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Indian Restaurant

BIG indian BUFFET Choose from:

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Camping Los Gallardos

Miraflores

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4 courses with bottle of ESTE wine per couple & coffee included: Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, 2oz Entrecote, 20oz T-Bone, 10oz Pork Tenderloin, Roast Potatoes & Fresh Vegetables Freshly Baked Bread SERVED 1pm - 4pm

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2

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Sport

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

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Almería

The body of a man was found floating in the sea off on the Playa de El Zapillo in Almería.

The body was found by a member of the public.

The Policía Judicial y Científica de la Comisaría are trying to identify the body, which could be that of a Sengalese man who fled from a police check several days ago. The man was seen by officers acting suspiciously in a car park, and when officers approached him to question him he fled into the sea, discarding his outer clothing as he ran. The body has been taken to the Instituto de Medicina Legal for identification and to determine the cause of death.

Almería

Workers at Almería’s Torrecárdenas Hospital have expressed fears for their safety and the security of their cars parked on the rough ground which serves as a car park at the Hospital.

The Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios, CSIF Almería, (Independent Trade Union of Employees, CSIF Almería) met with the Administración to discuss the problem.

The Union reported that several of the professional staff have had their cars broken into, and items stolen, and are in fear of attack when they come off duty during late night or early morning shifts. However, the reply from the Administración was that this space was on loan from other administrations, so no improvements could be made to it.

Antonio Moreno, Presidente of the Sector Sanidad de CSIF said that in the Union’s view this answer showed an irresponsible attitude on the part of the administration, since these facilities were for all users, both patients and caregivers. ‘The Delegación Provincial de Salud is responsible for this area and therefore the guarantor that no irregularities or criminal acts happen on it, ‘ he stated. He claimed that 2 Security Guards were insufficient to ensure the safety of vehicles and their owners during the hours of darkness, adding that when in the past 3 guards had been employed, one of them was always available to escort staff to their cars.

Almanzora valley

The ‘Trail Valle del Almanzora’, an event which will promote the province of Almería as a destination for the serious sporting tourist, will be held on 13th and 14th April.

The Mancomunidad and the Diputación have joined forces to promote ‘Dos días de Aventura’, consisting of 120 kms. on foot and 150 kms. on ‘‘Mountain Bikes’.

The Diputada de Deportes, Ángeles Martínez; the Presidente de la Mancomunidad, Antonio Salas and Baldomero Oliver, organiser of the event, have been supported by Consentino, the Club Pedal del Mármol; Federaciones de Atletismo y Ciclismo and the Gobierno Autonómico. The event is to be held with the slogan ‘A las Estrellas desde el Paraíso del Mármol y el Jamón’ (From the stars to the paradise of marble and ham).

Advertised as a unique event, designed to attract cyclists, runners, triathletes and hikers to an ultra sporting event. It will be an endurance test over a tough and demanding course, which will test the athletes in the surroundings of a charming landscape, and is integrated into the ‘V Maratón BTT Sierra de los Filabres’ Campeonato Provincial. Ángeles Martínez said that ultra-endurance mountain athletics, (trekking and mountain biking) is an indisputable trend in Spain, sporting events which energise the tourism sector. Other places that have opted for these tests are Canary Islands, Catalonia and Menorca.

Registration opened on February 21, and entries are hoped to top 1,000. The routes will start from Olula del Río for the Mountain Bikers, Tíjola for the Runners and Alcontar for the walkers. The first day’s event will finish at Calar Alto, with the approximate distances covered being: 53 km run, MTB 74.7 kms and 34.8 kms walk. The second day will start and finish at Boulevard de Macael, and contestants will cover 62 kms for runners and 75 kms for Mountain Bikers. Every participant will be invited to a celebration dinner at Boulevard de Macael for the conclusion of this innovative event.

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

3

...local news update

Cantoria

The Cantoria PSOE blames the collapse of the bell tower of the Palacio de Almanzora, which occurred after the September rains, on the Alcalde, Pedro Llamas.

The Concejal Socialista, Carmen Mellado, accused the Mayor of only using the bell tower for election propaganda, concentrating instead on maintenance of the stables, with the sole intention of receiving a grant from Almanzora PRODER of 300,000 Euros.

She wondered how, with a conservation budget that in the past six years amounted to 36 million euros, and 6 million this year for a town of less than 4,500 inhabitants the Mayor can allow a building to fall into this state of disrepair.

Ownership of the Palacio de los Marqueses del Almanzora is a complicated affair, it is owned privately in three parts, only one of which falls within the remit of Cantoria. Two are pending reclassification of land stating that the owner thereof is in the hamlet of Almanzora and are a prerequisite for the transfer of ownership of the Palacio to the Ayuntamiento. The owner of the third part has been hoping since 2009 to proceed with its purchase by the Ayuntamiento for a minimum of 300,000 euros, and has expressed his desire not to hinder the full restoration of the Palace.The PSOE has denounced the lack of interest by the Mayor to ensure that the Palace becomes public property and that, so far, only 180,000 euros been invested by the Municipality.

Cuevas de Almanzora

The reconstruction of the bridge over the rambla of Guazamara at kilometre 5 of the A1201, in the municipality of Cuevas de Almanzora, is 60% complete. The works have cost in excess of 735,800 euros and have an estimated completion period of six months.

Cantoria

Through the Alcalde, Pedro Llamas, the Cantoria Ayuntamiento has effectively drawn a line in the sand regarding responsibility for the upkeep of the Palacio del Almanzora.

According to Llamas, ‘14 projects are under discussion, none of them regarding the Palacio.

We believe it is necessary to claim and publicly denounce the situation. It is unacceptable that there are records that were put to the agency two years later than the Almanzora Palace and have already been dealt with, while our neighbours are still waiting.’

He stated ‘The Equipo de Gobierno de Cantoria invites Associations, the public, members of the Opposition and everyone who feel themselves ‘nobodies’ to accompany and support us from today.’

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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Sport

Protesters stop eviction of 85-year-old lady who owed a month’s rent

A mass public protest managed to prevent an 85-year-old woman from being thrown out of her rented home after this week.

According to press reports, the elderly lady was only one month behind with her rent on her property in A Coruña, in the north-western region of Galicia, when the owners started eviction proceedings against her.

Around 200 people, including members of the pressure group Stop Desahucios (‘stop evictions’) gathered around Aurelia Rey’s front door just as the police arrived to force her out onto the street and change the locks.

Firefighters were supposed to be involved in throwing her out, but categorically refused to do so on humanitarian grounds and carried a Stop Desahucios banner.

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The group held a demonstration this morning at 09.30hrs in front of the court in A Coruña to demand a solution to the elderly lady’s case.

Aurelia thanked everyone there, especially Stop Desahucios, who have managed to prevent thousands of homeowners being evicted by force after they fell behind on their mortgages due to redundancy.

Teenage football ref loses spleen Rental Properties Urgently after brutal attack by police officer Required for Waiting Tenants Santander Bank & Caja Granada Bank

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The cost of dying has got more Expensive – Or has it??

IVA (vat) is now charged at 21% on all Funerals - making the Cost of an average Funeral in Spain in the region of €4850 etc. 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. With guaranteed Plan prices starting from just 3390€. Do you need to look elsewhere for total peace of mind?

Parents of a 17-year-old football referee who had to have his spleen removed after being beaten up by a police officer have confirmed their son’s version of events.

Héctor G.T. was refereeing at the second-division regional match between Los Silos and Mislata Bteams on Sunday in Burjassot (Valencia), when a player of the away team, Alberto M. M., 27, called him ‘subnormal’ and began to kick him brutally. The accused was an off-duty National Police officer, who has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the case.

Witnesses say it was the 89th minute of the match with a score of 2-2, when

Héctor blew the whistle and awarded a foul in favour of the home team. This attracted abusive comments from Alberto M. M., who was given a red card and sent off. He then began to insult and repeatedly kick the referee, although some witnesses say he only kicked him once, in the ribs.

Héctor’s dad started to run to his side to intervene in the fight, but the youngster was heard to say, “dad, leave him, we’ll report him.”

The attack was witnessed

by Héctor’s parents, José and Vicenta, and his 11-yearold brother Joel.

Various fans and players from both sides managed to pin down the attacker before he could do any further damage, and Héctor

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got up and walked away, but later complained of feeling sick and dizzy and passed out. He was rushed to Arnau Hospital in nearby Vilanova, where he underwent emergency surgery after vomiting blood. Having lost two litres of blood, his life would have been in serious danger if the hospital had been much further away. In the end, it was found he had a ruptured spleen, which had to be removed.

A disillusioned Héctor says he is going to give up being a referee after this incident, despite having been one for three years and his friends trying to convince him to carry on.

Valencia FC players were due to visit him in hospital, but at the time of their planned trip Héctor had to have a blood transfusion and could not see anyone.

Levante UD has promised to wear slogans on their football shirts in support of Héctor when they play Osasuna in an upcoming match.

Both the home and away teams involved on Sunday say they are ‘sickened’ by the attack, especially as ‘the referee is only a child – he has a little boy’s face’

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.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

5

PP’s donors and Suspended School Pupils Get Community Service recipients of funds named & shamed

The former treasurer and senator Luis Bárcenas has signed a statement in front of a notary giving names of those who had donated funds to the PP and those who had received them during the 15 years he managed the party’s cashflow, according to a report received by the judge handling the slush-fund case.

According to press sources, the document, handed to the court by the Financial Crimes Unit (UDEF), and dated December 14, 2012, confirms Bárcenas (pictured) was responsible for monitoring income and expenses under the heading ‘PP Donations’, jointly with Álvaro de Lapuerta, between 1994 and 2009. It then lists names of ‘donors’ and ‘recipients of funds’.

Bárcenas, who was named PP treasurer in 2008, made the written statement in front of a notary after he found out that the Spanish government had been informed by Swiss authorities of the existence of his ‘secret’ bank account in the latter country containing 22 million euros.

Whilst union leader Toxo Méndez says “Spain’s people cannot stomach any more corruption,” and socialist opposition head Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba added that the country’s president, Mariano Rajoy (PP) was ‘politically tied to’ and ‘mortgaged to’ a ‘gentleman who is everything but honest’ – meaning Bárcenas – the PP party maintains that its conscience is clear.

Although this latest document may prove to be the undoing of the current government, depending upon the names listed and funds they received, and in what capacity, Rajoy believes that this will be just one more step along the road to proving his and other top-flight PP members’ innocence.

Rajoy, along with PP Secretary-General and regional president of Castilla-La Mancha María Dolores de Cospedal and her predecessors in the former role have always denied receiving cash-in-hand wage top-ups from Bárcenas over a 10-year period.

Rubalcaba says he is convinced the PP knew about the ‘illegal financing’ back when his own party, the PSOE, was in power with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as head of State.

The socialist leader says former president Felipe González had pleaded with the PSOE ‘not to be the kind of opposition’ he himself ‘had to suffer’, which ‘called for him to resign on a daily basis’.

“I would like nothing better than not to have to call for Rajoy to resign,” Rubalcaba answered.

The trial continues.

Birds Eye withdraws three UK meals...

Birds Eye withdraws three beef ready meals from supermarkets in the UK and Ireland after horse DNA is found in a dish sold in Belgium

No hacking charges for exNoW boss

The former deputy editor at the News of the World newspaper, Neil Wallis, will not face any charges regarding phone hacking, the CPS announces.

A high school in inland Valencia province is making kids who get expelled or suspended carry out community service.

Pupils excluded permanently or temporarily for bad behaviour get unpaid jobs in nursing homes, making beds and cleaning, or sweeping up sports courts and weeding in forestry areas to prevent wildfires.

According to a report by ThinkSpain, the school in Navarrés was the first to put the scheme in action, and other high schools in Chella, Bolbaite, Quesa and Bicorp – all in the province of Valencia and a long way inland – have followed suit.

Headmistress of the Navarrés school, Amparo Bono, says being suspended and staying at home is no punishment to teenagers who misbehave – in fact, they see it as a bonus,

since they get a few days’ rest.

But being made to carry out work in the community without getting paid ‘makes them think’, she says.

“It annoys them far more than simply being suspended, and they learn it is harder to do these jobs than to just get on with their homework or behave respectfully towards teachers and classmates,” says Sra Bono.

Community service is ‘awarded’ to delinquent kids based upon the severity of their offence, whether they have been previously suspended or in trouble for behavioural problems, and what their local council needs them to do.

Valencia’s regional education authorities are considering rolling out the idea to all schools in the Comunidad Valenciana, which covers the three provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón.

King to go under knife for discal hernia

KING Juan Carlos is about to undergo his 12th operation in as many months – this time for his discal hernia. This means he will miss his planned visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, which would have been between March 3 and 5 - the King’s first trip abroad since his fall in Botswana.

And he is still suffering after-effects from his hip-replacement operation on November 23, needing to use crutches when he attends to his public duties.

The condition, which in the monarch’s case is in the lumbar region, causes sciatica-like pain and where this cannot be kept under control, surgery is the only answer. But the operation carries a risk that the patient could be left wheelchair-bound, as it is very delicate and requires great precision.

In the King’s case, his medic, Dr Manuel de la Torre Gutiérrez from La Milagrosa clinic in Madrid, believes that this is the only real way forward.

As well as a discal hernia, the monarch also has stenosis of the spine, which needs to be operated on before it gets

worse. The discal hernia is an old problem which has got worse, say the King’s medical staff. They say the monarch may have to postpone all other public duties for next month until more is known about the outcome of the operation and his recovery time.

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Athens hit by torrential rain...

Heavy rain in the Greek capital Athens floods roads and homes, causing huge traffic jams and disrupting its train and tram network, officials say.

Three held over France Spurs attack...

Three men are arrested by French police following an attack on Tottenham Hotspur fans in a bar in Lyon

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Radical overhaul of Social Security and self-employment system

New measures to encourage self-employed people and small businesses could be brought into force as a debate is due to take place in the Council of Ministers next week.

According to press reports,

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self-employed persons aged 30 and under, or those newly self-employed, will only have to pay 50 euros a month in Social Security for the first six months instead of the usual 270 euros, and will get a 50 per cent discount for the next six months dropping to 30 per cent for the third period of six months.

This 30 per cent discount will continue to apply to women aged under 35.

The move has been welcomed by the public,

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but the age limit has caused widespread outrage, since finding a job after age 35 or 40 can be difficult with companies seeking young employees.

Many question whether this ‘discrimination’ is in fact constitutional.

When a person decides to start up a new business or go self-employed, but is on the dole, they will be able to still claim for the first nine months, although it is not clear whether this is in full or in part.

The under-30s who start a business and offer a job to anyone aged 45 or over will get a reduction on the Social Security paid for these employees – 100 per cent for the first year – a move that will continue until unemployment rates fall below 15 per cent.

Other aspects under discussion are to allow business people or the selfemployed to wait until an invoice is paid before they pay the IVA on it, which is normally due in full by the end of the year and can be crippling in the event of non-payment of the client in question.

Anyone under 30 who comes off the dole to work for themselves and finds it does not work out will be

able to take up their dole money entitlement again.

A unique web portal run by the public sector will allow private-sector firms to advertise jobs, so that the unemployed will know where to look.

Companies taking on under-30s with no work experience will get a reduction of 75 per cent in Social Security payments, or 100 per cent if the firm has fewer than 250 employees.

Bonuses of between 500 and 700 euros a year for companies who make temporary job contracts permanent for the under30s will be given to companies.

Self-employed persons starting out will get a 20per-cent reduction in their income tax for the first two years and those who are on the dole when they start up will get full exemption.

New companies will pay 15 per cent tax rather than 21 per cent for the first two years up to the first 300,000 euros a year, and for anything over this, 20 per cent.

Other measures are being taken to encourage larger companies to float their shares on the stock market.

“CRISIS BUSTING”

NEATER HEATER FREEZE THEIR PRICES SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

Richard Winter and Tony Sim, of Neater Heater have decided that, in this time of financial crisis, they are going to continue to absorb four recent cost increases, and maintain last year’s prices until the end of this winter.

“This Winter” Richard informed us “our overheads have increased at four key points: Manufacture; Transport; Exchange Rate; and now Spanish IVA” “Last Year, we decided to build up our stock levels. We now feel that this action has allowed us to absorb the impact of our increased overheads. We hope this will keep our customers happy, especially those existing customers who have told us they are intending to buy more Neater Heaters during this winter.”

Neater Heater’s Feet of Engineering.

From the first day we started marketing Neater Heaters on the Costa Blanca, we have regularly been asked by our customers if they came with a free-standing option. We reluctantly had to answer that they were only available as wall mounted heaters.

This caused a lot of genuine disappointment as, like us when we first discovered them, many of our customers had genuinely been looking for an affordable economical and efficient electric heater such as this, but had no wall space available to mount them on.

Thanks to our research and development department (Richard’s father-in-law) we are now able to offer a free-standing option to the Costa Blanca’s favourite heater for just €25 above the listed price.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Tenerife beheading accused awaits verdict connexions

A man accused of brutally beheading a British grandmother in Tenerife was haunted by voices telling him he was “an angel of Jesus Christ who is going to create a new Jerusalem”, his lawyer said on Monday.

According to a report by the Huffington Post, Bulgarian Deyan Deyanov, 29, denies murdering Jennifer MillsWestley, the grandmother of five, inside a Chinese-owned shop in Los Cristianos.

An acute schizophrenic, he did not even know he had been living in Tenerife, until he was told in prison.

His lawyer Francisco Beltran told a jury that he “has committed no crime” and was in “total disagreement” with the murder charge.

Deyanov hears violent voices due to acute schizophrenia, and claimed they were “direct how I act, sometimes they say kill, fight, hit, pray,” he said.

After watching CCTV footage of the attack, he said it was “a montage, a film” and claimed that he did not recognise himself in the images. The defendant said

he had been using crack cocaine and LSD before his arrest, but had no memory of living in Tenerife.

Asked if he knew he was in Tenerife after being brought there from a psychiatric unit in Seville on the Spanish mainland, he said: “I have just found out.”

He also denied that he had lived in Wales, where he was sectioned in the summer of 2010 under the Mental Health Act at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Ms Mills-Westley, 60, was repeatedly stabbed while shopping in the popular resort of Los Cristianos in the Canary Islands, Spain, on May 13 2011. Her daughters, Sarah Mears, 43, and Samantha Gomes, 39, were at the Provincial Court in Santa Cruz for the first day of the trial.

As the jury was shown “tough” CCTV footage relating to the attack, Mrs Gomes covered her mouth in horror and stared into the distance.

Giving evidence later, Mrs Mears said: “All I want to see is justice done for my mum

today.”

She explained that in the months before her death, Ms Mills-Westley had become worried about safety on the island: “It was nothing specific but she was increasingly concerned that Tenerife was not as safe as when we used to visit 30 years ago.”

The jury was shown two knives allegedly used in the attack. Both were 22cm long, and one was visibly bent and bloodied.

Prosecutor Angel Garcia Rodriguez told the court of the moment the frenzied attack took place.

Garcia Rodriguez said: “The accused approached Jennifer Mills-Westley, who he did not know and who was shopping, attacking and striking her repeatedly with a knife in her back and neck until she was completely decapitated.”

He said the prosecution was seeking for Deyanov to be sentenced to 20 years in a psychiatric unit.

Witness Davide Balsamo, an Italian who has lived in Tenerife for five years,

Desperate asylum seekers throw nearly 100 bodies overboard Adrift on the high seas without food or water for a month, the bodies of scores of starved asylum seekers who had been trying to reach Australia were thrown overboard from a ‘ship from hell’.

Their starving and dehydrated companions, almost too weak to lift the dead from the disabled vessel as it drifted in the Indian Ocean, were rescued by the Sri Lanka navy – but several were today struggling for life after being brought ashore. Only 32 of the original 130 Burmese on board were alive when naval ships reached them, many of the emaciated passengers too weak to stand.

Describing the vessel as a ‘ship from hell’, a Sri Lankan government spokesman said the group had set out from Burma two months ago to sail to Indonesia and then on to Australia, where they planned to ask for asylum. But a few days later the vessel broke down and began what for most of those on board was to prove to be a fatal drift with the ocean currents. They had set out with enough food and water to last for a month, but when no rescue came and their supplies ran out, the passengers began to collapse with hunger and dehydration as the days and weeks went by.

When they began dying and the stifling conditions under the tropical sun made living with the dead intolerable, their fitter companions had no other choice but to throw the bodies overboard.The survivors told the Sri Lankan authorities, who found the boat drifting 380 miles off the country’s eastern coast, that they were Muslims from a border village lying between Burma and Bangladesh.

‘Their captain and 97 others have died due to deydration and starvation,’ said Sri Lankan police spokesman Mr Prishantha Jayakody.

‘They said they had thrown the dead bodies into the sea.’

Australia’s Immigration Minister, Brendan O’Connor, who has received a briefing from the Sri Lankan authorities, said the tragedy underlined the danger of getting on people smugglers’ boats and making the perilous journey to Australia.

‘It is the people smugglers who have lured people onto unseaworthy vessels,’ he told Fairfax Radio today. ‘It’s the people smugglers who peddle lies to these people, take their life savings, sometimes sadly take their lives.

That’s where I target the blame.’

Mr O’Connor, who took the immigration role only earlier this month, added: ‘A lot of people are just disappearing, out of sight, out of mind. Boats disappearing – it’s very hard to put a number on it. Too many.’

Mr O’Connor said stopping boats carrying desperate asylum seekers could not be done quickly.

