Almeria 490

costa almeria

ISSUE 490

UK TELEVISION

10 - 16 JUN

SolTimes CK ME UP’est. SINCE 2005 YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY ‘PI

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eurozoneremovals@gmail.com www.eurozoneremovals.webs.com

Booking is Essential - Sat Nav co-ordinates N37° 24.511 W002° 11.479 EL556

Pol. Ind. Sur, Arboleas (opp. Amigos Bowling) Open Monday - Friday - 09:30 - 19:30 - Saturday - 09:30 - 14:30

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• 4 Piece Sofa sets from €265 • Modular Corner Units from €499 • Gas Barbecues from €189 • 4 Seater Dining Sets from €169 • Parasols from €50 • Wall Art from €15 • Sun Loungers from €69 • Bistro sets from €85 • Artificial Grass from €16.50m²

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Irene

de

open7 days a week

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menu del noche

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car of the week

Antas Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628 Tel: 950 459 136

Find us on

Mon: Roast Lamb Shank Tues: Rabbit in garlic & beer Wed: Roast Pork Knuckle

every night Pizza & Pasta

All your favorite pasta dishes including Ravioli, Lasagne, Macaroni, Carbonara, Tortellini and a wide range of pizzas from Margaritas to a Meat Feast Open Mon - Sat 8am - 24pm,Sun 10am - 17pm

Spanish Tel: 950 430 145 English Tel: 647 730 103

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Poligono Industrial Albox, Near the ITV Garage

Sales Vehicles always in Stock Petrol • 2001 • 175000kms Servicing & Repairs all makes & models • 4x4 • Climate Opening Hours: Mon~Fri 9.30am - 7pm & Control 3,495€

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phone or check our website for more cars

Sat 10am - 2pm Workshop: 950 459 209 Sales: 950 459 136 Email: costacoches@mail.com

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buy or sell

2

June 2015

at buy buy auctions subasta Open monday-saturday 10am-6pm

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Directions & Map Take exit 547 from A7 motorway head towards Albox we are blue & pink warehouse by La Alfoquia turning

Direcciones y mapas Toma la salida 547 desde la autovia A7 camino hacia La Albox Esatmos justo la salida de Alfoquia

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Air-traffic control strikes start this week

A WEEK of air-traffic control strikes starts today (Monday) in Spain and will continue every other day until Sunday, potentially affecting up to 5,300 flights daily to and from the country.

Staff will down tools for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening today, Wednesday (June 10), Friday (June 12) and Sunday (June 14), but in keeping with industry rules is obliged to ensure at least minimum services, meaning 70% of flights will be running normally.

Affected times are between 10.00hrs and noon, and from 18.00hrs to 20.00hrs.

Flights not due to take off or land between these hours may still be affected because of the knock-on effect of delays and cancellations.

The pickets have been called by the airtraffic controllers' union, USCA, over the State's decision to sanction 61 of these workers for having ignored the government's implementing a state of emergency in December 2010 and going ahead with a strike they had planned. All

news

those who joined in the 2010 strike will be suspended from their jobs for a month without pay.

When they threatened to down tools fourand-a-half years ago, the then socialist president, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, called a state of emergency, a situation rarely seen except in times of armed conflict and in which all members of the public and authorities are required to follow the government's instructions.

The idea was to stop the strike, but 61 airtraffic controllers went ahead, forcing Spain to close its air-space.

Between 2,500 and 2,800 air-traffic controllers are expected to join this week's strikes, which will affect around 5,330 flights today, 5,200 on Wednesday, 6,100 on Friday and 5,600 on Sunday.

Anything from 560 to 800 flights, twice daily on the strike days, are likely to be directly affected through cancellations or long delays.

Source: thinkspain

3

Spanish Tuna Fishing Melds to Japan’s Taste, Reshaping a 3,000-Year-Old Technique

Bluefin tuna were surrounded by fishing nets in an ancient technique known as almadraba, as the fishing season opened off southern Spain. Credit Laura Leon for The New York Times BARBATE, Spain — The fishing boats, swaying in the narrow strait that connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, maneuvered one recent morning around an intricate architecture of nets they had laid as a trap. Then the fishermen lifted just one section from the water, heavy with their prize.

Dozens of bluefin tuna rose to the choppy surface, thrashing wildly until, exhausted and asphyxiated, the fish gave up the fight, and the fishermen hoisted them onboard by the tail.

This trap-fishing method, known as almadraba in Spanish, is considered the oldest form of industrial fishing in the world, dating 3,000 years to the Phoenicians.

Even if the tuna’s final struggle and killing with a knife can appear violent, the almadraba has been praised as a sustainable way of fishing. While the boats and nets have been modernized, the method itself has remained largely the same over millenniums.

But change is slowly underway. In response to fishing quotas and the demands of consumers in Japan, the world’s largest tuna market, the companies that run the almadraba are shifting to “ranch” fishing to help fatten the tuna, rather than lifting and killing their catch.

Fishermen helped load tuna. Credit Laura

Leon for The New York Times

The shift to ranching is “putting at risk a very traditional fishing method, because trying to fatten fish is really different to the original goal,” said Carlos Montero, fisheries manager for Spain and Portugal at the Marine Stewardship Council, a nongovernment organization.

Already, one of the four almadraba companies operating along Spain’s southern coast has all but stopped the levantá, or hoisting of the trap, the most dramatic and spectacular part of the almadraba.

The company still uses a labyrinth of nets to trap the fish, but it channels the tuna to an adjacent open-water pool, where they are ranched for four months before being killed, frozen and shipped to Japan.

Other almadraba companies are following suit. “Farmed tuna has more fat than wild tuna — and the Japanese like that,” said Tetsuya Inagaki, a manager at Maruha Nichiro, one of Japan’s largest fish distributors.

So valued is the bluefin that by the 1990s stocks were depleted by overfishing, including by tuna boats that drag purse seines, or large walls of netting that can sweep up an entire school.

In 2006, tuna-fishing nations responded by agreeing to strict fishing quotas under a 15-year recovery plan. That has helped stocks recover somewhat, but the extraordinarily high value of the bluefin means illegal and unreported fishing continues.

Read more: elpais

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news

4

Bodies found in Nepal may be two of the six missing Spaniards

- Satendra Yadav, says the bodies are those of a man and a woman and they were due to be airlifted to Kathmandu earlier today.

THE bodies of two people who may be those of Spanish tourists missing in Nepal following the earthquake on April 25 have been found in the Langtang National Park.

Six Spaniards remained on the missing list three weeks after the quake, by which time all others had been found and repatriated with one fatality – a 37-year-old woman from Catalunya – and at the time, foreign affairs officials said it was extremely unlikely those who had not been traced would be found alive. They are Miguel Pizarro from Aragón, Isabel Ortiz from Cantabria, Sabino Fernández, Jesús Monteirín, Egidio García and Ángel Hernández Muñiz, all from Asturias.

The names and passport numbers of Isabel Ortiz and Miguel Pizarro have been published on the the Twitter page of the emergency operations centre in Nepal, but their identities have not been fully confirmed as rescue workers are waiting for the results of DNA tests.

Sub-inspector of the district police for Rasuwa – where the Langtang valley, popular with walkers from all over the world, is located

Four other Spaniards are among about 150 people who are still missing, mostly in the Langtang National Park. All six Spanish tourists were out walking in the park at the time of the earthquake. A group of Guardia Civil officers who went out to Nepal early in May to help with the search and rescue operations described the area as 'chilling' and 'hell on earth', given that it had been totally destroyed by an avalanche of ice, stones and mud.

The quake, which reached 7.8 on the Richter scale and was very close to the surface, was the worst Nepal had suffered in 80 years, and the worst in the Himalaya region in a decade since a tremor claimed over 84,000 lives in Kashmir, India, in 2005.

An aftershock of 7.3 on the Richter scale hit Nepal on May 11, causing a further 8,712 deaths and left 22,220 injured.

Most children in Nepal have not been able to go back to school since the earthquake in April, as their classrooms have been destroyed and teachers injured or killed.

Many have been left orphaned by the tragedy, and international charities fear they could be vulnerable to child traffickers.

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June 2015

Spain's Carolina Marín reaches badminton world number one slot

EUROPEAN and world badminton champion Carolina Marín is now number one in her sport on the planet, according to the Spanish Olympic Committee on its Twitter site.

The young player from Huelva on the southwest coast clinched the top spot yesterday (Friday) after India's Saina Nehwall crashed out of the quarter-finals at the Indonesian Open, and China's Li Xuerui did so in the previous round.

But she only needed Saina and Li to lose in order to see her climb up a place to number one in the world standings.

This means she has effectively reached the most coveted position on earth without having to play any game to get there.

Probably her best-ever early birthday present – Carolina will turn 22 a week on Monday – reaching the world number one slot is an historic feat for the sport itself in Europe.

It has been five years since any European woman has reached the top of the standings, with the previous being Denmark's Tine Baun in 2010. And Carolina's meteoric rise to becoming the best female player in the world is even

more astounding when considering she was at number 11 a year ago.

Already a highly-prestigious placing, especially for a Spaniard – given that the country has not produced any international superstars in badminton before now – number 11 was just the start for Carolina who has enjoyed a sensationally successful year, shooting up to number two within weeks.

She briefly dropped down a place, but on Thursday this week, when the last ranking update went live, the young champion recovered her second-from-top position after netting the Australian Open title in Sydney.

The next ranking update will see her officially rise to the top rung.

Talented Carolina, who has put badminton on the map in Spain and made her country known in a sport it has been historically absent from at élite level, also won the All England tournament in March and the Malaysia Open in April.

Among other top-flight international competitions, she has her heart set on the Olympics in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Luvvies Dinner Ladies Actors Eat Cardboard Sandwiches

The rehearsals for the Luvvies Theatre Group’s production of Dinner Ladies are revving up towards Performance Day in Teatro Pedro Gilabert in Arboleas. Lines have been learnt and inter-character banter, as per the play, is still funny, even after all those involved have heard it umpteen times. The other major learning curve for the cast is where to be and what to be doing at any given moment when on stage. For instance, Bren can’t be saying how nice the sandwiches taste with a cup of tea in her hand! While on the subject of sandwiches and tea, this play does require a considerable number of props, not just large kitchen utensils, but also sandwiches, toast and tea. So the cast were faced with a problem – how, with 2 rehearsals a week, could the cast manage without consuming a great number of sandwiches and toast, and drinking a lake of tea?

Answer: White cardboard sandwiches, brown cardboard toast, and water!

But for the performances, (Friday 26th, Saturday 27th at 7.30 and Sunday 28th at 3.00) it will be the real thing!

Tickets are available as per the poster, and for more information phone 634 346 309, or contact The Luvvies at their website, info@theluvvies.com Be sure not to miss it - it will present the canteen kitchen in a whole new light

news

www.soltimes.com

Diphtheria bacteria detected in eight children in Girona

The youngsters had contact with a six-year-old who became a confirmed case last week As the group have all been vaccinated, they should not develop the disease Parents of diphtheria-stricken boy feel “tricked” by anti-vaccination groups Catalan p u b l i c heal th authorities h a v e detected t h e presence of diphtheria bacteria in eight children w h o have had contact with a sixyear-old boy from Olot (Girona), who was confirmed as having contracted the disease last week.

The youngster, who is stable but in a very serious condition in the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, had not been given vaccinations due to his parents’ wishes.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the health chief for the region, Boi Ruiz, said the eight children in question “had not developed the disease thanks to them having been vaccinated,” but that they had been confined to their homes in order to prevent them infecting the three percent of children in the Garrotxa area who have not been vaccinated.

The case has seen a huge increase in requests for vaccinations against the disease “We have carried out a blood smear test on 57 children who were close to the [confirmed case], and the bacteria is in eight of them,” Ruiz

explained, adding that the children w o u l d b e g i n receiving a course of penicillin in order to eliminate t h e diphtheria from their systems.

Felipe VI's first Armed Forces day as King

KING Felipe VI presided his first Armed Forces Day as reigning Monarch on Saturday, leading up a sombre half-hour march and demonstration in the centre of Madrid.

Troops in uniform converged on the Plaza de la Lealtad, where King Felipe and Queen Letizia placed a wreath in memory of all those who lost their lives serving their country in the forces.

The air force plane, the Patrulla Águila, flew above the crowds leaving a vapour trail in the colours of the Spanish flag.

Ministers for defence and the interior, Pedro Morenés and Jorge Fernández Díaz respectively, acting mayoress of Madrid Ana Botella, and the King and Queen stood at the front of the crowd for the national anthem.

King Felipe wore his General Captain

5

uniform since, as reigning Monarch, he is automatically the highest-ranking member of Spain's Armed Forces.

Commemorative events to mark Armed Forces day started on Saturday and will continue all week with 274 acts throughout all 17 regions, three fewer than last year, at a total cost of a very thrifty €140,000.

These events include sporting competitions, music concerts, exhibitions, military demonstrations, air-base open days, guided tours of Naval ships, and parades.

Some of these will actually make money rather than costing the State, since many are for charity and will raise funds for those injured in combat.

Source: thinkspain

Parents of diphtheria-stricken boy feel “tricked” by anti-vaccination groups Despite the advances made by the regional health department, the authorities in Catalonia still do not know where the outbreak originated. As such, Ruiz has recommended that all associations that will be organizing summer camps in Garrotxa, where the victim is from, require all parents to present their children’s vaccination cards.

The case has seen a huge increase in requests for vaccinations against the disease.

Last week saw immunizations against diphtheria rise by 23%, particularly among adults (28.5%), babies aged under six months (27%) and children aged over 18 months (22%). source: elpais

Telephone: 950 460 999

MUNDI

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ABOGADOS

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We are a multidisciplinary law firm based in Vera (Almería) and as such we deal with many different aspects of law, specialising in litigation, conveyancing, taxation, civil, commercial and fiscal law. Our aim is to provide a personal, quality service, in plain English and to do so promptly, efficiently and in a friendly manner.

We will keep you up to date and fully informed throughout and all at a very competitive price.

We can also arrange the following if needed: • Open a Spanish bank account • Connection of utility services • If you are considering renting your house or land we will negotiate your letting agreement, ensuring that the terms of your contract meet your requirements • Write your Spanish will • As your Fiscal Representatives, we will assist you in any dealings with Spanish Tax Office and explain to you all the taxes that you are liable to pay.

For those that become residents of Spain, we can also assist in other legal matters, such as matrimonial issues or business contracts.

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Here in Spain, we bring you a great value range of value for money essentials such as pillows, duvets, protectors, sheets and towels.

You´ll also find an amazing choice of curtains, voiles, poles and all those finishing touches such as cushions, bedspreads and throws.

So whether you live here, have a holiday home or rental property, you´ll find everything you need at Yorkshire Linen.

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6

June 2015

Sometimes we all need a helping hand but at no time more so than when dealing with the loss of a loved one.

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feature

www.soltimes.com

Let us look after your home this Summer

Tips for Keeping the House Cool

Puzzling out how to keep your house as cool as possible during these hot summer months? Trying to remember the conventional wisdom but not quite sure how it goes? Those window fans, for example, should they be placed to draw air in or out? Upwind or downwind of the dwelling? And what about windows, shades, and awnings? Are windows on the North side of the house better left closed or open during the day?

Are awnings better than shades?

Turning to Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

by Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne, and John Morrill of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has provided a wealth of answers to just these questions and more. I’ve compiled 23 tricks about how to keep a house cool to reduce the need for air conditioning from this book, as well as a few from The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook. These tips are really useful.

1. Reduce the cooling load by employing costeffective conservation measures. Provide effective shade for east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities such as dishwashing until evening on hot days.

2. Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity. Ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

Electrician

3. You can help get rid of unwanted heat through ventilation if the temperature of the incoming air is 77 F or lower. (This strategy works most effectively at night and on cooler days.) Window fans for ventilation are a good option if used properly. They should be located on the downwind side of the house facing out.

A window should be open in each room. Interior doors must remain open to allow air flow.

5. In hot climates, plant shade trees around the house. Don’t plant trees on the South if you want to benefit from passive solar heating in the winter.

