Blanca 392

SOLTIMES

Property Supplement

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ISSUE 392

COSTA blanca 26 aug - 01 sep

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2

August 2015

Flooding and thunder as ‘Spanish Plume’ creates extreme weather

Train gunman known to Spanish intelligence

A suspected jihadist gunman overpowered by passengers on a packed Amsterdam-Paris train on Friday had visited Syria and was known to both French and Spanish intelligence services, officials said on Saturday The suspect, who was wrestled to the floor after opening fire with an assault rifle on a high-speed train on Friday evening, is believed to be a 26-year-old of Moroccan origin and is now being interrogated by counter-terrorist officials near Paris.

He is understood to have lived in both Spain and France, and a Spanish counterterrorism source told AFP he travelled to war-torn Syria last year.

“Once in France he went to Syria, then returned to France,” the source said.

Flash floods and thunderstorms have hit parts of the UK as high temperatures prompted extreme weather.

The “Spanish Plume” brought hot, unstable air up from France and sent the mercury above 30C before giving way to torrential downpours In Bramham, West Yorkshire, 21.6mm of rain fell in just an hour, as the Met Office put out yellow “be aware” warnings for rain and isolated thunderstorms in the Midlands and parts of eastern England, moving into northern England and southern Scotland overnight.

Forecasters say there is a risk of surface water flooding along with strong gusts of wind, lightning and hail in affected areas.

Hourly rainfall could reach 15mm in

parts of southern Scotland with overall totals between 20 and 40mm.

A separate alert for south west England and parts of Wales warned that up to 60mm of rain could fall overnight.

We’ve seen some very potent thunderstorms and they will continue to rumble on through the coming hours.

“We’ll see further pulses of very heavy rain in south west England and into Wales, northern parts of England, south and south east parts of Scotland.

– Met Office spokeswoman The unsettled conditions are set to last into the start of next week before turning cooler again. http://www.itv.com

Tour of Spain stage deemed too risky

Tour of Spain organisers announced Friday that last Saturday’s first stage of the Vuelta a España will not count towards the overall standings after criticism that the team time trial circuit was too dangerous.

The Vuelta a España gets underway with a 7.4 kilometre race-againstthe-clock between Puerto Banus and Marbella on the Costa del Sol. But riders have raised safety concerns as the coastal route includes cycling over a narrow wooden bridge and a potentially hazardous dirt track.

“The technical jury, after listening to the concerns of teams and riders and carrying out a reconnaissance of the circuit and getting the backing of the UCI (cycling’s governing body)

euro

has decided that registered times will count towards team but not individual standings,” organisers announced.

Therefore, results of the Vuelta curtainraiser will only go towards the stage win and the team’s general classification.

Briton Chris Froome faces a starstudded field for the 70th edition of the event led by Colombian Nairo Quintana as he aims to become just the third rider to win the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España in the same year.

“I think the organisers and the UCI took the right decision to neutralise the first stage from the general classification,” said Froome.

“It’s a shame for the race but security is paramount.” thelocal.com

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French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Spanish intelligence services had flagged the man to the French authorities “due to his membership of the radical Islamist movement.”

Armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, an automatic pistol, nine cartridge clips and a box-cutter, the attacker opened fire on board the TGV train just after it crossed from Belgium into France on Friday evening.

But the attack was quickly stopped when passengers -- including two US offduty soldiers -- charged the gunman and overpowered him.

“I looked back and saw a guy enter with a Kalashnikov. My friends and I got down and then I said ‘Let’s get him’,” Alek Skarlatos, a 22-year-old member of the National Guard in Oregon, told France’s BFMTV. Spencer Stone, who is reportedly in the US

Air Force, was the first to reach the gunman who slashed him in the neck and hand with a box-cutter.

A 62-year-old British consultant, Chris Norman, was also praised for helping subdue the gunman, as was a Frenchman who had earlier tried to stop him as he came out of the toilet carrying a gun.

The train heroes are to be received by President François Hollande at the Elysée Palace “in the coming days”, his office said in a statement.

Stone was taken to hospital along with another unnamed American passenger, who was hit in the shoulder with a bullet.

Neither is in critical condition, Cazeneuve said.

Analysts said it was not surprising someone could launch an attack even though he was on a watch-list.

“It’s the perennial problem of how you prioritise between serious concerns,” said Raffaello Pantucci, counter-terrorism expert at Royal United Services Institute in London.

“It’s a very resource-intensive job to watch someone 24 hours a day. Intelligence agencies just aren’t big enough to do that for everyone,” he said thelocal.com

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Spain’s stock market index takes a plunge as Asia panic grips investors

Spain’s Ibex 35 stock market index suffered a steep fall as trading opened on Monday morning, losing 3.2 percent of its value to fall below 10,000 points - its lowest level since January.

Monday's plunging stock market is a further headache for the Spanish index, which suffered a 5.6 percent fall last week, plummeting to its lowest levels since January.

The situation "is a continuation of last week’s movements and is coherent with the strong fall in petrol prices and the falls in the Asian markets", Víctor Echevarría, an analyst from Afi (Financial Analysts International) told El Mundo. The Ibex's loss in value shadowed sharp falls in Asian markets that opened earlier on Monday.

Several Chinese indices fell by around eight percent in early trading, while bourses in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan were also hit

hard.

The Tokyo-based Nikkei index fell by 3.21 percent in morning trading to below 19,000 points, its lowest point in the last five months. China struggles to contain fears Market observers have been watching China anxiously for weeks as the country suffers an abrupt slowdown in economic growth.

The latest loss of value comes in spite of massive Chinese government efforts in recent weeks to shore up markets in the country. Shanghai's stock market has now lost all of the value it had added in the course of 2015.

The "contagion effect" has been felt across Europe. Italy's FTSE Milan has fallen by 4 percent, Paris' stock market has fallen 3.57 percent and Frankfurt's DAX has fallen by 3.24 percent. thelocal.com

Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity

Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity had a wonderful entertaining evening at the Quesada Country Club where the amazing singing duo Bella Luna were performing.

We wish to thank all who came and supported the charity and helped raise the sum of 600 Euros.

Thanks also go out to The Quesada Country Club and their hard working staff who made the evening go with a swing with delicious food and a happy atmosphere.

The next charity event will be at The Posh Private Members Club in La Marina with Abba Elite performing. Tickets are available now on 865 777 281

3

4

August 2015

Madrid electrical bike share system takes off despite lack of cycle lanes

They allow you to climb the steepest streets of Madrid without sweating, even on sultry summer days: more than 50,000 residents of the Spanish capital have signed up for a public electric bike share system.

In the shadow of the San Ildefonso church in the heart of Madrid, Anne Stauder, a tourist from Luxembourg, is trying out a BiciMAD bike for the first time.

"We came from Luxembourg with our four bicycles inside our car -- my children, my husband and me -- and we have visited the city like that for 10 days. But I wanted to try the electric bike because Madrid is hilly," the 44-year-old said.

The white bicycles work just like a regular bike but an electric motor kicks in to help with pedalling, and most importantly it give an extra push up hills.

The city of some three million people launched its electric bike share system in June 2014.

While other European cities like London and Paris set up shared bicycles schemes earlier, Madrid is the first major city to offer a system that only uses electric bicycles.

The argument behind BiciMAD is that with only regular bikes, they accumulate in low-lying areas and need to be shuffled around by trucks to redistribute them to higher ground -- as happens in Barcelona.

Margot Bonilla, a 28-year-old IT technician, started using the electric bikes in July and no longer uses the metro to get around the city.

"You exercise, you don't pollute and you move around fast. It's just a bit expensive for my taste," she said.

An annual membership to the bike sharing scheme c osts We have a drop off point for items to help €25 ($27.7) while renting a Elche Children’s Home bicycle costs 50 cents during the first half hour, then 60 Benijofar C/Rambla 5 cents for the next half hour. from Quesada turn right after Citroen Garage By comparison a ride on the Madrid metro costs €1.5 for travel in the centre of the city.

Another problem is a lack of bicycles, Bonilla added.

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she said, repeating a common complaint from regular users of the system.

Vandalised and stolen The city rents the bicycles from Spanish firm Bonopark, which since 2013 has supplied electric bicycles for a similar scheme in the northern Spanish city of San Sebastian.

"We have a thousand bicycles available at 160 stations right now," said the head of the BiciMAD system, Joaquim Jimenez. "We will have 2,000 electrical bicycles once the system is fully operational and the goal is to have 4,000 by 2026 when the contract ends," he added.

Madrid city hall has spent €535,000 to rent the bicycles from Bonopark since the bicycle sharing program was launched in June 2014.It blames the shortage of bicycles on a technical glitch with the docking system, which often fails to recognise bikes and locks them, making it impossible for users of the system to take them for a ride.

The electrical bicycles also suffer all sorts of attacks: they are mistreated by users, yanked from docking stations to be taken for a free ride, abandoned anywhere, sometimes even in the city's Manzanares river.

Since the launch of the scheme, 470 bicycles have either been stolen or vandalised to the point that they could no longer be used, according to a city hall tally.

The vandalism has increased since the start of summer but city hall does not link the influx of foreign tourists during the peak travel season with the rise.

Stolen BiciMAD bicycles usually resurface since they can only be recharged at a public station and they weight a hefty 22 kilos (48.5 pounds), said Jimenez.

The launch of the electrical bicycle sharing scheme has led to an increase in the use of bicycles in general in the city, despite the lack of cycle lanes.

"Clearly we want a city with fewer cars," the city councillor in charge of mobility, Ines Sabanes, said.

"We need the use of bicycles to develop, it is an obligation," she added, referring to European Union demands that Madrid boost public transportation to curb high air pollution levels.

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August 2015

WE HELP PEOPLE THROUGHOUT SPAIN EVERY DAY

The Avalon team explain how different the complex funeral system is here in Spain to both non-residents and those that live here all year round.

This affects everybody so we are committed to helping all UK, Irish and European citizens make informed choices.

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All our members are covered in Spain and the UK. You will automatically be covered immediately regardless of health issues or age.

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British and Spanish police 'exchange': UK officers to be stationed in Benidorm

BRITISH police on the beat in Spain's busiest resort towns is a scheme that is beginning to spread out across the country following its success in Magaluf (Mallorca) and Sant Antoni de Portmany (Ibiza) – UK officers' next stop is likely to be Benidorm (Alicante province).

And police from Spain will undergo a stint in Britain to widen their experience. MP Juan Carlos Moragues says the aim in the Costa Blanca capital, on Spain's east coast, is for tourists to 'feel at home' and be able to relate better to officers, allowing them a greater sense of comfort and security by dealing with 'their own kind' and, naturally, with police who speak their language.

Britons make up the majority of foreign tourists in Benidorm, which is why police will be drafted in from the UK. This is also true of Magaluf and Sant Antoni, but in addition to the 'comfort zone factor', in these Balearic Island resort areas, British police are also more likely to be taken seriously by youngsters enjoying their first taste of freedom and 'happy hours' abroad.

Whilst anti-social behaviour is far less rife in

Magaluf and Sant Antoni this year thanks to a tightening of local bye-laws and stringent warnings by travel companies, incidences of drug-taking, sexual acts in public, and general riotous drunken displays are not history just yet, given how very cheap package deals and a proliferation of bars and nightclubs continue to attract holidaymakers in their late teens and early 20s in large groups of friends.

Moragues says he and the National Police in Spain are in talks with the British forces to get the scheme off the ground in Benidorm 'as soon as possible', and hopefully before next summer. UK police in Benidorm would patrol the streets and beaches, but would also be stationed at the tourist information offices to help out English-speaking h o l i d ay m a ke r s who run into difficulties. Cases of tourists new to Benidorm who have become separated from their friends on a boozy night out and cannot remember the name of their hotel have arisen several times this summer, although Facebook groups aimed at local residents and tourists have often been key to finding lost holidaymakers.

As for where Spanish police in the UK would be based, Moragues says this would depend upon where the British forces needed them most.

This is likely to be in areas with a high population of Spanish expatriates, such as London, Brighton or other large cities where young adults head to in order to seek work. thinkspain.com

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August 2015

C amposol medie val fiesta

The 2015 Fiesta will be a family event and will be located in two areas: Sector B Lower Car Park & Sector C Football Pitch during the 28th to the 30th of August. Sector C will be from 10am to 3pm and will be used for activities such as: five a side football, baking competition, treasure hunt, curry and chilli competition, Highland games competition, Childrens sports day and much more.

loaded card system operated meter will save you money by making your tenants pay for their electricity. It is so simple to use.

Secondary Electricity Meters for Rental Properties. Install one now before the summer season!

A secondary electricity meter is a separate meter that is compatible with the existing meter in any property but uses a “pre paid credit” system. This means that a property owner can totally control the electricity usage of all, or some electrical appliances within a property. The cost of electricity in Spain has increased dramatically over the last 2 years and these meters are an absolute “must have” for any property that is rented out either on a full time or a part time basis.

A secondary electricity meter will save you money from the very first day of installation. The return on your investment can be as little as 6 weeks in peak season.

The Problem

Whether rentals occur during the busy summer season or during the winter season the issue is the same.

If 6 people are sharing a property for a week and they are all using televisions, radios, hairdryers, iPads, laptops, mobiles, washing machines and dishwashers you will see the electricity consumption soar!

The summer scenario is that you rent out your property to summer holidaymakers. They turn up, open all the windows, turn on the air conditioning and then head for the beach! During the winter, many properties may only have air conditioning for both heating and cooling or electric radiators. Your electricity meter is spinning like a top and at the end of the 2 month period you end up with a huge electricity bill which barely covers the rent. So what do you do?

The Solution

Install a secondary electricity meter in your property. This pre-

This neat little device can sit next to your electricity meter and can be used for the” whole house” supply or just for the air conditioning, depending on the way in which the electricity circuits were installed. No mess, no fuss and an installation completed in just a couple of hours.

The system, however is flexible. It may be that as a landlord or owner you are happy to give for example €50 worth of electricity per week included in the rent but any more is paid for?

The Owners “override facility” allows flexibility for friends by offering an “allowance”. or an owner to “bypass” the system.

To find out more contact Teresa at Camposol Heating & Maintenance (CHM) on 968 199 184 or email us at camposolheating@gmaill. com or visit our office inside Holmes & Pegg Estate Agency on Sector B Camposol.