Under the previous Liberal government of John Howard the number of boats heading to Australia was just a trickle because word had got out among people smugglers that the vessels would be turned away from Australian waters and those on board would be sent to other nations for processing.

But under the Labour government, elected in November 2007 and headed today by British-born Prime Minister Julia Gillard, more than 33,000 people have arrived by boat on Australia’s outlying islands.

Mr O’Connor said boat arrivals were a ‘constant pressure’ for successive governments.

‘This cannot be done overnight. It can only be done over time,’ he said.

described the moment he stumbled upon the horrific scene coming out of a hardware store. He said: “I saw a guy walking around with a head in his hand. I came out of the shop and suddenly I saw him come off the kerb, completely covered in blood. I ran up to him and hit him with all my strength using my motorcycle helmet and knocked him silly.”

Asked if the defendant was the man he had struck, he said “yes”, adding that his hair was a bit longer now.

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8

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Pollard Inquiry:

Jeremy Paxman Brands Senior BBC Staff ‘Bl**dy People’ In Transcript

Jeremy Paxman’s lack of knowledge about departments central to the BBC’s editorial output has been revealed in the transcript of his interview as part of the Pollard review.

Paxman, infamous for his no-nonsense attitude during interviews, even referred to other senior heads of department as ‘bl**dy people.’

Despite being one of the biggest editorial names in the corporation Paxman said he didn’t know anything about the work of the BBC’s editorial policy department. When asked about its role he said: “I don’t know what they do.

I mean, they talk to each other, I suppose, as all these bl**dy people do. I wish I had an idea! I assume he makes – it makes editorial policy.”

He added: “I’don’t know whether you are going to have David Jordan (who runs the department) in front of you, but you could ask him -- it would be rather interesting to ask him what his job is. I expect you would get rather a long answer.”

Full details of Paxman’s interview have been revealed after the BBC published documents from the Pollard inquiry.

Nick Pollard - a former Sky News executive - was appointed to head the review late last year to look into whether management failings were behind the decision to cancel a six-week investigation into abuse claims against Jimmy Savile in December 2011, weeks before a Christmas tribute was broadcast.

The scandal last year claimed the scalp of George Entwistle little over 50 days into the job.

A separate Newsnight investigation last summer led to Lord McAlpine being wrongly accused of child abuse.

Despite “ranting” though 75 pages of evidence, Paxman raises hugely damning points about the direction of the BBC and its place in media.

“It will be, you know, ages before Newsnight gets another editor. I find it slightly hard to imagine that there is going to be a much more savvy public relations operation at the end of it. I hope I am wrong. I believe – and it is a wonderful, wonderful organisation if you treat it as a publisher. Much of the rest of it, I can – I can take of leave.

He adds: “I think there is one other thing here. It may be to do with how- the question – the really important questions here is: what was the BBC doing?

“What was the BBC doing promoting this absurd figure, this absurd and malign figure? And I think that has to do with the fact of the BBC having been aloof from popular culture for so long.

“Suddenly pirate radio comes along and all these people in metaphorical cardigans suddenly have to deal with an influx - once pirate radio, once pop radio is legalised, they suddenly have to deal with an influx of people from a very, very different culture and they never got control of them and I’m not sure even now they have.”

Paxman ends the interview saying: “Sorry for ranting. I will get on.”

Large sections of the 3,000 pages of transcripts appear to have been blacked out for legal reasons. The Guardian newspaper is live blogging new details as it wades through the documents. The BBC says roughly 3% had been redacted.

But, the report does describe how detailed accusations about Savile’s sex crimes were censored after viewers tried to post them on a BBC tribute web page.

The comments, which included one person who wrote “One of my best friends in 1972 was molested by this creep Savile. He was never the same again. Killed himself in 1985. How’s About That Then?”, were stopped from

being published by a team of moderators employed by the corporation.

A transcript of an interview between Mr Pollard and Mr Entwistle refers to examples of the comments, including one person who wrote: “He was a paedophile. You may not like the truth but he was. It will all tumble out now.”

Another wrote: “Sorry to rain on the parade of all the well-wishers, but he was infamous in Scarborough. I would not have been letting my son sit on his knee.”

During his interview, Mr Entwistle said he thought moderators may have been affected by “anxiety” after details of a hoax, which claimed Savile had been challenged about his crimes on an episode of Have I Got News For You, were published online.

In one email headed “Jimmy Savile - paedophile”, producer Meirion Jones, who was involved in establishing the axed Newsnight report, flagged up the idea of an investigation just hours after the presenter’s death was announced.

He proposed the suggestion, possibly for Panorama, because he said some of the girls who had been molested

by Savile were ready to talk about their experiences.

He wrote: “Some of the girls are now prepared to talk about this which might make a core to a film about what Jimmy Savile really got up to - and of course he’s dead so he can’t sue.”

BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said: “These documents paint a very unhappy picture, but the BBC needs to be open - more open than others would be - in confronting the facts that lie behind Nick Pollard’s report.

“A limited amount of text has been blacked out for legal reasons, but no-one could say that the effect has been to sanitise this material, which again puts a spotlight on some of our failings.

“We need to acknowledge these shortcomings and learn from them.” (Article by Stephen Hull, Huffington Post)

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

9

10

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

www.soltimes.com

11

eu commission: Eurozone

downturn and deficits to persist

The eurozone recession will persist into 2013, the European Commission has conceded in its latest forecast.

Governments face an uphill battle to rein in their overspending, with Spain, France and Portugal all failing to cut their deficits to agreed targets. According to a report by the BBC, Spain’s deficit, at 10.2% of GDP in 2012, was well above its 6.3% target, and would stay above target into 2014.

The eurozone economy would shrink 0.3% in 2013, the Commission said, making the governments’ task even harder.

Previously, the Commission had expected the 17 economies in the eurozone to collectively enjoy 0.1% positive growth this year. In 2012 the economy is estimated to have shrunk 0.6%.

Delivering its winter forecast, Commission Vice-President Olli Rehn said that unemployment across the single currency area expected to continue rising to 12.2% this year as the recession lingers. Last year’s jobless rate was 11.4%. However, he said the eurozone was expected to rebound in the last three months of this year, registering 0.7% growth in the fourth quarter.

The forecast appears somewhat more pessimistic than the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, who last month said he believed the eurozone would begin recovering in the second half of this year.

The Commission’s acknowledgement that the eurozone is in worse economic shape than previously mirrors a change in the International Monetary Fund’s thinking. The IMF said in January that it expected the eurozone to experience a “mild recession” in 2013, having previously predicted growth.

The austerity measures being implemented by eurozone governments are widely blamed by economists as a major contributor towards the Continent’s economic woes, although there is disagreement among economists as to whether governments should therefore go easy on the spending cuts.

Spain has one of the biggest budget deficits and has made the least headway in bringing its finances back under control, and faces one of the nastiest recessions. Of its 10.2% deficit in 2012, 3.2 percentage points was due to the cost of cleaning up its banking system, which has been decimated by loans made to property developers and speculators during the last decade’s housing bubble that have since proved unrepayable.

More worryingly, the Commission does not expect Spain to improve greatly over the next two years. Its deficit is forecast to be 6.7% this year, compared with a 4.5% target, and 7.2% in 2014, compared with a 2.8% target.

Spain cannot simply blame its weak economy for this outcome, the Commission implied.

Madrid’s structural deficit - which strips out the effect of the recession - fell only by 1.4% of GDP last year, barely half the 2.7% target set by the Commission. However, overspending by governments across the eurozone as a whole is still expected to fall on average this year.

That is despite the persistent economic downturn, which typically reduces governments’ tax revenues and increases their benefit bills.

Deep freeze hits Spain

Plummeting temperatures and cold winds have led to weather warnings being issued for 33 provinces in Spain, and all others on the mainland will suffer from freezing spells.

Polar winds mean gales of at least 80 kilometres per hour are expected in the region of Aragón, particularly in Huesca and Teruel, and in the province of Castellón, this week. Girona will see winds of up to 90 kilometres and tidal waves could occur along the Costa Brava and in Menorca.

Snow is forecast in Menorca, the central province of León and the northern provinces of Huesca and Lleida, as well as the border regions of La Rioja and Navarra.

Although weather warnings have not been issued for most of southern Spain, Murcia, or the provinces of Alicante and Valencia, residents will feel the cold as the mercury drops drastically. Valencia and Alicante may see the thermometer rise to as much as 13ºC in the middle of the day, but night temperatures will not go above 3ºC or 4ºC.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

S.M.S.Building Maintenance,have been trading in Spain for the last 18 months and have a list and references of satisfied customers around the Almeria province .We cover all aspects of building work and decorating,(I room painted from 50€) stone cladding, boundary walls, patios, garages, etc,

We also specialise in damp proofing and waterproof your stone cladding to stop penetrating damp. After 30 years in the trade in England and Europe. There is no job to small or large and we also guarantee to beat any like for like quote. For a free no obligation quote or advice Phone Steve on 950 930 536 or 634 306

690 or email steven561@ btinternet.com The Chill Out English Supermarket is situated opposite the Market in Arboleas and is run by Phil who offers a warm and friendly welcome to all of his customers and is open 7 days a week. The shop is well stocked with all your

favourite products, you can even buy Cream Cakes and Hot Savoury Pastries which are baked fresh every day. For all your English favourites, from a bottle of sauce to frozen meat and potatoes you will find it here. So pop in and see Phil and treat yourself.

Bar Internacional Diner now under new management with Andrea and Fernando. Opening hours from Tuesday Saturday from 9:30 am til late, Sundays 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Closed on Mondays. Located on the Albox-Baza Road A334, adjacent to the Saturday Car Boot Sale. The Bar Internacional Diner is a family friendly restaurant serving a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner, Specials of the Day and Children´s menu. Try our traditional Sunday Roast Lunch for only €6.90 served from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm. There



is a cozy log fire, a large outside terrace and we even have a Free WIFI Zone. Live entertainment including singers and musicians performing every Saturday night, starting in March. A great venue to book for private functions celebrating birthdays, anniversary, charity dinners, or any special event. We are happy and willing to reserve and close the restaurant for bookings minimum of 50 people. Bar Internacional Diner is also

forming a Darts Team for the Spring League (March to July) we are looking to recruit players (women, men, all nationalities welcome) Please contact us to sign up to play in the Darts league. For Bookings please call 950430925 or for more information contact Andrea at 690828520 and Fernando at 646690111, email at barinternacionaldiner@ gmail.com and visit us on Facebook.

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

13

Cafe

Maloan Amigos Bowling Centre, situated on the Los Llanos Poligono Industrial, Arboleas is more than just a bowling alley! Well into its fourth year of trading it remains a firm favourite with many people living in and around the area. Playing host to regular live music events, Amigos ensures party nights are fun filled.

Amigos is also a great venue for private functions and is available for Private Hire.

Boasting a huge bar area, excellent food and staff this is just what you need for your special occasions.

Their next big event is celebrating St Patrick´s Day on 17th March, with music provided by the popular D.J Steve King and a fantastically priced food and drinks menu plus a fun bowling competition from 18.00 hrs it is sure to be a fun filled evening. You can call on 950 120 269 or visit www. amigosbowlingcentre.com for more details on this and other forthcoming events, discounted group bookings, bowling or party venue ideas.

Mercamundo is a treasure trove of second hand and new items. Karen and Eddy work hard to make sure that whenever you visit there is always something “new” for you to see in their enormous warehouse. Situated just

behind the beauty place Sayura, on the opposite side of the road from Mora Oil, they do regular house clearances, and monthly trips to the UK, so if you want something from ASDA, Tesco or Argos for example, you can call them and they will bring it back for you. As well as hundreds of pieces of furniture, they stock many household products including cleaning items, kitchen gadgets and even tools. Mercamundo will also source things for you and is well worth a visit. They are also shortly opening some smaller shop areas within their main shop that can be rented by the day; it’s a great idea for people that would like to sell items or provide a service but cannot afford the expense of opening a shop on the high street... call them now on 637 184 625 or 634 368 430 for further information.

Linea Nueve is the newly opened furniture

store opposite Mora Oil in Arboleas. The huge showroom has been beautifully designed and the smell of leather that hits you as you enter is fabulous. This family run business have a quality selection of suites in store in various styles, with a good range of colours available to suit individuals tastes. As well as sofas, they stock kitchens and bedroom furniture again all top quality. It is nice to find a furniture shop that doesn’t skimp on style and quality, and although you aren’t likely to find a cheap bargain here, what you do get is real value for money with furniture that lasts!

See their advert for more details. Tel: 950 120 630 or 620 237 529.

Cafe Maloan on Avda.

Del Almanzora in Arboleas is a friendly local bar offering a selection snacks and tostados. With a nicely laid out interior and fly screen outside seating area, you can enjoy coffee and a

THE CHILL OUT DELI Large Range of • • Range of Ambient Frozen Foods Foods cream cakes • • Cold Meats pet food • • Hot Pies quiches • • Pasties opening hours

Autobuses Lorenzo S.L. BUS & TAXI SERVICE

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Autobuses Lorenzo based in Arboleas offer a 24 hour taxi service and have a range of vehicles suitable for up to 7 people.

As well as handling a local service, they can also arrange to get you to and from the various airports, If it is a day trip that you are planning and want to organise something with a number of others then they have a fleet of buses seating from 22 to 55 people.Give them a call on 950 449 467 or email them on maloan560@hotmail. com

mon-fri 9am-5pm sat 9am-2pm ~ sun 10am-12pm

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Tel: 620 237 529 / 950 120 630 Ctra. Lorca-Baza. KM76 - Los Llanos, Arboleas

14

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

British Bedding

In Spain

Albox RBL – News and information

Review of meeting held on 21st February 2013. The chairman, Peter Phillips, introduced David and Jean Rham who have given service above and beyond the normal call of duty to The Royal British Legion in Spain—Albox Branch and now organise the trips and tours for members (and non-members) through the newly formed Albox Travel Club. He presented them with a certificate on behalf of all Albox branch members to huge applause.

Elaine Brown from MACS (the cancer support charity) gave an update of the progress of the newly opened shop in Albox. She said that many people had volunteered even before the shop had opened. The shop is proving very successful and bringing in much-needed funds for the charity. The charity hopes to open a new shop in an area with a strong British community. It also plans to hold monthly support meetings for patients, carers and survivors in the Albox area, updates on this will follow from Elaine when events have been organised. She did have some less pleasing news with regard to the plans for the proposed hospice as the Spanish authorities have indicated it could take several years before permission to build is granted.

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The Albox Travel Club is organising a 4-day Trip to Ronda. This will take place June 3rd to June 6th 2013. The price will include 3 nights b&b accommodation in a 4* hotel, 1 free spa circuit, 1 free lunch and a guide for all excursions.

The itinerary is as follows: Day 1 – Tour of Ronda; Day 2 – Tour to Marbella, Puerto Banús, after lunch, to Algeciras. This is followed by a spectacular train ride through some of Spain’s most beautiful scenery back to the hotel; Day 3 – Tour to La Sierra de Grazalema and El Bosque, after lunch, return to Ronda; Day 4 – Tour to Pizarra to visit Spain’s 2nd largest citric farm, hear how the fruit is grown, harvested and processed.

A paella lunch with wine is included before returning home.

The price is €270 for RBL members and €280 for non Legion members. If you choose to travel on your own there is a single supplement of €81. A deposit of €50 is required upon booking, the balance will be due in April. All profits will be donated to the Royal British Legion. To book your place contact Ann Wells on 950432426 or email her at annwells09@aol.com. Tickets are also available at RBL meetings held in La Parrilla on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. It is important to remember that all travellers are responsible for their own travel insurance.

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15

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Absolute Pandemonium Little Lemony Squidgett, who I hadn’t seen for some time, turned up in our garden last week. His condition had gone from poor to dreadful – as he crept inside the outside Palace that belongs to The Dog that Is Not Ours I thought he had come into our garden to die.

Action had to be taken, immediately - his condition was beyond a bowl of water and a few biscuits.

I hurried all of a fluster over to Arboleas, to the ladies at Helping Animals of Almanzora, who stepped in with the number for Carla at Perros sin Casa, and within minutes Carla was in her car following me back over the mountain road to Limaria.

I drew up in a dither outside our gate, praying that Lemony would still be in the garden, and thus catchable. As Carla and I entered the garden our neighbour Malcolm came down the path. Unaware that Carla and I at that moment represented the Spanish Canine SAS on a stealth mission, Malcolm began; ‘I brought the papers round, saw the car was gone but the key was in your door, so I went inside to investigate. I didn’t realise your alarm was on. What a din!’

At that moment Andy, our other neighbour, hopped over our garden wall.

‘And I had to

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

viewpoint

sprint up from the bottom of the estate, find your spare key and turn the darn thing off!’

I gave neither the thanks they deserved for their neighbourly acts. I slammed the gate rudely in Malcolm’s face.

‘We’ve got to catch Lemony.’ I replied, sprinting up the garden towards the Palace.

I reached the Palace; it was Lemony-less. ‘Is that him?’ queried Carla, pointing to his receding form.

Lemony has not survived as a stray for so long without gaining some savvy, and he was desperately making good his escape.

He circled round the far side of the house and slunk towards the gate under the cover of the oleander hedge.

The gate is dog-proofed with plastic netting, but as Lemony thought that he was fleeing for his life, he began to desperately squeeze his skeletal body between the fencing and the gate.

Enter Andy, with his rugby experience. He grabbed the rapidly disappearing wraith by its rear end, and pulled.

Lemony was captured, terrified and exhausted.

For now he’s safe and will hopefully find a proper home, someone to love him and someone he can love back - probably in Holland.

P.S. I have just heard from Carla. Lemony, who the vet estimated to be around 9 years old, was so full of tumours that the decision was taken to put him to sleep rather than to put him through major and probably futile surgery.

At least he knew care and love at the end.

Just Dropped in For a Packet of Fags

I always experience a slight tinge of envy when I see men of mature years growling by me on the N332 astride their Harley Davidson’s or similar beasts.

It’s the ultimate in expensive toys for many of us blokes, and a fantasy that is only achievable when the mortgage has been paid, the kids have sloped off to do their own thing and money worries have largely become a thing of the past.

I remember going to see that iconic 60’s movie, Easy Rider and falling in love with Peter Fonda’s Harley ‘Captain America’ Davidson as he and Dennis Hopper – playing Wyatt and Billy – travelled their drug induced way from Los Angeles to New Orleans.It’s a

weird film, and now forty odd years later, looks even weirder and with its counterculture, hippy theme, it was definitely a movie for its own time.

But one thing that remains the same even after all this time, is the thrill of the sight of those great machines - oh and of course the exhilarating music provided by Roger McGuinn, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and Steppenwolf; the title track Born to Be Wild becoming as iconic as the movie itself.

My earliest taste of motorised two wheeled travel, was my Vespa SS 200 scooter which, whilst attracting sneers and derision from hardened bikers, was a true aristocrat in the world of Mod machines.

Much later on, when I arrived in Bermuda, my new boss had provided me with a brand new Honda 50 to get around on during those early days and my initiation into island life. I felt conspicuous and a little embarrassed at first riding around on what was in fact a moped to you and me, although

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com

they were never called that in Bermuda.

The truth of the matter is that with a speed limit of 20mph throughout the islands and only 15 in town, there really was no need for anything more powerful.

But I was soon whizzing around unselfconsciously and feeling quite the speed king as I reached heady and illicit speeds of 25 plus.

The parting of the ways came literally one glorious Sunday afternoon in May. I was meandering along the beautiful south shore with my

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girlfriend Penny snuggled behind me on what passed for a pillion seat, when I suddenly realised that although I was still travelling in a westerly direction, my Honda and Penny were not – she had inadvertently stuck one of her wedge soled shoes in the wheel. I came crashing to the ground and rolled along the road, demolishing a heap of dog dodo as I went and finished up a tangled mass on the grass verge. I looked back to see Penny crouched in the road alongside my bike whose back wheel now resembled one of the more obscure letters of the Greek alphabet in shape and with the handlebars facing the wrong way.

As I hobbled closer I could see the tears streaming down Penny’s face as she held up a mangled item of footwear. She must be hurt I thought, but what I got was, “Look what your bike has done to my shoe”. Then wrinkling her nose in distaste she said, “Ooh, you smell!”

This seemed like a good time to invest in another machine more in keeping with my Jack-the-Lad image and so I purchased a new Suzuki 100cc trail bike and whilst I realise that once again this will attract cat calls and ribbing from serious bike enthusiasts elsewhere, it’s all relative and in Bermuda it was about as sporty as you could get.

And that’s been about it as far

ALQUERIA - The Creature from the Greeny-Black Lagoon John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu

16

The Río Verde flows or rather struggles past the eastern barrio of Alqueria. The point at which it flows into the Mediterranean had for years been treated as an illegal effluent outlet. The Junta de Andalucía had spent tens of thousands in numerous unsuccessful clean-up attempts before discovering their mistake.

The River is a strange mix of water from the high sierra, the outflow from the bad drainage of Alqueria itself and the last resting place of defunct plant and animal life from the adjacent valley. From its depths many strange creatures have evolved. These range from the Alquerian Trout, inedible and hideous to the strange Fifteen Toed Newt which produces a hallucinogenic toxin and emits a strangled barking sound when cornered. The River’s ability to mutate life is staggering. It was the first place that Enrique Stenchio, the minister responsible for flora and fauna of Alqueria, looked the day the strange footprints appeared.

With seven toes, all webbed, the footprints led from the river and into the village. Sightings from villagers included one from Rodriquez.

Rodriquez reported seeing a figure with bulging bloodshot eyes, green scaly skin and large pointed ears through his kitchen window.