Bugs

Bugs total property

Mosquito Screens & Blinds

maintenance internal & external

Neil Goodwin based in Turre

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call us today and ask for a free quote

Damp Proofing

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8

June 2015

Serendipity in the

Crystal Cave

Crystal Angels Energy Stones Jewellery

Birth Stones Hanging Crystals

We are now stocking all your usual craft bits & bobs crystalmanofalmeria@hotmail.com Avda. 28 de Febrero, Albox (Between Sol y Mar / The Post Shop & Jacks)

Crystal Man of Almeria is now in Serendipity

Opening hours:10am - 2pm Mon - Sat We will be happy to open outside these hours!

BP Garage

•••

Arboleas Baza

Av .L

albox online ep

an

to

jacks

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Cantoria solymar

Tel: 617 699 624

albox insurance Award Awardwinning winning agent agent

For all your Insurance Needs Please contact Glenn & jayne

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Don’t sleep on it any longer!

Large stocks of beds, mattresses, pillows and accessories for immediate delivery to all areas.

Tel: 868 931 872 • 673 088 476 (mob) Calle Malaga, ALBOX Email: sleepcentrespain@hotmail.com

Bar lepanto

Daily specials available Sunday breakfast 9-12 noon Sunday lunch 1-5 pm Friday Fish & Chips 5pm-9pm Skinless Atlantic Cod & Homemade chips Lepanto 26, Albox

Tel 642 906 638 email: kimking09@hotmail.com

Glad rags

Due to the fantastic response from the first delivery of French Designer Lara Ethnics 2 weeks ago, I have almost sold out, so I am pleased to announce I have re-ordered and All the NEW collection is now in the shop for you to see and purchase.

It is ideal for the high summer temperatures as the fabrics are all light & breathable, so you will not only look fantastic but you will stay cool and comfortable also.

A selection of trousers, dresses, tunics & vest tops as well as sarongs and cool beach cover-ups. All in sizes Small to X-Large. onditioned boutique ol airc 0am-6pm, n a co -4pm, thur 1m-2pm i t a e he h t 1 0a 0am escape t n - wed 1 -3pm & sa

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am fri 10

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950 120 309

Monday to Friday: 9 to 5 Saturday: 9 to 2

Debbie & laura, our experienced stylists, will take care of your hair Kelly our beautician and nail technician, will pamper you... from a massage to pedicure treat a friend or loved one with one of our gift vouchers. call for details wavelengths albox

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APRICOT AVOCADO BANANA BLACKBERRY BLUEBERRY CANTALOUPE CHERRIES CHOKECHERRY COCONUT CRABAPPLE CRANBERRY DATE FIG GRAPEFRUIT GRAPES KIWIFRUIT KUMQUAT LEMON LIME

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Find and circle all of the Fruits that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell the name of another FRUIT

Win €25 with our ALBOX Wordsearch Competition

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Send your entry to sales@soltimes.com

Closing date:17th June 2015 Hair and beauty salon

Our professional team is always here for your hair and beauty requirements You could win a Hair or Beauty Treatment of your choice in the Sol Times Word Search We are open: Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm Saturday 10am-2pm

950 930 167 or 628 669 456

THE LITTLE SHOP THAT’S GOT A LOT

For your convenience you can pull up outside or we have a large carpark.

Argan Oil, shampoo, conditioner & leave in heat defence spray Shredded Wheat ONLY €2.50 each 30pk ONLY €4.75

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Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Address: Crra Lorca - Baza Km 72.5, 04800 Albox (Almeria) Tel 950 091 153 Free Delivery in Albox & Surrounding areas (including Mojacar, Garrucha, Vera, San Juan)

9

Secure Post Boxes 40€ per year Call Karen on 635 979 829 or 950 064 584 Web: www.solymarspain.com

10

arts

June 2015

The Hobbit first edition fetches £137,000 at auction

The book was a gift from JRR Tolkien to one of his first students A first edition of JRR Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit, with an inscription in Elvish written by the author, had sold at auction in London for £137,000. es the previous record for a sale of The Hobbit, set in 2008 when a first edition sold for £60,000.

Tolkien gave the book to Katherine "Kitty" Kilbride, one of his students at Leeds University in the 1920s.

The Elvish verse is an extract from Tolkien's The Lost Road, part of his 12-volume History of Middle-earth. The four-line inscription follows a personal dedication from the author The Hobbit introduced the character of Bilbo Baggins and the "one ring" that would feature again in his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Sotheby's had expected the first edition to fetch up to £70,000 at Thursday's auction of children's books and illustrated works.

Gustav Klimt portrait tipped to fetch £18m at auction

The portrait (right) was painted by Gustav Klimt (left) in 1902 A portrait of a young Jewish woman by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt is expected to fetch up to £18m when it is auctioned in London later this month.

The sale follows the restitution of the painting to its subject's heirs.

Painted in 1902, the portrait of 19-year-old Gertrud Loew was left behind when Loew, fearing Nazi persecution, left Vienna for the US in 1939.

The portrait came to be acquired by Gustav Ucicky, a film-maker who made propaganda

for the Nazis.

Ucicky, considered to be Klimt's first illegitimate son, collected a number of Klimt's works that he left to his widow when he died in 1961.

Ursula Ucicky established the Klimt Foundation in 2013, which reached an agreement with Gertrud Loew's family last year over her portrait's ownership and sale.

The painting - originally commissioned by Anton Loew, a physician who treated Klimt at his private sanatorium - will be sold at Sotheby's in London on 24 June.

In its online catalogue, the auction house describes the piece as "an

extraordinarily beautiful and captivating work from a crucial period in the artist's career".

The restitution to its rightful owner of a Klimt painting that was looted by the Nazis was the subject of a recent film, Woman in Gold, starring Dame Helen Mirren.

Jap balloo new h

Japanese balloon art hits new heights Japanese artist Masayoshi Matsumoto has taken the art of twisting party balloons to new heights with his latest animal creations.

The artist uses only balloons - and his website states that he did not use adhesive or magic pens on any of the creations photographed here.

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11

Home & Garden

Summer Patio Fix-Ups:

1. String Lights Nothing can beat the soft, glowing light of caféstyle lights strung overhead, and since they are so inexpensive, you can use them liberally without room quite as elegantly as a well-placed pendant denting your budget. light.

Good to know: Be sure to choose outdoor-rated Good to know: If you decide to replace an existing string lights. LED bulbs will last practically forever, overhead fixture yourself, be sure the new fixture but incandescent bulbs will give you that trademark is similar in weight to the old one — if it’s much soft glow. Solar string lights are a great option if you heavier, a pro may need to put in a new junction want to hang them far from an outlet. box that can take the additional weight.

More ways with string lighting 5. Recessed Lighting A note on extra outlets. Having adequate exterior Simple and sleek, recessed lights would be perfect outlets is a must for hanging string lights, lanterns tucked into the covered patio of a contemporary or and more (unless they’re solar powered). Make the modern home. investment in exterior outlets instead of running Good to know: Dimmer switches allow you to cords through a cracked window — not only will adjust the lighting to perfectly suit the mood — and your home be safer, but you’ll be able to choose a dimmer is something you can do yourself. exactly where you want the outlets to go.

Extend dinnertime with a well-lit outdoor kitchen.

Good to know: If you live in an older house, your exterior outlets might not have up-to-date safety If your grilling area is separate from your patio features, so consider having them upgraded. All seating area, consider subtly linking the two zones exterior electrical outlets should have a ground- with lighting. Direct lighting is more important in fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and a weatherproof the kitchen zone than mood, so go for an overhead option, like recessed lights or adjustable fixtures box cover to keep the outlet protected. that can be pointed exactly where you want them 2. Sconces to go.

Sconces are a great option when you want to cast 6. Stair Riser Lights a glow on an open patio.

This small touch can add ambience and prevent Good to know: A lantern-style fixture will cast a falls. larger glow than one mounted flush against the Good to know: Having just one or two steps can house, so think about going for something larger actually cause more than you might use on, say, the front porch. accidents than a taller 3. Landscape Lighting staircase. Especially at Not just for the backyard, low-voltage landscape dusk, that single step lighting can ramp up the ambience of your patio. can be easy to miss, so Good to know: Generally not enough to light up adding a light is a kind an outdoor room on its own, landscape lighting can thing to do. work well in conjunction with sconces or string lights.

Try a few low lights in bushes Shock • Multi-Function Tablets surrounding the patio or illuminating a pathway.

• Chlorine Tablets Because landscape •Floculent only 2.50€ lighting is low voltage, this is a relatively easy Other items available and safe DIY project, Available at Jacks, in Albox every should you choose to give it a whirl.

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6 Ways to Light Your Outdoor Room Let the good times roll well into the evening with string lights, sconces, pendants and more to illuminate your patio or deck Enhance those long, leisurely evenings on the patio with the right lighting. From subtle landscape lighting and string lights that cast a soft glow to sconces, pendants and more, these ideas will help spark your imagination and plan that perfect patio.

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12

June 2015

WAKING ON SUNSHINE!!!!

Yes, the heading might be a play on a famous song but is that not what most of us do every morning? As soon as you open your eyes 99 times out of a 100 that lovely, warm, health enriching big ball in the sky is shining down on you saying “Get out here and enjoy me!” and make the most of outdoor living.

Treat your outdoor space differently to the way you did in England, remember you will be outside far more here, and so will your friends and family when they come to visit you.

I always look at my outside space as an extra room and have extended my patio area so when I have visitors they have a place to sit and relax and a place for eating and doing the B.B.Q. while I have a glass of wine and enjoy their company. Hey, don’t keep a dog and bark yourself!

So use your budget wisely, buy the best quality you can afford, this is not the U.K. where you may only sit on your patio a few days a year, your terraces, swimming pool surrounds and barbeque furniture will be used daily, yes even Christmas as the sun is warm during the day then too. Ensure it is of a standard up to Spanish climatic conditions with excellent guarantees, not every chair disintegrates because Billy Bunter sat on it you know!!!!

Think about what you will be using your various areas for, getting the sun, shade or some peace and quiet away from the visitors. (Don’t worry, we all think this but don’t always say it) Are you a party animal requiring more chairs and tables for buffets or perhaps you are sun worshippers where sun beds are more important to you? Treat the outside as another room extension (can’t say that enough) if you are limited for space stackable chairs are great at parties allowing Uncle Nobby plenty of room to perform his John Travolta “80’s” party piece, the wiggle may have vanished but the suit remains the same!!

The choice for patio furniture is limitless, aluminium, wood, steel, mosaic, rattan for the colonial look. The rattan colours popular for this year are white or grey, don’t worry if you need to match with anything you already have, brown is still around.

Before you hit the shops full of ideas with what you are doing with your outside space, measure so you know what size table or sofa set will fit into the area.

“English spoken”

Deborah Cubel fisher 7 years experience in this area

“on parle francais”

legal & fiscal advice for residents & non-residents, Tax Payments and refunds • Wills and Inheritance process • Purchase / Sale private contracts • Land property and Catastro registration licenses • Conveyancing / Notorial documents

• Translations / Interpreter • NIE’s, Residencia, Medical Cards....

• Vehicle registration / driving licenses • Mortgages

• T axes (local rates, rubbish collection, vehicle, tax returns for residents and non residents and refund of the capital gains tax)

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If you are buying a base for your parasol find one in stone / concrete with wheels and brakes, this allows you to push your parasol around as the sun moves. It beats lifting the base and hurting your back. None of us are getting any younger!!

Yearly contract €149 Including VAT 21%

Another little tip regarding your parasol, do not place it in the centre of your tables even if there is a hole for it. It may look great but when that gust of wind comes along it empties your glasses of wine and beer quicker than “her indoors”

Wills €125 / each Including Notary Fee •Y early tax returns (no increase if more than one owner, or more than one property) • Legal and fiscal advice FREE throughout the year • Free assistance / advice for any visitors staying at your property • Free visit from a technician / architect to offer independent expertise on matter such as: putting in insurance claims, confirmation of the legality of an extension / building work, free estimate for any work to be carried out

If you introduce another client to us you will not be charged your next annual fee C/ del Mar, 33 - Galeria Alcana Local 11 Vera 04620 (Almeria) Tel: 950 39 06 21 Fax: 950 39 02 12 email: dcasesores@notin.net

Tell your visitors if they are not using the parasol put it down as those gusts of wind will blow it over and could break it or do some damage to poor Nan sitting their minding her own business.

Always good to use plastic glasses on your patio and around your swimming pools because when glass hits the tiles it flies everywhere and the children cry a lot when they get cut feet. If glass goes in your swimming pool the only way to get it out is to drain the water out, clean and then refill it again – yes expensive!!

Enjoy your summer with your families and most of all have fun, with or without the G & T´s.

Written by Chris of Furniture Plus

health & beauty

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Look Good

13

Feel Great

Tel: 950 121 936 sales@soltimes.com Reading labels is a great place to start. If you are unsure of an ingredient, question it! Go look it up.

We have free access to this information at the tip of our fingers. A simple Google search could save you a heartache of skin problems down the road.

Natural Tips for Treating Dry and Cracked Feet

It doesn’t need to be complicated! In fact, natural beauty is one of the simplest things going around and will leave your skin finally able to live out the natural beauty it was born to be.

Other than neglected hairy legs, one of the worst things about winter is having to put up with this frustrating and embarrassing problem of dry and cracked feet!

Four Simple Ways to Maintain Gorgeous, Smooth, Scale-Free Legs and Feet this Summer:

You know that feeling; the scratchy, itchy one. Just thinking about them sends a chill up my spine! I’m here to tell you that you needn’t put up with this nightmare of a thought come winter or any more winters to come! Time to breathe a sigh of relief.

1. Dry brushing your legs

We all know that the winter air can be very drying for our skin, especially if you live in a drier region with low humidity or use indoor heating.

Our poor feet often get neglected during these colder months. Whether you wear inappropriate footwear or rough it barefoot frequently; if you are someone who’s particularly active on your feet, overweight or pregnant; you are at particular risk of wearing down your soles if you don’t give them the appropriate TLC. When the sole loses its suppleness and elasticity, calluses may build up which can result in painful cracking and even bleeding.

Not to overlook the fact that in some cases, dry skin and cracking heels may be a sign of a zinc, vitamin or mineral deficiency. Most certainly, eating a healthy, whole foods diet will help significantly. It’s also important to nourish your body with lots of healthy fats which are vital for helping the body absorb the skin loving vitamins A, E and D and also for repairing and renewing skin cells. Ghee, coconut oil, butter, avocado and olive oil (to name a few of my favorites) are also great for promoting hormonal homeostasis and regulating your core body temperature. Be gone cold hands and feet!

A dry brush is simply a natural bristled brush that you use to exfoliate your skin with by brushing in large circular motions. It’s effective in stimulating blood flow, removing dead skin cells and encouraging skin cell regeneration. Use this on your legs and the tops of your feet before a shower. Bonus – you save water in the process!

2. Foot Soak Avoid soaking your feet in warm water for prolonged periods of time as this can have the adverse effect of further drying your skin. What you can do though, is pour ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar into a small tub of lukewarm water that you can soak your feet in for 10 minutes. Do this no more than 3 times a week. The ACV will help to soften the skin, preparing it for the next step.

3. Pumice stone This is a must-have for removing the thicker layers of built up dry skin that sometimes accumulates on hard working feet. A pumice stone is simply natural volcanic rock that works away at smoothing calluses and hard, dry skin. Only do this when your feet are wet! If you’re attacking a particularly difficult build up of skin on your feet, a daily habit of using a pumice stone when you shower will drastically help to smooth down your soles.

Whilst nourishing the skin starts from the inside, it’s certainly nice to be able to moisturize your legs and feet after a warm shower (or shave!) when your skin is especially susceptible to being left dry and stripped of its natural oils. After all, JUNE Opening Offer you also want to be able show your pins without feeling During the opening month we embarrassed that you’re putting on a scaly reptile show offer 30% discount on all for the public.

Now before you go out and stack your shopping basket with off-the-shelf commercial lines of moisturizers and serums, take a second look at what’s on their ingredient labels. It’s a complex list of synthetic chemicals that even the smartest fifth grader spelling bee champ can’t pronounce or spell. A large percentage of them are neither good for your skin, your body or the environment because remember, what doesn’t get absorbed by your own body will simply get washed down the drain.

