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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
News
Missing !!
The concerned family of a local lady missing from Quesada since midSeptember is asking readers for their help. Rosemary Broadwell, known as Rosie, has been missing since 15th Just over a year ago some British people September when she was given a lift into Quesada town centre at around with husbands, wives, mothers, etc who suffered from Alzheimer and other forms of 11am. dementia started meeting on a fortnightly Rosie is a popular and well-known personality in and around Quesada, Doña Pepa and of recent years San Miguel de Salinas. She is 76 years of age, 4ft 8” tall and is a fit, well and able-bodied lady. Rosie is slim and has short blonde hair with red/ purple high-lights. She has a tattoo of a tiny coloured lizard on her foot and another of a dolphin on her right shoulder. Another distinguishing feature is that Rosie always has perfectly manicured finger nails.
Rosie was regularly seen driving her white Renault Twingo car, which has gold flash stripes on each side. However, the car is not missing as she was not driving herself on the day she disappeared. For many years locals will have seen Rosie walking her two Shih Tzu dogs, Mollie and Benji. When they both passed away recently Rosie bought a white Bichon/Maltese Terrier called Alfie (Alfie was not with her on the 15th). The Guardia Civil are aware that Rosie has gone missing and are actively looking for her. The family is urging readers to think back to the morning of the 15th September, or to any time you think you may have seen Rosie recently. Anyone who has any information can contact the Guardia Civil immediately or Roisie’s daughter Cheryl Webster on 00 44 7983 503 710
New S.A.T Animal rescue shop now open
S.A.T Animal rescue, new shop now open and doing well in Benimar hours are 10 till 2 monday to saturday (2 doors from Studz bar) come on down and see if you can grab a bargain. we still need volunteers to help in the shop and any donations of clothes, small household items, books and anything else we can sell. All the proceeds from the shop will go to the dogs in the kennels in Dolores. Any more info telephone Sheila 687233980 Come on down and have a free glass of wine and a few nibbles we would love to see you there.....
basis to give the carers support. Eventually it was decided, with the help of Raquel Pena, to approach San Pedro Town Hall to see if they could give us somewhere where we could have a Day Car Centre. Ater a lot of hard work by some people we have at last formed an Association (AMMA – Alzheimer Mar Menor Association) and on Friday 19th September the Mayor of San Pedro presented us with our Association Articles. Many people were in attendance both British and Spanish and also representatives from the Campoverde Theatre Group who presented us with a cheque. Thanks must also be expressed to the Show Group who have also given us a generous donation which has allowed us to print fliers, business cards and banners and also they are going to give us various things which we will need like dominoes, a music player, etc for the use of our patients. We have also received a generous donation from ADAPT. The Town Hall are giving us a room in El Hogar del Pensionistas in San Pedro Del Pînater for English speaking and Spanish people who suffer from these debilitating illnesses and other traumas such as strokes. This room will be used as a Day Care Centre and it is hoped to operate three mornings
a week to begin with, with the possibility of extending it. Now we are looking for Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Volunteers, etc who can speak both Spanish and English to help us with this much needed facility. If there is anyone out there who could fill these positions please contact Louise Innes 96 532 2614. We look forward to welcoming Spanish carers and their loved ones and we are very fortunate to have an excellent translator. We have the full approval of the Neurological Consultants at Los Arcos Hospital, who wish to become involved with AMMA, believing such a group is much needed in the Mar Menor area as well as the much needed support of the Town Hall of San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia. This Centre should help the carers who quite frankly have a hard time looking after their patients and a few hours respite will be greatly appreciated by them all. On 2nd November Terry Sawyer has organised a musical evening in Pilar Cinema where Sunshine FMs Dan Davey will be MC, the sensational Rebecca Holt will be singing, and TAABS Charity Singers, The Crazy Ladies, Torrevieja Barbershop Harmonisers and Flamenco for All Dancers directed by Raquel Pena will be performing. All this for the price of 5euro. Tickets available by phoning 965 319 279, or 669 179 281 or 965 322 614. Doors open at 7.00pm and show starts at 7.30pm.
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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CRUZ AZUL WALKS ON THE BARK SIDE AGAIN
Cruz Azul supporters gathered with their dogs on the promenade in Santiago de la Ribera on Sunday, 28 September for their second ‘Walk on the Bark Side’. On arrival, many of the roads in Santiago de la Ribera had been closed, due to a half-marathon, but the determined walkers and barkers still managed to arrive in good time at the start line. Despite heavy, dark clouds and the threat of thunderstorms, the weather was kind and nobody got wet on the 3 kilometer walk along the prom. Over thirty owners and dogs completed the walk, helping to raise 236 Euros for the charity. All shapes and sizes of pooch took part; including Daisy Doo, the English Bulldog with her special buggy and Ray, the Miniature Schnauzer, adorned with a colourful lei, who is from Australia and wanted to say ‘Aloha’ to everyone. First across the finish line was Darren Messenger with Tobi. Each of the participants received a ‘doggy bag’ containing treats, dog waste bags, water with bowl and a special medal. The bottled water was kindly donated by Time Out Sports Bar in San Javier. “Our first Walk on the Bark Side was so successful that people asked us to organise another one and we’re delighted to see so many people, in spite of the inclement weather. It was great to have a drink and a chat together at the end of the walk too” said Cruz Azul President, Lyn Baines. “The success of today’s event is down to the great work by the Cruz Azul team: Sue Thomason, Ian Roberts, Marg and Tony Fryers, and all our lovely supporters.” Cruz Azul is run along similar lines to the PDSA in the UK and its mission is to provide veterinary care for the sick and injured pets of people in need and to promote responsible pet ownership. As a new association, Cruz Azul’s priorities will be to: Provide and maintain veterinary services on a stable, sustainable and long-term basis. Expand these services, in line with a clear and controlled Business Plan
as funds and circumstances permit. Encourage funding, by raising awareness and developing an understanding of their work. Deliver pet health initiatives. In addition to fundraising events, the Cruz Azul shop, next door to Yorkshire Linen in San Javier, is open daily and sells clothes, accessories, jewellery, furniture, household goods, bric-a-brac, etc. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 10.00 to 14.00 each day. A second shop will be opening on Friday, 24 October in San Pedro del Pinatar on the Avenida Artero Guirao, opposite the Confiteria Alicia. Manager, Sue Thomason will be delighted to see new customers in San Javier and to receive donations for both shops there. Ian Roberts will be at the new San Pedro shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 until 14.00 to receive donations. They are always in need of furniture and Cruz Azul can arrange collection of large items. You can email Sue on shop@cruzazulmurcia.es or call her on 693 017 616. Cruz Azul’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, Barbara Burks, would love to hear from anyone who has some time to spare and would like to help with fundraising. You can email Barbara at: volunteers@cruzazulmurcia.es or you can call 691 919 804 for more information.
Cruz Azul Murcia is a registered charity (No. 11.720/1a) and exists to provide veterinary care for the sick and injured pets of people in need and to promote responsible pet ownership.
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
News
‘Naughty’ Spain comes up short on EU laws
Spain is one of the worst offenders when it comes to correctly adopting and applying European Union laws, with only Italy ranking higher in the disobedience stakes, a new European Commission report reveals. Spain had 90 EU infringement cases open against it on December 31st 2014, second only to Italy, with 104 open cases, and a long way behind league leaders Latvia which had a total of only 20 open cases. Thirteen of the open cases in Spain where for late transcription of EU laws, the process which sees member states incorporate EU law into their own legislation. The remaining 77 cases involved the incorrect application of EU laws or false transcription of that legislation. In total, there were 439 complaints against Spain in 2013 with employment being the major bugbear (100 cases) followed by justice and the environment (65 cases each). The EU made special mention of waiting times at the border between Spain and Gibraltar in its report, saying these had been the subject of a large number of complaints from citizens. The strained situation at this border arose after Gibraltar dropped 70
ort
concrete blocks into the sea in July 2013, in what its government said was an attempt to create an artificial reef. The stopped Spanish fishing boats from operating close to Gibraltar’s airport runway, and Spain retaliated by carrying out stringent checks at the Gibraltar border, slowing down the traffic of both people and goods. The EU report shows that after Italy and Spain, German had the third highest number of complaints made against it last year — 297. By the end of the year, however, all but 63 cases had been resolved, giving Germany stood in seventh place in December, while Greece took third place with 79 outstanding cases. The EU union operates a scheme called EU Pilot, an online platform designed to provide legal information and act as a first port of call in complaint resolution. If cases cannot be resolved through the EU Pilot, the EU may consider a formal infringement notice. Source: www.thelocal.es
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Spain’s new King still Europe’scheapest
The Spanish government announced last Tuesday that the budget for the country’s Royal Family will be frozen at €7.78 million ($9.8 million) in 2015, making Spain’s new King Felipe Europe’s cheapest monarch. Spain’s ruling Popular Party will allocate the exact same budget to Felipe VI as it did for his father and predecessor King Juan Carlos. Last year, the PP used the sum to defend the existence of Spain’s royal family, arguing that it cost each Spaniard only 17 Euro cents ($0.23) a year. That in turn made and continues to make Spain’s royal family the cheapest in Europe, with 2012 estimates suggesting the Dutch royals lead the way with an annual €40 million cost for their taxpayers. Since the beginning of the economic crisis in Spain in 2008, the royal budget has progressively dropped from €8.66 million to the current €7.78 million, with 2015 marking the first time in five years the royals haven’t taken a pay cut. That hasn’t stopped the Spanish monarchy’s popularity from waning fol-
lowing King Juan Carlos’s controversial elephant hunting trip in Botswana and the ongoing fraud case in which Princess Cristina and her husband Iñaki Urdangarin are involved. Following his father’s surprise abdication in June, Felipe VI has attempted to clean up this tarnished image by allowing the royal account books to be audited by an external government agency. The 46-year-old king is attempting to modernize the monarchy in every way possible, from receiving representatives from Spain’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups for the very first time in Spain’s royal history to going to heading out for gin and tonics with friends in downtown Madrid without the queen. The announcement of the royal budget for 2015 came as Spain published its budget for 2015 on Tuesday, a document which also sees Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy freezing his own annual wages at €78,185 and those of his ministers at €68,981 a year. Source: www.thelocal.es
THE Costa’s leading Male Choir is opening it’s doors to all men on the Costa who feel they would like to sing. The impressive Orihuela Costa Male Voice Choir, conducted by local professional singer, conductor and vocal coach, Nigel Hopkins, is offering any interested men to attend an Open Rehearsal on Thursday, 16th October at 11am at the Asturias Restaurante (upstairs) at Punta Prima to see what it is all about. Men can either listen to, or join in with present members of the choir in a fun rehearsal ... and who knows? ... you might find that you have another pastime here in Spain. voice Experienced trainer, Nigel Hopkins, says that any man who can sing in tune (and that’s most men!) can be taught to sing in chorus to a pretty high
standard. He’s proved it already on the Costa. So please don’t be shy ... just come along and join us for free refreshments and a fun morning ... and you will be assured of a very warm welcome - and why not bring a friend? There are no strings attached! Any further details required ... Telephone: 966 775 976
ORIHUELA COSTA MALE VOICE CHOIR - OPEN REHEARSAL
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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THE ROJALES PANTOMIME GROUP
The Rojales Pantomime group are now well into rehearsals for their Pantomime ‘CINDERELLA’ at Escuela de Musica Los Montesinos in JANUARY 2015. There is a lot of activity going on with costumes all but done, scenery well on the way and props being made. There are many productions of Cinderella and they hope to produce one full of laughter and fun, a loveable cow has been introduced in this production and song and dance for the kids to join in with. Anyone who went to their last Pantomime ‘Snow White’ will have known they were already preparing for Cinderella as it was announced in their programme. Two of Costa Blanca’s top entertainers Lynden B & Andy Jones will be playing the parts of the Ugly Sisters so be ready for loads of laughs. Money raised will go to local Charities in Rojales and Los Montesinos. Tickets will be available from October so call any of the following numbers for more information. 966 712 829, 678 212 034 or 966 797 683 email shimserv@gmail.com
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News
‘SMILERS’ SUPPORTING ‘ELCHE CHILDREN’S HOME’
On 22nd October, ‘Smile Charity Group’, will be hosting another fund-raising night, at Restaurant El Alto La Dolores. Owner of the Restaurant, Andres, has been donating Mediterranean Cruises as raffle prizes, and once again guests will have a chance to win one. Elche Children’s Home has been one of the favourite charities supported by ‘Smile’. Entertainment on this night is being provided by Andy Jones and Lyndon B, who will perform their ‘Vegas Nights’ Show, which is extremely polished and entertaining. Tickets, still held at 10 euros for a 2 course meal, and top notch entertainment, are available from The Restaurant; The Post Room Benijofar, and The Card Place in Benimar, or by calling 692 866 536. All these events sell out very quickly, so early booking is advised.
craft classes
Allday Work Shop with a Difference On Wednesday 15th October 2014 Fancy Making Celebration Cards At La Marina Social Centre From 10.00am Till 4pm Refreshments and materials are included You will need to bring a packed lunch. To book your place please ring Nadine on 966 795 020 or Sam at the Council offices
The Torrevieja Scottish Country Dance Group
resume their dancing sessions on Monday October 6th commencing at 3pm. Everyone welcome, flat shoes strongly recommended. The venue is El Paraiso Bar/Restaurant situated in Urb. Jardin del Mar 3, close to the Carrefour store by Habeneras. For more information, contact John on 96 678 3508 or Wilma on 96 673 0666.
The Freemasons of Murcia help to purchase a special wheelchair. DEBRA Butterfly Charity Ball
€5,102 was raised at the 5th annual DEBRA Butterfly Charity Ball on Friday night 26th September. The glittering event at Camping International, La Marina, which included a 3 course dinner and entertainment, was attended by 145 people. Evanina Makow, the Director of DEBRA, was also in attendance at the event. Mary Chambers explained what the children with EB have to go through every day of their lives. Our Director, Evanina told us about a little boy age 7 who has the condition and was visited by a DEBRA nurse. The boy has a big wound on this back and wounds on his arms and legs, the nurse asked him where it hurt most. “The little boy said he had been thinking about this and said it hurt most on the bus. The nurse was surprised with the reply and said why does it hurt when you are on the bus? The boy replied because when I get on the bus people move away from me and I have to sit on my own”. Evanina thanked everyone for their continued support and said how much events like this bring awareness to the plight of families with EB and much needed funds. A big thank you goes to Tommy Rogers
our Host for the evening as he ensured we raised this amazing amount of money. Top Prize of €200 Media Markt vouchers was won by Pam Finnegan who gave them back to the charity to be auctioned. Other prizes included 1 night in a Luxury Hotel, E-Books, Tickets to Benidorm Palace, Coach Trip vouchers, Vouchers for Spa’s, Hair & Beauty and Restaurants, Ladies handbag and jewelry. Our auction saw guests bidding for 6 days all inclusive holiday to Palma Majorca, 2 & 3 night stay in Costa del Sol , Golf and Los Amigos Bodega & Sam’s Bar donated 2 liters of wine each week until Xmas again raising an amazing €100. There were many individual donations on the night and many of our winners of Lucky Numbers & Heads & Tails donated money back to the charity. Organisers of the Ball Mary Chambers and Sue Rogers said: “We would like to thank everyone who attended and gave so generously on Friday night, all individuals and business who also donated many of the amazing prizes for which we are forever grateful. All funds raised will go to the Respite Home Project to ensure many more families with EB can enjoy this facility”
When the Provincial Grand Master of Murcia, Duncan Robert Mitchell, heard of a teenager in Albacete who required a special wheelchair he charged the Provincial Almoner with raising money to subsidise half of the cost of the Chair. The lodges in the Province gave generously to the fund and the new chair was ordered from the specialist supplier in Madrid The chair which cost €5000 was delivered to Christina’s school last week where it was adjusted and checked by her physiotherapist. The chair which replaces an outdated model will suit Christina for some years to come and it is hoped will make her life much more enjoyable. Picture shows, Graham Jackson Provincial Amoner, Ibeanyi Mora Assistant Provincial Secretary and Christina de la Cruz with her Physiotherapist.
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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News
Things are definately going well for this time served Barber with over 20 years experience running businesses both here and in the UK, Darren can offer a wide range of cutting styles from the latest modern cuts to traditional male Barber cuts using top quality products.
