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Spaniards named biggest tech addicts in Europe Spaniards spend an incredible 8 hours and 48 minutes a day using devices outside work, making them the most tech addicted people in Europe, a new study has found.

If you think eight hours staring at a screen while at work is enough already, you may struggle to fathom how many Spaniards and other Europeans do the very same thing in their free time.

The startling results are based on 5,000 interviews with 18 to 65-year-olds across Europe carried out by Samsung and market research company Ipsos MORI. Spaniards top the tech table with nearly nine daily hours of gadget usage, followed by the Italians (7h 48min) and the Norwegians (7h 36min).

The average time spent on devices per day in other European countries is as follows: Sweden (6 hours 30 mins), Germany (7 hours 24 mins), Switzerland (7 hours 2 mins), Hungary (7 hours), UK (6 hours 54 mins), France (7 hours 2 mins), Netherlands (7 hours 30 mins) and Finland (6 hours).

“We’ve seen a similar trend with teenage internet usage in Spain, it doubles the European average,” Marc Masip, a Barcelona-based psychologist specializing in disorders relating to

new technologies, told The Local.

“There haven’t been any sociodemographic studies on the matter so I can’t accurately say why Spaniards are more addicted to screens than other nationalities.

“What I do know is that mobile phones are the main ‘culprits’; we carry them with us at all times and they’ve replaced our reality with a virtual existence.”

Through his therapy practice Desconecta (Disconnect in Spanish), Madip teaches his patients, mainly youngsters, how to get over their nomophobia: the irrational fear of being without mobile phone contact that 77 percent of users suffer.

“We’re bringing up a generation of cowards who only say “I love you” or “thanks” on Whatsapp because it’s more ‘convenient’.

“They’ll end up not having the social skills to tackle a job interview or ask their girlfriends to marry them.”

Ironically, Madip is also the co-creator of a phone app called FaceUp, which collects data on your phone and internet usage and sets challenges to stop you from reaching out for your mobile all the time.

Source:www.thelocal.es

Madrid lemurs feast on iced fruit to stay cool

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It may not be the hottest summer on record, but that hasn’t stopped animal keepers at Madrid’s Faunia animal park from coming up with some innovative ways to keep their charges cool.

While Madrid’s population eats its way through millions upon millions of ice creams to keep cool this summer, animals at the ‘nature theme park’ Faunia are also enjoying their own summer snacks, Spain’s El Confidencial newspaper reports.

meanwhile, prefer their diet to be about fruit.

To satisfy their desires, zoo staff have created huge blocks of frozen fruit and vegetables for the monkeys to feast on.

The most appetizing fruit is displayed on the outside of the ice blocks so that lemurs know they are in for something delicious.

For seals, fish in frozen ice blocks is the order of the day — treats which animal keepers leave floating for the animals to enjoy at their leisure.

Faunia, which organizes its displays into different habitats including an Australian zone, and African forest and a polar ecosystem, is home to animals including cobras, manatees and wallabies.

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Source:www.thelocal.es

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Is tourism destroying Barcelona?

It’s Spain’s most popular city destination but is beautiful Barcelona in danger of becoming a victim of its own success? The Local takes a peek at the dark side of the city’s tourism boom.

Let’s start with the naked figures. In 1990, the city of Gaudi welcomed a modest 1.7 million visitors. By 2000, that figure had climbed to 3.1 million, and last year the Catalan capital received a staggering 7.5 million guests.

There’s no doubt about it. Barcelona — like many parts of Spain — is riding a tourism-fuelled wave. Since hosting the Olympic Games in 1992, the city has become increasingly desirable for tourists, regularly appearing in lists of the world’s must-visit cities.

It’s not hard to see why either. The city is blessed with great weather, a beautiful coastal location, amazing architecture and a vibrant cultural life.

But beyond the hype, there is a growing undercurrent of opinion that Barcelona could be becoming ‘the new Venice’, a city so overrun by visitors that it is losing its soul.

Tensions over rampant tourism flared recently when locals in the tightlypacked seaside neighbourhood of Barceloneta took the streets against the ravages of ‘low-cost tourism’.

“We are tolerant people but the situation is out of control: the last two years have been crazy,” local resident Vicenç Forner told The Local.

Forner, whose family has lived in Barceloneta for generations, is the man behind the photograph of a group of drunk tourists said to have helped spark the recent protests.

“This was always a working-class neighbourhood, and being near the port we have always been at the forefront of contact with the rest of the world — for better or worse,” the photographer explained.

“People here have always welcomed immigrants and visitors, but the tourists who come here now are shouting at all hours of the day and night, and throwing rubbish out of the window.

They have no respect,” he said.

Forner lays the blame with the town hall which has ignored rampant real estate speculation in the neighbourhood.

“Investors have been snapping up whole apartment blocks and kicking out the locals, many of whom are elderly,” he told The Local.

In their place, holiday apartment have sprouted like mushrooms, many of them unregistered.

Apartment rental website AirBnB has up to 477 apartments listed in Barceloneta, seven times more than those that are officially registered at Barcelona’s Town Hall, which is currently trying to crack down on illegal flats.

“Two or three people rent out these apartments, and then 25 or 30 people show up for a party which goes on all night. There’s no control on the part of the owners at all. And the tourists

themselves, who come here for four days, just don’t care about the city.”

The town hall turns a blind eye because there’s too much money on the line, the photographer said.

“If things continue like this, Barceloneta will turn into (the city’s historic centre), the Gothic Quarter within five years. No one lives there anymore.”

Joan Callís, the director of travel firm Barcelona Guide Bureau agreed that the city sometimes struggles under the weight of tourism, particularly in locations like the famous Las Ramblas boulevard and the Gaudi-designed Sagrada Familia church.

He also pointed out the high number of day trippers from the coast near Barcelona and people coming off cruise ships could make the small city feel crowded.

While Barcelona received only half as many tourists as London last year, the UK capital is 15 times larger geographically. Tourists are hard to miss in the Catalan capital.

But Callís was keen to stress he doesn’t believe the city has too many tourists, talking down the idea of a ‘boom’ in favour of a “gradual increase”, and pointing to the economic benefits visitors bring to the city for everyone from taxi drivers to hotel owners.

“That money trickles down to everyone else, although not always equally,” he told The Local.

“The neighbourhoods that don’t enjoy the benefits of tourism want more, while the busy parts of town want less,” he said.

“In general, though, people in Barcelona are very accepting of tourism.”

However, Callís recognized that careful planning was key to sustainable tourism in Barcelona. “We wouldn’t stick 50 people on a tour through the (city’s) iconic Boquería market nor would we organize bike tours through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter,” he said.

“We also use radio guides with headphones on our tours so we don’t bother locals,” he added.

There was unwritten code of conduct among tour operators in Barcelona, Callís said, but unfortunately not everyone followed the rules all of the time.

“You can’t stop tourists from visiting Barcelona, though. Freedom of movement is a fundamental human right,” he concluded.

Forner doesn’t want to see an end to tourism in Barcelona either, but wants this to be “quality tourism”.

“It’s great to have hotels and good restaurants but people sleeping on the beach doesn’t help anyone at all,” he said.

The photographer also believes Barcelona now needs to do some seriously tourism planning for the future, even at the level of small yet crucial

— and often overlooked — details: like installing public lavatories.

“Sometimes when I’m walking along Las Ramblas and I see all the tourists, I think of the city’s 7.5 million visitors, and I think to myself, ‘Where do all these people go to the toilet?’ he said.

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What’s on in Spain: CULTURE:

La Mercè Festival, Barcelona, September 19th-24th

Every year since 1902, the Catalan capital has held a massive street festival — the city’s biggest — in honour of the Virgin of La Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona. Over five days, you can enjoy hundreds of activities ranging from street dance shows and theatre performances to concert and folk dances. The festivities include traditional events like the impressive human castles (castellers) demonstrations and parades of ‘giants’ and ‘big-heads’.

Fiestas de Saint Antolín, Medina del Campo (Valladolid) September 1st-8th

These festivities mainly on the typical ‘encierros’ (running of the bulls events) and bullfights, on horseback or on foot. The celebrations are much anticipated by the whole community, with clubs and associations working for months to make this a successful, fun event. http://www.encierrosmedina.es

Fiestas de la Vendimia, Jerez de la Frontera, September 9th-14th

This wine harvest festival in the Province of Cádiz not only offers a large choice of wine tasting sessions and vineyards tours but also a wealth of activities to chose from, including performances from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Arts, painting exhibitions, Shakespeare plays, flamenco, salsa and entertainment for kids. http://www.jerez.es

DANCE AND MUSIC:

Biennial Flamenco Festival, Sevilla, September 12th-October 5th

First held in 1980, this prestigious flamenco festival is celebrated every two years in the Andalusian city of Seville. The three-week long competition features the greatest dancers, vocalists and guitarists in the flamenco world, as well as as well as up-andcoming artists . Performances take place in different host venues throughout the city, mainly theatres but also in hotels or on the street. There are also courses, conferences and seminars. www.labienal.com/en/

DCode Festival 2014, Madrid, September 13th

One of the summer’s last musical gasps, this indie-inflected event in the grounds of Madrid’s Complutense University includes the only Spanish concert of protohipster Beck. Also playing this year are British singer Jake Bugg, Bombay Bicycle Club and Spain’s very own Lourdes Hernández, better known as Russian Red. www. dcodefestival.com

Mallorca Rocks Festival

The Kaiser Chiefs and DJ Mark Ronson are set to take over the popular resort of Magaluf in September. The Kooks will also return to the Rocks stage, after headlining the 2010 Edition. Ibiza also play hosts to a few last gigs before summer in Spain’s Balearic Islands wraps up. http://www.mallorcarocks.com/

FILM AND THEATRE:

International Film Festival, Donostia-San Sebastián, 19th - 27th September This festival in the capital of the Basque Country is internationally recognized.

In the past it has hosted the International premieres of Vertigo (A.Hitchcock) and welcomed stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor or more recently Meryl Streep and Brad Pitt. This year, Denzel Washington will open the 62nd Edition of the Festival and receive the prestigious Donostia Lifetime achievement Award. www. sansebastianfestival.com/in/

SPORT:

2014 Spain Basketball World Cup, August 30th-September 4th

Twenty-four national teams including Spain, France (current European champions) and the United States (reigning world champions), will compete for the Basketball World Cup with knock-out stages taking place in Granada, Seville, Bilbao and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria before the competition moves to Barcelona and Madrid for the business end of things.

La Vuelta, August 23rd-September 14th

The Vuelta is one of the world’s biggest bicycle races, along with Le Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. This year’s tour kicks off in Jerez de la Frontera and will wrap up in Santiago de Compostela after three weeks of brutal competition. Last year Chris Horner, a 42-year-old American rider, won the Tour, becoming the oldest winner of any cycling grand tour. But Spaniards will be hoping that local hero Alberto Contador will take this year’s crown. http://www.lavuelta.com/

FASHION:

Fashion week, Madrid, September 11th-16th

While 41 recognized designers will show off their latest collections on the catwalks, the 58th edition of Madrid’s Fashion will also give some twenty emerging talents the chance to show what they can do. Interesting innovation this year: the fashion shows will be broadcast live at Conde Duque and near Plaza de Colon, two emblematic venues in Madrid. Watch out for Madrid’s ‘Fashion’s night out’ on September 12th with stores offering special discounts. Find out more at www.ifema.es/

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News

Top ten: the best bike rides in Spain

1. Andalucía: the TransAndalus trail is a 2,000km (1,240 miles) long circuit specifically designed for mountain bikes. It goes through the eight provinces of Andalucía and gives experienced riders a chance to pass through incredible natural sites, such as the Sierra Nevada, Doñana and Cabo de Gata national parks.

2. Toledo province: Spain’s government has turned many of the country’s abandoned railway lines into awesome cycling and hiking trails, known as ‘vias verdes’. The via verde of Via de la Jara in Toledo province offers stunning views and gives cyclists the chance to go over aqueducts and through train tunnels.

3. Alicante: Fancy a relaxing ride overlooking the Mediterranean sea? This 26-km (16-mile) route from San Juan beach through El Campello village is ideal for bikers of all ages. Get to the finish line and cool down at Coveta Fuma cove before taking the tram back to the city center.

9. Lanzarote: Go for a ride through the land of volcanoes -Timanfaya National Park.

Ideal for mountain bikers, there is even an 8km (5 mile) downhill track through the island’s unique landscapes and lava fields. The archipelago’s mild climate makes it a biking paradise throughout the year.

10. Majorca: With its breathtaking cliffs and stunning views, this popular hill-climb is a must-ride for mountain-bike lovers. Starting in Pollenca, the roughly 25km (15 mile) trail finishes at Majorca’s most northerly point, Formentor lighthouse.