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Sciatica - Back Pain - Sports Injuries Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Headaches - Arthritis - Skin Conditions Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria Monica Algañaraz Over 40 years experience in physiotherapy and osteopathic treatment. General postural assessment and holistic health checks available English spoken PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT MONICA ALGANARAZ: 695 355 381 Email: monica@centrophysis.net www.centrophysis.net EAST VALLEY (A7 Exit 529 Golf Course - Business Centre) Very near Garrucha, Turre, Los Gallardos Mojacar-Vera, Albox

14

June 2015

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer massive catalogues of Bytes. Today’s article is called “How to movies, TV shows, and Use the Internet to Never Leave Your original programming House Again”. I got inspired by an article that can reduce I was reading this morning about how you even the most stoic can get, and do, almost anything online!

Thanks to the Internet, activities like individuals into an “going outside” or “being a productive amorphous blob by the member of the community” are becoming time Monday morning increasingly optional parts of daily life. rolls around.

When your inner hermit feels like putting Amazon on his vampire cape, simple tricks like Though it shouldn’t come as news to ordering a pizza or calling in some anyone who’s owned a computer in the Chinese are old news, and only make up a small part of a much broader network of past 15 years, Amazon is the absolute delivery services which will keep you fed, easiest way to get anything and everything bathed, and entertained from the comfort you need in life dropped on your doorstep of your jogging-pants. With this guide, in two days or less. Lightbulb just went you may never have to taste fresh air or out or Kids need a new backpack, a pencil sunshine again. box, and notebook? As there slogan says For Today - ONLINE SHOPPING First, we’ll take a look at the essentials. “Amazon’s got it” YOU are in God’s waiting room! Enjoy Food ranks pretty high up on the list of “things you’ll need to survive today”, every day is if it was your last because one and with grocery delivery you can take day, it will be! Get out in the gloriously, all the hassle out of waiting in line at the wonderful climate that we have chosen to checkout and have your groceries brought live in, meet people and live. straight into your kitchen by the bagful.

There are so many things that you The reason there are so many different can do to get ‘out of the house’ For services is that their availability varies greatly by the region of the country example, you can learn classical ballroom you hail from, and for that matter, what dancing or traditional Swing-Jive, both country that you are in! Always check on a Wednesday afternoon, at different out who have been doing it the longest, venues, so no missing your favourite and, as such, have the widest maps of soaps, having to drive in the dark or be in serviceability. That said the increase in selection is substantial enough that the stifling hot room that has had a full days sun on it! Dancing has benefits to your wait is well worth it. health beyond the increased fitness you Netflix/Amazon Prime/Hulu Plus No wonder Blockbuster went out of will get, listening to music you love and business! Nowadays, you don’t even have maybe even grew up with, all make for a to have a cable subscription to amass better you! Look around, life is calling you! enough media content to last anyone Contact me for free advice concerning through the nuclear holocaust. Whether your computer, or to arrange an you’re watching from a bunker 100-feet under the surface or just want to veg out appointment, at the address or phone on the couch after a long week at work, number below. online streaming For further information or advice on services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk Amazon Prime have

Spirit of Ecstasy

Motoring began as a luxury pursuit with only the richest able to purchase a motor car. ‘Pimping your ride’ is a craze over a century old; posh car owners commissioned mascots or bonnet ornaments to personalise their vehicles. Nowadays the name Lalique symbolises the epitome of fine glass and crystal making. Rene Lalique set up his jewellers company in the 19th Century; as well as making perfume bottles he made 30 different bonnet mascots. In 1925 Citroen commissioned the five flying horses ornament for their then latest five horsepower car.

Affluent British motorists clamoured for the mascots and Knightsbridge, London was the ideal place to set up shop. Bugatti and Bentley owners flocked to the store. Some mascots were huge with coloured lights inside, making driving dangerously difficult as they obscured the chauffeurs view.

My favourites however are two different car bonnet ornaments; firstly the Citroen figurine of 2 horses’ heads found on old 2CVs. The CV is short for chevauxvapeur which in English means two horsepower, hence the figurine. The other is the Spirit of Ecstasy who has stood on the bonnet of nearly every RollsRoyce motor car that’s been built since 1911.

Charles Rolls started manufacturing cars in 1904 with Sir Frederick Royce selling them from his showroom in Fulham. Their partnership became the Rolls-Royce Company in 1906. The first cars only sported a badge and customers added their own often tasteless and gaudy ornaments which horrified Rolls-Royce. John Montague was the editor of Car Illustrated magazine;

pause for thought It must be guilty conscience, but I always feel a rush of adrenaline whenever I see a police car, convinced I’m about to be booked for something! So it was with some apprehension that I greeted a home-visit from the Guardia at 8.00 am the other morning. The next house is nearly a mile away, so it could only be me they wanted; unless of course they’d just come to admire the view!

But no, it seemed they wanted a friendly chat – great practice for my limited Spanish, as they enquired about local wildlife and the whereabouts of my nearest neighbours; leaving me with the encouraging impression that they were actually checking that it really was my house, and that I had reasonable knowledge of the locality. We parted the best of friends, with promises of further Spanish lessons when duties allowed.

But I guess I’m not unique in harbouring a certain dread of authority, especially here where laws frequently seem to change retrospectively, leaving me with little certainty of being above reproach.

And in many ways I guess that’s how a lot of us think of God - a sort of policeman in the sky, with the best videosurveillance system going, ready to pounce on us the

minute we inadvertently put a foot wrong!

But as with my preconceptions of the Guardia’s visit, this view of God couldn’t really be further from the truth. For yes, He’s certainly aware of all I think or do and is grieved by my rebellion against Him, so often pleasing myself rather than others. But, this doesn’t lead God to instant judgement, condemnation and punishment as we might expect, but to providing an alternative in Jesus, who in his suffering and death has himself accepted any penalty required, and in so doing has expunged all record of my offence.

It’s almost like a policeman saying “You’ve been caught speeding, but don’t worry, I’ll pay the fine myself if you’ll just agree.” Now that’s the sort of policeman I could really like!

Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired. com

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to www.findmeahome.eu as the articles are posted on there too...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: info@findmeahome.eu Telephone: 636 266 641

he later became the 2nd Lord Montague of Beaulieu. He was a friend of Rolls and Royce and suggested that they ask John Sykes an artist friend of his to design a bonnet ornament for Rolls-Royce. Montague had already used Sykes to design an ornament for his own Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

As a car enthusiast John Montague was one of the first members of the Automobile Club in London (now the RAC) and a young lady worked there called Eleanor Thornton, Montague was instantly attracted to her. He was however married so they kept a respectable distance. Then in 1902 Eleanor became his secretary at Car Illustrated and their love affair started. Apart from close friends their relationship stayed secret, as the Edwardian vagaries of class distinction meant they could never marry as Eleanor was simply too ‘common.’ Eleanor bore his illegitimate daughter in 1903 but she gave her up for adoption.

Eleanor modelled for Sykes in the designing of Montague’s bonnet ornament. The result is a woman wearing long flowing robes or a nightie according to rumour, pressing a finger to her mouth, a sign of their secret love. It was named The Whisper and the original can be seen at the Beaulieu motor museum in Hampshire. Rolls-Royce wanted to define their brand;

traits like grace and silent speed.

John Sykes said ‘here’s one I made earlier’ and altered the statue subtlety and so the Spirit of Ecstasy or ‘Emily’ came into existence As was often the norm with ‘those upstairs’ Lord Montague’s wife Lady Cecil Kerr tolerated the relationship between Eleanor and her husband, so when in 1915 he was asked to go to India as the Advisor on Mechanical Transport Services, Eleanor was allowed to accompany him instead of his wife.

On Christmas Day they left on the SS Persia, but tragedy struck five days later the ship was hit and sunk by a U-Boat torpedo. The lovers hit the water together but huge wave of water made him lose his grip on her and he was pulled underwater. When he got to the surface she was gone. Montague was rescued 2 days later and on returning to England he had the good fortune to read his own obituary. He searched for his beloved Eleanor for years, never believing she was dead. Heartbreakingly he wrote ‘I should have got a stronger grip on her!’

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15

16

Sundance Spas

June 2015

Pool Maintenance S.L.

Open: Monday - friday 9.30am - 2.30pm & 4pm -6pm Closed Saturday & Sunday

Telephone 607 658 540 for out of these hours

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caldera spa’s

Sunny 8,495€

Refresh 5 seater - 5,495€

Relax - 5 seater - 5,795€

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Pool Maintenance • Now taking on building work, terrace, extensions etc

Mojacar Showroom, Paseo de Mediterraneo, 165

Tel: 950 472 845 or 607 658 540 www.sundancespas.com • sundancespas@telefonica.net

PROPERTY supplement

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17

SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT

THE ONLY PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!!

LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE!

Spain’s Second Hand House Prices Fell by -0.1% in May

Spain, HomesAccording to the latest data from property portal, fotocasa.es, in collaboration with the IE Business School, the average price of second hand homes in Spain stood at 1,635 €/ m2 in May, and registered a monthly decline of -0.1%.

Quarter-on-quarter however, the price of housing increased by 0.5% in May, compared with January 2015.

The portal pointed out that the house price fluctuations witnessed in the last few months indicate a change in trend, although they stressed that it is “too early to talk about an immediate recovery”.

The average price of second hand homes in Spain have accumulated a decline of -44.6% since registering their all-time high in April of 2007, when the price per square metre reached 2,952 euros.

In fact, 10 regions have already registered declines in excess of -40% since their maximum prices recorded seven years ago.

The region where prices have fallen most is La Rioja, registering a decline of -55.8%, followed by: Navarra (-51.6%); Aragón (-50.2%); Murcia (-49.1%); Castilla-La Mancha (-48.9%); Valencia (-47.1%); Catalonia (-46.3%); Asturias (-45%); Madrid (-44.3%) and Andalucía (-43.7%).

Four regions registered a monthly increase in the price of second hand housing in the month of May, representing

a slowdown when compared with the number of increases registered in April of 2015, when the price increased in 15 regions.

The greatest price rise occurred in the Balearic Islands (1.4%), followed

by Murcia (0.5%), Catalonia (0.2%) and La Rioja (0.1%), while the declines registered in the other regions did not exceed a percentage point, with the steepest declines monthly being registered for Castilla-La Mancha (-0.9%) and Andalucía (-0.8%), followed by the Canary Islands, Extremadura and Navarra (all with a decline of -0.6%).

In terms of prices, the Basque Country is still the most expensive region of Spain, with an average price of 2,831 €/m2, followed by Madrid (2,210 €/m2) and Catalonia (2,076 €/m2). In contrast, the regions with the more affordable second hand housing prices are CastillaLa Mancha (1,132 €/m2), Extremadura (1,143 €/m2) and Murcia (1,169 €/m2).

In May, a total of 19 of the 50 Spanish provinces analysed recorded price rises in monthly terms, with increases ranging from 4.2% in Ávila to 0.1% in La Rioja.

In contrast, prices fell in 25 provinces, the greatest declines being those registered for Huelva (-3.5%), Cáceres (-2.3%), Albacete (-2.3%) and Zamora (-2.1%), while in six provinces, second hand home prices remained unchanged in this month.

NEW OFFICE Ronda de las Buganvillas 22 04621 Vera (Almería)

SAME PROFESSIONAL

SERVICE www.nicla-casas.com Tel. 950 133 508

PROPERTY supplement

18

June 2015

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 - www.daviessolicitors.com QUESTION: I am going to see my estate agent today to talk about marketing my property. Is there anything I should be looking out for ?

THE SIX QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR ESTATE AGENT BEFORE SIGNING CONTRACTS. 1. How much will you charge?

Estate agents in the Mojacar area usually charge a percentage fee, which varies between 3% and 6% of the agreed selling price for your home depending on the type of contract you choose. Ask if the amount quoted includes V.A.T. 2. Are there any other costs?

It’s at this point all good agents mention the EEC (energy efficiency certificate ) if they haven’t already. Legally, you must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EEC) conducted before putting your house on the market. These certificates usually cost between 150 and 250 euro. You will also have to take into account Plusvalía tax , a solicitors fee and Capital gains tax.

3. How will you market my home?

4. What type of contract do you use?

There are many different types of contract and each has its benefits and draw backs. The contracts can be classified in two main groups with many variations of each.

Multi agency – You can use as many agents as you like and only pay commission to the one who sells your property. The more agents you get working for you, the more potential buyers you will reach, and potentially the higher the offers you will get – but you will pay higher fees.

Sole agency – The agent is given the

exclusive right to sell the property. But if the contract is open-ended, the agent might be able to claim commission, even years after the contract is over (see below).Ask what happens if you sell the property yourself to someone not introduced by them ?

5. How long does the contract run?

Be careful with sole agency contracts that renew automatically unless cancelled (they are frequently used and cause a lot of problems).

If this is the case you must make sure that the when you request the cancelation , that the agent acknowledges it in writing (at least by e-mail ). If this is not possible you need to cancel by Burofax to enable you to prove that you did actually cancel the contract. This point causes many court cases.

6. What happens if we disagree on something?

It is not obligatory to have any type of qualification to become an estate agent in Spain and there is no obligatory membership to any governing body to which you can complain. Therefore if you cannot settle you dispute it would be necessary to go to court.

We recently organised a seminar with estate agents and judges in Moraira and it was clear that badly written and unclear estate agency contracts where causing many court cases.

Only go with an agent that you feel comfortable with. Keep away from potential bullies, as if you have a dispute only a court case can resolve it .

The estate agency contract is a very important document and we strongly recommend you have your solicitor take a look at it before it is signed.

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.

O Olive

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant) Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm

Fully Registered - From 101€ VAT inc.

www.olivehouse-es.com

Bedar (Los Pinos)

This great 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom country property is located in the sought after hamlet of Los Pinos, under 10 minutes from the picturesque village of Bedar.

The property boasts a lovely front

69,950€

terrace and garden area.

OLV970

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

urgently wanted for our belgian & dutch clients 2/3 bed villas & country properties in huercal-overa, zurgena & La alfoquia

Please contact our office in Huercal-Overa on

0034 950 616 827 or visit our website www.vosshomesspain.com 155a Carretera Estacion, Huercal-Overa, Almeria 04600

ALMERIA PROPERTY FINDER

We urgently require well priced legal properties in all areas 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

detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

info@almeriapropertyfinder.com

 950

431 624

658 811 628

almeriapropertyfinder.com this is a little gem

€125,000

20 mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views.

649 186 107

or email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

now priced to sell 69,995€

A lovely 3 bed, 2 bath 1st floor apartment in Turre with A/C, lift access, fitted kitchen & wonderful mountain views All amenities are within walking distance

tel: 697 887 372

♦ BUILDING SURVEYS - Totally independent report outlining any visible defects in accordance with photographic illustrations. ♦ CERTIFIED, LEGAL REPORTS available for litigious cases of building negligence or house damages. ♦ ANTIQUITY CERTIFICATES (pools, garages). ♦ HOME EXTENSIONS & REMODELATIONS considering full analysis of existing energy situation.

Architect Daniel Gozález 686 846 624 www.proinspectionreport.co.uk proinspectionreport@gmail.com

PROPERTY supplement

www.soltimes.com

The Profile of Spanish House Hunters

A survey of the public attending the recent Madrid International Property Show (SIMA) reveals some interesting new trends in the Spanish housing market.

Attendees of SIMA tend to be well informed and ready to buy, with financing in place. A detailed study of visitor profiles carried out

by Planner – the organisers of SIMA – in collaboration with the Sociedad de Tasacion valuations company revealed that “yet again that the main SIMA visitor profile is of someone coming with the intention of buying in the short term,” explains Eloy Bohúa, the managing director of Planner. “ Compared to previous years they have a bigger budget and foresee fewer difficulties in financing their purchase”.

An analysis of budgets finds that, between the survey carried out at the last show and this one, the percentage of people looking for property at the cheapest end of the scale (up to €150,000) has dropped from 36.5 per cent of the total to 22.1 per cent. At the other end, those looking for property priced at over €300,000 have gone from 12.8 per cent to 21.6 per cent. Meanwhile, 29 per cent are searching for property between €150,000 and €210,000, and 28.3 per cent between €210,000 and €300,000.

The main finding of this budget analysis is that the public attending SIMA this year have bigger budgets than those attending last year. However, it is also true that many of those surveyed are trading up, so they need to sell their current home to help finance the purchase, leaving plenty of uncertainty in the process.