The Barbershop offers a relaxed and friendly welcome, set in a modern, air-conditioned comfortable surrounding, so why not pop in for a chat and a trim up soon The Barber Shop is Open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm (out of hours are available on request) with a walk in service, no appointments necessary. With Cuts starting from as little as 5 Euro, why not pop along and visit Darren the Barber for a tidy up soon at The Quesada Country Club Barbershop, 16 Calle Toledo, Ciudad Quesada, postcode 03170 for sat nav´s. Further information can be found by visiting the facebook page /www.facebook.com/ q u e s a d a c o u n t r yc l u b. barbershop?fref=ts
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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.
Andy Wilson Photographer
entertainment this week The Entertainment Venue That Has It All....
Monday - Eyes Down with our very own Maz from 8pm Tuesday - Art Class 2pm - 4pm 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 Wednesday Mid Week Roast Day! 2 x Main Courses for 10€ including bottle of wine for 2 people. Served 12 - 4.30pm in Bar Area Served in the restaurant from 6pm. To Book call: 966 719 160 Thursday - Winter Warmer Specials 2 Meals for 10€ 12 - 5pm 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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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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Frankie’s Garden
QUESTION: I have Glor iosa vine and been given a about them. What know nothing can you tell me? ANSWER: This plant is virtually unique in that it combines three unlikely characteristics - it is a tuber, it climbs and it is a lily. Its flowers are brilliantly coloured with mostly scarlet petals, which have a golden base and gold margins. Each flower has six petals and they turn back like a Turk’s Cap Lily with long stamens emerging at right angles to the flower. They flower from early summer to autumn chill and are truly spectacular. Gloriosa grow to a height of around 6 foot and attach themselves by the leaves modified to tendrils! Young plants take several years to flower but are well worth the wait. They prefer early sun but do not like the baking mid day scorch and need to be sheltered from it. Winter temperatures of no lower than a day time high of around 13 degrees are OK and they can tolerate summer heat providing you can provide the shade. Watering is easy-peasy; water sparingly when very young and first potted, freely in summer and reduce gradually to dry in autumn. The one I grew in my garden in UK was fed a weak solution of tomato feed from late spring to early autumn when I used to bring it into the heated greenhouse. If they receive too much moisture in winter cold the tuber will rot, similar to any other tuber. So if you are in a place which gets extreme cold and wet you may need to dig it up and dry the tuber, store in a cool dry place until spring and then re-pot in a 6in pot, placing it upright with the top about 1inch below the surface of the compost. When it is about 1 foot tall plant out in its summer home after the danger of frost and biting winds has passed. I have never seen them on sale here in Spain and if you have one you are truly very lucky. Sadly mine did not survive the long journey over when I first moved here!
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Serving the Coast and Inland for over 10 Years
Autumn Gardening
Autumn is the mellow season, all the hectic flowering and reproductive activity of the summer is over. Seedheads and berries look their best; and the changing colour of leaves signals the beginning of the end of the growing season. For the gardener, this is the time to start putting the garden to bed. Dig out the debris… Remove plant debris and diseased leaves from flowers and vegetable patches. Dig up the annuals plants that last only a season - and put them on the compost heap. Flowering perennials - plants that spring up year after year from their roots - should be cut back. Remove yellowing or dead leaves or flowers before rot develops and remove any weeds hidden under the plant foliage. Start composting… Winter gives cuttings and leaves a chance to break down and produce nutrient-rich compost, which will be ready for boosting the garden in the new year. Now is also a really good time to turn your compost heap. It will heat up nicely and then gently rot over winter. Embrace autumn colour… Deciduous trees, such as acers, will provide lovely autumn colours from foliage, bark and berries. Autumn flowers such as crocus and amaryllis add colour, too. Cyclamens come in white and a range of pink shades with glossy green leaves, and add a welcome dash of vibrancy. Plant for the future… This is a good time of year to plant spring bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, and new perennials - the soil is still warm but moisture levels are increasing. There is still time for plants to establish themselves before the real cold sets in. This is also a good time of year to plant or move shrubs and trees to allow them to anchor down before the growing season. Reflect on what was and was not successful in this year’s planting scheme so that you can adapt your plans for next year. Cover up the furniture… When there is no more need for some of the garden furniture, store it in the shed or garage to protect it from the winter weather. If you can’t do this, cover it with a tough waterproof sheet securely fixed down, taking care to allow plenty of air to circulate so that the furniture is not damp all winter. Wooden items, such as benches or pergolas, may benefit from a treatment of chemical preservative as we head into colder days. Give wildlife a hand… Encourage birds into the garden by providing extra food. Place the feeder near a tall shrub, fence or mature tree to provide protection from predators. Plant berry-bearing plants for an extra source of food for birds and other wildlife. Firethorn, rowan and holly plants are recommended.
quick cash Manufacturers & Installers of Insect Screens, Aluminium & UPVC Windows & Doors Tel: 966 716 329 or Spanish Mob: 722 763 055 email: the.mosquito.screen.company@gmail.com
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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It’s Time For The HOMES GARDENS & LIFESTYLE SHOW! ..........Mark will be creating a spark! This is your invitation to come along and met us at the Event of the year in Algorfa! Mark Stacey UK TV’s expert antiques valuer will be at the exciting Homes Gardens & LIFESTYLE Show in Algorfa, at the La Finca Golf & Spa Hotel on Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th 2014 The Show OPENS from 10.00 am until 17.00 To win 2 free VIP tickets to the Show, complimentary Cava with Mark Stacey and Currencies Direct, a Tassimo coffee maker and a marvellous meal for two at the Vestry Restaurant email gina@ gmpromotions.es and put The Vestry in the subject line GM Promotions have shaken not stirred all of the ingredients to bring YOU two activity, fun packed days bursting with inspiration and information. Our exhibitors have hundreds of products and services on offer to see, touch, try and buy...... This event has something for everyone with talks and presentations, gardening to gastronomy, cars to spas, outside doors to chests of draws, health products and beauty services to clairvoyants! FREE Financial advice to cookery demo’s, shopping, free prize draws and much much more for inspiration and information for you and your Home, Garden and LIFESTYLE. With give away’s galore! Female Focus has a surprise in store to win a 32” Smart TV, Sat Nav and a Costal Cruise for 10 people! Participate in the Selection Box,
collect the 4 stamps to enter the FREE draw to win a fantastic selection of Homes Garden & Lifestyle related prizes including a Luxury Weekend SPA Break at the La Finca Golf & Spa Resort Hotel! Join in the fun to ‘Crack the Safe’ and WIN 500 EURO Cash!’ Come along and enjoy a fantastic day out and great Show experience with GM Promotions and our main Sponsor Currencies Direct Don’t miss THE Event of the Year! In Algorfa at the La Finca Golf & Spa Hotel on 15th & 16th October 2014. 10.00 until 17.00. Show entry just €2.50 per person. See local press and www.gmpromotions. es for more details or contact us on 695 399 841 WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!!
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SOLTIMES october 2014
News
Mazarron Bay Bridge Club The Autumn Series is underway with 10 to 14 pairs playing each week on a Monday morning (09:30 hours at Playa Grande Hotel).
The new 17 members who joined last year, have started to play on Thursday mornings (same time) under the strict control of Lawrie Hunt (just back from serious stuff in Cheltenham Bridge Club) and several experienced players are coming along to help him and encourage the beginners. The Club Committee meetings are now scheduled for the first Monday of the month. Fifty shades of new blue cards have been ordered and (for some
unknown reason) 26 new boards.
Everyone is happy that a new (second hand) clock has been bought. What will the committee have left to discuss? Seven minutes per game and two minutes to find your next table. Unfortunately, the clock does not work when there is a power cut, as was experienced during a few days of much welcome rain. You can see the weekly results on www.bridgewebs.com look for Mazarron bay Bridge Club, Spain. For more information or to find a partner , telephone 00(34) 968 15 84 68 or email thompson.jon.jon@gmail.com .
HELP for RITA
The long awaited Concert for the HELP for RITA campaign organised by registered charity HELPING HANDS finally arrived on 19th September. This involved lengthy planning and was only possible with the superb and generous assistance of the Ayuntamiento de Pulpi. Many readers will already be aware of the horrendous accident that Rita, at that time Treasurer of Helping Hands, suffered in July 2013 whilst assisting another local Charity, San Animal Santuario, in a cat sterilisation program. After almost a whole year in various hospitals and rehabilitation centres Rita is now back in Spain. Sadly she now has tetraplegia with only very limited movement in her arms, and thus requires a lot of help with everyday life doing things that you or I simply take for granted. Helping Hands will of course continue to help her in future alongside their other campaigns to help people and animals. The event began at 4pm with an outside Fayre, where stallholders were able to sell their products, followed at 6.30 by the Concert itself. First to perform were the Escuela Municipal de Baile de Pulpi an amazing display of dance from all three teams, infants, juniors and senior, delighting the audience.. Following on, were the beautiful tones of vocalist Kay Frances from Antas who kindly doubled her efforts by performing with the enthusiastic Julie Bruce Zumba Almeria later in the evening. Singer Songwriter Alex Scott had travelled down the coast to support the event and his talent, at a relatively young age, was quickly demonstrated as he sang several of his own songs whilst accompanying himself on the guitar. Next came the fabulous well known and well loved local artist, Steve Fisher who, as always, had the audience on their feet with his Rod Stewart tribute. The amazing JJ Jones, who has been the ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute for some 20 years, then gave his usual superb performance. JJ will shortly be commencing his annual tour of the UK with his fabulous 7 piece band. Then came the superb Finale featuring Simon Patrick, winner of the European Elvis Tribute Awards. Guests were on their feet as his magnificent performance completed the Concert which ended with Artistes and Helping Hands Team members combing with their rendition of LEAN ON ME”. Helping Hands would like to extend a huge thank you to all who took part in making the Concert such a success: JUAN BAutistaLOPEZ OF THE AYUNTAMIENTO DE PULPI - who gave so much time and effort in the planning of the event. AUDREY VOLLANS – also for giving her time, organisational and liaison skills to the concert and without whom the planning would have been so much more
difficult. MICHELLE MILES, MilesBetterEntertainment, who, in addition to donating her skills during the organisation of the concert, co-hosted the evening with Helping Hands member and Profesora de Idiomas, Ana Mari Valera MALCOLM RUSHTON – Professional sound and Lighting Engineer who, although his patience was probably tested somewhat, provided all that was technically necessary for the artistes on the night. ALL THE ARTISTES – who donated their time and skills for this very worthwhile cause and who made the night such a success. Thanks must also go to all of those businesses and organisations who so generously donated Raffle Prizes for the Event, too many to mention but their kind generosity alone helped us to raise 500 euros at the concert. Helping Hands are now proud to announce that the proceeds from just the concert amounted to 2,900 euros. Pledges of donations to the campaign are still arriving and once complete, a total figure raised will be announced. Despite being very small Helping Hands achieve a lot and focus exclusively on helping organisations and those in need in Spain. They have a charity shop in Aguilas, over 40 dogs, and 10 cats in their care (nearly all in their own homes) as well as various events planned for the necessary and never ending fund raising. Many hands make light work so if your hands have a few hours to spare each month please contact Roger (968 48 29 48) and don´t forget to look out for these forthcoming events: Friday 31st October, MOTOWN PARTY NIGHT with SOUL POWER BAND at the Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel, Aguilas. Saturday 28th November, HILLBILLY ROCK NIGHT with THE PROSPECTORS DUO from Benidorm, at the Bar La Fuente, Purias, Lorca 31st December 2014: New Years Eve Party Night featuring Vocalists Michelle Miles, Pitu Song and the fabulous Steve King DJ at the Bar La Fuente, Purias For more information on these events, please call Linda (968 48 29 48) or visit the Helping Hands facebook page.
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.soltimes.com
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opening hours MON-THURS 9am-8pm FRIDAY 9am-5pm SATURDAY 9am-6pm
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SOLTIMES october 2014
Look Good Feel Great Clar k How many times a day do you apply lip balm?
Kim benefits consultancy
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
For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com
According to a recent poll, the average woman uses lip balm anywhere from two to 30 times a day. Yeah, you read that right -- 30 times. Compared to its trendier cousins, lipstick and lip gloss, balm is often the forgotten friend that fails to receive any time in the spotlight. However, it’s something that you’ll find at the bottom of practically every woman’s purse for good reason: With all the stuff we put on our lips, lip balm is a moisturizing must that preps the pout for a smooth, even application of lip color. Luckily, lip balm has come a long way from good ol’ Vaseline. From ones that impart gorgeous berry colors to those that offer a whopping SPF 35, there’s no shortage when it comes to the variety of lip balms available. So to help you sort out the crème de la crème from the just plain awful, we compiled reviews on the best and worst lip balms readers have tried. With this list in hand, you’ll know exactly which lip balms have the potential to be your new favorites.
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Here’s a question for you:
more commonly associated with ‘cheap and cheerful’ goods rather than high end quality. However, some stalls really are a treasure trove of opportunity. ONE SUCH stall is ‘Shani’s Lingerie’, based in Zoco and Playa Flamenca Markets, trading in the Costa Blanca for eight years, offering high quality branded goods such as Marks & Spencers, Naturana, Evans, Ballet and other high-end brand name products for a fraction of the price you would pay in the UK. Goods are all imported direct from the UK and Germany. In addition a quality service is offered – so often lacking here in Spain. These include a Bra fitting service and goods exchange policy if the size is not right or you find you just would prefer another style. Costs are kept down by trading in a market stall environment rather than a shop, with savings passed on to the customers.
Karma Days Holistic Therapies Call Lorraine 693 268 139 New At Vibra Gym Non Surgical Face Lifts Call Lisa on 603 317 111 E-Cigarettes
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Unisex Stylist Over 29 years experience S.R.H “Senior Stylist” City & Guilds of London
also Rosa ~ Beautician Tel: 966 714 970 Mob: 677 897 788
Avda del Romero Local 6, Urb. Montebello, Algorfa Open Tuesday - Saturday (incl.) from 9am 03176
Near Zoco Market Late night opening AP7 Junc 745 by appointment only
At prices less than half that of the UK, all Naturana bras are 12€ or less and M&S Bras start from 3€!
Could you buy a bra from a market stall? Why not? OF COURSE market stalls vary widely in terms of quality and service and it’s true to say that they are
Shani’s Lingerie
The largest retailer of top - quality branded British lingerie in the Costa Blanca. With over 2000 branded bras, underwear and nightwear, including Naturana and Marks & Spencer at bargain prices Specialising in bras up to 48J Find us on facebook www.facebook.com/happynewyear123 email me: shanimalyon@hotmail.co.uk Telephone: 622 280 043
Where to find us: at Zoco sunday Market and Now at playa flamenca market
As you walk into Zoco, turn immediate left, walk toward the very end, turn right and we are the 2nd stall on the right
An excellent exchange policy means that you can just bring back the items with tags attached. A measuring and fitting service on site ensure you get the right fit in the first place. Find details on FacebookShanisLingerie@facebook. com/happynewyear123 Click ‘Like’ Directions: Proceed into Zoco Market: turn left immediately: go to the very end, where you will see the Iron Art Stall – turn right – we are the 2nd stall on the right. Playa Flamenca Market: ¾ of the way down the market from the Celtic Isle. We are on the left hand side opposite a cul de sac with other stalls in it. You can also call 622 280 043 Please visit me and quote this newspaper for a 10% discount this weekend only. Just in: A wide range of full slips, half-slips and camisoles in a variety of colours and sizes.