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Sector B will be used from 6pm to 10pm and will have the medieval market and a stage for entertainment and a bar. Entertainment will be supplied by local groups such as Harlequin Rock choir and also there will be some professional entertainers.

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August 2015

URBAN DESTINATIONS

As a result of its intense historical tradition, the reiterative superposition of cultures, its strategic location as a Mediterranean enclave and its transitional character as a border territory mid-way between the Meseta and Andalusia, the Murcia Region retains innumerable vestiges of the past, making it an ideal meeting-point where History and tradition have been instilled with new life and placed at the visitor’s disposal. The abundant remains and archaeological sites include rock-paintings in cave-shelters dating back to the Iberian period, the splendour of Roman antiquity with its urbanistic refinement and penchant for the theatrical, Visigothic cities, Arab medinas, Christian castles,

watch-towers, churches and temples, civil and military constructions...

This ample historical, artistic, architectural and cultural heritage can be contemplated and admired in a diversity of natural settings, in the actual locations where the monuments themselves were erected, or within the thematic spaces provided by the Region’s complete network of museums. The Region of Murcia is thus likened to a rich printed fabric upon which History has been depicted for our contemplation.

Murcia, capital city of the Autonomous Region, on the banks of the Segura, Cartagena, a port fronting on the Mediterranean, Lorca, the town of a Hundred Coats of Arms, and Caravaca, the Holy Town, will furnish all the reasons a visitor needs to choose them any time of the year for a holiday or just a short stay.

MURCIA Located on the banks of the River Segura and flanked by the Carrascoy and Cresta del Gallo mountain ranges to the south, the regional capital Murcia offers a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities throughout the year, accompanied by year-round spring-like weather.

CARTAGENA AND LA UNIÓN With the project “Cartagena, Port of Many Cultures”, this town presents its three-thousandyear-old history to invite visitors to undertake a journey back through time, starting with the Punic and Roman Age and continuing to the present day.

Lorca whose urban centre was declared -a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest- in 1964, is described as “the baroque city”, due to the important baroque heritage of its historical centre, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time.

Caravaca de la Cruz A town located on the border of Murcia and Granada. The Iberians, Romans and Muslims all passed through this town, which has developed around its Castle, built in the 15th century and commissioned by the Knights Templar.

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Four ways to tell if your body is getting too old

mobility.

How did you fare?

Poor = 10+ seconds Fair = 8 – 10 seconds Good = 6 – 7 seconds Try these simple exercise tests to gauge whether Excellent = 4 – 6 seconds or not your body has aged beyond its years 3. The Standing Balance Test A recent study, published in the Journal of Aging and Health, has linked those of a higher intelligence with the What are you testing? This simple test is proven to be a better indicator of mortality in men than in women. The capacity to physically age better. standing balance test measures your physical capability Researcher Rikke Hodal Meincke tested almost 3,000 to balance, bear weight, and the amount of pressure that middle-aged men, using simple mobility tests to gauge may be comfortably exerted on your joints. their physical aptitude, strength and co-ordination.

How do you do it? With eyes closed, you must stand From the results, Meincke believed that she could straight and then bend one leg at the knee, so you are correctly identify which individuals were more likely to standing on one leg with your arms at your sides. Stand in remain independent as they aged. this position for as long as possible, and have an observer time you until you reach 30 seconds.

The tests themselves included rudimentary exercises of balance and speed, the majority of which can easily be How did you fare? completed using household items such as dining chairs – Poor = 0 – 7 seconds and assessed using just your wristwatch and a measuring Fair = 8 – 20 seconds tape.

Good = 21 – 30 seconds Below are five of the simplest exercises for you to try Excellent = 30+ seconds at home: 4.

The Repeated-Rising Test 1. The Sitting-Rising Test What are you testing? Similar to the sitting-rising test, What are you testing? This simple test, originally but completed using a chair and a repetitive motion, the published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular repeated-rising test is used to gauge both an individual’s Prevention, is an uncannily accurate predictor of aptitude for mobility and their current cardiovascular mortality risk. Participants of the original study were condition. found to die at similar ages to the other individuals with How do you do it? Begin the test by sitting in a chair, their scores – suggesting that the sitting-rising test is a and then time how long it takes you to stand up out of solid determiner of all-cause mortality. the chair into straight posture and then sit back down How do you do it? For this test, you will need someone ten times. Divide the number of rises (that is, ten) by the to observe you completing the simple task of standing up time taken to complete the from a position sitting cross-legged on the ground, and activity (in minutes, so 15 then sitting back down again. Begin in a sitting position, seconds would be 0.25) for and try to stand up with the least amount of support that your score. you believe necessary – do not worry about your speed.

How did you fare?

Ask your observer to score your ability to rise out of five, Poor = 0 – 10 and then subsequently sit back down again out of five.

Fair = 11 – 20 For each time you have to use support from your hand, Good = 21 – 35 knee or another part of your body, the observer should subtract a point. A total composite score out of ten will Excellent = 36+ be assigned and this will determine which category or http://www.telegraph.co.uk group you belong to.

How did you fare?

Poor = 0 – 3 Fair = 3.5 – 5.5 Good = 6 – 7.5 Excellent = 8 – 10 2. The Timed Up and Go Test What are you testing?

This test is used to assess a person’s mobility, and requires the use of both static and dynamic balance.

Commonly implemented to test how prone an individual may be to falls, Over 29 years experience the exercise is nonetheless S.R.H “Senior Stylist” a good overall indicator of balance.

City & Guilds of London How do you do it?

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August 2015

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August 2015

braben’s blog...

killer kolumn

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer By default, Windows Bytes. Last week we discussed some of 10 will send “Full” the reasons that you need to be aware diagnostic and usage of, when installing Windows 10 (As they data to Microsoft. This say “There is no such thing as a free lunch” - at least where money makers are seems to be Microsoft’s concerned, and Microsoft is a monster new telemetry system money maker!). So today I will continue codenamed “Asimov.” with a list of things that need to be You can select only disabled to ensure your reasonable safety Enhanced or Basic diagnostic and usage while using Windows 10. data. You can only disable this on

We will continue where we left off last week and if you haven’t kept this Enterprise editions of Windows, and that article then “Oh Dear Me” but if you never requires changing the “Allow Telemetry” had it, PICK UP A COPY EVERY WEEK. option in the group policy editor. As a What I will tell you to do is: Clicking on ‘Microsoft Insider’ I don’t have the option the Start button, click Settings, and select of changing anything here!

Privacy. Under the heading of ‘Location’ Cortana and Bing Search (Don’t do it!!) setting you will see, and be able to require a lot of information for them to change, all of the following and as a clue function. the setting should be ‘OFF’.

11. Cortana – As you can see when you 7. Location and location history – Your location is shared with individual apps enable Cortana, it will collect and use that you choose to share it with. Location “location and location history, contacts, history is also available to apps, and stored only on your local device — and just for 24 voice input, searching history, calendar hours. But apparently some data is shared details, content and communication with Microsoft and its trusted partners history from messages and apps, and if you have location services enabled. other information on your device.” Cortana Further down the ‘Privacy’ section under also captures your browsing history from ‘Settings’ is the heading: the Microsoft Edge web browser. Cortana 8. Speech, inking, & typing – Windows and Cortana can “get to know you” by as a whole requires sharing a lot of data logging your voice, writing, contacts, with Microsoft, just as Google Now and calendar events, speech and handwriting Siri do with Google and Apple. pattern, and typing history. You can tell 12. Bing Search in the Start Menu – Even Windows to “Stop getting to know me” if you’ve disabled Cortana, searches you from here. This clears data stored only on make in the new Start menu will also your Windows device.

9. But (and I know it’s bad to start return search suggestions from Bing and a sentence with a ‘but’) to remove the Windows Store. This means Microsoft information already stored in Microsoft’s sends your Start menu search queries to computers Servers you have to Click their servers unless you disable the Bing the “Go to Bing and manage personal integration. info for all your devices” option to clear Contact me for free advice concerning personalization data stored on Microsoft’s servers tied to your Microsoft account. your computer, OR to arrange an This link takes you to the ‘https://bing. appointment, at the address or phone com/account/personalization’ page. Use number below OR Just turn up at Oliver’s the “Clear” button under “Other Cortana Bar (formally Jack’s / Rumores) on a Friday Data and Personalized Speech, Inking afternoon where I hold my Albox Famous and Typing” section to clear this data. Computer surgery, Under the section Feedback & For further information or advice on diagnostics. computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or 10.

Diagnostic canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk and usage data – 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.eu Telephone: 636 266 641

a moorish history

Mohammed I ruled from 852 until 886; his nemesis Umar ibn Hafsun was born around 850 in the Malaga region. He was supposedly of Visigothic origin though in reality he was a descendant of black Africans and grew up near Iznate where his family owned land.

Umar was a violent young man; murdering someone in 879 before getting involved with the local criminals. The Governor (Wali) of Malaga on capturing him merely fined him and let him go as he didn’t know about the murder charge. Umar fled to Morocco and the Governor lost his job. It wasn’t long before Umar, now an outlaw was back in Andalucía where he joined the rebels who were fighting against Mohammed 1.

His violent disposition and leadership skills meant he soon climbed to the top of the greasy pole. The Muwallads were Christians that had converted to Islam and although allowed in Andalucía they were treated unfairly. Umar rallied the disaffected and they rebuilt the Bobastro castle as their base.

Mozarabs were Christians and Jews who hadn’t converted to Islam; they paid a tax under Sharia law called jizyah to be allowed to live in peace. They too rebelled against Mohammad I and joined the cause. By 883 Umar ibn Hafsun controlled over 60 castles in a thin but wide arc from Malaga in the south up through Seville, Granada, Baza, Jaen to the coast again in Murcia. Mohammad I now had a serious rebellion on his southern Cordovan doorstep. To the north and west another foe Ibn Marwan, had set himself up as the Third King of Spain after Mohammad I and Alfonso III the Christian king to the north of Spain.

Mohammad I personally lead an attack against Umar ibn Hafsun in 882 where reputedly Umar’s ally; Garcia Iniguez the King of Pamplona was killed.

O s c a r W i l d e said, life imitates art.

If that’s the case then, out, there’s

w a t c h trouble ahead!

Have you ever thought, after watching an awful film, that you could do better?

I bet we all have and why not; when you look at some of the tripe we’ve paid to watch, you’d be quite within your rights to think you could come up with better ideas than those that have just taken up over an hour and a half of your life.

“Sharknado” for example!

Have you seen this one?

You’ve missed a treat. The film is about-now wait for itsome sharks that are sucked up by a tornado, land in a city, then attack people.

You’ve got to think haven’t you, how could somebody have the audacity to make such a ridiculous story into a film? Then, with characters like, Nova, April and Baz, could this film ever have expected to trouble the scorers at The Oscars?

If you’re not bowled over by” Sharknado”, and really I can think of no reason why you would be, how about, “Killer Klowns From Outer Space”. The very fact that the makers of this film have trouble spelling is a clue to exactly how good the film is likely to be. The premise,

aliens wearing clown (sorry, klown!) make-up invade Earth, in a spaceship shaped like a circus tent no less, is pretty awful.

Or maybe not-they’re planning a sequel which could be out next year.

Goody!

But you know, sometimes, the work of screenwriters is wasted, they should just take real life and adapt it.

The writers of “Sharknado” and Killer Klowns could never be accused of doing that, but it’s incredible how many films do reflect real events.

How many times have you had a shower with the door unlocked since seeing “Psycho”? None? You wouldn’t be alone and just as well, because the film was based on a real life Norman Bates type character who was, thankfully, caught in 1957.

Even scarier-“Jaws” was based on a series of real shark attacks. I suppose we can take comfort from the fact that , as in the film, the shark was killed-but not before it had munched its way through a few people.

Oscar Wilde did talk a lot of sense, but I hope he was wrong about life imitating art-I fancy meeting Killer Klowns less than I want to watch the film.

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

Though, as Garcia was aged 82 this may be incorrect. Mohammad I’s son and heir Al Mundhir retook Bobastro in 883 and the rebel Umar moved his base to within 50 Kms of Cordoba to the fortress town of Poley, now know as Aguilar de Frontera. Mohammad I died in 886 and Al Mundhir succeeded him but reigned as Emir of Cordoba for just two years. Most probably murdered on the orders of his brother; Abdullah ibn Mohammad al – Umawi.

Abdullah reigned from 888 until 912. Not a nice chap by all accounts as he was quite happy to dispose of anyone he perceived as a threat to him; being a neurotic recluse meant many fell under suspicion. He first ordered the killing of his two brothers. Then in around 890 he ordered his own son Al-Mutarrif to kill his brother Mohammad whom his father suspected of plotting with the rebel Umar; Mohammad’s wife was a Christian concubine called Muzna who was pregnant at the time and gave birth a few weeks later to Abd ar Rahman III who would later rule from 912 for almost 50 years. Al Mutarrif’s extreme display of loyalty didn’t save his head as he was executed for treason a few years.

Years earlier in 863; Abdullah had married a Christian Princess called Onneca Fortunez, the daughter of the King of Pamplona. Both had been royal hostages at the Cordovan court since 860 before they both returned north in 880.

With Umar ibn Hafsun still a threat; Abdullah attacked Poley in 891and a defeated Umar fled back to Bobastro. As revenge Abdullah massacred all the surviving Christians but pardoned the Moslems. Yet within a year, Umar had regained all the lost ground. In 898 Umar renounced Islam, became a Christian and called himself Samuel. He built the Mozarab church at Bobastro and thought he would get more support from the Christian king. Alfonso III of Leon. The plan backfired as many of his Moslem followers deserted him.

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New mysteries surface over Lorca’s final resting place

August 2015

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Letters show poet’s friend believed his remains were moved by his family or Franco regime Some deaths, such as that of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, transcend the life of the person.

As the 79th anniversary of the Spanish poet’s execution is commemorated this week, new light has been shed on the decades-old mystery surrounding his final resting place.

For years, historians have been digging in search of his body near the site in Granada province where witnesses claimed that he was shot dead by Nationalist supporters in 1936.

When Penón asked about her source, Llanos only told him it was “a high official” But a new book by author Marta Osorio lends support to the idea that the poet may have been secretly removed long ago from its original burial place by either his family or the Franco regime.