Source: www.thelocal.es

4. Barcelona: Get a bird’s eye view of Catalonia’s capital when taking this 9km (5.5 mile) dirt track through Collsera Nqtural Park. It’s known to get very busy at weekends so try to make it there a bit early to have the route to yourself.

5. Santiago de Compostela: Pilgrims on foot are not the only ones who can enjoy this world-famous voyage. Cyclists can choose whether to complete the full 800km (500 mile) French Way or do the minimum 200km required to obtain the precious Pilgrimage Certificate.

6. The Central Massif: Choose from up to 80 different routes running through this amazing mountain range which starts in Madrid and ends in Portugal. Check out the Senderia (senderosdelsistemacentral.com) website to plan your trip accordingly.

It will provide you with the best routes for the time you have available.

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8. Cadiz: This 37km (22 mile) Via Verde de la Sierra route runs from the village of Puerto Serrano in the province of Cadiz to Olvera, a small village north-east of Ronda. It goes through no less than 30 tunnels and 4 viaducts as well as valleys and river banks. Free of traffic and a relatively easy ride overall, it’s ideal for a family day trip - and if the little ones are too tired, taxi with bicycle racks are available for the return journey.

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I’m Free!

Campoverde Theatre Group are now into the final stages of rehearsals for their next production I’m Free their musical adaptation of that long running comedy classic, Are You Being Served.

Come along to the Casa de Cultura in San Miguel for an evening of laughter, song and dance. This production will follow the same format as the very successful show, Di de Di which gained excellent reviews from enthusiastic patrons.

Come along and meet Mrs Slocombe and her junior Miss Brahms staffing the ladies wear department; Mr Grainger, Mr Humphries and Mr Lucas representing menswear, plus the proud Captain Peacock as they prepare the store for German week. The staff are all excited as they have all been invited for a free party weekend to celebrate

Summer Opening Times: Mon-Fri 10am- 4pm OUT OF HOURS BY REQUEST

Drive through Quesada Arches up main street, take left fork at Parque Acuatico sign. Continue to Consum sign and turn right onto Avenida Costa Azul, continue uphill and take right turn onto Calle Toledo.

Country Club / Barber is 200mtrs on right - Look for Childrens Play Area.

the 90th birthday of young Mr Grace.

As one would expect there are lots of laughs from the antics of this group both in store and during their vacation.

The show has many well known songs from the 1960’s which will have the audience singing long after they have left the theatre.

This will be a real feel good production which will have patrons singing along with the well known numbers and giggling at the antics of the staff group and the surprise entertainment prepared for Mr Grace’s birthday bash. Come along and enjoy an excellent night out to cheer up an October evening.

Production dates are October Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th.

Tickets are now available from Colin on 96 677 4127 and Bargain Books San Miguel.

Andy Wilson Photographer

entertainment this week The Entertainment Venue That Has It All....

Monday - Eyes Down with our very own Maz from 8pm Tuesday - 10am Aqua Aerobics with Sharon and Jo Dennis and Friends and Crazy G with Play Your cards Right guest singers fun and laughter 4.30pm to late Wednesday - 9.30am Line Dancing with Peter 10am Spanish Lessons with Mark Mid Week Roast Day! 2 x Main Courses for 10 euros including bottle of wine between 2 people. Served in the restaurant from 6pm.

To Book call: 966 719 160 Thursday - 10am Aqua Aerobics with Sharon and Jo. Combo Night choose two dishes served with chips or jacket potato, salad, coleslaw and onion rings Friday - Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm followed by Live Entertainment from 9pm Saturday - 9.30am Line Dancing with Peter All Your Live Sports shown on the Big Screen Sunday - Our award winning Sunday Carvery first sitting from 1.15pm and second sitting from 3pm. Please book to avoid disappointment.

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PRIVATE FUNCTIONS CATERED FOR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 966 719 160 Calle Toledo No 16, Rojales. 03170

Follow the CV905 north from Torrevieja. At Ciudad Quesada continue through the arches. After 500 mtrs take the left fork signed Parque Aquatico. The Centro Municipal is on the left corner. Follow up hill for 300 mtrs. Turn right into Avda De La Costa Azul, signposted ‘GOLF’. After a km turn right into Calle Toledo, again signed ‘GOLF’. The club is 300 mtrs on the right. Calle Toledo No 16

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Cathy’s curiosity corner

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Email: tcscuriositycorner@hotmail.es Facebook: cathy’s curiosity corner

For many people the creation of a luxurious, tranquil space in which to escape from the world, if only for a while, is the ultimate aim of their bathroom design. The actual design, of course, depends on the size of your bathroom – or on the size of your house if you are considering a wet room for example, as an ensuite or second bathroom – and your budget but there is any number of designs for you to choose from.

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A bath may be the focal point of your bathroom, so whether you opt for a traditional rectangular bath with paneling or a freestanding bath tub, you do need to think about styles and materials to suit your overall design.

If space is at a premium, storage needs to be well planned, but bathroom cupboards do not need to be very deep as their contents are generally small and narrow. A wall-mounted towel rail can not only be functional in terms of providing warmth and, of course, holding your towels but can have significant aesthetic value too.

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Cathy’s curiosity corner

When choosing outdoor furnishings and accessories, appropriate options to consider before making your purchase include comfort, colour and durability.

Here are a few insider tips to help you style your outdoor space this autumn.

Consider selecting comfortable furnishings that will withstand harsh weather and damaging sun. In the industry of outdoor home décor and furniture, you truly get exactly what you pay for!

With the arrival of new hi-tech materials that can now withstand rain, snow, cold and UV rays, products that in the past were used only inside the home have now made their way outside to the new patio.

For the budget savvy homeowner who is still looking to vamp up a boring space, this is a great time of year to purchase a variety of outdoor accents, such as rugs, pillows and wall art that will give a quick and stylish makeover.

For those cool upcoming evenings on the patio, a fire pit or patio heater is a great addition to your outdoor room.

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The place to buy, sell & display your household furniture El lugar para comprar, vender y mostrar sus muebles de hogar opening times: Mon - Fri 10am-6pm / Sat 12pm - 3pm We have a drop off point for items to help Elche Children’s Home

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SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

News

Spanish cavemen ate snails long before their French neighbours Escargot may now be considered a French delicacy but a new study suggests their Spanish neighbours had a taste for the creatures thousands of years before Long thought to be a culinary invention of the French, new research shows Spanish cavemen were eating escargot 10,000 years earlier than their northern neighbours.

Palaeolithic humans living in caves in southern Spain

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Born in April 2013 Ollie and Oscar are great little guys who were found abandoned in the garden of a closed up house.

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feasted on roasted land snails between 31,000 and 26,900 years ago, archaeologists have discovered.

Archaeologists investigating remains at the Cova de la Barriada site near Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca discovered snails had formed part of the staple diet of early humans.

“Large accumulations of snails were discovered in shallow pits at the site. Our investigations determined that these had been roasted – the earliest evidence to show that snails had formed part of the human diet,” Javier Fernandez-Lopez de Pablo, of the Tarragona-based Institut Catala de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolucio Social (IPHES), said.

www.apahrescue.org

“Previous sites where evidence of snail consumption were found – in other parts of Europe and North Africa - date from around 10,000 years later,” Dr Fernandez-Lopez de Pablo said.

“These findings show that snails were eaten as part of a diet diversification strategy much earlier than previously thought.”

The remains of snails were found in shallow pits alongside bone fragments of rabbit, ibex and red deer.

The new study published this week in the academic

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Although donations from the Ice Bucket Challenge craze are finally starting to pour into Spain’s ALS Association, president Adriana Guevara says that many sufferers of this crippling illness are being overlooked by the Spanish government.

American ALS Association but whatever research they can fund with the millions (€10 million–$13.3 million in July) they’re receiving will definitely help our ALS patients too.”

‘Ice bucket videos can distract from ALS cause’

As in the rest of the world, many Spanish ice bucket challengers posting their videos on YouTube seem to have forgotten what the viral activity is really all about.

Lightening

journal Plos One presents evidence snails were eaten in Spain much earlier than at other sites in the Mediterranean area.

“At first it seemed like people didn’t know how to donate,” Guevara told The Local.

“It was as if all the videos of people pouring ice cold water on themselves were not really informing people about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“That’s changed now, largely thanks to radio.

Without the somewhat distracting footage, we’ve been given the chance to tell listeners in Spain what ALS sufferers go through and why we need their help.”

Guevara is by no means against the viral IBC campaign, calling it “fun” and arguing that at the very least most people have now heard of the neurodegenerative disease.

“We’ve received €25,000 ($32,000) in donations in the last week so the campaign is finally helping,” Guevara added.

“The figures are nowhere near those of the

ADELA, as Spain’s ALS association is called, uses all the donations it gets on providing treatment to patients rather than looking for a cure.

“There are 2,800 ALS sufferers in Spain, all of whom require physiotherapists to help them fight their loss of bodily movement, speech therapists when they start having trouble talking and general carers to help them with simple, daily tasks.”

The non-profit group also cover the cost of any equipment needed to make ALS sufferers’ lives easier, from cranes to communication computers they operate with their mouths.

ALS, or ELA in Spanish, sees patients suffer from increasing muscle atrophy. They also have difficulty with speaking and breathing as their muscles and spinal chords lose nourishment and weaken.

“We have to pay for their treatment because Spain’s health ministry only gives subsidies to (serious) grade three disabilities, or people who are completely dependent on others,” Guevara explains.

“Those who are grade two but struggle with the simplest of tasks get nothing. They’re often left waiting for months to be evaluated or to be given financial cover, meaning their condition rapidly worsens and they’re left bedridden.”

Guevara, president of Spain’s ALS Association, is still positive about what’s resulted from an awareness campaign she labels as “unique”.

“ALS has played a large part in my life as family members have died from it and I’ve been part of the association since 1995. We’ve never ever been given so much attention as now.”

Source: www.thelocal.es

SOLTIMES september 2014

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SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

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Buyer Beware It is not my intention to suggest that Margi’s E-Cigs are the only e-cig suppliers who sell quality goods at a fair price, There are many good suppliers available. What is of concern is the substantial and growing number of e-cig sellers who view the public as a profit bandwagon upon which to ride only while the going is good.

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Kitchen Sink The growth of ‘Kitchen Sink’ e-liquid production and a door to door service is a potential cause for concern for many reasons. Individuals and sellers are mixing up E-Liquids at home and beginning to market their products even through websites. Inevitably the authorities will take a greater interest in this aspect of vaping safely as its growth is observed. It is our wish that some form of control is exercised regarding E-Liquids and E-Liquid sales.

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SOLTIMES september 2014

braben’s blog...

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. Today I was going to express my disappointment at everyone of you for not having the courage to take up my challenge and examine the world of Linux that I had prepared for you down at my clinic last Friday. Shame!

This weekend I met a lovely couple who had tried, and been unsuccessful, at installing a wireless printer. Because I have done this many times before and seen most of the tricks that the install program and the printer itself can throw at you, I was prepared for all out war!

Installing the printer should be reasonably straight forward, but rarely is! It requires 3 points of connection.

To put it another way, there are 3 places where the installation can fail and unless all 3 parts of the triad are in place and working, the whole thing fails and there is no printouts! So, what are these points of connection you might ask?

First, and in no order of importance, is the printer. Should that not have all the printer cartridges, paper and connections (power and surprisingly a USB cable) installed, then you are beating your head against a wall before you start. The next part of the printer setting up is making sure that it connects to the router. Every printer has a slightly different way to connect to the router and so it would be pointless to give instructions on how to do this, and the instructions might have more than a little ‘techno-babble’ but will point you in the right direction with patience. Needless to say that when you have it right then there will be some kind of notification light to show that you have successfully connected to the router. This is a ‘one-off’ task!

Second part of the triad is the router.

This will have been set

up previously and you will be using it daily to check emails, surf the web and any number of other normal daily tasks. So nothing to do there either.

The final part of the triad is the computer. Usually the software will ‘walk you’ through the installation, making sure that you have completed every stage before you can move on to the next one. I did say ‘Usually’ because if you try to jump ahead at any point beyond the immediate instruction, then the flow of installation is lost and you will have to ‘start again’. This means removing all the drivers and software that they want you to have.

This process is exactly what I had to do: Remove every piece of the original installation and start from scratch.

The thing that took the longest time was getting the printer to recognise the router and vice versa. The router ‘assigns’ an address that your computer uses to access the internet.

The same is true with the printer and until this happens you can’t go any further! Infuriating but that is the way it is. Once this is connected the information light on the printer (there is usually one – I have never seen a wireless printer without one) will become steady instead of flashing (also normal for most wireless printers).