SOLTIMES october 2014
www.soltimes.com
Flu and the Flu Vaccine
Flu is a highly infectious illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus. If you’re at risk of complications from flu, make sure you have your annual flu vaccine available from SEPTEMBER onwards.Because flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, ANTIBIOTICS won’ttreat it. Anyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people, such as: •people aged 65 or over •people who have a serious medical condition •pregnant women
If you are in one of these groups, you’re more vulnerable to the effects of flu (even if you’re fit and healthy) and could develop flu complications, which are more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which could result in hospitalisation. Flu can also make existing medical conditions worse. See your Doctor or Angel about the flu jab if you’re 65 or over, or if you have any of the following problems (however old you are): •a serious heart complaint •a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema •serious kidney disease •diabetes •lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid
medication or cancer treatment •if you have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) •if you have a problem with your spleen or you have had your spleen removed How the flu vaccine worksThe injected flu vaccine contains inactivated strains of the flu virus and therefore cannot cause flu. The flu virus in the vaccine is often grown on fertilised hens’ eggs although egg-free flu vaccine may be available for people with egg allergy.The best time of the year to have a flu vaccination is in the autumn from the beginning of October to early November. PLEASE CONTACT THE ANGELS TO BOOK YOUR FLU JAB! Even if you’ve already had a flu jab in previous years, you need another one each year. The flu jab may only protect you for a year. This is because the viruses that cause flu are always changing. How effective is the flu jab? No vaccine is 100% effective, however, people who have had the flu jab are less likely to get flu. If you do get flu despite having the jab, it will probably be milder than if you haven’t been vaccinated. The flu vaccine only protects against flu, but not other illnesses caused by other viruses, such as the common cold. Source: Almeria Angels
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News
barnes bulletin thanks for a job well done
Last week, in Pilar De La Horadada, a gathering of uniformed bodies formed up, to celebrate the occasion of their patron, Saint Michael, and to receive long service awards, plaques and thanks for a job well done, from Mayor Jose’ Fidel Ross. Within the assembled body, was Chief Commander of the Air Force Academy, Deputy Inspector of the National Police, from Orihuela, Commander of the Guardia Civil, of Torrevieja, and Principal Chief of the Government of Alicante. Local police officers from Torre Pacheco, San Pedro, Los Alcazares and San Javier, amongst others. Representatives from the volunteer forces, Protection Civil, also attended, and received awards. Mayor Jose’ expressed his thanks,
on behalf of the residents of Pilar, and surrounding villages. Special appreciation was expressed for all the hard work, and extra duties performed, during the summer season, when visitors descended upon the town and beaches. Mind how you go.
Prehistoric forests, mines & haunted taverns--That’s Wales for you!
Most surprisingly, during my September visit to the Welsh Mines Society Autumn Meet, the sun shone. Even the slate tips at Blaenau Ffestiniog looked quite attractive! Following an overnight stay near Birmingham International Airport, collecting our hire car the next morning (Brand new Fiat 500, 0 to 60 in 3 minutes down hill, if you were lucky), first stop, for two nights B & B, was a remote farmhouse, in a secluded hidden valley, overlooked by The Sugar Loaf Mountain. Lanes as narrow as any Devon tracks were order of the day. A visit to the Brecon Mountain was made. More of a lakeside railway really, but pleasant enough. Local Inns were recommended my our gentleman farmer host, where most excellent real food and good ale were on hand. Next port of call was an equally remote tavern in the hamlet of Rhandirmwyn, The Royal Oak. Take a left by the fire station in Llandovery, and 7 miles later, you may, if you don’t blink, spot the inn. Splendid B & B, with hand pulled beers and local ciders. Saturday took us to the Dolaucothi Gold Mine, close to the village of Pumsaint, where 30 or so members of the Welsh Mines Society were gather for wander over and under the hillside. The Romans first investigated the area, but had little success. Subsequent attempts over the years, drove many individuals and companies into bankruptcy. Cornish miner Edward Jones, in 1909 sank a shaft, hitting a 4 foot quartz “Reef”. From this, it is said that some 129 ounces of gold were extracted, but the mine still failed to make a profit, and closed in 1938. Now owned by the National Trust, visitors, once equipped with hard hats and miners lamps, are guided through
the tunnels and workings. The Trust, decided for H & S reasons, to fill in the 83 foot shaft, with rubble, cutting off access to that section of the working, or so they think. Your scribe was shown a map, the evening following our visit, indicating an adit, just away from the boundary of the N.T. responsibility. Can’t say any more, but it’s well hidden, and clear of debris. Don’t tell the National Trust though! the small village of Borth, devastated after the recent flooding, is undergoing extensive sea defences. 4000 year old tree stumps are popping up along the beach, as contractors deliver tonnes of boulders into the beach, with the hope to tame nature, and prevent massive flooding. Geologists are on hand, taking sections of tree trunks, for carbon dating. Will the sea now be contained? Who can tell. With our Wales Experience was drawing to a close, but not before a couple of nights at the Red Lion Coaching Inn, in the village of Ellesmere. This 16th., boasts cast conditioned ales, great food at good prices (Do try their legendary Mixed Grill ) and a resident ghost. Rumour has it that there is a secret passage from the church next door to the cellars of the pub. Church visitors on a Sunday, long ago, were always puzzled as to how the vicar managed to be behind the bar, with a foaming jug of beer, before the members of the congregation, had made their way from graveyard path to the snug! Wales is a beautiful country, more so when the old current bun, makes an appearance. For details of our overnight stays or Dolaucothi Mine, drop me a line. Robert W Barnes.
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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
braben’s blog... Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. As some of you know, I am not just an opinionated computer geek with enough experience to frighten any computer into being good and acting properly, although that does take up the vast majority of my time! I also have a love of music, not this modern rubbish that tries to pass itself off as music, but real music, pre-Beatles! Now before all you Beatles fans and those who are influenced by the younger generation start and get a strop on, let me say that this piece isn’t about the relative merits of modern audio compared to the likes of “Perry Como” but rather an observation of the youth with their ‘Earbuds’ in and especially the music from their phones. Have you ever wondered how they managed to get it on to the phones in the first place! Well for any of you that have got an android tablet then the method is really easy(ish) as it is exactly the same for most of the android phones. Before I get in to the ‘How’ of it it is only fair that you know that this information will not help anyone with a Microsoft OS or Apple iPhone based phone. As android is the most used and familiar OS used in ‘Smartphones’ today, this is the one that I will be describing. First how to connect your smartphone to your computer. Dig out the cable that came with the phone. Does it come separate from the charger or can be removed from the charger? If separate, then plug one end into the phone and the other into an empty USB port. If it isn’t separate, then you will need to hunt further into the box it came it to find it. Again, plug it into the phone and an empty USB port. If you have turned on the computer and the phone, connected the cables as recommended, you should
see the familiar symbol appear in the TaskBar of a USB device being installed. At the same time your phone should be asking you if you want to make the phone a USB device and the answer is ‘Yes’. With a few seconds to, at most, a minute (first time connections can always take longer than you want them to!), you should get another familiar window this time, that wants to know if you would like to open the device. Again the answer is ‘Yes’. As this opens, you will have to open a windows where your music is. Now you have 2 windows open! In one, the music that you would like to copy to the phone and in the other window, the folders that form the structure of your phones OS. For those that don’t already know, move your mouse over the track you want to copy and press (and hold down) the ‘Ctrl’ button (at the bottom of your keyboard) and click on the track. Repeat holding the ‘Ctrl’ button and clicking on all the tracks you want. Finally, for this window, press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ button and then press and release the ‘C’ (to Copy). Move the pointer to the ‘music’ folder in the phone’s window and click on it. Press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ button again and then press the ‘X’ to paste the copied music to its new home on your phone. Simple to see when done once but took 350 words to describe it – daft or what? And how next week I will introduce you to music players, from the simplest to the HUGELY expensive all-sing and dancing DJ Mixing programs. Have a good week but just in case you don’t – my number’s at the bottom of the page :-)
For further information or advice on computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
ABornhistory of Moorish Spain (3) in Toledo in 788AD; Abd ar- especially a person who is a saint;
Rahman II became Umayyad Emir of Cordoba on the death of his father Al Hakam I in 822AD. No stranger to controversy he’d been involved in the massacre of the ditch in 807AD. Nobles had been to Toledo supposedly to honour the then Emir. Instead as they arrived at the banquet they were all beheaded. Estimates vary from 500 to 7000 murdered souls. Abd ar-Rahman II was considered a weak ruler; reputedly he was advised by Yahya a whirling dervish; Ziryab a musician, a woman called Tarub and Nasr a eunuch who was responsible for political decisions. During his reign there were many Christian rebellions. In the past Christians were given option of paying a special tax called Jizya, banishment, or if they preferred death and martyrdom by denouncing Islam in public. Abd ar-Rahman II was responsible for the ‘Martyrs of Cordoba’ where 48 Christian believers were decapitated between 850-859AD for various crimes of blasphemy against Islam. A Hagiography is a biography that idealizes or idolizes the person
Eulogius a Cordovan priest wrote the work Exhortation to martyrdom which encouraged many voluntary martyrdoms. By coincidence his name stems from the Greek word eulogia meaning good words. To counter the voluntary martyrdoms Abd ar-Rahman II convened a special council or synod between 850-852AD; a decree was issued supported by Reccafred the Christian Bishop of Cordoba. He preached religious tolerance and sided with the Moslem authorities as he considered the martyrs religious fanatics. He threw Eulogius into prison in 852AD but this whipped up religious militancy further. Eulogius was eventually executed in 859AD after being caught sheltering an apostate Moslem girl called Leocritia who’d converted to Christianity. She was executed on March 15th a few days after Eulogius finally followed his own teachings. Alfonso II King of the Asturias constantly waged war against Abd ar-Rahman II. Over a hundred years previously around 720AD at the time of the original Moorish invasion the
Is it always us!!!
Mario Balotelli-footballer of note-once wore a tee shirt with, “Why is it always me?” printed on it. Aren’t there times when we can all sympathise with Mario on that one? Times when you have those unexplainably brainless moments, like putting petrol in the diesel engine, or trying to heat up your frozen chips in the dishwasher. Don’t panic! We’re not on our own. For reasons which at the moment escape me, a survey was carried out in America to find the exotic pet that people most wanted. Guess what 20% of the people wanted the most. If you guessed dinosaur, then give yourself a treatand some stiff medication. You’re right! It worries me though. I wonder how many of those surveyed believe Jurassic Park is real, or The Flintstones live in the next town? You have to hope that those respondents don’t have access to power tools. But if they did, then we may find them in that ultimate spectator event, the World Lumberjack Championships. If you manage to get hold of a ticket then you’ll spend three happy days watching as people do wood related things, such as, chopping it, sawing it, and then...chopping it some more! But to be fair, there’s more to it than that. Some rounds have specially constructed saws that the contestants have lovingly made over the long winter nights by attaching them to motor bike engines so that they can then use them to...chop more wood-and inflict some pretty serious wood chopping related injuries on themselves. America isn’t alone in being populated by people who should know better. The, previously, sensible Icelanders aren’t totally without quirks. Just last year, work constructing a road was stopped by campaigners. Not Greenpeace. Not WWF. Not even Save The Lava. This time it was because the road would go though elf habitat. Just in case you blinked, that’s an area lived in by elves! The constructors stopped and brought in a woman who could talk to the elves. This lady got the elves to agree that, if a huge volcanic rock, which was their chapel, was moved-which it subsequently was, at great expense-then the road could be built. I wonder if she also has a pet dinosaur, or thinks she has? Really, all I wanted to say here was, next time you do something a bit daft, you’re not on your own-thousands are dafter than all of us! 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
Moors had let surviving Christian nobles escape north to the Asturias. Now years later the Christians had started the reconquest. King Alfonso II took Lisbon from the Moors in 798AD and up until he was stopped by Abd-ar–Rahman II in 825AD and Lisbon was retaken he had reclaimed swathes of Galicia, Leon and Castille. It’s said that King Alfonso II was the first Christian pilgrim to Santiago de Compestela after the body of Saint James was discovered there. King Alfonso II died in 842AD and has the following eulogy ‘after having held for 52 years chastely, soberly, immaculately, piously, and gloriously the government of the realm’. Al-Andalus was assailed from all sides; in 844 a fleet of 52 ships filled with AlMadjus or Norse Vikings anchored off the Lisbon coast. Landing they took Cadiz from the Moors. Sailing up the Guadalquivir River they took Seville on October 1st. The Vikings sent an ambassador to Abd ar-Rahman II
and proposed a peace treaty. As part of the deal; Moorish diplomat Yahya returned with the Norseman and came back unharmed some 20 months later to the Emir. A naval fleet and arsenal was constructed in Seville afterwards to repel any future invasion. During his reign Cordoba prospered; numbering several hundred thousand inhabitants it was the largest city in the known world. Poetry and philosophy were encouraged; Abd-arRahman II was responsible for many public building projects. The streets were paved and lit at night, mosques, libraries and public baths were built and indoor plumbing was introduced. He owned a fabulous jewelled belt which later El Cid, then Queen Isabel owned; the latter selling it hundreds of years later to help pay for the Christian reconquest of Granada. Abd ar-Rahman II died peacefully in 852AD and was succeeded by his son Muhammad I.
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
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
News International Demand for Holiday Rental Accommodation Up 14% to September
According to the latest data from online holiday rental specialists, HomeAway, Inc., tourists from the main European source markets for Spain increased their demand for holiday rental accommodation by 14% during the summer. This is the result of their analysis of data collected in Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and the UK during the months of June to September 2014. The data shows that the Balearic Islands was the favourite destination for German tourists since this region received 59% of their total demand. It is also the Spanish destination with the highest year-on-year growth in terms of their enquiries (15%). Other preferred destinations for German tourists during the period were the Canary Islands (29.8%) and Andalucía (5%). The French tourists who chose to rent a holiday home in Spain showed a preference for Catalonia (55% of their total demand), Valencia (19%) and Andalucía (12%), while the main destinations in terms of increases in enquiries were the Balearic Islands (53%), Catalonia (23%) and the Canary Islands (14%). The Balearic Islands and Catalonia accounted for 80% of the demand
from Italian tourists via the online portal, and the regions which recorded the best data with regard to increased demand were Valencia (70%), the Balearic Islands (46.6%) and Catalonia (36.5%). The three Spanish destinations in greatest demand from Portuguese holidaymakers were Andalucía, Catalonia and Galicia, which accounted for two-thirds of their visits to Spain. These three regions also registered the greatest year-on-year growth rates, of 52%, 162% and 103%, respectively. In the analysis of the UK market, El Mundo reported that the Balearic Islands, Andalucía and Catalonia accounted for more than 70% of the British tourists’ demand. However, in relation to the increase in demand, the Canary Islands led the ranking with 26%, followed by the Basque Country (20%) and the Balearic Islands (4%). The organisation’s data also indicates the length of stays most in demand by foreign tourists. The average length of stay exceeds a week for all nationalities, with 11.3 days on average for German holidaymakers, 10.6 days for the French, 10 days for Italians, 8.1 for the Portuguese, and 10.1 days for tourists from the UK. Source: http://news.kyero.com/
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN BURGLED
Statistics in Spain
Crime rates in Spain remain among the lowest in the EU according to the latest Interior Ministry crime report. However, since the economic crisis began in 2008, there has been a steep increase in domestic burglaries and theft as a result. In 2012 the number of burglaries in homes rose by 25.4%. The message to expat residents is not to panic. There are some simple precautions to take, as you would back in the UK, such as fitting security grills, installing exterior lights and alarms, being careful about what content is posted on social networks, especially anything to do with trips and holidays away from home. It also helps to take out a quality home insurance policy that will cover your home and its contents should any unfortunate incident occur.
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Hold-up outside the home
As soon as you discover you’ve been burgled, whether it’s a break-in or theft at your home, first call the police. Don’t touch anything until they arrive. A police report will be needed to process your claim. Then secure your home to avoid further damage, board up any broken windows, make a list of damaged or missing belongings, detail the damage to your home resulting from the burglary, taking photographs of damaged windows or door. At this point, you can call the claims department of your home insurance company. We advise you to have your policy on hand when you call.