Osorio has compiled letters and other correspondence between Lorca’s close friend Emilia Llanos (1886-1967) and Agustín Penón (1920-1976), one of the first researchers to conduct an exhaustive study into the poet’s final days.

The book, entitled El enigma de una muerte: Crónica comentada de la correspondencia entre Agustín Penón y Emilia Llanos (The mystery of a death: An annotated chronicle of the correspondence between Agustín Penón and Emilia Llanos) and published by Comares, is a follow-up to Osorio’s acclaimed Miedo, olvido y fantasía: crónica de la investigación de Agustín Penón sobre Federico García Lorca (Fear, obscurity and fantasy: A chronicle of Agustin Penón’s research on Federico García Lorca).

Penón, a native of Barcelona who held US citizenship, arrived in Granada in 1955 with his friend, the American radio actor and producer William Layton.

Carrying his beloved first edition of Lorca’s Romancero gitano, Penón knew at the time that he was in a city where mentioning “Federico’s name was prohibited,” Osorio says.

With no wish to “stir up passions” – as he later said – he began to investigate and establish the “chronology of the crime,” which took him more than one-and-a-half years to research and is now considered one of the most important investigations into the poet’s death.

After interviewing witnesses and closely inspecting the road between the towns of Alfacar and Viznar and the ditch where the Nationalists executed hundreds of people, Peñón came up with a short list of sites

where Lorca’s remains could be buried.

During his stay in Spain, he met Emilia Llanos, one of Lorca’s closest friends with whom he maintained in written contact for the rest of his life.

But pressure from the Francisco Franco dictatorship made him fear that his research papers would be confiscated and Penón left for New York in 1956 with a suitcase full of documents, which ended up in the hands of Osorio.

Back together again; Simply Red mark their 30th anniversary with a world tour, the UK leg features 14 dates including two hotly anticipated shows at London’s O2 Arena December 17th and 18th 2015.

Layton gave her the suitcase before he died in 1995. Penón concluded that Lorca’s grave was located underneath an olive tree, around 10 meters from the highway and close to the large fountain in what is now García Lorca park.

Letters show that Penón tried to purchase the land after Llanos had told him it had been put up for sale in 1957. But two months later, they canceled their plans. “We have to abandon that idea for now, it is not a good moment,” wrote Llanos.

Two months later, she explained why she had backed out: “The one who was once there is no longer there. Do you understand what I am saying?

For a long time it has been well-known that he is in Madrid with his family. I was told this by someone who has knowledge.”

When Penón asked about her source, Llanos only told him it was “a high official” but never revealed the identity. Her letters are marked by her fear of reprisals by the dictatorship. “The letters add uncertainty,” says Osorio, who adds that the Nationalists could have exhumed the body to prevent the area from becoming a pilgrimage site for those who supported democracy.

She also hypothesizes that, alternatively, Lorca’s family might have had something to do with the poet’s exhumation. Recent digs in 2009 and 2014

by Andalusian regional authorities at the site near and around his execution failed to turn up any of the poet’s remains.

Osorio does not give official backing to any of these theories and refuses to get caught-up in the speculation over Lorca’s final resting place.

“Many things have been said and some have basis in truth but they only add to the confusion,” she says. http://elpais.com/

For the 2015 QBE Internationals: England v France (15 August) and England v Ireland (5 September) the RFU and England Rugby 2015 are working with TfL and Richmond Council to trial some of the additional transport measures that will be put in place for the 10 matches at Twickenham Stadium during Rugby World Cup 2015.

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The online holiday rental portal, HomeAway, recently carried out a study on the various features and services offered by holiday rental accommodations in the six main European countries: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal and Spain, which together represent 47% of the total market in Europe. Included among the characteristics analysed are accessibility for the disabled, the acceptance of pets, and the suitability for stays with children, while the services include Internet access, the availability of a barbecue, parking, swimming pool, etc.

With regards to accessibility, El Mundo reported that Portugal leads the ranking with 18% of their rentals adapted and suitable, which is 11 percentage points above the European average (7%). Spain, with 14%, is the second destination where it is easier to find accommodations easily

accessible for disabled guests, followed by Italy and France, both with 8%.

As far as the acceptance of pets is concerned, as well as the suitability of the rental accommodations for holidays with children, the European average for these aspects is 31% and 45%, respectively.

In this respect, only 27% of Spain’s holiday rental homes are pet friendly, far behind the percentages for the United Kingdom (43%) and Italy (38%), while 51% of Spain’s holiday accommodations are suitable for families, following Portugal at the top of the ranking with 68%, Germany (62%) and France (55%).

In the category of services offered, the holiday rental portal reported that Spain is at the forefront in terms of the percentage of homes that have air conditioning (42%), swimming pool (57%)

and a washing machine (79%).

However, Internet connectivity continues to be the issue for the country, which remains at 51%, below the European average of 53% and far from its neighbouring country, Portugal, which leads for this service, with 61% of their rental homes having Internet access.

France tops the ranking for availability of barbecues, with over half of their rentals having one, and 69% of their homes have a dishwasher. Germany ranks highest for satellite television (82%), as well as for parking, where up to 67% of their homes have a garage.

Another area analysed by HomeAway is the type of accommodation, including those classified as luxurious. Portugal ranks in first place, with 6% of luxury accommodation, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany (both 4%) and Spain (3%, same as the European average). However, if the total numbers of this type of accommodation are taken into consideration, then Spain rises to second place in the ranking, with more than 3,400 luxury holiday accommodations, behind France, which has nearly 4,000, and ahead of Germany which has more than 1,700. kyero.com

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August 2015

Spain Construction Sector Predicted to Grow by 3% in 2015 The production value in the construction sector in Spain is predicted to grow by 3% in 2015, after seven consecutive years of declines, according to the latest report on the sector carried out by the risk management and credit services society, Cesce.

drop in housing prices, the financial effort required by a family in order to buy a home is still well above the level, Data from the report indicates that the greatest of four years, which growth will relate to restoration and maintenance is recommended by (+3.9%), followed by non-residential construction experts.

In 2014 this figure (+3.2%), residential construction (+2.8%) and civil reached 6.3 years’ gross works (+1.8%).

In addition, El Mundo reported that Cesce’s data salary of financial effort predicts that the increase in residential construction to purchase a home, will begin with the construction of some 45,000 while in 2007 it reached homes during 2015. The society forecasts that the a figure of 9.1 years on value of production in the construction sector, which average. With regard stood at 97,972 million euros in 2014, will reach to the rental market 100,900 million euros in 2015, and they highlighted in Spain, the analysis and even further from Germany’s 60%, Cesce the fact that 1,096 new companies were created in offered in the report reflects a structural change in highlights that this sector has emerged strengthened the first quarter of the year which related to this the market and in the Spanish society. While the after the crisis of recent years. percentage of Spanish households renting a home sector.

(20%) is still far from the European average (38%), kyero.com In 2014 the number of applications for construction licences reached a total of 58,776, which represented a slight increase, of 0.06%, over 2013. However, although this figure is the first growth registered on new apartments in the number of building licences after seven increased by 2.2%. consecutive years of declines, it still remains far In addition, sales of from the number of licence applications recorded in individual family homes 2006, in the middle of the housing ‘boom’, when the increased by 14.5% in figure exceeded 911,000.

June, compared with the same month of 2014.

Sales of homes in Spain grew by 21.6% in 2014, year-on-year, to 365,594 homes, and registered El Economista reported increases in all regions, with special emphasis on that the average price the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which per square metre registered a year-on-year increase of 44%, followed stood at 1,260 euros,

by Madrid and Navarra, both with increases of 31%. representing a decline of 0.3%, due to the The number of homes completed in 2014 totalled reduction in the price 46,795, representing a 93% decline compared with of apartments – which 2007, when 641,419 new homes were completed. fell by 0.7% – while the The 2014 figure is 28% lower than the figure for individual family homes 2013 and is the lowest recorded in the comparable increased in price, by series which began in 2000.

2%. Since the onset of Moreover, the report predicts an increase of 2.8% the crisis in 2007, the in residential production over last year and points average accumulated out that, in the short term, there will be areas of decline in prices stands Spain where the crisis is prolonged due to both the at 33.2%. decline in production and the adjustment in prices.

Home Sales in Spain Rose by 19.4% in June

In this context, Cesce stressed that despite the

According to the latest data published by the General Council of Notaries, the sale of homes in Spain soared by 19.4% in June, compared to the same month the previous year, reaching a total of 37,641 transactions, while at the same time the average price fell by 0.3%, to stand at 1,260 euros per square metre.

The June data marks the

fourth consecutive month of increases in home sales transactions, following those of March (+12.3%), April (+1.9%) and May (+8.5%). In seasonally adjusted terms, the rise in home sales in June stands at 14.4%.

In gross terms, sales of apartments increased by 20.8%, driven by transactions on second hand apartments, which rose by 25.2%, while the transactions

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

The latest data, according to the Notaries, shows an overall stabilisation of the Spanish real estate market, and they highlighted that the granting of mortgage loans for home purchases also increased in June, by 31.8%, with 16,002 loans authorised, and the average loan amount rising by 4.6%, to 121,445 euros. kyero.com

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20

Life’s a beach… and then it rains

August 2015

You’ve booked the beach holiday, sorted your travel insurance, packed the bucket and spade, bought the sun lotion… and then it rains! Don’t get bored and damp on holiday – head for a destination that’s great whatever the weather. Here are four Spanish all-weather favourites.

Barcelona has five kilometres of sand, furnished with boardwalks, showers, cafes and more. And there’s the buzzing beach resort of Sitges on its doorstep, and the beaches of the Costa Brava a short distance away.

But if your holiday gets hit by a downpour don't fret, as there's lots to keep you busy and dry at the same time. The city’s most famous son, architect Anton Gaudi, left his remarkable mark everywhere. His phantasmagorical buildings – all crazy swirling shapes and molten pillars – have to been seen to be believed. The most ambitious is La Sagrada Familia, the cathedral with its eight honeycomb spires. But make sure to visit La Pedrera too; an apartment building with a strangely curvaceous façade and bizarre chimneys. Shopping and nightlife in Barcelona are also excellent, so pack your glad rags and have your foreign currency at the ready.

Malaga: Ponder Picasso’s Artistry

The gateway to the beaches of the Costa del Sol, Malaga gets overlooked by most holidaymakers who are headed for the obvious delights of Torremolinos and Benalmedina. But Malaga has lots to offer. If the sun’s out you can relax on several lovely stretches of sand, many with excellent fish restaurants in situ. If the heavens open, make a dash for the excellent Picasso Museum, located in a restored old palace house. It features paintings, installations, sculpture and more by the great man who was born in the city. Much of the collection is organised by themes, like ‘war’ or ‘horses’, which makes it easier to decide where to concentrate your attention - depending on your area of interest. You can also visit the town house where Picasso was born and spent the first five years of his life. The brand new Carmen Thyssen museum just a few blocks away houses yet more fantastic art work in another exquisite old palace house.

Valencia: Contemplate Calatrava’s Concrete Curves

Valencia’s beaches are gorgeous and well appointed, with volleyball courts and seafood restaurants. Paella is the local speciality and it has to be tried!

On the odd day when the rain is falling, though, you can while away many a spellbound hour at the truly spectacular City of Arts and Sciences – a complex of brilliant white, spiky and curvaceous buildings designed by one of Spain’s most famous modern architects, Santiago Calatrava. Within the

COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE COMPLETE MOJACAR PLAYA

RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE

We urgently need more properties for sale & rental for waiting clients Properties of the week

d l o s Ref: CM/RB Secluded 3 bed, 2 bath, det. villa, nr centre of playa, gardens, terraces & parking, 126 m2 build, 540 m2 plot.

Ref: VA/TL Beautifully presented modern 1 bed/1 bath apt, private underground parking, private large lock-up store room

MOJACAR PLAYA REDUCED - €199,950

MOJACAR PLAYA REDUCED €64,950

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room, first floor, furnished apt, a/c, large terrace with spectacular views MOJACAR PLAYA €109,950

MOJACAR CAMPO reduced €137,000

Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo) Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631 

info@almeriaholidays.com

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oddly centipede-like structures there’s a fantastic aquarium filled with colourful fish life, a contemporary art museum and an opera house. Closer to the old city centre, there’s also the lovely Baroque Silk Exchange building and the modernist iron and stained glass Central Market building, which is still a bustling market to this day.

Palma de Mallorca: Marvel at Miro’s Sketches

Mallorca is a beach holiday favourite for holidaymakers from all over Europe.

There are stacks of beaches to choose from – whether you want tranquil sunbathing or throbbing bar-life. And the island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, has plenty to keep you occupied on rainy days too. You’ll find more of Gaudi’s exuberant swirls and curls inside the city’s cathedral, and close by, an excellent museum housing many of the strange blue, red, yellow and black spindly sketches of one of Spain’s most famous surrealist artists, Juan Miro. If the sun has still not come out, hop aboard the historic tram to the pretty port town of Soller and dine on seafood at one of its excellent port-side restaurants. http://www.thinkspain.com/

21

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Hoteliers Concerned Over Decline of German Tourism in Ibiza

The Hotel Federation of Ibiza and Formentera has voiced concerns over the 9.96% reduction in the number of German tourists registered through the airport of Ibiza between January and July of this year.

At the same time the President of the Hoteliers Federation, Juanjo Riera, pointed out that they have also noted significant declines, during

the same period, in the Austrian and Scandinavian tourist markets (except for the Finnish market), which Riera stated is “very bad news for Ibiza and Formentera”, and said the Federation considered that the “bad air connections” between the Islands and the Scandinavian countries are attributable to this decrease.

Riera stated that the British and Italian markets both registered tourist figures similar to those of 2014, while other markets such as the Polish, Swiss and Belgian, as well as the Dutch market, are still growing.

Moreover, El Economista reported that from January to July the Russian market increased by 14.74%, with a total of 1,121 tourists registered in the airport so far in 2015, compared with the figure of 977 registered in the same period of 2014. kyero.com

We urgently require Rental Properties for waiting clients Casa Mercedes IA1046 Rambla de Oria

Zurgena

Villa with a lot of charm complete with swimming pool in Zurgena Area.

Beautiful town house in the heart of Rambla de Oria.

129,000€

85,000€ Casa Eduardo IA1641

Casa Telcaz IA 1270

Albox

Three bedroom villa near to Albox,very private location.

Casa Escondrijo IA1330

Albox

A beautiful property on the outskirts of Albox .Complete with swimming pool.