This sighting was immediately dismissed as being Rodriquez’s own reflection in the glass.

Suspicion was then thrown onto Loco Paco who had a history of keeping rather strange pets, of the animal variety that is. Enrique found him on his patio happily throwing a stick for his pet Saharan Dung Beetle which he had reared from a pup. A check of his cages and enclosures saw them all occupied or their occupants accounted for.

When pressed other inhabitants came forward with sightings. The sight of hideous individuals wandering the streets of Alqueria was not that unusual. On this occasion many thought the apparition was simply a visiting politician of which there had been many since the village’s declaration of independence.

A bait was laid, rotting fish, raw steak, a saucer of Remitroot Beer and a well thumbed copy of NiceBits the magazine for men. All things to all creatures. The next morning the fish was still rotting and the steak browning in the early sun however the beer and magazine were nowhere to be seen. A tracking device cunningly hidden between the pages of the glossy publication led the brave Enrique to a dwelling in the Calle Horno.

There in a dimly lit living-room turning the pages of NiceBits and sipping Remitroot Beer from a saucer was Blythe Gruntmore, the village’s resident Englishman. Rubber seven toed boots lay at his feet.

Gruntmore’s explanation lay in the celebration of Hanging Monkey Day. A tradition from the north east of England where participants wander abroad in comic monkey costumes. The rubber seven toed boots bought from a fancy dress outfitter in Almería were the closest Gruntmore could manage.

Enrique didn’t doubt his story just his sanity. as my two wheeled experiences are concerned, largely I suspect because of an incident from my younger days in England that has had me keeping these over powered machines at arm’s length mentally.

Martin, a friend, had bought himself an old beat-up 250cc Royal Enfield – the maximum allowed as a learner, but still quite mild by normal standards. Trouble was he had never got his leg over any number of cc’s up to that point, having always got around on a push bike. Unfortunately he had failed to familiarise himself with the bike and its workings and

ignoring our dire warnings, roared off and unable to negotiate the tee junction at the bottom of the hill where he lived, crashed through the door of the off licence and embedded the front wheel of his bike in the counter.

The owner had come rushing through from the back of the shop to see what the hell was happening, only to find Martin still perched on the bike, surrounded by splintered wood, smoke and debris There was a moments silence before Martin uttered the immortal words, “Twenty Woodbines and a box of matches please”.

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IVF guidelines raise age limit to 42

Couples struggling to have a baby should get fertility treatment more quickly and older women should gain access to IVF, new NHS guidelines say.

IVF should be offered after two years of failed attempts, not the current three, says the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. And the upper age limit should rise from 39 to 42 in England and Wales.

Some fertility experts fear the guidelines may not lead to changes because they are not binding. In the past, NHS trusts have struggled to find the money to meet the IVF recommendations.

A report in 2011, showed one in four NHS trusts offered the full three cycles.

Each round costs £3,000.

In 2011, nearly 14,000 women became pregnant through IVF. The new guidelines, which apply to England and Wales only, state that women aged between 40 and 42 should be offered one cycle of IVF as long as it is their first time and they have enough eggs.

The age limit for NHSfunded fertility treatment is 38 in Scotland and 39 in Northern Ireland, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Tim Child, who helped devise the guidelines and is the director of the Oxford Fertility Unit, said the decision was not taken lightly.

Some fertility experts raised concerns that the expanded recommendations may not happen in reality.

Dr Sue Avery, a spokesperson for the British Fertility Society and from Birmingham Women’s Fertility Centre, commented: “It’s good that there’s the possibility there, but the funding does not match. I can’t see any prospect of it happening immediately. Our biggest concern is hanging on to the funding we’ve got.”

The guidelines also introduced rules designed to significantly reduce the number of twins and triplets being born.

Mosquitoes bEGIN TO ignore repellent

The widely used insect repellent Deet appears to be losing its effectiveness against mosquitoes, scientists say.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say mosquitoes are first deterred by the substance, but then later ignore it.

They say more research is needed to find alternatives to Deet, which was first developed by the US military.

The research was carried out on Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito that spreads dengue and yellow fever.

Dr James Logan from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “The more we can understand about how repellents work and how mosquitoes detect them, the better we can work out ways to get around the problem when they do become resistant to repellents.”

Deet - or N,N-diethylmeta-toluamide - is one of the most widely used active ingredients in insect repellents. It was developed by the US military, following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. For many years, it was not clear exactly how the chemical worked, but recent research suggests that insects simply do not like the smell. However, there are concerns that some mosquitoes are growing resistant to it.

To find out more, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine took some A. aegypti mosquitoes in the laboratory, and tempted them with a human arm covered in Deet.

As expected, the repellent put the insects off their potential meal.

However, a few hours later when the same mosquitoes were offered a chance to dine again, the researchers

found that the Deet was less effective.

To investigate why this might be happening, the researchers attached electrodes to the insects’ antenna. Dr Logan explained: “We were able to record the response of the receptors on the antenna to Deet, and what we found was the mosquitoes were no longer as sensitive to the chemical, so they weren’t picking it up as well. There is something about being exposed to the chemical that first time that changes their olfactory system - changes their sense of smell and their ability to smell Deet, which makes it less effective.”

Earlier research by the same t e a m found

elax evive

that genetic changes to the same species of mosquito can make them immune to Deet, although it was not clear if there were any mosquitoes like this in the wild.

Dr Logan said it was vital to understand both these permanent genetic and temporary olfactory changes that were taking place.

He said: “Mosquitoes are very good at

Relaxation Class

A retired aircraft engineer who claims to be the world’s oldest golfer still plays three times a week - at the age of 100. Tommy Thompson drives himself to Bognor Golf Club in West Sussex to compete against friends in a local league. And once he arrives for his 7.30am tee-time he jumps into a buggy and motors around the course with a 28 handicap. The centenarian has won several trophies and was once helped to victory with a glorious hole in one on the second fairway.

His son introduced him to the sport in 1980, aged 67, when an injury stopped him playing badminton. He has since “caught the bug” and played a staggering 5,148 rounds and worn out four sets of clubs. Mr Thompson, from Chichester, said: “I now play off 28 but my biggest handicap is my age, because I am not as supple as I used to be. I’ve still got the swing but I do get frustrated because I can’t hit the ball as far as I once did. Thankfully, I haven’t got the shakes so I can keep the putter steady and am quite a shot on the green. I plan to keep on playing for as long as I possibly can but I don’t expect to be sinking another hole in one any time soon.”

evolving very very quickly.”

He stressed that the findings should not stop people from using Deet in high risk areas, but that they would help scientists who are trying to find new versions that could be effective.

To follow up on the study, the researchers now plan to find out how long the effect lasts after the initial exposure to the chemical.

The team would also like to study the effect in other mosquitoes, including the species that transmit malaria.

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Around one in every seven heterosexual couples in the UK who are trying for a baby experience problems conceiving a child.

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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Don’t let aches and pains put you off your stride this winter

We’re all much stiffer on cold, damp days when it takes us longer to get moving – indeed, one in three of us suffers joint pain. Mostly, it’s caused by osteoarthritis (‘wear and tear arthritis’), when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down. Inactivity makes it worse, so the longer you spend vegging out on the sofa, the more you’ll hurt. So wrap up warm, put on thick-soled shoes to act as shock absorbers and step outside. You’ll lose weight, which will take pressure off your joints, strengthen supporting

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muscles, and lubricate the joints, so they’re more comfortable. If the weather’s bad, bring your workout indoors. Tai chi and yoga are ideal as they both increase mobility.

Spice up your cooking...

The hotter, spicier food we crave in winter has health pay-off’s. Ginger, turmeric and black pepper are all naturally anti-inflammatory, which means they relieve pain, and they also warm up the blood so you don’t feel so stiff; or, if you don’t like your food too hot, try rosemary – not just on your lamb, but on potatoes and in sauces. It works in the same way as the spices, and also soothes sore joints and muscles when you use it in a massage balm. Try Weleda Arnica Massage Balm, £10.50 for 100ml from health stores, which contains rosemary oil as well as anti-inflammatory lavender.

Know what to avoid...

Many of the foods that we’re told are bad for us also affect joints. Saturated fats (in cheese, fried foods, takeaways, chocolate and crisps) and sugar cause inflammation in the body, as can the alkaloids in members of the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines). Oranges can also be a problem so try to avoid those too; it’s also worth considering whether you could have a food intolerance as this can also lead to joint pain and inflammation. Try YorkTest First Step Test (£9.99 from www.yorktest.com), an initial finger-prick blood scan that will flag up food sensitivity, before paying out for a more comprehensive, expensive test.

Try a bit of happiness...

Being stressed makes every little ache and pain feel worse – so schedule in some chill-out time. A relaxing bath and soothing music can help, but for the best benefits, look for a course in MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction – a combination of yoga, meditation and mind-body exercises. In one trial, a six-month course cut participants’ joint pain by more than a third.

Take a supplement...

If all else fails, the right supplements can make a huge difference to joint pain. Try Cherry Active (£14.49 for 473ml), with pure Montmorency cherry juice, and rosehip-rich LitoZin (£20.42 for 120 capsules). Or try Regenovex, which comes in patches (£13.99 for 10), a gel (£9.99 for 40ml) and capsules (£18.99 for 30), and contains jointhealthy marine oil and hyaluronic acid. You can find them at healthfood stores.

Meditation: it really works!

Meditation has been talked about for some years now and people are starting to understand the amazing benefits we can each receive by either visiting a class once a week or getting into a quiet space at least once a day at home. In this article I would like to share with you what happens when we relax and bodies.

There are four major categories’ of brainwaves ranging from the most activity to the least these are: BETA, ALPHA, THETA and DELTA. BETA brainwaves are engaged when the brain is aroused or processing activities such as: involved conversations with others that command your attention, public speaking, teaching or even complex problem solving situations.

ALPHA brainwaves move towards deep relaxation, imagination and intuitive thinking as they accompany a relaxed mind after complex thinking, meditation and setting the minds attention to itself away from outside distractions. Also which is paramount this aids recovery from stressful thoughts and emotional despair.

THETA brainwaves access the sub- consciousness information that eludes the consciousness mind. Reductions in the body rhythms, such as heart rate and breathing, and states like daydreaming.

DELTA brainwaves are often related to the lowest frequencies, possibly indicating subconsciousness thoughts and information, extremely deep meditation and hyper-relaxed mind states.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE BRAIN DOES NOT OPERATE ON ONE FREQUENCY RANGE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. By meditating we can move from a relaxed state of mind which is healing into a deep state shown in the Delta brainwave state.

One to One Meditation Sessions and Group Classes available please contact Tracy Hughes at thmeditation@yahoo.com telephone 968583979 or 672567627 for more information. Classes currently running every Monday at - Ascention Holistic Centre in Los Alcazares.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

19

DON’T FORGET TO SEND YOUR BEAUTY & HEALTH TIPS TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

Eating nuts can lower cholesterol, say experts

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Book three consultations at good hairdressers they are normally free; any hairdresser who tries to charge you should be avoided at all costs! There is no obligation to book, it’s simply the perfect opportunity to sound out and see if you like them and their ideas.

The right cut should knock a few years off; clever graduation and playing with lines can open up the face, enliven the eyes, strengthen the cheekbones, extenuate the neck, sharpen the jaw line and generally give you a face lift! Talk to the hairdressers during the consultation about these aspects of a haircut; if they ‘get it’, they’re a good cutter - if they have no idea what you’re talking about, don’t book!

Also if you see someone in the street with a great cut, ask them who did it!

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Eating nuts may help lower cholesterol levels, US research suggests. The review of 25 studies, involving nearly 600 people, showed eating on average 67g of nuts - a small bag - a day reduced cholesterol levels by 7.4%.

The US Loma Linda University team believes nuts may help prevent the absorption of cholesterol.

UK experts said the research showed nuts were an important part of a healthy diet, but warned against eating nuts covered in sugar or salt.

Previous work has indicated eating nuts regularly is beneficial, but the Archives of Internal Medicine study set out to put an accurate figure on the effect.

The people involved ate 67g of nuts a day on average, over a period of three to eight weeks. As well as improving cholesterol levels, it also reduced the amount of triglyceride, a type of blood fat that has been linked to heart disease. However, the impact was least pronounced among the overweight.

It is not yet clear why nuts have this effect, although one suggestion is that it is down to the plant sterols they

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He added: “The effects of nut consumption were dose related, and different types of nuts had similar effects.”

Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, agreed, but she urged people to go for unsalted nuts.

“Apart from salted peanuts at the pub, nuts in sugary cereals or the traditional Christmas selection, nuts have been largely lacking in our diets in the UK,” she added.

The study was carried out by independent researchers, although it was partly funded by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation.

Become a germophobe!

It pays to be obsessive about keeping your hands clean, since they’re a major way germs get into our bodies.

One study showed a 45 percent decrease in respiratory illness among people who upped their handwashing to at least five times a day.

A few easy and low-effort strategies: Carry your own pen, don’t share your cell phone, keep antibacterial spray or gel handy and use it after you’ve come in contact with lots of surfaces. Also, an important tip on technique: When washing your hands, be sure to lather outside the stream of water, not under the tap - friction between soap and skin is what dislodges germs!

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contain, which are thought to interfere with cholesterol absorption.

Lead researcher Joan Sabate said increasing nut consumption as part of a healthy diet should be recommended.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

braben’s blog...

Monkey

Life is never boring and since the New Year I have shared my time each week between Almeria and Estepona. My wife Katherine decided a few months ago that the myriad joys of property rentals and management were slightly outweighed by the uncertainty of when the next pay cheque would arrive.

Now she works in Gibraltar enjoying not only a 5 day week, lunch breaks, tea breaks with free digestives and a monthly pay cheque, but also the heavenly delights of holiday pay, private healthcare and sick pay! I prefer working long days, often without any money coming in for weeks until the next sale completes and answering the phone 24/7 as apparently it’s okay to call estate agents whenever the fancy strikes.

I also love my ambassadorial role of being an unpaid Almerian tour guide for those people who mistakenly think they ‘may’ one day possibly maybe buy a house somewhere in Spain. They appreciate me driving them around for a few days extolling the delights of Almeria.

My tongue in cheek fashion will be familiar to those that regularly read this column; as I love the freedom of self-employment and the thrill of the chase. Every day is different and the buzz experienced when a sale is made can’t be beaten and my bank manager certainly appreciates that aspect. Now running the rental side of the business, means more work but I also meet even more great people. They are mostly Brits fleeing the awful coalition Government and miserable weather, with also Germans, Belgians and Dutch.

Mainly it used to be people looking for a property to retire to but nowadays with the magic of the interweb, people of working age also relocate to our sunnier climes.

Findmeahome for example via the wizardry of VOIP have a London landline number so clients can call us cheaply from the UK. It does cause confusion to some especially my dear 93 year old Gran who thinks I have a huge telephone extension cable.

The sales market has certainly picked

business

up recently yet some people still wait years to sell to be able to move on with their lives.

Quality properties especially with pools rent very quickly so owners in this situation could consider the option of renting out their homes.

Tenants will often agree to contracts that keep the house on for sale so the owner has the best of both worlds. Tenants get 60 days’ notice from when the 10% deposit is paid giving them plenty of notice to find another rental property. The pull of family back in the UK or maybe ill health with none of us are getting any younger means this option could be explored as we only have one life to live and should enjoy it whilst we can.

One benefit of living part time near Gibraltar is Morrisons supermarket; full of all the yummy goodies that are difficult to find in mainland Spain. Healthy stuff of course such as decent bacon, chocolate bars, Hula Hoops, mature cheddar cheese and British bread rather than boring barras.

The title and photo came from a recent visit to Gibraltar as walking towards Main Street we saw Monkey atop the railings, We were thrilled as usually they live high up on the rock. A little old lady reached into her handbag and pulled out an orange which was gently taken and eaten, a magical moment!

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.es Telephone: 636 266 641

Awards here, awards there, everywhere you look some people are getting shiny wotsits thrust at them! Sometimes it seems as if there are oodles of the things, but some fascinating little awards get lost in the nonsense that surrounds Oscars, BAFTAS and the like. I want to raise the profile of a particular award presented every May in Britain, an award for which I’m sure many people wait with mounting anticipation; of course I’m talking about none other than, “Shed of the Year!”

I will confess that owning a shed has so far never been a high priority for me.

What tools I have are in a C&A carrier bag somewhere in the dark corner of a small bedside drawer. I don’t own a bike and have never been a hoarder of plant pots, but I have to admit that the entries for this competition have made me wonder if shed world is one to which I should consider belonging. There are sheds that have really pushed the boat out in this competition, resembling, amongst other things, the TARDIS, a 1950’s American diner a fairy castle and even a Chinese pagoda. I admit, they may have spent the equivalent of a minor celebrity’s monthly plastic surgery budget, but they do bring a certain jolliness into people’s lives during difficult times.

I think that most of us would agree that the same can be said for chocolate biscuits! How on earth did we get to chocolate biscuits from sheds? Easy really and the answer is dunking! Scientists have recently spent a not insubstantial pile of money to make eating chocolate biscuits less messy.

They’ve come up with a formula that magically stops your chocolate biscuits from melting at high temperatures, so now you can eat a Chocolate Digestive biscuit, in the desert, at the height of the summer, without getting melted chocolate all over your camel! Should you wish to.

Is this an example though of modern science spoiling our Graham is married to Helen and has secret pleasures? Many people enjoy taking their chocolate a daughter, Alice. covered biscuit, plunging it in a hot cup of tea and devouring He lives part of the the soggy, but allegedly, delicious mess. I’m that there are year near Albox, countless sheds where consenting adults are engaging in but works in Qatar, teaching. If you wish a secret mutual dunk or two of their chocolate biscuits, to contact Graham safely away from public gaze. Unfortunately, unless one regarding this article email: of the award winners is a time travelling shed, dunkable helenandg@yahoo. chocolate is history. Oh crumbs! co.uk

www.ecocorp.eu

At Ecocorp we do not just sell you a system We deliver, install and guarantee everything for up to 10 years

Solar Power System kits

Ecocorp are convinced that the needs of our customers energy alternatives, Ecocorp offer a no obligation, free consultation come first. All members of our team are fully committed to to help you both save energy and money You can browse through the website www.ecocorp.eu or finding solutions to meet your individual needs.

We believe that understanding your requirements enables us to identify the best options in order to design your unique system. Your home is personal to you: the amount of energy that you consume and the times at which you demand it will vary.

Every system we design and install is tailor made to be both effective and efficient. From standard “off the shelf” systems to specific, space - saving, tracking systems; we can ensure that all individual requirements can be met.

Whether you are considering alternative energy provision or need an electrical supply to a remote location, contact Ecocorp for a professional, cost effective service. We do not just send your kit to you. When we deliver your solar power system, no matter how small we install it and take time to ensure that you are confident with it.

A high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and personal recommendations. We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and to provide you with the best in the industry.

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The Almeria region receives some of the highest hours of sunshine in Spain, so why not consider harnessing some of this free energy.

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REVIEW it...

THE TEAM by Bernie COMASKEY

People exuding pride, a determination to succeed and succeed they certainly did!

The Team is about solidarity and in this microcosm of fictional Ballymona for the locals and “exiles” who are magnetically drawn to their homeland like an umbilical cord attached to a newborn babe for heart-warming celebrations and reunions. Of course it’s not just about solidarity, the characters also display a “sense of camaraderie and joviality” of people who exude pride and there’s plenty of that in abundant quantities evident in Comaskey’s recent debut novel.

The narrative is lyrical and the author has adopted an autobiographical style reminiscent of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, just like a soap, here everyone knows everyone else’s business and I mean everyone! No secrets barred.

Johnny Murtagh, publican, needs to be “affable” and he is central to the plot in creating unity and harmony with a backdrop of volatility with the almost domineering exploits of the IRA and Sinn Fein. He is seen as a “pillar of wisdom and common sense, a diplomat and a politician.”

Someone who means business, extremely realistic and not stereotypical of a dim-witted Irishman, at the butt end of a stale jibe thankfully! Cathal Moran, reverently referred to as the Master represents the other important character to lead discussions and is pivotal in persuading the County Council to allow Ballymona to return to the glory days of hurling.

There is a balance of optimism, the “hurling fever” at re-establishing a hurling team within the community and uniting generations which is the main focus of The Team against a “pallor of gloom” which hung over Ballymona, an accurate historical account of hunger strikes, Bobby Sands’ death, Cellco’s closure and job losses amidst explosive politics in the 80s. Unsettling times.

Hurling has been played for over 3,000 years. It is thought to be the world’s fastest field team game and shares a number of features with Gaelic football. It is Ireland’s second most popular sport and in Ireland it is considered a “fixture of life.”

Re-establishing a team becomes the pivotal element:”the enthusiasm for forming their own team became contagious and was whipped up almost to hysterical pitch.” There were plenty of set-backs, obstacles, opposition from local villages, red-tape issues with the local and county council. That kind of thing.

Whilst the battling continues and tempers are frayed with frustration, thwarted by obstacles, the characters get on with their lives and provide an entertaining pitch for enlightening the reader with extremely diverse storylines sometimes sad, sometimes dangerous but always credible. Enda Murtagh at the age of 8 almost lost his leg when Jim’s tractor was idling. He was “spun around like a rag doll “ and was lucky to escape with just a badly mangled leg, two inches shorter than the other.

Dr Harte, vindictive over Star’s sexual exploits with his niece got into it a bit too deep, when engaged in some amateur surveillance of Star’s trailer and informing his detective friends of irregular activity, when a revolver was pushed into the side of his neck with a menacing growl of “Where the fuck do you think you are going?” The gunman’s face was “streaked with something black like charcoal and he was dressed all in tight-fitting black clothes.” Moments of sheer terror.