In many cases, your home insurance policy may cover you for any incidents that occur outside your home. Should you be the victim of a hold-up outside your premises your personal belongings are covered. We will ensure replacement documents are quickly and efficiently dealt with, and if required, arrange the locks on your home to be changed. We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 161 More information on Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com
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‘Next Big Torrevieja U3A Annual Groups Fair Band Dance Night’
On Monday , September 29th at the CMO Building, the Torrevieja U3A held its annual Groups Fair to showcase activities available to members. The event was well attended and the Association acquired over sixty new members. The groups ranged from painting, chess, walking groups to psychology, crochet and military history. With over fifty activities to choose from people were kept busy walking around the Fair and signing up to activities as well as suggesting new ideas for groups. Interested people can log on to the website-Torrevieja u3a for more information
‘THURSDAY 23rd; OCTOBER – is the date for the next ‘Big Band Dance Night’ with Swingtet-Plus, before the end of this season. ‘Swingtet-Plus’ have been entertaining the people of the costas for a number of years now – with their own renditions of some of the most popular music of the Big Band eras. Music we all like to dance to. So – join us for this last night of this season - 9 to 11.30 pm Hotel Costa Narejos, Los Alcazares. THURSDAY 23rd; OCTOBER and enjoy being entertained by this exceptional 10 piece band – including vocalist Mr. Paul James Allen. There will be a raffle for HELP Murcia Tickets 7.50 euros – available at Hotel Reception – Tel; 968 583 980. doors open at 8.30 pm – and any tickets reserved, must be released before the event if not required. For all other information Tel; 868 182 406. ‘
2014
week 2 With a 2 and a quarter hour marathon show this week, all 15 celebrities were performing their second dances. The judges marks were carried over from last week, added to this week, plus the public vote, to determine the 2 lowest placed celebrities for the dance off and eviction from this years show. There are already a number of front runners clearly coming through and I am excited by what is developing into a fascinating fight for this years glitter ball trophy. This week gave the celebrities chance to show the opposite dance style from last week, therefore if someone was weak in one discipline at least it gave them the chance to improve their position. Opening the show were model/rugby player Tom Evans and Ivetta with their salsa. This was an extremely fast piece of music and unfortunately Tom was fighting throughout with the speed which detracted somewhat from a reasonable salsa hip action when solo to a stilted action when partnered with Ivetta. He did however manage to keep it going somehow and I gave him a 6 and the judges a 25 giving a total for the 2 weeks of 48 points. Next to dance were Jennifer Gibney from Mrs Browns Boys with Tristan and their Waltz. Last week was a disaster for her but this week was a little better. She was continuously hunched in her shoulders and unfortunately with a sideways hair style it only made the whole thing look much worse but on the whole her Waltz was reasonably smooth, so she is moving in the right direction. She was awarded 5 from me, 19 from the judges with a total of 37. Next out was Blue star Simon Webb and Kristina and their Tango. His posture will need some attention as his bottom was stuck out, care will also be needed in promenade position as he was turning out too far and his pivots need work. That said it was well
A man’s home is his castle, the saying goes, and in the case of Butrón Castle, this could hardly be more true. Located 19 kilometres (12 miles) from Bilbao in the Basque municipality of Gatika, this landmark building is set to go under the hammer, but you’ll need at least €3.5 million ($4.5 million) to make an opening bid in the auction which begins on Tuesday. Your money will buy you a medieval castle which was completely remodelled at the end of the 19th century. The home has total floor space of 2,400 square metres (25,800 square feet), while the grounds are a massive 35,000sqm. It’s in great condition according to
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News
Spanish castle up for grabs for €3.5 million auctioneers BNP Paribas Real Estate. There’s also the added bonus of snapping up the only Romantic style castle on sale in Spain. The property boasts four turrets, an old chapel, a well with natural spring water, a parade ground and — of course — a dungeon. For the more practically minded, the castle also has two bathrooms, a kitchen, heating, outdoor parking and a cellar. Bids close on October 21st. Source: www.thelocal.es
By Lyn Aspden of ‘Strictly Dan ce’ Class Info 635584 431
attacked, sharp, staccatto and with an excellent spread of choreography so early in the competition. I awarded him 7 and with 26 from the judges totalled 53. Masterchef Greg Wallace and Alliona then came out with their Charleston. Greg I think was trying too hard and as a result kept messing up his steps, coupled with the fact that there was no Charleston swivel in his feet. His energy level however was good throughout if a little manic at times. I gave him 4 and the judges 18 totalling 36 for the 2 weeks. Celebrity presenter Allison Hammond and Aljaz then came out to perform their Foxtrot. I hated the music which was anything but soft and floating and coupled to the fact that Allison was very flat footed, her Foxtrot ended up looking heavy and stompy and nowhere near as good as last week. It was however entertaining and for that I gave her 5 and the judges 22 for a total of 48. Eastenders star Jake Wood and Janette then peformed a Salsa. Wow! Wow! Wow! and this is only week 2. This was one of the best celebrity salsas the show has ever had. Some of the tricks they used were extremely difficult but pulled off to perfection. There were a couple of small slips in the routine and as a result I awarded him a 9 with the judges 35 and a tied top total of 63. Tennis coach Judy Murray and Anton danced a Cha Cha Cha next There was some improvement from last week and Judy has a very shapely pair of legs, ideal for the Latin discipline if only she could use them. Unfortunately her Cha Cha was stiff and stilted and on and off rhythm. She really seems to be struggling with the pressure of this competition, as a result I gave her 3 and the judges 17 giving a total of 35. TV presenter Caroline Flack and Pasha then danced their Tango. Caroline is one of this years contenders with another great performance, sharp, staccatto with great body contact throughout the dance.
She just needs to lift the core a little more to open out her upper body head and neck position and she will be a real contender. I gave her 8 and the judges 29 with a total 56 for the 2 weeks. Bargain Hunts Tim Wonnacott and Natalie were next up with a Waltz. This proved to be a fair attempt giving a soft smooth characterisation as long as you didn’t look too deeply into the technique! He had his shoulders hunched up around his ears throughout and was dropping down on beat 1 of the Waltz instead of driving forward. I awarded him a 4 and the judges 18 for a total of 41. Sunetra Sarker of Casualty and Brendan followed with their Cha Cha Cha. All that was lacking was a straightening of her knees to start to move her hips, she did have a great body feel for the dance but needs to keep her feet in contact with the floor to produce the strength needed to perfect. I gave her a 5 with the judges 26 and a total of 50. TOWIE star Mark Wright and Karen then came out with the American Smooth. For me another dance ruined by the music allocated which had a reggae feel - no way Smooth! That said he really tried to get into the character of the dance and created some nice smooth transitions in and out of the lifts which are permitted in this dance, he just fell away a little with his posture which will need more work. I gave him 6 with the judges 27 and a running total of 51. DJ dance disaster Scott Mills and Joanne then ‘danced’ a Tango. Oh dear! dancing really isn’t for Scott! neither style! Just as in the Latin last week he was flat footed with his legs a mile apart even when they were supposed to be closed! I didn’t like the choreography either Joanne is a new professional to the show but I don’t know what was with all the head shaking! I gave him a 2 for an attempt and the judges 20 and a total of 36. Singer Pixie Lott and
Trent were really on form this week with a Waltz. This was a beautiful rendition with some difficult choreography fitting for much further into the competition. Her core needs to lift a little more but apart from that this was a superb performance and deserving of a 9 with the judges 36 and a joint total of 63. Wildlife expert Steve Backshall and Ola then came out with a Cha Cha Cha. He made a reasonable attempt at the dance but because his weight was too far into his heels he was leading forward with heels instead of his toes a big no no in Cha Cha Cha and as a result there was no hip action at all. He did however look as though he was enjoying himself. I gave him a 6, the judges 21 and a total of 45. Closing the marathon show was the Saturdays member Frankie Bridge and Kevin with a Charleston. The music used was from the TV show Happy Days, more conducive to a Jive than Charleston and as a result got a bit of a caning from the judges. Frankie was wearing a pair of flat rubber soled pumps (more for rock and roll) and I think as a result this prevented her from doing the Charleston swivel so she lost valuable scores from the judges. I gave her a 9 as I really enjoyed her performance but the judges only 30 with a total of 60. My bottom 2 this week were Scott Mills and Judy Murray but for me a no contest for eviction - Scott. The judges had Scott, Judy and Greg in their bottom slots. The public bottom 2 were Jennifer Gibney and Greg Wallace with Greg being the first to leave this years show after a unanimous judges vote. Next week the theme is movie week so let’s see who steps up to the mark and who are the falling stars? In the meantime don’t forget you can come and join us at one of our classes to keep up with the ‘Strictly’ gossip. Until next week Keep Dancing!
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News Britain To remove winter fuel allowance for expats in Spain
British pensioners living abroad in countries warmer than the UK received more than £16 million in winter fuel payments last year, according to official figures. The payments, of up to £300 a year taxfree, are intended to help the elderly with heating bills. However, more than £8 million was sent to pensioners living in Spain, £5 million to those in France, £1.4 million to those in Cyprus and £579,000 to those in Portugal. The total amount paid to British pensioners living abroad in European countries rose slightly, from £21.4 million in 2012-13 to £21.7 million in 2013-14. The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that the government intended to legislate to remove the benefit from pensioners living in countries where the average winter temperature is warmer than
the warmest region of the UK. A DWP spokesman said that, subject to Parliamentary approval, from 201516 winter fuel payments would no longer be payable to people living in Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus. “Winter fuel payments are intended to encourage older people in Britain to keep themselves warm. It was never intended to be paid in warmer countries,” the spokesman said. Almost half of people (46 per cent) are more concerned about meeting the cost of energy bills this winter than they were last winter, according to a survey commissioned by Co-operative Energy. Six per cent were less concerned, while just over half (51 per cent) said they had cut back on other spending in order to pay their energy bills. Source: www.davidjackson.info
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Spain pays €1.35 bn for aborted gas project
Spain’s government said Friday it will pay €1.35 billion ($1.7 billion) in compensation to a Spanish firm which was forced to stopped work on a vast underwater gas-storage project that was suspected of causing minor quakes. Known as Project Castor, the scheme aimed to store gas in a depleted oil reservoir 1.7 kilometres (1.05 miles) under the Mediterranean Sea in the Gulf of Valencia and send it via a pipeline to Spain’s national grid. The government halted operations at the facility in September 2013 after more than 200 minor earthquakes were detected in the area which geologists and environmentalists blamed on gas injections. The company which owns and operated the facility, Escal UGS, in June 2014 said it was giving up its concession for the gas storage project, which was financed by the European Investment Bank. Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said Friday that the government had decided to “freeze the installations and ban the injection or storage of gas” at the facility. It would also award Escal UGS €1.35 billion in compensation, she told a news conference. Escal UGS is majorityDON’T LET YOUR POOL & owned by Spanish WATER BILLS DRAIN YOU!! CALL THE LEAK DETECTION & REPAIR EXPERTS builder ACS, with nearly 67 percent, while CLP, Specialists in a group controlled by Underwater Tiling Canada’s Dundee Energy, & Repairs has a 33-percent stake in Tel: 627 752 965 | 622 400 365 | 966 194 179 the firm. Source: www.thelocal.es
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Spain ranked world’s 7th Local Costa Blanca girl to best expat destination sing in German Got Talent
A survey by networking community InterNations has ranked Spain 7th-best in the world for foreigners according to criteria including quality of life, finance, ease of settling in and work-life balance. The ‘Expat Insider’ report was based on the average of a number of subindices, including the General Quality of Life Index, Ease of Settling In Index, Working Abroad Index, Family Life Index and the Personal Finance Index. Respondents were also asked, “How satisfied are you with life abroad in general?”, which was weighted heavily in the overall country ranking. Ecuador was the surprise winner, boosted by expats’ high levels of satisfaction with their own personal financial situation there, followed by Luxembourg – which scored highly on career opportunities – and Mexico. The worst countries to live, according to the report, were Greece, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Spain scored highly on factors such as personal safety (94 per cent satisfaction) and political stability (79 per cent considered it stable), well above the worldwide averages It topped the charts in terms of making newcomers feel welcome (82 per cent positive) but was rated only 11th in terms of friendliness. This may explain why just 59 per cent responded positively when asked if it was easy to make friends in Spain. Only 5 per cent of expats reported an unfriendly attitude towards foreign residents, far below the global average of 13%. Spain was rated 23rd in the world for ease of linguistic integration but 71 per
cent of expats said it was easy to learn Local Costa Blanca girl from Los Spanish and 79 per cent claimed they Montesinos managed to get chosen from 50.000 applicants to sing in the could speak it. The country’s medical care and Jury auditions of the German Got infrastructure for transport and travel Talent. She sang “In the Arms of the were rated highly but Spain was in the Angel” and received 4 YES votes and bottom five globally for expat earnings, very encouraging comments for her when compared with previous income. performance. After a long standing In the Working Abroad category overall, ovation Stefanie could not control her Spain was ranked a dismal 55th out of feelings any longer and burst out in tears. She is now waiting to see if she 61. made it into the last 10 for the Finals Overall, some 45 per cent of expats in on December 20th. Spain said that they were satisfied with Stefanie was also nominated for the life. CoastRider’s Pride of Spain Young 34 per cent described themselves as Achiever of the year 2014 award. “completely satisfied” with their social If you want to experience Stefanie lives and less than 1 per cent commented Live yourself, she will be giving a negatively on the local weather. concert on the 7th November 2014 Family friendliness scored highly. Only 1 in the Auditorium Escuela Musica y per cent of respondents reported having Cultura in Calle Divino Pastor 5, Los experienced an unfriendly attitude Montesinos. towards families with children and only Stefanie will be singing famous West 2% of participants in Spain viewed the End Musical tunes and Power Ballads state of children’s health and safety to in English and German. be in danger. Doors open at 6:30pm, the concert According to InterNations, “This starts at 7:30pm. Ticket price is €5.deviates heavily from the 11% of Please book your tickets early to respondents globally who believe this avoid disappointment. to be the case in their countries of You can order tickets on 6330 19041 or residence.”
Spain is one of the worst offenders when it comes to correctly adopting and applying European Union laws, with only Italy ranking higher in the disobedience stakes, a new European Commission report reveals. Spain had 90 EU infringement cases open against it on December 31st 2014, second only to Italy, with 104 open cases, and a long way behind league leaders Latvia which had a total of only 20 open cases. Thirteen of the open cases in Spain where for late transcription of EU laws, the process which sees member states incorporate EU law into their own legislation. The remaining 77 cases involved the incorrect application of EU laws or false transcription of that legislation. In total, there were 439 complaints against Spain in 2013 with employment being the major bugbear (100 cases) followed by justice and the environment (65 cases each). The EU made special mention of waiting times at the border between Spain and Gibraltar in its report, saying these had been the subject of a large
number of complaints from citizens. The strained situation at this border arose after Gibraltar dropped 70 concrete blocks into the sea in July 2013, in what its government said was an attempt to create an artificial reef. The stopped Spanish fishing boats from operating close to Gibraltar’s airport runway, and Spain retaliated by carrying out stringent checks at the Gibraltar border, slowing down the traffic of both people and goods. The EU report shows that after Italy and Spain, German had the third highest number of complaints made against it last year — 297. By the end of the year, however, all but 63 cases had been resolved, giving Germany stood in seventh place in December, while Greece took third place with 79 outstanding cases. The EU union operates a scheme called EU Pilot, an online platform designed to provide legal information and act as a first port of call in complaint resolution. If cases cannot be resolved through the EU Pilot, the EU may consider a formal infringement notice. Source: www.thelocal.es
19 per cent of expats said that they had moved to Spain for ‘better quality of life’ and were seemingly rewarded: Spain topped all other countries except Switzerland on the Quality of Life index. Source: www.thelocal.es
‘Naughty’ Spain comes up short on EU laws
get the from the following businesses: Post Room and Vincent Real Estate in Benijofar, Pepas Bar and Flabelos in Quesada, Carpet Heaven, Kennedy’s Supermarket, Queremon Uniden and Le Petit Cochon in Los Montesinos or on the Guardamar Sunday Market from Salchichas Alemanas Ralf or Uwe’s German Supermarket. In conjunction with Social Services of Los Montesinos we decided to organise
a
Christmas
dinner
in
December for low income families and old or handicapped people, who can not cook for themselves. We will be renting a Restaurant and have a 3 course meal with wine, water and coffee served to them. We will also have other surprises for them. This way we see first hand how the money makes people happy instead of just buying a bed and handing food vouchers to the Social Service office. We would like to look forward to seeing you......
22
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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VH618 €249,950 CEE C19 44 • 4 bed, 3 bath Luxury Country Villa • 61,000m2 of land • 10m x 5m swimming pool • Velez Rubio / Huercal-Overa area
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Villamartin SOLTIMES october 2014
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e u n e V
The
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Takeaway Also Available Quesada Villamartin Plaza
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24
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Public debt to top 100 percent of GDP in 2015 FOR BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS? 3 WAYS TO ADVERTISE RING 966 719 647 OR EMAIL YOUR ADVERT TO blancasales@soltimes.com
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Spain’s public debt ratio will top the symbolic level of 100 percent of national output next year, well above European Union guidelines, before it starts dropping in 2017, the government’s 2015 budget proposal showed last Tuesday. The eurozone’s fourth-biggest economy is set to end the year with a debt ratio equal to 97.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), the proposal handed to parliament predicted. The debt ratio will climb to 100.3 percent of GDP in 2015 and 101.5 percent a year after, before dropping to 98.5 percent in 2017. European Union rules say that debt owed by governments must not exceed 60 percent of GDP, or be falling significantly towards this ratio. Spain enjoyed a relatively low debt ratio, equal to 36.3 percent of GDP, before the start of the global financial crisis in 2007.