159.000€

134,000€

Plaza Nueva, 9 Albox (Almería)

Tel: 950 120 406

info@inmobiliaria-almanzora.com www.inmobiliaria-almanzora.com

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

August Opening Hours: 10am-2pm Office: 950 102 191 • Carlos: 648 505 938 • Gavin: 671 293 942

137.000€

Arboleas, New villa with 3 bed, 2 bath and pool on a plot of 600m².

170,000€

Albanchez, Spacious villa with 4 bed, 2 bath and a private pool!!

165,000€

199,500€

Limaria, Beautiful villa with 3 bed, 2 bath, pool and a great garden!!

165,000€

Cucador, Fantastic villa with 3 bed, 2 bath, pool & beautiful views.

Arboleas,

Albox, Very

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spacious

villa with 3

villa with 3

bed, 3 bath,

bed, 4 bath

garage, pool

& 2 guest

& a big plot.

259,000€

houses.

Properties Urgently needed in all areas

22

August 2015

O

Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant)

Tel: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

Olive

Email: info@olivehouse-es.com

www.olivehouse-es.com

Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Sales office now open in Bedar

OLV997

Cabrera

This lovely 3 bed , one level villa has great views across the Sierra Cabrera mountains and is located in the centre of the village of Cabrera in a quiet street, walking distance to the restaurants, tennis court and library . Cabrera is a sought after area and this property is a gem with brand new kitchen and news windows and doors throughout.

...it’s all in the detail

OLV996 Sorbas (Gafarillos)

This wonderful 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom detached Cortijo is located in the friendly village of Gafarillos, just 25 minutes from the extremely popular and renowned coastal resort of Agua Amarga in the Cabo de Gata. The property is walking distance to the village and boasts a private swimming pool.

195,000 € NEW

169,950 € NEW

Bedar

OLV247

This stunning villa is situated in an elevated position close to the beautiful white washed village of Bedar, only 15 minutes from the coast of Mojacar. This five bedroom property is finished to a very high standard with many extras and fantastic panoramic views.

Well worth a viewing.

395,000 €

Low Cost Airline Passengers Up 9.7% to July the month. The

lubrin

OLV790

A detached 2 bedroom 2 bathroom character Cortijo, surrounded by approx 1 hectare of land, laid to almonds, olives, citrus and fruit trees. The Cortijo has benefited from being updated over the years of ownership by the present owners, retaining much character and charm. A great property priced well.

120,000 €

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

Low cost airlines transported 20.16 million passengers in the first seven months of the year, which represents an increase of 9.7% over the same period of 2014, and accounted for 49.4% of the air passenger traffic departing from or arriving in Spain, according to the latest data published by the Ministry of Industry Energy and Tourism.

In contrast, El Economista reported that the traditional airlines, which handled 50.6% of the air passenger traffic in the first seven months of the year, exceeding 20.63 million travellers, registered an increase of 1.6% over the previous year.

In July, the number of passengers travelling on the low cost airlines increased by 7.9%, reaching over 4.29 million passengers, representing 50.7% of the total air traffic in the month, which increased overall (adding together the low cost and traditional airlines) by 5.3%, to a total of 8.46 million travellers in

traditional airlines, on the other hand, registered more moderate growth, of 2.7%, and accounted for 49.3% of the total passengers in July.

80% of the total airflow came from the European Union, with an increase of 6.2%, compared to the rest (20%), which increased by 2.5%.

The United Kingdom and Italy were the market leaders for low cost airline tickets to July, accounting for 35.8% and 12% of passengers, respectively, choosing this type of airline, with the British market registering an increase in passenger numbers of 4% (to 7.2 million passengers), and the Italian market registering growth of 18.7% (to 2.4 million).

Passenger arrivals from Germany, the third source market, increased by 11.2% to 2.23 million, accounting for 11.1% of the total number of arrivals via low cost airlines, followed

by France, with 8.6% of the total arrivals and 1.74 million passengers, representing an increase of 19.5% over a year ago.

Ryanair, Easyjet and Vueling handled over 34% of the international air traffic passengers in July, and 66% of all the travellers within the low cost

Voss Homes would like to thank our property owners and buyers for their loyalty and support.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK - €129,950 VH820 VILLA BUBILLA

A very well maintained larger than average 2 bed, 2 bath villa with fly free enclosure, swimming pool, car port on a private 661m2 walled and fenced garden with country views walking distance to amenities. 10 mins drive to Huercal-Overa town and 35 mins drive to the coast.

For more information and to arrange a viewing contact us asap.

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

www.vosshomesspain.com

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

23

www.soltimes.com

Flat Roof Problems on Spanish Properties

Flat roofs are common in Spain and often form useful terraces above the living space. In higher density developments nearly all homes come with at least a proportion of flat roof ‘solarium’. There are various types of build method and covering, but this article will focus on the most common type and its associated problems.

Build method: The typical traditional flat roof in Spain is comprised of steel reinforced concrete (‘SRC’) beams with hollow concrete or ceramic block ‘bovedilla’ infill. The upper surface is normally levelled with a thin concrete or sand/ cement screed over which an asphalt waterproof membrane is laid. This is then normally protected with another layer of screed over which, brick shaped ‘baldoso’ tiles are laid as the finished surface.

Common problems: Initially this type of roof is normally effective at keeping the rain out for many years, but after 10 years (sometimes earlier) a number of problems can begin to arise. While thermal movement is one of the most common causes, the earlier use of less advanced materials helps to accelerate the failure process. The sequence of failure is normally as follows: 1.) Thermal movement Extremes between winter and summer, day and night, create expansion and contraction in the concrete beams and slab, (steel beams will be even more prone to movement). This causes regular stresses on asphalt the membrane and tile joints above.

2.) Surface cracking The tile joints and even the tiles themselves will quickly give in to the movement (sometimes within the first season, or following an exceptionally hot summer or very cold winter) and hairline cracks will appear.

3.) Membrane cracking Initially the asphalt membrane will be more flexible and hence, more tolerant to some minor movement, but over the years it becomes brittle as compounds evaporate out from the material. Regular movement will cause fatigue along the movement lines and eventually break though the asphalt.

4.) Surface decay While the membrane tires over the years, foot traffic and weathering will also break down the water resistant surfacing of the tiles and the cracked joints will allow for passage of water directly to the membrane. Point loads such as water tanks can also cause problems. As some tiles start to lose their key, water will be more able to pass across the membrane.

5.) Water ingress Once water gets to the failing membrane, it will soon track through to the living space. Ceilings will become stained or later risk collapse, the SRC beams will start to decay and rainy days may call for a few strategically placed buckets. Poor laying or bowing of the roof can also create pooling areas. This will normally cause more extensive ingress. A risk of shorting and even electrocution can occur if electrical installations become wet.

Movement and membrane failure will also commonly occur at parapet wall junctions, chimney stack junctions and level changes. The roof is also prone to heave above load bearing walls, which can also result in membrane failure. Despite the strong nature of SRC beam roofs, they will actually flex slightly under loading, and hence years of BBQ’s and sunbathing on the terrace will also aggravate

the surface and membrane. While leak areas are commonly flashed with bitumen backed foil, this too will fail over time and often only serves as a temporary and often unsightly solution. Sika do however now make a tile red coloured version ‘Sika Sealcolor, rojo teja’.

Solutions : In the short term, a secondary membrane can be added over the existing tiles in the form of a roof paint, which is best reinforced with a polyester mesh. Commonly ‘weber.tec hydrostop’ or ‘Sikafill’ paints are used for recovering, however there is a better material available ‘Sikafloor 400N Elastic’ which is designed to seal the roof terrace, while being more resilient to foot traffic. Commonly people choose darker red colours, however lighter colours will serve to reflect heat from the roof slab and reduce future movement. The 400N product is specially designed to resist and reflect UV rays and only comes in lighter colours. It is important to realise that painting over the existing surface will only last for a few years (or less) as some thermal movement will still occur in the slab. Clear resurfacing treatments area available for the tiles, however they are generally not thick enough to tolerate movement and hence will crack through (normally at the tile joints, within the first season).

If your roof surface is not leaking yet, you can add life and waterproof properties back into the tiles by painting with a product such as ‘Monestir Mitrol’.

Property buyers should bear in mind that the presence of any roof paint solution almost always indicates that the roof is defective and the material has normally been added to avoid the costs of a proper new asphalt membrane and re-tiling. Roof paint solutions generally only give short term protection.

A long term solution would require re-asphalting e.g. with –‘Esterdan 40P Elast’ over a primer coat (e.g. ‘Curidan’) preferably with insulation and screed over and finished with relatively light coloured ceramic tiles, set on flexible grout e.g.

‘Weber.col Superflex’. It is worth noting that most

asphalt manufacturers now recommend that a drainage layer of Geotextile e.g. ‘ ‘Danofelt PY200’ is laid immediately over the asphalt. Alternatively the existing baldosas can be tiled over using a special flexible and slightly insulative grout called ‘Sikabond T8’ which is float laid as a continuous membrane first then (24 hrs later) combed with a second layer to stick the tiles in place.

For all new flat roof tiled surfaces, be sure to incorporate tile joints of 3mm or more, as close butted tiles may heave when the terrace heats up.

Many new roofs and terraces in Spain are still being installed without insulation and the use of cheaper inferior grouts and jointing compounds is common. Insulation will also keep the living space warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer as well as preventing ceilings from cracking along beam lines, so try to add some insulating qualities in any new works.

It is worth noting that some roofs that appear to be set on SRC or steel beams may be supported with timber beams. Though these will suffer minimal thermal movement, they will be affected by changes in moisture content and will general flex to greater degree under loading. Hence failure of the upper membrane is normally still an issue.

As a rule, flat roofs either do, did, or will one day leak and the addition of a pitched roof can be preferable in the long term. Protection via insulation and the use of specially designed modern materials can however result in a much longer roof life than traditional build methods.

NB: Information for advice purposes only. Proper legal and safety procedures should be followed for all property purchases and building works.

Article supplied by Mark Paddon BSc Hons Building Surveying. MCIOB. FAS. CAAT. Read more on: http://f.tqn.com/

24

August 2015

Eurozone Inflation Stable at 0.2% in July

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The rate of inflation in the eurozone stood at 0.2% in July, which is unchanged from the previous month, but represents a decline of two-tenths in year-on-year terms. Also, according to the latest EuroIndicators report from the European Union statistical office, Eurostat, the GDP in the eurozone moderated to 0.3% in the second quarter.

As for Spain, the year-onyear harmonised inflation rate remained stable in July at 0%, which implies a favourable price differential of two-tenths, in line with the data for the previous month.

In the whole of the European Union (EU), the year-on-year inflation rate was 0.1% in July, in line with the previous month, and below the 0.5% of July 2014. The greatest impact on prices in the eurozone corresponded to restaurants and cafes (+0.09%),

tobacco (+0.08%) and rents (+0.06%), while the most significant declines were registered for fuel for transport (-0.43%), heating oil (-0.20%) and milk, cheese and eggs (-0.06%).

El Economista reported that energy prices registered a year-on-year reduction in July of 5.6%, compared with the rate of -5.1% recorded in June, while fresh foods rose by 1.4%, half a percentage point less than the previous month.

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tobacco increased by 0.9%, compared with the rise of 1.1% registered in June.

According to Eurostat’s data, negative year-on-year rates of inflation were registered in eleven EU countries in July 2015. The greatest price declines were recorded for: Cyprus (-2.4%); Romania (-1.4%); Greece (-1.3%); Bulgaria (-1%); Slovenia (-0.7%); Poland (-0.5%); Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia (all -0.2%); Finland (-0.1%) and the United Kingdom (-0.1%) while in contrast, the highest levels of inflation were noted in July in Malta (1.2%), Austria (1.1%) and Belgium (0.9%). kyero.com

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The Zoo

A zoo in Alqueria may seem a curious concept considering the strangest of all creatures are the humans that walk the streets of the Pueblo. The behaviour of the most disgusting of animals is somewhat better than that of the vast majority of Alquerians. Some thought the Zoo was a scheme by the World Wildlife Fund to give the animals something to look at and stop them from becoming bored. It was however an Alquerian ploy to attract cash rich visitors from Spain. As the health and safety laws in Alqueria are non-existent and particularly ferocious animals could easily be exhibited.

Unfortunately it isn’t only heath and safety that is not regulated there is also a distinct lack of building regulations. The result, shoddy pen construction which allowed several of the most vicious animals to escape some weeks before the attraction was even opened. They appeared to have made every effort to quit Alquerian territory as rapidly as possible and now roam the Spanish mainland devouring domestic animals and terrorising the population. The Alquerian authorities of course deny all knowledge of such carnivorous escapees. These animals were replaced with sheep, goats and the like. To make them appear like lions, tigers and drooling grisly bears cardboard ears, plastic teeth and rubber claws were attached to strategic areas. In most cases this didn’t work very well and only confused the less intelligent of the remaining animals.

Loco Paco when appointed chief keeper of the zoo responded by wearing a pith helmet and carrying a lion tamer’s whip. It seemed a strange choice for a man whose only friends are an invisible two metre tall rodent and a Saharan Dung Beetle called Benjy. His ability to recognise one species from another was also thrown into doubt when he was seen

throwing bread to helicopters at Murcia Airport.

Prospective visitors to the Zoo had to run the gauntlet of the more dubious Alquerian elements of which there are many. Dubious elements are a speciality of Alqueria. It was akin to a ritual mugging and overcharging was rife. Everything from car parking to admittance came at a premium. The squalor of the Zoo itself was breathtaking. Attempts to pass domestic pets off as ferocious man-eaters fooled no one apart from Loco Paco of course. He was in his element but couldn’t understand why the tabby cat with glued on plastic fangs didn’t devour the half a horse dropped from the back of a Land Rover. The success of the undertaking was never in doubt.

The end came when the animals made a mass breakout and gave themselves up to the Spanish zoological authorities. The Zoo simply joined the ever increasing list of failed Alquerian ventures.

25

Do Da

While in Lisbon we had not too much time to kill, but not too little either. In fact, just about the right amount of time to go into C & A. I am not a keen shopper, but I am Emelda Marcos compared to Pete – it requires skill, daring and subterfuge to get him to go into a shop. If I do succeed in getting him through the door the coercion needed to get him to buy anything would cause a trained SAS operative to give up and go home.