Needless to say that the printer was properly installed and tested to this lovely couples satisfaction.

As with all things computer related, patience and experience will find a resolution to every problem :-) Anyway enough from me! I’m now off to Jack’s Bar in Albox for my Friday morning computer club and afternoon computer clinic! Maybe you would like to make a suggestion using the email address under this article for further article that will be helpful to you.

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

Well I Never Children are eager to learn from their elders; however from the first time uncle playfully removes the child’s nose with his hand to display in his clenched fist; things are not what they seem. A pinch of salt should be taken with quite a few things we take for granted.

Let’s start with animals and bats first; the term blind as a bat is known to us all yet all bats have eyes. Whilst 3/4s of bats use sound to navigate, fruit bats in particular use their vision to hunt for food. The poor goldfish with its tiny three second memory actually remembers things from months ago.

Like a red rag to a bull is poppycock too; it’s the actions of the matador that enrage the bull not the colour red.

Bulls like most mammals see in black and white, the red cape is just another dark colour.

The humble bumble bee apparently should not be able to fly due to the design of its wings; wrong again as proved by the fact they do fly. A French scientist called Magnan published the

Feeling Puzzled !

I quite enjoy a good puzzle occasionally, in fact only last week I spent a happy half hour puzzling out how to open the packaging on one of Mercadona’s lettuces.

I’m convinced Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid broke into easier banks.

But that’s nothing when compared to some of the puzzles that newspapers inflict on us today. I swear that the top code breakers from the intelligence services would be hard put to solve these corkers.

I was leafing through the pages of “The Daily Mail” yesterday and came across a tidal wave of puzzles in the middle of the newspaper. Feeling confident after my comprehensive victory over the lettuce, I grabbed a pencil and attacked the page, aiming to complete the lot before lunchtime.

Before lunch? I’d have been lucky to have them done in time for Christmas!

Now usually I rattle through crosswords and the like.

Only last week I completed the bumper “Radio Times” crossword…Christmas edition…1965. Well, in my defence, it was a tough one. Anyway I sent it off in the hope I might just squeak in before the closing date. I do have my heart set on the prize, signed photographs of Cliff Michelmore AND Judith Chalmers.

But back to “The Daily Mail”. If you think that Sudoku is a challenge then believe me, you’re in for a shock.

I couldn’t believe it. I looked at the page and nearly choked on my healthy mid morning snack. Six chocolate digestives are healthy aren’t they?

Instead of a crossword or friendly Sudoku I came face to face with Hidato, Gogen and Zygolex. Weren’t they on Doctor Who last week? What I would love to know is, who the devil is coming up with these torturous puzzles? Then a thought struck me…the KGB! Stands to reason doesn’t it? Well, what else have they got to do now that they’re-allegedly-not spying on just about everyone, or planting moles left right and centre.

Of course, they’re just the chaps to come up with those modern day objects of torture.

Maybe there’s a hidden plan. Perhaps they hope that the population will be so engrossed in their Super Bumper Make You Very Crossword, or Zygolex, that nobody will notice those nice soldier chappies strolling along your street, annexing the corner shop.

But the thing is, nobody would mindas long as they brought with them the answer to 15 down!

Graham is married to Helen and has a daughter, Alice. He lives part of the year near Albox, but works in Qatar, teaching. If you wish to contact Graham regarding this article email: helenandg@yahoo.co.uk

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com 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: stephen@findmeahome.es Telephone: 636 266 641

results of his experiment 80 years ago but had used the wrong instruments. When he noticed his mistake he corrected it but the error had already crept out in the public consciousness and this before Facebook.

I remember in the early 80s being atop the Eiffel Tower and a couple of us boys dropping a few pennies off the side. We were soundly told off by our teacher who told us we could have killed someone on the ground.

Wrong! The coins wouldn’t have reached more than 30/40mph and any side winds would have slowed the coins further. Lightning never strikes twice is a fallacy too as the Empire State building gets struck over a 100 times a year. Prominent landmarks are much more likely to get hit.

Having Australian friends in my teens, I asked them if water rotates anti clockwise when draining down the plug hole down under. I have no recollection of the answer but

if they said yes they were fibbing as water drains clockwise both above and below the equator. On a much larger scale the Coriolis effect works on weather systems; cyclones south of the equator blow anti clockwise and hurricanes clockwise northwards but the force is too weak to change waters direction down the plug hole.

Moving onto the ever popular subject of religion and Christianity, Adam and Eve’s forbidden fruit is usually depicted as an apple. With early Bibles being written in Latin the word mali means both apple and evil, hence the confusion. The bible doesn’t mention three wise men named Casper Melchior and Balthazar arriving on camels to pay homage in a stable to the newly born baby Jesus.

An unspecified number of wise men (magi) are described bringing gifts to a house where Mary and her young child were living so our rose tinted

nativity scenes date from paintings made 300 years after the event.

Islam, also a hot topic currently has a few popular misconceptions. Six dozen virgins are not offered to martyrs in the Quran; just that virgin companions will accompany all that enter heaven.

The word Jihad literally means a struggle (of the spiritual kind) rather than a holy war. Though the saying Jihad bin saif; translates as struggle of the sword. The word Fatwa made infamous by Salmon Rushdie means a non-binding legal opinion under Islamic law rather than a death sentence and often different scholars come up with different interpretations.

Lastly we have the old chestnut that the Great Wall of China is visible with the naked eye from space. It’s really not, however the greenhouses of Almeria certainly are!

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SOLTIMES september 2014

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SOLTIMES september 2014

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News

Humanists of Murcia August Lunch

The penultimate Summer Lunch of the Humanists of Murcia saw twenty happy people turned up for the lunch at El Faro, Calnegre. Some were relaxing after families have departed (Jon/Joan, Deryck/Margaret), some were about to celebrate a quiet house (John/Rhian), some were happy to return to a restaurante that had severed the group well on previous visits (Annie, Vince/Vivien) and Jan and Barry were welcomed into the group as new members (I think).

Martin, Anne, Audrey and Sue were just happy.

This time we were out in front of the restaurante in the shade but enjoying a little light breeze. The staff did their best to provide good food and reasonably efficient service. The only problem seemed to be a difficulty ordering cider, something beyond the two women behind the bar. Maybe, the Morata accent is different from the coastal accent? Or it might have been the windy and hot ride down the mountain with the top down affected Anne’s voice?

There was so much to catch up on that there were still a number of people sitting at the table at 5 pm.

The October walk(s) will be held in the Mar Menor area, with the group staying four days in Los Narejos Hotel.

The November walk, led by Audrey, will be along a Escalera de los Moros, a valley North of Librilla with lunch at Lo Pagan truck stop of the A-7 (much better than it sounds).

The December walk will down in Almeria.

For more information, go to www.bolnuevo.com and click on Humanists.

CAMPOVERDE CANINE CLUB The latest results from the end of the obedience courses are now in and the winners have been presented with their certificates and trophies at the Polideportivo sports ground in Pinar de Campoverde.

Our congratulations go out to all who passed their final examination.

The CCC was formed in July 2000 and since then many owners have benefited from expert tuition, by a Home Office approved Instructor, and are now proud of the way they are able to control their best friends.

As far as the trophies are concerned it was a very close run affair with very few marks separating the top places:1st place in the Basic Class went to Pat. Frewin and her Lab/Belgian Shepherd “Bailey” with 108.4/110 marks.

Second place went to Paul Eyre and his GSD “Chico” gaining a total of 107.8 marks. Paul gained the 2nd spot well ahead of the rest of the class In a well deserved first place in the Intermediate class with a magnificent score of 130.8/140 was a Poodle, “Charlie”, and his proud owner Chris Parkes. Well done to you both on a magnificent effort. “Charlie” seems to be in the winning mode as he finished in top spot in the basic class last

December The second place in the Intermediate class was won at a canter by Dave Hook and his GSD “Mata” To get Mata up to standard took a lot of hard work and patience. Dave and his wife travelled 70 kilometres each way to the training ground, showing his determination to get the best he could for “Mata”. His owner Dave Hook should be over the moon with the progress made by his dog.

Once again well done and congratulations to you all.

New courses will be starting very soon. If you are interested in training your four legged friend:Please telephone Roy on 966762265 …..or …….. email:campoverdecanineclub@ outlook.com

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SOLTIMES september 2014

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Test sump pump. You don’t want to wait until you need your sump pump to find out it’s not working.

• Check driveway/pavement for cracks. Make sure to have re-sealed before winter; water can freeze and expand in the cracks, causing more damage. list, necessarily. Do what works for you and your schedule, • Buy winter gear. Have sidewalk salt, good shovels, etc. and as long as all these things get accomplished, your home ready for winter. You never know when that first snow will will be happy for years and years to come. come!

Fall Winter Fall is an in-between season where you’re finishing up Winter is the time to go around the interior of your home your summer home maintenance tasks as well as getting and check for any little things you may have overlooked, your home ready for winter. Cold, snow, and rain can do or perhaps noticed and said, “I’ll get to that later.” Winter a number to a home, so you don’t want to ignore winter is your later. If you have any interior honey-do projects, preparation. whether it be painting, building shelves, etc., now is a great • Flush hot water heater and remove sediment. This prolongs time to tackle those as well. the life of the heater and helps with efficiency as well.

• Regularly check for ice dams and icicles. De-icing cables • Winterize air conditioning systems. Remove and store that sit at the front of the roof work well. Don’t let icicles window units. If you have central air, cover the outside grow, as much as the kids may want you to. They’re not unit with a tarp or plastic sheeting and secure with bungee only a danger to people standing beneath them, but they’re cords. incredibly heavy and can cause damage to your home. They • Get heating system ready for winter. Check for any leaks also can cause water damage to your foundation when they in windows or doors; these can cost an arm and a leg. Make melt. sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture. • Test your electricity to the extent that you can. Always, Get furnace serviced/inspected at least every other year, always be extra careful when working with electricity. You preferably annually. As with the AC, this shouldn’t be a huge can do a couple things on your own, though. Check that all expense. Don’t forget about fireplaces if you have them. outlets work; if they don’t, you can re-wire them on your • Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets. Also flush hoses own. Also, test your GFCI outlets. There are wildly varying and store them. Winterize sprinkler systems as well, if you opinions on how often to test this. Some say monthly, others say annually. have one.

• Get chimney cleaned, if • Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc. Go through the you have one. Some folks house and inspect anything that could have a loose screw. say to do this in the spring, • Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. some say fall. Either way, If anything doesn’t work right, replace. just make sure it’s done • Check caulking around showers and bathtubs; repair as once per year. needed.

• Remove showerheads and clean sediment. This prolongs its life and helps with water pressure as well.

• Deep clean and inspect the basement. Basements are notoriously overlooked, especially if they’re primarily Pre-owned furniture and accessories just storage areas. Dust Free local delivery ‘em up, clean any windows, Part and full house clearance specialist make sure there isn’t mold anywhere, etc. Give your Open Mon - Fri 10 - 18.00, Sat 10 - 14.00 basement a good inspection C/Pablo Neruda 2, Local 5, Rojales at least once a year.

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Keep Your House in Tip-Top Shape In order to maximize your efficiency and actually get all of these tasks done, you might want to create a home maintenance calendar for yourself. Whether online or on paper, you can jot down small, regular tasks for each weekend and not be too overwhelmed. We’ve listed tasks that need to be done monthly, quarterly, and biannually.

We’ve also given you a list of tasks to be completed seasonally. Not every expert agrees as to which task needs to be done in which season, so this isn’t a black and white

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t: 647 264 500 e: qtfloordesign@gmail.com Facebook: QT floor design

We specialise in Stone carpets and polished microcement for both indoors and outdoors on floors or walls. Stone carpets are very durable, waterproof, easy to clean, stain resistant and non slip making it the ideal covering for your home or garden.

Made of marble and granite stones mixed with an epoxy resin it gives a seamless covering and therefore eradicating any bacteria that may live in cracks.

Microconcrete is an ideal way to give your home a stylish contemporary look and again is seamless, waterproof, very hard wearing and easy to clean and maintain.

Both products are available in various colours and designs and can be used in living areas, kitchens, bathrooms, wet rooms, gardens and patios.

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22

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SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

Look Good

Kim Clar k benefits consultancy

10 ways to ease your mind

Do you suffer from mobility problems, breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles?

Do you need help washing / dressing or supervision?

You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness / disabililty benefits while living in Spain

Recognise that worry is part of life and can be a life-saving response. It serves a purpose and only becomes a problem if it stops you functioning.