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But public debt soared after the implosion of a decade-long property bubble, and passed €1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) in August. Spain emerged from the latest two-year downturn in mid-2013 and grew in the second quarter of 2014 at a faster-than-expected quarterly rate of 0.6 percent. The government forecasts the Spain’s economy will grow 1.3 percent in 2014, compared to a 1.2 percent contraction last year, bouncing back after six years of crisis that brought it close to financial collapse. The draft 2015 budget, which was approved by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s cabinet on Friday, predicts the recovery will accelerate in 2015 to 2.0 percent growth. Rajoy’s conservative government has struggled to contain annual deficits by raising taxes, freezing public salaries and curbing spending on services such as education and healthcare, despite angry street protests. The government’s fresh public debt ratio forecasts are based on new EU accounting rules requiring illicit activities, such as prostitution and drug smuggling, to be counted in estimates of GDP. When national output is recalculated under the new EU norms, Spain’s public deficit as a percentage of GDP in 2013 was revised to 6.33 percent, down from 6.62 percent. The Spanish government had promised Brussels to bring the public deficit down to 6.5 percent of GDP in 2013. Source: www.thelocal.es
DAVID THE PLUMBER Prompt and reliable service, no job too small. Full bathrooms or just makeovers and handyman service. 24 hour call out Boilers: 80 litre fully installed from 160€
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Tel.. 605 305 405
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.soltimes.com
Book review The Island by Victoria Hislop
“A single shot ricocheted across the water, the noise amplified by the echo from the mountains behind, and a crimson blanket spread itself slowly across the still sea.” Spinalonga was a former leper colony where people were exiled from 1903-1957 in northern Crete. During the second world war the Germans occupied the island as well as allied forces. Hislop has combined history with fiction, presenting the reader with a moving portrayal of four generations of one family blighted by leprosy, war and its legacy. Alexis Fielding is 25, working in a museum and likely to follow in her father’s footsteps in archaeology. Ed was her boyfriend of 3 years and what was once a promising affair has now turned sour “like a sickly cutting that had failed to survive being transplanted from greenhouse to border.” They were meant to be on holiday but conflict, arguments and lots of self-reflection amounted to doubts over suitability and compatibility. Curiosity about her mother, Sofia who was born on the island of Crete resulted in Alexis trekking to Plaka to find a family friend called Fortini who hopefully would unravel the family history which inevitably meant unearthing the skeletons in the closet, a disclosure that knocked Alexis for six! From 2001 the story reverts to 1939 with Alexis’s great grandparents and the tragic revelation that her great grandmother Eleni had developed the virulent strain of
leprosy and was late summer of condemned to the 1943. Obviously, place of the living they were nervous dead, Spinalonga of leprosy spreading to end her days and wanted it in suffering and contained on torment before Spinalonga. being laid to rest Fortini is thorough in a communal and yet sensitive as and unmarked she retells stories grave. Ironically, about the lives of fate dealt another those affected by severe blow when jealousy and betrayal one of Eleni’s in hard times when daughter, Maria the war added an extra was diagnosed strain of misery. with the same “Our so called fate is disease as her largely ordained by mother and followed a similar our ancestors, not by the stars.” fate almost in 1953. Timing was Three generations of lives were cruel-she was about to celebrate so intertwined. Eleni and Maria’s her marriage to a local Romeo sad fate was the tip of the iceberg. whe she was exiled to the rock Pandora regretted opening her as it was called. Fortunately there box. Would it be the same for were doctors researching the Alexis when she discovered what disease and a cure was eventually happened to her grandmother found, although it was too late for Anna and her husband? those who had succumbed to the Alexis is certainly shocked by disease. what she hears but matures and When the Germans arrived during consequently grows closer to her the 40s they committed murder mother and these revelations have and mutilation destroying villages the added bonus of helping her and its inhabitants fearing the Allied to decide on her future with Ed. forces and the Resistance which It’s a wonderful story, deep and proved a threat to their occupation fulfilling. It deserves a read. of Crete. They threatened to Publisher: Headline. exterminate all male inhabitants ISBN: 978-0-7553-0951-1 of the villages aiding the Allies. A young male leper from REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. the island was brutally www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com / murdered trying to swim www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com to Plaka to celebrate his naylorcl@hotmail.es son’s 3rd birthday in the
25
pause for thought
For us at least the visiting season seems to have ended for this year, allowing us some time to relax and get on with the many jobs that have been piling up over the summer. Strange isn’t it how few wanted to visit whilst we lived in Lancashire, yet suddenly we, along no doubt with many expats living in this beautiful part of Spain, find all and sundry missing us dreadfully and having to visit! Not that any of us really mind of course, but I suspect we’ve all experienced visitors who seem to take us for granted, treating our homes like a hotel, with little evidence of gratitude, so that sometimes I wonder if the simple expression ‘Thank you’ is no longer a part of the English language. But how important that phrase is, and how often we all let an occasion pass without expressing our thanks, suggesting, rather like some of our less popular visitors, that we consider ourselves deserving of the service or gift we’ve received so have no need of gratitude. And so, at this time of year I used to find it particularly helpful in Britain when Churches in every community advertised their services of Harvest Thanksgiving, reminding all of us of our debt of gratitude to so many people, as well as to God himself, for all the innumerable benefits we enjoy, yet so often take for granted in our daily lives. So yes, as we celebrated Harvest recently at our Churches in Albox and Mojacar, we in this part of Almeria thanked God for the fruits of the Earth, for the labours of so many in making them available to us and above all for His great love so wonderfully revealed in Jesus Christ His son. Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard, for any wishing to Worship; whilst additionally, further information about the Anglican Church in this area may be seen on the website www.mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
26
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Go to our web site for all our excursions. Costa Blancas No1 Tour Operator for day trips, city breaks, cruises through to Christmas & New Year.
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
SolPUZZLES Movie Actors
Find and circle all of the Movie Actors that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell the name of a movie for which Forest Whitaker won an Oscar
1. Which of the following has the largest taxi fleet in the world? a. Mexico City b. New York c. Mumbai d. Sao Paulo........................................................... 2. Which tiny country controlled two thirds of the world’s trade between 1600 and 1650?.......................................................... 3. Which actor once came in second place at the 24 Hours Of Le Mans? a. James Garner b. Steve McQueen c. Paul Newman d. Robert Redford.......................... 4. Who was the second last Mohican?.......... 5. Which 20th century US President, with a last name that is an eponym, could speak fluent Mandarin Chinese?............................ 6. Which two songs with the word brown in the song title reached number one in the US charts in the 1970s?..................................... 7. Who was the only man to have had a Pope arrested in the last 300 years?..................... 8. What does the Greek root ‘cin’, as in cinema, mean?............................................ 9. Canada and Indonesia have the longest coastlines in the world. Greenland excluded, name the next five.......................
ARKIN, Alan
FIRTH, Colin
MCGREGOR, Ewan
RADCLIFFE, Daniel
BALE, Christian
FISHBURNE, Laurence
MURPHY, Eddie
SINISE, Gary
10. The ‘Nostromo’ is a doomed space ship in which sci-fi film?......................................
BANDERAS, Antonio
FRASER, Brendan
MURRAY, Bill
SLATER, Christian
BROADBENT, Jim
GLOVER, Danny
NICHOLSON, Jack
STRATHAIRN, David
BRODERICK, Matthew
GOODING JR, Cuba
NORTON, Edward
THORNTON, Billy Bob
BRODY, Adrien
HARRIS, Ed
OLDMAN, Gary
WALKEN, Christopher
BYRNE, Gabriel
HAWKE, Ethan
PACINO, Al
WASHINGTON,
CRAIG, Daniel
KINGSLEY, Ben
PAXTON, Bill
Denzel
DAY-LEWIS, Daniel
MACY, William H.
PITT, Brad
WHITAKER, Forest
EASTWOOD, Clint
MALKOVICH, John
QUAID, Dennis
WILLIS, Bruce
standard SUDOKU
easy SUDOKU
CRYPTIC crossword
Leroy Brown 7. Napoleon 8. Motion 9. In order: Russia, Philippines, Japan, Australia and Norway. 10. Alien
CROSSWORD
1. a. Mexico City 2. Holland 3. c. Paul Newman (1979) 4. Uncas 5. Hoover 6. Brown Sugar and Bad Bad
SOLUTIONS
wordsearch answer
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Brain Teasers Answers
sports quiz
1. At which racecourse is the Grand National run?... 2. Which cyclist has the record for winning the Tour De France seven consecutive times?.......... 3. On a darts board, what number is diagonally opposite 19?.................... 4. In the game of snooker, how many balls are present on the table at the beginning of a game?............................. 5. Who was the first unseeded man to win Wimbledon’s Mens Singles Title?................... 6. How many players are there in a Rugby League team?.............................. 7. Which sport is Silverstone most associated with?.............. 8. In 2004, the Olympic Games ‘came home’ to which city?...................... 9. What is the name given for one stroke over par for a single hole in golf?.. 10. In 1996, whose ear did Mike Tyson partially bite off in the ring?..........
Answers
squiggle SUDOKU
Fun Brain Teasers with Answers to Challenge your Mind
wordsearch
7. Motor Racing 8. Athens 9. A Bogey 10. Evander Holyfield
People are Strange!
The average person produces enough saliva in their lifetime to fill 2 swimming pools.............. Most babies are born with blue eyes; exposure to UV light brings out their true color................................................................ Everyone has a completely unique smell (except for twins)............................................. It’s nearly impossible to tickle yourself............ Your bones, pound for pound, are 4x stronger than concrete...................................................
1. Aintree 2. Lance Armstrong 3. 1 4. 22 5. Boris Becker 6. 13
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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27
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Across 2. Flashlight (5) 4. Book of synonyms (9) 6. Large percussion instrument (7) 7. Spooky (5) 9. On time (8) 11. Lawyer (8) 13. Having three dimensions (5) 14. Depots (7) 16. Derived from experiment and observation (9) 17. Lance (5)
Down 1. Direct quotation (8) 2. Eigth letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 3. Crop (7) 4. Schedule (9) 5. Relating to tailoring (9) 6. Keynote of a major or minor scale (5) 8. Boredom (5) 10. Takes (7) 12. Fish valued for its roe (8) 15. Happen again (5)
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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 1 Element of vehicle good in France (6) 5 Stupid idiot Dan gets arithmetic operation (8) 9 Carefully considering pre-fight event before midnight (8) 10 Apes manage to catch one student leader (6) 11 Associated closely, if it denied production (10) 12 Animal’s quiet old state (4) 13 Attribute of suitable drink, say (8) 16 Vehicle left in plant (6) 17 Fluid that’s disputed in silence (6) 19 Puts down, so tips off after removing half of debt (8) 21 Setter’s section of exam in English (4) 22 Sadly dies on horseback initially, with feathers inverted (6-4) 25 A head of department, only to alter slightly (6) 26 English meadows in colour that’s slackened (8) 27 Amicable conclusion in adornment, mostly unknown (8)
28 Most crafty instruments without right to be in the street (6) Down 2 Leading margin of victory? (5) 3 Start to live with drink (5) 4 Number one to rise awkwardly with more sound (7) 5 Any girl exploding with rage (7) 6 Determines policemen’s entry into river with pole (7) 7 Foremost university (extremely poorly-off) to witness turnaround - thanks to these? (3-2,4) 8 Her voting’s erratic, happening in a short time (9) 14 What’s left of a memento, externally (9) 15 Course of action, perhaps, prouder to include church (9) 18 The Uni mostly ‘ad trouble, having resident ghosts (7) 19 Ruin of the French city of old (7) 20 In mix-up, add less oars (7) 23 Journal’s sudden attack coming up at start of year (5) 24 Tiny daughter’s unwanted growths (5)
28
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES october 2014
Steamed chocolate and pear puddings with hot chocolate sauce
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
all home-made “roll ups” of meat with pistachio, chorizo, pepper or mustard
buy 200g get 100g free
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
Open from 12 noon til late
papas new grill menu & old favourites available from 6pm
daytime menu: breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches & salads
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€ served all day.