Thus when he expressed an interest in going into C & A and buying a shirt I seized the moment, and propelled him through the door and straight to Menswear before he had time to think up any excuses.

Shirts were plentiful – they had all the sizes in all the colours. Meekly he chose and tried a shirt, and declared that it was OK. While I was on a roll I insisted that he try another one, pointing out that this would increase his stock of shirts by 100%.

Obviously the excitement of the moment and the fact that we were on foreign soil must have lessened his powers of resistance, because a second shirt was tried and accepted without too much prevarication, and both shirts were taken hurriedly to the till before he had time to change his mind.

Our holiday guide, the paragon that is Danny, impressed on us early on that it was a nice touch to try and use a few words of Portuguese, and he introduced us to ‘Encantado/a,’

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk explaining (I think) that when speaking to a man the word was Encantado, while Encantada was appropriate when speaking to a woman.

We stored this information to our memories, where things get misplaced, muddled or just plain forgotten – It is never a safe haven for anything!

We reached the till, which was attended by a pretty, efficient and demure young lady, and Pete decided to trot out his Portuguese. ‘Encantado’ he said.

‘No, it’s Encantada.’ I corrected.

‘No it’s not. I’m a man, so it is Encantado.’

‘Yes, but she’s a woman, so it’s Encantada.’

‘Why don’t you just say Thank you very much?’ The young lady interjected with a shy smile. ‘It’s easier.’

That stopped the argument in it’s tracks! ‘Thank you very much’ we chorused together.

I think I was right, but it is very easy to get your Do’s and your Da’s mixed up!

Melbourne street artist Rone brings Spanish Embassy to life with striking mural titled Sarah Melbourne street artist Rone has brought "Spanish art competition. country through their architecture.

eyes" to an embassy in Canberra, mission deputy head Cesar Espada says. (ABC News: Alkira Reinfrank ) Meet Sarah, the new nine-by-six-metre face of the Spanish Embassy in Canberra.

Her creator, renowned Melbourne street artist Rone, has spent the last two days painting the giant beauty on this most unlikely of canvasses.

The artist won the chance to bring the bare outer wall of the building to life, after the embassy put out the call to Australian artists for its inaugural urban

Deputy head of mission at the Spanish Embassy Cesar Espada admitted an embassy was not the most common place for street art, but said it was important for cultural identity. "It's amazing, when you look at it from the street it looks really beautiful; it looks like it has always been there. It's like Spanish eyes watching over Australia," he said.

"When I arrived in Canberra I saw that all of the embassies wanted to give an image of their own

"I thought that art would be the best way to give an image of Spain in Canberra."

Rone is most famous for his haunting images of women's faces. His artworks have featured on walls in London, Berlin, Miami, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

"It's quite amazing that the Spanish Embassy has kind of embraced you know my culture of street art and graffiti and brought that in here and allowed me to paint my work as I see fit," Rone said.

"So much of the work you see on the street is quite aggressive or masculine, you know a lot of it is about egos .... and when I started painting these quite feminine beauties, it's the total opposite of that."

Walls graced with 'giant calming beauties' The now immortalised Sarah is named after a girl from Bryon Bay who has previous worked with the artist.

"I always paint these women who are these giant calming beauties," Rone said.

"It becomes something intimate in such a public space."

Rone has a personal connection to the project, with his mother being Spanish. "[It was a] total coincidence and when I found out I told my mum and she was very proud," he said.

"She came up this weekend to see it and to have that cultural connection for her."

Rone hopes his artwork can help influence the fledgling street art scene in Canberra. "Canberra needs to find those place where street art can thrive and grow," he said.

"I know a lot of street artist who are from Canberra and have moved to Melbourne and they are incredibly talented artists, but it would be great to see Canberra supporting more of that."

After Canberra, Rone is off to paint at the world expo in Milan before he heads to Detroit. http://www.abc.net.au/

puzzle pages

26

August 2015

jimmy carr

wwe live

new order

Formed in 1980 the Manchester band have regrouped & are touring the UK

Funny Business Tour, TVs Funnyman is on the road in another side splitting tour.

Watch your favorite stars in action in the UK. John Cena, Big Show & Sheamus

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

DINGO GERMAN SHEPHERD GREAT DANE GREYHOUND HUSKY LHASA APSO MALAMUTE MASTIFF PEKINGESE PINSCHER POINTER POMERANIAN POODLE

wordsearch answer

standard SUDOKU

BASSET HOUND BEAGLE BLOODHOUND BOXER BULLDOG CHIHUAHUA CHOW CHOW COCKER SPANIEL COLLIE CORGI DACHSHUND DALMATIAN DEERHOUND

easy SUDOKU

CRYPTIC crossword

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

The remaining letters spell a secret sentence.

PUG RETRIEVER ROTTWEILER SAINT BERNARD SAMOYED SCHNAUZER SETTER SHAR PEI SHEEPDOG SPITZ TERRIER WHIPPET

4

soltimes film Quiz

1. In the Tarzan films, what was Jane’s last name?

2. Which 1969 Oscar winning film was X-rated in the USA? 3. John ‘the cat’ Robie was the debonair central character in which popular film?

4. In which three Quentin Tarantino films has English actor Tim Roth played a role?

5. What role was actor Elmo Lincoln playing when he stabbed his co-star to death while filming a 1918 movie?

6. Eric Claudin is the disfigured genius in which classic 1943 film?

7. Name the three films that have won the Oscar for best picture with the name of a city in the film title.

8. The car in the Knightrider series was called KITT. What does this acronymn stand for?

9. Which famous film title is the Mexican name for the river known in the USA as ‘Rio Grande’?

10. In which film did Sir Laurence Olivier play a Nazi war criminal Rudolf Hess?

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

wordsearch Dog breeds

A DOOR IS WHAT A DOG IS PERPETUALLY ON THE WRONG SIDE OF

1. Fender 2. July 3. Alan Johnson 4. Argentina 5. Apple 6. Mark Cueto

7. Red 8. Austria 9. George the Fifth 10. Melchior CROSSWORD

2

the Opera 7. Casablanca, An American in Paris, Chicago 8. Knight Industries Two Thousand 9. Rio Bravo 10. Wild Geese II

Answers

SOLUTIONS

Answers

soltimes Pot luck Quiz

1. The Stratocaster is a model of which guitar maker?.........................................

2. What month in 2007 was the smoking ban in England introduced?....................

3. Who was the BBC reporter kidnapped in the Gaza Strip and later released in July 2007?..............................................

4. Cristina Kirchner became the first elected woman president of which country?................................................

5. The iPhone was launched by which company?..............................................

6. Which England rugby player was controversially denied a try in the 2007 World Cup final against South Africa because his foot was deemed to have been in touch before grounding the ball ?............................................................

7. What colour are the berries from the rowan tree?............................................

8. Which country has the international car registration letter A?.........................

9. Who was the first British monarch to broadcast a Christmas message to the nation?..................................................

10. Which of the Wise Men was said to have brought the gift of gold for the baby Jesus?............................................

3

1

1. Parker 2. Midnight Cowboy 3. To Catch A Thief 4. Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Four Rooms 5. Tarzan 6. The Phantom of

IDENTIFY THEse FAMOUS faces

sol picture quiz!

1. Samuel L. Jackson 2. Al Gore 3. Jimi Hendrix 4. Audrey Hepburn

on this day 27th august

1172 – Henry the Young King and Margaret of France are crowned as junior king and queen of England.

1810 – Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeats the British Royal Navy, preventing them from taking the harbour of Grand Port on Île de France.

1991 – The European Community recognizes the independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

2006 – Comair Flight 5191 crashes on takeoff from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky bound for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Of the passengers and crew, 49 of 50 are confirmed dead in the hours following the crash.

2011 – Hurricane Irene strikes the United States east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage.

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STANDARD CROSSWORD

6 Effeminate (7) 7 Wife of Odin (Norse mythology) (5) 9 Looked at (4) 10 Indicative of (10) 11 Marked with linear discolorations (8) 13 Wriggle (6) 15 Anagram of “Seek” (4) 17 Creates (5) 18 Thin flat circular plate (4) 19 Seizes (6) 20 Wages (8) 23 Bode (10) 26 Sicknesses (4) 27 Mediterranean herbs (5) 28 Movement downward (7)

Down

1 Benevolences (10) 2 Decorate (6) 3 Profound (4) 4 Infractions (8) 5 Depressions (4) 6 North African country (5) 8 Rules (7) 12 Levees (5) 14 Underscores (10) 16 Singalong (7) 17 The head of an editorial page (8) 21 Least high (6) 22 Acclaim (5) 24 Pocketbook (4) 25 Fathers (4)

SUDOKU PUZZLES

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Second issue causes offence (8) 5 Origins, say, of things to go with food? (6) 10 Shot off with drug at area of potential trouble (3,4) 11 Passed Lynam coming back with White (7) 12 Summarise funny caper! (5) 13 A hundred soldiers surrounding England - time for reconciliation! (9) 14 Rare invite surprising a new sort of doctor (12) 18 Without doubt, uni bedsit plan almost collapses (12) 21 Put a nearly nice Rhode Island inside, being strictly moral (9) 23 There it is love, hiding in a broken vial! (5) 24 Questionable university subject initially taken after bringing up mate I love (7) 25 A conflict in United Nations - Egyptian leader not knowing (7) 26 Girl, yet strangely without 14, shortly (6) 27 Put the emphasis on bringing up puddings? (8) Down

1 Ball in this place after initially students keep quiet (6) 2 Discover wide tectonic section (6) 3 Extra money for university to put Iron and Ecstasy in young dogs (3-2,4) 4 Not in anger, Souness displayed immoderacy (14) 6 A way in to mineral? (5) 7 Head of Cambridge returning company without items for improving beauty (8) 8 Making calm gnats die out? (8) 9 Stop education, perhaps, keeping cold place for your money (7,7) 15 Relieve Woody, nearly, by way of time and energy! (9) 16 Clearly left one lazily following MP (8) 17 Lovely daughter, or a bighead when taken by drink! (8) 19 Nearly discover a learner’s important exams! (6) 20 Cigarette stump craze surrounding information (3-3) 22 Cat’s tail and part of rat not in fish (5)

famous bithdays on this day

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Barbara Bach, American model and actress, Barbara Bach (1947) English actress, Cheryl Fergison (1965) South Korean journalist and correspondent, Kyung Lah (1971) English heptathlete, Denise Lewis (1972)

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28

August 2015

FOOD & ENTERTAINING... inspirational ideas

For a casual summer lunch, try this Mediterranean roast with chickpeas, vegetables and salty Greek cheese method 1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the crushed garlic and oregano with the lemon juice and 3 tbsp of the oil to make a dressing. Season. Make a few slashes in each chicken leg, then put the chicken in a large roasting tin and rub with 2 tbsp of the dressing. Stuff the squeezed lemon shells inside the body cavity. Roast for 30 mins.

2. Meanwhile, tip the peppers, onions, whole garlic cloves and courgettes into a large bowl, and toss with the remaining oil and some seasoning. After 30 mins, pile the veg around the chicken, drizzle with half the remaining dressing and roast for 1 hr.

Roast Chicken With Peppers & Feta Ingredients 1 garlic bulb, separated into cloves, 3 crushed, remainder left whole 2 tbsp chopped oregano 2 lemons, juice of 1, the other cut into wedges 4 tbsp olive oil 1 chicken (about 1.6kg/3lb 8oz) 3 large red peppers, deseeded

and cut into large chunks 3 small red onions, cut into wedges 4 large courgettes, cut into thick wedges 3 tbsp chopped mint, plus a few sprigs to serve 200g pack feta cheese, crumbled into chunks 400g can chickpeas, drained crusty bread, to serve (optional)

Summer Sautéed Potatoes

Lift your traditional roasties with lemon, bay, garlic and parsley for a versatile accompaniment with a crisp finish Ingredients 1½ kg potatoes, cut into small chunks 4 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 tbsp butter 4 bay leaves 2 garlic cloves (don’t worry about peeling) zest 1 lemon small bunch parsley, chopped method 1. Place the potatoes in a large pan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-8 mins until starting to soften but not falling apart.

Drain and leave to steam-dry in the colander for a few mins.

2. Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Scrunch up the bay leaves in your hands and add them to the pan along with the whole garlic cloves. Once the potatoes are dry, tip into the pan and season.

Toss them in the pan and cook over a medium-high heat for 20-25 mins, turning often, using a fish slice so you don’t break them up.

3. When the potatoes are crisp and golden, grate the lemon zest straight over and cook for 1-2 mins more. Taste for seasoning, then scatter with parsley and serve.

3. Remove the chicken from the oven, lift onto a platter, cover with foil and leave to rest. Check the roasting tin, and if the chicken has rendered a lot of fat, pour it off, skim and return the juices to the tin. Stir the lemon wedges, mint, feta, chickpeas and remaining dressing through the veg and juices, then return to the oven for 10 mins to warm through. Pile around the chicken, scatter with mint sprigs and serve with bread, if you like, to mop up the juices.

Fruity Coconut Creams A quick low-fat pud that’s easy to made and easy to adapt Ingredients 1 x 50g/2oz sachet coconut cream 500g 0% Greek yogurt or tub quark 85g icing sugar, sieved few drops vanilla extract 2 kiwi fruit 400g can pineapples chunks method 1. Dissolve the coconut cream in 50ml boiling water, then leave to cool.

Spoon the quark or yogurt into a mixing bowl, then stir in the icing sugar and vanilla. Combine with the coconut mix, then spoon into individual glasses. Chill until ready to serve.

2. Peel and chop the kiwi fruit into small pieces. Drain the pineapple, then chop the chunks into small pieces. Mix the fruit together, then spoon over the top of the coconut creams to serve.

29

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summer coolers

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Wow your guests with these refreshing and zesty frozen cocktails, complete with a hint of mint and dash of rum...

Ingredients 100g caster sugar small pack mint, leaves picked and torn 6-7 limes juiced and 2 zested (you need 150ml lime juice) 50ml white rum 300ml soda water

Mojito Ice Lollies

method 1. Pour 100ml water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil.