Christy Larkin was one of the exiles who never lost his love for his home place having moved to England 25 years ago. He was involved in a hijack but instead of hysteria he was surprisingly calm at the prospect of death and after 12 hours the French Special Unit stormed the plane and removed the hijacker without any casualties.

The Star aka The Stud had challenging political views, a charismatic character but very complex.

He treated his women like animals “circling his prey.” He enjoyed the chase more than the kill.

He bedded most of the young girls in Ballymona, including one of Johnny’s daughters. Action had to be taken and so it was. The most talked about individual was arrested and Ballymona once more, became a safe haven for sport and life.

And all the characters are Ballymona to the bone, determined to succeed and succeed they certainly did thanks to the team. I enjoyed it, you will too.

Publisher: Deel Publications. ISBN: 978 0-9553686-2-2 Carol Naylor - writing exclusively for the Sol Times Naylorcl@hotmail.es & www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Día de Andalucia, a r are but significant civil r ather than religious day, is celebr ated throughout the Andalucian region. The day honours Blas Infante, the founding father of the ‘Estatuto de Autonomia de Andalucia’, which roughly tr anslates as the ‘statute of the autonomous region of Andalucia’.

f e l i z dí a de andalucia

Born in Casares, Malaga in 1885, Blas Infante attended school in Malaga and Cordoba, and went on to obtain a law degree from the University of Granada where he also studied philosophy. In 1909, he returned to Casares where he worked as an assistant to his father who was employed as Secretary to the Municipal Courts. It was in 1913, during the celebration of an International Congress in Ronda, that Blas Infante presented his famous speech that started with the words “The moment has come for the privileged to die…”

Proclaiming Andalucia as the most fertile land in Spain, he continued to write articles promoting his cause for the magazine ‘Betica, and presented a speech at the Ateneo in Seville on ‘The Andalucian Ideal’, subsequently writing a book of the same name.

In 1916, the first Centro Andaluz was established in

Seville, which is today located on O’Donnell street, where the Blas Infante foundation can also be found.

In 1918, the Assembly of Andalucian Provinces was held in Ronda, this was Andalucia’s first ever assembly. The official Green - White - Green equal horizontal bands of the Andalucian flag was unveiled.

Variations of it were frequently used and documented from Al Andaluz and the Moorish times. Green being the colour of the Omeya dynasty representing the consensus of the people. The white was frequenty used in Eurpean Heraldry represents peace or parliament. The emblem of Hércules was inspired by Cadiz, Andalucia’s oldest city and is called “Las Insignias de Andalucía”. The hymn of Andalucia was also published.

In 1918-19, Blas Infante was elected Diputado (Council Representative) for the district of Gaucin-Casares-Estepona. In 1919 he also married Angustias Garcia Pradas and eventually fathered three daughters and a son. The newlyweds moved to Seville, where Infante founded the Abante Library. In 1931 he created the Liberal Junta of Andalucia in Seville.

It was in 1936, after the February elections, that the Andalucian campaign intensified in favour of the Autonomy Statute. Blas Infante

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So, what do people do on Día de Andalucía?

The answer is bound to be found in the heart of your nearest town or city where municipal bands are generally called out to play the regional hymn (el Himno de Andalucia) and speeches are made on behalf of regional traditions and politics.

The day is regarded as a fiesta holiday often falling during the February half term known as Semana Blanca (White Week).

Schools however do not let this important day pass without mention and celebrate the week before.

At this time Andalucia’s green and white flag can be seen all around the region, with municipal bands parading, playing ‘el Himno de Andalucia’ (the Andalucia Hymn) with towns and villages providing samples of typical local cuisine....so there you have it - another reason to celebrate! was proclaimed President of the new Assembly and the following week in Cadiz, the Diputacion was celebrated with a meeting where all villages of the province were represented. The Andalucian flag was subsequently raised at the Town Hall of Cadiz, Seville.

Unsurprisingly, Blas Infante’s ideals and achievements fell foul of the fascists under General Franco, and he was imprisoned during the Civil War. On the 2nd August 1936 he was arrested in his house in Cora del Rio by various members of the Filange in the early morning of the 11 August, along with two others, he was taken to the side of the Seville - Carmona road where he was shot dead. As he fell to the ground, he shouted out his famous last words: “Long live free Andalucia!” A monument at ‘KM4’ of the marks the location and a commemorative service takes place here every year on Andalucian Day.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

CUTTING

Costs

The idea behind budgeting is simply to give you a better idea of where your money goes, so you can plan ahead. Write down everything you spend over a month, from bills to coffees.

With the figures in front of you, you can make informed choices about where to cut back. Always check your bank statements to keep track of what money is going out. Where you can, pay monthly - it's easier to budget and spreads the cost.

Frugal Tips Around The Home • Instead of using expensive cream cleaners use a teaspoon of

bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth - it works just as well.

• Vinegar is great for cleaning surfaces such as glass that you want to be smear free - if you have an old spray bottle fill it with half vinegar and half water for a great window and mirror cleaner.

• Switch off all your appliances at the wall before going to bed at night. Many electrical items continue to use electricity even while their off if connected to an outlet.

• Using your oven or microwave as a clock uses up a huge amount of energy and if you think about it, isn't really necessary. A battery powered wall clock uses much less power.

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES • Switch off the oven, hotplates and iron a few minutes before you need to stop using them - they will stay hot for a long time. Heating devices use more power that anything else.

• If you are by the kettle when it reaches the boil switch it off by hand - the automatic cut off will leave it boiling and burning up watts for longer. Also, only boil the quantity of water you need as this will take less time and energy.

• When using your oven, try to fill it! If you really need it on for only one thing pile the bottom up with baking sheets, cake tins etc - this will make it into a much smaller space to heat meaning that it will heat up quicker.

• Instead of shoe polish, use the inside of a banana skin to scrub up your shoes.

Tips For Savings On Your Car • An estimated 50% of car tyres on the road are underinflated so keep your tyres pumped up as soft tyres waste fuel and wear out quicker.

• Roof racks and carriers should be removed when they are not being used to reduce drag and weight which will lessen the fuel consumption.

• Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuelefficient way of driving. Travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.

• The use of air conditioning increases fuel consumption by 10% so open up the windows and let the fresh air in.

• Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the engine uses more fuel. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. This way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.

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

PURCHASING A HOME IN SPAIN

Buyers of property in Spain naturally find the formalities and procedures involved, strange and confusing and this is often compounded by problems of language and difficulty in obtaining local professional advice that they can understand.

The wise thing to do is to take on the services of a qualified professional; of which there are many in all the tourist-orientated resorts who speak good English or who at least have English-speaking secretaries. The Law Society in each province controls the work of Spanish solicitors in Spain.

Here is a very general outline of the work that goes on behind the scene, so that you have a rough idea of what to expect.

1- Request of the copy of the seller’s escritura. A study of the first notarial copy of the sellers Escritura de Compraventa will indicate whether all the tax and registration procedures have been completed on the previous transfer. The registration details entered on the Escritura will enable the lawyer to do a complete search in the Register, and therefore make sure that the seller has a proper title and ensure there are no hidden charges or encumbrances affecting the property.

2. Make sure there are no outstanding bills.

3. It is normal for a deposit to be handed over to reserve the property until the signing of the Escritura de Propiedad can take place. When the deposit is handed over your lawyer will draw up a solid contract to secure both parties until the day of the signing. .

4.If you are a non-resident the Spanish Ministry of interior requires you to obtain a certificate of non residency (which in turn determines your fiscal number) so that you can sign the escritura. It will also be required later on by the Tax Authorities. This is known as the NIE number.

5.If you buy from a non-resident you must hold back 3%

of the price stipulated on the escritura which your lawyer or in this case yourself will pay to the Tax Authority on behalf of the sellers capital gains tax.

(The lawyer will not be able to register your property until he has obtained the receipt from the tax office for this money,). If he is accustomed to dealing with foreigners, he will point this out, if he does not, watch out.

6. When deciding where, when and how you are going to pay for your house in Spain it is very important that you seek advice on your particular case, because the Spanish Law concerning foreign investment does not permit the payment to be made in any old way. If your lawyer is used to foreign conveyance, he will automatically point out the correct way of handling this.

7. Your lawyer will draw up a rough draft for the notary to prepare the title deed. (By contrast to England, in Spain each time a transaction takes place a new title deed is drawn up).

8,when the escritura is signed there are taxes and fees to be paid, which your lawyer will do for you, on receiving appropriate funding.

9 Order the property register to inscribe your title deed.

10.Aprox. One month from the signing of the escritura you will receive your escritura with the registers stamp on it, and receipts for all the payments made on your behalf. (I recommend you staple them to your title deed forever, because when you go to sell they can be used as deductions against capital gains.)

Congratulations, you now have your final title deed.

I want to take the opportunity to say that even though all this sounds complicated, the Spanish legal system in what concerns the buying of property when used properly, gives both the seller and the buyer total safety.

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

Est 25yrs

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

PRICE BROWN PARTNERSHIP ESTATE AGENTS/INMOBILARIA - MOJACAR

SALES, RENTALS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT VENTAS, ALQUILERES Y MANTENAMIENTO

130,000 € Mojácar Playa A1156 145,000 € Mojácar Playa A1154 149,995 € Mojacar Playa A1048 125,000€ Mojácar Playa SDV653 Spacious apartment of 67m2 + 41m2 of terrace in a popular community with superb sea views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Community pools & gardens. Furnished.

Superb penthouse apartment of 68m2 + terraces of 65m2 & roof terrace of 64m2 on a quality golf complex. 360 degree views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Community terrace,gym,gardens & pool.

Charming ground floor apartment of 134m2 + garden of 20m2 on a sought after front line complex. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Huge storage areas.

Superb community gardens & pool.

Pretty end of terrace bungalow of 67m2 on 193m2 with roof terrace. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Community garden. Furnished. Short distance to shops, beach & restaurants.

130,000 € Cuevas del DV1246 135,500 € Mojácar Playa LV651 115,000 € Mojácar Playa A1136 145,000 € Mojácar Playa A1116 Almanzora Charming detached villa of 83m2 on 1,500m2 near to Desert Springs golf.

2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, beautiful gardens & unfinished pool. Furnished.

Only 5 mins drive from Vera town.

Lovely townhouse of 147 m2 just 3 minutes walk from the beach.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, part furnished. Large garage & roof terrace with sea views. Community pool & gardens.

135,000 € Mojácar Playa A1129

85,000€ Mojácar Playa LV652

A charming penthouse of 71m2 with fabulous sea views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & lift access. Garage nearby. Community gardens & pool.

In walking distance of the beach.

Very attractive fully modernised townhouse of 60 m2 + 20 m2 of terrace in a small complex near to the beach.

2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Furnished.

Lovely community gardens & off street parking.

Quality apartment of 71 m2 terrace of 23 m2 with sea views. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. In immaculate order.

Carport. Fabulous pool & gardens.

Part furnished.

245,000 €

Cabrera

Top quality ground floor apartment of 78 m2 + 24 m2 of terraces in a well maintained gated complex with community pools, tennis, gardens & parking. 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom & storeroom. Furnished.

DV1114 235,000 € Mojácar Playa DV1257

Attractive detached villa of 165m2 on a plot of 535 m2 with stunning views.

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Private pool, parking and roof terrace. Approx.

20 mins drive from local beaches.

Charming modernised bungalow of 105m2 on 499 m2 only 5 mins walk from the beach. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and garden with room for a pool. A/C, PVC windows & good security.

www.pricebrown.com Tel: +34 950 478 915 Fax: +34 950 478 963 sales@pricebrown.com

rentals@pricebrown.com

Mondays 10.00 - 13.30 & 15.00 - 18.00 Tuesdays - Fridays 9.30 - 13.30 & 15.00 - 18.00 Members of the National Association of Estate Agents Overseas

All properties listed with Price Brown comply with the consumer protection act - decreto 218/2005 11 Octobre (Andalucia).

Members of the Agrupacion Tecnica Profesional

Prices are correct for 7 days from going to print for all properties on these pages

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Paint or Wallpaper?

The question of whether to use paint or wallpaper designs throughout the home has caused plenty of domestic strife over the years. Many dwellers enjoy busy and vibrant wallpaper patterns that exude character – but not necessarily style – whilst others prefer painted walls that feature neutral tones and colours – uncomplicated but not exactly exciting.

Of course, some wallpapers can feature plain patterns and colours whilst certain paints are bold and vibrant, however, in somewhat broad terms, it remains possible to divide people into two categories: those who enjoy the modest charm of painted walls and those who prefer the energy of striking wallpaper prints.

It was Oscar Wilde who said on his deathbed “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go” but those people whose memories of wallpaper include the Anaglytpta, flock or woodchip styles that were popular in the Seventies may be surprised to learn that wallpaper is undergoing a revival. The minimalism of the Nineties is being phased out in many homes and being replaced instead by a full range of colour and pattern including on the walls.

Wallpaper designs on a large scale often work best in well-lit rooms and many interior designers are incorporating them as important elements of living room or bedroom design.

You can, for example, choose wallpaper in a favourite colour, or colours, and coordinate your bedroom furniture, curtains and other soft furnishings accordingly. Another possibility is to pick out a single wall in a room and paper that wall – perhaps with hand printed wallpaper for added richness and depth of colour – as a focal point or feature. If traditional, old-fashioned, hand printed wallpaper is beyond your means there are some wallpapers which, although mass produced and therefore less expensive, have almost the same characteristics.

There is, of course, an issue with wallpaper – as there is with carpet and paint – with regard to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are responsible for a strong odour as well as being hazardous to the environment. Thankfully environmentally friendly wallpaper with no such compounds is readily available nowadays. If you are hanging wallpaper yourself make sure that you remove any existing wall covering and debris – including flaking paint – beforehand and wash down the wall(s) with sugar soap. For ease of hanging and maximum effect afterwards wall surfaces should be smooth, clean and dry before wallpaper is applied.

As such, are interior design trends likely to be dominated by paint lovers or wallpaper nuts in 2010? The answer, as perhaps can be expected, is somewhat self-evident; indeed, paint will always remain more popular as it is the weapon of choice when attacking interior walls.

Notwithstanding this, it would seem that wallpaper has been afforded greater attention this year by many of the leading retailers, who have released some rather unconventional patterns that will be of concern to paint lovers!

Tax Revenues Start To Flow From Switzerland To UK

The new tax agreement between the UK and Switzerland is already reaping dividends for the Treasury. Within a month of it coming into force on 1st January, HM Revenue & Customs recouped £342 million in unpaid tax from Swiss banks.

The agreement enables the British authorities to tax the income on assets held in Swiss financial institutions by UK taxpayers, even if the income is not declared.

Chancellor, George Osborne said it was “the first time in our history that money due in taxes has flowed from Switzerland to the UK instead of the other way round”.

The Treasury calculates the deal will deliver around £5 billion of previously unpaid tax by 2018. £3.1 billion is expected in the 2013-14 tax year.

Switzerland has a similar arrangement with Austria, and the Swiss Federal Government confirmed that similar agreements are under way with Greece and Italy, and that other countries have shown an interest. It is possible that Spain will enter into a deal with Switzerland at some point in the future.

The UK-Swiss tax accord has four main components.

(1) One-off levy of between 21% and 41%

With floral and animal designs also set to be popular in 2010, it would seem that paint lovers are set for a rough ride this year – especially as embossed wallpaper is all set for a comeback!

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks will be deducted on 31st May 2013, unless the account holder authorises his bank to disclose information to HMRC. This will cover past unpaid tax.

If funds are moved out of Switzerland before 31st May, the levy will be applied immediately.

(2) Future withholding tax of 48% on interest, 40% on dividends and 27% on capital gains, to applied on all income, again unless the owner authorises disclosure.

(3) Inheritance tax. When the holder of an undisclosed Swiss bank account dies, 40% will be deducted and paid to the UK Treasury.

(4) Information requests. A set number can

be submitted to the Swiss authorities each year and Swiss banks will be obliged to respond.

For advice on effective and compliant tax planning in today’s world, speak to an established firm like Blevins Franks which specialises in bespoke tax planning for British expatriates.

Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change.

Tax information has been summarised; an individual 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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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http://javierlorenteortega.blogspot.com.es

head to huercal-overa I-CafeBar.com opposite the bus station and just down from Lidl in Huercal Overa is so much more than an internet cafe! It is a hub of daily life where you can go in for a paper, a cuppa and a cake with a friend, buy and send a card, Easypost worldwide postal service, Hits mobile agent, also top-up any mobile phone, check your email and have a Spanish class! They have the largest selection of Greetings cards and NEW books in the area and 3 new paperbacks are just €10 or €4 each.

They also sell Original and Compatible printer inks, with compatible Epson inks from just €3 each. Bookings for taken day trips and mini breaks and pick up point and much, much more For more information pop in or call 950 135 039. If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a property in the general Huércal-Overa area, Taberno, Alfoquia and San Juan de Los Terreros areas then contact VOSS HOMES who have clients waiting of all nationalities and an office in HuércalOvera just 1km off exit 553 of the A7 motorway, 100m passed Lidl.

Voss Homes is a family company made of husband and wife team Andy & Anna Voss and their daughter Jessica. Andy has been selling properties here for 8 years and because of their joint indepth knowlegde of the area they can offer a more comprehensive, professional and friendly service to both home owners and buyers. Voss Homes provides extensive newspaper and internet advertising AND also work with a number of other reputable estate agents thereby attracting more clients for your property especially British, Spanish, Belgian and Dutch etc etc etc . They are also now looking for long term rental

properties in the area. Call 0034 950 616 827 or 678 002 006 or visit www.vosshomesspain.com Cam Concepts SL is a family business with more than 18 years assisting expats in Alicante and Almería with all aspects of living in Spain.

They pride themselves on their reputation and for having many satisfied customers. They can, as native British speakers who speak fluent Spanish, offer you assurance that your questions and concerns will not be misinterpreted, and a that you can be assured that you will be offered the best advice, without having to ask! Cam Concepts is located on the opposite side of the road to the Post Office in Huercal-Overa, take the side road opposite the metal statue with the bakery on the corner. Mandy & Chris look forward to seeing you

at their office, where they will be happy to help you, no matter how small your enquiry may be or call 950 471 357.

Huercal-Overa Veterinary Centre is run by Husband and wife team Angel and Elena who both speak an excellent level of English. Since May 2011, they have offered an invaluable service to the pets in the area. They can help and advice you on any concerns you may have about your pets welfare and they also have a dog and cat grooming service too. They have a great range of pet food and other accessories in the centre. For more information or to book and appointment call 950 61 67 81.

cafebar.com i-cafebar.com

Under new ownership Huercal Overa Now New and Improved Formerly Choice Entertainment

Open till late Fri/Sat Fiesta Nights

Internet Cafe Bar Ic

Iceeccrreeaam mss More GGrreeeetitinng e ic e rv ic rv se se al st al st gssccaarrddssfrfro po osttpo ypos EEas asyp m9999cc om Than S n S a n acckk, ,ppie as Teas Just iess&&ccaakke feee&&Te CCof offe ess T ng o T xi ng opp-U -Uppssoonn all Internet anddfafaxi pyininggan copy toco all NNeetw PPho hoto twoorrkkss s s er UK er ap UK ap sp sp o ew N orrddeerrin lishh New inggSSeerrvvic EEng nglis icee SSppaannis es is in es h in az h az ag C M ag C o d M n omv an and peurte sar tiCola nsC la sessses Open Mon to Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Tel: 950 135 039

www.i-cafebar.com

Ctra Estacion 143, Huercal Overa 04600.

(Opposite the bus station, near Lidl)

Office Now Open In Huercal-Overa, 155a Carretera Estacion, 100m From Lidl emergencies 663 524 003

Ctra. Nac. 340, 208 Huércal Overa (Almeria) Tel: 950 61 67 81 www.cvhuercalovera.es Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 1.30pm, 5pm - 8pm Saturday 10am - 1.30pm

Our Legal services include

offering a wide range of legal Please note our new email is now services in info@camconceptssl.com English to the expat community CAM. Concepts, S.L. C/. Montilla 1A, 04600 Huercal Overa (Almeria) since 1994 Conveyancing - Purchase Or Sale Spanish Wills & Inheritance NIE’s & Residents Certificates Forming Of Companies Setting Up Businesses Registering With Social Security Office Translation Work Car Registration & Importation

TEL/FAX: 950 471 357

• VH264

- €169,000 reduced

• VH239

- €139,500 reduced

• VH408

- €89,500 reduced

• 5 bed, 2 bath Character House • 900m2 fenced garden • Main road access • Walk to amenities

• 3 bed, 2 bath Quality Villa • 600m2 Walled Garden • 8m x 4m Swimming pool • Walk to shop, restaurants etc

• 3/4 bed, 2 bath Village House • Quality renovation

• Splash pool • 5 mins drive to Zurgena

Voss Homes offers a friendly, professional service, extensive internet and newspaper coverage, low commissions, no upfront charges, full paperwork checks and realistic valuations to ensure maximum interest in your property.

Please call 950 616 827 or 678 002 006 or email: info@vosshomesspain.com

www.vosshomesspain.com

26

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

property guide....

Sales of Homes Moderates Fall to 11.3% in 2012

In 2012, despite the end of tax incentives for home purchases, 319,058 home sales transactions were carried out, 11.3% fewer than in 2011, and a more moderate decline than registered in the previous year, of 17.7%, and in 2008 and 2009, coinciding with the crisis in the sector. According to the year-end data published this week by the National Statistics

Institute, the biggest crashes were recorded then, with housing sales sinking by 28.8% and 24.9%, respectively.

