Wold prison, and has failed to win any of the additional prison contracts it was bidding for.

stage, with contracts likely to be awarded next spring, the Ministry of Justice said.

According to a report in the Independent newspaper, the firm, whose shambolic organisation of the London 2012 Olympic security led to the Armed Forces being called in to cover a lack of guards, will stop running the jail in July next year, with it returning to the public sector immediately after.

The MoJ said the competition process “produced a compelling package of reforms for delivering cost reduction, improvements to regimes and a working prisons model in these prisons.”

As well as losing the Wold contract, G4S also missed out on the opportunity to run Northumberland, Lindholme, Hatfield and Moorland prisons.

The competition process to run the four prisons will now move to the final

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Dunn also had a number one hit in 1970 with Grandad and went on to play the title character in a children’s show of the same name.

G4S stripped of prison contract

G4S has run the category C training prison, which holds up to 395 men, since it opened in 1992.

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The three remaining bidders are Sodexo, Serco and MTC/Amey.

But this was not the case for G4S-run Wolds prison; Coldingley prison in Surrey; Onley in Northamptonshire, or Durham jail.

The ministry also said it has found “further and faster ways of securing future cost reductions”, with all public sector prisons “obliged to make additional efficiency savings”.

Collective savings will also be made by putting services such as maintenance and resettlement services out to competition, the MoJ

said.

Overall these changes should save £450 million over the next six years, the MoJ estimated.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The cost of running our prisons is too high and must be reduced. ”We can do this by being more innovative and efficient, and without compromising public safety.

“That is why I have decided to take a new approach to how we compete prison services and reduce unit costs across the prison estate that will lead to better value for the taxpayer, linked to more effective services to reduce reoffending. ”This is a challenge the public sector must rise to. The approach I am announcing today does not rule out further prisonby-prison competitions in the future”.

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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

BBC Children in Need is the BBC’s UK corporate charity. The annual telethon is one of the highs of the BBC calendar and plenty of activity takes place all across the UK around this time to help raise those crucial pennies to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. However, Pudsey is busy all year round helping to make sure the money you raise goes to those who need it the most, with the vision that every child in the UK has a childhood which is safe, happy and secure and allows them the chance to reach their potential As a result of the tremendous support CIN received from supporters last year, they’re set to have another fantastic year in 2012!

pudsey bear...

Pudsey Bear made his television debut in 1985 when Terry introduced the new, brown cuddly mascot to the audience. He was designed by Joanna Ball, a BBC graphics designer, who named him after the West Yorkshire town where she was born. He proved very popular and returned as BBC Children in Need’s official logo the following year with his design amended to that of a yellow bear with a red spotted bandage.

In the two decades which have followed, Pudsey has received letters, drawings and e-mails from youngsters all over the UK and been photographed with more celebrities than he can remember.

Apart from a party hat worn in 2004 to celebrate the telethon’s silver jubilee, Pudsey has remained very much the same. But a 2007 revamp gave Pudsey a fresh new look and brighter colours in time for the 28th annual BBC Children in Need Appeal.

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks

UK Taxman Looking At Overseas Property

The UK government issued another warning against hiding assets offshore, including overseas property. If you own property in Spain but are a UK resident, you need to comply with both the UK and Spanish regulations.

As a UK taxpayer, you need to declare any rental income and gains on sale in UK and pay tax accordingly. Overseas property must be declared as part of your estate for UK inheritance tax purposes if you are UK domiciled.

Here in Spain, rental income is taxable under special regulations for non-residents. If you do not rent out the property, or when it is unlet, a notional income is deemed to arise and tax is due on this.

Capital gains on sale are taxed under the savings income regime. The net equity value of the property may currently be liable for wealth tax, and it is subject to succession tax when you die or gift it , which can be expensive for non-residents.

You do not have to pay tax twice. In the case of rental income, capital gains and succession tax you can offset the Spanish tax paid against the UK liability to avoid double taxation.

UK warning The UK Treasury warned that it is going after tax dodgers and is targeting wealthy Britons who own property abroad.

It has concerns that owners are failing to declare millions of pounds of rent.

HM Revenue & Customs applies sophisticated data mining techniques to public information to identify people own property abroad, and uses risk assessment tools to compare the information to that supplied on tax returns.

Spain The Spanish Tax Authority has linked up with the Land Registry to receive property ownership information and also

gets electricity usage data for every property in Spain. It then compares these records with tax returns, including nonresident returns.

For advice on Spanish and UK tax law, and effective tax planning in both countries, speak to experienced tax and wealth management firm. Blevins Franks has decades of experience advising British expatriates in Spain and helping them legitimately lower their tax liabilities.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should take personalised advice.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

www.soltimes.com

children in need tv fun

The BBC Children in Need Appeal show returns on Friday 16 November, live once more from Television Centre. Sir Terry Wogan will be joined by Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly plus Nick Grimshaw to host a bigger than ever, spectacular night of musical entertainment, sketches, special features, glitz, glamour and guest appearances This year’s appeal night will be the pinnacle of a vast range of programming contributing to the 2012 BBC Children in Need campaign. The biggest names in entertainment will come together to support the appeal and help to raise money for disadvantaged children in the UK. The star-studded evening of entertainment will feature music performances from One Direction who kick off the programme, plus Little Mix, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, The Script, Paloma Faith, Il Divo and Tim Minchin. Pop superstars Girls Aloud will also reunite live in the studio for the exclusive first TV performance of their much anticipated official Children in Need 2012 single entitled ‘Something New’.

Britain’s Got Talent 2012 winner Pudsey the dog will finally meet his namesake, Children in Need’s own Pudsey bear, for an exclusive dance performance extravaganza.

Around 20 of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes including Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington, Louis Smith, David Weir, Nicola Adams and Ellie Simmonds will be throwing shapes in their very own music video set to Basement Jaxx’s ‘Do Your Thing’ - including a special section featuring members of the 3 Day Eventing team: Zara Phillips, Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook dancing the ‘Gangnam Style’.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers’ favourites Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant will return to the dance floor on a wing and a prayer for an unmissable performance with their partners Anton Du Beke and Flavia Cacace.

Doctor Who, featuring Matt Smith, will also bring viewers an extra special ‘prequel’ to its Christmas special, with a bespoke storyline made for Children in Need, and an exclusive preview trailer of the Christmas special including the first glimpse of the Doctor with his new companion. There will also be an exclusive preview of the Call The Midwife Christmas special.

The BBC Newsreaders, Fiona Bruce, Sophie Raworth and Bill Turnbull, will be pitting their driving skills against each other in a special edition of Top Gear’s ‘Star in a reasonably priced car’. A host of comedy specials will also feature including an exclusive episode of Not Going Out with Lee Mack featuring a cameo appearance from Sir Terry Wogan himself.

The action will spread across the country, as presenter and former chorister Aled Jones leads The Choir, which once more unites children across the UK’s nations and regions and leads a 2,500 strong chorus of young singers in an unforgettable performance of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

Viewers will also get a rare treat as pop princess Kylie Minogue performs reworkings of some of her classic hits accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, filmed at Proms in the Park in Hyde Park earlier this summer.

Also EastEnder Shona McGarty (who plays Whitney) will be singing an extra special number.

The evening will feature films highlighting some of the vital work the charity is doing to change the lives of children throughout the UK. Fearne Cotton will introduce an appeal film on bullying and Robbie Williams will help tell the moving story of a family supported by Children in Need through a time of grief. Olympian Tom Daley will front a film about a teenage hero who has been helped by Children in Need and EastEnders actress Nina Wadia (who plays Zainab) meets a little boy whose life has been transformed by Children in Need’s “Friendship Project”.

Totaliser updates will be dotted throughout the night to keep viewers up to date with the total amount raised.

Sir Terry Wogan, Children in Need Life President says: “Children in Need as ever is graced by the presence of lovely ladies Tess and Fearne, and this year I’ll be delighted to welcome Radio 1’s morning star, Nick Grimshaw, to prop me up as the Friday appeal stretches into Saturday, and we head for what we hope will be another record-breaking total for the people’s charity. Every year of Children in Need is a shining tribute to the extraordinary generosity of the British people.’’

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

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By Nuria Laguna, Hygienist @Centro Dental Vivadent(Vera)

A smile is the centrepiece of one’s face. A captivating smile can leave one speechless. What better way to achieve that effect than with a professional whitening treatment?

There’s plenty of talk on techniques, as well as doubts and misinformation on the subject.

As we age, our teeth discolour.

“Staining” foods (coffee, tea, strawberries, bets, red wine) and smoking also produce pigmentation of tooth enamel. Certain antibiotics, taken at an early stage of life, can also stain teeth.

Teeth whitening occurs when an oxygen-producing agent is introduced over the affected enamel and “dissolves” the organic stain and enhances the shade of teeth to produce a whiter and more brilliant smile.

Before signing up for teeth whitening, you should be aware that fillings, crowns, bridges, porcelain jackets, and other prosthetics DON’T whiten.

Is the treatment safe?

Yes. The whitening products available and applied by dental professionals have been tested and approved as safe for both teeth and gums.

Can teeth with tetracycline stains be whitened?

Yes, but the patient with this condition should know that the whitening process will take longer (more sessions) than on normal teeth.

What are the steps to a whiter smile?

In the dental surgery, a whitening gel is applied directly over teeth and a special “whitening” lamp activates the gel for approximately 20 minutes. The patient rests for ten minutes, and the process is repeated.

Approximately 2 months later, the patient returns to the dental surgery for the whitening plates and “reminder” kit, to be used at home for 30 minutes/ day until the kit is finished. The results are noticeable from the first week of treatment.

How long does a whitening treatment last?

The results depend on the patient’s hygiene and eating/smoking habits. The whitening effect can last approximately two years, but the use of “reminder” kits is recommended for maximum results.

What are the side effects?

Most patients have no side effects.

Some patients notice temporary sensitivity in the whitened area, which ends upon completion of the treatment. For the more sensitive patients, there are both toothpastes and mouthwashes available which provide relief.

Am I a whitening candidate?

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Parents who keep their homes obsessively clean could be causing their children to develop life-threatening nut allergies, researchers claim.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, in the past 20 years, the number of British children with the condition has doubled – with the sharpest increase among the middle classes.

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Scientists say their findings support the theory that youngsters from wealthier families have a weakened immune system because they live in cleaner homes.

Their study examined 8,306 patients, 776 of which had some form of reaction to peanuts, and the findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy,

Asthma, and Immunology.

Lead study author, allergist Dr Sandy Yip, said: ‘Overall household income is only associated with peanut sensitisation in children aged one to nine years.

‘This may indicate that development of peanut sensitisation at a young age is related to affluence, but those developed later in life are not.’

Researchers also found that peanut allergy was generally higher in males and ethnic minorities.

‘While many children can develop a tolerance to food allergens as they age, only 20 per cent will outgrow a peanut allergy,’ said ACAAI president Dr Stanley Fineman.

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The study showed more than 25,000 people in England have been diagnosed with a nut allergy at some point in their lives.

It also found that children from a more affluent background were twice as likely to have a peanut allergy compared to their poorer counterparts.

Scientists have discovered new way of slowing the growth of prostate cancer. For the first time experiments have successfully targeted the activity of non-cancerous cells which encourage the tumour to grow. By changing the way these ‘fibroblast’ cells behave, scientists were able to slow down the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

Experts say it could form the basis of ‘a revolution’ in the treatment of the disease.

Lead researcher Dr Axel Thomson, from the MRC unit in Edinburgh, said ‘This is an extremely exciting development that has the potential to form the basis of a revolution in prostate cancer treatments over time if replicated in humans.

‘By targeting the fibroblasts that control the growth of the cancer these new treatments could be both more effective and likely to lead to significantly fewer side effects.’

The research team found that turning on key genes inside ‘fibroblast’ cells in prostate tumours dramatically reduced the size of the tumours when grown in mice. Researchers funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the Medical Research Council (MRC) say the technique has great potential in humans because some of the cells used were taken from cancer patients. The fibroblasts are situated next to cancer cells and, although not cancerous

themselves, encourage the cancer to grow.

Dr Thomson said ‘Our previous research identified a number of ‘puppet-master genes’ - so called because they enable fibroblast cells to control the growth of other cells during the formation of the prostate in the embryo.

‘In this follow-up study we found that activating these genes in fibroblasts in tumours enabled us to significantly reduce the growth of prostate cancer in mice.’

The findings are published today (thurs) in the science journal Disease Models and Mechanisms (must credit).

Dr Thomson said the research suggests it is possible to turn the rich conditions for growth inside the tumour into ‘inhospitable’ conditions.

He said material taken from prostate cancer patients during surgery was actually used in the research.

‘This makes it more likely that if and when we progress to research involving humans, it will work. It will take 10 years and more to bring this approach to the bedside but we believe it is an entirely different way of targeting tumour growth’ he added.

Dr Thomson said it was possible synthetic proteins could be used, possibly by infusion into the bloodstream, that would target the fibroblasts in tumour cells to slow down or even halt their activity.

The findings are part of an ongoing body of Prostate Cancer UK funded research exploring how the environment surrounding cancer cells affects tumour growth. It builds on a growing body of evidence which suggests that the non-cancerous fibroblast cells within prostate tumours could be a key target for successful treatments in the future.

Dr Rachel Macdonald, Research Manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “This is an extremely encouraging development which could have positive and far reaching consequences for prostate cancer treatments in years to come. To date, most prostate cancer research has focused on exploring the cancerous cells within the tumour.

By investigating the behaviour of the non-cancerous cells which control tumour development the team has been able to make this groundbreaking discovery.

‘The success of this research so far highlights the importance of Prostate Cancer UK’s decision to fund research projects that employ more innovative approaches to finding the answers we so desperately need to beat the most common cancer in men.’

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Last year, researchers at Edinburgh and Maastricht universities studied records from more than 400 GP practices in England between 2001 and 2005 to determine the number of patients with an allergy.

‘Revolution’ in prostate cancer treatment as scientists find new way to slow the disease

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Sales Of Vitamins Fall We Opt For Healthy Food & Tighten Our Purse Strings The recession has caused shoppers to cut spending on expensive vitamins and other health supplements – and turn back to fruit and vegetables.

Just 35 per cent of Britons still take vitamin supplements regularly, a fall from the 41 per cent who did so in 2008, according to market analysts Mintel.

Products ranging from multivitamin pills to cod liver oil capsules are seen as an unaffordable luxury by households tightening the purse strings as the cost of living soars.

But the report found a 5 per cent rise in spending on fruit and vegetables in the past year, and a rise of almost 7 per cent in sales of functional food and drink – products artificially engineered to have extra health-giving properties.

Millions of Britons buy multivitamins as ‘health insurance’, whether or not they have a healthy diet, in the hope that it might prevent cancer or other

diseases.

But research has produced conflicting evidence on their benefits and some studies on high-dose vitamins have shown harm.

Mintel found the UK market for vitamins and supplements will be worth £385million this year, up 2.7 per cent on last year.

But this is due to price rises rather than volume, as overall consumption is declining and the amount spent is also predicted to start falling over the next few years.

Mintel senior consumer analyst Alexandra Richmond said the outlook for the vitamin market was ‘lacklustre’, explaining: ‘Cautious consumer spending, lower consumption, competition from functional foods, lack of ground-breaking launch activity and new European Food Safety Authority requirements have all hampered elevated growth rates.’

‘The outlook for the market is lacklustre, with value sales

falling in the short term.’

She added that the education of consumers in nutrition had ‘proved a double-edged sword’ for the vitamin market, as consumers increasingly turned to fruit and vegetables.

The exception to the downward trend is among the elderly – 89 per cent take supplements daily. And with Britain’s population continuing to get older, it could help give the industry cause for longer-term optimism.

Seven in ten Britons who take vitamins and supplements do so to boost health in general, with 40 per cent believing they ward off illness and 35 per cent feeling an energy boost.

Ten per cent of people take a supplement or vitamin pill because they think it will help prevent cancer.

Just last month it was reported that taking a daily multivitamin pill can lower

Fewer patients having flu jab this year

Fewer vulnerable patients have been given the flu jab this year than in 2011, according to latest figures.

According to a report in the Nursing Times, the number of people aged 65 and over who have received the vaccination this year is less than the same period last year, Department of Health figures show.

And fewer under-65s considered at risk due to various medical issues have also been given the jab.

Up until the end of October, 48.9% of pensioners had been vaccinated against flu, compared to 54.8% at the same point

the previous year. And the proportion of people with health problems including diabetes, asthma and heart and liver disease who were vaccinated was 28.7%, down from 32.2% in 2011.

A DH spokeswoman said flu can be deadly for vulnerable people who are more likely to develop serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia with the virus claiming 4,700 lives each year in England.

The likelihood of dying from flu is 11 times greater for pensioners and those with medical issues than those who are not considered to be at risk.

THE BEST-SELLERS

Multivitamins are the most popular product on the market and supplements containing omega3 are also popular due to much positive publicity about the health benefits.