Perceptions of access to mortgage financing has also improved dramatically in a year. At the previous show in 2014, 67 per cent of those surveyed thought they were very or quite likely to get a mortgage approved. This year that percentage goes up to 80.2 per cent. Last year 18.3 per cent said getting a mortgage was an obstacle to buying, this year only 9.1 per cent say that. Clearly, the figures showing a large increase in mortgage lending

calida homes

are feeding through into buyer perceptions.

Job insecurity is another obstacle to home purchase surveyed by SIMA, falling from 8.9 per cent last year to 6.3 per cent now, so the stronger economy and employment growth figures are leaving buyers more confident.

EXPECTATIONS OF LOWER HOUSE PRICES

19

www.espanarural.com Avenida 28 de Febrero 34, Albox 04800- Almeria.

We are now on the A334 road coming into Albox on the left hand side between the Grand Sport Shop and the Heaven Cafe/Bar. Villa Trigal - ESP 2498

125,000€

Cortijo Nido - ESP 2499

79,950€

Expectations of lower house prices have also narrowed, going from 6.8 per cent in 2014 saying house prices would continue falling, to 4.6 per cent this year. Expectation of lower prices are no longer one of the main reasons for delaying a purchase.

The majority may no longer expect house prices to decline further, but that doesn’t mean they think Spanish property prices are cheap. Just over 50 per cent say that house prices are still the main obstacle to purchase, down from 65 per cent last year. So, despite the huge price adjustment, home purchase is still out of reach for many people.

Regarding the survey’s findings, the general manager of ST, Juan Fernández-Aceytuno says that “an improvement in the economic situation, the stabilisation of prices, and the increase in mortgage approvals” has led to “an increase in consumer confidence and appeal among those who are currently planning to buy a home”. “It’s precisely these factors,” he continues, “that has renewed interest in the sector and are reflected in the survey”.

On the supply side, the show also illustrated how the Spanish property sector is evolving after years dominated by bankruptcies and bank repossessions. Developers were once again at the forefront of project marketing, after years with almost no role to play.40 per cent of the property on offer at the show was on the market for the first time, in response to a reactivation in demand. http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/

A villa in the Velez rubio area

A country house in the Arboleas area

• EXCELLENT VALUE BANK REPOSSESSION.

•4 Bedroom, 3 bathroom traditional country property

• 3 Bed 2 Bathroom 150m2 large Villa

•Large renovated needing some repairs

• 20 Hectares of mainly useful land

•Stunning views and a few mins from Arboleas

• Mains can be Reconnected

•Mains connected, good access.

Villa Montaña Vistas - ESP 2493 219,000€

A villa in the Albox area • Detached villa, stunning location, 5 mins to Albox.

• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, all with fitted wardrobes • Large plot of 2,698, private/walled, gated • Large stunning pool/BBQ area, changing room/toilet •All mains/A/C/fireplace/double glazed/garage, etc.

Cortijo Dios - ESP 2491

36,000€

A country house in the Lubrin area • Farmhouse in a small little Village 8km of Lubrin • Full renovation needed, 60m2 on to floors • Flat land of 600m2 excellent views • Good access, mains can be connected.

10-5pm Mon-Fri Sat 10-1pm Tel Office 950102505 Mobile: 654359607 e mail: info@espanarural.com web: www.espanarural.com

calida homes The Name You Can Trust Established In Arboleas since 2000 Now in new premises, Avenida Andalusia, Arboleas (the old Sofia's gym)

Price 174,950€

BOTH FULLY LEGAL AND CHARACTER PROPERTIES WANTED URGENTLY

cla 6571

3 bed 2 bath villa 930m plot with pool and views Arboleas

Price 199,950€

cla 6560

Immaculate 4 bed 3 bath luxury villa, Lots of extras including central heating, solar hot water, air con. beautiful low maintenance garden

Price 149,950€

cla 6561

Bargain 3 bed 2 bath villa Arboleas popular location close to the village private with lovely views swimming pool and summer house

From 123,000€

cla 6555

2 and 3 bed apartments Marcenas Golf Mojacar, ground floor and penthouse available finance available subject to status

Why choose us ?

Pro active, professional agents with over 15 years experience in the area • We do more than any other local agent to get your property sold • Extensive web and media marketing • Free videos of your property • Annual promotion of the area and properties at Belgian and Dutch property exhibitions • Competitive commission rates

Calida homes property Consultancy s.l - Almeria’s No1 Esatate Agent calidahomes@hotmail.com www.calidahomespropconsult.com

Office: 0034 950 430 763 - Richard: 0034 634 302 801 - Andrea: 0034 697 875 717

PROPERTY supplement

20

COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE COMPLETE MOJACAR PLAYA

RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE

We urgently need more properties for sale & rental for waiting clients

Ref: SP/LS - Beautiful, furnished 2 bed apart with aircon, private parking, pool & gardens. Terrace, mountain views, spacious lounge/diner with UK satellite channels.

MOJACAR - REDUCED -€94,950

Ref. CB/SK - Beautiful, modern, 3 bed, 2 bath villa with garage & large terrace with Jacuzzi with outstanding panoramic views of Mojácar Playa beach and mountains.

Ref. OA/RJ – Stunning 3 bed, 2,5 bath, 130 m2, duplex in renowned complex Oasis del Mar 1, terraces & solarium with sea views, fantastic pools/gardens, private parking, a/c.

MOJACAR – REDUCED - €249,950

Ref. ALB/MB/14 - Beautiful & modern, 2 bed, 2 bath apart. Private com pool, terr with sea views, air con, private parking space.

Mojácar REDUCED- €275,000 MOJACAR PLAYA - €149,950 Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo) Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631 

info@almeriaholidays.com

www.almeriaholidays.com

June 2015

For sale: two-bedroom apartment, tenant included in the deal

Banks are selling off repossessed homes even when there are still people living inside Around 36 percent of homes being sold

by Catalan lenders to real estate firms and investment funds have a tenant inside, according to sources from the Catalonia regional government. The properties in question have all been repossessed by banks from borrowers in default, who then cut a deal with the bank: by turning in the keys, the home reverted to the lender, the mortgage was canceled, and the homeowners became tenants instead.

But now, Catalan authorities fear that those families may end up being evicted by the new owners of the properties. The Catalan Housing Agency fears that these families may undergo a “double eviction” To stop this from happening, the regional government is considering purchasing a portfolio of homes in partnership with the municipalities where the 774 families affected by the problem have their main residence.

The cascade of home evictions and the loan restrictions triggered by the economic crisis has increased social housing needs.

Yet austerity measures have left regional authorities without the resources to properly address the issue.

The Catalan department of land and sustainability affairs has found that banks are selling homes at bargain basement prices, sometimes for prices as low as €6,000, the same sources said.. The Catalan government saw an opportunity there to enlarge its own stock of social housing by exercising its preferential purchasing rights over any bank transactions.

Authorities are looking to buy homes at below-market prices in the 72 locations with the greatest demand. The regional

housing commissioner, Carles Sala, has asked banks for a list of all the properties they are putting up for sale. From now on, the government will have to be apprised of any similar transactions.

Over the last six weeks, lenders have provided details about 2,150 properties that are being taken to market. This list will provide the basis for the Catalan government’s first purchases.

Around 72 percent of buyers of these repossessed homes are businesses, followed by private individuals, who pay higher prices. Business clients include investment funds such as Blackstone, which recently acquired a package of 44,000 mortgage loans from CatalunyaCaixa. Of these, around a thousand had already reached the foreclosure stage by the time the new owner took control. Most of the buyers, however, are anonymous real estate firms taking advantage of the low prices. Some companies have purchased between 10 and 20 apartments in low-income neighborhoods in downtown Barcelona for €14,500 each. Although these vary in location and size (ranging from 40m2 to 70m2), the sale price was identical.

The Catalan government has confirmed that rental management is not what these companies do, leading it to believe that the move represents speculative investment.

The new owners are expected to refurbish the homes or hold on to them until the market improves, later reselling them at a higher price. Rental management is not what these companies do, meaning that the move may represent speculative investment What authorities are concerned about is that among the 2,150 repossessed homes being sold on the market, 774 of them have tenants living inside.

www.immo-carlos.com email: info@immo-carlos.com Address: La Plaza Nueva, No 10, Albox (Opposite the Donkey Statue)

Office: 950 102 191 • Carlos: 648 505 938 • Gavin: 671 293 942 Oria, nice villa with 3 bed, 2 bath, On a bigger plot of 1.380m²

Arboleas, nice villa with 3 bed, 2 bath & a private pool

Partaloa, nice quality villa with 3 bed, 3 bath on a bigger plot!!

94.950€

157,000€

169.950€

Arboleas, very nice villa with 3 bed, 2 bath, private pool & views!!

Albox, Beautiful penthouse with 3 bed, 2 bath & private parking!

Limaria, Nice Quality villa with 3 bed, 2 bath & heated pool

179.950€

183.000€

200.000€

Properties Urgently needed in all areas

O www.soltimes.com

PROPERTY supplement

21

Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant)

Tel: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

Olive

Email: info@olivehouse-es.com www.olivehouse-es.com Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Sales Office Now Open in Bedar...it’s all in the detail

vera(valle de este) 69,000€

antas

OLV774

OLV943

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment located on the sought after golf resort of Valle de Este comes fully furnished with private terrace, communal pools and secure parking. Recently reduced, a great buy!

bedar(El Pinar)

240,000€

OLV965

285,000€

OLV972

275,000€

This fabulous renovated Cortijo boasts separate annex, private pool and numerous outbuildings.

It has been beautifully restored with wonderful gardens and approximately 30 minutes to the coast.

LUBRIN

140,000€

49,950€

OLV744

This quaint country house is located in a great location between Turre and Mojacar Pueblo and just 5 minutes from the coast. The property boasts 3 bedrooms and a good sized plot of over 1,500m2.

This stunning and unique 6 bedroom property needs to be seen to be appreciated. There are few properties on the market with this style and attention to detail. Designed by an award winning international architect.

alfaix

180,000€

This lovely authentic 3 bedroom Spanish Cortijo located in a beautiful setting less than 20 minutes to the coast. There is a large plot surrounding the property with much of it being classed as “urban” meaning further building would be allowed.

bedar

499,950€

OLV624

A deceptively large 3 double bedroom, 1 bathroom Cortijo set in rolling countryside just 5 minute drive from the pretty whitewashed market town of Lubrin. The property has an abundance of potential.

BEDAR

395,000€

OLV974

OLV500

Villa Serrania is a charming 2 bed, 1 bath country villa located just minutes outside the beautiful and picturesque village of Bedar. The property boasts a private pool, various terraces and wonderful views of the countryside and coastline.

mojacar

This large detached former Mill house is situated in the country close to Antas. It’s a 4 bed, 2 bath with some fabulous features including a private pool area and large workshop easily converted into extra accommodation. A must see at this reduced price.

lubrin

tabernas OLV961

OLV864

Located in the popular, former mining village of El Pinar de Bedar, this sizable and rare property was originally built for the one of the mine managers. This spacious property boasts some wonderful features and includes 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

bedar

245,000€

369,950€

OLV812

This spacious and exquisite 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa is located minutes from the sought after village of Bedar, just 10 minutes from major road links and 20 minutes from the wonderful coastal resort of Mojacar Playa.

This truly stunning 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Finca style property with splendid views of the Mediterranean and wonderful gardens is nestled in the hills within easy walking distance of the beautiful village of Bedar.

sorbas (Cariatiz) 85,000€ OLV973

This 4 bedroom, 1 bathroom village house is located in a small hamlet just a minutes drive from the friendly village of Cariatiz which boasts bar/restaurants, small supermarket and communal pool. A great lock up holiday home.

PROPERTY supplement

22

June 2015

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast !

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK API-V0174 VERA PLAYA

Casa Flor de Cerezo IA1496

• 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom • Large terrace of 19m² (south facing) • Fully furnished (sold as seen) • Outdoor communal pool • In the centre of the naturist area

W LOOKING FOR NE TIES COASTAL PROPER

www.almeriapropertyinvestments.com

SIERRO

This lovely private villa is for sale close to charming village of Bayarque The property is 3 bed, 2 bath, lounge, huge kitchen and dining area. Other features include walled garden and pool.

Casa Golondrinas IA1720 CANTORIA

Villa Irina IA1195

A beautiful high quality house in a peaceful location close to Cantoria. Property has a private garden with pool and barbecue area, a superb kitchen with granite worktops, large lounge/dining room with fireplace. Extra summer room.3e good sized bedrooms, two complete bathrooms with showers.

Ronda de las Buganvillas nº 42, Vera playa

Casa Bayarques IA1232

Large Villa in beautiful country location between Chirivel and Oria. house comprises, porch, lounge, kitchen, 3 double beds all with en-suite baths. Plenty of parking space and a 8x4 metre pool.

110,000€

71,500€

ANN 666 260 792 OFFICE 950 460 874

ORIA

174,950€

110,000€

ARBOLEAS

Beautiful luxury villa, at an amazing price!. This lovely property in Arboleas has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and is beautifully decorated throughout.The garden is landscaped with pool .A ‘must see’ property that is sold fully furnished.

140.000€

Plaza Nueva, 9 Albox (Almería) Telf. 950 120 406 info@inmobiliaria-almanzora.com www.inmobiliaria-almanzora.com

property group

Opening hours.

Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

Saturday 10.00 am to 1.30 pm

DUE TO INCREASE IN SALES WE URGENTLY NEED PROPERTIES IN MOJÁCAR, GARRUCHA, VERA AND TURRE. FREE VALUATION. NO FEES FOR ADVERTISING. Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563 www.veritashomes.co.uk • info@veritashomes.co.uk

PROPERTY supplement House Prices on the Coast Rose by 1.4% to May

www.soltimes.com

C a n a r y , IslandsAccording to the latest Tinsa IMIE General and Large Markets Index, the average price of housing in Spain in May, was 1.6% cheaper than at the end of 2014, similar to the accumulated decline recorded in the Balearic and Canary Islands with respect to December 2014, which stood at 1.5%.

In contrast, the towns of the Mediterranean Coast are the only one of the areas analysed by the appraisal company who closed the first five months of this year with positive figures (+1.4%), although the average price is still 2.3% below that registered in May 2014.

Capitals and Large Cities registered the worst figures in May among the areas analysed, with a year-on-year decline of 4.9%. The Metropolitan Areas registered a decline of 3.8% over the same period of the previous year, and in the smaller towns, grouped in the Other Municipalities category, the average price fell by 2.7% compared with May 2014.

Thus, according to Tinsa’s data, the average price of housing in

PRICE BROWN

23

PARTNERSHIP

ESTATE AGENTS/INMOBILIARIA/MANTENIMIENTO - MOJACAR

SALES, RENTALS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT VENTAS, ALQUILERES Y MANTENIMIENTO

Vera

Mojácar

Playa

109,000€

70,000€

A1229

A1236 Bright and airy penthouse apartment of 44.56 m2 in a very attractive and well kept complex with 1 bed and 1 bath. Community pool.

24 hour security. 55 m2 terrace.

Spain has accumulated a decline of 42.1% since the maximum values reached in 2007. The Mediterranean Coast is the area where prices have dropped most in the past eight years, registering an accumulated decline of 48.8%, followed by the Capitals and Large Cities and the Metropolitan Areas, with accumulated adjustments reaching 46.5% and 44.8%, respectively.

In contrast, El Mundo reported that the most moderate accumulated declines have been registered in the Balearic and Canary Islands, dropping by 32.1%, and in the Other Municipalities (-35.6%).

Source keyero.com

2 bed, 2 bath ground floor apartment on Marina de la Torre. Build size of 78m2 and a terrace of 26m2. Community pool and gym. Garage space and storage room.

Vera

Mojacar

Playa

89,000€

69,900€

LV704 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse in a very nice area of Mojacar. Build size of 60m2.

Furnished as per inventory. Nicely decorated.

Sea views from terrace.

A1231 Superb 2nd floor penthouse apartment of 52m2. Sea views and views of Mojacar Village. 2 community swimming pools.

Furnished as per inventory. Parking.

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

Members of the National Association of Estate Agents Overseas

Monday - Friday 9:30am - 6pm We are able to organise Energy Efficiency Certificates at very competitive prices Contact us for more details 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

Focusing on smaller area to give our clients a better service.