This trend contrasts with the 6.3% growth which was recorded in 2010, when housing sales rebounded months before the elimination of the deduction for the purchase of a main residence for middle and high

Many can do it well...

Some can do it very well... but only a few do it like us... always with the customer in mind Camposol Business centre sector a, camposol mazarron

www.anotherworld-properties.com sales@anotherworldproperties.net

TEL: 968 592 679

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS

cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com

Vera Playa Apartment

O Olive

CUEVAS

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant)

Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm

DE

139,000€

incomes became effective.

All in all, this real estate indicator remains far from the figures reached in 2007, when in the middle of the sector boom sales of homes approached 800,000 transactions in a year.

After a 17-month streak of declines, sales rose again in August just after the Government announced the end of the deduction for home purchases and the VAT increase

www.olivehouse-es.com

Apartment For Sale on golf course

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen with white goods, Nice views of golf course parking, Mojacar approx 7 mins

ALMANZORA

An immaculate 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom duplex with garage situated in the popular and historical town of Cuevas de Almanzora

for such transactions, which looked likely to be a factor that would boost operations before the end of the year.

Despite registering the largest decreases of the year in the first three months of 2012, with declines of 26.3%, 31.8% and 22.7%, respectively, the downward trend moderated gradually over the following three months to stand at around 10%. for the full report go to www.kyero.com ...for all the latest property news...

now only

OLV598

€39,950

T: 664 291 793 jescott29@hotmail.co.uk

Restored, large Cortijo in Almanzora Valley with lovely mountain and valley views

• 3 Double Bedrooms • Spacious Kitchen/Dining Room • Roof Terrace 45m2 • Large Covered Front Porch • Garage • 1500 metres garden • Walled and gated • Fully legal • Mains water & electricity

large country properties needed

€125,000

in the Los Velez area

genuine clients waiting to view

English Tel: 0044 1952 246 476 Email: berniefinlay@hotmail.co.uk

info@icasaspain.com

...CALL 902 750 190 OR 950 121 936 ~ EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

Amazing Villa

with pool and beautiful views in Agua Nueva €349,950 Amazing 3 bedroom / 3 bathroom Villa set on a freehold plot of 960 mts2 at the bottom of the hill that leads to Agua Nueva which is no more than a 5 minutes gentle walk to the village of

Turre with its supermarkets, weekly market, banks, doctors, dentist, chemist,... etc.

This detached villa has an approx. built area of 135 m2 distributed between living/ dining room, independent fully fitted

kitchen, 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms, one of them with jacuzzi. The property also has several terraces, a roof solarium with beautiful views of Mojacar village, Turre and Cabrera Mountains, and an 8x4 mts swimming pool.

All in all a unique property in Agua Nueva which must be viewed to be fully appreciated.

For more information or to book a viewing appointment please visit our office or contact us via phone or e-mail. Ref: 1106

Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria property group

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

27

Lighting Up! Your garden is ready for everyone to see and you are very proud of all the hard work that has gone in to making it just the way you wanted.

You invite your friends over for a drink or two and dinner later on to show off your carefully decorated garden. Drinks are over and dinner is served too but not one word of praise for the garden from any one of them. You get frustrated and you are wondering all along what could have possibly gone wrong. Before blaming your friends for not noticing anything different, stop and think! Is it because it’s not good enough for praise or they simply haven’t noticed it because the lighting was so bad that they couldn’t really differentiate between your earlier garden and the garden now.

If you are one of the above, then it is about time you illuminate your garden in the right way, and using all the right lights. After all, a garden looks more captivating when illuminated in the dark!

Commonly used lights...

Some of the commonly used lights in the garden are incandescent light that is very bright but uses a lot of power.

While illuminating a tree, people use flood lights or spot lights. They, again, are powerful but consume a lot of energy.

12 volt halogen lights are also used. But all of these have disadvantages, the more these lights are used, the more transformers are required and the globes constantly need replacing.

LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes...

The advance of technology has led to the invention of the LEDs or the Light Emitting Diodes that is becoming increasingly popular everywhere. The LEDs are basically lights that are used in the mobile phones and the computer. They are long lasting and give a nice effect in the garden when used. They are very different from the normal lights; they do not have the traditional filament but are made up of electrons. Due to this, they give a very soft and subtle effect and they don’t burn out soon.

Types of LEDs...

Barrel LEDs: They are ideal for illuminating a garden art.

The light is put on the art piece that shines and casts a shadow behind. They can also be put on the trunk of a palm tree.

LED Button Lights: These lights are water resistant and hence can be used in water features. They can also be put along a path to show the way or along a border for an illuminated effect.

Solar Garden Lights: Available in aluminium and stainless steel, they come in amber or white light. As they are solar lights, they do not use any power and saves electricity. They get completely charged during the day and as the sun sets they light up automatically and are on throughout the night.

As a result, these bulbs last for years.

6 Styling Tips to Refresh a Room A home makeover doesn’t have to require new furniture, a trip to the hardware store, or a big budget. Here’s how to style a space for an instant refresh.

Use Cut Branches An organic element in a room will help it come alive. You don’t have to spend a lot of money at the florist. Just take a pair of scissors out into your yard, clip a few branches or even just a single stem, and place in a vase.

Stack Wood in the Fireplace Mantels can define a space with their architectural interest, but the hearth can drain a room visually – it’s a big, black hole. A stack of wood ready for a fire will help fill it out. In the spring and summer, try beautiful white birch logs for a lighter look

Stack Up On White Towels Keep a stack of white towels in the bathroom. The monochromatic color scheme is aesthetically soothing, so the space will look crisp, fresh, and spa-like. Plus, they’re a cinch to clean since you can always bleach them.

Add a Throw

A pretty throw draped over a bench, sofa, or the back of a chair can be an instant update, adding both color and texture.

It’s also a simple way to relax a room, creating an inviting spot to curl up to read a book or take a nap.

Accessorize Your Coffee Table A large coffee table can become a huge block of dark wood that weighs down a room. Try taking a few beautiful art books down off the shelf and using them to break up table’s surface.

The room will feel lighter and brighter and you’ll likely enjoy your books more, too.

Display a Favorite Piece Instead of keeping your beautiful things tucked away in cabinets and closets, open up a door, and take out that beautiful vase, tray, or bowl. Showcase it on a dining table or a console, anywhere that you can actually appreciate it. It doesn’t have to live there permanently.

We urgently require properties for sale or rent, Orihuela Costa & surrounding areas for waiting clients Please contact

Sitara Properties Tel: 966 723 437 or 636 615 716

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

soltimes

Sol Insure

What’s happening in your area?

Looking Around for Insurance or Renewal Due?

www.soltimes.com daily

28

Local News What’s on?

Where to go? What to do?

Local Business Directory

A New Ray Of Light For Insurance

All your local businesses at your fingertips

Sky News

Live local & international News feeds

Sol Insure

Let find the best policy for you!

Providing the best cover at competitive rates

info@bwispain.com

Did You Know... www.soltimes.com has all five editions of the NewsPaper.

Almeria, Blanca, Calida, Roquetas and Mar Menor.

These Pages include an Editor’s Choice of news within that area and a direct link to view the Full Online Edition.

NOTE: We appologise for the technical problems with the TV viewing page which now appears to be functioning as normal. You can again enjoy Live TV FREE on www. soltimes.com

902 750 190 If you have any questions or ideas please email me at webmaster

@soltimes.com

950 472 098

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

29

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

*THE BEST

€

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cafe

At the Pink House VEGETARIAN MEALS IT’S OFFICIAL.... CUT HEART DISEASE BY 30%

VEGETARIAN MEAL IN TOWN

Our main menu full of mouth watering meals from the VEG CURRY served with cous cous and rice, the MIGHTY JACKET POTATO with all the fillings you can think of. The hot crispy freshly baked BAGUETTE with your choice of filling. The Italian SPAGETTI & MACARONI with our authentic Italian Bolognese & béchamel sauce. And of course our HOUSE SPECIALS with our secret flavours,

A: The TASTY KOUSHERY everyone’s favourite.

B: FALAFAL “Veg Burger” and the newly introduced Middle Easterns most popular meal C: FOUL full of protein. TOGETHER with Our homemade soup of the day ~ Our delicious

freshly baked cakes – carrot, cheesecake, lemon meringue, lemon drizzle, apple and walnut, triple chocolate cake, pear and almond etc......

SERVED WITH Hot and cold drinks......and remember ALL soups, cakes and drinks still at €

THIS WEEKS SPECIAL

Home-made Pizza 1€ (plus any topping of your choice for 50cent extra)

WANTED URGENTELY CARAVANS & MOTORHOMES English & Spanish Reg up to 1995 - any condition we collect from any area Tel: 681 095 096 / 636 411 540 REST. Balabona & Petrol Station

Murcia

E15/A7 Motorway A 

x lbo

Vera/Mojacar EXIT 543

La Concepcion

We are here



30

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

send your recipes to editor@soltimes.com d o o G

Calorie labelling is ‘wildly misleading’ claim scientists

Eating a bowl of muesli or porridge each morning may not be the best way to shift unwanted pounds.

Scientists say calorie labelling has for years ignored the energy content of fibre. This means that dieters have been ‘unknowingly’ eating more calories than they thought in their muesli or porridge.An average bowl of bran cereal contains an extra 20 calories, while muesli has 12 more, say scientists.

According to a report by the Mail Online, the issue was discussed at the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston where Dr Geoffrey Livesey, a British nutritionist: said: ‘When people eat muesli, it is a healthy food but they are often putting on lots of weight.’

Regulators have known since the early 1990s that fibre had a calorie content, but stuck with the old system for assessing calories which said fibre is indigestible and so had a negligible calorific contribution. But European food labelling regulations are being changed and by the end of next year retailers will have to add two calories for each gram of fibre in a food item.

A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium,

which represents supermarkets, said members have made this change already.

31

Grea tF rie nds YELLOW

s e m Ti

STONE BAR

Mother’s

Day

Sunday 10th March - Lunch served from 12 noon

its

Pre Starters Salad - A bowl of fresh Chef’s salad served with bread and Ali Oli and a bottle of house red or white wine per couple Starters Broccoli & Stilton Soup Breaded Camembert with Redcurrant Jelly Main Courses Chicken Breast in a Peppercorn Sauce served with Vegetables & New Potatoes Breaded Pork Escalope with Mushroom and Parmesan Cheese Sauce served with Vegetables & New Potatoes Pan fried Thai style Salmon served with Rice Vegetable Quiche served with New Potatoes and Vegetables (V) Desserts Rum and Raisin Cheesecake Apple Pie served with Cream or Custard per pers Vanilla Ice Cream served with a choice of homemade on Chocolate Fudge, Toffee or Strawberry Sauce Booking essential, call paul on 634 332 178 (€5 reservation deposit per person)

Traditionally, calorie content has been calculated using the general factor system, which only looked at the protein, fat and carbohydrate in a food item. Four calories were assigned for each gram of protein and carbohydrate, while each gram of fat added nine calories.

Dr Livesey said: ‘What the old system gave us is a very general calorific value, which is misleading. So consumers have been eating more calories than they thought, particularly if the food was high-fibre.’

The recommended daily fibre intake is 18 grams, meaning an average adult consuming this amount will have been eating more than 250 extra calories each week.

€12,95

To add to the confusion, Dr Livesey claims the calorie content of protein has been exaggerated by 20 per cent because the system does not take into account the extra calories people use chewing and digesting it.

Referring to all types of food, Dr Livesey said that in some cases the calorie content on the label can be 25 per cent out.

Find us in Piedra Amarilla (Formerly The Grapevine) For more information and phone orders call Paul: 634

ITV CENTRE

← Albox

332 178

Fines →

Yellow Stone 1km Piedra Amarilla →

showbar & restaurant

The Irish Rover Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family

Forthcoming events......

March 1st

Status Quo Tribute Basket Meals Available

17th March

Back by Popular Demand Morgan - Irish Folk Singer Mark Nugent and Tommy McCarthy

Eagles Tribute Friday 12th April

telephone: 950 473 135

mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach Open 10am till late (Closed Mon & Tues)

32

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

ALBOX

Bar Menu & Snacks Home-made puds

MENU DEL DIA

Burgers, Lasagne, pies, Omelettes, chilli plus

All Day Breakfast from 9am

onl y €

2 Courses

5

served 12 - 3 except Fri & Sun

Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

friday & SATURDAY Fridays &

Cod ‘n’ ChipS

Beerfrom battered 5.95€ Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, Mushy or Garden PeaS SERVED 12-9pm

Saturdays The Restaurant is Open 6pm-9pm MENU FROM 5.95€

Traditional SUNDAY LUNCH

Delicious & Home-cooked nl y o served A Choice of Topside Of Beef & 12.30 - 5pm Yorkshire Pudding; Roast Pork With Crackling And Apple Sauce Tender or Roast Chicken With Stuffing - all served with Locallygrown Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables & a Glass Of House Wine, Tubo of Beer or a Coffee

6.95€ to include a FREE Drink

Los Mellizos Restaurant La Alfoquia, Zurgena

We have a new chef and a new Menu !

Starters, Puddings - 2€ each

SUNDAY SERVED 10AM-12PM

BREAKFAST

Friday 8th March Activities at

the fabulous

Steve King

Monday Rock ‘n’ Roll - 7:30pm Tuesday Quirky Quiz - 7:30pm Wednesday Line Dancing 7:30pm Thursday Ceroc Dancing & Fun

from 8pm-12am come and boogie on down to all your dance Plus Social Night 7:30pm favourites ...Art Classes (held most days)

free admission

all welcome food available from 6pm

...Computer Club ...Keep fit & slimming classes

check the board for times

ALBOX

@

BP Garage

•••

BAZA → OPEN 9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN ← ARBOLEAS Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to jacksalbox@gmail.com

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

special Mothering sunday menu with our new chef Tracy

Live Entertainment Every Friday Disco Music from 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & today

Open Mon - Fri 8am - late. Sat & Sun 9am - late

Tlf: 667 919 025

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

email your favourite recipes to editor@soltimes.com

...FOOD & ENTERTAINING

Quail’s Egg Salad with Baby Spinach Leaves INGREDIENTS

33

dessert

starter

100g (3½oz) baby spinach leaves 1 red onion, sliced 200g (7oz) yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved 1tbsp wholegrain mustard 6tbsp avocado oil Juice of 1 lemon 1tsp runny honey 12 quails’ eggs, hard boiled (4 halved)

METHOD

Place the spinach, red onion slices and halved tomatoes in a wide mixing bowl.

In a small bowl, mix together the mustard, oil, lemon juice and honey, season well with salt and pepper and stir until well combined.

Divide the salad mixture between 4 serving plates and scatter the quails’ eggs over the salad, drizzle the dressing over each serving.

Tip: Serve with a garnish of grilled pancetta.

Curry-spiced Chicken with a Tartare of Peas main

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp mild curry powder 1.5kg/3lb 5oz chicken, ready for roasting FOR THE PEAS 3 slices smoked streaky bacon, cut into small pieces 250g/9oz frozen peas, defrosted 400g/14oz fresh peas, podded (about 2kg/4lb 8oz unpodded weight) 1 shallot, finely chopped 10 stalks marjoram or oregano leaves picked and chopped Small bunch chives, chopped Splash olive oil Pinch ground ginger

METHOD

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. Mix the oil with the curry

powder and rub this all over the chicken. Transfer to a roasting tin and cook for one hour and 30 minutes. To check if the chicken is cooked, insert a skewer between the thigh and the breast - the juices should run clear. Remove and allow to rest for 20 minutes, loosely covered with foil.

Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crisp in a dry, non-stick pan.

Remove and leave to cool slightly.

Pulse the peas separately to a rough purée in a blender, or using a hand blender.

Mix the peas together with bacon, shallot, marjoram, chives, the splash of olive oil, the ground ginger, and season with salt. Serve alongside the chicken.

The return of the pasty tax

Pastygate took a new turn today when a leading High Street baker announced it will now sell more hot snacks that are subject to 20 per cent VAT. A report by the Mail Online states, six months after forcing the government into a U-turn over the infamous pasty tax, Greggs said it will trial pasties, sausage rolls and other hot food, all be subject to VAT at 20 per cent.

Greggs bakes savouries instore at its 1,600 branches before leaving them to cool.It was this method of selling hot food that enabled Greggs, following extensive lobbying of MPs, to escape the imposition of 20 per cent VAT slapped

on hot takeaway food in the 2012 Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne originally announced plans to raise £110 million by levying 20 per cent VAT on hot baked goods at the Budget. The move prompted a huge outcry, with critics accusing ministers of waging class warfare against pasty eaters.

Feedback from customers on Greggs’ Facebook page shows many customers are unhappy if they are served lukewarm or cold savouries which they thought would be hot.

A spokesman for Greggs said it had begun experimenting with increasing the amount

of hot food it serves in stores.

Although she could not confirm which products were being trialled, they are likely to include Cornish pasties, steak bakes, sausage rolls and pizza slices.

The spokesman said: ‘Greggs already offers toasted sandwiches but is looking at extending the range of food that could be served hot or heated up. If something is served hot, it will attract VAT.’ The 20 per cent tax on hot takeaway food sparked consumer fury and several campaigns from High Street stores.

Greggs boss Ken McMeikan even marked on Downing

Street with a petition signed by half a million customers, forcing Chancellor George Osborne into a U-turn over hot food left to cool.

However, Greggs’ decision to sell more hot food products subject to VAT has angered customers who backed its ‘pastygate’ campaign.

One fan of the company’s products said: ‘After all the fuss it made over VAT on pasties and sausage rolls, now Greggs has decided to impose VAT on hot products: ‘It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth among those customers who backed its opposition to the pasty tax.’

However, a company spokesman disputed this,

Mini Lemon Meringue Pies

INGREDIENTS

200g (7oz) pack of fresh dessert shortcrust pastry 12tbsp lemon curd 1 medium egg white 50g (1¾oz) caster sugar

METHOD Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°/gas 6.

Roll out the pastry to 3mm (1/8in) thickness and use a 9cm (3½in) cutter to cut 12 rounds.

Use to line the base of a 12-hole mini muffin tin and prick with a fork. Line with baking parchment and baking beans and bake blind for 10-12 minutes or until the pastry begins to brown.

Allow to cool, then fill each one with a little lemon curd – not too much or it will bubble out while cooking.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg white until it is stiff enough to form soft peaks and hold its shape. Add the sugar gradually, until the mixture is glossy.

Pipe each tart with the meringue mixture. Place on the top shelf of the oven and bake for 7-8 minutes or until the meringue is beginning to brown. Cool for a few minutes and remove from the tin.

Tip: Using read-made pastry makes this quick, but you can make it. Sift 115g (4oz) plain flour and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Cut 75g (2¾oz) butter into small pieces. Rub into the flour to form fine breadcrumbs and stir in 2-3tbsps cold water to form a dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 1 minute.

Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes. saying Greggs already charges 20 per cent VAT on hot food such as toasted sandwiches, soup and hot drinks, and has not made any changes to pricing policy.

Sainsbury’s has admitted

that sales of hot chicken had fallen since they added 20 per cent VAT to the price.

Mike Coupe, commercial director, said: ‘Many retailers are trying to find a way round the VAT rules.’

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

STANDARD CROSSWORD

29 Abattoir (14)

Down

2A n abnormal condition of the lungs (9) 3 Genus of rhubarb (5) 4 Burial chamber (9) 5 Nigerian monetary unit (5) 6 An appreciation of beauty or good taste (9) 7 A valley in France (5) 8 The time zone for New York (7)

9H unting expedition (6) 15 C omes with thunder (9) 17 Crocodile (9) 18 H eat, water and electricity (9) 19 S pears of frozen water (7) 21 Pleaded (6) 23 Asp (5) 24 S hould or must (archaic) (5) 26 Type of drum (5)

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

1 Shortest of 12 nearly bares fury violently (8) 2 One who possesses nothing with Emperor, almost (5) 3 Breathing help for young mammal as going back outside (5) 4 Flower is outside River Island (4) 5 Number in... in... in... second half comeback? (4) 6 A note read first at a distance (4) 7 I’d turned up outside hotel to return loin-cloth (5)

Very Hard!

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Down

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 Congressman (14) 10 F ruit or computer company (5) 11 A woman priest (9) 12 Unfathomable (7) 13 Accomplish (7) 14 M odel of excellence (5) 16 Indigestion (9) 19 First (9) 20 Ascend (5) 22 Instigates (7) 25 Chattering (7) 27 Grease or oil (9) 28 Dissonant sound (5)

8 The Spanish regular football team? (6) 13 Cut Leo awfully with nothing in - in a manner of speaking (9) 14 Burden of limos lent foolishly (9) 15 Love-rat - one on after commercial worship (9) 17 Glen arranging a new dimension for country (7) 18 Give a new name to the French renegade on the outside (7) 23 Hoarding an animal without part of the leg (8) 26 Quiet, official sailor with parts made before assembly (6) 29 Deduce official Northern Ireland rising (5) 31 Country existed without the French (5) 32 Boredom universal in 5 performance (5) 33 A boat which might go after land when it’s spotted? (4) 34 Volunteers “thanks” and “goodbye” (2-2) 35 A new turn before I initially lost part of finger (4)

HARD SUDOKU

Across

1 Thread of first final defeat (5) 6 Dead, left out to go bad? (5) 9 Capital punishment finally out of Dutch traffic disruption (7) 10 Made, but without an African (5) 11 Conductor of orchestra beginning to enter and finally leave (5) 12 Pollute s-setter wearing animal (7) 16 Fake Lauren, perhaps? (6) 18 Odd bits of rain tree ceremony? (4) 19 I left house after job centre - the French place where potential fuel might be found (3,4) 20 Circle call (4) 21 Allow to be served again? (3) 22 Look hear you, I created Asian State! (9) 24 By way of victory, I attack at first (3) 25 Wager without a pound (4) 27 May guitarist return taking nothing before one’s capital (7) 28 Attack right before help (4) 30 Young birds’ scruffy towels (6) 33 Catch up in an each-way feeler (7) 36 Disgusting stuff left out loudly in interval (5) 37 I’m after organ cloth (for wearing) (5) 38 Briefly describe back 3 in part of rugby match moving to the front (7) 39 Fruit key with queen railway (5) 40 Directions in good type of music (5)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

coffee break

Across

STANDARD SUDOKU

34

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Shakespeare it ain’t!