Iron tablets particularly popular with women - are the biggest selling supplements of all, followed by calcium and zinc. the risk of cancer.

The researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, and Harvard Medical School found that regular use for more than a decade cuts the risk of developing the disease by 8 per cent.

However, some studies of high-dose vitamins have shown they may do more harm than good.

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GPs Told To Boost Dementia Diagnoses

UK GP surgeries will be sent ‘dementia toolkits’ and asked to improve detection of dementia as part of a new scheme championed by prime minister David Cameron.

According to a report by www.gponline.com, the toolkits will ‘better equip’ GPs to spot the condition and are one of a raft of new measures aiming to improve dementia care.

One million people will be trained in community centres as ‘Dementia Friends’ to recognise symptoms in friends and family members and to support those with the condition.

Prime minister David Cameron said society needed to be ‘more understanding’ of dementia, which affects nearly 700,000 people in England. The number affected is set to double within three decades.

In March, ministers announced memory checks would be added to the NHS Health Checks scheme from April 2013.

The GP toolkit is an information pack setting out how GPs can support patients with suspected dementia as their condition develops. It will give GPs an overview of local services and voluntary groups to which they

can direct patients.

Under the latest plans, almost £10m will be awarded to dementia research, a £50m fund will pay for adaptations to hospital wards and care homes, and education projects will run in schools. A £1m prize will be awarded to the PCT or hospital that can boost diagnosis rates by the greatest margin.

Mr Cameron said: ‘We cannot underestimate the challenge we face in dealing with dementia in our country.

‘There are already nearly 700,000 sufferers in England alone but less than half are diagnosed and general awareness about the condition is shockingly low.’

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘I want Britain to be one of the best places in Europe for dementia care.’

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Day-to-day tasks such as going to the shop or catching a bus can become increasingly difficult for people with dementia.

Without a helping hand, this can mean people are left feeling isolated, unable to be part of their community and in some cases even unable to continue living at home.’

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Elemis Body Treatments Almeria Angels Sandra 902 026 468

A Well-being Clinic is held once a month with Sandra a fully-qualified nurse. Book yourself in for a health “MOT”, this includes Blood Pressure, Mole Check, Breast Check, Urine Analysis as well as general health & medical advice, at only 12.50€ pp.

Ice White Teeth Mel with Sam

am & Mel use the latest revolutionary LED S technology, with no bleach or peroxide.

Relaxation Class – Liz 667 979 445

Join Liz Hill, our Yoga therapist, on Tuesday afternoons for her new relaxation class.

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Help to shift those inches in a pain-free way with the Laser Lipo.

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A set of Gelish nails 15€

Hands and Feet only 25€ Lots of fabulous colours Shiatsu Therapy – Wendy

o you suffer with: Back/Neck problems, Stress/ D Insomnia, Headache/Migraine?

Shiatsu will help. Shiatsu therapy is very much hands-on, which promotes normal healing for general wellbeing. The recipient is treated fullyclothed. Wendy, fully-qualified in the UK, is available from 3pm.

We are a self-contained private suite of rooms on the right hand side of La Vida Cucador, with its own entrance, plus disabled access and good parking

If you are a fully-qualified therapist and want to know more about us or to book a room, email retreatcucador@gmail.com Become a friend on Facebook & see our monthly Special Offers!

14

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Beat the winter blues SEASONAL cold weather heralds the onset of a host of ailments and can also make some conditions worse

Winter is traditionally a time when we succumb to colds, coughs and flu but we can also fall victim to other conditions or see existing health problems worsen as the temperature drops.

Now the clocks have gone back, we know winter is well on its way and with it comes shorter, darker days and a sharp drop in temperature and light. Just like our surroundings, the human body reacts to this change in conditions, causing the predictable health problems like colds and sore throats, but many people don’t realise that others such as acne can be worsened by the cold weather. While we’re probably prepared to do battle with coughs and sneezes, we may overlook ways to help ourselves avoid an allergy, or to help our skin and bones weather the winter.

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BEAT SAD

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of winter depression which affects around three million British adults every winter between September and April. The condition is thought to be caused primarily by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.

For help and information on SAD, visit The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association at www.sada. org.uk

BANISH THE BLEMISHES

Many patients find that their acne improves during the summer when their skin has been exposed to sunlight; the theory behind it is that ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the sunlight kills the bacteria beneath the skin that causes acne and therefore helps to reduce spot inflammation. Unfortunately, sunlight also contains ultraviolet (UVA, UVB) light which can damage skin and even cause skin cancer. Scientists have found that visible blue light is effective in killing the bacteria which causes acne. Blue light has been used by leading dermatologists for many years to treat acne too and these ‘blue lights’ can be purchased to help alleviate the symptoms of skin conditions during ‘less’ sunny months

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The lack of natural sunlight following this year’s summer washout could lead to an increase in bone-related problems, according to a British Medical Association (BMA) expert. When people aren’t getting out in the sun, there’s going to be an increase in the amount of vitamin D deficiencyrelated illnesses. People make 90% of their vitamin D naturally from sunlight exposure on their skin. Without sunlight, the shortfall must be made up with a healthy diet and, if necessary, with supplements.

For those with acne and other common skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis, the onset of winter can be particularly unwelcome. Moving between different temperatures - the hot, dry air of air conditioned or centrally heated rooms contrasting with the biting winds of the cold outside - can aggravate skin.

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CHILLY DIGITS

Raynaud’s affects around one in 20 people and occurs when the extremities of the body, usually the fingers and toes, change colour and may become painful on exposure to cold.Although it can be caused by stress, the condition is often linked to temperature. The small blood vessels of the fingers become narrow and sometimes other extremities such as the toes, ears and nose are affected. In many cases it may be possible to control the symptoms using self-care techniques such as avoiding the cold, wearing gloves and using relaxation techniques when feeling stressed.

Sufferers with severe symptoms may need medication. Although your hands and feet are the most important, symptoms are less likely to occur if you keep your entire body warm as well, so wear layers of clothing and hats and scarves. Also think about purchasing portable heat packs, batteryheated gloves and special socks - all available online

ALLERGY ALERT

Snuffles, sneezes, itchy eyes and wheezing are characteristic of the summer hayfever season, but the same symptoms can strike again due to an increase of allergens in winter. As the weather gets colder, more and more people dry their clothes over radiators or indoors; this creates more moisture in the air and the ideal conditions (hot and humid) for dust mites to thrive and populate.

The fecal matter (dust) they produce is irritating to sufferers of dust allergies, causing symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes and wheezing. Moisture in the air can also lead to increased mould which can irritate breathing conditions such as asthma. Dust mites are also a common cause of skin conditions such as eczema, she points out. Additionally, because pets are indoors more, there can be a build-up of pet hair on furniture, clothes and carpets, which affects those with a fur allergy.

Keep vacuuming and air the house - if it’s not too cold outside! - and keep pets out of bedrooms and off sofas too!

STRESS SHIFTER

As Christmas looms with the necessity for preparations and pressure on budgets (as well as coping with everyday routines), stress levels can begin to ratchet up. Stress is very common and affects both men and women, of all ages, in different ways.

Stress can have many different triggers for each individual, from money worries to family problems, as well as work or home pressures, all which can cause considerable strain on the body. Exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are crucial to maintaining a relaxed mind and body.

Rhodiola rosea has been proven as a short-term option when suffering stressful periods. Taking 200mg twice a day could help to control the release of stress hormones while improving energy and concentration levels, which can reduce symptoms of stress.

www.soltimes.com

Free spray tans for the unemployed

Jobless people in the worst unemployment blackspot in Wales are being offered free spray tans to help boost their confidence.

Under the scheme in Aberdare, Job Centre staff are sending candidates for tans and makeovers at the town’s Well-being and Training Academy.

The town suffers from an unemployment rate of 9.6% - but critics have questioned whether a free fake tan is the best way of helping.

Sarah Sweeden, director of the Academy, said they were happy to give the makeover and free spray tans to genuine jobseekers.

She said: “We want to give people that extra confidence - or that Gok Wan makeover - to give people the incentive to find work.

“It will recognise those who are doing their utmost to find unemployment by giving them a beauty treatment.”

Job Centre staff will only send candidates for the treatment if they are seen to be serious about finding work. It is not paid for by the Job Centre or council.

The Academy is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which aims to help people get back to work by improving their fitness, appearance, nutrition and confidence.

But Plaid Cymru councillor Pauline Jarman complained: “I don’t know any employer that would be impressed if you turned up tanned.

“They’d be more inclined to be impressed if you had the skills and experience to undertake the job that’s been advertised.”

Sentenced to cook Thanksgiving dinner

A US judge has ordered a woman who knocked over a police officer to make a Thanksgiving dinner as part of her punishment.

Valerie Rodgers, 46, of Canton, Ohio, will have to make a roast turkey dinner, and all the trimmings, for three police officers who are unable to work.

Judge Frank Forchione also placed her on probation for a year and said she would be jailed if she did not comply, reports CantonRep. com.

The court heard that police officer Eric Martzolf was directing traffic during the Canton Marathon when he ordered Rodgers to stop and not make a left turn. She ignored the order and Martzolf was thrown on to his back as she drove past.

Rodgers pleaded guilty to assault, failing to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, failure to stop after an accident and not obeying traffic control.

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

15

new research finds rescue dogs ....prefer Mozart to Motorhead Research from Colorado State University found dogs in animal shelters were less likely to bark and more likely to sleep when played the likes of Mozart or Beethoven.

Heavy metal, by contrast, was found to have the opposite effect, inducing nervous shaking and barking, and stopping the canines getting any sleep.

The findings have implications for welfare of animals in stressful environments and could lead to new guidelines for the care of dogs in shelters.

Lori Kogan, an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, played different music to dogs in a shelter over the course of four months and recorded their responses.

Genres investigated included classical, heavy metal and a simplistic psychoacoustic classical composition marketed specifically for dog relaxation.

M u s i c selections were played for 45 minutes with behavioural

observations recorded every 5 minutes. Each music selection was followed by a period of silence, resulting in thousands of behavioural recordings.

Compared to the control condition of no music, classical was linked to more relaxed and restful behaviour while heavy metal was linked to increased barking, shaking and less sleep time.

In a result that caught Professor Kogan by surprise, the dog-specific psychoacoustic music had only a minimal effect on the behaviour of the dogs.

Professor Kogan told Canada’s Leader Post: ‘I did thousands of behavioural assessments over a period of four months … So the likelihood that this is an error is pretty small ‘It does fly in the face of what (Pet CD advocates) talk about, which is that more simplistic music should be more relaxing. The plus side is that you can download classical music for free.’

With shelters being inherently stressful environments for most dogs the results of the

study suggest that playing classical music might help with the welfare of the animals.

Reporting the findings in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Professor Kogan and her colleagues suggest that animal shelters don’t play heavy metal because of the impact it might have on the dogs’ mental health.

‘Instead, it is suggested that shelters play classical music as a costefficient, practical way to enhance the environment and, therefore, the welfare of shelter dogs,’ they wrote.

‘Classical music can reduce dogs’ stress levels and potentially increase the likelihood of adoption.’

Professor Kogan plans to do followup studies exploring the potential for music as a way to soothe animals in veterinary clinics and for surgical recovery.

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16

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

LÍNEA DIRECTA INSTRUCTS ITS CUSTOMERS ON THE STEPS TO TAKE IF THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE RECENT HEAVY RAINSTORMS PRESS RELEASE - Línea Directa Aseguradora instructs its customers affected by the recent heavy rainstorms recorded on September 28 and 29 in the regions of Andalucía, Murcia y Valencia on the steps required to speed up the processes of making claims, treating and repairing the damage caused.

As any extraordinary risk resulting from a natural catastrophe, claims for damage to property and personal injury must be made to the Insurance Compensation Consortium (CCS), a body which is dependent on the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The Consortium will be wholly responsible for processing claims, assessing the damage caused and paying out compensation to those affected.

In order to claim for damage to property, the customer can contact the Insurance Compensation Consortium directly by calling 902 222 665 from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Claims for personal injury or loss of profits must be presented in writing to the local office in question or by post by completing the corresponding form.

In addition, in the case of Expatriate customers, Línea Directa will act as an intermediary, administrator and advisor with the public body, with an aim to speeding up the processes of compensation and repairing material damage to vehicles, which will be assessed, processed and compensated entirely by the Consortium. To this end, Línea Directa has set up a helpline 902 326 326 which its customers affected by the damage can call in order to receive help and information both in English and German on the correct processes required. .

Línea Directa wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of those people who have lost their lives and offers its services to all customers affected to provide them with any type of additional information they might require.

Insurance Compensation Consortium Addresses ANDALUCÍA ORIENTAL (Málaga, Jaén, Almería, Granada) Av. Aurora, 55, planta 1ª 29006 - MÁLAGA Tel: 95 206 13 91 Fax: 95 206 13 92 ccsmalaga@consorseguros.es ANDALUCÍA OCCIDENTAL (Sevilla, Cádiz, Huelva, Córdoba) C/ Luis Montoto, 107 41007 - SEVILLA Tel: 95 498 14 00 Fax: 95 498 14 01 ccssevilla@consorseguros.es MURCIA Ronda de Garay, 10 30003 - MURCIA Tel: 968 35 04 50 Fax: 968 35 04 51 ccsmurcia@consorseguros.es COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA Plaza de Tetuán, 15 46003 - VALENCIA Tel: 96 315 43 00 Fax: 96 315 43 01 ccsvalencia@consorseguros.es

LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com

CALCULATION OF NON-RESIDENT INCOME TAX

Q: After reading the article about the obligation to pay non-resident income tax and accepting that it is obligatory, could you explain how on earth they calculate the tax due if there is in fact no real income?

A. This is a frequently asked question and I am not surprised.

The calculation is made in the following way: The tax office considers that your hypothetical income is 1.1% of the catastral value of your property (you will find this on your rates bill). You are then taxed at 24,75% of the resulting figure. If you do not have a rates bill (this is frequently the case on recently built properties), then we take 1.1% of half the value on the title deed and then apply 24,75% to the resulting amount.

Please note that if what you own in Spain is only a piece of land or a property under construction, this tax is not due.

SMALL NOTE ON WEALTH TAX Wealth tax was abolished in Spain in 2008. Up to then non -resident has to file for hypothetical income tax return (explained above) and wealth tax (with no minimum exempt amount).

Due to the deficit the authorities have brought back wealth tax for non-residents, but the “new wealth tax only affects you if your assets in Spain are worth in excess of 700000 Euros.”

In principle the wealth tax has only been re-introduced for the years 2011 and 2012 with the promise that it will disappear if the government deficit is under control.

Wealth tax does not affect you in any way unless you have assets in Spain worth more than 700000 Euros Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

property guide....

Property sales up for second month in a row

Property sales in Spain have gone up for the second month in a row according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics. A total of 25,985 sale & purchase agreements were made in September, representing a 0.9% increase on the same month in 2011 and the second consecutive month on the increase.

Of all the properties sold in September, 12,747 were new, a similar figure to that recorded in September 2011, and 13,238 were second-hand, 1.8% more that in the same month last year.

Up until August, property sales had fallen for 17 months in a row and the year on year results still show a 14.8% decrease.

soltimes are you reading this?

Market experts, however, are no putting the increase in property sales down to an upturn in the market, insisting that is due to the fact that tax breaks for buying property will disappear in 2013 and VAT on new property will increase from 4% to 10%.

for sale

The regions that saw the greatest volume of sales were La Rioja and the Comunidad Valenciana.

over 30,000 readers every week could see your property for sale! tel now on 902 750 190 to put your house on this page!

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Rental & sales Properties Urgently Required The Post Shop - Professional & Reliable Service for all your Postal Needs Reference MAR982, 400€ PCM • Villa •Fully Furnished • 3 Bedrooms • Piedra • 2 Bathrooms Amarilla Reference mar852, 350€ PCM

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• Albanchez • Ready to move

18

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Royal British Legion In Spain - Mojacar Branch - Remembrance Day

The Remembrance Service at San Pasqual Church despite the unusually wet weather was full to capacity.

The Royal British Legion In Spain’s Poppy Appeal Organiser Gill Hurn (pictured) laid the Legion wreath.

The organist Barry Lockyer played The Last Post & The Reveille for the 2 Minute Silence of which TRBL are Custodians.

However, The Royal British Legion In Spain Mojacar Branch were without their Standard and its Bearer Mick Coote as both had travelled to the UK to take part in the Festival at The Royal Albert Hall.

Mick says he felt very privileged and honoured to have been able to take part in this event, as it was a never to be forgotten experience.

“It was absolutely brilliant” Mick said. “We arrived at the Royal Albert Hall at 7am on Saturday 10th for rehearsals, which lasted 4 half hours. At 1.30 we returned in uniform for the 2pm performance. This was attended by members of the public and finished approx. 4pm. We returned to the Royal Albert Hall at 6.30pm for the performance to start at 7pm. This was attended by Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family The release of 1000s of poppies was most moving as was the poem by two very young children to thank all those who gave their lives for the future and freedom.”