Try ‘thought-stopping’: substitute a fearful thought with the word ‘stop’ and visualise yourself lying on a beautiful beach, listening to the sea.

Slow down your bodily response to worries. Pay attention to your breathing when you feel anxious. Take deep, full and slow breaths to help you feel calm.

Increase your physical activity. A gentle walk or 10 minutes’ weeding can break the worry cycle and take your mind off your problems.

Do your worries relate to reality? Look logically at your anxious thoughts. If you’re worried about your children going to school alone, ask yourself what are the realistic chances of them

For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

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Feel Great

being abducted or knocked down by a car? Remember, you’ve prepared them thoroughly for coping with the journey and it’s vital to let them learn to deal with life alone.

Take action and address stressful situations. If you’re concerned about your relationships, make time to talk calmly about your concerns. If you’re worried about your children’s school-work, arrange to meet their teacher to discuss ways to help.

Organise your life to cut down on stress. Write lists, keep bills and documents in an easily located file, and make a special place for your keys, purse and glasses so you don’t spend a flustered few minutes each morning looking for them.

Try to let go and accept that you can’t control everything. To a certain extent, we’re in the hands of the gods – so, once in a while, you must turn yourself over to fate.

Establish a ‘worry time’ – half an hour to worry on a regular basis. Write down your worries and put them into categories, such as finance, relationships, self-esteem issues and work. Turn your worrying into problem-solving by looking at each group and deciding what action to take. If you wake up in the middle of the night in turmoil, keep a pen and paper handy so you can write down your anxieties – and then see how silly they seem in the morning.

Phone a friend. Voicing your anxieties always helps, so call someone whose opinion you value and discuss your concerns. Get your worries out in the open and gain useful advice on how to deal with them.

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OPEN-FIT/RIC HEARING AIDS

Michael Burke RHAD MSHAA

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Written by Michael Burke RHAD MSHAA of Digital Hearing, Quesada Nowadays hearing aids are like computers: every six months something new comes along! The vast majority of the improvements are small but every now and then a great leap forward occurs. The last of these was the invention of the open fit/RIC (receiver in the canal) hearing devices. They consist of a small piece that goes behind the ear and a very thin almost invisible tube or wire that goes into the ear canal.

Dramatically different from previous designs, open ear fittings set a new standard for aesthetics. Designed for looks, comfort and performance, these appliances integrate some of the most sophisticated soundprocessing technology available today. An ultra-thin sound tube connects the hearing aid amplifier to a tiny soft dome placed inside the ear canal, which keeps the ear feeling ventilated and comfortable.

They are very discreet, almost invisible, and for most people are the most comfortable of all systems to wear.

The small buds leave the ears open, allowing them to breath freely and taking away any blocked feeling, allowing the low-frequency sounds in naturally whilst amplifying the high frequencies where help is most needed. The domes at the end of the wire into the ear canal come in different sizes right down to the very smallest sleeves, meaning that even someone with the smallest of ears and narrowest of canals can wear them comfortably.

Many people who have a hearing problem have good low-frequency hearing (deep sounds, steady-state noises, background noises, men’s voices, engine or wind noise) but suffer from poor high-frequency hearing (women’s and children’s voices, high-

pitched bells and buzzers, birdsong and, in the English language, they tend to be consonants at the beginnings and ends of words). The open-fit/RIC aid is ideal for this configuration.

With the receiver in the canal aid the loudspeaker is actually inside the ear at the end of the thin tube, meaning that the piece behind the ear (which would normally house the loudspeaker) can be made much smaller and more discreet.

These devices cost no more than the standard hearing aids and are suitable for most people but not those with severe or profound hearing losses. The amplifier unit is available in a myriad of stylish shapes along with a great choice of colours.

Comments such as ‘I forget I’m wearing my hearing aid’, or ‘Im back to being the social person I used to be’ are common from RIC hearing aid wearers.

If you have any questions about this week’s topic, you can e-mail digitalhearing@hotmail.co.uk, contact Michael Burke at Digital Hearing, Quesada Business Centre, Calle Los Arcos 7, Ciudad Quesada – tel 698 418 642, or visit us on-line at www.digitalhearingspain.com.

BLANCA ONLY www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

23

24

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SOLTIMES september 2014

Expats Advised to Plan Ahead for Possible Tax Changes

FOR BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS? 3 WAYS TO ADVERTISE RING 966 719 647 OR EMAIL YOUR ADVERT TO blancasales@soltimes.com

Recent reports suggest that the UK government may withdraw the tax-free personal allowance for expats or other overseas nationals who receive an income from the UK.

Chancellor George Osborne has indicated that all non-residents may soon have to pay tax on all their UK income – affecting all Britons who rent out their UK property, and even those drawing a Government pension abroad. It is estimated that this could decrease an expat couple’s income by up to £4,000, thanks to the Treasury’s proposals to restrict the tax free-allowance to those with a “strong economic connection” to Britain.

Angelos Koutsoudes, Head of www.

OverseasGuidesCompany.com, a free resource for Britons looking to move or buy property overseas, warns, “Sitting alongside the upcoming change of regulation which will enforce capital gains tax on the

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sale of all residential property owned by overseas nationals and/or UK expats, we would urge expats to review all their sources of UK income.

“It’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible when planning a move overseas, to find out how these plans could affect you. One option may well be to sell the UK property and move pensions into a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). We deal with enquiries every day from concerned overseas property-buyers wanting to ensure their financial and tax affairs are in order.

It’s rewarding to be able to put our readers’ minds at rest by connecting them with recommended tax and financial advisors, who are authorised to advise on all financial planning and taxation matters.”

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SOLTIMES september 2014

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25

News Light Shining in the Forest by Paul Torday. Book Review.

Spaniards still have €1.67 billion in old pesetas

Even though the euro replaced the peseta 15 years ago, Spaniards still have a whopping €1.67 billion ($2.11 billion) worth of the country’s old and now unusable currency stashed away in draws and collector’s albums, the Bank of Spain says.

Fortunately for those who have just stumbled upon an old stash of pesetas, Spanish authorities will allow the old money to be exchanged for euros until 2020.

It’s been 15 years since the EU currency took centre stage in Spain and 13 since it completely replaced the peseta as the only currency that could be used as payment.

According to Spanish national daily ABC, Spaniards have continued to exchange pesetas in coinage and bank notes in recent years, €15 million worth in 2013.

But as Spain only just starts to lift itself up after 6 long years of economic hardship, it’s difficult to believe there are still €1.6 billion euros worth that ordinary Spaniards haven’t made use of.

In fact, the Bank of Spain estimates 45 percent of the peseta coins that were in circulation before euros were introduced will never be exchanged either because they’re now collectors’ pieces, they’ve been lost or are in bad condition.

One euro currently equals 166 pesetas, meaning that the €1.67 billion figure equates to an astronomical 277.6 billion pesetas.

Spain’s old currency took its name from the Catalan word peça, which means either piece or fraction.

Although it became the official nationwide currency in 1868, the first coins which contained the word peseta date back to 1808 and are from Barcelona.

Source: www.thelocal.es/

“Why did you give him to me, if you were going to take him away again?”

The debate continues here on stigmata and divine intervention versus atheism and agnosticism. Torday stated that the atheists and agnostics might be wrong and that there might be a God. If this makes your blood run cold then perhaps you’ll relish the opportunity to be immersed in a story that fuses the genres of thriller, satire, horror and the supernatural as well as love and sex. Forget the religion.

Recently in Madrid a number of young children have been abducted from Ciudad Lineal, one from the Dominican Republic, another Japanese and a Chinese girl as well as some Spanish girls. Torday responded to the Baby P case in the UK by writing this novel in an attempt to highlight the inadequacies of the Social Services and the breakdown of the family unit.

Who’s to blame? This is his most disturbing and angry work, published the year of his death. “Pure evil has a random quality that it is difficult to predict and arm yourself against.”

The story is set in Torday’s home territory-Northumberland. We are plunged into the primeval world of fables in the Kielder forest with animals possessing human-like eyes, mysteriously appearing and disappearing, uncomfortable periods of silence. Its inhabitants lived by violence, men who were masterless who acknowledged no King as their ruler. It’s a dark, haunting bleak landscape hiding macabre thoughts

No Holidays for Advance Moves

Whilst most people are heading for the beaches of Spain during the hot summer months for a well deserved vacation, spare a thought for the Advance Moves International removals crews that are at their busiest during the Summer Months.

Advance Moves managing director Mat Ford-Dunn explained that it is always the summer months when removals crews are at their busiest as it fits in with their clients requirement to relocate between the UK and Spain during school holidays to minimise disruption. ‘It doesn’t help that the removals crews find themselves working their hardest when temperatures are well into the mid 30’s over the summer, but our crews are all very experienced and are used to working in this hot climate. We make a point of starting early in the morning and trying to finish as much work as possible early in the day before it really heats up. All our staff have regular medicals and carry plenty of water to combat the heat and keep themselves hydrated and they all have a very positive attitude and enjoy their work so despite the heat they push on and get the job done.’

This year has been especially busy for Advance Moves with a dramatic increase in the number of removals undertaken that has required the purchase of 5 additional vehicles and

a third warehouse in the UK to cope with demand. Mat puts the increased work levels down to a more buoyant housing market but also in the high levels of service that Advance Moves offers to its clients compared to other removers. Advance Moves is one of a handful of Removal companies in Spain that are fully legal with a Spanish transport licence (tarjeta de transporte) and also members of the British Association of Removers (BAR). Mat was also keen to point out that they Export wrap all items of furniture rather than just blanket wrapping which is a poor alternative offered by other less professional movers. ‘Overall we offer a higher level of service and protection than other removers at a price that is still competitive and that is why our clients keep coming back, you only have to look at our online survey results on our website (www.advancemoves.com) to see how highly our clients rate us and we just keep trying to improve’ said Mat when asked why Advance moves was so busy this year.

and acts of barbarity. It’s also where Geordie Nixon works as a woodsman.

His relationship with Mary has floundered after the abduction of Theo, a special child who displayed mysterious lacerations and wounds that appeared and disappeared without any logical explanation.

“Abusing and losing children is something the nation excels at.”

Norman Stokoe is the Children’s Czar, a glorified civil servant who receives an extensive salary for sitting in an office doing nothing because of a political shake up. When confronted by the mother of missing Theo he is repulsed at the thought of getting involved.

A brazen reporter, ambitious, waiting for the killer-story that will consolidate his future as an investigative reporter shakes up Norman’s sanctity. Willie Craig.

Two more children, this time girls, are abducted and the police seem lethargic. Norman Stokoe has a change of heart and wants to get to the truth of the matter. Are the police hiding something? Is there a cover up? Why is he threatened?

Who is the child abductor? Read it at your peril….

Publisher: Orion Books. ISBN: 978-1-7802-2224-0 REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com naylorcl@hotmail.es

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SOLTIMES september 2014

Go to our web site for all our excursions from Benidorm theme parks (Mundomar, Aqualandia & Terra Mitica) to Madrid, Barcelona through to Christmas or Cruises.

online Booking Now Available!

Book online or call us direct, either way one of our operators is waiting to take your call or visit www.coachtripsonline.com for more info

strange laws

• In Georgia, it is against the law to slap a man on the back or front.

• A barber is not to advertise prices in the State of Georgia.

• In Louisiana, a bill was introduced years ago in the State House of Representatives that fixed a ceiling on haircuts for bald men of 25 cents.

• In Oklahoma, no baseball team can hit the ball over the fence or out of a ballpark.

Fun Brain Teasers with Answers to Challenge your Mind

1.Who killed MacBeth? ....................................................

2. Which soul singer had a hit with ‘You’re My First, My Last, My Everything’? ....................................................

3. For which newspaper did Superman work? ....................................................

4. In which state is the Grand Canyon? ....................................................

5. What was the name of the first cloned sheep? ....................................................

6. Of which Asian country was Benazir Bhutto a former Prime Minister? ....................................................

7. Which of the Bronte sisters wrote Wuthering Heights? ....................................................

8. On which river do Halifax and Wakefield stand? ....................................................

9. London is currently bidding to host the Olympic Games, but in what year? ....................................................

10. Which member of the Royal Family is expecting a baby in December? ....................................................

SolPUZZLES wordsearch

Roller Coasters

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

The remaining 20 letters spell a Ernest Hemingway quotation.