Remove from the heat, tip in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the mint leaves, return to the heat and simmer for 5 mins then remove

Mango, Chilli & Tequila Ice Lollies

Tangy blackberries give these classic boozy ice lollies a fruity kick - a fun alternative to frozen cocktails

Cider & blackberry ice lollies Ingredients 1l dry cider 2 tsp lemon juice 100ml apple juice 150g pack blackberries 1 tbsp Crème de Cassis 4 tbsp caster sugar method 1. Put the blackberries, in a small pan with 2 tbsp caster sugar and 50ml water. Simmer gently for 10 mins until the blackberries have softened and collapsed.

Pour through a sieve into a jug, pressing all the juices out of the berries with the back of a spoon. Stir in the cassis. Divide the blackberry syrup between the lolly moulds and put in the freezer.

2. Meanwhile, put the cider in a pan over a medium heat and bubble for 5-10 mins until the cider has reduced to 425ml. Add 2 tbsp caster sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the apple juice and lemon juice then stir and leave to cool. Once cooled pour into the lolly

and leave to infuse for 30 mins. (This can be made the day before and left in the fridge overnight to infuse).

2. Pour through a sieve into a jug, squashing the mint leaves with the back of a spoon to squeeze out all the juices. Add the rum, 125ml lime juice, lime zest and stir. Add enough soda water to bring the total volume up to 600ml. Taste the mixture – it should be sharp and sweet. Add the remaining 25ml lime juice if needed.

3. Pour the mixture into lolly moulds and freeze for 1 hr until the mixture is solid enough to hold the lolly sticks upright. Push the sticks 3/4 of the way into the lollies and return to the freezer for 6-8 hrs to freeze completely. To unmould, dip the outside of the lolly mould into hot water for 10 secs then use the sticks to pull each lolly out. The lollies can be kept wrapped individually in baking parchment in airtight bags in the freezer for up to 1 week.

Hot meets cold in these grown-up, alcoholic icy sweet treats with juicy fresh mango, spicy chilli and fiery tequila Ingredients 3-4 small ripe mangoes, stoned and peeled (you need 500g mango flesh) juice and zest 2 limes 140g golden caster sugar ¼ tsp hot chilli powder, plus extra to serve 50ml tequila moulds leaving 1/2 cm at the top for the lollies to expand as they freeze. Return to the freezer for 1 hr until the mixture is solid enough to hold a lolly stick upright. Push each stick 3/4 of the way into the mixture and freeze for another 6-8 hrs until completely solid.

3. To unmould the lollies, dip the mould in hot water for 10 seconds and pull firmly on the lolly sticks to remove. Either serve immediately or wrap individually in baking parchment and store in the freezer in airtight freezer bags. The lollies are best served as soon as possible but they will keep in the freezer for up to 1 week.

method 1Put the mango flesh in a blender and process until smooth. Pour the purée through a fine mesh strainer. Add the lime juice, zest, sugar, chilli powder and tequila, and mix together until smooth and evenly combined.

2.Divide the mixture between the 10 cavities of your ice lolly mould.

Put the mould in the freezer and chill for 30-45 mins or until just starting to freeze. Insert the lolly sticks and leave to freeze for at least 4 hrs or until frozen solid.

3.To remove the lollies, dip the mould in hot water for a few seconds, then carefully remove the lollies. Sprinkle each one with a little extra chilli powder to serve.

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August 2015

Spanish Rice in Perú’s Mistura

Café Comercial’s final tradition: the pending coffee and sandwich

The universe of Spanish rice will be one of the highlights on the agenda of Qray, the complementary culinary congress that will add a touch of academics to the grand food fest of Mistura, Latin America’s top gastronomic event which will be held in Lima, Perú next September 4th-13th.

A specialist in rice and Manager of the Arroz

de Valencia PDO, Santos Ruiz Alvarez will be responsible for bringing the secrets of the rices from Spain to a land of quinoa. Ruiz regularly conducts specialized courses in rice at hotel and culinary arts schools, including the Basque Culinary Center, and participates in gastronomic congresses.

Qray was born in 2013 as a multidisciplinary space to learn about cuisines from the World, and a screen to exchange ideas and knowledge. José Andrés and Josean Alija have been other chefs from Spain who have participated in previous editions of Mistura.

http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/

Spanish Wine Association Created in Japan One hundred Spanish wines were sampled at the event to celebrate its inception.

Spanish wine imports have quadrupled in the last decade, and Spanish restaurants and bars have become very popular in recent The latest proof that Spanish wine is wildly popular in Japan: the Spanish Wine Association was recently created on the island nation.

This comes as no surprise, given the number of Spanish bars and restaurants that have opened there in recent years and the fact that imports have quadrupled in the last decade.

The association comprises representatives of Spanish bars and restaurants in Japan, as well as importers of Spanish wines.

On the occasion of the association’s creation, a total of 160 people came together in early June in Tokyo to enjoy a Spanish meal and sample more than 100 different Spanish wines. Attendees included people involved in the Spanish food segment in Japan as well as Japanese fans of Spanish wines. At this special event, the president underlined the wide variety of wines, noted that now was the perfect time to enjoy their “exquisite diversity”, and expressed his desire to raise awareness among Japanese consumers about the quality of Spanish wines. There was a special toast with cava and an announcement that the sixth Spanish wine festival would be held in early September in Tokyo. Additionally, the Japan Anniversary Association was asked to formally establish September 8th as Spanish Wine Day. Spanish Trade Commissioner in Japan, Coriseo González-Izquierdo, attended the event. Spanish Trade Commission in Tokyo is in charge of the promotion of Spanish wine in the Japanese market.

Madrid coffeehouse adopted an Italian custom of paying for the next customer's drink Madrid’s oldest coffeehouse, Café Comercial, closes after 128 years Hanging over the counter of Café Comercial, there were two slates where waiters kept a tally that was updated by hand with a piece of chalk.

This is where staff at the legendary Madrid venue kept track of the number of beverages and sandwiches that customers paid for but did not consume, as an anonymous gift to those who could not afford them.

It was the last tradition to be incorporated into Madrid’s oldest coffeehouse, once famous for its gatherings of 19th-century literati.

Café Comercial’s Facebook page explained the Italian origin of the custom.

Café Comercial suddenly, and without warning, shut its doors on Monday, after a history spanning 128 years.

The initiative for the sponsored food and drink became a reality in October 2012, with the economic crisis in full swing.

The establishment’s Facebook

page explained it thus: “Starting today we will start to serve ‘caffè sospeso’!!! If you feel happy about anything, share your joy with others who are not having a good day. Shall we make others happy and let them make us happy as well?”

The tradition of the caffè sospeso was explained with this quote from the Italian writer Luciano de Crescenzo: “In Naples, in the neighborhood of Sanitá, when somebody was happy because something good had happened to them, instead of paying for one coffee they paid for two, leaving the money on the table for the next client. This gesture came to be known as ‘caffè sospeso’, literally, pending coffee. If someone walked into the cafeteria they would ask if there were any ‘sospesos’. In a way, it was like buying coffee for humanity.”

Months later, a website called cafespendientes.es cropped up with information about similar initiatives in more than 40 Spanish cities. Its Facebook page has over 16,000 followers.

During the first two years after going into effect, Café Comercial handed out more than 7,500 sponsored coffees, according

to figures provided by the coordinator of caféspendientes. es, marketing expert Gonzalo Sapiña, as reported by EL PAÍS health supplement Buenavida.

The initiative was working. The blog Somos Malasaña, which covers neighborhood life in this trendy part of Madrid, had the following to say about it: “Contrary to what some may think, it turns out that the ‘sospesos’ are not flying off the shelves at Café Comercial. Late on an ordinary day last week, with the slate showing a hefty number of sponsored coffees, one of the waiters confessed he hadn’t served any. People are not taking advantage of this.”

Last Christmas, Café Comercial made a short video to spread the word about the initiative further, using actors to embody “the spirit of the pending coffees.”

“In 2012, Café Comercial was behind the Pending Coffee and Sandwich initiative. It involves paying ahead of time for a coffee or a sandwich for the neediest people,” explains the narrator in the video. http://elpais.com/

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Home Owners and PASO A PASO MODERN QUESADA LADIES CLUB Welcome to A.C.T.S. DANCE FUSION The Annual General Meeting of the We are a new drama group made Residents in Camposol JIVE are invited to join “Camposolers Political” in FaceBook. 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

50+ SOLOS

Is open to ladies and gentlemen over 50 years of age who are on their own and wish to get ‘back into the social scene.’

We meet normally twice a month at different restaurants for lunch and a chat at 1.00-1.30 hrs.. There are no subs or fees, just the cost of the meal. There may be a fun quiz or a raffle. For information and to book please contact Ruth on 966789063

Casa Tom Community Choir:

Casa Tom Community Choir meets every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm.

It is a mixed choir and all levels are welcome. No auditions, no solos.

Make new friends and have a good time. Location: CASA TOM, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja.

Phone or email Terry for further details. Phone: 647-189-135. Email: casatomsanluis@gmail.com.

CASTILLA AMIGOS

We are a friendship group for single people. We meet every Wednesday from 3pm at RAYZ Bar on El Raso urbanisation (off the Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar) ANN – 966 717 390 - 666 747 398

art club

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

COFFEE MATES

If you would like to have a coffee and a friendly chat, please join us at the La Laguna Hotel, Lo Marabu every Friday morning from 11am ANN - 966 717 390 - 666 747 398

Wednesday 11am Castillo Restaurant, Cl San Fulgencio (Forest Rd) La Marina Urb) Beginners/Imrovers Thursday 8pm Los Rosales Restaurant, CV895 Campo De Guardamar. Beg followed by int/adv and social dancing till late.

Great to see past members joining us for the social...€5 whole night €2 social.

Food available at both venues.

New classes and venues starting September 26th September will be our dance clubs 10th Anniversay Party. More details to follow.

Mondays we have managed to get the use of Totally Dance Studios in Benijofer.

We shall be using the studio for one hour style and advanced workshops, we have room there for five couples.... anyone interested in reserving a place at possibly 4pm (which would be a good time for us) We will be charged hourly for the venue so cost will reflect on the price of the class and how many are interested.

If this works well we may use the studio for other classes.

I now have the tickets for the Benidorm October Jive weekend.

Just €10 for the whole four day event... please obtain yours asap..everyone will need a ticket even if you are entering the competition.

More details on how to enter and what you can enter will be available from Thursday at Los Rosales.

Although these details have already been sent out so you should have some idea on which events you would like to do....remember its a FUN weekend event of modern jivers who love to dance Please join the face book page for all updates....Benidorm Modern Jive Champs 2015.

All rooms at the hotel now fully booked but please many apartments / hotels available in the same area.

Hope to see you soon....and please put Saturday 26th September in your diary for our anniversary party...not to be missed.

PS Thanks to everyone that joined us on the beach for my birthday....it was simply the best chilled afternoon/ evening with amazing friends. x Maxine 670 711 408 Adam 638 330 342 face book Paso A Paso Dance www.modern-jive-spain.com

stars in bars

DATE ARTIST VENUE

AREA INFO

26th Fun Race Night Billees Bar Algorfa 26th JJ Soulman Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares 26th Andy Jones Bar Sioux Gran Alicant 26th Debbie Slater La Manga Camping La Manga 27th Lynden B Pool Bar Los Palacios Start 10pm 27th Rob Roberts Bar catorce Benijofar 28th Lynden B Tavern Lo Crispin 28th Samantha Curtis Maggie OBrians Campoverde 28th Backyard Session Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares 28th Andy Jones Hillside La Marina 28th Debbie Slater Summers Bar El Galan 28th Rob Bonovox Paddy Singhs Los Urritias 29th Las Vegas Tribute Show Marabu Lounge Dona Pepa 29th Luke Wilder Pool Bar Los Palacios Start 10pm 29th Samantha Curtis Billees Bar Algorfa 29th Diverse Duo Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas 8.30pm 29th Rob bonovox Boulevard Bar Campoverde 30th Lynden B La Taberna Entre Naranjas 30th Danny Ray The Snug Torre de la Horredada 30th Andy Jones Maggie OBrians Campoverde 30th Woody The Sports Complex La Marina 30th Diverse Duo Auld Dubliner Campoamor 31st Lynden B Bar Horacios Las Mimosas 1st Snowblind Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas 1st Lynden B Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares

Quesada Ladies Club will be held at the Cooper’s Arms, Dona Pepa, on Tuesday 8th September 2015.

This

is for members only, and they will be admitted at the usual time of 2.30pm.

Pilar Christian Community Church

Calle Canalejas 3. Pilar de la Horadada.

Sunday Service at 11am, and Thursday at 5pm for Prayer and Praise and Worship Home groups meet during the week.

All welcome from any church background or none.

For further information contact PilarChristian.CommunityChurch@ gmail.com 966 849 448 - 966 848 806

BADMINT0N AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA

Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. 10-1pm. For information ring John McGilvray on 966 786 774 or Mobiles 634 658 506/695 871 707 or e mail carolejohn_3@ hotmail.com

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 starting 2nd September 2015 [new beginners welcome every Wednesday] 2pm -3pm Intermediate Class 3pm - 4pm Intermediate Plus Class 4pm - 5pm Andrea Murphy [0034] 616 478 157

COME SEQUENCE DANCING In the air conditioned Olympia Restaurant, Mil Palmeras Monday evenings at 8pm in a very congenial atmosphere. Programme and music change weekly. New dances introduced at 7-30pm. For further details contact Sina and Terry. Tel. 96 676 9420

Strictly Dance Ballroom and Latin

with the Professionals. Every Tuesday, The Club, Quesada, 8-10pm Beginners and Intermediate tuition and social dancing.

Every Wednesday, New Venue, The Emerald Isle, La Florida 3-5pm Beginners and Intermediate Tuition and Social dancing.

New courses every 3 weeks, singles welcome. Info: 966 188 430, 635 584 431 or lynatdenelledance@hotmail. com

COSTA COBRAS RFC new rugby club based on the beach.

Training juniors Monday and Wednesday 20.00-21.30, seniors 20.00-21.30 For more details contact Garry 692 767 242 or Robert on 697 286 416

up of novices and some folk from the now disbanded Dramatic License.

We rehearse every Thursday at 6.30 at Cafeteria Trasgu, Calle Alicante, Formentera. If you have ever had the desire to try your hand at amateur dramatics we would be pleased to hear from you. You don’t need any experience ( although this is always welcome ) just enthusiasm. So, if you would like to appear on stage or assist back stage, you would be most welcome. Anybody interested and for more information should either pop along to a rehearsal evening or contact Tony Goddard on newleaf2014@ hotmail.co.uk.