WE URGENTLY NEED PROPERTIES IN THE Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia Zurgena & Taberno Areas.

Voss Homes is a local, friendly and professionally run family business and we offer:

• 10 years proven track record of selling properties locally • Office in prime location to give clients confidence • F ree realistic valuations, we do not over value just to get your property listed • We bring real buyers, not time wasters • Multi-lingual team for multi-national clients • E xtensive internet advertising inc Rightmove, A Place In the Sun, Kyero etc • Extensive newspaper & magazine advertising • Suggestions on how to help us to sell your property

• Effective working partnerships with other estate agents to increase your chances of selling • Free paperwork checks and advice on updating your deeds.

We speak and read Spanish • No sole agency lock-ins • No upfront charges. We get paid when we have done the job • Low commissions for the hard work and quality service provided • Huge amount of Belgian & Dutch etc buyers

Please call 0034 950 616 827 / 0034 678 002 006 / 0034 667 891 741 or email: info@vosshomesspain.com

www.vosshomesspain.com

Office: 155a Carrerera Estacion, Huecal-Overa. 1km off the A7 motorway at exit 553. 100metres from Lidl.

PROPERTY supplement

24

June 2015

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665 517 643 Steve

Legal adviser - insurance agent Juan Rubio Granados Conveyancing ● vehicle registration & all other Legal requirements ● NIE / Residencia ● Wills Fiscal / Labour & much more

FOR BUSINESS

C/Balcones Portal 1, 1B 04600 Huercal overa (Almeria)

Building Maintenance & Property Repair No job TOO Big nor TOO Small

Blockwork - Plastering - Damp Proof Concreting - Tiling - Roofing Painting - Cladding - Rejas...

Painting & Decorating Special Offer

Fully Legal

Please Call: 950 930 536 or 634 306 690 or email: ArboleasBuilder@gmail.com

valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!!

Phone or email for a no obligation quote

UniCraft

Steven Smith - Arboleas Builder

Happy to provide a Quotation without Obligation

Email: info@asesoriajrubio.com Tel: 0034 950 471 596 0034 950 135 489 Fax: 0034 950 616 621

610 905 173

Avda 28 de Febrero 04800, Albox Almeria, Spain 950 120 900 / 615 647 058 info@shinform.net www.shinform.net

Upholstery

We upholster all type of chairs & sofas

• Cushion foam replacement • Large fabric selection • Over 30 years experience • Free in-home estimates

Tel. 692 176 069

e-mail: unicraftspain@gmail.com • www.unicraft.es Member of: www.arboleas.co.uk/forum

Steve Hayes Informática http://www.facebook.com/shinform

ANOTHER GREAT INSTALL BY: mobile:

MOBILE VEHICLE VALETING PART & FULL VALETS - T CUTS & POLISHING - INTERIORS UPHOLSTERY CLEANING - SOFAS AND RUGS

painter & decorator

friendly - reliable - also general house & garden maintenance electrics - TILING - POOL GROUTING

ring for a free quote

Tel: 649 186 107 or

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

699 909 737 office:

950 528 334 E-mail:

solosat@gmail.com

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Volcano

The day was strangely quiet. A fundamental calm hung in the air. Noone hurried, life was in slow motion.

The windless heat of late morning had a soporific effect, enhanced by a certain mystery which seemed omnipresent, something unsaid, or yet to be done.

Loco Paco was seemingly in a trance most of the time but today he was more vacant, more confused, more preoccupied.

His pet Saharan Dung Beetle, Benjy hadn’t been watered or fed and ‘chirped’ noisily in its enclosure. Paco was deaf to the protests as he stared absent-mindedly towards the distant and pollution shrouded horizon.

Manuela, sleep deprived and fatigued after an adventurous night with the brass section of a visiting philharmonic orchestra wondered at the serenity of the morning.

The stillness was almost tangible. Manuela felt at peace yet a certain excitement ran through her every fibre. She knew the day would be different, she knew something momentous was brewing.

Rodriquez, who would usually be pulling the wings off butterflies stared at the wonders of his garden. He smelt the flowers instead of treading them under foot. He spread bread for the birds instead of removing the bell from the cat’s collar. He was euphoric.

He even kissed his wife before setting off for his day’s work. His wife was of course immediately suspicious and engaged a firm of private investigators to follow him, but we digress.

For the first time in living memory the Village was at peace. Bonhomie was everywhere. If it wasn’t such a novelty it would have been rather sickening. A black cloud was however on the horizon. A actual black cloud on an actual horizon rather than the metaphoric variety. First, the cloud appeared then the earth shook and banged. Manuela noticed

viewpoint it first, any sort of banging and her ears, as well as o t h e r strategic b i t s , pricked up.

L o c o Paco shook himself from his daydreams as his pet beetle picked up the first of the vibrations before hiding in the darkest recess of its kennel.

Paco watched the approaching cloud with awe, he was transfixed.

Rodriquez, apart from wondering why two men in trilbies and trench-coats were shadowing him mouthed the word ‘volcano’ as a white dust precipitated out from the cloud which now completely covered Alqueria.

Manuela remembered her visit to Pompeii, of the bodies petrified by hot ash while copulating. ‘What a way to go’ she thought and immediately propositioned a extremely grateful passer-by. Paco was still transfixed, in fact he was transfixed three weeks after the events which prompted this tale.

Rodriquez, ever the hero hid in the cellar of the Olive Mill until hunger and thirst drove him to the surface.

So, what mountain had erupted so suddenly and unexpectedly?

After some investigation it was found that a blocked condensation tube in Poyato’s illicit Remitroot still caused a blow back and flash-fire which resulted in the volcano-like eruption.

Poyato emerged smouldering and blackened but somehow elated after being covered from head to foot in Remitroot-theexplosion.

Found It!

The dread day was approaching ever nearer when both cats had an appointment at the vets on the same day.

In the past we have borrowed Nancy’s box, which opens on the top, and which serves the needs of cats, owners, and vet. It is a comfy box, easy to get the cat into, and from which it does not have to be removed for treatment.

But Nancy’s box is but one, and we have 2 cats. They can’t share – apart from the inter-cat bloodshed that that would provoke, the box is a one-cat size. So Pete and I began an intensive quest for a top opening box.

Pete trawled the Web, while I pestered everybody I could think of, but our efforts were in vain. Pete’s best shot was a dog box, which had a small top opening, so there was still far too much chance of resistance in the form of arms and legs appearing spontaneously and acting as entry-preventative braces.

I was listened to with interest, but with the invariable response: If you find one, let us know, we’ve been looking for something similar for ages!

I was becoming increasingly despondent. We would just have to use Nancy’s box twice and make 2 journeys. If we did this, we would get the first cat in, but by the time we returned the second cat would have either have disappeared, or, if confined to the house, would be in full combat mode.

Cats, or at least our cats, are not meek and subservient animals.

25

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk They are superior beings, to be treated with deference and respect, and stuffing them unceremoniously through a small hole into a cage, then heaving them out through the same small hole only for a stranger to poke a needle into their skin does not, in their opinion, come anywhere near deference and respect.

But the darkest hour, they say, is just before dawn. I went into the pet shop in Albox, and there, right in front of me, was a very small top-opening box, with a picture of a rabbit on it.

‘I want a box just like this, but bigger.’ I pleaded. ‘For a cat.’ I explained.

The owner is a tall man, but even he had to stretch up to reach a very dusty box on the top shelf.

‘Like this? This is the best type of box for a cat. It is difficult to get a cat in if the door is in the front.’

Oh yes, and do I know it!!

puzzle pages

26

June 2015

Take That are heading out on a MASSIVE arena tour

alan carr

Yapping his way around the UK with his brand new stand

The Open 2015

across the UK

up show Yap, Yap, Yap!

from £10

take that

Experience The Open at the Home of Golf.

Practice day tickets

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE plus MANY OTHER EVENTS AT WWW.SOLTIMES.COM picture quiz!

Spot the Ball (or guess where it was before it was cunningly removed) Answers

wordsearch treasure island

soltimes general knowledge Quiz

2. In darts, what is the lowest with a single dart?....................

3. Which sports playing area is 2.7 metres by 1.5 metres?.........

4. Which sport do the Oklahoma City Thunder play?...

5. In Athletics, what is the last event of the Decathlon?............

6. Who was the first cricketer to achieve 10,000 runs in test cricket?....................................

7. What is the highest possible break in snooker, 147, 150, 155?

8. Who were the runners up in the Europa League Final of 2010?.......................................

QUARTERMASTER SAIL SCHOONER SEAFARING SEAMEN SHIP SKELETON SPY-GLASS SQUIRE TRELAWNEY THE BLACK SPOT TREASURE WALRUS TAXI THREE’S COMPANY WALTONS

9. James Naismith invented which sport?............................

10. 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds is the fastest ever winning time for what race?..........................

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

wordsearch answer

COVE CREW CUTLASS DR. LIVESEY GUINEAS HISPANIOLA ISLAND ISRAEL HANDS JIM HAWKINS JOLLY ROGER LOGBOOK LONG JOHN SILVER MAROONED MUSKET MUTINY PARROT PIRATES PISTOL

standard SUDOKU

ADMIRAL BENBOW INN APPLE BARREL ASHORE BEACH BEN GUNN BILLY BONES BLACK DOG BUCCANEER BURIED GOLD CABIN BOY CANNON BALLS CANNONS CAPE CAPTAIN FLINT CAPTAIN SMOLLETT CHEST COAST COMPASS

easy SUDOKU

CRYPTIC crossword

6. A View To A Kill 7. Holland 8. King Arthur 9. Pyro 10. Frank Rijkaard

CROSSWORD

1. Methuselah 2. Michael Collins 3. Carousel 4. Singapore Sling 5. Some Like It Hot

SOLUTIONS

largest pitch?........................... score that CANNOT be scored

TREASURE ISLAND WAS WRITTEN BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Answers

Find and circle all of the words and names from the book Treasure Island. The remaining 46 letters spell a secret message.

Gavasker 7. 155 8. Fulham FC 9. Basketball 10. The Grand National

1. Which ancestor of Noah is also the name of an oversized Champagne bottle that holds six litres?............................................

2. Which Apollo 11 astronaut did not set foot on the moon?...............................................

3. FC Liverpool’s signature song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ stems from which musical?......................................................

4. Which cocktail, named after a city, was invented by the Raffles Hotel barkeeper Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915?............................

5. Spats Columbo is the bad guy in which popular black and white film?.......................

6. Which James Bond theme song that starts with the words “Meeting you” was the only 007 theme song to reach number one in the US charts?....................................................

7. Which national team introduced ‘Total Football’ at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in Germany?....................................................

8. According to legend, which man rode horses named Llamrei, Hengroen and Passelande?................................................

9. What is the Greek word for fire?................

10. Which Dutch footballer earned the nickname ‘Llama’ after spitting on the West German striker Rudi Völler during a 1990 FIFA World Cup game?..................................

soltimes sports Quiz

1. Which sport is played on the

1. Polo 2. 23 3. Table Tennis 4. Basketball 5. 1500m 6. Sunil

sol

1.A1 2. F2

on this day 12th JUNE

1381 – Peasants’ Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.

1665 – England installs a municipal government in New York City (the former Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam).

1889 – Eighty are killed in the Armagh rail disaster near Armagh in what is now Northern Ireland.

1942 – Anne Frank receives a diary for her thirteenth birthday.

1994 – Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman are murdered outside her home in Los Angeles, California. O.J. Simpson is later acquitted of the killings, but is held liable in wrongful death civil suit.

1994 – The Boeing 777, the world’s largest twinjet, makes its first flight.

puzzle pages

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27

To advertise in this space

across 1. Assortment (7) 5. Group of insects (5) 8. Large herbivorous mammal (5) 9. Pagan (7) 10. Unfeigned (7) 11. Ledge (5) 12. Lifted (6) 14. Appraise (6) 17. Notions (5) 19. Fruit (7) 21. Direction (7) 22. Taut or rigid (5) 24. Days of the month (5) 25. Embroiled (7)

Down 1. Chart (3) 2. Inert gas (5) 3. Dissimilar (7) 4. Reverberated (6) 5. Photos (5) 6. Attain (7) 7. Public declaration (9) 10. Decorated food (9) 13. Imprecise (7) 15. Abridge (7) 16. Captured (6) 18. Secret agents (5) 20. Invalidate (5) 23. Conclusion (3)

STANDARD CROSSWORD

STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES

Contact our sales advisors on 950 121 936 or email: sales@soltimes.com

SUDOKU PUZZLE s

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.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

standard

easy

squiggle

ACROSS

Down

7 Move stealthily south, before Kane has another look (5) 8 Get in - in French, Eric’s lively (9) 10 Church - true grain? (6) 11 Most fortunate cults Ike produced (8) 12 Brought out dress set when moving (8) 13 Completed some love rituals (4) 15 Large first year intake of nothing?

Look for science! (7) 17 Is Student’s Union good when taking in and giving out? (7) 20 Part of the world is brought up in a note (4) 22 Record about soldier, saint and queen (8) 25 Water edge, surrounding universal home for fish? (8) 26 Didn’t remember to do without time (6) 27 Places with the best view of art?

(9) 28 Produces brands? (5)

1 Hesitant international body destroys a cretin (9) 2 Parting with freshers at 6 - “are we learners?” (8) 3 Let in and incorporated lustful reports (7) 4 Cherished, as a metal might be (8) 5 Next to live dies out (6) 6 Opening trees, trees opening (5) 9 First lecture in the morning’s “charity” (4) 14 Seven pole-dancing letter holders (9) 16 Large ice sections, initially moving, not English? (8) 18 Increase flow towards the source? (8) 19 Attempted to take 2000, then cut back (7) 21 Constant horses (6) 23 Present soldier with newspaper (4) 24 The same peer? (5)

FOOD & DRINK

28

FOOD & DRINK... Mexican

Is Mexican Food Really Mexican?

June- 2015

know that Native Americans are the originators the corn tortilla? Or that the quesadilla, a staple food in Mexico, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican foods?

The Spanish invasion in 1521 led Cortez to bring unknown meats and spices to Mexico. Animals that had never been seen in Mexico arrived; cows, sheep and pigs. Spices such as garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander and oregano also arrived. These additions changed the flavors and dishes of Mexican cuisine forever. The chili pepper is truly indigenous to Mexico.

It can be grown and harvested from mild to absolutely scorching hot! As Mexican food began to enter the United States, another alteration occurred.

Americans added more fats and cheeses to the food to make it taste better, thus adding to the caloric count of many dishes.

The largest American influence on Mexican cuisine occurred in the Southwestern United States. You have probably heard of ‘Tex-Mex’ food or New Mexican food. New Mexico food is a blend of Native American, Mexican and American foods.

New Mexican cuisine is best known for its green chili dishes. Just knowing Mexican food is a delight with all the spices and unique tastes that some of the basic facts about Mexican food does not change the delightful come with our favorite dishes such as enchiladas, burritos and fajitas. taste and flavor of the food. Mexican food can be easily cooked at home, but Most of us believe that all of these dishes and flavors are derived from who doesn’t enjoy a fabulous meal at a Mexican restaurant? foods that are indigenous to Mexico.

Many of your favorite Mexican restaurants offer restaurant delivery. By using This is not entirely true. The Mexican food that we enjoy today is a restaurant delivery service you can enjoy the rich taste of your favorite a blend of Mexican, Spanish, French, and Native American. Did you restaurant dishes in the comfort of your own home.

Smoky pork & black bean tacos Mexican pork chilli with a smoky barbecued flavour, served in crispy tortilla shells with ripe avocad o

Spicy seafood stew with tomatoes & lime

Ingredients:

2 tsp vegetable oil ½ red onion, chopped 2 tsp each smoked paprika and grou nd cumin 500g pack lean pork mince 300ml passata 5 tbsp barbecue sauce 400g can black beans, drained small bunch coriander, chopped 8 taco shells 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced ½ iceberg lettuce, finely shredded soured cream, to serve (optional)

Mexican-inspired one-pot casserole is packed with shellfish, white fish and plenty of chilli

Ingredients:

Method:

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and cook for 5 mins until softened. Sprinkle over the spic es and cook for 1 min more. Add the mince, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon, and stir until cooked through.