AFTERBURN ALPENGEIST BALDER BIZARRO COLOSSOS COMET CYCLONE

DESPERADO DIAMONDBACK EL TORO GHOSTRIDER GOLIATH GRIFFON HADES

INTIMIDATOR JUPITER KATUN LEVIATHAN MANTA MAVERICK MIND BENDER

MONTU NEMESIS NITRO PHOENIX PROWLER RAGING BULL RAPTOR

RENEGADE ROAR SHEIKRA TATSU THUNDERBOLT TITAN TREMORS

TROY TWISTER VIPER XCELERATOR

Brain Teasers Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

standard SUDOKU

easy SUDOKU

CRYPTIC crossword

6) Pakistan 7) Emily 8) Calder 9) 2012 10) Sophie, Countess of Wessex

CROSSWORD

The hidden message is: LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

1) MacDuff 2) Barry White 3) Daily Planet 4) Arizona 5) Dolly

SOLUTIONS

wordsearch answer

SOLTIMES september 2014

www.soltimes.com

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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 7 Started with live weapon (5) 8 The final word in alternative books and southern decorations (9) 10 Flexible and quiet in pulse production (6) 11 Glorify England with bird inside imaginary circle (8) 12 Tape container, as arranged, in court before end of June (8) 13 Sapper and journalist’s instrument (4) 15 Artificial credit cards (7) 17 Pieces of cloth shake in explosion (7) 20 Second-hand American-English dictionary’s opening? (4) 22 Mastermind engineer (8) 25 Searches or expels, perhaps (8) 26 Famous hitchhiker with a number of teeth (6) 27 Hugging Marc? Begin changing (9) 28 Some task Edward invited (5) Down 1 Rare gully repositioned at fixed

intervals? (9) 2 Reckons student’s union president initially pretends to be somone he is not (8) 3 Bored with head of department and annoyed about start of lecture (7) 4 I eat crab (cooked) and tiny organisms (8) 5 Alien line found in one insect or another (6) 6 Examine horse at the end of January (5) 9 Money paid periodically for part of barren territory (4) 14 Swayed daughter with gun, initially (9) 16 In terrible century, Tory leader is not straight (8) 18 Benevolence relatives send out to son (8) 19 Half-hour exploiting accomodation (7) 21 Speak about the French Romeo’s pay (6) 23 Objects of worship proceed from the sign (4) 24 Tests former partner’s morning direction (5)

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SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Makes 30 cupcakes Ingredients

1/2 cup milk 1 (1 ounce) bottle McCormick® Red Food Color 2 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Extract 1 teaspoon baking soda Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, 1 cup butter, softened softened 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup butter, softened 4 eggs 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract Near Canales Supermarket 1 (16 ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

Method

Come Book a Party with Us!

indian & English food available 7 days a week till 11pm

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS: All local branded spirits €1 Bottles of Beer €1 Canas / ½ Pints of Beer €1

Harry’s Jammers every Wednesday 4 til 7pm ENTERTAINMENT COMING SOON OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK EARLY TO LATE Avda Costa Azul 100, Local 2y3 CIUDAD QUESADA

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended.

Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined

monty’s bar & restaurant

muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean.

Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes.

Remove from pans; cool completely.

Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat

cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Dark n o c a B e t a l o c Cho Cupcakes

Under New Ownership Newly Refurbished MONTEBELLO URBANISATION CLOSE TO ZOCO MARKET

FISH AND CHIP FRIDAY Beer Battered Cod, Chips, Mushy Peas, Bread and Butter and Cup of Tea. €6.95 pp

karaoke Saturday Night 2 x Rump Steak Meals friday with Chips, Salad and nights

from 8pm with Pete Shaw

Onion Rings €16.95

DAILY CHEF’S SPECIAL 3 COURSES €6.95

TAKE AWAYS AVAILABLE MAIN MENU ALSO AVAILABLE THURSDAY QUIZ NIGHT 9PM PRIVATE FUNCTIONS CATERED FOR! Avda Del Del Romero, Romero, Avda Montebello 03169 03169 Algorfa Algorfa Montebello TEL: 865 865 774 774 669 669 TEL:

Makes 2 dozen cupcakes Ingredients

12 slices bacon 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups white sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 eggs 1 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Method

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over mediumhigh heat until evenly brown. Drain,

crumble and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil. Stir just until blended. Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish.

Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.

Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter.

Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top. Dust with additional cocoa powder.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

www.soltimes.com

Zucchini Raspberry Cupcakes

Making Perfect Cupcakes Cookies, pies and cakes are delicious, but everyone knows that cupcakes are the perfect party treat. Not too big and not too small, cupcakes are a delightfully versatile dessert that can be served on paper plates at a picnic or presented in an elegant, statuesque tower at a wedding or other formal celebration.

They also run the gamut in flavor, ranging from plain yellow with chocolate frosting to key lime with meringue. No matter what size, taste or toppings you favor, there’s a cupcake recipe (or 20) bound to satisfy every taste bud.

It’s nearly impossible to make a perfect cupcake using the “pinch of this, dash of that” method of cooking. Instead, carefully measured ingredients yield the fluffiest product. Rather than charge

Makes 2 dozen cupcakes Ingredients

2 1/2 cups allpurpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 cups shredded zucchini 1 1/4 cups fresh raspberries 1 cup chocolate chips

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, and baking soda; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until lightcolored and fluffy. Add the eggs one

29

at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla with the last egg. Pour in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in the zucchini, raspberries, and chocolate chips, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

through the recipe and risk unbalanced cupcakes, take the extra minute or two to measure your ingredients exactly.

Wet ingredients, such as water and oil, are best measured in glass cups placed on a level surface. Dry ingredients, like flour and sugar, are measured most accurately in nesting cups that are flat on top, which allows you to level the dry ingredients with a spatula or baking spoon before adding them to the mixing bowl.

Experts also recommend that flour and sugar be sifted when you’re making cupcakes from scratch. Sifting helps prevent unfortunate lumps from ruining an otherwise perfect treat.

Source: recipes.howstuffworks.com

Deli Slagerij / Butcher

“La Finca”

For all your Meat Products, Dutch Cheese, Bread, Sandwiches & Delicatessen

The Place to get your BBQ meat

8 Different Burgers, 6 Different Skewers Daily Fresh Marinated Lamb & lots of other things

BEEFBURGERS ONLY 1€ EACH

Opening hours: Monday / Saturday 09:00 to 18:00 Sunday 10:00 to 14:00 Including Bank Holidays

Telephone: 611 279 885

Avda. Antonio Soler Pedrera 1, local 32, Centro Comercial La Linca Golf, Algorfa

Come along to Papas Bar & Bistro from 12pm until late, Monday to Saturday.

Inspired by popular demand we would like to introduce Our revamped Grill menu. As well as all our old favourites like Chilli con Carne, Lasagne and Sirloin steaks, we now offer Fillet steaks, Cajun chicken, Loin of pork, plus much more. Also try something from our new wide range of starters including shell on garlic prawns, BBQ Chicken wings and chilli nachos. In addition to our new menu, we have also introduced a very popular burger menu this past month and it is not to be missed if you have a big appetite.

We have a delicious summer cocktail menu with the popular classics, also alcohol free for the kids! We look forward to seeing you soon here in the heart of Benijofar.

Papa’s is easy to find on the main street just down the road from the Citroen garage. For any inquires please contact Scott or Charlotte on 603 345 014.

Open from 12 noon til late

papas new grill menu & old favourites available from 6pm

COCKTAIL MENU AVAILABLE:

WEDNESDAYS

BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE

PAPA’S BIG BURGER MENU AVAILABLE lunchtime special 2 courses 6€

2 x 8oz Sirloin Steak Meals & Bottle of Wine 22€ 2 x Gammon Steaks Meals & Bottle of Wine 18€ Or Mix & Match for 20€

Tel: 603 345 014

Avda Federico Garcia Lorca No 76, Benijofar Nr top of High Street

30

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

SOLTIMES september 2014

animal corner Pets in Spain are the Life and Soul of the Party Partying for Pets in Spain Tickets have been selling fast for the upcoming Soul Power Show at El Castillo Restaurant in La Marina.

Supporters of the animal charity have been snapping up tickets for the long awaited show which features the only live 5 piece Soul and Motown band on the Costas.

They will be singing hits from the O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and a host of other Motown, funk and soul hits that audiences have been filling the dance floors to.

Pets in Spain will be opening their second self financing shop, which will be raising funds for the Cat Sterilisation programme soon. Customers are already flocking to the shop in Ave de Londres in La Marina despite it still being fitted out. The 2 shops in La Marina are staffed by volunteers and all money taken is used for the charities various projects. Funds raised

Mountain View

Cat hotel Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes

Centrally-heated houses with large individual runs Love and care will be lavished during your cat’s stay My 29 years of experience in animal and veterinary care will give you piece of mind

from charity events are used to help rescue and treat animals. They have recently rescued 11 dogs that were part of 300 that are in danger in a remote finca. Fundraising events are essential, for allowing charities to achieve their goals of relieving pain and suffering.

One of their long term foster carers is helping Pets in Spain to organise the show which is on September 11th. Tickets are 12 Euros and include a hot buffet with the show. The raffle and profits from the show, which looks like being a sell out go to Pets in Spain. For more information go to www.petsinspain.net or call 645469253 Outlets – El Castillo (by the petrol station La Marina), Pets in Spain shop in La Marina (below Consum Square), Cards and More La Marina, Post Box Dona Pepa, The Card Place Benimar or book and pay at www.lrshows.com, or call 697501992 email lrshowsinfo@ gmail.com Doors at 7pm

Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas

Telephone: 966 195 816

Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473

www.mountainviewcathotel.webs.com

BE SEEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR, with an entry in the

SOLTIMES business directory www.soltimes.com From just €15 for 3 months

All they need is a loving home !

can you help?

Tel: Christine on 902 750 190 blancasales@soltimes.com

stars in bars

DATE ARTIST

VENUE AREA INFO

5th Lynden B Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares 5th

Joanna

Billees Bar Algorfa

5th

JJ Soulman

Inn at the Green Entre Naranjas

5th Dee

Captain Morgans Eagles Nest

5th Andy Balsamo

Banana Tree

Playa Flamenca

6th Lynden B

Bar Sioux

Gran Alicant

6th

Samantha Curtis

Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas

6th

Vanessa Meriol Garage Pablos Bar

6th Gemma

Inn at the Green Entre Naranjas

Playa Flamenca

7th Lynden B

Inn at the Green Entre Naranjas Snug

Las Vegas Tribute Show Reflections

Torre de la Horredada San Luis

9th Lynden B Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares

Heidi is such a sweet little girl.

She is around 6 months old, weighs about 6 kilos and will be medium size when fully grown.

Heidi is good with other dogs and will make a lovely companion.

Call: 645 469 253

heidi

pets in spain

Campoamor

7th Dee 8th

Comedy Show

Catral

6th Diverse

7th Diverse Auld Dubliner

Comedy Show

Balu

Our beautiful Balu is a very happy and playful little kitten. Seen alone in a garden he was rescued and after being examined by our vet he is now in a foster home and offered for adoption.

He is approx 10 weeks old and very sociable.

Call: 645 469 253

8pm Start

Call: 645 469 253 www.petsinspain.com info@petsinspain.info

SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

www.soltimes.com

31

COMMUNITY NEWS QUESADA LADIES CLUB SPIRITUALIST CENTRE The Annual General Meeting of the benijofar Quesada Ladies Club will be held at the Cooper’s Arms, Dona Pepa, on Tuesday 9th September 2014. This is for members only, and they will be admitted at the usual time of 2.30pm.

PASO A PASO MODERN JIVE n DANCE CLUB Classes and socials 2014/2015 Mondays 7.30pm-10.30pm Maymar Restaurant, Poligono de Poniente s/n, Catral......New...starts September date tbc.

Tuesdays 3pm-6pm La Marina Sports Complex, Cl Berna, La Marina Urb. restarts September date tbc.

Thursdays 7pm-10pm Los Rosales Restaurant, cv895, aka Lemon Tree Road, Campo Guardamar Every Thursday continues during August.

ROJALES FREE SUMMER SOCIAL AT 8.30PM FOR ALL TO ENJOY All above events start with a fun Modern Jive Smooth SalsaStyle Class.

Followed by social n dance time with Jive n Dance Junction Disco (playing music for ALL dance styles) Whole event €5 Social €2 No Partner-Never Danced-No Problem Even if you are unable to dance come along and enjoy the music and social Call Adam 638330342 Maxine 670711408 For any possible updates. www.modern-jive-spain.com

modern jive classes

Modern Jive Spain Ceroc Style with Paso A Paso Tuesdays 1.30pm The Club, Quesada.

Tuesdays 5pm La Marina Sports Complex, La Marina Urb. Thursdays NEW SUMMER TIME 6pm Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar.

La Mosca still tbc All classes start with a ongoing beginners class.

Thursday dance social with different entertainers and Dance Junction Disco at Los Rosales Restaurant.