The service was followed by a much appreciated luncheon at The Bellavista Restaurant by 63 Members and Guests.

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

property group Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk You can find us on Cortijo Grande

€39,950

Palomares

€55,000

Mojacar playa

€75,000

reduced

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Bargain! 1 bed / 1 bath 1 st floor Apartment.

Build 50 m².New fitted kitchen. 5 minutes drive to all amenities. Ref. 1019

Bargain! 2 bed / 2 bath ground floor furnished Apartment. Build 62 m². Large back patio & underground private parking. Ref. 1496

villaricos

Marina de la Torre €110,000 Vera playa

€85,000

2 bed / 2 bath 1st floor Apartment with terrace & underground parking place. Air con. Fully fitted kitchen. Communal pool. Ref. 1123

€119,000

Mojacar playa Mojacar playa

sold

€80,000 €79,995

1 bed / 1 bath fully furnished Apartment with amazing sea views. Terrace & underground parking place. Lift & pool. Ref. 1017

mojacar Playa

€125,000

reduced

2 bed / 2 bath Apartment near the promenade, beach and amenities. Store room. Underground parking. Lift. Ref. 1171

mojacar playa

€150,000

2 bed / 1 bath sea facing fully furnished Apartment with private underground parking.

Solarium & terraces: 74 m². Ref. 1130

3 bed / 2 bath fully furnished Townhouse in Al Andaluz Thalassa. Build: 89 m². Private gardens.

Near supermarket and Aquatic Park. Ref. 1026

2 bed / 2 bath sea facing Apartment within 2 minutes walk to the beach. 2 terraces.

Communal Pool. Ref. 1018

mojacar playa

Cariatiz

mojacar playa

€150,000

€159,000

€165,000

reduced

2 bed/2 bath frontline Penthouse Apartment with underground garage in front of the promenade.

Sea views terrace of 19 m². Ref. 1160

Mojacar Playa

€190,000

2 bed / 1 bath semi-detached Villa on plot of 246 m². Living dining room with fireplace. Roof solarium with sea views. Ref. 1052

3 bed / 2 bath Villa with garage. Plot 1081 m². Living / dining room with open fireplace.

Mountains views. Ref. 1093

2 bed / 2 bath nice Townhouse with private underground garage within 200 meters to beach.

Sea views. Communal pool. Ref. 1009

mojacar playa

Vera Playa

Mojacar playa

€199,500

€230,000

reduced

reduced

3 bed / 2 bath south facing Townhouse with large private gardens & parking. Gated community with 2 pools. Ref 1168

3 bed / 3 bath Villa with garage in La Parata close to the club. Plot 400 m². Build 133 m².

Roof solarium. Ref 1010

Mojacar playa

Mojácar Playa

€350,000

3 bed / 2 bath Villa + 2 self contained Apartments with independent entrance. Pool.

Plot 725 m². Near beach. Ref 1060

€299,999

€350,000

3 bed / 2 bath charming Villa within walking distance to beach and amenities. Plot 694 m².

Build 123 m². Solarium. Ref 1215

3 bed / 2 bath amazing Villa in the complex Al Andalus close to private school and supermarket. Communal pool. Ref 1209

mojacar

sold

4 bed / 3 bath amazing Villa with underground garage & pool. Plot 390 m². Terraces with sea views. Many extras. Ref 1117

€499,950

6 bed / 6 bath amazing Villa with large pool, double garage and beautiful gardens on a plot of 3.348 m². Ref 1296

Please visit our office or refer to our website for more “bargains”. Vendors: If you are seriously considering selling your property please visit our office to discuss effective ways of achieving your goal.

As per decree 218/2005 the “Documento de Información Abreviada” (D.I.A) for any property sold

by Veritas Homes is available at our office.

19

20

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

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If you are looking to improve your home then visit us first in our Seafront Showroom to see our large varied display of

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Local, National & international removals REMOVALS Quality Second hand & STORAGE furniture showroom

263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sol Marina Hotel

Mon-Sat: 10am-2pm Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Jo on 600 344 565 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz

HUGE 265m2 Showroom

fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

Mosquito Screens, Shutters & Rejas, Internal Window Blinds, Toldos - Sun Awnings, Solatubes, Garage Doors, Enclosures, Tiling & Joinery, All Construction Work & much, much, MORE!

Indago H. Sal Gym Marina

P. R. BUILDING SERVICES have been trading in

www.delimas.biz

Expertly designed & fitted including tiling, electrics, plumbing & appliances

Paseo del Mediterrano, Mojacar Playa,

The New Kimrick does not need any introduction to Mojacar, A fantastic restaurant that has a poolside bar that is very popular in the sumer months, a cinema club, Ceroc dancing and yoga. Friday night is fish and chips, Sunday lunches are served every Sunday during the winter months and now a take away menu is also available on all their meals. Saturday 24th of November there will be a xmas fair between 12 and 3 with lots of gifts and homemade products, great ideas for xmas presents and Saturday 1st December the Almanzora charitable theatre present its a dogs life, a one act play by Pam Valentine 15 euro including a 3 course supper and dancing until midnight. Saturday 15th December there will be a Dinner Dance in aid of MACS, a 3 course festive dinner and entertainment with JC at only 15 euros. Xmas day bookings are now being taken, see menu on this page and new years eve menu will be available shortly. The New Kimrick is more than just a restaurant, it is a social hub for the locals and tourist alike all the year round.

Caja Caja Mar Granada

H. Puerto MOJACAR Parque → Comercial ← Marina PLAYA Hotel Z-7 Playa We are Here

Sundance Spa’s Pool Maintenance S.L.

Paseo del Mediterraneo 171, Local2, Mojacar Playa 04638

Telf: 950 472 845 Fax: 950 475 858 Email: poolman@telefonica.net

E L A S End of Summer Sale of Swimming Pool Accessories (poles, nets, thermometers, hoovers,brushes etc).

Spain for over 4 years now and cu have a list of very satisfied cust we cover all aspects of buildin foundations to roof including the sup and installation of kitchens and bath Air Contioning, plumbing and el Having been in the Industry for ove there are no limitations to our serv a friendly Professional Reliable S please don’t hesitate to contact R on 662422170 references and view previous works can be arranged.

MOJACAR WINDOWS AND IMPROVEMENT CENTRE, Venta Puertas Mojacar S.L. invite you Home Improvement Centre sho on Mojacar Playa. We are the Official distributors for top quality Windows/Doors, who are a part HAAS Group, one of Europe´s l Windows/Doors manufacturers. W you top German quality, made to m just for you and manufactured at our in Valencia, under the strictest control. At Ventanas Y Puertas M S.L, you will find friendly and exper English and Spanish speaking staff t see you through from your initial e through to installation. Come and ta and discuss your requirements. W a lot more to offer than you think. open Monday to Friday 09.30 till 14 16.30 till 18.00. You can call us on 9 104 – email us at info@mojacarwi es or alternatively call into our sho Paseo del Mediterraneo, 04638 M Playa, Almeria.

Voila de Lima’s are a family run b with the resources and experience t all of your furniture removals, and even buying and selling. A de Lima’s we are able to move fu both locally and internationally us fleet of sizeable vehicles.Remov not as simple as it may appear. It d just mean lifting and shifting of fu These goods are your prized posse accumulated over many years o work. We at Voila de Lima’s, never this and treat all your items wit and attention. You can contact us telephone numbers in our advert email enquiries@delimas.biz. W forward to hearing from you!

At Bay Bistro the introduction of t winter menu has proved popular w favourites like beef and vegetable st dumplings, all homemade by chefs and Sandra from locally sourced

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

21

Mojacar

urrently stomers, ng from pplying hrooms, lectrics. er 18yrs vice. For Service Richard wing of

ingredients. Their lunchtime mega deli sandwich menu is also proving to be a big hit and having seen the size of the portions it is hardly surprising! Having recently held a successful dinner dance with entertainment by Tony Justice, they are also planning future events, so keep a look out for their latest news in their advertising. Bay Bistro are at present taking bookings for their five course Christmas lunch, so if you want a fine dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere give them a call. Give them HOME a call on 628 761 391. anas y to our WACKY HAIRDRESSER. Ladies are owroom you looking for a new style, a new look e area´s and a new you? The Wacky Hairdresser y HOCO is offering the same great service at t of the new lower prices! Calling all Males… leading Come on down and get your hair cut at We give measure r factory quality Mojacar rienced that can enquiry alk to us We have We are 4.00 and 950 473 indows. owroom Mojacar

business to cover storage At Voila urniture sing our vals are does not rniture. essions, of hard r forget th care on the t or by We look

the new with old tew with s David d fresh

The WACKY BARBER, open Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5pm. We are near Los Arcos and K7 Estate agents on Mojacar Playa. Tel. 667 961 645.

D MATCH DIGITAL SERVICES with its sister company have been established in their TV showroom on Mojacar Playa for over 18 years. Arriving in Mojacar over 25 years ago it was inevitable they would set up a business that could be run by the whole family. D match with its three vans and five engineers are always to be seen out and about installing and servicing satellite TV systems, air conditioning units, solar hot water systems and Securitas alarms.

In the summer they also sell portable fans and in the winter Neater Heaters and patio heaters.

So much more than a restaurant …

The NEW Kimrick

Calle Zurbaran/Picasso, Mojacar Playa Z-6

Poolside Bar – Airconditioned Restaurant – Cinema Club – Ceroc – Yoga

FRIDAY Fish & Chips … served 7pm – 10pm

Icelandic Cod cooked in Chef’s own recipe beer batter or poached in lemon & butter .. hand cut chips and garden or mushy peas Standard … €6.50 Large €8.50 Home-made Starters & Desserts & Special of the Day also available SUNDAY LUNCH IS BACK … served from 1pm – 3pm Traditional Roast lunch with Yorkshire pudding, roast & mashed potatoes and a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables 1 Course €8 … 2 Courses €10 … 3 Courses €12 Home-made Starters & Desserts and alternative choices also available

NEW TAKEAWAY MENU NOW AVAILABLE

SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER … Christmas Fair 12 – 3pm. Lots of gift ideas and home-made products. Hot and Cold Snacks and Bar Service.

Bay ay b bistro istro B ALL NEW WINTER MENU……

Bookings now being taken for Christmas Lunch

SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER .. The Almanzora Charitable Theatre present ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’, a one act play by Pam Valentine .. €15 including 3 course supper and dancing until midnight – Tickets only.

SATURDAY 15th DECEMBER … MACS Christmas Dinner and Dance

3 Course Festive Dinner and entertainment with ‘JC’ … Tickets €15 Christmas Day bookings are being taken.....New Year’s Eve menu ready soon

Menu del Dia 9.95€ Menu de la Noche 12.95€

New for Sunday!!!

Sunday del Dia Special

Tony Justice Back by Popular Demand 30th Nov 7pm

3 courses ONLY 9.95€ Also available “A La Carte” and “Deli Sandwich” menu

Tel: 628 Tel: 628 761 761 391 391

closed 13th - 20th nov reopens 21st nov

ALL OUR ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY PRIVATE FUNCTION

For further details or bookings Tel: 950 475 198 or 600 057 148 Email:thekimrick@hotmail.com or join us on facebook where information of our events, entertainments and photos are updated on a daily basis The-NEW-Kimrick-Bar-Restaurant

22

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

OPEN for business

tel: 950 930 900 968 969 962 Solar Oil Gas Solid Fuel pellet

Solar Hot Water & Pool Heating Full Heating Installations Water Treatment Systems Water Deposits & Pumps

fully legal company with public liability insurance carlos.saliente@gmail.com • www.carlossaliente.com Cortijo Pipa, Avda de Limaria 1, Limaria, arboleas

Need a Translator?... or help with NIE, Cadastre etc?

Working in conjunction with Lawyers & Spanish officials Translation Services

other Services

• Technical Manuals • Legal Contracts • Reports & Certificates • Notary / Court appearances (Vera only) • and many more

• NIE & Residencias • Cadastre • Conveyancing of properties • New Building Declarations • and many more!

Tlf. 646 844 708 Mojacar and surrounding areas

www.4wayconnections.webs.com

Eurozone ministers to discuss new funds for Greece

Eurozone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss whether to release new funds to indebted Greece.

Athens hopes it has done enough to secure the next instalment of bailout money, after passing a budget for 2013 which involves large spending cuts, Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker says there will be “no definitive decision” on Monday on the funds.

Greek PM Antonis Samaras earlier warned that without the new loan, the country would run out of money within days.

Mr Juncker has also responded to a long-awaited report on the pace of Greek reform by its three international creditors - the European Commission, the IMF and the European Central Bank.

“The basis positive, because the Greeks have really delivered,” he said.

Many in Greece will feel that they have given all they can - and that Europe must now stick to its side of the bargain and provide the rescue funds that this debt-stricken country so desperately needs, says the BBC’s Mark Lowen in Athens.

Greek MPs approved the 2013 budget, which includes further cuts to pensions and wages, in a vote on Sunday night.

The European Commission welcomed the approval.

Spokesman Simon O’Connor said: “We’ll still need to analyse in detail the final version of the bill. Nonetheless, it very clearly meets another key condition for moving closer to a disbursement of the next tranche of financial assistance for Greece.”

Lulu’s

Coastal Mosquitos

Mosquito Screens for Windows & Doors For a free estimate call us on 610 000 700 Awnings shower screens replacement window and doors

More than 10,000 people joined demonstrations outside Greece’s parliament to protest against the cuts.

The budget was a pre-condition for Athens to be granted a 31.5bn euro (£25bn; $40bn) EU/IMF loan necessary to stave off bankruptcy.

Greece faces a repayment deadline for 5bn euros of debt on Friday.

However, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has indicated it is unlikely that the eurozone ministers will decide on the disbursement at Monday’s meeting.

The funding will have to be approved first by some parliaments, including Germany’s “We all... want to help Greece, but we won’t be put under pressure,” Mr Schaeuble told the weekly newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

On Tuesday, Greece is to make an urgent bid to raise funds from the financial markets in case it does not get the tranche of bailout money.

The budget - which contained many austerity measures which had already been passed by parliament - foresees a deepening of the worst recession of any country in modern history, our correspondent says.

The national economy is expected to shrink next year by 4.5% and public debt is likely to rise to 189% of GDP, almost double Greece’s national output.

This year, public debt stood at 175%.

The head of Syriza, a left-wing opposition party, said the budget cuts would leave Greeks unable to afford essential goods this winter.

Article courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk

Peluqueria Canina

professional dog grooming parlour

Enclosures / Conservatories Convert your patio area into a sunroom or a mosquito free area with glass or mesh

Lisa is City & Guilds qualified she sets the standard Others Try to follow

Nail Clipping and Anal Glands - Only 5€ each!

No need for appointment closed mondays - you can still call 697 569 750 for appointments

Plisse retracting screens ideal for all types of door openings

Open 10.30am - 6pm Tuesday - Friday Avda LePanto, 20, 04800, Albox, next door to Eurowise

Tel: 950 952 940 . 697 569 750

TYRE KING

New Walls New Roofs Structual Alterations professional bricklayer Building for you Phone Gerard - 626 730

The Best Deal for Miles

car - motorcycle - van - 4x4 - motorhome - quad - trailer - wheelbarrow

764

● All new tyres supplied have manufacturers warranty ● Computerised tracking including 4x4s ● While you wait service ● Motorbike tyre specialists balancing - computerised laser tracking - puncture Poligono El Real, Calle El Garcel F19, Antas - 950 459 253

Spain

electric underfloor heating life time warranty

e: tyreking@ymail.com - Mon - Fri: 9.30 - 17.30

AWNINGS - FLY SCREENS - INTERNAL BLINDS SHADING SPAIN, WITH...

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

domestic & commercial supplied & fitted many colours & styles all areas covered free quotations signwriting service FOR COMMERCIAL

Tel: 627 907 207

www.solshaders.net

Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

Euro Painters Spain Recession Price Buster

house painted

Any 2 / 3 bedroom villa outside painted including repairs, plus painting up to 10 rejas Recession Buster

Property Maintenance Call Jim on 677 557 190 or email: europaintersspain@gmail.com

LOGS FOR SALE

* FREE Kindling With Every Load * - Grade a Olive - No Roots - Best Prices Available

Tel: 687 314 775

Same Day Delivery & Stacking Service Available

elite plant hire construction & drainage

• general builders • walls • jcb 3cx hire • paving • patios • extensions • roofing • cladding references available call lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

HSBC investigating claims of criminal account holders

HSBC bank says it is looking into allegations that criminals have used offshore accounts at its Jersey operation for money laundering.

The bank issued a statement after the Daily Telegraph newspaper said it was at the centre of a major investigation

by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

HSBC said it was investigating “an alleged loss of certain client data in Jersey as a matter of urgency”.

HMRC said it had “received the data and we are studying it”.