Tel: 688 489 096
Avda Federico Garcia Lorca No 76, Benijofar Nr top of High Street
ingredients
FOR THE PUDDINGS 125g butter, at room temperature, plus an extra 15g 125g caster sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 175g self-raising flour 20g cocoa powder 3tbsp milk (approx) 4 small ripe pears FOR THE SAUCE 100g dark chocolate, broken into small pieces 150ml single cream 25g butter Method To make the puddings, place the 125g of butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream together with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy. Add the egg, a little at a time, beating well after each addition, then add the flour. Put the cocoa powder in a cup, stir in 2tbsp hot water and then mix into the sponge mixture. It needs to be soft enough to comfortably drop off the beaters, so add enough milk to get the required consistency. Peel, quarter and core the pears, chop into 5-10mm cubes. Stir half into the sponge mixture, and place the rest in
a small saucepan with the extra 15g of butter and 3tbsp cold water. Keep to one side. Spoon the sponge mixture into six 150-175ml pudding basins (preferably plastic), buttered and lightly dusted with flour. Smooth the surface and cover the tops tightly with buttered foil, sealing well by pinching the foil around the edges. Place in a steamer over boiling water for 50 minutes. While the puddings are cooking, place the saucepan of pears over a mediumhigh heat and cook until tender and the liquid has virtually evaporated, leaving the pears in a buttery/syrupy glaze. To make the chocolate sauce, place all the ingredients in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water and stir until you have a velvety smooth sauce. Keep warm. Remove the foil from the cooked puddings and turn out onto plates. Spoon the pears on the top and serve with the chocolate sauce poured over. TOP TIP To make this into one large pudding, you will need a 1-1.2ltr pudding basin. Steam it for 1 hour 45 mins-2 hours. Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Little Sticky Toffee Puddings with Baileys Cream Serves: 4
ingredients
75g (3 oz) butter or margarine, plus a little extra for greasing 75g (3 oz) dark or light muscovado sugar 1 large egg, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 75g (3 oz) self-raising flour 1 medium banana 25g (1 oz) dates, chopped 1 tbsp milk 4 tbsp toffee sauce or golden syrup 180ml pot Baileys Extra Thick Cream with a hint of Crème Caramel
butter or margarine. Beat the butter or margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually Method beat in the egg and then stir in the Preheat the oven to 180 C, fan 160 C, vanilla extract. Sieve in the flour and Gas 4. Grease 4 individual pudding fold it in with a large metal spoon. Mash basins or ramekin dishes with a little the banana and stir it in with the dates and milk. Put 1 tbsp toffee sauce Aqua Park or golden syrup into each D’Pata pudding basin or ramekin. Negra Spoon the creamed mixture on top. Cover tightly with pieces of foil. Benimar Stand the basins or dishes Tanatorio in a small roasting pan or Rojales Benijofar baking dish and pour in enough warm water to C/Agata urb. Benimar II Rojales come halfway up their Tel: 645 793 070 sides. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Cool for a few Authentic Spanish Tapas moments, then run a knife Specialising in Paellas & around each one and turn Mediterranean cuisine them out. Serve with Baileys Extra Thick Cream with a hint of Bingo everyday 6pm - 9pm Crème Caramel. Cook’s tip from October Use sultanas or raisins instead of dates, if you OPEN NOON-MIDNIGHT prefer. Closed on Mondays Source: www.allrecipes. co.uk
restaurante ~ taperia
SOLTIMES october 2014
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Chocolate amaretti puddings
ingredients
200g butter, plus extra for the tins 200g plain chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 4 eggs (room temperature) 200g dark muscovado sugar 140g ground almonds 25g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp baking powder 4 tbsp Amaretto liqueur 10 amaretti biscuits For the sauce 5 tbsp double cream 140g golden syrup 100g bar plain chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 2 tbsp Amaretto liqueur To decorate Salted almond brittle
Method
Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and put on a full kettle. Have a large roasting tin ready. Butter 10 squares of foil, each about 15 x 15cm. Butter 10 x 200ml mini pudding tins, dust with flour, then tap out the excess. Cut 10 small circles of baking paper to fit the bottoms and drop one into each tin. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a pan, heating gently and stirring every so often. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, put the eggs and sugar into a large bowl and whisk with electric beaters for 10 mins, or until the mix is thick and foamy and holds a trail for a few seconds. Mix the ground almonds, flour and baking powder together. Splash 1 tbsp amaretto over the biscuits. Fold the cooled chocolate mix into the whisked egg and sugar using a large metal
spoon. Follow with the flour mix, then work in the amaretto. Fill the tins one-third full, then drop in an amaretti biscuit and top up with mix, leaving a 1cm gap between the top of the mix and the edge of the tins. Loosely scrunch a foil square over the top of each tin. Put the tins in the roasting pan and pour hot water around – it should come about halfway up the sides of the puddings. Bake for 30 mins, then insert a skewer into one; a few damp crumbs should stick to the skewer – you don’t want the puds to be totally dry. Meanwhile, make the fudgy sauce. Melt all of the ingredients together in a heavy-based pan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Set aside. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days,then reheat on the hob or in the microwave on High for 1 min. To serve the puddings, turn onto plates and spoon over some of the sauce, allowing it to ooze over the edges. Sprinkle with shards of Salted almond brittle and serve straight away. Source: www.bbcgoodfood.com
ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Stir chocolate and butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Using electric mixer, beat eggs, egg yolks, and 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add all purpose flour and beat until blended. Add chocolate mixture, peppermint extract, and salt; beat just until incorporated. Divide chocolate mixture among prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on baking sheet. (Can
News
Breakaways Bikeathon
Chocolate-Mint Pudding Cakes
6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces 3 large eggs 3 large egg yolks 1/3 cup baker’s sugar (superfine sugar) or regular sugar 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons peppermint extract 1/4 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar or sweetened cocoa powder Peppermint stick ice cream or mint chocolate chip ice cream Fresh mint leaves
29
be prepared 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.) Bake cakes until edges are set but centers look shiny and still move slightly when ramekins are gently shaken (tester inserted into centers comes out with wet batter attached), about 11 minutes. Remove cakes from oven; run small knife around each cake to loosen. Place small plate atop 1 ramekin with pudding cake. Using oven mitts or pot holders, hold plate and ramekin firmly together and invert, allowing cake to settle onto plate. Repeat with remaining cakes. Sprinkle each cake with powdered sugar or sweetened cocoa. Place scoop of ice cream alongside. Garnish with mint leaves and serve. Source: www.epicurious.com
On Sunday Sepember 28th at 8am a group of intrepid cyclists set off on The inaugural Break Aways Bikeathon, The Challenge was to complete just one lap of the 5 kilometre circuit. However for the joint organisers Sarah Simpson and Louise Richardson the task was harder as they had set themselves a target of 100 Kilometres or 20 laps. The weather was cold and dark to begin with just a ilght rainfall to cool down the riders. Throughout the day more riders joined in. The Hair Salon sponsored all the water for the competitors and Sunshine FM sposored the event. From 2.30 the crowds were entertained by The Campo Verde Reef Band and other guest artists along with a barbeque, raffle and sponsored hair shaving.The days events concluded with Sunday Afternoon Karaoke with Sammy Starr In total the various sponsorships, donations and raffle raised a very much needed sum of 2800 euros for The Sponsored Charity “ Paul Cunningham Nurses”
October is international breast cancer awareness month
October is international breast cancer awareness month and myself and my Pink Ladies will be commemorating this at Zenia Boulevard on Sunday 19th October 2014. Once again to mark this event we will be selling helium filled pink balloons, balloons will be sold on Saturday 18th October from 10.00 hrs until 20.00 hrs and on Sunday the 19th October from 12.00 am until 18.30 hrs. after this time the nets holding these balloons will be opened and the balloons set free into the open air, this is a very moving moment as they will be released to Paul Michael singing Nessum Dorma between 18.30 hrs and 19.00 hrs. Last year we released over 2000 helium filled pink balloons and we expect to at least match that this year. The balloons will cost 2€ each and a card will be attached to each balloon sold, there is space on this card to write a personal message for a loved one who may have lost their fight to cancer. The balloon that travels the furthest and the card sent back will win the person whose details are on this card will win 100€, last year the furthest card was sent back from Austria. the new AECC office is open at Flamenca Beach C.C. on the ground floor and is open Mon to Fri from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm for people to drop in for a chat or to book an early screening test. We look forward to seeing you at Zenia Boulevard on the 19th October or phone 965 329 841
30
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
APAH Space for a little one?
animal corner
Firemen give pet hamsters oxygen
benji Rescued off the streets by APAH Animal Charity, Benji may just be the strangest looking dog you have ever seen. This doesn’t stop him being a very happy and friendly boy though. To visit APAH and meet Benji, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
tanya
APAH is currently caring for over 80 cats and kittens in it’s Cattery. Through abandonment, some of these have lost their loving home, some have never known one, but they all deserve a chance of a new life. Can you offer one of APAH’s cats a loving home for life? To visit the Cattery call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
www.apahrescue.org
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
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
US firemen used oxygen and first aid to save a family of pet hamsters caught in a mobile home blaze. The crew, from the Lacey Fire Department in Washington state, relied on ‘pet emergency pocket guides’ to bring the injured rodents back to life. Five hamsters - Oreo, Madonna and three unnamed baby hamsters - - were recovered from the blaze. Unfortunately, one of the pets later died. Thankfully, no humans were in the trailer at the time of the fire caused by a faulty tumble drier. The fire department later tweeted: “Yes. Our crews are trained and specially equipped to care for animals that have been rescued from a house fire. Read more on: web.orange.co.uk
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
9th Cherry K La Cocheca Benijofar 9th Nikki G Hogs Head La Marina Start 2pm 9th Gypsy Tears La Herradura Los Montesinos Spanish Guitars 10th Joanna Hillside La Marina 10th Richie C Tavern Lo Crispin 10th Gemma Rusty Nail Campoverde 10th Rob Bonovox Maggie OBrians Campoverde 11th Red Strokes Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas 11th Debbie Slater Black Bull Castilla International 11th Andy Jones Marabu Lounge Dona Pepa 12th Lynden B Inn at the Green Entre Naranjas 12th Red Strokes The Snug Torre de la Horredada 13th Lynden B The Park Inn Quesada Start 7pm 14th Richie C Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas 14th Rob Bonovox Bar La Torre La Florida Start 6pm 14th Lynden B Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares
jessica Joshua is 1 of the 11 dogs we rescued from a dog hoarder in Murcia. He is around 6 months old and will be small when fully grown. He is good with other dogs, cats and is very affectionate and loyal. Call: 645 469 253.
Jessica is about 6 months old and is a Belgian Shepherd cross, she was rescued from the dog hoarders house and has had a rough start in life, she is a very shy girl when meeting strangers and needs a loving home where they will have patience to help her get over her previous abuse. Call: 645 469 253
joshua
pets in spain Call: 645 469 253 www.petsinspain.com info@petsinspain.info
SOLTIMES october 2014
www.soltimes.com
31
COMMUNITY NEWS Torry Army Social Event
On Saturday 18 October at 8.30 pm there will be a “fun” Beetle Drive at the Casa Ventura in San Luis. Tickets at 6 euro’s per head, which includes Cheese, Wine and Nibbles, are available from the Torry Army office in San Luis. ALL welcome to come along and take part and have a good time.
COFFEE MATES
If you would like to have a coffee and chat, exchange news etc. please join us at La Laguna Hotel, Lo Marabu, Friday mornings from 11.00 Ann - 965 070 247 - 666 747 398
welcome events
Wednesday 22nd October - Dance with Darren Jones and for the men, the lovely Gemma. €8. Names are now being taken for our Christmas Dance on Wednesday 10th December and also New Years Eve. reserve your place now. WELCOME TRIPS 2014/15. Thursday 27th November - 5 days/4 nights in Madrid, staying B&B at Hotel Tryp Cibeles, right on the Gran Via and close to bars, restaurants, Metro, tourist bus and all the big shops. Included are trips to Toledo and the Valley of the Fallen, and on Sunday we’re off to the races to place our bets. Ideal time for the ladies to do a bit of Christmas shopping. €260. Thursday 12th February - 4 days/3 nights half-board Valentine’s break at Hotel Triton, Benalmadena, on the promenade and near the famous Arabian-style marina. Includes a romantic show by Ricky Levazza “The Power Of Love.” €165 including wine and water at dinner, trip to Mijas and the show. Wednesday 27th May 2015 - Cruise around the Mediterranean aboard Royal Caribbean “Vision Of The Seas.” 13 days with overnight in Valencia, board the ship in Barcelona, and visiting Villefranche on the French Riviera and close to Nice, Rome, Naples, Ravena, 2 days in Venice, and Kotor, Montenegro. Full details from Rosemary. For tickets and further information, call Rosemary on 620105179.
SPIRITUALIST CENTRE benijofar
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 6.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. David Darnbrough will take the Divine Service with Mediumship on Sunday, 12th October at 11.30 a.m. On Tuesday 30th September Jimmy McArthur will take an Evening of Mediumship at 7.00 pm. (please bring a flower untouched by anyone else). Mark Brandist, UK Medium will take the Divine Service on Sunday 19th October, which is our Harvest Festival. (please bring dog or cat food for rescue centre) Everybody welcome to our centre. Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistchurchquesada.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail. com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789
Home Owners Casa Tom Community and Residents in Choir: Camposol are invited Casa Tom Community Choir meets to join “Camposolers every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm. It is a mixed choir and all levels are Political” in welcome. No auditions, no solos. FaceBook. Make new friends and have a good Burying ones head in the sand is tantamount to putting ones hands up and surrendering your fate to “some” self serving politicians that, when in Office with a fat pay cheque, could not give a rat’s behind that your investment, and in a lot of cases life savings, continues to go down the drain as the condition of the failing infrastructure deteriorates further with each day. To join just copy and paste…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ camposolers.poltical in your Browser or e-mail reg_rogers@hotmail.com
Quesada Pool League
The start of the 2014/15 Quesada Pool League is nearly here - games are played most Wednesday evenings between October and May with a couple of leagues plus optional knockout competitions for singles, doubles and teams. We are looking for any bars or clubs in the greater art club Quesada area that have an English Pool Art Club, all mediums, no charge, in the table and would like to enter a team, to Playa Flamenca area. Anyone interested, get in contact as soon as possible – please please contact Lyn tel: 966 189 118 email quesada-pool@outlook.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
Torrevieja Costa Lions Club
Please come and join our club members on one of our “ Business meeting nights” Strictly Social Club “We are the Strictly Social Club, and see what we are doing this year to meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wed of raise money for charities, in our local each month, 14.30 for 15.00 at the New area and further afield. We are growing Asturias Restaurant in Punta Prima on in numbers every month so if you feel the N332. like helping us then we can be found on We are looking to recruit new members the second Thursday in every month at to our club. Our activities include, a the Cabo Cervera Hotel in La Mata near quiz, with a guest speaker from time to Torrevieja, Meetings now start at 19.30 time, and is primarily a place for people hours. to meet and make new friends. Each If you like what you see and hear, then Christmas, we hold our annual lunch you will be invited to join us at our next which is always well attended, and social night event later in the month, good value for money. During the year, we also organise trips out to places of where ever and what ever it may be interest. So, if you would like to join our you can be sure of a good night. philip.buckman@btinternet. merry throng, please contact: Margaret Contact on 966 730 569 where you will made to com or via our web site on membership@ torreviejacostalions.org be very welcome.”
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
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
time. Location: CASA TOM, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja. Phone or email Terry for further details. Phone: 647-189-135. Email: casatomsanluis@ gmail.com.
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
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
32
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 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
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 3 74 9 6 5 2 after 7pm and weekends 634680604.
Locksm ith l o c k e d out!! Call Me Telf: 647 151 972 (24hrs) Put This Number In Your Phone – 24 Hrs Call Out! C o m m e r i c a l, 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
Extending loppers €10 quesada tel: 966 716 599
with large turq/ jade abstract florals - fresh, modern design. Yorkshire Linen quality, includes 2 duvet covers, 2 floral pillow cases, 2 plain toning p/cases, 2 new toning flat sheets, 2 fitted base sheets + fitted valances - €35 for both immaculate bed sets. Tel: 965 326817 (Playa Flamenca)
Tap shoes size 5 and 5 ½ (toe and heel taps) v.g.c. 25 pair quesada tel: 966 716 599 TWIN BED SET TWIN BEDS - - 2 matching duvet set of quality two frilled matching duvet covers + 2 covers, cream matching frilled cases b a c k g r o u n d pillow
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
- very pretty old rose/soft green florals on cream. €20 for both immaculate sets
c r e a m background with soft green and sunflower design, one matching pillow case, 2 toning pillow cases, 2 new toning flat sheets in soft green. €20 complete set. Tel: 965 326817 (Playa Flamenca)
design on cream + matching curtains and ties 168cm x 183 cm. Top quality, still in original packaging. Transform your spare room for €50 complete set. Tel: 965 326817 (Playa Flamenca)
One King fitted size valanc e, heavy cotton ( Yo r k s h i r e Linen) Boxed corner shape, cream €10 Tel: 965 326817 (Playa W a l l Flamenca) Mirror . Gents golf Bevel edged clubs, 3 glass wall mirror Daiwa graphite in a mahogany shafted woods, frame 99cm 9 Persimon wide x 69cm g r a p h i t e high. €30. Tel shafted irons, 1 966713297 putter, Spalding COSY & golf bag, WARM single a c c e s s o r i e s ( w a s h a b l e ) Ideal for person d u v e t s , taking up golf i m m a c u l a t e . for the fitst time. Yorkshire Linen All for €75 o.n.o. quality - €25 Tel 966785071 pair Tel: 965 NEW 326817 (Playa McCORD -still Flamenca) in boxes: 2 ONE SINGLE single duvet BED SET - covers, duck single duvet egg shade with cover, fresh appliqued floral
Contents Of D.I.Y Work Shop Inc R&F / Tilt Power Sawbench, Drills, Grinders, Acro Props Etc Loads Of Hand Tools, All Good Working Order 300€ The Lot. Will Split. Offers. Villa Martin Area. 722 720 148.
Radiators. 3 X oil filled electric mobile radiators, 2500 watt, 2000 watt and 500 watt. €40. Tel 966713297. DVD / CD Cabinet with hinged glass doors, 103cm high x 54cm wide x 21cm deep holds 128dvds / 240cds. €30. Tel 966713297.
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
A n t i que With Pram Lace Hood H i 4 0 w 5 0 €30 Plus Asr 3202 Maci Sd Digital Satellite Rec eiver New €50 2Sl umberland Aster 700 Pocketed Spring Beds 3ft Wide Drawers Under. Silk Headboards And Bed Linen, Used Twice Only €80 Each. Campasol B Tel: 649 296 658 E xce rc i s e bike as new, due to lack of enthusiasm, cost €80 Will sell €30. Tel 966785071
SOLTIMES CLASSIFIED
to advertise call christine on 966 719 647
personals “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
Ruby
Ruby is a 21 month old spayed female. She loves people and wants nothing more than to sleep on your lap. She is micro chipped, fully vaccinated, and has a current pet passport
Please contact K9 or PHONE: 600 84 54 20 for more info www.k9club.es
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@ hotmail.co.uk
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.soltimes.com
www.soltimes.com property for sale / rent detatched cortijo reduced
bargain
20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. €125,000 ono 649 186 107 oremail thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT
SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
FOR SALE Apartment
bargain
front line mojacar playa
€68,995
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€
(0034) 676 534 978
Only 10€ per week! lineage from only 45c per word
Tel: 966 719 647 or 902 750 190 ext 330 recruitment
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment
(Top floor / Penthouse) Almoradi, Costa Blanca
1 bed, 1 bath Apartment with private, gated parking & gardens. Communal pool. Possible sitting tenant. Walking distance to amenities, shops and restaurants Opposite beach. Good investment.