Doors open 8.30pm. All welcome. www.modern-jive-spain.com / Face book same Tel 670 711 408

Strictly Social Club

“We are the Strictly Social Club, meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wed of each month, 14.30 for 15.00 at the New Asturias Restaurant in Punta Prima on the N332.

We are looking to recruit new members to our club. Our activities include, a quiz, with a guest speaker from time to time, and is primarily a place for people to meet and make new friends. Each Christmas, we hold our annual lunch which is always well attended, and good value for money. During the year, we also organise trips out to places of interest. So, if you would like to join our merry throng, please contact: Margaret on 966 730 569 where you will made to be very welcome.”

Meets at NEW ADDRESS: with immediate effect at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178.

We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7.30 p.m. And every Thursday there is an Open Circle where you can develop your skills commencing at 7.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service.

On Tuesday, 9th September we have Stephen Holbrook for an Evening of Mediumship. Tickets for this event are sold out. Gail Ross (UK Medium) will take the Divine Service with Mediumship on Sunday, 14th September at 11.30 a.m. On Tuesday 16th September Gail will take an Evening of Mediumship at 7.00 pm. (this is an extended evening until 9 pm) entry 5€ (tickets available at Hamilton´s Bake House from 1st September to reserve a seat). Everybody welcome to our centre.

Contact Wendy on 965323028. www. spiritualistchurchquesada.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789

Casa Tom Community Choir

From 8 September 2014, Casa Tom Community Choir meets every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm. It is a mixed choir and all levels are welcome. No auditions, no solos. Make new friends and have a good time. Location: Casa Tom, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja. Phone or email Terry for details. Phone: 647-189-135. Email: casatomsanluis@gmail.com.

art club

Art Club, all mediums, no charge, in the Playa Flamenca area. Anyone interested, please contact Lyn tel: 966 189 118

BADMINT0N

AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA. Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. 10-1pm.

For information ring John McGilvray on 966 786 774 or Mobiles 634 658 506 / 695 871 707 or e mail carolejohn_3@ hotmail.com

Torrevieja Costa Lions Club

Please come and join our club members on one of our “ Business meeting nights” and see what we are doing this year to raise money for charities, in our local area and further afield. We are growing in numbers every month so if you feel like helping us then we can be found on the second Thursday in every month at the Cabo Cervera Hotel in La Mata near Torrevieja, Meetings now start at 19.30 hours.

If you like what you see and hear, then you will be invited to join us at our next social night event later in the month, where ever and what ever it may be you can be sure of a good night.

Contact philip.buckman@btinternet. com or via our web site on membership@ torreviejacostalions.org

COME SEQUENCE DANCING

In the air conditioned Olympia Restaurant, Mil Palmeras on Monday evenings in a very congenial atmosphere.

Programme and music changed weekly.

New season commences 8pm. on 15th.

September. For further details contact Sina and Terry 96 676 9420

Yeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaa

Studio 32 is pleased to announce a Barn Dance to be held on Saturday 6th.

September, at the Restaurant El Alto, La Dolores. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are priced at 10 euros, and includes a meal.

The evening won’t be all Country and Western. During the second half, there will be a mixture of all kinds of music, so there should something for all tastes.

Tickets are selling quickly so call Jackie on 966720910 or Ann on 966318019.

Tickets are also available at El Alto.

La Bamba’s - Ballroom / Latin / Sequence Dancing

Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar CV895 [near Lemon Tree Sunday Market] Monday - SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm 10.30pm [SEQUENCE CLASS 7.30pm - 8.30pm] Friday - SOCIAL DANCE 7.30pm 10.30pm Wednesday - New Beginners Class 2pm -3pm Intermediate Class 3pm - 4pm Intermediate Plus Class 4pm - 5pm For more information contact Andrea and Brian 616 478 157

New WI style weekly Mini-Market

When: Every Saturday from 10am until 2pm Where: Urb. Cumbre del Sol, C/C Adelfas, Benitachell The WI Market is every Saturday from 10am. We sell a variety of homemade cakes and savories, chutneys, jams and marmalades, plus art and crafty items. We are always looking for new stallholders – so get in touch.

If you are missing your Spanish classes we have a free coffee morning every Friday at 11am with Spanish/English crosswords and word play.

The WI ladies and friends of the gallery meet up every month. The next free social evening is on Tuesday 19th July from 6pm. Everyone is very welcome for Cake, Coffee, Cava and Chat.

If you would like any more info about the gallery or the WI please get in touch by phone or email.

Tickets: FREE Contact: 636 929 326 tanya.lacey@gmail.com www.galeriaartandsoul.com

SEND your birthdays & events TO: EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM and WE’LL PRINT THEM FREE OF CHARGE!

32

SOLTIMES september 2014

SOL CLASSIFIEDS SOLTIMES www.soltimes.com see us online

everyday

966 719 647

966 719 647 PAYMENT

VISA ,Paypal, bank transfer & Cheques made payable to

MATHEWS mEDIA s.l

wanted

locksmith

advertise all your unwanted items for sale in this section any single item up to 300€ free of charge

W ANT E D : steel spiral s ta i r c a s e minimum 3.8 meters high minimum & 70cm wide maximum, any condition considered.

Phone daytime 6 3 374 9 6 5 2 after 7pm and weekends 634680604.

L o ck s m i t h locked out!!

Call Me Telf: 647 151 972 (24hrs) Put This Number In Your Phone – 24 Hrs Call Out! Commerical, Residential, Cars Locks Changed - Dierre Locks Changed - All Locks To Work Off I Key – Motura Gardesa Locks Changed – Window Locks - Cars Opened To Retrieve Keys – Alarms Fitted

email: blancasales@soltimes.com

pool tables,

snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts.

www. spainpool.com

E x tending loppers €10 quesada tel: 966 716 599 Tap shoes size 5 and 5 ½ (toe and heel taps) v.g.c. 25 pair quesada tel: 966 716 599 Stunning long white lace wedding dress, size

10/12, high neckline, long sleeves.

Immaculate condition. €150.00 Tel. 965 073 193 Sturdy walking frame for sale - as new because never used - €50.00.

Torrevieja area.

Tel:- 965 073 193 H a n d lu g g a g e case, blue, front compartment, w h e e l s , retracting handle, good condition, Torrevieja area.

electricians Electrician available

awnings

for all works Small or large.

Call Dave 693 251 562. davendonc@aol.com

Furniture

Furniture first

est 2006

sl

ROJALES SPECIALIST OF PRE - OWNED FURNITURE & AccESSORIES AT SENSIBLE PRICES

house clearance specialist FREE LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE WE BUY, SELL & PART EXCHANGE QUALITY FURNITURE Open Mon - Fri 10 - 18.00, Sat 10 - 14.00 C/Pablo Neruda 2, Local 5, Rojales

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.

Read why you should be cashing in on today’s booming economy and discover for yourself how you can turn your passion into a large monthly wage, every single month.

For Free Information Visit

www.howtomakemoneyfrommembershipsites.co.uk

TELEPHONE: 966 719 647

for sale

666 933 726

BY TELEPHONE Between 10am & 5pm Monday to Friday

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

PLEASE CALL JAMIE ON: 966 713 075 OR 680 545 923 www.southcostablancaonline.com

insurance

€15.00 Tel: Wood Serene 965 073 193.

Graphite Shaft Wheelchair – 90€ PING l i g h t w e i g h t , GOLF CLUBS f o l d i n g , (LADIES) immaculate ( E x c e l l e n t condition, black, condition) G25 little used. Graphite Ladies 6-SW Torrevieja area. Flex – 300€ GOLF Tel:- 965 073 BAG Wilson 193 Staff Stand Bag TELESCOPE White (new) A U TO 90€ Ideal Xmas TRA C K ING gift , GOLF BAG P 1 3 0 6 5 Ogio Stand Bag (in original (used, good box) 150€ condition) - 50€ Specifications: Tel: 687 214406 Diameter: Catral Area 130mm Focus length: 650mm PATIO TABLE/ Optical design: CHAIRS Glass Newtonian w/ top in Cream paroboloidal E x c e l l e n t 6 mirror F/ratio: condition 100€ F/5 Red-dot star Seater BAR pointer 25mm/ TOW 10mm 1.25” B I C Y C L E Inc. eye piece 2 x RACK Number Plate/ Barlow Dovetail Holds Plate & Solar elec.

Filter CATRAL 2 bikes 90€ SHOWER Area. Tel: 687 , CUBICLE 90 x 214406 60 x 190 (brand PING GOLF new still in box) CLUB(LADIES) 75€ Tel: 687 (Excellent 214406 Catral condition)G25 Area Ladies Driver Graphite Shaft CHRISTMAS 180€ PING TREE 8ft Tree lights GOLF CLUBS with ( L A D I E S ) attached 150e, (Excellent M O B I L E condition) 3 P H O N E Wood Serene S a m s u n g Mini G r a p h i t e Galexy Shaft – 90€ 5 (new) in box Sim

jewellery

asssa medical GOLD WANTED

insurances Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan, 968 153 396

mazarron@asssa.es

English jeweller wishes to buy broken or unwanted Gold jewellery, silver and coins

IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT Call Peter

664 890 990

Member of the National Association of Goldsmiths

free Tel: 687 214406 Catral Area

Brother PE Design embroidery digitizing software, complete with writer box and CLASSIFIED DVD with over to advertise call 62,000 designs.

A b s o l u t e christine on 966 719 647 bargain €95. personals Torrevieja 966722010

SOLTIMES

Knitmaster 600 Knitting machine with single action lace carriage.

Books and patterns. Can be seen working €65 Torrevieja 96-6722010.

B ell i n k y K n i t we a r L i n k i n g machine, very easy to use.

Boxed like new, absolute bargain €49 ono. Torrevieja 96-6722010 Knitmaster SRP50 ribber for knitting machine. good working order €65. Torrevieja 966722010

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

ELEGANT SLIM, SEXY, NAUGHTY ITALIAN LADY available home/ house visits. Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas. Escort available home & house visits. Tel: 693 357 526

pets

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

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

ENGLISH PLASTERER internal finishing, external rendering, 15 years experience, good rates. fully legal in spain. Call Chris 671 444 246 / 965 078 866 email: c_pettit@ B r o t h e r hotmail.co.uk

950i Electronic K n i t t i n g m a c h i n e complete with ribber and lace carriage, containes 555 built in patterns.

Excellent condition little used 2nd machine, €165 Torrevieja 966722010

want to know whats in the news?

SOLTIMES go online

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES september 2014

www.soltimes.com

www.soltimes.com property for sale / rent detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

Tel: 966 719 647 or 902 750 190 ext 330

want to know whats in the news?

go online: www. SOLTIMES.com removals

FOR SALE Apartment

(Top floor / Penthouse) Almoradi, Costa Blanca

bargain

beechdale◄►Removals

Personal friendly door 2 door service - very competitve rates spain - uk & return

* * * Storage

Full or part loads

* Europe *

*

Pets Welcome



Papers arranged



20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas,kitchen&diningroomaswellas aworkshop,courtyardfront&back& room forapool.Mountainviews. €125,000 ono 649 186 107 oremail thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

Local Moves

* * * * Caravans & Motorbikes * * tel brian torrevieja: 965 326 920 or 666 847 648 Arranged

email: beechdale@hotmail.co.uk

4 BED, 2 BATH, Large Terrace overlooking Plaza, separate kitchen and utility room, lift, furnished incl. white goods, UK TV. 105m². Close to the town ‘s attractive central square and all other amenities. 10 mins drive from the resort of Guardamar and close to La Finca Golf.

Reduced price 72,950€

33

UK - SPAIN - UK

From a parcel to a small house move Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service

uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk

+44 (0) 1582 499 836 (0034) 676 534 978 +44 (0) 7977 754 389

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

Van hire

ONE WAY



UK to Spain or Spain to UK

*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN

* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE

TEL: 667 235 205

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

LWB Sprinter van going from south to North of the UK & back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email: van.man@ hotmail.co.uk

34

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

SOLTIMES september 2014

trade Businesses can advertise in the classified section

Classified box from 9€. lineage only 45 cents per word - Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Christine 966 719 647

motoring section

recruitment

SOLTIMES

car repair service

Ed’s

are looking for

mobile

Bright, enthusiastic sales people with an outgoing personality to join our field sales team in Camposol also Costa Blanca area Based at our office in Quesada Experience not essential as full training wil be given as long as you’re organised, enjoy meeting people & can work to deadlines

Excellent Commission Rates Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or call Paulette on 950 121 936 sat/tv services

Rainbow Satellites for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region.

Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or

rainbowsats@gmail.com

soltimes CLASSIFIED Contact Christine

966 719 647

spas

wigs

euro spas Spas at factory prices.