THE ROYAL ASSOCIATION,

NAVAL

Torrevieja Branch, meet at 1700 on the first Wednesday of each month at the Restaurante El Paraiso, Urb. Jardin del Mar 3, (behind Carrefour), Torrevieja.

Contact Paul Edwards, Chairman, 618 644 934 or Margaret Forshaw, Secretary 966 921 996.

THE PHOENIX CONCERT BAND

As the band is growing in numbers and going from strength to strength, now presenting music proven to be popular with the audiences, they still need Trombone, Bass/Tuba and Saxophone players, especially Baritone Saxophone and 2nd Percussionist.

Any experienced players , who are permanent Residents or Semi resident on the Costa Blanca South or Costa Calida interested in joining a well established band and able to commit themselves to regular rehearsals are welcome.

Contact : our email address : the phoenixconcertband@gmail.com Tel : Bill (Chairman) 634.310.309. Julie (MD) 634.184.747.

The band rehearses every Tuesday 2.pm. - 4.pm at San Miguel de Salinas FAN CLUB: Anybody wishing to be informed of forthcoming performances please email, your email address and Telephone Number to : Bill at : rytethen@gmail.com

SAT animal rescue

We are holding a charity night on Sat Sept19th to try to raise funds towards building new kennels. Fairwayz Bar Dolores has once again allowed us to use their venue and provide a supper for the people that attend. We have the local Irish group Bardoi performing.

The event starts at 8pm with the supper being served at 8.30pm. The price for the tickets is 5 euros which includes the supper. Tickets can be obtained from Fairwayz bar, Dolores. or the SAT shop in Benimar.(two doors on the right from Studz bar) for more information ring sheila 693 067 577.

send all your birthday wishes and information on whats on to

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pool tables snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts.

Advertise all your unwanted items for sale in this section

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martin.freeman@free-sol.com www.free-sol.com

www.ecocorpshop.com are you getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills do you want a clean, reliable energy alternative if so call ecocorp on 671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation

sunlife solar solutions

The finest solar installations on the costa blanca

sl registered company 100% legal installations we will beat any like for like genuine written quotation

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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, For Free Information Visit

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PAYMENT VISA ,Paypal, bank

August 2015

Table & 6 chairs all in white aluminium Table Glass Top good condition 75€ Los Montesino’s area Tel: 865 774 401/ 653 561 952

Electric built in fan assisted under oven, light grey blue (with timer), ex. Con.. can deliver reasonable distance. 50€ Tel: 606 075 644.

DO YOU HAVE A GARAGE TO RENT?

4 x Childrens Bikes, modern mountain bike style, age range from 3 to 6 years approx. 50€ the lot or separate. Tel: 606 075 644

wanted Looking for a single (family car) lockable garage to rent within 15km radius of Benijofar/Quesada area.

Needed from end August 2015.

Email: info@chiropractor-benijofar.es or call 602219502 with details

Microwave with grill. 20€.

Tel: 606 075 644 Thomas Taylor woods a set of four size 3 ex. condition 65€ Quesada area Tel: 966 716 646 Taylor ace woods size 5 a set of four great condition 75€ Quesada area Tel: 966 716 646 HP printer 5652 series also Scanjet 3600 series both in good working order complete with software 40€ Quesada area Tel: 966 716 646

electricians Electrician available for all works Small or large. Call Dave 693 251 562 davendonc@aol.com

insurance

asssa medical

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

Spanish lady Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour before La Florida. 37 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437 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

insurances Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan, 968 153 396

aa free english tv

want to know whats in the news?

ring pete 606 297 825 www.aafreeenglishtv.com

email: blancasales@soltimes.com

mazarron@asssa.es

no dish required but a good stable 3mb internet

free of charge

Jumbo ascending parachute for towing behind a boat (one or two person model) new in valise, less than half price. 300€ ono. Tel: 606 075 644.

english tv

everything you need we have it

up to 300€ is

go online:

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Luna is around 3 years old and desperate for a new home. She is ok with larger dogs but not cats or small pets. Luna is very affectionate and will make a lovely companion. Call: 645 469 253

For More Information Please call 645 469 253 info@petsinspain.info www.petsinspain.com

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VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

removals

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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

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34

August 2015

animal corner

To advertise here call : 950 121 936

Animal rights activist beaten with duck in Spain

Dog owners fined

APAH

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Emily was rescued by APAH when she and her brother George were small puppies.

Lucky George found a new home, but Emily, now a medium sized dog with a lovely nature is still looking for a loving home.

To arrange to meet her, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

APAH has lots of lovely kittens, all colours and ages who are looking for their first loving home. They all had a really bad start in life and deserve to be adopted by someone who will love and care for them. To arrange to meet APAH’s kittens, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

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Dog owners who don't clean up their pet's mess in Spanish city to be tracked down using DNA testing and fined Dog owners in a northern Spanish city who hope they will go unpunished when they leave pet's excrement behind on the street, could soon be tracked down and fined using DNA analysis.

In a collaboration between Tarragona officials and the localRovira i Virgili University, a dog DNA database will be created and used to pinpoint and fine offending owners, Ivana Martinez, councillor for public spaces, told the Cadena Ser radio station.

She said that it is currently difficult for the police to enforce rules on dog mess, unless police are "in the right place at the right time". Those found guilty will have to foot the bill for DNA testing on top of a fine, she said. A similar plan is being piloted in the east London borough of Barking and Dagenham, where dogs are being swabbed for a new database.

The borough hopes the initiative will deter owners from leaving their dog’s mess behind, by banning people from walking their pets in parks and other public spaces unless they sign up to the DNA registry.

The pilot scheme is being rolled out in some 27 parks this summer, and will see culprits handed £80 fines.

By April 2016, it will be compulsory for owners to have a microchip implanted in their dogs, which will hold an ID, DNA data, and information about the owner – enabling enforcement officers to carry out spot-checks in parks. http://www.independent.co.uk/

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Madrid (AFP) - An animal rights activist was beaten with a duck by a Spanish woman defending one of the country’s most bizarre and controversial festival traditions.

The man was whacked with the bird while he filmed the annual “duck chase” in the Catalonian seaside town of Roses, where every August ducks are thrown into the Mediterranean and then caught and brought back to the shore by swimmers.

“Continue, continue. Continue to abuse, I am filming you. A little bit of empathy for the animals.

They also have a life, like your children or your family,” the man who was filming can be heard saying in a video of the incident released by animal rights group Animal Rescue Espana.

The footage shows a young woman wearing a white bathing suit attack the man with a duck -holding it by the legs as she repeatedly lashes him with it.

As the attack goes on, animal rights activists gathered on the shore can be heard chanting, “You would not do that to your dog,” before they were removed by police.

Every year since 1918 about 50 ducks are thrown into the sea in the town north of Barcelona, with swimmers then racing in to catch them and bringing them ashore however they can.

But after Sunday’s incident, the town’s mayor is mulling putting an end to the “duck chase”.

Interviewed by local online news site Emporda, the mayor of Roses, Montse Mindan, prosposed “holding a referendum next year on what residents think, if they want to keep this festival, a tradition that will celebrate its centenary in two years.”

- ‘Pain, fear and suffering’ While the ducks are not killed, Animal Rescue Espana said they suffer “stress, internal hemorrhaging, pain, fear and suffering.” The group launched a petition on the Change.org website demanding that Roses ban the “duck chase” as well as bull runs. The petition has received over 10,000 signatures since it was launched on August 14.

Spain has many controversial animal-based traditions, often in honour of patron saints, which animal rights groups argue are cruel.

Bull runs, where people run ahead of a pack of half-tonne fighting bulls, are a part of summer festivals across the country, the most famous during the San Fermin feria in Pamplona.

At least seven people have lost their lives at bull festivals since the beginning of July, including one man who was gored in the neck earlier this month while filming a run on his mobile phone.

Festivities at the annual San Antolin festival in the Basque coastal town of Lekeitio revolve around a contest where young men battle to pull the head off a dead goose as it is dragged on a pulley across the harbour. Previously a live goose was used.

Villagers in the northern village of Manganeses de la Polvorosa used to hurl a live goat from the top of their church tower to honour its patron saint but the practice was banned in 1992. http://news.yahoo.com/

www.soltimes.com

Book Review

35

A Parrot in the Pepper Tree by Chris Stewart

www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com - www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com - naylorcl@hotmail.es

“What should you wear in bed when you’re waiting for someone to come and kill you? I decided on a tee-shirt and underpants as my battle costume.”

“A Parrot in the Pepper Tree” is another extremely entertaining and informative read , a fitting follow-up to “Driving Over Lemons.”

Lorca, renamed Porca , a Quaker Parakeet, not a parrot, makes his debut, besotted with Ana Stewart but wildly suspicious of Chris.

We begin in Sweden with freezing temperatures of minus twenty-five degrees, six hours of non-stop late night driving, lashing ice and endless blackness. To keep himself awake and alive, Stewart resorted to practising his Mandarin Chinese which he had been trying to learn for years. Imagine being beset by a vivid image of death by freezing as he headed towards Norrskoy. He spent a month in these freezing conditions, shearing sheep to cover the costs of running his farm in Andalucia. Stewart called it his “annual purgatory.”

Driving a dodgy hired car from Weekie’s Car Lot outside of Copenhagen, with the engine shuddering and spluttering was bad enough but probably the most dangerous hazard would have been the elks that would hurtle themselves across the bonnet of the vehicle, through the windscreen and into the cabin. Forests were literally swarming with these blighters. His first job was one of the grimmest jobs he’d done in the ten years of working here in Sweden. It sounds like fun.

Once he reached Orgiva, the western Alpujarras, the familiar smell of coffee, garlic and black tobacco revived him, welcoming him home to Spain. His motley of Spanish farmers provided the black humour that characterises his writing. Bernardo and his recently deceased Pekinese dog, the Moffli, lodged on a branch in

Special Offers Visit:

a tree amuses Stewart for the wrong reasons of course.

The summer when Stewart returned from Sweden plunges us into a scene from the Middle Ages.

Stewart was asked to intervene in a domestic dispute between a local shepherd, Juan Gallego and Petra his Danish lover. She had had enough of his moods and wildness, giving him an ultimatum. He threatened her once she had announced she was leaving him. When Stewart became involved this angered Juan who then threatened the writer that he wouldn’t get home alive. This culminated in Chris retiring to his roof to keep watch for his warlike neighbour with his mattock at his side! “In those dark hours before dawn” he would attack. Stewart froze with fear and shivered on the roof waiting… He was called a “homicidal shepherd” wellknown for carrying a 10 inch navajon.

Nat, his London editor phoned Spain with welcoming news regarding “Driving Over Lemons” which was to be read on Radio 4 and it was being ordered all over the place. The Daily Mail sent out William Leith (Leaf the Male), one of their top reporters and a couple of photographers to promote Stewart and his book. Leith seemed particularly interested in Stewart’s early associations with Peter Gabriel and Genesis whilst at boarding school.

Jonathan King helped to promote the group. “It was an invitation to enter Paradise and of course I jumped at it.” It didn’t quite work out although Stewart has experimented with music: the guitar, the drums and of course, his later obsession the Spanish guitar and Flamenco music. Genesis as you already know, became big without Stewart. Our

writer moved on to working in the circus for a spell where he teamed up with Ken Baker.

His experiences in Seville and Granada are heartwarming. An accidental stay in a brothel then on to the Hostal Monreal where everyone strummed their guitars to their hearts’ content or indulged in some Flamenco dancing amuses us.

It was obvious just how much the writer adored Spain. He wanted to be “olive-skinned and brown-eyed, a deft hand with a sharp knife and an orange, a natural guitarist, a Don Juan.” No, it didn’t quite work out so he returned to the UK and devoted his passion to farming which he did for the next 20 years and travel.

He did pick-up on Flamenco dance music when he joined a “nice bag of bohemians” in Granada, hoping to revive his guitar-playing Genesis days. After the intensely hot and humid summers the rain eventually offered a welcome relief until the bridge down river was swept away, cutting the family off, isolating them and the kitchen flooded with 3 inches of water. Twenty-three “receptacles” were dotted around the house where the rain leaked in. Welcome to Spain.

If you enjoyed “Driving Over Lemons” you’ll love this too. The good news is that there are more delightful books by Stewart to whet your appetite.

Publisher: Sort of Books.

ISBN: 0-9-535227-5

REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.

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36

motoring Reborn Fiat 124 Spider to get Abarth version New Fiat 124 Spider is scheduled to be unveiled before the end of the year, and will spawn a hot Abarth version too Great to chuck around, easy to park

This Autocar image shows how the new 124 Spider could look Fiat’s new rear-drive 124 Spider could make its debut this year, according to company sources. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is said to be considering bringing forward the unveiling of the new roadster to either the Frankfurt motor show in September or, more likely, the Los Angeles show in November. The US was by far the biggest market for the original 124 Sport Spider. The new 124 Spider is a restyled version of the new Mazda MX-5 and will be built at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant. The latest spy shots show that the new Fiat has been completely reskinned, with only the windscreen and windscreen surround shared by both roadsters.

The Fiat also looks to have longer overhangs front and rear. This ties in with quotes from Roberto Giolito, head of design for Fiat and Abarth, who said the new Fiat would be “very masculine”. This look will also be a base for a more extreme Abarth-badged version. Future Abarths will be genuine performance models, with the Abarth 695 Biposto version of the humble 500 hatch marking the future intentions of the sub-brand.

As a result, the Abarth-badged version of the roadster could have the forthcoming update of the 237bhp 1750 TBi engine that powers the Alfa Romeo 4C. If that is a step too far for this lightweight rear-wheel-drive roadster, another possibility is a new development of the familiar turbocharged 1.4 Multiair engine, which is likely to have between 180bhp and 190bhp. Fiat and Abarth could also exploit the Abarth 124 Rally. This model was launched in 1972 and built on the success of the standard car, which won the 1972 European Rally Championship. It was distinguished by its matt black bonnet and wheelarch extensions.

The competition model had wider tracks, air scoops in the bonnet and in front of the rear wheel arches and four nose-mounted spotlights. The Fiat version of the new 124 will be much more mainstream than the Abarth one to maximise its appeal. Multiair engines with around 130bhp and 150bhp are expected.