“We receive information from a very wide range of sources which we use to ensure the tax rules are being respected,” the tax authority said.

“Clamping down on those who try to cheat the system through evading taxes and over-claiming benefits is a top priority for us, and we value the information we receive from the public and business community.”

Owning an offshore bank account is not illegal. But it is illegal to hide the interest which has accrued on the sums held, and to avoid paying tax on that

interest to HMRC. Geoff Cook, of the trade organisation Jersey Finance, said: “This is a serious matter and we note HSBC’s immediate commitment to co-operating with any investigations carried out by the relevant authorities and welcome the clear position taken by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, that any failure to adhere to Jersey’s clear standards will be robustly investigated and acted upon.”

According to the Daily Telegraph, the tax authorities have obtained details of “every British client of HSBC in Jersey” based on information provided by a whistle-blower this week.

It is reported that the 4,000 holders account offshore include a well-known drug dealer living in Central America, bankers who face allegations of fraud and a man once dubbed London’s “number two crook”.

BBC business editor Robert Peston said: “It is really quite difficult to tell from this disclosure whether or not this is an example of HSBC yet again having, shall we say, laxer or weaker controls over who it

takes money from.

“The American authorities do think HSBC was, for too many years, too prone, or in a sense, too easily duped by terrorists and criminals who wanted to launder money. We just don’t information enough have whether or not this is an another example of those weak controls.”

Our business editor said he had been told by HSBC that this appeared to be a case of “whistle-blowers handing over bunches of bank names for whatever reasons”.

He added: “They don’t think they will emerge from this

investigation to be shown to be particularly lax in their controls.”

Earlier this year, a US Senate report alleged that staff at HSBC’s global operations had laundered billions of dollars for drug cartels and terrorists in a “pervasively polluted” culture that persisted for years.

The report detailed how HSBC’s subsidiaries cleared suspicious travellers’ cheques worth billions, and allowed Mexican drug lords to buy planes with money laundered Islands Cayman through accounts.

David Bagley, HSBC’s head of compliance since 2002, resigned from his post when he appeared before the US Senate committee in July.

23

FOR GREAT autumn ADVERTISING RATES CALL 950 121 936 Satellite TV Systems 1.2m Dish Cable, Bracket, LNB installed €150 Satellite Re-alignment Inc, SD Freesat Box €220

Internet Via Satellite Console Repairs General Electrical Email: enquiries@mbitalmanzora.es Electronic Repairs

Telephone: 646 341 575

ARTICLE COURTESY OF WWW.BBC.CO.UK

POOL SHOP

Mix & Match

any 2 Tubs Of either Multi, Shock or Chlorine tablets for just 36€

insurance quotes available

winteriseRS available still only 15€ FIND US In Longo’s Courtyard

Shop: 950 104 345 or Maintenance: 637 582 696

City & Guilds & ACS qualifications, CORGI registered with 10 years experience

Chris: 637 82 97 87 / 618 06 20 80 Gas & Oil Fired Central Heating - Gas Appliances Plumbing - Servicing - Repairs - Installations FREE QUOTATIONS & ADVICE

Licensed to transport animals by the Junta de Andalucia DEFRa Approved Vehicle

David

665 517 643

Steve

610 905 173 valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com

Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!!

Phone or email for a no obligation quote

Log-on-Tommy

Stacking service available Free Kindling with every full load

now incorporating “Sammy Sweep”

R & R Services

Regular trips between Spain and UK taking all household items and furniture

We transport your pet with the utmost care and safety Pets are fed and watered every 3 - 4 hours & dogs walked For further information on departure dates and charges Please contact: 0034 686 140 034 (Spain) 0044 7526 140 797 (UK) Email: rozrik@hotmail.com

James & Son Removals / Storage

UK, France & Spain personal shopping from the UK

Small Cut Olive Logs No Roots For The Smaller Fire

619 070 839

(Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates 950 529 731 / 627 968 434

Clean Team British Plasterer Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Services Quality Cleaning at an Affordable Price 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

Regular or One-Off Service No Job Too Big or Too Small All Areas Covered Tel: 950 930 652 Mob: 634 332 502 E-mail: Cleanteam.es@gmail.com

• 8 years in Spain with 25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • References available

Tel: 634 327 201 / 661 129 028 Email: atpspain@gmail.com www.paulmorrison.es S.M.S.BUILDING MAINTENANCE

All Building Work Undertaken Garages, Patios, Boundary Walls,Renovations, Cladding, Enclosures, Painting & Decorating (from 50€ per room including paint) Also All Exterior Painting and Damp Proofing

( No job Too Small)

GUARANTEED TO BEAT ANY QUOTE For free estimate or advice please call

Steve on 950930536 or 634306690

Email : Steven561@btinternet.com

OFFICIAL HITS AGENTS IN ALBOX

WE HAVE THE FULL RANGE OF HITS PHONES & SIM CARDS IN STOCK Contact us now on: Tel: 950 064 584 | Mob: 654 590 258 Email: info@solymarspain.com | Web: www.solymarspain.com We also offer all major mobile top ups from our office

Nick Howe Chief Technician

+34 699 909 737 Established for over 10 years Office: +950 528 334 E-Mail: solosat@gmail.com

Brighten up your Walls!

Stunning Prints & GIANT posters A3 x 9 - 100’s to choose from or email your own photos...

Ideal Christmas PresentS

Tel: 634 388 243 newallprints@hotmail.com

24

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

buy your pellet burner now

for 999€ + IVA only while stocks last

(installation not included) pot. eur. 8kw pot. esp. 10kw different colours available

Call in now for a no obligation quote

big offers on all garden furniture

financing up to 24 months poligono industrial estate, parcela 78, next to the itv in Albox (almeria)

Tlf: 950 120 077 - 625 435 050 - 615 396 056

g n i n e p o re

Peugeot Garage

Atrium

x

-

Tel: 648 608 799

Albox Football Ground

Mercadona

ve A

Avda. Lepanto 36, 04800 Albox (Next to Total Entertainment) Open MonDAY - Saturday 10am - 2pm

Total Entertainment

we

are

here

ALBOX

!

BP Garage

THURSDAY 15th 15th Nov Nov to to TUESDAY TUESDAY 4th 4th Dec Dec THURSDAY

“New Stock arriving less 20% discount off occasional furniture

Also - NEW range of Sofas - Coffee Tables - Cabinets” Open 10am - 2pm daily

Last Day

tuesday 30th October

don’t miss out on these fantastic bargains!

www.soltimes.com

SolTimes

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

25

is da now ily

l oc al nepwpensing in

S o lT

imes

live LOCAL & international

w h at ’ s h a your area?

NEWS feeds

f ree t o view tidve

g a m e z o ne s

pace invaders, pa c m a n , simon, cross w o rds

& t v gu

wharte ’tso goo?n

l o c a l b u sine s s dire c t o r y all y

w he w h at t o d o ?

soltimes is now daily

our l oc a l b u s i n e s s e s at y our f inger t ip s

WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

coffee break STANDARD CROSSWORD

Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it. Ella Wheeler Wilcox

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

8 Nothing in a place to live is not submerged... (6) 9 ...like here? (8) 10 Tendencies of angels in storm (8) 11 Time to give out soft paper (6) 12 Takes duck on board ship (6) 13 Be against it on the inside? On the contrary!

(8) 15 Looked up to some climbing alder - I’m daring!

(7) 17 The closest are in a home (7) 20 Holder of tape ready before time in case... (8) 22 ...bloke gets a good extra first run (6) 23 Creature of prides, perhaps (6) 25 Tory leader rents without it turning back a decade (8) 26 A game of vile dance? (8) 27 Not having PR stops things happening! (6)

down

1 Thralls (5) 2 Modulate one’s speech (7) 3 Idiosyncrasies (7) 4 Moral principle (5) 5 Convulsive (9) 6 Front limb of a horse (7) 7 Stress (7) 8 Lustrous or brilliant (9) 13 Exuvia (9) 14 Deviating from the usual (9) 17 Lubricated (7) 18 Nemesis (7) 20 Sulking (7) 21 Trade stoppage (7) 23 The grave (5) 24 Hemispherical roofs (5)

Very Hard!

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Down 1 Had an impact on court in a very loud, rising river (8) 2 Edges of “jump” sign (10) 3 Hurts good man with funny gins (6) 4 Love in spas?

Nothing unusual!

(7) 5 Manifold animal left hint inside (8) 6 Members of “Charm Squad” (4)

SUDOKU PUZZLE

Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.

1 Rigidity (9) 6 Celebrations (5) 9 Jaunty (7) 10 A gland found near the kidneys (7) 11 Varnish (7) 12 A thousand thousands (7) 13 Pleased (9) 15 A literary style (5) 16 Breastplate (5) 19 Receiver (9) 22 Before long (7) 23 Rebuffed (7) 25 Small falcon (7) 26 Quip (7) 27 Gentle push (5) 28 Faiths (9)

STANDARD SUDOKU

Across

7 Month of the gold wind? (6) 14 Fortify head of Government in river, with second animal on the outskirts (10) 16 Never-ending without ten on the outside (8) 18 Advises Gus to return with non-universal visitors (8) 19 Rich in iron without bringing up unit of capacity (7) 21 How’s that attractiveness? (6) 22 First Aid embraced by soldiers (6) 24 Some made epigrams low in pitch (4)

HARD SUDOKU

26

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Iconic shake and salt-style crisps given a fiery makeover with sachet of jalapeno chilli

food news

Everyone remembers the potato crisps with a mini blue sachet of salt.

They were a lunchbox staple and the perfect afternoon snack.

And now, one of Britain’s most loved and iconic food innovations has been given a fiery modern day makeover.

Crisp lovers can now buy a bag of crisps with an added condiment bag – of scorching jalapeno chilli pepper seasoning.

The crisps, made exclusively for Tesco and called Finest Hand Cooked Hot Jalapeno Chilli, have been launched at more than 400 branches of the supermarket chain.

Tesco crisp buyer Lee Bannerman said: ‘Putting a small sachet of salt in a bag of plain crisps was a brilliant idea when it was launched in the 1920s that is still really popular today.

‘However, our tastes have changed since then as a result of the different spicy cuisines that are now popular in Britain such as Indian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican.

‘Sweet chilli flavoured crisps have been around for more than 10 years but we believe that Customers are now ready for

something hotter.

‘The good thing about these crisps is that you can completely control just how hot you want to make them, depending on how much you use.’

The premium hand cut crisp market has developed into a business worth an annual £230 million since launching in Britain about 10 years ago.

Tesco Finest Hand Cooked Hot Jalapeno Chilli crisps will cost £1.39 per 150g packet - it won’t be long before our beloved British food shops are stocking them here too!

Thursday 15th november 10am-

a y F r n e m u Aut

3pm

ty

u a e b & h t l a e h craft,

Re0tarme-2apmt O pen 1

Per Una & M&S Clothing

NEW STOCK: CHRISTMAS PARTY DRESSES

Almeria Angels Tibetan Silver Jewellery UK Fashion Chinese & Indian Spices Psychic Artist ~ Stone Sculpture Home Accesories Nail Extentions Unique Gift Ideas Candu Computing Crystals & Precious Stones UK Branded Sweets Homemade Pies & Cakes Angel Gifts & Candles homemade Jams & Pickles

to

! ! y da

La

Cucador

VidaRestaurant&Venue

Delicious menu and a great selection wine, a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, plenty of comfort and leg room.

Waitress service with a smile.

Enjoy stunning views of olive groves and mountains.

our main menu includes 16oz steaks mixed grill fresh fish & salmon

WED-SAT 6:30-9:30pm

PARTY NIGHT

booking advisable

BRENDON O’DEE

fridays

ENTERTAINMENT BY

DANCE TIL’ YOU DROP!

VidaVenue

telephone: 950 634 562

Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

9PM

from

1km

La Vida

Junc 547 Huercal Overa

in the Bar

BOOK NOW!

950 634 562

booking advisable

LAVIDACUCADOR@GMAIL.COM

traditional

sunday lunch

Bookings now being taken for our traditional

6 course, home-cooked

christmas day meal

12.30PM - 5PM

With

live music

Kris Kelly

by

fISH OF THE DAY OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE

email or call for bookings or menu details

We are here

Cucador

5.95€

MENU DEL NOCHE AVAILABLE IN THE RESTAURANT 6:30 - 9PM

950 634 562 or email lavidacucador@gmail.com Arboleas

Beer-battered cod, homemade chips & peas

FROM

BASKET MEAL FROM 5€

to book a stall contact us now!

La

GREAT value MENU CHANGES WEEKLY

7PM FOR 7:30PM

Come early to book your session!

Albox

2 COURSES 10.95€

SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

Clairvoyant ~ Tarot Card Readings

Cucador

Menu

plus de la Noche

Open Every Day 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

We are here

Albox Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

booking advisable

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

book the Venue

For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

27

28

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

OUT & ABOUT...

The IRISH ROVER on Mojacar Playa serves the Full English Breakfast from 10am – 1pm. 8 items €4.95 or 14 items €6.95! includes tea, coffee or orange juice on a large sunny terrace with fantastic views over the sea. Sundays is the Famous Irish Rover carvery, 3 meats, 7 fresh veg served 1 – 5pm plus a fun quiz. Friday Special: Get that Friday Feeling and come along to the Irish Rover and enjoy Fresh Cod & Chips for a fantastic price of just 4.95€ Bookings are now being taken for Christmas Day Lunch, 3 course carvery lunch at the fantastic price of €20 per person and just €12.50 for children up to 10 years old. Call in for our Christmas lunch menu and for reservations call 950 473 135.

Cliff & Julie have owned and run THE WELCOME STRANGER RESTAURANT & BAR in Limaria, Arboleas for 7 years and pride themselves in top quality food and service at this hidden gem in the valley of Limaria. They offer classic choices with innovative twists, vegetarian options, all dishes are made on the premises. There are outside terraces available to dine on or to simply enjoy a refreshing drink. Steak Specials Nights on Thursday & Friday with rump steak, homemade chips, peas, mushrooms & tomatoes for just €7.95! The menu of the night and the a la carte menus are available EVERY evening. They also do an extremely

showbar & restaurant

The Irish Rover

Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family

Bee Gees tribute thursday 29th november

Tickets 15€ includes carvery Ticket only 10€

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

popular Sunday lunch (see main ad for more details), bookings advisable and now offer a mid week roast too on a Wednesday – choose between beef and pork for just €5! They are closed for one day TODAY, 10th October, but for more info and to reserve a table call 950 432 719.

LA CENA, in Albox is a fine dining experience without the expense.

A beautifully decorated restaurant run by husband and wife team Simon and Carol. At the moment they are serving a superb Menu Del Noche where you can choose from a choice of 3 starters, 5 mains and 3 deserts.

They also offer an alternative to the Sunday lunch, a Sunday Sizzler at just €8.95 per person, with a carafe of wine per couple included! If any of this has wetted your appetite, call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm today!

At The Beachcomber on Wednesday 21st November, it is Tribute night, featuring ‘Simply Maria’, performing ‘Blonde’ and ‘Dusty Springfield and the Miss 60’s show’. Maria doesn’t need any introduction to many who know her as ‘Dusty Springfield’. In her 1st set she will delight us with her wonderful voice and sing the songs she loves most. In her 2nd set she will give us her tribute to Dusty Springfield and other 60’s girls. Maria’s 3rd set will get many on the dance floor with her tribute to the fantastic Blonde. There are still some tickets available, so don’t delay, call us now and reserve your table on 950 473 099.

The Crazy Cow Bar/Cafe on Mojacar Playa - have a New Menu available.They are still serving old favourites such as Fishcakes,Smoked fish in cream sauce and Cottage pie. Some newcomers are Mixed seafood spaghetti, Vegetarian rice and Chicken and mushroom bake, most of our menu is gluten free. If you would like G.F Spaghetti please call and give notice and they will be happy to cook it for you. Please go along and graze on a selection of their mini meals.You wont be disappointed ... Just ask your friends. FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL 697 465 620 .

Great venue for Private Functions.

The Food Crazy cow Cafe cooked with love

eve New yearsthe Playa

The best party on

Whitney Houston Tribute

tickets 35€

inc hot & cold buffet. Cava & grapes at midnight. Disco till the early hours telephone: 950 473 135

mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach Open 10am till late

tranger come S WelRestaurante, Limaria

Menu of the Evening, 3 courses 9.95€ including a drink A la Carte from 6.50€ for a main course Menu of the Day 7.75€ including a drink Wednesday Lunch, Midweek Roast, Beef or Pork & Tea or Coffee €5 Thursday and Friday Steak Night 7.95€ Lunch-time Menu from 5€ Sunday Lunch 5€ or 3 course 9.75€

La Cena

Restaurante

CHRISTMAS EVE

including carafe of wine & bottle of water

booking essential!