Stir the passata and barbecue sauc e into the pan along with 4 tbsp water. Increase the heat and allow the sauce to bubble and reduce until it clings to the meat. Add the beans, season and cook for a further 2 mins, then stir in the coria nder. Heat the tacos following pack instructions.

Use the pork and bean mix to fill the tacos, top with slices of avocado, shredded iceberg lettuce and a dollo p of soured cream, if you like.

2 dried ancho or guajillo chillies 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp chipotle paste or 1 tsp smoked hot paprika 1 tsp ground cumin

700ml chicken stock 250g chopped tomatoes 200g large peeled raw prawns 300g halibut or other firm white fish fillets, cut into 2½ cm pieces 300g clams 500g small new potatoes,

Method

halved and boiled juice 2 limes To serve lime wedges 1 avocado, chopped handful coriander leaves 1 small red onion, finely diced corn tortillas, sliced and baked

Toast the chillies in a hot dry frying pan for a few moments (they will puff up a bit), then remove. Deseed and stem chillies, and soak in boiling water for 15 mins.

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, season and cook for about 5 mins or until softened. Add the chipotle paste, reconstituted chillies, cumin, stock and tomatoes. Sauté for 5 mins, then purée until very fine in a blender. Pour back into the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins. When close to eating, add the prawns, fish fillets, clams and potatoes. Place a lid on top and cook for 5 mins over a medium-high heat. Add the lime juice and serve with lime wedges, avocado, coriander, red onion and tortilla chips for sprinkling over.

FOOD & DRINK

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Top tips for healthy Mexican cooking

29

dark chocolate will mean you won’t be able to binge on it quite as much too.

8. Eat up your greens Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to a whole host of wild greens, pumpkins, courgettes, cacti, tomatoes and wild herbs.

Eating more fruit and vegetables will give you a healthier, lower fat diet full of the right vitamins and minerals.

9. Be full of beans Beans are an amazing source of protein. Black beans, black eyed beans, borlottis, flor de mayo, pinto, chickpeas and lentils are all different types of beans and pulses favoured by the Mexicans. Bake em, fry them, boil them, puree them, just add them to your meals as an alternative or an addition to meat and you will be packing your body with the right things.

10. Just add seeds Pumpkin seeds Camino aljambra No 116, albox 04800 Tel 950 064 615 Amaranth and pumpkins seeds are both packed full of good oils and essential minerals as well as protein.

Sprinkle them on salads, use them in puddings, fuel summer Opening Hours: that body!

Tuesday - Saturday 6pm til late

1. Char your salsas The secret to a good salsa is to dry-roast the tomatoes, chillies and onion to get maximum flavour. Other than that no fat is needed in the salsa at all so you can ladle on heat, flavour and a touch of sparkle (and vitamins) to simple, healthy food.

2. Slow-cook fattier, cheaper cuts When you slow-cook the cheap cuts, an amazing flavour comes from the marbled fat running through the joints. But by slow-cooking meat like this, the fat slowly dissolves in the sauce. If you slow-cook a cheap cut one day and allow to cool, you can spoon off excessive fat the next day, whilst also allowing all the flavours to improve overnight making healthier, better tasting food.

3. A little goes a long way Mexican food is all about balancing the different food groups. Whilst you might have a deliciously fatty cut of meat that you have cooked for dinner, you don’t have to have too much of it if you have a delicious, healthy bowl of baked beans, some corn tortillas, rice and lots of fresh salsas. Limiting how much of the fattier, more calorific meats you serve will drastically reduce the amount of bad fats and cholesterol you are eating.

4. Add a touch of fire Chillies are known for their ability to get the digestive system going, facilitating weight loss. If you really are determined to fit into a bikini that’s too small, up the ante with the chillies and you will have your system flying at full speed in no time.

Try light, healthy starters like ceviches and tostadas that are big on flavour and protein but low in fat.

5. And a touch of spice Seasoning food with Mexican spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice and oregano will result in deeplyflavoured, delicious tasting food. Eating food that is full of flavour (rather than bland low-fat foods specially geared for dieters) will leave you feeling more satisfied with what you’ve eaten and less like craving other bad foods afterwards.

6. Sweeten with agave syrup Agave syrup is a low GI, slow burn sugar from the agave plant, grown in Mexico. If you do have a sweet tooth, try sweetening your coffees, puddings and fruit salads with agave rather than conventional sugar.

Free Bottle of wine 7. Eat proper chocolate per couple to take away Mexico is home to the cacao plant. Eating chocolate that has more cacao and less sugar is far better for you after having our night menus and will lessen your sugar cravings. Try working your way up the cacao scale from milk chocolate (which can Valid only with this voucher be as low as 24% cacao) to darker milk chocolates and finally to deeply dark chocolates. The rich flavour of the dinner 19.00-22.00 until 30th june

Mesón de

Irene

SPRING crazy offer

La

V

air-conditioned

a r at L summe thisThursday 25th June

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@ gmail.com Open every day 12pm - late

Vida

North South Boys American theme night with BBQ

Saturday 18th July Steve Fisher - all your favourite Rod Stewart songs, free entry, food available Watch this space for more info...

Have you tried our Sharing Platters?

Whole Roasted Chicken with lemon, garlic & onion Or Rack of Sticky BBQ Ribs Served with hand-cut Chips, alioli, bread & salad, just 9.99€ for 2 to share

Highlights from our Menu Homemade Pie of the Day

Chef’s choice of filling, including : Steak & Ale, Chicken & Mushroo m, Minced Beef & Onion,

Homemade Beer-Battered Hake

Served with creamy homemade tartare sauce, hand-cut chips & peas

Pan-fried Chicken Breast

Juicy Chicken breast served in a creamy mushroom sauce

Vegetable Stir-Fry

Assorted fresh Vegetables in soya sauce, ginger & garlic served with noodles

Rib-Eye Steak

Succulent 8oz Rib-Eye Steak serv ed with your favourite accompaniments

Sea Bass Fillet

Pan-fried fillet of Sea Bass serv ed on a bed of sautéed leeks & cabbage

Scrumptious Homemade Puddings

Sunday 1pm - 4pm & 6pm - 10pm Free salsa workshop every wednesday from 6 - 7 (booking only) sunday roast from 1pm - 4pm booking only main course 6.95€ including desert 7.50€ FREE DESSERT WITH THIS COUPON with purchase of one main course Not valid for Sunday roast Offer valid from 10/06 to 31/06

Situated near Corner Shop & Loulou’s

call or Vist our facebook page for more Information

traditional home cooked sunday lunch

8.95€

Beer battered cod

from

from

topside of beef fillet of pork roast chicken fish of the day served with Roast Potatoes, Vegetables & Homemade Gravy inc a free glass of wine or tubo booking recommended served 12.30PM - 5PM

homemade chips & peas

5.95€ in the Bar

FRIDAYS 12.30pm - 9pm

lite bite snacks open for lunch 12.30pm - 4PM

We are here

Albox

LIVE PREMIER uk FOOTBALL

Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Huercal Overa

Junc 547

30

Tel: 950 121 936

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION MOJACAR BRANCH

Meetings are held 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at the Artisan Centre of Mojacar Pueblo at 11.15am. There is no need to have served in the Armed Forces, all welcome.

There is a summer recess during July and August and the next meeting will be on Thursday 3 September, for registration and Bucks Fizz! The President, Mick, will be in Maskos Coffee Shop of Mojacar Parque between 11am and 12am on Thursdy 18 June if anyone would like to know more about the Royal British Legion and in particular Mojacar Branch. Social Events: June 13. Black and White Jazz night at Laguna Restaurant with four different entertainers. (Poppy appeal fund raiser) June 18. Coach trip to Viator Army Base or shopping in Almeria. 11€pp.

July 6. Hawiian theme lunch at La Parata restaurant at 13.30 (Poppy appeal fund raiser) For more details please e mail Eileen Huard on socialevents. rblmoj.3485@gmail.com or 619372474.

Guest speaker on June 4 was Adele Land who talked to us about life in the travel/airline world and was well received by the members.

F.A.C.E. Summer Market

F.A.C.E. (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone), is pleased to announce that it will be holding it’s Annual Summer Market, for the second year in succession, at the Bar Kubatin underneath the Hostel Meson in Arboleas, on Friday evening the 26th June.

The event is to be held in the evening and will open to the public from 6-00pm until late.

There will be a Raffle, a Hundred Numbers Game, Tombola and many market stalls. Some will be inside the Bar Kubatin it’s self and others will be in the large court yard to the rear of the bar.

Entertainment will be provided by Smooth FM Radio and an exhibition of Line Dancing will be performed by Carrie’s Dusty Boots.

Food and refreshment will be provided by the Hostel Meson.

Any one interested in running a stall on the evening can do so by contacting F.A.C.E through either its Facebook page or by visiting the website at www.face-charity.com and the price of a stall is only €5 per metre.

For further information on either F.A.C.E. or the Summer Market please contact Adele Wrigglesworth on telephone number 667 255 094.

- community news -

sales@soltimes

Living water Church

Mojacar. An Evangelical informal service at 4.00pm every Sunday, opposite Red Cross Centre on Mojacar Playa.

Contact Pastor David Hamilton 697 522 521 John 950 529 321 Margaret 950 477 063 For more info visit www.livingwate rchurchmojacar.com

June 2015

Helping Animals Almanzora

WHAT’S GOING ON IN MOJACAR?’

to receive regular newsletters with Mojácar events please send your email address to info@mojacar.es

Cabrera Music Club

A non-profit making venture We are still working on the Cabrera Music Club venture! And keener than ever.

We have had a couple of fantastic events and everyone has been delighted, which has spurred us on to further endeavours.

July.. Never been done in Cabrera before !!!!

We have arranged, by popular demand, a classical “String Quartet” concert evening on Tuesday July 14th.

Through our connections we have met with a well known international violinist, Michael Thomas who started the world famous “Brodsky Quartet”.

We have arranged for him to form a quartet to play in Los Pastores courtyard, and he has chosen other top musicians to accompany him, namely José Vélez (violin 2), Clara García (Viola) and Paloma García (cello). Though these musicians are coming from as far as Seville and Alicante, they will be playing as “Quarteto OCAL” They will be starting with the “Dvorak American Quartet”, there will then be approximately a 20 minute break, and then this will be followed by “Schubert´s Rosamunde”. These are both very popular pieces for a string quartet and this should be an exceptional night.

As this will be a concert situation, there will be Cava and canapes served at 7.00pm included in the entry price of 18 euros. Concert starts at 8.00pm. Though drinks will be available in the interlude and can be preordered by early arrivals, we are only allowing meals to be served after the completion of the concert at approximately 9.30. Please support us in this special event as we attempt to please all tastes.

We feel this will be a good start preceeding the Piano Concert on September 5th with Pedro Valero, pianist and singers Maria Garcia, soprano and Antonio Magno, tenor presented by the Cabrera Social Committee.

Thank you, Cabrera Music Club

Helping Animals Almanzora had their Spring Gala Charity Event on Saturday 30th at Hostal Meson.

Despite the initial downpour and thunder and lightening that did it’s very best to hinder the proceedings an amazing 3,308 euros was raised.

250 buffet tickets were sold and even more people came along and joined in on the raffle and Auction.

Entertainment was provided by Doggy, Nic Spatoni, Two of Us and Danny Ogden who had their work cut out when they had to set up and take down all the equipment twice due to the weather.

The team at HAA would like to say a big thank you to all the local businesses and people who donated items and everyone who helped out on the night and of course a big thank you to everyone who turned up and ensured it was a big success.

Puppy Rescue

Puppy Rescue Albox has moved from Calle Malaga to Avenida Lepanto. The new shop is located next to Sol Supermercado on Avenida Lepanto, on the corner opposite Mercadona.

Of course Puppy Rescue can only live up to its name if it continues to receive support. If you have good quality items such as clothing, household goods or gifts – please drop them off to the shop. And of course it would be only right to

ARE YOU APPLYING FOR RESIDENCIA IN SPAIN?

TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING ALL THE LEGALITIES AND REQUIREMENTS? ASSSA HAVE THE SOLUTION FOR YOU! Did you know that you need proof that you are covered for healthcare in Spain when applying for the residence certificate? In 2012 the Spanish Goverment changed the legislation regarding the healthcare system and you will find the requirements when applying to be very detailed and rigorous.

ASSSA now issue health insurance policies specifically designed for residencia purposes. We supply all the policy documents and certificates necessary to meet the health cover required for residencia in Spain. So whatever your problem, if ASSSA can help –we will!

ASSSA – Experience, Expertise & Customer Service Our personal service is unique. Our friendly, multilingual employees are happy to inform you about our policies without any obligation to purchase. Our philosophy is to answer all clients’ queries fully and with complete honesty. Many of our clients join us on recommendation from existing ones, which is a clear indication of our unique service. At ASSSA you will be allocated a personal advisor who speaks your language and assists with any

have a browse for something new for yourself while there.

Puppy Rescue is a registered charity located in Albox, Spain.

Since its inception in 2005, thousands of puppies and dogs have been rescued, cared for, and packed off to forever homes with loving families. Volunteers foster the pups and dogs and the charity works with other organisations to find forever homes as soon as possible.

Call in and say hello and have a browse around the shop.

questions you may have. This high level of service is provided in all of our customer service offices along the coast.

Doctors and Hospitals Our policies offer an extensive medical directory of private clinics, GP´s and Specialists working in some of the best private hospitals in Spain. We have many English speaking medical professionals under contract with ASSSA in order to provide an even higher level of service to our clients.

Quality Insurance We provide flexible levels of HEALTH INSURANCE – which meets the needs and requirements of all clients.

There are flexible plans which range from top-up insurance (starting at 47€ per month) to comprehensive cover (starting from 88€ per month). During the current economic crisis we are offering lifetime discounts up to 30% for adults and 50% for accompanying children up to 16 years. We also have an amazing 25% lifetime discount on our FUNERAL INSURANCE premiums – and we are also offering discounts on our popular DENTAL INSURANCE. Insure your health!

ASSSA offers a variety of unique, written and contractual guarantees: Premiums do not increase as

you age, in addition ASSSA provides protection against policy cancellation from the first day of insurance.

Contracts with ASSSA are of course in your own language as transparency is very important to us.

Visit us for an informal chat and see how we can help you! Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:30 -13:30. Later appointments and home visits by arrangement. We look forward to your visit.

Customer Service Office: Vera: Mrs. María Dolores Castaño Tel: 950 392 487 vera@asssa.es - www.asssa.es

feature

www.soltimes.com

out & about

31

wide variety to choose from, you can experiment.

Bar Ceilos is situated in La Alfoquia

• Lamb: Especially popular in Northern Spain.

• Pork and Cured meats: Spain is famous for its ham and pork products such as cured Serrano ham and “chorizo”.

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

Typical Spanish Dishes

• Shellfish/Seafood: Abundant in many regions and meals such as the world renowned Spanish “paella” rice dish. Also recommended is “pulpo” (octopus) often served with potatoes and paprika and calamari (fried squid).

• Wine: “vino de la casa” (house wine), “vino tinto” (red wine), "vino blanco "(white wine), or "vino rosado" (rosé).

• Cheese: There are hundreds of varieties ranging from light, medium to strong in flavor and made from cow, sheep, or goat milk. The most known cheeses are Manchego and Cabrales.

Once you have accustomed yourself to these times and customs, you are ready to discover the diversity of Spanish cuisine. Depending on the region you are visiting, the “typical” dishes can vary, but here are some dining tips: • Fish: A staple part of the Mediterranean diet.