The new car is due to go on sale in late spring next year.The original fiat 124 Sport Spider remained in production for a remarkable 19 years. Designed by Pininfarina and related to the rear-wheel-drive Fiat 124 family, it was launched in 1966, survived the introduction of new emissions and safety regulations in 1974 and was sold as a Fiat until 1982, when the brand pulled out of North America.

Between 1983 and 1985, it was sold as a Pininfarina, which was a fair reflection of the fact that the Italian design house founded by Sergio Pininfarina (left) had built the car since its launch. Production ended in 1985 after an estimated 200,000 had been built. About three-quarters of them were sold in North America. http://www.autocar.co.uk/

eVADER project to give electric vehicles new sounds

The eVADER system, which could shortly feature on production cars, comprises a camera built into the windscreen which can recognise pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. Six speakers fitted to the car then emit a low-level sound to warn of the EV’s presence. The sound is around five decibels lower than the sound of a conventional engine. Several sounds were used

in trials, but sirens were quickly ruled out, says Nissan, because they were “found to be irritating, loud and, in some cases, emotionally distressing to other road users.” The development of the system is partly in response to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US,

which found that electric vehicles were twice as likely to have an accident involving a pedestrian at low speeds, compared to a conventionally powered car. The eVADER system is the result of a three-year study which began in 2011.

A prototype version of the system was first shown to the public on a Nissan Leaf in December last year. Manufacturers of electric vehicles will have to fit the eVADER system - or a similar alternative - to their products before 2019, when Europe-wide legislation comes into action, forcing electric vehicles to emit some sort of noise to warn pedestrians.

In 2014, the European Parliament voted in favour of introducing the legislation.

Such laws already exist in the US, where all EVs must emit a noise

at speeds below 18mph. Nissan’s eVADER project leader David Quinn said: “Our objective has been to find an optimum balance between ensuring the cars are detectable, whilst retaining the reduction in noise pollution, which is one of the great benefits that our EVs offer.”

The next outing for the system could come as soon as next month, as Peugeot has announced it will present a new “dynamic and authentic” concept car at the show. As one of the lead partners in the project, it’s conceivable that the firm’s concept car could preview how the eVADER system could be incorporated onto a production car.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/

August 2015

in the news

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo at Frankfurt motor show:

Bugatti will unveil its Vision Gran Turismo concept car at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show - providing a rare glimpse into its future car plans.

So far it has shown just this Naca duct - we’ll have to wait until September to see the finished car.

Hopefully it’ll be worth the wait; Bugatti has now built its 450th and final Veyron and we’re waiting to see its successor, rumoured to be called the Chiron. See CAR magazine’s scoop on the planned Bugatti Chiron here.

Achim Anscheidt, head of the Bugatti design team, said: ‘With the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo virtual concept, Bugatti will be presenting the new form and design language developed by the brand to celebrate the next chapter in its history following the end of the Veyron era. Bugatti’s design DNA has reached a new stage in its evolution... our concept car for Vision Gran Turismo will be exaggerated and extremely performance-oriented. Even so, the progressive design language will give an impressive demonstration of the path to be taken by Bugatti design over the next few years.’

Remind me what the Vision Gran Turismo cars are...

The popular PlayStation gaming franchise approached numerous car makers, asking them to let their designers loose on a futuristic sports car to be launched in the virtual world only.

This is the first time a Bugatti has ever appeared in Gran Turismo. Polyphony Digital Inc has sold 70 million games since its launch in 1997. ‘Bugatti is admired and loved by countless people throughout the world,’ said Bugatti president Wolfgang Durheimer. ‘We highly appreciate this enthusiasm. The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo will make our brand available to them as well as to gamers and high-performance aficionados throughout the world, only very few of whom will be able to afford a real Bugatti. This is a project for our fans.’ http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/

Motoring costs us €10,600 a year as insurance hikes hit

The overall cost of motoring has dropped slightly in the past year thanks to falls in petrol and diesel. But these gains were largely wiped out by some of the largest rises in insurance premiums in a decade, a new AA cost of motoring survey shows. The premiums for car cover shot up by 20pc in the last year. AA Ireland director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan said: “This is the biggest one-year rise in insurance prices in well over a decade.”

The €10,600 annual cost of running a typical family car is down almost €18 on the previous year, according to the AA. But Mr Faughnan warned that motor insurance premiums rates would keep rising.

He said insurers were nervous about rising claims and were hiking premiums in a bid to improve their reserves. “All prices are rising, but if you have had no claims or points in the year and have done nothing wrong, it feels unfair.

“Unfortunately, the trend is set to continue for the rest of the year and into 2016 in the AA’s view,” Mr Faughnan said. The calculations show it costs €1,098 to insure a car in the Band B emissions category.

This is based on the driver not qualifying for a noclaims discount, which is how the AA survey has been calculated for the past 40 years. Mr Faughnan said shopping around for cheaper insurance can pay off for drivers. But drivers have benefited as the average price of petrol at 145.3 cent per litre in July is 7pc less than it was 12 months ago. For a typical motorist in a Band B car, that works out at a saving of €144.74 annually.

The annual cost of motor fuel will still work out at €1,761, with 60pc of this cost made up of State taxes.

Other motoring costs did not change significantly with only slight adjustments to be made.

The AA calculates that drivers spend €4,000 on the cost of parking, or a garage, and other motoring expenses. The cost of depreciation for a Band B car was €1,684 for this year. Motor tax costs €270. http://www.independent.ie/

www.soltimes.com

Ruby’s Golf at La Finca

For our most recent game was at La Finca the course was in great condition, but the flies were a bit disconcerting.

Our turnout was not as good as it has been of recent but the time of the year could have had something to do with this.

Results on the day, nearest the pin on the par 3’s were Buck Taylor (2) George Marshall Deane and Jim Mc Carthy, nearest in three was Buck again, best front nine Bill Malcolm and best back Theresa Wright. Best guest was Harry

Evans our newest and youngest member.

Winner of the gold division was Marc Doughty, silver division and overall winner was John Goulder. The most outstanding award has to go to the flies though.

Back at The Med Bar our usual great buffet was served, many thanks to Steve and the staff for that. Our next outing is at La Marquesa on the 28th of August any one wishing to join us for this game or any other fixture should email us at rubysgolf@yahoo.co.uk or put your name down on the list at The Med Bar.

T.M.G.S. at La Manga South Course

It’s not often that you get the chance to play this Championship golf course for just €50, well that’s what it cost our members this week. We found the course in excellent condition and if you found the fairways with your drive it was a pleasure to hit your approach shots to the very receptive greens. However if you found the rough off the tee, your 2nd shot was well and truly punished and of course even when you found the green you were not guaranteed to make just 2 putts. therefore it was no surprise that the scoring was low, unless of course you are one of the pirate raiders from Norway, yes, most of them have gone home to the fiords and mountains for the summer, However, Kjell Aasebo was the lone raider this week and of course escaped with the top prize in the Gold Category with by far the best score of the day of 42 points.

As in history, all good things come to an end and it’s fair to say that the “Vikings” have taken more than their fair share of the loot in recent months, the system of handicapping can now be seen to be levelling the playing field as there have been a number of serious reductions, it will be interesting to see how the recent,

frequent winners will handle their new handicaps when the Autumn season kicks in next month when most of our members return to Spain. Results; Gold Category: 1st K. Aasebo 42 pts. 2nd John Eyre 32 pts. 3rd Gary Gates 29 pts. Silver Category; 1st Mick Kennedy 31pts. on Lower Handicap, 2nd Lennart Holmberg 31 pts. 3rd Derek Sullivan 28 points. In the visitors Category Mr. S. Williamson took top spot with a very impressive 37 pts.The N.T.P.’s were Hole 2 Derek Sullivan, Hole 5 Joe Dean, Hole 12 Arne Hansson and Hole 17 Gary Gates. Our “2’s” pot was won again today by 2 lucky winners Gary Gates on hole 2 and Arne Hansson on hole 12. Photo Gold category winners. Next week we make our monthly visit of Villamartin so if you fancy again call our Secretary on 661 524 101 or visit our website www.tmgs.org or follow us on Facebook/tmgsgolf or via our twitter account @tmgsgolf. A note for your diary 21/22 of September 2 day golf trip to Las Pinaillas (Albacete) 2x rounds incl. Buggy, hotel, presentation meal comp fees all for just €100 per player again full details on our website

La Zenia Golf Society

A smaller than normal turn out at La Serina on Thursday. One or two members injured and a few away from the August heat is the possible reason.

La Serina was in excellent condition, good reports back from all the members.

We played in warm conditions the light breeze around the course was welcomed which cooled us down.

Vincent McCafferty won the day with a impressive score of 35 playing off a handicap of 9. Second week on the trot with his new handicap, glad he is going home.

Only joking Vincent. We played full handicap stableford, Two ntp's and usual two's pot. Results were pins. No 9 Peter Hunt, No17 Brett.

The Two's pot was won by Peter Hunt ,Eoghan Clerkin won the raffle. Thanks to James who sponsored the raffle, also thanks to his staff at Gogarty's for their great hospitality.

On the web site you can check your correct handicap, please check before playing as it as been noticed that some

37

players have been playing off the wrong handicap.

Diary Dates Thursday 27th August at El Valle Presidents Trophy first tee 9-57 Saturday 29th August at La Torre, first tee 9-57,Saturday 12th September Summer Cup rematch against Paddy's Point GS, at Saurines first tee 10-00.

Sunday 27th September, Paddy's Point GS have arranged a charity day to support cancer at Saurines first tee 10-00, they have kindly reserved us some tee times.

There will be lots of prizes and a buffet on your return to Paddy's Point. Please contact me or Maurice as soon as possible if you want to play.

All tee times are 1 and 1/2 hours before tee time at Gogarty's. Guest's are invited to all our games, clubs can be hired. All information on the notice board outside Gogarty's.

At the moment while Maurice is away please contact me ( Eric ) Contact numbers Eric 667 196 178, Maurice 690268711

38

Marabu Lounge Golf Society

(in association with Costa Blanca Green Fee Services) at Las Colinas on 20th August 2015.

For this month’s meeting a group of 25 players visited the established course at Las Colinas taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The course was in excellent condition as usual and the weather was absolutely beautiful with temperatures and humidity just a little lower than recent months.

The winning scores on the day were as follows: 1st – Mally Wright – 34 points 2nd – Karen Matthews - 33 points 3rd – Tony Robson – 33 points 4th – Andy Jones – 33 points Best Front 9 – Mike Probert -17 points Best Back 9 – Dave Bensley – 18 points

Nearest the Pins – Mike Probert (2), Mally Wright (2) & Dave Bensley Dog of a Day – Jim Monaghan Football Card Winners– Dave Blinston After the game we returned to the Marabu Lounge, which is located at Pueblo Brava, Quesada for a welcome meal prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their continued support.

Our next interim fixture is at Lo Romero on 12/09/15 and the next society day is at Vistabella on Thursday 24/09/15.

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

COSTA COBRAS RFC BACK TO DAYA VIEJA TRAINING All being well Costa Cobras RFC will be finishing their beach rugby training this week and will be going back to train at Daya Vieja as from 30 August, until we can get a permanent full size rugby pitch.

The training times will be for juniors from 18.00-19.30 and seniors from 20.0021.30.

So this week come on down to the beach and join in the training, and then next week to Daya Vieja.

The club is looking to build on the summer tournaments and get more new players so that we can enter more tournaments next year and also start playing friendlies ready to enter the league next year and entertain touring teams.

The club will be training on the beach this week at Guardamar on Monday and Wednesday at 20.00. We have had a number of new junior players join in the training and become members of the club, from U10’s to U16’s, so a good result for the club, so anybody who wants to come along and take part is more than welcome.

If anybody knows of any town halls in the area of Guardamar to Cuidad Quesada or around the area, that want to have a rugby club based there, we are looking for a base to train, hold rugby tournaments,

matches, have touring teams come over and play in the league, please contact us on 692 767 242.

All ages, gender and nationalities are welcome, from beginners to experienced players, the more the merrier, as we are based on the true traditional ethics of the sport. So come along and join the newest rugby club on the Costa Blanca.

Also team bonding after training in the nearest bar for a drink and chat, just how rugby should be. Training still takes place on Monday and Wednesday from 20.0021.30 at Guardamar beach in front of the restaurants.

For more information about the club contact myself, Dutch, on 692 767 242.

Also I am back down at Zoco market on Sunday again from 09.00-13.30, so come on down and find more out about the club and rugby in the area. Also for all of your rugby branded clothing and gear including Canterbury casuals and Cotton Traders shirts.

SOL TIMES

COSTA BLANCA

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August 2015

LA MANGA 127 for 7 - TORREVIEJA 82 for 8

For the last away game of the season, Torrevieja CC travelled down to La Manga with high hopes of maintaining their winning streak.

Having lost several players to other clubs over the winter, La Manga fielded a mixture of youth and experience as did Torrevieja.

La Manga won the toss and elected to bat. With the weather overcast and humid, the batsmen were having a torrid time as the Torrevieja bowlers were getting the ball to swing in all directions, and after half of their allotted 40 overs, La Manga had reached 36 for 5. However, as the skies cleared, and with some patience and application, Rupert James and Tim Walton started to put on the runs and by the time Rupert was out for 23, they had added 71 to the total.

Tim was still there at the end and finished on 71 not out, an excellent innings under the circumstances.

Pick of the bowlers for Torrevieja, were , not for the first, time this season, Ciaran Guichard ( 3 for 20 )

and Hassan Ullah ( 2 for 31 ). When Torrevieja went into bat, they soon found out how difficult it was and after the first 20 overs had reached 39 for 4. But there was to be no saving middle order batsman for Torrevieja and although they seemed to be keeping up with the run rate, it soon became obvious that the draw was the best result Torrevieja could hope for, and captain Chris Darwen and Ben Appleby saw out the final over.

Chris ( 18 not out ) Ciaran ( 16 ) Hasan ( 17 ) and Kieren Wood ( 13 ) were the only batsmen to rech double figures. For La Manga, David Warwick ( 2 for 8 ) Tim Walton ( 3 for 14 ) and Robin Williams ( no relation ) his 1 over yielded 1 wicket for 1 run. La Manga 14 points, Torrevieja 6 points.

Anyone wishing to join Torrevieja CC should contact Graham on 605 319 889 or go to torrevieja-cricket.com.

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