This year, the Luvvies theatre group have decided to stretch their abilities into the realms of Shakespeare.

Well – not exactly, and not quite what the bard had in mind when he first wrote “the Scottish play”. Actors, being a very superstitious lot, are not supposed to mention the title “Macbeth”, or even quote from the play!

This latest “Luvvies” production is actually an uproarious comedy by David Mcgillivray and Walter Zerlin jnr., based (very) loosely on Shakespeare’s original.

Here we have the tale of the ladies of Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society. Their startling inept production of Macbeth is their hope to get to the area drama finals but, under the carefully mascaraed eye of the adjudicator, George Peach, events conspire against them.

A series of mishaps leads to a succession of hilarious situations, as both the producer and stage manager are press ganged into helping and then actually acting in the play. These valiant men, aided and abetted by

Fire fighters free woman from glove box

Fire crews had to be sent to rescue a woman after she trapped her hand in the glove box of her car.

The 49-year-old had been trying to fish something out of the compartment, outside her home in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

But her watch got caught in the cavity between the glove box and the dashboard and she was unable to free herself, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Fire crews were called and managed to remove the woman’s watch so she could free her hand.

She suffered slight bruising.

Crew manager Stuart Hall said: “As soon as the watch came off it was fine, they were a little embarrassed as we were a last resort. But if someone is stuck they are stuck, they can’t stay there all night.

“We don’t train for something exactly like this but we will always be able get get people free somehow.”

some very inept female players, misbehaving props and errant scenery, struggle to do justice to this Shakespearian classic.

The Luvvies are often complimented on the quality of their sets – however in this case, as you will see, the quality is all in the badness, achieved at no little cost to their pride, of the set designers and builders.

As we all know (hubble, hubble toil and trouble, and a l l

that), there are 3 witches in Macbeth. One of them is pictured here – could it be “grumpy” witch?

The Luvvies performance of “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s production of Macbeth will be on Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, and Sunday 10th. March 2013 at the Teatro del Museo Pedro Gilabert in Arboleas.

Ticket prices have been held at the same price for the third year running, and as always a bar will be available. And for some good news, heating has now been installed at the theatre, for your added comfort.

Please see posters and advertisements for full details, or visit our website www. theluvvies.com,email info@theluvvies. com or call 697 384 513.

Cucador

VidaRestaurant&Venue

tapas 1€

Mother’s day

Sunday 10th March

Bookings now being taken

a gift to all the mum’s on the day

in the bar

ST. PATRICK’S night

saturday 16th march ST. PATRICK’S THEMED

MUSICAL QUIZ PERFORMED BY J&J MUSIC

& 3 course Irish-themed dinner

All Selections 1€ Each

Tuesday Bar

Specials 6 - 9pm Chicken Curry & Long Grain Rice

5€

or Cod, Chips ‘n’ Peas

Finish the evening with a large helping of J & J Music’s rock & roll

call for menu & to book Thursday night special Enjoy Wonderful Views delicious homemade from our pies , Homemade Chips & Peas Restaurant Candelit wed - sat evenings Opens 6:30 - 9:30pm Includes complimentary filtered water, bread & alioli & filtered water

Traditional Takeaway Fish & Chips Opening Hours

Mon:12:30-3pm, Tues-Fri 12.30-3.30pm & 5-9pm Sat: 12.30-3.30pm & 5-7.30pm Opposite Iceland Car Park,Vera

Tel: 667 333 361 www.thechippyvera.com Eat in or No more sitting in your cars to eat...

Take-Away The Chippy now has tables & Chairs

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 9:30-1:30PM

Bay bistro Mojacar Playa

CLOSED FOR VACATION RE-OPENING MONDAY 11TH MARCH

Tel: 950 450 199 • 628 761 391

35

fridays

Beer-battered cod,

homemade chips & peas

Starters Ask for today’s choice of Starters, €2.50 each Mains Stuffed Chicken €7.45 Chicken stuffed with spainach & havarti cheese wrapped in bacon served with chicken veloute

served 12.30pm - 9pm from

5.95€ in the Bar

Liver with Onion & Crispy Bacon €7.95

Tender liver & onions, shallow fried served with crispy smoked bacon in a rich gravy

Pork Pechay €7.95

Fillet of pork with a cracked black pepper crust served on creamy apple

Gammon & Pineapple or Egg €7.95

Juicy gammon steak served with a choice of pineapple or fried egg, chips, peas & salad

booking advisable

Entrecote Steak

16 oz 18.95 ~ 12oz 15.95 ~ 8oz €12.95 Cooked to your liking, with a black peppercorn or Roquefort sauce on the side with onion rings, grilled tomato, hand cut chips & garden peas

traditional

sunday lunch

12.30PM - 5PM

Mixed Grill €14.95

4oz Steak, chicken fillet, pork sausage, onions, mushrooms, fried egg with grilled tomato, hand cut chips & garden peas

Surf & Turf 12.95

4oz Entrecote steak & deep fried Scampi, served with salad garnish, grilled tomato, hand cut chips & garden peas

Atlantic Cod ‘n’ Chips €7.95

a to include e in w f o glass or tubo

Beer-battered medium Atlantic cod served with hand cut chips & peas All mains served with a choice of potatoes& seasonal vegetables Scrumptious Homemade Puddings

Ask your waitress for the specials of the day, all €2.50

fISH OF THE DAY OPTION

Cheese & Biscuits Selection

booking advisable

A selection of Cheeses served with biscuits & homemade chutney €3.50 Open Every Day 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

We are here

Albox

Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

book the Venue

For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

36

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

out & about

Rafa and Vanessa, a husband and wife team, are the managers in the Restaurant at Albox Tennis Club. They would like to invite you to visit their humble restaurant situated within the grounds of the tennis club, they enjoy great views from the large terrace, surrounded by nature and benefiting from a private car park. They have two large rooms for events, and are able to offer an economical but quality Menu del Dia for just €8.50 through the week and €10 at the weekend, they have different tapas every day and special Carne a la Brasa (grilled meats) on weekends.

If you pay them a visit, they are sure not to disappoint! To those who have already been, thank you for your support, to those who are yet to come - we look forward to seeing you soon! Tel: 667 671 578.

Bistro Bonita set in the pretty hamlet of Cerro Gordo, just minutes outside Albox, continues to delight diners with tantalising dishes. Chris who cooks using local fresh produce, takes great care when organising his menus and anyone that has eaten there will agree that you leave more than satisfied. If you would like Chris to host a party for you for any special occasions, then he is happy to plan a tailor made menu and can also organise the entertainment....For people that fancy one of his fabulous pies, but didn’t want to eat in the restaurant, then see what he has ready to takeaway! You will spoilt for choice with scrummy pies, all baked and ready to just warm up at home, you can choose from steak, steak and ale, chicken, and even chicken curry....just to name a few! And remember Sunday lunch is only 8.50€ for 3 courses. Give Chris a call to reserve your table on 650 599 739.

MARI CRUZ is situated in Turre high street. It has a lovely outside

BAR - RESTAURANT - CERRO GORDO Great takeaway menu selection of pies inc Steak & Kidney, Chicken, Chicken Curry & many many more Bistro Bonita is a great party venue let Chris hold your special occasion for you, with personalised menus & we will even organise the entertainment remember sunday lunches only €8.50 for 3 courses best value in town Having trouble finding us? Here are the GPS co-ordinates for your Sat Nav: N37o24.511’ W002o11.479 Call for all enquiries & reservations Tel: 650 599 739 / 950 930 169

La Cena

Restaurante

Albox

menu del noche 3 starters, 5 mains & 3 deserts Full A La Carte also available

Sunday Sizzler mixed grill €9.95 including a carafe of wine per couple

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

tranger come S WelRestaurante, Limaria

Mid week roast – (Wednesdays) 4.50€ Lunchtime Specials – from 4€ Thursday & Friday – Steak Night 7.95€ A La Carte always available Evening set menu – 3 courses plus a drink 9.95€ Sunday Lunch – 1 course, 4.50€ / 3 courses, 9.75€ We are now taking bookings for Mothers day 3 course Mothers Day Lunch Sunday 10th March served 12 - 4.30pm only €9.75 per person Open: Wed - Sat 12-3pm & 7-9pm (Last Orders) Sun 12-3.30pm Established 7 years

free wifi

950 432 719 / 677 378 952

...to advertise on this page call 950 121 936

terrace and roomy indoor area. Specialising in grilled meats, fish all cooked on BBQ & regional dishes as well as a great variety of wine, beers, tapas and an excellent variety of freshly homemade pizzas & pastas is available to eat in or take away. There is Lounge for meetings, company dinners, small events & birthdays. Come & buy any pizza to take away and get a free margarita pizza absolutely free.

Here are a few dates for your diary for forthcoming events at The Beachcomber. Monday 11th March Charity MACS Cancer Charity Quiz Night. Wednesday 13th March is a 60’s & 70’s Tribute Night with a load of Rock n Roll with Lenny. Those lucky enough to see Lennie early December 2012 at the Beachcomber will remember what a great night it was, for those unlucky not to have, don’t miss this one. He’s a great guitarist and singer. Call now to reserve your table on 950 473 099 or visit the website. http://beachcombermojacar.com 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 Mixed Grill at just €9.95 per person, with a carafe of wine per couple included! If any of this has whetted your appetite, call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm today!

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 will not be disappointed ... Just ask your friends. FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL 697 465 620. Great venue for Private Functions.

Julie and Cliff at The Welcome Stranger in Limaria welcome customers to one of the prettiest rural restaurants in the area. With mid-week roasts from 4.50€ and lunchtime specials from only 4€, your hosts will ensure a fine dining experience in a friendly environment.

To tempt you even further they also offer Steak Night Specials every Thursday and Friday evening and at only 7.95€ per person, it’s got to be worth a try!. Give them a call to reserve your table on 950 432 719.

The Crazy Cow Food Cooked With Love

ALL FOOD COOKED TO ORDER

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

NEW MENU WITH ALL YOUR OLD FAVOURITES PRIVATE PARTIES CATERED

WINTER HOURS: MONDAY – SATURDAY FROM 11am

CLOSED SUNDAY

KITCHEN OPEN 12noon - 6pm

WE ARE OPPOSITE PLAYA BLANCA TEL: 697465620 SEE YOU THERE XX MOJACAR PLAYA

Email : crazycowcafe@yahoo.com Facebook : Thecrazy Cowcafe

Menu del Dia

Tues - Fri 8.50€ Sat - Sun 10.00€

RESERVATIONS 667 67 15 78 666 55 98 77

restclubtenisalbox@yahoo.es

RESTAURANTE Club de Tenis Albox C/Avda de Almeria 17, 04639, Turre, Almeria, Tel: 950 47 96 46

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

sunday Roast

3 course - €10.50 main course - €7.50 Winter Opening Times 10 til close Food orders taken from 10:30 til 4pm

menu of the day 3 courses €10

regular TRIBUTE SHOWS see website for details

tel: 950 473 099 www.beachcombermojacar.com

Restaurante pizzeria

Mari Cruz

Specialising in grilled meats, fish & regional dishes Pizzas & pastas to take-away A great variety of wine, beers & tapas Lounge for meetings, company dinners, small events & birthdays...

Now you can follow us on facebook.

Find us as “Pizza Mari Cruz”

what’s on

send your news & events to editor@soltimes.com

q uirky q uizzes La formerly rumores Albox

tuesday evenings

7.30pm with cherry

all welcome prizes for winners & wooden spoon

VidaVenue

Cucador

Monday evenings 7.30pm This week’s word sounds like something really nice ~ but it isn’t!

The word is HONEYFUGLE ~ but do you know what it means? If you do, or can find out, then it will earn a point for your team in next week’s Quiz!!!

sEE OUR MAIN AD ON PG 35 for directions

Taekwondo new

indigo gym - mojacar

classes in turre

Junior & Adult Classes: (9 yrs - 15 yrs) (16 yrs - Adult) Mondays: 7pm - 8.30pm Wednesdays: 5.15 - 6.45pm Saturdays: 4pm - 5.30pm Kids Classes: (4 - 8 yrs) Wednesdays: 4.15 - 5.15pm Saturdays: 3pm - 4pm

fitness 4 you gym - turre Juniors (9 yrs - 15 yrs) Thursdays : 6.30pm - 8pm

adults only (16 yrs +) Thursdays : 8pm - 9.30pm

Tel: 646 844 708 tkdspain.webs.com

La FREE

VidaBar Cucador

tuesday bar specials Spicy Chicken Curry & Rice or Cod Fillet & Chips

only 5€

all Premier league football all welcome live ladies friendly darts wed 8pm

new tapas menu

only 1€

take away service til 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.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

37

Puppy Rescue

COMMUNITY NEWS

Calle Malaga, Albox, Spain, 04800

Spanish Charity No 5087 CIF: G04698817

Puppy Rescue will be having their A.G.M. on Wednesday 20th March at 7.30pm

To Sharron Happy Birthday Darling Loads of Love from Mum & Dad XXX

Happy Birthday

Fran McCann for 3rd March.

All our love, always Rob, Claire, Danny & Sandra-Anne

The APSA charity AGM

will be held at ´Jacks´in Avenida Lepanto at 4pm Tuesday 19th March. All are welcome (only members can vote), please come along to hear about the work the charity does, review of the new shop and perhaps you may help by volunteering to assist in the shop, dog-walking, fund-raising etc. Everyone is invited, you will be warmly welcomed and we hope having the meeting in the afternoon will suit more people. Ring 663 762 642 if you need more information.

ALBOX – THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Happy 50th Birthday to Ruby for 1st March From all of your friends at Jacks & La Vida

INDALO PLAYER AGM

The Indalo Players will be holding their AGM at the Kimrick, Mojacar on Monday 18th March at 6.00pm

LIVING WATER CHURCH MOJACAR

The new Sunday service time for Living Water Church Mojacar will be 4.00pm.

For more info please phone 950 618 814

Mesón de

Irene

Unmissable offer!

Free Bottle

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

STEPPING STONES

Tel: 950 472 822 Carers Support Group Tel: 677 683 385 Email: jandfdavies@gmail.com

THE CARERS SUPPORT & SOCIAL GROUP

Caring for a loved one can be a lonely uphill struggle and sometimes leaves us feeling isolated from normal everyday activities.

We at Stepping Stones know this only too well from personal experiences.

We are a group of volunteers who meet every Thursday in the Turre Evangelical Hall between 11am and 2pm.Refreshments and a light lunch is served in a friendly and informative atmosphere.

We enjoy various fun activities as well as offering professional help and support should you want it.

We welcome you and your dependant, or just come alone if you can and enjoy a few hours of relaxation amongst friends. If you find travelling difficult we can arrange transport for you.

For more details contact us by phone or email Supported by: Michael Davies/Lawyer; Hector Guitierrez Jimenez/physiotherapist/Osteopath; Geriall Care/Care Homes in Huercal Overa & Pulpi; Kim Clarke/UK Benefits and Welfare Adviser

#

Future events March 7th - The next branch activity will be the usual coffee morning on Thursday, 10:30am at La Parrilla in Albox.

Do come and join us.

March 30th – Poppy Easter Bonnet Ball, to be held at La Parrilla. The event will start at 7pm, dinner will be served at 7:30. Dinner will comprise a three course meal with some drinks included in the cost. The cost will be €20 for members and €22 for non members.

Music will be supplied by Brendan O’Dee. Prizes will be awarded for the best bonnet, male AND female. For further details, or to book tickets, contact the social secretary Bob Cowan on 608049490 or email him at rcowan25@gmail. com.

If you require more details for any of the activities and events for the Albox branch or should you wish to become a member (you do not need to be exforces to join) and help with the Legion’s excellent work for British serving and ex-service personnel and their families, both in the UK and here in Spain, please come along to any branch meeting at the Hotel Restaurante La Parrilla (1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month). Alternatively, contact the chairman, Peter Phillips, on 693483392 or email peatpee@ sky.com, or visit the branch website, www.britishlegion. org.uk/branches/albox.

Happy 60th Birthday Ron

Venue: Bar Lepanto, Avenida Lepanto, Albox.

Agenda 1. Opening of meeting by the President with announcement that the quorum is reached.

2. Received apologies from members not present 3. President’s welcome and report.

4. Secretary’s report.

5. Treasurer’s report.

6. Election of officers.

7. Any other business.

Please will members bring their membership cards.

Tel: 690 143 140 www.puppyrescueinspain.org

38

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

SOL CLASSIFIEDS SOLTIMES Air-con

www.soltimes.com see us online everyday

BY TELEPHONE

Between 10am & 5pm

Monday to Friday

950 121 936 or 902 121 936

BY E-MAIL Send your advert or Classified lineage to

sales@soltimes.com IN PERSON

los carasoles, 27 Zurgena, 04650, Almeria

Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm above New Horizon Villas

PAYMENT VISA ,Paypal, bank transfer & Cheques made payable to MATHEWS mEDIA s.l

DEADLINES

All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication FOR SALE

any single item up to 300€ free of charge email sales@soltimes.com C a t a p u l t C ata m a r r a n Boat (car toppable) complete with clothing etc 500€ Tel: 647 202 599 L e g e n d M o b i l i t y Scooter large size new batteries delivery can be arranged bargain €195 tel: 697 590 151 or 950 329 416 C h i l d ’ s Armchair upholstered green and cream, L 64cm x W 51cm x H 57cm Roquetas de Mar 15€o.n.o. 619 253 98350 solar water heater good working order use for hot

water or swimming pool heater bargain as i need the space 250€ Tel: 619 744 516 Full Sized Table Tennis Table (Blue) Nearly New, hardly Used 100€ Tel: 634 364 759 S m a l l sideboard / cupboard, natural and painted L. sage green, geometric mahogany panels, 1 drawer over cupboard L 43.5cm x W 29.5 x H 60 Roquetas de Mar 25€o.n.o Tel: 619 253 983 Sideboard ‘Antique’ 4

Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking Alicante • Almeria • Murcia New

Servicing / Repairs

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

Solar Wind Power Solutions.

Over 15 years installation experience. established 12 years in Spain. 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

beauty

the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc Tel: 950 436 581

avon cosmetics claire

Tel: 627 851 679

A i r p o r t t r a n sf e r s pick up all areas, competitive rates.

For a quote please visit www. spanish estateagent.c om or call 661 143 871

Bills Carpentry & Shop fitting • Hanging Doors • Flat Pack Furniture • Tiling • Kitchen Fitting

NO JOB TOO SMALL FREE QUOTATIONS tEL: 633 507 165

drainage cont...

Steve Hayes Informatica

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition.

Consumables Albox, Almeria

LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING • Installation of fibreglass

septic tanks

Tel: 950 120 900

electrical

Knowles & Abbott no.1 for md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es electrics and plumbing. Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems 950 137 208 alternative energy or 638 010 691

Tel: 691 987 454 central drawers, or 666 375 688 cupboard each avonfromclaire@ expectingababy@ side with geometric yahoo.es hotmail.co.uk mahogany panels, (matching panels small sideboard business opportunity above) L 170cm x W 54.5cm x H 90.5cm Roquetas de Mar LOOKING TO BOOST YOUR INCOME??

--------35€o.n.o Tel: 619 Ladies or gents 253 983 Do you have what it takes to become an Independent party organiser watt solar To display and sell a wide range of panels good working lingerie, dressing up clothes, oils & adult toys? order 3 yrs old 9 Sell at adult themed parties availabe,sale due --------to upgrade of the FULL START UP KIT PLUS HELP TO RUN system 60€ each YOUR OWN BUSINESS. Tel: 619 744 516 CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT NOW!! wind turbine hg 400w 12volt very Also call this number for direct sales well made not one of the cheap ones brand new in the carpenter box 300€ Tel: 619 744 516

Airport services

www.AAparking.es

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.

Everything for

advertise all your unwanted items for sale in this section

computers

construction

• Blocked Toilets, Sinks, Baths & Drains • CCTV Surveys • Drain Tracing • Turbine Root Cutting • All types of domestic plumbing carried out

950 091 109 or 648 768 587 equipment hire

construction

Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com established in spain for 14 years

fully legal

Constructions Linea 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) drainage

furniture

Nueve sofas kitchens bedroom furniture Arboleas

SOLTIMES Now offer our Classified advertisers 5 LOCAL EDITIONS

online at

www.soltimes.com

Tel: 950 120 630

for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332

gardening

Cleaning of Septic Tanks landscape gardening

• Emptying of Septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning • Small Only unblockages of pipes & drainage 100€

Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks

Contact: 675 838 808

Drainage Solutions

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

Established 7 years in spain

Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966

• Block work • Balustrades • Paving Driveways & Paths

Call Graham & Barry now for free estimate 620 112 193 or 667 853 062 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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

39

www.soltimes.com heating

locksmith

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

Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded house safes. Arboleas logs & surrounding area. Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181

house clearance

THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST

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 should call please**

Tel: 679 207 545 or 636 411 540

hobby/craft Elaine’s Wools quality UK wool & accessories. Come & view my display Also available at Camposol, Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@gmail. com

insurance

“we have grea offers on lifet insurance”

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

same people - same great service - differeent name

Tel: 950 121 943

infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com

iron/metal works

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 & chain-link fencing - Tel: 950 431 738

legal

logs 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 Arboleas & surrounding areas Call Lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk

plumbing CONT...