SOLTIMES are looking for Bright, enthusiastic Sales Manager with an outgoing personality to join our field sales team in Costa Blanca Based at our office in Quesada Experience in a field based sales role essential. If you enjoy meeting people & can work to weekly deadlines we want to speak with you!
Excellent Commission Rates
Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or call Paulette on 950 121 936
T: 646 844 708
removals
beechdale◄►Removals
Personal friendly door 2 door service - very competitve rates spain - uk & return
*or Full part loads * * Storage
*
Europe
*
*
Pets Welcome
Papers arranged
* * * * Caravans & Motorbikes * * tel brian torrevieja: 965 326 920 or 666 847 648
Arranged
Local Moves
email: beechdale@hotmail.co.uk
UK - SPAIN - UK
Your property will appear as shown above and be seen by almost 55,000 Sol Times readers! Call Christine TODAY on
966 719 647
33
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 +44 (0) 7977 754 389
sat/tv services
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
spas euro spas Spas at factory prices. Used & Ex display models. Spares & repairs. Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905
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 translation services
LOOKING FOR A QUICK
TRANSLATION ? English/Spanish Translations
EMAIL YOUR TEXT TO:
quicktranslations11@gmail.com
wigs 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.
34
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 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 car repair service
Ed’s mobile
CAR REPAIR SERVICE
CAR AIR CONDITIONING REGASING SERVICE SERVICING, REPAIRS ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS GARAGE SERVICES
610 078 940
boat for sale
Kingfisher 20 - 6mtr yacht on a 4 wheel trailer, bilge keel, repainted, roller jib & main, sea toilet, 4 berths, 6hp evenruid engine 1950€ Can deliver 4 wheel trailer available if required Tel: 634 326 521 pictures available
cars for sale
PEUGEOT 307cc CONVERTIBLE 2004 SILVER, TOP MODEL WITH RED/BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR, FSH, 94K One previous owner New tyres, brakes, discs
3995€ O.N.O.
Tel: 966 185 242 info@chiropractor-benijofar.es
mobile auto electrics
Mobile Auto Electrician ENGINE MANAGEMENT DIAGNOSTICS fault Finding & Repairs Engine Diagnostics Air-conditioning Re-gas & repairs Starter Motor & Alternator Repairs
Telephone Al - Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm FULLY MOBILE
638 323 499 wanted
Vehicles registration
“RE-PLATE” MATE
Same day collection
From 1€ to 10,000€
Call Phil: 607 848 332
“Waterloo Bridge is the only bridge on the Thames to be built mainly by women,” explains the guide on the City Cruises trip we take during our long weekend in London. “It is also the only one to be finished on time and in budget.” It quickly becomes clear that there is so much to learn about the capital and this river cruise is one of the best ways to learn the facts fast. During our 50 minute cruise trip from Westminster Pier to Greenwich we see “the MI5 Headquarters, Thames House which was described in 1930 as the finest office building in the British Empire”, Westminster Abbey, where all the monarchs have been crowned since 1066, Covent Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye
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London Eye & City Cruises by Tim Saunders
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In just a few years The London Eye has become one of the must see attractions and “on a good day makes £250,000”. Its 32 pods represent the London boroughs. We first visit the spectacular 4D show which is a clever video of what you can expect from the whole experience. It is possible to escape most of the queues by purchasing a fast track ticket and before long passengers find themselves in the pods. My wife Caroline is not fond of heights and is a little daunted by the thought of going on the London Eye but to her surprise she finds the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable thanks to the space inside the pods with plenty of seating in the middle where you can relax. Watch the videos at www. travelwriter.biz. It is easy for disabled passengers and children to board. We all enjoy the views as the massive wheel slowly rotates and at the top we are 132m from the ground. Inside the pods are touch screens, which when Harriett’s fingers are not all over them, provide facts about the landmarks we see. There’s an area near the London Eye favoured by street entertainers and there are a variety to enjoy from musicians to dancers, which keep the children mesmerised. We see some great male dancers (according to Caroline) and at one point Harriett joins in and continues to practice standing on her head. Another excellent way of introducing visitors to London’s history is The Big Bus Tour hop on, hop off trip across the capital. It’s an open top double decker bus. Tourists can listen to the commentary through headphones provided on boarding. We learn that Bobbies on the beat get their name from Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the Metropolitan Police and that Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. The Grosvenor family and its head the Duke of Westminster own much of the land in London and Allens is the oldest butcher in the city where many of the top chefs are customers. There are five Royal Parks in London. We drive to London in a Toyota Prius Plug in under the misconception that this hybrid vehicle will actually escape the congestion charge. Apparently Transport for London needs to be contacted and paid £10 at least 10 days before travel with details of the car. It is only when they approve the application that the driver does not have to pay £11.50 a day for the privilege of driving in inner London. We park the car in Secure Parking’s car park at Bloomsbury Square and despite my checks, we later learn that our girls have left the interior lights on (the AA is called with the help of the Secure Parking attendant)…. Just round the corner is a Travelodge at Drury Lane where we stay in a family room. It’s ideal for a family on holiday. They have hit the nail on the head because it is surprising how many uncomfortable beds there are in even the most expensive of hotels. This is actually part of a £57m hotel modernisation programme. To our surprise even though we are sharing the room with our little girls who have their own beds (we take a travel cot for Heidi) we all have a good night’s sleep. The room has a television and bedside lights that Heidi enjoys turning on and off. The breakfast consists of continental and full English and sets us up for the day. We meet my brother at Vapiano in Great Portland Street, the night before he leaves the city for Ireland.
Vapiano operates Italian restaurants throughout the world and provides a fresh different approach to dining whereby guests charge their Vapiano cards with whatever meal and drinks they choose and then pay for their bill when they leave. The restaurant at Great Portland Street has been trading for the past seven years and clearly has a loyal following. My only criticism is that the waiter is too keen to clear the tables and walks off with my glass when I still haven’t finished my beer. It is the place to treat a date, to dress up and socialise; a restaurant to visit prior to hitting the clubs. The concept has proved so popular that Vapiano, which is undergoing an expansion drive has just invested significant sums in opening another restaurant in Wardour Street, Soho. As you might expect this is an extremely slick operation with stylish décor and it amazes me how efficient the whole operation is. There is no yelling or shrieking from the kitchens as might be expected if you have ever watched a reality cooking show. I opt for filetto di manzo e rucola and request it in my best Italian, which seems to be understood by my chef. Under 10 minutes later I am sat at the table enjoying the beef fillet, mushrooms with fresh vegetables, white wine, rocket and linguine with a pint of Peroni. If traditional dining is more appealing then Browns in St Martins Lane – close to Trafalgar Square with its striking blue chicken - and near St Martin-in-the-Fields Church opposite the National Portrait Gallery, comes highly recommended. We had booked our table for 12.30pm and arrived at 2.50pm. Not like us at all but unfortunately Caroline was not well and we got lost navigating London’s sodden streets. Plus on checking out of the Travelodge I discovered that the Toyota Prius had a flat battery so had to faff about trying to access it with a key rather than the electronic keyfob. When we finally arrive outside this grand establishment (a former courthouse) we feel somewhat underdressed and expect to be turned away in no uncertain terms. But the manager couldn’t be more understanding. He takes our wet pushchair and parks it at the rear of the restaurant. We marvel at the décor, rich with plants and dark wood. This is very much an occasion to be savoured. We are attended by one of the best waiters we have had the privilege of knowing. It is clear that being a good waiter is not just about being attentive and understanding the needs of guests but injecting some lighthearted humour does wonders. He is great with our little daughters and even introduces Harriett to cleaning her sticky fingers in a lemon bowl. This is probably the only point during the weekend where we feel we can take our eye off the ball and relax for a few minutes, although our needy daughters do not allow too much of this. Fish and chips quieten them down for a short while and they do even eat some of the fish. My steak and Guinness pie is enjoyable with succulent pieces of beef and this is accompanied by a pint of ice cold Guinness. We haven’t finished long when Caroline’s Uncle Harry pops in for a chat. “The cabby recommended Browns,” he says. “Apparently it provides good quality, good value food.” This trip has opened our eyes to all that London offers but we will have to return because so much to do and so little time.
SOLTIMES october 2014
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viewpoint
into which I could put my bounty. Eagerly anticipating homemade chips by suppertime I went forth and gently inserted a trowel into the soil, being careful not to damage the tubers below, which by now I reckoned, must be cheek by jowl and shoulder to shoulder, if potatoes have shoulders, cheeks and jowls. With all the tender care of an archaeologist unearthing a precious artefact I levered the soil up, gingerly took hold of a potato stalk and carefully prised it from the enclosing earth. It came up, completely free of any semblance of potato whatsoever! Obviously there must be so many great big heavy potatoes in the soil that the stalk could not hold on to them, I thought, so I rooted around with my fingers, searching diligently for the hidden treasure. At first I thought I had found a stone. Or to be honest, a pebble. But no, it was a potato; a potato about the size of a small marble. More searching revealed more pebble sized potatoes. I threw caution to the winds, and plunged the trowel in randomly around the plants, rooting around more like a boar after truffles than an archaeologist after artefacts. In all I came upon about 30 of them, the largest about the size of a golf ball that had been sat upon by an elephant, and squashed almost flat. Homemade chips indeed! Anyone for josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk a game of marbles?
By Jos Biggs
Strictly Contrived, Strictly Underwhelmed
He was this years comedy contestant. But Greg Wallace didn’t rack up enough votes from the viewers, as he became the first celeb to be voted off ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ last weekend. Unlike last year’s amusingly bad dancer, Hairy Biker Dave Myers, who lasted several weeks despite getting bad scores from the judges, the ‘Master Chef’ judge didn’t win over the public. Gregg was in the bottom two and in the dreaded dance-off against ‘Mrs Brown’s Boy’ star Jennifer Gibney, with all four judges choosing to save Jennifer over Gregg. Ouch. Tasty! Gregg’s time on ‘Strictly’ was marked from the start with drama after his pro partner Alionas less than enthusiastic reaction to being paired with him in the launch show. That tension wasn’t helped when Gregg revealed that he probably would have preferred Karen Hauer. Not the best start to a partnership. By the end, though, Aliona and Gregg had seemed to come to a happier place, with Gregg saying to his pro on his exit: “Thank you so much for your patience – you are a saint!” and Aliona tweeting: “Proud of @ GreggAWallace for delivering a lovely and fun charlston! Well done! Thanks Gregg for giving it your all!” Afterwards, Gregg told Tess Daly the show was: “The most terrifying thing I have ever, ever done. What I really liked most of all was practice, coming in here really scared me.” He wasn’t joking, as he revealed in his blog, that he needed therapy to get through the show and was “in floods of tears”. Poor Gregg! We want to give him a massive hug now. The former greengrocer wrote that he became close with fellow
contestant Simon Webbe, and how he had a whisky with him plus Steve Backshall and Thom Evans after Saturday’s show. Gregg found himself in hot water last week when he made comments during his interview on Alan Carr’s ‘Chatty Man’ about female presenters. When talking about ‘Strictly’ having two female co-presenters, Gregg said: “It would not work with cooking. You could not have two female judges on Master Chef, it’s a blokey thing.” The Fawcett Society, the UK’s leading campaigners on women’s rights and gender equality, told the Daily Mirror that Gregg, “should be ashamed of himself”. Gregg might not have impressed the judges, but ironically he didn’t score badly enough to gain the public’s sympathy. Judy Murray ended up bottom of the leader board, with Gregg joint second from bottom alongside Scott Mills. Being the outright underdog could have saved Gregg’s bacon – sorry for that! As for the rest of them, the stand out (for good reasons) was Jake Wood who topped the leader board with his Salsa to “Mambo No.5”. Who knew Max Branning had such snake hips? Next week is Movie Week, but there’ll be no greengrocer going to Hollywood. Bye bye Gregg. I shall return to things more normal next week, mundane even, but for the moment, the nation is gripped by Strictly fever . . . or so the tabloids would have us believe. I feel a yawn coming on. Hasta next week everyone. By Paul Martin
John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu
Homemade Chips The garden, despite having been largely neglected for a couple of years or more, has this year responded to my sporadic bursts of care with reasonably successful results. Two years ago I planted potatoes in two big tubs. They flourished, but I was otherwise engaged, and left them until too late. Never mind, I thought, they are in the ground, the potatoes of the original potatoes will produce potatoes, so we’ll have even more potatoes! The same thing happened last year. Again I thought Never mind, the potatoes of the potatoes of the potatoes will produce potatoes, we’ll have third generation potatoes, enough to stock a chip shop! This year, however, I had time at the right time. I lavished loving care upon them. I watered them copiously, and engaged them in conversation almost daily, though the input was rather one-sided; potatoes are not great at repartee. The plants flourished, large, green and lush. They flowered and fell over, as potato plants should. At what I judged to be the pivotal moment I armed myself with a large flower pot
35
alqueria The Fishermen of Alqueria
The news that Alqueria possesses a fishing fleet may come as a surprise to some especially when one considers that the Village Republic is landlocked. However when one considers the recent compensation package for small fishing fleets it is of no surprise. The ‘International Committee for the Perpetuation of Corporate Plundering of the World’s Oceans’ offers financial incentives to keep small fishing fleets in harbour. This will allow larger and more highly mechanised fleets free reign to remove anything that lives from the seas and so turn our oceans into watery wastelands. Alqueria began a massive program of boat building. Well, they converted an old bathtub to look something like a small fishing boat, if one uses one’s imagination that is. The vessel was christened the ‘Fletán Feliz’ with Loco Paco its master. Loco Paco, in his strange surreal world of smoke and mirrors believed it to be a real and seaworthy craft. The thinking was that if Paco believed the craft to be real he would sound more convincing if questioned by the Committee. The Committee did come to Alqueria. The Committee did question Paco but the Committee didn’t offer any cash to keep the Alquerian fishing fleet in harbour. The Committee did however give Paco a license to fish and promised to monitor the Alquerian fleet closely. Paco was jubilant but not flavour of the month with other Alquerians. As the Committee was so impressed by Paco it forces one to question the sanity of those that select these Committees in the first place. So, Alqueria had a license to fish in a non-existent sea while their non-existent fishing fleet was to be monitored by an
international agency. Paco had certainly surpassed himself this time. What to do? Using cold logic, all that was needed to be done was to ‘disappear’ the fleet. This would be simple as there is no fleet to actually disappear. With no fleet the license would be negated and with no fleet there would be nothing to monitor. It would be back to square one, but an uncomplicated square one. Alquerians understood ‘uncomplicated’. A note was duly sent to the Committee reporting the loss of the fleet. Aid poured in from western countries eager to be seen to be doing their ‘bit’ for the unfortunate people of Alqueria. These self-satisfied nations pointed to Alqueria as proof that their foreign policies were working. When it was pointed out by some over enthusiastic bureaucrat that Alqueria is in fact landlocked the funding stopped abruptly. The donor countries were too embarrassed to admit their mistake and simply forgot that it ever happened. This is a mechanism the richer nations use with some effect to protect them from the spectres of the past.
advance moves
Leading Removal Company reports on strengthening housing market One of Spain’s top removal companies has reported that they experienced a resurgence in the Spanish housing market during 2013 and it looks like 2014 will be an even busier year. Mat Ford-Dunn, the Managing Director of ‘Advance Moves International Removals’ pointed to the fact that many property values in Spain have now fallen to a much more realistic level and this has definitely resulted in increased house sales. This has been noticed in all regions of Spain as Advance Moves operate their relocation services throughout the mainland. Advance Moves has its main warehouse in Murcia, Spain, with an additional warehouse in Kent in the UK and has had to purchase 5 new vans and trucks to cope with the increased demand over the past year. The UK housing market is also in a state of recovery and increased house sales have resulted in more people selling up and looking to buy in Spain. There are many factors that
tempt expats to Spain, not least the recent periods of turbulent weather, which many parts of the UK have suffered. On the flip side, for economic reasons many British Expats are now able to sell properties in Spain and Advance Moves are often the first choice when it comes to repatriating them back to the UK. Mat was also keen to point out that the increase in demand for their removal services was also down to the level of service and expertise that Advance moves offer to their clients and the fact that many clients had already seen the brightly liveried vehicles on the roads undertaking their removal services. Advance moves is also a member of the British Association of Removers and one of only a few companies that export wrap furniture to provide extra protection for international removals. ‘Our clients know that they are getting a more competitively priced, premium removal service, when compared to the rest of the market. The increased volume of removals enables Advance Moves to offer their clients a more regular and flexible timetable for their individual removal requirements’ Mat sees the trend continuing throughout 2014 with the housing market in the UK and Spain continuing to make steady process. Advance Moves are gearing up for another busy year.