Especially good in coastal regions and large cities with a

• Offal: For the brave, Spaniards make use of most parts of the animals they eat. You can try typical dishes such as “callos” (tripe or stomach lining), “jeta” (pig mug), “riñones” (kidneys), “criadillas” (testicles), “lengua” (tongue), “crestas de gallo” (rooster combs), “morcilla” (blood sausage), and the list goes on. www.donquijote.org

La Cena

Restaurante

Albox

menu del noche €10.95

Includes a caraffe of wine per couple 11 starters, 10 mains & 9 Desserts Full A La Carte also available Monday - Saturday 7pm - late. Closed Sunday

Call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm

Find us across the old bridge from Palza Mayor Albox, opp Bar Wassy

950 120 718

Av•••A . L LB ep OX an → to

5.95€

Bookings Advisable Takeaway option available

9am - 4.30pm (Sun 10 - 12)

3.95€

EVERY DAY

GEORGE’S GOURMET BURGERS AVAILABLE FROM

homemade pie SATURDAY 20TH JUNE

served with chips/peas or salad

5.95€

or

SCAMPI NOW BEING SERVED

Traditional Sunday 6.95€ Lunch fr om 12 .3 0 From

ALBOX

We welcome new staff members - Sian in the Bar & George in the Kitchen

includes free tea or coffee

Beer-battered atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, with Mushy/Garden PeaS

village of Cerro Gordo and just 10 minutes outside Albox. They do delicious homemade food including beef wellington, orchard pie and speciality food. All freshly prepared so booking is essential. Try their homemade 3 course Sunday lunch at 8.50€. Free venue for your Party or Get Together just phone Chris for details - 950 930 169 or 650 599 739. www.bistobonita.alittlebitofengland.es.

•••

9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN

Cod ‘n’ ChipS

Bistro Bonita is situated in the pretty

← ARBOLEAS BAZA →

ample parking Free Wi-Fi

Fri 12 - 9pm Sat 12 - 5pm

La Cena would like to invite you to sample the exciting new additions to the already successful menú of the night. With 4 new additions per the 3 course taking it to 11 starters 10 mains, and 9 sweets. With additions to include more choice for the high volume of gluten free people. Still Price at the value beating 10.95 for 3 courses, including a carafe of wine for 2 people. Full al-carte still available. Please call for reservation as our busy season is upon us.

BP Garage

jacksalbox@gmail.com

ALL DAY BREAKFAST from 9AM

behind the petrol station and opposite the football ground , Come along to Ceilos and enjoy a drink or meal from there extensive menu . Either in the bar or dining room also from there roof terrace and enjoy the views over the Almanzora Valley. Every night at Ceilos there is something special to tempt you whether it’s a meal from the brand new Menu De Dia to Tuesday Thai night or Friday fish and chips night. Saturday and Sunday night is entertainment night with great acts to be seen, more fantastic bands are booked from Benidorm, Glenn and his team always happy to help and welcome you to Ceilos Please call 634-393-235

THERE DELICIOUS!

CRAFT FAYRE

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY FROM 9.30AM ONWARDS

STALLS AVAILABLE

32

June 2015

SOL CLASSIFIEDS Air-con

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.

MD S.L

City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

not a jack of all trades

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

607 364 917 or 950 432 110

Airport services

www.AAparking.es

Tel: 639 081 067 Cheap

Airport Parking Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

email: info@md-aircon.com

advertise Digital Vision in the Air Conditioning Services soltimes md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es

based in Mojacar & all areas with 10 years experience covered

We offer competitive affordable rates visit

classified

email: info@digitalvisiones.com

call paulette

www.digitalvisiones.com Tel: 645 294 064/950 472 081

For all your Air Con

on 950 121 936 available venues

cheapest prices around Venue @ La Vida El Cucador

Private parties graham Birthday 620 112 193 etc, all events catered for alternative energy call for more Solar Wind Power Solutions.

Over 15 years information contact

installation experience. established 12 years in Spain.

Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 240 email:info@ sunergy almeria.com www. sunergy almeria.com

www.ecocorpshop.com

Tel: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 332 sales@soltimes.com

950 634 562

for sale

advertise your unwanted items up to 300€ for free

email: sales@soltimes.com by thursaday 5pm Bed Safety Rail. Full size, chrome, hospital style..

Quick release for getting in and out of bed.

business for sale

Gardening Business for sale to include vehicle, trailer, tools and client list.

Can start earning immediately, est. over 8yrs, move forces sale, genuine enquiries only

please tel: 664 758 548 business opportunity

“Internet Millionaire Reveals Secrets Of Making £1,000 A Week & More Without Any Previous Experience”

If you would like to start earning extra money now! Then the internet is definitely the place to do this. You can earn money whilst relaxing by the pool or even earn whilst you’re sleeping.

This is the reality for people that are making money online.

For Free Information Visit

www.howtomakemoneyfrommembershipsites.co.uk in Albox Private parties Birthday etc,

computers

Steve Hayes Informatica

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition.

Consumables

are you getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills do you want a clean, reliable energy alternative

all events catered for call Bar for more

Tel: 950 120 900

if so call ecocorp on 671 716 597 or 950 930 187

950 120 718

construction

for a no obligation quotation

baby equipment hire

BABY HIRE

Everything for the visiting baby Car seats, high chairs, stair gates, cots etc

950 436 581/666 375 688

expectingababy.2006@gmail.com

information:

BE SEEN in the

Albox, Almeria

for all your building needs

Tiling • Plumbing balustrade • block work business directory Re-forms • central heating

SOLTIMES

From just €1 per week www.soltimes.com Tel: Paulette on 950 121 936 Or email: sales@ soltimes.com

Tel: 620 112 193

i m m a c u l a t e 485 188 kango/ condition Tel: 649 H ammer drill 50€ Tel: 186 107 649186107 Cement Mixer 60€ & many C hopsaw other tools. Will 40€ono tel: 649 sell separately. 186 107 1 owner Tel: 671 WHEELCHAIR powerfix 684 528 Lightweight, laser level Large Mothercare Folding, Tel: 649106107 pushchair rear wheels for propelling, portable 25 euro, fair self aircon unit, condition, Mojacar C o m f o r t a b l e , used once Playa tel: 670 Very little used, Ex. Con. Albox / Partaloa area. drainage 100€ Tel: 607 443 423 Suitable for Adult or Child. Fixed to bed with 4 large screws & brackets. Albox/ Partaloa area.

30€ Ono. Tel: 607 443 423

Drainage Solutions

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

Established 10 years in spain Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966

insurance

albox insurance

Award winning agent For all your Insurance Needs Please contact

Glenn & jayne 950 121 943

infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com

LICENSED POZO/septic tank emptying iron/metal

The Metal works Grills, railings, gates of all types, • Repairs to existing pozos security/sliding/ • CCTV Camera roller, rejas, Inspection concertina doors Call Andy on 950 091 109 or 648 768 587 etc. Tel: Keith Email: blockeddrainsrus@albox-online.net Wood on 638 900 949

• Installation of new septic tanks with certificates

Cleaning of Septic Tanks

hobby/ craft E L A I N E ’ S WOOLS Quality UK Wool & Accessories.

Come & view my DISPLAY. Also Available at CAT Services & Total Entertainment Call 667 273 889 elaineswools@ gmail.com

health & beauty pamper yourself at R Retreat El Cucador, beauty treatments, hair salon, holistic massage, waxing, pedicure etc.

Therapists all established & UK qualified.

Email r et r e a tc u c a d o r. gmail.com or call 647 379 878 or look at our main advert on the ladies page inside & call the therapists direct avon cosmetics Tel Claire 691 987 454 avonfromclaire @ yahoo.es

locksmith Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded house safes.

Arboleas & surrounding area.

Special weekend rates.

Tel: 697 243 181

painter & decorator

▪ Emptying of septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high painter & decorator pressure cleaning friendly - professional -reliable ▪ Small unblockages of all types of exterior & interior work pipes & drainage

Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks

ring for a free quote

gardening

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

Contact: 675 838 808

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

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

Tel: 649 186 107 or

painter & decorator internal & external free quotes

tel: 620 112 193

33

www.soltimes.com

CONTACT SALES ON Tel: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332 removals

Pets No need for kennels or cattery Pet sitting in you own home, Arboleas & local area. Call Vanessa 637 061 482

PROPERTY room to let in turre 50€ per week inc all bills own bathroom/ shared kitchen tel: 634 347 295

C & A REMOVALS & STORAGE UK-SPAIN - SPAIN - UK from a box to a full load Cars, Pets & passenger if req

LOCAL REMOVALS ALSO

SECURE STORAGE

safe & secure transport

SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals

to & from uk

Friendly Reliable Service Fully Legal Special offers from Spain - UK

thermal lined & controlled ventilation ideal for pets

spain - uk - spain & 200€ dog - 179€ cats europe

100€ birds Large Vans Leaving heavy loads welcome Fortnightly 4700kg with speed limiter House Clearance & Local fixed price quotes fully legal operation shop & Removals Etc....

LUBRIN ALMERIA SPAIN & ESSEX UK offices to visit Unwanted items bought for CASH Office: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884 email: a-acargo@hotmail.com px goods Apartment for sale to offset costs Call: 634 310 512/634 349 347 marmenorremovals@hotmail.com 75,000€ Mojacar Playa. 1 bed, www.movemypetsandstuff.com 634 337 185 1 bath. Community gardens, or 07434434820 call: 634 368 430 large swimming pool. Sea views.

Excellent rental potential summer months.tel: 646 844 708

NEED TO SELL YOUR HOUSE Need Cash……House Empty Divorce…...Financial Issues Can’t afford mortgage payments Unwanted property from a probate

WE CAN HELP 4everspain.com

Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together

No Sale – No Fee Free Consultation

Call: 7-days: 647 875 992 www.4everspain.com

Specialising in rural property with character Whether you are buying or selling we will be delighted to hear from you

Call Stephen 636 266 641 email info@findmeahome.eu Find us online at www.findmeahome.eu facebook.com/findmeahome detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views.

€125,000

649 186 107 oremail thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

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

De Lima’s

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

263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm sat 10am-2pm Tel: 950 615 364 Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Brian on 674 280 268 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz

www.delimas.biz

fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

REMOVALS

sat/tv services

Digital Vision CUSHIONS CUSTOm MADE Satellite Services

based in Mojacar & all areas with 10 years experience covered

We offer competitive affordable rates visit

www.digitalvisiones.com email: info@digitalvisiones.com

Tel: 645 294 064/950 472 081

spain uk spain friendly reliable All jobs considered

Call John on UK: 00447 939 88 0110 Spain: 0034 634 368 071 chalmersJ8@hotmail.co.uk

From just 10€ per week!

upholstery

Tel: 692 176 069

business directory From just €1 per week

www.soltimes.com Tel: Paulette on 950 121 936 Or email: sales@soltimes.com for details

situations vacant

Kitchen Help required for weekends Telephone 604 16 25 88 for more details

Sales Staff Required Urgently

Must be hardworking and friendly. Full or Part Time.

Telephone 681 095 096 or 622 288 750

man & van / vehicle required to work wednesday to deliver the soltimes Your property will newspaper appear as shown commitment, above & be seen by almost 55,000 reliability Sol Times readers! & care are a Call Paulette TODAY prerequisite on 950 121 936 or call 609 199 394

902 750 190 Ext 332

•Foam replacement •Interior/Exterior Fabrics •Free estimates

SOLTIMES

La Vida, el cucador

zurgena

has a vacancy for

bar staff

for our bar & restaurant English/Spanish speaking an advantage part time flexible hours

Contact rob

email CV to rob@soltimes.com

34

June 2015

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 Thursday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332 motoring section

number plates

for sale

Car For Sale

Do you have a caravan, vehicle, boat or motor bike for sale?

advertise in this space from only 8€ and join many other advertisers who have successfully sold their vehicle using

1992 Audi 100 2.3e .Good engine, only 138000 kms ,ITV 09-2015. parked at Camping roquetas, 900 euros ono. Tel 693473816 english speaking only, or email dennis080648@ hotmail.co.uk so i can translate.

Casa Naranja Motos Motorcycle Breakers

We buy your unwanted bikes for cash, runners, nonrunners or accident damaged.

Anything considered

Tel: 950426904 or 600384265

casanaranjamotos@hotmail.com

GB

Contact paulette ON 950 121 936 motorhomes

E

garages

wanted

email

Renault Scenic Megan FIGI, 2004 x 5 door RHD only 73000 miles Spanish reg ITV til dec taxed, Half leather seats-AC-CL 1 owner from new F.S.H Excellent cond BARGAIN 1000 Euros quick sale 647 884 424 / 666 709 285 0044 1213189123

SOLTIMES

“RE-PLATE” MATE

Pit Stop

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

Tel: 950 124 828

TYRES • SERVICING • REPAIRS

pitstop-oria@live.co.uk

WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:

Find us on the Partaloa to Oria road (A399) 1km outside of Oria on the right.

Carretera Autonomica A-399 - c / Paraje el Puente sin 04810. Oria, Almeria

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com Email:info@replatematecostablanca.com

animal corner Advertise here call : 950 121 936 Appeal for help getting stray dogs dogs for rehoming to UK. Cucador Dog Rescue and the Dog House are sending dogs to a rescue center in the UK where they are rehomed in good loving homes.

We receive details of their new owners and pictures of the dogs with them in the last 2 months we have sent 28 and in the next 2 months have another 31 going. The rescue in UK are kind enough to pay all transport costs but we have to pay for them to be spayed or neutered and all inoculations passport etc which is approx €200 per dog if you could make a small donation to help with this please contact Pat 607554984 or Paul 646809599 or PayPal go to Dog House Foundation for PayPal and bank details and thank you.

Dog found aba n d o n e d .

Approx 5 months • Your home or ours old male very • Honest & trust worthy sweet and loving • 5 years experience of only going to be all types of animals small.

• References available If you can give on request him a home please contact Pat 607554984

Ken & Jackie Dog & Cat Sitter service

676 389 592

2 years old, neutered she was found wondering on the rambla. Lulu is very placid easy going girl, plays well with the other dogs and walk well on a lead, would make an ideal family pet.

Coleen is a podenco cross she is approx a year old very playful and loves to be cuddled, walks well on a lead gets on well with the other dogs, she would suit a family environment Jimbo is a medium mixed breed, approx 20 months old and a little shy at first, very affectionate enjoys attention gets on well with other dogs. would make an ideal family pet Lulu is a Pointer Cross , approx

If you are interested in any of the above fur ther detail from Paul on mobile

646809599. further dogs/ puppies can be found on the website www. thedoghousehuercal-overa. webs.com/

www.soltimes.com

Book Review

35

An Essex Girl on the Costa Blanca by Jo Black

“Call her a bitch, slut, whore but never tell a woman she’s fat, especially an Essex girl!”

The book was written to help raise money for Emaus children and a percentage of sales of this book will go to this charity. Imagine it’s May 2005 and Michael is squeezed into a shoe-box sized toilet counting £50,000 in notes from a Tesco carrier bag. Talk about privacy. Jo Black had had her hairdressing salon for 10 years and had decided to sell without informing her staff officially. This money represented half of the payment up front and the remainder was to be paid that same afternoon once the contracts were signed. There had been two tax investigations so you can understand the need for caution and secrecy from the Inland Revenue. £100,000 was smuggled out of the country as the family set off on their adventure to Spain to live the dream. Sounds a bit corny nowadays especially when we remember the recession, the bubble bursting and the housing market going bust!

Unemployment and corruption amongst politicians.

Need I say more?

Jo’s father called Jo a “woman of substance” because of her successful career as well as being a single parent although there were plenty of times when she lost her bite. He miraculously survived a major stroke. Once Jo’s mission had been accomplished her aspirations turned towards the Costa Blanca and she became yet another Brit. wanting to live the dream. The jewel of the Costa Blanca was none other than Denia, cosmopolitan but still Spanish. Having seen a bar for sale on the internet in a beach location, Jo jumped in with both feet before she viewed it. Andrew’s Bar along Las Marinas from Denia to Els Poblets. Another dodgy deal perhaps, a big risk?

The Frenchman who owned it wanted to sell the lease secretly behind his son’s back. Nice man. Jo had married for wealth and security not love. It seems she was on the look- out for husband No.2. “I was looking for a man that wore one trouser leg so I could wear the other, I was bored of wearing both.”

Her accountant suggested that Jo should advertise her business by sponsoring a football team adding: “Also, while you’re at it, you might find yourself a

Special Offers Visit:

husband.” So, in a nutshell this is what she did.

Gary ran the Ashingdon football club and Michael, the man of the moment, a “ handsome, dropdead gorgeous guy” was co- manager. Jo was besotted but dismayed to find out about h i s Casanova reputation: three marriages, one engagement and currently a live-in girlfriend.

Back to business and Jo agreed to sponsor the home kit with her “Cuts N Curls” logo. Michael pestered Jo to go on a date and she eventually succumbed to this Romeo. After 6 months of dating in secrecy and constant texting the relationship got off to a flying start. By 2002 Sarina was born.