Lunch 1pm - 4pm Dinner 7pm - 10pm

ONLY 35€ pp

(booking essential)

have your christmas party with us Our usual night time menu including roast lamb and roast pork

Bridge

Baza/Fines ► ◄ Albox

→

→

Petrol Station

→

→

→

→

→

ITV

MESON DE IRENE

→

Early booking essential

grilled 14oz Entrecote Beef Steak 16oz T-Bone Steak Slow Roast Shoulder of Lamb

Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm - late. Sunday 2pm - 6pm Closed Monday. Call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm Find us across the old bridge from Palza Mayor Albox, opp Bar Wassy

Downstairs on the sea front next to the Irish Rover Look out for our live entertainment evenings

sunday Roast menu of the day

3 courses €10 3 course - €10.50 main course - €7.50 menu of the night

Bar open 10am - LATE Food served all day from 10.30am Last orders 10pm

Opening Hours 12:30-9pm Tues-Sat Opposite Iceland Car Park,Vera

Tel: 663 440 329 www.thechippyvera.com

Saturday Night Meal Deals

2 x Cod or Haddock & Chips Only 10€

2 x Pie & Chips Only 7€

2 x Sausage or Savaloy or Chicken Nuggets or Fish Cakes & Chips - only 5€ More offers Available: Please Come In & See Us for Details

sunday roast menu del dia

667

3 courses €11.50

regular TRIBUTE SHOWS see website for details

tel: 950 473 099 www.beachcombermojacar.com

don’t forget to call our sales team for great christmas advertising rates - get your business on this page!

902 750 190 950 121 936

919

Café Bar

4 courses with bottle of ESTE Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, Roast Potatoes & Vegetables

25€

NEW YEAR - FULLY BOOKED

Traditional Takeaway Fish & Chips

DEL DIA Traditional 4MENU Courses with Wine & Coffee christmas Included - Mon to Sat inclusive lunch 5 Courses all nights...

Albox

3 Courses with Canapès & Cava on arrival

free wifi

All food freshly cooked to order You will not be disappointed!

NEW MENU With all your old favourites Kitchen Open From 12 noon to 6.30pm Winter Opening Times Tues - Sat 11am - late Sun 12noon - 4pm Closed Monday PRIVATE PARTIES CATERED FOR WE ARE OPPOSITE PLAYA BLANCA, MOJACAR PLAYA SEE YOU THERE XX Tel: 697 465 620 Email: crazycowcafe@yahoo.com thecrazycowcafe

950 432 719

Established 7 years

025

Lunch 1pm - 4pm

vegetarian menu available

LA ALFOQUIA, ZURGENA

Live music

Childrens menu available FREE WIFI

New Covered Smoking Terrace Open Monday to Saturday 7am ‘til late Sunday 9am - 4pm Booking Recommended Spanish Speaking 950 430 145 English Speaking 647 730 103

Pol IG ONO I n dust r i a l A l box, N e a r t h e I T V Ga r age

w w w.me s onde i re ne.com

now showing horse racing daily

Fis h & Ch ips

with

brian dee

every thursday bingo or eyes down for the ladies Live dog racing for the men

fri 16

th

nov

5€ Sunday Roast

Open Monday - Friday 8am til late Saturday & Sunday 9am til late

www.soltimes.com

cooking

tips

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

How to make your Yorkshire puddings rise

29

STOP ‘N’ SHOP IN YOUR...

Super Corner

ENGLISH SUPERMARKET

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS AND MORE IN ONE SUPERSTORE!!

TURRE, NEXT TO MESON DEL POBRE OPEN MON-SAT 9:30-6PM & SUN 9:30 - 1:30

ALBOX

fORMERLY rUMORES

NEW TEAM • NEW LOOK • NEW MENU from 9am til late Mon - sat

Whizz your ingredients in a food processor for a few seconds — the quantities are one egg to 55g (2oz) of plain flour and 150ml (¼ pint) of milk or milk and water mixed, with a pinch of salt to serve two.

cold batter.

Bake in the oven at 220c/400f for 2030 minutes for small puddings, 35-40 minutes for larger ones.

Don’t take them out

send your cooking tips to editor@ soltimes. com

They can be kept warm for half-an-hour in a low oven, or frozen for up to a month, then reheated.

Great Food at Great Prices Tel: 633 684 855

Leave the batter to stand in the fridge for 30 minutes so it swells, to give a lighter pudding.

Heat the fat (vegetable oil or dripping) in the tin in the oven. Then put the tin on a medium heat on the hob and pour in the

until they are really crisp, and don’t open the door until at least five minutes into cooking time.

La Alfoquia, Plaza Santa Ana (Opposite the Old Station) Open Everyday 9.30am - 11pm (except Monday) Kitchen open 9.30am - 4pm, 7 - 11pm

now showing all champions league & la liga games

Sunday Lunch

Served 2 - 6pm

Choose from Beef, Pork or Chicken with all the trimmings!

Kentucky

Fried Chicken eat in or take away

From €4,95

Pizzas

& Tavern

Breakfasts • Lunches • Dinners Selection of Tapas Home delivery service available

673 410 597 Open 7 days a week Breakfast served from 6.15am Pub serves from 6.00pm (no siesta) La Alfoquia - Zurgena

Restaurant Open 6pm-9pm - New Menu Now Available!

Cod ‘n’ Chips - fridayS

Beer-battered Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, Mushy or Garden Peas…

Friday 12 - 9pm, Saturday 12 - 4pm

SUNDAY LUNCHES 12.30 - 5pm

from 5.95€

y onl6.95€

Delicious Sunday Lunches

to include a Topside of beef & Yorkshire pudding FREE Drink roast Pork with crackling and apple sauce tender roast chicken with stuffing local grown potatoes , seasonal vegetables & gravy A glass of house wine, tubo of beer or a coffee starters and homemade puddings 2€ each to book a table please call

950 120 718

All Day Breakfast from 9am Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

MENU DEL DIA

onl y

5€

Bar Menu, Snacks & Home-made puddings

2 Courses Every Day 12-3 Except Fridays

Eat in or Take Away Tuesday - Sunday from 7pm

now serving GuiNness & strongbow Caña with a tapas only €1 FREE

Pub

Friday & Saturday Evenings

Including Burgers, Lasagne, Omelettes, chilli Home-Made Hand Cut Chips..

BP Garage

ALBOX @

•••

← ARBOLEAS BAZA → Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

jacksalbox@gmail.com

La

fuente

restaurant

bedar’’ ’s best kept secret!

you have tried the rest, now come & try the best!

Boxing day buffet

25€ a head

to include bucks fizz or a bloody mary

new years eve

40€ a head

4 course meal with cava & canapes closed sunday evening & all day monday

telephone 950 469 185

on the way to Serena, just past Bedar fountain

30

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

OPEN

€ € E H E T TH E F E A F C A C

7

AT A TT TH HE E PIIN P NK K HO H OU US SE E

DAYS A WEEK UNTIL 20TH DECEMBER DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND NOW SERVING

The MIGHTY Euro Jacket Potato Homemade Soup of The Day Freshly Baked Baguettes Large Selection of Delicious Homemade Cakes Hot & Cold Drinks All at an INCREDIBLE

1€

EACH

Come & Visit..The house of treasures the best hidden secret of andalucia

once visited, never forgotten We are closer that you think!

opening hours

Mon - Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm

We are 3.5 kms on the right, from the exit of 543 of the E15 / A7 motorway.

Direction La Concepcion ~ You can’t miss us and you shouldn’t!!

Murcia

E15/A7 Motorway ox lb A

Vera/Mojacar EXIT 543

La Concepcion

We are here



5 mins from Arboleas, Zurgena, Antas, Huercal Overa and 15 mins from mojacar, vera & albox

REST. Balabona & Petrol Station

THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE

THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE

THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS IN EUROPE

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIME NOVEMBER 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS Animal Protection Society Albox (APSA).............

Happy Birthday

Dew

20th Nov

Have a wonderful day Love you so much Jodie xxx

Serge

Happy 3rd Birthday

Have a fab day lots of love, Dave & Pam xx

lots of love from mummy, daddy, nan and gramp. xxx

WEDNESDAY 21ST NOV ANYTIME BETWEEN 10.00 – 16.00HRS Everyone welcome, new and existing clients, for a free drink and gift. Come along and learn about our fantastic offers on health, funeral and dental plans.

Asssa Vera office is situated in the Alcaná comercial centre Local 3B just off the main street through Vera pueblo. For further information please contact Louise Zarb on 950 392 487.

The Fundraiser Charity & Community Shops

V

Helping the disabled Cancer Research Vera Orphanage Run totally We put our Asprodalba by volunteers hearts into and many more

helping

Opposite Super Turre in Turre & Maxi Dia in Vera Open 6 days a week... times on shop doors Contact 664 620 288

Mesón de

Irene

Unmissable offer!

Free Bottle

This will be held on Friday 7th December on the Levante Car Park between the Levante Cafe Bar and the Riding Stables on Mojacar Playa starting at 10.00am.

There will be something for everyone.

A large range of stalls, Everything from Ladies and Gents clothes, Bric a Brac. Games and Childrens clothes, Homemade cakes, Books. Raffles, Port and mince pies to keep you in the festive mood.

This is the Church’s main fundraising event of the year. The Church is totally self funding and gives generously to Charities.

Come early and enjoy a taste of Christmas.

NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE!

La

The people’s charity, The Peoples Choice

#

ANGLICAN CHURCH CHRISTMAS FAIR

Isaac Thorman

Happy Birthday

ASSSA SPECIAL EVENT...............

OPEN DAY AT THE VERA OFFICE

Monthly Raffle Prize Winners

of La Mancha Red or white wine per couple to take away with any of our night menus

Valid only with this voucher Mon - Sat: 19.00 - 22.00

For October 2012 Amigos Bowling Centre 2 course Sunday Lunch for 2 or Fish & Chips with Dessert for 2 any day of the week.

Vince Eurowise – A €15 Voucher Anne & Brian Handy Andy 2 hours labour David Ellis Pricebusters A €20 Voucher Lorena Winning tickets drawn by Carol Limberg APSA Shop Volunteer.

Sellers & Cash Received Sally/Jean /Dolores 110 Keith 74 Total Collected € 184 APSA is grateful to the Amigos Bowling Centre, Eurowise, Handy Andy & Pricebusters for their monthly prizes and to all who purchase raffle tickets.

The proceeds of which will go towards helping the many animals in the care of APSA. BUY TICKETS AT APSA SHOP, AMIGOS, LOCAL SELLERS Many Thanks for your continued support Keith Roberts

The Dames in Spain ...are off on a shopping trip to Marbella on the 28th November Two nights at the Hotel Fuerte - Return to Mojacar on 30th November We do have a few spare seats so BOOK NOW! Costs are Members 113€ and Guests 117€ Contact Irene 950 069 072 or Iris 950 475 863

La FREE

VidaBar Cucador

menu del dia

12.30 - 3.30 MON - THURS + SAT 2 COURSES 6€, 3 COURSES 8€ all Lite bite take-away Premier food menu league available served football 12pm-8pm until 8pm all welcome live ladies friendly darts wed 8pm

SAXON REAL ALE ON TAP - ONLY 2.40€ PER PINT blackthorn cider

ESTRELLA ONLY 2€ PER PINT Open Every Day 12pm - Late Tel: 950 634 562

lavidacucador@gmail.com book the Venue: For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

TOTAL PARTY PLANNING

TEL: 622 207 713 OR 622 034 749

Any Acts Needing An Agency

Female artists required for topless waitresses dressing up etc

Taekwondo Martial Arts

Adult Classes

(9 yrs - 15 yrs / 16 yrs - Adult) Mon: 7pm Wed: 5.15pm Sat: 4pm

If you are a Variety Entertainer Singer/Dancer then we would love to hear from you...

Kids Classes: (4 - 8 yrs) Wed: 4.15

Sat: 3pm

Tel: 646 844 708

www.tkdspain.webs.com

evenings - 7.30 for 8.00 pM Just 1.50€ to enter

sEE OUR MAIN AD ON PG 27 for directions

CA$H BINGO PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT CASH PRIZES SPOT PRIZES CASH ROLLOVER JACKPOT ALL WELCOME TUESDAYS 7.30 - 8PM EYES DOWN

Wanted Male Escorts Cocktail Barmen

Workshops

Cucador

This week the word to trace perhaps comes at a particularly appropriate time considering the season ~ it is FRIGOPHOBIA. If you know what it means, then it will score your team a point in next week’s quiz. Bring your friends ~ Beat your neighbours

Poker Nights Race Nights

Take the strain out of your party We supply the entertainment, singers, stripagrams, topless waiters/waitresses, drag queens etc.

Also - if required - the food and venue

Indigo Gym - Mojacar Playa

QUIRKY idaVenue QUIZZES Monday

31

fORMERLY rUMORES

ALBOX

new quirky quiz on tuesdays 7.30 - 8pm

sculpturing

by Maria van Enckevort Talleres de escultura

WITH chERRY

Where? In Los Alamos in MI CORAZON When? On Tuesdays & Fridays from 10.00 till 14.00

All Welcome

150€ for a course of 10 sessions incl. use of tools, coffee or tea. Various stones for 1,50€ per kilo

Carrying on from Mondays @ La Vida

Cash winner & wooden spoon

cash prizes & roll-over jackpot

ALBOX

Bingo

Wednesday 2.30pm

eyes down &

play your cards right

On Thurdays from 17.00 till 21.00

?Donde? En Los Alamos en MI CORAZON ?Cuando? Martes y Viernes de 10.00 hasta 13.00

Jueves de 17.00 hasta 20.00

150€ por un curso de 10 clases incl. materiales, y bebidas. Diferente piedras a 1,50 euro de kilo

m.vanenckevort@gmail.com Call: 950 064 669

32

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

SOL CLASSIFIEDS Airport services

Airport services Airport, social & shopping run.

Telelephone 663 429 521

www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

Air-con

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.

MD S.L

City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

not a jack of all trades

For all your installation or service MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L offers requirements including our latest info@md-aircon.com telephone 950 432 110 / 607 364 917

607 364 917 or 950 432 110 email: info@md-aircon.com

md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es

alternative energy Solar Wind Power Solutions.

Always offers on Solar panels, Over 15 years installation ex p e r i e n c e Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 240 email:info@ s un e r g ya l m e r i a . com www.sunergy almeria.com

c a r l o s s a l i e n t e & plumbing heating for solar pool heating, solar hot water installations and repairs. call 950 930 900 or 968 969 962, email carlos.saliente@ gmail.com

baby hire

Everything for the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc Tel: 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 expectingababy@hotmail.co.uk blinds INTERNAL & EXTERNAL BLINDS SH A DING SPA IN, W I T H...

Call Justin at Sol Shaders for a free no obligation quote Tel: 627 907 207 www.solshaders.net Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

beauty

avon

cosmetics

claire

Tel: 691 987 454 avonfromclaire@ yahoo.es

business opportunity

bar & restaurant villa & pool for rent 4 year lease €55.000 to include all kitchen equipment & furniture €250 per week established 7 years for further info call 950 432 719 chimney sweep SAMMY SWEEP Chimney Sweep Service available covering all areas call paul on 619 070 839

computers

trade Businesses can advertise in the classified section

Classified box from 9€. lineage only 45 cents per word Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332

drainage cont...

for sale

Drainage

Steve Hayes Informatica

Solutions

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition.

Consumables Albox, Almeria

• Emergency Drain Cleaning • High Pressure Water Jetting • CCTV Surveys • Drainage Repairs • Location of Cesspits • Qualified Engineer • Expert Reports

Established 7 years in spain

Tel: 950 120 900

construction

construction

• Pool construction • Pool makeovers & repairs • project management • all building projects & reforms Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com

established in spain for 14 years

fully legal

Constructions

Martinez moreno cb (Rambla de Oria) All types of building work undertaken inc plumbing & electrics

tel: 609 421 734 (Spanish) tel: 696 052 044 (English)

eleganthomes realise the dream

property damaged by the recent floods? then, let our professional construction team help you! call mike on 687 629 777 or email: info@elegant-homes-online.com

drainage

LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING 4 Installation of fibreglass septic tanks 4 Blocked Toilets, Sinks, Baths & Drains 4 CCTV Surveys 4 Drain Tracing 4 Turbine Root Cutting 4 Blocked Cesspits

950 091 109 or 648 768 587 Cleaning of Septic Tanks • Emptying of Septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning • Small Only unblockages of pipes & drainage 100€ Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks

Contact: 675 838 808

Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966

Now exhibiting at Los Llanos market, Arboleas every Saturday Tel: 950 120 077 Mob: 625 435 050 / 615 396 056

C o o k e r Hood 150€ Knowles & ELECTRICIAN Nordor Sirocco Abbott 90 cms wide Neil no.1 for NEW cost over Godwin electrics and 25 years experience 400€ Arboleas plumbing.

Tel 663 663 743 Full City & Guilds Re-wires, Fully free to air L ANE Y insured UK satellite RITCHER RB8 & legal Boletins systems.