Used & Ex display models.

Spares & repairs.

Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905

Salon Margarethas 24 years in Torrevieja hair / wig specialist for medical illness and hair loss problems. We offer different hair replacements, top fillers, hair prostheses, toupees & wigs. Natural & artificial hair & much more. Also fashion /festival accessories. TV/TS are welcome to our service. Call Margaretha on 966 921 846 for an appointment.

translation services

LOOKING FOR A QUICK

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SOLTIMES september 2014

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The Empress and the Loaf

This is the fifth and final round in my combat with the Mischief Imp. So far that Imp has: Tripped me up; attempted to sabotage the pool pump; made off with the instruction book for the camera, and successfully killed my washing line.

I triumphed over all of these tribulations, suffering nothing worse than a fractured temper, so I felt I had earned a reward, a palliative luxury in the form of a slice of hot buttered toast.

I went to take half a frozen loaf out of the freezer – before freezing I split each loaf into smaller units, and then carefully separate each slice, so that I can, if needed, remove and defrost just one slice and not have to battle

with a whole loaf.

However, on this occasion I was faced with a deep-frozen complete loaf, laminated together so solidly that it would take the rest of the day to defrost sufficiently to remove just one slice.

My dream of hot crunchy toast with an immoderate amount of butter seeping through it seemed unachievable - I had neither the patience nor the inclination to wait for the whole monolithic glacier to defrost!

Fuming with frustration I stared at the homogenous lump in front of me – I wanted toast, and I wanted it right now!

I turned to the Empress, so named because she is an imperial presence in our kitchen. She resides in dignified state on the work surface, a symphony in chrome and black, so superior to every other item in the kitchen that I worry that she could be offended by her humble surroundings.

But she is true class, she rises above the josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

By Jos Biggs

mundane without loss of dignity, daily proving her superiority in all matters culinary.

With due deference I clicked open her door, and inserted the offending ice block.

With reverence I clicked her buttons, politely requesting Defrost.

Courteously she enquired what it was that I wanted her to defrost.

Pan, I told her (She only speaks Spanish).

Sensing my indecision, she suggested that Pan would need 15 minutes to become edible, so I bowed to her superior knowledge, turned her dial to 15, and respectfully initiated Power (She doesn’t have anything as prosaic as Start).

15 minutes later she summonsed me with the microwave equivalent of the ‘Ahem’ of a welltrained butler. I removed one warm and fluffy loaf, separated one soft and malleable slice, which I toasted, buttered and ate!

Ha! No Mischief Imp is a match for the Empress!

alqueria Alqueria, the jewel in the Iberian crown?

The Minister of tourism for the Madrid Government wasn’t losing any sleep over Alqueria’s new initiative. Alquerian tourist drives have come and gone.

They have never attracted more than a handful of holidaymakers and were certainly no match for Spain’s wonderful Costas. The number that have returned to the Pueblo is virtually non-existent and being a member of the Alquerian Frequent Visitors Club is a very lonely experience. Their new tourist initiative was based on the unscrupulous leading the gullible.

It all started at a meeting of the Alquerian Parliament, held in a Remitroot smoke filled room on a scorching August afternoon. Rodriquez, always on the make suggested they turned Alqueria into the ‘Ultimate Bordello Experience’. Enrique, minister for flora and fauna said he thought it already was while staring meaningfully at Manuela. Manuela floored him with a left-hook.

A list of reasons why anyone would want to spend their valuable free time in Alqueria was draughted. It was a very short list. In fact the only item concerned the healing effects of the spa water and this was a complete fabrication.

The only water that emanated from the ground was due to the bad drainage and could turn the stomach of any Port Said sanitary inspector. But it demonstrated a principle. When one buys a house or car one can see the ruddy thing beforehand, with a holiday it is different. By the time the visitors had realised they had been conned, they would have already had their wallets emptied. Deception was to be the byword.

It is said that British seaside landladies based their hospitality on

the Alquerian model. As a tourist destination Alqueria ranks somewhere between Chernobyl and down-town Baghdad. The only recent tourists have been from the Dangerous Sports Club. Eating Alquerian food is listed as one of their more hazardous pastimes.

People have waxed lyrical about the sparkling cities of the world. New York, the Big Apple. Prague, The City of Hundred Spires. Budapest, Pearl of the Danube. One disgruntled tourist suggested an apt epithet for Alqueria. The ‘cleftal horizon’ of Iberia.

So one can see that much work was needed in the reinvention of Alqueria.

Albeit a reinvention on paper only.

The first ploy was to write a cast iron contract to be displayed on the back of each travel document. This small print would be extremely small and in the ancient tongue of the ‘Sodemalls’, not spoken since biblical times. Alqueria will be depicted as a place of fun and laughter, warm lapping seas and enchanting moonlit evenings.

Will tourists even come? Will tourists stay? Will tourists sue?

We shall see.

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

35

viewpoint

The Sunday Ant My normal morning routine at the pool this time of the year, is to struggle through my designated number of lengths, shower off the chlorine then sit at one of the garden tables to dripdry sufficiently before stretching out in the sun for half an hour before breakfast.

It was during the dripdrying process one Sunday morning, that I noticed a solitary ant scurrying along the grouted joints of the tiled pool surround, first one way then another – seemingly unsure of what to do or where to go. Now ants are hardly noteworthy items of interest, except of course when millions of them overrun your garden or even worse, come into your home. This summer they have been more numerous than usual in this area, and a damn nuisance.

However, knowing how well organised they are and without the protection of a good trade union looking out for them, they seem to be endlessly working; collecting tasty titbits for the colony or whatever else it is they do. So I thought it strange that this particular ant was all alone and seemingly confused, and as I watched him closely, I noticed that he moved in a strange way – as if he had pulled a muscle or something.

I watched him for some minutes then I sloped off to the end of the pool to get my thirty minutes of

rays.

The whole swimming routine was repeated in the following days and there had been no further sightings of any ants poolside until the following week, when once again there was this solitary ant rushing around like an insect possessed. I knew it was the same ant, not only because of his apparent panic and confusion, but also there was that noticeable limp.

Furthermore it was a Sunday. Surely just a coincidence.

I also realised that this was not one of those tiny bugs that have been so common this year, but one the size of your regular British black ant, and then it struck me - perhaps he had inadvertently stowed away on a Ryanair flight to Murcia which would account for his disorientation. But Murcia airport is a long way to hike, especially for an ant and particularly one with a dodgy leg. But then I reasoned that perhaps he had been carried over in some unsuspecting holidaymakers luggage, and staying right here in Los Dolses.

I was roused from my reverie by the sight of my friend Dec (as I had sub-consciously christened the little guy) being carried away by a stream of water that had accumulated on the tiles from my body drippings, so I carefully lifted him out and placed him on a dry area to shake off the water. Then satisfied that he was completely recovered, I retired to my usual spot for my time in the sun.

This whole process was repeated the following week (apart from nearly drowning him) - no sign of ants all week and then just this one on Sunday.

There was nothing of use badbirdnow@gmail.com on this barren expanse

By Colin Bird :

of concrete to forage for - perhaps that was why he was on his own having been sent out on a sort of test. A bit like sending marines out yomping on the Brecon Beacons.

The following Sunday I was naturally eager to get to the pool and I completed my fifty lengths in record time . . . at least for me. I quickly showered and positioned myself on the bench in my usual spot and scanned the paved area for Dec, but there was no sign of him. Then as I was about to give up hope, there he was, dashing about in his usual distinctive way.

“There he is” I shouted.

“There’s who?” my bikini clad princess enquired.

“The ant – the one that’s here every Sunday” I told her.

She looked at me over her sunglasses in a strange way. “How do you know it’s the same ant?” she asked suspiciously.

“Because limp.”

he

has

a

“Which leg?”

“Don’t be daft, my eyesight’s not that good.”

I told her. Honestly I think she was just being sarcastic and not taking me seriously.

But I knew.

Then last week, as Dec was careering around the paving, a score or so more ants – all of the same variety – converged on the area and zeroed in on Dec. After touching noses or whatever it is they have, they all headed off in the direction of the garden area and the logical site of the colony.

Dec I was certain, had either passed his weekly test, or been adopted.

I have to finish now.

Two nice men in snowy white coats want me to go with them . . . but I’m happy, even though I will miss my little friend.

36

SOLTIMES september 2014

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News

VELVETONES INVITE YOU!

Has the long hot summer left you bored and in need of exercising your grey matter? Do you like to sing whilst having fun and finding new friends?

Well this Ladies Harmony chorus starts back after the summer break in Torrevieja - Restaurant El Paraiso, Jardin del Mar (behind Carrefour and McDonalds) from 9.30am Wednesday 3rd September.

Learn to sing in 4 part harmony - in a relaxing atmosphere. New members always welcome - or just come along and listen!

For more details why not check out our website www.velvetones.org OR call Ena on 965 707 598 or Lorraine on 663 751 773

Casa Tom Community Choir

From 8 September 2014, Casa Tom Community Choir meets every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm. It is a mixed choir and all levels are welcome.

No auditions, no solos. Make new friends and have a good time.

Location: Casa Tom, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja.

Phone or email Terry for details. Phone: 647-189-135.

Email: casatomsanluis@gmail.com.

SOLTIMES september 2014

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37

SPORT & motoring

Nissan Leaf to get sharp new look and range boost

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new E xclusive images show better look for new Nissan Leaf, while new battery tech boosts range to 186 miles Nissan is hard at work developing the nextgeneration Leaf, focusing on improving the range with new battery tech and – as our exclusive images show – a more conventional look. The new car is expected to be on sale late in 2016, with prices starting around £17,000.

Clearly, the introduction of Tesla’s Model S – and its claimed 312-mile range – has changed the electric car market, making the current Leaf’s real-world range of 85 miles seem a bit old-hat.

Nissan bosses are promising new battery technology is on the way, with better energy density for a more usable pure electric vehicle. A figure of about 186 miles is likely to be the target.

There’s a good chance

Niss an will offer smaller battery packs with less range, like Tesla does with its 60kWh and 85kWh packs. The new battery technology and motor will be shared with Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, too.

The premium brand has already made steps towards developing an allelectric saloon – at April’s New York Motor Show, it unveiled the LE concept, which used the current Leaf’s underpinnings.

This new model is now thought to be on track for a release in mid-2016.

It also seems that Nissan’s designers have realised that an electric car doesn’t need to look unusual, as they’re targeting a more conventional style.

Our images give you a good idea of how it’s shaping up, with bosses keen that the large chrome ‘V’ in the grille and the blacked out pillars become

SOL TIMES

recognisable design features of the next generation of Nissan cars. The angular lights and creased bodywork are developed from the brand’s latest concept cars, including the Friend ME. However, a more usable range and fresh styling can only go so far towards boosting the Leaf’s sales appeal; a much improved charging infrastructure will play a key role, too.

To that end, Tesla’s new range of Supercharger stations – promising 30-minute fast charges to all EVs – will help, as the network should have the majority of the UK covered by next year.

Tesla boss Elon Musk has said he’ll let other manufacturers use it, so long as they keep charging free for their customers.

Nissan’s chief planning officer, Andy Palmer, has previously told us the

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COSTA CALIDA/MAR MENOR PAULETTE : 902 750 190 (EXT: 332) email: calidasales@soltimes.com Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are 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 Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent publications. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Murcia & Blanca. 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. Deposito Legal Sol Times Calida AL 851-2010. Sol Times Blanca AL 852-2010

Costa blanca office QUESADA BUSINESS CENTRE, CALLE LOS ARCOS 7, 03170, CIUDAD QUESADA

battery technology should debut by 2017, so we expect to see the Leaf and the Infiniti EV debut in 2016. Providing the £5,000 Government grant for low-emissions vehicles remains in place, prices should start at around £17,000.

Source: www. autoexpress.co.uk

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SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

SPORT & motoring

Ruby’s Golf Society Charity Day day were gold div Marc

A few weeks ago in a discussion with Darren Finucane a former member of Ruby’s golf society and who has just been through a long session of Chemotherapy it was decided that we would hold a charity day on behalf of the AECC which we were only to happy to agree to.

After much hard work and persuasion we had every hole of our fun day at La Serena sponsored.

Twenty four golfers had a super day at the course and the management were also happy to donate course vouchers for our auction.

Back at Ruby’s bar we held a summer barbecue which was attended by well over a hundred people and where we had a Raffle and auction all of which helped to raise over €2,000 for the cause.