We now move into May with another visit to Spain and what a disappointment. 5,000e down payment for a dark, dingy, cold, dirty, shabby and run-down investment of a bar.

“I’m from Essex, get me out of here” kept going through her mind. This is a reminder of the risks in buying property in Spain as well as buying a business with the crooks and the cowboys not to mention the corrupt councillors. It’s something we all know too well.

They persevered against the odds working all hours to run the bar which proved detrimental to their marriage. During the tourist season the business thrived but once winter approached the business struggled with the locals. Michael tended to do the late sessions so Jo and Sarina would be left home alone. This is not what Jo had anticipated.

She felt that their relationship was drifting out to sea “like passing ships never having time for each other.” Something had to change and drastically.

We are presented with the usual motley of colourful locals from Denzel who’d had throat cancer and who drank alcohol free lager by the bottle. What an awkward man, extremely self-opinionated. Then www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com - naylorcl@hotmail.es

there’s Paul and Alex, brothers. Paul was the carer.

“The two odd balls” as they were called. Alex had an abnormality in his brain. Sharon was promiscuous and “cocksure of herself.” She drank heavily and took drugs. And then what about more oddbods?

Patsy and Connor. He had a big tattoo encrypted on the back of his head so that you would never forget his name.

Patsy worked to support his drink habit.

She sold investment policies.

Glasgow Gary was another dodgy character, the local druggy, thief and conman. He never paid his tab and it was rogues like him who targeted English bars.

If you’re an ex-pat like me, you’ll know about the bous a la mar. Ironically, the teasers were more than likely to end up in the sea whilst the bulls remained on dry land. Very sensible. The Fallas I enjoy, heralding the arrival of spring. This fiesta is seen as one of the most spectacular festivals in Denia with the females in particular wearing beautiful gowns of brocade, lace and silk. And of course there’s San Juan.

“One is to jump over the fire three times at midnight or for the not so brave, to jump over 3 waves of the sea.”

Wacky but such fun. There’s a few silly gaffes showing Jo’s naivety over nightclubs and whorehouses, Sticky Vicky a la Benidorm, orange sellers and prostitutes and what about this one? “tengo una peinier en mi boca.” This should have read: “I have a mouth ulcer.”

Find out whether Jo and Michael survived and whether Jo is still following her dream or whether she’s given up on it and returned to England.

“If ever you’re on the Costa Blanca and you can hear an Essex girl singing in a bar, “It’s raining men” that’s me.”

Publisher: Brewster Publications.

ISBN: 978-0-9576734-0-3 REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.

www.ecocorpshop.com

Oil is a child of the fossil fuel age and prices will trend upwards.

Oil may last a few years or a few hundred Solar is a child of the electronics age and prices will trend downwards. years. The sun will last a few billion years.

All of the oil coal and gas known to The latest in auto-consumo humans has the same energy as 20 days technology! of sunshine reaching earth!

Grid tie solar power systems from

3995€

Which one would you choose?

These systems can have more panels added to as and when required.

Self-monitoring so as no power is fed back to the grid!

1 x Victron Multiplus 5Kw inverter/Charger 1 x Victron BlueSolar MPPT 150/70 Solar charge controller 4 x 12V/250Ah Deep cycle batteries (48V/250Ah) 12 x 250W Eurener panels (25 Year guarantee @ 80%) 1 x Inox aluminium Mounting frame for 12 panels.

Cables, connectors, fuses and breakers.

This system is normally 11,495€ installed.

If you are getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills and want a clean, reliable energy alternative that can run in conjunction with your mains electricity. A system that you can add to, as and when you or your budget requires. free consultation and survey.

With solar power systems that can pay for themselves in around 6/7 years. No more power cuts, we can supply and install a system to provide your whole home with a UPS system.With some of the highest sunshine in Europe, it is a great time to consider solar energy to reduce your electricity bills.

Call Ecocorp on

671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation

La Meseta, Bedar, Almeria

WWW.ECOCORPSHOP.COM

Victron Energy Official Installers for Almeria and Murcia 5 year warranty Spanish qualified Installers Eurener, Sharp, Senersun official Installers Servicing, repairs and surveys Grid tie systems Off grid systems Water heating Swimming pool heating

36

June 2015

Road test: Peugeot RCZ

By Tim Saunders rear and find that the front seats have to be pushed so far forward that my knees are pushed up against my chin. I’m not that tall either. I am no designer but I am surprised at the capacity of the boot compared to the size of the interior as you can see in the video at www.testdrives.biz.

We leave our daughters with their grandparents for the weekend and we’re able to really the RCZ through its paces over my wife’s birthday weekend by taking it on a trip to Bath. As a two-seater there is ample room for driver and passenger and there are all the luxuries you would expect from electric and heated seats to electric windows, air conditioning and cruise control and limiter.

It has become apparent that sports cars are a young person’s game.

I draw this conclusion after my time with the magnificent Peugeot RCZ GT, the iconic roadster with the bubble roof.

When I first sit in it I find myself quite taken a back. I feel out of my comfort zone. Is it middle age creeping in? Have I become too comfortable in a middle of the road hatchback? There’s a car behind and I try and find the bite of the clutch and it is far higher than I am used too, which results in the car rolling a little too near for my liking. But I find it eventually and all is well. The handbrake is quite high up too and it’s going to take me a while to become accustomed to the height of that steering wheel.

I first drove the Peugeot RCZ in 2010 when it launched. Being back behind the wheel of this facelifted version is like being reunited with a long lost friend.

After all it’s a stunning sportscar and one that makes a significant birthday treat for my wife.

The 1.6-litre 200bhp engine can be quick if required. The low ride height and the hard suspension all combine to make it feel like you’re travelling even faster. Even just a quick glance at the wing mirror is a joy for the driver who cannot help but noticing the bulging rear haunches of this beast.

Although it does have rear seats these are almost completely impractical. I know. Against my better judgement I install my daughters’ car seats in the

This is not a vehicle where you watch the economy, it is a car for driving pleasure. And with its notchy six-speed manual gearbox it is a delight. When it is revved at a certain point there is a raspy note to the exhaust that makes you want to put your foot down continually. It is a more than capable over taker and this machine certainly puts the joy back into motoring.

Dual carriageways allow the driver to really open her up and she is certainly responsive.

Facts at a glance

After a few hours with the RCZ I can report that the driving position is just right but I would still prefer the steering wheel to be lower and I cannot work out how to adjust it. This results in my hand mistakenly sliding onto the horn on a couple of occasions and embarrassingly tooting the car in front. Sticking at the ‘ten-to-two’ position avoids this problem.

Arriving on Bath’s cobbled streets judders the back a bit but it’s a good massage and we find a tight parking space in the Royal Crescent. Annoyingly the RCZ does not fit in perfectly on the first attempt but it gets in. The housekeeper at No. 1 Royal Crescent is watching and as I get out to ask about parking charges, she says: “Two other drivers have tried to get in there and they couldn’t so I am very impressed you managed it in that car.” The rounded design of the vehicle certainly helps when reversing but it is a bit tricky to gauge quite how much space there is at the front. The front and rear parking aid beepers are certainly helpful.

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sport & motoring

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urcal golf society

Saturday the 6th of June saw Urcal Golf Society travel to one of it´s furthest venues when it played at the beautiful Alboran course. Members who did not make the trip certainly missed a wonderful opportunity to play a course in superb condition with the greens especially good, probably the best we have played upon for several weeks.

Playing an individual Stableford format for the Veterans Cup, the members only only had to contend with the swirling wind on an otherwise ideal day for golf. In what proved to be an extremely close competition with only seven points covering the entire field, Tony Morgan, playing again with the society after an absence of a few weeks came back to take the trophy with 32 points. After a poor start to the round in which he only had 2 points to his name after the first four holes, Tony started to come to terms with the wind and finished strongly just edging

Richard Wallace into second place one point behind with Phil Harris one further point behind in third place.

The other prizes were awarded to Stan Whitty who claimed the best shot of the day on the second hole to take nearest the pin and Gary Funnell took the prize for nearest the pin in two for his effort on the fifteenth hole with a superb drive leaving himself only a short iron to the green. The stories in the bar afterwards as to why no one managed to find the green to claim the other nearest the pin prize on the seventeenth the shortest of the par three´s was something to behold but in truth the wind did make club selection extremely difficult.

Our next game in two weeks time will be at Valle del Este, anyone who would like to play with our extremely friendly society would be made to feel very welcome and should contact our Captain Steve Dodd on 608 238 827

The individual stableford competition, on Monday, saw Tony King celebrate his birthday in style by winning with 37 points. Second was Bob Craig 36 points, closely followed by Alf Taylor 35 taking third place.

Isobel Jones secured the win in the ladies division by scoring 36 points.

Linda King on 33 points held second place, ahead of Ann Kavanagh on 30.

Thursday’s team game at Marina Phoenix was a fourball “Waltz” with a par score of 72. There were mixed fortunes for the teams with the pressure of needing three scores on every third hole. The winning team scoring 84 points was Gordon Mahon, Alf Taylor, Hylton Smith and Linda King, followed in second by Isobel Jones, Tony King, Greta Hahn and Ali Mahmud (82).

The third team was Ann Kavanagh,

José Urroz, José Nistal and Jim Budd.

(81). There were nearest the pin prizes for Greta Hahn (5th), Isobel Jones (17th) and Ali Mahmud (14th).

Marina Phoenix Golf Society

Marina Phoenix play Mondays (individual) and Thursdays (team game). To join us for a €25 greenfee.

Ring Jim on 950 162 727 / 600 353 670 or Rosalie 950 397 117/ 697 512 882.

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Luis Suarez and Neymar scored second-half goals to give Barcelona a 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus on Saturday as the Spaniards became the first team to twice win the European treble.

Luis Enrique capped his first season as Barcelona’s head coach by matching Pep Guardiola’s feat from the 2008/09 season when the Catalans captured the European, Spanish league and cup titles.

An early goal by Barca’s Ivan Rakitic was cancelled out by Juventus’ ex-Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who equalised on 55 minutes.

But Suarez put the game beyond the Italian champions with a 68th minute strike off a rebound at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. Neymar added the third with the last kick of the game in the 97th minute.

Juventus suffered the indignation of becoming the first team to lose six European Cup finals, 30 years after winning the trophy for the first time amidst the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium disaster.

This was the fifth time Barcelona have been crowned European champions and it is their fourth Champions League title in the last decade after their 2006, 2009 and 2011 triumphs.

Suarez triumph For Suarez it was a triumphant end to a first season with the Spanish champions after his ignominious biting ban at the World Cup. “It’s incredible, it’s something unique. To win these trophies you have to suffer,” he said.

“The best thing about this side is the spirit and the fact we’ve

37

been united since the start of the season.”

In 2009 Barcelona joined the elite club of treble winners that include Celtic, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

Now, they are the first to have done that twice.

Despite brief moments of magic, Lionel Messi failed to become the first player to score in three Champions League finals as he equalled Dutch star Clarence Seedorf’s tally of four winners’ medals.

Barcelona showed early nerves with two uncustomary mistakes in defence straight from kick-off before Rakitic gave the Catalan giants the lead with just four minutes gone.

Neymar fed his captain Andres Iniesta from the left wing and the Spain international squared for Rakitic to drill home from close range, past Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve came back into the game midway through the first half, but Suarez forced Buffon, who failed to claim a winners’ medal at the 12th attempt, into another save as it finished 1-0 at the break.

The Spaniards picked up where they left off in the second half when Rakitic fed Suarez, who forced Buffon into a diving save with 48 minutes gone before firing over moments later.

Messi, who showed glimpses of his brilliance with a first-half darting run through the Juve defence, then fired wide after exchanging two quick passes in the build-up move.

38

June 2015

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sport & motoring

SPORTS SHORTS from Tony Matthews

karate congratulations Congratulations to Joe Noble and Cody Howard-Coles on their recent gradings. Joe attained green belt and Cody orange.

The boys are practising GojuRyu Karate under the guidance of Sensei Richard Barrett 6th Dan who has over 40 years experience in studying and teaching martial arts both here and in the UK. He is also a teacher of Tai-Chi. The club at Girasol Community Centre, now in its ninth year, meets on a Monday afternoon at 5pm. Students can start at 7 years of age and both girls and

Auto Shine Body Repairs approved repairers

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19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador.

Thursday 4th June Monthly Medal time at Aguilon Golf Resort for the 19th Hole Golf Society.

Most of the thirty two players competing for the prestigious medal soon found the main opposition too superior, in the men’s division Mark Danson with a spectacular return to form carded a nett 65 -playing off 4- secured the medal with a ever improving Gary Grey in 2nd spot with a nett 66 beating Dave Sharp MBE into 3rd spot.

Chrissie Dow took the Ladies Medal with a nett score of 73 from Zeta Denyer on 76. Mark also took Nearest the Pin on the 12th and 17th and converted them both into Twos to show a nice return from his entry fee. Both Gary and Dave also secured Nearest the Pins which they converted to Twos to make their day worthwhile.

Good days golf on a brilliant course, then back to La Vida for nibbles and

refreshments.

Mens Medal - 1st Mark Danson Nett 65(4), 2nd Gary Grey Nett 66(23), 3rd David Sharp MBE Nett 77(4). Ladies Medal - 1st Chrissie Dow Nett 73(34), Nearest the Pin - Hole No 3 Gary Grey, Hole No 8 David Sharp MBE, Hole No 12 Mark Danson, Hole No 17 Mark Danson. Twos - 8th David Sharp MBE, 12th Gary Grey & Mark Danson, 17th Mike Esposito, Paco Ocaña Grayal & Mark Danson. Thanks to all the members who support the 19th Hole Golf Society.The 19th hole G/S are now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we will play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610 340 653. Or email gs19thhole@ hotmail.co.uk

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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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boys are welcome.

If you are interested in this or any other classes at Girasol in Albox you can request a timetable by emailing to: alboxgirasol@hotmail.com

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Edinburgh.

• Manchester United could pay £50m for Spurs star Harry Kane and sell Robin van Persie!

• Dick Advocaat has made a u-turn and will stay as Sunderland’s manager for another season.

• Hosts Canada beat China 1-0 (a 90th minute penalty) in the opening game of the women’s football World Cup. Favourites Germany won 10-0.

• Following allegations on the BBC Panorama programme linking coach Alberto Salazar with doping, GB Olympian Mo Farah pulled out of last weekend’s Birmingham Athletics Grand Prix.

•American Justin Gatlin has run the fourth-fastest 100m ever, in 9.75 seconds.

• Tiger Woods had his worst-ever round of golf in the recent Memorial Tournament in Ohio - carding a 13 over-par 85.

• Coming up - the Spanish MotoGP from Catalunya (Sunday); preWimbledon Aegan Tennis Tournament at Queens; the Copa America in Chile; England v New Zealand ODI’s at cricket; Royal Ascot (16-20 June); 2016 Euro qualifiers featuring WalesBelgium (Friday), Eire-Scotland (Saturday) and Slovenia-England (Sunday) and the US Open Golf tournament (15-19 June).

• And regarding the FIFA scandal… this will run and run with Blatter and Warner firmly under the FBI thumb!

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• Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in last Saturday’s Champions League final to lift the trophy for the fourth time in nine years. Victory also brought them their second treble of two domestic trophies and a European prize.

• following Real Madrid’s success last year, it was the first time ever that a club from the same country has won the Champions League in successive seasons.

• Lewis Hamilton made up for his disappointment of losing in Monaco by storming to victory in last week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Nico Rosberg was second and Valtteri Bottas third. Hamilton now leads the driver’s championship by 17 points from Rosberg (151-134).

• Super Stan Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams defeated Lucie Sarapova in the men’s and women’s singles titles of the French Open. For Williams it was the 20th Grand Slam victory of her career.

• Frankie Dettori won his second Epsom derby last Saturday on the favourite Golden Horn. Twenty four hours earlier, 50-1 outsider Qualify won the Oaks.

• Bradley Wiggins has cycled 54.526 km (34 miles) on his bike to set a new world record for an hour race.

• England and the Republic of Ireland drew 0-0 in a friendly international in Dublin last Sunday. The first meeting for 20 years was a Sunday afternoon bore! Earlier, Scotland, with a Matt Ritchie goal, beat Qatar 1-0 in

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SOLTIMES June 2015

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