Safe painter & decorator Gas Registered

over 25 years experience

give your property or business a fresh look this NEW YEAR

Tel: 649 186 107 or

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com PETS SECTION

For all your plumbing needs Fully Qualified heating engineer

contact barry 667 853 062 or graham 620 112 193

gravel & all building materials

Albox & Surrounding areas

tel: 634 328 779

NUMBER PLATES

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

“RE-PLATE” friendly mare MATE 9 years old 14.3hh 1.50m GB 500€ telephone 678 838 547

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

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

American Staff Puppies for sale. 8 weeks old, 150€ ono for more information.

Call James: 651 325 677

woodhouse No need for kennels boarding kennels or cattery, & cattery Pet sitting in your own arboleas home, Arboleas & Small friendly kennels, surrounding areas.

24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, Call Vanessa on welcome to view 637 061 482 ministry approved Not just cats & dogs, Tracy Mobile All other types of pets 650 211 952 considered PLASTERER British plasterer All work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

plumbing

Plumber

KNOWLES AND ABBOTT No 1 for Plumbing & Electrics All types of Plumbing

Central heating gas/oil Solar hot water Boiler servicing, repairs & replacements Water leaks Sewage blockages Water deposit tanks 500-8000L Pool pumps Septic tanks Osmosis systems

TEL. 950137197 / 606807797

CARLO S S ALIENTE 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 gas fast Gas boiler & plumbing repairs. Tel: 618 062 080 or 637 829 787

PROPERTY FOR SALE/rent

Phil Delivers pet taxi SOLTIMES Logs

PAINTER / DECORATOR

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

PAINTER / DECORATOR CONT...

Now offer our Classified advertisers 5 LOCAL EDITIONS

online at

Advertise in this space for just 10€ per week!

www.soltimes.com for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332

for SALE detatched cortijo

20mins from mojacar This is a unique spanish cortijo with 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool.

Mountain views.

reduced €150,000 0no

649 186 107

email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

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.

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ARBOLEAS

self contained 1 bedroom apartment with B & B facilities offered starting from 25€ per night, walking distance of Arboleas & Zurgena

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Long term rentals also considered 175€ + bills chalmersj8@hotmail.co.uk

recruitment I am looking for a person to join my team in the Albox area.

(Possibilities for further afield.)

Interested in becoming a Cambridge 800 Consultant?

Do you have the ability to motivate others to lose weight?

Full training given, good earning potential If you think you have what it takes please speak to Ann on 660 681 166 E:mail ann.cambridge800@hotmail.com

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40

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

are you a trade Business? advertise in the classified section & reach over 30,000 potential customers 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

SOLTIMES are looking for

satellite/television

translation

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Translation

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can deliver.Tel: 667 235 205 A1 Sky Television Systems

Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

Also Spanish “freeview” systems supplied & installed

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

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

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Escorted hacking and treks. Qualified BHS Instructor. Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

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Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or telephone Chrissie on 647 379 878

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Bright, enthusiastic person with an outgoing personality to join our sales team and leap into spring with us.

Office & field positions available.

Experience not essential as full training will be given as long as you’re organised and can work to deadlines.

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REMOVALS

recruitment cont...

Services in Huercal Overa Tel: 677 102 006 tuition

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online at

www.soltimes.com for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332

motoring section car parts

car & van hire

Car parts

Van, car & driver

for sensible prices on all parts

house & garden clearances, collections & deliveries, weekly collections from IKEA,

Need quality new parts for any car

Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Starter Motors, headlights

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or telephone 692 930 326 wanted URGENTLY REQUIRED

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

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a week & reach over 32,000 readers contact Paulette on swimming pool safety 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 NEATER HEATER See our main advert ext 332 on the news pages

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

K.F.S Kennedy Financial Services

Hard Times

41

Kennedy Financial Services (KFS) has over 25 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry and are dedicated to providing professional guidance to all its clients.

For too many years now people have neglected their retirement planning, possibly in the main, because we as ex-pats cannot contribute to our retirement plans when we live abroad.

Times are changing there are now pension transfers (QROPS) that allow us to contribute to our funds and help to secure a better retirement.

Are your current pension benefits in one of the following areas?

• • • •

Frozen benefits in the UK that are under performing?

In a QROPS that is not giving you what you wanted?

Trapped in New Zealand for many years to come?

In a S.I.P.P. (are you aware that if you return to the UK your S.I.P.P. may be liable to a tax charge of up to 55%)?

If your answer is YES to the above it may be possible to transfer your benefits to a new receiving pension scheme and release some tax free cash. This may help your current financial position whilst still securing your retirement income.

Did you work in Public Services, NHS, Councils, Armed Forces, MOD, Civil Servants, Teachers, Aviation Authority, Nurses, Police, and Fire Brigade? The pension pots of loyal public servants are shrinking. You should submit your application to transfer your benefits now or you could lose out on thousands. The same applies to personal pensions, SIPPS etc.

There is a huge crisis in the UK as far as pensions are concerned. At the start of the Nineties, a £100,000 pension fund would have guaranteed an income of £15,640 a year for life, twenty three years on, a 65-year-old man will secure just £5,140 a year. This is mainly due to poor performance and market conditions over the same period of time. In May 2012 the pension deficit reached an all-time high of £312bn.

There were also an estimated 5,418 schemes in deficit, with only 1,014 in surplus. Which side of the fence is your pension sitting?

KFS is here to help all expats, regardless of Nationality, through this pension crisis which will affect all those with Pension benefits still in the UK, or possibly those with underperforming QROPS or S.I.P.P’s.

For too many years now people have neglected their retirement planning, possibly in the main, because we as ex-pats cannot contribute to our retirement plans when we live abroad. Times are changing, there are now pension transfers (QROPS) that allow us to contribute to our funds and help to secure a better retirement.

Should you wish to find out how this may affect your benefits please contact at admin@kennedyfinancialservices.com or fill in the assessment form at

www.kennedyfinancialservices.com

42

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

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

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Work-related stress which leads to suicide on the part of the sufferer is considered an accident on the job – even if the attempt was made at home, says a recent ruling by the Supreme Court.

José Luis M.F., who worked for Sevilla Urban Transport (TUSSAM) killed himself in November 2008 at home.

His widow claimed on his death-in-service insurance policy, held via the mutual society FREMAP and an automatic benefit as part of his job, for a widow’s and orphan’s pension for herself and the couple’s children, but this claim was repudiated as it was not considered the deceased had died at work.

But the mutual society’s appeal against a decision by Sevilla court to award the payment on the grounds of it being an ‘accident at work’ has failed, and the Supreme Court has held that this was indeed the case.

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Suicide caused by job-related depression is an ‘accident at work’

José Luis A.F. joined a strike staged by workers at the company in May 2007, as was his legal right to do so.

He and several others were arrested for allegedly taking part in a disturbance, which he always denied, and which no witnesses were able to substantiate.

Based upon this, his company took disciplinary action against him, causing him to suffer from depression and panic attacks, which forced him to be signed off sick.

The employee also suffered severe stomach upsets, which his doctors said were directly caused by his anxiety and depression and were a result of his having been charged with a criminal offence and with his firm’s disciplinary proceedings.

On several occasions, wanting to go back to work, José Luis asked his bosses to let him work the morning shift ‘for health reasons’, but they claimed they could not justify doing this and refused each time.

In 2009, the charges against him were dropped by the police as there was no evidence or witnesses, and based upon this, the firm cancelled its disciplinary measures.

But José Luis had already died in November 2008 after committing suicide at home as a result of the depression and stress caused by the situation. (www.thinkspain.com)

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• New and secondhand solar products bought and sold • Battery Reconditioning and installation service available • Full solar systems available from 350€ Solar • 3000 watt inverter charger 850€ Swimming SOLAR • 230 watt solar panels 230€ Pool POWER • Solar charge controllers from 35€ Pumps • MPPT from 100€ up to 30%more power • Batteries from 60€ inverters from 60€ for 700watt inverter • 2v Traction batteries from 275€ set of 6 � Double insulated 4mm solar cable 1 per mtr • 690watt grid tie system no paperwork needed just plug in a socket and save money easiest system on the market 999€

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

43

Ferrovial buys UK energy firm Enterprise for 443 million

Spanish firm Ferrovial has just bought the British company Enterprise for 443 million euros (385 million pounds).

Ferrovial Servicios already has a presence in the UK via its affiliate Amey, but in addition to its main activities of road and rail maintenance and services, will now enter the utility and power sector.

Enterprise is one of the UK’s largest energy and water companies, but demand for these services in the country is rapidly increasing and the 100-percent takeover by Ferrovial will allow it to increase its offer, says Mel Elwell, managing director of Amey in Britain, who will be chief executive officer of the new company once the purchase has gone through.

In 2012 alone, Enterprise reported gross profits

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of 60 million pounds (69.1 million euros) with a turnover of 1.1 billion pounds (1.27 billion euros).

And the takeover means Ferrovial will now double its size in the UK, with over 21,000 employees, a combined portfolio of 9.4 billion euros and a turnover in excess of 2.6 billion euros.

MD for Ferrovial, Iñigo Meirás (pictured, left, with CEO Rafael del Pino, right) says the Spanish firm’s purchase of Enterprise will allow them to reinforce its activities both with Amey and in the energy sector.

The takeover will be completed no later than April this year once the required permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities, the company told the National Values Market Commission (CNMV), Spain’s answer to the FSA, this week.

personal shopping from the UK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

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44

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

motoring

TEST DRIVE: KIA CEE’D SPORTSWAGON

What a to-do! Got up this morning to find that for some strange reason the whole of my windows partition had been “lost”. I like to try to lead by example, and being a good little tecchie, made a system backup at the beginning of this month.

This meant that I was able to have my system up and running within the hour. I have mentioned about making a system backup in previous articles so if you haven’t done it yet -do it now or get me to do it for you. Because when the worst happens, and it does to all of us, you need a “get out of jail free” card.

My card comes in the form of a free program called “easyUS Todo Backup”. Creating the system image was easy (just follow the thinking 1. which partition (where from), 2. Store Location (where to) and 3. Start) Restoring it was just as simple (1. Created file from Store Location(where did you put the created image), 2. Partition (where should it be, 3. Start).

Like my piece last week I put on the kettle for a cuppa while the task finished, and then only just had time to drink it!

Strangely and no doubt coincidentally, I had several phone calls during the week from people who wanted me to deliberately wipe the contents of their computer and re-install a copy of their operating system (Window XP, VISTA, 7 and now 8) and drivers (necessary for windows to talk successfully to the computer’s bits). Everyone seemed extremely happy with the costs involved and added the usual comment of “is that all?”. Now they all have clean, very fast, shiny new operating systems.

Something that isn’t always immediately obvious is that the OS and the Drivers for YOUR computer need to be to hand. If you don’t have them, you will have to acquire them, usually by a visit to Dynos, AppInformatica or even online. The drivers can usually be downloaded from the internet, if you know where to look and what to look for.

So far everything is either time or money or both. When you purchase your computer for the first time, ALL these things are hidden from you by being included in the price that you pay! Today, on Dynos.es, Windows 7 Home Premium (basic version) is 107 Euros, If you were to order a CD with the drivers for your particular computer, the cost can be a little as 5 Euros but usually more.

I have only mentioned this as there are people out there who want everything for “Mate’s Rates” and, in reality, haven’t a clue as to the value of what they are getting. Yes, I have been approached by people just like that to resolve their problems with a price tag of “I’ll buy you a beer”.

Please take your problem immediately to the “Guy next door” and then several weeks down the road, bring it to me to be put right (probably costing much more to “undo” what your mate did before dealing with the original problem – but this is the perennial problem facing the computer professional, the world over!) :-) So, back to my early morning problem! Although I was able to restore my system with ease some of the data from last week had been lost. Mostly emails and minor stuff as I did my Sunday night data backup. Aren’t I a good little geek? The moral of this article is a simple one. If you push your system hard enough, eventually it will say “ENOUGH” and have some time off. Most of you good readers are very unlikely to push your systems that hard but there are still viruses and malware that will have the same effect if you aren’t prepared.

There are ways of getting accidentally deleted files back but that is a next weeks “Thought of the day”. So till then, back-up, lock-up and sleep well.

“Added emotion, character, improved proportions and stance.”

That’s how Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer, describes the new Cee’d Sportswagon in comparison to its predecessor.

As I set eyes on it, I tend to agree.Traditionallyestatecars have been bland and boring, drivers really only buying them because they needed the extra space rather than necessarily wanting to drive one. I know couples where the husband has the fun car – the coupe – and the wife has the estate, under sufferance.

Thankfully such purchases are now more subjective the more attractive they have become. The curvaceous Cee’d Sportswagon is right at the forefront of this revolution.

Mr Schreyer and his team should be satisfied with a job well done.

Head on, its sloping bonnet complete with sophisticated chrome edged grille sets the standard for this futuristically styled estate. Kia has even

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most notably the hard and supportive driving seat and its position – perfect for the dreaded motorway commute.

You can imagine that this will withstand much wear and tear.

The doors shut with a satisfying ‘thunk’ and the environment in which driver and passengers find themselves is indeed very comfortable and of good quality. Its dashboard favours the driver, which is a nice touch.

The SW is let down though, by the use of seemingly cheap looking and feeling black plastics for the indicator and windscreen wiper stalks either side of the steering wheel.

Then on opening the driver’s window the trim proceeds to rattle as I drive along. The engine stop/start leaves much to be desired for me, too as there’s no consistency as to when it kicks in. Iron out these minor criticisms and this could be a faultless vehicle.

Just two diesel engines are available, a 1.4 or a 1.6 but both return well over 60mpg.

The 1.6 model EcoDynamics

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

For further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk

timber yard

done away with the dull ‘estate’ term preferring instead ‘Sportswagon’ shortened to SW - far more trendy and upbeat. Of course, this puts it straight in Peugeot 308SW territory but in terms of classy looks the Kia wins.

You want to get in and drive this car. But estates are all about load carrying so we must consider the boot first. It’s capacious and has been made as easy to use as possible; the boot floor flush with the tailgate opening as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz. The rear seats fold to ensure a completely flat load deck. It makes light work of the week’s shopping and on another journey, the month’s supply of logs.

But there’s more to the Sportswagon. I drove the old Cee’d and I was therefore surprised when I first stepped inside this new model. Where its predecessor lacked refinement and quality its replacement oozes with them.

Seriously, it’s as if VW has breathed on certain parts,

WE ARE HERE

CASA CONCHILLA

►

►

ALBOX BAZA ROAD

►

model tested comes with a smooth six-speed gearbox and steering mounted cruise control, stereo and telephone functions. It’s a responsive vehicle, making for a thoroughly enjoyable drive and noticeably surprises the driver of a Volvo V70 as I overtake him.

Equipment includes adjustable and automatically folding heated wing mirrors, air conditioning, all round electric windows, projection headlights, daytime running lights and even a cooled glovebox with controls inside.

“The Kia Cee’d Sportswagon is a medium-sized estate that’s designed to be practical, stylish and good value for money,” writes Parkers, the car experts. “Further bolstering the Sportswagon’s load carrying capabilities are roof rails, myriad storage points and a braked towing weight of 1,500kg. The original Kia Cee’d SW, launched in 2007, proved to be a spacious and smartly-styled small estate which didn’t cost much to run. The only downsides were a dull drive and some questionable interior trim.”

Welcome to a new breed of exciting estate where there is plenty of useful storage space and good levels of comfort. The only thing I don’t understand is its name but perhaps it relates to vision… as Focus does for Ford.

specification Kia Cee’d Sportswagon 1.6 CRDi 4 5d 2012 onwards New price range: £16,895 - £24,795 Economy: 64mpg 0-60mph: 10.8secs Top speed: 120mph Power: 126bhp Fuel capacity: 53 litres Over 600 to a tank Watch the video at: www.testdrives.biz

Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511 www.specialistvehicles.com BMW X1, AUTOMATIC, 2.0S DRIVE, DIESEL, 2011, 15,000KMS.….........€26,950 SEAT LEON COPA 1.6TDi, DIESEL, 2011, 61,000KMS.….........................€11,950 TOYOTA AURIS 1.6 WTi, SOL, 2008, 99,000KMS.…..................................€8,950 VW GOLF 1.9TDi, DIESEL, 2006, 123,000KMS…......................................€8,450 FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi, DIESEL, 2008, 57,000KMS…................................€8,450 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.9TDi, 2006, 64,000KMS.............................................€6,950 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0L CRDi, 2003, 123,000KMS....................................€6,950 RENAULT SCENIC 1.5 DCi, DIESEL, 2004, 129,000KMS...........................€5,950 SEAT INCA 1.4 PETROL, A/C, 2001, 94,000KMS......................................€2,450

over 40 cars in group stock

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

45

MOTORING

PREVIEW: 2013 FORMULA 1

MOTOR RACING SEASON

This year’s Grand Prix Formula 1 season is the 64th in the competition’s history.

Recognised by the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), it’s the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars in the world.

Eleven teams and twenty-two drivers will contest the nineteen scheduled Grand Prix races that make up the programme.

The first Grand Prix of 2013 will take place in Australia. Practice sessions will be held on March 15, qualifying will take place 24 hours later, with the main race itself following on Sunday, March 17.

The last race will be staged in Brazil on 22-24 November.

This year’s Formula 1 season is the last whereby cars will be allowed to use the current 2.4 litre V8 engine configuration… a 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine formula will be introduced for 2014.

Sebastian Vettel will start the season as the defending champion, having clinched the title in the final race of 2012.

And his team, Red Bull Racing, will be the defending World Constructors’ Champions, having secured their third consecutive title at last year’s race in the USA. And 69 year-old ‘design legend’ Rory Byrne, the man they all say was solely responsible for Michael Schumacher’s success behind the wheel, has returned to the Ferrari team, saying: “I want a new challenge - I’ve missed Formula One racing.”

The following teams and drivers are contracted to drive this season, subject to ratification of a new Concorde Agreement, chief Bernie Ecclestone having announced that every team had agreed “in principle” to the terms of the new Concorde Agreement.

Team

Constructor Drivers

Infiniti Red Bull Racing Red Bull-Renault Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Jensen Button, Sergio Perez Team Lotus Lotus-Renault Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean Mercedes AMG Petronas Mercedes Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton Team Sauber Sauber-Ferrari Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Gutierrez Sahara Force India Force India-Mercedes Paul di Resta, TBA Team Williams Williams-Renault Pastor Maldonadao, Valtteri Bottas Scuderio Toro Rosso Toro Rosso-Ferrari Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo Team Caterham Caterham-Renault Charles Pic, Giedo van der Garde Team Marussia Marussia-Cosworth Luiz Razia, Max Chilton

Programme of the 19 Grand Prix events Race Venue Date 1 Melbourne, Australia 15-17 March 2 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia 22-24 March 3 Shanghai, China 12-14 April 4 Sakhir, Bahrain 19-21 April 5 Barcelona, Spain 10-12 May 6 Monaco, Monte Carlo 24-26 May 7 Montreal, Canada 7-9 June 8 Silverstone, England 28-30 June 9 Nurburgring, Germany 5-7 July 10 To be confirmed 19-21 July 11 Budapest, Hungary 26-28 July 12 Spa, Belgium 23-25 August 13 Monza, Italy 6-8 September 14 Marina Bay, Singapore 20-22 September 15 Yeongam, South Korea 4-6 October 16 Suzuka, Japan 11-13 October 17 Noida, Delhi, India 25-27 October 18 Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi 1-3 November 19 Austin, Texas, USA 15-17 November 20 Säo Paulo, Brazil 22-24 November

* A venue has not yet been chosen for the 10th GP in July

FACTS & FIGURES from 2012

• L ast year eight different drivers won a Grand Prix.

• 13 different drivers stood on the podium.

• Moldonado collected most penalties – 14 • L east penalties – none by Alonso, Glock & d’Ambrosio.

• T he longest race: Kuala Lumpur – 2 hrs. 44 mins.

51 secs.

• T he shortest race: Monza – 1 hr. 19 mins. 41 secs.

• H ighest top speed: Raikkonen, 346 kph (Monza).

• H ighest average speed: 248.2 kph, Hamilton (Monza) • Fastest pit-stop time: 2.31 secs by Button/ McLaren (Germany), • L ongest distance covered by Renault Test car: 7,012 km.

• Biggest crowd (one day): estimated 625,000 (India) • 117,429 attended the first GP in Austin, Texas.

• A Formula 1 car is made up of 80,000 components, including 100 sensors.

• T he complete engine lasts for approximately two hours.

By Tony Matthews F1 FIRSTS & RECORDS...

• T he first driver’s championship in 1950 was won by the Italian Guiseppi Farina.

• T he driver’s championship has been clinched in the final race 23 times in 58 seasons of racing.

• Michael Schumacher holds the record for most drivers’ championship wins – seven.

• Schumacher won five of his tiles in a row: 2000-04.