300 WATT supplied 950 137 208 BASS COMBO

electrical

638 010 691

Tel : 687 245 569

gardening

AMP L I F IER Brand new. An award winning amplifier, new 460€, this one for sale at 300€.

Genuine reason for sale. Tel: 693 753 327 Saliente.

Y a m a h a ERB070 4

insurance

potty finca services professional tree felling & pruning, including all types of palm trees

strimming of overgrown gardens & hedge cutting spanish registered. logs available ring john on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930

heating

cash payment waiting for all your unwanted goods, also business stock liquidations carried out

Call Cash & Carry Clearances Tel: 618 725 567 or 619 773 582

cashandcarry54@yahoo.co.uk

THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST

hobby/craft

interpretor

El a i n e ’ s Wools quality UK wool & accessories. Come & view my display Also available at Camposol, Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@gmail.com

T r a n sl a t o r English, Spanish French, Swedish Documents, Notary, Court, Legal Tel: 646 844 708 www.4way connections.webs. com

Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

Locked Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area.

Special weekend rates.

Tel: 697 243 181

glenn & jayne Formerly of Knights Insurance, C / Malaga, Albox ... are now exclusive agents for Liberty Seguros

load of small or big Olive logs, no roots €160 load of mixed Olive some roots €140 load of eucalyptus, no roots €150 all loads 2 tonnes same people - same great service - differeent name Arboleas & Tel: 950 121 943 surrounding areas infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com Call Lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail. co.uk logs iron/metal

works

950 069 208 or 638 449 944 adwelds@yahoo.com

The Metal works Grills, railings, gates of all types, security/ sliding/roller, rejas, concertina doors etc.

Tel: Keith Wood on

638 900 949

T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chainlink fencing - Tel: 950 431 738

Immediate Cash. Quick decision. * We cover all areas * We turn up, give cash & carry * We buy almost anything – The Highest Cash Prices Paid **ONLY serious & immediate sellers Need help with should call please**

Tel: 679 207 545 or 686 697 665

locksmith

logs

neater heater See our main ad on the news pages metal works Gates, rejas, Carlos (Saliente) plumbing & heating services. If it involves water, fabriction welding reliable service we can help! www.carlossaliente.com Telephone Tel: 968 969 962

house clearances

string bass plus Yamaha practice amp, strap and gig bag. Immaculate condition with very little use from new.

Never gigged this is a quality instrument.

Current list price in excess of 300€.

Accept 170€. Tel: 693 753 327 Saliente.

NIE / Residencias, C a d a s t r e , P r o p e r t y Conveyancing, New Building Declarations, Notary, Wills etc Tel: 646 844 708 www.4way connections. webs.com

logs logs logs logs logs logs logs

willow logs for sale

grade a olive - Olive Mix - Eucalyptus wood chopped to size for log burners

FREE DELIVERY Albox & surrounding areas ALL AREAS COVEReD

unbeatable

prices

Tel: 658 588 430 All construction materials delivered

logs logs logs logs logs logs logs

Phil Delivers

Logs

gravel & all building materials

Albox & Surrounding areas

tel: 634 328 779 legal

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space on pg 16, please email info@daviessolicitors.com

www.soltimes.com NUMBER PLATES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

personal cont...

“RE-PLATE” Spanish • blonde slim • curvy MATE GB

24 hours english spoken

E

Don’t take a chance!

Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

opticians Optica Albox All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses Tel: 950 121 991

painter / decorator

painter & decorator

over 25 years experience

give your property or business a fresh look this november

Tel: 649 186 107 or

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

painting & decorating

• 35 years experience • Guaranteed to beat any quote • Quality work guaranteed

Tel Alan: 950 450 174 or 600 268 176

now covering mainland spain

commercial & major retail painter’s expert quality workmanship

visit our website for more info tntpainters@live.co.uk www.tntpaintersltd.co.uk

634 612 828 pets section pALOMINO kENNELS Exclusive boarding kennels/cattery Tel: 950 067 051 R&R Services Pet transportation, licensed by Junta de Andulucia, DEFRA approved vehicle Tel: 686 140 034

MY PLACE OR YOURS Dog & Horse Sitting Service

Ex RSPCA Inspector. Dog day sitting Going away? Let us take care of your pets, either at your home or ours.

Dogs kept in house or kennels.

Pet passporting service.

Just outside Albox.

Tel: 607 554 984

my-place-or-yours@hotmail.com woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery

arboleas Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view ministry approved Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

No need for kennels or cattery, Pet sitting in your own home, Arboleas & surrounding areas.

Call Vanessa on 637 061 482 Not just cats & dogs, All other types of pets considered

pet taxi TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE

(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862

friendly mare

9 years old 14.3hh/1.50m

500€ telephone 678 838 547

personal “Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisments in this section offensive”

VERA PLAYA

YOUNG PRETTY GIRLS

with barbie bodies 90-60-90 french, brunettes & columbians

24 HOURS • STRIPTEASE tEL: 687 891 515

hi my name is prince harry i am small /medium sized & approx 12 months old. i’m very playful, good with other dogs & children. i’m in good health & house trained. i would make an excellent family dog & i have lots of love to give. call paul if you would like to meet me on: 626 766 073 or email thedoghse@hotmail.com españolas enlace: veronica 608 858 318

Hi my name is Slim I was abandoned at The Dog Hotel and never collected. I’m a really friendly boy who gets on with other dogs.

I would make you the most loyal companion.

D.O.B 01/07/2010 Come meet me soon at the The Dog House.

Call Paul on: 626766073 or e-mail thedoghse@ hotmail.com españolas enlace: Veronica 608858318

property for rent & SALE

Apartment to rent

in Los Menchones near Zurgena

removals cont...

SELL YOUR PROPERTY FAST WITH

SOLTIMES

For just 10€ per week!

urcal

Large 2-bed comfortable flat for immediate let, 200mtrs Mojacar Beach.

Minimum 3 months. 350€per month + Bills.

Or long term.

No pets, no smokers.

Tel. 950 475 410.

Reduced

€39,950

Apartment For Sale

cortij0 grande golf course 1 bed, 1 bath apartment fully fitted kitchen, white goods, parking, lovely views. Ideal golfing holiday apartment.

Close to Mojacar / Turre.

T: 664 291 793

jescott29@hotmail.co.uk plasterer B r i t i sh All plasterer work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

plumbing A&E Taylor – Gas boiler & plumbing repairs.

Tel: 618 062 080 Knowles & Abbott no.1 for plumbing & electric. CH, solar hot water and water deposits.

Telephone 950 137 197 or 606 807 797

CARLOS SALIENTE

Plumbing and Heating offer machined boiler decals for gas water heaters for just €65 – aguafuerte is not the answer!

Call 950 930 900 or 968 969 962, email carlos.saliente@gmail.com

furnished, fully fitted kitchen with white goods, log burner, fenced garden with shed 300€ pcm

ring Lynn on 666 281 323

for sale plot of land of 800m & villa 125m 2

2

brick built up to & inc roof Wonderful location & exceptional views yet 5 mins to town with all amenities. Fully legal with escritora must be viewed

Bargain price 65,000€ To view or for more details

609 199 394

for SALE massive detatched cortijo with 50m2 workshop 20mins from mojacar This is a unique spanish country cortijo with 4 beds, 2 bath, Open plan living areas, kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. possible B& B

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m²

Telephone 649 186 107 email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

only €160,000

removals

DAVE’S TRANSPORT 7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver Spain/uk/Local Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire” Call now 0034 620 049 524 (Es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (UK) woodnco@hotmail.com

M&D transport

Large Van Removals / Deliveries Spain - UK Full or Half Loads Collections e.g from IKEA Tel Mick: 950 122 447 Mob: 620 475 218

SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals

Friendly Reliable Service Fully Legal Special deals from UK - Spain Office: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884

UK - SPAIN - UK From a parcel to a small house move

ground floor, 1 Your property will appear and be bed, lounge, seen by almost 55,000 Satelitte TV, Sol Times readers! diningroom, Call PauletteTODAY on 950 121 936 suit couple or OR 902 750 190 Ext 330 single 175€+ bills per month Tel: 950 449 074 or 2 bedroom casita 634 368 071 Arboleas. First floor flat overlooking the rambla. Four bedrooms, lift access nice views, central location, part furnished.

300€ pcm long term preferred. Available immediately 609 199 394

33

marmenorremovals@hotmail.com

Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service

uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk +44 (0) 1582 499 836 +44 (0) 7977 754 389

ENGLISH MOVE

SINGLE ITEMS TO COMPLETE HOUSE MOVE

Call Tony on Spanish mobile 699 819 213 English mobile 07976928053 English office: 0044 121 355 0005 Email: tonystehenson311@hotmail.com STORAGE FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN SPAIN & UK

satellite/television A1 Sky Television Systems

Sky Digibox Pace with sky card

Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

Also Spanish“freeview”systems supplied & installed

Tel Dave: 628 607 778

BBC 1, 2, 3, 4 ITV1, 2, 3, ch4 & 5.

60€

can deliver.

Tel: 667 235 205

solar power system

www.ecocorp.eu

at ecocorp we do not just sell you a system we deliver, intall & guarantee everything for up to 10 years

Swimming Pool Heating

titanuim swimming pool heat pump For pools approx 8m by 4m 2495€ INC Installation This unit uses only 1.7kw input power!

Solar Power Systems

off grid systems for homes with no electricity 3kw systems from 6495€ 5kw systems from 7495€ 7kw systems from 8995€

Tel: 671 716 597 situations vacant

Class One Drivers Required Class One HGV Drivers required for UK work. Working for Blue-chip companies in the Midlands area.

Requirements: Must have driver card (didgi). No more than 6 points on licence, age 25+ Must be prepared to work weekends / shift patterns Accommodation and flights arranged. Average earnings per week £750.00 to £1000 Self-employed Flexible work patterns suit for example 3 weeks on 10 days off back home.

For application and more information email: ultimateforceukltd@gmail.com

storage

Storage Rooms for rent, 5 square metres to 15sq metres, Roquetas de Mar Urbanisation.

From 5€ a week.

Tel: 650 038 251 stables Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa.

One to one or group lessons, latest EN standard hats provided. Escorted hacking and treks. Qualified BHS Instructor. Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

swimming pool safety

NEATER HEATER See our main advert on the news pages

tuition

SPANISH LESSONS WITH VICTORIA

For info call on 950 472 590 or e-mail: victoriaspanishteacher @gmail.com or visit:www. victoriaspanishteacher. villadeturre.com

34

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

car parts

for sale cont...

Need quality new parts for any car

2011 FIAT PANDA FSH FIAT WARRANTY ONLY 10,300KM TEL: 664 897 674

Car parts

for sensible prices on all parts Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Starter Motors, headlights

Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com

€749

or telephone 692 930 326

car & van hire

FOR SALE PEuGeoT 107

Van hire

AUTO / MANUAL “2 TRONIC” FIRST REGISTERED 26 – 03 - 2008 COLOUR - BLACK 998 c.c. PETROL (GASOLINA) 7,200kms I.T.V. till 20-03-2014

ONE WAY



UK to Spain or Spain to UK

*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN

5

* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE

TEL: 667 235 205

Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain

Van, car and driver

PRICE: 5,500€ Tel. 950 398 021 motorhomes

for hire

house & garden clearances, collections & deliveries, weekly collections from IKEA, Airport transfers Almeria 60€ one way, 110€ return Alicante 80€ one way, 150€ return

Motorhomes for sale & wanted urgently

Motorhome & caravan Insurance arranged Motorhomes & caravan repairs & spares All vehicle imports, ITV & matriculations

Tel: 950 047 033 or 687 845 730

Tel: 634 345 257

info@hispavan.com www.hispavan.com

for sale

125cc Lifan Heritage cruiser

wanted

URGENTLY REQUIRED

ENGLISH & SPANISH CARAVANS, CARS, MOTORHOMES & VANS ANY CONDITION WE COLLECT! THROUGHOUT SPAIN

950€ Registered 2009, immaculate condition.

Large Topbox and Transfer incl. Albox area.

Tel Shaun on 610 324 666

mechanics

stu british mobile car mechanic 26 years experience very reliable & competitive rates local to the Arboleas area certificates can be seen

TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

JT METAL RECYCLING

Tel: 608 447 696

NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE REGIONS OF Almeria & MURCIA

Mikes Mobile

Turn your old or unwanted CAR into CASH. We will dispose of in our Authorised Depollution End of Life Treatment facility.

Mechanics

All types of service, repair & ITV testing Fully qualified & legal with over 35 years experience Ring Mike or Chris:

628 350 178 or

636 824 974

We also take fridges, washing machines, microwaves, all electrical appliances

Certificates Issued

WANTED CARS, VANS, LORRIES, TRACTORS, TRAILERS, PLANT MACHINERY

House & garden cle arances , skips supplied

Spanish or English

Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL

TEL: 645 094 339 / 950 064 763

to advertise in the classified section call paulette on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332

motoring section

GRAND CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR & FETE VERA HOTEL, SUNDAY 2ND DECEMBER, 10AM - 3PM The Vera Hotel (on the A1200 in Vera - just up from Iceland) will be hosting a Grand Christmas Craft Fair & Fete in the car park on

Sunday 2nd December from 10am – 3pm

Stalls and Fun for all the Family With over 50 stalls selling a multitude of craft items, the organisers, the Vera & District Lions Club, are also planning their own stall selling hot mulled wine, homemade mince pies and hot roasted chestnuts Carol Concert ~ Santa’s Grotto ~ Face Painting Bouncy Castle Best Dressed Santa’s Helper (for the under 10’s) Best Christmas Hat Competition (Traditional & Fun) AND MUCH, MUCH MORE....

A spokesperson for Vera & District Lions club said “Our intention is to make this a fun day out for all the family, with proceeds going to local good causes.

On the day we hope to be making an announcement of a substantial donation to one of our local charities” The Vera Hotel are helping out by putting on a special 3 Course Sunday Lunch Menu del Dia + Drink for just 12 Euros per person (Full Menu to be announced soon). Bookings for the lunch should be made direct to the hotel by calling 699 856 128 or email celebraciones@verahotel.es

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stall Holders

Anyone wishing to have a pitch should contact Adele in the first instance on: adelewatts2002@yahoo.co.uk The Vera & District Lions Club International Reg. No. 117889 Spanish Reg No. Malaga 116B)

Sol Times are pleased to Support The Vera & District Lions Club in Raising Money For Local Good Causes

Can you sell ice to an Eskimo?

SOLTIMES

are looking for full and part time sales representatives in the Albox area.

Your role will be to let local businesses know how Sol Times can help them reach more customers and grow their business.

If you are:

• Local to Albox • Have an outgoing, friendly attitude • Are organised and can work to deadlines And more importantly

you can sell ice to an Eskimo Then we would really like to meet you!

Send your CV to: rosemary@soltimes.com or telephone Rosemary on 647 379 795

www.soltimes.com

Jos is having some well-earned time off at the moment, so we though we’d repeat some classics from past issues of Sol Times...here for your enjoyment is CECELIA...

About this time last year Cecil came into our lives. Although he had not been invited, he arrived during a party. However, he proved to be an invaluable addition to the guest list, particularly with our neighbour’s grandchildren.

He fascinated them, although some of the grown-up guests were less enthusiastic about his attendance.

It takes a special skill to keep young children enthralled, but Cecil succeeded magnificently. His appearance entranced them, as did the quantity of food he could demolish in the blink of an eye, before moving on to the next snack, and polishing that off at record speed as well.

At party’s end the guests left, but Cecil stayed. Pete made him a bed for the night, while I rustled up some supper for him – he was still hungry, despite having chewed his way through probably more than his own body weight of food in the course of the afternoon.

Next morning Cecil was in a temper. He wouldn’t touch his breakfast, he thrashed about his carefully constructed living accommodation like josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk a billionaire Arab oil

By Jos Biggs

viewpoint

sheik who had suddenly woken up in a transport café. Yesterday’s convivial and colourful party-crasher had turned into today’s moody teenager.

Immediately Pete sprang into action. He cut the top off an empty water bottle and half filled the bottom with earth. Then I pointed our bad-tempered guest in the general direction of the bottle. He positively sprinted out of his bedroom and into the bottle, and within seconds had burrowed into the soil, burying himself completely before our eyes.

We waited with anticipation for Cecil to emerge in due course, transformed from a splendidly colourful caterpillar into a magnificent Death’s Head Hawk Moth. But alas! Cecil’s story does not have a happy ending. During the winter a torrential downpour flooded Cecil’s bottle, and Cecil succumbed.

We gave him a decent burial in the compost heap, and wondered whether we would ever see another Cecil.

Yesterday our neighbour put a plastic container, apparently containing nothing but bougainvillea leaves, on top of our party wall. Why? We wondered. Could there be treasure hidden at the bottom?

In a manner of speaking, there was – another Cecil!

Another house was constructed, this time out of a flower pot, which has drainage holes. Cecil #2 was transferred, and duly disappeared from sight underground. I have put the flower pot in what I hope is a safe place.