Some winning golf results on the

Doherty, silver div Theresa Wright and best guest Ray Mattocks, with difficult pin positions nearest the pins on the par 3’s were hard to come by with only Richard Corker and Ray Westlake achieving this, nearest the pin in two was Graham Parks, who also lost the least amount of balls. However the biggest winners on the day were the AECC who will receive the sum of €2,350 from Ruby’s Golf society.

Many thanks to all our sponsors who were, El Raso services, Property Choice, Ruby’s Golf, John Griggs, The Hot Stone, Keith Ellis, Ruby’s Bar, Herritty Electrics, Pro Pools and gardens, El Raso Restaurant, Venture Fleet, Dave & Ave Capper, Keith Hardy, Reeves Butchers, Rayz Bar, Property Shop, The Med Bar and Bookie Chris, also a big thank you to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle and auction and not forgetting the wives and other helpers who’s tireless efforts made the day a great success.

Our next outing is on the 12th of September, any one wishing to join us for this or any other outing please contact us at rubysgolf@yahoo.co.uk.

CHALLENGE CUP: VEGA BAJA PREMIER GOLF LEAGUE vs. QUESADA GOLF SUPER LEAGUE

The inaugural annual tournament between the two golf league teams was played at El Plantio Golf Resort where 18 players represented their respective League.

The El Plantio course is always a challenging parkland style course and since its improvement the course, it was an ideal venue for the first of these planned future annual events to be played on a Home and Away basis.

The format was a modified Fourball Better Ball Matchplay with a point for each hole won and a half four a draw and a maximum of a 162 points up for grabs. For each pairing the maximum was 18 points With the temperatures up into the 30’s

it was not going to be an easy day.

In the first four matches the VBPGL must have felt that it could be their day as they came in leading by 2.5 to 1.5 games (38.5 to 33.5 points) But QGSL pulled it back in the next four matches to now lead by 4 points (70 to 74) and it really came down to the final pairings and if VBPGL were to win they needed a solid minimum of a 12 to 6 win but its went to the QGSL and with it the trophy.

Congratulations Quesada Golf Super League Both teams stated how much they enjoyed the day and the major benefit they get to play with other golfers they would not normally come into contact with on the golf course, and this can only be good for both of these Leagues and local golf.

The VBPGL Captain Ron Nicholson presented Ian Faulkner Captain of the QGSL with the trophy and I am sure that their team shirts next year will sport a golf star. Ian thanked both teams for the good spirit in which the competition had been played and for Ivie Davies and Ron Nicholson for arranging the day and to all the staff at El Pantio Golf Resort for ensuring the course was in good condition and their support.

For more information on both leagues go to, www.vegabajapremiergolfleague. com and www.quesadagolfleague.. com

The Silver Division scores were very reasonable and it needed a nett 76 for 3rd and 4th places and again, a battle between Colin “Mr Whippy” Marsden and Ernie “Belfast Bandit” saw Ernie’s better back nine push Colin into 4th and taking 3rd place for himself. The Runner-up was Per Skarnes with a nett 73 but the very clear winner of this division was Les Wilton with a commendable nett score of 68. Enjoy the new handicap!

The Gold crew scores were a little better and a nett 73 saw Steve Higgins claiming 4th spot, Roger The Dodger” Nilsen took 3rd place with a nice 71, but he was way back from Jesus Lozano’s 68 for 2nd place and an excellent 67 from Aaron Clinton, playing off of 7 (but not next time!) took the top spot in the Gold and overall. Photo: Gold category winners Our next game, Wednesday 3rd September 2014 at La Serena for a Two Ball Better Ball so if you fancy a game just look at our website www. tmgs.org or call the Match Secretary on 966719604.

“Club de Golf El Paraiso Rojales” Inaugural competition 21st September at La Marquesa (Rojales) visit www. clubdegolfelparaiso.com for full details

TMGS Match Report On this day in history, John Glenn orbited the earth and the handicap secretary was seen to be rubbing his hands with future cuts to handicaps after our Medal Play event at Villamartin on this very fine if not hot day.

31 members and guests turned out for a Medal competition and once again, the scores were fairly good with 4 players returning scores of under par.

It has to be said that the course wasn’t in too bad condition, but the tee boxes are, to be blunt, void of grass, but it is work in progress. Greens were a little on the slow side but that seems to be the common trait around this time of the year.

The best guest and the winner of a TMGS towel was Aaron Currie who at the age of 15, plays off of 10 and he returned with a very tidy nett 73, by far the best score of the day.

Thader ready for the fray !

On Monday evening Thader played their rearranged match against Sporting Saladar from Almoradi. It was an uneven contest and Thader ran out 7 - 1 winners.

On Saturday we played our final warm up game against Formentera. This was a much more evenly fought contest although not so friendly and the referee issued seven yellow cards in all.

Pomares conceded a free kick just outside the area after fifteen minutes.

The resulting free kick was well taken by Formentera but fortunately the upright came to Thader´s rescue. Just before half time, Thader took the lead with a rather scrappy goal.

Towards the end of the game Thader

won a corner on the right. The cross was headed home by Raul and the game finished at 2 - 0 to Thader.

A successful preseason then for Thader although all of their opponents have come from lower leagues. With the exception of Ibra, we still look a bit short of firepower up front and as he hasn´t turned up for training, it remains to be seen if he starts the season as a Thader player.

Thader kick off the new season next Saturday 6th September with a home game in Rojales against old rivals Santa Pola. Kick off is 1830 so come along and watch live football in the sun with a cold beer.

For info. ´phone Peter on 693 768 593

Lo Marabu Golf Society

For this month’s meeting a group of 21 players visited the established course at Villamartin taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The course was generally in good condition although a number of tees were showing signs of heavy wear and despite the blistering heat the scores were exceptional on the day.

The winning scores on the day were as follows: 1st – Dave Bensley – 45 points 2nd – Jack Fanning – 34 points 3rd – Andy Jones – 34 points 4th – Mike Probert – 34 points Best Front/ Back 9 holes – Julie Blinston and Kevin Robinson Nearest the Pins – Mike Probert, John

Chatham, Rod Allan and Tony Wilson.

Dog of a Day Trophy – Arthur Carmichael After the game we returned to the Lo Marabu, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome meal prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their continued support.

Our next fixture is the social day at Vistabella on 8th September 2014 and this is a friendly match vs. the Ship GS followed by the Captains Day at Bonalba on 25th September 2014.

Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see us at our web-site at www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.

SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2014

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SPORT & motoring

San Javier GS - La SERENA

SMGS VISIT SERENA

20 AUGUST 2014

Hi Everyone, Our last society game was at La Serena and the course was in great order. We played a medalford and we had a good turn out on a very hot day. The winner on the day was Barry Beale with a score of 15pts followed very closely by Dave Archer on 16pts with Mick Hardy in third on 18pts.. Dave Archer came in with the best front nine score of a nett 32 and Barry had the best back nine scoring 21pts.

The nearest the pins was a Barry Beale gift day winning 3 of the four holes with Lillian PILKINGTON winning the other.. It was nice to see Roy Herbert back on the fairways again with us welcome back Roy. The next Society’s game is on Monday, 1st SEPTEMBER 2014 at La SERENA 1st Tee time - 10.00. The format will be INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD. Player of the Year, Ford League and Handicap adjustment will apply.Payday will be on Saturday, 30th August 2014 at La Serena, in the bar area, between 11.00 and 12.00 hours.

Around three dozen of us travelled south down the AP7 as far as the Torre Pacheco exit where we pulled off and reported for duty at the well kept Serena course.....one of the only courses that only charge €10 for hiring a buggy.

Someone mentioned that the new fleet which is due to arrive will be substantially dearer as they are to be fitted with underwater sonar and periscopes - ideal for a course which has 16 holes containing water hazards!

I often wondered who named this place, think about it....take today for example, obviously not including a couple of delightful ladies we had over 30 golfing gurus in a hot & hairy state descending on a course laden with ball-eating hazards!... not the ideal ingredients for a calm day’s golf!

Serena means peaceful, unruffled or serene certainly not the adjectives I would have used to describe the general mood of our 8 or 9 flights as splashes tended to crop up from most corners of the course. Maybe Aguamundo might be a more appropriate name!

The course was in great shape & from my own experience I can report that, although we’ve not played there for some time, the water is just as wet as it always was.....many balls were mercilessly swallowed up.

The four par 3 NTP’s were won by Gordon Wilson (hole 3), Tony Smale (hole 9), Jenny Staines (hole 15) & Ivan Hanak (hole 17).

Matt Newman with 32 pts & Peter Devlin with 34 pts took 1st & 2nd prizes in the visitor’s section.

The 2 special prizes for the best front & back 9’s but not in the main prizes were awarded to Ken Flaherty (18 on front) & Capt Steve Davis (19 on back).

Bronze division’s top 3 were Gordon Wilson (3rd with 32), Jenny Staines (2nd with 35) & top spot with an incredible 42 points was Paul Tomlinson......welcome to your new H/C !!!

Top 3 in the Silver were Ivan Hanak (3rd with 33), Brian Staines (2nd with 36) & in 1st place with 38 pts was John Aitchison.

Barry Roehrig slid into 3rd spot in the gold division with his meagre 28 pts while Ben Price (35) & Tony Smale (37) took the top 2 places with slightly better efforts! As usual, well done to all those in the prizes......even Barry!

Keep up to date with all society matters by logging onto the website www.smgs.org or simply give Baz a quick buzz on 966 731 033 to find out anything about future Wednesday meetings.

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• renault clio 1.2 yahoo, 2012, 2012, 26.000km.................

bmw 320 touring

• Chatenet ch26 Diesel, Auto, 2009, 2,900kms....€7,950

2011 49,737 kms

poa

MERCEDES E320 CDi

.........................................................................................€10,450 • opel corsa 1.3, 2008, cdti, 2008, 42,000km....... .€6,950 • ford fiesta st 2.0, petrol, 86,000kms, 2005....€5,950 • renault megane 1.5 dci 2005, 4 door, 123,000km............ ...............................................................................................€5,950 • RENAULT MEGANE SCENIC RX4, 168,000kms 1.9DTi, Diesel, 2001....................................................................€4,950 • opel corsa 1.3 cdti, 2005, diesel, 113,000km...€4,950

DIESEL, AUTO, 2005,167,000KMS • SAAB 93 2.0T CABRIO, 191,000kms, 2001................€4,250

€14,950

• opel corsa 1.7 cdti, 2003, diesel, 3 door 97.000km..

Renault Fluence

• HYUNDAI SONATA 2L PETROL, 1997, 109,000KMS €2,950

1.5DCi, 2011, 55,000kms

€12,950

renault Grand Scenic

2009, 86,000 km.

€11,950

renault clio 1.2 2012 26,000 kms

€10,450

renault clio 1.2

2011, petrol, 31,000km

€9,950

kia rio

1.5crdi, 2010, 57,000kms

€8,950

...........................................................................................€3,950 • Mitsubishi Carisma 2000, a/c, 143,000kms........ €2,950 • Citroen Berlingo 2002 1.9 diesel, 160,000kms............. ...........................................................................................€2,950 • 750kg box trailer........................................................€750

Right hand drive vehicles • rolls royce silver spirit, rhd, 51,000 mile........... .....................................................................................€13,950 • KIA SEDONA 2005, 2.9 TD, DIESEL, 113,000 MILES......... ........................................................................................€4,250 • ford mondeo 2.0 diesel estate, 2007, 161,000 miles ...........................................................................€3,950 • peugeot partner 2.0 diesel, 2004, 110,000 miles... ........................................................................................€3,950 • mercedes c200, 1994, petrol, 129,000 miles, tax, mot...................................................................................€950

Right hand drive - spanish reg • AUDI TT QUATTRO ROADSTER, 1.8 PETROL, 64,000 MILES 2002......................................................€6,950 • VOLVO XC70 2.4 D5 Automatic, diesel, 2004, 105,000 miles .............................................................€6,450 • MGB GT 1.8 PETROL, 1978.......................................€3,950 • toyota rav4 2.0 litre, petrol ........................€3,950 • nissan primera 1998 2L petrol auto............€2,250

~ RHD / LHD Taken in Part Exchange / purchased for cash

~ Full procurement service

mini cooper 1.6, petrol, auto, 2005, 75,000kms

€8,950

hyundai terracan,

2.9 crdi, 2007 diesel, auto, 155,000km,

€8,950

Vw golf 1.9 tdi, 2006, 144,000km

€7,950

citroen c4 1.6hdi, 2007, diesel, 128,000kms

€6,950

lancia musa

2005 121,000 kms

€5,950

renault megane

1.5 dci 2005, 123,000km

€5,950

smart forfour

1.5 Diesel 71,000km, 2006

€5,950

HYUNDAI GETZ

1.1 PETROL, 195,000KM 2004

€2,950

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