36
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
motoring
What’s the best way of transporting six people in comfort? The Kia Sorento, of course !!! By Tim Saunders
A road trip to the west of France puts the Kia through its paces. It clocks up over 1,500 miles on a variety of terrains while carrying six occupants including my wife’s parents. When six people want to go travelling
there are only a small number of vehicles that will satisfy this need and fewer still that provide adequate room for everyone.
But the Kia scores highly not least because it doesn’t actually look that large and cumbersome from the outside. It’s a bit of a tardis because there’s plenty of room inside for four adults and two children. And it would even carry another passenger if necessary without compromise. With our two daughters, Harriett (3) and Heidi (1) in the boot, there is little space left for luggage. That’s where the Thule roof box comes into its own because even though we opt for the smaller Touring 100 model it surprisingly fits our pushchair and three sizeable bags, two of which are Thule Chasm duffel bags. That roof box in itself is deceptive.
I have never fitted one until now and confess to being a little confused by the instructions so much so that after successfully fitting the roofbars I venture to my local branch of Halfords where expert fitter Colin happily shows me how to fit the roofbox. It’s actually very simple as you can see in the videos at testdrives.biz. While driving with a roofbox it is advisable not to exceed 83mph (135kph). The Kia will travel almost 500 miles on a single tank of diesel and that’s with the roof box fitted; the Sorento’s economy setting squeezes as much as possible out of the fuel. The model tested has an automatic gearbox and cruise control so continental touring is easy. Surprisingly, it’s easy to park too; I squeeze into a very tight spot by the roadside in Melle, as onlookers watch with bated breath. Probably 350 miles into the journey from Cherbourg to Crezieres my neck starts aching, suggesting to me that the driver’s seat could be more supportive. Admittedly, I am a temperamental customer but there are better car seats. However, there are no complaints from my fellow travellers and the black leather interior is hardwearing. Far from being a slow vehicle the 2.2-litre diesel is gutsy, if required. When we realise that we’re not going to get to our destination at the time we had hoped we start travelling with a bit of oomph and it’s a real joy. There are some great overtaking opportunities on the quiet roads and the ride height of the Sorento really helps the driver to see far ahead to overtake in absolute safety. When braking at speed it is not as quick to slow down because of its height and weight but still it is impressive. The sat nav proves a great resource during our trip and at first I do not understand why it refuses to take us on toll roads. When an alternative route is provided by our hosts that
sees us travelling through three tolls at a cost of 40 euros, I understand. The toll roads in France really do seem expensive these days especially when considering that gazole (diesel) costs 1.29 euros per litre meaning that the Kia can be filled up from empty for around 60 euros. Okay the toll roads might knock off a couple of hours from the route but if you’ve got that time to spend it’s actually a cheaper more enjoyable alternative to drive through the towns and to stop off and explore. Needless to say the Kia becomes a great friend over the course of the trip. The children love it in the back and especially enjoy being able to control their own air vents. There are also controls at the front for operating the front and rear air conditioning. The camera for reversing that appears in the centre console is also helpful. Power folding wing mirrors are a neat touch especially useful for roadside parking. The rear privacy glass is generally much appreciated although the UK Border Agency doesn’t approve at passport control because they can’t see all the occupants! It becomes frustrating that the Kia does not let me open another door or the boot if I leave the key in the ignition; this happens a number of times on the holiday and I have to unlock the doors before I exit. Equally at home on the motorway or pottering around the town it shines when off-roading, as you can see in the videos at testdrives.biz. Facts at a glance 2.2CRDi AWD New price range: £26,700 - £36,505 0-60mph: 9.4secs Top speed: 118mph Power: 194bhp Economy: 35mpg Road tax: £285 Watch the videos at www.testdrives.biz
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
SPORT & motoring
Rubys golf at the Med Bar
With grey skies and bad forecast we set off to Bonalba for our monthly stapleford trophy game. The course was good, the weather kind and the golf followed suit with some excellent scores being returned. Captain Jim won the gold division on count back from Marc Doherty, Glenys Thomas took the silver division, Jim McCarthy and Robert Scott getting nearest the pins on the par 3’s, nearest the pin in two was Robert Vaughan. Unfortunately due to a certain birthday this week (70) the captain forgot to leave out the ladies longest drive pin so prizes where awarded to the ladies who played. We all returned to the Med Bar where food was provided and the presentation took place, and unbelievably the football card was won again by Brian Wilson. Anyone can contact us at rubysgolf@yahoo.co.uk
25’95 €
Furniture First Rojales Tuesday Night Trios
Ten Pin Bowling League Week One played 30th September 2014 After a very sunny summer, it was back to the cool air con of the Ozone bowl. Week one of the new season produced some interesting results, with our new team, Belgas Torrevieja 2, showing they will be real opponents in the forthcoming weeks. Crazy Pinz started their quest for league points against one of the main contenders for the league title, Team Finland and, proved they will not be an ‘easy touch’ this season. With TF opening with a first game of 618, CP bowled a 630, their highest game for a few seasons. They backed that up with a 577 and, suddenly they were 4 points up. TF rallied in the 3rd game and managed to rescue 2 points but, with a 1750 overall pinfall, CP took the match 6 – 2. Jukka Koskinen of TF taking the mens weekly high series scratch, with a 591 and, Eva-Riitta Manninen of CP taking the ladies high series handicap with a 568. Juan’s Warriors and The Dreamers played out a close 4 – 4 draw, with Jamie Brian of JW bowling his highest game ‘for years’, a 193 scratch game. It must have been because his blood pressure was up, after handing over sponsorship money, before he started bowling. Splash and the Mixers locked horns again and, after swapping the first two games, Sp finally got going and, secured a 6 – 2 win. Manuel Martin rolling a 627 handicap series, to almost take the nights honors. You would have thought that
with two bowlers scoring over 600 with handicap, Caballo Negro would assume a first night win but, Los Bandidos came out all ‘balls’ blazing. Taking the team high series handicap on the night with 1811, LB put ‘Heikki, Seppo and Eija’ of CN in their place 6 – 2. Maurice Allen of LB taking the mens’ high series h/c with a 643, which meant Heikki Suomi’s 632 became just another score! Team RightMoveInsurance had hoped to get off to a winning start, but found newcomers BT2 in no mood to roll over easily. It took a newcomer for RMI, Jane Hamill, with a 211 h/c ladies game on the night and, the ‘old warrior’ Dave “my glove is getting a little sweaty” Haynes, with a 236 scratch game, to claim a 4 – 4 draw. Last seasons team runners up Med Bistro Bar El Raso began their quest for this years league title, with a comfortable 8 – 0 win over an out of sorts Los Lobos team. Irene Lakin of LL insisting it had something to do with them having been back to the UK and, they were still ‘feeling it’. Defending champions Split Happens began their defence with a 6 – 2 defeat of Lucky Strike. Marion Haynes of SH top scoring with a 554 h/c series. Next week will see us holding our first raffle of the season and, all proceeds will be donated to charity.
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CD Montesinos v Playas de Orihuela
The harsh tackling by Orihuela and the poor refereeing was insignificant as Monte suffered their first defeat of the season in front of a 220 crowd. Monte began the half the better team. VAZ was shadowed constantly by former Monte player ANDREAS whose challenge prevented VAZ from going in on goal. After 10 min’s of bad tackles by the visitors, the ref’ finally showed a yellow card for a foul on MARCOS. Monte kept plugging away, but Orihuela are a strong well organised outfit who contained any home threat with ease. VAZ finally produced a good save from keeper on 20 min’s, MONTE right back DIMITRY was caught napping and the Orihuela No 9 cut inside to score via the post, 0-1. M+A sent in a great cross minutes later only to be missed by 3 Monte players. MARCOS produced a fine save in the closing stages of the half. H. T 0-1 The second half started like the first with CARLOS going close and a DIMITRY cross well saved. A deliberate hand ball went uncarded and the free kick saw an M+A shot come to nothing. OROUKER was replaced by EDU and ALBERTO for YONHI, but this made no difference as Monte were limited to try shots from distance by MARCOS and CARLOS. EDU then pulled up, so the sub’ was subbed for RUBIO. YONHI and FERNANDO had shots go wide as the game fizzled out for a Monte home defeat. Final score CD Montesinos 0 Playas de Orihuela 1. Charlie Blue was match sponsor. Next week Monte are away on Sunday 12th to SAN ISIDRO kick-off time to be confirmed. For more info email www.thefullmonte2011@hotmail.com or check the website at www.cdmontesinos.com . Montesinos line up:-CESAR, DIMITRY, FERNANDO, ALBERTO, ANGEL, M+A, CARLOS, MANUEL, OROUKER, VAZ, MARCOS. SUBS:-DARIO, LOPEZ, RUBIO, YONHI, EDU. VAMOS MONTE
SPORT & motoring
Busters Golf Society
The chase is on , our player of the year competition has two games to go and the pace is hotting up , we currently have around six players in the running for this competition , watch this space in December when our P O Y comes to an end , and the winner is named . Today’s game was played at Alto Real which has always been a course that was included amongst our monthly competitions , the course was in reasonable condition and the new bosses seem to be putting a lot of work into improving it , the greens had recently been hollow tined but the were just about playable , the problem at the course was the first cut from the fairway which proved very difficult for most of us to play out of , and if you were unlucky enough to be in it then a high club such as an eight iron or higher was need by us amateurs , but I think the biggest problem at Alto Real is going to be their new price structure , maybe they are going to charge above the value of the course in the coming months , speaking to a couple of our local society secretaries they have said that they will not book there if the new price structure remains the same , I have been told that the increase will be around é15 per two games which is an increase of some 21% , but lets wait and see if the new bosses have a rethink and hopefully lower the new costing , only time will tell. The results of today’s game gave us nine players scoring above thirty points , but our winner on the day was Phil Pettican with thirty eight points , followed by Bill Peters who scored thirty five points then Steve Edwards took third place with thirty four points , each received cash prizes , Bill Peters took N T P on holes eight , ten and seventeen with John Rush winning N T P on the third hole , a sleeve of three Srixon golf balls was awarded for each par three hole, our soccer card was won by Nikki Ead who selected York ( I didn’t know they had a soccer team ) . I would like to thank Brian Jones who kindly donated
the golf balls for today’s game and to thank Bill Peters who is donating the golf balls ( four sleeves of three ) for next months game . Finally we wish to thank the Mini Golf bar in Quesada which is located a few minutes away from the Quesada Arches who provided us with some very welcome snacks that we washed down with the liquid of our choice , predominantly San Miguel.
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40 SOLTIMES october 2014
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SPORT
TMGS
LA MARINA GOLF SOCIETY AT ALICANTE GOLF
Thanks to a couple of late entries we had a reasonable turn-out for this meeting and the further we get from the Summer ,the more members are returning. We were informed at the tee, that the Red markers had been moved forward to their extreme limits as a very elderly ladies group were out for a leisurely game in front of us. Our two ladies readily accepted the Starters suggestion that they play off of the Blue tees ,but my suggestion that this becomes a permanent feature was politely discounted. The course was not in its best condition as fairways had been recently spiked and greens were very slow,probably needing a manicure. These reasons were probably why the scores were comparatively lower than of late. Results as follows; NTP’s Bill Stobbo, Alan Craig and
Tel 902 750 190
Geoff Ettridge
Silver Winner points
Geoff Ettridge
29
Gold Winner poimts.
Steve Warner
28
We were then entertained {individually} by Geoff by his description of how he had won 3 sleeves of golf balls at one meeting and we left determined to match his achievement at future meetings. Once again many thanks to the team at the Sports Centre for providing us with the victuals. Next meeting is at BonAlba on 16th October 10a.m. The list is on the board as usual. Anybody wishing to join a very friendly and social society can contact Secretary Alan Craig on 966077204 or e-mail a100ac@yahoo.co.uk.
Today was the first of the Captain’s Stableford events and the threat of rain was with us most of the day, even though there were some bright periods where the sun shone. Luckily, we did escape the falling down wet stuff, but many found the golf ball snagging wet stuff on this “Hidden Jewel” of a golf course designed by the one and only Seve and it is pleasing to report that everyone managed to find the course albeit two or three had to go to the hotel to ask the way to the entrance. The course had been through its ‘high season’ preparations and the fairways recently had the hollow tiner going up and down. As is normal for this time of the year, the greens were on the slow side but in good condition and there were some decent scores recorded. The results on the day showed that, at long last, the Gold mob fared better than their Silver lads (and lasses) and Matthew Taylor needed 34 points for 4th spot. 36 points is normally enough to win the Gold Division, but not today
and Kenny Hunter had to be content with 3rd place with this score. There were two 37’s recorded and Captain Steve Higgins lost out to Bill (I need more shots) Starkey on the count back. The Silver boys (and girls) fell off a little and it only needed 30 points for Graham Smith to claim 4th place. Sandra Twentyman took 3rd place with a tidy 34 points and once again, the Belfast Bandit (Ernie Wilson) took his place on the podium with 35 points. John Hillier took top slot in this Division with 36 points. Those that know this course are aware that there are 6 par 3’s and we, TMGS, reward the NTP’s with a sleeve of Srixson Soft Feels and today, we gave away 6 sleeves to those lucky enough to hit the sometimes very long greens and those lucky ones today were Bill Starkey, Joe Dean, Steve Higgins, Steve McGuinness, Dave Jones and John Hillier. The “Two’s” pot was won by Joe Dean and Alan Rickers who both secured their 2’s on the 17th and took the dosh which was also a rollover from last week. We also reward the ‘best guest’ with a Society towel and a sleeve of balls went to Dave Jones (playing off of 5) with a nice 34 points. Photo: Gold category winners Our next game, Wednesday 8th October 2014, see’s us at La Finca so if you fancy a game just look at our website www.tmgs.org or call the Match Secretary on 966719604.
San Miguel Golf Society at Villamartin
After a successful Captain´s Day at La Finca the previous Wednesday, followed by an end of society year and prize giving dinner and dance the following Saturday, at which the previous Captain Steve Davis passed the reins over to former Vice Captain, and now Captain, Phil de Lacy, SMGS gathered early at Villamartin for its monthly visit. With a host of weather forecasting sites suggesting various
degrees of rain throughout the day, grey skies overhead and clamminess in the air, 38 members and visitors took part in a stableford competition. The course had absorbed well the recent rains, although the sand in bunkers had become even more compact than normal. With tees in general being on their actual markers or slightly forward, receptive greens, fairly calm conditions, and only a
fifteen minute hint of the (supposedly by some) forecast rain, enough to slightly dampen the clothes but not warranting an umbrella, scoring was likely to be high. This indeed occurred with an above average level of scores submitted, even on a course to which many of those playing have become accustomed over the months and years and which the society plays regularly. Teeing off from the 10th instead of the 1st, considered by most a more difficult opening proposition, appeared to have little negative impact. The results, in reverse order, were the following: Bronze Category: 4th Keith Wraithmell (35), 3rd Beverley Cullen (37), 2nd Keith Stevenson (38 on CB), 1st Herbie Smyton with 38 won on CB. Silver Category: 4th Phil de Lacy (35 on CB), 3rd Glen Rapley (37), 2nd Ron Stenhouse (38), and 1st, with best score of the day, Dave Gibson with 42 points. Gold Category: 4th Brian Staines (35 on CB), 3rd Tony Smale (38), 2nd John
Aitchinson (39) and the winner, with a very commendable 40 points, Barry Roehrig. Prizes for best front and back nine scores achieved by players not included amongst the category winners went to John Osborne and Ken Flaherty respectively . Nearest the pins went to: Darren Hancock (6), Mike Stone (9), Glen Rapley (13) and Tony Smale, with a truly magnificent shot to a very difficult pin position on 17. The best visitor prize went to Hauker with 34 points, and the Abacus to Paul Cobain, with a score which on most days would not be anywhere in the running for this (it would sometimes seem) sought after award. Our thanks go to Villamartin golf course and its staff for their contribution to an enjoyable day. Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Barry Roehrig a call on 966 731 033 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf get together.