I have named our latest guest Cecilia – and I eagerly await her emergence, but how long must I wait? Does anyone out there know how long it takes a Hawk Moth caterpillar to pupate? I wouldn’t want to miss her!

Get Smart and Stick with What You’ve Got We have been looking at new Televisions. There is however, nothing wrong with the one we have; a 32” that sits nicely in the purpose made recess in our beautiful walnut unit, and which has given us great service ever since we purchased it in 2006.

It will come as no surprise to those who know me that I know as much about TV’s as I do about any other piece of high tech – or low tech – piece of equipment. My reservoir of technical knowledge is as empty as a eunuch’s jockey shorts.

So it may seem surprising that having seen a friend’s new 55” Smart TV, I immediately got the hots for one just like it and decided that this was a necessary addition to our living room.

It’s not just a case of doling out the cash for one of these beauties though, because in order to take full advantage of the HD and 3D facilities amongst other things that I

haven’t quite figured out yet, I have to convert to a much more complex system for receiving the signals. Something akin to the Jodrell Bank radio telescope will be needed on one of our solariums.

Have you seen those dishes? It looks as if you could communicate with alien civilisations in the Crab Nebula with one of those things, instead of merely receiving a beam from a satellite a paltry few miles up.

And like all high tech gadgets, the more I look at it, the more complicated it gets and the more confused I become.

The TV itself comes with all sorts of configurations and gizmos. I couldn’t understand why all the Smart TV’s, although looking the same, were priced differently.

Some have little web cams built in so that you can Skype your family and friends and you can view your emails without having to get up and go to the computer. And don’t even think about waving to the neighbours through the window, unless you want to change channels.

I was weighing up two of these beasts in the new Zenia Boulevard shopping centre and I could not for the life of me see why the 55” was priced at €1300,

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com while the 46”

model next to it was a mighty €1800 – until I noticed the quality of their pictures. It was no contest.

Here was more confusion because it depends on the Hertz rating – one was 200 and the better picture was 400.

What! I thought Hertz rented out cars for God sake. And now of course, having seen the two side by side, how can I sleep soundly if I don’t splash out for the more expensive model with the supa dupa ‘almost like being there’ picture?

Then there is the considerable problem of where to put it.

We have a larger than average living area, but every part of the room has been utilised in some way and all the furniture therein has its own designated space.

So far this has suited us down to the ground – it may not be ideal Feng Sushi or whatever the hell it’s called, but through trial and error, it has been thus organised. We are comfortable with it.

But all that will have to change.

That walnut unit that takes up a complete wall and houses the increasingly pathetic looking 32” JVC television, will simply have to go – there is nowhere else for it. And this presents another problem – storage.

Apart from the TV, the unit houses a crystal glass and china

collection, my special handbound books, a million DVD’s, a large canteen of cutlery, more books and most important of all, a well stocked bar.

Add to this the fact that the sofa’s will have to be shuffled around and perhaps shoe horned into some awkward areas along with two television chairs purchased from the dreaded IKEA (Simply ‘musthave’ items since my wife tried them for size at the same friend’s house who destroyed our lives by buying the bloody so called Smart TV in the first place).

As for the dining room table and chairs – well, we will have to eat off trays from now on, which means buying at least six more of the things in case we decide to throw a dinner party for friends. Friends who will increase in number once word gets out that we have a football pitch sized screen, which will mean more pairs of special 3D glasses costing an arm and a leg.

Ray-Ban’s are cheaper.

So, taking everything into careful consideration including the cost of a new extension to house our homeless treasures and knickknacks, I reckon that we won’t see much change out of €60,000.

Do you know what? I think I can do without seeing a 3D Bruce Forsyth after all!

Al queri a P o yat o a nd R emi t r o o t With Antonio Poyato’s Remitroot the only viable industry in Alqueria the Hill People, El Gente del Cerro were for the first time in the ascendence. The bye-products of Remitroot, mainly the Liquor are enjoyed by many in positions of Authority in both the Madrid and Brussels Governments. Remitroot grows in only a handful of locations worldwide but the best is from Alqueria. Some believe it is the bad drainage which gives the plant its superior texture and flavour.

The plant was known in the first century AD and imported by the Romans. Known then as Remitus Radix it was particularly prized for its qualities as an aphrodisiac adding spice to many of Caligula’s sleepovers. Poyato wanted to use this property of the plant to expand his range of Remitroot products. Being an aphrodisiac he thought it would form the basis of an unbeatable aftershave. Unfortunately a chemical reaction took place during mixing which completely changed the properties of the solution. It became irresistible to the Red-legged Partridge. Platoons of the birds, all in a state of high sexual excitement would waddle hopefully behind the wearer. It was soon discontinued, although a small order is still shipped to a select club in Soho, London.

A remarkably good degreaser is made from the pulped root and the residue, when mixed with goat’s hair makes an excellent skin exfoliant. But Poyato knew his fortune lay in distilling and fermenting the plant. Blythe Gruntmore, the village’s resident Geordie suggested a Spanish adaptation of Newcastle Brown Ale. Many hours of development, testing and modification took place before Remitroot Cerveza Marrón was born. Probably the most potent beer in the world. Gruntmore sampled the brew. His normal unintelligible and extremely bad Spanish, mixed liberally with Geordie profanities suddenly became crystal clear. It was text-book Spanish spoken with a refined Madrid accent. The effect only lasted for a minute or so before Blythe collapsed in an untidy heap on Poyato’s fermentationroom floor. When he came to he didn’t know if it was Easter Sunday, Día del Trabajo or the anniversary of the Battle of Bailén.

The beer became an instant success, retaining all the traditional properties of Remitroot but with an elevated alcohol content. It reaches many parts other beers don’t even try to reach.

Known as Poyato’s Brain Paralyser it is a truly belligerent beer.

Many more hectares of Alquerian land have been put under Remitroot cultivation. The distillery and new brewery are now the major employers in the village. The brewery workers are in a constant state of intoxication from the lethal fumes. It is indeed a cheerful place of work.

swimming pools

pool sureste sl made with “Gunite” FREE Dolphin & Seal Mosiac Design on base of pool. Ask for details.

Al

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8.500 €

8m.X 4m. pool Repairs Terraces Pool Covers

968 461 404 - 630 810 299 E-mail: ppsl@ono.com www.poolsureste.com

35

John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu

a trip down memory lane...

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

www.carsupermarket.es

36

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

pause for thought

As I write this, I’m currently on the Maltese Island of Gozo, allegedly on holiday. I’m afraid however that I must confess I’ve always been a right misery where holidays are concerned, tending to find them a distraction from work I enjoy and/or need to do, and this year has been no exception. The storm in September had exposed the urgent need for a string of essential maintenance tasks, into which I enthusiastically threw myself. And where flights to Malta can be arranged at any time of year from all areas of Britain, Spain, clearly being less well-served, necessitated a 6-hour overnight drive to catch the 6:30 morning flight, so that I struggled somewhat to share my wife’s enthusiasm for a holiday.

But I do love Gozo; and after a few days of peace, rest, good food and relaxation, even I am beginning to enjoy the experience and allow my mind and body to recover their strength. For holidays really are an essential part of life, enabling (or perhaps in my case – enforcing) us to let go of the day to day concerns that so easily take over, and risk destroying our lives.

Such rest and true relaxation is doubtless as essential to our well-being as a good night’s sleep. And whilst in my childhood, weekends and especially Sundays, served as means of allowing us regular relaxation; such options no longer exist in our modern society where every day is treated the same, and each kept equally busy.

How much we lose by ignoring this basic need for mental and bodily recuperation! How wise indeed was the old sabbatical law of the Bible, which proscribed a day of true rest each week as well as regular, longer breaks, or ‘sabbaticals’, to allow regeneration of body, mind, yes and spirit too. And so I can’t help but wonder just how many of the problems of our society could perhaps be traced to our loss of Sundays, for which, in honesty we seem to have gained so little return

Further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www. mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com

Wee Willy Winkie

Socks hanging around in Tarifa recently

Well the socks finally escaped from the drawer and attached themselves to my feet. The gas fire was lit for the first time at the weekend so it’s all downhill from here on in until next spring. Two years ago Spain had the wettest winter in 50 years, last winter was the driest since records began and this winter has started really wet. Great weather for ducks and all the areas affected by the horrific summer fires as the countryside greens up again.

For over 15 years my glasses prescription had remained the same but then over the summer reading gradually became more difficult and worse still my pool playing became so bad that the wife started to beat me on a regular basis. Enough was enough and I realised middle age was blurrily staring at me in the face and varifocals were the answer. The lovely opticians in Albox I have used for years gave me the most high tech and free examination I could imagine and less than a week later my new glasses are now in place.

Within 24 hours and by complete coincidence I happened to visit a bar with a pool table and can confirm my sight has returned along with my Mojo. Oh I can read again too.

Believers in Feng shui know that leaving the toilet lid up means wealth will flow out of the household. There is also the constant battle between the sexes about whether the toilet seat should be left up or down. When I was a teenager a friend of mine told me of when he was 4 and quietly minding his business having a pee when his mate crept up and slammed the toilet seat down so cutting the tip of his Wee Willy Winkie off. Luckily he was rushed to hospital and the missing part stitched back on. I shudder as I write this as no doubt my fellow males will when reading this too. The film Misery and the ‘legs’ scene has the same effect, why did he place the penguin ornament the wrong way round?

In the interests of accuracy I checked online to confirm what the ornament was that Paul Sheldon dropped that caused Misery to ‘do that thing’, in doing so I discovered a chilling fact about Stephen King the author of the book the film was based on. Apparently in the late 1970s Stephen King was leaving a New York film studio when a man approached him with a dangerous look in his eyes. The man said he was Kings biggest fan and asked to pose in a photograph with him. Stephen King signed a photo for him and always remembered the man’s name. That man was Mark Chapman, who a year or so later in 1980, gunned down John Lennon in similar circumstances.

I digress so back to toilet seats; they have worried me ever since the chopping off tale and in our house we have a kamikaze toilet seat that drops without warning at lightning speed. Getting older means a night time visit for a pee is a regular occurrence and I always stand in the dark fearful of the invisible guillotine waiting to cut me off in my prime!

Stephen Amore has lived in Almeria since July 2006 and owns Findmeahome estate agency. Writing on a variety of topics close to his heart such as environmental issues, animal welfare, food and drink, music and travel, as well as commenting on the absurdities of living in Spain! email: stephen@findmeahome.es - www.facebook.com/stephen.amore

Sol Insure A New Ray Of Light For Insurance

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In Association with BWI Bryan White Insurance (with over 20yrs insurance experience, 8yrs in the expat community) Exclusive Insurance Agency of Certain Syndicates At Lloyds

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950 472 098

www.soltimes.com

TEST DRIVE

VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.7 CDTi ECOFLEX

“Doesn’t the Astra look similar to the Mazda 3?” questions a carloving work colleague looking down on the two vehicles from a top floor window.

It’s not something that I had thought about until now but there is definitely a striking resemblance even down to the rear spoilers and haunches.

37

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

The fact that both cars are white makes them virtually identical from up above.

But that’s where the similarity ends because on the ground the Mark 6 Astra looks much more rounded and futuristic, slightly wider than the Mazda 3, too.

The five-door 1.7 CDTi Ecoflex Exclusiv start-

stop tested is equally efficient as the 1.6-litre diesel Mazda 3; both easily returning 50mpg while travelling at 70mph.

I am pleasantly surprised at the Astra’s abilities because it’s good fun to drive and will easily cover 600 miles on a tank.

Both inside and out

it’s striking and a marked improvement on its predecessor. In fact today’s Astra has a good quality luxury feel. The doors shut with a satisfying ‘thunk’ and the driver slides into a well-supported, comfortable seat. As with many cars it takes the driver a little while to familiarise themselves with the placement of various controls and how to operate the radio.

I can only pick fault with the moulding around the six-speed gearbox, which, for me, is too close to the handbrake but I do like the way it lights up as you can see from the video at testdrives. biz. The interior is perhaps too black and the temperature control is not obvious unless the lights are on and then it is illuminated. While the automatic engine startstop is clearly beneficial when stopping at traffic lights long delays where traffic is continually stopping and starting can result in this system using more fuel, in common with all other similar systems. This is clear when I am stuck in a claustrophobic 20-mile queue on my way home

turning a 45 minute journey into one of two hours. In such a situation it is helpful to be able to switch it off and leave the engine idling.

But the interior is welcoming and well-designed and it is equipped with everything from air-con through to front electric windows and sat nav.

The marvellous Astra is punchy and quick when required yet incredibly economical, one of the most efficient cars I have driven to date, returning a consistent 70mpg at 50mph.

The cruise control takes a lot of beating because it will hold the set speed no matter whether a gear change is made, a useful feature if approaching a hill when changing down is necessary. However,

you still need to keep a careful eye on progress as speed will increase downhill and drop uphill if in the wrong gear.

While the Astra used to be associated with reps, today’s salesmen would be very fortunate to drive a vehicle of this style and quality. This five-door hatchback is a competent family and business adversary as well as being a strong workhorse, so much so that countless police forces around the UK use them.

specification Price: £20,725 Top speed: 126mph 0-60mph: 10.4sec Economy: 76.3 (combined) Power: 128bhp Watch the video at: www. testdrives.biz

Advanced motorist Tim Saunders is the former Business and Motoring Editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

His regular test reports appear in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the UK, Ireland & Gibraltar - and now here in Spain! For more information contact Tim on: timasaunders@tiscali.co.uk

WE ARE HERE

Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628

Antas

Petrol Station E15/A7 MOTORWAY Exit 534

Vera

Antas

Tel: 950 459 136

Alfa Romeo 159

citroen jumper

Renault Scenic

1.9JDT, 2008, Fully equiped, A/C, 77,000km €9,995

2.0 HDI, 2006, 9 seater, A/C 160,000km €6,995

2008, Adapted for disabled, 159,000kms €4,495

Cars Coming in

Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 HDI 2004 110,000km €4995

Phone or check our website for more stock Our experienced team can help with all your repairs or maintenance needs - pop in and see us!!

Mon ~ Fri 9am - 7pm Sat 10am - 2pm Workshop: 950 459 209 Sales: 950 459 136

www.costacoches.com email: costacoches@mail.com Recent Credit Card Fraud: We would like to re-assure our customers that Costa Coches are in no way connected to these incidents and we understand arrests have now been made

38

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

ENCRYPTION

Do you remember the time when fun involved a pencil (remember them?) and a piece of paper on which lines, dots and squiggles were the beginnings of an entire afternoon of innocent pleasure? Were you also aware that this was probably how the transition from simple text into encrypted text might well have began? From a simple substitution cypher to today’s complex prime number based polynomial calculations.

Term of use: Cypher (a concealed message), Cryptography (the practice and study of techniques for secure communication), Plaintext (uncoded readable text message), Cyphertext (The unreadable message), Do you remember as a child using “Pig Latin”? This, too, is a type of cypher were sentences are modified to (try to and fail) hide the message. So now for the meat (food again – I must eat before I write).

Substitution cyphers are the first step on the ladder.

Do you recall sending messages through class, getting caught and ridiculed? Well you got caught, didn’t you?

What did you do next? My guess is that you then started to use a primitive substitution cypher called the Caesar cipher. Have you forgotten how? Let’s play a game. Write out the alphabet twice. Take the second version and cut the letters into squares each having a single letter on it. Place the pieces into a bowl. Take one and place it under the ‘A’, repeat this process until there are no more pieces left in the bowl.

My example ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHI Plaintext - AT LEAST THIS IS INTERESTING Cyphertext - JC UNJBC NQRB RB RWCNANBCRWP As you might notice, certain letters are cropping up regularly and this is the weakness of this method. I have seen 6 year old kids de-crypt a message like this within seconds.

A more secure system is a development of this simple cypher is called Vigenère cipher. This simply consists of the alphabet followed by an alphabet offset by one. Ie A-Z on the first line then B-A on the second and so on until you get back to A-Z. Now you have the letter grid, you will need a message to convert and a passphrase (see article on Passwords). We will use the same message as before and just for ease the passphrase “passphrase”.

First write out the message then under it write the passphrase including the spaces. e.g.

Plaintext - AT LEAST THIS IS INTERESTING Passphrase- PA SSPHR ASEP AS SPHRASEPASS This will give you the top and right side of letter grid.

In this case A and P. The encrypted letter is P. The next 2 letters are T and A which gives the encrypted letter of T. The third combination of L and S results in D. Now, just for the fun of it work through this exercise.

For more information about simple cyphers go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_cipher. Next time we will examine the real methods used to ensure your information is safe on the internet.

For further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk

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CABRERA BOWLS CLUB

Compiled by AFM

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• I n last week’s Europa League, Jermaine Defoe hit a hat-trick as Tottenham beat Maribor 3-1, Newcastle drew 2-2 in Bruges but Liverpool lost 1-0 to Anzil in Russia. Spurs need four points from their last two games to qualify for the knockout stage while Newcastle and Liverpool are both virtually through.