• Ferrari hold the record for most constructors’ wins – 15.

• T he youngest-ever F1 world champion is Fernando Alonso, aged 24 years, 58 days in 2005. The Spaniard is also the youngest double world champion (aged 25).

• T he oldest-ever F1 champion is Juan Manuel Fangio, aged 46 in 1957.

• T he longest Grand Prix circuit was the old Pescara track in Italy (25 km/16 miles).

• Of the current circuits, Germany’s Nurburgring is the longest at 28.2 km (17½ miles).

• Monza, Italy, has staged the most F1 races since 1950 – total 62.

• Graham Hill and Damian Hill are the only father/son winners of the driver’s championship

Pit Stop

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

sport

Compiled by AFM

sport shorts

Marina Phoenix Golf Society Marina Phoenix played a 1st Margaret Budd and Brian

ANGLING NEWS WITH BEACHCOMBER JOHN

stableford competition on Monday 18th February and the ladies fought out a close finish with Val Cooke taking first place on 36 points, second was Rosalie Fardon (35) and Liz Waine (32). Ali Mahmud returned 41 points to win the men’s division from Jim Budd (35) and Frank Varey (32).

* Last Sunday, a Wembley crowd of 82,597 saw Swansea City celebrate their centenary by lifting their first major trophy.

The Welsh club whipped Bradford City by a record score of 5-0. City had goalkeeper Matt Duke sent-off. * Manchester United won 2-0 at QPR to maintain their 12point lead at the top of the PL Rivals City, thanks to Joe Hart’s penalty save from Frank Lampard, also won 2-0 against Chelsea. * At the bottom of the table, QPR look dead and buried; Reading have slipped into the drop-zone (beaten 3-0 by Wigan), likewise Aston Villa (2-1 losers at Arsenal) while Southampton, after making the longest PL journey (a 700mile round trip) lost 4-2 at Newcastle. * Cardiff (2-1 victors at Wolves) lead the championship; Sheffield United top League One, Gillingham and Port Vale are on course for promotion from League Two, while Celtic are 21 point clear in the SL * In last week’s Champions League, Arsenal lost 3-1 at home to Bayern Munich and Barcelona crashed 2-0 at AC Milan. * In the Europa League, a 94th minute goal by Eden Hazard put Chelsea through, 2-1 on aggregate over Sparta Prague; Moussa Dembele’s stunning rocket with just 25 seconds remaining, gave Spurs a 3-2 overall victory over Lyon and Shola Ameoba’s penalty earned Newcastle victory over Melatist Kharkiv. Liverpool, for whom Jamie Carragher was making his record-breaking 150th and last European appearance, went out to Zenith St Petersburg on the away goal rule. Also out are the holders Athletic Bilbao.

In the last 16, it’s Chelsea-Steaua Bucharest, Spurs-Inter Milan and Newcastle-Anzhl. * FIFA has stated that goal-line technology will be used (at last) in the 2014 World Cup. * David Beckham made his debut as a ‘sub’ for Paris SaintGermain on Sunday.

-* Team GB’s men and women topped the medal table at the World Track Cycling Championships in Belarus. Among the winners were Olympians Laura Trott and Dani King and newcomers Elinor Barker and Becky James. The latter bagged a record four medals in total, two of them gold and two World records. * After snow in the desert, top three golfers, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods (first round) and Luke Donald (second) were beaten by unknown rookies before Matt Kuchar went on to win the Match Play Championship in Arizona.

• Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting will play for Surrey in June & July.

• England thrashed New Zealand by five wickets in the last 50-over encounter to clinch their first series win (2-1) over the Kiwis since 1994. And England quickie James Anderson is now his country’s all-time leading wicket-taker at international level, with 513 victims.

• And a new law will be introduced to the game soon, whereby if a bowler breaks the wicket in his run up, the delivery will be called ‘no ball.’

• Unbeaten England are on course to complete their first Grand Slam in a decade after beating bottom of the pile France 2313 last Saturday. Wales won 26-9 in Italy and Scotland beat Ireland 12-8, their first back-to-back wins since 2003!

• In Rugby League, Melbourne Storm defeated Leeds Rhinos to win the World Club Championship for a record third time.

• The Grand National is six weeks away and in the latest ‘rehearsal’ for the big race, my choice, Roi Du Mee, won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Watch out also on the 6th April for Seabass.

• Last Saturday, British heavyweight boxing champion David Price suffered the first defeat of his professional career, k’od in the second round by 6ft 8in American giant Tony Thompson.

Ryan Giggs, if selected, will make the 1,000th appearance of his career when Manchester United play Norwich at Old Trafford this weekend. Other top flight games include Aston Villa v. Manchester City, Chelsea v. WBA, Southampton v.

QPR and Spurs v. Arsenal in the North London derby. In the Championship on Friday night, Derby host Crystal Palace and Wolves entertain Watford while on Saturday, Middlesbrough meet leaders Cardiff.

DID YOU KNOW? There are 11 French players currently in Newcastle’s PL squad.

The mid-week match was a pairs better ball stableford.

CORTIJO GRANDE

Boat Fishing: Got nothing again from the local lads, weather has been keeping them in dry dock mostly.

The ‘Carboneres boys’ are putting us to shame again with good catches from there. Iv’e just seen a video of one of them landing a 35lb dentex bream from the boat. With what looked like a light spinning rod and reel too.

See photo of a very nice tuna of some sort caught by one of them in the area.

The boys have also been catching some decent red snappers.

Shore Fishing: Two members of the Albox Fishing Club fished by the Garrucha statue on Monday, ‘Dizzy John’ caught 10 fish and ‘Always Laughing Tony’ caught 24! All fish were species of wrasse, fishing was brisk all day. ‘London Bill’ also fished Garrucha and caught striped and dorada bream, like the Albox boys, nothing big.

The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650.

Latest license information: There is now a loophole for those wanting coarse fishing licenses for Andalucia who don’t have NIE documents or/and don’t want to do the 24 hour course in Spanish, see me for more details. The only loophole left for fishing the beaches and boats in Andalucia without an NIE document is to make a trip to Murcia.

For up to date information on any of the above see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099. In case of difficulty reaching me (Probably out fishing) ask staff for my mobile number.

You can also contact me on Facebook @ ‘John Beachcomber Mojacar’.

Tight lines, Beachcomber John

Forum Golf Society The gale force winds that blew throughout Forum Golf Society´s stableford competition at Alboran on February 23rd meant that scoring well was virtually impossible for all but one player, our winner Mike Duckham. On a day that saw all but a handful of the 42 players unable to get within 10 shots of their handicap Mike triumphed with a fantastic score of 37 points.

Terry Davies took second place with 32 points, with Adrian Lawrence (30 points) third, Ann Lawrence (29 points) fourth, Brian Gyer (29 points) fifth & Gordon Hughes (29 points) sixth.

There were also 5 nearest the pin prizes on offer, with these going to Adrian Lawrence, Stan Whitty, Alec Grey, Mike Doyle & John Mills.

This event was also Forum´s penultimate Qualifier for the forthcoming Ford League regional finals at Las Colinas in Alicante, and with 4 places available to Forum (two from each division) the leading players are currently Terry Moore, Phil Elam & Kevin Bircher in Division One, and Pat Garrigan, Geoff Hebb & Mike Duckham in Division Two. Forum´s upcoming fixtures are March 8th Stableford at Aguilon March 22nd Pairs Betterball Stableford at Valle del Este March 23rd Quiz & Chips Night at Jack´s (Albox) For further information, contact Phil Elam on 666 847840 / philjelam@ yahoo.co.uk, or see www. forumgolfsociety.webs.com

Our away day at Alboran was a stroke of good luck or was it a good idea as it rained and rained on Wednesday our normal playing day. The winner at Alboran with 37 points Sheila Picken and in second with 33 points Greg Ward and in third with 31 Brenda Walton. Some good scores in the conditions as it was a very windy day, The ball sweep winner Greg Ward Sunday and our Medal competition not the favourite of most golfers but it is good for your mental strength so they say. Anyway we

Mayhew (38) 2nd Maxine Mayhew and Jim Budd (36) 3rd Rosalie Fardon and Ali Mahmud (32) Visitors can join the individual competition on Mondays or Team game on Thursdays for a greenfee of €25 – ring Jim on 950 162 727 / 600 353 670 or Rosalie 950 397 117 / 697 512 882.

played in lovely conditions and some good scores to boot. Our winner with a net 69 Mike Picken He had to do something after Tuesday, second with another 69 John Wardley and third with 70 Bob Winter. Our ball sweep winner was the lovely Lilly Pepper a popular winner We are about to start our 4 ball better ball competition so the course will be alive to the sound of four or something else anyway enjoy your golf at Cortijo Grande visitors and guests welcome MP

Boxers Golf Society 20 Feb – Alboran with a NTP at the 17th which Wednesdays during February 2013 have so far turned out to be bad news for Boxers GS. Weds 6th the day got blown away by high winds at Hacienda, weds 13th recorded the tragic death of our friend Steve Gilmore at the 8th hole of Desert Springs, and weds 20th began with such foul weather that many players who had made the journey to Alboran pessimistically abandoned ship before the appointed tee time. However those who decided to brave the elements were rewarded by a rapidly brightening day with the following results.

Division 1: Winner Mark Newell (34) with a NTP at the 6th which he converted into a 2 : 2nd Dave France (32)

just edged onto the green, leaving a too demanding putt to collect the extra prize.

Division 2: Winner David Ell (31) : 2nd Richard Measures (29) Division 3 : Winner Alf Walker (30) : 2nd the everimproving Gordon Batchelor (25).

The next outing is on the 27th where we hope to buck the run of bad luck wednesdays with a return to Hacienda.

Boxers has a busy golfing and social calender throughout the year and always welcomes guests and new members. For more details please contact Captain Derek Leonard on 690 352860 or visit the ‘Why Not’ bar in Albox any Saturday a.m.

Valle del este golf society This week again we had 8th hole Lawson Langley and our full quota of golfers and also the same for the next few weeks. Will all members please phone Alan Townsend on mobile 634 379 887 to ensure we will have sufficient tee times.

Now the results on Tuesday a team game with 3 scores from 4 to count and the winners Patrick Vickery, Byran Brown, Dick Hull, and John Main. Friday 22nd individual Stableford 1st Linda Bawden 34pts 2nd Bill Churchill 33pts 3rd sue hull 33pts.

Nearest the pins 2nd shot on

on the 14th Dick Hull.

Interested golfers take note a pairs matchplay competition.

With a fantastic prize for the winners of 1 years membership At half price. The entry fee is 20 euros per couple. Green fee 15 euros for non members. 2 euros for abono members.

Start date 20th march.

Contact kevin burden at valle del este and enter your team.

This is an opportunity not to be missed.

Enjoy your golf at Valle del Este.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

47

sport

Almeria Bowling Club purposeful shots and on the

(Jackson Cup (Ladies) & Parsons Trophy(Men’s) Club Pairs.

The entries for these competitions were very good compared with previous years. They were played on Friday 15th and Monday 18th February. The standard of play was of a continued high standard and a pleasure to participate in and watch.

Huercal Overa CF 2 Deportivo Minera 2

Huercal Overa showed real character at El Hornillo last weekend with a strong Minera side using every trick in the book to upset the home fans!

Straight from the kick off the Huercal Overa side looked strong with Sele breaking down the right side winning a corner, Sele then whipped the ball into the box to be swept home by Argentine midfielder Quintero. 1-0 to Huercal in the first minute! The game was dominated by the home side in the opening stages and in the 17th minute some

nice quick interchanging play the ball found Vega on the left who struck at goal but was denied by the crossbar.

Then in the 20th minute the game changed favour to the away team, when a free kick on the right roughly 30 yards out was badly defended by the Huercal Overa team and crept in the far post beyond Michel in the Huercal goal. 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The second half started with both sets of fans hoping for the 3 points and in the 58th minute the side from Cartagena took the lead

Badgers Golf Society No Play Today

Wednesday 20th Feb Badgers visited Macenas Golf.

With light drizzle in the air the members decided to play their weekly competition, but no sooner had the first group tee’d off, the heavens opened with a torrential downpour.

Two groups played the first hole , before it was decided to abandon the day.

Saturday 21st Badgers were at Macenas for their Saturday Roll Up. Winner on the day with a very respectable 36 pts was Sheila Watts which also included a 2 on the 16th hole Forthcoming fixtures are Wed 27th Desert Springs,

Sat 2nd March Macenas, Wed 6th March Macenas, Sat 9th March Macenas, then an away day trip to Lorca Golf on Thursday 14th March, anybody interested in going on the away day please contact Richard at Badgers.

Coach from Badgers at 8.00 am. Partners also welcome on the day to be dropped in Lorca for shopping etc Badgers Golf Society also play every Saturday at Macenas.

Guests are welcome to join the society on both Wed and Sat comps and can book in either at Badgers Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or by phone on 950478525

CABRERA LAWN BOWLS CLUB

LADIES SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP Friday saw the final of the Ladies Singles, between Judy Abel and Doreen Sands, neither ladies are strangers to

the pressure of a final. Judy soon took the lead which was to be held throughout the match. Well bowled Judy, another bit of silverware to be polished!!

when the ball was not cleared sufficiently by the Huercal Overa back line. Moises picked up the play and a one two with Bauti resulted in Moises firing home at the near post. 1-2 to Deportivo Minera.

The game changing moment happened in the 63rd minute when the away side were awarded a penalty, Bauti stepped up but Michel guessed correctly to deny Minera taking a 2 goal lead. Huercal Overa then took the game to Minera winning a penalty of their own in the 73rd minute

with Sele neatly placing the ball past the Minera keeper!

2-2. The game ended in a draw but only after Huercal Overa had a goal disallowed for an offside! The 500 strong crowd went home happy as it is a game that could have easily gone either way.

Huercal Overa; Michel, Mauro, Vega, Lloris, Finidi, Moreno, Nono, Quintero, Alex, Mansour y Sele.

For more details on Huercal Overa CF or your local Spanish club contact leerickardgraham@outlook. com or huercaloveracf.com.

Amigos Bowling Centre

These Are The Results For Week Ending 22nd February Tuesday League Results: The Strikers 2 The Mavericks 6 North & South 2 Leeds On Tour 6 The Cowboys 2 The 3 Amigos 6 Lucky Strike 2 X Factor 6 Wednesday League Reults: The Newbies 10 Double D’s 6 Aches & Pains 5 Le Chef 11 The Hillbillies 5 Anglocelts 11 Thursday League Results: Blue Boys 9 The Lassies 7 Simply The Best 9 Dynamic Duo 7 Friday’s League Results: Limarians 0 Triple X 8

Albox Darts League

Highlights Jon Hilson from Carrillos Bar 2 x 180 Simon from Corner Bar 180 Kevin Jackman from Carrillos Bar 118 check out Congratulations Cafe-Bar Oasis wins the division 1 league only decided by sets won, so unlucky Corner Bar. Catalan wins the division 2 league also only decided by sets won so unlucky La Cinta 2 as you only needed a win last night.

Simon from Corner Bar and Dave Babb from Cafe-Bar Oasis both get 3 180’s this season, well done.

Dave Porter from Tercera Edad gets the highest check out of the season on week 17 with 145. Well done.

Results for Week 21 Division 1 Tue 19 Feb Pablos 2 v 6 Cafe-Bar Oasis Tue 19 Feb El Cordobes 3 v 5 Corner Bar Tue 19 Feb Carrillos Bar 3 v 5 La Cinta 1 Tue 19 Feb Bar El Frax 2 v 6 Bar Flora Results for Week 21 Tue 19 Feb Trinidad Tue 19 Feb La Cinta 2 Tue 19 Feb El Molino

Division 2 4 v 4 El Local 3 v 5 Tercera Edad 2 v 6 The Travellers

fifteenth end scores were level at 15-15. This wonderful final was completed by Ruth and Sue taking two shots on the next end and Pat and Viv not quite making it by scoring a single shot on the last end.

Parsons Trophy Final, the defending champions Colin Wright and Roy Tonkin played Stan Brisco and John Mannall.

The ladies Jackson Cup winners were Ruth Compton and Sue Mannall. The men’s Parsons Trophy winners were Stan Brisco and John Mannall Ruth and Sue in the ladies first semi-final were on fire, giving Thelma Gambol and Siobhan Herrity who had a tremendous run to this point, a tough time and winning comfortably.

The other ladies semi-final was between Pat Deacon and Viv Sykes who had a real battle against Sandra Bain and Patsy Tonkin.

Sandra and Patsy were in the lead after eleven ends.

Pat and Viv then started to apply pressure, inching ahead and scoring on each of the following ends, winning the game.

The first men’s semi-final between Stan and John against Jim Pike and Terry Rodgers was a quality game.

Unfortunately for Jim and Terry, Stan and John were in very good form, not letting them settle into their game and won well.

The second men’s semi-final between Colin Wright and his regular pairs partner Roy Tonkin played Rod Digweed and Wayne Roberts, another regular pair’s duo. On the sixteenth end Colin and Roy went one shot ahead, but the next end was a disaster for Rod and Wayne when they lost five shots, virtually putting Colin and Roy into the final.

The Jackson Cup Final was a very exciting game with Ruth Compton and Sue Mannall looking good and leading the way at the eleventh end by eight shots. Pat Deacon and Viv Sykes then started scoring

This was another excellent final with bowls played. at the highest level. The scores were even at 10-10. The next couple of ends, Colin & Roy went ahead scoring four shots. Five shots scored on the sixteenth end put Stan and John one shot ahead and continued the pressure winning the game by three shots.

All the games including both of these finals were well supported by an enthusiastic number of spectators in beautiful weather. Trophies were presented by yours truly. Please don’t forget that the above competition reports and photographs will be found on our website www.bowlingalmeria.com http://www.bowlinginspain. com/ and the Sol Times if space allows.

Vic Parsons ALBC Press Officer

48 SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013

Fans feeling unsafe after the terrifying crash at Daytona International Speedway a day earlier were able to change seats for NASCAR’s biggest race on Sunday.

Workers successfully repaired a section of fence - 54 feet wide and 22 feet high - that was shredded Saturday when Kyle Larson’s car went airborne on the final lap of a second-tier race and crashed through the barrier that separates cars from fans. Large pieces of debris, including a tire, sprayed into the upper and lower section of the stands.

The crash injured more than 30 people and raised questions about fan safety at race tracks.

HalifaxHealthspokesmanByron Cogdell said seven people with crash-related injuries remained hospitalized in Daytona Beach in stable condition. The six people brought to a different Halifax hospital in Port Orange with

Johnson wins Daytona 500

crash-related injuries had all been discharged, Cogdell said.

Track President Joie Chitwood, meanwhile, said if any fans are uncomfortable with their upclose seating for the Daytona 500, officials would work to move them.

“If fans are unhappy with their seating location or if they have any incidents, we would relocate them,” Chitwood said. “So we’ll treat that area like we do every other area of the grandstand. If a fan is not comfortable where they’re sitting, we make every accommodation we can.”

There were several wrecks during the Daytona 500, though nothing that put fans in danger.

Jimmie Johnson won the race for the second time.

Track workers finished repairs about 2 a.m. Sunday, having installed a new fence post, new metal meshing and part of the concrete wall. Officials decided not to rebuild the collapsed cross-over gate, which allows fans to travel between the stands and the infield before races.

Daytona has a grandstand remodel planned; Chitwood said the injuries could prompt

a redesign that might include sturdier fences or stands further away from the on-track action.

“It’s tough to connect the two right now in terms of a potential redevelopment and what occurred,” Chitwood said. “We were prepared yesterday, had emergency medical respond. As we learn from this, you bet: If there are things that we can incorporate into the future, whether it’s the current property now or any other redevelopment, we will.

The key is sitting down with NASCAR, finding out the things that happened and how we deal with them.”

Daytona reexamined its fencing and ended up replacing the entire thing following Carl Edwards’ scary crash at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama in 2009. Edwards’ car sailed into the fence and spewed debris into the stands.

NASCAR plans to take what remained of Larson’s sheared car along with debris back to its research and development centre in Charlotte, N.C., for testing. The 12-car crash began as the front-runners approached the checkered flag.

Leader Regan Smith attempted to block Brad Keselowski for the win, triggering a pileup that could have been much worse. Larson’s burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. Parts and pieces of his car sprayed into the stands, including a tire that cleared the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the track.

The 20-year-old Larson stood in shock a few feet from his car as fans in the stands waved frantically for help. Smoke from the burning engine briefly clouded the area, and emergency vehicles descended on the scene.

Ambulance sirens could be heard wailing behind the grandstands at a time the race winner would typically be doing celebratory burnouts.

“It was freaky. When I looked to my right, the accident happened,” Rick Harpster of Orange Park said. “I looked over and I saw a tire fly straight over the fence into the stands, but after that I didn’t see anything else. That was the worst thing I have seen, seeing that tire fly into the stands. I knew it was

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902 750 190

Daytona 500 results clouded by terrifying crash, race fans still hospitalised

NASCAR back to normal:

going to be severe.”

In 1987, Bobby Allison’s car lifted off the track at Talladega while running over 200 mph, careening into the steel-cable fence and scattering debris into the crowd. That crash led to the use of horsepower-sapping restrictor plates at Talladega and its sister track in Daytona, NASCAR’s fastest layouts.

As a result, the cars all run

nearly the same speed, and the field is typically bunched tightly together -- which plenty of drivers have warned is actually a more dangerous scenario than higher speeds.

“That’s one of the things that really does scare you,” Allison said. “But it’s always a possibility because of the speeds, where they are.”

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