•M exican Javier Hernandez scored three times for PL leaders Manchester United who came back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2.

•T here was a thrilling 3-3 draw between Arsenal and Fulham. Gunners’ star Arteta gave away a first-half penalty and then saw his 95th minute spot-kick saved by Mark Schwarzer. Fulham have never won at Arsenal in 108 years •S econd-placed Chelsea beat Liverpool, Manchester City pipped Spurs, West Ham won at Newcastle and David Moyes celebrated his 400th PL game as Everton’s manager with a 2-1 win over Sunderland.

•U nfortunately Southampton can’t keep a cleansheet and QPR (beaten by Charlie Adam’s first goal for Stoke) and Reading simply can’t win. That’s why they’re in the bottom three!

•C rystal Palace, Tranmere and Gillingham top their respective Divisions while Hibs lead Celtic by two points in the SPL. •T his weekend it’s the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs, WBA (5th) play Chelsea (3rd), QPR meet fellow strugglers Southampton, Norwich welcome leaders Manchester United, neighbours City (2nd) take on Aston Villa, while Everton (4th) go to Reading.

•E ngland manager Roy Hodgson has three new faces in his squad for tonight’s friendly in Sweden including Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson who played for Finland as a teenager •O ther friendlies include Luxembourg-Scotland, Panama-Spain, Republic of Ireland-Greece, ItalyFrance and Holland-Germany.

• I t was Federer v Djokovic in the APT World Tour final at the 02 Arena.

•K evin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott scored centuries in England’s last warm-up friendly ahead of the first Test against India which starts tomorrow.

• J essica Ennis is the British Sports Women of the Year for 2012 (deservedly so).

•R ecent Rugby Union internationals saw England (ranked fourth in the world) beat Fiji 54-12, Wales lose 26-12 to Argentina, Ireland succumb 16-12 to South Africa 16-12 and Scotland crash 51-22 to New Zealand.

•G B’s Nathan Cleverly beat USA’s Shawn Hawk to retain his WBO light-heavyweight title in Los Angeles.

•D ani Pedrosa won last Sunday’s MotoGP in Valencia.

•A nd Lewis Hamilton has ‘regretted’ moving to Mercedes!

DID YOU KNOW? There were 752 non-British professional footballers with PL, Championship and Leagues 1 & 2 clubs last season, 200 based in London, including a record 40 at Arsenal and 38 at Chelsea.

LENNY DEAN DRAWN RINKS COMPETITION Over three days this drawn competition saw some very competitive bowling. The finals saw husband against wife, the finalists were Derek Hawkins, Lyn Band, Trevor Young, and David Schofield, and their opponents :- Keith Sephton, Tony Bird, Rod Band, Arthur Lees.

The finals were watched by an appreciative audience who witnessed some very

good bowling and the winning team of Derek Hawkins, Lyn Band, Trevor Young and David Schofield were worthy winners. Well done to all competitors.

Lyn Band has had a winning year so far beginning with the Summer Umbrella Competition, then being in the winning team in the Turre Open and then a member of the winning team in the Lenny Dean Rinks. Keep it up Lyn!!

SILVER FOR WILLINGALE!............

Ken Willingale’s efforts in this years 7.62mm Target Rifle shooting in the Nation Rifle Association (NRA) brought home a little silver.

Since arriving in the UK, it rained continually - well that’s what it felt like!

The main NRA competitions are in July, which were most disappointing for Ken as he had a severe chest infection for the two weeks of competition.

In September each club along Club Row has an individual championship; the first one is the North London in which Ken came good in the 900 yards shoot scoring 50.8 missing the 16 inch “V” bullseye twice out of 10 shots.

At last things were looking up!

The next weekend was the Royal Navy Championships in which Ken came 3rd.

Then the Middlesex County Championships, which Ken won the first and third stages but due to a mechanical malfunction in the second stage Ken lost 6 points, leaving his overall position

as 3rd again, just one point behind the winner.

The last competition was ‘Match Rifle’, using a telescope on the rifle. The distances are 1000 yards to 1200 yards and the bullseye is just 24 inches in diameter.

On the Saturday, Ken scored 292 out of 300 missing the bullseye only 8 times out of 60 shots.

Sunday was even better for Ken, losing only 4 points out 200 score 196 – Ken missed the 24 inch bullseye only 12 times out of 100 shots - this must be close to a record.

The real challenge when shooting such long distances is judging the wind correctly and off-setting the sights to allow the bullet to arrive in the bullseye.

So at last it all came good for Ken, in the end winning the North London Match Rifle Saturday Aggregate, Sunday Aggregate, 1200 yard Aggregate and the Championship by a clear 11 points.

For more contact Ken willingale.org

information on ken@

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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2012

in front of the Best Indalo Hotel on Mojacar Playa and caught just the one fish, a cow bream about 7in long on bacon rind. Tough fishing in tough conditions.

‘London Bill’ caught a few small palomete and mackerel spinning from Garrucha beach and rocks.

Coarse Fishing: ‘Baza Barry’ say’s water temperatures on Negratin are falling fast and so is the water level. He fished for a couple of hours and didn’t get a bite, a rare occurrence for Barry.

ANGLING NEWS

WITH BEACHCOMBER JOHN Boat Fishing: The lads from the village of Almanzora braved the carnage left on the roads by the Sept 28th floods to travel to Garrucha to join ‘Orca Steve’ for a day out fishing. Steve, Pete, Pete and new member John were raring to go and ready for some serious catching but Steve had to advise them from the offset the fishing had been hit by the floods and it was hard work to catch anything half decent at moment.

They set off in a light north easterly wind and slight swell to a shallow fishing area opposite the Mojacar Pueblo and near to the river opening where Steve knew fish would possibly be feeding. They drifted between a depth of 35ft. and 100ft and caught small red snappers, pickerels, bogues, Spanish mackerel, pandoras and a couple of weavers.

‘Kenolo’ had a day’s fishing on Monday with ‘Cuba Brian’ and a couple of mates. ‘Morri Ell’ caught a trigger and quite a nice size too; Ken had a brace of mackerel on his last drop. ‘Farmer Rory’ caught two lizard fish and other

fish caught were the usual culprits including weavers. A bit choppy but at least they got out.

Shore Fishing: The ‘Albox F. C.’ went fishing off the beach and rocks by the statue in Garrucha, seven fishermen and fourteen rods. Fish caught, a scorpion, doradas, weavers, striped bream, wrasse and three octopuses.

‘Dizzy John’ caught the scorpion fish which is an unusual catch off the beach.

‘Mark the Spark’ caught a 2kilo Octopus for the pot, Tony (‘always laughing’) caught nine fish but all small.

It wasn’t a surprise that ‘Dennis the Weaver’ caught the all weavers!

‘Spanish Alex’ caught a good palometon (Bigger version of the palomete) and some small sea bass. He’s trying out spinning with soft baits rather than natural ones at the moment. He’s also been catching various bream species on worm.

See photo of Alex and a dentex bream he caught a few weeks ago.

‘Tubby Jimmy’ went fishing on Monday off the Indalo arm

‘Puentes Ray’ took a trip to his nickname namesake lake, the weather was excellent and the water calm and most of the surface rubbish there on his last trip had gone.

He set up a light quiver tip first using pop up sweetcorn on a hair rig. Apart from a few knocks he had nothing for two hours so he eventually resorted to the float rod and immediately hit a 4.1/2lb carp.

Continuing with the float rod for rest of day fishing at about 13 feet depth with waggler and sweetcorn on size 12 wide gape hook, he loose fed corn and pellet, Ray ended up with fourteen carp. Although quite a slow day it was as ever just great to be fishing.

Top weights on two matches in Murcia were 21lbs and 48lbs.

The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650.

For further information on any of the above or to find out about beach, boat or coarse fishing licenses, see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099.

Tight lines, John

ALBOX DARTS LEAGUE ..............................................

Results for Week Tue 06 Nov Tue 06 Nov Tue 06 Nov Tue 06 Nov

6 Division Pablos El Cordobes Carrillos Bar Bar El Frax

Results for Week 6

1 5 4 5 0

v v v v

3 4 3 8

Corner Bar La Cinta 1 Bar Flora Cafe-Bar Oasis

Division 2

Tue 06 Nov La Cinta 2 7 v 1 Trinidad Tue 06 Nov Tercera Edad 5 v 3 The Travellers Tue 06 Nov El Molino 2 v 6 Catalan Regards / saludos cordiales Andy Martin, Secretary to Albox & District Darts League Mobile 622 905 951 For On-line results go to http://www.alboxinfo.com/albox-darts.php

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sport URCAL GS ....................................................................

Saturday the 10th November Urcal Golf Society played at Macenas for their latest Team game. Choosing to play a new format to the Society called Two Man No Scotch a very strange name for a golf game but never the less a good team game with a mixture of Individual, Foursomes and Texas Scramble.

After much discussion on the finer points of the rules, eleven pairs set out to conquer this intriguing format. At the end of the day, every team recorded a score under par, which either meant they played extremely

well or the handicaps given were to generous!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the day without getting too confused, with the winning pair of Ron Tomas and Derek Phillips recording a magnificent score of nett 54 a whopping twelve shots under par.

Bill and Maggie Nicol followed closely behind in second place with an equally impressive score of 55 with the third place pairing of Phil Harris and guest for the day Steve Crees finishing on 59.

A presentation was made after the game to Les

NO FIX NO FEE

Brice to commemorate his wonderful achievement of a hole in one a few weeks ago on the par three first hole at Macenas.

In the evening many from the Society gathered at the Las Vegas restaurant in Huercal Overa for a meal which was a nice way to round off a lovely day.

Our next game with be an Individual event on the 24th November at the Lorca Golf Resort, guests are always made to feel welcome, should anyone wish to know more about our small but friendly society then ring the Captain on 664 356 287

19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador ....................

A healthy number of 30 members and guests of the 19th Hole Golf Society made its 1st visit for nearly a year to the Macenas Golf Resort in Mojacar.

With threatening weather our players kept a wary eye out for the impending rain, but thankfully, it never arrived so our waterproof clothing remains in pristine condition.

The course was in pretty good condition especially the Tees and Greens, the fairways are a bit battered but as we played pick and place it’s really not a problem.

Pete Dow failed to maintain his recent good form and ball security, losing his first ball on the short par threefirst hole -and finished 8th in Division 2. Christine Dow managed to coax the same ball all the way round again to finish mid pack in the same division.

Mark Danson had a mixed day scoring 30 points playing

off 3, whilst Nick Pogson

shrugged off the yippes and the fog from Rocket Ron”s Pipe to score a very creditable 32 points playing off 18 to secure 2nd place in Division 1.

Brian (Dee) Lowden returned to better form scoring 34 points to take 1st place in Division 1. Clearly his clubs are at last taking notice of the “chats” he gives them!!

Rocket Ron Curtis really upped his game scoring 36 point playing off 27(el bandino country Ron!).

Zeta Denyer had another good round after a difficult start; scoring just 8 points on the first nine she found her rhythm scoring 22 points on the back nine to take 2nd place in div 2.

A really good turnout was rewarded with a good days golf some light hearted banter, serious golf, all culminating with drinks and sarnies at La Vida Cucador.

SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA

SALES HQ: 902 750 190/950 121 936 OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-4pm ALBOX, ARBOLEAS, ALFOQUIA ROQUETAS, ALMERIMAR coastal & mojacar areaS EDITOR: editor@soltimes.com ~ DESIGN:production@soltimes.com

Results.

Div: 1 1st Brian (Dee) Lowden 34 points (10) 2nd Nick Pogson 32 points (18) 3rd Mark Danson 30 points (03) Div; 2 1st Ron Curtis 35 points (27) 2nd Zeta Denyer 30 points (35) on count back 3rd Nigel Greenwood 39 points (21) Twos; Betty Simpson Hole 14 Roger Kaye Hole 16 Roger (The Dodger) Kaye Hole 18 Nearest The Pin: John Haydon 18th Don Harbon 8th The 19th hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. Or email gs19thhole@hotmail.co.uk

Sol Times Almeria is independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Almeria is an independent publication. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Almeria. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement.

Almeria Edition AL-344-2005/Roquetas Edition AL 956-2010

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40 SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

ALMERIA BOWLING CLUB .............................................

IN THE 2012 ANDALUCIAN SENIORS TOUR Boxers Golf Society is pleased to report the success of three of its members in this year’s Andalucian Seniors Tour which was sponsored by Unicaja.

The competition was comprised of an individual Stableford tournament in every province of Andalucia, along with a two day stroke play tournament at Benalup in Cádiz culminating in a grand final at Nuevi Sancti Petri which is also in Cádiz.

Travelling to the different venues meant that our stalwarts, Tony Redston, Steven Gilmore and Mark Newell burned up over 7,000 km of Andalucian tarmac during the

season.

Steve dominated the second division with a 1st at Benalup and three 3rd places which enabled him to clinch the overall order of merit.

Although Mark and Tony failed to qualify for the grand final, they both collected a number of prizes along the way and were subsequently afforded an invitation to play in a separate competition on Final Day, which Tony won. Mark finished a very creditable 5th in the highly competitive first division order of merit.

The mammoth task of organising the competitions and ensuring everything went like clockwork was undertaken

by Snr Salvador Perez Merida of the Royal Golf Federation of Andalucia.

Caption picture 1. ‘Tony Redstone, Steve Gilmore and Mark Newall after the final of the Andalucia Seniors Competition.’

Caption picture 2. ‘Steve Gilmore with Snr Salvador Perez Merida centre and John Robilliard of Malaga at the presentations.’

The second report refers to our fortnightly competition.

2012 Palace Cup (Handicap) The penultimate competition of 2012, the Palace Cup Handicap Cup was very much a disappointment with only 25 members taking part. A team of Jim Pike, John Fitzgerald and Sue Mannall decided the level of individual player’s handicap, which is dependent on current skill sets. Three days were required to complete the competition, starting on Monday 5th continuing on Friday 9th and ending with the Final on Saturday afternoon of 10th November.

The first Semi- Final between Roy Tonkin and Ken Sykes was a close game, which commenced with Roy taking the upper hand after eight ends.

Ken then fought back with scoring three shots on each of the next two

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2012 ALBC DRAW RINKS

Monday 29th October the re-scheduled ALBC Drawn Rinks commenced, with eight teams entering the competition. The first round/quarter final took place on the morning of Monday 29th followed by the Semi – finals in the afternoon.

The first semi –final featured a team comprising of Colin Wright, Patsy Tonkin, Pat Beattie and Stan Brisco. Which on the eleventh end was level at 9-9 against Roy Tonkin, Kieth Rainer, Graham Hughs, and Norman At k in s.Unf o r t unat e l y on the fifteenth end Roy’s Team lost seven shots and only scored one more shot giving Colin’s team a good win.

The other semi- final was a very comfortable win for Les Pratchett, Catherine Patrick, John Mannall and Joan Parsons against a team that plyed well in the first round, but on the day an out of form team of, Terry Rodgers, Vic Parsons, Ken Sykes and Liz Quintrell.

All members now looked forward to on paper to a very good game for the Final. And indeed it was, a very exciting occasion with lots of support looking on.

Les Pratchetts team were level

with Colin’s team at 9-9 on the ninth end, again on the sixteenth end at 16-16. On the seventeenth end Les’s team were piling them into the head and were at least holding four shots. Colin then who wasn’t a happy bunny until this point, fired at the head, missed with his first attempt, but the second hit the target and put the jack out of play.

Two shot were earned on the extra end by Colin’s team and although Les’s team won one shot on the last end the championship went to Colin and his team.

Congratulations must go to all players giving us a quality final.

Well done again for the spectators who enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon supporting the final. Please don’t forget this report and photographs will be posted on our website www.bowlingalmeria.com Drawn Rinks: Stan Brisco / Patsy Tonkin / Pat Beattie / Colin Wright Vic Parsons – ALBC Press Officer

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SUCCESS FOR BOXERS GOLF SOCIETY MEMBERS

ends, however he was unable to sustain it and although Roy wasn’t allowed to steam ahead, he did enough to win the game.

The second Semi-Final was between John Fitzgerald who in the previous round seemed unstoppable, but started slowly against Chris Ewer. Chris was six shots ahead on the ninth end. John then renewed his challenge and went ahead on the eighteenth end by two shots. This looked good for John, but Chris wasn’t going to let it happen and over the next five ends scored enough to complete the win.

The Final between Roy and Chris on paper was going to be an epic, however, Chris after his exceptional play in previous rounds just did not turn up and Roy continued his excellent play and won comfortably.

The quality of bowls was superb by most players throughout and produced many exciting games for the many supporters watching. Thanks go to the markers who without, the competition could not happen.

Pic: & Palace Cup: Winner (with Cup) Roy Tonkin/Chris Ewer Vic Parsons ALBC Press Officer

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